Lawmakers seek to hasten penny phaseout, traffic cameras could monitor vehicle registration, Tokuda visits Honolulu immigrant detention, Kauai absent an auditor for 11 years, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii retailers, caught in a pinch over pennies, seek bill rounding. Five months after the federal government stopped minting new pennies, Hawaii lawmakers are working to accelerate phasing out use of the coins throughout the state. Star-Advertiser.

State eyes measure to track vehicle registration and safety checks. Registration and safety checks could be monitored by traffic cameras under a new bill moving through the state Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmaker targets parking ticket loophole after HNN Investigates found millions unpaid. A Hawaii News Now investigation used data provided by the state Judiciary and found thousands ignore parking citations. Hawaii News Now.

Free School Meals Are Popular. Hawaiʻi Isn’t Sold. Three years after lawmakers first considered making school meals free for all kids, students and teachers are still pushing for change.  Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda shares inside look on immigrants held behind bars. With the rise of immigration raids under the Trump administration, more and more immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been held at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. While it's difficult to acquire information on what happens inside the facility, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda made her fourth visit to find out more about who’s been detained and why. Hawaii Public Radio.

Labor lawyer ‘Cov’ Ratcliffe appointed to state House. Green announced Michael Covenant “Cov” Ratcliffe as his pick on Monday to represent House District 28 and fill the seat vacated Feb. 13 by then-Rep. Daniel Holt (D, Sand Island-Iwilei- Chinatown). Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green’s chili fundraiser raises over $5K. On Monday, April 13, Governor Josh Green hosted his Chili and Rice Fundraiser, raising money to support the Hawaii Foodbank as part of the State Employees’ Food Drive. KHON2.

Oahu

HECO's $1 Billion Power Project Is In A Flood Zone. The electric company says the site is located several stories above sea level and has never experienced a flood in almost 90 years. Civil Beat.

Surfrider urges stricter Sand Island wastewater permit limits. As the state Department of Health weighs whether to renew a key wastewater permit for Oahu, environmental advocates are urging regulators to impose stricter limits, warning that current standards could pose ongoing risks to public health and coastal waters.  Star-Advertiser.

Air Force general in charge of recruiting stops in Hawaii. Eleven young men from Hawaii raised their right hands on Monday as they took their oaths of enlistment to join the Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Star-Advertiser.

Kaimuki residents oppose $850K archery range at park. A private proposal to build an $850,000 Japanese archery range and training facility at a city park in Kaimuki is being shot down by nearby residents who say the dojo threatens public safety, worsens flooding risks, and reduces one of the area’s few remaining green spaces. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Saddle Road speed limit bill dies in state Legislature. A bill that would have lowered the speed limit from 60 mph to 55 mph on portions of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway has died in the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Moku‘ola bridge repair could take 2 years; full reconstruction estimated at $20M. Hawaii County might use a single environmental assessment to cover both the temporary fix and permanent replacement of the damaged Moku‘ola (Coconut Island) pedestrian bridge. Tribune-Herald.

Large Tree Trimming Project At Lili‘uokalani Gardens Begins April 13. The project is expected to last 45 days, with work occurring Mondays-Fridays (excluding state holidays) between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Big Island Video News.

Election notification cards arriving soon. The Hawaii County Elections Division has mailed election notification cards to voters on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen to hold community meeting Sunday for storm-impacted residents on Molokaʻi. Mayor Richard Bissen will hold a community meeting at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai for Molokaʻi residents to discuss impacts of the recent kona storms and severe weather in their area. Maui Now.

Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Department registration returns to original location as CDU construction continues. ffective Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Maui Memorial Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED) patient registration, triage, fast track, and waiting room will return to their original locations inside the ED. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Voters Mandated A Watchdog. Auditor Seat Has Sat Empty For 11 Years. Despite a charter mandate for an in-house auditor, Kaua‘i has had to hire outside firms to conduct the county’s financial and performance audits. Civil Beat.

State, county agencies to convene on Kauaʻi for Hawaiʻi Wildfire. Officials on Kauaʻi are calling on residents, emergency responders and community groups to take part in a statewide effort to strengthen wildfire preparedness at the upcoming Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026. Kauai Now.

