Acting lieutenant governor pulls double duty, tourism leader Hannemann retiring, Honolulu drafts goats for wildfire prevention while Kona tries to get rid of them, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s acting lieutenant governor outlines priorities stepping into new role. Acting Lt. Gov. Keith Regan splits his nearly 11-hour work days starting at 6 a.m. at his full-time jobs as state comptroller and head of the vast state Department of Accounting and General Services. Then walks across Punchbowl Street to spend his afternoons on the fifth floor of the state Capitol, where he is filling in as lieutenant governor. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Beyond The Bench: Mark Recktenwald Is Still Helping The Legal Profession. The recently retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court chief justice is working with national legal advocacy groups, publishing articles and teaching a law class at UH Mānoa. Civil Beat.

Mufi Hannemann to retire after leading HLTA in tough times. Mufi Hannemann, a former Honolulu mayor and longtime leader in Hawaii’s visitor industry, announced Saturday that he will retire as president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association after more than a decade at the helm. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii farmers hit by storm face long road to recovery. Farmers from the four major counties self-reported damages of more than $38.8 million, including more than $25 million in lost crops, with more than 4,600 acres impacted. Star-Advertiser.

Taxpayer funding to pay state legal claims tops $20M. The state is preparing to pay $20.4 million this year to settle legal claims that include a $1.2 million reimbursement of federal funding spent on COVID-19 rental assistance for undeserving households. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii secures $33.5M to combat invasive species. University of Hawaii secures $33.5M to combat invasive species. Researchers at the University of Hawaii are leading nearly 100 projects backed by more than $33.5 million in funding to combat invasive species across the islands, underscoring the growing urgency to protect Hawai‘i’s fragile ecosystems, agriculture and public health. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

Honolulu budget battle over potential cuts. A debate is unfolding at Honolulu Hale as city leaders weigh in on a proposed operating budget that’s drawing criticism over a controversial $41.5 million provision and deep cuts to a key economic agency. KHON2.

Honolulu Forced To Rehire Fired Paramedics After Botched Investigation. The paramedics, who were removed from their posts in August 2023 and brought back per an arbitrator’s order in 2025, are owed two years of backpay each. Civil Beat.

On-duty police officer indicted for sexual assault. Christopher John A. Oallesma, a 26-year-old Honolulu police officer has been indicted on multiple counts in the alleged sexual assault of a woman while he was on duty April 6 and 7. Star-Advertiser.

Murder Charges, Then Freedom: Teens’ Pretrial Release Questioned. The cases raise questions about leniency shown to young arrestees and the effectiveness of ankle monitors. Civil Beat.

Public access to Lake Wilson in Wahiawa is shut down. State officials said the closure is tied to ongoing concerns about low water levels and upcoming repairs to the Wahiawa Dam. KHON2.

Honolulu braces for rising costs as storm damage exceeds $100 million. Early estimates on the impacts of the back-to-back storms on city-owned properties and operations exceed $100 million, according to officials. But city leaders also say the final price tag could shift as assessments continue and as city agencies seek federal reimbursement. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Goats and sheep deployed in East Honolulu to fight wildfire risk. Some 100 goats and sheep are busy munching away at the thick vegetation, including hardy koa haole trees, tall invasive California grasses, guinea grasses and other thorny brush along 3.3 acres of Laukahi Slopes Mini Park in the East Honolulu enclave. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Driver License Office To Relocate on May 11. The Hilo Driver License Office located at the police station will relocated to 120 Pauahi Street. This is the same space as the former Bank of Hawaiʻi branch, located on the first floor of the building. Big Island Video News.

Kona Man Dies In Waters Off Hōkūlia Shoreline. John Kauhaihao of Kealakekua, 64, was last seen picking ʻopihi. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Ungulates unchecked: What to do about West Hawaii’s goat, sheep problem? Even as roadkill carcasses of wild sheep and goats pile up along West Hawaii highways, budget constraints for the Department of Land and Natural Resources continue to hamstring efforts to address the problem. Tribune-Herald.

DLNR: Nene killed in Keaukaha. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement received a call from the Hawaii Police Department regarding an injured nene, the state bird, along Kalanianaole Street in Hilo in the vicinity of Leleiwi Beach Park. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen says former chief of staff’s lawsuit is politically motivated as he seeks reelection.  Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is preparing to defend his seat and his first term against a slate of challengers and a lawsuit filed last week by his former chief of staff alleging retaliation for reporting suspected fraud. Maui Now.

Old Pioneer Mill site with smokestack sells for nearly $20M, future plans remain mystery. A group of local buyers has purchased 21 acres in Lahaina that include the historic 225-foot-tall Pioneer Mill Co. smokestack for $19.9 million, but the plans for the industrial property in the heart of the burn zone have not been made public. Maui Now.

County announces closures of Ukumehame Firing Range, Wahikuli Terrace Park. The Ukumehame Firing Range in West Maui remains closed following damage from March kona low storms, with no reopening date set. Maui News.

Teen Surfers Make Hawaiʻi History In First-Ever State Championship. For the first time in Hawaiʻi’s history, high school surfers had the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and vie for a state championship title across two days of competition. Nearly 180 students participated in Hawaiʻi’s first surfing state championship Friday and Saturday. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Maui News. 

