Ahi origin labeling law kicks in Wednesday, Green signs $20B state budget, UH report says Oahu doesn't need new power plants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ahi Origin Labeling Law Takes Effect on July 1st. A new law takes effect in Hawaiʻi this week, requiring stores selling raw processed ahi products to have country of origin labeling. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Maui News. Garden Island. 

Global tuna fishing practices pose significant risks to marine protected areas. Drifting devices used by the global tuna fishing industry are entering marine protected areas worldwide, creating potential risks for wildlife and sensitive ocean habitats, according to a new international study. Maui Now.

$20B state budget signed into law, accounts for federal cuts. Gov. Josh Green has signed a $20 billion state budget meant to account for federal cuts while maintaining benefits and services for residents. There were challenges this year to settle on a budget that both the state House of Representatives and Senate could agree on, as lawmakers had to find funding for important programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, faced significant slashes by the Trump administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Four state bills this year face potential veto. Gov. Josh Green may block the Legislature’s intended deposit into the state’s “rainy day” fund for a third time in four years. Green announced on Friday that he intends to veto a bill that lawmakers passed in May to put $50 million of state general fund revenue next fiscal year into Hawaii’s Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

State law enforcement is expanding the use of drones in Hawaii with new technology that is designed to protect first responders in close-quarters situations. Officials are also looking to broaden outdoor drone operations while some have concerns about eyes in the sky. KHON2.

Hawaii to get new driver’s license, state ID design with added security features. Hawaii is set to release a redesigned driver’s license and state ID cards later this year, marking the first update to both cards since 2009. The new cards will retain Hawaii’s iconic rainbow and will also feature the state flag, island chain, state fish and state seal. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Oahu

UH Report: Oʻahu Needs More Solar, Not New Power Plants. The report, written by University of Hawaii economics professor Michael Roberts and economics Ph.D. student Ethan Hartley and published by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, ran an energy model with 300 varying scenarios to determine what Hawaiian Electric Co. and the state should build “to keep Oahu’s lights on through 2050 while transitioning to 100% clean power and what it will cost.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

HART board adopts $1.07B budget for Skyline construction. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors Monday formally adopted the rail agency’s $1.07 billion operating and capital improvement program budgets for fiscal year 2027, which takes effect Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Councilman And His Opponent Are Big On Construction. Similarities End There. Honolulu council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, a prolific introducer of bills and longtime political insider, is being challenged by city worker Corey Morihara in his bid for reelection. Civil Beat.

Former Honolulu Employee Pleads Not Guilty To Defrauding Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Attorney says that Dexter Kishida did not benefit personally and got caught up in ‘complex government bureaucracy and red tape.’ Civil Beat.

Changing retail market space gives some Ward Centre retailers problems to find comparable location. Some tenants at Ward Centre said they’re having trouble finding a new location. Others said it was difficult to find a comparable area. Experts said the challenges are due to the changing landscape of retail market space. KHON2.

Activists angered over West Oahu chicken fights, residents defend practice. An animal rights advocate recorded video showing vehicles lining Hakimo Road in Nānākuli on Saturday afternoon for what he said was a cockfighting event. Hawaii News Now.

Kailua’s Fourth of July parade a tradition for 77 years. Every year, for more than seven decades, the Kailua Independence Day Parade has taken place like clockwork. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii Island

Kīlauea Eruptions And Puna Roads: State House District 5 Candidate Q&As. The incumbent House representative has two opponents. Civil Beat.

Substantial repairs planned for Laupahoehoe harbor and breakwater. Much-anticipated repairs to the Laupahoehoe Small Boat Harbor Breakwater are finally moving forward, with an informational meeting scheduled next week for the public to review design proposals and ask questions. Tribune-Herald. 

UH Hilo to offer new AI concentration. As the use of artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent across industries, the University of Hawaii at Hilo is rolling out several new AI-focused offerings this fall to help prepare students for the rapidly changing landscape. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Public Or Private? The Future Of East Maui’s Water Is At Stake. The East Maui Water Authority says it wants to work with Mahi Pono to preserve and protect the water system as rainfall becomes less predictable. But the farm has its own plan. Civil Beat.

Maui County asks court to dismiss former chief of staff’s lawsuit; trial possible as election looms. Maui County is asking the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Mayor Richard Bissen’s former chief of staff Leo Caires, who alleges he was wrongfully terminated for sounding the alarm on fraudulent activity.  Maui Now.

Rebuilt Lahaina affordable housing community is fully occupied again. An 89-unit affordable housing community in Lahaina that was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires has reopened and is fully occupied again. Maui News.

