200+ trek to Washington for Hawaii on the Hill, Green joins governors condeming use of National Guard in Los Angeles, Kilauea Volcano puts on a show, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano erupts. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island, began spewing lava from the north vent Wednesday, the latest event in an ongoing eruption that began almost six months ago. Episode 25 started and ended on Wednesday, with lava fountain heights once again reaching over 1,000 feet. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Green, Lopez condemn Trump’s use of National Guard in L.A. Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez joined their Democratic counterparts from around the country in condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops to quell protests of immigration sweeps in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui News.

Hawaiʻi On The Hill. More than 200 of Hawaiʻi’s political and business luminaries gathered in Washington, D.C., this week for the 9th annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill event, a three-day gathering that allows business and nonprofit groups to showcase their wares and meet directly with congressional power players. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Gov. Josh Green could veto 19 bills. Here are 5 you should know about. The 19 bills on Gov. Josh Green's intent-to-veto list impact many different issues, from criminal justice to housing to taxes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green may spare Hawaiʻi's renewable energy tax credit. House Bill 796 would sunset several income tax credits, including one that offers people up to $5,000 back for the installation of a rooftop solar system. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Governor Urged To Reconsider Possible Veto Of E-Bike Bill. Advocates say HB 958 addresses a growing public safety challenge. But the attorney general worries it’s unconstitutional and a threat to electric vehicles. Civil Beat.

Fentanyl overdose deaths drop in Hawaii as meth-related fatalities spike. A sharp rise in deaths is connected to methamphetamine in Hawaii, the highest in five years. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

New state law bolsters Red Hill fuel spill remediation efforts. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill into law that directs a state Department of Land and Natural Resources official to develop a public dashboard to display water test results from sources around the Red Hill facility, which is being decommissioned by the Navy under a closure plan anticipated for completion in 2028. Star-Advertiser.

AG:  Native Hawaiian Skeletal Remains Destroyed After State Halted North Shore Project. Hawaiʻi is seeking a restraining order against the landowner and builder who were installing a septic system at a Ke Iki beach property where iwi kūpuna were damaged. Civil Beat.

DOH invites residents to learn about groundwater and contaminants. Oʻahu residents use 145 million gallons of water per day — but where exactly does that water come from? Hawaii Public Radio.

Woman arrested, charged for biting 2 police officers in Downtown Honolulu. Officers were securing detainees to transport them to the district court when 40-year-old Maile Eberly became combative. The suspect bit a male and a female officer leading them both to suffer injuries. KITV4.

Transair plane with landing gear issues makes hard landing at Honolulu airport. Authorities say Transair flight R96, a Short SD3-60 turboprop aircraft, had five people on board. No one was hurt.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Dry season kicks off with an islandwide drought. While portions of East Hawaii are getting rainfall, particularly during nighttime hours, the entire Big Island remains in drought. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Reserves To Temporarily Close For Animal Control. State officials say the action is part of a federal mandate to protect the habitat of the critically endangered palila bird. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs $1.56B budget into law; Priorities are kamaʻāina housing, recovery and well-being. The budget was signed into law four days after it was unanimously passed by Maui County Council on June 6, 2025. Maui Now.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ 656-acre project of farms, homes, public spaces in Hāna moves forward. The project in the Wākiu area will take place on a vacant swath of land mauka of Hāna Highway, across the street from Hāna High and Elementary School and the Hāna Public Library, according to a final environmental assessment of the master plan released Sunday. Maui Now.

Lahaina community meeting on fire hazard mitigation to be held June 16. The County of Maui will hold a meeting for the Lahaina community on fire prevention, mitigation and evacuation planning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Search Is On For New Kauaʻi Police Chief. Todd Raybuck’s tenure was clouded by controversy, but the outgoing police chief says he is leaving the Kauaʻi Police Department in better shape than when he arrived in 2019. Civil Beat.

Green signs bills protecting child actors, changing tourism management; Hilo trio found guilty in $11M housing credit scam, former UCLA administrator tapped for UH athletic director, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Earnings of child actors protected by Hawaii law. Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 874 into law Wednesday alongside Maia Kealoha, the 8-year-old actor playing “Lilo” in Disney’s live-action remake of “Lilo and Stitch”, who joined him at the ceremony. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Gov. Josh Green signs bill changing tourism management. Senate Bill 1571 makes the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Board of Directors an advisory board again, no longer a policy-making board, following criticism about governance and oversight. Hawaii Public Radio.

What happens if Hawaiʻi falls short of its goal to reduce carbon emissions?  Hawaiʻi has until 2030 to slash greenhouse gas emissions in half compared to 2005 levels. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matt Elliott, a former UCLA administrator, expected to be named UH athletic director. Matt Elliott, who was key in reshaping the college football landscape, is expected to be named the University of Hawaii’s athletic director, according to people familiar with the situation. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council adopts HART’s $968M budget. The City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to approve the Hono­lulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s  $174.7 million operating budget and  a $793.6 million capital spending plan, above the current $574 million — a nearly 38.3% increase. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Sewer Fees Increase Approved In Narrow City Council Vote. The measure, which needs to be signed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, raises rates at a slower pace than initially proposed. Councilman Augie Tulba said it’s still “a heavy lift for many families.” Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

HPD interim chief appointment on hold. The chief of the Hawaii Police Department will not step down from his post ahead of a decision by the Honolulu Police Commission about who will serve as interim chief of the Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

20 injured in city bus crash on H-1 near Honolulu airport. City officials say a total of 20 people were injured in Wednesday's crash involving a city bus and a pickup truck on the H-1 eastbound near the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Civil rights advocates urge governor to stop building new $1B jail. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and members of the Reimagining Public Safety Coalition gathered outside Gov. Josh Green’s office Wednesday to make their case against the state’s plans to replace the rundown Oahu Community Correctional Center. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Big Island attorneys, businessman found guilty in housing credits scam. 78-year-old Paul Joseph Sulla Jr., 55-year-old Gary Charles Zamber, both attorneys, and 65-year-old businessman Rajesh P. Budhabhatti were convicted Wednesday by a federal jury in Honolulu in connection with a scam in which the trio received Hawaii County affordable housing credits and land conveyances worth at least $10.98 million, with no intention of developing affordable housing.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2. 

