Green signs 22 health care bills, PUC allows HECO to sell assets, Democratic Party grand rally set for July 19, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green signs 22 bills addressing health care systems into law. Gov. Josh Green signed several bills related to health care and behavioral health into law Thursday — aligning with his administration’s social health care model, which encompasses not only traditional health care, but other societal issues like poverty alleviation, homelessness and more. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Maui Now.

PUC allows Hawaiian Electric to sell assets. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission on Thursday finally answered Hawaiian Electric's request to sell accounts receivables to secure short-term financing. The answer is yes, but with conditions because Commissioners have some concerns. KITV4.

Naval war games partnership in Hawaii features 29 countries. The biennial Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world’s largest recurring naval warfare exercise, kicked off in Hawaii this week as warships, aircraft and personnel from 29 countries gathered in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

State Expects Upcoming Energy Study To Answer Cost And Carbon Questions For Hawaii. The energy office is examining whether liquefied natural gas would be a practical replacement for low-sulphur fuel oil. Civil Beat.

Officials criticize Ag Department for invasive species management amid budget concerns. The department has been questioned about detailed planning and action to manage dangerous pests for months. Hawaii Public Radio.

Climate change-fueled hurricanes could harm Hawaiʻi's birds.  As climate change increases the frequency and severity of natural disasters like hurricanes, experts warn that birds will bear the brunt of these storms in varied and long-lasting ways. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i to receive more than $6.6 million in federal funding to build more housing. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Development, on Wednesday announced Hawai‘i has been awarded more than $6.6 million in new federal grant funding to help build more housing. Big Island Now.

Hawaii visitor industry downturn to extend well past spring. The deals are up but travelers are way down for summer through the end of the year in Hawaii, especially on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai'i in the red for COVID positivity rate. Currently, Hawai'i is in the red for the COVID-19 disease, meaning the state has a high positivity rate.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Stadium developer’s exit is focus at board meeting. The withdrawal of one of two finalists for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District contract was the main topic of discussion at Thursday’s Stadium Authority meeting. Star-Advertiser.

Let Them Eat Zippy’s: Youth Correctional Facility Turns To Takeout To Address Cook Shortage. The facility's lengthy hiring process has made it difficult to hire cooks and increased its reliance on meals ordered from nearby restaurant chains. Civil Beat.

Leeward Oahu residents have praise, concerns over HECO program to cut power ahead of wildfire threats. HECO held a community informational meeting Thursday evening in Maili, where dry brush on hillsides can easily catch fire and threaten the neighborhoods below. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Homeless encampment under Makiki bridge prompts growing alarm. From stolen bikes to fires, neighbors are putting a spotlight on a homeless encampment in Makiki. The encampment is beneath the bridge on Anapuni Street. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Democratic Party Primary Grand Rally Set For July 19th In Hilo. Candidates vying for federal, state, and county offices will take the stage to share their visions for Hawai‘i’s future. Big Island Video News.

Shelter to open in Hilo: 25-bed facility for homeless will be located next to The Salvation Army. The shelter is scheduled to open in late August and will be located next to The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps., 219 Ponahawai St., for 12 overnight hours a day. Tribune-Herald.

Pride Festival returns, but no parade this year in downtown Hilo. The Hawaii Island LGBTQ+ Pride board made the difficult decision to forgo the parade and focus all efforts on the festival after the recent death of Pride advocate and community leader Greg Lupton. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

A Long-Awaited Federal Report On The Cause Of The Lahaina Fire Is Just Waiting For Maui County To Release It. Maui officials do not have an estimated timeline for making the document public. Civil Beat.

Maui County awards contract to review Aug. 8 fire response. Maui awarded a contract Tuesday to an undisclosed company to review the response Opens in a new tab of the Maui Emergency Management Agency during the fatal Aug. 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Rebuilding Is Finally Getting Started In Lahaina’s Burn Zone. The restoration of sewer and water lines is coming along while most residential lots and many commercial properties have been cleared. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

State to hold mortgage assistance event for those impacted by Maui wildfires. Banks with mortgages affected by the Maui fires will be face-to-face with their customers Friday and Saturday.  Hawaii News Now.

New parking policies, rates to take effect July 1 for Wailuku Garage parking. The County of Maui Department of Transportation announced the implementation of updated parking management policies at the Wailuku Garage, located at 30 N. Church St. in Wailuku town. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kapaʻa whale carcass originally planned to be left on shoreline will be buried. A cultural practitioner working with state environmental groups says there are now plans to bury the head of the decaying sperm whale that washed up on the shore outside the Sheraton Kauaʻi Coconut Beach Resort earlier this month, shifting from the initial decision to leave the carcass on the shoreline permanently.  Kauai Now.

Sheriff scandal grows, offshore wind farm slated for Oahu, 6 more COVID deaths reported, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Three deputy sheriffs arrested, 9 on paid leave amid criminal probes.  State deputy sheriffs arrested one of their own Wednesday on allegations of reckless endangering and harassment. It’s the third harassment arrest this month involving separate criminal investigations — with nine deputies now out on administrative leave. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Green plans to veto 3 bills aimed at emergency powers. Among the 17 bills that Gov. Josh Green intends to veto are three that would put new rules on his emergency powers as the Legislature continues to try to define how Hawaii governors should operate during crises. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor's intent-to-veto list includes invasive species and biosecurity bills. The $20 million “landmark” biosecurity bill to tackle invasive species in Hawaiʻi could get cut in half. Hawaii Public Radio.

