Hawaii's ho-hum midterm election, Honolulu council seeks to ban shopping carts on sidewalks, Maui to allow homeless to sleep in cars, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

If Tuesday’s Election Is Exciting Hawaiʻi Voters, They Aren’t Showing It. Early voter turnout in Hawaiʻi is behind that of past midterm elections. That contrasts with early voting in other states. As of Wednesday, roughly 165,000 ballots have been returned. By comparison, about 195,000 ballots had been returned statewide this far out from Election Day during the last midterm four years ago.  Civil Beat.

Awa and Tokuda vie to represent Hawaiʻi's 2nd congressional district. The congressional race to represent rural Oʻahu and the neighbor islands features Hawaiʻi's highest ranking Republican and a two-term Democrat seeking reelection. Brenton Awa is running for the GOP and challenging the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda. Hawaii Public Radio.

Money To Fight Opioids Poured Into Hawaiʻi. The Real Problem Was Meth. Hawaiʻi launched an anti-opioid initiative in 2017 when the federal government started making grants to the states. But no such initiative has ever addressed methamphetamine.  Civil Beat

Water Safety Lessons Coming To Hawaiʻi Schools. Swimming Isn’t Required. For the first time, Hawaiʻi schools may require water safety lessons. But swimming lessons will only be available to some. Only six high schools in Hawaiʻi have pools on campus, according to the Department of Education. There are no schools with pools in Maui County. Civil Beat.

State senator proposes ways to get more visitor feedback from ag travel forms. After the state digitized its mandatory agricultural declaration forms and voluntary tourism surveys for inbound visitors, participation in the latter has fluctuated in a way that makes it difficult to discern the true picture of Hawaiʻi's visitor industry. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Shopping-cart bill draws criticism over impact on homeless. A battle over shopping carts has rolled into Honolulu Hale as proponents of Bill 53 cite public safety concerns over abandoned carts, while opponents argue the measure unfairly targets Oahu’s homeless population. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii federal agents, attorneys receive prestigious award for dismantling Miske enterprise. Ten federal employees from Hawaii received the Director’s Award from the Department of Justice on Wednesday for their work dismantling the criminal organization led by Mike Miske. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmaker wants Aloha Stadium's 'Volcano' sculpture publicly displayed. Sen. Glenn Wakai said he's drafting a bill that would allow the state arts agency access to a special pot of money to help move the sculpture. In the meantime, he wants it publicly displayed rather than put in storage. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ex-U.S. Army official pleads guilty in $1.25 million bribery scheme. Carlos Duque, a 49-year-old ex-U.S. Army official pleaded guilty Wednesday to his role in a conspiracy to collect $1.25 million in bribes over five years to award contracts and subcontracts to a company from the military’s Hawaii-­Pacific Innovation Campus. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Candidates for Central Oʻahu race appear on ballot for the first time. For the first time this year, the three candidates vying for the state Senate's District 18 are on the ballot for voters — guaranteeing a new face in a seat long held by Sen. Michelle Kidani. The candidates on the ballot are Sen. Danielle Bass, Kelly Kitashima and Max Hanna. Hawaii Public Radio.

Man, 43, indicted for attempted murder, other charges in Kailua police shooting. A grand jury indicted Sea n Warnet for attempted murder of police officers and multiple firearm offenses, including the alleged possession of a ghost gun, after a shooting in Kailua on Oct. 21. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council bills aim to put spotlight on island’s history, culture. Two Hawaii County Council measures aimed at highlighting Hawaii Island history and culture are moving forward after receiving support from lawmakers at a meeting last week. Bills 199 and 200 would establish a historic place marker program and a mo‘olelo interpretation program, respectively. Tribune-Herald. 

OHA Trustees Visit Hawaiʻi Island, Hold Meetings in Hilo. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees is meeting in East Hawaiʻi this week, and holding two public meetings at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Progress made on Naʻalehu Cemetery recovery effort. Hawaii County is encouraging family members of those laid to rest at Na‘alehu Cemetery to submit a claim by Monday for recovered funerary items. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Temporary safe parking site wins unanimous Maui Council approval, but potential severe weather delays opening. The Maui County Council voted 9-0 on Friday to approve a bill that lets the county open a temporary site for people living in their vehicles along Pūlehu Road, even as advocates for houseless residents called the location a “dust bowl,” and some council members warned that the project needs a clearer framework and more site improvements. Maui Now.

Temporary evacuation site opens in Hana amid heavy rainfall, flooding. The site at 174 Keawa Place opened Wednesday night. The county said it will remain open until the threat of flooding has passed. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi County Council approves county seeking up to $25M in insurance for Kāpule Building fire in Līhuʻe. The insurance proceeds would cover eligible restoration, repair and replacement costs of the building at the Līhuʻe Civic Center.that houses government services, including the DMV and permitting offices. Kauai Now.

