Green signs AI protections, judge orders environmental review for Turtle Bay, gambling crackdown on Oahu, Big Island gun buyback, Kim in HGEA crosshairs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Artificial Intelligence Laws Enacted in Hawaiʻi. Governor Josh Green on Tuesday signed two bills relating AI; House Bill 2137, targeting the harmful use of “deepfake” technology, and Senate Bill 3001, dealing with disclosure for AI companions. Big Island Video News. Kauai Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Hawaiʻi’s Childcare Shortage Is One Of The Nation’s Worst. Nearly every child in Hawaiʻi lives in a community that lacks adequate licensed childcare, with access rates falling far behind the national average, according to recent reports from the Center for American Progress. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s largest public workers union campaigns against veteran senator. The Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii’s largest public workers union has turned against Senate Education Committee Chair Donna Mercado Kim, endorsing a challenger and launching a social media campaign against the 43-year incumbent ahead of the Aug. 8 primary. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council mulls lowering vehicle weight tax fees. Under Bill 47, the vehicle weight tax rate for passenger vehicles — including buses, ambulances and hearses — would decrease from 6 cents per pound of net weight to 5.5 cents per pound. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu charter amendment proposals near finalization. The commission first started fielding charter amendment proposals from the public in August 2025 and received nearly 300 submissions. That was narrowed down to 19 coming into a scheduled meeting on Monday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Judge orders new environmental review for Turtle Bay project. Court says further environmental review needed for Turtle Bay expansion. First Circuit Court Judge Shirley M. Kawamura ruled Tuesday that the new development at Kuilima on Oahu’s North Shore cannot move forward until more environmental studies are completed. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Crackdown on illegal game rooms includes arrests, millions in fines and liens. New laws put landlords on the hook for allowing illegal operations to continue. New lawas and enforcement  have resulted in 30 game rooms being raided so far this year by Honolulu police officers. Four individuals have been arrested and charged with gambling-related crimes, and 451 devices have been seized. Hawaii News Now. 

Downtown Honolulu is getting a new look with the launch of the Downtown Business Improvement District. If you have spotted people in bright pink shirts around Downtown Honolulu, they are part of the city's new Downtown Business Improvement District, or BID. KITV4.

Tsunami Panic: Most Who Evacuated Shouldn’t Have, Report Says. Almost all of Oʻahu’s traffic ​​during the tsunami warning was unnecessary, the report said. In an after-action report released Friday, the Honolulu Department of Emergency said clearer  communication with the public about how to evacuate and better internal coordination of responsibilities are two of its main takeaways.  Civil Beat.

No Charges For Police In Death Of Man Who Rammed Their Vehicle. No charges will be filed against two officers who fatally shot a man in Mākaha last June after he rammed a pickup into their police vehicle, causing the cop car’s engine to burst into flames. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Got unwanted firearms? Hawaiʻi Island police to host gun buyback event in Hilo. The event at the Hilo Police Station on July 18 is designed to provide community members with a no-questions-asked way to surrender unwanted handguns, rifles, shotguns, bump stocks, Glock switches, assault-style rifles and ghost guns. Big Island Now.

Savings challenge pays off for Hawaii Island families. The Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development distributed one-time savings match payments to participants in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Sponsored Savings Program following completion of a six-month savings challenge. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui housing market posts stronger sales activity in June. Sales of single-family homes increased 16.4% year over year, with 78 homes sold in June. The median sales price rose 4.4% to $1,356,975. Condominium sales increased 51.7% compared to one year earlier, with 88 units sold. The median sales price declined 8.8% to $625,000.  Maui Now. Maui News.

HDOT to conduct runway improvements at Moloka‘i Airport. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation will temporarily close Runway 5-23 at the Moloka‘i Airport (MKK) nightly from 8:30 p.m. to 5 a.m., July 20-23.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Recreation Center Playground project groundbreaking July 30. The playground will include ADA-accessible pathways, a playscape, family seating and separate play areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, along with an adaptive swing set and a kiddie gate. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Mayor’s Race: Rapozo Leads Carvalho In Campaign Cash. Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo is outraising and outspending fellow council member and former Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in the race to become the island’s next chief executive. Civil Beat.

Application period open for Agriculture Farm Expansion grants. The grant program through Kauaʻi County Office of Economic Development invests in projects that expand commercial farming and ranching operations, increase local food production and strengthen long-term sustainability of agriculture on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Green signs bills giving teachers raises and protections, Sylvia Luke's books are a mess, First Hawaiian pays $2B for California bank, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New laws set to strengthen teacher workforce. Gov. Josh Green on Monday signed two education bills into law designed to strengthen protections and support for Hawaii’s educators — one expanding workplace safeguards for educational workers facing harassment and the other helping improve teacher recruitment and retention by authorizing annual and longevity salary step increases through future collective bargaining agreements, subject to legislative funding. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov.’s Books Were A Mess. Political Insiders Say It’s Not The Norm. It’s now up to the AG to decide whether to prosecute Sylvia Luke and some of her campaign staffers for alleged campaign finance violations.  Luke's reputation as a state representative stands in contrast with what she’s accused of now: failing to report more than $50,000 in expenditures; reporting more than $30,000 in contributions late, sometimes years after they were received; and allowing unauthorized campaign staffers to sign off on checks. Civil Beat.

Tourists Visiting Hawaiʻi Have Changed Dramatically In Recent Years. A growing number of Californians have been flocking to Hawaiʻi in recent years, while tourism from Japan is half what it was before the pandemic. Civil Beat.

First Hawaiian buys California bank in $2B deal. Honolulu-based First Hawaiian Inc. on Monday announced that it has arranged to buy the parent company of Tri Counties Bank in California for $2 billion in stock. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Oahu

City advances Iwilei redevelopment with key land acquisition. The redevelopment of the city-owned Iwilei Center is expected to transform the nearly four-acre site adjacent to the future Kuwili Skyline Station along Dillingham Boulevard, near Kaaahi Street, into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented community, city officials say. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Up To 5 Billion Gallons Of Water Wasted By The Navy Since Red Hill Crisis. The Navy passed on an opportunity to divert filtered water from Red Hill to a useful purpose. Civil Beat.

