Erosion risks increase on Oahu's famed North Shore, Navy plans to double bombing of bird sanctuary island, ICE detention worries Lahaina immigrants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State, city officials warning Sunset Beach residents of increasing erosion risks. State and city officials are warning homeowners and community members of increasing risks along a stretch of Sunset Beach where erosion caused part of a house to collapse last week. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Navy Plans To Double Bombing Of This Tiny Hawaiian Island. U.S. Navy plans bombing exercises at state bird sanctuary amid community backlash. Ka'ula is vital to maintain military readiness for the Pacific, the Navy says. But its plan to boost training there alarms the community, environmentalists. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Saving corals requires cutting carbon emissions, University of Hawai‘i study finds. Hawai‘i researchers have discovered that eight of the most common species of coral around the islands can adapt to ocean warming and acidification, but only if efforts to cut carbon emissions are made. Big Island Now.

A tribute to longtime Maui resident Kris Kristofferson. One of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century, Kristofferson often donated his time for worthy causes, particularly in his hometown of Hana. He died at his Maui home on Saturday at age 88. Maui News. Reuters.

Oahu

Voters To Decide Pay Raises For The Honolulu City Council. Honolulu voters will get a say on how City Council members’ salaries are determined, a response to widespread criticism over the 64% raises given to them last year by the city salary commission. Civil Beat.

Election will decide whether Kailua turning left or right.  Voters in Kailua and a portion of Kaneohe will pick someone new to represent them in the state House of Representatives on Nov. 5, choosing between a Democrat and a Republican who disagree whether Kailua has become more progressive or more conservative after decades of reelecting moderate Republican Rep. Cynthia Thielen. Star-Advertiser.

Age, philosophy divide rivals for Kaneohe-to-Mokuleia seat. Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa, 38, faces his first reelection contest on Nov. 5 against a fellow Native Hawaiian who’s a generation older, 65-year-old Democrat Ben Shafer, to represent a vast and diverse district that runs from the northern end of Kaneohe, up the Windward side and across the North Shore to Mokuleia. Star-Advertiser.

Locked out Kapiolani nurses to keep benefits; contract talks to resume Monday.  The hospital’s administration said that it would continue medical, dental and vision benefits after Monday after the union agreed to continue using a federal mediators for negotiations and not to disrupt access to the hospital. Hawaii News Now.

Waikiki center closer to redevelopment. The Hawaii Housing Finance Development Corp. is entering into a memorandum of agreement with the Waikiki Community Center that clears the way for redevelopment of the existing center and remaining property, which could include a 135- to 200-unit affordable housing tower. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu park reopens after nearly $4.2 million in renovations. After about 21 months of renovations and nearly $4.2 million later, Waipahu’s Hans L’Orange Neighborhood Park has reopened to the public. KHON2.

Waiʻanae farm gets $100k grant to bolster workforce housing and retain employees. A $100,000 grant will help provide housing for farmers working in Waiʻanae for MAʻO Organic Farms. The grant is part of a Nareit initiative to support affordable housing projects provided by nonprofit organizations. Hawaii Public Radio.

State receives 6 bids to remove Falls of Clyde. The latest development could well signal an end to the long saga of the 145-year-old ship currently berthed at Pier 7, where it once served as a floating museum for the Hawaii Maritime Center. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Army man faked marriage for ill-gotten benefits. An ex-Army soldier was sentenced to three months in federal prison Thursday and must pay $202,309 in restitution after conspiring with a woman to evade U.S. immigration laws, enter into a fake marriage and steal federal benefits. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Puna Traffic Alert: Changes To Highway 130 Contraflow Start Monday. The Hawaiʻi DOT says changes will include right turns only into and out of Kaloli Drive and a 0.3-mile extension in both directions. Big Island Video News.

3 Hawaiian monk seal pups admitted to marine mammal hospital in Kona. Three underweight Hawaiian monk seal pups observed in the Northern Hawaiian Islands were brought to the marine mammal center in Kona as researchers were concerned for their survival heading into winter. Big Island Now.

County receives large donation of animal control equipment. The Hawaii County Council approved a resolution earlier this month accepting a donation of equipment worth $144,595 for the county’s Animal Control and Protection Agency. Tribune-Herald.

More funding in the works to battle ROD.  Additional federal funding to combat Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death has strong support in Congress after a bill by Hawaii lawmakers unanimously passed the House of Representatives this week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

An ICE Detention In Lahaina Rocks The Immigrant Community. An undocumented immigrant was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week in Lahaina, sending fear through the community and raising concerns that undocumented people will stop asking for government assistance while they’re still trying to recover from last year’s wildfires.  Civil Beat.

Rebuild of homes destroyed in Kula fire runs into costly wastewater upgrades. Kula, as is the rest of the state, is running up against a law passed by the state Legislature in 2017 that mandates all cesspools be eliminated in Hawai’i by 2050. Maui Now.

Maui mayor voices need for county water distribution after wildfires. Maui water rights advocates are celebrating a move by Mayor Richard Bissen to take control over water distribution in his county. The mayor says the county can do more to restore natural streams while still providing water for housing and agriculture. Hawaii News Now.

Maui lawmaker says millions of gallons of recycled waste water are going unused daily. A Maui Lawmaker says a water shortage is delaying the construction of hundreds of needed residential units in West and South Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Officials sort priorities to devise Lahaina recovery plan. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its federal, state and local partners have cleared only 64% of commercial lots, with completion not expected until early 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOE Continues Its Search For An Elementary School Campus In Lahaina. School leaders said it's not possible to return the school to its original location in Lahaina town because of limited space. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Baldwin Beach Park reopens after pavilion is removed. Baldwin Beach Park was reopened on Friday, after work to remove the park pavilion was completed, according to a Friday announcement by the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation.  Maui News.

