Retail, agriculture jobs face steep declines, nonprofit purchases 126-year-old Maui News, Southwest Airlines begins Hilo-Vegas nonstop flights, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii retail, agriculture jobs face biggest losses by 2034.  Projections from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations show retail trade could lose about 600 jobs by 2034, the largest decline of any industry. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting follow closely behind retail with a projected loss of almost 500 jobs. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi education department turns to regional kitchen to boost local ingredients. A new regional kitchen, set to open in late 2027, is expected to largely boost the amount of locally sourced ingredients used in school meals across the state Department of Education. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District race tests incumbent Case. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is facing opposition for his re-election campaign in the Democratic Party primary at a time when some voters have shown they’re in the mood to oust incumbents. Hawaii Public Radio.

High Oil Prices Hammer HECO Customers. Oil is trading at close to $90 per barrel these days thanks to the Iran war compared to $65 to $70 a year ago. As a result, the average monthly residential bill rose 27% from June 2025 to this year on Maui and 30% on Oʻahu. Lānaʻi has it worst, up 55%, an average increase of more than $100 a month. Civil Beat.

Farms hit by Kona Low urged to apply for aid. Hawaii agricultural producers and farmers who were affected by the Kona- low storms from March 10 to 24 have until Friday to apply for financial and technical assistance with the Emergency Conservation Program. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

$1.8M awarded for wildfire mitigation as Hawaii enters peak fire season. The Hawaii Urban Interface (HUI) Wildfire Grant Program awarded funding to eight organizations on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii Island. The grants will support projects including firebreak construction, invasive vegetation removal, managed grazing, evacuation studies and improved emergency access. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

As Flood Aid Trickles Out For North Shore, Southeast Asian Farmers Are Left Behind. For some Thai and Laotian farmers, language barriers and immigration status stand in the way of seeking help they need after the Kona lows. Civil Beat.

Uncertainty, confusion surround East Oahu’s City Council race.  East Oahu voters, some of whom have already cast their primary election ballots, remain in the dark about the status of the race to represent them on the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Internal power outage hits twin office towers in downtown Honolulu. About 100 businesses in two downtown Honolulu office towers could be displaced for roughly three to five weeks due to an equipment-related power failure at the property. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Ward Centre closed; looming demolition will make way for new Ward Village towers. Although a timeline has not yet been finalized, sources say that demolition and redevelopment work at the site is expected to begin later this year. Aloha State Daily.

Ex-Social Worker Gets 10 Years In Prison For Daughter’s Death. The public may never know key details about how Sina Pili was able to keep working with children as police investigated her for her daughter’s death. Civil Beat. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A Viable Cesspool Alternative Emerges On Hawaiʻi’s Coasts. After years of research and planning, Puakō residents’ efforts to create a model for the state using a low-pressure sewer system are finally gaining momentum. Civil Beat.

County names new Animal Control administrator. Hawaii County has announced that Regina DoDaro has been hired as administrator for the Animal Control and Protection Agency, effective Monday, Aug. 3. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Southwest Airlines launches nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Hilo. The new route launches Aug. 6 and will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Big Island Now.

Future Hawaiian Homestead hub secures state funding for design, initial site preparation in Panaʻewa. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye announced the release of $350,000 for the Panaʻewa Hub, which is being developed by the Keaukaha Panaʻewa Farmers Association.  Big Island Now.

Hilo Man Arrested At Malama Park, Charged With Drug Offenses. Police: Hilo man with nearly 2 pounds of cocaine nabbed at public park.  On Saturday, detectives with the Hawaii Police Department’s Vice Division conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of Michael Bratt at a public park in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.   Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui News changes owners. New nonprofit purchases 126-year-old newspaper. (subscription only print). Maui News.

Law firm fights judge’s ruling on attorney fees in Maui wildfire settlement. A law firm is appealing a Maui judge’s ruling over how attorneys will be paid from the multibillion-dollar wildfire settlement. Hawaii News Now.

Maui to open larger emergency operations center in August. County officials say the facility in Wailuku will strengthen preparedness capabilities and emergency response. The building is nearly 10,000 square feet and will increase capacity for partnerships and personnel during activation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association on Maui and ʻĀina Momona on Molokaʻi to benefit from wildfire mitigation funding. The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, awarded $1.8 million to projects on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, an increase from the $1.5 million awarded through the program in 2025. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department conducts sex offender compliance checks. Kauaʻi Police Department, in partnership with U.S. Marshals Service and task force officers, recently conducted compliance checks of registered sex offenders to help ensure Hawaiʻi’s Covered Offender Registry remains accurate and current. Kauai Now.

Council candidate Skyler Workman. Skyler Wailea Workman is a candidate for Kauai County Council. He submitted the preceding introduction to himself and his campaign goals. Garden Island.

Lawmakers push for special session on contractor campaign donations, federal Covid spending review likely, Kapaa Quarry mulled for Oahu landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Indictment sparks calls for special session on contractor donation ban. Indictments against Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, current and former state employees, and a contractor in an alleged bribery conspiracy are prompting calls for a special legislative session focused on campaign finance reform. Some lawmakers are pushing for a return to the Capitol to take up Senate Bill 2530, a measure that would ban government contractors and their immediate family members from donating to political candidates. Hawaii News Now.

