Work ongoing to restore storm-damaged coral reefs, $22M in OT for Honolulu firefighters, Maui Land & Pineapple embroiled in golf course lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘Reef into rubble’: Teams work to restore coral reefs after hurricanes.  Several teams across the state have been working tirelessly reattaching as much broken coral as they can since Hurricane Lala in August and Hurricane Lowell in September. Across the state, thousands of corals have been reattached with divers working to continue repairs as quickly as possible. Star-Advertiser.

Can OHA’s Next CEO Move The Needle On Rebuilding A Hawaiian Nation? The selection of a new leader for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs lands in the middle of key elections for the Board of Trustees.  Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Senate hearing examines history, importance of Native Hawaiian institutions and programs. Experts in Native Hawaiian history, law and public policy discussed the historical circumstances that led to the creation of these programs, their role in addressing longstanding inequities and their continued importance to Native Hawaiian families and communities, according to a news release.  Kauai Now.

Statewide hotel gains mask Kauai tourism collapse following Lowell. Statewide hotel performance was largely driven by higher room rates rather than stronger demand in September, as occupancy held essentially unchanged at 69.7% while average daily rate (ADR) rose 3.2% to $324 and revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 3.3% to $226, according to a hotel performance report released by STR on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Trump’s FBI Purge Upended Bribery Probe Involving Hawaiʻi Contractor. This story, originally published by ProPublica, is the second installment in a series about the bribery case involving Martin Kao — CEO of Hawai‘i-based defense contractor Navatek. Civil Beat.

Too Hot, No Swings: Why Hawaiʻi’s Playgrounds Don’t Hit The Fun Spot. Parents complain too many of Hawaiʻi’s public playgrounds are lacking in shade, whimsy and equipment for kids of all ages. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD reevaluates shuffle of 100 officers after pushback. The Honolulu Police Department is reevaluating its planned Nov. 1 re­assignment of 100 officers to bolster patrol staffing after community backlash over the shutdown of the Junior Police Officer program, Police Activities League, and other initiatives. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

$22M In Overtime: Some Honolulu Firefighters Double Their Hours. Some firefighters are working more than 100 extra days per year. The coverage is costing taxpayers millions. Civil Beat.

Council to revisit housing incentives bill. The Honolulu City Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Parks Committee today is scheduled to revisit Bill 11, which seeks greater transparency over the use of publicly funded affordable housing incentives to developers.  Star-Advertiser.

Criminal trial back on for HPD officers in near-fatal 2021 Makaha crash. Four current and former Honolulu police officers will go to trial in April next year, after exhausting a special state Supreme Court appeal.  Hawaii News Now.

‘Nothing to hide’: Laie zip line project partner addresses violations, concerns. For the first time, leaders of a controversial zip line project in Laie invited media to the attraction’s construction site to address its building violations with the city, as well as concerns from the community. Hawaii News Now.

Scarlet Nightclub denied vote after liquor recusals over harassment claims. Scarlet Nightclub’s fight with city liquor regulators escalated again after three commissioners walked out of a hearing last week, leaving the panel without enough members to vote on the club’s request for extended hours during Pride Month. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s marks milestone in heart implant procedure. Queen’s invested millions of dollars into setting up the program, according to President and CEO Jason Chang, which involved bringing in the surgical team and surrounding support staff for the procedure. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park visitor center to reopen late this year with completion of renovations. Park rangers and other staff are preparing to relocate from the temporary Welcome Center at Kīlauea Military Camp to the renovated structure. Big Island Now.

Conference at UH Hilo for Pacific Island teens turns ugly. A conference Saturday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo intended to inspire 8th- to 12th-graders from the Pacific Islands to succeed in college, careers and community service ended in a skirmish that resulted in the arrests of two juvenile participants. Tribune-Herald.

Essential water use notice issued for South Hilo customers. Officials said a well unexpectedly went offline and crews are working to make repairs. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

15 days to election: How do mayoral candidates compare on Maui County’s challenging issues? Over the past few years, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and Maui County Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura have been on opposite sides of several high-profile issues.  Maui Now.

Federal lawsuit alleges racketeering, fraud, by Maui Land & Pineapple. Lawsuit claims Maui landowner doctored records to defraud TY Management Corp. for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Aloha State Daily.

West Maui fire station eyes fall 2027 opening despite ‘frustrating’ setback. Joe Pluta, president of the West Maui Improvement Foundation, says a tariff increase on Canadian steel has added more than $300,000 to the cost of the $3 million project in Olowalu. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

State requested to give $1.85M Aloun Farms, Kauaʻi Shrimp for storm recovery. The request would help the company with more than 530 acres of land used for farming, and about 140 acres for the Kauaʻi Shrimp farm. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chocolate, coffee fans support Kauai hurricane recovery. Kilohana Estate s still closed after suffering damage from Hurricane Lowell. The 11th Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival listed celebrating and supporting Kauai recovery as one of its objectives in hosting the event. Garden Island.