State publishes Hawaii Digital Economy Survey. To gain a deeper understanding of how local companies utilize digital and broadband technology for their business operations, the Hawai’i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Hawai’i Broadband and Digital Equity Office recently published its Hawai’i digital economy survey involving more than 1,000 businesses. Maui News. Maui Now.

Hawaii Health Department reports 6 more COVID deaths. The Hawaii Department of Health todayreported six additional COVID-related deaths, bringing the state’s COVID toll since the start of the pandemic to 2,183. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Downtown Honolulu electric grid upgrade will be long, disruptive.  It could take 10 years to fully upgrade downtown Honolulu’s underground electric cable network under a plan being accelerated after two disruptive outages over the past two weeks. Star-Advertiser.

New Project Seeks To Build Offshore Wind Farms In Kaiwi Channel. Aukahi Energy, a partnership between Progression Energy and EDF Renewables North America, is seeking approval to build floating offshore windmills north of the Kaiwi Channel, near Makapuu Point. If approved, the project will produce enough clean electricity to power around 300,000 homes, according to the company. Civil Beat.

Honolulu councilmembers discuss slower speed limits around schools. The City and County of Honolulu has published a draft of its plan to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2040. However, some want an even more aggressive approach. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Navy transferred 400 acres to the city. In the fine print, there’s reason for caution. After the base closed, the military left behind hazardous chemicals, unexploded ordnance and buried cultural and archeological sites. The Navy tried to identify and remediate some of the risks, but making it usable is up to the city. Hawaii News Now.

Some Honolulu airport parking rates go up on Monday. The rate for parking three or more hours at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport will increase from $9 to $10 on Monday. The new maximum daily rate will be $25, up from $24. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

How can Waikīkī adapt to rising sea levels? Researchers might have a way. A group of researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi is trying to give Waikīkī community members a glimpse into the future.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Scottish heritage group fights to save Falls of Clyde. The Scottish heritage group, Falls of Clyde International, is working to save and rebuild the historic vessel.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Electric to shut off power during high wind days to avoid risk of wildfires. Hawaiian Electric is launching a new program where it may preemptively shut off power for approximately 19,300 customers in high-wind areas on the Big Island that are at risk of wildfire during dry conditions. Big Island Now.

County seeks dismissal of pedestrian death lawsuit against HPD, cop. Hawaii County is requesting dismissal of a lawsuit seeking monetary damages from the Hawaii Police Department and an officer who was on duty and at the wheel of a blue-and-white cruiser that struck a 16-year-old boy who later died. Tribune-Herald.

EPA Is Investigating Wastewater Released Into Puhi Bay From Troubled Hilo Sewage Plant. The federal agency and state health officials will determine whether the aging facility violated its discharge permit and the Clean Water Act. Civil Beat.

Maui

Hawaii Attorney General seeks interview on 2018 Lahaina wildfire. The state Department of the Attorney General filed a motion Monday to force the director of the Maui Emergency Management Agency to answer questions about how he commanded the response to the 2018 West Maui fires fueled by Hurricane Lane. Star-Advertiser.

Repair Or Retreat? An Ocean-Battered Maui Condo Complex Grapples With An Uncertain Future. Two of Kahana Sunset's six buildings are teetering near the water's edge while battling sinkholes and shaky foundations. It's now in the county's hands to decide what to do. Civil Beat.

Report: Half of Maui vacation rental units were vacant in May 2024. In May 2024, Maui County continued to have the largest supply of available vacation rental (TVR) units in the state, but occupancy rates for them were below half, at 49.5%, according to a report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Maui Now.

Kauai

Derek Kawakami finds common ground at annual mayors conference. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami shared his takeaways after attending the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Kansas City, Missouri. Hawaii Public Radio.

Electricity market may open to competition, Maui mulls phasing out 7k vacation rentals, sheriff's deputies arrested in racial harassment probe, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Electricity market may open to competition in upcoming PUC docket. More options for consumers to choose whom to buy power from might be coming to Hawaii, in what would be a sea-change from the monopoly HECO has held for decades. KHON2.

Certification launched for visitor industry businesses. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority today is launching a visitor industry certification program, called Qurator, that offers Hawaii businesses a chance to earn an official mark of excellence, which fits into HTA’s push toward a more regenerative tourism model. Star-Advertiser.

California, Hawaii among 15 states with elevated coronavirus levels in sewage. The new COVID-19 subvariants collectively nicknamed FLiRT are continuing to increase their dominance nationwide, fueling a rise in cases in Los Angeles County and growth in the coronavirus levels seen in California wastewater. Los Angeles Times.

2 sheriff’s deputies arrested, 8 on leave amid racial harassment inquiry. Two state sheriff’s deputies have been arrested in the past week as part of an ongoing investigation into incidents of harassment and inappropriate conduct involving a Black trainee. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

News media urge Green not to veto House bill. Journalists and news media groups are speaking out against Gov. Josh Green’s apparent decision to preserve a Hawaii statute that grants his office the authority to shut down electronic communications during a state of emergency. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Oahu

Judge finds former OCCC officer guilty of murdering his mother. An Oahu Circuit Court judge found Anthony F. Pereira II guilty as charged Tuesday of second-degree murder in the June 10, 2016, shooting death of his 66-year-old mother, Barbara Pereira, at his home in Maili. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Poised To Pay Former HPD Officer Who Faced Retaliation For Affairs With 2 Female Cops. Justin Castro said he was discriminated against because of his gender. The amount of the settlement, which is pending approval by the City Council, has not been disclosed. Civil Beat.

