State lawmakers may tackle political patronage in new session, rail contractor files $324M lawsuit, toddler saved from fall into volcano, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Legislature May Take A Stand Against Decades Of Pay-To-Play Politics. New rules and proposed laws could fundamentally change how political campaigns are financed. Hawaiʻi could soon take significant steps against the kind of political patronage that has come to define local politics for generations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers divided on Trump’s promise to scrap US Education Department. The state Department of Education gets roughly $200 million from the federal Education Department from Title I funds that support low-income schools to grants for students with disabilities. Hawaii News Now.

Legislators Look To Support Student Recovery From The Pandemic. Some lawmakers and advocates say schools need more help with funding gaps, especially after federal assistance expired this fall. Civil Beat.

Governor Injects $2.2 Million Into Revival Of Hawaiʻi Fire Marshal’s Office. The resurrection of a Hawaiʻi fire prevention agency appears to be on course after Gov. Josh Green announced a plan to inject $2.2 million into the effort. Civil Beat.

Amid Deportation Threats, Hawaiʻi’s Immigrants Brace For President Trump. Advocates said some immigrants — including those in mixed-status families, with members legally authorized to remain here and those who are undocumented – already are avoiding contact with the government. They have started to stay away from health services. They are thinking twice about reporting crimes, whether they are victims or witnesses. Some have stopped working for fear of workplace raids. Civil Beat.

Education leaders impressed with new AI program in Hawaiʻi schools. Eighty students across six teams from elementary, middle, and high schools from around the islands were given a task to identify challenges their fellow students faced, and then create an AI program or “chatbot” to help find solutions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Key First Hawaiian executive Christopher Dods to step down. Christopher L. Dods, vice chair and chief operating officer of First Hawaiian Inc. and First Hawaiian Bank, will resign from his roles effective March 31, the company announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

At Honolulu’s Troubled Permitting Department, There Are Signs Of Hope. People have been waiting way too long for permits, with many applications literally taking years, but city data suggests the system is gaining speed. Civil Beat.

Hitachi Rail files $324M lawsuit against Honolulu, HART.  Costly delays and mismanagement over Honolulu’s over-budget, long-overdue rail line are the basis for a new lawsuit being brought by the project’s principal contractor. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu parks department to update rules for community gardens. As demand for community garden space grows on Oahu, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation is set to implement long-needed updates to the Honolulu Recreational Community Gardening Program rules. Star-Advertiser.

Avalon buys Topa towers in a continued effort to revitalize downtown Honolulu. Christine Camp,  president and CEO of the Honolulu-based Avalon Group — a real estate development firm -- just closed on the Topa Financial Center towers at the corner of Bishop and Queen streets, an area she wants to see rebranded as DoHo to mark the revitalization of downtown Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Queen’s unionized nurses holding strike authorization vote. After nearly a year of stalled negotiations, nurses from The Queen’s Medical Center campuses at Punchbowl and West Oahu are voting on whether to authorize a strike. Star-Advertiser.

Richard Parsons, corporate troubleshooter and UH alum, dies at 76. Richard D. Parsons, a University of Hawaii alumnus who would become well known on Wall Street for leading major U.S. corporations, including Time Warner and Citigroup, through troubled times, died Thursday at his New York City home. He was 76. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Boy saved from falling into Kilauea volcano summit caldera. A boy, roughly 2 to 3 years old, ran into a closed area Wednesday at the Kilauea Overlook, coming within a foot from the edge of Kaluapele, the summit caldera, before his mother managed to pull him to safety. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.
 
Maui

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court finds in favor of Cook in challenge of his election to South Maui Council seat. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of incumbent South Maui Council Member Tom Cook and against an election challenge by opponent and former Council Member Kelly King. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County releases Lahaina’s long-term recovery plan. Maui County has unveiled its finalized Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina, marking a significant milestone since the devastating wildfires of Aug. 8, 2023. Forty projects within the plan cover key areas like community planning, economic recovery, housing, infrastructure and natural and cultural resources. It also identifies funding sources to make those projects a reality. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Biden signs bill to study designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area. U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed 50 bills into law, one of them directing the National Park Service to assess the suitability of designating Lahaina, Maui, as the “Lahaina National Heritage Area.” Kauai Now.

Lahaina Harbor needs to be rebuilt quickly, vessel owners say. Under a plan presented by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, Lahaina Harbor is to be restored within three to five years at an estimated cost of $30 million. Maui News.

More modular homes to be delivered to the Kilohana project on Dec. 29.  Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are delivered to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Kilohana site in Lahaina.  Maui Now.

Their House Survived The Maui Fires Untouched. Here’s What Happened Next. The only way the owners of Lahaina’s red-roofed “miracle house” have been able to process what happened — and cope with their feelings of guilt for having survived one of the most devastating wildfires in American history so unscathed — is to look for ways to help.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Free eye exams draw people of all ages. Following the successful response to the free Kauai Dental Clinic presented by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, both Kapaa and Lawai campuses, Dr. Janie Yoo of the Kauai Eye Institute announced a free eye exam day with discounted pricing on frames. Garden Island.

Hawaii braces for federal shutdown, state income tax cuts set to kick in, man sentenced for sending Chinese mothers to Hawaii to give birth, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii jobless claims, tourism jumped in last federal closure. Unemployment claims jumped in Hawaii, but so did visitor arrivals, the last time the federal government struggled through a partial shutdown six years ago through the holidays. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green lays out his priorities in current political climate. A federal government shutdown looms as Congress goes down to the wire on a Friday night deadline to deal with the budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Income tax cuts set to kick in. Hawaii taxpayers should have a happy New Year as the first of a series of historic tax cuts takes effect in January. Each year until 2031, the new tax plan will eliminate the lowest tax brackets, reduce the tax rates for all brackets, and increase the standard income tax deduction. Tribune-Herald. Maui News.

