Jones Act waived for 60 days, tax and fee hikes loom in the Legislature, Blangiardi targets housing, affordability in State of the City address, new Kona low looms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump orders Jones Act waiver amid Iran war.  The White House on Wednesday announced a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act.  The waiver, a rare exception to the century-old law, temporarily would allow foreign-flagged vessels to move ‌fuel, fertilizer and other goods between U.S. ports in hopes of curbing sharp price increases and supply disruptions from the intensifying conflict. Star-Advertiser.

‘Very Scary’ Stack Of Bills Seek To Boost Taxes On Lots Of Stuff In Hawaiʻi. A stack of bills under consideration by lawmakers would increase taxes or impose new levies on cars, liquor, real estate, capital gains and more. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi House Approves $10B State Budget That Prioritizes Essential Services. The budget now passes to the Senate which will continue fine-tuning the state’s spending priorities for the coming fiscal year. Civil Beat.

Lower DUI threshold draws mixed reviews. Hawaii lawmakers are considering lowering the state’s legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers push new protections for kids online. Lawmakers at the Capitol are advancing new efforts to protect kids online – from artificial intelligence to social media. KHON2.

‘Left To Struggle’: Hawaiʻi Parents’ Long Wait For Paid Family Leave. Several bills over the years have been pared back to studies and advocates are impatient. But the state says it must get it right.  Civil Beat.

New storm poses threat across Hawaii. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii Island from 6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Sunday, warning of widespread rain and potential flash flooding. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi targets housing, affordability. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s sixth State of the City address Wednesday evening focused on affordability, or lack thereof, for those who live and work on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Spreadsheet error inflated benefits of LNG by up to $1.2 billion, expert says. As Hawaii considers a proposal from Tokyo-based JERA Co. Inc. to build a liquefied natural gas-fueled power plant on Oahu, the state’s top energy official has acknowledged a spreadsheet error in a key LNG study, while stopping short of accepting independent experts’ claims that the mistake overstated projected benefits by as much as $1.2 billion. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaii Island

Second Hawaiʻi Police Officer Pleads No Contest In Evidence Tampering Case. Noah Serrao, a 29-year-old Hawaii Police Department officer, pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges of perjury, making a false sworn statement in official matters, and tampering with a government record. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Areas Reopen In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.  Some sections of the park reopened Wednesday morning, but other areas remain closed due to major storm and volcanic impacts. Big Island Video News.

Konawaena High will transition to distance learning during storm repairs. Hawai‘i Department of Education reported Tuesday evening, March 18, that the school will be closed March 23-27 to students to allow time for cleanup and repair work. School staff will use that week to prepare for distance learning. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui

Monthly cash payments could boost disaster survivors. A Maui nonprofit tries it out.  Some 69 households are enrolled in an experimental program sending Lahaina fire survivors cash for one year, an effort to stabilize some of the most at-risk during the island’s protracted recovery. Associated Press.

Maui Food Bank coordinates airlift of 2,000 pounds of food to Hāna. The Maui Food Bank is coordinating with the Maui Emergency Management Agency and Maui United Way to load helicopter flights to deliver 2,000 pounds of shelf-stable food to Hāna residents cut off by the recent “March Kona Low” storm system.  Maui Now.

‘Worst it’s ever been’: In Hāna, power and roads still limited days after storm. Three days after leaving the office when a Kona low storm knocked out the power at Hāna Health, Executive Director Cheryl Vasconcellos returned to work on Monday to face thousands of dollars worth of spoiled vaccines and damaged crops on the clinic’s 15-acre organic farm. Maui Now.

