Green names new water resources chief, two more cyclones heading toward the state, more than 5k hotel workers vote to strike, Lahaina property prices spike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Taps New Hawaii Water Resources Board Head After Kaleo Manuel’s Departure. Ciara Kahahane is poised to leave the state Attorney General's office to serve as the board's new first deputy. Civil Beat.

Tropical cyclones coming to Hawaii at peak of season. As Tropical Storm Hone moves away from the Hawaiian Islands, two more tropical cyclones — Hurricane Gilma and Tropical Storm Hector — are approaching, though their impacts might not be as severe. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s visitor industry faces threat of hotel, airline strikes. More than 5,000 workers have authorized a strike at the Sheraton Kauai Resort and seven Waikiki hotels: the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort; Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort &Spa; Moana Surfrider — a Westin Resort Spa; The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort; Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; Sheraton Waikiki; and the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort &Spa. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Tulsi Gabbard, who ran for 2020 Democratic nomination, endorses Trump against former foe Harris. Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has endorsed Donald Trump’s presidential bid, furthering her shift away from the party she sought to represent four years ago and linking herself to the GOP nominee’s critiques of Vice President Kamala Harris and the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal. Associated Press.

From surfing buddies to eco innovators: how expired life vests became ‘The Surf Bag’. What began as a quest to enjoy longer surf sessions has evolved into a groundbreaking product: The Surf Bag, crafted from expired Hawaiian Airlines life vests. KHON2.

Oahu

Low morale, poor communication among complaints by HPD officers in internal survey. HPD survey praises leadership, questions communication. The Honolulu Police Department posted 111-page-long “2024 Commander Performance Survey Results” that detail optimism and frustration about morale, equipment and operations under the leadership of Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu EMS Sued For Wrongful Death Over Kailua Ambulance Fire. Family of the 91-year-old patient who died in 2022 after the ambulance in which he was riding burst into flames accused Honolulu EMS of wrongful death and negligence. Civil Beat.

$2.5 million electric vehicle charging station breaks ground at Aloha Tower. On Monday, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced the construction of the second electric vehicle charging station under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. KHON2.

'A mechanism for moving forward': Neglected Pearl City cemetery sees glimmer of hope. Sinking graves. Crumbling crypts. Stolen urns. These are a short list of ongoing problems facing Sunset Memorial Park in Pearl City. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

$10.5 million available for homeless programs. Since 2022, Hawaii County has set aside 75% of certain residential property tax revenues to fund programs addressing homelessness on the Big Island through the Office of Housing and Community Development’s Homelessness and Housing Fund. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i County still dealing with aftermath of Hone with prolonged power outages. With approximately 1,900 Hawaiian Electric customers experiencing prolonged power outages following Hurricane Hone, Hawai‘i County has opened two shelters. Big Island Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hone: Heavy rains, strong winds, but more hassle than harm. Tropical Storm Hone didn’t hit Hawaii Island directly, but did leave its calling card over the weekend in the form of heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Contested case delays long-awaited vote on Hawaiʻi Island aquarium fishing permits. On Friday, the Board of Land and Natural Resources was scheduled to vote on the proposed structure for a controversial West Hawai‘i Regional Fishery Management Area permit, which covers the entire western coast of the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui’s New Coastal Rules Are Full Of Loopholes, Environmental Group Says. In a lawsuit, Maui Tomorrow rejects the regulations as essentially toothless, but the county says they will expedite permitting and avoid unnecessary hurdles. Civil Beat.

'Problematic': Lahaina lots listed for thousands more than pre-fire value. Members of the Lahaina Community Land Trust worry the much-resisted concern could soon become a reality as several leveled lots were recently listed for thousands of dollars higher than what they were appraised for before the tragedy. KITV4.

Milestone reached with debris removal underway on last single- and multi-unit residential properties in Lahaina. The US Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with federal, state, and local partners, announced that debris removal on the last single- and multi-unit residential properties in Lahaina is underway. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the Personal Property Debris Removal Program, as all residential properties will be cleared months ahead of the original January 2025 deadline. Maui Now.

Public invited to comment on cleanup of 700-gallon fuel spill at Haleakalā. The public can now weigh in on cleanup of a fuel spill atop Haleakalā. The 2023 fuel spill was caused by a lightning strike to an emergency generator.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai Community College enrollment up 11.9 percent for fall semester. Kauai Community College opened its doors to the fall semester on Monday with an opening day census of 1,277 students. Garden Island.

Tropical storm watch issued as Hone strengthens, Harris loses support of 6 Hawaii delegates over Gaza stance, Honolulu gets more time to find landfill site, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tropical storm watch issued for Hawaii Island as Hone strengthens slightly. A tropical storm watch has been issued for Hawaii Island as Tropical Storm Hone is expected to bring severe weather this weekend. A flood watch has also been posted for Hawaii Island ahead of the storm, which could become a hurricane late Sunday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.  Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press.

