Isaac Choy awarded $500K in whistleblower lawsuit, chronic absences plague schools, Maui vacation rental zoning battle drags on, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Jury awards former HTA executive Isaac Choy $500K. A First Circuit Court jury on Tuesday found that former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority executive Isaac Choy was subjected to whistleblower retaliation and wrongfully placed on unpaid leave and later terminated from his job, awarding him more than $500,000 in damages, including punitive damages against Gov. Josh Green’s Chief of Staff Brooke Wilson. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric customers weigh in on rate hike request. The state Public Utilities Commission is gathering public input on an application by Hawaiian Electric to raise base rates over the next two years, and comments including opposition from ratepayers are piling up. Hawaiian Electric made an initial request to the PUC in March followed by a detailed application in July to boost annual revenue by $170 million, or 5.3%, over most of the next five years largely to cover high inflation, more expensive insurance premiums and accelerated value depreciation for fossil fuel power generation units anticipated for retirement sooner than previously planned. Star-Advertiser.

HECO Knows What’s Behind Outages. It Just Won’t Tell You. The state’s consumer advocate wants the utility to provide more information about storm outages. Civil Beat.

Half Of Keiki Are Chronically Absent At Some Schools. See How Yours Compares. At some Hawaiʻi public schools, more than 50% of students regularly skip school, state data shows. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD chief details plans to address staffing, modernization. Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar says he wants to boost officer pay and recruitment, expand the use of technology and develop a new strategic plan for the Honolulu Police Department’s future. Star-Advertiser.

Happier Days Coming For Neighbors Of Collapsed ‘So Stink’ Dim Sum Restaurant. Health officials address spoiled food issues at closed Happy Days. The state Health Department says spoiled food has been removed from the kitchen area of the shuttered Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant in Kaimuki following an Aug. 18 partial roof collapse. Professional cleaning at the restaurant’s kitchen began Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. KITV4.

Police arrest woman, 24, in fatal shooting of man in Kailua. The Honolulu Police Department said detectives from the Homicide and Strategic Enforcement Detail, with help from the CID Forensic Video Unit, identified a 24-year-old female suspect, Hilinaikailimakualopali I. Keeno, in the fatal shooting of Thomas Craig Piiliouka Malone, 30. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Aloha State Daily.

Oahu public schools begin serving locally grown pineapples in cafeterias. More than 2,000 pounds of Hawaii-grown pineapple is heading into public school cafeterias across Oahu, giving students a fresh taste of island produce at breakfast and lunch. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County seeks dismissal of ‘Sammy’ lawsuit alleging officer was negligent in death of teen. A Hawaii County attorney argued Tuesday in court that a Hawaii Police Department officer who hit and killed a pedestrian with a police car almost three years ago is immune from liability, but an attorney for the family of Samuel “Sammy” Mwarey, a 16-year-old boy, argued the officer was negligent and liable. Tribune-Herald.

Thirty Meter Telescope Doubles Down On Mauna Kea, Declines Spain’s $1B Proposal. TMT’s preferred site for the telescope is still on Mauna Kea on the Big Island, after its board could not agree on Spain’s effort to build it in La Palma. Civil Beat.

Council District 5 Candidates Want to Build A More Resilient Puna. What is taken for granted in other communities is needed in Puna: paved roads, public gathering spaces and alternative evacuation routes. Civil Beat.

Maui

Hotel or housing? Battle drags on over which Maui properties should have short-term rentals banned. Properties hope to switch to hotel zoning to avoid a ban on short-term rentals in apartment districts. The Maui County Council is proposing that 3,402 of these units across 48 properties, including timeshares, leasehold properties and apartment complexes that function like hotels, be rezoned as hotel districts. But on Tuesday, the Maui Planning Commission largely disagreed, recommending denial for most of the units and approval for a handful of properties that are entirely timeshares or have variances in place that allow vacation rental use.  Maui Now.

Prosecutors: Revenge motive in fatal shooting of Maui officer. Video footage shows Maui police officers arriving at Clembert Kaneholani’s home in Makawao on the night of Aug. 13, 2025, two days before Officer Suzanne O was fatally shot, to serve him with a temporary restraining order. Hawaii News Now.