Historic Maui home to be demolished after Kona storm triggers partial collapse.  The historic Baldwin Home will need to be torn down and rebuilt after one of its stone walls collapsed after a recent Kona storm, days after stabilization work began. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Recent storms cause overflow, resulting in a wastewater spill of 70,000 gallons per day. An ongoing wastewater spill of about 70,000 gallons per day at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant remains confined within the facility and does not pose a risk to public health at this time, county officials say. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i County officials gather to bless water line improvements project in Hanalei. Contracted with Koga Engineering & Construction Inc., the $3.1 million project will upgrade the water main infrastructure to meet current water system standards, including existing fire flow requirements.  Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai Mayor Kawakami to run for lieutenant governor, UH professional assembly endorses Luke, aquarium fishing ban remains in play in Legislature, Tokyo firm releases Oahu LNG plant plans, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kauai mayor launches bid to unseat Lt. Gov. Luke.  Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami plans to challenge Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s reelection bid as speculation at the state Capitol continues over whether Luke is the focus of an investigation regarding the “influential state legislator” who allegedly accepted a $35,000 bribe in a bag. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Kauai Now.  KHON2. 

University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly endorses Sylvia Luke for lieutenant governor. The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly board of directors and leadership team issued a statement Tuesday reaffirming its support for Sylvia Luke as lieutenant governor in the upcoming election.  Kauai Now.

Oahu

LNG electric plant proposed. Tokyo-based JERA Co. Inc. submitted its plan Tuesday for the roughly $2 billion liquefied natural gas project to state officials Tuesday after signing a collaboration agreement with Gov. Josh Green on Oct. 6 during a visit to Japan by the governor, according to the Hawaii State Energy Office. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Navy continues ‘degassing’ of Red Hill facility fuel tanks. The Navy this week continues the decommissioning, shutdown and remediation process at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, beginning the process of “degassing” Tank 12 of the World War II-era fuel farm. Star-Advertiser.

6 Oʻahu communities to pilot including food waste in green compost bins. Recycling food waste curbside is the goal of a new pilot program launching next month in six communities across Oʻahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

North Shore Oʻahu farms face long-term cleanups after heavy rains and flooding. Farmers on Oʻahu's North Shore are dealing with the damage caused by some of the worst flooding they've seen in years. Hawaii Public Radio.

High-rise residents stuck without elevators, hot water days after storm. Residents at The Diamond Head Vista on Pualani Way in Waikiki have been getting their steps in since Friday’s storm. The high-rise has 35 floors. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A Do-Or-Die Moment For One Of Hawaiʻi’s Most Contested Trades. A proposed aquarium fishing ban is in play as state aquatic resource officials move to revive the controversial fishing practice. Civil Beat. 

Kailua Village parking bill stalls again; measure aimed at capping fees draws spirited discussion. Hawaii County Council members again sparred with property managers Tuesday during committee discussions about a proposed bill that would limit fees at private parking lots in downtown Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Ready for another Kona low storm? Another system is forecast to hit the Big Island later this week. As the Big Island works to recover from the Kona low pressure storm that caused flooding and power outages over the weekend, a smaller, weaker Kona low system is forecast to arrive later this week. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Mayor Bissen seeks $15 million in emergency funds for storm repairs. Mayor Richard Bissen is requesting $15 million from the Maui County Council to cover emergency repairs and rising operational costs following the recent destructive Kona low storm. The Council will take up the emergency funding request during an emergency meeting at 8:45 a.m. Friday. Maui Now.

Maui braces for weeks-long recovery after Kona low, prepares for incoming storm. Maui County is grappling with widespread damage and a prolonged recovery effort after a powerful Kona-low storm swept across Hawaii over the weekend, flooding neighborhoods, cutting off roads and straining already limited infrastructure — even as another storm threatens to slow cleanup and deepen the damage. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Iwi Kūpuna Desecrated During Lahaina Fire Cleanup, Lawsuit Says. A family is suing a Maui landowner and the state for not protecting Native Hawaiian remains as required by law. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Measles virus detected in Kauai wastewater raises health concerns. Department of Health monitors positive wastewater detection of measles in Kauaʻi. A wastewater sample collected from a site in east Kauaʻi County on Feb. 25 has tested positive for the measles virus, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Kauai Now. KITV4.  

