Hawaii to restrict soda, candy purchases for SNAP users, Kauai bans disposable foam bodyboards, Honolulu official threatens council members with funding loss over confirmation vote, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USDA: Hawaii can restrict soda purchases for SNAP recipients. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Wednesday  that she has granted waivers to six additional states, including Hawaii, allowing them to prevent the use of food stamps to purchase certain items, like soft drinks and candy. Reuters. 

DBEDT forecasts economic growth of 1.5 percent in 2026. The Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has updated its statewide economic forecast, projecting real gross domestic product growth of 1.6% in 2025 and 1.5% in 2026, according to its latest Quarterly Statistical and Economic Report released Friday. Maui Now.

Lawmaker proposes ‘simple fix’ to prevent damage from land title scams. State Rep. Scot Matayoshi, chairman of the House Consumer Protection Committee, will propose legislation allowing the Bureau of Conveyances to revoke a deed if a notary confirms they did not witness the signatures. Hawaii News Now.

Expiring Tax Credits Could Hamper Hawaiʻi’s Pivot To A Clean Energy Future. Renewable energy developers, with the state’s help, will have to hustle to retain the tax credits that make their latest projects work. Clean energy developers in Hawaiʻi, along with state and county leaders, are scrambling to more quickly build at least a dozen utility-grade solar and wind projects deemed critical for the islands’ future power needs before they lose federal tax credits being phased out by the Trump Administration. Civil Beat.

$18M in loan capital available for non-residential rooftop solar. New funds are open to small businesses and nonprofits seeking to install rooftop solar. The Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority is making $18 million in loan capital available through the Green Energy Market Securitization program, also known as GEMS. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Here Are The Texts A Honolulu Official Sent Threatening Funding Over Vote. The mayor’s right-hand man says he stands by the messages he sent to two council members ahead of a confirmation hearing. Honolulu Managing Director Mike Formby texted council members Val Okimoto and Radiant Cordero in September that he would withhold funding to their districts if they voted against the mayor’s choice for housing director.  Civil Beat.

More Homeless People Are Dying On Oʻahu. Can We Reverse The ‘Crisis’? An effort underway to bring the death rate down involves outreach, special facilities that offer medical care and shelter, and a controversial new law. Civil Beat.

Federal mediator steps in during Kapi‘olani, union impasse. The two sides — the Hawaii Teamsters &Allied Workers Local 996 and hospital management — met at the table Wednesday, with help from a federal mediator, on the 55th day of the strike. Star-Advertiser.

Shangri La’s request for more events faces pushback from neighbors. After more than 20 years of neighborly relations, there seems to be a shake up, after Shangri La announced it wants to increase the evening events it hosts from seven a year to 30. Hawaii News Now.

Planners review Kualoa Ranch operations, growth. The Honolulu Planning Commission on Wednesday learned of Kualoa Ranch’s existing and proposed improvements at separate, largely agriculture- related parcels within approximately 14 acres of the nearly 4,000-acre ranch in Kaaawa, along the 49-000 block of Kamehameha Highway. Star-Advertiser.

Illegal gambling ring busted in Honolulu; 2 arrested, $135K in machines seized. The Honolulu Police Department executed a search warrant on an illegal gambling operation on Kawaiaha’o St. on Tuesday, resulting in two arrests and the seizing of multiple gaming machines, cash and drug-related paraphernalia. KITV4. Star-Advertiser. 

Hawaii Island

Fire department welcomes arrival of new brush trucks. The Ford F-450 brush trucks, funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, will be assigned to volunteer fire stations in Hawaiian Acres, Na‘alehu and Discovery Harbour. Tribune-Herald.

Police: Holualoa man bitten while trying to help free entangled shark. Police remind the public not to attempt to free or handle entangled marine animals. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Nēnē that lost mate has found new partner and is once again nesting in Hilo park. A nēnē that lost her mate in 2024 after it was hit by a car has found a new partner and nesting in Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Gardens. NTC has faced several tragedies over the past few years. In 2023, her gosling that was abducted from Wailoa State Park was luckily returned to her. She had another gosling that died from toxoplasmosis in 2024. She was also the mate of the nēnē that was struck and killed by a car in 2024 while crossing the street to reach a cat feeding station. Big Island Now.

Maui

Draft environmental review filed for proposed Mākena Mauka residential project. A draft environmental impact statement has been filed with the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for a now scaled-back Mākena Mauka master-planned community project in South Maui. Maui Now.

Spiking immigration arrests in Hawaiʻi over past year of Trump’s crackdown causing fear, backlogged cases, challenges for attorneys. On Maui, the migrant community is seeing the cumulative effects of Trump’s first and second terms, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Maui wildfires, Block said. People are more scared to participate in civic life and worried about seeking public assistance even after losing their homes or businesses. Maui Now.