New homeless mental health facility gearing up for opening in Honolulu. The city hopes to open a brand new facility next week dedicated to addressing mental health issues, according to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board aims to prevent potential turbines off their shores. Many have come to love the world famous views from the shores of East Oahu, but those sightlines could change if rumors of turbines come to fruition.   KITV4.

Community urges takeover of privately owned Ewa road. During the City Council’s Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs afternoon meeting, some Ewa Beach residents and a state lawmaker backed Council member Augie Tulba’s Resolution 107, which urges the city administration to take steps toward the eminent domain of the noncity, nonfederal portions of North Road due to health and public safety hazards. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Construction company that erroneously built HPP home must pay to remove it, judge says. A construction company that mistakenly built a house on a Hawaiian Paradise Park lot owned by a California woman has been ordered to pay for the demolition of the structure and removal of debris. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Feds Award $17.5 Million For Hilo Roundabout. The funding will be used to construct a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Bayfront Highway and Waiānuenue Avenue in Downtown Hilo.  Big Island Video News.

Keauhou Bay Plan Detailed In Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Commercial, cultural and educational activities will be reconfigured on 29 acres at Keauhou Bay in North Kona under the Kamehameha Schools plan. Big Island Video News.

Public optimistic but express concerns regarding funding and location of proposed new Kona hospital. About 70 people attended a public informational meeting in the Hawai‘i County Council Chambers at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, held by Kona Community Hospital leadership to discuss a recent report that assessed the current and future healthcare needs of West Hawai‘i.  Big Island Now.

Expansion project could close Kilauea Visitor Center for 2 years. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been expanding its facilities to accommodate more visitors since the 2018 Summit collapse, which closed the Jaggar Museum. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui County weighs phasing out thousands of vacation rentals. A Maui fire marshal ordered officials to thin the crowds inside a Maui County Planning Commission hearing Tuesday to review a proposal from Maui Mayor Richard Bissen to phase out thousands of vacation rentals. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Survey: Visitors’ experience on Maui has improved since Aug. 8 wildfires. The percentage of visitors to Maui that rated their trip “excellent” was 89.8% from the US East, 86.3% from Europe, 86.2% from the US West, and 85.9% from Canada.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Shores Hotel renovations pau. Kaua‘i Shores, a 200-room boutique hotel located in Waipouli, started renovating its four main buildings in June 2023 with Shioi Construction as the general contractor for the project. Garden Island.

Businessman at center of Hawaii bribery scandal dies in prison, Maui Planning Commission to hear vacation rental phaseout bill today, 102nd Lahaina fire victim identified, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi businessman, Milton Choy, died in federal prison. Milton Choy, the former businessman at the center of Hawaiʻi’s largest bribery scandal that took down two state lawmakers and Maui County officials in 2022, died Saturday afternoon in North Carolina, according to federal prison officials.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Team starts work to combat appropriation of Hawaiian culture. Seven Native Hawaiian leaders in areas including culture and law convened an inaugural meeting Monday of a legislative group aiming to protect Hawaiian intellectual property from insulting and harmful use. Star-Advertiser.

Schools Are Struggling To Meet The Demand For Hawaiian Immersion Programs. Roughly a quarter of Hawaiian immersion teachers are unlicensed, and schools need more educators as the programs grow in popularity. Civil Beat.

HECO denies 9 out of 10 damage claims in 2023, sparking controversies. HECO’s annual Damage Claim Information report with the Public Utilities Commission was filed Monday. KHON2.

Shaka is now officially the state gesture. Gov. Josh Green on Friday quietly signed into law Senate Bill 3312, making Hawaii the first state to declare an official gesture.
Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Higher Caseloads And Staffing Shortages Plague Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office. Drug overdoses are the driving factor straining short-staffed medical examiners around the country. Civil Beat.

Housing Is A Key Issue For Democrats In The Hawaii House District 20 Primary. Bert Kobayashi, the 78-year-old lawmaker from Kaimuki, is retiring this year at the end of his term. That’s making the House District 20 Democratic primary race unusually competitive and one to watch. Civil Beat.

Fatal shark attacks rare off Malaekahana on Oahu, experts say. Kim Holland, a shark researcher from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, said in his 40 years of research, he has no recollection of a fatal shark attack at Malaekahana. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Efforts to protect Hawaiian monk seal pups on O‘ahu beaches are underway. The births of 11 monk seals on Oʻahu this year have caused challenges in protecting the seals and people. Hawaii Public Radio.

Red Hill Whistleblower Details How Her Warnings Were Ignored Even As Disaster Loomed. Shannon Bencs has never spoken publicly about her experience at Red Hill until now.  Civil Beat.

Diamond Head has the most calls for those needing assistance. From January to April, Diamond Head required the most hike-related rescues, followed by Lulumahu Falls, Koko Crater Stairs and Lanikai Pillbox, according to the latest HFD statistics available. Star-Advertiser.

Max's Restaurant employees owed $300K in back pay after federal investigation. The Hawaiʻi Workers Center helped bring the case to the attention of federal authorities, who investigated and found that the restaurant group was violating labor laws. Hawaii Public Radio.

ʻOkina trademark dispute reopens conversations on intellectual property rights. ‘Okina Kitchen, an organic baking mix company originally based in Kailua, is sparking conversations in the Native Hawaiian community about cultural appropriation and intellectual property. Hawaii Public Radio.

Another travel-related dengue case confirmed on Oahu. The Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed another travel-related case of dengue on Oahu, bringing the total to five so far this year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

US Sen. Brian Schatz: $17.5 million earmarked for roads reconstruction in Hilo on Big Island. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation and the City and County of Honolulu will receive a total of more than $42.5 million in new federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support improvements to roads, sidewalks and infrastructure in Hilo on the Big Island and Honolulu on O‘ahu. Big Island Now.

