One nation, indivisible? A commentary.

Hawaii, which became the 50th state almost 67 years ago, was late to the party, and as the 250th anniversary of the United States is observed this weekend, the state's confusion about two competing national celebrations grows even as its enthusiasm for either of them remains muted.

This is a state grounded in cultural history and controversy, where King Kamehameha Day, on June 11, is an official holiday celebrated with parades and events as well as a day off with holiday pay for state and county employees. 

In contrast, Statehood Day, while also a state holiday, finds little celebration for what has become Hawaii's quietest holiday. It's held the third Friday in August.

Meanwhile, Hawaiian Independence Day, Nov. 28, while not an official state holiday, is officially designated as a day of remembrance and recognition and features a number of ceremonies statewide. Known in the Hawaiian as Lā Kūʻokoʻa, it marks the date in 1843 when the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii was formally recognized by England and France through the signing of the Anglo-Franco Proclamation, and through an oral acknowledgement with the United States.

Enter dual celebrations on the national level this year, with the America 250 bipartisan ceremony, planned since 2024, shorted its funds by a more recent Freedom 250 ceremony pushed by President Donald Trump.

Congress had appropriated $150 million for America 250 bipartisan ceremonies, but tens of millions were subsequently funneled off by the Trump administration to be used for its own ceremonies. That left Hawaii with only $20,000 from the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. No wonder Hawaii said it didn't have money to send a delegation to staff its designated booth at Trump's Great American State Fair, one of 10 states bowing out.

No wonder Hawaii residents -- and even some in the local media -- are confused. 

Hawaii has traditionally celebrated Independence Day with local parades, parties and fireworks, the latter allowed for private citizens with permits only on New Year's Eve, Independence Day and Chinese New Year. Hawaii residents do love their fireworks!

This year's festivities in Hawaii are pretty much the same as in prior years. 

The exception is Oahu, the state's most populous island, which has added a commemorative event at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and a public festival at Kapiolani Park to its usual schedule of parades and fireworks. 

In contrast, Kauai, the state's least populous major island, is holding one major event, after the military bowed out of its annual America’s Most West Freedom Fest at Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, citing budget constraints.

Face it, a nation indivisible described in our Pledge of Allegiance seems like just a pipe dream. Today, the United States seems more divided than ever. 

Kudos to the Hawai‘i America250 Commission, with its paltry federal funding and no state money, for coordinating events such as Hawaii grade-school students who competed in a national contest expressing what America means to them, production and distribution of more than 100 America250 flags, and a planned mass reading of the Declaration of Independence at about 65 places around the state at noon on July 8.

Still, many people are wondering if that’s enough, while others say, enough already for a holiday with such divergent meanings for its diverse citizens.

But we, as a nation, have been through this before. We emerged battle scarred from the Civil War in 1865, stronger and more aware that humans shouldn’t be held as property. It took many years to more fully recognize people of all races as Americans, and it took just as many years after that to recognize that women have the same rights, too. Recognizing that gay and transgender people have equal rights has taken even more time, but Hawaii is the leader in that.

Recently, thanks to a divisive national leadership, we’ve taken some steps backward, but we, as compassionate, thinking people must soldier on. We can come back together, recognizing our similarities are bigger than our differences.

Call me an optimist, but I think we can recover and build back and learn from our mistakes. It’s just going to take time.

Because this holiday is not about festivals and fireworks. It s about recognizing our past and positioning our nation for reconstruction and a new, better beginning. Let’s all work toward that.

For further reading

 Hawaii commemoration of America’s birthday funded on a shoestring. Star-Advertiser.

Who is paying for America's 250th celebrations? It's complicated. The presence of America250 and Freedom 250 has continued to spark confusion. ABC.

House Democrats accuse Trump of 'hijacking' America's 250th birthday for his own gain. National Public Radio.

Green to host Western Governors' Association winter meeting, Lazar sworn in as Honolulu’s 13th police chief, UH to decommission 3rd Mauna Kea telescope, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green leads Western Governors' Association, plans Pearl Harbor meeting. Green, who assumed the position Wednesday at the group’s meeting in Park City, Utah, will serve as host of its winter meeting on Oahu in December. The Dec. 7 gathering, during commemorations of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, will include governors from 19 western states; member representatives from Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and governors from Japan. Star-Advertiser.

