Army proposes ending some land leases, officials urge ballot drop off rather than in-person voting today, deep dysfunction at OHA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Army proposes ending leases on lands ahead of expiration. The Army would like to terminate its leases on 4,390 acres at the Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area and 782 acres at the Makua Military Reservation. It also said that it would like to “partially terminate” leases for 700 acres at the Kahuku Training Area and 3,000 acres at the Pohakuloa Training Area, according to an Army letter to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Star-Advertiser.
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OHA decides to delay new CEO selection. Investigative Reports Expose Deep Dysfunction At Office Of Hawaiian Affairs. Systemic issues have prevented the agency and its Board of Trustees from working together, including poorly defined responsibilities for the board chair and CEO, unclear budget policies and conflicting leadership styles. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Mortgage Payments Soar, Locking Many Out Of Housing Market. As rising costs drive away homebuyers, data shows houses are sitting on the market for longer. Hawaiʻi’s current housing market is inhospitable to both would-be homebuyers and sellers looking to offload a house, according to recent data from real estate platforms Zillow and Redfin. Civil Beat.

Sheriff Deputies’ union opposes proposal to divide pay scales. The union representing the state’s nearly 300 Sheriff’s deputies opposes a plan to reclassify and give a pay bump to 60% of its personnel, calling it divisive and cautioning it will make recruitment and retention worse. Star-Advertiser.

FEMA rejects individual assistance for storm victims. More than 500 property owners impacted by Hurricanes Lala and Lowell will not receive aid from the federal government, and it’s unclear why. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has rejected a request to provide individual assistance for hurricane victims on Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi County.  Hawaii News Now.

Will Republicans make more gains in Hawaiʻi? 6 things to watch on Election Day. Hawaiʻi's Office of Elections expects to release results on Tuesday evening, after the last person in line at voter service centers has cast their ballot. Anyone in line at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Election officials urge putting ballots in drop boxes today. The quickest way for Oahu voters to still vote in person today is to do their research at home and place ballots in a drop box outside Honolulu Hale, Kapolei Hale or at a remote drop-box location near where they live, said Rex Quidilla, administrator for Honolulu’s elections division. Star-Advertiser.

Taxpayers Spent $700K On These Tiny Homes. Hawaiʻi Ditched Them For $1. The “jewel in the crown” of Gov. Josh Green’s kauhale initiative for the homeless was offloaded to a Kalihi church. The support services disappeared as well.  Civil Beat.

McCully District Park to close for building, pool renovations. Two renovation projects are set to begin at McCully District Park, bringing temporary closures to its recreation building and swimming pool. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County hires Kanani Aton as recovery officer. As recovery officer, she will be responsible for leading and coordinating the county’s disaster recovery operations and overseeing community engagement. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo sets a few heat records despite abundant rain. Thundershowers late last week in Hilo led to some substantial rainfall totals for the 96-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Monday. Among populated areas in East Hawaii, Laupahoehoe’s higher-elevation gauge recorded the highest total at 16.48 inches, while Mountain View reported 5.99 inches, and Hilo International Airport measured 5.48 inches. At Hilo International Airport,  the mercury shot up to 89 degrees this past Sunday and on Tuesday and Thursday last week, setting record highs for the dates of Oct. 27 and 29 and Nov. 1. Tribune-Herald. 

State warns of whale carcass pieces floating off the Kona Coast. The sperm whale carcass was first seen drifting along the Kona Coast last Tuesday, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. State officers, along with a trained responder, towed the carcass off shore off Honokohau Harbor on Wednesday evening. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

County to launch safe parking program with Pulehu Road cleanup set for Wednesday-Friday. Led by the county's Department of Human Concerns, a multiagency effort Nov. 4-6 will focus on helping eligible people living along the road move to a designated temporary safe parking site in the Puunene area. Maui News.

