Green signs bill aimed at making condos more affordable, Maui approves hotel zoning for vacation rentals, former Honolulu employee charged with $800k foodbank fraud, San Buenaventura faces online threat, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green has signed a new housing measure aimed at creating more affordable homeownership opportunities for local residents. Senate Bill 2061, now known as Act 121, expands and clarifies Hawaii’s Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program, which is designed to provide affordable condominium homes on state and county-owned land. Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2026 election: Five of the seats on the nine-member Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for grabs, with 19 people vying to represent O‘ahu, Maui and statewide. The election comes as OHA considers its options in several areas, including a potential bid to buy the television news station KITV, how best to develop Kakaʻako Makai, and ways to gain a larger role in military lease negotiations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Commission considering liability cap and recovery fund for future Hawaii wildfires.  The state Public Utilities Commission wants stakeholders, including rate­payers, to help shape administrative rules governing a wildfire liability cap framework called for under a 2025 Hawaii law. Star-Advertiser.

Initial results from state-mandated pre-eviction mediation program show 85% success. Launched in February, the two-year pilot program requires participation in a mediation process before eviction for non-payment of rent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hotels spending more to attract high spending visitors. Hawaiʻi's hotel industry is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into luxury renovations as the state shifts focus to higher-spending visitors.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi unemployment rises, some industries remain flat. The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in May. That was slightly higher than April’s revised rate of 2.4%.  KHON2.

Oahu

Ex-city worker charged with food funding fraud. Former Food Security and Sustainability Program manager Dexter Kishida was arrested Monday after allegedly causing the Hawai‘i Foodbank to buy and distribute $800,000 worth of food that he claimed would be reimbursed by federal pandemic relief funds. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Distrust, uncertainty as Navy moves to reopen Red Hill well. As the Navy continues to move forward with plans to reopen its Red Hill well and reconnect it to its Oahu water system five years after it was contaminated with jet fuel, the service faces ongoing skepticism over its insistence the water will be safe to drink. Star-Advertiser.

Poverty, Schools, Extreme Weather: State House District 26 Candidate Q&As. In the Legislature, the House of Representatives seat Della Au Belatti is leaving has attracted six candidates. Civil Beat.

Ozawa asks judge to fast-track lawsuit challenging Waters’ candidacy. Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member and District 4 candidate in 2026, has asked a state judge to accelerate proceedings in his lawsuit challenging Council Chair Tommy Waters’ eligibility to seek a third consecutive term in office. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers seek to rename post office after Hanabusa. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is introducing a bill to rename the Waianae Post Office in honor of late U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Puna lawmaker targeted in threatening social media post. State Sen. Joy San Buenaventura said she beefed up security for a campaign event last Saturday after a Facebook post called her a “child abusing domestic terrorist” and advocated she be convicted of treason and “hung by the neck until she is dead then sent to hell where she spawned from.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County in lease negotiations with owner of Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Since at least the mid-1950s, the county has leased the 6.8-acre park site comprising parking lots, pavilions, bathrooms and campgrounds from private owners in order to provide the public with recreational space and shoreline access. Tribune-Herald.

This Rural Hawaiʻi Pharmacy Was A Lifeline For Seniors. Now It’s Gone. Loss of the Kohala drug store is symbolic of the healthcare access issues affecting remote regions of the state. Civil Beat.

Fear and uncertainty in Hawaii’s solar industry amid changes to tax credits. The back and forth, combined with the rollback of federal renewable energy incentives, has resulted in uncertainty and concern for solar energy providers across the state and local companies on Hawaii Island, including Honoka‘a-based Renewable Energy Services. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo chef and restaurauteur Miyo Harumi dies at 82. Miyo Harumi, a retired chef and restaurateur whose first name is synonymous with Japanese food in Hilo, died June 3 at Pohai Malama Care Home in Hilo. She was 82. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New hotel zoning for vacation rentals passes Maui Council on final vote, 7-2. Maui County Council members voted 7-2 Friday to give final approval to Bill 88, a measure creating two new hotel zoning districts intended to provide a path forward for thousands of vacation rentals being phased out of apartment-zoned districts. Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen signs $1.61B Maui County budget into law for FY2027. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has signed a $1.61 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget into law, outlining major investments in housing, recovery efforts, community well-being and economic development. KITV4.