A federal judge has eased travel restrictions for a Washington man accused of throwing a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal in Lahaina. Igor Lytvynchuk made headlines in May after he was caught on camera during the incident. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County Fair announces admission and ticket presales, details on E.K. Fernandez rides, safety reminders. The 99th Maui County Fair is just a few days away, and fairgoers can get ready for four days of food, entertainment, exhibits, community activities and carnival rides at the War Memorial Special Events Complex in Wailuku from Thursday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 4. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai community is still waiting for federal disaster relief funding. As Kauai moves into long-term recovery from Hurricane Lowell, community organizers are asking for more outside help as the island continues to wait and see whether President Donald Trump will release federal funding for disaster relief. Star-Advertiser.

Isaac Choy HTA whistleblower lawsuit goes to court, Mauna Kea likely site for Thirty Meter Telescope after Canary Islands reportedly nixed, Ariyoshi honored at state Capitol, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Misconduct or retaliation? Fired HTA executive’s suit goes to court. A Circuit Court civil trial is examining whether former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority executive Isaac Choy was fired in retaliation for whistleblowing or for workplace misconduct following an independent investigation that substantiated multiple harassment and discrimination complaints against him. Star-Advertiser.

Texts show fired HTA exec, state official remained in close contact. Hundreds of text messages introduced Thursday in a Circuit Court civil trial showed that state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka remained in regular contact with former Hawai‘i Tourism Authority finance vice president Isaac Choy during and after a workplace harassment and discrimination investigation that ultimately resulted in Choy’s firing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi GOP Aims To Win More Seats And Fire Up Debate. With an extra House seat, Republicans could force the majority party into painful floor votes on hot topics and hard-to-fix problems Democrats might rather avoid. Civil Beat.

Worries persist in Hawaii despite Supreme Court’s mail-in ballot ruling. While voter rights groups celebrated the court’s ruling, they are urging Hawaii voters to return their mail-in ballots as soon as possible ahead of any potential last-minute attempts to further suppress voter turnout on Election Day, pointing to FBI Director Kash Patel’s refusal to rule out sending armed agents to polling places. And fears continue that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could appear at voting locations and detain anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. Star-Advertiser.

Dark Money Looms Over This Hawaiʻi Congressional Race. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda has been warning that outside money could flood into her race against Republican State Sen. Brenton Awa. He, too, says he’s wary of super PACs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii voters to decide on measure facilitating housing growth. The state Legislature in May passed a bill that proposes amending Hawaii’s Constitution via a ballot question to allow counties to issue bonds for developers to finance infrastructure needed to produce more housing for residents especially around transit hubs. Star-Advertiser.

Storm damage to Hawaii infrastructure and schools costing hundreds of millions. A series of severe weather events this year brought more than $212 million in damage to public infrastructure across the state, according to preliminary figures from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bids aloha to former Gov. George Ariyoshi. Ariyoshi, who died April 19 at the age of 100, lay in state in a closed casket in the Capitol rotunda beginning Friday morning, becoming only the eighth person to receive the honor. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Oahu

Oʻahu’s Shade Trees Could Take Decades To Grow Back After Storms. Forest stewards say Honolulu’s tree canopy is a natural infrastructure worth investing in with more extreme weather around the corner. Civil Beat.

Kapaa Quarry Road unsuitable for landfill, Kailua board says. The 2.5-mile road that winds between Kalanianaole Highway and Mokapu Boulevard has for decades been nicknamed the “dump road,” with the long-­standing reputation still standing due to its history. Now, the “dump road” also may lead to Oahu’s next landfill, which has drawn backlash from the community. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Spilled 27M Gallons Of Sewage In A New System Failure. Heavy rains once again overwhelmed Honolulu’s sewage system last month, leading to spills. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council urges expanded groundwater testing around Red Hill. Citing concerns over potential contamination of Oahu’s primary drinking-water aquifer, the Honolulu City Council is urging state and federal regulators to require the Navy to expand groundwater testing around the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Price Shock At Waikīkī Co-op Highlights Vulnerability To Housing Fees. When special assessments and maintenance fees skyrocket, residents who volunteer for housing boards rarely have training and often lack access to important documents to figure out if it’s justified. Civil Beat.

