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.

Green sounds alarm about RFK Jr. in Washington, Legislature mulls natural disaster resistance, biosecuirty; shortages plague health care, education, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green sounds alarm in Washington over RFK Jr. Even as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with top Senate committee leaders, Hawaii’s Democratic governor came to Capitol Hill to urge the Senate to reject his nomination. CQ-Roll Call. Fox News. CNN video via Instagram.

’Sobering’ report issued on Hawaii natural disaster resilience spending needs. A panel advising Gov. Josh Green is urging the state Legislature to appropriate almost $2 billion over the next five years to help reduce and respond to future natural disaster damage in Hawaii. Recommendations in the 58-page report by the Climate Advisory Team include helping homeowners strengthen their residences against hurricanes, enhancing natural protections from storm surges and inland flooding, expanding Firewise community programs, creating a permanent Hawai‘i Resilience Office and establishing a “properly funded” Office of the State Fire Marshal. Star-Advertiser.

Find the full 58-page Climate Advisory Team report here.

State Sees A Rare Surge In Inheritance Taxes. The state Council on Revenues, a committee tasked with projecting state tax collections, is projecting general fund tax collections will grow from about $9.57 billion last fiscal year to nearly $10.2 billion in the year that ends on June 30. Civil Beat.

State Department of Agriculture shares biosecurity budget wishlist. The new legislative session kicks off next week — but key budget briefings with lawmakers are in full swing. The state Department of Agriculture was called before the state Senate on Tuesday afternoon to discuss their budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii still facing health care work shortages, report says. The 2024 Hawaii Healthcare Workforce Initiative report, published every two years by the nonprofit trade group Healthcare Association of Hawaii, noted some easing of shortages for some categories, but found the state short of more than 4,600 health care workers in 94 professions. Star-Advertiser.

Education summit explores solutions to teacher shortage in Hawaii. Members of Hawaii’s education community came together to address the teacher shortage across the state. The summit addressed, in part, building a pipeline of teachers for the next generation, which includes strengthening support for high school students to become teachers. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

That Cop Pulling You Over May Soon Be A State Deputy Sheriff. Unlike other states, Hawaiʻi generally leaves it to the counties to almost exclusively enforce traffic laws. But now lawmakers are being asked to authorize a new traffic enforcement unit staffed with two dozen state deputy sheriffs to help patrol Oahu highways and enforce regulations on commercial vehicles. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

EPA Clean Ports Program contributes to Honolulu Harbor and climate change solutions. Hawaii is more dependent on goods being brought in by ship than any other state in America and Honolulu Harbor is getting a $59 million grant from the federal government. KITV4.

Maintenance cited as possible cause of Kamaka crash. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary investigation report that could provide clues as to what might have caused the Dec. 17 Kamaka Air Flight 689 crash that killed two young pilots shortly after takeoff on an instructional flight to Lanai. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

ATF sends team to Honolulu to help investigate fatal McCully fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is sending dozens to assist with the investigation into an apartment fire on Young Street that killed Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Miske Case: 2 More Co-Defendants Sentenced. The cases against Michael Miske’s co-defendants continue more than a month after the convicted crime boss was found dead in his cell. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i County Council unanimously supports Mayor Alameda’s chosen cabinet leaders. On Tuesday, during Hawai‘i County Council’s Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee, Alameda sought confirmation of nine of his selected department heads.These mayoral appointees received unanimous support from the council committee members but they must go before the full council for final approval on Jan. 22 in Kona. Big Island Now.

Family of man killed by dogs says petty misdemeanor charges are ‘insufficient’. The ex-wife and a daughter of a 71-year-old Ocean View man fatally mauled by dogs 17 months ago said authorities aren’t doing enough to hold the owners of the dogs responsible for the attack. Tribune-Herald.

Roundabout plan advances: Final EA issued for Waikoloa Village road project. The Department of Public Works published on Wednesday a final environmental assessment for a project to build a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Waikoloa Road, Paniolo Avenue and Pua Melia Street. Tribune-Herald.