Kauai

County asks East Kauaʻi residents to attend upcoming ‘community design workshops’. The Planning Department of the County of Kauaʻi will hold several workshops in Kapaʻa and surrounding areas from Oct. 1-3 as part of its East Kaua‘i Community and Circulation Plan. Kauai Now.

DHHL shifts strategy to acquire Kauai rental complex. Courtyards at Waipouli, the 82-unit complex that DHHL wants to buy despite pushback from existing tenants and some agency beneficiaries, would no longer be reserved for beneficiaries with low and very low incomes as previously planned. Star-Advertiser.

Blessing held for Lima Ola housing project. A small group of dignitaries participated in the blessing of the Lima Ola Supportive Housing Project in Eleele on Friday. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

HECO to compensate battery storage customers after partner withdraws, Maui abandons rent stabilization plan, Aloha Stadium set to open for 2028 football season, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Electric to compensate customers after Swell Energy closure. Hawaiian Electric is stepping in to pay upfront incentives owed to customers with battery storage systems following the closure of Swell Energy Inc., the third-party provider that managed the Home Rewards Battery Program on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Bank Proxy War Heats Up. The former chairman and chief executive of Bank of Hawaii is stepping up a bid for Honolulu’s Territorial Savings Bank, seeking to upend a pending merger with Los Angeles-based Hope Bancorp Inc. by convincing shareholders to vote against the deal next month. Civil Beat.

State encourages people to help protect young seabirds as they embark on first flight. Seabird fallout season happens every year from roughly Sept. 15 to Dec. 15. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Board anticipates stadium’s completion for 2028 season. The state will likely miss a self-imposed deadline Monday, but Stadium Authority board members said at Thursday’s monthly meeting they don’t see it affecting the overall timeline that still has a new Aloha Stadium in Halawa built in time for the 2028 football season. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Council seeks more public input on city’s next landfill.  Honolulu City Council resolution seeks both transparency and assurance over how the city’s site selection process to find the next municipal solid waste landfill on Oahu will affect the public. Star-Advertiser.

Federal mediator joins talks between Kapi‘olani and nurses. The nurses union and Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children began working with a federal mediator Thursday morning to help resolve their dispute in reaching a new three-year contract. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

In act of solidarity, Waikiki hotel workers march alongside striking Hilton employees. A show of support on Thursday for nearly 2,000 striking hotel workers from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Workers from other Waikiki hotels, including the Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton, walked in solidarity with the hotel workers on the picket Hawaii News Now.

Officials try to ease concerns over ‘kauhale’ homeless village in Iwilei. Residents in a neighborhood that has had persistent homelessness have been raising concerns about a new kauhale, or tiny village for the homeless. The kauhale in Iwilei will be the state’s 17th. The 58 units will be operated by the Institute for Human Services. Hawaii News Now.

Crew demolishing partially collapsed North Shore home. Demolition began Thursday afternoon on the property at 59-147 Ke Nui Road by Sunset Beach that had started to erode into the ocean. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Volunteers To Help People Clear Up Minor Legal Woes ‘Without Fear Of Arrest’. A free legal clinic in Waianae offers participants a chance to resolve outstanding warrants and clear arrest records without being detained or posting bail. Civil Beat.

Pickleballers to petition to fix lights at Ke’ehi Lagoon courts. When new pickleball courts at Ke’ehi Lagoon Beach Park were announced back in March 2023, players were hoping to enjoy the game all day and into the night, but many players said they’ve been left disappointed for over a year. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

UH-Hilo to get $21M to spruce up facilities. Gov. Josh Green has released $21 million in capital improvement project funds to cover four construction and rehabilitation projects at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

County receives large donation of animal control equipment.  The Hawaii County Council approved a resolution earlier this month accepting a donation of equipment worth $144,595 for the county’s Animal Control and Protection Agency. Tribune-Herald.

More funding in the works to battle ROD. Additional federal funding to combat Rapid ‘Ohi‘a Death has strong support in Congress after a bill by Hawaii lawmakers unanimously passed the House of Representatives this week. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Pushback: Maui rent stabilization stopped before it’s started. Even before a bill’s drafted to rein in Maui’s runaway long-term rental increases, the chair of the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee said she’s not considering any legislation that regulates rent. Maui Now.

Maui Mayor Convinces State To Back Off Long-Term Water Plan. State officials have agreed to hold off on considering a long-term license for millions of gallons of Maui water after Maui Mayor Richard Bissen stepped in and asked the state to work with the county on how water should be distributed. Civil Beat.

Property Theft Concerns Rise As Lahaina Neighborhoods Reopen. Police offer to help residents set up a neighborhood watch program, but they haven't rebuilt yet. Civil Beat.

Maui United Way dedicates additional $1M to address food insecurity through new Mā’ona Food Security Grant. Maui United Way announced the launch of its Mā’ona Food Security Grant, a new initiative aimed at addressing the growing food insecurity challenges faced by residents of Maui County.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi homeowners can apply for up to $20K to convert cesspools. The deadline for Kauaʻi residents to apply for up to $20,000 for a cesspool grant is this Friday. It's federal money from the infrastructure bill to help homeowners comply with laws to mandate conversion.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Anahola nonprofit leads fire mitigation efforts on Hawaiian Homelands. Dozens of high school students and volunteers removed over 30 abandoned cars from a parcel of Hawaiian homelands in Anahola Thursday as part of a community effort to reduce the risk of wildfires in the area. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court rules against short-term vacation rentals on ag land, court to decide fate of $4B wildfire settlement, Honolulu advances empty homes tax, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Vacation rentals not OK in Hawaii’s agricultural land district. Poorly regulated use of homes on farmland around the state has been somewhat reined in by a unanimous Hawaii Supreme Court decision Tuesday. The court ruled against 17 owners of ag land on Hawaii island who objected to a 2019 Hawaii County ordinance that aimed to regulate short-term vacation rental use of dwellings built after the creation of the state’s land-use law in 1976.  Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court To Decide Fate Of $4 Billion Wildfire Settlement. A decision about whether insurers can pursue their own lawsuits could come by year's end. The state of Hawaii, Maui County, Hawaiian Electric Co., Hawaiian Telcom, Kamehameha Schools and other defendants have agreed to pay $4.04 billion to settle the claims of hundreds of individual fire victims. Civil Beat. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaiian Electric Industries has added to its take from selling newly issued shares of stock. The company said today that an option for stock sale underwriters to buy up to $75 million in new shares has been fully exercised. Star-Advertiser.