‘Doing our best’: Farm damaged by Lowell gives out free poi. On the island’s west side, thankful passersby were treated to free poi from Aloha Āina Poi Company this week.  Despite the setback, the group still wanted to share its poi with the community, giving out several thousand pounds since the hurricane. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

TMT reportedly rejects Spanish bid to build on Canary Islands. A €1 billion proposal to build the Thirty Meter Telescope in La Palma has reportedly fallen through. Mauna Kea is the only possible site for the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope, after an alternate site in the Canary Islands has reportedly been nixed. Aloha State Daily.

Fire Commission to interview six chief candidates. The county Fire Commission will meet Thursday and Friday in the County Council Chambers in Hilo to complete the selection of the next Fire Chief. Tribune-Herald.

County finance committee votes to extend homeless fund.  Established in 2022, the fund allocates a minimum of $9 million from property tax revenue every year to be distributed to non-profits working to address homelessness in the county. Tribune-Herald.

Council committee postpones vote on Waikoloa development. The County Council’s Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions last week voted 9-0 to postpone until its Oct. 6 meeting a pair of bills seeking approval for a project that would build some 400 apartments and 300 single-family homes on just over 700 acres in Waikoloa. Tribune-Herald.

DoDaro returns to lead Animal Control and Protection Agency. Three years after Regina DoDaro helped set up Hawaii County’s new Animal Control and Protection Agency, she returned last month to serve at the helm of the department as its administrator. Tribune-Herald.

Despite police enforcement efforts, some continue to drive recklessly on Saddle Road. Police conducted a high-visibility enforcement operation in June on the DKI, also known as Saddle Road. Overall, between June 4 and June 21, 2026, officers conducted 1,069 traffic stops along the highway and identified numerous violations, including: 649 speeding violations; 17 reckless driving violations; six unsafe passing violations; and 509 other traffic violations. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs County Food and Nutrition Security Plan into law. Developed through a multiyear community process led by the Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan provides a comprehensive vision for the County’s food system, addressing how food is grown, harvested, processed, distributed, consumed and recovered. Maui Now.

Nearly 40 firearms, 58 pounds of fireworks surrendered at Maui buyback. The gun buyback was held through an anonymous amnesty program. No identification was required, and participants were not questioned about the firearms. Maui News.

Maui County-run ferry service aims to launch for Lāna‘i next year, Moloka‘i in 2029. A decade after ferry service to Moloka‘i folded in the face of falling ridership, Maui County is moving forward with plans to take over the existing ferry service to Lāna‘i and restore service to Moloka‘i, expanding options for residents who frequently travel between the islands for jobs, doctor’s appointments, Costco trips and sports. Maui Now.

Delta flight diverted to Honolulu due to onboard fumes. En route to Seattle on Sept. 19, Delta Flight 394 diverted to Honolulu after fumes were detected on the Airbus A321neo following departure from Kahului Airport. KHON2.

Kauai

Kauai residents wary after Hurricane Lowell changes river’s flow. The remote Wainiha and Haena community on Kauai’s North Shore is no stranger to flooding, but Hurricane Lowell brought a new challenge when it changed the path of the Wainiha River. Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative inches to 97% restoration after Lowell.  As of Sunday afternoon, 97% of Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative members islandwide have been restored, with more than 500 additional members restored since the last update.  Kauai Now. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Even Lowell can’t pierce Niihau’s veil of secrecy. The island is owned by the Robinson family, who have been in control of it since their ancestor Elizabeth Sinclair, a Scottish plantation owner, purchased it from King Kamehameha V in 1864. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai small businesses ask tourists to return after Hurricane Lowell, with aloha and some patience. On Thursday, Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami said Kauai is now “welcoming visitors back,” while asking them to respect the ongoing recovery. “Come with patience, spend local, and help us recover,” he said. Associated Press.

