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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

Kauai

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

Hannemann resigns as HTA chair amid investigation, HECO and Carpenter's Union battle it out, longline fishers experience record low profits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hannemann Resigns As Chair Of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Amid Freebie Inquiry. Tourism executive and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann resigned as chair of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Thursday after questions were raised over possible inappropriate use of HTA resources by two nonprofits he leads. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

HECO Accuses Carpenters Union Of ‘Shakedown’. The carpenters union and Hawaiian Electric Co. are clashing over a proposed labor agreement and legislation to help the utility address future wildfires. Hawaiian Electric Co. and an influential labor union got into a high-profile political fight Thursday, exchanging accusations that the union was engaged in a “shakedown” and the utility was trying to soak ratepayers with a new fee. Civil Beat.

Water commission litigation diffused by new appointment. Gov. Josh Green on Thursday appointed Hannah Kihalani Springer to fill the special seat on the Commission on Water Resource Management after twice previously passing her over in moves that led to litigation. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Trump’s tariffs cast doubt on Hawaii vehicle sales forecast. Hawaii’s auto dealers ended 2024 down 3% in sales and were expecting a rebound this year until the enthusiasm was abruptly halted when President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on foreign auto imports and auto parts this week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi longline fishers experience 'all-time low' in profits. Hawaiʻi's longline fishers are facing record lows in profits, according to a recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kūpuna are extra vulnerable during disasters. Here’s how programs hope to help. The state Legislature is also considering resolutions that ask the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency to develop outreach programs to better inform kūpuna about emergency preparedness. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

It Took 8 Pedestrians Struck At This Intersection For The City To Act. Residents asked the city to make the intersection safer after a woman was killed there in 2019, but the city said no changes were needed. Since then, more people have been hit. Civil Beat.

E-bikes, homelessness among the topics discussed at the mayor’s first town hall of the year. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi kicked off the third year of town hall meetings around Oahu Thursday night in a hot recreation room at Kalanianaole Beach Park. The meeting drew a standing room only crowd, with dozens waiting outside a half hour before it began. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

HPD confirms command changes after communication breakdown during Waikiki gun fight. The  Honolulu Police Department is set to put a new commander in charge of the bureau that oversees the district.  Statements made by Chief Joe Logan at a recent police commission meeting seem to indicate displeasure with the fact those in charge failed to provide him with real-time information about the shootout. Hawaii News Now.

2 hurt, home damaged after small plane lands in Kunia field. Two men were injured and a home was damaged after a small aircraft landed in a field in Central Oahu. According to the Honolulu Fire Department, a 911 call came in at around noon after a small Piper Cherokee aircraft reportedly landed in an open field between Royal Kunia and Wheeler Army Airfield. Authorities confirmed it was not a military aircraft. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

County seeks operator for reusable foodware program. The selected applicant from the RFP process will operate and oversee a community-scale system responsible for collecting, washing and reusing takeout containers with the goal of eliminating waste and supporting the local economy, according to a press release. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County seeks liaison to connect job seekers with businesses. The Department of Research and Development is requesting proposals from applicants interested in serving as the county’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) One-Stop Operator. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Council member Alice Lee to look into assessment complaints. Maui County Council chair Alice Lee said she is worried about the rise in residential property tax assessments in Maui County and will be looking at its impact on Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s $1.51 billion fiscal year 2026 budget. Maui News.

Maui County budget proposal written in ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi for the first time in 100 years. "Staying true to our commitment to cultural restoration and inclusion, this year's County of Maui fiscal budget mayor's message will be formally delivered to the county clerk in both English and ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi," Mayor Richard Bissen said. Hawaii Public Radio.

Intermediate appeals court rules in archaeological permitting case. The intermediate appeals judges held that the Land Board, in a contested case, “erroneously placed the burden on Mālama to prove ASH LLC failed to comply with its permit conditions for calendar years 2015-2017.”  Maui Now.

Maui IRS office closes amid federal budget cuts, raising concerns for taxpayers. As tax season enters its final stretch, residents of Maui are facing an additional hurdle: the temporary closure of the IRS office in Wailuku. KHON2.

