Survey finds support for Hawaii military presence, feds investigating state transgender athletics policies, Honolulu hires search firm for police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Survey finds broad support for Hawaii military presence. Hawaii residents generally support the military’s presence in the islands, which employs 73,072 Department of Defense employees and pumps billions into the local economy each year, officials with the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism announced Wednesday. DBEDT’s online survey of 541 adult island residents showed that 62% of residents feel “positively” about the military’s presence in Hawaii, with 74% agreeing that it “strengthens” Hawaii’s economy. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Feds Investigating Hawaiʻi Schools’ Policies On Transgender Athletes. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education is one of 18 school districts and educational institutions across the country being investigated for allowing transgender athletes to participate in school sports, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday.  Hawaiʻi’s education department allows transgender student athletes to join the high school sports teams of their choice. Civil Beat.

House Majority outlines top priorities for 2026 legislative session. Housing, Native Hawaiian issues and preserving the social safety net are among priorities when the Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene in regular session on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Maui Now.

Public Defenders Got 20% Raises, But Hawaiʻi Isn’t Paying Them. The public defense attorneys typically earn far less than lawyers at other state agencies. Six months after a move to address the disparity, the money still hasn’t materialized. Civil Beat.

State Lawmakers Want To Protect Hawaiʻi Kids From AI Chatbots. Worried that children are being exploited by chatbots, lawmakers will again push for a bill to require organizations that use artificial intelligence in commercial transactions to publicly disclose that information to consumers. Civil Beat. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Handbook rewrite, incorrect memo prompt concerns for Hawaiian Airlines. A policy rewrite and a misworded memo about it caused concern for employees and frequent flyers of Hawaiian Airlines. The last bullet point was highlighted: “In an effort to align our language to be inclusive for our entire employee population across the entire U.S., the Hawaiian words have been removed.” Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Commission hires firm to find next HPD chief. The Honolulu Police Commission has entered into a $121,900 contract with an executive search firm from California as part of the ongoing effort to hire the city’s 13th police chief. Star-Advertiser.

$1.1M grant for Hawaiʻi's medical school seeks to further AI development. The funding comes from the American Medical Association as part of its national “Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education” grant program. The John A. Burns School of Medicine plans to use the money to develop AI systems to have a humanistic approach when teaching medical students about rural health. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Fight During Work Hours Wasn’t Enough To Get This City Inspector Fired. Honolulu hired Bryan Porcello despite at least eight convictions, and only fired him after his arrest for allegedly bailing a woman out of jail for sex.  Civil Beat.

Pilot program puts Honolulu police officers in 3 schools. The Honolulu Police Department and state Department of Education have launched Oahu’s first formal school resource officer pilot program, placing officers at Waianae, Kapolei and Kaimuki high schools through the current school year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

ACLU Hawaii sues federal government to seek release of immigration detainee  who was detained during his green card hearing. ACLU comes to aid of Captain Cook man taken by ICE. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a habeas corpus petition Tuesday in U.S. District Court seeking the release of 42-year-old Captain Cook man Jose Estrada Lopez, who has been incarcerated without charges or bail at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Interim Police Chief addresses arrests of two Hawaiʻi Island officers. Two Hawai‘i Island police officers appeared Wednesday afternoon in Hilo Circuit Court, where they pleaded not guilty to charges levied against them by the State of Hawai‘i Attorney General involving alleged unconstitutional searches of an arrestee’s belongings in May 2023. Big Island Now.

PONC program accepting nominations through Jan. 31.  The Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) is accepting nominations from the public through Jan. 31 for lands to be considered for preservation. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Jacky Takakura named Maui County Planning Director. Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed Jacky Takakura, a former Deputy Planning Director, to serve as County of Maui Planning Director. Her appointment takes effect Feb. 1 and is subject to confirmation by the Maui County Council. Maui Now.

Longtime kalo farmer announces run for Maui County Council. A longtime kalo farmer, Bobby Pahia, has announced his bid for a seat in the Maui County Council. Pahia announced Wednesday afternoon that he is running for the Upcountry residency seat currently held by Yuki Lei Sugimura, who is running for mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Maui braces for possible end to FEMA rental assistance and more housing strain for fire survivors. Nearly 1,000 households displaced by catastrophic wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui are anxiously awaiting word on whether federal assistance helping them stay housed will be left to expire, forcing them to find new housing or pay more for it in one of the tightest and most expensive rental environments in the country. Associated Press.

Kauai

New public pre-K classroom to help increase education access on Kauai. King Kaumualii Elementary in Lihue is now the fifth out of Kauai’s nine public elementary schools to offer public pre-K. Hawaii News Now.

Kapa‘a Satellite DMV site open, available to assist East Kaua‘i residents. Kaua‘i County Division of Motor Vehicles reminds the public that — while services are somewhat limited and by appointment-only — its Kapa‘a satellite location is open and available to assist East Kaua‘i residents. Kauai Now.

Hawaii’s largest coffee farm warns of mass layoff. Kauai Coffee Co. has told state and county leaders that it is being forced to lay off the 136 employees of its 3,100-acre Garden Isle farm. In December, Brue Baukol executives told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the company was committed to keeping Kauai Coffee open and was exploring ways to preserve, improve, or potentially manage the business itself. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Changes sought in solitary confinement law, safety inspections lag as building fires rise, Pentagon denied additional condemnation authority at Pohakuloa, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation seeks changes to solitary confinement law. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation wants the state Legislature to loosen a law that sets stronger regulations on the use of solitary confinement on incarcerated individuals. Hawaii Public Radio.

