Governor seeks federal disaster declaration; FEMA arrives on Maui; Honolulu traffic cams may ticket for lapsed registration, safety checks; lava zone insurance measure gutted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green requests federal disaster declaration for storm assistance. Gov. Josh Green has asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster to help Hawaii recover from the back-to-back Kona-low storm systems, with the hope that the federal government will provide up to 90% of funding for recovery efforts. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Will the Feds Help Hawaiʻi After the Floods? It’s Up to Trump. The president has denied and delayed requests for disaster aid from Democratic-led states. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green hopes that won’t be the case. Civil Beat.

The ferocity of the downpour that brought the latest Hawaii flooding surprised even meteorologists. Crews on Tuesday began evaluating damage from a surprise downpour that sent floodwaters raging through a neighborhood near downtown Honolulu — the latest bout in a series of storms and flooding that have pummeled the state over the past two weeks. Associated Press.

Hawaii farms report more than $15M in storm damage.  The Kona-low storms wreaked havoc on more than 1,000 acres of Hawaii farms statewide — from small farms growing fruits on Oahu’s North Shore to a longtime coffee farm on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Competing Energy Proposals Debate Which Will Limit Costs For Consumers. HECO says the cost to upgrade the old Waiau power plant exceeds what state utility regulators have allowed. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Traffic Cams May Soon Ticket For Registration, Safety Checks. One critic worries data from the cameras could be misused, but the state House gave preliminary approval to expanding the uses of the cameras. Civil Beat.

North Shore flood frustrations boil over as residents demand answers. Dozens packed the Waialua Elementary cafeteria Tuesday night, where a Neighborhood Board meeting quickly turned tense as frustrations over recent flooding boiled over. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

A plantation-era history of Wahiawā Dam as the state eyes acquisition. This week, the Hawaiʻi State Water Commission is taking up the issue of whether the state should acquire the Wahiawā Dam in Central Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu buses became evacuation vehicles for North Shore residents. When thousands of North Shore Oʻahu residents were told to evacuate Friday, some city bus drivers made the trip back toward the evacuation zones to help residents get to safety. Hawaii Public Radio.

SOS in sand saves couple stranded at Yokohama Bay for 24 hours. A stranded couple at Yokohama Bay was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after writing a large SOS in the sand during Kona low flooding on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Storm evacuees prioritized pets as floodwaters raged. Floodwaters from the second devastating storm that forced Oahu residents to flee early Friday morning revealed the frantic efforts of some evacuees to keep families safe, including their pets. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Trying To Bilk Miske Granddaughter Out Of Inheritance, Lawyer Says. Federal prosecutors say Miske killed himself in prison to prevent the government from seizing his $20 million estate. The trust’s lawyer is pushing back on that. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lava zones insurance measure is gutted by state Senate committee. The state Senate’s Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted unanimously Tuesday to heavily amend a bill originally meant to help pay for property insurance for Puna and Ka‘u residents living in high-risk lava zones. Tribune-Herald.

Four Mile Creek Bridge replacement project clears another hurdle. The long-awaited replacement of an old, well-traveled one-lane bridge that provides an access corridor between Highway 11 and Hilo’s southern outskirts is a step closer to reality. Tribune-Herald.

Kawamoto pool closed after lightning damages pump. Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium in Hilo is closed until further notice after the pool pump was damaged Monday during a lightning storm. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. 

A residential green waste removal effort is launching in the Kona Palisades area to reduce wildfire risk and limit the breeding habitat for the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Residents along Kaʻiminani Drive, from Māmalahoa Highway to Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, are invited to move green waste from their properties to the curb for collection. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA arrives on Maui as damage from storms climbs into hundreds of millions. Maui County officials are preparing for federal assistance as teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrive today to begin formal damage assessments following back-to-back Kona-low storms that battered the island chain. Star-Advertiser.

HIDOE schools reopening on Maui and Molokaʻi; closures continue on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education reports that school will reopen on Wednesday on Maui and Molokaʻi.  Maui Now.

Impassable roads, flooded homes as Molokaʻi tackles post-storm recovery. Residents on Molokaʻi have been trying to salvage their belongings from flooded homes, and some of them had to evacuate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor to hold community meetings in storm-impacted areas of Upcountry, ʻĪao Valley, South Maui, Lahaina and Molokaʻi. County staff from the departments of Public Works, Environmental Management, Water Supply, Emergency Management and ʻŌiwi Resources will attend to provide response updates and help with any questions. Maui Now.

