Tsunami alert reveals malfunctioning sirens, state unemployment rate drops to pre-COVID low, $68M remains in Maui Strong fund, bedbugs at Honolulu mall food court, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Nearly 1 In 5 Warning Sirens On Oʻahu Were Broken During Tsunami Scare. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency says two dozen new sirens will be installed by the end of the year. Civil Beat.

How federal tax cuts will impact Hawaiʻi residents. The top 1% of Hawaiʻi's income earners will get a tax cut of about $43,000 next year. The bottom 20% will see a reduction of about $90. That's according to a recent analysis of President Trump's mega budget bill HR 1 by Hawaiʻi's Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. Hawaii Public Radio.

End of EPA solar program to affect thousands in Hawaii. The termination of Solar for All, a federal program designed to expand affordable solar energy for low-income communities, has abruptly eliminated that savings option for 2,000 low-to-­moderate income households in Hawaii, which officials say will make it harder for the state to achieve its aggressive renewable energy goals. Star-Advertiser.

State unemployment rate hits pre-COVID low of 2.7%. Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July fell to 2.7% from 2.8% in June to mark its lowest level since before COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Distracted driving ‘a serious issue’ in Hawaii. A study released last month found Hawaii has the sixth-highest rate of fatal crashes caused by distracting driving among U.S. states. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi officials continue to encourage the export of value-added food products. This year, state lawmakers passed House Bill 774 to establish a Food and Product Innovation Network within the state Agribusiness Development Corporation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Backlash May Prompt New Rules For Affordable Rentals In Honolulu. Supporters say new requirements in Bill 53 would protect neighborhoods from the side effects of increased housing density. Opponents fear the changes would hamstring an already struggling program. Civil Beat.

New Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts executive director paints the future. Jennifer Santos has been on the job for more than a month as head of the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu mall addresses bed bug concerns in busy food court. Oahu’s largest mall is dealing with some tiny pests. Bed bugs were found in wooden chairs in the Lanai Food Court at Ala Moana Center. Hawaii News Now.

Downtown Honolulu Rail construction: ‘5 years is a long time’.  Folks in the Downtown area are bracing for a major traffic shake-up. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation started work on the City Center Guideway and Stations — it requires lane closures on Nimitz Highway between ‘Awa and Bishop streets, 24/7 until September, 2030. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

DLNR urges caution after discovery of large crack in Puna lava delta. Newly formed lands from the 2018 Kilauea volcano lava flows — known as lava deltas — are creating a potential hazard for Hawaii Island residents and visitors, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Now.  KITV4. 

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is on the verge of erupting again. Scientists expect Kilauea volcano to again gush lava in the coming days for the 31st time since December as the mountain lives up to its identity of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Associated Press. Big Island Video News.

County, ex-R&D director sued for age discrimination. Doug Adams, Hawaii County’s former Research and Development director,  has requested the county cover any damages that may be assessed against him in an age-discrimination lawsuit. Tribune-Herald.

Project to repair 2 East Hawai‘i bridges extended to next year.  A project to repair the Kaiwilahilahi and Honoliʻi Stream bridges in East Hawai‘i is being extended to February. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Strong Fund has about $68M remaining to help fire survivors. The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, which administers the fund, recently released its two-year impact report with details on how that money is being spent. Hawaii Public Radio.

After Maui wildfires, Study sheds light on housing decisions. Maui Housing Hui, in collaboration with the University at Albany and the University of North Texas, will host a Talk Story event on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, to present new research findings on housing decision-making following the Maui wildfires. Maui Now.

Uniqlo Founder Sues Maui Land & Pineapple Over West Maui Water Shortage. The lawsuit argues that Kapalua’s water shortages are not simply the result of less rainfall in the area, but rather Maui Land & Pineapple’s failure to maintain its water system. Civil Beat.

Police Chief Pelletier vows MPD will be ‘relentless in pursuit of justice’ for fallen Maui officer; suspect appears in court. The suspect in Fridayʻs fatal shooting of a Maui Police officer made his initial appearance in Wailuku District Court on Monday before Judge Annalisa Bernard Lee. Judge Lee ordered Clembert Kaneholani, 38, to return to court on Wednesday, Aug. 20 for a preliminary hearing. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Kauai

Kaumakani Avenue wildfire preparedness outreach set. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), in partnership with various partners, will continue wildfire preparedness outreach efforts on Wednesday, Aug. 20, in Kaumakani, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Circuit Court seeks attorney applicants for independent Grand Jury counsel. The position, which does come with compensation, would be a one-year appointment, according to a press release from the Hawai‘i State Judiciary. Kauai Now.

Green walks tightrope with Trump administration, Hawaii ranks high in reliable utility services, equitable distribution of income, fresh milk returns to Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Is Walking A Tightrope With The Trump Administration. As Trump’s domestic military moves and threats play out in DC and LA, the need to balance legal challenges and relationship-building isn’t lost on Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Army chief vows to respect Hawaii culture and environment, but 60-day timeline is questioned. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll has a vision for soldiers in the Pacific, and part of it centers on renegotiating leases for Hawaii lands the service has trained on for decades that expire in 2029. Star-Advertiser.

Military, state leaders seek to train high-tech workforce. As tensions have heated up in the Pacific amid tensions with China, the military is looking to find ways to manufacture more critical components for its weapons and equipment in the region, where commanders have long complained that supply chains are cumbersome. Star-Advertiser.

Court ruling imperils federal workers’ rights. Federal workers in Hawaii are facing an unprecedented period of uncertainty following a federal appeals court ruling that allows agencies to terminate collective bargaining agreements under executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

Students Are Missing Out On The Right To Hawaiian Immersion, Lawsuits Say. Two lawsuits filed against the Department of Education this summer allege the state has fallen short of its constitutional duty to provide families with access to Hawaiian language immersion schools. Civil Beat.

Equitable distribution of income makes Hawaii one of the most equal states, researchers say. A combination of lower salaries for high-end earners and higher wages for lower-income jobs compresses Hawaii’s income wage gap, meaning the islands have a more equitable distribution of income, according to researchers at the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ranks number one in most reliable utility services in the nation. In a study done by UtilityRates.com, an electricity and natural gas rate comparison website, Hawaii was identified as the U.S. state with the most reliable utility services. KHON2.

