League of Women Voters seeks to end filing of blank bills; state tax director Suganuma cleared of workplace violence, whistleblower investigated; Alaska Air lays off 200, citing high fuel costs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill intro deadline appeal lodged with high court. The Hawaii Supreme Court is being asked to put a damper on a common practice at the Legislature that allows state lawmakers to skirt a deadline for introducing bills each year. Used for decades by many lawmakers, the practice involves introducing bills that lack substantive language — effectively blank bills — that can be amended later and made law after a full complement of required public readings. During this year’s legislative session from Jan. 21 to May 8, more than 200 such bills called “short form bills” were introduced. Star-Advertiser.

Court breaks impasse over elections commission meetings.  The Hawaii Supreme Court in a unanimous decision Friday ruled that a single commissioner can direct the state Office of Elections to set up a meeting for the nine-member commission, settling an issue that has prevented the state Elections Commission from holding monthly meetings since its last one in June. Star-Advertiser.

Lauhala Basket Is Back In Proposed Election Tiebreaker Rules. The proposed administrative regulations could still result in the use of a basket and plastic capsules to determine winners by random lot. Civil Beat.

Tax department ‘whistleblower’ now under investigation after director cleared of allegations. State Tax Director Gary Suganuma has been cleared of allegations he had violated the Department of Taxation’s Workplace Violence Action Plan and various executive branch policies regarding discrimination and a harassment-free workplace. Min Meng, the Tax Department’s administrative services officer and its former human resources specialist, is now under investigation.  Star-Advertiser.

Economic woes have residents leaving Hawaii, delaying retirement. Research by the Hawai‘i Workforce Funders Collaborative found that of approximately 371,600 projected job openings in Hawaii between 2022 and 2032, only about 101,200 were in occupations with average wages at or above the estimated living wage for a single adult. Star-Advertiser.

10 Races To Watch In Hawaiʻi’s Nov. 3 Election. Contests could upset the balance of power in Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi island. Constitutional amendments and charter changes are also on the ballot. Civil Beat.

Alaska Air lays off 200 workers as fuel costs continue to climb. Facing a potential $700 million loss driven by record fuel costs, Alaska Air Group will cut 200 management jobs, including 48 in Hawaii, as it seeks to reduce overhead and streamline operations.  Star-Advertiser.

Warmer future could bring stronger storms closer to Hawaii, study finds. The current hurricane season, which runs through November, underscored Hawaii’s vulnerabilities to tropical cyclones, and a new University of Hawaii study predicts a warmer future could lead to stronger storms and could bring storms closer to the islands in El Nino years. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu expecting election day surge of in-person voting.  With early returns of mail-in ballots from Oahu voters continuing to lag by about 20% compared to the same point in the last midterm general election in 2022, Honolulu elections officials are bracing for a last-minute surge in-person voting Tuesday, which could once again delay the release of election results statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Council members targeted in Sunshine Law probe. The state Office of Information Practices is investigating an alleged Oct. 5 gathering at Zippy’s Waipahu involving five City Council members. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuit: Honolulu Officials Protected Firefighter Accused Of Rape. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges against a battalion chief accused of raping a colleague in his office, the complaint says. Civil Beat.

City Council urges the return of Bellows military lands to Hawaii. The Honolulu City Council is urging the federal government to return lands used by Bellows Air Force Station in Windward Oahu to the people of Hawaii, citing the property’s historical ties to the Hawaiian Kingdom and arguing that portions are no longer needed for their original military purposes. Star-Advertiser.

She’s Famous As The Shark Whisperer. These Divers Recall A Toxic Boss. More than a dozen former workers report workplace abuses they say they suffered at One Ocean Diving, which has been operating cageless shark tours on the North Shore for more than a decade. Civil Beat.

100 Roosters Are Driving These Oʻahu Neighbors Nuts. Residents in Kahaluʻu are mad that their neighbor is keeping more than 100 noisy chickens – and that the city is doing nothing about it. Civil Beat. 

14 evaluated after pepper spray incident evacuates Blaisdell craft fair. According to a vendor, a customer was examining a pepper spray canister at a booth when they accidentally activated it, releasing its contents into the air. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

A 6-Month Vacation? Hawaiʻi Council Deadlocked On Short-Term Rental Bill. A bill would expand where vacation rentals are allowed and lengthen the rental period considered short-term to 180 days. Civil Beat.

High court suspends Hilo attorney. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday entered an order immediately and indefinitely suspending Hilo attorney Charles Michael Heaukulani from the practice of law in the State of Hawaii for his failure to cooperate with six pending disciplinary investigations. Tribune-Herald.

Iconic Hilo museum is ‘back full-time’. The Pacific Tsunami Museum in downtown Hilo is again open seven days a week with paid staffers after a stormy sail through dire financial straits. Tribune-Herald.