UH initiative aims to provide accessible cancer care across the state. The University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center and the John A. Burns School of Medicine have launched the Ka ‘Umeke Lama initiative to address health disparities and access to care in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO’s Report On Maui Wildfires Mirrors Prior Investigations. Utility does not dispute earlier findings its equipment started the fire that destroyed much of Lahaina in 2023. Hawaiian Electric Co. added to the pile of reports on Thursday, filing a 59-page accounting to the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission that provided no new information about the cause of the blaze or the companyʻs response. Civil Beat.

California man behind ‘birth tourism’ scheme told Chinese clients to fly to Hawaii.  Michael Liu, 59, was sentenced Monday to 41 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme. Court records show Liu and 47-year-old Jing Dong charged people from China tens of thousands of dollars to help them get to the U.S. so that they could give birth. Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaiʻi Public Radio Executive Dead At 61.  Staff and supporters of public radio in the islands are mourning the death of José Fajardo, who died Thursday. Fajardo was president and general manager of Hawai‘i Public Radio from 2016 until earlier this year. He died at age 61 from complications from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Developer releases new renderings of New Aloha Stadium project. The goal – have a venue that people can visit 365 days a year. That’s what developers of the New Aloha Stadium said Thursday, as they gave the public a glimpse of what’s being planned. KHON2.

United flight attendants rally at Honolulu airport before travel rush. United flight attendants held a labor picket Thursday at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in advance of the busy holiday travel rush when travelers don’t want to think about disruptions and delays. Star-Advertiser.

Aid soon on its way to Dillingham businesses hit hard by rail construction. The city is getting closer to providing relief to businesses derailed by construction along Dillingham Blvd.  The Rail Transit Mitigation Fund, announced in July, hasn’t paid anyone yet because the city had to develop rules, a way accept applications, and award the funds. KHON2.

Would Eddie go this Sunday? Yellow alert active for North Shore surf contest. A yellow alert was issued for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational with a possible run this Sunday.The 2024-2025 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational will take place if surf consistently reaches 40 feet between Dec. 14, 2024 to March 13, 2025. KITV4.

With ‘The Eddie’ possible, groups and organizers urge safety — and to leave a lot at home. The world-famous beach can normally accommodate huge crowds, but that’s not the case when Eddie-sized swells roll in for the Super Bowl of surfing. Hawaii News Now.

Surge in pedestrian crashes on Oahu highlights disturbing trend. Between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 11, 2024, Honolulu EMS responded to 137 pedestrian crashes — a number that has already surpassed last year’s total of 121. That’s a 13% increase. And the year’s not over. Meanwhile, the Honolulu Police Department says fatal crashes are up nearly 40% from 11 in 2023 to 15 so far this year. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hilo jail expansion unveiled. Corrections officials, dignitaries and other prominent community members gathered Thursday at Hawaii Community Correctional Center’s main Hilo campus to dedicate the brand-new Kamana Housing Unit. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Land Board rejects revetment proposal for Hololani Resort erosion. By a narrow 4-3 vote, the Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected a request last week from Hololani Resort apartment owners seeking an amendment to 2018 board action for a sheet pile and rock revetment to protect the property from shoreline erosion. Maui Now.

Maui County recognized for budget presentation, financial reporting. Maui County recently received awards for distinguished budget presentation and excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. Maui News. Maui Now.

Transgender-related policies proposed for Maui Preparatory Academy face backlash. The proposed rules would require students to use he/she pronouns only and no alternatives will be acknowledged. Restrooms would be used based on biological birth gender and students would only be allowed to dress themselves in the uniform of their birth gender.  KITV4.

New study looks at effects of plastic in live wedge-tailed shearwaters. The Hawaiian Islands are magnets for plastic debris from around the Pacific Basin. Plastic accumulates on our shorelines, where it’s eaten by fish, birds, and other wildlife.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

County council celebrates waterman Nick Beck. Nick Beck received the Kauai County Council’s commendation during the Wednesday council meeting for his induction into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Waterman Hall of Fame. Garden Island.

HECO seeks state partnership to shore up shaky credit, feds send Honolulu rail $250M, Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HECO’s Shaky Credit Prompts Proposal For Help From State. Hawaiian Electric Co. is working with lawmakers on a plan that would make the state take over energy projects if HECO defaulted, a situation lawmakers say is unlikely to occur. The new idea is a proposal to backstop HECO’s renewable energy contracts using the state’s creditworthiness. “With the state’s ability to step into the utility’s place, it is likely that financing parties will view contracts with the utility as being supported by the investment grade credit rating of the state instead of the utility, avoiding higher bills and risks to reliability,” the company said in a presentation. Civil Beat.

Defense bill includes funding for Hawaii facilities, environmental cleanup.  The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to pass the latest iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military spending bill that sets the Pentagon’s priorities. It included pay raises for troops and a major emphasis on military infrastructure in the Pacific amid simmering tensions with China and North Korea. The bill authorizes over $2.2 billion in spending on Hawaii facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Braces To Protect Milk Supply As Bird Flu Spreads On The Mainland. Bird flu has been found in dairy cows in 16 states and in more than 60 humans on the mainland so far this year. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Plane Crash Exposes State’s Fragile Air Cargo Infrastructure. Tuesday's fatal accident is the most serious incident in a turbulent three years at Kamaka Air. It comes less than two years after another Kamaka Cessna crashed on Molokaʻi. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Feds send another $250M for Honolulu rail construction. Honolulu’s Skyline rail project will receive another $250 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of its funding agreement with the city, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

New leaders of Honolulu climate change office set out to paint 'picture of a better future'.  Benjamin Sullivan, director of the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, took the helm in September, and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi appointed Kealoha Fox as the team’s deputy director in mid-November. Hawaii Public Radio.

