State DHS director Yamane quits amid Hawaii corruption probe, toll road for Mauna Kea proposed, SHOPO touts Lambert for Honolulu police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii AG’s corruption probe prompts state director to quit. Former  state lawmaker Ryan Yamane abruptly retired as director of the Department of Human Services on Tuesday after being questioned by state investigators about allegations of public corruption involving Hawaii’s COVID-19 testing contracts. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

Oahu

Stakeholders evaluate transparency in process to pick Honolulu's chief of police. Has the Honolulu Police Commission engaged enough with stakeholders and the public as a whole as it’s set to appoint a new police chief? It depends on who you ask. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu police union supports Lambert for chief, survey says. The union representing Honolulu Police Department officers wants former HPD Maj. Mike Lambert to be the city’s 13th police chief, citing his institutional knowledge, proven record of leadership and “deep cultural competency.” Star-Advertiser.

City to seek other sites for archery range project. Private plans to build a traditional Japanese archery range and training facility at city-owned Mau‘umae Nature Park in Kaimuki have been abandoned, as city officials and the project’s sponsor seek a new location following community opposition, park officials announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Skyline improvements to come with $500M in construction contracts. More than 300,000 people rode Skyline last month – the most ever and the first time it crossed that number. While it is in operation, officials acknowledge it is still a work in progress.  KHON2.

‘It’s Just Tiring’: 24 Hours Inside Hawai‘i’s Homeless Crisis. More than a dozen Civil Beat reporters and photographers set out to chronicle the reality of homelessness on Oʻahu on Jan. 26, the day of the homeless census. Here’s what they saw.  Civil Beat.

Kaiser cancer center receives $5M for expansion. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii announced Tuesday that it has received a $5 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to support construction of the new Kaiser Permanente Hawaii Cancer Center at Moanalua Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Charter Amendment Would Pull Power Away From Hawaiʻi County Mayor. A divided County Council is moving forward with plans to let voters decide if a county manager system would work better for the Big Island. Hawai‘i County’s mayor would become more of a figurehead under a proposed charter amendment that shifts significant executive powers to an appointed county manager. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

DHHL Considers Tolls For Mauna Kea Access Road. The proposals have pitted two Native Hawaiian organizations against each other. The Hawaiian Homes Commission is considering proposals to charge fees to visit Mauna Kea and use those funds to pay for reforestation efforts and restoration of cultural sites. Civil Beat.

Council considers new requirements for nonprofits. A Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill that would require nonprofits applying for county grants to certify they have policies governing nepotism, conflicts of interest and auditing. Tribune-Herald.

Alameda asks state for help in wake of recent traffic deaths. Mayor Kimo Alameda on Monday sent a letter to Gov. Josh Green requesting assistance from the state to improve traffic safety on Hawaii Island. As of Tuesday, there had been 13 traffic fatalities in 2026 on Hawaii Island roads, including eight in the past two weeks. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Grand Taste to showcase a perfect pairing: Maui Chefs + Maui Agriculture. A total of 12 Maui chefs will create 12 original recipes and compete for top honors in Grand Taste at Maui AgFest on Saturday, May 30. This popular event gives attendees a chance to sample delicious creations from some of Maui’s hottest chefs, and then to vote on their favorite. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi judge keeps development ban in place at former Princeville golf course. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Stephanie Char on Tuesday denied a request by Starwood Capital Group to resume certain ground-disturbing work at the abandoned Makai Woods Golf Course in Princeville, keeping an existing injunction in place while the case remains on appeal. Kauai Now.

Kauai USDA safety inspector convicted of federal child exploitation charges. U.S. Department of Agriculture safety inspector Roger Wesley Biggs, 40, led a secret online life, grooming vulnerable boys and coercing them into producing sexually explicit images. Hawaii News Now.

Raised crosswalks to be installed in Hanalei overnight Thursday. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will close one lane of traffic from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, for the installation of the three crosswalks as part of the Kūhiō Highway Resurfacing and Safety Improvement Princeville to Waikoko project. Kauai Now.