Keauhou Bay Plan Detailed In Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Commercial, cultural and educational activities will be reconfigured on 29 acres at Keauhou Bay in North Kona under the Kamehameha Schools plan. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Fasten your seatbelts: Maui Planning Commission to hear TVR phase-out bill Tuesday. A large wave of opposition has been building from vacation rental owners and property managers to Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed phase-out of an estimated 7,000 transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts in Maui County. Maui Now. KHON2.

Advocates push for rental cap on Maui to protect tenants from skyrocketing rates. The governor’s emergency proclamation protecting renters on Maui is set to expire next week. Hawaii News Now.

'Historic' | Supreme Court sides with advocates to restore stream flows in Maui rivers. Rivers in Central Maui could have more water restored after the Supreme Court agreed with community advocates that the state was not reportedly allowing enough through. KITV4.

Comment period for Mākena Mauka EIS Preparation Notice is extended 30 days. Mākena Mauka is a low-density master planned residential community within the Mākena area of South Maui. Mākena Mauka will offer market rate housing together with residential workforce housing with a mixture of rural and single-family lots and multi-family residential units all located mauka of Mākena Alanui Road. Maui Now.

Hawaii Emergency Management to “ramp up” transition housing efforts of NCS families. The Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency announced on Friday their efforts to transition the more than 500 individuals still currently residing in hotels after being housed there post wildfires–will ramp up, according to a press release.  Maui News.

Hawaii Supreme Court finds Lahaina Second District Circuit Court “exceeded its statutory authority." The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled on June 17 that the District Court of the Second Circuit exceeded their statutory authority by ordering Melissa Fay to return to court every six months for “nearly eleven years,” to monitor her compliance with monthly restitution payments, according to court documents.  Maui News.

Maui County holds final wildfire recovery plan meeting focused on rebuilding Lahaina’s historic, business districts. The county is holding its fifth and final wildfire recovery plan meeting this Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Wildfire Death Toll Now At 102. A 68-year-old Lahaina woman died in March from injuries sustained in the blaze last summer. But the death is just now being made public. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KITV4.

Kauai

New efforts made to save bird population in Kauaʻi. The sterile male technology to protect native forest birds — also known as the incompatible insect technique — will not be available in Kauaʻi until winter 2025. The Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project took matters into its own hands and found another mosquito control method to protect Kauaʻiʻs birds from avian malaria.  Hawaii Public Radio.

$1.5B slated for Hawaii military construction, 17 bills on Green's potential veto list, Honolulu lifeguard killed in shark attack, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Massive military construction dollars may flow into Hawaii. Hawaii may be in line to see more spending on military construction in the next fiscal year than any other state after the U.S. House Appropriations committee recently passed its version of a military construction spending bill with $1.55 billion slated for Hawaii projects. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green lines up 17 bills passed by Hawaii Legislature to veto. Gov. Josh Green may veto 17 bills the Legislature passed this year, including one that would deposit $300 million into the state’s “rainy day” budget reserve fund. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Read the full list of potential vetoes here.

Hawaii’s vacation rentals total nearly 6% of housing supply. Despite vacation rental crackdowns and looming legislative reforms, vacation rental supply statewide still accounts for a significant portion of Hawaii’s housing stock. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Public Utilities Commission may release decision Monday about HECO. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission may be issuing a decision on Monday, affecting Hawaiian Electric and its financial stability. HECO asked for regulatory approval to sell utility assets. KITV4.

Personal fortunes of HECO board members at risk in wildfire lawsuits. The personal fortunes of some of Hawaii’s most prominent community leaders are in jeopardy because of the Maui wildfire disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Governor reignites debate over liquefied natural gas power. Gov. Josh Green has reversed a major state energy policy position of his predecessor in a move that many environmentalists don’t consider to be very “green.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii firm aims to cut cost of laying power lines underground. Putting more power lines underground is an expensive part of a plan by the state’s largest electrical utility to reduce wildfire risk, and that price could come down under an ongoing national effort with a Hawaii connection. Star-Advertiser.

Green Party of Hawai’i State Convention set for June 29 on Maui. The Green Party of Hawai’i first successfully obtained a ballot line in Hawai’i for state and national partisan races in 1992 and has secured a place on the ballot for more than thirty years. Maui Now.

Oahu

City lifeguard confirmed dead from shark attack on the North Shore.  The victim has been identified as pro surfer and Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard Tamayo Perry, 49, who was pronounced dead at the scene and suffered injuries from more than one shark bite. He was surfing during a break from lifeguard duties in the waters off Goat Island, also known as Mokuauia, near Laie. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Honolulu mayor signs $4.7B budget package for fiscal 2025. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Friday signed a $4.7 billion package of budget bills meant to bolster public safety, create affordable housing and improve city parks on Oahu through fiscal year 2025, which starts July 1. Star-Advertiser.

1 contender remains to develop new stadium. The loss of one of the two master-developer candidates is not expected to further delay construction of the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, state and University of Hawaii officials insisted. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County auditor addresses unfair hiring claims. A Hawaii County audit has concluded the county does not have enough rules in place to prevent nepotism and unfairness in the hiring process for government positions. Tribune-Herald.

Police Commission discusses DUI complaint. The Hawaii County Police Commission on Friday discussed correspondence from county Auditor Tyler Benner, then filed it into the record without a vote or any other action taken on allegations contained in the document. Tribune-Herald.

