Bills could protect chief elections officer, mitigate erosion near oceanfront homes; Aloha Stadium coming down, $60M deal in city takeover of Kapolei roads, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elections officer could get more protection from political firing attempts. The state’s chief elections officer could get more job protection this year under a proposal by state lawmakers. If the three-page Senate Bill 2466 becomes law, that position “may only be terminated for cause,” sparing that position from politically motivated attacks.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Rollback could strengthen state’s position in lawsuits. President Donald Trump rescinded a key rule known as the “endangerment finding” that was foundational for fighting climate change, and while it is considered a massive setback in environmental policy, legal experts said the move could strengthen the state’s arguments against the federal government and fossil fuel companies in its lawsuits. Star-Advertiser.

Senators seek pathway to recreational marijuana. Supporters of legal recreational marijuana for adults made another push at the state Capitol Tuesday, facing fierce opposition even as the final decision may rest with President Trump. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Lawmakers shelve bill requiring homeschooled students to test at public schools. Hundreds of families gathered at the Hawaii State Capitol Tuesday to oppose House Bill 2376, which would have required homeschooled students to take standardized tests at their local public schools. Hawaii News Now.

Divers Are Dying Near The Surface. Now There’s A Call For Safety Warnings. Freediving is one of the leading causes of fatal drownings for Hawaiʻi residents. Now lawmakers and safety advocates want labels on equipment — and more. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Bills seek to mitigate 'slow-moving disaster' facing waterfront homes. Over 90% of Oʻahu's North Shore beaches are expected to be in a chronic state of erosion by 2050, according to the Surfrider Foundation’s 2025 State of the Beach Report. Hawaii Public Radio.

State-city dispute over Kapolei roads being settled for $60M. Under a memorandum of agreement with the city, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. will transfer more than 100 roads covering 24 miles throughout the 888-acre community to the city with the $60 million payment spread over 10 years to cover expenses for maintenance and upgrades. Star-Advertiser.

Council to consider approving Skyline planning to UH Manoa. The Honolulu City Council is set to consider the final approval of a measure calling for plans and feasibility studies for future city rail routes to University of Hawaii at Manoa and toward Ko Olina resort in West Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Workers begin to dismantle Aloha Stadium. Out with the old officially started at Aloha Stadium as destruction began for the 50,000-seat facility, which opened in 1975 and hosted its final sports event a little over five years ago. Star-Advertiser.

New Victoria Ward Park policy prompts outcry by pet owners. In the middle of all the condominiums in Kakaako lies a recently refurbished, yet-to-reopen park. The well-manicured lawn and other amenities will likely lure many to enjoy the green space amid the concrete jungle. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore Marketplace in Haleiwa changing hands after lease rent dispute. A rental dispute is forcing big changes to a decades-old iconic landmark in Haleiwa. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Inspectors Missed Illegal Rentals In Factory That Burned. The county subsidized rentals in an office building 30 feet away on the same property, but overlooked illegal units in the adjacent poi factory. Civil Beat.

Kona coffee worker back home after ICE arrest. A 42-year-old Captain Cook man who was locked up more than five months by the federal government without charges or bond was freed late last month, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii said Tuesday.  Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i nonprofit buys condominium building in Hilo, growing its rent-to-own program. Hawaiian Community Assets, a nonprofit housing counseling agency, partnered with Hawai‘i County’s Office of Housing and Community Development to purchase Ali‘i Kai apartments in Keaukaha. This purchase doubles the number of units available through the nonprofit’s Ua Hale Aʻela program, which is meant to turn Hawai‘i renters into homeowners in two years or less. Big Island Now.

New Mauna Kea Authority Has Difficult Task Ahead — And Limited Time. University officials and some senators are concerned about the fate of astronomy on the mountain. Civil Beat.

Family and friends mourn cultural matriarch, kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole. For years, Kanakaʻole had worked tirelessly in teaching her students hula at Hālau o Kekuhi. Her life’s work was dedicated to continuing the ancient traditions of Hawaiian chant and hula kahiko, teachings she inherited from her mother, Edith Kanakaʻole. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Is Haleakalā The Next Frontier For A Telescope Standoff? Public opposition to the military’s plan to build up to seven telescopes in a state conservation district atop Haleakalā has been mounting in recent weeks, after the release of a draft environmental impact statement late last month. Civil Beat. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui Fire Department announces 25 recent promotions. Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura announced a list of 25 personnel who were promoted recently, including 18 to the rank of Firefighter III and seven to the rank of Firefighter II. Maui Now.

Kauai

Ready before the call: KPD upgrades officer training. Police officers on Kauai are using a state-of-the-art training facility to make safer, smarter decisions in the field. Garden Island.

Lydgate Beach Park campground to close for scheduled maintenance. These closures, scheduled for March 2-22, are necessary to allow Department of Parks and Recreation staff and partner agencies to thoroughly clean the area, perform much-needed grounds maintenance, and conduct various repairs of the campground facilities. Kauai Now.

Governor seeks to borrow against new 'green fee' tourist tax, military wants Oahu to be hub of Pacific arms manufacturing, Air Force plans 7 new telescopes on Haleakala, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Initial ‘Green Fee’ projects are caught in funding dilemma. Gov. Josh Green is proposing to use debt instead of new special tax revenue to pay for an initial 18 “Green Fee” environmental improvement projects costing $42.2 million. The plan, which has aggravated some state lawmakers, would increase Green Fee project costs due to the interest on such debt while also freeing up a stream of cash specifically created for such projects to instead potentially fund other state needs. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers push for more transparency on Green Fee fund allocations. State lawmakers are working on how they will spend millions of dollars generated for climate projects by the new Green Fee on hotels and cruise ships. Two bills that would create more oversight for the selected projects advanced out of their first committees on Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Special Interests Are Fueling Gov. Josh Green’s Anti-RFK Jr. Super PAC. A political action committee Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green launched last year to push back against U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism and support candidates who believe in science-backed medicine raised nearly $500,000 during 2025, according to federal campaign spending records.  Civil Beat.