Federal review of COVID-19 spending likely in wake of alleged corruption, Case says. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, said he expects federal scrutiny of Hawaii’s COVID-19 contracts following a public corruption indictment involving Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others. Star-Advertiser.

Betting On Hawaiʻi Politics Is Legal Despite State’s Gambling Ban. Users can now wager on when indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke may resign on the prediction market app Kalshi, which is not covered by Hawaiʻi’s gambling law. Civil Beat.

State airports administrator on paid leave after indictment. State Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami was placed on paid leave for 30 days, effective Monday, after he and four others were indicted Friday in an alleged criminal conspiracy to bribe state officials to secure money for COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Rules to limit CRB spread passed on Big Island and Maui. The coconut rhinoceros beetle’s hold across the Hawaiian Islands has grown in recent months, prompting the state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to expand restrictions on transporting potential host material between infested islands and areas. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Gen Z’s new travel habits to Hawaiʻi . Hawaiʻi's hospitality industry is seeing a new kind of visitor in Generation Z. How they travel could bring changes to the state's largest private industry. Hawaii Public Radio.

Alan B. Carpenter chosen to lead DLNR Division of State Parks. Alan B. Carpenter assumes responsibility for the care and management of 55 state parks and 14 other places of interest, which encompass 34,000 acres of coastal and wildland recreational areas, scenic waysides and cherished places spanning from Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauaʻi to ʻAkaka Falls State Park on Hawaiʻi Island. Maui Now.

This Hawaiian Waterbird Is Making A Comeback. Should It Still Be Endangered? Most agree efforts to save the aeʻo, the native stilt, have succeeded so far, but some worry about lifting its ‘endangered’ status in a Trump era with looser conservation rules. Civil Beat.

Fausto now a remnant low as it passes north of Hawaiian Islands. Fausto is no longer a tropical cyclone and is now a remnant low passing north of the islands. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in data valid at 5 a.m. Wednesday, post-tropical cyclone Fausto was 285 miles north of Hilo, or 225 miles northeast of Honolulu. It was moving west-northwest at 13 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Voters in Waters’ district confused as name remains on ballot after being ruled ineligible to run. While Honolulu election officials try to figure out what to do for Tommy Waters’ council seat, the district’s voters are left confused with his name still on the ballot. As of Tuesday morning, thousands have already cast their votes. KHON2.

City eyes Kapaa Quarry for Oahu’s next landfill. The City is eying Kapaa Quarry as a potential site for Oahu’s next landfill, and Windward lawmakers are pushing back. KHON2.

These Historic Oʻahu Homes Pay Practically No Property Tax. Honolulu homes valued in the millions are getting a major tax break. One City Council member says the program is being abused. Civil Beat.

State-subsidized rental housing for middle-income households blessed in Waipio. Scott Glenn, a housing adviser to Gov. Josh Green, said the new homes — one-bedroom apartments renting for $1,800 to $2,280 a month depending on household size — allow Koa Ridge to include residents who might not be able to afford new market-priced housing being built in the 3,500-home community master-planned by Castle &Cooke Hawaii in Waipio. Star-Advertiser.

Beach Cleanup Activist Challenges Longtime Incumbent In East Oʻahu. Kahi Pacarro has mounted an aggressive campaign against the low key Rep. Mark Hashem in the District 19 Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Fresh lei, hot pizza? Oahu’s one-of-a-kind vending machines turn heads. Need a fresh flower lei for a graduation, special event or last-minute celebration? There is now a vending machine for that. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A reprieve for 5 early childhood education sites on isle. Several months after nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation prepared to close five early childhood education sites on Hawaii Island — and 16 on other islands — due to federal funding cuts, the organization recently announced the sites will now be staying open. Tribune-Herald.

New reports document energy priorities, concerns of Puna, Kaʻū residents. The reports reflect responses from a total of 481 community members — 340 in Puna and 141 in Kaʻū — and examine energy affordability, power outages, household preparedness, renewable energy development, community participation, protection of ʻāina and cultural resources as well as benefits residents expect from future energy investments. Big Island Now.

Speed limit to be reduced on part of Puainako Street Extension. The speed limit on a portion of the Puainako Street Extension — also known as Hawaii Route 2000 — will be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph as part of an effort to improve roadway safety. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 52 fountaining ends at Kilauea summit. Episode 52 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended at 2:36 a.m. on Wednesday. High lava fountaining from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu began at 7:10 p.m. HST on Tuesday evening. Big Island Now. KITV4. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui Council advances new hotel zoning for over 2,000 apartment-district vacation rentals. Maui County Council members voted Friday to send two bills to the Maui Planning Commission that would move vacation rental units, currently operating in A-1 and A-2 apartment districts, into new hotel zoning classifications. Maui Now.

