Drivers rarely reimbursed for vehicle damage from road conditions, Honolulu considers regulating Waikiki buskers, Hawaii joins nationwide ballistic testing network, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

If Hawaiʻi Roads Damaged Your Car, Don’t Expect A Payout. The Department of Transportation receives and rejects the most claims, data shows. Tort claimants seeking financial damages from state agencies last year cost $249,344.72, according to data from the Department of Accounting and General Services. But most people don’t receive any money. Civil Beat.

Hawaii joins national network of gun crime evidence. Hawaii joined the rest of the nation recently by joining a computer network run by the U.S. Department of Justice that captures, stores and compares digital images of ballistic evidence pulled from shell casings found at gun crime scenes. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Bill banning cash crypto purchases at kiosks awaits governor’s decision. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green has until the end of the month to send his intent-to-veto list to lawmakers. Among the legislation he is considering is a bill that would ban using cash to buy cryptocurrency at kiosks. Hawaii News Now.

UH athletics to get $5M for NIL compensation. Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson shipping company and community leaders Jack Tsui and Walter Dods are each contributing $200,000 a year to help the University of Hawaii retain and recruit student-athletes and also provide Title IX-­compliant opportunities. Star-Advertiser.

Getting up to SPEED: New task force continues work to streamline permitting process. The task force during its May 27 meeting reviewed outcomes from the 2026 Hawai‘i Legislative Session, including measures from the first round of Permitted Interaction Groups and discussed legislation tied to prior recommendations and broader permitting reform priorities. Kauai Now.

FEMA deadline is Saturday to seek Kona-low storm aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday reminded the public that Saturday is the deadline to apply for aid from its individual assistance program that can help local homeowners and renters on Oahu, Hawaii island and islands of Maui County cover losses from the March 10-24 storms if their primary residence suffered damage. Star-Advertiser.

New survey tracks changes in Hawaiʻi period poverty. A 2021 statewide survey revealed that half of respondents have missed school or work because of their period. The second version of the survey is now open to track how trends have changed and if recently enacted laws have increased period product accessibility. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Pursuing performers: Should Waikiki buskers be regulated? Street performers help bring Waikiki to life, but some residents said the entertainment is causing problems. City leaders are now looking at new rules to crack down on unregulated performers. KHON2.

Honolulu budget leaves out support for storm-impacted farmers. Oʻahu farmers still reeling from the Kona low storms didn’t get the funding assistance they asked for from the Honolulu City Council, so city support for them may be sparse. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Aloha’ to Aloha Stadium, final tripping event. Another major chapter in the history of Aloha Stadium came to an end Tuesday as crews carried out the final stadium tripping event, marking a significant milestone in the dismantling of the iconic facility. KHON2.

Workers fear for safety at overcrowded state hospital. The union representing staff at Hawaii State Hospital says it is considering filing a grievance over unsafe conditions as overcrowding increases while staff resources fall. Nearly 390 patients were in the mental health facility this weekend, according to sources. The hospital was built for about 300 patients. Hawaii News Now.

Some Kapolei residents frustrated for now being ticketed for no parking area. Residents at a Kapolei townhouse complex said they’re feeling frustrated, as authorities are now cracking down on the street parking they’ve been using for years. KHON2.

Council approves potential purchase of Queen Theater. Legislation aimed at pushing the city to acquire and restore the long-derelict Queen Theater in Kaimuki into a public, multipurpose venue has received Hono­lulu City Council approval. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Dramatic Shakeup Coming To Hawai‘i County Council. Priorities, alliances and leadership could change with four open seats this election. Three council members — Ashley Kierkiewicz, Matt Kealiʻi-Kleinfelder and Rebecca Villegas — are termed out. Michelle Galimba is not seeking another two-year term. This could lead to a dramatic shift in how the council operates. Civil Beat.

Hawaii police issue 300+ citations on deadly highway. In less than a week, Big Island police issued more than 300 citations during traffic enforcement on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road. KHON2.

‘Terrified’ Kids’ Long-Held Concerns About Dentist Surface After Viral Video. Dr. Andrew Choy is one of few pediatric dentists in the Hilo area accepting Medicaid. Parents who say he’s traumatized their kids now drive four hours round trip to visit someone else.  Civil Beat.

Emergency officials say 18 homes destroyed in South Kona quake. Civil Defense told HPR that 18 homes were destroyed, and 104 homes sustained major damage during the May 22nd earthquake. Hawaii Public Radio.

