Hawaii Senate sets hearing on homeless initiative after critical audit, Maui police chief says Mayor Bissen under investigation, Honolulu council OKs increased fines for peddling, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Senate plans hearing on kauhale homeless housing project after critical audit. Key state senators plan to summon Hawaii’s homelessness coordinator, HomeAid Hawai‘i’s chief executive officer, and the state auditor to a November briefing as lawmakers consider potential changes to Gov. Josh Green’s signature kauhale initiative after an audit identified more than $13.7 million in payments that were deemed “unauthorized, unsupported or questionable.” Star-Advertiser.

HIDOE's nearly $2B budget request draws questions on capacity. The state Department of Education is requesting a nearly $2 billion Capital Improvement Budget for the next two years to cover maintenance, advance new and existing projects, meet health and safety requirements, and support the launch of a regional kitchen. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ex-Kanye West Campaigner Funnels Thousands To Hawaiʻi Candidates. A West Virginia-based group registered to the former treasurer of Kanye West’s presidential campaign is sending thousands of dollars to a PAC funding Hawaiʻi candidates. Civil Beat.

Rules proposed for breaking future election ties. The state Office of Elections is proposing to formalize a procedure for breaking Hawaii election ties, and it’s pretty much the same way it determined the winners of two primary election contests in August. Star-Advertiser.

State Law Enforcement Chief Voluntarily Demoted. After an unsuccessful run for Honolulu’s top police job, Mike Lambert is staying at the state law enforcement agency, but not as its leader. Civil Beat.

Ballot question could help Hawaiʻi's housing shortage, supporters say. The question, if approved by a majority of voters, would give counties a new way to pay for sewer, water, drainage and other vital infrastructure for new homes in a defined district. The counties would have the authority to issue bonds that would be paid off by higher property tax revenue generated by the redeveloped area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Military Leases, Kakaʻako, Control Of Board At Issue In OHA Oʻahu Race. Kalei Akaka and Kumu Hina Wong are facing off for a seat on the nine-member Board of Trustees. Civil Beat.

Third Non-Citizen This Year Charged With Voting Illegally In Hawaiʻi. A Polish man living in Hawaiʻi was charged last week with illegally voting in a U.S. election, authorities said, the third such case in the state this year. Civil Beat.

These Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Withheld The Most From The Public. Public records requests can reveal information that would never appear in official news releases. But there is no guarantee agencies will hand the information over. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Ranked Choice Voting Could Shake Up Honolulu Elections. But there’s a catch. The Nov. 3 ballot measure includes a requirement that the Legislature approve this departure from traditional voting. Civil Beat.

Council OKs sharp rise in fines for unlawful peddling. The Honolulu Police Department says illegal peddling can leave tourists vulnerable to aggressive sales tactics, overcharging and scams, with some victims discovering the charges only after returning home. Star-Advertiser.

Historic Wo Fat Building set for new chapter as housing, cultural hub. A pair of local investors are moving forward with a multimillion-­dollar effort to revive Honolulu Chinatown’s long-vacant Wo Fat Building, transforming one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable landmarks into affordable housing, retail and cultural space. Star-Advertiser.

Hybrid artificial reef being installed to protect coastline. The reef, which will be made up of 60 engineered concrete reef structures, were specifically designed to absorb wave energy and attract coral and fish. It will be a “living breakwater” system that, if successful, could be replicated in other parts of the state vulnerable to coastal erosion. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s shuns HMSA’s new Medicare HMO plan. The Hawaii Medical Service Association’s new Select Plus HMO plan, for Oahu members only, is part of a revamp of its Akamai Advantage plans to take effect next year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines plans to cut 13 jobs as part of Alaska merger. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice filed with the state on Oct. 2, the cuts will affect non-union employees at three locations on Oahu. The layoffs are expected to happen in December and January. These cuts will be to the approximately 537 non-contract employees who work at the affected facilities. KITV4.

Coqui Frogs: Coming To Your Oʻahu Neighborhood Soon? As coqui frogs threaten to blanket Oʻahu, residents are once again calling on the state to better regulate plant nurseries, which bear much of the blame for the frogs’ spread. Civil Beat.

Hawaii journalist, filmmaker championed press freedoms. Chris Conybeare, a journalist, documentary filmmaker, attorney and advocate for press freedom whose work spanned public television, labor history and human rights, died Sept. 20 in Honolulu. He was 82. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

VIDEO: HPD releases body-camera video of officer-involved shooting in Ocean View (viewer discretion is advised). The Hawaii Police Department today released body worn camera (BWC) footage of the officer-involved shooting that took place on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Ocean View. Tribune-Herald.

‘Imiloa preschool slated to open in 2028. A new immersion preschool in Hilo, adjacent to the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, is scheduled to open in 2028 to help meet growing demand for Hawaiian language education. Tribune-Herald.

Sick Of Being Sidelined: Kaʻū Council Candidates Want Action After Lala. Recent climate change-fueled disasters have hit the southern part of Hawaiʻi island hard, rising to the top of local candidates’ priorities. Civil Beat.

Rain didn’t damper festivities during the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Families made up many of the spectators who came to watch the athletes participate in the grueling 140.6-mile race. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Mayor Bissen Is Under Criminal Investigation, Police Chief Says. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier says he believes he was put on leave because of what he says are investigations into corruption in the mayor’s office. Civil Beat.

Federal, local investigations spur fresh scrutiny and calls for more oversight of Maui Police Department. The arrest of Lt. Michael Vaituulala, the former head of the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit, and the decision by the Maui Police Commission to place Police Chief John Pelletier on paid leave last week have put fresh scrutiny on the Maui Police Department and raised questions over accountability. Maui Now.

Air Force secretary’s space weapons confirmation raises concerns about planned Haleakalā telescopes. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink’s confirmation that the United States has deployed weapons in orbit has raised new concerns on Maui about the Air Force’s plan to build up to seven more telescopes atop Haleakalā, a summit many Native Hawaiians consider sacred. Maui Now.

