Kauai Mayor Kawakami to run for lieutenant governor, UH professional assembly endorses Luke, aquarium fishing ban remains in play in Legislature, Tokyo firm releases Oahu LNG plant plans, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kauai mayor launches bid to unseat Lt. Gov. Luke.  Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami plans to challenge Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s reelection bid as speculation at the state Capitol continues over whether Luke is the focus of an investigation regarding the “influential state legislator” who allegedly accepted a $35,000 bribe in a bag. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Kauai Now.  KHON2. 

University of Hawaiʻi Professional Assembly endorses Sylvia Luke for lieutenant governor. The University of Hawaii Professional Assembly board of directors and leadership team issued a statement Tuesday reaffirming its support for Sylvia Luke as lieutenant governor in the upcoming election.  Kauai Now.

Oahu

LNG electric plant proposed. Tokyo-based JERA Co. Inc. submitted its plan Tuesday for the roughly $2 billion liquefied natural gas project to state officials Tuesday after signing a collaboration agreement with Gov. Josh Green on Oct. 6 during a visit to Japan by the governor, according to the Hawaii State Energy Office. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Navy continues ‘degassing’ of Red Hill facility fuel tanks. The Navy this week continues the decommissioning, shutdown and remediation process at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, beginning the process of “degassing” Tank 12 of the World War II-era fuel farm. Star-Advertiser.

6 Oʻahu communities to pilot including food waste in green compost bins. Recycling food waste curbside is the goal of a new pilot program launching next month in six communities across Oʻahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

North Shore Oʻahu farms face long-term cleanups after heavy rains and flooding. Farmers on Oʻahu's North Shore are dealing with the damage caused by some of the worst flooding they've seen in years. Hawaii Public Radio.

High-rise residents stuck without elevators, hot water days after storm. Residents at The Diamond Head Vista on Pualani Way in Waikiki have been getting their steps in since Friday’s storm. The high-rise has 35 floors. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A Do-Or-Die Moment For One Of Hawaiʻi’s Most Contested Trades. A proposed aquarium fishing ban is in play as state aquatic resource officials move to revive the controversial fishing practice. Civil Beat. 

Kailua Village parking bill stalls again; measure aimed at capping fees draws spirited discussion. Hawaii County Council members again sparred with property managers Tuesday during committee discussions about a proposed bill that would limit fees at private parking lots in downtown Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Ready for another Kona low storm? Another system is forecast to hit the Big Island later this week. As the Big Island works to recover from the Kona low pressure storm that caused flooding and power outages over the weekend, a smaller, weaker Kona low system is forecast to arrive later this week. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Mayor Bissen seeks $15 million in emergency funds for storm repairs. Mayor Richard Bissen is requesting $15 million from the Maui County Council to cover emergency repairs and rising operational costs following the recent destructive Kona low storm. The Council will take up the emergency funding request during an emergency meeting at 8:45 a.m. Friday. Maui Now.

Maui braces for weeks-long recovery after Kona low, prepares for incoming storm. Maui County is grappling with widespread damage and a prolonged recovery effort after a powerful Kona-low storm swept across Hawaii over the weekend, flooding neighborhoods, cutting off roads and straining already limited infrastructure — even as another storm threatens to slow cleanup and deepen the damage. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Iwi Kūpuna Desecrated During Lahaina Fire Cleanup, Lawsuit Says. A family is suing a Maui landowner and the state for not protecting Native Hawaiian remains as required by law. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Measles virus detected in Kauai wastewater raises health concerns. Department of Health monitors positive wastewater detection of measles in Kauaʻi. A wastewater sample collected from a site in east Kauaʻi County on Feb. 25 has tested positive for the measles virus, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Kauai Now. KITV4.  

Income tax relief promise erodes in partisan squabble, war uncertainty freezes state economic forecast, officials urge residents to take storm seriously, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Income Tax Cuts: Lawmakers Chip Away At Promised Savings. Republicans at the State Capitol pounced on Democrats’ plans to defer a huge income tax cut that was promised to state residents in 2024, using prolonged floor debate Tuesday to scold the Democrats for reneging on the original tax cut. The ruling Democrats shrugged off that criticism and easily mustered the votes they needed to win preliminary approval Tuesday in both the House and Senate for two bills that would water down the original tax-cutting plan. Civil Beat.

Iran war uncertainty freezes Hawaii general fund forecast. Uncertainty over the war in Iran has dashed what could have been a more positive revenue forecast for the state’s general fund next fiscal year. The Hawaii Council on Revenues voted unanimously Tuesday to stick with a 2.0% growth rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, representing no change from its last two forecasts, made in January and September. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaiʻi Take This Native Hawaiian Advisory Group Seriously? The Aha Moku Advisory Committee weighs in on issues from fishing to military leases, but many think it’s not as effective as it could be. Civil Beat.

Fragrant flower lei, synonymous with Hawaii, face competition from cheaper imports. Some Hawaii lawmakers think the state should be doing more to help the producers of lei made with locally grown, fragrant flowers. Associated Press.

Oahu

Officials urge residents to take storm seriously. The storm system hitting Hawaii this week could bring up to 30 inches of rain to parts of Oahu through the weekend, and city officials have one key message for residents: stay home. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu officials brainstorm changing tax structure to boost revenue. With a relatively conservative budget in the works for the upcoming fiscal year, the Honolulu City Council and administration officials are brainstorming possible sources of revenue for Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

HPD seeks $400M budget for vacancies, vehicles and other needs. The Honolulu Police Department is proposing a nearly $400 million operating budget to fight crime while it tries to fill over 400 sworn-officer vacancies.  Star-Advertiser.

A&B shareholders approve $2.3B takeover of ’Big Five’ company. Alexander &Baldwin Inc., the last publicly traded survivor of Hawaii’s historic “Big Five,” is poised to end more than a century of public ownership after shareholders overwhelmingly approved a $2.3 billion buyout — the largest commercial real estate portfolio sale in state history. Star-Advertiser.

