Farm Bureau estimates $40M hit to ag land from Kona lows, Honolulu council blasts slow city response to North Shore flooding, Skyline edges closer to downtown, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Damages on ag land from Kona low storms estimated at $40M. During a joint hearing Wednesday, the Hawaii Farm Bureau updated state lawmakers on the impacts to agricultural lands, which the group estimated at about $40 million. The organization said about 1,600 farmers reported damages through its survey, developed with other agricultural groups — about a quarter of the roughly 6,500 farms in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Measure seeks to curb deceptive cost advertising for live events, hotels. The Legislature is considering a measure that would crack down on companies misrepresenting the costs of live events and hotel lodging: when, during checkout, the total cost has significantly increased from the advertised price due to added fees. Hawaii Public Radio.

Low-Income Hawaiʻi Patients And Their Doctors Face A Financial Cliff. A senior Hawaiʻi health care leader says issues with government reimbursements are leading to “a state of non-viability” for the state’s entire health care system. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric bills to soar up to 30% due to higher oil prices. Hawaii’s biggest utility on Wednesday warned customers that typical residential bills may rise between 20% and 30% over the next several months due to global oil prices soaring since late February amid the war in Iran and other geopolitical tensions. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

Citizen scientists collect hundreds of ocean samples to test storm runoff effects. The project started as a text chain last week between University of Hawaiʻi researchers Sara Kahanamoku, Nyssa Silbiger and Andrea Kealoha. As the state reeled from heavy rains, the group wondered how the resulting runoff of floodwaters into the ocean might affect Hawaiʻi’s reefs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu Council Criticizes Slow City Response To North Shore Flooding. City officials didn’t immediately have a clear picture of conditions on the ground. By the time they did, they said evacuation might not have been the safest option.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

North Shore Flood Will Add A Month’s Worth Of Debris To Landfill. The city has limited options when it comes to disposing tons of refuse from the flash floods that roared through the North Shore last month. Civil Beat.

Multiple high bacteria advisories in place for North Shore beaches. A high bacteria advisory means there are high levels of enterococci, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses as an indicator of fecal matter in the water and, therefore, the possible presence of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Star-Advertiser.

First guideway column completed for Skyline’s downtown extension. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) announced the first of 148 columns that will be installed to support the guideway along Segment 3 stretching from Middle Street to Civic Center Station in Kakaako. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

State’s first health learning lab opens at Waianae High School. Waianae High School, home of the Seariders, became the first public school in Hawaii to get a state-of-the-art health learning lab on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Land under BOH Waikiki Center sold for $67M. The sale of the leased fee interest under most of the Bank of Hawaii Waikiki Center fronting Kalakaua Avenue and Beach Walk was made to an undisclosed buyer, according to Ian Clagstone of brokerage firm Standard Commercial, who represented the seller. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Progress on roundabout for Waimea near Parker School. Gov. Josh Green has released $1.4 million in capital improvement project funds for initial work on the Waimea Roadways Improvement Project, according to state Rep. David Tarnas, a Waimea Democrat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Public Invited To Comment On Plans For 95-acre Shoreline In South Kona. The National Park Service Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is working on a long-term management plan for the Kauleolī parcel. Big Island Video News.

Police Roll Out New “Blue And White” Patrol Vehicles. Twenty-one new, marked “blue and white” patrol vehicles have been delivered to the Hawaiʻi Police Department, and will soon be appearing in all districts on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

More help sought in fight against coconut rhinoceros beetle. As detections of the highly destructive coconut rhinoceros beetle in West Hawaii continue to climb, two bills making their way through the state Legislature aim to slow the bugs’ spread in markedly different ways. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Wailuku Water Co.’s damaged system has left farmers without water. Who will repair it? Central Maui’s water supply is short by 3 million gallons a day, with users cut off in Waikapū, after two consecutive Kona low storms last month damaged Wailuku Water Co.’s private system, Maui County officials said Sunday. Maui Now.