Supreme Court ruling on campaign spending may not affect Hawaii as much — for now. Tuesday’s ruling does away with limits on the amount of money a political party can spend on its candidates. It doesn’t have as much impact for those running at the state level, such as the legislature. However, it could come into play for federal-level races, such as those for Congress. Hawaii News Now.

New chair Jon Itomura looks to speed up Public Utilities Commission's work. Jon Itomura took the helm of the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission in January. While he’s new to his role, he’s on familiar ground. He spent more than a decade as an attorney with the Division of Consumer Advocacy, representing the interests of utility customers in proceedings before the commission. Hawaii Public Radio.

Study: Hawaii patients spent more than $230M on out-of-state cancer care. Hawaii patients spent more than $230 million on cancer care outside the state from 2021 to 2023, according to a new University of Hawaii Cancer Center study that researchers say underscores the financial strain created when patients must travel for specialized treatment. Maui News.

Oahu

Lazar sworn in as Honolulu’s 13th police chief. David S. Lazar, 55, was sworn in as the Honolulu Police Department’s 13th police chief on Thursday and promised to build a culture focused on the wellness of officers, civilian staff and their families. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.  KITV4.

Election announced for vacant Senate District 18 seat. A special election has been scheduled to fill the vacant Hawaii State Senate District 18 seat. The vacancy follows the retirement of Sen. Michelle Kidani. Hawaii News Now.

Storms, Civility And Affordability: State Senate District 10 Candidate Q&As. House member for East Honolulu district is making a move on the incumbent senator for the same area. Civil Beat.

DHHL opens applications for first-ever high-rise rental units in Honolulu. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has opened applications for its first high-rise rental development in Honolulu, a 23-story tower at the site of the former Bowl-a-Drome. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Honeybees Are Swarming. Yes, That’s A Good Thing. The prevalence of wild, swarming honeybees is concerning for many. But for some, including researchers, it’s a sign of good environmental health.  Civil Beat.

City plans ‘Hawai‘i America250’ celebrations honoring Oahu’s history, diversity. On Oahu, Hawai‘i America250 festivities will include a mix of patriotic and community-focused events, from the annual Kailua Fourth of July Parade and a Kapiolani Park festival to a Pearl Harbor commemoration and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at Honolulu Hale, according to Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

University of Hawaiʻi to decommission third telescope. UKIRT observatory will end astronomy operations in September. Science operations at the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope will conclude Sept. 15 so it can be decommissioned, the University of Hawaii announced Wednesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Emergency Repairs Completed on Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Water Well. Water officials say the Essential Needs Only Notice has been cancelled, and normal water usage from the water spigots may resume. Big Island Video News.

Burial Council rejects iwi kupuna plan at Hawaiian Paradise Park. The Hawaii Island Burial Council voted down the burial treatment plan for iwi kūpuna discovered at Hawaiian Paradise Park. Hawaii News Now.

Inouye honored with Lifetime Achievement Award. State Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye of Hilo was honored on Friday, June 26, with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii’s Impact Gala, recognizing her decades of dedicated public service and lasting contributions to Hawaii’s communities, economy and quality of life. Tribune-Herald.

Maui 

Maui Fraud Risk Assessment reveals inadequate policies, identifies millions of dollars in ‘direct pay’. The County of Maui’s Office of the Auditor presented findings from a Fraud Risk Assessment report during a committee meeting Tuesday and outlined 2027 plans to address concerns. Maui Now.

First storefronts returning to Lahaina’s Front Street. Front Street’s commercial core remains largely empty nearly three years after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire, but Maui County and the Hawaiian Council on Thursday unveiled an $8 million pilot marketplace that will return the first storefronts to what was once one of Hawaii’s busiest economic corridors. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2. 