Questions over Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke likely to inspire challengers. Democratic and nonpartisan elected officials across the state are quietly calculating the financial and political costs of challenging Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke by the June 2 filing deadline while suspicions swirl whether Luke is the target of an ongoing investigation by Hawaii’s attorney general. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi AG says 'no conflict' in investigation into alleged $35K lawmaker exchange. Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez reaffirmed her position Friday that there is no conflict of interest in her department’s investigation into an “influential lawmaker” who allegedly accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during a January 2022 meeting. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Rep. Daniel Holt leaves state House for Hawaii DLNR job. State Rep. Daniel Holt resigned from the state House Friday following his appointment to serve as an executive assistant to Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang. The Hawaii Democratic Party now has 30 days to give Gov. Josh Green a list of potential candidates to replace Holt in the House. Green will then have 60 days to select Holt’s replacement. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

String Of ‘Devastating’ Suicides In Hawaiʻi Prisons Continues. Corrections officials are asking for millions of dollars this year to hire dozens of health care workers to improve mental health services inside. Civil Beat.

Demand soars as loan relief keeps health care workers home. Under bills being considerred by the Legislature, those who receive a total annual loan amount of $50,001 or more would be required to work in Hawaii for three years instead of two. Star-Advertiser.

Group says military contributes 16% of Hawaiʻi's gross domestic product. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded more than $3 billion in contracts in Hawaiʻi in 2023. That's according to a recent report from Hawaiʻi's Military and Community Relations Office, or MACRO. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. 

Sea-level rise concerns most Hawaii residents, UH study finds. The majority of Hawaii residents recognize that sea-level rise is happening — and the opinion is shared across political party lines, according to a new statewide survey by University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, which asked more than 1,300 residents in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties various questions on their opinions about sea-level rise. Star-Advertiser.

Lei legislation aims to bolster Hawaii flower farm industry. Buying lei made only with natural materials from Hawaii nei could be a new requirement for state agencies under an effort at the Legislature aimed at helping the local floriculture industry. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Military wants Hawaii to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing. Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, visited the Honolulu Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility — which has $12 million worth of machines funded by his office — and “The Forge,” a new facility at Schofield Barracks with on-site tools for 3D printing, casting and forging and the ability for what military officials call “rapid prototyping.” Star-Advertiser.

Pentagon mulls ending tuition assistance at HPU. The Pentagon is mulling terminating tuition assistance to service members attending dozens of universities, including Hawaii Pacific University. The military branches have begun to compile lists of colleges and universities that may have a “moderate to high risk” of being impacted, meaning the Pentagon wouldn’t fund any active-duty service members’ higher education there. Star-Advertiser.

Council works to boost agritourism oversight. To prevent abuse, members of the Honolulu City Council say they want to strengthen the oversight of agritourism activities on Oahu’s agricultural lands. Star-Advertiser.

Where Are Honolulu’s Wāhine Lifeguards? 19 Out Of 20 Are Men. Hawaiʻi has some of the lowest rates of female lifeguards in the country. As more women surfers claim a spot in the lineup, there’s hope that might change. Civil Beat.

Illegal rentals hurt hotel sector, deepen housing crisis. Honolulu’s hotel sector pumps more than $12 billion a year into the local economy and supports nearly 64,000 jobs, but industry leaders warn those gains are increasingly at risk as illegal vacation rentals drain housing from residents and erode public support for tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaʻako residents frustrated over dog ban at Ward Village park. The developer Howard Hughes Corp. promised residents a pet-friendly neighborhood, but it has now walked back its pitch to residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Higher tax rate eyed for Hawaii County homes worth $4M or more. The Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee on Feb. 4 voted 7-1 to forward with a favorable recommendation to the full council a measure that would add a new, higher rate of residential property tax for property with a net taxable value of $4 million or more. Tribune-Herald.

County, former department head exonerated in trial. Following a civil jury trial presided over by Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto, the county and Douglass Adams — former director of the Department of Research and Development — have been found legally not liable of all allegations in a lawsuit regarding the county’s hiring processes. Tribune-Herald.

County installs roundabout by in Hilo by HCC. The roundabout replaces the previous T-intersection at Kawili and Manono streets and was installed Friday as part of the ongoing Kawili Street paving project. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 42 Lava Fountains Erupt At Kīlauea Volcano. Episode 42 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 11:38 p.m. HST on February 15 after 9 hours and 48 minutes hours of continuous lava fountaining. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Air Force advances plans to build 7 more telescopes on Haleakalā as fuel spill cleanup continues. Activists are gearing up for another fight as the U.S. Air Force outlines plans to build up to seven more telescopes on the summit, even though it has not finished the cleanup of a 700-gallon fuel spill from 2023.  Maui Now.

Maui Housing Policy Divides Top Candidates For Mayor This Election. The mayoral election on Nov. 3 will give voters their first opportunity since the fires to decide who should steer the county for the next four years as it grapples with those issues. With four months before the candidate filing deadline, Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura has emerged as Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s top challenger. Civil Beat.

Open house offers chance to learn more about Maui’s new water conservation rules. The Maui County Department of Water Supply will host an open house from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 25 to discuss recent amendments to the county’s water conservation rules and what those changes mean to the community. Maui News.

Kauai

$6M OHA emergency fund offering help to Kauai Residents. OHA’s Hawaiian Council Outreach Team will be on Kauai on Monday, Feb. 16, to provide in-person assistance through its ‘Ola Emergency Relief Fund program. KHON2.

New mural ‘inspires responsibility,’ honors Kauai man killed by impaired driver. Students from Waimea High School and community members painted a new mural to limit impaired driving and remember a Kauai man killed in a hit-and-run crash. Hawaii News Now.

East, southeast shores to remain under high surf advisory. Strong trade winds will maintain relatively short period high surf along east-facing shores of Kauaʻi lasting into Wednesday. Kauai Now.

Former Speaker Calvin Say retires from politics while Hee, Kahele return, Honolulu hikes property taxes on vacation rentals, Maui council unanimously opposes Air Force telescopes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hee, Kahele reemerge in Hawaii politics as Say exits. Former state senator and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Clayton Hee and former U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele have reentered Hawaii politics this election cycle, while current Council Member Calvin Say, the former speaker of the state House of Representatives, has decided to retire from politics at age 72. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News.

