Tropical depression expected to become Hurricane Nolo this week, Maui planning commission rebuffs attempts to lift vacation rental ban, Taiwan to demolish, redevelop Chinatown Cultural Plaza, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tropical Depression 15-E redevelops, will approach state as Hurricane Nolo. Tropical Depression Fifteen-E has regenerated into a tropical cyclone that could threaten parts of the state with heavy rain and high winds. The system is currently about 400 miles south-southeast of Hilo and is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm today before becoming a hurricane in the next couple of days. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

SUMMARY OF 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...14.5N 154.4W
ABOUT 320 MI...520 KM SSE OF SOUTH POINT HAWAII
ABOUT 525 MI...840 KM SSE OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 6 MPH...9 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB...29.65 INCHES
  National Hurricane Center

Gun permit window, inspection mandate upheld. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld Hawaii’s requirements that gun owners have 30 days to use a permit to acquire a handgun and some new guns have to be brought into police stations for inspection. Star-Advertiser.

This Farmer-Artist Questions Hawaiʻi’s Statehood. He Wants To Be LG. GOP lieutenant governor candidate Daniel Anthony says he’s tired of fighting against the government, and wants to help lead the way to “generational change.” Civil Beat.

Some new Hawaii licenses not scanning at airports. Some Hawaii residents said their new driver’s licenses are not scanning at TSA checkpoints and local stores. Officials are looking into the issue, but said it is not clear the new design is to blame. KHON2.

Oahu

Taiwan to demolish, redevelop troubled Chinatown plaza.  The Taiwan government, owner of Honolulu’s long-troubled Chinatown Cultural Plaza, plans to demolish and redevelop the aging 4-acre complex after years of pressure from Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who has repeatedly urged Taiwanese officials to address what he described as a deteriorating, crime-plagued property in the heart of Chinatown. Star-Advertiser.

What Happens To Your Affordable Housing When Income Rules Run Out? Seniors at a state-owned affordable housing complex in Kakaʻako are scared about rising rents as the development authority seeks to recoup losses at the financially troubled project. Civil Beat.

Kapolei school faces obstacles to its ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi immersion program. Kapolei Middle School’s program, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kapōlei, was cut just a few weeks before the school year, meaning that the high school will have fewer incoming students for their program. Another challenge? Students have been resistant to practicing ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Big Isle BOE member resigns, cites a lack of transparency. Hawaii County’s representative on the state Board of Education, Sylvia Lee, recently resigned. Lee provided a copy of her resignation letter to the Tribune-Herald which cited concerns about lack of transparency and oversight among the board’s leadership as the reasons for her decision. Tribune-Herald.

Water department may waive upcoming bill for Big Island customers impacted by Hurricane Lala. Some of the 1,200 customers in the system were cut off from water, others lost their water meters, and some had to boil their water for safety. Big Island Now.

Food shortage puts strain on Pahala residents. On Tuesday, residents of Pahala lined up for free groceries as the community continued to recover from Hurricane Lala — but for some, the food drive was about more than putting food on the table. Star-Advertiser.

County: Electrical failure causes discharge of partially treated sewage in Hilo. The incident took place from 9:06 p.m.to 9:55 p.m. Monday, resulting in approximately 71,000 gallons of partially treated, fully disinfected wastewater being discharged through the facility’s ocean outfall, located about three-quarters of a mile offshore in Puhi Bay. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission rebuffs exemptions to vacation rental ban. A proposal to exempt about 3,400 legal short-term vacation rental properties on Maui from an impending ban met with overwhelming disagreement from a commission Tuesday after heavy public debate. Star-Advertiser.

Trial opens for Maui man accused of killing police officer. Opening statements began Tuesday in the trial of a man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Maui police officer last year. Clembert Alii Kaneholani, 39, is accused of fatally shooting Officer Suzanne O in Paia. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Wildfire Exposure Study gets $6M in federal funding to extend post-fire health tracking to 2031. The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, through the University of Hawaiʻi, has been awarded nearly $6 million to continue and expand. Hawaii Public Radio.

State, Maui Health and Kaiser Permanente announce restoration and reopening plans for Kula Hospital. The state of Hawaiʻi, Maui Health and Kaiser Permanente today announced that Kula Hospital will be restored and reopened after damage from the March 2026 Kona Low storms forced the temporary closure of the hospital, its Emergency Department and the Hale Makamae care facility. Maui Now. Aloha State Daily.

Meetings planned on Maui SMA boundary. The Maui County Planning Department will hold public meetings Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 as it assesses the Special Management Area boundary for the island of Maui. The project will develop recommendations for a scientifically and culturally based inland SMA boundary that responds to projected environmental and climate changes while balancing environmental protection with permitting and review requirements. Maui News.

County seeks feedback on proposed Paia gym. The Maui County Parks and Recreation Department is seeking feedback on plans to replace the existing Paia Gymnasium with a larger recreational and emergency-response facility. Maui News.

