Health officials perplexed by snorkeling deaths, 28 homes damaged in magnitude 6.0 earthquake, OHA mulls purchase of KITV4, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Health Officials Are Perplexed By Hawaiʻi Snorkeling Deaths. Snorkeling claims the lives of dozens of tourists each year. Some who lost loved ones or nearly drowned themselves say not enough is done to warn people of the risks. Civil Beat.

Hawaii law aims to curb corporate influence in elections but faces hurdles. The new law attempts to bypass the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission, which has paved the way for corporations and other outside groups, including labor unions, to spend unprecedented amounts of money on U.S. elections. While it was meant to counter Citizens United’s impact, the Hawaii law restricts enforcement to state-regulated organizations, so it has also raised concerns that it actually might allow entities incorporated in other states to fill the void in political spending in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Attorney General Lopez provides biweekly update on public corruption investigation. State political investigation continues after 2nd Cabinet member leaves. In the wake of a second top administration official stepping down amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Gov. Josh Green’s office said it is not aware of any other state agency or individuals being included in the probe and that the governor is not “involved in the investigation in any way.” Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Leadership Turmoil And Staffing Shortfalls Plague Child Welfare System. Former Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services Director Ryan Yamane is not the only top child welfare official departing the agency as lawmakers made some efforts this year to improve the system. Civil Beat.

Stalled work to determine OHA ceded land claims revived. Hawaii lawmakers have set out a modified path to determine how much revenue from ceded lands the state owes the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and resolve a nearly half-century dispute. Lawmakers also agreed to distribute $55 million in withheld ceded land revenue to OHA as part of the newly amended legislation, Senate Bill 903, on top of a set annual $21.5 million contribution that OHA regards as far below what is owed. Star-Advertiser.

Prayers push politics aside for Hawaii family members of Tulsi Gabbard. Prayers poured in for the family of Tulsi Gabbard on Friday after the former Hawaii political office holder announced her resignation as director of national intelligence in Washington, D.C., to support her husband battling bone cancer.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Voters Could Add Immigrant Protection Measures For HPD In November. In the wake of state legislation seeking to protect immigrants from overzealous federal crackdowns, a Honolulu charter amendment proposal with similar goals is inching forward at the city’s charter commission. Civil Beat.

North Shore homeowners fined nearly $2M for shoreline barriers. Three North Shore homeowners who together amassed a total of nearly $2 million in state fines for illegal shoreline armoring have begun removing the unpermitted structures they installed to shield their Rocky Point properties from erosion. Star-Advertiser.

OHA weighs purchase of KITV-KIKU from Allen Media Group. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs declined to say whether it has entered negotiations with a broadcast company or whether an offer has been made or is imminent. But sources close to the potential deal said the agency’s acquisition target is the Allen Media Group-owned KITV-KIKU, the local ABC affiliate and a station featuring Japanese and Filipino programming. Star-Advertiser.

‘Save the Queen’: Kaimukī residents urge the City to buy dilapidated Queen Theater. The Honolulu City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee on Thursday passed a resolution that would add Queen Theater to the roster of government buildings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Big Island residents report damage from magnitude 6.0 quake. No injuries were reported but Hawaii County officials received reports Saturday from the Civil Defense Agency that at least 28 houses were damaged, including a post-and-pier home in South Kona that collapsed and is considered unlivable due to extensive damage to its foundation, said Tom Callis, spokesman for the Mayor’s Office. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

County to use eminent domain to widen Puna road. A Hawaii County Council committee unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to acquire 3.74 acres of land along Government Beach Road in Puna using eminent domain in order to widen the winding, one-lane scenic seaside route. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

HECO installing sturdier replacement poles in Lahaina, with plans for limited underground lines. Nearly three years after a downed power line sparked the destructive and deadly 2023 Lahaina wildfire, Hawaiian Electric is beginning a two-year, hardening project in the seaside town to replace wooden utility poles with stronger ones made of steel or composite fiberglass. Maui Now.

Hoʻonani Village project recommended for first reading passage by full Council; calls for deferral set aside. Bills 163 and 164 would expand the Maui Island Plan’s urban growth boundary and change the Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan designation from agriculture to business-multifamily for approximately 166 acres near Pūlehu and Hansen roads and Maui Veterans Highway. The site is part of a larger parcel that Hoʻonani Development plans to transform into an approximately 1,608-unit workforce housing community with light industrial, commercial, office and open space components. Maui Now.