Līloa Hale opens applications for 117 affordable senior units in Kīhei, Maui. Līloa Hale, located at 1745 Liloa Drive in Kīhei, will feature 101 one-bedroom, one-bath apartments and 16 two-bedroom, one-bath apartments. The three-story senior housing community will also include private lānai, a multipurpose area, laundry facilities, a manager’s office, mailroom, and on-site parking. Maui Now.

Maui Health selects general contractor for Kula Hospital restoration; Targets late-summer 2027 reopening. The project includes repairs and modernization of interior spaces and essential building systems, including resident rooms, activity rooms, and nurse stations. Exterior windows and doors will be replaced with weather-protective units designed to meet historic-preservation requirements and better protect the facility from future severe weather. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hurricane Lowell recovery, County of Kaua‘i services update. Due to high demand, the Kaua‘i Hurricane Lowell Business Recovery Grant Program is no longer accepting applications. Garden Island.

State survey will assess impacts from Hurricane Lowell. From Nov. 16-20, survey teams will go door to door in 30 randomly selected census blocks. Seven homes within each block will be systematically selected for a total of 210 attempted household surveys. Kauai Now.

Vegas leaders offer Hawaii gambling tips, Todd Apo named OHA CEO, scary candy prices for Halloween, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Las Vegas leaders offer expertise as Hawaii weighs gambling legalization. That topic was one of the many as leaders from the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce hosted a business exchange summit in Waikiki. The goal – share insight about the “fun economy” – sports, tourism, entertainment and gaming – with their counterparts here. KHON2.

Looks Like OHA Has A New CEO. A vote finalizing Todd Apo’s appointment to head the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is expected Thursday. Todd Apo is the top pick to be the next chief executive for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs following a 5-to-4 vote by the office’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday afternoon. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Alaska Air Group says Hawaii market remained a drag in 2026, but sees conditions improving in 2027. awaii has been a drag on Alaska Air Group’s performance so far this year, but executives told investors Wednesday they are increasingly optimistic about the market in 2027 as industry capacity growth slows and temporary headwinds begin to ease. Star-Advertiser.

So What’s With All These Charter And Constitutional Amendments? Here’s what you need to know about charter amendments for Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Maui and Kauaʻi counties, plus state constitutional amendments. Civil Beat.

Candy prices in Hawaii could see a spike as Halloween draws closer. Halloween is 10 days away, and candy is usually flying off the shelves, but candy is seeing a noticeable rise in price in Hawaii. KHON2.

Oahu

HPD staffing reassignments come amid 453 officer vacancies. The Honolulu Police Department’s evolving reassignment of officers to patrol districts comes as the department is working to fill 453 uniformed and 182 civilian vacancies as of Oct. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Public transit as billboards? Honolulu weighs new ad laws. The City’s transit system costs more than $475 million per year, but brings in only about $50 million. Bill 59 would let the City sell ad space on the outside of TheBus to help address the shortfall. KHON2.

80+ Oahu farms still struggling after months of repeated storms. Dozens of Oʻahu farms and homes hit by three different storms are still struggling to recover. Hawaiʻi groups and a national network called Extreme Weather Survivors are coming together to help them rebuild. Hawaii News Now.

Court restores $14M in McKinley sex abuse case. A mother whose daughter 15 years ago was repeatedly sexually abused by about a dozen male students at McKinley High School says the state Department of Education has never apologized or taken responsibility for its failure to protect her daughter, even after the Hawaii Supreme Court restored a $14.17 million judgment against the state. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Busy day for the County Council. Homelessness and housing funding, vacation rental regulations, and a proposed development in Waikoloa were all hot topics on the Hawaii County Council meeting agenda Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Commission interviews 6 fire chief hopefuls; final decision expected today. The Hawaii County Fire Commission on Wednesday publicly interviewed all six candidates vying to become the island’s next fire chief. Three of the candidates are current members of the department: Daniel Volpe, and battalion chiefs Stacy Domingo and Melanie Keolanui. The other three are: Garrett Kim, a retired HFD captain; Michael Fine, a retired fire captain from the Ventura County Fire Department north of Los Angeles; and Cole Thompson, a former battalion chief in the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District in San Diego County. Tribune-Herald.

