Homeowners rush to beat solar tax credit deadline, residents weigh in on how to spend $100M green fee, state violated due process in Maui water case, Kiko downgraded to tropical storm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeowners rush to install solar on roofs before tax credits expire. Due to the passage in July of H.R.1, the “big, beautiful bill,” the 30% federal tax credit for residential solar PV panels and batteries ends Dec. 31 instead of the end of 2032. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.   Maui Now.

This is what residents think the new 'Green Fee' should be spent on. The state is deciding how it will spend an estimated extra $100 million a year from the new "Green Fee" tax on hotels and cruise ships that starts next year. More than half of those surveyed touted projects that focus on restoration, recovery and workforce development. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kiko downgraded to tropical storm as it passes north of Hawaii. Kiko weakened to a tropical storm Monday night and is on track to pass well north of Hawaii over the next two days. Once a major Category 4 hurricane just a few days ago, Kiko is now a shallow tropical storm and is mostly a swirl of low level clouds. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Girls Remain Underrepresented In Hawaiʻi High School Sports. Seven years after the state education department faced a civil rights lawsuit over gender inequality in sports, Hawaiʻi girls remain consistently underrepresented in high school athletics. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Report Describes ‘Atrocious’ Conditions For Mentally Ill Inmates. Psychiatrists who inspected state facilities cited problems ranging from overuse of pepper spray to intentionally harsh conditions on suicide watch. Civil Beat.

Blue Hawaiian’s request to fly at lower altitudes gets pushback. In a 20-page petition to the Federal Aviation Administration, Blue Hawaiian explained if its pilots were allowed fly below the 1500-foot minimum altitude in certain areas, they could more easily avoid clouds, which typically form at 1,200 feet on up. Hawaii News Now.

How Small Businesses Are Breaking Into Hawaiʻi’s Big Tourism Markets. Airlines and hotels can provide a lucrative market for Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs, but making inroads with large brands and scaling up production isn’t easy. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD Tried To Fire This Cop. He’s Retiring With A Giant Pension Instead. The police department has opened an inquiry into the 2,375 hours of overtime filed last year by Darren Cachola, who is one of the officers being sued along with the department for arresting sober drivers at DUI checkpoints.  Civil Beat.

Council OKs 750-unit affordable rental project in Kapolei. The Council’s approval allows Laulima Affordable Housing LLC, an affiliate of Utah-based the Wasatch Group, to build its project within a part of a 516-acre Kapolei West master-­planned development.  Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay closed for parking lot repaving. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is closed for two weeks starting Monday. A city contractor is repaving and restriping the attraction’s two main public parking lots, which includes approximately 280 parking stalls.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council committee passes bill to extend free bus rides through 2028. The move aims to address ongoing staffing shortages within the Mass Transit Agency and give officials time to implement improvements, including a micro-transit program that will better serve rural residents. Tribune-Herald.

Final EIS For Keauhou Bay Management Plan Published. The documents detail Kamehameha Schools' proposal to implement the Keauhou Bay Management Plan on approximately 29 acres at Keauhou Bay.  Big Island Video News.

PETA weighs in on K-9 Archer’s death. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it sent a letter Monday to Hawaii Police Department Interim Chief Reed Mahuna concerning Archer, the West Hawaii Vice Division K-9 that died Thursday after being left unattended in a police vehicle. Tribune-Herald.

Once homeless, man helps job seekers through the same organization that helped him. When Kevin Aki Jr. first attended an American Job Center Hawaii community outreach event a decade ago, he and his family were “homeless and low-income.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State violated due process in Maui water case, Hawaii justices rule. The Hawaii Supreme Court has ruled that the state Board of Land and Natural Resources violated constitutional rights when it allowed Alexander &Baldwin Inc. to divert streams in East Maui without granting community groups a full hearing on the environmental and cultural consequences. Star-Advertiser.

Free building trades courses offered at UH Maui College this fall. The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is offering a free eight-week carpentry pre-apprenticeship training beginning next Monday, Sept. 15 and running through Friday, Nov. 14. The tuition value is $6,000. Maui Now.

Guided tours resume at the remote Hawaii leprosy settlement of Kalaupapa. A former leprosy settlement in a remote part of Hawaii will reopen this month for the first time since the pandemic, when it closed to shield the few remaining patients, all of whom are over 80, from exposure to COVID-19, officials said Monday.  Associated Press.

