Young Hawaii residents returning home, sports betting, fireworks bills squeak through committee as Legislature enters key deadline, Lahaina sewer system fully restored, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Young Hawaii-born people are moving back home, UHERO finds. Young adults who were born in Hawaii are moving back home, reversing pre-COVID-19 trends when more Hawaii-born residents left the state than returned, according to a preliminary report by the Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii. Using 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s state-to-state migration flows, UHERO assistant professor JoonYup Park said 12,100 Hawaii-born people who were 25-44 years old moved back home, while 6,400 moved away. Star-Advertiser.

Unresolved bills pile up at Hawaii Capitol ahead of key deadline. There is a tentative deal on new fireworks laws that are tougher on people who cause injuries or damage, and includes a non-criminal citation for minor violators. Other issues may have even more to work out, like medical cannabis reform, photographic speed enforcement, and liability protections for Hawaiian Electric Company. Hawaii News Now.

Assault rifle ban heading to full legislative votes. A measure that would ban new sales of assault-style rifles is heading to final votes in the state legislature after being approved by a House-Senate conference committee Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Big changes could come to Hawaii’s tourism industry in final days of state Legislature. If some state lawmakers have their way, it could remove the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s autonomy. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi’s Pledge To Free Itself From Fossil Fuel Hits New Roadblocks. The state’s promise to produce all of its own electricity by 2045 faces mounting obstacles in the form of tariffs, a hostile Trump administration and a financially troubled utility.  Civil Beat.

Bill Offering Displaced Tenants Protections Dies At Legislature. A bill that would have given additional protections to tenants displaced by affordable housing developments appeared to die in the state Legislature Thursday evening. Civil Beat.

Online sports betting under consideration in Hawaii. The odds of Hawaii joining the 38 other states that generate tax revenue from online sports betting are unknown as advocates on both sides of the issue make their final pitches to lawmakers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawyers launch deportation defense hotline amid stricter immigration enforcement. Increased immigration enforcement is prompting local attorneys to respond to a worsening backlog of detainees. To help, the Hawaii American Immigration Lawyers Association created a Deportation Defense Response Team, and it starts with a phone call.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

HART eyes Iwilei, Kakaako properties to condemn for rail. The Civic Center station, scheduled to open to the public by 2031, is slated for construction near Halekauwila and South streets.  Star-Advertiser.

EPA funding freeze could jeopardize vulnerable communities. A federally funded environmental justice project in Waianae has stalled since the Environmental Protection Agency froze a $3 million grant, halting efforts to empower Native Hawaiian communities and investigate long-standing water quality concerns tied to cesspools and landfills. Star-Advertiser.

A carnivorous ‘bone collector’ caterpillar dresses in the remains of its prey. The odd insect is only found on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It creeps along spiderwebs, feeding on trapped insects and decorating its silk case with their body parts. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

The Royal Parade: A procession like no other. Without a doubt, the best attended event during Merrie Monarch week, at least in person, is the Merrie Monarch Festival Royal Parade. Tribune-Herald.

‘Vital step’: Central Fire Station to begin operating from interim location in early May. Personnel and equipment from the Central Fire Station in downtown Hilo will be housed in an interim fire station located at 1382 Kīlauea Ave. as repairs are made to the aging facility. Big Island Now.

Kealakekua Bay To Close Sunday Morning, May 18, For Invasive Species Removal. Invasive species targeted for removal include Roi (Cephalopholis argus), Taʻape (Lutjanus kasmira) and Toʻau (Lutjanus fulvus). Big Island Video News.

Maui

Council OKs two more years for Kuʻikahi Village housing project. The Maui County Council has approved a resolution for a time extension — to May 2029 — for completion of the Kuʻikahi Village project, now apparently scaled back from its original plans. Maui Now.

Maui Planning Commission defers action on precedent-setting Lahaina home rebuild. The Maui Planning Commission is wrestling with a precedent-setting decision on the first special management area permit for reconstruction of an oceanfront Front Street home destroyed in the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire, after concluding public testimony Tuesday. Maui Now.

Lahaina town's sewer system is 100% restored post-wildfire. Lahaina has reached another milestone in wildfire recovery and infrastructure repairs. The town's sewer system is now 100% restored. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

500 tons of pilings cleared from Lahaina shoreline as part of wildfire debris removal. All 237 nonhistorical, concrete pilings along Front Street in Lahaina have been removed — totaling approximately 500 tons of material. Maui Now.

Kauai

Community invited to give feedback on draft Kauaʻi Climate Adaptation and Action Plan. Community members are invited to offer input and feedback on the recently released draft Kauaʻi Climate Adaptation and Action Plan. Kauai Now.

Water conservation request stretches into third week for parts of North Shore. Water customers in Hanalei and ʻAnini Beach are still being asked to limit their water use to essential needs only in an effort to avoid a full water service outage. Kauai Now.

New Ag Park Aims To Let Kauaʻi Farmers ‘Just Focus On Farming’. Mālama Kauaʻi, which runs its own food hub, is embracing the challenge of making farming as accessible and streamlined as possible on a newly leased plot near Kapaʻa. But it won’t be easy. Civil Beat.

