Hawaiian Independence Day could become 14th state holiday, federal raids on Kona coffee farms raise concerns, longtime UH sports announcer Bobby Curran dies at 69, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senators push bipartisan holiday bill. The list of annual state holidays in Hawaii could grow by one under legislation that easily passed a milestone last week. State senators voted 25-0 to approve and send to the House of Representatives a bill that would make Nov. 28 La Ku‘oko‘a, or Hawaiian Independence Day, as Hawaii’s 14th official state holiday. Star-Advertiser.

Hōkūleʻa events celebrate 50 years of preserving Polynesian wayfinding. Hōkūleʻa reached a milestone birthday this Saturday, celebrating 50 years. To honor Hawaiʻi’s "Star of Gladness," festivities across Oʻahu this week will reflect on the double-hulled canoe's beginnings and profound impact as a precious link to the past through the seafaring people who came first to the islands. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Trump tariffs expected to weaken isle tourism. Economist Paul Brewbaker, principal of TZ Economics, is concerned that tariff-related trade wars could hurt Hawaii’s bread-and-butter U.S. consumers, who ultimately will pay more for goods and serv­ices, causing them to pull back on luxury and long-haul travel. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi’s Smallest Elementary Schools Could Face Closure. The Hawaiʻi Board of Education is looking for ways to reduce costs as enrollment continues to decline statewide.  Civil Beat.

Plan to raise hotel room tax for climate change among surviving bills. A bill that would generate new revenue for the state to address climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires by increasing the state hotel room tax remains alive at the midpoint of the 2025 Hawaii legislative session. Perennial efforts to allow different forms of gambling, such as a lottery, and legalize adult recreational marijuana use, however, once again appear dead, among hundreds of other bills that have stalled. Star-Advertiser.

Still no clear answer for combating Hawaiʻi physician shortage.  A bill requiring local medical school graduates to work as physicians in Hawaiʻi for two years after graduation has died in the Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Parents seek flexibility in preschool subsidies. Bills advancing through the state Legislature aim to support families with preschool-age children, but many parents are calling for greater flexibility in qualifying for child care subsidies. Their concerns center around strict requirements, including income limits and age eligibility, which some argue do not reflect the harsh financial realities facing struggling families. Star-Advertiser.

Trump's funding cuts create challenges for University of Hawaiʻi research. The University of Hawaiʻi's research enterprise is a $605 million operation, but UH is now facing significant challenges. So far, 30 stop work orders have halted more than $30 million in contracts.  Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Damning’ Report: Hawaiʻi Falls Short Helping Inmates Reenter Society. The study says the lack of effective reentry programs is one reason so many inmates get in trouble again soon after release. Civil Beat.

Wildfire mitigation: Bringing out the sheep, goats to keep vegetation in check. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, joined other senators in introducing the measure in February to promote research on grazing and how it can support fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation and post-fire recovery. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council discusses helping with cesspool conversion. The City Council is advancing a measure to use the climate resiliency fund, supported by 0.5% of the city’s estimated annual real property tax revenue,  to convert outdated cesspools on Oahu, possibly to more updated sewer systems. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers hope military property could solve landfill deadlock. The city has said if lawmakers rule out the Wahiawa site, there is no choice left but to expand Waimanalo Gulch, which some westside lawmakers suspect was the plan all along. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu developer mulls design, funding options for Aloha Stadium. A replacement for Aloha Stadium may be built on parts of the existing condemned facility in Halawa as a way to reduce costs and help meet a 2028 opening timetable. The strategy is being considered by the project’s tentative developer to produce a “basic” 25,000-seat sports and entertainment complex estimated to cost $450 million. Star-Advertiser.

Bobby Curran, long-time voice of Rainbow sports, dies at 69. Curran, who grew up in Long Island, N.Y., was the play-by-play announcer for more than 400 broadcasts in 32 football seasons. He also was host of the popular sports talk show, “The Bobby Curran Show.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Alarm Sounded Over Big Island Police Pacts With Federal Immigration Agency. The memorandums of understanding have existed for years but in the new Trump era they are red flags for immigrants and their advocates, especially after Kona raids last week. Civil Beat.

Island posts extremely low rainfall totals for February. Hilo International Airport, for example, received just 0.75 inches of rain for the entire month. That’s 7% of its usual 10.22 inches of rain for February.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Waimea residents blast rezoning request; decision postponed. For years, developer Ka‘upulehu Land LLC has requested a zoning change for a parcel of land on Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea, about one mile east of its intersection with Kawaihae Road. Tribune-Herald.

Hospital expansion on schedule for ’26. Almost one year into construction at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, everything is “on track” with the expansion of the main hospital and the East Hawai’i Clinic facilities across the street. Tribune-Herald.

How to save the animals? Big Island alliance trains responders to be prepared for the next big natural disaster. The loss of many beloved animals, big and small, in the traumatic 2018 Kilauea eruption planted in many residents an urge for knowledge about how to rescue pets and livestock during disasters. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen delivers 2025 State of the County Address, focuses on housing, recovery. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen delivered his third State of the County Address at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater on Friday, expressing renewed hope for residents and progress made in the year and half after the 2023 Maui wildfires. Maui Now. KITV4.

Flip-flopping tariffs create confusion, price uncertainty for builders in Lahaina. For local contractors and suppliers, the flip-flopping tariff policy and escalating feud between the United States and two of its biggest trading partners have created uncertainty and potential price spikes at a time when Maui is rebuilding from the 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Maui residents out of jobs funded by National Dislocated Workers Grant program. Federal funding cuts have hit close to home for Maui residents — a grant program that supported wildfire recovery efforts has been terminated. More than 130 Maui residents received notices on Feb. 24 that their jobs ended, effective immediately. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai County reaches COVID hazard pay settlement with police union. The union representing Kauai Police Department officers reached a settlement agreement with the county over COVID-19 hazard pay with initial payouts of approximately $20,000 coming in the next four to five months if the Kauai County Council votes to accept it. Star-Advertiser.

