Green walks tightrope with Trump administration, Hawaii ranks high in reliable utility services, equitable distribution of income, fresh milk returns to Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Is Walking A Tightrope With The Trump Administration. As Trump’s domestic military moves and threats play out in DC and LA, the need to balance legal challenges and relationship-building isn’t lost on Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Army chief vows to respect Hawaii culture and environment, but 60-day timeline is questioned. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll has a vision for soldiers in the Pacific, and part of it centers on renegotiating leases for Hawaii lands the service has trained on for decades that expire in 2029. Star-Advertiser.

Military, state leaders seek to train high-tech workforce. As tensions have heated up in the Pacific amid tensions with China, the military is looking to find ways to manufacture more critical components for its weapons and equipment in the region, where commanders have long complained that supply chains are cumbersome. Star-Advertiser.

Court ruling imperils federal workers’ rights. Federal workers in Hawaii are facing an unprecedented period of uncertainty following a federal appeals court ruling that allows agencies to terminate collective bargaining agreements under executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

Students Are Missing Out On The Right To Hawaiian Immersion, Lawsuits Say. Two lawsuits filed against the Department of Education this summer allege the state has fallen short of its constitutional duty to provide families with access to Hawaiian language immersion schools. Civil Beat.

Equitable distribution of income makes Hawaii one of the most equal states, researchers say. A combination of lower salaries for high-end earners and higher wages for lower-income jobs compresses Hawaii’s income wage gap, meaning the islands have a more equitable distribution of income, according to researchers at the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ranks number one in most reliable utility services in the nation. In a study done by UtilityRates.com, an electricity and natural gas rate comparison website, Hawaii was identified as the U.S. state with the most reliable utility services. KHON2.

Immigrant Sent Cash To Family In Mexico; ICE Used That To Nab Him. Experts say it’s the first time they know of that money transfer records have been used to trace someone purely for reentering the U.S. illegally, in this case 17 years ago. Civil Beat.

New specialty license plate honors Duke Kahanamoku. The specialty license plate is expected to be available for purchase late this year through local DMV vehicle registration offices across the islands, with proceeds supporting critical drowning prevention initiatives and swimming programs throughout Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Fresh local milk returns to Oahu. Oahu residents can once again buy milk produced entirely in Hawaii, the result of a new partnership between Farm Link Hawaii and Meadow Gold Dairies. The collaboration brings 100% local milk to the island for the first time since 2019. Star-Advertiser.

City Council pushes pair of bills to ease homeowner tax burdens. If adopted, the bills package supposedly would lower future annual property tax bills for many, particularly senior citizens on fixed incomes. Star-Advertiser.

This Former Police Chief Could Be The Next Honolulu Police Commissioner. The Honolulu City Council is considering whether to approve Christopher Magnus, a veteran former police chief as the latest addition to the city’s police oversight board. Civil Beat.

Oahu drivers brace for 5-year Nimitz Highway lane closures for City Rail Project. Starting on Monday, Aug. 18, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will close one lane in each direction on Nimitz Hwy between ‘Awa and Bishop St. KITV4.

City struggles to keep up with stream maintenance. The city Department of Facility Maintenance is under pressure to clear vegetation and other debris from nearly 100 city-owned and privately-owned waterways that flow across Oahu to protect the environment and prevent flooding. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay development moving ahead with construction. A project to add new resort homes on Oʻahu's North Shore is moving forward after some lengthy delays. The developer Areté Collective said it's working with the community on its next steps. Hawaii Public Radio.

Aloha Stadium district developer leading project got start carpeting homes. Local real estate developer Stanford Carr expects to sign initial state contracts this week to deliver an estimated $5 billion to $6 billion project far dwarfing anything he has ever produced. The plan to create a mixed-use community anchored by a new stadium on 98 acres of state land in Halawa is a huge endeavor for the 63-year-old Carr, who was born and raised on Maui and got into part of the industry in 1982, when he became a self-employed flooring contractor at age 20 after deciding not to become a doctor. Star-Advertiser.