Maui’s Hale Kau Kau reports record meal numbers in May; volunteers needed. Hale Kau Kau, the 35-year-old daily meals program at St. Theresa Church in South Maui, delivered 3,475 meals to kūpuna and people with disabilities and onsite, 2,625 meals were provided to anyone experiencing food insecurity. Maui Now.

Kauai

Political Newcomers Are Trying To Unseat West Kauaʻi House Rep. Rep. Dee Morikawa, who has held the District 17 seat since 2010, will face Chad Schimmelfennig in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Kidani leaving Senate, endangered yellow-face bee could thwart Turtle Bay development, toll booth proposed for Maunakea access road, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Sen. Michelle Kidani to retire from Hawaii Legislature. State Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, 77, whose health was the subject of speculation during the last legislative session, announced Saturday that she will retire, effective Tuesday, while acknowledging concerns over her health. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. Hawaii News Now. 

Key lawmaker’s exit creates power void in Legislature. Sen. Karl Rhoads, 63, will end his 20-year career. Colleagues say Rhoads doesn’t play power games or politics with bills like other Hawaii lawmakers despite his position chairing a powerful committee where he oversaw the confirmation of 70 state court judges and justices. Star-Advertiser.

Bill Requiring AI Platforms to Protect Minors Awaits Governor’s Signature. Senate Bill 3001 requires AI companion platforms operating in Hawaii to provide disclosures to users, establish protocols for responding to prompts involving suicidal ideation or self-harm, and implement safeguards. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed protest limits at UH trigger concerns. University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel in the fall plans to release proposed changes that would impose new limits on speech and protests across all 10 UH campuses. Star-Advertiser.

Draft bill in Congress calls for negotiation on Army land leases in Hawaii. A draft of Congress’s annual military spending bill approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee contains language that would limit the Army’s ability to seize land in Hawaii through eminent domain. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Utilities work to strengthen grid resiliency. Emergency officials are warning residents to brace for the possibility of extended power outages as Hawaii enters an El Nino season expected to generate five to 13 tropical storms in the Central Pacific Basin. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Future Of Honolulu Rail: Report Details Pricey Possibilities. The new report envisions innovative rail extensions to reach much more of Oʻahu’s population but the HART board is asking for more study in anticipation of seeking more public funding. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail board still must finalize next year’s $1.07B budget. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s $1.07 billion operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, have been approved, but with a catch. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay’s Tiniest Residents Could Thwart Luxury Resort Plans. Litigation could see new environmental conditions for construction and cultural interests on land parcels at Turtle Bay. A multi-billion-dollar corporation’s plan to build a 375-room luxury resort on 50 acres of North Shore coastal real estate has run into an unexpected hurdle in the form of some of Oʻahu’s smallest and rarest residents — the Hawaiian Yellow-Faced Bee. Civil Beat.

Deadline extended for relocation of Waianae homeless encampment. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has extended to October the deadline for Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae (POW), one of Hawaii’s largest long‑standing homeless encampments, to vacate its makai shoreline site and relocate to a new kauhale community. Star-Advertiser.

New UH AI data center aims to improve healthcare throughout Pacific region. More than $12 million in federal funding has spurred researchers at the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Center and John A. Burns School of Medicine to focus on converting a garage-­sized, air-conditioned, ground-floor room at the Cancer Center into Hawaii’s first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence data center. Star-Advertiser.

$1M investment aims to speed up Honolulu’s bikeshare program. The city is prepared to invest $1 million from the Climate Resiliency Fund into bringing 600 bikes back into circulation and to put additional funds into fixing the stations. Star-Advertiser.

Master developer expands into rental housing ownership. James Campbell Co. announced Wednesday that it bought The Element, a 318-unit rental apartment complex developed in 2020 at Ho‘opili on the Ewa plain near Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

Canoe club fights eviction from Ewa Beach shoreline after nearly 20 years. Kamahao Canoe Club says the shoreline at Hammer Point, located within Kapilina Beach Homes, has served as a gathering place for Hawaiian canoe traditions for nearly 20 years. Club leaders say they were recently told they must vacate the property, though the deadline has been extended to November. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Toll booth, cultural center proposed for Maunakea Access Road. Two years after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the access road to the Maunakea summit had been illegally seized and designated as state property in 2018 by the Hawaii Department of Transportation, plans to manage it going forward are under discussion. Tribune-Herald.