UH faces uncertainty over state, federal funding; Maui mayor's salary outpaces governor's; Honolulu official cleared to take trip from no-bid contractor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH faces uncertainty over Senate budget. The University of Hawaiʻi needs an additional $37.9 million for programs and services at its 10-campus system for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance and chief financial officer, noted that the budget proposal recently passed by the Senate includes a more limited level of general fund support for UH in several key areas, compared to the versions put forward by the governor and the House. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

The State Spent Millions On Housing For The Homeless But Doesn't have Receipts To Back It All Up. Since late 2023, the state has issued more than $37.1 million in no-bid contracts to HomeAid Hawaiʻi to build small dwellings as part of Gov. Josh Green’s signature Kauhale Initiative.While HomeAid has provided the Department of Human Services with balance sheets and supporting documents showing how it used state money for some of its projects, the state doesn’t have receipts or other documents detailing the specific use of public money for other projects. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on the push to send more Hawaiʻi produce nationwide. Luke recently returned from a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the nation's capital. It's the second time a Hawaiʻi delegation has ever visited.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Rule Change On Endangered Species Of Particular Concern in Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi has more endangered species than any other state, so elimination of habitat protections could be felt deeply here. Associated Press.

Lawmakers May Reduce Court Fines For Youth, But Judges Have Already Cut Back. The amount of fines imposed by judges has dropped, raising questions about whether lawmakers need to do anything. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City to lose over $11 million in federal funding. The biggest losses will mean a $4.8 million cut for planning for a potential rapid transit bus program for the Waianae Coast, followed by a $3 million loss in federal funding for special needs housing improvements. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council OKs City Director’s Free Trip To Poland. A Honolulu department head’s trip to Poland next month will be funded by a private company that has signed a no-bid contract with that department after City Council members voted Wednesday to approve the gift. Civil Beat.

City Council approves new development plan for Honolulu's urban core. The primary urban core is Oahu’s most populated area, with about 350,000 people packed in from Kahala to Pearl City and all the valleys in between. Hawaii News Now.

Plans presented to develop areas around East Kapolei rail stations. A meeting in Kapolei on Wednesday night focused on developing the land around the rail transit stations. KITV4.

Treatment facility for boys with behavioral problems gets pushback from area residents. The state has approved a new live-in treatment facility for up to five boys who have behavioral problems stemming from sexual abuse or trauma. The home run by Catholic Charities Hawaii is in the quiet “Royal Summit” neighborhood in Aiea. Hawaii News Now.

Warning extended: Speed cameras catch 30k speeders weekly. It was supposed to last two months, but now the state’s new speed camera warning period is getting a major extension.  KHON2.

Parking fees coming to Keeaumoku Walmart, Sam’s Club lot. To deter non-shoppers from taking up space in the lot meant for customers only, Walmart hired Secure Parking Hawaii to begin parking enforcement starting May 1. KHON2.

State seeks more attorneys to become court-appointed guardians ad litem. A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed attorney who is there to protect the interests of a person who cannot take care of themselves. But there are only two doing this work for the island of Oʻahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

HPD, UH Hilo partner for new internship program. The Hawaii Police Department kicked off its Kalounui internship program in March with an event at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Lifeguard certification course to be offered in Kapa‘au. The Hawaii County Department of Parks & Recreation is offering a lifeguard certification course at Kohala Swimming Pool at Kamehameha Park in Kapa‘au. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui mayor’s salary to outpace Hawaiʻi governor’s until mid-2028. Starting July 1, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen will earn $245,000 annually — more than Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green‘s salary through the end of their current terms in office in 2026.  Maui Now.

Maui Department of Housing announces FY 2026 Affordable Housing Fund Annual Plan. The County of Maui Department of Housing announced the release of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) Annual Plan, which outlines key investments and initiatives designed to address the growing demand for affordable housing across Maui County. Maui Now.

Kekaulike Avenue to reopen a month ahead of schedule following storm-related repairs. Officials with the state Department of Transportation say Kekaulike Avenue between Waiakoa Road and ʻAlae Road will be reopened by noon, Thursday, April 17. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lives of federal conservation workers on Kauaʻi upended by Trump administration. On Valentine's Day, four employees who worked across Kauaʻi’s three USFWS refuges lost their jobs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Water conservation request continues for Hanalei, ‘Anini areas. Kaua‘i County Department of Water officials issued the request April 4 after a pump station mechanical failure that continues to affect the water storage supply. Kauai Now.

Kilauea Volcano puts on a show, Legislature tackles accountability, Honolulu council IDs funding cuts in budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Government reform bills move ahead. Bills aimed at clamping down on campaign contributions from government contractors while separately providing more public money to run for political office remain alive following a key Senate committee hearing Tuesday, joining other bills aimed at government reform that continue to move through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

‘This Has To End’: Revelations Renew Calls For Government Accountability. A growing chorus of good government advocates want the Legislature to increase accountability within its own ranks following a Civil Beat story about an unknown Hawaiʻi lawmaker receiving a $35,000 donation amid an ongoing federal corruption investigation. Civil Beat.

Midwifery bill advances but causes confusion. After months of fluctuating support and opposition, two Senate committees passed a controversial bill Tuesday that would potentially criminalize unlicensed attendants of a home birth who engage in midwifery duties, causing confusion and concern among lawmakers and the midwife community. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers want changes in HTA as new board members confirmed. The two newest members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board were officially confirmed by a Senate committee on April 1. But lawmakers first demanded some changes throughout the entire organization. KHON2.

Not enough workers to deal with uptick in Hawaiʻi SNAP benefit applications. The state Department of Human Services said it has a 25% vacancy for eligibility workers and 50% for clerical staff at SNAP processing centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green announces three judicial appointments. He has appointed Taryn Tomasa Gifford and Karin L. Holma to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. These appointments follow the governor’s recent selection of Kauanoe A. D. Jackson to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit. Maui Now.