The battle over a Honolulu City Council seat before ballots go out. Forget the Max Holloway/Connor McGregor rematch, when it comes to this election - many have their eyes on Tommy Waters and Trevor Ozawa squaring off for a Honolulu City Council seat for the third time. KITV4.

Parks, Beaches, Affordability: Honolulu City Council District 4 Candidate Q&As. The most competitive Honolulu City Council race features a former member running against the incumbent. Civil Beat.

Income Tax, Healthcare, Power Outages: State Senate District 9 Candidate Q&As. Democratic candidate and incumbent Stanley Chang has represented the area since 2016. His challenger is Republican candidate David Croswell.  Civil Beat.

Kaimuki community voices concerns as elections begin soon. Kaimuki residents say neighborhood board meetings are among the best ways to draw attention to problems affecting their community. KITV4.

Trap, neuter, return? Oʻahu residents clash over public spay and neuter programs. Representatives from conservancy groups, veterinary clinics and animal care organizations gathered at a public hearing last week to testify about proposed changes to Honolulu's public spay and neuter programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu man pleads guilty to using crypto to evade Iran sanctions. A 37-year-old man pleaded guilty Monday to evading U.S. financial sanctions by using cryptocurrency exchanges and digital payment applications to send about $150,000 to people in Iran. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council Candidates Rake In Thousands Ahead Of Primary. Seven of the nine seats are contested, with top vote-getters advancing to the November general election. Civil Beat.

Public invited to discuss results of Waikoloa Evacuation Traffic Study. Hawaii County invites residents and other interested parties to take part in a public meeting today to hear and discuss the results of an Evacuation Traffic Study to improve safety in Waikoloa Village and the surrounding areas during a wildfire or other emergency. Tribune-Herald.

BLNR moves to settle $45,000 fine against men who took 4,000 opihi. After three men were caught taking more than 4,000 opihi from a protected area on Hawaii Island, the Board of Land and Natural Resources moved to settle the case in lieu of a more than $45,000 fine after considering both cultural impacts for both the environment and the violators. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui Mayor Election: Sugimura Tops Bissen In Campaign Fundraising. Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura is raising and spending thousands of dollars more than Mayor Richard Bissen in her bid to unseat him this election, state campaign finance records show. Civil Beat.

North extension of Lahaina bypass needed as a critical evacuation route is finally moving forward. The 4.5-mile extension from Lahaina to Kā‘anapali is in the early planning stages, with funding from a $100 million allocation of Maui County’s $1.6 billion federal disaster recovery grant. Maui Now.

Normal irrigation to resume at Waiehu Golf Course after pond liner project completed at end of August. he County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is progressing with a project to replace the irrigation pond liner at Waiehu Municipal Golf Course. Maui Now.

Kauai

Anaina Hou hosts upcycling camp focused on beach cleanup and creativity. A weeklong summer camp at Anaina Hou Community Park will give Kauaʻi children the opportunity to transform marine debris collected from local beaches into musical instruments, games, toys and art while learning about environmental stewardship. Kauai Now.

Local nonprofits given more opportunities for natural, cultural stewardship. HB 2218 allows the land board to determine if community groups are qualified for a co-management agreement. That enables the state to share its “management functions and responsibilities and the rights of entry” with those nonprofit groups. Olan Leimomi Fisher is an advocate for Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, which helped spearhead the bill. Hawaii Public Radio.

State releases campaign spending reports, Green signs anti-corruption bills, Kauai seeks help after Waimea River shifts toward homes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

See Who’s Getting, And Giving, Millions In Campaign Funds This Year. Hawaiʻi’s political newcomers are raking in the cash, while lobbyists and labor unions top the list of donors. Who is donating to whom has taken on new importance in recent years as ongoing corruption investigations have roiled Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

New state laws enacted to deter corruption in Hawaii government. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill into law that will extend the statute of limitations from three years to nine years for the offense of bribery. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s new ‘millionaire tax’ rivals top tax rate among other states. Under part of Act 24, which some call Hawaii’s new “millionaire tax,” a married couple earning over $1 million and filing a joint return would be charged $88,729 plus 13% on any income above $1 million for the 2027 tax year. Star-Advertiser.

Landmark bill gives Native Hawaiians larger public lands role. Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 2218 into law Wednesday after it unanimously passed both chambers of the state Legislature, creating a formal legal pathway for the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter into long-term co-management agreements with qualified community-based nonprofit organizations. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Dissenters Won’t Recant Retaliation Claims. Four trustees from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are bucking orders to withdraw a court document filed as part of a lawsuit that alleges the office, other members of the board and Chair Kai Kahele unfairly retaliated against CEO Stacy Ferreira. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi forgiveness program to reduce $91M in medical debt. About 50,000 Hawaiʻi residents have accumulated a total of $91 million in medical debt, but a new state program could help absolve lower-income residents of those unpaid bills. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal aid climbs, thousands apply for Kona-low support. Federal agencies have approved tens of millions of dollars in assistance for survivors of Hawaii’s Kona-low storms in March, with thousands of FEMA, SBA and USDA applications still under review as recovery efforts continue statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Traffic fatalities in Hawaii ticked up after Memorial Day. Since Memorial Day on May 25, there have been at least a dozen fatalities, accounting for roughly 25% of the total, which stood at 48 as of Friday. At the same time last year, the number was at 69. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waters’ War Chest Dwarfs Opponents In Competitive Honolulu Council Primary. Candidates running for the Honolulu Council District 4 seat have vastly different resources to draw on. Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters is sitting on a $320,000 war chest and has so far spent $130,000 in his bid for reelection to Honolulu Council District 4, the latest state campaign finance reports show.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council advances bill aimed at expanding affordable housing. A Honolulu City Council measure aimed at accelerating affordable rental housing construction on Oahu by easing development standards has advanced despite concerns from housing advocates, Council members and other stakeholders over its potential impacts. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae homeless community shrinks as permanent homes arrive. The Pu‘uhonoua o Wai‘anae homeless community at the Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor has shrunk from a peak of 250 people to just 30 who are waiting for new, permanent homes to arrive so they can join their friends and family who already have moved to a new 20-acre site on the mauka side of Farrington Highway. Star-Advertiser.

