Entire Hawaii Tourism Authority board resigns amid shakeup, Honolulu Police Commission mulls procedure to pick new police chief, Maui vacation rental bill faces 3-week delay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Entire HTA board resigns amid calls for new leadership, direction. All 12 members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board have resigned.The members have been slowly conceding since the governor signed an HTA overhaul bill, Senate Bill 1571, last month, turning the board into an advisory committee. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

DOE Faces Big Funding Shortfall For School Repairs And Construction. Lawmakers are wary about giving the education department more money and control over construction funds after leaders have struggled to spend millions of dollars in recent years. Civil Beat.

Domestic Abuse Victims Need Attorneys. Few In Hawaiʻi Can Afford Them. Domestic violence advocates and attorneys say ongoing vacancies at the Domestic Violence Action Center contribute to the state’s lack of affordable legal services for survivors.  Civil Beat.

FBI pursuing cyber-gang in Hawaiian Airlines hack. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the “cybersecurity event” that plagued Hawaiian Airlines for at least three days last week as part of the alleged actions of an international group of cyber-thieves known as Scattered Spider. Star-Advertiser.

Massive interstellar object discovered by Hawaii-operated telescope. A new discovery from a University of Hawaii-operated telescope is turning heads in the astronomy world.  KHON2. Star-Advertiser. 

Oahu

Police commission discusses process to pick new HPD chief. The Honolulu Police Commission is trying to come up with a selection process for Honolulu’s next top cop. In Wednesday’s hearing, commissioners discussed whether they would use an outside consulting firm to find candidates for Honolulu’s police chief. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Crime On Oʻahu Is Down Except In One Category — Murder. Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan attributes the declining crime rate to the work of his officers, but a researcher with the University of Hawaiʻi said it’s likely part of a broader social trend. Civil Beat.

HPD to increase patrols on July 4 weekend as traffic fatalities continue to spike. The Honolulu Police Department is adjusting schedules, limiting vacations, and using overtime to ensure a heavy presence on the July Fourth weekend. Traffic enforcement is one of the priorities, as fatal crashes have surged on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

DOH responds to 300-gallon fuel leak at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The state Department of Health said there is no risk to public health after it responded to a 300-gallon release of fuel at an underground fuel pump house on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Tuesday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Officials look into ways to cut down on government employees' transportation footprint. Some of the potential solutions included boosting the state's carpool program, parking stall sharing among employees and subsidized public transportation passes. Hawaii Public Radio.

$3.3M in renovations aimed at Ala Wai Golf Course. The city Department of Design and Construction said work will begin July 14 to improve aged and degraded pedestrian and vehicular bridges at the municipal golf course at 404 Kapahulu Ave., on the perimeter of Waikiki and the Ala Wai. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Annual Independence Day Parade and Extravaganza to light up Kailua-Kona on 4th of July. The much-anticipated annual Independence Day Parade begins at 6 p.m. and will once again wind through the heart of Kailua-Kona, from Kona Gym to Coconut Grove Marketplace. Big Island Now.

Cyrus Johnasen joins Pacific Media Group as the general manager for the Big Island Radio Operations. Johnasen comes to PMG after serving four years for Hawaiʻi County, from 2020 to 2024, first as public information officer and later as chief of staff for Mayor Mitch Roth. Big Island Now.

Maui

Vote On Maui Short-Term Rentals Delayed At Least 3 Weeks. Council members spent most of the day behind closed doors in executive session, but spent the final hour questioning officials about the potential impact of the legislation. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Planning Commission considers allowing hotel in Kīhei tech park. Thirty years ago, the Kīhei Research and Technology Park in South Maui was created as a hub for high-tech companies that could help diversify an island economy reliant on tourism and big agriculture. But now the business park could become home to multiple hotels if property owners get the green light from the county. Maui Now.

Concrete barriers ‘floating’ on eroding Honoapiʻilani Highway spur emergency designation; state moves to prevent cutoff. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has officially designated a section of Honoapiʻilani Highway near Mile Post 14 a traffic emergency zone, citing serious erosion beneath the road that threatens to cut off access to West Maui. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric tests goat grazing as vegetation management option for landowners. As part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric completed a successful demonstration on Maui using livestock as another vegetation management option for landowners and communities.  Maui Now.

Kauai

All aboard! 100-year-old steam locomotive restored on Kauai ahead of train tours. After years of rest, a 100-year-old steam engine locomotive has been brought back to life. Hawaii News Now.

Morning contraflow adjustments planned today on portions of Kūhiō, Kaumualiʻi highways. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies motorists that adjustments are planned for today (July 3) to the morning contraflow on Kūhiō Highway and Kaumualiʻi Highway heading to Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kekaha. Kauai Now.

Honolulu water agency sues Navy over Red Hill leaks, Green says state can handle federal cuts for now, 67-acre residential development advances on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Board of Water Supply sues Navy for $1.2B over Red Hill fuel leaks. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply announced Tuesday that it has filed a federal lawsuit in connection to massive jet fuel leaks at the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2021. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Public housing residents to gain high-speed fiber internet access in 60 days. More than 45,000 residents living in Hawaii’s public housing communities soon will have access to high-speed fiber internet under a new public-private partnership between the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and Hawaiian Telcom. Star-Advertiser.

Governor says Hawaii can handle federal cuts -- for now. Governor Josh Green said last minute changes to the Senate version of the tax bill will make it easier for Hawaii to respond to cutbacks in Medicaid, and local Republicans say many residents will benefit from the tax relief.  Hawaii News Now.

Billions in cuts, thousands at risk: What the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ means for Hawaiʻi . The Senate version of the bill cuts more than a trillion dollars from Medicaid. It imposes work requirements for those enrolled in Medicaid and food assistance programs including SNAP.While there are exemptions for those who are unable to work due to certain things, such as medical conditions, according to Governor Josh Green, it’s going to leave more than 400,000 people on Medicaid in Hawaiʻi without long-term care, dental, or help with prescription costs. KHON2.