Oahu

City Council identifies $25M in cuts to vacant positions to help fund sewer projects. The council is reviewing Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s budget for the next fiscal year and is looking to cut expenses — largely to pay for other projects like wastewater infrastructure. Hawaii Public Radio.

City’s proposed sewer fee increase hits roadblock in council. Plans to raise sewer fees more than 100 percent over 10 years are hitting a wall at the Honolulu City Council. A key committee voted Tuesday to limit the raise and force the city to find other sources of money. Hawaii News Now.

City seeks Iwilei properties to redevelop near future rail station. City officials say they have started acquiring private properties to create affordable housing and transit-oriented development in and around the city-owned Iwilei Center next to Dillingham Boulevard. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City Plans To Finish Waiʻanae Police Station, But It May Not Mean More Cops. Nine years after opening the station, the city is working to finish construction. But Honolulu is short on police, so there won’t necessarily be more officers on patrol. Civil Beat.

New parking restrictions to allow for street sweeps. The City and County of Honolulu is making an effort to keep drains clear and the water safe by allowing street sweepers to come by every first Monday and Thursday of the month. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Milolii homeowner wins lawsuit against county. A Kona judge ruled Friday that the Hawaii County Board of Appeals erred when it sided with the Department of Public Works, which revoked a 2020 renovation building permit that was in effect after a man bought a small Milolii Beach Lots house in a shoreline management area four years ago. Tribune-Herald.

Renaming of Captain Cook Post Office in honor of fallen soldier observed at Vietnam War memorial service. More than 50 years after U.S. troops departed Vietnam, the post office in Captain Cook is being named after 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau, who was killed in action during the war. Big Island Now.

Lava fountains top 700 feet in latest ‘episode’ of Kilauea eruption. The eruption prompts warnings of volcanic ash, rock and vog. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui County Council Digs Into The Mayor’s $1.5 Billion Spending Plan. Some members are concerned about the high level of county job vacancies. Civil Beat.

Mayor responds to study suggesting housing bill cost Maui 1,900 jobs or more. Mayor Richard Bissen said the proposal is not meant to be anti-tourism but is pro-resident. Bissen acknowledged that the transition would bring challenges, but the mayor contends delaying action will only make those challenges more severe. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui United Way invests $1.5M in Lahaina Community Land Trust. Maui United Way is backing an effort to keep the land in Lahaina firmly in the hands of local residents by committing $1.5 million to the Lahaina Community Land Trust. Maui News. Maui Now.

With government help delayed, Upcountry Maui volunteers clear overgrowth ahead of fire season. Hundreds of volunteers have spent countless hours working to clear the land of invasive, fire-prone plants as the drought worsens island-wide. Hawaii News Now.

What Lahaina’s Miracle House Tells Us About Building Fire-Resistant Homes. Building with the right materials saved homes in the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires, but many homeowners can’t afford the price. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Office of Economic Development awards second year of agriculture expansion grants. After a successful first year of funding, the grant program continues to bring more focus on building Kaua‘i’s agriculture portfolio by creating more direct support for the farming community. Kauai Now.

Coworking space now offers AI programs to improve research, education, development. Kuleana.work coworking space in Līhuʻe has launched an AI Lab to provide a space for local entrepreneurs, students and community members to utilize artificial intelligence to benefit their lives. Kauai Now.

Legislature advances state park fee bills, mulls sex-trafficking, prior authorization insurance measures, turmoil at the top at HTA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Visitor ‘green fees’ bill passes House committees. The House Tourism and Water and Land Committee passed the latest version of Senate Bill 439, which would allow the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to select certain state parks that would require a user fee, be adjusted over time for inflation and contribute to the state parks special fund. Star-Advertiser.

HTA scrambles to fill void after departure of another president and CEO. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has appointed Caroline Anderson as its new interim president and CEO following the resignation of its current interim top leader Daniel Naho’opi’i, who had been in the role for the past 18 months. Star-Advertiser.

Dismantling of Department of Education raises concerns in Hawaii. While the majority of funding for Hawaii’s public education system comes from the state, Hawaii still relies on federal funds to maintain programs for vulnerable students. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Senate Judiciary Committee set for decision-making on sex trafficking bill next week. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled for decision-making next week on a House bill that would authorize sex trafficking victims to file civil lawsuits against the perpetrators of what’s been called a “form of modern-day slavery.” Maui Now.

Farm to Families bills seek to help food banks with emergencies, federal cuts. Lawmakers are moving along a pair of measures that  would establish a Farm to Families program within the state Department of Agriculture to allocate state funds to food banks for buying, storing and delivering locally grown or produced food for food-insecure communities.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Doctors call for reform on insurance practice they say impacts care and leads to burnout. Lawmakers are trying to reform an insurance practice aimed at curbing unnecessary treatments called "prior authorization” — when health care providers need approval from insurers before delivering medical services or medications. Hawaii Public Radio.

Science advisors discuss updates to protected species issues, strategic planning for Western Pacific fisheries. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee met this week to review protected species management and discuss strategic planning for fisheries in the region. Maui Now.