A wet start to the dry season in East Hawaii. June 1 marked the official start of the dry season for most of Hawaii, but that might not be apparent after the rainfall East Hawaii has received so far this month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County to provide update on zoning code rewrite June 17. The Maui County Department of Planning is inviting residents, businesses and other stakeholders to learn more about the ongoing rewrite of Title 19 of the Maui County Code, the set of laws governing how land and buildings throughout the county can be used and developed. Maui News.

Public comments due July 8 on Lahaina sewer force main replacement project. Public comments are being accepted through July 8 on a draft environmental assessment for a Maui County project to replace a sewer force main in Lahaina. Maui Now.

6 tons of trash removed from Pūlehu Road, 34 abandoned vehicles tagged during ‘routine cleanup’. The area has a known history of people living in vehicles along that stretch. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Immigrant Charged With Voting Illegally Amid Trump Crackdown. The case is the first in at least 40 years in Hawaiʻi involving a noncitizen. A Maui resident who emigrated from the Philippines more than a decade ago was arraigned in federal court Tuesday on charges of voting illegally, the first such case in Hawaiʻi ​​in at least 40 years involving a noncitizen. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Friends mourn Sergio ‘Tito’ Reyes, who was murdered after his shift at Mexican restaurant in Hanalei. They remember the 37-year-old chef as a person who loved cars, DJing, arts, the beach, his job, his friends and his family, whom he regularly sent money to in Guatemala. Kauai Now.

Applegate supporters take to the streets. Candidate for Kauai County Council Paul Applegate joined about 30 of his campaign supporters in waving support signs and greeting motorists on Friday in Hanapepe, fronting the Kauai Soto Zen Temple and the Hanapepe Armory. Garden Island.

HMSA delays medical reimbursement changes, Kanakaole tapped to head DLNR, Grassroot Institute sues over campaign contribution limits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HMSA Delays The Change Threatening Patient Access After Governor Steps In. Change of heart extends insurance reimbursement shift for six months. Hawaiʻi’s largest health insurer is giving primary care doctors more time to adapt to a dramatically different reimbursement model that doctors say threatens their ability to keep their doors open after Gov. Josh Green intervened. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Suit challenges campaign spending activity law. The nonprofit Grassroot Institute of Hawaii filed a federal lawsuit Friday seeking to invalidate the new state law, which intends to bar campaign spending activity by companies, labor unions and other organizations that had such abilities protected in a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2010 under a case called Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Green appoints Kanaka‘ole to head BLNR, DLNR. Gov. Josh Green announced Monday that Dawn Chang will retire as chairwoman of the Board of Land of Natural Resources and director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, effective July 1. Green appointed Hawaii Island native Ryan Kanaka‘ole to serve as chairman of the board and director of the department. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Proposed guidelines reignite fight over aquarium fishing. After lawmakers refused to stop aquarium fishing this year, fishers are pushing for new limits, spurring debate over whether the controversial practice can be done sustainably.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi advocates say monk seal protection falls short amid harassment case. Hawaiian monk seals have been on the endangered species list for 50 years. But advocates of marine mammals say they need more protection from people, including enforcement and education. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

$3M in illegal rental fines uncollected a year after foreclosure threat. A year after the Honolulu City Council approved foreclosure on a short-term rental owner, the case remains unresolved — and nearly $3 million in fines remains uncollected. Hawaii News Now.

Agency unveils homelessness central response command center. The facility will will serve as a central command center for homelessness response efforts, gathering data from across Oahu and helping connect individuals with housing, support services and other resources. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

‘Cannot Happen Again’: Lawmaker Targets Doctors Who Impregnate Patients. After learning a beloved North Shore gynecologist was accused of using his own sperm to inseminate patients without their consent, Rep. Amy Perruso is seeking to outlaw this behavior. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Annual EPIC system update scheduled later this week. Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works and Planning departments will perform the annual update to the county’s Electronic Processing and Information Center — or EPIC — beginning early Thursday morning, June 11. The EPIC site will be unavailable from 1 a.m. June 11 through 8 a.m. Friday, June 12. Big Island Now.

$6M in renovations planned for UH Hilo theater. The Performing Arts Center at the University of Hawaii at Hilo has changed very little throughout its over 50-year lifespan, manager Lee Barnette-Dombroski said. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Man gets 2 years prison time for filing false FEMA claims. A man who stole more than $60,000 with his ex- girlfriend from the Federal Emergency Management Agency by lying about being victims of the deadly 2023 West Maui wildfires and the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires was sentenced to two years in federal prison Friday. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KITV4.

West Maui Taxpayers Association to host candidate forum June 25.  The West Maui Taxpayers Association will host its 2026 Primary Candidates Night on June 25 at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall. Maui News.

