Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Hawaii climate lawsuit against oil and gas companies to proceed, governor doubles down on invitation to California fire survivors, HECO unveils $450M wildfire mitigation plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Electric submits wildfire safety plan. Hawaii’s largest electrical utility has formalized a three-year plan to reduce future wildfire risks in a new report filed with state regulators. Hawaiian Electric said its latest wildfire safety strategy is expected to cost $450 million to implement over three years through 2027 after $120 million spent on wildfire risk mitigation in 2024. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Hawaii offering discounts to survivors, first responders. Gov. Josh Green has asked Hawaii’s visitor industry to partner with the state to offer heavily discounted packages to give California residents and first responders an opportunity to come to Hawaii for respite, and film crews displaced by the California wildfires to continue their work here. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.
Hawaiʻi Agriculture Department Loses Another Deputy. High vacancy rates, particularly in key leadership positions, have cast doubt over the department’s ability to strengthen protections against invasive species. Civil Beat.
Hawaii’s governor responds to deadly fireworks blast with proposed $300 fines, more prison time. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday proposed a range of new penalties to crack down on those who flout the state’s fireworks laws, nearly two weeks after a fireworks explosion at a Honolulu home on New Year’s Eve killed four people and injured about 20 others. Associated Press. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.
Weather Monitoring System Dispatched In Hawaiʻi. An advanced network of weather monitoring stations are being installed across the state of Hawaiʻi to strengthen flood and wildfire early warning systems. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.
Lawmakers look to expand preschools, tackle teacher shortages this year. Expanding preschools, tackling teacher shortages, and banning cell phones in the classroom are some of the priorities on lawmakers' to-do lists. Hawaii Public Radio.
Struggling To Survive: Hawaiʻi Residents Take On Debt, Think About Leaving. Report: More people having trouble getting by are on neighbor islands. A quarter of households in Hawaiʻi spent more than their income in 2024. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.
Oahu
Kai Kahele, OHA board chair, on a renewed push to develop Kakaʻako Makai. Current law bans residential housing on the ocean side of Ala Moana Boulevard. The state transferred the Kakaʻako Makai land to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs years ago as a land base. For the past several years OHA has tried unsuccessfully to get the zoning changed to allow it to build high-rise towers as part of a development called Hakuone. Hawaii Public Radio.
Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting temporarily shutters online system. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting today is expected to perform the second major upgrade to its electronic plans review software called ePlans. Star-Advertiser.
Strike at Queen’s is averted in final hours. A strike by union nurses at two Queen’s hospitals on Oahu was averted Monday after a tentative agreement on a new, three-year contract was reached during the early morning hours. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.
Possible security threat triggers evacuations at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The commissary and base exchange on Hickam Air Force Base were shut down Monday evening due to a possible security threat. An alert was posted by Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam at around 4:16 p.m. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Island begins new year in drought. Most of the island is in moderate drought, with a sliver of the northern portion of West Hawaii in severe drought, according to an update Friday by the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Rescuers free two whales entangled in lines off Maui. Two humpback whales were rescued in separate incidents by disentangling them from lines in waters off Maui at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.
Millions of dollars soon to be available for Maui immigrant fire survivors. Maui immigrant fire survivors will soon be eligible for millions of dollars to help with their recovery efforts. Roots Reborn has launched the Our Financial Future program aimed to help immigrants who lost their jobs or homes in the 2023 fires. Hawaii News Now.
Public comment sought on Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan. The Food and Nutrition Security Plan aims to ensure that all Maui County residents have access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food. Maui Now.
Discovery of hollow grenade halts play at Waiehu Golf Course. Play was suspended at the Waiehu Golf Course on Saturday not because of the weather but because of the discovery of what appears to be an unexploded grenade. Maui News.
Kauai
Nurses at Wilcox Medical Center to start a three-day strike Tuesday morning. Wilcox Medical Center nurses will go through with a strike this morning after negotiations with the hospital ended last night without an agreement. Kauai Now.
The Kaua‘i County Office of Boards and Commissions will be closed to the public from Wednesday through Jan. 31 because of construction. In-person service is expected to resume Feb. 3. Kauai Now.
New hours for Kauai Police Department. The Records window will now be open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Firearms window will also be open on the weekdays but will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Garden Island. Kauai Now.
Friday, January 10, 2025
Fewer kids getting routine vaccinations, state agencies and advocates seek money as legislative session gears up, LA fires likely to raise Hawaii insurance premiums, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Report urges help for Hawaii households struggling financially. The 2024 ALICE in Hawaii report shows that while the percentage of households below the poverty line decreased to 12% in 2024 from 14% in 2022, the proportion of ALICE households remained unchanged at 29%. Nearly one-third of Hawaii households are classified as ALICE — asset-limited, income-constrained, employed. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Advocates renew push for Hawaii legislative reforms. A coalition of local community organizations seek changes in ethics, public access and campaign rforms. The coalition delivered a letter and petition with about 1,600 signatures to House and Senate lawmakers asking for five rule changes to legislative procedures and five new laws in the wake of high- profile corruption scandals and reduced voter participation that the letter writers said lead people to question whether engaging with Hawaii’s legislative system even matters at all. Star-Advertiser.
State Department of Agriculture asks for additional $28M in general funds. Hawaiʻi's Agriculture Department is asking state lawmakers for an additional $28 million in general funds over the next two years. The governor’s proposed budget for the next biennium would allocate $73.4 million to the state Department of Agriculture and $71.5 million for its operating budget over the next two fiscal years, respectively. Hawaii Public Radio.
DOE Gets An F: Hawaiʻi Schools Miss Their First Local Food Target. The department has included bottled water in its accounting for locally produced food. Civil Beat.
