Automatic voter registration law kicks in next year, whistleblower alleges bribery in health insurance practice, state finalizes agreement to acquire Wahiawa Dam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Automatic Voter Registration bill signed into law, voter registration going from opt-in to opt-out. The new law, Act 67 enacted by Gov. Josh Green on May 29, takes effect Jan. 1 and will automatically register residents to vote when they apply for or renew a Hawaii driver’s license or state identification card, unless they choose to opt out for reasons that include not being eligible to vote. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Whistleblower Alleges Medical Giant Bribed Hawaiʻi Provider. Lawsuit claims Abbott Laboratories defrauded federal health insurance programs. Kris Ghosh says medical device and pharmaceutical giant Abbott Laboratories wrongly fired him after he began internally reporting what he says were illegal kickbacks meant to entice clinics in Hawai‘i to use the company’s equipment for outpatient procedures. Ghosh has laid out his allegations in a federal whistleblower complaint against Abbott. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State finalizes agreement to acquire Wahiawa Dam and irrigation system. The state Agribusiness Development Corporation has approved the transfer of the Wahiawa Dam and irrigation system from Dole Foods Hawaii to the state. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu invests $85M in wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Major improvements are coming to the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Department of Environmental Services broke ground on two new projects on Thursday. KHON2.

Parking rates increase at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for cars parked over 6 hours. Parking between six to seven hours will be raised from $23 to $24, parking between seven to eight hours will be raised from $25 to $27 and the rate for parking eight hours or more (including overnight parking) will be raised from $27 to $29.  KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Pentagon ‘restores’ Hawaii-based Pacific command’s old name. The Pentagon has moved to have its Oahu-based command that overseas all operations across the Pacific and parts of the Indian Ocean revert to its old name. On Wednesday the Pentagon announced that it has made the decision to “restore” the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at Camp Smith to its original name of U.S. Pacific Command. Star-Advertiser.

Mililani teacher housing complex on track for 2027. The Hawaii School Facilities Authority announced that the final environmental assessment for Kumelewai Hale, a 95-unit affordable rental housing project planned on the campus of Mililani High School, has been completed. Star-Advertiser.

Ozawa lawsuit seeks to remove Waters from race. Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member and District 4 candidate in 2026, has sued Council Chair Tommy Waters and state and city election officials, arguing Waters is ineligible under the City Charter to seek a third consecutive term. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Decade Of Big Island’s ‘Try Wait’ Moratorium Spurs Plenty Fish — And Poaching. Ten years of no fishing has led to a huge recovery on a stretch of the Kona Coast. Now comes the hard part: Protecting those gains. Civil Beat.

Bouncing back: Coral preservation efforts at Kahalu‘u are paying off. For the first time in decades, the water of Kahalu‘u Bay was transformed to a milky white last month, a sign of coral reproduction. Tribune-Herald.

Commission approves permit for renovation of Kona Seaside Shops. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously approved issuing a permit for the renovation of the Kona Seaside Shops found along Ali‘i Drive — a project that multiple commissioners described as a much-needed “uplift” for the economically struggling seaside boulevard. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

‘Zero aloha’: Maui County Council considers raising fines on loud car stereos. On Friday, the Maui County Council is expected to consider turning up the fines on drivers who won’t turn down their loud after-market stereos. Maui News.

Kālepa project closes remote East Maui roadway during daytime hours on weekdays. Hāna Highway at Kālepa Point is closed to traffic on weekdays (M-F) between mile markers 38 and 39 while Kālepa Rockfall Netting Replacement project work is conducted. Work takes place Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is anticipated to last five months.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Feral Cats, ICE And Overtourism: Kauaʻi County Mayoral Candidates’ Q&As. The terming out of Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami has set up an electoral contest between half-a-dozen nonpartisan candidates all looking for votes in the Hawaiʻi General Election on Nov. 3. Civil Beat.

Man arrested over Gov. Green death threats, Maui wildfire settlement money faces delays, floating homeless encampments cleared on Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Montana man arrested over Gov. Green death threats. Eric Lee Boltz, a 51-year-old Montana man, was arrested Tuesday and is facing federal criminal charges after he allegedly left nine voicemails threatening to kill Gov. Josh Green and his family. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

Governor’s VIP Airport Lounge: See Inside The Guest Book. For 60 years, the Governor’s Airport Lounge next to the cultural gardens in Terminal 2 of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has been the primary venue for greeting and saying farewell to VIPs, including presidents, queens like Elizabeth II, and kings like Elvis. Civil Beat.

Survey links understaffing to long patient wait times at Kaiser Permanente. A new survey revealed that many Hawaiʻi behavioral health professionals at Kaiser Permanente believe understaffing in their departments has led to inefficient care. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu 

Honolulu Council Member Is Shoo-In, But Can He Get More Done? Honolulu City Council member Matt Weyer has the distinction of being both sidelined by the council majority and running unopposed for reelection.  Civil Beat.

Floating homeless encampments, tons of debris cleared from Kalihi waters. An estimated 25 to 30 people and dozens of their dogs lived in 25 or so hardened floating structures — the biggest was two stories tall and had two kitchens. City, state and nonprofit agencies teamed up to clear out floating homeless structures near Kahauiki Village. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Debris site at Central Oahu park deemed safe after testing, city says. The Honolulu Department of Environmental Services says soil testing at a former storm debris pile at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park found no harmful levels of contamination. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police seize $11K in cash, 18 gambling machines in Mililani. Honolulu police on Tuesday afternoon shut down an illegal gambling room on Waimakua Place, seizing 18 gambling machines, more than $11,000 in cash and illegal drugs to collect as evidence. Star-Advertiser.

David Briscoe, AP journalist who chronicled Philippines’ democratic revolution, dies at 82. David Briscoe, a journalist for The Associated Press who chronicled the collapse of dictatorship and the rebirth of democracy during a dramatic period of upheaval in the Philippines, has died, his family said. He was 82. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Kahuku Unit management plan, EA open for comment; talk story sessions planned. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park invites the community to share feedback on the Comprehensive Site Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for the park’s Kahuku Unit in Ka‘u. Tribune-Herald.