More than 700 to graduate this weekend. More than 700 high school seniors earned eligibility for graduation from the three public high schools that will celebrate graduation exercises on Friday, according to the Kauai Complex Area, Hawaii Department of Education. Garden Island.

Hawaii sticks with mail-in voting despite Trump order, Honolulu homeless respite centers could close, Kauai mayor files for Lieutenant governor, Maui mayor files for reelection, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii sticks with its mail-in voting system despite Trump’s order. Hawaii officials say they plan to follow state law requiring mail-in voting this year while lawsuits proceed over President Donald Trump’s executive order that critics say would give the federal government unprecedented control over U.S. elections despite the Constitution’s guarantee that Congress and each state hold that authority. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers pave way for regular Young Brothers rate hikes. Interisland cargo rates at Hawaii’s regulated monopoly service provider Young Brothers Ltd. could be going up in July after a 26% hike approved in November. Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaiʻi Forfeit $5 Million For Teacher Apprenticeships? State leaders say the program will improve teacher retention and recruitment by providing more mentorship and financial support to prospective educators. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami officially files to run for lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi. Kaua’i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami officially filed candidacy papers on Tuesday to run for lieutenant governor in Hawaiʻi’s 2026 primary election, becoming one of the first major island leaders to formally enter the statewide race. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Lambert vows to target equipment upgrades, gun violence. Mike Keoni Lambert, 46, the lone local finalist vying to serve as the next chief of the Honolulu Police Department is a 22-year HPD veteran who wants to upgrade equipment and facilities, target gun violence and develop officers of every rank and role. Star-Advertiser.

Respite centers for sick, injured homeless could close after lawmakers cut funding. Without alternatives, 62 people at the Aala Respite Center in Chinatown and 24 people receiving care at the Leahi Respite Center in Kaimuku could be back on the streets on July 1, when the new fiscal year begins. Hawaii News Now.

‘Dire Consequences’: Honolulu Races To Save Flood Zone Funds. The plan is a long time coming but gained momentum in the aftermath of this spring’s devastating Kona low storms. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu food systems plan invites public comment. Oʻahu is reenvisioning its food systems with a new islandwide plan. It contains more than 70 action items that the City and County of Honolulu can take over the next five years to promote nutrition, sustainability, local sourcing and resilience in food production. Hawaii Public Radio.

Manoa pool set to reopen following months of repairs. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation said the Harry Mamizuka Swimming Complex at Manoa Valley District Park will reopen on Monday, May 18. Hawaii News Now.

Doctor Accused Of Fertility Fraud. In Hawaiʻi, No Law Prevents It.  William McKenzie — a popular and renowned gynecologist on Oʻahu’s  North Shore — was sued in 2019 after genetic testing showed he used his own sperm in a insemination procedure, according to court documents. Civil Beat.

Swift acquittal returned in Chinatown shooting trial. After just 25 minutes of deliberation Monday afternoon, an Oahu Circuit Court jury acquitted a 62-year-old man of murder and other charges in connection with a 2022 Chinatown shooting that killed a 24-year-old woman who was five months pregnant. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kona CDP committee weighs in on STRVs measure. The Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee approved a document authored by Chair John Pelletier criticizing aspects of Bill 147 — a Hawaii County Council measure aiming to redefine hosted and unhosted short-term vacation rentals, establish working standards and set punitive fines, and expand the list of zoning areas where these rentals are allowed to operate. Tribune-Herald.

Public invited to attend board meeting for update on cleanup efforts in Former Waikōloa Maneuver Area. The next Restoration Advisory Board meeting for Waikōloa Maneuver Area Formerly Used Defense Site will take place on Thursday, May 14, in Waimea. Big Island Now.

Free summer meals for keiki offered at 19 schools. The state Department of Education announced that 19 Hawaii Island schools will offer free summer meals to children 18 and younger, starting June 9 through July 17. Tribune--Herald.

Maui

‘Not Pau Yet’: Bissen files for mayoral re-election, saying steady leadership is crucial. Surrounded by community supporters, labor leaders and his grandsons, Mayor Richard Bissen officially filed nomination papers Monday morning to seek re-election as mayor of Maui County. Maui Now.