Transportation experts say more steps are ahead to curb rising pedestrian deaths. So far this year, there have been 71 traffic fatalities in Hawaii, according to the state Department of Transportation. Out of those, 26 were pedestrians. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Empty Homes Tax Proposal Advances. A plan to increases taxes on homes that sit empty on Oahu moved forward Wednesday when a Honolulu City Council committee agreed to send it on to the council budget committee. Bill 46 passed out of the Housing, Sustainability and Health Committee on a 3-2 vote. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council advances lawsuit for 2021 police-involved shooting. The Honolulu City Council's Executive Matters & Legal Affairs Committee voted Wednesday to advance the request to settle the lawsuit against the city filed by the widow of Lindani Myeni. KITV4.

Ewa community developer Haseko facing $27M judgement again after appeal. About 1,800 homeowners at Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei Resort are entitled to $27 million in damages under a 2013 class-action lawsuit against the developer of the Ewa community, according to an appellate court. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s west side violence a ‘public health crisis’.  Waianae health care officials are launching a “comprehensive public health response” focused on addressing the deteriorating mental health of a community plagued by the high cost of living and deadly gun violence. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Pupukea home that erodes into ocean spurs legal action. The state Department of the Attorney General took legal action Wednesday against a North Shore property owner after part of a beachfront home collapsed onto state land and into the ocean. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Expansion completed at Women’s Community Correctional Center. A multi-million dollar expansion project at the Women’s Community Correctional Center, Hawaii’s only women’s prison, has officially been completed. KHON2.

DLNR to deploy drones to eradicate coqui frogs at Kuliouou. A new colony of invasive coqui frogs has been discovered in Kuliouou in East Honolulu — just about 200 meters below the summit of the Kuliouou Ridge Trail, according to Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

UH Starts Raising Marine Animals In Manoa To Grow Hawaii’s Aquaculture Industry. A new facility researches how to make sea creatures more resilient in Native Hawaiian fishponds. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

New affordable housing project slated for Waikoloa Village. Na Hale Makoa will feature 139 one-, two- and three-bedroom units serving households earning up to 140% of area median income, as well as one resident manager’s unit. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

5,000 Tires Tossed On Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaiʻi County officials say the recent "Toss Your Tires" recycling event held on September 21 was a success. Big Island Video News.

One of its greatest strengths: UH-Hilo continues to be one of most diverse universities in nation. The Hilo campus earned a diversity index score of 0.76, ranking as one of the most diverse universities in the country and coming in just behind prestigious institutions such as Stanford and Johns Hopkins. Big Island Now.

UH Hilo lab develops AI to analyze forest bird soundscapes. Biology Professor Patrick Hart and his team have been recording forest soundscapes for months at a time and uploading the files to a computer. He said they've developed ways to teach a computer, using AI, how to detect every bird's song. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Fire Department receives ATF report; public release set for next week. The County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety received the Lahaina Fire Summary of Findings and Conclusions report from the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. Maui Now. KHON2.

Wildfire debris removed from all Lahaina homes and 64% of commercial properties. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with other organizations, have completed debris removal for all homes and for 64% of commercial properties affected by the Lahaina wildfires. KITV4.

Council resolution urges prioritized recycled wastewater use for new housing. A lack of fresh water resources has long held back housing development on Maui. And now that there’s a post-disaster housing shortage, the Maui County Council will consider Friday a resolution calling for increased production and expansion of recycled wastewater use to make more potable water available for human consumption. Maui Now.

County’s West Maui Business Center providing assistance to local businesses. The County of Maui Office of Economic Development in collaboration with local partners and nonprofits, has launched the West Maui Business Center and online business portal www.WestMauiBusinessCenter.org to aid local businesses directly and indirectly impacted by the August 2023 wildfires. Maui News.

Coral damaged by grounded yacht ready to return to Honolua Bay after recovering in nursery. In a saltwater aquarium at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute’s facilities, a cluster of tiny corals are building up their strength for a big journey back home.  Maui Now.

Brush fire near Molokai Airport 100% contained after burning 80 acres. A brush fire that sparked near Molokai Airport on Tuesday is now 100% contained, according to the latest update from the Maui Fire Department. KITV4.

Kauai

Home sales surge in August on Kauai. Single-family home sales soared 115.79 percent to 41 in August from 19 in August 2023, according to monthly data pooled from multiple sources by Hawai‘i Realtors in Honolulu.  Garden Island.

Queen’s Bath on Kaua‘i closed for winter due to hazardous ocean conditions. The access gate to Queen’s Bath in Princeville is closed through winter, effective immediately. Kauai Now.

University of Hawaii to renew $285M military contract, strike hits Waikiki resort, Honolulu to offer employees pandemic hazard pay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The University Of Hawaii Is About To Get Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars To Do Military Research. But student government members argue that the research should not be secret and say the university is ignoring their concerns over colonialism. The University of Hawaii is poised to renew a controversial contract to conduct research for the U.S. military worth up to $285 million over 10 years, in what administrators call a major source of federal funding for the university. Civil Beat.