Lead removal project paves way for $78M rehabilitation of Hakalau bridge. Work to remove lead contamination from the ground beneath the Hakalau Stream Bridge started on June 4, according to the state Department of Transportation. Tribune-Herald.

New building opens at East Hawaii Health Clinics in Hilo. Hilo Benioff Medical Center held a grand opening celebration Wednesday for a new building at East Hawaii Health Clinics. Medical Office Building 3 is the new home of urgent care, neurology, general surgery, gynecologic surgery, plastic surgery and vascular surgery. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui attorney warns fire survivors settlement money could be delayed as some lawyers ‘likely’ to fight ruling. A Maui lawyer is warning clients that first payments from the $4 billion settlement may not arrive this week as expected. Hawaii News Now.

West Maui water quality testing finds few impacts after Lahaina wildfire.  Hui O Ka Wai Ola, a network of marine citizen scientists, found that salinity has increased in Maui at nearly all sites due to extreme drought, turbidity levels are always above state Department of Health standards, and nitrate levels often exceed those standards, according to a report released over the weekend by the hui. Maui Now.

County seeks input on plans to restore Lahaina Royal Complex. Maui County officials are developing a Lahaina Royal Complex Master Plan aimed at restoring portions of the historic center of the Hawaiian Kingdom, including Mokuhinia Pond and Moku’ula Island. Maui News.

Ranching Could Soon Come To An End On Moloka‘i. Paniolo Blame TB Testing. Quarantine rules to prevent bovine tuberculosis are crippling the industry — and a way of life — on rural Hawai‘i island. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i residents invited to attend invasive pest meeting. Organized by the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, the two-day gathering, slated for Aug. 11-12, centers around the theme, “Protecting Island Ecosystems: Biosecurity, Invasive Species, and Resilience.”  Kauai Now.

Devens confirmed as Supreme Court chief justice, state budget heading to full chambers after some 'green fee' tourist tax projects cut, feral cats kill 168 native seabirds on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate confirms Devens as Hawaii Supreme Court’s chief justice. Associate Justice Vladimir Devens was confirmed today as chief justice of Hawaii’s Supreme by the state Senate following a 20-to-5 vote that reflected concerns over Devens’ failure to initially disclose his relationship with a powerful political action committee while applying to join the court as an associate justice two years ago. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News.

Climate Change Projects Key As Lawmakers Rush To Finish State Budget. The Legislature needs to make decisions on all tax and spending bills by Friday in order to conduct final votes next week. House and Senate leaders finalized a list of more than $120 million in “green fee” environmental protection and other projects late Thursday evening as they hurried to meet a critical Friday deadline to move the state budget forward. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Proposed Hawaii ‘Green Fee’ projects overhauled again. State spending gatekeepers at the Legislature have put a big stamp on Hawaii’s first batch “Green Fee” projects to be funded by a new tourism impact fee, shunting about 40% of recommendations from an advisory council. Star-Advertiser.

Automatic voter registration close to becoming law in Hawaiʻi. Senate Bill 2239 would replace the current “opt-in” system with an “opt-out” one. In the proposed system, during the application process, eligible residents would automatically be registered to vote — unless they explicitly decline registration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona Low storms drive March visitor spending down 1.6%. Back-to-back Kona Low storms in March hobbled Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy, triggering an estimated $300 million in lost revenue as flooding, flight cancellations and attraction closures disrupted spring break travel across the islands. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson retires after 25 years. Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson will be retiring from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism effective April 30, 2026, concluding 25 years of service managing the Hawai‘i Film Office and the state’s film program. Maui Now.

Oahu

City releases Oahu's 2026 Sustainability Report highlighting climate, transit gains. City leaders said the report reflects a coordinated effort across departments to address long-term environmental challenges. KITV4.

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden prepares master plan as storm cleanup continues. Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kāne‘ohe draws more visitors each year than any of Honolulu’s gardens — a whopping 730,000 in a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric repairs key transmission line over Koolaus. Hawaiian Electric on Thursday announced the completion of repairs to a 138-kilovolt transmission line that carries electricity from Leeward Oahu to Windward Oahu, Waimanalo and East Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Iconic Tamashiro Market closes its doors after more than 80 years. Thursday, April 30, after more than 80 years, the Tamashiro Family closed their Kalihi fish market for the final time. More than just a place to shop, the landmark business and building have been a part of Hawaii’s history for generations. KHON2. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now. 

Robyn Ah Mow opens up about why she is stepping down as Wahine coach. Ah Mow spent nine years and eight seasons in charge of the Rainbow Wahine volleyball program, compiling a 165-72 overall record with five consecutive Big West Conference championships from 2019 to 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Saddle Road extension plan revived. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is reviving plans to extend the Daniel K. Inouye Highway in the South Kohala district from its current ending at Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) westward to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway (Route 19). Tribune-Herald.

Kailua-Kona Confronts A Paid Parking ‘Epidemic’. Hawai‘i County Council members are struggling to tackle an issue that residents say is ruining the community. Civil Beat.

Big plans for Kawaihae Harbor. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is planning to begin a makeover of Kawaihae Harbor next year, including the widening of Kawaihae Road to build an 875-foot-long dedicated left turn and storage lane leading up to the harbor’s entrance. Tribune-Herald.

Konawaena High School rebuilds after the Kona low storms.  Severe flooding damaged 75 classrooms on their campus, put 5 elevators out of commission, and impacted their library and administrative offices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Council Budget Committee slightly trims mayor’s $1.616 billion budget. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee completed its review of Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget this week, unanimously adopting a revised spending plan of approximately $1.608 billion. Maui Now.

Report: ​​MEO aided nearly 55,000 Maui County residents in 2024-25. Maui Economic Opportunity assisted 54,780 Maui County residents from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, according to the agency’s annual report. Maui News.

