Green, Kawakami win Democratic ballots for governor, lieutenant governor; Case, Tokuda, hold onto Congressional seats; two incumbent state lawmakers lose legislative seats; Bissen leading race for Maui mayor; Rapozo and Carvalho battle for Kauai mayor, election news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Statewide results as of 8:50 p.m. Aug. 8. Hawaii Office of Elections

Gov. Josh Green, Derek Kawakami head to the general election.  Gov. Josh Green secured a spot on Hawaii’s Nov. 3 general election ballot, and Kauai Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami will be his running mate after cruising to victory in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor Saturday.  Green captured 89% of the vote for the Democratic nomination for governor. Kawakami captured 67% of the vote to state  Rep. Della Au Belatti's 25%,  in the five-candidate race. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Rep. Ed Case Holds Onto His Congressional Seat In A Landslide. U.S. Reps. Case, Tokuda moving on to November election. In the second election returns of the night, Case was leading state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole 60% to 36%, with the vast majority of the votes counted. In the Nov. 3 general election, Case will face Republican Adriel C. Lam, who ran unopposed in the primary, to represent Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. In the Democratic primary to represent rural Oahu and the neighbor islands in the 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda cruised to victory with over 90% of the vote. In the Republican Party primary, unopposed state Sen. Brenton Awa (R, Kaneohe-Laie-Mokuleia) was also headed to the General Election. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now.

2 incumbent state lawmakers lose seats. The longest-serving member in the Legislature, Sen. Les Ihara Jr. (D, Palolo- Kaimuki-Moiliili) lost badly to Rep. Jackson Sayama (D, Wilhelmina Rise- Maunalani Heights-St. Louis Heights). Sayama had 66% of the vote to Ihara’s 34%. Another race with a lagging incumbent is much closer. Rep. Ikaika Hussey (D, Kamehameha Heights- Kalihi Valley) had 49% of the vote to 52% for John Mizuno. Star-Advertiser.

Three incumbent trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs gained enough votes to advance to the general election. If the results hold, incumbents Brickwood Galuteria, Keoni Souza and John Waiheʻe IV will face off against Ikaika Anderson, Adrian Kealii Akina and Kanekoa Crabbe to try and keep their seats on the OHA board. Three at-large seats are up for grabs in this year’s race. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Democratic, Republican leaders offer analysis of primary results, voter turnout. With initial statewide voter turnout hovering at just 28.3%, political analysts and leaders are looking at a quiet election cycle that may mark one of the lowest participation rates in the state’s history. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Trevor Ozawa leads in Council race after Waters disqualified. Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member who successfully sued Council Chair Tommy Waters over his eligibility to be on the ballot, was the top vote-getter by far in East Oahu’s controversial District 4 race Saturday. An updated vote count showed Ozawa with 10,800 votes, or just over 44.3% of the votes cast. Waters, whose name remained on the ballot despite being disqualified, had received 7,978, or about 32.7%. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

New Faces Moving Forward To Fill County Council Seats. Incumbents Dennis “Fresh” Onishi and Heather Kimball are on track to move on to the November general election. The leading candidates to fill four open  seats, according to early results, are Manu Powers for District 7, Shannon Matson for District 5, Guy Enriques for District 6 and Eileen O’Hara for District 4. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Election Results: Bissen Out Ahead Of Sugimura In Mayor’s Race. Voters also narrowed down the top two County Council candidates to advance to the general election in certain district races. Maui News.  Maui Now.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Rapozo and Carvalho likely to advance to the general election in the race to replace Kawakami as mayor. Current County Council chair Mel Rapozo was the top vote-getter in the six-candidate field for mayor, garnering 1,441 more votes than second-place finisher Bernard Carvalho Jr. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

State preps for Saturday primary, judge dismisses lawsuit against OHA trustees, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry on federal closure list, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

What to expect in Hawaii’s state primary. An ongoing corruption scandal involving Hawaii’s lieutenant governor looms over Saturday’s state primary as nine candidates jockey to replace her. Meanwhile, a longtime Democratic congressman who bucked his party and supported one of President Donald Trump’s top legislative priorities faces a tough primary challenge. An ongoing corruption scandal involving Hawaii’s lieutenant governor looms over Saturday’s state primary as nine candidates jockey to replace her. Meanwhile, a longtime Democratic congressman who bucked his party and supported one of President Donald Trump’s top legislative priorities faces a tough primary challenge.  Associated Press.

Departures at the state Legislature open the door for new Hawaiʻi lawmakers. Recent departures at the state Legislature will lead to new lawmakers this year. Most of the candidates running for open seats this year are political newcomers.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Judge Dismisses Retaliation Lawsuit Against OHA Trustees. Stacy Ferreira, the deposed CEO, filed a lawsuit against the agency, its nine trustees and interim CEO Summer Sylva in November, accusing them — and in particular, Chair Kai Kahele — of retaliating against her and violating the state’s open meetings law.  Circuit Court Judge Steven Nichols determined Thursday that the case will proceed, but only against OHA. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi's Safe Routes To School program attracts questions. A Hawaiʻi law passed last year mandated that each vehicle registration would add a $5 fee to fund the program. The Safe Routes to Schools Advisory Committee, under the state’s Department of Transportation, manages those funds and gives portions to each county. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi defers to courts in Waters’ election dispute. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration is deferring to the courts in the ongoing legal dispute that removed City Council Chair Tommy Waters from Saturday’s East Honolulu District 4 primary election. The Blangiardi administration declined to comment on how the city Department of the Corporation Counsel or the Office of the City Clerk handled Waters’ eligibility issue and the election process overall in District 4. Star-Advertiser.

Incumbent Fevella faces 2 ex-lawmakers in the GOP primary for state Senate. The race between Rida Cabanilla-Arakawa, Kurt Fevella and Bob McDermott is one of the more unusual contests in Saturday’s primary election. Hawaii Public Radio.