Immigrant Sent Cash To Family In Mexico; ICE Used That To Nab Him. Experts say it’s the first time they know of that money transfer records have been used to trace someone purely for reentering the U.S. illegally, in this case 17 years ago. Civil Beat.

New specialty license plate honors Duke Kahanamoku. The specialty license plate is expected to be available for purchase late this year through local DMV vehicle registration offices across the islands, with proceeds supporting critical drowning prevention initiatives and swimming programs throughout Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Fresh local milk returns to Oahu. Oahu residents can once again buy milk produced entirely in Hawaii, the result of a new partnership between Farm Link Hawaii and Meadow Gold Dairies. The collaboration brings 100% local milk to the island for the first time since 2019. Star-Advertiser.

City Council pushes pair of bills to ease homeowner tax burdens. If adopted, the bills package supposedly would lower future annual property tax bills for many, particularly senior citizens on fixed incomes. Star-Advertiser.

This Former Police Chief Could Be The Next Honolulu Police Commissioner. The Honolulu City Council is considering whether to approve Christopher Magnus, a veteran former police chief as the latest addition to the city’s police oversight board. Civil Beat.

Oahu drivers brace for 5-year Nimitz Highway lane closures for City Rail Project. Starting on Monday, Aug. 18, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will close one lane in each direction on Nimitz Hwy between ‘Awa and Bishop St. KITV4.

City struggles to keep up with stream maintenance. The city Department of Facility Maintenance is under pressure to clear vegetation and other debris from nearly 100 city-owned and privately-owned waterways that flow across Oahu to protect the environment and prevent flooding. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay development moving ahead with construction. A project to add new resort homes on Oʻahu's North Shore is moving forward after some lengthy delays. The developer Areté Collective said it's working with the community on its next steps. Hawaii Public Radio.

Aloha Stadium district developer leading project got start carpeting homes. Local real estate developer Stanford Carr expects to sign initial state contracts this week to deliver an estimated $5 billion to $6 billion project far dwarfing anything he has ever produced. The plan to create a mixed-use community anchored by a new stadium on 98 acres of state land in Halawa is a huge endeavor for the 63-year-old Carr, who was born and raised on Maui and got into part of the industry in 1982, when he became a self-employed flooring contractor at age 20 after deciding not to become a doctor. Star-Advertiser.

Suspect arrested in Chinatown acid attack. On Sunday, the Honolulu Police Department said that Marquis Johnson turned himself in at around 5:35 p.m. Johnson allegedly threw acid at a 30-year-old man in Chinatown on Friday, Aug. 8. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

STVRs law goes into effect soon. New regulations for short-term vacation rentals in Hawaii County are set to take effect in December, following passage of a bill that drew passionate debate from residents, property owners and housing advocates. Tribune-Herald.

Round 2 for Pohakuloa Training Area resolution. The Hawaii County Council is set to resume discussions Tuesday about a resolution urging the state to call for an immediate end to “bombing and desecration activities” at the Pohakuloa Training Area, citing environmental damage, wildfire risk and impacts to Native Hawaiian cultural rights. Tribune-Herald.

HPD clarifies concealed carry permit process at meeting. About two dozen individuals were present but just one testified Thursday during a public hearing in Hilo about proposed changes in the Hawaii Police Department’s rules for issuing licenses for concealed carry of handguns in Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Maunakea Authority seeks community guidance. The first meeting of the year took place Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Na‘alehu Community Center. Tribune-Herald. 

Nurses at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community College ratify new contract. A possible 3-day nurses’ strike at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea — originally scheduled to begin today — was averted during the weekend with a vote on a new contract by hospital neurses. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi County wants to know what's important to the island's community. The Laulima Community Survey is open to all residents of Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nonprofit purchases 3 acres in Volcano to grow cat sanctuary now helping only kittens. Erin Young last year started the nonprofit Volcano Cat Sanctuary, where she currently houses 15 cats on her property in Puna and has placed 15 other felines in foster homes. Big Island Now.

Maui

Suspect in Maui police officer’s killing had extensive criminal record. Clembert Kaneholani, the 38-year-old man who Maui police said fatally shot an officer on Friday night in Paia has a long criminal record and is being held without bail. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui police officer served with ‘courage, honor and dedication’.  Maui is mourning the loss of police officer Suzanne O, who was fatally shot Friday night while responding to a terroristic threatening incident in Paia. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

First-time homebuyer program most popular among Maui fire survivors seeking aid from $1.6 billion federal grant. Maui County launched a program last week to give fire survivors up to $600,000 to buy a new home. Maui Now.

Over 100 acres in Kula will be a native forest someday. It all starts with a nursery. Two large hoop houses stand in a grassy pasture in Kula that will one day be a native forest. The 60-foot-long structures will grow tens of thousands of native plants. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mahi Pono’s summer interns propagate plants to support Lahaina wildfire recovery. As part of its ongoing commitment to support the recovery of Lahaina, Mahi Pono is working alongside the community to help restore cultural connections.  Maui News.

Kauai

Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission plans public hearing for proposed Puhi Sewer & Water rate hikes. Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission scheduled a public hearing next week on Kaua’i to gather community input about an Aqua Puhi — doing business as Puhi Sewer & Water Company — application for proposed rate increases, revised rate schedules and changes to its tariff, which are the company’s regulated rules and policies. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee details visit to Kauaʻi. Members of the Hawai‘i Senate Ways and Means Committee — including Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau lawmaker Senate President Ronald Kouchi — spent 2 days this week on the Garden Isle for a whirlwind tour for discussions and meetings with officials with various government agencies and community leaders. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Hawaii involved in 27 lawsuits against Trump administration, new chief economist named, gang activity in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii involved in 27 lawsuits against Trump administration. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said Thursday that Hawaii is now involved in 27 lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration. Lopez said her office is fighting against attempts to “control states’ rights,” including birthright citizenship issues and spending cuts to universities and nonprofit organizations. Hawaii News Now.