Hurricane Lala prompts Hawai‘i County Council to explore ways to proactively manage vegetation. The County Council is urging the governor and mayor to prioritize and fund proactive vegetation management to mitigate trees falling over power lines and roadways during natural disasters. Big Island Now.

Sadistic’ Cult: Hilo High Schooler Preyed On Girls Online. Kalana Limkin targeted vulnerable young girls, including a 12-year-old in Waiʻanae, amid a rise in what federal investigators call online nihilistic violent extremism.  Civil Beat.

With Their Taps Dry For 9 Weeks And Counting, They Want To Take Over. There’s no projected timeline for repairs to a private water system in Punalu‘u that Hurricane Lala damaged in August, an attorney for Eva Liu, the absentee developer who owns the system, told state regulators this week. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi County revitalization project met with hesitation. Some historic places and common public areas across Hawaiʻi Island could be getting a facelift through a measure introduced in the Hawaiʻi County Council. The new piece of legislation would appropriate up to $1 million annually to establish and fund a Town Revitalization Program. The money would go to commercial districts, downtowns, historic areas, and town centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Meet the contenders in the unusual 3-party race for West Maui's House seat. There are three candidates on the ballot for West Maui's House District 14 State Representative seat. That's unusual because one candidate is running under the Green Party. There's only been one other Green candidate for the seat since 1992, which is when the State Elections Office's online available records end. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council committee backs temporary sewer deal for new Central Maui school. A Maui County Council committee voted 9-0 on Monday to recommend passage of a bill that would let the county provide temporary wastewater service to the new Central Maui school in Waikapū if the school opens before the county’s planned Central Maui wastewater plant is completed. Maui Now.

New program offers working Maui households up to $800 monthly.  Applications opened Monday for Maui United Way’s Kamaʻāina Credit for ALICE Households Pilot Program, which will provide monthly financial assistance to approximately 910 eligible households across Maui County for one year. Maui News.

County homebuyer program issues 100th shopping letter. Eighteen households displaced by the 2023 Maui wildfires received shopping letters Tuesday through a county homebuyer assistance program, bringing the total number of letters issued to 100. The Ho'okumu Hou First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program offers qualified households up to $600,000 to bridge the gap between what they can finance through a mortgage and the cost of purchasing an eligible home within Maui County. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Circuit Court approves agreement with Hilario that imposes 20-year sentence in 16-year-old Kaua‘i murder case. The Fifth Circuit Court on Wednesday approved a stipulated agreement that imposes a 20-year sentence on Vincente Hilario for a murder that took place 16 years ago on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Organizations address ongoing housing, rebuilding needs for long term recovery. After distributing $364,000 in relief, Kauaʻi organizations prepare to transition to long-term recovery with emergency assistance applications closing on Oct. 24. Kauai Now.

Quality of life survey shows more residents considered leaving the state, FEMA raises rent for Maui wildfire victims, McKinley High sex victim to get $14M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

More Hawaii residents considered leaving state, UH survey finds. Nearly half of Hawaii residents considered moving out of state in the past year, with the cost of living emerging as the leading reason, even as a new statewide survey found improvements in life satisfaction, health and community support. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Full resident survey report can be found here.

Hawaii’s holiday travel outlook not too merry amid high costs. Hawaii’s crucial holiday travel season is shaping up weaker than expected, with some hotel operators reporting bookings running about 15% behind last year’s pace amid higher airfares and mounting vacation costs. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii public schools post gains in math, attendance. Hawaii public school students showed continued progress in mathematics and attendance during the 2025-26 school year, with proficiency levels in math and language arts approaching pre-pandemic levels, according to the state Department of Education’s latest Strive HI results. Maui News.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is airing a series of forums with candidates running for OHA trustee. Everyone can vote in the OHA election, regardless of the island or district where they are registered. Tuesday’s OHA candidate forum features incumbent trustee Kalei Akaka and challenger Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong, who are running for the Oʻahu island seat. Hawaii News Now.