Draft EIS published for Hoʻonani Village development in Puʻunēnē. The Maui Planning Commission called for an environmental impact review for the proposed 1,608-unit Hoʻonani Village development in Puʻunēnē, and developers have delivered a draft study with public comments due May 7. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Community College to host career fair for first time in 10 years. The career fair will be on campus from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. The event is designed to provide students, recent graduates, and alumni with a dedicated “safe space” to transition from the classroom to the professional world. Kauai Now.

A special gathering to recognize Kauai’s Jewish community. A special gathering on Monday filled the rotunda of the Moikeha Building with song and merriment as Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami joined the Kauai Jewish Community, friends, and interfaith groups in recognizing Kauai’s Jewish community. Garden Island.

Green asks federal government to pick up 90% of $1B storm damage cost, only $500k emergency state relief available for farmers' $11M in damages, PUC approves Waiau power plant, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green seeks major federal aid as storm strikes again. The state is asking the federal government to assume 90% of the expected $1 billion-plus in Kona-low storm recovery costs, Gov. Josh Green said Monday after yet another punishing round of torrential rain overwhelmed communities. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Here’s what to know as the scope of damage from Hawaii’s floods becomes clearer. The worst flooding to hit Hawaii in two decades has swept homes off their foundations, floated cars out of driveways and left floors, walls and counters covered in thick, reddish volcanic mud.  Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Should Oil And Gas Companies Pay To Clean Up Hawaiʻi’s Flood Damage? Disasters linked to climate change are hitting the islands more often, heating up debate over who’s responsible and should ultimately cover the costs. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Farmers Confront $11M In Flood Damage Without A Safety Net. Crop insurance is hard to attain in Hawaiʻi, and federal programs are tailored to mainland agriculture. Civil Beat.

State launches emergency relief grants for farmers, ranchers impacted by Kona lows. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity said the Emergency Farmer Relief Program will provide one-time grants of $1,500 to eligible farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses impacted by Kona Low 1 and Kona Low 2. A total of $500,000 has been authorized for the program. Hawaii News Now.

Homeowners, renters face limited flood-insurance options. Homeowners and renters who did not purchase specific flood insurance before back-to-back Kona-low storms battered the islands likely will have to absorb any financial losses to their homes and property, according to the head of Hawaii’s insurance division. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOE updates school closure list, adding 2 on Oahu. The Hawaii Department of Education announced several new school closures due to the heavy rains that have pounded the state since last week. Several already-announced closures were also extended. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Military officials, community members discuss the future as military land leases near expiration. The first Hawaiʻi-Military Lands Discussion brought together community advocates and activists, military officials and representatives, business leaders, and policymakers to share information and perspectives on military land use in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Now.

Farmers wrestle with proposed statewide rules on agricultural tourism. House Bill 2585 had proposed to create standardized rules for tourism-related activities on agricultural land, like farm tours. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Waiau power plant Biofuel project approved. The state Public Utilities Commission has snubbed a request by the state’s chief energy officer to defer a decision on a proposed biofuel power plant on Oahu, approving the project Monday. Star-Advertiser.

UHERO study: Building condo tower leads to hundreds of existing homes becoming available. A single new condominium tower in Honolulu may have opened up hundreds of additional housing opportunities across Oʻahu, according to new research from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization. Big Island Now.

Scope of damage from Kona storm flooding becomes clearer. Crews continued to assess the destruction Monday, but authorities said hundreds of homes had been damaged, along with some schools and a hospital. No deaths have been reported, but more than 230 people had to be rescued.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Officials acknowledge mixed messages on Wahiawa Dam risk. Whether Wahiawa Dam was safe or about to fail was top of mind throughout these storms. It became a flashpoint for what officials now acknowledge were “mixed messages” about the risk. KHON2.

Wastewater spills triggered around Oahu, city says. Two Kona-low storms which brought heavy rains that flooded whole communities on Oahu over the past two weeks also triggered numerous wastewater spills across the island, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Stay out of ocean after storm, officials warn. From Waikiki to Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore, the storms have transformed near-shore ocean waters from turquoise blue to brown. The Hawaii Department of Health has a message for the public — when the water is brown, stay out. Star-Advertiser.