Hawaiian Electric to close Shift and Save rates program to new enrollments as of Feb. 1. Hawaiian Electric will close its Shift and Save time-of-use rates program to new enrollments as of Feb. 1, 2025, following the completion of a one-year pilot. Customers enrolled in Shift and Save before that date will be allowed to continue in the program with the ability to opt out at any time. Maui Now.
Hawaiian Telcom targets 2026 for state to be fully fiber-enabled. Hawaiian Telcom announced a groundbreaking initiative Thursday to make Hawaii the nation’s first fully fiber-enabled state by 2026, with the project already more than halfway completed. The company is replacing its outdated copper network with a state-of-the-art fiber- optic system, marking a significant shift in broadband infrastructure. Star-Advertiser.
LA inferno likely to hike Hawaii insurance. The state Insurance Division said in a statement: “These events have significantly impacted the insurance industry, particularly in California, where major insurers have withdrawn from high-risk areas…Such large-scale events can have indirect effects on our local insurance landscape.” KHON2.
Oahu
OHA pitches community on Kakaako Makai housing. The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs worked to wrangle public support Wednesday night for its revamped proposal to undo a state law prohibiting residential use of land it owns in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.
Legislators consider new laws to restrict where landfills can be placed. Debate over landfill site is aired before lawmakers. Two joint Legislature committees held an informational meeting over the city’s plan to site its dump on Dole Food Co. Hawaii property near Wahiawa. A 2020 law places restrictions on locating waste-disposal facilities, particularly those close to conservation lands or half-mile “buffer zones” near residential areas, schools or hospitals, as well as near airports or tsunami inundation zones. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.
Federal investigators join HFD in search for answers in deadly McCully fire. Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on Oahu working closely alongside the Honolulu Fire Department at the scene of a deadly fire along Young Street. Together, investigators are trying to piece together a cause of the blaze that killed a young firefighter Monday night. Hawaii News Now.
Death At Illegal North Shore New Year’s Eve Party Stokes Safety Concerns. A young woman’s death at an illegal New Year’s Eve party in a North Shore state forest reserve has left a community grieving and many neighbors wondering why authorities hadn’t cracked down on the annual event sooner. Civil Beat.
Hawaii Island
County plans to install dozens of drywells along Kawili Street. The Hawaii County Department of Public Works is in the early stages of a $21 million construction project to improve East and West Kawili streets and Manono Street by installing a continuous sidewalk along the road, as well as other various pavement and striping maintenance. Tribune-Herald.
Lots of work still ahead for road into Waipi‘o Valley. Almost three years after the county restricted access, Department of Public Works spokeswoman Sherise Kana‘e-Kane said the project remains “in its preliminary design stages.” Tribune-Herald.
New EIS Prep Notice Posted For Expansion At Leilani Quarry. Sanford’s Service Center is seeking a State Land Use District Boundary Amendment to reclassify 94-acres in order to expand mining of black-colored cinder at the quarry. Big Island Video News.
Captain Cook Post Office to get name change honoring Vietnam War Veteran Lt. Kauhaihao. President Joe Biden signed US Rep. Jill Tokuda’s bill into law, naming the Captain Cook Post Office on Hawaiʻi Island the “Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao Post Office Building.” Maui Now.
Maui
Federal disaster funding signals a shift for Lahaina. There was a shift at Wednesday’s disaster recovery community meeting in Lahaina where residents were informed Maui County is gearing up to distribute more than $1 billion funds that’s been allocated to the county through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds. Maui News.
HIDOE to restore one additional school bus route for Kalama Intermediate School on Maui. The Hawai‘i State Department of Education announced today that one previously suspended school bus route serving Samuel E. Kalama Intermediate School will be reinstated starting on Monday, Jan. 13, restoring service for approximately 31 student bus riders. Maui Now.
Kauai
Kaua‘i County is notifying the public that the Real Property tax collections office at the Līhu‘e Civic Center is closed until further notice because of unforeseen circumstances. Payments can be made in the Real Property tax assessment office or online. Kauai Now.
Kapa‘a Bypass closed daily starting Monday, will shut again in February for repairs. Traffic will be re-routed to Lehua Street, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. The road will be open every afternoon after 3 p.m. and on weekends and holidays. Kauai Now.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Hawaii homeless nearly double, Navy seeks to expand mine warfare training, Hawaii leaders remember Jimmy Carter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Read the full U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress here.
Navy seeks to expand mine warfare training in Hawaii. The Navy’s draft environmental impact statement Opens in a new tab, which is open for community input and will be the subject of public meetings in California and Hawaii next month, lays out a request to install and maintain new ranges to train troops to avoid, disable, destroy or — in some cases — use ocean mines during operations at sea. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaiian Electric delivers answers to PUC probe. Hawaiian Electric has delivered a 96-page report to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in response to 30 information requests and nearly 200 questions about the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fire, which killed 102 people, caused $5.5 billion in damage, left thousands homeless and decimated Maui’s visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaiʻi Leaders Mourn Loss Of Jimmy Carter. The 39th U.S. president died Sunday in Georgia at the age of 100. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Ahi prices surge for New Year’s. Bluefin tuna prices are holding steady at $40.95 per pound this year, but the prices for other types of fish have yet to be determined. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
Green Proposes Spending Another $30 Million On A New Oʻahu Jail. Ultimately it could be a $1 billion project. Meanwhile, some are advocating for greater emphasis on keeping people out of prison. Civil Beat.
Honolulu rail agency requests eminent domain on 7 properties. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors has approved resolutions to acquire by eminent domain portions of seven adjacent properties along the rail corridor as construction continues toward Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu neighborhood board election registration now open. People interested in running for a seat on their local neighborhood board can now register as a candidate for the 2025 election, the city Neighborhood Commission Office announced. Star-Advertiser.