Governor to choose next Hawaii Supreme Court chief justice, average gas price jumps to $4.95 a gallon, Lahaina House rep switches to GOP, cat sterilization bill advances, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green to choose new Chief Justice, circuit judge from list of nominees. The nominees for chief justice are:  Lance D. Collins, Vladimir Devens, David M. Forman, Benjamin E. Lowenthal and Sabrina S. McKenna. Big Island Now.

Legislature kills bill intended to seek damages from fossil fuel companies. Senate Bill 3000, which would have authorized the state attorney general to bring a civil action on behalf of the people of the state to recover losses from any responsible parties after a climate disaster, was voted down in the Ways and Means Committee. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii average gas prices jump to $4.95 a gallon. Gas prices have made a huge jump, resulting in high prices at the pump. Gas prices are roughly 70 cents higher than they were two weeks ago.  KHON2.

Should tax dollars be used for campaigns? These election reform bills are still alive. Campaign finance has been a topic of interest this legislative session. The heightened focus can be attributed to a federal investigation that unearthed allegations of an unknown lawmaker accepting $35,000 in a paper bag. Hawaii Public Radio.

Neighbor Islands Could See A Rare Political Win In The Legislature. Bills primarily serving Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi counties often struggle to gain traction, but a major housing bill has promise. Civil Beat.

Lahaina Rep. Elle Cochran switches party affiliation to Republican. State House Rep. Elle Cochran of Lahaina announced on Monday that she is switching her political party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Her move to the other side of the aisle increases the House Republicans’ numbers to 10. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii bill requiring sterilization of cats advances. House Bill 1736 establishes a special spay- neuter fund, but also requires owners of all pet cats ages five months or older to get their felines sterilized and prohibits intact cats from being imported into Hawaii, with some exceptions. Star-Advertiser.

Weaker storm forms as damage resonates. A powerful storm that drenched Hawaii over the weekend delivered rainfall totals not seen statewide since the early 1980s, overwhelming rivers, knocking out power and destroying homes and property. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

Wahiawa dam owner says failure risk overstated. Dole Food Co. Hawaii, owner of a dam in Wahiawa that city officials warned could fail and endanger North Shore residents amid a deluge on Friday contends that the dam functioned as designed, is safe, and actually reduced flood risks. Star-Advertiser.

Skyline trains halted by storm-related power outages.  The city Department of Transportation Services partially suspended operations of Skyline due to power outages that affected automated, driverless trains from East Kapolei to the Waipahu Transit Center. Several stations were operating on backup power, city officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Days-long power outage forces eateries to toss thousands worth of food. As Hawaiian Electric crews work to restore power for thousands across the islands, impacted customers can file claims. Hawaii News Now.

Storm aftermath: Recovery begins across Oahu. For one Waiahole Valley neighborhood, recovery began the moment the towering banyan tree came crashing down on Saturday, March 14. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

‘Plan for prolonged outages’: Thousands on Big Island still without power after Kona low storm. Roughly 8,000 Hawaiian Electric Company customers across Hawaii Island were still without electricity Monday afternoon as utility crews raced to clear fallen trees and repair power lines damaged by the Kona low storm over the weekend. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Storm Recovery Update. Hawaiʻi County officials provided an update on the status of local government services and facilities following the recent Kona low storm that produced flash flooding across the Big Island.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

Maui

Maui recovers from inundation, prepares for next storm. The powerful Kona-low storm that drenched the state over the weekend hit Maui County the hardest.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Community raises $48,000 for couple whose home washed away in ʻĪao. A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $48,000 for an 80-year-old couple living in a storage container after recent floodwaters destroyed their home and property in ʻĪao Valley. Maui Now.

Kauai

County asks residents to submit information on damages from storm. The County of Kauaʻi is collecting preliminary assessments of affected areas to understand the scope of damages and community impacts. Kauai Now.