Longer delivery time for mail from Hawaiʻi. The U.S. Postal Service has released new expectations for deliveries to and from Hawaiʻi, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Packages are going to take longer to ship — in some cases, twice as long. Some local business leaders say that could create challenges. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Dole Food to cease coffee farm operations on Oahu. Dole Food Co. has decided to cease coffee farming on Oahu and lay off nine employees on Nov. 30 amid an effort to sell the 154-acre Waialua Estate farm. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Rebukes DOE: Pay $14M To McKinley High Sex Abuse Victim. Civil case had found boys for years preyed on a girl with cognitive abilities of a 5-year-old while school officials looked the other way. Civil Beat.

Judge Rules State Must Pay $1.1M In Oʻahu Jail Suicide. Diamond Simeona-Agoo, 21, had a well-documented history of mental illness and suicide attempts before she hanged herself at Hawaiʻi’s largest jail. Civil Beat.

Number of fatal traffic accidents dramatically drops on Oahu. After a recent rash of road crashes on Oahu, including critical and deadly ones, it may seem like there has been a high number of accidents this year. But the numbers actual show the opposite has happened. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Board and members of the public weighed in Thursday on a proposal by the University of Hawaii to make changes to its management plan for the summit region of the mauna. The changes include an amendment that would allow for decommissioned observatory sites to be reused for future astronomy facilities, which is prohibited under UH’s current plan. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed Waikoloa housing project gets unfavorable vote. The Hawaii County Council’s Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions voted 5-3 last week against forwarding a favorable recommendation to the full council regarding zoning changes requested for the proposed Waikoloa Green housing project. Tribune-Herald.

Two 3% tuition hikes proposed for UH Hilo. The University of Hawaii is proposing tuition increases at UH Hilo and other campuses across the UH system as part of its four-year tuition schedule. Under the proposal, which will be considered by the Board of Regents in November, tuition at UH Hilo would be frozen for the next two school years, but beginning in the 2029-30 academic year it would increase 3% annually for both in-state and out-of-state students. For residents, this means tuition would jump from $7,632 to $7,872 in 2029-30 and to $8,112 in 2030-31. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Water Supply Chief Announces Retirement. DWS Manager-Chief Engineer, Keith K. Okamoto, P.E., announced last week that he will retire before the end of the year. Big Island Video News.

Nāʻālehu Elementary students return to campus Monday after repairs from Hurricane Lala. About 400 students returned to their elementary school that had been closed for two-months due to the devastation of the hurricane that also badly damaged their town. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA raises rent for Maui wildfire survivors for 3rd time this year. Maui wildfire survivors living in housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will see their rents increase for the third time this year, with rent prices nearly tripling since March. The increase, which was announced on Oct. 2, will require survivors of the deadly 2023 wildfires to pay 75% of the fair-market rental rate by the number of bedrooms in the unit. For example, those in two-bedroom units — where the HUD fair-market rent is $2,656 — must pay $1,992 beginning Dec. 1. That’s a $680 increase from the previous rental rate, which went into effect on Sept. 1.  Star-Advertiser.

State public corruption unit leading criminal probe into Maui County. The state Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (SIPD) is investigating allegations of fraud against Maui County staffers stemming from a civil whistleblower lawsuit filed earlier this year. The lawsuit, filed by Leo Caires, former chief of staff for Mayor Richard Bissen, claims the mayor knew about possible fraud inside his administration and ignored it. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police veteran’s sexual assault trial set for November. A veteran Maui police officer’s trial on six sexual assault charges is scheduled to begin in late November. Devin Schoeppner, 49, appeared in court Tuesday for a brief hearing, where a judge rescheduled the trial. Hawaii News Now.

