AI-generated Trask endorsement draws outrage, legal challenge filed over state House tie-breaker, American Savings Bank files IPO, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

AI-generated endorsement depicting late activist outrages Hawaiian community. Congressional candidate Nathan Berning is apologizing after using artificial intelligence to create a false endorsement from the late Native Hawaiian activist and professor Haunani-Kay Trask in a campaign ad. Hawaii News Now. Hawaii Public Radio. 

In A Big Hurricane, Don’t Count On Hawaiʻi Shelters To Protect You. Eight years ago, a Civil Beat investigation found the island’s shelters were unable to withstand even a moderate hurricane. Today, officials won’t say what improvements they’ve made. Civil Beat.

Deadline set for Hawaii Hurricane Lala tax penalty waivers. Governor Josh Green has authorized the state Department of Taxation waive penalties and interest for eligible taxpayers impacted by Hurricane Lala who can’t timely file certain tax returns or make payments. KITV4. KHON2. 

American Savings Bank files for an initial public offering. Hawaii’s third-largest bank with $9.05 billion in assets said the number of shares for its proposed initial public offering and the price range for the offering have yet to be determined. Star-Advertiser.

100 Autopsies: Meth Deaths Spiking 40 Years After Ice Seized Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi was ground zero for smoking methamphetamine in the U.S. Today, it’s the only place where meth is far deadlier than opioids — yet the state has been slow to act. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Legal challenge filed over tiebreaker for state House seat. Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei- Makakilo), who recently lost her seat in the Legislature due to a drawing of names to break a tie in Hawaii’s Aug. 8 primary election has filed a complaint in court alleging the draw was neither random nor legal. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Alternatives to Hawaii election tie-breaker law have downsides. Hawaii is one of 28 states that determine the winner of a tied election by chance, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Most of the other 22 states use a special election or other means that include allowing a Legislature or governor to decide.  Star-Advertiser.

Flooding averted at Wahiawa dam during Hurricane Lala. Ongoing state construction to improve Wahiawa Dam may have spared Waialua and Haleiwa residents from a devastating flood during heavy rain from Hurricane Lala five months after a Kona-low storm threatened lives and damaged property in the two communities. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Health warns about fentanyl-laced cocaine. The state Department of Health issued a warning Saturday about “a dangerous batch of fentanyl-laced cocaine” after five people between the ages of 22 and 32 overdosed in Waikiki early Thursday morning. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

More than 6,000 HECO customers still without power; additional crews, equipment arrive. Additional Hawaiian Electric employees arrived Monday on Hawaii Island — including line-workers, engineering and other support teams from Maui and Oahu — to aid in restoration efforts and help speed recovery. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

‘It’s going to be a big loss’: Lala devastates Ka‘u coffee farms right before harvest time. As the remnants of the former Tropical Storm Moke push westward beyond the islands, Ka‘u coffee growers continue to survey extensive damage to their farms caused by flooding and winds from Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii Public Radio.

Still no electricity at Hilo apartment complex. While Hawaiian Electric confirmed it had restored power to that portion of the grid, an issue with  Waiakea Villas' transformer has caused a prolonged outage for the 200-plus unit apartment complex. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Partially Reopens Ahead Of Next Eruption. As Kīlauea builds to its next lava fountain episode, the park reopens after a precautionary severe weather closure. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Rural Maui Residents Still Isolated After Lala Washed Away Bridge. Emergency crews are flying in supplies to Nāhiku but a decades-long debate over who owns the bridge is complicating a long-term solution for this small community along the Road to Hana. Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed for continued storm recovery. The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed following recent storms and the ongoing closure of Crater Road (Route 378). Recovery efforts, including hazard tree removal, continue along the roadway. The Kīpahulu District and Kīpahulu Campground remain open to the public. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Community College opens fall semester. Opening enrollment census indicated 1,266 students, according to the KCC Marketing office. This census is close to the 1,306 students recorded during the 2025 fall semester opening. Garden Island.