Legislative leaders push to dilute pay-to-play bill, spearfishing touted as a way of life, auto sales dip amid economic fears, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘It’s a way of living’: UH study connects spearfishing to wellness, culture, community. A new study by researchers at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa highlights how a practice deeply rooted in Hawaiian tradition promotes food security, physical activity, cultural identity and community well-being. Big Island Now.

Legislative Leaders Want Pay-To-Play Bill Significantly Watered Down. Leaders in the House and Senate want to weaken a key reform measure that had sought to ban campaign contributions from people who win substantial government contracts. Changes being pushed by the House speaker and Senate president would apply the contribution ban only to companies doing business with specific branches of government, essentially continuing the status quo for most elected officials and their campaign donors. Civil Beat.

State tax measures put renewable energy incentives in the crosshairs. State lawmakers have introduced measures this session to roll back the renewable energy credit, along with other income tax credits. Hawaii Public Radio.

Online sports betting bill is still in play at the state Legislature. Although House lawmakers passed a resolution to study legalizing gambling in Hawaiʻi, another measure that legalizes sports betting is still being considered. Hawaii Public Radio.

State youth mental health services could be updated amid funding cuts. SB 1442 would require the state’s Adolescent Mental Health Division to establish family guidance centers in different counties and offer a network of preventative, early identification, screening, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services. Star-Advertiser.

Bill defining torture, making it a Class A felony, moves to final legislative votes. State House and Senate conferees quickly approved Senate Bill 281, which defines torture and would upgrade it to a Class A felony, with a maximum 20-year prison term. It’s something supporters believe will save more lives, especially those of children. Hawaii News Now.

'The darker side of paradise': Bills aimed to help sex trafficking victims. Two bills moving through the legislature this year will bring more protection and rights to victims of sex trafficking. KITV4.

State domestic abuse measure passes. A state bill intended to reinforce legal protections for domestic violence survivors has cleared its final legislative hurdle. Tribune-Herald.

State budget includes $1M for food banks amid federal cuts. The budget passed by the state Legislature this week would send $1 million to Hawaiʻi food banks over the next two years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii auto sales continued to fall this year and badly trailed the rest of the country — with an uncertain future ahead because of President Donald Trump’s economic policies, the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association reported Wednesday. Hawaii dealers saw a drop of 1.3%, based on new vehicle registrations for the first three months of 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines helps buffer Alaska’s $166M loss. Alaska Air Group posted weaker-than-expected first-quarter earnings Wednesday due to negative impacts of macroeconomic factors on air travel demand. Star-Advertiser.

German teens imprisoned and kicked out of Hawaii prompts fears among foreign nationals. After German teens trying to visit Hawaii were imprisoned and kicked out of the state, foreign nationals living in the islands are worried about their future. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

With Paramedics Spread Thin, Honolulu Dusts Off A Possible Solution. For years, understaffing and complaints of burnout at the city’s ambulance service have prompted discussion about merging it with the fire department. Civil Beat.

How Honolulu first responders keep 911 running when disaster strikes. In the face of a devastating natural disaster, the elements can potentially impact our ability to communicate. One of the most important communication methods during an emergency is the 911 dispatch system. Hawaii News Now.

‘Renovation Aloha’ Home Flippers Hit With Flurry Of Building Violations. Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama continue to renovate Oʻahu homes without proper permits even as their show seeks taxpayer subsidies. Civil Beat.

Ex-death row inmate convicted of 4 counts of sex trafficking. A 38-year-old pimp who dodged death row in Delaware was convicted in federal court in Honolulu Tuesday of sex trafficking three adult women and one minor girl. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Kona jury awards $2.5M in damages in sex abuse case. A Kona Circuit Court jury last week found in a civil trial that a Waimea businessman sexually abused a 12-year-old boy decades ago. The jury awarded the plaintiff $2.535 million in damages. Tribune-Herald.

Puna man faces nearly 20 charges after small arsenal discovered in Hawaiian Beaches residence. Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney says Solomon Lord was arrested and charged April 16 following the execution of a search warrant on a Lalakea Street home in Hawaiian Beaches. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

FEMA cracks down on Lahaina residents not paying rent. At the start of the week, nearly 200 out of around 1,000 households on FEMA’s temporary housing program had not paid rent. Now, it’s down 100 — or one in 10. KHON2.

9 projects with over 800 housing units could get funding from Maui County for construction, rising costs. Maui County wants to spend its $43.5 million Affordable Housing Fund on nine projects with 843 units of mostly rental housing in the next fiscal year, including a rental project in Kīhei with social spaces for seniors, a Nāpili apartment complex for fire-displaced families and a major housing development in Kahului with a civic center and commercial space.  Maui Now.

Bill sets aside $807.5 million for Maui wildfire claims. Hawaii legislative leaders have agreed to fully fund the state’s share of Maui wildfire damage claims slated to be paid out over four years. Star-Advertiser.

Lāna‘i Loses The Island’s Only State Mental Health Counselor — Again. Key mental health worker on Lānaʻi resigns, eroding in-person patient care and exposing the fragility of a system that depends so heavily on one worker. Civil Beat.

Kauai

New agricultural park aims to innovate, accelerate Kauaʻi farming businesses. The first phase of the proposed 87-acre agricultural park includes 20 acres of sub-licensed farm plots, four acres of agroforestry, as well as an acre of shared facilities for farmers including a washing and packing area, greenhouses, walk-in cold storage, and a meeting and business space. The land is leased from My Kapa’a, LLC – owned in part by Bette Midler. Kauai Now.

6,000 gallons of wastewater spills from Wailua Coco Palms sewer pump station. About 6,000 gallons of wastewater spilled from the Wailua Coco Palms sewer pump station April 23, contaminating some nearby properties. Kauai Now.