Rural Hawaiʻi Island Candidates Want More Say — And Resources. Candidates from South Kona, Kaʻū and Puna share their responses to questions about water, agriculture, waste and other environmental challenges in their districts. Civil Beat.

Geothermal, Housing, Vacation Rentals: Hawaiʻi Council District 6 Candidate Q&As. Five candidates are in the running for the district made up of Big Islandʻs south-west corner. Civil Beat.

Puna Alternate Route Study underway but delayed.  Publication of a state and Hawaii County-funded traffic study exploring alternate routes into Puna District has been delayed by at least half a year, according to the county Department of Public Works. Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa Green Project Stirs Wildfire Evacuation Route Concerns. The need for another road in Waikoloa, especially for use during emergencies, was a part of Thursday's Leeward Planning Commission discussion. Big Island Video News.

County eyes Kona Kmart for events center. Micah Kamohoali‘i, a kumu hula, fashion designer and Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaii executive director, is asking the county to use the 125,000-square-foot building, which has been vacant since Kmart shuttered in 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

‘A lot at stake for West Maui’: Three longtime residents face off in Aug. 8 Democratic primary. A chef, a high school teacher and a business advocate are competing for the chance to represent West Maui in a state Democratic primary race left wide open by incumbent Ellie Conchran’s unexpected switch to the Republican Party in March. Maui Now.

West Maui condo agrees to finally put in public beach access that was required 50 years ago. The owners and association of a West Maui condominium complex that has not provided required public beach access for nearly five decades have agreed to finally install a pathway and stairs to the shoreline to avoid nearly $2 million in fines from Maui County. Maui Now.

Lānaʻi School Relies On Temporary Power Lines For Years. The education department did not provide a timeframe for when Lānaʻi High and Elementary would receive permanent repairs to its electrical system.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Police Department warns public about increase in vehicle fuel thefts. The Kauai Police Department (KPD) is advising residents and visitors to remain vigilant following an increase in fuel thefts from vehicles reported across the island. Recent incidents involve suspects cutting gas tank lines from parked vehicles, and drilling holes in gas tanks. Garden Island.

‘This center is for them’: Kauaʻi County hosts blessing for new Piʻikoi Youth Center dedicated to keiki, ʻohana. “Every child who walks through these doors will have a safe, welcoming place to learn, play and grow, and every family will have a place to turn for the programs and support they need," said Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Police Ignored Warnings Ahead Of Murder, Residents Say. Neighbors repeatedly told law enforcement that William Sinclair had firearms and was using them to terrorize neighbors. Civil Beat.

Automatic voter registration law kicks in next year, whistleblower alleges bribery in health insurance practice, state finalizes agreement to acquire Wahiawa Dam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Automatic Voter Registration bill signed into law, voter registration going from opt-in to opt-out. The new law, Act 67 enacted by Gov. Josh Green on May 29, takes effect Jan. 1 and will automatically register residents to vote when they apply for or renew a Hawaii driver’s license or state identification card, unless they choose to opt out for reasons that include not being eligible to vote. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Whistleblower Alleges Medical Giant Bribed Hawaiʻi Provider. Lawsuit claims Abbott Laboratories defrauded federal health insurance programs. Kris Ghosh says medical device and pharmaceutical giant Abbott Laboratories wrongly fired him after he began internally reporting what he says were illegal kickbacks meant to entice clinics in Hawai‘i to use the company’s equipment for outpatient procedures. Ghosh has laid out his allegations in a federal whistleblower complaint against Abbott. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State finalizes agreement to acquire Wahiawa Dam and irrigation system. The state Agribusiness Development Corporation has approved the transfer of the Wahiawa Dam and irrigation system from Dole Foods Hawaii to the state. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu invests $85M in wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Major improvements are coming to the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Department of Environmental Services broke ground on two new projects on Thursday. KHON2.

Parking rates increase at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for cars parked over 6 hours. Parking between six to seven hours will be raised from $23 to $24, parking between seven to eight hours will be raised from $25 to $27 and the rate for parking eight hours or more (including overnight parking) will be raised from $27 to $29.  KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Pentagon ‘restores’ Hawaii-based Pacific command’s old name. The Pentagon has moved to have its Oahu-based command that overseas all operations across the Pacific and parts of the Indian Ocean revert to its old name. On Wednesday the Pentagon announced that it has made the decision to “restore” the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at Camp Smith to its original name of U.S. Pacific Command. Star-Advertiser.

