Trump approves disaster aid for Lala, Lowell; state DOE seeks $80.6M funding boost; Honolulu to pay $1.8M for beating up the wrong man; Maui cop killer convicted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Department of Education seeks $80.6M more in funding. The state Department of Education is seeking $80.6 million in additional general funds for fiscal 2028-29, largely to maintain existing school services, cover rising operating costs and address needs the department says are underfunded or unfunded. The request would represent a net increase in funding, rather than an entirely new set of programs, and comes after the Legislature reduced the DOE’s general-fund base budget by $1.71 million for fiscal 2026-27. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii public schools see some gains in attendance, math and graduation rates. Hawaii public schools are continuing to recover from pandemic-era learning disruptions, with student attendance and mathematics proficiency improving in the latest school year. But statewide academic performance remains below the goals set for 2029. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Trump approves major disaster aid for Hawaii after Lala, Lowell. The federal government has agreed to cover most of the cost to repair damage to public facilities in Hawaii caused by Hurricane Lala in August and Hurricane Lowell in September. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Strengthening El Nino could add fuel to Hawaii’s hurricane season. Hawaii’s hurricane season typically runs from June through November. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ALPR expansion sparks privacy push by counties. Some county councils are moving to put guardrails in place for automated license plate readers as the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement expands its use of the technology across the state. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu Voters Could Make Impeached Politicians Sit Out. Voters will have the opportunity to make the penalty for impeachment on par with the penalty for being recalled by voters. Civil Beat.

Taxpayers To Pay $1.8M After HPD Stopped, Beat Up The Wrong Man. HPD used physical force against the wrong people during an islandwide manhunt in 2024, costing taxpayers almost $2 million. Civil Beat.

OHA approves $5M plan to create nonprofit to develop Kakaʻako Makai. Trustees with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved a $5.2 million plan Thursday to create a nonprofit to run the Native Hawaiian Cultural Center slated for Kakaʻako Makai. It's a step forward in OHA’s plan to develop 29 acres in Kakaʻako Makai following a partial settlement of unpaid Public Land Trust revenue in 2012. Hawaii Public Radio.

West Oahu residents express frustration, even as Hawaiian Electric touts restoration efforts. The state Public Utility Commission has begun a series of meetings around the state to look at Hawaiian Electric’s reliability during the recent Kona storms and hurricanes. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council advances bill to extend housing and homelessness fund for 2 more years. The fund, established as a pilot program in 2022, allocates a minimum of $9 million annually from property tax revenue to local nonprofits to address homelessness. Bill 192 would extend the program, set to expire in June 2027, by an additional two years. Big Island Now.

‘A lost life, a grieving family and an injured officer’: Chief provides details about fatal Ocean View incident. Hawaii Police Department Chief Reed Mahuna said the man shot and killed by a police officer Wednesday afternoon in Ocean View threatened the officer’s life and injured him with a large lava rock. The shooting victim has been identified by police as 31-year-old Nafetalai Teisina of Ocean View. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video Now. 

IRONMAN Donation Funds Two Mobile Health Vans For Nāʻālehu. Two mobile health trailers have been unveiled in hurricane-battered Kaʻū, made possible by a $350,000 donation from The IRONMAN Foundation to Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center.  Big Island Video News.

Business park eyed for Pana‘ewa; DHHL seeks to develop 146 acres along Railroad Avenue. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands unveiled a conceptual plan for a new business park in the Pana‘ewa area of Hilo at a community meeting Tuesday in Keaukaha. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Man convicted of first-degree murder in officer’s death. A jury has convicted Clembert Alii Kaneholani, 39, of first-degree murder in the August 2025 shooting death of Maui Police Officer Suzanne O. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Strong to host community-led candidate forum ahead of 2026 General Election, Oct. 14. Lahaina Strong will host a community-led candidate forum bringing together candidates for the Maui County Mayor and County Council races to meet directly with the community and share their priorities, plans, and vision for Maui County’s future. Maui Now.

Lahaina Community Land Trust to steward Kainehe, ʻāina momona that once fed Lahaina people. The Lahaina Community Land Trust is setting forth on a new path to steward Kainehe, known in recent decades as 1050 Front Street, turning this ground into a living history and gathering space to celebrate this ʻāina momona that once fed Lahaina’s aliʻi. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Punts On Rules To Make Homes Safer From Fires — Again. Proposed changes to construction and landscaping requirements for new homes have now been deferred three times by a council committee. Civil Beat.

Rebuilding of Kauaʻi County’s Kāpule Building from extensive fire damage remains in early stages. A preliminary structural and engineering assessment is complete on the government building, but a final engineering assessment cannot begin until the cleanup work is finished. Kauai Now.

Housing shortage driving poverty, US pulls last aircraft carrier from Pacific, Honolulu bars can stay open until 4 a.m., woman faces federal charges in $5.2M Kona coffee scam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Housing Shortage Driving Poverty In Hawaiʻi More Than Anywhere. A new study says lowering rents could substantially cut poverty in the Aloha State. The study found that as of three years ago, 34% of the state’s poverty was due to housing costs. Civil Beat.

Supreme Court climate change case could set precedent for Hawaii challenges. U.S. Supreme Court justices wrestled Monday with complex questions over whether to let local governments try to hold private oil companies liable for the harms caused by climate change — and their decision could have large impacts on Hawaii’s own cases against fossil fuel producers. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. pulls its last aircraft carrier from the Pacific — what’s next for the region? The Asia Pacific currently does not have a U.S. aircraft carrier in the region — how important is that, and what sort of signal does it send? Hawaii Public Radio.

