$11B Ala Wai flood control project stalls, interim Kauai police chief named, Maui council tepid on vacation rental conversion plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Concerns raised over Ala Wai flood control project’s $11.1B price tag. A decades-old plan to protect Waikiki and neighboring communities against a potential flooding disaster appears to have stalled yet again. This time the issue, in part, is related to the project’s persistently escalating price tag. Star-Advertiser.

State Salary Commissioners Defend The Big Pay Raises They're Recommending. Unless the Legislature rejects them, salary increases are on the way for top elected and appointed officials in Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Key Hawaii Republicans, voters mixed on Trump. Key Hawaii Republicans offered differing views of President Donald Trump three months into his second term, with some continuing their full support while others are hearing from constituents who regret voting for him. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiians developing sovereign AI data. House Bill 546 would establish an “aloha intelligence institute” at the University of Hawaii that would “develop, support and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide.” Star-Advertiser.

Deep-Sea Mining Threatens Sea Life In A Way No One Is Thinking About. The extraction process involves dumping debris into the thriving midwater zone. Civil Beat.

Researchers say state funding is crucial to climate data collection. The House Finance Committee has advanced a bill to fund a new climate center within the University of Hawaiʻi's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, which researchers say is critical to the continued collection of climate data. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii jobless rate steady as federal layoffs loom. The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate in February held at 3.0% for the eighth straight month after six consecutive months at 2.9%, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Interview: Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. The city and county’s chief executive talks about the landfill, homelessness, the police commission and more. Civil Beat.

Center tackles homelessness at root levels. The Behavioral Health Crisis Center opened in 2024 across the street from the Institute for Human Services’ men’s shelter in Iwilei and has seen 1,182 people ever since to address issues including substance abuse and mental health, which are considered critical underlying reasons why people end up and remain homeless. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu looks to add more affordable housing in ‘Ewa Beach. Although the project is still in the development phase, city officials say they're nearing a "major milestone" with the financing. Aloha State Daily.

Protestor arrested at Tesla rally in Waikiki. Maximo Ramos Arango was arrested Sunday at a Tesla showroom in Waikiki during a rally against Tesla that drew a crowd of around 200 people. Star-Advertiser.

Two men cited for picking opihi at protected site. State conservation officers cited two men Wednesday for illegally collecting opihi from the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District on Oahu’s North Shore. Spectrum News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Public Works Director Hugh Ono To Retire. After a few months in the position, Hawaiʻi County Public Works Director Hugh Ono will again retire on March 31. Deputy Director Neil Azevedo will serve as acting director until a permanent replacement is found. Big Island Video News.

Community health center eyes expansion. A bill that would provide funding for Hawaii Island Community Health Center to expand the reach of its services to about 55,000 patients yearly is making its way through the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Won’t Be Converting Vacation Rentals To Long-Term Housing Anytime Soon. A phased-in approach was to begin July 1 but the council has yet to take up the mayor’s proposal. Civil Beat.

Maui County Council to address proposed budget, property assessments. Real property tax assessments and Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed $1.5 billion budget are expected to be discussed during a series of upcoming public meetings. Maui News.

As property values climb, Maui County eyes lower tax rates for resident homeowners. Each of the three tax tiers for owner-occupied properties would see a decrease under the mayor’s budget, which proposes going from $1.80 to $1.70 per $1,000 of assessed value in the lowest tier, $2 to $1.90 in the second-highest tier and $3.25 to $3.10 in the highest tier.  Maui Now.

Maui Fire Settlements Could Shrink If Health Insurers Take A Bite. As settlement money begins to flow to Maui wildfire victims, a state law that allows health insurers to recoup their costs becomes a concern. Civil Beat.

Firefighters have high levels of PFAS in aftermath of Maui fires. Maui firefighters who responded to the August 2023 Maui wildfires had the highest levels of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their bloodstream when compared with other first responders a month later. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers still weighing temporary exemption for tour boat environmental reviews. Senate Bill 1074 could allow dozens of tour boat operators to return to the waters off West Maui’s Kā‘anapali, a tourism hotspot.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Interim chief selected following announcement of embattled Kaua‘i police chief’s retirement. The Kaua‘i Police Commission appointed Assistant Chief Elliott Kalani Ke as interim chief following the announcement of Chief Todd Raybuck’s announcement to retire last year. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Native Hawaiians eye funding cuts, Blangiardi seeks safer Oahu in State of City speech, Maui teacher fired for opposing transgender rules, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Senate committees slashes DHHL’s $600M request to $50M. A drastic cut to the money could come to Department of Hawaiian Homelands as it aims to clear its decades-long waitlist. Two Senate committees moved a proposed bill forward Tuesday, but took a big cut to the DHHL’s $600 million request. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian services at risk due to federal funding cuts. From Hawaiian immersion programs to affordable housing and food banks across the islands, critical programs are in jeopardy of being eliminated. KITV4.

High Court Rules Against Insurers. Now It’s Time To Divvy Up $4B. Among the questions: how much will Maui wildfire victims and their lawyers get from the huge settlement, and how will Hawaiʻi’s insurance market react? Civil Beat.

Family caregivers could get up to $5,000 in tax credits for out-of-pocket costs. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a bill that would allow caregivers to claim a tax credit for out-of-pocket costs for supplies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed AI facility at UH approved by panels. A joint hearing of the Senate Higher Education and Labor and Technology committees passed the latest version of House Bill 546 to establish an “aloha intelligence institute” at UH that would “develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide,” according to the bill. Star-Advertiser.

