HNL next to last in airport survey, Hawaii Mormon population growing, Honolulu council mulls taxpayer-paid candidate mailers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu ranks next to last in large U.S airport survey. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport ranked next to last among large U.S. airports in the latest JD Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study despite Hawaii’s nearly $7 billion airport modernization effort. Only Philadelphia International Airport ranked lower.  Star-Advertiser.

Underdog Gov Candidate Takes On The Democratic Machine — Again. Republican and small businessman Gary Cordery says his children had to move away because they could not afford to stay. He wants to reduce the cost of living. Civil Beat.

Republican ticket brings diverse approaches to gubernatorial race. The Republican ticket for Hawaii governor and lieutenant governor brings together a 66-year-old general contractor whose 13 children and grandchildren all had to leave the state they love because of Hawaii’s high cost of living, and a 48-year-old Kahana Valley breadfruit, taro and pig farmer who lives off the land and homeschools the four youngest of his seven children. Star-Advertiser.

Kauhale builders admit ‘mistakes were made’ as audit looms. The impending release of a highly anticipated critical audit of the state’s kauhale homeless housing initiative has prompted a rebuke of HomeAid Hawai‘i over its billing practices and led the nonprofit to launch its own financial reviews resulting in its CEO repaying $17,982 for expenses considered his “personal responsibility.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Mormon Population Growing, Diversifying In U.S. The membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or more commonly known as the Mormon Church, has been getting more diverse over time, with the religion popular in the Pacific Islands and growing slightly in Hawaiʻi.  Civil Beat.

Is OHA’s Board In For Another Shakeup? The outcome of the race for three at-large seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees has the potential to change the makeup of the board as it faces several crucial decisions. Civil Beat.

Schatz Pushes AI Oversight As Tech Goes Rogue: ‘Humans In Control’. In an interview with Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi’s senior senator explains why Congress needs to set up AI safety rules now before something “horrifying” happens. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council mulls limits on taxpayer-funded election-year mailers. The Honolulu City Council is considering new restrictions on elected officials’ use of taxpayer-funded resources for mass communications, including mailers sent to voters near election dates. The action comes amid a parallel effort by the city Ethics Commission to address concerns about incumbent Council members using public resources to promote their work shortly before voters head to the polls. Star-Advertiser.

Well Reopening Near Red Hill Stirs Up Lingering Concerns Over Poisoned Plume. Five years after the fuel spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, the U.S. Navy has received conditional approval to reopen the nearby ʻAiea Hālawa Shaft. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu transit agency is paying record-high prices to fuel city buses. As the war in Iran drives up fuel prices, Honolulu's transit agency says it is paying the most it has ever paid for diesel to run city buses. Right now, the city Department of Transportation Services is paying an unprecedented $5.66 per gallon of diesel. Hawaii Public Radio.

Another change of plans for Honolulu's Chinatown. A recent vote by the Honolulu City Council canceled plans to relocate two city agencies to a building in the heart of Chinatown. That set back hopes for new economic development for the area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Road cameras to be deployed. The state Department of Law Enforcement has plans to install 75 automatic license plate reader cameras, known as ALPRs, on the Big Island as part of an initiative to deploy about 400 of the cameras statewide.  Tribune-Herald.

Online public survey launched for Puna Alternate Route Study. The online survey is aimed at gathering the public’s opinion and thoughts about travel patterns in and out of Puna, existing transportation conditions and concerns as well as emergency access and resilience. Big Island Now.

PGV aims to boost output with new wells. Drilling is scheduled to start this month for several new wells at the Puna Geothermal Venture facility. Tribune-Herald.

Two Kaʻū condo communities deserted after Lala damaged private Punaluʻu utility servicing water, sewer. The condo communities of Colony I and Kalana Estates in Kaʻū look like a ghost town. The nearly 100 units in the remote, southern part of the Big Island survived Hurricane Lala. But , the private utility Punaluʻu Water and Sanitation that services their drinking water and sewer did not. Big Island Now.

Water Restriction Notice Issued For South Kohala Coast. A Water Restriction Notice requires affected customers to reduce water use by at least 25 percent, officials say. Big Island Video News.

Maui

After finishing first in the mayoral primary, Bissen outpaces Sugimura in fundraising. Since incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen finished first in the Aug. 8 primary election, he has out fundraised opponent Yuki Lei Sugimura, but she has spent more as she tries to make up the nearly 5,000-vote gap he had over her in the 10-person field. Bissen’s campaign raised $79,963 to Sugimura’s $65,479, according to the latest spending reports. Maui Now.

Stormy summer takes toll on Maui beaches already battling erosion. Coastlines across Maui are showing the effects of torrential rains and an unusually strong hurricane season in the Pacific. In South Maui, portions of beach parks are roped off due to erosion.  Maui Now.

The Dunes at Maui Lani faces repeated storms in 2026. In March, more than 22 inches of rain caused extensive flooding, toppled 12 trees and forced the course to close for 13 days, according to course officials. Since then, two hurricanes have affected Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai man ‘very grateful’ after surviving debris-clearing accident, loses leg. A Kauai man is on a long road to recovery after he said he nearly lost his life in the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell. Agenhart Puulei, known by many as “Tin Tin,” was using an excavator to clear debris from Hurricane Lowell when one of the logs he picked up fell. Hawaii News Now.

Salt Pond Beach Park remains closed after Lowell damages historic salt-making area. Nearly a month after Hurricane Lowell passed near the state, Salt Pond Beach Park remains closed as crews and community members work to recover from extensive sand and debris damage. KHON2.

Officials advise no swimming, ocean recreation activities because of brown water advisory. Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau officials advise no swimming or other ocean recreation activities because of an islandwide brown water advisory issued by Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Water Branch. Kauai Now.

Kids saddle up for fall fun at Healing Horses Kauaʻi. Children on Kauaʻi will have the opportunity this week to spend their fall days learning about horses, building riding skills, and exploring their creativity at Healing Horses Kauai’s 2026 Fall Horsemanship and Riding Camps. Kauai Now.

Everything is free at family fun day! Everything at the Puhi park open field was free at the Family Fun Day, Teddy Arroyo said on Sunday. Garden Island.