Judge sets $5M bail for Maui doctor in alleged attempted murder. Court documents filed Thursday reveal Arielle Konig, the wife of 46-year-old Maui anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, told police he struck her about 10 times in the head and tried to inject her with a syringe filled with an unknown liquid while on a hike Monday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kauai

Princeville’s expansion project gains fuel support. Aloha Petroleum Ltd. has opened the temporary Princeville Aloha Gas station, fueling excitement and curiosity about the expansion of the Princeville Shopping Center. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi Hiking Hazards Could Cost Taxpayers $550K. The state has tentatively agreed to pay a pair of tourists injured at Waimea Canyon State Park in 2021 and 2023. Civil Beat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

Green pledges to sign vacation rental bill; House, Senate reach budget agreement; Maui mayor seeks twice what lawmakers allotted for wildfire recovery, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green pledges to sign short-term rentals bill. Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday pledged to sign a bill into law that would give each county clear authority over vacation rentals — including the possibility of banning them — if it arrives on his desk, as expected. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed State Budget Includes Money For Public School Raises, Geothermal Exploration. The budget would also provide millions of dollars in extra support to the Hawaii State Hospital. House and Senate negotiators reached agreement Tuesday evening on a $19.21 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 that includes raises for public school vice principals and extra money for small and rural public schools. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Ambitious Renewable Energy Plan Is Threatened By HECO’s Uncertain Future. New projects are on hold as the electric company's credit rating sags. Hawaii’s renewable energy sector is stepping up support for policies aimed at financially bolstering Hawaiian Electric Co., which has been battered by accusations that the utility started the fire that killed 101 people and burned down much of Lahaina in August. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider a property damage compensation fund for future fires. The measure would allow stakeholders to pay into a wildfire relief fund that would compensate property owners in the instance of another wildfire. That would include government entities like the state, large property owners with over 1,000 acres of land and share-holder utility companies such as Hawaiian Electric. Hawaii Public Radio.

Several invasive species measures are nearing the legislative finish line. A measure to fund the state Department of Agriculture with about $20 million for port inspectors, pest control workers and other biosecurity personnel around the state is still alive and could pass through conference hearings this week. Separate bills to support efforts against coconut rhinoceros beetles, little fire ants and other species are also set to move on. Hawaii Public Radio.

State looking at reducing parakeet population with one-year pilot program. The state wants to declare war on another invasive species — parakeets — that have been spreading disease, decimating native fruits, and stripping fruit trees on Kauai, among other harms. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority board chooses former Honolulu mayor as new leader. Tuesday, the state senate voted to approve former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hanneman as HTA’s board chair.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaiian Airlines boosts revenue but loses $137.6M in first quarter. Hawaiian Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, improved revenue and continued investments during the first quarter, but deepened losses as it grappled with rising operating costs and other headwinds while pursuing a merger with Alaska Airlines. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Nearly 3.6% pay hike adopted for mayor, Council. The Honolulu Salary Commission Tuesday adopted a nearly 3.6% pay boost for the mayor, managing director, the nine-member City Council and other appointed, high-level city officials for the city’s fiscal year 2025 salary schedule, which begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

HPD applications increase after $25K bonus announcement. A $25,000 bonus for new Honolulu Police Department recruits is an unprecedented incentive for the department, the goal was to attract more people into the force, and according to the department, it is working.  KHON2.

Dennis Mitsunaga’s ‘Ninja’ Testifies That ‘It Felt A Little Wrong’ To Contact Witness In Corruption Case. Mitsunaga, charged in the federal bribery trial of former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, is accused of attempting to manipulate a witness's testimony. Civil Beat. KITV4.

'Our superhero’: Girlfriend of alleged Miske murder victim says she won’t stop looking for answers. The woman whose boyfriend was allegedly murdered by Mike Miske finished her testimony in federal court Monday and was finally free to tell her story in public. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Red Hill Families Describe Litany Of Harms From Tainted Water In Lead-Up To Federal Trial. In the trial starting Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice will question whether they were exposed to jet fuel and, if so, whether it was enough to account for their illnesses. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Nene gosling likely died from disease carried by feral cats. The nene gosling that died last month in Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens in Hilo likely was killed by toxoplasmosis, an infection spread in the feces of feral cats, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Traps catch invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles in Waikoloa. The destructive beetles pose a serious threat to palm trees and culturally important plants in Hawaii. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Federal lawsuit against Roth, others on hold pending legal question. Hilo attorney Pueo Kai McGuire's federal lawsuit against Hawaii County, Mayor Mitch Roth, county Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen, Deputy Prosecutor Kate Perazich and former Deputy Prosecutor Sylvia Wan that accuses them of malicious prosecution is on hold — for now.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui mayor seeks more funding to cover Lahaina disaster costs. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, just shy of two weeks before the end of this year’s legislative session and after all public hearings on bills, asked House and Senate leaders to appropriate $125 million instead of $63.6 million to Maui County for wildfire recovery work pending in a bill. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Kaulana Mahina workforce housing apartments celebrates grand opening in Central Maui.  The event comes at a time when the chronically undersupplied housing market on Maui has been further impacted by the devastating fires of last August. Maui Now.