Kauai

State, county emergency orders waive fees, penalties for Hurricane Lowell recovery. Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami signed an emergency order Sept. 18 waiving certain repair permits, storm debris disposal fees and property record fees for storm-damaged homes and businesses. Kauai Now.

Painful Lessons From ʻIniki Help Kauaʻi Homes Weather Hurricane Lowell. Requiring hurricane clips to prevent roofs from blowing off and other updates to the building code were hard-fought victories 30 years ago. Civil Beat.

Rare Loulu palms at Kauaʻi’s botanical gardens among the casualties from Hurricane Lowell. Hurricane Lowell has left Kaua'i's National Tropical Botanical Gardens in disarray, with damaged trees, infrastructure, and rare plant collections forcing a suspension of public tours as recovery efforts continue.  Kauai Now.

Higa corruption case costs UH $500K, Otani straw donor case delayed again, electricity rates heading upward, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawai‘i to pay $500,000 in federal settlement over mismanaged funds. Public officials embezzled federal grant money. UH could have stopped it, the DOJ alleges. The settlement, announced last week, stems from criminal investigations into Stacy Higa, a former Hawaii County councilman and candidate for mayor as well as CEO of the Big Island’s only public access station, Na Leo TV and the former Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Commission for National and Community Service, who pleaded guilty in 2021 to embezzling grant funds awarded by AmeriCorps, a federally funded network of service programs.  Aloha State Daily.

Straw donor trial delayed again amid plea talks. The trial for Terri Ann Otani, who is accused of illegally funneling money to political candidates, has been delayed for a fifth time as plea negotiations continue. Otani and other employees of engineering firm Mitsunaga and Associates were acquitted of bribery conspiracy in federal court in 2024. But testimony from that trial led the state attorney general’s office to file its own criminal case against the 71-year-old over straw donations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric Industries parent company cashed in on bank stock sale. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. disclosed on Monday that it sold nearly a third of the stock it held in American Savings Bank during ASB’s initial public stock offering Wednesday, and received $29.5 million after transaction fees. Star-Advertiser.

Monthly electricity bills could see a raise if HECO rebasing proposal approved. Beginning Tuesday, public hearings across the state will be held to discuss HECO’s rebasing proposal, which if approved by the Public Utilities Commission, would increase monthly bills for customers statewide. KHON2.

Federal Head Start Reforms Could Cut Supports For Hawai‘i Families. Education advocates worry that proposed rule changes to Head Start could reduce families’ access to education and developmental programs for young children. Civil Beat.

State’s unemployment ranks grow as more people join labor force. The number of people unemployed in the state increased in August to 18,800 from 18,350 in July, marking the highest unemployment figure since there were 18,931 out of work in September 2024, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Lala damage tops $67 million in preliminary public infrastructure costs. Hurricane Lala’s damage to Hawaii is now estimated at more than $67 million in preliminary public infrastructure costs alone, according to new information from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. KITV4.

Residents advised to prepare for a potential cyclone from a lingering tropical disturbance. Hawaiʻi officials are monitoring a developing storm located to the southeast of the Big Island. As of 5 p.m. Monday evening, the remnants of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E were located several hundred miles southeast of the Hawaiian Islands. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

Oahu

‘It works’: Lazar outlines plans for reducing youth crime, issues in Kalihi. Honolulu’s new police chief empathized with Kalihi families worried about crime, substance abuse and gambling Monday evening. Chief David Lazar assured residents he has a plan during a talk story event at Farrington High School that drew dozens. Several attendees raised concerns over youth crime. Hawaii News Now.

5 years after the Red Hill fuel spill, Navy seeks to reopen one of its shafts. The U.S. Navy sent letters to customers on its water system stating that it intends to reopen one of three shafts that were closed following the discovery of fuel in its drinking water supply nearly five years ago. Hawaii Public Radio.

Should County Pay For Infrastructure Along The Rail? Voters Will Decide. The ballot measure to approve a type of bond financing used in 48 other states comes amid a concerted push by city and state officials to develop housing around Honolulu’s Skyline. Civil Beat.

High-Need Foster Kids Now Have An Alternative To Staying In State Offices. Officials say they hope a new Oʻahu home will ensure hard-to-place foster children don’t need to sleep in government offices or hotels in the future. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Electrical failure causes over 70,000 gallons of Hilo wastewater to discharge into Puhi Bay. Approximately 71,000 gallons of partially treated, fully disinfected wastewater were discharged through the facility’s ocean outfall, located about three-quarters of a mile offshore in Puhi Bay on Monday night. Big Island Now.