Shortage of HI-5 redemption centers swelling state coffers, Cat 4 Hurricane Nolo remains well south of state, Papaikou resident fights proposed cell tower, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HI-5 fund swells to $105 million as bottle redemptions decline. The state Department of Health now has over $100 million in a fund from an inefficient and inconvenient program created to boost beverage container recycling with refundable deposits paid by consumers. There is now $105 million in the Hawaii Deposit Beverage Container program fund held by the agency, up from $74 million near the end of last year as redemption rates fall in part due to not enough redemption centers and centers that aren’t very convenient for consumers to use. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

New rates for state Health Department’s deposit beverage container program take effect Oct. 1. The change is based on a segregated rate study conducted by Cascadia Consulting Group, which counted and weighed by hand a random sample of more than 145,000 HI-5 containers at centers across the state.  Big Island Now.

'Slow-moving trainwreck': Economist discusses Hawaiʻi's struggles with airfare and AI. Economist Paul Brewbaker is a principal of TZ Economics, a Hawaiʻi economics consulting group, and participated in a recent Hawaii Tourism Authority conference as a panelist. HPR spoke with Brewbaker to hear his thoughts as interest rates, tariffs and the cost of living all creep up. Hawaii Public Radio.

At Issue In Tokuda Vs. Awa: Who’s Better for Native Hawaiians? The rivals in this seat for Congress are both focused on Native Hawaiian homesteads, but have differences on that and several other issues. Civil Beat.

Deliberations continue in trial over former HTA exec Isaac Choy’s firing. A First Circuit Court jury is expected to return today for a second day of deliberations after hearing conflicting accounts of why former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority executive Isaac Choy lost his job with Choy’s attorney arguing he was retaliated against for whistleblowing and the state contending he was fired for workplace misconduct substantiated by an independent investigation. Star-Advertiser.

Invasive deer and other non-native animals are eating away Hawaiʻi’s ranchlands. Axis deer are responsible for the greatest losses of grass and hay on ranches across Hawaiʻi Island and Maui, according to the first study to measure grazing on the state’s rangelands. Maui Now.

Hurricane Nolo close to category 5 intensity, on track away from main Hawaiian islands. Hurricane Nolo is continuing to strengthen and is forecast to become a category 5 system Monday as it moves to the west-northwest. The National Hurricane Center said at 2 a.m. Monday, Nolo was 405 miles southwest of Honolulu, or 565 miles south-southeast of French Frigate Shoals, and was moving to the west-northwest at 12 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Nolo spares Big Island, but outages hit Oahu and Maui. Hurricane Nolo continued to pass farther south of the Hawaiian Islands, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the state, flooding roads on Hawaii island and prompting five high-water rescues as emergency crews worked through Sunday to respond to storm impacts. Star-Advertiser.

$830,000 in debt forgiveness available for Hawai‘i residents after settlement. Multi-state settlement with Credit Acceptance Corp. offers Hawai‘i borrowers a piece of a $694 million pie. Aloha State Daily.

Oahu

Supreme Court Ruling On Disputed Election May Conflict With State Law. The high court struck down a state-ordered election in House District 43 resulting from a lauhala basket tiebreaker. The remedy is now being called into question. Civil Beat.

Candidates vying for West Oahu Senate seat have sharply different views. It’s a race between former Republican House Rep. Bob McDermott, and first-time Democratic candidate Markus Owens, a former University of Hawaii and San Francisco Giants minor league baseball player and UH baseball radio and television color analyst. Star-Advertiser.

HART reviews tentative $652M budget next year. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is proposing a preliminary $651.8 million budget for fiscal year 2028, which begins July 1, rail officials say. HART’s next budget would be about $417 million lower than the $1.07 billion spending plan adopted for the current fiscal year.  Star-Advertiser.

Another high rise could be coming to Oʻahu's skyline. A proposed project that would overhaul a part of the Ala Moana Shopping Center to add a 38-story hotel, as well as more than 200 residential units, is moving through the Honolulu City Council. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Latest Challenge For Honolulu Police: Hire More Women. Honolulu police signed a national pledge to increase the percentage of women in their ranks to 30% by 2030. Few departments have neared the mark. Civil Beat.

After Storms Blow, Humans Help Manu-o-Kū Return To The Trees. Honolulu’s official bird gets a little help from its friends. Civil Beat.

County and state officials lean into user fees. Ten years ago, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kāneʻohe was a quiet, scenic greenspace set against the Koʻolau Mountains where residents could go to relax and enjoy nature. But today, there’s three times as many visitors to the Windward Oʻahu garden — 724,000 last year alone.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Papa‘ikou resident files appeal challenging cell tower. Patrick Ferreira, who lives next to the intended site of a new Verizon Wireless cell tower in Papa‘ikou, has filed an appeal challenging the project and requesting construction be halted. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Areas Reopen Following Hurricane Nolo. Most areas along Kīlauea summit, as well as the Kahuku Unit in Kaʻū, are now open. Big Island Video News.

$81,000 grant will expand access to low-cost dental services for North Hawaiʻi residents. Hāmākua-Kohala Health’s dental clinic in Waimea will be able to serve another 500 North Hawaiʻi residents with an $81,000 grant from the Hawaiʻi Dental Service Foundation. Big Island Now.

Maui

4 public schools in Lahaina to remain closed Monday.  Four Lahaina schools will remain closed Monday in the aftermath of Hurricane Nolo due to ongoing power outages, uncertainty surrounding the nearby Olowalu brush fire and concerns about maintaining reliable water service at the campuses, according to the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. KITV4.

Thousands of HECO customers without power in West Maui due to strong winds. HECO said power outages for nearly 10,000 customers in West Maui could last until noon Monday. Power can't be restored until helicopters can fly safely to the ridge area above the Pāpalaua Wayside Park to complete transmission line damage assessments. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News. 

Crews continue to battle Maui wildfire after blaze forces evacuations in Olowalu. Maui firefighters are battling a fast-moving brush fire that prompted an evacuation of Olowalu Village, as Honoapiilani Highway has reopened with limited visibility. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Building Division open, processing permits; storm repair guidance updated for flood zones. The County of Kaua‘i Building Division is open to the public and processing permit applications starting today. Garden Island.