New political action committee aimed at electing inclusive, equality-driven leaders. Community leaders on the third anniversary of the Respect for Marriage Act announced last week the official launch of HOKU PAC, a new non-partisan political action committee dedicated to empowering māhū and LGBTQIA+ candidates — and their allies — seeking county and state office throughout Hawaiʻi.  Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Building Fires Are On The Rise; Safety Inspections Aren’t Keeping Up. Regular inspections of hotels and other accommodations required by the state are being inconsistently carried out by most county fire departments. Staffing and resource limitations mean that all of the state’s county fire prevention bureaus only inspect a fraction of the state’s accommodations, leaving visitors and residents at risk.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Wants To Bring Home The Bacon Again — Literally. Pork production in the islands has dropped significantly in the past 20 years. The state is now taking calls for help from piggeries more seriously. Civil Beat.

The state is urging households to use their Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) benefits before they expire on Dec. 31. The Hawaii Department of Human Services said Wednesday that households that received the $250 per person HEFAP benefits should use them as soon as possible. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Deadly force found justified in Keehi Boat Harbor barricade. A Honolulu police corporal was justified to use deadly force when he shot a 37-year-old man high on methamphetamine through the cheek after the man threatened officers with a hammer and a rifle during a standoff June 22 at Keehi Boat Harbor, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Prison guard and wife permanently banned by DOE. The state Department of Education issued a permanent ban from all campuses and properties against a man accused of punching out Moanalua High School’s associate athletic director after allegedly harassing referees at his son’s exhibition basketball game Dec. 4.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

State begins emergency repairs at Kamehameha Hwy. at Kualoa. The state Department of Transportation has begun emergency repairs to a section of Kamehameha Highway near Kualoa Regional Park after erosion threatened to undermine the roadway. The DOT said the erosion was found on Monday by inspectors, and repairs were started Tuesday because of fears the roadway could fail. Hawaii News Now.

Manoa pool closed again as city fixes renovation problems. After reopening in June following nearly nine months of repairs, the pool shut down once more in late November.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island gets new official name. The "Island of Hawaiʻi" will now be known simply as "Hawaiʻi" on official state documents. The Hawaiʻi Board on Geographic Names voted in favor of the change last week after more than a year of discussion on what the island's official name should be. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senate Passes Military Spending Bill, Includes Provision On Pōhakuloa Land. Senator Mazie Hirono says the bill does not provide the military with any additional authority to condemn state land, despite a last-minute push by the Army. Big Island Video News.

Street Medicine Program To End At Year-End. The Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center says it is terminating its innovative Street Medicine Outreach program for un-housed individuals at year-end. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier seeks apology as ‘Diddy’ civil lawsuit is dismissed. The civil lawsuit filed in California against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs — later amended to add a list of co-defendants, including Maui Police Chief John Pelletier — was dismissed on Tuesday for failure to prosecute. Maui Now. Maui News. 

A Maui sailing company is among the first to resume operations in Lahaina Harbor. Lahaina Small Boat Harbor has officially reopened. The harbor sustained $30 million in damage from the 2023 wildfire. Hawaii Public Radio.

Troubled Maui water system due for improvements. A state commission has fined Maui Land &Pineapple Co. for failures earlier this year to manage stream water feeding competing demands that include taro farming, wildlife habitat, golf course irrigation and residential landscaping. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Mayor Kawakami signs Kauai Climate Adaptation and Action Plan. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed the Kauai Climate Adaptation and Action Plan (KCAAP) on Wednesday, marking an important step in the County of Kauai’s long-term work to prepare for climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Kauaʻi Renters Are Fighting A Hawaiian Homesteads Condo Project. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is being sued over a relocation plan residents say is inadequate. Civil Beat.

Fire at Kauai Sea Farm caused about $144K in damage. Kauai firefighters on Tuesday extinguished a fire at the eastern shore of Nomilu Fishpond in Kalaheo. No injuries were reported. Star-Advertiser.

Immigration advocates push for legislative protections, Hawaii National Guard gears up major crowd control unit, HECO sues Par Hawaii over damaged turbines, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

As Arrests In Hawaiʻi Climb, Immigration Advocates Push Protective Legislation. Advocates seek to limit cooperation with ICE and to rein in the agency’s actions amid a major increase in immigration arrests locally. The table of immigration-related bills in the Hawaiʻi Legislature’s next session was at least partially set Monday, as advocates described measures they want to see introduced and painted a picture of legal rights being trampled under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Most arrests for violating immigration in Hawaii unwarranted, attorneys say. The majority of people arrested by federal agents for violations of U.S. immigration law in Hawaii have no criminal record despite assertions by federal officials, immigration attorneys told a state lawmaker Monday. Through July, 149 people have been arrested for violations of immigration law in Hawaii, a 380% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Deportation Data Project. Star-Advertiser. 

'It's not new': Hawaiʻi National Guard on directive to prepare crowd control unit. This fall, each state's National Guard received a federal directive to assemble 500 troops for a "quick reaction force" to be deployed to address civil disturbance and crowd control. The order requires the teams to be ready to respond at the start of next year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Advocates urge state lawmakers to protect LGBTQ+ community this legislative session. Establishing a shield law to protect gender-affirming care, expanding gender markers on birth certificates, and mandating an accurate count of hate crimes in Hawaiʻi are some of the top priorities advocates are urging lawmakers to focus on during the 2026 legislative session. Hawaii Public Radio.

State deploys $18 million for clean energy access. The Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority is making $18 million in new loan capital available to help nonprofits, small businesses and low- and moderate- income households pay for clean energy upgrades as the state works to expand access to solar and reduce electricity costs. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Sues Par Hawaiʻi Claiming Faulty Fuel Ruined Turbines. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. is suing the operator of Hawaiʻi’s only petroleum refinery, alleging that substandard fuel produced by Par Hawaiʻi Refining LLC caused millions of dollars in damage to power plants on the Big Island and Kauaʻi last year. Civil Beat.

