Hawaii expects slow summer tourist season; new law allows open carry of switchblades, butterfly knives; $100M Benioff donation aids Straub expansion, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Rosy U.S. summer travel forecast excludes Hawaii. U.S. Transportation Security Administration officials say they are preparing for the highest passenger volumes ever seen at airport security checkpoints nationwide during the peak summer travel season, which begins Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day. Jack Richards, president and CEO of Pleasant Holidays, said summer bookings to Hawaii are still down 28% from 2023. Keith Vieira, principal of KV &Associates, Hospitality Consulting, estimates that hotel bookings to Hawaii for summer are down about 10% to 12% compared with last summer. Star-Advertiser.

Environmental Working Group’s Fire-Related Recommendations Die In Legislature. Bills to provide funding for long-term air and water quality monitoring failed to pass as a new study cites growing health concerns from the fires. Civil Beat.

Amid mounting legal challenges, Hawaii allows open carry of formerly banned blades. As of Monday, it is no longer illegal in Hawaii to carry a dangerous weapon in public — and switchblade and butterfly knives are no longer banned. The governor signed HB 2342 into law Monday without fanfare, making it immediately legal to openly carry weapons that were banned in public until now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate in April remains steady at 3.1%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate held at 3.1% in April for the fourth consecutive month even as nonagricultural jobs decreased by 1,500 from March. By comparison, the national jobless rate rose to 3.9% from 3.8%. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council OKs stand-alone Ocean Safety Department. The City Council voted unanimously in favor of the city’s Resolution 103, which seeks an executive action to quickly create a new public-safety sector. Currently, the city Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division is under the larger Honolulu Emergency Services Department. Star-Advertiser.

Jury deliberating fate of ex-city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, campaign donors in bribery trial. Jury deliberations are now underway in the public corruption trial of former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and five campaign donors. Hawaii News Now.

Spate of heavy rains prompts increased scrutiny of Oahu dams, reservoirs. Records show there are a total of 13 dams and reservoirs on Oahu. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

Benefactor Marc Benioff lauds Straub expansion as ‘new beginning’. The Benioffs' $100 million gift is considered the largest donation to Hawaii Pacific Health, which operates Straub, and together with the $50 million donation to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, is considered one of the largest single private donations in Hawaii history. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

200 surveillance cameras to be installed in downtown Pāhoa. The Hawai‘i County Council on Wednesday voted 9-0 to adopt Resolution 487, which grants $65,000 in county geothermal relocation and community benefits funds through the Hawai‘i County Planning Department to the Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum for the purchase, installation and maintenance of 25 surveillance systems, each consisting of 8 cameras, in downtown Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

New Signage At Mauna Kea Park Honors Legacy Of Gilbert Kahele. Hawaiʻi County officials and the Kahele ʻohana marked the occasion on what would have been the late-senator's 82nd birthday. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Council Committee advances bill to allow more space for secondary farm dwellings. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 8-1 Wednesday to recommend passage of a bill to allow a 500-square-foot increase in the size of secondary farm dwellings in agricultural districts on Maui and Lānaʻi. Maui Now.

Maui Wildfire Insurance Losses Estimated At $3 Billion So Far. The first wildfire case to be heard by a Maui jury is to be determined by a coin toss next week. Civil Beat.

Study shows almost 75% of Maui wildfire survey participants have respiratory issues. A University of Hawaiʻi study examining the health effects of last year's deadly wildfires on Maui found that up to 74% of participants may have difficulty breathing and otherwise have poor respiratory health, and almost half showed signs of compromised lung function. Associated Press. Maui News.

Maui April unemployment rate drops to 4.3%. The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Maui Island was 4.3% in April 2024, compared to 4.9% the previous month, and 2.6% at the same time in 2023. Maui Now.

Kauai

Heavy rains result in high bacteria levels at 8 beaches, streams. Eight of 18 sites tested for water quality monthly were found with high bacteria amounts in May. Kauai Now.

UH farmer training program holding open house on Kauaʻi. A University of Hawai’i beginner farmer training program is hosting an open house at its Kauaʻi site on June 1 and is encouraging interested participants to register.  Kauai Now.

Honolulu homeless increase almost 12%, pay to play regulation a tough sell, Zuckerberg settles wrongful death lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Number Of People Living On The Streets Of Oahu Has Nearly Doubled In The Last Decade. The Point in Time count — a federally mandated effort to identify the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January — located 4,494 homeless people on Oahu this year, a roughly 12% increase from 2023. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Ethics Commission Grapples With Pay-To-Play Issues. The Hawaii State Ethics Commission is trying to figure out how to wrangle two groups of people who are proving particularly challenging: high-level state employees who are politically active and legislators who have outside jobs with companies that have government business.  The commission acknowledged that it's tough to oversee lawmakers who resist most accountability measures. Civil Beat.

2 bills aimed at preventing drownings in Hawaii become law. Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2841 to make every May 15 Water Safety Day for the state, and in tandem Wednesday signed a separate bill to raise money for water safety programs and efforts by authorizing the sale of special Hawaii license plates honoring legendary Hawaiian waterman Duke Kaha­na­moku. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Wants Home Cooks To Play A Bigger Role In Growing The State’s Food System. New legislation awaiting the governor's signature would help businesses operate out of home kitchens. Civil Beat.
 
“Sentinel Landscape” Designation Around Hawaiʻi Military Installations Announced. U.S. Representative Ed Case (D, Hawaiʻi) announced a new partnership on Wednesday in support of a “Sentinel Landscape” designation for two million acres of land near military installations in Hawaiʻi.  Big Island Video News.