2024 Primary Elections: Several state, federal races already decided. County races aren’t the only games in town when it comes to the 2024 election cycle on the Big Island. Also on this year’s ballot are several state and federal challenges. Big Island Now.

Big Island health care providers urge public to mask up, get vaccinated as COVID cases continue to climb. Because of the continued increase in cases, the Big Island’s healthcare facilities are again turning to one of the tried and true ways of protecting patients and the public from the spread of COVID and its variants — masking up. Big Island Now.

Wastewater discharge into Hilo Bay prompts water advisory. Hawaii Department of Environmental Management reports an estimated 607,000 gallons of non-chlorinated secondary treated effluent discharged from the plant between 8:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Maui

Plan to ban 7,000 Maui short-term rentals targets resort condos.  A luxury apartment-hotel, a $4 million beach house and condominiums at a resort golf course don’t typically constitute workforce housing in Hawaii, but they are targets of a plan on Maui aimed at converting short-term vacation rental properties to long-term housing for residents. Star-Advertiser.

County Council gives final approval to larger farm dwellings, expanded circuit breaker program. Maui County Council members approved on second-and-final reading Friday a bill to permit a 500-square-foot increase in the size of secondary farm dwellings in agricultural districts on Maui and Lānaʻi. Maui Now.

‘It’s Worse Than You Think’: Maui’s Mental Health System Still Falls Short But More Doors Are Opening To Care. A forthcoming study shows that demand for psychological care on Maui is greater today than it was coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Civil Beat.

Roadwork in coming weeks will prepare Lahainaluna Road for August reopening. Repairs and installations on County of Maui’s Lahainaluna Road between Honoapi’ilani Highway and Lahaina Bypass will begin in the next several weeks to prepare for the reopening of Lahainaluna Road in August, the County’s Office of Recovery announced Saturday. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi business leaders try a new approach to worker shortages. In the past, the Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce emphasized job fairs to help members find employees. Now, it focuses on helping members succeed despite being shorthanded. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii settles landmark climate change case, Maui council member seeks statewide delay of school start for Lahaina fire anniversary, gas prices decrease, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi agrees to landmark settlement in youth climate lawsuit. In the settlement, the state commits to implementing targeted plans and programs to decarbonize the state’s transportation system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui Council Member Wants Schools To Delay Classes For Lahaina Fire Anniversary. The Maui County Council is taking up a resolution on Friday asking the Hawaii Department of Education to delay the start of classes for public school students across the state by a week to recognize the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

3 Hawaii governors support former state lawmaker as race for state Senate seat heats up. Three Hawaii governors are backing former Democratic state Sen. Clayton Hee, who’s trying to win back his old seat in District 23 from Kaneohe to Wahiawa. Hee has the backing of long-time legislative friends of 40 years — former Govs. Neil Abercrombie, Ben Cayetano, and John Waihee. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

AAA Hawaiʻi: Gas prices decrease. Gas prices statewide are decreasing, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch. The statewide average price for regular unleaded is $4.72, which is four cents lower than last week. Maui Now.

Oahu

Future Of HART Line Extending Into City Center Hinges On Critical Contract Bid. This is the second time the rail authority solicited proposals for that segment. Last time the bids were $1 billion too high, forcing years of delays and some major cost cutting. Civil Beat.

Man, DLNR employee charged in death of monk seal pup on North Shore. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday  that its Office of General Counsel assessed Lesley Macpherson and James Armstrong Lyman a $20,000 penalty “in the case of an attack by unleashed dogs causing the death of a Hawaiian monk seal pup.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Court temporarily halts Haiku Stairs’ demolition. The Friends of Haiku Stairs’ recently filed legal injunction to stop the city’s demolition of the World War II-era staircase, above Haiku Valley and the H-3 freeway in Kaneohe, partially advanced this week. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

HECO restores power to last 600 Chinatown customers. Hawaiian Electric said power has been restored to the remaining 600 customers in Chinatown at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

After more than 40 years, Native Hawaiians in King's Landing could get long-term leases. A proposal to develop more than 1,300 acres in King’s Landing on Hawaiʻi Island is being considered by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Committee denies extension for Kona Vistas. When development of the Kona Vistas subdivision began in 1984 on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Holualoa, the developers at the time planned for a second phase that would add a 450-unit multifamily housing project on a 69-acre parcel immediately south of the subdivision. Tribune-Herald.

43 Acres In Kaumana Purchased By Hawaiian Non-Profit For Affordable Housing. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has acquired 43.08 acres of land in “the Kaumana subdivision of Ponahawai, Hilo” for an affordable housing development, said to be a first step towards establishing “a private land trust specifically for housing Native Hawaiian and other Hawai‘i families.”  Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Maui

Maui Golf Course Odor Prompts Council To Consider Repealing County Pesticide Ban. The required shift to organic fertilizer, and subsequent use of manure, spurred recent complaints. Civil Beat.

West Maui residents want bypass extended to ease daily traffic nightmare. Hawaii Department of Transportation officials promised residents they will open Honoapiilani Highway to help alleviate traffic on the Lahaina Bypass. Hawaii News Now.

Deaths, drugs, violence reported at Maui homeless shelter -- management responds to claims. According to the Maui Police Department, it received 174 calls from the site – ranging from assaults, narcotics, to terroristic threats – leading to 59 incident reports. MPD confirmed there have been four deaths at the facility since it opened weeks after the fires to house the pre-disaster homeless. KITV4.

Community supports rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary on historic Front Street. While it’s well-loved, the Front Street location is still in the fire recovery process and the property does not have space for future expansion. Hawaii Public Radio.