Mililani teacher housing complex on track for 2027. The Hawaii School Facilities Authority announced that the final environmental assessment for Kumelewai Hale, a 95-unit affordable rental housing project planned on the campus of Mililani High School, has been completed. Star-Advertiser.

Ozawa lawsuit seeks to remove Waters from race. Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member and District 4 candidate in 2026, has sued Council Chair Tommy Waters and state and city election officials, arguing Waters is ineligible under the City Charter to seek a third consecutive term. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Decade Of Big Island’s ‘Try Wait’ Moratorium Spurs Plenty Fish — And Poaching. Ten years of no fishing has led to a huge recovery on a stretch of the Kona Coast. Now comes the hard part: Protecting those gains. Civil Beat.

Bouncing back: Coral preservation efforts at Kahalu‘u are paying off. For the first time in decades, the water of Kahalu‘u Bay was transformed to a milky white last month, a sign of coral reproduction. Tribune-Herald.

Commission approves permit for renovation of Kona Seaside Shops. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously approved issuing a permit for the renovation of the Kona Seaside Shops found along Ali‘i Drive — a project that multiple commissioners described as a much-needed “uplift” for the economically struggling seaside boulevard. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

‘Zero aloha’: Maui County Council considers raising fines on loud car stereos. On Friday, the Maui County Council is expected to consider turning up the fines on drivers who won’t turn down their loud after-market stereos. Maui News.

Kālepa project closes remote East Maui roadway during daytime hours on weekdays. Hāna Highway at Kālepa Point is closed to traffic on weekdays (M-F) between mile markers 38 and 39 while Kālepa Rockfall Netting Replacement project work is conducted. Work takes place Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is anticipated to last five months.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Feral Cats, ICE And Overtourism: Kauaʻi County Mayoral Candidates’ Q&As. The terming out of Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami has set up an electoral contest between half-a-dozen nonpartisan candidates all looking for votes in the Hawaiʻi General Election on Nov. 3. Civil Beat.

Hawaii in bottom third of states for academic and economic outcomes, sugary drinks banned from SNAP purchases, state Supreme Court asked to free elephants at Honolulu Zoo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Report: Teen Pregnancy Is Down But So Are Test Scores. Hawaiʻi ranks in the bottom third of states for academic and economic outcomes for kids, even as it posted improvements in other areas. Hawaiʻi is seeing fewer teen pregnancies and improvements in child mortality rates, but student achievement has yet to fully recover after dipping during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a recent report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Civil Beat.

State to restrict sugary drinks for SNAP recipients. Along with alcohol and tobacco, those using their EBT cards will not be able to buy sugary beverages. KITV4.

Ed Case Says No To Debating Jarrett Keohokalole In Congressional Race. Experts say there’s little advantage for incumbents to debate their opponents even though the event benefits voters. U.S. Rep. Ed Case said he will not debate state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole in advance of the Aug. 8 Democratic primary, arguing that his opponent has had nothing substantive to offer in terms of policy or explaining how he would better represent Hawaiʻi in Washington.   Civil Beat.

Military leaders from 25 countries gather in Waikiki to talk coastal warfare. About 300 service members from 25 countries are meeting at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies for the 12th Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, a gathering organized by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific that each year takes place in different locations around the region. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Should Other Animals Have Human Rights? Hawai‘i Court To Decide. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is being asked to free two elephants at the Honolulu Zoo based on the idea that the animals are entitled to legal personhood. Civil Beat.

New HPD Chief Lazar meets with police commission ahead of swearing in. Honolulu’s next police chief met with the Police Commission as he prepares to take office. David Lazar emphasized recruitment, retention, and modernization efforts. He will be officially sworn in on July 2nd. KITV4.

Honolulu Ocean Safety Department goes digital. The City and County of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety Department is moving to a fully digital reporting system, which will replace the previous manual system that required lifeguards to handwrite incidents on paper logs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Makiki Community Garden members happy that city finds funding. After false starts and a funding mistake, Honolulu officials announced it is finally installing fencing around the Makiki Community Garden. KHON2.

Police presence to rise amid Oahu accidents. Oʻahu has recorded 19 traffic fatalities in 2026, and multiple crashes causing serious injuries. This includes Saturday’s, June 13, multi-vehicle crash, which involved six vehicles, one with multiple children in it, including a 5-day-old infant.  KHON2.