Hawaii begins mopping up from storm, HECO warns of prolonged power outages, legislative session reaches midpoint, LNG may not save as much as originally forecast, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii shifts into recovery mode. Communities across Hawaii began shifting into recovery Sunday after days of intense rain, flash flooding and damaging winds from a powerful Kona-low storm. The state Department of Transportation Highways Division is estimating $23.04 million in damage statewide — roughly $14 million on Oahu, $7 million on Maui, $2 million on Hawaii island and $35,000 on Kauai — to cover contractor response, debris clearing, rock removal, guardrail and sign repairs, bridge inspections, traffic signal fixes and road repairs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO warns of prolonged outages for customers still in the dark. Hawaiian Electric said more than 26,000 customers are still without power. They include about 7,000 on Oahu, 4,600 on Maui and 14,500 on Hawaii Island.  At the same time, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative reported 18 active outages across Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Storm triggers travel chaos, millions in tourism losses. Hawaii’s tourism industry is bracing for millions of dollars in lost revenue after the Kona-low storm disrupted travel statewide, prompting hundreds of flight delays, dozens of cancellations and a wave of last-minute hotel reservation wipeouts across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Storm exposes transportation system vulnerabilities. As a powerful Kona low lashed the islands with heavy rain and strong winds, state transportation officials say the storm is revealing a deeper problem: that much of Hawaii’s infrastructure was designed decades ago for conditions that no longer exist. Star-Advertiser.

Rain Check: 5-day totals show Kona Low dumped more rain than expected across Hawaii. Preliminary rainfall totals through 10 a.m. Sunday show some of the highest five-day amounts reported statewide were concentrated on Maui and Hawaii Island, with multiple gauges topping 20 inches. Hawaii News Now.

Future of Hawaii tax breaks cloudy as House and Senate trade bills. The Legislature has reached the halfway point of its five-month session with different approaches between the House and Senate over how to preserve tax breaks for most Hawaii residents as legislators move nearly 850 bills to the opposite chamber for further debate. Star-Advertiser.

As legislative session hits midpoint, federal funding impacts remain the focus. The crossover deadline means that if a bill was introduced in the House, it needed to pass by Thursday and be sent to the Senate, and vice versa. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Sun Is Still Shining For Key Reform Bills Halfway Through Session. But a few significant issues failed to generate much interest this year as legislators scurried to meet the crossover deadline. Civil Beat.

Independent analyst disputes reported cost savings of powering Hawaiʻi with LNG. A former University of Hawaiʻi professor claims that a landmark state report may have overestimated the potential cost savings of swapping liquefied natural gas for oil by more than a billion dollars. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fake Farms Get Tax Breaks, But Hawaiʻi Can’t Stop Them Yet. Not everyone living on agricultural land is a farmer. But state agencies have struggled to distinguish the genuine food producers from the hobby farmers looking for a tax break. Civil Beat.

Families Want Playground Access. They Could Get A Criminal Record Instead. DOE wants more support in keeping unwanted visitors off its campuses, but families say school playgrounds are an important part of the community. Civil Beat.

Hawaii film productions to bring economic boost. Netflix’s second season of “Untamed,” Jason Momoa’s action‑comedy “Protecting Jared,” and the third film in the “Jumanji” franchise have all begun, marking one of the busiest periods for local filming in recent years. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Cleanup efforts underway at Ala Wai Canal after Kona Low storms. Crews are working to clean debris from the Ala Wai Canal after recent Kona low storms brought heavy rain and runoff to Oʻahu. KHON2.

Home gets swept into the ocean near Keehi Stream. The Honolulu Fire Department responded to a home that washed into the ocean at Kahauiki Village near the Keehi Stream on Friday night. KITV4.

North Shore Oʻahu Farmers Search For Answers In The Kona Storm Wreckage. Farmers spent Saturday wading through their properties, trying to pick up the pieces from crops and livestock lost during torrential rains, flooding and high winds this week. Civil Beat.