CDC studies community recovery in wake of Red Hill fuel spill. The Red Hill Community Representation Initiative is in a spat with the Navy over its absence at a meeting last week. The group points to what it calls a lack of transparency from the Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Innovative affordable housing community opens in Kapolei. A new, innovative affordable housing community is welcoming families in West Oahu. Parkway Village at Kapolei celebrated its grand opening Tuesday with 401 rental units — from studios to four-bedroom homes — serving individuals and families earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). Hawaii News Now.

Windward Oahu opens first off-leash dog park in Kaneohe. The new park, located at the makai end of Kulauli Street, spans about 3 acres and offers separate areas for large and small dogs.  KHON2.

Rare Hawaiian snail reintroduced into Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu. After more than 33 years in captivity, a rare Hawaiian snail species known as Achatinella fuscobasis was released recently into the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve of the Ko‘olau Mountains on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers try again to ask Legislature for expanded midwifery laws. A Hawaiʻi County Council resolution heard Wednesday urges the Legislature to permanently exempt birth attendants from being required to have a state midwifery license and to expand the eligibility criteria for the license. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Fishpond caretakers in Keaukaha ask drivers to stop 'burning rubber'. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported tire microplastics from synthetic rubber tires are a major contributor of microplastic pollution. KITV4.

Judge picks contractor to demolish mistakenly built house in HPP. Kona Circuit Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya has selected the proposal by Sanborn General Contracting Inc. of Hilo to remove the house mistakenly built on a lot owned by Annaleine “Anne” Reynolds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding to rebuild Lahaina. The U.S. Senate has tentatively agreed to $12 billion to respond to disasters across the country, including $1.6 billion to help Maui rebuild following the 2023 wildfires, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Tuesday. With Congress scheduled to adjourn Friday, the U.S. House likely will take up the bill this week before sending it back to the Senate, Schatz said. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Maui County’s public access network Akakū fighting to prevent significant cuts to its funding. Maui County’s public access television network Akakū, which provides news coverage of local government and a variety of other community programming and services, already is operating with a lean budget. But now the nonprofit is battling to prevent the loss of hundreds of thousands in funding from cable company franchise fees. Maui Now.

Maui OKs Lahaina wildfire waste site on first reading. A plan to use 79 acres near the Central Maui landfill to dispose of waste from the August 2023 wildfires seems headed for final passage by the Maui County Council. Maui News.

The wildfire that destroyed Lahaina in August 2023 is continuing to have a ripple effect with tourism decreases on several Hawaiian islands including Maui. Maui has experienced a 10.1% decrease in visitor numbers for the first 10 months of this year, state Chief Economic Eugene Tian said. Maui  News.

Kauai

Public asked to weigh in on Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan project. The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency is seeking public feedback following a community workshop in November about the Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan project. Based on previous community feedback, affordable housing will comprise roughly 60 acres of the site, just west of Waimea Sunset subdivision. Kauai Now.

Tokuda out-raises Case for campaign funds, Cessna crash kills two near Honolulu airport, Kilauea activity increases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

In Hawai‘i Congressional Fundraising, Tokuda Far Outraised Case. The first-term U.S. representative received most of her donations from individual donors while her veteran colleague was supported by PACs. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a first-term Democrat, outraised veteran Hawai‘i congressman Ed Case in the current election cycle, even though she refused to accept contributions from most political action committees tied to corporations. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green’s budget keeps ‘rainy day fund’ at $1.5 billion. Gov. Josh Green’s proposed state budget calls for no increase to the state’s $1.5 billion rainy day fund, but Green does want to dedicate all of the estimated $66 million in annual interest to help Hawaii address the effects of climate change and prevent future wildfires, according to the state Department of Budget and Finance. The Star-Advertiser incorrectly reported Tuesday that Green wants to increase the amount of the  fund. Star-Advertiser.

Community still has limited understanding of HECO's Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Hawaiian Electric monitored weather conditions during a red flag warning last week in case it needed to activate its Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi peace activist banned from South Korea again. Just last month Hawaiʻi resident and peace activist Christine Ahn was banned from entering South Korea. It was the second time her activism put her on a do-not-travel list.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Wind Turbines Set To Come Down, Threatening Hawaiʻi Renewable Energy Goals. Kahuku's wind turbines, which irked neighbors, will have to come down at the end of their 20-year contracts after a Honolulu City Council decision last week. Civil Beat.

City council votes to reconvene Oʻahu's agricultural task force. The Honolulu City Council has voted to restore an agricultural task force — and stakeholders say it’ll help keep city policymakers informed about the needs of Oʻahu farmers. Hawaii Public Radio.

2 killed in plane crash near Honolulu airport. Two Kamaka Air pilots on an afternoon training mission died Tuesday when they lost control of their single-turboprop Cessna Caravan and crashed into an abandoned building near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Prison officials were warned murdered inmate was in danger. Raita Fukusaku, who was convicted in the death of a celebrity Japanese psychic, had been complaining he was in danger for more than five years.After 25 years in custody, Fukusaku was returned to Halawa Correctional Facility from a mainland prison in 2019 because of his advancing cancer. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii  Island

New County Council meets today, plans to work closely with Alameda. The reshuffled Hawaii County Council hopes to improve its relationships with the new county administration to get things done faster. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists To Switch To Daily Volcano Updates As Kilauea Activity Increases. Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Although the USGS Volcano Alert Level remains at ADVISORY, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says an uptick in unrest at the summit has prompted scientists to switch from providing weekly Kilauea updates to daily updates. Big Island Video News.