Lawmakers host Manoa emergency prep forum after Kona low flooding. On Wednesday, a forum was held at Noelani Elementary School. Organizers said the meeting aimed to provide information to prepare for weather emergencies or other public safety threats, as well as to highlight “lessons learned” from the recent flooding. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council postpones eminent domain resolution targeting Puna land. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday agreed to postpone a resolution calling for the acquisition of 3.74 acres of coastal Puna land using eminent domain to widen Government Beach Road — a measure described by opposition testifiers as “criminal” and an attempt to “trample” on the landowner’s rights. Tribune-Herald.

FEMA joins county, state emergency management teams to assess South Kona earthquake damages. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in South Kona this week to assess properties damaged by the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck on May 22, rocking homes off their foundations and destroying dozens of catchment systems that left residents without potable water. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. 

Meeting set to discuss Kona airport master plan. The state Department of Transportation is holding its third community information meeting for the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole master plan update. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council panel rejects charter amendment to set aside transient accommodations tax for climate fund. A Maui County Council committee decided against a proposed Maui County Charter amendment to dedicate a fifth of the County’s transient accommodations tax revenue to climate change and impacts.  Maui Now.

Affordable-housing project awaits County Council action Friday. The project is on more than 160 acres of vacant land connected to Hansen and Pūlehu roads, with a variety of commercial, recreational and light-industrial uses and 1,608 multifamily housing units, including about 800 affordable units. Maui News.

Maui Police Chief: Recent Scare Underscores Lax Security At County Offices. After a suspect flashed what he implied was a gun at a planning office, Police Chief John Pelletier and others are calling for urgent action. Civil Beat.

‘Īao Valley emergency flood repairs approved; but questions arise about long-term impacts to river. On Tuesday, the Hawai‘i Commission on Water Resource Management decided the work done by residents in the days after the flood to move rocks with excavators and redirect the Wailuku River was in line with emergency rules and won’t require additional permitting. Maui Now.

Plan to expand facilities at Makena State Park sparks criticism. Some Maui residents are critical of a plan to expand the facilities at Makena State Park in South Maui, saying the project would threaten endangered hawksbill turtles and increase the likelihood of serious spinal injuries. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi grand jury indicts Billy Sinclair on all 28 counts following homicide in Hanalei. Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Michael Soong issued a no bail warrant for the 51-year-old murder suspect who has been in custody since he was captured by law enforcement on June 8 after a two-day manhunt.  Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Hawaii Supreme Court may rule on 2024 election allegations, Honolulu Council candiate Waters' eligibilty again goes to court, Jeep recall affects car rental companies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai‘i Supreme Court may rule on 2024 election question. Petition urges Supreme Court to require investigation into 2024 election to be completed before 2026 election is certified. Three people — Ralph Cushnie, a member of the Hawai‘i Elections Commission, Tara Malia Gregory, a candidate for the Honolulu City Council and resident Douglas Pasnik — filed last week a petition requesting the Hawai‘i Supreme Court to compel election officials to properly account for 2024 ballot data before the 2026 election is certified. Aloha State Daily.

U.S. claims ‘misunderstanding,’ requests Hawaii judge to alter her fossil fuels dismissal ruling. The Trump administration has asked a federal judge to reconsider the dismissal of its case against Hawaii for suing private fossil fuel companies, claiming in a new motion that the United States was deprived of a fair opportunity to amend its complaint because it misunderstood a question from the judge. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ozawa Challenges Waters’ Honolulu Council Candidacy In Court. This is the third time the two candidates have faced off in court over this city council seat. Trevor Ozawa formally challenged Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters’ candidacy in circuit court on Tuesday, escalating a dispute as the candidates vie to represent Waikīkī, Kaimukī and East Honolulu on the council. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Building Permits Moving Faster For Homes, Slower For Businesses. The city is planning to expand its use of AI software after it showed promise in prescreening applications. Civil Beat.

7 of 14 Oahu beaches tested this weekend failed water quality levels. Some feel the state should do more testing and notification, so everyone knows about the conditions of our waters. KITV4.