'Responsibility is everything': Women incarcerated on Oʻahu care for kittens. The “Transforming Animal and Incarcerated Individuals’ Lives” program, or TAIIL, is a collaboration between the Hawaiian Humane Society and the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Kona low expected to hit Big Island Thursday or Friday; flash flood watch posted. The forecast calls for wind gusts in Kona as high as 44 mph on Friday night and 47 mph on Saturday. Hilo gusts are forecast to be as high as 32 mph on Friday night and 28 mph on Saturday. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea latest eruption ends; Hawaiian Air cancels Hilo flights. Episode 43 of lava fountaining at the summit of Kilauea abruptly ended about 6:30 p.m., as Hawaiian Airlines announced  it had canceled five round-trip flights between Honolulu and Hilo, and diverted two flights to Kona due to volcanic ash from the ongoing eruption. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, partners to open tephra information center in Volcano. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense and partners The Red Cross and Community Response Team will be available beginning today (March 11) in Volcano to provide residents with information about tephra cleanup following Episode 43 of the ongoing episodic summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano. Big Island Now.

Coconut Island Bridge: Permanent Fix Will Take 3 Years, Cost $20 Million. A $2 million temporary replacement for Big Island’s Mokuola bridge is expected to be completed in the next two years. Civil Beat.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs emergency proclamation ahead of kona storm. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation Tuesday as Maui County continued preparations for a powerful kona storm that is expected to bring heavy rain, flooding and strong winds to the Hawaiian Islands this week. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Severe weather forecast prompts closure of all camping areas on Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. On Maui, this includes: Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area and Waiʻānapanapa State Park. On Molokaʻi, this includes Pālāʻau State Park overlooking Kalaupapa peninsula. Maui Now.

'People want hope that things are moving': Maui County mayor talks housing, water. HPR spoke with Mayor Richard Bissen about his 2026 State of the County address.In the speech, Bissen spoke of affordable housing and a historic water deal: Talks have been underway to bring more of Maui’s water resources under public control. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Flood advisory canceled for Kaua‘i as heavy rainfall diminishes. National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu report radar shows that heavy rain over the island has diminished and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Coffee Co. delays layoffs while land lease negotiations continue. At Kauaʻi Coffee Co., 136 people will keep their jobs for now as potential layoffs have been delayed for a month while lease negotiations continue to drag on between land owner Brue Baukol Capital Partners and Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA, which owns the local business. Kauai Now.

Governor seeks to borrow against new 'green fee' tourist tax, military wants Oahu to be hub of Pacific arms manufacturing, Air Force plans 7 new telescopes on Haleakala, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Initial ‘Green Fee’ projects are caught in funding dilemma. Gov. Josh Green is proposing to use debt instead of new special tax revenue to pay for an initial 18 “Green Fee” environmental improvement projects costing $42.2 million. The plan, which has aggravated some state lawmakers, would increase Green Fee project costs due to the interest on such debt while also freeing up a stream of cash specifically created for such projects to instead potentially fund other state needs. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers push for more transparency on Green Fee fund allocations. State lawmakers are working on how they will spend millions of dollars generated for climate projects by the new Green Fee on hotels and cruise ships. Two bills that would create more oversight for the selected projects advanced out of their first committees on Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Special Interests Are Fueling Gov. Josh Green’s Anti-RFK Jr. Super PAC. A political action committee Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green launched last year to push back against U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism and support candidates who believe in science-backed medicine raised nearly $500,000 during 2025, according to federal campaign spending records.  Civil Beat.

Questions over Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke likely to inspire challengers. Democratic and nonpartisan elected officials across the state are quietly calculating the financial and political costs of challenging Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke by the June 2 filing deadline while suspicions swirl whether Luke is the target of an ongoing investigation by Hawaii’s attorney general. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi AG says 'no conflict' in investigation into alleged $35K lawmaker exchange. Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez reaffirmed her position Friday that there is no conflict of interest in her department’s investigation into an “influential lawmaker” who allegedly accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during a January 2022 meeting. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Rep. Daniel Holt leaves state House for Hawaii DLNR job. State Rep. Daniel Holt resigned from the state House Friday following his appointment to serve as an executive assistant to Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang. The Hawaii Democratic Party now has 30 days to give Gov. Josh Green a list of potential candidates to replace Holt in the House. Green will then have 60 days to select Holt’s replacement. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

String Of ‘Devastating’ Suicides In Hawaiʻi Prisons Continues. Corrections officials are asking for millions of dollars this year to hire dozens of health care workers to improve mental health services inside. Civil Beat.

Demand soars as loan relief keeps health care workers home. Under bills being considerred by the Legislature, those who receive a total annual loan amount of $50,001 or more would be required to work in Hawaii for three years instead of two. Star-Advertiser.

Group says military contributes 16% of Hawaiʻi's gross domestic product. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded more than $3 billion in contracts in Hawaiʻi in 2023. That's according to a recent report from Hawaiʻi's Military and Community Relations Office, or MACRO. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. 

Sea-level rise concerns most Hawaii residents, UH study finds. The majority of Hawaii residents recognize that sea-level rise is happening — and the opinion is shared across political party lines, according to a new statewide survey by University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, which asked more than 1,300 residents in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties various questions on their opinions about sea-level rise. Star-Advertiser.

Lei legislation aims to bolster Hawaii flower farm industry. Buying lei made only with natural materials from Hawaii nei could be a new requirement for state agencies under an effort at the Legislature aimed at helping the local floriculture industry. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Military wants Hawaii to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing. Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, visited the Honolulu Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility — which has $12 million worth of machines funded by his office — and “The Forge,” a new facility at Schofield Barracks with on-site tools for 3D printing, casting and forging and the ability for what military officials call “rapid prototyping.” Star-Advertiser.

Pentagon mulls ending tuition assistance at HPU. The Pentagon is mulling terminating tuition assistance to service members attending dozens of universities, including Hawaii Pacific University. The military branches have begun to compile lists of colleges and universities that may have a “moderate to high risk” of being impacted, meaning the Pentagon wouldn’t fund any active-duty service members’ higher education there. Star-Advertiser.

Council works to boost agritourism oversight. To prevent abuse, members of the Honolulu City Council say they want to strengthen the oversight of agritourism activities on Oahu’s agricultural lands. Star-Advertiser.