State launches new marketing campaign in bid to recruit hundreds of new corrections officers. The state Department of Corrections is racing to fill nearly 400 positions at its facilities across the state — the highest number of vacancies it’s ever had. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to cover palliative care through Medicaid. Hawaii has become the first state in the U.S. to cover community palliative care services through Medicaid, according to Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser.

Search for new CEO of Native Hawaiian trust stirs debate over qualifications. The Liliuokalani Trust, named after Hawaii’s last reigning queen, was founded in 1909 to support orphans and children experiencing poverty. As of 2022, the fund was worth more than $1 billion. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu’s New Budget Includes Higher Property Taxes For Short-Term Rentals. Council members stuck with the higher tax rate in part to avoid cutting more services in the city's $4.5 billion budget, $115 million of which is allocated for hazard back pay from the pandemic. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  KITV4.

The Backlog Of Honolulu Building Permits Is Taking A Toll On City Revenue. In the 2023 fiscal year alone, Honolulu received close to 20,000 permit applications but issued fewer than 15,000. The difference — carried over into the following year — represents an average of more than $1 billion in taxable construction work and nearly $7 million in building permit fees. Civil Beat.

Fireworks bill moves forward at Honolulu City Council. The Honolulu City Council held its first public hearing on Wednesday on whether or not Oahu should bring back sparklers and fountains. KHON2.

Sand Island business board sued by former lawmaker. A former state lawmaker and executive director of the Sand Island Business Association is suing its board of directors for discrimination and wrongful termination, claiming members allegedly made his job impossible in a toxic work environment. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Mililani care home fined $117K for operating without a license. The state Health Department has fined Emmy’s Care Home LLC in Mililani a penalty of $117,000 for operating an adult residential care home without a license. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR to create separate position at Mauna ʻAla for Native Hawaiian cultural protocols. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Tuesday it will create a new position at the Mauna ʻAla Royal Mausoleum to focus solely on Native Hawaiian cultural protocols and community outreach. Hawaii Public Radio.

Undercover sweep of McCully-Moili’ili game rooms result in multiple arrests. Law enforcement agencies conducted multiple raids on game rooms in the McCully-Moili’ili area Wednesday night resulting in several arrests. KHON2.

 Federal agents, state authorities and Honolulu police raided businesses Tuesday in both Kalihi and Mapunapuna. Sources say it was related to possible customs violations. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Homelessness down 28%: Officials credit increases in funding for services, affordable housing. It appears the number of homeless individuals on Hawaii Island has reached its lowest point in the last six years. Tribune-Herald.

Plan to turn Manago Hotel into housing nixed. A $5.5 million county grant to purchase a historic West Hawaii hotel and use it for affordable housing has fallen through. Tribune-Herald.

Bill to regulate bike tours advances. A proposal to impose regulations upon commercial bike tour operators in Hawaii County has advanced despite pushback from bicyclists and tour groups. Tribune-Herald.

Trace Amounts Of Chromium Detected In Laupāhoehoe Water. For the first time, trace amounts of chromium have been detected in water samples from the Laupāhoehoe P-2 Well, which is part of the County of Hawai‘i Department of Water Supply’s Laupāhoehoe-Kapehu system. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County Council votes unanimously against new telescopes atop Haleakala. The Maui County Council voted unanimously Wednesday against a military plan to build up to seven new telescopes at the summit of Haleakala. ayor Richard Bissen doesn’t have to sign off on the resolution. However, a spokesperson in the mayor’s office said he is drafting a letter on the project that he will send to the Air Force. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Council Prioritizes Maui Fire Recovery And Housing In $1.7 Billion County Budget. The Maui County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $1.7 billion spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1, the county’s first budget since the devastating wildfires last summer. More money for affordable rentals, emergency management and firefighters is on tap for 2025. Civil Beat.

Maui Hits Pause Button On Managed Retreat Fund. A fund established to help Maui County deal with the impacts of climate change and sea level rise will be paused for three years and the money earmarked for it in the 2025 fiscal year used instead for the Pulelehua housing project north of Lahaina.  Civil Beat.

Tsuhako appointment as Human Concerns director advances with 7-2 committee vote. Department of Housing and Human Concerns Director Lori Tsuhako faced critics Tuesday who questioned her responsiveness, accessibility and management of homelessness in Maui County. Maui Now.

2024 Point in Time Count shows 7% drop in people experiencing homelessness. The overall homelessness count on Maui dropped by 7% from 704 individuals in 2023 to 654 in 2024, according to newly released data from Bridging the Gap. The report showed that there was a 26% decline in unsheltered homelessness. Maui Now.

Kauai

Navy and NASA looking to renew land use deals. Both the Navy and NASA propose to maintain long-term use of the land they occupy, and to satisfy the requirements for negotiations, both parties are working on creating an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed real estate agreements. Garden Island.

Air Force proposes 6 new telescopes on Maui's Haleakala, DLNR chairwoman on the hot seat, Big Island residents defend Benioff, Honolulu Ocean Safety chief suspended, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Head of DLNR defends her leadership amid calls to resign, including from several lawmakers. Dawn Chang, the head of the Department of Land and Natural Resources defended her leadership Wednesday amid criticism of her handling of challenging issues and calls for her resignation. Hawaii News Now.

It Looked Bad In The Beginning, But Maui Did Not Suck Up All The Money In The State Budget. Thanks to a large starting surplus of cash and a surge in support from the federal government, the state is managing the huge costs of the Maui fire — for now. Civil Beat.

House-Senate conference committee passes Hawaii vacation rentals bill. The full House and Senate will now consider the question of whether to allow each county to determine how — if at all — to regulate short-term vacation rentals on their islands, including the possibility of outlawing them. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Doctors urge lawmakers to get rid of general excise tax on health care. On top of the rising costs of medicine, providers said the general excise tax is killing their businesses and making it harder for patients to get care. KITV4.

State ranks among best for quality Pre-K programs; however, near bottom for access. A new national report has revealed that Hawaiʻi is one of just five states to meet 10 out of 10 research-based quality benchmarks for pre-kindergarten programs. However, it ranks 44th for enrollment of 4-year-olds and 31st for 3-year-olds. Maui Now.