Maui jury finds extended terms warranted for protection of the public in Officer O murder case. After last week’s finding of defendant Clembert Alii Kaneholani guilty of murder in the first degree and other charges in the death of Maui Police Department Officer Suzanne O, a Maui jury Monday returned verdicts finding that the defendant should be subject to extended terms of imprisonment for the protection of the public. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Kalo Farmer Faces Pro-Development Candidate In Upcountry Maui Council Race. Bobby Pahia and Jon Yokouchi are racing to fill the seat that Yuki Lei Sugimura has held since 2016. Civil Beat.

Coral core traces 253 years of change at Olowalu Reef. Researchers analyzed chemical indicators preserved in a core taken from a massive coral colony to reconstruct changes in sediment, nutrients and other material entering coastal waters from the land between about 1760 and 2013. Maui News.

Kauai

How Kaua‘i’s Mayoral Candidates Plan To Address Cesspools. Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Mel Rapozo say the island needs to manage its solid waste better but have different ideas on how to get there. Civil Beat.

Kauai wedding vendors urge couples to keep plans after hurricane. Kauai wedding vendors are urging couples not to give up on island weddings as businesses continue recovering from Hurricane Lowell. The storm passed close to Kauai’s west side in early September, damaging homes, businesses and some wedding venues. Hawaii News Now.

Surfrider Kauaʻi announces conservation efforts, NOAA seeks public input on seabed mining. Surfrider Kauaʻi announces conservation efforts, NOAA seeks public input on seabed mining. Kauai Now.

One dead after Hurricane Lala flooding, thousands remain without power, government offices, public schools reopen on all but Hawaii Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Thousands still without power as crews work around the clock. Hawaiian Electric Co. said Monday that “crews are gaining ground” restoring power after Hurricane Lala sideswiped Hawaii, leaving about 88,670 customers without electricity as of 6 p.m. Monday. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

HECO to receive help from mainland workers to restore power after Lala. Hawaiian Electric announced that it would be receiving reinforcements from utility companies on the continent — something that has never been done before, according to HECO spokesperson Darren Pai. Hawaii Public Radio.

Full list: Most public schools, except on Hawaii Island, to reopen Tuesday. All public schools on Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai will reopen to students and staff on Tuesday. All state and complex area offices will also reopen on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ice shortage at stores across Oahu after widespread power outage. Hawaiian ice was flying off shelves after Hurricane Lala wiped out power for thousands of households -- many for more than 24 hours. KITV4.

Food insecurity impacts the West Side. Tropical Storm Lala not only wreaked havoc on the Leeward Coast but exposed the compounding impacts that prolonged power outages can have on the vulnerable — access to safe food. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Considers Fining, Jailing Homeless Over Shopping Carts. Violators could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to a month if found with shopping carts under this proposal. Civil Beat.

FBI Records Raise New Questions About Murder-For-Hire Plot. Search warrant affidavits, confidential until now, reveal new details about the investigation into a plot to assassinate a federal judge and prosecutor. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

One dead after Hurricane Lala flooding as Hawaii Island begins long recovery. Floodwaters that swept through the Kau community of Naalehu killed a 90-year-old woman — a discovery made Monday as officials began confronting the scale of damage left by Lala, which strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane before wreaking havoc on Hawaii Island over the weekend. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. 

Hawaii Island schools, government offices to remain closed Tuesday as other counties reopen. All state and county offices, public schools, and court facilities on Hawaiʻi Island will remain closed on Tuesday as cleanup and recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Lala. Hawaii News Now.

