Push to ban aquarium harvesting pits islands against each other, Honolulu narrows police chief candidates to 6, Western Governors Association tours Maui, Waikoloa faces more housing, no evacuation route, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Political ‘Hot Potato’: Where Should Hawaiʻi Ban Aquarium Fishing? The House and Senate have to work out major differences if the bill is to pass in the next two weeks. The push to ban aquarium fishing in Hawaiʻi has advanced farther in the current legislative session than it has in years, clearing both the House and Senate, but it’s also been heavily watered down to get that far, conservation advocates say. Civil Beat.

RKF Jr. declares public health emergency for Hawaii in wake of storms. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed the declaration Tuesday to address the health impacts caused by the severe back-to-back storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred from March 10 to 24. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Pacific chief hopes for ‘consensus’ on Hawaii land leases. Adm. Samuel Paparo, who leads U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from Camp Smith on Oahu, testified Tuesday before the Senate Armed Serv­ices Committee on U.S. military posture and readiness in the region alongside Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. forces in South Korea. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers urge government agencies to improve communications during disasters. Representatives from county, state and federal agencies met with the House Committee on Public Safety to discuss their response to the recent Kona low storms, and ways they can improve. Hawaii Public Radio.

Energy experts debate what will lower costs as oil prices rise. A future for Hawaiʻi without oil is on the horizon. State law prohibits Hawaiʻi from using fossil fuels for power generation after 2045. In the meantime, policymakers and energy experts are looking for a way to reduce energy costs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Airlines hopes launch of new app eases ongoing check-in woes. Starting Wednesday, travelers are asked to check in online or on the new Alaska Hawaiian app, and they will not be allowed to check in at kiosks in airport departure lobbies. The machines will only print out bag tags. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

iShoppes takes over DFS airport retail sites with heavy focus on local brands. International Shoppes is rolling out the most locally focused retail program in its airport portfolio, with local vendors accounting for about 60% of its merchandise now offered at Honolulu and Kahului airports — the highest share at any airport it operates. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Police Commission narrows Honolulu chief candidates to 6 semifinalists. The names of the semi-finalists have not been released. The commission is expected to select finalists during a May 6 meeting, with those names to be announced afterward. Hawaii News Now.

Charter Commission Panel Recommends Big Changes To HPD Oversight. A commission subcommittee is pushing forward a major overhaul of the Honolulu Police Commission including how the chief is selected and misconduct investigated. Civil Beat.

Panel considers 4.7% pay raise for city officials. The Honolulu Salary Commission today is set to adopt a 4.7% pay increase for most of the city’s top elected and appointed officials, including the mayor, managing director and nine-member City Council. Star-Advertiser.

City proposes new landfill in West Oahu, drawing opposition from landowner and lawmakers. The city is proposing a new municipal landfill in the Makaiwa Hills overlooking Kapolei. The plan targets residential-zoned lands owned by Makaiwa LLC, an affiliate of the James Campbell Company. Hawaii News Now.

DOH: No elevated pesticides, heavy metals, found in floodwater samples. The Hawaii Department of Health on Tuesday said that no elevated levels of pesticides or heavy metals were detected in samples of post-storm floodwaters collected from Oahu’s North Shore. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Airport Has AI Theme Songs. The Internet Is Divided. The AI-generated tunes celebrating the islands are played hourly over the airport sound system. Some travelers think they misrepresent local culture. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

‘Not A Priority’: Frustrations Mount Over Missing Fire Evacuation Route. Hawai‘i County Council is weighing the mayor’s budget request to build more housing before finishing an evacuation route in Waikōloa. Civil Beat.

Kailua Village parking bill stalls again. A Hawaii County Council committee voted unanimously Tuesday to again postpone a controversial bill that would cap rates at privately owned parking lots in Kailua Village. Tribune-Herald.

8 neglected state-owned burial sites to be restored, including Mauna Ziona Cemetery in Kona. Hawaiʻi state officials will soon survey Mauna Ziona Cemetery in Kailua-Kona as part of a broader effort to restore eight neglected state-owned burial sites. Big Island Now.

Taking shape: Hilo Benioff Medical Center expansion makes progress. Among the new facilities are a new medical office building, expanded intensive and progressive care units, and a renovated family birthing center. Tribune-Herald.