Hawaii pushes back against Trump cuts, budget. Hawaii and 19 other states were granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday to prevent the dismantling of the federal Department of Health and Human Serv­ices, just as the Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s signature budget bill to deliver on his agenda. Star-Advertiser.

Governor’s state budget veto trims public school maintenance. According to a separate veto message from Green to the Legislature, $90 million of what he struck from the budget was for a single purpose divided evenly over two years in a category dubbed “school support” for the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

New Hawaii laws going into effect for 2025. The measures that became law on Tuesday come out of the sessions that occurred this year and last year.  KITV4.

Hawaii Tourism Authority board chair is uncertain if all board members will submit courtesy resignations. HTA has come under fire for procurement violations and failing to pay its vendors, the Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement on time, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Airlines still resolving cybersecurity issue, was aware days before informing customers. While Hawaiian Airlines is still working to resolve an ongoing cybersecurity attack, the airline’s parent company revealed that Hawaiian had been aware of the attack three days before making any public announcement. Hawaii News Now.

DLNR: State marine patrols now operating in all counties. Marine patrol units from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources are now active on Hawaii Island, Oahu, Maui and Kauai, the DLNR announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

Here’s Why Honolulu Doesn’t Enforce Law Against Short-Term Rental Companies. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo were supposed to give the city monthly reports on their bookings. Due to a lawsuit filed on behalf of vacation rental owners, that never happened. Civil Beat.

New plan to tackle crime, cleanliness in Downtown Honolulu. A city councilmember is trying to create a Business Improvement District, similar to the one that was implemented in Waikiki. KHON2.

This Deadly Oʻahu Beach Reveals The Challenges Facing Hawaiʻi Lifeguards. More residents drown on the North Shore of Oʻahu than almost anywhere else in the state. Even as the county ramps up resources for lifeguards, it’s a difficult problem to solve. Civil Beat.

The state wants to free up hundreds of permitted parking stalls at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. The state says about 200 of the spots sit empty for most of the year because not every permitholder visits the harbor every day.  Hawaii News Now.

Jury awards $3.15M to aspiring chef abused by boss. An Oahu Circuit Court jury awarded $3.15 million to a former 22-year-old sous chef at a Honolulu fine-­dining restaurant who claimed he was violently abused by its executive chef. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

DOH: East Hawaii Urgent Care clinics are ‘now in compliance’.  The laboratories at the Hilo Urgent Care and Keaau Urgent Care clinics are now in full state and federal compliance and are legally able to conduct the same type of lab testing they’ve done for 22 years, according to the state Department of Health. Tribune-Herald.

State funds Kona Women’s Court, a pilot program starting in September. The Kona District Court will receive a little more than $1 million for the two-year pilot project to create a Women’s Division of the Big Island Drug Court. Big Island Now.

Fireworks, fancy cars, parade, rodeo, rubber duckies and more on Friday. Hawaii County has announced its Fourth of July celebrations in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

670-acre project in Wailea passes on first reading. Amid a marathon of public hearings with 61 people testifying on a single day, the Maui County Council narrowly passed a bill on first reading that would allow a residential development on 670 acres in Wailea. Maui News. Maui Now. 

New Maui Police Department hire arrested for sex assault and electronic enticement of a child. A probationary employee of the Maui Police Department was arrested for first degree sexual assault and first degree electronic enticement of a child on Saturday, June 28, 2025.  Maui Now.

Kauai 

Public invited to upcoming East Kaua‘i Community and Circulation Plan workshops. Kaua‘i County Planning Department invites community members to participate in a series of upcoming focused workshops for the East Kaua‘i Community and Circulation Plan. Kauai Now.

Unions are biggest legislative influencers, preschool subsidies expanded, Hilo zoo to start charging admission, Alexander & Baldwin gives up Maui water rights, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bills, Backers, and Blocs: A Data-Driven Look at Lobbying in Hawai‘i. When the Hawaiʻi State Legislature mandated the Legislative/Administrative Action Report (LAAR) beginning in 2025, it launched one of the country’s most detailed state-level lobbying datasets. The final filing for the 2025 session (due June 2) revealed 7,188 positions taken by 340 organizations on 1,747 bills.  UHERO. Civil Beat.

State lawmakers grill Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority as it faces restructuring. Gov. Josh Green is reportedly planning on asking all the members of the board to resign so that a new group can oversee the restructured agency, though officials say none of the board members have resigned yet. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tourism briefing reveals unexpected L.A. Rams expense. The state legislators in charge of tourism praised the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, but cried foul on HTA when it learned that the agency now expects to pick up the tab for the team’s welcome reception, estimated to cost from $80,000 to $100,000. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Says He May Veto Bill To Reduce Judges’ Pensions. The governor updated his list of potential vetoes, announcing he may reject as many as 20 of the 320 measures passed by state lawmakers this spring. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Changes on horizon for regulating Hawaiian Electric. The state Public Utilities Commission already has begun gathering input from a working group of key stakeholders over how an existing regulatory framework based on performance might be modified, and an application from Hawaiian Electric is expected by the end of this year to begin a quasi-judicial proceeding to adjust a basis for rates under an updated framework starting in 2027. Star-Advertiser.

 Senators say PUC needs to be tougher to control electric bills. The official in charge of setting electric rates is denying he socializes with Hawaiian Electric executives. That accusation was raised at a hearing Tuesday over whether the Public Utilities Commission is too easy on the utility. Hawaii News Now.

State Utility Official Under Investigation For Bullying Staff, Toxic Environment. Whistleblower says utility commission risks “a mass departure of critical staff.” State regulators are investigating complaints made against a high-level official of the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission, the head of the state’s main consumer protection agency told lawmakers on Tuesday.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii expands its preschool subsidy program. A new law signed Tuesday by Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke will significantly expand Hawaii’s Preschool Open Doors program, extending eligibility to younger children and higher-­earning families, while also easing restrictions on child care providers. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.

How Hawaiʻi’s School Transfer System Leaves Students Behind. Geographic exceptions were intended to give families more flexibility with their children’s education, but the process may be exacerbating educational inequality. Civil Beat.