County to pull four speed tables in Haiku, hold community meeting. Responding to residents' concerns, Maui County officials plan to remove four speed tables on West Kuiaha Road as part of an ongoing review of traffic-calming devices in Haiku. Maui News.

Plan to rebuild popular Kaanapali Beach with offshore sand faces scrutiny. Plan would move 75,000 cubic yards of sand to restore beach to 1980s condition. Kaanapali Beach on Maui’s west side has been eroding for four decades, and a plan is now moving forward to restore it to how it was in the 1980s — but the proposal is facing some community opposition. Hawaii News Now.

Audubon Society asks for pueo study with Lahaina Bypass project. The National Audubon Society has asked state transportation officials to include a biological review of the Hawaiian short-eared owl in the study of Lahaina Bypass connector alternatives near Wahikuli Gulch in West Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi police join countywide emergency alert system to expand public safety notifications. The partnership, announced by the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, expands use of the Everbridge Emergency Mass Notification System, which is already used by the emergency management agency, the Kauaʻi Fire Department and the county Department of Water. Kauai Now.

Kauai Habitat starts 5 homes in Waimea. Volunteer opportunities are available at the Kauai Habitat build sites, such as the current one in Waimea, the Kauai Habitat office in Hanapepe, or the ReStore at Hanapepe. Garden Island.

Volunteers vouch for ballot integrity, indicted officials remain on government payroll, judge rules Tommy Waters ineligible for 3rd term, Tropical Storm Fausto weakens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Volunteers vouch for process as first ballots counted. The first batch of mail-in ballots arrived at the state Capitol Monday to be counted for the Aug. 8 party primary elections, with volunteers representing both Republicans and Democrats vouching for the security of how they’re handled inside the Capitol, as President Donald Trump continues to sow doubts over U.S. elections. Star-Advertiser.

‘Culture Of Corruption’? Records Link Arrested Lawmaker To Lobbyist. Prosecutors allege that lobbyist Tobi Solidum paid Rep. Ryan Yamane in a series of cash and check installments between 2020 and 2022 to take official actions culminating in a scheme, prosecutors allege, to direct emergency funds to a pricey Covid-testing program run by the kidney foundation. Solidum made millions of dollars from the testing program, according to court documents.  Civil Beat.

Fuchigami on paid leave, Luke still officially Hawaii’s LG. Transportation officials said Airports Director Ford Fuchigami has been placed on paid, 30-day leave by the department effective Monday. He was indicted along with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on bribery charges. Despite the indictment and bribery allegations, Luke is still officially the state’s Lieutenant Governor. KHON2.

TRACKING FAUSTO Tropical Storm Fausto nears Hawaii, bringing dangerous surf as Genevieve remains a powerful major hurricane. Tropical Storm Fausto is moving closer to Hawaii and is expected to pass north of the islands from Tuesday night through late Wednesday. As of the latest update, Fausto was about 340 miles east-northeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. The storm continues moving west-northwest and is expected to weaken further over the next few days. KITV4. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

HECO plans to bring online about 1,650 gigawatt-hours of new solar and wind power, the equivalent of about 15% of all the energy on its grids. HECO announces new renewable energy procurement, looks to natural gas. Hawaiian Electric says that new renewable energy generation will help the state reduce its dependence on oil. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOE spends millions on campus repairs ahead of school year.  Over $140 million worth of repairs and renovations are happening across the state Department of Education’s campuses ahead of the new school year. Jesse Souki, the department’s deputy superintendent of operations, said that the work is focused on extending the lifespan of school facilities, while also creating environments where students can focus on their academics. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Judge rules Waters ineligible to seek 3rd Council term. A 1st Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters is ineligible to seek a third consecutive term representing East Honolulu’s District 4. The ruling by Judge James H. Ashford sides with Council candidate and attorney Trevor Ozawa’s legal challenge over the City Charter’s term limits and prevents Waters, also a lawyer, from continuing his campaign for reelection unless the decision is overturned. It’s unclear what this means for voters who have already voted for Tommy Waters in the primary election. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Skyline’s Kalihi through Civic Center station designs unveiled. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has officially released the renderings for the Skyline Segment 3 stations, stretching from Kalihi to Civic Center. KHON2.

Weather worries change RIMPAC plans. Over the weekend, the various forces gathered for the exercise had been slated to carry out a simulated assault at Bellows Beach in Waimanalo using both amphibious landing craft and helicopters to bring troops and equipment ashore. Star-Advertiser.

Filipino national charged with unlawful voting. Bernadette Acaso, a Filipino national who was living in Honolulu and Kahului, was charged by criminal complaint on July 22, with unlawfully voting in the 2024 presidential election. Star-Advertiser.