Kauai

Yaya bridges the gap between Matsuri and hurricane damage. A large and steady stream of people flowed over the expansive campus of the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall on Saturday to enjoy the multi-faceted showcase of Japanese culture. Garden Island.
 

Monsanto settles $45M Hawaii lawsuit, Hawaii Supreme Court upholds Maui wildfire attorney fee caps, Pat Saiki remembered, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Monsanto Co. settles lawsuit with Hawaiʻi over claims it contaminated state’s waterways, natural resources. Hawaiʻi has secured up to a $45 million settlement with Monsanto for polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of Hawaiʻi's waterways and natural resources. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Will Courts Block Climate Suits By Hawaiʻi, Other States? New York’s “climate superfund” law has lost twice in court. A U.S. Supreme Court case could soon determine the fate of other efforts to make Big Oil pay. Grist.

HMSA’s Medicare Changes Could Increase Costs For Thousands. HMSA sent a letter to 16,000 kūpuna saying they will no longer have access to their current insurance plan. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaii congresswoman Pat Saiki remembered as political trailblazer. One of Hawaii’s most accomplished Republican political leaders, Pat Saiki, whose service in Congress and the state Legislature spanned four decades, died Wednesday in Honolulu. She was 96, and died peacefully from natural causes at home, according to family members. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

State set to appeal $500,000 award to ex-HTA exec Choy. The state plans to appeal a jury verdict awarding former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority executive Isaac Choy more than $500,000 after jurors found he was retaliated against for whistleblowing and wrongfully terminated. Star-Advertiser.

A quick island trip will soon require more planning. Starting Saturday, Oct. 3, neighbor island travelers must check in and drop checked bags at least 50 minutes before takeoff, up from 30 minutes now. KHON2.

ʻUlu demand in Hawaiʻi is outpacing the supply — and there's a lot more room to grow. There's an increasing demand in Hawaiʻi for ʻulu, also known as breadfruit — resulting from years of public awareness campaigns and buy-in from many in the state. The Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Cooperative, which is made up of over 200 local farmers, said its annual production of the crop has grown to a peak of 230,000 pounds since it was formed in 2016 and grew closer to 20,000 pounds. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD May Have Shared Your License Plate Data With The IRS. The Honolulu police chief says the department will no longer share data with other agencies, but five months of data remain in the hands of the IRS. Civil Beat.

Got food waste? Get it in the green bin for Oʻahu's G.R.O.W. program. Beginning Oct. 1, the City and County of Honolulu will ask all Oʻahu residents using gray, blue and green bins to put all their food scraps — be it banana peels, chicken bones or plate lunches past their prime — in the green bin. Hawaii Public Radio.

Makiki building will house homeless teens, young adults. Renovations continue on a seven-unit, two-story apartment building in Makiki near Walmart and Sam’s Club that will house and train homeless teenagers and young adults who have aged out of Hawaii’s foster care system and have no place to live. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Moanalua coach facing child porn charge accused of exploiting girl. A former Moanalua High School girls wrestling coach facing federal criminal charges for sexually exploiting an underage girl was reported to the Honolulu Police Department in 2012 after he allegedly kissed a 13-year-old Roosevelt High School student. Star-Advertiser.

Pālolo Valley sees rapid spread of invasive coqui frogs. State officials have been working to curb an infestation of coqui frogs in Pālolo Valley for almost a decade. In some cases, that means catching and removing the invasive frogs by hand. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Data centers debate continues at county level. A bill aimed at prohibiting artificial intelligence data centers in Hawaii County through the creation of a new definition in the county code is undergoing review by the county’s two planning commissions before it is voted on by the County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Bowling alley, entertainment complex eyed for Hilo. The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday voted 6-0 to forward a favorable recommendation to the County Council for amendments to an ordinance regarding a commercial property that would allow KBXtreme to build a bowling alley and entertainment complex in Hilo similar to its Kailua-Kona facility. Tribune-Herald.

Commentary: In A Sea Of Mainland Grocers, A Taste Of Old Hawaiʻi. As national chains increasingly dominate Hawaiʻi’s grocery options, Big Island residents remain devoted to KTA, with its emphasis on locally grown food.  Civil Beat.

The Hōlei Sea Arch has collapsed. One of Hawaiʻi Island’s geological marvels is no more — the 90-foot Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has collapsed. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. 

Mokulele Airlines celebrates return of daily flights from Kona to Kahului. Mokulele Airlines has officially restored its direct air service between Hawaii Island and Maui. The first flight from Kona to Kahului since August 2023 took off Thursday at around 8 a.m. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Hawaii Supreme Court upholds Maui wildfire attorney fee caps. The Hawaii Supreme Court has rejected an appeal that was holding up initial payments to Maui wildfire disaster victims. Justices unamiously ruled Wednesday against three attorneys and one fire victim who appealed a state Circuit Court judge’s decision limiting fees of all attorneys representing 21,750 victims with claims in a $4 billion litigation settlement over damage from the Aug. 8, 2023, calamity, which killed 102 people and destroyed most of Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Council refers 32 shoreline condo complexes’ hotel-rezoning to Maui Planning Commission. The Maui County Council voted 5-4 on Tuesday to ask the Maui Planning Commission to consider rezoning 32 vacation rental condominium complexes in Māʻalaea, Kīhei and West Maui from apartment to hotel use. The vote came a week after the commission recommended against most of an earlier batch of properties. Maui Now.

South Maui Growth Plan: More Delays Expected. The county is years overdue in updating its vision for the resource-stretched area. Civil Beat.