Change of zoning recommended for one of oldest buildings in Hāna town. The former Old Laundry Building in Hāna would be returned to commercial use in a bill providing for change of zoning to country-town business district for the structure located across from the Hāna-Maui Resort. Maui Now.

Kauai

Disaster awareness improves among Kauaʻi residents, county survey finds. The percentage of households with an emergency communication plan rose by 15% since 2023. Also, 80% of residents knew that they should have a 14-day supply of essential supplies like food, water and medication. Hawaii Public Radio.

Māla lā‘au coming to Wailuā Homesteads Park on Kaua‘i; nonprofit wants neighborhood input.  A county park on the East Side of Kaua‘i is set to add something unprecedented: A māla lā‘au, or forest garden, bringing well-being to the community around it. Kauai Now.

Staff shortage jeopardizes new coffee labeling law, Honolulu prepares to create greater housing density, test shortage as COVID-19 infection rate reaches 20%, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Inspector shortage could make new coffee labeling laws a challenge to enforce. A new coffee labeling law is set to become effective next month, but a shortage of state Department of Agriculture inspectors could make that a difficult task. Hawaii Public Radio.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in Hawaii. The Department of Health reported an average positivity rate — or percentage of all tests positive — of 16.7%, up from 15.9% the previous week. This is a steep rise from the average positivity of just 4.3% on May 1. In Honolulu, the average positivity was even higher than the statewide average, at 20.1%. Star-Advertiser.

Think you have COVID? Good luck finding a test kit. Some people said finding a COVID test isn’t as easy as it used to be and neither is getting vaccinated. KHON2.

Some local hospitals mask up as COVID-19 cases climb again. Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi is encouraging the use of masks for its patients, members and visitors, starting Monday. Healthcare workers are also required to wear masks in some areas. Hawaii Public Radio.

Over $40M to fund substance abuse treatment, recovery in Hawaii. Tens of millions of dollars for substance abuse treatment in the Islands is what dozens of recently-awarded State contracts call for across Hawaii. KHON2.

Oahu

The Honolulu City Council Fought A Bill Requiring Greater Neighborhood Density. Now It Must Carry It Out. Council members say that their housing efforts already address the state's desire to create greater density and do more to encourage locals to stay in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Honolulu ethics panel lauds bill clarifying gift-giving rules. Crafted with the panel’s assistance, Bill 23 is supposed to tighten existing rules that bar city workers from accepting gifts valued in excess of $50, also clarifying which gifts may be solicited or accepted. Star-Advertiser.

City releases plan to eliminate traffic fatalities, injuries by 2040. The O‘ahu Vision Zero Action Plan includes various steps to get the city to reach its goal. Hawaii Public Radio.

Extended power outage costly for many Chinatown businesses. For businesses across Chinatown, the latest Hawaiian Electric Co. outage has meant thousands upon thousands of dollars in lost revenue, with many restaurants and other food establishments being forced to throw away spoiled products. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Construction starts on Blaisdell Center parking garage solar project. The City and County of Honolulu broke ground on the $11 million project that will see the installation of 4,500 photovoltaic panels on the entire upper deck of the parking structure. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

There will be more recyclable items to add to your green cart in Honolulu. More than just plant cuttings, grass clippings and green waste will go into green bins when the city expands its recycling effort, so will leftover food. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Council OKs new regulations for bike tours. Bill 125 began life in January as a specific restriction upon bicycle tour operators from using Kohala Mountain Road and a roughly eight-mile stretch of Akoni Pule Highway for their businesses, but evolved over several meetings into a more comprehensive set of islandwide regulations on the whole bike tour industry. Tribune-Herald.

HPD’s DUI arrests questioned; county auditor forwards complaint to Police Commission. When the Hawaii County Police Commission meets Friday, the agenda includes an unofficial complaint alleging the department’s officers automatically arrest and charge motorists with driving under the influence of intoxicants when drug paraphernalia is found. Tribune-Herald.

Council approves the use of eminent domain to get land for Pohoiki Road. A land dispute regarding a pair of Puna land parcels Hawaii County needs access to in order to reopen Pohoiki Road seems unlikely to be resolved cordially. Tribune-Herald.

Benioffs Donate Additional 158 Acres In Waimea. The donation brings the total amount of Waimea land donated by Marc and Lynne Benioff for affordable housing to 440 acres. Big Island Video News.

Maunakea considered for the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service is seeking public input about the potential inclusion of Maunakea on the National Register of Historic Places. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Community Foundation Takes Stock With Millions In Maui Strong Funds Still To Spend. The Hawaii Community Foundation said it was preparing to release a report on the impact of the funds. Its findings might determine where future dollars go. Civil Beat.

Maui Will Likely Need To Keep Lahaina Fire Debris In Temporary Landfill Much Longer Than Expected. The county is battling a private landowner in an eminent domain case to use the Central Maui property as the permanent site. Civil Beat.

Report: Community ownership offers solution to land retention following Maui wildfires. The expansion of community ownership of real estate in West Maui is one of the few solutions that promises to make homeownership more accessible and build local families’ wealth following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Mixed blessings reported at temporary shelter for post-wildfire homeless people. It’s been a rocky road for Puʻuhonua o Nēnē, a temporary homeless shelter near Kahului Airport that has provided emergency tented shelter for 120 to 130 people nightly since opening last fall within weeks of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire disaster. Maui Now.

Maui health center allegedly attacked by Russian hackers. Last month, the center was shut down for more than two weeks but now says its systems are “fully operational.” Hawaii News Now.