Waikiki transit-priority lane finishes first phase, city says. In what is deemed as a pilot project, the city Department of Transportation Services and Honolulu Complete Streets’ new transit-priority lane is a westbound lane that stretches along Kuhio Avenue, from Kapahulu Avenue to Launiu Street. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
Kīlauea eruption continues with steady, moderate activity as new ‘hazard’ erupts. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Sunday in its daily update that fountaining vigor increased during the past day as the third episode of the eruption persists, but the intensity was still below that seen during the eruption’s first few days last week. Big Island Now.
Alameda’s work on fentanyl task force led to the job where he can make an even bigger difference. Two years ago, Kimo Alameda was holding a horn in one hand and Narcan in the other, teaching people at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo how to use the nasal spray that can reverse an opiate overdose and potentially save a life. Big Island Now.
‘It brings the family together’: Takeya family celebrates 100th anniversary mochitsuki. One Hilo family, the Takeyas, on Sunday celebrated its 100th New Year’s mochitsuki — the ceremonial pounding of the sticky, glutinous rice into a pliable dough that’s then rolled into sweet rice cakes. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Fire Ravaged Upcountry Maui, Too. Residents There Try To Heal. The same day flames tore through Lahaina in 2023, another fire in Kula caused millions of dollars in damage. The recovery effort there has been quiet but intense. Civil Beat.
Heartwarming holiday homecoming: 14 wildfire survivors get help coming home to Maui for the holidays. This holiday season, Maui United Way, in partnership with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, is spreading the spirit of aloha by reuniting four wildfire survivor families with their island home. These families, displaced to the continent following the devastating 2023 wildfires, now have the chance to return to Maui to celebrate the holidays and visit with their loved ones, experience the warmth of home once again. Maui Now. KHON2.
Kauai
Facebook CEO addresses Hawaii ‘Doomsday bunker’ rumors in rare interview. Tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is speaking out for the first time about reports of having a Doomsday bunker under his property on the Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.
Education department’s pilot program serves locally grown squash in Kaua‘i cafeterias. Fourteen years ago, the nonprofit Mālama Kaua‘i established initiatives to get local food on cafeteria plates.This month, it finally happened, with 200 pounds of prepared kabocha squash distributed to four public schools across the Garden Isle through a farm-to-school pilot program. Kauai Now.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Lahaina wildfire ruled 'accidental,' Miske crime boss top associate sentenced to 10 years, Kapiolani nurse contract finalized, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Maui Fire Chief Gives Detailed Defense Of Firefighters Battling Lahaina Blaze. Firefighters stayed at the blaze for more than five hours – and couldn't have predicted the deadly rekindling that afternoon, Fire Chief Brad Ventura said. Civil Beat.
Governor extends emergency proclamation to address school bus driver shortage. Gov. Josh Green has extended emergency provisions, enabling the Hawai‘i State Department of Education to continue addressing the school bus driver shortage that has disrupted student transportation services. Maui Now.
Green defends water panel vacancy-filling protocol. Gov. Josh Green insists that he is following Hawaii law for filling a vacant special seat on the state water commission amid criticism of his procedure to do so. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
Kapi‘olani nurses ratify new 3-year contract. The union nurses at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children on Wednesday ratified a new, three-year contract that was ironed out after more than a year of negotiations with management. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. KITV4.
Former top associate to Hawaii crime boss sentenced to 10 years, 1 month in prison. A judge has sentenced a man to 10 years and one month in prison for his role as an enforcer for Hawaii crime boss Mike Miske. During Miske’s trial, Jake Smith testified for six days, saying he dealt drugs and carried out numerous assaults on Miske’s personal rivals. Hawaii News Now.
‘There are few places left’: Kapolei homeless feel impact of development. As development expands in Kapolei, there are concerns the second city’s homeless population is running out of places to stay. Hawaii News Now.
Climate scientist says North Shore house collapse gives glimpse of future sea level rise. Homeowner Joshua VanEmmerik, who maintained the house primarily as a short-term rental, had drawn the ire of some local community members and conservationists for his attempts to harden the shoreline in front of his property near Sunset Beach. Hawaii Public Radio.
Newly retired Star-Advertiser writer Tim Hurley dies of aggressive cancer. Hurley, 66, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage 4 “diffuse, large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” spent a week in the intensive care unit and then died, said one of Hurley’s four adult children, Baylee MacGregor. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
Veterans housing complex nearly pau. Earlier this year, construction was estimated to be completed by August, and residents could begin moving in by September. But some final construction delays have pushed the move-in date to late October, or possibly even December. Tribune-Herald.
Community invited to give feedback on new district park proposed in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation proposes a new district park in Hawaiian Paradise Park and wants to know what the community thinks about its plans. Big Island Now.
Maui
Maui County Department of Agriculture seeking input on Food and Nutrition Security Plan. The County of Maui Department of Agriculture is collaborating with community partners across Maui, Molokai and Lāna’i to develop a Food and Nutrition Security Plan and is seeking help prioritizing strategies to support Maui County’s food system, according to the county. Maui News.
Maui hospital workers union mulls strike over concerns about safe staffing levels. Last month, 495 of the union’s 930 members participated in a call-to-action vote, with 98% voting to authorize taking actions that included a strike if necessary. On Monday night, their contract expired. Maui Now.
Maui visitor arrivals up a year after wildfires, but still not at pre-disaster levels. Maui visitor arrivals were up almost 80% in August, compared with a year earlier, the month when the Maui wildfires struck Aug. 8-9. But visitor travel to the Valley Isle still lags behind what it was before the disaster, according to a monthly report by the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. Maui Now.