New study finds forests, fish, food production protected by indigenous agroforestry. A team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Kamehameha Schools and Seascape Solutions found that protecting native forests combined transitioning fallow and unmanaged agricultural lands to a Native Hawaiian agroforestry system can improve local food production, biodiversity conservation and cultural connection in places from land to sea. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Proposed sewer fee hikes approaching on Oahu. Officials say the fees are rising because the city needs to complete $10 billion worth of projects in the next 15 years, including a $2.5 billion project at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hawaii News Now.

No Charges For HPD Officer In 2024 Shooting Death Of Homeless Man. Prosecutors said officers tried to de-escalate the situation and use non-lethal force before shooting Brandan Maroney. Civil Beat.

Aliamanu firework survivors discharged from Arizona hospital. The five survivors from the Aliamanu New Year’s blast, who were transported to Arizona, have been discharged from acute care at Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center Valleywise Health. Hawaii News Now.

State Suddenly Swaps Contractor For Major Oʻahu Public Housing Overhaul. No reason was given for the sudden change at Kūhiō Park Terrace, approved Thursday by the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority’s board. Civil Beat.

Blaisdell Concert Hall completes $10 million in phased renovations. Reopening in early March after a nearly two-year closure, the 60-year-old concert hall at 777 Ward Ave. underwent $10 million in interior upgrades to enhance the entertainment venue’s back-of-house facilities and equipment. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu rail project CEO sets sights on opening next segment in October. The second segment runs a little over 5 miles from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street  and includes stops at Honolulu airport and Pearl Harbor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s homeless sweeps, what else is needed. Officials continue to conduct homeless sweeps at public parks but it is not clear if the enforcement is putting a dent in the problem or pushing it down the road. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano puts on dazzling show with lava fountains hundreds of feet high. Lava from Hawaii’s most active volcano created fountains that reached 700 feet (215 meters) Thursday during the latest episode of an ongoing eruption.  Associated Press.

Progress made in effort to build Hilo skatepark. Funding from Hawaii County and the state totaling $6 million is bringing the decade-long effort to build Hilo’s first skatepark closer to fruition. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor stands behind request for leave of absence for Maui police chief. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said there was not any personal dispute between him and Police Chief John Pelletier when he recommended Pelletier take a leave of absence pending a civil lawsuit naming the police chief as a co-defendant. Maui News.

5 Lahaina homes to be rebuilt through multi-organization partnership. More than half of the 1,355 homes destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires were owner-occupied. Five of those families will get new homes thanks to a multi-organization partnership.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Transgender Students Have Strong Protections In Hawaiʻi. That May Not Last. A private school on Maui is restricting transgender students’ access to bathrooms and sports teams. Some advocates are worried that more schools might follow. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai District Health Office open house coming soon. Department of Health staff will be available during the open house to share their work and talk about how members of the community can work together to identify and address public health issues.  Garden Island.

Legislature questions HECO plan to collect extra $1B from customers, Sunshine bills teetering, state population increases, rail tax extension in trouble, DNA frees Maui man after 30 years, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers Question HECO Plan To Collect $1 Billion From Customers. Hawaiian Electric Co.’s biggest request to lawmakers this session was a $1 billion fund to cover future wildfire liability, paid for by a small fee on its customers. The utility was looking to shore up its battered credit rating, but instead, it has found a political headache. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi toys with repealing tax credits for solar, wind, renewable fuel. House Bill 1369 was heard by the House Finance Committee on Wednesday and proposed repealing credits for solar, wind, and renewable fuel. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii population increases in new estimate. Census estimates suggest that Hawaii’s population edged up 0.3%, or by 4,759 people, in 2024 and bumped up the total population count to 1,446,146 from 1,441,387 in 2023. Carl Bonham, director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, said at a briefing on the local economy made to the state House Finance Committee in January that he was somewhat skeptical about the Census Bureau methodology for estimating immigration in Hawaii, which represents one part of population change. Star-Advertiser.

Dead Or Alive? With A Week To Go, Some Sunshine Bills Are Teetering. By the end of this week bills need to have passed out of all the committees to which they’d been assigned, including the money committees, or they are dead for the year. In January, lawmakers introduced about 3,100 bills. As of Friday, 780 remained on the House’s list and 835 in the Senate. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers could make it easier for foreign doctors to practice in Hawaiʻi . In an attempt to address the state’s medical staffing shortages, lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow graduates from certain foreign medical schools to seek licensure in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

A bill introduced in the state House of Representatives that would require nurse staffing standards for Hawaii hospitals statewide has been shelved, but debate is expected to continue. Star-Advertiser.

Sports betting bills still alive. At least two bills that would legalize some form of sports wagering in Hawaii remain alive this legislative session. House Bill 1308 and Senate Bill 1569 are companion measures, although both have been amended in committee hearings. Tribune-Herald.

Half Of Hawaiʻi Inmates Leave Prison Without The IDs They Need To Start Over. More than seven years after Hawaiʻi passed a law meant to address the problem, the number of people leaving prison and jail without key documents has barely budged. Civil Beat.

Hawaii fireworks injuries have risen over past decade. The number of fireworks-­related injuries in Hawaii has steadily risen over the past decade and a half, reaching a 15-year high over the latest New Year’s holiday, according to updated statistics from the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

Trump policies threaten University of Hawaii ethnic studies programs. President Donald Trump’s order banning diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs has University of Hawaii students and faculty worrying about the future of academic programs that focus on Hawaiian, Filipino, Korean and other ethnic cultures. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Threat Of Federal Budget Cuts May Sink Rail Tax Extension. The city rail authority is supporting a bill at the Legislature to extend the controversial Oʻahu excise tax surcharge for rail, but some board members worry the threat of federal budget cuts may cause the surcharge measure to die next week. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Convention Center seeking $55M to fast-track projects. If the $12 million expenditure ceiling request, along with HTA’s CIP request of $52 million, are appropriated, HTA anticipates spending more than $55.4 million on convention center repair and maintenance projects in fiscal year 2026 and more than $16.7 million in fiscal year 2027. Star-Advertiser.