DWS requests South Maui conservation of nonessential water use April 3 due to mainline repair. The County of Maui Department of Water Supply is requesting all South Maui customers, including residents, visitors, hotels and condominium properties, to conserve water and limit nonessential use from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, while crews work to repair a mainline break. Maui Now.

Legacy Land Conservation Grants awarded to five projects on Maui and Molokaʻi. Pristine coastal areas, culturally significant shorelines, native forest habitat and lands that support traditional practices and community access will now be protected with the help of state funding for land acquisition. Maui Now.

Kalaupapa 'waited it out' during the storms but experienced its share of damage. Many Molokaʻi communities were hit hard by the recent Kona low storms, including the remote peninsula of Kalaupapa. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Community invited to workshop for Kaua‘i Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. Kauaʻi County is developing the safety action plan to identify strategies to improve road safety and move toward the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries for all road users. Kauai Now.

Hawaii ponders Trump's new rules for mail-in ballots, gas and electricity prices surge, more than 2T gallons of rain fell on the state in March, bomb threat at Keaau Post Office shuts down shopping center, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump’s executive order targets mail-in voting in all states. President Donald Trump attempted Tuesday to put federal controls on mail-in voting handled by states including Hawaii, where the vast majority of votes were cast by mail in recent elections. Scott Nago, Hawaii’s chief elections officer, said he was reviewing the order closely and how it may or may not impact elections scheduled for Aug. 8 and Nov. 3. Star-Advertiser.

Trump’s War In Iran Is About To Show Up In Your Electric Bill. The Aloha State burns foreign oil to generate most of its electricity. With prices soaring, electric bills are projected to increase 20-30% in the coming months. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gas prices up more than $1 per gallon in 1 month. California currently has the record for the highest average gas price at $5.88 per gallon. Hawaii is in second place, with each gallon averaging $5.45. KHON2.

The state is still waiting on more federal assistance, nearly two weeks after the second Kona Low caused widespread devastation. Gov. Josh Green submitted a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration eight days ago, on March 23. Hawaii News Now.

Senate committee advances resolution reaffirming access to abortion care. The Senate Health and Homelessness Committee advanced a resolution that would reaffirm the state’s commitment to require hospitals to provide abortion care when it is necessary to stabilize the patient. Hawaii Public Radio.

2 trillion gallons of water inundate Hawaiʻi in March, trigger historic flooding. More than 2 trillion gallons of water — enough to fill 3 million Olympic-sized swimming pools — inundated Hawaiʻi in March. Statewide rainfall averaged 18.25 inches from March 1-23 — more than 2.6 times the standard March average of 6.85 inches. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Gov. Josh Green appoints circuit court judges on Kaua‘i and Maui. On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Green announced Michael K. Soong has been appointed as a judge for the Fifth Circuit Court of Kauaʻi and Ni‘ihau. Also, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was appointed to a judgeship with the Second Circuit Court in Maui. Kauai Now.

Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines to function under one app in April: Here’s what to do. The new app, simply titled “Alaska Hawaiian,” will provide travelers with all their travel needs without having to switch between separate Alaska and Hawaiian interfaces, the company said. KHON2.

Oahu

Storm damage tally for city about $100M, Honolulu officials say. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration is still assessing the cost of the devastation wrought by two powerful Kona-low storms in March on city-owned properties and operations, but preliminary estimates put the damage at over $100 million. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor pollution trial against Navy begins. Wai Ola Alliance filed a lawsuit against the Navy in 2022, demanding the Navy close the Red Hill fuel storage facility and pay for past environmental violations tied to its fueling operations. Star-Advertiser.

Kaimukī’s Queen Theater Is Falling Apart. Honolulu Doesn’t Want To Step In. The venue, which over the decades went from family friendly theater to purveyor of pornographic films, will likely continue to sit empty. Civil Beat.