Sea level rise could make tsunamis more destructive. Is Hawaiʻi prepared? Certain agencies have already started to incorporate sea level rise into disaster planning. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Ocean Safety chief placed on administrative leave, city says. John Titchen, Honolulu’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division chief since 2018, has been placed on administrative leave without pay effective Tuesday, but Mayor’s Office provided little information as to why Titchen was suspended nor offered any details into a “pending investigation” involving the 5-1/2-year Ocean Safety division leader. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Bee Habitat Destruction, Albatross Death Could Lead To $3 Million In Fines. Several North Shore property owners face more than $3 million in state fines for destroying a critical native bee habitat — pushing two of those bee species closer to extinction — and for installing an unpermitted fence that contributed to the killing of a nesting Laysan albatross. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Investigation of alleged beating by HPD officers is ongoing. An internal investigation is ongoing nearly five months after Honolulu police allegedly hit a man  Opens in a new tabwith a car before beating him and his son during a New Year’s Day manhunt and shootouts Opens in a new tab with an attempted murder suspect. Star-Advertiser.

Neighborhood Boards To Get Active Shooter Training After Alarming Incident At Meeting . Members of the Kalihi-Palama board said they were upset by what turned out to be a man breaking a glass window, sparking a conversation about safety. Civil Beat.

Repairs on 2 Oahu bridges begin next week. Construction on Rainbow Bridge over Anahulu Stream in Haleiwa will last for approximately one year, and work on the Dillingham Boulevard Bridge over Kapalama Canal in Iwilei will last for around four months. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City seeks 500 employees to run its annual Summer Fun program. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is looking for approximately 500 staff members to accommodate 10,000 keiki for its summer program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

These Big Island residents felt an NPR article about Marc Benioff didn't tell the whole story. Russell Subiono talked to several people who championed Benioff's philanthropy and felt the NPR piece did not tell the whole story. Interviewees included former Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim and Big Island residents Shardae Lopez, Jessie Grace, Nancy Carr Smith, and Frank and Laura Sayre. Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO's Call To Conserve Power On Hawaiʻi Island Ends, Generators Back Online. Three units with a combined generating capacity of up to 53 megawatts have been repaired ahead of schedule and are back online, Hawaiian Electric announced. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Lawmakers sign off on settlements: State to pay more than $1.5M in two Big Island cases. The state, with legislative approval, is set to pay out more than $1.5 million in settlement money for two high-profile cases on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

HPP lot owner cross-examined in house snafu case. Attorneys for a developer and construction company that in 2022 built a house on the wrong lot in Hawaiian Paradise Park on Wednesday cross-examined the lot’s owner, who they’re suing for unjust enrichment. Tribune-Herald.

Kolekole park reopens. Kolekole Gulch Park closed in 2017 after extensive lead contamination was found in the park’s soil, stemming from lead paint used in the overspanning Kolekole Stream Bridge. Tribune-Herald.

Brittany Anderson to seek District 1 seat on Hawai‘i County Council. One of the owners of a family farm on the Big Island’s Hāmākua Coast is throwing her hat into this year’s race for Hawai‘i County Council. Big Island Now.

Maui

Air Force proposing to build six new telescopes on Maui's Haleakala. The Department of the Air Force this week unveiled plans to construct at least six telescopes on the mountain to "provide precise and timely data to address rising threats and increasing dependence on space-based systems," a representative from the agency told Island News in an email.  KITV4.

Maui News moves to print weekly, digital daily. The 124-year-old newspaper announced it will print only on Thursday, while ramping up digital output effective June 6. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Vacation rentals evicted from Kīhei Marketplace redevelopment plans. A redevelopment project to beautify the rundown Kīhei Marketplace ran into strong community opposition Tuesday before the Maui Planning Commission with dozens of testifiers irked about plans for 13 transient vacation rentals. Maui Now.

Will The Maui Fires Help Or Hurt Candidates In This Year’s Election? Voters burned out of Lahaina can still cast ballots as if they were still living there. Maui County elections workers have a few months to track down thousands of people displaced by last summer’s catastrophic wildfires before ballots start going out in late July. Civil Beat.

State to create 450 interim units to house fire survivors ineligible for federal aid. Gov. Josh Green has announced a new partnership with HomeAid Hawai‘i to build 450 units for Maui wildfire survivors who were not eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

Dozens of vehicles to be towed from Kahului harbor next month. An estimated 54 trucks and cars, many inoperable, will be towed from the state’s Kahului Harbor on May 6, according to a Department of Natural Resources (DLNR) press release. Maui News.

Kauai

La‘akea Chun joins Kaua‘i Charter Commission. The Kaua‘i Charter Commission has a new commissioner in La‘akea Chun following the unanimous approval from the Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday during its scheduled meeting at the historic County Building. Garden Island.

Renovations to close Diamond Head, $160M state psychiatric hospital sits idle, Honolulu mulls banning commercial activities at beach parks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Diamond Head hike pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

Diamond Head demolition project to close state monument. Diamond Head State Monument will be closed on Oct. 28 and 29, and then again from November 1-5. The historic fire control station will be closed November   6-19, and possibly longer depending on construction progress. KITV4.

Hawaii Rep. Sylvia Luke Plans To Run For Lieutenant Governor. The powerful House Finance chair joins a growing field of Democrats seeking the state’s No. 2 job in 2022. Civil Beat.

Hawaii State Hospital’s new $160 million psychiatric facility sits empty. The new facility took years to develop, but five months after state officials opened the building to media tours, it remains empty as DOH continues to develop policies to govern its operations and struggles to fill staff positions. Star-Advertiser.

State calling on landlords to help solve the homeless crisis. State officials say negative stereotypes and fear of the unknown are holding back many landlords from participating in subsidized housing programs. That, in turn, is perpetuating homelessness. KITV4.

Department of Public Safety officials grappling with inmate overcrowding amid the coronavirus pandemic are trying something new — retrofitted shipping containers. According to the latest population reports from the Department of Public Safety, the state has 440 more inmates in its custody than its facilities were designed to hold. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shipping containers purchased by state to house inmates in quarantine sit idle. The state has spent more than $1.3 million in CARES Act funds to buy shipping containers that would have been used to house inmates in quarantine. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii records 3 new coronavirus-related deaths, 163 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 93 new cases on Oahu, 40 on Hawaii Island, eight on Maui, 12 on Kauai and 10 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Majority of Honolulu's ARPA funds will go towards economic recovery for underserved communities. The City and County of Honolulu will distribute nearly $400 million to Oʻahu communities through the American Rescue Plan Act. About $156 million — the largest portion — will go to support economic recovery. This includes expanding affordable housing and providing support to the agriculture industry. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Council looks at banning commercial activities in city beach parks. Bill 34, introduced by Council member Heidi Tsuneyoshi, would ban commercial activities, with the exception of professional filming, from Sunset Point to Kaiaka Point. Star-Advertiser.