Former Kona teacher guilty of sexually assaulting minor. A former Konawaena Middle School teacher was convicted last week of continuous sexual assault of a minor younger than 14 and attempted first-degree sexual assault. Tribune-Herald.

High Lava Fountains Mark Kīlauea Eruption Episode 24. Scientists reported fountains reached heights of more than 1,000 ft overnight, with large lava flows are covering Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. Big Island Video News.

Head of Maunakea Authority says astronomy funding cuts will be ‘catalytic’ for all involved. Keck Observatory emphasized that it’s working with Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation to help pass a budget that will maintain astronomy in the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Key amendments proposed for vacation rental phase-out bill ahead of Council committee hearing. The contentious debate over the future of thousands of short-term vacation rentals in Maui County is heading to a much-anticipated public hearing Monday, June 9, before the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee. Maui Now.

Meeting set to help native plant growers. Maui County water supply director John Stufflebean wants a new ordinance that provides a reduced rate for qualified native plant growers. Maui News.

Judge temporarily halts Job Corps closures, reinstating staff and offering hope to Maui’s center. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from shutting down more than 100 Job Corps centers nationwide — including the Maui Job Corps Center — offering a moment of relief for staff and students who just days ago were bracing for sudden closures. Maui Now.

MEO Head Start receives federal notification of funding for 2025-26 year. Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program has secured $2.7 million in federal funding for the 2025-26 school year, MEO announced on Wednesday. Maui Now.

Maui County Council passes $1.56B budget with an eye on 'shifting federal priorities'.  The council voted Tuesday on a final version of Bill 41, which details a budget about $46 million more than what Mayor Richard Bissen initially proposed in March. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Princeville residents take legal action against developer over anthrax-stricken land. A plan to convert designated open space into luxury vacation rental housing may pose a public health threat to Princeville residents, visitors, and island residents who work in Princeville, according to the lawsuit. Kauai Now.

New ambulance station completes coverage. The new station is located within the Hale Halawai complex of buildings, close to Waioli Park, which, in the past, served as an emergency helicopter drops site. The facility is near the heart of downtown Hanalei. Garden Island.

Hawaii among 4 states sued by Trump administration for climate policies, state sues fossil fuel companies, ICE targets coffee workers' kids, Legislature blocks proposed landfill location on Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan, Vermont and New York over state climate actions. The U.S. Justice Department filed lawsuits against four states this week, claiming their climate actions conflict with federal authority and President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda.  Associated Press. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sues big oil companies over climate change. The 196-page civil complaint filed Thursday in Oahu Circuit Court accuses Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, BP, Aloha Petroleum, Phillips 66, Woodside Energy Hawaii, BHP Hawaii, Equilon and the American Petroleum Institute of lying to the public about how fossil fuels cause climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi AG says the state is 'fully engaged' in responses to Trump administration. Trump's executive orders have triggered more than 200 lawsuits. Hawaiʻi has joined other states in at least 14 of the legal challenges. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Consumer Advocate Pushes Back Against Young Brothers’ Rate Hike. The state watchdog could get behind a more modest increase if public utility regulators investigate the interisland shipper’s relationship with its parent company. Civil Beat.

Hundreds of bills have passed the Hawaiʻi Legislature. Here are 6 you should know about. State lawmakers passed over 200 bills on Wednesday. That’s a lot to keep track of, so with the legislative session ending on Friday, HPR is narrowing it down to the important bills we’ve been tracking. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Marines field new weapons in the Philippines. A unit of Hawaii Marines is in the Philippines fielding new weapons for the first time amid simmering tensions with China. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Legislature Blocks Honolulu’s Proposed Landfill Location. Supporters applauded the bill for safeguarding drinking water, but the decision once again delays the closure of the city’s current site in Nānākuli. Civil Beat.

East-West Center offers buyouts to 80% of employees. The East-West Center is offering buyouts to 80% of its 137 employees as federal funding concerns continue under Donald Trump’s efforts Opens in a new tab to slash the State Department’s budget by half next fiscal year. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council OKs merged housing department. During a special meeting Wednesday, the City Council voted 6-1, with Radiant Cordero dissenting, to adopt Resolution 86, which advanced the mayor’s plan to create the city Department of Housing and Land Management. Star-Advertiser.

Military couple demands child abuse probe at Navy day care. A military couple is demanding justice, saying their daughter was abused at a U.S. Navy day care. Evie, who was nearly 2 years old, had been attending day care at the Navy’s Ford Island Child Development Center (CDC) since she was baby.  Hawaii News Now.

Falling power poles stir concerns of wildfire risks, but mitigation efforts are underway. Hahaione Valley in East Oahu is like so many other valleys around the state. It’s lush and green -- and the slopes are dotted with power poles that largely go unnoticed. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

ICE Takes Aim At Immigrant Kids In Big Island’s Coffee Belt. President Trump has said he wants to deport hardened criminals. But on Hawaiʻi, agents are snaring undocumented children and their adult relatives. At the start of March, a Big Island first grader was taken into custody at his elementary school by a Hawaiʻi Police Department school resource officer. Civil Beat.

Salvation Army’s Kona Thrift Store To Close, May 17. The Kona Corps is shifting focus to maximize support for its other local social services and The Salvation Army’s Kona Preschool. Big Island Video News.

Kilauea bursts into the night sky in 19th episode. Kilauea's latest episode began with fountains spouting from the volcano, filling more pools of lava on Thursday night. KITV4.

