Government workers to get up to $20k pandemic hazard pay, lawsuit seeks to stop Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger, feds allege witness tampering in Kaneshiro trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Feds In Corruption Case Accuse Mitsunaga Defense Of Document Leaks And Witness Tampering. Federal prosecutors have launched a new investigation into the incident in the case involving former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii To Pay Government Workers Up To $20K Each For Hazardous Work During Pandemic. Two-tiered settlement with the Green administration awards government employees back pay of either $10,000 or $20,000, depending on how many days they worked. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Governor: State Biosecurity Chief’s Contract Will Not Be Renewed. Carol Okada, the state’s embattled acting biosecurity administrator, will not have a job with the Department of Agriculture after June 29. Civil Beat.

Lawsuit seeks to stop Alaska-Hawaiian merger. A consumer antitrust lawsuit filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for Hawaii seeks to stop the acquisition of the 95-year-old Hawaiian Airlines by Alaska Airlines on the grounds that the merger would result in higher fares, fewer flights, job losses, and cause injury to Hawaii’s economy. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

A new study by Earth scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa studies coastal groundwater that is lifted closer to the surface by sea levels rise. Cities with underground infrastructure in Hawaiʻi, and around the world, face an increased risk of systems failure due to sea level rise.  Big Island Video News. Kauai Now.

Fatality rate in Hawaii due to distracted driving twice as high as the mainland. Hawaii’s fatality rate due to distracted driving is twice as high as the mainland and officials said it’s completely preventable. KHON2.

Taiwan wants to expand its military attache office on Oahu. Taiwan is seeking to increase the size of its military attache office at its de facto consulate in Honolulu as the self-ruled island democracy looks to tighten ties with the United States and bolster defenses against potential Chinese military attacks. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Nanakuli beach to be inaccessible for weeklong homeless cleanup. Outreach workers from the Kealahou West Oahu social service agency on Monday began notifying members of a Nanakuli homeless encampment that the city plans to close a mile-long portion of Ulehawa Beach Park for a week and clean up the area once again as an October court date approaches challenging the city’s homeless policies. Star-Advertiser.

Family identifies cruise ship passenger who died after bus plowed into group. Officials say the shuttle bus driver dropping off passengers hit the gas instead of the brake and pinned several people against concrete barriers. Hawaii News Now.

Solar farm on University of Hawaiʻi land comes online in West Oʻahu. The facility, developed by AES Hawaiʻi, is on 66 acres of open University of Hawaiʻi agricultural land north of the UH West Oʻahu campus in Kapolei. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Testifiers to board: No PTA land swap. People statewide urged the Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday to reject a proposed land exchange between the state and the U.S. Army that would allow it to continue to use land in the Pohakuloa Training Area and elsewhere. Tribune-Herald.

NPR reporter Dara Kerr talks story about billionaire Marc Benioff buying Waimea land.  An NPR story by tech reporter Dara Kerr about billionaire Marc Benioff buying land in and around Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island caused a stir when it was published in February. The audio version aired in March. Hawaii Public Radio.

PUC orders HECO to provide status updates following power outages. The Public Utilities Commission issued an order on Monday requiring Hawaiian Electric to provide a status update on the mitigation measures it intends to implement to address the Hawaii island outage situation, as well as its customer communication strategy regarding conservation measures and the outages. KHON2.

Jr. Tupa‘i enters race for Hawai‘i County mayor. This is Tupa‘i’s second time running for office. In 2022, he was a candidate for lieutenant governor on the Duke Aiona ticket in the gubernatorial race. Big Island Now.

Community meeting to address instream flow standards for Waikōloa. Staff of the Commission on Water Resource Management will host a fact-gathering meeting on Thursday to collect testimony and information to be compiled as part of an Instream Flow Standard Assessment Report. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Mayor Appoints Maria Zielinski As County Finance Director. She would replace former Director Scott Teruya, who has been on paid leave since February. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Maui Council committee reviews budget for Mayor’s Office. Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee reviewed the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2025 proposed budget for the Office of the Mayor on Wednesday.  Maui Now.

Findings from Lahaina fire investigations being released. Findings from dueling investigations into how government and firefighters responded to the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire, which killed 101 people and left 8,000 homeless, will be released this week. Star-Advertiser.

AG’s wildfire probe doesn’t find fault with first responders, those briefed on report say. (video) Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina’s Wildfire Burned So Hot That Many Dangerous Contaminants Likely Vaporized. Scientists, state officials and the Army Corps of Engineers are finding the burn zone may not be as toxic as initially feared. Civil Beat.

Kauai

‘Project Keiki’ provides lunches and meals on Kaua‘i. Statistically, more than 10,000 local residents continue to struggle with hunger. This includes 1 in 4 keiki. Garden Island

Lawmakers push utilities to reduce wildfire risk, animal cruelty bills die, no tax breaks for the wealthy, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lawmakers push electric utilities to reduce wildfire risks. The state Legislature appears poised to create a new way for Hawaii electric utilities to pay for wildfire risk mitigation that reduces the cost possibly passed onto ratepayers in an effort to help prevent another tragic fire in the state. Star-Advertiser.

1,100 Pieces Of Testimony Against A Bill Went Missing For Days. The Bill Passed And Then The Opponents’ Letters Showed Up. Hundreds of Lahaina fire victims came out strongly against a bill that could allow HECO to impose a new fee on customers to help prevent wildfires. Civil Beat.

Taxes, Housing And Fighting Chickens Are Up For A Vote As The Hawaii Legislature Heads Into The Home Stretch. Lawmakers also hope to put a question securing same-sex marriage on the ballot this fall. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers debate estate tax breaks for family businesses. State lawmakers killed a bill that would give wealthy families a break on estate taxes, but kept alive a different estate tax bill that would cut the costs of passing along some family businesses. KITV4.