Kauai

County strengthens wildfire safety in West Kauai plantation camp communities. On Monday, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed into law Bill No. 2961, an ordinance passed unanimously by the Kauai County Council to advance wildfire mitigation in West Kauai’s plantation camp districts.  Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Healthy coconut trees cut down on Kalalau Trail; state staff reprimanded for not protecting natural resources. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources is facing criticism from residents and outdoor enthusiasts after its employees cut down more than a dozen healthy coconut trees along the Kalalau Trail on the Nāpali Coast of Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

ID card production resumes after temporarily being unavailable on Kauai. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announces that the production of identification cards will resume on Tuesday for Kauai residents. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit challenges Legislature's shell bills, Hurricane Kiko to weaken to tropical storm north of state today, Honolulu council seeks audit on homeless response, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Suit Challenges How Legislators Turn Blank Bills Into Mid-Session Surprises. League of Women Voters targets the use of short-form measures that start out as empty shells. The Hawaiʻi Legislature’s practice of introducing mostly blank placeholder bills and then transforming them into substantive measures mid-session is unconstitutional, the League of Women Voters of Hawaiʻi says in a new lawsuit. Civil Beat.

Major changes, political conflict create confusion over COVID-19 vaccines in Hawaii.  While the federal approval process for COVID-19 vaccines over past years was routine, this year’s process is full of strife and disruption, with conflicting recommendations. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Kiko is weakening on a forecast path expected to take it north of Hawaii. As of 5 a.m. today, maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts.  Additional weakening is forecast during the next few days, and Kiko is expected to become a tropical storm by the end of the day.  Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  National Hurricane Center.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4. 

Hawaii Army National Guard meets its recruiting goals. After a yearslong slump in efforts to recruit new guardsmen and retain old ones, the Hawaii Army National Guard is finally making its recruiting goals. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolululu City Council requests audit of homeless response program. The Office of the City Auditor is expected to delve into the administration and operation of the city’s homeless response program currently overseen by the Honolulu Emergency Services Department. Star-Advertiser.

Police report progress on shuttering illegal game rooms on Oahu. The number of arrests at illegal game rooms on Oahu so far this year has surpassed the total for 2024, as Honolulu police work with city planning officials to shut down the operations, which have often been the scene of shootings, robberies and other violent and illicit activities. Star-Advertiser.

State agency to further invest in troubled Kakaako condo. The Block 803 Waimanu, an “extraordinary boutique condominium” midrise in Kakaako is headed for an extraordinary intervention by a state agency trying to salvage a nearly $10 million investment in the project. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi's wealthiest ZIP code may surprise you. 96814 is the ZIP code for the Ala Moana-Kakaʻako area of Honolulu. And it's the wealthiest ZIP code in the state, when you count not just home values but such data points as per capita income, education and population density. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi's only marine debris recycling facility searches for funding to stay afloat. Hawaiʻi’s only marine debris recycling center is running at full capacity after opening last summer. It’s part of Hawaiʻi Pacific University’s Center for Marine Debris Research — and a full-time staff of four is turning plastic trawl nets into building materials, roads and more. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Airlines, Honolulu CC expand aviation training. Honolulu Community College and Hawaiian Airlines are expanding their partnership with the launch of the Maintenance Technician Development Program, a new initiative to train and hire the next generation of aircraft maintenance technicians. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council advances charter amendment on Environmental Management director qualifications.  The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday passed the first of three required readings of a bill that would amend the County Charter to change qualifications for the director of Environmental Management. Tribune-Herald.

What to do about feral cats? Group stresses education, sterilization in County Council presentation. Aloha Animal Alliance $10 million is spent annually on animal welfare today between county Animal Services, county and state-funded grants, and other donations from animal welfare nonprofits. About $4.7 million came from the county. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island police dog dies after being left in hot car. A police dog with the Hawai‘i Police Department died Thursday after he was left in a police car for a long period of time. KITV4.

Hawai’i Island police post clarification regarding social media video of raid in Puna. The Hawaiʻi Police Department issued a statement clarifying that the activity in the Kalapana area was related to a fugitive arrest case involving illegal drugs and guns, not immigration enforcement. Big Island Now.

