Lieutenant Governor candidates face off, Belatti files late spending report, Case congressional race gets national attention, voting machines tested statewide, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lieutenant Governor candidates’ appearance shows similarities, differences. During their joint appearance, frontrunners Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and state Rep. Della Au Belatti last week shared the need for more affordable housing, reducing Hawaii’s high cost of living, and their overall support for Gov. Josh Green’s kauhale housing program expansion to create permanent, affordable homes for Hawaii’s homeless. Both, however, said the lieutenant governor should remain independent from Green. Star-Advertiser.

Belatti Files Campaign Spending Report A Week Late. Della Au Belatti’s campaign blamed a computer glitch for the delay. State Rep. Della Au Belatti finally filed the reports Thursday afternoon, but not before her rival for lieutenant governor, Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami, had issued press releases publicly calling her out for the missing report. Civil Beat.

The Race For Lieutenant Governor: A Coveted Political Stepping Stone. While the job itself doesn’t amount to much, it helped elevate four politicians who later became governors, and two others who eventually became U.S. senators. Civil Beat.

Case And Keohokalole Ramp Up Their Spending In Advance Of August Primary. New Federal Election Commission filings show that both candidates raised and spent about the same amount in the last quarter, but Case has more money left over for the final run. Civil Beat.

Honolulu congressional race draws national attention. The race to represent urban Honolulu in Congress has attracted national attention from the New York Times and the Washington Post as an example of younger, left-leaning Democrats like state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole challenging older, more moderate incumbents like U.S. Rep. Ed Case. Star-Advertiser.

Voting equipment testing statewide as primary election approaches. The Office of Elections held its statewide logic and accuracy test at the State Capitol, with around 60 official observers on Oahu and another 20 on each of the neighbor islands. KITV4.

History shows every vote counts in Hawaii legislative races. All 51 state House seats and 14 of the 25 state Senate seats are up for election this year, but 16 Democratic and Republican legislators face no challenge and will automatically return to office in the Aug. 8 party primary elections. Star-Advertiser.

‘Hawaii Builds’ initiative aims to fast-track affordable housing. Under Senate Bill 2544, which legislators passed almost unanimously on May 6, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. is being directed to help private developers produce at least one affordable-housing project on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Kauai and in Maui County under the new program in part by sidestepping county council reviews. Star-Advertiser.

Military scales up 3D printing, drones and AI to supply RIMPAC forces. Over the last few iterations of RIMPAC, the Naval Postgraduate School’s Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education participated in the exercise and experimented with these systems. But this year, military leaders have made a point of massively scaling up their use across the Hawaiian islands and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waters holds huge fundraising lead in City Council race. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters is heading into the Aug. 8 primary election with a commanding financial advantage over his closest challenger as he seeks a third term representing East Honolulu’s District 4, campaign filings indicate. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s brother charged in alleged Waikiki ‘stranger danger’ incident. The 55-year-old brother of former U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was arrested and charged Friday with second-degree custodial interference after allegedly trying to lure children to a Waikiki hotel room. Batarti Gabbard, aka Bhakti Gabbard, allegedly approached several children, including a boy, age 9, and offered them gum and money to accompany him to his hotel room, according to police. Star-Advertiser.

HECO seeks energy bids as JERA moves forward with LNG plan. JERA Americas, a subsidiary of Japan’s largest energy company, JERA Co., filed a notice of intent Friday with the Public Utilities Commission seeking approval to establish a new Hawaii-­based regulated wholesale power-generation company called GenCo that would own and operate the proposed power plant and supply liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to Oahu’s energy grid. Hawaiian Electric Co. is arguing the “unprecedented” move would create complexity, inefficiencies and risk in Hawaii’s energy grid. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu could follow other county councils in calling for aquarium fishing ban. The city council is moving along a pair of resolutions urging state-level policymakers to prohibit the collection of fish in the state for the commercial aquarium trade. One urges the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules banning aquarium fishing, and the other is directed at the state Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Home at last: New beginning for 815 Native Hawaiian families. On July 18, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands awarded 815 residential leases on Oahu, the largest offering on the island this year. KHON2.

Social media bans impact Honolulu businesses and artists. Several  businesses, community organizations and artists in Hawaii that have come to depend on Meta’s platforms say they’ve dealt with seemingly arbitrary bans, with little explanation from the company as it increasingly turns to AI and other systems for content moderation. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki organizations unite to boost community, visitor impact. With Hawaii’s tourism marketing resources under pressure and international visitor arrivals still below expectations, two of Waikiki’s leading business organizations have combined operations to strengthen the resort district’s voice, marketing reach and competitive position. Star-Advertiser.

Horse-Trading And Living Costs: State House District 18 Candidate Q&As. Member chosen to replace Gene Ward runs against Democratic challenger. Incumbent representative Joe Gedeon will face Democratic challenger James Wataru in the Nov. 3 general election. Both are running unopposed in the primary. Civil Beat.

Not Again! Another Sidewalk Collapse Next To Barefoot Beach Cafe. For more than a year after a portion of Waikīkī’s popular beachside walkway collapsed into the sand, Barefoot Beach Cafe customers looking to drink out of pineapples as they watched the sunset had to do so through a chain-link fence. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kona-based company is bringing aquaculture to Florida. Kona-based company Ocean Era recently received approval for a first-of-its-kind aquaculture pilot project off of the Gulf Coast of Florida. Titled the Velella Epsilon project, it will be located in federal waters about 40 miles out from Sarasota, to cultivate 20,000 red drum fish over the course of a year in a submerged net system. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island residents turn in nearly 150 firearms during community gun buyback event. Firearms collected included eight assault-style rifles and nine privately manufactured firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” Big Island Now.