Tsunami museum in trouble: Downtown Hilo site closes due to financial woes; staff laid off. The Pacific Tsunami Museum is in dire financial straits, and its organizers hope the community will step up and help it navigate out of troubled waters. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Kuawa Street homeless camp closes. A Hawaii County homeless shelter established near Mamalahoa Highway in July has been disbanded. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding to rebuild Lahaina. The U.S. Senate has tentatively agreed to $12 billion to respond to disasters across the country, including $1.6 billion to help Maui rebuild following the 2023 wildfires, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Maui ranked No. 3 as best place to visit in USA by US News & World Report. Maui comes after No. 1 Glacier National Park in Montana, and Yellowstone National Park, located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. Maui Now.

Lahaina could become first National Heritage Area in Hawaii. Both the U.S. Senate and House passed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act this month. Hawaii News Now.The bill directs the National Park Service — in coordination with Maui County and other local partners — to study the feasibility and suitability of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Disaster Recovery Community Meetings to be paused during the holiday season. The County of Maui’s weekly Lahaina Disaster Recovery Community Meetings will be paused during the holidays. The next in-person meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kapaʻa High School students get head start on college through Chaminade University program. High school juniors and seniors at Kapaʻa High School, along with students from Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School on Oʻahu, can apply for the Chaminade University Early College program to earn college credit while still in high school. Kauai Now.

Green releases proposed budget, state deportation cases reach 25-year high, West Hawaii fishing ban extended, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green's proposed budget includes likely raises, covers tax cuts. Gov. Josh Green has unveiled his proposed state budget for the next two fiscal years, which accounts for record tax cuts for residents that begin in January, the state’s $800 million share of a proposed $4.037 billion settlement to settle lawsuits in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires and includes likely raises for unionized workers. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.   Civil Beat.

Read the full budget here. Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Hawaiʻi Deportation Cases Hit Quarter-Century High. The backlog of cases in U.S. immigration courts has tripled since 2017 and is at record levels in Hawaiʻi. Most involve immigrants from China. Civil Beat.

Gabbard shows ‘momentum’ on Capitol Hill. Despite mostly partisan concern over an apparent closeness to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and what critics say is a tendency to repeat Kremlin propaganda, it seems former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has found a warm reception on Capitol Hill. Boston Herald.

Hawaiʻi Hemp Growers Say New State Rules Will Put Them Out Of Business. Gov. Josh Green’s approval of new regulations for CBD products, touted as a win for locally grown hemp, actually represents a major setback for the industry, local hemp farmers and CBD processors say.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘I have never been this angry’: Lawmakers to fight proposed landfill site in Central Oahu. (video only.) Hawaii News Now.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi education in the spotlight amid 'dead language' comment at council meeting. A testifier who called ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi a "dead language" at a recent Honolulu City Council meeting was met with rebuke from Hawaiian council members. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English are the official languages of the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Land board extends fishing ban for Achilles tang in West Hawaiʻi. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has extended a temporary fishing ban for the pākuʻikuʻi, also known as the Achilles tang, until the end of 2026. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Despite the closure of the Kīlauea Visitor Center early next year, visitors will still have access to the store and park services. The construction and expansion project will close the entirety of the visitor center, including the restrooms, lānai and most of the parking beginning Feb. 17.  Big Island Now.

Puna Geothermal to host year-end community meeting this week. Puna Geothermal Venture in Puna hosts its year-end quarterly community meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at at Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-2906 Pāhoa Village Road, in Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

Treasured Hawaii Island tsunami museum faces closure amid financial struggles. A museum in Hilo that aims to educate the public on the devastating impact of tsunamis could have to close its doors for good. Hawaii News Now.

Kawamoto Swim Stadium Reopens After Two-Month Closure. The Hawaiʻi County Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium reopened on Saturday, December 14th, following the completion of repairs. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Revocable permit granted, with amendments, for use of East Maui stream water. The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5-0 Friday evening to issue a revocable permit to Alexander & Baldwin and subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. for the use of East Maui stream water, much of it for Upcountry drinking water and for nearly 10,600 acres of Mahi Pono farm lands. Maui Now.

Lahaina debris disposal site, landfill expansion gets approval. The county announced last month that it had reached conditional agreements with a subsidiary of Nan Inc., Hawaii’s largest, locally owned construction company, to purchase approximately 49 acres of previously quarried land and 30 acres of land currently being quarried adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Report calls for inclusive recovery for Filipino survivors of Lahaina fire. A comprehensive report by Maui grassroots organization Tagnawa and the Hawai‘i Workers Center highlights the deep disparities, resilience and urgent needs of Filipino survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fires. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

County building closed for installations. The Department of Public Works Buildings Division announced that its services and doors will be closed for a week so that its staff can return to the offices located at the Moikeha Building, Suite 175. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Big changes coming to state tax code, U.S. Supreme Court won't take up gun rights case, UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect recently lived in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai‘i House Finance Chair Has Plans For Big Changes In The Tax Code. Rep. Kyle Yamashita has been talking about shifting millions of dollars in tax surcharge revenue from the counties back to the state. Civil Beat.