Salvage company says state owes them more for removing a sunken ship. Hawaiʻi Island-based Pacific Underwater Construction said it sank about $600,000 into removing a roughly 77-foot sunken ship from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island 

Voter Service Centers Open In Hawaiʻi County. Voter service centers will be open from now through August 8th to provide in-person election services, such as voter registration and accessible voting. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

County gets some help from FEMA for blaze in West Hawaii. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state in combating the Kawaihae Road Fire that is still burning. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Storm-damaged Konawaena HS ready for new school year. Konawaena High School will be ready to reopen for the new school year following extensive flood damage repairs caused by the Kona low storms in March, the state Department of Education said Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report finds many Maui wildfire survivors still face health, housing challenges. Nearly three years after the Maui wildfires, many survivors are returning to work, gaining health insurance and finding more stable housing, but thousands continue to struggle with food insecurity, mental health challenges and lingering physical health concerns, according to a report released Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Kaanapali sand replenishment moves forward. The proposal by the Pilikahakai Foundation and the Ka'anapali Operations Association would collect sand that has accumulated offshore beyond the reach of natural processes and redistribute it along the shoreline from Keka'a to Maui County’s Hanakao'o Beach Park. Maui News.

Kauai

DHHL sued over evictions of non-Native Hawaiians in East Kauai project. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is facing another lawsuit. This time it stems over the eviction of residents from an East Kauai complex who don’t meet blood quantum requirements. Hawaii News Now.

Annual report: Surfrider Kauaʻi in 2025 removed nearly 80.3 tons of trash — or 160,552 pounds — from beaches. That total includes two cleanups last year on the Garden Isle that broke the scales — one in January at Anahola Bay where 3,202 pounds were collected and another in June at Nukoli‘i Marine Camp when 2,402 pounds were removed — as reported in national nonprofit Surfrider Foundation's seventh annual beach cleanup report. Kauai Now.

Green faces little opposition in gubernatorial reelection bid, political corruption at the top, Honolulu rail to be completed a year late, Hurricane Fausto to weaken north of the state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Why Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Is Getting A Free Ride In This Year’s Primary. This election marks the first time in decades a Democrat was so formidable — or so lucky — that he could breeze through the gubernatorial primary with only token opposition. Civil Beat.

Bribery Charges: Sylvia Luke, Ex-State Rep And Others Indicted In Corruption Case. UPDATE: Gov. Green calls on Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to resign. Prosecutors believe former state Rep. Ryan Yamane is the “most culpable.” Civil Beat.

COVID-19 spending at center of alleged conspiracy. At the heart of a criminal indictment returned Friday against Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others is an alleged bribery conspiracy tied to the state’s COVID-19 response, when hundreds of millions of dollars were approved to combat an unprecedented public health crisis. Star-Advertiser.

Sylvia Luke bribery case could be a hard one to prove, legal observers say. Prosecutors may have a harder time proving the criminal bribery and conspiracy case against Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke than with the other four defendants she was indicted with Friday by a 1st Circuit Court grand jury. Star-Advertiser.

Who are the 5 defendants in Hawaii’s political bribery case?  Star-Advertiser.

Pay To Play: Political Corruption Investigations In Hawaiʻi Over The Years. Investigations began in 2018. Here’s the rundown. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

Underwater fiber cable project clears hurdle. The cable will run from Nukoli‘i beach on Kauai to Barber’s Point on Oahu, the Molokai Yacht Club, Manele Harbor on Lanai and Kahului Harbor on Maui before reaching Hawaii Island, where it will land at the Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center, just adjacent to Keaukaha Beach Park. Tribune-Herald.

DOCARE request draws questions about ICE at land board meeting. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement was authorized Friday to enter into memoranda of agreement regarding the temporary housing of their pretrial detainees with the four county police departments and the state Department of Law Enforcement. Tribune-Herald.

Nonprofits Face New Political Realities, Threats To Homeless Housing Programs. Programs the federal government has long supported to combat homelessness have fallen out favor. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi lieutenant governor candidate Choi wants to reduce role of money in politics. Civil trial lawyer John Choi is among those vying to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for lieutenant governor, one of the most closely watched races in Hawaiʻi's Aug. 8 primary election. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fausto forecast to pass just north of Hawaii as a tropical storm this week. Hurricane Fausto has weakened slightly on a track that will take it just north of Hawaii this week.The National Hurricane Center said in data valid at 11 p.m. Sunday, Fausto was 670 miles east of Hilo and was moving west at 14 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Oahu 

Another Delay For Honolulu Rail? The Timeline Appears To Be Slipping Again. A consultant that monitors the project for the Federal Transit Administration reports the entire rail line will probably open a year later than the city planned. Civil Beat.

Tower construction maxes out Kakaako electricity infrastructure. High-rise development in Kakaako has outstripped capacity to distribute electricity to several planned residential towers in the growing urban Honolulu neighborhood. The incapacity has contributed to major delays for at least a few projects, including a pair of workforce housing towers and two state-initiated affordable rental towers with apartments reserved for low- and middle-income Hawaii households. Star-Advertiser.

Convention center food and beverage business now in-house. Food and beverage operations, which generate more than half of the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s annual revenue, are being brought in-house following the end of the center’s longstanding contract with Levy Restaurants. Star-Advertiser.

A Community Activist Takes On Donna Kim In Kalihi. Christy MacPherson is canvassing aggressively to defeat the longtime influential state senator. Top labor unions are helping both. Civil Beat.