Community raises questions about Laupahoehoe boat ramp. Dozens of community members gathered July 8 for an informational meeting about planned repairs to the breakwater in Laupahoehoe, which juts out about 100 feet from the rocky coastline. Tribune-Herald.

Investment firm pays $23 million to become outright owner of Kailua-Kona hotel. Nine Brains, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., acquired full fee-simple ownership of Pacific 19 Kona hotel — formerly Kona Seaside Hotel — 4 years after it purchased the ground lease for the property. Big Island Now.

New youth hub in Puna to guide young people toward independence. The Neighborhood Place of Puna has opened the Puna ʻŌpio Hub for youth and young adults, ages 14-25, as they explore employment and educational pathways that may seem inaccessible. Big Island Now.

Waimea Continues “Speed Dating” Election Candidate Tradition. Voters sat down with candidates for Hawaiʻi County Council, State House, and Lieutenant Governor. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina’s Front Street scheduled to reopen on Aug. 1, 2026. Repairs and rebuilding in the area have been ongoing since the 2023 Maui Wildfires, including: removal of wildfire debris and offshore pilings; repairs to the seawall and sidewalk; installation of new railings and planting of trees along the makai side of the street; installation of fencing along the mauka side of the street and around off-limit areas; and road paving and striping. Maui Now.

‘Keep Hawaiʻi Loud’: Car Stereo Enthusiasts Boo Increased Fines On Maui. For some Maui residents, the noise is a source of repeated frustration. Others see the music as part of Hawai‘i’s local culture.  Civil Beat.

Displaced Lahaina residents hope jobs will provide a way home. Hundreds of homes have been rebuilt, according to Maui County officials, and billions of dollars have been committed to disaster recovery. Yet many West Maui families remain displaced, businesses continue to struggle to rebuild their workforce and many former residents still cannot afford to come home. Star-Advertiser.

Moloka‘i growers feeding the island in wake of missed barges, plant shipping restrictions. On an island rich with farmland and resourceful people, the goal is to help make the community more resilient and sustainable during unexpected crises like missed shipments and interisland restrictions. Maui Now.

Airlines compete for Lanai air service contract. Pacific Air Charters and Cape Air are competing against Mokulele Airlines, the only commercial airline currently servicing the island,  receiving federal subsidies to do so. Hawaii News Now.

Selenium detected in Makawao water. Trace levels of selenium have been found for the first time in the Maui County Department of Water Supply’s Makawao water system. Maui News.

Luxury Rentals, Bill 9 And Public Water: Maui County Council, Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū District. Five candidates are running for the seat held by Council Chair Alice Lee, who is stepping down. Civil Beat.

Wetlands, ICE And Accountability: Maui County Council, South Maui District Candidate Q&As. Itʻs a rematch for the two candidates running in the November general election. Civil Beat.

Invasive Species, Sustainability And Planning: Maui County Council – Kahului District. Three candidates are running in the primary for the council seat covering Mauiʻs largest commercial center. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi keiki bring home free helmets, bikes after annual Keiki Bike Safety Day on Saturday. Forty lucky youngsters pedaled home with new bikes, and hundreds learned essential riding skills and helmet safety from dedicated Wilcox Medical Center physicians and community partner. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Disasters, Tourism And Housing: State House District 16 Candidate Q&As. Incumbent Democrat faces Republican challenge for the Kauaʻi House seat. Democratic House Member Luke Evslin, who has represented state House District 16 since 2023, will face Republican opponent David Hazlebeck in the general election in November. Both are running unopposed in the primary. Civil Beat.

Income Tax Relief And Housing Affordability: State House District 17 Candidate Q&As. Longtime Kauaʻi Democratic incumbent faces primary opponent and Republican challenger.Incumbent House member Dee Morikawa is facing Democratic challenger Chad Schimmelfennig in the Aug. 8 primary election for State House District 17, which Morikawa has represented since 2010. Civil Beat.

Plan to rebuild historic Coco Palms Resort gets financial backing. A Utah-based real estate investment firm that acquired the Coco Palms site in 2022 through a state court foreclosure case recently arranged $431 million in financing and said it has begun below-grade construction work on the 32-acre property in Wailua. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii rebuffs federal election security assistance, Texas billionaire supporting Waikiki city council challenger, Honolulu police chief plans drone program, Maui expands accessory dwelling units, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii to DOJ on election law compliance help: No thanks.  Hawaii’s chief election officer has rebuffed an invitation by the U.S. Department of Justice to discuss, or receive assistance with, following federal law governing voter eligibility. Scott Nago, who heads Hawaii’s Office of Elections, was among head election officers in every state who received a July 7 DOJ letter reminding them of federal election laws and pointing out that they faced possible criminal prosecution for violations that include knowingly retaining noncitizens on state voter registration lists. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Green responds to Hawaiʻi National Guard recall demands. Gov. Josh Green said the troops should come home around Labor Day, after celebrations for the America 250 end. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii raises truck bed age minimum, expands move over law. The law tightens safety rules for pickup trucks by raising the minimum age for riding in the bed from 12 years old to 16 years old, with limited exceptions. Drivers must now slow down and change lanes for any stationary vehicle that displays hazard lights or other warning vehicles — the law previously applied only to parked emergency vehicles. KHON2.