Suspect arrested in Chinatown acid attack. On Sunday, the Honolulu Police Department said that Marquis Johnson turned himself in at around 5:35 p.m. Johnson allegedly threw acid at a 30-year-old man in Chinatown on Friday, Aug. 8. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

STVRs law goes into effect soon. New regulations for short-term vacation rentals in Hawaii County are set to take effect in December, following passage of a bill that drew passionate debate from residents, property owners and housing advocates. Tribune-Herald.

Round 2 for Pohakuloa Training Area resolution. The Hawaii County Council is set to resume discussions Tuesday about a resolution urging the state to call for an immediate end to “bombing and desecration activities” at the Pohakuloa Training Area, citing environmental damage, wildfire risk and impacts to Native Hawaiian cultural rights. Tribune-Herald.

HPD clarifies concealed carry permit process at meeting. About two dozen individuals were present but just one testified Thursday during a public hearing in Hilo about proposed changes in the Hawaii Police Department’s rules for issuing licenses for concealed carry of handguns in Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Maunakea Authority seeks community guidance. The first meeting of the year took place Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Na‘alehu Community Center. Tribune-Herald. 

Nurses at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community College ratify new contract. A possible 3-day nurses’ strike at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea — originally scheduled to begin today — was averted during the weekend with a vote on a new contract by hospital neurses. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi County wants to know what's important to the island's community. The Laulima Community Survey is open to all residents of Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nonprofit purchases 3 acres in Volcano to grow cat sanctuary now helping only kittens. Erin Young last year started the nonprofit Volcano Cat Sanctuary, where she currently houses 15 cats on her property in Puna and has placed 15 other felines in foster homes. Big Island Now.

Maui

Suspect in Maui police officer’s killing had extensive criminal record. Clembert Kaneholani, the 38-year-old man who Maui police said fatally shot an officer on Friday night in Paia has a long criminal record and is being held without bail. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui police officer served with ‘courage, honor and dedication’.  Maui is mourning the loss of police officer Suzanne O, who was fatally shot Friday night while responding to a terroristic threatening incident in Paia. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

First-time homebuyer program most popular among Maui fire survivors seeking aid from $1.6 billion federal grant. Maui County launched a program last week to give fire survivors up to $600,000 to buy a new home. Maui Now.

Over 100 acres in Kula will be a native forest someday. It all starts with a nursery. Two large hoop houses stand in a grassy pasture in Kula that will one day be a native forest. The 60-foot-long structures will grow tens of thousands of native plants. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mahi Pono’s summer interns propagate plants to support Lahaina wildfire recovery. As part of its ongoing commitment to support the recovery of Lahaina, Mahi Pono is working alongside the community to help restore cultural connections.  Maui News.

Kauai

Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission plans public hearing for proposed Puhi Sewer & Water rate hikes. Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission scheduled a public hearing next week on Kaua’i to gather community input about an Aqua Puhi — doing business as Puhi Sewer & Water Company — application for proposed rate increases, revised rate schedules and changes to its tariff, which are the company’s regulated rules and policies. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee details visit to Kauaʻi. Members of the Hawai‘i Senate Ways and Means Committee — including Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau lawmaker Senate President Ronald Kouchi — spent 2 days this week on the Garden Isle for a whirlwind tour for discussions and meetings with officials with various government agencies and community leaders. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Green raises possibility of presidential run, Hawaii Supreme Court allows out-of-state attorneys; nurses, hotel workers, teamsters mull strikes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green raises possibility of 2028 run for president.  Gov. Josh Green told NBC News he is considering a 2028 campaign for president of the United States with a possible platform of healing the nation after the bitterly divisive era of American politics that has consumed the country. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi lawmakers consider clarifying the National Guard's role in the islands. This comes after President Donald Trump activated the National Guard in California in June without the governor's consent, due to protests against immigration enforcement. Hawaii Public Radio.