Immigration detainer, ‘substantial real property’ in labor trafficking case. A 26-year-old Kona woman accused of forcing a minor to work has substantial real property, according to the state attorney general’s office. Ludin Yorleny Pena Miranda on Thursday pleaded not guilty of nine counts of first-degree labor trafficking. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County drums up interest in more 'empathetic' approach to relocating homeless individuals. The Maui County Council on Thursday deferred the drafted set of rules, including those that would have required the county to give notice to residents and outreach providers before encampments were removed, and inform those displaced about shelters and “safe zones” where they can stay. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui commercial boating industry struggling while waiting for Lahaina Harbor to reopen, tourism to rebound. Most companies were just recovering from the pandemic’s six-month shutdown of tourists to Maui, when the Lahaina fire led to visitors being told initially to stay away, a message that still lingers two years later. Maui Now.

Burying power lines along Lahainaluna Road part of Hawaiian Electric’s grid hardening plan. The plans include burying 2.5 miles of power lines along Lahainaluna Road, which could be done in conjunction with Maui County’s plan to widen the major thoroughfare in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Solar nanogrids bring energy independence to these off-grid Molokaʻi families. With federal financial assistance from the Department of Energy, technical and design support as well as funding were funneled through Sandia National Laboratories and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

New boat for Kauaʻi Sea Scouts arrives at Nāwiliwili Harbor. For the first time in 15 years, the Sea Scouts of Kauaʻi have a new boat with the support of the local community. Kauai Now.

Kaua’i volunteers mobilize for 40th Annual International Coastal Cleanup. The Ocean Conservancy is celebrating 40 years of action and impact, scheduled for Sept. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., marking one of the largest single-day efforts worldwide to clean trash from beaches and waterways. Kauai Now.

Hurricane Kiko maintains northwest track, group targets Kamehameha Schools admission policy, East-West Center to receive $6.5M federal funds previously withheld, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Kiko expected to approach Hawaiʻi in early to middle part of next week. As of 5 a.m. on Friday, it was about 1,245 miles south-southeast of Hilo. It is expected to cross into the central Pacific basin Friday night. Maui Now. Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

‘Subdued’ economic growth for Hawaii forecast through 2026.  High global import tariffs and federal government policy uncertainties are expected to keep Hawaii’s economy in slow-growth mode for the next few years, according to a new state forecast from the  state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii joins West Coast Health Alliance to form own policies. Hawaii has joined forces with the newly launched West Coast Health Alliance, which includes California, Oregon, and Washington. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools’ Admission Policies May Face Legal Challenge. An anti-affirmative action group wants the school to end its policy of giving preference to Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Oahu

East-West Center to receive federal funds before end of fiscal year. The East-West Center (EWC) is set to receive some of its federal funding that was previously held by the Trump Administration.The center said $6.5 million in funding that was allocated by Congress is expected to arrive before the end of the fiscal year. Hawaii News Now.

Navy and NPS begin removing platforms from USS Arizona.  The U.S. Navy and National Park Service began operations to remove two World War II-era mooring platforms from the USS Arizona on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Man pleads not guilty to starting Kunia Road fire. A 70-year-old arson suspect Thursday pleaded not guilty to second-degree arson in a wildland fire along Kunia Road that broke out Aug. 23, but he has not been charged with a Haleiwa fire that was set the same day. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu EMS Director Defends Decision To Drive Wrong Way On H-1 Freeway. Honolulu Department of Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland was driving an official EMS vehicle toward Thomas Square and the Blaisdell Center to follow up on homeless complaints when he witnessed a man get hit by a car on Ward Avenue at around 11 a.m. on Aug. 27, Ireland said Thursday. Civil Beat.

Oahu homeowner shares costly eviction process after dealing with tenants who refuse to pay rent. A costly lesson for an Oahu man who used Facebook Marketplace to rent out a family property and has spent months in court to get it back from tenants who refuse to pay rent. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Marathon entries race past last year's numbers. The Honolulu Marathon is just three months away, but it’s already on track for record-breaking numbers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

County likely to delay STVR registration law until March. Hawaii County’s new law to regulate short-term vacation rentals — rentals lasting less than 180 consecutive days — is set to take effect Dec. 20 but will likely be pushed back to the end of March to give operators more time to comply. Tribune-Herald.

The weather theme for Hawaiʻi in August is ‘dry, drier and driest’. Most of Hawaiʻi Island was below average rainfall for August, with the seasonable exception of the leeward coast/slopes of the Kohala and Kona districts which turned in another month with many sites near to above average, according to the National Weather Service. Big Island Now. 