After wildfire burned Lahaina's library, community will get a temporary library soon. A 20-by-20-foot portable unit has been moved to Lahaina and will transform into a temporary library. The former Lahaina Public Library building was destroyed in the 2023 wildfire.  Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO Blackout: Half Of Molokaʻi May Lose A Summer’s Fish And Game. The utility plans to cut power for eight hours a day over much of the next week to upgrade its grid. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

The water system at Kalaupapa has been fixed, according to state health officials. But now, there’s a power outage. Thus, two Hansen’s disease patients and approximately 50 staff are still waiting to return to their homes at the settlement on Molokai. Star-Advertiser.

Maui News selects two journalists for fellowship. Two journalists living on Maui -- Yiming Fu and Allyson Whaley -- will give The Maui News a nice boost in its elections reporting this fall. The announcement comes after a three-person panel selected Whaley and Fu for the inaugural Maui Nui Media and Creativity Collaborative Investigative Elections Reporting Fellowship. The fellowship will fund seven weeks of original, investigative, print-first reporting focused on the candidates, issues and decisions shaping Maui County’s future in the mayoral and Maui County Council races. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi bill could help keep kūpuna home on their land. Some Hawaiian families could get a lower property tax rate, thanks to a new bill introduced in the Kauaʻi County Council. Measure 3008 would create a new property tax program called an ʻĀina Kūpuna dedication that would let Hawaiʻi families who can trace their land back to being continuously owned before statehood in 1959 pay a fixed property tax for 10 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Devastated’ Kauaʻi Harbor May Take 5 Years To Fix, State Says. It could take up to five years — and roughly $19 million — to fully repair Port Allen Harbor on Kaua‘i’s Westside, which was home to dozens of boats used for commercial fishing and tours before Hurricane Lowell ripped through its breakwater. Civil Beat.

Hurricane Lowell shapes Kauaʻi Council races as candidates talk disaster response. All 14 candidates competing for Kauaʻi County Council seats gathered on the North Shore to discuss urgent issues regarding the island's emergency response after Hurricane Lowell. Kauai Now.

Amendment to clarify Planning Commission appeals process. Kaua‘i voters will decide in the Nov. 3 General Election on a proposed Charter amendment to clarify and expedite the Planning Commission’s appeals process. Garden Island.

Hawaii schools grapple with AI, congressional candidate pulls gun on Maui County workers, former Hawaii County housing official gets 4 years for taking $1.4M bribe, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Artificial Intelligence Is Here To Stay. Are Hawaiʻi Schools Ready? From preschoolers to high school seniors, Hawaiʻi students share how artificial intelligence is shaping their learning and plans for the future. There's wide variation in how much teachers and students are willing to engage with the new technology. Civil Beat.

Della Au Belatti’s change of plans upends lieutenant governor and U.S. House races. State Rep. Della Au Belatti’s decision to suspend her run for Congress to jump into the race for lieutenant governor has upended both campaigns and brought new attention to the most high-profile campaigns so far leading up to the Aug. 8 Democratic Party primary. Star-Advertiser.

UH commits $5M in student-athlete pay despite failure at Legislature.  The University of Hawaii, which has about 500 student-athletes on 21 teams, did not score taxpayer funding this year to pay student-­athletes. Star-Advertiser.

HMSA’s payment system pivot has Hawaii’s medical community reeling. Hawaii patients could face fewer choices for primary care — and longer waits for services — as the state’s largest insurer Hawaii Medical Service Association reverses a decade-old payment model, prompting fears that some clinics may close or scale back. Star-Advertiser.

Ann Wright, Hawaiʻi's Global Warrior For Peace, Is Not Giving Up The Fight. The retired Army colonel has been active on the frontlines of protest, from the Iraq War to Gaza, from Cuba to Minneapolis, from Red Hill to Pearl Harbor. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Officials Accept Raises Without Hearing Public Opposition. Members of the public had little opportunity to comment on the raises, which are paid for with their tax dollars. Civil Beat.

HART gets reimbursed $125M for Segment 2 completion. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has received a $125 million federal reimbursement connected to last year’s opening of the more than $10-billion Skyline project’s second segment past the airport, the agency’s leadership announced Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Group seeks to restart aquarium fishing on Oahu. The Hawaii Fishers Association is moving to restart the trade on Oahu just one month after a bill to ban it died in the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Woman fights $600K in fines for 'mistakenly' advertising short-term rental. An 83-year-old Oʻahu woman is fighting $600,000 in fines from the City and County of Honolulu for an online advertisement of an illegal short-term rental. Sandra May has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Thursday for “mistakenly” posting her one-bedroom rental unit in Wilhelmina Rise as a short-term rental, which is available for rent for less than 30 days. Hawaii Public Radio.

City reverses course on Koko Crater Stables eviction notice. Aloha Riding Lessons LLC, the longtime operator of Koko Crater Stables, recently threatened with eviction, has received a reprieve after the city rescinded its notice to vacate the city-owned property.  Star-Advertiser.

Plans for new Costco, Zippy’s closure in Waipahu met with pushback. The vacant building that was once the Don Quijote in Waipahu could be home to Hawaii’s first Costco Business Center. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii National Guard concludes Kona-low storm relief efforts. The Hawaii National Guard has officially concluded its support for relief efforts in the aftermath of two Kona-low storms that swept across the islands and ravaged Oahu’s North Shore in March, as well as intense weather that followed in April.  Star-Advertiser.

Kona-low storm fallout continues to hit North Shore business. Visitor traffic to Waimea Valley has fallen sharply this spring, forcing staff to stretch resources and scale back hiring as fewer travelers make the trip past ongoing traffic restrictions triggered by March’s Kona-low storms. Star-Advertiser.


Hawaii Island

13 applicants in play to be next fire chief. Hawaii County has received applications from 13 individuals it says are conditionally qualified to be the next chief of the Hawaii Fire Department. Those 13 have been culled from 33 applicants. Tribune-Herald.