Bill to increase penalties for unlicensed driving remains in the Legislature. A bill with harsher penalties for drivers without valid licenses is alive in the state Legislature — but some want more to be done. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill advances to give condo owners a new way to buy into rooftop solar. The Hawaiʻi Senate is considering a bill to create a Solar Hui Program, allowing multi-family property owners to pay into a collective investment fund that would go towards energy projects and loans.  Hawaii Public Radio.

State senators fail to pass animal cruelty bills. The state Senate on Tuesday passed dozens of bills on mandatory third reading, a key step before becoming law, but senators rejected one contested measure that aimed to combat an increase in animal cruelty cases in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Frequent Turnover At Hawaii’s Education Board Is Weakening School Oversight. A lack of institutional knowledge among board members and staff is limiting the BOE's effectiveness and leaving it open to legislative interference, education advocates say. Civil Beat.

Ongoing inspections find more inoperable fire alarm systems at Hawaii public schools. Amid ongoing efforts to bolster safety at public schools, inspectors are finding more Hawaii campuses with inoperable fire alarms. Hawaii News Now.

Few people have successfully expunged their marijuana possession records. The Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Data Center says about 12,000 records could qualify for expungement. Over the last four years, only two people have been able to clear their criminal records. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Defense In Kaneshiro Bribery Trial Probes Architect About Side Jobs At Mitsunaga & Associates. During its cross-examination of Laurel Mau, the defense focused on her use of company time and resources to conduct side jobs it says were unauthorized. Civil Beat.

‘For us taxpayers, that’s a good thing’: City eyes $8.6 million expansion for HPD headquarters. The Honolulu Police Department has a plan to add some much-needed space to its Alapai Headquarters. A half-acre property right next door could solve several problems. Hawaii News Now.

AES launches Oahu solar project. AES Hawai‘i is launching the West Oahu solar-plus-­storage project in Kapolei, which will produce enough energy to reduce Oahu’s use of fossil fuels by 750,000 barrels of oil and the associated pollution and greenhouse gases emitted over its lifetime. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu permitting office cites Hawaiian lūʻau for being in a residential area. The operator of a lūʻau in a residential area of Honolulu said he plans to continue his business despite city officials ordering him to stop. Hawaii Public Radio.

Several H-1 freeway repair projects scheduled for the week. The Hawaii Department of Transportation said there are several improvement projects taking place on the H-1, including viaduct repairs near the airport off-ramp. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Flurry of legal action in case involving home built on wrong property. Both Hilo Circuit Court judges have bowed out from hearing a case involving a California woman sued by a developer whose contractor mistakenly built a house on her lot in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Tribune-Herald.

Waiakea High math teacher receives $25,000 award. Rory Inouye, a 35-year-old Waiakea High School class of 2007 alumnus and math teacher, was awarded a $25,000 Milken Educator Award in Hilo on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

State confirms 2 cases of whooping cough on Hawaii Island. Hawaii Department of Health officials said today that it is investigating two confirmed cases of pertussis — also known as whooping cough — along with eight probable cases. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Kolekole Gulch Park set to reopen end of April. The 5.5-acre park has had a rough several years, having first been closed for three years in 2017 when parts of the park were found to contain lead-contaminated soil stemming from lead-based paint used on the overspanning Kolekole Bridge. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Council extends Kula water deal timeline, requests community meeting, compares financial analyses. After a community meeting in Pukalani on March 27, concerns arose about the timeframe for assessing a 30-year water purchase agreement for drilling one to four wells in Kula. Maui Now.

Mold forces Maui County prosecutors to relocate temporarily. As if fighting for justice weren’t tough enough, now attorneys and staff in the Maui County Department of the Prosecuting Attorney have a new foe: an infestation of mold in their Old Wailuku Courthouse offices. Maui Now.

SBA approves $300M for Maui wildfire relief. The Small Business Administration has approved over $300 million in federal disaster assistance loans for Hawaii businesses and residents affected by the August wildfires on Maui, the organization announced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Foodland Farms Lahaina will reopen 8 months after devastating wildfires. 8 months after the devastating Maui wildfires, Foodland Farms Lahaina will reopen Wednesday. Hawaii News Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Fentanyl task force following Big Island blueprint coming to Kaua‘i. The County of Kaua‘i is planning on launching a fentanyl task force in the coming weeks, inspired by a model implemented on the Big Island nearly three years ago. Kauai Now.

Population exodus costing the state millions, Hawaiian-Alaska airlines' merger delayed, finalists named for Aloha Stadium contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Exodus of Hawaii residents cost the state $185 million in tax revenue. Department of Taxation researcher Seth Colby reported the state lost $185 million in general excise and income taxes, about $61.8 million a year, because thousands of residents moved away.  KITV4.

Deals abound as Hawaii tourism remains soft. The daily count of visitors in Hawaii and their daily spending dropped in February — the seventh monthly decline in a row since the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

DOJ wants more time, information on Hawaiian, Alaska merger. Antitrust regulators want more time to review Alaska Airlines’ proposed takeover of Hawaiian Airlines. According to stock filings by the carriers, they’ve agreed to extend by another 90-days the Department of Justice’s window to scrutinize the merger.  KHON2.

Bill moving through Legislature aims to increase densities in urban areas. Hawaii’s urban housing density could more than triple under a new zoning proposal sailing through the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Democrats release verified vote count of party presidential primary and pledged delegate allocation. On March 16 and March 23, 2024, the Party-run Presidential Primary Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i met at the Party HQ, located in Honolulu, to recount the votes cast at the caucus style 2024 PPP held at 57 locations statewide on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Maui Now.

