Shipping rates to rise again, military economic impact may be overstated, manhunt in Puna after 3 homicides, tourist banned from beaches after alleged rock-throwing at endangered monk seal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Interisland Shipping Rates Set To Rise July 1 After Governor Signs Bill. Young Brothers quickly announced a 3% rate hike soon after the bill was signed. State wharfage fees will rise at the same time, potentially driving up prices even more. Civil Beat.

U.S. military’s economic impact in Hawaii overstated, report contends.  The 199-page report from a consortium of groups and activists says the military contributes $7.2 billion to Hawaii’s economy and 6.4% to its GDP annually, about 30% lower than most recently touted by the state and Pentagon. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi solar energy projects at risk after tax credit is signed into law. The governor signed a bill into law on May 21 that will not only phase out solar credits but also affect projects already in the pipeline. Hawaii Public Radio.

Push for renewed look at legislative corruption petition. Former federal attorney Alexander Silvert sent a three-page letter to state House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama on Wednesday, asking them to bring back the petition he started last year that collected more than 900 signatures. Hawaii News Now.

Teens Suing Kamehameha Didn’t Have Scores To Get In, Lawyer Says. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say race preference permeates the process. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State blesses homeless kauhale village in Waimanalo. Hawaii’s 26th homeless kauhale — 20 tiny homes on the makai side of the former Weinberg Village in Waimanalo — was blessed Wednesday in a community that had seen a nearby homeless encampment at Waimanalo Beach Park grow to more than 40 people lining Kalanianaole Highway last year, which has since been cleared. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Access To Oʻahu Outdoor Recreation Spot Still Restricted After Storm Damage. High above Kaʻena Point, access to the campgrounds and accompanying trails at Peacock Flats has been restricted for more than a month due to damage from this spring’s Kona low storms. Civil Beat. 

Hawaii Island

Manhunt ongoing for Puna man suspected of three homicides. A manhunt continues for 36-year-old Jacob Daniel Baker of Pahoa, who is a suspect in three homicides that occurred over the course of two days in Kapoho and Kalapana earlier this week. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Water Conservation Notice Issued After Quake Damages South Kona Tank. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply says customers in the affected areas must reduce water usage by at least 10%, in order to maintain adequate water storage while DWS performs emergency repairs to the damaged tank. Big Island Video News.

High schoolers granted precious ‘telescope time. Eight Kealakehe High School students were the recipients of Maunakea Scholars awards last Friday, earning them the coveted opportunity to carry out research using the telescope array atop Hawaii Island’s tallest mountain. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New hotel zoning clears Council committee, 6-1, despite planning commissions’ opposition. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 6-1 Tuesday to advance new hotel zoning districts for thousands of short-term vacation rentals facing a county-mandated phase-out — overriding unanimous rejection from all three county planning commissions. Maui Now.

Man accused of throwing rock at seal is banned from Hawaii beaches. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk  was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond ahead of his next court appearance. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Keoni Kuoha announces campaign for Hawaiʻi State House, District 12. Surrounded by supporters on May 18, 2026, Keoni Kuoha formally announced his candidacy for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 12, representing the Maui communities of Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Pukalani, Kula, Pūlehu, ʻUlupalakua, Kanaio and Kahikinui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System to host community call, town hall on Kaua‘i. Garden Isle veterans can learn about available services, get health screenings and vaccines, receive assistance with Veterans Affairs healthcare enrollment, renew or replace Veterans Affairs identification cards and more. Kauai Now.

Busy cyclone season predicted, Green signs income tax cuts bill, coastal water pollution worsens, Japanese developer advances $2B LNG power plant plan for Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi urged to prepare for intense El Niño hurricane season. ‘Very busy year:’ Central Pacific forecast calls for 5 to 13 tropical cyclones. The Central Pacific hurricane outlook forecast was released Thursday, showing a 70% chance that there could be five to 13 tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes, in the region this season. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

New water quality report shows more chronic coastal water pollution in Hawaii.  Three beach areas in Hawaii have the dubious distinction of being among the top ten coastal areas in the U.S. with the highest rates of bacteria that exceed recreational health standards. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. Green signs income tax bill, others into law. Gov. Green signs bills to strengthen and protect essential public services. Gov. Josh Green signed four measures into law Thursday, including a bill that preserves a vast majority of income tax relief from Act 46, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2024, for low- and middle-income households, while revising certain future tax bracket and rate adjustments and repealing or sunsetting selected tax credits. Maui Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Outlook on state finances improves. The Council on Revenues has somewhat downgraded its forecast for Hawaii general fund revenue growth next fiscal year, but also improved its outlook for the current fiscal year that results in an overall net benefit. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Teachers Win Raises, But Some Schools Are Still Crumbling. Teachers say lawmakers made significant progress boosting educator morale and retention this session, but debates about campus repairs and construction are ongoing. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Developer wading into regulatory waters for proposed Oahu LNG power plant. An affiliate of Japan’s biggest energy company has begun to seek federal regulatory approval for part of a proposed $2 billion Oahu power plant fueled by imported liquefied natural gas. Star-Advertiser.

City Council OKs $70K settlement in HPD car crash. The Honolulu City Council voted on May 13 to authorize a settlement agreement in the lawsuit, Jonathan Lefiti v. Dejanira Seale, an HPD officer, and the City and County of Honolulu, stemming from a rear-end collision that allegedly caused serious injuries to occupants of the other vehicle. Star-Advertiser.

UH students and faculty speak out against 'time, place and manner' policies. Members of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Faculty Senate met with school leaders to discuss what they perceive as a concerning change to campus free speech policies. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Oahu field use rules causing concern among youth leagues. The City has a new pilot program to better manage sports fields permits on Oahu. KHON2.

North Shore lifeguard rescues sea turtle tangled in fishing line at Waimea Bay. About 50 yards offshore fronting the lifeguard tower, a large honu was stuck in a fisherman’s line with multiple hooks. Hawaii News Now.