Recovery continues in Naalehu after Hurricane Lala battered Kau. Stores are open. People are returning to work. Gas is available. Community gatherings have resumed. But for many residents of Kau District, the effects of Hurricane Lala are far from over. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Informational Open house for New Central Maui School Project, Oct. 1 and 3. The team behind the planned public school in Waikapū, the New Central Maui School Project, is hosting its second Informational Open House on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3. This is a chance to see how the project has progressed and learn about the effort to plan and design a new public school. Maui Now.

Waena battery storage project hits key milestone, will strengthen Maui grid and support renewables. Hawaiian Electric’s Waena Battery Energy Storage System project reached a major construction milestone with the arrival and installation of the project’s first six Tesla Megapacks at the project site along Pūlehu Road in Central Maui. Maui Now.

Maui storm victims hope federal aid from Lala comes soon. State officials said they are still waiting for a response from the White House on whether President Trump will approve a Major Disaster Declaration after Tropical Storm Lala caused significant damage in Hawaii. Most of the destruction was on Hawaii Island, but storm victims on Maui hope they won’t be forgotten. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi utility seeks to raise bills to cover wildfire costs. Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative has asked the state Public Utilities Commission to approve a new surcharge on customers’ bills. For the typical Kauaʻi resident, bills could go up by about $13 a month starting next year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Rapozo and Carvalho face off in Kauai mayoral runoff. The runoff for Kauai mayor in the general election comes down to two familiar faces. County council chair Mel Rapozo and councilmember and former mayor Benard Carvalho. KHON2.

Some state lands reopen to public on Kaua‘i following Hurricane Lowell providing limited access. The public is urged to use caution when accessing forested areas, as many unmitigated hazards exist. Kauai Now.

Isaac Choy HTA whistleblower lawsuit goes to court, Mauna Kea likely site for Thirty Meter Telescope after Canary Islands reportedly nixed, Ariyoshi honored at state Capitol, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Misconduct or retaliation? Fired HTA executive’s suit goes to court. A Circuit Court civil trial is examining whether former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority executive Isaac Choy was fired in retaliation for whistleblowing or for workplace misconduct following an independent investigation that substantiated multiple harassment and discrimination complaints against him. Star-Advertiser.

Texts show fired HTA exec, state official remained in close contact. Hundreds of text messages introduced Thursday in a Circuit Court civil trial showed that state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka remained in regular contact with former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority finance vice president Isaac Choy during and after a workplace harassment and discrimination investigation that ultimately resulted in Choy’s firing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi GOP Aims To Win More Seats And Fire Up Debate. With an extra House seat, Republicans could force the majority party into painful floor votes on hot topics and hard-to-fix problems Democrats might rather avoid. Civil Beat.

Worries persist in Hawaii despite Supreme Court’s mail-in ballot ruling. While voter rights groups celebrated the court’s ruling, they are urging Hawaii voters to return their mail-in ballots as soon as possible ahead of any potential last-minute attempts to further suppress voter turnout on Election Day, pointing to FBI Director Kash Patel’s refusal to rule out sending armed agents to polling places. And fears continue that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could appear at voting locations and detain anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. Star-Advertiser.

Dark Money Looms Over This Hawaiʻi Congressional Race. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda has been warning that outside money could flood into her race against Republican State Sen. Brenton Awa. He, too, says he’s wary of super PACs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii voters to decide on measure facilitating housing growth. The state Legislature in May passed a bill that proposes amending Hawaii’s Constitution via a ballot question to allow counties to issue bonds for developers to finance infrastructure needed to produce more housing for residents especially around transit hubs. Star-Advertiser.

Storm damage to Hawaii infrastructure and schools costing hundreds of millions. A series of severe weather events this year brought more than $212 million in damage to public infrastructure across the state, according to preliminary figures from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bids aloha to former Gov. George Ariyoshi. Ariyoshi, who died April 19 at the age of 100, lay in state in a closed casket in the Capitol rotunda beginning Friday morning, becoming only the eighth person to receive the honor. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Oahu

Oʻahu’s Shade Trees Could Take Decades To Grow Back After Storms. Forest stewards say Honolulu’s tree canopy is a natural infrastructure worth investing in with more extreme weather around the corner. Civil Beat.

Kapaa Quarry Road unsuitable for landfill, Kailua board says. The 2.5-mile road that winds between Kalanianaole Highway and Mokapu Boulevard has for decades been nicknamed the “dump road,” with the long-­standing reputation still standing due to its history. Now, the “dump road” also may lead to Oahu’s next landfill, which has drawn backlash from the community. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Spilled 27M Gallons Of Sewage In A New System Failure. Heavy rains once again overwhelmed Honolulu’s sewage system last month, leading to spills. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council urges expanded groundwater testing around Red Hill. Citing concerns over potential contamination of Oahu’s primary drinking-water aquifer, the Honolulu City Council is urging state and federal regulators to require the Navy to expand groundwater testing around the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Price Shock At Waikīkī Co-op Highlights Vulnerability To Housing Fees. When special assessments and maintenance fees skyrocket, residents who volunteer for housing boards rarely have training and often lack access to important documents to figure out if it’s justified. Civil Beat.