Most Honolulu first responder COVID vaccine exemption requests cite religion. The department had received 948 exemption requests by Oct. 18, 76% of the time for religious beliefs. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Supply of at-home COVID test kits replenished for Oahu residents. The Honolulu Fire Department, which has played a key roll in testing across Oahu, has received their latest supply of at-home COVID tests. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Community Services Gets Second New Director Within Four Weeks. Anton Krucky, the former CEO of a biotechnology company, is now in charge of the city department that administers housing vouchers. Civil Beat.

Proposed Reapportionment Plans For Oahu Could Mean Painful Political Fallout. One longtime lawmaker describes the new district maps as a ‘gerrymander,’ and incumbents plan to lobby for changes. Civil Beat.

The Next Community To Host Oahu’s Landfill Can Learn From The Westside. As the city searches for a new site, the Westside offers lessons on how a place can turn into the island’s perceived ‘dumping ground.’ Civil Beat.

Solar farm planned amid cultural and historic sites including WWII Ewa battlefield. A Canadian renewable-­energy company plans to develop a solar farm in the vicinity of Ewa Field, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and two proposed historic districts connected with Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor nearly 80 years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

$1M FEMA grant for Mana Road fire. Hawaii County is receiving $1 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for battling the largest wildfire in island history, but whether the volunteers who threw themselves into the fight will get their costs reimbursed remains to be seen. West Hawaii Today.

Homeless project gets go-ahead. A homeless emergency shelter and housing project in Kailua-Kona took an incremental step forward Friday, with unanimous approval by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources for a ground lease and right of entry for Hawaii County. West Hawaii Today.

County seeks public input on Puna water restoration projects. Puna residents are being asked to submit feedback about a range of water restoration projects Hawaii County could pursue using federal funds. Tribune-Herald.

New Kahalu‘u Bay Surf School Rules Approved. The Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to implement the amended rules limiting and regulating commercial activity in ocean waters at Kahalu‘u. Big Island Video News.

Maui

NASA Awards $15M for Asteroid Hunting Telescopes on Maui. The University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy's IfA’s Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) atop Haleakalā currently finds nearly as many NEOs and PHAs as the rest of the world’s observatories combined, and nearly 60% of the largest and most dangerous ones with sizes greater than 140 meters across. Maui Now.

Online Public Hearing Set for Proposed Rules for Ukumehame Firing Range. The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled an online public hearing on Wed, Nov. 10, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed adoption of an amendment to the rules to require firearms to be registered. Maui Now.

Foodland Announces Vaccine Mandate. At least one Maui retail giant is serious about complying with proposed federal mandates that companies with more than 100 employees must meet mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Maui Now.

Kauai

Controversial Former Kauai Prosecutor Wants Her Old Job Back. Supporters say Shaylene Iseri is a tenacious lawyer ready for a comeback, but there are people who question her ability to manage staff. Civil Beat.

Namolokama Canoe Club hale’s future still to be determined. County officials and residents have been assured the Black Pot Beach Park Master Plan is not set in stone, after the Namolokama Canoe Club raised objection to the potential demolition of the old Hanalei Canoe Club buildings near the park. Garden Island.

First light: Maui Haleakala telescope captures closeup of the sun, plus Oahu voters to decide prosecutor term limits, TMT protest nonprofit must release records, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope has produced the highest resolution observations of the Sun’s surface ever taken. In this movie, taken at a wavelength of 705nm over a period of 10 minutes, we can see features as small as 30km (18 miles) in size for the first time ever. The movie shows the turbulent, “boiling” gas that covers the entire sun. The cell-like structures – each about the size of Texas – are the signature of violent motions that transport heat from the inside of the sun to its surface. Hot solar material (plasma) rises in the bright centers of “cells,” cools off and then sinks below the surface in dark lanes in a process known as convection. In these dark lanes we can also see the tiny, bright markers of magnetic fields. Never before seen to this clarity, these bright specks are thought to channel energy up into the outer layers of the solar atmosphere called the corona. These bright spots may be at the core of why the solar corona is more than a million degrees. National Science Foundation.

Solar telescope atop Haleakala captures first detailed images of sun’s surface. The National Science Foundation has released the first, close-up images of the sun’s surface from its Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, which fittingly sits atop the summit of Haleakala – the house of the sun — on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

First-Of-Their-Kind Images of The Sun From New Haleakala Telescope. Never-before-seen images of the Sun were released today, revealing cell-like structures the size of Texas roiling on its surface. These are the very first images observed by the National Science Foundation’s Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) atop Haleakala on Maui. Maui Now.

UH astronomers capture stunning images of the sun’s surface. From the House of The Sun, on Maui comes the most detailed look at the sun to date. Images captured by scientists at the Daniel K. Inouye Telescope on Haleakala provided a stunning view of the sun. Hawaii News Now.

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Annual visitor arrivals to Hawaii exceed 10 million for the first time. Visitors to Hawaii went over the 10 million benchmark, but spending growth in 2019 didn’t keep up with the pace of arrivals growth, according to statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii housing demand high, supply still low. Hawaii needs 50,156 new homes — for sale and rent — over the next five years to meet demand, but only a small fraction of that number likely will be built. Star-Advertiser.

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No sign yet of coronavirus in Hawaii but officials are on alert. Hawaii has no cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus so far and officials say the risk of infection here is very low. Star-Advertiser.

DOH: Coronavirus Risk In Hawaii Still Low. At a press conference Wednesday, state officials said no cases of the novel coronavirus have been documented in our islands. Civil Beat.

No Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed in Hawai‘i. State officials reassured the public that risk to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is low and, no cases have been confirmed up to this point. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Officials Say Don't Travel To China, Get A Flu Shot As Coronavirus Spreads. There is still no reported case of novel coronavirus in the state and screenings of arriving visitors have begun at the Honolulu international airport, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed at a Wednesday press conference. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Health Department Prepares for 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Advising Against Travel to China. “Although the risk to the general public is low,” officials with the Hawai‘i Department of Health say they are working with state, county and federal partners to “actively prepare for possible cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).” Maui Now.

State Health Officials urge people not to travel to China amid growing concerns with coronavirus. There are now more than 7,000 confirmed cases worldwide but a majority of them are in China. More than 170 people have died. KITV4.

Rating Agency: Coronavirus Could Hurt Hawaii Tourism. Moody’s says impact will be limited is virus if contained within a few months. Civil Beat.

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Governor Calls For More Renewable Energy Development, Including Hydropower, Offshore Wind. Hawaii’s chief executive says, under current industry estimates, there is not enough land to cover the state’s energy needs solely using photovoltaic solar. But he sees promise in other options for the state to reach 100 percent renewable energy. Hawaii Public Radio.

New proposal to ban tour bus and tour helicopter operations on Sunday. Tourism is the biggest industry here in Hawaii. However, a new bill created by Senator Laura Thielen could put limits to it. KHON2.

Lawmakers seek to boost minimum wage. Lawmakers have once again proposed an increase to the state’s minimum wage this year, after a similar proposal died in committee last year. Tribune-Herald.
New mental illness bill aims to tackle involuntary hospitalization. A new bill hoping to tackle Hawaii’s mental health problems is scheduled to be heard next week, but enforcement and rights of citizens could pose roadblocks to change. KHON2.

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Proposal Could Hand New Property Tax Authority To School Board For Teacher Salaries. A proposed Hawaii constitutional amendment would give the state Board of Education power to impose taxes on real property to pay for teacher salaries. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal would give BOE taxing authority. Proposed legislation introduced by state House Speaker Scott Saiki would allow residents to vote on an amendment to Hawaii’s constitution that would give the state Board of Education “concurrent real property tax authority” to help fund teacher compensation. Tribune-Herald.

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Philippines-based church with ties to Hawaii involved in immigration, fundraising fraud, FBI says. The FBI arrested three administrators of a Philippines-based church in California and Virginia today in connection with a years-long alleged fundraising scheme that stretched across the Pacific to Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A church with offices in Hawaii is accused by the feds of running a massive immigration fraud scheme. According to officials, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name Church would bring in workers from the Philippines claiming that they’re helping with church activities. KHON2.

Federal authorities raid Filipino mega-church as part of massive investigation. Federal authorities raided several churches and homes in Hawaii and on the mainland Wednesday connected to controversial Filipino evangelist Apollo Quiboloy as part of a massive human trafficking and immigration fraud investigation. Hawaii News Now.

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Former high-ranking union leader sentenced to 30 months in prison. The former head of the powerful Longshoremen’s union was sentenced Wednesday to two and half years in prison for identity theft. Hawaii News Now.

Former union official sentenced 30 months for identity theft, failure to file tax returns. A former union official was sentenced to 30 months in prison for identity theft and failure to file tax returns. KHON2.

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Helicopter Fishing For Ghost Nets In Hawaii. Nonprofits have banded together to explore a new way of removing abandoned fishing gear before it damages reefs or ensnares whales, dolphins, seals and turtles. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Voters Will Decide On Two-Term Limit For Prosecutor. The Honolulu prosecutor currently has no term limit. Civil Beat.

Voters to decide on term limits for city prosecutor amid scandal. Keith Kaneshiro is in his fifth term as city prosecutor. The public corruption scandal surrounding his office has led to a resolution that would limit future prosecutors to two consecutive four-year terms, the same term limit as the mayor and councilmembers. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu prosecutor candidates tout need for reform. At a debate Tuesday night, five candidates for Honolulu prosecuting attorney all agreed about the need to restore trust and accountability in the prosecutor’s office after its recent troubles but also carved out their own visions for tackling the job. Star-Advertiser.

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Homeless Man Forced To Lick Urinal By Police Files Civil Lawsuit. Two officers pleaded guilty in the case last year and are now being sued. Civil Beat.

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Honolulu councilwoman urges to increase gender equality in surf contests. Resolution 2012 urges officials to adopt new rules relating to city and state permits issued to surfing contest promoters to allow the same amount of women and men to take part in surfing events held on Oahu’s North Shore. KHON2.

Honolulu City Council passes gender equity surfing Resolution 20-12. The Honolulu City council approved a resolution this afternoon designed to change the landscape of the competitive surfing industry. KITV4.

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State proposes $35M highway realignment plan to ease Laniakea gridlock. After years of gridlock, state transportation officials say they finally have the money to fix the North Shore traffic problem caused by visitors trying to catch a glimpse of turtles. Hawaii News Now.

Council OK’s shorter hold times for stray pets. A bill allowing the Hawaiian Humane Society to shorten the length of time it must keep a microchipped cat or dog to five days from nine days before deciding whether to euthanize it won final approval from the City Council Wednesday despite lingering protests from advocates of a no-kill policy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Judge appears willing to allow subpoena of anti-TMT group’s financial records. A Circuit Court judge today said he was inclined to allow the state Attorney General’s office to subpoena financial records of a non-profit group devoted to Hawaiian issues, including raising funds to provide bail and other support for people opposed to the planned Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea. Star-Advertiser.

Judge: Attorney General Can Get Bank Records Of Mauna Kea Protest Group. A state judge has said he’s inclined to limit the scope of a subpoena filed against an activist organization leading protests of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Civil Beat.

Ethics Board to take on Maunakea road block. The fences blocking Maunakea Access Road came down more than a month ago. But the debate over whether the government applied the law discriminately by not removing protesters and reopening the road is as robust as ever. West Hawaii Today.

34% hike questioned. The air was polite, but testimony before the state Public Utilities Commission Tuesday night in Hilo was overwhelmingly opposed to Young Brothers’ request to raise interisland ocean freight rates by 34%. Tribune-Herald.

24 Big Island officers either fired or suspended in 2019. There were 12 police officers fired and 12 others suspended in 2019 on Hawaii island, according to a recent report by the Hawaii Police Department. Star-Advertiser.