Maui kidney donor shares story hoping to inspire others. When Maui resident Rachel Bennett Steury gave away one of her kidneys to save the life of a person she had never met before, she felt like she was helping a larger movement. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Absolute Carnage’: Feral Cats Kill 168 Native Seabirds On Kaua‘i. The island’s latest massacre of endemic shearwaters brings the state’s feline problem to the forefront. Local scientists and staff have encountered several mass slaughters at that same area in the past 15 years. Civil Beat. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Public invited to ‘Imi loa kapa. Free and open to everyone, “The Science of Kapa,” presented by Kaulele is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting May 18 and running through May 31 at the space located across from Ainofea in Kukui Grove Center. Garden Island.

Compromise income tax plan targets wealthy, state ballot order puts Republicans and Democrats last, Kauai electric utility to refund $2.7M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Budget Committee Makes A Deal To Save State Tax Cuts. Part of the result is a new tax bracket created to boost state revenue from joint filers earning over $1 million, heads of household earning over $750,000 and single filers earning over $500,000. Star-Advertiser.Civil Beat. 

Senators criticize proposal to pause income tax breaks. Some state senators are criticizing the Green administration for its proposal to pause the historic income tax break for Hawaiʻi families. That criticism came during Monday's confirmation hearing for Seth Colby, director for the state Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Blasts Auditor Report On Key Homeless Program. Gov. Josh Green blasted Hawaiʻi State Auditor Les Kondo’s preliminary report on his signature tiny homes project, accusing the Legislature’s watchdog of being overly aggressive and expressing an unwillingness to help the administration with the endeavor. Civil Beat.

Auditor warns legislators of initial kauhale concerns. State Auditor Les Kondo has sent an unusual memo to the state Legislature and the head of the state Department of Human Services warning of the need for “immediate attention” to address what Kondo called “improper use of public funds” even as his office continues to conduct an audit of Hawaii’s tiny home kauhale spending across Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Elections Officials Announce Political Party Ballot Order. With the 2026 Primary Election set for Aug. 8, the State of Hawaiʻi Office of Elections held a drawing on Tuesday to determine the order that political parties will appear on the ballot.  The party order was determined to be: Nonpartisan, Libertarian Party, Green Party, Republican Party, Democratic Party. Big Island Video News.

DUI bills die again in Hawaii Legislature. For the sixth consecutive year, bills aimed at lowering the blood-alcohol content threshold for drunken driving in Hawaii from 0.08% to 0.05% have failed legislative muster. Tribune-Herald.

Bill to ban student cellphone use in Hawaii is shelved. A state Senate committee deferred a bill last month that would have banned student cellphone use at public schools statewide after the Hawaii Board of Education adopted similar — yet more flexible — rules. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii state Senate to honor life and service of Colleen Hanabusa. The state Senate will celebrate her life and decades-long career in Hawaii politics on Thursday, May 7, in the Senate Chamber of the Hawaii State Capitol. Hawaii News Now.

‘Devil Weed’ Threatening Hawaiʻi Is Hitching A Ride In Turtles. Honu love to eat the aggressive seaweed smothering reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. That’s raising hopes, but also concerns closer to home. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City seeks bill to round cash transactions amid penny shortage. To address the shortage, the city is asking the Honolulu City Council to pass a bill that would require rounding cash payments for taxes, fees, and other charges to the nearest five cents. KHON2.

West Oahu hillside eyed for new city landfill. The proposed dump site, known as Makaiwa Hills, spans roughly 150 acres and is owned by James Campbell Company LLC. It sits adjacent to the city’s 37-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei, which is scheduled to close by March 2, 2028. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Forest Reserves “Are Not Landfills”, Officials Chide. Roughly 200 rubber tires were recently discovered, dumped in the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve.  Big Island Video News. KHON2.

AI hazard detection system on hold amid federal funding pause. The Department of Emergency Management has been working towards an all-hazard AI detection project. But federal funding for the project has become tight. KHON2.

The Hawaii Department of Health fined a caregiver on Oahu for leaving clients unattended. The DOH Office of Health Care Assurance issued an order against Reymando Fiesta for leaving clients of the Community Care Foster Family Home unattended or without a qualified caregiver. KITV4.

Years-long closure of Waikiki bathroom ‘disappointing’ to many, some demand answers. For the past four years, the city has blamed the bathroom’s closure on vandals who flushed clothes down the toilets, as well as mechanical and electric issues with a pump, requiring more than $40,000 for repairs. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Community pushing to stop 36 large trees from being cut down at Honokaʻa County Park. The county has initiated a project to remove 36 mature Cuban mahogany trees because the roots were damaging two parking lots at the Honokaʻa Sports Complex and Skate Park. Big Island Now.

Recovery efforts underway after downtown Hilo fire. Nearly five months after a fire ravaged multiple buildings in downtown Hilo, the cause is still unknown, but the investigation into the incident has been closed by the Hawaii Fire Department. Tribune-Herald.

Renovations start at old Hilo hospital. The work is part of an effort by the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development to establish a coordinated resource hub focused on housing stabilization, workforce readiness, behavioral health and wraparound services. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County proposes 2-million-gallon water storage tank in Kīhei. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is proposing a 2-million-gallon drinking water storage tank in central Kīhei to improve system reliability, and officials are now accepting public comments on the project. Maui Now.

New housing opportunity opens for Lahaina educators. Hawaiʻi educators have a new housing opportunity through a development under the state Department of Education. The $20 million housing project, called Ke ʻAla Punia, includes 47 rental units for educators and staff. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative returning money to members. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will be returning money to its members, some from 2025 and other money related to balances from 2002 and part of 2003. The Coop’s Board of Directors voted to return $2.7 million in total, according to a news release last week.  Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi Helicopter Safety: Kauaʻi’s Waimea Canyon To Get Cameras. Weather was the main cause of aviation accidents in Hawaiʻi over the past 20 years. The FAA hopes a network of remote cameras can make the skies safer. Civil Beat.

Trump signs Hawaii disaster declaration, Honolulu firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay, Maui doctor found guilty of attempted manslaughter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump signs disaster declaration for Hawaii. President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Hawaii in the aftermath of the two Kona-low storms that pummeled the islands over a 14-day period last month, Gov. Josh Green announced Wednesday night. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. Big Island Video News.