‘We’re ready to go’: After 8 long years, lower Puna residents are eager to drive home. 71-year-old Deb Smith and her 72-year-old husband, Stan,  have been living at their 5-acre Kapoho Farm Lots property for over half a decade, coming and going via bicycle, hauling groceries, building materials and off-grid supplies over a treacherous, rocky 700-foot trail traversing mounds of black lava cinders at the border of the 2018 lava field. Tribune-Herald.

Maui 

Governor hosts WGA Policy Forum on disaster management; visits Ka Laʻi Ola in Lahaina, Maui. Gov. Josh Green is hosting colleagues at a Western Governor’ Association Policy Forum on disaster management and recovery, taking place on Maui this week. Maui Now.

Work to start on pedestrian bridge at ʻĪao Valley State Monument; Park closure continues since March storms. The DLNR Division of State Parks will begin critical upgrades to the pedestrian bridge crossing Wailuku River at ʻĪao Valley State Monument on April 27, 2026. The work will continue through June 26, 2026. Maui Now.

Lessons from the 2023 Lahaina wildfire continue to shape Hawaii’s disaster response. Nearly three years after the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires that killed 102 people and destroyed most of Lahaina, state leaders say Hawaii is making measurable progress in disaster preparedness and recovery, but also warn that entrenched systems, limited resources and a changing climate continue to test the pace of change. Star-Advertiser.

Residents displaced by Lahaina wildfire find a renewed sense of community. Michele Haia and Lehua I‘i often find themselves up until around 2 a.m., talking story long after most of Ka La‘i Ola has gone quiet. What began as a friendship before the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires deepened in the wake of displacement and loss — becoming something both women now describe as essential to healing. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Temporary Niumalu Bridge opens in Nāwiliwili, with replacement project planned for 2027. Traffic is once again flowing in Nāwiliwili after a key bridge reopened on Tuesday, but with a temporary twist. Kauai Now.

Taxes: Governor seeks $126M for 'Green fee' projects; lawmakers mull luxury home tax, new rental car fee to fund DHHL; private-sector construction workers want public-sector benefits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor Asks Lawmakers For $126M In Green Fee Projects. The source of all that extra cash is an increase in the state hotel room tax, from 9.25% to 10%, and a new levy on cruise ships. Some lawmakers are questioning the administration’s plan to fund the projects through a combination of the new fee and bonds. Civil Beat.

Higher Luxury Home Taxes? State Eyes New Ways To House Hawaiians. State lawmakers are introducing plans to create new and permanent sources of funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands including higher taxes on the sale of luxury homes as well as new taxes on rental cars.  Civil Beat.

‘Vienna model’ bill advances to limit rental housing fund surpluses to more housing. A state Senate committee has advanced a bill that uses the “Vienna Model” of housing in Austria, where limited-profit housing associations create a sustainable cycle of money available for future development. Maui Now.

Hawaii construction workers want state taxpayer support. Private-sector construction workers in Hawaii are seeking public financial benefits at the Legislature this year, including a paid holiday and retroactive hazard pay. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Sen. Michelle Kidani Says She’s Capable Of Handling Her Job. The 77-year-old lawmaker is trying to defuse concerns that she suffers from an illness that is affecting her performance. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Rep. Lauren Matsumoto on tax relief, housing bills, transparency. House Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto is pushing legislation to eliminate taxes on food and medical services as part of her cost-of-living agenda for the 2026 legislative session. Hawaii News Now.

Will Disaster Insurance Overhaul Increase Protections For Future Survivors? Other states impacted by similar disasters are reforming their insurance laws. Legislators here are teeing up bills to follow suit.  Civil Beat.

New study shows spending on medical cannabis, possible revenue from legal recreational use. According to the analysis by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, Hawaii’s 30,000 registered patients spent $5.3 million a month at legal dispensaries. Hawaii News Now.

State saw a hot, dry 2025, UH report finds. Last year was one of the driest and warmest on record in the state, with the temperature being above average each month and rainfall below average in all but one month, according to the Hawai‘i Annual Climate Report from University of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

2 HPD officers arrested, dozens disciplined in 2025. Officer Keone Kissinger, 32, was arrested in connection with two alleged domestic abuse cases. Officer Chad Fuller was arrested Sunday morning and is accused of driving under the influence after crashing into a guardrail on Farrington Highway. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii man sentenced to life for trying to assassinate Trump. Ryan Routh, the former Hawaii resident accused of hiding in the bushes of a Florida golf course with a semi-automatic rifle to try to assassinate Donald Trump less than two months before the 2024 U.S. election that returned him to the presidency, was sentenced by a judge Wednesday to life in prison. Routh was originally from North Carolina but lived in Laie for several years before the attempted assassination on Sept. 15, 2024. Reuters.