'Everything is changing': Della Au Belatti's campaign for lieutenant governor. Belatti is mounting what she calls an underdog campaign for the second-highest elected office in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Texas billionaire money flows into Waikiki Democratic primary race. In the Democratic primary for House District 24, covering Waikiki, McCully and Moiliili, challenger Bulla Eastman is facing incumbent Rep. Adrian Tam. Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission documents show Texas billionaire Douglas Scharbauer and the Patriot Action Political Action Committee spent $30,000 on ads supporting Eastman at a local media outlet. Hawaii News Now.

New Honolulu police chief plans to launch drone program to help catch crime. Newly appointed Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar on Wednesday gave the Honolulu Police Commission his goals for the first three months of his tenure. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

City Council urges review of rising energy costs. Concerned about rising fuel and electricity costs, the Honolulu City Council is considering a resolution urging Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration to evaluate how higher energy prices could affect city finances and operations. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu law firm and gun control group distributing 'Guns Not Allowed' signs to businesses. The U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down the Hawaii law banning firearms on private properties without the express consent of property owners. It then shifted the burden to businesses to decide whether or not to put up signs prohibiting guns on their properties. KITV4.

Want To Plant A Community Garden in Honolulu? Get Ready To Wait A Decade. Waitlists are growing for Oʻahu’s community garden program as residents seek green spaces for food, fun and friends. Civil Beat. 

Scientists say North Shore corals are now dying due to mud from the Kona low storms. The flooding from March’s Kona low storms left a coat of mud on coral reefs around Oahu’s North Shore. And a longtime local marine biologist says that coral is now dying because of it. Hawaii News Now.

15 Waianae homeless holdouts could be removed any day. Fifteen homeless people at the Waianae Small Boat Harbor who do not plan to move to the permanent Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae community mauka of Farrington Highway can be swept at any time after being served with trespass warnings while the state plans to remove their nine structures and encampments this summer. Star-Advertiser.

Kilauea District Park to remain under city ownership. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and the City and County of Honolulu announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming the park’s gymnasium, recreation buildings and other facilities will remain under the City’s ownership, management and operation. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Faculty, students weigh in on Hawaii Community College chancellor options. The University of Hawaii is exploring several leadership options for Hawaii Community College following the retirement of Chancellor Susan Kazama, effective July 31. Tribune-Herald.

Open House on August 10 for Waiākea Peninsula Master Plan. The community is invited to help shape the future of the Waiākea Peninsula, which includes the Banyan Drive resorts, during an upcoming event in Hilo.  Big Island Video News.

Crumbling Big Island Tennis Court Has Needed Repaving For Years. The tennis court at Herbert Shipman Park in Kea‘au is dull, cracking and growing weeds. The county has had it on its to-do list for at least the past four years but still hasn’t gotten around to it. Civil Beat.

Paving to reduce hydroplaning on Hawai‘i Island’s Daniel K. Inouye Highway underway. As part of the immediate safety improvements being undertaken, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is repaving Saddle Road between mile markers 10 and 22.5 to increase the pavement drainage capability and reduce the potential for hydroplaning.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County adopts new accessory dwelling rules to expand housing opportunities. To ease the island’s severe housing shortage, Maui County has adopted new rules that allow qualifying residentially zoned properties on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi to be eligible for up to two accessory dwellings in addition to a primary residence — a potential of three residential units on a single lot, the County Department of Planning announced. Maui Now.

Wailuku Greystar property named in statewide housing voucher discrimination complaint. Kaulana Mahina is among the Greystar properties named in a civil rights complaint filed Monday alleging the company illegally refused to rent to prospective tenants using federal housing vouchers. Maui Now.

Displaced Lahaina residents to return for 3-day homecoming event. More than 100 former Lahaina residents displaced by the August 2023 wildfire will return to their hometown this weekend for the inaugural Lahaina Homecoming, a three-day event organizers describe not as a celebration, but as another step in the community’s long healing journey. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Kauai

Report released from 2026 Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response survey. Find the full 2026 Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response survey report here. Kauai Now.

Zero Waste Kauaʻi to host mayoral candidate forum focused on waste, environmental future. Zero Waste Kauaʻi and partners Hōʻike, KKCR Kauaʻi Community Radio, Surfrider Kauaʻi and Kauaʻi Planning Action Alliance are hosting the free online 2026 Kauaʻi Mayoral Candidate Forum: Talking Trash with Kauaʻi’s Next Mayor scheduled for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 29 via Zoom. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Pressure mounts to bring Hawaii National Guard back from Washington, Green vetoes one bill and wraps up enactments, mail ballots to arrive next week, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Calls grow for Green to recall Hawaii National Guard from DC. A growing chorus of local and national organizations is calling on Gov. Josh Green to recall Hawaii National Guardsmen dispatched to Washington, D.C. Twenty-seven members of the Hawaii Army National Guards 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrived in D.C. on July 6.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Ballots for Hawaii primaries expected to arrive by Tuesday. Voters across the state should expect their primary election ballots to arrive in the mail by Tuesday ahead of election day on Aug. 8. County clerks must have voters’ ballots returned and in hand by 7 p.m. Aug. 8 in order for them to be counted. Ballots that are postmarked by Aug. 8 but arrive after 7 p.m. will not be counted, according to the state Office of Elections. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

Gov. Green vetoes BOE executive director bill. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed his final bills of the year Wednesday, wrapping up the legislative session with 266 measures signed and just one veto. The governor vetoed Senate Bill 3262, which required the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to submit three nominees for its executive director to the Board of Education. The board would then appoint an executive director from the nominee list, subject to advice and consent of the Senate. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Green signs bill tackling dementia. Green signed House Bill 1853 into law Tuesday. It creates the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office of Aging. Hawaii Public Radio.