Utility work near Straub Benioff Medical Center starts Monday. Construction near Straub Benioff Medical Center will close a portion of the far left lane of South King Street starting Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Council hopefuls share top priorities. Districts 2 and 3 have incumbents seeking reelection — Jennifer Kagiwada in District 2 and Dennis Onishi in District 3. Both have contested nonpartisan primary races on Saturday, Aug. 8. Tribune-Herald.

Candidates for Ka‘ū District seat on Hawai‘i County Council talk priorities for rural and remote area. The five candidates are running for the seat being vacated by Michelle Galimba, who decided not to seek re-election. Big Island Now.

PONC measure dies in narrow council vote. The Hawaii County Council on Thursday nixed a measure that would have removed the $3 million cap on the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation (PONC) maintenance fund. Tribune-Herald.

Kawaihae Road Fire Sunday update #3: Blaze under control; roads reopened. The South Kohala fire scorched approximately 680 acres on the south side of Kawaihae Road. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

The Big Island’s Rare Coastal Pools Are Under Siege. Sea level rise is endangering the fragile brackish waters on the Kona Coast, but it’s also creating new ones. Civil Beat.

Maui

Committee to discuss Board of Ethics’ legislative priorities Tuesday. The Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will discuss Board of Ethics’ legislative priorities during a meeting set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Discussion topics will include legislative proposals on penalties, nepotism and lobbying. Maui Now.

5 political newcomers vying for Chair Lee’s Wailuku seat; winner could change balance of County Council. When longtime Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee announced May 8 she would not seek reelection for the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū seat, it created an intriguing race of five political newcomers who all are active in public service. Maui Now.

County launches human resources modernization initiative. Maui County has launched a comprehensive initiative to modernize human resources across county departments, the Maui County Department of Management announced Friday. Maui News.

DLNR urges public to avoid waters near humpback whale remains off Molokai. State officials are urging residents and visitors to stay out of the water along Molokai's south shore near the remains of a humpback whale that died July 10. Maui News.

Kauai

Can Hawaiʻi grow rice again? Yes, and faster than in Japan. Rice fields were successfully cultivated in the uplands of Kaua‘i. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

State races to save Kauaʻi’s endangered forest birds through captive breeding and relocation. A state wildlife biologist warned that Kauaʻi's iconic honeycreepers are at imminent risk of extinction by the end of the year unless urgent conservation efforts are implemented. Kauai Now.

BREAKING: 4 state officials, lobbyist, indicted in bribery scandal

Bribery Charges: Sylvia Luke, Ex-State Rep And Others Indicted In Corruption Case. An Oahu grand jury today indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others as part of the state Attorney General’s months-long political corruption probe. After hearing evidence for most of the day, the grand jury this afternoon indicted Luke for criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery and falsifying candidate committee reports. Also indicted were Former state Rep. Ryan Yamane, who is also the former director of the Department of Human Services, for conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery, Ford Fuchigami, deputy director for the Airports Division at state Department of Transportation, for conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, use of false statement, and obstruction of justice, Leo Asuncion Jr, a former Luke campaign volunteer and Public Utilities Commission chair, for falsifying candidate committee reports, use of false statement, and obstruction of justice and obbyist and businessman Tobi Solidum for four counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and three counts of bribery. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hurricane Fausto expected to approach Hawaii next week, new Army commander to tackle land leases, Case and Keohokalole differ on immigration enforcement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Fausto strengthens into Category 2 storm, expected to approach Hawaiian Islands next week. The risk of some impacts from wind and rainfall in the area is increasing, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday, but it’s too soon to determine the exact location or potential magnitude. Fausto was far from land, about 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Maximum sustained winds were around 100 mph (161 kph). Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

New Army leader in Hawaii vows open communication as leases loom. Col. Rick Luce faces setbacks in both its outreach efforts and operations plans. Most significantly, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted last summer to reject the Army’s final environmental impact statements for renewing leases on state-­owned land on both Oahu and at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Crop seed producer Bayer plans layoffs in Hawaii. Bayer, which has seed operations on Oahu, Maui and Molokai, said it is making operational changes that include consolidating some of its farm activities on Maui and Oahu over time as part of an effort to better align its land, facilities and resources with the future needs in areas that include plant breeding and agricultural technology. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Case and Keohokalole agree on ICE abuses, but differ on immigration policy. The two candidates competing for Oahu’s urban 1st Congressional District are both critics of the Trump administration’s immigration tactics, but they differ on key enforcement policies, including border security and deportation procedures. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauaʻi's mayor eyes lieutenant governor's office with some powerful help. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami is a surfer. But lately he's spending less time in the water and more time on the campaign trail. Hawaii Public Radio.


Oahu

Facing A Competitive Reelection, Honolulu Council Chair Pitches Tax Breaks. As Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters campaigns for a third term, he is floating the idea of tax breaks for island homeowners and drivers that would save residents money but could reduce city revenue by too much for the city administration’s liking. Civil Beat.