Bus routes expansions could lead to 24 hour availability for airports. During a testimony before the City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 4, Jon Nouchi, Department of Transportation Services Deputy Director, spoke about a new project in the works. KHON2.

TheBus, Skyline ‘combined’ ridership grows, city officials say. Since the more than $10 billion rail project opened its Segment 2 line past the airport in October 2025, the city Department of Transportation Services states TheBus’ rapid ridership routes — or express buses, which run to downtown Honolulu, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Waikiki — when included with the Skyline route from East Kapolei to the Kalihi Transit Center, currently average about 20,820 rides daily. Star-Advertiser.

Family complains about lack of toilet paper at Halawa Correctional Facility. Worried family members are complaining about no toilet paper at Halawa Correctional Facility (HCF). It’s unclear how widespread the issue is at the state’s largest prison, but advocates say it’s a basic hygiene right. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

UH report confirms 2025 was isle’s second-driest year on record. A study released Wednesday by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program found that Hawaii Island experienced its second-driest year in 106 years, with 2010 the only year that was drier. Tribune-Herald.

Water Restriction Notice Issued For South Kohala Due To Drought. The town of Waimea and its surrounding subdivisions must reduce water use by at least 25 percent. Big Island Video News.

Goodwill Hawai‘i relocating Hilo store, donation center to new campus. The new location at the campus, located at 17 Maka‘ala Street, offers a larger retail space, more parking and convenient donation drop-off point. Big Island Now.

Stuck in paradise: Non-native brown pelican spotted along Hawaiʻi Island’s south shore. A non-native brown pelican, nicknamed “Kiko,” was spotted Jan. 22 at Punaluʻu Beach, marking what appears to be the first modern record of a brown pelican arriving in Hawaiʻi. KITV4.

Maui

Humpback whale counts on Maui show stable numbers. Pacific Whale Foundation chief scientist Jens Currie said the numbers counted from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 31 at 11 sites totaled 694 compared to 700 last year. Maui News.

Investigation into illegal poaching on private ranch land in Haʻikū nets two arrests. The Maui Police Department arrested two individuals during a coordinated enforcement operation in response to multiple complaints from local ranchers regarding ongoing illegal night hunting activity in Haʻikū. Maui Now.

Maui boat tour operator pleads guilty to wire fraud, false statement. A Hawaii boat tour operator that crashed off Lanai in 2022, which sent five people overboard, pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to wire fraud and making a false statement to the U.S. Coast Guard. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Kauai

Grove Farm sells land to DHHL. The Grove Farm Company has sold 260 acres of land, situated in Lihue mauka of Isenberg Park, to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Garden Island.

One-on-one with Kauaʻi’s new police chief, Rudy Tai. New Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai’s interest in law enforcement began long ago in Pearl City, Oʻahu, where the mentorship and coaching of local cops inspired him to become a junior police officer at Highlands Elementary. He was just 12 years old. Kauai Now.

Mail-in voting, elections chief in commission crosshairs; Honolulu cop runs red light, hits moped; first detection of measles in state wastewater, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elections Commission Panel Calls For A Shakeup In How Hawaiʻi Votes. The subcommittee wants to end all-mail elections and fire Elections Chief Scott Nago, but it’s unclear whether it has the votes to do either. Civil Beat.

Tariffs tap the brakes on Hawaii auto sales, report shows.  Rising tariffs and trade policy uncertainty have shaken Hawaii’s auto market, contributing to a 3.3% drop in new car and light truck registrations in the state during the first half of 2025 compared to a year earlier, according to a recent report from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Council program seeks to lower energy costs for DHHL households. A new initiative from the Hawaiian Council — formerly the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement — wants to help local households reduce their energy costs, which are already some of the highest in the nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Oahu residents push for better tourism management. The overwhelming majority of Oahu community members attending a virtual community input session held Wednesday by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority as part of its tourism management planning efforts said the island’s top economic driver is negatively affecting their daily lives. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Offers $7,500 For Firefighters Covid Hazard Pay. They Want More. More than three years after the last pandemic emergency order, firefighters are still negotiating their hazard payments with the city. Civil Beat.