Superintendent Says He’s Managing School Facilities Better. In his self-evaluation, Keith Hayashi says he wants to change contracting methods and use DOE lands more efficiently. Civil Beat.

Backing of Israel costs Harris support from Hawaii delegates. Objections to U.S. policy over the war in Gaza led six of Hawaii’s 31 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago to withhold their support for Vice President Kamala Harris following internal debate. Star-Advertiser.

The DNC Is A Highly Controlled Pep Rally. Hawaii Delegates Say It’s Still Important. The Democratic convention is no longer a place for hammering out party values and selecting candidates, but attendees say it still holds value — even for states with little political sway. Civil Beat.

Behind on electric bills? A spike in disconnections has the state seeking solutions. The Public Utilities Commission estimates that 6,000 households had their power cut in 2023 due to missed payments, which is about double the number of disconnections that occurred in 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

ACLU Wants Federal Authorities To Probe Recent Murder, Violence At Arizona Prison. Hawaii is holding 1,000 prisoners at the Saguaro Correctional Center that had a murder, stabbing and fatal drug overdoses in recent months. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State grants Honolulu more time to find new landfill. The state Land Use Commission on Thursday officially granted Honolulu’s request to find Oahu’s next municipal landfill by the end of this year. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Struggles To Find A Remedy For Abandoned Homes Taken Over By Squatters. Neighborhood boards across Oahu are asking the city to seize such properties, which are prone to fire. But the city says that the foreclosure process is unwieldy and expensive. Civil Beat.

Navy talks Red Hill remediation plan amid detection of new chemicals. The Navy intends to keep its remediation schedule outlined in a Red Hill work plan approved by state and federal regulators. It comes amid calls by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply for more frequent testing of its monitoring wells.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu police sergeant’s son gets minimum 15 years for murder. Circuit Judge Shanlyn Park prefaced her sentencing of a Honolulu police sergeant’s son, convicted of murdering 18-year-old Haaheo Kolona on Round Top Drive, with empathy for Kolona’s mother, saying that as a mother she can understand. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Family confirms death of missing military spouse Mischa Johnson. The military has still not officially confirmed Johnson's death, but her family took to social media, pleading for help to get justice for Mischa. KITV4.

Ewa Beach resort developer offers hotel site for sale. The master developer of Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei Resort has listed for sale a lagoon-front piece of land for development of an initial hotel or timeshare complex at the 1,100-acre project in Ewa Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Concerns over Hawaiʻi Island agriculture tax program prompt roll-out delays. A new agricultural tax program is being rolled out on Hawaiʻi Island, but some officials are trying to delay it to appease the worries of local producers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Port Condition Whiskey Set For Hawaiʻi County Seaports Due To Tropical Storm. The U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port has set port condition Whiskey for the seaports of Hilo and Kailua-Kona in expectation of sustained gale force winds arriving within 72 hours. Big Island Video News.

8 East Hawai‘i school bus routes to be reinstated next week. School bus service for nearly 200 students, most of them on the Big Island, will be restored starting next week as 8 previously suspended East Hawai‘i routes are reinstated. Big Island Now.

Storm preparations underway on Hawaii Island as Hone expected to bring rain, wind and waves. With potential severe weather ahead, local, state and federal agencies are closely monitoring the forecast. Hawaii County has partially activated its Emergency Operations Center and said they’re keeping a close watch on the Hilo area. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Lahaina financial awards available for about 400 eligible DOE workers. Gov. Josh Green this week announced a new initiative — Lahaina Honoring Employees’ Resilience and Optimism, or HERO, Awards — to recognize state Department of Education employees who have played critical roles in keeping Lahaina schools open following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Conservationists hope millions of mosquitoes will help save Hawaiʻi's native birds. In an effort to save endangered native forest birds, the multi-agency partnership Birds, Not Mosquitoes has been releasing sterile male mosquitoes on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

County places embattled Economic Development Director on paid leave. Mayor Bissen enacts several measures in response to internal audit, ethics findings. The County of Maui Office of Economic Development Director Luana Mahi is now on paid leave, pending an investigation regarding her involvement in the alleged misuse of grants and public funds.  Maui News. KHON2.

Public comments sought for draft Honolua to Honokōhau Management Plan. Public comments are due Sept. 9 on a draft environmental assessment for the Honolua to Honokōhau Management Plan, a project by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources State Parks Division to help with planning for the 244-acre coastline on the north shore of West Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

KFD battling brush fire in East Kauai. As of 8:30 p.m. Thursday night, the blaze had burned up to 15 acres of land and was only 20% contained. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kaua‘i educator among finalists for Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year. The Kaua‘i teacher among the finalists is Leah ʻAiwohi, who teaches Computer Science, STEM and Career Technical Education at Kaua‘i High School. Kauai Now.