Big Island council and public testimony want Pōhakuloa military training to stop. The Hawaiʻi County Council has passed a resolution signaling that it wants to end the military’s presence at the Pōhakuloa Training Area — or at least task the military with taking better care of the land. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Island grant program invites food security organizations to apply. The Food Basket and Hawaiʻi County’s Department of Research and Development announced a $500,000 grant program to fight the island’s food insecurity issue. Grants are available to existing projects that strengthen food security and economic resilience. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Community College announces two new deans. Carrie Mospens has been named dean of career and technical education, and Jace Saplan has been named dean of liberal arts. Tribune-Herald. 

Maui

Water restrictions put starting of 2026 PGA Tour in question. The billionaire owner of Kapalua Golf said Maui Land & Pineapple Co.’s move to cut off irrigation water Aug. 29 puts preparations for the start of the 2026 Professional Golfers Association Tour at the Plantation Course in jeopardy. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Maui council seeks solutions to address homelessness in new bill. Maui County leaders are taking another look at how to handle homeless encampments. Councilmember Gabe Johnson says his new proposal, Bill 111, is designed to bring more compassion and consistency to the process. Hawaii News Now.

Nonprofits Want To Help Maui Fire Victims — If They Can Reach Them. Limited communications and continued grief have made it more challenging for nonprofits to connect with survivors who could most benefit from their services. Civil Beat.

Theft of shipping container stalls ocean cleanup efforts. A 20-foot long shipping container used as a key link for removing marine debris from Maui’s beaches has been stolen. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Office of Elections pushes back on allegations it overcounted hundreds of 2024 Kauaʻi ballots. Earlier this summer, a permitted interaction group, or PIG, within the state Elections Commission put out a report accusing the Office of Elections of overcounting 600-plus ballots received in Kauaʻi County during the 2024 election. Hawaii Public Radio.

$51M+ federal grant funding heading to Līhuʻe Airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Hawaiʻi $51,315,736 in federal grant funding for improvements on Kaua‘i. KHON2.

Use It Or Lose It? Kauaʻi Wants Robinson Resort Land Back To Agriculture. Developers have failed to start construction on the 250-room project for the past two decades. Civil Beat.

KPD provides alternative contact numbers amid technical issue. The Kaua‘i Police Department is alerting the public to intermittent outages affecting its non-emergency phone line due to an ongoing technical issue. Kauai Now.

Hurricane Kiko impact expected early next week, Hawaii County Council resolution seeks end to Pohakuloa bombing, Honolulu council approves homeowner tax exmptions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Kiko expected to impact the state early next week.  Kiko maintained its major hurricane strength late Wednesday night with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph in the East Pacific as it heads west toward Hawaii.The National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 11 p.m. Category 4 Hurricane Kiko was centered about 1,520 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 1,720 east-southeast of Honolulu and moving west at 8 mph. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

UH study: Researchers call for new standards for building in coastal flood zones. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research, published in Water, provides a critical resource for policymakers and designers in coastal communities such as Hawaiʻi who are planning for the impacts of climate change. Maui Now.

School bus offerings have improved since last year, but challenges remain. The bus driver shortage is no longer a state of emergency, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. This is a drastic change from last year when more than 138 bus routes were suspended, impacting 3,500 students. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority names David Uchiyama as chief administrative officer. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has announced that David Uchiyama will serve as its new chief administrative officer, bringing decades of leadership experience in Hawai‘i’s tourism, airline, transportation and energy industries. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s new inter-island air ambulance is cleared for takeoff. Hawaii has a new air ambulance serving the entire island chain. Optimum Air’s Pilatus PC-12 became operational Monday, Sept. 1.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

City Council passes homeowner tax exemption bills. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday adopted two measures meant to offer financial relief to Oahu property owners burdened with high property taxes. Star-Advertiser.

Former secretary accused of illegal campaign contributions. Terri Ann Otani of Mitsunaga & Associates was acquitted in last year’s federal bribery trial. Some of the money allegedly went to last year’s co-defendant former city prosecutor, Keith Kaneshiro. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

State unveils 20 new EV charging stations at Honolulu airport.  The OpConnect Level 2 chargers are available to the public 24 hours a day on a first-come, first-served, pay-per-use basis. Star-Advertiser.

New eyes on safety: Honolulu to install cameras at Blowhole, Plantation Village. Honolulu officials are adding more eyes in two high-profile areas. It’s part of a push to improve public safety at some of the island’s most visited – and sometimes most vulnerable – spots. KHON2.

