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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Oahu

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

Maui

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

Upcoming ballot mailing ruling could cost the state millions, state officials plan $300k transit fact-finding trip, Kauai schools reopen, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii could face costly scramble to deliver ballots. A pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling could require Hawaii to spend millions of dollars to hire private companies to deliver ballots to every household where someone is registered to vote. But voters could not use the mail system to return their ballots, so individual voters would have to place them in drop-box locations or at in-person voter service centers. Star-Advertiser.

State leaders seek ideas on transit development. State leaders want to glean ideas for better transit-­oriented development in Hawaii by visiting other states and countries next month at a cost of up to $300,000. Sen. Chris Lee, who chairs the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Culture and Arts, spearheaded a $300,000 appropriation in the state budget approved by the Legislature in May for the Hawaii Community Development Authority to spend on “educational exchange programs” related to metropolitan planning organizations on Maui and Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Marigold Zoll tapped to lead Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife. In her new position, Zoll will oversee the division’s ongoing efforts to care for more than 1 million acres of state lands, including 57 forest reserves, 23 natural area reserves, 46 wildlife sanctuaries, precious forested watersheds, as well as 855 miles of public access trails to hunting and recreation areas statewide. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Catch A Break From Storms. It Has To Adapt. As the state recovers from multiple natural disasters, residents and officials are starting to talk about what needs to change to make the islands more resilient. Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Audit faults Honolulu’s use of $386M in COVID-19 relief funds. The City and County of Honolulu’s use of more than $386 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding failed to deliver the broader community and economic recovery benefits originally envisioned, an Office of the City Auditor report determined. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu District Court closed Monday due to loss of water and air conditioning. Hearings scheduled Monday in Courtroom 7C for defendants in custody, along with preliminary hearings, will instead be held at Kaneohe District Court, 45-939 Pookela St. Star-Advertiser.

Office building overhaul adds affordable rental units in Honolulu. Urban Honolulu has some new affordable housing following completion of a $25 million acquisition and conversion of a 52-year-old office building into 64 rental apartments for moderate-income households. Star-Advertiser.

HPD investigates officers’ use of force in Waikiki domestic dispute. The Honolulu Police Department said it is investigating after a video that appeared to show officers repeatedly striking a man during a domestic dispute arrest in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Care on the streets: Medical students bring help to the homeless. The Hawaii H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach and Medical Education) Project relies on donations, fundraisers and volunteers, including physicians who serve as attending doctors. Star-Advertiser.

Sea Life Park begins new transformation. The transformation of Sea Life Park under Hawaiian ownership has begun. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

UH seeks changes to Maunakea summit master plan. The University of Hawaii is seeking input from the public on proposed changes to its master plan for the Maunakea summit region, including revisions to allow for decommissioned observatory sites to be reused for astronomical purposes in the future. Tribune-Herald.

Under bill, county would be required to prioritize use of native plants. Bill 184 would establish requirements for incorporating native plants into county-owned and managed spaces. Tribune-Herald.

Palikapu Dedman, activist and founder of Pele Defense Fund, dies at 80. Palikapu Dedman, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, activist, farmer, environmental advocate and founder of the Pele Defense Fund, died Aug. 22. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mokulele awarded $19.4 million contract for Lanai air service. Mokulele Airlines has been awarded a four-year, $19.4 million federal contract to continue providing scheduled air service between Lanai, Honolulu and Kahului. Maui News.

2026 Maui County Fair contests announced, healthy babies, student art and more. The 2026 Maui County Fair will offer opportunities for community members of all ages to participate in contests, competitions and exhibitions when the 99th fair returns Oct. 1-4. Maui Now.

Kauai

State offices, most public schools to reopen Monday on Kauai. State offices and most public schools will reopen on Kauai Monday as the island continues to recover Hurricane Lowell’s lashing. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

All in-person services at Līhuʻe Civic Center closed through this week. A fire at the Kāpule Building resulted in closure of all in-person Kauaʻi County services through Sept. 18 at Līhuʻe Civic Center. Kauai Now.

The scope of destruction left behind by Hurricane Lowell continues to grow. In addition to 301 County damage assessments, community members have now self-submitted more than 464 residential damage reports. Garden Island.

Repairs underway on Lānaʻi’s Kaumālapaʻu Harbor, scheduled to reopen Sunday. Repairs are underway to restore Lānaʻi’s Kaumālapaʻu Harbor after it was closed with damage from Hurricane Lowell. The state Department of Transportation said it anticipates it will reopen on Sunday, Sept. 13. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Lowell May Be To Blame For A Second Kaua‘i Death. A 69-year-old Wainiha man was found dead Friday afternoon on the Garden Isle’s North Shore in an area that experienced significant flooding, according to a preliminary investigation by Kaua‘i police.  Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Kauai farmers’ plight underscores need for local food production. The ongoing power and water outages from Hurricane Lowell underscore the need to support local food production, farmers say, while helping to make the islands more resilient to natural disasters. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor advises tourists to reconsider travel to Kauaʻi until island recovers more from Hurricane Lowell. Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami said now isn't the time to visit the Garden Island, but the island is on the path to recovery. Kauai Now.