Kauai
Areas of Ke Ala Hele Makālae trail in Kapa‘a to temporarily close for maintenance. Portions of Ke Ala Hele Makālae trail in Kapa‘a will be closed this week to allow Kaua‘i County crews to perform extensive maintenance. The closure starts on Thursday and continues into Friday. Kauai Now.
Kauai Museum Exhibit Center dedicated. Following a delay created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kauai Museum dedicated the Waimakua and Maryanne Kusaka Exhibit Center on Monday afternoon. Garden Island.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Insurance companies lose first dibs on $4B Maui fire settlement, Justice Department mulls Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger plans, final segment of Skyline rail considered, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
DOJ ramps up scrutiny in Hawaiian-Alaska merger. Mixed signals are coming as an extended deadline for federal antitrust enforcers to review the proposed $1.9 billion merger between competitors Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines draws to a close. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaiʻi DOE introduces free online mental health services for families. The DOE has partnered with the national nonprofit Cook Center for Human Connection to provide 24/7 access online. Hawaii Public Radio.
Oahu
HART’s third-segment contract under consideration. The remaining 3-mile portion of Skyline — the estimated $482.4 million City Center Guideway and Stations project — would begin at Middle Street and end at Halekauwila Street. Star-Advertiser.
Overnight camping suspended at Oahu park over reckless behavior. State officials said starting Aug. 23, they are suspending camping at the Sand Island State Recreation Area due to reckless nighttime behavior. Star-Advertiser.
‘It’s not solving the problem’: Mixed reaction after city sells community mini-park. A small public park in the middle of the city won’t belong to the public much longer. Hawaii News Now.
Amid erosion concerns, city to begin repairs for Kaneohe Dam. The city is set to begin repairing a portion of the Kaneohe Dam at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. Hawaii News Now.
‘Alarming’: Kapilina Beach Homes residents raise concern over days-long watermain leak. Residents who live in Kapilina Beach Homes in Ewa Beach said a water leak has been running for days — and a timeline for when it will be fixed is still up in the air. Hawaii News Now.
Generations Of Immigrants Have Forged A Unique Asian Tattoo Culture In Hawaii. The state's tattoo industry is thriving as Asian Americans seek a reconnection with their ancestral heritage through this skin-deep art form. Civil Beat.
Hawaii Island
Kona Airport Runway Project To Get $64.7 Million In Federal Grants. Two Federal Aviation Administration grants will be used to rehabilitate the runway at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.
Overnight runway work scheduled at Hilo International Airport. The primary runway, 8/26, will be closed nightly from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., from Aug. 19 through Aug. 22. Big Island Now.
Study: Water quality will continue to decline. The water quality of Hilo Bay will only get worse as climate change intensifies, according to a new study by University of Hawaii researchers. Tribune-Herald.
Drought conditions ‘could be coming’. For the second consecutive month, much of the Big Island had abnormally dry weather. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Maui Property Owners Are Pushing Tenants Out to House Wildfire Survivors for More Money. High prices offered by emergency housing programs have encouraged property owners to chase the money. Civil Beat.
Kapalua Village opens with 50 temporary modular homes for wildfire impacted employees. The new development features 50 temporary modular homes supplied by Daiwa House Group—a Japanese company and pioneer in prefab housing—to offer incoming residents at Kapalua Village comfort, functionality and a sense of community. Maui Now. KHON2.
Maui Wildfires Smoldered Underground, Threatening Water For Agriculture. While the harm to homes and tourism drew the most attention, agriculture was also heavily affected across the island, and the harm did not stop once the flames were out. Civil Beat.
Suspect Used Batteries, Shrapnel And A Pipe To Make Explosives Found On Maui, Investigators Say. Authorities arrested 47-year-old Robert Dumaran after multiple homemade bombs detonated on Maui roads. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.
Kauai
Mayor, employer unions sign agreement on free health care premiums on Kaua‘i. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami met with union officials on Monday to finalize the joint agreement on Kaua‘i County’s proposed free health care premium coverage for Fiscal Year Kauai Now. KHON2.
County of Kauaʻi wants public to report invasive rose-ringed parakeets. The county has an online survey that the public can access to report sightings of the invasive bird. Hawaii Public Radio.
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Tulsi Gabbard on terrorist watch list, insurance companies seek first cut of $4B Lahaina fire settlement as Hawaiian Electric stocks drop, real estate commissions to change, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Electric stocks fall after report of massive quarterly loss. Hawaiian Electric Industries is reporting a loss of about $1.3 billion for the second quarter of 2024. The fall is related to the costs of ongoing litigation with Maui wildfire victims and their families. Hawaii Public Radio.
Will Insurance Companies Get First Crack At $4 Billion Lahaina Fire Settlement? A last obstacle to a proposed $4.04 billion global settlement between thousands of victims of the Lahaina wildfire and defendants including the state of Hawaii, Maui County, Hawaiian Electric Co., Kamehameha Schools and Hawaiian Telcom is scheduled to be addressed Tuesday by Maui Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.
How a major settlement could impact Hawaiʻi real estate commissions. On Aug. 17, a settlement agreement takes effect that will impact the real estate industry. It stems from a lawsuit filed against the National Association of Realtors over its practice of setting commissions. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.
‘Above normal significant fire potential’ for Hawaii expected through October. As drought continues to expand and intensify, Hawaii can expect more wildfires to occur across the isles the rest of this summer. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.
Awards to fund University of Hawaii research soar by $100 million. UH snagged $616 million in the 2024 fiscal year, up 19% from $516 million a year earlier, which followed only a 2% gain from $505 million in the 2022 fiscal year, according to university officials. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.