Empty Shelves: Young Brothers Misses 3 Shipments To Molokaʻi In 21 Days. The shipping monopoly has missed its past four shipments to the Friendly Isle, leaving residents frustrated by empty store shelves and costly alternatives. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi police said financial dispute reason Billy Sinclair allegedly killed a 37-year-old in Hanalei. The victim, who was identified by his cousin on Facebook as Tito Reyes, was killed where he worked at a restaurant in Hanalei, police said. Kauai Now. Garden Island. KHON2. 

Mike Coots joins county council race. Kauai-born photographer, ocean advocate, author and shark attack survivor Mike Coots announced his campaign for the Kauai County Council on Sunday. Garden Island.

Lackluster primary predicted, electric bills to drop on two islands, JERO and HECO close to power plant deal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Primary elections unlikely to stir voter enthusiasm, turnout. There is little expectation that voters will turn out in droves for the upcoming Aug. 8 party primaries following the 2024 presidential election year, when only 32.3% of all of Hawaii’s registered voters bothered to vote in the primary, a record low since widespread mail-in voting began in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Hawaiʻi Primary Shows There’s Still Hunger For Public Service. At first blush the August primary election would seem to be a bit of a yawner. But dig a little deeper and voters will find a lot of competitive races across the ballot, especially for county-level offices. Civil Beat.

2024 House recount shows importance of every vote. Republican Rep. Elijah Pierick and Democratic Campbell High School teacher Corey Rosenlee know firsthand that every vote matters after their razor-thin race in 2024 flipped from a Rosenlee victory to a win for Pierick by just 11 votes. Star-Advertiser.

Many Hawaii electric bills dipping in June. A typical residential bill on Oahu is edging down 2.5% for June after a 14.4% increase in May that followed a 14% increase in April, according to Hawaiian Electric. On Kauai, the decrease for June is 3.9%.  For Maui County and Hawaii Island June bills for typical residential customers are still higher because of the timing of oil purchases. Star-Advertiser.

Can refusal of sobriety test implicate driver? A challenge to whether a driver’s refusal to take the voluntary field sobriety test can be treated as evidence of guilt is before the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Healthcare legislation addressed vapes, medical debt. While legislators approved some bills addressing the use of vapes among youth in Hawaii, along with others that expand health services for kupuna, other bills seeking to address the state’s chronic doctor shortage and protect patients’ rights failed. Star-Advertiser.

See How Your Beach Stacks Up To Hawai‘i Water Pollution Standards. “Can I get sick if I swim there?” That’s one question the Surfrider Foundation wants to answer for residents of Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi with its latest water quality report. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Council: Powerful Incumbent Faces Challengers Old And New. Voters spanning Waikīkī to East Honolulu get to decide this year whether to replace Council Chair Tommy Waters or elect him to a third term. Waters will also have to defend himself against political and legal challenges to his eligibility for the office. Civil Beat.

HPD’s interim chief ready for next chance to protect community. Twice in the last five years interim Chief Rade Vanic was asked to lead the Honolulu Police Department during abrupt leadership changes, but his greatest policing accomplishment came as a sergeant training officers. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green says JERA and HECO close to deal to bring natural gas to Oʻahu. JERA has proposed building a new facility that would burn natural gas for power on Oʻahu. The governor told HPR a deal could happen as soon as June 8. Hawaii Public Radio.

Potential West Oahu hillside landfill site spared. Makaiwa Hills, a West Oahu hillside property recently touted as the most viable location for Oahu’s next municipal solid waste landfill is now off the table, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu homes sales slightly stronger in May; condo sales lag. The Honolulu Board of Realtors on Saturday published data showing the island’s single-family home sales increased 8.5% year-over-year to 255 transactions in May compared to 235 a year earlier. Condo sales continued to lag behind 2025 volume, falling 9.4% year-over-year with 339 closings compared to 374 in May 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Family faces mounting fines after home fell onto shoreline. When their Rocky Point home fell onto the shoreline a little more than four years ago, the Guerrero family didn’t have time to grieve. Star-Advertiser.

Closing time for Hub Coworking Hawaiʻi locations. The owners of a coworking business are closing their two locations in Honolulu at the end of this month. The move will end memberships for 500 people.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Council votes down proposal that sought to limit responsibilities of the mayor. The Hawaii County Council voted 5-3 Wednesday in opposition of a bill that would transfer many of the executive powers vested in the mayor’s office to a newly created “county manager” position in what Mayor Kimo Alameda described as a “total power grab.” Tribune-Herald.