State introduces its new chief economist. The state has hired a new chief economist following the retirement of Eugene Tian at the end of May. Seth Colby recently succeeded Tian, and is now the fourth chief economist in state history. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Youth basketball coach gets 33 years in sex abuse case. Senior U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright sentenced Dwayne Yuen, 52, who coached thousands of girls and boys over a 17-year career, to spend 405 months behind bars, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and he must register as a sex offender. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. Aloha State Daily. 

‘Ready To Die Boys?’ Multiple Oʻahu Shootings Linked To Gang. Prosecutors have attributed two deadly shootings on Oʻahu’s Westside in 2023 as well as another in May — the result of a botched murder-for-hire plot — to a gang called the “Shark Boys.” Civil Beat.

Police identify suspect in Chinatown acid attack. The Honolulu Police Department has identified the suspect in last Friday’s acid attack in Chinatown. Police say Marquis Johnson, 34, was the man who allegedly attacked a 30-year-old on Friday, Aug. 8, at around 11:40 p.m. near the intersection of Hotel and Smith streets. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Illegal game room raid in Waipahu leads to two arrests. HPD officers from the Narcotics Vice Division executed a search warrant at an illegal gambling room on Lumiauau St. in Waipahu. During the search, police officers discovered 16 gambling machines and $2,837 in cash. KITV4.

LGBTQ+ community raises concerns over federal rollbacks of funding and rights. Members of Hawaii’s LGBTQ+ community say they’ve made big strides in recent years. But they’re now concerned and alarmed that many of those strides are being walked back. It wouldn’t necessarily mean that such unions in Hawaii would become illegal. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

UH Hilo has a role in massive AI project. The University of Hawaii Hilo announced Thursday it has received a $1.4 million to support advancement of science through the use of artificial intelligence. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

COVID-19 outbreak hits Hilo nursing home. Hilo Benioff Medical Center’s nursing home currently has 10 residents and five staff that tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week. Star-Advertiser.

BOE to hold public meetings next week in Hawaii County. The Hawaii State Board of Education is holding a series of community engagement meetings across the state so the public can engage with board members and Department of Education staff about the early childhood workforce. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Honuaʻula continues to stir controversy over South Maui’s future development. Maui County Council’s 5-4 vote to finalize amendments to the Honuaʻula master-planned community project has reignited a debate over the project’s long-term impacts on South Maui. Maui Now.

$140M Maui Strong Fund marks 2 years of recovery work. Two years after wildfires swept through Maui in August 2023, the Hawaii Community Foundation released its Maui Strong Fund Two-Year Impact Report, providing a detailed account of donations, grants and recovery programs, while noting the continuing challenges for residents. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

$1M gift expands scholarships for Maui nursing students. The Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Charitable Trust has awarded an additional $1 million, building on its initial $2 million gift, to the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to expand scholarships for nursing students – helping more Maui residents pursue careers in healthcare at a time when the island faces a critical nursing shortage. Maui Now.

Kauai

Three new postmasters chosen to serve Kaua’i post offices. The appointments were made around the United States Postal Service’s 250th anniversary on July 26. On Kauaʻi, the first federal post office was established in Nāwiliwili in 1852, according to the Post Office in Paradise. Kauai Now.

Garden Island Orchid Society hosts Fall orchid show and sale this weekend. The Garden Island Orchid Society opens the doors to its fall show and sale today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ social hall, located adjacent to the Hanapepe Public Library. Garden Island.

New tourism authority formed, Aloha Stadium reconstruction delayed, Maunaloa carbon research station in peril, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HTA establishes advisory board, wants public input for planning. The governance and future focus of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is expected to be redefined under a newly appointed HTA advisory board, and by the community members who take part in HTA’s latest planning cycle, which seeks to ensure greater balance between tourism’s economic and community benefits. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Sex Abuse Case Shows How Predatory Teachers Can Go Undetected. Laws passed last year aim to protect students by creating a shared database of teachers who have abused kids in public and private schools. But other states have had a hard time getting schools to comply with similar laws.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi’s False Killer Whales Trending Toward Extinction. A new report finds that efforts to protect the dolphins are not working. Experts blame both fishing vessels and NOAA. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi medical school's Willed Body Program pauses new enrollments indefinitely. The University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine announced that it will not accept new enrollments for the Willed Body Program due to an overwhelming amount of interest and limited space. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Aloha Stadium opening pushed to 2029. Replacing Aloha Stadium has advanced a step closer to initiation, but the new facility is now slated to be smaller and completed later than previously planned. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Maunalua Bay now under conservation management. Nighttime spear fishing has been outlawed in Maunalua Bay and new catch limits have been imposed as part of a 20-year conservation effort in East Honolulu that led the Board of Land and Natural Resource to approve the state’s latest fisheries management area. Star-Advertiser.

As Mainland Egg Prices Drop, Waialua Fresh Eggs Invests In Hawaiʻi. Waialua Fresh Eggs is building four new barns at its Central Oʻahu farm, which will add 120,000 hens to the farm’s flock of 400,000. Those hens will lay an egg a day, to help supply about one-third of Hawaiʻi’s daily egg demands. Civil Beat.

Ex girls basketball coach to be sentenced in sex case. Dwayne Yuen, a Honolulu man who coached at Punahou and was involved with girls basketball in Hawaii for 20 years, will be sentenced today before Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Maunaloa research station, vital to global CO2 data, could close due to NOAA cuts. Since 1958, instruments at NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory have taken nearly continuous measurements of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Trump administration has proposed funding cuts to NOAA that would shutter the observatory, as well as other hubs in the country's greenhouse gas monitoring network. Hawaii Public Radio.

Schatz town hall draws hundreds. Nearly 250 people gathered at the Kahilu Town Hall in Kamuela on Tuesday to engage with U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who fielded over a dozen questions about topics ranging from ICE raids and protecting democracy, to the environment and America’s relationship with Israel. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Kea Authority Holds Community Talk Story Session. The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority held a community talk story in Kaʻū on Wednesday, as part of an ongoing effort to engage Hawaiʻi residents and gather public feedback.  Big Island Video News.

Water restrictions lifted in North Kohala following repair of well. Water restrictions for North Kohala customers, in place for just over a week, were lifted. Big Island Now.