Kauai North Shore residents concerned about sewage. Almost every property in Haena is on a cesspool system, according to the University of Hawaii’s cesspool prioritization tool, and most homeowners can’t afford the $20,000 to $50,000 bill to switch to another wastewater system. Star-Advertiser.

Isaac Choy HTA whistleblower lawsuit goes to court, Mauna Kea likely site for Thirty Meter Telescope after Canary Islands reportedly nixed, Ariyoshi honored at state Capitol, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Misconduct or retaliation? Fired HTA executive’s suit goes to court. A Circuit Court civil trial is examining whether former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority executive Isaac Choy was fired in retaliation for whistleblowing or for workplace misconduct following an independent investigation that substantiated multiple harassment and discrimination complaints against him. Star-Advertiser.

Texts show fired HTA exec, state official remained in close contact. Hundreds of text messages introduced Thursday in a Circuit Court civil trial showed that state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka remained in regular contact with former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority finance vice president Isaac Choy during and after a workplace harassment and discrimination investigation that ultimately resulted in Choy’s firing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi GOP Aims To Win More Seats And Fire Up Debate. With an extra House seat, Republicans could force the majority party into painful floor votes on hot topics and hard-to-fix problems Democrats might rather avoid. Civil Beat.

Worries persist in Hawaii despite Supreme Court’s mail-in ballot ruling. While voter rights groups celebrated the court’s ruling, they are urging Hawaii voters to return their mail-in ballots as soon as possible ahead of any potential last-minute attempts to further suppress voter turnout on Election Day, pointing to FBI Director Kash Patel’s refusal to rule out sending armed agents to polling places. And fears continue that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could appear at voting locations and detain anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. Star-Advertiser.

Dark Money Looms Over This Hawaiʻi Congressional Race. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda has been warning that outside money could flood into her race against Republican State Sen. Brenton Awa. He, too, says he’s wary of super PACs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii voters to decide on measure facilitating housing growth. The state Legislature in May passed a bill that proposes amending Hawaii’s Constitution via a ballot question to allow counties to issue bonds for developers to finance infrastructure needed to produce more housing for residents especially around transit hubs. Star-Advertiser.

Storm damage to Hawaii infrastructure and schools costing hundreds of millions. A series of severe weather events this year brought more than $212 million in damage to public infrastructure across the state, according to preliminary figures from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bids aloha to former Gov. George Ariyoshi. Ariyoshi, who died April 19 at the age of 100, lay in state in a closed casket in the Capitol rotunda beginning Friday morning, becoming only the eighth person to receive the honor. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Oahu

Oʻahu’s Shade Trees Could Take Decades To Grow Back After Storms. Forest stewards say Honolulu’s tree canopy is a natural infrastructure worth investing in with more extreme weather around the corner. Civil Beat.

Kapaa Quarry Road unsuitable for landfill, Kailua board says. The 2.5-mile road that winds between Kalanianaole Highway and Mokapu Boulevard has for decades been nicknamed the “dump road,” with the long-­standing reputation still standing due to its history. Now, the “dump road” also may lead to Oahu’s next landfill, which has drawn backlash from the community. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Spilled 27M Gallons Of Sewage In A New System Failure. Heavy rains once again overwhelmed Honolulu’s sewage system last month, leading to spills. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council urges expanded groundwater testing around Red Hill. Citing concerns over potential contamination of Oahu’s primary drinking-water aquifer, the Honolulu City Council is urging state and federal regulators to require the Navy to expand groundwater testing around the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Price Shock At Waikīkī Co-op Highlights Vulnerability To Housing Fees. When special assessments and maintenance fees skyrocket, residents who volunteer for housing boards rarely have training and often lack access to important documents to figure out if it’s justified. Civil Beat.

‘Doing our best’: Farm damaged by Lowell gives out free poi. On the island’s west side, thankful passersby were treated to free poi from Aloha Āina Poi Company this week.  Despite the setback, the group still wanted to share its poi with the community, giving out several thousand pounds since the hurricane. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

TMT reportedly rejects Spanish bid to build on Canary Islands. A €1 billion proposal to build the Thirty Meter Telescope in La Palma has reportedly fallen through. Mauna Kea is the only possible site for the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope, after an alternate site in the Canary Islands has reportedly been nixed. Aloha State Daily.

Fire Commission to interview six chief candidates. The county Fire Commission will meet Thursday and Friday in the County Council Chambers in Hilo to complete the selection of the next Fire Chief. Tribune-Herald.

County finance committee votes to extend homeless fund.  Established in 2022, the fund allocates a minimum of $9 million from property tax revenue every year to be distributed to non-profits working to address homelessness in the county. Tribune-Herald.

Council committee postpones vote on Waikoloa development. The County Council’s Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions last week voted 9-0 to postpone until its Oct. 6 meeting a pair of bills seeking approval for a project that would build some 400 apartments and 300 single-family homes on just over 700 acres in Waikoloa. Tribune-Herald.

DoDaro returns to lead Animal Control and Protection Agency. Three years after Regina DoDaro helped set up Hawaii County’s new Animal Control and Protection Agency, she returned last month to serve at the helm of the department as its administrator. Tribune-Herald.

Despite police enforcement efforts, some continue to drive recklessly on Saddle Road. Police conducted a high-visibility enforcement operation in June on the DKI, also known as Saddle Road. Overall, between June 4 and June 21, 2026, officers conducted 1,069 traffic stops along the highway and identified numerous violations, including: 649 speeding violations; 17 reckless driving violations; six unsafe passing violations; and 509 other traffic violations. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs County Food and Nutrition Security Plan into law. Developed through a multiyear community process led by the Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan provides a comprehensive vision for the County’s food system, addressing how food is grown, harvested, processed, distributed, consumed and recovered. Maui Now.

Nearly 40 firearms, 58 pounds of fireworks surrendered at Maui buyback. The gun buyback was held through an anonymous amnesty program. No identification was required, and participants were not questioned about the firearms. Maui News.