Reusable food containers program kicks off in Hilo. Through the program, participating businesses will offer stainless steel takeout containers in place of disposable ones. Customers can return the dishes to any of the collection bins, where they will be picked up, cleaned, sanitized and returned to restaurants to be reused. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

County of Maui and Kamehameha Schools propose shared stewardship of Lahaina water resources. The County of Maui and Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha  on Friday announced a proposed agreement for Kamehameha to transfer its option to acquire the Launiupoko Irrigation Company system to the County. Maui Now.

Construction underway on Kīhei Space Force facility as South Maui leader calls for resource transparency. Construction is underway on the US Space Force’s new Secure Integration Support Laboratory (SISL) in Kīhei at Līpoa on Maui, formerly known as the Maui Research and Technology Park. The 56,000-square-foot, two-story facility has drawn both defense of its operational stability and community scrutiny regarding resource usage and impacts. Maui Now.

Three new electric bus charging stations unveiled at Kahului Transit Center. The Maui County Department of Transportation unveiled three new electric bus charging stations during a blessing ceremony Friday at the Kahului Transit Center. Maui News.

When ballots fly: What happens to Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi votes after the polls close. Ballots from Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi take a trip aboard special flights on Kamaka Air. At the Kahului Airport, the ballots are met by election officials and transported to the County building in Wailuku. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Over 800 Hawaiian homestead leases given on Kauai. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is offering beneficiaries 832 leases for homesteads on Kauai largely slated for development in the coming years. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Hanamā‘ulu Beach Park to close for maintenance in November.  The park closure is necessary to allow the Department of Parks and Recreation and partner agencies to clean the park, repair facilities, trim trees, maintain the grounds and remove abandoned vehicles. Kauai Now.

'Hidden Hawaii' host gets $584k nobid tourism contract, FEMA denies Huricane Lala relief, former UH football coach June Jones dies, Honolulu council leadership battle may have broken Sunshine Law, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Taxpayers To Fund Mainland TV Host’s ‘Hidden Hawaiʻi’ Show. A new show hosted by travel journalist Peter Greenberg will get up to $584,000 from Hawaiʻi taxpayers through a no-bid contract. Local filmmakers get far less for their projects. Civil Beat.

FEMA denies request for Lala assistance, state plans appeal. Hawaiʻi County emergency officials learned last week that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a request for individual assistance for residents affected by Hurricane Lala. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii election tiebreaker rules set. Formalized rules for breaking Hawaii election ties may be in place for results of Tuesday’s general election after a decision Thursday by state Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago. The statute simply requires election ties be broken “by lot,” meaning some form of random decision. Star-Advertiser.

Gambling in Hawaiʻi — lock it down or make it legal?  With tourism talk taking over the top of everyone's minds, lawmakers are looking at new ways to bring visitor dollars in. One suggestion? Gambling. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hurricane fallout batters Kauai tourism, weighs on statewide visitor numbers.  Statewide, visitor arrivals fell 3.6% to 672,990 and visitor spending declined 9% to $1.41 billion, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii drivers to receive nearly $2.9M in settlement over GM data tracking. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection said from 2016 to 2024, GM allegedly enrolled millions across the country into its Smart Driver program, which tracked driver habits. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Council leadership fight involves claims of illegal meeting. Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam has introduced a resolution to become chair of the City Council. His rival for the job, Andria Tupola, said he is moving too quickly and may have broken the law. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Police chief defends staffing shifts, touts increased pace of hiring at ‘talk story’ session. Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar defended staffing shifts that would add 100 more officers on patrol. Lazar made the comments after a “talk story” session Thursday night at the Mission Memorial Auditorium. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

UH sports study estimates $753M in economic activity. The University of Hawaii at Manoa athletics program generated an estimated $752.9 million in economic activity between fiscal years 2023 and 2026, according to a new study that Gov. Josh Green cited Thursday in making the case for additional investment in the university’s sports programs. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s winningest football coach June Jones left a lasting mark on generations of players. Former University of Hawaii football coach June Jones, 73, who led the Rainbow Warriors to unprecedented achievements, died Wednesday in Portland, Oregon. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KITV4. 

Plans For New Jail To Include Community-Based Treatment. Alternatives to jail are picking up momentum as state officials seek to replace the overcrowded Oʻahu Community Correctional Center. Civil Beat.

Two candidates face off for Honolulu City Council's East Honolulu seat. Voters in District 4, which covers Waikīkī through East Honolulu (including Kapahulu, Kaimukī, Kahala, Āina Haina, and Hawaiʻi Kai), will be deciding between Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory in the election. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority seeks executive director. The leader will guide the state authority through critical transition period of taking over management of Mauna Kea from the University of Hawaiʻi and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Big Island Now.