‘Doing our best’: Farm damaged by Lowell gives out free poi. On the island’s west side, thankful passersby were treated to free poi from Aloha Āina Poi Company this week.  Despite the setback, the group still wanted to share its poi with the community, giving out several thousand pounds since the hurricane. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

TMT reportedly rejects Spanish bid to build on Canary Islands. A €1 billion proposal to build the Thirty Meter Telescope in La Palma has reportedly fallen through. Mauna Kea is the only possible site for the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope, after an alternate site in the Canary Islands has reportedly been nixed. Aloha State Daily.

Fire Commission to interview six chief candidates. The county Fire Commission will meet Thursday and Friday in the County Council Chambers in Hilo to complete the selection of the next Fire Chief. Tribune-Herald.

County finance committee votes to extend homeless fund.  Established in 2022, the fund allocates a minimum of $9 million from property tax revenue every year to be distributed to non-profits working to address homelessness in the county. Tribune-Herald.

Council committee postpones vote on Waikoloa development. The County Council’s Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions last week voted 9-0 to postpone until its Oct. 6 meeting a pair of bills seeking approval for a project that would build some 400 apartments and 300 single-family homes on just over 700 acres in Waikoloa. Tribune-Herald.

DoDaro returns to lead Animal Control and Protection Agency. Three years after Regina DoDaro helped set up Hawaii County’s new Animal Control and Protection Agency, she returned last month to serve at the helm of the department as its administrator. Tribune-Herald.

Despite police enforcement efforts, some continue to drive recklessly on Saddle Road. Police conducted a high-visibility enforcement operation in June on the DKI, also known as Saddle Road. Overall, between June 4 and June 21, 2026, officers conducted 1,069 traffic stops along the highway and identified numerous violations, including: 649 speeding violations; 17 reckless driving violations; six unsafe passing violations; and 509 other traffic violations. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs County Food and Nutrition Security Plan into law. Developed through a multiyear community process led by the Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan provides a comprehensive vision for the County’s food system, addressing how food is grown, harvested, processed, distributed, consumed and recovered. Maui Now.

Nearly 40 firearms, 58 pounds of fireworks surrendered at Maui buyback. The gun buyback was held through an anonymous amnesty program. No identification was required, and participants were not questioned about the firearms. Maui News.

Maui County-run ferry service aims to launch for Lāna‘i next year, Moloka‘i in 2029. A decade after ferry service to Moloka‘i folded in the face of falling ridership, Maui County is moving forward with plans to take over the existing ferry service to Lāna‘i and restore service to Moloka‘i, expanding options for residents who frequently travel between the islands for jobs, doctor’s appointments, Costco trips and sports. Maui Now.

Delta flight diverted to Honolulu due to onboard fumes. En route to Seattle on Sept. 19, Delta Flight 394 diverted to Honolulu after fumes were detected on the Airbus A321neo following departure from Kahului Airport. KHON2.

Kauai

Kauai residents wary after Hurricane Lowell changes river’s flow. The remote Wainiha and Haena community on Kauai’s North Shore is no stranger to flooding, but Hurricane Lowell brought a new challenge when it changed the path of the Wainiha River. Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative inches to 97% restoration after Lowell.  As of Sunday afternoon, 97% of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative members islandwide have been restored, with more than 500 additional members restored since the last update.  Kauai Now. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Even Lowell can’t pierce Niihau’s veil of secrecy. The island is owned by the Robinson family, who have been in control of it since their ancestor Elizabeth Sinclair, a Scottish plantation owner, purchased it from King Kamehameha V in 1864. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai small businesses ask tourists to return after Hurricane Lowell, with aloha and some patience. On Thursday, Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami said Kauai is now “welcoming visitors back,” while asking them to respect the ongoing recovery. “Come with patience, spend local, and help us recover,” he said. Associated Press.

Tourism down, spending up; Hawaii's 3rd-largest bank now on the NYSE; military telescopes on Haleakala raise concerns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Fewer Tourists, But They’re Spending More. Is This What Hawaiʻi Wanted? Hawai‘i has long struggled with issues surrounding overtourism, but recent visitor trends may signal long-term problems for the state’s biggest industry. Civil Beat.

Strong El Niño could keep Pacific active as Hawaii heads into fall. A powerful El Niño is still strengthening, and climate scientists said it is already helping shape the unusually wet and stormy summer Hawaii has experienced. KITV4.

Green orders flags at half-staff to honor late Gov. George Ariyoshi. Gov. Josh Green ordered U.S. and Hawaii flags to be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol in honor of the late Gov. George R. Ariyoshi. Flags shall be lowered from sunrise Friday through sunset on the day of his interment, Monday. Star-Advertiser.