Legacy of Patsy Mink celebrated with new U.S. quarter. U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) on Thursday announced the official release of the Patsy T. Mink quarter, which is part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters Program for 2024. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.

Oahu

Finalists selected for Aloha Stadium district contract. Two teams were announced Thursday as finalists for the job of developing, building, operating and maintaining the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, or NASED. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

HECO could be fined for power outages in Mililani meant to prevent wildfires. The Commission continues to closely monitor HECO’s performance to ensure that electrical services are safely and reliably provided to customers. These outages may be counted against HECO’s reliability performance and subject to financial penalties at the end of the year, a Public Utilities Commission spokeswoman said. KHON2.

Emails At Bribery Trial Show Alleged ‘Courtship’ Between Mitsunaga And Kaneshiro Reps. After former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and businessman Dennis Mitsunaga met in 2012, they developed a relationship that involved lunch at an upscale Honolulu restaurant, a New Year’s party and numerous chummy emails exchanged between their representatives, according to testimony and evidence presented to a jury on Thursday.  Civil Beat.

Red Hill defueling task force ends mission. Two years after the Pentagon agreed it would remove fuel from its underground Red Hill fuel storage facility and shut it down, the military task force charged with removing fuel stored in the Navy’s underground Red Hill facility has officially concluded its mission. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now.

The Job Of Preserving Oahu’s Historic Sites Is Complicated By The Push For Development. The island's new historic preservation commission takes on a 'gargantuan' and controversial task. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Buildings in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park damaged during 2018 eruption set for dismantling. The National Park Service said Thursday that the former Jaggar Museum and two buildings used by the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory – the Okamura Building and the Geochemistry Annex – will be dismantled starting Monday, April 8. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Laʻaloa Bay Beach Park reopens unveiling signage, walkways, protective buffer for cultural sites. Laʻaloa Bay Beach Park in Kailua-Kona reopened Thursday after several months of renovating the space, including reducing the size of the original parking lot and realigning rock walls to establish a protective buffer around the Haukālua Heiau and other culturally significant features. Big Island Now.

A glut of puppies: Shelters work to find homes for increasing number of young dogs. Cute faces mask a sad story as animal shelters in Hawaii County continue to take in dozens of  mixed-breed puppies every month. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui’s Housing Crisis Only Got Worse After The Fires. Will This New Department Help? The Department of Housing is scheduled to launch July 1, and not a moment too soon with the destruction of about 5,700 homes in the Aug. 8 wildfires pushing rent and home prices to new heights and forcing some residents to sleep in cars and tents or leave the island. Civil Beat.

State buys former Maui Sun Hotel from Haggai Institute for fire survivor and workforce housing. The newly renamed Hale ʻO Lāʻie has 175 guest rooms in its current configuration. Maui Now.

OHA Kanaaho Grant aimed at providing relief to Native Hawaiian Lahaina and Kula residents affected by wildfire. Under the program, a one-time $9,000 grant can be awarded to eligible homeowners who experienced hardship; and a one-time $4,000 grant can be awarded to eligible renters who experienced hardship. Maui Now. KITV4.

Lahaina group seeks phase-out of vacation rentals.  Members of Lahaina Strong flew to the state Capitol on Thursday for the second time this legislative session to urge passage of either of two House and Senate companion bills that would give counties the option to phase out short-term vacation rentals on their islands. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Kauai

Coco Palms restoration underway. Reef Capital Partners, which acquired the Coco Palms following the previous owner defaulting on its loan, announced the start of the removal of the dilapidated hotel structures as part of the restoration of Coco Palms following more than three decades of inaction by prior owners. Garden Island.

Escaped Kauai Inmate Dies In Alleged Hit-And-Run Incident. The Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Thursday announced that an escaped inmate on the Garden Island died from injuries sustained in an alleged hit-and-run. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Kauai Now.

Green projects rosier state budget, no ban on Maui vacation rentals; Senate advances $19B supplemental budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Rosier state budget picture projected by Gov. Green. Gov. Josh Green reassured the public and Hawaii’s Legislature on Wednesday that Maui wildfire response and recovery expenses shouldn’t overwhelm state finances. Star-Advertiser.

Governor’s spending plan for the State. The governor’s latest spending plan for the State includes skipping a $300 million deposit into the state’s retirement and benefit trust fund. KHON2.

Hawaii Senate Committee’s Spending Plan Includes Hundreds Of Millions For Maui Fire Costs. Senators also gave preliminary approval to a $19 billion supplemental budget bill to pay for state government operations for the coming year year. Civil Beat.

State Digital Equity Plan approved. The Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration accepted Hawaii’s 293-page Digital Equity Plan on Tuesday after it underwent federal review. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

DPP launches more tech to speed permit process. To solve the months-long delay to obtain a building permit, the city Department of Planning and Permitting announced new technological initiatives it hopes will improve the speed at which the city issues them to the public. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Attorney for alleged victim takes stand in bribery trial against former city prosecutor. There were fireworks on day four of a bribery trial against ex-city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and campaign donors from a high-profile engineering firm. Hawaii News Now.

EPA’s integrity is questioned for withholding Red Hill tests. In early March the Navy notified the Environmental Protection Agency that it had detected “unvalidated test results” finding high levels of total petroleum |hydrocarbons, or TPH, in water samples taken from an on-base school and a home in the Aliamanu Military Reservation — both of which had their water systems flushed. Star-Advertiser.

HECO apologizes after new safety measures leave thousands of Mililani residents in the dark.  Hawaiian Electric Company recently made changes to improve safety in areas with a wildfire risk, such as Mililani. However, for residents, that has meant more power outages within the last month. Hawaii News Now.