OHA Providing Additional Recovery Assistance for Kaʻū Families Impacted by Hurricane Lala. Native Hawaiian households are being offered a choice of $750 in direct financial assistance, or a backup generator valued at approximately $840. Big Island Video News.

Maui

No Relief For Maui Wildfire Survivors Losing Thousands To Contractors. Homeowners rebuilding in Lahaina have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors. Government officials have so far failed to hold anyone accountable. Civil Beat.

Maui Prosecutor To Hire Investigator Focused On Post-Wildfire Contractor Fraud. The Maui Department of the Prosecuting Attorney is expected to soon have an investigator working full-time on contractor fraud cases targeting survivors of the deadly 2023 Lahaina wildfire, county officials say. Civil Beat.

Five things voters should know about the Maui County Council races this election. Seven of the nine Maui County Council seats are contested in the Nov. 3 election, and the county's elected leadership could see a shake-up based on the results. Maui News.

Kahului Airport ranks third among medium-sized US airports for holiday travel surge, study finds. Kahului Airport ranked third among 35 medium hub airports for its percentage increase in average daily passenger traffic during the 2025 holiday periods, according to an analysis by travel booking platform Luxury Link. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Fire Department proposes contracted emergency helicopter pilots become county employees. The Fire Department has relied on Airborne Aviation for pilot services since 2010 but said now is the time to make the pilots permanent employees to maintain their expertise of Kauaʻi terrain. Kauai Now.

Kapaʻa DMV reopens Nov. 4 by appointment only; booking opens Nov. 2. The County of Kaua‘i Division of Motor Vehicles will reopen at its Kapa‘a office on Wednesday, offering a full range of services by appointment only. Appointment booking opens Monday, at www.kauai.gov/DMV. Garden Island.

USDA doubles down on retracting a Kauaʻi nonprofit's SNAP eligibility. Mālama Kauaʻi, a nonprofit that works to boost local food production and access on the Garden Isle, had its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program accreditation revoked. Hawaii Public Radio.

Avian flu virus detected in Kauai wastewater, state says. It is the first detection of the virus associated with this year’s migratory bird season, which typically runs from August to May, as well as the first detection of genotype D1.1 in Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's ho-hum midterm election, Honolulu council seeks to ban shopping carts on sidewalks, Maui to allow homeless to sleep in cars, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

If Tuesday’s Election Is Exciting Hawaiʻi Voters, They Aren’t Showing It. Early voter turnout in Hawaiʻi is behind that of past midterm elections. That contrasts with early voting in other states. As of Wednesday, roughly 165,000 ballots have been returned. By comparison, about 195,000 ballots had been returned statewide this far out from Election Day during the last midterm four years ago.  Civil Beat.

Awa and Tokuda vie to represent Hawaiʻi's 2nd congressional district. The congressional race to represent rural Oʻahu and the neighbor islands features Hawaiʻi's highest ranking Republican and a two-term Democrat seeking reelection. Brenton Awa is running for the GOP and challenging the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda. Hawaii Public Radio.

Money To Fight Opioids Poured Into Hawaiʻi. The Real Problem Was Meth. Hawaiʻi launched an anti-opioid initiative in 2017 when the federal government started making grants to the states. But no such initiative has ever addressed methamphetamine.  Civil Beat

Water Safety Lessons Coming To Hawaiʻi Schools. Swimming Isn’t Required. For the first time, Hawaiʻi schools may require water safety lessons. But swimming lessons will only be available to some. Only six high schools in Hawaiʻi have pools on campus, according to the Department of Education. There are no schools with pools in Maui County. Civil Beat.

State senator proposes ways to get more visitor feedback from ag travel forms. After the state digitized its mandatory agricultural declaration forms and voluntary tourism surveys for inbound visitors, participation in the latter has fluctuated in a way that makes it difficult to discern the true picture of Hawaiʻi's visitor industry. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Shopping-cart bill draws criticism over impact on homeless. A battle over shopping carts has rolled into Honolulu Hale as proponents of Bill 53 cite public safety concerns over abandoned carts, while opponents argue the measure unfairly targets Oahu’s homeless population. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii federal agents, attorneys receive prestigious award for dismantling Miske enterprise. Ten federal employees from Hawaii received the Director’s Award from the Department of Justice on Wednesday for their work dismantling the criminal organization led by Mike Miske. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmaker wants Aloha Stadium's 'Volcano' sculpture publicly displayed. Sen. Glenn Wakai said he's drafting a bill that would allow the state arts agency access to a special pot of money to help move the sculpture. In the meantime, he wants it publicly displayed rather than put in storage. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ex-U.S. Army official pleads guilty in $1.25 million bribery scheme. Carlos Duque, a 49-year-old ex-U.S. Army official pleaded guilty Wednesday to his role in a conspiracy to collect $1.25 million in bribes over five years to award contracts and subcontracts to a company from the military’s Hawaii-­Pacific Innovation Campus. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Candidates for Central Oʻahu race appear on ballot for the first time. For the first time this year, the three candidates vying for the state Senate's District 18 are on the ballot for voters — guaranteeing a new face in a seat long held by Sen. Michelle Kidani. The candidates on the ballot are Sen. Danielle Bass, Kelly Kitashima and Max Hanna. Hawaii Public Radio.