American Savings Bank stock begins trading on NYSE. Hawaii’s third-largest bank is now owned in part by public shareholders after an initial sale Wednesday of American Savings Bank stock on a public exchange. The company with 35 branches and $9 billion in assets sold about 8 million shares of stock, or about 12% of the company, for $129 million, in its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. Star-Advertiser.

OHA’s Native Hawaiian Trust Fund Has Doubled In Value. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs now oversees nearly $1 billion in assets, including real estate and its trust fund. Civil Beat.

Federal spending on Section 8 in Hawaiʻi surges 70% as rents rise. The outlays amounted to $170 million in 2024, or 70% more than in 2003, when adjusted for inflation, the report from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization said. Hawaii Public Radio. Star-Advertiser. 

Oahu

Fate Of Proposed Data And Innovation Office In O‘ahu Voters’ Hands. The proposal will be 1 of 20 ballot measures for Honolulu voters to weigh. Civil Beat.

Local ag, food groups rally public to vote for Oʻahu food security fund. In November, Oʻahu voters will decide if part of the City and County of Honolulu's budget should dedicate funding for food security efforts. It'll be the first of 20 proposed amendments to the City Charter voters will decide on during the general election. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu City Council advances sharp increase in fines for unlawful peddling. Honolulu City Council legislation that would significantly increase fines for unlawful peddling violations in public places has advanced, despite questions from some Council members about how effectively the current law is being enforced. Star-Advertiser.

Five years after Red Hill fuel spill, Navy touts progress as residents express skepticism. It’s been nearly five years since the fuel spill at Red Hill contaminated drinking water. While the Navy says it is making progress at re-establishing drinking water systems, people still have concerns and questions. Hawaii News Now.

Dye study raises questions about wastewater reaching Shark’s Cove tide pools. A new dye study at one of Oahu’s most popular North Shore swimming spots is revealing a potential connection between the public restrooms at Pupukea Beach Park and the waters below at Kapoo, or Sharks Cove, tide pools. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Cesspools on Hawaiʻi Island pose billions of dollars in costs. About 49,000 cesspools are scattered around Hawaiʻi Island. An analysis by the state Department of Health found that contamination from cesspools in Keaʻau, Hilo, and Kona may pose a risk to drinking water resources or nearshore coral reefs. Hawaii Public Radio.

UPDATE: Brown water advisory issued 3+ weeks ago for Honuʻapo to Punaluʻu canceled. Hawaiʻi Department of Health, however, still urges the public to avoid brown, murky coastal waters, especially following storms or heavy rainfall. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Residents Anxious About More Military Telescopes Atop Haleakalā. The final environmental and cultural review is expected by the end of the year. Civil Beat.

Mayoral candidate battle continues, council power struggle ahead. After Mayor Richard Bissen finished first out of 10 candidates in the primary election, second-place finisher and Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura faces an uphill battle as they both vie for the thousands of votes that went to the other candidates. Maui Now.

Upcountry residents asked to conserve water. Upcountry Maui water customers are being asked to conserve water while the Kamole Water Treatment Plant undergoes upgrades, the Maui County Department of Water Supply announced. The plant is expected to return to service in early November. Maui News. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation urges home mail delivery for Lahaina. Hawai’i's Congressional Delegation is calling for the U.S. Postal Service to reinstate home mail delivery for rebuilt Lahaina neighborhoods. They sent a joint letter to the postmaster general demanding reconsideration of rebuilt homes as “new developments.”  Since the 2023 wildfire, mail has not been delivered to rebuilt properties. Hawaii Public Radio.

Former Lahainaluna principal wanted on felony charges. Former Lahainaluna High School principal Jeri Dean is wanted on a $200,000 bench warrant for multiple felony offenses, including theft, fraud and official misconduct, according to public court records. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

US Coast Guard restores navigation aids, reopens harbors following Hurricane Lowell. Crews worked from Sept. 9-15 conducting dive operations, repositioning damaged navigation aids and delivering equipment to restore safe access to affected waterways, including Port Allen Small Boat Harbor and Nāwiliwili Harbor. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Pacific Missile Range Facility guest passes reopen with limited access and select sites. Recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell are ongoing throughout the installation; however, some recreational areas sustained minimal damage during the storm and personnel were able to safely restore select sites for guest recreational use. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

DLNR lands on remain closed for public safety. All Department of Land and Natural Resources lands on Kaua‘i will remain closed to the public into the foreseeable future due to widespread damage from Hurricane Lowell. In particular, the public is urged to avoid Koke‘e State Park and Koke‘e Road, where many catastrophic, unmitigated hazards exist throughout the landscape.  Garden Island.

Gov. Green surveys storm damage on Kauaʻi's North Shore. HPR spoke with Gov. Josh Green after his visit to Kauaʻi, where he surveyed storm damage along the island’s north shore alongside Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami and Hawaiʻi Senate President Ron Kouchi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Crews make progress on power, roads as Kauai recovery continues. Contracted debris crews arrived Thursday to begin clearing Wainiha Powerhouse Road for the first time since Hurricane Lowell, focusing on clearing vegetation from tangled utility lines. Star-Advertiser.