Lala Recovery: 6 bridges not destroyed as feared, but plenty of damage to repair, debris to cleanup. After work crews cleared more mud, boulders and other debris from roads in the hard hit Kaʻū District of the Big Island, the six bridges that appeared to be destroyed Sunday by Hurricane Lala are not as badly damaged as originally thought, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda said Monday. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Island's water system strained by Hurricane Lala. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply relies on electricity to pump water up from underground aquifers into its tanks and through its system. Right now, the department is using backup power to maintain water access to large communities and key facilities, like hospitals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii County 911 service restored after island-wide outage. Hawaii County said in a 12:23 p.m. update Monday that its 911 emergency service number is now operational, but that carriers have experienced periodic disruptions. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Power Restoration, Water Service Update at 10 p.m. on August 17. Hawaiian Electric provided another power restoration update on Monday evening, saying that – as of 7 p.m. – approximately 38,250 customers are without power on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Video News.

‘The aftermath of it all shocked me’: Big Isle residents assess damage, prep for a long recovery after Lala. With thousands of homes and businesses still without power, officials warn it could be weeks until it is restored in some of the hardest hit rural areas, leaving many without ways to store or cook food. Tribune-Herald.

OHA Board Approves First Round Of Emergency Funding For Kaʻū . Native Hawaiians in hardest-hit areas of Big Island eligible for $184,000 in relief funds after Hurricane Lala passes by South Point. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County of Maui offices to resume normal operations on Aug. 18; Eddie Tam to transition to charging station. The County charging station and American Red Cross shelter at Eddie Tam in Makawao will close at 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17. It will reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. solely as a charging station, or temporary service site, for powering devices and connecting to WiFi via Starlink. Maui Now.

6,000 remain without power on Maui in Lala’s wake. As Hawaiian Electric completes ongoing damage inspections, significant damage is being found, particularly in remote areas. Maui Now.

DWS advising water conservation in West Maui following Tropical Storm Lala. The County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) is advising residents and visitors in West Maui to conserve water until power is fully restored following Tropical Storm Lala. Maui Now.

‘One big community’: Kauai, Maui mayors tour Makawao sites destroyed by Lala. Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami joined Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen on Monday to tour areas of Maui hit hardest by Hurricane Lala. The two spent the day visiting damaged sites, including Maui Veterans Cemetery, local businesses and a church in Makawao. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Update: 301 customers of Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative still without power due to Tropical Storm Lala. Most of the customers without power are on the South side of Kaua'i, the closest to Tropical Storm Lala's high winds. 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 film industry bills, infighting rankles OHA, NYT flags Case as vulnerable in congressional race, robotics programs struggling, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green signs bills to support Hawaiʻi’s film industry and economic development. Hawaii movie star Jason Momoa made a cameo appearance by video in the governor’s office Monday to celebrate the enactment of a new state law aimed at expanding the state’s film industry. Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2580 into law to increase rebates for production spending on movies, episodic shows, TV specials and commercials in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

‘We Can’t Screw It Up’: Infighting Rankles OHA. A legal battle among the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees has spilled out of court and into the public eye. Bitter divisions at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs over how to handle a lawsuit from the office’s ousted CEO are weakening OHA’s ability to defend itself, destabilizing the office’s Board of Trustees and threatening to imperil projects years in the making, trustees and a lawyer for the organization said Monday. Civil Beat.

New York Times flags Rep. Ed Case as vulnerable in Hawaii’s 1st District primary. State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole ramps up challenge as analyst says Case’s position remains strong. The New York Times has identified U.S. Rep. Ed Case as one of six Democrats vulnerable in upcoming primaries, drawing national attention to his race against state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District seat. Hawaii News Now.

Robotics Teams Are Shrinking. Students Say They’re More Important Than Ever. Robotics programs are struggling to find the coaching and funding they need to survive as students and lawmakers search for unique solutions to sustain schools’ teams.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and Pili Nā Moku launch $7M community funding program. The initiative aims to support projects that care for the land, promote cultural and ecological stewardship, and foster resilient communities throughout Hawaiʻi. Each project must be based in one of five districts — Kona, Kauaʻi, Waiʻanae on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Central Maui, or Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island — and must align with that district’s priorities. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Self-Promotion Or Communication? Taxpayer-Funded Mailers Blur Lines. As Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters geared up for what has become a competitive race for reelection, his constituents received a multi-page promotional pamphlet of the ways he is “working for you.”  Civil Beat.

