Tariffs, travel cuts start hitting home, HECO and state tackle wildfire prevention, Legislature earmarks $807M for Lahaina settlement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tariffs ‘significantly’ hitting Hawaii businesses. Nearly 70% of Hawaii businesses have been “significantly” affected by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and 27% have been “moderately” touched, according to preliminary results of a survey still being conducted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. In addition, government-related travel to Hawaii has fallen a whopping 50% since Trump took office and began slashing both federal spending and the federal workforce through Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi May Cut Grass On More State Land To Prevent Spread Of Wildfires. The state land department is asking for $10 million more to battle wildfires. Civil Beat.

HECO rolls out weather stations, AI cameras as part of wildfire safety plan. Hawaiian Electric's wildfire safety strategy includes installing over 50 weather stations mounted on utility poles across the state by this summer. HECO will also be installing nearly 80 cameras with artificial intelligence for early fire detection. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to streamline unemployment applications sent to governor's desk. Representatives advanced House Bill 477 on Monday to streamline the application process for unemployment benefits, in part by allowing documents and decisions to be delivered electronically, instead of by mail. Hawaii Public Radio.

Leaders reach deal on state budget. State government funding is slated to be a little higher in the next two fiscal years compared with the current year under a budget agreement reached Monday evening by state House and Senate leaders. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Farmers And Ranchers Face $46 Million In Federal Funding Cuts. The USDA decision has led to lost jobs, confusion and a setback on climate initiatives in the agricultural sector. Civil Beat.

Oahu

9 HPD officers are named in civil suit alleging brutality. An amended federal civil complaint alleges nine Hono­lulu police officers beat a 25-year-old man after knowing he wasn’t the prime suspect in a Jan. 1, 2024, pursuit and gunfight with an attempted murder suspect. Star-Advertiser.

State set to pay $750,000 in wrongful death settlement. The state Legislature is expected to approve a $750,000 settlement in the 2019 wrongful shooting death of an unarmed, disabled, homeless man by an on-duty state deputy sheriff, who was not criminally held responsible but since faces scrutiny in the deaths of two more people in 2021 and 2022 while a police officer in San Diego. Star-Advertiser.

Busier West Oahu buses prompt a call for a transportation study, even after federal funds disappear. A study that would have a taken a closer look at bus rapid transportation for the Waianae Coast was funded until cuts to Congress took nearly $5 million away. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi’s Parks Are Strained. Should DOE Open Campuses To Help? With limited space at city parks, communities are calling for the education department to make schools more accessible for recreational use. Civil Beat.

City unveils Blaisdell’s new PV system. To celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, the City and County of Honolulu formally unveiled a massive installation of 4,554 large-format photovoltaic panels to assist in powering its prime entertainment venue. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘Franz gave so much of himself’; W. Hawaii residents mourn loss of community volunteer. Franz Weber, 71, president of the Hawaii Cycling League and a prolific West Hawaii community volunteer, died April 17 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, eight days after the Trek bicycle he was riding rear-ended a Motor Coach Industries tour bus that was stopped on the shoulder of Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 94.5-mile marker in North Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County to install fencing at Hilo Transfer Station. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management will begin installing about 600 linear feet of fencing improvements at the Hilo Transfer Station on Monday, April 28. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lawmakers Agree To Pay $807 Million Into Lahaina Wildfires Settlement Fund. The legislation is part of a $4 billion deal that includes money from HECO, Kamehameha Schools and others. Civil Beat.

Maui ethics board given more muscle, autonomy.  A voter-mandated law could expand the independence of the Maui County Board of Ethics, enabling its staff to perform more classes to promote ethical conduct as well as independent investigations into political wrongdoing.  Maui News.

Maui County’s labor force gaining somewhat, first time 19 months after wildfire disaster. Maui County’s labor market conditions have improved, as of March, with the number of employed people at 79,500 being the highest since the August 2023 wildfire disaster, said Chief State Economist Eugene Tian. Maui Now.

Kauai

Taking the battle to the beetles. Over the Easter weekend, a different kind of egg hunting occurred, as community volunteers hunted Kauai’s current invasive pest, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Garden Island.

New agricultural park aims to innovate, accelerate Kauaʻi farming businesses. Mālama Kauaʻi looks for community input on Olohena ‘ĀINA Center, an agricultural park that will increase agricultural production and access for new and experienced farmers in Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers to discuss wildfire mitigation today, Green gives state workers extra time off, Honolulu council rejects fireworks veto override and $1.5M police wrongful death settlement, Maui seeks delay of water permit plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Legislative committees to hold joint informational briefing on HECO Wildfire Mitigation Plan. A joint informational briefing hosted by the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, and the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Maui Now.

Money For New State Fire Marshal Isn’t Nearly Enough, Fire Council Says. Hawaii’s State Fire Council says lawmakers need to invest from $1 million to $4 million to revive the Office of the State Fire Marshal — up to 23 times more than the $172,000 legislators have allocated for the office so far. Civil Beat.

Final ballots confirm GOP hopes and trigger a House recount. The latest tally of the last 18,000 votes cast Tuesday on Election Day flipped the results of a contentious West Oahu seat and now has incumbent Republican Rep. Elijah Pierick winning instead of losing, but that could change again depending on a recount of the nearly 10,000 votes. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

2 Kauai lawmakers to lead Hawaii Legislature. Rep. Nadine Nakamura (D, Hanalei-Princeville- Kapaa) won the job to lead the 51-member House with a majority of votes from colleagues, and assumed the role Wednesday from outgoing Rep. Scott Saiki, who lost his reelection bid in the Aug. 7 primary election. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Gov. Green gives state workers bonus paid time off. For the third time in three years, Gov. Josh Green is giving state employees extra paid time off work during the holiday season.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council opts not to override mayor’s veto of fireworks bill.  A Honolulu City Council measure to allow the legal sale, purchase and use of fireworks that have been banned in the city for over a decade fizzled in a 4-4 vote Thursday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Council cancels vote on $1.5M settlement in fatal HPD shooting. City attorneys will fight a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the widow of an unarmed Black man shot and killed by police following a violent confrontation in 2021 after the City Council scuttled a $1.5 million settlement Opens in a new tab Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Community weighs in on controversial development on O'ahu's north shore. Tensions escalated at a neighborhood board subcommittee meeting in Hauula on Thursday night over proposed development near Turtle Bay Resort. KITV4.