Developers break ground on Waianiani at The Cove, new West Oahu entertainment venue. The ground breaking and blessing for Waianiani at The Cove was held on Thursday, a new oceanfront entertainment and cultural destination coming to West Oahu. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

County Council tweaks property tax rates. Hawaiʻi County Is Taxing Homes Of The Rich, But Others Get A Break. Council chair flexes to keep a more aggressive proposal off the agenda. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Management plan in the works for Hilo Bay watershed. Efforts are underway to develop a watershed management plan for Hilo Bay, which has a long history of poor water quality, high bacteria levels and brown water advisories. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Axis deer impact survey is open through June 30.  The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is asking residents of Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i to participate in a short survey describing how axis deer are impacting their lives. Maui Now.

Will Patient Death Halt Kalaupapa Access? ‘No One Really Knows’. The National Park Service is working with the late Meli Watanuki’s estate and tour operators on options to continue. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Accessibility improvement project at Līhuʻe Airport to begin May 26. Construction work that will improve pedestrian safety and accessibility at Līhuʻe Airport is scheduled to begin May 26, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Kauai Now.

Chan and Zuckerberg donate $1.48M for new imaging technology at Wilcox Medical Center. Dr. Priscilla Chan and her husband, META CEO Mark Zuckerberg, have donated $1.48 million to support new imaging technology at the Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Luke Evslin files for re-election. State Rep. Luke Evslin (D-Wailua, Hanamaulu, Kapaia, Lihue, Puhi, Omao) filed his nomination papers Wednesday to seek re-election to House District 16.  Garden Island.

Green mulls pausing gas taxes, Honolulu forces mentally ill homeless into treatment facilities, bill gives Maunakea management board extra time, Maui County to buy MLB water assets, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green considering pausing state, county gas tax during summer to ease prices at pump. Gov. Josh Green says he’s considering pausing state and county gas taxes for part of summer. The state gas tax is 16 cents a gallon. The county’s tax ranges from 16 to 24 cents. Depending on your vehicle, that could mean a savings of $4-to-$6 every time you fill up. KHON2.

EPA Just Walked Back Hawaiʻi’s Plan To Retire Its Dinosaur Power Plants. By throwing a wrench in the state’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan, advocates say HECO can sidestep rules years in the making. Civil Beat.

Candidate Faced Little Vetting For Charter School Board. The Hawaiʻi education board reviews applications to the state charter school commission. Some school leaders say the process should be more rigorous. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Board of Education commits to better communication. As the school year comes to a close, the Hawaiʻi Board of Education is committing to higher standards of communication and transparency with its community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Partnerships formalized to expand locally sourced school meals in Hawaiʻi. State leaders gathered at Mililani High School to sign a joint memorandum of agreement formalizing a statewide partnership to expand the use of locally sourced foods in Hawaiʻi public school meals and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s agricultural and food systems. Maui Now.

Oahu

Council authorizes $350K contract to defend against Hitachi litigation. A private law firm with a longstanding role defending the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in court will be paid more to advise the city as it navigates ongoing legal disputes with the prime contractor of the city’s more than $10 billion Skyline project. Star-Advertiser.

Crisis teams use new law to get mentally ill homeless into treatment on Oahu. Pilot program allows involuntary transport to mental health facilities with law enforcement backup. About 60 people from across the island have been taken to hospitals or mental health crisis centers. Of those, six would not go willingly and had to be handcuffed and driven in patrol cars to the treatment facility. Hawaii News Now.

Tour of problems at Oahu Community Correctional Center. The state wants to build a new billion dollar jail to replace the current Oahu Community Correctional Center. KHON2.

Coast Guard, partners respond to oil spill at Ala Wai Harbor. The Coast Guard said it is working with the state Department of Health and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation on the response. Hawaii News Now.
 
Hawaii Island

Bill gives Maunakea authority more time to take over management of summit area. House Bill 2592 extends the start date of the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority's assumption of management of the summit area from June 2028 to December 2029 and gives it the power to extend existing observatory leases on the mountain prior to the transfer date. Tribune-Herald.

Funds Released for Restoration of East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center. Governor Josh Green released $200,000 in general obligation bond funds for a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Grant-in-Aid (GIA) project supporting the restoration of the Kalākaua Street building. Big Island Video News.

State Funds Released for Goodwill Hilo Campus. Governor Josh Green has released $500,000 in general obligation bond funds for a Capital Improvement Program Grant-in-Aid to help bring Goodwill’s newly acquired Hilo campus facility up to code, and expand its operational capacity to better serve the East Hawaiʻi community. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui County agrees to buy Maui Land & Pineapple Co. water assets. If the sale goes through, and negotiations are successful with other water system owners like Kameha­meha Schools and West Maui Land to acquire key assets — including the Olowalu and Launiupoko irrigation and water companies — public stewardship of drinking and irrigation water will increase to 65% and drinking water alone will increase to 93%. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Maui News.

Maui’s Speed Bump Bonanza Is Driving Some Locals Crazy. The county has installed dozens of traffic-calming devices to improve public safety. Some residents say it has gone too far. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Looks To Triple Homeless Funding On Heels Of Lower Count. The County Council also increased funding for invasive species mitigation and mental health programs as part of its ongoing review of next year’s budget. Civil Beat.

Political forum draws a crowd. The Kapaa Business Association 2026 Political Forum was an opportunity for the voting public to get to know the political candidates for the offices of Kauai mayor, the Kauai County Council, and Hawaii state representatives. Garden Island.

Developer of Kauai condos files for bankruptcy over ‘predatory lending agreement’. A divisive development of 279 luxury condos under construction on Kauai’s south shore is now in financial trouble. After pre-selling about $100 million worth of units, developer Meridian Pacific filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy over its Kauanoe o Koloa project, days before a scheduled hearing for a lawsuit against it.  Hawaii News Now.

Free property tax relief workshops scheduled in May, June, July. Kaua‘i property owners are invited to three free summer workshops beginning this month to learn about available property tax relief programs. Kauai Now.

