Higa corruption case costs UH $500K, Otani straw donor case delayed again, electricity rates heading upward, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawai‘i to pay $500,000 in federal settlement over mismanaged funds. Public officials embezzled federal grant money. UH could have stopped it, the DOJ alleges. The settlement, announced last week, stems from criminal investigations into Stacy Higa, a former Hawaii County councilman and candidate for mayor as well as CEO of the Big Island’s only public access station, Na Leo TV and the former Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Commission for National and Community Service, who pleaded guilty in 2021 to embezzling grant funds awarded by AmeriCorps, a federally funded network of service programs.  Aloha State Daily.

Straw donor trial delayed again amid plea talks. The trial for Terri Ann Otani, who is accused of illegally funneling money to political candidates, has been delayed for a fifth time as plea negotiations continue. Otani and other employees of engineering firm Mitsunaga and Associates were acquitted of bribery conspiracy in federal court in 2024. But testimony from that trial led the state attorney general’s office to file its own criminal case against the 71-year-old over straw donations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric Industries parent company cashed in on bank stock sale. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. disclosed on Monday that it sold nearly a third of the stock it held in American Savings Bank during ASB’s initial public stock offering Wednesday, and received $29.5 million after transaction fees. Star-Advertiser.

Monthly electricity bills could see a raise if HECO rebasing proposal approved. Beginning Tuesday, public hearings across the state will be held to discuss HECO’s rebasing proposal, which if approved by the Public Utilities Commission, would increase monthly bills for customers statewide. KHON2.

Federal Head Start Reforms Could Cut Supports For Hawai‘i Families. Education advocates worry that proposed rule changes to Head Start could reduce families’ access to education and developmental programs for young children. Civil Beat.

State’s unemployment ranks grow as more people join labor force. The number of people unemployed in the state increased in August to 18,800 from 18,350 in July, marking the highest unemployment figure since there were 18,931 out of work in September 2024, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Lala damage tops $67 million in preliminary public infrastructure costs. Hurricane Lala’s damage to Hawaii is now estimated at more than $67 million in preliminary public infrastructure costs alone, according to new information from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. KITV4.

Residents advised to prepare for a potential cyclone from a lingering tropical disturbance. Hawaiʻi officials are monitoring a developing storm located to the southeast of the Big Island. As of 5 p.m. Monday evening, the remnants of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E were located several hundred miles southeast of the Hawaiian Islands. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

Oahu

‘It works’: Lazar outlines plans for reducing youth crime, issues in Kalihi. Honolulu’s new police chief empathized with Kalihi families worried about crime, substance abuse and gambling Monday evening. Chief David Lazar assured residents he has a plan during a talk story event at Farrington High School that drew dozens. Several attendees raised concerns over youth crime. Hawaii News Now.

5 years after the Red Hill fuel spill, Navy seeks to reopen one of its shafts. The U.S. Navy sent letters to customers on its water system stating that it intends to reopen one of three shafts that were closed following the discovery of fuel in its drinking water supply nearly five years ago. Hawaii Public Radio.

Should County Pay For Infrastructure Along The Rail? Voters Will Decide. The ballot measure to approve a type of bond financing used in 48 other states comes amid a concerted push by city and state officials to develop housing around Honolulu’s Skyline. Civil Beat.

High-Need Foster Kids Now Have An Alternative To Staying In State Offices. Officials say they hope a new Oʻahu home will ensure hard-to-place foster children don’t need to sleep in government offices or hotels in the future. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Electrical failure causes over 70,000 gallons of Hilo wastewater to discharge into Puhi Bay. Approximately 71,000 gallons of partially treated, fully disinfected wastewater were discharged through the facility’s ocean outfall, located about three-quarters of a mile offshore in Puhi Bay on Monday night. Big Island Now.

Recovery continues in Naalehu after Hurricane Lala battered Kau. Stores are open. People are returning to work. Gas is available. Community gatherings have resumed. But for many residents of Kau District, the effects of Hurricane Lala are far from over. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Informational Open house for New Central Maui School Project, Oct. 1 and 3. The team behind the planned public school in Waikapū, the New Central Maui School Project, is hosting its second Informational Open House on Oct. 1 and Oct. 3. This is a chance to see how the project has progressed and learn about the effort to plan and design a new public school. Maui Now.

Waena battery storage project hits key milestone, will strengthen Maui grid and support renewables. Hawaiian Electric’s Waena Battery Energy Storage System project reached a major construction milestone with the arrival and installation of the project’s first six Tesla Megapacks at the project site along Pūlehu Road in Central Maui. Maui Now.

Maui storm victims hope federal aid from Lala comes soon. State officials said they are still waiting for a response from the White House on whether President Trump will approve a Major Disaster Declaration after Tropical Storm Lala caused significant damage in Hawaii. Most of the destruction was on Hawaii Island, but storm victims on Maui hope they won’t be forgotten. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi utility seeks to raise bills to cover wildfire costs. Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative has asked the state Public Utilities Commission to approve a new surcharge on customers’ bills. For the typical Kauaʻi resident, bills could go up by about $13 a month starting next year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Rapozo and Carvalho face off in Kauai mayoral runoff. The runoff for Kauai mayor in the general election comes down to two familiar faces. County council chair Mel Rapozo and councilmember and former mayor Benard Carvalho. KHON2.

Some state lands reopen to public on Kaua‘i following Hurricane Lowell providing limited access. The public is urged to use caution when accessing forested areas, as many unmitigated hazards exist. Kauai Now.