Where Are Honolulu’s Wāhine Lifeguards? 19 Out Of 20 Are Men. Hawaiʻi has some of the lowest rates of female lifeguards in the country. As more women surfers claim a spot in the lineup, there’s hope that might change. Civil Beat.

Illegal rentals hurt hotel sector, deepen housing crisis. Honolulu’s hotel sector pumps more than $12 billion a year into the local economy and supports nearly 64,000 jobs, but industry leaders warn those gains are increasingly at risk as illegal vacation rentals drain housing from residents and erode public support for tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaʻako residents frustrated over dog ban at Ward Village park. The developer Howard Hughes Corp. promised residents a pet-friendly neighborhood, but it has now walked back its pitch to residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Higher tax rate eyed for Hawaii County homes worth $4M or more. The Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee on Feb. 4 voted 7-1 to forward with a favorable recommendation to the full council a measure that would add a new, higher rate of residential property tax for property with a net taxable value of $4 million or more. Tribune-Herald.

County, former department head exonerated in trial. Following a civil jury trial presided over by Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto, the county and Douglass Adams — former director of the Department of Research and Development — have been found legally not liable of all allegations in a lawsuit regarding the county’s hiring processes. Tribune-Herald.

County installs roundabout by in Hilo by HCC. The roundabout replaces the previous T-intersection at Kawili and Manono streets and was installed Friday as part of the ongoing Kawili Street paving project. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 42 Lava Fountains Erupt At Kīlauea Volcano. Episode 42 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 11:38 p.m. HST on February 15 after 9 hours and 48 minutes hours of continuous lava fountaining. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Air Force advances plans to build 7 more telescopes on Haleakalā as fuel spill cleanup continues. Activists are gearing up for another fight as the U.S. Air Force outlines plans to build up to seven more telescopes on the summit, even though it has not finished the cleanup of a 700-gallon fuel spill from 2023.  Maui Now.

Maui Housing Policy Divides Top Candidates For Mayor This Election. The mayoral election on Nov. 3 will give voters their first opportunity since the fires to decide who should steer the county for the next four years as it grapples with those issues. With four months before the candidate filing deadline, Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura has emerged as Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s top challenger. Civil Beat.

Open house offers chance to learn more about Maui’s new water conservation rules. The Maui County Department of Water Supply will host an open house from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 25 to discuss recent amendments to the county’s water conservation rules and what those changes mean to the community. Maui News.

Kauai

$6M OHA emergency fund offering help to Kauai Residents. OHA’s Hawaiian Council Outreach Team will be on Kauai on Monday, Feb. 16, to provide in-person assistance through its ‘Ola Emergency Relief Fund program. KHON2.

New mural ‘inspires responsibility,’ honors Kauai man killed by impaired driver. Students from Waimea High School and community members painted a new mural to limit impaired driving and remember a Kauai man killed in a hit-and-run crash. Hawaii News Now.

East, southeast shores to remain under high surf advisory. Strong trade winds will maintain relatively short period high surf along east-facing shores of Kauaʻi lasting into Wednesday. Kauai Now.

Gov. Josh Green takes the high road: a commentary

 

Poor Josh Green.

Right at the start of his gubernatorial reelection year, right on the cusp of actualizing his long drive to make a name for himself on the national political scene, the governor has been thrown a curve ball by his lieutenant.

Green announced Thursday he’d canceled his planned trip to the National Governors Association annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C. in order to tend to the controversy at home. Had Green left the state, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke would have been acting governor under state law.

“This annual winter meeting is important to the collaborative work I do on behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi,” Green said in a statement. “However, in light of recent events and to ensure steady leadership for our state during this time, I have canceled out-of-state travel for this month, including my attendance at this long-planned conference.”

It’s hardly fair.

In Hawaii, gubernatorial candidates don’t get to pick their running mate because the lieutenant governor is chosen in a separate race. So the winning governor is stuck with whomever the people picked in the primaries.

Seventeen states elect a lieutenant governor independently, while 26 states elect the governor and lieutenant governor on a joint ticket. Seven states, including Hawaii, nominate candidates in separate primaries, but they run on a single joint ticket during the general election.

At issue is an ongoing federal investigation into a long-simmering bribery case that had already sent two state lawmakers – Sen. J. Kalani English and Rep. Ty J.K. Cullen – to federal prison. Cullen, who turned government witness, secretly taped an “influential” lawmaker accepting $35,000 in a paper bag, according to federal court filings.

Luke, who at the time of the initial investigation was chairwoman of the powerful House Finance Committee, disclosed earlier last week that she accepted $10,000 in campaign checks from Cullen’s associates during a 2022 dinner with Cullen and his associates, but she denied she was the legislator taking $35,000 in a paper bag, as described n court filings.

Accepting $5,000 for a statewide campaign isn’t a crime. 

But as it turns out, Luke’s donations from those individuals weren’t reported to the state Campaign Spending Commission until just last week, after Honolulu Civil Beat started asking questions. Kudos to Civil Beat for flushing this information out of the shadows through its relentless reporting.

But back to the governor.

I must say that Green has been the most open, accessible and forthcoming public official in the 20 years I’ve been working in the state as a government reporter covering four of the most recent Hawaii governors. 

I started covering Green when he was in the state House representing Kailua-Kona, and continued covering him when he progressed to the state Senate and then to lieutenant governor and then to governor. One thing about Green, as a transplant from the U.S. continent, he was never part of the old gang Democratic Party here, always somewhat an outsider, and the more moderate of the party faithful, as far as that went.

His accessibility to the press was such, that when he was still also serving as an emergency room doctor, we would joke that he’d answer our calls even if he had his hands in a patient. OK, maybe not quite, but you get the idea. The man was accessible.

Despite his obvious pleasure in hobnobbing on the national scene, despite the efforts he makes to help not just Hawaii, but humanity, Green is making the right choice. Despite his disappointment in not being able to attend the NGA conference this week, he’s taking the high road.

“As I’ve previously stated, regarding the investigation, accountability is essential — no one gets a free pass,” Green said. “We are in an active phase of this effort led by our Attorney General and I want to see all of the facts released to the people of our state as expeditiously as possible. This needs to be resolved for the good of our public trust.”