This year’s elections will bring new faces to Chinatown, Iwilei areas. Veteran Sen. Karl Rhoads, from Senate District 13 — which includes Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown — is retiring from office this year. House District 28’s Rep. Daniel Holt — who represented Sand Island, Iwilei, and Chinatown — recently stepped down from his seat to take a job at the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Sen. Karl Rhoads reflects on 20 years of service. Sen. Karl Rhoads, the longtime chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, confirmed last year that he would not be seeking reelection at the end of his term in 2026. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu voter service centers to open ahead of primary election. Oahu voters will soon have more opportunities to cast their ballots in person as Honolulu’s full-time voter service centers open Monday, July 27, ahead of Hawaii’s 2026 Primary Election. KHON2.

Hokulani Elementary School getting ready to reopen after devastating floods in Kaimuki. Exactly four months ago flash floods destroyed a dozen classrooms at Hokulani Elementary School in the Kaimuki area, forcing the campus to close down for the remainder of the school year and displacing students to two different schools. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Democrats to hold Grand Rally on Saturday. A bigger-than-usual turnout is expected Saturday in Hilo as Gov. Josh Green, Mayor Kimo Alameda and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda speak to voters at the Democratic Party’s Grand Rally. Tribune-Herald.

Short-term rental owners in violation of registering in Hawaiʻi County could get 4-month grace period. A Hawaiʻi County Council committee on Wednesday forwarded with a favorable recommendation Bill 175, which would create a 4-month window during which violation fees would be waived as the county continues to develop and tweak its short-term rental registration platform. Big Island Now.

In Puna, It Takes Years To Get A Mail Box At The Post Office. In the fastest growing part of Hawai‘i, a post office box shortage has made voting, shopping online, accessing important paperwork and sending packages an ongoing challenge. Civil Beat.

State staffing slows coconut rhinoceros beetle response in Kona. The Hawaiʻi County Council is urging state officials to step up enforcement of coconut rhinoceros beetle containment protocols in Kona. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

FEMA rent increase to hit Maui fire survivors still in temporary housing. (video only) Hawaii News Now.

West Maui nonprofit, resort group unveil plan to restore eroding Kāʻanapali Beach. Pilikahakai Foundation and Kāʻanapali Operations Association Inc. submitted an application for a conservation district use permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, marking the first step in what officials described as a multi-year county, state and federal permitting process. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi public charter school that teaches Niʻihau dialect can open on time until lease dispute is settled. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Stephanie R.S. Char granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday preventing the termination of the charter school's lease while a broader legal dispute over a sharp rent increase moves forward. Kauai Now.

Full-scale, multiagency emergency response exercise scheduled for Nāwiliwili Harbor next Thursday. The exercise is part of a training series aimed at enhancing preparedness for emergencies, which is set for Saturday, July 25 to Friday, July 31. Kauai Now.

Hawaii battles EPA over power plants, ballots sent to the dead, Kauai electric customers may be billed for wildfire mitigation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Attorney General files complaint against EPA over air pollution agreement with Hawaiian Electric. The state Department of Health and a coalition of environmental organizations are challenging a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to partially reject Hawaii’s plan to improve air quality and reduce pollution-related haze. Both filed petitions this week in federal court. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.  KITV4. KHON2. Big Island Now.

HECO issues renewable energy procurement for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui. Hawaiian Electric Co. recently issued what it says is one of the state’s largest energy procurements. On July 17, the company submitted its Integrated Grid Planning request for proposals, seeking renewable energy projects and storage for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Some deceased voters still got ballots, but officials say it’s not a sign of fraud. Elections officials are required by law to send a ballot to everyone who’s registered to vote. They’re also required to wait two federal election cycles before they can purge people from the list, including people who haven’t voted, or who’ve moved and didn’t leave a new address. So it could be more than four years before a name is taken off the voter rolls. Hawaii News Now.

Campaign signs are not allowed along Hawaii state highways. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is reminding the public that it is illegal to post campaign signs along state highways. Illegally posted signs will be removed and thrown away. Hawaii News Now.

Congressional candidates split on support for Israel and war with Iran.  Israel’s conduct in the Middle East and the war with Iran are emerging fault lines in the Democratic contest for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District between U.S. Rep. Ed Case and challenger Jarrett Keohokalole. Hawaii News Now.

Abercrombie alleges Ed Case violated House campaign rules. Former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who represented Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District in Congress for over 20 years, has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission alleging that U.S. Rep. Ed Case sent a taxpayer-funded “self-promotional” campaign email Monday that violates House rules. Star-Advertiser.

High blank ballot rates prompt OHA voter education effort. With five seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees on the ballot this year, election officials and OHA leaders are urging voters to pay closer attention to one of the state’s least-understood contests. Star-Advertiser.

The Real Fight For Hawaiʻi Congressional District 2 Is Still To Come. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat, is seeking a third term representing rural Oʻahu and the neighbor islands, but faces little competition from within her own party. The other side of the ballot, however, tells a different story and sets the stage for a more competitive race come November’s general election.  Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa is running unopposed for the GOP nomination. Civil Beat.

