Green to sign off on tax cuts and budget today, state prepares for Hawaiʻi America250 celebrations, 140 Kauai coffee jobs saved, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green to sign budget that restores tax cuts for most. The state’s $21 billion budget over the next two fiscal years will be signed by Gov. Josh Green today, ensuring Hawaii’s historic tax breaks for all but the highest-earning residents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii AG to review Supreme Court decision on gun law.  The state Department of the Attorney General is reviewing Thurday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down restrictions on where and when guns may be carried, but said current Hawaii law should still be obeyed. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

New funding opens for Hawaiʻi farmers, ranchers, forest managers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering $18.5 million through the Hawaiʻi Grown Partnership for Agriculture, or HiGPA, project. The funds will go toward conservation efforts and market expansion initiatives led by farmers, ranchers and forest managers across the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

New loan program set to help homeowners finance cesspool conversions. This session, state lawmakers allocated $2 million in Green Fee funds to create a new low-interest loan and grant program for residents looking to convert their cesspools. Hawaii Public Radio.

OHA reopens TV station study after vote shift. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Thursday revived a proposal to explore buying Honolulu television stations KITV and KIKU, approving up to $172,500 for due diligence after Trustee John D. Waihe‘e IV reversed his earlier vote and shifted the board’s majority. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Mokulele Airlines tests electric aircraft. Real‑world testing of electric aircraft began in Hawaii on Thursday — a pivotal step toward evaluating whether zero‑emission planes can support interisland cargo and passenger service and help the state meet its aggressive climate goals. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Jones Act, Renewables and Trump: U.S. House 1st District Candidate Q&As. Eight candidates are competing for the 1st Congressional District. Civil Beat.

Climate Change, The Military And Housing: U.S. House 2nd District Candidate Q&As. Seven candidates are on the ballot for Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District. The district extends over 6,200 square miles and includes all the neighbor islands and parts of suburban and rural Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

As America 250 nears, Hawaiʻi prepares homegrown celebrations. In Hawaiʻi, those preparations are being led by the Hawaiʻi America250 Commission, which is chaired by Hawaiʻi Island resident Peter Young. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

NOAA: Monk seal Ka‘ale’s death was caused by toxoplasmosis. According to NOAA, the parasite reproduces in cats’ intestines, and its infectious eggs are released into the environment through cat feces.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Volunteers say more protections are needed for Rocky and her monk seal pup at Kalaeloa beach. Rocky the monk seal is famed for giving birth to pups at Kaimana Beach. This time, she decided to give birth to a pup at Nimitz Beach at Kalaeloa for the first time, an area rarely used by monk seals for that purpose. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu satellite city halls to stop cash property tax payments. Beginning July 2026, Oahu satellite city halls will no longer accept cash payments for real property taxes. Property tax payments at satellite city halls must be paid by check, credit card or debit card. KHON2. KITV4.

Part Of A Frantic Charge To Feed People During Covid, He’s Now Charged With Fraud. Former city employee, who helped steer federal funds to the hungry, is accused of deceiving the food bank into spending money that wasn’t there. Civil Beat.

State orders junkyard shutdown as violations mount. The state Department of Health has ordered a junkyard next to Waiawa Stream to shut down. There are multiple city violations, but operations are still going on. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Aircraft Alert Issued For Hawaiʻi Island Ahead of RIMPAC 2026. Jet engine and aircraft noise may increase to and from Pōhakuloa Training Area in July for the 2026 Rim of the Pacific exercise. Big Island Video News.

Community invited to learn more about how to grow vegetables in Hawaiʻi. “Vegetable Production for Hawai’i Growers” with researcher, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa tropical plant and soil sciences professor and University of Hawaiʻi Extension Specialist Ted Radovich is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon June 27 at Kohala Village Hub Barn in Hāwī. Big Island Now.

Honokaa suspect in child enticement case to receive mental exam. Police became aware that 23-year-old Honokaa resident Kainalu Palik allegedly used the messaging app Snapchat to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex after her 17-year-old sister noticed the sexually explicit messages on her younger sister’s phone and notified authorities, according to court documents filed by police. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Maui County water rates set to go into effect with new fiscal year, July 1. During Maui County Council final 2027 budget deliberations, members of the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee members did not recommend substantive changes to the Department of Water Supply’s proposed 5% increase to monthly service fees and higher tiered rates for fiscal 2027. Maui Now.

Public presentation of final designs for Olowalu-Ukumehame coastline coming July 9. Conceptual landscape designs that could help shape the future of the Olowalu-Ukumehame coastline will be presented to the public July 9 at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere in Maalaea. Maui News.

Kauai

140 Kauai Coffee Jobs Saved Through New Land Lease Agreement. After months of uncertainty around the future of the country’s largest coffee grower, roughly 140 jobs at Kauai Coffee Company will be preserved through a new long-term agricultural lease. Civil Beat. Kauai Now.  Garden Island. 