Tokuda, Awa split on potential Trump impeachment in race for 2nd District. State Sen. Brenton Awa acknowledges he is a significant underdog in his campaign to unseat U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District. Tokuda declined a televised debate with Awa, so Hawaii News Now interviewed both candidates separately on where they stand. Hawaii News Now.

Low Test Scores: For Hawaiʻi High Schoolers, The Math Isn’t Mathing. Elementary schoolers do OK in math, but by junior year, many students start falling behind. Educators say they need to catch struggling students earlier.  Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii launches single application for all campuses. The UH system has launched ApplyHawaii, a new undergraduate application that allows students to apply to any of the university system’s 10 campuses through a single application. Star-Advertiser.

Three Finalists Announced For New Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have selected Todd Apo, Kaulana Park and Summer Sylva as finalists for the role of the office’s administrator in charge of advancing OHA’s mission of bettering the condition of Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Letters reveal price, policy changes for 16,000 HMSA Medicare Advantage members. About 16,000 HMSA Medicare Advantage members will need to choose a new plan for 2027 after changes to two of the company’s plans. HMSA’s Complete Plus and Standard Plus plans will no longer be offered after December 31.KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu Liquor Commission seeks new records-retention rules. The Honolulu Liquor Commission is seeking final City Council approval Wednesday of a new records-­retention schedule for public information requests and body-worn camera footage amid renewed litigation from a Chinatown nightclub alleging the commission violated a 2025 settlement by restricting public-records access, among other claims. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu bars can now apply to stay open until 4 a.m. during special occasions. The Honolulu Liquor Commission believes its pilot program pushing back closing time at bars is showing promise, but the Honolulu Police Department fears it may not have enough resources to handle rule-breaking patrons. The new license allows establishments to stay open until 4 a.m., instead of the usual 2 a.m., on special occasions only.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Human teeth found at proposed Chick-fil-A site in Kailua. Two human teeth were discovered at the site of a proposed Chick-fil-A in Kailua. The teeth were found during an archaeological survey at the property near Hamakua Drive and Hahani St. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island woman to plead not guilty in Kona coffee case.  Patricia Johnson will plead not guilty Wednesday to charges outlined in a superseding indictment that accuses her of falsifying tax filings while earning more than $5.2 million selling “100% Kona coffee” that was sourced from foreign countries and bought in California and Washington. Star-Advertiser.

New leadership at NELHA means new visions about how to grow the agency. The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority is filling the gaps in leadership it’s had for months — sparking discussion about how to grow the agency’s ocean-based energy and aquaculture output. NELHA has been without its top official since the death of former Executive Director Riley Saito in May. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island mayor offers timeline, cost estimates for Mokuola bridge rebuild. Mayor Kimo Alameda says work on a temporary pedestrian bridge could start as soon as January with access hopefully being restored by next summer. For the permanent rebuild, however, estimates are around $20 million, the mayor confirmed. Hawaii News Now.

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Ironman World Championship in Kona. The Ironman World Championship 2026 is back in Kona, with events underway throughout the week in West Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Plans in the works to rebuild Wild Ginger Hotel. The owners of the Wild Ginger Hotel in Hilo intend to rebuild the historic boutique hotel that was destroyed in a deadly fire almost a year ago, but there is resistance to their plans. Tribune-Herald.

Feral cats found shot to death on Banyan Drive. A woman who feeds cats on Banyan Drive, despite laws against doing so, said at least two cats — a mother and her kitten — were shot to death in late August, calling it “open season on innocent cats and their caretakers.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Court ruling clears way for payouts in $4B Maui wildfire settlement. Nearly 22,000 claimants are still waiting for their share of the $4 billion settlement, which has been delayed by a fight over attorneys fees. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County launches housing navigator program for wildfire survivors as state ends case management. Maui County began a housing navigator program Thursday for households affected by the August 2023 wildfires. It takes over case management services that the state had been providing, the county announced. Maui Now.

Maui to host LPGA 2027 LOTTE Championship at Kapalua. For the first time ever, the LPGA Tour’s 2027 LOTTE Championship will be held at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, officials announced on Monday. The LPGA Tour’s 2027 LOTTE Championship will occur from March 18 to March 21. KITV4.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Wildfire Resilience Bill Has Turned Into A ‘Fight Over Numbers’. Local contractors are putting forward vastly different estimates for how much the bill could increase construction costs.  Civil Beat.

Solomon Kanoho named Local Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Manager for Hurricane Lowell recovery. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has named Solomon Kanoho as the County of Kaua‘i’s Local Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Manager to lead the County’s recovery from Hurricane Lowell. In this role, Kanoho will coordinate recovery work across County departments, serve as the main point of contact for state, federal, and community partners, and report directly to the Mayor. Garden Island.

Hoomalu Ke Kai performs emergency coral restoration. When Hurricane Nolo brushed near Kauai on Sept. 7 and 8, damage from the storm surge and surf was caused along the South Shore and Westside of Kauai. The damage extended to beyond that which is still visible above the ocean surface. Garden Island.

250 bills on the way to the governor, assault weapons bill fails in last-minute drama, HECO liability cap passes despite committee chairs' objections, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The state Legislature gave final approval to about 250 bills Wednesday during several hours of voting that included a surprise defeat of a gun- control measure. Approved bills now poised to become law pending decisions by Gov. Josh Green include measures to turn up illegal fireworks pursuit and punishment, regulate future catastrophic wildfire damage liability and fund the state government for the next two fiscal years as risks of an economic downturn loom due to federal government policies. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4.