Maui County-run ferry service aims to launch for Lāna‘i next year, Moloka‘i in 2029. A decade after ferry service to Moloka‘i folded in the face of falling ridership, Maui County is moving forward with plans to take over the existing ferry service to Lāna‘i and restore service to Moloka‘i, expanding options for residents who frequently travel between the islands for jobs, doctor’s appointments, Costco trips and sports. Maui Now.

Delta flight diverted to Honolulu due to onboard fumes. En route to Seattle on Sept. 19, Delta Flight 394 diverted to Honolulu after fumes were detected on the Airbus A321neo following departure from Kahului Airport. KHON2.

Kauai

Kauai residents wary after Hurricane Lowell changes river’s flow. The remote Wainiha and Haena community on Kauai’s North Shore is no stranger to flooding, but Hurricane Lowell brought a new challenge when it changed the path of the Wainiha River. Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative inches to 97% restoration after Lowell.  As of Sunday afternoon, 97% of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative members islandwide have been restored, with more than 500 additional members restored since the last update.  Kauai Now. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Even Lowell can’t pierce Niihau’s veil of secrecy. The island is owned by the Robinson family, who have been in control of it since their ancestor Elizabeth Sinclair, a Scottish plantation owner, purchased it from King Kamehameha V in 1864. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai small businesses ask tourists to return after Hurricane Lowell, with aloha and some patience. On Thursday, Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami said Kauai is now “welcoming visitors back,” while asking them to respect the ongoing recovery. “Come with patience, spend local, and help us recover,” he said. Associated Press.

Tourism down, spending up; Hawaii's 3rd-largest bank now on the NYSE; military telescopes on Haleakala raise concerns, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Fewer Tourists, But They’re Spending More. Is This What Hawaiʻi Wanted? Hawai‘i has long struggled with issues surrounding overtourism, but recent visitor trends may signal long-term problems for the state’s biggest industry. Civil Beat.

Strong El Niño could keep Pacific active as Hawaii heads into fall. A powerful El Niño is still strengthening, and climate scientists said it is already helping shape the unusually wet and stormy summer Hawaii has experienced. KITV4.

Green orders flags at half-staff to honor late Gov. George Ariyoshi. Gov. Josh Green ordered U.S. and Hawaii flags to be flown at half-staff at the state Capitol in honor of the late Gov. George R. Ariyoshi. Flags shall be lowered from sunrise Friday through sunset on the day of his interment, Monday. Star-Advertiser.

American Savings Bank stock begins trading on NYSE. Hawaii’s third-largest bank is now owned in part by public shareholders after an initial sale Wednesday of American Savings Bank stock on a public exchange. The company with 35 branches and $9 billion in assets sold about 8 million shares of stock, or about 12% of the company, for $129 million, in its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. Star-Advertiser.

OHA’s Native Hawaiian Trust Fund Has Doubled In Value. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs now oversees nearly $1 billion in assets, including real estate and its trust fund. Civil Beat.

Federal spending on Section 8 in Hawaiʻi surges 70% as rents rise. The outlays amounted to $170 million in 2024, or 70% more than in 2003, when adjusted for inflation, the report from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization said. Hawaii Public Radio. Star-Advertiser. 

Oahu

Fate Of Proposed Data And Innovation Office In O‘ahu Voters’ Hands. The proposal will be 1 of 20 ballot measures for Honolulu voters to weigh. Civil Beat.

Local ag, food groups rally public to vote for Oʻahu food security fund. In November, Oʻahu voters will decide if part of the City and County of Honolulu's budget should dedicate funding for food security efforts. It'll be the first of 20 proposed amendments to the City Charter voters will decide on during the general election. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu City Council advances sharp increase in fines for unlawful peddling. Honolulu City Council legislation that would significantly increase fines for unlawful peddling violations in public places has advanced, despite questions from some Council members about how effectively the current law is being enforced. Star-Advertiser.

Five years after Red Hill fuel spill, Navy touts progress as residents express skepticism. It’s been nearly five years since the fuel spill at Red Hill contaminated drinking water. While the Navy says it is making progress at re-establishing drinking water systems, people still have concerns and questions. Hawaii News Now.

Dye study raises questions about wastewater reaching Shark’s Cove tide pools. A new dye study at one of Oahu’s most popular North Shore swimming spots is revealing a potential connection between the public restrooms at Pupukea Beach Park and the waters below at Kapoo, or Sharks Cove, tide pools. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Cesspools on Hawaiʻi Island pose billions of dollars in costs. About 49,000 cesspools are scattered around Hawaiʻi Island. An analysis by the state Department of Health found that contamination from cesspools in Keaʻau, Hilo, and Kona may pose a risk to drinking water resources or nearshore coral reefs. Hawaii Public Radio.

UPDATE: Brown water advisory issued 3+ weeks ago for Honuʻapo to Punaluʻu canceled. Hawaiʻi Department of Health, however, still urges the public to avoid brown, murky coastal waters, especially following storms or heavy rainfall. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Residents Anxious About More Military Telescopes Atop Haleakalā. The final environmental and cultural review is expected by the end of the year. Civil Beat.

Mayoral candidate battle continues, council power struggle ahead. After Mayor Richard Bissen finished first out of 10 candidates in the primary election, second-place finisher and Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura faces an uphill battle as they both vie for the thousands of votes that went to the other candidates. Maui Now.

Upcountry residents asked to conserve water. Upcountry Maui water customers are being asked to conserve water while the Kamole Water Treatment Plant undergoes upgrades, the Maui County Department of Water Supply announced. The plant is expected to return to service in early November. Maui News. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation urges home mail delivery for Lahaina. Hawai’i's Congressional Delegation is calling for the U.S. Postal Service to reinstate home mail delivery for rebuilt Lahaina neighborhoods. They sent a joint letter to the postmaster general demanding reconsideration of rebuilt homes as “new developments.”  Since the 2023 wildfire, mail has not been delivered to rebuilt properties. Hawaii Public Radio.