On Top Of Everything Else Facing Storm-Ravaged Oʻahu … Potholes. After two intense Kona lows, calls to a city hotline to report potholes tripled. As drivers dodge divots, the city is just beginning to assess the damage. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lightning Grounds Kona Flights, Flood Watch Continues For Hawaiʻi Island. In a sign that the severe weather threat for Hawaiʻi island has not yet ended, the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) underwent a ground stop Monday morning due to lightning. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Mayor to hold community meetings in storm-impacted areas of Upcountry, ʻĪao Valley and South Maui. Mayor Richard Bissen will hold community meetings for residents Upcountry, and in ʻĪao Valley and South Maui to discuss impacts of the recent kona storms in those areas. Maui Now.

Changes upslope could help curb South Maui’s mud flooding issue, experts say. Maui County Council Member Tom Cook, who holds the Kīhei residency seat, also believes the solution to Kīhei’s flooding and drainage issues has to take place higher up the mountain, or the same thing will keep happening every winter, pointing to the example of the Kūlanihāko‘i gulch that was cleared of thousands of cubic yards of sediment last spring only to be clogged once more after the most recent Kona low.  Maui Now.

Kauai

UPDATE: Wastewater spill at the Līhu‘e Wastewater Treatment Plant has ceased. Approximately 280,000 gallons were released during peak flows from 10 a.m. on March 17, 2026, through March 22. The discharge was contained within the facility and did not reach any public areas or state waters, and does not pose a risk to public health, according to the Wastewater Management Division. Kauai Now.

Hawaii airports to remain open amid partial government shutdown, 13 public schools close for storm repairs, backroom dealing alleged in Oahu power plant case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii airports remain open amid partial government shutdown. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is reassuring the public that all Hawaii airports are being staffed and remain operational amid the partial government shutdown. HDOT says they are aware of national news stories reporting that small airports nationwide may close or pause operations due to the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and funding of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii braces for higher travel costs. Surging global fuel prices — driven by escalating conflict involving Iran and continuing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz — are emerging as a new threat to Hawaii’s airline-dependent travel industry, raising the risk of higher airfares, reduced service, and renewed pressure on the state’s fragile tourism recovery. Star-Advertiser.

13 Oahu, Big Island and Molokai schools to close due to storm-related damage. Thirteen public schools on Oahu, Hawaii island and Molokai will be closed Monday or for the week for storm-related damage assessments, cleanup and repairs, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.  KITV4. 

State launches guides to help understand flood insurance. On Sunday, the Hawaii Insurance Division said it created a Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide along with an instructional video on how to file a claim. Hawaii News Now.

Upgrade delayed for Hawaiian history archives. As Hawaii lawmakers weigh years of deferred maintenance across the Capitol district, the State Archives faces an unclear path forward after Senate Bill 2916 — meant to fund planning toward a new facility — appears dead this legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Bill would grant overdue diplomas to certain veterans. State lawmakers on Thursday advanced Senate Bill 2614, which would allow the state Department of Education to award diplomas to certain veterans who served in the three wars. The bill offers no estimate of how many left high school to fight. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

‘Backroom deal’ meddling alleged in power plant case. Mark Glick, head of the Hawaii State Energy Office, is being accused of meddling in a quasi-judicial proceeding on an Oahu renewable- energy project in favor of an alternative power project proposal announced Tuesday by the governor. Star-Advertiser.

Is Hawaiʻi's corporate power shifting off island? In the past few months, two locally founded companies underwent changes that have altered their relationship to Hawaiʻi by shifting C-suite decision-making toward the continent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Neighborhood Parking Limits Off To Choppy Start In Kalihi Valley. Residents in this Honolulu neighborhood clamored for parking restrictions. Now they’ve got mixed feelings about it. Civil Beat.

City to conduct emergency storm debris pickup in North Shore. The city’s Department of Environmental Services said crews will be deployed to the North Shore starting Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Mud, Mud And More Mud: Residents Of Oʻahu’s North Shore Start To Dig Out. Residents of Haleʻiwa and Waialua were allowed over the weekend to return to their neighborhoods, flooded in the second of two powerful Kona lows. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Flood-ravaged Otake Camp leans on volunteers as residents face housing struggles. As excavators lifted waterlogged furniture from gutted homes and volunteers shoveled thick mud under a blazing sun, residents of Otake Camp were left to pick up the pieces after devastating flooding from the second Kona-low storm — many without clear answers from property owners or government agencies. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

More pushback on county housing plan. A resolution to allow leases of six county-owned residential properties to nonprofits to provide “long-term permanent housing for underserved populations who face significant barriers to secure, safe and affordable housing” was shelved for a second time last week by the County Council Finance Committee. Tribune-Herald.