Former Hawaii County official sentenced to prison for taking $1.9 million in bribes. Alan Scott Rudo, 59, a former Hawaii County housing specialist, will spend nearly four years in federal prison for his role in a seven-year scheme of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding more than $11 million through four affordable housing development agreements. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Her dad’s death led to tougher penalties for dangerous dog owners in Hawaiʻi. Now her daughter tests law after attack. In 2024, Shannon Matson pushed for the passing of a state law that significantly toughens the legal consequences for owners of dangerous dogs after the death of her 71-year-old father, Bob Northrop. Big Island Now.

FEMA doles out $2M to Kona low victims in Hawaii County. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $2.1 million in grants to Hawaii County residents for damage suffered during the two Kona low storms that wreaked havoc statewide in March. Tribune-Herald.

The Earth shook. Tanks burst. Now Kona faces a water crisis. One of the most coveted coffees in the world comes from Kona, where the coffee crops thrive on afternoon rains. So do the farmers, who rely on rainwater to fill the tanks that supply their homes and orchards. Parts of the area have no county water infrastructure. New York Times.

Family, friends share stories about the three men slain in Puna killing spree. Hawaii Police Department suspects Jacob “Jake” Daniel Baker of killing Robert Shine, 69, Chitta Morse, 79, and John Carse, 69, over the course of Monday and Tuesday in a spree of seemingly random violence in Kapoho and Kalapana. Tribune-Herald.

An eclectic, off-grid Hawaii haven, 3 dead men and a suspect caught on surveillance video. For residents of Puna, a remote and eclectic part of Hawaii’s Big Island, the killings of three men known for embracing the community’s off-grid, free-spirited lifestyle became a startling reminder of its struggles too. Associated Press.

Maui

Longshot Congressional Candidate Pulled Gun On Maui County Workers. An armed man entered a Maui County government building Friday morning and brandished his gun during an argument with county workers, but police were not called for an hour and a half. Kirill Basin, who had recently announced he planned to run for Congress, was arrested and charged with Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree. Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Lahaina harbor restoration moves forward with dredging project. State officials say routine dredging work scheduled to begin Monday at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor will also provide a rare opportunity to dredge the main harbor basin for the first time since 1966. Maui News.

$241M solar energy project to power 18,000 Maui homes moving through permitting process. With the passage of a federal budget severely rolling back clean energy investments, the company behind a $241 million solar project in Central Maui is working feverishly to get through the permitting process and have enough time to build the facility so it can be operational by the end of 2028. Maui Now.

 Akakū Maui Community Media continues fight to preserve Maui County’s public access funding with $400,000 in annual cuts looming. That is about 35% of Akakū’s current operating budget of $1.1 million. Maui Now.

Coast Guard helps 21 people escape disabled vessel off Maui. A Coast Guard crew assisted 20 adults and one child in getting off a disabled charter vessel near Maalaea Harbor offshore Maui on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Nēnē had died out on Molokaʻi. Now, they're making a comeback, with a little help. There’s a small but thriving flock of the Native Hawaiian geese living and raising their young at Puʻu O Hōkū Ranch. The endangered species is back from the brink of extinction. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Wants To Expand Its Only Landfill — Again. The island’s sole permitted landfill in Kekaha will fill up in just four years. With a new landfill still a decade away from opening, the Garden Isle is running out of room for its trash. So, to buy time, the county hopes to expand its 73-year-old Kekaha landfill — at a cost of up to $43 million. Civil Beat.

Online visits to remote seabird sanctuaries offered in ‘Year of Our Coastal Kuleana’.  New online field trips are being offered this year to remote seabird sanctuaries: Lehua Island, 19 miles west of Kauaʻi, and Hōlanikū, also known as Kure Atoll, 1,400 miles away at the furthest reaches of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Kauai Now.

Record numbers of cattle shipped out of state, Oahu to get more traffic cameras in bill before Green, islands commemorate Memorial Day at military cemeteries, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Is Sending These Animals To The Mainland In Record Numbers. Local cattle are moving offshore despite state efforts to boost slaughterhouse capacity in the islands. Nearly 55,000 shipments of cattle have been made from the islands in the past three years and almost 80% of those were headed out of Hawai‘i, according to state agricultural statistics. Civil Beat.

Dual airline brands create some push back for Alaska Airlines. About 250 Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants reassigned to Seattle to staff new long-haul international routes may no longer wear flowers in their hair, lei or aloha shirts on certain flights — a highly visible change as Alaska Air Group works to merge operations while keeping two distinct brands. Star-Advertiser.

HMSA’s Latest Move Could Worsen Doctor Shortage. The insurer denied that an upcoming change in its payment model should come as a surprise to doctors, but many say the action will imperil small primary care practices. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu traffic cameras would increase under bill before Green. Oahu drivers could see as many as 10 new red-light or speed cameras each year through a program that already has generated $763,000 since 2022. Star-Advertiser.

New Haleiwa agriculture park helps immigrants, refugees start farm businesses. A new 80-acre agriculture park in Haleiwa is growing more than crops. It’s helping refugees plant roots. Hawaii News Now.

Waipahu park to close for 3 months for field renovations. An extensive effort to rejuvenate the play field at Darrell T. Young Waikele Community Park in Waipahu will continue with a three-month resting period for the field that’s scheduled to begin today, city park officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Green sea turtles, a visitor draw, also face harassment. The love for turtles has caused pandemonium — including a constant stream of visitors who want to photograph the turtles, creating not only traffic woes as they dart across a busy, two-lane highway to get to Laniakea, but genuine concerns about disturbances to the sea turtle. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green, military leaders honor fallen service members at Memorial Day ceremony. Gov. Josh Green hosted the ceremony alongside state and military leaders, veterans organizations and members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Chronic No Shows And Tardiness Plague Hawaiʻi County Council. To address no shows at their meetings, the Hawaiʻi County Council adopted a measure to tighten up the definition of unexcused absences, giving the chair greater power to decide when to dock pay.  Civil Beat.

Management plan of polluted Hilo Bay watershed moving forward with $2 million federal grant. Hilo Bay is the state’s largest watershed, covering about 470 square miles from the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to the sea. But for decades, polluted rain runoff, untreated sewage in groundwater and other factors have led to poor water quality in the bay and its sub-watersheds, negatively impacting endangered habitats and local communities. Big Island Now.