Years Of Shortchanging Elections Led To Honolulu’s Long Voter Lines. After experiencing long Election Day lines in 2020, city officials thought they knew how to fix them. Their efforts fell short. Civil Beat.

Ameresco moves ahead with renewable energy projects at Pearl Harbor. Clearway Energy recently pulled the plug on plans for three major solar farms, but Hawaiian Electric still has several other projects in the works.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Support urged for housing project. More than 200 new units could be added to an affordable housing development in Hilo under a proposal by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Tribune-Herald.

United States Treasurer Chief Visits Hawaiʻi Island. U.S. Treasurer Chief Lynn Malerba was recently on the Island of Hawai‘i to “gain insights on the impacts of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program.”  Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i County in process of contracting with firm to conduct Puna Alternate Routes Study. Hawai‘i County is in the process of contracting with a consulting firm to perform a study about alternate road access in Puna that would alleviate the district’s longstanding traffic congestion and provide an evacuation route when natural disasters strike. Big Island Now.

Honor military veterans on Saturday: Annual parade in downtown Hilo begins at 10 a.m. The Big Island community will unite on Saturday to celebrate and honor service in all its forms at the 17th Annual Hawaii Island Veterans Day Parade. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen asks state land board to hold off on water permit conversation, again. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is asking the state land board once again to hold off on discussing a contested case hearing involving a 30-year permit for water from Maui’s Ko’olau Forest Reserve.  Maui News. Maui Now.

Morgue contractor suing Maui police for alleged unpaid bills after Lahaina fire. The owner of Grey Tech LLC is now suing MPD over claims the company’s owed more than a quarter million dollars for services provided following the Lahaina disaster. This comes after MPD said it opened an investigation into the contractor. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Health nurses, workers return to work after 3-day strike. Hundreds of nurses and health care workers from Maui Health returned to work Thursday morning after holding a three-day strike protesting unfair labor practices. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Community condemns ‘desecration and defecation’ of Kauai iwi kupuna found at cesspool conversion site. On Monday, multiple government officials visited the site of a mandatory cesspool conversion project at the Hale Makai Cottages in Wainiha, Kauai. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says there are at least eight burials found in June and and September.  Hawaii News Now.

Raising awareness about poverty and homelessness. Kaua‘i County officials along with others from around the Garden Isle and a representative from Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green’s office gathered at the end of last week to raise awareness and educate the public about the issues of poverty and homelessness. Kauai Now.

Maui hotel booking decline could cost state $40M in taxes, insurance industry wants Hawaii Supreme Court to step in over wildfire payment dispute, Hone sweeps past state after dumping needed rain, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Decline in Maui room bookings could cost the state more than $40 million in taxes. The dampening in travel sentiment for Maui is bringing down tourism statewide and is a key reason Hawaii visitor industry executives appealed to the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board to add $1.6 million to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau marketing budget to conduct a marketing saturation campaign Sept. 15-22 in Los Angeles, Hawaii’s top source market for visitors. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Insurance Industry Insists It Has Right To Recoup Billions In Paid Wildfire Claims. Victims’ lawyers want the Hawaii Supreme Court to step in. They have asked Maui Judge Peter Cahill to let the high court determine the question central to his ruling, and want the insurance industry to join in on their request as a way to resolve the issue. Civil Beat.

Hawaii automobile sales plunge as owners hang on to vehicles. The dismal outlook comes after new-vehicle registrations plunged 11.8% in the second quarter to bring the midyear decline to 7%. By contrast, national auto sales were up 3.4% through the first six months. Star-Advertiser.

UHERO report spotlights rural health care needs. Rural area residents reported having more health challenges and limitations than their urban counterparts, according to the study produced by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Overall, they rated their health as poorer. Star-Advertiser.

Hone weakens to tropical storm and sweeps past Hawaii, dumping enough rain to ease wildfire fears. Hone passed south of Hawaii and weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm on Sunday, dumping so much rain that the National Weather Service called off its red flag warnings that strong winds could lead to wildfires on the drier sides of the islands. Associated Press. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines adding Hilo flights Monday after cancellations due to Hone. Hawaiian Airlines has announced it will resume flights to and from Hilo and operate two additional flights between Honolulu and Hilo after several flights were canceled due to Hone. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Impending Legislature leadership change could do same for Kakaako landscape. Kakaako will have a new state House representative in January and new potential for residential high-rise development on poorly utilized land makai of Ala Moana Boulevard owned by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Star-Advertiser.

New Year’s Day shooting drives rise in attempts to harm police. There have been 21 cases of first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement officer on Oahu so far this year compared to only three last year, according to the Honolulu Police Department’s data dashboard. Star-Advertiser.

Over 500 firearms collected at Oahu gun buyback event. Officials say they collected more than 500 firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition at the buyback at Aloha Stadium’s lower parking lot on Saturday. The guns and ammo were swapped for $100 and $200 dollar gift cards to Foodland. Hawaii News Now.

Many East Honolulu communities are at high fire risk. Due to its high density, topography and frequent human-­caused ignitions, East Honolulu is considered at moderate to high risk of wildfire, according to the recently published East Honolulu Community Wildfire Protection Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hurricane Hone brings heavy rain but no major damage. Hurricane Hone passed within 60 miles of Hawaii Island early Sunday, bringing heavy rain, knocking out power to thousands of customers and snapping native ohia trees like twigs. New York Times.

2 Big Island schools closed Monday due to hazardous road conditions. Ka‘u High & Paaala Elementary School and Na‘alehu Elementary School will be closed to students and staff Monday due to hazardous road conditions. Highway 11 has been shut down by emergency crews, making both campuses inaccessible to families and staff. Star-Advertiser.