Election law changes could bring long lines, state attorney general investigates bribery allegations, Senate halts dedicated funding for tourism authority, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Will Hawaiʻi Voters Once Again See Long Lines On Election Day? Voters may be forced to wait in line this election season after the death of legislation that would have funded more county voter service centers. Civil Beat.

State investigators conduct 18 interviews in campaign contribution probe. State investigators have conducted 18 interviews and reviewed “thousands” of pages of documents as they continue to look into $35,000 in campaign contributions an influential state legislator allegedly accepted during a dinner with another lawmaker working as an FBI informant and a controversial lobbyist. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Residency bottleneck drives exodus of doctors.The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine currently offers 23 accredited residency and fellowship programs, with additional programs in development. Star-Advertiser.

More Hawaiʻi Students Are Prepped For College. Will They Attend? Hawaiʻi has been pushing for more college and career readiness for high school students, but college enrollment is stagnant. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers look to protect victims of image-based sexual abuse. Hawaiʻi could soon give better protections to those who have intimate images of them shared without their consent. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Exile’ of Hawaii’s prison population targeted for reduction or end. This year, more than a dozen members of Hawaii’s House of Representatives set out to force the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to bring back most of the roughly 800 Hawaii inmates from a privately operated Arizona prison within five years. Star-Advertiser.

Senate halts effort to restore dedicated tourism funding. After years of legislative skepticism and repeated restructuring, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority appeared poised this session for a partial restoration of its dedicated funding — until the effort stalled in the state Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Large fallen boulders shut down Kamehameha Highway north of Waimea Bay; 1 lane reopens. Installation of steel plates to protect the waterline from rockfall is expected to take 3 to 4 months. Contra-flow traffic in effect as 1 lane remains open.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser. 

Army to conduct annual prescribed burn at Schofield Barracks. The Army will conduct its annual prescribed burn of the Schofield Barracks training range complex this week to help with wildfire mitigation efforts. The burn will take place Monday, April 13, through Saturday, April 18, as part of the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii’s natural resource management program to help manage invasive vegetation that can fuel wildfires and harm wildlife. Hawaii News Now.

Fatal Work Accident Spurs Hawaiʻi Immigrant’s Widow To Fight Back. An undocumented Chinese warehouse worker faced safety hazards at a Honolulu job site that a lawsuit says cost him his life after 87 weeks in the hospital.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Controversial housing resolution heads to full council. A Hawaii County Council committee last week recommended a favorable vote by the full council on a controversial resolution authorizing the Office of Housing and Community Development to lease homes it purchased with federal funds for “long-term permanent housing for underserved populations who face significant barriers to secure, safe and affordable housing.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Fire Department seeks public input for new strategic plan. Officials are inviting residents to complete a brief online survey and attend a series of community meetings to provide feedback on fire department operations.  Big Island Now.

$100K Tab For Failed Hawaiʻi Island Charter School May Fall To Taxpayers. Eight years after Hawaiʻi closed Kaʻu Learning Academy or financial mismanagement and faulty record keeping, taxpayers are on the hook for thousands of dollars worth of rent and property damage the school’s partners failed to pay.  Civil Beat.

Oahu halau with kumu from Keaukaha wins Merrie Monarch. Halau Hi‘iakainamakalehua, under the direction of kumu hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV, took both the overall and kane overall categories with 1,225 points.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Council hears appeals for agriculture and animal shelter relief. Local farmers told Maui County Council members Thursday that the government is falling short of providing island agriculture the help needed to sustain operations. Maui Now.

Council committee reviews budgets for Departments of Water Supply, Management. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee focused its fiscal year 2027 review Wednesday on addressing emergency resilience and the future of the island’s water infrastructure. Maui Now.

Molokai residents face challenges in flood recovery. Molokai was especially hit hard by the second of two Kona-low storms to sweep across Hawaii in two weeks last month. Star-Advertiser.

Ahupua‘a restoration in Molokai offers potential flooding remedy. The pair of Kona-low storms that hit the Hawaiian Islands in March showed no forgiveness when it descended upon Molokai. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

About 140,000 gallons of wastewater spills near Kauai harbor. Kauai county officials warned the public  to stay out of Kikiaola Harbor after about 140,000 gallons of wastewater spilled on Friday from the Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant. Star-Advertiser.