In Last-Minute Drama, Legislature Shelves Bill To Ban Assault Weapons. The legislation was opposed by gun-rights advocates who warned that hunters and Native Hawaiians would be harmed by the restrictions. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers Pass HECO Bill Over Objections Of Committee Chairs. The controversy involves a cap on HECO’s liability for future wildfires. Hawaiʻi lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill intended to help shore up Hawaiian Electric Co.’s credit rating despite strong opposition from House and Senate committee chairs who helped vet the measure. Civil Beat.

Bill to support climate research with state dollars dies amid federal cuts. Senate Bill 657 proposed the creation of a climate data hub within the University of Hawaiʻi’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, using $2 million in state funds to support the work of 15 researchers affiliated with the Coastal Research Collaborative. Hawaii Public Radio.

Can’t Afford A Lawyer? Good Luck Getting Help On Neighbor Islands. Lawmakers are taking steps to address a severe shortage of court-appointed attorneys across the state, but lawyers and judges say it may not be enough to solve the problem. Civil Beat.

Tariff fears extend to Hawaii shipping. Looming tariff hikes that have already begun to affect shipping routes and consumer behavior could have outsized effects in Hawaii, where nearly all goods must be imported — many of them from China. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiian groups raise alarm after Trump fast-tracks deep-sea mining. Native Hawaiian and environmental leaders are raising the alarm after President Trump signed an executive order to fast-track the deep-sea mining industry. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Approved state budget includes $30M to develop new Oʻahu jail. Hawaiʻi lawmakers passed the state budget Wednesday that includes $30 million to hire a developer to build a new jail to replace the deteriorating and overpopulated Oʻahu Community Correctional Center. The build cost has been estimated at $1 billion. Hawaii Public Radio.

City’s planned 115% sewer fee hike under Council scrutiny. To publicly avert what one city official termed “rate shock,” Mayor Rick Blan­giardi’s administration and Hono­lulu City Council are now offering competing ideas to deal with proposed city sewer fee rate hikes expected this summer. Star-Advertiser.

City announces new department dedicated to affordable housing. For the first time in nearly three decades the city will now have a fully staffed department dedicated to building affordable housing. The City and County of Honolulu announced Wednesday the launch of Department of Housing and Land Management (DHLM) after the Honolulu City Council approved the reorganization of four departments to manage with the city’s housing initiatives.  Hawaii News Now.

Empty homes tax on Oʻahu owners could generate nearly $300M over a decade, study finds. An empty homes tax could net the City and County of Honolulu nearly $300 million in revenue over the first decade. Hawaii Public Radio.

State’s largest seed bank loses federal funding for online database project. The Lyon Arboretum's seed conservation lab was awarded a $250,000 federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services three years ago to digitize its collection of rare Hawaiian seeds. In early April, researchers learned the grant had been terminated. Hawaii Public Radio.

Civil Beat Series On Papahānaumokuākea Wins National Science Reporting Award. Judges for the National Headliner Award said the work turns readers into explorers and allows them to share the thrill, discoveries and importance of environmental/scientific research. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

IRONMAN Championship Returns To Single-Day Race In Kona, October 2026. The IRONMAN World Championship will return to a single day event in Kona in October 2026, with men and women racing together on the same day.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

New warning sirens installed in Waikoloa Village. The sirens at Pu‘u Nui Park and Kamakoa Nui Park were recently installed as part of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System and will be tested, along with the rest of the network, at 11:45 a.m. today. Tribune-Herald.

Violation issued to Matsuyama Food and Fuel for underground storage tanks. A Department of Health inspector conducted an inspection on Sept. 11, 2024, and confirmed the installation and operation of two 20,000-gallon and one 15,000-gallon underground storage tanks. MATS4 LLC did not apply for or obtain a permit prior to installation or operation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Kamaʻāina housing bill dies in Senate amid statewide affordable housing crisis. However, the Maui County Council will consider its own legislation to use voluntary deed restrictions to pave the way for affordable housing. Maui Now.

West Maui watershed restoration engages Native Hawaiian students. The forests stretching from Honokōwai all the way up to Honokōhau, and the watersheds they protect, have been managed for nearly two decades from the top of the mountains to the ocean. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai businesses frustrated with Wailua sewage spill. Residents and businesses say they’re frustrated after the Wailua Coco Palms sewer pump station failed last week, sending wastewater through their neighborhood. They said the station has been a problem for years with no permanent fix in sight. Hawaii News Now.

Uahi Ridge breaks ground. Uahi Ridge is being developed in partnership with the County of Kauai, Mark Development, Waa Partners, LLC., 3 Leaf Holdings, Inc., and the Hawaiian Community Development Board. Garden Island.

Honolulu considers shipping garbage off-island, comments sought on federal plan to protect coral reefs, charges dropped against state legislator, others in Kapiolani hospital strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu Revives The Idea Of Shipping Trash Off Island. Honolulu’s trash could be shipped off island for 10 years until a new landfill is opened, a potential interim solution to the challenge of what to do with the waste generated by almost 1 million residents and about half a million monthly visitors. Civil Beat.