Green signs emergency proclamation, pledges National Guard support as kona low nears. The governor has signed an emergency proclamation and pledged an all-of-government response to a kona low system nearing the islands that forecasters warn could bring record rains, flash flooding and thunderstorms. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu planning panel considers next step on landfill alternative. The Honolulu Planning Commission continues to wrestle with the city’s request for an extension to find an alternate site for the 34-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei which is scheduled to close in 2028. Star-Advertiser.

Families on the Navy water system say there is new contamination in their tap water. They say samples they sent to labs have come back with traces of forever chemicals known as PFAS. Hawaii Public Radio.

Elevated bacterial detected from sample taken at Kailua wastewater treatment plant. The city says this week’s downpours likely caused elevated bacteria in treated wastewater discharged about 5,000 feet from shore. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council bill authorizes County to limit bike tours from select public roads. What began as an effort to reduce bike traffic on specific West Hawaii roads has become a proposed series of regulations upon bike tour operators throughout the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

County grants lease extension of Kanoelehua Industrial Area property. After years of bureaucratic wrangling, a Hilo lessee of state land has finally secured a 30-year lease extension for property in the Kanoelehua Industrial Area. Tribune-Herald.

County puts up $200K to mitigate invasive insect. Hawaii County will invest in additional biosecurity measures at a West Hawaii waste facility to prevent the spread of a devastating invasive beetle. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Police Chief Gets Glowing Job Review From Commission. Chief John Pelletier is credited with implementing a five-year strategic plan, something the department lacked when he joined the force in 2021. Civil Beat.

Maui Planning Commission weighs in on Ledcor South Maui’s draft EIS. Maui Planning Commission members finished hearing public comments and then added their own Tuesday to a draft environmental impact statement for Ledcor South Maui’s plans to build as many as 975 homes. Maui Now.

Health declines seen in survivors of Maui wildfires, UH study finds. Nearly half of those affected by the Maui wildfires in August suffered a decline in health, according to a study that aims to track the well-being and social conditions of those exposed to the disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Construction to begin at Lahaina housing site. Heavy construction is set to begin at the Kilohana temporary housing site in Lahaina later this week and will last approximately six months, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Project aims to restore landscape, mitigate deer damage and reduce erosion above Kihei. A collaboration aiming to protect against erosion, reduce flood risk, mitigate axis deer damage, and improve water quality is being implemented in an 11-acre area mauka of Kihei as part of The Hapapa Watershed Axis Deer Damage Mitigation Project, according to the Maui Soil & Water Conservation District. Maui News.

Kauai

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg settles wrongful death case in Hawaii. In the wrongful death lawsuit in Hawaii involving Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the attorneys for both Zuckerberg and the plaintiff, the family of Rodney Medeiros, who worked part-time as a security guard at Zuckerberg’s ranch on Kauai’s North Shore, agreed to dismiss the case. KITV4.

UH farmer training program holding open house on Kauaʻi. A University of Hawai’i beginner farmer training program is hosting an open house at its Kauaʻi site on June 1 and is encouraging interested participants to register. Kauai Now.

Green may veto rainy day funding, income tax cuts could also benefit wealthy, Maui shifts property tax burden from homeowners to vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Governor May Nix Plan To Put More Money Into The State Rainy Day Fund. Green says the state cannot afford to put another $300 million into the budget reserve fund, which already has about $1.5 billion. Civil Beat.

Concerns rise for low-income families over Legislature's recent tax cut measure. Most Hawaiʻi residents will likely see lower income taxes next year due to a measure recently passed by the state Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Keeping peace is crucial, officer declares at LANPAC.  The Association of the U.S. Army kicked off its annual Land Power in the Pacific Symposium on Tuesday at the Sheraton Waikiki, bringing in attendees from 30 countries. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii brown water health risks aren’t just in the ocean. At least seven brown water advisories were issued since Monday and ranged from Kauai to Hawaii Island. KHON2.

How do officials plan to address state infestation of coconut rhinoceros beetle? State and county legislators met at Kapalama Elementary School on Tuesday to address the statewide infestation of the coconut rhinoceros beetle. KHON2.

Oahu

Campaign Contributions Or Bribes In Disguise? Closing Arguments Begin In Kaneshiro Bribery Trial. Prosecutors tried to convince jurors money given to Keith Kaneshiro's campaign was part of a conspiracy to bribe the former Honolulu prosecutor, but defense attorneys maintain it was legal. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Authority To Seek Damages For Delays In Completing Airport Segment. Imposing liquidated damages on contractor STG would be a turnabout. Last year it was the contractor that demanded cash compensation from the city for project delays. Civil Beat.

Second chance, former inmate hiring program, supports Waikiki’s Aloha Ambassadors. The Waikiki Business Improvement District Aloha Ambassador program will expand to 24 hours, seven days a week this summer and is projected by year’s end to remove 500,000 pounds of trash and serve over 350,000 visitors. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu homeless figures to be released.  The latest number of homeless people who were counted across Oahu in January will be released today in the latest benchmark of homelessness in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Waikoloa Library project moves ahead. The long-sought public library for Waikoloa Village is a step closer to becoming a reality. The state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development last week published a final Environmental Assessment for the project, with a finding of no significant impact. Tribune-Herald.

County wants private land for Puna road. Hawaii County will seize portions of a pair of private properties in lower Puna in order to complete the reopening of Pohoiki Road. Tribune-Herald.