USDA grants to Hawaii farms on hold, Air Force Research Laboratory awards $176M for Haleakala supercomputing site, renewed support for good government bills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USDA program to send millions of dollars to Hawaiʻi farmers is on pause, under DOGE review. A federally funded initiative that’s set to send millions of dollars to Hawaiʻi food producers was scheduled to launch this month, but now it’s on hold — and possibly on the chopping block — while the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency reviews it. Hawaii Public Radio.

Latest USDA Cuts Will Harm Hawaiʻi’s Food Security, From Farmers To Kids. Hawaiʻi’s food security is already weak. Nearly one-third of children in the state live in a food insecure home and the demand for food banks is on the rise. Civil Beat.

Hawaii veterans, VA staff speak out on federal cuts. The VA has confirmed that in Hawaii it has laid off a “small number” of probationary employees working for the VA Pacific Island Health Care System, but would not discuss what roles they were in. Star-Advertiser.

‘Clean government’ bills have renewed support. A series of bills aimed at further cleaning up government ethics, lobbying practices and campaign contributions — while making it easier for new candidates to campaign for office — are suddenly enjoying renewed energy in the Legislature after a lull in 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants weigh new deal. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement on a contract extension, which is expected to improve negotiations for a joint collective bargaining agreement, a key step in the post-merger integration of flight attendants from Hawaiian and Alaska. Star-Advertiser.

Chief Justice seeks public comment on judicial nominees for the First Circuit. Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced today that he is seeking public comment on judicial nominees for one vacancy in the District Court of the First Circuit (Island of Oʻahu) and two vacancies in the District Family Court of the First Circuit. Maui Now.

Oahu

Wahiawā's Kamalani Academy to close in June after Charter School Commission decision. The Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission noted that Kamalani failed to meet three of four requirements outlined in the contract: material and substantial violations of charter contract terms, failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management, and failure to meet or make sufficient progress toward performance expectations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Barnwell sells water drilling subsidiary for $1,050,000. Honolulu-based Barnwell Industries Inc., which specializes in oil and natural gas operations, said today it has sold subsidiary Water Resources International Inc. for $1,050,000. The subsidiary is a deep drilling and well pumping specialist in the exploration and development of groundwater resources for government, commercial and private clients. Star-Advertiser.

New affordable rentals coming to Central O‘ahu. Koa Vista is a new two-phase affordable rental development located within Koa Ridge that will ultimately include a total of 192 senior and family rental apartments in two mid-rise buildings. Aloha State Daily.

Hawaii Island

UPW, county reach hazard pay settlement. United Public Workers has reached a settlement agreement with Hawaii County over temporary hazard pay for frontline workers who endured heightened risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Fire Department welcomes 4 new ambulances to service. Funded by the state with $1.2 million, the ambulances will be assigned to the Central (Hilo), Keauhou, Waikōloa, and Ocean View stations. They replace existing emergency vehicles that have reached the end of their life. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Documents detail cop shooting: Alleged accomplice in Hilo parking lot incident makes initial court appearance. Court documents paint a harrowing picture of an incident Friday in Hilo in which both a police officer and a suspect were wounded by gunfire. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2.

UH Hilo has new plan to help boost enrollment. The five-pronged Strategic Enrollment Management Plan includes infrastructure improvements, streamlining the admissions and transfer processes, and adjusting recruitment strategies.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

KBR awarded $176M contract to Air Force Maui Supercomputing Site at Haleakalā. KBR announced today it has been awarded a $176M cost plus fixed-fee, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory to provide operations and equipment maintenance support to the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site (AMOS), on Maui. Maui Now.

Maui police chief fires back against ‘false and baseless’ allegations in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lawsuit. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier submitted a packet of information to the police commission Monday in an effort to stay on the job and clear his name after a civil lawsuit linked him to a Sean “Diddy” Combs sex assault case. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

UHERO: Persistent income, employment, housing challenges 1.5 years after the Maui wildfires. Nearly a year and a half after the devastating August 2023 wildfires, new survey results from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) highlight persistent housing unaffordability, elevated poverty and unemployment rates, and ongoing economic hardship among fire-impacted households on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Farm expansion grants grow. The Office of Economic Development has offered funding with the intent to advance Kauai’s agricultural industry through targeted investments in the expansion of farming and production across the island. Of the 18 proposals received by the OED, a dozen projects were selected to share in $637,429 in grants funding. Garden Island.

Hawaiʻi’s Imperiled Milk Industry Has A Rare Chance To Grow. Hawaiʻi is down to just one commercial dairy, mostly relying on imported milk. A new proposal looks at a West Kauaʻi site. Civil Beat.

More job cuts for Hawaiian Airlines, House GOP seeks stand-your-ground law, Maui wants eminent domain process to protect water sources, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Airlines Announces More Job Cuts. The airline expects additional cuts as it integrates operations with Alaska Air. Hawaiian Airlines said it has sent pink slips to 61 Hawaii-based employees as the company continues to cut non-union jobs after its merger with Alaska Airlines. The latest cuts are in addition to 57 job losses announced in October by the Honolulu-based carrier due to the merger. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

House GOP Wants A Stand-Your-Ground Law For Hawaiʻi. Republicans’ legislative package includes bills to ban cell phones in schools and set up more places to vote. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers vow to stabilize property insurance market as climate change fuels higher premiums. Hawaii lawmakers began a new legislative session Wednesday with a vow to try to stabilize the state’s property insurance market as hurricanes, wildfires and other climate change-influenced disasters at home and elsewhere prompt insurance carriers to raise rates. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senator defends ‘mahu’ remarks in one of two controversies on Legislature’s opening day. A Republican who defied convention with a speech that called two transgendered leaders mahu, and a rookie Democrat who challenged leadership alone provided some unexpected drama on the Hawaii Legislature’s usually tradition-bound opening day. Hawaii News Now.

