200+ trek to Washington for Hawaii on the Hill, Green joins governors condeming use of National Guard in Los Angeles, Kilauea Volcano puts on a show, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano erupts. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island, began spewing lava from the north vent Wednesday, the latest event in an ongoing eruption that began almost six months ago. Episode 25 started and ended on Wednesday, with lava fountain heights once again reaching over 1,000 feet. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Green, Lopez condemn Trump’s use of National Guard in L.A. Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez joined their Democratic counterparts from around the country in condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops to quell protests of immigration sweeps in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui News.

Hawaiʻi On The Hill. More than 200 of Hawaiʻi’s political and business luminaries gathered in Washington, D.C., this week for the 9th annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill event, a three-day gathering that allows business and nonprofit groups to showcase their wares and meet directly with congressional power players. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Gov. Josh Green could veto 19 bills. Here are 5 you should know about. The 19 bills on Gov. Josh Green's intent-to-veto list impact many different issues, from criminal justice to housing to taxes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green may spare Hawaiʻi's renewable energy tax credit. House Bill 796 would sunset several income tax credits, including one that offers people up to $5,000 back for the installation of a rooftop solar system. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Governor Urged To Reconsider Possible Veto Of E-Bike Bill. Advocates say HB 958 addresses a growing public safety challenge. But the attorney general worries it’s unconstitutional and a threat to electric vehicles. Civil Beat.

Fentanyl overdose deaths drop in Hawaii as meth-related fatalities spike. A sharp rise in deaths is connected to methamphetamine in Hawaii, the highest in five years. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

New state law bolsters Red Hill fuel spill remediation efforts. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill into law that directs a state Department of Land and Natural Resources official to develop a public dashboard to display water test results from sources around the Red Hill facility, which is being decommissioned by the Navy under a closure plan anticipated for completion in 2028. Star-Advertiser.

AG:  Native Hawaiian Skeletal Remains Destroyed After State Halted North Shore Project. Hawaiʻi is seeking a restraining order against the landowner and builder who were installing a septic system at a Ke Iki beach property where iwi kūpuna were damaged. Civil Beat.

DOH invites residents to learn about groundwater and contaminants. Oʻahu residents use 145 million gallons of water per day — but where exactly does that water come from? Hawaii Public Radio.

Woman arrested, charged for biting 2 police officers in Downtown Honolulu. Officers were securing detainees to transport them to the district court when 40-year-old Maile Eberly became combative. The suspect bit a male and a female officer leading them both to suffer injuries. KITV4.

Transair plane with landing gear issues makes hard landing at Honolulu airport. Authorities say Transair flight R96, a Short SD3-60 turboprop aircraft, had five people on board. No one was hurt.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Dry season kicks off with an islandwide drought. While portions of East Hawaii are getting rainfall, particularly during nighttime hours, the entire Big Island remains in drought. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Reserves To Temporarily Close For Animal Control. State officials say the action is part of a federal mandate to protect the habitat of the critically endangered palila bird. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs $1.56B budget into law; Priorities are kamaʻāina housing, recovery and well-being. The budget was signed into law four days after it was unanimously passed by Maui County Council on June 6, 2025. Maui Now.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ 656-acre project of farms, homes, public spaces in Hāna moves forward. The project in the Wākiu area will take place on a vacant swath of land mauka of Hāna Highway, across the street from Hāna High and Elementary School and the Hāna Public Library, according to a final environmental assessment of the master plan released Sunday. Maui Now.

Lahaina community meeting on fire hazard mitigation to be held June 16. The County of Maui will hold a meeting for the Lahaina community on fire prevention, mitigation and evacuation planning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Search Is On For New Kauaʻi Police Chief. Todd Raybuck’s tenure was clouded by controversy, but the outgoing police chief says he is leaving the Kauaʻi Police Department in better shape than when he arrived in 2019. Civil Beat.

State fire marshal named, Honolulu police chief resigns, solvent detected in drinking water at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii gets first state fire marshal in 46 years. A state council has appointed Dori Booth to the position leading an office resurrected by state lawmakers in 2024, marking a historic return to a centralized approach to statewide fire protection in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. 

Pride flags fly over state Capitol for first time to mark milestone. Gov. Josh Green has declared June as Pride Month and on Monday, for the first time, flew a Pride flag over the state Capitol, where it will remain for the entire month. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Hawaiian Electric unveils $350M wildfire safety plan that could raise customer bills.  Hawaiian Electric has released a more detailed version of its three-year wildfire safety strategy, aimed at reducing wildfire risks and strengthening grid resilience across the state, with a particular focus on Maui, which it identifies as the area of highest risk. KHON2.