Kula Hospital's future uncertain amid ongoing post-storm closure. Kula Hospital was home to more than 100 long-term patients when severe flooding and rain in March damaged the facility. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘She’s up with the saints’: Meli Watanuki, one of Kalaupapa’s last living patients, dies at 91. A beloved member of the Kalaupapa community who loved to dance hula, never missed morning Mass and helped restart tours to the historic town last fall has died, leaving just two survivors of Hansen’s disease living full time on the isolated peninsula on Moloka‘i’s north coast. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi farmers and small businesses find new home at Anahola Marketplace. A new weekly farmers market focused on local food, small businesses and community connection is set to launch June 1 at Anahola Marketplace on Kauaʻi’s North Shore. Kauai Now.

No swimming advised following shark sighting at Hanalei Bay. According to a preliminary report, ocean safety officials report that a 6- to 7-foot shark was sighted fronting the Pavilion Tower in Hanalei Bay today, May 24, at approximately 2:15 p.m. Lifeguards will reassess the area later on Monday, May 25. If there are no other sightings, the beach will reopen to ocean activities at 2:15 p.m. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Busy cyclone season predicted, Green signs income tax cuts bill, coastal water pollution worsens, Japanese developer advances $2B LNG power plant plan for Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi urged to prepare for intense El Niño hurricane season. ‘Very busy year:’ Central Pacific forecast calls for 5 to 13 tropical cyclones. The Central Pacific hurricane outlook forecast was released Thursday, showing a 70% chance that there could be five to 13 tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes, in the region this season. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

New water quality report shows more chronic coastal water pollution in Hawaii.  Three beach areas in Hawaii have the dubious distinction of being among the top ten coastal areas in the U.S. with the highest rates of bacteria that exceed recreational health standards. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Green signs income tax bill, others into law. Gov. Green signs bills to strengthen and protect essential public services. Gov. Josh Green signed four measures into law Thursday, including a bill that preserves a vast majority of income tax relief from Act 46, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2024, for low- and middle-income households, while revising certain future tax bracket and rate adjustments and repealing or sunsetting selected tax credits. Maui Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Outlook on state finances improves. The Council on Revenues has somewhat downgraded its forecast for Hawaii general fund revenue growth next fiscal year, but also improved its outlook for the current fiscal year that results in an overall net benefit. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Teachers Win Raises, But Some Schools Are Still Crumbling. Teachers say lawmakers made significant progress boosting educator morale and retention this session, but debates about campus repairs and construction are ongoing. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Developer wading into regulatory waters for proposed Oahu LNG power plant. An affiliate of Japan’s biggest energy company has begun to seek federal regulatory approval for part of a proposed $2 billion Oahu power plant fueled by imported liquefied natural gas. Star-Advertiser.

City Council OKs $70K settlement in HPD car crash. The Honolulu City Council voted on May 13 to authorize a settlement agreement in the lawsuit, Jonathan Lefiti v. Dejanira Seale, an HPD officer, and the City and County of Honolulu, stemming from a rear-end collision that allegedly caused serious injuries to occupants of the other vehicle. Star-Advertiser.

UH students and faculty speak out against 'time, place and manner' policies. Members of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Faculty Senate met with school leaders to discuss what they perceive as a concerning change to campus free speech policies. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Oahu field use rules causing concern among youth leagues. The City has a new pilot program to better manage sports fields permits on Oahu. KHON2.

North Shore lifeguard rescues sea turtle tangled in fishing line at Waimea Bay. About 50 yards offshore fronting the lifeguard tower, a large honu was stuck in a fisherman’s line with multiple hooks. Hawaii News Now.

Developers break ground on Waianiani at The Cove, new West Oahu entertainment venue. The ground breaking and blessing for Waianiani at The Cove was held on Thursday, a new oceanfront entertainment and cultural destination coming to West Oahu. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

County Council tweaks property tax rates. Hawaiʻi County Is Taxing Homes Of The Rich, But Others Get A Break. Council chair flexes to keep a more aggressive proposal off the agenda. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Management plan in the works for Hilo Bay watershed. Efforts are underway to develop a watershed management plan for Hilo Bay, which has a long history of poor water quality, high bacteria levels and brown water advisories. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Axis deer impact survey is open through June 30.  The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is asking residents of Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i to participate in a short survey describing how axis deer are impacting their lives. Maui Now.