Key Maui Council incumbents officially commit to race for re-election. Two incumbents — West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin and East Maui Council Member Shane Sinenci — have officially committed to campaigns for re-election while others haven’t jumped in officially, yet. Maui Now.

Maui County real property tax sale set for May 19. The Maui County Department of Finance is planning to auction off properties that have been delinquent on their taxes for three or more years and have received their final notice of a sale. Maui News.

Pā‘ia Mantokuji given another year to find a fix for erosion threatening Buddhist temple, nearby graves. Sandbags were installed in 2021 as an emergency measure, and the state has allowed them to stay in place for years because of the critical level of erosion. On Friday, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources approved another one-year extension for the sandbags while the mission works on a long-term plan that could include returning sand to the beach or building an artificial reef offshore. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i woman sentenced after pleading guilty to defrauding coronavirus assistance program. Kaiaulani C. Kaiawe, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on Oct. 9, 2025, after fraudulently obtaining $126,026.10 through the program in 2021. Kauai Now.

Remote West Kaua‘i Beach Park Reopens. Polihale State Park’s access road has been cleared and resurfaced after a two-month closure. A 5-mile-long dirt access road to Kaua‘i’s Polihale State Park has reopened after two months, just in time for the start of summer and Memorial Day weekend. Civil Beat.

Ariyoshi dies at 100, PGA cuts Hawaii events, Big Island Forest Service facilities targeted for closure, auditor warns of problems with $40M homeless program, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

George Ariyoshi, Hawaii's third governor and nation’s first governor of Asian American descent, dies at age 100.  Hawaii’s longest-­serving governor and the first Asian American to serve as governor of any U.S. state, George Ariyoshi, died Sunday night at the age of 100, leaving a “quiet and effective” legacy grounded in shaping the state’s future. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4. 

Legislation to curb corporate influence in elections awaits final negotiation by lawmakers. The state Legislature is looking at a new, untested legal approach to curb corporate money in elections. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Transportation Officials Want A New Military Partnership. A bill being considered by the Legislature would allow the state DOT to act as a military contractor to expedite federal projects for improvements to airports and roads. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi gambling regulations would likely be complex to accommodate the evolving industry. That was advocates' message to state lawmakers looking at how it could impact Hawaiʻi, one of two states that outlaw all forms of gambling. Hawaii Public Radio.

PGA Tour cuts Hawaii events in 2027, dealing a $150M blow to state. The PGA Tour confirmed on Monday that its two Hawaii golf tournaments — the Sony Open in Hawaii and The Sentry at Kapalua — will not be included in the 2027 tour schedule, representing a more than $150 million annual loss in visitor industry revenue for the islands. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Auditor Issues Urgent Warning About Key Hawaiʻi Homeless Program.  In a letter addressed to legislators and the state’s human services director Monday, Auditor Les Kondo explained why he was raising early alarm bells about the kauhale initiative and payments to HomeAid Hawai‘i that have cost taxpayers nearly $40 million so far, some of which he said was spent with little public oversight and weak internal controls. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Lambert must return to HPD to protect pension benefits. Mike Lambert, 46, is one of the 41 applicants to serve as Honolulu’s 13th police chief. If he is not picked to lead HPD, he also applied to continue his law enforcement career where it began, as a HPD patrol officer. Star-Advertiser.

'Get rid of the dam': Residents, farmers have conflicting feelings about Wahiawā dam. As the state moves closer to acquiring the aging more than 120-year-old earthen dam, there are conflicting feelings from longtime North residents and farmers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaimuki’s iconic Queen Theater, now in disrepair, prepped for sale. The Queen Theater, a once-beloved 1930s-era landmark in the heart of Kaimuki that fell into dec­ades of disrepair, is being readied for sale, city leaders say. Star-Advertiser.