Farmer releases 500 animals to seek shelter from storm. Waimanalo farmer Claude Colton, owner of Colton Farms, released 500 of his animals, hoping for the best at the height of the storm and was particularly worried about the survival of a newborn calf and other young ones in the heavy rainfall and gusting winds. Star-Advertiser.

Osano family renews legacy with major Kyo‑ya renovations. The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, marked its 125th anniversary last week with three generations of the Osano family — owners of Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts since 1963 — on hand to reaffirm their commitment to family stewardship and ongoing upgrades across the company’s six U.S. hotels, all of which have ties to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor: Hawaii Island hit with ‘worst flooding I’ve seen’ . County officials on the Big Island said cleanup is underway after some portions of the Island saw over 20 inches of rain overnight. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Storm Update for Sunday at 6 p.m. About 14,500 Hawaiian Electric customers are without power, with the majority in Puna, South Point, and North and South Kona. The electric company says crews completed repairs to two transmission lines on Sunday, and expect to complete repairs to a third line by tomorrow. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remains closed due to storm-related damage. The park could reopen some areas Monday, but there is no timeline, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

Resilience hubs provide aid to affected residents during kona low storm response. Across Hawaiʻi Island, communities are responding to multiple challenges with speed, care, and coordination through Aloha in Action. Big Island Now.

Maui

Kīhei shoreline hit hard in Kona low storm: ‘It’s just total chaos. It’s a total river.’ The roaring water, much of it starting high on 10,000-foot Haleakalā, was a maroon-brown color from collecting sand, sediment and who knows what else along the way. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

10 years after sugar plantation’s closure, Puʻunēnē Mill’s transformation in the works. The property’s owner, Oʻahu-based Nan Inc., wants to repurpose many of the Maui landmark’s buildings and features to transform the area into light industrial for local businesses. Maui Now.

Kauai

3 chosen for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Board of Directors. KIUC incumbent directors Allan A. Smith and Jim Mayfield were re-elected to office following the vote counting by Merriman River Group. The third director position will be filled by Bryson Ponce, retired from Kauai Police Department Administration. Garden Island.

New study on Kauaʻi finds surge in road deaths for Hawaiʻi’s state bird, the nēnē. A new research effort on Kauaʻi’s west side is uncovering a troubling trend that far more endangered nēnē, the Hawaiʻi state bird, are dying along a rural highway than previously believed. Kauai Now.

 

Hawaii shuts down as kona low storm hits, former governor Ariyoshi turns 100, Mokulele announces electric aircraft, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Storm Shutters Schools, State Offices As Weather Expected To Worsen. For the second time in just over a month, the governor has shut down state of Hawaiʻi government offices in anticipation of severe weather.  Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation Thursday afternoon as heavy rain and flooding were being felt statewide, with more on the way. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.   Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Storm Update: Forecast, Schools, Closures, Shelters, More. Hazardous weather including flash flooding, damaging high winds and thunderstorms was expected through the weekend due to a powerful Kona low storm, according to the National Weather Service. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.  KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi turns 100. A former Hawaii governor celebrated his centenary birthday Thursday. Former Gov. George Ariyoshi was born in Honolulu on this day in 1926 and became Hawaii’s third governor in 1974. He was in office through 1986 and is the state’s longest-serving governor. Hawaii News Now.

Economic outlook points to slower growth, DBEDT says. Hawaii’s economy is expected to continue growing over the next several years, though at a slower pace than in 2025, according to a new quarterly economic report released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

7 criminal justice reform bills pass Hawaiʻi House and move to Senate. Seven measures Hawaiʻi state lawmakers say will modernize the state’s criminal justice system passed out of the House of Representatives and have crossed over to the Senate. Big Island Now.