Nurses unions call for law regulating staffing ratios. The leaders of three unions representing more than 5,000 nurses joined forces Thursday at the state Capitol to rally for legislation ensuring safer standards of staffing at Hawaii hospitals. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Teens Less Likely To Drink Alcohol — Or Use Sunscreen. High school students in the islands reported lower rates of bullying and drug abuse than peers on the mainland, but fell behind them in other health measures. Civil Beat.

BOE Votes Against Hiking School Meal Fees In Hawaiʻi— For Now. A Hawaiʻi Board of Education committee voted against raising school meal prices on Thursday, but did not address how schools are supposed to cover the rising cost of meals or comply with a state law that requires them to charge more. Civil Beat.

Hawaii public schools regress in farm-to-plate program. The state Department of Education, which is mandated to spend 30% of its total school food bill on local ingredients by 2030, managed to achieve 5.4% during the 2023-2024 school year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Opponents voice concern over possible Wahiawa landfill. A top Honolulu official defended the actions taken by Mayor Rick Blan­giar­di’s administration to site the next municipal solid waste landfill on an active pineapple field in Central Oahu, directly above the island’s freshwater aquifer. Star-Advertiser.

Mo'ili'ili residents plead with city for relief from parking meters. Honolulu City Councilmember Scott Nishimoto said the city is considering alternatives such as a residential parking program so residents won't be charged $1.50 an hour to park on Isenberg Street near their homes. KITV4.

Honolulu police officer arrested after allegedly strangling roommate. According to department officials, officer Timothy Massie has been stripped of his police powers. The 29-year-old is now free on bail, suspected of misdemeanor abuse. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Subaru Telescope gets a significant upgrade. The Subaru Telescope on Maunakea will be able to observe more than 2,000 celestial objects at once with a new instrument that will go online in February. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

County Signs Lease To Relocate Hilo Fire Station. With the Central Fire Station in need of significant repairs, fire personnel and equipment will relocate to 1382 Kīlauea Avenue under a five-year lease. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Legislative measure would have state acquire all West Maui water systems through eminent domain. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources would be required to acquire all West Maui water systems through eminent domain and then hold them in trust for the management by Maui County, according to a bill introduced this legislative session. Maui Now.

State proposes new route for West Maui highway. The state Department of Transportation has selected a preferred six-mile route in its pursuit of an alternative to the two-lane coastal Honoapiʻilani Highway in West Maui. Maui News.

Maui County receives $15.43M grant for West Maui Greenway project. The County of Maui was recently awarded a $15.43 million grant from the federal government to support the first phase of the West Maui Greenway, a project that will contribute to several key areas of Lahaina’s recovery from the 2023 Maui wildfires. Maui Now.

Maui locals respond to Congress allocating more than $2 billion in disaster recovery funding for Lahaina. On Thursday, residents in Wailuku were asked their thoughts about the recent news that Congress will distribute more than $2 billion in disaster relief funding to Maui County to help with the Lahaina rebuild.  Maui News.

Kauai

Wilcox meeting with federal mediator. Wilcox Medical Center announced in a Wednesday afternoon release that the hospital will meet with a federal mediator separately from the Hawaii Nurses Association before a face-to-face meeting. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Vendors, patrons trying to save Princeville farmers market after complaint shuts it down. A recent citizen’s complaint regarding zoning prompted the shutdown of the popular Princeville Farmers and Artists Market, leaving vendors on the North Shore of Kaua‘i scrambling after being cut off from a vital source of income. Kauai Now.

Schatz announces more Social Security for public workers with pensions, crime boss Miske died of fentanyl overdose, Maui police investigate body found in airplane wheel well, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Schatz: Social Security change to boost benefits for 100K in Hawaii. Congress gave over 100,000 public-sector workers in Hawaii an early Christmas gift by repealing provisions in federal law that reduced Social Security benefits for people who also receive a pension. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Miske Died Of Fentanyl Overdose In Federal Detention, Medical Examiner Says. His death appeared to be “accidental,” according to a preliminary report from the Honolulu Medical Examiner. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

New CEO Joe Sprague Explains What’s Next for Hawaiian Airlines. A Q&A about airfares, interisland flights, the fate of nonunion employees, coordinating with Alaska Airlines and maintaining the Hawaiian brand.  Hawaii Business magazine.

Oahu

Oversight commission concerned about plans for new Oʻahu jail. The Department of Corrections began working on plans for the new jail over seven years ago. It is expected to cost about $1 billion and would expand the facility’s capacity by 350 beds. Hawaii Public Radio.

ACLU Hawaii expands probe into HPD drunk driving arrests after more drivers come forward. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has broadened its investigation and potential lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department over intoxicated driver arrests. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Public warned to be mindful of air quality as Kilauea erupts. Although the USGS has lowered Kīlauea’s volcano alert level, vents are continuing to erupt on the floor of the southwest part of the summit caldera and high levels of volcanic gas can have far-reaching effects downwind of the summit, generally southwest. Maui News.

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island. The National Transportation Safety Board confirms it is looking into what caused a Cessna to go down at Parker Ranch in Waimea shortly before noon. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Draft environmental assessment details Māʻalaea condo plans for erosion control. Public comments are due Jan. 22 for a proposed installation of a “geotextile, sand-filled burrito” as erosion control at the Kanai A Nalu, a nearly 50-year-old, four-story condominium in Māʻalaea. Maui Now.

Maui police investigate body found in wheel well of United Airlines flight.  Maui police are investigating after a body was found in a wheel well of a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

State installing 2 speed tables near Maui high school.  They will be installed at mile marker 0.25 on Haleakala Highway, or Route 377, in response to community and school concerns over speeding in the area. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Detective Bobby Thopson honored for investigative work. The Kauaʻi Police Commission on Friday honored Detective Bobby Thompson for his outstanding investigative work and dedication to public safety.  Kauai Now.