Aquarium fishing proposal stalls: DAR seeks to start permit process for commercial fishers. At Friday’s meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the state Division of Aquatic Resources submitted a request to establish a process to grant permits to commercial aquarium fishers to operate in West Hawaii, something that hasn’t been allowed since 2017. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Faces $1.2 Billion In Unmet Needs For Wildfire Recovery Efforts. No specifics have been released, but the amount would help pay for costs that FEMA isn't authorized to cover. Civil Beat.

This Buddhist Temple Is Collapsing Into The Sea Off Maui. With nearby graves already swallowed by the ocean, sea level rise and coastal erosion are now threatening to destroy an iconic Zen mission and cemetery. Civil Beat.

Hotels on Maui woo back leisure travelers. While many Maui hotels, especially in West Maui, are transitioning back to a leisure travel and group business focus, the transition is more involved for the Royal Lahaina resort, which was all in until its contractual obligations ended at the end of June. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Lane closure scheduled on Kaua‘i highway to replace 3 culverts. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will be closing a single lane on Kaumualiʻi Highway (Route 50) in the vicinity of Kīkīaola Boat Harbor next week to allow crews to permanently replace three 54-inch culverts. Kauai Now.

The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency’s Section 8 office will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Sept. 4, to accommodate a staff training. Normal operation and hours will resume from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m., that day. Kauai Now.

New teacher apprentice program strives to address shortage, HPD officers who handcuffed 10-year-old could face excessive force lawsuits, Lahaina after-action report vendor disqualified, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Latest Effort To Recruit Teachers: Put Prospective Educators In Classrooms Sooner. A new apprenticeship program would provide financial support for future educators and remove some of the barriers to obtaining a teacher's license. Civil Beat.

NATO protection for Hawaii is not clear-cut. A senior State Department official said the agency believes that U.S. allies likely would respond if Hawaii was attacked, but that any chance of explicitly amending the treaty to include it or other U.S. Pacific territories is not likely. Star-Advertiser.

COVID activity in Hawaii has peaked, but is still at high levels. The state Department of Health on Wednesday reported a statewide average positivity rate of 16.3%, up from 14.7% the previous week. The positivity rate — the percentage of all reported tests that are positive — was at 16.1% two weeks ago. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Bill protection is ending for HECO's Shift and Save program. Utilities charge higher rates for electricity during the evening and overnight, and lower rates during the day. For the first six months of the program, HECO placed a $10 cap on any increases in enrolled customers' electricity bills, which insulated participants as they adjusted to the new rate structure. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOE employees can donate sick leave to Maui wildfire impacted teachers. Hawaii Department of Education teachers across the islands can now share up to 10 sick days with other salaried D.O.E. employees impacted by the Maui wildfires. KITV4.

Oahu

More tiny home ‘kauhale’ to open across Oahu. A flatbed truck on Wednesday carried two more newly built 100-square-foot tiny homes to a new “kauhale” going up at Kalihi’s Cedar Church as the state, counties and a hui of builders and developers work together to create more communities for low-income and homeless people on Oahu by the end of the year. Star-Advertiser.

HPD Officers Who Handcuffed 10-Year-Old Can Be Sued For Using Excessive Force, Judges Rule. Judges in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rule three Honolulu police officers who arrested an elementary school student in 2020 are not entitled to qualified immunity on an excessive force claim. Civil Beat.

After years of waiting, Waianae coast residents may get their highway bypass next year. Paakea Road in the Maili area is part of the emergency access route for the Waianae Coast. However, parts of it are sealed off by rarely opened gates. Hawaii News Now.

HPD launches internal review of escapee incident at Kapolei Police Station. Law Enforcement sources say David Montoya scaled a 15-foot security fence and a retaining wall Sunday morning. This was after an employee unlocked a secured door for the 31-year-old because they thought he was an officer. Hawaii News Now.

Financial help for struggling rail businesses still months away. The City’s Rail Transit Mitigation Fund went into effect at the beginning of the month, but it will still take some time for businesses to see the money. KHON2.

Opossum captured in Downtown Honolulu. The animal was found near S. King Street and Alakea Street just after 7 a.m. So far it is unknown where the animal originated. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Police commissioner sues HPD and assistant chief.  The complaint alleges Assistant Chief Kenneth Quiocho violated Police Commissioner Anthony Sur's right to privacy by disclosing to the county Board of Ethics in a 2023 complaint against Sur that he carries a concealed firearm.  Tribune-Herald.

Kamehameha Schools Faces Pushback On Plan To Build ‘Low-Impact’ Resort On Big Island. Hawaii’s largest private landowner is asking the public to weigh in on its proposal to build 150 units of bungalow-style lodging at Keauhou Bay, about six miles south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island’s leeward coast. Civil Beat.

High Bacteria Advisory Posted For Richardson Ocean Center In Keaukaha. Health officials say enterococci levels of 364 per 100 mL have been detected at Richardson Ocean Center during routine beach monitoring. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Vendor disqualification delays Maui fire report. The lone vendor selected to perform an after-action report of the Maui Emergency Management Agency’s response to the fatal Aug. 8 fires that killed 102 people and destroyed the heart of historic Lahaina town is non-compliant with state policies and unable to perform the work. Star-Advertiser.

Maui County considering 2 proposals that could impact Lahaina rebuilding. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is proposing to allow destroyed buildings in Lahaina to be rebuilt, even if they don’t meet current zoning rules. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina wildfire final debris site hits snag. U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Mansfield denied a motion by Maui County to immediately use 20 acres of privately owned property in Central Maui to expand the county’s adjacent landfill to accommodate fire waste and municipal refuse in advance of a trial to condemn the site and pay the owner a fair value. Star-Advertiser.

EPA completes drinking water and wastewater mission in Lahaina. The US Environmental Protection Agency recently completed its Drinking Water and Wastewater mission in Lahaina as part of a multi-agency emergency response to the 2023 Maui wildfires. Maui Now.