Income tax cuts still in the mix as House and Senate grapple with budget, gas prices soar to record highs, Oahu schools, government shut down for storm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New draft of state budget bill slims spending. Both the House and Senate rejected the governor’s plan to cancel some tax relief, despite earlier uncertainty about the state’s financial situation. The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday amended the state budget bill to include $10.4 billion in total state funding appropriations.  The latest draft of House Bill 1800 represents a reduction of about $258 million from a $10.7 billion plan advanced by the House Finance Committee on March 11 that was itself roughly $100 million less than what Green proposed in December. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Becomes A Tax Bill Graveyard. The state House proposed an assortment of potential tax increases for the Senate to consider, but senators buried almost all of them without a hearing. Civil Beat.

A Last-Minute Miracle For A Bill To Help Hawaiʻi Convert Cesspools. The bill would create a new low-interest loan program to help eliminate some of the 80,000 cesspools leaking millions of gallons of sewage into Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters daily. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi gas prices soar to record highs. Drivers across the islands are now paying record prices for gas after the statewide average for regular fuel climbed to $5.63 per gallon on Thursday, April 9, according to AAA Hawaiʻi. KHON2.

HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health file with Justice Department for clearance to integrate. HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health have filed with the Department of Justice to integrate and create a new parent organization called One Health Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

El Nino summer could bring sticky weather, tropical storms. As Hawaii experiences its third major storm in less than a month, the state is also facing the likelihood of a wetter and more humid than normal summer and fall, according to the National Weather Service, which Thursday forecast a 61% chance of an El Nino, which generates warmer ocean waters that can trigger more tropical storms. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu schools, state, city offices close as heavy rain moves in. All state offices and public schools on Oahu, as well as nonessential City and County of Honolulu offices and services, are closed today in anticipation of heavy rain across the island. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council considering leasing 6 residential properties to nonprofits. In November, the Office of Housing and Community Development issued a request for proposals for the leasehold operation and rental of each of the six residential properties as long-term housing for underserved populations. The nonprofits will each only pay $10 annually for the houses to the county.  Big Island Now.

Kīlauea Eruption Episode 44 Ends After 9 Hours. Episode 44 in the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ended abruptly at 7:41 p.m. HST Thursday evening, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining.  Big Island Video News.

Ivy Leaguer from Maui is Miss Aloha Hula 2026. Faith Kealohapau‘ole Paredes of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala ‘Iliahi scored 1161 points Thursday night — the first evening of the 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula competition at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Maui

‘Don’t Make It Worse’: Kīhei Cleans Up, Braces For More Rain. Residents and business owners are still dealing with March flood damage as Maui readies for the next storm. Civil Beat.

Maui severe weather update: More shelters open, water conservation in effect. Maui Emergency Management Agency, other County of Maui departments and the American Red Cross started proactively opening shelters on April 8, ahead of severe weather.  Maui Now.

Kona lows highlight need for emergency service upgrades on Molokai. Pukoo Fire Station, the only one servicing Molokai’s east end, is actually a two-bedroom house that is more than 100 years old. The aging facility is also in a flood zone, and like many nearby homes, the structure also gets flooded during storms. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County Council approves Santos for environmental seat on Planning Commission. The Kauaʻi County Council unanimously approved Hanapēpē native Kuuleialoha Santos to fill a vacant environmental seat on the Planning Commission. Kauai Now.

DOW water rate community meeting rescheduled. The new meeting date will be April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. Garden Island.

Kauai residents warned to stay off roads as storm moves in. Kauai was the first island hit by an incoming storm system Thursday evening. Hawaii News Now.

Trump signs Hawaii disaster declaration, Honolulu firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay, Maui doctor found guilty of attempted manslaughter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump signs disaster declaration for Hawaii. President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Hawaii in the aftermath of the two Kona-low storms that pummeled the islands over a 14-day period last month, Gov. Josh Green announced Wednesday night. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. Big Island Video News.