Former Lahainaluna principal wanted on felony charges. Former Lahainaluna High School principal Jeri Dean is wanted on a $200,000 bench warrant for multiple felony offenses, including theft, fraud and official misconduct, according to public court records. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

US Coast Guard restores navigation aids, reopens harbors following Hurricane Lowell. Crews worked from Sept. 9-15 conducting dive operations, repositioning damaged navigation aids and delivering equipment to restore safe access to affected waterways, including Port Allen Small Boat Harbor and Nāwiliwili Harbor. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Pacific Missile Range Facility guest passes reopen with limited access and select sites. Recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell are ongoing throughout the installation; however, some recreational areas sustained minimal damage during the storm and personnel were able to safely restore select sites for guest recreational use. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

DLNR lands on remain closed for public safety. All Department of Land and Natural Resources lands on Kaua‘i will remain closed to the public into the foreseeable future due to widespread damage from Hurricane Lowell. In particular, the public is urged to avoid Koke‘e State Park and Koke‘e Road, where many catastrophic, unmitigated hazards exist throughout the landscape.  Garden Island.

Gov. Green surveys storm damage on Kauaʻi's North Shore. HPR spoke with Gov. Josh Green after his visit to Kauaʻi, where he surveyed storm damage along the island’s north shore alongside Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami and Hawaiʻi Senate President Ron Kouchi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Crews make progress on power, roads as Kauai recovery continues. Contracted debris crews arrived Thursday to begin clearing Wainiha Powerhouse Road for the first time since Hurricane Lowell, focusing on clearing vegetation from tangled utility lines. Star-Advertiser.

Retired state Supreme Court chief justice predicts more court involvement in election disputes, Section 8 housing vouchers costing more and helping less, Fevella loses election dispute, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Retired chief justice says election disputes will matter for Hawaiʻi. Courts will likely be called on to resolve disputes over the November general election, retired Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald told lawmakers on Monday while adding the judicial system is fair and impartial and will do everything in its power to get things right. Hawaii Public Radio.

Flood Watch posted statewide, heavy rain possible through tonight. The remnants of Norbert will fill in across the state from east to west Thursday into Friday, increasing the chances of heavy rain, isolated thunderstorms, and flash flooding, especially for the windward and mauka areas.Drier air will move back in this weekend. Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Depression 15-E may bring another round of enhanced trade showers around next Tuesday and Wednesday. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

More Money For Section 8 Housing Vouchers Has Not Helped Enough Renters, Study Says. Economist says Hawaiʻi needs to build more housing and help people earn enough to leave the program and free up vouchers for others. Civil Beat. Aloha State Daily.

Could Kamehameha Schools lose its tax-exempt status?  Every September marks the start of Hawaiian History Month, and this year’s begins with news of the Trump administration potentially seeking to strip Kamehameha Schools of its tax-exempt status. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘We Were The Guinea Pigs’: How Smokable Meth Made Its U.S. Landfall In Hawaiʻi. Methamphetamine was largely unknown in Hawaiʻi in the mid-1980s, when “ice” took the islands by storm, setting off a national panic. Four decades later, the state is dealing with the lethal consequences. Civil Beat.

Mike Lambert, who was a finalist for the Honolulu police chief position, is still at the Department of Law Enforcement — but in a new position. As of September, Lambert is now the department’s Chief Special Investigator. KHON2.

 Oahu

State Sen. Kurt Fevella loses appeal of court’s ruling in election tie. Fevella lost a random draw to break a 1,212-to-1,212-vote tie following his Aug. 8 Republican Party primary race against former state Rep. Bob McDermott to run in the Nov. 3 general election to represent the West Oahu Senate District 20 seat. The Supreme Court on Sept. 4 did order the state to hold a new election for the Republican House primary race to represent Kapolei and Makakilo after Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei-Makakilo) and Sheila Medeiros each received 842 votes.Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii launches first permanent drone docking system for law enforcement. The Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) unveiled the state’s first permanent drone “hive” Wednesday at the Kekuanaoa Building on Punchbowl Street. KITV4.

Palolo Valley residents push back against invasive coqui frog. During a community meeting Wednesday, residents teamed up with state invasive species crews to coordinate response efforts. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A month after Hurricane Lala’s outerbands struck the Big Island, recovery is slow but sure in hard hit Ka’ū. Lala destroyed 27 homes and did much damage to many other homes, with Hawaiʻi County estimating $53 million to its facilities and infrastructure.  Big Island Now.

Kona Community Hospital nationally recognized for providing life-saving care for stroke patients. Consistently following national stroke guidelines has helped the hospital to reduce deaths and disability.  Big Island Now.

Maui

In council rematches, candidates dive into development, tourism, homelessness, water. With the balance of the Maui County Council on the line, 12 of the 14 candidates in the seven contested races answered questions ranging from water Upcountry to homelessness in Kahului to tourism in East Maui during a political forum last week at the Kula Community Center.  Maui Now.

West Maui community conversation highlights nearly $600 Million transportation opportunity. The Maui Bicycling League is calling on state and county officials to coordinate nearly $600 million in planned and potential West Maui transportation investments to create a connected network for motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and public transit users. Maui Bicycling League members and supporters gathered in Lahaina on Saturday, Sept. 12, for a well-attended bicycle ride, brunch and nonpartisan conversation about West Maui’s transportation future. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Vacation Rental Owners Urged To Take In Displaced Families. Hurricane Lowell has left dozens in need of temporary housing on the North Shore, where at least 1 of every 5 homes is a vacation rental. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi businesses rebuild from Hurricane Lowell while weighing when — and how — tourism should return. In the wake of Hurricane Lowell's devastation in Kauaʻi, local businesses like North Shore Bike Doktor and Pineapple Kayaks Kauaʻi face a difficult crossroads as they navigate recovery efforts amid uncertainty in the tourism-dependent economy.  Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai mayor says he would mandate evacuations during future storms. County updates Hurricane Lowell recovery efforts. Recovery efforts continued across Kaua‘i Wednesday as crews prepared for increased rain from the remnants of Norbert and work to restore communities hit by Hurricane Lowell. Garden Island. KHON2. 