Panel defers bill regarding STVRs. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted unanimously Friday to defer a bill seeking to overhaul vacation rental rules. Bill 147 would lengthen the rental period considered “short-term” to stays less than 180 consecutive days — as opposed to 30 days under current rules — and set occupancy limits, reduce “quiet hours,” and restrict the types of activities allowed on rental properties. Tribune-Herald.

Emergency roadwork on Saddle Road begins today. The state Department of Transportation on Monday will begin work on the Hilo side of Daniel K. Inouye Highway that authorities hope will end a spate of crashes which have resulted in five fatalities this year — all within a period of less than a month. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Councilwoman proposes Hamakua Coast trail. Although parts of the region are largely inaccessible on foot, a proposal for a new trail through the area, running from Hilo to Waipio, could someday change that. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi CC Chancellor Susan Kazama Announces Retirement. Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama will step down on July 31, after a 40-year career with the University of Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Polls show incumbent Bissen, challenger Sugimura dueling for top spot in 10-candidate mayoral primary race. The race for Maui County mayor features a crowded field of 10 candidates, but two of three polls show County Council Vice Chair Yuki Sugimura with an early lead over incumbent Richard Bissen with two months to go before the August 8 primary election. Maui Now.

Maui Council passes $1.6 billion budget; adds security funding after terroristic threatening arrest. The Maui County Council gave final approval Thursday to a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, sending the spending plan to Mayor Richard Bissen’s desk, but not before adding $50,000 for Maui County campus security. Maui Now. Maui News. 

Judge Caps Maui Fire Legal Fees At $222M. A Maui judge has significantly reined in legal fees related to the $4.03 billion Maui wildfire settlement, awarding victims’ lawyers a fraction of the $1 billion they had sought.  he order is an enormous victory for fire victims who will be able to retain the bulk of the settlement money rather than see a large share go to their attorneys. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Costliest repairs to Lahaina Harbor still ahead as dredging gets underway. Lahaina Harbor has been the most visible sign of recovery in an area where most businesses have yet to rebuild and charred historic buildings hopeful of being restored and sensitive areas remain off limits to the public in the wake of the August 2023 wildfire. Maui Now.

Lacking funds, Maui Wildfire Exposure Study has halted, facing an uncertain future. The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study has offered a healthcare lifeline to fire-impacted Maui residents. It also provided a model for tracking the long-term effects of the disaster. Hawaii Public Radio.

Dying At Home Is Harder For These Hospice Patients Stuck On Oʻahu. Medical facilities on Moloka‘i aren’t equipped to provide the level of treatment some residents need, but when they fly to Honolulu for advanced care it can be difficult to make it back to spend their remaining days on the island. Civil Beat.

Condo sales, median price both down in May. There there were 58 single-family home sales in May, up 3.6% from the same month last year. The median sales price fell 9% to $1,174,500 from $1.29 million in 2025. Maui News.

State addresses ‘misconceptions’ over plans for popular Maui beach. Following a slew of rumors on social media, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) clarified its proposal for upgrades at Makena State Park.  Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center opens new Kauaʻi office. The opening comes just months after H3RC expanded to Kauaʻi following the closure of Mālama Pono Health Services, ensuring critical public health and support services remain available to residents of Kauaʻi.  Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Thousands turn out to celebrate Pride Month. Several thousand people — including parade participants, spectators and shoppers — turned out Saturday to celebrate the 8th annual Kauai Pride Parade and Festival hosted by the YWCA of Kauai. Garden Island.

Hawaii Medicaid fraud unit decertified, immigration judge fired, UH-Manoa names new chancellor, Sandy Ma to head Honolulu Ethics Commission, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State sets up Medicaid fraud task force after funding cut. Hawaii is setting up a task force to work with the state Attorney General to fight Medicaid fraud after President Donald Trump cut $3 million a year in federal support citing the state’s failure to obtain a criminal conviction between 2022 and 2025. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi’s Medicaid fraud unit decertified: Trump cuts funds to Hawaii fraud unit, threatening state’s Medicaid funding. Hawaii stands to lose around $3 million in federal funding to fight Medicaid fraud after failing to consistently bring criminal cases, the Trump administration said Thursday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4.

Longtime Hawaiʻi Immigration Judge Fired As Trump Purge Continues. An ongoing purge by the Trump administration has claimed longtime Honolulu Immigration Court judge Clarence Wagner, who said no reason was given for his May 21 firing. However, he said he and colleagues had been under mounting pressure to get through a deep backlog of asylum and deportation cases more rapidly. Civil Beat.