Dirty beaches in Hawaii. Two beaches on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi topped the list of shorelines across the country that are top-priority “bacteria hot spots,” according to a new report by the Surfrider Foundation.More than 90% of the water samples collected in 2024 from the popular swim spots — Kahaluʻu on Oʻahu and Waikomo Stream at Kōloa Landing on Kauaʻi — had bacteria levels above state health standards.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Department looking for its fourth chief in eight years.  The Honolulu Police Department is looking for its fourth police chief in eight years after Arthur “Joe” Logan decided to retire June 30. Logan’s departure was announced Monday by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who recommended Hawaii Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz to serve as interim chief starting July 16. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

Mayor’s pick for interim HPD Chief says prior experience will help him lead. After Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced the retirement of Honolulu Police Department Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan, he offered his recommendation for interim chief: Benjamin Moszkowicz, who is currently serving as chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department. KHON2.

Honolulu Council to review $11M in general obligation bonds for rail. Mayor Rick Blan­giardi’s administration has requested more funding to pay the city’s required annual subsidy toward the Hono­lulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s construction of the over-$10 billion rail line. Star-Advertiser.

State Housing Czar Demands Church Return Housing For Homeless Elderly. The state’s Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions is demanding that a Korean church either return or pay $20,000 apiece to buy 20 state-owned tiny housing units installed in their Honolulu parking lot. Civil Beat.

Government defends detention, deportation of military wife in Honolulu, noting ‘unusual activity’. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is defending the actions of its Customs and Border Protection officers who detained and deported an Australian woman who tried to visit her American husband, a U.S. Army lieutenant who is stationed in Honolulu, telling Hawaii News Now that Nicolle Saroukos was “traveling for more than just tourism.” Hawaii News Now.

Councilmember wants more waste diverted from West Oʻahu landfill. The City and County of Honolulu is waiting for the governor to decide whether he will let a state bill take effect that would further narrow site options for a new Oʻahu landfill. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH Mānoa earns top spot out of 21,000 universities. According to the 2025 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings, UH Mānoa placed in the top 2.6% out of more than 21,000 worldwide universities. KHON2.

Volunteers install native plants for Kailua Beach dune restoration. Dozens of volunteers and community members placed 344 native plants along a stretch of Kailua Beach on Saturday to mitigate erosion at the frequented beach park. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Solvent detected in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park water. State health officials said low levels of a chemical used as an industrial solvent were detected in a water sample collected from the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park water system. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

Long-awaited pharmacy expansion at Kona Community Hospital complete. The expansion includes a new “compounding suite” that will allow KCH to safely prepare medications — including chemotherapy drugs — on site at the 94-bed hospital. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County Community Survey Opens To Public. Residents can give feedback to the County through the online Laulima Community Survey, from now through July 31. Big Island Video News.

Prosecutors request UFC Hall-of-Famer BJ Penn undergo mental health exam. The former MMA fighter is accused of assaulting his 79-year-old mother over the Memorial Day weekend. He has repeatedly claimed in public social media posts that she and other family members have been replaced by “imposters.” Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui County Council poised to pass $1.55B budget. The Maui County Council is poised Tuesday to pass measures that reduce tax rates for owner-occupied homes giving many homeowners some relief. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui Police Department offers gun buyback program. The Maui Police Department will host a gun buyback event at the Maui County Service Center 110 Alaihi St. in Kahului from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14. Maui News.

Maui Police Department launches 2025 Citizen Survey. The Maui Police Department has launched its 2025 Citizen Survey in an ongoing effort to strengthen relationships with the community and improve public safety services.  Maui Now.

Kauai

33rd Taste of Hawaiʻi fundraiser showcases old and new culinary talent on Kauaʻi. About 1,000 people attended this year’s Taste of Hawai’i, showcasing 12 local musicians, 10 beverage vendors and more than 25 chefs and food vendors from restaurants around Kaua’i.  Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Green signs nation's first climate change fee on lodging, Honolulu council advances sewer fee hike, mandatory water restrictions on Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green signs the nation's first climate impact fee into law. Everyone who stays in a Hawaii hotel, cruise ship or other lodging beginning Jan. 1 will pay an extra $3 for every $400 in overnight costs — or an additional $30 for every $4,000 spent to stay in the islands — to help Hawaii pay to address climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

CORRECTION: We at All Hawaii News apologize for errors in the above story that were carried over from an original source. They have subsequently been corrected.

Legislation aims to crack down on cannabis industry, improve oversight. Several bills passed in the 2025 Legislative Session, aimed at improving transparency and oversight in Hawaiʻi’s growing hemp industry, and addressing safety and continued access for patients relying on cannabis for medical treatment. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Has A New Ghost Gun Law. Will It Make A Difference? Prosecutors in Hawaiʻi and Maui counties have used the 2020 statute to charge more than 50 people, according to court records reviewed by Civil Beat. But their counterparts in the state’s most populous county, Honolulu, have found the law hard to enforce. Civil Beat.