Final EA Published on 4-Mile Creek Bridge Replacement. The plan to replace, raise, and widen the Four Mile Creek Bridge comes with proposed traffic changes at the intersection of Haihai Street and Kilauea Ave. Big Island Video News.

‘Some did not come home’: Speakers reflect on meaning of service as community honors fallen veterans. More than than 100 people gathered Monday morning at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2, to celebrate the most somber and patriotic of American holidays. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Facility upgrades proposed for Mākena State Park on Maui. In June, the DLNR Division of State Parks will submit to the Maui Planning Commission a proposal for phased construction that is aimed at improving the overall beach experience at the popular Mākena State Park. Maui Now.

2 rescued after plane goes down off Molokai’s Kalaupapa Airport. Two Oahu men made their way across two miles of open ocean to get to shore at Kalaupapa National Historical Park this morning after their single-engine plane went down west of Molokai’s Kalaupapa Airport, according to Maui fire officials. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Maui County remembers service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. About 4,300 flags and lei were placed at gravesites across the Maui Veterans’ Cemetery in Makawao for Memorial Day. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative among the highest in state for renewable energy generation in 2025. Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative achieved a 52.8% Renewable Portfolio Standard for 2025, second highest in the state behind Hawai‘i Island.  Kauai Now.

Thank you, veterans! Hundreds of people took advantage of sunny weather to visit the Kauai Veterans Cemetery to honor veterans and their families resting in the hallowed ground during the Kauai Veterans Council Veterans Day ceremony. Garden Island.

Income tax cuts still in the mix as House and Senate grapple with budget, gas prices soar to record highs, Oahu schools, government shut down for storm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New draft of state budget bill slims spending. Both the House and Senate rejected the governor’s plan to cancel some tax relief, despite earlier uncertainty about the state’s financial situation. The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday amended the state budget bill to include $10.4 billion in total state funding appropriations.  The latest draft of House Bill 1800 represents a reduction of about $258 million from a $10.7 billion plan advanced by the House Finance Committee on March 11 that was itself roughly $100 million less than what Green proposed in December. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Becomes A Tax Bill Graveyard. The state House proposed an assortment of potential tax increases for the Senate to consider, but senators buried almost all of them without a hearing. Civil Beat.

A Last-Minute Miracle For A Bill To Help Hawaiʻi Convert Cesspools. The bill would create a new low-interest loan program to help eliminate some of the 80,000 cesspools leaking millions of gallons of sewage into Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters daily. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi gas prices soar to record highs. Drivers across the islands are now paying record prices for gas after the statewide average for regular fuel climbed to $5.63 per gallon on Thursday, April 9, according to AAA Hawaiʻi. KHON2.

HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health file with Justice Department for clearance to integrate. HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health have filed with the Department of Justice to integrate and create a new parent organization called One Health Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

El Nino summer could bring sticky weather, tropical storms. As Hawaii experiences its third major storm in less than a month, the state is also facing the likelihood of a wetter and more humid than normal summer and fall, according to the National Weather Service, which Thursday forecast a 61% chance of an El Nino, which generates warmer ocean waters that can trigger more tropical storms. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu schools, state, city offices close as heavy rain moves in. All state offices and public schools on Oahu, as well as nonessential City and County of Honolulu offices and services, are closed today in anticipation of heavy rain across the island. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council considering leasing 6 residential properties to nonprofits. In November, the Office of Housing and Community Development issued a request for proposals for the leasehold operation and rental of each of the six residential properties as long-term housing for underserved populations. The nonprofits will each only pay $10 annually for the houses to the county.  Big Island Now.

Kīlauea Eruption Episode 44 Ends After 9 Hours. Episode 44 in the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ended abruptly at 7:41 p.m. HST Thursday evening, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining.  Big Island Video News.

Ivy Leaguer from Maui is Miss Aloha Hula 2026. Faith Kealohapau‘ole Paredes of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala ‘Iliahi scored 1161 points Thursday night — the first evening of the 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula competition at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Maui

‘Don’t Make It Worse’: Kīhei Cleans Up, Braces For More Rain. Residents and business owners are still dealing with March flood damage as Maui readies for the next storm. Civil Beat.

Maui severe weather update: More shelters open, water conservation in effect. Maui Emergency Management Agency, other County of Maui departments and the American Red Cross started proactively opening shelters on April 8, ahead of severe weather.  Maui Now.

Kona lows highlight need for emergency service upgrades on Molokai. Pukoo Fire Station, the only one servicing Molokai’s east end, is actually a two-bedroom house that is more than 100 years old. The aging facility is also in a flood zone, and like many nearby homes, the structure also gets flooded during storms. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County Council approves Santos for environmental seat on Planning Commission. The Kauaʻi County Council unanimously approved Hanapēpē native Kuuleialoha Santos to fill a vacant environmental seat on the Planning Commission. Kauai Now.

DOW water rate community meeting rescheduled. The new meeting date will be April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. Garden Island.

Kauai residents warned to stay off roads as storm moves in. Kauai was the first island hit by an incoming storm system Thursday evening. Hawaii News Now.

Gluck appointed to Intermediate Court of Appeals, Epstein associates vacationed in Hawaii, advocates continue push for special prosecutor in bribery investigation, Luke speaks out, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green appoints Daniel Gluck to Intermediate Court of Appeals. Gov. Josh Green on Monday announced the appointment of Daniel Gluck as an Associate Judge for the Intermediate Court of Appeals. A graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School, Gluck previously served as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission, the Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i and an attorney in private practice. Maui Now.

Epstein associates vacationed in Hawaii, emails show. Nonprofit advocates say emails highlight local sex trafficking concerns. Emails connected to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein show his associates vacationed in Hawaii, according to a Hawaii News Now review of documents posted to a public website called Jmail, created by two tech innovators. Hawaii News Now.