This Lahaina Family Finally Finds A House To Call Home — At Least For A While. In the span of a week, the Dadez family moved from a resort condo to a pair of studio hotel rooms and then, finally, into a five-bedroom home in Napili. Civil Beat.

Scouting America, Aloha Council receives funding to replace cabins at Camp Maluhia. Whittier Trust has donated $100,000 to the Scouting America, Aloha Council to replace five Pop Hutton cabins at Camp Maluhia. Maui Now.

Kauai

Median home price on Kaua‘i highest of four major islands in first half of year. The median price of a single-family home jumped nearly 29 percent on the back of stronger sales in the first half of the year, in turn making Kaua‘i the most expensive housing market of the four major islands in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Water conservation request continues for customers in ‘Ōmao and Kōloa. Kaua‘i County’s Department of Water reminds customers located in ‘Ōmao and Kōloa to continue water conservation efforts until further notice. Kauai Now.

$120M undersea fiber cable to connect islands, government employees push to telework, Green introduces almost 340 bills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii undersea fiber cable to connect islands. State officials Thursday announced a $120 million project to build a submarine optical fiber cable system that will connect the Hawaiian Islands and expand high-speed broadband internet access. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. Big Island Now.

Almost 340 bills are introduced to Hawaii lawmakers by the governor. Gov. Josh Green has given state lawmakers a lot to contemplate with a package of proposed legislation comprising close to 340 bills. Star-Advertiser.

Government workers union urges senators to support teleworking for state employees. Given the state's high worker vacancy rate, the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association is urging lawmakers to better support teleworking for government employees. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers are ensuring all Hawaii public schools have working fire alarms. A report said Hawaii's public schools still have a backlog of work to address when it comes to fire safety. KITV4.

Senate committee defers bill requiring police to undergo racial and implicit bias training. A Senate committee on Wednesday deferred a measure that would have required police commissions to create programs on cultural competency, implicit bias, and racial and ethnic sensitivity. Hawaii Public Radio.

New bill would create go-between position for HOAs, Hawaii residents. Ensuring homeowners associations are being fair to their residents is the goal of a new proposal in the State Legislature that would create a government position as a go-between for HOAs and concerned tenants. KHON2.

New bill would make the ‘shaka’ an official state gesture. The story of aloha starts with a shaka! A newly introduced bill is looking to make the shaka an official state gesture. KHON2.

Air travelers in Hawaiʻi advised of potential flight delays due to military exercise. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation advises air travelers of potential flight delays due to the Sentry Aloha fighter exercise that is being hosted by the Hawai‘i Air National Guard through the end of January. Maui Now.

ACLU of Hawaiʻi names Salmah Rizvi as next executive director. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi has selected Salmah Rizvi to replace outgoing Executive Director Scott Greenwood. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Alaska Judge Will Take Over Kaneshiro Bribery Case. An experienced federal judge in Alaska will temporarily preside over a high-profile Honolulu corruption case after a local judge recused himself from the matter this week.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

HPD ‘failing’ to communicate with public, mayor says. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi “could not be anymore dissatisfied” with what he called the Honolulu Police Department’s “failing” communication efforts, saying officers don’t get to make up their own rules about what the public needs to know. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Man With Knife Fatally Shot By HPD Officer In Waianae.  A man who police say was brandishing a knife and walking in the middle of Farrington Highway on Thursday was shot and killed by police in the second fatal officer-involved shooting so far this year. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

What do Oʻahu's latest power outages mean for grid reliability?  One week into the New Year, Hawaiian Electric had to cut power to Oʻahu customers because it didn't have enough electricity to meet the demand. It was the first power shortfall event on Oʻahu since 2015. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Council urges more action from the city to fight invasive species. Oʻahu lawmakers want more to be done about invasive species, and they say the city needs to play a bigger role. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Queen’s command center is unveiled. The Aukahi Command Center is a centralized hub offering real-time data on the location and number of admitted patients, beds occupied per unit and estimated time of discharges and transfers at Queen’s facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Proposed short-term rental rules on Big Island met with overwhelming opposition. Proposed changes to regulations for short-term rentals on the Big Island, those of 180 days or less also called transient accommodation rentals, sparked about four hours of impassioned testimony during a meeting Tuesday of the Hawai‘i County Council Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Development. Big Island Now.

Maui

The Army Corps Is Ready To Clean Up The Lahaina Burn Zone. But It Needs Permission From Property Owners. Most of the commercial businesses have yet to submit a right-of-entry application to the county, and hundreds of forms turned in by residents were incomplete. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Is Replacing Wood Poles Lost In August Fires With Steel. The community wants more changes to make the grid safer, such as burying lines underground. Civil Beat.

Salvage Operations Planned For Pair Of Vessels Aground Off Maui. A former Navy vessel released an oily sheen into the water while a passenger ferry apparently missed channel markers and ended up stuck. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i is helping choose the next leader of its only college; meet the first two candidates. Thursday saw candidates Mark Lausch and Margaret Sanchez – who has served as interim chancellor of Kaua‘i Community College since January 2023 – field questions from faculty, staff, students and community members at back-to-back meetings held in the Kaua‘i campus Fine Arts Auditorium. Kauai Now.

Housing market ends year on bright note. A rough housing cycle ended on a bright note, as transactions for single-family residences popped in the final month of the year on the island of Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Subdued lawmakers open grim legislative session, charter school students lagging on test scores, police brutality lawsuit filed against Honolulu force, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Lawmakers Face ‘Urgent Decisions’ As Maui And Housing Woes Loom Over New Session. The House and Senate will also tackle short-term vacation rentals and hiring problems in what promises to be a difficult year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Associated Press. KITV4.

House Speaker Saiki comes into 2024 legislative session with commitment to center Hawai‘i. During the State Legislature’s opening day at the capitol, House Speaker Scott K. Saiki told fellow state representatives during the chamber’s 2024 opening session that the shockwaves from the Maui disaster have not yet subsided. Big Island Now.