Senate President Kouchi shares stories of Kauaʻi's recovery after Lowell. As Kauaʻi continues to rebuild after Hurricane Lowell, HPR spoke with Senate President Ron Kouchi to hear an update on where things stand with recovery on his home island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Isolated Kauai residents remain resilient despite hazards left by Lowell. As many Kauai residents begin to return to a sense of normalcy following Hurricane Lowell, those who live in one of the island’s most isolated communities continue to drive underneath trees suspended from power lines. Star-Advertiser.

Constitutional amendment would allow tax-free bonds for construction industry, Honolulu exempts HART from eminent domain notification requirements, electricity returning to Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii construction industry pushes constitutional amendment to lower housing costs. Constitutional amendment question 2 is mostly about paying for new roads, bridges and water systems, which until now housing developers had to pay for themselves upfront. The tax-free bonds, already used across the country, are paid back from future property taxes generated by new homes and businesses in an improvement district. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Voting Groups Cheer As High Court Rejects Trump Mail Ballot Restrictions. The decision allows Hawaiʻi and other states to continue sending mail ballots under existing processes. Trump wanted restrictions before the November elections.  Civil Beat.

More Unlicensed Teachers Are Filling In Gaps In Hawaiʻi Classrooms. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education reported 142 teacher vacancies earlier this month, a jump from the 73 unfilled positions last school year. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi tuition freezes, increases proposed for all campuses. A new proposed schedule would keep tuition unchanged at all of the University of Hawaiʻi’s campuses for two years. After the freeze, two years of increases would begin. KHON2.

Preparations underway for final aloha for Gov. George Ariyoshi. Members of the general public have several opportunities later this week to pay respects to late Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi and his family, starting with a visitation and ceremony Friday at the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council exempts HART from eminent domain notice rule. The Honolulu City Council has approved legislation exempting the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation from a city law requirement to notify property owners and lessees when seeking Council authorization to condemn their property for construction of the over $10 billion Skyline project. Star-Advertiser.

Bill passed by City Council would allow farmers markets in underutilized parks. The Honolulu City Council passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow the Department of Parks and Recreation to permit nonprofit organizations to host farmers markets and food distribution events in underutilized public parks. Aloha State Daily.

He Was Banned From Police Work In California But Hired In Honolulu. A California cop stonewalled an internal investigation into his handling of an alleged kidnapping while lining up a job in Hawai‘i as an investigator in the prosecutor’s office. Civil Beat.

City and state join forces to help prevent Honolulu’s flood problem. City and state crews were working along the Woodlawn Drive Bridge in Mānoa, an area known for flooding, before both Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell hit the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

University of Hawaiʻi law school brings recruitment events to Big Island. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law representatives will provide an overview of program details, admission requirements, application process, timelines and scholarships as well as be available to answer any specific questions those who attend might have. Big Island Now.

Maui

Mayor to host series of community meetings for 2028 budget. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and officials from his administration will host a series of community budget meetings for residents to offer input on the budget for fiscal year 2028. Maui News.

Hawaiian Council opens vendor applications for ʻUlu O Lele Marketplace in Lahaina. Hawaiian Council announced Monday that the website and vendor application portal are now live for ʻUlu o Lele, the interim marketplace and community gathering space being developed at the former Outlets of Maui site in Lahaina. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Significant Little Fire Ant infestations discovered on Maui in Ha‘ikū and Kapalua. Native to Central and South America, little fire ants arrived in Hawai‘i in the late 1990s, likely as hitchhikers on a cargo or nursery shipment. Today, they are among the most destructive invasive species on the islands. Maui Now.

Kauai

Power back on for most of Kauai but some areas may have to wait 2 weeks. Some areas of Kauai’s North Shore could see power restoration on Wednesday, though it could take one to two more weeks for remote areas to turn on their lights, according to the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  Garden Island. 

‘Definitely A Hit’: Hawaiʻi Urges Trump To OK Disaster Aid. Kauaʻi will have to tap its reserve funds to help pay for damages from Lowell as state leaders seek major disaster declarations from the White House. Civil Beat.

County of Kauaʻi extends application deadline for Grant-in-Aid program. The application deadline for the County of Kauaʻi Grant-in-Aid program has been extended to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 30. Kauai Now.

Travelers heed calls to avoid Kauai amid Hurricane Lowell recovery. As Kauai recovers from Hurricane Lowell, many residents are repeating their calls to visitors to avoid traveling to the island, and it appears some are listening.  Hawaii News Now.

Upcoming ballot mailing ruling could cost the state millions, state officials plan $300k transit fact-finding trip, Kauai schools reopen, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii could face costly scramble to deliver ballots. A pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling could require Hawaii to spend millions of dollars to hire private companies to deliver ballots to every household where someone is registered to vote. But voters could not use the mail system to return their ballots, so individual voters would have to place them in drop-box locations or at in-person voter service centers. Star-Advertiser.

State leaders seek ideas on transit development. State leaders want to glean ideas for better transit-­oriented development in Hawaii by visiting other states and countries next month at a cost of up to $300,000. Sen. Chris Lee, who chairs the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Culture and Arts, spearheaded a $300,000 appropriation in the state budget approved by the Legislature in May for the Hawaii Community Development Authority to spend on “educational exchange programs” related to metropolitan planning organizations on Maui and Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Marigold Zoll tapped to lead Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife. In her new position, Zoll will oversee the division’s ongoing efforts to care for more than 1 million acres of state lands, including 57 forest reserves, 23 natural area reserves, 46 wildlife sanctuaries, precious forested watersheds, as well as 855 miles of public access trails to hunting and recreation areas statewide. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Catch A Break From Storms. It Has To Adapt. As the state recovers from multiple natural disasters, residents and officials are starting to talk about what needs to change to make the islands more resilient. Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Audit faults Honolulu’s use of $386M in COVID-19 relief funds. The City and County of Honolulu’s use of more than $386 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding failed to deliver the broader community and economic recovery benefits originally envisioned, an Office of the City Auditor report determined. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu District Court closed Monday due to loss of water and air conditioning. Hearings scheduled Monday in Courtroom 7C for defendants in custody, along with preliminary hearings, will instead be held at Kaneohe District Court, 45-939 Pookela St. Star-Advertiser.