School bus service changes to Hilo route raise student safety concerns. The bus transports students attending Hilo High School, Hilo Intermediate School and Haʻaheo Elementary School to and from the Wainaku Gym. But Kaiwiki Road extends four more miles and ends at a significant elevation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Last-ditch efforts to kill Honuaʻula project amendments fail amid bickering; controversial development passes final vote. On a day full of intense tension and high drama, the Maui County Council voted 5-4 to approve amendments on second-and-final reading for the hotly debated Honuaʻula project. Maui Now.

Work to reduce fire hazards in West Maui leads to dispute over homeless rights and arrests. An effort to clear wildfire hazards in West Maui on Wednesday led to a dispute over homeless rights and ended with seven people in handcuffs. Hawaii News Now.

Maui real estate market a mixed bag in July. Single-home sales on Maui were up in July while condominium sales continued to decrease, according to the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui News.

County of Maui Department of Agriculture invites grant applicants for Fiscal Year 2026. Eligible Maui County nonprofits, for-profits and sole proprietors are invited to apply for reimbursable grants through the County of Maui Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2026. Maui Now.

Kauai

Immediate water conservation request issued for some Kalāheo residents. Kauaʻi County Department of Water has announced an immediate water conservation request — in effect until further notice — for residents on the entire makai side of Kaumualiʻi Highway in Kalāheo. Kauai Now.

Proposals for FY 2025-26 Kaua‘i County Innovation Grants now being accepted. Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development is accepting proposals for fiscal year 2025–26 Innovation Grants. Application deadline is 4 p.m. Sept. 2. Kauai Now.

Auditor calls classroom cooling project a $120M disaster, deadline nears for proposed uses of green fee, Honolulu inflation rate slows, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Auditor: Plan To Cool Hawaiʻi Classrooms A ‘$120 Million Disaster’. A multimillion-dollar effort to cool the state’s school classrooms has fallen well short of its goals due to rushed planning and poor decision-making, the state Office of the Auditor found in a damning report released Tuesday.  Civil Beat.

Full audit report on cooling school classrooms. One DOE funding report dated November 7, 2018, more than a year after Governor Ige and DOE declared success at cooling 1,000 classrooms, placed the total amount spent at $122.8 million, which included $22 million for consultants, $95 million for construction, and another $6 million on LED lighting and water coolers. Office of the Auditor.

Deadline approaching to give opinion on Hawaii’s Green Fee. A deadline is fast approaching for the public to give input on how funding from Hawaii’s green fee legislation can address critical shortfalls of Hawaii’s natural resources. “Care for Aina Now” is urging the public to share their input before the Aug. 15 deadline for the statewide survey. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines to suspend 3 underperforming routes this fall. Hawaiian Airlines announced Tuesday that it is suspending service in November on three underperforming routes, including service between Honolulu and Boston, Incheon, South Korea, and Fukuoka, Japan. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

HECO builds out network of AI-powered wildfire detection cameras. Hawaiian Electric has deployed 180 AI-powered cameras across Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, and Maui County to help detect early signs of wildfires in remote areas. Hawaii Public Radio.

The fight to save Hawaii’s coconut palms. Across Hawaii, what looks like a bad haircut on the landscape is marking the slow death of the coconut palm, that icon of paradise. The culprit: the coconut rhinoceros beetle, a glossy, thumb-size scarab that bores into the crowns of palms to feed on sap. New York Times.

Opportunities to export local goods increased through passage of Act 237. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means received a comprehensive update on Tuesday from the Agribusiness Development Corporation on the development of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation efforts to help scale up local farmers and entrepreneurs and increase economic resilience.  Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Providers Fear RFK Jr. Could Roll Back Access To Abortion Pill. Women in remote and rural parts of Hawaiʻi have long struggled to access abortion care. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu inflation slows amid tariff backdrop. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday reported that prices for a broad sampling of goods and services on the island generally rose 2.3% over 12 months through July. This inflation rate for Oahu compared with 4.5% in the 12-month period through July 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium Contracts Are Set For Final Vote. The Aloha Stadium Authority plans to vote Wednesday on whether to approve hundreds of millions of dollars of redevelopment contracts, a big step forward in the long-stalled $400 million project to rejuvenate the surrounding area and open a new home for the University of Hawaiʻi’s football team.  Civil Beat.

Sen. Schatz pledges to support community health centers amid federal cuts. Hawaiʻi U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz visited the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center on Oʻahu as health care facilities and low-income families brace for looming federal cuts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu City Council accepts donated CPB property for city use. The Honolulu City Council has formally accepted Central Pacific Bank’s donation of more than $1.63 million in real and personal property for use by the city Department of Community Services near Aala Street and the H-1 freeway. Star-Advertiser.

Colliers talks latest findings on Honolulu's empty office space. The real estate company Colliers tracks industry trends and just released its Q2 report on downtown occupancy rates. Honolulu has the second-highest rate in cities across the country for planned office space conversions to residences. Hawaii Public Radio.

Feds Investigating At Least One Prison Guard’s Actions In OCCC Killing. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a “target letter” to a state corrections officer signaling his actions are under investigation in connection with the beating death of an inmate — allegedly by other prisoners — at the Oʻahu Community Correctional Center two years ago. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

New Building Department eyed. The Hawaii County Council is proposing a County Charter amendment that would create a Department of Building aimed at speeding up the permitting and inspection process and easing the workload of the Department of Public Works — but Mayor Kimo Alameda is not convinced it’s the right approach. Tribune-Herald.

Puna, Waiākea communities invited to share ideas to improve conservation. Puna and Waiākea community members are invited to join their neighboring farmers and ranchers for upcoming meetings of local working groups with U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Drought Update: Extreme Drought On Maunakea. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows severe dryness in northern interior parts of the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Mother of former UFC star B.J. Penn seeks to extend restraining order. Former UFC star B.J. Penn appeared in court on Tuesday defending himself as his mother sought to have the temporary restraining order she has against him extended for a year. KITV4.