Kupu announces 40 youth focused paid opportunities for relief efforts. Kupu, Hawai’i’s largest youth-focused conservation and sustainability nonprofit, announced on Wednesday its Maui relief efforts, EO Maui (Emergency Outreach), has nearly 40 paid opportunities available through partnerships with Maui-based organizations. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Closed through end of year: Loop Road in Wailuā on East Side of Kaua‘i. The Wailuā Forest Management Road, commonly known as “Loop Road” in the Līhuʻe-Kōloa Forest Reserve on the East Side of Kaua‘i, will remain closed through the end of the year. Kauai Now.

Disaster declaration for Kaua‘i approved by Biden. A federal disaster declaration from President Joe Biden was hailed by local and federal lawmakers, who said the decision would bring much needed relief to communities on Kaua‘i impacted by severe weather and flooding in April. Garden Island.

Hawaii climate policy at risk in SCOTUS lawsuit, state could hike fines for fire safety violations, hotel occupancy down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

SCOTUS ruling hints end is near for effort to make climate policy in state courts. If a beach erodes in Honolulu, can a company be sued for producing oil in Holland? And under Hawaii state laws to boot? Sunoco and other energy companies want such lawsuits tossed, arguing that energy policy is set by Congress at the federal level, not municipal lawsuits under state and local laws. Tribune News Service.

Legislation hiking fines for fire safety violations awaits action by Gov. Green. A bill that would allow counties to levy as much as a five-fold increase of monetary fines for fire safety violations is awaiting action by Gov. Josh Green. Maui Now.

Hawaii hotel occupancy fell in May as softness continued. Summer isn’t coming in hot for Hawaii hoteliers, who saw hotel occupancy drop to its lowest level of the year in May and are expecting a continued slowdown. Star-Advertiser.

Unlicensed Care Homes Dodge Increased Enforcement In ‘Cat And Mouse Game’ The Office of Health Care Assurance has issued cease-and-desist orders to an average of six homes per year since 2018. But dozens of these unlicensed facilities, mainly for elderly adults, continue to operate around the state. Civil Beat.

Private Donations Are Helping Hawaii Fire Departments Fill Budget Holes. Fire departments across the islands have long been on the lookout for funding to supplement their county-funded budgets. They apply for state and federal grants, but also look to private sources to fill financial gaps that national advocates say have widened in recent decades. Civil Beat.

Hawaii-developed COVID home test kits being sold online. A locally developed COVID-19 test kit is now on the market as cases of the contagious disease are on the rise in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Ethics Commission to review city gift-giving bill. Crafted with the assistance of the Ethics Commission, Bill 23 is supposed to tighten existing rules that bar city workers from accepting gifts valued in excess of $50, also clarifying which gifts may be solicited or accepted. Star-Advertiser.

Supporters of embattled rail CEO say her ongoing contract woes could cost taxpayers. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is still pushing hard to get a contract extension for embattled rail CEO Lori Kahikina. Hawaii News Now.

Downtown Honolulu is plagued by another power outage. Hawaiian Electric repair crews continued to work overnight after a power outage shut down downtown Honolulu — the second disruption in less than a week to affect the area. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Plans to demolish former PBS building provoke tempers at UH Board of Regents. The University of Hawaii Manoa campus building that housed PBS for decades is finally headed for demolition. But UH Regent and former Gov. Neil Abercrombie fought the plan, which provoked anger from UH President David Lassner. Hawaii News Now.

Oʻahu's new water desalination facility gets $19M in federal funds. The federal government is sending Oʻahu around $19 million for a facility to turn seawater into fresh water. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ex-OCCC officer in murder, kidnapping case called ‘emotional’. Police officers’ testimony Tuesday provided clues as to what was on the mind of a then 44-year-old Oahu Community Correctional Center training officer after he allegedly fatally shot his 66-year-old mother eight years ago in his Maili home. Star-Advertiser.

A deputy sheriff was arrested Tuesday amid a harassment investigation and was placed on paid administrative leave. Authorities said Alvin Turla, 47 was arrested at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

‘It’s out of control’: E-bike crashes and noise concerns spur heated townhall in Ewa. With e-bikes growing in popularity, a town hall in Ewa was held to raise awareness about how to ride them safely. However, concerns about safety, noise, and confusion about e-bike laws have caused pushback from some residents.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council favors proposed performance audit of Hawai‘i County R&D Department. The Hawai‘i County Council wants to know exactly what the Hawai‘i County Department of Research and Development is doing and if its resources are being used effectively. Big Island Now.

Call center nearly complete: Police and fire dispatchers could move in this September. Hawaii County’s police and fire dispatchers are getting closer to moving into a new call center that has been under construction since October 2021. Tribune-Herald.

Community hospital survey finds need for new medical facility closer to Kailua-Kona. A healthcare needs survey from Kona Community Hospital found the need for more preventative care providers and the need to build a new facility. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui residents: The state wants to know if you don’t have access to broadband internet. State data shows 1 in 10 people do not have access to high-speed internet. Hawaii News Now.

Maui nonprofit offers 40 job opportunities to assist in wildfire relief efforts. Youth job training nonprofit Kupu has positions starting at $16 an hour within resource hubs and education centers. Hawaii News Now.

Community feedback sessions report released on the rebuild plan for King Kamehameha III Elementary in Lahaina. The three choices presented to the community were: the original location on Front Street; Pulelehua, which is near the current temporary location; and Kā’anapali 2020–Pu’ukoli’i Village Mauka. Maui News.