Do humpback whales fertilize Hawaiian waters? Maui study tests the “Whale Pump”. PacWhale Eco-Adventures has completed the first round of seawater sampling for a study led by the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, testing whether the seasonal arrival of humpback whales measurably enriches the waters of Maui Nui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi’s Hospice’s ‘Concert in the Sky’ is main 4th of July event on the island after military canceled its event. For the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration, Kauaʻi Hospiceʻs 33rd annual “Concert in the Sky” will be the island’s only major Fourth of July event. In early June, the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands announced it was canceling its annual America’s Most West Freedom Fest for reasons that included high costs and budget constraints. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Campaign Spending Commission files complaint against Sylvia Luke, juror compensation increases to $50 a day, cash rounding law eliminates pennies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission files 39-page complaint against Sylvia Luke. A 39-page complaint from the Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission accused Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, her campaign team and committee of violating state campaign finance laws during the 2022 election. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Know the rules: Hawaii's new cash rounding law. A new law aimed at easing headaches caused by a nationwide penny shortage took effect in Hawaii on Wednesday, July 1. Businesses are now allowed to round up or down to the nearest nickel. KHON2.

Juror compensation increases to $50 per day. Individuals serving as jurors in Hawaiʻi state courts will receive $50 per day for their service, an increase from the previous rate of $30 per day. The increase marks the first adjustment to juror compensation since 1989, when the daily rate increased from $20 to $30. Maui Now.

Oahu

DPP launches fast-track permit review program. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting has launched a new program to fast-track eligible building permit applications using an artificial intelligence-assisted screening platform ahead of the software becoming mandatory later this year. Star-Advertiser.

Unopposed For Reelection, Honolulu Budget Chair Isn’t Afraid To Fight Admin. Council member Val Okimoto has charged into public disputes against powerful members of the city administration. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Riders Face Persistent Station And Elevator Closures. Three years after opening, the city’s Skyline transit system has endured its share of operational hiccups. Civil Beat.

Law enforcement finds 14 endangered children on Oahu. Fourteen endangered, missing children were found by Honolulu Police Department officers working with state and federal law enforcement last week during a two-day operation. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

More sidewalks planned for portion of Kilauea Avenue. A $10 million sidewalk construction project will commence Monday along Kilauea Avenue as part of a federally funded initiative to create a safe, convenient route for students at the three Waiakea schools to walk and bike to class. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Wastewater In Lava Fields: Delayed Fix Costs Big Island $1K Daily. After a legal settlement, Hawaiʻi County agreed to upgrade the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant beginning in March. Now the project is four months overdue and the county could face a hefty fine. Civil Beat.

Increased aircraft noise possible in Waimea-Kohala region during July 4 military exercises. The training is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. July 4 and will include KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft and MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft operating over parts of the region. Big Island Now.

Big Island mayors celebrate diverse heritage. Hawaii County leaders say the America250 milestone offers a chance to celebrate their island’s rich and diverse culture and its unique place in the nation’s history, which has been shaped both by patriotism and historical inequities. Star-Advertiser. 

Maui

Mayor Bissen announces $6M proposal to purchase Launiupoko, Olowalu water assets for public trust. This marks the critical second phase of a broader effort that will increase public stewardship of West Maui’s drinking water systems from 45% to 93% while supporting much-needed housing development for residents. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. 

Council seeks answers on Maui safe parking pilot program. Maui County Council members are pressing Mayor Richard Bissen’s administration for answers on why a safe parking pilot program for unhoused residents has not opened nearly four years after the council approved legislation allowing the county to create one. Maui News.

Mayoral candidate says campaign signs have been taken.  Maui County Mayoral candidate P. Denise La Costa said more than 18 of her political election signs have been stolen in the past few weeks. Maui News.

National Park Service launches first-of-its-kind Kalaupapa hiking tour. Starting this month, the Kalaupapa National Historical Park will guide visits to the remote peninsula — but there’s a catch. The hike down — and up — the strenuous Pali Trail from topside Molokaʻi is a 1700-foot elevation change over three miles each way. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Community groups win temporary pause to 148-unit Kōloa housing development until court hears appeal. The groups challenging the project have raised concerns about the size of the project, the impact of increased traffic, parking demands and emergency access on the narrow rural roads in the Kauaʻi town. Kauai Now.