‘Ready, set, go!’: New playgrounds open at Pacific Missile Range Facility Child Development Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony March 4 officially opened two new playgrounds at the Barking Sands facility in Kekaha following 4 months of demolition and construction. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

FestPAC attracts 500k, Sandwich Isles cuts services, Navy land transfer falls through, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FestPAC attracts about 500,000 people and is praised for celebrating 28 Pacific islands and territories. The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts &Culture — the world’s largest celebration of Indigenous Pacific Islanders — concluded Sunday evening with a sold-out closing ceremony at the University of Hawaii’s SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, distributing all 6,500 free tickets. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Sandwich Isles Cut Services To Hawaiian Homelands Despite Orders Not To. The telecommunications company providing telephone and broadband services to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and its beneficiaries has laid off its employees and terminated its services despite orders from state regulators and the governor to stay in business through June. Civil Beat.

Lee Loy responds to election challenge. A term-limited Hawaii County Council member facing a legal challenge to her campaign for the state House District 2 seat being vacated by Rep. Richard Onishi has filed her response. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii Public Radio.

Inflation takes bigger bite into Hawaii household budgets, but the data isn’t all bad. The numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics compared May prices to the same time last year. Overall, prices are up 5%. Rent increased by 12%, and the costs to eat out also rose by nearly 7%. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii State Hospital searches for new leadership as current head steps down. The search is on for a new leader at the Hawaii State Hospital. The Department of Health confirms that Doctor Kenneth Luke, who has led the mental health hospital since October last year, will step down. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Transfer of former Navy land in Kalaeloa falls through. The Hawaii Community Development Authority recently decided not to accept 213 acres largely due to cost concerns for conservation and environmental cleanup of the property, which includes a pond contaminated by ordnance disposal and two mostly remediated trap and skeet shooting ranges. Star-Advertiser.

City racetrack project gains momentum with 400-acre Navy land transfer. Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed a nearly 400-acre land transfer from the U.S. Navy near Kalaeloa on Wednesday afternoon. Hawaii Public Radio.

Plans For A BWS Desalination Plant In Kalaeloa Get A $19 Million Boost. Hawaii is getting nearly $19 million in federal funding to help design and build a desalination facility in Kalaeloa that would convert seawater into drinking water, Sen. Mazie Hirono announced in a press release Friday. Civil Beat.

Final phase emerging for Ward Village’s master-planned community in Kakaako. Final phase emerging for Ward Village’s master-planned community in Kakaako Star-Advertiser.

Plans to try to build Honokea West Surf Village still undecided. The team behind Honokea West's proposed Surf Village is still deciding if it wants to move forward with the plan. That's after a judge on May 29th said the court wouldn't accept its Environmental Assessment and told the group to provide a new one. KITV4.

Backlash surrounding new Royal Mausoleum curator continues. Frustration surrounding the hiring process for the curator of the Royal Mausoleum State Monument at Mauna Ala continues, even after the state announced the creation of a second, “culturally focused” position earlier this month. Star-Advertiser.

Report: Honolulu is one of 5 ‘impossibly unaffordable’ US housing markets. The authors of the annual Demographic International Housing Affordability report said the rise of unaffordable markets was nothing less than an “existential threat” to the middle class.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Pana‘ewa zoo to begin charging admission in 2025. The proposed admission fees for kama‘aina are $1 for keiki and $4 for adults. For nonresidents, the proposed fees are $5 for keiki and $12 for adults. Tribune-Herald.

Public safety, infrastructure key concerns in Hawaii Island mayoral race. It’s a crowded race for Hawaii County mayor as candidates seek to prevent incumbent Mitch Roth from serving a second term. Hawaii News Now.

Election season is here: All but two 2024 Hawaiʻi County primary races feature multiple candidates. This year’s primaries should be a raucous affair in Hawaiʻi County. Eight of the 9 County Council seats are up for grabs and all but two races have 2 or more candidates. Big Island Now.

De Luzes selling Big Island Toyota: Servco will take over, retain employees. The De Luz family is selling its dealership to Oahu automotive retailer Servco, ending a more than 60-year-old legacy of selling cars on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Mayor To Lobby For Continued Federal Disaster Relief During DC Trip. Mayor Richard Bissen plans to provide updates to federal partners and Hawaii's two senators on the county's recovery 10 months after the fires. Civil Beat.

Maui County trying to block AG interview related to 2018 wildfires. Maui county officials are trying to block the state Department of the Attorney General from questioning the head of the Maui Emergency Management Agency about what the county learned from the 2018 West Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

DHHL awards 52 turnkey homes at Puʻuhona in Waikapū, Maui. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) awarded 52 turnkey homes Saturday as part of phase one of the Puʻuhona Homestead lot awards. Puʻuhona is the department’s first project initiated through the $600 million allocation by state lawmakers in 2022 to support a multifaceted approach to reduce the DHHL Waiting List.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Maui Is Mapping Its Wetlands To Protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Some homeowners are concerned about unintended consequences, red tape and the effect on property values. Civil Beat.

CNHA releases new Maui recovery statistics. New data released by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement on Thursday illustrates the continued recovery status and community needs of families affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires that killed 101 and displaced thousands.  Star-Advertiser.

Haʻikū Community Association discusses stream restoration in next public meeting, June 19. Haʻikū Community Association (HCA) hosts a public meeting on Wednesday, June 19. The meeting will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Haʻikū Community Center, located on Hāna Highway at the bottom of Pa’uwela Road. Maui Now.

Kauai

2024 Primary Election: Only 2 local races, with one decided, the other an open field. One race is already decided while the other is chock full of candidates hoping to either continue serving Kaua‘i County or win a chance to step up by winning a seat at the council table in this year’s primary elections on the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.