Hawaii raises truck bed-riding age to 16 as roads get faster, testing a cherished island tradition. It’s common to see people riding in the beds of pickups in Hawaii, often along country highways sandwiched between towering verdant mountains and the glassy blue expanse of the Pacific. Lawmakers tried for years to put limits on the practice before passing a bill this spring that raises the minimum legal age for riding in truck beds from 12 to 16. Democratic Gov. Josh Green quietly signed it into law last month. Associated Press.

Hawaiʻi residents react to state's 'vape ban' set for 2027. Gov. Josh Green recently signed Senate Bill 2175 into law, which will prohibit the sale of non-refillable and non-rechargeable electronic smoking devices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu officials seek input on water quality priorities. Oahu residents are being asked to help shape the island’s long-term water quality priorities as the city prepares for billions of dollars in future wastewater and storm water infrastructure investments. The Honolulu Department of Environmental Services has launched its Oahu Clean Water Survey, which officials say will help identify the water quality issues residents consider most important. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian language advocates ‘devastated’ after school suspends program. Just weeks before the start of the 2026-27 school year, Kapolei Middle School has suspended its Kaiapuni Hawaiian language immersion program after failing to fill two teaching positions — a decision that parents and community advocates say undermines years of progress toward building a full K-12 immersion pathway in West Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2. 

2 men charged in alleged gold bar fraud scheme targeting kupuna. A 25-year-old man from India made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Honolulu Wednesday in connection with a multi-state fraud scheme that lured a Kaneohe kupuna in her 80s into giving him $137,458 in gold bars after liquidating her life savings. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission set to choose permanent chief next month from eight finalists. The Fire Commission finalized the criteria and interview process for applicants vying for the position of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief, with oral interviews set for the next public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27.  Big Island Now.

County’s auditor provides update to council committee. McAdam told council members her office is “currently conducting an audit of the Office of Housing and Community Development’s management of the Housing and Homeless Fund, as requested by yourselves.” Tribune-Herald.

Another Road Won’t Help Waikōloa In A Wildfire Evacuation, Study Finds. Critics dismissed the new study’s findings while resolving to do more to protect the West Hawaiʻi community from wildfires. Civil Beat.

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Found in Hilo, Council Talks Quarantine Rule. A Hawaiʻi County Council committee voted in support of resolution on Wednesday in the hopes it will help fight the spread of the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle on Hawaiʻi island, just days after a CRB was found in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui mayoral race heats up ahead of August 8 primary election. Ten candidates are on the ballot, but only the top two vote-getters in the August 8 primary will advance to November’s general election. KHON2.

Political newcomers top fundraising in races to fill critical Maui County Council seats. The top fundraisers in the Maui County Council races are political newcomers who are competing in the upcoming Aug. 8 primary election for two critical seats that will be vacated at the end of the year by the chair and vice chair.  Maui Now.

Residents question plans for Lahaina Bypass extension project. The Lahaina Bypass extension project seeks to extend the existing bypass north from Keawe Street to create a continuous highway around Lahaina and Kaanapali. Maui News.

Planning commission approves Makena State Park expansion. The 6-1 vote approving a Special Management Area permit allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks to build two restrooms with shower facilities and expand parking at the 164.4-acre park. Maui News.

Maui farmers, ranchers can learn about ag lending options in July 29 webinar. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation is hosting a free webinar on agricultural financing options through American AgCredit and the Farm Credit System. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai electric customers could start paying for wildfire mitigation. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative last week filed an application with the state Public Utilities Commission to recover such costs through an initial monthly surcharge starting in April estimated at $12.87 for an average customer to cover $9.4 million in wildfire mitigation expenses. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Transportation declare traffic emergency zone after finding a subsurface void under Kaumualiʻi Highway in ʻŌmaʻo. The traffic emergency zone allows the Department of Transportation to work quickly to restore support beneath the roadway. Kauai Now.

Brown water advisory declared for three beaches on Kaua‘i. A brown water advisory has been issued at Hanamaulu,  Hanalei Bay and Niumalu Beaches. The Hawai‘i Department of Health advises beachgoers to stay out of waters that appear brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain, as the water may contain higher-than-normal pollutant levels. Kauai Now. KITV4.

Community Control Of Kauaʻi Fishery Is Showing ‘Remarkable’ Results. Ten years in, Native Hawaiian fishermen, North Shore nonprofit leaders and scientists are encouraged by what they see in the state’s first Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area. Civil Beat.

Niʻihau Language School At Risk Of Losing Kaua‘i Campus. Families say the school has played a critical role in preserving their cultural and linguistic ties to the Forbidden Isle for nearly two decades. Civil Beat.