Cruise ships may prevail in fight to avoid paying for tourist impact, Legislature protects income tax cuts, resists ICE crackdown in bills sent to governor at sine die, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Effort To Get Cruise Ships On Board With Green Fee Is Sputtering. Some legislators worry the state will lose its case to uphold cruise ship payments and with it millions in environmental funding. That leaves the state in an all-or-nothing court battle to secure the approximately $26 million in annual cruise ship payments included in the  original green fee law. Civil Beat.

HTA’s tourism management plan targets several islands with shuttle proposal. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is rolling out a new statewide tourism management strategy aimed at addressing one of residents’ biggest complaints — traffic and overcrowding at tourism hot spots. KHON2.

Tax cuts preserved, immigration enforcement limited as Legislature sends final bills to Green. Hawaii taxpayers — except for the highest income earners — will continue to benefit from historic tax breaks after legislators wrapped up their 60-day session by increasing the state’s $1.6 billion “rainy day fund” by $50 million and adding new limits on county and state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

With Immigrant Protection Bills, Hawaiʻi Joins States Resisting ICE Crackdown. While fears of retaliation blocked similar bills last year, reaction to national events and realities of local enforcement eased passage of immigrant legislation in 2026. Civil Beat.

Hawaii shelters inadequate against hurricanes. With a potential El Nino cycle increasing hurricane threats to the Hawaiian Islands, state and county officials warn that most existing shelters are insufficient to protect residents beyond a Category 1 storm. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii grads face uncertain job market. With University of Hawaii graduations continuing through Saturday, students preparing for life after college are weighing a job market shaped by competition, cost of living, artificial intelligence and the growing expectation that a degree alone may not be enough. Star-Advertiser.

From trucking to technocrat: How did former Maui official Keith Regan land in state’s second-highest post? Keith Regan has held several high-level leadership positions, first in Arakawa’s administration during his three terms as Maui County mayor and later in state government on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Oahu

Council, mayor clash over proposed $41M emergency account. A dispute is emerging between the Honolulu City Council and Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration over a proposed provisional account intended to help fund future city emergencies following two Kona-low storms that caused more than $100 million in damage to city operations and properties. Star-Advertiser.

Detained Immigrants Could Wait 19 Months For Their Day In Honolulu Court. Asylum hearings are being curtailed, and more removal orders issued as DHS looks to reduce backlog of cases. Civil Beat.

‘Renovation Aloha’ Hosts Fined For Illegal Airbnbs In Latest Misstep. The home flippers behind the hit HGTV show “Renovation Aloha” now owe $40,000 to the city of Honolulu for operating two illegal short-term rentals through the rental site Airbnb. Civil Beat.

Kona-low recovery: ‘People are still struggling out there’.  For days after flood­waters tore through Otake Camp on Oahu’s North Shore, 77‑year‑old Grace Visaya slept in her car. Star-Advertiser.

Care home operator pleads no contest to endangerment of patient’s welfare. Ederlina U. Manzano, 64, an Oahu care home operator has pleaded no contest to criminal endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, in this case an 87-year-old woman who was under her care. Star-Advertiser.

Crews work to repair 20-inch water main break in Waimanalo. The Board of Water Supply reported a water main break on Hihimanu Street between Makulama Street and Ahiki Street. BWS officials are asking some Waimanalo residents to continue conserving water as crews work to repair a 20-inch main after discovering a second leak. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

‘It’s gonna be very devastating’: Five Hawaii Island early childhood education sites to close. The Mountain View Ka Pa‘alana Preschool -- part of a network of early childhood education programs across the state run by the nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation — is slated to close at the end of this school year, along with 16 of its other Ka Pa‘alana, Tutu and Me and other early childhood education programs, due to lack of federal funding. Tribune-Herald.