Federal support secured for UH, restoration of 442nd web page. Gov. Josh Green announced Monday that discussions with White House officials have helped secure continued federal funding for the University of Hawaii amid an ongoing civil rights investigation, while also advocating for the restoration of an Army web page honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

State considers costly solution to fight coconut rhinoceros beetles. The state has tried to stop the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle since its first detection in 2013. So far it’s been a losing battle, but agriculture officials now say a virus in New Zealand may be the answer. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees continued growth in solar installations and capacity. Rooftop solar installations across Hawaiian Electric’s service areas continued to expand in 2024, with 7,976 new systems added, bringing the total to 113,999. This marks a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Blangiardi Outlines Plans For Safer Oʻahu In State Of The City Speech. A North Shore first responders hub, a Windward ocean safety facility and a Waipahu base for the city’s homelessness response team are part of a raft of public safety investments that Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is planning for the coming year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Measure to ban landfills over aquifers is now fielding concerns about recycled ash. In December, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration announced plans to site Oʻahu’s new landfill in Wahiawā, prompting several measures to be introduced at the Legislature this year to clarify where landfills and waste facilities can, and can't, be placed. Hawaii Public Radio.

To Sell More Housing in West Oʻahu, This Developer Plans To Raise Prices. In Kalaeloa, affordable housing units aren’t a lot cheaper than market-rate units. So the developer plans to raise the price of market-rate units. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Committee Punts Approval Of Police MOUs With Feds To Full Council. By a razor-thin margin, a Hawaiʻi County Council committee on Tuesday voted to leave it up to the full council whether to allow the mayor to sign agreements between the Big Island’s police department and federal law enforcement agencies after its top cop insisted he had no interest in enforcing immigration law. Civil Beat.

New preschool for 80 children to be built near ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. The preschool will offer a variety of benefits such as affordable child care for UH Hilo students, workforce development for new teachers, and meeting the demand for more early childhood education taught in the Hawaiian language. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Community College butchery course graduates inaugural class. A new butchery course at Hawai‘i Community College graduated its inaugural class of six at the Kō Center in Honoka‘a. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui police chief’s lawyer asks commission not to investigate allegations; county says fair probe needed for public trust. Pelletier has been accused in a civil lawsuit of being involved in the conspiracy of a gang rape orchestrated by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in California in 2018. At the time Pelletier was working for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  Maui Now.

Maui teacher says she was fired for speaking out against anti-trans policy. A teacher on Maui said she was fired for not accepting a new school policy that she said discriminates against transgender students. Vashti Daise has been a teacher for 35 years. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Waena Intermediate School’s Principal McCandless named Principal of the Year. Maui Waena Intermediate School Principal Jacquelyn McCandless has been named a winner of the state’s 2025 National Distinguished Principals of the Year by the Hawai’i Association of Secondary School Administrators. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC looking at two new renewable energy projects. On Tuesday, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced that it is proposing two new renewable energy projects that will bring Kauai close to 80 percent renewable energy by 2028. Garden Island.

Hands-on ocean awareness. The first paid lifeguard internship program hit the waters on Tuesday at the South end of Lydgate Beach Park. Garden Island.

House seeks to sock away $200M for hard times, state growth projections reduced, Honolulu mayor proposes $5B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi House Wants To Set Aside $200 Million As A Hedge Against Hard Times.  House lawmakers want to bank $200 million in state funds as a cash cushion to help cope with any federal budget cuts or other fiscal problems that may be crop up in the years ahead. The House Finance Committee, in passing a budget Wednesday, made public some highlights from its proposed spending plan for the next two years, which would authorize slightly more than $20.48 billion next fiscal year and $20.22 billion the following year. Civil Beat.

DBEDT reduces Hawaii’s economic growth rate to 1.7% for 2025. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism on Wednesday lowered its economic growth projections for this year on the expectation that tourism growth will slow, consumer inflation will rise, and policy uncertainty will increase at the national and international levels. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi food banks report canceled shipments and frozen funds amid federal cuts. Six shipping containers worth of food for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, which serves Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, were scheduled to be shipped to the state during the first half of the year. But those shipments have been canceled. Hawaii Public Radio.

Trump’s recent executive order declared English as the official language of the country for the first time, but the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary says the order does not impact the state.  Hawaiʻi is the only state that has two official languages: ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor’s $5B Budget Boosts Homeless Funding And Addresses Federal Cuts. The city is bracing for federal cuts, but the mayor said there are no plans to increase property taxes. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Honolulu Will Allow Some Developers To OK Their Own Projects. The council acted in November 2023 to reduce a backlog of permit applications, but the program hasn’t launched yet. Civil Beat.

‘Calculation error’ discovered in Skyline audit. In a report issued Feb. 27 involving the audit of the city Department of Transportation Services’ Skyline operations, the city auditor found the audit mistakenly cited a 77% decrease in rail ridership from July 2023 to December 2023. The correct percentage decrease in ridership on the city’s rail line was later determined to be almost 44%. Star-Advertiser.

Hidden Links Exposed: Hawaiʻi Fireworks Bust Tied To Mainland Suppliers. One mysterious address on shipping documents in a seizure at Honolulu Harbor is the first in a chain of clues that lead across the country and through the decades — a mysterious web of connections between the legal and illegal fireworks trade. Civil Beat.