Public invited to comment on federal plan to preserve coral. The National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy will be used to protect reefs around Hawaiʻi, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Area and other areas. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green's Climate Advisory Team talks priorities to mitigate disaster losses. Gov. Josh Green established a Climate Advisory Team this past May to promote resilience and recovery from future climate-related disasters. The volunteer team is looking at areas ripe for policy-making: environmental and infrastructure resilience, and physical and financial recovery. Hawaii Public Radio.

Voting explainer: 2024 constitutional amendment ballot questions. Hawaiʻi voters will have the chance to weigh in on two constitutional amendment questions in the November election. The questions are related to marriage equality and judicial appointments. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ballot question revives debate over same-sex marriage in Hawaii. Many voters are expressing confusion over a constitutional question on ballots that arrived at homes over the weekend. It brings up the 30-year-old debate over same-sex marriage in Hawaii that most people feel was settled a decade ago. Hawaii News Now.

OHA race: Luapa faces political newcomer for Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi seat. Luana Alapa, who has served on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees since 2020, faces challenger Kunani Nihipali, a farmer and former Honolulu police officer. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i unemployment rate remains at 2.9% in September. The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reports 651,100 people were employed last month, with 19,300 were unemployed, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 670,400 statewide. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Council urges state action on rising property insurance premiums. A Honolulu City Council resolution wants state lawmakers to address what it deems are “drastic” increases in property insurance premiums paid by homeowners across Oahu, particularly for those who own condominiums. Star-Advertiser.

Charges dismissed against 10 arrested during Kapi‘olani hospital protest. All charges have been dismissed against the 10 protesters arrested outside Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children during a management lockout of unionized nurses last month, Honolulu prosecutors said. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  Spectrum.

Rare court filing puts trial on hold for 4 HPD officers accused in near-fatal crash. The high-profile criminal case against four Honolulu police officers has been shelved until a higher court can rule on the defense team’s interlocutory appeal. Hawaii News Now.

Westside After-School Clubs Are Helping Kids Stay Out Of Trouble. Sports and extracurricular activities can help kids build a sense of community pride — and show them a better life is possible. Civil Beat.

Voter service centers on Oahu open ahead of general election. With general election just two weeks away, in-person voter service centers open Tuesday across the state. On Oahu, it opens at Kapolei Hale and Honolulu Hale and they will remain open until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

IRONMAN Emphasizes Respect, Safety Ahead Of Kona World Championship. In the first all-male Ironman race in Kona, about 2,500 athletes will compete in the swim, bike and run competition that covers 140.6 miles on Saturday, starting at the Kailua Pier and ending on Aliʻi Drive. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Kona hotel prepares again to serve as hub for Ironman World Championship. When a semi-truck loaded with pasta and other foods arrived at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort last week, the employees knew that soon to follow would be hoards of hungry triathletes competing in the 2024 VinFast Ironman World Championship. Big Island Now.

Volcano Skatepark reopens after 4+ year closure. Volcano Skatepark is one of the only wooden and indoor parks out of eight skateparks on the island. KHON2. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Feedback conflicting on how to rebuild Lahaina. Survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire expressed both clear and often conflicting opinions on how to rebuild the historic fishing village, with many participants in community engagement sessions on long-term recovery calling for better communications and other technological upgrades to respond to future emergencies, climate change and sea-level rise. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui News. Maui Now.  KHON2.  KITV4

HECO narrowly avoided cutting power in West Maui last week. What happened? West Maui customers were told last Wednesday that Hawaiian Electric might have had to cut power as a fire prevention measure under the new protocols of the utility's Public Safety Power Shutoff program, which launched in July. Hawaii Public Radio.

Trash, invasive trees and abandoned vehicles to be removed from 5-acre County-owned parcel at Ukumehame.  In coordination with Mālama Maui Nui and Kane’s Legacy Tree Services, the County of Maui will be conducting trash removal, invasive tree cleanup and abandoned vehicles disposal during a three-day period from Oct. 23-25 at a 5-acre parcel owned by the County directly mauka of mile marker 13.5 in Ukumehame, West Maui.  Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen to host community budget meeting on Lānaʻi, Oct. 23.  Mayor Richard Bissen and his administration will host a community budget meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at ILWU Union Hall in Lānaʻi City. Maui Now.

Kauai

Should Kauai’s Police Commission Get More Time For Investigations? The seven-member commission that oversees the operations of the island’s police department currently has 90 days to go through the entire process of investigating all complaints that come to it.  Civil Beat.

Voter Service Center to open in Lihue. The Voter Service Center (VSC) is scheduled to open on Tuesday, Oct, 22, in the basement of the historic County Annex Building at 4386 Rice St. in Lihue. Garden Island.

State concerned about worker safety as Red Hill defueling poised to begin Monday, Maui council passes Lahaina cleanup plan, Mala Wharf to open Saturday, 2k athletes gather in Kona for second phase of Ironman, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Safety worries persist before Red Hill defueling begins Monday. The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent a letter Tuesday to the Navy notifying the service of alleged workplace hazards in Red Hill’s main operations tunnel. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Wanted: New Executive Director For Hawaii Fisheries Council. Kitty Simonds, one of the most influential people in the Pacific in U.S. fishing policy, says she’s actively seeking someone to replace her as executive director of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, a post she’s held for 40 years.  Civil Beat.

UH president looks back at a decade of leading the university system.  As he embarks on his final year as president of the University of Hawaii System, KHON2 News spoke with David Lassner about what he’s accomplished in more than a decade at the helm. KHON2.