Court urges parties to settle in case of house on wrong lot. In the case of a house built on the wrong property lot on Hawaii Island, after weeks of appearing in court Kailua-Kona, both sides were ordered by a judge to meet in a closed session to try to come up with an agreement. KITV4.

Maui

Maui Council Holds Down Property Tax Rates For Local Homeowners. The county plans to shift more of the revenue burden onto vacation rental and investment property owners. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Vacant Land Sales Around Lahaina Have Jumped Since The Wildfires. As remediation efforts proceed, some local residents have bought property within minutes of the town. Civil Beat.

Maui project aims to restore landscape, mitigate axis deer damage and reduce erosion above Kīhei. A collaborative project to protect against erosion, reduce flood risk, mitigate axis deer damage, and improve water quality is being implemented in an 11-acre area mauka of Kīhei.  Maui Now.

Condo and house sales rise on Maui during April, along with prices. The median sales prices for both categories also saw notable increases as single-family homes rose by 16.9%, while condominiums climbed by 8.4%, compared to April 2023. Maui News.

On Molokai, health care providers struggle with low payments, high costs — and little support. The island of Molokai has only a third as many doctors as a communities of similar size on the mainland. But experts say roots of the health care crisis there — economics and isolation — exist in rural areas on every island. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

DLNR finalizing investigation into cruise ships reported close to Na Pali Coast. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says it’s awaiting a final report following its investigation into two cruise ships that came too close to the shore of the Na Pali Coast earlier this month.  Kauai Now.

Group mapping out feral cat population, judge considers Red Hill compensation, Hawaii Tourism Authority gets negative rating, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Community invited to submit feral cat sightings to help protect native species. In the wake of the death of a nēnē gosling from a disease transmitted by cats, a nēnē research and conservation group is asking members of the community to report cat colony sightings. The group will put together a comprehensive cat map and work with policymakers to prioritize areas where feral cats and endangered native species are coming in contact. It’s the first statewide effort of its kind. Hawaii Public Radio.

HTA study examines reinventing tourism oversight. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority received an unfavorable rating from 43% of the stakeholders who gave feedback to the contractor working on a tourism governance structure recommendation. Star-Advertiser.

Landmark coffee legislation to tighten labeling requirements nears final approval. Senate Bill 2298 has passed through the state Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Josh Green’s signature to become law. It would require roasted, instant, or ready-to-drink coffee marketed as "locally sourced" to have at least 51% local coffee. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii bill would protect shelters that house homeless minors. A newly passed bill before Gov. Josh Green would protect homeless shelters that take in minors without the consent of their parents or guardians. Star-Advertiser.

Former UH Regents Chair To Oversee Hawaii Public School Facilities. Randy Moore will replace Curt Otaguro as one of three deputy superintendents in the Hawaii Department of Education. Civil Beat.

New law governing Tenant Screening Fees now in effect. Enacted as Act 200 (SLH 2023) and codified in Hawai‘i Revised Statutes § 521-46, the law prohibits a landlord from charging an applicant for a residential dwelling unit, a tenant screening fee that is more than the actual cost to obtain information about the applicant. Maui Now.

Oahu

A Missouri River Court Decision Could Sink Hawaii’s Ala Wai Flood Control Plan. The nearly 30-year push to better protect one of Hawaii’s most populous watersheds from extreme rains and flooding has hit another snag, city leaders say — this time due to a federal court ruling that upholds farming interests along the Missouri River.  Civil Beat.

Judge In Red Hill Trial Takes On Question Of Compensation. Plaintiffs are seeking a combined sum of nearly $7 million for physical and mental harm related to Red Hill. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

A ‘High-Ranking Prosecutor’ Helped Mike Miske Out Of A Traffic Citation, HPD Officer Testifies. Without naming former Honolulu prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, the feds try to show how Miske used powerful connections to avoid legal trouble for years while operating a criminal enterprise. Civil Beat.

Honolulu agrees to 4-month window to grant or deny gun carrying licenses after lawsuit. Honolulu has agreed to grant or deny applications to carry guns in public within four months of submission in response to a lawsuit by residents who complained of delays of up to a year, according to a stipulation signed by a federal judge Friday. Associated Press.

HART director receives support at Council. During a special budget hearing Monday morning, HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahi­kina, who’s come under fire in recent weeks from some on the board and has voiced concerns of her own over her future at the rail agency, got public backing from Council Vice Chair Esther Kia‘aina. Star-Advertiser.

Request To Halt Haiku Stairs’ Dismantling Denied By Judge. Friends of Haiku Stairs argued during a court hearing Friday that the city didn't follow proper historic preservation procedures for dismantling the stairs. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Ala Moana Boulevard to close for pedestrian bridge work. State officials are issuing a traffic alert ahead of a full closure of Ala Moana Boulevard on Tuesday and Wednesday night for construction of the pedestrian bridge. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Study of PGV’s impacts on groundwater set to begin. A nearly $500,000 federal study of the impacts of Puna Geothermal Venture on Puna’s groundwater should begin soon. Tribune-Herald.

Akaka Falls State Park To Close Weekdays, Starting May 15. The temporary weekday closure is expected to run through the end of the month, the DLNR Division of State Parks says. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

'Unacceptable': critics testify against proposal for more telescopes on Haleakala. Tensions escalated during a public meeting Monday evening discussing a proposal from the Department of the Air Force to construct up to seven additional telescopes on Haleakala.  KITV4.