Cut State Jobs, Keep Tax Cuts? Hawaiʻi Senate Makes Budget Pitch. Faced with federal budget cuts, lawmakers hope to balance the budget in part by wiping out positions that have been vacant for more than five years. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider banning disposable e-cigarettes. Disposable e-cigarettes could be banned in Hawaiʻi starting in 2027. State lawmakers are advancing a measure that would make it illegal to sell electronic smoking devices that don’t have refillable cartridges or a rechargeable battery. Hawaii Public Radio.

State legislators continue to question HPH-HMSA deal. The  House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce had many lingering concerns over the impacts of Hawaii Medical Service Association joining forces with Hawaii Pacific Health. Star-Advertiser.

Conservative Activists Take Aim At Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship. A new lawsuit filed by a legal advocacy nonprofit says a 35-year-old federal scholarship program that brought Native Hawaiian doctors to the islands is unconstitutional. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Director Wants To Return To Honolulu Police Department. Mike Lambert said he had hoped to stay longer with DLE but plans to step down this summer because of a retirement system issue. Civil Beat.

‘Strongest in the nation’: DBEDT on Hawaii unemployment rate. January’s unemployment rate of 2.2 percent compares to the national rate of 4.3 percent, which was down from 4.4 percent in December. KHON2.

Oahu

Firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay. Honolulu firefighters are set to receive $11.7 million in temporary hazard pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials say. The agreement provides up to $7,500 in compensation for each city firefighter who worked during the national public health emergency that began in March 2020 and ended in March 2022. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 fraud case is possibly resolved. A 31-year-old Kapolei woman facing federal criminal charges after allegedly stealing another person’s identity in a scheme to steal more than $36,000 in unemployment insurance and COVID-19 assistance may have reached a resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

About 4,000 more Oʻahu properties could be required to have flood insurance. Decades-old maps that the federal government uses to determine which properties are high flood risks will be updated on June 10, expanding to include more homes near coasts and streams. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

General Plan changes blasted; Kierkiewicz’s revision draws sharp criticism. The Hawaii County Council chambers rang out with criticisms Tuesday as a committee meeting meant to consider a long-term planning document devolved into accusations, lawsuits and conspiracy theories. Tribune-Herald.

Kona attorney confirmed as District Court judge. The Hawaii State Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Andrew Michael Kennedy to serve as a Hawaii Island District Court judge, following his appointment by Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui doctor who attacked wife on Nuuanu trail found guilty of attempted manslaughter. An Oahu Circuit Court jury rendered a guilty verdict on the lesser charge of attempted manslaughter Wednesday in the trial of 47-year-old Maui anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig accused of trying to kill his wife March 24, 2025, while hiking on the Pali Puka Trail in Nuuanu. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui. The beetle has become emblematic of the state’s decades-long struggle to contain and mitigate the impacts of invasive species throughout the islands.  Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi blesses first dedicated medical helicopter that started operations Wednesday. The new air medical service through Hawai’i Life Flight also will support inter-facility transfers to Līhuʻe’s trauma center, cardiac catheterization laboratories and specialty care facilities on Oʻahu. Kauai Now.

Convicted lawmaker's emails purged by House, flooding expected from latest storm, university funding bill scaled back, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Heavy rain and flash flooding possible through Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Hawaiian Islands from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. A deep layered trough will develop west of the islands, drawing moisture northward as it strengthens today. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.  KHON2.

Convicted Hawaiʻi Lawmaker’s Emails Were Deleted When He Left Office. Civil Beat requested emails ex-Rep. Ty Cullen and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke exchanged with a lobbyist. Requests were denied because the accounts were deleted. Soon after Hawaiʻi. Rep. Ty Cullen left office, resigning in disgrace due to a bribery scandal, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives wiped his email account clean, deleting years of messages. Civil Beat.

Restrictions in UH funding bill loosened after pushback.  SB 2602, a proposal to limit how the University of Hawaii can manage its student tuition and student fees was significantly scaled back Tuesday following concerns from UH officials and lawmakers, including House Higher Education Chair Andrew Takuya Garrett. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Child Welfare Nonprofits Say It’s Too Easy To Sue Them. A bill pending in the Hawaiʻi Legislature would limit the liability of nonprofits that contract with the state. Opponents say it would also cheat children. Civil Beat.