Oahu

After Lahaina, Makakilo Residents Press Harder For Another Exit Off Their Hill. The dry West Oahu neighborhood has just one way in and out. A decades-long push to build another route has failed to gain traction. Civil Beat.

Makiki affordable rental project to break ground. Although the city touts affordable housing development under Bill 7, the pace of development under the measure — which had a goal of producing 500 affordable rental units per year — has been markedly slow. Star-Advertiser.

Construction begins on affordable housing units in Chinatown's Hocking Building. The units constructed under the Hocking Building Affordable Housing Project will provide rental housing for households earning up to 30-50% of the area median income level. Hawaii Public Radio.

Glitch leads to a lot of extra time on some of the city’s new parking meters. In a statement, the city’s Department of Transportation Services said about 200 of the city’s 4,200 parking meters experienced the issue, which was related to the recent upgrade to 4G. The meters cost nearly $4 million and were installed just this past summer. Hawaii News Now.

‘Mother of Honolulu City Lights’ Carol Costa was dedicated to holiday event.  Costa was so dedicated to the Honolulu City Lights event and the all-volunteer crew that put it together each year, she continued on as a volunteer for the celebration until just a few years ago, long after she retired in 2004 after three decades as an employee of the City and County of Honolulu, serving Mayors Frank Fasi, Eileen Anderson and Jeremy Harris.  Costa, 80, died Tuesday under hospice care on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Maunakea “Traditional Cultural Property” Nomination Discussed. An effort to designate all Maunakea lands above 6,500 ft. as a Traditional Cultural Property was discussed by the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority board. Big Island Video News.

World’s top athletes gear up in Kona to compete in grueling Ironman championship. Just over 2,000 of the globe’s top endurance athletes are in Kona this week for the Ironman World Championship. This year is the first for a new format with only one day of racing as the men had their event in September in France. Hawaii News Now.

EPA awards county, UH $2.1M in effort to reduce disposable foodware. A program that would replace disposable foodware with reusable items at Hilo restaurants and other places that sell or serve food will take shape later this month. Tribune-Herald.

HPD to crack down on illegal vendors: Enforcement on street-side sales to start in December. The Hawaii Police Department on Monday announced upcoming enforcement of laws related to illegal roadside vending and commercial activities on state and county roadways islandwide. West Hawaii Today.

Jim Kauahikaua, former head scientist at HVO, dies at 72.  Jim Kauahikaua, a research geophysicist at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the federal facility’s former scientist-in-charge, died Sunday at home in Hilo.  Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

In major step forward, council approves plan for clearing fire-ravaged properties in Lahaina. In a big step toward recovery for Lahaina. the Maui County Council has approved a plan for removal of fire debris. Property owners will be given a choice of cleaning up themselves or having the Army Corps of Engineers do the work. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Bissen proposing 3 water bill categories for customers affected by Maui fires. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen will submit a proposal developed by the Department of Water Supply to the County Council that would establish three categories for customer billing to address impacts of the August 8 wildfires in Lahaina and Upper Kula. Maui Now. KHON2.

Federal aid available for unemployed Maui workers. Maui employees too traumatized to work following the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century could be eligible for federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance with the help of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Star-Advertiser.

How Will The Maui Strong Fund Be Spent?  The amount raised for the Maui Strong Fund — nearly $140 million — greatly exceeded expectations, according to the foundation’s CEO Micah Kane. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Māla Wharf reopening to recreational boaters Saturday — earlier than expected after Lahaina fire. People will be able to use the facility to access vessels moored offshore.  Maui Now.

'Voluntourism' after the fires could be a regenerative force for Maui — if done right. In the wake of the wildfires, malihini who want to give back may be the kind of visitor Maui could use, according to Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, Chief Branding Officer of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. HTA partnered with Kanu Hawaiʻi to create an online booking platform for voluntourism activities that is set to launch at the end of October. Hawaii Public Radio.

911 calls from Lahaina wildfire show residents’ terror and panic. Audio of 911 calls from a deadly August wildfire released late today by Maui County authorities reveals a terrifying and chaotic scene as the inferno swept through the historic town of Lahaina and people desperately tried to escape burning homes and flames licking at cars in gridlocked traffic. Associated Press.

Kauai

8th Kauaʻi Chocolate & Coffee Festival to showcase Hawaiʻi-grown products.  The festival will celebrate all things chocolate and coffee from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Kilohana Plantation, located at 3-2087 Kaumualiʻi Highway in Līhuʻe. There will be free pumpkin giveaways for the keiki, lots of sampling, exhibitor booths featuring a variety of chocolate and coffee products from throughout the state featuring plenty of Hawaiʻi-grown products, local crafters and food trucks. Kauai Now.

Mauna Loa lava flows slow, Red Hill leaks again an issue, state Supreme Court hands victory to Native Hawaiians in land battle, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mauna Loa Fssure 3 on Nov. 30, 2022 PC:USGS

Lava slows on Mauna Loa, but busy highway vulnerable. On the third day of Mauna Loa’s historic eruption, lava began to slow down, spread out and inflate as it entered the relatively flat saddle region of Hawaii Island. Next stop: one of the Big Island’s busiest highways. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Mauna Loa eruption update website. USGS.

How The Fight For Tribal Rights In North Carolina Could Reshape Native Hawaiian Housing. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz is trying to cut a last minute deal that could bring tens of millions of dollars in new funding to the islands for Native Hawaiian housing. Civil Beat.