Bills to increase tenant protections advance at Legislature. About 40% of Hawaiʻi’s residents are renters. State lawmakers are considering two measures that aim to improve protections for tenants and provide resources to better understand their rights. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mokulele Airlines’ parent company aims to bring electric passenger service to Hawaii. The parent company of Mokulele Airlines struck a deal that aims to launch the first commercial passenger electric service in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines nonunion layoffs top 400. Hawaiian Airlines has notified 48 more nonunion employees of layoffs between May and June, bringing the total number of workers slated to lose their jobs due to the merger to several hundred since Alaska Air Group’s $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings on Sept. 18, 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City leaders warn powerful storm could bring flooding, strong winds and island-wide impacts to Oahu. City and county leaders said a powerful storm approaching Oahu could bring dangerous flooding, strong winds and widespread impacts across the island through the weekend. KITV4.

Honolulu opens evacuation shelters across island. The City and County of Honolulu announced the opening of emergency shelters for residents impacted by the Kona storm system. KHON2.

Here’s Where Honolulu Wants To Cut Funding For Open Jobs. With 1 in 5 city jobs unfilled, some departments would lose millions of dollars while others would lose nothing. Civil Beat.

Honolulu transit agency proposes $501M budget for FY27. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services, charged with operating TheBus, Skyline, TheHandi-Van, is requesting a more than half-billion dollar operating budget for fiscal year 2027. Star-Advertiser.

Controversy Engulfs HECO’s Proposed $1 Billion Power Plant. The state energy office and Hawaiʻi’s largest utility are at odds over upgrades to a major Oʻahu power plant that have been in the works for years. Civil Beat.

HPD seizes gaming machines, cash during raid in Wahiawa. Honolulu Police Department officers seized multiple gaming machines and cash on Wednesday after executing a search warrant at an illegal gambling establishment on Mala Street in Wahiawa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Facilities To Close Friday and Saturday. All non-emergency County services and operations will be closed as a powerful Kona low storm moves across the State and the Big Island. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

MEO offices to close Friday due to Kona storm. Maui Economic Opportunity will be closing its Wailuku, Hāna, Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi City offices and Head Start preschools Friday, March 13, due to the fierce wind and rain forecast from the powerful kona storm. Maui Now.

Central Maui, Molokaʻi, West Maui, South Maui shelters before kona storm intensifies. In coordination with the Maui Emergency Management Agency and County of Maui Department of Human Concerns, the American Red Cross opened shelters Thursday evening. Maui Now.

Kauai

UPDATE: Flooding remains possible for at least next few hours as rain continues to overspread Garden Isle. Update at 3:46 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2026: Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Honolulu again extended the flood advisory in effect for the island of Kauaʻi as flooding caused by excessive rainfall from a powerful kona low moving through the state continues. Kauai Now.

Red Cross opens Kaua‘i emergency center for residents affected by kona low. Volunteers are standing by at the evacuation location at Kapa‘a Middle School, located at 4867 Olohena Road, and ready to provide safe shelter, snacks, water and emotional support. Kauai Now.

Felicia Cowden enters the mayor’s race. Four-term Kauai County Councilmember Felicia Cowden has joined the race for mayor of Kauai and Niihau, “with a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm to empower the residents of our islands.” Garden Island.

State budget bill advances, Maui severs ties with FBI, immigration measures pass legislative hurdle, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State budget bill undergoes first revision. The 16-member House Finance Committee has tweaked Gov. Josh Green’s proposed budget for next fiscal year with a roughly $100 million trim mainly from many relatively small changes. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Hawaiʻi immigration protection measures pass significant legislative hurdle. The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passed a package of bills that would increase protections for immigrants. The measures have cleared a significant step in the legislative process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Here Comes The Judge? Not So Fast, Says State’s Appellate Court. The Senate wants to add a seventh position to the ICA. Court officials say it’s not needed. Civil Beat.