U.S. Supreme Court avoids Hawaii legal fight over gun rights. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Hawaii man’s bid to throw out criminal charges for carrying a pistol while hiking, as the justices declined to review a ruling by the liberal-leaning state’s top court that denounced an expansion of gun rights by the nation’s highest judicial body. Reuters. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Luigi Mangione’s Hawaiʻi Friends Shocked By Arrest In UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting. Luigi Mangione lived at the Surfbreak co-living community near Ala Moana Park on Oʻahu and later at 801 South St. Friends recall him as a natural leader who led a book club where members would share ideas while watching sunsets from a place called Magic Island. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Senators Urged To Examine Gabbard’s ‘Deep and Intense’ Ties To Hawaiʻi Sect. A former member of the scretive Science of Identity Foundation is warning members of Congress about the potential dangers of confirming Tulsi Gabbard as President-elect Donald Trump’s next director of national intelligence. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers again introduce measures to boost civic education and media literacy. Hawai‘i lawmakers are renewing efforts to help students identify disinformation and improve their understanding of how the government works. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH, Navy, Marines team up on resource management. The University of Hawaii and the Department of the Navy signed Monday an unprecedented 10-year agreement aimed at safeguarding natural and cultural resources on Navy and Marine Corps installations in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian to take over Seattle-based routes, add airplanes and crews. Alaska Air Group today plans to tell investors in New York that Hawaiian Airlines will take over West Coast routes from Alaska Airlines to Hawaii and fly new nonstop routes from Seattle to Japan and South Korea, and announce more Hawaiian Air planes, and flight and ground crews. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council to vote on standards for office-to-residence conversions. The Honolulu City Council will have its final vote Wednesday on a bill that would lay out the standards to convert commercial buildings to residential. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Council to vote Wednesday on empty homes tax bill. More than 9% of Oahu homes are vacant. That’s 34,000 unoccupied units based on 2020 U.S. Census data. Hawaii News Now.

Property values are going up again, here’s why. Heads up to homeowners, real property assessments will be mailed out soon and valuations are up again. That means many will be paying higher property taxes. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Has Money To Police Agriculture Crime, But No Timeline To Start. Despite the high-profile killing of an Oʻahu rancher, local law enforcement don’t receive any specialized training in agricultural crime. Civil Beat.

City and state collaborate to improve Kailua Beach Park. The city Department of Parks and Recreation, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program say they plan to work with community groups to smooth and flatten the dunes toward the makai side of the park. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

The Case Against Mike Miske Could Be About To Disappear As If It Never Happened. A federal legal doctrine requires all actions be vacated if a defendant dies before being sentenced or if any appeals remain. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Military Exemption To Hawaiʻi Nuclear-Free Law Repealed. The military is no longer exempt from Hawaiʻi County’s Nuclear-Free Law, according to Big Island lawmakers.  Big Island Video News.

Agency sees uptick in marine debris. The Hawaii Wildlife Fund has removed about 350 tons of marine debris from Big Island shores between 2003 and 2023, the majority of which came in the form of net bundles, masses of tangled rope and nets that can weigh hundreds of pounds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council considers ban on flavored tobacco sales. The council passed the measure through its first reading on Friday after a series of mostly supportive testimony. If passed, retailers would not be allowed to sell or market flavored tobacco, including menthol products. Hawaii Public Radio.

This unsheltered Maui community is stepping up to improve the road they call home. It’s shower and laundry day at Holomua Road in Pāʻia, where nearly 30 Maui residents live unsheltered. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui coalition of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center departs to Washington D.C. to demand Congress release disaster recovery funds for Lahaina. A Maui coalition of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center has departed to Washington D.C. where they will demand that Congress release disaster recovery funds for Lahaina.  Maui Now.

Private Maui school’s proposed anti-trans policy stirs controversy. A West Maui school is considering controversial new guidelines that would essentially ban transgender students. The proposed changes would come to Maui Preparatory Academy in 2025. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

University of Hawai‘i and the US Navy partner to support Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands. The University of Hawaiʻi and the Department of the Navy signed a historic 10-year agreement to support the protection and management of natural and cultural resources on Navy and Marine Corps installations in Hawaiʻi. Kauai Now.

Green to push for tourism impact fee this session, Blangiardi skeptical of Honolulu plastic ban proposal, climate change deniers bog down Big Island General Plan meeting, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green plans new push on tourism fee, housing. Gov. Josh Green plans to ask the upcoming Legislature for the power to divert $60 million in each of the next two fiscal years from interest earned on the state’s “rainy day fund” to help Hawaii fight back against climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires.  He also  expects lawmakers to finally decide how to best assess a proposed tourism impact fee, or “green fee,” to also help Hawaii address climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate tweaks committees, chairs ahead of 2025 session. Unlike the state House, leadership at the state Senate will remain relatively familiar for the upcoming legislative session, with some tweaks to Senate committees and chairs. Star-Advertiser.

PUC to hold public meeting with assistance providers on power shut-offs. Hawaiian Electric has recorded over 10,000 customer disconnections related to missed payments as of August 2024, more than twice the number of disconnections that occurred in all of 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Who Should Be Trusted To Manage Remains Of Hawaiian Royals? Proposals are floating for either the Office of Hawaiian Affairs or a private entity to take over at the Royal Mausoleum. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Blangiardi administration skeptical of bill to ban single-use plastic bottles. As Honolulu lawmakers consider a ban on the sale of single-use plastic bottles at city-owned properties as a way to curb waste, Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration has expressed skepticism over desired restrictions it believes are largely unnecessary. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor expected to announce new Oʻahu landfill site Tuesday. A state-imposed deadline of Dec. 31 to replace the controversial, 35-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei, which is set to close by 2028 with an alternate location  looms over Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Low-income rentals proposed for Kalaeloa. Ikaika ‘Ohana proposes to develop the 260-unit project for low-income households next to a former Navy townhome community called Orion Park if exemptions from state zoning regulations for the area can be obtained. Star-Advertiser.

