Sen. Schatz makes waves in Washington, Honolulu doubles vacation rental registrations, state jobless rate among nation's lowest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

With His Political Star On The Rise, Brian Schatz Aims For A Powerful New Role. Hawaiʻi’s senior U.S. senator is constantly popping up in national media reports as a go-to critic of Trumpism and someone who is actually taking action — here putting a hold on the president’s nominees for State Department posts, there introducing a resolution to condemn President Donald Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million airplane gift from Qatar.  Civil Beat.

Few details released on more than 100 immigration arrests. Federal agents have arrested more than 100 people in Hawaii so far this year for alleged violations of immigration law, but information on exactly how many over 100, where they were arrested and for what was not made public.  Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaiʻi’s Supreme Court Curb Governor’s Power To Suspend Laws? Gov. Josh Green has issued more than 90 emergency proclamations during less than three years in office. Now the Hawaii Supreme Court may soon define the scope of the governor’s power to issue such executive orders and suspend laws with the stroke of a pen. Civil Beat.

Hawaii child welfare service providers search for cultural solutions. The Malama Ohana Working Group, established by the Legislature to develop recommendations to improve the state’s child welfare system, concluded in a recent report that integrating Native Hawaiian cultural values into policies and practices is necessary to fix a failing system. Star-Advertiser.

After Fumbling Fire Priorities Last Year, Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Make Amends. After the 2023 fires destroyed much of Lahaina, Hawaiʻi vowed to improve prevention measures. More than two years later, the state has finally paved the way for that to happen. Civil Beat.

State jobless rate remains among the nation’s lowest. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate in April remained at 2.9% for the second straight month after holding at 3.0% for the previous eight months, according to data released last week from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Barriers to physical, mental health care persist in Hawaii, survey finds. The latest University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization Public Health Report found there to still be a high mental health burden, particularly among young adults, continued barriers to health care, and persistent struggles obtaining food. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules. The city has made it easier to sign up, but many owners are still flying under the radar even in areas like Waikīkī and Ko Olina where short-term rentals are legal to operate. Civil Beat.

Wahiawa landfill plans sidetracked. The city likely will seek an extension of operations at the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill. New state legislation likely will upend the city’s plan to close its current solid-­waste landfill in West Oahu and replace it with one near Wahiawa, on active pineapple fields above Central Oahu’s freshwater aquifer. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s proposed 115% hike in sewer fee under review. The Council’s Budget Committee today is scheduled to review aspects of city-initiated Bill 60, which, if approved, will take effect July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Servco Pacific requests pause on HART’s eminent domain plans of its Kakaako property. A more than 100-year-old family-owned business has requested the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation pause its plans to condemn the company’s large automotive servicing center property in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

HI-EMA fined $98K for violating underground storage tank laws.  The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency had  operated a 6,000-gallon underground storage tank system at its Battery Birkhimer facility inside Diamond Head Crater since December 1997. Star-Advertiser.

New elevated walkway connects Kakaʻako to Ala Moana Beach Park, Kewalo Basin. The elevated walkway is located between Ward Avenue and Kamake‘e Street and crosses six lanes of traffic, connecting the Kaka‘ako community to Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Basin. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii Public Radio.

Suicides At Hawaiʻi’s Largest Prison Up The Stakes For Mental Health Review. Two more prisoners at Hālawa Correctional Facility died in the past two months in what are believed to be the fourth and fifth suicides there since last summer, making the state’s largest prison a disturbing anomaly nationally that experts blame on longstanding operational flaws. Civil Beat.

Journalist Jerry Burris excelled at insightful political coverage. Longtime Honolulu Advertiser reporter, Capitol bureau chief, city editor and editorial page editor Jerry Burris died Wednesday in his sleep at his home in La­nikai. He was 81. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Foreclosure Opens Door To Preserve Famous Black Sand Beach On Big Island. Lineal descendants of Punaluʻu and conservationists devise plans to permanently protect the land on Hawaiʻi island and its unique cultural and ecological features. Civil Beat.

Feral Sheep Salvage Project Seeks Participants. The project will involve "humane live-trapping and removal" of feral sheep along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Lahaina fire survivors find new sense of community as Ka Laʻi Ola housing nears completion. Ka Laʻi Ola is the state’s modular home community that will include 450 units and house about 1,500 residents who didn't qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Traffic expected as crews truck Lahaina wildfire debris to central Maui. It’s said to be the next important step in rebuilding Lahaina, moving all the debris from the fire to its permanent site.  KHON2.