Trump lawsuit targets University of Hawaii, state economy expected to slow, Kauai airport power failure causes 7-hour waits in TSA lines, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump Lawsuit Targets Undocumented University of Hawaiʻi Students. A lawsuit seeks to end Hawaiʻi’s 13-year policy of providing in-state tuition benefits to undocumented immigrants living in the state. Hawaiʻi policies providing in-state tuition to undocumented students are unconstitutional and discriminate against out-of-state citizens who don’t receive the same benefits, according to a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit filed on Thursday. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. Aloha State Daily  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

State economic growth forecast to slow this year. Rising inflation, modest job growth and fewer days tourists spend in the islands are combining to slow economic growth from 2.5% last year to 1.3% this year, according to the latest forecast from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Two deaths linked to Hurricane Lowell. First responders on Kauai’s south end found the body of a 74-year-old man on Wednesday near the shoreline. Authorities believe his death was related to the storm surge, police said. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said another man was killed on Oahu when a large tree fell on his tent Monday during the storm. The man was homeless and living in a park, he said. Maui News. KHON2. 

Oahu

Honolulu Says Its Tow Contractor Overbilled. Taxpayers Will Pay The Price. Honolulu demanded its towing contractor, accused of overcharging, issue refunds to drivers. When the company said no, taxpayers were stuck with the bill. Civil Beat.

Homeowners vs. hikers: Council weighs in with no-parking proposal. A proposal to paint curbs with "no parking" near trailheads is before the Honolulu City Council. The bill has received opposition from the Department of Transportation Services, while residents have voiced frustration over congestion on streets near public trailheads. Aloha State Daily.

Ala Moana project gets 90-day extension for Council review. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously and without discussion to approve a 90-day extension for further consideration of the proposed 1588 Ala Moana development. The mixed-use project calls for a 400-foot luxury hotel tower and a separate residential tower with market-rate and affordable units at Ala Moana Center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

9 new officers welcomed into ranks at Hawaiʻi Police Department. The 105th recruit class began training Nov. 17, 2025. After 6 months of academic instruction, recruits completed 4 months of field training under the guidance of veteran officers throughout various districts. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Boards Ground To A Halt. Voters Could Change That. Voters on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi will decide on charter amendments aimed at reducing vacancies on panels designed to tackle crucial local issues. Civil Beat.

Maui Planning Commission recommends EC Pāʻia Town project rezoning as private water source raises questions. The Maui Planning Commission voted 5-3 Tuesday to recommend approval of the EC Pāʻia Town Project’s rezoning, after developers said the 170-home, mixed-use development would rely on private wells and a private wastewater treatment plant rather than county systems in Central Maui that already operate at or near capacity.  Maui Now.

Community invited to Sept. 17 meeting on proposed project for new Pāʻia gym. Community members are encouraged to attend a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, to share ideas for a proposed project to construct a new Pāʻia gym, the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced. Maui Now.

Kauai

Power generator issues trigger hourslong screening delays at Lihue Airport. Intermittent power outages at Līhuʻe Airport triggered major Transportation Security Administration screening delays Wednesday, with some passengers waiting in line for seven hours. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

‘Not the time for a vacation’: Kauai flood victims say tourists are treating disaster as sightseeing. Tourists should skip Kauai for now as it recovers from Hurricane Lowell, officials say. Tourism officials are asking visitors to steer clear of one of Hawaii’s most picturesque islands as residents and businesses work to recover from the latest tropical storm to thrash the state. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

‘You Just Want To Cry’: Kauaʻi Takes Stock Of Lowell’s Damage. Communities on Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi and Niʻihau are picking up the pieces left by Hurricane Lowell, a storm Gov. Josh Green compared with the 1992 disaster ʻIniki. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Star-Advertiser.  Garden Island. 

Kauaʻi residents deal with long lines for gas, empty store shelves and damage from Hurricane Lowell. Steve Schneider was sitting on the front porch of his blue beach bungalow in Poʻipū, taking a break from cleaning up the debris and storm damage that included his neighbor’s home that slammed into his front yard and car that almost went through his front window. Kauai Now.

Radio Silence Amid Lowell Reveals Critical Gap In Emergency Plan. Radio is critical during disasters. Kauaʻi has again exposed that many stations lack generators and other equipment needed to stay on the air. Civil Beat.

KKCR was on air for residents during Lowell and now needs help to avoid closure. The listener-supported Kauaʻi Community Radio station was broadcasting as the wind and rain from Hurricane Lowell tore through the island — and now it needs help to stay on the air. The station is looking to get its internet back, and it needs diesel for its generator, which Caporuscio said will run out of fuel in roughly a week. Hawaii Public Radio.