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.

Green wants to create Federal Affairs Office, HECO execs got big raises despite financial woes, Maui police chief to stay on job despite Diddy lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Proposes a Federal Affairs Office To Make Hawaiʻi’s Case In DC. The governor is asking legislators for $1.3 million to fund five new positions over the next two years. Gov. Josh Green is asking for state money to open a new federal affairs office with staff in Hawaiʻi and Washington, D.C., citing dramatic shifts in federal policy that have already unfolded under President Donald Trump’s administration. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Execs Pocketed Huge Raises Despite $1.4B In Losses. Steering the utility from the brink of bankruptcy justified a $1.7 million raise for its CEO, the company said. Civil Beat.

Canadians cite Trump in canceling trips to Hawaii. A small sample of once-loyal Hawaii visitors from Canada have written to Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii tourism officials that they canceled their latest trips to the islands because of President Donald Trump’s comments and actions toward their country. Star-Advertiser.

Federal funding uncertainty puts climate resiliency bills in jeopardy. Major initiatives that would have created a dedicated funding stream for climate resiliency are in jeopardy at the state Legislature. Uncertainty regarding federal funding is pushing lawmakers to make tough decisions.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers vote to keep invasive species council housed under land department. Lawmakers nixed a proposal to move the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council out from under the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s construction industry braces for trade war fallout. Some Hawaii businesses are feeling the fallout of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. Now, all steel and aluminum imports, regardless of the country they came from, are subject to a 25% tariff. For China, that tariff is now up to 45% due to the existing tax.  Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii moves forward with search for next AD.  The process of hiring the University of Hawaii’s next athletic director is underway with the enlistment of a national search firm and the formation of a 10-member search committee, UH president Wendy Hensel announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New rail segment to open later this year. The second segment of Skyline is set to begin passenger operations on Oct. 1, expanding the City and County of Honolulu's rail system and bringing passengers closer to Honolulu's urban core.  Aloha State Daily.

Honolulu Council adopts ban on wheelies for e-bikes, motorcycles. A measure targeting the riders of electric bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles who perform stunts on public streets or roadways has successfully steered its way through the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Blangiardi's annual address highlights Honolulu rail and affordable housing progress. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s fifth State of the City address was filled with plans, announcements and highlights of his efforts to help residents and improve city services during his second four-year term. Hawaii Public Radio.

Housing opportunities among top focus for Honolulu officials in '25 and beyond. With some new housing opportunities getting set to open, including Pensacola Maikiki Banyan Apartments (90-unit affordable housing project, located at corner of Pensacola and Wilder) opening next year and another location on Algaroba (25 units, studios and 1-bedrooms, utilities included), opening in July, many feel progress is being made, but what more can be done? KITV4.

City councilmember to ask for police chief’s resignation if HPD vacancies hit 475. Honolulu City Councilmember Andria Tupola says police chief Joe Logan should step down if the number of vacancies in the Honolulu Police Department hit 475. As of March 1, HPD had 1,722 officers and 455 vacancies. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police chief apologizes for silence over Waikiki shooting. Honolulu’s police chief is apologizing for failing to inform the public about potential danger. This time, the department didn’t alert the public after an apparent shootout Sunday night in Waikiki that might have involved an automatic weapon with the shooter or shooters still at large. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Is Being Evicted Amid Federal Cuts. Observatory leaders have assured local emergency officials their public service will continue, but questions linger about how and where that work will happen. Civil Beat.

Private utility company requesting temporary water/wastewater rate increases for Punalu‘u. Due to opposition to the Punalu‘u Village, the owner has ceased further financial support for Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation and has requested rate increases for the approximately 100 households that use the private system. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Police Commission opts against putting chief on leave over Diddy lawsuit. The Maui Police Commission decided Wednesday against placing Maui Police Chief John Pelletier on administrative leave, as recommended by the mayor after the filing of a civil lawsuit in Northern California alleging Pelletier acted as an operative in 2018 for rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs to help hide his alleged sexual assaults. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

County Department of Human Concerns seeking feedback on community needs. The County of Maui Department of Human Concerns is seeking resident feedback to improve existing services and identify needs for new services to support Maui County residents.  Maui Now.

Children displaced by Maui fires will receive playhouse at temporary school. To support the children affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires, the nonprofit Maui United Way is funding the installation of a children’s playhouse at the temporary Kamehameha III School in Pulelehua. Spectrum News.

Kauai

County Engineering Division now offers road permit applications online. A road permit is required for any work within a county right of way. The county’s Department of Public Works Engineering Division recently launched an online application process for the permits on the Kaua‘i County website. Kauai Now.