HPD sends Aliamanu fireworks case to prosecutors. The Honolulu Police Department’s investigation into the Jan. 1, 2025, explosion of illegal fireworks at a New Year’s party in Aliamanu that killed six people, including a 3-year-old child, has been sent to prosecutors for possible criminal charges. Star-Advertiser.

As pro golf tournaments leave Hawaiʻi, so do millions in charitable giving. Friends of Hawaii Charities hosted the Sony Open PGA golf tournament in Hawaiʻi for 28 years. Over that time, it raised nearly $28 million in grants for nonprofits in Hawaiʻi that serve children, older people and underserved communities. Hawaii Public Radio.

After storm damage, Hawaii’s reefs brace for another blow from El Niño. When back-to-back Kona lows hit the state in March, Alika Garcia got ready to dive.As executive director of Kuleana Coral, a coral restoration group on Oahu, he and his team worked under an emergency permit to survey and restore the affected coral colonies in Maunalua Bay as soon as ocean conditions were safe. Star-Advertiser.

No ‘large cat-like animal’ found at Manoa Falls, DLNR says. After reports of large wild cats at Manoa Falls, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said it found no evidence that would require the trail to close. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Most of Big Island sees above average rainfall last month, with 10 sites having wettest June on record. Several locations on the leeward side, on the other hand, didn't fare as well, with much of the Kona and Kohala coasts, slopes and interior higher elevations recording below average rainfall for June. Big Island Now.

A place to call home: DHHL awards 200 lots in Pana‘ewa to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. For the first time in over 20 years, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands presented leases for residential lots in East Hawaii to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries Saturday at a ceremony in Hilo, where 200 lots were awarded. Tribune-Herald.

Kona low victims awarded nearly $5M. Hawaii County launched a recovery grant program late last month for businesses impacted by back-to-back Kona low storms that hammered the island in March, just as a similar federal aid effort formed to help storm victims is wrapping up. Tribune-Herald.

Takeout Boxes Are Filling Landfills. This Town Has A Plan To Phase Them Out. As Hawaiʻi island prepares to enact a ban on single-use plastic serviceware, a coalition in Hilo is rolling out the nation’s first comprehensive city-wide reuse program with over $3 million in seed funding. Civil Beat.

Ka‘u cultural center clears another hurdle. A final environmental assessment was recently completed for the site, which is located near Waiohinu on land managed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Star-Advertiser.

Hilo skateboard ramp expected to officially open soon. Intended to “bridge the gap” until the proposed multimillion-dollar roller-sport facility along Piilani Street across from the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium can be built, the 16-foot-wide and 60-foot-long plywood half-pipe ramp was gifted to the county by Oasis Skateboards owner Dan Madsen to create a dedicated space for skaters. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fired Maui County official sues Mayor Bissen, Board of Ethics for defamation. Luana Mahi, the former director of the county Office of Economic Development, is suing the county for defamation, saying her reputation was tarnished by “inaccurate” claims that she used grant funding to benefit her family members.  Maui Now.

North extension of Lahaina bypass needed as a critical evacuation route is finally moving forward. The 4.5-mile extension from Lahaina to Kā‘anapali is in the early planning stages, with funding from a $100 million allocation of Maui County’s $1.6 billion federal disaster recovery grant. Maui Now.

National Park Service ‘pauses’ Kalaupapa tours after one trip. The National Park Service abruptly paused its planned twice-a-week walking tours of Kalaupapa National Historic Park after its inaugural trip Thursday was met by about 30 Native Hawaiians and Molokai residents demanding a say in the future of the site where 8,000 Hansen’s disease patients were forced to live in isolation for over a century. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Rebuilding, Mental Health And Groundwater: Maui County Mayor Candidate Q&As. A ballot full of candidates is running in the primary election to lead Maui Nui. Civil Beat.

RISE Maui Summit will bring together scientists, artists and cultural practitioners. With proceeds benefiting Lahaina’s rebuilding efforts, the RISE Maui: Sustainability + Tech Summit in August at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa will spotlight sustainability and innovation through the lens of regeneration. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi seeks state assistance as Waimea River mouth shifts towards homes. Kauaʻi County urgently seeks technical assistance because the Waimea River's sudden westward shift threatens nearby homes and properties. Kauai Now. Garden Island. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Kauaʻi Wants New Homes To Resist Fire. It’s Cheaper Than You Might Think. The Garden Isle has a higher wildfire risk than most counties in the country. Civil Beat.

Green signs environmental, housing bills into law, Luke faces 2nd criminal investigation, lawmakers want Plan B if USPS doesn't deliver ballots, Taiwan delegation discusses Chinatown, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green signs four bills into law, focusing on environmental conservation, housing affordability. Gov. Josh Green signed four measures into law that reinforce Hawaiʻi’s long-term investments in environmental stewardship, housing, and community infrastructure. Big Island Now.

Green signs bill creating fund for cesspool conversion loans. Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday signed into law a measure to establish a fund to provide Hawaii homeowners low-interest or forgivable loans to finance costly, federally mandated conversions of their cesspools to septic systems or sewers. Tribune-Herald.

Luke Campaign Violations Referred To AG For Possible Prosecution. The Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission on Wednesday voted to refer a set of alleged campaign finance violations by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s campaign to the Attorney General’s Office for possible prosecution, which has already been investigating the matter. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers want a ‘Plan B’ if USPS won’t deliver ballots. The state Office of Elections is banking on the U.S. Postal Service and judicial system to ensure that Hawaii residents can easily vote in November’s general election, but some state lawmakers are worried over the lack of a contingency plan. Star-Advertiser. KITV4

DEA moves to ban ‘gas station heroin’ sold openly in Hawaii. The Drug Enforcement Administration has filed a notice of intent to ban 7-OH and two related synthetic compounds, MGM-15 and MGM-16, saying the substances have no medical purpose and are dangerous. Hawaii News Now.