Inmate hospitalized after becoming unresponsive at MCCC. A female inmate is in the hospital after becoming unresponsive at Maui Community Correctional Center on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i poi to be served at dozens of Hawai‘i schools throughout May. To help increase local menu offerings in school lunches, three dozen public schools on Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Kaua‘i, and Moloka‘i will be offering fresh local poi as an accompanying lunch menu item to students and staff this month in honor of May Day. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Accessory dwelling units proposed, state Supreme Court to consider vacation rentals on ag land, wildfire threat continues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Divisive accessory dwellings bill raises concerns about packed neighborhoods. SB 3202 has been described by proponents as an innovative and bold strategy to help relieve a chronic short supply of affordable housing statewide. But the measure also attracted heavy public opposition and was described by one lawmaker as one of the worst products to come out of Hawaii’s Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Incumbents are favored in lackluster election cycle. Hawaii Republican and Democratic Party primary elections often provide the most drama in a state dominated by Democrats. But this year only a couple of primary races scheduled for Aug. 10 are generating interest outside their district boundaries — notably a rematch between House Speaker Scott Saiki and Kim Coco Iwamoto to represent Ala Moana-Kakaako-­Downtown. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Lawmakers Had Big Ideas For How To Prevent Another Lahaina. Few Became Law. A House working group found a long list of things Hawaii needs to do to protect itself from fire, but many of those recommendations will fall to the new state fire marshal to implement. Civil Beat.

Conditions ripe in Hawaii for another fire disaster. In its latest seasonal outlook, the National Interagency Fire Center says the lee sides of the islands will experience “above average significant potential” for wildfires this month through at least August. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Maui News. KITV4.

Bills Would Increase Protection For Hawaiian Burial Sites. Hawaii has some of the strongest laws in the United States governing historic burial locations, but lawmakers say more needs to be done to protect privately owned historic areas. Civil Beat.

Measures to fine illegal hikers for rescue fail. State lawmakers’ legislative attempts to seek reimbursement from hikers who are rescued after trespassing onto closed trails were stalled once again this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi nursing workforce has improved over last few years, according to new report.  There was a 31% increase in the number of advanced practice registered nurses and an 18% rise in registered nurses, according to a 2023 Nursing Workforce Supply Report released this week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Agricultural declaration forms on airplanes could soon be digital. The state Legislature passed Senate Bill 2079 this session to allow the process to become completely electronic. Forms would be sent to travelers before they even board. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Cameras could enforce speed limits on Oahu. Senate Bill 2443 directs DOT to enforce speed limits using cameras at 10 intersections where the agency already has cameras citing drivers running red lights. Star-Advertiser.

Trash company plagued with staffing shortages. Missed and delayed trash pickups by a private refuse company that brought pests and foul odors to housing complexes across the island were the result of ongoing staffing shortages. Star-Advertiser.

The Miske Trial: Witnesses Describe Bank Transactions. "Structuring" can be evidence of a racketeering conspiracy, the first and overarching charge against Mike Miske. Civil Beat.

‘Semisub’ owner convicted of defrauding investors, using funds on homes and psychics. A federal jury on Thursday convicted a Hawaii man for his role in a decade-long scheme to defraud investors of more than $28 million in connection with his company, “Semisub,” a tour boat that lowers itself to give passengers underwater views. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

STVRs on ag land goes before state high court. The Hawaii Supreme Court will on Thursday hear oral arguments in a five-year-old case challenging a 2019 Hawaii County ordinance limiting the establishment of short-term vacation rentals on land zoned as agricultural.  Tribune-Herald.

Pohoiki project moves ahead: BLNR approves permit to dredge channel. The ramp, the sole boat launch in Puna, has been unusable since 2018, when the eruption of Kilauea deposited a roughly 11.6-acre black sand beach across the mouth of the ramp. Tribune-Herald.

Shipman looks for new space for Keaau Farmers Market vendors. W.H. Shipman Ltd. says it has “identified a couple temporary spots” for the Keaau Farmers Market and intends to have space available by June 1 so the vendors of the popular market can continue to sell fruits and vegetables to the Keaau community. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island’s Natural Population Drop Signals An Ominous Economic Trend. The natural decrease isn't the same as a population decline. The cause of the Big Island's natural decrease, demographer Karl Eschback said, appears to be that older people and retirees are moving to the island, while younger adults are moving away and not coming back. Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui County Reveals Plan To Hire Experts To Assess How It Responded To Wildfires. The Maui Emergency Management Agency will be evaluated again after a state report already documented communication breakdowns. Civil Beat.

Council committee to receive presentation on draft of county’s first official wetland map. A draft of Maui County’s first official wetland map will be presented to the Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee by the Department of Planning on Monday at 1:30 p.m. Maui News.

Land Board approves purchase of Māʻalaea Mauka watershed lands. The Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved a proposal for the state to purchase nearly 257 acres at Pōhākea, also known as Māʻalaea Mauka, for $8.22 million. Maui Now.

Maui Planning Commission to hear further public testimony on Ledcor Maui draft EIS. A project to build as many as 975 homes, including workforce housing, in the master-planned Wailea Resort community and a neighboring lot in Kīhei has begun drawing fire from opponents who say the Ledcor South Maui project’s draft environmental impact statement is inadequate. Maui Now.

Displaced Lahaina ʻohana moves into 1st completed modular home in Kahului — with more to come. Ke Ao Maluhia will be completed this summer. The $9 million project is a collaboration between the state, county, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and other agencies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Residents of a Kauaʻi condo are unsure about relocation plans following DHHL purchase. Condominium residents of the Courtyards at Waipouli Apartments on Kauaʻi are concerned that they will be displaced once the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands acquires the property. Hawaii Public Radio.