State seeks food security, Oahu landfill site selected near water supply, avian flu found in Hilo wastewater, Alaska Air stock takes off after Hawaiian purchase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How To Keep Hawaiʻi Better-Fed, According To Food-Security Advocates. Even in the best of times, Hawaiʻi isnʻt doing a good enough job of feeding itself, with 30% of households statewide experiencing food insecurity.  Addressing the underlying issues will require a lot of work, state food system planner Amanda Shaw told attendees at the Hawaiʻi Food Systems Summit on Tuesday during a three-day event at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

UH study on quality of life cites housing, health care as stressors. A new dashboard launched by the University of Hawaii at Manoa offers data from a survey of more than 8,000 adult residents conducted earlier this year. It offers snapshots of how residents from a broad range of demographics felt about their neighborhood, workplace, housing, mental and physical health and other factors affecting quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

Alaska sees $1B jump in profit after Hawaiian Airlines merger. Alaska Air on Tuesday unveiled a plan to generate $1 billion in additional profits by 2027 by leveraging its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and booming demand for premium travel, sparking a rally in its shares. Reuters.

Experiences in Hawaii may hold clues to suspected CEO killer’s anger. Luigi Mangione, who lived in Hawaii for about two years, is accused of shooting to death UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last Wednesday. Police say Mangione left three pages of notes, calling the company’s leaders “parasites.” Hawaii News Now.

A ‘Devil’ Seaweed Is Spreading Inside Hawaiʻi’s Most Protected Place. An invasive algae has wrecked huge sections of reef in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Scientists are racing to find out what it is, where it came from and whether anything can stop it.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

New Oʻahu Landfill Site Is Above Island’s Water Supply. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposes the decision, but the mayor and the director of the Department of Environmental Services think they can prevent leaks. After a yearslong search filled with pivots and delays, Honolulu city leaders announced on Tuesday plans to place Oʻahu’s new municipal landfill on land belonging to Dole Food Co. outside of Wahiawā. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Price increase expected for Oahu Transit Services. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is trying to generate more money to run Oahu Transit Services, TheBus and Skyline, by increasing costs in the next few years. KITV4.

Popping a wheelie on a public street may soon be illegal. The popularity of e-bikes continues to grow along with the number injuries relating to them. So lawmakers are pushing for stricter safety guidelines by banning wheelies on e-bikes and mopeds. KHON2.

Police subsidized vehicle reportedly involved in Aiea hit-and-run. Law enforcement sources say an HPD sergeant, who claimed to be a passenger in that police vehicle, told responding officers the man in the driver’s seat took off. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State reports H5 avian flu detected in Hilo wastewater. The Hawaii Department of Health today said the H5 avian influenza virus has been detected in a wastewater sample collected from the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Cell tower bills head to council. A duel between two proposed regulations on Big Island cell towers ended with both bills victorious, after the Windward Planning Commission punted them both to the County Council on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Artificial intelligence being used as tool to protect Hawai‘i’s native birds. UH Hilo biology professor Patrick Hart’s research, funded by the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, uses artificial intelligence to monitor bird populations in remote forests on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County files for dismissal of election suit. A motion filed by the Maui County Clerk seeks to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the results of the Nov. 5 general election, arguing that former Maui County Council member Kelly King, who lost to incumbent Tom Cook, failed to provide evidence of any errors or wrongdoing. Star-Advertiser.

Tobacco bill moves forward through Maui County Council. Multiple individuals testified Friday during a Maui County Council meeting in support of a bill that hopes to ban e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products on the island some day.  Maui News.

Residents fear cutbacks in Akaku Maui Community Media budget. With a song and a Hawaiian chant, supporters of nonprofit Akaku Maui Community Media testified for more than four hours in favor of preserving the budget for its access channels and production. Maui News.

Maui police seek help contacting families of 11 unclaimed bodies. The Maui Police Department is seeking the public’s help in contacting the family members of 11 unclaimed bodies at its forensic facility. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.

November single-family home prices shy of all-time record, but not by much. The median price of a single-family home on Maui was $1.3 million in November, according to a monthly statistical report by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Economic Opportunity to mark 60 years. Kauai’s Economic Opportunity Inc. will mark an impressive milestone in 2025, celebrating 60 years of helping Kauai residents resolve disputes through effective mediation. Garden Island.

Big changes coming to state tax code, U.S. Supreme Court won't take up gun rights case, UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect recently lived in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai‘i House Finance Chair Has Plans For Big Changes In The Tax Code. Rep. Kyle Yamashita has been talking about shifting millions of dollars in tax surcharge revenue from the counties back to the state. Civil Beat.

U.S. Supreme Court avoids Hawaii legal fight over gun rights. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Hawaii man’s bid to throw out criminal charges for carrying a pistol while hiking, as the justices declined to review a ruling by the liberal-leaning state’s top court that denounced an expansion of gun rights by the nation’s highest judicial body. Reuters. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Luigi Mangione’s Hawaiʻi Friends Shocked By Arrest In UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting. Luigi Mangione lived at the Surfbreak co-living community near Ala Moana Park on Oʻahu and later at 801 South St. Friends recall him as a natural leader who led a book club where members would share ideas while watching sunsets from a place called Magic Island. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Senators Urged To Examine Gabbard’s ‘Deep and Intense’ Ties To Hawaiʻi Sect. A former member of the scretive Science of Identity Foundation is warning members of Congress about the potential dangers of confirming Tulsi Gabbard as President-elect Donald Trump’s next director of national intelligence. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers again introduce measures to boost civic education and media literacy. Hawai‘i lawmakers are renewing efforts to help students identify disinformation and improve their understanding of how the government works. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH, Navy, Marines team up on resource management. The University of Hawaii and the Department of the Navy signed Monday an unprecedented 10-year agreement aimed at safeguarding natural and cultural resources on Navy and Marine Corps installations in the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian to take over Seattle-based routes, add airplanes and crews. Alaska Air Group today plans to tell investors in New York that Hawaiian Airlines will take over West Coast routes from Alaska Airlines to Hawaii and fly new nonstop routes from Seattle to Japan and South Korea, and announce more Hawaiian Air planes, and flight and ground crews. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council to vote on standards for office-to-residence conversions. The Honolulu City Council will have its final vote Wednesday on a bill that would lay out the standards to convert commercial buildings to residential. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Council to vote Wednesday on empty homes tax bill. More than 9% of Oahu homes are vacant. That’s 34,000 unoccupied units based on 2020 U.S. Census data. Hawaii News Now.