Trust, Income Tax And Green Fees: Lieutenant Governor Candidate Q&As. A diverse field is on the ballot for the office left vacant by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s abrupt departure. Civil Beat.

ʻĀina, Army and Mauna Kea: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Candidate Q&As. A total of 19 nonpartisan candidates are running for five trustee positions on the nine-person board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs this year. The agency controls over $600 million in unrestricted funds set aside to improve the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Slashes Economic Recovery Office Over Mayor’s Objections. The county agency received strong community support, but was also the subject of a scathing audit over its failure to meet goals. Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi condemns City Council’s veto override. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

First of at least 8 additional Red Hill trials gets underway.  The first of at least eight additional trials relating to claims stemming from the 2021 Red Hill jet fuel crisis began Tuesday, with U.S. District Judge Leslie Koba­yashi left to contemplate one key question: Was ingesting contaminated ice enough exposure to get sick? Star-Advertiser.

Blangiardi meets Taiwan delegation over Chinatown Cultural Plaza redevelopment. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi met Wednesday with a delegation from Taiwan for two days of talks on plans to redevelop the Chinatown Cultural Plaza on Beretania Street. The $52 million, 4-acre property owned by the Taiwanese government has fallen into disrepair and become a draw for crime. Hawaii News Now.

Influential Energy Researcher Quietly Backed By Big Money Climate Group. Amid Gov. Josh Green’s push to bring liquefied natural gas to Hawaiʻi, one critic has risen to the forefront: a policy research leader who has repeatedly attacked Green’s arguments that LNG belongs in the state’s energy future. Civil Beat.

UH Mānoa's new chancellor shares his vision for the university. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa welcomed Vassilis Syrmos as its newest chancellor on July 1. Syrmos brings for over three and a half decades of experience as a professor, researcher and administrator to his new role. Hawaii Public Radio.

Falling construction debris prompts road closure in Honolulu. Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. Wednesday confirmed that just before 8 p.m., an incident involving a temporary guardrail system occurred at the Straub Benioff Medical Center Construction Project on King Street. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Council votes to tweak bill regarding PONC funds. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation providing greater flexibility in determining the share of property taxes earmarked for a popular land conservation maintenance fund. Tribune-Herald.

Next phase of Hilo Bayfront Trails project could begin later this year. Nearly two decades ago, the Hilo Bayfront Trails project laid out a vision to better connect the Hilo area through a network of multi-use trails – linking downtown to the harbor and passing through the scenic Wailoa River State Recreation Area and Lili‘uokalani Gardens. Tribune-Herald.

3 convicted sex offenders in Kona arrested for failing to register. Three convicted sex offenders from Kona were arrested during a three-day compliance operation on Hawaii Island last week, according to the state Department of the Attorney General. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. 

UH study: Big Island spinner dolphins are producing fewer calves. Unexpectedly low calf numbers within the spinner dolphin population off Hawaii Island were revealed in a study led by scientists with the Marine Mammal Research Program, or MMRP, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa along with national and international collaborators. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council votes to authorize purchase of West Maui condo unit for kūpuna housing. Maui County Council members voted unanimously to authorize the acquisition of a West Maui condominium unit for up to $278,000 to expand the Nā Hale Kūpuna program, which provides permanent housing for kūpuna displaced by the August 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Upcountry Maui Coalition urges action on emergency water infrastructure. Seeking a proactive partnership to safeguard lives and property, the Kula Community Association (KCA) and a broader alliance of organizations issued a formal briefing today to Maui County officials and Hawaiʻi State Legislators. KCA and supporting organizations are calling for leadership accountability and direct budgetary collaboration to fund immediate, localized water infrastructure ahead of the peak wildfire season. Maui Now.

Maui Is Pushing The State To Double Down On Palm-Killing Beetles. Community members around Hawaiʻi say the only way to get the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to do its job is by forcing its hand. Civil Beat.

Kauai

After lease scare ends with 15-year agreement, new chapter brewing at Kauaʻi Coffee Company. At the Kauaʻi County Council meeting on Wednesday, Wayne Katayama was in much better spirits than the last time he addressed the members six months ago with nearly two years of land lease negotiations stalled between the owners of Kauaʻi Coffee Company and its landlord, Colorado- based investment firm Brue Baukol Capital Partners. Kauai Now.

Renovations to stadium on Kaua‘i will close parking lots in phases. The Vidinha Stadium parking lot will close in phases starting July 13 to accommodate continued renovations at the stadium. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Nago gets letter threatening criminal prosecution if non-citizens vote, Green signs bevy of bills, Honolulu auditor stymied by disorganized homeless program, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump Administration Sends Threatening Letter To Hawaiʻi Elections Chief. The U.S. Justice Department is telling elections officials nationwide they could be criminally liable if they make it possible for non-citizens to vote. The letter from the U.S. Department of Justice outlined penalties faced by people who vote when they’re not allowed to and said “state election officers, including the chief election officer of the state, could be criminally prosecuted for aiding and abetting the violation of any of these provisions.” Civil Beat.

HECO warned the Iran war would raise costs. Here’s how much bills rose. Monthly bills rose by about $60 for the average Maui resident and $30 for the average Hawaiʻi Island resident between March and June.  On Oahu, prices rose by $59. Costs then started to come down in June. Hawaii Public Radio.

Crime Is Down. Why Do So Many In Hawaiʻi Feel Unsafe? Experts say social media and political rhetoric can lead people to believe crime is higher than it is. In testimony at the Hawaiʻi Legislature this year and in social media posts, dozens of people are expressing concern that crime in the islands is rising.  Civil Beat.

New Hawaii laws address domestic violence, human trafficking. House Bill 1959 extends a five-year pilot project intended to decrease repeated incidents of domestic violence, while HB 1960 would establish a program to educate and train transient accommodations workers to recognize human trafficking and report suspected incidents. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Governor Signs Bills On Tobacco Use, Electronic Smoking Devices. Disposable electronic smoking devices can no longer be sold or distributed beginning January 1, 2027. Big Island Video News. Maui News. KHON2. KITV4. 