Hawaii GOP seeks Trump supporters to help increase state representation, Waikiki homelessness drops 90%, AT&T withdraws Kauai cell tower plan after community opposition, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Republicans: We Need The 'Trump People' To Turn Out The Vote. The minority party hopes to capitalize on recent gains in the Hawaiʻi Legislature, but the biggest elephant in the room is Trump. To build on gains in the Legislature, Hawaiʻi Republicans were told Saturday at their state convention at the Kroc Center in ʻEwa Beach, is to inspire hardcore Donald Trump supporters in a year when he is not on the ballot. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s fight against Medicaid fraud plagued for over a decade. Behind the verbal sparring last week between federal and state officials over policing Medicaid fraud, data shows Hawaii’s recent record on the subject is in some respects worst in the nation. In each of the last four years, Hawaii’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has produced no indictments and no convictions for fraud — something no other state has done. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Residents With Unpaid Medical Bills Could Soon Get Help. The Legislature this year passed a bill to cancel unpaid medical debt for lower-income Hawaiʻi residents. Civil Beat.

Patient access bill raises free speech debate. House Bill 1961 makes it unlawful for someone to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly interfere with access to a healthcare facility or disrupt its operations through physical obstruction, repeated disruptive phone calls or threats against patients, workers, owners or property. Star-Advertiser.

Requiring Judges To Consider Past Trauma Of Youth Offenders Aim Of New Law. The proposed law, which awaits the governor’s signature, would also bar youth who have been trafficked or sexually abused from being charged as adults for crimes in which their abuser is the victim. Civil Beat.

Long-term care advocates says Hawaii lawmakers need to do more. As Hawaii’s population ages and long-term care costs continue to rise, two measures aimed at addressing elder care and dementia support are headed to Gov. Josh Green for signature, but critics say much more help is needed. Star-Advertiser.

Stricter E-Bike Regulations Planned For Hawai‘i. The new bill would mandate helmets for anyone under 18, ban wheelies or stunt riding on public streets, and place other age restrictions on riding. Civil Beat.

Expanding childcare tax credit could boost workforce. A new report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization argues that expanding Hawaii’s childcare tax credit could partially pay for itself by helping more parents stay in — or return to — the workforce, even as the state faces mounting concerns over childcare affordability, shrinking provider capacity and staffing shortages. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii poses unique challenges in removing unexploded military munitions. More than a century of military training has left untold numbers of undetonated bombs and other munitions across the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Homelessness drops 91% in Waikiki core. A point-in-time count on April 16 found 201 people experiencing homelessness across Waikiki and nearby areas, down from 251 in September 2022, according to WBID and the University of Hawaii. The steepest decline came along Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues and Kuhio Beach, where unsheltered homelessness fell about 91%. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofit acquires building in Chinatown for homeless youth. Residential Youth Services and Empowerment will develop the new four-story property into affordable housing and provide workforce development support for young adults from 18 to 24 years old. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Chief Candidate Investigated In Georgia Over Conduct. Former Glynn County, Georgia Police Chief Scott Ebner, now a finalist for the Honolulu chief job, has been under investigation for months over allegations of inappropriate behavior with a subordinate but apparently failed to mention that to a hiring consultant who recommended him as a top candidate for the Honolulu job. Civil Beat.

Largest affordable housing project celebrates grand opening. Construction of the 90-unit Makiki Banyan began in late March of 2025. There are 80 one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units. The community also includes 33 parking stalls. KHON2.

As Oʻahu landfills approach capacity, deconstruction beats demolition. Oʻahu's two landfills are both approaching capacity. But for certain kinds of waste, recycling is making some progress.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s worst flooding in 20 years leaves farmers struggling and fewer veggies at the market. Across Oahu’s North Shore, an area famed for its big-wave surfing, the small farms that help supply the island’s food are struggling after back-to-back storms in March brought the state’s worst flooding in two decades. Associated Press.

‘Distasteful’: Flood victims say landlord is raising rent as they recover from Kona low. A water main break flooded 14 units on Koali Road in Manoa back in October. Months later, residents said the apartments were swamped again during the second Kona Low storm. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Property tax hikes eyed: County faces $15 million budget deficit. The Hawaii County Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider raising property tax rates for nonresidents and those with second homes in an effort to close the gap on an estimated $15 million budget shortfall. Tribune-Herald.

Public Meeting On Hilo Bay Set for Saturday, May 23. A Community Listening Fair for the Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan will be held on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Aupuni Center Conference Room (101 Pauahi Street in Hilo). Big Island Video News.

Partial funding allocated for Outpatient Care Center in Kona. Plans for an Outpatient Care Center in Kailua-Kona are moving forward after $50 million was allocated for the project in the recent state budget, an investment in health care infrastructure that West Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation CEO Clayton McGhan said is “much-needed” in the area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council advances $1.6 billion budget, splits 5-4 on mayoral spending limits. The Maui County Council unanimously passed a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget on first reading Friday, approving a contested shoreline stabilization grant after a lengthy discussion and splitting 5-4 on election-year spending limits on the mayor’s office. Maui Now.

Expansion plans of Lāna‘i luxury resort are economic win to some residents, cultural loss to others. Last month, Pūlama Lāna‘i asked the Hawai‘i Land Use Commission to rezone about 170 acres from agricultural and rural to urban land so it can build nine villas and five more spa units for Sensei Lāna‘i, a Four Seasons Resort perched on the windswept slopes of Kō‘ele. Maui Now.

Sne Patel to run West Maui seat in state House. LahainaTown Action Committee President Sne Patel has announced his candidacy for the state House District 14 seat representing West Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

AT&T Withdraws Controversial Kaua‘i Cell Tower Plan. A telecommunications company has called off a contentious plan to build a 125-foot cellphone tower in a rural Kaua‘i neighborhood where cell service is weak but locals’ distaste to fix the problem with a large installation — even one disguised as a pine tree — is strong. Civil Beat. 

Arryl Kaneshiro files for re-election. The Elections Office accepted the nomination documents on Friday from Kauai County Council member Arryl Kaneshiro. Garden Island.