More delays for $108.7M Convention Center repairs, Medicaid provider Centene leaving the state, Honolulu voters to decide HPD's role in immigration enforcement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai‘i Convention Center’s $108.7M repair project faces delays. The $108.7 million effort to repair the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s leaking rooftop terrace could face new delays and cost increases after demolition uncovered conditions that differ from the original building plans, forcing engineers to revisit portions of the project. Star-Advertiser.

Employers Face Double-Digit Increases In Health Insurance Rates. After years of single-digit increases in the base rates approved by Hawaiʻi’s insurance regulators, three of the state’s main health insurers received double-digit increases in 2026 for a benchmark health insurance rate and are asking for more for 2027.  Civil Beat.

Tech Troubles Trip Up Hawaiʻi’s Child Welfare System. Contractor flaws and delays in a complicated $18M tech upgrade pose ‘substantial risks’ to the state, according to consultants. Civil Beat.

Centene exiting Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program at end of year. National health insurer Centene is pulling out of Hawaii’s Medicaid market, leaving 24,000 members in need of a new plan. For nearly 20 years, Centene Corp., based in St. Louis, offered the ‘Ohana Health Plan, which provided medical, behavioral health and long-term services for low-income individuals and families enrolled in Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii to pay healthcare tuition in exchange for 5 years working in rural area. Hawaii is using a portion of its $188.9 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to pay student tuition. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii to invest $123M for system’s top priorities. The University of Hawaii plans to invest $123 million across its 10-campus system over the next two to three years, using accumulated cash balances to fund more than 100 initiatives aimed at improving student success, addressing workforce shortages and modernizing university operations. Star-Advertiser.

 Pro-Choice, Anti-Abortion Mainlander Seeks Oʻahu Congress Seat. Nathan Berning doesn’t live in Hawaiʻi, but he’s running for Congress here so he can push an anti-abortion agenda. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu ballot question weighs HPD's role in immigration enforcement. Should the Honolulu Police Department be involved in federal immigration enforcement? That's a question Oʻahu voters can weigh in on during the general election this November.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Should City Boards Allow Non-Citizens And Loosen Quorum Rules? Two proposals on Honolulu ballots are aimed at making it easier for some city boards and commissions to operate by expanding who can serve on the board and changing the number of members who need to be present to vote on issues. Civil Beat.

HPD clarifies future of JPO, PAL programs after 100 officers shifted to patrol. After 100 officers were reassigned to patrols, the Honolulu Police Department is trying to clear up confusion over the future of the Junior Police Officer (JPO) and Police Activities League (PAL) programs. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Wright Homes to be redeveloped with 2,450 units. The project was built in 1953 and has 364 public housing apartments. It takes up nearly 15 acres in a block bounded by North King Street, Liliha Street and Vineyard Boulevard. Hawaii Public Radio.

New elementary school planned for growing East Kapolei. The 12-acre campus along Iwikuamoo and Honouliuli streets will be the first public elementary school in the Hoʻopili area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s plantation legacy leaves lasting risks of flooding and fires. Months after Kona-low storms in March flooded homes and farmland on Oahu’s North Shore, community members say damaged infrastructure, blocked waterways and a lack of clear responsibility for maintaining plantation-era irrigation systems continue to leave the area vulnerable to flooding. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

TMT’s project manager reflects on lessons learned since protests stopped construction. It has been seven years since hundreds of people locked arms, stood together and lay down across the road to block access to the summit of Maunakea, halting the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, what would have been one of the largest telescopes in the world. Tribune-Herald.

It’s The Wild, Wild West For Groundwater Management In Waikōloa. A housing development slated for West Hawaiʻi could provide much needed workforce housing. It could also put more stress on a limited freshwater supply. Civil Beat.

Board votes to deny opihi settlement. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources denied a settlement proposal earlier this month for two of three men caught taking over 4,000 opihi from the Kaupulehu Marine Reserve on the Kona coast last year that would have allowed them to do community service instead of paying thousands of dollars in fines. Tribune-Herald.

Community celebrates county’s acquisition of Honolulu Landing. Community members gathered Saturday to celebrate Hawaii County’s acquisition of 364 acres of land along the Puna coast known as Honolulu Landing, which will now be preserved in perpetuity. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Central Maui Election Will Bring A New Face To The Council. Marvin Moniz is running against Ashley Awakea Lindsey to fill the seat long held by Council Chair Alice Lee. Civil Beat.

USPS considers curbside delivery for rebuilt Lahaina homes. The U.S. Postal Service is open to reversing its heavily criticized decision to not resume curbside mail service for many Lahaina residents who rebuilt homes destroyed by the 2023 wildfire. Star-Advertiser.

Diversified farming company to grow avocados on 1,000 Maui acres. Mahi Pono recently announced the expansion plan, which it said is expected to result in an initial commercial harvest within five years followed by over 10 million pounds of avocados harvested annually. Star-Advertiser.