State e-bike law enacted to curb injuries, deaths. The new law, Act 259, establishes minimum age requirements for riders depending on e-bike class, increases the age for mandatory helmet use, and makes sellers disclose rules. Act 259 also classifies two- and three-wheelers capable of going over 28 mph on electric power as e-motorcycles that are subject to licensing, registration and insurance similar to regular motorcycles. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

New laws to modernize transportation system, enhance clean energy economy. Gov. Josh Green signed four bills to enhance efforts in building a clean energy economy, ensuring that Hawaiʻi’s laws keep up with emerging technologies. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Public Begins To Weigh In On Offshore LNG Proposal. The public comment period is the first step in the pre-review of JERA Co.’s proposal, pitched as a fossil-fuel bridge to a future of all-renewable resources. The first public commenters on a $2 billion liquefied natural gas power project proposed for Oʻahu are asking federal regulators to look beyond simply the environmental impacts related to the offshore infrastructure that makes up a relatively small part of the project. Civil Beat.

HART previews Kakaako rail construction, but some want more specific details. Traffic disruptions have been an unavoidable part of the city’s Skyline construction. And those disruptions are about to come to Halekauwila Street, at the tail end of the rail project’s third phase. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu lawmakers want to ensure residents have proper shelter during disasters. The City and County of Honolulu budget this year includes $18 million for resilience hubs to shelter residents during natural disasters, and city lawmakers want to make sure it’s properly built and equipped to handle severe weather. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Nobody Did Anything’: Flood Control Long Went Ignored On Oʻahu’s Westside. Māʻili residents were stuck after an emergency evacuation road was inundated during Kona lows. Civil Beat.

About 3K Hawaii soldiers remain without air conditioning. Roughly 3,000 soldiers remain without air conditioning in their barracks after a water system malfunction. The AC units haven’t been working since Friday, July 10, impacting soldiers at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield and Helemano Military Reservation. Hawaii News Now.

Youth Skills, Crime And Sustainability: State House District 30 Candidate Q&As. Two-year incumbent is facing two opponents in the primary. Civil Beat.

Security, Working Families And Infrastructure: State House District 32 Candidate Q&As. The same opponents face each other for the third general election in a row. Civil Beat.

Income Tax, Climate Change And Culture: State House District 33 Candidate Q&A. Incumbent Democrat is running unopposed in the primary election. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Waikoloa evacuation study questioned at meeting. Fears of mass wildfire fatalities in Waikoloa Village boiled over on Tuesday during a community meeting held to discuss evacuation routes after a 200-acre blaze sparked at the edge of the community last week caused partial evacuations and left residents on-edge. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Records were set for June rainfall. Halfway into the dry season for most of Hawaii, 11 Big Island sites experienced their wettest June on record, according to the National Weather Service. Tribune-Herald.

Concerns rise about invasive beetle. A Kona community development group on Tuesday heard warnings about the highly destructive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle from an invasive species biologist — alerts that have taken on a new sense of urgency after one of the bugs was found July 6 at Hilo International Airport. Tribune-Herald.

Kīlauea Episode 51 Ends After 8 Hour Eruption. Tephra fall was restricted to the closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to the southwest of the active summit vents.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Former Maui County mayors unite behind Bissen’s re-election. Former Governor and former Maui County Mayor Linda Lingle, along with former Maui County Mayors Alan Arakawa and Charmaine Tavares, have united behind Mayor Richard Bissen’s nonpartisan re-election campaign. Maui Now.

Kahului Airport remained resilient with passenger increase, despite TSA funding lapse this past spring. Kahului Airport screening volumes held steady even as a nationwide TSA funding lapse this spring triggered steep staffing shortages and sharp declines in passenger throughput at major mainland hubs, according to a new analysis from the travel research firm Upgraded Points. Maui Now.

Kimo’s to return to Lahaina. A restaurant that was established on Maui nearly 50 years ago and grew into a chain of 13 establishments across Hawaii and California is returning to Lahaina. Maui News.

Kauai

New Kaua‘i Council Candidates Are Raising The Most Campaign Cash. The 26 candidates racing for the seven council seats have raked in a combined $108,000 so far this election. Civil Beat.

Special community meeting to feature candidate for Hawai‘i lieutenant governor Kaua‘i County Mayor Kawakami. The Indivisible Kaua‘i hybrid meeting, which can be attended in-person or online via Zoom, also includes Deirdre Romney, who will present information about understanding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreements, what they are and why communities are reconsidering them. Kauai Now.

DOW announces tap water sampling for some customers. In compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lead and Copper Rule, the Department of Water, in partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Health, is conducting a complimentary household tap water sampling program in Kilauea, Haena-Wainiha and Hanalei. Garden Island.