Kauai

Pacific Missile Range Facility honors lineal descendants of Na ‘Ohana Papa ‘O Mānā. Leadership from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands in West Kauaʻi joined lineal descendants of Na ʻOhana Papa O Mānā, to observe Summer Solstice on June 20 during a reverent and unifying ceremony at Lua Kupapa’u ‘O Nohili (Nohili crypt) on base. Kauai Now.

Kawakami questioned on campaign cash from convicted briber, Green may veto $50M to rainy day fund, Hawaii doesn't send delegation to Great American State Fair, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Campaign Cash From Convicted Briber Is Raising Questions In Hawaiʻi LG Race. This time it’s Derek Kawakami who is being forced to explain why he took money from a convicted Honolulu businessman and never gave it back. Civil Beat.

Green Signals He May Veto Bill To Add $50M To Rainy Day Fund. The governor also approved the new state budget, and announced he may veto measures dealing with school closures and teacher licensing. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green To Chair Western Governors’ Association. Governor Josh Green will assume leadership of the Western Governors’ Association, this week during the WGA Annual Meeting. Green will join six fellow Western governors in Utah and become chair of the bipartisan organization representing Western states and territories. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Green Fee will fund HIEMA hurricane retrofit program. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency received $4 million to administer a pilot program to help residents harden their homes against hurricanes. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii commemoration of America’s birthday funded on a shoestring. Hawaii  won’t have a delegation from the commission participating in the Great American State Fair due to cost and staffing requirements. Hawai‘i America250 secured just $25,000 in contributions, including $20,000 from the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Is Losing Therapists Before They Even Start. A New Law Could Help. Act 93, signed by Gov. Josh Green in June 2024, creates provisional, associate-level licenses for marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and psychologists in training. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC International forces work across cultures. As the biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise gets underway, participants are holding meetings and getting set up for operations across Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Governors reflect on U.S.-Hawaii history, look ahead. Hawaii’s current and former governors say the state overall remains patriotic and proud to be part of the United States heading into America’s 250th year, even as its relationship with the federal government has been strained over generations by the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom, cultural suppression, military conflict and modern political clashes. Star-Advertiser. 

Oahu

Can This Underdog Take Down Hawaiʻi’s Most Powerful Senator? First-time candidate Nani Brown is taking on the well-funded, well-connected Donovan Dela Cruz for his state Senate seat in Central Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

Council progresses bill tied to paused housing project. A controversial Honolulu City Council measure connected to a proposed Haleiwa housing and commercial development has returned for further consideration after being put on hold almost a year ago amid widespread opposition over the potential loss of agricultural land, worsening traffic and threats to the rural character of that North Shore community. Star-Advertiser.

Shuttle service aims to boost North Shore businesses still struggling after Kona‑low storms. North Shore businesses still reeling from March’s Kona‑low storms and related access challenges will get a boost when the Hawaiian Council and its partners launch North Shore Huaka‘i, a 90‑day shuttle service designed to steer visitors and kamaaina back to Haleiwa and Waialua. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore gondola project ends after new law signed by Gov. Green. Gov. Josh Green has signed Act 172, formerly House Bill 1881, on Friday, prohibiting commercial gondolas, cable cars and ropeways in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

HPD shuts down 2 brothels in Central Oahu. Honolulu Police Department efforts to shut down brothels and help sex workers who have been trafficked were highlighted by two operations in Aiea and Pearl City this week that seized more than $20,000. Star-Advertiser.

State decries erosion at Kahala beachfront properties. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources earlier this year warned at least eight beachfront property owners in the neighborhood that they have obstructions encroaching onto the beach needing removal. Star-Advertiser.

Struggling Families, Imported Goods: State House District 39 Candidate Q&As. There are four candidates on the ballot for the open Central Oʻahu seat.  Civil Beat.

Charity Program for Housing Homeless People Broke Promises, Landlord Says. Small landlord now has doubts about renting to tenants from housing assistance programs; tenant says his story is off base. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Bill would ban new paid parking lots. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission on Thursday will consider a bill banning the opening of paid parking lots on the island — an effort supported by the Planning Department but opposed by some business leaders. Tribune-Herald.

Bid protest delays start of Kealakehe sewage plant upgrade. Despite settlement last year of a federal civil suit brought by a community group against Hawaii County requiring it to begin upgrading to the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant by March 1, construction hasn’t started — and the plant continues to discharge sewage into Honokohau Small Boat Harbor in North Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Incumbent Faces Councilman In Race For State’s Biggest House District. Hawai‘i County Council member Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder is trying to unseat three-term state Rep. Jeanne Kapela in the Democratic primary this August. Civil Beat.