2 new renewable projects would bring Garden Isle close to 80% renewable energy within 3 years. Two new solar-plus-battery-storage projects being pursued by Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative would bring the Garden Isle close to 80% renewable energy before the end of this decade. Kauai Now.

Gov. Green tries conciliatory approach with Trump, state officials to see 40% raises, Honolulu leaders get misdemeanor sentences in plea deal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green looks for common ground with Trump to help Hawaii. Gov. Josh Green said he has chosen a more conciliatory, collaborative approach with President Donald Trump if it means preserving as much federal support for Hawaii as possible. Star-Advertiser.

Local hiring initiative for impacted federal workers has received over 800 applications. The state has received 827 applications as part of Gov. Josh Green's Operation Hire Hawaiʻi initiative. He issued an emergency proclamation to tap into the pool of laid-off federal workers and fill over 4,000 open positions in state government.  Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Tokuda documenting fallout of federal firings. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda remains alarmed over ongoing job cuts among Hawaii-­based federal workers, which could lead to more workers leaving the islands while residents lose access to federal services they rely on. Star-Advertiser.

 Salary Commission Approves Hefty Raises For Legislators, State Officials. The raises automatically take effect on July 1 unless lawmakers reject them. The salary commission’s original draft proposal called for 50 to 60 percent raises over a six year period but after objections by the governor and public criticism, the commission lowered it to about 40 percent. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Legislature: Green Fee, New Taxes, Fireworks Enforcement Move Ahead. As the Legislature reaches the halfway mark, the House killed a bill to remove vaccine exemptions for schoolchildren while the Senate approved creating an illegal fireworks enforcement division. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi election commissioners could require Senate approval. Hawaiʻi election commissioners may be required to be approved by the Senate. That’s if a bill going through the Legislature passes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal cuts could impact Hawaiʻi's ability to keep the brown tree snake away. The impact of the snake on Hawaiʻi’s economy could be anywhere from $593 million to $2.14 billion annually. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Corruption probe ends with misdemeanor sentences. Former Corporation Counsel Donna Yuk Lan Leong, 69, ex-Honolulu Police Commission Chair Max John Sword, 73, and then-Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Managing Director Roy Keiji Amemiya Jr., 69, conspired “in their official capacities as Honolulu city officials to reach a settlement agreement” for former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha while he was the target of a federal public corruption investigation and being actively followed by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu Hasn’t Prosecuted A Single Ghost Gun Case Since 2020 Ban. Police are seeing an uptick in ghost guns but Hawaiʻi counties differ in how they interpret and use a state law meant to deter people from buying or manufacturing untraceable weapons. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaii prison guard pleads guilty to sexually assaulting inmates. On Monday, March 3, 2025, 47-year-old Mikael Rivera from Kapolei, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of inmates under his custody or control. Rivera was a correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu from 2014 to 2018. KITV4.

Hawaii protesters hold another rally against Trump, Musk policies. More than 100 protesters showed up at noon Tuesday in front of the state Capitol in Honolulu to speak out against President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk and their policies. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Downtown Hilo post office, HVO site among possible federal cuts. The U.S. General Services Administration on Tuesday published a list of buildings and facilities deemed “not core to government operations, or non-core properties” that have been designated for possible sale or closure. The list — more than 400 entries long — includes the historic Federal Building, U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in downtown Hilo on Waianuenue Avenue. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Power plant plan raises concerns: Proposed 60-megawatt facility would be built in Pana‘ewa. The Alahao Renewable Energy Project would develop a 12-acre parcel — owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands — on Railroad Avenue just north of Kukila Street into an energy plant capable of adding up to 60 megawatts of power to the Hawaiian Electric grid on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Morgue plan irks residents: Work already has started on temporary storage facility. About three dozen members of the public learned Monday night at a community meeting at Aupuni Center called by the Hawaii Police Department that construction of a temporary morgue started about two weeks ago adjacent to the as yet-unopened call center for police and fire dispatchers in Hilo — and that didn’t sit well with most who spoke. Tribune-Herald.

Adult coconut rhinoceros beetles found in Kona. A pair of adult coconut rhinoceros beetles were found Monday and Tuesday in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii News Now.

In the Hakalau Forest on Hawaiʻi Island, these birders of a feather flock together. The wildlife refuge is hailed as a great success story where the habitat of Hawaiʻi's endangered birds has been restored, and the birds are thriving. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Lahaina Energy Partnership invites public to third co-design workshop, March 11. The Lahaina Energy Partnership (LEP) hosts its third public co-design workshop as a part of an ongoing effort to develop a community-driven energy future for Lahaina. Maui Now.

‘Safe parking’: A 2024 study reports favorable outcomes in curbing homelessness. In Maui County, there were 5,899 people counted as unhoused in 2024, including those who lost their homes because of the 2023 wildfires and were staying in disaster-response shelters, according to the recently released “Recommendations to Address Homelessness in Maui County.” Maui Now.