Southwest airlines Plane descends quickly off Kauai coast. A Southwest Airlines Co. passenger flight in April came within 400 feet of slamming into the ocean off the coast of Hawaii after weather conditions forced pilots to bypass a landing attempt. Bloomberg. Kauai Now.

Whale carcass washes ashore in Waipouli. Sharks were attracted to the area by a portion of a whale carcass that came ashore on the reef close to the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort on Thursday evening. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Technology Development Corp. awards $7.5M in grants, Waikiki beachgoers urged to take valuables into the water with them, Maui mayor pushes back against Air Force telescope plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Agency Gives Out Grants Worth Millions In Effort To Diversify Hawaii Economy. The Hawaii Technology Development Corp. refocuses on its core mission after a 2023 legislative session filled with drama and intrigue. Last week, the HTDC announced it had awarded 99 Small Business Innovation Research grants totaling $5.7 million for a range of companies to promote economic development. HTDC awarded another 62 grants totaling $1.8 million to support manufacturers, mostly food processors, brewers and distillers. Civil Beat.

1 in 5 Hawaii residents experience domestic violence, new study finds. A new study by the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence aims to raise awareness of the prevalence of intimate-partner violence in Hawaii and the hurdles to seeking help that survivors face. Star-Advertiser.

First-term state lawmaker Sen. Brenton Awa stands out as unconventional. Hawaii’s 76-member Legislature has eight Republican lawmakers, yet one of them in a certain respect has been a minority of one. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green signs bill into law, making Kimchi Day official. Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 1950 into law last month, designating Nov. 22 as “Kimchi Day” in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council votes to add additional $8M to pandemic hazard pay. The federal government gave the city $1.9 billion through the American Rescue Plan to alleviate the burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawaii Public Radio.

Keith Kaneshiro describes prosecution as a grudge. Former prosecuting attorney Keith Kaneshiro said the federal investigation against him, prominent political donor Dennis Mitsunaga and four others began with a grudge and consumed eight years before a jury acquitted them in less than two days. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore Homeowners Face Fines Of Nearly $1 Million For Fighting Erosion Illegally. As the shoreline shrinks, some residents do everything they can to protect their homes — even breaking the law. Civil Beat.

New pilot project will help deter crime from popular Oahu scenic spots. The Honolulu City Council recently approved a resolution allowing the police department to use portable surveillance trailers with cameras, speakers and blue lights at these sites to deter crime. KHON2.

Low-income rental tower mostly vacant after October opening. Hawaii has long been in the throes of an affordable-­housing crisis, yet eight months after the opening of a rental apartment high-rise built at 1192 Alakea St. for people age 55 and older with low incomes, more than half the units are still vacant. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Army looks to renew major land leases on Oahu. The United States Army is looking to renew major land leases on Oahu and the public has the opportunity to weigh in on the plan. KHON2.

Lawsuit Filed Over Oahu Jail Suicide. The family of a 21-year-old woman who hanged herself while in prison at the Oahu Community Correctional Center has sued the state corrections department, alleging the agency failed to provide adequate mental health treatment despite two previous suicide attempts. Joycelyn Simeona says that the department's failure to provide her daughter with mental health services led directly to her suicide. Civil Beat.

Amid theft concerns, HPD urges beachgoers to bring valuables into the water with them. At a Waikiki Neighborhood Board meeting in April, HPD reported more than 160 thefts in the area that month. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Public meetings for 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan begin next month. The Consolidated Plan serves as a blueprint ensuring communities receiving federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development assistance address the housing and related needs of low- and moderate-income families. Big Island Now.

Future of Prince Kuhio Plaza still in limbo. The chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission last month told the manager of Prince Kuhio Plaza that if a 40-year lease extension the mall is seeking is to be granted, PKP and its parent company, Brookfield Properties, will have to improve its benefits package for Native Hawaiians. Tribune-Herald.

County seeks to obtain land for Pohoiki Road widening via eminent domain. The manager of a pair of parcels in lower Puna is resisting a plan by Hawaii County to seize portions of that land in order to begin reopening Pohoiki Road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Can’t Seem To Keep A County Finance Director On The Job. The lack of stability in a key position has some council members concerned. Civil Beat.

Maui mayor pushes back against proposed new telescopes atop Haleakala. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen is taking a stand against building seven new telescopes on Haleakala, sendig a letter to the Air Force saying the county does not support the proposed “AMOS-STAR” project due to significant pushback from residents. Hawaii News Now.

Council votes to close Holomua Road amid fears of wildfire in Pāʻia. Maui County Council members set aside concerns about displacing two dozen homeless people from Holomua Road and the possibility of a legal challenge, and they decided Friday to restrict public access to a lower portion of the road and close its upper section. Maui Now.

How A Grassroots Lahaina Fundraiser Found A Better Way To Help Fire Survivors. Internet campaigns can raise a lot of money quickly, but survivors who don't have a strong online presence might miss out. Civil Beat.

Maui's Kamehameha Day Parade to be relocated from Lahaina. This year’s Kamehameha Day Parade on the Island of Maui is being relocated from Front Street to Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Central Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Conservation fence protects endangered seabirds at Molokai preserve. A new, 5,600-foot-long conservation fence at Mokio Preserve now keeps seabirds safe from predators on Molokai, according to the nonprofit American Bird Conservancy and Molokai Land Trust. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Navy, NASA want to renew Kaua‘i leases – West Side locals show support, opposition. Representatives of the US Navy and NASA entered the Kaua‘i community last week – soliciting questions, comments and concerns during a three-night run of public scoping sessions held at locations across the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.

Kauai nonprofit touts agroforestry and breadfruit to combat food insecurity. Kauai nonprofit is trumpeting tropical agroforestry as a way to solve food insecurity. The largest breadfruit agroforest in the state is run by The Breadfruit Institute at The National Tropical Botanical Garden. KITV4.