What does the Fourth of July mean to Native Hawaiians? It’s complicated. Celebrations and activities are taking place around the Big Island for the 250th anniversary of colonists in America declaring independence from Great Britain. However, for some Native Hawaiians, the day is more of a painful reminder of the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.  Big Island Now.

Counting down to 250: Festivities in Hilo, Kona will celebrate America’s milestone birthday. Fireworks permits allowing for the purchase of up to 5,000 individual firecrackers will be available starting Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve reopening delayed. Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources and its community partners are completing final steps to reopen Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve in waters off the west side of Hawaiʻi Island; however, the time frame was pushed back. Big Island Now.

Maui

Reconstruction of Kahului Airport’s main runway down to 2 options — with drastic differences in price, resiliency. After nearly a year of expert analysis, two options now are under consideration for reconstructing Kahului Airport’s main runway 2-20, which is 84 years old and “at the end of its useful life.” Neither is cheap. Big Island Now.

Kula Hospital reopening remains uncertain due to storm damage. The historic hospital has been closed since the storms struck in mid-March, dumping more than 50 inches of rain in the area, causing extensive water damage across most of the campus. The closure leaves the area with a gap in emergency care and has sent about 100 long-term-care patients to other facilities already at capacity. Star-Advertiser.

Concern grows over planned closure of Central Maui recycling center. A Central Maui recycling center used by residents for years is expected to close Tuesday, prompting concerns in the community and among Maui County Council members. Maui News.

Kauai

Officials’ ‘Grab And Go’ Taking Of Girl Leads To $950,000 Payout. State and Kauaʻi County workers coordinated the removal of the fifth grader without her mother’s knowledge — or an order from a judge. Star-Advertiser.

Green to sign off on tax cuts and budget today, state prepares for Hawaiʻi America250 celebrations, 140 Kauai coffee jobs saved, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green to sign budget that restores tax cuts for most. The state’s $21 billion budget over the next two fiscal years will be signed by Gov. Josh Green today, ensuring Hawaii’s historic tax breaks for all but the highest-earning residents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii AG to review Supreme Court decision on gun law.  The state Department of the Attorney General is reviewing Thurday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down restrictions on where and when guns may be carried, but said current Hawaii law should still be obeyed. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

New funding opens for Hawaiʻi farmers, ranchers, forest managers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering $18.5 million through the Hawaiʻi Grown Partnership for Agriculture, or HiGPA, project. The funds will go toward conservation efforts and market expansion initiatives led by farmers, ranchers and forest managers across the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

New loan program set to help homeowners finance cesspool conversions. This session, state lawmakers allocated $2 million in Green Fee funds to create a new low-interest loan and grant program for residents looking to convert their cesspools. Hawaii Public Radio.

OHA reopens TV station study after vote shift. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Thursday revived a proposal to explore buying Honolulu television stations KITV and KIKU, approving up to $172,500 for due diligence after Trustee John D. Waihe‘e IV reversed his earlier vote and shifted the board’s majority. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Mokulele Airlines tests electric aircraft. Real‑world testing of electric aircraft began in Hawaii on Thursday — a pivotal step toward evaluating whether zero‑emission planes can support interisland cargo and passenger service and help the state meet its aggressive climate goals. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Jones Act, Renewables and Trump: U.S. House 1st District Candidate Q&As. Eight candidates are competing for the 1st Congressional District. Civil Beat.

Climate Change, The Military And Housing: U.S. House 2nd District Candidate Q&As. Seven candidates are on the ballot for Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District. The district extends over 6,200 square miles and includes all the neighbor islands and parts of suburban and rural Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

As America 250 nears, Hawaiʻi prepares homegrown celebrations. In Hawaiʻi, those preparations are being led by the Hawaiʻi America250 Commission, which is chaired by Hawaiʻi Island resident Peter Young. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

NOAA: Monk seal Ka‘ale’s death was caused by toxoplasmosis. According to NOAA, the parasite reproduces in cats’ intestines, and its infectious eggs are released into the environment through cat feces.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Volunteers say more protections are needed for Rocky and her monk seal pup at Kalaeloa beach. Rocky the monk seal is famed for giving birth to pups at Kaimana Beach. This time, she decided to give birth to a pup at Nimitz Beach at Kalaeloa for the first time, an area rarely used by monk seals for that purpose. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu satellite city halls to stop cash property tax payments. Beginning July 2026, Oahu satellite city halls will no longer accept cash payments for real property taxes. Property tax payments at satellite city halls must be paid by check, credit card or debit card. KHON2. KITV4.

Part Of A Frantic Charge To Feed People During Covid, He’s Now Charged With Fraud. Former city employee, who helped steer federal funds to the hungry, is accused of deceiving the food bank into spending money that wasn’t there. Civil Beat.