Hawaii Joins Military Program To Recruit Government Workers. The state of Hawaii is hoping the U.S. Department of Defense can help fill some of the thousands of state job vacancies through a program that connects military members nearing the end of their service with employers looking for workers. Civil Beat.
After surprise primary upset, Democrats hope to flip seats in the general election. Republicans did not have their unity breakfast this year. Instead, they will be hosting candidate forums leading up to the general election on Nov. 5. Hawaii Public Radio.
Oahu
Chemical Plume Found In Closed Aiea Drinking Wells May Come From Red Hill. It's the first time so-called PAH's have been detected at the shuttered wells, although regulators disagree about whether the chemicals stem from the Navy's fuel spill. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.
Violent crime report shows rise in 2 disturbing categories for Honolulu. There were 16 murders reported, compared to 15 during the same time period in 2023. Reported rapes jumped. There were 164 in the first half of this year, compared to 136 in the first half of last year. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
With ‘zero fatalities’ top of mind, city unveils 16-year plan to improve Oahu’s roads. The city released its ambitious 16-year plan to eliminate traffic fatalities on Oahu’s roads that come with changes to the island’s most dangerous streets. It could cost up to $755 million. Hawaii News Now.
Rental, utility assistance enrollment to open for new applicants in Makiki. The City’s Rental and Utility Relief Program (RURP) will hold an enrollment event for new applicants on Friday, August 23. KHON2.
Sources: Corrections officer, sergeant suspended after alleged assault of prison inmate. An adult corrections officer and a sergeant were reportedly suspended after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed inmate at the Halawa Prison earlier this month. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Hawaiʻi Island Dairy Faces Lawsuit For Dumping Milk, Animal Waste. Meadow Gold and Cloverleaf Dairy have been put on legal notice for allegedly polluting local waters on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.
Public feedback sought for solar project. The Ke‘amuku Solar + Storage project is a proposed solar farm that would be built on a pair of parcels just south of the intersection between Mamalahoa Highway and Waikoloa Road. Tribune-Herald.
State increasing no-passing zones on DKI Highway. The state Department of Transportation advises motorists that sections of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, formerly Saddle Road, will become no-passing zones effective upon installation of signs and pavement markings. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.
Maui
Maui police arrest Kahului suspect in Pukalani IEDs explosion. The Maui Police Department arrested a 47-year-old Kahului man Saturday in connection with the discovery of a series of improvised explosive devices, one of which detonated and sidelined a sport utility Opens in a new tab vehicle in Pukalani on Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.
Maui resort agrees to dim lights to protect native seabirds. Conservation groups sued the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui in February 2022, and again in May, claiming that the hotel's outdoor lights harmed the native seabirds. Hawaii Public Radio.
Precinct results: In razor-thin primary, Cook takes Central Maui; King backed in South and East Maui. First-term Maui County Council Member Tom Cook finished 145 votes ahead of former Council Member Kelly Takaya King in Saturday’s primary election by winning all Central Maui precincts and splitting votes with his rival Upcountry and in West Maui. Maui Now.
Kauai
Kaua‘i Fire Department urges public to be vigilant as risk for fire weather increases. There is an above normal significant fire potential through October, until the wet season gets underway in November. Kauai Now.
Water conservation request issued for some residents in Princeville. In an effort to avoid a water outage due to dry weather, Kaua‘i County officials have issued a water conservation request for customers along the North Shore. Kauai Now.
Monday, August 12, 2024
Democrats reconcile at Unity Breakfast, House leaders plan reorganization after Speaker Saiki's defeat, lowest voter turnout since statehood, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii Saw The Worst Voter Turnout Saturday Of Any Primary Since Statehood. Just 269,912 of the 839,618 people registered statewide filled out a ballot. That works out to 32.1%. Civil Beat.
Looking for more election coverage? Check out the special Sunday edition of All Hawaii News.
Customers Won’t Pay For HECO’s $2 Billion Wildfire Settlement, CEO Says. Hawaiian Electric Industries said there is risk it cannot continue as a going concern if it can't find financing to cover wildfire liabilities. Civil Beat.
Hawaii’s Teacher Shortage Is Finally Improving. Will It Last? The Hawaii Department of Education has the lowest number of teacher vacancies the state has seen since 2019, but schools may experience a surge in retirements in the coming years. Civil Beat.
Multiple Hawaii athletes medal at Paris Olympics. Hawaii’s Olympic athletes fared quite well, with multiple athletes across multiple sports earning medals. KHON2.
Oahu
Police continue search for attempted murder suspects after teen shot on city bus in Kalihi. Officials say the suspects are part of the attempted murder investigation launched after a bullet hit a 17-year-old boy. Police say it was fired by two males on a moped near School Street and Kamehameha Four Road. Hawaii News Now.
City looks to restore the historic Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is almost 100 years old, but it’s been closed to the public for the last 45 years because of deteriorating conditions. Hawaii Public Radio.
City delays removal of Haiku Stairs segments. The city administration’s sanctioned removal of 10 to 15 steel stair modules — out of the hundreds of such modules bolted to a sheer ridgeline in Windward Oahu that comprise the “Stairway to Heaven” was not done because modules in question were not “fully” detached, as the city previously claimed. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
Puainako Street Resurfacing Project Extended. The Puainako Street Resurfacing Project is being extended through September 2024. Big Island Video News.
Maui
Process of rebuilding begins in Lahaina. Overall, rebuilding in Lahaina is being challenged in many cases by daunting forces that include financial constraints of property owners and regulations governing special areas such as the town’s historic district and nearshore parcels. Star-Advertiser.