Pancho & Lefty’s authorized to reopen after passing follow-up inspection. Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch authorized the reopening of a downtown Kailua-Kona eatery after being forced to immediately shutter last week following a failed food safety inspection that revealed multiple food safety violations, including dead and live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces and in ready-to-eat food.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Fire at Kula Lodge guts beloved Maui restaurant and puts Upcountry community ‘on edge’.  The iconic restaurant on the slopes of Haleakalā had caught fire, gutting the rustic dining room with a cozy fireplace where countless Maui families and visitors gathered for brunches and celebratory dinners. With its good food and sweeping views of the central valley, Kula Lodge also was a must stop for many people going to and from the national park. Maui Now.

Maui Film Festival’s 25-year run is over; Wailuku Film Festival to start in 2026 with different focus. For 25 years, the Maui Film Festival was a beloved event, bringing new movies to the island and for more than a decade featuring “Celestial Cinema” nights on the joint driving range of the Emerald and Gold golf courses in Wailea. Maui Now.

Kauai

New free airport wayfinding app enhances passenger experience at Līhuʻe Airport. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation launched a pair of free airport wayfinding smartphone apps — including one for a Kaua‘i airport — designed to make the airport experience less stressful and more enjoyable for travelers. Kauai Now.

Construction of temporary bridge on Anahola Road expected through December. Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works and Cushnie Construction notify the public that construction of a temporary bridge over Olokauha Stream on Anahola Road in Anahola is anticipated through December. The bridge will remain closed to traffic for the full duration of construction. Kauai Now.

Thousands of pounds of marine debris removed from Kauai coastline. More than 9,000 pounds of marine debris was removed from the remote coastline of Moloaa on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu rail inches toward downtown, Matson navigates shipping losses from China, COVID infects Hilo longterm care, jail facilities, UH football free on TV, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Phase 3 of Skyline Rail project breaks ground. Phase 3 of the $1.4 billion project will add six new stations and about three miles of elevated guideway from Middle Street to Civic Center.  Construction is expected to be complete by 2030. KHON2. HART press release. KITV4. 

HART to receive $112M state funding; the review before the reimbursement. Honolulu’s Skyline rail is a semi-autonomous entity of the City and County, but it does get funding from the state through general excise taxes as well as transit accommodation taxes. KITV4.

Matson navigates drop in Chinese business. Matson Inc. recently reported a 14.6% decline in cargo volume for its China service during the April-June quarter that included a rebound in mid-May after a 30% drop in April attributed to Trump tariff announcements. Star-Advertiser.

UH televising free football home games this season, ending pay-per-view. On Monday, UH and Spectrum Sports announced an agreement on a one-year deal in which the pay-per-view format of the past 22 years will be scrapped.  Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily.

The former Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement unveiled a new name, logo, and tagline as part of a broader rebranding initiative. The rebrand also introduces a new tagline: “Hawaiians Advancing Hawai‘i,” a reflection of the organization’s deep commitment to its homeland and people. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Why This Honolulu Housing Strategy Is Not A ‘Super Successful’ Program. A new state law requires counties to let homeowners build two additional housing units on eligible properties. Honolulu is struggling to persuade people to build just one. Civil Beat.

Honolulu legislation seeks to create a downtown business improvement district. The pandemic changed the workplace, and downtown is on the cusp of more change: new investment by local developers and a push to rebrand downtown as DOHO to revitalize the financial district for those who live and work in this hub.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor Wants To Buy Wo Fat Building In Chinatown For Housing. Developers ran out of money to convert the landmark former restaurant into a hotel. Star-Advertiser.

City continues roadwork on Kapiolani Boulevard. The city Department of Design and Construction on Monday began installing striping and pavement markers along a roughly half-mile stretch of Kapiolani Boulevard, from Waiaka Road to Date Street. Star-Advertiser.

Water Has Been Leaking From This State Building For Over A Month. Community members near the Diamond Head Health Center have noticed a steady stream of water leaking from the property around the clock. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County planning commissions to consider household hennery bill. Bill 52 would permit residents in certain residential and mixed-use zones to raise hens and other female poultry for household egg production under specific regulations. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County seeks dismissal of claims against officers. Hawaii County civil attorneys are attempting to have the county and unnamed police officers removed as defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by family members of a Holualoa woman who claim the officers are at least partially responsible for the woman’s death from a drug-and-alcohol overdose. Tribune-Herald.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240M Hawaii real estate project. A Hawaii real estate investor and broker are suing Shohei Ohtani, claiming the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his agent got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island’s coveted Hapuna Coast that they brought him in to endorse. Associated Press.

As COVID-19 infection rates rise across Hawaii, Hilo Medical Center’s long-term care facility reported an outbreak among its residents and staff. A total of 13 people at the center tested positive for the coronavirus in the past week. The spike in infections at the care home comes after another outbreak among Hilo inmates that canceled visitation this past weekend at a reintegration facility in Panaewa.  Hawaii News Now.

BISAC’s behavioral health services earn highest level of accreditation. Big Island Substance Abuse Council earns accreditation for comprehensive behavioral health services, marking over 25 years of national recognition. Big Island Now.

Hilo-based youth circus club teaches LGBTQ+ teens aerial tricks and techniques. Last week was the grand opening of Aerial Arts Hawaiʻi's Queer Youth Circus Club. It’s a free social club that teaches self-identifying LGBTQ+ youth circus arts while connecting them with like-minded peers and instructors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Two-lined spittlebug continues to devastate Hawaiʻi Island ranches. The two-lined spittlebug has been a growing problem for ranchers on Hawaiʻi Island over the last couple years — and experts warn it’s also a threat for the whole community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Council to focus on budget adjustments, discounted water rates and Honuaʻula this week. The Maui County Council will meet Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. to consider the mayor’s requests to amend the fiscal year 2026 budget for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney and Department of Water Supply a bill to establish discounted water rates for preservation and restoration of native species habitats. Maui Now.

Two years After Wildfire, Maui Homeowners Face A New Threat: Foreclosure. A local nonprofit, Hawaiʻi Community Lending, surveyed 257 Lahaina homeowners with mortgages affected by the fire and found their average balance was $696,983, more than twice the national average.  Civil Beat.