County approval sought for festival that has irritated neighbors. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission on Thursday will decide the fate of the “Falls on Fire” Festival — a controversial “Burning Man”-inspired gathering in Papaikou hosted by Pennsylvania video game executive Andrew Tepper. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo tsunami clock memorial to be moved? The Hilo tsunami clock — a landmark along Kamehameha Avenue at the edge of the Grand Naniloa Golf Course — might find itself with new digs as part of the Waiakea Peninsula revitalization. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council shakeup: Chair Lee won’t seek re-election to Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū seat. Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee will not seek re-election this year. Instead, the veteran council member will support the candidacy of Marvin Moniz, a longtime state Department of Transportation airports manager, to succeed her in the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency seat. Maui Now.

84 affordable senior homes proposed for historic Wailuku Mission grounds. A plan to build 84 affordable rental homes for low-income seniors on one of central Wailuku’s most historically significant properties is now open for public comment through June 8. Maui Now.

Kula resident Brad Sultzer and his wife Donna are dealing with close to $100,000 in storm damage. The Kona Low storm turned a stream into a raging river that ripped through their Polipoli Road property, along with neighboring homes and the road itself. Hawaii Public Radio

Mental health needs remain key to wildfire recovery. Survivors of the Maui wildfires still face profound emotional and psychological challenges nearly three years after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed more than 100 people, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and displaced an estimated 10,000 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Homeowners could get up to $100K with Molokaʻi deed restriction pilot program. A Maui County pilot program on Moloka’i is offering homeowners up to $100,000 in exchange for deed restrictions on their property. The sale of the home would be restricted for 25 years under the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County’s DMV and Real Property offices to close for training. The Division of Motor Vehicles and the Real Property Assessment and Collections Section will be closed on Wednesday, May 13, to accommodate staff training. Kauai Now.

Election law changes could bring long lines, state attorney general investigates bribery allegations, Senate halts dedicated funding for tourism authority, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Will Hawaiʻi Voters Once Again See Long Lines On Election Day? Voters may be forced to wait in line this election season after the death of legislation that would have funded more county voter service centers. Civil Beat.

State investigators conduct 18 interviews in campaign contribution probe. State investigators have conducted 18 interviews and reviewed “thousands” of pages of documents as they continue to look into $35,000 in campaign contributions an influential state legislator allegedly accepted during a dinner with another lawmaker working as an FBI informant and a controversial lobbyist. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Residency bottleneck drives exodus of doctors.The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine currently offers 23 accredited residency and fellowship programs, with additional programs in development. Star-Advertiser.

More Hawaiʻi Students Are Prepped For College. Will They Attend? Hawaiʻi has been pushing for more college and career readiness for high school students, but college enrollment is stagnant. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers look to protect victims of image-based sexual abuse. Hawaiʻi could soon give better protections to those who have intimate images of them shared without their consent. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Exile’ of Hawaii’s prison population targeted for reduction or end. This year, more than a dozen members of Hawaii’s House of Representatives set out to force the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to bring back most of the roughly 800 Hawaii inmates from a privately operated Arizona prison within five years. Star-Advertiser.

Senate halts effort to restore dedicated tourism funding. After years of legislative skepticism and repeated restructuring, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority appeared poised this session for a partial restoration of its dedicated funding — until the effort stalled in the state Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Large fallen boulders shut down Kamehameha Highway north of Waimea Bay; 1 lane reopens. Installation of steel plates to protect the waterline from rockfall is expected to take 3 to 4 months. Contra-flow traffic in effect as 1 lane remains open.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser. 

Army to conduct annual prescribed burn at Schofield Barracks. The Army will conduct its annual prescribed burn of the Schofield Barracks training range complex this week to help with wildfire mitigation efforts. The burn will take place Monday, April 13, through Saturday, April 18, as part of the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii’s natural resource management program to help manage invasive vegetation that can fuel wildfires and harm wildlife. Hawaii News Now.