UH President Wendy Hensel visits UH Maui College. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel visited UH Maui College on Monday, March 3, as part of her statewide tour of 10 UH campuses and five education centers within her first 90 days in office. Maui Now.


Kauai

Homeless Program Grant recipients announced. Of the nine proposals received, seven were eligible for consideration. A selection committee reviewed and scored all the eligible projects and selected the top six proposals to fund for $500,000. Garden Island.

Upgraded imaging at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital. Equipment in the newly renovated Imaging Department at the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital has already been used, and the Monday blessing of the Department took place in between patients. Garden Island.

Legislature mulls doubling HI-5 deposit fee, helping condo owners pay insurance, Green orders expedited hiring of displaced federal workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bottle bill would boost deposits for beverage container recycling. State lawmakers are considering a bill that proposes doubling the deposit fee on beverage containers to 10 cents from 5 cents under a 20-year-old program that has accrued a record $67 million special-fund balance. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii governor orders expedited hiring for displaced federal workers. Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday signed an executive order intended to place qualified applicants discharged from federal employment into state jobs quickly. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Green attending National Governors Association 2025 Winter Meeting in nation’s capital. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green is in Washington this week for the National Governors Association 2025 Winter Meeting. Kauai Now.

Voter registration could move to an opt-out system when getting state licenses. People in the state could be automatically registered to vote when getting their driver's license or identification card. Lawmakers are considering a measure to instead have people opt out of being registered to vote versus having to opt in. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Condo Owners Could Benefit From State Plan To Prop Up Insurance Market. Lawmakers are moving forward with bills that would rescue owners facing rising rates. Civil Beat.

Consumers Sacrifice To Pay Hawaiʻi’s Record Electric Bills. Between August 2023 and August 2024, 33% of state residents cut back on basic necessities so they could pay their electricity bill, according to a Lending Tree report. That put Hawaiʻi at 29 out of the 50 states.  Civil Beat.

UH students are on hook for COVID pay to employees. A specific group of UH employees would receive a one-time collective payment of $42.5 million coming out of a special fund that UH students pay into as part of their tuition. Star-Advertiser.

Measures seek to bolster farmers and boost penalties for agricultural crimes. Among a plethora of agriculture-related bills introduced this legislative session, two moving forward include one that would increase penalties for agricultural theft and another which would allow farmers and ranchers to use deadly force against intruders under certain circumstances. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Helmets for teens, other rules now law after mayor signs e-bike safety bill.  bill aimed at making roads safer for e-bike riders was signed into law on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu grand jury indicts CEO for campaign contributions. Court documents allege Timothy Lee, the CEO of JL Capital, used the names of his employees to give $13,000 to the 2020 mayoral campaigns of Keith Amemiya and Kymberly Pine. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

HFD battalion chief arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. A Honolulu Fire Department battalion chief was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. The 49-year-old was arrested Tuesday afternoon for an incident that police said occurred on Feb. 14. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Environmental activist allegedly stole more than $81K from nonprofit. From Feb. 3, 2021, through Feb. 16, 2022, Moanaoio Bjur, a former member of the Hawaii Environmental Advisory Council, allegedly issued herself 24 payroll payments through QuickBooks and made three unauthorized withdrawals from a PayPal account totaling just north of $81,000. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Leaks And Mold At The 4-Year-Old State Hospital Will Cost Millions To Fix. State officials say it will take $8.16 million, including $2 million in legal costs, to repair water leaks and get rid of mold that employees say is a health hazard. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Amid workforce crisis, corrections department opts to leave some jail posts unmanned before approving overtime. In the midst of a chronic staffing crisis at Oahu’s largest jail, HNN Investigates has learned the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) is opting to leave some posts unmanned before approving overtime to cover additional labor gaps. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit filed over 2020 COVID mask incident. An openly transgender person transitioning from female to male is suing the city and the Honolulu Police Department after he was allegedly assaulted by officers during a confrontation over COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council members put the brakes on HPD resolution. Routine agreements between federal agencies and the Hawaii Police Department were postponed Tuesday over concerns about overreach in illegal immigration enforcement. Tribune-Herald.

Resilience Hub Network Expands Across Hawaiʻi Island. Vibrant Hawai‘i recently announced the addition of 20 new Resilience Hub partners from every district of Hawai‘i Island.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Batch Of Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias Recalled. The Keaʻau-based Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC recently issued a voluntarily recall for a batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

County Department of Housing to conduct Fair Market Rent Survey in Maui County. The purpose of the Fair Market Rent Survey, which started in January, is to collect accurate and up-to-date information about current rental housing costs across the County. Maui Now.