Controversial youth transitional living facility moves forward in Makaha. A nonprofit is moving forward with a plan to help homeless youth get off the streets in Leeward Oahu, but some neighbors are asking the governor to cancel the project. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County, HGEA reach COVID compensation agreement. The arbitrated agreement will pay certain Hawaii Government Employees Association members who were county employees 15% of their hourly pay over a two-year period based on when the pandemic began and when cases began to flatten. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island police kill murder suspect, 28, in shootout. Hawaii Island police said officers killed a 28-year-old murder suspect in a Tuesday evening shootout in Volcano, ending a day-long manhunt after the early-morning shooting death of a 25-year-old woman in Puna. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  KITV4.

Immigration enforcement operation raising concerns among Latino population. A federal immigration enforcement operation was conducted at a Kona coffee farm Wednesday afternoon, increasing concerns among the island’s Latino community. Hawaii News Now.

Waimea nonprofit eyes lunar landings. The arrivals of two lunar landers on the moon this week bodes well for a Big Island company’s plan to set up a permanent observatory on the moon. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County’s economic recovery trails rest of the state; construction builds momentum. Maui County’s economic recovery remains slower than other islands, particularly in tourism and employment, suggesting lingering effects from the August 2023 wildfires disaster that disrupted tourism and local businesses, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism the 2025 Statistical and Economic Report, published in this first quarter. Maui Now.

Maui losing 10 stores, 80 jobs after company overseeing iconic surfing brands files for bankruptcy. The Honolua Surf Company store in The Shops at Wailea is one of 10 surf stores on Maui — four Honolua Surf Company, two Quiksilver, two Volcom and two Billabong — that are liquidating their stock and closing their doors for good after their operator, Liberated Brands LLC, filed for bankruptcy a month ago in the U.S. District of Delaware. Maui Now. KITV4.

Maui residents divided on proposal for street extension connecting two communities. Maui County officials are asking for public feedback about a proposal for a new road connecting the Wailuku and Waiehu communities. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County DWS to host community meetings on water pipe inventory project. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is inviting the public to an informational meeting about an ongoing water service line inventory to comply with the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lead and copper ruling, which is established to monitor the lead and copper levels at customers’ water pipes at homes, schools and businesses. Maui News.

Kauai

Hawaiʻi pays 64% above national average for electricity. While Hawaiʻi’s average monthly usage is lower than the U.S. average, its average rate per kWh is significantly higher, at 39.62 cents per kWh, which is well over double the national average of $137 per month. Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative said 60% of its electricity comes from renewables and rates on Kauaʻi range between 33 and 39 cents, but the need for energy storage capacity becomes apparent when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind stops blowing. Kauai Now.


 

Green remains a popular governor, Honolulu mayor vetoes fireworks measure, pro-development super PAC aims to influence Maui council races, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green ranks sixth nationally in governor approval ratings. Gov. Josh Green ranks in the top 10 in approval ratings compared with the rest of America’s governors, according to separate surveys reported this month. Morning Consult, an independent pollster that conducts political polling and continues to track this year’s presidential race, placed Green sixth most popular in the nation, with a 62% approval rating that “likely reflects a solid base of support among Hawaii’s electorate.” The Cato Institute — which leans conservative and advocates for small government — ranked Green tied for seventh among all governors. Star-Advertiser.

These 3 House races could flip seats in the state Legislature. In the House, there are six Republicans — three face competitive Democratic challengers this year. Reps. David Alcos, Diamond Garcia and Elijah Pierick of Oʻahu are part of a more socially conservative pack of Republicans elected in the 2022 election. Hawaii Public Radio.

OHA race: Ahuna and Lindsey run modest campaigns for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau seat. OHA is a semi-autonomous agency created to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians. The agency is tasked with managing a trust of about $600 million. The general election is on Nov. 5 and as a statewide race, all Hawaiʻi residents can  vote for OHA. Hawaii Public Radio.

ACLU of Hawaii demands investigation into Arizona prison’s drinking water. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii is demanding an investigation into the drinking water quality at Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona. Nearly a thousand Hawaii inmates are incarcerated there. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Campaign aims to prevent aquarium dumping. The weeklong “Don’t Let It Loose” campaign aims to prevent aquarium owners from releasing these invasive species into the ocean, as well as the importation and possession of illegal marine aquarium species. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu mayor blows up fireworks measure. Bill 22, adopted by a majority of the Council in early October to allow ground-level fountains and sparklers to be lit in public on Oahu, was vetoed Oct. 25 by Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Star-Advertiser.

City Council considers reviving its agricultural development task force. The nine-member group of agriculture stakeholders and practitioners would recommend policies in zoning, land use, infrastructure, and other issues that would affect farming and food production on the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘It scared the hell out of me’: Emotions pour over Red Hill crisis at BWS meeting. The Board of Water Supply is standing by its warning that a fuel-related chemical plume could be spreading from the Navy’s Red Hill tanks. This after the Navy accused the agency of “misinformation” and being “grossly inaccurate.” Hawaii News Now.