Will Patient Death Halt Kalaupapa Access? ‘No One Really Knows’. The National Park Service is working with the late Meli Watanuki’s estate and tour operators on options to continue. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Accessibility improvement project at Līhuʻe Airport to begin May 26. Construction work that will improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at Līhuʻe Airport is scheduled to begin May 26, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Kauai Now.

Chan and Zuckerberg donate $1.48M for new imaging technology at Wilcox Medical Center. Dr. Priscilla Chan and her husband, META CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have donated $1.48 million to support new imaging technology at the Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Luke Evslin files for re-election. State Rep. Luke Evslin (D-Wailua, Hanamaulu, Kapaia, Lihue, Puhi, Omao) filed his nomination papers Wednesday to seek re-election to House District 16.  Garden Island.

Concealed firearms carry licenses jump 70%, defense contractors arrested for bribery, conspiracy; Lazar picked for Honolulu police chief; Mauna Loa Atmospheric BaselineObservatory road restored, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Statewide concealed carry licenses climb in Hawaii. The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General has released new 2025 statewide statistics on concealed carry firearm licenses. According to the report, 3,764 people in Hawaii held a valid license to carry a concealed handgun as of Dec. 31, 2025. Officials said that marks a 70.5% increase from the 2,207 license holders reported at the end of 2024. Hawaii News Now.

Two defense contractors arrested for bribery and major fraud conspiracy scheme involving Hawaiʻi-Pacific Innovation Campus. The Justice Department announced criminal charges against Leonard Pick, 62, of Palm Beach Shores, Florida, and Brian Kent, 59, of Tampa, Florida, for allegedly orchestrating a bribery and major fraud conspiracy that corrupted the competitive procurement process for a Department of War technology innovation lab in the Pacific. These indictments result from ongoing federal investigations into fraud and collusion in the defense contracting industry in Hawaiʻi.  Maui Now.

Jarrett Keohokalole files for Congress, launches campaign focused on affordability. Hawaii State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole has officially filed to run for Hawaii’s First Congressional District, launching a campaign centered on affordability, health care and what he calls the need for new leadership. Keohokalole filed his candidacy on Wednesday, setting up a challenge to longtime U.S. Rep. Ed Case. KITV4.

Oahu

Police commission taps retired deputy chief from San Francisco to lead HPD. For the first time in the 94-year history of the Honolulu Police Department, an officer who never worked in Hawaii will lead the largest law enforcement organization in the state. Honolulu police commissioners voted 5-2 to appoint David Lazar, 55, as the 13th chief of HPD.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu homeless count shows slight uptick, but some improvements. The 2026 Oahu Point-in-Time Count Community Report conducted on Jan. 26 identified 4,539 people experiencing homelessness on the night of Jan. 25 — a roughly 1% increase from the 4,487 counted in 2024. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Raised crosswalks in Kailua to be removed, prompting lane closures. State officials say lane closures are scheduled next week for the removal of two raised crosswalks that were installed on Kailua Road about four years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Marine institute shores up Moku o Loʻe against climate change. The Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology has released its Mālama ʻĀina Plan, which guides how the islet will adapt to climate change. Hawaii Public Radio.

Vigilante Curb Painting Has ʻAiea Resident Seeing Red. Red paint on public curbs is reserved for Honolulu bus stops, but at The Pearl One condominiums, the enamel has been more widely applied. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

General plan bill advances in County Council. The Hawaii County Council voted 6-3 on Wednesday in favor of passing a long-term public planning document that has garnered significant public outcry, at times described by council members as “personal attacks,” “vilifying comments,” “conspiracy theories” and “AI psychosis.” Tribune-Herald.

Council holds public meeting on proposed property rates. The Hawaii County Council held a public hearing Tuesday seeking feedback on plans to raise property tax rates for nonresidents and owners of second homes in a push to make up for an estimated $15 million budget shortfall. At the same time, many island residents would see a reduction in their property taxes. Tribune-Herald.