Wildfire risks, limited evacuation options worry Leeward Oahu residents. As the third anniversary of the Maui wildfires approaches, residents and officials along Oahu’s Leeward Coast worry that their community of 55,000 residents faces the same risks that led to the Lahaina catastrophe — strong, hot winds, dry brush and only one reliable escape route. Star-Advertiser.

City’s ‘Hazard Explorer’ gives residents closer look at disaster threats. The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on Tuesday launched a new online mapping tool that allows Oahu residents to identify potential hazards affecting their homes and neighborhoods and better prepare for natural disasters. Star-Advertiser.

Major Jeep recall impacts Hawaii rental business as fire risk prompts safety concerns. For local rental company Cabin Fever Campers, the recall is already taking a financial toll. Hawaii News Now.

They give us the answer': Oʻahu farm plants path for immigrant farmers. A new farm on Oʻahu's North Shore is working to employ refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking while strengthening Hawaiʻi's food resilience and security. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

‘Aina Kupuna’ tax relief legislation advances. A Hawaii County Council committee unanimously approved legislation Tuesday that would establish a new property tax dedication known as “Aina Kupuna,” allowing local families who’ve owned generational lands for at least a century to pay minimum taxes and avoid being priced out of their ancestral homes. Tribune-Herald.

'Cease and desist’: TMT opponents urge project developer to drop plans to build on Maunakea. Leaders of the local movement against TMT on Monday sent a seven-page letter to project organizers warning them that continuing efforts to build the telescope on the Hawaii island mountaintop would be met with more opposition. Star-Advertiser.

Police make 450 more vehicle stops on Saddle Road. Between June 8 and June 14, police officers made 450 vehicle stops and identified numerous traffic violations on the highway, including 327 speeding violations, five reckless driving violations, two unsafe passing violations, and 287 other traffic violations. Tribune-Herald.

Police identify 17-year-old killed in fiery Saddle Road crash. The victim was identified as 17-year-old Mackenzie Valentin of Hilo. Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald.

State seeks to fine 3 Big Island men for illegal take of 4,000 ‘opihi from marine reserve. The incident occurred on Sept. 18, 2025, when the men were seen taking ‘opihi from the Ka‘ūpūlehu Marine Reserve. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council weighs use of Affordable Housing Fund for homeless population. A Maui County Council committee is considering legislation that would require the County to set aside a portion of its Affordable Housing Fund each fiscal year to provide housing for residents with no income—a population currently excluded from the fund’s eligibility criteria. Maui Now.

Kalaupapa no longer offering tours following death of longtime resident. Kalaupapa National Historical Park announced Monday that Kalaupapa Saints Tours is no longer operating, leaving the park without any scheduled tours. Maui News.

Kauai

Updated multi-hazard plan enhances Kaua’i’s disaster preparedness. The Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency has updated the document that provides a framework for future efforts to reduce damage from natural hazards across Kauaʻi County. Kauai Now.

Bon dance season is here! Kauai residents had the distinction of Bishop Takumi Inouye officiating when the Waimea Higashi Hongwanji Mission welcomed the first obon festival of the 2026 season last weekend. Garden Island.

Economy ticks along despite inflation, film industry rebounding, lawyer shortage concerns state Supreme Court, Honolulu sewer fees rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii economy remains resilient despite inflation. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism published its latest quarterly report assessing Hawaii’s economy on Monday and slightly downgraded its 2026 growth forecast to 1.6%, down from 1.7% in a March report. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii film industry rebounding with more movies in the islands. Momentum is building in Hawaii’s film and television industry, with the state poised to provide long-awaited tax breaks and major new productions in the works. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi is facing a new shortage — of lawyers. With fewer and fewer attorneys practicing in Hawaiʻi, a new task force established by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court aims to address worrying trends in legal representation in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

BOE to review failed bills on DOE leadership and school facilities. Two bills that would have reshaped leadership within the state Department of Education and two others that sought to expand the role of the Hawaii School Facilities Authority in managing and planning school infrastructure projects all failed this year at the Legislature, but will be given a postmortem review Thursday by the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi’s Imperiled False Killer Whales Are Going Hungry. The endangered whales’ numbers are still trending in the wrong direction. Researchers just found a new piece of the puzzle as to why. Civil Beat.