Property values are going up again, here’s why. Heads up to homeowners, real property assessments will be mailed out soon and valuations are up again. That means many will be paying higher property taxes. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Has Money To Police Agriculture Crime, But No Timeline To Start. Despite the high-profile killing of an Oʻahu rancher, local law enforcement don’t receive any specialized training in agricultural crime. Civil Beat.

City and state collaborate to improve Kailua Beach Park. The city Department of Parks and Recreation, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands and the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program say they plan to work with community groups to smooth and flatten the dunes toward the makai side of the park. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

The Case Against Mike Miske Could Be About To Disappear As If It Never Happened. A federal legal doctrine requires all actions be vacated if a defendant dies before being sentenced or if any appeals remain. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Military Exemption To Hawaiʻi Nuclear-Free Law Repealed. The military is no longer exempt from Hawaiʻi County’s Nuclear-Free Law, according to Big Island lawmakers.  Big Island Video News.

Agency sees uptick in marine debris. The Hawaii Wildlife Fund has removed about 350 tons of marine debris from Big Island shores between 2003 and 2023, the majority of which came in the form of net bundles, masses of tangled rope and nets that can weigh hundreds of pounds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council considers ban on flavored tobacco sales. The council passed the measure through its first reading on Friday after a series of mostly supportive testimony. If passed, retailers would not be allowed to sell or market flavored tobacco, including menthol products. Hawaii Public Radio.

This unsheltered Maui community is stepping up to improve the road they call home. It’s shower and laundry day at Holomua Road in Pāʻia, where nearly 30 Maui residents live unsheltered. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui coalition of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center departs to Washington D.C. to demand Congress release disaster recovery funds for Lahaina. A Maui coalition of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center has departed to Washington D.C. where they will demand that Congress release disaster recovery funds for Lahaina.  Maui Now.

Private Maui school’s proposed anti-trans policy stirs controversy. A West Maui school is considering controversial new guidelines that would essentially ban transgender students. The proposed changes would come to Maui Preparatory Academy in 2025. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

University of Hawai‘i and the US Navy partner to support Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands. The University of Hawaiʻi and the Department of the Navy signed a historic 10-year agreement to support the protection and management of natural and cultural resources on Navy and Marine Corps installations in Hawaiʻi. Kauai Now.

FBI sets up election command post, Board of Education restores money for after-school programs, judge clears the way for 350-unit hotel at Coco Palms site, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FBI Honolulu sets up command post to monitor Election Day. FBI Honolulu will set up an Election Command Post for election security starting on Monday, Nov. 4. The post will be staffed 24 hours a day to monitor a host of potential scenarios related to election fraud, voter suppression, foreign malign influence, malicious cyber activity against election infrastructure, and threats to election workers. Its jurisdiction covers Hawaii, Guam, U.S. Commonwealth in the Pacific Ocean (CNMI), and American Samoa. KITV4.

Alaska’s first financial report since Hawaiian acquisition shows combined strengths. Leaders at Alaska Air Group were bullish Thursday on their merger with Hawaiian Airlines in their first quarterly report filed since the move, indicating Hawaiian could almost break even by the fourth quarter. Star-Advertiser.

Board Of Education Restores Cuts For School Learning Centers. After strong public opposition the proposed budget cuts, DOE will continue to request state funding to support school learning.  Civil Beat.

Visitor arrivals up 7.8%. Visitor arrivals in Septem­ber recovered to 96% of Sept­ember 2019’s pre-­pandemic level — the best recovery rate since the devastating Maui wildfires in August 2023 interrupted tourism’s recovery. Arrivals to Hawaii rose 7.8% year over year to 707,486 visitors, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Water commission appointee takes seat over advocates' objections. Gov. Josh Green’s two key appointees to the state water commission officially started work Thursday.The appointments have brought new attention to the debate over whether taro farmers and affordable housing are in competition for water. Hawaii News Now.

$1.5M grant goes toward students pursuing food, agriculture studies in Hawaiʻi. A handful of University of Hawaiʻi campuses have been awarded a $1.5 million grant to strengthen Native Hawaiian-serving institutions by supporting students in food and agricultural sciences. The USDA grant was awarded to UH West Oʻahu, Leeward Community College, Hawaiʻi Community College, and UH Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Governor’s Office To Help YMCA Residents Facing Huge Rent Hike. The state’s Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions promised to make sure no tenant has to move out after Honolulu’s Central YMCA announced it would end rental subsidies for eight long-term residents. Civil Beat.

New airport parking structure the start of big plans at HNL. The state’s currently taking bids for a new parking structure at Honolulu Airport. Officials say it’s not just another project, but a key piece for future plans there. KHON2.

Stadium rebuild on track with selection of developer. Aloha Halawa District Partners has met state requirements and received approval as master developer for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, with the planned opening of a new stadium in August 2028 still intact. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Street Festivals Frustrate Waikiki But Chinatown Wants More. In a tale of two neighborhoods, street festivals can be a headache for people in Waikiki while community leaders say they could be an economic lifeline for Chinatown. Civil Beat.

Work starts next week on new transit-only lane in Waikiki. The city will begin work next week on making the right westbound lane of Kuhio Avenue a transit-only lane for buses and certain other vehicles. It will take about a month to make the change from Kapahulu Avenue to Launui Street. Hawaii News Now.