Man, 43, indicted for attempted murder, other charges in Kailua police shooting. A grand jury indicted Sea n Warnet for attempted murder of police officers and multiple firearm offenses, including the alleged possession of a ghost gun, after a shooting in Kailua on Oct. 21. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council bills aim to put spotlight on island’s history, culture. Two Hawaii County Council measures aimed at highlighting Hawaii Island history and culture are moving forward after receiving support from lawmakers at a meeting last week. Bills 199 and 200 would establish a historic place marker program and a mo‘olelo interpretation program, respectively. Tribune-Herald. 

OHA Trustees Visit Hawaiʻi Island, Hold Meetings in Hilo. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees is meeting in East Hawaiʻi this week, and holding two public meetings at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Progress made on Naʻalehu Cemetery recovery effort. Hawaii County is encouraging family members of those laid to rest at Na‘alehu Cemetery to submit a claim by Monday for recovered funerary items. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Temporary safe parking site wins unanimous Maui Council approval, but potential severe weather delays opening. The Maui County Council voted 9-0 on Friday to approve a bill that lets the county open a temporary site for people living in their vehicles along Pūlehu Road, even as advocates for houseless residents called the location a “dust bowl,” and some council members warned that the project needs a clearer framework and more site improvements. Maui Now.

Temporary evacuation site opens in Hana amid heavy rainfall, flooding. The site at 174 Keawa Place opened Wednesday night. The county said it will remain open until the threat of flooding has passed. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi County Council approves county seeking up to $25M in insurance for Kāpule Building fire in Līhuʻe. The insurance proceeds would cover eligible restoration, repair and replacement costs of the building at the Līhuʻe Civic Center.that houses government services, including the DMV and permitting offices. Kauai Now.

Two Months After Lowell, Kauaʻi’s Low-Income Tenants Await Repairs. Residents have dealt with leaky roofs and worry that the latest round of heavy rain will exacerbate the problem. Civil Beat.

Officials check on flood mitigation work. House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura, Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, and Rep. Luke A. Evslin joined state Department of Transportation (HDOT) officials and local residents for a site visit to Kainahola Stream in Kapaa on Oct. 21, in the face of a weather system that threatened the state with potential flooding. Garden Island.

State seeks public input on $200M 'green fee' spending, carpenters' PAC pumps $12M into elections, factory-built homes come to Oahu, shelters open ahead of monsoon trough, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Next ‘Green Fee’ projects to involve more public input. An advisory council charged with making recommendations is seeking to influence a second round of Hawaii “Green Fee” projects to be selected for around $200 million in state funding. Star-Advertiser.

Mission Unclear: A $1 Million Contract Involving Invasive Species. Hawaiʻi has ponied up tens of millions of dollars to fight the plague of invasive species across the islands. But the state’s choice of contractors is raising serious concerns. Civil Beat.

Big Money Continues To Flow In Hawaiʻi Politics As Election Nears. Gov. Josh Green is spending big, according to the latest campaign reports. On Kauaʻi and Maui, money is also flowing in mayoral contests. Civil Beat.

Carpenters’ $12M political spending exceeds all other campaigns. With a week to go before the November general election, political spending in Hawaii has reached a new high, and most of it is coming from one source. The carpenters union political action committee, For a Better Tomorrow, is setting records for spending in support of candidates. The carpenters union is also behind a PAC supporting the RISE bonds constitutional amendment question. Hawaii News Now.

AIPAC Still Giving Money To Ed Case Despite His Criticism Of Israel. The moderate Democrat is Hawaiʻi’s only congressional candidate to get money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which recently announced it will no longer give directly to candidates. Civil Beat.

Delegation intervenes in lawsuit on admissions at Kamehameha Schools. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is backing Kamehameha Schools in its legal fight over the institution’s admissions preference for Native Hawaiian students, arguing that Congress has both the constitutional authority and a long-standing trust responsibility to protect Native Hawaiian rights. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai’i’s 2026 dry season 3rd wettest in 30 years; but wet season will be opposite with increased wildfire risk. Based on the NOAA wet season forecast the state may experience dryner than normal conditions and droughts in many areas due to El Niño. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Department of Hawaiian Homelands pilots factory-built homes to shorten waitlist. For years, Native Hawaiian beneficiaries have faced lengthy wait times for housing. Under the pilot program, DHHL offered leases for 24 scattered lots. Sixteen are in Kapolei, and eight will be in Waianae. Hawaii News Now.