Alexander & Baldwin leaves stock market after major sale. Alexander & Baldwin agrees to go private in $2.3B deal. Alexander & Baldwin — the largest owner of grocery‑­anchored neighborhood shopping centers in Hawaii, where it has a 155‑year history — has agreed to go private in a $2.3 billion merger, the largest commercial real estate portfolio deal in state history. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Oahu

Honolulu City Council adopts transparency bills for unspent funds. The Council on Wednesday voted 8–0, with Council member Matt Weyer absent, to separately approve Bills 64 and 65, requiring the city to offer a greater degree of financial reporting over lapsed, or unspent, funds from past budget cycles. Star-Advertiser.

Blackened Canteen ceremony rekindles WWII peace offering. American and Japanese officials gathered in Pearl Harbor on Monday as commemorations of the anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack continued. Star-Advertiser.

Fireworks Firm Tied To Illegal Hawaiʻi Shipment OK’d To Sell Firecrackers. The Honolulu Fire Department says it has no legal basis to deny the company a permit to sell firecrackers despite its involvement in a shipment of $2.7 million of illegal fireworks seized by the Coast Guard in 2022. Civil Beat.

Waianae Police Station undergoes $1.4M in upgrades. The Honolulu Department of Design and Construction on Monday began a more than $1.4 million partial second-floor interior upgrade at the Waianae Police Station, city officials say. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Land deal to protect Maunawili Valley serves as a model for other communities. A deal is underway to protect over 1,000 acres in Maunawili Valley, located in the ahupuaʻa of Kailua. The area was historically favored by aliʻi for its productive kalo lands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian macadamia nuts recalled after potential salmonella contamination. American Nuts LLC has issued a voluntary recall of Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Co. Baking Nuts sold at Costco’s Hawaii Kai warehouse due to potential salmonella contamination. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

U.S. Geological Survey searches for new monitoring site after Kīlauea summit camera buried in volcanic debris. As Episode 38 of the ongoing eruption sent fountains of lava and a plume more than 20,000 feet into the air, the widely viewed V3 summit camera was buried under roughly 50 feet of volcanic debris. Big Island Now.

New statewide crime dashboard launched. Reports of criminal offenses were up almost 6% in Hawaii County in 2024 over 2023. That’s according to the Hawaii Crime Dashboard — a new online platform launched and maintained by the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General.  Tribune-Herald.

New traffic signal to be activated on Waikoloa Road. A new traffic signal at the intersection of Waikoloa Road and Paniolo Avenue/Pua Melia Street in Waikoloa Village will start operating at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County opens registration for free disaster training for community members. The CERT program, which combines online coursework with hands-on instruction, teaches basic disaster skills including first aid and triage, search and rescue, and fire safety and suppression. Big Island Now.

Maui 

First 100 days: Ethics executive director reports surge in inquiries, calls for staff expansion. The newly established Office of the Board of Ethics is fielding a significantly higher volume of inquiries than in previous years, prompting the executive director to call for expanded staffing in the upcoming fiscal 2026-27 budget. Maui Now.

EIS preparation notice filed for Hoʻonani Village mixed-use project. Developers have filed an environmental impact statement preparation notice for the Hoʻonani Village mixed-use development proposed for 1,600 residential apartment units near the old Puʻunēnē sugar mill on 166 acres off of Hansen Road in Kahului.​ Maui Now.

Court documents reveal alleged motive in slaying of Maui police officer. Maui police Officer Suzanne O died in the line of duty as she and other officers were responding to a terroristic threatening call in Paia on Aug. 15. Hawaii News Now.

Maui’s Waiehu Beach Road getting new speed tables, raised crosswalks. DOT said four speed tables will be installed on Waiehu between Kukona Place and Lower Waiehu Beach Road. Additionally, three raised crosswalks will be installed at the intersections of Kukona Place, Kaikoo Street and Kainalu Place. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Rubbish pickup in Kalāheo delayed due to staffing shortages. Residential trash pickup in Kalāheo will be delayed because of staffing shortages, Kauaʻi County officials announced Monday.  Kauai Now.

The Kauai Marathon distributes $37,500. Awards of $12,500 each were presented to the Koloa Early Learning School, that will soon celebrate its 40th anniversary; the Kauai Habitat for Humanity, which is involved in constructing affordable housing for Kauai families; and Ho‘omalu Ke Kai, whose coral restoration efforts recently enjoyed a successful coral rescue off Ahukini Landing State Park. Garden Island.

 

Youth emissions lawsuit settlement to be costly, new report shows Hawaii County income from vacation rentals, taxpayer-funded legal bills for Leong, Sword top $200k, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers Worry Hawaiʻi’s Emissions Goals Could Leave Some In The Dust. State officials have a new roadmap to decarbonize the cars, planes and ships that form Hawaiʻi’s transportation sector, they told legislators on Wednesday – almost exactly one year after they signed a landmark legal settlement with youth climate activists to ramp up those efforts. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Filipinos caught in power contest between U.S. and China. Amid increasing hostilities in the South China Sea — a busy waterway through which more than a third of all trade travels — disputed waters around the Philippines are emerging into a potential flashpoint that holds repercussions both there and in Hawaii. Since April, soldiers and Marines from Hawaii-based units have been on the ground in the Philippines for a series of exercises. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Corrections Official Sues Alleging Discrimination, Wrongful Termination. Pamela Sturz claims workplace harassment after her boss learned she was married to a woman. Civil Beat.