Green signs bill limiting corporate spending in Hawaii elections, condo associations in line for low-interest loans, Kash Patel's Pearl Harbor snorkel trip, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green signs 4 bills into law, first batch from 2026 Legislative Session. The bills include measures on corporate spending in elections, licene plate covers, Hawaii leadership awards and Love my Library Day. KITV4.

State opens $20 Million loan program for Hawai’i condominium repairs. Hawai’i officials have launched a new state-backed loan program to help condominium associations pay for critical building repairs as rising insurance costs and aging infrastructure continue to strain the state’s condo market. Big Island Now.

Higher oil prices hurting Hawaii’s economy, UHERO report says. Hawaii’s near-term economic outlook “has worsened noticeably” as the war with Iran continues to push oil and consumer prices higher, according to the latest economic forecast by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, released Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii attorney general defends Medicaid fraud enforcement. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez pushed back Thursday against claims leveled a day earlier by Vice President JD Vance that the state isn’t serious about combating Medicaid fraud. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Military leaders meet in Waikiki as land leases remain in limbo. At this week’s Association of the U.S. Army’s annual Land Forces Pacific Symposium, or LANPAC, in Waikiki, military leaders continued to make the case for continuing to use state landas a training and weapons-testing ground for their troops and those of their allies as they prepare forces for a potential showdown with China in Taiwan and the South China Sea. Star-Advertiser.

Amid Funding Fears, Food And Farming Bills Fared Better Than Expected. Lawmakers, farmers and agriculture advocates found tens of millions of dollars for key infrastructure projects this legislative session. Civil Beat.

Hawaii doctor: Hantavirus ‘is not the next pandemic’ . Dr. Scott Miscovich, an infectious disease expert, said Hantavirus, originating from infected rodents, isn’t a new disease. He said it’s more difficult to catch than COVID, and the virus also doesn’t mutate as frequently to create wild new variants. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Emails show FBI Director Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip included ‘VIP snorkel’ at a Pearl Harbor memorial. When Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer, the FBI took pains to note the director was not on vacation. Left out of the FBI’s news releases was an exclusive excursion that Patel took days later when he participated in what government officials described as a “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona in an outing coordinated by the military.  Associated Press.

Honolulu City Council proposes building rules in flood areas. Honolulu lawmakers are working on changes to city construction laws in anticipation of new federal flood maps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will update its flood areas on Oʻahu on June 10. Hawaii Public Radio.

 Honolulu BWS chief urges residents to store water ahead of hurricane season. Hurricane season in Hawaiʻi traditionally falls between June to November. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu police chief finalists answer questions in live PBS forum. The three finalists to be Honolulu’s next police chief made their only joint public appearance Thursday night on the PBS Hawaii “Insights” program. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Permit granted for Falls on Fire festival in Papaikou. The controversial Burning Man-inspired festival known as “Falls on Fire” can continue to be held in Papaikou after the Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted 4-1 on Thursday in favor of issuing a special use permit clearing the way for the event to proceed. Tribune-Herald.

County purchases Honolulu Landing property. The $3.7 million acquisition occurred through the County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) program. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Council Races Could Reshape Power Balance. This election will bring new faces — and possibly a progressive majority — to the county’s nine-member lawmaking body. Civil Beat.

Lahaina school rebuild gets nearly $200M, wildfire study misses out on funding. Maui came away with the promise of nearly $200 million to rebuild a burned-down Lahaina elementary school but lost out on funds to expand a study on the health of wildfire survivors as the legislative session closed last week.  Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric seeks renewable energy proposals for Lanai. Hawaiian Electric is beginning the process to seek proposals of a large-scale renewable energy project on Lanai to reduce the use of imported fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions and stabilize rates. Maui News.

People Usually Get Away With Harming Hawai‘i’s Seals Despite Tourist Case. A Seattle visitor was arrested a week after lobbing a rock at an endangered seal on Maui. But cases involving people killing the seals are rarely prosecuted. Civil Beat.

Kauai

New Kaua’i renewable energy project approved by Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission. If successfully developed, AES’ Mānā Solar + Storage project, coupled with AES’ previously approved Kaawanui Solar project, would bring Kaua‘i to nearly 90% renewable generation by 2030, according to a news release from Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Landfill project open house scheduled. The County of Kauai Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division, along with project consultant Tetra Tech, invites the community and Westside residents to attend an informational open house on the proposed Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion project on May 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  Garden Island.

Gas prices near record highs, state homeless contractor's insider payments, Hawaiian Electric's earnings rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Homeless Housing Contractor Failed To Report Insider Payments. HomeAid Hawaiʻi did not fully disclose payments made to the CEO’s spouse in federal tax returns. HomeAid Hawaiʻi, which has been awarded the bulk of the no-bid state contracts to build tiny houses for the homeless under an emergency proclamation from the governor, went from having $235,338 in revenue in 2022 to nearly $142 million in 2024. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gas prices near record highs as experts warn global oil tensions could raise costs even more. According to AAA Hawaii, the statewide average for regular gas is now $5.65 per gallon. That is just two cents below the all time statewide record set last month and more than a dollar higher than this time last year. KITV4.

Hawaiian Electric parent boosts profit despite storm costs. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. said in a financial report released Friday that it earned $30 million in the first three months of this year, up from $27 million in the same period last year. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers back bill to speed seaglider plans in Hawaii. Hawaii lawmakers have voted to streamline the path for an experimental seaglider some say could revolutionize interisland travel, though some doubt it would be safe for people and marine life. The REGENT Seaglider passenger craft has not been tested in the air yet, but supporters went to the Legislature to streamline its route to approval. Hawaii News Now.

Here are 7 bills that defined the legislative session. State lawmakers passed over 250 bills this legislative session. That’s a lot to keep track of, so HPR has narrowed down a list of some key legislative measures. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Mike Formby to leave Honolulu city managing director position. City Managing Director Michael Formby will leave his position at the end of May to become chief executive officer of Hawaii-based maritime firm Pacific Marine &Supply Co., Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Ex-SFPD assistant chief wants to modernize HPD operations. David S. Lazar, 55, is a 33-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department who wants to modernize crimefighting, expand recruitment and strengthen ties with the community. Star-Advertiser.