Homeless community is back 4 years after clearing of Amala Place. What will Maui County do this time? When government crews and police officers cleared out the extensive homeless community along Amala Place in 2021, it didn’t take long for some people to return.  Maui Now.

Secluded corner of Molokai puts subsistence hunting near unexploded bombs. While the nation honors those who fought for freedom, another legacy of World War II continues to be a challenge in Hawaii: unexploded munitions in some of Hawaii’s most sensitive environments. It’s an issue on the most northwest corner of Molokai, where the state-acquired Ilio Point, knowing it had been a Navy target range. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

The 2026 Kauaʻi Mayor’s Race Is Off To An Early Start. Bernard Carvalho, the longest-serving mayor in Kauaʻi history, and Mel Rapozo, a retired Kauaʻi police officer, announced their intent to run within days of each other.  Civil Beat.

Final workshop for Waimea 400 housing project scheduled this week. Kaua‘i County Housing Agency invites the public to the final community workshop for the Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan. Kauai Now.

Army's last remaining live-fire training in jeopardy at Pohakuloa, 1-4 hurricanes predicted this season, Honolulu to allow private sponsorship of public facilities, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is The Military In For A Wake-Up Call As Hawaiʻi Leases Near End? The state’s rejection of the U.S. Army’s environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some Native Hawaiians say won’t be smooth sailing.  Civil Beat.

Gov. Green on balancing national security and the environment in military land leases.  The Army says Pōhakuloa is the only remaining place where it conducts live-fire training for its troops and for the state’s first responders. But the community has resisted, with some arguing the leases should not be renewed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii troops forge alliances in Philippines. The 40th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder to shoulder” — brought in service members from the U.S. as well as troops from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Among them were troops from Hawaii-based units. Star-Advertiser.

Forecasters predict 1 to 4 hurricanes this season. With hurricane season beginning June 1, Hawaii officials are urging residents to prepare now as forecasters predict near- to below- normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific this year. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

See Which Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Been Hit Hardest By Trump Funding Cuts. The total amount of confirmed federal funding cuts to Hawaiʻi state and county programs as of Thursday stands at nearly $95 million, according to figures compiled by Civil Beat. The full extent of the cuts won’t be clear for several more weeks or longer as official termination letters must be issued and legal challenges resolved. Civil Beat.

For the first time in seven years, tuition is increasing across the University of Hawaii system beginning this fall. The 2% increase was approved by the UH Board of Regents in 2023 as part of a four-year tuition schedule. KHON2.

UH risks losing $78 million in federal research funds due to cuts. In a report to the Board of Regents on Thursday, UH President Wendy Hensel said the university expects to lose more than $78 million in federal research funding due to recent grant cancellations and suspensions. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Electricity Shut-Offs Are Nearly Triple Pre-Pandemic Levels. Expiring post-Covid payment plans, state’s cost of living blamed for spike in residential disconnections. Civil Beat.

Tourism agency brings back passenger counts after data blip. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has restored passenger counts from international and domestic travelers, correcting at least part of the blip in data caused by the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council OKs sponsorship of public facilities. Legislation to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities in order to garner more revenue for the city was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council approves property tax-fueled fund for climate projects. The measure would deposit 1.5% of property tax revenue into a fund dedicated to climate resiliency. That’s about $8.6 million a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy to remove USS Arizona mooring platforms after 80 years. The U.S. Navy will be placing buoys and anchors in Pearl Harbor waters next week to prepare for the removal of decades-old mooring platforms on the USS Arizona. Hawaii News Now.

Manoa Falls Trail closed due to fallen tree limb, bamboo. Manoa Falls Trail was closed Thursday after a large tree limb fell, bringing down a large swath of bamboo with it. Three people sustained minor injuries. Hawaii News Now.

HPD seizes cash, gambling machines in Kalihi. When police raided the operation and how many devices and cash was confiscated during the operation was not immediately made public. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona property housing migrants under investigation for code violations. A Kona property where dozens of migrants were reportedly living in poor conditions is now under scrutiny by Hawaii County building enforcement officials. KHON2.

Admission fees back on the table for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. Admission fees at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens are back on the table as Hawaiʻi County is moving forward with revised proposed rule changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County taxpayers encouraged to weigh in on budget proposal. Despite a whopping $1.5 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed tax cuts for owner-occupied homes. Hawaii News Now.