Wahiawā Charter School Accepts Permanent Closure. The Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission voted to close the school in January, and Kamalani Academy leaders will not challenge the decision. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii Cancer Center and Queen’s to collaborate on oncology clinic. The University of Hawaii Cancer Center and The Queen’s Health Systems are teaming up to provide cutting-edge, comprehensive cancer care to residents under one roof. Star-Advertiser.

2 more arrests in New Year’s fireworks blast bring total to 12. The owners of the Aliamanu home at 4144 Keaka Drive, where a stockpile of illegal aerials accidentally detonated at a New Year’s party killing six people Opens in a new tab, were arrested today on suspicion of fireworks offenses. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii DOT apologies for ‘incorrect’ H-1 lane closures that snarled traffic on Saturday. A slow-moving mass of vehicles stretched from Aloha Stadium all the way back to Kapolei by 11 a.m. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Apparent settlement reached in Honokohau Harbor sewage lawsuit.  A letter to U.S. District Chief Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield from Elena Bryant, an Earthjustice attorney representing Hui Malama Honokohau, requested putting on hold “existing discovery and other deadlines while the parties finalize the settlement, including securing approval from the County Council.” Tribune-Herald.

Mayor kicks off first of 14 community meetings. Dozens of Big Island residents met with Mayor Kimo Alameda and other Hawaii County officials Wednesday at the first of 14 planned community meetings around the island. Tribune-Herald.

Housing center for youth opens in downtown Hilo. The Youth Outreach and Supportive Housing Center in Hilo will offer 22 units of housing for young people between the ages of 15 and 24, as well as a youth center to connect at-risk youth with access to essential services.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Two hotels will be built at Waikoloa Plaza. The plaza fills out a portion of an estimated $700 million master-planned project that sits on 47 acres purchased by developer Meridian Pacific for $24 million in 2018. West Hawaii Today.

‘DOGE is a dictatorship’: Hundreds turn out in Puna to express their concerns about Trump administration, Musk. A crowd of perhaps 300 showed up Saturday at a town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) at the Pahoa High and Intermediate School cafeteria. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii man freed by DNA evidence after 30 years in prison visits mother’s grave and ponders ubiquitous cellphones. One of the first places Gordon Cordeiro visited when a judge ordered him released after spending 30 years in prison for a killing he always maintained he had nothing to do with was his mother’s Hawaii gravesite. Associated Press. Maui Now.

College no longer first option for Maui County public high school graduates. There is a developing trend among Maui County public high school graduates over the past five years — foregoing college for more immediate careers, or skipping college because they see tuition and other associated costs as prohibitive. Maui Now.

Restoring Lahaina power is critical to rebuilding.  A year and a half since the devastating Maui wildfires destroyed Lahaina town, Jeremy DelosReyes is still in a dark place. Star-Advertiser.

'I don't know how you guys expect us to pay rent': Lahaina family struggles with FEMA requirement. Lahaina resident Beatrice Hoopai narrowly escaped the 2023 wildfire with her family. Now, she’s fighting to keep a roof over their head. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hauling of modular homes to continue for wildfire survivors, Feb. 26-28. Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are transported from Kahului to the state’s Ka Laʻi Ola housing site in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

Program begins releasing mosquitoes on Kauai to protect endangered honeycreepers. Conservationists on Kauai have begun releasing hundreds of thousands of male mosquitoes incapable of reproducing in an effort to combat avian malaria, a disease threatening native honeycreepers with extinction. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Supreme Court considering election challenges, Maui releases long-term recovery plan for Lahaina, Kilauea pauses after brief eruption, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

State Supreme Court considers two challenges to tight election races (video only) Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian Contractor Chris Dawson Has Died While Under Investigation. Christopher Dawson, 62, a prominent Native Hawaiian defense contractor, was found dead Thursday on Oʻahu, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office.  Dawson’s death, which the medical examiner determined to be a suicide, comes as he was under federal investigation for alleged financial crimes, including wire fraud and money laundering.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Another Honolulu Rail Contractor Demands More Money, Citing Years Of Delays. In a $324 million lawsuit, a key contractor alleges the city hasn’t resolved its claim because it wants to avoid further public criticism. Civil Beat.

Topa Financial Center property sale another sign of evolving downtown. Developer Christine Camp said her company’s acquisition Friday of Topa Financial Center is just a small part of a larger trend in reimagining “DOHO” — downtown Honolulu — with its many largely vacant office buildings. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

A new kauhale opens as the state tackles growing homelessness. The newest tiny-home village to reduce homelessness — with 43 units designed to house single adults, couples and their pets — was unveiled and blessed Monday in Iwilei. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea pauses after a brief eruption . Kilauea puts on ‘outstanding’ show.  It’s a “Pele Kalikimaka” in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to Jessica Ferracane, the park’s spokeswoman, referring to the eruption that started early Monday morning within Kilauea volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u crater. Tribune-Herald. Associated Press.  Hawaii Punlic Radio.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui releases final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. Maui Country officials have released the county’s final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. The release follows a monthlong community engagement series on the draft plan that included feedback from hundreds of residents and local stakeholders. The Long-Term Recovery Plan.  Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina immigrants who survived fire now wary of Trump’s deportation threats. Nearly one-third of Lahaina’s population before the August 2023 wildfire came from another country, and their recovery from the blaze has been hampered in some cases by language barriers, housing costs, the decline in work and the lack of access to services reserved for U.S. citizens. Maui Now.