Senate president on opening day of 2024 Hawai‘i Legislative Session: ‘Let’s go and fiercely tackle the problems ahead of us’.  Hawai’i state Senate President Ronald Kouchi opened the chamber’s 2024 session Wednesday with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was celebrated throughout the nation Monday. Big Island Now.

Community gathers at Capitol to advocate for its causes. Hundreds of people from all over the state gathered at the state Capitol on Wednesday for the opening day of the 2024 legislative session to advocate for issues, including increasing funds for Hawaiian immersion schools, paid family leave, better overall health care and improving the lives of unionized workers across the state. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii U.S. senators offer bill to aid evacuation route planning. With August’s wildfire disaster in Lahaina in mind, Hawaii’s U.S. senators joined a pair of Senate colleagues Wednesday to introduce legislation that seeks to develop transportation guidelines for state and local governments to improve emergency evacuations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii attorney general calls for ban on menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars.  Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez has joined a multistate coalition urging the Biden administration to move forward on its ban of menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Star-Advertiser.

Gun Violence Remains A Consistent Problem In Hawaii. The number of deaths involving law enforcement in Hawaii was higher than in 2022. Civil Beat.

Hawaii charter schools lagging on tests. Test score data suggests that students in Hawaii’s 37 public charter schools as a group are lagging markedly behind regular public school students statewide in core subjects, and that has led some state lawmakers to demand stronger accountability and standards from charter school officials. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Father, son file police brutality lawsuit against HPD.  A man initially identified by police as a possible suspect in the New Year’s Day pursuit and shootouts sued the city Tuesday alleging officers hit him with a car before beating him. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

‘A serious matter’: HPD admits to $575,000 mistake in e-ticketing contract.  The Honolulu Police Department violated rules by working with a vendor after the contract expired — and the services have racked up a bill more than half a million dollars. Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaii teacher sentenced to 17 years behind bars for producing child porn. Prosecutors said former Pearl City High School substitute teacher Alden Bunag, 35, was working as a middle school teacher from 2017 to 2018 when he taped repeated sexual activity with a 13-year-old student in a classroom and sent it to others. Hawaii News Now.

Advocates Push For Implementation Of New Management System For Kaena Point. The Waianae community also wants more efforts to restore Makua Beach and Keawaula Beach to their former glory. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

NELHA contributes millions to Hawaii’s economy. Businesses at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority and the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park at Keahole Point contributed over $90 million to Hawaii’s economy in 2022, according to a University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization analysis. West Hawaii Today.

Cafe 100 site no longer for sale. Hilo’s historic “Home of the Loco Moco” will continue dishing up its signature local delicacy — as well as the rest of its plate-lunch-style menu. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

90 members gather as part of the new Maui Economic Recovery Commission. The Maui ERC was formed in response to the wildfires that devastated Lahaina and Kula and is led by co-chairs James Kunane Tokioka, director of the state of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director, and Luana Mahi, director of the County of Maui Office of Economic Development.  Maui Now.

County of Maui opens first floor of the Wailuku Garage. The County of Maui announced the first floor of the Wailuku Garage opened to the public Tuesday, with a two-hour parking time limit between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Maui News.

Kauai

Anaina Hou Community Park wants to build disaster-proof domes; learn more Friday.  What if – alongside its established entertainment facilities – Anaina Hou constructed three, two-story “disaster-proof” domes known as the Kaua‘i Resilience Center, for use as a community resource and shelter? Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau leader promoted to statewide position. Longtime executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, Sue Kanoho, has been promoted to managing director of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau’s island chapters throughout the state. Kauai Now.

Ige administration reluctant to turn over public records, Honolulu shootout injures two police officers, judge denies Honolulu plan to lengthen vacation rental stays, Lassner uninjured after flipping car, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A Cautionary Tale For Preserving Hawaii History In A Digital Age. The state archivist had to go to great lengths to obtain all records from ex-Gov. David Ige's administration after a staffer initially refused to share some. Civil Beat.

Host of new laws in effect with the new year.  New laws taking effect Monday include an increase in the state minimum wage to $14 an hour, gender-neutral language for birth and marriage certificates, and a requirement that Hawaii law enforcement agencies establish minimum standards for the use of force. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOE Faces Roadblocks, Delays In Spending $2 Billion For School Facilities. Capital Improvement Program funding for schools has increased in recent years, but the department's spending has been unable to keep pace. Civil Beat.

UH President David Lassner uninjured in early-morning crash. University of Hawaii President David Lassner is unscathed after bystanders helped him from his overturned car after a “minor collision” in Kapahulu early Monday morning, UH officials said. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Economists To Lawmakers: Help Diversify Beyond Tourism. A prominent Hawaii business executive and economist have a request for policymakers before a legislative session destined to be dominated by issues involving land use, water rights and the rebuilding of Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Rentals ruled exempt from 90-day change. A U.S. District Court judge has issued a summary judgement granting the Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental Alliance a permanent injunction that carves existing home rental owners out of a provision in a city law that sought to increase the minimum rental period for residential properties on Oahu to 90 days from 30 days. Star-Advertiser.

2 Honolulu police officers shot, gunman dead after chase. An attempted-murder suspect was killed in a shootout with Honolulu police officers, two of whom were shot, ending an hours-long, islandwide manhunt and chase on New Year’s Day. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Firework-related emergencies keep Honolulu first responders busy. Honolulu Fire Department responded to 23 New Year’s fireworks-related incidents across Oahu that injured multiple people, including children, and caused structure and brush fires, a significant increase from last year’s holiday. Star-Advertiser.

Plea Deal By Miske’s Ex-Business Partner Leaves Only 3 Defendants In Upcoming Trial. A last-minute guilty plea by a former business partner of accused racketeering boss Michael Miske Jr.’s means the upcoming trial of the former Honolulu business owner and his remaining co-defendants will be strictly a family affair. Civil Beat.