A climate science network may lose its Pacific hub. Here's what that means for local researchers. The Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center is one of nine regional hubs in a climate research network funded by the federal government. Hawaii Public Radio.

NOAA budget cuts threaten climate research in Hawai‘i. Right now, climate science is at a critical crossroads, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faces major budget cuts that could upend research programs and fellowship opportunities across the U.S., with Hawai‘i among the hardest-hit locations. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Needs Lawyers. Now, Mainland Attorneys Can Practice Here. To help address serious staffing shortages at the state public defenders’ and county prosecutors’ offices, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is allowing licensed attorneys from other states to work at these agencies without taking the state bar exam.  Civil Beat.

Tropical storms Iona, Gil move west with no threat to Hawaii. Tropical Storm Iona continued racing west across the Central Pacific while Tropical Storm Gil strengthened far to the east, with both systems posing no threat to Hawaii, forecasters said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii tourism cools off this summer as arrivals dip.  Arrivals to Hawaii in June decreased to 857,102, a 1.8% drop from the same month last year, according to preliminary numbers released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The state department reported that June visitor spending rose to nearly $1.97 billion, a 2.8% gain in nominal visitor spending. Star-Advertiser.

Red flag warning signals extreme wildfire risk for Hawaii. The National Weather Serv­ice issued the warning Thursday morning, just two days after the state was under a tsunami warning that led to mass evacuations and gridlock but no major damage. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now. 

Thieves target business, homes during tsunami evacuation. As thousands across Hawaiʻi evacuated coastal areas during July 29’s tsunami warning, criminals took advantage targeting homes and businesses on Maui and Oʻahu. KHON2.

Teamsters on Oahu, Hawaii Island strike Airgas. Unionized workers of Airgas on Oahu and Hawaii Island have been on strike since Monday, and negotiation set for today have been canceled. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New Protections Sought For Kailua Neighborhoods. Concerned about gravesites and a new law to quicken development, the Preservation Commission wants area added to historic register. Civil Beat.


Aloha Stadium Authority board fills 2 top positions. The Aloha Stadium Authority voted board members Eric Fujimoto as chair and Andrew Pereira as vice chair in its monthly meeting Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Union rallies for Ilikai Hotel workers ahead of possible strike. The union representing some 60 workers at the Ilikai Hotel staged a rally Thursday afternoon as they seek a new contract. Hawaii News Now.

Defense Claims Oʻahu Jail Killing Had ‘Nothing To Do With Being In A Gang’. Lawyers for three defendants acknowledged their clients’ gang affiliations, but said other inmates beat Chris Vaefaga to death. Civil Beat.

Hawaii News Now wins 14 Society of Professional Journalists awards for journalism excellence. The Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter recognized the islands’ outstanding journalists Wednesday. An awards ceremony took place at the Japanese Cultural Center. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Mayor Says State Won’t Meet 2050 Deadline To Wipe Out Cesspools. The state mandate to get rid of the reef-killing sewage systems is unrealistic, according to Mayor Kimo Alameda.  Civil Beat.

Groundbreaking held for $337M in upgrades to Hilo sewage plant. Under the gun due to an administrative consent order between Hawaii County and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ground was broken Thursday for critical upgrades and long-needed improvements to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant in Keaukaha. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Nurses threaten short strike at Waimea hospital. The majority of 100 nurses from Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea have voted “overwhelmingly in favor” of going on strike for three days if contract negotiations with the hospital’s leadership continue to fall short of the nurses’ demands. Tribune-Herald.