Affordable rental apartments rising on city land in Ewa Beach. The first structure of a low-income rental housing complex in Ewa Beach initiated more than five years ago has begun to rise on a long-ignored piece of city land. Star-Advertiser.

Despite social media fears, Oahu fire numbers are steady. HFD Fire Captain Jaimie Song said the apparent uptick in fires is in part a reflection of heightened attention rather than a sharp increase in frequency. Star-Advertiser.

City urged to install cameras to monitor streams, roadways for flooding. The Honolulu City Council has unanimously passed a resolution urging the city administration to install monitoring devices to help during weather and other climate-related disasters. Hawaii News Now.

ʻAiea community shares concerns about planned Aloha Stadium development. New contracts have been signed to move forward with the demolition and construction of a new Aloha Stadium — set to open in 2029. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Great Aloha Run ending after 41 years. The Great Aloha Run, one of Hawaii’s largest community sporting events and fundraisers, has ended after 41 years. The 8.15-mile race, which began in 1985, held its final run in February and will not return for a 42nd year. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Council unanimously urges state to stop military bombing at PTA. The Hawaii County Council unanimously voted Wednesday, 8-0, to urge the state to halt military “bombing and desecration” at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Attorney General indicts Big Island woman on labor trafficking charges. Ludin Yorleny Pena Miranda, 26, was indicted in the 3rd Circuit Court in Kona on Aug. 27 by the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division on nine counts of first-degree labor trafficking, a class A felony. In one instance, the court document indicates the 26-year-old withheld government-issued identification documents to keep the reported victim from moving. Big Island Now. KITV4. 

Hawaiʻi Island residents push county to protect historic 364-acre parcel. Honolulu Landing, a 364-acre stretch of coastline in Hawaiʻi Island’s Puna District, is on the market. Some Hawaiʻi County Council members and Puna residents are urgently pushing to protect it from private buyers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Puʻu Nui Park Playground In Waikōloa Reopens Saturday, September 6. The redeveloped playground includes the installation of “two new play structures with slides and climbing areas, a new play surface to enhance safety, new walkways and fencing.” Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui council member seeks solutions to compassionately address homelessness. A bill to establish a process to decommission encampments in Maui County will be discussed in the Water Authority, Social Services, and Parks Committee on Thursday, Sept. 4, Council Member Gabe Johnson announced.  Maui Now.

Century-old Maui land dispute ends before Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Pioneer Mill claimed ownership over Maui land in 1919. In 2025, that claim has been rejected. In 1919, the Pioneer Mill Company filed an application claiming three parcels totaling 1,905 acres in Lahaina, which has left descendants of an ali‘i landowner fighting for decades to get that land back. Aloha State Daily.

New upscale Wailea restaurant staffing kitchen with culinary graduates from UH Maui College. When husband-and-wife team Taylor Ponte, the chef, and Natasha Ponte, the general manager, were staffing their new upscale restaurant Aurum Maui, they knew exactly where to find kitchen talent in the tight job market. Maui Now.

Kauai

Reporter digs into the history of the Robinson family's 100,000 acres of Hawaiʻi land. This includes the entire island of Niʻihau, where a handful of residents live and work under secretive conditions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi Beer Company shuts down popular restaurant abruptly amid market challenges. The closure came as a shock to many of its patrons, who also were saddened that the intimate microbrewery would not longer be a place for them to hang out in downtown Līhu’e. Kauai Now.

Hawaii insurers defy new federal COVID vaccine guidelines, state launches website on military leases, Maui Prep Academy hit with transgender lawsuits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii insurers hold firm on COVID vaccine policies. Hawaii’s health insurers say they will cover COVID vaccinations for anyone older than six months, despite new FDA guidance that says children and healthy adults don’t need the shots. While public health advocates applaud the decision by Hawaii’s insurers, doctors and pharmacies are predicting a big drop in vaccinations. Hawaii News Now.

National organization pushes for more voter registrations in Hawaiʻi. The 2026 election may seem far away, but the national Voter Participation Center is already sending out postcards to get people registered to vote in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

 Hawaiʻi enforces new law to combat discriminatory calls to law enforcement. The new law allows for penalties of no less than $1,000 plus legal fees against someone who is deemed through civil litigation to have called law enforcement on a person based on that person’s actual or perceived race, color, birthplace, age, religion, sex, gender expression or other protected class. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

New state website to keep Hawai‘i residents informed on future of U.S. Army leases. According to a new release from Gov. Josh Green’s office, the site will provide updates on key developments involving leases on Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu and give people the chance to provide their perspectives and opinions on the matter. Big Island Now.