State homeland security monitoring global tensions, says no credible threats to Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement Office of Homeland Security assured the public Tuesday afternoon that while geopolitical tensions are running high elsewhere around the globe, there are no specific credible threats to the state of Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Blangiardi finalizes city’s $5.2B budget adoption. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Tuesday signed into law the city’s over-$5.2 billion budget package for fiscal year 2026, which starts July 1. The city’s new financial plan is a nearly 10.9% increase over Honolulu’s current $4.7 billion budget, which expires Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Here's what the Honolulu City Council leadership shakeup could mean for policies going forward. Council leadership is now made up of Council Chair Tommy Waters, Tupola and Kiaʻāina — who are all Native Hawaiians. Hawaii Public Radio.

HPD selects 2 deputy chiefs. Deputy Chief Rade K. Vanic announced the selection of Assistant Chief Ryan Nishibun to serve as the acting deputy chief for Field Operations and Assistant Chief Aaron Takasaki-Young to serve as the acting deputy chief of Administrative Operations. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

New Aloha Stadium district contract delayed 6 weeks.  The state and the preferred offeror to build the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District have pushed back their self-­imposed deadline for a signed contract by six weeks, but officials said that will not affect the target date for starting demolition of the old stadium and also will not affect the target of having the new stadium ready for the 2028 football season. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Blangiardi announces Honolulu Ocean Safety Commission nominees. Blangiardi’s nominees — Racquel Achiu, Steven Jenness, Richard Kebo, Kanani Oury and Billy Pratt — come from all over Oʻahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Deadly force ‘justified’ in 2023 standoff in Pearl City. Honolulu police were justified to use deadly force to stop a 32-year-old man in June 2023 after he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s Kalauipo Street home and threatened to shoot people with a police officer’s rifle, Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm announced Tuesday.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Accountability Proves Elusive In $25,000 Damage To This Popular Oʻahu Reef . No one was held responsible for the 2024 Kewalo Basin incident, highlighting some of the difficulties in reef damage enforcement. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

New Hilo zoo fees kick in Aug. 1.  The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation is adopting rule amendments for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex, including the introduction of admission fees to the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Lease extension still in the works for Hilo mall. A 40-year lease extension for almost 39 acres of homestead land the owner-operators of Prince Kuhio Plaza are seeking from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands could be on the agenda when the Hawaiian Homes Commission next meets on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Water Wars: A&B Drops Out Of Battle For Long-Term Water Control. Alexander & Baldwin, a legacy plantation company is stepping away from its generations-long hold on a consequential East Maui water system. Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

A novel idea for Maui’s housing crisis: Using vacation rental profits for residents’ down payments. A novel approach to Maui’s severe housing crisis emerged during a third round of emotional public testimony Monday on the hotly debated vacation rental phase-out bill: leveraging short-term rental profits to finance affordable housing for local families. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai launches foodbank on wheels. The 16-foot refrigerated vehicle is designed to expand access to nutritious food in rural and under served communities. Hawaii News Now. 

Kawakami attends U.S. Conference of Mayors 93rd Annual Meeting. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami traveled to Washington, D.C., from June 8 to 11, to participate in the 9th annual Hawaii on the Hill, and later attended the 93rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors held June 19 to 22 in Tampa, Florida. Garden Island.

Tourism grants, HTA board in limbo, Senate Ways and Means chair fails to disclose conflict of interest, Big Island police chief almost loses his job over Honolulu application, EIS released on Kauai bombing range, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Budget delay puts HTA’s community grants in limbo. Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s community program applicants are in limbo because the agency’s budget was not approved in time to meet the award schedule and the delay is bumping up against the program’s fiscal-year start. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board in limbo as lawmakers call for briefing. The state legislators in charge of tourism are holding a post-session informational briefing Monday on the beleaguered Hawai‘i Tourism Authority that could play out more like an exit interview. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Senator Didn't Disclose Possible Conflict Of Interest Before Voting. Donovan Dela Cruz voted four times in favor of passing a bill designed to protect māmaki tea, even though he owns a māmaki tea business. No other senators declared conflicts either. Civil Beat.

Report ranks Hawaiʻi among top nationally in quality preschool programs. Hawaii is just one of five states that met all 10 benchmarks by the National Institute for Early Education Research. Hawaii Public Radio.

University of Hawaii puts $7.4M into student success platform. The UH Board of Regents approved a $7.4 million, five-year contract for two integrated platforms — EAB Navigate360 and Edify — that will track student behavior and performance in real time, allowing advisers and support staff to proactively intervene before problems escalate. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Machine To Turn Local Meat And Produce Into Fancy Food Is Tangled In Red Tape. A $21.6 million machine meant to extend the shelf life of Hawaiʻi-grown products hasn’t been used in the year it’s been at the Wahiawā Value-Added Product Development. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Wants To Put More Cameras In Public Parks To Reduce Crime. The City Council hasn’t come up with funding yet for the program and research shows cameras alone may not be effective. Civil Beat.

Waikiki’s latest wedding chapel hopes to boost romance travel.  A  partnership between Tsukaki Lognote Hawaii Ltd., and Outrigger Hospitality Group has produced Waikiki’s newest wedding venue. Star-Advertiser.

Former Honolulu Attorney Indicted In Alleged $1.5 Million Probate Fraud. The charges against Robert Earl Chapman appear to mirror those detailed in a 2022 case brought by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which he admitted to the misconduct, ending his legal career. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Close call for police chief: Commission sets meeting to let Moszkowicz answer ‘tough questions’. Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz came within a single vote Friday of losing his job as the Big Island’s top cop at the Hawaii County Police Commission meeting in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Island facilities struggle to keep up with popularity of pickleball. Since the sport’s popularity exploded in the wake of the pandemic, courts meant for tennis, volleyball and badminton have been taped or re-painted with new lines to suit the needs of pickleball, but the many options islandwide still fall short of meeting the demand by players who would, for some, prefer to play multiple times per day. Tribune-Herald.