More than 1,000 acres of West Maui land returned to productive use by local ranch. Maui family-owned Ka Ike Ranch will operate over 1,000 acres of land in West Maui, in a long-term lease from Maui Land & Pineapple Company.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

‘This is what makes Kaua‘i so special’: Good Samaritan, first responders honored for lifesaving efforts. Megan Gayagas, Ashley Rapozo, members of the Līhu‘e Fire Station and several personnel from American Medical Response saved the life of Melissa Gregory on Dec. 20, 2024, after she collapsed in the checkout line at Longs Drugs in Līhu‘e. Kauai Now.

State Supreme Court rules against insurance companies in $4B Lahaina fire settlement, bill would ban non-medical vaccine exemptions, big salary hikes slated for state officials, Honolulu CEO indicted on false name campaign contributions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Supreme Court rules against insurance companies in Maui wildfire, allowing $4B settlement to proceed.  Maui wildfire victims are closer to sharing a $4 billion settlement, possibly before the disaster’s second anniversary in August, after a Hawaii Supreme Court ruling Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Governor, Japanese official sign pact to ease entry for visitors. Gov. Josh Green and the consul general of Japan in Honolulu, Yoshinori Kodama, have signed an action plan to bring more Japanese visitors to Hawaii to enhance economic benefits and spark more people-to- people exchanges through an expanded VIP entry program, which now includes school groups, and promotion of other programs that ease entry such as the mobile passport control program and a global entry program. Star-Advertiser.

State officials could see big pay raises soon. A proposal to increase salaries for Hawaii's state executives, judges and legislators is facing pushback, with some questioning whether elected officials deserve a pay hike while ongoing state issues remain unresolved. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, judges, legislators and more could see raises as high as 61%. KHON2. KITV4.

Heated debate surrounds Hawaiʻi measure to ban non-medical vaccine exemptions in schools. A bill that would repeal non-medical vaccine exemptions for Hawaiʻi students received about 1,300 pages of written testimony. The controversial House Bill 1118 passed through the House Committee on Health on Friday with the two Republican members voting "no." Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Legislature is considering a measure that would stockpile 1,000 doses of the abortion drug mifepristone. The bill is meant to protect Hawaiʻi's inventory of the drug in case federal laws or court rulings limit access. Hawaii Public Radio.

Citizens videoing police bills move in Legislature. Companion bills that acknowledge the right of private citizens to video law enforcement activities without interfering and to sue if those rights are violated are making their way through committees in the Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Seek Tougher Fireworks Enforcement, But No Statewide Ban. State senators declined to move forward with a statewide ban on all fireworks on Monday, and instead are working to significantly strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute fireworks cases. Civil Beat.

Bill requiring medical students to stay in isles dies in House. A Senate bill remains alive that would require University of Hawaii medical school students to remain in Hawaii for two years after they complete their residencies, but the House version has died. Star-Advertiser.

Committee to hear bills aimed at fixing Hawaii school bus system. In response to parents’ pleas for reliable school transportation, the House Education Committee today will consider bills aimed at preventing a repeat of the abrupt cancellations of 108 bus routes at the start of this year’s school year, which was a repeat of the start of the 2023 school year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers look to regulate commercial dog breeders. SB593 would require licensing for more than 10 breeding dogs, impose standards of care, and ban anyone from owning more than 30 breeding dogs. Hawaii News Now.

Biosecurity bill could move invasive species council under Agriculture Department. State lawmakers are moving along a bill that would bring a host of biosecurity improvements to the state — but stakeholders feel uneasy about a provision that could have a significant impact on the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric surges to 36% renewable energy on grids. Boosted by new grid-scale and rooftop solar capacity, Hawaiian Electric achieved a 36% consolidated renewable portfolio standard in 2024, accelerating progress toward the 2030 RPS milestone of 40%. Maui Now.

Oahu

CEO indicted for alleged illegal campaign donations. An Oahu grand jury Friday indicted JL Capital CEO Timothy Lee, 48, on nine counts of false-name contribution for allegedly making $13,000 in campaign contributions in another person’s name in 2020 to the mayoral campaigns of Keith Ame­miya and Kymberly Pine. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

City Council’s budget panel to review sponsorship bill. Reestablishing the city’s ability to obtain private sponsorships for publicly owned facilities in order to secure non-property tax revenue is the focus of new legislation now under Honolulu City Council review. Star-Advertiser.