Public hearings set on Maui for proposed changes to state conservation land rules. The state Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands will hold two public hearings on Maui this month and Molokaʻi next month on proposed amendments to the rules that govern land use and permitting in Hawaiʻi’s Conservation District. Maui Now.

Kauai

HTA seeks tourism emergency declaration after Lowell takes a toll. Across Kauai, the immediate damage from Lowell has been largely repaired, but a 59% plunge in visitor bookings threatens businesses, jobs and airline service, prompting the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to seek Gov. Josh Green’s approval for an emergency declaration and a $2.5 million marketing campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency Grant-in-Aid application period reopen. Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency announces it reopened the application period for the fiscal year 2026-27 Grant-in-Aid program, starting Oct. 16. Kauai Now.

State homeless contractor CEO spent tax money on Vegas trip, sex aids; Matson spent dark money to try to oust U.S. Rep. Case; Honolulu PD reassigns 100 officers to patrol, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Nonprofit CEO responds after audit flags Vegas trip expenses. One part of the expansive audit: a $5,200 state reimbursement for a 2024 Vegas trip for a conference to HomeAid CEO Kimo Carvalho, contracted to build kauhale. Expenses included a first-class airline upgrade, minibar charges, and two sexual intimacy kits that included condoms, lubricants, restraints, vibrators and a feather tickler. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Green defends the speed and spending of the Kauhale Initiative. A report from the state Office of the Auditor criticized the lack of oversight on a no-bid contract and pointed out millions of dollars in questionable or unauthorized spending by HomeAid Hawaiʻi, the lead developer for the  Kauhale Initiative, which was designed to provide long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matson Bankrolled Dark Money Super PAC, New Filings Show. Newly filed reports from the Federal Election Commission show that Matson’s political action committee and Boyd Gaming Corp. donated a combined $100,000 to Future Progress to fund a last minute advertising campaign supporting Hawaiʻi State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole’s unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Ed Case in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Supreme Court considers case of idled Elections Commission. A polarized and paralyzed state commission with elections oversight duties may have the Hawaii Supreme Court break an impasse that has prevented the panel from meeting since June. Two members of the nine-member State of Hawaii Elections Commission successfully petitioned the court to get involved in a dispute over whether the State Office of Elections can schedule and host a public meeting for the commission absent a request from the commission’s chair or at least five members. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Inflation rates in Hawaii higher than mainland. Struggles to pay for housing and basic goods have weighed heavily on Hawaii residents as the islands have seen an ongoing decline in population as people leave for better-paying jobs and cheaper costs on the U.S. continent. Star-Advertiser.

Here’s How Much Hawaiʻi Seniors Need To Cover Basic Monthly Costs. Hawaiʻi couples who rent and are over the age of 65 need an average of $4,585 per month to cover basic needs without public or private help — and that’s if they’re healthy. That is roughly $670 more than the national average, according to a preliminary analysis from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, or UHERO. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers push for bonds to fund infrastructure. Gov. Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and state lawmakers urged Hawaii voters Wednesday to approve a constitutional amendment that would authorize a new way to finance infrastructure projects, arguing it could help address the state’s housing shortage without raising property taxes. Star-Advertiser.

Ongoing Pacific hurricane season already setting records. This year’s hurricane season across the Pacific Ocean is now the most energetic yet — and there’s still about six weeks left to go. Star-Advertiser.

DOJ Grilled On Hurdles Immigrants Face In Court Following Civil Beat Story. The Hawaiʻi congressional delegation cited a September article showing Trump-appointed judges were four times as likely to require immigrants to show up in person. They are asking why. Civil Beat.

Oahu

100 HPD officers to be reassigned to patrol. The Honolulu Police Department is projecting a $34 million shortfall at the end of the year and exceeded its overtime budget by $6 million in the first quarter, contributing to difficult financial decisions and staff reassignments. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.  Aloha State Daily.

After half a decade, Aloha Tower officially reopens. For the first time in five years, the public is once again able to enjoy the views from Honolulu’s historic Aloha Tower. The iconic island landmark held its formal grand reopening on the morning of Oct. 15 after shutting down for repairs during the COVID pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio. Aloha State Daily. 

Honolulu Council: Former Member Faces Opponent Who Embraces Conspiracies. East Honolulu voters have starkly different candidates to choose from as they decide who to entrust as one of the island’s nine council members. Civil Beat.

Voting explainer: 2026 Honolulu charter amendment ballot questions. Oʻahu voters can vote on a whopping 20 charter amendment questions in the November election. Questions range from creating a food security fund to who can serve on boards and commissions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Family of North Shore surfer sues city, state over crash near Chun’s Reef. More than a year after a crash along Kamehameha Highway left surfer Dakota Briley with serious injuries, his family is seeking accountability from the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Leeward Planning Commission OK’s bill aimed at banning data centers. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission voted Thursday in support of a bill aimed at prohibiting data centers on the island. Introduced by Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball, Bill 170 would create a definition for a “data center” and not include it as a permitted use anywhere in the county code, essentially creating a ban. Tribune-Herald.