Landfill, Cesspools And Another ʻIniki?: Kauaʻi County Council Candidate Q&As. Kauaʻi’s council members face daunting infrastructure needs, a shortage of workforce housing and declining visitor numbers on the island. Civil Beat.

Concert in the Sky anchors Kauai’s July Fourth mix of celebration and care.  Kauai is marking America250 with events that highlight the island’s layered history — from early Native Hawaiian stewardship to Western contact, plantation‑era immigration and modern military ties — as residents navigate mixed feelings about July Fourth. Star-Advertiser.

Price-fixing settlement nets Hawaii 1M eggs, Big Island residents blast vacation rentals legislation, tourist arrivals and spending rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii due to receive 1M eggs from price-fixing settlement. Hawaii may be getting 1 million eggs due to a settlement with three of the nation’s largest producers over illegal price fixing, according to the state Attorney General’s office. The 53 million donated eggs will be provided to food banks and nonprofits across the participating states, while meeting all food safety and regulatory standards. Star-Advertiser. 

Attorney General announces charity amnesty program. The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General is offering a 60-day amnesty period to help delinquent charitable organizations return to good standing. Hawaii News Now.

Supreme Court ruling puts attention on Hawaii's first-in-the-nation election law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that political parties can spend unlimited money in coordination with their candidates, citing First Amendment protections. The decision comes shortly after Hawaii approved Act 11, a first-in-the-nation law targeting corporate political spending. (video only). KITV4.

Shorter Hawaii visitor stays risk tourism growth. Hawaii visitors are trimming their trips to the shortest length in at least seven years, a contraction that threatens to drag on the tourism‑driven economy even as May brought moderate gains in arrivals and visitor spending. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

UH-Manoa gets its own chancellor today. The UH Board of Regents in June appointed Vassilis Syrmos — who served as interim provost for a year — as Manoa’s newest chancellor, joining the other nine campus chancellors who advocate for their individual campuses. Star-Advertiser.

Locals say goodbye to Ward Centre. Ward Centre will be closing its doors for the final time Tuesday. The shopping center's four-decade-long legacy is concluding as developer Howard Hughes Corp. moves forward with the plan to construct two luxury condominiums at the Kakaʻako location. Hawaii Public Radio.

Drains, Schools And Public Trust: State House District 46 Candidate Q&As. The central Oʻahu district was hard hit in the recent Kona low storms. Civil Beat.

Westside Families And Community Safety: State House District 45 Candidate Q&AsTwo partisan candidates are facing off in the West Oʻahu race. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Bets Millions That Students Will Eat Way More Eggs. The Agribusiness Development Corp. is closing in on a $4.7 million land purchase in Wahiawā for a highly specialized facility to crack eggs. Civil Beat.

Luxury Real Estate Broker Had Sex With Assistant At Homes He Was Selling. Former assistant says sexual activities took place at 10 to 20 listed properties over four years. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Residents blast STVRs legislation; commission defers action. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to defer consideration of a bill seeking to overhaul vacation rental rules during a meeting attended by more than a dozen testifiers, the majority of whom spoke in opposition. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Police Department officer sentenced in perjury case. A Hawaii Police Department officer was sentenced Tuesday to four years of supervision and 400 hours of community service after pleading no contest March 17 to charges of perjury, making a false sworn statement in official matters, and tampering with a government record. Noah Serrao, 29, who is on full-duty status, is allowed to possess and carry a firearm. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

US Army Corps of Engineers to host info session about Laupāhoehoe breakwater repairs. The breakwater sustained wave-related damage that is now impacting the use of the harbor; a design for repairs includes replacement of the breakwater core and installation of a new concrete crest cap and is intended to reduce wave energy in the harbor and improve navigation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui struggles to establish safe overnight areas for homeless communities. The Maui County Council granted funding for a Safe Parking Pilot Project in 2023. But despite funding and authorization being approved, the program has stalled. Hawaii Public Radio.

HDOT starting preliminary environmental studies for Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C. Earlier this year, Maui County announced it would allocate $100 million in federal disaster funds from the Maui Wildfires to this extension of the bypass, which is expected to cost between $220 million and $250 million. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente, Maui Health plan new Lahaina clinic. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Maui Health announced plans Tuesday to open a new clinic in Lahaina, nearly three years after Kaiser’s previous Lahaina clinic was destroyed in the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. Maui News.