Maui

Nearly 20% of fire survivor families in FEMA rental housing have missed a payment. FEMA says 175 families in the program have missed at least one rental payment since March. That’s almost 20% of the 984 households currently in the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Maui shipping increase raises worries. Some Maui County residents and elected officials are expressing concerns about a requested temporary rate increase of 25% by Interisland shipper Young Brothers, especially in light of efforts to rebuild Lahaina devastated by the 2023 wildfire. Maui News.

Kauai

JABSOM expands family medicine residency program to Kauai. More family doctors are coming to Kauai as the University of Hawaii’s medical school is expanding its family medicine residency program. Hawaii News Now.

Water conservation request for Hanalei and ‘Anini areas ongoing. Department of Water customers in the Hanalei Community and ʻAnini Beach areas remain under a water conservation request due to a mechanical failure on the water system’s pump station. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i teen graduates high school, college at the same time. A Kaua‘i student is making history on the island as she prepares to walk the graduation stage not once, but twice in May. KHON2.

Senators seek transparency in $4.2B Maui wildfire settlement, Honolulu mulls plastic bottle ban on city property, ICE arresting COFA immigrants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senators want more transparency on state's share of $4.2B Maui wildfire settlement. Hawaiʻi senators are raising concerns about the lack of conversation between legislators regarding the state’s share of the $4.2 billion global Maui wildfire settlement. If the settlement goes through, the state will need to pay $800 million over two years. Hawaii Public Radio.

ICE arresting COFA migrants not charged with crimes. The 25,000 Hawaii residents from countries of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau who are legally allowed to live and work in the U.S. are facing greater risk of removal if they have been arrested, charged with or convicted of certain crimes — even years after they have served their sentences in jails or prisons. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority chair recommends putting audit probe ‘to bed’. Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board Chair Todd Apo told the HTA Administrative and Audit Standing Committee on Monday that he did not “see an abuse of discretion” regarding Hawai‘i Convention Center discounts received by two nonprofits affiliated with the previous HTA board chair, Mufi Hannemann, and recommended putting the matter “to bed.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Propose New Effort To Map Ancient Fishponds. Nonprofits would create a database of fishponds to help kickstart restoration efforts. Civil Beat.

Should jaywalking be allowed? State lawmakers are considering a pilot program. Senate Bill 106 would establish the program in counties with populations of 250,000 people or less — all the islands except Oʻahu — that “prohibits a pedestrian from being stopped, fined, or subjected to a penalty for crossing outside of a marked crosswalk.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill protects child entertainers’ earnings. Hawaii would join other states in protecting earnings for childhood entertainers under a House bill that’s scheduled to be voted on today by the full Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Child victims of abuse increasing in Hawaii, according to recent report. The five Children's Justice Centers in Hawaii last year tracked a combined total of 1839 cases of child sex abuse, felony physical abuse, child sex trafficking, internet crimes against children and children who witnessed a violent crime.  It marks an increase of seven cases from 2023.  KITV4.

Oahu

Plastic bottle ban on city properties considered. If adopted, Bill 18 would prevent plastic bottles having a capacity of 1 liter or less to be sold or offered for sale after Dec. 31 at any vending machine located at a city facility. Star-Advertiser.

HPD officer accused of leaking information to suspects in deadly fireworks explosion. A Honolulu police officer is on restricted duty for allegedly providing confidential information to suspects in the deadly New Year Eve’s explosion in Aliamanu. Officer Austin Ewaliko, a five-year veteran of the force, has had his police powers removed while the criminal investigation continue. Hawaii News Now.

Pilot in 2019 Oʻahu Helicopter Crash Wasn’t Properly Certified, FAA Says. The FAA says a whistleblower was correct in saying the owner of the helicopter tour company shouldn’t have certified the pilot, but investigators didn’t substantiate allegations of broader problems. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea episode 17 sparks overnight. This is part of the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea on Hawai'i Island that started on December 23rd, 2024. KITV4.

Two festivals bring attention to growing Big Island cacao industry. Two festivals in the next two months highlight the growth of cacao farming and chocolate producing on the Big Island and how the industry can expand the agriculture and tourism sectors important to the island’s economy. Big Island Now.

UH Hilo dance team wins spot in national event.  The 16-student dance team was one of three teams that qualified for the national festival out of 40 teams that danced at the ACDA High-Desert Regional Conference in Laramie, Wyoming, in late March. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

DHHL awards nearly 100 turnkey homes in Waikapū as part of Puʻuhonua Phase II. The Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands (DHHL) awarded a total of 91 turnkey homes as part of Puʻuhona Phase II on Saturday during a ceremony at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.  Maui Now. Maui News.

MEMA to launch new real-time evacuation notifications on Genasys Protect app. Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett announced a new evacuation notification platform to enhance emergency operations for residents and visitors on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Kauai

Keiki and Junior Lifeguard programs on Kaua‘i kick off in June. Youth interested in participating in the 2025 Keiki and Junior Lifeguard programs can register starting May 1. Kauai Now.

Kilauea Volcano puts on a show, Legislature tackles accountability, Honolulu council IDs funding cuts in budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Government reform bills move ahead. Bills aimed at clamping down on campaign contributions from government contractors while separately providing more public money to run for political office remain alive following a key Senate committee hearing Tuesday, joining other bills aimed at government reform that continue to move through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

‘This Has To End’: Revelations Renew Calls For Government Accountability. A growing chorus of good government advocates want the Legislature to increase accountability within its own ranks following a Civil Beat story about an unknown Hawaiʻi lawmaker receiving a $35,000 donation amid an ongoing federal corruption investigation. Civil Beat.

Midwifery bill advances but causes confusion. After months of fluctuating support and opposition, two Senate committees passed a controversial bill Tuesday that would potentially criminalize unlicensed attendants of a home birth who engage in midwifery duties, causing confusion and concern among lawmakers and the midwife community. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers want changes in HTA as new board members confirmed. The two newest members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board were officially confirmed by a Senate committee on April 1. But lawmakers first demanded some changes throughout the entire organization. KHON2.

