DeCorte leads state Senate minority after Awa leaves Republican Party. Republicans have selected Sen. Samantha DeCorte to be their new Senate minority leader after Sen. Brenton Awa left the party to become an independent. The GOP is now down to two members in the 25-seat chamber, DeCorte and Bob McDermott, who was elected Tuesday to represent ʻEwa Beach. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.
State House announces leadership team for 34th Legislature. House Speaker Nadine K. Nakamura has announced the House Leadership Team for the 34th Legislature, comprising members with diverse perspectives, experiences, and representation from across the state. Garden Island.
Some Japanese investment is returning to Hawaiʻi . A weak yen has kept many Japanese travelers away from Hawaiʻi in recent years. But some Japanese investors are taking a closer look at some investment opportunities in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.
Groups vow to fight commercial fishing in Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. The Trump administration, via the National Marine Fisheries Service, on Monday proposed a new rule to open about 400,000 square miles of the monument to commercial fishing. Star-Advertiser.
Deadline today for nearly 3,000 flagged Hawaii mail-in ballots. Nearly 3,000 mail-in ballots flagged as invalid in Hawaii could be thrown out if they are not fixed by 4:30 p.m. today. Many were flagged because of missing or mismatched signature issues. Hawaii News Now.
Don’t Fall For This Hawaiʻi Government Website. It’s Not Real. A group calling itself the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council sent out an email newsletter apologizing for its failure to control invasive species. It wasn’t what it appeared to be. Civil Beat.
Oahu
City’s Bill 7 housing program falling short of goals, report finds. Honolulu’s affordable rental housing program has made apartment development more financially feasible, but it has produced only a fraction of the housing units envisioned when it was established in 2019, according to a University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization report released Monday. “Since 2019, 85 projects containing 2,280 units have entered the program, but only seven projects and 224 units have been completed — well below the statutory goal of 500 completed units per year. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu Council Sued Over Secret Zippy’s Meeting. A lawsuit seeks to ban members involved in the meeting from council leadership positions. Civil Beat.
Students listen to oral arguments as court weighs animal rights case. The Hawaii Supreme Court heard arguments Monday from the Nonhuman Rights Project and the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Enterprise Services on whether the Honolulu Zoo’s Asian elephants, Mari and Vaigai, should be granted a habeas corpus proceeding, which would determine whether they have been illegally detained. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.
Centennial Park project nears end, adds historic signage. Rotary leaders expect to complete Waikiki’s Centennial Park by June with the installation of historical signage highlighting the stories of Waikiki and Rotary in Hawaii, while also advancing plans for a peace pole, a symbol of the organization’s mission to promote peace and international understanding. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
Hawaiʻi County Council Leadership, Committee Assignments Announced. Council Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba will continue to serve as the chair of the local legislative body going into the 2026–2028 Council term, becoming the first Council Chair in 24 years to be selected to serve consecutive terms in the leadership position. Big Island Video News.
Trial scheduled in federal lawsuit against Roth, Waltjen, others. Trial has been set in Hilo attorney Kai McGuire’s federal lawsuit against Hawaii County, former mayor Mitch Roth, Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen, Deputy Prosecutor Kate Perazich and former deputy prosecutor Sylvia Wan, accusing them of malicious prosecution. Tribune-Herald.
Hawaiian Electric seeks rate hikes. The Hawaiian Electric Company is seeking to raise its base rates across the state over the next few years. The most significant increase will be on Hawaii Island, where residential customers will pay an estimated $15 more per month by 2028. Tribune-Herald.
Organic Kona coffee farm for sale for $4.8 million. Thirty-five of the 78 acres are dedicated to Kona-certified organic coffee, milled and roasted on-site in a fully off-grid operation. Big Island Now.
Maui
Kīhei brush fire: Preliminary investigation points to possible intentional ignition; crews monitor hot spots. Maui Fire Department officials say there are preliminary indications that Saturday’s brush fire in Kīhei was intentionally set. While there is preliminary indications of possible intentional ignition, the cause of the fire is currently considered undetermined and remains under investigation. Maui Now.
Kauai
Public comment sought about expansion of Waiahi Surface Water Treatment Plant in Līhu‘e. The Kauaʻi Department of Water is holding a virtual meeting on Tuesday at 5 p.m. and an in-person open house at 10 a.m. on Thursday in Līhuʻe. Kauai Now.
County awards $450,000 to 6 agricultural projects across Kauaʻi. The funding will support projects aimed at increasing local food production, improving farm infrastructure and strengthening the island’s food security. Kauai Now.
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