Kauai

Friend of jailed Kaua‘i artist accused of threatening a councilman speaks out following court hearing. A Kauaʻi resident has voiced support for a local artist in jail on $100,000 bail after allegedly threatening County Councilman Bill DeCosta in January, following a court hearing on Tuesday, April 23.  Kauai Now.

Kauai County to extend beach lifeguard hours. Starting next month, hours at guarded beaches will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the county’s Ocean Safety Bureau, an additional two hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. currently. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi Habitat for Humanity expands affordable housing to island's north shore. The organization acquired six lots in Kīlauea that it plans to offer up to low-income homeowners in the next month or so. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wiwo‘ole Project takes root in Lihu‘e. The project consists of transitional housing for individuals and families trying to escape domestic violence and sexual assault. Garden Island.

Legislature advances vacation rental regulation, cesspool fees, groundbreaking held for $80M Benioff Medical Center, demolition of Haiku Stairs to begin, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bills toward short-term rental regulation are in final stages of the legislative process. Two measures that would allow counties to begin phasing out non-conforming use permits for transient vacation rental units passed out of both of their chambers. It would give counties more control over short-term rentals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Cesspools are sending raw sewage into the ocean. Could a fee get people to convert? The state Legislature is considering a new fee on cesspools as part of a plan to end massive sewage leaks into the ground and ocean. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii lawmakers aim to avert ‘early’ DHHL funding lapse. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands appears set to receive extra time to use $600 million appropriated by the Legislature in 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Ban On Biocontrols That Threaten Hawaiʻi Forage Grass Urged In Resolution. The discussion comes as the state considers all the different tools that can be deployed to reduce the invasive grasses that increase fuel loads and the risk of wildfire in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Rising insurance rates on the horizon for Hawaii residents following Maui fires. Insurance rates have been rising for island residents, and those costs are expected to keep going up. KITV4.

Mufi Hanneman recognized at this year’s Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism Gala. For his significant and long-term contributions to Hawaii’s tourism industry, Mufi Hannemann has been chosen to receive this year’s ‘Legacy in Tourism Award’. KHON2.

Akebono, a pioneering giant and ‘proud Hawaiian’ in sumo, dies at 54. Hawaii sports legend Akebono Taro, who made history when he became the first non-Japanese-born sumo wrestler to reach the sport’s highest title, has died. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu

Mayor Officially Begins Process Of Giving Ocean Safety Its Own Department. After years of lifeguards pushing for their own department, Mayor Rick Blangiardi began the process to officially give it to them by July 2026. Civil Beat.

North Shore residents fight plans for shopping center, ask for first responder hub instead. Opponents of a planned shopping center near Sharks Cove on Oahu’s North Shore are urging the city to keep talks going with the developer. KHON2.

First school-based health center in country opens at Waipahu High. The Academic Health Center represents a partnership between the state Department of Education and Hawaii Pacific Health, which will provide health care services to the community while offering high school students hands-on training from medical professionals. Star-Advertiser.

New mental health crisis center is already diverting patients from ERs, but has room to grow. The Behavioral Health Crisis Center is taking in patients nearly every day, but the numbers are far below capacity in the initial month of operation. Hawaii News Now.

State eyes vacant Windward Oahu campus for DOH offices, crisis center. Hawaii Pacific University’s iconic Windward Oahu campus could become a new home for the state Health Department and a mental health crisis center. Hawaii News Now.

Haiku Stairs’ demolition to begin late April, city says. The city says demolition of the more than 3,900 steps leading to the top of the Koolau Range, above Haiku Valley and the H-3 freeway, will begin at the end of April. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

City looking to hire 500 to staff Summer Fun program. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is once again looking to hire hundreds of workers for its annual Summer Fun program at 60 sites across Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Blessing marks start of Hilo Benioff Medical Center expansion project.  The $80 million expansion project will add a new wing to the center, including a 19-bed intensive care unit, and 36 additional hospital beds. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.