New Rule Helps Hawaii’s Agriculture Department Stop The Spread Of Little Fire Ants. The interim rules have been signed by the Department of Agriculture in a bid to curb the spread of the stinging ants on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Merrie Monarch Festival clinches top spot in USA Today’s list of best cultural celebrations. The Merrie Monarch Festival has been voted as USA Today’s Best Cultural Festival in the nation. A panel of experts put together the list of 20 exceptional nominees. Hawaii News Now.

Legal battle brewing after house built on wrong HPP lot. A woman who purchased a vacant lot in Puna was surprised to find out a $500,000 house was built on the property by mistake. Associated Press.

Hawai‘i Army National Guard Dedicates New Facility In Hilo.  The new Combined Support Maintenance Shop #2 facility at the Keaukaha Military Reservation was celebrated on Wednesday. Big Island Video News.

Maui

No need for ban on short-term rentals in West Maui, Gov. Green says. There will be no need for a ban on short-term rentals in West Maui to get the remaining 3,109 survivors of the Aug. 8 wildfires out of hotels and into long-term housing, Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday ahead of what could have been a moratorium starting Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Maui Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Maui to receive $35 Million in federal funding for senior housing. The Hawai’i Public Housing Authority will receive more than $35 million in federal funding to rebuild and restore federal public housing facilities that were damaged and destroyed during the Maui fires last year, according to a press release from senator Brian Schatz. Maui News.

How Much Should People Know About A School’s Safety Plan? The Department of Education is at odds with the teachers union and some Lahaina parents over how much information the public should have access to when it comes to safety plans. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Community groups reach legal settlement with KIUC, state on West Kaua‘i hydro project. In a settlement reached between West Kauaʻi community groups, the State, and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, the utility has agreed to withdraw its environmental assessment and “finding of no significant impact” for its proposed hydro project called the West Kauaʻi Energy Project. Kauai Now.

Senate committee saves arts funding, lawmaker who led same-sex marriage opposition apologizes, Kaneshiro bribery trial begins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate committee defers measure that would have slashed arts funding. A Senate committee on Tuesday killed a bill that would have drastically overhauled how a state arts agency receives funding from the percent-for-art law that requires 1% of construction or renovation costs from state buildings to go to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, an agency that runs the public museum and arts programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Teacher Harassment Bill Dies In Senate Committee.  The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday deferred a bill that would have strengthened protections against the harassment of school workers after the Hawaii Department of Education proposed creating a code of conduct for families instead. Civil Beat.

Bill To Fund Geothermal Energy Exploration Advances. SB 2518 SD2 HD1 would appropriate funds for the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office “to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a geothermal resources characterization program under the direction of the Hawaiʻi Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center at the University of Hawaiʻi.”  Big Island Video News.

Bill Allows Ag Officials To Enter Leased Property For Invasive Species. A bill that would allow Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials to enter leased property to address invasive species is moving through the State Legislature. Big Island Video News.

After change of heart, lawmaker who led charge against same-sex marriage apologizes. A well-known Hawaii lawmaker who spent his career fighting to stop same-sex marriage has issued a public apology, saying his views have evolved. State Sen. Mike Gabbard was one of the leaders who passed the constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage in 1998. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency Aeromedical Services Cost-Sharing Bill Advances In House. Officials say the effort will address a pivotal step towards addressing a critical gap in Hawaiʻi's healthcare delivery system.  Big Island Video News.

Spring break tourists flocking to Hawaii, but hotel occupancy remains below pre-COVID levels. The tourism industry is lowering expectations for spring break. Hotels have seen a boost in occupancy — between 70% to 80% — but that’s still below the 90% mark that was typical for spring break before the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

1 of the few remaining survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor has died at 102. Richard C. “Dick” Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a family member said Wednesday. He was 102. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Kaneshiro, Mitsunaga federal bribery trial begins. Political donor Dennis Mitsunaga, his associates and family members contributed $48,250 in campaign funds to then-­Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro as Kaneshiro’s office pursued a criminal case against a fired Mitsunaga employee who later sued the company for discrimination, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Wednesday on the opening day of the federal bribery trial of Kaneshiro, Mitsunaga and four of Mitsunaga’s employees. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

HPD opens officer-involved manslaughter investigation. The Honolulu Police Department has opened a manslaughter investigation involving two officers after a 77-year-old man died from injuries suffered during a late-December arrest for an alleged moped theft. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Oahu’s long-term urban growth plan advances. The Honolulu Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt changes meant to revise, repeal and update aspects of the city’s primary urban center development plan encompassing almost 448,700 people and over 177,380 housing units, on an island that’s home to nearly 990,000 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center working without contracts due to ongoing negotiations. Nurses have been working without a contract since Dec. 1 and held a one-week strike in January. KHON2. Star-Advertiser.

Company fined for breaking rules while filming at Kaiwi. State conservation officials have cited Bumper Productions LLC for violating park rules and causing damage while taping “Rescue:HI Surf,” a reality series, at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline last month.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Extends Comment Period On Summit Plan. The comment period on the Kilauea Summit Area and Corridor Management Plan will now be open for the entire month of March. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Council committee hears more on eminent domain proposal for landfill expansion. After hearing impassioned pleas Tuesday from Lahaina wildfire survivors for quick action on a proposed eminent domain condemnation, Maui County Council members struggled to pin down the property owner on what it would take, or cost, for the county to acquire the nearly 20-acre quarry for final disposal of toxic ash and debris. Maui Now.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Close in Kahului. The Small Business Administration announced it will close its Kahului Disaster Loan Outreach Center located at the Kahului Public Library at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Maui Now.

