Gov. Green defends the speed and spending of the Kauhale Initiative. A report from the state Office of the Auditor criticized the lack of oversight on a no-bid contract and pointed out millions of dollars in questionable or unauthorized spending by HomeAid Hawaiʻi, the lead developer for the Kauhale Initiative, which was designed to provide long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness. Hawaii Public Radio.
Matson Bankrolled Dark Money Super PAC, New Filings Show. Newly filed reports from the Federal Election Commission show that Matson’s political action committee and Boyd Gaming Corp. donated a combined $100,000 to Future Progress to fund a last minute advertising campaign supporting Hawaiʻi State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole’s unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Ed Case in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.
Hawaii Supreme Court considers case of idled Elections Commission. A polarized and paralyzed state commission with elections oversight duties may have the Hawaii Supreme Court break an impasse that has prevented the panel from meeting since June. Two members of the nine-member State of Hawaii Elections Commission successfully petitioned the court to get involved in a dispute over whether the State Office of Elections can schedule and host a public meeting for the commission absent a request from the commission’s chair or at least five members. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.
Inflation rates in Hawaii higher than mainland. Struggles to pay for housing and basic goods have weighed heavily on Hawaii residents as the islands have seen an ongoing decline in population as people leave for better-paying jobs and cheaper costs on the U.S. continent. Star-Advertiser.
Here’s How Much Hawaiʻi Seniors Need To Cover Basic Monthly Costs. Hawaiʻi couples who rent and are over the age of 65 need an average of $4,585 per month to cover basic needs without public or private help — and that’s if they’re healthy. That is roughly $670 more than the national average, according to a preliminary analysis from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, or UHERO. Civil Beat.
Hawaii lawmakers push for bonds to fund infrastructure. Gov. Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and state lawmakers urged Hawaii voters Wednesday to approve a constitutional amendment that would authorize a new way to finance infrastructure projects, arguing it could help address the state’s housing shortage without raising property taxes. Star-Advertiser.
Ongoing Pacific hurricane season already setting records. This year’s hurricane season across the Pacific Ocean is now the most energetic yet — and there’s still about six weeks left to go. Star-Advertiser.
DOJ Grilled On Hurdles Immigrants Face In Court Following Civil Beat Story. The Hawaiʻi congressional delegation cited a September article showing Trump-appointed judges were four times as likely to require immigrants to show up in person. They are asking why. Civil Beat.
Oahu
100 HPD officers to be reassigned to patrol. The Honolulu Police Department is projecting a $34 million shortfall at the end of the year and exceeded its overtime budget by $6 million in the first quarter, contributing to difficult financial decisions and staff reassignments. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. Aloha State Daily.
After half a decade, Aloha Tower officially reopens. For the first time in five years, the public is once again able to enjoy the views from Honolulu’s historic Aloha Tower. The iconic island landmark held its formal grand reopening on the morning of Oct. 15 after shutting down for repairs during the COVID pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio. Aloha State Daily.
Honolulu Council: Former Member Faces Opponent Who Embraces Conspiracies. East Honolulu voters have starkly different candidates to choose from as they decide who to entrust as one of the island’s nine council members. Civil Beat.
Voting explainer: 2026 Honolulu charter amendment ballot questions. Oʻahu voters can vote on a whopping 20 charter amendment questions in the November election. Questions range from creating a food security fund to who can serve on boards and commissions. Hawaii Public Radio.
Family of North Shore surfer sues city, state over crash near Chun’s Reef. More than a year after a crash along Kamehameha Highway left surfer Dakota Briley with serious injuries, his family is seeking accountability from the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii. KITV4.
Hawaii Island
Leeward Planning Commission OK’s bill aimed at banning data centers. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission voted Thursday in support of a bill aimed at prohibiting data centers on the island. Introduced by Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball, Bill 170 would create a definition for a “data center” and not include it as a permitted use anywhere in the county code, essentially creating a ban. Tribune-Herald.
Kawakami to headline Hilo Grand Rally on Saturday. A large crowd is expected as Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami addresses attendees at the Hilo Grand Rally on Saturday.Kawakami will appear on general election ballots as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. Tribune-Herald.
Sea Dragon Energy comes to Kona’s technology park to turn seawater into jet fuel. John Kohut, chairman and CEO of Sea Dragon Energy, spoke to a group of community and business leaders at a traditional Hawaiian blessing the company held at its warehouse located at the Hawai‘i Ocean Science Technology Park in Kailua-Kona that is operated by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority. Big Island Now.
UH officials host meeting on tuition hikes in Hilo. University of Hawaii officials presented details at a public meeting Wednesday about how a proposal to increase tuition across the UH system would impact UH Hilo, Hawaii Community College and the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Future Maui Development? Kahului Council Candidates Hold Opposing Views. Carol Lee Kamekona is trying to unseat Kauanoe Batangan on the Maui County Council in the Nov. 3 general election. Civil Beat.
Uniqlo Founder Accuses Maui Water Provider Of ‘Textbook Financial Fraud’. A federal lawsuit says Maui Land & Pineapple fraudulently quadrupled water rates to cover repairs to water systems it is responsible for maintaining. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.
County moves forward with temporary safe parking site. Maui County is doing groundwork to provide a temporary safe parking site in Central Maui for unhoused residents who live in their vehicles. The county said the temporary site along Pulehu Road is being designed to accommodate about 50 vehicles and provide a safer, more organized location for individuals currently living in their vehicles while a permanent site is being planned in Kahului. Maui News. Maui Now.
Maui-grown limes take flight to international markets. More than 80,000 pounds of Maui-grown limes are now flying from Kahului to Seattle each week aboard Hawaiian Airlines aircraft, before continuing on to markets in Canada. Maui Now.
Kauai
Kaua‘i Needs More Affordable Housing. Council Candidates Have Ideas. With median sales prices on Kaua‘i at nearly $1.5 million for a single-family home and over $700,000 for a condo, candidates for the county’s seven-member council say that more needs to be done to prevent local families from being priced out. Civil Beat.
Voting explainer: 2026 Kauaʻi charter amendment ballot questions. Kauaʻi voters can vote on one charter amendment question in the November election. It tackles the process of appealing decisions by the Kauaʻi County Planning Department. Hawaii Public Radio.
Preserving affordable housing. A dedication ceremony marked the successful completion of a $7 million rehabilitation of Kalepa 23 by the Kauai Housing Development Corporation (KHDC) and its community partners. Garden Island.
New lifeguard tower installed at Wanini Beach on North Shore. Kauaʻi Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau completed installation Thursday of a new lifeguard tower at the North Shore’s Wanini Beach. Kauai Now.
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