Laie farmer’s arrest stirs controversy amid crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Last Thursday, farmers held a rally to support 60-year-old Hanjun Shen of China. He’s the owner of JM Farm in Laie. He had been in Hawaii since 2009 and was detained by federal agents last month even though he has no criminal record. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Self-Storage Warehouse Plan Replaces Proposed Hilo Water Bottling Plant. A draft environmental assessment has been published for the proposed Talon 1 Properties Self-storage Warehouse between the Hoʻolulu Complex and the Wailoa River State Recreation Area. Big Island Video News.

Kailua-Kona condo complex settles federal disability lawsuit for $162,500. A Kona condominium association and its managing agent will pay $162,500 to settle a federal lawsuit that alleged the condo association and the managers of the complex discriminated against an individual with paraplegia. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina Disaster Still A ‘Relentless Presence’ In Fire Survivors’ Lives. Court documents filed in a wildfire compensation lawsuit give an unprecedented look at the struggles fire survivors continue to face. Civil Beat.

Maui County Mayor signs tobacco bill. On Friday, youth from several local schools and supporters of a tobacco-free Hawaii gathered in a room where Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen signed a bill that brings the county one step closer to a potential tobacco ban.  Maui News.

Open house on Lahaina ash and fire debris transfer to Central Maui. The public is invited to learn more about the transfer of Lahaina’s ash and fire debris from the temporary storage site in Olowalu to the Permanent Disposal Site in Central Maui during an open house Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the County of Maui’s Lahaina Resource Center. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hale Lihue marks milestone. In a joint announcement on Monday, Hawaiian Telcom and Hale Lihue announced that Hawaiian Telcom will be the exclusive technology partner for the new community center that will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Garden Island.

Three Kauaʻi towns named in top 8 “most neighborly” in Hawaiʻi. Hanalei, Hanapepe and Kōloa were all featured in a list of the “Top 8 Most Neighborly Towns in Hawaiʻi,” which was put together by WorldAtlas to give readers a glimpse into close-knit towns that embrace the spirit Aloha. Kauai Now.

Former Honolulu corporation counsel and Police Commission chairman to plead guilty in Kealoha scandal, bills address DUI, ahi labels, paid family leave, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2 Honolulu Officials To Plead Guilty In Kealoha Payout, Avoiding Jail Time.  Honolulu’s former corporation counsel Donna Yuk Lan Leong and the ex-chair of the Police Commission, Max John Sword, will plead guilty March 4 to a misdemeanor federal conspiracy charge in connection with the $250,000 retirement payment in 2017 to former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, according to federal court documents. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Green reiterates opposition to RFK Jr. as U.S. health chief. Gov. Josh Green reiterated his opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. becoming the next secretary of health and human services as a Senate committee is scheduled to vote today on whether to advance the nomination to the full Senate. New York Times.

Schatz to block Trump nominees over USAID move. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii said today he would block Senate votes on President Donald Trump’s diplomatic nominees in protest of plans to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development and merge it into the State Department. Reuters.

How tariffs could impact Hawaii. Because Hawaii imports 85 to 90 percent of all its food, a 25% tariff will be felt deeply from restaurants to grocery stores. The Hawaii farm bureau says 80% of fertilizer ingredients come from Canada which is used in farming and food production, and grain feed is also imported from Canada. KHON2.

Debate Keeps Swirling Around Paid Family Leave In Hawaiʻi. Advocates say the need is greater than ever. But unions, businesses and state agencies are resisting. Civil Beat.

Bills would lower legal threshold for drunken driving. For the fifth consecutive year, bills have been introduced in the state Legislature to reduce the blood-alcohol content threshold for a drunken driving charge from 0.08% to 0.05%. Tribune-Herald.

Do you know where your ahi comes from? A state measure could require origin labels. Industry leaders say that imported fish is cheaper and can undercut locally caught fish. Imported fish can also be frozen and gas-treated to look fresher than it is.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill would ban immigration detention centers on state land. Immigration detention centers would be banned on state and county lands, and other bills in the Legislature also would ensure due process for any detainees. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Track how opioid settlement funds are being used in Hawai‘i. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health launched a website that allows the public to track where an excess of $100 million in opioid settlement funds paid to the state by pharmaceutical companies is going. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Is 2025 Last Chance For OHA’s Big Development Plans At Kakaʻako Makai? After years of futility, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has new support for its plans to build affordable housing and a hotel on 30 acres of the Honolulu waterfront. Civil Beat.

Community weighs in on future plans for Aloha Stadium with questions about affordable housing. Five years after Aloha Stadium shut down, demolition is set to begin in June and then a new community will start taking shape. On Monday, neighbors got to engage with the developers for the first time. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii’s plan to develop leasehold homes advances. A more than $200 million tower is envisioned in Honolulu with 360 units and leasehold prices ranging from $456,400 for units with one bedroom and one bathroom to $862,600 for units with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Star-Advertiser.