Not enough workers to deal with uptick in Hawaiʻi SNAP benefit applications. The state Department of Human Services said it has a 25% vacancy for eligibility workers and 50% for clerical staff at SNAP processing centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green announces three judicial appointments. He has appointed Taryn Tomasa Gifford and Karin L. Holma to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. These appointments follow the governor’s recent selection of Kauanoe A. D. Jackson to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit. Maui Now.

Oahu

City Council identifies $25M in cuts to vacant positions to help fund sewer projects. The council is reviewing Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s budget for the next fiscal year and is looking to cut expenses — largely to pay for other projects like wastewater infrastructure. Hawaii Public Radio.

City’s proposed sewer fee increase hits roadblock in council. Plans to raise sewer fees more than 100 percent over 10 years are hitting a wall at the Honolulu City Council. A key committee voted Tuesday to limit the raise and force the city to find other sources of money. Hawaii News Now.

City seeks Iwilei properties to redevelop near future rail station. City officials say they have started acquiring private properties to create affordable housing and transit-oriented development in and around the city-owned Iwilei Center next to Dillingham Boulevard. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City Plans To Finish Waiʻanae Police Station, But It May Not Mean More Cops. Nine years after opening the station, the city is working to finish construction. But Honolulu is short on police, so there won’t necessarily be more officers on patrol. Civil Beat.

New parking restrictions to allow for street sweeps. The City and County of Honolulu is making an effort to keep drains clear and the water safe by allowing street sweepers to come by every first Monday and Thursday of the month. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Milolii homeowner wins lawsuit against county. A Kona judge ruled Friday that the Hawaii County Board of Appeals erred when it sided with the Department of Public Works, which revoked a 2020 renovation building permit that was in effect after a man bought a small Milolii Beach Lots house in a shoreline management area four years ago. Tribune-Herald.

Renaming of Captain Cook Post Office in honor of fallen soldier observed at Vietnam War memorial service. More than 50 years after U.S. troops departed Vietnam, the post office in Captain Cook is being named after 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau, who was killed in action during the war. Big Island Now.

Lava fountains top 700 feet in latest ‘episode’ of Kilauea eruption. The eruption prompts warnings of volcanic ash, rock and vog. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui County Council Digs Into The Mayor’s $1.5 Billion Spending Plan. Some members are concerned about the high level of county job vacancies. Civil Beat.

Mayor responds to study suggesting housing bill cost Maui 1,900 jobs or more. Mayor Richard Bissen said the proposal is not meant to be anti-tourism but is pro-resident. Bissen acknowledged that the transition would bring challenges, but the mayor contends delaying action will only make those challenges more severe. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui United Way invests $1.5M in Lahaina Community Land Trust. Maui United Way is backing an effort to keep the land in Lahaina firmly in the hands of local residents by committing $1.5 million to the Lahaina Community Land Trust. Maui News. Maui Now.

With government help delayed, Upcountry Maui volunteers clear overgrowth ahead of fire season. Hundreds of volunteers have spent countless hours working to clear the land of invasive, fire-prone plants as the drought worsens island-wide. Hawaii News Now.

What Lahaina’s Miracle House Tells Us About Building Fire-Resistant Homes. Building with the right materials saved homes in the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires, but many homeowners can’t afford the price. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Office of Economic Development awards second year of agriculture expansion grants. After a successful first year of funding, the grant program continues to bring more focus on building Kaua‘i’s agriculture portfolio by creating more direct support for the farming community. Kauai Now.

Coworking space now offers AI programs to improve research, education, development. Kuleana.work coworking space in Līhuʻe has launched an AI Lab to provide a space for local entrepreneurs, students and community members to utilize artificial intelligence to benefit their lives. Kauai Now.

Mufi Hannemann investigated for freebies, Hegseth tours Hawaii bases, Honolulu to purge inactive building permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mufi Hannemann’s Events Spark Inquiry Into Freebies From Tourism Agency. A state audit has triggered an investigation of whether the HTA board chair’s nonprofits inappropriately received free food and use of state facilities from his own agency. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority board on Tuesday questioned Hannemann at length about the events hosted by HTA for Hannemann’s organizations.  The Ethics Commission has already begun interviewing people as part of an inquiry into more than $14,000 in food and beverages provided for the two events.  Civil Beat.

Hegseth tours Hawaii bases, makes appeal to Pacific allies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued his tour of Hawaii on Tuesday, meeting with troops, touring bases and giving a speech in Waikiki in which he made overtures to American allies in the Pacific and called on them to help the U.S. confront China. Star-Advertiser.

Prince Kuhio Day eve event rallies support for $600M Hawaiian Homes funding. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a unity rally Tuesday at the state Capitol to pay tribute to Prince Kuhio a day ahead of his birthday and to counteract recent resistance to homestead development funding at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

The Unlikely Odyssey Of Prince Jonah Kūhiō. Raised in nobility and imprisoned after the overthrow of the monarchy, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole had an outsized impact on modern Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Digitized agriculture form disrupts tourism data. Akamai Arrival, the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form, left out the optional tourism questions from the back of the form, creating a blip in the state’s continuous tourism arrivals set that goes back to before the jet age. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu permitting department to purge building permit applications that have been in system more than 1 year. DPP announced that effective immediately, it will purge building permit applications that have been in its review system for more than 365 days, with no activity from the applicant. This includes permits that have been approved to be issued but have not been picked up. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Co-Owner Of Waiʻanae Company Arrested For Import Of Illegal Fireworks. The seizure of 24 tons of fireworks was the largest single interdiction by the state Illegal Fireworks Task Force. Josephine Quintanilla, a co-owner of Explicit Pyrotechnics, was charged on March 11 with allegedly importing fireworks into Hawaiʻi without a state license, a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  Civil Beat.