City council looking at Mililani police substation. The Honolulu City Council is considering the need for a new police sub-station in Mililani, it comes after several high profile cases last year. KHON2.

3 charged in Afghan immigration fraud scheme. A Honolulu man and two others face federal charges in connection with a six-year scheme starting in 2018 to provide more than 200 fraudulent visa application recommendations for citizens of Afghanistan to live in the U.S. — accepting $500 each, and emeralds in one instance. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Fire Department unveils new twin-engine helicopter. Starting in 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department will fly a new twin-engine helicopter to incidents ranging from searches and rescues to fighting wildland fires across not only Oahu, but perhaps to the other islands as well. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR investigating ‘cruel and inhumane’ cat killings. State authorities have launched an investigation after at least eight cats appear to have been killed in a cruel manner at the Sand Island harbor in October. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Mayor’s Race Is Getting Lots Of Cash This Year. Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth has raised and spent tens of thousands of dollars more than his opponent, Kimo Alameda, in his bid to win a second term. Civil Beat.

Salvation Army Opens Safehouse For Girls In Hilo. The Salvation Army’s Noho ‘Olu Safehouse for Girls opened its doors on Monday. The new four-bedroom safehouse in Hilo serves girls aged 13 to 17,and will offer “life skills and academic training, essential resources, and compassionate care to help each girl thrive and build a bright future.”  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Healthcare workers announce three-day strike, beginning Monday morning. Hundreds of nurses and other healthcare workers will walk off the job for three days beginning 7 a.m. Monday, impacting care from essential staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Lāna‘i Community Hospital. Maui Now.

New Maui police statement reveals county protocol violations in Lahaina fire victim recovery. Concerns raised by the department’s former morgue contractor cast doubt on whether all the ashes families received are those of their loved ones. Hawaii News Now.

Meeting addresses new ocean fiber cable construction on Maui. Construction of a submarine optical fiber cable system aimed at improving high-speed broadband internet throughout the state may start construction on Maui in the near future.  Maui News.

First steps underway for Summit-to-Sea Restoration project on Maui. Work to restore what is known as “Maui’s mother reef” began this week with a contractor starting to drill test bores for a possible retention basin in Manawaipueo Gulch. Maui News.

Maui County, again, leads state in vacation rental supply in September. Maui County continued to have the largest vacation rental supply in the state in September — 263,900 available unit nights, compared with 230,500 on Oʻahu, 214,600 on Hawaiʻi Island and 136,600 on Kauaʻi, according to a monthly vacation rental performance report by the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. Maui Now.

Kauai

Judge denies attorney’s motion to stop construction at Coco Palms property. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Randal Valenciano on Thursday denied an attorney’s motion to grant a preliminary injunction to stop all construction work on a controversial 350-unit hotel on the site that once housed the iconic Coco Palms Resort on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Cesspool grant program notifies 100 awardees on Kauai. A grant program aimed at helping island residents convert cesspools on their properties has selected 100 recipients, each of whom are eligible to receive a $20,000 reimbursement. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Lydgate Campground to close for two weeks. The closure is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12. The campground will reopen at noon on Thursday, Nov. 21. Garden Island.

Hawaiian Airlines begins layoffs, state mulls ways to help insurance-stricken condo owners, hundreds of Maui health-care workers to strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Airlines begins merger-related layoffs. Hawaiian Airlines plans to eliminate 73 people from its 1,400 noncontract workforce in Hawaii and on the mainland in the wake of its recent merger with Alaska Air Group Inc.  Layoffs of Hawaiian Airlines employees include 57 people in Hawaii and another 16 from the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Lien, foreclosure threats add anxiety over insurance-driven condo fees. Soaring condominium fees due to insurance cost hikes are putting owners at risk of foreclosure, and trapping others in properties they can’t sell, according to residents struggling to keep up. The governor’s office points to a second emergency order this month that among other things suspended certain laws in order to allow an industry association and a state agency to issue master policies to condo associations. KHON2.

Most Hawaii Schools Have Gardens — But Few Kids Can Eat What They Grow. A state program that helped schools meet food safety standards ended during the pandemic and it can be daunting for campuses to tackle the requirements on their own. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s State Psychiatric Hospital Has Leaks, Causing Mold To Grow. Some three years after the newest building at Hawaii State Hospital was completed, persistent leaks are allowing rainwater to seep in and causing mold to grow inside the facility, according to a consultant that investigated the problem. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Inmate Dies in An Arizona Prison. A Hawaii prisoner apparently hanged himself in a disciplinary unit of the Saguaro Correctional Center this week, the fourth Hawaii inmate in Arizona to die this year. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu’s next landfill: City weighs sites as waste dilemma looms. The search for a new landfill site on Oahu is moving forward, but the top sites selected so far would require legislative action. KHON2.

State: Drag-Racing Event On Farmland Violated License-Holder’s Agreement. The Agribusiness Development Corp. has issued a violation notice to one of its license-holders after he claimed an unapproved drag-racing event on state farmland was a way of tilling the soil.  Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Union to provide support for Hilton Hawaiian Village workers as strike continues. It's been a month since 1,800 hotel workers walked off the job at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Hawaii Public Radio.

On Your Ballot: Honolulu City Charter amendments explained. If you are voting in the City and County of Honolulu, your ballot has four questions related to proposed amendments to the Honolulu City Charter. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

New 99-Unit Affordable Rental Complex Dedicated In Kona. Kauhale I Ke Kula Uka features 99 units, including 58 3-bedroom units and 41 2-bedroom units, for households earning up to 60% of area median income (AMI), in addition to a manager’s unit. For reference, a household of four in 2024 could earn up to $66,480 per year. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Iconic bridge in Hilo park to be rebuilt. One of the most recognizable structures in Lili‘uokalani Gardens, the vermilion wooden bridge pavilion, will undergo a complete rebuild because of extensive termite damage. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Maui

Unionized workers at Maui Memorial, clinics to strike. Hundreds of unionized health care workers, including most of the essential staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center, will hold a three-day strike starting 7 a.m. Nov. 4 in protest of unfair labor practices. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Rolling lottery planned for healthcare professionals at transitional housing development in Kahului, Maui. Maui Health Foundation’s Housing for Healthcare initiative is accepting interest from healthcare professionals for 31 transitional housing units in Kahului, including 16 brand new, 4-bedroom, single-family homes, and 15 accessory dwelling units (‘ohana units).  Maui Now.