Reports of mold concerns inside UH Manoa dorms after Kona Low storms. For years, Frear Hall has been considered one of the campus’s more modern residence halls. But several students say excess moisture and repeated storms have left some rooms with persistent mold. Hawaii News Now.

Hokulani Elementary closed for the rest of school year due to storm damage. Students will resume in-person learning Thursday at nearby campuses while repairs are underway. Star-Advertiser.

Residents urged to combat mosquitoes by removing standing water. The state Department of Health traps thousands of mosquitoes every year and tests them for contagious viruses like Zika, dengue and chikungunya. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island’s Kona low storm damage could top $59M. Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Kimo Alameda on Tuesday toured Hawaii Island sites damaged by the recent Kona low storm, including Konawaena High School, which was so badly flooded it is delivering its curriculum via distance learning for the remainder of the school year. Tribune-Herald.

Missing Members And Muscle, Hawaiʻi Ethics Board Struggles To Function. The volunteer board often cancels meetings for lack of quorum and doesn’t have a paid staff like other counties to shoulder some of the load. Civil Beat.

Police Make Arrest After Bomb Threat Shuts Down Keaʻau Shopping Center. 43-year-old Erick Smith of Volcano was arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening, after he allegedly told an employee that he left a bomb at the counter of a post office in the Kea‘au Shopping Center.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Water Discoloration Notice Issued For Waimea. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply says it is currently flushing the water system and investigating the possible cause of the discolored water.  Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Island newlyweds recount immigration detainment that nearly tore them apart. Hawaiʻi Island resident Juan José Estrada Lopez was detained by ICE agents at his green card interview. He remained in the Honolulu FDC until late January. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

New hire at Maui Police Department arrested on suspicion of sexual assault while off duty. The 26-year-old Makawao man was taken into custody on Monday, March 30, 2026, following allegations of sexual abuse and remains detained. He has been placed on administrative leave without pay.  Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Community Lending revives Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund after storms. Hawai‘i Community Lending, a nonprofit community development financial institution, announced it has revived its Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund following the devastating kona storms that have impacted communities across the state. Maui Now.

Sunken graves at Molokaʻi cemetery shock loved ones after severe rainfall. Kapaʻakea Cemetery, just east of Kaunakakai, is managed by Maui County, but families have traditionally cared for their own burial plots. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai has good final Ocean Count for 2026. Cindy ‘Iwalani Among-Serrao, the Ocean Count coordinator and the Hawaii Island Program Coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, said that on Kauai, the total number of whales observed during the four-hour count period was 169. Garden Island.

Commercial aquarium harvesting rules proposed, another raise planned for Honolulu officials, police use pepper spray at middle school, double-digit rise in tourism, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Aquarium fishing considered; 2 public meetings to be held this week. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources is holding a pair of public meetings as part of what it is calling a “holomua project” on a proposed set of rules that could lead to the return of harvesting fish in West Hawaii for saltwater aquariums worldwide. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii tourism arrivals, spending climb, but challenges loom. Visitor spending in Hawaii rose at a double-digit pace in February, up 10.3% from a year earlier to $1.91 billion, unadjusted for inflation, according to preliminary data released Monday by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Total visitor arrivals also increased, up 3.6% to an estimated 787,024 visitors during the month. Star-Advertiser.

From farms to produce vendors, Kona low impacts widespread. It’s uncertain what the overall loss will be, but a joint state House and Senate briefing scheduled for Wednesday at the state Capitol will hear early damage estimates, along with “the urgent needs of farmers and ranches,” according to an announcement of the briefing. Star-Advertiser.

State could have to do more outreach on disaster preparation. Hawaiʻi lawmakers could require the state to do more public outreach on how to prepare for major disasters. Hawaii Public Radio.