Council votes to expand ‘no parking’ area near Kahalu‘u Beach Park. The Hawaii County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to expand “no parking any time” zones along Ali‘i Drive fronting Kahalu‘u Beach Park in an effort to protect beach-goers from passing cars. Tribune-Herald.

County hosts animal control summit. About 100 people representing Hawaii County departments and community organizations participated in the first Animal Control and Protection Summit held Feb. 27 at the Kahilu Town Hall in Waimea. Their input will be used t o develop a strategic plan for the new Animal Control and Protection Agency.  Tribune-Herald.

$107M Lava buyout program winds down, helping many impacted by 2018 eruption in Puna move on. The final batch of Puna residents who opted to sell their properties affected by the 2018 Kilauea eruption to Hawaii County should be getting paid out by this summer. Tribune-Herald.

Kona low devastates 176-year-old coffee farm on Big Island. Greenwell Farms on Hawai‘i Island has been producing coffee for 176 years. But current owner Tom Greenwell said the Kona low storm that brought heavy rains, flooding, high winds and debris on March 14 was the most destructive to ever hit the family farm. Big Island Now.

Maui

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

200,000 gallons of treated wastewater overflows at Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility during kona storm 2. Approximately 200,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater (backwash) overflowed at the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility, 3300 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina, during kona storm 2 on March 21, 2026, according to the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management. Maui Now.

Most MEMA evacuation warnings and advisories for Maui County zones lifted Sunday night. Maui Emergency Management Agency LIFTED evacuation warnings and advisories for most zones throughout Maui County as of 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026, due to improving kona storm conditions and dissipating threats. Maui Now.

Kauai

Editor’s note: Due to the number of candidates for council and our limited staffing, The Garden Island requests council candidates to submit a press release and we will run them on a first come basis. Garden Island.

Council candidate Paul Applegate wants a ‘Safe Kauai’.  Paul Applegate, a candidate for the Kauai County Council, will be hosting a series of “Talk Story” events at various locations across the island. Dates, times, and venues for each event will be shared through his campaign website and social media channels.  Garden Island.

Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Chapter 3 hosts annual protocol. The commemorative service hosted by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Chapter 3, and Na Wahine Hui O Kamehameha celebrated the 150th birthday of Prince Kuhio on Saturday — five days prior to the actual March 26 birth date that is a recognized Hawaii state holiday. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County addressing ongoing wastewater spill contained to the Līhu‘e Wastewater Treatment Plant. The discharge remains confined within the facility and has not reached any public areas or state waters, and does not pose a risk to public health, according to a news release from Kaua‘i County Sunday afternoon. Kauai Now.

'Legislator X' lampooned, Recktenwald honored in annual Torch of Light, Lava Tube awards

 

There are a whole lot of anti-media movements running riot on the national scene, but one group – the Big Island Press Club – continues focusing on matters closer to home. As it's done for the past 28 years, the 59-year-old nonprofit press club this week released the 2025 Torch of Light and Lava Tube awards. 

 

Here’s the press release:

    The Big Island Press Club is awarding its annual meritorious Torch of Light Award to Mark Recktenwald, who served as Hawaii’s chief justice from 2010 to 2025. 
    In addition, BIPC is awarding its Lava Tube dishonor to “Legislator X,” the elected official caught on tape accepting a paper bag containing $35,000, according to federal court records. 
    The Torch of Light award is given to an individual or entity for illuminating the public’s right to know, while the Lava Tube dishonor is given for a lack of communication and keeping the public in the dark. 
    As it has for past 28 years, the 59-year-old press club announces the awards yearly on March 16, Freedom of Information Day. The date marks the birthday of James Madison, widely regarded as the father of the U.S. Constitution and the leading advocate for openness in government among our founders.

 Torch of Light Honor

 
    Recktenwald leaves an enduring legacy of public service that transformed the Judiciary, bringing the court to the people. 
    Under his watch, Hawaii state courts rolled out electronic filing and implemented remote proceedings statewide. More cameras came into the courtroom and access to court documents was simplified. 
    Recktenwald, a former UPI reporter stationed in Honolulu, understands the importance of a free press and its role in democracy. He addressed BIPC scholarship winners in a Zoom session during the pandemic, stressing the importance of their work in maintaining a free society. 