Guide To Keeping And Rebuilding Homes In The Wake Of 2023 Maui Wildfires. Two years after the devastating 2023 wildfires, homeowners may be facing the prospect of repaying mortgage loans previously in forbearance. Civil Beat.

Lahaina meeting to cover sewer project, housing programs, more. Maui County will host a Lahaina community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui News.

Maui County finance department recognized for ‘excellence in financial reporting.  The Maui County Department of Finance Accounts Division was recently recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for excellence in financial reporting. Maui News.

Restaurant at historic Kula Lodge in Upcountry Maui burns. Maui Fire Department arrived Monday at 3:33 a.m.  to find the restaurant at 15200 Haleakala Highway engulfed in flames. They had the fire under control at about 5:30 a.m. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Governor says Kauai is strong. Gov. Josh Green, MD, had the opportunity for an in-person meeting with more than 300 people who attended the 27th Annual Governor’s Luncheon hosted by the Kauai Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Airlines at the Koloa Landing Resort. Garden Island.

East Kauaʻi community to discuss the future of transportation tonight. Community members are invited to participate in two more focused public workshops for the East Kauaʻi Community and Circulation Plan. Kauai Now.

Repaving project on Wawae Road will limit access to homes next week. Residents living off Wawae Road are asked to prepare for a repaving project that will fully close the road during the day next week in Lāwaʻi. Kauai Now.

Hurricane Henriette intensifies north of Hawaii, federal court halts commercial fishing in Pacific protected zone, campaign contributions plummet during legislative session, Rapozo runs for Kauai mayor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Henriette becomes a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean but is not forecast to threaten land. Tropical Storm Henriette rapidly strengthened into a hurricane Sunday in the central Pacific Ocean with further strengthening expected, but it poses no threat to land, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm was located about 445 miles (720 kilometers) north-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph).  Associated Press.

Court halts commercial fishing in Pacific sanctuary. Commercial fishing that recently resumed in a vast protected area of the Pacific Ocean must halt once again, after a judge in Hawaii sided this week with environmentalists challenging a Trump administration rollback of federal ocean protections.  Associated Press. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Campaign Donations Plummeted During Legislative Session. This year, members of the House and Senate reported raising just over $45,000 during the session that ran from mid-January to early May. That’s 10 times less than in previous years and the lowest in at least a decade. Much of that dropoff could be attributed to a ban on in-session donations from lobbyists, which went into effect last year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hospitals brace for cuts to Medicaid.  Because of changes written into H.R. 1 H.R.1 — signed by President Donald Trump on the Fourth of July, hospitals across the U.S., including Hawaii, are expecting a significant reduction in reimbursements after patients lose their health insurance. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council OKs new Ocean Safety Commission. The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to confirm five people to serve as inaugural members of the city’s Ocean Safety Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Wai encampments face new city crackdown. The city Department of Enterprise Services is cracking down on homeless encampments at the Ala Wai Golf Course with new signage marking the grassy perimeter — where homeless encampments have existed for years — as private property. Star-Advertiser.

Latest bargaining cycle covers thousands of Hawaii workers.  UNITE HERE Local 5 members, whose contract at the Ilikai Hotel &Luxury Suites expired in June 2024, rallied outside the hotel waving red flags and wearing placards that read “Respect Our Guests, Respect Our Work.” Star-Advertiser.

Friends help Hawaii Theatre after insurance premiums rose 4,500%. Rising insurance premiums have left the Hawaii Theatre in a tough spot on top of rising maintenance costs, smaller audiences since the pandemic, and diminishing grants for the arts. Star-Advertiser.

Jail Security Chief Says He Wanted Top Gang Members Moved Before Killing. Some current and former OCCC inmates are proving to be reluctant witnesses at the manslaughter trial. Civil Beat.

Boat aground in Kewalo Basin awaits salvage. A boat that ran aground Saturday now awaits commercial salvage.  On Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard said the 75-foot vessel is secured to the seawall at Kewalo Basin. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Inaba: Council won’t override mayor’s veto of Bill 59. The bill, approved 7-2 by the council on July 9, would have prohibited pedestrians from soliciting rides, jobs, business, or other services within 15 feet of a roadway unless vehicles were legally parked. Tribune-Herald.

Community invited to share input at Mauna Kea stewardship Talk Story in Nāʻālehu. The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is holding a Talk Story on Wednesday in Nāʻālehu to foster continued engagement with community members and residents across the Big island. Big Island Now.

$30.9M wastewater project kicks off in Pahala to shut down aging cesspools by 2027. Construction of a new wastewater collection system is underway in Pahala, marking a key milestone in Hawaii County’s effort to shut down large capacity cesspools, or LCCs, in the Ka‘u District as required under federal law. Tribune-Herald.

Drought grips Big Island. Conditions on the island range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, and the absence of rain has left many areas quite dry and prone to wildfires. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Reaches Grim Milestone In Fire Victim Identification. The police forensic team has determined that nothing more can be done to separate and identify the last partial remains. Civil Beat.

Mixed messaging, other challenges stymie Maui’s tourism industry. Lahaina continues to rebuild, but employers and employees have had to adjust to a diminished economy, and the Lahaina Small Boat Harbor — once the hub of Maui’s ocean tourism industry — remains months, if not years, away from reopening. Star-Advertiser.

Piece by piece, the people of Lahaina rebuild their homes and truck away the ashes. In Lahaina, home construction is picking up and fire debris is being transferred to its final resting place. But for survivors, recovery is a very uneven journey. Hawaii Public Radio.

Returning to Lahaina: Neighbors reunite as destroyed communities build back. On a recent day in Lahaina’s Wahikuli subdivision, about a mile from Komo Mai Street, staccato blasts from nail guns and hammering rang out over a landscape that includes over a half-dozen homes rising on one street, surrounded by many more under construction on neighboring blocks. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds honor victims during paddle-out on anniversary of 2023 Maui wildfires. Scores of people paddled through the waves on their surfboards to create the paddle-out ceremony with some paddlers and boaters honoring individuals who perished. Maui News.