Vacation rental bill likely to spur lawsuit on Maui, state to reconsider liquefied natural gas, Amemiya, Leong, Sword public corruption trial delayed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui County’s Move Against Vacation Rentals Likely To Bog Down In Court. tempts by Maui County to convert short-term vacation units into long-term rentals will be confronted by a lawsuit, according to the Honolulu attorney who plans to file it. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said that legal action was likely when he announced the bill that would change the zoning designation of over 7,000 short-term units, a move intended to open up more long-term rentals.   Civil Beat.

Green: Hawaii Should Consider Liquefied Natural Gas As A ‘Bridge’ To 100% Renewable Energy. Liquefied natural gas must be considered as Hawaii works to meet its clean energy goal of being completely renewable by 2045, Gov. Josh Green said this week at the Hawaii Energy Conference. Civil Beat.

Millions In Grants To Nonprofits Put On Hold After OHA Board Raises Concerns About Fairness. On Wednesday, the OHA Board of Trustees put off approving more than $11 million in grant disbursements after raising issues over how the funding was allocated.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Public corruption trial centered on Kealoha payout delayed. Trial for three former Honolulu administrators accused of conspiracy has been delayed from October to next March. Donna Leong, Honolulu’s former corporation counsel, ex-Managing Director Roy Amemiya and Max Sword, once the Honolulu Police Commission chair, are all facing criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud the US in connection with a $250,000 payout. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Department of Health probe in February didn’t detect petroleum in water. A recent investigation by the state Department of Health into the Navy’s Oahu drinking water system found no petroleum or jet fuel compounds in drinking water samples collected in February but did not rule out the possibility of residual fuel in the system after fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill storage facility contaminated it in November 2021. Star-Advertiser.

HPD says illegal game rooms down, as legislation aims to target landowners. Honolulu Police said the District 5 Crime Reduction Unit, assisted by the Narcotics Vice Division, executed a search warrant on Wednesday in Palama. KHON2.

Farm operator, 53, indicted in labor trafficking. A 53-year-old Oahu woman was indicted May 17 for allegedly deceiving a man into working for more than eight years and keeping his government identification so he could not leave. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Astronomers create ‘catalog’ of exoplanets: ‘Surveys like this are really a labor of love’.  A years-long survey using W. M. Keck Observatory was able to identify 126 confirmed and likely exoplanets — planets outside our solar system — from data collected by a NASA satellite. Tribune-Herald.

UH Hilo researcher studies bacteria levels at 6 popular coastal spots. A new study by University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo researcher Maria Steadmon looks at bacteria levels at six of Hilo's popular swimming and surfing spots.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Lahaina Teachers Say More Help Is Needed For Struggling West Maui Schools. The teachers' union is asking for more pay and leave benefits as educators continue to deal with the aftermath of the wildfires. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Maui’s youth hope to come back after graduation. Will the economy let them? Students are graduating at a time when median home prices on Maui are $1.3 million and thousands of Lahaina families struggle with displacement.  Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Journalism Initiative launches nonprofit newsroom on Maui. The donor-supported organization will operate in partnership with Pacific Media Group, which runs the online breaking news websites Maui Now, Big Island Now and Kaua‘i Now, as well as radio stations across the state. Maui Now.

State releases performance report: Maui has largest vacation rental supply; average daily rate is up. In April 2024, Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply at 246,500 available unit nights (+4.7% vs. 2023, -4.4% vs. 2019), and Maui vacation rental unit supply continued to be impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfire. Maui Now.

Kauai

Small Business Administration lends a helping hand to flood victims. Many island residents continue to navigate through an overflow of obstacles after the intense April flooding event that damaged about 177 residences and 26 businesses on the Garden Island. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i District Health Office to assess emergency preparedness among residents. The Kaua‘i District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, also known as CASPER, survey to assess the emergency preparedness level of Kauaʻi households. Kauai Now.

Counties could get authority to phase out vacation rentals, Legislature safeguards $1.5B rainy day fund, bill proposes feral cats for womenʻs prison, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill advances that gives counties power to phase out short-term rental units. A bill that seeks to give the counties the power to control short-term rentals — even phase them out— is still alive after crossing over from the Senate to the House where two House committees moved the measure forward. Star-Advertiser.

With cloudy state finances, Hawaii’s ‘rainy day’ fund held for future rainy day.  Hawaii lawmakers have recently considered cutting every state agency’s budget along with various special funds and capital improvement projects to pay for stunning costs related to the Maui wildfire disaster, without touching the record $1.5 billion in its Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund. Star-Advertiser.

Alcohol bill’s clout remains in doubt. Proponents of Senate Bill 2384 — which crossed over from the Senate to the House — hope a lower blood alcohol content will force a change in attitude for people who want to have more than one drink and still choose to drive. Star-Advertiser.

Speed-limit enforcement bills face rough routes. Proposed legislation this year to ticket speeders on Hawaii highways using fixed cameras has been redirected and still faces a possible roadblock ahead. Star-Advertiser.

DFI orders Sigue Corp. to stop transmitting money in Hawaii. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Division of Financial Institutions issued a cease-and-desist order to Sigue Friday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii seeks answers to state’s lithium-ion battery conundrum. As Hawaii strives toward its clean energy goals, there is growing concern over the waste stream of lithium-ion batteries that come with renewable energy technology. Star-Advertiser.

Commission leader Ed Noh seeks to improve awareness of public charter schools. That Ed Noh grew up in California and got his start in school leadership in Seattle ironically works in his favor in some ways now that championing the charter-school cause is a big part of his job as the first permanent executive director of the Hawaii Public Charter School Commission in four years. Star-Advertiser.