Arts program for Maui fire survivors loses White House funding. The Archive for Health, Arts, and Spirit has been able to provide an arts for healing program to residents with a $100,000 grant from the White House Initiative on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Property owner troubled by ICE raid that turned up ‘nothing’.  The property owner is criticizing the manner in which armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rousted her and her family, along with other occupants including Philippine teachers with visas, at a multi-family dwelling in Kahului. Maui News.

DOH issues red placard to Maui L&L on Dairy Road for a cockroach infestation. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and immediately closed a Maui location of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owned and operated by Maui L & L Food Inc. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i councilman announces run for mayor. Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his candidacy on Wednesday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. While he currently serves as a council member, Carvalho previously served as mayor from 2000-2018.  Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Bus launches new tap-and-ride system. The Kaua‘i Bus has a new account-based ticketing system powered by Masabi’s Justride open platform. Kauai Now.

Dorcey and Smith are ‘Outstanding’.  Ten Kauai older adults who were nominated by the public were honored and recognized for their service. Garden Island.

Interisland travel quarantine to end June 16, Ige reports on Trump telephone call, Say leaving Legislature to run for Honolulu City Council, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Ige holds press conference at Honolulu airport.

Gov. David Ige to lift 14-day interisland travel quarantine on June 16. Gov. David Ige is lifting the 14-day interisland travel quarantine for Hawaii residents on June 16 to allow families to “reconnect with one another” and restore the local economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Will End Interisland Travel Quarantine June 16. Gov. David Ige described the move as the first, incremental step to reopening Hawaii to tourists from outside of the state. Civil Beat.

Mandatory quarantine for interisland travel ends June 16; Ige encourages residents to visit neighbor islands. Gov. David Ige said Monday he hopes his decision to end on June 16 the 14-day mandatory quarantine currently in effect for interisland travelers will help restart the kamaaina tourism economy. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Inter-Island Travel Quarantine To End June 16. State officials announced the inter-island quarantine, enacted to slow the spread of COVID-19, will be lifted in two weeks. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i to Lift Interisland Travel Quarantine by Mid-June. At a press conference from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu Monday afternoon, Gov. David Ige announced that he would lift the mandatory, 14-day interisland travel quarantine as of June 16. Big Island Now.

Gov. Ige Lifts Interisland Quarantine on June 16; Out-of-State Quarantine to be Addressed Next Week. Governor David Ige today announced he will lift the interisland quarantine on travel between the Hawaiian Islands, effective on June 16, 2020. Maui Now.

Travel between islands to resume without 14-day quarantine. The governor takes big steps towards reopening the state when he announced the 14-day mandatory quarantine order for interisland travel will be lifted starting June 16. KHON2.

Interisland quarantine to be lifted on June 16. The 14-day mandatory self-quarantine for interisland travel will be lifted on June 16, Gov. David Ige announced in a press conference Monday afternoon. Pacific Business News.

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Inter-island travel will help sales for some neighbor island businesses. There are many businesses that rely on tourism and sales from inter-island travelers. So for them, the easing of travel restrictions can’t come soon enough. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines adopts virus-stopping policies. Hawaiian Airlines on Monday offered a glimpse of new procedures already in place for checking in and boarding its flights at the airport. Star-Advertiser.

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25,000 or more could leave Hawaii as economy struggles, economists predict. University of Hawaii economic researchers are predicting an out-migration of 25,000 people or more from Hawaii by 2022, many of whom will leave to find work on the mainland as the state struggles to revive and reopen its tourism industry. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands Of Residents May Leave Hawaii Due To COVID Recession. The recession stemming from the global COVID-19 pandemic may accelerate the state’s ongoing population decline according to local economic forecasts. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH economist: Tens of thousands could flee Hawaii. A University of Hawaii economist predicts that by 2022, tens of thousands of Hawaii residents will leave to seek employment elsewhere because of the effect COVID-19 has had on the state’s economy. Tribune-Herald.

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Reopening Tourism: Residents, Visitors Must Trust They’ll Stay Virus-Free. That means new systems of testing, hygiene, safe practices and cleaning by airlines, airports, hotels, restaurants, stores and government, say tourism industry leaders. Hawaii Business magazine.

Putting Hawaii Tourism On A Sustainable Path Post-Pandemic. Economists say the state’s economic situation will remain dire without tourism, but residents are fed up with overcrowding by visitors. Experts say now is the time to reorient Hawaii’s visitor industry to a more sustainable path. Hawaii Public Radio.