Loan program seeks to help lower-income Big Island homeowners maintain properties. Hawaiʻi County's Office of Housing and Community Development announced its home improvement loan program as a way for low and moderate-income homeowners to repair and improve their homes without as heavy a financial burden. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikoloa Village evacuation drill Saturday. A red flag warning has been issued for most of West Hawaii through tonight, just as Waikoloa residents are about to prepare for the wildfire season with the final Hulu Street evacuation drill of the year set for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Police, other agencies investigate ordnance found near landfill. Maui police requested the assistance of the Hawaii Inter-Island Bomb Squad Maui unit on Wednesday following reports of a possible military ordnance discovered off Pulehu Road, about a quarter mile mauka of the Central Maui Landfill. Maui News. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Memory of 2023 wildfires taught Maui community, government to respond more urgently to tsunami warning. Already in the back of most minds was the fast approaching two-year anniversary of the deadly fires on Aug. 8. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC discusses goals during 23rd Annual Membership Meeting. Despite “challenges” to meeting the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative goal of being 100 percent renewable by 2033, there was little for the more than 100 people, or members, to be concerned about on Wednesday at the 23rd Annual Membership Meeting held at the Kauai Philippines Cultural Center. Garden Island.

Green limits Hawaii National Guard in immigrant actions, Hurricane Iona, Tropical Storm Keith pose no threat to Hawaii, Honolulu lawsuit against fossil fuel companies heads to court today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green limits activation of Hawaii National Guard.  Gov. Josh Green will require a briefing on the circumstances and the “true need” of a federal request to activate the Hawaii National Guard before considering the deployment of soldiers for any law enforcement duties like President Donald Trump’s effort to carry out the largest mass deportation of immigrants in U.S. history. Star-Advertiser.

Governor steps into national leadership roles, expanding Hawai‘i’s voice on key issues. Gov. Josh Green has been elected to the Executive Committee of the National Governors Association (NGA) and named vice chair of the Western Governors’ Association (WGA). Maui Now.

Iona now a major hurricane, Tropical Storm Keli remains steady; no threats to Hawaii.  Iona has quickly intensified into a major Category 3 hurricane as it continues on a track keeping it well south of Hawaii. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Keli is maintaining is intensity as a weak tropical storm to the southeast of the state. Associated Press. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

The Human Rights Defense Center is suing the Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for censorship. The center says the department has not allowed its educational publications, books and informational brochures to be delivered to inmates.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Will Political Uncertainty Force Hawaiʻi’s Native Birds ‘Into Oblivion’? Ever since the federal budget ax came for wetland and forest protection jobs earlier this year, nonprofits and private groups have been trying to fill the gap in hopes that the government would soon see the error in its ways. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Parents Are Giving Schools A Better Grade. Five years after the Covid-19 pandemic started, schools are seeing fewer students who feel unsafe on campus and an increase in the percentage of parents who are satisfied with their children’s school and feel engaged in Hawaiʻi’s public education system.  Civil Beat.

Law enforcement officials rally ranchers, farmers to help curb crime on agricultural land. On Monday, the Department of Law Enforcement held a meeting with dozens of farmers and ranchers, encouraging them to help carry out the newly-signed Act 235.  The department’s new unit is starting off as a pilot program of about 8 officers, with half of them on Oahu and the other half on Hawaii Island. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu’s lawsuit against fossil fuel companies leads climate change legal fight. Honolulu is not alone in its effort to sue fossil fuel companies to hold them accountable for climate change harms, but the city’s lawsuit is further along than similar litigation across the country. A hearing on Tuesday will indicate how these fights play out in court.  Associated Press.

HPD Is Sending Its Newest Cops To West Oʻahu. Will The Unusual Move Help? The influx of new officers to the Westside is meant to improve response times, but the interim police chief has declined to say how long it currently takes police to respond to calls. Civil Beat.

Haleiwa expansion project progresses. A proposed Haleiwa housing and commercial development continued to spark opposition over the potential loss of agricultural land, increased traffic congestion and the high cost of living even as a Honolulu City Council measure advanced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

North School Street properties eyed for city use. The city agency tasked with helping at-risk families and individuals in need of low-income housing, job training, or battling homelessness, also plans to grow beyond its existing Iwilei area offices. Star-Advertiser.