Lawmakers vote to support new Aloha Stadium project. A public hearing held at the state’s capitol building Tuesday, with two resolutions urging lawmakers to support the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District Project. KITV4.

TheBus, Skyline, Handi-Van phone lines resume after outage.  The outage follows scheduled maintenance early Tuesday, after which the phone lines failed to come back online. Star-Advertiser.

Balancing safety: Speed humps reduce crashes. But may be slowing Honolulu Fire’s response times. The Department of Transportation started installing speed humps in 2019. In total, there are 180 across Oahu with 11 more in the works. Hawaii News Now.

School Harassment Case Could Cost Hawaiʻi Taxpayers $150K. Stevenson Middle School Principal Katherine Balatico sued the education department for failing to protect her and her family after they received death threats through her job. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea begins ‘15th episode’ of eruption. Scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said “episode 15” of the ongoing eruption commenced at 12:04 p.m. Tuesday  “with the onset of vigorous overflows from the north vent,” along with “continuing cycles of lava rise, fountaining and vigorous overflows, and drainback events.” Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Big Island Video News.

Sayre Foundation partners with Life Flight Network to provide Big Island with new air ambulance. The Big Island will soon have a new tool able to rapidly respond to and transport the most critical patients from even its most rural areas because of two nonprofits dedicated to saving lives. Big Island Now.

A monument for Vietnam vets planned for school in Kona. Vietnam vet Clyde Brumaghim is currently leading an effort to raise money from the community for an elegant monument that will stand at Konawaena High School to honor the Wildcats who served in the Vietnam War, which took place from 1954 to 1975. Tribune-Herald.

Management plan for a popular Big Island trail focuses on capacity, cultural preservation. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources' new management plan for the Pololū Trailhead aims to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture, preserve the ʻāina, and address the overwhelming number of visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Mayor Bissen presents $1.512 billion FY2026 budget to Maui County Council. The document addresses funding needed for housing, recovery and well-being, natural and cultural resources, water, infrastructure and public safety. Maui Now.

Lawsuit challenges Trump freeze on Maui funding. The state Department of Human Services will have to shut down its ongoing relief efforts for 4,431 remaining survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires on April 4 unless the Federal Emergency Management Agency lifts a funding freeze, according to a federal lawsuit filed by attorneys general from both Republican and Democratic states. Star-Advertiser.

Shuttered Maui Fire Victims Jobs Effort Gets Funds, But Fate Still Unclear. Nonprofit that ran the dislocated worker grant program will get the new funding to cover expenses it already racked up. Civil Beat.

Commission supports Wailea housing project. The Maui Planning Commission has recommended moving forward with a revised plan for a 670-acre housing development in Wailea that reduces the requirement to provide affordable housing from 700 to 288 units. Maui News.

Lānaʻi Clinic Pushes To Prescribe Drugs As Telehealth Bill Moves Forward. The legal battle comes as the Legislature debates a bill that would allow pharmacists on neighbor islands to remotely supervise services at rural medical clinics. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Did you hear the siren? Let Kaua‘i Emergency Management know with new online tool. Kaua‘i County’s emergency management agency launched a new online reporting tool so residents and businesses can voluntarily help monitor the monthly tests. Kauai Now.

Hanalei Pavilion and parking lot to close. The Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled Hanalei Pavillion to close for two weeks for septic repairs and maintenance. Garden Island.

Legislature advances sports betting bill, 131 Maui fire survivors laid off in federal funding cuts, trial set for attorneys in $11M affordable housing credits scam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sports betting is back in the ring at the Hawaiʻi Legislature. House lawmakers advanced a measure that would legalize the industry. House Bill 1308 would allow four different sports betting companies to be licensed to operate in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Housing, clean energy bills pass key committee. The critical state Senate Ways and Means Committee has moved out four bills on the eve of next week’s deadline to keep bills alive, including one that would provide more state funding to improve and upgrade low-income housing projects. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi is considering how to rein in the use of heavy pesticides. State lawmakers are considering how to rein in the use of heavy pesticides in Hawaiʻi following concerns about their impacts on people and non-target species. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill ending religious exemptions to school vaccines makes headway. House Bill 1118, which is part of the governor’s package, passed its third reading in the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs on Friday, and is poised to cross over to the Senate in March. Star-Advertiser.

Millions on the line as groups battle childhood homelessness in Hawaii. Hawaii's first-ever Childhood Homelessness Symposium brought together local leaders and advocates Tuesday to address a growing crisis, children experiencing homelessness at an alarming rate. KITV4.

Failure to launch: A critical program to help kupuna still hasn’t started. Seven months after the Silver Alert was signed into law, the program still hasn’t launched. Meanwhile, at-risk kupuna, who suffer from dementia and other disabilities, continue to disappear. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Cost Of Living Is Creating A Mental Health Crisis For Workers. Residents experiencing food insecurity are more likely to experience depression and have suicidal thoughts, according to new research. Civil Beat.

$275,000 For Heart Attack Caused By False Missile Alert. A lawsuit over the 2018 mistaken emergency alert has finally been settled. Civil Beat.

This Plant Can Power Grids, Planes, Poultry And Cattle. Hawaiʻi Isn’t Sold. Business coalition asks for state tax credits to launch eco-friendly aviation fuel refining, but time is running out. The Hawaiʻi Renewable Fuels Coalition sees the camelina plant, a brassica and close relative of canola, as a multi-win crop. Civil Beat.

Decline of student newspapers at public high schools impacts local journalism. Hawai‘i’s high school newspapers are dwindling. A Hawaiʻi Public Radio survey of 44 public high schools found that fewer than half still have a student newspaper journalism program.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Major Fireworks Seizure At Honolulu Port Points To Federal Failure. An Oʻahu fireworks company got a federal license to import tons of fireworks even though it didn’t have a state license to possess them once they got here. Civil Beat.