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PUC opens emergency investigation of Young Brothers. The Public Utilities Commission will conduct an emergency investigation into Young Brothers’ financial condition after the interisland shipper notified the state it needed millions in funding to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. West Hawaii Today.

The state appears to support financial assistance request by Young Brothers. It appears that the state supports a request by Young Brothers to provide $25 million in financial assistance. KITV4.

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Survey Finds The Pandemic Is Hurting Native Hawaiian Businesses. But Native Hawaiian-owned businesses are less dependent on tourism than non-Native Hawaiian owned businesses, the survey found. Civil Beat.

A Hawaiʻi Department of Health survey shows that most island residents recognize COVID-19 as a serious concern and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Big Island Video News.

DOE Closing Some Food Sites, Advocates Concerned That Community Help May Not Be Enough. The Hawaii State Department of Education is closing about a third of its grab ‘n go food sites for the summer, and many more are taking a break until June 8th. Hawaii Public Radio.

People Are Avoiding The Doctor Due To COVID-19 Fears. ER visits are way down at most hospitals. So too are visits for preventive care like colonoscopies or eye exams. Civil Beat.

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Trump on nationwide protests. Hawaii Governor David Ige was one of the governors on the call with President Donald Trump. Governor Ige shared his thoughts on the conversation on Monday. KITV4.

Ige ‘extremely disappointed’ by Trump’s response to mainland protests. Gov. David Ige joined other governors from across the country Monday on a call to discuss the protests and rioting in U.S. cities in recent days, and Ige said he was “extremely disappointed” at Trump’s urging the governors to crack down hard on the protests. Star-Advertiser.

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Hawaii starts June with health officials reporting no new coronavirus cases in the islands today as the statewide infection count remains at 652. Star-Advertiser.

VIRUS TRACKER — JUNE 1: No New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Land tied to a bankrupt Albert Hee company is bought by a related firm. A Hawaii fiber-optic cable network established by Albert Hee is closer to new ownership in the wake of Hee’s 2015 federal tax fraud conviction. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Calvin Say Leaving Long-Held House Seat For Council Run. One of Hawaii’s longest-serving lawmakers aims to fill a vacant council position. Civil Beat.

Increased Army artillery training at Schofield sign of ‘new normal’ following coronavirus shutdown. The 25th Infantry Division said it will conduct “Operation Thunder Strike,” an artillery live fire exercise, starting Wednesday at Schofield and running to June 17. Star-Advertiser.

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Hunter captures a live, 4-foot ball python in Kahaluu forest. A resident captured a 4-foot-long ball python snake while hunting in Windward Oahu, and turned it in Tuesday to the Hawaiian Humane Society. Star-Advertiser.

Ball python captured by a hunter in Windward Oahu. The Department of Agriculture said the snake was turned in to authorities on May 26 by the Oahu resident who said he found it while hunting in a Kahaluu forest. Hawaii News Now.

Non-venomous ball python turned in after it was found in Kahalu'u. A man turned in a non-venomous ball python while hunting last week in Kahalu'u. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Comments Sought On Hawaiʻi County Code Changes. The County of Hawaiʻi is seeking input from design professionals and the general public regarding changes to the County’s Administrative, Electrical, and Plumbing Codes. Big Island Video News.

Henry Street to get facelift: County seeking bids for road work project. Henry Street from Kuakini Highway to Queen Kaahumanu Highway will be getting a facelift this fall. West Hawaii Today.

More businesses back to work. Medium-risk businesses were allowed to reopen to the public after getting permission last week from Mayor Harry Kim and Gov. David Ige. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Med-QUEST paring of health insurance providers is nixed. The state Department of Human Services is rescinding a controversial request for proposals process that had pared Med-QUEST insurers for Maui County from five to two, the department announced Friday. Maui News.

County to Accept Public Testimony on Proposed Wailuku Hotel. Maui residents will have three opportunities to offer input on a proposed hotel that would sit on the corner of Main and Market Streets in Wailuku. Maui Now.

Kauai

Former Kauai mayor Bernard Carvalho to run for County Council. Carvalho won a two-year term in December 2008 to replace Mayor Bryan Baptiste, who died in office in June 2008, and then won reelection twice. Star-Advertiser.

Fifth Circuit Court reopens. The Hawai‘i State Judiciary Fifth Circuit Court opened up for regular operations at its District Court yesterday. Face coverings are required. Garden Island.

Restaurants reopen dine-in. Larry Feinstein of the Kaua‘i Beer Company said they never closed. Garden Island.