Office building overhaul adds affordable rental units in Honolulu. Urban Honolulu has some new affordable housing following completion of a $25 million acquisition and conversion of a 52-year-old office building into 64 rental apartments for moderate-income households. Star-Advertiser.

HPD investigates officers’ use of force in Waikiki domestic dispute. The Honolulu Police Department said it is investigating after a video that appeared to show officers repeatedly striking a man during a domestic dispute arrest in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Care on the streets: Medical students bring help to the homeless. The Hawaii H.O.M.E. (Homeless Outreach and Medical Education) Project relies on donations, fundraisers and volunteers, including physicians who serve as attending doctors. Star-Advertiser.

Sea Life Park begins new transformation. The transformation of Sea Life Park under Hawaiian ownership has begun. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

UH seeks changes to Maunakea summit master plan. The University of Hawaii is seeking input from the public on proposed changes to its master plan for the Maunakea summit region, including revisions to allow for decommissioned observatory sites to be reused for astronomical purposes in the future. Tribune-Herald.

Under bill, county would be required to prioritize use of native plants. Bill 184 would establish requirements for incorporating native plants into county-owned and managed spaces. Tribune-Herald.

Palikapu Dedman, activist and founder of Pele Defense Fund, dies at 80. Palikapu Dedman, Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner, activist, farmer, environmental advocate and founder of the Pele Defense Fund, died Aug. 22. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mokulele awarded $19.4 million contract for Lanai air service. Mokulele Airlines has been awarded a four-year, $19.4 million federal contract to continue providing scheduled air service between Lanai, Honolulu and Kahului. Maui News.

2026 Maui County Fair contests announced, healthy babies, student art and more. The 2026 Maui County Fair will offer opportunities for community members of all ages to participate in contests, competitions and exhibitions when the 99th fair returns Oct. 1-4. Maui Now.

Kauai

State offices, most public schools to reopen Monday on Kauai. State offices and most public schools will reopen on Kauai Monday as the island continues to recover Hurricane Lowell’s lashing. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

All in-person services at Līhuʻe Civic Center closed through this week. A fire at the Kāpule Building resulted in closure of all in-person Kauaʻi County services through Sept. 18 at Līhuʻe Civic Center. Kauai Now.

The scope of destruction left behind by Hurricane Lowell continues to grow. In addition to 301 County damage assessments, community members have now self-submitted more than 464 residential damage reports. Garden Island.

Repairs underway on Lānaʻi’s Kaumālapaʻu Harbor, scheduled to reopen Sunday. Repairs are underway to restore Lānaʻi’s Kaumālapaʻu Harbor after it was closed with damage from Hurricane Lowell. The state Department of Transportation said it anticipates it will reopen on Sunday, Sept. 13. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Lowell May Be To Blame For A Second Kaua‘i Death. A 69-year-old Wainiha man was found dead Friday afternoon on the Garden Isle’s North Shore in an area that experienced significant flooding, according to a preliminary investigation by Kaua‘i police.  Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Kauai farmers’ plight underscores need for local food production. The ongoing power and water outages from Hurricane Lowell underscore the need to support local food production, farmers say, while helping to make the islands more resilient to natural disasters. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor advises tourists to reconsider travel to Kauaʻi until island recovers more from Hurricane Lowell. Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami said now isn't the time to visit the Garden Island, but the island is on the path to recovery. Kauai Now.

Luke corruption trial delayed, another disputed legislative tiebreaker before the state Supreme Court, tourists asked to avoid Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Luke corruption trial pushed to 2027. In July, the corruption trial of Luke and four others — lobbyist Tobi Solidum, former state Rep. Ryan Yamane, state Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami and former Public Utilities Commission chair Leodoloff Asuncion Jr. — was scheduled to begin on Sept. 28, after four of the five defendants, excluding Solidum, pleaded not guilty. But on Friday, that trial was pushed back a year, after attorneys for multiple defendants requested additional time to prepare. Aloha State Daily.

Disputed Tiebreaker Spurs New Rematch Request Of Supreme Court. The election do-over bid comes after incumbent Kurt Fevella lost a tiebreaker to Bob McDermott in the Republican primary. Less than a week after ordering the state Office of Elections to redo a state House race that was settled in a controversial tiebreaker, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is being asked to order a redo of another contest decided by a tiebreaker last month. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Gov. Josh Green requests expedited Major Disaster Declaration following Hurricane Lowell. After signing the document on Kauaʻi, Green submitted an expedited request to President Donald J. Trump for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration following Hurricane Lowell, seeking immediate federal assistance for Kauaʻi and Maui counties. Maui Now. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawai‘i joins lawsuits over endangered species protections. Federal agencies rescission of endangered species protections led 21 states to sue the federal government Wednesday. Aloha State Daily.

Oahu

More Housing Without Kicking Anyone Out? It’s Possible, Apparently. New owner of Honolulu building is making unusual plan to upgrade building but stabilize rents for occupied units. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric restores a majority of Oahu outages after Hurricane Lowell affects thousands. Hawaiian Electric restored power to a majority of those on Oahu after severe conditions from Hurricane Lowell left thousands without power. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Garbage Fee Increases Proposed, Public Hearings Set. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management will host public hearings on the fee increases in Hilo on September 16th, and in Kona on September 18th. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi County planning director initiates interim General Plan 2045 amendments. Hawaiʻi County Council and members of the public can comment on the proposed amendments during a 45-day comment period ending Oct. 19.  Big Island Now.

Lifeguard towers going unstaffed as county finds filling positions difficult. The  county has 72 water safety officers to cover 17 lifeguard towers at 13 beach parks and there are currently nine vacant positions. The beach parks with towers are: Onekahakaha, Carlsmith, Leleiwi, Richardson and Honolii in Hilo; Isaac Hale at Pohoiki in Puna; Punaluu Black Sand in Ka‘u; Kua Bay, Laaloa and Kahaluu in Kailua-Kona; and Hapuna and Spencer in South Kohala. Tribune-Herald.