Cleanup underway after heavy rain, runoff turn Ala Wai harbor into dump site. State crews and volunteers are clearing debris from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor after the weekend’s heavy rains triggered runoff from Makiki, Palolo and Manoa streams. Those waterways have been littered with illegally dumped items, such as appliances and landscaping waste. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Halloween Eve flash flood at UH Manoa left ruin in its wake. Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of a Halloween Eve flash flood that sent a tsunami of mud, water and debris up to 8 feet high roaring through the University of Hawaii Manoa campus, damaging 30 buildings and tossing dumpsters and vehicles in its path. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Crisis Intervention Team Expands On Hawaiʻi Island. The Hawaiʻi Police Department has expanded its Crisis Intervention Team with the addition of 10 new officers. Big Island Video News.

More than $9.1 million coming to Hawai‘i for forest restoration projects. A Big Island company is one of two entities that will receive funds from the federal government for forest restoration projects that will help protect rare species, support agricultural production and increase climate resilience in Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Lease extension for Hilo mainstay spurs debate. The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved on Friday a 20-year lease extension for three parcels at the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and Leilani Street to Yamada Consolidated Inc., which was first issued a state lease in 1959 for a term of 45 years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Carpenters Union Super PAC Is Spending Big On Maui Council Races. For A Better Tomorrow is supporting three pro-development candidates for the Maui County Council. Civil Beat.

Two Escape Routes Could Have Saved Dozens Of Maui Fire Victims. Without the dead end on Kuhua Street and the private lot dividing Aki Street, everyone there likely would have gotten out safely, Maui county planners say. Civil Beat.

State Historic Preservation Division Backlog Is Stalling Building On Maui. Experts say the bureaucratic limbo facing a Maui couple trying to rebuild their home outside of Lahaina reflects a broader problem. Civil Beat.

FEMA seeks landowners for modular home sites to help displaced Lahaina residents. To expand housing options in West Maui for wildfire survivors, FEMA is collaborating with the County of Maui and Lahaina property owners to place modular housing units on private properties. Hawaii Public Radio.

5 ʻalalā, the only surviving endemic crow, will be reintroduced on Maui. Five ʻalalā will soon be released into the wild from a temporary field aviary on the slopes of Haleakalā — the latest in the reintroduction efforts for the Hawaiian crow.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kouchi named Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi’s State Legislator of the Year. Hawaiʻi Senate President and longtime Kauaʻi state legislator Ronald Kouchi was recently honored by a Hawaiʻi nonprofit aimed at creating a healthy Hawaiʻi, where every resident has access to affordable, high quality health care. Kauai Now.

House Speaker Saiki loses re-election bid, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi cruises to easy victory, Big Island mayor's race heads to runoff, more primary election news and ballot report links from all the Hawaiian Islands

House Speaker Saiki loses close House race. Former state Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto edged out House Speaker Scott Saiki with 2,649 votes, compared to Saiki's 2,395 on the final certified report released by the state Office of Elections on Sunday morning. Both are Democrats, and there is no other contender in the contest for the District 25 seat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Many Hawaii Legislators Will Return To The Capitol This Year, But There Are Surprises. House Speaker Scott Saiki was trailing his challenger while veteran former lawmaker Clayton Hee looked to be losing his North Shore race. Civil Beat.

 Inouye, Lee Loy cruise to easy wins. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye once again defeated challenger Laura Acasio in the Democratic Primary Election Saturday night. Tribune-Herald.

Incumbents Hirono, Case, Tokuda cruise to Democratic primary victories. Three-fourths of Hawaii’s congressional delegation easily moved past their primary opponents today and onto the General Election ballot in November. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case all topped their respective Democratic tickets. The second tally of results by the state Office of Elections representing a large majority of votes cast showed Hirono with nearly 91% of the party vote, while Case was cruising with 92% and Tokuda capturing a solid 100% running unopposed.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono wins Democratic primary for third term, will face McDermott in general. Hirono won a three-way race against Ron Curtis and Clyde McClain Lewman. Associated Press.

Familiar names dominate OHA trustee races in early results. Incumbent Kelii Akina, who has served as trustee since 2016, held a nearly 7,500-vote lead with 36,270 (26.3%), over Ahu Isa, who had 28,753 (20.8%) Saturday night. The two top candidates will go on to the general election. Star-Advertiser.

Former Congressman Poised To Win Seat On OHA Board Of Trustees. Kai Kahele appears poised to make a return to politics as an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee for the Big Island.  Voters chose candidates for three seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to face off in November. A fourth seat representing Kauai only had two candidates and will be on the general election ballot automatically. Civil Beat.

Certified ballot report for the state of Hawaii can be found here.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi handily beats challengers in re-election bid. As predicted by many political pundits and interested observers, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi handily beat his challengers Saturday evening. In the second set of results posted after 10:30 p.m., the 77-year-old retired media executive took nearly 79% of the vote — or 116,039 votes — to secure the city’s top elective office for another four years. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Certified ballot report for Oahu can be found here.

Hawaii Island

Runoff in mayor’s race: Roth, Alameda to face off in November. Many veteran observers of local politics thought the Primary Election mayoral race would spawn a runoff in the General Election on Nov. 5 between incumbent Mitch Roth and challenger Kimo Alameda — and that’s what happened. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

5 Hawai‘i County Council races headed for a runoff in general election, preliminary reports show. Five of the nine Hawai‘i County Council seats are headed for runoffs in the Nov. 5 general election, according to preliminary primary election results posted late Saturday by the state Office of Elections. Big Island Now.