Paving work to begin at Onekahakaha park. A paving project at Onekahakaha Beach Park will begin Monday to address concerns raised at a recent community meeting in Keaukaha. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui council to continue hearing testimonies on short-term rental conversion bill. Maui County councilmembers will head into day three of public testimony regarding a controversial bill to phase out thousands of short-term rentals on June 23, with the community divided on the cause as Lahaina fire survivors and short-term rental owners bring heated testimony to the hearings. KHON2.

Samples indicate pollution in some Maui waters. A nonprofit group that has done tests for the presence of potential pollution on Maui says its latest results are enough to raise concern for some ocean users in North and South Maui. Maui News.

Long before last week’s 330-acre blaze, Kahikinui community spent years preparing for fires. On the steep slopes of the remote Hawaiian homesteading community of Kahikinui, a red house with a salmon-colored roof can be seen surrounded on all sides by blackened landscape in an aerial shot posted last week on social media by Maui County. Maui Now.

Kauai

Navy, NASA complete Draft EIS on land use. Public comments sought for draft EIS for federal installations on Kauaʻi.  The U.S. Department of the Navy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on Friday the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, for the proposed, continued use of state lands on Kauai for the Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility and the NASA’s Kokee Park Geophysical Observatory. Garden Island. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Ben Osorno named interim chief executive officer at Kaua‘i Humane Society. Kaua‘i Humane Society announced that Ben Osorno is now the organization’s interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. Kauai Now.

Case blasts military bill as neglecting Hawaii, former HTA finance official claims retaliation, Honolulu reopens popup homeless camp, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Military bill neglects Hawaii’s needs, Case says. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is blasting military appropriation legislation that is moving through the House of Representatives as “shortchanging” priorities critical to Hawaii, including environmental cleanup and military infrastructure. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily.

As immigration fears reverberate, Hawaiʻi's COFA communities work to stay informed. Here in Hawaiʻi, one particularly vulnerable immigrant community is made up of those in the country as part of COFA, the Compact of Free Association — an arrangement between the U.S. and island nations throughout Micronesia that gives citizens of those countries permission to live and work in the U.S. in exchange for a U.S. military presence in their homelands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Top Hawaiʻi Tourism Official Claims Retaliation For Reporting Mismanagement. More problems within the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority are coming to light in the lawsuit by Isaac Choy, a former vice president of finance. Civil Beat.

New laws signed by the governor will soften criminal prosecution of juveniles in Hawaii. One of the new laws would ban the arrest and criminal treatment of any child under 12 years old, and another would guarantee parole for anyone, even multiple murderers who commit the crime before their 21st birthday. Hawaii News Now.

State Legislature rules in favor of Hawaiʻi Judiciary. The 2025 legislative session was one of the most successful for the Judiciary: better compensation, more judge positions, and more diversion programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

House votes to kill funding for public media. The House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation Thursday to eliminate the next two years of federal funding for public media outlets. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s school lunch 2nd in US for nutrition. With a score of 76 out of 100, Hawaii is second in the nation for having the most nutritious school meals, according to the 2025 State of School Lunch Report from ProCare Therapy. Maui News.

Oahu

Homeless triage operation is back at Old Stadium Park. The city’s pop-up homeless triage operation has returned to Old Stadium Park in the McCully-Moiliili area of South King Street for the third time to provide temporary — and perhaps long-term — housing for a homeless population that grows when other enforcement occurs in nearby Diamond Head, Waikiki and Chinatown. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

DOE Called For 12 New Schools In ‘Ewa A Decade Ago. It’s Built 2. The education department has been unable to keep up with the housing boom in ʻEwa and Kapolei – even as developers contribute land and money to help build new schools. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi program for women in geosciences ends due to Trump Administration’s funding cuts. A program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa that supported dozens of career development activities for women in geosciences and community outreach was terminated by the loss of federal funding, according to a news release from the university. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island Urgent Care centers fined $2.19 million. The attorney representing the owner of the Hilo and Keaau Urgent Care centers on Thursday afternoon said his client is in the process of appealing a cease-and-desist order and fines of $2.19 million for performing clinical laboratory work without the required permits. Tribune-Herald. KHON2. 

Lifeguard Service Launching At Kohanaiki Beach Park. Kohanaiki will be the 13th beach under HFD lifeguard protection. The tower will be staffed daily. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Affordable Housing Gets A Big Boost In Maui County’s $1.56 Billion Budget. Maui County Council members said the budget is aimed at catching up on development projects and social services after years of being focused on the wildfires and Covid-19. Civil Beat.

Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama receives $760,528 grant to launch Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program for Maui fire survivors. The award will launch the new Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program, expand disaster recovery operations, and enhance coordination of direct services for families impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. Maui Now.

Workshops, open houses to focus on Lahaina Town street design. The Maui County Office of Recovery will be seeking input on the way streets in the commercial core of Lahaina town, including Front Street, are rebuilt during a series of design workshops and open houses June 24-26. Maui News.

Maui’s single-family home prices increase; condo sales decline in April and May 2025. Maui’s housing market experienced similar trends in April and May, with both single-family and condominium sales declining compared to the same time last year, according to the latest data from the Realtors Association of Maui.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Commission seeks public input on traits needed for next chief.  The Kaua‘i Police Commission is seeking input from all residents of Kaua‘i regarding the traits and qualities the next chief should possess and is asking community members to participate in the Police Chief Desirable Traits survey between now and June 30. Kauai Now.

UH cuts travel, raises and expenses amid federal cuts, Gedeon named to House seat, Kaui police chief leaving June 12, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH Scrambles To Address ‘High-Risk’ Financial Situation Amid Trump Cuts. The university has been bracing for the trickle-down effect of $83.4 million in research funding cuts. The University of Hawaiʻi has suspended merit pay increases, curtailed nonessential travel and imposed greater scrutiny of grant-funded hires to maintain financial stability amid major research cuts imposed by the White House. Civil Beat.