State orders junkyard shutdown as violations mount. The state Department of Health has ordered a junkyard next to Waiawa Stream to shut down. There are multiple city violations, but operations are still going on. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Aircraft Alert Issued For Hawaiʻi Island Ahead of RIMPAC 2026. Jet engine and aircraft noise may increase to and from Pōhakuloa Training Area in July for the 2026 Rim of the Pacific exercise. Big Island Video News.

Community invited to learn more about how to grow vegetables in Hawaiʻi. “Vegetable Production for Hawai’i Growers” with researcher, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa tropical plant and soil sciences professor and University of Hawaiʻi Extension Specialist Ted Radovich is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon June 27 at Kohala Village Hub Barn in Hāwī. Big Island Now.

Honokaa suspect in child enticement case to receive mental exam. Police became aware that 23-year-old Honokaa resident Kainalu Palik allegedly used the messaging app Snapchat to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex after her 17-year-old sister noticed the sexually explicit messages on her younger sister’s phone and notified authorities, according to court documents filed by police. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Maui County water rates set to go into effect with new fiscal year, July 1. During Maui County Council final 2027 budget deliberations, members of the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee members did not recommend substantive changes to the Department of Water Supply’s proposed 5% increase to monthly service fees and higher tiered rates for fiscal 2027. Maui Now.

Public presentation of final designs for Olowalu-Ukumehame coastline coming July 9. Conceptual landscape designs that could help shape the future of the Olowalu-Ukumehame coastline will be presented to the public July 9 at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere in Maalaea. Maui News.

Kauai

140 Kauai Coffee Jobs Saved Through New Land Lease Agreement. After months of uncertainty around the future of the country’s largest coffee grower, roughly 140 jobs at Kauai Coffee Company will be preserved through a new long-term agricultural lease. Civil Beat. Kauai Now.  Garden Island. 

Can A $400+ Million Loan Push The Stagnant Coco Palms Project Ahead? The Kaua‘i project is could reopen in 2028, after being closed for nearly four decades. Developers behind the planned rebirth of Kaua‘i’s famed Coco Palms hotel have secured a $431 million loan to reconstruct the 1953 resort where Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii” was filmed. Civil Beat.
 

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii gun law, Gabbard family's ties to religious sect, RIMPAC war games largest ever, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii law requiring permission to carry guns in stores and hotels. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Hawaii law requiring people to get permission to carry guns into stores and hotels on Thursday, in its latest opinion backing Second Amendment rights. The high court’s 6-3 decision means people can carry guns onto privately owned property like shopping malls and gas stations, unless the owners specifically say guns are banned at their establishments. Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now.

Leaked Documents Show Gabbard Family’s Deep Ties To Sect Leader. Report says Science of Identity founder told former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard what to do in Congress and her father, a state senator, was also involved. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC kicks off in Hawaii amid a global conflict. The biennial Rim of the Pacific, the world’s largest recurring naval exercise, has returned to Hawaii in what commanders are calling the largest iteration of the war game to date. This year there are over 30 surface ships, five submarines, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel from 30 countries participating, according to a document by the U.S. Navy. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii among worst states with SNAP payment errors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday published state payment error rates for the food stamp program helping lower-income households, and Hawaii’s error rate rose to 10.92% in the 2025 federal fiscal year from 6.68% the year before after falling from around 21% in each of the two preceding years. Star-Advertiser.

State to begin enforcing hemp retail registration rules July 1. The Hawaii Department of Health and Department of the Attorney General will begin enforcing Hawaii’s hemp retailer and distributor registration requirements statewide July 1. The Hawaii Department of Health and Department of the Attorney General will begin enforcing Hawaii’s hemp retailer and distributor registration requirements statewide July 1. The Department of Health’s Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation said the grace period for hemp retailer and distributor registration will end June 30. Maui News.

Oahu

DOJ says $17M in Red Hill fuel spill settlements paid to 629 plaintiffs. The Department of Justice made its first Red Hill water crisis payouts totaling around $17 million to 629 plaintiffs and said the payments are an example of the government’s “good faith efforts” to resolve thousands of claims — a characterization the lead plaintiff said “could not be further from the truth.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

OHA advances review of possible KITV, KIKU purchase. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is taking another step toward a possible purchase of local television stations KITV and KIKU. After a proposal stalled last month, trustees voted Wednesday to move forward with the first phase of a financial review. KHON2. KITV4. 