How Far Is Too Far? Parents Push The Limits Of Harassment In Hawaii Schools. As parent frustration and aggression escalates in schools, the Hawaii Department of Education grapples with how to keep employees safe while respecting families' rights. Civil Beat.

Placing Stray Cats In Hawaii Women’s Prison Could Have ‘Transformative Effect’. A legislative proposal would provide inmates at the Women’s Community Correctional Center with the opportunity to care for vulnerable kittens. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Central Oahu loses its only ER with no timeline on when it will reopen.  While the closure of the Wahiawa General Hospital ER is said to be temporary, officials have yet to provide a timeline for when emergency services... will resume. The news comes just days after Wahiawa General also shuttered its crumbling inpatient unit. Hawaii News Now.

Upgrade At Kailua Wastewater Plant Is Expected To Curb Bacteria And Limit Beach Closures. A disinfection system using ultraviolet light as a disinfectant will likely curb high levels of bacteria from the Kailua wastewater treatment plant, resulting in fewer beach closures by the end of 2025, according to an official with the City and County of Honolulu.  Civil Beat.

Navy publishes preliminary water quality assessment report. The Navy last week released a new report on its preliminary plumbing assessment following multiple complaints of air and water quality issues from residents on its water system. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Top official from China’s Fujian province in Hawaii for goodwill visit. City Councilmember Calvin Say and State representative Sean Quinlan joined dozens of business leaders for a welcome reception hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at Jade Dynasty at Ala Moana Center. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County bill would require waste facilities be open at least 2 days a week. While the proposal is nonspecific and applies to “any facility used for the disposal, collection and transfer of household solid waste” on the island, Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz said it is intended to be a direct boon to users of the Kalapana Transfer Station, which she said currently is the only one in the county that operates only one day a week. Tribune-Herald.

Progress made on Waimea food processing plant. Farmers in Waimea are one step closer to having a refurbished food processing facility after the partial demolition of the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant. West Hawaii Today.

Losing North Kohala’s Irrigation System Was ‘Catastrophic.’ Will It Ever Be Fixed?. The Kohala Ditch was built in the early 1900s to water sugarcane fields, then it fed ranches and small farmers' operations. But it has languished since breaking in 2021. Civil Beat.

Dredging of boat harbor on track, but work not expected to start before July. Lawmakers and boaters hope for smooth sailing at the Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo as a long-awaited dredging project inches closer toward beginning. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Mayor: ‘The State Of Our County Is Heartbroken’ But Recovery Will Happen. Bissen laid out his plans to address the housing crisis seven months after the Aug. 8 fires killed at least 101 people and destroyed much of Lahaina and parts of Kula. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Associated Press.

State ramps up efforts to move displaced Maui residents out of hotel shelters. The state has a new plan to move displaced Maui residents sheltering in hotels to more permanent housing. The goal is to have all families in more permanent housing by May. Hawaii Public Radio.

Catholic Charities USA will continue aiding Maui recovery. Kerry Alys Robinson, Catholic Charities USA president and CEO, said her two-day visit to Maui last week filled her with deep sorrow for what people lost in the disastrous August wildfires as well as gratitude for those helping with their recovery, and she promised to continue raising funds to aid the effort. Star-Advertiser.

Maui County Wants To Take Private Land For Fire Debris Dump Site, But Owner Wants To Build The Landfill. Mayor Richard Bissen planned to meet with the property owners Monday to discuss ways to possibly avoid eminent domain proceedings. Civil Beat.

Kahului Harbor undergoes $5 million spring cleaning. A dredging crew contracted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers is expected to remove about 130,000 cubic yards of sediment from Kahului Harbor as part of a $5 million project that is currently underway. Maui News.

Kauai

New ocean safety information greets airport visitors. Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau personnel, including Chief Kalani Vierra, Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association and the Department of Transportation, Airports Division capitalized on the traffic slowdown to install upgraded ocean safety information at the two baggage claims area at Lihu‘e Airport on Friday. Garden Island.

Clearing and maintenance work scheduled for Kaiākea fire station. The necessary work will allow various County of Kaua‘i crews to cut and maintain vegetation and remove debris on the property. Kauai Now.

Hawaii population growth will come from outsiders, hoax bomb threat briefly closes Capitol, judge rejects ACLU injunction against Honolulu homeless sweeps, more news from all the Hawaii Islands

Hawaii population growth to come from U.S. mainland, world. Hawaii will see more deaths than births over the next four to five years and any population growth across the islands will be driven by new arrivals from the U.S. mainland and from other places around the world, the state House Finance Committee was told Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii GOP’s disputes linger into next legislative session. Heading into the legislative session for the second year in a row, Hawaii’s two Republican state senators can’t agree on which of them should serve as Senate minority leader. Star-Advertiser.

Capitol bomb threat deemed a hoax. Hawaii’s state Capitol was among those in several states targeted Wednesday morning in bomb threats, which forced its evacuation and closure although no explosives were found. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.  KITV4.

Oahu

Judge rejects injunction in homeless sweeps case. The City and County of Honolulu announced Wednesday it has prevailed in its legal fight against a preliminary injunction the American Civil Liberties Union Hawaii brought last year over the city’s use of homeless sweeps. Star-Advertiser.

Bills clear way for stadium area development. Two city measures meant to expand transit-­oriented development including mixed-use retail, residential and affordable housing sites near the state’s future New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District in Halawa have been adopted. Star-Advertiser.

Disciplinary Records Reveal More Details About A State Investigation Into Airport Contracting. Seven people have been arrested but none charged in a case that's been active for several years.  Civil Beat.

Police union head denies fatal chase violated policy, says suspect was considered ‘active shooter’.  The head of Hawaii’s police union is strongly denying that Monday’s fatal chase violated the department’s policies on high-speed pursuit. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Sunset Beach homeowner fined for illegal beach reinforcement.  A Sunset Beach homeowner must pay $77,000 in fines after he was found responsible for pouring concrete on the beach to protect his oceanfront property. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Nelson Ho, environmental activist, dies at 73.  Nelson Ho, a prominent Hawaii Island environmental and political activist, died after a long illness Tuesday at Hilo Medical Center. He was 73. Tribune-Herald.