Slower growth with long-term stability expected for Hawaii’s economy. The new outlook from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism published Wednesday anticipates that Hawaii’s economy will expand 1.5% next year after growing 1.2% this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority could be replaced with new governance. Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, warned the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority during a Wednesday board meeting that the coming passage of Senate Bill 1571 —which upon Gov. Josh Green’s signature will dramatically change HTA’s governance model — reflects a loss of confidence so deep that he is already considering a bill to upend the agency next year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi solar industry expects setbacks from U.S. House spending bill. If the Republican-led measure makes it through the Senate and President Donald Trump signs it into law, clean energy companies would need to break ground on new commercial projects within 60 days of the bill’s signing to be eligible for certain tax credits. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gedeon to replace Republican Gene Ward. Democratic Gov. Josh Green has named Republican Joe Gedeon to succeed the late Republican Rep. Gene Ward to represent Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley. Green picked Gedeon out of a list of three potential replacements sent to him by a panel of Hawaii Republican Party members in Ward’s district. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Failed ‘Assault Rifle’ Ban Was The Victim Of Convoluted Politics. Hawaiʻi has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the nation, but senators balked in the 11th hour at a ban on semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazines. Civil Beat.

There Are Plenty Of Aggressive Drivers In Hawaiʻi, But Is It ‘Road Rage’? Researchers and law enforcement officials are seeing increases in careless and aggressive driving in Hawaiʻi. It’s challenging to quantify the extent of the problem. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Changes coming to city grant program for rail-affected businesses. The City and County of Honolulu’s financial relief effort for small businesses negatively affected by ongoing construction of the over-$10 billion Skyline project is on track for proposed changes. Star-Advertiser.

Facing required wastewater upgrades, City Council moves toward shorter fee hike schedule. The Honolulu City Council has proposed a six-year sewer fee hike plan for Oʻahu that incentivizes water savings, instead of the original 10-year plan. Hawaii Public Radio.

Land Board approves research to raise native and endemic limu species. Last week the board approved a project submitted by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi to construct a limu — or seaweed — nursery at the Ānuenue Fisheries Research Center on Oʻahu’s Sand Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikiki visitors undeterred by fee increase. An upcoming increase in the state hotel room tax of less than 1% — or $3 more per night for a $400 room — won’t deter any of nearly two dozen Waikiki tourists from coming back, especially if it provides money to restore beaches, fight erosion and prevent future wildfires, they unanimously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Assault video exposes use of untrained guards at Oahu jail. A rampaging inmate at Oahu Community Correctional Center injured two corrections officers Monday while an untrained emergency guard watched helplessly. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea summit lookout reopens for the first time since 2018. An observation deck on Kilauea volcano’s summit that provides panoramic views of the caldera and Halema‘uma‘u crater has reopened in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Public preschool classroom opens in South Kona. It’s the second public pre-K classroom to open in West Hawaii since the launch of the Ready Keiki initiative, which now operates classrooms on all islands. Hawaii News Now.

Former UFC champion BJ Penn faces family abuse charge; slapped with restraining order. Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn was arrested and charged twice in the past few days for abusing his 79-year-old mother, according to the Hawaiʻi County court documents. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Island coffee grower hopes to keep things brewing during tariff uncertainty. Ralph Gaston is part of Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee, a family business on the Big Island that grows, roasts and distributes coffee.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Nearly 30 pounds of pot found in Kona airport luggage.  Airport after checked baggage for a Honolulu-bound flight on Southwest Airlines was found to contain about 26 pounds of marijuana. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Council hears support for proposed real property tax rates. Maui County Council members accepted oral and written testimony Tuesday on revised real property tax rates that reduced rates in some categories while retaining proposed rates in others.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Filipino Fire Survivors Association launches to fight for working class migrants. LFFSA, an initiative of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center, is a grassroots organization of directly impacted worker leaders organizing for a long term recovery that addresses the most crucial needs of Lahaina’s Filipino fire survivors in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Trolling permitted in Kahoʻolawe for 2 weekends in June. The Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission has announced permitted trolling dates during two weekends this June.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi police officers ready to move forward as Chief finally announces retirement date. In a letter to the Kauaʻi Police Commission, Chief Todd Raybuck said he’s retiring on June 12. He first announced he was leaving back in November. KHON2.

Metal, appliance drop-off closed until further notice at some county facilities. Contractor staffing issues are forcing Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division to close scrap metal and metal appliances recycling until further notice beginning today (May 29) at some of its collection facilities. Kauai Now.

Goodwill to host reuse collection event later this week in Līhu‘e. Residents, businesses and other organizations can bring unwanted or unneeded items for reuse to Kaua‘i Resource Center in Līhu‘e from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 30. Kauai Now.

State audit blasts HTA tourism destination management plan, Ala Wai harbor deteriorates after private takeover plans, bioenergy plant sues HECO over monopoly claims, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State audit criticizes Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s destination management. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s destination management focus is “not new — or effective — and the agency remains unable to gauge its own performance,” according to the latest state audit, which was especially critical of its community-driven Destination Management Action Plan effort. Star-Advertiser.

Conservation Groups Sue To Block Commercial Fishing In Pacific Monument. The fishing has resumed in the deep ocean waters that were designated off-limits over a decade ago. Honolulu longliners wasted little time cashing in on President Donald Trump’s decision last month to lift the commercial fishing ban in the deep ocean waters of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Lacks Resources For Homeless College Students. The effort to help struggling students at the University of Hawaiʻi is led by volunteer faculty and staff. Other states allocate money to help college students alleviate hardships. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi seeks to control prescription drug costs for underserved populations. The measure aims to adjust the 340B federal program that requires pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs to hospitals that care for disadvantaged populations at a discounted rate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Digital agriculture form will expand after pilot. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced Thursday that the state plans to expand the Akamai Arrival program to additional flights throughout the year, allowing more travelers entering Hawaii to complete a digitized version of the Department of Agriculture’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form.  Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

Traffic noise, homelessness top concerns at mayor’s sixth town hall meeting. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s sixth town hall meeting of the year covered a wide geographic area, from Pearl City to downtown. And because of that, the administration was ready for a wide range of questions. Hawaii News Now.