West Oahu Has A Domestic Violence Crisis. The Cost Of Living Makes It Worse. Domestic violence incidents were 40% higher in 2023 than they were pre-pandemic. Police officers in District 8, which stretches from Ewa Beach to Ka’ena Point, responded to more than twice as many incidents of household abuse in 2023 as their counterparts in other districts.  Civil Beat.

UH plans to improve Manoa’s popular McCarthy Mall. The University of Hawaii at Manoa will begin work as early as January that it says will transform the “heart” of the campus by making its already popular, tree-lined McCarthy Mall even more accessible while creating a five-story building designed to help students from different disciplines mingle and mix. Star-Advertiser.

Housing market on Oahu drops off. Even though single-family home and condominium sales showed modest year-over-year gains in November, seasonal trends resulted in a decline from the previous month. Star-Advertiser.

Over 35,000 participants hit the pavement for 2024 Honolulu Marathon.  Over 35,000 participants hit the pavement for the 52nd Honolulu Marathon this weekend, making it a record breaking year with the highest ever participation numbers. Organizers said registration was up 25% from a year ago. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

General Plan meeting strays off-topic with climate change talk. Hawaii County planning officials last week addressed some misconceptions about draft revisions to the county’s General Plan. About a dozen attendees were present in person or online Thursday at the Windward Planning Commission meeting, most of whom reiterated comments from last month’s meeting, claiming that anthropogenic climate change is a politicized myth intended to mask the rise of an authoritarian one-world government.
 Tribune-Herald.

Troubled Hilo residential development in foreclosure. An order filed Tuesday by Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto appoints Aaron Lee of RE/MAX Properties in Hilo as the exclusive agent for the sale of the 158-acre property known as Puainako Heights. Tribune-Herald.

Business Monday: Breathing life back into Kona Bay Hotel once known as Uncle Billy’s. On Tuesday, the hotel site will be blessed for the start of a renovation to turn it into a Hampton Inn by Hilton. Big Island Now.

Locally grown Christmas tree project comes to a close. Locally grown Christmas trees will likely be available for many holidays to come, even as one project to grow the trees winds down. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

FEMA seeks vacant lots for temporary housing for Maui fire survivors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reaching out to property owners in West Maui, seeking vacant lots to place temporary housing units for wildfire survivors. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable Housing Project Could Help Keep Teachers In Lahaina. The state introduced plans to provide affordable housing to West Maui teachers in 2022, but limited funding and the wildfires halted progress. Civil Beat.

Maui Strong Fund awards over $2 million to support mental health. The Hawai’i Community Foundation has awarded more than $2 million to 24 nonprofits that provide mental health support to individuals and families affected by the Maui wildfires. Maui News.

Kauai

Meadow Gold Dairies slated to lay off Kaua‘i-based employees in January. Positions that are being laid off include commercial drivers, branch managers, transportation supervisor, milk receiver, merchandisers, warehouse associate and customer service representative. Kauai Now.

‘Forest garden’ to spring up at a Wailua park because of strong public support. The māla lā‘au will occupy more than half an acre at the rear of the nearly 17-acre Wailua Homesteads Park, a popular recreational site home to athletic fields, basketball and tennis courts, playground equipment and a dog park. Kauai Now.

Earthjustice lawsuits seek seabird protection from lights, Hawaii County inaugurates new mayor, Hawaii Marines get first 'ship-killing' missile system in U.S., more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawsuits Seek To Protect Hawaiian Seabirds From Too-Bright Streetlights. Earthjustice adds another claim to a 30-year pile of lawsuits against power companies, resorts and local governments on Maui and Kauai. Civil Beat.

More biosecurity measures could come in upcoming Legislative session. At last month’s Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference, Rep. Kristin Kahaloa, who was the vice chair for the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems, said she and other lawmakers will look to build on a law allocating $20 million in state funding for biosecurity efforts in that Gov. Josh Green later cut to $10 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor calls Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health secretary nomination ‘unsafe for children’. Gov. Josh Green, a medical doctor, says he’ll testify against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as health and human services secretary if the U.S. Senate asks him. Hawaii News Now.

Trump vows to axe the federal Education Department. Here's what Hawaiʻi education leaders are saying. Public school Superintendent Keith Hayashi told HPR that 11% of Hawaiʻi's DOE budget is made up of federal funds — about $42 billion a year. Hawaiʻi is also the only state that has a centralized DOE.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Kindergarten Readiness Is Low, Even As Investments Remain High. The state continues to build more preschool classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds, but researchers and educators say low-income families need more support to prepare their children for school. Civil Beat.

Taiwan president praises tech ties during Hawaii visit. Taiwan’s partnership with the United States is a source of strength for the high-tech industry, including the semiconductor sector, and shows the island is a trusted and reliable partner, President Lai Ching-te told a think-tank in Hawaii. Reuters.

Hawaii Marines first to get ‘ship-killing’ missile launcher. Members of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment held a ceremony in November at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii to celebrate getting their hands on a new “ship-killing” missile system they hope will give American forces an edge in the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has The Oldest Farmers In The U.S. Hawaii’s farmers are aging fast. The latest national agricultural census, conducted in 2022 and released earlier this year, shows that nearly half — 44% — of the state’s food producers are over the age of 65. Roughly 1 in 7 Hawaii farmers — just over 14% — are over 75.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

State archive plans to digitize Pearl Harbor memorial records. The Hawaii State Archive is cataloging documents and records from the Pacific War Memorial Commission, chronicling how the state raised money to commemorate the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack by Japan. Star-Advertiser.

‘No public value,’ City looks to remove payphones. Pay phones are more prevalent than you might think and they all seem to have one thing in common. They don’t work. Now, the focus is on getting rid of them. KHON2.