Alaska Air revamps Hawaiian Airlines flight plans, AG to release Sylvia Luke decision soon, DOE spells out cellphone limits for new school year, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Alaska Air Group charts new course for Hawaii with bigger interisland jets, cargo expansion. As Alaska Air Group pushes toward its goal of generating $1 billion in profit from its Hawaiian Airlines acquisition, the company unveiled plans Tuesday to replace Hawaiian’s aging interisland fleet with Boeing 737-800s beginning in 2028 and nearly double its cargo aircraft capacity by 2027.  Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Gov. Green says AG’s decision on Lt. Gov. Luke is ‘imminent’.  “Imminent” but unspecified “major announcements” concerning Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke are coming following a seven-month investigation by the state Department of the Attorney General into allegations that an “influential state legislator” accepted $35,000 in a paper bag in 2022, according to Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser.

We Fight’: Leaders Vow To Defend Native Hawaiian Programs. The kickoff of the three-day annual convention began with a gut check about the toll budget cuts and legal attacks could take on Native Hawaiian-serving programs.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Why Isn’t Hawaiʻi’s ‘Affordable Housing’ More Affordable? A complicated formula results in a price-setting benchmark that’s higher than if it measured only income. The result: More people qualify, but rents are out of reach for many. Civil Beat.

Law puts money back into community college students' hands. Initially, based on a student’s financial need, the Hawaiʻi Promise would grant up to the total amount the student needed to fill any gaps to cover tuition. However, if the student were to receive external scholarships or financial help for indirect costs — things like food, transportation or housing – the program would deduct those amounts from the provided aid. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Department of Education sends out its policies as the 2026-2027 school year looms two weeks away. Students across Hawaiʻi are set to return to school on August 3, armed with new guidelines, including a statewide cellphone policy that restricts usage during school hours. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Honolulu charter amendment questions finalized, with some big proposals left out. The commission on Monday approved about 20 questions to amend the Honolulu City Charter this election cycle. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Cut Speed Limits By Schools But Didn’t Change The Signs. The speed limit on Oʻahu school zones is 20 miles per hour. You wouldn’t know it by driving by. Civil Beat.

New red light, speed cameras coming to Hawaii. Ten new camera sites will be finalized and announced by the end of August 2026. Locations already being looked at include parts of West Oahu and the North Shore. KHON2.

An artist group wants to buy Queen Theater. Will they get it? Since Queen Theater was put on the market last month, it's caught the interest of Los Angeles-based Hoodihoo Productions, which curates pop-up movie screenings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Severely Ill Prisoners Granted Early Release Are Left Stuck Behind Bars. Hawaiʻi is the only state without a specific law allowing for compassionate release for prisoners, relying instead on an internal policy. Civil Beat.

With flood repairs nearly done, Hokulani Elementary seeks move-in help. The St. Louis Heights campus will hold a volunteer move-in day Saturday as staff prepare to reopen 12 classrooms damaged in the March Kona low flooding. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Shopping centers’ developer files for bankruptcy. Gary L. Pinkston, developer of the Puna Kai Shopping Center and Waikoloa Plaza, in May filed a raft of lawsuits in Northern District of Georgia U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Tribune-Herald.

Country Club property draws interest; state orders structural inspection. According to DLNR spokesman Andrew Laurence, the department was approached by a third party “who is interested in the building’s potential for rehabilitation.” Tribune-Herald.

4 classrooms under construction to ease overcrowding at Kealakehe Elementary School. The elementary school built in 1969 is one of the largest in the state, but with enrollment increasing the new two-story building slated for completion in September 2027 will provide much needed space. Big Island Now. 

Hawaiʻi County Council District 1 Candidate Q&As. Incumbent Heather Kimball faces BJ Penn and Ren Del Rosario in the primary election for Big Island council seat. Civil Beat.

Transit, Burning Trees, Property Tax: Hawaiʻi County Council District 2 Candidate Q&As. A competitive primary for the council seat that includes Downtown Hilo. Civil Beat.

AirBnBs And Wastewater: Hawaiʻi County Council District 3 Candidate Q&As. The incumbent council member for Hawaiʻi County Council District 3, Dennis ‘Fresh’ Onishi, is facing Kelton Chang in the Aug. 8 primary. Civil Beat.

Tax Codes, State Highways And Energy: Hawaiʻi County Council District 4. Open race to choose new council member for Lower Puna and Pāhoa. Civil Beat.

Maui

Study finds human activity is weakening Maui corals. Human activities are changing the chemistry of coral reefs off Maui and making them less resilient to warming oceans and other environmental stressors, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Maui News.

Maui County unemployment rises to 3.2% in June as statewide job losses continue. Maui County’s unemployment rate rose to 3.2% in June, up from 2.5% in May, according to not-seasonally adjusted figures released Monday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Maui Now.

Kauai

No Penalty For Kauaʻi Candidates Who Blew Financial Reporting Deadline. Five candidates for Kaua‘i County Council and one for mayor were months late in filing mandated public disclosures about their employers, income, board positions, property and other financial interests. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Office of Economic Development seeks applicants for FY 2027 cultural grant program. The County of Kauaʻi’s Office of Economic Development will begin accepting applications Tuesday for its Fiscal Year 2027 Kauaʻi Cultural Programs & Events Grant Program, which will provide about $165,000 to support organizations that preserve and promote the island’s cultural heritage. Kauai Now.