Maui County trying to collect millions in overdue visitor lodging taxes. Hundreds of property owners who have failed to pay Maui County the 3% transient accommodations tax for visitor lodgings have been receiving letters saying they need to pay up, and fast. Maui Now.

South Maui community meeting centers around development concerns. Several South Maui residents came together Wednesday night at the ProArts Theater in Kihei to discuss a variety of topics ranging from road development and water management to affordable housing and controversial luxury home developments in the area. Maui News.

Hawaii Is Allowing Registered Sex Offender To Keep Treating Patients. California revoked Edward Hsu's physical therapy license based on a Hawaii conviction. In Hawaii, both his physical therapy and acupuncture licenses remain in good standing. Civil Beat.

Kaheawa Wind 1 Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice published, 30-day comment period begins. This proposal involves continuing operations of the existing Kaheawa Wind 1 wind generation facility, located above the town of Māʻalaea, for an additional 20-year period.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County passes resolutions following public beach access complaints. Although all beaches in Hawai’i are generally open to the public by law, there have been complaints on Kauaʻi about a declining number of public access routes to the shoreline, including to the popular and family-friendly ʻAnini Beach. Kauai Now.

Ancestral Remains Conflict Means Trouble For Hawaii Cesspool Owners. A stop work order has been placed on a septic installation project in Hanalei while the State Historic Preservation Division investigates the finding of iwi kupuna on the property. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Kauai Now.

State audits DOE following teacher paycheck delays, Navy seeks increased training and bombing at Barking Sands, Hawaiian Electric stock drops 9.7% on $250M stock sale plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Paycheck delays prompt audit of DOE procedures. Following a grievance by the Hawaii State Teachers Association, the state Department of Education will conduct an audit and compensate over 500 teachers for financial losses due to delayed paychecks. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric shares drop after $250M stock offering plan. Shares of Hawaiian Electric fell 9.7% Thursday after the parent company of the state’s largest utility said it plans to sell up to $250 million worth of shares to partly fund its portion of the Maui wildfire settlement. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines will soon notify staff about employment status following merger. Nonunion Hawaiian Airlines employees will learn, as soon as Friday, whether their positions will be retained through the company’s merger with Alaska Airlines. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tight labor force to weigh on Hawaii economy, especially Maui’s. University of Hawaii economists are warning that the statewide labor force likely will continue to lag pre-pandemic levels for several years, extending challenges for many employers. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Lawmaker To Pay $12,500 To Settle Ethics Commission Complaint. Rep. David Alcos was accused of failing to disclose millions of dollars in debts to various creditors including the IRS and the state Tax Department. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City details ‘restricted’ properties for Oahu’s next landfill. The Department of Environmental Services offered a list of potential future dump sites — located in West Oahu or on the North Shore — that are deemed restricted and unusable as all are in close proximity to potable well water, prime agricultural lands, residential areas, schools or hospitals, or a variety of each. Star-Advertiser.

Police chief pressured by mounting concerns over West Oahu violence. As communities in West Oahu continue to struggle with a surge in violent crimes, the Honolulu Police Commission is urging the chief of police to get more help from other law enforcement agencies. Hawaii News Now.

Input needed for new pool and recreation center in Kahuku. A public meeting is scheduled September 26 to gather input on designs for the project at Kahuku District Park. The meeting will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kahuku Elementary cafeteria. Hawaii News Now.

Downtown Honolulu office building transformed into residential units. A downtown Honolulu office building has been converted into residential housing, with the newly named 1060 Bishop offering studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units for rent.  KHON2.

Waianae Illegal Parties: Beyond The Silva Dome. Community members say events in venues without permits are common on the Westside, while the city says it cannot do much more than issue violations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Voters Asked To Impose New Deadlines For Filling Top County Jobs. Mayor Mitch Roth opposes the charter change, saying it wouldn't allow enough time to search for the best department heads. Civil Beat.

Roth, Alameda debate issues at Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement convention. Hawaii island Mayor Mitch Roth and challenger Kimo Alameda shared their policy platforms Thursday at a Hawaii Island Mayoral Debate in advance of the marquee contest in the state’s coming general election. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Kilauea eruption intensifies along with hazards to park visitors. The eruption is taking place in and around Napau Crater in a remote wilderness area more than six miles from the closest road. Lava viewing is not possible, but the Park Service said lava glow outside of daylight hours may be viewable from open parking and pullouts along Chain of Craters Road. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Finally, a park for HPP? Meeting set to discuss county project; draft EA expected soon.  A long-discussed project to build a Hawaii County-operated park in Hawaiian Paradise Park will be reintroduced next month. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

This Maui Board Was Created To Improve Transparency. Now It’s Accused Of Doing The Opposite. County Council members cite the Independent Nomination Board's failure to identify applicants and release meeting minutes. Civil Beat.

New ‘robust’ Hawaiian-Alaska airlines flies aircraft too big for Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. While the combined airlines’ air routes give Hawaiʻi residents three times more travel options and ongoing inter-island service at current levels, this new “robust” air service will not, at least for the foreseeable future, include renewing direct air service to Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kapalua or establishing air service to Hāna, said Joe Sprague, Hawaiian Airlines chief executive officer, who spoke online Wednesday with Neighbor Island journalists. Maui Now.