Cleanup underway of floating homeless encampments. Heavy machinery continued Monday to tear out thick and overgrown mangroves along Keehi Stream in Kalihi that had camouflaged 25 or so floating and land-based homeless structures that have occupied the waters from Keehi Stream to Keehi Lagoon for years. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Cyclists Lament Safety Barriers, Green Paint In Bike Lanes. New asphalt along South King Street meant bike path safety features had to be removed temporarily. They are taking too long to be replaced, cyclists say. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

ʻŌhiʻa Trees, Invasive Species: Years Of Research Could Be Lost. The Hilo-based Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry headquarters and a biocontrol lab in Volcano are among at least 57 Forest Service facilities targeted for closure across the country in an agency restructuring plan rolled out by the Trump administration late last month. Civil Beat.

2,000 acres in Kapoho being considered for preservation. A Hawaii County Council committee today will consider a resolution calling for the purchase of nearly 2,000 acres of rugged coastal land in Kapoho using public land preservation funds. Tribune-Herald.

Former Kamehameha Schools employee indicted for internal theft. Zachary Heltz, a 32-year-old Big Island man, has been indicted for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Kamehameha Schools Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Kīlauea Volcano Alert Level Raised As Lava Activity Begins. Low-level lava activity began at the summit of Kīlauea overnight, prompting a change in the Alert Level for the Hawaiʻi Island volcano. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Work to replace lava tube bridge begins Thursday. Work to replace the deteriorating bridge into Nahuku lava tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will start Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui 

MEMA, other agencies to participate in April 23 training in Kahului.  A multiagency, full-scale training exercise will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Kahului, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Fire is seeking public input on how to improve. The Kaua‘i Fire Department is looking for public input to see how they can improve their emergency response and overall community safety. Kauai Now.

Trump signs Hawaii disaster declaration, Honolulu firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay, Maui doctor found guilty of attempted manslaughter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump signs disaster declaration for Hawaii. President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Hawaii in the aftermath of the two Kona-low storms that pummeled the islands over a 14-day period last month, Gov. Josh Green announced Wednesday night. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. Big Island Video News.

Cut State Jobs, Keep Tax Cuts? Hawaiʻi Senate Makes Budget Pitch. Faced with federal budget cuts, lawmakers hope to balance the budget in part by wiping out positions that have been vacant for more than five years. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider banning disposable e-cigarettes. Disposable e-cigarettes could be banned in Hawaiʻi starting in 2027. State lawmakers are advancing a measure that would make it illegal to sell electronic smoking devices that don’t have refillable cartridges or a rechargeable battery. Hawaii Public Radio.

State legislators continue to question HPH-HMSA deal. The  House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce had many lingering concerns over the impacts of Hawaii Medical Service Association joining forces with Hawaii Pacific Health. Star-Advertiser.

Conservative Activists Take Aim At Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship. A new lawsuit filed by a legal advocacy nonprofit says a 35-year-old federal scholarship program that brought Native Hawaiian doctors to the islands is unconstitutional. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Director Wants To Return To Honolulu Police Department. Mike Lambert said he had hoped to stay longer with DLE but plans to step down this summer because of a retirement system issue. Civil Beat.

‘Strongest in the nation’: DBEDT on Hawaii unemployment rate. January’s unemployment rate of 2.2 percent compares to the national rate of 4.3 percent, which was down from 4.4 percent in December. KHON2.

Oahu

Firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay. Honolulu firefighters are set to receive $11.7 million in temporary hazard pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials say. The agreement provides up to $7,500 in compensation for each city firefighter who worked during the national public health emergency that began in March 2020 and ended in March 2022. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 fraud case is possibly resolved. A 31-year-old Kapolei woman facing federal criminal charges after allegedly stealing another person’s identity in a scheme to steal more than $36,000 in unemployment insurance and COVID-19 assistance may have reached a resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

About 4,000 more Oʻahu properties could be required to have flood insurance. Decades-old maps that the federal government uses to determine which properties are high flood risks will be updated on June 10, expanding to include more homes near coasts and streams. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

General Plan changes blasted; Kierkiewicz’s revision draws sharp criticism. The Hawaii County Council chambers rang out with criticisms Tuesday as a committee meeting meant to consider a long-term planning document devolved into accusations, lawsuits and conspiracy theories. Tribune-Herald.