Industrial fire affects county metal recycling. The acceptance of metals and appliances at East Hawaii transfer stations has been put on hold because of a fire Wednesday morning at Big Island Scrap Metal, Hawaii County’s contracted recycling partner. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

 Draft study completed for mauka move of vulnerable portion of Honoapi‘ilani Highway. About a 6-mile segment of Honoapi‘ilani Highway from Ukumehame to Launiupoko would be moved mauka, beyond the reach of rising sea levels, to protect a vital roadway to West Maui. Maui Now.

Baldwin Beach restoration work continues. The effort is funded from a more than $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund to develop site-specific plans for dune restoration at Kapukaulua, from Lower Pāʻia Park to Wawau Point, or Baby Beach. Maui News.

New program allows Moloka‘i residents to scrap two cars per year. A new tow and scrap program for Molokaʻi residents to recycle their unwanted qualified vehicles at no cost. Maui News.

Kauai

57 households face relocation as Hawaiian Home Lands nears purchase of Kaua‘i condos. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is preparing to acquire an East Side apartment complex on Kauaʻi in early February, which has led 57 households to confront a daunting future: Where will they relocate? Kauai Now.

Slope stabilization to close one lane of Kūhiō Highway at the Waikoko turn for 7 months. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies highway users about a single lane closure of Kūhiō Highway (Route 560) at the Waikoko hairpin turn for emergency slope stabilization. Kauai Now.

Green to lobby against RFK Jr. confirmation, teens no longer need parents' permission for sexually transmitted disease treatment, Blangiardi inaugurated to second term, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Gov. Green to lobby in D.C. against RFK Jr. nomination. Gov. Josh Green, a medical doctor, plans to spend much of next week in Washington, D.C., trying to dissuade U.S. senators from confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Will Tragedy Change How Hawaiʻi Polices Illegal Fireworks? A task force created to find and stop shipments has seized more than 100 tons of explosives — but no criminal charges have followed. Now, lawmakers returning to this month face extra pressure to put a lid on the aerial displays in the wake of a New Year’s Eve explosion at a Salt Lake home that left three people dead and seriously injured more than 20. Civil Beat. Associated Press.  KITV4.

Hawaii teens have increased ability to protect themselves from STIs in 2025. With further options in place, a new law in effect this year, authorizes minors as young as 14 years old to consent to medical care and services, plus prevention of sexually transmitted infections. KITV4.

Nurses strikes loom due to nurse-to-patient ratios. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association announced enough votes over the New Year’s holiday to authorize strikes among union nurses — first at The Queen’s Health System and its two campuses in downtown Honolulu and in West Oahu, then at Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii saw 16 travel-related dengue cases in 2024. The Hawaii Department of Health says the year 2024 ended with a total of 16 travel-related dengue cases in the state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi sworn in for second term. The City and County of Honolulu’s 15th mayor formally started his second term Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Honolulu City Council elects Councilmember Matt Weyer to be Vice Chair. Weyer was first elected to the council in 2023, representing Waikele, Kunia, Wahiawa and the entire North Shore to Kahaluʻu. KHON2.

New rules for Honolulu community gardens almost set. The city has about 1,238 garden plots at 11 sites on Oʻahu, and they’re open for residents who want to flex their green thumbs. But the waitlist currently has over 300 people, with some waiting up to three years for a spot. Hawaii Public Radio.

US military plane to fly six fireworks blast patients to continent. Six adult patients will be transported on a U.S. military plane to the continent on Saturday for highly specialized care at hospitals.  Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County driver safety coordinator charged with DUI after crash. Steven Hoolahui Kalilikane Jr., 43, a Hawaii County employee whose title is “safety and driver improvement coordinator” for the Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division was arrested in the early morning of Dec. 21 after allegedly crashing a vehicle into a utility pole in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

The Hilo airport runway will be closed nightly for lighting replacement beginning Monday. The work will require the closure of runway 8-26 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. nightly for a minimum of 128 calendar days. During the closure the alternate runway, 3-21, will be used for aircraft operations. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lawsuit threatens Kaanapali ocean permits. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking reconsideration of a recent 2nd Circuit Court order that enjoins the issuance and renewals of all commercial use permits in Kaanapali ocean waters — an action that could cause the closure of some 30 Kaanapali businesses leading to direct and indirect job losses for more than 200 Maui residents. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless for the holidays: State sees 87% increases in homelessness as many residents have to fight to stay afloat. Desiree Mendez said that for the past nine months, she’s been without shelter, living on the beach after her vehicle broke down and facing one challenge after the next.  Maui News.