Permits granted to carry concealed guns up 54%. According to a report released Wednesday by the state Department of Attorney General, the total number of active concealed-carry licenses in Hawaii County as of Dec. 31, 2025, was 656. That’s 231 more licenses than reported as of Dec. 31, 2024, or a 54% increase. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Loa Observatory Road Restored, 3 Years After Lava Flow. Access to NOAA’s Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory, or MLO, has been restored following the late-2022 eruption of Mauna Loa volcano. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County committee defers overnight parking ban, discusses water fee overhaul. The Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee deferred action Monday on a proposed overnight parking ban on three industrial area streets in Kahului after hearing community concerns about its impact on homeless people living out of their cars and the need for safer alternatives. Maui Now.

Maui Council committee advances $4M budget amendment for Hālau of ʻŌiwi Arts. A Maui County Council committee recommended first reading approval Tuesday of a $4 million bond funding request for the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Arts project in Wailuku, even as council members raised pointed questions about why items originally represented as part of the project had been dropped before construction began. Maui Now.

Schatz visits site of future Hālau of ‘Ōiwi Art in Wailuku. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz recently visited the construction site of the future Hālau of ‘Ōiwi Art in Wailuku to view ongoing work on the cultural center, which will serve as a hub for hula and Native Hawaiian arts as well as a disaster resilience facility. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Fire Department blesses three brush trucks and high water rescue vehicle. The Kauai Fire Department (KFD) held a blessing on Wednesday to welcome three new brush trucks and a new high water rescue vehicle in front of the Historic County Building in Lihue.  Garden Island.

Maui's marshy wetlands can play a role in Hawaiʻi's climate solution. Wetlands can store up to five times as much carbon as forests. They’re rich in native biodiversity, and can help protect coral reefs from runoff and absorb floodwater during storms.  Hawaii Public Radio.

State DHS director Yamane quits amid Hawaii corruption probe, toll road for Mauna Kea proposed, SHOPO touts Lambert for Honolulu police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii AG’s corruption probe prompts state director to quit. Former  state lawmaker Ryan Yamane abruptly retired as director of the Department of Human Services on Tuesday after being questioned by state investigators about allegations of public corruption involving Hawaii’s COVID-19 testing contracts. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

Oahu

Stakeholders evaluate transparency in process to pick Honolulu's chief of police. Has the Honolulu Police Commission engaged enough with stakeholders and the public as a whole as it’s set to appoint a new police chief? It depends on who you ask. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu police union supports Lambert for chief, survey says. The union representing Honolulu Police Department officers wants former HPD Maj. Mike Lambert to be the city’s 13th police chief, citing his institutional knowledge, proven record of leadership and “deep cultural competency.” Star-Advertiser.

City to seek other sites for archery range project. Private plans to build a traditional Japanese archery range and training facility at city-owned Mau‘umae Nature Park in Kaimuki have been abandoned, as city officials and the project’s sponsor seek a new location following community opposition, park officials announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Skyline improvements to come with $500M in construction contracts. More than 300,000 people rode Skyline last month – the most ever and the first time it crossed that number. While it is in operation, officials acknowledge it is still a work in progress.  KHON2.

‘It’s Just Tiring’: 24 Hours Inside Hawai‘i’s Homeless Crisis. More than a dozen Civil Beat reporters and photographers set out to chronicle the reality of homelessness on Oʻahu on Jan. 26, the day of the homeless census. Here’s what they saw.  Civil Beat.

Kaiser cancer center receives $5M for expansion. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii announced Tuesday that it has received a $5 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to support construction of the new Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Cancer Center at Moanalua Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Charter Amendment Would Pull Power Away From Hawaiʻi County Mayor. A divided County Council is moving forward with plans to let voters decide if a county manager system would work better for the Big Island. Hawai‘i County’s mayor would become more of a figurehead under a proposed charter amendment that shifts significant executive powers to an appointed county manager. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

DHHL Considers Tolls For Mauna Kea Access Road. The proposals have pitted two Native Hawaiian organizations against each other. The Hawaiian Homes Commission is considering proposals to charge fees to visit Mauna Kea and use those funds to pay for reforestation efforts and restoration of cultural sites. Civil Beat.