State regulators question need for more firm power on Oʻahu's grid. The Public Utilities Commission has denied Hawaiian Electric’s request to seek competitive bids for 500 MW of fuel-flexible power on Oʻahu. The commission said the utility must first demonstrate that such generation would benefit Oʻahu ratepayers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu home sales, prices posted double-digit gains in July.  The report by the Honolulu Board of Realtors said sales of previously owned single-family homes jumped 20.5% to 300 last month from 249 a year earlier, while the median sale price rose 13.9% to $1,224,500 from $1,075,000. July’s median price followed a record set in June at $1,242,500. Star-Advertiser.

Schofield Barracks welcomes new ‘Tropic Lightning’ leader. Maj. Gen. Jay Bartholomees relinquished command of “America’s Pacific Division” to Maj. Gen. Jeff VanAntwerp, who takes command after a year leading Special Operations Command Pacific at Camp Smith. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry in Hilo among proposed closures of forest research facilities nationwide. Operating since 1956, the institute meets the diverse information needs of natural resource managers across the Pacific, according to the facility’s website. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i County Fire Commission postpones chief interviews to September. The postponement was to allow Hawai‘i County's Department of Resources enough time to notify the finalists of the next steps in the hiring process. Big Island Now.

Kilauea Volcano Update – New Crack Opens, Large Flames Seen. A new crack has opened upslope of the south vent, and has been producing intermittent large flames. Big Island Video News.

County hosts free Household Hazardous Waste events. Hawaii County will be holding free Household Hazardous Waste collection events between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium parking lot in Hilo and Saturday, Aug. 15, at the West Hawaii Civic Center parking lot in Kailua-Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Southwest Airlines kicks off new nonstop flight between Hilo and the ‘Ninth Island. The inaugural flight of Southwest Airline’s new direct route between Las Vegas and Hilo touched down Thursday at the Hilo International Airport. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Candidates Are Benefiting Big From PACs. About half of the money spent by political action committees on neighbor island races went to Maui, where the future of short-term vacation rentals has dominated the political landscape. Civil Beat.

Court orders Maui Planning Commission to revisit Honua‘ula project. The Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the Maui Planning Commission must reconsider whether major changes to the Honua'ula development formerly known as Wailea 670 require a supplemental environmental impact statement. Maui News.

MPD commander allegedly protected drug dealers, cockfighters for cash. Michael Vaituulala, 53, a lieutenant with nearly 18 years with MPD, is facing 20 years in federal prison after he allegedly took cash from criminals since 2019 to protect illegal firework sales, cocaine and methamphetamine marketing and cockfighting. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

One ‘Ohana Fund reaches $175M in offers. The compensation program to families of those who died and people who suffered serious physical injuries in the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires has made offers on 162 eligible claims as of Aug. 4, including 102 death claims and 60 serious physical injury claims. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Maui Wildfires 3 Years Later: The Recovery In Photos. Residential building has picked up the pace but the commercial district still struggles. Civil Beat.

Kauai

26 people running for Kauaʻi County Council in Aug. 8 primary. Who are they? The top 14 vote-getters in the Saturday primary advance to the general election on Nov. 3. Kauai Now.

Celebrating the Charity Walk. Between the puffs of dust and cars picking their way through the construction of the Poipu Road Safety and Mobility Project outside Keoki’s Paradise on Thursday, the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Kauai Chapter, shared more than $674,000 with representatives of 55 Kauai nonprofits. Garden Island.

Top state officials plead not guilty in bribery scandal, bus systems reeling from fuel hikes, 26th homeless village opened on Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Bribery Scandal: Luke and others plead not guilty. Green again calls on lieutenant governor to resign. Gov. Josh Green on Thursday called for Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to resign to “focus on this matter with her family” after she and three others pleaded not guilty to orchestrating a bribery conspiracy to secure state money to pay for COVID-19 testing contracts during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Demand Special Session Following Bribery Indictments. The legislation would close a government contractor political contribution loophole. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green responds as Luke and other defendants plead not guilty to bribery charges. Green spoke to us for the first time since last Friday, when Luke and four others were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges. KHON2.

OHA at-large races draw crowded primary field. Four incumbents are seeking another term on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees in the Aug. 8 primary election, with the crowded at-large race featuring 15 candidates competing for three seats. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Is Looking For A New CEO Amid Legal Battle. The search comes as the office fights a lawsuit from its current chief executive. Civil Beat.

Federal Government Abruptly Cut These Hawaiʻi Markets From Food Stamps Program. USDA moves leave customers who use SNAP with less access to food, and mean that stores can’t buy as much product from the local farmers who supply them. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi's public bus systems are feeling the strain of high fuel costs. Fuel costs started to level off this summer, but recent military strikes in the strait have pushed oil prices up again. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority stresses community input, responsible tourism. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority released its most recent strategic plan for 2026-2030, stressing the importance of community input, responsible tourism and visitor spending. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Hawaii’s 26th tiny-home kauhale blessed. A seven-member resident council of formerly homeless people living in Hawaii’s 26th kauhale, or tiny-­home community, will select the next 45 or so people to move into the newly completed second phase of the Hookahi Leo kauhale, which was blessed Thursday in the shadow of the H-1 viaduct, tucked away off Middle Street in Kalihi. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Fasi Municipal building faces ongoing elevator problems as City plans modernization. Employees at Honolulu’s Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building said recurring elevator problems have become a daily frustration, with some reporting long delays, missed meetings and concerns about safety. KHON2.

Arrests made and machines seized in illegal gambling bust in Honolulu. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) busted an illegal gambling operation that was discovered on Kalauokalani Way in Honolulu on Wednesday evening. KITV4.

Standoff erupts at Union Plaza as fumigation plans spark eviction fears. Plans to fumigate a controversial condominium in downtown Honolulu Thursday morning ended with a standoff and renewed cries for help from residents. Tenants at Union Plaza said more than a dozen masked men told them they have to leave to make way for the maintenance. Hawaii News Now.


Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i Island police chief talks story with residents, introduces department’s strategic plan. It outlines six strategic goals and objectives of the department, which currently employs 503 sworn officers and 163 civilian employees, and serves a resident population of approximately 211,000 and nearly 2 million annual visitors. Big Island Now.