Multifaceted writer Cliff Slater dies at 91. Cliff Slater — businessman, newspaper columnist, author, photographer and community activist most visible in recent years for his steadfast opposition to Oahu’s controversial $10 billion rail project — died Jan. 20, with his wife and children beside him, at his home in Honolulu. He was 91. Star-Advertiser.

Penalty Reduced For HPD Officers Accused Of Assaulting Prisoner. Honolulu police officers were disciplined for a range of issues in 2024, including failing to activate their body cameras, drunk driving, falsifying police reports and stealing a wallet.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council members question effectiveness of homeless-related grants. Hawaii County on Friday awarded more than $10 million to various Big Island nonprofits to fight homelessness. Kona Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas said some programs funded through the grants this year spend up to 90% of their awarded funds on employee salaries. Tribune-Herald.

Lava fountains over 250 feet high return to Kilauea volcano. Kilauea volcano resumed its latest eruption Monday, the eighth time that lava fountains have returned to the summit caldera in less than two months. Star-Advertiser.   Big Island Video News.

Hawaii astronomers monitor potentially dangerous asteroid. Hawaii astronomers late last year discovered an asteroid that has a slim likelihood of striking the Earth in about seven years, and a telescope on Maunakea will be used to help track the object’s orbit. Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa Road project nearly complete. Almost two years of repairs on Waikoloa Road in South Kohala are projected to wrap up by this spring for the 12-mile stretch of roadway, county officials said. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Senate bill advances to increase air medical services. The state Department of Health has been cost-sharing a helicopter with Maui County and contracts with a private entity to provide staff and operations for the emergency helicopter. Maui Now.

FEMA finishes installing 167 temporary homes at Kilohana. FEMA’s 167-unit Kiohana temporary home site for wildfire survivors was completed this week in Lahaina.  Maui Now.

UH Maui College launches program to support Lahaina’s long-term revitalization. The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Maui Strong Fellowship Program, an initiative aimed at engaging UHMC students and any interested Maui residents in projects critical to Maui’s long-term care and post-fire recovery.  Maui Now.

Activists worry proposed Grand Wailea expansion could disturb iwi kupuna. For years, the Grand Wailea Resort has been trying to expand and is now seeking approval for a proposal to build 137 additional guest rooms, among other additions.  KITV4.

Kauai

Kauaʻi middle school counselor named 2025 Hawai‘i School Counselor of the Year. Noelani Butcher of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Līhuʻe was named the 2025 Hawai‘i School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association. Kauai Now.

Immigrant rights bills clear first legislative hurdle, Green sounds off against Kennedy appointment, Kakaako housing bill gathers support, 4th graders improve math scores, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Immigration enforcement measures draw support. Four bills relating to immigration enforcement cleared their first legislative hurdle Wednesday, with all passed 7-0 by the House Committee on Economic Development and Technology. The bills would prohibit local law enforcers from complying with federal authorities in detaining individuals without a judicial warrant,  bar the use of government land for detention facilities, establish a program for legal representation and notify detainees of their rights. Tribune-Herald.

‘He’s a liar.’ Green outraged after Kennedy denies role in Samoa measles outbreak. Gov. Josh Green was in the U.S. Capitol hearing room Wednesday while Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denied Green’s allegation that he caused many deaths in Samoa by discouraging the measles vaccine. Green responded with profanity on national television. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii fourth graders show math gains nationally. According to results released early Wednesday by the state Department of Education, Hawaii was one of only 15 states to achieve a statistically significant increase in fourth grade math scores, surpassing the national average by 2 points for the second consecutive assessment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii eighth in health foundation’s ranking. Hawaii ranked eighth-best among states in key health measures, according to America’s Health Rankings 2024 Annual Report — a drop from sixth place in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Senate committee puts UH athletics under the microscope for $2M-plus deficit. The University of Hawaiʻi's athletic department came under fire from senators after requesting an additional $3.2 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Tourism Authority invests in international markets to draw back tourists.  In Hawaii, you can't talk about tourism without Japan, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese tourist numbers have not recovered. KITV4.

Kava Growers In Hawaiʻi Fear Being Associated With ‘Gas Station Heroin’. Hawaiʻi lawmakers are considering regulating kratom and banning sales to minors. But kava advocates want an outright ban. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Kakaako Makai housing bill attracts a flood of testimony. A contentious bill to largely undo a state law prohibiting residential development on the peninsula in Kakaako drew almost two-thirds more support than opposition at an initial public hearing Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

‘They pulled up in unmarked vans.’ Kapahulu neighborhood rattled after ICE agents arrest neighbor. Amid Trump’s immigration crackdown across the country, Hawaii law enforcement teams have been hitting locations across Oahu daily, targeting those with criminal records. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Women’s Court May Be Renewed On Oʻahu And Expanded To Other Islands. When the Oʻahu Women’s Court was established in 2022 to offer an alternative to incarceration, officials had a goal of admitting 20 participants a year. As of this month, 33 women were currently enrolled. Civil Beat.