Protecting Hawaiʻi’s vulnerable youth aim of 3 measures waiting for governor’s signature. Senate Bills 292 and 951 along with House Bill 613 focus on accountability, safety and access to essential services. Kauai Now.

Senior enlisted man based in Hawaii will advise Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Pentagon announced Tuesday that Fleet Master Chief David Isom, a seasoned combat veteran, has been selected to serve as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or SEAC. He will be the sixth person to take on the position since it was was created in 2005. Star-Advertiser.

Lunch Debt And Book Fines Are The Last Barriers To Graduation. Hawaiʻi requires high school seniors pay off school debts before donning a cap and gown. Not all families can afford to. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council advances sewer fees bill. Budget Committee Chair Tyler Dos Santos-­Tam’s version of the measure, which shaves the city’s decade-­long span for increased rates down to about six years, will start Jan. 1, 2026 and run through 2031. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Rail guideway construction hop over Kalihi causes conflicts. Construction of the rail guideway for Honolulu’s Skyline is suddenly on the verge of reaching downtown and Kakaako after the contractor decided to do the last mile of guideway and stations and come back later to finish in Kalihi. Hawaii News Now.

Developer applies for permit to demolish Aloha Stadium. This permit may not look like much, but it’s the next significant step in Hawaiʻi’s journey to build the New Aloha Stadium. KHON2.

Grand opening for Humane Society’s dog park set for Saturday. The official opening of the Schuler Family Foundation and Jones Family Community Dog Park comes nearly two years after the Society’s Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili opened in Leeward Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mandatory 25% water restriction effective until further notice in Hakalau. A significant reduction in spring flows and operational issues with a backup well have caused Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply to implement a mandatory 25% water restriction ‘ effective immediately and until further notice — for customers in the Hakalau area of East Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking is Thursday for Papa‘aloa Park covered playcourt. The playcourt will replace the park’s plantation-area gymnasium that was razed in May 2022 after the building was declared unsalvageable due to extensive termite damage. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council Funds Affordable Housing, New Program To Help Working Poor. Council members at first wanted to trim the budget. Instead they added programs to help residents struggling to make ends meet. Maui Now.

Maui Bicycling League urges action on Vision Zero following well-attended Ride of Silence. The Maui Bicycling League hosted its annual Ride of Silence on Saturday, May 24, along the Maui Veterans Highway Bike Path, drawing 37 riders and a powerful show of support from Maui County officials and the Maui Police Department. Maui Now.

Kauai

Final workshop for Waimea 400 housing project scheduled this week. The workshop — scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the cafeteria at Waimea Canyon Middle School — will provide residents with updates about the county’s progress for the entire Waimea 400 site. Kauai Now.

Central Pacific Bank Līhuʻe Branch relocates. Central Pacific Bank has moved to a new location in Līhuʻe as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment and transition plan to serve the Garden Isle community. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

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.

Convention center's $64M repairs in limbo, tax collections to fall amid federal uncertainty, ACLU vows to sue Honolulu police over sober arrests on DUI stops, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Convention Center $64M repair project in limbo amid leadership crisis. Just weeks after posting one of its most profitable months, the Hawaii Convention Center is now facing a new wave of uncertainty. KHON2.

Green testifies in defense of COVID vaccines in D.C. Gov. Josh Green, a medical doctor, on Wednesday defended COVID-19 vaccines before a U.S. Senate subcommittee in Washington, D.C., saying they saved countless lives during the pandemic. Over three hours, however, most of the testimony before the U.S. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations alleged that federal agencies failed to adequately warn the public about the risk of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, from the COVID-19 shots — in particular, the mRNA vaccines. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Tax Collections Will Be Lower Than Expected Over Next 2 Years. The  state Council on Revenues on Wednesday downgraded projections for the next three fiscal years amid swirling uncertainties over federal policy upheaval. The extra new pessimism was rooted in expected fallout from Trump administration actions to slash the federal workforce, reduce federal spending and tax global imports with high tariffs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Opportunity to pay less for electricity during sunlight hours yields mixed results. Last year, Hawaiian Electric put a group of randomly selected Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island customers on an experimental rate scheme that made electricity cheaper during the day when solar energy was abundant and more expensive in the evening and nighttime. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Is Facing A Food Crisis. Can A State Plan Finally Help? Lawmakers are pushing for a comprehensive plan to address Hawaiʻi’s overreliance on imported foods and the growing number of residents who can’t afford groceries. Civil Beat.