UH president finalist puts emphasis on AI. Wendy F. Hensel, the first of two final candidates to replace the University of Hawaii’s president promised an AI-driven future during a forum Tuesday at UH-Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

1,800 hotel workers strike at Hilton Hawaiian Village. More than 1,800 hotel workers went on an open-ended strike Tuesday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, and their union, UNITE HERE Local 5, says they will not return to work until they have a new contract. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Governor Urges Federal Mediation To Settle Nurse Labor Dispute.  Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday urged the Hawaii nurses union and Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children to seek federal mediation to resolve their long-standing labor dispute. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Report: Suspected Trump gunman charged with attempted assassination. Ryan Routh, the Oahu man accused of staking out Donald Trump’s Florida golf course with a rifle was indicted Tuesday on a charge of attempted assassination of a political candidate as prosecutors alleged he intended to kill the former U.S. president. Reuters.

Oahu

City eyes $5M in federal COVID-19 money for possible worker hazard pay.  The City and County of Honolulu might tap roughly $5 million in federal COVID-19 money to help pay the estimated tens of millions of dollars in hazard pay to city workers employed during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Man who killed charging neighbor: ‘I going stop him’.  The 42-year-old man who shot and killed the neighbor who rammed his house and shot and killed three women on Waianae Valley Road said he opened fire after the neighbor pledged to “kill ’em all.” Star-Advertiser.

Beachfront home partially collapses into ocean on Oahu’s North Shore. Witnesses were stunned as a portion of a home off Ke Nui Road, near Sunset Beach, crumbled just before noon Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

New chief gets good review: Moszkowicz’s performance in first year ‘commendable’.  The Police Commission on Friday gave Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moskowicz a positive review for his first year as the Big Island’s top cop, but said in his evaluation letter it is “crucial” the chief “enhances his transparency” with the commission, “particularly in areas where the commission holds oversight authorities.” Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Loa Access Road Restoration Planned After 2022 Lava Flow. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking a state permit to repair the road to the Mauna Loa Observatory. Big Island Video News.

From seawater to jet fuel: Proposed Kona research facility would use NELHA infrastructure. A Texas company has plans to use a site at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority’s Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park in Kailua-Kona to make jet fuel from seawater. Tribune-Herald.

Waimea meat processing company wins $1.6M grant.  The Kamuela Meat Co. is a new processor on the Big Island and is planning to use this award to establish a cattle slaughtering and meat processing facility, according to a USDA press release. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

For Some Maui Fire Victims, FEMA May Step In When Private Insurance Benefits Expire. Government officials said an additional $14.5 million is available for eligible applicants. Civil Beat.

DBEDT report: Maui County hotels still impacted by last year’s wildfires. In August, Maui County’s revenue per available room was $284, or 4.6% less than August 2023 and 7.2% lower than the same month, pre-COVID 2019, the department said in its monthly Hawai‘i Hotel Performance Report.  Maui Now.

Molokaʻi brush fire prompts precautionary evacuations, road closures.  Door-to-door, voluntary evacuations by Maui Police Department were under way midday Tuesday for Molokaʻi homes in the vicinity of a brush fire of approximately 100 acres near the Molokaʻi Airport.  Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Planning commission discusses contentious South Maui housing project. Supporters of a long-debated project to build more than 1,000 homes in South Maui addressed criticism towards the proposal on Tuesday during a Maui Planning Commission meeting. KITV4.

Kauai

Kauaʻi community group, Earthjustice don't want a 2nd landfill in Kekaha . The island's only landfill, located in Kekaha, is estimated to reach capacity in 2027. The county is in the middle of expanding it, but that's a short-term solution while it figures out another way to manage the 80,000 to 90,000 tons of waste annually. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaua‘i hotels lead state in August for revenue per available room. Kaua‘i hotels led the state in August revenue per available room at $316, despite it being 10.4% less than August 2023; it was still 50.8 more than August 2019. Kauai Now.

State legislator among 10 arrested in Kapiolani nurses strike, state economy still feeling pandemic shock, Kilauea eruption ends, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu police arrest 10 demonstrators outside Kapi‘olani hospital. Those arrested outside the hospital included recently elected state Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto, Democrat candidate for state House Ikaika Hussey, and John Witeck and Sergio Alcubilla of the Hawaii Workers Center. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. KHON2.  KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi has yet to recover to pre-pandemic job numbers, report says. As of July, the number of payroll jobs in the state was still about 3.5% short of where it was before the pandemic. Louisiana, Maryland and Washington, D.C., are the only other areas in the nation that have yet to recover to their pre-COVID job numbers, according to the latest forecast report from the University of Hawaiʻi's Economic Research Organization. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric slumps after disclosing $500M stock offer. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. disclosed Monday plans to sell up to $500 million worth of its common stock to help fund its part of the Maui wildfire settlement, sending its shares down over 9% in extended trading. Reuters.

Suspect accused in Trump shooting attempt wrote letter detailing plans. The Hawaii man accused in the assassination attempt of Donald Trump at a golf course in Florida left behind a note detailing his plans to kill the former president and kept in his car a handwritten list of dates and venues where Trump was to appear, the Justice Department said Monday. (video only). Hawaii News Now.

Architecture branch manager selected as new State Historic Preservation Administrator. Jessica Puff has been chosen to lead the DLNR State Historical Preservation Division succeeding Dr. Alan Downer who retired earlier this year. Maui News.

Two Native Hawaiians appointed to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. President Biden has announced his intent to appoint two Native Hawaiians to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Kamana‘opono M. Crabbe and Krystal Ka‘ai were selected as commissioners of the advisory commission. Maui Now.