State reports second wastewater detection of measles in West Maui County. The latest positive sample was collected Nov. 30 and was tested through the National Wastewater Surveillance System. It follows an earlier detection of measles virus in Maui wastewater from samples collected Nov. 18 in Central and West Maui. Kauai Now.

Kauai

Mayor signs Bill 2976 prohibiting disposable bodyboards to protect Kauai’s environment. The sale and rental of disposable bodyboards will be banned on Kauai next year, thanks to a new bill passed by the County Council this week. Bill No. 2976 was passed unanimously by the Kauai County Council to reduce environmental harm by prohibiting the sale, rental or distribution of disposable polystyrene foam bodyboards in the County of Kauai. Garden Island. Kauai Now.  KHON2.

Free public Wi-Fi now at 7 Kauaʻi County parks, facilities for connectivity, emergency communication. Around Kauaʻi, free public Wi-Fi access now is available at seven county parks and facilities, enabling improved connectivity and emergency communications for lifeguards, hikers, park rangers, government workers, residents and visitors. Kauai Now.

Sustainable food production and agroforestry are the main seeds of this Kauaʻi farm. Intertwining different species is the defining characteristic of Common Ground Kauai. Located on the North Shore of Kauaʻi, the organization’s great connector is food, as the organization’s director of agro-ecology, John Parziale, puts it. Hawaii Public Radio.

'Hilo Boyz' in Congress, state lawmakers push Ige for statewide mask mandate, Blangiardi taps political insider for No. 2, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Kai Kahele on Zoom

‘Hilo Boyz’ Ed Case And Kai Kahele Prepare For 2021. Both men will represent Hawaii in the U.S. House of Representatives after a contentious election year that saw Joe Biden defeat President Donald Trump. Civil Beat.

Kai Kahele and Ed Case vow to work together to help Hawaii in U.S. Congress. U.S. Congressman Ed Case and Congressman-Elect Kai Kahele on Monday morning vowed to work together to help Hawaii receive the federal funding it critically needs in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Case, Kahele discuss priorities as they prep for 117th Congress. The response to COVID-19 is a priority for Hawaii’s congressmen as they prepare for the start of the 117th Congress in January. Tribune-Herald.

"Proud Hilo boys" plan to push for more federal COVID relief on Capitol Hill. Congressman Ed Case and Congressman-Elect Kai Kahele say they're eager to represent the islands on Capitol Hill as a team. KITV4.

Kahele among group of Natives in Congress giving hope for change. Internet access, health care and basic necessities like running water and electricity within Indigenous communities have long been at the center of congressional debates. But until recently, Congress didn’t have many Indigenous members who were pushing for solutions and funding for those issues. Associated Press.

Hawaii’s Senators See New Hope For Hawaiian Issues In Washington. A Biden presidency will give U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono more opportunity to pursue Native Hawaiian issues as well as climate change and immigration. Civil Beat.

What Local Election Results Reveal About Hawaii’s Politics. When it comes to the results of state and local races in Hawaii’s 2020 election, Colin Moore with the Public Policy Center at University of Hawaii-Manoa says there is one word to describe the results: stability. Hawaii Public Radio.

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Pressure builds for stronger mask mandate. The issue of whether masks are mandatory across the islands arose once again Monday with key state legislators pressing Gov. David Ige to emphatically state that wearing masks is required statewide to help slow the rising spread of COVID-19 and prevent a third surge of cases. Star-Advertiser.

State mask policy doesn’t go far enough, lawmakers and economists agree. Lt. Gov. Josh Green wants a special legislative session called so that lawmakers can create a clear policy when it comes to mask wearing. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s lead economist calls statewide mask mandate a “no-brainer”. Hawaii’s leading economist says there is a “no-brainer” to avoiding the next surge in COVID-19 cases and ensuing economic downturn: everyone wear a mask in public. KHON2.

House COVID-19 panel hears presentations about state’s economic recovery, worries about another spike in cases. The state’s economic recovery is going better than expected but could be on the verge of another crisis, according to presentations during a Monday meeting of the House COVID-19 committee. Tribune-Herald.

UH assembles team of experts to discuss economic diversification, sustainability during pandemic. The four-day virtual conference started on Monday, November 9. Topics include food resiliency and self-sufficient solutions. KITV4.

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Acellus online curriculum promotes religion, shows racial and cultural bias, Hawaii reviewers find. The Acellus online curriculum has gender, racial and cultural biases and seems to promote religion in the public schools, according to a report released today by the Hawaii Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Report: Acellus Online Curriculum Violated Religion, Discrimination Policies. The Hawaii Department of Education’s internal review of the remote learning tool found the inappropriate content in lessons to be “severe, pervasive and persistent.” Civil Beat.