Spike in e-bike accidents prompts rise of new law. The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 52, a measure that aims to establish clear safety guidelines for bicycle riders and pedestrians. KHON2.

OCCC guard pleads guilty to importing illegal aerial fireworks. Gilchrist Fernandez, 35, pleaded guilty to importing aerial devices without a license, and a “criminal attempt” at discharging aerial devices of 25 lbs or more without a license between Nov. 9, 2022, and Dec. 6, 2022, according to state court records. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. KHON2.

Some Dillingham businesses frustrated over requirements for rail impact grant. The city is now accepting applications for a grant to support businesses affected by rail construction on Dillingham Boulevard, but some business owners say the requirements are too strict. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Woman struck by vehicle on Highway 11 in Kurtistown dies from injuries. Hawai‘i Police Department reports the 21-year-old woman struck by a vehicle Jan. 22 near the 10-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kurtistown has died. She was identified as Jahnya Serquina-Octubre of Mountain View. Big Island Now.

Waipiʻo Valley Road to be closed. Hawai‘i County Civil Defense says Hawai‘i Police Department reports Waipiʻo Valley Road in Hāmākua on the east side of the Big Island will be closed at 6 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 30) because of the flood watch in effect for the island. Waipiʻo Valley residents and farmers are authorized to access the valley. Big Island Now.

 Maui

Attorneys reach agreement in $4B Maui wildfire settlement. A trial was set for Wednesday morning and several victims were prepared to testify. Instead, Judge Peter Cahill was told that attorneys have come to an agreement.  Hawaii News Now.

Senate bill would transfer Māla Wharf and Kīhei Boat Ramp to Maui County. Dissatisfied by state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ management of small boating facilities, West and South Maui Sen. Angus McKelvey has drafted a bill to transfer maintenance and operations of Māla Wharf in Lahaina and the Kīhei Boat Ramp to Maui County. Under the bill, the County could set permit fees to generate revenue for the facilities’ upkeep. Maui Now.

Kilohana temporary housing site has long-term goals to support Maui’s housing crisis. Kilohana consists of 167 modular units on 20 acres of state-owned property in Lahaina. Positioned next door to Ka Laʻi Ola, a temporary housing development project that aims to support up to 1,500 wildfire survivors for the next five years, these homes have been developed and stationed over the past few months, and are expected to be fully occupied by the beginning of February.  Maui News.

Haleakalā National Park closed from noon on Thursday due to severe weather. Haleakalā National Park closed from noon on Thursday due to severe weather. Beginning Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 Haleakalā National Park will be closed due to dangerous weather conditions. The closure will go into effect at noon Thursday for both the Summit District and Kīpahulu district. Maui Now.

Kauai

‘Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning’: Major winter storm to bring possible flash flooding, damaging winds. There is an unusually strong winter storm expected to pass just north of Kaua‘i as it marches east, bringing with it a significant threat of severe weather during the next couple of days. Kauai Now.

Green returns to Washington to again oppose Kennedy, immigrant crackdown begins in Honolulu, lawsuit filed over water commission appointment, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green to returns to Washington, D.C. Gov. Josh Green, M.D., travels to Washington, D.C., this week to provide input regarding the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Green has expressed concerns about the potential impact of Kennedy’s confirmation on Hawai‘i and the nation. Maui Now.

Tulsi Gabbard’s unorthodox path to Trump’s intelligence team. Gabbard, who grew up in a fringe spiritual movement and was a darling of the left during her early years in Congress, has ricocheted across nearly the entire ideological spectrum of American politics, fueling questions about what she stands for and truly believes. New York Times.

Hawaiʻi Conservationists, Taro Farmers Sue To Stop Greenʻs Cultural Pick For Water Board. A new community group argues that Gov. Josh Green bypassed the legal process to select a loea, or expert in traditional stream water rights and uses, when he held off from making an appointment for months only to restart the process after two of the four finalists withdrew. The reset, Hui Kānāwai argues in its suit, invalidates Greenʻs selection of V.R. Hinano Rodrigues to serve as the state Commission on Water Resource Management Boardʻs loea.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Latest bills would set term limits, ban cellphones in schools. A flurry of bills introduced last week would lower the blood alcohol content to be found guilty of driving while intoxicated, ask voters whether they want to allow adults to use and possess recreational marijuana, ban cellphones in public schools, impose term limits for state legislators and also bar them from nepotism, among other possible changes. They were among 3,150 bills that legislators have introduced this session. Star-Advertiser.