 

Since his mandatory retirement at age 70, Rectenwald has joined the Alliance of Former Chief Justices, a nonpartisan initiative launched in December 2025 by Keep Our Republic to defend judicial independence, the rule of law and the constitutional balance. The group engages in public education, working with legal, media, and community organizations to support a fair, impartial judiciary. 
    The iconic torch award will be presented to Recktenwald at BIPC’s annual meeting later this year. 

Lava Tube Dubious Honor
The identity of “Legislator X” is still unknown to the public. This person was allegedly recorded by a wired FBI informant accepting $35,000 in a paper bag from an also unnamed person. Nor, four years later, have the two investigative agencies — federal and state — been forthcoming about the details of this investigation. 
The statute of limitations on a bribery case expires in 2027. 
    What we do know, from media reports and the rare unredacted federal court records that have been unsealed is this: Ty Cullen, former legislator and vice chairman of the powerful House Finance Committee, pleaded guilty and agreed to be a government informant in a bribery case that sent him and another sitting legislator, former Sen. J. Kalani English, to federal prison. 
Both have already served their sentences and been released. 
    Cullen’s recorded actions kept investigators investigating. And they still are. In the midst of it, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke disclosed that she had taken campaign checks — but not in a paper bag — from an associate of Cullen’s during a dinner with Cullen and the contributor. Luke, who was House Finance Committee chairwoman at the time and running for higher office, recently disclosed the checks that weren’t on her 2022 campaign finance report until the lapse was pointed out by Civil Beat, with its coverage providing most of the few details we know. 
    “Ethical — and perhaps legal — breaches aren’t usually a subject of the Big Island Press Club’s Lava Tube award. But a lack of transparency is. Thus Legislator X, who we still can’t identify, is the winner of this year’s Lava Tube award,” said BIPC board member Nancy Cook Lauer.

Previous Torch of Light Honorees 
2024 Julia Neal, founder and publisher of Ka’u Calendar (posthumously)
2023 Daniel Foley, retired Intermediate Court of Appeals judge
2022 Cindy Reves, Hawaii state director for the Journalism Education Association
2021 State Sen. Dru Mamo Kanuha
2020 James Hustace and the Waimea Community Association
2019 W.H. Shipman Ltd. President Margaret “Peggy” Farias
2018 Sue Lee Loy, Hawaii County Councilwoman
2017 Brian Black of the Civil Beat Law Center
2016 West Hawaii Today reporter Nancy Cook Lauer
2015 State Sen. Lorraine Inouye
2014 USGS HVO Scientists
2013 Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi 
2012 County Councilwoman and State Rep. Helene Hale (posthumously) 
2011 State Judicial Selection Commission 
2010 Hawaii County Civil Defense and other departments 
2009 Legislature, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle 
2008 Les Kondo, Office of Information Practices 
2007 West Hawaii Today 
2006 Lillian Koller, State Department of Human Services 
2005 Retired Circuit Judge Paul de Silva 
2004 UH Manoa Journalism Professor Beverly Keever 
2003 U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink (posthumously) 
2002 Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim 
2001 Hawaii County Clerk Al Konishi 
2000 Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano 
1999 Jerry Rothstein and Judith Graham 
1998 Environment Hawaii and Common Cause 
1997 Society of Professional Journalists, Hawaii Chapter 

Previous Lava Tube Dishonorees 
2024 Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
2023 HI-EMA Administrator James Barros
2022 Hawaii Gov. David Ige
2021 Group of 10 senators, led by Sen. Kalani English
2020 Hawaii Gov. David Ige
2019 Pohakuloa Training Area Public Affairs Officer Michael Donnelly
2018 Hawaii County Civil Defense
2017 Hawaii Office of Information Practices
2016 Former Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi
2015 State Land Board Chairwoman Suzanne Case
2014 State Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago
2013 Democratic Party House District 5 Council 
2012 State Sen. Clayton Hee 
2011 Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie 
2010 Hawaii County Council 
2009 Noelani Whittington, County Department of Public Works 
2008 Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaii County Council 
2007 State Board of Education 
2006 Honolulu, Kauai, and Hawaii County Councils 
2005 District Judge Matthew S.K. Pyun 
2004 State Land Board Chairman Peter Young 
2003 State Sen. Cal Kawamoto 
2002 University of Hawaii Board of Regents 
2001 University of Hawaii Board of Regents 
2000 State Rep. Eric Hamakawa and Hawaii County Councilman James Arakaki 
1999 Hawaii County Council 
1998 Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano 
1997 Hawaii County Councilman Elroy Osorio 

Tax fairness, education bills mulled by Legislature, 135 mph wind gust clocked on Big Island, catastrophic flooding on Oahu as Kona low resumes, what Jones Act reprieve means to the state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tax fairness promoted in bills would implement major changes. The Hawai‘i Tax Fairness Coalition is advocating for bills that would make major changes to the state’s income tax, capital gains tax, real estate sales tax and a tax on income for real estate investment trusts, putting more pressure on the wealthiest to pay more. Star-Advertiser.