Kagiwada, Kimball retain council seats; Onishi appears to avoid runoff. Three of the council’s five windward members had contested races on Saturday: Heather Kimball of District 1, covering North Hilo, Hamakua and portions of Waimea; Jenn Kagiwada of District 2, including Hilo and parts of South Hilo; and Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder of District 5, encompassing Upper Puna and portions of Keaau. Tribune-Herald.

Three council incumbents retain seats in W. Hawaii. Of the four Hawaii County Council Primary Election races in West Hawaii, three incumbents won their seats outright Saturday night, while a fourth race will go to a General Election runoff on Nov. 5. The race to be decided in November will be for representation of Council District 9, which encompasses North Kohala and parts of Waimea and Waikoloa. Tribune-Herald.

Certified ballot report for Hawaii Island can be found here.

Maui

Maui County Council Incumbents Are Cruising On To The General Election. Former three-term Maui County Council member Kelly King was trailing incumbent Tom Cook in her effort to reclaim the South Maui seat, according to preliminary results in Saturday’s primary election. Civil Beat.

Certified ballot report for Maui can be found here.

Kauai

Kauai Council Incumbents Advancing To General Election. Kauai County voters were favoring incumbent council members, who mostly led the pack of 17 candidates vying for the seven seats on the council in the first round of primary election returns Saturday. Civil Beat.

Certified ballot report for Kauai can be found here.

House OKs $1B for wildfires in $11B budget, Water Commission could become autonomous, coffee labeling bill advances, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Despite pushback, bill to give Water Commission more autonomy advances. Senate Bill 3327 SD1 HD1 proposes to separate the Water Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize conflicts of interests between the two agencies. The bill would also grant the agency its own authority to declare emergencies, retain independent legal counsel, and levy fines. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

State House OKs $1B in wildfire expenses in $11B budget bill. The Hawaii House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously passed its draft of an updated state budget crafted to cover immense Maui wildfire recovery costs while maintaining fundamental services and important projects. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

 HECO SEC filing: Top exec paid $1.47M in 2023. Parent company Hawaiian Electric Industries braces for financial challenges posed by the Maui fires, which cost it $19M last year.   It's suspended dividend payouts to shareholders, but at the same time, it's also given its top executives a "golden parachute" should they get fired. KITV4.

Decision to extend the retirement age of Hawaiʻi judges could be left to voters. Voters may be asked if judges can remain on the bench for a few years longer. Judges are required to retire at 70-years-old. But lawmakers are considering putting it to voters to increase the retirement age to 75 years old. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed coffee labeling bill moves from House to Senate committees for hearing. After 12 years of pushing for stricter coffee labeling laws, Rep. Nicole Lowen is finally seeing traction this year in the State Legislature with her House bill that outlines a phased approach to increasing the amount of locally grown coffee in products required for a Hawai‘i-grown label. Big Island Now.

Some Abusive Parents Homeschool Their Kids. Should Hawaii Do More To Screen Them? Sen. Kurt Fevella, a Republican from Ewa Beach, has submitted a resolution calling on the Department of Education to conduct wellness visits on all children who are taken out of school to be homeschooled.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Releases Targeted Violence Prevention Strategy Plan. The release of a “first-in-the-nation” Targeted Violence Prevention Strategy Implementation Plan was announced by the Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Mayor to deliver State of City address today. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi,  nearing the end of his four-year mayoral term, might single out achievements his administration made in the past year to curb what he had referred to in his 2023 address as “wicked problems” facing Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Potential jurors in bribery trial undergo questioning from attorneys. Attorneys in the bribery trial involving Honolulu’s former prosecutor — are now questioning potential jurors — as they work to get a jury seated for trial. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Manoa tragedy sparks concern over a rise in domestic-violence killings. The killing of a wife and three kids by a husband, who then took his own life, in Manoa Sunday morning was likely the third domestic-violence killing in Hawaii in three months and the fourth high-profile domestic violence case. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pieces of a sailboat that ran aground in Waikiki are still stuck on the reef. DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources says there are a few damaged coral colonies, but the vessel primarily impacted non-coral reefs. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Roth’s 2024 State Of The County Address Set For March 22. Mayor Mitch Roth will deliver the speech from Kona this year, alongside his cabinet. The address is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd, at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Pavilion. Big Island Video News.

New Maunakea Authority Holds Community Meeting. MKSOA board members explained to those in attendance the history and purpose of the authority, which is currently in a period transition, as the management duties of the University of Hawaiʻi are slowly transferred to MKSOA. Big Island Video News.

Waipi‘o Valley Road Emergency Rules Continued. The extended rules continue the prohibition of all pedestrians, uncovered vehicles, and horseback access, but allows for certain exceptions. Big Island Video News.

BISAC unveils two Narcan vending machines in Hilo. The Big Island Substance Abuse Council is making the machines operational 24/7, safely situated outside of its Hulihia Ke Ola Detox Clinic at the corner of Hoku Street and Derby Lane and its outpatient facility on Waianuenue Avenue across from the Hilo Public Library. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaii Delegates Urge FEMA To Include COFA Citizens In Wildfire Aid. The action follows the recent passage of renegotiated Compacts of Free Association included in a federal spending package. Civil Beat.

FEMA Is Struggling To Move Maui Fire Survivors Into Homes Before Its Hotel Program Ends. The agency needs to rapidly pick up the pace, but it must figure out how to overcome hurdles with inspections, pets, background checks and location. Civil Beat.