Officials working to curb illegal camping, trespassing at popular South Maui beach. While illegal camping has been an ongoing issue along South Maui shores, some say the problem has gotten worse specifically at Po'olenalena Beach Park over the past few months.  KITV4.

Kauai

Are Kauai residents ready for an emergency? County releases results from new preparedness survey. Did you know 38% of Kauai residents have only one evacuation route in case of an emergency?That’s according to a new county survey of 177 residents conducted earlier in June. Hawaii News Now.

Public Utilities Commission grills Sandwich Isles' exec over service cutoff, $11M state IT project in jeopardy, ransomware suspected at Honolulu TheBus, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sandwich Isles Communications Broke The Law When It Cut Services To Hawaiian Homelands. Sandwich Isles Communications violated state laws and its obligations to its customers when it cut telephone and broadband services earlier this month without ample warning and is likely to face penalties for abandoning its services, according to testimony Monday before the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Sandwich Isles’ President Al Hee was in the hot seat for much of Monday’s six-hour hearing. Civil Beat.

Independent Monitor Warns $11 Million State IT Project Is In Jeopardy And Could Fail. The state has spent nearly $3.5 million on its second attempt to develop a financial management system that meets the requirements of Federal Highways Administration. Civil Beat.

Lee Loy candidacy confirmed. Hawaii Chief Election Officer Scott Nago ruled Monday that County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy is eligible to run for the state House District 2 seat vacated when Rep. Richard Onishi decided not to run for a seventh term. Tribune-Herald.

As RIMPAC nears, concerns raise from community activists. The 29th biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, is slated to run in and around the Hawaiian Islands starting June 27, but community activists gathered on Monday to call for the military to cancel the multinational exercise. KHON2. KITV4.

Law Enforcement Department Resuming Evictions. The execution of court-ordered writs and evictions will resume, following a "stand-down" in late-April following a critical incident in Waiʻanae. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu

FBI, Police Investigate Possible Ransomware Attack At TheBus, Handi-Van. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services was still trying Monday to determine the cause as well as the cure to restore its online, real-time schedules for TheBus and TheHandi-Van fleets. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Next phase of Skyline to be energized; hours also extended for West Fest. In another major milestone, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation officials are preparing to energize another section of the Skyline route. Hawaii News Now.

Late-night stabbing is latest high-profile violent crime in Keeaumoku Street area. Over the weekend since Friday, around the Ala Moana Center area, there were six reported cases of assault logged on HPD’s website; four of these were classified as simple assaults, and two as aggravated assaults. Star-Advertiser.

Target Of Mitsunaga Theft Case Files Civil Rights Lawsuit. After a criminal jury declined to convict Honolulu’s former prosecutor and employees of Mitsunaga & Associates for conspiring to violate an ex-employee’s civil rights, the former employee is taking the case to civil court.  Civil Beat.

The Miske Trial: Interesting Moments From The Organized Crime Trial. Gifts to planning department officials, forged signatures and other improprieties came out in testimony from a prosecution witness in the sweeping criminal trial. Civil Beat.

Trial to begin for ex-OCCC officer in 2016 murder, kidnapping case. A former Oahu Community Correctional Center training officer, indicted eight years ago on murder and kidnapping charges in the 2016 fatal shooting of his 66-year-old mother and kidnapping of a 48-year-old woman, made a last-minute request Monday for a jury- waived trial in Oahu Circuit Court. Star-Advertiser.

More Homeowners Are Needed To Join The Push To Restore Honolulu’s Urban Watersheds. A three-year project in East Oahu funded by NOAA is off to a "remarkable" start, administrator says. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Keaukaha fight over land deed goes to state Supreme Court. A legal battle over a Keaukaha property, a century-old land deed, and the separation between church and state will go before the Hawaii Supreme Court next week. Tribune-Herald.

Maunakea telescopes detect light from merging quasars. Astronomers have used a pair of Maunakea telescopes to shed light on one of the universe’s earliest stages of development. Tribune-Herald.

Aircraft come to Big Island as part of Hawai‘i Air National Guard fighter training exercise. The Hawai‘i Air National Guard’s 154th Wing came to Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole on June 12 as part of its fighter exercise, Sentry Aloha 24-2, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on O‘ahu. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lahaina homes face 20% turnover in 3 years. A new report released Monday by the Hawai‘i Land Trust indicates that without intervention Lahaina could see an estimated 6.5% of residential properties totaling $122 million change hands over a year, and within three years a 20% turnover of ownership equating to at least $360 million. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina Fire Victims Could Build Temporary Homes In The Burn Zone If This Bill Passes. The Maui County Council is moving forward with legislation to give displaced residents some "breathing space" for five years. Civil Beat.

New Taxpayer-Funded Housing Going Up In Lahaina May No Longer Be Needed. FEMA and the state are building 619 homes for fire survivors, but there are now fewer than 215 households still living in the emergency hotel program. Civil Beat.

Maui Mayor Appoints New Directors For Housing, Oiwi Resources Departments. County voters passed ballot measures in November 2022 for the new departments to help with the housing crisis and ensure proper management of native resources. Civil Beat. Maui News.

What’s in store for Queen Kaʻahumanu Center’s future? Mall owners seek new lease on life. Without resuscitation, the future is bleak for Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, with the aging, once premier Central Maui shopping destination caught in a downward spiral — store closings lead to less foot traffic, which begets more loss of business, and so on. Maui Now.

Kauai

Federal aid to help with recovery efforts from severe Kauai storm. On Monday, President Joe Biden declared the severe storms, flooding, and landslides in mid-April a major disaster. KHON2.