Micronesians Are Suffering From Advanced Breast Cancer. Mammograms Could Help. Micronesians are less likely to get mammograms than women overall in Hawaiʻi. Community advocates say public health officials need to break down barriers to early screening.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

The taxpayer-funded legal bills for the former Honolulu city officials who faced federal charges are in, with fees in the six figures. A Honolulu City Council committee advanced two resolutions following their executive session, adding funds to contracts started two years ago to defend Max Sword and Donna Leong. Leong’s legal bill totaled $102,000 with Sword’s bill totaling almost $106,000. KHON2.

City of Honolulu hit with negligence lawsuit over crash at erased crosswalk. A year after a missionary was nearly killed in a McCully crosswalk that had been stripped of its white lines the city is being sued for negligence. Over the past decade, markings at dozens of Oahu crosswalks have vanished. Hawaii News Now.

HPD: Man shot by police in Makaha was wanted on 3 felony warrants. Honolulu police released the latest details into an officer-involved shooting in Makaha Tuesday that left a 38-year-old man critically injured. For the second time since Sunday Opens in a new tab, Honolulu police had to shoot a suspect who refused to surrender Opens in a new tab after ramming an unmarked police car in Makaha until it burst into flames. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Wai Harbor Is A Major Tow-Away Zone. Will Better Warning Signs Help? Repaving is also coming for most of the 900 parking spaces at Hawaiʻi’s largest small boat harbor. Civil Beat.

DPP sorts through thousands of illegal rental notices, more than $90M in fines. Since the passage of Bill 41 in 2022, which limits most short-term rentals to a minimum 30-day stay, the Department of Planning and Permitting has issued more than $90 million in fines. KITV4.

Hahaione Valley residents raise concerns about possible development. Until July of last year, the Japan-America Institute of Management Science occupied a six-acre site at the top of Hawaii Kai Drive between Pepeekeo and Hahaione Streets. Now, residents in Hahaione Valley are wondering exactly what will happen with the parcel. Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

Disbarred lawyer indicted in estate theft scheme. A 75-year-old ex-lawyer, who was disbarred in January 2023 for wrongfully laying claim to over $2 million in abandoned property, was charged Friday in a 22-count felony indictment in a similar case, including theft of roughly $750,000 from a dead man’s estate. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

How do short-term vacation rentals affect Hawaiʻi Island's economy?  There’s a new report out that looks at the economic impact of vacation rentals to the county's tax coffers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Full vacation rental report here.

2 dozen coconut rhinoceros beetles detected in Kona since March. Crews are searching for coconut rhinoceros beetle breeding sites in the Kona area, where about two dozen of the invasive beetles have been found since first being discovered there in March. Hawaii Public Radio.

Penn asks judge for ‘identity verification’ of his mother. UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn has said on social media he believes an identical imposter has taken the place of his mother, Lorraine Shin, his brothers and others around him. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council to take up contentious Honuaʻula project for first reading this Friday. The long-debated Honuaʻula master-planned community project is returning to the Maui County Council’s agenda for its regular meeting on Friday. The “hot button” issue has been whether to approve the developer’s request to remove a requirement to build 450 affordable units in the South Maui project district development. Maui Now.

Volunteers sought for Marine Institute to help rescue sea turtles, care for corals. The Marine Institute at Maui Ocean Center is seeking Maui-based volunteers who are passionate about ocean conservation and willing to dedicate at least three hours a week assisting with coral restoration and endangered Hawaiian sea turtle conservation. Maui Now.

Kauai

Sewer rate increase goes into effect July 1. “Increasing 11% per year over a 5-year period, funds from this increase will go into much-needed repairs of facilities that are over 4 decades old,” said Kaua‘i County Engineer Troy Tanigawa in the county’s reminder. Kauai Now.

New mobile pantry fills gaps in access to kupuna and families. Reminiscent of the “yasai trucks” of the rural plantation camps and towns, the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai held a Mobile Food Pantry blessing by Kahu Jade Waialeale Battad on Tuesday, under weather conditions that started out threatening before ending in a downpour at the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Green establishes LGBTQ+ commission, extends pause on building code adoption; state Supreme Court allows wrongful conviction lawsuits for two exonerated in Dana Ireland case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii LGBTQ+ Commission Established To Advise Government. Gov. Josh Green has directed that the state of Hawaii establish an advisory body to develop and improve the state’s interaction with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus citizens. The commission was established in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes 369, which states in part, “The legislature finds that there is a need to establish a body to improve the State’s interface with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community.” Civil Beat.

Gov. Green signs Ninth Proclamation for affordable housing. Gov. Josh Green signed a proclamation Thursday,  relating to affordable housing, placing a “pause” on the automatic adoption of county building codes. The proclamation gives “the counties additional time to review, amend and adopt the latest state and national building codes to suit their particular safety and design standards and needs.” Maui Now.

Some Hawaii Schools Ban Cell Phones In Class. Should More Follow? Educators are concerned about the impact of cell phones on academics and student mental health but struggle to limit their use. Many schools in Hawaii are grappling with how to reduce students’ reliance on cell phones, citing concerns about unnecessary distractions in class and the toll social media can take on teenagers’ mental health. Civil Beat.

Illegal Pesticide Sales At Hawaii Daiso Stores Prompt Record Fine. A retailer with stores in Hilo, Pearl City, Piikoi and downtown Honolulu has agreed to pay $314,747 for selling 23 types of unregistered pesticides following a joint federal-state investigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a news release Thursday. Civil Beat.

Two New Barges To Enhance Young Brothers Interisland Shipping. The Kalohi and Nāulu barges are part of a $45 million investment to enhance the reliability and resilience of the interisland shipping services, the company says. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Council scrutinizes fire sprinkler tax credit measure. A measure allowing owners associations at existing high-rise residential buildings to apply for tax credits for installing automatic sprinkler systems is under Honolulu City Council review.  Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu mayor to veto bill that would lift ban on ground display fireworks. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he intends to veto Bill 22, which was passed Wednesday by the City Council against the wishes of the Honolulu Fire Department. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City Council approves bill to allow consumer fireworks on special holidays. Honolulu City Council approved a measure to allow the use of consumer fireworks, like sparklers, without a permit during special holidays. Consumer fireworks would be allowed the night of New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year and the Fourth of July — all during specified hours. Hawaii Public Radio.