Benioffs bolster fire department fleet. After nearly losing their home to a fire a few years ago, the Benioffs asked the Sayre Foundation what the couple could do to help the fire department. Since then, the couple has purchased three Big Dog fire trucks, two tanker fire trucks and eight brushfire trucks. Tribune-Herald.

‘Kauhale Initiative’ garners support from Hilo crowd. Hilo residents were widely enthusiastic Tuesday night during a meeting about a state project to develop communities of tiny homes for the Big Island’s homeless population, despite misgivings about where those communities could be built. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Mitch Roth presents 2024-2025 budget to Hawaiʻi County Council. The mayor’s $888 million operating budget is up 6.6% from last year. It says $30.5 million of that bump would go to salary increases for employees. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Work to decommission 2 Maunakea telescopes to resume. The University of Hawaii’s Hoku Kea Observatory and Caltech’s Submillimeter Observatory have been slated for decommissioning and removal from the mountain for years, although the process for both observatories has been slow. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Death Of Foster Child Leads To $750,000 Settlement Pending Approval By Legislature. Fabian Garett-Garcia died on July 25, 2017, and his caregivers told authorities he was injured by accident when he fell on his face from a 3-foot-high bench while wearing virtual reality goggles at the foster home in Waimea. Civil Beat.

Maui

Aunty Carol Lee Kamekona files to run for Maui County Council in Kahului district. Carol Lee has become the first candidate to file the paperwork for the Kahului seat, according to a press release from Kamekona.  Maui News.

Judge Issues two orders against Maui County Council appointee to planning commission. Second Circuit Court Judge Kelsey Kawano issued a writ of quo warranto Monday against Danny Ray Blackburn, asking him to appear before the Second Circuit Court on April 17 to show what authority he has to participate as a Maui County Planning Commissioner, according to court documents. Maui News.

Council Budget Committee hears the pain of Lahaina wildfire survivors. Eight months to the day after a wildfire swept through Lahaina town, Maui County Council members heard the anguish of residents struggling to rebuild their lives after the disaster that claimed at least 101 lives and leveled their beloved historic town. Maui Now.

Skyrocketing Maui rent shrinks housing options for wildfire survivors. Some 1,100 households — or 2,768 individual evacuees — were still living in 11 Maui hotels as of Friday. Star-Advertiser.

A Low-Income Housing Complex Is Ready To Rebuild After Lahaina Fire. It Just Needs $36M. The developer of the 89-unit project is the first to obtain building permits in the burn zone. Now the county and state are being asked to pick up the cost of what insurance didn't cover. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Jobless rate falls to 2.5 percent in February on Kaua‘i. A robust labor market turned up the heat in February, as it added hundreds of jobs across key sectors of the island economy in the final full month of the winter tourism season. Garden Island.

Hawaiian monk seal returned to Kaua‘i waters after veterinary team removes ingested hook and fishing line. An 8-month-old Hawaiian monk seal was safely returned to Kaua‘i waters after a veterinary team at the Big Island’s marine mammal hospital removed an ingested hook and fishing line from the animal’s esophagus. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Schools superintendent to reorganize department following $2B construction fund backlog, Kaneshiro bribery trial set, Red Hill fuel lingers in water, volcano air tours limited, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

With $2B in unspent construction money, schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi pledges to overhaul process. Hawaii’s school superintendent is promising to reorganize his department to deal with a huge backlog of school construction projects. Hawaii News Now.

Leadership roles in limbo as Hawaii Tourism Authority preps for Legislature. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has less than a month to shore up uncertainties surrounding its budget, leadership for the agency and for some key contractors before the state Legislature convenes its 2024 session. Star-Advertiser.

Prisons Director And Corrections Commission Agree To Keep Talking And Meeting. After a brief impasse, Department of Public Safety Director Tommy Johnson is once again participating in meetings. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Judge denies ex-city prosecutor’s last ditch effort to have public corruption case thrown out. A bribery trial is set to begin in February for Keith Kaneshiro, Honolulu’s longest-serving city prosecutor, and his campaign donors from an engineering firm. Hawaii News Now.