Puna, Ka‘u residents surveyed about energy priorities. Vibrant Hawaii surveys gathered input from 340 residents in Puna and 141 in Ka‘u about energy usage, energy concerns and energy-related changes they would like to see in their communities. Tribune-Herald.

Thai restaurant in Kona shut down by state due to ‘rodent infestation’. Baan Thai Family Cuisine in Kailua-Kona has been shut down by the state Department of Health due to a “rodent infestation and multiple critical food safety violations.” Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Iconic Kauaʻi steakhouse Bull Shed expands to Hawaiʻi Island. The iconic Bull Shed Restaurant, beloved for over 50 years on Kauaʻi, has expanded to the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, offering its renowned steaks and seafood alongside new Hawaiʻi Island-inspired dishes. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Maui

Maui Council weighs $6 million purchase of two private West Maui water systems. Maui County is moving toward a $6 million purchase of two privately owned West Maui water systems, a deal county officials say would bring public utility control to areas long served by private companies, with final approval subject to Maui County Council and Public Utilities Commission approval and closing not expected until April 2027. Maui Now.

The Maui News to be sold to Maui Nui Media and Creativity Collaborative. The Maui News soon will welcome new ownership, as the Maui Nui Media and Creativity Collaborative has reached an agreement to purchase the publication and Maui Publishing Co. from The Ogden Newspapers Inc. Maui News.

FBI assisting investigation into alleged Maui hate crime. The FBI is working with the Maui Police Department to determine whether federal charges are warranted after a group of visitors from California alleged that a July 17 riot at the Kaanapali Alii vacation residences in Lahaina was racially motivated. Star-Advertiser.

Casting shade: Maui County breaks ground on new Lahaina playground. Maui County officials and members of the public gathered Thursday to celebrate the start of construction on the $2.4 million playground project, which Maui County Council Member Tamara Paltin described as "community-led and county-supported." Maui News.

Maui Now, journalist team earns four Hawaiʻi SPJ awards for excellence in journalism. Award recipients were recognized during a dinner held July 29 at the Japanese Cultural Center on Oʻahu.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi lawmakers revisit island's curbside recycling program. The Kauaʻi County Council wants a curbside recycling program on the island to divert waste from its single landfill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nonprofits can apply for bus passes to help Kaua‘i residents. The County of Kauaʻi Transportation Agency will be accepting applications from Kauaʻi-based nonprofit organizations for its Kauaʻi Bus Pass Outreach Program starting Aug. 3. Kauai Now.

93rd CST joins Kauai first responders in tabletop scenario. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Pride of America” berthed at its usual Nawiliwili Harbor pier on Thursday to a greeting not of hula girls, musicians and lei, but by the next-level emergency vehicles like the Kauai Police Department’s armored rescue vehicle, the Kauai Fire Department’s hazmat truck, and an assortment of state Harbors Division vehicles. Garden Island.

Green signs bill aimed at making condos more affordable, Maui approves hotel zoning for vacation rentals, former Honolulu employee charged with $800k foodbank fraud, San Buenaventura faces online threat, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green has signed a new housing measure aimed at creating more affordable homeownership opportunities for local residents. Senate Bill 2061, now known as Act 121, expands and clarifies Hawaii’s Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program, which is designed to provide affordable condominium homes on state and county-owned land. Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2026 election: Five of the seats on the nine-member Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for grabs, with 19 people vying to represent O‘ahu, Maui and statewide. The election comes as OHA considers its options in several areas, including a potential bid to buy the television news station KITV, how best to develop Kakaʻako Makai, and ways to gain a larger role in military lease negotiations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Commission considering liability cap and recovery fund for future Hawaii wildfires.  The state Public Utilities Commission wants stakeholders, including rate­payers, to help shape administrative rules governing a wildfire liability cap framework called for under a 2025 Hawaii law. Star-Advertiser.

Initial results from state-mandated pre-eviction mediation program show 85% success. Launched in February, the two-year pilot program requires participation in a mediation process before eviction for non-payment of rent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hotels spending more to attract high spending visitors. Hawaiʻi's hotel industry is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into luxury renovations as the state shifts focus to higher-spending visitors.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi unemployment rises, some industries remain flat. The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in May. That was slightly higher than April’s revised rate of 2.4%.  KHON2.

Oahu

Ex-city worker charged with food funding fraud. Former Food Security and Sustainability Program manager Dexter Kishida was arrested Monday after allegedly causing the Hawai‘i Foodbank to buy and distribute $800,000 worth of food that he claimed would be reimbursed by federal pandemic relief funds. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Distrust, uncertainty as Navy moves to reopen Red Hill well. As the Navy continues to move forward with plans to reopen its Red Hill well and reconnect it to its Oahu water system five years after it was contaminated with jet fuel, the service faces ongoing skepticism over its insistence the water will be safe to drink. Star-Advertiser.

Poverty, Schools, Extreme Weather: State House District 26 Candidate Q&As. In the Legislature, the House of Representatives seat Della Au Belatti is leaving has attracted six candidates. Civil Beat.

Ozawa asks judge to fast-track lawsuit challenging Waters’ candidacy. Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member and District 4 candidate in 2026, has asked a state judge to accelerate proceedings in his lawsuit challenging Council Chair Tommy Waters’ eligibility to seek a third consecutive term in office. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers seek to rename post office after Hanabusa. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is introducing a bill to rename the Waianae Post Office in honor of late U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Puna lawmaker targeted in threatening social media post. State Sen. Joy San Buenaventura said she beefed up security for a campaign event last Saturday after a Facebook post called her a “child abusing domestic terrorist” and advocated she be convicted of treason and “hung by the neck until she is dead then sent to hell where she spawned from.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County in lease negotiations with owner of Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Since at least the mid-1950s, the county has leased the 6.8-acre park site comprising parking lots, pavilions, bathrooms and campgrounds from private owners in order to provide the public with recreational space and shoreline access. Tribune-Herald.