Tribute on two year wildfire anniversary brings Maui community together in healing. During the third and final 2025 Kuhinia Maui gathering marking the second anniversary of the Maui wildfires, hundreds of community members came together at Lahaina Civic Center to pay tribute to lives lost through songs, speeches and multicultural and multigenerational presentations. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mel Rapozo jumps into Mayor’s race. In an Aug. 7 formal press release from Mel for Mayor 2026, the current Council Chair, Mel Rapozo, announced his candidacy for Mayor of the County of Kauai in the 2026 election. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County Mayor Kawakami completes successful Sister City, cultural exchange visit to Japan. Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami and a delegation from the Garden Isle recently returned from a successful diplomatic and cultural exchange visit to Japan, reaffirming Sister City relationships that span generations and opening new doors for educational, cultural and economic collaboration between Kaua‘i and its Japanese counterparts. Kauai Now.

New Kauai charter school welcomes its first students. On the first day of the Department of Education school year calendar, Namahana Public Charter School opened its doors Monday to its first cohort of students in the seventh and eighth grades. Star-Advertiser.

Hale Kipa’s container farm program turns youth shelter residents into farmers. Vulnerable youth and Hale Kipa’s emergency youth shelter residents grow fresh produce, learn about farming, earn a stipend and invest in the community at a recently installed agricultural facility built entirely inside of a shipping container. Garden Island.

Maui commemorates 2023 wildfire, shoppers warned about price hikes, shortages amid tariffs, 4 Big Island police officers under AG investigation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Electric to widen coverage of wildfire safety measures. Hawaiian Electric plans to extend wildfire safety improvements in areas with medium wildfire risk over the next six to 12 months, according to Scott Seu, president and CEO of the utility’s parent Hawaiian Electric Industries. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii business owners warn new tariffs will mean higher prices for consumers. President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs took effect Thursday, and Hawaii business owners, who’ve been absorbing costs for months, say they have no choice but to raise prices.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi relies on all kinds of federal data. Is that information still trustworthy?  Hawaiʻi's data analysts say it's important to understand the state's dependence on national statistics amid growing concerns about the integrity of federal data. Hawaii Public Radio.

Industry study says Hawaii’s timeshares generate hundreds of millions in taxes, thousands of jobs. A new economic impact report released by a national vacation ownership trade association could reveal some insight into the industry’s contributions to Hawaii’s economy.  Maui News.

Oahu

Solo EV drivers loses HOV lane access this fall. The rule, in place since 2005, gave states the option to let electric cars in the HOV lane, even with only one occupant. But that exemption runs out at the end of September. KITV4.

Safer roads ahead: Local organizations leading the way for bike riders. This Saturday, Aug. 9, volunteers from the Hawaii Bicycling League and the American Public Works Association, Hawaii Chapter, will be repairing bike lanes along Ward Avenue. KHON2.

State Librarian shares plans for Wahiawā Public Library. Work is underway for the $42.5 million Wahiawā Center for Workforce Excellence, a 43,000-square-foot facility that includes a new public library, community college classrooms and offices for the state Department of Education. Aloha State Daily.

Token time’s up: Chuck E. Cheese Pearl City bids aloha.  After three decades, Chuck E. Cheese in Pearl City is calling it a day. The longtime family entertainment center is closing its doors for good on Sunday, Aug. 10, but not before saying goodbye in a very Chuck E. way. KHON2.

What to know for the Blue Angels Kaneohe Bay Air Show.  The air show will include flight demonstrations from the Blue Angels, their six F-18 Super Hornets, and their C-130 J Super Hercules affectionately nicknamed “Fat Albert,” along with multiple food vendors. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

AG seeks records involving 4 cops. The Hawaii Police Department is fighting a subpoena by state Attorney General Anne Lopez seeking records of an internal affairs probe of alleged misconduct by four current HPD officers. Tribune-Herald. KHON2. 

Hawaii County bars, restaurants to carry life-saving Narcan under new bill. A bill that would require bars and restaurants in Hawaii County to keep naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, on-site passed out of a County Council committee Tuesday with unanimous support. Tribune-Herald.

Developers Invited To Bid On Hilo Memorial Hospital Renovation. The County plans to establish a coordinated resource hub on the site of the former hospital on Rainbow Drive. Big Island Video News.

Maui

2 years after the Maui wildfires, here’s how the $4B settlement will be divided. Gov. Josh Green made his priorities clear when it came to compensation for those who were impacted by the devastating Maui wildfires in August 2023. Hawaii Public Radio.

2 Years After Deadly Fire, Lahaina Struggles To Rebuild. Homeowners are running into big gaps between their insurance payouts and the cost to rebuild. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Front Street wildfire recovery moving slower than other parts of Lahaina. Maui wildfire survivors Michele and Qiana Di Bari were able to move back to their Lahaina home last year, but they say it has been at least six months since they have visited Front Street, where their decade-old restaurant Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina was lost to the flames. Star-Advertiser.

County housing department seeks proposals. The Maui County of Maui Department of Housing is seeking proposals for fiscal year 2027-28 grant money from qualified private, nonprofit and for-profit organizations that provide services and programs related to rental assistance and housing counseling within the county. Maui News.

‘The Crisis Isn’t Over’: Maui Kids’ Mental Health Needs Are Mounting. Two years after the Maui fires, many students are still struggling — and not all of them are receiving the help they need.  Civil Beat.

Language challenges remain an issue for many Filipino Lahaina wildfire victims. Human rights, affordable housing, access to social services and more was addressed during a Lahaina Filipino Fire Survivors Association meeting this week. KITV4.

Memorials To Fire Victims Tell Sweeping Story Of Lahaina. Whatever their origins, many of the 102 victims of the 2023 Maui wildfire shared a deep sense of community that each had nurtured in their own way. Civil Beat.

His Life In Lahaina Descended Into Homelessness, Then Death In Fire. Drawn to Maui to surf decades ago, Rex Cole was among four homeless men who dissappeared during the devastating 2023 fire. Civil Beat.

Kauai

DMV offices reopen, online test booking system is live. The Līhuʻe Division of Motor Vehicles serves both appointment holders and walk-ins, as time permits. Appointments are encouraged to avoid long wait times. All road test applicants must book their tests online. Kauai Now.

