Showing posts with label Hawaiian Airlines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawaiian Airlines. Show all posts

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Climate Commission prepares for sea level rise update, gun permit applications drop, Honolulu mulls new property tax exemptions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Climate Commission gets ready to update sea level rise report. The Hawaiʻi Climate Commission is preparing to update its statewide sea level rise vulnerability report. The update is required by state law, but the effort is not yet funded. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s Highest Paid Union Leaders. Working in organized labor can be lucrative — for some. Some of the leaders of Hawaiʻi’s most powerful unions are bringing in hefty paychecks, according to the latest filings with the U.S. Department of Labor and the IRS.   Civil Beat.

Applications for gun permits down statewide in 2024. More than 16,000 applications for gun permits were issued in Hawaii last year, the state Department of the Attorney General said in its firearm registration report released Wednesday. The total number of registered firearms in Hawaii was 44,624 in 2024, a 13.9% decrease from the 51,807 officially registered in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Working group set to meet to discuss bringing nuclear energy to Hawaii. Nuclear power is long known for its destructive power and potential health risks. But it’s also a source of energy. And there is a working group set to meet later this year to discuss bringing it to Hawaii. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines sees first profit since COVID-19 pandemic. Alaska Air Group’s second quarter earning beat expectations due to lower fuel prices, better costs and revenue, and new opportunities from its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, whose adjusted pretax margin hit profitability for the first time since 2019. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu considers expanding residential property tax exemptions. The Honolulu City Council is considering several measures that would decrease property taxes for seniors, landlords, and homeowners who live on their property. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Ala Wai Watershed District raises concerns. A local nonprofit’s unofficial draft bill requesting that the Honolulu City Council establish an Ala Wai Watershed Special Improvement District to advance investments in nature-based solutions to protect the watershed has drawn skepticism over how the new entity could affect area residents. Star-Advertiser.

Sea Turtle Nests Threatened On North Shore By Lights, Bonfires, Joyrides. Illegal activities and failure to enforce laws are threatening honu nests at Ke Iki Beach on Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

Noise detectors targeting loud vehicles to be installed across Oahu. Police are finally getting new tools to crackdown on loud mufflers and sound systems on Oahu’s roads. Next month, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) will begin installing noise detectors. Hawaii News Now.

Alarming increase in Honolulu police shootings
. Former HPD deputy chief John McCarthy said more guns, stronger drugs and social and economic factors are all contributing to the violence. KITV4.

Traffic, speeding top resident concerns at Kaimuki town hall. Kaimuki is a densely populated neighborhood with narrow roadways and houses packed closely together -- along with a lot of cars. And for a lot of residents, that’s a recipe for disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Parking restrictions coming as Parks permit office moves to new home. Starting Monday, July 28, some public parking surrounding Sheridan Community Park near Ala Moana will no longer be open to the public. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit alleges sex assault, climate of fear at Youth Challenge Academy. A federal lawsuit is making stunning allegations about sexual assault and a cover-up at a state-run Youth Challenge Academy in Kalaeloa. Hawaii News Now.

Chinatown Arch project receives final permits to move forward. Hawaiʻi businessman Eddie Flores Jr. provided the seed money to get the arch planning and design underway. He is now launching a fundraising effort to see the Kekaulike Mall project through. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Bill banning feeding of feral animals on Hawai‘i County property passes first reading
. A bill that would ban the feeding of feral or stray animals such as cats or pigs on Hawaii County property passed its first reading Wednesday by the County Council, despite opposition by a large majority of in-person testifiers. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui County officials defend vacation rental conversion bill. Maui County Council members on Wednesday displayed a mix of support and unease for a bill to prohibit short-term vacation rental use in about 6,100 Valley Isle condominiums in an effort to provide housing for residents nearly two years after wildfires destroyed about 5,500 homes. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

East Maui residents want more transparency with ag giant’s water usage. Just how much water is enough is a question a local advocacy group is raising concerning the practices of Mahi Pono, an agricultural giant on Maui. Maui News.

Here's how community groups are reimagining Lahaina's energy future.
The Lahaina Energy Partnership's energy plan is entering its second phase of development. The group formed in response to the August 2023 wildfires to ensure that the Lahaina community played a central role in determining their town’s energy future. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui County now making Lahaina historic guidelines clearer and enforceable after agreement with state. Government officials started enforcing historic district guidelines following an agreement in April between Maui County and the State Historic Preservation Division. Maui Now.