Affordable housing bills still alive in the Legislature. Attorney Scott Settle joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss affordable housing bills including the usual mix of subsidies, permitting reforms, and land use changes, a new idea (housing infrastructure growth bonds) which would allow counties to borrow against future property tax revenue and require a Constitutional amendment, tradeoffs involved in perpetual restrictions to make housing more available and affordable for locals, and notable bills that did not pass this legislative session. KHON2.

Bill to extract more taxes from rental car industry stalls. The last of six bills introduced this year proposing to apply the retail general excise tax on wholesale vehicle purchases by car rental companies was deferred last week after a contentious public hearing. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools lawsuit plaintiffs seek anonymity amid death threats. A mother and daughter suing Kamehameha Schools over its admissions policy want to remain anonymous because of death threats to their lawyers. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Another Raise For Honolulu Politicians? Salary Group Says Yes. If approved, it would be the third raise in three years for top city officials.  Civil Beat.

Council proposes defunding city’s Office of Economic Revitalization. A city agency tasked with leading Oahu’s economic development may see much of its funding cut and a majority of its positions slashed following a budgetary proposal by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Police Use Of Pepper Spray At Hawaiʻi School Boosts Calls For Counselors. Some community members say the incident at a Kapolei Middle School underscores the need for behavioral health staff at the state’s public schools. Civil Beat.

Flooding shuts down Hokulani Elementary through the end of the school year.  One week after rapid floods destroyed their classrooms, Hokulani Elementary School students are getting ready to move to different schools. KITV4.

Central Oahu park to be storm waste site for at least another month. A couple hundred tons of storm debris has been moved from Oahu’s North Shore to Central Oahu Regional Park in the days since the floods. Hawaii News Now.

Cleanup continues on Oahu’s North Shore, 23 homes ‘lost entirely’ .  Folks on the North Shore of Oahu are still clearing out the mess caused by back-to-back storms. KHON2.
 
Hawaii Island

ʻŌhiʻa Restrictions Remain In Effect As Merrie Monarch Festival Nears. A restriction remains in effect on the transport of ʻōhiʻa from Hawai‘i Island, state officials say, as travelers prepare to attending the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo next week. Big Island Video News.

Tamashiro Market to close April 30 after over 80 years. After more than eight dec­ades serving fresh fish and building a fiercely loyal customer base in Kalihi, Tamashiro Market will close its doors April 30, bringing an end to a family business rooted in immigration, resilience and community. Star-Advertiser.

April’s monthly emergency siren test aligns with 80th anniversary of deadly tsunami to Hawaiian Islands. The upcoming monthly statewide all-hazard siren system test aligns with the 80th anniversary of the devastating 1946 tsunami that struck the Hawaiian Islands, leading to the tragic loss of over 100 lives, according to a news release from Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency. Big Island Now.

Maui

Groundbreaking held for Olowalu Fire Station, additional funding needed for completion. Maui Fire Department Chief Bradford Ventura said that adding a third fire station on the west side is not only a benefit to the community but also to the safety of firefighters.  Maui Now.

Construction Industry of Maui invests $44,000 in UH Maui College trades program. The Construction Industry of Maui is doubling down on the island’s future, announcing a $44,000 donation to University of Hawai‘i Maui College to fund 12 scholarships for students in the construction vocational program. Maui Now.

Kauai

Rudy Tai officially assumes KPD command. The Kauai Police Department held a Change of Command ceremony Monday to mark the official transition of leadership from outgoing Interim Police Chief Elliott Kalani Ke to incoming Police Chief Rudy Tai.  Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Kauaʻi County Council hears support, concerns about Santos, an appointee to Planning Commission. The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday began considering Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami’s appointment of Ku‘uleialoha Santos to the seven-member Planning Commission, with some community members voicing strong support, highlighting her experience, while others had concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Kauai Now.

‘Pretty Unusual’: Big Changes Are Possible At The Kauaʻi County Council. With four open seats, this election presents a chance for better gender and geographic diversity. Civil Beat.