Charter school focuses on future after inundation, alleged embezzlement. The founder and director of Kua O Ka La Public Charter School said Wednesday the school’s administration and governing board can’t comment on a federal embezzlement complaint against the school’s former financial officer “as it is still pending court action". Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Visitor Spending, Arrivals on Maui up in 2019, Report Finds. Visitors on Maui spent a total of $5.12 billion in 2019, a 3 percent rise from the year before, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority reported today. Maui Now.

County in top 3 worldwide for revenue, rates, occupancy in 2019. Maui County hotels ranked in the top three in “sun and sea destinations” worldwide in revenue per available room, average daily room rates and occupancy in 2019, the Hawaii Tourism Authority reported Thursday. Maui News.

Groups intervene on resort expansion. Grand Wailea’s plans on pause while groups, hotel turn to mediation. Maui News.

Kauai

Pesticide-free parks may be county goal. The nonprofit organization Beyond Pesticides got the green light Wednesday from the Kauai County Council to partner with the county Department of Parks &Recreation on a project to train staff on alternative pest-management strategies. Garden Island.

County backs Hawaiian homesteaders. The County Council on Wednesday passed unanimously a resolution to urge the state Legislature to fix defects in laws that govern the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands that have led to stubbornly high mortgage delinquency and foreclosure rates among Native Hawaiians living on DHHL lands. Garden Island.

Crosswalks, no-parking updates discussed at council. Roads and recycling were up for discussion at the Wednesday Kauai County Council meeting. Garden Island.

Ozawa-Waters rematch election set, Hawaiian Airlines reports $233M profit, telescope opponents take fight to California, DHHL bribery scandal hits Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trevor Ozawa, Tommy Waters campaign photos

A rematch between Trevor Ozawa and Tommy Waters to represent Honolulu City Council District 4 is set for Saturday, April 13. Hawaii News Now.

Ozawa-Waters rematch scheduled for April. The “all mail” election for the District 4 City Council seat will be mailed out March 21, city Clerk Glen Takahashi said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Ozawa-Waters Rematch Coming Up April 13 In City Council District 4. Gov. David Ige and election officials announce plans for the special election after the November results were invalidated by the Supreme Court. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council District 4 Special Election Dates Announced. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents from Hawaii Kai to Waikiki mark your calendars, the special election for the open Honolulu City Council District 4 seat will be held on Saturday, April 13th. KITV.

Gov. David Ige issued a special proclamation for a special election as required by state law.  KHON2.

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Gabbard’s Claims Of ‘Religious Bigotry’ Draw Cheers From The Right. A $1.5 million ad campaign from a group that wants to stack the courts with conservative judges features the Hawaii congresswoman’s recent attacks against Senate Democrats. Civil Beat.

Gabbard denies her presidential campaign is in ‘disarray’ after online report. Hawaii News Now.

Disaster planning to be required for new condos. A new bill by state Representative Cynthia Thielen, co-signed by Representative Gregg Takayama, would require new condominiums to create disaster preparedness plans before the beginning of next year. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines reports $233M profit in 2018. Higher fuel prices, increased competition, aircraft delivery delays, the Kilauea eruption and severe weather events didn’t prevent Hawaiian Holdings Inc. from carrying the most passengers of any year ever or surpassing analyst’s expectations. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A veteran Honolulu police officer was placed on administrative leave Tuesday after he shot and killed a 51-year-old Ewa Beach man who apparently sped his vehicle toward the officer at a traffic stop in Kalihi. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Fatally Shoot Man Who Drove Toward Officer. The suspect was pulled over early Tuesday near Kamehameha Shopping Center for a traffic violation. Associated Press.

Ancient Hawaiian site in Kalaeloa threatened. On Oahu’s arid Ewa plain, amid a kiawe tree forest, remnants of an ancient Hawaiian settlement are a cultural treasure anchoring a heritage park. Star-Advertiser.

Driver of truck that plowed into group of pedestrians, killing 3, faces manslaughter charges. Alins Sumang, the 27-year-old driver accused of hitting the pedestrians in a traffic island, is believed to have been speeding and was likely under the influence of alcohol when he struck the pedestrians. Hawaii News Now.

Fatal crash highlights pedestrians’ vulnerability. At a time when private developers and public policymakers are encouraging people to leave their cars behind and hit the streets on foot, Hawaii pedestrians likely have never felt more vulnerable. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu and Molokai public libraries to close February 7 for Library Institute Day. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Leaders of a fight against building a giant telescope on Mauna Kea are in California trying to convince a financial backer of the project to withdraw support. Associated Press.

Bill seeks ambulances for Makalei, Puna areas. West Hawaii Today.

A wastewater force main that ruptured in 2017 sending sewage into Kailua Bay will soon be replaced, if the County Council approves a measure increasing the cost to $1.7 million. West Hawaii Today.

Digital kiosks allow quick vehicle registration renewals at Safeway stores across Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Kulana Foods’ decision to cease slaughter of small animals concerns some ranchers. Tribune-Herald.

Interactions between humans and honu in the waters off Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park have become more complicated as the protected species grow in numbers. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Has 26% of State’s Visitor Accommodation Units. Maui has the second highest percentage of visitor accommodation units in the state according to a new 2018 Visitor Plant Inventory Report filed by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui Now.

The Maui Police Department reports that its forensic facility currently has five unclaimed remains. Maui Now.

A training exercise is planned this Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 in Central Maui for members of the Hawaii National Guard, Maui police officers and state and county firefighters. Maui Now.

Haleakala’s Pan-STARRS offers lots more space data. ‘World’s largest digital sky survey’ available for public and astronomers. Maui News.

Tech entrepreneur to speak at February Maui TechOhana. He created concept of YouTube Channels. Maui News.

Kauai

Engineer’s bribery scandal involves awarding of lucrative DHHL contract. Jim Lyon, owner of the Honolulu-based company Lyon Associates, pleaded guilty last week to conspiracy charges in the alleged bribery scheme. Multiple sources say the bribe helped land a $2.5 million DHHL engineering contract on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has installed blue light bulbs in public bathrooms at some parks to discourage illicit drug use and loitering. Garden Island.

A lottery for a rare hunting opportunity on Kauai is coming up. The Department of Land and Natural Resources is opening a special session from April to August to track down feral goats in the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. Hawaii News Now.