Fines Pile Up Over ATV Tours And Horseback Rides On North Shore Ag Land. A popular North Shore business accused of illegally offering horseback rides and ATV tours is resisting orders from the county to shut down.  Star-Advertiser.

Falls of Clyde delisted from historic register. The 145-year-old Falls of Clyde, which has been docked for years at Honolulu Harbor, has been delisted from the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. Star-Advertiser.

Group plans to appeal judge’s Haiku Stairs demolition ruling. The group Friends of Haiku Stairs expects to carry its legal fight to save 4,000 feet of steel steps built on a sheer ridgeline above Kaneohe into the new year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Checkpoint screening machines at Hilo International Airport are down; repairs underway. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation advises those flying out of Hilo International Airport to arrive at least two hours early as there have been issues with the checkpoint screening machines. Big Island Now.

Waimea Town Hall Set For January 4th, New Leadership Announced. The next Waimea Town Meeting will introduce new Community Association leadership, and discuss the upcoming "challenging" 2024 legislative session.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Firefighter to lead Maui Emergency Management Agency. Amos Lonokailua-Hewett will take over the agency with 25 years of service with the Maui Fire Department before retiring in 2019 as a battalion chief, the county said in a news release. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Fire Department responds to multiple brush fires and 7 rubbish bin fires during New Year’s holiday. During the period from 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 (New Year’s Eve) to 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 (New Year’s Day), the Maui County Fire Department responded to brush fires in Haʻikū, Kula, Makawao, Wailuku, two in Kīhei and one on Molokaʻi.  Maui Now.

Government proposals worry Maui short-term rental owners. Finding housing for survivors has emerged as a top priority in the wake of the devastating Maui wildfires, but many fear that proposals coming forth to convert vacation rental units will jeopardize some businesses still struggling to stay afloat after the pandemic and since Lahaina’s destruction. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Coco Palms Resort site of some worker activity as year ends. Construction workers were seen working on the property of the former Coco Palms Resort on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, following multiple statements from the developer that demolition for the site’s rebuild would start by the end of the year. Garden Island.

School facilities official out amid construction backlog controversy, superintendent pay raise deferred, Land Board to mull new ocean stewardship fee today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Official Overseeing Hawaii School Facilities Is Out Amid Funding Controversy. Assistant Superintendent Randall Tanaka’s departure follows the department’s controversial plan to lapse $465 million in capital improvement projects that would have supported improvements ranging from new classrooms to play structures on school campuses. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Decision deferred on $10K pay raise for schools superintendent. A proposal to raise the salary of state schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi by $10,000, to $250,000, was held back in a state Board of Education committee Thursday, but a separate proposal to expand the criteria used to evaluate him was amended and approved. Star-Advertiser.

Regents to revise plan in UH president search. Following nearly six hours of board debate and public testimony at a University of Hawaii Board of Regents meeting Thursday, the regents voted to make significant changes to a proposed plan for finding the next UH president, to make it more transparent and include more stakeholders’ input. Star-Advertiser.

New Rules For Ocean Users, Taking Certain Fish Go To Hawaiʻi Board. A new rule on ocean stewardship user fees, and amendments for the sustainable harvest of important reef fish, go to the BLNR on Friday. Big Island Video News.

 Study documents harm to coral reefs from overfishing. Aquatic biologists have long known the importance of algae-eating fish to the overall health of coral reefs. But new research documents just how important species like surgeonfish and parrotfish are to Hawaii’s coral reefs. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor survivors reflect on anniversary of day of infamy. At the age of 102, Harry Chandler returned to Pearl Harbor for the first time since he survived the infamous surprise attack on the base on Dec. 7, 1941. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Hōkūleʻa is back in Hawaiʻi to train the next generation of navigators. Over the last six months, Hōkūleʻa traveled more than 2,800 miles and visited 45 communities from Juneau, Alaska, to Long Beach, California, as part of the Moananuiākea Voyage. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council passes bill to address the City’s 2,000+ position vacancies. The Honolulu City Council passed a bill Wednesday addressing hiring deficiencies in the City and County of Honolulu, which has more than 2,000 position vacancies. Maui Now.

Hawaii Lobbyist Pleads Guilty To Illegal Drug Possession At Vet Clinic. The politically connected former president of an Oahu veterinary clinic has admitted she improperly obtained drugs for animals using the credentials of an unknowing veterinarian who no longer worked there.  Civil Beat.

Kualoa Ranch considers having Haiku Stairs on its property. The Friends of Haiku Stairs, the group attempting to block the city’s demolition of the once legally accessible steel steps built along a sheer ridgeline above Kaneohe, isn’t the only entity interested in the Windward Oahu landmark. Star-Advertiser.

HPD corporal placed on restricted duty, had police powers removed after crash that seriously injured motorcyclist. Body camera footage HPD didn’t want the public to see captured the actions of an off-duty HPD corporal shortly after a crash records show he caused. Vasai Isala Jr. recently slammed his subsidized vehicle into the back of a motorcyclist, seriously injuring the rider. Hawaii News Now.

Despite previous settlement, city tries to deny liability in near-fatal crash involving 4 officers. Four Honolulu police officers charged criminally for a crash that critically or seriously injured six people were acting outside the scope of their duties. That’s according to the city, which does not want to be held liable for the alleged actions. Hawaii News Now.

2 HPD Officers Disciplined For Working An Unauthorized Side Job On The Clock. Sgt. Jefferey Pohaku and Cpl. Mark Montez provided security in uniform for a company in 2018 and 2019 without prior permission from the police department. Civil Beat.

1 Million Sea Urchins Have Now Been Deployed To Eat Kaneohe’s Invasive Seaweeds. Officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources, which houses the Anuenue Fisheries Research Center where the urchin are grown, notes a measured decrease in invasive seaweeds on every reef that has been stocked with lab-reared urchins. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

New law streamlines building permit process. The law, which began life as Bill 84, amends and streamlines parts of the County Code regarding the issuance of building permits and permit extensions, standardizing the time it takes to receive them. Tribune-Herald.