Wahiawa Dam improvements underway for safety upgrades. In response to the severe weather that swept through Hawaiʻi in March, renovations are now underway at an Oʻahu dam to help ensure safety for its surrounding communities and environment. KHON2. KITV4.

Honolulu Homeowners Turn To Goats, Sheep To Mow Yard Ahead Of Fire Season. Flocks of livestock are not a typical city sight. But with wildfire season looming, they’re becoming an increasingly attractive prevention measure.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

County halts plan to remove 37 trees from Honoka‘a park. Hawaii County has paused plans to remove 37 trees in the Honoka‘a Sports Complex following pushback from the community. Tribune-Herald.

Affordable housing project in Waikoloa Village is dedicated. Na Hale Makoa, a 140-unit affordable workforce rental housing community in Waikoloa Village, fills the strong demand for affordable housing for those working in the Waikoloa area, according to a Hawaii County press release. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Issues Request for Proposals for West Hawaiʻi Cot Sleeping Program. The proposal is part of ongoing efforts to expand emergency shelter capacity and respond to community needs related to homelessness. Big Island Now.

Maui

DOH reports detection of PFAS in Haleakala water system. The Hawaii Department of Health says Perfluorobutanoic acid — a form of PFAS — has been detected in water samples collected from the Haleakala National Park water system on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Maui News.

Maui wildfire survivors study in jeopardy after bill fails. State funding for an ongoing study of Maui wildfire survivors evaporated after a Hawaii legislative bill failed to make it through conference committee this month. Star-Advertiser.

New $2M Fund Covers Neighbor Island Medical Flights. State-funded flights to Honolulu medical appointments aim to stop rural residents on Molokaʻi and beyond from putting off routine health care. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Donkey Beach access, Keālia Kai restroom to close for maintenance. The Kauaʻi Department of Parks and Recreation announced that the Keālia Kai parking lot restroom and access to Donkey Beach will be temporarily closed from May 11 – 15 for maintenance work. Kauai Now.

Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce distributes scholarships. The Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship Committee distributed a total of $8,500 in scholarships on May 7.  The scholarships were shared between seven students — one from Kapaa High School, two from Kauai High School, and four from Waimea High School — who will be graduating with their respective schools on May 22. Garden Island.

Cruise ships may prevail in fight to avoid paying for tourist impact, Legislature protects income tax cuts, resists ICE crackdown in bills sent to governor at sine die, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Effort To Get Cruise Ships On Board With Green Fee Is Sputtering. Some legislators worry the state will lose its case to uphold cruise ship payments and with it millions in environmental funding. That leaves the state in an all-or-nothing court battle to secure the approximately $26 million in annual cruise ship payments included in the  original green fee law. Civil Beat.

HTA’s tourism management plan targets several islands with shuttle proposal. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is rolling out a new statewide tourism management strategy aimed at addressing one of residents’ biggest complaints — traffic and overcrowding at tourism hot spots. KHON2.

Tax cuts preserved, immigration enforcement limited as Legislature sends final bills to Green. Hawaii taxpayers — except for the highest income earners — will continue to benefit from historic tax breaks after legislators wrapped up their 60-day session by increasing the state’s $1.6 billion “rainy day fund” by $50 million and adding new limits on county and state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

With Immigrant Protection Bills, Hawaiʻi Joins States Resisting ICE Crackdown. While fears of retaliation blocked similar bills last year, reaction to national events and realities of local enforcement eased passage of immigrant legislation in 2026. Civil Beat.

Hawaii shelters inadequate against hurricanes. With a potential El Nino cycle increasing hurricane threats to the Hawaiian Islands, state and county officials warn that most existing shelters are insufficient to protect residents beyond a Category 1 storm. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii grads face uncertain job market. With University of Hawaii graduations continuing through Saturday, students preparing for life after college are weighing a job market shaped by competition, cost of living, artificial intelligence and the growing expectation that a degree alone may not be enough. Star-Advertiser.

From trucking to technocrat: How did former Maui official Keith Regan land in state’s second-highest post? Keith Regan has held several high-level leadership positions, first in Arakawa’s administration during his three terms as Maui County mayor and later in state government on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Oahu

Council, mayor clash over proposed $41M emergency account. A dispute is emerging between the Honolulu City Council and Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration over a proposed provisional account intended to help fund future city emergencies following two Kona-low storms that caused more than $100 million in damage to city operations and properties. Star-Advertiser.

Detained Immigrants Could Wait 19 Months For Their Day In Honolulu Court. Asylum hearings are being curtailed, and more removal orders issued as DHS looks to reduce backlog of cases. Civil Beat.

‘Renovation Aloha’ Hosts Fined For Illegal Airbnbs In Latest Misstep. The home flippers behind the hit HGTV show “Renovation Aloha” now owe $40,000 to the city of Honolulu for operating two illegal short-term rentals through the rental site Airbnb. Civil Beat.

Kona-low recovery: ‘People are still struggling out there’.  For days after flood­waters tore through Otake Camp on Oahu’s North Shore, 77‑year‑old Grace Visaya slept in her car. Star-Advertiser.

Care home operator pleads no contest to endangerment of patient’s welfare. Ederlina U. Manzano, 64, an Oahu care home operator has pleaded no contest to criminal endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, in this case an 87-year-old woman who was under her care. Star-Advertiser.

Crews work to repair 20-inch water main break in Waimanalo. The Board of Water Supply reported a water main break on Hihimanu Street between Makulama Street and Ahiki Street. BWS officials are asking some Waimanalo residents to continue conserving water as crews work to repair a 20-inch main after discovering a second leak. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

‘It’s gonna be very devastating’: Five Hawaii Island early childhood education sites to close. The Mountain View Ka Pa‘alana Preschool -- part of a network of early childhood education programs across the state run by the nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation — is slated to close at the end of this school year, along with 16 of its other Ka Pa‘alana, Tutu and Me and other early childhood education programs, due to lack of federal funding. Tribune-Herald.