Cut State Jobs, Keep Tax Cuts? Hawaiʻi Senate Makes Budget Pitch. Faced with federal budget cuts, lawmakers hope to balance the budget in part by wiping out positions that have been vacant for more than five years. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider banning disposable e-cigarettes. Disposable e-cigarettes could be banned in Hawaiʻi starting in 2027. State lawmakers are advancing a measure that would make it illegal to sell electronic smoking devices that don’t have refillable cartridges or a rechargeable battery. Hawaii Public Radio.

State legislators continue to question HPH-HMSA deal. The  House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce had many lingering concerns over the impacts of Hawaii Medical Service Association joining forces with Hawaii Pacific Health. Star-Advertiser.

Conservative Activists Take Aim At Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship. A new lawsuit filed by a legal advocacy nonprofit says a 35-year-old federal scholarship program that brought Native Hawaiian doctors to the islands is unconstitutional. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Director Wants To Return To Honolulu Police Department. Mike Lambert said he had hoped to stay longer with DLE but plans to step down this summer because of a retirement system issue. Civil Beat.

‘Strongest in the nation’: DBEDT on Hawaii unemployment rate. January’s unemployment rate of 2.2 percent compares to the national rate of 4.3 percent, which was down from 4.4 percent in December. KHON2.

Oahu

Firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay. Honolulu firefighters are set to receive $11.7 million in temporary hazard pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials say. The agreement provides up to $7,500 in compensation for each city firefighter who worked during the national public health emergency that began in March 2020 and ended in March 2022. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 fraud case is possibly resolved. A 31-year-old Kapolei woman facing federal criminal charges after allegedly stealing another person’s identity in a scheme to steal more than $36,000 in unemployment insurance and COVID-19 assistance may have reached a resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

About 4,000 more Oʻahu properties could be required to have flood insurance. Decades-old maps that the federal government uses to determine which properties are high flood risks will be updated on June 10, expanding to include more homes near coasts and streams. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

General Plan changes blasted; Kierkiewicz’s revision draws sharp criticism. The Hawaii County Council chambers rang out with criticisms Tuesday as a committee meeting meant to consider a long-term planning document devolved into accusations, lawsuits and conspiracy theories. Tribune-Herald.

Kona attorney confirmed as District Court judge. The Hawaii State Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Andrew Michael Kennedy to serve as a Hawaii Island District Court judge, following his appointment by Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui doctor who attacked wife on Nuuanu trail found guilty of attempted manslaughter. An Oahu Circuit Court jury rendered a guilty verdict on the lesser charge of attempted manslaughter Wednesday in the trial of 47-year-old Maui anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig accused of trying to kill his wife March 24, 2025, while hiking on the Pali Puka Trail in Nuuanu. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui. The beetle has become emblematic of the state’s decades-long struggle to contain and mitigate the impacts of invasive species throughout the islands.  Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi blesses first dedicated medical helicopter that started operations Wednesday. The new air medical service through Hawai’i Life Flight also will support inter-facility transfers to Līhuʻe’s trauma center, cardiac catheterization laboratories and specialty care facilities on Oʻahu. Kauai Now.

Gov. Josh Green takes the high road: a commentary

 

Poor Josh Green.

Right at the start of his gubernatorial reelection year, right on the cusp of actualizing his long drive to make a name for himself on the national political scene, the governor has been thrown a curve ball by his lieutenant.

Green announced Thursday he’d canceled his planned trip to the National Governors Association annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C. in order to tend to the controversy at home. Had Green left the state, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke would have been acting governor under state law.

“This annual winter meeting is important to the collaborative work I do on behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi,” Green said in a statement. “However, in light of recent events and to ensure steady leadership for our state during this time, I have canceled out-of-state travel for this month, including my attendance at this long-planned conference.”

It’s hardly fair.

In Hawaii, gubernatorial candidates don’t get to pick their running mate because the lieutenant governor is chosen in a separate race. So the winning governor is stuck with whomever the people picked in the primaries.

Seventeen states elect a lieutenant governor independently, while 26 states elect the governor and lieutenant governor on a joint ticket. Seven states, including Hawaii, nominate candidates in separate primaries, but they run on a single joint ticket during the general election.

At issue is an ongoing federal investigation into a long-simmering bribery case that had already sent two state lawmakers – Sen. J. Kalani English and Rep. Ty J.K. Cullen – to federal prison. Cullen, who turned government witness, secretly taped an “influential” lawmaker accepting $35,000 in a paper bag, according to federal court filings.

Luke, who at the time of the initial investigation was chairwoman of the powerful House Finance Committee, disclosed earlier last week that she accepted $10,000 in campaign checks from Cullen’s associates during a 2022 dinner with Cullen and his associates, but she denied she was the legislator taking $35,000 in a paper bag, as described n court filings.

Accepting $5,000 for a statewide campaign isn’t a crime. 

But as it turns out, Luke’s donations from those individuals weren’t reported to the state Campaign Spending Commission until just last week, after Honolulu Civil Beat started asking questions. Kudos to Civil Beat for flushing this information out of the shadows through its relentless reporting.

But back to the governor.

I must say that Green has been the most open, accessible and forthcoming public official in the 20 years I’ve been working in the state as a government reporter covering four of the most recent Hawaii governors. 

I started covering Green when he was in the state House representing Kailua-Kona, and continued covering him when he progressed to the state Senate and then to lieutenant governor and then to governor. One thing about Green, as a transplant from the U.S. continent, he was never part of the old gang Democratic Party here, always somewhat an outsider, and the more moderate of the party faithful, as far as that went.

His accessibility to the press was such, that when he was still also serving as an emergency room doctor, we would joke that he’d answer our calls even if he had his hands in a patient. OK, maybe not quite, but you get the idea. The man was accessible.

Despite his obvious pleasure in hobnobbing on the national scene, despite the efforts he makes to help not just Hawaii, but humanity, Green is making the right choice. Despite his disappointment in not being able to attend the NGA conference this week, he’s taking the high road.