Federal grant will pave way for rural internet. Nearly $5.6 million in federal funding is designed to provide the first phase of high-speed internet access to “unserved and underserved” communities such as Native Hawaiian homesteads, Lanai and Molokai to create an “internet for all,” Gov. David Ige announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hurricane season comes to a quiet end. Hurricane Darby was the only tropical cyclone to enter the Central Pacific during the 2022 hurricane season, which ran from June 1 to Nov. 30. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Hawaii Health Department to receive $14M for public health programs. The funding is part of the newly developed Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program, which is supported in part by the American Rescue Plan. Star-Advertiser.

Triple threat: COVID, RSV, flu circulating this holiday season. On Wednesday the state Department of Health reported the state’s seven- day average of new COVID- 19 cases at 137 — a dip from 149 reported on Nov. 23. The state’s average positivity rate, however, increased to 6.3% compared with 5.5% the previous week. Star-Advertiser.

Nov. 24-30, 2022 COVID-19 update: 5 deaths, 1,012 new infections in Hawaiʻi. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health reported 1,012 new COVID-19 cases for the week of Nov. 24-30, 2022. This is well below the last peak of 8,924 new infections reported during the week of May 19-25, 2022. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Navy says it still doesn’t know cause of latest Red Hill leak. The Navy continues to conduct cleanup operations at its Red Hill fuel facility where an estimated 1,100 gallons of concentrated fire suppressant containing hazardous chemicals was released into the ground. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City hires contractor to evaluate Koko Head shooting range amid lead concerns. The city and the Honolulu Police Department are issuing a $55,000 emergency contract to Kramer One — a Scottsdale, Ariz. architectural and planning firm specializing in firing ranges — to evaluate and review the range, which has been closed since September. Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs renames 30 acre land in Kakaʻako. Hakuone — which translates to “sands of creation” — is the new name for a 30 acre swath of industrial land in Kakaʻako owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Sinkhole fix complicated by ‘a lot of unknowns’. A sinkhole in Kakaako that led city officials to close the intersection at Halekauwila and Cooke streets in October is months away from a fix. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Planning ahead: Officials, utilities, transportation companies look to lava flow for clues. Daniel K. Inouye Highway, known to many government officials as DKI and the locals as Saddle Road, is more than just a strip of pavement nearly bisecting the island. It’s a lifeline, carrying workers, goods and even trash from one side of the island to the other. West Hawaii Today.

Ironman to split venues in 2023. Under the new format, the women will race Oct. 14, 2023, in Kailua-Kona. The the men’s race date and location outside of Hawaii is still being evaluated and expected to be announced in January 2023. For 2024, the men and women would exchange locations, meaning the men would race in Kona while the women would travel elsewhere for the grueling 140.6-mile triathlon. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Supreme Court hands win to Kauaʻula Valley kuleana family; case continues on Maui. The Hawai’i Supreme Court on Monday handed a victory to Keʻeaumoku Kapu and his family regarding his claims to a kuleana parcel that his house sits on in Kauaʻula Valley, but the case is not over as it returns to the Circuit Court on Maui.  Maui Now.

Ke Ao Hāli’i receives $100,000 grant to support Native Hawaiians in Hāna. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has awarded Ke Ao Hāli‘i a $100,000 grant over two years to manage more than 90 acres of coastal land south of Hāna town that has been recently returned to community ownership and stewardship. Maui Now.

Public informational meetings set for the Honoapiʻilani Highway improvement project. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will host two virtual and one in-person public informational meetings, to discuss the Honoapiʻilani Highway Improvement project, from Pāpalaua Beach Park to Launiupoko. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i drug treatment center lawsuit tossed as former operator faces legal challenge. At a hearing in Lihu‘e Circuit Court on Tuesday, Chief Judge Randal Valenciano tossed out the lawsuit from Hope Treatment Services over the county’s termination of its contract to operate the embattled adolescent drug treatment center. Garden Island.

County launches online liquor license application platform. The Kaua‘i Department of Liquor Control has launched a new online licensing platform meant to improve the application experience and decrease processing times for new liquor license applications. Kauai Now.

Hawaii to get up to $40M for 'climate-smart' ag, Kauai youth facility still vacant 3 years after construction, Honolulu charter amendment could restructure planning commission, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cattle in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

Hawaii coalition scores ‘climate-smart’ ag grant. A coalition of Hawaii community groups and government entities has scored a federal grant that will bring to the islands up to $40 million to help farmers, ranchers and foresters implement “climate-smart” agricultural practices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture grant also aims to establish stronger markets for local commodities produced using methods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or store carbon. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Commission To Vet New Bills To Boost Public Access To Government. Two measures that were vetoed by Gov. David Ige are among the proposals the panel plans to take up this week in its effort to restore public trust. A commission to increase government transparency is set to vote on several measures Wednesday that would reduce the cost of public records, archive government board meetings, subject lawmakers to term limits, require certain legislative groups to abide by open meetings laws and require the state Office of Elections to publish a voters guide. Civil Beat.

HI-EMA assures Hawaii of no threat from North Korean missile launch. Nearly five years after state emergency officials warned Hawaii about a nonexistent missile attack, causing widespread panic here, they sent out a message on social media Monday about another missile launch, only this time it was to reassure residents there was no threat to the islands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2

Hawaii to install EV stations along highways. Eleven electric vehicle fast-charging stations are slated for Hawaii highways, according to the state Department of Transportation. Each station is required to offer four 150-kilowatt ports capable of charging four cars simultaneously within 20 minutes. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Project to control miconia with butterflies could roll out within year. The insects feed on the invasive plant, which has infested native forests. The state Department of Agriculture and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources had proposed the field release of the butterfly (Euselasia chrysippe) on state lands as a way to mitigate the growth of the noxious weed native to Central and South America. Maui News.