Tour company calls accusations against driver on Road to Hana ‘lies’.  Maui police opened a disorderly conduct and criminal property damage investigation over a heated encounter on the Road to Hana that left several visitors rattled. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Nearly a thousand make 47th Visitor Industry Charity Walk a success. The course for the 47th Visitor Industry Charity Walk held on Saturday was abbreviated due to the Vidinha Stadium and the Kauai Police Activities League building construction. Garden Island.

End of an era at Kōloa Rum Co. as longtime president, chief executive officer Bob Gunter steps down. The man who helmed Hawai‘i’s award-winning producer of premium, small-batch Hawaiian rum stepped down as the company’s chief executive officer and president after nearly two decades. Kauai Now.

Devens confirmed as Supreme Court chief justice, state budget heading to full chambers after some 'green fee' tourist tax projects cut, feral cats kill 168 native seabirds on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate confirms Devens as Hawaii Supreme Court’s chief justice. Associate Justice Vladimir Devens was confirmed today as chief justice of Hawaii’s Supreme by the state Senate following a 20-to-5 vote that reflected concerns over Devens’ failure to initially disclose his relationship with a powerful political action committee while applying to join the court as an associate justice two years ago. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News.

Climate Change Projects Key As Lawmakers Rush To Finish State Budget. The Legislature needs to make decisions on all tax and spending bills by Friday in order to conduct final votes next week. House and Senate leaders finalized a list of more than $120 million in “green fee” environmental protection and other projects late Thursday evening as they hurried to meet a critical Friday deadline to move the state budget forward. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Proposed Hawaii ‘Green Fee’ projects overhauled again. State spending gatekeepers at the Legislature have put a big stamp on Hawaii’s first batch “Green Fee” projects to be funded by a new tourism impact fee, shunting about 40% of recommendations from an advisory council. Star-Advertiser.

Automatic voter registration close to becoming law in Hawaiʻi. Senate Bill 2239 would replace the current “opt-in” system with an “opt-out” one. In the proposed system, during the application process, eligible residents would automatically be registered to vote — unless they explicitly decline registration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona Low storms drive March visitor spending down 1.6%. Back-to-back Kona Low storms in March hobbled Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy, triggering an estimated $300 million in lost revenue as flooding, flight cancellations and attraction closures disrupted spring break travel across the islands. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson retires after 25 years. Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson will be retiring from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism effective April 30, 2026, concluding 25 years of service managing the Hawai‘i Film Office and the state’s film program. Maui Now.

Oahu

City releases Oahu's 2026 Sustainability Report highlighting climate, transit gains. City leaders said the report reflects a coordinated effort across departments to address long-term environmental challenges. KITV4.

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden prepares master plan as storm cleanup continues. Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kāne‘ohe draws more visitors each year than any of Honolulu’s gardens — a whopping 730,000 in a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric repairs key transmission line over Koolaus. Hawaiian Electric on Thursday announced the completion of repairs to a 138-kilovolt transmission line that carries electricity from Leeward Oahu to Windward Oahu, Waimanalo and East Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Iconic Tamashiro Market closes its doors after more than 80 years. Thursday, April 30, after more than 80 years, the Tamashiro Family closed their Kalihi fish market for the final time. More than just a place to shop, the landmark business and building have been a part of Hawaii’s history for generations. KHON2. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now. 

Robyn Ah Mow opens up about why she is stepping down as Wahine coach. Ah Mow spent nine years and eight seasons in charge of the Rainbow Wahine volleyball program, compiling a 165-72 overall record with five consecutive Big West Conference championships from 2019 to 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Saddle Road extension plan revived. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is reviving plans to extend the Daniel K. Inouye Highway in the South Kohala district from its current ending at Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) westward to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway (Route 19). Tribune-Herald.

Kailua-Kona Confronts A Paid Parking ‘Epidemic’. Hawai‘i County Council members are struggling to tackle an issue that residents say is ruining the community. Civil Beat.

Big plans for Kawaihae Harbor. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is planning to begin a makeover of Kawaihae Harbor next year, including the widening of Kawaihae Road to build an 875-foot-long dedicated left turn and storage lane leading up to the harbor’s entrance. Tribune-Herald.

Konawaena High School rebuilds after the Kona low storms.  Severe flooding damaged 75 classrooms on their campus, put 5 elevators out of commission, and impacted their library and administrative offices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Council Budget Committee slightly trims mayor’s $1.616 billion budget. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee completed its review of Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget this week, unanimously adopting a revised spending plan of approximately $1.608 billion. Maui Now.

Report: ​​MEO aided nearly 55,000 Maui County residents in 2024-25. Maui Economic Opportunity assisted 54,780 Maui County residents from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, according to the agency’s annual report. Maui News.

Maui kidney donor shares story hoping to inspire others. When Maui resident Rachel Bennett Steury gave away one of her kidneys to save the life of a person she had never met before, she felt like she was helping a larger movement. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Absolute Carnage’: Feral Cats Kill 168 Native Seabirds On Kaua‘i. The island’s latest massacre of endemic shearwaters brings the state’s feline problem to the forefront. Local scientists and staff have encountered several mass slaughters at that same area in the past 15 years. Civil Beat. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Public invited to ‘Imi loa kapa. Free and open to everyone, “The Science of Kapa,” presented by Kaulele is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting May 18 and running through May 31 at the space located across from Ainofea in Kukui Grove Center. Garden Island.