Green signs AI protections, judge orders environmental review for Turtle Bay, gambling crackdown on Oahu, Big Island gun buyback, Kim in HGEA crosshairs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Artificial Intelligence Laws Enacted in Hawaiʻi. Governor Josh Green on Tuesday signed two bills relating AI; House Bill 2137, targeting the harmful use of “deepfake” technology, and Senate Bill 3001, dealing with disclosure for AI companions. Big Island Video News. Kauai Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Hawaiʻi’s Childcare Shortage Is One Of The Nation’s Worst. Nearly every child in Hawaiʻi lives in a community that lacks adequate licensed childcare, with access rates falling far behind the national average, according to recent reports from the Center for American Progress. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s largest public workers union campaigns against veteran senator. The Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii’s largest public workers union has turned against Senate Education Committee Chair Donna Mercado Kim, endorsing a challenger and launching a social media campaign against the 43-year incumbent ahead of the Aug. 8 primary. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council mulls lowering vehicle weight tax fees. Under Bill 47, the vehicle weight tax rate for passenger vehicles — including buses, ambulances and hearses — would decrease from 6 cents per pound of net weight to 5.5 cents per pound. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu charter amendment proposals near finalization. The commission first started fielding charter amendment proposals from the public in August 2025 and received nearly 300 submissions. That was narrowed down to 19 coming into a scheduled meeting on Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Judge orders new environmental review for Turtle Bay project. Court says further environmental review needed for Turtle Bay expansion. First Circuit Court Judge Shirley M. Kawamura ruled Tuesday that the new development at Kuilima on Oahu’s North Shore cannot move forward until more environmental studies are completed. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Crackdown on illegal game rooms includes arrests, millions in fines and liens. New laws put landlords on the hook for allowing illegal operations to continue. New lawas and enforcement  have resulted in 30 game rooms being raided so far this year by Honolulu police officers. Four individuals have been arrested and charged with gambling-related crimes, and 451 devices have been seized. Hawaii News Now. 

Downtown Honolulu is getting a new look with the launch of the Downtown Business Improvement District. If you have spotted people in bright pink shirts around Downtown Honolulu, they are part of the city's new Downtown Business Improvement District, or BID. KITV4.

Tsunami Panic: Most Who Evacuated Shouldn’t Have, Report Says. Almost all of Oʻahu’s traffic ​​during the tsunami warning was unnecessary, the report said. In an after-action report released Friday, the Honolulu Department of Emergency said clearer  communication with the public about how to evacuate and better internal coordination of responsibilities are two of its main takeaways.  Civil Beat.

No Charges For Police In Death Of Man Who Rammed Their Vehicle. No charges will be filed against two officers who fatally shot a man in Mākaha last June after he rammed a pickup into their police vehicle, causing the cop car’s engine to burst into flames. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Got unwanted firearms? Hawaiʻi Island police to host gun buyback event in Hilo. The event at the Hilo Police Station on July 18 is designed to provide community members with a no-questions-asked way to surrender unwanted handguns, rifles, shotguns, bump stocks, Glock switches, assault-style rifles and ghost guns. Big Island Now.

Savings challenge pays off for Hawaii Island families. The Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development distributed one-time savings match payments to participants in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Sponsored Savings Program following completion of a six-month savings challenge. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui housing market posts stronger sales activity in June. Sales of single-family homes increased 16.4% year over year, with 78 homes sold in June. The median sales price rose 4.4% to $1,356,975. Condominium sales increased 51.7% compared to one year earlier, with 88 units sold. The median sales price declined 8.8% to $625,000.  Maui Now. Maui News.

HDOT to conduct runway improvements at Moloka‘i Airport. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will temporarily close Runway 5-23 at the Moloka‘i Airport (MKK) nightly from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., July 20-23.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Recreation Center Playground project groundbreaking July 30. The playground will include ADA-accessible pathways, a playscape, family seating and separate play areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, along with an adaptive swing set and a kiddie gate. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Mayor’s Race: Rapozo Leads Carvalho In Campaign Cash. Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo is outraising and outspending fellow council member and former Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in the race to become the island’s next chief executive. Civil Beat.

Application period open for Agriculture Farm Expansion grants. The grant program through Kauaʻi County Office of Economic Development invests in projects that expand commercial farming and ranching operations, increase local food production and strengthen long-term sustainability of agriculture on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Green signs bills giving teachers raises and protections, Sylvia Luke's books are a mess, First Hawaiian pays $2B for California bank, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New laws set to strengthen teacher workforce. Gov. Josh Green on Monday signed two education bills into law designed to strengthen protections and support for Hawaii’s educators — one expanding workplace safeguards for educational workers facing harassment and the other helping improve teacher recruitment and retention by authorizing annual and longevity salary step increases through future collective bargaining agreements, subject to legislative funding. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov.’s Books Were A Mess. Political Insiders Say It’s Not The Norm. It’s now up to the AG to decide whether to prosecute Sylvia Luke and some of her campaign staffers for alleged campaign finance violations.  Luke's reputation as a state representative stands in contrast with what she’s accused of now: failing to report more than $50,000 in expenditures; reporting more than $30,000 in contributions late, sometimes years after they were received; and allowing unauthorized campaign staffers to sign off on checks. Civil Beat.

Tourists Visiting Hawaiʻi Have Changed Dramatically In Recent Years. A growing number of Californians have been flocking to Hawaiʻi in recent years, while tourism from Japan is half what it was before the pandemic. Civil Beat.