Kona attorney confirmed as District Court judge. The Hawaii State Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Andrew Michael Kennedy to serve as a Hawaii Island District Court judge, following his appointment by Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui doctor who attacked wife on Nuuanu trail found guilty of attempted manslaughter. An Oahu Circuit Court jury rendered a guilty verdict on the lesser charge of attempted manslaughter Wednesday in the trial of 47-year-old Maui anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig accused of trying to kill his wife March 24, 2025, while hiking on the Pali Puka Trail in Nuuanu. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui. The beetle has become emblematic of the state’s decades-long struggle to contain and mitigate the impacts of invasive species throughout the islands.  Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi blesses first dedicated medical helicopter that started operations Wednesday. The new air medical service through Hawai’i Life Flight also will support inter-facility transfers to Līhuʻe’s trauma center, cardiac catheterization laboratories and specialty care facilities on Oʻahu. Kauai Now.

HDLE director calls for 5-year fireworks ban, petition seeks info on $35k given top lawmaker, Hawaii awarded $190M for rural health care, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Leader Calls For 5-Year Ban On All Fireworks. Officials say this New Year’s Eve was quieter than last, but state Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert is calling for more drastic measures to cut off the state’s supply of illegal fireworks. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care. Hawaii has been awarded nearly $190 million in federal funding to augment rural health care under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” through a plan co-written by Democratic Gov. Josh Green. He said it’s the result of working with fellow Pennsylvania native and physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Star-Advertiser.

PUC study supports creation of Hawaiʻi wildfire recovery fund. The Public Utilities Commission has concluded that a state recovery fund is likely warranted to compensate future victims of major wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

$35K Mystery Payment: Petition Calls For Hawaiʻi Legislature To Investigate. More than 900 Hawaiʻi residents are asking the Legislature to get to the bottom of a mysterious transaction in 2022 that involved a man handing $35,000 in a paper bag to someone federal investigators have described as an influential legislator. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Hawaiʻi ICE Arrests And Detentions In 2025 Spiked From Year Before. Updated tallies are not yet complete but already eclipse those in 2024. Data show immigration arrests are increasingly likely to take place at ICE offices and at the state’s civil court houses. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades. Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Crackdown nets 61 tons of illegal fireworks. Honolulu police and state law enforcement officials stepped up joint enforcement against illegal fireworks on New Year’s Eve, responding to a sharp increase in fireworks-related calls while reporting fewer serious injuries and fires than in previous years. Star-Advertiser.

ABC Stores CEO Lags On Fixing Up ‘Eyesore’ In Busy Waikīkī Corridor. Property owner says renovation plans are on hold due to high construction costs, but neighbors are frustrated by the lack of action. Civil Beat.

Off-leash dog park opens in Makiki. Honolulu’s dogs have more space to explore and exercise after city leaders officially opened an off-leash dog park in Punahou Square. Hawaii News Now.

Celebrate Year of the Horse with festival, parade in Chinatown. Get ready to celebrate the Year of the Horse! Chinatown 808 will host its 50th Chinatown Festival & Parade celebrating the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 14. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Nalani Kanaka‘ole-Zane, renowned kumu hula and Merrie Monarch judge, dies at 79. Nalani Kanaka‘ole-Zane, revered kumu hula of Halau o Kekuhi, cultural matriarch and veteran judge of Merrie Monarch Festival hula competitions, died Saturday in Hilo. She was 79. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

Maui

Batangan takes seat on Maui County Council. Kauanoe Batangan was sworn into office as a Maui County Council member Monday morning, saying he was honored to have been selected by his late predecessor, Tasha Kama, to serve out the remainder of her term. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui To Settle Landfill Legal Battle After Scrapping Plan To Seize Property. The county won’t say how much it intends to pay the company in damages over the eminent domain case to acquire a dump site for Lahaina fire debris. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative offers new rebates for medical device power backup. The Medical Device Power Backup Rebate Program provides eligible members with a rebate of up to $200 for the purchase of a qualifying backup power solution, such as a battery backup or portable generator, according to a news release from the power company. Kauai Now.