How The Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Has Gone From Cash Cow To Eyesore. The harbor’s status as a public asset is at odds with the state’s long-term goals for private management boating facilities. Civil Beat.

Ala Moana Boulevard pedestrian bridge now open. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced that the Ala Moana Boulevard pedestrian bridge located between Ward Avenue and Kamakeʻe Street is available for use. KHON2.

Isle Japanese Americans seek to save incarceration history. A March lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency has Hawaii’s Japanese Americans concerned about future visits to former incarceration camps, many of which are national historic sites managed by the National Park Service. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Renewable energy plant on Big Island files lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric.  Honua Ola Bioenergy on Hawai‘i Island has filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, claiming the state’s largest power supplier has created a monopoly that has resulted in the renewable energy plant being unable to operate. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County Council revisits more oversight on the short-term rental industry. Under the measure, properties would have to register with the county’s director of finance and provide information such as the location and number of units for rent. A registration fee of $250 for hosted and $500 for unhosted rentals would apply, and failing to register could result in a $10,000 fine. Hawaii Public Radio.

FDA’s COVID-19 changes worry local health professionals. Big Island health professionals are concerned changes to U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules for COVID-19 vaccines could limit their availability for healthy people under 65 who get vaccinated to protect vulnerable family members. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Support grows to rebuild Lahaina homeless shelter. With $8 million committed to providing emergency shelter and affordable housing in Lahaina, a Maui group is moving forward to rebuild at the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center in Lahaina following the 2023 fire. Maui News.

County announces access for noncommerical shoreline recreation near Lahaina Harbor starting Saturday. Beginning Saturday, May 24, 2025, access to the shoreline on the north and south ends of Lahaina Harbor will be made available for recreational, noncommercial purposes, the County of Maui Office of Recovery announced. Maui Now.

Low levels of PFAS detected in water system serving Central Maui. Samples collected from Consolidated Baseyards water system wells were found to contain low levels of Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS). Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Keiki summer program explores animal husbandry, gardening and life skills. The Kauaʻi Animal Education Farm, a farm animal rescue in Kapaʻa, will host weeklong enrichment programs for students ages 8 to 14 throughout the summer. Kauai Now.

New climate pattern affecting island rainfall, governor calls HTA a 'hot mess,' Honolulu mulls surveillance cameras at public parks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

It’s not just El Niño — new climate phenomenon impacts Hawai‘i rainfall. While most people know about El Niño and how it impacts the weather, a new study from University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa shows another climate pattern influences rainfall across the Islands, particularly during the spring season: the Pacific Meridional Mode.  Maui Now.

Governor calls Hawaii Tourism Authority ‘hot mess,’ promises reform. Hawaii’s most powerful tourism agency is about to be upended as the governor and lawmakers lose patience with the leadership and infighting among its leaders. Supporters say new legislation will shift power away from tourism insiders to the public. Hawaii News Now.

Army, allies ponder Pacific role. The Association of the United States Army’s annual Land Power in the Pacific Conference, which brings together armies from across the Pacific and beyond, has attracted participants from a record 32 countries, including 16 national chiefs of army. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii braces for Energy Star’s demise. Hawaii Energy, a ratepayer- funded program that encourages residents and businesses to make smart energy choices — from appliances to air conditioners and water heaters — is the primary administrator of Energy Star programming in the state on behalf of the Public Utilities Commission. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Video surveillance at public parks under review.  The Honolulu City Council  is scheduled to hold a first reading today on Resolution 128, which seeks to authorize the use of video surveillance at Oahu’s public parks in order to deter crime and to provide “a safe environment for city residents, visitors and employees.” Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Eyes Changes To Hanauma Bay Reservation System. That would mean that 500 of the non-resident 1,400 visitors per day could be bused to the popular snorkeling destination on a schedule Wednesday through Sunday, leaving 900 slots available to book online. Hawaiʻi residents get to bypass the reservation system. Civil Beat.

Disgraced Police Chief Louis Kealoha Still Owes Honolulu $250,000. Years after his corruption conviction, the ex-chief hasn’t returned his retirement money to taxpayers as promised.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council plans to track projects passed in the budget. The Honolulu City Council will be implementing better tracking methods to determine whether or not projects they pass in the budget are being followed through with. Hawaii Public Radio.

Sabotaged signal: New images reveal severed cables that cut communication for thousands. The damaged lines were discovered around 2 p.m. Saturday near Heeia State Park, but officials say impacts from the act of vandalism were felt from Waimanalo to Laie. Hawaii News Now.

Illegal game room assets in Kalihi turned over to state. More than $63,000 and assets of other equipment that Honolulu police acquired in an illegal game room bust Thursday will go to the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

West Hawaii post office renamed in honor of Vietnam War hero. The U.S. Postal Service and the office of Rep. Jill Tokuda held a dedication ceremony on Saturday at the Captain Cook Post Office in honor of Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao, who was killed in action on Sept. 5, 1969, in the Tay Ninh Province of the Republic of Vietnam. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Nareit Foundation seeks shovel-ready projects for its annual grant considerations. This year, applicants should be implementing projects that provide affordable housing for sale or rent.  Big Island Now.

Big Island drought worsens in April. Leeward areas of the Big Island already are showing the shift toward the summer wet season, but the windward side, which is entering the dry season, continues to be drier than normal. Tribune-Herald.

Parts of Hilo to experience water outage late Friday. A water outage will affect Hilo International Airport and surrounding areas from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Kamaʻāina Credit program poised for approval as part of Council’s budget package. With first reading of the Maui County Council’s $1.56 billion budget set for Friday, one of the line items up for approval in the fiscal 2026 budget is $12 million for Maui United Way’s Countywide ALICE Initiative: Kamaʻāina Credit program. Maui Now.

Department of ʻŌiwi Resources to invest approximately $450K in 9 local projects. The County of Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources is investing approximately $450,000 into nine projects under its core divisions, Kīpuka, Kumuwaiola and Pai Ka Leo. Maui Now.