Public meeting set for Kaneka Street project. The meeting will be held at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria on May 16 and will cover Kaneka Street’s existing configuration and current safety concerns, along with plans to add sidewalks and bike lanes. Garden Island.

Yearslong black slime ‘nightmare’ now in court; Kaua‘i homeowners ‘fatigued’.  Six years have passed since three families purchased their first homes on Kaua‘i – and began an ordeal they claim has yet to end. Kauai Now.

Legislature appropriates $750M for public schools, personal income and GDP expected to drop, defense takes stand in Kaneshiro corruption trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Lawmakers Spent Big On Public Schools This Year. State lawmakers gave the Hawaii Department of Education an infusion of almost $750 million during the recent legislative session to support school facilities, professional development for teachers, student mental health and other initiatives. Civil Beat.

Personal income in Hawaii might contract this year.  The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization expects Hawaii’s real personal income will slow below 1% this year and that real gross domestic product will drop from 3.6% growth in 2023 to 1.5%.  Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Hawaii bill exempts certain medical services from general excise tax. A Senate bill exempting private health care providers from general excise taxes for services to patients with Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE has made it to the governor’s desk. Star-Advertiser.

Legislature passes bill to combat invasive species. The Hawaii State Legislature voted unanimously to pass a bill that appropriates nearly $20 million toward the battle against invasive species, sending it to the governor’s desk for consideration. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Disbarred attorney who served time in federal prison lands seat on prestigious state board. A disbarred attorney who spent time in federal prison has been confirmed to a prestigious state board. Stacy Moniz is representing the union point of view on the state Labor Board. Hawaii News Now.
 
Oahu

Grand Jury Tapes Show Mitsunaga Employees Struggled To Explain Donations To Kaneshiro. Employees of a prominent Honolulu engineering firm had a hard time explaining their generosity toward former county prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro when they were questioned by the feds in 2021.  Civil Beat.

Kaneshiro bribery trial continues as McDonald takes the stand. One of the defendants in the bribery trial involving former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro took the stand Thursday in his defense. KHON2.

The Price Of Police Misconduct Claims In Honolulu Is Going Up. Experts say large payouts, like the $12.5 million settlement approved in March, do not usually lead to systemic change. Civil Beat.

State closes unofficial ‘back way’ to the Haiku Stairs. Second lawsuit filed to stop removal of Haiku Stairs. For the second time in less than a year, the Friends of Haiku Stairs has filed a lawsuit to stop the city from demolishing the more than 3,900 steps that lead to the top of the Koolau Range in Kaneohe. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Highgate picks up Kaimana Beach Hotel management agreement. Highgate confirmed Wednesday that Highgate Hawaii has signed a hotel management agreement with the property’s owners Tsukada Global Holdings, led by Masayuki Tsukada; and an affiliate of BlackSand Capital, led by Chairman and CEO B.J. Kobayashi. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

1,200-foot ti leaf lei draped across Pololū Valley to symbolize protection from overdevelopment. A 1,200-foot-long ti leaf lei made by the Kohala community on Hawaiʻi Island was draped across Pololū Valley over the weekend. It's a symbol of protection from increased development — and of community solidarity. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Rejects Proposal Allowing Chicago Company To Drill For Water In Kula. Free Market Ventures had offered to drill one or more deep water wells and sell the water to the county for 30 years for use by Upcountry residents. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric completes work on West Maui transmission line, including installation of 70 new steel poles. A critical transmission line that serves as a back-up route of power to approximately 11,000 customers in West Maui is now online after Hawaiian Electric rebuilt the line along former routes in the Lahaina area with new steel and wood poles and electrical equipment.  Maui Now.

Department of Health: Lead screening finds no evidence of widespread lead exposure from Maui fires. While wildfire ash contains significant concentrations of lead, the screening results do not indicate evidence of widespread human exposure to toxins in the ash, according to a department news release. Maui Now.

Kauai

Portion of Wawae Road in Kalāheo closed until further notice. Following recent rains and the flooding event in April, the portion beneath Wawae Road continues to erode, compromising the roadway’s stability. Kauai Now.

Legislature commits $94M to overcrowded jails and prisons, Hawaiian-Alaska airlines clear merger hurdle, below-average hurricane season predicted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers Commit $94M To Fix Deteriorating Prisons And Jails. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson has been warning that the state needs to fix its run-down correctional facilities or face lawsuits over deteriorating conditions. It now appears the system is finally making a dent in the problem. Civil Beat.

Surge of Hawaii inmates sent to mainland prison is temporary. The head of the State’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said there’s been a surge of Hawaii inmates being sent away to a facility on the mainland, but it’s only temporary. KHON2.

Hawaiian, Alaska airlines clear key hurdle in merger deal. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines said they have met a crucial milestone in Alaska’s proposed buyout of the local airline. KHON2.

Hawaii’s New School Board Chair Has Played A Big Role In Public Education Reforms. In 2010, House Education Committee Chair Roy Takumi proposed a constitutional amendment to shift Hawaii’s Board of Education from elected to appointed. Civil Beat.

School chief’s salary cap rests with the governor. If Gov. Josh Green doesn’t sign Senate Bill 3207, the current $248,000 salary of Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi will revert to its former limit of $150,000 annually, and the mandatory evaluation of the superintendent will be eliminated. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Is Entering A Dangerous Fire Season. Here’s What Will Be Different Post-Lahaina. As Hawaii enters its first wildfire season since the deadly Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina, emergency responders and state officials say they’re using lessons learned from the Maui tragedy to better prepare for what forecasters say is a high-risk year for significant fires. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority says it's grateful for renewed funding from lawmakers.  The embattled Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority emerged from this legislative session with strong financial support. Hawaii Public Radio.