Petroleum From Red Hill Leaks May Be Lingering In Pearl Harbor Drinking Water. A new EPA report lends credence to complaints that residents say were otherwise falling on deaf ears. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

State crews continue slope assessment following Pali Highway landslide. Pali Highway’s townbound lanes remains closed following a landslide Wednesday, and state officials say assessments of the slope are ongoing. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

HVNP air tours limited: New management plan puts substantial restrictions on overflights. Air tours above Hawaii Volcanoes Natural Park will be cut by nearly 90% under a long-awaited new Air Tour Management Plan. Tribune-Herald.

Telescope removed from Caltech Submillimeter Observatory atop Maunakea; decommissioning paused until spring. The Leighton telescope has been taken out of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and removed from Maunakea on the Big Island for shipment to Chile for re-use. Big Island Now.

$18M federal grants slated for Big Island road and sidewalk safety improvements. The Big Island is slated to receive a share of more than $18 million in federal grants to the State of Hawaii from the U.S. Department of Transportation for projects to improve safety on roads and sidewalks. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

County of Maui launching online portal to improve public records request process. The County of Maui aims to make it easier for residents to request and receive public records in accordance with Hawai’i law, thanks to software technology modernization, the county Department of the Corporation Counsel announced Thursday. Maui Now.

Maui lawmakers outline latest measures aimed at averting wildfires. During a press conference Thursday, Maui county council members discussed three bills they hope will help prevent wildfires on the island.  KITV4.

Maui Starts Building Temporary Landfill For Wildfire Ash And Debris Despite Public Concerns. The county has proposed making Olowalu the permanent site to store 400,000 cubic yards of contaminated material but the mayor will make the final decision. Civil Beat.

Options Expanding For Displaced Maui Families Struggling To Find Housing. A philanthropic partnership led by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is offering a direct leasing program and increased stipends for hosts. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Kauai

State intends to declare traffic emergency zone on Kaua‘i due to instability of slope by ‘Opaeka‘a Falls Scenic Lookout. A traffic emergency zone designation allows the state to expedite procurement and permitting to take action to construct improvements to protect access to the state road. Anyone wishing to comment on the designation may do so through a virtual public meeting to be conducted within 24 hours of the designation. Kauai Now.

Hannemann named tourism chairman, Tam to lead state Democratic Party, developer with sketchy past seeks to rebuild Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hannemann appointed as HTA chair as agency prepares for tough legislative session. The Hawaii Tourism Authority, which ended last year’s contentious legislative session without a budget, is headed into this one with a controversial new HTA board chairperson — former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.  Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Rep. Adrian Tam picked to serve as Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi's interim chair. Rep. Adrian Tam has assumed the interim chair position of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, finishing Dennis Jung’s term after the party ousted him due to a lack of confidence following challenges in fundraising and filling party officer vacancies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Study: Low wages a threat to ‘heart and soul’ of society in Hawaii. A new study finds more than half of Hawaii’s households are living from paycheck to paycheck, one financial hardship away from poverty. Tribune-Herald.

Nearly 600 EBT cardholders in Hawaii victimized by fraud. Cybercriminals have accessed funds from nearly 600 Electronic Benefits Transfer cards in Hawaii, more than double the number recently reported, as food insecurity intensifies during the holidays. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric to start new customer power supply program. The utility company announced Wednesday that it has reached a customer participation limit for one such program on Oahu, and is starting a new one for customers on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Inmate In Arizona Prison Died With Meth In His System. Other prisoners were seen entering the cell of Richard Taylor Jr. before his body was found at the Saguaro Correctional Center. Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘Horrible situation’: Erosion along Oahu’s North Shore brings hefty fines and few easy solutions. A North Shore homeowner facing almost $1 million in fines for illegal erosion barriers has told the state that he had no idea the surf could take his house. Hawaii News Now.

‘Every last drop’ of fuel will be removed, Red Hill commander says.  Joint Task Force Red Hill began removing the fuel in October after more than a year of making repairs and upgrades to the World War II-era facility and the pipelines that connect it to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Since then just over 104 million gallons have been removed, which the military says is 99.9% of what is in the facility. Star-Advertiser.

US Senate approves $1.6B defense spending bill addressing Red Hill crisis. Millions of dollars are set aside to improve the water systems at Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks, the Kaneohe Marine base, and Aliamanu and Helemano Military Reservations. Hawaii News Now.