Five Troubling Findings From New Report On Hawaiʻi’s Health. University of Hawaiʻi study has followed 2,000 people since 2022. Hawaii’s Health and Wellbeing Journey Over Time – Monitoring Equity And Access found that existing health disparities — including access to care — have widened precipitously in less than two years for most non-white ethnic and racial groups, especially Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.  Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Honolulu-L.A. United flight turns back after bomb threat in lavatory. A United Airlines flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles returned to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport early Wednesday morning after a bomb threat was found written on a bathroom mirror. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

ACLU Hawaii prepares to sue HPD over ‘concerning trend’ of sober drivers arrested for DUI. The American Civil Liberties Union Hawaii could pursue legal action against the Honolulu Police Department over a “pattern and practice of falsely arresting drivers in Honolulu without probable cause and without due process,” a letter sent to the police chief on Tuesday read. Hawaii News Now.

Former BLNR chair on the Army's use of federal land in Mākua Valley. William Aila served as the chair of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources from 2010 to 2014. Hawaii Public Radio.

Illegal gambling arrests on Oahu increased in 2024. The Honolulu Police Department made 115 arrests for gambling equipment violations in 2024, up from 92 in 2023, according to HPD’s data dashboard. Officers also arrested 124 people for operating, promoting or assisting gambling in 2024, up from 109 arrests in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

How UH-Manoa Is Trying To Hold Onto Hawaiʻi’s High School Grads. Federal data shows a decline in students staying home for college. The University of Hawaiʻi is trying to reverse that trend. Civil Beat.

Community honors West Loch disaster anniversary. The West Loch disaster was a deadly — and often forgotten — World War II incident in Hawaii that prompted major reforms in the U.S. military due to the disproportionate death toll of Black service members. Star-Advertiser.

City moves to take over property where family has been squatting for decades. The city is moving to take back a derelict home next to Kapiolani Park. The rundown home on 3808 Paki Avenue has blue tarps, 55-gallon drums, and a mix of household items outside. Hawaii News Now.

Tariffs are making it pricier to bring Filipino food to Hawaii. One importer says it’s absorbing the cost, for now. Filipino food importer Ramar Foods was shocked when President Donald Trump imposed a 17% tariff on Philippine goods, almost triple the previous tax. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers consider proposal for 'household henneries'. County law currently only allows chickens to be raised on agricultural land, but Bill 52 would let residents have “household henneries” for non-commercial egg production. Hawaii Public Radio.

Summer meal program set to feed 6,000 keiki throughout Big Island. Kaukau 4 Keiki, a summer food program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will once again provide free weekly meal kits with a focus on reaching children under 18-years old in rural communities statewide. Big Island Now.

Hokulea, Hikianalia dock in Hilo ahead of Pacific-wide voyage. After two days of travel, Hokulea and Hikianalia are now docked in Hilo. The voyaging canoes were welcomed by the community and hula halau near the Grand Naniloa Hotel. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

LCLT Report: Zero homes sold within typical Maui residents’ financial reach in 2024. The Lahaina Community Land Trust’s “Keeping Lahaina Home,” authored in partnership with Native Hawaiian data scientist Matt Jachowski, seeks to shed light on “how despite our best intentions, most of the homes that we continue to build are not actually meant for our local families.” Maui Now.

Applications now available for Hale O Piʻikea 1 affordable rental housing project in Kīhei. Applications are now being accepted for Hale O Piʻikea I, the first phase of a County-supported, three-phase affordable rental housing initiative by ʻIkenākea Development that will deliver 223 rental homes upon completion.  Maui Now.

Environmental watchdogs tell state officials ‘try again’ for Lahaina pollution control permit. A small, but determined, group testified at the Lahaina Civic Center Wednesday morning. Hawaii Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch listened to their feedback about its revised permit proposal for the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Hawaii News Now.

Corals damaged by yacht returned to Maui waters following rehabilitation. Rehabilitated coral fragments damaged by a grounded luxury yacht more than two years ago were returned Wednesday to Honolua Bay on Maui’s northwestern coast. Kauai Now.

Kauai

Water conservation measures remain in place for Hanalei community and ʻAnini Beach areas. Water conservation measures remain in place for Department of Water customers in the Hanalei community and ʻAnini Beach areas due to a downed water system pump station. Kauai Now.

Green heads to Washington to tout vaccinations, housing affordability worsens, Honolulu may tap into transient accommodations tax to defray sewer costs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green heading to D.C. to urge vaccinations. Green will board a coach seat for a red-eye flight to Washington, D.C., on Monday to testify in support of vaccinations after Hawaii’s 90% COVID-era vaccine rate contributed to the lowest COVID mortality rate in the country. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Looks To Expand Leadership Team Amid Bus Shortages And Facility Woes. State education leaders say creating a new assistant superintendent position could improve operations, but the department is close to doubling the number of top leadership posts since 2012. Civil Beat.