Kauai

Update: Wilcox Medical Center nurses have 30 days to decide following strike authorization. The Hawai‘i Nurses Association and Wilcox Medical Center nurses will meet in the coming days to discuss next steps, after nurses’ voting period to authorize a strike closed Wednesday night. Kauai Now.

Green releases proposed budget, state deportation cases reach 25-year high, West Hawaii fishing ban extended, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green's proposed budget includes likely raises, covers tax cuts. Gov. Josh Green has unveiled his proposed state budget for the next two fiscal years, which accounts for record tax cuts for residents that begin in January, the state’s $800 million share of a proposed $4.037 billion settlement to settle lawsuits in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires and includes likely raises for unionized workers. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.   Civil Beat.

Read the full budget here. Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Hawaiʻi Deportation Cases Hit Quarter-Century High. The backlog of cases in U.S. immigration courts has tripled since 2017 and is at record levels in Hawaiʻi. Most involve immigrants from China. Civil Beat.

Gabbard shows ‘momentum’ on Capitol Hill. Despite mostly partisan concern over an apparent closeness to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and what critics say is a tendency to repeat Kremlin propaganda, it seems former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has found a warm reception on Capitol Hill. Boston Herald.

Hawaiʻi Hemp Growers Say New State Rules Will Put Them Out Of Business. Gov. Josh Green’s approval of new regulations for CBD products, touted as a win for locally grown hemp, actually represents a major setback for the industry, local hemp farmers and CBD processors say.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘I have never been this angry’: Lawmakers to fight proposed landfill site in Central Oahu. (video only.) Hawaii News Now.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi education in the spotlight amid 'dead language' comment at council meeting. A testifier who called ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi a "dead language" at a recent Honolulu City Council meeting was met with rebuke from Hawaiian council members. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English are the official languages of the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Land board extends fishing ban for Achilles tang in West Hawaiʻi. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has extended a temporary fishing ban for the pākuʻikuʻi, also known as the Achilles tang, until the end of 2026. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Despite the closure of the Kīlauea Visitor Center early next year, visitors will still have access to the store and park services. The construction and expansion project will close the entirety of the visitor center, including the restrooms, lānai and most of the parking beginning Feb. 17.  Big Island Now.

Puna Geothermal to host year-end community meeting this week. Puna Geothermal Venture in Puna hosts its year-end quarterly community meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at at Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-2906 Pāhoa Village Road, in Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

Treasured Hawaii Island tsunami museum faces closure amid financial struggles. A museum in Hilo that aims to educate the public on the devastating impact of tsunamis could have to close its doors for good. Hawaii News Now.

Kawamoto Swim Stadium Reopens After Two-Month Closure. The Hawaiʻi County Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium reopened on Saturday, December 14th, following the completion of repairs. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Revocable permit granted, with amendments, for use of East Maui stream water. The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5-0 Friday evening to issue a revocable permit to Alexander & Baldwin and subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. for the use of East Maui stream water, much of it for Upcountry drinking water and for nearly 10,600 acres of Mahi Pono farm lands. Maui Now.