Council considers new requirements for nonprofits. A Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would require nonprofits applying for county grants to certify they have policies governing nepotism, conflicts of interest and auditing. Tribune-Herald.

Alameda asks state for help in wake of recent traffic deaths. Mayor Kimo Alameda on Monday sent a letter to Gov. Josh Green requesting assistance from the state to improve traffic safety on Hawaii Island. As of Tuesday, there had been 13 traffic fatalities in 2026 on Hawaii Island roads, including eight in the past two weeks. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Grand Taste to showcase a perfect pairing: Maui Chefs + Maui Agriculture. A total of 12 Maui chefs will create 12 original recipes and compete for top honors in Grand Taste at Maui AgFest on Saturday, May 30. This popular event gives attendees a chance to sample delicious creations from some of Maui’s hottest chefs, and then to vote on their favorite. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi judge keeps development ban in place at former Princeville golf course. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Stephanie Char on Tuesday denied a request by Starwood Capital Group to resume certain ground-disturbing work at the abandoned Makai Woods Golf Course in Princeville, keeping an existing injunction in place while the case remains on appeal. Kauai Now.

Kauai USDA safety inspector convicted of federal child exploitation charges. U.S. Department of Agriculture safety inspector Roger Wesley Biggs, 40, led a secret online life, grooming vulnerable boys and coercing them into producing sexually explicit images. Hawaii News Now.

Raised crosswalks to be installed in Hanalei overnight Thursday. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will close one lane of traffic from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, for the installation of the three crosswalks as part of the Kūhiō Highway Resurfacing and Safety Improvement Princeville to Waikoko project. Kauai Now.

More than 700 to graduate this weekend. More than 700 high school seniors earned eligibility for graduation from the three public high schools that will celebrate graduation exercises on Friday, according to the Kauai Complex Area, Hawaii Department of Education. Garden Island.

Green mulls pausing gas taxes, Honolulu forces mentally ill homeless into treatment facilities, bill gives Maunakea management board extra time, Maui County to buy MLB water assets, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green considering pausing state, county gas tax during summer to ease prices at pump. Gov. Josh Green says he’s considering pausing state and county gas taxes for part of summer. The state gas tax is 16 cents a gallon. The county’s tax ranges from 16 to 24 cents. Depending on your vehicle, that could mean a savings of $4-to-$6 every time you fill up. KHON2.

EPA Just Walked Back Hawaiʻi’s Plan To Retire Its Dinosaur Power Plants. By throwing a wrench in the state’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan, advocates say HECO can sidestep rules years in the making. Civil Beat.

Candidate Faced Little Vetting For Charter School Board. The Hawaiʻi education board reviews applications to the state charter school commission. Some school leaders say the process should be more rigorous. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Board of Education commits to better communication. As the school year comes to a close, the Hawaiʻi Board of Education is committing to higher standards of communication and transparency with its community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Partnerships formalized to expand locally sourced school meals in Hawaiʻi. State leaders gathered at Mililani High School to sign a joint memorandum of agreement formalizing a statewide partnership to expand the use of locally sourced foods in Hawaiʻi public school meals and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s agricultural and food systems. Maui Now.

Oahu

Council authorizes $350K contract to defend against Hitachi litigation. A private law firm with a longstanding role defending the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in court will be paid more to advise the city as it navigates ongoing legal disputes with the prime contractor of the city’s more than $10 billion Skyline project. Star-Advertiser.

Crisis teams use new law to get mentally ill homeless into treatment on Oahu. Pilot program allows involuntary transport to mental health facilities with law enforcement backup. About 60 people from across the island have been taken to hospitals or mental health crisis centers. Of those, six would not go willingly and had to be handcuffed and driven in patrol cars to the treatment facility. Hawaii News Now.

Tour of problems at Oahu Community Correctional Center. The state wants to build a new billion dollar jail to replace the current Oahu Community Correctional Center. KHON2.

Coast Guard, partners respond to oil spill at Ala Wai Harbor. The Coast Guard said it is working with the state Department of Health and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation on the response. Hawaii News Now.
 
Hawaii Island

Bill gives Maunakea authority more time to take over management of summit area. House Bill 2592 extends the start date of the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority's assumption of management of the summit area from June 2028 to December 2029 and gives it the power to extend existing observatory leases on the mountain prior to the transfer date. Tribune-Herald.