Housing affordability continues to elude many in Hawaii. It took more income to afford the median rent for a place to live or to buy a median-priced single-family house in 2024, according to the study published Wednesday by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Hawaii home prices are three times the national median and the state also has the nation's highest rate of homeless population, according to the study.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Maui Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaiʻi will not meet its climate goals without significant transportation changes. The latest state greenhouse gas report, prepared by the state Department of Health, concludes that based on emission data from 2022, the state is off-track on two important goals: slashing emissions in half by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, and eliminating emissions entirely by 2045. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senators back bill to boost reimbursements for farmer and rancher transportation costs. US Sens. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaiʻi) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced legislation to increase funding for the US Department of Agriculture’s Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment program. The program reimburses farmers and ranchers in Hawaiʻi, Alaska and other insular areas for transportation costs of supplies like feed, fertilizer and equipment parts. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council advances bill to offset sewer fee hike.  The Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Bill 43, meant to redirect a portion of the 3% visitor-­generated Oahu transient accommodations tax, which in part is earmarked for Honolulu’s rail project, to the city’s sewer fund. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Approves Last Big Covid Hazard Payments For City Workers. After years of delays, the City Council signed off on a $41 million deal with the state’s largest union after previously reaching agreements with two other unions. Civil Beat.

Honolulu To Pay $2.1 Million To End Wrongful Arrest Lawsuit. The Honolulu City Council has agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who spent nearly three years in jail awaiting trial for drug trafficking charges — despite never having been found in possession of drugs or drug money.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu parks department updates community garden rules. For the first time in 40 years, new rules are now in place for Honolulu’s community gardening program, which currently has a 300-person waitlist. Hawaii News Now.

Tariff uncertainty is affecting these Chinatown small business owners. Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, the founder and president of the Chinatown Business & Community Association,  said Chinatown business owners are worried that they won't have something to sell in the next few months.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Kai roads reopen after projectile devices defused. Two possibly live M49A2 mortar bombs were found and turned in by a member of the public. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kona coffee fields have become a target for ICE. Kona coffee retails for more than $30 for an 8-ounce bag. With a devoted following around the world, the distinct coffee has been a point of pride for the Big Island, and for the thousands of immigrants from Latin America who for decades have handpicked the beans in the Kona fields. Now the fate of many of those immigrant workers is uncertain, as is the future of the island’s coffee industry. New York Times.

Budget bill contains $2.5M for Puna Alternate Route Study.  The 2023 budget previously allocated $1 million in state funds for such a study, but required a $500,000 match by Hawaii County. Those state funds unexpectedly lapsed in mid-2024. Tribune-Herald.

Case involving Puna house snafu settled. A settlement has been reached in the case of a house built on the wrong lot in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Tribune-Herald.

Last Two Phases of Māmalahoa Highway Repaving Project Starts May 19. Resurfacing will be completed from Kalamauka Road to Ha‘awina Street, as well as from Palani Road to Kamalani Street, by the end of the year. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Decrease in visitor tax rate sought as fear of recession looms. Maui County Council chair Alice Lee said she hopes to roll back the council’s proposed property tax rate hikes for the visitor industry because there’s sufficient funding for future projects and a likelihood of a recession. The proposed reduction would reduce the estimated real property tax revenues for the visitor industry by $14.5 million.  Maui News.

Lahaina Wildfire Debris Heading To Final Central Maui Site In June. Officials say they have worked to minimize traffic and address health concerns. But a December deadline for removal looms large. Civil Beat.

Online briefing for Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners as no-cost property surveys move ahead. Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners are encouraged to register now for an online briefing on how to receive property surveys through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program. Maui Now.

Prosecutors say Maui doctor took powerful drug from hospital. Just three days after anesthesiologist, Gerhardt Konig, allegedly tried to kill his wife, Arielle, in March by pushing her off an Oahu cliff and injecting her with needles, court document say she contacted Honolulu police after finding the defendant’s Nike fanny pack on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi councilmembers propose diverting money from stalled projects. Kauaʻi councilmembers have proposed some budget changes that divert money from projects that have stalled or don't have solid plans going forward. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green forms national pro-science PAC, ex-Honolulu police chief released from prison, Land Board rejects Pohakuloa EIS, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Governor Creates National PAC To Support 'Pro-Science Candidates'. Josh Green appeared with his Heal America political action committee partners while on a state-sponsored trip. At the same time that he was in Washington, D.C., at Hawaiʻi taxpayer expense opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Gov. Josh Green was quietly launching a national political action committee that aims to work for health care, homelessness, gun control and “pro-science candidates for federal office.” Civil Beat.