State deputy sheriff sues the State of Hawaii. State Deputy Sheriff Martin Horton has sued the state for allegedly experiencing discrimination and whistleblower retaliation within the Department of Law Enforcement. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Proposed preschool next to ‘Imiloa clears another hurdle. A recently released final environmental assessment for a proposed Hilo preschool for up to 80 children near the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center helped guide a finalized design and an updated construction schedule for the project. Tribune-Herald.

The last of three inmates to escape Hale Nani has been returned to custody after seven months. Inmate Clyde T. T. Loa is the last of three inmates who left the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center’s Hale Nani Facility without permission in December 2024 to be returned to custody. Big Island Now.

Free workshop provides options for financial, technical support to West Hawaiʻi farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a resource workshop Friday to bring one-on-one, personalized advice and other assistance directly to producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. Big Island Now.

Maui

Ag tourism gets a boost as an accessory use in Maui County agricultural districts, except on Molokaʻi. Maui County Council members unanimously gave final approval Friday to a bill establishing agricultural tourism as permitted accessory use in agricultural districts, except on Molokaʻi. Maui Now.

Mainland company plans to start ghost tours in Lahaina, where more than 100 died in wildfires. Two years after the Maui fires killed more than a hundred people in one of the deadliest wildfires in US history, a mainland tour company is getting ready to start a Lahaina ghost tour, marketing it in the city's most haunted and historic locations. KITV4.

Maui Strong awards $7.5M to help struggling families rebuild from wildfires. The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, through its Maui Strong Fund, has been awarded $7.5 million to help families on Maui begin rebuilding homes that were lost to the August 2023 wildfires.  Maui News.

Kauai

Navy Hopes Native Hawaiian Outreach Will Help Keep Kauaʻi Missile Base Land. Seeking to avoid pitfalls that have stalled other military negotiations, the U.S. Navy is reaching out to Native Hawaiians and promising to assess cultural impacts in its bid to retain use of land on Kauaʻi needed to support operations at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. Civil Beat.

Kīlauea community to look at site layouts in next town expansion project meeting. The community is collaborating with the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency to develop a master plan for the Kīlauea Town Expansion. Kauai Now.

Kauaians celebrate impacts of new laws. The Kauai contingent of legislators and a group of community advocates met with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on Friday to celebrate recent legislation that protects natural resources, improves public land access, and supports community initiatives. Garden Island.

Green's approval rating at 63%, former House speaker Saiki named insurance commissioner, Hawaiian Airlines to cut 252 positions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Poll shows Green’s approval rating at 63%. Gov. Josh Green has a 63% approval rating among Hawaii’s registered Democratic, Republican and independent voters, placing him in a tie for the fifth most-popular governor in the nation, according to the results of a voter survey released Wednesday by Morning Consult Pro. Star-Advertiser.

Former House speaker becomes insurance chief. Former state House Speaker Scott Saiki is now Hawaii’s insurance commissioner. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced Saiki’s appointment Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Case May Not Always Vote With Dems, But His Fundraising Is Going Just Fine. A look at the latest campaign finance filings for Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines cutting 252 noncontract positions. Some of these reductions will take place around Sept. 18, the one-year anniversary of Alaska Air Group’s $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Planning a cruise to Hawaiʻi? A state climate plan could cut arrivals in half by 2030. The state Department of Transportation’s new climate roadmap would cut cruise ship travel to Hawaiʻi in half by 2030 and restrict it almost entirely by 2040 in an effort to reduce emissions from maritime travel. Hawaii Public Radio.