“As I’ve previously stated, regarding the investigation, accountability is essential — no one gets a free pass,” Green said. “We are in an active phase of this effort led by our Attorney General and I want to see all of the facts released to the people of our state as expeditiously as possible. This needs to be resolved for the good of our public trust.”

You might disagree with his policies, but you can’t disagree with his openness to explain them. And really, isn’t that all we can ask of our elected officials?

Nancy Cook Lauer, who’s covered state and local governments for more than 30 years in Hawaii and Florida, is the publisher of All Hawaii News (www.allhawaiinews.com)

Green cancels trip to National Governors Association conference in light of turmoil over Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, state DOE bans student cellphone use in public schools, lawmakers mull using taxpayer money for UH athletes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Uproar over Sylvia Luke forces Green to cancel out-of-state trip. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will not serve as acting governor this month after Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday that he has canceled his scheduled trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Governors Association meeting, as questions swirl over whether Luke is the focus of a state investigation. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  KHON2. 

Analysis: What Happens When The Governor Can't Trust His Lieutenant Governor? The two may seem like a team but the Legislature is the only authority that can remove an elected official from office in Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Lobbyist at center of ‘paper bag’ case under federal investigation. Lobbyist Tobi J. Solidum’s company, Geopolicy Development Group LLC,  who donated $10,000 to Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, during a January 2022 dinner is a target of a federal investigation into possible public corruption and an alleged $7 million COVID-19 funding fraud, sources said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii environmental leaders condemn EPA rollback. State and local environmental leaders strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s move on Thursday to rescind a scientific finding, the loss of which effectively deregulated greenhouse gas emissions under the Environmental Protection Agency — with the state Energy Office calling it “one of the largest environmental rollbacks in U.S. history.” Star-Advertiser.

State Board of Education adopts new policy on student cellphone use; implementation begins next school year. The state Board of Education has adopted a statewide policy establishing new rules for student cellphone use in public schools. The rules ban cellphone use during school hours for elementary, middle and intermediate school and during instructional time in high school. Tribune-Herald.

Proposals to recruit UH athletes with taxpayer money get mixed feedback. State lawmakers are moving along a request by the University of Hawaiʻi to use taxpayer money to help attract and pay student athletes — although pushback against the idea has been prevalent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Donations scandal puts shadow over city COVID testing program. A $100 million COVID testing program organized by a central figure in an ongoing donations scandal is facing new scrutiny with critics calling the effort a wasteful use of taxpayer money. Tobi Solidum organized a plan for the National Kidney Foundation Hawaii to become a city contractor for testing with subcontractors including his own company and H2O Process Systems, owned by his friend, Milton Choy. Hawaii News Now.

Lobbyist Under Fire Tied To Taxpayer-Funded Kidney Center That Was Never Built. Records show firms associated with politically connected contractor Dennis Mitsunaga collected nearly $1.8 million for a Kapolei building that has never materialized. Civil Beat.

New 4-year bus pact reached with Local 996, OTS says. Following months of back-and-forth negotiations, Oahu Transit Services Inc., which operates TheBus and TheHandi-Van routes on behalf of the City and County of Honolulu, announced Thursday hat it had reached an agreement with its labor union that represents hundreds of bus operators, mechanics and support staff. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Royalty Burial Grounds: Lawmakers Punt On Oversight Woes. Lawmakers are hesitant to move quickly on the sensitive issue and want a task force to come back in two years with a proposal for how to oversee Mauna ‘Ala. Civil Beat.

Waikīkī's Kūhiō Beach Park set to get $1M facelift. Waikīkī’s Kūhiō Beach Park will see $1 million invested into improving its safety, cleanliness, and long-term stewardship. Hilton Grand Vacations is donating the money to the Waikīkī Business Improvement District as part of its Ka Haku Resort deal, which is expected to open its Hilton club later this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Frustrations aired over long-standing Mapunapuna tidal flooding. The intersection of Ahua and Kilihau streets in Mapunapuna has been notorious for years for flooding during high tides and heavy rains. And community members are demanding to know if there’s any way to keep the tide at bay. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

40 affordable rental units for Native Hawaiians coming to Leeward coast. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is set to redevelop its first affordable rental housing project in the area. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands conducted a ceremonial blessing on 40 affordable rental units that will soon house Native Hawaiian families in Maili. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

In State of the County address, Alameda focuses on affordability, housing, homelessness. Among the factors that must be considered, he said, are building codes, roads, energy costs, wastewater and water services, workforce development, home insurance and mortgage rates, property taxes, and support services for the homeless. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Wastewater spill at treatment plant in East Hawai‘i forces shoreline closures. Portions of East Hawai‘i shorelines are closed following a wastewater spill at the Pāpaʻikou Treatment Plant, which resulted in a discharge of up to 98,300 gallons of fully treated, insufficiently disinfected wastewater. Big Island Now.

High bacteria levels detected in waters off Hilo Bay and Spencer Beach Park.  Levels of 150 per 100 mL were detected during a recent test at Canoe Beach, and levels of 624 per 100 mL were discovered at Spencer. Big Island Now.

Maui

Schatz secures $1 million earmark to improve Molokaʻi Airport. US Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i secured $1 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for Moloka‘i Airport. Maui Now.

HCF’s Maui Strong Fund and House Maui program award $6M to expand housing pathways for wildfire survivors. Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) announced a combined award of $6.34 million to Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) to expand the Ua Hale A‘ela program, a transformative initiative providing safe, affordable housing and clear pathways to homeownership for families affected by the devastating Maui wildfires. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Mayor Campaign Fundraising: Rapozo Outpacing Carvalho. County Council Chair Mel Rapozo is raising and spending more money than his council colleague Bernard Carvalho Jr. in their bid to be Kauaʻi’s next mayor. Civil Beat.

Kauai police show off new training simulator. The department officially unveiled the MILO Training Range in late 2025, which allows officers to engage in real-time, immersive scenarios, including traffic stops, active shooter responses, domestic disturbances, and mental health crises. Hawaii News Now.