City to pay $2.5M over fatal Salt Lake sidewalk fall. The family of a man who died after tripping on a cracked sidewalk in Salt Lake has settled a lawsuit with the city for $2.5 million. The accident also exposed cracks in the city’s sidewalk maintenance program. Hawaii News Now.

Koko Crater Stables tenant told to vacate. The City is ordering the current tenant out of Koko Crater Stables. Aloha Riding Lessons said it needs to vacate by mid-January. KHON2.

Shelters open as heavy rain from ‘monsoon trough’ arrives. The City and County of Honolulu opened four emergency shelters Tuesday evening as heavy rain began approaching Oahu. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

County seeks removal of destroyed buildings in downtown Hilo. Hawaii County sent letters last month to two downtown Hilo property owners whose buildings were destroyed by a fire late last year, notifying them they are required by law to remove the debris from their properties or face stiff fines for noncompliance. Tribune-Herald.

Water department to waive charges for customers in storm-damaged Ka‘u. The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply’s board voted Tuesday to waive charges for its customers in the Wai‘ohinu-Na‘alehu service area for the most recent bi-monthly billing period due to infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald.

Family Members Can Submit Claims For Nāʻālehu Cemetery Recovered Items. Family members of those laid to rest at Nāʻālehu Cemetery can submit a claim for recovered items ahead of an important filing date next week. Big Island Video News. KITV4. 

Maui

Council gives initial approval for new investigator to target Lahaina contractor fraud. The Maui County Council voted 8-0 on Friday to pass on first reading a bill that would add a prosecutor’s office investigator to focus on contractor fraud tied to the 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Construction Of Military Data Center On Maui Alarms Residents. The nearly $100 million facility would work in conjunction with seven proposed telescopes near the summit of Haleakalā. The lab and data center are expected to be completed early next year. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation receives $40.1 million federal grant for Port of Kahului. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced that it has received $40,146,750 in federal grant funding through the US Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. The grant will support the $56.1 million Port of Kahului Cargo Yard Expansion project, significantly increasing landside capacity and operational efficiency at Maui’s sole commercial port. Maui Now.

Maui police lieutenant denied bail again in federal bribery case. A federal magistrate judge denied bail on Tuesday for Maui police Lt. Michael Vaituulala, who is accused of taking bribes to protect criminals. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Maui police seek help locating next of kin for unclaimed bodies. The Maui Police Department, in coordination with its health care partner Maui Memorial Medical Center, is seeking the public’s help locating next of kin for five deceased individuals whose bodies remain unclaimed. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaiʻi voters to decide on two state constitutional amendments, one Kauaʻi County Charter amendment. Hawaiʻi voters to decide amendments on timing for judge appointments, funding public infrastructure and one amendment that clarifies the planning commission appeal process in the Kauaʻi County Charter. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi's Mel Rapozo makes his run for mayor. In August's primary election, Kauaʻi County Council Chair Mel Rapozo led the race for Kauaʻi mayor with over 40% of the vote. He is running against Bernard Carvalho, who was Kauaʻi's mayor from 2008 to 2018. Carvalho did not respond to HPR's interview requests. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shameful behavior addressed. On the heels of the situation that took place on Saturday during the waning minutes of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation football game at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex stadium, the Kauai Police Department on Monday released a press release on the department’s “zero tolerance for violence.” Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Election tiebreaker critiqued, Wahiawa Dam monitoring picked up by state after federal cuts, Maui council rejects vacation rental rezoning, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Election tiebreaker process critiqued at hearing. About 20 people, including two candidates who lost tiebreaker drawings in Hawaii’s Aug. 8 primary election, expressed concerns about or objected to the state Office of Elections adopting administrative rules to formally establish a procedure for carrying out a state law that requires election ties be broken “by lot.”  Hawaii is one of 28 states that determine the winner of a tied election by chance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i reaffirms commitment to preserving survivor benefits for foster youth. The Hawai‘i Department of Human Services reaffirmed the state’s ongoing commitment to protecting Social Security survivor and disability benefits for children in foster care amid changes to end national policies to support these youths. Kauai Now.

Federal funding available for Hawaiʻi communities exploring energy resilience. Communities and organizations can receive up to $50,000 to support local energy resilience planning through the Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Heavy rain, flash floods headed for the state. The National Weather Serv­ice on Monday issued a flood watch for all main Hawaiian isles, effective from this morning to late Wednesday night due to a trough passing over the state. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Oahu

Hawaiian Airlines begins construction on new Honolulu lounge. Located at the entrance to the Mauka Concourse at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, the nearly 13,000-square-foot lounge is expected to open in the first half of 2028. Aloha State Daily.