Oahu

New Honolulu sewer fee structure to reward lower water use. Sewer fees went up by 6% in January and will continue to increase each year through 2031. On July 1, another fee adjustment will be made. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Native Hawaiian group Hui Ku Maoli Ola to manage Ritz-Carlton Turtle Bay ag land. Nearly 400 acres of agricultural land mauka of Ritz- Carlton Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore will be stewarded by a Native Hawaiian-led land restoration group, the resort’s parent company said in a news release. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu launches centralized hub for homelessness efforts. A new online command center that will coordinate homelessness efforts across the City and County of Honolulu is up and running.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona low damages could cause some Otake Camp residents to leave. Otake Camp was one of the hardest hit during the back-to-back Kona lows. Floodwaters left homes and vehicles caked in soupy red mud, and moved houses more than 15 feet away from their foundations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Completion of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory facility projected for 2027. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and support staff should be able to occupy their new headquarters under construction at University Park in Hilo within a year. Tribune-Herald.

Community Meeting On Kona Airport Master Plan Set For June 22. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced it is holding its third community information meeting on the KOA Master Plan Update on Monday, June 22, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center. Big Island Video News.

Demolition, renovation planned for Kona Seaside Shops. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday will consider issuing a permit for the renovation of the Kona Seaside Shops found along Ali‘i Drive with a new restaurant, courtyard, two new kiosks and a large outdoor seating area complete with bar and entertainment spaces. Tribune-Herald.

‘They want to keep that sort of rustic experience’: Last public meeting on Kahuku Unit plan today in Naalehu. Just over 40 miles to the south of the main entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park lies the Kahuku Unit, a separate, lesser-known section of the park. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui noise control bill takes aim at loud music in cars by proposing increased fines. An updated version of Bill 119 (2025) would for the first time in more than 35 years amend the Maui County Code on noise control by increasing fines. Maui Now.

Public informational meeting for Kahului Airport Runway 2-20 reconstruction, June 25. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is conducting a public informational meeting to present the ongoing planning studies for the reconstruction of Runway 2-20 at Kahului Airport. Maui Now.

Six people injured in balcony collapse at condo in Kīhei. The incident was reported at 4:15 p.m. on June 14, at the 2000 block of South Kīhei Road. Maui Now. Maui News. 

Kauai

Kaua‘i Needs Food Independence. Mayoral Candidates Differ On Achieving That. Addressing the island’s aging infrastructure is also a top issue for those hoping to lead the Garden Isle. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi’s Richest Towns Scored Tax Breaks Meant For Poor Areas — Until Now. Opportunity Zone projects are intended to benefit economically distressed communities but are often found in the wealthiest parts of the island. Civil Beat.

Grove Farm sells more than 620 acres since end of 2025. It seems Grove Farm on Kaua‘i is having somewhat of a selling bonanza since the end of 2025, selling more than 620 acres of land on the Garden Isle to contractors and a state agency. Kauai Now.

Keohokalole challenges Case for Congressional seat, Green extends solar tax credit another year, new GoFundMe rules for Hawaii nonprofits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Experience Or New Energy: Case Squares Off Against Keohokalole for Congress. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term, faces his most challenging primary race since returning to Congress in 2018. Case, a Democrat, is seeking his fifth term representing Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District, which covers urban Oʻahu from Hawaiʻi Kai to ʻEwa. But if he’s to return to Washington in 2027 he’ll need to stave off a challenge from 42-year-old state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who’s now his main opponent in the contest. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green preserves 2026 Hawaii solar tax credit. Gov. Josh Green signed an executive order that would preserve solar credits for projects this year, delaying any changes to the program prompted by Act 24 until 2027. Green had signed Act 24 May 21 that reduced tax credits for several industries to help the state balance its budget and partly offset nearly $3 billion in anticipated lost revenue from the federal government.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

There’s One Big Flaw With The AG’s Track Record On Medicaid Fraud. A single settlement with a dialysis company accounted for the lion’s share of funds recovered by Hawaiʻi’s fraud unit, now facing federal scrutiny. Civil Beat.

New law changes fundraising for Hawaii nonprofits.  Beginning July 1, Hawaii’s Act 205 will require online charitable fundraising platforms, including GoFundMe, to obtain written permission from nonprofits before allowing users to donate to them or create fundraisers on their behalf. Star-Advertiser.