Former Oahu corrections officer sentenced to 42 months for smuggling meth. 52-year-old Richard Ascencio has been sentenced to 42 months for possession and conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Round 2 of the plan to protect the Ala Wai Canal area from flooding. The 2-mile-long canal is key to the vitality of neighborhoods around Waikīkī, which harbors much of the visitor industry.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Gun safety and tips to get concealed carry permits highlight unique town hall in Kapolei. Hawaii’s Minority Leader brought police and residents together to talk about self-defense.Amid a recent rash of violent crimes in West Oahu, State Lawmaker Diamond Garcia, who represents portions of Varona Village, ‘Ewa, and Kapolei, said residents have flooded his office with calls asking for information to apply for a license to carry. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Native Hawaiians, astronomers cherish Mauna Kea. Shane Palacat-Nelsen’s voice drops to a reverent tone as he tells the story of the snow goddess Poliahu who Native Hawaiians believe inhabits the summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in Hawaii. Associated Press.

Public comment sought for how to improve accessibility at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The National Park Service is seeking public feedback on a draft Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in an effort to make the Big Island park easier for people with disabilities to access. Big Island Now.

North Kohala acreage purchased for preservation. Over 600 acres in North Kohala will be preserved thanks to Hawaii Land Trust and partners Na Kalai Wa‘a, federal, state and county agencies, and the Kohala community. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.  Big Island Video News.

 Study finds feral animals increase risk of disease in ʻōhiʻa lehua trees. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi found that cattle and pigs play a fatal role in the spread of disease for ʻōhiʻa lehua trees on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

 Hawaiʻi County breaks ground on Lālāmilo 10 Million-Gallon Reservoir Project. Hawaiʻi County officials and the state Department of Water Supply broke ground on the Lālāmilo 10 Million-Gallon Reservoir Project last week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

This Developer Wants Public Money To Build Maui’s Future. Has He Come Clean About His Own Past? Paul Sau-Ki Cheng says he was exonerated of his financial crimes in the 1980s. The public record does not show that. Civil Beat.

Maui Is Using An Old Job Description In Its Search For A New Emergency Administrator. Maui County’s job description for the new head of its Emergency Management Agency is recycled from 13 years ago, and salary data shows the next administrator may end up being the lowest-paid out of all such agency directors in the state. Civil Beat.

Lahaina residents to stay in current hotels through holiday season. Residents affected by the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires who were scheduled to relocate to new Red Cross non-congregate shelter locations between Friday and next Monday will stay in their current hotel shelter locations until after the holidays, the American Red Cross of Hawaii announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

New technology used to design recovery plan as Phase 2 in Maui wildfire response begins. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and the County of Maui are using the 3D technology to better visualize the extent of damage in Lahaina as they design a recovery plan.   Maui Now.

Kauai

Ambulance services issue gets clarity. The state Department of Health met with the Kaua‘i County Council regarding the future of ambulance services on Wednesday, nearly two months after protests led the department to cancel its decision to change emergency medical providers. Garden Island.

Community-led effort preserves Kauaʻi fishpond access into perpetuity. The Trust for Public Land facilitated the purchase and transfer of Halulu Fishpond Access from Waioli Corp. to the Waipā Foundation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai nurse attacked in emergency room recovering from extensive injuries. Sonia, a registered nurse at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, said it was a shift she’ll never forget. KHON2.

Ige critiques new leadership, hotel prices highest in the nation, HPD officer with 30 TROs released by judge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Former governor offers rare opinions in online interview. Six months into private citizenship after being Hawaii’s chief executive for eight years and an elected official for almost four decades, former Gov. David Ige was uncharacteristically frank during an online interview Monday while discussing political changes that have occurred since he left office. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.

Green Appoints Hannemann To Hawaii Tourism Authority. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green made a flurry of Friday afternoon appointments, including naming a prominent figure to a controversial agency. Mufi Hannemann, a former Honolulu City Council member and mayor who several times ran unsuccessfully for higher office, has been named a board member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

State probe finds unauthorized access of governor’s information.  A Maui defense attorney was not authorized to access and acquire the personal information from four parking tickets paid for by Gov. Josh Green that were accessed through a system used by about 1,500 criminal justice personnel, a state investigation found. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii hotel prices top nation during first half of 2023.  Hawaii hotels led U.S. markets with the nation’s highest average daily room rate of $380 and revenue per available room, or RevPAR, of $285 in the first six months of this year, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report recently published by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

More electric car chargers needed to meet demand. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure state plan said a minimum of 2,200 public charging ports are needed to meet charging demand by 2045. The state currently has more than 800. KHON2.