HPD: Officer runs red light, hits moped rider in Ala Moana area. A 25-year-old man was seriously injured after a Honolulu police officer collided with his moped at an intersection in the Ala Moana area, police said. Star-Advertiser.

 Ex-HPD officer gets 23 years in underage sex case. A former Honolulu police officer who used his ex­-girlfriend’s daughters to make child pornography and recruit underage prostitutes will spend 23 years in federal prison. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Man, 70, charged with arson in connection with Kunia wildfire. Antonio Vierra, 70, was charged on suspicion of second-degree arson in connection with a fire that sparked Aug. 23 near the area of Kunia Road and Leia Street. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Recent safety enhancements and current needs remain large focus after fireworks tragedy. Approaching September, local officials continue working on enhancing community safety. Preventing future fireworks disasters is among the largest priorities. KITV4.

City, state closer to condemning Wahiawa property known for illegal activity. A homeless man was killed Sunday after being attacked by a pack of dogs at an encampment in Wahiawa. Hawaii News Now.

UH Stan Sheriff Center gets updated name under Bank of Hawaiʻi deal. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s sports dome will now be known as Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shortage Of Swim Lessons Leaves Honolulu Parents Scrambling. Nonprofits are expanding efforts to reach more low-income kids, but a shortage of funding and pool space means not enough swim classes to meet the demand — even for families with money and time to spare. Civil Beat.

Struggling And Lost On Oʻahu’s Streets, Woman Says Yes To Help. A psychiatrist set out to find a 33-year-old Hilo woman who battles homelessness and addiction after a failed medical intervention. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Draft ordinance proposes special district for Pahoa town. Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz will introduce a draft ordinance that would establish a new Downtown Pahoa Commercial District, with goals to support economic development, preserve cultural heritage, and update land use regulations in the area. Tribune-Herald.

‘A hero to many’: Longtime Big Isle judge Greg Nakamura dies at 72. After serving as a clerk to retired Hilo Circuit Judge Ernest Kubota, Nakamura was a civil litigator before devoting nearly three decades to the bench. Tribune-Herald.

Measles detected in West Hawaii wastewater, health officials say. Health officials said in a news release today that the sample was collected Aug. 11 from a site in West Hawaii County and is the first wastewater detection of measles in the state. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. KITV4. 

Keāhole Ag Park Green Waste Fumigated For CRB. A multi-agency response to detections of coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) included the mass fumigation and removal of suspected breeding sites. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island mother stirs up discussion over long-standing classroom practice. A Hawaii Island mother is revisiting the debate over a long-standing practice in public school classrooms: the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Council postpones vote on Waiehu housing project after debate over public input. After a lengthy debate over process and public input, the Maui County Council delayed action Tuesday on a resolution that would grant exemptions and modifications to the Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua affordable housing project in Waiehu. Maui Now.

Kapalua golf courses to temporarily close to restore grass in attempt to save The Sentry tournament on Maui. Right now, the Maui golf course that hosts the PGA Tour’s prestigious season opener every January for the past 27 years is unplayable at the elite level. Severe water restrictions in West Maui have resulted in brown fairways and dying grass on the greens. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court rules against state land board in case involving seed research operations on Kauaʻi. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has ruled that the state Board of Land and Natural Resources must complete a full environmental assessment before allowing seed research operations to proceed on conservation land in Kekaha. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Wailua Marina back to normal after spill. Smith’s Kauai employees on Wednesday utilized a crane and scoop nets to remove vegetative debris contaminated with oil from an oil spill. Garden Island.

Hawaii dubbed worst state for retirement, Green signs bill for state's share of $4B Maui wildfire settlement, new fire marshal hits the ground running, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi's high price tag for retirees ranks it worst in the country. Retirement Living, a national platform for seniors planning to retire, ranked all 50 states for the best and worst places to retire in for 2025. Hawaiʻi ranked last. The platform judged each state’s affordability, quality of life and economic strength. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green signs Maui wildfire settlement legislation. The state marked another milestone in Lahaina’s recovery from the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire as Gov. Josh Green signed off Tuesday on the state’s share of a $4.037 billion settlement one month before the disaster’s two-year anniversary. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Maui Now. 