Lahaina debris disposal site, landfill expansion gets approval. The county announced last month that it had reached conditional agreements with a subsidiary of Nan Inc., Hawaii’s largest, locally owned construction company, to purchase approximately 49 acres of previously quarried land and 30 acres of land currently being quarried adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Report calls for inclusive recovery for Filipino survivors of Lahaina fire. A comprehensive report by Maui grassroots organization Tagnawa and the Hawai‘i Workers Center highlights the deep disparities, resilience and urgent needs of Filipino survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fires. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

County building closed for installations. The Department of Public Works Buildings Division announced that its services and doors will be closed for a week so that its staff can return to the offices located at the Moikeha Building, Suite 175. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Earthjustice lawsuits seek seabird protection from lights, Hawaii County inaugurates new mayor, Hawaii Marines get first 'ship-killing' missile system in U.S., more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawsuits Seek To Protect Hawaiian Seabirds From Too-Bright Streetlights. Earthjustice adds another claim to a 30-year pile of lawsuits against power companies, resorts and local governments on Maui and Kauai. Civil Beat.

More biosecurity measures could come in upcoming Legislative session. At last month’s Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference, Rep. Kristin Kahaloa, who was the vice chair for the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems, said she and other lawmakers will look to build on a law allocating $20 million in state funding for biosecurity efforts in that Gov. Josh Green later cut to $10 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor calls Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health secretary nomination ‘unsafe for children’. Gov. Josh Green, a medical doctor, says he’ll testify against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as health and human services secretary if the U.S. Senate asks him. Hawaii News Now.

Trump vows to axe the federal Education Department. Here's what Hawaiʻi education leaders are saying. Public school Superintendent Keith Hayashi told HPR that 11% of Hawaiʻi's DOE budget is made up of federal funds — about $42 billion a year. Hawaiʻi is also the only state that has a centralized DOE.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Kindergarten Readiness Is Low, Even As Investments Remain High. The state continues to build more preschool classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds, but researchers and educators say low-income families need more support to prepare their children for school. Civil Beat.

Taiwan president praises tech ties during Hawaii visit. Taiwan’s partnership with the United States is a source of strength for the high-tech industry, including the semiconductor sector, and shows the island is a trusted and reliable partner, President Lai Ching-te told a think-tank in Hawaii. Reuters.

Hawaii Marines first to get ‘ship-killing’ missile launcher. Members of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment held a ceremony in November at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii to celebrate getting their hands on a new “ship-killing” missile system they hope will give American forces an edge in the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has The Oldest Farmers In The U.S. Hawaii’s farmers are aging fast. The latest national agricultural census, conducted in 2022 and released earlier this year, shows that nearly half — 44% — of the state’s food producers are over the age of 65. Roughly 1 in 7 Hawaii farmers — just over 14% — are over 75.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

State archive plans to digitize Pearl Harbor memorial records. The Hawaii State Archive is cataloging documents and records from the Pacific War Memorial Commission, chronicling how the state raised money to commemorate the Dec. 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor attack by Japan. Star-Advertiser.

‘No public value,’ City looks to remove payphones. Pay phones are more prevalent than you might think and they all seem to have one thing in common. They don’t work. Now, the focus is on getting rid of them. KHON2.

What does Miske’s death mean for accused co-conspirators, victims? The death in federal prison of one of Hawaii’s most notorious criminals leaves the cases of his accused co-conspirators in limbo and his victims without closure, according to legal experts. The tens of millions in assets seized are also likely to remain with the government. KHON2.

Miske Felt Hopeful About Appeal Before His Death In Jail, Lawyer Says. Officials have not released information about the circumstances surrounding Sunday's death of the convicted organized crime leader at the Federal Detention Center In Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Alameda, others sworn in during inauguration in West Hawaii. Hundreds were in attendance Monday, including Gov. Josh Green and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, as Mayor Kimo Alameda, Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen and the nine County Council members were inaugurated at the Kaleiopapa Convention Center on the grounds of the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa in Keauhou. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Roth touts savings following arbitration with HGEA. Hawaii County has reached a “significant arbitration outcome” with a government workers’ union over COVID-19 hazard pay, outgoing Mayor Mitch Roth announced Monday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Special Feral Pig Hunt Announced On Hawaiʻi Island. Pig hunting will be allowed on certain dates within the Puʻu Mali Restoration Area and the Kaʻohe Restoration Area. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County Council members are deciding how a long-awaited housing project will move forward in South Maui. The project was scaled back considerably since it was first approved nearly 20 years ago, and some are outraged. Monday’s Housing and Land Use Committee meeting ended with no decision. Hawaii News Now.