Funds Released for Restoration of East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center. Governor Josh Green released $200,000 in general obligation bond funds for a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Grant-in-Aid (GIA) project supporting the restoration of the Kalākaua Street building. Big Island Video News.

State Funds Released for Goodwill Hilo Campus. Governor Josh Green has released $500,000 in general obligation bond funds for a Capital Improvement Program Grant-in-Aid to help bring Goodwill’s newly acquired Hilo campus facility up to code, and expand its operational capacity to better serve the East Hawaiʻi community. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui County agrees to buy Maui Land & Pineapple Co. water assets. If the sale goes through, and negotiations are successful with other water system owners like Kameha­meha Schools and West Maui Land to acquire key assets — including the Olowalu and Launiupoko irrigation and water companies — public stewardship of drinking and irrigation water will increase to 65% and drinking water alone will increase to 93%. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Maui News.

Maui’s Speed Bump Bonanza Is Driving Some Locals Crazy. The county has installed dozens of traffic-calming devices to improve public safety. Some residents say it has gone too far. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Looks To Triple Homeless Funding On Heels Of Lower Count. The County Council also increased funding for invasive species mitigation and mental health programs as part of its ongoing review of next year’s budget. Civil Beat.

Political forum draws a crowd. The Kapaa Business Association 2026 Political Forum was an opportunity for the voting public to get to know the political candidates for the offices of Kauai mayor, the Kauai County Council, and Hawaii state representatives. Garden Island.

Developer of Kauai condos files for bankruptcy over ‘predatory lending agreement’. A divisive development of 279 luxury condos under construction on Kauai’s south shore is now in financial trouble. After pre-selling about $100 million worth of units, developer Meridian Pacific filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy over its Kauanoe o Koloa project, days before a scheduled hearing for a lawsuit against it.  Hawaii News Now.

Free property tax relief workshops scheduled in May, June, July. Kaua‘i property owners are invited to three free summer workshops beginning this month to learn about available property tax relief programs. Kauai Now.

Hawaii GOP seeks Trump supporters to help increase state representation, Waikiki homelessness drops 90%, AT&T withdraws Kauai cell tower plan after community opposition, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Republicans: We Need The 'Trump People' To Turn Out The Vote. The minority party hopes to capitalize on recent gains in the Hawaiʻi Legislature, but the biggest elephant in the room is Trump. To build on gains in the Legislature, Hawaiʻi Republicans were told Saturday at their state convention at the Kroc Center in ʻEwa Beach, is to inspire hardcore Donald Trump supporters in a year when he is not on the ballot. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s fight against Medicaid fraud plagued for over a decade. Behind the verbal sparring last week between federal and state officials over policing Medicaid fraud, data shows Hawaii’s recent record on the subject is in some respects worst in the nation. In each of the last four years, Hawaii’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has produced no indictments and no convictions for fraud — something no other state has done. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Residents With Unpaid Medical Bills Could Soon Get Help. The Legislature this year passed a bill to cancel unpaid medical debt for lower-income Hawaiʻi residents. Civil Beat.

Patient access bill raises free speech debate. House Bill 1961 makes it unlawful for someone to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly interfere with access to a healthcare facility or disrupt its operations through physical obstruction, repeated disruptive phone calls or threats against patients, workers, owners or property. Star-Advertiser.

Requiring Judges To Consider Past Trauma Of Youth Offenders Aim Of New Law. The proposed law, which awaits the governor’s signature, would also bar youth who have been trafficked or sexually abused from being charged as adults for crimes in which their abuser is the victim. Civil Beat.

Long-term care advocates says Hawaii lawmakers need to do more. As Hawaii’s population ages and long-term care costs continue to rise, two measures aimed at addressing elder care and dementia support are headed to Gov. Josh Green for signature, but critics say much more help is needed. Star-Advertiser.

Stricter E-Bike Regulations Planned For Hawai‘i. The new bill would mandate helmets for anyone under 18, ban wheelies or stunt riding on public streets, and place other age restrictions on riding. Civil Beat.