Green establishes emergency response protocols ahead of travel. The Office of Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday he will be traveling out-of-state from Monday through June 23 to spend time with family. While traveling, the news release said, Green will retain executive authority and remain in regular contact with state leadership and cabinet members. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii incumbents with no challengers will cruise to victory. Twenty one incumbent Council members and state legislators have a clear path to reelection with no political opposition, and will return to office following the Aug. 8 party primary elections. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Can Tommy Waters Even Run For A Third Honolulu Council Term? Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters is taking advantage of an ambiguity in the City Charter and hoping the courts don’t rule against his effort to get reelected. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Ethics Watchdog Has New Leader. The Honolulu Ethics Commission selected attorney Sandy Ma as its next executive director on Thursday at a public meeting that followed a closed-door interview process. Civil Beat.

UH Board of Regents approves Vassilis Syrmos as new chancellor. Vassilis Syrmos first joined UH Manoa’s faculty 35 years ago. Throughout that time, he served as the University’s Interim Provost, Vice President for Research and Innovation and Associate Chancellor for Research. KHON2.

City says no landfill for Makaiwa Hills. The City had previously called Makaiwa Hills in West Oahu the only viable option, but that location is now off the table.  KHON2. KITV4. 

6 juveniles charged; 7th suspect arrested in North Shore mob beating. The arrests were made in connection with an attack that occurred Saturday, May 30, at Waialēʻe Beach, commonly known as “Dead Man’s Curve.” Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Lake Waimaluhia shoreline access partially reopens. Loko (Lake) Waimaluhia is set to partially reopen this weekend after repair work and a reinforced pathway down to the lake have been completed. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Police target Saddle Road: HPD steps up enforcement after another fatal crash. Officers will maintain a heightened enforcement presence focused on identifying and addressing hazardous violations — including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and seat belt violations, according to HPD. Tribune-Herald.

1 dead in fiery fatal collision near 18-mile marker on Daniel K. Inouye Highway in Hilo. There have been three fatal crashes resulting in five deaths since Jan. 1 on Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road. Big Island Now. KHON2.

County seeks to acquire land to expand Puna road despite resistance from owner. The Hawaii County Council voted 7-1 Wednesday in favor of a resolution calling for the acquisition of 3.74 acres of land along Government Beach Road in Puna using eminent domain — a move that has angered the property’s owner. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Kihei man, 30, to be sentenced in laser assault on FBI aircraft. Jesse Kong will be sentenced June 17 after he pleaded guilty to facilitating a laser assault of an FBI pilot in a case federal officials are using to highlight the dangers of impairing a pilot’s vision. Star-Advertiser.

Waiʻānapanapa State Park facility improvements project begins July 6. The project includes a new comfort station adjacent to the park’s eastern parking area and resurfacing of Honokalani Road. Maui Now.

Ukumehame Firing Range set to reopen Friday. The Ukumehame Firing Range is expected to reopen Friday after repairs were made to storm-damaged berms and surrounding areas, according to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County triples budget for homeless services. Grants for Kauaʻi County houseless programs would have received $500,000 under the original proposed budget, but will now receive $1.5 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bulosan seeking re-election to county council. Addison Bulosan announced his campaign for re-election to the Kauai County Council in a press release ahead of the ballot deadline. Garden Island.

Feather cape gifted to Mercy Whitney returns to Kauai. Following more than 200 years, an ‘ahu‘ula, or feather cape, that was gifted by King Kaumuali‘i to Mercy Whitney in honor of her work as a teacher, was returned to Kauai. Garden Island.

Legislature passes bills to speed up construction permits, judge rules House committee meetings illegal, Honolulu and Kauai councils pass spending plans, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Permitting reform bills aim to speed up process, facilitate housing construction. A handful of bills that passed through the Legislature this year focus on reforming Hawaiʻi's permitting processes to speed up housing construction, including shoring up a shortage of permitting staff. Hawaii Public Radio.

Judge: Closed-door House committee meetings were illegal. A Honolulu judge ruled last week that closed-door meetings of a state House of Representatives committee that were held prior to the 2025 legislative session violated the Hawaii Constitution. Tribune-Herald.

Hot Races For Congress, Lieutenant Governor Top Hawaiʻi Primary. Large fields of candidates are also vying to be mayor of Maui and Kauaʻi and to fill open seats in the Legislature. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council adopts nearly $5B budget package.  In the face of a threatened budget veto by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the City Council on Wednesday voted 6-3 to approve a $4.96 billion budget package for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1. Civil Beat.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council: Waters, Ozawa in familiar rematch. As of Tuesday, June 2, more notable races are shaping up. Including what’s become a perennial rematch on the Honolulu City Council — East Oahu incumbent chairman Tommy Waters, versus former chairman Trevor Ozawa. KHON2.