Two Months After Lowell, Kauaʻi’s Low-Income Tenants Await Repairs. Residents have dealt with leaky roofs and worry that the latest round of heavy rain will exacerbate the problem. Civil Beat.

Officials check on flood mitigation work. House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura, Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, and Rep. Luke A. Evslin joined state Department of Transportation (HDOT) officials and local residents for a site visit to Kainahola Stream in Kapaa on Oct. 21, in the face of a weather system that threatened the state with potential flooding. Garden Island.

State seeks public input on $200M 'green fee' spending, carpenters' PAC pumps $12M into elections, factory-built homes come to Oahu, shelters open ahead of monsoon trough, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Next ‘Green Fee’ projects to involve more public input. An advisory council charged with making recommendations is seeking to influence a second round of Hawaii “Green Fee” projects to be selected for around $200 million in state funding. Star-Advertiser.

Mission Unclear: A $1 Million Contract Involving Invasive Species. Hawaiʻi has ponied up tens of millions of dollars to fight the plague of invasive species across the islands. But the state’s choice of contractors is raising serious concerns. Civil Beat.

Big Money Continues To Flow In Hawaiʻi Politics As Election Nears. Gov. Josh Green is spending big, according to the latest campaign reports. On Kauaʻi and Maui, money is also flowing in mayoral contests. Civil Beat.

Carpenters’ $12M political spending exceeds all other campaigns. With a week to go before the November general election, political spending in Hawaii has reached a new high, and most of it is coming from one source. The carpenters union political action committee, For a Better Tomorrow, is setting records for spending in support of candidates. The carpenters union is also behind a PAC supporting the RISE bonds constitutional amendment question. Hawaii News Now.

AIPAC Still Giving Money To Ed Case Despite His Criticism Of Israel. The moderate Democrat is Hawaiʻi’s only congressional candidate to get money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which recently announced it will no longer give directly to candidates. Civil Beat.

Delegation intervenes in lawsuit on admissions at Kamehameha Schools. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is backing Kamehameha Schools in its legal fight over the institution’s admissions preference for Native Hawaiian students, arguing that Congress has both the constitutional authority and a long-standing trust responsibility to protect Native Hawaiian rights. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai’i’s 2026 dry season 3rd wettest in 30 years; but wet season will be opposite with increased wildfire risk. Based on the NOAA wet season forecast the state may experience dryner than normal conditions and droughts in many areas due to El Niño. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Department of Hawaiian Homelands pilots factory-built homes to shorten waitlist. For years, Native Hawaiian beneficiaries have faced lengthy wait times for housing. Under the pilot program, DHHL offered leases for 24 scattered lots. Sixteen are in Kapolei, and eight will be in Waianae. Hawaii News Now.

City to pay $2.5M over fatal Salt Lake sidewalk fall. The family of a man who died after tripping on a cracked sidewalk in Salt Lake has settled a lawsuit with the city for $2.5 million. The accident also exposed cracks in the city’s sidewalk maintenance program. Hawaii News Now.

Koko Crater Stables tenant told to vacate. The City is ordering the current tenant out of Koko Crater Stables. Aloha Riding Lessons said it needs to vacate by mid-January. KHON2.

Shelters open as heavy rain from ‘monsoon trough’ arrives. The City and County of Honolulu opened four emergency shelters Tuesday evening as heavy rain began approaching Oahu. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

County seeks removal of destroyed buildings in downtown Hilo. Hawaii County sent letters last month to two downtown Hilo property owners whose buildings were destroyed by a fire late last year, notifying them they are required by law to remove the debris from their properties or face stiff fines for noncompliance. Tribune-Herald.

Water department to waive charges for customers in storm-damaged Ka‘u. The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply’s board voted Tuesday to waive charges for its customers in the Wai‘ohinu-Na‘alehu service area for the most recent bi-monthly billing period due to infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald.

Family Members Can Submit Claims For Nāʻālehu Cemetery Recovered Items. Family members of those laid to rest at Nāʻālehu Cemetery can submit a claim for recovered items ahead of an important filing date next week. Big Island Video News. KITV4. 

Maui

Council gives initial approval for new investigator to target Lahaina contractor fraud. The Maui County Council voted 8-0 on Friday to pass on first reading a bill that would add a prosecutor’s office investigator to focus on contractor fraud tied to the 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Construction Of Military Data Center On Maui Alarms Residents. The nearly $100 million facility would work in conjunction with seven proposed telescopes near the summit of Haleakalā. The lab and data center are expected to be completed early next year. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation receives $40.1 million federal grant for Port of Kahului. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced that it has received $40,146,750 in federal grant funding through the US Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. The grant will support the $56.1 million Port of Kahului Cargo Yard Expansion project, significantly increasing landside capacity and operational efficiency at Maui’s sole commercial port. Maui Now.