Federal funding pause puts Hawaii’s vulnerable students at risk. Hawaii public schools face deepening uncertainty as President Donald Trump’s administration withholds $33.29 million in congressionally appropriated education funds for the upcoming academic year, a move advocates and lawmakers warn could jeopardize after-school programs, teacher training and essential support services for thousands of the state’s most vulnerable students. Star-Advertiser.

Pacific Tuna Fleets Pushed To Lift Ban In Waters They Barely Fished. The vessels hardly spent any time right outside a marine protected area before its expansion, but fishing leaders and managers say times have changed. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s new fire marshal hits the ground running. Even before the bill signing officially establishing the job of state Fire Marshal, newly appointed Dori Booth was already on the job, standing with firefighters in Nanakuli and Maili. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu

HPD hires ‘first-ever’ communications director. Claudette Springer  will lead a new five-person communications team that will feature HPD Maj. Paul Okamoto as a uniformed spokesperson. Okamoto runs Honolulu Police Department's legislative liaison office. Star-Advertiser.

Who should have the authority to hire and fire Oʻahu's police chief?  After the announcement that Chief Joe Logan would retire at the end of June, the commission appointed Deputy Chief Rade Vanic to serve as the department’s interim chief, despite Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi publicly endorsing Hawaiʻi County Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz for the role. Hawaii Public Radio.

Koko Crater Stairs to remain closed until all bunkers sealed. The Koko Crater Stairs trail in Hawaii Kai remains closed three days after an 8-year-old boy fell down a shaft at one of the summit bunkers, suffering critical injuries. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

Haleiwa development under Council review. A proposed housing and commercial development in Haleiwa that’s received opposition from many nearby residents but support from local trade unions is expected to be under Honolulu City Council scrutiny today. Star-Advertiser.

Naulu Apartments opens in Aiea, offering 302 affordable units for local families. The Naulu Apartments, located next to Halawa View and across from Pearl Harbor, offers 302 brand-new units for low-income families earning between 30% and 60% of the area median income. Hawaii News Now.

Advance reservations temporarily suspended for USS Arizona Memorial tours. Starting Wednesday, the National Park Service is temporarily suspending 56-day advance reservations to the site due to ongoing preservation work. Hawaii News Now.

Dogs vs. Jogs: Neighbors Jostle For Space at Prized Oʻahu Park. Dog walkers complain that a group of young Chuukese runners isn’t sharing Makiki District Park. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lava returns; Episode 28 eruption begins at Kilauea. A new eruption started early this morning at Halemaʻumaʻu Crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Episode 28 of the ongoing volcanic activity began at 4:10 AM on July 9th, with lava fountains and flows coming from the north vent. KITV4.

Two invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle breeding sites found in W. Hawaii. Combined efforts on Hawaii Island have led to the deployment of nearly 400 traps and the treatment of 1,300 palm trees to prevent CRB damage. Public outreach in the Kona area continues. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department Gets Four More New Ambulances. The state-funded ambulances will be assigned to the Keaʻau, Pāhoa, Hawaiian Paradise Park, and Kailua Fire Stations. Big Island Video News.

June rain brings relief to portions of island. Most of the Big Island, including the windward side and interior sectors, remain abnormally dry or in drought with below-average rainfall totals for the month. However, the most leeward area of the island, the Kona-Kohala coastline, experienced enough rain to extricate it from a months-long drought. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

First 3 Maui housing programs under $1.6B federal recovery funding to launch next month. The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding is appropriated by Congress and allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to rebuild disaster-impacted areas with long-term recovery. Starting next month, wildfire survivors can begin applying for assistance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Sewer user fee increases in effect with start of new fiscal year. Maui County’s Department of Environmental Management’s Wastewater Reclamation Division is reminding customers it implemented a 9% rate hike for the new fiscal year that began July 1. Maui News. Maui Now. 

ʻŌhiʻa seeds from resilient trees may hold the key to stopping Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) was detected in three landscaped ʻōhiʻa trees in Central Maui in February. Maui Now.

Maui scientists use limu to track pollutants in coastal waters. Limu belongs to the algae family — but in terms of its role in the environment, it acts like a sponge and sucks up nutrients and chemicals from the surrounding waters. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County mayor proclaims July 2, 2025, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong Day for ‘Lilo & Stitch’ star. Agudong, born and raised on Kaua‘i, plays Nani, the older sister and guardian to the adorable and mischievous girl Lilo, who befriends a runaway alien. Kauai Now.