Kawakami to headline Hilo Grand Rally on Saturday. A large crowd is expected as Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami addresses attendees at the Hilo Grand Rally on Saturday.Kawakami will appear on general election ballots as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. Tribune-Herald.

Sea Dragon Energy comes to Kona’s technology park to turn seawater into jet fuel. John Kohut, chairman and CEO of Sea Dragon Energy, spoke to a group of community and business leaders at a traditional Hawaiian blessing the company held at its warehouse located at the Hawai‘i Ocean Science Technology Park in Kailua-Kona that is operated by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority. Big Island Now.

UH officials host meeting on tuition hikes in Hilo. University of Hawaii officials presented details at a public meeting Wednesday about how a proposal to increase tuition across the UH system would impact UH Hilo, Hawaii Community College and the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Future Maui Development? Kahului Council Candidates Hold Opposing Views. Carol Lee Kamekona is trying to unseat Kauanoe Batangan on the Maui County Council in the Nov. 3 general election. Civil Beat.

Uniqlo Founder Accuses Maui Water Provider Of ‘Textbook Financial Fraud’. A federal lawsuit says Maui Land & Pineapple fraudulently quadrupled water rates to cover repairs to water systems it is responsible for maintaining. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

County moves forward with temporary safe parking site. Maui County is doing groundwork to provide a temporary safe parking site in Central Maui for unhoused residents who live in their vehicles. The county said the temporary site along Pulehu Road is being designed to accommodate about 50 vehicles and provide a safer, more organized location for individuals currently living in their vehicles while a permanent site is being planned in Kahului. Maui News.  Maui Now.

Maui-grown limes take flight to international markets. More than 80,000 pounds of Maui-grown limes are now flying from Kahului to Seattle each week aboard Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, before continuing on to markets in Canada. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Needs More Affordable Housing. Council Candidates Have Ideas. With median sales prices on Kaua‘i at nearly $1.5 million for a single-family home and over $700,000 for a condo, candidates for the county’s seven-member council say that more needs to be done to prevent local families from being priced out.  Civil Beat.

Voting explainer: 2026 Kauaʻi charter amendment ballot questions. Kauaʻi voters can vote on one charter amendment question in the November election. It tackles the process of appealing decisions by the Kauaʻi County Planning Department. Hawaii Public Radio.

Preserving affordable housing. A dedication ceremony marked the successful completion of a $7 million rehabilitation of Kalepa 23 by the Kauai Housing Development Corporation (KHDC) and its community partners. Garden Island.

New lifeguard tower installed at Wanini Beach on North Shore. Kauaʻi Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau completed installation Thursday of a new lifeguard tower at the North Shore’s Wanini Beach. Kauai Now.

Case wants Dems to take on Trump, Maui prosecutor says Bissen not under investigation, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach to be in public hands, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi’s Ed Case Wants Dems To Take On Trump — Cautiously. All but assured another term, the congressman is campaigning and plotting a future where Democrats “come up with actual solutions.” Civil Beat.

Voting explainer: 2026 state constitutional amendment ballot questions. Hawaiʻi voters will have the chance to weigh in on two constitutional amendment questions in the November election. One question asks if the state Senate should have more time to confirm a judicial appointment, and another tackles infrastructure bonds. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s Youth Are Leaving. Meet The People Keeping Talent Here. A local nonprofit is empowering high school students to tackle some of the state’s biggest problems while taking on its own challenge of addressing Hawaiʻi’s brain drain.  Civil Beat.

Federal aid for individuals after Lala, Lowell still pending. Federal emergency assistance for individual residents impacted by Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell remains in limbo despite presidential approval last week for the funding for state and local governments as well as qualified nonprofits. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu charter amendment would create Oʻahu food security fund. Question 1 on Oʻahu's ballot this year will ask voters if they're for or against establishing a new Special Fund that would dedicate 0.5% of real property tax revenue to a Food Security Fund. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu voters to weigh proposed Native Hawaiian cultural office. Honolulu voters will decide this year if an Office of ʻŌiwi Resources and Cultural Stewardship should be created within the Mayor’s office, along with a cultural advisory council to help guide its work. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ranked-choice voting: How proposed charter amendment could change elections in Honolulu. With ballots set to arrive in mailboxes this week, election officials urge voters to take their time and do their homework, especially on the amendment questions. KITV4.

Lottery open for new low-income kupuna housing tower in Kalihi. The 15-story Ho‘ohiki Senior Living complex features 249 apartments reserved for seniors who are at least 55 years old and earn no more than 60% of Honolulu’s annual median income, though many units are reserved for senior households earning no more than 50% or 30% of the median. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran’s family challenges VA hospital over her death during ‘routine’ procedure. Fredenalda Kuulei Price was born in Kahaluu on Feb. 1, 1969, during an intense storm. Her mother went into labor while the family was stranded at home and firefighters had to carry her through rushing floodwaters to an ambulance.  Star-Advertiser.