Kauai

Staffing issues continue to cause residential trash collection delays. Kauaʻi County Solid Waste Division says staffing issues have again resulted in no residential trash collection in several Garden Isle communities Wednesday  in the areas of Kekaha, Waimea, Hanapēpē and ʻEleʻele. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Historic Koloa Plantation Days parade, and park celebration Saturday. The park celebration at the Anne Knudsen Park opens at 2 p.m., and runs through 8 p.m. with more than 70 craft vendors, a silent auction, food stations, keiki activities, and entertainment highlighted by Henry Kapono. Garden Island.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Green's approval rating at 63%, former House speaker Saiki named insurance commissioner, Hawaiian Airlines to cut 252 positions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Poll shows Green’s approval rating at 63%. Gov. Josh Green has a 63% approval rating among Hawaii’s registered Democratic, Republican and independent voters, placing him in a tie for the fifth most-popular governor in the nation, according to the results of a voter survey released Wednesday by Morning Consult Pro. Star-Advertiser.

Former House speaker becomes insurance chief. Former state House Speaker Scott Saiki is now Hawaii’s insurance commissioner. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced Saiki’s appointment Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Case May Not Always Vote With Dems, But His Fundraising Is Going Just Fine. A look at the latest campaign finance filings for Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines cutting 252 noncontract positions. Some of these reductions will take place around Sept. 18, the one-year anniversary of Alaska Air Group’s $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Holdings. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Planning a cruise to Hawaiʻi? A state climate plan could cut arrivals in half by 2030. The state Department of Transportation’s new climate roadmap would cut cruise ship travel to Hawaiʻi in half by 2030 and restrict it almost entirely by 2040 in an effort to reduce emissions from maritime travel. Hawaii Public Radio.

How Trump's megabill will affect Hawaiʻi's hospitals, doctors and patients. Rough estimates by the Healthcare Association of Hawaii show that in Hawaiʻi, about 10,000 people on Obamacare and about 30,000 on Medicaid could lose their coverage due to the changes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi After-School Programs In Limbo Due To Trump Funding Freeze. The state Department of Education told after-school programs to start the year as normal and is making contingency plans for if millions in frozen education grants are never awarded. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD interim chief’s priorities include more officers for Waianae area. Rade Vanic’s first day on the job as interim chief for the Honolulu Police Department included his first meeting with the Honolulu Police Commission to outline his priorities. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Police Commission Moves Forward On Search For New Chief. The Honolulu Police Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to turn its search for a new police chief over to a consultant who can help commissioners pick a candidate to best fit the department. Civil Beat.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels returning to Kaneohe Bay Air Show.  Marine Corps Base Hawaii is is hosting the 2025 Kaneohe Bay Air Show from August 8 to 10. Hawaii News Now.

Major makeover planned for a popular community hub in Nu’uanu. A major makeover is planned for YMCA Honolulu’s flagship campus in Nu’uanu. On Tuesday, leaders announced a $5 million donation from the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation to get the project started. Hawaii News Now.

Realtors say it’s a buyer’s market even as prices stay stable, inventory jumps. Despite the current economic climate, realtors say the real estate market in Honolulu is stable, but there are some abnormal conditions, making it a prime time for buyers. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Paniolo Struggle To Raise Beef For Hawaiʻi As Drought Shrivels Grass. Big Island ranches stand out for their commitment to grass-fed beef. As climate changes, they are offloading more calves to the mainland. Civil Beat.

Waimea conservation priorities to be discussed in meeting next week. During the meetings, Natural Resources Conservation Service gathers input from a diverse group of stakeholders with agricultural and environmental interests to help guide conservation priorities in local communities for the next year. Big Island Now.

Graduation ceremony held for 8 new adult corrections officers.
The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Monday welcomed a new class of eight adult corrections officers at a graduation ceremony at the YMCA in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

County dispersing Amala Place camp. Maui County officials will be removing approximately 40 unhoused people from Amala Place in Kahului. Maui News.

New program at UH Maui College offers esthetician, nail tech programs at request of high school students. Walk into Laulima Building’s classroom 213 at the University of Hawai’i Maui College and you might think you were in the wrong place. Instead of microscopes and beakers in the lab, there are cuticle pushers, waxing pots and people sitting in comfy chairs soaking their feet. Maui Now.

Kauai

Huli ka lepo for housing.
The Rice Street Apartments is a mixed use affordable housing community designed to help meet the islands critical housing needs while contributing to the revitalization of Lihue’s historic town core. The four-story development will include three levels of residential units built over a ground floor commercial and retail space. Garden Island.