Community meetings scheduled to discuss proposed water rate increases in Kaua‘i County. The Kauaʻi Department of Water is hosting a series of community meetings to discuss capital infrastructure needs and associated proposed water rate increases. Kauai Now.

Budget cuts jeopardize Convention Center leak repairs, almost all dams classified high hazard, legislation would require Airbnb, other booking companies, to collect tax information, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

$55M cut threatens convention center leak fixes. The Hawai‘i Convention Center’s two-year construction-­related shutdown may not resolve its decades‑old leak problems if lawmakers uphold a proposed $55 million funding cut, raising the likelihood the center will reopen in 2028 with ongoing water intrusion and safety concerns. Star-Advertiser.

Most dams in Hawaii classified as high hazard. Nearly all of Hawaii’s regulated dams are classified as “high hazard,” meaning their failure could result in loss of life — a designation that state officials say reflects downstream development, not the likelihood of collapse. Star-Advertiser.

AccuWeather estimates $2B in damage after storms. As Gov. Josh Green asks the federal government for an emergency designation to secure funding for recovery efforts, AccuWeather estimates the back-to-back Kona-low storms caused around $2 billion in damage and economic loss across the state. Star-Advertiser.

Recent storms trigger widespread cancellations, stalling tourism rebound. Back-to-back Kona-low storms slammed Hawaii just as its visitor industry was beginning to stabilize, triggering widespread trip cancellations, erasing key March and April bookings and stalling what tourism leaders say was the first sustained momentum since the 2023 Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Airbnb As Tax Collector? It’s A Familiar Debate In The Legislature. Taxpayer information collected by booking companies would be used to collect taxes but not to allow counties to crack down on illegal vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

Energy affordability signaled as state priority with Public Utilities Commission decision. The first decision and order issued by Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission, under the direction of Chairperson Jon Itomura, signals energy affordability as a state priority. Big Island Now.

Most Hawaii schools resume normal operations after storm disruptions. Most public schools are scheduled to resume normal operations as recovery efforts continue for impacted campuses, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education. KITV4.

Should Hawaiʻi Pay More For Teachers With Master’s Degrees? Teachers with master’s degrees have a higher starting salary than those with bachelor’s degrees, but research suggests these degrees may not improve educator quality. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaiʻi Land Board Approves Acquiring Wahiawā Reservoir As Costs Increase. A budget request from Gov. Josh Green puts the new price tag on repairs to the dam and reservoir, which rose to dangerous levels during the recent Kona low, at more than $60 million. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Neglected North Shore Plantation Waterways Fueled Damaging Floods. Sugar and pineapple acreage was sold off over the years, divided into hundreds of smaller plots for farming and housing. After the deluge, everyone is pointing fingers. Civil Beat.

Scrutiny of Kaukonahua Stream grows after the devastating North Shore flooding. Families who have lived for generations along the waterway describe a system choked with debris, tangled in jurisdictional confusion and left without consistent maintenance — conditions they say turned a severe storm into a near-deadly event. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless program hit hard by flood wants to help others affected. A homeless program on Oahu’s windward side that was hit hard by the flooding during the Kona low storms now wants to help others who were affected. Hawaii News Now.

‘No Dictators’ demonstrators allowed to return to State Capitol after bomb threat. Demonstrators participating in the “No Dictators” protest were allowed back onto the grounds of the State Capitol around noon Saturday after a bomb threat temporarily closed the area. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center making progress; clinic building to open in June. As part of the ongoing expansion of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center campus, a new 20,000-square-foot clinic building is preparing to open in June and a 55,000-square foot building with 55 patient beds is expected to be completed in early 2027. Big Island Now.

Legislation seeks to bolster Pahoa. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission will consider three bills at its meeting Thursday that would rezone parts of downtown Pahoa, allowing for a greater scope of commercial activities including agricultural processing, co-working office spaces, “cultural enterprises” — even indoor sports arenas. Tribune-Herald.