Fatal Work Accident Spurs Hawaiʻi Immigrant’s Widow To Fight Back. An undocumented Chinese warehouse worker faced safety hazards at a Honolulu job site that a lawsuit says cost him his life after 87 weeks in the hospital.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Controversial housing resolution heads to full council. A Hawaii County Council committee last week recommended a favorable vote by the full council on a controversial resolution authorizing the Office of Housing and Community Development to lease homes it purchased with federal funds for “long-term permanent housing for underserved populations who face significant barriers to secure, safe and affordable housing.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Fire Department seeks public input for new strategic plan. Officials are inviting residents to complete a brief online survey and attend a series of community meetings to provide feedback on fire department operations.  Big Island Now.

$100K Tab For Failed Hawaiʻi Island Charter School May Fall To Taxpayers. Eight years after Hawaiʻi closed Kaʻu Learning Academy or financial mismanagement and faulty record keeping, taxpayers are on the hook for thousands of dollars worth of rent and property damage the school’s partners failed to pay.  Civil Beat.

Oahu halau with kumu from Keaukaha wins Merrie Monarch. Halau Hi‘iakainamakalehua, under the direction of kumu hula Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu IV, took both the overall and kane overall categories with 1,225 points.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Council hears appeals for agriculture and animal shelter relief. Local farmers told Maui County Council members Thursday that the government is falling short of providing island agriculture the help needed to sustain operations. Maui Now.

Council committee reviews budgets for Departments of Water Supply, Management. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee focused its fiscal year 2027 review Wednesday on addressing emergency resilience and the future of the island’s water infrastructure. Maui Now.

Molokai residents face challenges in flood recovery. Molokai was especially hit hard by the second of two Kona-low storms to sweep across Hawaii in two weeks last month. Star-Advertiser.

Ahupua‘a restoration in Molokai offers potential flooding remedy. The pair of Kona-low storms that hit the Hawaiian Islands in March showed no forgiveness when it descended upon Molokai. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

About 140,000 gallons of wastewater spills near Kauai harbor. Kauai county officials warned the public  to stay out of Kikiaola Harbor after about 140,000 gallons of wastewater spilled on Friday from the Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant. Star-Advertiser.

Cruise ship industry sues over visitor green fee, state legislators call for special session on immigration enforcement, state working to improve tsunami protocols, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cruise Ship Industry Sues To Scuttle Hawaiʻi’s New Visitor Green Fee. Ship passengers will soon to start paying the same visitor tax as hotel guests to help cover the conservation fee — unless the cruise lines can stop it in court. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi legislators call for a special session to address immigration enforcement. Senate and House leadership have not released any information about a special session. But it did block off several dates throughout the year if needed. One was this week. The next is at the end of September, and the third is in mid-November. Hawaii Public Radio.

New HTA advisory board under pressure to regain public trust. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advisory board — composed of eight new members and four returning ones — met Thursday with the hope of achieving a paradigm shift that proves its trustworthiness to manage state tourism and the tens of millions of dollars of public money that funds it. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

State working to improve tsunami reaction protocol. Deficiencies in managing the tsunami threat to Hawaii last month are leading to planned improvements that include manual traffic intersection management, fewer broken warning sirens and safety information websites that don’t crash under high demand. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Electrifying vehicles is key to the Hawaiʻi DOT's climate roadmap. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is finalizing a climate roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. About half of the state's total emissions come from the transportation sector. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi-grown foods like ʻulu and kalo are on the menu at public schools. The state Department of Education has updated its school breakfast and lunch menus to offer more locally sourced foods such as ʻulu, kalo, ʻuala, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Aloha Stadium teardown expected to take 12 months. The Aloha Stadium Authority has secured the necessary permits from the City and County of Honolulu to start work on dismantling the old stadium in Halawa, but the stadium board chair said it will likely be “early in the new year” before the public starts to notice large pieces of the old facility being torn down. Star-Advertiser.

Next phase of Hawaiian homestead houses in Kapolei awarded. More than 100 state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries are set to become homeowners in Kapolei early next year after a lottery Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Law to streamline affordable housing leads to power struggle over Kapolei project. The Laulima Affordables rental project just west of the Kapolei Commons shopping center is caught in the middle of the dispute. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu road deaths in 2025 now surpass all of 2024. The City is pleading with the public to be safer on Honolulu roads — they say 55 people have died so far on Oahu, surpassing 2024’s total of 54. KHON2.