Restaurant at Ala Wai Harbor fears its permit won’t be renewed. Pau Hana Place is a restaurant that opened more than a year ago as a gathering spot for visitors and locals alike at the entrance to Waikiki. Management is very concerned, however, that they may lose their lease. DLNR's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is set to make a presentation on the property’s future at the Friday Land Board meeting. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Dana Ireland Case: Police Don’t Have To Release Records About New Suspect. The Hawaii Police Department does not have to turn over evidence related to a new suspect in the 1991 murder of Dana Ireland to attorneys representing two men exonerated in the case, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. But the state Supreme Court said brothers Albert “Ian” Schweitzer and Shawn Schweitzer exonerated in the 1991 murder can move forward with wrongful conviction compensation claims. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

DLNR: Nene killed by hit-and-run driver in Hilo park. A male nene, banded as 595, was killed Thursday morning by a hit-and-run driver while apparently crossing a road in Lili‘uokalani Gardens off Banyan Drive, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

78-acre wildfire at Hawai‘i Volcanoes continues to burn. A 78-acre wildfire continues to burn in a remote area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, prompting officials to temporarily close the parking lot at Maunaulu and Napau Trail. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Central Maui Transit Hub built but unopened, more than 3 years after groundbreaking. More than three years after it broke ground in February 2021, the Central Maui Transit Hub is built in Kahului but remains unused by bus riders for reasons left unexplained by the Maui County Department of Transportation or the project contractor. Maui Now.

‘Herculean’ Volunteer Effort Leads To Reopening Of Lahaina Aquatic Center. Saying they see it as a symbol of returning to normalcy, local residents pushed the county to get it done. Even though it didn’t burn in the fire that destroyed much of Lahaina in August 2023, the 31-year-old county facility was a mess and has been closed ever since. Civil Beat.

Council Chambers to close for election-related activities. The Council Chambers on the eighth floor of the Kalana O Maui building in Wailuku will be closed beginning Oct. 18 until late next month for general election activities, according to an announcement from Council Chair Alice Lee. Maui Now.

‘Alala released into the wild on Maui. In a significant milestone for the conservation of Hawai’i’s native birds, five ‘alalā, or Native Hawaiian crow were transferred last week, from the Maui Bird Conservation Center to a temporary field aviary on the slopes of Haleakalā.  Maui News.

Kauai

Options To Protect Kauai From Fraud Will Go To Voters. A charter amendment seeks to give the county the option of purchasing insurance. County officials have found that purchasing insurance policies can cover more employees at a lower cost. Civil Beat.

Planning Commission approves Coco Palms annual status report amid foreclosure lawsuit. After the Utah developer rebuilding the destroyed Coco Palms Resort showed enough progress on the 29 conditions of its zoning and variance permits, the Kaua’i County Planning Commission on Tuesday approved the status report that allows the controversial project to continue. Kauai Now.

Board of Education reduces exec raises, students bounce back from pandemic learning loss, LGBTQ flag flap at Ewa Middle School, Oahu $100M first responder complex unlikely, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Proposed raises for Hawaii DOE executives reduced.  A proposal to dramatically raise salary ranges for 25 top state Department of Education executives had to be scaled back after it drew angry reactions Thursday not only from scores of school-level employees and their union, but several state Board of Education members as well. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Student Recovery From Pandemic Learning Loss ‘Exceptional’ Analysis Finds.  The analysis done by the mainland consultant Center on Assessment found overall that students learned at a faster rate after the pandemic than they did before, and that mathematics needs a “steeper recovery” than English in public schools.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Climate Experts Highlight Positive Points In An Otherwise Dire International Report. Scientists, activists and policymakers in Hawaii say they are not surprised by the heightened warnings contained in the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change but they have some reasons for optimism. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Pushes For Ban On Deep-Sea Mining. Sea mining could bring adverse effects on the marine floors of Hawaii, creating clouds of mud that push away fish, destroying seabeds and imposing irreversible damage on the seafloor, environmental advocates argue.  Civil Beat.

Foodborne illness complaints, yellow placard violations up. Health officials have been increasing their restaurant site inspections, leading to an uptick in violations. KHON2.

Deadly fungus detected in Hawaii patient. There has been one confirmed case in Hawaii of Candida auris, a deadly fungus that has sparked national concern as it’s spread rapidly through hospitals and other health care facilities in about two dozen states.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

The First Responders Park Bill Is Dying. Rep. Amy Perruso says she won't advance a bill to fund the state's first responders campus amid questions about the project's relevance. When Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi introduced a measure to provide at least $100 million to build a campus for first responders on 243 acres of agriculture land in central Oahu, the Kauai senator hailed the controversial project as necessary for Oahu’s law enforcement and public safety workers. Civil Beat.

4 Honolulu police officers plead not guilty in Makaha crash. Four Honolulu police officers accused of chasing a vehicle with six Maili Beach Park partygoers in September 2021 entered not-guilty pleas Thursday to charges that they caused a crash, fled the scene and conspired to cover it up. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

After spate of tragedies on Oahu roads, city prosecutor pushes for jail time in more traffic cases. In the wake of several high-profile fatal crashes, Honolulu’s prosecutor has changed his policy on plea agreements in traffic court in hopes of making the roads safer. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu councilors paid the least compared to neighbor islands. A 60% salary increase for Honolulu City Council Members and its Chair, recommended by the salary commission, is renewing interest in the process.  KHON2.