Golden Coin in Kalihi reopens after violations fixed. The state Health Department has authorized the reopening of Golden Coin Bake Shop in Kalihi after multiple food safety violations were corrected. Star-Advertiser.

Police investigating kittens thrown from cars onto Oahu freeways. Honolulu police are investigating several heinous animal cruelty cases involving reports of cats and kittens being thrown from moving vehicles onto Oahu freeways. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park To Belong To The Public. Hawaiʻi County has reached a tentative agreement to buy Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park for $1.46 million after prior negotiations with the private landowner failed in August, Mayor Kimo Alameda announced Tuesday. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i County Fire Commission reschedules interviews with 6 finalists for chief. The Hawai‘i County Fire Commission has rescheduled candidate interviews for a new Hawai‘i County fire chief after Hurricane Nolo forced the postponement of the original dates. The six finalists now will be interviewed on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. Big Island Now.

Improvements to Hilo veterans cemetery to begin in January. The project — which will raise and realign almost 4,500 grave markers, install burial section markers and flower watering stations, and do grading, soil and turf rehabilitation work on 5.5 acres of the Laimana Street cemetery — is being funded by a grant of up to $6,132,225 awarded Sept. 30 to the state by the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration. Tribune-Herald.

Hearings Set On Changes To Hawaiʻi Conservation District Land Use Rules. Changes are being proposed to the rules governing land use and permitting within Hawaiʻi’s State Land Use Conservation District. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Prosecutor Says Mayor Bissen Was Not Targeted In AG Investigation. The prosecutor says he has been involved in that case and knows it did not target the mayor. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Man who killed Maui officer to serve life in prison. Prosecutors will ask a judge to impose the “maximum sentence allowed by law” when sentencing a Makawao man convicted of shooting and killing Maui Police Department Officer Suzanne O on Aug. 15, 2025. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. 

Unexpected tariffs increase the cost of West Maui’s Olowalu Fire Station project. An unexpected increase in costs resulting from US tariffs on Canadian steel and steel components has created a financial challenge for the West Maui Improvement Foundation’s Olowalu Fire Station project. Maui Now.

DLNR schedules Maui hearings on conservation district rule changes. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold public hearings on Maui on Oct. 28 and 29 on proposed changes to rules governing land use and permitting within Hawaii's Conservation District.  Maui News.

Kauai

Hā‘ena State Park reopens later this week to public. Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources notifies the public that Hā‘ena State Park reopens Oct. 15 to the public following a closure that began Sept. 6 because of concern for public safety upon the arrival of Hurricane Lowell. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Quality of life survey shows more residents considered leaving the state, FEMA raises rent for Maui wildfire victims, McKinley High sex victim to get $14M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

More Hawaii residents considered leaving state, UH survey finds. Nearly half of Hawaii residents considered moving out of state in the past year, with the cost of living emerging as the leading reason, even as a new statewide survey found improvements in life satisfaction, health and community support. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Full resident survey report can be found here.

Hawaii’s holiday travel outlook not too merry amid high costs. Hawaii’s crucial holiday travel season is shaping up weaker than expected, with some hotel operators reporting bookings running about 15% behind last year’s pace amid higher airfares and mounting vacation costs. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii public schools post gains in math, attendance. Hawaii public school students showed continued progress in mathematics and attendance during the 2025-26 school year, with proficiency levels in math and language arts approaching pre-pandemic levels, according to the state Department of Education’s latest Strive HI results. Maui News.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is airing a series of forums with candidates running for OHA trustee. Everyone can vote in the OHA election, regardless of the island or district where they are registered. Tuesday’s OHA candidate forum features incumbent trustee Kalei Akaka and challenger Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong, who are running for the Oʻahu island seat. Hawaii News Now.

Longer delivery time for mail from Hawaiʻi. The U.S. Postal Service has released new expectations for deliveries to and from Hawaiʻi, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Packages are going to take longer to ship — in some cases, twice as long. Some local business leaders say that could create challenges. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Dole Food to cease coffee farm operations on Oahu. Dole Food Co. has decided to cease coffee farming on Oahu and lay off nine employees on Nov. 30 amid an effort to sell the 154-acre Waialua Estate farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Rebukes DOE: Pay $14M To McKinley High Sex Abuse Victim. Civil case had found boys for years preyed on a girl with cognitive abilities of a 5-year-old while school officials looked the other way. Civil Beat.

Judge Rules State Must Pay $1.1M In Oʻahu Jail Suicide. Diamond Simeona-Agoo, 21, had a well-documented history of mental illness and suicide attempts before she hanged herself at Hawaiʻi’s largest jail. Civil Beat.