Kona low system provided some drought relief, but dry conditions expected to persist. The Kona low system that swept over the state at the end of November gave Big Islanders, especially those using water catchment systems, a welcome respite from the drought. Tribune-Herald.

Renewable energy project in the works. A community meeting was held Wednesday to provide updates about the Kalaoa Solar Project, a proposed 40-acre renewable energy facility on state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property in Kalaoa. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

November’s Kona low brought flash flooding, some relief to drought conditions on Maui. On Maui, the National Weather Service’s latest precipitation summaries found that the US Geological Survey’s rain gage at West Wailuaiki Stream had the highest monthly total of 23.89 inches (120% of average), and the highest daily total of 9.83 inches on Nov. 30.  Maui Now.

Department of Health: Maui air monitoring in November shows good quality in wildfire-impacted areas. Air monitoring and sampling conducted in wildfire-impacted areas of Maui between Nov. 8 and 15, 2023, shows good air quality, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. Maui Now.

Kauai

Proposal to rebuild Coco Palms Resort on Kauai remains an issue for residents. State Board of Land and Natural Resources will review a permit application to develop a resort in Wailua where it once stood. KITV4.

Passenger count plunges at Lihu‘e Airport in November. The number of people getting off domestic passenger flights at Lihu‘e Airport dropped below 60,000 in November, marking the second lowest total for any month this year. Garden Island.

GoFarm Hawai‘i returning; free participation to applicants referred by employers. GoFarm Hawai‘i will offer free participation to applicants recommended by employers in agriculture, food systems, or farm-to-table. Kauai Now.

Raises, positions added at top of school bureaucracy, North Korea satellite reported spying on Hawaii, Ala Wai flood plan hits $1B, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Top Leadership Of Hawaii School System Continues To Grow — And So Does Their Pay. Student enrollment numbers continue to fall even as the number of superintendents gets larger. Civil Beat.

North Korea has a satellite spying on Hawaii and Guam. A security expert explains why we should care. Last week, North Korea released photos of leader Kim Jung Un looking at photos of Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force Base and military bases on Guam it claims were taken by the satellite. Hawaii News Now.

New CEO at OHA Explains Why She Took the Job and Her Goals for Serving the Native Hawaiian Lāhui. Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira joined the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Nov. 1 after serving as budget chief for the state Senate and in several roles at Kamehameha Schools. Hawaii Business Magazine.

State Legislature working group tackles wildfire prevention in Hawaiʻi. The working group will digest all the testimony and issue a final report on Dec. 15, in time to draft legislation for the upcoming 2024 legislative session that starts Jan. 17.  Big Island Now.

Former State Sen. Whitney Anderson Dead At 91. He served in the Hawaii Legislature for 20 years. Whitney Anderson, who was the Hawaii Senate Minority Leader from 1997 until 2000, died Saturday in Waimanalo. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Training And Staffing Issues Surround Death Of A Nurse At Hawaii State Hospital. The killing of Justin Bautista, a licensed practical nurse at the Hawaii State Hospital, has raised questions as to what exactly was expected of him in a typically lower-skilled role he had held for four years. Civil Beat.

Commentary: A Baby's 'Bizarre' Death Exposes Hawaii’s Penchant For Secrecy In Child Welfare Cases. It took extensive digging and luck to find the kind of information about the unpublicized case that's readily available on other states' websites and is crucial to improving the child welfare system. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Water Board to vote on rate hike of over 50%. If adopted by the agency’s board of directors, a new 5-1/2-year water rate schedule will see higher rates phased in, with the first 10% increase kicking in Feb. 1 and the next 10% hike to occur July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Latest plan for Ala Wai flood control reaches $1B.  The Army Corps of Engineers and the city have unveiled the latest proposal to protect Waikiki and neighboring communities against a potential flooding disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Navy working to speed up upgrades at Pearl Harbor sewage plant. The Navy is ramping up efforts to complete upgrades to its troubled wastewater plant at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-­Hickam as the facility ages. Star-Advertiser.

Flight data recorder recovered from Navy plane in Kaneohe Bay. The flight data recorder of a large U.S. Navy plane that overshot a runway and ended up in the water near Honolulu this week has been recovered as the military continues to plan for the aircraft’s removal. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Navy plane still resting in shoal of Kaneohe Bay.  The Navy war plane that slid off a runway at Marine Corps Base Hawaii a week ago while trying to land in rainy weather continues to rest in shallow water about 100 feet off the runway, with at least two points of the 42-foot-high P-8A sitting on coral reef. Star-Advertiser.

The Miske Files: When Two Cops Refused To Let A Blown-Off Traffic Stop Slide. Documents in the federal case against Mike Miske alleging murder and organized crime activities tell the story of how two Honolulu police officers got caught up in what would turn out to be a much bigger case. Civil Beat.

HPD looks to recruit more women to bolster staffing. There are 240 women serving the city as police officers, about 13% of the department’s more than 1,800 officers, up from 212, or about 12%, in 2015.  Star-Advertiser.

Close encounter between police ATV and kids on beach raises questions about training, resources. There are growing concerns about training for HPD officers after a close encounter on a North Shore beach involving children and officers patrolling on ATVs. Amid a shortage of officers, the recent incident on Oahu’s North Shore is also prompting questions about how resources are being used. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County measure would allocate $17M to affordable housing projects. Under a bill currently pending discussion by the County Council, $17.3 million will be distributed via the county’s newly formed Affordable Housing Production Program between a series of projects in East and West Hawaii to create 1,176 new affordable housing units. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Aquarium fishing ban sought: Groups urge DLNR to draft new rules.  Big Island environmental groups hope to end the commercial aquarium fishing industry in Hawaii once and for all next month. Tribune-Herald.

National Park Units Seek Public Input On Draft Accessibility Plans. Draft Accessibility Plans are in the works for Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historical Site. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Council committee to discuss new procurement process for emergency-medical services. Council member Shane M. Sinenci announced that the Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee will receive a presentation from the state Department of Health Monday at 9 a.m. on the new procurement process for emergency-medical services in Maui County. Maui Now.