First Hawaiian buys California bank in $2B deal. Honolulu-based First Hawaiian Inc. on Monday announced that it has arranged to buy the parent company of Tri Counties Bank in California for $2 billion in stock. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Oahu

City advances Iwilei redevelopment with key land acquisition. The redevelopment of the city-owned Iwilei Center is expected to transform the nearly four-acre site adjacent to the future Kuwili Skyline Station along Dillingham Boulevard, near Kaaahi Street, into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented community, city officials say. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Up To 5 Billion Gallons Of Water Wasted By The Navy Since Red Hill Crisis. The Navy passed on an opportunity to divert filtered water from Red Hill to a useful purpose. Civil Beat.

The battle over a Honolulu City Council seat before ballots go out. Forget the Max Holloway/Connor McGregor rematch, when it comes to this election - many have their eyes on Tommy Waters and Trevor Ozawa squaring off for a Honolulu City Council seat for the third time. KITV4.

Parks, Beaches, Affordability: Honolulu City Council District 4 Candidate Q&As. The most competitive Honolulu City Council race features a former member running against the incumbent. Civil Beat.

Income Tax, Healthcare, Power Outages: State Senate District 9 Candidate Q&As. Democratic candidate and incumbent Stanley Chang has represented the area since 2016. His challenger is Republican candidate David Croswell.  Civil Beat.

Kaimuki community voices concerns as elections begin soon. Kaimuki residents say neighborhood board meetings are among the best ways to draw attention to problems affecting their community. KITV4.

Trap, neuter, return? Oʻahu residents clash over public spay and neuter programs. Representatives from conservancy groups, veterinary clinics and animal care organizations gathered at a public hearing last week to testify about proposed changes to Honolulu's public spay and neuter programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu man pleads guilty to using crypto to evade Iran sanctions. A 37-year-old man pleaded guilty Monday to evading U.S. financial sanctions by using cryptocurrency exchanges and digital payment applications to send about $150,000 to people in Iran. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council Candidates Rake In Thousands Ahead Of Primary. Seven of the nine seats are contested, with top vote-getters advancing to the November general election. Civil Beat.

Public invited to discuss results of Waikoloa Evacuation Traffic Study. Hawaii County invites residents and other interested parties to take part in a public meeting today to hear and discuss the results of an Evacuation Traffic Study to improve safety in Waikoloa Village and the surrounding areas during a wildfire or other emergency. Tribune-Herald.

BLNR moves to settle $45,000 fine against men who took 4,000 opihi. After three men were caught taking more than 4,000 opihi from a protected area on Hawaii Island, the Board of Land and Natural Resources moved to settle the case in lieu of a more than $45,000 fine after considering both cultural impacts for both the environment and the violators. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui Mayor Election: Sugimura Tops Bissen In Campaign Fundraising. Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura is raising and spending thousands of dollars more than Mayor Richard Bissen in her bid to unseat him this election, state campaign finance records show. Civil Beat.

North extension of Lahaina bypass needed as a critical evacuation route is finally moving forward. The 4.5-mile extension from Lahaina to Kā‘anapali is in the early planning stages, with funding from a $100 million allocation of Maui County’s $1.6 billion federal disaster recovery grant. Maui Now.

Normal irrigation to resume at Waiehu Golf Course after pond liner project completed at end of August. he County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is progressing with a project to replace the irrigation pond liner at Waiehu Municipal Golf Course. Maui Now.

Kauai

Anaina Hou hosts upcycling camp focused on beach cleanup and creativity. A weeklong summer camp at Anaina Hou Community Park will give Kauaʻi children the opportunity to transform marine debris collected from local beaches into musical instruments, games, toys and art while learning about environmental stewardship. Kauai Now.

Local nonprofits given more opportunities for natural, cultural stewardship. HB 2218 allows the land board to determine if community groups are qualified for a co-management agreement. That enables the state to share its “management functions and responsibilities and the rights of entry” with those nonprofit groups. Olan Leimomi Fisher is an advocate for Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, which helped spearhead the bill. Hawaii Public Radio.

State releases campaign spending reports, Green signs anti-corruption bills, Kauai seeks help after Waimea River shifts toward homes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

See Who’s Getting, And Giving, Millions In Campaign Funds This Year. Hawaiʻi’s political newcomers are raking in the cash, while lobbyists and labor unions top the list of donors. Who is donating to whom has taken on new importance in recent years as ongoing corruption investigations have roiled Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

New state laws enacted to deter corruption in Hawaii government. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill into law that will extend the statute of limitations from three years to nine years for the offense of bribery. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s new ‘millionaire tax’ rivals top tax rate among other states. Under part of Act 24, which some call Hawaii’s new “millionaire tax,” a married couple earning over $1 million and filing a joint return would be charged $88,729 plus 13% on any income above $1 million for the 2027 tax year. Star-Advertiser.

