Upcoming ballot mailing ruling could cost the state millions, state officials plan $300k transit fact-finding trip, Kauai schools reopen, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii could face costly scramble to deliver ballots. A pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling could require Hawaii to spend millions of dollars to hire private companies to deliver ballots to every household where someone is registered to vote. But voters could not use the mail system to return their ballots, so individual voters would have to place them in drop-box locations or at in-person voter service centers. Star-Advertiser.

State leaders seek ideas on transit development. State leaders want to glean ideas for better transit-­oriented development in Hawaii by visiting other states and countries next month at a cost of up to $300,000. Sen. Chris Lee, who chairs the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Culture and Arts, spearheaded a $300,000 appropriation in the state budget approved by the Legislature in May for the Hawaii Community Development Authority to spend on “educational exchange programs” related to metropolitan planning organizations on Maui and Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Marigold Zoll tapped to lead Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife. In her new position, Zoll will oversee the division’s ongoing efforts to care for more than 1 million acres of state lands, including 57 forest reserves, 23 natural area reserves, 46 wildlife sanctuaries, precious forested watersheds, as well as 855 miles of public access trails to hunting and recreation areas statewide. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Catch A Break From Storms. It Has To Adapt. As the state recovers from multiple natural disasters, residents and officials are starting to talk about what needs to change to make the islands more resilient. Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Audit faults Honolulu’s use of $386M in COVID-19 relief funds. The City and County of Honolulu’s use of more than $386 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding failed to deliver the broader community and economic recovery benefits originally envisioned, an Office of the City Auditor report determined. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu District Court closed Monday due to loss of water and air conditioning. Hearings scheduled Monday in Courtroom 7C for defendants in custody, along with preliminary hearings, will instead be held at Kaneohe District Court, 45-939 Pookela St. Star-Advertiser.

Office building overhaul adds affordable rental units in Honolulu. Urban Honolulu has some new affordable housing following completion of a $25 million acquisition and conversion of a 52-year-old office building into 64 rental apartments for moderate-income households. Star-Advertiser.

HPD investigates officers’ use of force in Waikiki domestic dispute. The Honolulu Police Department said it is investigating after a video that appeared to show officers repeatedly striking a man during a domestic dispute arrest in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Care on the streets: Medical students bring help to the homeless. The Hawaii H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach and Medical Education) Project relies on donations, fundraisers and volunteers, including physicians who serve as attending doctors. Star-Advertiser.

Sea Life Park begins new transformation. The transformation of Sea Life Park under Hawaiian ownership has begun. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

UH seeks changes to Maunakea summit master plan. The University of Hawaii is seeking input from the public on proposed changes to its master plan for the Maunakea summit region, including revisions to allow for decommissioned observatory sites to be reused for astronomical purposes in the future. Tribune-Herald.

Under bill, county would be required to prioritize use of native plants. Bill 184 would establish requirements for incorporating native plants into county-owned and managed spaces. Tribune-Herald.

Palikapu Dedman, activist and founder of Pele Defense Fund, dies at 80. Palikapu Dedman, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, activist, farmer, environmental advocate and founder of the Pele Defense Fund, died Aug. 22. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mokulele awarded $19.4 million contract for Lanai air service. Mokulele Airlines has been awarded a four-year, $19.4 million federal contract to continue providing scheduled air service between Lanai, Honolulu and Kahului. Maui News.

2026 Maui County Fair contests announced, healthy babies, student art and more. The 2026 Maui County Fair will offer opportunities for community members of all ages to participate in contests, competitions and exhibitions when the 99th fair returns Oct. 1-4. Maui Now.

Kauai

State offices, most public schools to reopen Monday on Kauai. State offices and most public schools will reopen on Kauai Monday as the island continues to recover Hurricane Lowell’s lashing. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

All in-person services at Līhuʻe Civic Center closed through this week. A fire at the Kāpule Building resulted in closure of all in-person Kauaʻi County services through Sept. 18 at Līhuʻe Civic Center. Kauai Now.

The scope of destruction left behind by Hurricane Lowell continues to grow. In addition to 301 County damage assessments, community members have now self-submitted more than 464 residential damage reports. Garden Island.

Repairs underway on Lānaʻi’s Kaumālapaʻu Harbor, scheduled to reopen Sunday. Repairs are underway to restore Lānaʻi’s Kaumālapaʻu Harbor after it was closed with damage from Hurricane Lowell. The state Department of Transportation said it anticipates it will reopen on Sunday, Sept. 13. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Lowell May Be To Blame For A Second Kaua‘i Death. A 69-year-old Wainiha man was found dead Friday afternoon on the Garden Isle’s North Shore in an area that experienced significant flooding, according to a preliminary investigation by Kaua‘i police.  Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Kauai farmers’ plight underscores need for local food production. The ongoing power and water outages from Hurricane Lowell underscore the need to support local food production, farmers say, while helping to make the islands more resilient to natural disasters. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor advises tourists to reconsider travel to Kauaʻi until island recovers more from Hurricane Lowell. Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami said now isn't the time to visit the Garden Island, but the island is on the path to recovery. Kauai Now.