Surfing returns to Lahaina Harbor, evoking excitement, healing for competitors. The Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) surfing championships marked the first organized surfing event at Lahaina Harbor since August 2023. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Students, families prepare for Kauaʻi Community College commencement. More than 100 students will officially graduate from Kauaʻi Community College during its 99th year on Friday. Kauai Now.

Traffic deaths up 51%, Legislature ends regular session, state seeks to tap private security cameras for realtime surveillance in Waikiki, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii traffic deaths up 51% from same time last year. It’s been a deadly year on Hawaii roadways with the state seeing a 51% increase in fatalities compared to this time last year, and experts warn the deadliest days are ahead. From January 1, 2025 to May 2, 2025 there have been 50 deaths on Hawaii roads; compared to 33 the same time in 2024. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Residents Could Face Electric Rate Hike In 2026. Utility regulators have given Hawaiian Electric Co. the green light to pursue its first major rate increase in more than five years. The result could mean higher electric bills for residents and businesses by the end of 2026.  Civil Beat.

Potential Medicaid cuts would be ‘devastating’ for Hawaii. In Hawaii, Medicaid is administered as Med-QUEST, and provides health care coverage for more than 400,000 residents. It provides health care for 1 in 3 keiki and covers 1 in 3 births in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Legislature Adjourns — For Now. Before ending the regular session for the year, lawmakers stashed away money to shield Hawaiʻi from federal budget cuts. The Legislature adjourned its 2025 session on Friday with a promise to return in the months ahead to aid programs facing federal funding cuts from the Trump administration. To accomplish that, lawmakers have set aside a $200 million fund that can be tapped for resources should federal dollars run dry.  Civil Beat.

Legislative session ends with hotel, cruise ship room tax increase to aid Hawaii’s climate fight. Tourists — and local residents — who book hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins will begin providing $90 million to $100 million annually in new funding for Hawaii to adapt to climate change and prevent future wildfires, under legislation that Gov. Josh Green plans to sign into law. Star-Advertiser.

How major bills fared at the Capitol. Here is the status of major bills following the end of Hawaii’s annual 60-day legislative session on Friday. The bills listed as passed were approved by both the House and Senate. Acts refer to bills that have already been signed into law by Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser.

$50M in grants set aside for Hawaiʻi nonprofits affected by federal cuts. Lawmakers passed a measure this week that will give $50 million in grants to nonprofits that have been impacted by federal cuts. A four-member selection committee is exempt from having to hold their meetings in Public. Hawaii Public Radio. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Bolder Action Needed To Protect Hawaiʻi’s Environment. Legislators passed a historic new green fee. They also kicked some of Hawaiʻi’s most daunting environmental challenges down the road. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority under scrutiny amid allegations of hostile work environment. A state senator and some Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board members and former staff say the two main state agencies overseeing tourism failed to respond promptly to complaints about a hostile work environment — including alleged racist and sexist comments — that they said contributed to the recent resignations of five Native Hawaiian members of HTA’s leadership team. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i mourns passing of Prince David Kawānanakoa. Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff until sunset May 9 in honor of Prince David Klaren La’amea Kaumuali’i Kawānanakoa. According to the governor’s office, Prince David Kawānanakoa died Thursday. Maui News.

Oahu

State seeks access to surveillance feeds from Waikiki businesses. The state is pitching a plan to Waikiki hotels and businesses that would allow real-time access to the footage from their private security cameras to help monitor crime and maintain public safety. The Safety Via Technology initiative, referred to as SVT, and partnerships with private businesses is used in cities such as San Francisco and Miami and is being explored in other tourist hubs. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police say new recruitment tactics are working. After a change in recruitment tactics, the Honolulu Police Department says more people are applying to become officers.Last year, it got more than 2,000 applications — a 20% increase from 2023. Hawaii Public Radio.

Will A Ban On Wheelies Stop The ‘Absolute Mayhem’ On Oʻahu Roads? Bike stunts are good fun for some, but the number of e-bike accidents that EMS responded to on Oʻahu nearly tripled from 2022 to 2024. Civil Beat.

Hawaii state lawmakers advance illegal fireworks measures. With the horrific and disturbing aftermath of this year’s New Year’s explosion in Salt Lake still fresh on their minds, state lawmakers in both the House and Senate approved four key measures in the effort to prevent a similar tragedy from happening. Hawaii News Now.

Investigation underway after newly renovated playground destroyed by arson. Officers responded to a fire at Wahiawa District Park at around 11 p.m. Thursday and found the playground structure fully engulfed in flames. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Ancient auwai are the kuleana of a Nuuanu neighborhood. There were 14 original auwai in Nuuanu that fueled the entire wetland of kalo by directing the flow of water from the elevated Nuuanu Stream to pass through downstream loi kalo before returning to the central ditch and, eventually, back to the stream. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Board seeks comment on proposed island name change. The Hawai‘i Board on Geographic Names is scheduled to vote in its upcoming June meeting on its proposal, first floated in March 2024, to change the official name of the largest island in the Hawaiian Archipelago from the “Island of Hawai‘i” to simply “Hawai‘i.” Tribune-Herald.

Survey to assess emergency preparedness level of east Hawaiʻi County households next week. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health Hawaiʻi District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey to assess the emergency preparedness level of east Hawaiʻi County households in the North and South Hilo, Puna and Kaʻū districts from next week. Survey teams will go door-to-door to 30 randomly selected census blocks. Big Island Now.

Maui

Eight judges confirmed across Hawaiʻi including Toma on Maui. Sonya H. Toma was confirmed as District Family Court Judge, Second Circuit. Maui Now.