 Rule change will increase food aid for Hawaii families. Internal rule change at the state Department of Human Serv­ices will mean 13,000 to 14,000 Hawaii households will be eligible for another $40 million to $45 million — or an average of $3,200 a year — in SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps. Star-Advertiser.  Civil Beat.

Local military lab reaches milestone in identifying unknown Korean War soldiers. Thanks to emerging technology and the staff at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, many families now have closure. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

City Council to review $5M toward potential hazard pay. A city-initiated resolution that urges the Honolulu City Council to reprogram about $5 million in federal COVID- 19 pandemic funds for “revenue replacement” is under review this week. Star-Advertiser.

Downtown Honolulu offices become rental housing with city help. The project used a city affordable-housing subsidy program to help convert a seven-­story office building at 1060 Bishop St. into 52 apartments ranging from studios to two-bedroom units reserved for households earning no more than 80% of Honolulu’s median income. Star-Advertiser.

After years of debate, official says city is 'very close' to naming new landfill site. Honolulu Department of Environmental Services Director Roger Babcock said the city is considering multiple sites. It includes ones that have been excluded in the past and other locations that would require changes to state law. Hawaii Public Radio.

Concrete reefs to be deployed off Oʻahu in a $27 million coastal protection project to slow wave energy, promote coral growth. The first prototype of a concrete reef structure will be placed in the ocean off Windward Oʻahu later this year or early next. Hawaii Public Radio.

$20 million verdict in Ewa marina case is restored on appeal.  huge jury verdict has been restored over scuttled plans for a marina in Ewa Beach. An appeals court says the developer must pay well over $20 million to homeowners who said they were deceived. Hawaii News Now.


Hawaii Island

Kilauea’s latest eruption declared over; alert levels lowered. HVO lowered its volcano alert level for ground-based hazards from “watch” to “advisory,” and the aviation color code from orange to yellow. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Former Peace Corps volunteers return to E. Hawaii after 60 years. The cohort of about 100 completed its training here before deploying to Malaysia, some as teachers, others as nurses — and all with a mindset to make the world a better place, one community at a time. Tribune-Herald.

Coconut rhinoceros beetle found on Big Island. The State Department of Agriculture reports a single coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) was found in a trap this week during routine monitoring in Waikoloa on the Big Island.  Big Island Now.

State awards $70K specialty crop grant to nonprofit Malama Sanctuary. The replanting of awa — a canoe plant named Piper methysticum and known elsewhere as kava — would make the beverage more accessible to residents and, at the same time, give growers in the isles a culturally relevant crop to cultivate. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Diane Yogi named Deputy Director of County Department of Transportation. Diane Yogi, who has worked for the County of Maui Department of Transportation since its creation in 2003, has been appointed the departmentʻs deputy director. Her start date was Sept. 3. Maui News. Maui Now.

Alleged threat made toward Maui high school prompts increased police presence. Baldwin High students and staff will notice a larger police presence on and around campus on Monday after an alleged threat was made against the school. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Fire mitigation work scheduled for portion of Ninini Point starting Sept. 23. The county’s Public Information Office said the necessary work will allow various crews to cut and maintain vegetation and remove debris, including abandoned vehicles, that are on the property. Kauai Now.

Offshore wind farm plan gets blowback, UH president candidates begin statewide forums, Big Island mayor contest heats up, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Offshore wind farm plan gets blowback. Aukahi Energy LLC, a joint venture involving a subsidiary of French utility giant EDF Group, in recent months has publicly shared its vision to put 22 to 30 floating wind turbines — each taller than a football field — between Oahu and Molokai to supply about 25% of the electricity used on Oahu at an estimated cost of over $1.8 billion. Star-Advertiser.

David Lassner advises next UH president to work on building relationships.  Lassner, who just turned 70, has led a 10-campus system that touches Hawaii and its residents in ways unlike any other state department or agency, and he has exceeded the average career life span of typical university presidents across the country. Star-Advertiser.

Next UH president to face ‘autonomy’ with strings attached. University of Hawaii officials have to defend their annual budget requests to the state Legislature every year because tuition, donations, endowments and other revenue sources aren’t enough to keep the 10-campus system running on a budget of over $1 billion. The institution employs nearly 8,000 people while educating 46,000 students. Star-Advertiser.

Meet the two candidates for UH President at a public forum near you. The public will have the opportunity to meet the two finalists for UH President on Maui, Kauai, Big Island and Oahu starting Monday, Sept. 23. KHON2.

Convention Highlights New Prominence Of Hawaiian Leadership. This year's Native Hawaiian Convention focused on how Hawaiians have played a much bigger role in shaping policy. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian council seeks to develop economic opportunities.  The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement already has gotten a firm foothold in tourism products, especially in Waikiki, since securing a multiyear, $27 million contract for stewardship services in 2023 from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Data consultant on how Native Hawaiians are getting priced out of paradise. The Conversation talked to data and technology consultant Matt Jachowski about his conference presentation titled “Aloha Means Goodbye": why Native Hawaiians have left the islands in droves. Hawaii Public Radio.

Investors push for better deal in Territorial merger. On Tuesday, Blue Hill and other bank investors reaffirmed their commitment to a $12-per-share cash offer for Territorial, initially announced April 29, that would allow up to 30% of current shareholders to remain invested in the state’s fifth-largest bank as it aims for a turnaround under new leadership. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

UH wave energy project with military takes shape off Kāneʻohe. The military has been looking at this wave conversion technology for some 20 years. It's far from perfect, but the possibilities are limitless. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kapi‘olani nurses plan protest before talks resume. Unionized nurses, who have been barred from work for over a week, plan to hold a demonstration today outside Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children after contract negotiations ended Sunday with no resolution. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Turtle Bay Developer’s Execs Were Part Of A Global Company With A Questionable Environmental Record.  Top executives at the company behind a major residential development near Turtle Bay Resort previously were high-ranking officers with an international developer that has frequently come under fire for environmental practices and community complaints. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Roth, Alameda face off: Mayoral candidates spar while fielding questions during forum. Hawaii County’s two remaining mayoral candidates took potshots at each other in between setting out their own policy plans at a forum on Saturday. Tribune-Herald.