New Bill on Marine Affairs Aims To Sustain Hawaiʻi “Blue Economy”. Senate Bill 2907 centralizes marine affairs oversight and formally designates the state as a hub for ocean innovation and stewardship. Big Island Video News. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Oahu

Honolulu City Council poised to override mayor’s vetoes. The Honolulu City Council plans today to consider overriding Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s line-item vetoes restoring funding and positions to the city’s Office of Economic Revitalization after the Council eliminated them from the city’s $3.193 billion fiscal year 2027 operating budget, which took effect July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Homeless Services Program Too Disorganized To Assess, Auditor Says. The CORE program was started in 2021 and has changed its focus repeatedly since then, confounding efforts to gauge its effectiveness. Civil Beat.

UHERO temporarily withdraws energy report that Oʻahu doesn’t need any additional power plants – fueled by liquefied natural gas and any other fuel – to keep the lights on. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization on Tuesday temporarily withdrew a report that claimed Hawaii did not need additional power plants if it expanded its solar facilities.  The report was withdrawn one day after Gov. Josh Green told KHON2 the report was “baloney” and based in the “opposite of reality.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

H-1 Freeway to shut down overnight Saturday for bridge installation. Part of the H-1 Freeway will be fully closed to traffic this weekend while crews work on the Gulick Avenue overpass. The bridge is part of the state’s $100 million federally funded H-1 widening project. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Biki bike-share revamps as the city hopes to invest $1.5 million. The city hopes to invest $1.5 million to purchase 600 new bicycles and refurbish existing stations to rebuild the system. KITV4.

Chinese communist party member arrested in Hawaii on visa fraud charge. A 51-year-old man from China is facing a federal criminal charge in Hawaii after he allegedly hid his background as a lieutenant colonel in the People’s Liberation Army and Communist Party leader on his visa application. He was arrested July 1 at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport trying to enter the country. Star-Advertiser.

East Oahu residents criticize ‘monster home,’ property owner responds. There is growing criticism over construction on a property near Maunalani Heights, with some claiming the owner plans to build a “monster home.” Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Legislation targets data centers in Hawaii County. A Hawaii County Council Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved forwarding a bill banning industrial-scale data centers on the island after hearing testimony from nearly a dozen supporters. Tribune-Herald.

UH seeks to transfer Maunakea master lease to oversight authority. UH recently sent a letter to MKSOA leadership proposing to initiate the transfer of the master lease for the over 11,000-acre summit area. This, along with a recent state bill signed into law in May, would allow MKSOA to extend subleases for observatories on the mountain before officially taking over management responsibilities from UH on Dec. 1, 2029. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County to discuss Maui shoreline planning boundary on July 14. Community encouraged to attend July 14 meeting on SMA boundary assessment project for Maui. The County of Maui Department of Planning invites community members to learn about the Special Management Area (SMA) boundary assessment project for the island of Maui by attending the Maui Planning Commission meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 14. Maui Now. Maui News. 

PUC to review Young Brothers after shipping delays. After shipping delays left Molokai and Lanai residents without some basic supplies for days, state regulators are taking a closer look at Young Brothers’ operations. KHON2.

DOT weighs bids for Lanai federally subsidized air service. Lanai’s only commercial airport is again under federal review as the U.S. Department of Transportation weighs competing bids for subsidized essential air serv­ice — a program that guarantees baseline scheduled flights so the rural island can maintain reliable, year‑round travel. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Public comment period for Kaua‘i’s landfill expansion project coming to an end. Public comment on the Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for an expansion project at Kauai’s only solid waste landfill, which is projected to reach capacity in four years, is nearing its end. The deadline to submit written comments on the statement is Wednesday. Kauai Now.

Kauai residents question police response to murder case, manhunt. Residents on Kauaʻi’s north shore demanded answers Monday night about the police department’s handling of a multi-day manhunt for a murder suspect. Hawaii News Now.

Prepping for Back to School Bash. More than 70 volunteers from sponsors of the Back to School Bash turned out on Tuesday to pack backpacks with school supplies for the Saturday event at the Kukui Grove Center. Garden Island.

Green signs film industry bills, infighting rankles OHA, NYT flags Case as vulnerable in congressional race, robotics programs struggling, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green signs bills to support Hawaiʻi’s film industry and economic development. Hawaii movie star Jason Momoa made a cameo appearance by video in the governor’s office Monday to celebrate the enactment of a new state law aimed at expanding the state’s film industry. Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2580 into law to increase rebates for production spending on movies, episodic shows, TV specials and commercials in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

‘We Can’t Screw It Up’: Infighting Rankles OHA. A legal battle among the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees has spilled out of court and into the public eye. Bitter divisions at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs over how to handle a lawsuit from the office’s ousted CEO are weakening OHA’s ability to defend itself, destabilizing the office’s Board of Trustees and threatening to imperil projects years in the making, trustees and a lawyer for the organization said Monday. Civil Beat.

New York Times flags Rep. Ed Case as vulnerable in Hawaii’s 1st District primary. State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole ramps up challenge as analyst says Case’s position remains strong. The New York Times has identified U.S. Rep. Ed Case as one of six Democrats vulnerable in upcoming primaries, drawing national attention to his race against state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District seat. Hawaii News Now.

Robotics Teams Are Shrinking. Students Say They’re More Important Than Ever. Robotics programs are struggling to find the coaching and funding they need to survive as students and lawmakers search for unique solutions to sustain schools’ teams.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and Pili Nā Moku launch $7M community funding program. The initiative aims to support projects that care for the land, promote cultural and ecological stewardship, and foster resilient communities throughout Hawaiʻi. Each project must be based in one of five districts — Kona, Kauaʻi, Waiʻanae on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Central Maui, or Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island — and must align with that district’s priorities. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Self-Promotion Or Communication? Taxpayer-Funded Mailers Blur Lines. As Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters geared up for what has become a competitive race for reelection, his constituents received a multi-page promotional pamphlet of the ways he is “working for you.”  Civil Beat.

Gov. Green pushes calls UHERO report "baloney". Nearly a week after a new University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization report outlined an argument for the state to pursue more solar electricity production and not investment in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Hawaii Governor Josh Green is pushing back. KHON2.

