More delays for $108.7M Convention Center repairs, Medicaid provider Centene leaving the state, Honolulu voters to decide HPD's role in immigration enforcement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai‘i Convention Center’s $108.7M repair project faces delays. The $108.7 million effort to repair the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s leaking rooftop terrace could face new delays and cost increases after demolition uncovered conditions that differ from the original building plans, forcing engineers to revisit portions of the project. Star-Advertiser.

Employers Face Double-Digit Increases In Health Insurance Rates. After years of single-digit increases in the base rates approved by Hawaiʻi’s insurance regulators, three of the state’s main health insurers received double-digit increases in 2026 for a benchmark health insurance rate and are asking for more for 2027.  Civil Beat.

Tech Troubles Trip Up Hawaiʻi’s Child Welfare System. Contractor flaws and delays in a complicated $18M tech upgrade pose ‘substantial risks’ to the state, according to consultants. Civil Beat.

Centene exiting Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program at end of year. National health insurer Centene is pulling out of Hawaii’s Medicaid market, leaving 24,000 members in need of a new plan. For nearly 20 years, Centene Corp., based in St. Louis, offered the ‘Ohana Health Plan, which provided medical, behavioral health and long-term services for low-income individuals and families enrolled in Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii to pay healthcare tuition in exchange for 5 years working in rural area. Hawaii is using a portion of its $188.9 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to pay student tuition. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii to invest $123M for system’s top priorities. The University of Hawaii plans to invest $123 million across its 10-campus system over the next two to three years, using accumulated cash balances to fund more than 100 initiatives aimed at improving student success, addressing workforce shortages and modernizing university operations. Star-Advertiser.

 Pro-Choice, Anti-Abortion Mainlander Seeks Oʻahu Congress Seat. Nathan Berning doesn’t live in Hawaiʻi, but he’s running for Congress here so he can push an anti-abortion agenda. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu ballot question weighs HPD's role in immigration enforcement. Should the Honolulu Police Department be involved in federal immigration enforcement? That's a question Oʻahu voters can weigh in on during the general election this November.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Should City Boards Allow Non-Citizens And Loosen Quorum Rules? Two proposals on Honolulu ballots are aimed at making it easier for some city boards and commissions to operate by expanding who can serve on the board and changing the number of members who need to be present to vote on issues. Civil Beat.

HPD clarifies future of JPO, PAL programs after 100 officers shifted to patrol. After 100 officers were reassigned to patrols, the Honolulu Police Department is trying to clear up confusion over the future of the Junior Police Officer (JPO) and Police Activities League (PAL) programs. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Wright Homes to be redeveloped with 2,450 units. The project was built in 1953 and has 364 public housing apartments. It takes up nearly 15 acres in a block bounded by North King Street, Liliha Street and Vineyard Boulevard. Hawaii Public Radio.

New elementary school planned for growing East Kapolei. The 12-acre campus along Iwikuamoo and Honouliuli streets will be the first public elementary school in the Hoʻopili area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s plantation legacy leaves lasting risks of flooding and fires. Months after Kona-low storms in March flooded homes and farmland on Oahu’s North Shore, community members say damaged infrastructure, blocked waterways and a lack of clear responsibility for maintaining plantation-era irrigation systems continue to leave the area vulnerable to flooding. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

TMT’s project manager reflects on lessons learned since protests stopped construction. It has been seven years since hundreds of people locked arms, stood together and lay down across the road to block access to the summit of Maunakea, halting the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope, what would have been one of the largest telescopes in the world. Tribune-Herald.

It’s The Wild, Wild West For Groundwater Management In Waikōloa. A housing development slated for West Hawaiʻi could provide much needed workforce housing. It could also put more stress on a limited freshwater supply. Civil Beat.

Board votes to deny opihi settlement. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources denied a settlement proposal earlier this month for two of three men caught taking over 4,000 opihi from the Kaupulehu Marine Reserve on the Kona coast last year that would have allowed them to do community service instead of paying thousands of dollars in fines. Tribune-Herald.

Community celebrates county’s acquisition of Honolulu Landing. Community members gathered Saturday to celebrate Hawaii County’s acquisition of 364 acres of land along the Puna coast known as Honolulu Landing, which will now be preserved in perpetuity. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Central Maui Election Will Bring A New Face To The Council. Marvin Moniz is running against Ashley Awakea Lindsey to fill the seat long held by Council Chair Alice Lee. Civil Beat.

USPS considers curbside delivery for rebuilt Lahaina homes. The U.S. Postal Service is open to reversing its heavily criticized decision to not resume curbside mail service for many Lahaina residents who rebuilt homes destroyed by the 2023 wildfire. Star-Advertiser.

Diversified farming company to grow avocados on 1,000 Maui acres. Mahi Pono recently announced the expansion plan, which it said is expected to result in an initial commercial harvest within five years followed by over 10 million pounds of avocados harvested annually. Star-Advertiser.

Public hearings set on Maui for proposed changes to state conservation land rules. The state Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands will hold two public hearings on Maui this month and Molokaʻi next month on proposed amendments to the rules that govern land use and permitting in Hawaiʻi’s Conservation District. Maui Now.

Kauai

HTA seeks tourism emergency declaration after Lowell takes a toll. Across Kauai, the immediate damage from Lowell has been largely repaired, but a 59% plunge in visitor bookings threatens businesses, jobs and airline service, prompting the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to seek Gov. Josh Green’s approval for an emergency declaration and a $2.5 million marketing campaign. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency Grant-in-Aid application period reopen. Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency announces it reopened the application period for the fiscal year 2026-27 Grant-in-Aid program, starting Oct. 16. Kauai Now.