Entire Hawaii Tourism Authority board resigns amid shakeup, Honolulu Police Commission mulls procedure to pick new police chief, Maui vacation rental bill faces 3-week delay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Entire HTA board resigns amid calls for new leadership, direction. All 12 members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board have resigned.The members have been slowly conceding since the governor signed an HTA overhaul bill, Senate Bill 1571, last month, turning the board into an advisory committee. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

DOE Faces Big Funding Shortfall For School Repairs And Construction. Lawmakers are wary about giving the education department more money and control over construction funds after leaders have struggled to spend millions of dollars in recent years. Civil Beat.

Domestic Abuse Victims Need Attorneys. Few In Hawaiʻi Can Afford Them. Domestic violence advocates and attorneys say ongoing vacancies at the Domestic Violence Action Center contribute to the state’s lack of affordable legal services for survivors.  Civil Beat.

FBI pursuing cyber-gang in Hawaiian Airlines hack. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the “cybersecurity event” that plagued Hawaiian Airlines for at least three days last week as part of the alleged actions of an international group of cyber-thieves known as Scattered Spider. Star-Advertiser.

Massive interstellar object discovered by Hawaii-operated telescope. A new discovery from a University of Hawaii-operated telescope is turning heads in the astronomy world.  KHON2. Star-Advertiser. 

Oahu

Police commission discusses process to pick new HPD chief. The Honolulu Police Commission is trying to come up with a selection process for Honolulu’s next top cop. In Wednesday’s hearing, commissioners discussed whether they would use an outside consulting firm to find candidates for Honolulu’s police chief. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Crime On Oʻahu Is Down Except In One Category — Murder. Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan attributes the declining crime rate to the work of his officers, but a researcher with the University of Hawaiʻi said it’s likely part of a broader social trend. Civil Beat.

HPD to increase patrols on July 4 weekend as traffic fatalities continue to spike. The Honolulu Police Department is adjusting schedules, limiting vacations, and using overtime to ensure a heavy presence on the July Fourth weekend. Traffic enforcement is one of the priorities, as fatal crashes have surged on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

DOH responds to 300-gallon fuel leak at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The state Department of Health said there is no risk to public health after it responded to a 300-gallon release of fuel at an underground fuel pump house on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Tuesday afternoon. Star-Advertiser.

Officials look into ways to cut down on government employees' transportation footprint. Some of the potential solutions included boosting the state's carpool program, parking stall sharing among employees and subsidized public transportation passes. Hawaii Public Radio.

$3.3M in renovations aimed at Ala Wai Golf Course. The city Department of Design and Construction said work will begin July 14 to improve aged and degraded pedestrian and vehicular bridges at the municipal golf course at 404 Kapahulu Ave., on the perimeter of Waikiki and the Ala Wai. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Annual Independence Day Parade and Extravaganza to light up Kailua-Kona on 4th of July. The much-anticipated annual Independence Day Parade begins at 6 p.m. and will once again wind through the heart of Kailua-Kona, from Kona Gym to Coconut Grove Marketplace. Big Island Now.

Cyrus Johnasen joins Pacific Media Group as the general manager for the Big Island Radio Operations. Johnasen comes to PMG after serving four years for Hawaiʻi County, from 2020 to 2024, first as public information officer and later as chief of staff for Mayor Mitch Roth. Big Island Now.

Maui

Vote On Maui Short-Term Rentals Delayed At Least 3 Weeks. Council members spent most of the day behind closed doors in executive session, but spent the final hour questioning officials about the potential impact of the legislation. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Planning Commission considers allowing hotel in Kīhei tech park. Thirty years ago, the Kīhei Research and Technology Park in South Maui was created as a hub for high-tech companies that could help diversify an island economy reliant on tourism and big agriculture. But now the business park could become home to multiple hotels if property owners get the green light from the county. Maui Now.

Concrete barriers ‘floating’ on eroding Honoapiʻilani Highway spur emergency designation; state moves to prevent cutoff. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has officially designated a section of Honoapiʻilani Highway near Mile Post 14 a traffic emergency zone, citing serious erosion beneath the road that threatens to cut off access to West Maui. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric tests goat grazing as vegetation management option for landowners. As part of its ongoing wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric completed a successful demonstration on Maui using livestock as another vegetation management option for landowners and communities.  Maui Now.