Report emphasizes recovery access needs for Filipino survivors of Maui wildfires. A group focusing on Filipinos in Lahaina recently released a report on the community’s experiences and needs following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

Iwi kupuna unearthed after surf slams Maui’s North Shore. The waves uncovered iwi kupuna – or ancestral remains – from Hawaiian burials. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Efforts underway for permanent Hanapēpē Massacre memorial on Kauaʻi 100 years later. The state is looking to build a permanent memorial to honor the 1924 Hanapēpē Massacre, a tragic turning point in Hawai‘i’s labor movement that led to the deaths of 16 Filipino strikers and four police officers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Contractors Association of Kauai wraps up 2024 with membership meeting. The Contractors Association of Kauai closed 2024 with its 67th Annual Meeting and Installation dinner on Dec. 5 at the Puakea Golf Course. Garden Island.

Honolulu airport near bottom of national survey, rail contractor gets notice to proceed on final leg, first humpback of whale season spotted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Honolulu airport moves up in passenger satisfaction, but is still fourth worst. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the largest in the state, moved up in a ranking of large airports, but it’s still fourth from the bottom, according to the latest J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Star-Advertiser.

UH President Candidate Targeted Black Law Professor For Speaking Out, Review Found. As the search for a new University of Hawaii president nears the end, documents show one finalist, Wendy Hensel, was involved in retaliating against a law professor who questioned her. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Prison System Confronts ‘A Huge Mental Health Crisis’. Licensed psychologists have been leaving correctional facilities in the state at an alarming rate, which is creating gaps in care. Civil Beat.

Todd Apo Appointed To Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Board. The CEO of a Kohala-based nonprofit has been appointed to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board. Big Island Video News.

First humpback sighting reported for 2024 whale season. The sighting was at approximately 10 a.m. Sunday by Capt. Matt Talbot and the crew of Teralani during a snorkel sail off the coast of Ka’anapali. Maui Now.

Oahu

HART officially proceeds on final Skyline segment. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has issued a “notice to proceed” to its chosen contractor that is tasked with finishing the nearly $10 billion Skyline project by the start of the next decade. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Fence returning to Diamond Head seawall amid increased erosion. Fencing is going back up at the Leahi Beach Park seawall on the edge of Diamond Head, according to the city Department of Parks and Recreation. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless hotspot transforming into $155M high-rise for Native Hawaiians. After numerous delays, a 23-floor, $155 million “high-rise hale” to house Native Hawaiians is set to break ground by the end of 2024. The Old Bowl-O-Drome in Moiliili has been closed for more than two decades. Hawaii News Now.

City attorneys reach $1.5M settlement with family of Black man killed by police. City attorneys are proposing to pay $1.5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the widow of a 29-year-old citizen of South Africa who was shot and killed by Honolulu police officers after a bloody fight at a Nuuanu home on April 14, 2021. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roth signs bill to expand housing availability. The bill — co-drafted by council Chair Heather Kimball, Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz, Planning Director Zendo Kern and Deputy Director Jeff Darrow — allows homeowners to build up to three accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, with a size limit of 1,250 square feet on their properties. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Voting explainer: 2024 Hawaiʻi Island charter amendment ballot questions. The questions are related to councilmember vacancies, department head appointments, and the Cost of Government Commission. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pahoa bus hub/library could break ground in 2025.  A 9.5-acre parcel between the Pahoa Marketplace and the Puna Kai Shopping Center will be developed as a nexus for a “hub and spoke” public transportation network in Puna. Tribune-Herald.

Demolition of Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel underway. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said the wooden lobby and restaurant were demolished weeks ago, while work began Monday morning to knock down the first of two, concrete hotel wings. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Maui

New survey tracks recovery of households affected by Maui fires. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization reported Tuesday that 29% of fire-affected households now live below the poverty line, up from 14% before the fires that destroyed most of Lahaina and claimed 19 homes in Upcountry Maui on Aug. 8, 2023. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Maui News.  Maui Now.  KITV4.

Mishandling of human remains: Local forensic company breaks silence on Lahaina disaster response. The owner of a forensic morgue team hired by the Maui Police Department claims that many protocols for the respectful and accurate recovery of victims were not followed. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed resolution aims to increase use of Maui’s recycled water, stretches into Lahaina rebuild. A new resolution making its way through the Maui County Council discusses the use of recycled water on Maui but mixes in language regarding Lahaina rebuild, sparking concerns amongst residents and council members. Maui News.

State postpones Upcountry overnight road closure for lane striping work. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has postponed roadway striping work on Makawao Avenue heading mauka onto Haleakalā Highway. Maui Now.

Blessing marks Maui County’s acquisition of Kula Community Center property. A blessing Monday at the Kula community center marked Maui Countyʻs acquisition of the 7-acre property that includes the center, ensuring the area is held for public use in perpetuity.  Maui Now.

‘It’s the rebirth of Kaho‘olawe’: Native species documented on former bombing range. Native life has returned to the island of Kaho’olawe after decades of work to restore the former military bombing range. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Should Kauai County Spend Money To Save Money?  Cost Control Commission proposed a county charter amendment would require the county to pay for initiatives that could lead to savings in the future. Civil Beat.