Climate Funding Under New Hawai‘i Tax Could Be Cut By Millions. Legislation to instead charge a per-passenger fee would recoup less than half of all the green fee revenues cruise ships were expected to generate. As the cruise industry and the state spar in court over Hawaiʻi’s new green fee, state lawmakers are moving full steam ahead to remove those ships from the landmark climate law and have them instead pay a new fee of around $10 per passenger. Civil Beat.

Clean government groups push for special prosecutor.  Advocates for campaign finance and other “clean government” reforms on Monday renewed the call for the appointment of a special prosecutor to conduct an independent probe of allegations that an unidentified “influential state legislator” accepted $35,000 in a paper bag. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Luke addresses campaign finance report errors in new video. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke posted a video Monday addressing what she says is an innocent mistake in her campaign finance reports. Luke said she’s embarrassed, but never acted in bad faith.  Hawaii News Now.

Tax break halt still alive, gambling bills dying in Hawaii Legislature. Efforts to legalize any form of gambling again appear dead this year but the state Legislature continues to move bills that would eliminate future tax cuts, limit free school lunches to public charter students and prohibit ICE and local law enforcement from covering their faces. Star-Advertiser.

More Local Food? These State Agencies Aren’t Buying It. Few departments met the official 10% goal last year. While cost, quality and lack of consistent supply are concerns, the current pace doesn’t bode well for the larger push to wean the islands off imported food. Civil Beat.

Rising child care costs strain families despite wage gains. With Hawaii’s cost of living ranking among the highest in the nation, state leaders are accelerating public preschool and child care subsidy expansions aimed at helping working families afford early education. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser Permanente ends strike; talks progress. The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, which represents 31,000 workers in California and Hawaii, said they would return to work at 7 a.m. today after walking off the job four weeks ago. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Maui Now. 

HMSA Proposal: Hawaiʻi Health Care Could See Radical Transformation. The deal, which would bring together the state’s largest health insurer and one of its biggest hospital companies under a new umbrella organization called One Health, is likely to touch the lives of some 760,000 Hawaiʻi residents and their doctors. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council OKs HPD transparency legislation. The City Council is formally on record commending Honolulu police for policies favorable to transparency, including not wearing masks when encountering members of the public. Star-Advertiser.

Rail expansion might come down the line faster for Kapolei than UH Mānoa. The planning phase to extend the Honolulu rail to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa can now start, but a new segment on its other terminus, on the Kapolei side, could come first. Hawaii Public Radio.

Global Entry halt affects international arrivals at Honolulu airport. HDOT expects limited impact on processing times for international arrivals at the airport. Recent investments in modernizing federal inspection facilities and deploying advanced technologies have enhanced passenger facilitation and operational efficiency.  KITV4.

Farmer rescues co-worker from flood in Waialua. A former firefighter, Chris Greer, did not hesitate when his co-worker needed him after being trapped in flood water Saturday at their workplace, Laulau Solutions farm in Waialua. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

House bill would allow for up to 10-year extensions of Mauna Kea leases. A House bill that would authorize the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing astronomical observatory leases and subleases for up to 10 years has advanced despite concerns from state departments and overwhelming opposition from residents around the state. Big Island Now.

Rising home insurance in lava zones prompts subsidy proposal. House lawmakers have advanced a measure that would subsidize home insurance for low-income families in lava zones. Insurance premiums on property in lava zones on Hawaiʻi Island have spiked since the 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hilo YWCA Demolition, Construction Of New Campus Examined In Draft EA. Under the proposal, the existing pool house and swimming pool would be demolished, and a new preschool facility would be constructed. Big Island Video News.
 
Maui

As focus turns to Lahaina commercial rebuilds, owners face daunting challenges. As Lahaina commercial property owners navigate a daunting post-fire road to rebuilding, some are finding it so challenging that they’re not sure if they’ll be able to reconstruct at all. Hawaii Public Radio.

Two recruits graduate, joining the ranks of the Maui Ocean Safety division. Kelson Lau and Kevin Smallwood completed the 12-week-long training program that covered not only an extensive variety of ocean rescue skills, but also Emergency Medical Responder and CPR skills, ATV/UTV and RWC operation, and communication protocols.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Former state public safety employee on Kaua‘i pleads guilty to embezzling government funds. A former Hawai‘i Department of Public Safety employee waived indictment and pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and official misconduct during a hearing on Monday in Fifth Circuit Court on Kaua‘i. Lisa Kuwamura, who worked as an account clerk for the Sheriff Division – Kauaʻi Section, manipulated computer records that tracked her time and attendance between Oct. 1, 2021, and June 20, 2024, in order to receive more than $64,000 in unearned compensation. Kauai Now.

Endemic pueo killed by collision with vehicle on Kauaʻi’s westside. A pueo, a Hawaiian short-eared owl revered in local culture as an ancestor spirit/guardian, was found dead on a road outside of ‘Ele’ele early Monday morning, underscoring ongoing concerns about vehicle collisions involving Kauaʻi’s native birds. Kauai Now.

An exchange of lifesaving knowledge and culture. The Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau (OSB), in partnership with the Okinawan Lifesaving Association, hosted a certificate ceremony on Friday at the Moikeha Rotunda.  Garden Island.

Revenue Council releases upbeat economic forecast, Blangiardi signs bill giving limited media access, former Hawaii councilman Yagong dies at 66, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tax revenue forecast stable amid upbeat economic outlook. The state Council on Revenues decided during a meeting Wednesday to leave unchanged its prior forecast for state general fund revenue in the current and next fiscal years. That means the Legislature will need to base its budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, largely on the council’s projection for roughly $9.7 billion in general fund revenue representing a 2.0% increase over an estimated $9.5 billion for the current fiscal year. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

$35K Mystery Payment: Bill Would Extend Time To Prosecute. The state Department of the Attorney General will wait until an ongoing federal public corruption investigation ends before considering allegations that an unnamed state lawmaker accepted $35,000 in a paper bag in 2022. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

Need A Doctor? Hawaiʻi’s Physician Shortage Keeps Getting Worse. Neighbor islands bear the brunt of the growing shortage, which contributes to uneven costs and poorer care. Civil Beat.