Maui's Lisa Paulson selected among USA Today's Women of the Year. Lisa Paulson, the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association Executive Director, was recently named one of USA Today’s 2024 Women of the Year for her leadership during the Lahaina wildfire. On Aug. 8 and in the days after, Paulson led a group of tourism managers on a mission to evacuate over 12,000 tourists from the Valley Isle.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Raising awarenes for developmental disabilities. Volunteers with the Hawai‘i State Council on Developmental Disabilities took to Rice Street fronting the historic County Building to raise awareness about the potential of people with developmental disability on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Legislature tackles wildfire prevention, patient ratios, clean elections, fireworks, recreational marijuana; ex-Sen. English to get early prison release; Miske trial resumes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers Are Working On Ways To Whack Hawaii’s Fire-Fueling Weeds. Senators have signaled an early willingness to spend state money on mowing down Hawaii’s invasive grasses as they consider a bevy of bills geared toward avoiding another deadly wildfire.  Civil Beat.

Federal order releases former senator Kalani English from prison early. English’s sentence was supposed to be 40 months from Aug. 2022, but now he will be getting out after 32 months. He pleaded guilty to Honest Services Wire Fraud in Feb. 2022, after trading cash and other gifts for a draft on cesspool and wastewater policy with a businessman. KHON2.

Bill for ‘clean elections’ has widespread public support. Senate Bill 2381 is a so-called “clean elections” bill that would establish a system for candidates in state and county public elections to be eligible for a certain amount of public financing, beginning in 2028. Tribune-Herald.

State Senate bill covers a key issue expressed by nurses who have gone on strike. Members from the Hawai‘i Nurses’ Association testified during a hearing about the need to establish and enforce staff-to-patient ratios at health care facilities across the state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senate Committee to hear testimony on bill to legalize recreational marijuana. The discussion on legalizing marijuana begins as members of the State Senate take up the matter during a public hearing this morning during a joint Health and Human Services and Judiciary committees meeting. Big Island Now.

Legislators look to ban consumer fireworks statewide. There are efforts to significantly reduce consumer fireworks throughout the state, proposed law seeks to only allow fireworks at permitted cultural events. KHON2.

Kaniela Ing Faces More Charges Of Campaign Spending Violations. The former state lawmaker could be penalized more than $18,000 for failure to keep financial records and filing false reports. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi to build out housing services with Medicaid under new federal program. The Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator supports states that are using Medicaid funds for programs that help people secure and maintain stable housing. Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO conducting utility pole audit on Maui, Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaiian Electric Co. is conducting an inventory audit of attachments on utility poles throughout Maui, and Oʻahu and Hawai‘i Island as well, according to an announcement. Maui Now.

Oahu

Blangiardi announces reelection bid for Honolulu mayor. Four years to the day from his announcement that he would run for his first political office, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Monday that he’ll seek reelection. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4.

Attorney for HPD officer in crash disputes witness claims, says he wasn’t intoxicated. An attorney representing the Honolulu police officer reportedly seen tossing what appeared to beer bottles from his department-subsidized vehicle following a crash last month in Wahiawa is adamant Tyson Chun was not driving intoxicated and is innocent of any wrongdoing. Hawaii News Now.

Miske Trial Resumes After Weeklong Recess Due To Juror Illness. Sara Tufele, who has a child with one of Miske's former top associates, testified that she felt threatened after her boyfriend began cooperating with authorities. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Murdered child’s guardians face life without parole as lawmakers consider child welfare reforms. After three people were charged with the child abuse and neglect murder of 10-year-old Geanna Bradley, there are renewed calls to toughen the program designed to protect children in the foster care system. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Labor-trafficking case against couple is dismissed. Oahu Circuit Judge Shanlyn Park dismissed labor- trafficking felony charges against a Palolo couple accused of bringing a woman and her then 15-year-old daughter from Guam to Hono­lulu in 2021, beating and forcing them to perform work, locking the girl in their apartment and taking their passports and money. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona Airport begins runway repairs, closing overnight operations. Starting Tuesday, the state Department of Transportation will close the Kona airport for 15 consecutive nights to conduct runway repairs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Animal Control recruitment, staffing ‘probably our biggest issue,’ administrator says. Matthew Runnels, administrator of the recently created Animal Control and Protection Agency, made a presentation Tuesday to the County Council’s Communications, Reports and Council Oversight Committee about finding his agency’s footing since it took over the county’s animal control duties in July. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Finance Director, Scott Teruya on administrative leave with pay. County officials could not provide details on the reason behind the action.  Maui Now.

Board to oversee rebuilding on Maui is proposed. A proposal to facilitate rebuilding fire-ravaged Lahaina, perhaps with new land-use rules and funding governed by a community- based board, is slated for discussion Wednesday at the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina Death Trap: The Night Fire Engulfed Kuhua Street. A third of the fire's victims died on a narrow dead-end street in central Lahaina, unable to access an alternative route to safety. Civil Beat.

Maui Police Are Tackling A 30% Job Vacancy Rate By Opening A New Recruiting Center. Officers want to show their personal investment in potential hires as the department tries to fill the empty positions. Civil Beat.

Kauai

DLNR to auction off leases for west Kaua’i cabins. Annual leases for seven cabins in the Kōke’e recreation residence community will be auctioned to the public in mid-April by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Kauai Now.