Native Hawaiian groups want to be included in discussions between state and military on training lands. Native Hawaiian groups are speaking out, calling for change as the military works to extend its use of training land in Hawaii. KHON2. KITV4.

Kiko remains a Category 2 hurricane, but more strengthening expected. The National Hurricane Center said in data valid at 11 p.m. Monday, Kiko had maximum sustained winds near 105 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend 15 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds extend 90 miles. Kiko was located about 1,700 miles east of Hilo and was moving to the west at 7 miles per hour.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

80th anniversary of end of World War II commemorated at Pearl Harbor.  In a ceremony at Pearl Harbor, where Imperial Japan’s surprise Dec. 7, 1941, attack drew the United States into World War II, a crowd gathered Tuesday on the pier beside the battleship USS Missouri — the ship where Japanese diplomats signed the unconditional surrender that finally ended the war. Star-Advertiser.

Sustainable aviation fuel sales agreement signed for Hawaiian Airlines Osaka-Honolulu flights. Hawaiian Airlines announced it will be incorporating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on flights between Osaka, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawai‘i under a sales agreement between parent company Alaska Air Group Inc., and Cosmo Oil Marketing Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.  Maui Now.

Oahu

Bills aim to ease homeowner tax burden. Two measures meant to offer financial relief to island property owners burdened with high property taxes are scheduled for third and final readings by the Honolulu City Council today. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu is updating its climate plan ahead of 2030 state goals. The Honolulu Resilience Office is in the process of updating its climate plan. It will lay out actions that the City and County of Honolulu will take over the next five years to help the state meet its goal. Hawaii Public Radio.

JABSOM clinic marks 20 years of free health care for Oʻahu's houseless population. Clean clothes, a fresh shower, and routine medical check-ups await patients as they walk through the doors of an Iwilei health care clinic. But this particular clinic is dedicated solely to Oʻahu's unhoused population.  Hawaii Public Radio.

4 facing federal prison time for more than $1M tax fraud. Four people were convicted last week for their role in a conspiracy to file false tax returns and then use Hawaii real estate holdings, banks and trusts to launder more than $1 million from the federal government. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Qualifications for Public Works director could change. Under the current language, the individual must be a “registered professional.” The proposed amendment would remove this term and instead specify that candidates must have at least five years of experience in an administrative or managerial role, with at least two years in public works, construction or a related field. Tribune-Herald.

Feral Cat Battle Reaches Fever Pitch. A new county measure outlawing cat feeding on the Big Island is expected to become law this week, pitting feral cat advocates against politicians. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Police Department’s interim chief takes over command. The Hawaii County Police Department’s new interim chief has officially taken over command.Reed Mahuna replaced acting chief Ben Moszkowicz on Monday.  Hawaii News Now.

Resolution to acquire Honolulu Landing advances. The County Council on Tuesday advanced a resolution to proceed with the acquisition of Honolulu Landing in the Puna District, moving it to the full council for a vote. Tribune-Herald.

$1M grant buoys Hawaiʻi Island health clinic facing federal cuts. Kumukahi Health + Wellness started 40 years ago to serve people living with or affected by HIV. It now offers a range of services, including Med-Quest patient enrollment navigation, a sexual health clinic, and a syringe exchange program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Undeveloped beachfront parcel in Waikōloa Beach Resort returned to native Hawaiian descendants. 27.38-acres of the culturally significant coastline of ‘Anaeho‘omalu Kapalaoa in North Kona will now be permanently preserved, the Trust for Public Land announced on Tuesday. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Prep Academy hit with 2 suits on transgender policy. Two lawsuits were filed Tuesday in Maui Circuit Court against Maui Preparatory Academy related to its new school policy, which began in the 2025-26 school year, that transgender students would no longer be allowed to use restroom facilities, play on sports teams or room with students of the same gender. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Nonprofits Want To Help Maui Fire Victims — If They Can Reach Them. Limited communications and continued grief have made it more challenging for nonprofits to connect with survivors who could most benefit from their services. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Nāpali Coast: A ‘Biodiversity Hotspot,’ but with many endangered species to protect. The remote Nāpali Coast, a beautiful region of sheer sea cliffs and lush valleys on the northwestern shores of Kaua‘i, is one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Hawaiian Islands – and on Earth. Kauai Now.