Maui police lieutenant denied bail again in federal bribery case. A federal magistrate judge denied bail on Tuesday for Maui police Lt. Michael Vaituulala, who is accused of taking bribes to protect criminals. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Maui police seek help locating next of kin for unclaimed bodies. The Maui Police Department, in coordination with its health care partner Maui Memorial Medical Center, is seeking the public’s help locating next of kin for five deceased individuals whose bodies remain unclaimed. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaiʻi voters to decide on two state constitutional amendments, one Kauaʻi County Charter amendment. Hawaiʻi voters to decide amendments on timing for judge appointments, funding public infrastructure and one amendment that clarifies the planning commission appeal process in the Kauaʻi County Charter. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi's Mel Rapozo makes his run for mayor. In August's primary election, Kauaʻi County Council Chair Mel Rapozo led the race for Kauaʻi mayor with over 40% of the vote. He is running against Bernard Carvalho, who was Kauaʻi's mayor from 2008 to 2018. Carvalho did not respond to HPR's interview requests. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shameful behavior addressed. On the heels of the situation that took place on Saturday during the waning minutes of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation football game at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex stadium, the Kauai Police Department on Monday released a press release on the department’s “zero tolerance for violence.” Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Election tiebreaker critiqued, Wahiawa Dam monitoring picked up by state after federal cuts, Maui council rejects vacation rental rezoning, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Election tiebreaker process critiqued at hearing. About 20 people, including two candidates who lost tiebreaker drawings in Hawaii’s Aug. 8 primary election, expressed concerns about or objected to the state Office of Elections adopting administrative rules to formally establish a procedure for carrying out a state law that requires election ties be broken “by lot.”  Hawaii is one of 28 states that determine the winner of a tied election by chance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i reaffirms commitment to preserving survivor benefits for foster youth. The Hawai‘i Department of Human Services reaffirmed the state’s ongoing commitment to protecting Social Security survivor and disability benefits for children in foster care amid changes to end national policies to support these youths. Kauai Now.

Federal funding available for Hawaiʻi communities exploring energy resilience. Communities and organizations can receive up to $50,000 to support local energy resilience planning through the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Heavy rain, flash floods headed for the state. The National Weather Serv­ice on Monday issued a flood watch for all main Hawaiian isles, effective from this morning to late Wednesday night due to a trough passing over the state. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Oahu

Hawaiian Airlines begins construction on new Honolulu lounge. Located at the entrance to the Mauka Concourse at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the nearly 13,000-square-foot lounge is expected to open in the first half of 2028. Aloha State Daily.

Wahiawa Dam monitoring website to stay operational. A U.S. Geological Survey notice warning that the Wahiawa Dam streamgage website could be discontinued next month sparked concern but the state says the monitoring station will remain operational, with no interruption in service expected as ownership of the dam transitions to the state’s Agribusiness Development Corporation. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium’s 'Volcano' sculpture has stood for 40 years. Now, it must move. When Hawaiʻi artist Satoru Abe created “Volcano” in 1981, he built it as though it would have a permanent home. The 20-foot copper and bronze sculpture has been the gateway to Aloha Stadium for more than 40 years, sitting in front of the box office.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Trial set in lawsuit over fallen banyan tree that killed two women in Hilo. A jury trial has been scheduled for September 2027 in the wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of two women killed last year when a massive banyan tree on Kilauea Avenue in Hilo uprooted and collapsed. The amended complaint filed in late July by the Honolulu law firm Leavitt, Yamane and Soldner on behalf of the families of 48-year-old Michelle Katrina Noelani Comer and 35-year-old Trisha Jaye Almazan names the state, county, Hawaii Electric, Hawaiian Telcom, Imua Landscaping and Tree Works as defendants. Tribune-Herald.

Volcano residents hopeful about prospects for a health clinic. For years, Volcano residents have had to travel to other towns to access healthcare services. That could soon change, pending the results of a feasibility study about the possibility of establishing a rural health clinic in the Volcano Village area. Tribune-Herald.

Hotter Than Ever: Hawaiʻi Preps Kūpuna For Extreme Heat. Heat resilience workshops on the Big Island are giving tools to vulnerable populations to withstand the state’s increasingly common heat waves. Civil Beat.