Hours adjusted at public swimming pool on Kaua‘i due to staffing issues. Staffing issues at the Kapa‘a Swimming Pool are forcing the county to adjust the facility’s hours. Kauai Now.

Green asks Legislature for help protecting immigrants, candidate filing opens Monday, swastikas deface Kauai hiking trail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor Wants New Laws To Protect Immigrants — Fast. Lawmakers were surprised by his comments, which came after a rally at the Capitol where hundreds protested ICE and the killings of protesters.In the wake of two killings of protesters by federal agents and amid bitter national debate over immigration enforcement, Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday he’d welcome action by the state Legislature to fast-track legislation protecting immigrants.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Senate President Ron Kouchi weighs in on state of the islands. The Conversation invited Senate President Ron Kouchi to talk about the governor’s plan to pause tax breaks intended to help with the cost of living. Kouchi says he wants to see more details.  Hawaii Public Radio.

2026 Election Candidate Filing Opens Feb. 2 in Hawai‘i. In order to qualify, candidates must obtain a nomination paper and collect signatures from registered voters in the district they represent. The filing deadline is June 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. KITV4.

Hawaii lawmakers to consider placard program for firearms. Senate Bill 3041 would require business owners to post color-coded signs indicating whether they allow guns and large knives on their properties. KITV4.

NOAA asks mariners to watch out for entangled humpback whale. Wildlife officials said the 40-foot-long whale – referred to as Palette — was last seen Thursday off Lahaina by the monitoring team of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi's wildlife refuges brace for potential federal funding cuts. There are 10 refuges across Hawaiʻi, including James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oʻahu, Keālia Pond on Maui, and Hakalau Forest on the Big Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Waiʻanae Group Wants A New Homeless Shelter. Can They Overcome Objections? Disagreements include whether more services will help current Westside homeless or if they will just become a magnet for more. Civil Beat.

Queen’s May Cut Ties With This For-Profit Medicare Insurer. The contract dispute with Humana highlights broader health system woes. The Queen’s Health Systems has notified patients with Humana Inc. medical insurance that they soon may need to find a new doctor or get new health insurance. Civil Beat.

8 Honolulu police officers attacked in Waikiki since June. Waikiki is HPD’s patrol District 6, the department’s smallest patrol area at 1-1/2 square miles, covers the Waikiki peninsula bordered by the Ala Wai Canal, Diamond Head and the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Washington Place renovations to begin in February. Historic Hawaii home Washington Place will soon undergo repairs and restoration. But that work will keep the public out until the end of 2027. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

As Palm-Killing Beetles Spread On Big Island, State Action Is Slow. Hawaiʻi island residents have been tracking coconut rhinoceros beetles’ destruction throughout the islands. Fearing the same for their home, they’re urging the state to move faster. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.

County acquires coastal property in E. Hawaii. An 81-acre site on the Hilo/Hamakua coast will be preserved in perpetuity following its purchase by Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

The Hawaii Police Department is now leading the state in total drug seizures. Police say the nearly two pounds of illicit fentanyl recovered alone had the potential to cause 500,000 fatal overdoses. KHON2. KITV4. 

Maui

Mayor Bissen: Maui’s wildfire recovery shifts gears to housing delivery and infrastructure investment. Mayor Richard Bissen told state lawmakers Monday that his administration has shifted its focus from immediate wildfire recovery to housing delivery and large-scale infrastructure investments, forecasting the construction of approximately 3,000 affordable and workforce homes by 2030. Maui Now.

Community input welcome on Māla Boat Ramp site improvements. The community is invited to a Feb. 4 meeting to provide input on a proposed improvement project for Māla Boat Ramp on Maui’s west side. Maui Now.

Forensic Sciences Lab secures last remains of venerated Saint Marianne of Molokaʻi. More than a century after her death, the story of a saint who served those with Hansen’s disease and died on Moloka’i is being told anew—through science. Chaminade University’s Forensic Sciences Unit is helping evaluate her remains. Maui Now.

Kauai

Swastikas deface Sleeping Giant hiking trail on Kauai. Hikers were alarmed Sunday to find 14 swastikas spray-painted on trees, rocks and a bench with the word “Aloha” carved into it, along the popular Sleeping Giant hiking trail on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Green seeks suspension of promised tax cuts in State of the State address, Hawaii county council wants audit of homeless funding, statewide point-in-time count ongoing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green proposes suspension of historic tax breaks in 2027. Record state tax breaks that went into effect two years ago would be suspended for all Hawaii income earners for three years beginning in the 2027 tax year, Gov. Josh Green said in his State of the State Address Monday. “In 2025, the federal government’s severe cuts and other actions took over $3 billion out of our state’s economy, leaving us with an unforeseen budget shortfall,” Green told a packed joint House and Senate session on the House floor. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers want more revenue streams to craft future of culture and arts. As the state projects a $3 billion loss in federal funding and many programs that once supported artists nationally have been cut, Hawaiʻi lawmakers are introducing bills that aim to save the arts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s homeless first point-in-time count being conducted since 2024. Hawaii is conducting its first point-in-time count since 2024, and volunteers are fanning out across the state to gauge the homelessness problem in the Islands. KHON2.

Oahu

Lawmakers question officials over affordable housing, landfill. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration outlined Monday the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize city services including speeding the time to get city building permits, creating more affordable housing projects and dealing with homelessness on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless count shows gaps in the system. For the first time since 2024, Oahu on Monday resumed its unsheltered Point in Time count of people living on the streets. Outreach teams, service providers and city officials fanned out across Honolulu — including Chinatown, one of the island’s most visible areas of homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu’s Sugar Canals Decay As State Acquisition Lags. It has been almost three years since the state agreed to take Lake Wilson and Wahiawā Dam off Dole’s hands, but it has yet to take possession of the hazardous system. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council members seek audit of county homeless funding. The County Council’s Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs on Thursday voted to send to the full council a resolution requesting the county auditor conduct a performance audit of the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Homeless and Housing Fund, a five-year program established by the council in 2022 to combat homelessness. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Council urges state to ban commercial aquarium fishing. The Hawaiʻi County Council is pushing state lawmakers to end a decades-long battle against aquarium fishing this legislative session through a resolution that urges state lawmakers to ban all harvesting of fish for commercial aquariums. Hawaii Public Radio.