You might disagree with his policies, but you can’t disagree with his openness to explain them. And really, isn’t that all we can ask of our elected officials?

Nancy Cook Lauer, who’s covered state and local governments for more than 30 years in Hawaii and Florida, is the publisher of All Hawaii News (www.allhawaiinews.com)

Undersea cable planned to connect 6 islands, gambling bills struggle in Legislature, Intermediate Court of Appeals judicial nominees named, Luke fallout continues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Draft EA Details Undersea Fiber Optic Cable Between Hawaiian Islands. A University of Hawaiʻi proposal to install a subsea fiber optic cable system connecting the six main Hawaiian Islands is detailed in a new draft environmental assessment.  The subsea cable system would improve and expand high-speed internet access and availability to the six main Hawaiian Islands. Big Island Video News.

Full 1,587-page environmental assessment on Undersea Fiber Optic Cable can be found here.

Gambling bills struggle to remain alive amid Hawaii’s prohibition on wagering.  A bill that would allow cruise ship gambling — even while ships are docked in Hawaii ports — stalled in a House committee Wednesday while another bill that would allow sports betting squeaked through as the state Legislature continues to debate whether to end Hawaii’s prohibition on gambling. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi eyes expanded automatic voter registration with driver's licenses. A state proposal could automatically register eligible residents to vote in elections — unless they explicitly “opt out” of that opportunity. Hawaiʻi already has an automatic voter registration system, but it follows an “opt-in” model.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Election advocates warn of political fallout following recent scandal. Several bills are already teed up this session to crack down on bribery and money-driven influence over lawmakers. Advocates say funding elections publicly is another way to bring ethics back to politics. KHON2.

Unlicensed Teachers Want To Work In Hawai‘i Schools For Longer. The state has become increasingly reliant on emergency hires in recent years, but educational leaders are split on what role they should play in schools moving forward. A package of bills that would allow emergency hires to work in schools for five years is now sparking debate around the role unlicensed teachers should play in Hawaiʻi classrooms.  Civil Beat.

Bill would help repay teachers’ student loans.  A bill moving through the state Legislature would create a new student loan repayment program for public school educators, aiming to ease financial pressures and help address Hawaii’s ongoing teacher shortage. Star-Advertiser.

Bill advances for disclosure and safeguards on conversational AI services in Hawaiʻi. Senate Bill 3001, known as the Artificial Intelligence Disclosure and Safety Act, the measure establishes consumer protections and safety standards for conversational artificial intelligence services operating in Hawaiʻi.  Maui Now.

Gov. Josh Green to choose judge from list of nominees for Intermediate Court of Appeals. The Judicial Selection Commission submitted the following nominees: Lance D. Collins, currently president and principal attorney of the Law Office of Lance D. Collins and a per diem District and Family Court judge; Daniel M. Gluck, currently a deputy corporation counsel for the City and County of Honolulu; Nickolas A. Kacprowski, currently a partner at Dentons US LLP; Robert T. Nakatsuji, currently a deputy prosecuting attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Democratic Party eyes local and national midterm elections. Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Chair Derek Turbin stopped by The Conversation on Monday morning to talk about criticism aimed at national leadership and the possible effects on various state and local-level races. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Luke Donor And Friends Cashed In On City-Funded Covid Testing Program. In a public health crisis, Tobi Solidum saw a business opportunity, and his company made millions from a Honolulu-funded program. Now he’s at the center of a public corruption scandal.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Student homelessness rises on Oahu’s west side. The number of students experiencing homelessness is rising on Oahu’s west side, according to Hawaii State Department of Education officials who say they are seeing the highest numbers in years. Hawaii News Now.

‘Let the kids play’: Legal dispute cancels flag football league for hundreds of keiki. Scott Nunotani, who started the NFL Flag Football Hawaii organization, was slapped with an injunction last Friday by his former employer, Ultimate Lokahi Sports, for starting the company and improperly competing against them. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu woman sentenced for threatening to kill Presidents Biden and Trump on Facebook. A 49-year-old woman was sentenced to seven months in prison on Tuesday after she pled guilty to threatening to kill Presidents Biden and Trump in multiple Facebook posts and comments. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

$33 million well spent? Resolution seeking audit of county homeless fund spending passes. The Hawaii County Council on Feb. 4 voted 8-0 to approve a resolution requesting the county auditor conduct a performance audit of the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Homeless and Housing Fund, a five-year program established by the council in 2022 to combat homelessness. Tribune-Herald.

Grand opening Friday for new Hilo Goodwill store. Goodwill Hawaii has announced that the Hilo Store and Donation Center will be relocating to its Hawaii Island Campus (17 Makaala St.), which offers a larger retail space, more parking and a convenient donation drop-off. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

High court blocks appeal of $4 billion Maui wildfire settlement, but payouts still delayed. For the second time in two years, the Hawaii Supreme Court has blocked insurance companies from acquiring part of a $4 billion Maui wildfire settlement. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Housing Policy Divides Top Candidates For Mayor This Election. Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura is trying to unseat Mayor Richard Bissen in a closely watched race this election. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant program continues through this year. The grant operates alongside the utility co-op’s Commercial Retrofit Program, which provides funding for efficiency upgrades of existing items and units — including air conditioning, motors and refrigeration. Kauai Now.

New CPR machines coming to Wilcox. Hawaii Pacific Health announced on Tuesday that the Leona M. and Harry B. Hensley Charitable Trust is funding new lifesaving equipment for cardiac emergencies all the Hawaii Pacific Health (HPH) system with a grant totaling nearly $360,000. Garden Island.

Group outlines spending plan for 'Green fee' tourist tax, Houses urges AG to expedite bribery investigation, Case gathers war chest in congressional race challenged by state legislators, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Group outlines spending plan for new climate change tax. The new Green Fee Advisory Council had to choose from among more than $2 billion worth of funding requests to help Hawaii respond to climate change, but will only have $100 million or so annually to recommend through the first statewide tax of its kind in the country, which has been collecting revenue since Jan. 1. The recommendations that the 10-member, volunteer council made to Green include $1.5 million to track and publicize how the Green Fee is being dispersed among three separate funding “buckets” mandated by Act 96: environmental stewardship; climate and hazard resilience; and sustainable tourism. Gov. Josh Green signed the so-called “Green Fee” into law last year as Act 96. It increases the state’s transient accommodation tax by .075% — to 11% — on overnight lodgings for everyone, including local residents. Star-Advertiser.