This Rural Hawaiʻi Pharmacy Was A Lifeline For Seniors. Now It’s Gone. Loss of the Kohala drug store is symbolic of the healthcare access issues affecting remote regions of the state. Civil Beat.

Fear and uncertainty in Hawaii’s solar industry amid changes to tax credits. The back and forth, combined with the rollback of federal renewable energy incentives, has resulted in uncertainty and concern for solar energy providers across the state and local companies on Hawaii Island, including Honoka‘a-based Renewable Energy Services. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo chef and restaurauteur Miyo Harumi dies at 82. Miyo Harumi, a retired chef and restaurateur whose first name is synonymous with Japanese food in Hilo, died June 3 at Pohai Malama Care Home in Hilo. She was 82. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New hotel zoning for vacation rentals passes Maui Council on final vote, 7-2. Maui County Council members voted 7-2 Friday to give final approval to Bill 88, a measure creating two new hotel zoning districts intended to provide a path forward for thousands of vacation rentals being phased out of apartment-zoned districts. Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen signs $1.61B Maui County budget into law for FY2027. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has signed a $1.61 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget into law, outlining major investments in housing, recovery efforts, community well-being and economic development. KITV4.

Maui’s Hale Kau Kau reports record meal numbers in May; volunteers needed. Hale Kau Kau, the 35-year-old daily meals program at St. Theresa Church in South Maui, delivered 3,475 meals to kūpuna and people with disabilities and onsite, 2,625 meals were provided to anyone experiencing food insecurity. Maui Now.

Kauai

Political Newcomers Are Trying To Unseat West Kauaʻi House Rep. Rep. Dee Morikawa, who has held the District 17 seat since 2010, will face Chad Schimmelfennig in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Health officials perplexed by snorkeling deaths, 28 homes damaged in magnitude 6.0 earthquake, OHA mulls purchase of KITV4, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Health Officials Are Perplexed By Hawaiʻi Snorkeling Deaths. Snorkeling claims the lives of dozens of tourists each year. Some who lost loved ones or nearly drowned themselves say not enough is done to warn people of the risks. Civil Beat.

Hawaii law aims to curb corporate influence in elections but faces hurdles. The new law attempts to bypass the effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission, which has paved the way for corporations and other outside groups, including labor unions, to spend unprecedented amounts of money on U.S. elections. While it was meant to counter Citizens United’s impact, the Hawaii law restricts enforcement to state-regulated organizations, so it has also raised concerns that it actually might allow entities incorporated in other states to fill the void in political spending in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Attorney General Lopez provides biweekly update on public corruption investigation. State political investigation continues after 2nd Cabinet member leaves. In the wake of a second top administration official stepping down amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Gov. Josh Green’s office said it is not aware of any other state agency or individuals being included in the probe and that the governor is not “involved in the investigation in any way.” Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Leadership Turmoil And Staffing Shortfalls Plague Child Welfare System. Former Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services Director Ryan Yamane is not the only top child welfare official departing the agency as lawmakers made some efforts this year to improve the system. Civil Beat.

Stalled work to determine OHA ceded land claims revived. Hawaii lawmakers have set out a modified path to determine how much revenue from ceded lands the state owes the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and resolve a nearly half-century dispute. Lawmakers also agreed to distribute $55 million in withheld ceded land revenue to OHA as part of the newly amended legislation, Senate Bill 903, on top of a set annual $21.5 million contribution that OHA regards as far below what is owed. Star-Advertiser.

Prayers push politics aside for Hawaii family members of Tulsi Gabbard. Prayers poured in for the family of Tulsi Gabbard on Friday after the former Hawaii political office holder announced her resignation as director of national intelligence in Washington, D.C., to support her husband battling bone cancer.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Voters Could Add Immigrant Protection Measures For HPD In November. In the wake of state legislation seeking to protect immigrants from overzealous federal crackdowns, a Honolulu charter amendment proposal with similar goals is inching forward at the city’s charter commission. Civil Beat.

North Shore homeowners fined nearly $2M for shoreline barriers. Three North Shore homeowners who together amassed a total of nearly $2 million in state fines for illegal shoreline armoring have begun removing the unpermitted structures they installed to shield their Rocky Point properties from erosion. Star-Advertiser.

OHA weighs purchase of KITV-KIKU from Allen Media Group. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs declined to say whether it has entered negotiations with a broadcast company or whether an offer has been made or is imminent. But sources close to the potential deal said the agency’s acquisition target is the Allen Media Group-owned KITV-KIKU, the local ABC affiliate and a station featuring Japanese and Filipino programming. Star-Advertiser.

‘Save the Queen’: Kaimukī residents urge the City to buy dilapidated Queen Theater. The Honolulu City Council's Zoning and Planning Committee on Thursday passed a resolution that would add Queen Theater to the roster of government buildings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Big Island residents report damage from magnitude 6.0 quake. No injuries were reported but Hawaii County officials received reports Saturday from the Civil Defense Agency that at least 28 houses were damaged, including a post-and-pier home in South Kona that collapsed and is considered unlivable due to extensive damage to its foundation, said Tom Callis, spokesman for the Mayor’s Office. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

County to use eminent domain to widen Puna road. A Hawaii County Council committee unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to acquire 3.74 acres of land along Government Beach Road in Puna using eminent domain in order to widen the winding, one-lane scenic seaside route. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

HECO installing sturdier replacement poles in Lahaina, with plans for limited underground lines. Nearly three years after a downed power line sparked the destructive and deadly 2023 Lahaina wildfire, Hawaiian Electric is beginning a two-year, hardening project in the seaside town to replace wooden utility poles with stronger ones made of steel or composite fiberglass. Maui Now.

Hoʻonani Village project recommended for first reading passage by full Council; calls for deferral set aside. Bills 163 and 164 would expand the Maui Island Plan’s urban growth boundary and change the Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan designation from agriculture to business-multifamily for approximately 166 acres near Pūlehu and Hansen roads and Maui Veterans Highway. The site is part of a larger parcel that Hoʻonani Development plans to transform into an approximately 1,608-unit workforce housing community with light industrial, commercial, office and open space components. Maui Now.