Honolulu mayor seeks public feedback at town hall meetings across Oahu. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi will hold a series of town hall meetings across Oahu to get input on community issues and concerns. Blangiardi, as well as directors and deputy directors from more than 25 city departments, will attend all meetings. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council considers sponsorships for public facilities. A Honolulu City Council measure to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities to garner more revenues for the city is scheduled for further review today. Star-Advertiser.

State to host job fair aimed at departing federal workers. The hiring event is being hosted by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in downtown Honolulu for attendees to explore available jobs and interview for positions at DLIR and other state agencies. Star-Advertiser.

‘Lots of red flags’: Drug rehab recruiters from California fuel concerns over ‘body brokers’ in Hawaii. Hawaii health providers and state officials are warning the community that so-called “body brokers” may be targeting homeless drug addicts. The alarm about possible “body brokers” was raised Friday night after two women showed up at Kauhale Health homeless treatment and housing facility on N. King Street, passing out business cards and an offer that seemed too good to be true. Hawaii News Now.

HDOT issues call to action as Oahu traffic fatalities rise. So far in 2025, Oahu has seen 11 traffic fatalities compared to five at the same time last year, according to the Honolulu Police Department. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Trial set in housing credits scam. A federal trial has been scheduled for two Hilo attorneys accused of receiving Hawaii County affordable housing credits and land conveyances worth at least $10.98 million, with no intention of developing affordable housing. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Eruption Resumes: Episode 11 Lava Fountains Reach 600 Feet High. Scientists also noted a glow from the September 2023 vents on the east side of Halemaʻumaʻu on Tuesday night. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Traffic Advisory Issued For Maunakea Summit, Increased Congestion At Sunset. Officials warn visitors that traffic on the Maunakea Access Road and the summit area has been significantly heavier than usual during sunset hours, particularly on weekends and holidays.  Big Island Video News.

Police to hold public meeting on temporary morgue. The Hawaii Police Department invites the public to attend a community meeting to discuss a temporary morgue facility in Hilo from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 3, at the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street in Hilo. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

High surf complicates business for this Kona-based tour company. Manu Powers, who runs Sea Quest Hawaii with her husband, says unusual surf activity and problems fnding qualified workers pose challenges for for their boat and snorkel tour company based in Kona. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

131 Maui fire survivors laid off after federal funding cut. A total of 131 Maui residents displaced by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires and working on recovery efforts were laid off Monday after the Trump administration cut federal funding for their positions. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

County wants to buy land to improve emergency evacuation routes in Lahaina. Maui County is moving quickly to buy a half-acre site in Lahaina that it hopes to use as part of a larger effort to revamp emergency evacuation routes, which proved deadly inadequate in 2023 when dozens of residents were trapped while trying to flee the fast-moving wildfire. Maui Now.

Community meeting on Imi Kala Street Extension proposal to be held March 5 in Wailuku. The County of Maui Department of Public Works (DPW) is holding a community meeting Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Wailuku to discuss the proposed Imi Kala Street Extension project that would provide another connection between Waiehu and Wailuku. Maui Now.

Multi-agency, full-scale CST training exercise slated this Thursday morning in Kīhei. The 93rd Civil Support Team (CST) full-scale training at Bayer Facility, 2111 Piʻilani Highway, will involve critical collaborations among MEMA, Maui Fire Department, Maui Police Department, Emergency Medical Services and the Hawaiʻi National Guard’s 93rd Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Response Team. Maui Now.

Kauai

Input needed for Kauaʻi’s long-range transportation plan. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is updating the Regional Long-Range Land Transportation Plan for Kauaʻi after more than 10 years of changes in population, development and travel needs.  Kauai Now.

County looks to ‘grow our own’.  A group of 40 10th-grade students toured the County of Kauai facilities as a field trip to acquaint students with the variety of jobs and career opportunities available there. Garden Island.

Hawaii homeless nearly double, Navy seeks to expand mine warfare training, Hawaii leaders remember Jimmy Carter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

 Homelessness Nearly Doubled In Hawaii After Maui Fires, New Federal Report Says. The state experienced an 87% increase from 2023 to 2024, compared to an 18% increase nationally. The number of people who were homeless in Hawaiʻi in 2024 grew from 6,223 to 11,637 – an 87% jump – according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Read the full U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress here.

Navy seeks to expand mine warfare training in Hawaii. The Navy’s draft environmental impact statement Opens in a new tab, which is open for community input and will be the subject of public meetings in California and Hawaii next month, lays out a request to install and maintain new ranges to train troops to avoid, disable, destroy or — in some cases — use ocean mines during operations at sea. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric delivers answers to PUC probe. Hawaiian Electric has delivered a 96-page report to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in response to 30 information requests and nearly 200 questions about the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fire, which killed 102 people, caused $5.5 billion in damage, left thousands homeless and decimated Maui’s visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Leaders Mourn Loss Of Jimmy Carter. The 39th U.S. president died Sunday in Georgia at the age of 100. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Ahi prices surge for New Year’s. Bluefin tuna prices are holding steady at $40.95 per pound this year, but the prices for other types of fish have yet to be determined. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Green Proposes Spending Another $30 Million On A New Oʻahu Jail. Ultimately it could be a $1 billion project. Meanwhile, some are advocating for greater emphasis on keeping people out of prison. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail agency requests eminent domain on 7 properties. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors has approved resolutions to acquire by eminent domain portions of seven adjacent properties along the rail corridor as construction continues toward Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu neighborhood board election registration now open. People interested in running for a seat on their local neighborhood board can now register as a candidate for the 2025 election, the city Neighborhood Commission Office announced. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki transit-priority lane finishes first phase, city says. In what is deemed as a pilot project, the city Department of Transportation Services and Honolulu Complete Streets’ new transit-priority lane is a westbound lane that stretches along Kuhio Avenue, from Kapahulu Avenue to Launiu Street. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea eruption continues with steady, moderate activity as new ‘hazard’ erupts. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Sunday in its daily update that fountaining vigor increased during the past day as the third episode of the eruption persists, but the intensity was still below that seen during the eruption’s first few days last week. Big Island Now.

