Voter service centers open today, lopsided Legislature faces contested elections, Honolulu egg prices rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lopsided mix of Democrats, Republicans in Hawaii Legislature could shift. Just about half of all seats in Hawaii’s Legislature are being contested by at least two candidates in the Nov. 3 general election, which features two special races and could produce a historic third-party victory. Star-Advertiser.

Voter service centers open and voting begins. Across the state, voting service centers have opened, drop boxes are placed and voting has begun. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii fishing industry applauds new federal law targeting tuna fraud. The new law calls for a standard procedure to identify where red snapper and certain tuna species come from, including the development of a field test kit that can determine whether fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters. The process will allow law enforcement to intercept illegally caught or falsely labeled fish before they enter U.S. markets, officials said. Hawaii News Now.

Genetic study shows seafarers from Easter Island settled Hawaii.  A band of seafarers from Easter Island in the South Pacific set off in double-hulled sailing canoes on a voyage across Earth’s largest ocean that ended more than 4,400 miles away in Hawaii, the only Polynesian island in the Northern Hemisphere.  New genetic research has determined that Native Hawaiians are genetically most closely related to the people of Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui.  Reuters.

Oahu

Council advances affordable housing transparency bill. In spite of opposition from Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration, a Honolulu City Council committee Tuesday advanced legislation requiring public disclosure of city incentives for affordable housing developers on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Planned new Oahu jail being downsized. The size of a planned new jail on Oahu is being trimmed 20% in anticipation of the state being able to lease more space at an underutilized federal detention center in Honolulu. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is now pursuing a new 800-bed jail to replace its 954-bed Oahu Community Correctional Center. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s New Police Chief Unveils 5-Year Plan — And Wants Your Input. Members of the public can submit feedback on the department’s strategic plan through Oct. 29.  Civil Beat.

The Honolulu City Council has given the green light to a proposed luxury tower at 1588 Ala Moana, located across the street from the Ala Moana Center. The project, dubbed “Park Lane 2,” plans to develop a new luxury hotel, condominiums, and only 69 affordable rental units — which the  UNITE HERE Local 5 union said isn’t enough. Hawaii Public Radio.

Egg prices rising faster in Honolulu than on mainland. By the end of the second quarter, the average price for a dozen conventional eggs was $10.06 — an 11.3% jump from $9.04 in 2025 and a 5.8% jump from $9.51 in the first quarter of this year. Meanwhile, on the mainland, the price for a dozen conventional eggs was $7.78 — a 1.2% increase from $7.78 last year and and a 16.8% decrease from $9.46 last quarter. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Waialua Health Clinic now open on Oahu. The new Waialua Health Clinic opened Monday at Waialua Shopping Center, and is now offering primary and preventive care for patients of all ages — from infants and keiki to adults and kupuna. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council considers program to revitalize buildings. The Town Revitalization Program, if established under the original proposal, would provide up to $1 million yearly in grants and other financial assistance for improvements to eligible buildings and areas. The R&D director would, through the county’s procurement process, select a nonprofit organization to administer the grant proposal. Tribune-Herald.

Nov. 3 General Election in Hawai’i County: What you need to know about voting, candidates, amendments. Today, Voter Service Centers open in Hilo and Kailua-Kona, and there are 10 ballot boxes set up island-wide. Big Island Now.

‘We can’t manage much longer’; PUC holds meeting regarding broken Punalu‘u water system. The Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation company is under scrutiny from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and its customers after failing to restore water access and wastewater treatment services following damage from Hurricane Lala – leaving the approximately 100 condominiums in its service area without drinking water or flushable toilets. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Big Island elementary school closed due to water outage. Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary in Papa‘ikou is closed today due to water outage. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking held for Waimea affordable housing project. A groundbreaking and blessing ceremony has been held for the Koai‘e Self Help Affordable Housing Project in Waimea. The housing project is being developed by the Hilo-based nonprofit Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald To Be Honored At Torch of Light Luncheon. The Big Island Press Club will honor retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald with its annual Torch of Light Award next month at a luncheon event in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County launches online TAT portal nearly three years after audit flagged collection problems. The Maui County Department of Finance has launched an online portal for managing county transient accommodations tax accounts, nearly three years after the county auditor flagged problems with how the county tracks and collects the tax. Maui Now.

Lahaina Restoration Foundation to hold annual meeting Nov. 6. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation will hold its 2026 annual meeting Nov. 6 at Lahainaluna High School, offering community members an update on its historic preservation and rebuilding efforts. Maui News.

Maui Coral Reef Holds Secrets Of The Past — And The Future. A coral core dating back to the 1700s is helping scientists and reef advocates plan how to protect a Maui “super reef” as it faces a challenging future. Civil Beat.

Residents can help shape H.A. Baldwin Park Adaptation Plan. The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a public meeting about future H.A. Baldwin Park improvements and land stewardship from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Paia Community Center. Maui News.

Kauai

Lines Drawn In Princeville Battle: Golf Course Views Vs. Luxury Development. Cops have been called, lawsuits have been filed and a global investment company is trying to secure more seats on the community association’s board to help push its housing proposal through. Civil Beat.

Center dedicated to Kauaʻi teens makes its way to the Garden Isle. A center dedicated to supporting teen's wellbeing and futures is making its way to Kauaʻi through the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi native with farming roots, stint at Moonshine University, to lead distillery operations at Kōloa Rum Company. Duke Kahaulelio-Yadaoʻs journey to the leadership position began on his family farm in Kalāheo and included a fermentation workshop and distilling course in Kentucky. Kauai Now.