Power outages more frequent, longer lasting; Schofield Army sergeant believed first banned under transgender policy; Dolly Parton's Oahu connections, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

It’s True: Power Outages Happening More Often In Hawai‘i. The power isn’t just going out more frequently. It’s staying out for longer. Statewide, HECO’s customers lost power an average of 2.6 times in 2004, a significant increase from five years ago when the average household or business lost power 1.5 times. Civil Beat. 

Trump OKs emergency declaration for Hawaii. President Donald Trump on Tuesday approved a disaster declaration for Hawaii, making federal assistance available to clean up and rebuild after the devastation from Hurricane Lala. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Tropical Storm Iselle unlikely to pose a threat. A storm with the same name as a cyclone that wreaked havoc on the southeastern Big Island in August 2014 is unlikely to do the same this year, predict forecasters. Tribune-Herald.

OpenAI partners with Kamehameha Schools to expand AI access for educators. OpenAI on Wednesday announced a partnership with Kamehameha Schools to provide educators and staff with secure, institution-managed access to ChatGPT, along with training and support aimed at helping schools use artificial intelligence responsibly. Star-Advertiser.

Settlement spares Hawaii Job Corps center closures. Job Corps programs in Waimanalo and Makawao are celebrating an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that reverses the department’s 2025 decision to shut down 99 Job Corps centers around the country. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaii Supreme Court hears arguments in Tommy Waters’ eligibility. The Hawaii Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments but issued no formal ruling in two consolidated cases challenging the outcome of the Aug. 8 primary election for the City Council’s East Honolulu seat currently held by Tommy Waters. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2. 

Schofield Army sergeant fights ‘tooth and nail’ to return after Trump’s trans military ban. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda has filed a congressional inquiry on behalf of an Army sergeant from Schofield Barracks. Sgt. Clara Davis believes she was the first soldier to be involuntarily discharged from the military because of President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops. Hawaii Public Radio.

Topa Financial Center still without power, set to fully reopen in September. Basic electricity returned to the Topa Financial Center over the weekend of Saturday, Aug. 22 — more than one month after a basement chiller leak damaged critical electrical equipment and forced the towers to shut down. KHON2.

Wilson Tunnel lights could remain out for weeks after Lala. Drivers could be without lights inside the Wilson Tunnel for another two to three weeks following damage from Tropical Storm Lala. Hawaii News Now.

HPD investigates flight attendant’s death in Waikiki. The Honolulu Police Department is investigating the death of a 50-year-old Southwest Airlines flight attendant from Oklahoma who was found dead outside her Waikiki hotel after falling from her 24th-floor room during a layover Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuit Alleges Hawaiʻi Prison Staff Enabled Gang Attack. A lawsuit filed by the family of a Hawaiʻi prisoner who was severely beaten at Hālawa Correctional Facility early this year alleges prison staff allowed gang members to pass through security checkpoints to attack a protective custody inmate who was housed in another part of the facility. Civil Beat.

Dolly Parton ‘gave the world hope,’ honored for contributions in Hawaiʻi. The late legend owned a Portlock estate, opened a Hawaii Kai restaurant and raised wildfire relief funds. She had more than 40 years of connection to the islands. While in Hawaiʻi, she performed for local audiences and gave back to the community, the city said. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

Water cut off for thousands of cattle in the Big Island's Ka'u district. Hawaiʻi Ranchers Welcome Rain But Endure Weather Whiplash. Broken fences, destroyed roads, new gulches, dead cattle and lost land may soon be the price to pay for greener grass as climate change aggravates extreme weather events. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Water Board updated about restoration of service in Ka‘u. At a meeting of the Water Board on Tuesday, Manager-Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto said the department has been using generators to power wells and booster stations in areas where electricity has not yet been reconnected and tankers to haul water to impacted communities. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii DOT: Washed-out sections of Kau’s Highway 11 repaired. The state Department of Transportation said repairs have been completed to the sections of Mamalahoa Highway in Kau that were washed out from Hurricane Lala’s torrential rains. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. 

Kilauea lava fountains reach 500 feet before episode 54 ends. Lava fountaining at Kilauea volcano’s Halemaumau crater ended tonight after earlier marking the 54th episode since the ongoing eruption began on Dec. 23, 2024. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui County to hold four community meetings on ferry service. Maui County’s Department of Transportation will hold four community meetings in September to gather public input on ferry service between Maui, Lanai and eventually Molokai. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Maui Council committee advances Haʻikū fire station project, 6-2. A Maui County Council committee voted 6-2 Monday to advance three bills clearing the way for construction of a long-awaited fire station in Haʻikū, over the objections of two council members who argued the project sits on land wrongfully taken from Native Hawaiians. Maui Now.