House urges Hawaiʻi AG to expedite investigation into alleged $35,000 payment. The state House passed a resolution urging the Hawaiʻi attorney general to expedite the investigation to identify a Hawaiʻi lawmaker who is accused of accepting $35,000 in 2022.  Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Ed Case Has Substantial Lead In Money Race For U.S. House Seat.  Two state lawmakers, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole and Rep. Della Au Belatti, have mounted campaigns against Case. Civil Beat.

The State Capitol Is Buzzing About This Prominent Hawaiʻi Lawmaker. Longtime Sen. Michelle Kidani may be leaving office early amid concerns about whether she is mentally fit. Sources say the 77-year-old lawmaker is suffering from dementia and has been under a doctor’s care. Civil Beat.

Bill deferred that would prohibit open carry of bladed weapons. Multiple machete-related violent crimes across Oahu left Hawaii lawmakers to revisit a proposal that would prohibit the open carry of any deadly or dangerous weapon. KHON2.

Nurses brace for a long haul on second week. The United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, which represents 31,000 workers, including about 250 in Hawaii, began striking on Jan. 26.  Star-Advertiser.

Dozens of traveling preschools in underserved communities at risk of closing. More than 60 of these early learning programs across the state could soon close with millions in federal funds drying up as early as this summer, leaving more than 2,000 keiki without access. KITV4.

Bankoh passing CEO torch as Ho retires. Bank of Hawaii Corp. CEO Peter Ho is set to hand off the chief executive role at the 128-year-old financial institution to company President and Chief Banking Officer James Polk. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi practitioners say AI has no place in cultural tattoo practices. The rise of AI-generated images has cultural practitioners in Hawaiʻi worried about the misappropriation of Indigenous tattoos and copying designs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Judge orders mediation for HART, Hitachi litigation. A state judge presiding over contending, multimillion dollar lawsuits brought by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and its main contractor has directed both parties to submit to mediation, a HART lawyer confirms. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaiʻi to search for separate Mānoa campus chancellor. The University of Hawaiʻi is thinking about splitting President Wendy Hensel’s job into two positions — similar to how it was a decade ago. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Agrees To Settle Case Over Prison Drug Withdrawal Death. The settlement calls for a $600,000 payment to the estate of Brian Kimo O’Gorman after he suffered heart failure while withdrawing from methadone. Civil Beat.

State, county settle lawsuits over wrongful psychiatric detention. When finalized, the deal will end the state and federal civil lawsuits filed by Joshua Spriestersbach, who was 46 years old in 2017 when he was arrested for someone else’s crimes outside a shelter in Chinatown. Hawaii News Now.

No Parking signs near Lanikai Beach could mean more ticketing, towing. About 170 cars are parked illegally along the loop near the popular Lanikai Beach every day, according to city officials, who drafted a proposal to ease congestion in the area. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Honolulu real estate company buys family-owned Pāhoa Village Center. Watumull Properties Corporation acquired the 101,000-square-foot neighborhood shopping center located at 15-2880 Pāhoa Village Road in Pāhoa in October for $4.39 million from the Bellman family. Big Island Now.

Council urges restoration of Isaac Hale park. A resolution urging the county Department of Parks and Recreation “to prioritize and expedite the restoration of Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki” was approved 6-0 on Jan. 23 by the County Council with council members Ashley Kierkiewicz and Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder of Puna and Heather Kimball of Hamakua excused. Tribune-Herald.

Kealakehe Elementary breaks ground on $16 million classroom building. The two-story structure will add more than 13,000 square feet of learning space, including four new classrooms, special education areas, faculty offices, and an outdoor learning space. Hawaii News Now.

Waimea Town Hall to address unexploded ordnance cleanup, drug seizures, proposed legislation. At the upcoming Waimea Town meeting on Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will address the current unexploded ordnance cleanup slated to begin at Waimea-Kohala Airport this month, as well as the latest statistics of drug seizures made by Hawai‘i Island police and proposed county legislation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Oceanfront Lahaina Property Owners May Get Buyout In Updated Disaster Plan. The county is seeking an amendment to create a voluntary buyout program with some of its $1.6 billion fire recovery grant from the feds. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Water Service requests rate increase for Kapalua, Maui. Hawaii Water Service Company, which provides water and wastewater services in Kapalua, Maui, is requesting a rate increase. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Hawai‘i governor selects new Kaua‘i Circuit Court judge. Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green has appointed Stephanie R.S. Char to be Circuit Court judge for the Fifth Circuit on Kaua‘i. Char currently serves as a district family court judge for the 5th Circuit, where she presides over a wide range of civil, criminal and family court matters. Kauai Now.

Finance Department, Mayor celebrate installation of DMV kiosk. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and the joined the Western Motor Service ‘ohana, including the Kaiakapu family — Crystal, Koty and Jed — to celebrate the self-service motor vehicle registration kiosk that was installed at the business in December. Garden Island.

Tourism remains below peak levels, bill could add wealth tax to support Medicaid, Kamehameha Schools tuition to be free, Seattle Seahawks holding flag football clinics this weekend in Hilo and Kona, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii visitor arrivals end 2025 well below pre-pandemic peak. Hawaii ended 2025 with nearly flat visitor arrivals and a tourism economy still short of its pre-COVID peak — and below what many hotels and small businesses say they need to stay afloat. Preliminary data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism shows 9.64 million visitors came to Hawaii last year, a 0.6% dip from 2024 and far short of the 10.4 million arrivals recorded in 2019.   Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers unveil bills to make up for federal cuts to Medicaid, boost child care tax credits. The bill package includes tax breaks for child care. They also want to add a 2% tax on earnings over $1 million a year to generate more than $70 million annually to help people on Medicaid. Hawaii News Now.