Rail construction to bring major disruptions to Kakaako. Construction on Honolulu’s rail project is moving into Kakaako, and major disruptions are expected in the area. Some blocks of Halekauwila Street will be completely shut down as crews move in. KHON2.

North Shore farmers seek city’s help with storm damage. Oahu farmers who suffered $20 million in losses due to the two Kona-low storms in March implored the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday to pass a budget bill that would include a $41 million emergency response and recovery fund to help them as well as provide flood control studies and improvements. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s $46M Claims Bill: HPD Chases, Bike Accidents, A Tossed Surfboard. Taxpayers are on the hook for more than 90 claims a year on average, from minor property damage to major injuries. Civil Beat.

Oahu man, 60, challenges Hawaiian homes policy. Act as discriminatory and unconstitutional. Oahu resident Eric Sean Ryan, 60, a founder of Hawaii Republican Action, filed a lawsuit Monday alleging that the federal government does not distribute public land by bloodline. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. 

5th youth arrested in North Shore mob attack; adult suspect sought. The Honolulu Police Department is asking the public for help identifying a man captured in photographs during an assault when a mob attacked a 15-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man who tried to aide the teen at Waialee Beach on the North Shore Saturday night. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

General Plan approved despite fervent opposition. The Hawaii County Council voted 5-3 on Wednesday in favor of passing a long-term public planning document described by opponents at the meeting as “treason,” an “act of war,” a “blatant land-grab,” “brainwashing,” “immoral” and the product of “blackmail.” Council members Dennis Onishi, Ashley Kierkiewicz and Holeka Inaba all cast “no” votes. Puna Councilman Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder was absent. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Council moves forward on using eminent domain for Puna road project. Resolution 567-26 authorizes the county’s condemnation and acquisition of a long, thin strip of land 55-foot-wide and 1.5-mile-long running along the edge of two separate parcels that total about 230 acres in the Keonepoko Iki subdivision, just north of the Hawaiian Shores neighborhood. Big Island Now.

12 Hawaii Island students receive $47K in scholarships. The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation has named 12 high school seniors from Hawaii Island as scholarship recipients of its annual Legacy Scholarship Program. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Four lawmakers unopposed for re-election; Mayor’s office and a few Maui Council seats hotly contested. Two Maui County Council members are headed back to office without a fight, along with Central Maui Sen. Troy Hashimoto and Kahului Rep. Justin Woodson who’re also uncontested for re-election. Maui Now.

HDOT starting preliminary environmental studies for Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C. The state Department of Transportation has started preliminary environmental studies for a northern portion of the Lahaina Bypass. The proposed Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C spans approximately 3 miles from Keawe Street to Kakaʻalaneo Drive.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Ups Funding For Homeless Services, Mental Health, Substance Abuse. The funding is part of the county’s nearly $499 million spending plan for fiscal year 2027. The full council approved the county budget for next fiscal year on Wednesday after a few months of deliberations. Civil Beat.

Pacific Missile Range Facility cancels Freedom Fest 2026 during year to celebrate nation’s 250th birthday. The Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands on Kauaʻi announced via its Facebook page that it is canceling the upcoming America’s Most West Freedom Fest event scheduled for July 2 despite it being the nation’s 250th birthday. Kauai Now.

Public can review University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization 2026 Kaua‘i Economic Outlook. Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development says the outlook — which is prepared annually — provides valuable insights into the economic trends, opportunities and challenges that shape the Garden Isle’s future. Kauai Now.

Top legislative leaders run unopposed as filing deadline ends, man sues Hawaiian Home Lands over blood-quantum rejection, Filipino national charged with illegally voting, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Unopposed races scattered across Hawaii’s primary election ballot. Hawaii News Now reviewed more than 100 candidates running for state legislative and county council seats and found about 23 are running unopposed in the upcoming primary election. That means they will advance automatically and win their races without opposition. Among them are some of the state’s most powerful political figures, including Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura. Hawaii News Now.

Familiar faces reemerge as Hawaii’s primary election takes shape. The marquee races in the Aug. 8 party primaries remain the Democratic elections for lieutenant governor and to represent urban Honolulu in Congress, but there are also interesting down-ballot challenges that will see familiar faces returning to political life or resigning their seats to challenge other incumbents. Star-Advertiser.

New lawsuit targets eligibility requirements for Hawaiian homes leases. A new lawsuit is challenging the constitutionality of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. It was filed Monday by attorneys on behalf of a man named Eric Ryan, who tried to apply for a lease, but was denied due to the 50 percent Native Hawaiian blood quantum requirement. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Legislature shows support for local agriculture, food security. While money was tight at the state Legislature this year, it was still another successful year for local agriculture and food security. Hawaii Public Radio.