State set to review CRB containment measures for Hawaiʻi Island. Community groups on Hawaiʻi Island are pushing the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to take steps to contain the spread of invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Gov. Green highlights Maui wildfire recovery in annual State of State Address. Gov. Josh Green pledged to extend rent support for Maui wildfire survivors through February 2027 and proposed halting future state tax cuts to preserve social services during his State of the State address today in the House Chambers at the State Capitol. Maui Now.

Floor plans and renderings available for Hoʻokumu Hou reconstruction program. Home design renderings and floor plans for the Hoʻokumu Hou Single-Family Homeowner Reconstruction Program are now available to view on the Hoʻokumu Hou website, and the application deadline has been extended through August 2026, the County of Maui Office of Recovery has announced. Maui Now.

Maui December unemployment rate is 2.4%. The Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism today announced that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was 2.2%, the same as in November. On Maui, the unemployment rate was 2.4% in December, down from the 2.5% rate the previous month and the 3.5% rate reported at the same time last year.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Overnight closures planned for Kūhiō Highway near Hanalei Bridge beginning Feb. 2. Kūhiō Highway is scheduled to be fully closed overnight on Hanalei Hill on weeknights beginning in February to allow for road reconstruction work near the Hanalei Bridge, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation. Kauai Now.

Kauai Coffee Company Faces Uncertain Future As Land Lease Nears Expiration. Kauai Coffee Company has been a Westside fixture since the late 1980s. It’s grown into a roughly 140-employee business that manages 4 million coffee trees across 3,100 acres, making it the largest coffee grower in the U.S. today. Civil Beat.

Attorney General opens corruption investigation as state Legislature goes into regular session, skeptical Supreme Court mulls Hawaii gun laws, council members push to stop resumption of aquarium fishing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

AG opens state investigation into alleged corruption. The state Department of the Attorney General changed course Tuesday after an agreement with federal authorities to share evidence — opening an investigation into an unnamed politician who was mentioned in a corruption probe and allegedly accepted $35,000 in a paper bag. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Power Players: Our Guide To Who To Keep An Eye On In The 2026 Legislature. Civil Beat political writers and editors have been watching legislative sessions and legislators up close for decades. The players change over time but one thing stays the same: The people at the top have tremendous power and are not afraid to use it, sometimes ruthlessly and often behind closed doors. Public participation is limited. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green on immigration, health care and 2026 legislative priorities. As the state Legislature gears up for a new session, there are plenty of issues on the table. Concerns about the cost of living are deepened by rising health care premiums for tens of thousands across the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Limiting immigration enforcement, school cellphone ban among key bills. Dozens of bills are positioned to be introduced in the legislative session that begins today, including measures that would ban cellphones in public schools, bar law enforcement officers from covering their faces, prevent the Hawaii National Guard from helping federal agents deport immigrants in the state, make another effort to prohibit nepotism in the Legislature and Judiciary and give citizens the power to decide contentious issues themselves. Star-Advertiser.

Housing committee chairs lay groundwork to reserve homes for residents. Chairs of both legislative housing committees are considering bills to reserve housing for Hawaiʻi residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Josh Green blasts misinformation on measles. During a news conference Tuesday hosted by Protect Our Care, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, Green lambasted U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading misinformation about vaccines that prevent diseases such as measles. Star-Advertiser.

Supreme Court seems likely to strike down Hawaii’s restrictions on guns in stores and hotels.  Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices signaled skepticism Tuesday toward a Hawaii law that restricts the carrying of handguns on private property open to the public without the owner’s permission, appearing ready to expand gun rights again. Reuters. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi library system hopes to secure funding amid federal uncertainty. The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services gives about $1.5 million to Hawaiʻi's library system annually. But an executive order last summer slashed funding for IMLS, which ended grants for state library systems. Hawaii Public Radio.

State To Spend Millions To Replace Fire Control Systems In Honolulu, Maui. Fire suppression systems in the recently built rental car facilities at the Honolulu and Maui airports contain toxic chemicals known as PFAS, and the state Department of Transportation estimates it will now cost $23 million to entirely replace the two systems. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Man surrenders to police following barricade situation in Kalihi. Honolulu police arrested a 47-year-old man involved in a barricade situation Tuesday in Kalihi. Police issued an alert around 3 p.m. stating there was an active barricade situation on Skyline Drive. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Lawmakers try to block reopening of aquarium fishing. Some elected officials are making a new push to stop aquarium fishing from returning to Hawaii waters. In a unanimous vote earlier this month, a Hawaii County Council committee approved a resolution urging the state legislature to introduce a measure to ban aquarium fishing for all islands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island delegation discusses priorities for upcoming State Legislature session. With the 33rd Hawaiʻi State Legislature to begin Wednesday, three Big Island lawmakers who sit on the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee say their priority is to ensure residents’ receive the basic needs of health care, food and housing amid looming federal cutbacks. Big Island Now.

Speed Limit Changes To Take Effect On Hilo Airport Road. Changes are being made on Kekūanāoʻa Street, also known as Airport Road, to maintain safety and to keep traffic flowing efficiently. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Newborn Big Island monk seal doing well in hospital. Monk seal RU72 was just 3 days old when experts decided to intervene, and admit her into the care of the specialized hospital run by The Marine Mammal Center. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission to consider light industrial future for historic Pāʻia Sugar Mill. The Maui Planning Commission will consider a proposal Tuesday to transform nearly 20 acres of the historic Pāʻia Sugar Mill site into a light industrial and commercial hub. Maui Now.

Comment period opens for CDBG-DR Action Plan amendment. Proposed updates to Maui County’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Action Plan are available on the Hoʻokumu Hou website. Maui News.

A New Insight Into Mysterious Tiger Shark Mating Behavior Off Maui. New research reveals what is attracting tiger sharks to areas off of Olowalu during whale breeding season. A study released last week from the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa has found that tiger shark mating events in Hawaiʻi may directly coincide with humpback calving season. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Wireless Emergency Notification System test scheduled. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) is advising the public of a planned test of the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 26.  Garden Island.