State pushing speed cam expansion despite failed bill. DOT issued a request for proposals seeking 100 additional cameras on Oahu and 20 cameras each for the three neighbor island counties. Star-Advertiser.

A Series Of Child Abuse Deaths Failed To Spur Major Reform. The legislative session was punctuated by an arrest in yet another child death, but lawmakers did not act on recommendations of a child welfare task force. Civil Beat.

Fireworks legislation awaits Gov. Green’s signature. The year-old state Department of Law Enforcement would get new funding and an increased mandate to crack down on illegal fireworks under pending legislation. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers pass bill establishing lottery system for leasing cabins on public lands. House Bill 1348, introduced by Kaua‘i state Rep. Dee Morikawa, requires the Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreation-residence use by public lottery under certain conditions and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located under certain conditions. Kauai Now.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority official placed on leave pending investigation.  Isaac Choy, vice president of finance and acting chief administrative officer, was placed on leave Friday at the direction of the state Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Human Resources amid allegations he made racist and sexist remarks on the job. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to receive $700M in drug settlement over blood thinner. Hawaii will receive $700 million in a landmark settlement from pharmaceutical giants Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi following more than a decade of litigation over the blood thinner Plavix and its lack of efficacy in Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian populations, Gov. Josh Green announced Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric parent touts financial strength. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. on Friday reported net income of $27 million for the January-March period, down from $42 million a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

GMO Seed Companies In Hawai‘i Earn More Money With Less Land. Hawaiʻi’s genetically modified seed industry has been on the decline for at least a decade, but it is still worth more financially than any other agricultural commodity in the state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Former police chief Kealoha released from federal prison, but he’s not a free man yet. Kealoha is back home after serving most of his seven-year sentence. His official release date is set for May 18, 2026. He will serve the remainder of his time under home monitoring. Hawaii News Now.

Bill seeks to offset Honolulu’s sewer fee hike. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has sponsored legislation to defray costs associated with the city’s planned 10-year, 115% sewer fee rate hike that is slated to start this summer. Star-Advertiser.

City Council requests to restore Sand Island’s Native name. City lawmakers are leading the push to return Sand Island’s name to its Native Hawaiian name Mauliola, which means “breath of life” or “power of healing.” Star-Advertiser.

Developer Wants To Use Hawaiian Home Lands Powers To Skirt Zoning Rules. Land swap could clear the way for commercial development on land set aside for housing. Commissioners say it’s worth it for the revenue. Civil Beat.

June closures are planned at Koko Head Shooting Complex. The shooting complex at 8102 Kalanianaole Highway will close weekdays from June 2 through 23. Weekend access to all of the facility’s firearm and archery ranges will be open and available under their regular weekend schedules. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s, Kapi‘olani seek labor board review. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association is at an impasse with The Queen’s Medical Center since the employer filed an appeal with the National Labor Relations Board. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Land Board rejects Pohakuloa EIS but lease negotiations to move ahead. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to reject the Army’s Final Environmental Impact Statement on its proposal to renew its lease on state owned land on on Hawaii Island that makes up its Pohakuloa Training Area. Star-Advertiser.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi County increases support for coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication. The county  recently awarded $250,000 to Big Island Invasive Species Committee to combat the beetle and other pests. In addition, the county is continuing to assist Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture by providing the use of 75-foot boom trucks to treat palm tree crowns for coconut rhinoceros beetles. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui community receives largest wave of wildfire survivors to date. The largest wave of displaced Maui fire survivors, who are losing their temporary hotel housing this month, will move into Ka La‘i Ola, a modular housing project mauka of the Lahaina Civic Center designed specifically for survivors who are ineligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina burn zone slowly transforming from ‘ghost town’ to big construction zone. Many streets in the burn zone have homes under construction. In Lahaina, eight homes have been completed so far, and 368 building permits have been issued, with 301 others being processed. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi drinks up in April with overwhelmingly above average rainfall totals. April rainfall totals were abnormally high around Kauaʻi with the majority of the island seeing three to six times their normal averages. Kauai Now.

More students get free meals, Hawaii to sue fossil fuel companies, homeless relocation program killed in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

More local students are set to become eligible for free meals. A bill passed Thursday would allow students who qualify for reduced-priced meals to get them for free starting in July. Hawaii Public Radio.