Alameda’s work on fentanyl task force led to the job where he can make an even bigger difference. Two years ago, Kimo Alameda was holding a horn in one hand and Narcan in the other, teaching people at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo how to use the nasal spray that can reverse an opiate overdose and potentially save a life. Big Island Now.

‘It brings the family together’: Takeya family celebrates 100th anniversary mochitsuki. One Hilo family, the Takeyas, on Sunday celebrated its 100th New Year’s mochitsuki — the ceremonial pounding of the sticky, glutinous rice into a pliable dough that’s then rolled into sweet rice cakes. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fire Ravaged Upcountry Maui, Too. Residents There Try To Heal. The same day flames tore through Lahaina in 2023, another fire in Kula caused millions of dollars in damage. The recovery effort there has been quiet but intense. Civil Beat.

Heartwarming holiday homecoming: 14 wildfire survivors get help coming home to Maui for the holidays. This holiday season, Maui United Way, in partnership with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines  and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, is spreading the spirit of aloha by reuniting four wildfire survivor families with their island home. These families, displaced to the continent following the devastating 2023 wildfires, now have the chance to return to Maui to celebrate the holidays and visit with their loved ones, experience the warmth of home once again. Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Facebook CEO addresses Hawaii ‘Doomsday bunker’ rumors in rare interview. Tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is speaking out for the first time about reports of having a Doomsday bunker under his property on the Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Education department’s pilot program serves locally grown squash in Kaua‘i cafeterias. Fourteen years ago, the nonprofit Mālama Kaua‘i established initiatives to get local food on cafeteria plates.This month, it finally happened, with 200 pounds of prepared kabocha squash distributed to four public schools across the Garden Isle through a farm-to-school pilot program. Kauai Now.

State lawmakers may tackle political patronage in new session, rail contractor files $324M lawsuit, toddler saved from fall into volcano, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Legislature May Take A Stand Against Decades Of Pay-To-Play Politics. New rules and proposed laws could fundamentally change how political campaigns are financed. Hawaiʻi could soon take significant steps against the kind of political patronage that has come to define local politics for generations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers divided on Trump’s promise to scrap US Education Department. The state Department of Education gets roughly $200 million from the federal Education Department from Title I funds that support low-income schools to grants for students with disabilities. Hawaii News Now.

Legislators Look To Support Student Recovery From The Pandemic. Some lawmakers and advocates say schools need more help with funding gaps, especially after federal assistance expired this fall. Civil Beat.

Governor Injects $2.2 Million Into Revival Of Hawaiʻi Fire Marshal’s Office. The resurrection of a Hawaiʻi fire prevention agency appears to be on course after Gov. Josh Green announced a plan to inject $2.2 million into the effort. Civil Beat.

Amid Deportation Threats, Hawaiʻi’s Immigrants Brace For President Trump. Advocates said some immigrants — including those in mixed-status families, with members legally authorized to remain here and those who are undocumented – already are avoiding contact with the government. They have started to stay away from health services. They are thinking twice about reporting crimes, whether they are victims or witnesses. Some have stopped working for fear of workplace raids. Civil Beat.

Education leaders impressed with new AI program in Hawaiʻi schools. Eighty students across six teams from elementary, middle, and high schools from around the islands were given a task to identify challenges their fellow students faced, and then create an AI program or “chatbot” to help find solutions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Key First Hawaiian executive Christopher Dods to step down. Christopher L. Dods, vice chair and chief operating officer of First Hawaiian Inc. and First Hawaiian Bank, will resign from his roles effective March 31, the company announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

At Honolulu’s Troubled Permitting Department, There Are Signs Of Hope. People have been waiting way too long for permits, with many applications literally taking years, but city data suggests the system is gaining speed. Civil Beat.

Hitachi Rail files $324M lawsuit against Honolulu, HART.  Costly delays and mismanagement over Honolulu’s over-budget, long-overdue rail line are the basis for a new lawsuit being brought by the project’s principal contractor. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu parks department to update rules for community gardens. As demand for community garden space grows on Oahu, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation is set to implement long-needed updates to the Honolulu Recreational Community Gardening Program rules. Star-Advertiser.

Avalon buys Topa towers in a continued effort to revitalize downtown Honolulu. Christine Camp,  president and CEO of the Honolulu-based Avalon Group — a real estate development firm -- just closed on the Topa Financial Center towers at the corner of Bishop and Queen streets, an area she wants to see rebranded as DoHo to mark the revitalization of downtown Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Queen’s unionized nurses holding strike authorization vote. After nearly a year of stalled negotiations, nurses from The Queen’s Medical Center campuses at Punchbowl and West Oahu are voting on whether to authorize a strike. Star-Advertiser.

Richard Parsons, corporate troubleshooter and UH alum, dies at 76. Richard D. Parsons, a University of Hawaii alumnus who would become well known on Wall Street for leading major U.S. corporations, including Time Warner and Citigroup, through troubled times, died Thursday at his New York City home. He was 76. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Boy saved from falling into Kilauea volcano summit caldera. A boy, roughly 2 to 3 years old, ran into a closed area Wednesday at the Kilauea Overlook, coming within a foot from the edge of Kaluapele, the summit caldera, before his mother managed to pull him to safety. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.
 