Southwest flight safely lands on Kaua‘i following fistfight midair. Southwest officials say flight 1288 landed safely as scheduled and local authorities met the aircraft upon arrival. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers mull statewide vacation rental ban, HECO cleared to spend $190M to harden electric grid, money pouring in to campaign coffers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A Statewide Ban On Vacation Rentals? The Idea Is Gaining Steam After The Maui Fires. Lawmakers are considering making it easier for counties to do away with short-term rentals altogether. Currently, 5.5% or 30,000 of Hawaii’s 557,000 total housing units operate as short-term rentals, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization’s “Hawaii Housing Factbook,” published in June. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Gets The Green Light On Its $190 Million Resiliency Plan To Harden The Grid. State energy regulators have given their conditional approval to a five-year, $190 million plan by Hawaiian Electric to retool some of the most vulnerable parts of its grid as the company looks to address wildfire dangers and other threats related to climate change. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric says to prepare for outages ahead of severe weather. Hawaiian Electric is urging customers to prepare ahead of time for the heavy rains and winds forecast to hit most of the state on Friday and Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian, Alaska leaders tout airline deal. The top executives of Hawaiian and Alaska airlines said their companies are moving forward on an upcoming merger that they characterized as pro-consumer and pro-competitive because it allows them to compete more effectively in an industry dominated by larger carriers Delta, United, American and Southwest, which together make up 80% of the U.S. market. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Should the state increase the unemployment compensation? Some said it’s needed to offset the high cost of living, especially after the Maui wildfires. Others fear it would only encourage apathy. KHON2.

Preschool subsidies expand to Hawaii families over income limit. An estimated 2,000 more preschool children across the state are expected to receive early childhood education through subsidies made possible after the Legislature in 2023 increased funding to $50 million from $12 million to expand the “Preschool Open Doors” program, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers push back on state's $2M request to fight youth-led climate change lawsuit. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads would rather see the money go toward implementing policies that reduce emissions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hirono Posts Solid Fundraising Numbers In Reelection Bid. More than six months out from primary day, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono has nearly $1.8 million in campaign cash and faces no Democrat in the Aug. 10 contest and a relatively unknown Republican in the Nov. 5 general election. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Campaign Donations Roll In For Honolulu Mayor’s Reelection Bid. Mayor Rick Blangiardi received about $289,000 in campaign donations during the second half of last year, more than the combined total received by the five council members up for reelection in 2024. Civil Beat.

‘Big win’: City gets long-awaited federal funds to help build rail line to Kakaako. With the stroke of a pen, $744 million will be released to finish Honolulu’s rail system all the way to Kakaako. Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed an amended Full Funding Grant Agreement on Thursday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Miske Defense Calls Key Government Witness A Career Criminal Who ‘Fooled Everybody’.  A lieutenant of alleged Hawaii crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr. was an oxycodone addict who sold methamphetamine while on federal probation and working as an informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, defense attorneys established Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Removal Of Buildings Underway At Summit Of Kīlauea Volcano.  Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is preparing to demolish the landmark Jaggar Museum. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hilo rezoning request draws opposition from neighbors. The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday discussed, but made no decision regarding, a proposal by Big Island developers to rezone a property at the corner of Manono and Lanikaula streets to allow for the construction of an approximately 5,000-square-foot one-story building to be used for unspecified retail purposes. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Has Yet To Launch A Covid-Era Housing Program That Could Provide $24 Million In Relief To Fire Survivors. County council members want the Bissen administration to take advantage of the federal money before it's too late.  Civil Beat.

A popular tavern becomes the first business to reopen on Lahaina’s main street. Mala Ocean Tavern is the first business on Front Street to reopen after the devastating fires nearly six months ago. Front Street is known as “ground zero” because most of the businesses on the famous street in Lahaina were destroyed. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County officials unveil three potential permanent Lahaina debris disposal sites. Two West Maui locations and the Central Maui Landfill are under consideration as permanent disposal sites for an estimated 400,000 cubic yards of ash and debris to be removed from Lahaina wildfire burn zones. Maui Now.

Maui visitor arrivals up to highest levels in five months; December spending down. Maui visitor arrivals were up in December to the highest levels in the nearly five months since the August Lahaina wildfire disaster, according to preliminary statistics from the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. However, the month’s Valley Isle arrivals of were 24.8% less than December 2022 and 28.7% less than December 2019. Maui Now.

Kauai

West Kauaʻi to address pollution at Kīkīaola Small Boat Harbor in settlement with community groups. Community groups Nā Ki‘ai Kai and Surfrider Foundation, represented by nonprofit environmental law organization Earthjustice, have settled with the County of Kauaʻi and the Department of Health to clean up pollution from drainage ditches discharging into the ocean along West Kaua‘i, including the Kīkīaola Small Boat Harbor. Kauai Now. KITV4.

Green to announce 2 new state Supreme Court justices today, Blangiardi signs flavored tobacco ban, search on for 2018 Maui wildfire after-action report, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor Green to name two Supreme Court Justices. The Hawaii Supreme Court is about to get two new justices who will be announced Monday, Oct. 23. They will replace retired justices Michael Wilson and Paula Nakayama.The judicial selection commission chose six finalists to submit to the governor. KHON2.