Mayor vetoes OER cuts, triggering Council showdown. The fate of the city’s Office of Economic Revitalization now appears headed for an override vote by the Honolulu City Council after Mayor Rick Blangiardi this week issued line-item vetoes restoring funding and positions the Council cut from the city’s $3.193 billion executive operating budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Red Lobster exits Hawaii with closure of Waikiki location. The Red Lobster in Waikiki has closed its doors for good after more than 30 years in operation. The restaurant, which was located on the ground floor of Ilikai Marina condos at 1765 Ala Moana Boulevard, officially closed on Sunday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Sewer rate hike is proposed. Members of the Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission on Wednesday pushed back against county officials’ proposed wastewater rate increases that would spike a typical single-family residential monthly sewer bill by 20% come November — and more than double it over the next five years. Tribune-Herald.

UH Hilo athletics building to be renovated. An $11.6 million renovation for athletics facilities on the campus — including locker rooms, training, sports medicine and weight rooms and offices — is expected to begin early next year. Tribune-Herald.

Military service members provide free health care to Big Island residents as part of their real-world training. Tropic Care provides essential medical, dental, optometry and behavioral health services to Big Island residents for free until June 28. Big Island Now.

Volcano man accused of noncompliance with sex offender registration. A 48-year-old Volcano man pleaded not guilty Monday to seven counts of failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements. Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota maintained bail for Brian Taylor-Rose at $140,000 and ordered him to appear July 1 for a hearing, trial-setting and appointment of legal counsel. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Vacation Rentals Get A Reprieve With New Zoning Bill’s Approval. Roughly 7,000 apartment-zoned units were set to be phased out by 2031 to create more long-term housing. More than half of those may now keep operating as short-term rentals. Civil Beat.

Maui County and Māʻalaea condo reach agreement on a softer approach to shoreline erosion. Kanai A Nalu condominium in Māʻalaea has won county approval to remove its aging, crumbling seawalls and let nature reclaim the shoreline, under a $2.4 million sea-level-rise adaptation plan that calls for a buried sand-filled “burrito” structure, a new dune and a public beach-access ramp. Maui Now.

West Maui Greenway virtual meeting and open house set for Thursday evening. County of Maui Department of Public Works will host a virtual meeting and open house on the West Maui Greenway Environmental Assessment Project from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Maui Now.

Community-led petition calls for import restrictions on Maui and Lānaʻi to curb the spread of CRB. The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity is considering interim rules to limit the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetles on Maui and Lānaʻi. On Tuesday, the board was presented with a community-led petition, spearheaded by the Lahaina Community Land Trust, that called for temporary limits on certain shipments to the islands, where CRB is not established. Hawaii Public Radio.

Speed Bumps And Water Supply: Maui County Council Upcountry District Candidate Q&As. It’s a four-hand race to fill the council seat left vacant by decade-long incumbent Yuki Lei Sugimura, who is running for Maui County Mayor. Civil Beat.

Disaster Loan And Overtourism: Maui County Council Makawao-Haʻikū-Pāʻia District Candidate Q&As. The incumbent member is facing one challenger for a council seat. Civil Beat.

Kauai

CSI Cats: How Experts ID The Animal Culprits Killing Hawaiʻi’s Seabirds. Cat lovers often sow doubt when felines are found to be the culprit, especially in mass slaughters like the one recently on Kaua‘i. But every predator leaves behind evidence. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi now designated as a coffee berry borer-infested area. Interisland movement restrictions change after almost every island with commercial coffee production is infested with the coffee berry borer.  Kauai Now.

Voters left out of selecting Senate candidates, Honolulu mayor vetoes budget cuts in spending bill, Coco Palms developer gets $431M financing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New law cuts voters out of picking state Senate candidates. The governor will pick a temporary replacement until a special election in November. And then the parties will pick the candidates. Sen. Michelle Kidani waited just long enough to retire from her Mililani seat to trigger a new law governing her replacement that will cut voters out of much of the process. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Statewide workshop series to help community organizations better access 'Green Fee' funding opportunities. Act 96 established a dedicated funding source to support Hawaiʻi’s environmental priorities. With approximately $129 million allocated through the state budget, many community organizations will have an unprecedented opportunity to secure resources for projects that protect Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources. Big Island Now.

Philippines ships arrive for RIMPAC amid tensions with China. As the U.S. Pacific Fleet gears up to kick off the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise this week, ships from around the world are arriving in Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Pent‑up demand lifts Hawaii travel ahead of Fourth of July; outlook still mixed. Hawaii’s visitor industry is seeing a modest pick-up heading into the Fourth of July holiday driven by pent-up demand after spring’s Kona-low disruptions and spillover from FIFA World Cup travelers. Star-Advertiser.