Gov. Green pushes calls UHERO report "baloney". Nearly a week after a new University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization report outlined an argument for the state to pursue more solar electricity production and not investment in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Hawaii Governor Josh Green is pushing back. KHON2.

17 ballot drop boxes opening across Oahu on Monday. Starting Monday, July 6, a total of 17 official ballot drop boxes will be established throughout Oahu. KITV4.

New Honolulu chief prioritizes strategic planning. On his first day as Honolulu’s new police chief, David Lazar began with an ambitious agenda. His goals include departmental expansion via recruitment and retention, developing a new strategic plan, and integrating modern law enforcement technologies. KHON2.

Oahu home sales: Median price hit record $1,242,500 in June. The 10.4% gain was the biggest year-over-year increase for any month since July 2022 when the median price surged 11.6% to $1,107,944. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor appoints former HART executive Richard Keene to board. Richard “Rick” Keene, HART’s former deputy executive director and chief operating officer who retired last year from the more than $10 billion Skyline project, will begin his duties on the governing body “effective immediately.” Star-Advertiser.

HPD shutters Waipahu gambling den, seizes more than $6K in cash. HPD’s Narcotics/Vice Gambling Detail, with the help of the District Three Crime Reduction Unit, Forfeiture Detail and Specialized Services Division, found 17 gaming machines and more than $6,000 in cash, which were submitted into evidence. Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay scheduled to close for sewer project. The 35-year-old sewer system will be replaced starting in August. The City and County of Honolulu will begin sewer system improvements at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in August. The preserve is expected to close from Aug. 3 to Aug. 11 to start the project. Another closure is expected in early 2027. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Data Centers on Hawaiʻi County Council Agenda This Week. Data centers will be the subject of Bill 170, to be heard by the Council Committee on Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development during a July 7th hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. HST. Big Island Video News.

Dangerous Dogs And Deadly Roads: Hawaiʻi County Council District 5 Candidate Q&As. Five nonpartisan candidates are on the primary election ballot vying to represent the vast Big Island council region of Hawaiʻi County Council District 5, which takes in Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Orchidlands Estates, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest Estates, mauka of Pāhoa Town, Kaohe Homesteads, Kamaili Homesteads, Kalapana, ʻOpihikao, Kehena and Kaimu. Civil Beat.

Fuel, Food And Disaster Preparation: Hawaiʻi County Council District 7. Three nonpartisan candidates are standing for the Hawaiʻi County Council seat for District 7 in the Aug. 8 primary election as current council member Rebecca Villegas is about to be termed out. Civil Beat.

Maui

Still no parking for Safe Parking project; no overall homeless plan. More than four years after Maui County set aside $200,000 to create an overnight parking program for people living in their vehicles, the pilot program has yet to provide a safe haven for homeless people. And the administration of Mayor Richard Bissen acknowledged Monday that it has no comprehensive plan for managing homelessness — although the Mayor’s Office says that’s been to assess needs and prioritize immediate services, not neglect. Maui Now.

Director of Personnel Services set to retire after 30 years with County of Maui. County Director of Personnel Services Cynthia Razo-Porter has announced she is retiring, effective July 31, 2026. Maui Now. Maui News.

Maui nonprofit argues new coastal deregulation law unconstitutional. A nonprofit community group sued the Maui County Planning Commission in an effort to stop a new law that allows for exemptions for development in coastal areas from taking effect. Star-Advertiser.

Tadashi Yanai donates $500,000 to Aloha Puʻu Kukui, bringing total support for Maui watershed to $1.5M. Kapalua Golf owner and President of TY Management,  Tadashi Yanai, recently donated $500,000 to the nonprofit Aloha Puʻu Kukui, a major commitment to continuing the restoration work of the West Maui Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve —a critical resource for the island’s environmental health. Maui Now.