Early Learning Sites Could Close Soon In Hawaiʻi Amid Federal Funding Chaos. Providers are preparing for the possibility of closing down dozens of early learning sites across the state as uncertainty swirls around federal funding and the expiration of grants. Civil Beat.

Abuse protections, reproductive care top priorities for Women's Legislative Caucus. Protecting domestic abuse survivors, preventing human trafficking and safeguarding reproductive care are the focus of the bipartisan Women’s Legislative Caucus this session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Advocates seek to lower drunk-driving threshold. Mothers Against Drunk Driving members gathered at the Capitol rotunda on Thursday morning to once again advocate for making Hawaii only the second state to lower its legal blood alcohol level to drink and drive below .08. House Bill 1827 would lower the allowable blood alcohol content to drive from 0.08 to 0.05, matching only Utah. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools tuition to be free, judge rules. A Circuit Court probate judge Thursday granted the Kamehameha Schools trustees’ petition that will allow it to be tuition-free beginning in fall of the upcoming school year. Judge Jeanette Castagnetti said Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop “expressly gave the trustees the power to determine if tuition should be charged.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

$5M National Science Foundation award to address outdated wastewater infrastructure. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers are part of a team recently awarded a 3-year, $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to address the environmental and public health impacts of outdated wastewater infrastructure in island communities. An estimated 83,000 cesspools discharge about 52 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the ground each day in Hawaiʻi alone, contaminating coastal waters and damaging coral reefs. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Honolulu’s only waste incinerator needs fresh investment to bring it up to international standards, council vice-chair says. Figuring out what to do with garbage on a small island is a conundrum that has inspired two recent proposals by local and state lawmakers to lessen the addiction to stowing it in a hole in the ground. Civil Beat.

Farmers cite critical threats to Hawaii food system. Farmers, ranchers and agricultural advocates from across Oahu’s North Shore met Thursday with U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D, Hawaii) at Waialua District Park, raising urgent concerns about violence on agricultural lands, labor shortages, land speculation and decades of environmental contamination, which they say undermine Hawaii’s food system. Participants said safety is the most pressing issue facing the industry. Star-Advertiser.

Bill would ban LNG use for electricity. Gov. Josh Green’s administration is facing legislative push-back against a 2025 energy policy reversal recommending interim use of liquefied natural gas, instead of oil, to make electricity on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Student resource officers three weeks in bringing positive change to school campuses. Student Resource Officers, or SROs, are retired cops who were recruited by the Honolulu Police Department to work in an assigned high school, set up with an office, full uniform, and armed. While at first, the program was met with skepticism from school communities, three weeks in, school leaders say they’ve already been seeing a huge success. KHON2.

Hawaii Department of Education breaks ground on first regional food facility. The Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) broke ground on the first regional kitchen facility in Whitmore Village that will feed healthier meals to students across multiple central Oahu schools. Hawaii News Now.

5 sentenced to prison for tax fraud conspiracy. Five people to federal prison Thursday and ordered to pay more than $2.5 million in restitution for their roles in a conspiracy to file false tax returns to secure millions that they laundered through local real estate holdings, banks and trusts. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Police Commission interviews eight finalists from pool of 64 for new chief. During a special public meeting on Thursday, the Hawai‘i County Police Commission interviewed the eight finalists for chief out of a pool of 64 applicants, of which only 27 met the minimum qualifications. The nine commissioners will reconvene on Friday to make their final selection. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

Seattle Seahawks To Host Flag Football Clinics In Hilo, Kona. The Super Bowl-bound Seattle Seahawks will stop on the Big Island next week, where the NFL organization will host two free girls’ flag football clinics for high school athletes in Hilo and Kona. The events will be held one week before the Seahawks take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Former Maui County planning commissioner joins mayoral race. On Thursday, real estate broker and former Maui County planning commissioner P. Denise La Costa announced her candidacy for county mayor. Maui News.

County secures $2M grant from National Park Service to support Lahaina Royal Complex. The County of Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources has secured $2 million in highly competitive federal funding through a grant awarded by the National Park Service. Maui Now.

Kauai

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles Are Attacking A Popular Kaua‘i Golf Course. The county is preparing to go after breeding sites as the invasive species spreads across the island.  The nearly 100-year-old Wailua Municipal Golf Course is home to more than 580 coconut trees. It’s also one of Kaua‘i’s most visible sites for coconut rhinoceros beetle damage.  Civil Beat.

Green asks Legislature for help protecting immigrants, candidate filing opens Monday, swastikas deface Kauai hiking trail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor Wants New Laws To Protect Immigrants — Fast. Lawmakers were surprised by his comments, which came after a rally at the Capitol where hundreds protested ICE and the killings of protesters.In the wake of two killings of protesters by federal agents and amid bitter national debate over immigration enforcement, Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday he’d welcome action by the state Legislature to fast-track legislation protecting immigrants.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Senate President Ron Kouchi weighs in on state of the islands. The Conversation invited Senate President Ron Kouchi to talk about the governor’s plan to pause tax breaks intended to help with the cost of living. Kouchi says he wants to see more details.  Hawaii Public Radio.

2026 Election Candidate Filing Opens Feb. 2 in Hawai‘i. In order to qualify, candidates must obtain a nomination paper and collect signatures from registered voters in the district they represent. The filing deadline is June 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. KITV4.

Hawaii lawmakers to consider placard program for firearms. Senate Bill 3041 would require business owners to post color-coded signs indicating whether they allow guns and large knives on their properties. KITV4.

NOAA asks mariners to watch out for entangled humpback whale. Wildlife officials said the 40-foot-long whale – referred to as Palette — was last seen Thursday off Lahaina by the monitoring team of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi's wildlife refuges brace for potential federal funding cuts. There are 10 refuges across Hawaiʻi, including James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oʻahu, Keālia Pond on Maui, and Hakalau Forest on the Big Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Waiʻanae Group Wants A New Homeless Shelter. Can They Overcome Objections? Disagreements include whether more services will help current Westside homeless or if they will just become a magnet for more. Civil Beat.