State House panels to review wildfire prevention bill introduced by Speaker Nakamura. A state House bill intended to prevent wildfires in Hawai‘i, requested by the administration of Gov. Josh Green, will be heard by two committees Wednesday morning. Big Island Now.

Native Hawaiian Caucus prioritizes funding DHHL, protecting cultural branding.  Funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and protecting the Native Hawaiian brand are the priorities of the bipartisan Native Hawaiian Caucus this legislative session. One measure would increase the state’s 10.25% transient accommodations tax levied on hotels by 1%, which would go into the Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Legislature hear proposed bills advocating for Hawaiʻi’s keiki. Hawaiʻi state legislators and community advocates joined together to present the 2025 Keiki Caucus Bill Package and priorities dedicated to improving the lives of Hawaiʻi’s children and families. Kauai Now.

Police deferred retirement scheduled for public hearing by House Committee on Labor. The House Committee on Labor will hear public testimony at 9 a.m. Tuesday on a bill aimed at recruiting and retaining police officers in Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi is the country's first statewide Economic Development District. For the first time, the federal government is designating an entire state — Hawaiʻi — as an Economic Development District. The designation will open up doors for more federal funding for local projects, said Lauren Primiano, the manager of strategic initiatives at the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development. Hawaii Public Radio.

Eight Hawaiʻi school robotics teams advance to the world championships. Eight out of 45 Hawaiʻi VEX robotics teams will advance to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas after competing in the 2025 Hawaiʻi High and Middle School VEX V5 Robotics Regional Championships held Jan. 25-26.  Big Island Now. Maui Now.

Oahu

As crackdown begins in Hawaii, advocates urge immigrants to remain calm. The local office of Homeland Security Investigations posted photos on social media of officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration arresting immigrants. This Sunday, Jan. 26, in Honolulu, HSI participated in a multiagency operation with federal law enforcement partners to enforce federal immigration laws. Hawaii News Now.

Tracking recyclables: GPS devices show us where blue bin items actually go. HNN Investigates put trackers in residential blue bins for weeks. The trackers stopped at RRR Recycling on Kalaeloa Boulevard, exactly where they were supposed to go. Hawaii News Now.

Speed cameras hit bump in the road. A program meant to nab speeders has hit a bump in the road. The Department of Transportation’s speed camera program was expected to launch this month but it’s been delayed to ensure it has enough manpower to move forward. KHON2.

Kamalani Academy Was Struggling Long Before State Opted To Shut It Down. Hawai‘i’s latest charter school closure highlights longstanding challenges in state oversight.Missing financial statements, undeposited checks, school funds spent on first-class plane tickets for trips with no clear educational benefit and dwindling enrollment contributed to the state’s decision to close Kamalani Academy last week. Civil Beat.
 
Hawaii Island

Wells eyed for DHHL project. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands plans to drill two wells on a North Kona hillside with the intent of providing potable water to residents of the Villages of La‘i Opua, a DHHL master-planned community. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Mahukona Beach Park reopens. Mahukona Beach Park in North Kohala reopened Saturday after over two weeks of demolition work costing $278,000, county officials said. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Puainako Street resurfacing could be finished next month. The Hawaii Department of Transportation said in a recent press release it expects to complete major work for the ongoing Puainako Street resurfacing project by the end of March.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Council votes to preserve Spring House in historic Lahaina. Maui County Council members passed on second-and-final reading a bill authorizing an intergovernmental agreement for the disposition of the historic Spring House and the Lahaina Public Library, both ravaged by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire. Maui Now. Maui News.

MEMA wildfire review calls for clear leadership roles in emergencies. The Maui Emergency Management Agency has released its After-Action Report on the 2023 wildfires.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County unemployment drops to 3.4% in December 2024. In Maui County, the not-seasonally adjusted rate for the county was 3.4% in December, compared to 3.7% in November and 5.6% in December of the previous year. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Lawmakers Target Housing, Recreation Woes In 2025 Session. With a median home costing $1.4 million on the Garden Isle, lawmakers look to Vail, Colorado, for a solution. Kauaʻiʻs housing market surged more than 20% last year, squeezing out teachers, nurses and firefighters even as the county aggressively funneled money toward affordable developments. Civil Beat.

State proposing to move Kauaʻi’s only jail out of tsunami zone. The Department of Corrections &Rehabilitation has officially designated a location off Maalo Road in Lihue as the preferred site for the new Kauai Community Correctional Center. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Memorial honoring Hanapēpē Massacre on Kauaʻi closer to completion. A memorial honoring the 1924 Hanapēpē Massacre is taking shape on Kauaʻi as state officials are closer to constructing a monument that is expected to be completed in 2026. Hawaii Public Radio.