'Every kid is different': State eyes universal dyslexia-sensitive screenings across Hawaiʻi public schools. Hawaiʻi is the only state that does not have laws that address dyslexia, a condition that impacts roughly 20% of people. Some literacy advocates believe this lack of legislation has led the state’s Department of Education to not properly support keiki with dyslexia in school. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii residents warned of contractor scams ahead of approaching storm. The Better Business Bureau is warning Hawaii residents to be cautious of contractors going door to door or sending unsolicited messages as homeowners rush to prepare for another approaching storm system. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor postpones town halls indefinitely for storm. Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Monday, April 6, that all City and County of Honolulu town hall meetings scheduled for 2026 are postponed indefinitely. KHON2.

City clearing park of debris ahead of storm. Over 2,300 tons of storm debris piled in a massive mound at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park had been reduced Tuesday to 250 tons — just ahead of the third major storm forecast for Hawaii in less than a month, which could leave even more rubbish in its wake. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Honolulu activating emergency shelters Wednesday due to storm. The shelters will be available for residents and visitors who need a safe place during the storm, officials said. As of now, the city is activating shelters at the Waianae, Manoa Valley, Kaneohe and Wahiawa district parks.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Toxic Mud? North Shore Flooding Likely Diluted Pesticide Risk. Residents are worried the mess they are wading through is contaminated by chemicals sprayed on farms upstream. Test results are pending. Civil Beat.

Chinatown business owners worry about crime as bill moves through Legislature.  A new bill that would cut people charged with misdemeanors loose before their trial is one step closer to reality. But people in the business community fear this will only make crime in their area worse. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Heavy rain and thundershowers are in the forecast for Hawaii Island over the next three or four days. Patrick Blood, an NWS Honolulu forecaster, said a deep, low pressure trough west of the state — a cold front and not a Kona low — will deliver the same kind of impacts that resulted from the two recent Kona low storms. Tribune-Herald.

Surge in passengers anticipated at Hawaiʻi airports because of 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival. Hawaiʻi airports are expected to be busier than usual this week with a surge in interisland travel because of the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. Thousands of participants and enthusiasts are expected to visit the Big Island. Big Island Now.

Merrie Monarch Festival Traffic Pattern Change Begins Wednesday. A temporary one-way traffic pattern will go into effect on Kalanikoa Street in Hilo this week, in conjunction with the 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Flooding reported Tuesday night in East Maui. According to the Maui Emergency Management Agency, rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour with the heaviest rainfall along the slopes of East Maui. Maui News.

Mayor Bissen unveils FY2027 County Affordable Housing Plan. The County of Maui has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Affordable Housing Plan, outlining a $79,491,899 budget to support the development, acquisition and rehabilitation of nearly 800 affordable housing units across Maui County. Maui Now.

Nā Hale O Maui breaks ground on seven affordable homes in Kahului. The Fairways at Maui Lani project, located at 120 Puʻumakani St., marks a milestone for the nonprofit as it shifts toward new construction to combat island real estate market prices, which now top $1 million for single-family homes. Maui Now.

Kauai

Emergency road closure in Wailua for bridge cleaning, debris removal ahead of storm. An emergency road closure in Wailua is ongoing along a portion of ‘Ōpaeka‘a Road in the vicinity of Pulana Street for bridge cleaning and debris removal ahead of potential inclement weather this week. Kauai Now.

Legislature mulls UH funding restrictions, lighter punishment for drug offenses, public school leadership, hurricane relief fund; Honolulu Salary Commission proposes raises, vacation rentals again on Hawaii County agenda, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Funding restrictions would be ‘catastrophic’ for UH. Each of the University of Hawaii’s 10 campuses would have to rely on funding they generate from their individual tuition and student fees — and any excess revenue would have to be turned over to the state general fund under a bill that UH President Wendy Hensel said would be “catastrophic” for the system and especially for smaller campuses. But the Tax Foundation of Hawaii argued that UH has “hoarded” nearly $429 million in student tuition and fees as of June. Star-Advertiser.

Early Education Bill Gutted, Replaced With School Leadership Restrictions. Language from one of the Senate education chair’s failed bills suddenly reappeared in an unrelated piece of legislation. Critics say that could be unconstitutional.  Civil Beat.