Nearly 30% of state sheriff, investigator positions are vacant, officials say. The state Department of Law Enforcement says low pay is a primary concern amid its 28% vacancy rate, and is hoping for new legislation to combat it. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi wildfire plan in the works in conjunction with expansion of new state fire marshal’s office. A plan that aims to overhaul how state agencies prepare for wildfires is expected to be completed in early 2027, according to the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Maui Now.

DFS pulls out of Hawaii after more than 60 years. After more than 60 years in Hawaii, Duty Free Shoppers (DFS) is preparing to pull out of the market.They are set to close their two locations at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Maui Airport location and Waikiki location by the end of March. KHON2.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi signs Honolulu Police Department media access bill. Mayor Rick Blangiardi has signed a bill into law requiring the Honolulu Police Department to release timely and accurate information to selected news outlets during major public safety incidents. Blangiardi’s Dec. 22 approval of Bill 46 means HPD is expected to use its newly- created media crime alert system to provide limited media access to its radio communications. Star-Advertiser.

Rebates increased on appliances to encourage water conservation. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Department of Environmental Serv­ices announced Wednesday it would be increasing rebates on certain household appliances to encourage more water conservation on the island. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

HMSA, Hawai‘i Pacific Health propose new health care affiliation amid affordability concerns. Hawaii Medical Service Association and Hawai‘i Pacific Health said the proposal would bring the two local, nonprofit organizations under a new parent entity, tentatively called One Health Hawaii, while allowing each to continue operating independently as legal affiliates. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Proposed healthcare partnership questioned by Queens, nurses’ union. Not everyone is cheering the proposed affiliation between HMSA and Hawaii Pacific Health. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Dominic Yagong, former council chairman, dies at 66. Dominic Yagong, a former County Council chairman who represented Hamakua and was the beloved emcee of Honokaa High School Dragons sports, died Wednesday. He was 66. Yagong was in hospice care the past couple of weeks after suffering a second stroke late last year. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

$30 Million Invested. Hawaiʻi Island Homeless Population Still Grew. The county has tried to combat homelessness in recent years, but more people are living on the streets of Hilo and Kona. Civil Beat.

Community groups out in front in the fight against hunger on Hawaiʻi Island. An estimated 90,000 people on Hawaiʻi Island are battling some degree of food insecurity. The island has one of the highest rates of hunger in the state, according to a report compiled by major food banks in 2025. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Bill To Save Thousands Of Maui Vacation Rentals Heads To Planning Commissions. Nearly a month after passing a version of Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s bold plan to free up housing for residents by phasing out thousands of the island’s short-term vacation rentals, the Maui County Council on Wednesday advanced legislation that would reduce the number of affected units by more than half. Civil Beat.

Mahi Pono announces first commercial harvest of Hawaiʻi-grown mandarins. Mahi Pono today announced the first commercial harvest of its Hawaiʻi-grown mandarins, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to increase local food production and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s food security. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department adds four officers from the 102nd recruit class. Family members, friends, fellow officers and the Kaua’i County Council gathered on Dec. 6 for the 102nd Police Recruit Class graduation ceremony at the Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall for recruits Kent Morano, Brandon Chun, Kaleo Josiah and Daylin Huni. Kauai Now.

Hawaii readies nation's first climate impact fee on tourists, Kaiser Permanente workers vote to strike, inaugural high school surfing championships coming this spring, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Conference showcases nexus between green fees, tourism. Members of the Green Fee Advisory Council updated Hawaii’s visitor industry Monday on the process that they are using to ensure that the nation’s first-ever climate impact fee strengthens Hawaii’s environment, builds resilience and enhances the visitor experience. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi is getting less rainfall than in the past. Is that shift permanent? Overall, last month was the driest August for Hawaiʻi since at least 1991. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser Hawaii workers vote to authorize a strike. The vote signals the possibility that thousands of health care workers, including hospital aides, medical assistants, nurses, and lab technicians, among others, could walk off the job if no agreement is reached by the end of month, when contracts expire. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Ruling opens door for challenges to HMSA prior authorization decision. The Hawaii Supreme Court has cleared the way for customers of the state’s largest health insurance company to sue over coverage denials that they believe harmed them or their families.  Hawaii News Now.

Here’s Where Hawaiʻi School Enrollment Is Dropping Fastest. The state is looking at redistricting schools and closing campuses amid an ongoing decline in enrollment. Civil Beat.

Surfing State Championships Coming To Hawaiʻi Schools This Spring. Surfing has been a high school sport since 2004, but a lack of funding and state support has kept many schools from starting their own competitive teams. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Now. 

Coral in Hawaiʻi waters officially named after furry 'Star Wars' lookalike. A species of deep-sea coral has been named after the beloved "Star Wars" character Chewbacca. Its long shape makes it look like it’s standing upright, and its extended, flexible branches resemble the famous character’s fur. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Alleged discrepancies in HFD fund under Council discussion. The City Council’s Budget Committee is set today to discuss an audit that showed that a Honolulu Fire Department fund to support fire prevention efforts islandwide was instead allegedly used to finance the department’s operations, staffing and new fire equipment purchases with little to no oversight. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill whistleblower describes ‘cover-up’ during May 2021 fuel leak. A whistleblower turned over a mountain of evidence years ago, which includes never-seen-before photos of the initial spill. Hawaii News Now.