Solar microgrids offer rural health centers stability amid a myriad of rising costs. Senate Bill 3254 would appropriate about $2.5 million in state funds to construct solar microgrids with storage to power five community health centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council reviews $1.07B HART budget for fiscal ’27. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s next budget is set to fill jobs, tackle the debt service for its over-$10 billion Skyline project and build two 2,000-stall park-and-ride lots at its West Oahu stations. Star-Advertiser.

‘Involuntary’ assessment of troubled Oahu homeless sees early success. More than 30 homeless people who are believed to suffer from mental health or substance abuse issues have been taken off the street and placed under “involuntary” observation through a 4-month-old pilot program that pairs city ambulance crews with Honolulu Police Department officers and state sheriffs deputies in seven Oahu communities. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers see new renderings for proposed Aloha Stadium. A new set of renderings for a new Aloha Stadium was shown to state lawmakers during a briefing Wednesday, including plans that could add more seats. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

State breaks ground on new facility to help at-risk students in Central Oahu. The Hawaii State Department of Education broke ground on a new High Core/Storefront program facility on Wednesday for the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex area schools. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Reopen After Episode 43 Eruption. Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Kilauea Military Camp has been reopened after tephra was cleared from roads. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Island Prepares For Storm, Peak Impacts Expected to Start Friday. Emergency officials are urging readiness as a powerful kona storm is expected to impact Hawaiʻi through this weekend, with the peak of the event forecast for Friday and Saturday.  Big Island Video News.

Former Kohala Coast estate of the late Lisa Marie Presley on the market for $17.5M. Realtor Paul Stukin described the 8,178-square-foot home as having a “Hawaiiana vibe.”  Big Island Now.

Maui

ICE Concerns Spur Maui’s Move To Sever Ties With Feds. Worried about immigration actions across the nation, the Maui County Council voids longtime local partnership between its police and the FBI. Civil Beat.

Beyond The Burn Zone: Maui Wildfires Cause Widespread Mental Health Issues. New research shows housing displacement and income loss were central drivers of psychological harm. Civil Beat.

Efforts to restore historic Baldwin Home underway. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation has begun efforts to restore the historic Baldwin Home. Built in the 1830s, it was the oldest home on Maui before the 2023 wildfire left it heavily damaged. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Energy distributes more than 100 energy-efficient appliances to Lānaʻi homes. Hawaiʻi Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, distributed 132 new energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers to Lānaʻi households today through its Appliance Trade-Up Program. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kawakami touts housing, road projects in final State of the County address. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami delivered his 2026 State of the County address remotely after weather forced organizers to cancel the in-person event. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kaua‘i’s Robinson Family Seeks To Evict Major Hawaiʻi Farm. Gay & Robinson has filed a lawsuit demanding nearly $700,000 in unpaid rent from Aloun Farms. Civil Beat.

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts moving over Kaua‘i waters. National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a special marine warning in effect until 5:45 a.m. today (March 12) for Kaua‘i Channel as well as leeward and windward waters of Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

More bad weather coming. At the wettest point of the overnight Kona Low storm on Kauai, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that nearly 7 inches of rain — 6.90 inches at the North Wailua recording station — fell in a hydrologic report ending at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Garden Island.

Income tax relief promise erodes in partisan squabble, war uncertainty freezes state economic forecast, officials urge residents to take storm seriously, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Income Tax Cuts: Lawmakers Chip Away At Promised Savings. Republicans at the State Capitol pounced on Democrats’ plans to defer a huge income tax cut that was promised to state residents in 2024, using prolonged floor debate Tuesday to scold the Democrats for reneging on the original tax cut. The ruling Democrats shrugged off that criticism and easily mustered the votes they needed to win preliminary approval Tuesday in both the House and Senate for two bills that would water down the original tax-cutting plan. Civil Beat.