Bill could ensure insurance coverage for children's vaccines. At the end of last year, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began slashing the number of vaccines recommended for children. Because of this, the state Legislature is considering a measure that would preserve insurance coverage for preventative service recommendations before the changes were made. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Weighs Shorter Probation, Lighter Punishment For Drugs. A committee of stakeholders from across the criminal justice system is working to bring the state more in line with national trends on drug possession and probation. Civil Beat.

Use of Hurricane Relief Fund grows significantly. State lawmakers on Monday received an update on Hawaii’s efforts to stabilize its strained property insurance market. The briefing also covered implementation of Act 296, which aims to stabilize the property insurance market and ensure coverage remains available when private insurers pull back. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Air ‘seeing the light at the end of the tunnel’ as new app launches, full integration with Alaska set for April 22. Many travelers said the merger between Hawaiian and Alaska Air has been plagued with problems – multiple confirmation numbers, login problems, and not being able to change seats or flights. KHON2.

Oahu

Salary Commission advances 4.7% pay boost for city officials, Council. During its meeting Monday, the Salary Commission, which establishes compensation schedules for municipal positions, proposed raising the mayor’s annual salary to $236,705, up from its current $226,080 a year. Other top city posts would see similar pay bumps. Star-Advertiser.

JERA wants to bypass the competitive bidding process. What is that exactly? The Japanese energy company JERA wants to build a natural gas plant on Oʻahu that could supply more than a third of the island's electricity demand. Hawaii Public Radio.

In June, flood zones will change, shifting hundreds of Oahu homes out of those higher risk zones. But 10 times the number of homeowners will then find themselves in a flood zone. KITV4. Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu’s housing market saw surge and slump in March. The number of single- family home purchases completed in March jumped 26.2%, to 260 from 206 in the same month last year, according to a Honolulu Board of Realtors report released Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Disaster Debris: Coming Soon To A Park Near You? Some park users are getting in the faces of city crews and leaving ugly voicemails, demanding the debris be taken elsewhere. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Vacation Rental Owners Could Face New Hawaiʻi County Rules. Stronger enforcement and better registration requirements are on the horizon on the Big Island. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi County launches an accessible, online coastal zone management atlas. Developed by the Planning Department and Tetra Tech Inc., the County of Hawaiʻi has launched the Coastal Zone Management Atlas to better inform the public on management plans that preserve, protect, develop, and restore the resources of the nation’s coastal zones. Big Island Now.

Health officials investigate high rates of strep infections in West Hawaii. The Hawaii Department of Health is working with the Hawaii District Health Office and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to follow up on physician findings of above-average cases of invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) — caused by a bacteria commonly found on the skin or in the nose that doesn’t normally lead to infection. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Maui

From Democrat to GOP: Lahaina Rep. Elle Cochran explains why she made the switch. As her disillusionment with the Democratic party grew, her Republican colleagues were quick to welcome her into the fold, Cochran recalled. Five candidates have already pulled papers to run against her. The filing deadline is June 2. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Council cheers gold medal wrestlers, then wrestles with an affordable housing project refund. The Maui County Council celebrated local high school wrestling champions Thursday before grappling with a contentious request for an affordable housing project refund. Maui Now.

Kauai

Police identify 3rd fatality in Kauai helicopter crash. Kauai police have identified the third person killed in the helicopter crash off Kalalau Beach on the Na Pali Coast on March 26. Police identified the third fatality as Oksana Pihol, 40, a Ukrainian national. 65-year-old Margaret Rimmler and 59-year-old Patrick Haskell, both from Massachusetts, were also killed in the crash. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

Community Wildfire Protection Plan workshops rescheduled. Community Wildfire Protection Plan workshops were rescheduled after being postponed because of inclement weather. Kauai Now.

Powerful PAC backs Kawakami v Luke, Schofield one of two Army divisions testing AI, hotel sought for Hilo airport, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Rich, controversial PAC backing Kawakami in lieutenant governor race. A political action committee formed by the carpenters union and Pacific Resource Partnership has begun spending money to support Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami in the lieutenant governor race, drawing criticism from incumbent Sylvia Luke. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s 2026 election includes a few high-profile challenges. Hawaii’s most interesting 2026 election races so far include Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami’s Democratic primary challenge of incumbent Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and opponents for the state’s two members in the U.S. House of Representatives. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers Monday to discuss Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund. Representatives from Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division, Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association and Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund will cover the status of Act 296, aimed at stabilizing the state’s property insurance market and ensuring coverage remains available when private insurers are unable to meet demand. Big Island Now.