Expanding childcare tax credit could boost workforce. A new report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization argues that expanding Hawaii’s childcare tax credit could partially pay for itself by helping more parents stay in — or return to — the workforce, even as the state faces mounting concerns over childcare affordability, shrinking provider capacity and staffing shortages. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii poses unique challenges in removing unexploded military munitions. More than a century of military training has left untold numbers of undetonated bombs and other munitions across the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Homelessness drops 91% in Waikiki core. A point-in-time count on April 16 found 201 people experiencing homelessness across Waikiki and nearby areas, down from 251 in September 2022, according to WBID and the University of Hawaii. The steepest decline came along Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues and Kuhio Beach, where unsheltered homelessness fell about 91%. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofit acquires building in Chinatown for homeless youth. Residential Youth Services and Empowerment will develop the new four-story property into affordable housing and provide workforce development support for young adults from 18 to 24 years old. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Chief Candidate Investigated In Georgia Over Conduct. Former Glynn County, Georgia Police Chief Scott Ebner, now a finalist for the Honolulu chief job, has been under investigation for months over allegations of inappropriate behavior with a subordinate but apparently failed to mention that to a hiring consultant who recommended him as a top candidate for the Honolulu job. Civil Beat.

Largest affordable housing project celebrates grand opening. Construction of the 90-unit Makiki Banyan began in late March of 2025. There are 80 one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units. The community also includes 33 parking stalls. KHON2.

As Oʻahu landfills approach capacity, deconstruction beats demolition. Oʻahu's two landfills are both approaching capacity. But for certain kinds of waste, recycling is making some progress.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s worst flooding in 20 years leaves farmers struggling and fewer veggies at the market. Across Oahu’s North Shore, an area famed for its big-wave surfing, the small farms that help supply the island’s food are struggling after back-to-back storms in March brought the state’s worst flooding in two decades. Associated Press.

‘Distasteful’: Flood victims say landlord is raising rent as they recover from Kona low. A water main break flooded 14 units on Koali Road in Manoa back in October. Months later, residents said the apartments were swamped again during the second Kona Low storm. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Property tax hikes eyed: County faces $15 million budget deficit. The Hawaii County Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider raising property tax rates for nonresidents and those with second homes in an effort to close the gap on an estimated $15 million budget shortfall. Tribune-Herald.

Public Meeting On Hilo Bay Set for Saturday, May 23. A Community Listening Fair for the Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan will be held on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Aupuni Center Conference Room (101 Pauahi Street in Hilo). Big Island Video News.

Partial funding allocated for Outpatient Care Center in Kona. Plans for an Outpatient Care Center in Kailua-Kona are moving forward after $50 million was allocated for the project in the recent state budget, an investment in health care infrastructure that West Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation CEO Clayton McGhan said is “much-needed” in the area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council advances $1.6 billion budget, splits 5-4 on mayoral spending limits. The Maui County Council unanimously passed a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget on first reading Friday, approving a contested shoreline stabilization grant after a lengthy discussion and splitting 5-4 on election-year spending limits on the mayor’s office. Maui Now.

Expansion plans of Lāna‘i luxury resort are economic win to some residents, cultural loss to others. Last month, Pūlama Lāna‘i asked the Hawai‘i Land Use Commission to rezone about 170 acres from agricultural and rural to urban land so it can build nine villas and five more spa units for Sensei Lāna‘i, a Four Seasons Resort perched on the windswept slopes of Kō‘ele. Maui Now.

Sne Patel to run West Maui seat in state House. LahainaTown Action Committee President Sne Patel has announced his candidacy for the state House District 14 seat representing West Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

AT&T Withdraws Controversial Kaua‘i Cell Tower Plan. A telecommunications company has called off a contentious plan to build a 125-foot cellphone tower in a rural Kaua‘i neighborhood where cell service is weak but locals’ distaste to fix the problem with a large installation — even one disguised as a pine tree — is strong. Civil Beat. 

Arryl Kaneshiro files for re-election. The Elections Office accepted the nomination documents on Friday from Kauai County Council member Arryl Kaneshiro. Garden Island.

Green signs bill limiting corporate spending in Hawaii elections, condo associations in line for low-interest loans, Kash Patel's Pearl Harbor snorkel trip, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green signs 4 bills into law, first batch from 2026 Legislative Session. The bills include measures on corporate spending in elections, licene plate covers, Hawaii leadership awards and Love my Library Day. KITV4.