County hui tackles broadband issues. The Maui Broadband Hui counted 150 locations that they saw were underserved and unserved that later triggered 7,585 residents to be checked by major service providers such as Hawaiian Tel and/or Spectrum. Maui News.

14 months after Maui wildfires, visitor arrivals were up from year before levels, but down from pre-pandemic October 2019. According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, there were 774,617 visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in October 2024, growth of 5.4% from the same month last year.  Maui Now.

LAPD: Missing Maui woman seen on video crossing US-Mexico border. In a news conference, the Los Angeles Police Department said the family of 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi was made aware of video that was obtained, showing Kobayashi crossing the border on foot from San Diego into Mexico on Nov. 12 at 12:13 p.m. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County inauguration swears in many familiar faces, and a newcomer to the council. As the calendar year comes to an end, the latest iteration of Kaua‘i County government formally began Monday with the inauguration of its county council and prosecuting attorney at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. Kauai Now.

Kauai legislators host town meeting. The Kauai House Delegation to the State Legislature will host a community town hall meeting on Tuesday from 5:30 top 7:30 p.m. at the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center, located adjacent to the YMCA of Kauai and the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School. Garden Island.

Hawaii sued over gun ban, state agency seeks to fix 'failing' foster care system, Honolulu advances empty home tax, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawsuit Challenges Hawaii’s Gun Ownership Ban For Young Adults. The latest lawsuit to take aim at Hawaii’s gun laws challenges the state’s ban on gun ownership for young adults 18 to 20 years old, which Second Amendment advocates say is an unconstitutional restriction on the right of Americans to bear arms. Lawyers assert that Hawaii is the only state with a complete ban on acquiring and owning firearms and ammunition by those who are 18 to 20. Associated Press.

Hawaii agency details plan to improve ‘failing’ foster care. Daisy Lynn Hartsfield, administrator of the Social Services Division overseeing the Child Welfare Serv­ices Branch within the state Department of Human Services, presented corrective action plan goals to a panel of state lawmakers Thursday in the wake of alarming findings in the audit requested by the Legislature in 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Report: Hawai'i suicide hotline calls increased while answer rates dropped. The results showed that call rates rose from about 97 to 137 per 100,000 residents following the Maui wildfire — that’s a 41% increase. But in-state answer rates dropped from about 90.3% to 77.2%. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Sheriff Division Faces New Scrutiny In 2019 Capitol Shooting Trial. A civil trial over a former deputy sheriff’s fatal shooting of a man outside the State Capitol five years ago began this week in a case that cast a spotlight on turmoil in the understaffed sheriff division. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green's concerns about Trump's Cabinet picks. Green expressed concern over some of Trump's Cabinet appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s selection to head the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as Dr. Mehmet Oz to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Hawaii Public Radio.

The ‘Ridiculous,’ Growing Trend Of Hawaii Private School Coaching. Tutoring centers helping students with private school admissions have become more popular in recent years, but not all families can afford them. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council’s empty-homes tax measure advances.  Thursday the Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee voted 3-2, with Esther Kia‘aina and Augie Tulba dissenting, to advance the second of three readings of Bill 46, which could tax a vacant real property by as much as 3%. Star-Advertiser.

West Oahu May Get More Than 800 New Short-Term Rentals In Apartment Zone. Parcels next to the Hoakalei Resort in Ewa were a hot topic at the Honolulu City Council’s final hearing on the overhauling of its Land Use Ordinance. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting improves review times. It's also aggressively trying to double its current staff and has upgraded its software so now you can track the status of your permits. KITV4.

Par Hawaii to invest $90 million in renewable-fuel transformation. A petroleum refinery in the James Campbell Industrial Park officially began its transition into the clean- energy sector with a blessing ceremony Thursday, marking the start of its efforts to adopt more sustainable energy practices and work toward Gov. Josh Green’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045.  Star-Advertiser.