Construction bill advances amid support, labor concerns. Senate Bill 2024 would authorize the Hawaii School Facilities Authority to partner with private developers to design, finance and build public school facilities — including on privately owned land — and launch a pilot program to develop three new schools across the state. Star-Advertiser.

This May Be The Year For Reforming Hawaiʻi’s Child Welfare System. Bills to support families at risk for intervention by Child Welfare Services and fund domestic violence training for caseworkers are still alive at the Legislature. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Banned Plastic Foam Food Containers. Are Bodyboards Next? Polystyrene, sometimes branded as Styrofoam, has long been a target for environmental advocacy groups. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider calling ‘action’ on enhanced film industry incentives. Three bills aimed at increasing taxpayer support for the film industry via rebates on spending recently advanced past the midpoint of the 2026 legislative session and are pending further discussion and possible passage. Star-Advertiser.

Federal cuts put growing strain on Hawaii nonprofits. As April marks Volunteer Month in Hawaii and across the country, nonprofit leaders say community serv­ice is no longer just encouraged — it is becoming essential. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council mulls measure to enhance TOD communities. Private developers aiming to secure city-offered incentives like monetary grants or increased height and density allowances to build transit-oriented development projects near Skyline stations will first be required to provide greater benefits to surrounding communities, new city-initiated legislation dictates. Star-Advertiser.

Schofield soldiers lead the charge in Army’s AI testing. The U.S. Army has put the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks at the forefront of testing how it can use AI models and tools on the battlefield. The 25th is one of two divisions — the other being the 4th Infantry Division in Colorado — that is experimenting with these systems as part of the Army’s “Next Generation Command and Control Modernization” program. Star-Advertiser.

Waikīkī is a testing ground for mitigation against sea level rise. Hawaiʻi's dependence on coastal areas makes it vulnerable to sea-level rise. And thatʻs especially the case on the South Shore of Oʻahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

North Shore businesses suffer in aftermath of Kona-low storms. Spring break is typically busy at Sharlyn Foo’s budget accommodations in Haleiwa. But last month, instead of welcoming surfers and families, Foo spent her days canceling reservations, refunding payments and responding to repeated calls from travelers asking whether Oahu’s North Shore was even open. Star-Advertiser.

Farmers next to Otake Camp are months away from being able to grow again. Much of the land next to the camp is still covered in at least half-a-foot of mud, now dry and cracked — and unusable for farming. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hotel sought for Hilo airport; some developers already have expressed interest. The Hawaii Department of Transportation has issued a notice of request for information (RFI) that seeks input from potential developers to gauge their interest and ability to build a hotel on state land adjacent to Hilo International Airport. Tribune-Herald.

Vote on Pahoa town rezoning bills postponed; goal of measures is to help revitalize the area. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to postpone passing a slate of legislation intending to rezone parts of downtown Pahoa. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers review county general plan. The county's Planning Department has been working on the latest version for more than 10 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pahoa Agricultural Park eyed for piggeries. Farmers at the Pahoa Agricultural Park would be allowed to raise pigs for food under a state House bill making its way through the Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui oceanfront condo damaged by 2025 flood did not survive 2026 storm. Owners association blames county inaction. Kīhei Kai flooded four times in the past five years after Maui County reconstructed a nearby bridge over Waiakoa Gulch on South Kīhei Road.  Maui Now.

Molokaʻi storm recovery needs start to shift — but there's still lots of mud. For nearly two weeks, volunteers at a temporary Manaʻe community hub on Molokaʻi's east end have been delivering supplies and checking on neighbors after massive flooding. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Mayor’s $504 Million Budget Prioritizes Housing, Infrastructure. The proposed spending plan continues Mayor Derek Kawakami’s long-term focus on road resurfacing, bridge repairs and parks improvements. Civil Beat.