Parker Ranch begins deliveries of locally raised beef to isle schools. Parker Ranch — in partnership with Hamakua Meat Processors and the state Department of Education — will deliver approximately 4,000 pounds of locally raised ground beef each month, helping provide students with food produced here at home while supporting the broader effort to strengthen local agriculture and Hawaii’s food system. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

License plate-reading cameras used on Maui — but not for surveillance, police say. The Maui Police Department said it uses about three dozen controversial automatic license plate reading cameras to help with law enforcement, but doesn't use them for surveillance purposes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lahaina residents, elected officials press USPS to rebuild post office, restore home delivery. The Postal Service said it has not made permanent decisions about delivery to rebuilt properties or the future of the downtown post office. Maui News.

Ranching improves with fewer axis deer. Culling appears to be working, but struggles persist for some farms. Haleakala Ranch president Scott Meidell has noticed that new fencing and the culling of wild axis deer have contributed to a steady gain in the ranch's breeding herds the last two years. Maui News.

Kauai

Visitors asked to stay away from Kauai during Hurricane Lowell recovery. Kauai, like the rest of the state, usually welcomes visitors. But in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Lowell, the message to tourists is clear: now is not the time to visit. Hawaii News Now.

Most of Kauai still without power; officials say storm surge likely killed man. About 75% of Kauai electricity customers had no power Wednesday as residents continued to confront Hurricane Lowell’s widespread devastation, which now includes what county officials believe is the island’s first fatality from the storm. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Grocery store serves as vital link with power out. Safeway was one of the only grocery stores open following the storm. It was running on a large backup generator, an employee said, which had been on 10% since Tuesday night. Star-Advertiser.

Lānaʻi harbor is closed with hurricane damage, barge delivery canceled. Lānaʻi's Kaumālapaʻu Harbor is closed due to significant damage from Hurricane Lowell. The port is where the island is served by a single, once-a-week barge.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Making New Kaua‘i Homes Wildfire Resistant May Cost Much More Than Expected. A Kaua‘i County Council committee wants more time to discuss how proposed new building standards could increase construction costs and whether the county should subsidize them. Civil Beat.

Hurricane Lowell predicted to turn north, state Supreme Court mulls special election for tiebreaker Oahu House seat, Skyline hits record with student riders, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Lowell expected to take a turn north toward Hawaii. Powerful Hurricane Lowell is passing far south of Hawaii through Friday but it’s where it goes afterward that has emergency officials and residents anxious. While the details of Lowell’s turn remain uncertain, the possibility is especially unnerving on Kauai, which on Sept. 11 will mark the 34th anniversary of Hurricane Iniki, which took a similar path and devastated the island. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Navy Region Hawaii conducts change-of-command ceremony. Navy Region Hawaii Commander Rear Adm. Brad Collins on Wednesday relinquished his command as he prepares to go to Washington, D.C., to oversee Navy Installations Command, putting him in charge of overseeing shoreside operations for the U.S. Navy across the world. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Rematch May Be Coming For House Seat Decided By Tiebreaker. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court will decide Friday whether a special election is needed for the tight race between two Oʻahu Republicans. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Amazon fulfillment center zoning deferred. The Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday voted 7-0 to defer action on a zoning change sought by Amazon for its more than $600 million Project Savoy Fulfillment Center, delaying a decision on whether the company can build a massive five-story warehouse in West Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Skyline sees record number of rides as students return to school. The City and County of Honolulu said on Aug. 26 that Skyline recorded 14,143 rides, the highest weekday ridership total to date, with average weekday ridership from Aug. 24 through Aug. 28 at 13,478. KHON2.

Construction continues as Skyline stretches into the city. The next leg of the Skyline rail project is headed into the urban core, and evidence of its headway can be seen with the first column and cap being constructed along Nimitz Highway. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu city agencies used more energy and water in 2025. Honolulu's municipal energy and water usage rose significantly last year, according to the city’s latest Annual Sustainability Report. In 2025, city agencies used about 30 million more kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough to power about 500 homes for an entire year. Agency water use was also up by about half a million gallons per day. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island’s Hurricane Lala damage estimate nears $100M with housing top priority. There are still struggles, but also definite progress on Hawaii Island after Hurricane Lala. Hawaii News Now.

PONC measure advances after County Council vote. Legislation to create a framework for regularly reviewing the list of properties targeted for acquisition through Hawaii County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission (PONC) is moving forward after passing an initial vote Wednesday by the County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Ka‘u students return to in-person learning in aftermath of Lala. More than 850 students at two Ka‘u schools returned to in-person learning this week, marking a major step toward normalcy nearly two weeks after Hurricane Lala battered the district. Star-Advertiser.

Dengue virus detected in wastewater sample from Hawaiʻi Island. A wastewater sample from the Hilo wastewater treatment plant tested positive for dengue virus, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.   Big Island Now.

Maui

MPD officer allegedly raped woman after single-car accident. The Maui Prosecuting Attorney is asking potential victims and witnesses to come forward in the case of a police officer who allegedly raped a woman after she crashed her car in May 2025. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Public asked to comment on subsidized ferry proposal.  Maui County officials are hoping to create a subsidized ferry system in Valley Isle waters, where private ferries have sometimes shut down in the past. Maui News.

County announces plans to open temporary safe parking site after Sugimura proposes resolution. County officials said teams and community partners have conducted more than 60 outreach and engagement efforts along Pulehu and Hansen roads during the past three months. They also have completed more than 25 cleanups, removed more than 10 tons of waste and debris and 56 abandoned vehicles, and helped three people move from the encampment into permanent housing. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Konig jurors to be queried on misconduct claim. The 12 jurors who served during Gerhardt Konig’s attempted murder trial must return to the courtroom for questioning on possible jury misconduct. The Maui anesthesiologist was found guilty April 8 of attempted manslaughter of his wife, Arielle Konig, based on extreme mental or emotional distress, rather than second-degree attempted murder as charged. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Motorists face weeklong Halekō Road closure starting Sept. 8. The Department of Transportation will implement a 24/7 closure of Haleko Road westbound for a week due to concrete work for the ʻUahi Ridge Housing development.  Kauai Now.