West Oʻahu Sen. Maile Shimabukuro announces resignation from Legislature. State Sen. Maile Shimabukuro has announced she will resign from her seat at the end of the month. She has represented West Oʻahu for the last 21 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi to get nearly $30M in federal funds to replace lead pipes. Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the funding, which is meant to prevent exposure to lead in drinking water. The money comes from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Things can still happen,’ weather service cautions of below-average hurricane prediction. Hurricane season is June 1 to Nov. 30 in Hawaii, and AccuWeather — a commercial weather forecasting service — is predicting a relatively quiet season for tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific basin. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Gov. Green considers seven nominees for four judicial vacancies. Three state Family Court judges, two private practice attorneys, a District Court judge and a deputy public defender are in the running to become state Circuit Court judges on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

City struggles to combat illegal rentals amidst over tourism concerns. The city is having a hard time cracking down on illegal rentals. So far this year, they fined about a hundred violators. KITV4.

Proposed housing project in Leeward Oahu for at-risk youth stirs mixed feelings. Residential Youth Services & Empowerment says it bought the property last year to serve the youth experiencing homelessness in that community. Hawaii News Now.

Video surveillance sought for scenic sites in East Oahu. The Honolulu Police Department is considering using video cameras mounted on at least four mobile security trailers to avert auto burglaries, thefts, vandalism and other crimes at popular scenic points in East Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

New report says Hawaii is second-worst state to be a police officer. On Oahu, the starting salary for HPD officers is just over $75,000 a year, not to mention the $25,000 recruitment bonuses. This beats the national average of $69,000 a year, but Hawaii ranked low overall on training and job growth opportunities. Hawaii News Now.

Victim from 1970s Tripler hospital medical malpractice lawsuit dies. A man whose medical malpractice case against Tripler Army Medical Center in the 1970s was turned down after a U.S. Supreme Court statue of limitations ruling has died. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Federal drought insurance to be expanded for Hawaiʻi Island ranchers. The insurance is meant to protect ranchers who lose foraging grass because of a lack of expected rainfall. Hawaii Public Radio.

First Public Hearing Held On Pōhakuloa EIS Draft Two. The community had a chance to testify Monday on the second draft environmental impact statement for the Army Training Land Retention at Pōhakuloa Training Area, during a meeting held at the Waimea District Park. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Dozens meet to discuss proposal for more telescopes on Haleakala. Dozens packed into a lecture hall at the University of Hawai'i Maui College Tuesday evening to discuss the Department of the Air Force's proposal to build up to seven more telescopes on Haleakala.  KITV4.

County of Maui accepting applications for nearly 600 positions. Whether it’s Police, Parks, or Public Works, the County of Maui has positions to fill in nearly every department. Hawaii News Now.

DLNR: Dozens of vehicles towed at Kahului Harbor during cleanup. Crews with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources finished clearing the public parking areas of Kahului Boat Harbor by removing more than five dozen vehicles, many of them abandoned.  Maui Now.

HECO extends moratorium on cutting power for Maui customers affected by the fires. Maui customers financially challenged by the wildfires won’t have to worry about losing electric service for at least another two months. Hawaii Public Radio.

Land Board set to take up proposed purchase of 257 acres at Māʻalaea Mauka. The state of Hawaiʻi is considering acquisition of nearly 257 acres at Pōhākea, also known as Māʻalaea Mauka, for $8.22 million, as a forest reserve to protect the watershed and prevent massive erosion from damaging Māʻalaea Bay. Maui Now.

Second suit filed against Maui hotel over lights that disorient birds. Earthjustice is filing suit a second time against the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, on Maui over the harms its bright lights cause to endangered seabirds. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Court ruling could trigger environmental assessment for Kauai seed production project. A Kauai seed production company may be forced to do an environmental assessment because of a ruling from the state Intermediate Court of Appeals. Hawaii News Now.

State investigating cruise ships anchored near Na Pali Coast. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating whether a cruise ship, possibly two, recently anchored too closely to the Na Pali Coast on Kauai, following complaints. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

April storm on Garden Isle brought record-breaking rainfall totals. According to the monthly rainfall summary from the National Weather Service in Honolulu, the mid-April heavy rain event resulted in above-average totals over the entire island of Kauaʻi. Rain gauges near the town of Waimea recorded monthly totals greater than 10 times the April average. Kauai Now.

Hawaii governor signs vacation rental bill, same-sex marriage amendment heads to November ballot, Legislature wraps up 60-day session, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s ‘historic’ 2024 legislative session comes to a close. Hawaii lawmakers wrapped up the 32nd biennial legislative session Friday in largely ceremonial fashion that included a traditional display of unity, but also cast final votes on a few momentous bills. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Now.

Legislative session began amid uncertainty, ended with relief for Maui and taxpayers. The Hawaii legislative session began Jan. 17 clouded in unknowns over how much money would be available overall, how much could be spent to help Maui recover from the Aug. 8 wildfires, and concerns that lawmakers would have to tap into the state’s so-called rainy day fund to meet Hawaii’s needs. Star-Advertiser.

How major bills fared at the Capitol. Here is the status of major bills following the end of the 60-day Hawaii legislative session on Friday.  Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Josh Green signs vacation rental bill into law.  Gov. Josh Green on Friday made good on his promise and signed a bill into law that gives counties the ability to better regulate short-term vacation rentals in the hope of freeing up affordable, long-term housing for island residents. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4. Tribune-Herald.