Kona Historical Society may close due to storms, fewer donations and grants. The Kona Historical Society was founded in 1976 and provides opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Kona’s culture and heritage. It relied on grants to support its educational and preservation initiatives. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Council narrowly rejects resolutions to rezone condos as hotels for continued transient vacation rental use. The Maui County Council voted 5-4 on Friday against sending hotel-zoning proposals for four oceanfront condominium complexes in West Maui and Māʻalaea to the Maui Planning Commission, rejecting the last four properties Council Chair Alice Lee had sought to add to the referral process. The failed resolutions would have allowed rezoning the properties from apartment to hotel use, which would let owners keep renting units to visitors. Maui Now.

Maui Council advances safe parking project for homeless residents despite community concerns. Establishing an area for homeless people in Central Maui to park overnight without risk of citations and sweeps is slowly making progress through the Maui County Council, but not without some pushback from the community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor Bissen proposes $30M in bond funding to protect critical Molokaʻi lands, water assets. Mayor Richard Bissen is proposing that the County of Maui establish $30 million in general obligation bond funding for the proposed acquisition of key land and critical water infrastructure on Molokaʻi, advancing efforts to protect essential public services and preserve important resources for future generations. Maui Now.

Kauai

Taxpayer funding request for Aloun Farms draws criticism. Kaua‘i Shrimp Seeks State Bailout After Hurricane Damage. The company plans to close Saturday but its parent company is leaving the door open to restarting operations if the Agribusiness Development Corp. agrees to help by waiving fees and reducing rent. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Kauaʻi police reaffirm zero tolerance for threats of violence. A social media post has energized the Kauaʻi Police Department to remind the public that threats of violence involving schools and school-related activities will not be tolerated. Kauai Now.

Resident support for tourism nears record low; DHHL eyes Kakaako development, geothermal, Costco in Hilo; Rare monsoon trough approaching, voting off to slow start, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Resident support for tourism falls near record low. Hawaii residents are growing less convinced that tourism’s benefits outweigh its costs, with support for the industry’s overall value falling near a record low as concerns mount over visitor disrespect for Hawaiian culture, natural resources and residents’ quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

HECO reliability being explored by commission. The state Public Utilities Commission is considering a possible special proceeding to examine and improve service reliability of Hawaii’s largest power company, Hawaiian Electric. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Regulations Are Crippling Hawaiʻi Farmers, Report Says. A new report from the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs estimates the state could more than double the value of its agricultural industry if federal biosecurity processes were less burdensome. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green’s Mark On Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Set To Grow Even Larger. The governor will soon pick his third justice to the high court, and another vacancy is expected next year. Gov. Josh Green has already placed two justices on the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. He will soon pick another to the five-member bench, and could select another in 2027 if he’s reelected governor next month, as is expected. Civil Beat.

Early voting numbers lag last midterm tally. Hawaii voters overwhelmingly prefer to vote by mail, and the same downward trend on Oahu is happening across the islands, with fewer than 98,000 mail-in ballots arriving by Friday at county election sites through either the mail or drop-box locations. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Rare monsoon trough brings heavy rain risk to Hawaii. The National Weather Service said the greatest potential for the heaviest rain currently appears to be somewhere between Oʻahu and the Big Island, although the forecast remains uncertain and could change as the system gets closer. KHON2.

Health centers brace for new Med-QUEST rules. Starting Jan. 1, most adults enrolled in the government’s Medicaid program will have to show they work, volunteer or go to school part-time at least 80 hours in a month to qualify for healthcare under Med-QUEST, Hawaii’s Medicaid program. KFF, a health policy think tank, estimates the new requirements will reduce federal spending by $326 billion and increase the number of uninsured people in the U.S. by 5.3 million over 10 years. Star-Advertiser.

Retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court chief justice honored with Sandra Day OʻConnor Award. Former Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, who retired in 2025, has been recognized with the National Judicial College's highest honor. Big Island Now.

Oahu

DHHL and OHA join forces to unveil Kakaako Makai housing plan. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is advancing a plan to develop high-rise housing on a lot in Kakaako Makai in partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The two state agencies signed a tentative agreement Friday to produce homes for DHHL beneficiaries on the peninsula despite a 20-year-old state law prohibiting such use. Star-Advertiser.

HART advances $652M budget as Skyline extension plan awaits review. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is advancing its proposed $651.8 million budget for fiscal year 2028, while a report recommending feasibility studies for billions of dollars in potential east-west Skyline extensions has been deferred until November. Star-Advertiser.

Navy pumping can’t fully contain Red Hill fuel leak, study finds. The groundwater near where the Red Hill Bulk Storage facility spilled thousands of gallons of jet fuel into both the environment and drinking water moves in both the mauka and makai directions — and the pumping that the Navy has been doing out of Red Hill does not appear to fully contain contamination. That’s according to new dye tracer study results shared at the second biannual meeting for the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu bill could penalize residents who abandon shopping carts. A bill introduced in the Honolulu City Council that would fine those who possess and abandon shopping carts was met with mixed feelings from community members. Bill 53 would make the possession or abandonment of carts a petty misdemeanor, and could fine offenders up to $2,000 or jail them up to 30 days. Hawaii Public Radio.