TSA Says Hilo Airport Equipment Issues Resolved. TSA says as of the 3PM hour on Wednesday that all equipment issues have been resolved. KITV4.

Shipping delay blamed for propane shortage on Hawaii Island. Hawaii Gas says it is experiencing what it calls a short-term delay in propane deliveries on Hawaii Island, causing some businesses and residents to improvise. Hawaii Public Radio.

Third Circuit seeking applicants for independent grand jury counsel.  The Circuit Court of the Third Circuit is seeking applications for independent grand jury counsel for Hilo and Kona.  Big Island Now.

County hopes to complete Keawe St. improvements by April. The major project to improve Kilauea and Keawe between Ponahawai Street and Waianuenue Avenue began last April and has caused portions of the road to close for nighttime construction between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bissen Campaign Worker Awarded $150,000 Contract For Maui County Recruitment. Brandcrafters LLC is owned by Rachael Lallo, the daughter of one of Bissen's top aides. Civil Beat.

Census Data: Lahaina Was A Very Different Place Than The Rest Of Maui County. Heavy Asian and Latino populations, a large number of residents born overseas and fewer Native Hawaiians than elsewhere gave the historic town a distinct profile, a new report shows. Civil Beat.

UH Mānoa launches Maui wildfire health effects study, seeking 1,000 participants.  A team of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers are asking Maui residents to participate in a study to analyze the short- and long-term health effects of exposure to the deadly wildfires that destroyed Lahaina and parts of Kula. Maui Now.

Maui vets need help bringing The Wall That Heals to island. Heals to island. The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. that is scheduled to be brought to Maui and be open the public Feb. 9-13 at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku. Maui News.

Kauai

Landfill expansion project in the works. As the County of Kaua‘i’s only landfill runs out of space, local officials have not yet been able to expand the current landfill’s capacity, find a new landfill location, or implement an alternative solution to help manage the decades-long issue of the island’s overflowing waste. Garden Island.

Last call to run for Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative's board of directors. Thursday is the last day to submit a petition to run for the Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative's board of directors. This March, KIUC members will elect three people to serve on the board for a three-year term. Hawaii Public Radio.

Native Hawaiian salt makers combat climate change and pollution to protect a sacred tradition. Malia Nobrega-Olivera believes Hanapepe salt has the power to ward off bad energy. Associated Press.

Economy expected to dip, federal judge says Kaneshiro corruption case to proceed, swastikas painted along H-1 as synagogue threats investigated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Aftermath of Maui wildfires weighs down Hawaii economy. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism revised its economic growth projection upward to 1.9% for 2023, and lowered its projection for 2024 from 1.5% to 1.3.%.  Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.

Hawaii Education Department Takes ‘Big First Step’ To Increase Local Food In Schools. Advocates are cautiously optimistic the DOE's recent request for information will result in more local ingredients included in school lunches. Civil Beat.

Hawaii corrections oversight commissioner steps down.  Ted Sakai, a  Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission stepped down on Dec. 4 to tend to his health. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Authorities probe threat to bomb Hawaii synagogues. Police and federal agents are asking the public to remain vigilant while they investigate antisemitic graffiti and a threat made on the third day of Hanukkah to detonate hidden explosives “inside of every Hawaii synagogue.” Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Search for a new University of Hawaiʻi president set to begin soon. The Board of Regents has approved the search for a new leader of the University of Hawaiʻi as outgoing President David Lassner prepares to retire at the end of 2024. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric begins contract negotiations on 15 renewable energy projects. Hawaiian Electric is looking at 15 new renewable energy projects on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Maui as the company retires older fossil-fueled plants. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻiʻs Millerbird no longer listed as critically endangered after successful relocation. With decades of conservation work paying off, Hawai‘i’s Millerbird that is also known as Ulūlu has been downlisted to Endangered status after being listed as Critically Endangered since 2000. Maui Now.

Oahu

Prosecutors In Keith Kaneshiro Case Did Not Step Over The Line, Judge Rules. A federal judge said that the case can proceed, rejecting accusations of prosecutorial misconduct against Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat and his team. Civil Beat.

Law enforcement: Illegal fireworks sales are fueling organized crime. In hopes of making a safer New Year’s on Oahu, the state is launching an amnesty program for unwanted illegal fireworks.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Homeowners: Property Assessments Are Coming Soon. Values increased 0.3% on average across Oahu, far less than the 13.3% average increase last year. Civil Beat.

Swastikas spray-painted along the H-1 spark outrage and conversation to address hate speech. Along the H-1 highway by the Barber’s Point exit, one of the many places that have a swastika along with the star of David graffitied onto signs. Those symbols can be seen for about 10 miles along the H-1 heading into town. Hawaii News Now.

West Oahu health center boosts security with artificial intelligence amid rising crime. Amid the increase in violent crimes in Leeward Oahu, the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has installed a weapons detection system in its Emergency Department.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Signs Bill 66 To Expedite Residential Solar Permits. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth has signed Bill 66, a measure that will “expedite the process of permitting solar electric systems, bringing about cost reductions for homeowners and bolstering the clean, green energy transition” on Hawaiʻi Island, officials say. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court oral argument scheduled for lawsuit challenging Maui houseless sweeps. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has scheduled an oral argument on Dec. 14, 2023, for the lawsuit against Maui County challenging a September 2021 houseless sweep at Amala Place near Kanahā Beach Park. Maui Now.

Maui Mayor’s Enhanced Security Detail Could Be Funded By Federal, Wildfire Funds. The estimated cost for overtime and travel expenses for the detail was $110,000, though the Public Safety Department said it was still tallying the bill. Civil Beat.