Why HPD Has A Major Morale Problem, According To Staff. Officers and civilians want to make sure their voices are heard throughout the selection process for a new chief. Civil Beat.

Man who received $12.5M city settlement sentenced on gun, drug offenses. Just a year and a half after receiving a multimillion-dollar payment from the city, Jonaven Perkins-Sinapati will spend 10 years in federal prison. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Residents push back on Puna Geothermal Venture during upgrade project. The company’s Repower Project has equipment upgrades and increased power generation. It has 12 generating units that are more than 30 years old, and the plan is to install three larger generating units and decommission the old ones. Hawaii News Now.

County to proceed with plans for old Hilo hospital site. The project, located at 34 Rainbow Drive in Hilo, is a key part of the county Office of Housing and Community Development’s effort to create a resource hub focused on housing stabilization, workforce readiness and behavioral health services. Tribune-Herald.

Convent repurposed into housing for homeless kupuna. Ten elders without housing are expected to move into the bright and airy single-story North Hawaii home in October, according to representatives of HOPE Services Hawaii and their partner for the housing project, Honoka‘a’s historic Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Hawaiʻi County, HALE O Hawaiʻi partner to deliver affordable homeownership. The handover ceremony and celebration Aug. 22 marked a milestone in a partnership between HALE O Hawaiʻi Community Land Trust and Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development, advancing an innovative land trust model to keep homes affordable for generations to come. Big Island Now.

Puna Beach Park To Close For Pohoiki Boat Ramp Dredging. Isaac Hale Beach Park will be closed until further notice starting September 2 to support public safety efforts during crane dredging operations. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Police: Multiple people injured in Kalapana affray. Police are investigating an affray Sunday evening in Kalapana that resulted in multiple stabbings. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Procession and memorial service to honor Officer Suzanne O. The Maui Police Department, in partnership with the family of Officer Suzanne O, will hold a procession and memorial service honoring her life and service on Friday, Aug. 29. Maui News. Maui Now.

South Maui beach parking zones get Maui Council nod; first priority for residents. Maui County Council members unanimously gave initial approval Tuesday to a measure that would establish paid parking zones at South Maui beach parks, a move to give residents first priority access to some of the island’s most popular beaches. Maui Now.

Maui DWS to use backup water for Upcountry system starting in early September. County to supplement Upcountry water supply due to drought conditions. In September, the Maui County Department of Water Supply is planning to supplement water delivery to the Upcountry area, which has been plagued by ongoing drought conditions. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Lahaina fire survivor is arrested by ICE. A Lahaina man who lost his home and business in the fatal Lahaina wildfires was arrested by federal agents on the two-year anniversary of the disaster for an alleged violation of U.S. immigration law. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kauaʻi lawmakers consider regulations on e-bikes. The Kauaʻi County Council’s Bill 2972 would require minors to wear helmets while using e-bikes, or electric bicycles. It would also effectively ban bike tricks like wheelies, along with riding in a “hazardous manner” — such as driving with more than one person. Hawaii Public Radio.

Total visitor arrivals, spending in July increases in Kauaʻi, decreases statewide. There were 143,289 visitors to Kauaʻi in July 2025, an increase of 5.6% from the 135,740 visitors in July 2024 and a 3% increase from the 139,157 visitors in July 2019. Kauai Now.

Sunday road closures for Kauai Marathons. The 2025 Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, starting at 6:00 a.m. The racecourse will impact Koloa, Poipu, Lawai, and Kalaheo, with a combination of lane closures, full road closures, and partial restrictions between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