Can A $400+ Million Loan Push The Stagnant Coco Palms Project Ahead? The Kaua‘i project is could reopen in 2028, after being closed for nearly four decades. Developers behind the planned rebirth of Kaua‘i’s famed Coco Palms hotel have secured a $431 million loan to reconstruct the 1953 resort where Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii” was filmed. Civil Beat.
 

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii gun law, Gabbard family's ties to religious sect, RIMPAC war games largest ever, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii law requiring permission to carry guns in stores and hotels. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Hawaii law requiring people to get permission to carry guns into stores and hotels on Thursday, in its latest opinion backing Second Amendment rights. The high court’s 6-3 decision means people can carry guns onto privately owned property like shopping malls and gas stations, unless the owners specifically say guns are banned at their establishments. Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now.

Leaked Documents Show Gabbard Family’s Deep Ties To Sect Leader. Report says Science of Identity founder told former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard what to do in Congress and her father, a state senator, was also involved. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC kicks off in Hawaii amid a global conflict. The biennial Rim of the Pacific, the world’s largest recurring naval exercise, has returned to Hawaii in what commanders are calling the largest iteration of the war game to date. This year there are over 30 surface ships, five submarines, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel from 30 countries participating, according to a document by the U.S. Navy. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii among worst states with SNAP payment errors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday published state payment error rates for the food stamp program helping lower-income households, and Hawaii’s error rate rose to 10.92% in the 2025 federal fiscal year from 6.68% the year before after falling from around 21% in each of the two preceding years. Star-Advertiser.

State to begin enforcing hemp retail registration rules July 1. The Hawaii Department of Health and Department of the Attorney General will begin enforcing Hawaii’s hemp retailer and distributor registration requirements statewide July 1. The Hawaii Department of Health and Department of the Attorney General will begin enforcing Hawaii’s hemp retailer and distributor registration requirements statewide July 1. The Department of Health’s Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation said the grace period for hemp retailer and distributor registration will end June 30. Maui News.

Oahu

DOJ says $17M in Red Hill fuel spill settlements paid to 629 plaintiffs. The Department of Justice made its first Red Hill water crisis payouts totaling around $17 million to 629 plaintiffs and said the payments are an example of the government’s “good faith efforts” to resolve thousands of claims — a characterization the lead plaintiff said “could not be further from the truth.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

OHA advances review of possible KITV, KIKU purchase. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is taking another step toward a possible purchase of local television stations KITV and KIKU. After a proposal stalled last month, trustees voted Wednesday to move forward with the first phase of a financial review. KHON2. KITV4. 

Mayor vetoes OER cuts, triggering Council showdown. The fate of the city’s Office of Economic Revitalization now appears headed for an override vote by the Honolulu City Council after Mayor Rick Blangiardi this week issued line-item vetoes restoring funding and positions the Council cut from the city’s $3.193 billion executive operating budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Red Lobster exits Hawaii with closure of Waikiki location. The Red Lobster in Waikiki has closed its doors for good after more than 30 years in operation. The restaurant, which was located on the ground floor of Ilikai Marina condos at 1765 Ala Moana Boulevard, officially closed on Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Sewer rate hike is proposed. Members of the Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission on Wednesday pushed back against county officials’ proposed wastewater rate increases that would spike a typical single-family residential monthly sewer bill by 20% come November — and more than double it over the next five years. Tribune-Herald.

UH Hilo athletics building to be renovated. An $11.6 million renovation for athletics facilities on the campus — including locker rooms, training, sports medicine and weight rooms and offices — is expected to begin early next year. Tribune-Herald.

Military service members provide free health care to Big Island residents as part of their real-world training. Tropic Care provides essential medical, dental, optometry and behavioral health services to Big Island residents for free until June 28. Big Island Now.

Volcano man accused of noncompliance with sex offender registration. A 48-year-old Volcano man pleaded not guilty Monday to seven counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota maintained bail for Brian Taylor-Rose at $140,000 and ordered him to appear July 1 for a hearing, trial-setting and appointment of legal counsel. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Vacation Rentals Get A Reprieve With New Zoning Bill’s Approval. Roughly 7,000 apartment-zoned units were set to be phased out by 2031 to create more long-term housing. More than half of those may now keep operating as short-term rentals. Civil Beat.

Maui County and Māʻalaea condo reach agreement on a softer approach to shoreline erosion. Kanai A Nalu condominium in Māʻalaea has won county approval to remove its aging, crumbling seawalls and let nature reclaim the shoreline, under a $2.4 million sea-level-rise adaptation plan that calls for a buried sand-filled “burrito” structure, a new dune and a public beach-access ramp. Maui Now.

West Maui Greenway virtual meeting and open house set for Thursday evening. County of Maui Department of Public Works will host a virtual meeting and open house on the West Maui Greenway Environmental Assessment Project from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Maui Now.

Community-led petition calls for import restrictions on Maui and Lānaʻi to curb the spread of CRB. The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity is considering interim rules to limit the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetles on Maui and Lānaʻi. On Tuesday, the board was presented with a community-led petition, spearheaded by the Lahaina Community Land Trust, that called for temporary limits on certain shipments to the islands, where CRB is not established. Hawaii Public Radio.