Kula Hospital's future uncertain amid ongoing post-storm closure. Kula Hospital was home to more than 100 long-term patients when severe flooding and rain in March damaged the facility. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘She’s up with the saints’: Meli Watanuki, one of Kalaupapa’s last living patients, dies at 91. A beloved member of the Kalaupapa community who loved to dance hula, never missed morning Mass and helped restart tours to the historic town last fall has died, leaving just two survivors of Hansen’s disease living full time on the isolated peninsula on Moloka‘i’s north coast. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi farmers and small businesses find new home at Anahola Marketplace. A new weekly farmers market focused on local food, small businesses and community connection is set to launch June 1 at Anahola Marketplace on Kauaʻi’s North Shore. Kauai Now.

No swimming advised following shark sighting at Hanalei Bay. According to a preliminary report, ocean safety officials report that a 6- to 7-foot shark was sighted fronting the Pavilion Tower in Hanalei Bay today, May 24, at approximately 2:15 p.m. Lifeguards will reassess the area later on Monday, May 25. If there are no other sightings, the beach will reopen to ocean activities at 2:15 p.m. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Public Utilities Commission slow to investigate HECO role in Maui wildfires, some good news in public school test scores, Ferreira named OHA CEO, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Utility Regulators Are Still Waiting To Take A Hard Look At Hawaiian Electric. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has been conspicuously passive since the August fires that killed at least 99 people, destroyed much of Lahaina, including its power distribution system, and spawned dozens of lawsuits blaming Hawaiian Electric Industries for starting the fires.  Civil Beat.

Draft legislative wildfire reports available for public review.  Six legislative working groups in Hawaii’s House of Representatives have filed draft reports with recommendations on issues stemming from the Aug. 8 Maui wildfire disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Why Hawaii became a hotbed of legal activism to protect the climate. A series of legal cases show how Hawaii has become uniquely fertile ground for environmental legal action, fueled by a long tradition of decolonization advocacy, specifically enshrined environmental rights and a rich Pacific Island heritage that is imminently threatened by global warming impacts — such as the devastating wildfires that ripped through Maui in August. The state’s courts have moved decisively while other US courts quibble over jurisdiction and technical legal barriers in climate lawsuits. Bloomberg.

Some Hawaii Students See Gains In Learning Since The Pandemic. Traditionally underserved students have made significant improvements in areas such as math, reading and graduation rates since the end of the pandemic, according to data released by the Hawaii Department of Education on Thursday.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Court ruling bans state from enforcing certain sensitive places for concealed carry.  A few months after Hawaii passed its sensitive places law for concealed carry, a court ruling is now restricting the state and city from enforcing the rules. KHON2.

Who is Stacy Ferreira? Meet the new CEO at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Trustees with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have chosen Stacy Ann Kealohalani Ferreira, former budget chief with the Senate Ways and Means Committee, to serve as the new chief executive officer.  Hawaii Public Radio. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers, advocates call on military to do more to address violence against Native Hawaiian women. Advocates and lawmakers are calling on the military to bolster their response to a state-commissioned report on violence against Hawaii women and girls.  Hawaii News Now.

Coast Guard cutter returns to Honolulu. The Honolulu-based Coast Guard National Security Cutter CGC Kimball returned home Wednesday from an 85-day deployment that saw it assisting with Maui fire relief efforts and monitoring fisheries in the Arctic Circle. Star-Advertiser.

In wake of ‘horror stories,’ lawmakers push for rapid response to little fire ants. Lawmakers are getting fired up about the spread of little fire ants and believe industry pressure is delaying potential new rules aimed at stopping their spread. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

As Red Hill defueling progresses, military briefs Hawaii lawmakers on plans and commitments. Emptying underground Navy fuel storage tanks at Red Hill crossed a midway point Wednesday, and several state lawmakers received a briefing from military officials Thursday about the job and future cleanup work. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Officials Release A Draft Of The City’s Strategy To Adapt To Climate Change. They're seeking more input this month from communities across Oahu before they finish the plan. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Firefighting resumes as Mililani Mauka fire grows to 1,100 acres. The wildland fire in remote mountains above Mililani Mauka continues for a fourth day, and has now burned about 1,100 acres, according to the Honolulu Fire Department. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Honolulu City and County aims to make recycling easier for Oahu residents. The Honolulu City Council yesterday unanimously approved a bill which will allow residents to recycle more materials from homes like cardboard boxes, containers and food waste. KITV4.

The Hawaii Herald To Shutter Operations Dec. 1. The 43-year-old newspaper serves the local Japanese American community. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

TMT work progresses: Project awaiting ‘necessary steps’ from the feds. Work continues around the world on the Thirty Meter Telescope’s various systems despite no sign of a new construction date on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Most Of Hawaiʻi Island Under Severe Drought. With just 1.36 inches of rain, Hilo Airport broke the record, set back in 1962, for the minimum total monthly rainfall for the month of October. Big Island Video News.

Local divers collect and reattach broken coral along Hawaiʻi Island coastline. A new community-led initiative is working to restore coral reefs along the Kona coast of Hawaiʻi Island. The project, called Kanu Koʻa, is supported by The Nature Conservancy and the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina Harbor cleanup estimated to finish around early December. The U.S. Coast Guard has removed 79 vessels inside and outside of Lahaina Harbor and is looking to have its cleanup of fire damage and debris done around early December, although it could take longer, an official said Wednesday. Maui News.

600 Maui businesses have closed since the wildfires, and hundreds more are on the brink. New data shows a continued drop in visitors — and revenue — on Maui as the island’s economy struggles to recover from the catastrophic wildfires. Hawaii News Now.