Landmark bill gives Native Hawaiians larger public lands role. Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 2218 into law Wednesday after it unanimously passed both chambers of the state Legislature, creating a formal legal pathway for the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter into long-term co-management agreements with qualified community-based nonprofit organizations. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Dissenters Won’t Recant Retaliation Claims. Four trustees from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are bucking orders to withdraw a court document filed as part of a lawsuit that alleges the office, other members of the board and Chair Kai Kahele unfairly retaliated against CEO Stacy Ferreira. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi forgiveness program to reduce $91M in medical debt. About 50,000 Hawaiʻi residents have accumulated a total of $91 million in medical debt, but a new state program could help absolve lower-income residents of those unpaid bills. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal aid climbs, thousands apply for Kona-low support. Federal agencies have approved tens of millions of dollars in assistance for survivors of Hawaii’s Kona-low storms in March, with thousands of FEMA, SBA and USDA applications still under review as recovery efforts continue statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Traffic fatalities in Hawaii ticked up after Memorial Day. Since Memorial Day on May 25, there have been at least a dozen fatalities, accounting for roughly 25% of the total, which stood at 48 as of Friday. At the same time last year, the number was at 69. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waters’ War Chest Dwarfs Opponents In Competitive Honolulu Council Primary. Candidates running for the Honolulu Council District 4 seat have vastly different resources to draw on. Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters is sitting on a $320,000 war chest and has so far spent $130,000 in his bid for reelection to Honolulu Council District 4, the latest state campaign finance reports show.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council advances bill aimed at expanding affordable housing. A Honolulu City Council measure aimed at accelerating affordable rental housing construction on Oahu by easing development standards has advanced despite concerns from housing advocates, Council members and other stakeholders over its potential impacts. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae homeless community shrinks as permanent homes arrive. The Pu‘uhonoua o Wai‘anae homeless community at the Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor has shrunk from a peak of 250 people to just 30 who are waiting for new, permanent homes to arrive so they can join their friends and family who already have moved to a new 20-acre site on the mauka side of Farrington Highway. Star-Advertiser.

HPD sends Aliamanu fireworks case to prosecutors. The Honolulu Police Department’s investigation into the Jan. 1, 2025, explosion of illegal fireworks at a New Year’s party in Aliamanu that killed six people, including a 3-year-old child, has been sent to prosecutors for possible criminal charges. Star-Advertiser.

As pro golf tournaments leave Hawaiʻi, so do millions in charitable giving. Friends of Hawaii Charities hosted the Sony Open PGA golf tournament in Hawaiʻi for 28 years. Over that time, it raised nearly $28 million in grants for nonprofits in Hawaiʻi that serve children, older people and underserved communities. Hawaii Public Radio.

After storm damage, Hawaii’s reefs brace for another blow from El Niño. When back-to-back Kona lows hit the state in March, Alika Garcia got ready to dive.As executive director of Kuleana Coral, a coral restoration group on Oahu, he and his team worked under an emergency permit to survey and restore the affected coral colonies in Maunalua Bay as soon as ocean conditions were safe. Star-Advertiser.

No ‘large cat-like animal’ found at Manoa Falls, DLNR says. After reports of large wild cats at Manoa Falls, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said it found no evidence that would require the trail to close. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Most of Big Island sees above average rainfall last month, with 10 sites having wettest June on record. Several locations on the leeward side, on the other hand, didn't fare as well, with much of the Kona and Kohala coasts, slopes and interior higher elevations recording below average rainfall for June. Big Island Now.

A place to call home: DHHL awards 200 lots in Pana‘ewa to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. For the first time in over 20 years, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands presented leases for residential lots in East Hawaii to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries Saturday at a ceremony in Hilo, where 200 lots were awarded. Tribune-Herald.

Kona low victims awarded nearly $5M. Hawaii County launched a recovery grant program late last month for businesses impacted by back-to-back Kona low storms that hammered the island in March, just as a similar federal aid effort formed to help storm victims is wrapping up. Tribune-Herald.

Takeout Boxes Are Filling Landfills. This Town Has A Plan To Phase Them Out. As Hawaiʻi island prepares to enact a ban on single-use plastic serviceware, a coalition in Hilo is rolling out the nation’s first comprehensive city-wide reuse program with over $3 million in seed funding. Civil Beat.

Ka‘u cultural center clears another hurdle. A final environmental assessment was recently completed for the site, which is located near Waiohinu on land managed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Star-Advertiser.

Hilo skateboard ramp expected to officially open soon. Intended to “bridge the gap” until the proposed multimillion-dollar roller-sport facility along Piilani Street across from the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium can be built, the 16-foot-wide and 60-foot-long plywood half-pipe ramp was gifted to the county by Oasis Skateboards owner Dan Madsen to create a dedicated space for skaters. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fired Maui County official sues Mayor Bissen, Board of Ethics for defamation. Luana Mahi, the former director of the county Office of Economic Development, is suing the county for defamation, saying her reputation was tarnished by “inaccurate” claims that she used grant funding to benefit her family members.  Maui Now.

North extension of Lahaina bypass needed as a critical evacuation route is finally moving forward. The 4.5-mile extension from Lahaina to Kā‘anapali is in the early planning stages, with funding from a $100 million allocation of Maui County’s $1.6 billion federal disaster recovery grant. Maui Now.

National Park Service ‘pauses’ Kalaupapa tours after one trip. The National Park Service abruptly paused its planned twice-a-week walking tours of Kalaupapa National Historic Park after its inaugural trip Thursday was met by about 30 Native Hawaiians and Molokai residents demanding a say in the future of the site where 8,000 Hansen’s disease patients were forced to live in isolation for over a century. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Rebuilding, Mental Health And Groundwater: Maui County Mayor Candidate Q&As. A ballot full of candidates is running in the primary election to lead Maui Nui. Civil Beat.

RISE Maui Summit will bring together scientists, artists and cultural practitioners. With proceeds benefiting Lahaina’s rebuilding efforts, the RISE Maui: Sustainability + Tech Summit in August at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa will spotlight sustainability and innovation through the lens of regeneration. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi seeks state assistance as Waimea River mouth shifts towards homes. Kauaʻi County urgently seeks technical assistance because the Waimea River's sudden westward shift threatens nearby homes and properties. Kauai Now. Garden Island. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Kauaʻi Wants New Homes To Resist Fire. It’s Cheaper Than You Might Think. The Garden Isle has a higher wildfire risk than most counties in the country. Civil Beat.