Maui visitor spending climbs 26% in May as arrivals near pre-wildfire levels. Visitor spending on Maui rose 26.4% in May compared with a year earlier, outpacing every other island in Hawaiʻi, according to preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Maui Now.

Maui wrestling coach sues Hawaii DOE, alleges wrongful termination. Grant Nakamura, a Baldwin High School wrestling coach is suing the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, alleging his due process rights were violated after he was removed from his position following anonymous complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Crews clean up 1,000-gallon wastewater spill from sewage pump station on Kaua‘i. Cleanup is underway following an estimated 1,000-gallon wastewater spill Tuesday morning due to a communication failure at the Kapaʻia Sewage Pump Station, located near Kūhiō Highway and Ma‘alo Road. State health officials issued a wastewater discharge advisory because of the spill. Kauai Now.

Annual water quality report is available online and in print beginning Wednesday. The Kauaʻi Department of Water’s 2026 Water Quality Report will cover the water quality for all of 2025 for nine systems on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

First cohort graduates from University of Hawai‘i medical school’s Kaua‘i Medical Training Track. Four years after launching an effort to address Hawaiʻi’s rural healthcare needs, the first Kauaʻi Medical Training Track cohort has officially graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Housing, Affordability Are Center Stage In East Kaua‘i House Race. Rep. Luke Evslin is being challenged by David Hazlebeck, an algae farmer who is new to politics. Civil Beat.

Ahi origin labeling law kicks in Wednesday, Green signs $20B state budget, UH report says Oahu doesn't need new power plants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ahi Origin Labeling Law Takes Effect on July 1st. A new law takes effect in Hawaiʻi this week, requiring stores selling raw processed ahi products to have country of origin labeling. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Maui News. Garden Island. 

Global tuna fishing practices pose significant risks to marine protected areas. Drifting devices used by the global tuna fishing industry are entering marine protected areas worldwide, creating potential risks for wildlife and sensitive ocean habitats, according to a new international study. Maui Now.

$20B state budget signed into law, accounts for federal cuts. Gov. Josh Green has signed a $20 billion state budget meant to account for federal cuts while maintaining benefits and services for residents. There were challenges this year to settle on a budget that both the state House of Representatives and Senate could agree on, as lawmakers had to find funding for important programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, faced significant slashes by the Trump administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Four state bills this year face potential veto. Gov. Josh Green may block the Legislature’s intended deposit into the state’s “rainy day” fund for a third time in four years. Green announced on Friday that he intends to veto a bill that lawmakers passed in May to put $50 million of state general fund revenue next fiscal year into Hawaii’s Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

State law enforcement is expanding the use of drones in Hawaii with new technology that is designed to protect first responders in close-quarters situations. Officials are also looking to broaden outdoor drone operations while some have concerns about eyes in the sky. KHON2.

Hawaii to get new driver’s license, state ID design with added security features. Hawaii is set to release a redesigned driver’s license and state ID cards later this year, marking the first update to both cards since 2009. The new cards will retain Hawaii’s iconic rainbow and will also feature the state flag, island chain, state fish and state seal. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Oahu

UH Report: Oʻahu Needs More Solar, Not New Power Plants. The report, written by University of Hawaii economics professor Michael Roberts and economics Ph.D. student Ethan Hartley and published by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, ran an energy model with 300 varying scenarios to determine what Hawaiian Electric Co. and the state should build “to keep Oahu’s lights on through 2050 while transitioning to 100% clean power and what it will cost.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

HART board adopts $1.07B budget for Skyline construction. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors Monday formally adopted the rail agency’s $1.07 billion operating and capital improvement program budgets for fiscal year 2027, which takes effect Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Councilman And His Opponent Are Big On Construction. Similarities End There. Honolulu council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, a prolific introducer of bills and longtime political insider, is being challenged by city worker Corey Morihara in his bid for reelection. Civil Beat.

Former Honolulu Employee Pleads Not Guilty To Defrauding Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Attorney says that Dexter Kishida did not benefit personally and got caught up in ‘complex government bureaucracy and red tape.’ Civil Beat.