High surf advisory goes into effect Friday morning for south-facing shores of Kauaʻi, Niʻihau. A large south swell will gradually fill in Aug. 8 and peak Aug. 9 near warning thresholds, causing strong breaking waves and strong currents along the state’s south-facing shorelines. Kauai Now.

COVID cases ticking upward, environmental lawyers, Trump officials meet in court over commercial fishing rules, Maui study finds lingering wildfire trauma, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

COVID-19 cases in Hawaii still on upward trend this summer. The Hawaii Department of Health on Wednesday reported a statewide test positivity rate of 16.1% on its COVID dashboard, up from 14.3% last week. The prior week, it was at 12.0%. Ideally, the rate would be much lower — below 5.0% — which is where it was during most of this year. Star-Advertiser.

Health Department offering free courses on medical cannabis for healthcare providers. The state Department of Health is offering free courses to a limited number of licensed healthcare providers on the clinical application of medical cannabis. This comes after the governor signed a new law giving more leeway for physicians sand some nurses to decide which patients could benefit from the drug. Twenty-five years after Hawaii legalized medical marijuana, the state says 30,000 patients are currently registered to buy the drug from one of 24 regulated dispensary locations statewide. Hawaii News Now.

EPA plans to claw back $62M awarded to Hawaiʻi for solar projects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning to end a major source of funding for state-level solar programs, which could jeopardize several community solar projects in Hawaiʻi. The EPA's "Solar for All" program has awarded $7 billion in federal grants to help low- and moderate-income households access solar. Hawaii Public Radio.

Environmental lawyers, Trump officials meet in court over fishing in Pacific monument. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation in April to open the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument  to commercial fishing but environmental lawyers in a legal battle to stop the fishing say a formal process, which includes public hearings, is required first. Hawaii Public Radio.

HIDOE names new deputy superintendent for operations, assistant superintendent. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education has appointed two senior leaders to strengthen operations and student services across the public school system. Maui Now.

Tropical Storm Henriette Update. Tropical Storm Henriette is 1,555 miles east of Hilo, and moving west at 16 mph. The cyclone is expected to take a northward turn in the next couple of days, keeping the center well to the north of the Hawaiian islands. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Media access to HPD radio channels receives pushback. The Council voted 8-1, with Val Okimoto dissenting, to advance Bill 46 on its second of three readings. Routine radio communications by Honolulu police and firefighters became off-limits to news organizations and the general public in 2022 when a $15 million system that encrypts the frequencies used by nine city departments went into effect. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Union Members Want Next Chief To Come From Within HPD. Union members who responded to a survey conducted in July also stressed they want someone with patrol experience who will focus on staffing the front line. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Haleiwa housing project stalls after lawmakers defer action on key measure. More than 800 people submitted testimony against Bill 37, which would rezone some land in Haleiwa from agricultural to urban.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Oahu housing market shows softening in July. Single-family home sales in July were down 7.4% at 249 sales compared with 269 a year ago, while condo sales held steady at 389, according to a report released Wednesday from the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Star-Advertiser.

Military explains why roaring fighter jets woke residents at 3 a.m. U.S. Air Force officials confirmed several fighter jets took off from Hickam Air Force Base on Monday and Tuesday for a department-level training exercise. Hawaii News Now.

Man, ex-wife sentenced in $29M ‘Semisub’ scam. The 72-year-old man who teamed with his then-wife to con investors out of more than $29 million for a prototype tour ship before trying to sail away from prosecution was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor vetoes bill regarding roadside soliciting. Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda announced Wednesday that he has vetoed County Council Bill 59 on July 31, a rare move that challenges a recently passed ordinance regulating pedestrian behavior near roadways. Tribune-Herald.

Bill banning the feeding of feral animals on county property passes. The Hawaii County Council, by a vote of 6-2 with one absent, on Wednesday approved the second and final reading of a measure that would ban the feeding of feral or stray animals such as cats and pigs on county property. Tribune-Herald.

North Kohala Told To Use Water For “Essential Needs Only”.  With only one working well serving the area, high water usage is causing customers to have no water or low water pressure. Big Island Video News.

Episode 30 pau after nearly 12 hours of lava fountains, flows, including from new fissure in south Halemaʻumaʻu. After almost 12 hours of continuous lava fountaining — that included a new fissure vent that transected the south wall of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater and erupted for about 3 hours and 20 minutes early this morning — Episode 30 of the ongoing episodic eruption in southern part of Kaluapele, the summit caldera, at Kīlauea volcano confined within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island ended abruptly at 12:55 p.m. Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Maui

By the numbers: Maui recovery inches forward 2 years after fires. Two years after the wildfires that devastated Lahaina and parts of Kula, Maui’s recovery story is still being written—one of slow progress, uneven outcomes and resilience being tested. Maui Now.

Maui fires triggered suicides, overdose deaths. Suicides and overdose deaths skyrocketed 97% on Maui immediately after the August 2023 wildfires and simultaneously increased 46% statewide, presumably from survivors who moved away from Maui or possibly from grieving family and friends with Maui roots, according to a study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Commercial rebuilds lag in the heart of Lahaina. While new construction dots the landscape across Lahaina, the area along Front Street remains a long way from recovery from the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire. Maui News.

Lahaina Fire Survivors Make A Home Without A House. Kuhua Camp had the highest concentration of wildfire deaths. The plight of this homeowner shows the challenges of rebuilding two years after the blaze. Civil Beat.

Rebuilding a burned Kula home brings both construction challenges and mixed emotions. More than 20 homes burned two years ago in Kula. According to Maui County, four have been rebuilt so far. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau looks to rebuild tourism and boost Maui's economy. This past legislative session, lawmakers set aside $6 million to market Maui as a tourism destination. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai Police Department, dignitaries break ground for a new KPAL complex. The Kauai Police Department, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, and other dignitaries on Wednesday broke ground on the construction of a new Kauai Police Activities League Sports Complex adjacent to the Vidinha Stadium, where renovation work is being carried out. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi collects 3,000 pounds of food during Saturday drive, but falls short of last year’s donations. Volunteers were stationed at eight sites across Kauaʻi on Saturday, collecting in six hours a combined 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food, with a majority of it rice, and monetary donations. Kauai Now.