From Free Meals To Teacher Safety, An Array Of Bills For Hawaiʻi Schools. Proposals have made it halfway through the legislative session, and some advocates are cautiously optimistic that legislation that failed in past years will make it this year. Civil Beat.

Free Bus Rides For Keiki? So Much For That. An initiative to make transit free for all youth across Hawaiʻi that had raised supporters’ hopes appears dead, a victim of tight budgets and funding concerns. Civil Beat.

Hawaii agricultural damage estimated in the millions after Kona Low. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said damage to agricultural crops and infrastructure is in the millions. KHON2.

Nearly 300 damage reports at schools as another Kona low approaches Hawaii. The state Department of Education is continuing to assess damage to campuses statewide after a powerful Kona low storm brought heavy rain, flooding and strong winds across multiple islands, as another system is expected to impact the islands from Thursday evening through Monday. Star-Advertiser.

What To Know About The Jones Act As Trump Unveils A 60-Day Waiver. U.S.-flagged ships are generally more expensive to both operate and build than foreign ones. And those costs are especially damaging to states that are supplied by sea, such as Hawai‘i. Associated Press.

Four deals fuel $2.9B in commercial real estate investment. Hawaii’s commercial real estate market saw its strongest performance in four years in 2025 with $2.9 billion in sales volume across 279 transactions, driven by four blockbuster deals. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Catastrophic flooding hits northern Oahu today. On Oahu, a large band of heavy showers and thunderstorms has already dropped 5 to 10 inches of rain in just six hours, causing catastrophic flooding in the northern part of the island. KITV4.

City’s $24.6M land purchase paves way for responder hub. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration and the owner of a commercial center on Oahu’s North Shore have finalized a $24.6 million land sale agreement that may lead to a first-responder hub built close to the area’s residents and to those visiting its world-renowned beaches, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

‘We’re Screwed’: Dole Did Little To Fix Dangerous Wahiawā Dam. Hawaiʻi’s proposal to acquire the dam, and have taxpayers foot the bill for repairs, let the company off the hook. Civil Beat.

Kahuku students escape school bus fire on H-3 Freeway. The Kahuku High School girls’ flag football team escaped a raging bus fire on the H-3 Freeway Thursday night. School principal Walter Santiago confirmed the team was on the bus, and the coaches and players got off safely with no injuries. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

135 mph Wind Gust Recorded On Hawaiʻi Island. The University of Hawaiʻi’s Hawaiʻi Mesonet recorded the hurricane-force wind gust at Kaiāulu Puʻuwaʻawaʻa during last weekend’s kona low storm. Big Island Video News.

Emergency Repairs Planned for Pāhala Transfer Station. Emergency repairs will begin Friday at the Pāhala Recycling and Transfer Station, due to a subsidence issue at the facility. Big Island Video News.

Pahoa food drop draws large crowd — and plenty of aloha. The aid event was organized by Vibrant Hawaii, a nonprofit organization running a network of community resilience hubs across Hawaii Island supporting disaster preparedness and relief work. Tribune-Herald.

Maui 

Council hears updates on kona low response, Lahaina wildfire rebuilding. While Maui County braces for more severe weather, council members are poised to take action Friday morning on a $15 million request for emergency funding, following a Wednesday committee update on the effort to rebuild from the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire disaster. Maui Now.

Planning Department navigates ‘relentless’ workload amid staffing shortages. Maui County planners are managing a “relentless” amount of work, including permit applications for Lahaina rebuilding, while operating with 15 staff vacancies, acting Planning Director Jacky Takakura told Maui County Council members Wednesday. Maui Now.

Kauai

No public risk from ongoing wastewater discharge in Līhuʻe. An ongoing wastewater spill at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant is being contained on-site and does not pose a threat to pubic health, Kauaʻi County officials announced in a press release. Kauai Now.

County again urges vigilance ahead of severe weather. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency is urgently warning the public to stay alert and take action, as the National Weather Service warns that another Kona low system poses a significant threat to Kauai this weekend. Garden Island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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