Lawmaker’s post questioning LGTBQ flags at Hawaii school draws backlash. Freshman state Rep. Elijah Pierick recently paid a visit to Ewa Makai Middle school, something that public officials often do. What was less usual — and what’s drawing broad criticism — is a video he posted on his Instagram page about that visit. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Ownership of historic Waiāhole Valley up for debate after proposed 600% rent increase.  Rent lease negotiations between the state and nearly 100 tenants in Waiāhole Valley are sparking conversations about the future of this rural, agricultural community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Woman Cited For Taking Nēnē Gosling From Hilo Park. A 57-year-old woman was cited this morning after allegedly taking a nene gosling from Wailoa River State Recreational Area in Hilo and driving away with it. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Community College opens student center stocked with basic necessities. The Kahuaola Basic Needs Center is located at the Manono Campus and is stocked with food, hygiene products and clothes available for pickup. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Waiehu rental project’s fate remains undecided. After four meetings, a Maui County Council committee on Wednesday was unable to come to a decision on a 120-unit rental housing project in Waiehu, whose fate could now be determined by the Department of Housing and Human Concerns director. Maui News.

Maui’s mayor wants to buy company that controls water flow to thousands of acres.  Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen says he is reviving a long talked about plan to buy a company that controls the water flow to thousands of acres. Hawaii News Now.

Maui vacation rental supply and unit demand up from 2022, but down from pre-pandemic. While gains were realized in month-over-month data, Maui’s vacation rental supply, unit demand and occupancy in February remained down double-digits from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.  Maui Now.

Maui doctor charged in federal prescription drug investigation. A 74-year-old Maui doctor faces four federal counts of unlawful distribution of controlled substances after he allegedly illegally prescribed hydrocodone, Xanax and Valium to an undercover federal agent on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Mosquito release plan aims to save forest birds on Maui. State and federal officials are moving forward with a plan to release millions of incompatible male mosquitoes into the East Maui wilderness in an effort to save the region’s threatened and endangered forest birds. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kawakami administration breaks down $402 million Kaua‘i budget proposal.  The budget process opened Thursday with a display of goodwill between the Kaua‘i County mayor and Kaua‘i County Council chair. Garden Island.

Coast Guard leads multi-agency exercise at Kukuʻiula Small Boat Harbor on Kauaʻi. At Kuku’iula Small Boat Harbor near Po’ipū, the U.S. Coast Guard and several state, county and volunteer agencies conducted a full-scale search and rescue drill on Thursday morning to practice working collaboratively during emergencies. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

RIMPAC wraps up war games, super PAC spends millions in LG race, petroleum found in Moanalua well, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sea Hunter crewless vessel arrives at Pearl Harborfor 2022 RIMPAC PC:U.S. Navy

Month-long RIMPAC exercises wrap up in waters off Hawaii. RIMPAC concluded Thursday after over a month of war games that united militaries from around the world. RIMPAC’s 2022 return was super-sized, after a smaller 2020 version during the onset of COVID-19. Hawaii News Now.

This Hawaii Super PAC Is Spending Millions To Defeat One Political Opponent This Year. Be Change Now has launched an aggressive campaign attacking lieutenant governor candidate Rep. Sylvia Luke. Be Change Now, a super PAC funded by contractors who do business with the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, is spending more than $2 million this year supporting Ikaika Anderson’s run for lieutenant governor with radio, digital and newspaper ads, according to recently filed campaign spending reports. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Meet the GOP candidates looking to flip Hawaii's U.S. House seats. The 1st Congressional District hasn't been in GOP hands in over decade, when it was briefly represented by Rep. Charles Djou.  And the 2nd District has never been represented by a Republican since its creation. KITV4.

Crowded field vying for seats on OHA Board of Trustees. Eighteen candidates are vying for six seats in the primary election for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees, including a retired state senator, a former star University of Hawaii football player and all six incumbents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii's gay leaders take steps to educate, vaccinate their community against monkeypox. Monkeypox can infect anyone, but the majority of cases in the US outbreak have been among men who have sex with men, including gay and bisexual men and people who identify as transgender. KITV4.

Oahu

Board of Water Supply detects petroleum contamination in Moanalua monitoring well. The Honolulu Board of Water supply says it has detected petroleum-related chemicals in a monitoring well in Moanalua Valley, elevating concerns that fuel contamination from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility is traveling through the aquifer and putting a major source of drinking water for southern Oahu at risk. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Efforts ramp up to reduce crime in Waikiki. A new crime-reduction program called “Safe and Sound Waikiki” is kicking off in the neighborhood where a rash of high-profile violent crimes, including a recent sword attack at a Kalakaua Avenue 7-Eleven, has sharpened community concerns. Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said the multiagency program is based on the already established “Weed and Seed” program, which seeks to “weed out” criminals from a particular district and then “seed” communities by investing in social and economic revitalization. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office Won’t Charge SWAT Officer Who Killed Kakaako Man. The department concluded that officers last year did everything they could to de-escalate a tense barricade situation. After an almost yearlong investigation, the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office determined that the SWAT officer who shot and killed a man in his Kakaako apartment was justified in his actions and will not be charged. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hilo hospital sees surge in patients: Several factors push it well above capacity. HMC on Thursday reported 13 holds in the Emergency Department, 13 patients in the overflow areas, and 37 patients waitlisted for beds elsewhere. Waitlisted means they are looking for a long-term space to obtain care outside of their homes and HMC. Tribune-Herald.

Crews to soon begin process of dismantling observatory. Caltech Submillimeter Observatory Director Sunil Golwawa said the complete removal of the observatory — the first of five to be removed in exchange for the planned construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope — should be finished by the end of the year, with deconstruction of the building itself beginning before the end of summer. Tribune-Herald.