Lessons For Hawaii: Other States Have Strong Pay-To-Play Laws. Experts say regulating contractor donations along with publicly financed elections could go a long way to taming corruption. Civil Beat.

Voters could repeal Legislature’s authority on same-sex marriage. An amendment to repeal the Legislature’s authority to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples will be on the November ballot.  KHON2.

Hawaii Has Been Debating Marijuana Legalization For Half A Century. Lawmakers have been vacillating over how to handle weed consumption in the islands since the late 1960s. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Legislature OKs $18M for claims against state. Crimes committed by state employees, accidents on public property and a couple Second Amendment challenges are contributing to settlements, judgments and other legal claims this year to cost Hawaii taxpayers $18.1 million. Star-Advertiser.

Water Safety Coalition’s bills sent to governor. The measures — one that designates May 15 as Water Safety Day in the state each year and another that authorizes the issuance of Duke Kahanamoku license plates, with revenue from the plates being dedicated to water safety educational programs — are now on Gov. Josh Green’s desk, pending his signature.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Execs Got Big Raises In 2023. They’re About To See How Shareholders Feel About It. A vote on compensation and reelection of board members is set for May 13. Civil Beat.

Hawaii traffic fatalities in 2024 on pace with last year. From Jan. 1 to April 30, there were 33 traffic-related deaths, compared with 33 during the same period in 2023, according to preliminary statistics from DOT. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Staff shortages plague Honolulu’s 911 system. HPD Maj. Calvin Sung of the communications division said if the system is busy, callers should keep calling back. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu first responders alter operations for planned power shutoffs. Police, firefighters, paramedics and emergency management officials on Oahu are modifying operations to prepare for the possibility that Hawaiian Electric must shut off power to reduce wildfire risks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Got Back $441,000 From Aloha Stadium Consultant. An audit, spurred by a Civil Beat investigation, is leading to policy changes at the Department of Accounting and General Services. A consultant for Aloha Stadium has reimbursed the state more than $441,000 after an audit last year found that the firm charged the state for exorbitant travel expenses and excessive costs. Civil Beat.

Nurse’s aide fined over $300,000 for running unlicensed care home. The health department has fined a certified nurse aide $315,000 for running an unlicensed care home in Ewa Beach. Complaints led inspectors to a Muiona Street home where they say Nenita Mauricio of “Private Home Duty LLC” admitted to operating the unlicensed facility for nearly a year. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore seeing ‘advanced infestation’ of coconut rhinoceros beetle, experts on what to do. From Mokuleia to Laniakea, to Pupukea, and from Ke Iki to Sunset Beach, if you look up you’ll see palms with only a few fronds, some with none, and some looking sick or oddly shaped.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

National Science Foundation to discuss possible funding for TMT. NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said a panel will visit the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea and the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile and evaluate them on a series of topics including their current progress, partnerships, risks and risk mitigation, governance, opportunities for access by early-career scientists, how well the project complements the European Southern Observatory’s Chilean Extremely Large Telescope, and public engagement. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park areas reopen as tremors subside. Kilauea volcano’s recent seismic rumblings have quieted down, leading Hawaii Volcanoes National Park officials today to reopen several areas that have been closed in the past week as a precaution. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Proposed Punalu‘u Village goes before Planning Commission Monday. Punalu‘u Village is a “residential and commercial community” proposed to be built on a 147-acre parcel in Punalu‘u, restoring several disused buildings and attractions in the process. If built, the project would add nearly 300 accommodation units to the rural community, as well as a market space, golf course, restaurant and more. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi County Council to consider preserving 27 acres near ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay. A Hawaiʻi County Council committee has advanced plans to help preserve 27 acres of land on the south end of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay near the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Hawaii Public Radio.

Parks and Rec, DLNR work to address issue of cat colonies at park where nene died. State and county agencies are moving forward to address feral cat feeding and its effects on the nene population. Tribune-Herald.

Removal of UH-Hilo newspaper causes flap. An administrator at the University of Hawaii at Hilo admitted to ordering the removal of the student-run campus newspaper from a rack at an April 20 event welcoming prospective students and their parents to the campus. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Ohana Hope Village Is Finally Opening To Maui Fire Survivors. Access to water is still in flux, but the Maui modular home housing project now has county approval to open 16 of 88 units. Civil Beat.

45th Maui Charity Walk raises over $1.2 million for the eighth year. Nearly 1,600 walkers attended the in-person event at the War Memorial Complex.  Maui Now.

Young Brothers blesses $1.5M mooring system to improve service for Lānaʻi. Hawai‘i interisland freight company Young Brothers blessed its new $1.5 million ShoreTension mooring system on Monday at the Port of Kaumalapau on Lāna‘i. The system keeps the barge steady against the dock during poor weather conditions. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai County officials warn flood victims might not get FEMA federal assistance. More than 12 inches of rain pummeled parts of the Garden Island in a few hours overnight on April 12. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i County data shows recent decline in lifeguard rescues. Recent data from the County of Kaua’i Ocean Safety Bureau indicates a decline in aquatic rescues this year following the department’s announcement of the extension of operating hours at lifeguarded beaches. Kauai Now.