Pipe replacement, road repairs scheduled near highway in Kalāheo. Lane shifts are scheduled along a portion of Papalina Road in the vicinity of Kaumuali‘i Highway to complete pipe replacement and road repairs within the Kaua‘i County right of way. Kauai Now.

Hurricane Kiko strengthens, Japan arrivals rebounding, bumper coffee crop hampered by ICE raids, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Kiko strengthens, no threat to Hawaii today. As of early this morning, the storm was located about 1,815 miles east of Hilo, moving slowly west at 6 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.  KITV4. Hawaii News Now. 

Clock is ticking on how to spend new green fees. When the legislative session begins, it’ll be up to Green to turn the Green Fee Advisory Council’s recommendations into bills for the Legislature to debate and potentially send back to Green by the time the session ends in May. Star-Advertiser.

Japan arrivals rebounding in the back half of the year.  Japanese arrivals to Hawaii were expected to drop below last year’s levels after a sluggish start to the year, but visitor industry members say that the market is gaining ground and has a shot at finishing flat to slightly better. Star-Advertiser.

Who Uses The Most Water In Hawaiʻi? Golf courses, big resorts and the Marine Corps Base on the Windward side of Oʻahu top the list of the state’s biggest water-hungry consumers. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi legislators call for a special session to address immigration enforcement. This year, from January through the end of July, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made almost 150 administrative arrests in Hawaiʻi. The agency made 45 arrests locally in all of 2024. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gas prices up slightly in Hawaii. According to AAA Hawaii, the statewide average price for regular unleaded was $4.47 as of Aug. 28, which is one cent more than last week and 19 cents lower than this time last year. Maui News.

Oahu

HFD fund lacks public transparency, city audit states. A Honolulu Fire Department fund meant to collect public payments for fire plan reviews related to the city’s building code is non- transparent to the public it serves, the Office of the City Auditor says. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu is updating its climate plan ahead of 2030 state goals. The Honolulu Resilience Office is in the process of updating its climate plan. It will lay out actions that the City and County of Honolulu will take over the next five years to help the state meet its goal of slashing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in half compared to 2005 levels.  Hawaii Public Radio. 

Honolulu County Employee Fired After Nearly 5 Years Of Paid Leave. The employee was paid not to work for years as officials mulled over his “impossible” mileage reports. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

North Kohala Customers Told To Use Water for Essential Needs Only. The Hawi #2 well is suspected to have failed around mid-day September 1st, prompting the Essential Needs Only Notice. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

ICE Takes Aim At Immigrant Kids In Big Island’s Coffee Belt. President Trump has said he wants to deport hardened criminals. But on Hawaiʻi, agents are snaring undocumented children and their adult relatives. Civil Beat.

Immigration Raids Throw Long Shadow Over Big Island Coffee Harvest. As their workers are arrested and deported, flee the country or stay away, coffee farmers are struggling to bring in a bumper crop. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi County partnership aims to increase affordable housing. The partnership between Hawaiʻi County and the HALE o Hawaiʻi Community Land Trust is opening doors to affordable housing for local families. Hawaii Public Radio.

Playground project underway at Greenwell Park. Redevelopment of the playground of Arthur L. Greenwell Park in Captain Cook began last week and will continue for about five months, according to Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Maui 

County encourages Hoʻokumu Hou applicants to get official information. The County of Maui Office of Recovery is encouraging residents to find official information on Hoʻokumu Hou housing programs directly through the County due to potential fraud by third-party entities.  Maui Now.

Residents encouraged to attend in-person Lahaina Community Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kula Hospital celebrates 115 years of providing care in Upcountry Maui. Maui’s oldest upcountry hospital is celebrating its 115th birthday this year. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Brutal beating that ended the life of a Kauai man under investigation. Authorities are investigating a beating on an east Kauaʻi shoreline that left a man near death, crying out for help on the side of a busy highway. Hawaii News Now.

Department of Public Works announces lane closures in Kōloa. The Department of Public Works, in partnership with contractor Maui Kupono Builders, reported that lane closures will be in effect on portions of Hailima Road, Iuka Place, and Aka Road in Kōloa starting Tuesday. Kauai Now.