Former Hawaii AG Earl Anzai Dies At 81. Anzai, whose roles included a clerk in the 1976 State Constitutional Convention, the chief clerk of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, a staff attorney at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the director of finance and state attorney general, died Sunday. He was 81. Civil Beat.

Returned ring of 442nd hero from Hawaii unites 2 families.  When Sebastien Roure found an old mud-caked ring near his village in France two years ago, he couldn’t have guessed it would lead to a Hawaii family being reunited with a lost family heirloom or that he would forge an international friendship that would bring him and his own family to the islands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu

Here's how Joint Task Force Red Hill patrollers train for defueling.  When defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility begins, a two-person team will patrol around the facility looking out for fires, leaks and other emergencies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Government seeks mental exams of young plaintiffs suing over tainted water illnesses. The families claim long-term illnesses from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel spills in 2021, which tainted the tap water and sickened thousands of people. Hawaii News Now.

Partially Treated Wastewater Discharged Near Pearl Harbor. The wastewater treatment plant at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam released approximately 9,500 gallons of partially treated wastewater into Mamala Bay after a failure in the four-step treatment process, the military said Monday. Civil Beat.

Judge releases HPD officer after multiple TRO violations. A judge released Honolulu police officer Ernest-Siosi Aliksa on his own recognizance on Monday after he appeared in court for more than thirty TRO violations in four separate cases. KITV4.

Fentanyl Users Are Becoming First Responders As ODs Surge.  Since October 2022, the harm reduction center has equipped the public and emergency agencies with 14,963 Narcan kits containing two 4-milligram nasal sprays — essentially 29,926 naloxone doses.  Civil Beat.

City unveils new online parks map.  The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has launched its latest online map showing the location of the city’s outdoor and indoor recreational and exercise facilities across 402 designated locations on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Why A Disabled Man Who Asked For Help Fixing The Sidewalk Instead Got A Violation. A wheelchair user who called on the city to fix a sidewalk outside his house was surprised when the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting instead issued him a notice of violation for his driveway.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council Member Augie Tulba: A 64% Pay Raise Is Absurd, And That’s No Joke. The City Council member who also works as a radio personality and stand-up comedian talks about balancing all those gigs.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

County council proposes larger property tax break for older kupuna. Kohala Councilwoman Cindy Evans will introduce at today’s County Council Finance Committee a measure that would expand the county’s homeowner tax exemption for homeowners 80 years old and over. Tribune-Herald.

‘The opposite of aloha’: Family of tourists claims attack on Hawaii Island was racially motivated. A Georgia family in Hawaii to fulfill a loved one’s dying wish says their dream vacation ended with an assault they claim was racially motivated.  Hawaii News Now.

Vacation rental prices soar. Vacation rental prices on the Big Island have increased by nearly 50% since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic despite a decline in occupancy rates. Tribune-Herald.

Fresh Water Has Still Not Been Restored At A Popular Big Island Beach.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources had targeted a short-term solution for Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area by Monday, but that didn’t happen. Now, due to design changes among other issues, the work is not expected to start until the end of September. Civil Beat.

Maui

60,000 juror questionnaires to be mailed to residents in Maui County. An estimated 60,000 juror questionnaires will soon be mailed to individuals in Maui County who have a Hawaiʻi state driver’s license and/or are registered to vote in Hawaiʻi.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Hawaii middle school principal ousted after mounting complaints over leadership. Dozens of parents, teachers and students rallied Monday morning outside Waimea Canyon Middle School to demand Principal Melissa Speetjens be removed ahead of the start of the school year. Hawaii News Now.

Wilcox Medical Center announces addition state-of-the-art CT scanner.  Wilcox Medical Center announced on Wednesday the addition of a new, state-of-the-art CT scanner that will provide quick and comprehensive imaging scans to more patients, including children. Kauai Now.

Queen Liliʻuokalani’s royal standard returned, Hannemann front-runner for tourism board, millions in pork sent home by legislative leaders, more news from all he Hawaiian Islands

Queen Liliʻuokalani’s illegally seized Royal Standard back at her Honolulu home after 130 years. The Royal Standard of Queen Lili’uokalani, Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, was returned July 24, 2023 to her Washington Place home and placed on public view for the first time in 130 years, since it was illegally seized in 1893. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.  Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.  KHON2.