Speed Bumps And Water Supply: Maui County Council Upcountry District Candidate Q&As. It’s a four-hand race to fill the council seat left vacant by decade-long incumbent Yuki Lei Sugimura, who is running for Maui County Mayor. Civil Beat.

Disaster Loan And Overtourism: Maui County Council Makawao-Haʻikū-Pāʻia District Candidate Q&As. The incumbent member is facing one challenger for a council seat. Civil Beat.

Kauai

CSI Cats: How Experts ID The Animal Culprits Killing Hawaiʻi’s Seabirds. Cat lovers often sow doubt when felines are found to be the culprit, especially in mass slaughters like the one recently on Kaua‘i. But every predator leaves behind evidence. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi now designated as a coffee berry borer-infested area. Interisland movement restrictions change after almost every island with commercial coffee production is infested with the coffee berry borer.  Kauai Now.

Voters left out of selecting Senate candidates, Honolulu mayor vetoes budget cuts in spending bill, Coco Palms developer gets $431M financing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New law cuts voters out of picking state Senate candidates. The governor will pick a temporary replacement until a special election in November. And then the parties will pick the candidates. Sen. Michelle Kidani waited just long enough to retire from her Mililani seat to trigger a new law governing her replacement that will cut voters out of much of the process. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Statewide workshop series to help community organizations better access 'Green Fee' funding opportunities. Act 96 established a dedicated funding source to support Hawaiʻi’s environmental priorities. With approximately $129 million allocated through the state budget, many community organizations will have an unprecedented opportunity to secure resources for projects that protect Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources. Big Island Now.

Philippines ships arrive for RIMPAC amid tensions with China. As the U.S. Pacific Fleet gears up to kick off the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise this week, ships from around the world are arriving in Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Pent‑up demand lifts Hawaii travel ahead of Fourth of July; outlook still mixed. Hawaii’s visitor industry is seeing a modest pick-up heading into the Fourth of July holiday driven by pent-up demand after spring’s Kona-low disruptions and spillover from FIFA World Cup travelers. Star-Advertiser.

‘Making Sanitation Sexy’: Hawai‘i Colleges Are Growing Wastewater Workforce. UH schools on the Big Island and Maui are training students to convert cesspools to cleaner alternatives. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor vetoes budget cuts to Office of Economic Revitalization. The City Council stripped the office of $1.5 million, or 15 positions, after an audit found it was not meeting all of its goals. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Transit fare increase takes effect July 1. The fare changes average roughly 14%, with most fare categories increasing between 11% and 13%, city data indicates. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Spent $450K On Plans For Flood-Prone Stream. Then It Did Nothing. The city has been told repeatedly that failing to clear the North Shore stream would lead to catastrophic flooding. Civil Beat.

Rebuilding Trust And Fiscal Analysis: State Senate District 13 Candidate Q&As. Six candidates are vying for the Oʻahu Senate district that will be left vacant by Sen. Karl Rhoads. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Police issue over 1,000 tickets in Saddle Road enforcement effort. The Hawaii island police have conducted more than 1,000 traffic stops on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway since stepping up enforcement efforts after several traffic fatalities on the road. From June 4-21, Hawaii Police Department officers conducted 1,069 traffic stops on the highway, known as Saddle Road, and issued over 1,000 violations, including 649 for speeding, 17 for reckless driving, six for unsafe passing and 509 for other traffic infractions. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawaii County urged to develop composting plan. A recent Hawaii County study determined that 26% of the material that ends up in the West Hawaii landfill is organic waste. This includes food scraps, plant trimmings and other natural materials, all of which, if processed correctly, could be composted and used to create healthier soil and help grow more food. Tribune-Herald.

30 Households in Volcano, Impacted By Tephra, Get Catchment Diverters. The free installations come as community continues to experience periodic tephra fall associated with ongoing eruption at Kīlauea.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Blessing for Front Street railing and walkway project set for July 1. Lahaina officials and residents will gather next week to bless the newly completed Front Street Railing and Walkway Project, marking another step in the area’s recovery from the 2023 wildfire. Maui Now.

Maui Bus expands fare-free program, adds new stops. Maui Bus fixed-route service will be free for students of any age and Maui County employees beginning July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. Existing fare-free categories remain available for riders age 55 and older with valid identification, as well as qualifying riders with disabilities, Medicare recipients and individuals demonstrating financial need who are registered with Maui Economic Opportunity. Maui News. KITV4. 

$2.2M grant supports second phase of Maui wildfires impact study. The three-year funding award from the National Institutes of Health will allow researchers to survey 1,200 people who were living on Maui during the wildfires, including those who were displaced. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Planning Commission defers decision on Makena State Park improvements. State officials want restrooms, showers, water stations and visitor toll booths. Supporters said the upgrades are needed to keep the area clean, while opponents said the park should be left as it is. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Developer of Coco Palms Resort property secures $431 million in financing for 351-room luxury resort. After decades of projects have gone nowhere to redevelop the once iconic resort that was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the new financing has led to a new hotel opening date of 2028. Kauai Now.

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.