Here’s How Many Kids Are Unvaccinated At Your School. More than 20% of students in Hawaiʻi don’t have all of the vaccines required to attend school. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to file lawsuit against fossil fuel companies. As the legislative session that saw the State of Hawaii navigate an $800 million loss from the budget to pay for the Global Settlement for Lahaina wildfire victims comes to an end this week, Hawaii Governor Josh Green is turning attention to entities he thinks also need to pay up for the deadly and destructive disaster: fossil fuel companies. KHON2.

HECO to study where to underground utility lines as a fire prevention measure. Hawaiian Electric plans to study where to put power lines below ground as a fire prevention measure.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii will raise visitor taxes to tackle climate change. Gov. Josh Green is celebrating lawmakers’ decision to increase tourist taxes and dedicate the new money to what they call Hawaii’s climate emergency. Hawaii News Now.

Climate fee, property insurance, illegal fireworks: Here's what could change for Hawaiʻi . While lawmakers are considering many bills ahead of the end of the 2025 session on Friday, Hawaiʻi Public Radio has narrowed down the topics to the top four they're paying close attention to. Hawaii Public Radio.

Permanent ‘Return-to-Home Program’ for homeless persons in Hawaiʻi dies in conference committee. A bill to establish a permanent “Return-to-Home program” failed to make it out of a House and Senate conference committee on Friday as the State Legislature winds down its 2025 session. Big Island Now.

What The State Refuses To Say About Fatal Child Abuse Cases. A federal law requires states to release information about how they handled child maltreatment cases ending in deaths. Hawaiʻi’s reports raise more questions than they answer. Civil Beat.

UH says a majority of its international students are safe amid visa policy changes. Brent White, the chief global officer for the University of Hawaiʻi System, explained how the university is trying to help its international students navigate the unpredictable circumstances. Hawaii Public Radio.

DEI and student visa rulings seen as reprieves. In the wake of federal court rulings blocking enforcement of new federal rules threatening diversity, equity and inclusion programs and revoking certain student visas, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii reached out to college and university officials statewide urging them to “continue to feel empowered to push for academic freedom and free speech.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii borrowers in default are among millions nationwide affected by end of payment pause. A pandemic-era pause for federal student loan borrowers in default is set to end Monday, and millions of former and current students nationwide are bracing for renewed loan collections. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council to review empty-homes tax study. A proposed Honolulu City Council measure to penalize real-­property owners who leave their Oahu residences vacant for extended periods of time has a chance to start moving again following the release of the first phase of a city-commissioned study. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

City aims to loosen requirements to help more small businesses. The transit construction mitigation fund was created to assist businesses hit hard by rail construction along Dillingham Boulevard according to Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam. KHON2.

Honolulu EMS Chief Says Medics Aren’t Safe In Oʻahu Prisons. Recent incidents at two state facilities prompted a letter to state prison officials telling them medical crews won’t be going inside the jails and prison anymore. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's food insecurity at highest levels, as support from the federal government drops. There are more empty spaces on Hawaii Foodbank shelves, after a recent cut to funding from the federal government. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island Lands Protected With Grant Approvals. Three of the five grants approved by the State will be used to protect lands on the Big Island: Hīlea, Kawainui Makai, and Kōkua Kealakekua. Big Island Video News.

State funding secured for Puna alternate route study. Big Island lawmakers secured $1.5 million to fund the Puna Makai (oceanside) Alternate Route Study after funding lapsed last year. Lawmakers also secured $1 million for a Puna Mauka (mountainside) Alternate Route Study.  Big Island Now.

Maui

9 projects with over 800 housing units could get funding from Maui County for construction, rising costs. Maui County wants to spend its $43.5 million Affordable Housing Fund on nine projects with 843 units of mostly rental housing in the next fiscal year, including a rental project in Kīhei with social spaces for seniors, a Nāpili apartment complex for fire-displaced families and a major housing development in Kahului with a civic center and commercial space.  Maui Now.

West Maui residents beg commission to manage water better. The Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) held a meeting in Lahaina on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Community meeting May 12 on proposed plans for two West Maui playgrounds. The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation invites residents to provide input on proposed plans for the Lahaina Recreation Center and the Kelawea Mauka Park playgrounds during a community meeting Monday, May 12, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall. Maui Now.

Kauai

No injuries reported following fire at Pacific Missile Range Facility. Fire crews have extinguished a blaze at the edge of the Pacific Missile Range Facility Makaha Ridge site, which initially forced personnel to evacuate the premises. Kauai Now.

Governor urges caution as measles hits state, Legislature mulls tax hikes on hotels, cruise ships, $170M condo insurance relief bill aims for June implementation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Vaccines urged as Hawaii confirms measles case in child under 5.  The state Department of Health on Tuesday announced the measles case in an unvaccinated child on Oahu who recently returned from international travel with family. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Hotel, cruise ship tax hike aims to reduce wildfire, climate risk. Tourists would collectively pay millions of dollars more each year to stay in Hawaii hotels and on cruise ships to help the state address climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires under a bill approved Tuesday by the full House. Star-Advertiser.