Invasive Beetles Are Overrunning Oʻahu. Could New Methods Offer Relief? The agriculture department has been focusing on coconut rhinoceros beetles on other Hawaiian islands, leaving Oʻahu largely to fend for itself. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Salary Commission to discuss raises for top officials, County Council. The Salary Commission is proposing to mirror Hawaii Government Employees Association alary increases for executives and elected officials for the next four years: 3.5% increase for year one; 3.79% increase for year two, 4% increase for year three, and 4% increase for year four. Tribune-Herald.

Council OK’s effort to acquire Honolulu Landing property. The Hawaii County Council has given full approval to a resolution urging the Department of Finance to move ahead with acquiring 364 acres of culturally and environmentally significant coastline in Puna known as Honolulu Landing. Tribune-Herald.

Hakalau Bridge Project Begins September 24. Work to rehabilitate the bridge will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Balances Compassion With Fire Safety In Homeless Encampment Sweeps. County leaders say they are prioritizing the community as a whole but critics feel it’s scapegoating. Civil Beat.

With debris transfer nearing completion, attention turns to future of site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates some 400,000 to 500,000 tons of debris will be moved from the temporary disposal site at Olowalu to the permanent location at Puunene next to the Central Maui Landfill. Maui News.

Maui to host first-ever Hawaii high school surfing championship May 1-2. After almost three decades of work to bring surfing into the mainstream of high school sports on Maui, the first Hawaii High School Athletic Association surfing state championship will be decided on the Valley Isle. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Coordinated Hunt in Kauaʻi’s Kalalau Valley reduces feral animal population. Kalalau Valley has long struggled with populations of feral pigs and goats, which damage native plants, cause erosion, and create public health and safety concerns for campers and hikers. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Foster care in crisis, state Supreme Court mulls HMSA insurance denials, Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Foster System In Crisis: Kids Still Sleeping In Offices, Hotels. A toddler, age 2, spent the night in a government office on Kauaʻi. A 13-year-old slept on an Oʻahu office futon for almost two months. And a 15-year-old lived for more than three months out of offices and hotel rooms on Hawaiʻi Island. For some Hawaiʻi foster youth, government offices and hotels are a home of last resort.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s biggest insurer defends provider contracts before state Supreme Court.  The Hawaii Supreme Court saw a historic argument as Hawaii’s biggest insurer defended its rules against some doctors and patients. They say Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) preauthorization and contract rules interfere with patient care, while the company says they help doctors do their jobs quickly and effectively. Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Kapolei affordable housing project sought on city-owned site. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says it’s seeking a developer to turn a vacant city-owned parcel in West Oahu into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented development that will feature 600 to 800 affordable housing units. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s holds blessing ceremony for expanded downtown emergency department. The department recently underwent renovations that expanded its size, more than doubling the number of its treatment rooms, and now offers dedicated facilities for state-of-the-art CT and X-ray services. Star-Advertiser.

Miske Case: Prosecutors Agree To Negotiate Settlement Over Asset Forfeiture. The deal to settle over millions of dollars in assets is an indication that the government is seeking to avoid another long, complex and expensive trial in the case. Civil Beat.

No markings, no clarity: Crosswalk changes create risky guessing game in Honolulu. Over the past decade, the city has eliminated dozens of Honolulu crosswalks. Officials say the changes aim to make streets safer by encouraging pedestrians to cross at traffic lights. But critics argue that rarely happens along a busy stretch of S. King Street. Hawaii News Now.

UH president appoints Vassilis Syrmos as interim Mānoa provost. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel on Monday appointed Vassilis Syrmos as UH Mānoa’s interim provost. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Pohoiki Boat Ramp dredging begins. Dredging work began today to restore access to the lava-barricaded Pohoiki Boat Ramp, eight years after an eruption of Kilauea volcano rendered the structure unusable. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

State senator pitches hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. State Sen. Tim Richards has an idea on how to provide more renewable energy and clean water to Hawaiʻi Island residents -- a pumped storage hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protective order against former UFC champ B.J. Penn extended. Penn must immediately vacate the home he shares in Hilo with his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine P. Shin. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget into law towards housing, recovery, natural resources. Mayor Richard Bissen signed Maui’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget of approximately $1.56 billion that addresses housing for kamaʻāina, recovery and cultural and natural resources. KITV4.

Recent drownings in Wailea put spotlight on Maui’s longtime issue of too many unguarded beaches. Before the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire that drastically curbed tourism, Maui County had the second-highest ocean drowning fatality rate per capita in the state from 2019-2023, according to the Hawai‘i Water Safety Plan released in January. And, the average per capita rate of drownings was twice as high on Neighbor Islands as on O‘ahu.  Maui Now.

Maui’s main stadium shuts down for major repairs. War Memorial Stadium will be closed for more than a year to undergo much-needed repairs. That means sports events and even graduations will have to go somewhere else. Hawaii News Now.

A `promise to restore balance’: Mayor Bissen makes his case for vacation rental phase-out. Citing Maui’s severe post-wildfire housing crisis, the Bissen administration presented its formal case to a County Council committee to phase out approximately 6,000 short-term vacation rentals mostly in West and South Maui. Maui Now.

With housing and economy at stake, Maui County weighs phase-out of 7,000 vacation rentals. The Maui County Council is currently weighing whether or not to pass a bill that would phase out roughly 7,000 transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts, nearly half of the island’s supply. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.  Maui Now.

MPD seeks help with unclaimed bodies. Maui police are asking for help contacting the family members of five people who are deceased. Maui News.

Kauai

Annual sewer rate increase on Kaua‘i kicks in on July 1. A sewer rate increase approved by the Kaua‘i County Council in 2022 increases the sewer rate by 11% per year over five years.  Kauai Now.

Kauai’s most remote areas now covered by high-speed internet.  The island of Kaua‘i is now fully fiber-enabled, providing Hawaiian Telcom customers access to high-speed internet. Hawaii News Now.

New ambulance station in Hanalei will increase calls, enhance response times for the secluded east side of the island. The new station is staffed 24/7 every day of the year and will enhance emergency coverage and response times for the more secluded area of the island. Kauai Now.