Changing retail market space gives some Ward Centre retailers problems to find comparable location. Some tenants at Ward Centre said they’re having trouble finding a new location. Others said it was difficult to find a comparable area. Experts said the challenges are due to the changing landscape of retail market space. KHON2.

Activists angered over West Oahu chicken fights, residents defend practice. An animal rights advocate recorded video showing vehicles lining Hakimo Road in Nānākuli on Saturday afternoon for what he said was a cockfighting event. Hawaii News Now.

Kailua’s Fourth of July parade a tradition for 77 years. Every year, for more than seven decades, the Kailua Independence Day Parade has taken place like clockwork. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii Island

Kīlauea Eruptions And Puna Roads: State House District 5 Candidate Q&As. The incumbent House representative has two opponents. Civil Beat.

Substantial repairs planned for Laupahoehoe harbor and breakwater. Much-anticipated repairs to the Laupahoehoe Small Boat Harbor Breakwater are finally moving forward, with an informational meeting scheduled next week for the public to review design proposals and ask questions. Tribune-Herald. 

UH Hilo to offer new AI concentration. As the use of artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent across industries, the University of Hawaii at Hilo is rolling out several new AI-focused offerings this fall to help prepare students for the rapidly changing landscape. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Public Or Private? The Future Of East Maui’s Water Is At Stake. The East Maui Water Authority says it wants to work with Mahi Pono to preserve and protect the water system as rainfall becomes less predictable. But the farm has its own plan. Civil Beat.

Maui County asks court to dismiss former chief of staff’s lawsuit; trial possible as election looms. Maui County is asking the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Mayor Richard Bissen’s former chief of staff Leo Caires, who alleges he was wrongfully terminated for sounding the alarm on fraudulent activity.  Maui Now.

Rebuilt Lahaina affordable housing community is fully occupied again. An 89-unit affordable housing community in Lahaina that was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires has reopened and is fully occupied again. Maui News.

Kauai

Pacific Missile Range Facility honors lineal descendants of Na ‘Ohana Papa ‘O Mānā. Leadership from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands in West Kauaʻi joined lineal descendants of Na ʻOhana Papa O Mānā, to observe Summer Solstice on June 20 during a reverent and unifying ceremony at Lua Kupapa’u ‘O Nohili (Nohili crypt) on base. Kauai Now.

Kawakami questioned on campaign cash from convicted briber, Green may veto $50M to rainy day fund, Hawaii doesn't send delegation to Great American State Fair, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Campaign Cash From Convicted Briber Is Raising Questions In Hawaiʻi LG Race. This time it’s Derek Kawakami who is being forced to explain why he took money from a convicted Honolulu businessman and never gave it back. Civil Beat.

Green Signals He May Veto Bill To Add $50M To Rainy Day Fund. The governor also approved the new state budget, and announced he may veto measures dealing with school closures and teacher licensing. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green To Chair Western Governors’ Association. Governor Josh Green will assume leadership of the Western Governors’ Association, this week during the WGA Annual Meeting. Green will join six fellow Western governors in Utah and become chair of the bipartisan organization representing Western states and territories. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Green Fee will fund HIEMA hurricane retrofit program. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency received $4 million to administer a pilot program to help residents harden their homes against hurricanes. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii commemoration of America’s birthday funded on a shoestring. Hawaii  won’t have a delegation from the commission participating in the Great American State Fair due to cost and staffing requirements. Hawai‘i America250 secured just $25,000 in contributions, including $20,000 from the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Is Losing Therapists Before They Even Start. A New Law Could Help. Act 93, signed by Gov. Josh Green in June 2024, creates provisional, associate-level licenses for marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and psychologists in training. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC International forces work across cultures. As the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise gets underway, participants are holding meetings and getting set up for operations across Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Governors reflect on U.S.-Hawaii history, look ahead. Hawaii’s current and former governors say the state overall remains patriotic and proud to be part of the United States heading into America’s 250th year, even as its relationship with the federal government has been strained over generations by the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom, cultural suppression, military conflict and modern political clashes. Star-Advertiser. 