HPD pushes for tougher ‘ghost gun’ laws amid spike. The 88 ghost guns recovered by the Honolulu Police Department this year come from crimes they were used in or were found during investigations. The seizures represent a nearly 70% increase from the 52 found by officers in 2023. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Coast Guard establishes first Hawaii-based JROTC program. Coast Guard establishes first Hawaii-based JROTC program. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s recycled plastic, asphalt road shows ‘no increased leaching’ in 2 years. Some Ewa Beach residents have been driving on a road that is partially made of recycled plastic for over two years. KHON2.

Navy to start 'large-scale' effort to remove invasive coral at Pearl Harbor. Unomia stolonifera is a species of “octocoral,” also known as “pulsing coral” or "stoloniferous fire coral," and was first detected in the harbor in 2020. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH: No humans tested positive for H5N1 from infected flock. The Hawaii Department of Health says so far, no one has tested positive for avian influenza after the first detection of H5N1 in a flock of ducks and geese last week. DOH followed up with 54 individuals for potential exposure to the infected flock in Wahiawa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Proposal regarding hospitals advances. In order to improve health care access across the Big Island, the Hawaii County Planning Department hopes to expand where hospitals and other medical facilities are allowed to be built. Tribune-Herald.

Hope Services Hawaii Granted $2.5 Million From Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. The grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will help connect Hawaiʻi island families experiencing homelessness with stable housing and critical services. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Modular home hauling for Lahaina happening Friday and Saturday. The Hawai’i Department of Transportation said Thursday that local drivers may expect slight traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are being transported from Central Maui to the Ka Laʻi Ola housing site. Maui News.

State Historic Preservation Division working to streamline Lahaina approvals. In an effort to reduce delays and frustration for residents and commercial property owners preparing to rebuild in fire-ravaged Lahaina, the DLNR State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is working to balance speed and efficiency with protection of historic and archeological resources, particularly iwi, department officials said. Maui Now.

Panel discusses how ancestral knowledge can guide Lahaina rebuilding following 2023 wildfire. Hundreds gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for the 2024 Piʻo Summit: Hulihia: Fire and Rain, a free series of forums focused on leveraging ancestral ʻike (knowledge) to support long-term recovery efforts for communities affected by the Lahaina wildfires and the 2018 Kauaʻi floods. Maui Now.

New Kahului homes blessed and move-in ready for two healthcare professionals impacted by the Lahaina fires. The first two completed homes under the Housing for Healthcare initiative were blessed in a private ceremony held with the two new tenants and their families, both Maui healthcare professionals who lost their homes and belongings in the devastating Lahaina fires last year. The families moved into their homes this month. Maui Now.

Maui bus gets stuck in sinkhole the size of a small swimming pool. A Maui bus made an unexpected stop Wednesday when pooling water on a Kahului Street turned out to be a growing sinkhole and the rear wheels of the bus got stuck in the hole. Maui News. Maui Now.

Hawaii News Now responds to Maui Police Department accusations. The Maui Police Department says it has lodged a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission over reports by HNN Investigates about the mishandling of human remains after the Lahaina wildfire. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Community partners feted for wildfire efforts. Various community members and agencies were honored at an awards ceremony Tuesday for their heroic efforts during mid-July wildfires. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Green remains a popular governor, Honolulu mayor vetoes fireworks measure, pro-development super PAC aims to influence Maui council races, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green ranks sixth nationally in governor approval ratings. Gov. Josh Green ranks in the top 10 in approval ratings compared with the rest of America’s governors, according to separate surveys reported this month. Morning Consult, an independent pollster that conducts political polling and continues to track this year’s presidential race, placed Green sixth most popular in the nation, with a 62% approval rating that “likely reflects a solid base of support among Hawaii’s electorate.” The Cato Institute — which leans conservative and advocates for small government — ranked Green tied for seventh among all governors. Star-Advertiser.

These 3 House races could flip seats in the state Legislature. In the House, there are six Republicans — three face competitive Democratic challengers this year. Reps. David Alcos, Diamond Garcia and Elijah Pierick of Oʻahu are part of a more socially conservative pack of Republicans elected in the 2022 election. Hawaii Public Radio.