DHHL legal settlement distribution nears end. A genealogical hunt to find beneficiaries of a $328 million Hawaii legal settlement is nearing a likely incomplete end after more than two years of difficult and often emotionally searing work. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Convention center forced to postpone dozens of projects. The Hawai‘i Convention Center is moving ahead with critical leak repairs during its two-year shutdown, but state lawmakers’ rejection of a $55 million funding request means many of the upgrades needed to keep the venue competitive will be pushed off for years. Star-Advertiser.

Navy plans Red Hill water treatment facility. Five years since the Red Hill fuel leaks contaminated drinking water that serves 93,000 Oahu residents, sickening many, the Navy has completed its environmental assessment for a Red Hill Water Treatment Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Circus producer sues city over alleged ticketing failures, lost sales. The  lawsuit alleges the city required Showmakers Inc., a Honolulu- based producer of a circus featuring acrobats and motorcycle stunts rather than animal acts, to sell tickets exclusively through Ticketmaster LLC as a condition of using the city-owned venue at 777 Ward Ave. Star-Advertiser.

OHA reconsiders exploring KITV/KIKU deal. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will reconsider its vote against funding due diligence for a possible acquisition of KITV and KIKU, reviving a proposal the Board of Trustees narrowly rejected last month. Star-Advertiser.

New Haleiwa farm expands opportunities for immigrant and refugee farmers. Community leaders, elected officials and immigrant farmers gathered at the North Shore Friday to bless Pacific Gateway Center’s new 80-acre Haleiwa farm, celebrating a project they say will strengthen Hawaii’s food security while creating economic opportunities for refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu condo owners pay some of the highest fees in the country. More than 60% of Oʻahu condominiums sold this year have maintenance fees of $800 a month or more. That’s up from just 20% in 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Military and civic leaders celebrate Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s founding. Military and civic leaders gathered Sunday on the grounds of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to recognize Flag Day — the celebration of the official adoption of the American flag in 1777 — as well as the anniversary of the U.S. Army’s founding in 1775. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Harbor project hits snag. A $62 million planned expansion of Hilo Harbor will include traffic-flow improvements along Kalanianaole Street, promising relief to beach-goers, school commuters and residents of Keaukaha fed up with frequent gridlocks caused by cargo trucks entering and exiting the port. But the project’s timetable continues to be pushed back by breakdowns in negotiations over five privately owned properties adjacent to the port which the state needs to acquire before work can begin. Tribune-Herald.

Lawsuit trying to stop Kamehameha School’s Keauhou Bay plan to have hearing about consultant’s role. The main goal of the lawsuit's petitioner is to stop a proposed 150 bungalow development that is part of the nonprofit's management plan, which also includes a new cultural education center. Big Island Now.

Waikoloa Village residents ramp up demand for a new road. Wildfires in recent years on Hawaii Island and Maui have driven Waikoloa Village residents to seek proactive solutions to the looming danger of traffic bottlenecks in the event of a full-scale evacuation. The village is home to roughly 7,000 full-time residents with only one way in and out: Waikoloa Road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

3 Democrats Compete For West Maui House Seat In Primary. House District 14 has gone Democrat for decades. But its two-term incumbent, Rep. Elle Cochran, traded teams in March and is running as a Republican.  Civil Beat.

Cost of Government Commission releases sweeping review of Maui County Boards and Commissions. The report identifies seven cross-cutting issues affecting the County’s governance infrastructure and recommends a mix of eliminations, restructurings and reforms. Maui Now.

Maui Health celebrates new CT scanner made possible with Oprah Winfrey donation. The June 8 ceremony brought together the hospital’s Imaging team, Kahu Kimokeo Kapahulehua, and Winfrey, whose gift to Maui Health Foundation funded the advanced diagnostic equipment. Maui Now.

Dead coconut rhinoceros beetles found in Waikapu traps. State agriculture officials have confirmed the discovery of dead coconut rhinoceros beetles in Waikapu, prompting additional surveys and monitoring efforts as Maui continues to guard against the destructive invasive pest. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County seeking to expand part of Kekaha Landfill by 2030. Kauai County is aiming to vertically expand a portion of the Kekaha Landfill — the only permitted landfill on the island — as it’s expected to reach its maximum capacity in 2030. Star-Advertiser.

Want to live like a rockstar? Former Carlos Santana estate up for sale on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. The $13 million former Santana home is next door to another larger 6.87-acre estate also up for grabs for a mere $32.5 million by the same seller. Kauai Now.