Queen’s May Cut Ties With This For-Profit Medicare Insurer. The contract dispute with Humana highlights broader health system woes. The Queen’s Health Systems has notified patients with Humana Inc. medical insurance that they soon may need to find a new doctor or get new health insurance. Civil Beat.

8 Honolulu police officers attacked in Waikiki since June. Waikiki is HPD’s patrol District 6, the department’s smallest patrol area at 1-1/2 square miles, covers the Waikiki peninsula bordered by the Ala Wai Canal, Diamond Head and the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Washington Place renovations to begin in February. Historic Hawaii home Washington Place will soon undergo repairs and restoration. But that work will keep the public out until the end of 2027. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

As Palm-Killing Beetles Spread On Big Island, State Action Is Slow. Hawaiʻi island residents have been tracking coconut rhinoceros beetles’ destruction throughout the islands. Fearing the same for their home, they’re urging the state to move faster. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.

County acquires coastal property in E. Hawaii. An 81-acre site on the Hilo/Hamakua coast will be preserved in perpetuity following its purchase by Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

The Hawaii Police Department is now leading the state in total drug seizures. Police say the nearly two pounds of illicit fentanyl recovered alone had the potential to cause 500,000 fatal overdoses. KHON2. KITV4. 

Maui

Mayor Bissen: Maui’s wildfire recovery shifts gears to housing delivery and infrastructure investment. Mayor Richard Bissen told state lawmakers Monday that his administration has shifted its focus from immediate wildfire recovery to housing delivery and large-scale infrastructure investments, forecasting the construction of approximately 3,000 affordable and workforce homes by 2030. Maui Now.

Community input welcome on Māla Boat Ramp site improvements. The community is invited to a Feb. 4 meeting to provide input on a proposed improvement project for Māla Boat Ramp on Maui’s west side. Maui Now.

Forensic Sciences Lab secures last remains of venerated Saint Marianne of Molokaʻi. More than a century after her death, the story of a saint who served those with Hansen’s disease and died on Moloka’i is being told anew—through science. Chaminade University’s Forensic Sciences Unit is helping evaluate her remains. Maui Now.

Kauai

Swastikas deface Sleeping Giant hiking trail on Kauai. Hikers were alarmed Sunday to find 14 swastikas spray-painted on trees, rocks and a bench with the word “Aloha” carved into it, along the popular Sleeping Giant hiking trail on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Survey finds support for Hawaii military presence, feds investigating state transgender athletics policies, Honolulu hires search firm for police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Survey finds broad support for Hawaii military presence. Hawaii residents generally support the military’s presence in the islands, which employs 73,072 Department of Defense employees and pumps billions into the local economy each year, officials with the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism announced Wednesday. DBEDT’s online survey of 541 adult island residents showed that 62% of residents feel “positively” about the military’s presence in Hawaii, with 74% agreeing that it “strengthens” Hawaii’s economy. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Feds Investigating Hawaiʻi Schools’ Policies On Transgender Athletes. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education is one of 18 school districts and educational institutions across the country being investigated for allowing transgender athletes to participate in school sports, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday.  Hawaiʻi’s education department allows transgender student athletes to join the high school sports teams of their choice. Civil Beat.

House Majority outlines top priorities for 2026 legislative session. Housing, Native Hawaiian issues and preserving the social safety net are among priorities when the Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene in regular session on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Maui Now.

Public Defenders Got 20% Raises, But Hawaiʻi Isn’t Paying Them. The public defense attorneys typically earn far less than lawyers at other state agencies. Six months after a move to address the disparity, the money still hasn’t materialized. Civil Beat.

State Lawmakers Want To Protect Hawaiʻi Kids From AI Chatbots. Worried that children are being exploited by chatbots, lawmakers will again push for a bill to require organizations that use artificial intelligence in commercial transactions to publicly disclose that information to consumers. Civil Beat. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Handbook rewrite, incorrect memo prompt concerns for Hawaiian Airlines. A policy rewrite and a misworded memo about it caused concern for employees and frequent flyers of Hawaiian Airlines. The last bullet point was highlighted: “In an effort to align our language to be inclusive for our entire employee population across the entire U.S., the Hawaiian words have been removed.” Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Commission hires firm to find next HPD chief. The Honolulu Police Commission has entered into a $121,900 contract with an executive search firm from California as part of the ongoing effort to hire the city’s 13th police chief. Star-Advertiser.

$1.1M grant for Hawaiʻi's medical school seeks to further AI development. The funding comes from the American Medical Association as part of its national “Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education” grant program. The John A. Burns School of Medicine plans to use the money to develop AI systems to have a humanistic approach when teaching medical students about rural health. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Fight During Work Hours Wasn’t Enough To Get This City Inspector Fired. Honolulu hired Bryan Porcello despite at least eight convictions, and only fired him after his arrest for allegedly bailing a woman out of jail for sex.  Civil Beat.

Pilot program puts Honolulu police officers in 3 schools. The Honolulu Police Department and state Department of Education have launched Oahu’s first formal school resource officer pilot program, placing officers at Waianae, Kapolei and Kaimuki high schools through the current school year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

ACLU Hawaii sues federal government to seek release of immigration detainee  who was detained during his green card hearing. ACLU comes to aid of Captain Cook man taken by ICE. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a habeas corpus petition Tuesday in U.S. District Court seeking the release of 42-year-old Captain Cook man Jose Estrada Lopez, who has been incarcerated without charges or bail at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Interim Police Chief addresses arrests of two Hawaiʻi Island officers. Two Hawai‘i Island police officers appeared Wednesday afternoon in Hilo Circuit Court, where they pleaded not guilty to charges levied against them by the State of Hawai‘i Attorney General involving alleged unconstitutional searches of an arrestee’s belongings in May 2023. Big Island Now.

PONC program accepting nominations through Jan. 31.  The Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) is accepting nominations from the public through Jan. 31 for lands to be considered for preservation. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Jacky Takakura named Maui County Planning Director. Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed Jacky Takakura, a former Deputy Planning Director, to serve as County of Maui Planning Director. Her appointment takes effect Feb. 1 and is subject to confirmation by the Maui County Council. Maui Now.