Surfrider Kaua‘i removes record-breaking 81 tons of trash from island beaches, coasts in 2024. Surfrider Kaua‘i in 2024 led efforts that resulted in the removal of nearly 163,000 pounds — or 81 tons — of marine debris and trash from Kaua‘i beaches and coastlines. That breaks the previous record set in 2017 by almost 43,000 pounds. Kauai Now.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

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.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

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.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Hawaii trails up for review, Army proposes downsizing Oahu training grounds, Trump cuts threaten broadband access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State seeks public input on Nā Ala Hele Trail program. The program, part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, manages hundreds of miles of trails and access roads across the state. Nā Ala Hele is updating its program plan, originally created in 1991, and seeks community input. Big Island Now.

Hawaii hopes to restore ‘racist’ broadband access grant canceled by president. Hawaii’s lieutenant governor is scrambling to find money to replace a broadband access grant that President Donald Trump terminated — a grant he called “racist” and a “woke giveaway.” Hawaii News Now.

In Hawaiʻi, Drowning Leading Cause Of Death For Tourists, Children Under 15. The Department of Health says data shows Hawaiʻi’s resident drowning rate is the second highest in the nation, and most drowned in swimming pools. Big Island Video News.

Bill To Guard Against Imitation Hawaiian Tea Could End Up Hurting Industry. Māmaki producers say they support efforts to protect Hawaiʻi-grown products but fear this bill could put companies out of business. Civil Beat.

Movies And TV Shows Left Hawaiʻi. The Workers Followed. With the loss of productions came a decline in film jobs and spending in the state. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Loyal travelers with Hawaiian Airlines are being told not to worry as their HawaiianMiles are safe. The program will eventually be phased out because of the merger with Alaska Airlines.  KHON2.

Oahu

Army Proposes Downsizing Its Training Grounds On Oʻahu. Those include parts of the Kahuku Training Area that aren’t used for ground maneuvers as well as all 4,390 acres in the Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area that for the last decade have almost exclusively been used for aviation training, according to the Army’s final environmental impact statement posted online Thursday night. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City Council approves $40K Liquor Commission settlement. Litigation involving the Honolulu Liquor Commission and one of its former investigators who claimed discrimination, harassment and a hostile work environment based on his sexual orientation while working for the agency has advanced toward a settlement. Star-Advertiser.

EMS director says ‘ambulances are safe’ after recent fire sparks concerns.  Investigators with the Honolulu Fire Department are looking into what sparked an ambulance fire over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

Gondola development project proposed for North Shore. Mt. Kaala is the tallest peak on Oahu, and the owner of Adventure Group in Canada owns 2,300 acres in Waialua and plans to develop it. KHON2.

West Loch Disaster remembrance planned.
The Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency will host a remembrance ceremony Wednesday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl honoring the anniversary of the deadly 1944 West Loch Disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Waikīkī restaurant worries tariff on Japan will affect Wagyu beef prices.
Jack Sinanaj, the owner of Empire Steak House Hawaii in Waikīkī, is concerned about a 24% tariff on A-5 Wagyu beef from Japan — a small but real way the Trump administration's tariffs could impact local businesses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Punaluu Village project thwarted. Black Sand Beach LLC had plans to develop Punalu‘u Village on 147 acres inland of Punaluu Bay in Kaʻu, where endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles nest. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County not accepting permit applications May 23-25 due to system update. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works will update its Electronic Process Information System for permit applications on May 23 to improve the site’s performance and change the service fees. Big Island Now.

Maui

Reef-Friendly Landscaping Summit launches to protect Kāʻanapali’s shoreline. The Pilikahakai Foundation, a nonprofit rooted in Native Hawaiian values and dedicated to preserving Kāʻanapali Beach, hosted its inaugural Reef-Friendly Landscaping Summit over the weekend, aimed at advancing sustainable land care practices that protect West Maui’s coastline.  Maui Now.

Planned Parenthood to offer vasectomy services on Maui.
Planned Parenthood expects to start offering vasectomy services at its Honolulu and Kahului Health Centers with procedures beginning June 12 and 13. Maui News.

National award recognizes Molokaʻi's efforts to improve the health of its land and people. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Prize celebrates communities across the U.S. that highlight locally-led solutions to healthier futures. Molokaʻi was one of nine communities awarded this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai


Petroleum company on Kaua‘i cited for hazardous waste violations. The Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order against IES Downstream, a limited liability company, for violating the state’s hazardous waste management laws at its ‘Ele‘ele storage terminal on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

SurfRider Foundation Kaua‘i releases monthly water quality tests for beaches, streams. Water quality in several Kaua‘i streams had overwhelming levels of bacteria recorded during the SurfRider Foundation’s monthly testing in May. Kauai Now.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

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.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

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.

Friday, January 17, 2025

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.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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.

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

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.