State opens $20 Million loan program for Hawai’i condominium repairs. Hawai’i officials have launched a new state-backed loan program to help condominium associations pay for critical building repairs as rising insurance costs and aging infrastructure continue to strain the state’s condo market. Big Island Now.

Higher oil prices hurting Hawaii’s economy, UHERO report says. Hawaii’s near-term economic outlook “has worsened noticeably” as the war with Iran continues to push oil and consumer prices higher, according to the latest economic forecast by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, released Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii attorney general defends Medicaid fraud enforcement. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez pushed back Thursday against claims leveled a day earlier by Vice President JD Vance that the state isn’t serious about combating Medicaid fraud. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Military leaders meet in Waikiki as land leases remain in limbo. At this week’s Association of the U.S. Army’s annual Land Forces Pacific Symposium, or LANPAC, in Waikiki, military leaders continued to make the case for continuing to use state landas a training and weapons-testing ground for their troops and those of their allies as they prepare forces for a potential showdown with China in Taiwan and the South China Sea. Star-Advertiser.

Amid Funding Fears, Food And Farming Bills Fared Better Than Expected. Lawmakers, farmers and agriculture advocates found tens of millions of dollars for key infrastructure projects this legislative session. Civil Beat.

Hawaii doctor: Hantavirus ‘is not the next pandemic’ . Dr. Scott Miscovich, an infectious disease expert, said Hantavirus, originating from infected rodents, isn’t a new disease. He said it’s more difficult to catch than COVID, and the virus also doesn’t mutate as frequently to create wild new variants. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Emails show FBI Director Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip included ‘VIP snorkel’ at a Pearl Harbor memorial. When Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer, the FBI took pains to note the director was not on vacation. Left out of the FBI’s news releases was an exclusive excursion that Patel took days later when he participated in what government officials described as a “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona in an outing coordinated by the military.  Associated Press.

Honolulu City Council proposes building rules in flood areas. Honolulu lawmakers are working on changes to city construction laws in anticipation of new federal flood maps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will update its flood areas on Oʻahu on June 10. Hawaii Public Radio.

 Honolulu BWS chief urges residents to store water ahead of hurricane season. Hurricane season in Hawaiʻi traditionally falls between June to November. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu police chief finalists answer questions in live PBS forum. The three finalists to be Honolulu’s next police chief made their only joint public appearance Thursday night on the PBS Hawaii “Insights” program. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Permit granted for Falls on Fire festival in Papaikou. The controversial Burning Man-inspired festival known as “Falls on Fire” can continue to be held in Papaikou after the Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted 4-1 on Thursday in favor of issuing a special use permit clearing the way for the event to proceed. Tribune-Herald.

County purchases Honolulu Landing property. The $3.7 million acquisition occurred through the County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) program. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Council Races Could Reshape Power Balance. This election will bring new faces — and possibly a progressive majority — to the county’s nine-member lawmaking body. Civil Beat.

Lahaina school rebuild gets nearly $200M, wildfire study misses out on funding. Maui came away with the promise of nearly $200 million to rebuild a burned-down Lahaina elementary school but lost out on funds to expand a study on the health of wildfire survivors as the legislative session closed last week.  Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric seeks renewable energy proposals for Lanai. Hawaiian Electric is beginning the process to seek proposals of a large-scale renewable energy project on Lanai to reduce the use of imported fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions and stabilize rates. Maui News.

People Usually Get Away With Harming Hawai‘i’s Seals Despite Tourist Case. A Seattle visitor was arrested a week after lobbing a rock at an endangered seal on Maui. But cases involving people killing the seals are rarely prosecuted. Civil Beat.

Kauai

New Kaua’i renewable energy project approved by Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission. If successfully developed, AES’ Mānā Solar + Storage project, coupled with AES’ previously approved Kaawanui Solar project, would bring Kaua‘i to nearly 90% renewable generation by 2030, according to a news release from Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Landfill project open house scheduled. The County of Kauai Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division, along with project consultant Tetra Tech, invites the community and Westside residents to attend an informational open house on the proposed Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion project on May 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  Garden Island.