FEMA closing Kahului Disaster Recovery Center this Friday. The Kahului Disaster Recovery Center on Maui is closing at 6 p.m. this Friday, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Star-Advertiser.

Elevated levels of toxins found in Lahaina ash, test results show. The state Department of Health on Sunday released laboratory results showing ash from homes in Lahaina contain elevated levels of toxics including arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt and copper.  Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Student changes on agenda for community council meeting. Lori Ann Cabebe, the Kaua‘i High School PCNC Coordinator, announced a school community council meeting on Dec. 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kaua‘i High School cafeteria. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i fishpond access preserved for community. Trust for Public Land, Waipā Foundation, the County of Kaua‘i and the State of Hawai‘i have announced the purchase and transfer of ownership and stewardship of a quarter-acre of land in the Waipā ahupua‘a along Kauaʻi’s north shore. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Green to meet with Biden next week on Maui recovery fund, El Nino drought to continue well into 2024, new landfills eyed for Oahu and Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘Recovery and humanitarian’ fund for Maui fire victims’ families planned.  Gov. Josh Green plans to announce details of a new “recovery and humanitarian fund” for families that lost loved ones or were injured in the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.  Green plans to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House next week, along with meetings with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and HaCivil Beat.waii’s congressional delegation. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Biden: $3.5B to strengthen nation’s electric grid after Maui fires. The Biden administration on Wednesday announced $3.5 billion for 58 projects across the country to strengthen electric grid resilience as extreme weather events such as the deadly Maui and California wildfires continue to strain the nation’s aging transmission systems. Associated Press. Maui Now.

Hawaii drought to continue into 2024, NOAA says. Due to El Nino conditions, Hawaii’s current drought is expected to continue well into next year, and possibly even into the 2024 dry season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Navy hospital ship stops on Oahu ahead of Pacific mission.  The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy is in Hawaii this week as it prepares for a deployment to several Oceania islands as part of the Navy’s Pacific Partnership program. Star-Advertiser.

2 Different Nonprofits Are Paying This CEO Hefty Salaries. She Says She Works Full Time For Each One. Denise Yamaguchi's two nonprofits have also gotten more than $1 million in grants from the Legislature in recent years. Civil Beat.

Oahu

4 possible Oahu landfill sites under scrutiny, city official says.  Four alternate sites to replace the 34-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei could include federally owned properties in West Oahu and on the Windward side, a top city official says. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Arrests Of 4 Police Officers On Domestic Violence Charges Raise Concern. Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan called it an "anomaly" that four officers were arrested in a two-week period. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Honolulu bill offering tax incentives to build film studios is postponed. The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday put the brakes on a bill that would provide tax incentives for property owners who want to build film studio facilities on O'ahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army combat exercise to temporary close Dillingham Airfield. Tropic Lightning Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division will participate in the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center drill, which includes blank ammunition and simulated explosions. Hawaii News Now.

Waikīkī Aquarium releases 150 tagged pāpio into the wild. The Waikīkī Aquarium is partnering with the Oceanic Institute of Hawai‘i Pacific University to release some fish. KHON2.

Health Department shuts down Meatheads food truck in Kakaako. The state Health Department today issued a red placard to the Meatheads food truck in Kakaako, shutting it down until water is available for employees to wash their hands. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Seismic activity increases at Kilauea; HVNP closes two trails. Continued unrest at Kilauea volcano has led Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to close more trails to the public. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

UH Hilo set to lead $6.6 million National Native Language Resource Center. The U.S. Department of Education has granted $6.6 million to launch the National Native American Language Resource Center (N-NALRC), a consortium led by the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. KITV4.

Endless problem: Houseless evicted on private property on Ali‘i Drive donʻt move far. In late September, about 30 people at a houseless camp – some of whom have lived there for at least a year – were asked to vacate private land next to Coconut Grove Marketplace along Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. Big Island Now.

Bill Prohibits Parking On Aliʻi Drive At Kahaluʻu Beach Park. A Hawaiʻi County Council committee on Tuesday advanced a bill dealing with parking issues along certain portions of Aliʻi Drive that front Kahaluʻu Beach Park.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Nonprofit head: Maui trying to bury 2018 wildfire report that offers insight into government inaction. The head of the West Maui Improvement Foundation says Maui officials are trying to bury an after-action report that documents the county’s emergency response to another disastrous wildfire that swept through part of Lahaina back in 2018. Hawaii News Now.

New landfill to be built on Maui for debris from Lahaina’s burn zone. Federal and county officials have confirmed that a new landfill will be built on Maui, exclusively for debris from Lahaina’s burn zone. Hawaii News Now.

Council to consider real property tax exemption for Maui wildfire victims. Survivors who lost their homes in the fires won’t have to pay property taxes under a new bill before the Maui County Council. Bill 95 announced Wednesday that it provides exemptions for homeowners, short-term rental owners, and hotels that house people displaced by the disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Bissen to host community budget meetings for Fiscal Year 2025. Mayor Richard Bissen and his administration will host community budget meetings throughout Maui County starting next week for residents to share their priorities and provide input on the budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which begins July 1, 2024. Maui Now.

Site aims to match residents with housing they can afford. Median market rents advertised for homes on Maui are around $700 to $1,500 higher per month than what families say they can actually afford. According to Maui Hale Match, the median market rent for a two-bedroom home is $3,495. Families looking to rent a place of this size say they can afford $2,400, which is a difference of $1,095. Maui News. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui United Way distributes $7M in $1,000 payments to 7,000+ fire survivors.  Maui United Way forged a rapid partnership with Honolulu-based Aloha United Way to construct a comprehensive process for reviewing intake forms for the program.  Maui Now.