17 ballot drop boxes opening across Oahu on Monday. Starting Monday, July 6, a total of 17 official ballot drop boxes will be established throughout Oahu. KITV4.

New Honolulu chief prioritizes strategic planning. On his first day as Honolulu’s new police chief, David Lazar began with an ambitious agenda. His goals include departmental expansion via recruitment and retention, developing a new strategic plan, and integrating modern law enforcement technologies. KHON2.

Oahu home sales: Median price hit record $1,242,500 in June. The 10.4% gain was the biggest year-over-year increase for any month since July 2022 when the median price surged 11.6% to $1,107,944. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor appoints former HART executive Richard Keene to board. Richard “Rick” Keene, HART’s former deputy executive director and chief operating officer who retired last year from the more than $10 billion Skyline project, will begin his duties on the governing body “effective immediately.” Star-Advertiser.

HPD shutters Waipahu gambling den, seizes more than $6K in cash. HPD’s Narcotics/Vice Gambling Detail, with the help of the District Three Crime Reduction Unit, Forfeiture Detail and Specialized Services Division, found 17 gaming machines and more than $6,000 in cash, which were submitted into evidence. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay scheduled to close for sewer project. The 35-year-old sewer system will be replaced starting in August. The City and County of Honolulu will begin sewer system improvements at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in August. The preserve is expected to close from Aug. 3 to Aug. 11 to start the project. Another closure is expected in early 2027. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Data Centers on Hawaiʻi County Council Agenda This Week. Data centers will be the subject of Bill 170, to be heard by the Council Committee on Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development during a July 7th hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. HST. Big Island Video News.

Dangerous Dogs And Deadly Roads: Hawaiʻi County Council District 5 Candidate Q&As. Five nonpartisan candidates are on the primary election ballot vying to represent the vast Big Island council region of Hawaiʻi County Council District 5, which takes in Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Orchidlands Estates, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest Estates, mauka of Pāhoa Town, Kaohe Homesteads, Kamaili Homesteads, Kalapana, ʻOpihikao, Kehena and Kaimu. Civil Beat.

Fuel, Food And Disaster Preparation: Hawaiʻi County Council District 7. Three nonpartisan candidates are standing for the Hawaiʻi County Council seat for District 7 in the Aug. 8 primary election as current council member Rebecca Villegas is about to be termed out. Civil Beat.

Maui

Still no parking for Safe Parking project; no overall homeless plan. More than four years after Maui County set aside $200,000 to create an overnight parking program for people living in their vehicles, the pilot program has yet to provide a safe haven for homeless people. And the administration of Mayor Richard Bissen acknowledged Monday that it has no comprehensive plan for managing homelessness — although the Mayor’s Office says that’s been to assess needs and prioritize immediate services, not neglect. Maui Now.

Director of Personnel Services set to retire after 30 years with County of Maui. County Director of Personnel Services Cynthia Razo-Porter has announced she is retiring, effective July 31, 2026. Maui Now. Maui News.

Maui nonprofit argues new coastal deregulation law unconstitutional. A nonprofit community group sued the Maui County Planning Commission in an effort to stop a new law that allows for exemptions for development in coastal areas from taking effect. Star-Advertiser.

Tadashi Yanai donates $500,000 to Aloha Puʻu Kukui, bringing total support for Maui watershed to $1.5M. Kapalua Golf owner and President of TY Management,  Tadashi Yanai, recently donated $500,000 to the nonprofit Aloha Puʻu Kukui, a major commitment to continuing the restoration work of the West Maui Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve —a critical resource for the island’s environmental health. Maui Now.

Kauai

Deadline for landfill expansion comments Wednesday. The County of Kauai Solid Waste Division is reminding residents that the deadline to submit written comments on the Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for the Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion Project is Wednesday. Garden Island.

State hires contractor to build monument memorializing deadly Hanapēpē labor strike more than a century ago. Construction starts Sept. 1, and it's expected to be completed by February 2027. Kauai Now.

 

Campaign Spending Commission files complaint against Sylvia Luke, juror compensation increases to $50 a day, cash rounding law eliminates pennies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission files 39-page complaint against Sylvia Luke. A 39-page complaint from the Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission accused Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, her campaign team and committee of violating state campaign finance laws during the 2022 election. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Know the rules: Hawaii's new cash rounding law. A new law aimed at easing headaches caused by a nationwide penny shortage took effect in Hawaii on Wednesday, July 1. Businesses are now allowed to round up or down to the nearest nickel. KHON2.

Juror compensation increases to $50 per day. Individuals serving as jurors in Hawaiʻi state courts will receive $50 per day for their service, an increase from the previous rate of $30 per day. The increase marks the first adjustment to juror compensation since 1989, when the daily rate increased from $20 to $30. Maui Now.

Oahu

DPP launches fast-track permit review program. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting has launched a new program to fast-track eligible building permit applications using an artificial intelligence-assisted screening platform ahead of the software becoming mandatory later this year. Star-Advertiser.

Unopposed For Reelection, Honolulu Budget Chair Isn’t Afraid To Fight Admin. Council member Val Okimoto has charged into public disputes against powerful members of the city administration. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Riders Face Persistent Station And Elevator Closures. Three years after opening, the city’s Skyline transit system has endured its share of operational hiccups. Civil Beat.

Law enforcement finds 14 endangered children on Oahu. Fourteen endangered, missing children were found by Honolulu Police Department officers working with state and federal law enforcement last week during a two-day operation. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

More sidewalks planned for portion of Kilauea Avenue. A $10 million sidewalk construction project will commence Monday along Kilauea Avenue as part of a federally funded initiative to create a safe, convenient route for students at the three Waiakea schools to walk and bike to class. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Wastewater In Lava Fields: Delayed Fix Costs Big Island $1K Daily. After a legal settlement, Hawaiʻi County agreed to upgrade the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant beginning in March. Now the project is four months overdue and the county could face a hefty fine. Civil Beat.

Increased aircraft noise possible in Waimea-Kohala region during July 4 military exercises. The training is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. July 4 and will include KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft and MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft operating over parts of the region. Big Island Now.