Oahu

Can This Underdog Take Down Hawaiʻi’s Most Powerful Senator? First-time candidate Nani Brown is taking on the well-funded, well-connected Donovan Dela Cruz for his state Senate seat in Central Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

Council progresses bill tied to paused housing project. A controversial Honolulu City Council measure connected to a proposed Haleiwa housing and commercial development has returned for further consideration after being put on hold almost a year ago amid widespread opposition over the potential loss of agricultural land, worsening traffic and threats to the rural character of that North Shore community. Star-Advertiser.

Shuttle service aims to boost North Shore businesses still struggling after Kona‑low storms. North Shore businesses still reeling from March’s Kona‑low storms and related access challenges will get a boost when the Hawaiian Council and its partners launch North Shore Huaka‘i, a 90‑day shuttle service designed to steer visitors and kamaaina back to Haleiwa and Waialua. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore gondola project ends after new law signed by Gov. Green. Gov. Josh Green has signed Act 172, formerly House Bill 1881, on Friday, prohibiting commercial gondolas, cable cars and ropeways in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

HPD shuts down 2 brothels in Central Oahu. Honolulu Police Department efforts to shut down brothels and help sex workers who have been trafficked were highlighted by two operations in Aiea and Pearl City this week that seized more than $20,000. Star-Advertiser.

State decries erosion at Kahala beachfront properties. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources earlier this year warned at least eight beachfront property owners in the neighborhood that they have obstructions encroaching onto the beach needing removal. Star-Advertiser.

Struggling Families, Imported Goods: State House District 39 Candidate Q&As. There are four candidates on the ballot for the open Central Oʻahu seat.  Civil Beat.

Charity Program for Housing Homeless People Broke Promises, Landlord Says. Small landlord now has doubts about renting to tenants from housing assistance programs; tenant says his story is off base. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Bill would ban new paid parking lots. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission on Thursday will consider a bill banning the opening of paid parking lots on the island — an effort supported by the Planning Department but opposed by some business leaders. Tribune-Herald.

Bid protest delays start of Kealakehe sewage plant upgrade. Despite settlement last year of a federal civil suit brought by a community group against Hawaii County requiring it to begin upgrading to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant by March 1, construction hasn’t started — and the plant continues to discharge sewage into Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in North Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Incumbent Faces Councilman In Race For State’s Biggest House District. Hawai‘i County Council member Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder is trying to unseat three-term state Rep. Jeanne Kapela in the Democratic primary this August. Civil Beat.

What does the Fourth of July mean to Native Hawaiians? It’s complicated. Celebrations and activities are taking place around the Big Island for the 250th anniversary of colonists in America declaring independence from Great Britain. However, for some Native Hawaiians, the day is more of a painful reminder of the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.  Big Island Now.

Counting down to 250: Festivities in Hilo, Kona will celebrate America’s milestone birthday. Fireworks permits allowing for the purchase of up to 5,000 individual firecrackers will be available starting Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve reopening delayed. Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources and its community partners are completing final steps to reopen Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve in waters off the west side of Hawaiʻi Island; however, the time frame was pushed back. Big Island Now.

Maui

Reconstruction of Kahului Airport’s main runway down to 2 options — with drastic differences in price, resiliency. After nearly a year of expert analysis, two options now are under consideration for reconstructing Kahului Airport’s main runway 2-20, which is 84 years old and “at the end of its useful life.” Neither is cheap. Big Island Now.

Kula Hospital reopening remains uncertain due to storm damage. The historic hospital has been closed since the storms struck in mid-March, dumping more than 50 inches of rain in the area, causing extensive water damage across most of the campus. The closure leaves the area with a gap in emergency care and has sent about 100 long-term-care patients to other facilities already at capacity. Star-Advertiser.

Concern grows over planned closure of Central Maui recycling center. A Central Maui recycling center used by residents for years is expected to close Tuesday, prompting concerns in the community and among Maui County Council members. Maui News.

Kauai

Officials’ ‘Grab And Go’ Taking Of Girl Leads To $950,000 Payout. State and Kauaʻi County workers coordinated the removal of the fifth grader without her mother’s knowledge — or an order from a judge. Star-Advertiser.

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.