A New Delay For These Lahaina Fire Survivors Could Scramble Plans To Leave FEMA Hotels Behind. Mario Siatris and U‘i Kahue-Cabanting have lined up a trailer as a creative temporary housing solution while they wait to rebuild Mario's home. But assembly delays threaten to complicate its overseas shipment date. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiians aim to bring cultural sensitivity to Maui wildfire cleanup. Along with this cultural liaison work, several indigenous groups are providing cultural monitors to work alongside the cleanup crews through an $18.7 million contract with the Corps, an effort local residents advocated for after the fires.  Hawaii Public Radio.

These volunteers are rebuilding Lahaina’s watershed, one native plant at a time. After the Maui wildfire disaster last August, the restoration of water and native plants has become a top priority. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Judge orders luxury Kauaʻi vacation condo project to pause construction. Last week, a judge ordered a 10-day work stoppage for the Kauanoe O Kōloa project, a 279-unit development that has received backlash from members of the Native Hawaiian community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Schools superintendent $250k salary cap may be eliminated, Hawaii Republicans clinch Trump nomination, Coco Palms Resort cleared to rebuild, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Schools superintendent salary cap bill advances. A proposal to remove the $250,000 salary cap for the state superintendent of Hawaii’s public schools and allow the amount to be set by the state Board of Education passed out of a divided state House Education Committee on Monday, despite opposition via dozens of pieces of testimony and “no” votes by two former teachers on the committee. Star-Advertiser.

Trump clinches nominations over other candidates in Hawaii’s Republican presidential caucus. Preliminary results revealed that Former President Donald Trump is in the lead as the Republican presidential nominee with 3,506 votes cast, which was 97% of the vote. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

More Defendants Could Stay Out Of Prison Through Expanded Electronic Monitoring Program. Smartphone technology has led to a boom in digital surveillance of pretrial and post-conviction populations nationwide, but also raised privacy and civil rights concerns. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider changes to state criminal record expungement process. The idea is to have the state initiate the expungement process instead of the current situation where people must submit an application and pay a fee of $35 for the first expungement, and $50 for subsequent requests. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Jury selection begins in alleged pay-to-prosecute conspiracy. More than 70 potential jurors filled every seat in the federal courtroom Tuesday where former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro, businessman Dennis Mitsunaga and others face charges that they conspired to bribe Kaneshiro with campaign contributions to prosecute a former Mitsunaga employee. Star-Advertiser.

Disgraced former HPD Chief wants out of prison early.  Disgraced former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha filed a petition to reduce his sentence by 16 months following a change in federal sentencing guidelines. KHON2.

Kailua Residents Decry Sad State Of Historic City-Owned Estate. A classic kamaaina beachside home is falling into decay, and Kailua residents are organizing to try to preserve it. Civil Beat.

Fishpond purchase gives Waipā community protection from development. Halulu Fishpond, which sits on a quarter-acre of land along Hanalei Bay, is now the property of the Waipā Foundation.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

New Hawaiian Homes Projects Planned On Big Island. During a March 11th, 2024 informational briefing on the ACT 279 Working Group, Hawaiian Homes chair Kali Watson gave an update on various projects under consideration, including many on the island of Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Richardson’s gets a face-lift: Park improvements, renovated ocean center unveiled. Richardson Ocean Park and Center is open and fully accessible to the public after 19 months of construction. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Pololū stewardship efforts provide catalyst for statewide expansion. A sensitive sites stewardship program in Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island has become a model for communities across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nearly 120,000 acres set aside on Hawaiʻi Island to protect endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 119,326 acres of federal, state, private and public lands as a critical habitat for 12 endangered species. Hawaii Public Radio.

Assessment details plans for old Hilo hospital renovations. A plan to renovate the old Hilo Memorial Hospital continues apace after a draft environmental assessment for the project was published last week. Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa Village closer to getting a roundabout. A new traffic roundabout in Waikoloa Village is one step closer to becoming a reality after Friday’s release of a draft environmental assessment with an anticipated finding of no significant impact. West Hawaii Today.

Hundreds Of Hawaii Island Residents Protest Proposed Housing Project In Punaluu. A battle is brewing on the Big Island over a proposed development in Punaluu, a stretch of black sand beach and ponds along the rugged Kau coastline that’s popular among locals, tourists, fishermen and many others. Civil Beat.

Maui

Lahaina Wildfire Victims Fund Has 17 Applicants So Far. It's still not clear how much information about the fund or its applicants will be made public although settlements will be filed in court. Civil Beat.

Over 1,000 Maui fire survivors planning to sue Kamehameha Schools, state and utility companies. The attorneys for more than 1,000 Maui fire survivors believe they know exactly where the first flames broke out. They also explained who they think shares the blame. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Council Member Johnson touts county’s new law promoting reclaimed and recycled water. Ordinance 5592 also establishes the county Water Use and Development Plan as a guiding document for the development of reclaimed water infrastructure and alternative water sources, encouraging the departments of water supply and environmental management to collaborate in maximizing efficient use of water resources. Maui Now.

Maui’s Gladys Baisa remembered as a trailblazer, pioneer for women leaders. Former Maui County Council Chair Gladys Baisa left a legacy of leadership in Maui County government and with Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., which she led as chief executive officer from 1983 to 2005. She died Monday morning. She was 83. Maui Now.

Mixed feelings: Old Lahaina Lūʻau employees ready to make new memories as it reopens. Sitting between scorched Lahaina Town and unscathed Lahaina Canary Mall, the Old Lahaina Lūʻau reopens to tourism for its first time since the Aug. 8 wildfire. Maui Now.