2,695 and counting: Hawaii Wildlife Center marks 10 years of saving native birds and bats. Around 150 different bird and bat species have been seen at the hospital, including 27 rare species. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Money Is Flowing Into Maui County Races As The Primary Election Nears. Developers, real estate investors and business interests are pouring contributions into local campaigns. In the month before voting started for the Aug. 13 primary election, recent campaign finance data shows that almost $282,000 flowed into the campaigns of candidates trying to lead Maui County’s $1 billion government. Civil Beat.

Annalisa M. Bernard appointed to fill judicial position in Maui’s Second Circuit Court. Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald today appointed Annalisa M. Bernard to fill a judicial position in the District Court of the Second Circuit in Maui County. Maui Now.

Maui County home sales cool in June; single-family home median sales price at $1.1 million. Maui County home sales fell by more than 50% for condos and 20% for single-family houses last month, as rising mortgage rates and record-high sales prices pushed out buyers. Maui Now. Maui News.

Monkeypox case on Maui brings Hawaii’s total to 12. The state Department of Health on Thursday announced an additional case of monkeypox in a Maui resident who traveled outside of the state, bringing the number of cases in Hawaii to 12. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Broken X-Rays lead to long wait times, high stress at Lihu‘e Airport. Faulty X-ray machines at Lihu‘e Airport led to long waits and high tensions this past week. Contracted security manager Charlie Iona estimated that at certain points wait times were two hours. Garden Island.

COVID continues downtrend on Kauaʻi. Kaua‘i’s test positivity rate was 17.3% — higher than the state average of 13.8%. Garden Island.

Gov. Ige recognizes Restoration Day, Honolulu to hold arrestees until court, housing official pleads guilty to $2M in kickbacks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Restoration Day bill celebration PC:House Majority

La Ho‘iho‘i Ea festivities recognize Restoration Day. July 31 will officially be recognized as La Ho‘iho‘i Ea under a measure passed by the Legislature this year that became law Monday. La Ho‘iho‘i Ea was the first Native Hawaiian holiday created as a result of King Kauikeaouli Kamehameha III’s diplomatic reclamation of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1843. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Trend continues of non-competitive legislative races. Ten state legislators are running unopposed and will automatically be reelected in November, while another 15 candidates face no internal party challengers and will automatically go on to the November general election. Star-Advertiser.

Tokuda, Branco Take On Guns In Their Bid For Congress. Both candidates say they want to pass stricter gun control measures. The question is can they do it? Civil Beat.

State representative pleads not guilty to drunk driving. State Representative Matt LoPresti’s attorney entered a not guilty plea on his client’s behalf in court on Monday, July 18. KHON2.

Why Hawaii Schools Are Doubling Down On Vocational Training. A growing number of schools are trying to figure out how students can make a living wage in Hawaii after graduation. Civil Beat.

Land and amphibious training return to RIMPAC. Though the exercise focuses mostly on operations at sea, U.S. Marines are hosting land forces to practice operations in coastal settings to fight on land and make amphibious landings. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiians look to traditional knowledge, practice to inform climate change solutions. Native Hawaiian communities across the island chain are looking to traditional knowledge to inform climate change solutions. This can start with a simple Hawaiian cultural practice known as “kilo” – meaning to observe. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

New policy cracks down on release of arrestees. Those who are arrested for low-level crimes and cannot make bail will no longer be able to be released by a judge on their own recognizance and given a future court date, but will be held overnight by the Honolulu Police Department and appear in court the following morning. Star-Advertiser.

Group Wants Ideas On Diversifying Oahu’s Economy. The Oahu Economic Development Board will submit its final plan to federal officials overseeing grants to create jobs and diversify the economy. Civil Beat.

5 pairs of ‘enhanced’ night vision goggles stolen from Hawaii Army base. The Army is offering up to $10,000 for information on whoever stole “enhanced” night vision goggles from Schofield Barracks. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Former Big Island Housing Official Admits To Accepting $2 Million In Bribes. A former Hawaii County housing official pleaded guilty in Honolulu on Monday to using his government position to accept nearly $2 million in bribes and kickbacks from developers of affordable housing. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Cyclists Plead for Bike Lanes as Part of Waiānuenue Avenue Project. The Hawai‘i County Council Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit is expected to get an update Tuesday, July 19, regarding the rehabilitation project for Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo. Big Island Now.

Youth LGBTQ+ event cancelled after violent comments and death threats made online. A planned fundraising event for LGBTQ+ youth on the Big Island was shut down over the weekend after a slew of violent threats online. The Family Drag Show was supposed to take place Saturday -- at the Keauhou Shopping Center's "Spin Luv Play" -- to help raise funds for the West Hawaii Children's Center. KITV4.

Maui

Maui county stops affordable housing development. On Monday the council voted down a 100% affordable housing development in Kihei called Hale Waipuilani. The 28 units were proposed to be for sale to qualified households earning between 80% and 140% of the area median income. KHON2.

Pedestrian crossing study launched for new Kīhei high school. A study has been launched to evaluate alternatives for a grade-separated pedestrian crossing at Pi‘ilani Highway to serve the new high school being built in Kīhei. Maui Now.

Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi dedicating affordable rental development for seniors. The project at 65 School Street features 165 rental units and a 7,500-square-foot multipurpose facility with social services provided by Catholic Charities Hawai‘i. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i real estate update: Home prices rise, fewer homes sold. According to data published by Hawai‘i Realtors, the median price of a single-family home on Kaua‘i through June 30 increased by 11.52% compared to that time frame last year — from $1.08 million to $1.2 million. Garden Island.