Tax Bills Win Preliminary Approval From Hawaiʻi Lawmakers. The House and Senate are also considering allowing legalized gambling for the first time in state history. Hawaiʻi lawmakers advanced bills to increase an assortment of state taxes along with measures to legalize sports betting and levy a green fee on visitors to help pay for climate change mitigation in floor voting Tuesday. Civil Beat.

State lawmakers endorse subsidized housing for state employees. House Bill 1298 proposes to provide grants and loans to develop leasehold condominiums on state land in transit-oriented development areas predominantly for state workers with moderate incomes as a way to help recruit and retain employees. Star-Advertiser.

$170 Million Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund hopes to help associations with insurance shortfalls by June 1. Officials are now meeting weekly to try and get the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund up and running to try and get help to condo owners this summer. KHON2.

Lawmakers’ Effort Falters To Keep Cops From Taking Property Before Conviction. Police agencies insist they need to take suspects’ property to fight crime, but reformers argue the system has been abused. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s college and career readiness indicators demonstrate mixed trends. The College and Career Readiness Indicators Summary Report,  released last week by Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, presents both progress and concerns, tracking key metrics such as graduation rates, standardized testing performance, dual credit participation and college enrollment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi deadline nears to get a Real ID-compliant card. Starting May 7, adults will need Real ID driver’s licenses or ID cards — which meet federal guidelines — to check in for flights or enter some federal buildings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

State and Honolulu County in negotiations over major land deal. At the center of the deal is city-owned land under the Alii Place office tower, which both the city and state government have had their eye on for years, because it is close to both the state Capitol and Honolulu Hale, and could be a convenient new home for government offices and even lawmakers during major renovations. Hawaii News Now.

Investigation underway after service member found dead at Wheeler Army Airfield. It’s unclear how long the decedent had been there. Sources confirm the man’s body showed signs of decomposition. Hawaii News Now.

HPD’s AustinEwaliko suspended after allegedly releasing Jan. 1 Aliamanu information. A five-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department had his police powers suspended after he allegedly pulled information about the investigation into the deadly Jan. 1 Aliamanu fireworks explosion and gave it to suspects. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pilot in 2019 Oʻahu Helicopter Crash Wasn’t Properly Certified, FAA Says. The FAA says a whistleblower was correct in saying the owner of the helicopter tour company shouldn’t have certified the pilot, but investigators didn’t substantiate allegations of broader problems. Civil Beat.

Crummy conditions plague Oahu park, garden. A group of volunteers just wants to grow their own food, but they say they are dealing with threats, damage and unsanitary conditions at Makiki District Park. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Mayor touts early success; Alameda gives State of the County Address, claims ‘best start ever’. “I got to tell you, best start ever. You heard it. Best start ever.” Straight from Mayor Kimo Alameda’s mouth, that was the overarching theme of his first State of the County Address, which he delivered Tuesday to an audience of his cabinet and prominent supporters at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

ACLU Files Amicus Brief On Police Failure To Record Interrogations. In a Hawaiʻi Supreme Court case involving the Hawaiʻi county police, the ACLU of Hawaiʻi requests the law require police to record custodial interrogations. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i County reaches agreement with nonprofit to address treated sewage entering Big Island waters. Hawaiʻi County is taking steps to address treated sewage discharged from the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant flowing into Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor six miles south of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County seeks to study how Waikoloa evacuates during a disaster. Hawaiʻi County wants to move around some federal funds in order to pay for a new Waikoloa Village evacuation study. The study would estimate how long it takes residents to escape the village in the event of a disaster like a wildfire or a hurricane. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Residents oppose Lahaina rebuild over pool, water concerns. A number of Maui residents testified Tuesday against a proposal by a Lahaina property owner to substantially rebuild a two-story house to what it was before the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire. Maui News.

Maui County residents invited to sign up for new evacuation planning platform. Residents and visitors of Maui County are encouraged to download the app, which will allow users to view predetermined evacuation zones, track live statuses and receive real-time notifications. Hawaii Public Radio.

Haʻikū fire station construction expected to go out for bid in September. A notice to proceed with construction of the Haʻikū Fire Station is scheduled for April 2026, if all permits and entitlements are approved. Then, in July 2028, the fully outfitted station is expected to be ready to house firefighters, fire trucks and other equipment. Maui Now.

Kauai

Additional lane, road closures and water service shutdown planned in various areas. Here’s a look at some additional upcoming lane and road closures along with a water service shutdown planned around the Garden Isle during the next week. Kauai Now.