‘Making Sanitation Sexy’: Hawai‘i Colleges Are Growing Wastewater Workforce. UH schools on the Big Island and Maui are training students to convert cesspools to cleaner alternatives. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Mayor vetoes budget cuts to Office of Economic Revitalization. The City Council stripped the office of $1.5 million, or 15 positions, after an audit found it was not meeting all of its goals. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Transit fare increase takes effect July 1. The fare changes average roughly 14%, with most fare categories increasing between 11% and 13%, city data indicates. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Spent $450K On Plans For Flood-Prone Stream. Then It Did Nothing. The city has been told repeatedly that failing to clear the North Shore stream would lead to catastrophic flooding. Civil Beat.

Rebuilding Trust And Fiscal Analysis: State Senate District 13 Candidate Q&As. Six candidates are vying for the Oʻahu Senate district that will be left vacant by Sen. Karl Rhoads. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Police issue over 1,000 tickets in Saddle Road enforcement effort. The Hawaii island police have conducted more than 1,000 traffic stops on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway since stepping up enforcement efforts after several traffic fatalities on the road. From June 4-21, Hawaii Police Department officers conducted 1,069 traffic stops on the highway, known as Saddle Road, and issued over 1,000 violations, including 649 for speeding, 17 for reckless driving, six for unsafe passing and 509 for other traffic infractions. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawaii County urged to develop composting plan. A recent Hawaii County study determined that 26% of the material that ends up in the West Hawaii landfill is organic waste. This includes food scraps, plant trimmings and other natural materials, all of which, if processed correctly, could be composted and used to create healthier soil and help grow more food. Tribune-Herald.

30 Households in Volcano, Impacted By Tephra, Get Catchment Diverters. The free installations come as community continues to experience periodic tephra fall associated with ongoing eruption at Kīlauea.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Blessing for Front Street railing and walkway project set for July 1. Lahaina officials and residents will gather next week to bless the newly completed Front Street Railing and Walkway Project, marking another step in the area’s recovery from the 2023 wildfire. Maui Now.

Maui Bus expands fare-free program, adds new stops. Maui Bus fixed-route service will be free for students of any age and Maui County employees beginning July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. Existing fare-free categories remain available for riders age 55 and older with valid identification, as well as qualifying riders with disabilities, Medicare recipients and individuals demonstrating financial need who are registered with Maui Economic Opportunity. Maui News. KITV4. 

$2.2M grant supports second phase of Maui wildfires impact study. The three-year funding award from the National Institutes of Health will allow researchers to survey 1,200 people who were living on Maui during the wildfires, including those who were displaced. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Planning Commission defers decision on Makena State Park improvements. State officials want restrooms, showers, water stations and visitor toll booths. Supporters said the upgrades are needed to keep the area clean, while opponents said the park should be left as it is. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Developer of Coco Palms Resort property secures $431 million in financing for 351-room luxury resort. After decades of projects have gone nowhere to redevelop the once iconic resort that was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the new financing has led to a new hotel opening date of 2028. Kauai Now.

Green signs bill aimed at making condos more affordable, Maui approves hotel zoning for vacation rentals, former Honolulu employee charged with $800k foodbank fraud, San Buenaventura faces online threat, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green has signed a new housing measure aimed at creating more affordable homeownership opportunities for local residents. Senate Bill 2061, now known as Act 121, expands and clarifies Hawaii’s Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program, which is designed to provide affordable condominium homes on state and county-owned land. Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2026 election: Five of the seats on the nine-member Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for grabs, with 19 people vying to represent O‘ahu, Maui and statewide. The election comes as OHA considers its options in several areas, including a potential bid to buy the television news station KITV, how best to develop Kakaʻako Makai, and ways to gain a larger role in military lease negotiations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Commission considering liability cap and recovery fund for future Hawaii wildfires.  The state Public Utilities Commission wants stakeholders, including rate­payers, to help shape administrative rules governing a wildfire liability cap framework called for under a 2025 Hawaii law. Star-Advertiser.

Initial results from state-mandated pre-eviction mediation program show 85% success. Launched in February, the two-year pilot program requires participation in a mediation process before eviction for non-payment of rent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hotels spending more to attract high spending visitors. Hawaiʻi's hotel industry is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into luxury renovations as the state shifts focus to higher-spending visitors.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi unemployment rises, some industries remain flat. The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in May. That was slightly higher than April’s revised rate of 2.4%.  KHON2.

Oahu

Ex-city worker charged with food funding fraud. Former Food Security and Sustainability Program manager Dexter Kishida was arrested Monday after allegedly causing the Hawai‘i Foodbank to buy and distribute $800,000 worth of food that he claimed would be reimbursed by federal pandemic relief funds. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Distrust, uncertainty as Navy moves to reopen Red Hill well. As the Navy continues to move forward with plans to reopen its Red Hill well and reconnect it to its Oahu water system five years after it was contaminated with jet fuel, the service faces ongoing skepticism over its insistence the water will be safe to drink. Star-Advertiser.