HART seeks $1B from state, more than 100 modular homes headed to Lahaina, $12M grant for health care reform, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HART requests $1 billion appropriation from state. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has petitioned the state Department of Budget and Finance to appropriate that sizable sum for the agency’s next two budget cycles. The $1 billion would come from the mass transit special fund, created under a 2017 state law known as Act 1. Star-Advertiser.

Insurance Companies Are Still Trying To Block The $4 Billion Maui Fire Settlement. Insurance companies hoping to recoup billions of dollars they’ve already paid in claims to Maui fire victims are asking a federal judge to get in the middle of a legal squabble that has been playing out in state court. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s tourism goals unlikely to keep up with inflation. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board on Thursday approved a goal for Hawai‘i Tourism USA, the global marketing team responsible for driving travel demand to Hawaii from its core U.S. market, to grow visitor spending by just 1.4%. Star-Advertiser.

UH Foundation raises over $115M for students, programs, research. The University of Hawaii Foundation raised $115.2 million in fiscal year 2024, exceeding its $100 million annual goal by 15%, marking the fourth consecutive year of surpassing the $100 million milestone. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi receives $12M federal grant to establish health care reform. Hawaiʻi is one of only six states chosen to participate in this program, making it a rare opportunity. Hawaii Public Radio.

Report: Deaths associated with with hepatitis C happening at earlier age in Hawaiʻi than elsewhere in the United States.  The Hawaiʻi Department of Health released “Premature Deaths and Disparities Associated with Hepatitis C: The Hawaiʻi Hepatitis C Mortality Report” as part of Liver Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed in October. Big Island Now.

Here are the changes to SNAP benefits starting this month. Several changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, start Tuesday. This year, the USDA has increased maximum allotments but also changed eligibility requirements for SNAP benefits, but exact amounts vary based on where you live and the size of your household. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Voters To Decide Whether Lifeguards Need Oversight Commission. Whether to create a volunteer commission that would oversee the Department of Ocean Safety and have the power to appoint and remote its chief will be up to voters in November. The commission would be analogous to those that oversee the city’s police and fire departments. Civil Beat.

Could a vacant home tax end the housing crisis? That means, in addition to paying Hawaii real property taxes annually, anyone with a home that is vacant six months out of the year, would have to pay taxes on 1% of its assessed value the first year, 2% the next year and 3% after that. KHON2.

Catholic church sells land to senior living complex. The nonprofit operator of the Kahala Nui senior living complex is buying the land under the project built in 2005 on a parcel leased from the Roman Catholic Church of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless kauhale units still without power, city says. Over the summer, the Aala Respite facility was set up as part of a joint effort between the city and state to provide shelter and medical care for vulnerable, medically fragile people who’ve experienced long-term homelessness on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Increased Hawaii park surveillance without public approval. City officials plan to more than double the video surveillance at Ala Moana Regional Park. KHON2.

Kapi‘olani nurses set to return to work Sunday morning. With a new contract in place, union nurses are scheduled to return to work Sunday at the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. Star-Advertiser.

Tensions rising after ten days of a workers strike at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Striking workers at the Hilton Hawaiian Village aren’t happy that after ten days of striking, they’re still not any closer to getting a new contract, or even an offer to return to the bargaining table. Also unhappy are guests, some surfers and neighbors around the resort. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

A 76-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a brush fire that happened in Haleiwa on Tuesday, Honolulu police said. Police arrested the man Thursday afternoon for fourth-degree arson. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Ex-Miske Associate Sentenced To More Than 10 Years In Prison. Jake Smith emerged as a key witness against the convicted Honolulu crime boss after agreeing to a plea deal with prosecutors. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

OHA Grant Supports Hale Mua Cultural Group Efforts In Waipiʻo Valley. The $145,000 grant will assist the ʻAi Me Ka Iʻa Waipiʻo: Perpetuating ʻOhana Connection to Loʻi Kalo and Loko Wai Program. A program reinforcing cultural practices and freshwater fishpond preservation in Waipiʻo Valley is getting support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Opening of residential areas off Lahainaluna Road set for today. With residential debris removal 100 percent complete, opening of residential areas off Lahainaluna Road is set for Friday, Oct. 4, at 6 a.m. This is Phase 4 of the Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) zone reopening plan and marks one of the final large residential zones to be reopened. Maui News. Maui Now.

Traffic Alert: Caravans to carry over 100 modular homes for Maui wildfire survivors. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is alerting drivers of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are being transported from Kahului to Lahaina starting on Friday. Hawaii News Now.

Timeline shows Maui Electric inspection missed damage before power started fire. MPD commanders and the federal ATF did say that the fire was caused when damaged electric lines were re-energized. But the detailed timeline shows a key inspection failed to find the damaged equipment - and led to a decision to throw the switches that sparks the flames. Hawaii News Now.

Kahului man pleads guilty in Maui explosives case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Robert Francis Dumaran, 47, entered a plea agreement in federal court in Honolulu Wednesday, pleading guilty to possessing explosive powders as a convicted felon and possessing an unregistered destructive device. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

This Lahaina Fire Survivor Tends The Memorial Every Day. Susie Richter hauls up jugs of water for the plants amid the crosses and portraits of Maui fire victims. She often has company. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Disciplinary proceedings being initiated for Kauaʻi police chief who left gun in bathroom. The Kauaʻi Police Commission is considering disciplinary measures for Police Chief Todd Raybuck after he left his gun unattended in a bathroom earlier this year.  Kauai Now.