Retired state Supreme Court chief justice predicts more court involvement in election disputes, Section 8 housing vouchers costing more and helping less, Fevella loses election dispute, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Retired chief justice says election disputes will matter for Hawaiʻi. Courts will likely be called on to resolve disputes over the November general election, retired Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald told lawmakers on Monday while adding the judicial system is fair and impartial and will do everything in its power to get things right. Hawaii Public Radio.

Flood Watch posted statewide, heavy rain possible through tonight. The remnants of Norbert will fill in across the state from east to west Thursday into Friday, increasing the chances of heavy rain, isolated thunderstorms, and flash flooding, especially for the windward and mauka areas.Drier air will move back in this weekend. Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Depression 15-E may bring another round of enhanced trade showers around next Tuesday and Wednesday. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

More Money For Section 8 Housing Vouchers Has Not Helped Enough Renters, Study Says. Economist says Hawaiʻi needs to build more housing and help people earn enough to leave the program and free up vouchers for others. Civil Beat. Aloha State Daily.

Could Kamehameha Schools lose its tax-exempt status?  Every September marks the start of Hawaiian History Month, and this year’s begins with news of the Trump administration potentially seeking to strip Kamehameha Schools of its tax-exempt status. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘We Were The Guinea Pigs’: How Smokable Meth Made Its U.S. Landfall In Hawaiʻi. Methamphetamine was largely unknown in Hawaiʻi in the mid-1980s, when “ice” took the islands by storm, setting off a national panic. Four decades later, the state is dealing with the lethal consequences. Civil Beat.

Mike Lambert, who was a finalist for the Honolulu police chief position, is still at the Department of Law Enforcement — but in a new position. As of September, Lambert is now the department’s Chief Special Investigator. KHON2.

 Oahu

State Sen. Kurt Fevella loses appeal of court’s ruling in election tie. Fevella lost a random draw to break a 1,212-to-1,212-vote tie following his Aug. 8 Republican Party primary race against former state Rep. Bob McDermott to run in the Nov. 3 general election to represent the West Oahu Senate District 20 seat. The Supreme Court on Sept. 4 did order the state to hold a new election for the Republican House primary race to represent Kapolei and Makakilo after Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei-Makakilo) and Sheila Medeiros each received 842 votes.Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii launches first permanent drone docking system for law enforcement. The Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) unveiled the state’s first permanent drone “hive” Wednesday at the Kekuanaoa Building on Punchbowl Street. KITV4.

Palolo Valley residents push back against invasive coqui frog. During a community meeting Wednesday, residents teamed up with state invasive species crews to coordinate response efforts. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A month after Hurricane Lala’s outerbands struck the Big Island, recovery is slow but sure in hard hit Ka’ū. Lala destroyed 27 homes and did much damage to many other homes, with Hawaiʻi County estimating $53 million to its facilities and infrastructure.  Big Island Now.

Kona Community Hospital nationally recognized for providing life-saving care for stroke patients. Consistently following national stroke guidelines has helped the hospital to reduce deaths and disability.  Big Island Now.

Maui

In council rematches, candidates dive into development, tourism, homelessness, water. With the balance of the Maui County Council on the line, 12 of the 14 candidates in the seven contested races answered questions ranging from water Upcountry to homelessness in Kahului to tourism in East Maui during a political forum last week at the Kula Community Center.  Maui Now.

West Maui community conversation highlights nearly $600 Million transportation opportunity. The Maui Bicycling League is calling on state and county officials to coordinate nearly $600 million in planned and potential West Maui transportation investments to create a connected network for motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit users. Maui Bicycling League members and supporters gathered in Lahaina on Saturday, Sept. 12, for a well-attended bicycle ride, brunch and nonpartisan conversation about West Maui’s transportation future. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Vacation Rental Owners Urged To Take In Displaced Families. Hurricane Lowell has left dozens in need of temporary housing on the North Shore, where at least 1 of every 5 homes is a vacation rental. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi businesses rebuild from Hurricane Lowell while weighing when — and how — tourism should return. In the wake of Hurricane Lowell's devastation in Kauaʻi, local businesses like North Shore Bike Doktor and Pineapple Kayaks Kauaʻi face a difficult crossroads as they navigate recovery efforts amid uncertainty in the tourism-dependent economy.  Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai mayor says he would mandate evacuations during future storms. County updates Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts. Recovery efforts continued across Kaua‘i Wednesday as crews prepared for increased rain from the remnants of Norbert and work to restore communities hit by Hurricane Lowell. Garden Island. KHON2. 