Longtime kalo farmer announces run for Maui County Council. A longtime kalo farmer, Bobby Pahia, has announced his bid for a seat in the Maui County Council. Pahia announced Wednesday afternoon that he is running for the Upcountry residency seat currently held by Yuki Lei Sugimura, who is running for mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Maui braces for possible end to FEMA rental assistance and more housing strain for fire survivors. Nearly 1,000 households displaced by catastrophic wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui are anxiously awaiting word on whether federal assistance helping them stay housed will be left to expire, forcing them to find new housing or pay more for it in one of the tightest and most expensive rental environments in the country. Associated Press.

Kauai

New public pre-K classroom to help increase education access on Kauai. King Kaumualii Elementary in Lihue is now the fifth out of Kauai’s nine public elementary schools to offer public pre-K. Hawaii News Now.

Kapa‘a Satellite DMV site open, available to assist East Kaua‘i residents. Kaua‘i County Division of Motor Vehicles reminds the public that — while services are somewhat limited and by appointment-only — its Kapa‘a satellite location is open and available to assist East Kaua‘i residents. Kauai Now.

Hawaii’s largest coffee farm warns of mass layoff. Kauai Coffee Co. has told state and county leaders that it is being forced to lay off the 136 employees of its 3,100-acre Garden Isle farm. In December, Brue Baukol executives told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the company was committed to keeping Kauai Coffee open and was exploring ways to preserve, improve, or potentially manage the business itself. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Rhoads sponsors 'no secret police' bill, Health Department moving out of sick building, legislators question HMSA-Hawaii Pacific Health alliance plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

'No secret police' bill is high on ACLU's list of Hawaiʻi legislative priorities. State Sen. Karl Rhoads is working with the organization to introduce a “no secret police” bill that would bar state, local and federal law enforcement from concealing their identity by wearing masks or covering their badges. Hawaii Public Radio.

More people are applying to state jobs, but actual hires still lag. The state saw a surge in job applications after several recruiting efforts, although the number of actual hires they’ve resulted in is still low. The state received about 41,500 applications last year, up 27% from 2024. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Preschool Aid May Not Kick In This School Year After All. The expansion of preschool tuition subsidies is part of the state’s strategy to increase access to early education, but some families are facing delays in receiving aid. Civil Beat.

School Sports Fans Are Getting Meaner. Do Hawaiʻi Laws Fall Short? The recent assault of Moanalua High School’s assistant athletic director has sparked calls to better protect sports officials. Teachers say the DOE needs to do more to keep them safe, too. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi May Add A Test To Driver’s License Renewals As Traffic Deaths Climb. Drivers would have to take written knowledge tests during their license renewals, something Hawaiʻi stopped requiring almost three decades ago. Civil Beat.

Parts of state in drought despite wet December. Last month brought contrasting rainfall patterns across Hawaii, with Kauai and Oahu seeing widespread rain and some flooding, while Maui County and Hawaii island remained largely dry, according to a monthly climate summary released last week by the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaii lawmakers start looking into HMSA-HPH alliance plan. State lawamakers had dozens of questions Tuesday during a three-hour joint briefing at the state Capitol regarding the impacts of Hawaii’s largest health insurer, Hawaii Medical Service Association, joining forces with Hawai‘i Pacific Health. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Honolulu City Council advances bill to raise transit fares. A proposal to increase fares for riders of TheBus, TheHandi-Van and Skyline for the first time since 2022 is moving forward in the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Asbestos, safety concerns drive Hawaii’s Health Department from headquarters. Relocating 549 employees and some services for the public is slated for later this year, and is expected to cost $3 million for the next fiscal year that begins July 1 to rent space in two downtown Honolulu office towers under a lease slated to run about 15 years. Star-Advertiser.

Fighter jets return to Oahu skies for annual Sentry Aloha Training. The Hawaii Air National Guard is hosting its annual Sentry Aloha fighter exercise from Jan. 14-28. This year’s iteration, Sentry Aloha 26-1, includes about 1,000 personnel and 41 aircraft from seven states with additional support from Australia.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Public input sought on the stewardship of Mauna Kea. The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, in partnership with Kua o Wākea, will hold a series of 10 community workshops across the Hawaiian Islands starting Jan. 15. Big Island Now.

2 Hawaiʻi Island police officers arrested for perjury, evidence tampering. The State of Hawai‘i Attorney General filed a felony charging complaint in 3rd Circuit Court on Tuesday against two Hawai‘i Island police officers for a variety of charges, including perjury and evidence tampering stemming from unconstitutional searches of an arrestee’s belongings in May 2023. Warrants were issued for the arrests of Officers Blane Kenolio and Noah Serrao. Big Island Now. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Questions linger regarding workforce housing bill. An amended version of a bill that would allow residential development in Hawaii County’s industrial-commercial mixed-use zoning districts has been postponed until the Feb. 4 County Council meeting for possible further amendment. Tribune-Herald.

Penn asks Hilo judge to recuse himself in domestic abuse cases. BJ Penn has filed a motion asking Hilo Circuit Judge Peter Kubota to recuse himself from hearing any of Penn’s domestic-abuse related cases. In addition, Penn has filed a motion to discharge his court-appointed defense attorney, Alan Komagome. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Councilmember Sugimura to challenge Bissen for mayor's office. Maui County Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura has announced she will run for mayor. Sugimura was born and raised in Wailuku and has served on the council for nearly a decade. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Police release details, body worn camera footage from fatal Wailuku shooting. Maui police released body worn camera footage and further details, regarding Thursday night’s deadly shooting in which a suspect was killed during an exchange of gunfire with police in Wailuku. Police have since identified the deceased as 40-year-old Kristopher Austin. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi Coffee Co. employees receive WARN notices with lease ending March 28. Kauaʻi Coffee Co. on Monday sent Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications, known as WARN notices, to its 141 employees with its land lease ending at the end of March. Kauai Now.

Lab confirms native duck on Kaua‘i found sick in November died from avian flu. The Koloa Maoli was found sick on Nov. 26 at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hanalei Wildlife Refuge in Hanalei. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the illness in the bird, which died within 24 hours of being found. Kauai Now.