Number of fatal traffic accidents dramatically drops on Oahu. After a recent rash of road crashes on Oahu, including critical and deadly ones, it may seem like there has been a high number of accidents this year. But the numbers actual show the opposite has happened. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Board and members of the public weighed in Thursday on a proposal by the University of Hawaii to make changes to its management plan for the summit region of the mauna. The changes include an amendment that would allow for decommissioned observatory sites to be reused for future astronomy facilities, which is prohibited under UH’s current plan. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed Waikoloa housing project gets unfavorable vote. The Hawaii County Council’s Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions voted 5-3 last week against forwarding a favorable recommendation to the full council regarding zoning changes requested for the proposed Waikoloa Green housing project. Tribune-Herald.

Two 3% tuition hikes proposed for UH Hilo. The University of Hawaii is proposing tuition increases at UH Hilo and other campuses across the UH system as part of its four-year tuition schedule. Under the proposal, which will be considered by the Board of Regents in November, tuition at UH Hilo would be frozen for the next two school years, but beginning in the 2029-30 academic year it would increase 3% annually for both in-state and out-of-state students. For residents, this means tuition would jump from $7,632 to $7,872 in 2029-30 and to $8,112 in 2030-31. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Water Supply Chief Announces Retirement. DWS Manager-Chief Engineer, Keith K. Okamoto, P.E., announced last week that he will retire before the end of the year. Big Island Video News.

Nāʻālehu Elementary students return to campus Monday after repairs from Hurricane Lala. About 400 students returned to their elementary school that had been closed for two-months due to the devastation of the hurricane that also badly damaged their town. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA raises rent for Maui wildfire survivors for 3rd time this year. Maui wildfire survivors living in housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will see their rents increase for the third time this year, with rent prices nearly tripling since March. The increase, which was announced on Oct. 2, will require survivors of the deadly 2023 wildfires to pay 75% of the fair-market rental rate by the number of bedrooms in the unit. For example, those in two-bedroom units — where the HUD fair-market rent is $2,656 — must pay $1,992 beginning Dec. 1. That’s a $680 increase from the previous rental rate, which went into effect on Sept. 1.  Star-Advertiser.

State public corruption unit leading criminal probe into Maui County. The state Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (SIPD) is investigating allegations of fraud against Maui County staffers stemming from a civil whistleblower lawsuit filed earlier this year. The lawsuit, filed by Leo Caires, former chief of staff for Mayor Richard Bissen, claims the mayor knew about possible fraud inside his administration and ignored it. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police veteran’s sexual assault trial set for November. A veteran Maui police officer’s trial on six sexual assault charges is scheduled to begin in late November. Devin Schoeppner, 49, appeared in court Tuesday for a brief hearing, where a judge rescheduled the trial. Hawaii News Now.

Maui jury finds extended terms warranted for protection of the public in Officer O murder case. After last week’s finding of defendant Clembert Alii Kaneholani guilty of murder in the first degree and other charges in the death of Maui Police Department Officer Suzanne O, a Maui jury Monday returned verdicts finding that the defendant should be subject to extended terms of imprisonment for the protection of the public. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Kalo Farmer Faces Pro-Development Candidate In Upcountry Maui Council Race. Bobby Pahia and Jon Yokouchi are racing to fill the seat that Yuki Lei Sugimura has held since 2016. Civil Beat.

Coral core traces 253 years of change at Olowalu Reef. Researchers analyzed chemical indicators preserved in a core taken from a massive coral colony to reconstruct changes in sediment, nutrients and other material entering coastal waters from the land between about 1760 and 2013. Maui News.

Kauai

How Kaua‘i’s Mayoral Candidates Plan To Address Cesspools. Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Mel Rapozo say the island needs to manage its solid waste better but have different ideas on how to get there. Civil Beat.

Kauai wedding vendors urge couples to keep plans after hurricane. Kauai wedding vendors are urging couples not to give up on island weddings as businesses continue recovering from Hurricane Lowell. The storm passed close to Kauai’s west side in early September, damaging homes, businesses and some wedding venues. Hawaii News Now.

Surfrider Kauaʻi announces conservation efforts, NOAA seeks public input on seabed mining. Surfrider Kauaʻi announces conservation efforts, NOAA seeks public input on seabed mining. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Senate sets hearing on homeless initiative after critical audit, Maui police chief says Mayor Bissen under investigation, Honolulu council OKs increased fines for peddling, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Senate plans hearing on kauhale homeless housing project after critical audit. Key state senators plan to summon Hawaii’s homelessness coordinator, HomeAid Hawai‘i’s chief executive officer, and the state auditor to a November briefing as lawmakers consider potential changes to Gov. Josh Green’s signature kauhale initiative after an audit identified more than $13.7 million in payments that were deemed “unauthorized, unsupported or questionable.” Star-Advertiser.

HIDOE's nearly $2B budget request draws questions on capacity. The state Department of Education is requesting a nearly $2 billion Capital Improvement Budget for the next two years to cover maintenance, advance new and existing projects, meet health and safety requirements, and support the launch of a regional kitchen. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ex-Kanye West Campaigner Funnels Thousands To Hawaiʻi Candidates. A West Virginia-based group registered to the former treasurer of Kanye West’s presidential campaign is sending thousands of dollars to a PAC funding Hawaiʻi candidates. Civil Beat.