New tourism authority formed, Aloha Stadium reconstruction delayed, Maunaloa carbon research station in peril, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HTA establishes advisory board, wants public input for planning. The governance and future focus of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is expected to be redefined under a newly appointed HTA advisory board, and by the community members who take part in HTA’s latest planning cycle, which seeks to ensure greater balance between tourism’s economic and community benefits. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Sex Abuse Case Shows How Predatory Teachers Can Go Undetected. Laws passed last year aim to protect students by creating a shared database of teachers who have abused kids in public and private schools. But other states have had a hard time getting schools to comply with similar laws.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi’s False Killer Whales Trending Toward Extinction. A new report finds that efforts to protect the dolphins are not working. Experts blame both fishing vessels and NOAA. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi medical school's Willed Body Program pauses new enrollments indefinitely. The University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine announced that it will not accept new enrollments for the Willed Body Program due to an overwhelming amount of interest and limited space. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Aloha Stadium opening pushed to 2029. Replacing Aloha Stadium has advanced a step closer to initiation, but the new facility is now slated to be smaller and completed later than previously planned. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Maunalua Bay now under conservation management. Nighttime spear fishing has been outlawed in Maunalua Bay and new catch limits have been imposed as part of a 20-year conservation effort in East Honolulu that led the Board of Land and Natural Resource to approve the state’s latest fisheries management area. Star-Advertiser.

As Mainland Egg Prices Drop, Waialua Fresh Eggs Invests In Hawaiʻi. Waialua Fresh Eggs is building four new barns at its Central Oʻahu farm, which will add 120,000 hens to the farm’s flock of 400,000. Those hens will lay an egg a day, to help supply about one-third of Hawaiʻi’s daily egg demands. Civil Beat.

Ex girls basketball coach to be sentenced in sex case. Dwayne Yuen, a Honolulu man who coached at Punahou and was involved with girls basketball in Hawaii for 20 years, will be sentenced today before Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Maunaloa research station, vital to global CO2 data, could close due to NOAA cuts. Since 1958, instruments at NOAA's Mauna Loa Observatory have taken nearly continuous measurements of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Trump administration has proposed funding cuts to NOAA that would shutter the observatory, as well as other hubs in the country's greenhouse gas monitoring network. Hawaii Public Radio.

Schatz town hall draws hundreds. Nearly 250 people gathered at the Kahilu Town Hall in Kamuela on Tuesday to engage with U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who fielded over a dozen questions about topics ranging from ICE raids and protecting democracy, to the environment and America’s relationship with Israel. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Mauna Kea Authority Holds Community Talk Story Session. The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority held a community talk story in Kaʻū on Wednesday, as part of an ongoing effort to engage Hawaiʻi residents and gather public feedback.  Big Island Video News.

Water restrictions lifted in North Kohala following repair of well. Water restrictions for North Kohala customers, in place for just over a week, were lifted. Big Island Now.

School bus service changes to Hilo route raise student safety concerns. The bus transports students attending Hilo High School, Hilo Intermediate School and Haʻaheo Elementary School to and from the Wainaku Gym. But Kaiwiki Road extends four more miles and ends at a significant elevation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Last-ditch efforts to kill Honuaʻula project amendments fail amid bickering; controversial development passes final vote. On a day full of intense tension and high drama, the Maui County Council voted 5-4 to approve amendments on second-and-final reading for the hotly debated Honuaʻula project. Maui Now.

Work to reduce fire hazards in West Maui leads to dispute over homeless rights and arrests. An effort to clear wildfire hazards in West Maui on Wednesday led to a dispute over homeless rights and ended with seven people in handcuffs. Hawaii News Now.

Maui real estate market a mixed bag in July. Single-home sales on Maui were up in July while condominium sales continued to decrease, according to the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui News.

County of Maui Department of Agriculture invites grant applicants for Fiscal Year 2026. Eligible Maui County nonprofits, for-profits and sole proprietors are invited to apply for reimbursable grants through the County of Maui Department of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2026. Maui Now.

Kauai

Immediate water conservation request issued for some Kalāheo residents. Kauaʻi County Department of Water has announced an immediate water conservation request — in effect until further notice — for residents on the entire makai side of Kaumualiʻi Highway in Kalāheo. Kauai Now.

Proposals for FY 2025-26 Kaua‘i County Innovation Grants now being accepted. Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development is accepting proposals for fiscal year 2025–26 Innovation Grants. Application deadline is 4 p.m. Sept. 2. Kauai Now.

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.