Kauai
Kaua‘i Police names new deputy chief after position was vacant for 2 years. Kaua‘i Police Department’s Mark Ozaki was named the new deputy chief, effective Oct. 1, after two years of the second-in-command position being vacant. Kauai Now.
Monday, August 5, 2024
Council on Revenues predicts 5% income growth, HECO contributes $2B to $4B Maui wildfire settlement, officials seek solutions to school bus shortage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Litigation is doused by settlement in an ‘unprecedented’ time. A $4 billion agreement Friday to settle every loss claim over Maui’s wildfire disaster of nearly a year ago is a monumental deal, but much work lies ahead to wrap up Hawaii’s biggest incidence ever of mass tort litigation. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii, Maui County, HECO And Others Agree To Pay $4 Billion To Wildfire Victims. The proposed settlement still needs to be approved by a judge. And insurers that have paid out billions in claims have not agreed to terms. HECO said in a statement its part of the agreement is $1.99 billion. The settlement term sheet, which was filed in Maui state court on Friday, did not disclose the amounts individual defendants would pay. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Now.
RIMPAC exercise wraps up in Hawaii. The biennial Rim of the Pacific — the world’s largest naval training exercise — wrapped up in Hawaii last week after bringing together forces from 29 nations with warships, planes, helicopters and troops practicing fighting skills both on land and at sea, as well as humanitarian disaster response. Star-Advertiser.
How A Group That Started As Libertarian Found Influence In Blue State Hawaii. The Grassroot Institute, a think tank with libertarian roots, has chalked up some big policy wins this year, which some see as evidence of a shifting political landscape in Democratic-dominated Hawaii. Civil Beat.
Hawaiʻi Gets Federal Funds To Fight Brown Tree Snake Threat. $375,000 in federal funding is coming to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to prevent the introduction of the brown tree snake, considered a top invasive species threat to Hawai‘i. Big Island Video News.
DLNR launches new website to reserve permits for outdoor recreation. The new website, Explore Outdoor Hawai‘i, was established in compliance with a law mandating the department to provide information on processes such as fee collection, permit and license applications, and reservations for commercial and recreational activities in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.
Professional Development Can Be Lucrative For Hawaii Teachers — And Hard To Come By. Teachers can increase their annual pay by completing certain courses, but some say it's a challenge to find classes that are accessible and affordable. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Witness In Miske Case Keeps Getting Beaten In Prison By Crime Boss’s Allies, Lawyer Says. A motion filed last week says there's no place safe in the Federal Detention Center for Jake Smith, but a judge denied releasing him on house arrest until sentencing. Civil Beat.
Oahu Condo Owners Are Debating Best Way To Limit Fire Safety Costs. After a deadly fire at the 36-story Marco Polo building in Honolulu killed four people in 2017, the city created an ordinance requiring all existing high-rise residential buildings to take steps to pass a Building and Life Safety Evaluation within seven years. Civil Beat.
Honolulu Faces Opposition Over Sale Of Public Park. The Honolulu City Council passed a resolution earlier this year approving the sale of Piikoi Mini Park, a decision that has since been criticized by community members who feel the city is offloading its responsibilities to maintain the land by simply selling it off. Civil Beat.
Honolulu Board of Water Supply seeks info about residents' water access and affordability. Honolulu, and other communities in the U.S., are exploring the issue in collaboration with The Center for Water Security and Cooperation. Hawaii Public Radio.
State takes action following complaints of aggressive dogs at Sand Island. The state says it’s now cleared a Sand Island homeless camp that was home to a pack of dangerous dogs. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Big Isle tourism down in first half of ‘24. According to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, 866,173 people visited the island during the first half of 2024, a decrease of 1.6% from both the first half of 2023 and the first half of 2019, the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald.
DOE, county seek solutions to school bus crisis. An elementary school principal whose school is one of those impacted by what the state Department of Education says is a shortage of bus drivers said suspension of service to all public schools in the Hilo-Waiakea and Ka‘u-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Areas is “an inconvenience all the way around.” Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.
Hearing resumes on Schweitzers’ innocence in Dana Ireland case. A hearing to determine the innocence of the Schweitzer brothers in the murder of Dana Ireland is scheduled to resume Monday. KHON2.
Final draft of 2045 General Plan released. Hawaii County released a final draft of its plan for the island’s development over the next 25 years. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Maui’s Mayor Has Struggled To Lead An Island Reeling From Tragedy. But Some Say He’s Getting Better. From awkward public appearances to stonewalling the media, former judge Richard Bissen has been slow to adapt to life as an elected leader. Civil Beat.
Maui Strong Fund has paid out $109 million. The Hawaii Community Foundation has awarded over $109 million in grants over the past year to support recovery efforts from the devastating Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui. Star-Advertiser.
Restoring drinking water is latest step toward Lahaina’s recovery. Restoring safe drinking water to Lahaina is perhaps the most critical recovery milestone met in advance of Thursday’s first anniversary of the disaster. Star-Advertiser.
Gov. Green sees hope, progress since deadly Lahaina wildfires. As Maui prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly Aug. 8 wildfires, Gov. Josh Green worries about the collective stress on the people of West Maui who continue to struggle emotionally and financially. Star-Advertiser.
A year after Maui wildfire, chronic housing shortage and pricey vacation rentals complicate recovery. Thousands on Maui have faced a year of anxious uncertainty since the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire brought apocalyptic scenes of destruction to Lahaina, the historic former capital of the Hawaiian kingdom, forcing some survivors to flee into the ocean. Associated Press.
Temporary housing projects moving ahead in Lahaina for displaced residents. The first dozen or so Ka Laʻi Ola temporary housing units are nearly ready for occupancy by wildfire survivors in pre-fab, futuristic NanoNest tiny homes with curved ends and floor-to-ceiling transparent walls that take advantage of views of the ocean and West Maui Mountains. Maui Now.