Rules proposed for breaking future election ties. The state Office of Elections is proposing to formalize a procedure for breaking Hawaii election ties, and it’s pretty much the same way it determined the winners of two primary election contests in August. Star-Advertiser.

State Law Enforcement Chief Voluntarily Demoted. After an unsuccessful run for Honolulu’s top police job, Mike Lambert is staying at the state law enforcement agency, but not as its leader. Civil Beat.

Ballot question could help Hawaiʻi's housing shortage, supporters say. The question, if approved by a majority of voters, would give counties a new way to pay for sewer, water, drainage and other vital infrastructure for new homes in a defined district. The counties would have the authority to issue bonds that would be paid off by higher property tax revenue generated by the redeveloped area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Military Leases, Kakaʻako, Control Of Board At Issue In OHA Oʻahu Race. Kalei Akaka and Kumu Hina Wong are facing off for a seat on the nine-member Board of Trustees. Civil Beat.

Third Non-Citizen This Year Charged With Voting Illegally In Hawaiʻi. A Polish man living in Hawaiʻi was charged last week with illegally voting in a U.S. election, authorities said, the third such case in the state this year. Civil Beat.

These Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Withheld The Most From The Public. Public records requests can reveal information that would never appear in official news releases. But there is no guarantee agencies will hand the information over. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Ranked Choice Voting Could Shake Up Honolulu Elections. But there’s a catch. The Nov. 3 ballot measure includes a requirement that the Legislature approve this departure from traditional voting. Civil Beat.

Council OKs sharp rise in fines for unlawful peddling. The Honolulu Police Department says illegal peddling can leave tourists vulnerable to aggressive sales tactics, overcharging and scams, with some victims discovering the charges only after returning home. Star-Advertiser.

Historic Wo Fat Building set for new chapter as housing, cultural hub. A pair of local investors are moving forward with a multimillion-­dollar effort to revive Honolulu Chinatown’s long-vacant Wo Fat Building, transforming one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable landmarks into affordable housing, retail and cultural space. Star-Advertiser.

Hybrid artificial reef being installed to protect coastline. The reef, which will be made up of 60 engineered concrete reef structures, were specifically designed to absorb wave energy and attract coral and fish. It will be a “living breakwater” system that, if successful, could be replicated in other parts of the state vulnerable to coastal erosion. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s shuns HMSA’s new Medicare HMO plan. The Hawaii Medical Service Association’s new Select Plus HMO plan, for Oahu members only, is part of a revamp of its Akamai Advantage plans to take effect next year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines plans to cut 13 jobs as part of Alaska merger. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice filed with the state on Oct. 2, the cuts will affect non-union employees at three locations on Oahu. The layoffs are expected to happen in December and January. These cuts will be to the approximately 537 non-contract employees who work at the affected facilities. KITV4.

Coqui Frogs: Coming To Your Oʻahu Neighborhood Soon? As coqui frogs threaten to blanket Oʻahu, residents are once again calling on the state to better regulate plant nurseries, which bear much of the blame for the frogs’ spread. Civil Beat.

Hawaii journalist, filmmaker championed press freedoms. Chris Conybeare, a journalist, documentary filmmaker, attorney and advocate for press freedom whose work spanned public television, labor history and human rights, died Sept. 20 in Honolulu. He was 82. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

VIDEO: HPD releases body-camera video of officer-involved shooting in Ocean View (viewer discretion is advised). The Hawaii Police Department today released body worn camera (BWC) footage of the officer-involved shooting that took place on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Ocean View. Tribune-Herald.

‘Imiloa preschool slated to open in 2028. A new immersion preschool in Hilo, adjacent to the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, is scheduled to open in 2028 to help meet growing demand for Hawaiian language education. Tribune-Herald.

Sick Of Being Sidelined: Kaʻū Council Candidates Want Action After Lala. Recent climate change-fueled disasters have hit the southern part of Hawaiʻi island hard, rising to the top of local candidates’ priorities. Civil Beat.

Rain didn’t damper festivities during the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Families made up many of the spectators who came to watch the athletes participate in the grueling 140.6-mile race. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Mayor Bissen Is Under Criminal Investigation, Police Chief Says. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier says he believes he was put on leave because of what he says are investigations into corruption in the mayor’s office. Civil Beat.

Federal, local investigations spur fresh scrutiny and calls for more oversight of Maui Police Department. The arrest of Lt. Michael Vaituulala, the former head of the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit, and the decision by the Maui Police Commission to place Police Chief John Pelletier on paid leave last week have put fresh scrutiny on the Maui Police Department and raised questions over accountability. Maui Now.

Air Force secretary’s space weapons confirmation raises concerns about planned Haleakalā telescopes. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink’s confirmation that the United States has deployed weapons in orbit has raised new concerns on Maui about the Air Force’s plan to build up to seven more telescopes atop Haleakalā, a summit many Native Hawaiians consider sacred. Maui Now.