Foreclosure Moratorium Extended For Some Maui Homeowners. Fire survivors with FHA loans on destroyed or damaged properties can breathe a little easier for the next few months. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

ACLU wants Maui homeless sweeps to end. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii this week demanded that Maui County stop homeless sweeps that were pending at county parks near wildfire- ravaged Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Public comment sought at meeting about creation of Maui County wetlands map. Maui residents can provide public comment about the creation of a comprehensive Maui County wetlands map during a meeting on Nov. 8 at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere in Māʻalaea.  Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kīlauea Elementary on Kaua‘i exceeds statewide academic trends. From school year 2021-22 to 2022-23, scores for language arts increased by 14 points to 62%, math increased by 16 points to 49%, and science increased by 35 points to 67%. Kauai Now.

Giant condo management company lacks state license, newspaper clarifies Green nominee story, Supreme Court sides with OHA in dispute with auditor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Property Management Giant Under Scrutiny. State officials have begun an investigation of one of Hawaii’s major condominium management firms, Associa Hawaii, which state records indicate has been operating without an active broker’s license required by law. Civil Beat.

Correction: Green plans different nominees to lead DBEDT, Office of Planning. Gov. Josh Green.  is prohibited by Senate rules to name replacements for Chris Sadayasu and Scott Glenn this session after they failed to win Senate confirmation. But he plans to replace them sometime in May once the legislative session adjourns on May 5. An earlier article indicated otherwise. Star-Advertiser.

Bill seeking to double the earned income tax credit in the state advances. The Senate’s Ways and Means committee approved a new version of House Bill 1049 Tuesday. The version increases the food excise tax credit, doubling it from its current rate. It also increases the earned income tax credit from 20% to 40% of the federal rate.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor’s plan to address homeless crisis includes construction of more than a dozen tiny home villages. A total of 24 sites are currently under consideration. A list of those sites is expected to be released in about a month. Hawaii News Now.

Corrections Nominee Tommy Johnson Clears Committee Vote, Advances To The Full Senate. A Senate committee voted 4-0 on Wednesday in favor of Gov. Josh Green’s appointment of Tommy Johnson to run the state’s prisons and jails despite bitter resistance from the union that represents Hawaii correctional officers. Civil Beat.

State Supreme Court rules with OHA in dispute. A legal dispute between two Hawaii state agencies came to an end Wednesday with a state Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs over the Office of the Auditor. Star-Advertiser.

Ruling opens path for UH grad students to unionize.  A Hawaii Supreme Court ruling issued Wednesday has opened the way for a group of University of Hawaii graduate assistants to petition to be classified as public employees with collective bargaining rights. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii COVID hospitalizations, cases on the rise again.  The Health Department today warned the rate of COVID hospitalizations is on the rise, with an 89.7% jump in the number of patients over the past week to 75 today.  DOH reported 1,047 new COVID-19 infections over the past week, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 383,880. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Kūpuna could receive a large property tax break under proposed Honolulu bill. The Honolulu City Council’s budget committee met Tuesday to discuss four bills, including one that would raise the tax exemption for older homeowners still living in their primary residence. Hawaii Public Radio.

IRS grants tax relief to families affected by Red Hill water crisis. Civilians whose drinking water was contaminated by jet fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill storage facility in November 2021 will not have to pay federal or state income taxes on reimbursements they received from the military to cover expenses such as temporary lodging, meals and personal property damage, following guidance released Wednesday by the Internal Revenue Service. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Alleged Miske co-conspirator jailed for witness tampering. An alleged co-conspirator of reputed Hawaii crime boss Michael Miske was charged with witness tampering Monday after he allegedly threatened a woman not to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation. Star-Advertiser.
 

Thief swaps out QR code for one of their own. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services said  in a news release today that some of the 1,700 city parking meters configured to accept payments via the Park Smarter phone app reportedly have fraudulent stickers on them. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

$26M for 2019 Likelike Hwy. tow truck crash victim. State taxpayers are on the hook to pay $26 million to a man critically injured by a runaway tow truck on the Likelike Highway. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Downtown Hilo plan rejected: A majority of business owners not on board with revitalization plan. The Downtown Hilo Business Improvement District — which was officially proposed by a Hawaii County Council bill in late 2022, but has been a topic of discussion for years — would allow property owners to fund infrastructure maintenance and other upgrades between Ponahawai Street, Wailuku Drive, Kapiolani Street and the Hilo Bayfront using assessments levied against member businesses. Tribune-Herald.

How A Reverse Mortgage Lender Took A Hawaii Man’s Home Over A $500 Repair. The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled last week that Joseph B. Nutter & Co. and its lawyer committed fraud on the court by failing to give a full picture of their foreclosure on Elton Namahoe's Big Island house. Civil Beat.

Sweep at once iconic Uncle Billy’s resort in Hilo: 2 arrested, 10 cited for trespassing. More than three dozens officers from three law enforcement agencies conducted a dawn sweep of the condemned and dilapidated former Uncle Billy’s Hotel and Resort on Banyan Drive in Hilo. The result: two people arrested on outstanding warrants and 10 citations issued for simple trespass. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Hawaiian men imprisoned for hate crime agree to pay $25,000. Two Native Hawaiian men sentenced to prison for a hate crime in the brutal beating of a white man have agreed to pay more than $25,000 in restitution, according to court documents.  Associated Press.

How Much Is Too Much? Lawmakers Move Forward With Plan To Study Capacity Of Popular Maui Beach. State officials says they already have a plan to tackle parking woes at Makena State Park, but many on Maui are calling for more action. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric to give update on renewable energy on Maui. Hawaiian Electric will hold a community meeting April 13 on Maui to provide an update on the renewable energy transition and recent developments on the status of the island’s existing power generation resources. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Department budget hearing highlights vacancy problem. Amid national trends and a series of retirements, the Kaua‘i Police Department has struggled recently to fill a number of vacant positions. Garden Island.

Gun bill seeks limits in ‘sensitive’ areas. A Kaua‘i gun control advocate and a gun store manager are speaking out with contrasting opinions on recent gun control legislation, as a bill aimed at restricting who can carry firearms, and where, continues to make its way through state Senate chambers. Garden Island.

Hawaii businesses offer freebies for vets, audit slams Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 100 more join lawsuit against military over Red Hill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

These Hawaii spots offering freebies for veterans. Friday, November 11 is Veterans Day and many businesses across the country are offering free items or nice discounts for veterans, active duty and retired military people. KHON2.