Deadline approaching for Maui wildfire victims. The deadline for people and businesses affected by the deadly Aug. 8 Maui wildfires to apply for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration is Dec. 11. Star-Advertiser.

Deadline for Maui County Agriculture Micro Grant nears, Nov. 30. Maui Economic Opportunity reminds small farmers and ranchers that the application deadline for the Maui County Agricultural Micro Grant Program 4.0, which offers up to $25,000 in grants, is about a week away.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i-born Hawaiian monk seal returned to Garden Isle waters after 5 months in Kona mammal hospital. A 7-year-old female Hawaiian monk seal was returned to its home in Kaua‘i waters after five months of treatment at the Kona mammal hospital for kidney stones, possible pneumonia and a fractured canine tooth that had become infected. Kauai Now.

Ige critiques new leadership, hotel prices highest in the nation, HPD officer with 30 TROs released by judge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former governor offers rare opinions in online interview. Six months into private citizenship after being Hawaii’s chief executive for eight years and an elected official for almost four decades, former Gov. David Ige was uncharacteristically frank during an online interview Monday while discussing political changes that have occurred since he left office. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.

Green Appoints Hannemann To Hawaii Tourism Authority. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green made a flurry of Friday afternoon appointments, including naming a prominent figure to a controversial agency. Mufi Hannemann, a former Honolulu City Council member and mayor who several times ran unsuccessfully for higher office, has been named a board member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

State probe finds unauthorized access of governor’s information.  A Maui defense attorney was not authorized to access and acquire the personal information from four parking tickets paid for by Gov. Josh Green that were accessed through a system used by about 1,500 criminal justice personnel, a state investigation found. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotel prices top nation during first half of 2023.  Hawaii hotels led U.S. markets with the nation’s highest average daily room rate of $380 and revenue per available room, or RevPAR, of $285 in the first six months of this year, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report recently published by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

More electric car chargers needed to meet demand. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure state plan said a minimum of 2,200 public charging ports are needed to meet charging demand by 2045. The state currently has more than 800. KHON2.

Former Hawaii AG Earl Anzai Dies At 81. Anzai, whose roles included a clerk in the 1976 State Constitutional Convention, the chief clerk of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, a staff attorney at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the director of finance and state attorney general, died Sunday. He was 81. Civil Beat.

Returned ring of 442nd hero from Hawaii unites 2 families.  When Sebastien Roure found an old mud-caked ring near his village in France two years ago, he couldn’t have guessed it would lead to a Hawaii family being reunited with a lost family heirloom or that he would forge an international friendship that would bring him and his own family to the islands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu

Here's how Joint Task Force Red Hill patrollers train for defueling.  When defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility begins, a two-person team will patrol around the facility looking out for fires, leaks and other emergencies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Government seeks mental exams of young plaintiffs suing over tainted water illnesses. The families claim long-term illnesses from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel spills in 2021, which tainted the tap water and sickened thousands of people. Hawaii News Now.

Partially Treated Wastewater Discharged Near Pearl Harbor. The wastewater treatment plant at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam released approximately 9,500 gallons of partially treated wastewater into Mamala Bay after a failure in the four-step treatment process, the military said Monday. Civil Beat.

Judge releases HPD officer after multiple TRO violations. A judge released Honolulu police officer Ernest-Siosi Aliksa on his own recognizance on Monday after he appeared in court for more than thirty TRO violations in four separate cases. KITV4.

Fentanyl Users Are Becoming First Responders As ODs Surge.  Since October 2022, the harm reduction center has equipped the public and emergency agencies with 14,963 Narcan kits containing two 4-milligram nasal sprays — essentially 29,926 naloxone doses.  Civil Beat.

City unveils new online parks map.  The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has launched its latest online map showing the location of the city’s outdoor and indoor recreational and exercise facilities across 402 designated locations on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Why A Disabled Man Who Asked For Help Fixing The Sidewalk Instead Got A Violation. A wheelchair user who called on the city to fix a sidewalk outside his house was surprised when the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting instead issued him a notice of violation for his driveway.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council Member Augie Tulba: A 64% Pay Raise Is Absurd, And That’s No Joke. The City Council member who also works as a radio personality and stand-up comedian talks about balancing all those gigs.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

County council proposes larger property tax break for older kupuna. Kohala Councilwoman Cindy Evans will introduce at today’s County Council Finance Committee a measure that would expand the county’s homeowner tax exemption for homeowners 80 years old and over. Tribune-Herald.

‘The opposite of aloha’: Family of tourists claims attack on Hawaii Island was racially motivated. A Georgia family in Hawaii to fulfill a loved one’s dying wish says their dream vacation ended with an assault they claim was racially motivated.  Hawaii News Now.

Vacation rental prices soar. Vacation rental prices on the Big Island have increased by nearly 50% since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic despite a decline in occupancy rates. Tribune-Herald.

Fresh Water Has Still Not Been Restored At A Popular Big Island Beach.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources had targeted a short-term solution for Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area by Monday, but that didn’t happen. Now, due to design changes among other issues, the work is not expected to start until the end of September. Civil Beat.

Maui

60,000 juror questionnaires to be mailed to residents in Maui County. An estimated 60,000 juror questionnaires will soon be mailed to individuals in Maui County who have a Hawaiʻi state driver’s license and/or are registered to vote in Hawaiʻi.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Hawaii middle school principal ousted after mounting complaints over leadership. Dozens of parents, teachers and students rallied Monday morning outside Waimea Canyon Middle School to demand Principal Melissa Speetjens be removed ahead of the start of the school year. Hawaii News Now.

Wilcox Medical Center announces addition state-of-the-art CT scanner.  Wilcox Medical Center announced on Wednesday the addition of a new, state-of-the-art CT scanner that will provide quick and comprehensive imaging scans to more patients, including children. Kauai Now.