Displaced Lahaina students lose access to long-distance school bus routes for high school students. Some displaced Lahaina families say they are scrambling after the DOE’s announcement that more than 150 school bus routes will be suspended, including one that takes students to West Maui’s only public high school. Hawaii News Now.
Mental health needs rise on Maui. With small fires breaking out more frequently lately, mental health clinics on the Valley Isle under the state Department of Health can field 40 to 50 calls a day. But even when the power goes out or it’s a really windy day, the clinics see a surge of calls for help. Star-Advertiser.
Kula Residents Say They Have Built A Closer And More Resilient Community Since The Fire. A steady stream of volunteers has helped clean the land of debris and potential fuel for future fires. Civil Beat.
The Maui Wildfires Were Massive. These Numbers Help Us Comprehend Them. It’s been one year since four fires devastated the Valley Isle. Numbers were one of the earliest byproducts of the disaster — a way to measure the human, economic and environmental toll of an overwhelming event. Civil Beat.
Kauai
Kauai Island Utility Cooperative continues to lead state in renewable energy, officials report. For the fifth year in a row, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative is leading the state in renewable generation at 57.9%. Kauai Now.
Community Emergency Response Team tests equipment and trains in Princeville. Community Emergency Response Team trailers are provided in the case of an emergency during any natural disaster and first responders cannot immediately respond to such emergency. Garden Island.
Thursday, August 1, 2024
$4B Maui wildfire settlement could come next week, Oahu faces rolling blackouts, traffic fatalities climb, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
German official stresses Indo-Pacific stability. Germany’s defense minister was in Honolulu this week to meet with American military leaders, as well as with German sailors and airmen who participated in the biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2024 election: Here's what to expect. Four seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for election this year. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii summer traffic fatalities surpassed last year’s. State officials have tallied 59 traffic-related deaths in roughly the first seven months of 2024, 10 more than the same time in 2023, according to preliminary statistics from the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
Oahu power generation drop prompts rolling blackout warnings. The possibility of forced outages rotating around parts of the island was announced by the company at about 2 p.m. based on supply and demand estimates after an unexpected shutdown of the largest independently owned power plant on the island, a 208-megawatt facility operated by Kalaeloa Partners. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
HPD Releases Body Camera Footage In Only A Fraction Of Deadly Encounters. Body cameras are supposed to help hold police accountable, but many officers involved in critical incidents are part of specialized units that are exempt from wearing the devices. Civil Beat.
The possibility of offshore windfarms in Kaiwi channel waters gets major pushback. The state set a goal of generating 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2045. But just the concept of using offshore wind turbines to generate some of that energy got major blowback in a Waimanalo town hall meeting with federal officials. Hawaii News Now.
Pacific Palisades residents fear single road, broken siren hinder fire evacuation. The neighborhood is nestled in Waimano Valley in Central Oʻahu. According to the federal Wildfire Risk to Communities map, it is classified as a “more likely” area to experience wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.
A Fallen Tree Has Been Blocking Tantalus Drive For A Month. Why Hasn’t The City Cleared It? Residents say that the closure of Tantalus Drive leaves them in a dangerous situation, blocking their emergency access. Civil Beat.
Amazon vans are ready to roll from new distribution station. The world’s largest online retailer is about to open its own ground transportation operation for package delivery on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.
10 employees affected as City Mill closes warehouse. The 10 affected warehouse employees will retire or transition to “other employers.” KHON2.
Hawaii Island
County homeless camp relocated: Former site in Hilo has been restored. The county dismantled the Ponahawai shelter and relocated its 15 remaining occupants to a new shelter on Kuawa Street — a short road connecting Manono Street and Mamalahoa Highway just mauka of Kamehameha Avenue. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.
Final Draft Of Hawaiʻi County General Plan 2045 Released. The comprehensive policy document will guide the physical, economic, environmental, and sociocultural development of Hawaiʻi County over the next 25 years. Big Island Video News.
Health Department issues high bacteria count notification at Kolekole Gulch; retesting site. Levels of 1652 per 100 mL were detected during routine beach monitoring – but the Department of Health is uncertain about the representativeness of the first sample. Big Island Now.
Maui
There Are So Few Doctors In Maui County That Even Medical Workers Struggle To Get Care. More than two-thirds of Maui County residents experienced delays accessing health care last year, according to a new report. Civil Beat.
Lahainaluna graduates awarded financial support to further studies. In the outpouring of support after the 2023 wildfire, Lahainaluna’s 215 seniors were all offered full scholarships to attend the University of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4.
Lāna‘i residents face a question: Should a private company or Maui County run their ferry? About 35 Pineapple Isle residents attended the first public meeting on the Maui County Ferry Feasibility Study, a Maui County Council-initiated report that is being conducted by the county Department of Transportation as it considers whether to develop a government-run intracounty ferry service from Maui to Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. Maui Now.
Kauai
First installment of Kaua‘i real property taxes coming due. Payments can be made online at https://kauairpt.ehawaii.gov, by mail, in person, or at the drop box located outside the Kapulē Building at the Līhu‘e Civic Center. Kauai Now.
Monday, July 22, 2024
State House leadership hangs in balance as Saiki faces primary battle, Dems rally around Harris, OHA says state has no say in ethics violations, Maui fire victims sue as settlement misses Friday deadline, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Historic moment might energize Hawaii voters in local elections. Most Hawaii political leaders welcomed President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race and swiftly expressed support for his replacement pick of Vice President Kamala Harris, but it’s still unclear whether these historic events will energize Hawaii voters enough to affect local elections. Star-Advertiser.