Update: Water service gradually returns following well outage in West Kuiaha and Awalau areas of Haʻikū. After a severe electrical issue caused a well outage Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, Department of Water Supply (DWS) water service gradually returned to affected areas of Haʻikū and surrounding communities beginning Monday afternoon. Maui Now.

Maui boaters call for more security after Maalaea Harbor burglaries. Boats can be vulnerable to theft when left unattended, and boaters at Maalaea Harbor say burglaries have become a growing problem. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

U.S. Navy, NASA release final environmental impact statement for proposed use of state lands. The Navy’s proposal involves maintaining the use of 8,172 acres of state lands on Kauaʻi for operational continuity and sustaining military training, testing, and facility operations at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. Kauai Now.

Wilcox new interventional radiology suite blessed. The new suite will expand services for specialized, minimally invasive procedures so patients don’t have to leave the island, according to a Hawaii Pacific Health press release. Garden Island.

Hawaii involved in 27 lawsuits against Trump administration, new chief economist named, gang activity in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii involved in 27 lawsuits against Trump administration. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said Thursday that Hawaii is now involved in 27 lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration. Lopez said her office is fighting against attempts to “control states’ rights,” including birthright citizenship issues and spending cuts to universities and nonprofit organizations. Hawaii News Now.

State introduces its new chief economist. The state has hired a new chief economist following the retirement of Eugene Tian at the end of May. Seth Colby recently succeeded Tian, and is now the fourth chief economist in state history. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Youth basketball coach gets 33 years in sex abuse case. Senior U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright sentenced Dwayne Yuen, 52, who coached thousands of girls and boys over a 17-year career, to spend 405 months behind bars, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and he must register as a sex offender. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. Aloha State Daily. 

‘Ready To Die Boys?’ Multiple Oʻahu Shootings Linked To Gang. Prosecutors have attributed two deadly shootings on Oʻahu’s Westside in 2023 as well as another in May — the result of a botched murder-for-hire plot — to a gang called the “Shark Boys.” Civil Beat.

Police identify suspect in Chinatown acid attack. The Honolulu Police Department has identified the suspect in last Friday’s acid attack in Chinatown. Police say Marquis Johnson, 34, was the man who allegedly attacked a 30-year-old on Friday, Aug. 8, at around 11:40 p.m. near the intersection of Hotel and Smith streets. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Illegal game room raid in Waipahu leads to two arrests. HPD officers from the Narcotics Vice Division executed a search warrant at an illegal gambling room on Lumiauau St. in Waipahu. During the search, police officers discovered 16 gambling machines and $2,837 in cash. KITV4.

LGBTQ+ community raises concerns over federal rollbacks of funding and rights. Members of Hawaii’s LGBTQ+ community say they’ve made big strides in recent years. But they’re now concerned and alarmed that many of those strides are being walked back. It wouldn’t necessarily mean that such unions in Hawaii would become illegal. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

UH Hilo has a role in massive AI project. The University of Hawaii Hilo announced Thursday it has received a $1.4 million to support advancement of science through the use of artificial intelligence. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

COVID-19 outbreak hits Hilo nursing home. Hilo Benioff Medical Center’s nursing home currently has 10 residents and five staff that tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week. Star-Advertiser.

BOE to hold public meetings next week in Hawaii County. The Hawaii State Board of Education is holding a series of community engagement meetings across the state so the public can engage with board members and Department of Education staff about the early childhood workforce. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Honuaʻula continues to stir controversy over South Maui’s future development. Maui County Council’s 5-4 vote to finalize amendments to the Honuaʻula master-planned community project has reignited a debate over the project’s long-term impacts on South Maui. Maui Now.

$140M Maui Strong Fund marks 2 years of recovery work. Two years after wildfires swept through Maui in August 2023, the Hawaii Community Foundation released its Maui Strong Fund Two-Year Impact Report, providing a detailed account of donations, grants and recovery programs, while noting the continuing challenges for residents. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

$1M gift expands scholarships for Maui nursing students. The Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Charitable Trust has awarded an additional $1 million, building on its initial $2 million gift, to the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to expand scholarships for nursing students – helping more Maui residents pursue careers in healthcare at a time when the island faces a critical nursing shortage. Maui Now.

Kauai

Three new postmasters chosen to serve Kaua’i post offices. The appointments were made around the United States Postal Service’s 250th anniversary on July 26. On Kauaʻi, the first federal post office was established in Nāwiliwili in 1852, according to the Post Office in Paradise. Kauai Now.

Garden Island Orchid Society hosts Fall orchid show and sale this weekend. The Garden Island Orchid Society opens the doors to its fall show and sale today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ social hall, located adjacent to the Hanapepe Public Library. Garden Island.