Kapa‘a transfer station to be closed nearly 1 year beginning in early November. The renovations are part of the county’s islandwide Refuse Transfer Station Improvements project. Kauai Now.

'It needs to get better' | Calls continue for change to search and rescue operations on Kauai. Nearly two months after a Kauai man was found dead in Wailua, calls are growing for change to the way official search and rescue efforts are conducted. KITV4.

Padraic Gallagher named executive director Kauai Humane Society.  Gallagher, the former disaster program manager at the American Red Cross in Lihue, will be the new executive director. Garden Island.

$1.66B contract awarded for final Honolulu rail segment, Alaska Air, Hawaiian extend merger deadline, Polynesians now lead 3 top state-funded tourism agencies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HART awards $1.66B contract for final segment. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on Thursday announced a $1.66 billion contract award to Los Angeles-based Tutor Perini Corp. to design and build Skyline’s last 3-mile segment to Kakaako. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

Alaska Air, Hawaiian further extend review period of proposed deal. Alaska Air said Thursday it has agreed to further extend the review period of its proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of peer Hawaiian Holdings with the U.S. Department of Justice. The companies will extend the review period with the DOJ until 12:01 AM ET, Aug 20 (6:01 p.m. Hawaii time on Monday). Reuters.

Legislators urge DOE to fix bus driver shortage. State legislators met with the Department of Education on Thursday to address protracted concerns about ongoing public school bus driver shortages, following the DOE’s abrupt announcement of suspended routes right before the school year began. Star-Advertiser.

Polynesians lead 3 top tourism agencies. Come September, all three of Hawaii’s top state-funded tourism management and destination branding organizations, which together control more than a $128 million in state funds, will have a Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander at the helm. Star-Advertiser.

UH reports progress in presidential search. The University of Hawaii reported that its search for a new president is progressing on schedule. The university received over 90 applications for the position.  KHON2.

Hemp farmers want more input on needs and recommendations to grow industry. The Hawaiʻi Hemp Task Force has packed its schedule for the rest of the month with meetings to better understand the local hemp industry.Since May, the group has met six times and is set to dissolve at the end of the month. Hawaii Public Radio.

EPA issues $234K in fines for illegal cesspools on Maui, Hawaii Island. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued property owners more than $234,000 in fines and ordered the closure of five large-capacity cesspools on Maui and Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu resident diagnosed with Dengue Fever; 11th Hawaii resident diagnosed in 2024. The state Department of Health says the latest case involves a traveler who was previously abroad in a country where the virus is more common.  KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Vows Tougher Approach On Homelessness. Rick Blangiardi said he’ll take 1,000 people off the streets within a year, and that he's not worried about legal challenges. Civil Beat.

Man Killed In Waianae Is The Fourth Officer-Involved Shooting Death This Year. Honolulu police chief appeals for help in wake of fatal shooting. The 60-year-old man fatally shot by a Honolulu police officer Wednesday night in Waianae fired a stolen .40-caliber handgun into a neighbor’s home after his girlfriend fled there seeking safety following an assault, HPD Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan said Thursday afternoon during a news conference. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Honolulu named most desirable place to live 2nd year in a row. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index analyzed 173 cities worldwide based on 30 categories of living standards. Honolulu received high marks for infrastructure, stability, education, natural beauty and weather. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘New ways to HOLO’: City encourages residents to use public transit. City officials hope people will use public transportation — that includes the Skyline, the bus, or Biki bikes. The Department of Transportation Services said they’re adding and extending some bus routes for more convenience. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Proposal to develop popular spot on Oahu’s North Shore stirs debate. A developer plans to spend about $20 million on a new food and retail center on the mauka side of Kamehameha Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Tower Observation Deck Is Closed Indefinitely For Repairs. The popular tourist attraction closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. But DOT's Harbors Division has a list of renovations to address before reopening the site. Civil Beat.

Pregnant military spouse missing more than 2 weeks. The search continues for Mischa Mabeline Kaalohilani Johnson, a pregnant 19-year-old Army spouse who has been missing for more than two weeks. The Army is offering a $10,000 reward for credible information that can lead authorities to Johnson. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Council OKs 3 proposed county charter amendments for November general election ballot. The council last week adopted resolutions for three proposed charter amendments that will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. They deal with vacancies on the council and in county department leadership as well as the terms for members of one of the county’s commissions. Big Island Now.

Mayor Roth the victim of online prank. Mayor Mitch Roth said Thursday he felt “a little bit of frustration” after learning an anonymous email has been circulating that invites individuals experiencing homelessness to stay at a certain address in Hilo. The address provided in the email is Roth’s home address. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Farmers laud North Kohala well project. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources next month will commence a yearlong $5.7 million project to improve a well in North Kohala so it can be used for agricultural purposes once again. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina Community Land Trust secures first piece of land to steward in Lahaina hands. The Lahaina Community Land Trust has secured its first parcel of community-owned land, that will be held in Lahaina hands forever, for the benefit of the local community for generations to come. The property at 1651 Lokia Street was secured by the LCLT in partnership with The Conservation Fund, a national land conservation organization. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Sister cities delegation visits Kaua‘i. A protocol sister city courtesy visit with Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami turned into an unexpected real life learning lesson at the Mo‘ikeha Building on Thursday. Garden Island.