County approval sought for festival that has irritated neighbors. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission on Thursday will decide the fate of the “Falls on Fire” Festival — a controversial “Burning Man”-inspired gathering in Papaikou hosted by Pennsylvania video game executive Andrew Tepper. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo tsunami clock memorial to be moved? The Hilo tsunami clock — a landmark along Kamehameha Avenue at the edge of the Grand Naniloa Golf Course — might find itself with new digs as part of the Waiakea Peninsula revitalization. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council shakeup: Chair Lee won’t seek re-election to Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū seat. Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee will not seek re-election this year. Instead, the veteran council member will support the candidacy of Marvin Moniz, a longtime state Department of Transportation airports manager, to succeed her in the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency seat. Maui Now.

84 affordable senior homes proposed for historic Wailuku Mission grounds. A plan to build 84 affordable rental homes for low-income seniors on one of central Wailuku’s most historically significant properties is now open for public comment through June 8. Maui Now.

Kula resident Brad Sultzer and his wife Donna are dealing with close to $100,000 in storm damage. The Kona Low storm turned a stream into a raging river that ripped through their Polipoli Road property, along with neighboring homes and the road itself. Hawaii Public Radio

Mental health needs remain key to wildfire recovery. Survivors of the Maui wildfires still face profound emotional and psychological challenges nearly three years after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed more than 100 people, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and displaced an estimated 10,000 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Homeowners could get up to $100K with Molokaʻi deed restriction pilot program. A Maui County pilot program on Moloka’i is offering homeowners up to $100,000 in exchange for deed restrictions on their property. The sale of the home would be restricted for 25 years under the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County’s DMV and Real Property offices to close for training. The Division of Motor Vehicles and the Real Property Assessment and Collections Section will be closed on Wednesday, May 13, to accommodate staff training. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers dump pet projects into green fee tourist tax bucket, Education Secretary preserves Native Hawaiian funding another year, 40 shark fins seized from private jet out of Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How will Hawaiʻi spend The Green Fee? Some projects are 'head scratchers'. The governorʻs Green Fee Advisory Council recommended a series of projects at the start of the session for projects in three areas: protecting natural resources, increasing climate resiliency, and sustainable tourism. While some of the final projects remained the same, like millions of dollars for coral reef and ahupuaʻa restoration, wildfire reduction and retrofitting homes to withstand hurricanes, some projects didn’t seem clearly related to the three buckets written in the law. Hawaii Public Radio.

Department of Education Secretary agrees to continue funding for Native Hawaiian programs for at least another year. U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon agreed to keep Native Hawaiian programs fully funded for at least another year on Thursday, following a request Senator Brian Schatz made to the department to avoid cuts. KITV4.

Dozens of shark fins seized on private jet out of Hawaii. Authorities seized 40 suspected shark fins from a private jet that departed from Hawaii in February. Officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife intercepted the plane when it landed in California. Hawaii News Now.

New UHERO report shows persistent housing crisis. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization on Thursday released the 2026 Hawaii Housing Factbook, which shows that despite modest improvements in affordability, Hawaii’s housing market remains deeply out of reach for many local families. The annual report showed that statewide home prices largely leveled off in 2025 after years of rapid increases. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

State jobless rate slips back to second lowest in country. South Dakota took over the top spot in March after its seasonally adjusted rate dipped by one-tenth of a point to 2.3% while Hawaii held at 2.4%, according to data released Wednesday from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi State Legislature passes Artificial Intelligence safety act. The Hawaiʻi State Legislature on Wednesday passed the Artificial Intelligence Disclosure and Safety Act that establishes some of the nation’s first consumer protections and transparency requirements for conversational artificial intelligence services, particularly for minors and individuals seeking mental health or crisis support. Kauai Now.

Solar industry rallies to save tax break. Members of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association urged lawmakers to not give final passage to Senate Bill 3125, which would limit and phase out state income tax credits for consumers and businesses installing rooftop solar systems. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers establish annual raises for Hawaiʻi teachers. State lawmakers are guaranteeing annual raises for public and charter school teachers that can be negotiated into their collective bargaining agreements. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fresh lessons found in Hawaiʻi public schools. Students are planting, harvesting and enjoying produce grown in their own school gardens at Waipahu High and Leilehua High on O‘ahu and Hāna High and Elementary on Maui.  KHON2. KITV4.

State begins surveying cemeteries for cleanup and restoration. The state Department of Accounting and General Services  is embarking on an effort to survey and restore eight of Hawaiʻi’s cemeteries. The newly created Cemetery Office will be using drones to capture aerial images of the cemeteries to survey their current state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Life and legacy of Colleen Hanabusa honored at Hawaii State Capitol. A public memorial on Thursday honored the life and service of longtime Hawaii politician and attorney Colleen Hanabusa. Hanabusa died March 6. She was 74. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Oahu

‘Slush Fund’? Honolulu Council Wants Control Of $41 Million. The provisional account would be used for covering disaster relief and routine operations. Council Chair Tommy Waters and Budget Chair Val Okimoto are proposing the formation of a new fund through which the city administration would have to ask the council’s permission to spend money.  Civil Beat.

Rail planners advance bills for unused ag lands in Kapolei. The Honolulu Planning Commission approved Wednesday a final piece of a recent package of land-use measures tied to the so-called East Kapolei Neighborhood Transit-Oriented Development Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Power Has Been Out In These Oʻahu Classrooms For Months. A building at Kalāheo High School has faced a power outage since the fall. Families are advocating for more funding to repair the school’s electrical system. Civil Beat.