OHA Vows Accountability After Audit Finds Evidence Of ‘Fraud, Waste And Abuse’. A financial investigation released Thursday found 22 instances of questionable spending worth more than $7.3 million made by former top officials at the Office of Hawaiians Affairs. The findings were a follow-up to a 2019 report that initially flagged 38 transactions made from 2012 to 2016. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

County Ethics Watchdogs Need More Money To Do The Job Right, State Panel Says. The Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct says the grants will beef up bare-bones budgets that now exist in all counties except Honolulu, which spends more on its ethics board. Civil Beat.

Green’s proposed visitor fee might be popular with residents, but lawmakers appear cool on the idea. One of the marquee elements of Gov.-KITV4.Josh Green’s agenda is a flat fee on all visitors to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for everything from erosion to parks. But it could already be in trouble at the Legislature ― a challenge that could be a test of his lobbying skills. Hawaii News Now.

Gov. David Ige reflects on wins and losses as his final inning comes to a close. Gov. David Ige is rounding third base and heading toward home as his last day in office approaches. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

Voter Turnout For Hawaii General Election Plateaus At 48%. It’s the lowest general election turnout in the state’s history. Civil Beat.

On Election Day, this new tool helped speed up Hawaii’s delivery of voting results. New technology used on Election Day helped deliver voting results from more remote areas within minutes. The state Elections Office launched the Remote Rally system for the first time Tuesday and said it worked. Hawaii News Now.

Adult Learners Thought This Program Was A Path To College. They Were Wrong. Hawaii schools continued to operate a popular alternative diploma program from 2014 to 2019, despite it not meeting federal standards. Now some of those graduates are unable to access financial aid. Civil Beat.

The state Board of Education is appointed. It used to be elected. Is one way better? The governor nominates members, and the state Senate either confirms or rejects them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii agency picks 4 planned mid-income affordable-housing projects to subsidize. Four planned affordable-housing projects received state financing help Thursday under a new program to produce rental apartments for middle-income residents. Star-Advertiser.

New state funding will help expand nursing classes, but it’s a fraction of what’s needed. At a news conference last month, Gov. David Ige released $1.75 million to combat a severe faculty shortage at nursing schools across the state. Hawaii News Now.

In effort to expand healthcare services, VA opens first telehealth station in Hawaii. There are more than 55,000 registered veterans living in Hawaii but not all of them live near a VA clinic. This can make getting access to healthcare challenging but a new program by the Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System is designed to bring healthcare services directly to vets. Hawaii News Now.

State Health Department warns of early rise of RSV rates. Health officials are warning of an early rise in cases of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza in Hawaii, similar to trends observed across the U.S. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Kauai Now. KHON2.

Oahu

Over 100 new plaintiffs join Red Hill lawsuit against federal government. More than 100 military family members and civilians who were on the Navy’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam drinking water system when it was contaminated with jet fuel in 2021 have joined a lawsuit suing the federal government, alleging military officials provided inadequate medical care in the days and months following the emergency. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Former TV anchor defeats incumbent in state Senate race. Former TV news anchor Brenton Awa pulled off a come-from-behind win in the race for the state Senate seat that represents Kunia, the North Shore and parts of Windward Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore property owner offers to take down concrete barrier poured on Sunset Beach. A North Shore property owner who poured concrete on the berm behind his Ke Nui Road home has been granted more time by the city to remove the barrier. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State clears the way for Meadow Gold expansion. An expansion of the state’s only dairy processing facility could be completed within two years. Meadow Gold Dairies Hawaii is seeking to double the size of its premises in Hilo, a move that could enable more dairy producers in the state. Tribune-Herald.

New Rules For Kahaluʻu Bay Surf Schools. The Hawaiʻi BLNR on Thursday voted to limit the number of companies and students participating in surf instruction in a specific area of Kahaluʻu Bay. Big Island Video News.

There when you need it: Waikoloa Loan Closet provides medical equipment for the community. Realtor Phyllis Klicker had closed on a home sale in Waikoloa Village and discovered the previous owner had left behind a cache of medical equipment. Not wanting to take it to the landfill, she decided to open the Waikoloa Loan Closet, making the equipment available free of charge to anyone in need.West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Temporary Wednesday closures implemented to address permit backlog. The Plans Review Section of the Zoning Administration and Enforcement Division will be closed to the public temporarily on Wednesdays beginning Nov. 16, 2022. Maui Now.

Maui police chief explains new tactics. Joining KHON2 from the Valley Isle is Maui Police Dept. Chief John Pelletier, covering the island’s approach to concealed-carry permits, and the evolution of 21-century policing for Maui County. KHON2.

Man testifies about Maui beating he says was hate crime. A white man who says he was a victim of a hate crime when two Native Hawaiian men assaulted him while he was fixing up a home he purchased in their remote Maui village testified Wednesday that his attackers were racially motivated, even though he conceded that no racist comments can be heard in video taken during the 2014 beating. Associated Press.

Day 3: West Maui fire scorches 2,100 acres, burns mauka brush between Kahoma & Launiupoko. Firefighters continue efforts to contain a stubborn fire in West Maui has burned 2,100 acres since it was first reported on Tuesday. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i county council race shifts; Cowden and DeCosta in, Kagawa out. Late voting favored incumbent council members Felicia Cowden and Billy DeCosta, who passed former council member Ross Kagawa to slot into the sixth and seventh spots, respectively. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Community College names Margaret Sanchez as interim chancellor. Under Sanchez’s leadership, Kauaʻi CC received more than $3.5 million in grants in support of its mission, including enabling the college to be a Native Hawaiian Indigenous-serving institution. Kauai Now.

Kauai Animal Shelter Buys 10 Acres With Plans To Grow. The Kauai Humane Society now owns the Lihue parcel where it has operated for more than two decades. Civil Beat.