UHERO forecasts a lagging Maui recovery and slower overall Hawaiʻi growth. Maui’s economy will only gradually recover from its post-wildfire downturn while visitor industries in other counties across the state will continue to operate at high levels, according to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s third quarter forecast for 2024. Maui Now.

Kauai

U.S. Navy seeks public input on proposed increase in military training on Kauaʻi, uninhabited island. Officials with the U.S. Navy on Tuesday unveiled the draft environmental assessment of proposed plans at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauaʻi to significantly increase the amount of military training, bombing exercises and other activities, saying impacts would be minimal. Kauai Now.

Stretch of Kalalau Trail to reopen. A popular trail on the north side of the island is scheduled to partially reopen about two weeks after a virus sickened dozens of people and forced its closure. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Firefighters battle blaze at Powerhouse Road in Wainiha. A brush fire in the North Shore kept firefighters working overnight and into the day on Thursday. Garden Island.

UPW state director accused of mishandling funds, golden parachutes, some job cuts after Hawaiian Airlines sale, Kauai mayor seeks to replace Kouchi in 2026, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii United Public Workers Leader Accused Of Misusing Funds. Kalani Werner, who is up for re-election as state director, was put on trial by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees earlier this week. Civil Beat.

Green Fills Hawaii State Ethics Commission Vacancy. Roderick Becker replaces Harry McCarthy on the five-member panel. The agency responsible for administering and enforcing the state ethics code and lobbyist law has a new commissioner. Civil Beat.

‘Golden parachutes’ deployed for top Hawaiian Airlines execs. A few top Hawaiian Airlines executives are out of a job now that Alaska Airlines has acquired Hawaii’s largest air carrier, but they are being well compensated with “golden parachute” benefits totaling close to $25 million.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines Takeover: Acquisition By Alaska Will Mean Loss Of Some Non-Union Jobs. Union jobs including flight attendants, pilots and mechanics, will be protected. Civil Beat.

Gun Violence Data In Hawaii Is Incomplete – And Unreliable. Data collection and sharing is so limited that the Attorney General's Office says researching ways to prevent firearm violence is "virtually impossible." Civil Beat.

HIDOE restores 14 more school bus routes statewide. The Hawaii State Department of Education announced that 14 suspended school bus routes on Central Oahu, Upcountry Maui and East Hawaii Island will be reinstated on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. KITV4.

Oahu

Report backs empty-homes tax to address housing crisis on Oahu. The Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law &Economic Justice is recommending that the Honolulu City Council impose a 3-5% empty-homes tax, citing a worsening housing crisis on Oahu where more than 8 in 10 renters now spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs. Star-Advertiser.

Residents protest plans for housing development at former Saint Francis School. Residents of Manoa gathered Wednesday to protest plans by the Avalon Group to convert the old Saint Francis School campus into a housing development.  KHON2.

AES Hawaiʻi reports successful bat deterrent system at Oʻahu wind farm. Birds and bats colliding into large wind turbines were a big concern when the renewable energy projects began appearing across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shooter who ended Waianae rampage won’t be charged. The 42-year-old man who shot and killed the neighbor who rammed his house and shot and killed three women at the home on Waianae Valley Road will not be charged in the incident. Star-Advertiser.

Pickleballers vs. tennis players: Battle for court space heats up at Ala Moana Beach Park. It’s pickleballers versus tennis players vying for court space, and they both say there are long waits to play. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island councilmembers expand number of allowable ADUs.  The Hawaiʻi County Council narrowly passed a bill allowing for more accessory dwelling units on residential properties. Bill 123 would allow property owners to build up to three ADUs, each of which can serve as residential housing units. Hawaii Public Radio.

Discovery of burial site halts work on HPP mailbox project. The discovery of a Native Hawaiian burial site in Hawaiian Paradise Park has some residents concerned. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Radiologic Associates shut down by ‘security incident’.  Hawaii Radiologic Associates has canceled all patient appointments for medical imaging services since late August due to what it called “a security incident that affected some of our systems.” Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Eruption Changes Prompt New Closures, While Chain Of Craters Reopens. The eruption near Nāpau Crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park continues, as the State DLNR announced the closure of the Kahaualeʻa Natural Area Reserve. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Judge approves agreement that stops cutting of live trees on wetlands parcel in Kīhei. After more than five hours of talks on Friday, 2nd Circuit Court Chief Judge Peter Cahill approved an agreement Tuesday between the two sides of a dispute over the clearing of a 7.2-acre wetlands parcel in Kīhei. Maui Now.

Maui council to consider rent cap to control skyrocketing prices. As Maui grapples with a housing crisis made even worse by last year’s wildfires, the county council is now considering rent control. Hawaii News Now.

Meeting for Kula homeowners impacted by wildfires to be held Sept. 24. The County of Maui Office of Recovery and the Office of Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura will be hosting a meeting for Kula homeowners impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. Maui Now.

NTSB releases final report into fatal air ambulance crash off Maui. National Transportation Safety Board investigators found that inadequate pilot training and performance tracking played a factor in the crash, which happened on Dec. 15, 2022. KITV4.

Kauai

Kawakami’s campaign office confirms Kauaʻi mayor plans to run for Kouchi’s Senate seat in 2026. The campaign office for Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has confirmed the mayor intends to run for Hawaiʻi Senate District 8 in 2026, with the support of the current seat holder, Senate President Ron Kouchi. Kauai Now.

State closes Kalalau trail indefinitely after around 50 hikers became ill with norovirus. Instead of reopening Thursday, the state now says Kauai’s Kalalau Trail will remain closed indefinitely. Hawaii News Now.

Land conservation nonprofit hires Annalise “Anna” Kindstedt as Kaua‘i ‘āina steward and educator. Hawai‘i Land Trust, a statewide land conservation nonprofit, has a new ‘āina steward and educator on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.