Kauai

Regulators reject petition to revoke permits to rebuild Kauai's Coco Palms Resort. The Kauai Planning Commission rejected a petition Tuesday from a group of residents who were asking the commission to revoke permits issued to the owners of the Coco Palms Resort property. KITV4. KHON2.

Nearly $17M in federal funding headed to Garden Isle. Nearly $17 million in federal dollars is heading to Kaua‘i to fund a variety of projects ranging from the Kauaʻi War Memorial Convention Hall, an educational center at the Kawai‘ele State Waterbird Sanctuary, affordable housing and a fern propagation lab at the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Kauai Now.

Waimea Public Library gets $10,000 national grant. The Waimea branch of the Hawai‘i State Public Library System, better known to people as the Waimea Public Library, has received a $10,000 grant to help better serve people with disabilities, the Library Development Services announced on Friday. Garden Island.

State revenue council forecasts 4% growth, NSF sets May deadline to choose Giant Magellan or Thirty Meter telescope, Maui wildfire lawsuits to stay in state court, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Council On Revenues Anticipates 4% Growth This Year Despite Maui Fire Problems. State tax collections are holding up despite the impact of the deadly Maui wildfire, and will continue to grow at the brisk clip of 4% or more this year and next year, according to a state panel of experts. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Republicans could lock up Trump’s nomination tonight. Hawaii Republicans will gather at 35 locations around the islands tonight to determine how many delegates will cast ballots for presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump, the only Republican still running for president. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Public invited to inaugural Environment Day at the state Capitol. Eighteen local organizations are gearing up to convene at the state Capitol today for the first-ever legislative Environment Day.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Kaneshiro-Mitsunaga Bribery Case Puts ‘Pay To Play’ On Trial. Allegations of impropriety have dogged Dennis Mitsunaga for years. A jury will decide whether the money he allegedly funneled to the city prosecutor constitutes a criminal conspiracy. Civil Beat.

City’s nearly 2,500 vacancies lead budget talks. A formal review of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s proposed $3.63 billion operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1, prompted discussion over the city’s nearly 2,500 worker vacancies. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Convention Center takes 2nd attempt at securing funds to fix leaky roof. This year, lawmakers are being asked for the $64 million again to finally fix the roof.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Dedication ceremony for new battery energy storage facility in West Oahu. A special dedication ceremony was held for one of the world’s largest battery energy storage facilities located in Leeward Oahu. The new Kapolei Energy Storage facility, located on eight acres near Kalaeloa Boulevard, includes 158 Tesla Megapack batteries. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Dueling telescope proposals considered by NSF. The National Science Board, in a Feb. 27 statement, gave the National Science Foundation until May to decide how to choose between two competing proposals for the telescope -- the Giant Magellan Telescope at Las Campanas in Chile and the Thirty Meter Telescope currently planned for Mauna Kea. New York Times.

Building Permit Delays Expected Due To Software Issue. A recent software update is causing intermittent service disruptions for the County of Hawaiʻi’s EPIC building permit system.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Ag Department proposes releasing wasps on Hawaii Island to save macadamia nuts trees. The Parasitoid Metaphycus is a small wasp found in Australia. It is about 0.8 millimeter, about the size of a sesame seed or smaller. The wasp doesn’t sting or bite, so most people won’t even notice it is there. KITV4.

BLNR issues temporary changes to Hawaiʻi Island hunting rules. The changes say that for two years, many hunting areas will have increased bag limits for pigs, goats and sheep. Some areas will also have expanded hunting periods. Hawaii Public Radio.

Rezoning request approved for Manono Street lot. Despite outcry from neighbors, the Windward Planning Commission approved a request by Big Island developers to rezone a property at the corner of Manono and Lanikaula streets in order to demolish the two dilapidated single-family homes and an abandoned small engine repair shop currently on the site and develop a retail building in their place. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Wildfire Cases Will Stay In Maui State Court. Hawaiian Electric Industries on Monday lost its bid to remove the cases to federal court. At least 90 lawsuits related to the Maui wildfires against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Spectrum, Kamehameha Schools and other defendants will be sent back to Maui state court, where they were originally filed, a federal judge ruled Monday. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Lawsuit calls Olowalu fire debris site cultural, environmental threat. Claiming environmental and cultural damages, two Maui residents are suing the county over the temporary disposal site in Olowalu that is currently storing debris from the Lahaina fire. KITV4.

Eminent domain proposal for Central Maui Landfill expansion sent to Council committee. Maui County Council members were sharply divided Friday over a proposal to use Maui County’s condemnation power of eminent domain to obtain a nearly 20-acre former quarry next to the Central Maui Landfill for the final disposal of toxic Lahaina fire ash and debris. Maui Now.

EPA inspects 18.5 miles of sewer lines in Lahaina. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday said it has finished inspecting sanitary sewer lines in Lahaina following the Aug. 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Mayor Kawakami to address Kaua‘i in State of the County address. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami will address the people of Kaua‘i in the State of the County Address on Thursday. Kauai Now.

Construction of Kauai luxury condo on hold after backlash from activists. Construction of a luxury vacation condo on a Kauai cultural site is now on hold for 10 days. On Monday, a judge ordered a temporary work stoppage for Kauanoe O Koloa, a 279-unit project located next to the Kiahuna Golf Course. Hawaii News Now.

Green signs into law bill clarifying mandatory recounts, 80 wildfire detection sensors to be deployed statewide, 5 dead in Manoa murder-suicide, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green signs mandatory election recount bill into law. The first bill of the 2024 state Legislature session to be signed into law is intended to clarify the conditions necessary for mandatory recounts in state and county elections. Star-Advertiser.