How Trump's megabill will affect Hawaiʻi's hospitals, doctors and patients. Rough estimates by the Healthcare Association of Hawaii show that in Hawaiʻi, about 10,000 people on Obamacare and about 30,000 on Medicaid could lose their coverage due to the changes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi After-School Programs In Limbo Due To Trump Funding Freeze. The state Department of Education told after-school programs to start the year as normal and is making contingency plans for if millions in frozen education grants are never awarded. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD interim chief’s priorities include more officers for Waianae area. Rade Vanic’s first day on the job as interim chief for the Honolulu Police Department included his first meeting with the Honolulu Police Commission to outline his priorities. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Police Commission Moves Forward On Search For New Chief. The Honolulu Police Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to turn its search for a new police chief over to a consultant who can help commissioners pick a candidate to best fit the department. Civil Beat.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels returning to Kaneohe Bay Air Show.  Marine Corps Base Hawaii is is hosting the 2025 Kaneohe Bay Air Show from August 8 to 10. Hawaii News Now.

Major makeover planned for a popular community hub in Nu’uanu. A major makeover is planned for YMCA Honolulu’s flagship campus in Nu’uanu. On Tuesday, leaders announced a $5 million donation from the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation to get the project started. Hawaii News Now.

Realtors say it’s a buyer’s market even as prices stay stable, inventory jumps. Despite the current economic climate, realtors say the real estate market in Honolulu is stable, but there are some abnormal conditions, making it a prime time for buyers. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Paniolo Struggle To Raise Beef For Hawaiʻi As Drought Shrivels Grass. Big Island ranches stand out for their commitment to grass-fed beef. As climate changes, they are offloading more calves to the mainland. Civil Beat.

Waimea conservation priorities to be discussed in meeting next week. During the meetings, Natural Resources Conservation Service gathers input from a diverse group of stakeholders with agricultural and environmental interests to help guide conservation priorities in local communities for the next year. Big Island Now.

Graduation ceremony held for 8 new adult corrections officers. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Monday welcomed a new class of eight adult corrections officers at a graduation ceremony at the YMCA in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

County dispersing Amala Place camp. Maui County officials will be removing approximately 40 unhoused people from Amala Place in Kahului. Maui News.

New program at UH Maui College offers esthetician, nail tech programs at request of high school students. Walk into Laulima Building’s classroom 213 at the University of Hawai’i Maui College and you might think you were in the wrong place. Instead of microscopes and beakers in the lab, there are cuticle pushers, waxing pots and people sitting in comfy chairs soaking their feet. Maui Now.

Kauai

Huli ka lepo for housing. The Rice Street Apartments is a mixed use affordable housing community designed to help meet the islands critical housing needs while contributing to the revitalization of Lihue’s historic town core. The four-story development will include three levels of residential units built over a ground floor commercial and retail space. Garden Island.

Surfrider Kaua‘i removes record-breaking 81 tons of trash from island beaches, coasts in 2024. Surfrider Kaua‘i in 2024 led efforts that resulted in the removal of nearly 163,000 pounds — or 81 tons — of marine debris and trash from Kaua‘i beaches and coastlines. That breaks the previous record set in 2017 by almost 43,000 pounds. Kauai Now.

Honolulu water agency sues Navy over Red Hill leaks, Green says state can handle federal cuts for now, 67-acre residential development advances on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Board of Water Supply sues Navy for $1.2B over Red Hill fuel leaks. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply announced Tuesday that it has filed a federal lawsuit in connection to massive jet fuel leaks at the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2021. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Public housing residents to gain high-speed fiber internet access in 60 days. More than 45,000 residents living in Hawaii’s public housing communities soon will have access to high-speed fiber internet under a new public-private partnership between the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and Hawaiian Telcom. Star-Advertiser.

Governor says Hawaii can handle federal cuts -- for now. Governor Josh Green said last minute changes to the Senate version of the tax bill will make it easier for Hawaii to respond to cutbacks in Medicaid, and local Republicans say many residents will benefit from the tax relief.  Hawaii News Now.