Seized Russian yacht docks in Honolulu, Ige signs LGBTQ bills, Maui mayor approves record $1.1B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Russian yacht, seized in Fiji by U.S., docks at Honolulu Harbor. A superyacht seized last week in Fiji by U.S. federal agents — as part of an effort by Western governments to confiscate Russian assets and punish oligarchs for their country’s invasion of Ukraine — arrived Thursday morning in Honolulu Harbor. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Gov. David Ige signs LGBTQ rights bills into law. The bills address a range of issues — from insurance coverage for gender affirming treatments to jury participation for the LGBTQ community. One formally establishes the Hawaii LGBTQ+ Commission. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii jobless rate ticks up to 4.2% as labor force grows. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported Thursday that Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2% in May, up from 4.1% in April. Star-Advertiser.

Anticipated Revenue Windfall Raises The Stakes In OHA Elections. Six seats on OHA’s board of trustees, which oversees more than $600 million in trust funds, are up for grabs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s red-flag law took effect in 2020. Hawaii’s red-flag or “extreme risk” law took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. But since then, there’s only been one request for a gun violence protective order. Advocates say the problem is not many people know what it is ― and how it works. Hawaii News Now.

Public Forum On Hawaiʻi Broadband Access Set. The University of Hawaiʻi is inviting the public to an online forum on June 23 to discuss creating more broadband access opportunities. Big Island Video News.

Despite Hawaiʻi's clean energy strides, oil keeps its grip on the islands. While Hawaiʻi has made strides to transition its electrical grid to renewable energy, the economy still overwhelmingly relies on fossil fuels. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hokule‘a and Hikianalia return from Tahiti. The voyaging canoes Hokule‘a and Hikianalia docked at Sand Island at 6:45 p.m. Thursday upon their return from their 2,500-mile voyage from Tahiti. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu police investigate 2 SHOPO leaders after internal union fight raises extortion allegations. The top two officials of the police officers union have been placed on restrictive duty after Honolulu police opened a misdemeanor extortion case in connection with allegations outlined in a civil suit filed by an ousted union official who says he was falsely accused of double-dipping travel funds and blackmailed with the threat of a theft complaint. Star-Advertiser.

Son of new Honolulu police chief charged in bicycle thefts. The 36-year-old son of newly sworn-in Honolulu Police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan has been charged with second-degree burglary related to the alleged theft of two bicycles in 2021. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Mixed reactions over hotel proposed for Honolulu's Chinatown. If approved, the 4-star, 240-room hotel outfitted with a rooftop restaurant and pool -- would be located in Chinatown. Ikenakea Development touts its $127 million project as a vision for revitalizing a deteriorating district, and an opportunity to provide 100 full-time local jobs. KITV4.

University of Hawaii is awarded $25 million to create hybrid reef. The University of Hawaii will be awarded up to $25 million by the Department of Defense to design and build a hybrid coral reef that aims to protect the coastline from the growing impacts of flooding, erosion and storms. The part-man-made, part-natural reef structure will be installed at a yet-to-be-determined site on the coast of Oahu in a project funded by the DOD’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Broken waterline at Dillingham Airfield is leaking millions of gallons ― every single month. As the state grapples with an ongoing water crisis, a broken waterline at Dillingham Airfield is leaking millions of gallons every month. State leaders say problems with the system date back nearly two decades. Hawaii News Now.

Closure of Wahiawa nursing facility leaves worrisome long-term care gap. The looming shutdown of the only skilled nursing facility in Wahiawa has advocates raising more alarms about Hawaii’s long-term care crisis. Hawaii News Now.

58th Annual Hawaii State Farm Fair coming to Kaneohe in July. The 58th Hawaii State Farm Fair will be held Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10, at the Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe. The Fair is sponsored by the Hawaii Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture and Hawaii State 4-H Livestock Council. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

CDC categorizes Hawaii County as a high-level community for COVID-19 risks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today moved Hawaii County from a yellow, medium-level community to an orange, high-level community for COVID-19 impacts. Hawaii County now joins Kauai, Honolulu, and Maui counties, which are also categorized as orange, high-risk COVID communities. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Increased homeowner exemption clears committee. A bigger break in taxes for homeowners and kupuna is all but assured next year, following a unanimous committee vote Tuesday on a bill and assurances from the administration that it supports the measure. West Hawaii Today.

Portuguese center one step closer to fruition. Today marks an important milestone for the organizers of the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center — they will be inking signatures on a construction contract for the long-envisioned facility at the corner of Komohana and Ponahawai streets in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor signs record high $1.07 billion budget, saying it will rebuild Maui County. Saying that the county will go from surviving — to rebuilding and revitalizing — Mayor Michael Victorino today signed into law the record-high $1.07 billion budget for the new fiscal year.  Maui Now.

Proposal paves way for more public parking at coveted South Maui beach. After years of sparring over beach parking at popular Keawakapu in South Maui, a new bill is paving the way for additional public parking on nearby state land. Maui Now.

South Maui Residents Want A Community Plan With Sharper Teeth. An update to South Maui’s community plan has been a long time coming. Residents charting the region’s future complain that past plans have been too flimsy. Civil Beat.

Newly renovated community center, DMVL in Pukalani opens with blessing. Work on the Hannibal Tavares Community Center included replacement of deteriorated wood, structural repairs, asphalt shingle roofing and gutter replacement, and repainting of the center’s interior and exterior. Maui Now.

Kauai

Judicial Nominee Faces Accusations Of Witness Tampering. But defense lawyers say attorney Gregory Meyers followed standard procedure when he delivered a witness statement to Kauai County prosecutors and described the complaint as “frivolous.” Civil Beat.

Panel to talk about Coco Palms. The discussion will include the location’s ancient context, Coco Palms’ history, and current plans for the property. Garden Island.