Judge rejects federal challenge to Hawaii fossil fuels lawsuit, state agrees to acquire decrepit Wahiawa Dam, gas prices continue to climb, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Judge rejects Trump administration bid to block Hawaii climate lawsuit. A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit seeking to stop Hawaii from suing fossil fuel companies in state court over climate change, citing a “longstanding” policy against federal intervention in state court processes. Reuters. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii income tax cuts hang in balance as legislative session nears end. Leaders in the state House and Senate are expected to soon hash out differences over legislation put forth in January by Gov. Josh Green, who wants annual tax cuts slated for 2027 through 2031 repealed for all taxpayers in order to preserve revenue Green said is needed to offset federal cutbacks over several years. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Former Hawaii AG works for the state and represents Luke. The Hawaii Attorney General decided there was no conflict with former state Attorney General David Louie representing Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke amid her election year controversies while he is also under contract with the state at $525 an hour to work on a long-standing civil case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii gas prices continue climb higher into record territory. Gas prices in Hawaii are continuing to climb after reaching a new record high earlier this month. According to AAA Hawaii, the current average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in Hawaii is $5.65.  Hawaii News Now.

State working group weighing benefits of gaming vs. potential problems. The group studying legalized gambling is about halfway through its process. And while they understand the benefits of the revenue gambling can bring, they’re weighing whether the benefits outweigh the potential problems. KHON2.

Trump issues disaster declaration following Kona-low storms. Hawaii has received federal approval to recoup at least 75% of the money it needs to recover and rebuild following the recent string of back-to-back Kona storms that hit Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island from March 10-24 — and could see up to 90% reimbursement. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.  KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

JABSOM researchers discover novel approach to cancer therapy. A lab in Hawaiʻi is chasing a bold idea. It centers on something so small it is easy to overlook; yet it may change how cancer is treated forever. They’re called nanobodies. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu council chair Tommy Waters’ reelection eligibility challenged. A registered voter sent an objection letter last month to the city clerk asking for a review of Waters’ eligibility. The letter submitted a written challenge to Waters’ filing paperwork seeking another term and asked for a review to determine if his candidacy complies with term limit provisions. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Police Chief Candidates Getting Narrowed Down. Twenty community members have agreed to participate in panels that will interview semi-finalists next month. Civil Beat.

Wahiawā Dam Takeover: State Signs Off On Acquisition. The state is one step closer to acquiring the dam, which has a price tag for repairs in excess of $60 million. Directors of the Hawaiʻi Agribusiness Development Corp. have approved the $4.9 million purchase of the remaining land to acquire the 120-year-old Wahiawā dam and spillway, part of a larger deal by the state to acquire an irrigation system that runs from Wahiawā to the North Shore. Civil Beat.

How To Stop Your North Shore Farm From Flooding? Move, Developer Says. Waialua farmers were flooded again last weekend, the fifth time since February. A local developer says it’s time to look for new land, but for many that’s unfathomable. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu's North Shore businesses report losing half their revenue following recent flooding. A majority of businesses on Oʻahu’s North Shore report losing at least half of their expected revenue because of the recent flooding.That's according to data being collected by the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, which is surveying area businesses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Community pushing against planned archery dojo in Kaimuki.  Dozens of Kaimuki residents packed a neighborhood board meeting on Wednesday, April 15, in the hopes of stopping a plan to build an archery dojo at Mau’umae Nature Park. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Making history: Sherry Bird is Hawaii Police Department’s first female deputy chief. A 28-year veteran of the department, Bird, 52, graduated in the same recruit class as Chief Reed Mahuna. As assistant chief of the department’s Administrative Services Bureau since February 2025, Bird was already the highest-ranking woman in the department’s history prior to taking the penultimate step upward. Tribune-Herald.

Three Hawaii County finalists for UH Board of Regents. Gov. Josh Green is considering three candidates for appointment to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to fill one of two seats representing Hawaii Island. They are Chad Cabral, Makai Freitas and Wendy Laros. Tribune-Herald.

NPS seeks public input on trail plans at Kauleoli. The National Park Service is inviting the community to participate in a planning effort for the Kauleoli Unit of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

New fire station at Olowalu moves forward. The Maui Planning Commission approved on Tuesday a special use permit for the development of a fire station at Olowalu in West Maui, where there have been numerous wildfires. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui Emergency Management Agency taking ‘posture forward’ stance in emergency activations. The agency’s fiscal 2027 budget requests include: six additional personnel including specialists for hazard mitigation and flood risk coordination; a request for $70,000 for consulting services to manage emerging hazards like electric vehicle battery incidents; a nearly $1 million request for hazardous fuels and vegetation removal across 1,100 acres; and the establishment of permanent offices and dedicated specialists for isolated communities like Molokaʻi and East Maui.  Maui Now.