Wahiawa Dam monitoring website to stay operational. A U.S. Geological Survey notice warning that the Wahiawa Dam streamgage website could be discontinued next month sparked concern but the state says the monitoring station will remain operational, with no interruption in service expected as ownership of the dam transitions to the state’s Agribusiness Development Corporation. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium’s 'Volcano' sculpture has stood for 40 years. Now, it must move. When Hawaiʻi artist Satoru Abe created “Volcano” in 1981, he built it as though it would have a permanent home. The 20-foot copper and bronze sculpture has been the gateway to Aloha Stadium for more than 40 years, sitting in front of the box office.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Trial set in lawsuit over fallen banyan tree that killed two women in Hilo. A jury trial has been scheduled for September 2027 in the wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of two women killed last year when a massive banyan tree on Kilauea Avenue in Hilo uprooted and collapsed. The amended complaint filed in late July by the Honolulu law firm Leavitt, Yamane and Soldner on behalf of the families of 48-year-old Michelle Katrina Noelani Comer and 35-year-old Trisha Jaye Almazan names the state, county, Hawaii Electric, Hawaiian Telcom, Imua Landscaping and Tree Works as defendants. Tribune-Herald.

Volcano residents hopeful about prospects for a health clinic. For years, Volcano residents have had to travel to other towns to access healthcare services. That could soon change, pending the results of a feasibility study about the possibility of establishing a rural health clinic in the Volcano Village area. Tribune-Herald.

Hotter Than Ever: Hawaiʻi Preps Kūpuna For Extreme Heat. Heat resilience workshops on the Big Island are giving tools to vulnerable populations to withstand the state’s increasingly common heat waves. Civil Beat.

Kona Historical Society may close due to storms, fewer donations and grants. The Kona Historical Society was founded in 1976 and provides opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Kona’s culture and heritage. It relied on grants to support its educational and preservation initiatives. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Council narrowly rejects resolutions to rezone condos as hotels for continued transient vacation rental use. The Maui County Council voted 5-4 on Friday against sending hotel-zoning proposals for four oceanfront condominium complexes in West Maui and Māʻalaea to the Maui Planning Commission, rejecting the last four properties Council Chair Alice Lee had sought to add to the referral process. The failed resolutions would have allowed rezoning the properties from apartment to hotel use, which would let owners keep renting units to visitors. Maui Now.

Maui Council advances safe parking project for homeless residents despite community concerns. Establishing an area for homeless people in Central Maui to park overnight without risk of citations and sweeps is slowly making progress through the Maui County Council, but not without some pushback from the community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor Bissen proposes $30M in bond funding to protect critical Molokaʻi lands, water assets. Mayor Richard Bissen is proposing that the County of Maui establish $30 million in general obligation bond funding for the proposed acquisition of key land and critical water infrastructure on Molokaʻi, advancing efforts to protect essential public services and preserve important resources for future generations. Maui Now.

Kauai

Taxpayer funding request for Aloun Farms draws criticism. Kaua‘i Shrimp Seeks State Bailout After Hurricane Damage. The company plans to close Saturday but its parent company is leaving the door open to restarting operations if the Agribusiness Development Corp. agrees to help by waiving fees and reducing rent. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Kauaʻi police reaffirm zero tolerance for threats of violence. A social media post has energized the Kauaʻi Police Department to remind the public that threats of violence involving schools and school-related activities will not be tolerated. Kauai Now.

Resident support for tourism nears record low; DHHL eyes Kakaako development, geothermal, Costco in Hilo; Rare monsoon trough approaching, voting off to slow start, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Resident support for tourism falls near record low. Hawaii residents are growing less convinced that tourism’s benefits outweigh its costs, with support for the industry’s overall value falling near a record low as concerns mount over visitor disrespect for Hawaiian culture, natural resources and residents’ quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

HECO reliability being explored by commission. The state Public Utilities Commission is considering a possible special proceeding to examine and improve service reliability of Hawaii’s largest power company, Hawaiian Electric. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Regulations Are Crippling Hawaiʻi Farmers, Report Says. A new report from the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs estimates the state could more than double the value of its agricultural industry if federal biosecurity processes were less burdensome. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green’s Mark On Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Set To Grow Even Larger. The governor will soon pick his third justice to the high court, and another vacancy is expected next year. Gov. Josh Green has already placed two justices on the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. He will soon pick another to the five-member bench, and could select another in 2027 if he’s reelected governor next month, as is expected. Civil Beat.

Early voting numbers lag last midterm tally. Hawaii voters overwhelmingly prefer to vote by mail, and the same downward trend on Oahu is happening across the islands, with fewer than 98,000 mail-in ballots arriving by Friday at county election sites through either the mail or drop-box locations. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Rare monsoon trough brings heavy rain risk to Hawaii. The National Weather Service said the greatest potential for the heaviest rain currently appears to be somewhere between Oʻahu and the Big Island, although the forecast remains uncertain and could change as the system gets closer. KHON2.