Derelict Mōʻiliʻili Property, Home To Squatters, Plagues Neighborhood. The developers sought to provide affordable housing. In an unintended way, they did. Civil Beat.

Residents on Oahu’s North Shore take on dredging as lawsuits seek accountability. North Shore residents are spending the weekend bringing heavy machinery to Paukauila Stream to cut back mangroves and clear debris from the banks ahead of the next major storm. Star-Advertiser.

Dos Santos-Tam touts record; Morihara targets spending.  In the Nov. 3 general election, Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos- Tam is seeking a second four-year term representing the urban core’s District 6, touting his legislative record as challenger Corey Morihara calls for changes to city spending and infrastructure priorities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Costco eyed for DHHL development in Hilo. Planning is underway for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Pana‘ewa homestead project, its first residential development in East Hawaii in over 20 years. In order to fund the infrastructure needed to prepare it for occupancy, the department is also pursuing development of a nearby business park that could potentially include a Costco. Tribune-Herald.

DHHL pushes forward with exploration of geothermal energy opportunities. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will seek additional funding in the upcoming state legislative session to explore the potential of harnessing underground heat to produce geothermal energy. Tribune-Herald.

Compensation for Schweitzers in hands of high court justices. Two brothers wrongly convicted of the Christmas Eve 1991 rape and murder of Dana Ireland are waiting for the state Supreme Court to decide whether they can receive compensation for wrongful imprisonment while pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit against Hawaii County and its police. Tribune-Herald.

100 Kaʻū households get few answers about water, sewer nightmare during Public Utilities Commission meeting. Punaluʻu Water and Sanitation provided no plans for restoring essential services to two condo communities that have been without drinking water and sewer since Hurricane Lala caused damage nine weeks ago. Big Island Now.

Maui

Nearly 12,000 Maui County ballots returned ahead of election. Nearly 12,000 ballots had been returned by Maui County voters as of Friday, according to the Maui County Clerk’s Office. The county has 117,689 registered voters. Maui News.

In West Maui, Democrat-turned-Republican defends House seat against Lahaina Strong organizer, local business advocate. Pā‘ele Kiakona  is trying to unseat Elle Cochran for the Hawai‘i House of Representatives’ District 14, which includes the West Maui communities from Olowalu to Kapalua.  The three-person race is between Kiakona, who is running as a Green Party candidate, Democratic nominee Sne Patel and Cochran, a longtime Democrat who switched parties during the legislative session in March to run as a Republican. Maui Now.

Maui County voters to decide 8 charter amendments, 2 state constitutional amendments. What would the changes mean? The Maui County Charter is the guiding document for county government, and every election cycle, the council has the option to propose changes that voters have to approve.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County announced 16 grant-in-aid recipients for FY 2026-2027. This year, the Office of the Mayor received 54 proposals that were reviewed and scored, with the top projects selected for funding totaling nearly $200,000.  Kauai Now.

Bench-clearing incident mars Kapaa homecoming. No reason was provided for a late-game incident that resulted in a bench-clearing situation on the fields of the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Park stadium during Saturday’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation football game celebrating Kapaa High School’s Homecoming festivities. Garden Island.

HART committee seeks to expand rail to Ala Moana Center, OHA reconsiders Apo after public outcry, Volpe tapped for Big Island fire chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Plan Aims To Extend Honolulu Rail Line For An Extra $4 Billion. A subcommittee of HART tentatively endorses extending the Skyline system to Ala Moana Center and to Ka Makani Aliʻi shopping center in Kapolei. The new report by the subcommittee of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board mentions a half-dozen ways the city might raise the billions of dollars needed to build the rail extensions. Civil Beat.

OHA postpones CEO choice after public outcry. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs had voted 5-to-4 on Wednesday to select Todd Apo but by Thursday they were not so sure. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs declined to move forward on Todd Apo’s nomination as the agency’s next CEO after hearing more than two hours of testimony from the public on Thursday, most of it in opposition to Apo. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2. 

Prison director wants mentally ill suspects diverted from jail. Prison officials and lawmakers say millions of taxpayer dollars are being spent incarcerating people who need mental health care instead.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Green Fee program seeks new ideas before Nov. 1 deadline. More than a $100 million was generated by the additional transient accommodations tax but is limited to being spent on three different areas: environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resilience and sustainable tourism. KITV4.