Kapa‘a Bypass rehabilitation work begins. The weekday closure of the Kapa‘a Bypass Road for rehabilitation started this week. Garden Island.

Hawaii Dems hope Harris ties benefit the state, storms intensify as they near Hawaii, Maui economic development director on leave pending investigation into government grants to family members, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Here’s What Hawaii Democrats Say A Harris Presidency Would Mean For The Aloha State. There are expectations that personal relationships and shared concerns will translate into continued federal support for the islands. Call it Biden-Harris 2.0. Civil Beat.

Tropical trouble near Hawaii, including Category 3 Hurricane Gilma. A flair of tropical activity over the eastern Pacific Ocean has Hawaii on alert with at least two systems heading in the direction of the islands. The depression was located about 1,000 miles to the southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Accuweather.

Gilma now a major hurricane, while a new tropical cyclone still expected Thursday. As of the 11 p.m. report, the National Hurricane Center said Gilma is a major Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour. It was 2,060 miles east-southeast of Hilo and was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Tropical rainstorm approaches Hawaii as wildfire risk looms. Hawaii residents are urged to prepare for gusty wind that potentially could spark wildfires as a tropical rainstorm is expected to approach the islands this weekend. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has Done Little To Shore Up Neighborhoods Against Fire. Some Are Doing It Themselves. Residents aware of the dangers can take some steps to protect their communities, but they’re still looking to government to enforce stricter codes for all.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu police chief scores high in evaluation. Two years into his tenure as Honolulu’s 12th police chief, Arthur “Joe” Logan is exceeding expectations as a leader, innovator and a cost saver while needing to improve internal and external communications, according to his second annual review by the Honolulu Police Commission. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Honolulu City Council considers additional property tax exemptions for homeowners. The Honolulu City Council is considering a measure that would increase the property tax exemptions for those who own and live in their home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Why Do Efforts To Impose Higher Taxes On Empty Homes In Honolulu Keep Stalling? Supporters say the measure would help combat the affordable housing crisis. But questions remain about who should be exempt and how it would be implemented. Civil Beat.

Makakilo rock quarry gets 15-year extension. The state Land Use Commission voted unanimously to extend a special operating permit by 15 years, to 2047 from 2032, for the roughly 200-acre hillside quarry in Makakilo owned by Grace Pacific LLC. Star-Advertiser.

Skyline sees low rail ridership, high monthly costs during first year. It's been just over a year since Honolulu Skyline started up, and it has been slow going for rail when it comes to ridership. KITV4.

Trash truck shortage causes collection delay on Oʻahu. An ongoing shortage of available refuse collection trucks resulted in several routes on Oʻahu being missed this week. Hawaii Public Radio.

20 additional school bus routes restored on O‘ahu, starting Monday, Aug. 26. Service is being restored for approximately 604 student riders enrolled at seven schools. Maui Now.

HPD looks to build citizen ‘army’ to help reduce crime in Waikiki. The Honolulu Police Department  is relaunching its Waikiki Citizen Patrols this Saturday in hopes of getting more residents and businesses engaged in public safety. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers aim to simplify new short-term rental laws. As the council overhauls Hawaiʻi Island's STR regulations through Bill 121, it has made a series of amendments in response to concerns from homeowners, local officials, and other stakeholders. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill permitting street vendors debated, but unresolved. A Hawaii County Council proposal to issue permits to vendors allowing them to sell on county roads generated debate, but wasn’t resolved on Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

4.7-magnitude earthquake rattles Hawaii Island amid busy week of seismic activity. A 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck Hawaii Island early Thursday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat. Hawaii News Now.

Kilauea Visitor Center to close for next 2 years. The expansion of the visitor center is considered phase two of the greater park improvement project, with phase one of the already underway.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Economic Development Director Placed On Paid Leave Pending Ethics Investigation. There's an ongoing review of grants administered by the Office of Economic Development under director Luana Mahi. Civil Beat.

Maui officials move forward with securing night chopper for first responders. This week, the county closed off the bidding process for offers from firms to provide the helicopter, and now must decide who will be awarded the contract.  KITV4.

Blessing commemorates acquisition of Pōhākea Watershed in Māʻalaea for conservation. A blessing held Wednesday morning commemorated the acquisition of the 257-acre Pōhākea Watershed parcel that was recently purchased for conservation and preservation in Māʻalaea. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative activates emergency preparedness plan due to Hurricane Gilma.  The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative is monitoring the progress of Hurricane Gilma along with other storm activity in the Pacific and has activated its emergency preparedness plan. Kauai Now.