Plane fares climb in war aftermath, Honolulu City Council opponent pushes to declare Waters ineligible, Big Island medical marijuana card holders won't be disqualified for gun permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fuel-price shock hits Hawaii as Iran strikes push fares higher.  Hawaii’s visitor industry is absorbing a new round of fuel-driven shocks as oil prices climb following President Donald Trump’s latest bombing campaign in Iran — a shift that is pushing airfares higher just as summer travel demand had begun to stabilize. Star-Advertiser.

Upgrade or eyesore? Locals react to the new Hawaiʻi driver’s license. It’s the first major change to the design in 17 years, and it includes 50 new security features to prevent identity theft. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Ozawa presses for ruling in suit over Council term. Honolulu City Council candidate Trevor Ozawa is asking a state judge to declare Council Chair Tommy Waters ineligible to seek a third consecutive term representing East Honolulu’s District 4, arguing the City Charter bars him from running again. Star-Advertiser.

Concrete issues at Civic Center parking lot causes concerns, forces closures of stalls. Work is underway to fix issues at the Honolulu Civic Center parking structure. But some said the improvement can’t come soon enough, as concrete has already fallen and damaged cars. KHON2.

Filipino dignitaries embrace hospitality amid outside protests. Aboard the Philippine navy ship BRP Miguel Malvar on Wednesday night, prominent members of Honolulu’s Filipino community rubbed shoulders with military personnel and diplomats as they wined and dined on its deck as it sat docked in Pearl Harbor before it and its crew set sail to join other warships participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise. Star-Advertiser.

DOH fines Pearl City tow company over $400K for alleged violations. The Hawaii Department of Health has ordered a Pearl City towing company to cease operations and fined it more than $200,000 for allegedly failing to properly store and remove solid waste from its site. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Police shut down three gambling operations in one building in Moili’ili on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Officials recovered 57 gaming machines, more than $12,000 in cash and illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. No arrests have been made at this time. KITV4.

3 candidates to be considered for District 18 seat. The Democratic Party of Hawaii selected three nominees to fill the vacant Senate District 18 seat, serving Central Oahu, Mililani, Waipio and Waipahu, after Sen. Michelle Kidani’s retirement. The party announced Thursday that Sechyi Laiu, Beth K Fukumoto, and Danielle Bass were submitted for selection to fill the seat. Hawaii News Now.

Firebreaks And Landfills: State Senate District 20 Candidate Q&As. Three GOP candidates are running in the primary for a Senate seat in West Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

Pedestrian Safety And School Lunches: State House District 21 Candidate Q&As. Incumbent’s run for Senate opens up opportunity to represent vibrant urban and hillside communities. Civil Beat.

Tax Burdens And Emergency Hubs: State House District 29 Candidate Q&As. Partisan contest lining up for the urban Honolulu seat. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

HPD changes its stance on medical marijuana cards and guns. The chief of the Hawaii Police Department confirmed in a recent letter that people who possess a medical marijuana permit will no longer be categorically disqualified from legally possessing firearms. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority’s first executive director announces retirement. The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority Board on Thursday accepted the retirement of Executive Director John De Fries, effective July 31. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Paid parking lot operators on Hawai‘i Island will be required to post rates. After a bill to cap paid parking in the Historic Kailua Village failed to move forward, Hawai‘i County Council Member Rebecca Villegas is addressing what she describes as predatory practices in other ways. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island lawmakers share priorities, concerns at town hall. Three state lawmakers outlined priorities and Puna community members voiced concerns at a June 28 town hall in the Keaau Armory, with the overarching issue being the state’s budget and its effect on one of Hawaii’s most impoverished areas. Tribune-Herald.

Palm-Killing Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle’s Discovery In Hilo Stokes Fear. The Hilo community has been crying out for better protections from the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Council committee advances bills rezoning dozens of Kīhei, West Maui apartment complexes as hotels. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 6-2 Monday to forward two resolutions that would begin the process of moving dozens of vacation rentals from apartment-zoned districts into newly created hotel zoning. Maui Now.

Park Maui to launch July 15 at Kamaole Beach Parks I and III. Standard rates for nonresidents will be $10 for daily parking, $50 for a weekly pass and $150 for a monthly pass. Parking will remain free seven days a week at all Park Maui beach parking areas for residents with a Hawaii driver’s license. Maui News.

Protest Delays National Park Service’s Reopening Of Kalaupapa Tours. Protesters, including a Maui Council member, blocked the entrance to the historical park’s trailhead on Thursday morning. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kīlauea community says it has ‘lost trust’ in Kauaʻi police after lack of action resulted in deadly shooting. New Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai and members of the criminal justice system attended a public meeting Tuesday to explain their actions and hear concerns involving a homicide, attempted homicide and 2-day manhunt of William "Billy" Sinclair. Kauai Now.

New comfort station at Ha‘ena state park a community-led effort. Relief has arrived for visitors to Ha‘ena State Park in the form of a new comfort station at the entrance parking lot.  Garden Island.

No swimming advised at Hanalei Bay due to heavy runoff, brown water. Kaua‘i County’s Ocean Safety Bureau is advising no swimming or other ocean activities at Hanalei Bay due to heavy runoff and brown water. Kauai Now. KITV4.