State jobless rate hits 2-year high of 2.8%. The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose in September for the sixth time this year and hit 2.8% — up from 2.7% in August and up from 2.2% in January, according to data released Monday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ex-Army official charged in federal bribery case. A 49-year-old ex-U.S. Army official is scheduled to make his initial appearance after he was accused by federal prosecutors of taking $1.25 million in bribes over five years to steer contracts to companies from the military’s Hawaii-­Pacific Innovation Campus. Star-Advertiser.

10-tower redevelopment project takes shape in Kalihi. In about 2-1/2 years, the initial phase of a more than $1 billion plan to replace the 73-year-old Mayor Wright Homes complex in Kalihi-Palama with eight times as many new homes in a high-rise setting featuring more amenities should be done. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily. KITV4. 

HPD seizes more than $21,000, loaded gun in Wahiawa gambling raid. Officers took 36 gambling machines, $21,639 in cash, illegal drugs and a loaded firearm from an illegal gambling operation in Wahiawa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island’s Next Fire Chief Is Daniel Volpe. The fire commission voted 5-1 to hire the chief after receiving more than 30 applications. Volpe, who stepped in as interim chief in January, has served in the department for over 20 years as a firefighter, fire medical specialist, battalion chief and deputy chief.  Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. 

Rezoning decision about land for controversial Waikōloa Village development postponed until 2027. A Hawaiʻi County Council bill that would have rezoned a parcel of land in Waikōloa Village to allow for the development of an affordable home project with 400 apartments and 300 single-family homes has been postponed until July of 2027. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council committee questions temporary site plan for people living in vehicles. The Maui County Council is scheduled to take a final vote Friday on a bill that would let the county open a temporary site for people living in their vehicles, and officials hope to begin relocating people from Pūlehu Road as early as next week. Maui Now.

Maui wastewater overflow causes park closure, stench in Kihei. A wastewater spill in Kihei flooded parts of Kalama Park and the fire station parking lot on Thursday, Oct. 22. KHON2.

ʻAlalā reach milestones on Maui: Released Hawaiian crows show encouraging signs of recovery. Nearly two years after release into the forests of Haleakalā, five ʻalalā (Hawaiian crows) continue making their way in the wild and demonstrating encouraging natural behaviors. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department launching automated license plate readers. Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai said data collected by this technology "will be restricted to authorized KPD personnel and governed by departmental policies and applicable laws.” Kauai Now.

Federal defense agency grants $1.3 million to improve Kekaha-Waimea water system on Kauaʻi. The water system is critical infrastructure for the U.S. Navyʻs Pacific Missile Range Facility that relies on it for its own operations and workforce. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Dead Pigs, Stripped Cars: Kauaʻi’s Scary Public Housing Conditions. Kawailehua residents say they’re tired of the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ignoring their complaints and are organizing to improve the situation. Civil Beat.

Conservation group working to clear Kauai storm damage.  Kupu, a Honolulu nonprofit, has been working with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kauai County, sending crews with chainsaws and other tools into the wilderness to clear debris and reopen trails, as well as look for potential hazards that could pose future dangers — such as invasive grasses that fuel wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Vegas leaders offer Hawaii gambling tips, Todd Apo named OHA CEO, scary candy prices for Halloween, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Las Vegas leaders offer expertise as Hawaii weighs gambling legalization. That topic was one of the many as leaders from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce hosted a business exchange summit in Waikiki. The goal – share insight about the “fun economy” – sports, tourism, entertainment and gaming – with their counterparts here. KHON2.

Looks Like OHA Has A New CEO. A vote finalizing Todd Apo’s appointment to head the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is expected Thursday. Todd Apo is the top pick to be the next chief executive for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs following a 5-to-4 vote by the office’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday afternoon. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Alaska Air Group says Hawaii market remained a drag in 2026, but sees conditions improving in 2027. awaii has been a drag on Alaska Air Group’s performance so far this year, but executives told investors Wednesday they are increasingly optimistic about the market in 2027 as industry capacity growth slows and temporary headwinds begin to ease. Star-Advertiser.

So What’s With All These Charter And Constitutional Amendments? Here’s what you need to know about charter amendments for Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi counties, plus state constitutional amendments. Civil Beat.

Candy prices in Hawaii could see a spike as Halloween draws closer. Halloween is 10 days away, and candy is usually flying off the shelves, but candy is seeing a noticeable rise in price in Hawaii. KHON2.

Oahu

HPD staffing reassignments come amid 453 officer vacancies. The Honolulu Police Department’s evolving reassignment of officers to patrol districts comes as the department is working to fill 453 uniformed and 182 civilian vacancies as of Oct. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Public transit as billboards? Honolulu weighs new ad laws. The City’s transit system costs more than $475 million per year, but brings in only about $50 million. Bill 59 would let the City sell ad space on the outside of TheBus to help address the shortfall. KHON2.