Addressing mental health in public schools poses a challenge for staff and psychologists. Counselors are often the "go-to" source at schools for helping students academically and addressing mental or behavioral issues. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Red Hill leader vows community inclusion. The military task force charged with defueling the Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility plans to begin draining the pipes to massive underground fuel storage tanks in two weeks — a first step in removing 100 million gallons of fuel. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Voters To Decide If Construction Interests Have Too Much Say In Honolulu Planning. One proposed charter amendment would give voters a chance to weigh in on the makeup of a controversial city commission. The Honolulu Planning Commission, long criticized as an insider-ish clique dominated by construction interests, could get something of a makeover soon, if voters approve a charter amendment that would change the mix of the nine-member board. Civil Beat.

Separate bomb scares disrupt Honolulu airport and Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Authorities are investigating two bomb scare incidents today involving suspicious packages, including one at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that led to the closing of part of several baggage claim areas and a couple of gates. A male suspect was taken into custody at about 6 p.m. in connection with the Pearl Harbor case and turned over to Honolulu police, officials said. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Harbor cargo capacity expansion slated for 2024 completion. A new ocean cargo container terminal at Honolulu Harbor long deemed a crucial state project supporting economic growth is on track for completion in early 2024 after nearly two decades of work that has included major delays. Star-Advertiser.

Lead Detected Near Military’s Ewa Beach Shooting Range, Surfrider Says. The Marine Corps expressed skepticism about the findings. The state health department said it would investigate. High levels of lead were detected in soil samples taken near the military’s Puuloa Range Training Facility in Ewa Beach earlier this year, some with up to 17 times the state safety standard for an industrial area, the Surfrider Foundation said Monday. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Panel to mull gun carry bill today. A bill that would restrict the carrying of concealed and unconcealed firearms in “sensitive places” in Hawaii County has garnered quite a bit of opposition ahead of its first committee hearing. West Hawaii Today.

Ironman’s two races in Kona could pump $100 million into economy — but is it worth it? The Ironman World Championship has called Kona home since 1981. For the first time in its Big Island history, there are two races, on Thursday and Saturday, to accommodate a surplus of athletes who deferred their entries during the pandemic when the race was cancelled. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui group launches Safe Solar Projects effort leading up to Paeahu Solar case. Leading up to a contested case hearing next month, a group of Maui residents is putting a spotlight on concerns over utility-scale solar projects. Safe Solar alleges that Paeahu Solar Project, a solar energy and battery storage plant slated for 150 acres behind Maui Meadows in South Maui, could increase flooding, and spark cultural, archeological and environmental damage, among other issues. Maui Now.

Hāliʻimaile General Store, Gannon’s Pacific View restaurants bought by Wyoming group. The acquisition of Gannon’s at 100 Wailea Golf Club Drive, Wailea, went into effect Saturday, and the sale of Hāliʻimaile General Store at 900 Hāliʻimaile Road, Hāliʻimaile, will finalize next month, according to a news release issued today. Both restaurants will remain open during the transitions. Maui Now.

Kauai

Despite strong need, youth drug treatment center on Kauai sits empty 3 years after it was built. Construction on Kauai’s Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center wrapped up three years ago. But the mostly taxpayer-funded project has yet to help a single child. Hawaii News Now.

Waimea wastewater project wins project award for county. On Friday, Sept. 30, representatives from the county Department of Public Works and its Division of Wastewater Management received the American Society of Civil Engineers Hawai‘i Section 2022 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award for Best Small Project, at the Kahala Hotel and Resort on O‘ahu. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Partners needed to build affordable housing project in ‘Ele‘ele. The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency is seeking a development partner to construct the first 38 single-family homes in the county’s Lima Ola affordable housing subdivision in ‘Ele‘ele. Kauai Now.

Tourism spending up, Katherine Kealoha wants out, gas prices drop, school starts Monday, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

On a black sand beach in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

 Hawaii visitor count drops but spending exceeds pre-pandemic levels U.S. arrivals to Hawaii softened in June. Arrivals from Hawaii’s top market for visitors — the U.S. West — were up 10% compared with June 2019, but they were down 4.5% from June 2021, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii hotels finish fiscal year strong, lead nation in key revenue measures. Hotels in the islands ended the 2021-2022 fiscal year with another strong month in June. Hotel revenues aren't only surpassing 2019 numbers — they're leading the nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii drivers start to see some relief at the pump. The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas in Hawaii is now $5.48, down about 11 cents from last week, AAA Hawaii reports. Hawaii News Now.