Big Island mayors celebrate diverse heritage. Hawaii County leaders say the America250 milestone offers a chance to celebrate their island’s rich and diverse culture and its unique place in the nation’s history, which has been shaped both by patriotism and historical inequities. Star-Advertiser. 

Maui

Mayor Bissen announces $6M proposal to purchase Launiupoko, Olowalu water assets for public trust. This marks the critical second phase of a broader effort that will increase public stewardship of West Maui’s drinking water systems from 45% to 93% while supporting much-needed housing development for residents. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. 

Council seeks answers on Maui safe parking pilot program. Maui County Council members are pressing Mayor Richard Bissen’s administration for answers on why a safe parking pilot program for unhoused residents has not opened nearly four years after the council approved legislation allowing the county to create one. Maui News.

Mayoral candidate says campaign signs have been taken.  Maui County Mayoral candidate P. Denise La Costa said more than 18 of her political election signs have been stolen in the past few weeks. Maui News.

National Park Service launches first-of-its-kind Kalaupapa hiking tour. Starting this month, the Kalaupapa National Historical Park will guide visits to the remote peninsula — but there’s a catch. The hike down — and up — the strenuous Pali Trail from topside Molokaʻi is a 1700-foot elevation change over three miles each way. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Community groups win temporary pause to 148-unit Kōloa housing development until court hears appeal. The groups challenging the project have raised concerns about the size of the project, the impact of increased traffic, parking demands and emergency access on the narrow rural roads in the Kauaʻi town. Kauai Now.

Landfill, Cesspools And Another ʻIniki?: Kauaʻi County Council Candidate Q&As. Kauaʻi’s council members face daunting infrastructure needs, a shortage of workforce housing and declining visitor numbers on the island. Civil Beat.

Concert in the Sky anchors Kauai’s July Fourth mix of celebration and care.  Kauai is marking America250 with events that highlight the island’s layered history — from early Native Hawaiian stewardship to Western contact, plantation‑era immigration and modern military ties — as residents navigate mixed feelings about July Fourth. Star-Advertiser.

Price-fixing settlement nets Hawaii 1M eggs, Big Island residents blast vacation rentals legislation, tourist arrivals and spending rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii due to receive 1M eggs from price-fixing settlement. Hawaii may be getting 1 million eggs due to a settlement with three of the nation’s largest producers over illegal price fixing, according to the state Attorney General’s office. The 53 million donated eggs will be provided to food banks and nonprofits across the participating states, while meeting all food safety and regulatory standards. Star-Advertiser. 

Attorney General announces charity amnesty program. The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General is offering a 60-day amnesty period to help delinquent charitable organizations return to good standing. Hawaii News Now.

Supreme Court ruling puts attention on Hawaii's first-in-the-nation election law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that political parties can spend unlimited money in coordination with their candidates, citing First Amendment protections. The decision comes shortly after Hawaii approved Act 11, a first-in-the-nation law targeting corporate political spending. (video only). KITV4.

Shorter Hawaii visitor stays risk tourism growth. Hawaii visitors are trimming their trips to the shortest length in at least seven years, a contraction that threatens to drag on the tourism‑driven economy even as May brought moderate gains in arrivals and visitor spending. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

UH-Manoa gets its own chancellor today. The UH Board of Regents in June appointed Vassilis Syrmos — who served as interim provost for a year — as Manoa’s newest chancellor, joining the other nine campus chancellors who advocate for their individual campuses. Star-Advertiser.

Locals say goodbye to Ward Centre. Ward Centre will be closing its doors for the final time Tuesday. The shopping center's four-decade-long legacy is concluding as developer Howard Hughes Corp. moves forward with the plan to construct two luxury condominiums at the Kakaʻako location. Hawaii Public Radio.

Drains, Schools And Public Trust: State House District 46 Candidate Q&As. The central Oʻahu district was hard hit in the recent Kona low storms. Civil Beat.

Westside Families And Community Safety: State House District 45 Candidate Q&AsTwo partisan candidates are facing off in the West Oʻahu race. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Bets Millions That Students Will Eat Way More Eggs. The Agribusiness Development Corp. is closing in on a $4.7 million land purchase in Wahiawā for a highly specialized facility to crack eggs. Civil Beat.

Luxury Real Estate Broker Had Sex With Assistant At Homes He Was Selling. Former assistant says sexual activities took place at 10 to 20 listed properties over four years. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Residents blast STVRs legislation; commission defers action. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to defer consideration of a bill seeking to overhaul vacation rental rules during a meeting attended by more than a dozen testifiers, the majority of whom spoke in opposition. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Police Department officer sentenced in perjury case. A Hawaii Police Department officer was sentenced Tuesday to four years of supervision and 400 hours of community service after pleading no contest March 17 to charges of perjury, making a false sworn statement in official matters, and tampering with a government record. Noah Serrao, 29, who is on full-duty status, is allowed to possess and carry a firearm. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

US Army Corps of Engineers to host info session about Laupāhoehoe breakwater repairs. The breakwater sustained wave-related damage that is now impacting the use of the harbor; a design for repairs includes replacement of the breakwater core and installation of a new concrete crest cap and is intended to reduce wave energy in the harbor and improve navigation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui struggles to establish safe overnight areas for homeless communities. The Maui County Council granted funding for a Safe Parking Pilot Project in 2023. But despite funding and authorization being approved, the program has stalled. Hawaii Public Radio.

HDOT starting preliminary environmental studies for Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C. Earlier this year, Maui County announced it would allocate $100 million in federal disaster funds from the Maui Wildfires to this extension of the bypass, which is expected to cost between $220 million and $250 million. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente, Maui Health plan new Lahaina clinic. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Maui Health announced plans Tuesday to open a new clinic in Lahaina, nearly three years after Kaiser’s previous Lahaina clinic was destroyed in the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. Maui News.

Maui visitor spending climbs 26% in May as arrivals near pre-wildfire levels. Visitor spending on Maui rose 26.4% in May compared with a year earlier, outpacing every other island in Hawaiʻi, according to preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Maui Now.