Growing agritourism on Hawaiʻi Island. Agritourism has become a powerful tool for Hawaiʻi farmers looking to diversify their income and connect with consumers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona area to adopt protocols to limit coconut rhinoceros beetle. The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity has approved new measures to limit the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetles on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘We’re being called to rise’: More than 3,200 turn out for ‘No Kings’ rally. The sidewalks on both sides of Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo swelled with protesters Saturday as thousands turned out for the third “No Kings” National Day of Nonviolent Action. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Sugimura picks up endorsement in bid for Maui County mayor. The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters has endorsed Yuki Lei Sugimura for Maui County mayor. Maui News.

Lahaina Wastewater Plant Spilled 200,000 Gallons. Why Did People Still Swim? Several people at nearby beaches said they did not know that backwash had overflowed from the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility days earlier. Civil Beat.

Floods compound Lahaina fire damages. Wildfires make soil hydrophobic, meaning the soil repels water rather than absorbs it, which can cause greater flash flooding and erosion, according to climatologist and University of Hawaii affiliate faculty member Abby Frazier.  Star-Advertiser.

Displaced by storm damage, over 100 Kula Hospital patients cope with separation between Maui, O‘ahu facilities. The only other hospital on the island aside from Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku, Kula Hospital is a critical access facility with a 105-bed long-term skilled nursing care facility and the nine-bed Hale Makamae as well as urgent and limited emergency care, short-stay acute care, short-term rehab, imaging and lab services, and an onsite family medicine clinic.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Community Meeting to cover plans for a new Lahaina community center, Hoʻokumu Hou updates, kona storm impacts. Residents are encouraged to attend the monthly County of Maui Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

Probe of tour copter crash to begin. Federal agencies have begun to investigate the cause of Thursday afternoon’s crash of a tour helicopter off Kauai’s Na Pali coast that killed three people and injured two. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Homeowners Can Soon Get A Free Wildfire Home Assessment. The county responded to more than 300 brushfires last year, and officials are making the issue a major focus going forward. Civil Beat.

Kauai speaks out. Nearly 2,000 people of all ages turned out on Saturday, March 28, 2026, to become part of a nationwide protest to protect democracy at the No Dictators rally on Rice Street fronting the historic County Building in Lihue. Garden Island.

Commercial fishing reopened in Pacific national marine monuments, Kauai tour helicopter crash kills 3, statewide regular gas price average now $5.33, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Final action taken on commercial fishing access in Pacific Marine National Monuments. After a full discussion and hearing approximately 70 written and oral public comments at its recent meeting, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council took final action to restore commercial fishing in parts of the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments. Maui Now.

Gas prices surge 93 cents statewide in March: AAA Hawaii. Hawaii gas prices continued to rise in March — a total increase of 93 cents from last month, according to the American Automobile Association Hawaii. The statewide average for regular is $5.33, AAA said as of March 26. KHON2.

Bill to levy GET on rental car companies stalls at the Legislature. State senators took up House Bill 2575 that would require car rental companies to pay a 4.5% tax, based on the general excise tax, on imported or purchased cars — a steep hike up from the 0.5% rate companies currently pay. Hawaii Public Radio.

State budget may need to adjust for storm recovery as governor seeks FEMA funds. The first damage assessment to understand the full impacts of the storms is expected within the next several days. Gov. Josh Green estimated it will likely be over a billion dollars. This comes as state lawmakers are more than halfway through the budgeting process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s Corals Were Struggling To Survive. Then Came The Mud Floods. Coral reefs already face a litany of threats. Experts say storm runoff from the recent Kona lows will only make matters worse. Civil Beat.

Recent Rains Decrease Drought Across Hawaiʻi. As farmers recover from devastating floods and historic rainfall, drought-stricken areas are soaking in the moisture. Civil Beat.