Senate President Kouchi shares stories of Kauaʻi's recovery after Lowell. As Kauaʻi continues to rebuild after Hurricane Lowell, HPR spoke with Senate President Ron Kouchi to hear an update on where things stand with recovery on his home island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Isolated Kauai residents remain resilient despite hazards left by Lowell. As many Kauai residents begin to return to a sense of normalcy following Hurricane Lowell, those who live in one of the island’s most isolated communities continue to drive underneath trees suspended from power lines. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii crime rate falls, abortion pill use triples, Hawaii Supreme Court hears arguments over lawyers' share of Maui wildfire settlement, 1M eggs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s crime rate fell nearly 12% in 2025. Police officers in Hawaii solved 13,260 crimes last year while the 54,089 major crimes reported to the four county departments represented a crime rate that fell nearly 12%, according to the state Department of the Attorney General. Police departments documented the largest “notable decreases” in the percentages of murder, manslaughter, rape and car theft. Increases were reported for burglary, drug and gambling offenses, according to the AG. Star-Advertiser.

Bribery Case: What It Would Take To Extradite Lobbyist Back To Hawaiʻi. The state hasn’t said whether it plans to extradite Tobi Solidum, a man experts say is a key player in the corruption case. He is in the Philippines. Civil Beat.

Abortion Pill Use Has Tripled In Hawaiʻi Over Past Decade. Medication abortion has nearly tripled compared to procedural abortion over the past decade. The Trump administration is pushing to restrict access.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Spent Millions On More Preschool Seats. Now, There Are Fewer. Hawaiʻi has fewer preschool seats than it did six years ago when lawmakers set out to fulfill their promise of universal preschool access. What did families and providers gain — and lose — from the state’s multimillion-dollar investment?   Civil Beat.

More than 1 million eggs head to Hawaiʻi. More than a million eggs from Hickman’s Family Farms in Arizona will be distributed to communities across Hawaiʻi over the next two months. The 1.08 million eggs are part of a major settlement. Hawaii Public Radio.

Why Hawaiʻi could see even more hurricanes this year. In a normal year, four or five tropical cyclones pass through the Central Pacific, but forecasters say there could be 13 this year. Unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters near the equator are a major reason for the onslaught. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council OKs stricter laws for stray-dog owners. Oahu dog owners could face significantly higher fines and possible jail time for violating city dog-control laws involving stray animals under new Honolulu City Council legislation. Star-Advertiser.

Potential H-1 freeway cap park could come to Honolulu. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation wants your opinion on a potential new project for Hawaii’s highways.Highway cap parks are public parks that are built above highways on top of highway caps.  KHON2.

Affordable ʻEwa Beach housing expected by end of October, applications open. Located on Renton Road, Kaleimaʻo Village is a 3.7-acre city-owned property aimed at bringing “more affordable housing for working families” who earn between 30 and 60 percent of the Area Median Income, or AMI. KHON2.
 
First large-scale hybrid reef deployment launched at Kalaeloa to combat erosion and rising seas. To help protect Hawaiʻi’s vulnerable coastal highways from erosion and rising seas, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is launching the Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Project. Maui Now.

Moving Aloha Stadium’s volcano sculpture could cost $600,000. Commissioners at the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts are weighing options on what to do with the iconic metal volcano in front of Aloha Stadium. Hawaii Public Radio.

Habilitat executive director Jeffrey Nash dies at 57 after battle with cancer. Jeffrey Nash, the executive director of the addiction treatment center Habilitat, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 59. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Bill aiming to simplify vacation rental process again deferred. Amid ongoing efforts to refine regulation of vacation rentals on the island, the Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development again deferred taking action on a bill on the matter at their meeting Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Forestry Service Reverses Course, Plans To Keep Critical Big Island Hub Open. A Hilo research institute that’s critical in the fight against rapid ʻōhiʻa death will now remain open. It had been set to close this spring under a Trump administration plan to downsize government. Civil Beat.

BLNR still trying to reach deal in opihi case. A year after three men were caught taking over 4,000 opihi from a protected area on the north Kona coast, the Board of Land and Natural Resources is still working to reach a settlement in the case. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii Supreme Court hears dispute over Maui wildfire attorney fees. How much money attorneys should receive for representing Maui wildfire victims was the subject of a Hawaii Supreme Court hearing Tuesday that stands to affect distribution of a $4 billion settlement where payouts are on hold until the fee dispute is decided. Star-Advertiser.

Storm damage threatens free ocean programs for West Maui youth. Kahakukahi Ocean Academy, a free ocean-based education program for West Maui youth, is seeking $18,000 to repair damage from hurricanes Lala and Lowell before fall school groups arrive. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. 