Hotel performance report: In July, Kaua‘i led counties in revenue per available room. Kaua‘i hotels led the counties in July 2024 revenue per available room at $358 (+7.4% vs. 2023, +55.0% vs. 2019), with average daily rate at $453 (-0.1% vs. 2023, +50.5% vs. 2019) and occupancy of 79.0% (+5.5 percentage points vs. 2023, +2.3 percentage points vs. 2019). Kauai Now.

Hurricane Gilma expected to bring Hawaii weekend storms, Kauai councilman on unpaid leave from teaching job after 'inappropriately' messaging student, Green asks wildfire lawyers to reduce fees, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gilma strengthens to Category 1 hurricane, expected to bring stormy weather over the weekend.  Forecasters are keeping an eye on a pair of weather disturbances over the western portion of the East Pacific basin, about 1,350 miles east-southeast of Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. National Hurricane Center. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Green leads Hawaii delegation in nominating Kamala Harris. Hawaii delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago donned light-blue, long-sleeved aloha shirts and dresses and wore green “Hawaii for Harris” buttons Tuesday as Gov. Josh Green pledged Hawaii’s support for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the next president of the United States. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Facing Potential $1 Billion Payday, Wildfire Lawyers Advertise For More Clients. Gov. Josh Green calls on lawyers to reduce fees to help the victims, but the settlement still is not final. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Failed To Change The Way It Builds After Earlier Disasters. Will Lahaina Spur Reform? Lahaina will likely be more resilient when it’s rebuilt. But will the rest of Hawaii’s vulnerable communities agree to tougher building codes to defend themselves? Civil Beat.

HIDOE announces finals for 2025 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year. The finalists consist of 15 complex area teachers of the year and one charter school teacher which were announced on Tuesday, Aug. 20.  KITV4.

Oahu

Why officials are grappling with the decision of where to put Oʻahu's next landfill. It’s been almost five years since the state Land Use Commission ordered the city to close Waimānalo Gulch Landfill, located in West Oʻahu, by 2028. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Frat House’ Culture | HPD faces lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, discrimination. Allegations have been leveled against the Honolulu Police Department and high-ranking officers, claiming sexual harassment, discrimination, and whistle-blower discrimination. KITV4.

HPD arrest State Deputy Sheriff on suspicion of terroristic threatening. Dibiano Bontog, 35, Bontog is accused of pointing what looked like a firearm at some people he believed were illegally fishing, after videotaping them and getting into a confrontation. KITV4. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Wilcox Medical Center awarded $10.6M grant. The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded Hawaii a $10.6 million grant to provide Wilcox Medical Center with state-of-the-art diagnostic and radiology equipment. Spectrum News.

How A Human Bone Collection in Honolulu Aids Forensic Anthropology in Asia. Taking advantage of Hawaii's diverse population, scientists have built the state's first known-identity human osteological lab. Civil Beat.

Second opossum in over one month captured in Honolulu. A live opossum was captured in Honolulu on Monday afternoon, according to Department of Agriculture officials. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Nighttime runway work at Hilo International Airport rescheduled. Nighttime runway work at the Hilo International Airport originally scheduled to start Monday has been rescheduled to Aug. 27 to 30. Big Island Now.

3 Big Island educators named among finalists for Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year. A total of 15 complex area teachers were named finalists by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. Big Island Now.

Maui

County sewage service to be available for first time to Fleming Road lots in Lahaina. For the first time, 29 lots on Fleming Road in Lahaina will have the opportunity to access Maui County sewer service, but there are some requirements for property owners, according to an announcement. Maui Now.

HIDOE names two Maui educators finalists for the 2025 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year. The Hawai’i State Department of Education on Tuesday named two Maui educators as finalists among the 15 total state complex area teachers of the year candidates.  Maui News. Maui Now.

Removal of trees at popular Maui park spurs disagreement between county, community members. For decades, South Maui resident Keoki Mokiao and several others have took it upon themselves to tend to the popular Cove Beach Park in Kihei. KITV4.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Councilman ‘inappropriately’ messaged student on social media, school investigation reveals. Kaua’i County Councilman Billy DeCosta was put on unpaid leave from his teaching job at Kapaʻa High School earlier this year due to inappropriately messaging a student on social media, according to a June 20 letter sent to DeCosta from the state Department of Education. Kauai Now.

DHHL apartment purchase plan draws demonstrators on Kauai. A contentious plan by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to buy a Kauai apartment complex for homesteading attracted demonstrators Monday and Tuesday outside a Hawaiian Homes Commission meeting in Wailua. Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i Community College gets $1.19 million grant. Kaua‘i Community College announced on Tuesday that it was awarded $1,194,119 by the U.S. Department of Education/Native Hawaiian Education Program. Garden Island.