Health Safety Guidance Issued For Hawaiʻi Flooding Cleanup. The Hawai‘i Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions during cleanup and recovery efforts. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

Council advances measure to enhance TOD communities. Private builders who seek zoning incentives like density and height bonuses or financial incentives like monetary grants from the city to construct transit- oriented development projects near Skyline stations will first need to give more back to surrounding communities, new city-initiated legislation dictates. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Wants Next Police Chief To Be Anti-ICE, Pro-Transparency. As the Honolulu Police Commission prepares to select a new police chief by the end of May, residents are making clear what they want: someone who is transparent, communicative and refuses to cooperate with ICE. Civil Beat.

Storm debris at Central Oahu Regional Park grows to over 5,200 tons.  Debris left from the destructive Kona-low storm that hit Oahu’s North Shore especially hard late last week continued to pile up in rows Thursday that varied in height from 6 to 12 feet in a section of Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipio. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii National Guard helps with debris removal. Teams of National Guard troops were on the North Shore on March 20 as floodwaters rose, but say they were spread thin and overwhelmed by the severity of the storm. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu North Shore businesses struggle with flood damage, visitors staying away. Although most of Haleiwa town has been spared the most serious flood damage, spring break business has plummeted with visitors staying away. Hawaii News Now.

State collects 300+ firearms at buyback event. Of the 303 firearms turned in, officials said 17 were assault rifles, nine were ghost guns, and two were stolen guns. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Progress made on Banyan Drive redevelopment bill. Hilo’s state lawmakers, all Democrats, are in agreement that Banyan Drive needs to be redeveloped — and it appears that differences in approaches are to be ironed out when a bill reaches a House-Senate conference committee. Tribune-Herald.

Largest survey of exoplanets with Mauna Kea observatory confirms new spin on planet formation. The largest survey of exoplanets using an observatory atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island confirms a long-predicted relationship between planetary mass and rotation — putting a new spin on planet formation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Economist warns council of vulnerable economy ahead of budget deliberations. University of Hawaiʻi economist Carl Bonham warned Maui County Council members Wednesday that a stagnant job market and a precarious reliance on wealthy tourists leave the county vulnerable as it begins annual budget deliberations. Maui Now.

Target Maui reopens March 30; Donates $25K to Maui Food Bank after historic floods. After closing due to flooding from the kona low storm, Target’s Maui store in Kahului is set to reopen Monday, March 30, as recovery efforts continue across the island. Maui Now.

Kauai

3 dead, 2 injured in tour helicopter crash on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Three people are dead and two injured after a tour helicopter crashed off Kalalau Beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Thursday afternoon, county officials said. This is the second fatal tour helicopter crash off the Na Pali Coast in less than two years. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Garden Island. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. KHON2.

Building permit streamlining bill advances, state to rehab Wahiawa dam, some want Jones Act waiver permanent, Maui mayor seeks $1.6B budget, flood fallout lingers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill aims to speed up building permit process. Two state Senate committees approved a bill Monday requiring annual training for permitting agency employees in a push to streamline building permit approvals. House Bill 1964 calls for greater professional development for state and county workers involved in the permitting process, like building plan reviewers, inspectors and policy staff. Tribune-Herald.

Here's why some want the Jones Act waiver to be permanent. A week has passed since President Donald Trump announced he was waiving the Jones Act for 60 days to ease the pressure on shipments of oil and fertilizer across the globe. Hawaii Public Radio.

University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents to fill four open seats representing three counties. The Candidate Advisory Council for the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents has presented a list of candidates to Gov. Josh Green to fill seats representing Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Islands. Big Island Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs approves nearly $4 million in disaster aid for Native Hawaiian households. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has activated about $3.96 million in disaster aid to support Native Hawaiian households and communities affected by the recent floods and rains across the state. Kauai Now.