Billions in cuts, thousands at risk: What the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ means for Hawaiʻi . The Senate version of the bill cuts more than a trillion dollars from Medicaid. It imposes work requirements for those enrolled in Medicaid and food assistance programs including SNAP.While there are exemptions for those who are unable to work due to certain things, such as medical conditions, according to Governor Josh Green, it’s going to leave more than 400,000 people on Medicaid in Hawaiʻi without long-term care, dental, or help with prescription costs. KHON2.

Hawaii pushes back against Trump cuts, budget. Hawaii and 19 other states were granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday to prevent the dismantling of the federal Department of Health and Human Serv­ices, just as the Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s signature budget bill to deliver on his agenda. Star-Advertiser.

Governor’s state budget veto trims public school maintenance. According to a separate veto message from Green to the Legislature, $90 million of what he struck from the budget was for a single purpose divided evenly over two years in a category dubbed “school support” for the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

New Hawaii laws going into effect for 2025. The measures that became law on Tuesday come out of the sessions that occurred this year and last year.  KITV4.

Hawaii Tourism Authority board chair is uncertain if all board members will submit courtesy resignations. HTA has come under fire for procurement violations and failing to pay its vendors, the Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement on time, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Airlines still resolving cybersecurity issue, was aware days before informing customers. While Hawaiian Airlines is still working to resolve an ongoing cybersecurity attack, the airline’s parent company revealed that Hawaiian had been aware of the attack three days before making any public announcement. Hawaii News Now.

DLNR: State marine patrols now operating in all counties. Marine patrol units from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources are now active on Hawaii Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai, the DLNR announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

Here’s Why Honolulu Doesn’t Enforce Law Against Short-Term Rental Companies. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo were supposed to give the city monthly reports on their bookings. Due to a lawsuit filed on behalf of vacation rental owners, that never happened. Civil Beat.

New plan to tackle crime, cleanliness in Downtown Honolulu. A city councilmember is trying to create a Business Improvement District, similar to the one that was implemented in Waikiki. KHON2.

This Deadly Oʻahu Beach Reveals The Challenges Facing Hawaiʻi Lifeguards. More residents drown on the North Shore of Oʻahu than almost anywhere else in the state. Even as the county ramps up resources for lifeguards, it’s a difficult problem to solve. Civil Beat.

The state wants to free up hundreds of permitted parking stalls at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. The state says about 200 of the spots sit empty for most of the year because not every permitholder visits the harbor every day.  Hawaii News Now.

Jury awards $3.15M to aspiring chef abused by boss. An Oahu Circuit Court jury awarded $3.15 million to a former 22-year-old sous chef at a Honolulu fine-­dining restaurant who claimed he was violently abused by its executive chef. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

DOH: East Hawaii Urgent Care clinics are ‘now in compliance’.  The laboratories at the Hilo Urgent Care and Keaau Urgent Care clinics are now in full state and federal compliance and are legally able to conduct the same type of lab testing they’ve done for 22 years, according to the state Department of Health. Tribune-Herald.

State funds Kona Women’s Court, a pilot program starting in September. The Kona District Court will receive a little more than $1 million for the two-year pilot project to create a Women’s Division of the Big Island Drug Court. Big Island Now.

Fireworks, fancy cars, parade, rodeo, rubber duckies and more on Friday. Hawaii County has announced its Fourth of July celebrations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

670-acre project in Wailea passes on first reading. Amid a marathon of public hearings with 61 people testifying on a single day, the Maui County Council narrowly passed a bill on first reading that would allow a residential development on 670 acres in Wailea. Maui News. Maui Now. 

New Maui Police Department hire arrested for sex assault and electronic enticement of a child. A probationary employee of the Maui Police Department was arrested for first degree sexual assault and first degree electronic enticement of a child on Saturday, June 28, 2025.  Maui Now.

Kauai 

Public invited to upcoming East Kaua‘i Community and Circulation Plan workshops. Kaua‘i County Planning Department invites community members to participate in a series of upcoming focused workshops for the East Kaua‘i Community and Circulation Plan. Kauai Now.

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.