State fixes flawed LNG forecast. The Hawaii State Energy Office revised its alternative fuel analysis last month after it found a spreadsheet error in one of its scenarios that inflated benefits of using liquefied natural gas by hundreds of millions of dollars. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

3 juveniles arrested in North Shore attack. Honolulu police arrested three juveniles in connection with an alleged assault by masked assailants at Waialee Beach on Saturday that sent a 23-year-old man and 15-year-old boy to the hospital with broken bones and concussions. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Mayor threatens budget veto if Office of Economic Revitalization is defunded. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is threatening to veto the city’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget if the City Council moves forward with plans to slash funding and staff for the city’s Office of Economic Revitalization. Star-Advertiser.

Where, Oh Where, Have The Bikis Gone? Oʻahu Is Missing 800 Bikes. Only 478 bikes remained as of the end of April, down from a peak of roughly 1,300 bikes soon after its start. Civil Beat.

Oahu man is arrested by FBI after threatening to kill Michigan governor. Ronald William Saville, 48, of Honolulu, previously imprisoned for threatening to kill the U.S. president and a federal judge was arrested on suspicion of threatening to kill the governor of Michigan. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu plate lunch spot shuttered due to sewage backup. The state Health Department has issued Grace’s Inn a red placard, immediately shuttering it due to a sewage backup in the kitchen. Star-Advertiser.

Coqui Frogs: Is Haʻikū The New Hilo? Locals Try To Stop The Spread. Frustrated residents say they face a nearly impossible task in stopping the amphibians, as the under-resourced county group tasked with combating invasive species focuses on other priorities.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Bill aims to increase funding for PONC maintenance fund. A Hawaii County Council committee unanimously approved legislation Tuesday that would double the share of property taxes earmarked for a popular land conservation maintenance fund. Tribune-Herald.

Extensive upgrade for Pahoa Elementary moves forward. A project to redevelop and upgrade the campus of Pahoa Elementary School is moving forward, nearly 10 years after $500,000 was allocated by the state in 2017 to create a master plan for the site. Tribune-Herald.

NASA funds may bring more missions to Mars — on Maunaloa. The site is called HI-SEAS, or the Hawaiʻi Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, and organizers recently secured NASA funding to resume testing at the research station after a hiatus of several years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hilo man accused of torching Kona homeless camp. Hawaii Island police have arrested and charged 34-year-old Kaleb Paulus of Hilo in connection with an arson investigation and other offenses stemming from two incidents that occurred May 18 at a homeless encampment in Kailua-Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Filipino national on Maui charged with unlawfully voting in the US. Remedios Alasaas, 66, of Kahului, Maui, came to the United States in or around 2014 on an immigrant visa and registered to vote soon thereafter. According to court records, Alasaas was a non-citizen when she cast votes in two Federal elections: first, in a general election on or about Nov. 8, 2022, and then in a primary election on or about Aug. 10, 2024. Maui Now.

Atlantis Submarines resumes Lahaina Harbor tours. Atlantis Submarines Maui has resumed operations from Lahaina Harbor nearly three years after the August 2023 wildfire destroyed the company's submarine, support vessels and harbor facilities. Maui News.

Hawaiʻi Off Grid starts Maui ‘Bunkhouse’ build as a sustainable, rapid solution for Habitat for Humanity. A lot that once held a home destroyed in the August 2023 Maui wildfires is now the site of something new: the first-ever mass timber home in Habitat for Humanity’s global history. Maui Now.

After 27 years at Kapalua, The Sentry heads to Torrey Pines in 2027. After 27 years at Kapalua on Maui, The Sentry is moving its title sponsorship to Southern California. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai Pride Parade and Festival Saturday. The 8th annual Kauai Pride Parade and Festival will take place on Saturday — the first Saturday of June, which is LGBTQ+ Pride Month — with the parade starting at 10 a.m. from the Vidinha Stadium parking lot, and the festival running until 2 p.m. on the lawn of the historic County Building. Garden Island.

Tourism officials seek strategies to attract Japanese market, Honolulu mayor threatens budget veto, state Supreme Court to hear sobriety test refusal case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New strategies to attract Japanese visitors to Hawaiʻi . Japanese tourism to Hawaiʻi remains at less than half the level it was before the COVID pandemic. Now tourism officials and industry leaders are shifting their strategy to attract this once high-spending market. Hawaii Public Radio.