Hannemann is front-runner for HTA board seat. The composition of the beleaguered Hawaii Tourism Authority board is set to change again, and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann is considered the front-runner to secure Gov. Josh Green’s latest appointment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate President Showers Kauai With Pork Projects In New State Budget. An analysis of the Hawaii Legislature's capital improvement projects shows that the districts of top leaders and neighbor island lawmakers got lots of money.  Civil Beat.

New BOE Chair Haruki urges priority on keeping more graduates home. In his first meeting as the new chair of the state Board of Education, Warren Haruki said Monday that he believes the board is poised to bring about significant progress at the islands’ public schools, and urged strong leadership and changes so that more graduates can stay in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi sees first school meal reimbursement rate increase in 40 years.  Hawaiʻi’s reimbursement rate for school meals and other federal child nutrition programs has been increased to 30% above the continental US rates, which is projected to bring an additional $8 million a year to Hawaiʻi to support healthy meals for children. Maui Now.

Miske associate pleads guilty, cooperates with government. An alleged co-conspirator of reputed Hawaii crime boss Michael Miske pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit kidnapping Monday after he allegedly set up the kidnapping and assault of an accountant who owed his friend’s father $900,000. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Rezoning near Halawa rail station on Oahu to be reviewed. The Honolulu Planning Commission is being asked to rezone 227 acres around Skyline’s Halawa station to allow for mixed-use development and affordable housing sites near what will become the state’s New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. Star-Advertiser.

Search for answers continues in deaths of 2 divers on Oahu. Two free divers were spearfishing at a popular diving spot on Oahu’s North Shore for the first time with a group of work friends early Sunday morning when they went missing for hours and were later found unresponsive. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

 Waikiki church resumes free meal distribution despite mayor’s opposition.   Saint Augustine By The Sea said Mayor Rick Blangiardi asked the church to stop the food line at the side gate on Ohua Avenue after some had complained the free food attracts problems.  Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Is Cutting More News Staff. At least four editorial staff members have accepted a buyout. Four editorial employees, Vicki Viotti, Dave Segal, Jason Kaneshiro and Sophie Cocke, have accepted a voluntary buyout offer and have either left the paper or will be leaving at the end of the month. Civil Beat.

Old Waialua Sugar Mill smoke stack being torn down. Work began on Monday to take down the old Waialua Sugar Mill smoke stack -- the one that towers over the former plantation town and has served as a landmark, even after the mill closed in 1996.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Pohoiki Boat Ramp restoration takes step forward. A final environmental assessment for a plan to dredge the sandbar which formed in front of the boat ramp during the 2018 Kilauea eruption was released Sunday. Tribune-Herald.

Army Corps of Engineers to host public meeting about proposed plan for former Waikōloa Maneuver Area’s Section 15.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – responsible for managing restoration efforts at the former Waikōloa Maneuver Area in South Kohala on the Island of Hawai‘i – will host a public meeting on Aug. 12 about the Final Proposed Plan for the Sector 15 Munitions Response Site. Big Island Now.

Keaau library project advances.  According to a final environmental assessment published Sunday, the project is not anticipated to have any significant impact on the local environment, nor has the scope of the project changed substantially since a draft EA was published in May. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Sunshine Law Complaint Leads To Revote On Changes To Maui Shoreline Rules. Concerns were raised that planning department staff would be given even more discretion over reducing or waiving fines. The Maui Planning Commission will vote again Tuesday on rules that govern development and construction projects along Maui’s coastlines after the county failed to include some written testimony on the matter prior to decision making. Civil Beat.

Comment period begins on development of a new Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility.  An Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice has been filed for the proposed development of a new Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility and onsite Soil Aquifer Treatment basin in Waikapū. Maui Now.

Maui News staffers win 9 Excellence in Journalism awards.  The Maui News staff members earned nine honors at the Hawaii Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism awards last week.  Maui News.

Kauai

Worker shortage leads to suspension of Kapaa school bus services. The Hawaii Department of Education has sent out letters to Kapaa Elementary and High School parents notifying them that school bus service will be suspended until further notice. KHON2.

Study indicates human sewage across Kaua‘i’s waters.  A newly published report detected sucralose — an artificial sweetener commonly found in manufactured foods — throughout Kaua‘i’s streams and rivers, indicating nearly islandwide water contamination by human sewage. Garden Island.