Maui wrestling coach sues Hawaii DOE, alleges wrongful termination. Grant Nakamura, a Baldwin High School wrestling coach is suing the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, alleging his due process rights were violated after he was removed from his position following anonymous complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Crews clean up 1,000-gallon wastewater spill from sewage pump station on Kaua‘i. Cleanup is underway following an estimated 1,000-gallon wastewater spill Tuesday morning due to a communication failure at the Kapaʻia Sewage Pump Station, located near Kūhiō Highway and Ma‘alo Road. State health officials issued a wastewater discharge advisory because of the spill. Kauai Now.

Annual water quality report is available online and in print beginning Wednesday. The Kauaʻi Department of Water’s 2026 Water Quality Report will cover the water quality for all of 2025 for nine systems on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

First cohort graduates from University of Hawai‘i medical school’s Kaua‘i Medical Training Track. Four years after launching an effort to address Hawaiʻi’s rural healthcare needs, the first Kauaʻi Medical Training Track cohort has officially graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Housing, Affordability Are Center Stage In East Kaua‘i House Race. Rep. Luke Evslin is being challenged by David Hazlebeck, an algae farmer who is new to politics. Civil Beat.

Ahi origin labeling law kicks in Wednesday, Green signs $20B state budget, UH report says Oahu doesn't need new power plants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Ahi Origin Labeling Law Takes Effect on July 1st. A new law takes effect in Hawaiʻi this week, requiring stores selling raw processed ahi products to have country of origin labeling. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Maui News. Garden Island. 

Global tuna fishing practices pose significant risks to marine protected areas. Drifting devices used by the global tuna fishing industry are entering marine protected areas worldwide, creating potential risks for wildlife and sensitive ocean habitats, according to a new international study. Maui Now.

$20B state budget signed into law, accounts for federal cuts. Gov. Josh Green has signed a $20 billion state budget meant to account for federal cuts while maintaining benefits and services for residents. There were challenges this year to settle on a budget that both the state House of Representatives and Senate could agree on, as lawmakers had to find funding for important programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, faced significant slashes by the Trump administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Four state bills this year face potential veto. Gov. Josh Green may block the Legislature’s intended deposit into the state’s “rainy day” fund for a third time in four years. Green announced on Friday that he intends to veto a bill that lawmakers passed in May to put $50 million of state general fund revenue next fiscal year into Hawaii’s Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

State law enforcement is expanding the use of drones in Hawaii with new technology that is designed to protect first responders in close-quarters situations. Officials are also looking to broaden outdoor drone operations while some have concerns about eyes in the sky. KHON2.

Hawaii to get new driver’s license, state ID design with added security features. Hawaii is set to release a redesigned driver’s license and state ID cards later this year, marking the first update to both cards since 2009. The new cards will retain Hawaii’s iconic rainbow and will also feature the state flag, island chain, state fish and state seal. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Oahu

UH Report: Oʻahu Needs More Solar, Not New Power Plants. The report, written by University of Hawaii economics professor Michael Roberts and economics Ph.D. student Ethan Hartley and published by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, ran an energy model with 300 varying scenarios to determine what Hawaiian Electric Co. and the state should build “to keep Oahu’s lights on through 2050 while transitioning to 100% clean power and what it will cost.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

HART board adopts $1.07B budget for Skyline construction. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors Monday formally adopted the rail agency’s $1.07 billion operating and capital improvement program budgets for fiscal year 2027, which takes effect Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Councilman And His Opponent Are Big On Construction. Similarities End There. Honolulu council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, a prolific introducer of bills and longtime political insider, is being challenged by city worker Corey Morihara in his bid for reelection. Civil Beat.

Former Honolulu Employee Pleads Not Guilty To Defrauding Hawaiʻi Foodbank. Attorney says that Dexter Kishida did not benefit personally and got caught up in ‘complex government bureaucracy and red tape.’ Civil Beat.

Changing retail market space gives some Ward Centre retailers problems to find comparable location. Some tenants at Ward Centre said they’re having trouble finding a new location. Others said it was difficult to find a comparable area. Experts said the challenges are due to the changing landscape of retail market space. KHON2.

Activists angered over West Oahu chicken fights, residents defend practice. An animal rights advocate recorded video showing vehicles lining Hakimo Road in Nānākuli on Saturday afternoon for what he said was a cockfighting event. Hawaii News Now.

Kailua’s Fourth of July parade a tradition for 77 years. Every year, for more than seven decades, the Kailua Independence Day Parade has taken place like clockwork. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii Island

Kīlauea Eruptions And Puna Roads: State House District 5 Candidate Q&As. The incumbent House representative has two opponents. Civil Beat.

Substantial repairs planned for Laupahoehoe harbor and breakwater. Much-anticipated repairs to the Laupahoehoe Small Boat Harbor Breakwater are finally moving forward, with an informational meeting scheduled next week for the public to review design proposals and ask questions. Tribune-Herald. 

UH Hilo to offer new AI concentration. As the use of artificial intelligence becomes increasingly prevalent across industries, the University of Hawaii at Hilo is rolling out several new AI-focused offerings this fall to help prepare students for the rapidly changing landscape. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Public Or Private? The Future Of East Maui’s Water Is At Stake. The East Maui Water Authority says it wants to work with Mahi Pono to preserve and protect the water system as rainfall becomes less predictable. But the farm has its own plan. Civil Beat.

Maui County asks court to dismiss former chief of staff’s lawsuit; trial possible as election looms. Maui County is asking the court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Mayor Richard Bissen’s former chief of staff Leo Caires, who alleges he was wrongfully terminated for sounding the alarm on fraudulent activity.  Maui Now.

Rebuilt Lahaina affordable housing community is fully occupied again. An 89-unit affordable housing community in Lahaina that was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires has reopened and is fully occupied again. Maui News.

Kauai

Pacific Missile Range Facility honors lineal descendants of Na ‘Ohana Papa ‘O Mānā. Leadership from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands in West Kauaʻi joined lineal descendants of Na ʻOhana Papa O Mānā, to observe Summer Solstice on June 20 during a reverent and unifying ceremony at Lua Kupapa’u ‘O Nohili (Nohili crypt) on base. Kauai Now.