St. Catherine School shutting down next month; it’s served Kaua‘i families since 1946. St. Catherine School, a Catholic elementary school in Kapa‘a on the East Side of Kaua‘i, is shutting down this June after 78 years in operation – despite parents’ last-ditch efforts to save it earlier this spring. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Green creates climate advisory team, Bissen touts plan to eliminate 7k vacation rentals on Maui, Mitsunaga corruption trial witness describes thousands in 'straw man' campaign contributions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor announces Climate Advisory Team to develop climate resilience policy, forms team to address disasters and climate change.  Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday that he is forming a Climate Advisory Team to spearhead policy efforts that include securing funding to mitigate disaster risks and impacts from climate change as well as tackling still-pending issues stemming from the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Controversial urban development bill narrowly passes final floor vote. Senate Bill 3202 would allow two accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to be built on residential properties.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Senate and House pass bills to improve language access in Hawaiʻi . The bills came after advocates have been raising concerns about the need for more language interpreters in the event of natural disasters. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers Want State To Make Public The Names Of Companies That Sell Infested Plants. The agriculture department will likely receive $20 million for biosecurity this year. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  KITV4.

Legislature passes bill supporting value-added production across Hawaiʻi. In a landmark move aimed at bolstering economic resilience and promoting local industries, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature has successfully passed HB2144 HD1 SD2 CD1, a bill focused on expanding value-added production throughout the Aloha State.  Maui Now.

Coffee labeling bill passes.  A bill over 30 years in the making has cleared legislative hurdles and is being sent to Gov. Josh Green for his signature. The bill, introduced by Rep. Nicole Lowen, came on the heels of Act 222 in 2022 which required an independent study to assess the economic impact of Hawaii’s coffee labeling laws on local coffee farmers and the industry. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Defendant In Honolulu Corruption Case Gave Politicians Thousands In Illegal Straw Donations, Niece Says.  Terri Ann Otani, who worked for Mitsunaga & Associates Inc.,  is now on trial for participating in a scheme to bribe former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro with campaign donations so he would pursue a case against a former Mitsunaga firm employee. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council eyes $27M for city worker hazard pay. The Honolulu City Council plans to earmark $27 million in federal funds to repay eligible, unionized city workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Attorney blasts HPD’s investigation of alleged Jan. 1 beating. An attorney for the father and son allegedly hit with a Honolulu police van and beaten by  Opens in a new tabup to 12 officers during an islandwide New Year’s Day manhunt for an attempted murder suspect Opens in a new tab said HPD has not identified or interviewed any of the officers involved. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae coast residents air crime concerns at mayor's town hall. Hundreds of Waianae Coast residents jammed Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s latest town hall meeting, with crime on the top of their minds. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu ranks 29th on clean energy progress among US cities. The nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy parsed through municipal energy policies and programs to create the 2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard.  Hawaii Public Radio.

New Hawaii Charter School Wants To Prep Kids For A Future Where AI Is ‘Central In Our Lives’. The opening of Kulia Academy in Kalihi comes at a time when many other schools in the state are grappling with how to incorporate artificial intelligence into classroom lessons and address possible misuse of the technology. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Windward Planning Commission gives short-term rental bill ‘thumbs-down’.  The Windward Planning Commission gave Hawaiʻi County Council Chair Heather Kimball’s short-term rental bill a thumbs-down on May 2 by sending an unfavorable recommendation to the County Council.  Multiple members of the commission viewed the bill as “government overreach.”  Big Island Now.

2024 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Cancelled Due To Low Participation. The planned 62nd annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in Kona has been cancelled, organizers announced this week, due to low world-wide participation. Big Island Video News.

More than 1,600 earthquakes recorded on Kīlauea since late April. USGS Issues Statement On Kīlauea Volcano As Unrest Increases. Kīlauea was not erupting as of 12:15 a.m. Friday morning, but a sharp increase in seismicity on the upper East Rift Zone overnight prompted an information statement from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hilo Macy’s store safe for now despite more downsizing by the retailer. The Macy’s store in Hilo’s Prince Kuhio Plaza will remain open for the foreseeable future, according to spokesperson for the national retailer. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bissen quick to offer bill to regulate Maui vacation rentals. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen wasted no time in proposing a county bill that would phase out 2,200 vacation rentals in West Maui apartment districts by July 1, 2025 — and eventually all 7,000 units in apartment districts across Maui. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Maui News.  Maui Now.  KHON2.

Gov. Green approves $385.4M emergency appropriations for Maui wildfire relief. Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 582 into law on Thursday, allocating $385.4 million in emergency appropriations to support relief efforts on Maui, following the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Environmental Groups Sue Maui Resort Over Endangered Seabird Injuries. Despite a settlement reached two years ago, Hawaiian petrels continue to be harmed by bright lights at Grand Wailea in violation of federal law, plaintiffs allege. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Kauai

Haʻena residents challenge AT&T cell tower plans. Kaua’i County Council members held a briefing on AT&T’s plan to place a 5G cell tower on a house lot in Ha’ena during a committee meeting on Wednesday, May 1, as community residents filled the chambers to speak out against the proposed construction. Kauai Now.

Embattled Kauai police chief accused of ‘punishing’ officers who found his lost service gun. A month after embattled KPD Chief Todd Raybuck lost his loaded service weapon, the two officers who found it are formally accusing him of retaliation. Hawaii News Now.

Big drop in passenger count at Lihu‘e Airport. The number of people getting off domestic passenger flights at Lihu‘e Airport dropped to its lowest level for the first full month of spring since the COVID-19 pandemic. Garden Island.

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge officially opens on Kaua‘i. Kauai’s new self-guided refuge completes the trifecta for Kauai’s wildlife refuges on the island — Hanalei, Huleia, and Kilauea Point — all managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation. Garden Island.