3 homebuyers close under new state mortgage program. The first three homeowners to close on mortgages through Hawaii’s new Hale Kamaaina Mortgage Program were recognized Thursday by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp., which officials call an early milestone for a state effort aimed at making homeownership more attainable amid high housing costs and elevated interest rates. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Legislature OKs demolition funds for Country Club. The state’s executive supplemental budget transmitted Wednesday to Gov. Josh Green contains $14 million in capital improvement project funds to demolish the former Country Club Condominium Hotel building in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Waianuenue Avenue roadwork scheduled. The Hawaii County Department of Public Works will be conducting pavement overlay work on Waianuenue Avenue in front of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center on Monday and Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Investigation into rock thrown at monk seal and breaches of seal resting areas. The Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating social media postings on Instagram that appear to show an adult male throwing an object toward a monk seal while it was swimming in the water off the Lahaina shoreline. Maui Now. Maui News.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Makawao Forest Reserve’s first management plan balances needed conservation, popular recreation. On the northwestern slopes of Haleakalā, the Makawao Forest Reserve was created in 1908 at the urging of Hawaiʻi’s first territorial forester Ralph Hosmer for the primary purpose of protecting freshwater resources to meet the increasing demand from the growing population and agricultural industries on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Beginner Farmers Need Look No Further Than West Kauaʻi. Few instructional opportunities exist for Kaua‘i residents to get into commercial farming, and this program connects participants to a ready market.  Civil Beat.

County of Kauai advances Wildfire Home Assessment Program. The County of Kauai, in partnership with the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, continues to advance a Wildfire Home Assessment Program designed to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience. The program is scheduled to launch on Aug. 1.  Garden Island.

Legislators advance bills limiting corporate money in elections, allowing automatic shipping rate hikes, paying UH student athletes; military members lose Red Hill case, Honolulu narrows police chief candidate pool to 3 finalists, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Legislators Advance Bill To Limit Corporate Money In Hawaiʻi Elections. The legislation would make Hawaiʻi one of the first states to sidestep the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court case that allows unlimited corporate spending in local elections. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Shipping rate-hike bill advances to governor. Young Brothers, LLC asked for the automatic increases of up to 5% a year despite receiving a nearly 26% increase last year. Hawaii News Now.

Isle nonprofits face mounting challenges, new report finds. As Hawaii lawmakers finalize state budget priorities and uncertainty looms over federal funding, a new statewide report is raising concerns about the stability of the nonprofit sector, which employs more than 1 in 10 workers and plays a critical role in supporting communities across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Legislature passes package of health-related bills to strengthen access, care statewide. The Hawaiʻi State Legislature passed a broad package of health-related measures that expand care for kūpuna, mental health access, cancer screening, and long-term care planning. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi expected to regulate AI being used by children. Hawaiʻi will likely put protections in place for children using artificial intelligence. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to help UH recruit student-athletes set to become law. Hawaiʻi is set to establish “name, image and likeness” rules to recruit and retain student-athletes at the University of Hawaiʻi. Last week,state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 3263, which would require UH to create its own NIL rules. It also agreed to send $2.5 million from the state's general funds to the university system to pay student-athletes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Attention Divers! Hawaiʻi’s Reefs Need Your Help After Destructive Storms. Early reports support fears of widespread damage, but without more monitoring the picture remains incomplete. Officials are calling on more volunteer divers from across the islands to help assess Hawaiʻi’s reefs once it’s safe by posting their photos and reports to the Eyes of the Reef Hawaiʻi website. Civil Beat.

Oahu

3 Finalists Announced For Honolulu Police Chief. The finalists include the director of the Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement, a police chief in Georgia and a retired assistant chief in San Francisco. Civil Beat. KHON2.  KITV4. Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

Military members lose Red Hill case against the federal government. Despite calling it an “overly harsh and unjust outcome,” a federal judge ruled against military service members affected by the Red Hill fuel crisis and dismissed their case against the government Tuesday — a decision attorneys for the plaintiffs say they are ready to take to the Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Health officials see fewer pathogens in follow-up tests of Kona-low mud samples. The results show a “general decrease” in concentrations of environmental pathogens associated with the storms compared with results from about a month ago, Hawaii Department of Health officials said in a news release. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu housing market lagged in April. The Honolulu Board of Realtors on Wednesday published data showing decreases under 5%, which were relatively small but still represented the first month this year where there were negative figures across sale volume and prices for single-family homes and condominiums. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A boon for Banyan Drive: State Legislature passes redevelopment bill. A Banyan Drive redevelopment bill is heading to Gov. Josh Green’s desk for his signature. Senate Bill 2001 was affirmed by a unanimous final Senate floor vote of 25-0 Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Commission OK’s rezoning plan for Pahoa town. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a legislation package that would rezone parts of downtown Pahoa. These bills would change zoning designations for a stretch of mainstreet Pahoa from Village Commercial and Single-Family Residential to a new category — Downtown Pahoa Commercial — and codify standards for the new district’s permitted land uses, building heights and architectural density. Tribune-Herald.

State to remove passing zone on Daniel K. Inouye Hwy. after deadly crash. HDOT Director Ed Sniffen said crews will remove the passing zone at mile marker 26 on the cross-island highway known as Saddle Road. KHON2.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi County Expands Kona Low Assistance Centers. Another assistance center will open at the Nā‘ālehu Public Library from May 26th through June 12th. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Island Seed Bank helps build climate resilience. Containing mostly native plants and some food crops, the Hawaii Island Seed Bank was created to help preserve and protect the island’s native species. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Schatz congratulates Maui families awarded with federal funding to buy first home; Visits ʻĪao and Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art. US Sen. Brian Schatz conducted site visits on the Valley Isle on Wednesday, focus on the progress of recovery efforts on Maui, following the 2023 wildfires and recent Kona Low storms in March of this year.  Maui Now.

Despite A Death And Damage, Maui Stalls On Chronic Kīhei Flooding. Residents remain frustrated by the county’s lack of progress in addressing the decades-long problem facing the burgeoning South Maui town.  Civil Beat.

First neighbor island kauhale is changing lives on Maui. Six months after the largest kauhale in the state opened, residents are finding more than housing at Kīpūola Kauhale on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County advances Wildfire Home Assessment Program. Kaua‘i County, in partnership with Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, continues to advance a Wildfire Home Assessment Program to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience. The program is scheduled to launch Aug. 1. Kauai Now.