Power outages can quickly become emergencies for families with home medical devices. Power outages from this month's storms have sent ripples through the health care system. Access to power is crucial for people who rely on certain medical devices like oxygen.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council OKs changes to zoning rules for housing. A Honolulu City Council measure designed to relax zoning rules to allow more infill housing projects in the city’s urban core was approved on its third and final reading Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

State moving forward with rehab of hazardous Wahiawa Dam. The state is working to jump-start safety upgrades on the privately owned Wahiawa Dam, which last week neared a feared failure point that triggered emergency evacuations for thousands of residents on Oahu’s North Shore.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

North Shore residents, officials tread a fine line on recovery and tourism after flooding. Officials are walking a fine line, trying to help those communities while making sure the state’s main economic driver isn’t impacted. Parts of the North Shore and Waialua are open, but business has taken a hit. Hawaii News Now.

Flying Blind: Honolulu Officials Held Off On Evacuations As North Shore Flooded. By the time emergency management officials told people it was time to evacuate in Waialua and Haleʻiwa, some residents had already been swimming for their lives. Civil Beat.

EMS loses ambulance in flood, rescues family on North Shore. The City and County of Honolulu lost a new ambulance to flash floods while responding to a call early Friday morning on Oahu’s North Shore. Star-Advertiser.

City to open help center in Waialua; North Shore boil water notice lifted. City officials said  they will open a Community Assistance Center on Thursday at Waialua District Park for residents affected by Kona-low storm flooding, and the Board of Water Supply said the boil water notice has been lifted for all of Haleiwa and Waialua. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2. KITV4. 

Man Institutionalized Due To Mistaken Identity Will Get $975K Settlement. The man could also receive a $200,000 payment from the state. In a case of mistaken identity, a man who was wrongfully arrested and detained at a Hawaiʻi state psychiatric hospital for two years is set to receive a $975,000 payout from the City and County of Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Updated Water Restriction Notice For Kawaihae, South Kohala Resorts. Customers, including irrigation users, are required to reduce water use by at least 25 percent. Big Island Video News.

South Kona school closures extended following damaging storm. Konawaena Middle School and the Hawaiian immersion school, Ke Kula ‘O ‘Ehunuikaimalino in South Kona, will be closed through April 1 as cleanup continues after campuses were flooded during the Kona low storms.  Big Island Now.

Big Island hunting to temporarily revert to standard rules used 2 years ago. They included adjustments to season lengths, bag limits and tag requirements for several hunting areas on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Mayor’s $1.6 Billion Budget Focuses On Housing, Water, Fire Recovery. The proposed spending plan sets aside money to buy private water systems and wells. County will rely on emergency reserves for recent storm damage. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Department of Housing undergoes pre-budget scrutiny. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee conducted a preliminary review last week of the Department of Housing in preparation for the Council’s annual budget deliberations. Maui Now.

Second Kona low storm showed flood risks in Lahaina’s fire-bared landscape. West Maui received some of the most rain on the island during the second Kona low to wallop Hawai‘i in two weeks. Two rain gauges in Lahaina logged more than 6 inches each from 8:45 a.m. Saturday to 8:45 a.m. Sunday, while Honolua recorded more than 7 inches and Olowalu saw over 5 inches, according to the National Weather Service.  Maui Now.

Kauai

2 more candidates join Kauaʻi mayoral race to replace term-limited Derek Kawakami. Former Kauaʻi County finance employee Laura Lindsey and businessman Megeso-William Denis have entered the 2026 race for Mayor of Kauaʻi to replace term-limited Derek Kawakami. The two political newcomers join a field that already includes three well-known political figures on the Garden Isle: former Kauaʻi mayor and current councilmember Bernard Carvalho Jr., Kauaʻi County Council Chair Mel Rapozo and Councilmember Felicia Cowden. Kauai Now.

Homeless Program Grants awarded. Of the 12 proposals received, 10 were eligible for consideration. A selection committee reviewed and scored all the eligible projects and selected the top five proposals to fund for a total of $500,000. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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