Top Candidates In Tight Big Island Mayor’s Race Offer A Study In Contrasts. While they agree on some issues and diverge on others, Mitch Roth and Kimo Alameda differ sharply in style and presentation. Civil Beat.

Council approves ohana regulation changes. Bill 123’s most significant change allows up to three ohana units — now called “accessory dwelling units” or ADUs — to be built on a single lot, as long as that lot is within a zoning districts that permits ohana units.  Tribune-Herald.

Bid for overhaul of Hilo wastewater plant could be approved next month. Hawaii County next month could approve a bid for contractors to begin the long-awaited overhaul of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Delays Hamper State Effort To Better Manage West Maui’s Limited Water. The Lahaina wildfire and staffing shortages stymied the state's review of new and existing water users. Civil Beat.

Maui Voters To Decide Whether To Extend Terms For Board And Commission Members. If approved, a charter amendment on the November ballot would allow citizens to serve two consecutive terms or 10 years, whichever is greater. Civil Beat.

Lahaina evacuees urged to vote in burn zone addresses. Lahaina residents whose homes were destroyed in the fire are still able to vote using their old address in the burn zone. (video only). Hawaii News Now.

Maui delegation connects with other fire-stricken counties at wildfire summit. Mayor Richard Bissen joined Maui’s state, county and community leaders at After the Fire USA’s 2024 Wildfire Leadership Summit last week in Sonoma, Calif. Together, they shared updates on Maui’s wildfire recovery efforts and gathered valuable insights from other jurisdictions affected by similar disasters. Maui Now.

Kauai

‘A huge moment’ for Kaua‘i reefs: Coral nursery coming to island with federal funding. A much-needed facility to protect coral reefs, one of the Hawaiian Islands’ most precious natural resources, will be built on Kaua‘i due to a recently awarded grant of nearly $200,000. Kauai Now.

Want to farm on the Garden Isle? AgXposure course still accepting applications on Kaua‘i.  Potential farmers on the Garden Isle have until Sept. 30 to submit applications to AgXposure, a month-long course introducing participants to the ins and outs of small-scale commercial farming. Kauai Now.

State audits DOE following teacher paycheck delays, Navy seeks increased training and bombing at Barking Sands, Hawaiian Electric stock drops 9.7% on $250M stock sale plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Paycheck delays prompt audit of DOE procedures. Following a grievance by the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the state Department of Education will conduct an audit and compensate over 500 teachers for financial losses due to delayed paychecks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric shares drop after $250M stock offering plan. Shares of Hawaiian Electric fell 9.7% Thursday after the parent company of the state’s largest utility said it plans to sell up to $250 million worth of shares to partly fund its portion of the Maui wildfire settlement. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines will soon notify staff about employment status following merger. Nonunion Hawaiian Airlines employees will learn, as soon as Friday, whether their positions will be retained through the company’s merger with Alaska Airlines. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tight labor force to weigh on Hawaii economy, especially Maui’s. University of Hawaii economists are warning that the statewide labor force likely will continue to lag pre-pandemic levels for several years, extending challenges for many employers. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Lawmaker To Pay $12,500 To Settle Ethics Commission Complaint. Rep. David Alcos was accused of failing to disclose millions of dollars in debts to various creditors including the IRS and the state Tax Department. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City details ‘restricted’ properties for Oahu’s next landfill. The Department of Environmental Services offered a list of potential future dump sites — located in West Oahu or on the North Shore — that are deemed restricted and unusable as all are in close proximity to potable well water, prime agricultural lands, residential areas, schools or hospitals, or a variety of each. Star-Advertiser.

Police chief pressured by mounting concerns over West Oahu violence. As communities in West Oahu continue to struggle with a surge in violent crimes, the Honolulu Police Commission is urging the chief of police to get more help from other law enforcement agencies. Hawaii News Now.

Input needed for new pool and recreation center in Kahuku. A public meeting is scheduled September 26 to gather input on designs for the project at Kahuku District Park. The meeting will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kahuku Elementary cafeteria. Hawaii News Now.

Downtown Honolulu office building transformed into residential units. A downtown Honolulu office building has been converted into residential housing, with the newly named 1060 Bishop offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units for rent.  KHON2.

Waianae Illegal Parties: Beyond The Silva Dome. Community members say events in venues without permits are common on the Westside, while the city says it cannot do much more than issue violations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Voters Asked To Impose New Deadlines For Filling Top County Jobs. Mayor Mitch Roth opposes the charter change, saying it wouldn't allow enough time to search for the best department heads. Civil Beat.

Roth, Alameda debate issues at Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement convention. Hawaii island Mayor Mitch Roth and challenger Kimo Alameda shared their policy platforms Thursday at a Hawaii Island Mayoral Debate in advance of the marquee contest in the state’s coming general election. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Kilauea eruption intensifies along with hazards to park visitors. The eruption is taking place in and around Napau Crater in a remote wilderness area more than six miles from the closest road. Lava viewing is not possible, but the Park Service said lava glow outside of daylight hours may be viewable from open parking and pullouts along Chain of Craters Road. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Finally, a park for HPP? Meeting set to discuss county project; draft EA expected soon.  A long-discussed project to build a Hawaii County-operated park in Hawaiian Paradise Park will be reintroduced next month. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

This Maui Board Was Created To Improve Transparency. Now It’s Accused Of Doing The Opposite. County Council members cite the Independent Nomination Board's failure to identify applicants and release meeting minutes. Civil Beat.