Maui

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court finds in favor of Cook in challenge of his election to South Maui Council seat. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of incumbent South Maui Council Member Tom Cook and against an election challenge by opponent and former Council Member Kelly King. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County releases Lahaina’s long-term recovery plan. Maui County has unveiled its finalized Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina, marking a significant milestone since the devastating wildfires of Aug. 8, 2023. Forty projects within the plan cover key areas like community planning, economic recovery, housing, infrastructure and natural and cultural resources. It also identifies funding sources to make those projects a reality. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Biden signs bill to study designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area. U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed 50 bills into law, one of them directing the National Park Service to assess the suitability of designating Lahaina, Maui, as the “Lahaina National Heritage Area.” Kauai Now.

Lahaina Harbor needs to be rebuilt quickly, vessel owners say. Under a plan presented by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, Lahaina Harbor is to be restored within three to five years at an estimated cost of $30 million. Maui News.

More modular homes to be delivered to the Kilohana project on Dec. 29.  Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are delivered to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Kilohana site in Lahaina.  Maui Now.

Their House Survived The Maui Fires Untouched. Here’s What Happened Next. The only way the owners of Lahaina’s red-roofed “miracle house” have been able to process what happened — and cope with their feelings of guilt for having survived one of the most devastating wildfires in American history so unscathed — is to look for ways to help.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Free eye exams draw people of all ages. Following the successful response to the free Kauai Dental Clinic presented by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, both Kapaa and Lawai campuses, Dr. Janie Yoo of the Kauai Eye Institute announced a free eye exam day with discounted pricing on frames. Garden Island.

Kilauea erupts, Eddie surf competition draws 50k, most state residents not vaccinated against COVID, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kilauea volcano erupting again at Halemaumau Crater, putting on ‘dynamic’ show. Kilauea began erupting again at approximately 2:30 a.m. Monday at the base of Halemaumau Crater within the summit caldera. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii residents getting COVID vaccines are now the minority. After five years of battling the virus, considerably fewer people across the U.S. and Hawaii are rushing to get the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines, which have been available since September at local pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Ethics Commission plans penalty system akin to traffic fines. The Hawaii Ethics Commission plans to create a uniform fine schedule — similar to standardized traffic fines — and voted unanimously Wednesday to have a bill introduced in the next legislative session that would speed up the issuance of fines, which now takes up to six months. Star-Advertiser.

How Hawaiʻi could prepare for financial impacts of second Trump term. Working families in Hawaiʻi could end up paying more in taxes if President-elect Donald Trump implements some of his proposed policies, but analysts say there’s a way the state can help. Hawaii Public Radio.

Department of Taxation adjusts for Hawaiʻi tax cuts with new employer withholding tables. The Hawai‘i Department of Taxation has updated its income tax withholding tables to reflect upcoming changes in a new state law that makes incremental adjustments to the standard deduction amount and income tax brackets beginning tax year 2024, through tax year 2031. Kauai Now.

A new way to travel between islands? State agencies show interest in proposed aircraft The Hawaii Seaglider Initiative is a coalition of local stakeholders advocating for the adoption of seagliders — a proposed electric-powered vehicle that flies low above the water — as an interisland transportation option. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Oahu

‘The Eddie’ surf competition stokes North Shore’s economy. The North Shore economy is projected to ride high during its winter wave season, which kicked off Sunday with the 2024 Eddie Aikau Invitational Big Wave Contest at Waimea — a massive event that Honolulu police estimated drew about 50,000 attendees. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii surfer Landon McNamara wins the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. Landon McNamara has won the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

EPA says military violated Red Hill consent decree, issues fine. The Environmental Protection Agency says the military violated a federal consent decree when officials chose not to attend a Dec. 12 public meeting with the Red Hill Community Representation Initiative. Star-Advertiser.

City reports criteria for Honolulu Ocean Safety commissioners. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi will appoint all five members to the inaugural commission, which will oversee the Department of Ocean Safety. The Honolulu City Council will confirm the appointees. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu YMCA Tenants Won’t Be Uprooted Thanks To The State. The tenants had been at risk of losing their homes after the Central Y said it could no longer afford to subsidize their rents. Civil Beat.

Latest renderings of new Aloha Stadium envision entertainment wonderland. The latest renderings for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District project were shown Thursday to the Aloha Stadium Authority by representatives of development group Aloha Halawa District Partners. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County’s plan to vacate HBMC morgue moves ahead. Hawaii County is making progress toward relieving the severely overcrowded Hilo Benioff Medical Center’s morgue of what are referred to as “HPD bodies,” according to Hawaii Police Department Chief Ben Moszkowicz. Tribune-Herald.

Māhukona Beach Park To Close For Pavilion Demolition. Māhukona Beach Park will be closed in January, as the County of Hawaiʻi begins a project to demolish the dilapidated pavilion and restrooms. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi County invests in innovative collaborations with Puna Strong grants. Thirteen organizations working toward community resilience and disaster readiness in Puna were awarded a total of $586,917 in grants by the County of Hawaiʻi. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Fire Victims Jobs Program At Risk After Nonprofit Budget Troubles. The federally funded initiative run by Maui Economic Opportunity employed hundreds and was to last two years. The nonprofit's CEO announced this month that it would end early. Civil Beat.

A Maui program kept Lahaina families together by paying households to take in fire survivors. Estimates say up to one-third of those displaced by the Maui fires wound up in the homes of friends and family in the weeks after the disaster. Associated Press.

Hawaiʻi’s Physician Shortage Hits Maui Hardest. Doctors were scarce before the Lahaina fire, which burned medical facilities, displaced health care workers and patients and heightened financial stress. Civil Beat.

Maui County’s Office of Recovery Administrator focuses on safety, health of community. John Smith said he hopes that in his new position as Maui County’s Office of Recovery Administrator, he can provide clarity and clear direction, both internally and externally.  Maui News.

Kauai

Today is last day for free dental clinic. Today is the last day of a free dental clinic, but organizer Dr. Janie Yoo of the Kauai Eye Institute announced a free vision screening event on Thursday. Garden Island.