Health centers brace for new Med-QUEST rules. Starting Jan. 1, most adults enrolled in the government’s Medicaid program will have to show they work, volunteer or go to school part-time at least 80 hours in a month to qualify for healthcare under Med-QUEST, Hawaii’s Medicaid program. KFF, a health policy think tank, estimates the new requirements will reduce federal spending by $326 billion and increase the number of uninsured people in the U.S. by 5.3 million over 10 years. Star-Advertiser.

Retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court chief justice honored with Sandra Day OʻConnor Award. Former Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, who retired in 2025, has been recognized with the National Judicial College's highest honor. Big Island Now.

Oahu

DHHL and OHA join forces to unveil Kakaako Makai housing plan. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is advancing a plan to develop high-rise housing on a lot in Kakaako Makai in partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The two state agencies signed a tentative agreement Friday to produce homes for DHHL beneficiaries on the peninsula despite a 20-year-old state law prohibiting such use. Star-Advertiser.

HART advances $652M budget as Skyline extension plan awaits review. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is advancing its proposed $651.8 million budget for fiscal year 2028, while a report recommending feasibility studies for billions of dollars in potential east-west Skyline extensions has been deferred until November. Star-Advertiser.

Navy pumping can’t fully contain Red Hill fuel leak, study finds. The groundwater near where the Red Hill Bulk Storage facility spilled thousands of gallons of jet fuel into both the environment and drinking water moves in both the mauka and makai directions — and the pumping that the Navy has been doing out of Red Hill does not appear to fully contain contamination. That’s according to new dye tracer study results shared at the second biannual meeting for the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu bill could penalize residents who abandon shopping carts. A bill introduced in the Honolulu City Council that would fine those who possess and abandon shopping carts was met with mixed feelings from community members. Bill 53 would make the possession or abandonment of carts a petty misdemeanor, and could fine offenders up to $2,000 or jail them up to 30 days. Hawaii Public Radio.

Derelict Mōʻiliʻili Property, Home To Squatters, Plagues Neighborhood. The developers sought to provide affordable housing. In an unintended way, they did. Civil Beat.

Residents on Oahu’s North Shore take on dredging as lawsuits seek accountability. North Shore residents are spending the weekend bringing heavy machinery to Paukauila Stream to cut back mangroves and clear debris from the banks ahead of the next major storm. Star-Advertiser.

Dos Santos-Tam touts record; Morihara targets spending.  In the Nov. 3 general election, Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos- Tam is seeking a second four-year term representing the urban core’s District 6, touting his legislative record as challenger Corey Morihara calls for changes to city spending and infrastructure priorities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Costco eyed for DHHL development in Hilo. Planning is underway for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Pana‘ewa homestead project, its first residential development in East Hawaii in over 20 years. In order to fund the infrastructure needed to prepare it for occupancy, the department is also pursuing development of a nearby business park that could potentially include a Costco. Tribune-Herald.

DHHL pushes forward with exploration of geothermal energy opportunities. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will seek additional funding in the upcoming state legislative session to explore the potential of harnessing underground heat to produce geothermal energy. Tribune-Herald.

Compensation for Schweitzers in hands of high court justices. Two brothers wrongly convicted of the Christmas Eve 1991 rape and murder of Dana Ireland are waiting for the state Supreme Court to decide whether they can receive compensation for wrongful imprisonment while pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit against Hawaii County and its police. Tribune-Herald.

100 Kaʻū households get few answers about water, sewer nightmare during Public Utilities Commission meeting. Punaluʻu Water and Sanitation provided no plans for restoring essential services to two condo communities that have been without drinking water and sewer since Hurricane Lala caused damage nine weeks ago. Big Island Now.

Maui

Nearly 12,000 Maui County ballots returned ahead of election. Nearly 12,000 ballots had been returned by Maui County voters as of Friday, according to the Maui County Clerk’s Office. The county has 117,689 registered voters. Maui News.

In West Maui, Democrat-turned-Republican defends House seat against Lahaina Strong organizer, local business advocate. Pā‘ele Kiakona  is trying to unseat Elle Cochran for the Hawai‘i House of Representatives’ District 14, which includes the West Maui communities from Olowalu to Kapalua.  The three-person race is between Kiakona, who is running as a Green Party candidate, Democratic nominee Sne Patel and Cochran, a longtime Democrat who switched parties during the legislative session in March to run as a Republican. Maui Now.

Maui County voters to decide 8 charter amendments, 2 state constitutional amendments. What would the changes mean? The Maui County Charter is the guiding document for county government, and every election cycle, the council has the option to propose changes that voters have to approve.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County announced 16 grant-in-aid recipients for FY 2026-2027. This year, the Office of the Mayor received 54 proposals that were reviewed and scored, with the top projects selected for funding totaling nearly $200,000.  Kauai Now.