The humpback whale calf found dead on Kekaha Beach Monday didn’t die of starvation and it wasn’t killed by sharks, according to Researchers from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology’s Marine Mammal Stranding Lab. Garden Island.

A little, fuzzy chick has hatched in Princeville, signaling the beginning of that area’s Laysan albatross chick season and hailing the incoming of many more seabird babies throughout the North Shore. Garden Island.

Media dissects Ige's State of the State address, tsunami watch canceled, HI-EMA officer retiring, annual homeless count begins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Ige begins State of the State address PC: Hawaii House Democrats

Gov. David Ige used his fourth State of the State speech to request an additional $100 million from state lawmakers for housing, and says the state is “on track” to build 10,000 new housing units by 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Ige touts accomplishments, ignores missile alert in State of the State address. Gov. David Ige touted accomplishments from his first three years in office in his State of the State address on Monday, including boosting pay for teachers and outfitting more classrooms with air conditioning, and vowed to keep tackling the state’s housing shortage. Associated Press.

In rebuttal to critics, Ige uses State of the State to highlight his wins. Hawaii News Now.

Governor delivers State of the State address for 2018. KHON2.

Education also ranked high on the governor's list in his State of the State speech. KITV.

Governor David Ige’s State of the State address covered what his administration has accomplished and what it’s going to do to help ease homelessness, build more affordable housing, educate keiki, protect the environment and invest in highways. Hawaii Public Radio.

Education, innovation, and affordable housing were some of the main ideas found in Governor David Ige’s January 22 State-of-the-State address. The false missile alert that has consumed much of his time since January 13 was not mentioned. Big Island Video News.

Why no discussion of bogus ICBM alert in State of the State? Ige says he's talked about it enough. Hawaii News Now.

Media Isn’t Ready To Let Ige Put Missile Alert Behind Him. The governor wanted to talk about issues and accomplishments. Reporters were waiting with questions about the false alarm. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers: Ige speech lacks details. Affordable housing, creating quality jobs, education and traffic were top priorities Gov. David Ige spoke of during his State of the State address Monday from the State Capitol in Honolulu. Garden Island.

Full text: Gov. David Ige's 2018 State of the State address. All Hawaii News.

Hawaii Minority Caucus responds to Ige's address. KITV.

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HI-EMA executive officer Clairmont retiring this year. Toby Clairmont, the executive officer for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, is retiring by year’s end. Star-Advertiser.

False-missile probe to get ‘fresh pair of eyes,’ Ige says. Gov. David Ige on Monday defended his selection of the state’s deputy adjutant general to lead a probe of last week’s false missile alert and make recommendations for improvements, despite criticism from some lawmakers who contend the official is too close to the situation. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige told reporters Monday that part of the delay in notifying the public that the Jan. 13 ballistic missile alert was a false alarm was that he did not know his Twitter account password. Star-Advertiser.

National Weather Service requires two people to send alerts. KHON2.

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Social service workers, government workers and community volunteers fanned out across the islands Monday night for the first night of a census that will measure whether Hawaii is making progress in its efforts to reduce the country’s highest per capita rate of homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Awkward And Rewarding Task Of Surveying Homeless Begins. Volunteers around the islands ask personal questions of homeless people for the annual point-in-time count. Civil Beat.

An effort to document every homeless person in the state underway. Hawaii News Now.

Why Hawaii’s Unlicensed Elder Care Industry Is Out Of Control. Lawmakers have introduced a bill with the backing of the industry and some elderly-rights groups but the measure faces a long road to passage. Civil Beat.

Lawmaker says there's a rise in unlicensed care homes and calls it a "major health concern". KITV.

As government shutdown ends, Hawaii parks reopen. Hawaii News Now.

Thousands of federal workers in Hawaii are expected to be back on the job today after a short-term federal spending bill was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on Monday night. Star-Advertiser.

State unemployment hits all-time low of 2%. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii was briefly under a tsunami watch early this morning following a magnitude 7.9 earthquake off Alaska late Monday. Star-Advertiser.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has cancelled the tsunami watch for Hawaii following 7.9 magnitude earthquake off Alaska. Hawaii Public Radio.

Economics of Home Solar Batteries: Affordable For Now. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Group of homeless providers take a stand: It's time to re-think 'compassionate disruption. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu residents will see their electrical bills jump $2.44 this month primarily due to higher fuel costs. Hawaiian Electric Co. said Monday that the typical bill in January for an Oahu household using 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity is $144.26, up from $141.82 in December. Star-Advertiser.

Kapolei data center expands capacity by 70%. AlohaNAP's data facility is expanding its capacity by 70 percent, a move driven by demand from local businesses and international content providers, the Kapolei data center facility said on Monday. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

‘Peter Boy’ act passes first reading. A bill introduced by two Hawaii Island state senators that would repeal the 10-year statute of limitations on all manslaughter cases except for vehicular manslaughter passed its first reading by the full senate Monday. Tribune-Herald.

DOH hits Sheraton with notice, $20,000 fine. The operator of a new eatery at Sheraton Kona and spa is facing a hefty fine for operating without a valid state Department of Health permit. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Hawaii lawmakers introduce bill to keep Maui apartment complex affordable. Hawaii lawmakers on Monday introduced legislation that directs the state housing finance agency to acquire a 142-unit apartment complex on Maui in an effort to keep rents there affordable for low-income tenants at the Front Street Apartments in Lahaina. Pacific Business News.

A trial is set to begin Wednesday for one of six protesters arrested last year while trying to block a large vehicle convoy carrying equipment to the summit of Haleakala. Maui News.

Maui County begins nearly $2M project to repair Piilani Highway. Hawaii News Now.

DOT: Bypass realignment can be tweaked but cannot be stopped. Changes planned for the north end of the bypass at Keawe Street have run into plenty of opposition. Maui News.

Landslide Repair Work Begins at Nuanualoa Gulch. Maui Now.

Sunrise viewing, park operations back after spending bill passes. Maui News.

Event organizers today estimated number of people who turned out for the Women’s March Maui 2018 at somewhere between 3,500 to 5000 individuals. Maui Now.

Kauai

Another helicopter company to start flying. Maverick Helicopters is adding its own choppers to Kauai skies sometime in early summer of 2018, to the disgruntlement of some residents. Garden Island.