Utility work to impact traffic on Honoapiʻilani between Lahainaluna and Hinau, May 5-9. Hawaiian Electric crews and contractors will be upgrading utility poles using bucket trucks on Honoapi‘ilani Highway between mile markers 21 and 22 between Lahainaluna Rd. and Hinau St. in the West Maui area from Monday, May 5 to Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai sanctuary is hugely popular with native and transpacific water birds. West Kauai’s Mana Plain is attracting larger numbers of native waterbirds and migratory shore birds than DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) biologist Jason Vercelli has ever seen in his 18 years of work in the wetlands. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi communities encouraged to share feedback on Climate Adaptation Plan. The county of Kauaʻi is seeking public input after completing a draft of the Climate Adaptation and Action Plan, which includes 79 bold actions to help Kauaʻi prepare for climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Kauai Now.

Legislature advances 'green fee' on short-term stays, hotels and cruise ships; union workers get 4% or less raises; pay-to-play, sports betting bills DOA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Legislature Takes Historic Step Toward A Visitor ‘Green Fee’. Under the bill, the transient accommodations tax that visitors pay on their nightly hotel and short-term rental stays will increase by .75%, plus travelers who dock in Hawaiʻi on cruise ships will start paying that tax as well, to cover the new fee. Civil Beat.

New Contracts Give More Than $1 Billion In Union Pay Raises.  Unionized state workers received raises of 4% or less per year for the next four years. Civil Beat.

State bill would change oversight of Hawai’i Tourism Authority. State lawmakers advanced a bill by the Legislature session deadline that will significantly change the governance model for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for the first time since it created the agency in 1998. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Kill Pay-to-Play Bill — Again. The Legislature has refused to close a loophole in state law that has allowed millions of dollars to flow to Hawaiʻi political campaigns from people who get big state contracts. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers to vote on over 200 bills this week. If approved by the full House and Senate Wednesday, the bills would go to Gov. Josh Green, who has already signed 27 new laws this year, including further tightening firearms requirements across the islands, which already have some of the strictest firearms laws in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers scurry to advance flurry of bills past key deadline. Casualties included a bill to legalize online sports betting in Hawaii and one to give the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands an additional $600 million to develop homesteads for beneficiaries. Bills that cleared the hurdle included one to raise the state’s transient accommodations tax in part to help sustain Hawaii’s natural resources, and one to expand the use of cameras to ticket speeding drivers on roadways statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi will not legalize online sports betting this year. Online sports betting will not be legalized this legislative session. Lawmakers decided to defer the measure Friday afternoon. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Kill Pay-to-Play Bill — Again. The Legislature’s powerful money committees wouldn’t sign-off on what had become a much-watered down measure. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Lawmakers To Require Audit Of Green’s Kauhale Homeless Initiative. The governor says the funding legislators also approved will keep the state on track to have 30 kauhale villages by 2026. Civil Beat.

Bill to create food systems working group likely to pass Legislature. Senate Bill 1186, which passed the conference committee process this week, seeks to create a “statewide interagency food systems coordination team” that would include leaders along the food supply chain — from farms to restaurants. Hawaii Public Radio.

Reducing the Hawaiian homestead waitlist: DHHL on track to award 2,600+ leases in 2025. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands presented an ambitious awards schedule before the Hawaiian Homes Commission last week and announced its plan to issue more than 2,600 leases by the end of 2025. Big Island Now.

Hawaii is ranked low for emergency readiness. The Trust for America’s Health evaluated each state, using 10 key indicators ranging from public health funding to workforce mobility. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Too Many Exemptions From Empty Homes Tax Could Cost Honolulu $150 Million. The city council has been trying to pass a 1% to 3% tax for years but wants to target offshore investors, not local residents. Civil Beat.

Settlement in $324M Hitachi suit is coming, HART says. A more than $324 million lawsuit brought by rail’s principal contractor against the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in 2024 appears on the verge of a final settlement, while condemnation actions will proceed on four downtown area properties. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii crews clear 45 homeless camps on Diamond Head slopes. LNR officials said there are large amounts of camping gear and buckets of human waste that litter the slopes. Star-Advertiser.

Government gridlock on evacuation plan frustrates Leeward residents. Leeward Coast residents — already worried about being trapped if Farrington Highway turns into gridlock during an emergency — received frustrating news from federal, state and city governments recently that help isn’t coming anytime soon. Star-Advertiser.

Consumers in Hawaii prepare for tariffs’ impact. While businesses have already been hit hard by the international trade war, the impact has only just begun to trickle down to local customers and visitors, who will ultimately have to pay more to keep the businesses alive, according to Justin Tyndall, an associate professor at University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Next Waimea Town Meeting to dig deep into Hawai‘i County budget, revenue policies. North Hawai‘i community members have the opportunity to dig deep into Hawai‘i County budget and revenue policies — including those governing property taxes and short-term vacation rentals — during the next Waimea Town Meeting. Big Island Now.

‘They see things no one should see’: Book by UH Hilo professor being used to help first responders. First responders are learning about the surprising causes and unique therapies for challenges prevalent among their community thanks to workshops in Hilo and Kona that derive treatment strategies from a new book. Tribune-Herald.

Bikeshare ridership increases islandwide. Cyclists took 11,305 rides on rented bikes from HIBIKE kiosks across the island in 2023, which rose to 12,463 rides throughout 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Asks Feds To Flex Rules Governing $1.6 Billion Wildfire Recovery Grant. The county wants to use some of the money to rebuild accessory dwelling units but is primarily focused on securing final approval. Civil Beat.

Replanting at Kahoma Village to support Lahaina recovery, growth following wildfires. Nearly 200 Kahoma Village homeowners, community members, and local organizations gathered Saturday to restore the landscape in Lahaina by planting 100 native and resilient species to support ongoing post-wildfire recovery.  Maui Now.

Maui volunteers recycle mountains of fire-donated clothing otherwise doomed for the landfill. Clothes in good condition will be gifted to targeted community partners for those in need. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i state legislators tout support for key Garden Isle investments in state budget.  Here’s a look at important Kaua‘i County investments appropriated in the biennium state spending plan for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, from highest to lowest price tag. Kauai Now.

Kauai councilmember sounding ’emergency alarm’ on coconut rhinoceros beetles. Councilmember Fern Holland says the destructive beetle has been spotted from Hā’ena to Waimea. KHON2.