Kauai

All aboard! 100-year-old steam locomotive restored on Kauai ahead of train tours. After years of rest, a 100-year-old steam engine locomotive has been brought back to life. Hawaii News Now.

Morning contraflow adjustments planned today on portions of Kūhiō, Kaumualiʻi highways. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies motorists that adjustments are planned for today (July 3) to the morning contraflow on Kūhiō Highway and Kaumualiʻi Highway heading to Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kekaha. Kauai Now.

National Science Foundation defunds Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaii congressional delegation pushes for details on bombing island, Kaiser Permanente buys Maui News site, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

National Science Foundation defunds long-stalled Thirty Meter Telescope. The National Science Foundation will no longer fund the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for construction atop Mauna Kea, instead choosing to back its international competitor, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. The decision, revealed Friday in the NSF’s fiscal year 2026 budget request under the Trump administration, could be the death knell for the controversial $3 billion TMT project and its future viability. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Visitor deportations from Hawaii spark concerns about entry rules. Ever-tightening U.S. entry policies and accounts from international visitors who are denied entry could weaken international arrivals, which are an important base of business for Hawaii’s visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii delegation pushes Navy for information on Kaula training plan. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is pushing the Navy to provide more information on its plan to more than double bombardment training on a small Hawaiian Island that the state and conservation groups consider a critical bird sanctuary. Star-Advertiser.

Military sued over details of proposed rocket testing site on Johnston Atoll. The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the military for details on a proposal to build a rocket test site in a remote wildlife refuge less than 900 miles from Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green signs bills to bolster schoolchildren. Gov. Josh Green signed three bills Friday afternoon to support healthier keiki through better access to food, transportation and surfing programs in schools. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s rural nonprofits stay afloat amid federal funding insecurity. A Kauai and a Hana-based nonprofit are using grants from Newman’s Own Foundation to promote indigenous food justice by keeping Hawaiian youth connected to the traditions, regenerative farming techniques and culture of their communities. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Can’t Spend Entire Budget Because It Can’t Fill Positions. The City Council will consider a resolution aimed at reducing vacancies and encouraging more hires and fewer retirements. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

Affordable housing project breaks ground in Ala Moana. An affordable housing project that will bring 64 new rental units to the heart of Honolulu broke ground Friday. Hawaii News Now.

New changes coming to UH Mānoa campus roads.  Roadwork near the University of Hawaii at Mānoa campus begins on June 2, and people heading to campus in the fall will see quite a few changes including a driving lane reduction, new bike lanes and more crosswalks. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Punalu‘u Village developers avoid foreclosure. A foreclosure lawsuit against developers of a controversial proposed commercial development near a popular black sand beach in Ka‘u has been withdrawn by the mortgage lender. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat.

Keaau health center funded. The state has allocated $25 million for construction of the Keaau Benioff Medical Center in Puna. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Fully funded Olowalu fire station on hold over ‘iwi kupuna discovered 2 years ago in subdivision. A planned new fire station in West Maui was going nowhere for years until the deadly and destructive August 2023 wildfire highlighted the need for the facility just south of Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente purchases Maui News site. The purchase agreement allows The Maui News to continue operating at the site for up to a year. General Manager Jenni DeFouw said the newspaper is working to identify new office space and move quickly.  Maui News.

Kula has been hit hard by summer wildfires, so residents are getting better prepared. Summer wildfires have hit the Upcountry Maui community of Kula the past two years, fueling community efforts to ensure area residents are better equipped for the worst-case scenarios. Hawaii Public Radio.

MPD officer arrested for sex assault allegations identified as Devin Schoeppner. The Maui Police Department confirmed the name of the 11-year veteran officer who was arrested on Thursday over sexual assault accusations. KITV4.

Kauai

HDOT declares traffic emergency zone. The Wailua Bridge is scheduled to undergo emergency repairs and will be closed overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday. Garden Island. Kauai Now.  KHON2. 