Aging fair draws a crowd. More than 200 people surged through the doors of the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall on Wednesday when organizers opened the Kauai Senior Resource and Disabilities Fair. Garden Island.

Dozens of discarded needles scattered on Kauai shore discovered by Kauai comedian. What started as a normal walk along a Kapa'a shoreline Monday evening quickly turned into something much more alarming for local Kaua'i comedian Zavier Cummings. KITV4.

Young Brothers owes state $26M in past-due wharfage fees, state may sock $50M into rainy day fund, 'Peter Boy' lawsuit drags on, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Young Brothers Held On To $26M In State Money To Cover Its Costs. Hawaiʻi allowed the shipping company to keep the money while awaiting a rate increase but now wants millions more in penalties and interest. Interisland shipper Young Brothers diverted more than $26 million in wharfage fees it was supposed to remit to the state in 2024 and 2025 and instead used the money to help cover its own operating expenses, according to the company and state officials. Civil Beat.

$50M deposit proposed for Hawaii’s state ‘rainy day’ fund. Representatives of House and Senate committees overseeing state finances recently agreed to deposit $50 million into the state’s Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, also known as the “rainy day” fund. Star-Advertiser.

Bill goes to vote to release $55M in overdue Public Land Trust funds for Native Hawaiians. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is supporting a measure approved by a state legislative conference committee that would release $55 million in Public Land Trust funds currently withheld under an annual payment cap. Kauai Now. KHON2. 

DHHL to hold public meetings on statewide geothermal energy exploration. Agency plans to explore 12 potential sites statewide. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will hold a series of public meetings this summer on plans to explore geothermal energy statewide. Hawaii News Now.

Here's the few culture and arts measures that made it through the Legislature. As Hawaiʻi lawmakers wrap up the legislative session, few measures related to culture and arts have made it through. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chief Justice Devens succeeds Recktenwald, vows to uphold rule of law. Associate Justice Vladimir P. Devens was sworn in as Chief Justice on Tuesday, May 5, officially becoming Hawaii’s administrative head of the State Judiciary, succeeding former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. KHON2.

Cost of travel between Hawaiian islands is rising with surging fuel prices. Fuel costs have nearly doubled over the past few months forcing Mokulele Airlines to raise ticket prices for all Hawaii routes. Prices are going up by $10 across the board, but that's on top of already high airfare, averaging about $250 roundtrip. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

One Of Hawaiʻi’s Most Lucrative Crops Might Surprise You. Millions of pounds of Hawaiʻi-grown basil are exported to Canada and the U.S. mainland. The herb is now more profitable than some of the state’s most iconic crops. Hawaiʻi’s basil industry is bigger than it has ever been, three times larger than the local banana and papaya industries combined. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu proposal to allow mayor to choose police chief tabled temporarily. The Honolulu Charter Commission wants to work out the kinks in a proposal to give the mayor more ability to hire and fire the City and County of Honolulu’s chief of police. Hawaii Public Radio.

City’s Economic Revitalization Office faces defunding. A city agency tasked with leading Oahu’s economic development appears to be closer to having its funding cut and a majority of its positions slashed by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Children Play At Their Own Risk In This Mililani Park. Sharp rusted holes and a broken railing aren’t typical playground features. But they’re the norm at the playground in Mililani’s Makaʻunulau Community Park, also known as 16 Acres, where for an unknown period of time keiki have played over the rusted holes and around a gap in the railing. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaiian Properties manager indicted for allegedly embezzling nearly $650K. On March 27, an Oahu Grand Jury indicted Russell Doane, 66, for allegedly using his position as a property manager at Hawaiian Properties to embezzle $647,061.09 from several homeowner associations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

‘Peter Boy’ lawsuit drags on: ‘What the state did was terrible. The liability is obvious’. Eight years after filing a wrongful-death lawsuit, the siblings of Peter Kema Jr., also known as “Peter Boy,” are still trying to hold the state accountable for its role in the death of their brother, who was tortured and killed by their father in 1997. Tribune-Herald.

Agitated testifier disrupts County Council vote on Kapoho land. An irate testifier interrupted a Hawaii County Council meeting Tuesday while its members were preparing to vote on a resolution calling for the acquisition of nearly 2,000 acres of coastal land in Kapoho. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 46 lava fountains end after 9 hours in Halemaumau crater. Lava fountains in Halemaumau crater ended at 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, bringing Episode 46 of the on-again, off-again Kilauea volcano eruption to a close. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Richard Henderson, businessman, GOP senator, dies. Richard “Scotchy” Henderson, a longtime business leader and former Republican state senator from Hilo, died April 25. He was 97. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaiʻi Balks At Funding Maui Fire Victim Health Study. University of Hawai‘i researchers are scrambling to plug a $1.5 million gap to continue studying the long-term health and social effects of the 2023 Maui fires after state lawmakers quietly dropped a bill to fund it last week. Civil Beat.

Workshop set for May 7 on historic district hurdles for Lahaina commercial properties. A free workshop focused on the unique challenges of rebuilding within Lahaina’s historic districts is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall. Maui Now.

DPW revises hours for nighttime closure on section of County roadway in Kaupō. To accommodate area motorists, County of Maui Department of Public Works is revising the closure on a section of Piʻilani Highway in Kaupō to instead be from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. May 5 through May 8, 2026, for repairs project roadwork. Maui Now.

Kelly King to run for Maui County Council. Kelly King has announced her candidacy for Maui County Council, hoping to represent the South Maui seat she previously held for six years. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s new mobile truck offers lifeline on Kauaʻi’s remote North Shore. On the far North Shore of Kauaʻi — where winding roads, distance and even a passing storm can cut off access to basic necessities — a refrigerated box truck filled with fresh food is quietly becoming a lifeline. Kauai Now.

Todd Ozaki files papers for County Council. Todd R. Ozaki filed his nomination papers for the Kauai County Council on May 1. Working in the Mayor’s Office, Ozaki serves on the Finance and Budget team and oversees the county’s Capital Improvements Program, assisting in moving projects from planning through completion. Garden Island.