Hawaii drops to No. 2 in homelessness, HUD funds to buy out lava victims, Westboro Baptist Church to picket Maui high school, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeless in Honolulu ©2020 All Hawaii News

Hawaii drops to No. 2 in homelessness as trends improve, officials say. Hawaii no longer holds the ignominious title as the country’s leading state in per capita homelessness. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Is No Longer No. 1 For Homelessness. New York Is Worse. Civil Beat.

Get Ready For An Economic Slowdown, State Economist Says. It’s not a recession yet but government should consider picking up some of the private sector’s slack as the construction industry wanes. Civil Beat.

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Rep. Chris Lee to seek Windward Senate seat. State Rep. Chris Lee has become the first prominent politician to announce plans to run for the soon-to-be- vacated state Senate seat held by Laura Thielen (D, Hawaii Kai-Waimanalo- Kailua), creating a fourth vacancy on the Windward side. Star-Advertiser.

Chris Lee Leaving House Seat For State Senate Run. The lawmaker is seeking the Kailua to Hawaii Kai seat being vacated by Laura Thielen. Civil Beat.

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Fighters and other aircraft will train over Hawaii for the Hawaii Air National Guard’s exercises. A dozen or more fighter jets are expected to roar off the reef runway at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport twice a day for the latest iteration of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s “Sentry Aloha” fighter exercise. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Returned $2M Of Ceded Land Revenue In 2019. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has previously pushed to have a cap on their ceded land revenues raised. Civil Beat.

Pushing to halt all aquarium fishing. Some conservation groups and Native Hawaiians are concerned the state isn’t following court orders for the environmental review of aquarium fishing and permit issuance in Hawaii. Garden Island.

Medicare Trims Payments To 8 Hawaii Hospitals. Medicare docks hospitals on an annual basis for too many patients returning to the hospital within a month. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state’s largest health insurance company, has agreed to pay $180,000 and provide injunctive relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Assistant Superintendent Retires From DOE. Another assistant superintendent in the Hawaii Department of Education has left, marking the third departure from the core leadership team within a span of six months. Civil Beat.

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Hawaiian Telcom announced Tuesday that its chief of staff, and former broadcast journalist, Su Shin has been promoted to president and general manager effective Feb. 10. She replaces John Komeiji, who resigned as president and general manager. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Telcom names new president and general manager. Hawaiian Telcom today announced that Su Shin, its Chief of Staff, has been promoted to President and General Manager effective February 10, 2020. KHON2.

Oahu

Audit: Honolulu Can’t Meet Building Industry Demands For Permits. Low pay, insufficient training and high turnover contribute to a permitting department that can’t keep up, the auditor found. Civil Beat.

City officials say new audit findings show help is needed at the Department of Planning and Permitting. A new audit found the department isn't keeping up with the demands of the building industry. KITV4.

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Oahu Grapples With Where To Place Its Next Landfill As It Confronts Its Waste Dilemma. About 30 trucks roll down Farrington Highway on the west side of Oahu every day to dump waste at the City and County of Honolulu's only municipal landfill, Waimanalo Gulch. Hawaii Public Radio.

Auditor: Handi-Van Software – And Perhaps Its Operator – Need An Overhaul. The Honolulu auditor’s latest update on Handi-Van performance finds some progress, but the busy paratransit service still needs a lot of improvement. Civil Beat.

City issues 260 citations for illegal short term vacation rentals across the island. Despite the crackdown, hundreds of short term vacation rentals are still operating on the Windward side of O'ahu. KITV4.

Vacation Rentals Are Still Thriving In Kailua. Critics warned that a bill to crack down on illegal vacation rentals would doom Kailua’s economy. But months later, the town still bustles with tourists and hundreds of vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

1 year later, city touts success of Punawai Rest Stop for homeless. One year after it first opened its doors, city officials say the Punawai Rest Stop for homeless on Kuwili Street is a big success. Hawaii News Now.

Punawai Rest Stop homeless program recognizes one year anniversary. The city’s Punawai Rest Stop is a homeless program that is working. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Property buyouts mulled: County will use HUD funds to purchase land from those wanting to leave areas impacted by eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Contract awarded for road and trail repairs in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announced Tuesday that it has awarded a $3.3 million contract to a construction company to repair roads and trails that were damaged during the 2018 eruption of Kilauea. Tribune-Herald.

Eruption-Damaged Road Repairs In HVNP Set To Begin. Repairs to roads and paved trails in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park that were damaged during Kilauea Volcano’s 2018 eruption and summit collapse are set to begin in February. Big Island Video News.

Making housing affordable: Council panel advances resolution to reach solution. Government officials agree Hawaii County needs to construct more affordable housing, and there’s also agreement on the steps that can be taken to do it. But how to pay for it is open to debate. West Hawaii Today.

Audit sought for subdivision, zoning statutes. A Hawaii County Council committee voted in support of an audit that would be the first step in rewriting two chapters of the county code. Tribune-Herald.

Council members give thumbs down to Kim nominee. A Hawaii County Council committee voted against recommending a nominee to the Leeward Planning Commission Tuesday after a vetting process failed to discover a disciplinary complaint against him. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

In election year, search for new county clerk underway. New Maui County Council Chairwoman Alice Lee hopes to have candidates lined up for the Maui County clerk and deputy clerk positions — the county’s top two elections officials — in about two weeks. Maui News.

Westboro Baptist Church plans to picket at Maui High on Friday. Maui Baptist churches are denouncing and disassociating themselves from the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, a widely recognized hate group that has announced plans to protest at Maui High School on Friday. Maui News.

Public Meetings to Discuss Hana Highway Bridge Updates. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will host a series of public meetings to discuss a project to improve six of the historic bridges along the Hāna Highway (Route 360), located between Huelo and Hana town. Maui Now.


Kauai

Cat kills Hawaiian petrel. A cat has been terrorizing Hawaiian petrel burrows in the mountains of the Hono NaPali Natural Area Reserve, and its latest kill was a chick involved in a scientific tracking project. Garden Island.

Molokai

Power slowly being restored to Molokai after island-wide outage. Most on Molokai were without electricity for much of the day Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.