What does Miske’s death mean for accused co-conspirators, victims? The death in federal prison of one of Hawaii’s most notorious criminals leaves the cases of his accused co-conspirators in limbo and his victims without closure, according to legal experts. The tens of millions in assets seized are also likely to remain with the government. KHON2.

Miske Felt Hopeful About Appeal Before His Death In Jail, Lawyer Says. Officials have not released information about the circumstances surrounding Sunday's death of the convicted organized crime leader at the Federal Detention Center In Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Alameda, others sworn in during inauguration in West Hawaii. Hundreds were in attendance Monday, including Gov. Josh Green and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, as Mayor Kimo Alameda, Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen and the nine County Council members were inaugurated at the Kaleiopapa Convention Center on the grounds of the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa in Keauhou. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Roth touts savings following arbitration with HGEA. Hawaii County has reached a “significant arbitration outcome” with a government workers’ union over COVID-19 hazard pay, outgoing Mayor Mitch Roth announced Monday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Special Feral Pig Hunt Announced On Hawaiʻi Island. Pig hunting will be allowed on certain dates within the Puʻu Mali Restoration Area and the Kaʻohe Restoration Area. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County Council members are deciding how a long-awaited housing project will move forward in South Maui. The project was scaled back considerably since it was first approved nearly 20 years ago, and some are outraged. Monday’s Housing and Land Use Committee meeting ended with no decision. Hawaii News Now.

County hui tackles broadband issues. The Maui Broadband Hui counted 150 locations that they saw were underserved and unserved that later triggered 7,585 residents to be checked by major service providers such as Hawaiian Tel and/or Spectrum. Maui News.

14 months after Maui wildfires, visitor arrivals were up from year before levels, but down from pre-pandemic October 2019. According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, there were 774,617 visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in October 2024, growth of 5.4% from the same month last year.  Maui Now.

LAPD: Missing Maui woman seen on video crossing US-Mexico border. In a news conference, the Los Angeles Police Department said the family of 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi was made aware of video that was obtained, showing Kobayashi crossing the border on foot from San Diego into Mexico on Nov. 12 at 12:13 p.m. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County inauguration swears in many familiar faces, and a newcomer to the council. As the calendar year comes to an end, the latest iteration of Kaua‘i County government formally began Monday with the inauguration of its county council and prosecuting attorney at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. Kauai Now.

Kauai legislators host town meeting. The Kauai House Delegation to the State Legislature will host a community town hall meeting on Tuesday from 5:30 top 7:30 p.m. at the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center, located adjacent to the YMCA of Kauai and the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. Garden Island.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te wraps up Hawaii visit with call for peace, Honolulu crime boss Miske found dead in federal prison, Southwest Airlines seeks 30% cut in interisland flights, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Taiwan’s president visits East-West think tank as China criticizes his 2-day visit to Hawaii. Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te visited a U.S. State Department-funded think tank and educational institution Sunday on the second day of a two-day visit to Hawaii that’s part of a Pacific island tour that has already triggered criticism from Beijing.  Associated Press. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.

Cannabis caregivers and large grow sites will soon be illegal in Hawaii, impacting thousands. Thousands of Hawaii medical cannabis patients depend on caregivers to grow and process marijuana for them as medicine. But those caregivers will be illegal in just a few weeks, along with the large community grow sites many of them depend on. Lawmakers say that was a mistake that they will try and fix as soon as possible, according to House Public Safety Chair Rep. Della Belatti. Hawaii News Now.

New Hawaii legislators, leadership hold fate of legal recreational marijuana. State legislators expect to take another run at legalizing adult recreational marijuana use and impose new, unspecified fees on tourists — all while figuring out how to pay for historic tax cuts passed earlier this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii state House reorganizes with new faces, leadership.  The Democrat-dominated state House will see a mix of veteran and new committee chairs when the next legislative session begins in January, along with new House leadership. Star-Advertiser.

Close Hawaii House election goes to court after recount. The result of the contest has been appealed to the Hawaii Supreme Court by Corey Rosenlee, a James Campbell High School teacher and Democrat who lost by 11 votes to Republican incumbent Rep. Elijah Pierick to represent communities including Royal Kunia, Village Park, Ho‘opili, Honouliuli and part of Waipahu in House District 39. Star-Advertiser.

Jury Awards More Than $2 Million To Family Of Disabled Homeless Man Killed By Deputy. A jury awarded $2.27 million Friday to the family of a man killed outside the Capitol in 2019 by a deputy sheriff and found the state liable for failing to properly train and supervise the law enforcement officer.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Southwest Airlines shifting strategy, reducing Hawai‘i flights in 2025. Southwest Airlines plans some major changes to its Hawai‘i services starting next spring, shifting its strategy and reducing interisland flights by as much as 30%. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Hawaii crime boss Miske found dead at detention center. Honolulu businessman Michael J. Miske Jr., 50, was found dead Sunday at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, where he had been held since his arrest in 2020 and was awaiting sentencing in January. Miske, convicted of racketeering conspiracy, murder and 11 other felony charges, was scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 30, facing mandatory life sentences on two counts. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Expediting Japanese travel part of bigger push for visitors. Eligible visitors from Japan can now apply for expedited entry to fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program, which eliminates hours of standing in processing lines and provides faster, TSA pre-check screening, among other benefits designed to make it easier for foreign travel to American destinations that now include Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council wants study uniting paramedics with Fire Department. City Council member Val Okimoto  introduced Resolution 272, which asks the city administration to establish a task force to explore whether the paramedic program — now operating under the city Emergency Services Department — should be integrated into the Honolulu Fire Department. Star-Advertiser.

Should The Planned Ala Wai Canal Bridge Be A New City Icon? Hundreds of residents stopped by Ala Wai Elementary School last week to vote on design options for the estimated $63 million bridge. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Alameda announces additional appointments. Hawaii County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, who will be sworn-in at noon Monday, announced Friday the selection of administrators to lead four additional departments and offices. Tribune-Herald.