80+ Oahu farms still struggling after months of repeated storms. Dozens of Oʻahu farms and homes hit by three different storms are still struggling to recover. Hawaiʻi groups and a national network called Extreme Weather Survivors are coming together to help them rebuild. Hawaii News Now.

Court restores $14M in McKinley sex abuse case. A mother whose daughter 15 years ago was repeatedly sexually abused by about a dozen male students at McKinley High School says the state Department of Education has never apologized or taken responsibility for its failure to protect her daughter, even after the Hawaii Supreme Court restored a $14.17 million judgment against the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Busy day for the County Council. Homelessness and housing funding, vacation rental regulations, and a proposed development in Waikoloa were all hot topics on the Hawaii County Council meeting agenda Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Commission interviews 6 fire chief hopefuls; final decision expected today. The Hawaii County Fire Commission on Wednesday publicly interviewed all six candidates vying to become the island’s next fire chief. Three of the candidates are current members of the department: Daniel Volpe, and battalion chiefs Stacy Domingo and Melanie Keolanui. The other three are: Garrett Kim, a retired HFD captain; Michael Fine, a retired fire captain from the Ventura County Fire Department north of Los Angeles; and Cole Thompson, a former battalion chief in the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District in San Diego County. Tribune-Herald.

Hurricane Lala prompts Hawai‘i County Council to explore ways to proactively manage vegetation. The County Council is urging the governor and mayor to prioritize and fund proactive vegetation management to mitigate trees falling over power lines and roadways during natural disasters. Big Island Now.

Sadistic’ Cult: Hilo High Schooler Preyed On Girls Online. Kalana Limkin targeted vulnerable young girls, including a 12-year-old in Waiʻanae, amid a rise in what federal investigators call online nihilistic violent extremism.  Civil Beat.

With Their Taps Dry For 9 Weeks And Counting, They Want To Take Over. There’s no projected timeline for repairs to a private water system in Punalu‘u that Hurricane Lala damaged in August, an attorney for Eva Liu, the absentee developer who owns the system, told state regulators this week. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi County revitalization project met with hesitation. Some historic places and common public areas across Hawaiʻi Island could be getting a facelift through a measure introduced in the Hawaiʻi County Council. The new piece of legislation would appropriate up to $1 million annually to establish and fund a Town Revitalization Program. The money would go to commercial districts, downtowns, historic areas, and town centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Meet the contenders in the unusual 3-party race for West Maui's House seat. There are three candidates on the ballot for West Maui's House District 14 State Representative seat. That's unusual because one candidate is running under the Green Party. There's only been one other Green candidate for the seat since 1992, which is when the State Elections Office's online available records end. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council committee backs temporary sewer deal for new Central Maui school. A Maui County Council committee voted 9-0 on Monday to recommend passage of a bill that would let the county provide temporary wastewater service to the new Central Maui school in Waikapū if the school opens before the county’s planned Central Maui wastewater plant is completed. Maui Now.

New program offers working Maui households up to $800 monthly.  Applications opened Monday for Maui United Way’s Kamaʻāina Credit for ALICE Households Pilot Program, which will provide monthly financial assistance to approximately 910 eligible households across Maui County for one year. Maui News.

County homebuyer program issues 100th shopping letter. Eighteen households displaced by the 2023 Maui wildfires received shopping letters Tuesday through a county homebuyer assistance program, bringing the total number of letters issued to 100. The Ho'okumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program offers qualified households up to $600,000 to bridge the gap between what they can finance through a mortgage and the cost of purchasing an eligible home within Maui County. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Circuit Court approves agreement with Hilario that imposes 20-year sentence in 16-year-old Kaua‘i murder case. The Fifth Circuit Court on Wednesday approved a stipulated agreement that imposes a 20-year sentence on Vincente Hilario for a murder that took place 16 years ago on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Organizations address ongoing housing, rebuilding needs for long term recovery. After distributing $364,000 in relief, Kauaʻi organizations prepare to transition to long-term recovery with emergency assistance applications closing on Oct. 24. Kauai Now.

Voter service centers open today, lopsided Legislature faces contested elections, Honolulu egg prices rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lopsided mix of Democrats, Republicans in Hawaii Legislature could shift. Just about half of all seats in Hawaii’s Legislature are being contested by at least two candidates in the Nov. 3 general election, which features two special races and could produce a historic third-party victory. Star-Advertiser.