Hawaii Gets $1.8M To Support Families With Section 8 Vouchers. The money will go to help renters on Oahu and Maui. Civil Beat.

VIRUS TRACKER — Nov. 9: 64 New COVID-19 Cases In Hawaii. Hawaii health officials reported 64 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, including four on Hawaii Island, two on Kauai, and 53 on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Michael Formby picked as Honolulu Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi’s managing director. In tapping former city Transportation Services Director Michael Formby to be his top lieutenant, Blangiardi picked someone well versed in the ways of city, state and federal government — and who knows a thing or two about the city’s vexing $10 billion- plus rail project to boot. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor-Elect Blangiardi Names Mike Formby As Managing Director. Rick Blangiardi, who will take elected office for the first time, has tapped a political insider to handle the city’s day to day operations. Civil Beat.

Mayor-elect Blangiardi names Formby to Honolulu's No. 2 job. Honolulu Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi has named Mike Formby, a former director of the city’s transportation department and the most recent executive director of the Pacific Resource Partnership, as managing director of his administration, the No. 2 job in the city. Pacific Business News.

Honolulu mayor-elect makes first selection of incoming administration. Honolulu Mayor-elect Rick Blangiardi has announced that he has selected Michael Formby as his managing director. An attorney, Formby served as a director in the city Department of Transportation Services, as well as previously at the state Transportation Department. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor-elect Blangiardi is building his staff. He named Mike Formby as his managing director. Formby worked in government positions for the city, state and federal levels for nearly 20 years. KITV4.

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Oahu could stay in Tier 2 longer than hoped. With the recent rise in coronavirus cases, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says it’s still possible for Oahu to move into Tier 3 by Thanksgiving. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell hopes to go to Tier 3 on Thanksgiving. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is still hopeful that Oahu can move into Tier 3 by Thanksgiving, allowing 10 people to gather, up from five currently allowed under Tier 2. Star-Advertiser.

After uptick in new COVID-19 cases, mayor urges Oahu to ‘get back on track’. A recent uptick in new COVID-19 cases on Oahu could slow or reverse the city’s reopening plans, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell warned Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu businesses, residents worry rising number of COVID-19 cases could trigger restrictions. Oahu businesses and residents are weighing in on the prospect of a slowed reopening — or the reintroduction of some restrictions — if COVID-19 cases continue to rise. Hawaii News Now.

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Ethics Complaint Filed After Honolulu Lobbyist Fails (Again) To Register. Longtime local lobbyist David Arakawa hasn’t registered to lobby at the city despite advocating against recent legislative proposals to reshape Honolulu’s parking and urban-planning policies. Civil Beat.

Diamond Head Theatre redevelopment begins. The final curtain is expected to fall at the 87-year-old Diamond Head Theatre building in 2022 with construction now underway on a new venue. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Feds pick up the tab for county workers: $3.7M in wages, overtime attributed to COVID-19 work since March. The federal government picked up $3.7 million for salaries, wages and overtime of county employees during the first seven months of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data released by the county Department of Finance in response to a West Hawaii Today public records request. West Hawaii Today.

County Housing Agency delays approval of action plan for housing buyout program funds. The County Housing Agency last week voted to postpone approval of an action plan that details how more than $83 million in federal disaster recovery money will be spent. Tribune-Herald.

‘Cautiously optimistic’: Kailua Village Business Improvement District updates council. Despite the damage incurred amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Kailua Village Business Improvement District says services in downtown Kailua-Kona will likely go unchanged this fiscal year. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Community Pet Support Program Initiated. A new program that provides basic veterinary care to pets in need of assistance is making its way around Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Video News.


Maui

DHHL Publishes Final EA for Pu‘unani Subdivision on Maui. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has published its final Environmental Assessment with a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Puʻunani Subdivision in Waikapū, Maui. Maui Now.

‘No parking’ signs frustrate beachgoers in Paia. Beachgoers, surfers and fishermen are frustrated over the recently installed “no parking” signs along Hana Highway, which are intended to reduce “dangerously parked” cars but have left them with few other places to go. Maui News.

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort to Reopen on Nov. 15. The reopening marks the debut of The Grand Life, programming focused on well-being and incorporating personalized health and safety measures, as well as a reimagined twist to the resort’s experiences. Maui Now.

Kauai

Rental assistance receives funds. Monday, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that Hawai‘i will receive $1,820,264 in federal funding to support the Housing Choice Voucher program. Garden Island.

‘Beloved Bundles’ celebrate forensic nurses. Forensic Nurses provide nursing care, collect evidence, and provide consultation in areas including sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, death investigation, elder mistreatment, corrections, emergency services, mental health, and public health, states a Kaua‘i County Council announcement of the observance. Garden Island.