Kauai

Yaya bridges the gap between Matsuri and hurricane damage. A large and steady stream of people flowed over the expansive campus of the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall on Saturday to enjoy the multi-faceted showcase of Japanese culture. Garden Island.
 

Trump approves disaster aid for Lala, Lowell; state DOE seeks $80.6M funding boost; Honolulu to pay $1.8M for beating up the wrong man; Maui cop killer convicted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Department of Education seeks $80.6M more in funding. The state Department of Education is seeking $80.6 million in additional general funds for fiscal 2028-29, largely to maintain existing school services, cover rising operating costs and address needs the department says are underfunded or unfunded. The request would represent a net increase in funding, rather than an entirely new set of programs, and comes after the Legislature reduced the DOE’s general-fund base budget by $1.71 million for fiscal 2026-27. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii public schools see some gains in attendance, math and graduation rates. Hawaii public schools are continuing to recover from pandemic-era learning disruptions, with student attendance and mathematics proficiency improving in the latest school year. But statewide academic performance remains below the goals set for 2029. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Trump approves major disaster aid for Hawaii after Lala, Lowell. The federal government has agreed to cover most of the cost to repair damage to public facilities in Hawaii caused by Hurricane Lala in August and Hurricane Lowell in September. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Strengthening El Nino could add fuel to Hawaii’s hurricane season. Hawaii’s hurricane season typically runs from June through November. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ALPR expansion sparks privacy push by counties. Some county councils are moving to put guardrails in place for automated license plate readers as the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement expands its use of the technology across the state. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu Voters Could Make Impeached Politicians Sit Out. Voters will have the opportunity to make the penalty for impeachment on par with the penalty for being recalled by voters. Civil Beat.

Taxpayers To Pay $1.8M After HPD Stopped, Beat Up The Wrong Man. HPD used physical force against the wrong people during an islandwide manhunt in 2024, costing taxpayers almost $2 million. Civil Beat.

OHA approves $5M plan to create nonprofit to develop Kakaʻako Makai. Trustees with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved a $5.2 million plan Thursday to create a nonprofit to run the Native Hawaiian Cultural Center slated for Kakaʻako Makai. It's a step forward in OHA’s plan to develop 29 acres in Kakaʻako Makai following a partial settlement of unpaid Public Land Trust revenue in 2012. Hawaii Public Radio.

West Oahu residents express frustration, even as Hawaiian Electric touts restoration efforts. The state Public Utility Commission has begun a series of meetings around the state to look at Hawaiian Electric’s reliability during the recent Kona storms and hurricanes. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council advances bill to extend housing and homelessness fund for 2 more years. The fund, established as a pilot program in 2022, allocates a minimum of $9 million annually from property tax revenue to local nonprofits to address homelessness. Bill 192 would extend the program, set to expire in June 2027, by an additional two years. Big Island Now.

‘A lost life, a grieving family and an injured officer’: Chief provides details about fatal Ocean View incident. Hawaii Police Department Chief Reed Mahuna said the man shot and killed by a police officer Wednesday afternoon in Ocean View threatened the officer’s life and injured him with a large lava rock. The shooting victim has been identified by police as 31-year-old Nafetalai Teisina of Ocean View. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video Now. 

IRONMAN Donation Funds Two Mobile Health Vans For Nāʻālehu. Two mobile health trailers have been unveiled in hurricane-battered Kaʻū, made possible by a $350,000 donation from The IRONMAN Foundation to Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center.  Big Island Video News.

Business park eyed for Pana‘ewa; DHHL seeks to develop 146 acres along Railroad Avenue. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands unveiled a conceptual plan for a new business park in the Pana‘ewa area of Hilo at a community meeting Tuesday in Keaukaha. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Man convicted of first-degree murder in officer’s death. A jury has convicted Clembert Alii Kaneholani, 39, of first-degree murder in the August 2025 shooting death of Maui Police Officer Suzanne O. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Strong to host community-led candidate forum ahead of 2026 General Election, Oct. 14. Lahaina Strong will host a community-led candidate forum bringing together candidates for the Maui County Mayor and County Council races to meet directly with the community and share their priorities, plans, and vision for Maui County’s future. Maui Now.

Lahaina Community Land Trust to steward Kainehe, ʻāina momona that once fed Lahaina people. The Lahaina Community Land Trust is setting forth on a new path to steward Kainehe, known in recent decades as 1050 Front Street, turning this ground into a living history and gathering space to celebrate this ʻāina momona that once fed Lahaina’s aliʻi. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Punts On Rules To Make Homes Safer From Fires — Again. Proposed changes to construction and landscaping requirements for new homes have now been deferred three times by a council committee. Civil Beat.

Rebuilding of Kauaʻi County’s Kāpule Building from extensive fire damage remains in early stages. A preliminary structural and engineering assessment is complete on the government building, but a final engineering assessment cannot begin until the cleanup work is finished. Kauai Now.