HECO edges toward creditworthiness with Legislature's help, state's two Job Corps centers to close, ACLU sues Honolulu police department over sober drivers' arrests, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Efforts To Shore Up HECO Gain Traction On Wall Street. Wall Street rewarded Hawaiian Electric Industries’ efforts to strengthen its financial profile by restoring the company to the edge of investment-grade creditworthiness for the first time since shortly after the August 2023 wildfire that killed 102 people and destroyed much of Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Job Corps to close. The U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday that Job Corps operations nationwide, which provide low-income youth and young adults with vocational training and schooling, will cease by June 30. There are two Job Corps centers in Hawaii among about 125 nationwide: one in Waimanalo on Oahu and one in Makawao on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

How physically present must state lawmakers be during session, if at all? Hawaiʻi's legislative session lasts 60 days, but there are no requirements for state lawmakers to be present. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

ACLU lawsuit alleges HPD made impaired driving arrests without having proof. A class-action lawsuit filed Thursday accuses the Honolulu Police Department of an “egregious and longstanding pattern and practice” of arresting people without probable cause or due process for allegedly driving under the influence. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. KITV4. 

Developer Accused Of Campaign Fraud Allowed to Travel While Out On Bail. A wealthy Honolulu real estate executive accused of making fraudulent campaign contributions will be allowed to travel outside Hawaiʻi for business while out on bail and as his case plays out in court.  Timothy Lee, chief executive officer of JL Capital, was indicted in February with nine counts of making false name contributions to candidates in Honolulu’s 2020 mayoral election. Civil Beat. 

Agency warns against illegal construction activity. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting urges the public to take care when hiring contractors, designers, architects and engineers for building projects. Star-Advertiser.

Violent video brings calls for labor talks over prison staff. Public safety advocates say a violent video from inside the walls of Oahu Community Correctional Center is evidence of a rising crisis in Hawaii’s correctional facilities. Hawaii News Now.

Outreach team provides medical, social services to homeless in Waikīkī. The joint effort includes members of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District and its Safe and Sound Waikīkī program, the Institute for Human Services, Waikīkī Health and other business partners. They walk Waikīkī every Wednesday, meeting people where they're at. Aloha State Daily.

Kamehameha Schools still figuring out future of Hawai‘i Kai properties. Despite residents' concerns about hypothetical high-rises, decisions about three Haha‘ione parcels are still pending. Aloha State Daily.
 
Hawaii Island

Police Warn Residents Of Parking Violation Scam In Kona. The Hawaiʻi Police Department is investigating the apparent scam – involving a device known as “The Barnacle” being placed on the windshields of parked cars. Big Island Video News.

BJ Penn misses court date following 2 arrests. UFC Hall of Fame mixed martial artist BJ Penn failed to show up in court Tuesday in a domestic abuse case after being arrested twice over the Memorial Day weekend at his family’s Puueo Street home in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

County aims to rehome puppy taken from Hilo homeless woman. Hawaii County has filed a petition asking a judge to order the forfeiture of a pet puppy owned by a 58-year-old Hilo woman who is accused of abusing the animal. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Workforce housing for educators gets underway in West Maui. State and county officials broke ground this week on a $20 million workforce housing project aimed at providing rental units for public school employees in West Maui, many of whom continue to face housing challenges in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina shoreline near harbor now open for recreational use. The harbor itself is still closed, but after requests from the community, Maui County officials have opened up areas on the north and south ends of the harbor for noncommercial use. Hawaii Public Radio.

11-year Maui Police Department veteran arrested on sexual assault charge. The Maui Police Department announced the arrest in a Thursday news release. The department identified the individual arrested as a 48-year-old man from Kahului but did not name him. Maui News. Maui Now. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

Groundbreaking: $46M Kahului Airport South TSA Checkpoint expected to reduce wait times. The new two-story security screening checkpoint building at the south end of the ticket lobby will house up to six screening lanes. Maui Now.

Kauai

Public feedback wanted in search for Kauai's next chief of police. Kaua‘i County Police Commission thinks every member of the community is a stakeholder in the selection of the next chief and seeks input from Kaua‘i residents about the traits and qualities they want the next leader of Kaua‘i Police Department to possess. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Tackles Child Care Crisis With New Spaces And Baby-Friendly Workplaces. Solving the problem is seen as an important step in helping recruit and retain much-needed workers on the Garden Island. Initiatives could be models for the rest of the state. Civil Beat.

Water conservation stretches into 8th week for Hanalei, ‘Anini areas. A water conservation request issued by Kaua‘i County Department of Water at the beginning of April for customers in Hanalei and ʻAnini Beach on the North Shore has stretched into its eighth week — and will continue for the foreseeable future. Kauai Now.

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.