New ‘robust’ Hawaiian-Alaska airlines flies aircraft too big for Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. While the combined airlines’ air routes give Hawaiʻi residents three times more travel options and ongoing inter-island service at current levels, this new “robust” air service will not, at least for the foreseeable future, include renewing direct air service to Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kapalua or establishing air service to Hāna, said Joe Sprague, Hawaiian Airlines chief executive officer, who spoke online Wednesday with Neighbor Island journalists. Maui Now.

UHERO forecasts a lagging Maui recovery and slower overall Hawaiʻi growth. Maui’s economy will only gradually recover from its post-wildfire downturn while visitor industries in other counties across the state will continue to operate at high levels, according to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s third quarter forecast for 2024. Maui Now.

Kauai

U.S. Navy seeks public input on proposed increase in military training on Kauaʻi, uninhabited island. Officials with the U.S. Navy on Tuesday unveiled the draft environmental assessment of proposed plans at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauaʻi to significantly increase the amount of military training, bombing exercises and other activities, saying impacts would be minimal. Kauai Now.

Stretch of Kalalau Trail to reopen. A popular trail on the north side of the island is scheduled to partially reopen about two weeks after a virus sickened dozens of people and forced its closure. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Firefighters battle blaze at Powerhouse Road in Wainiha. A brush fire in the North Shore kept firefighters working overnight and into the day on Thursday. Garden Island.

UPW state director accused of mishandling funds, golden parachutes, some job cuts after Hawaiian Airlines sale, Kauai mayor seeks to replace Kouchi in 2026, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii United Public Workers Leader Accused Of Misusing Funds. Kalani Werner, who is up for re-election as state director, was put on trial by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees earlier this week. Civil Beat.

Green Fills Hawaii State Ethics Commission Vacancy. Roderick Becker replaces Harry McCarthy on the five-member panel. The agency responsible for administering and enforcing the state ethics code and lobbyist law has a new commissioner. Civil Beat.

‘Golden parachutes’ deployed for top Hawaiian Airlines execs. A few top Hawaiian Airlines executives are out of a job now that Alaska Airlines has acquired Hawaii’s largest air carrier, but they are being well compensated with “golden parachute” benefits totaling close to $25 million.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines Takeover: Acquisition By Alaska Will Mean Loss Of Some Non-Union Jobs. Union jobs including flight attendants, pilots and mechanics, will be protected. Civil Beat.

Gun Violence Data In Hawaii Is Incomplete – And Unreliable. Data collection and sharing is so limited that the Attorney General's Office says researching ways to prevent firearm violence is "virtually impossible." Civil Beat.

HIDOE restores 14 more school bus routes statewide. The Hawaii State Department of Education announced that 14 suspended school bus routes on Central Oahu, Upcountry Maui and East Hawaii Island will be reinstated on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. KITV4.

Oahu

Report backs empty-homes tax to address housing crisis on Oahu. The Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law &Economic Justice is recommending that the Honolulu City Council impose a 3-5% empty-homes tax, citing a worsening housing crisis on Oahu where more than 8 in 10 renters now spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs. Star-Advertiser.

Residents protest plans for housing development at former Saint Francis School. Residents of Manoa gathered Wednesday to protest plans by the Avalon Group to convert the old Saint Francis School campus into a housing development.  KHON2.

AES Hawaiʻi reports successful bat deterrent system at Oʻahu wind farm. Birds and bats colliding into large wind turbines were a big concern when the renewable energy projects began appearing across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shooter who ended Waianae rampage won’t be charged. The 42-year-old man who shot and killed the neighbor who rammed his house and shot and killed three women at the home on Waianae Valley Road will not be charged in the incident. Star-Advertiser.

Pickleballers vs. tennis players: Battle for court space heats up at Ala Moana Beach Park. It’s pickleballers versus tennis players vying for court space, and they both say there are long waits to play. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island councilmembers expand number of allowable ADUs.  The Hawaiʻi County Council narrowly passed a bill allowing for more accessory dwelling units on residential properties. Bill 123 would allow property owners to build up to three ADUs, each of which can serve as residential housing units. Hawaii Public Radio.

Discovery of burial site halts work on HPP mailbox project. The discovery of a Native Hawaiian burial site in Hawaiian Paradise Park has some residents concerned. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Radiologic Associates shut down by ‘security incident’.  Hawaii Radiologic Associates has canceled all patient appointments for medical imaging services since late August due to what it called “a security incident that affected some of our systems.” Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Eruption Changes Prompt New Closures, While Chain Of Craters Reopens. The eruption near Nāpau Crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park continues, as the State DLNR announced the closure of the Kahaualeʻa Natural Area Reserve. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Judge approves agreement that stops cutting of live trees on wetlands parcel in Kīhei. After more than five hours of talks on Friday, 2nd Circuit Court Chief Judge Peter Cahill approved an agreement Tuesday between the two sides of a dispute over the clearing of a 7.2-acre wetlands parcel in Kīhei. Maui Now.

Maui council to consider rent cap to control skyrocketing prices. As Maui grapples with a housing crisis made even worse by last year’s wildfires, the county council is now considering rent control. Hawaii News Now.

Meeting for Kula homeowners impacted by wildfires to be held Sept. 24. The County of Maui Office of Recovery and the Office of Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura will be hosting a meeting for Kula homeowners impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. Maui Now.

NTSB releases final report into fatal air ambulance crash off Maui. National Transportation Safety Board investigators found that inadequate pilot training and performance tracking played a factor in the crash, which happened on Dec. 15, 2022. KITV4.