Iran war uncertainty freezes Hawaii general fund forecast. Uncertainty over the war in Iran has dashed what could have been a more positive revenue forecast for the state’s general fund next fiscal year. The Hawaii Council on Revenues voted unanimously Tuesday to stick with a 2.0% growth rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, representing no change from its last two forecasts, made in January and September. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaiʻi Take This Native Hawaiian Advisory Group Seriously? The Aha Moku Advisory Committee weighs in on issues from fishing to military leases, but many think it’s not as effective as it could be. Civil Beat.

Fragrant flower lei, synonymous with Hawaii, face competition from cheaper imports. Some Hawaii lawmakers think the state should be doing more to help the producers of lei made with locally grown, fragrant flowers. Associated Press.

Oahu

Officials urge residents to take storm seriously. The storm system hitting Hawaii this week could bring up to 30 inches of rain to parts of Oahu through the weekend, and city officials have one key message for residents: stay home. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu officials brainstorm changing tax structure to boost revenue. With a relatively conservative budget in the works for the upcoming fiscal year, the Honolulu City Council and administration officials are brainstorming possible sources of revenue for Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

HPD seeks $400M budget for vacancies, vehicles and other needs. The Honolulu Police Department is proposing a nearly $400 million operating budget to fight crime while it tries to fill over 400 sworn-officer vacancies.  Star-Advertiser.

A&B shareholders approve $2.3B takeover of ’Big Five’ company. Alexander &Baldwin Inc., the last publicly traded survivor of Hawaii’s historic “Big Five,” is poised to end more than a century of public ownership after shareholders overwhelmingly approved a $2.3 billion buyout — the largest commercial real estate portfolio sale in state history. Star-Advertiser.

'Responsibility is everything': Women incarcerated on Oʻahu care for kittens. The “Transforming Animal and Incarcerated Individuals’ Lives” program, or TAIIL, is a collaboration between the Hawaiian Humane Society and the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Kona low expected to hit Big Island Thursday or Friday; flash flood watch posted. The forecast calls for wind gusts in Kona as high as 44 mph on Friday night and 47 mph on Saturday. Hilo gusts are forecast to be as high as 32 mph on Friday night and 28 mph on Saturday. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea latest eruption ends; Hawaiian Air cancels Hilo flights. Episode 43 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kilauea abruptly ended about 6:30 p.m., as Hawaiian Airlines announced  it had canceled five round-trip flights between Honolulu and Hilo, and diverted two flights to Kona due to volcanic ash from the ongoing eruption. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, partners to open tephra information center in Volcano. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense and partners The Red Cross and Community Response Team will be available beginning today (March 11) in Volcano to provide residents with information about tephra cleanup following Episode 43 of the ongoing episodic summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano. Big Island Now.

Coconut Island Bridge: Permanent Fix Will Take 3 Years, Cost $20 Million. A $2 million temporary replacement for Big Island’s Mokuola bridge is expected to be completed in the next two years. Civil Beat.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs emergency proclamation ahead of kona storm. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation Tuesday as Maui County continued preparations for a powerful kona storm that is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and strong winds to the Hawaiian Islands this week. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Severe weather forecast prompts closure of all camping areas on Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. On Maui, this includes: Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area and Waiʻānapanapa State Park. On Molokaʻi, this includes Pālāʻau State Park overlooking Kalaupapa peninsula. Maui Now.

'People want hope that things are moving': Maui County mayor talks housing, water. HPR spoke with Mayor Richard Bissen about his 2026 State of the County address.In the speech, Bissen spoke of affordable housing and a historic water deal: Talks have been underway to bring more of Maui’s water resources under public control. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Flood advisory canceled for Kaua‘i as heavy rainfall diminishes. National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu report radar shows that heavy rain over the island has diminished and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Coffee Co. delays layoffs while land lease negotiations continue. At Kauaʻi Coffee Co., 136 people will keep their jobs for now as potential layoffs have been delayed for a month while lease negotiations continue to drag on between land owner Brue Baukol Capital Partners and Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, which owns the local business. Kauai Now.