800 bills still alive at state Legislature’s halfway point. State legislators appear willing to spare the Hawaii Tourism Authority from what had been all-but-certain death last year, but at the midway point of this legislative session have failed to restore HTA’s funding that they eliminated last session. Star-Advertiser.

Push To Increase Auto Insurance Coverage Could Raise Costs For Hawaii Consumers. Two bills being considered by the Legislature would increase the legally required minimum liability coverage, which could boost the cost of premiums. Civil Beat.

New Bill Seeks To Remove Power To Suspend Electronic Media During Emergency. House Bill 2581 (HD 1) has already been passed through the State House and will be heard in the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs on Monday, March 11.  Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Bill Increases Penalties For Arson During Red Flag Warning. A bill making its way through the State Legislature will increase criminal penalties for starting a fire during a Red Flag Warning period in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Green Names New Director For Human Services Department. Ryan Yamane is a former Hawaii legislator who is deputy director of the Department of Human Resources Development. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wildfire detection sensors to be deployed on Maui and around Hawaii. Eighty Beta wildfire sensor units will be installed statewide — 20 units each for Maui County, Hawaii County, Kauai County and the City and County of Honolulu — by April 8. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Federal funds help speed up modernization at Hawaii airports. Five major airport runway projects totaling more than $520.7 million are moving forward at Hawaii airports this year due to an increase in federal dollars made possible by new types of grant programs, some of which provide multiple awards for a single project. Star-Advertiser.

Congress Restores Federal Benefits To COFA Migrants As Part Of $7.1 Billion Aid Deal. Migrants from Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia lost access to numerous federal assistance programs in the 1990s under Clinton-era welfare reforms. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Oahu

Federal trial of Keith Kaneshiro, Dennis Mitsunaga set to begin. A trial to determine whether former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro, prominent political donor Dennis Mitsunaga and others engaged in legal campaign financing or a pay-to-prosecute scheme starts Tuesday in U.S. District Court. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Council urges transparency at city Building Board of Appeals. The Honolulu City Council chair is urging the city Building Board of Appeals to give greater public transparency over its case decisions. Star-Advertiser.

The Miske Trial: A Honolulu Used Car Dealer Gets Roughed Up. Testimony continues in the organized crime and murder trial of Honolulu businessman Mike Miske with government witnesses describing violent behavior by the alleged crime boss. Civil Beat.

Blangiardi relaunches city food drive. Mayor Rick Blangiardi relaunched the City Employees’ Hawaii Foodbank Food and Fund Drive on Wednesday after it paused operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

A&B still weighing options for historic Pali Lanes building. More than 2-1/2 years since it was vacated, plans for the Pali Lanes building in Kailua remain unknown, with most of the approximately 1.6-acre property fenced off. Star-Advertiser.

5 dead in Manoa murder-suicide. Honolulu police said a Manoa man fatally stabbed his wife and their three children in their home Sunday morning before killing himself in Hawaii’s worst mass homicide since the Xerox shooting in 1999 when seven people were gunned down at a Nimitz Highway business. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Rainbow Drive Renovation, Housing Project Detailed In Draft EA. The 34 Rainbow Drive Draft Environmental Assessment / Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impact details the plans to renovate the existing Old Hilo Memorial Hospital building next to the Wailuku River, as well as the proposal to develop affordable rental housing units and supportive services on the remaining 24.947-acre property.  Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Future Roundabout At Waikōloa Road, Paniolo Ave Examined In Draft EA. A planned roundabout at the entrance of Waikoloa Village is examined in a newly published Draft Environmental Assessment, and the public comment period is now open. Big Island Video News.

Hāmākua farmers switch tomato crop for edible hibiscus. Susan Hamilton and her husband own the Hawaiian B Natural Farms and have been growing tomatoes hydroponically in Hāmākua for the past 16 years. Last fall, they decided to switch gears to grow the edible Roselle Hibiscus after they were unable to bring workers back to help with the tomato crop following the COVID-19 pandemic. Big Island Now.

Maui

This State Agency Transformed Kakaako. Should It Do The Same For Lahaina? The Hawaii Senate unanimously passed a bill to turn over much of West Maui to the Hawaii Community Development Authority, despite growing opposition to the idea. Civil Beat.

Maui County May Use Eminent Domain To Acquire Land For Final Dump Site Of Lahaina Fire Debris. The property owner and local partners had been working on a private venture to develop the land into a new construction and demolition landfill facility. Civil Beat.

Council Grills Volunteers Before Approving Funding For Central Maui Housing Projects. Support for the two affordable housing projects was approved unanimously after several heated meetings about the selection committee's process. Civil Beat.

Maui Island unemployment at 6.2%, Maui County at 5.9% in January 2024. The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Maui Island was 6.2% in January 2024, compared to 5.8% the previous month, and 3% at the same time in 2023. Maui Now.

People With Limited English Lost Money And Help In Lahaina Response. Advocates say it took too long for federal agencies to understand Maui's unique language needs after the wildfires, and that the state must be better prepared. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s health industry addresses Maui’s maternal care crisis. For many expecting mothers on Maui, an obstetrician is difficult to find. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Biomass power plant blaze causes $500K in damage on Kaua‘i. A structure at a biomass power plant burst into flames in an industrial area on Friday afternoon causing an estimated $500,000 in damage. Garden Island.

Public input sought on ‘Anini Beach Park improvements. Kaua‘i County’s Department of Parks and Recreation and its consultant, Community Planning & Engineering, will conduct a public information meeting for proposed improvements to ‘Anini Beach Park boat wash down and trailer parking area. Kauai Now.