Kauai

250 utility workers in the field on Kauaʻi to restore power to North Shore, pocket outages a week after Lowell. Based on progress to date, the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative said it anticipates the first North Shore restorations could occur Wednesday in portions of Princeville and Hanalei, weather permitting. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Kauai police identified the Wainiha man killed during Hurricane Lowell last week as 69-year-old Mark Chambers. Chambers’ body was found Friday near Kuhio Highway and Wainiha Powerhouse Road, an area that police said had significant flooding when Lowell hit the island on Sept. 7-8. His death is the second on Kauai, and the third in the state, tied to Lowell. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai community comes to aid of hard-hit North Shore residents. Two county hurricane resource centers opened Tuesday so residents can meet with nonprofit and county staff in-person for assistance with recovery needs. The centers, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, are at the Hanalei Neighborhood Center and the Koloa Neighborhood Center on the south shore. Star-Advertiser.

Barge delivery reaches Lānaʻi as damaged harbor partially reopens. The state Department of Transportation completed enough repairs to accept a barge delivery this past Sunday. Young Brothers scheduled the special recovery shipment to bring much-needed supplies and fuel to the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Constitutional amendment would allow tax-free bonds for construction industry, Honolulu exempts HART from eminent domain notification requirements, electricity returning to Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii construction industry pushes constitutional amendment to lower housing costs. Constitutional amendment question 2 is mostly about paying for new roads, bridges and water systems, which until now housing developers had to pay for themselves upfront. The tax-free bonds, already used across the country, are paid back from future property taxes generated by new homes and businesses in an improvement district. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Voting Groups Cheer As High Court Rejects Trump Mail Ballot Restrictions. The decision allows Hawaiʻi and other states to continue sending mail ballots under existing processes. Trump wanted restrictions before the November elections.  Civil Beat.

More Unlicensed Teachers Are Filling In Gaps In Hawaiʻi Classrooms. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education reported 142 teacher vacancies earlier this month, a jump from the 73 unfilled positions last school year. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi tuition freezes, increases proposed for all campuses. A new proposed schedule would keep tuition unchanged at all of the University of Hawaiʻi’s campuses for two years. After the freeze, two years of increases would begin. KHON2.

Preparations underway for final aloha for Gov. George Ariyoshi. Members of the general public have several opportunities later this week to pay respects to late Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi and his family, starting with a visitation and ceremony Friday at the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council exempts HART from eminent domain notice rule. The Honolulu City Council has approved legislation exempting the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation from a city law requirement to notify property owners and lessees when seeking Council authorization to condemn their property for construction of the over $10 billion Skyline project. Star-Advertiser.

Bill passed by City Council would allow farmers markets in underutilized parks. The Honolulu City Council passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow the Department of Parks and Recreation to permit nonprofit organizations to host farmers markets and food distribution events in underutilized public parks. Aloha State Daily.

He Was Banned From Police Work In California But Hired In Honolulu. A California cop stonewalled an internal investigation into his handling of an alleged kidnapping while lining up a job in Hawai‘i as an investigator in the prosecutor’s office. Civil Beat.

City and state join forces to help prevent Honolulu’s flood problem. City and state crews were working along the Woodlawn Drive Bridge in Mānoa, an area known for flooding, before both Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell hit the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

University of Hawaiʻi law school brings recruitment events to Big Island. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law representatives will provide an overview of program details, admission requirements, application process, timelines and scholarships as well as be available to answer any specific questions those who attend might have. Big Island Now.

Maui

Mayor to host series of community meetings for 2028 budget. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and officials from his administration will host a series of community budget meetings for residents to offer input on the budget for fiscal year 2028. Maui News.

Hawaiian Council opens vendor applications for ʻUlu O Lele Marketplace in Lahaina. Hawaiian Council announced Monday that the website and vendor application portal are now live for ʻUlu o Lele, the interim marketplace and community gathering space being developed at the former Outlets of Maui site in Lahaina. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Significant Little Fire Ant infestations discovered on Maui in Ha‘ikū and Kapalua. Native to Central and South America, little fire ants arrived in Hawai‘i in the late 1990s, likely as hitchhikers on a cargo or nursery shipment. Today, they are among the most destructive invasive species on the islands. Maui Now.

Kauai

Power back on for most of Kauai but some areas may have to wait 2 weeks. Some areas of Kauai’s North Shore could see power restoration on Wednesday, though it could take one to two more weeks for remote areas to turn on their lights, according to the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  Garden Island. 

‘Definitely A Hit’: Hawaiʻi Urges Trump To OK Disaster Aid. Kauaʻi will have to tap its reserve funds to help pay for damages from Lowell as state leaders seek major disaster declarations from the White House. Civil Beat.

County of Kauaʻi extends application deadline for Grant-in-Aid program. The application deadline for the County of Kauaʻi Grant-in-Aid program has been extended to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 30. Kauai Now.

Travelers heed calls to avoid Kauai amid Hurricane Lowell recovery. As Kauai recovers from Hurricane Lowell, many residents are repeating their calls to visitors to avoid traveling to the island, and it appears some are listening.  Hawaii News Now.