OHA race: Ahuna and Lindsey run modest campaigns for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau seat. OHA is a semi-autonomous agency created to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians. The agency is tasked with managing a trust of about $600 million. The general election is on Nov. 5 and as a statewide race, all Hawaiʻi residents can  vote for OHA. Hawaii Public Radio.

ACLU of Hawaii demands investigation into Arizona prison’s drinking water. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii is demanding an investigation into the drinking water quality at Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona. Nearly a thousand Hawaii inmates are incarcerated there. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Campaign aims to prevent aquarium dumping. The weeklong “Don’t Let It Loose” campaign aims to prevent aquarium owners from releasing these invasive species into the ocean, as well as the importation and possession of illegal marine aquarium species. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu mayor blows up fireworks measure. Bill 22, adopted by a majority of the Council in early October to allow ground-level fountains and sparklers to be lit in public on Oahu, was vetoed Oct. 25 by Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Star-Advertiser.

City Council considers reviving its agricultural development task force. The nine-member group of agriculture stakeholders and practitioners would recommend policies in zoning, land use, infrastructure, and other issues that would affect farming and food production on the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘It scared the hell out of me’: Emotions pour over Red Hill crisis at BWS meeting. The Board of Water Supply is standing by its warning that a fuel-related chemical plume could be spreading from the Navy’s Red Hill tanks. This after the Navy accused the agency of “misinformation” and being “grossly inaccurate.” Hawaii News Now.

Cleanup underway after heavy rain, runoff turn Ala Wai harbor into dump site. State crews and volunteers are clearing debris from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor after the weekend’s heavy rains triggered runoff from Makiki, Palolo and Manoa streams. Those waterways have been littered with illegally dumped items, such as appliances and landscaping waste. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Halloween Eve flash flood at UH Manoa left ruin in its wake. Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of a Halloween Eve flash flood that sent a tsunami of mud, water and debris up to 8 feet high roaring through the University of Hawaii Manoa campus, damaging 30 buildings and tossing dumpsters and vehicles in its path. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Crisis Intervention Team Expands On Hawaiʻi Island. The Hawaiʻi Police Department has expanded its Crisis Intervention Team with the addition of 10 new officers. Big Island Video News.

More than $9.1 million coming to Hawai‘i for forest restoration projects. A Big Island company is one of two entities that will receive funds from the federal government for forest restoration projects that will help protect rare species, support agricultural production and increase climate resilience in Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Lease extension for Hilo mainstay spurs debate. The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved on Friday a 20-year lease extension for three parcels at the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and Leilani Street to Yamada Consolidated Inc., which was first issued a state lease in 1959 for a term of 45 years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Carpenters Union Super PAC Is Spending Big On Maui Council Races. For A Better Tomorrow is supporting three pro-development candidates for the Maui County Council. Civil Beat.

Two Escape Routes Could Have Saved Dozens Of Maui Fire Victims. Without the dead end on Kuhua Street and the private lot dividing Aki Street, everyone there likely would have gotten out safely, Maui county planners say. Civil Beat.

State Historic Preservation Division Backlog Is Stalling Building On Maui. Experts say the bureaucratic limbo facing a Maui couple trying to rebuild their home outside of Lahaina reflects a broader problem. Civil Beat.

FEMA seeks landowners for modular home sites to help displaced Lahaina residents. To expand housing options in West Maui for wildfire survivors, FEMA is collaborating with the County of Maui and Lahaina property owners to place modular housing units on private properties. Hawaii Public Radio.

5 ʻalalā, the only surviving endemic crow, will be reintroduced on Maui. Five ʻalalā will soon be released into the wild from a temporary field aviary on the slopes of Haleakalā — the latest in the reintroduction efforts for the Hawaiian crow.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kouchi named Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi’s State Legislator of the Year. Hawaiʻi Senate President and longtime Kauaʻi state legislator Ronald Kouchi was recently honored by a Hawaiʻi nonprofit aimed at creating a healthy Hawaiʻi, where every resident has access to affordable, high quality health care. Kauai Now.