Bench-clearing incident mars Kapaa homecoming. No reason was provided for a late-game incident that resulted in a bench-clearing situation on the fields of the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Park stadium during Saturday’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation football game celebrating Kapaa High School’s Homecoming festivities. Garden Island.

HART committee seeks to expand rail to Ala Moana Center, OHA reconsiders Apo after public outcry, Volpe tapped for Big Island fire chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Plan Aims To Extend Honolulu Rail Line For An Extra $4 Billion. A subcommittee of HART tentatively endorses extending the Skyline system to Ala Moana Center and to Ka Makani Aliʻi shopping center in Kapolei. The new report by the subcommittee of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board mentions a half-dozen ways the city might raise the billions of dollars needed to build the rail extensions. Civil Beat.

OHA postpones CEO choice after public outcry. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs had voted 5-to-4 on Wednesday to select Todd Apo but by Thursday they were not so sure. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs declined to move forward on Todd Apo’s nomination as the agency’s next CEO after hearing more than two hours of testimony from the public on Thursday, most of it in opposition to Apo. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2. 

Prison director wants mentally ill suspects diverted from jail. Prison officials and lawmakers say millions of taxpayer dollars are being spent incarcerating people who need mental health care instead.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Green Fee program seeks new ideas before Nov. 1 deadline. More than a $100 million was generated by the additional transient accommodations tax but is limited to being spent on three different areas: environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resilience and sustainable tourism. KITV4.

State jobless rate hits 2-year high of 2.8%. The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate rose in September for the sixth time this year and hit 2.8% — up from 2.7% in August and up from 2.2% in January, according to data released Monday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ex-Army official charged in federal bribery case. A 49-year-old ex-U.S. Army official is scheduled to make his initial appearance after he was accused by federal prosecutors of taking $1.25 million in bribes over five years to steer contracts to companies from the military’s Hawaii-­Pacific Innovation Campus. Star-Advertiser.

10-tower redevelopment project takes shape in Kalihi. In about 2-1/2 years, the initial phase of a more than $1 billion plan to replace the 73-year-old Mayor Wright Homes complex in Kalihi-Palama with eight times as many new homes in a high-rise setting featuring more amenities should be done. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily. KITV4. 

HPD seizes more than $21,000, loaded gun in Wahiawa gambling raid. Officers took 36 gambling machines, $21,639 in cash, illegal drugs and a loaded firearm from an illegal gambling operation in Wahiawa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island’s Next Fire Chief Is Daniel Volpe. The fire commission voted 5-1 to hire the chief after receiving more than 30 applications. Volpe, who stepped in as interim chief in January, has served in the department for over 20 years as a firefighter, fire medical specialist, battalion chief and deputy chief.  Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. 

Rezoning decision about land for controversial Waikōloa Village development postponed until 2027. A Hawaiʻi County Council bill that would have rezoned a parcel of land in Waikōloa Village to allow for the development of an affordable home project with 400 apartments and 300 single-family homes has been postponed until July of 2027. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council committee questions temporary site plan for people living in vehicles. The Maui County Council is scheduled to take a final vote Friday on a bill that would let the county open a temporary site for people living in their vehicles, and officials hope to begin relocating people from Pūlehu Road as early as next week. Maui Now.

Maui wastewater overflow causes park closure, stench in Kihei. A wastewater spill in Kihei flooded parts of Kalama Park and the fire station parking lot on Thursday, Oct. 22. KHON2.

ʻAlalā reach milestones on Maui: Released Hawaiian crows show encouraging signs of recovery. Nearly two years after release into the forests of Haleakalā, five ʻalalā (Hawaiian crows) continue making their way in the wild and demonstrating encouraging natural behaviors. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department launching automated license plate readers. Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai said data collected by this technology "will be restricted to authorized KPD personnel and governed by departmental policies and applicable laws.” Kauai Now.

Federal defense agency grants $1.3 million to improve Kekaha-Waimea water system on Kauaʻi. The water system is critical infrastructure for the U.S. Navyʻs Pacific Missile Range Facility that relies on it for its own operations and workforce. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Dead Pigs, Stripped Cars: Kauaʻi’s Scary Public Housing Conditions. Kawailehua residents say they’re tired of the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority ignoring their complaints and are organizing to improve the situation. Civil Beat.

Conservation group working to clear Kauai storm damage.  Kupu, a Honolulu nonprofit, has been working with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kauai County, sending crews with chainsaws and other tools into the wilderness to clear debris and reopen trails, as well as look for potential hazards that could pose future dangers — such as invasive grasses that fuel wildfires. Star-Advertiser.