Temporary bridge in Anahola to reopen in March. The temporary bridge over Olokauha Stream on Anahola Road is anticipated to reopen in mid-March after issues with construction materials delayed the project. Kauai Now.

Governor's budget tries to plug federal gaps, doesn't address promised income tax cuts; first lawsuit filed against Maui vacation rental ban; pay hikes for Big Island officials, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green’s budget reflects federal culling. Gov. Josh Green has proposed a $20.4 billion supplemental budget that would help the state respond to on-going cuts in federal funding for Hawaii while continuing to focus on affordable housing, climate infrastructure, healthcare and education. The administration is also expected to implement the first year of what’s known as the green fee, a dedicated source of funding from hotel taxes to protect environmental resources and sustain the tourism industry. But the budget doesn’t address large tax cuts for Hawaiʻi residents passed by the Legislature in 2024 that the governor has already talked about scaling back. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Budget in Brief (pdf). Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Condominium insurance prices begin to stabilize. Condominium building insurance rates are beginning to stabilize. This comes five months after the state's Hurricane Relief Fund began issuing policies to buildings that couldn't secure coverage on the traditional market. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection announces $6M settlement with PayPal. The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), on behalf of the state of Hawaii, announced on Monday a $6 Million settlement with PayPal, Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc.  The settlement resolves OCP’s lawsuit, filed in December 2022, alleging unfair and deceptive acts or practices through PayPal’s operation and Venmo e-payment platforms.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii groups blast SNAP’s restrictions on sugary products. Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Children’s Action Network say the rules will raise costs, reduce choices and create extra work for retailers and state administrators without improving health outcomes. Maui News.

State dark sky committee hopes to flip the switch on Hawaiʻi's light pollution. Pushing to regulate artificial light use is one suggestion in a new report from the state's Dark Night Skies Protection Advisory Committee. The report listed suggestions, including implementing warm-glow LED lights or shielded lights in spaces like parks, parking lots, and home fixtures, which is said to reduce sky-glow and energy use. Hawaii Public Radio.

Law enforcement warns of illegal fireworks vigilance ahead of New Year's Eve. Got illegal fireworks? Be warned, after last year’s tragic fireworks explosion in the Salt Lake-Āliamanu area that killed six, there are tougher laws and public safety is top of mind for state officials. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

HART pays $41.3M to settle lengthy Ward Village dispute. On Nov. 25, state Judge John M. Tonaki formally resolved the matter by allowing HART to pay more than $41.3 million to acquire easement access — specifically, for Skyline’s proposed Kakaako Station in the area of Ward Avenue and Queen Street — that could eventually allow the city’s rail project to travel eastward to Ala Moana Center and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Is Senator’s Affordable Housing Plan Happening? Depends Who You Ask. State authority says market conditions and project requirements put Aloha Homes on the shelf. Sen. Stanley Chang says the Kakaʻako development remains underway. Civil Beat.

Downtown ‘Hell-Hole’ Building Founder Faces Eviction From His Luxury Condo. Honolulu developer Chad Waters’ landlord alleges he owes $5,000 in back rent. The founder of a squalid downtown office building converted into unlicensed apartments now faces his own eviction complaint for allegedly failing to pay rent on the luxury Kakaʻako condo where he lives. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Ocean Safety chief sworn in. Honolulu’s first-ever Ocean Safety Chief was sworn in at a special ceremony at Honolulu Hale Monday morning. Kurt Lager’s appointment to the position earned unanimous approval from the Ocean Safety commission. Hawaii News Now.

UH hotline answers the call to immigration detention in Honolulu. Once it became clear that the Trump administration was pursuing an aggressive immigration policy, the Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa set up a “Deportation Defense Hotline.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Mililani man first to be compensated under Hawaii’s wrongful conviction law. A man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit will become the first person in Hawaii to receive compensation under a 10-year-old law. Roynes Dural will receive $420,833 from the state for the eight years and five months he spent in prison following a wrongful conviction. Hawaii News Now.

Gen X is squeezed, caring for generations before and after. On weekends, Raphael Bacani, 51, packs silken tofu and brown‑sugar syrup into his car and heads to the Waipahu farmers market to sell taho, the Filipino street food that’s one of two side businesses he and his wife run to help cover the bills. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Pay hike for county managers. In its final meeting of the year Monday in Hilo, the Hawaii County Salary Commission approved a 15.29% pay raise for the county’s top officials. The raises, which follow negotiated pay increases for Hawaii Government Employee Association members, will take place in four increments — 3.5% on Jan. 1, 2026, 3.79% on July 1, 2026, and 4% on July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028. Tribune-Herald.

As promised: Hawai‘i governor commits funding to new Big Island hospital in supplemental state budget. Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green submitted his Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 to the State Legislature Monday, which dedicates $50 million in General Obligation funds to the building of a new hospital on Hawai‘i Island. Big Island Now.

Large-Scale Marijuana Growing Operation Investigated In Ocean View.  During a search at a residence in the 92-8600 block of Jasmine Drive, officers recovered approximately 397 marijuana plants, 364 pounds of processed marijuana, 19,814 grams of marijuana concentrate, 1.2 grams of cocaine, and four firearms. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Thousands Of Maui Vacation Rentals In Limbo After Council Hits Gridlock. Kāʻanapali condo owners have filed the first lawsuit so far against the county over Bill 9. Civil Beat.

Volunteers replant Keawaiki Park at Lahaina Harbor with native plants. On Dec. 6, representatives from the three Lahaina Rotary Clubs, Treecovery and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation came together to replant Keawaiki Park with native Hawaiian trees, groundcover and vines. Maui News.

Kauai

Building a Future at Lima Ola: KHDC marks first phase success. Kauai Housing Development Corporation (KHDC) announced that 23 of the first 24 three-bedroom, two-bath homes in the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development have been sold to Kauai families, turning the dream of homeownership into reality for local workers who want to stay on island, according to a press release. Garden Island.