Hawaii Officials Learned Little From A 2018 Fire That Foreshadowed Lahaina. The state says it has no "after action review" of the earlier blaze and if Maui County ever completed its version, it was never widely disseminated. Civil Beat.

Taking fuel away from fire on Hawaii landscape is a tall challenge. According to a 2018-19 assessment by the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, about 350 miles of landscape alteration statewide was needed to reduce high wildfire risk.  Star-Advertiser.

Toxic runoff could threaten reefs off Lahaina. Bolstered by a $200,000 National Science Foundation rapid-response grant, Andrea Kealoha, a faculty member with the University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Oceanography, and a team of UH researchers are gearing up to sample the coral reefs near Lahaina to assess the impact of the toxic ash from the fire. Star-Advertiser.

Homestead Leases For Native Hawaiians Held Up Pending Ruling On Potential Plaintiff. A historic $328 million class action settlement for thousands of Native Hawaiians who waited decades for homestead leases on ancestral lands has been held up indefinitely as the Hawaii Supreme Court sorts out an appeal by a beneficiary who has been left out of the settlement. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Developers Settle Lawsuit Over Lack Of Accessibility Features. Five housing developments on Maui and Oahu were found to be in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Fifteen Hawaii developers have agreed to settle a lawsuit for $120,000 after the Justice Department accused them of failing to build multiple housing complexes with required accessibility features for people with disabilities. Civil Beat.

Survey finds decline in driver courtesy on Hawaii roadways. More than two-thirds of 435 island drivers surveyed by First Insurance Co. of Hawaii over the summer said their fellow drivers are less courteous today than five years ago. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Signs Bill To Ban Flavored Tobacco. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed the so-called trigger law on Friday, but the ban won’t take effect unless state lawmakers agree to give counties the authority to regulate such products. Civil Beat.

Film studio measure gets city, state support. A Honolulu City Council measure to boost Oahu’s economy by attracting eligible film studios through real property tax incentives is receiving a boost from city and state officials. Star-Advertiser.

Successful turnout for Oahu gun buyback program.  State officials partnered with Honolulu police Saturday to create two safe spaces on Oahu that accepted 494 unwanted firearms in exchange for Foodland gift cards, no questions asked. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Two More Miske Defendants Plead But Without Agreement To Cooperate. The pleas leave only accused racketeering boss Mike Miske and three other defendants as part of the case. Civil Beat.

Hawaii civil rights pioneer Amy Agbayani honored with Women of Impact Award. Originally from the Philippines, the 80-year-old activist and lobbyist is a familiar face at the state Capitol and out in the community. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Isle home sales decline. Soaring interest rates have cooled the Big Island real estate market, with sellers and buyers alike reconsidering transactions. Tribune-Herald.

Public asked to be on the lookout for invasive beetles. Coconut rhinoceros beetle grubs have been found at a home in Waikoloa Village, state Department of Agriculture officials said Friday. It’s the first discovery of the invasive beetle on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Retired Police Commander Arrested In Kona. Former Hawai‘i Police Department Assistant Chief, Mitchell Kanehailua Jr., was arrested Sunday for violating a restraining order. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Army Corps of Engineers hosting public meetings for WMA Program munition response sites. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for managing restoration efforts at the Former Waikoloa Maneuver Area in South Kohala on the Island of Hawai‘i, is holding two public meetings Oct. 25 to present the remedial investigation plans for Munitions Response Sites Sector 16 and Sector 17. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Democrats seek to fill state Senate seat.  The Maui County Democratic Party will begin accepting applications on Monday for nominees to fill the seat of outgoing state Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran. Maui News.

Evacuees live nomadic life after Maui wildfire as housing shortage intensifies and tourists return. Some are bouncing from hotel room to hotel room, in some cases to make way for the return of tourists who are crucial to the local economy. Many are struggling to find places to rent amid a housing shortage — and steep prices — that plagued the island even before the fire wiped out an estimated 3,000 homes and apartments in Lahaina. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Was Grappling With Rising Inequality Before The Fires. People in Lahaina were more likely to live in overcrowded homes and struggle with issues like language access. Lahaina on the eve of the Aug. 8 fires was a community of extremes. A place where business was booming and people were struggling to survive. Civil Beat.

Maui Strong Fund Gets $4 million Boost. The Oak Foundation's donation increased the fund's value to $146.6 million. Civil Beat.

Cultural Monitors Help Assure Lahaina Fire Cleanup Is Done With Respect. Federal agencies are relying on West Maui locals to identify cultural and archeological artifacts in the ruins of August's deadly wildlife. Civil Beat.

Maui teachers focus on students’ ‘fire feelings’ as well as academics. In a packed Maui Preparatory Academy classroom, teacher Sarah Risser is reading aloud to her first graders when she notices one tiny girl winding a strand of hair tightly around her finger. Risser asks her to stop, saying it makes her nervous that pulling the hair might stop blood flow to that body part. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Residents clash with Coco Palms developer at community meeting in Wailua. The developers aiming to restore the once-renowned Coco Palms Resort held a community meeting on Wednesday night that quickly collapsed, as Kaua‘i residents effectively shut down the presentation from the project’s ownership team within minutes.  Garden Island.

Legendary Alakoko fishpond wall undergoes restoration effort. The waters of Hule‘ia River were muddied on Saturday, as more than a thousand people toiled to place rock after rock along the 600-year-old Alakoko fishpond wall. Garden Island. Kauai Now.