Top Hawaii Democrats Praise Biden’s Decision To Drop Out Of Race. Major leaders in the Democratic Party of Hawaii on Sunday hailed President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 election, and three members of the state’s congressional delegation are already throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. KITV4.
Most delegates pledged to Biden’s pick as replacement choice looms. Dozens of delegates representing Hawaii are heading to Chicago next month for the DNC. According to party rules, right now the pick is Kamala Harris, with committed votes signed sealed and as good as delivered from state-by-state caucuses and primaries earlier this year that pledged to a Biden-Harris ticket. KHON2.
Court Ruling Could Have Major Impact On State Oversight Of The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs. Lawyers for OHA say the state does not have the authority to fine trustees for ethics violations. The Attorney General’s Office disagrees. Civil Beat.
Hawaii Gave Up Funding For Marine Mammal Protection Because Of Cumbersome Paperwork. Dropping out of the federal program has not hampered efforts to protect the islands' marine species, including monk seals, state and federal agents say. Civil Beat.
National Nonprofit Is Spending Millions To Support Hawaii’s Effort To Jail Fewer Teens. Teens need mental health services and mentorship instead of imprisonment, advocates say — strategies that a $20 million grant is bolstering in the state. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Red Hill community group is told it won’t be disbanded. The Red Hill Community Representation Initiative received an email Friday from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirming that the organization will not be disbanded, despite being notified in June about its potential dissolution in response to Navy complaints. Star-Advertiser.
Trio vies for Council District 5 seat. In the Aug. 10 primary election, William “Bill” Muneno, Brendan Schultz and Scott Y. Nishimoto will respectively face off to fill the Council District 5 seat, which spans St. Louis Heights, Manoa, Moiliili, McCully, Ala Moana, Makiki and portions of Kakaako, after current Council member Calvin Say recently declared he will not run for reelection due to ongoing health concerns. Star-Advertiser.
Kia‘aina faces contenders for Windward Council seat. Since 2021, Esther Kia‘aina has represented Council District 3, which includes Ahuimanu, Heeia, Haiku, Kaneohe, Maunawili, Kailua, Olomana, Enchanted Lake and Waimanalo. Star-Advertiser.
Residents Say Indefinite Closure Of Park Leading To Haiku Stairs Is Unfair. The controversy over the Haiku Stairs hiking trail has spilled over to the other side of the Koolau Range, where Moanalua residents are asking why their entire neighborhood park has to be closed just to block access to a trail that leads to the same summit. Civil Beat.
New development projects for Kalaeloa in West Oʻahu. On Oʻahu, more than 500 acres of Kalaeloa Town are currently under redevelopment. There are nearly 4,000 acres of land that the Navy once used as Naval Air Station Berbers Point. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii Island
Is Growing Your Own Food Considered Agriculture? Hawaii County Says No. Subsistence farmers on the Big Island say recent changes to county agricultural laws threaten their ability to keep farming. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.
Final draft of Hawai’i County General Plan 2045 to be released by end of July. The general plan will serve as a 25-year blueprint for the long-term growth and sustainable development of Hawaiʻi Island. The document establishes the vision, policies, and actions necessary to enhance the overall quality of life for residents. Big Island Now.
Ed Olson dies at 93. Edmund “Ed” Olson, Big Island businessman and philanthropist, died Monday afternoon at Hilo Benioff Medical Center. The Edmund C. Olson Trust II owns more than 15,000 acres of land, most of which is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, with some also set aside for conservation. Tribune-Herald.
New Online Map Tracks Hawaiʻi Island Affordable Housing Projects. Studies show Hawaiʻi County needs to add 10,796 affordable housing units by 2025 to meet the community’s needs. Big Island Video News.
Maui
Maui Fire Victims Sue Insurers To Make Sure They Get Fully Paid In Any Settlement. The lawsuit comes after parties failed to meet a Friday deadline for a mediated settlement. A group of Maui wildfire victims has sued several of Hawaii’s largest insurance carriers, alleging the insurers are wrongly seeking compensation from a limited litigation settlement fund before the fire victims are fully compensated for their damages. Civil Beat.
Maui County says second West Maui TDS report shows compliance with environmental regulations. The West Maui Temporary Debris Storage site environmental monitoring quarterly report for the second 90-day operational period shows the findings from sampling and monitoring comply with county, state and federal environmental regulations, the county said in a press release Friday. Maui News.
Costly road damage from fire cleanup leaves Kula residents searching for answers. Huge potholes. Torn-up concrete. Hardly any road left. That’s how some Kula residents described their roads after the fire debris cleanup process wrapped up. Hawaii Public Radio.
EPA: Maui County Must Pay $193K Fine And Shut Down 7 Illegal Cesspools. The cesspools, which hold untreated human waste, are on a parcel of land that includes the Hana police station, the Hana Motor Vehicle and Licensing office and the Public Works vehicle maintenance shop, according to the 30-page settlement. They are also located at the Makawao Baseyard, Maui Veterans Cemetery and the Molokai Veterans Cemetery. Civil Beat.
Kauai
Koke‘e brush fire scorches 1,600 acres; remains 85% contained. The Koke‘e fire remains at 85% contained as of Sunday evening, following efforts to address numerous hot spots throughout the day. Fire officials estimate approximately 1,600 acres have been burned since Thursday. Kauai Now. KITV4.
County mayor announces goal to eliminate traffic fatalities on Kaua‘i by 2040. A Vision Zero advisory group will be formed to advise the Mayor’s Office and County Council on safe transportation laws and policies. Kaua‘i County will also continue investing in programs that make roadways safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and more. Kauai Now.