Kauai

Kawakami’s campaign office confirms Kauaʻi mayor plans to run for Kouchi’s Senate seat in 2026. The campaign office for Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has confirmed the mayor intends to run for Hawaiʻi Senate District 8 in 2026, with the support of the current seat holder, Senate President Ron Kouchi. Kauai Now.

State closes Kalalau trail indefinitely after around 50 hikers became ill with norovirus. Instead of reopening Thursday, the state now says Kauai’s Kalalau Trail will remain closed indefinitely. Hawaii News Now.

Land conservation nonprofit hires Annalise “Anna” Kindstedt as Kaua‘i ‘āina steward and educator. Hawai‘i Land Trust, a statewide land conservation nonprofit, has a new ‘āina steward and educator on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

Alaska Airlines purchase of Hawaiian Airlines executed, new leader named; Honolulu nixes federal land for landfill, Native Hawaiian convention kicks off, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Biden administration is letting Alaska Airlines buy Hawaiian Air but with conditions. The administration is letting Alaska Airlines complete its $1 billion purchase of Hawaiian Airlines after the carriers agreed to certain conditions, including maintaining current customer reward miles and service on routes between Hawaii and the continental U.S. where they don’t have much competition. Associated Press. Star-Advertiser. New York Times. Hawaii News Now.

Alaska Air Group announces interim Honolulu leadership team to guide merger with Hawaiian Airlines. When the combination was announced, it was shared that Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO Peter Ingram would step down from his role following the transaction close. Current Alaska Airlines regional president of Hawai‘i/Pacific, Joe Sprague, will be named chief executive officer of Hawaiian Airlines. Maui Now.

Alaska Airlines completes acquisition of Hawaiian; here’s what you need to know. As of Wednesday morning, the corporate merger has already been completed. The acquisition was executed in just a matter of hours after getting final federal permission to do so. Hawaii News Now.

Future Of Hawaii’s Lands Is On The Agenda For Native Hawaiian Convention. Lively discussions on land use and finding ways to insert Hawaiians and cultural practices into public policy decisions punctuated the first day of the 2024 Native Hawaiian Convention.  Civil Beat. KHON2.

Media Council Hawaiʻi weighs in on artificial intelligence in journalism. The Garden Island newspaper on Kauaʻi is using artificial intelligence-generated hosts in its new, online broadcast "TGI Today." To further dive into the use of AI in journalism, HPR talked to Gerald Kato, a former real-life newscaster and retired University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa journalism professor. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

City nixes federal lands for next site to replace Waimanalo landfill. The Honolulu Planning Commission is expected today to receive the city’s latest update regarding its ongoing search to find an alternate site for Oahu’s next municipal landfill before the end of this year. Star-Advertiser.

UH Manoa setting enrollment records. The University of Hawaii’s flagship Manoa campus eliminated application fees and increased scholarships for local high school students, helping to drive a new record for freshmen enrollment this fall — and sending overall enrollment to its highest level in 12 years. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Fire Report Heightens Fears That Manoa Development Will Increase Risk There. The home builder says 93 new homes — and 360 parking stalls — will actually mean less traffic in a densely populated corner of the valley. Civil Beat.

Waiʻanae community reflects on recent shootings and offers culture-based solutions. The recent shootings on the Waiʻanae Coast have residents on high alert. Some said their community has never experienced this severity of violence. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor, Kapiolani Medical Center respond as nurses march over lockout. Dozens of nurses from Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children marched through downtown Honolulu Tuesday, having been locked out by the hospital for a fourth day. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

HPD Corporal charged with false reporting after crash that seriously injured motorcyclist. A Honolulu police corporal has been charged with False Reporting to Law Enforcement Authorities after crashing his subsidized vehicle into the back of a motorcyclist near Aloha Stadium last September, seriously injuring the rider. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council considers asking state lawmakers to expand midwifery practices. The Hawaiʻi County Council is moving a measure to its top legislative priorities for the state’s 2025 session, which will be included in the Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties’ legislative package and delivered to the state Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lava erupts from Napau Crater: Fountains are reportedly as high as 30 feet. Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is erupting again in a remote part of a national park. One of the world’s most active volcanoes is erupting again in a remote part of a Hawaii national park. Eruptive activity increased early Tuesday but there is no immediate threat to homes or infrastructure, U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.

Hawaii’s Last Dairy Is Under Fire For Allegedly Violating Environmental Law. The Center for Food Safety says that Cloverleaf Dairy on the Big Island has been knowingly polluting the ocean with animal and milk waste for years. Civil Beat.

Work to replace Pauahi Street Bridge on schedule. Construction on the Pauahi Street Bridge is on schedule, according to the Hawaii County Department of Public Works. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

3,152 Burned Vehicles Have Been Removed From Lahaina, But More Than 350 Remain. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided an update on debris removal, which also included 141 boats. Civil Beat.

Rent stabilization considered to slow runaway post-disaster housing costs. Maui County Council members heard Monday evening from more than two dozen testifiers, most of whom favored putting brakes on runaway rental costs. Maui Now.

Maui single-family home sales rise, median prices increase in August. Maui’s housing market saw an increase in home sales in August of 2024, with single-family homes experiencing both a rise in sales and an increase in median prices, according to the latest data from the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Structure fire causes $1.2 million in damages. An evening structure fire on Kauai’s Eastside prompted the partial closure of Ulu Street on Tuesday. Garden Island. Kauai Now. KHON2.

40 years ago, Kauai’s Mokihana Festival was a kane-only hula contest. Now, it’s much more. Kauai’s Mokihana Festival is set for Sept. 22 to Sept. 28 with various events scattered around the islands. Ka Makahiki O Na Mea Ho’okani, or year of instruments & implements, is the theme for this year’s celebration. Hawaii News Now.