King Kamehameha III and Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary reopen on shared campus. Lahaina’s two elementary schools reopened to hundreds of students today on a shared campus that faculty and staff from both schools have worked hard to make as inviting and familiar as possible for their communities impacted by the August wildfires. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

State energy office, KIUC receive federal support for innovative technology development projects. Two technology demonstration projects proposed by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office in partnership with Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative will receive more than $17.9 million in funding through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program. Kauai Now.

Princeville library to receive a $7 million makeover. A yearlong renovation project at the Princeville Public Library will shutter the facility beginning Monday, Oct. 30. Garden Island.

Free, collapsible water jugs to be distributed. The County of Kaua‘i Department of Water will be distributing free collapsible water jugs along with other water conservation tools and prizes on Saturday during the weekly Grove Farm Market that starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Puhi open field. Garden Island.

Coalition seeks to repeal constitutional gay marriage limits, state fund planned for Maui fire victims, fed awards $52M for Lahaina cleanup to contractor under investigation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Marriage equality advocates form coalition to change Hawaiʻi State Constitution. A new coalition of community partners has formed to repeal Section 23 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, which places the power to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples in the hands of the state legislature. Big Island Now.

New State Fund For Maui Fire Victims Is Taking Shape. Gov. Josh Green is finalizing details of a Maui fire victim recovery fund that could be paid for by Hawaiian Electric, major Maui landowners and even Maui County, all of which have been named as defendants in lawsuits stemming from the Aug. 8 fire that killed at least 98 people and destroyed much of Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Hawaii company wins $52M Lahaina cleanup contract despite federal probe. A Native Hawaiian defense contractor at the center of an ongoing federal criminal investigation into potential financial and tax crimes landed a $52.5 million contract for fire debris removal in Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

One complaint gums up distribution of historic Hawaiian Homelands waitlist settlement. The historic settlement of the Hawaiian Homelands waitlist case, which involved years of litigation, thousands of beneficiaries and hundreds of millions of dollars, has been stalled by the complaint of a single person. That’s because the complaint forced an appeal. Now the state Supreme Court may have to save the massive agreement. Hawaii News Now.

DPS training officer pleads guilty to falsifying credentials. The Department of Public Safety training officer who was accused of falsifying her academic transcripts to internal affairs investigators pleaded guilty in the Oahu Circuit Court today to criminal charges of two counts of tampering with a government record and two counts of unsworn falsification to authorities. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Oahu

 Some Honolulu Building Permit Applicants Sailed Through Despite Long Waits For Most. A Civil Beat analysis raises questions about the fairness of wide disparities in how fast permits get approved. Bribery, political influence, people skills and other factors help determine a permit application's speed. Civil Beat.

HECO Should Not Be Paid For Work On Substation, HART Chair Says. Meanwhile, the HART board is budgeting for a communications function that some members believe is needed to respond when HART or the rail board is 'attacked.' Civil Beat.

Honolulu penthouse condo sells for record $27.5M. An unnamed wealthy buyer recently paid $27.5 million for a penthouse condominium in Honolulu, eclipsing the prior peak of $22 million for the same unit at the Park Lane Ala Moana midrise when it first sold six years ago new. Star-Advertiser.

Senior housing construction begins on part of old Aiea Sugar Mill site. A big piece of a more than 20-year-old community dream to reuse part of the former Aiea Sugar Mill site on Oahu has begun to take physical shape. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore homeowners on edge as season’s first big swell rolls in. For years, homeowners, particularly those between Rocky Point and Sunset Beach, have grappled with erosion in their own backyards, watching anxiously as powerful swells took out chunks of lawn, felled coconut palms and damaged landscaping, stairways and decks. Star-Advertiser.

Miske Co-Defendant Charged With 2 Felony Offenses Ahead Of Likely Plea Deal. At 27, Dae Han Moon is the youngest of the 12 co-defendants originally charged in the federal racketeering case. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Expert cautions County Council about its power and waste preferences. Mike Ewall, an environmental activist and founder of the Energy Justice Network, a national support organization for grassroots clean energy community groups, spoke Tuesday at a meeting of the County Council’s Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee to discuss the county’s various plans to reduce waste and transition to clean energy. Tribune-Herald.

Nonprofit: Big Isle domestic violence rose in last 2 years. There has been more than a 60% increase on Hawaii Island between 2021 and 2023 in the number of participants in programs aimed at the prevention of domestic violence, according to a statewide private nonprofit organization providing those services. Tribune-Herald.

New HTA Program Expands To Punaluʻu, Kealakekua Bay. The Hawai‘i Island Community-Based Action Stewardship Program will support visitor education efforts and mitigate tourism impacts at the popular locations. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen seeks to defend — and explain — his actions on the day of the Lahaina wildfire. The mayor said he was alerted to a separate fire in Lahaina that morning, but was told it had been contained. He says it wasn’t until late afternoon he realized the situation in Lahaina was much worse. Hawaii News Now.

New Maui Hale Match website trying to connect fire displaced residents with affordable places to live. Native Hawaiian Matt Jachowski has used his skills as a software developer to create the website Maui Hale Match, which he hopes will make it easier for displaced fire survivors to connect with homeowners and landlords that have available units they can afford. Maui Now.

Maui timeshares expect 90% occupancy by Thanksgiving.  Occupancy in West Maui timeshares should reach 80% to 90% by Thanksgiving — similar to the industry’s strong recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic all but brought Hawaii’s tourism economy to a halt, officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Army Corps of Engineers will spend over $18M on cultural monitoring during Lāhainā cleanup. They have subcontracted multiple Native Hawaiian Organizations including Nā ‘Aikāne o Maui, Inc. and ‘Āina Archaeology, LLC to conduct site assessments and archeological monitoring. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Couple suing Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort after slipping on hotel stairs. A couple is suing the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort after the then-newlywed husband slipped on stairs at the resort nearly two years ago. Garden Island.