Report IDs brownwater discharge sites, billionaire Benioff on Hawaii Island land-buying spree, midwives sue state over right to practice, Maui selects dumpsite for fire debris, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Chronically polluted beaches in Hawaii continue trend, Surfrider report finds. The nonprofit’s 2023 “Hawaii Water Quality Report” found that stream mouths, beaches with freshwater outlets, and bays without much circulation typically have higher bacteria levels. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers: Cracking down on illegal vacation rentals won’t solve housing crisis. Lawmakers trying to find solutions to the decades-old vacation rental conflict say the answer is not cracking down on illegal rentals, but getting owners to walk away from lucrative rental businesses operating legally. Hawaii News Now.

Senate Bill Would Boost Salary Cap For Hawaii Schools Chief To $300K. Lawmakers have to address the superintendent's pay range this year before the current law expires. Civil Beat.

Bill seeking to crack down on drunk driving advances; SB2384 proposes lowering the legal BAC to 0.05%. Senate Bill 2384, which proposes to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for driving from 0.08% to 0.05%, was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Maui Now.

Owners might face felony charges in dog attacks. Owners of vicious dogs that cause serious injury or death would face felony charges instead of petty misdemeanors under proposed legislation. Star-Advertiser.

Bill meant to combat overcrowding in jails stalled. A bill that would have required police to give out citations instead of arrests for certain misdemeanor crimes has stalled. The judiciary committee decided Wednesday the bill addressing overcrowded jails– will not move forward. KHON2.

Hawai‘i state law restricting midwives challenged in court. The Center for Reproductive Rights and the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation filed a case in the First Circuit Court of Hawai’i challenging a new Midwifery Restriction Law that is preventing pregnant people in Hawai’i from using skilled midwives for their pregnancies and births, as they have for generations. Maui News. Hawaii Public Radio.

State seeks input on proposed changes to forest stewardship program rules. The state’s Forest Stewardship Program provides technical advice as well as financial assistance on a cost-share basis so private landowners can more effectively manage, protect and restore important natural resources on their properties. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian Electric delays launch of new solar, energy storage programs one month to make refinements. Hawaiian Electric will postpone the launch of its new rooftop solar and energy storage programs by one month while the company makes changes approved by the Public Utilities Commission, the company announced. Maui Now.

Oahu

Kaneshiro trial won’t be postponed despite investigation into threat against judge. An upcoming bribery trial against Honolulu’s former top prosecutor won’t be delayed despite an ongoing investigation into allegations that a defendant threatened the judge who had been presiding over the case, which prompted his unexpected recusal last month.The trial of former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and those accused of bribing him will begin next month. Associated Press. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Salary Commission looks at creating a compensation schedule to retain city workers. The Honolulu Salary Commission wants to give councilmembers and top department officials a 3.59% raise for the upcoming fiscal year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council adopts ‘monster homes’ measure. Cracking down on those who build so-called monster homes on Oahu is the purpose of a new city measure the Honolulu City Council unanimously adopted Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s On The Hook For Another $100K Defending Ex-Cops Sued Over Makaha Crash. The officers, who were fired this month by the Honolulu Police Department, are also facing criminal charges. Civil Beat.

A Bar Fight Could Cost A Former Miske Co-Defendant His Kaneohe Home. A federal judge who reviewed a video of the fight says there is no doubt that Michael Buntenbah attacked a man in a bar in January, violating the conditions of his bail. Civil Beat.

Long road to completion may be nearing end for a Maili highway bridge project. When work began to fix the Maipalaoa Bridge on Farrington Highway in Maili, it was considered to be one of the most dangerous bridges in the state. The work is still ongoing nearly nine years later. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A tech billionaire is quietly buying up land in Hawaii. No one knows why. Marc Benioff, the CEO and co-founder of San Francisco-based Salesforce, one of the world's largest software companies, which owns the popular messaging service Slack and is worth nearly $300 billion. He also owns Time magazine. National Public Radio.

Pending OK, new BI cable provider could come online by March. Hawaiian Telcom applied in December for a 15-year cable television franchise in Hawaii County, which, if approved, would make the company the second cable provider cleared to operate on the island, after Spectrum. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Visitation Increases In 2023. The National Park Service says 1,620,294 people visited the park in 2023, a nearly 2.5% increase from the year before. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Central Maui Property Chosen As Permanent Dump Site For Lahaina Fire Debris. More traffic is expected but survey results found the community prioritized its distance from the ocean, schools and homes. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

‘That’s A Lot Of Money’: Maui Council Signs Off On Funding For Private Security In Lahaina Burn Zone. Members grilled officials over the cost of staffing 63 guards at 13 checkpoints, and the administration said the next contract will go out to bid. Civil Beat.

A $1.5M settlement offer for Lahaina fire victims and families opens this week. Here's what to know. Those who lost loved ones in the Lahaina fire will be able to apply for a $1.5 million settlement on Friday. However, the state Legislature has not yet approved the funds for the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Hawai‘i lawmakers vow to tackle homelessness, housing shortages at Līhu‘e community meeting. At a town hall meeting in Līhu‘e on Monday, State Coordinator on Homelessness John Mizuno vowed that Hawai‘i’s rates of homelessness would be cut in half by 2026, as he, along with State Rep. Luke Evslin and Hawai‘i House Majority Leader Nadine Nakamura presented upcoming strategies for combating homelessness and housing shortages across the Garden Isle and state. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Fire to partner with Red Cross to install free smoke alarms as part of pilot program. The Kaua‘i Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau is partnering with the Kaua‘i Red Cross to visit Garden Isle homes and install free smoke alarms in Kaumakani. Kauai Now.

Betty Bell, Kauai medical pioneer who ‘touched many lives,’ dies at 96. A woman who quite literally helped build the framework of medical care for Garden Island residents has died. Betty June Bell died on Feb. 18 at the age of 96. Hawaii News Now.