New lanes to open on Puʻunēnē Avenue. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies highway users that the newly added single lanes in both directions on Puʻunēnē Avenue (Route 3500) between West and East Wākea Avenues and Kuihelani Highway (Route 380) will open at 7 a.m., Thursday, April 16. Maui Now.

Kauai

22 sites around Kauaʻi found to have high bacteria levels, exceeding state standards. Surfrider Kauaʻi’s volunteer Blue Water Task Force tests coastal waters around the Garden Island for enterococcus bacteria, a fecal indicator bacteria. 22 sites around Kauaʻi found to have high bacteria levels, exceeding state standards. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Community Beetle-Mapping Project May Be A Model For Hawai‘i. Funded by a county grant, the project tracks coconut rhinoceros beetle feeding, breeding, treatment and trap sites. Civil Beat.

Senate advances bills guarding against federal immigration actions, tax relief tug-of-war in the Legislature, SHOPO police union officials' pay increased without approval, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Legislature Moves To Guard Against Federal Immigration Enforcement. Bills are advancing to prohibit face coverings, protect the right to record police and limit state cooperation. HB 1886 easily passed the Senate Tuesday with only the chamber’s three Republicans voting against it. More than a dozen related measures are still alive as the Legislature works toward a May 8 adjournment. Civil Beat.

Tax relief tug-of-war: Lawmakers divided on balancing budget and savings. A budget battle at the State Capitol. While rejecting the Governor’s proposal to pause tax credits for the next five years, both the House and Senate say they want to put money back in your pocket, but they’re taking very different paths to get there. KHON2.

Oahu aquarium fishing ban advances as DLNR eyes West Hawaii reopening. A ban on aquarium fishing off Oahu moved forward Tuesday, with the Senate passing by a vote of 19-6 its third reading of a bill received from the House. The legislative move comes on the heels of the Division of Aquatic Resources, known as “DAR” and a part of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, holding two public meetings soliciting public comment to modify rules that would reopen the trade in West Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Police Union Officials Got Pay Raises Without Approval. The state police union’s executive director announced raises for employees without the board’s permission, the union said. The move was quickly undone. Civil Beat.

‘Blew this one’: Gov. Green calls out senator as DLE director leaves over pension. After a failed bill at the state Legislature prompted a top law enforcement official to step down, Gov. Josh Green called out the lawmaker he believes could have prevented the measure’s death and the director’s departure. Green ridiculed state Sen. Brandon Elefante, who chairs the committee, for not scheduling a hearing that could have kept Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert at his job. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi is filing more firearm permits every year. According to the Department of the Attorney General, firearm applications have increased by nearly 15 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. Officials said more than 19,300 private applications were processed across the state — 95 percent were approved and issued permits. KHON2.

Gov. Green: Storms caused $700M in damage as Hawaii recovers. Gov. Josh Green said Hawaii suffered an estimated $700 million in damage from the recent succession of storms over the past four weeks, and that the state is now in recovery mode. Star-Advertiser.

Amemiya, Laderta appointed to UH Board of Regents. Gov. Josh Green has appointed Keith Amemiya and Marie Laderta to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, with the nominations subject to confirmation by the state Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

State agribusiness agency to vote on acquiring Wahiawā dam and spillway. The state Agribusiness Development Corp. board is set to make a key vote today to acquire the Wahiawā dam and spillway. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council to OK COVID-era hazard pay for bus workers. More than 2,000 city bus drivers and mechanics could receive hazard pay for work during the COVID-19 pandemic under a proposal before the Honolulu City Council that would cost nearly $17 million. Star-Advertiser.

Flood damage threatens Pearl City church’s summer camp for at risk youth. Agape Christian Fellowship Oahu says devastating flood damage from last month’s Kona lows may force leaders to cancel a long-running summer camp serving children with incarcerated parents. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

$21.7M contract awarded for new bridge, roundabout in Waimea. The state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that Maui contractor Alpha Inc. has been selected to replace the 94-year-old Waiaka Stream Bridge at the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Residents Say Dangerous Dog Law Has No Bite. After several attacks, police are trying to get the owner of a dog that’s been terrorizing a Puna neighborhood to surrender the animal. Civil Beat.

Maui

Public Works director reports ‘unsustainable’ staffing levels amid disaster recovery efforts. The Maui County Department of Public Works now has a single engineer working to manage two disasters — the recovery from the August 2023 wildfires and the recent Kona Low storms. Maui Now.

Big Island nonprofit gifts two Big Dog Tanker Trucks to Maui Fire Department. Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation partners with nonprofits to donate two tank trucks to the Maui Fire Department after the department lost four trucks in the Lahaina and Kula fires of August 2023. Big Island Now.

Kauai

Career fair at Kaua‘i Community College attended by more than 160 students. More than 160 students attended the first career fair hosted by Kauaʻi Community College in over a decade on April 9, highlighting strong interest in career development and community connection on campus. Kauai Now.

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.