Congressional hearing Tuesday on helicopter tourism, Jewish synagogues tighten security after email threat, teachers grapple with AI use in classroom, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pilots flying tourists over national parks face new rules after  the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Hawai‘i Island Coalition Malama Pono sued. Historically, some of the nation’s busiest spots for tour operators are Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park. The issue has grown so contentious that a congressional oversight hearing is planned for Tuesday. Associated Press.

Vacancies In State Child Welfare Services Jobs Reach Their Highest Point In Over A Decade. A report from Department of Human Services to the federal government paints a grim picture, but the state plans to award extra pay to try to attract more workers. Civil Beat.

Email Threat To Jewish Temples In Hawaii Heightens Security Fears. The state Attorney General’s Office and the FBI will investigate an email claiming that explosives had been placed in Jewish synagogues across Hawaii, Gov. Josh Green said. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green marks challenging first year in office, planning ahead to 2024. One of Gov. Josh Green’s pledges on Day 1 in office was to provide more housing — a difficult task made monumental by the devastating Maui wildfires exacerbating Hawaii’s shortage of available and affordable places to live. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Teachers Face ‘Daunting Task’ Addressing AI Use In Classrooms. While some teachers have embraced tools powered by artificial intelligence over the past year, others remain uncertain about its role in their classrooms. Civil Beat.

Culture a big reason to keep Hawaiian Airlines’ identity.  The Hawaiian Airlines name is slated to join a roster of longtime kamaaina brands that lived on after being acquired by companies outside Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines’ parent owns Aloha Airlines trade name. Hawaiian Airlines has not only one venerable Hawaii aviation brand name, but a second one from a defunct former competitor. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Parking contract extended for Ala Wai harbor. A short-term contract extension for management of parking at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor was awarded last week amid ongoing controversy over management of the popular state- controlled harbor and its coveted stalls. Star-Advertiser.

UH Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity gets $2M award. The University of Hawaii’s Center for Indigenous Innovation and Health Equity has received a $2 million award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Shoreline setback rule amendment to be considered. The Hawaii County Planning Department is holding a public hearing Thursday for the proposed amendment of Rule 11 which sets shoreline setback from 20 to 40 feet from the high water mark. West Hawaii Today.

Strong support for vape bill: Measure seeks to ban all flavored tobacco products. Big Island students gathered Tuesday to urge the Hawaii County Council to approve a ban of flavored tobacco products. Tribune-Herald.

Ground Broken On Largest Water Reservoir In Hawaiʻi. Officials on Thursday broke ground on the 10-Million-Gallon Lālāmilo Water Reservoir, which will be the largest reservoir in the State of Hawaiʻi when completed in two years. Big Island Video News.

Hilo Bay’s water quality targeted for improvement. Last week, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that they would award Hawaii County a $2 million grant to develop a watershed management plan for Hilo Bay. That grant will be accompanied by $464,300 in county funds. Tribune-Herald.

Progress made on Ocean View Skatepark. The nonprofit Ocean View Skatepark Association has for the past few years been fundraising and saving money for the project, which would be located on a portion of Kahuku Park. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui wildfire litigation expected to surge. The number of fire loss lawsuits filed in state court have topped 70 but is expected to soar into the hundreds — and perhaps beyond 1,000 — to easily become the biggest incidence ever of mass tort litigation in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

New Maui water diversion permit approved. Tensions over a new East Maui water allocation permit ran high at a Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting Friday, resulting ultimately in the issuance of another temporary authorization for the continued diversion of millions of gallons of water. Star-Advertiser.

Maui looking at up to $100K for ohana unit construction. On Friday the Council will consider a bill establishing the criteria for the ‘Ohana Assistance Pilot Program, which will offer grants of up to $100,000 to build an accessory dwelling unit, or second farm dwelling, for long-term occupancy. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina ash characterization testing shows elevated levels of toxic substances. The state Department of Health released data today showing elevated levels of arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt, and copper in wildfire ash collected in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Lahaina school replacement 2-3 months away. Late February or March is the earliest that a new temporary school being built to replace the King Kameha­meha III Elementary School campus lost in the Lahaina fire will be ready for students and teachers to occupy, based on an Army Corps of Engineers timeline. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

No major holiday tourism boost expected for Maui, bad press cited as one reason. With Christmas just a few weeks away, officials were hoping holiday visitors would give the island an economic boost, but they’re now expecting the numbers to fall far below expectations. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

County approves over $2M for fire, disaster prevention. The Kaua‘i County Council approved more than $2 million in funding to be used for fire, ocean and disaster prevention funding during a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi sees near to above average rainfall in November.  Regardless of dry conditions persisting throughout the state in November, all rain gauges on Kauaʻi recorded near to above average rainfall totals for the month. Kauai Now.