Will Doctors Trade 5 Years In Rural Hawaiʻi For Free Med School? Ambitious financial aid program aims to reduce the doctor shortage in remote and underserved parts of the state. Attending medical school will be free starting in September for awardees of the Hawaiʻi Outreach for Medical Education in Rural Under-resourced Neighborhoods (HOME RUN) workforce pipeline program.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Is The Only State Not Tracking Abuse In Childcare. The state blames a bureaucratic hurdle for its failure to follow a federal law requiring it to report abuse and serious injuries in childcare settings. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Supreme Court to hear case on using sobriety test refusals as evidence. Hawaii’s Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday on whether drivers who refuse voluntary roadside sobriety tests can have that refusal used as evidence of guilt. Hawaii News Now.

U.S., Chinese military officials meet in Hawaii. U.S. and Chinese military officials recently met in Hawaii to discuss tensions at sea as both sides refine their respective strategies in the Western Pacific and the Trump administration seeks to ease tensions. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii cries foul over demise of student-athlete pay legislation. University of Hawaii administrators and state lawmakers sometimes don’t see eye to eye on funding |issues, but an argument has erupted over expressions of widely divergent views on one bill about UH finances that failed last month. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu mayor threatens budget veto over cut to economic revitalization office. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is threatening to veto the city’s $5 billion budget over a $1.4 million cut to the Office of Economic Revitalization. Hawaii News Now.

Keiki homelessness rising on Oahu. According to the latest Point-in-Time Count snapshot of those experiencing homelessness, the number of children and families increased by almost 20% from two years ago and by more than 40% since 2022. KITV4.

Man pleads guilty for illegally shipping assault rifle parts from Hawaii to Japan. Shoto Yamamoto admitted that he exported or tried to export more than 900 firearms components and accessories, including AR-15 lower receiver parts kits, upper receivers, magazines, and similar components, each of which required a license to export that he didn’t have. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police look for mob that attacked lifeguard, 15-year-old  on Oahu’s North Shore. Kekoa Tamale, a 23-year-old lifeguard, said he was trying to save his 15-year-old family friend from about a dozen people who were attacking him Saturday night. Instead of intervening, Tamale said other bystanders recorded the beating on their phones. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Why are waits so long for Oahu driver licensing appointments?  Oahu residents wait longer for appointments at drivers licensing centers. The city has seen a huge increase in renewals so far in 2026, and it is expected to only get busier. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

It Takes A Village To Help Big Island Residents Drive Less. If Hawaiʻi County’s general plan finally passes this week it could set in motion an effort to improve public transit, make urban areas denser, and add paths for pedestrians and bicycles. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Kilauea sets record for lava fountaining episodes in any 1 eruption for the volcano. The on-and-off eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano broke a record Monday with the number of periods it has produced fountains of lava since it began erupting in December 2024, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. Associated Press.

Brown Water Advisory Issued for Hilo Bay, Hāmākua Coast. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch said is telling beach users to stay out of waters “that appear brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain, even if a Brown Water Advisory has not been issued in the area.” Big Island Video News.

Fight against Rapid Ohia Death advances. While it has also been detected in different forms on other islands, it is most prevalent on the Big Island where it is estimated to have killed over 1 million ohia trees and counting. Tribune-Herald.

Mental exam ordered for triple homicide suspect. Hilo District Judge Jeffrey Hawk on Monday ordered that Jacob “Jake” Daniel Baker be examined by three mental-health professionals to determine his fitness to stand trial as well as penal responsibility — his state of mind at the time of the alleged offenses and whether he could discern the wrongfulness and illegality of his alleged actions. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Maui

County seeks public input on proposed disaster recovery plan amendment. Maui County is accepting public comments through July 1 on proposed changes to its Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Action Plan related to the Strategic Voluntary Mitigation Buyout Program. Maui News.

Residents encouraged to attend County’s Lahaina Community Meeting, June 3. In order to provide residents with more individual assistance, representatives from several departments and agencies will be available to offer support at resource tables following a question-and-answer session to close the meeting. Maui Now.

Repairs underway of massive Maui sinkhole after March storms. County officials said record-breaking rainfall from the first Kona low caused damage to multiple underground infrastructure systems and undermining beneath the roadway. Work is not expected to be completed until the fall, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Department of Health to survey Kaua‘i residents on their household emergency preparedness. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health Kauaʻi District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, also known as the CASPER survey, in June to assess the emergency preparedness of Kauaʻi households. Kauai Now.

Michaela Widener joins the mayoral race. Michaela Widener of Koloa joined the Kauai mayoral race on May 28.Widener is a single mother of two indigenous Hawaiian children, who works at the Beach House restaurant in Poipu. Garden Island.