Conservationists see gains, but still struggle to find long-term funding  Hawaiʻi has made great strides in protecting its natural resources. For instance, 10 watershed partnership organizations now work to maintain over 2 million acres — nearly half of the state's total land area — across five islands.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Campaign finance deadline missed by 30 Hawaii candidates, incumbents. Some 30 political candidates — including incumbents — failed to file mandatory financial disclosure statements by Monday’s deadline and will be fined $50 ahead of the Aug. 13 party primary elections, according to the state Ethics Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Suspected Russian spy from Kapolei held without bail; investigators find coded messages, invisible ink kit. A U.S. defense contractor and his wife charged with fraudulently living for decades under the stolen identities of two dead infants told family they were going into the witness protection program before abruptly abandoning their house and leaving Texas about 40 years ago, a federal prosecutor said today. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Ahead of new school year, educators are hopeful, anxious ― and ready to make up for lost time. Teachers hope that more than ever, this school year will focus on learning. Educators and staff members are back on campus prepping for the new school year, which starts Monday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Monkeypox Misconceptions: The virus isn’t only an LGBTQ+ concern, officials say. Gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals have been labeled “high risk” when it comes to catching monkeypox because a number of cases have been linked back to those social circles. However ,the DOH says the virus is not solely a sexually transmitted disease and can infect anyone. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Target date for new Aloha Stadium is now 2026. The money is now available, but construction of the new Aloha Stadium in Halawa won’t start until at least a year from now. Star-Advertiser.

Public weighs in on new plan to control flooding in the Ala Wai watershed. The City and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is trying again on plans to prevent major storm flooding from the Ala Wai watershed into Waikiki. The Corps presented seven preliminary plans, which included 51 different flood management measures, at a meeting Thursday night at the Ala Wai Golf Course Club. Hawaii News Now.

Katherine Kealoha requests release from custody. In a letter to District Court, Katherine Kealoha requested that she be released from custody for ineffective counsel. KHON2.

Despite worsening drought, water use decreasing on Oahu. The good news is that water consumption is down 5% on Oahu, according to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and it appears likely that mandatory water restrictions will not be necessary this summer. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi announces restart of city’s outdoor dining program. Bill 27 which was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council earlier this month, allows restaurants to apply for a one-year permit to operate dining service on the sidewalk directly outside of its storefront. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

TheBus Is Trying To Recover Riders Lost During The Pandemic. Why Not Cut Fares? A sustained fare cut isn’t part of a campaign next month to boost ridership. City transportation leaders say the move could hurt Oahu’s existing bus service. Civil Beat.

Former Makiki Community Library to be revamped as a community center. The former library building at Makiki District Park will be renovated to be a community center. The Makiki Community Library has been closed since 2018. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nonprofit purchase deal protects Paiko Ridge in perpetuity. A large swath of Paiko Ridge in East Honolulu will now be protected from development, thanks to a deal brokered by Livable Hawaii Kai Hui to purchase the land from its owner. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Strong June for tourism: 157,443 visited Big Island last month, despite surging prices. After years of COVID-induced stagnation, Hawaii visitor rates have all but recovered, with June arrivals nearly matching prepandemic numbers. Tribune-Herald.

State extends deadline for Mauna Kea panel. Gov. David Ige and leadership from the state Senate and House of Representatives have extended the application deadline for seats on the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to Aug. 8. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Board to discuss UH teaching telescope planned for Halepohaku. A planned installation for an educational telescope at Halepohaku on Maunakea is on schedule to be completed some time in 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Police, fire unaware of any emergencies missed due to telecommunications outage. While data is still being collected on any 911 calls that were missed— and how many individuals may have been affected — police said that they were unaware of any emergency situations that were missed due to fiber optic issues. West Hawaii Today.

Pilot Whistleblower Hotlines up and Running to Report Suspected Fraud. Keeping government accountable includes having policies and procedures in place to allow tips and complaints to be made and follow-up investigations and audits to happen, when warranted, as quickly and efficiently as possible. Big Island Now.

Candidates Seeking Big Island House Seat Differ On Style, Campaign Fundraising. Incumbent Chris Todd and his opponent, Shannon Matson, have a lot in common but there are some things that set them apart. Civil Beat.

IRONMAN To Return To Kona in 2023 With Two-Day Format. Race organizers today announced that the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN® World Championship triathlon will continue with a two-day format in Kailua-Kona, on October 12 & 14. This year, for the first time in the 40-plus year history of the event, and a pandemic-related hiatus from Kona, the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship will take place over two days in Kona on October 6 & 8. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Journal article documents sunscreen runoff from beach showers in Hawaiʻi as an environmental threat. In advance of Maui County’s ban on reef-damaging chemical sunscreens taking effect on Oct. 1 of this year, Councilmember Kelly Takaya King announced she and Councilmember Tamara Paltin have co-authored a scientific journal article documenting that sunscreen washed off at beach showers in Hawai‘i pollutes the environment at levels that pose a threat to shore and marine ecosystems. Maui Now.

County-state agreement opens door for more public parking at popular Keawakapu Beach. Beach flare-ups over parking may cool off with a new plan to put in more public stalls at popular Keawakapu in South Maui. Maui Now.

Three federal earmarks for Maui County advance out of US Senate Appropriations Committee. Proposed federal earmarks for three Maui County projects, including $11 million for the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art planned for Wailuku town, have successfully moved out of the US Senate Appropriations Committee. Other earmarks include $1.4 million to help Maui County renovate the former GTE Hawaiian Tel Building for the County’s Emergency Operations Center and $180,000 for Maui Police Department’s project to expand radio communications in West Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Two Brun associates sentenced. As former county council member turned drug kingpin Arthur Brun awaits transfer to a mainland prison, associates Steven Keli‘ikuli and Orlando Manguchei were sentenced to prison terms this week. Garden Island.

A host of candidates at Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce mayor’s lunch. This is an election year, and the audience boasted a host of candidates for various offices. Garden Island.