Takeaway, not throwaway: Under pilot program, eateries would serve take-out meals in reusable containers. A pilot project that would develop a system for distributing and collecting reusable food containers at participating Hilo establishments is expected to launch by mid-2025 as Hawaii County looks for a distribution partner. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed zoo rules criticized. At an evening public meeting, about a dozen Big Island residents urged the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation to reconsider a plan to impose admission fees at the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, as well as hike stall deposit fees at the Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center. Tribune-Herald.

Travel Advisory Issued For Hilo International Airport due to reduced checkpoint capacity. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation on Sunday evening issued a rare travel advisory for travelers departing from Hilo International Airport for Monday, December 2nd. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Servco Pacific finalizes deal for 2 Big Island Toyota dealerships. Honolulu-based Servco Pacific Inc., one of the top 15 automotive dealer groups in the U.S., finalized a deal today to acquire Big Island Toyota’s Hilo and Kona locations. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Lahaina merchants want to rebuild town as it was before fire. Kaleo Schneider, a Hawaiian whose buildings housed 15 seaside businesses, said she’s hopeful her family will be able to help to rebuild the waterfront town, which served as the first capital of Hawaiian royalty and as a leading visitor attraction that generated close to a billion dollars a year in revenue. Maui News.

Maui United Way allocated over $12.7M to individuals and organizations across Maui County as resilience and recovery continues. Maui United Way allocated over $12.7 million to individuals and organizations across Maui County. It also focused on long-term resilience, providing resources for mental health, education and recovery.  Maui Now.

Maui’s no-kill animal rescue organization to close at the end of the year. After 13 years, the Maui-based private, nonprofit Hawaiʻi Animal Rescue Foundation (HARF) will be closing its doors at the end of the year. Maui Now.

Kauai

Facebook founder’s $626,000 donation aids affordable housing on Kauai. A donation from Priscilla Chan and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will help make five homes on Kauai affordable to moderate- income households in perpetuity. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi holiday events include parades, new festival in memory of West Side historian. Parades on the East and West sides of the Garden Isle will bookend the month full of festivities, starting on Dec. 6 with the Lights on Rice, the annual Christmas parade in downtown Līhu‘e.  Kauai Now.

Tourism expected to increase, Honolulu delays landfill location announcement, Merrie Monarch tickets go on sale Monday, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tourism seen strengthening in first quarter 2025.  The gains, which started in the fourth quarter, have not returned Hawaii tourism to its peak and aren’t expected to change the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism’s forecast declines this year. DBEDT’s latest forecast anticipates that Hawaii tourism will end the year with 9.56 million arrivals, a 1% contraction from 2023, and that spending will fall to $20.74 billion, off 0.6% from 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Some Vacationers Wonder: Is It Possible to be a Good Tourist in Hawai‘i, or Should I Just Stay Away? Globally, many popular destinations are experiencing a backlash against tourism. Hawaii Business magazine.

Hawaiʻi public schools seek centralized kitchens to grow local meals for keiki. What if 'eat local' starts at school? This was the topic of conversation at the Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation’s recent Eat Think Drink event. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matthias Kusch Reappointed To Hawaii State House Seat. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday reappointed Matthias Kusch to fill a seat that was made vacate by the death in June of state Rep. Mark Nakashima. Kusch held the seat since his initial appointment by Green in August. Civil Beat.

Leadership and committee assignments announced ahead of 33rd Legislature. The Hawaiʻi State Senate announced its finalized leadership and committee assignments ahead of the 33rd Legislature that opens on Jan. 15, 2025.  Maui Now.

HECO data shows customers aren't responding to time-of-use rates.  Hawaiian Electric put a trial group of residential and commercial customers on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island on time-of-use rates at the beginning of 2024. The first six months of data from Jan-June showed no statistically significant change in customers' energy usage. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Mental Health Crisis In Hawaii’s Prisons: ‘The Suicides Keep Coming’. The latest deaths would make the number of suicides the highest in a single year since 2020. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City postpones identifying next landfill site. Although they said it would be named in November, Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration now says the future site for Oahu’s next municipal landfill will be made public in December. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Marathon and related events track toward record runners. The Honolulu Marathon events — the marathon, the Start to Park 10K and the Kalakaua Merrie Mile — are closing in on surpassing peak 1995 attendance, when Japanese marathoners ruled the roads. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Strong October for tourism: Big Island had 132,392 visitors in the last month. Visitors to the Big Island exceeded prepandemic rates last month even as international travel lags far behind. Tribune-Herald.

Two county employees charged with gas theft. On Monday afternoon, 37-year-old Christin Eve Ho’omaikainani Ho and 39-year-old Chase K. Leopoldino, both of Hilo, were charged with misdemeanor theft. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Rep. Ilagan Plans 12 Days Of Puna Town Halls. Puna’s State House Representative Greggor Ilagan will be holding a series of town hall meetings in his district during the month of December. Big Island Video News.

Merrie Monarch Festival tickets will soon go on sale. The 62nd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival tickets will go on sale next Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

FEMA’s Kilohana temporary housing in Lahaina welcomes its first wildfire survivors. Lafaele and Ane Folaumoeloa and their three children became the first tenants of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Kilohana Group Housing on Friday. Once complete, Kilohana will become a temporary haven for up to 167 individuals and families – a Lahaina location where wildfire survivors can plan for the future.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Writers Conference draws 400, including 40 local students. Some of America’s most engaging storytellers gathered on the Garden Isle this month for the 10th annual Kauai Writers Conference. Garden Island.