Poverty, Schools, Extreme Weather: State House District 26 Candidate Q&As. In the Legislature, the House of Representatives seat Della Au Belatti is leaving has attracted six candidates. Civil Beat.

Ozawa asks judge to fast-track lawsuit challenging Waters’ candidacy. Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member and District 4 candidate in 2026, has asked a state judge to accelerate proceedings in his lawsuit challenging Council Chair Tommy Waters’ eligibility to seek a third consecutive term in office. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers seek to rename post office after Hanabusa. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is introducing a bill to rename the Waianae Post Office in honor of late U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Puna lawmaker targeted in threatening social media post. State Sen. Joy San Buenaventura said she beefed up security for a campaign event last Saturday after a Facebook post called her a “child abusing domestic terrorist” and advocated she be convicted of treason and “hung by the neck until she is dead then sent to hell where she spawned from.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County in lease negotiations with owner of Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Since at least the mid-1950s, the county has leased the 6.8-acre park site comprising parking lots, pavilions, bathrooms and campgrounds from private owners in order to provide the public with recreational space and shoreline access. Tribune-Herald.

This Rural Hawaiʻi Pharmacy Was A Lifeline For Seniors. Now It’s Gone. Loss of the Kohala drug store is symbolic of the healthcare access issues affecting remote regions of the state. Civil Beat.

Fear and uncertainty in Hawaii’s solar industry amid changes to tax credits. The back and forth, combined with the rollback of federal renewable energy incentives, has resulted in uncertainty and concern for solar energy providers across the state and local companies on Hawaii Island, including Honoka‘a-based Renewable Energy Services. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo chef and restaurauteur Miyo Harumi dies at 82. Miyo Harumi, a retired chef and restaurateur whose first name is synonymous with Japanese food in Hilo, died June 3 at Pohai Malama Care Home in Hilo. She was 82. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New hotel zoning for vacation rentals passes Maui Council on final vote, 7-2. Maui County Council members voted 7-2 Friday to give final approval to Bill 88, a measure creating two new hotel zoning districts intended to provide a path forward for thousands of vacation rentals being phased out of apartment-zoned districts. Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen signs $1.61B Maui County budget into law for FY2027. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has signed a $1.61 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget into law, outlining major investments in housing, recovery efforts, community well-being and economic development. KITV4.

Maui’s Hale Kau Kau reports record meal numbers in May; volunteers needed. Hale Kau Kau, the 35-year-old daily meals program at St. Theresa Church in South Maui, delivered 3,475 meals to kūpuna and people with disabilities and onsite, 2,625 meals were provided to anyone experiencing food insecurity. Maui Now.

Kauai

Political Newcomers Are Trying To Unseat West Kauaʻi House Rep. Rep. Dee Morikawa, who has held the District 17 seat since 2010, will face Chad Schimmelfennig in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Kidani leaving Senate, endangered yellow-face bee could thwart Turtle Bay development, toll booth proposed for Maunakea access road, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Sen. Michelle Kidani to retire from Hawaii Legislature. State Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, 77, whose health was the subject of speculation during the last legislative session, announced Saturday that she will retire, effective Tuesday, while acknowledging concerns over her health. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. Hawaii News Now. 

Key lawmaker’s exit creates power void in Legislature. Sen. Karl Rhoads, 63, will end his 20-year career. Colleagues say Rhoads doesn’t play power games or politics with bills like other Hawaii lawmakers despite his position chairing a powerful committee where he oversaw the confirmation of 70 state court judges and justices. Star-Advertiser.

Bill Requiring AI Platforms to Protect Minors Awaits Governor’s Signature. Senate Bill 3001 requires AI companion platforms operating in Hawaii to provide disclosures to users, establish protocols for responding to prompts involving suicidal ideation or self-harm, and implement safeguards. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed protest limits at UH trigger concerns. University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel in the fall plans to release proposed changes that would impose new limits on speech and protests across all 10 UH campuses. Star-Advertiser.

Draft bill in Congress calls for negotiation on Army land leases in Hawaii. A draft of Congress’s annual military spending bill approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee contains language that would limit the Army’s ability to seize land in Hawaii through eminent domain. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Utilities work to strengthen grid resiliency. Emergency officials are warning residents to brace for the possibility of extended power outages as Hawaii enters an El Nino season expected to generate five to 13 tropical storms in the Central Pacific Basin. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The Future Of Honolulu Rail: Report Details Pricey Possibilities. The new report envisions innovative rail extensions to reach much more of Oʻahu’s population but the HART board is asking for more study in anticipation of seeking more public funding. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail board still must finalize next year’s $1.07B budget. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s $1.07 billion operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, have been approved, but with a catch. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay’s Tiniest Residents Could Thwart Luxury Resort Plans. Litigation could see new environmental conditions for construction and cultural interests on land parcels at Turtle Bay. A multi-billion-dollar corporation’s plan to build a 375-room luxury resort on 50 acres of North Shore coastal real estate has run into an unexpected hurdle in the form of some of Oʻahu’s smallest and rarest residents — the Hawaiian Yellow-Faced Bee. Civil Beat.