Voter service centers open and voting begins. Across the state, voting service centers have opened, drop boxes are placed and voting has begun. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii fishing industry applauds new federal law targeting tuna fraud. The new law calls for a standard procedure to identify where red snapper and certain tuna species come from, including the development of a field test kit that can determine whether fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters. The process will allow law enforcement to intercept illegally caught or falsely labeled fish before they enter U.S. markets, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

Genetic study shows seafarers from Easter Island settled Hawaii.  A band of seafarers from Easter Island in the South Pacific set off in double-hulled sailing canoes on a voyage across Earth’s largest ocean that ended more than 4,400 miles away in Hawaii, the only Polynesian island in the Northern Hemisphere.  New genetic research has determined that Native Hawaiians are genetically most closely related to the people of Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui.  Reuters.

Oahu

Council advances affordable housing transparency bill. In spite of opposition from Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration, a Honolulu City Council committee Tuesday advanced legislation requiring public disclosure of city incentives for affordable housing developers on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Planned new Oahu jail being downsized. The size of a planned new jail on Oahu is being trimmed 20% in anticipation of the state being able to lease more space at an underutilized federal detention center in Honolulu. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is now pursuing a new 800-bed jail to replace its 954-bed Oahu Community Correctional Center. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s New Police Chief Unveils 5-Year Plan — And Wants Your Input. Members of the public can submit feedback on the department’s strategic plan through Oct. 29.  Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council has given the green light to a proposed luxury tower at 1588 Ala Moana, located across the street from the Ala Moana Center. The project, dubbed “Park Lane 2,” plans to develop a new luxury hotel, condominiums, and only 69 affordable rental units — which the  UNITE HERE Local 5 union said isn’t enough. Hawaii Public Radio.

Egg prices rising faster in Honolulu than on mainland. By the end of the second quarter, the average price for a dozen conventional eggs was $10.06 — an 11.3% jump from $9.04 in 2025 and a 5.8% jump from $9.51 in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, on the mainland, the price for a dozen conventional eggs was $7.78 — a 1.2% increase from $7.78 last year and and a 16.8% decrease from $9.46 last quarter. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Waialua Health Clinic now open on Oahu. The new Waialua Health Clinic opened Monday at Waialua Shopping Center, and is now offering primary and preventive care for patients of all ages — from infants and keiki to adults and kupuna. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council considers program to revitalize buildings. The Town Revitalization Program, if established under the original proposal, would provide up to $1 million yearly in grants and other financial assistance for improvements to eligible buildings and areas. The R&D director would, through the county’s procurement process, select a nonprofit organization to administer the grant proposal. Tribune-Herald.

Nov. 3 General Election in Hawai’i County: What you need to know about voting, candidates, amendments. Today, Voter Service Centers open in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, and there are 10 ballot boxes set up island-wide. Big Island Now.

‘We can’t manage much longer’; PUC holds meeting regarding broken Punalu‘u water system. The Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation company is under scrutiny from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and its customers after failing to restore water access and wastewater treatment services following damage from Hurricane Lala – leaving the approximately 100 condominiums in its service area without drinking water or flushable toilets. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Big Island elementary school closed due to water outage. Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary in Papa‘ikou is closed today due to water outage. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking held for Waimea affordable housing project. A groundbreaking and blessing ceremony has been held for the Koai‘e Self Help Affordable Housing Project in Waimea. The housing project is being developed by the Hilo-based nonprofit Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald To Be Honored At Torch of Light Luncheon. The Big Island Press Club will honor retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald with its annual Torch of Light Award next month at a luncheon event in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County launches online TAT portal nearly three years after audit flagged collection problems. The Maui County Department of Finance has launched an online portal for managing county transient accommodations tax accounts, nearly three years after the county auditor flagged problems with how the county tracks and collects the tax. Maui Now.

Lahaina Restoration Foundation to hold annual meeting Nov. 6. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation will hold its 2026 annual meeting Nov. 6 at Lahainaluna High School, offering community members an update on its historic preservation and rebuilding efforts. Maui News.

Maui Coral Reef Holds Secrets Of The Past — And The Future. A coral core dating back to the 1700s is helping scientists and reef advocates plan how to protect a Maui “super reef” as it faces a challenging future. Civil Beat.

Residents can help shape H.A. Baldwin Park Adaptation Plan. The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a public meeting about future H.A. Baldwin Park improvements and land stewardship from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Paia Community Center. Maui News.

Kauai

Lines Drawn In Princeville Battle: Golf Course Views Vs. Luxury Development. Cops have been called, lawsuits have been filed and a global investment company is trying to secure more seats on the community association’s board to help push its housing proposal through. Civil Beat.

Center dedicated to Kauaʻi teens makes its way to the Garden Isle. A center dedicated to supporting teen's wellbeing and futures is making its way to Kauaʻi through the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi native with farming roots, stint at Moonshine University, to lead distillery operations at Kōloa Rum Company. Duke Kahaulelio-Yadaoʻs journey to the leadership position began on his family farm in Kalāheo and included a fermentation workshop and distilling course in Kentucky. Kauai Now.