Deadline extended for relocation of Waianae homeless encampment. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has extended to October the deadline for Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae (POW), one of Hawaii’s largest long‑standing homeless encampments, to vacate its makai shoreline site and relocate to a new kauhale community. Star-Advertiser.

New UH AI data center aims to improve healthcare throughout Pacific region. More than $12 million in federal funding has spurred researchers at the University of Hawaii’s Cancer Center and John A. Burns School of Medicine to focus on converting a garage-­sized, air-conditioned, ground-floor room at the Cancer Center into Hawaii’s first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence data center. Star-Advertiser.

$1M investment aims to speed up Honolulu’s bikeshare program. The city is prepared to invest $1 million from the Climate Resiliency Fund into bringing 600 bikes back into circulation and to put additional funds into fixing the stations. Star-Advertiser.

Master developer expands into rental housing ownership. James Campbell Co. announced Wednesday that it bought The Element, a 318-unit rental apartment complex developed in 2020 at Ho‘opili on the Ewa plain near Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

Canoe club fights eviction from Ewa Beach shoreline after nearly 20 years. Kamahao Canoe Club says the shoreline at Hammer Point, located within Kapilina Beach Homes, has served as a gathering place for Hawaiian canoe traditions for nearly 20 years. Club leaders say they were recently told they must vacate the property, though the deadline has been extended to November. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Toll booth, cultural center proposed for Maunakea Access Road. Two years after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that the access road to the Maunakea summit had been illegally seized and designated as state property in 2018 by the Hawaii Department of Transportation, plans to manage it going forward are under discussion. Tribune-Herald.

Rural Hawaiʻi Island Candidates Want More Say — And Resources. Candidates from South Kona, Kaʻū and Puna share their responses to questions about water, agriculture, waste and other environmental challenges in their districts. Civil Beat.

Geothermal, Housing, Vacation Rentals: Hawaiʻi Council District 6 Candidate Q&As. Five candidates are in the running for the district made up of Big Islandʻs south-west corner. Civil Beat.

Puna Alternate Route Study underway but delayed.  Publication of a state and Hawaii County-funded traffic study exploring alternate routes into Puna District has been delayed by at least half a year, according to the county Department of Public Works. Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa Green Project Stirs Wildfire Evacuation Route Concerns. The need for another road in Waikoloa, especially for use during emergencies, was a part of Thursday's Leeward Planning Commission discussion. Big Island Video News.

County eyes Kona Kmart for events center. Micah Kamohoali‘i, a kumu hula, fashion designer and Aloha Festivals Island of Hawaii executive director, is asking the county to use the 125,000-square-foot building, which has been vacant since Kmart shuttered in 2018. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

‘A lot at stake for West Maui’: Three longtime residents face off in Aug. 8 Democratic primary. A chef, a high school teacher and a business advocate are competing for the chance to represent West Maui in a state Democratic primary race left wide open by incumbent Ellie Conchran’s unexpected switch to the Republican Party in March. Maui Now.

West Maui condo agrees to finally put in public beach access that was required 50 years ago. The owners and association of a West Maui condominium complex that has not provided required public beach access for nearly five decades have agreed to finally install a pathway and stairs to the shoreline to avoid nearly $2 million in fines from Maui County. Maui Now.

Lānaʻi School Relies On Temporary Power Lines For Years. The education department did not provide a timeframe for when Lānaʻi High and Elementary would receive permanent repairs to its electrical system.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Police Department warns public about increase in vehicle fuel thefts. The Kauai Police Department (KPD) is advising residents and visitors to remain vigilant following an increase in fuel thefts from vehicles reported across the island. Recent incidents involve suspects cutting gas tank lines from parked vehicles, and drilling holes in gas tanks. Garden Island.

‘This center is for them’: Kauaʻi County hosts blessing for new Piʻikoi Youth Center dedicated to keiki, ʻohana. “Every child who walks through these doors will have a safe, welcoming place to learn, play and grow, and every family will have a place to turn for the programs and support they need," said Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Police Ignored Warnings Ahead Of Murder, Residents Say. Neighbors repeatedly told law enforcement that William Sinclair had firearms and was using them to terrorize neighbors. Civil Beat.