Kauai

Deadline for landfill expansion comments Wednesday. The County of Kauai Solid Waste Division is reminding residents that the deadline to submit written comments on the Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for the Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion Project is Wednesday. Garden Island.

State hires contractor to build monument memorializing deadly Hanapēpē labor strike more than a century ago. Construction starts Sept. 1, and it's expected to be completed by February 2027. Kauai Now.

 

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. 

Kai Kahele pushes Congress over military land, Maui mulls desalination plant, AI comes to Mauna Kea telescope, government meeting reports, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

OHA presses for role in military land decisions. Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees chair Kai Kahele is appealing to Congress to press the military to engage with Native Hawaiian groups in negotiations for leases on state-owned training lands. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Grants awarded to strengthen food security for local nonprofits. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is investing $263,000 in four local nonprofits to expand access to healthy, locally sourced food for families across the islands, the health care provider announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Locally created AI tool transcribes and dissects government meetings. Joe Kent is the executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi. He created the Open Hearings tool after he felt he was wasting time and money hiring interns to monitor meetings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Kakaako Makai housing plan could skirt ban. The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs is pursuing a new strategy to develop housing on land it owns in Kakaako where the Legislature banned residential development in 2006, and it has the potential to sidestep the prohibition. Star-Advertiser.

Council pushes for transparency over unspent money. The Honolulu City Council seeks to hold Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration more accountable over the funding appropriations it provides for the city’s use each year. Star-Advertiser.

Fatal HPD Chases Cost City Millions. Will New Law Change That? As Honolulu looks to settle with the family of a teenager killed in a 2021 chase, efforts to regulate police pursuits continue to draw criticism. Civil Beat.

The Foster Girl’s Bones Kept Breaking. Expert Suggested She Didn’t Feel Pain. In response to a Hawaiʻi Supreme Court decision, case files in one of Hawaiʻi’s most notorious child abuse cases were unsealed. They reveal how the state and experts ignored multiple warnings before Ariel Sellers died. Civil Beat.

$17M in forfeitures sought against company’s late founder Christopher Dawson. Federal prosecutors are seeking to recoup roughly $17 million meant for Native Hawaiian charitable causes that they allege was embezzled to pay for polo, homes in Hawaii and Florida, and other personal expenses of the late founder of Hawaiian Native Corp., according to federal court records. Star-Advertiser.

Popular Downtown Honolulu Street Crossing Needs To Be More Visible. In the past two months, Honolulu architect Joshua Briggs said he has almost been hit three times by cars and even a city bus, all while crossing King Street’s striped crosswalk between ʻIolani Palace and the King Kamehameha statue. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

UH debuts advanced robotic optics on Maunakea, sharpening images in night sky. The University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy (IfA) has launched initial science operations for Robo-AO-2, a robotic laser adaptive optics system now operating at the UH 2.2-meter telescope. Maui Now.

Mobile Family Resource Center rolls out in Puna. The van was made available to Neighborhood Place of Puna through partnerships with state nonprofit organizations Blueprint for Change and Hawaii Ohana Support Network.  Tribune-Herald.

Outreach team from Hawaiian Council coming to Big Island to help with emergency relief applications. The team will provide in-person support for applicants needing help filling out applications, eligibility verification forms and more. Big Island Now.

Puna Geothermal to host final quarterly community meeting of 2025. The meeting is slated for 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-0322 Kauhale St., in Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Water Department begins initial planning for West Maui desalination plant. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is taking the first steps toward developing its first publicly owned desalination facility in West Maui. Maui Now.

Earthjustice asks water commission to stop Kapalua golf courses from using drinking water for irrigation. The environmental law firm Earthjustice is claiming that two Kapalua golf courses unlawfully used millions of gallons of drinking water for irrigation, and with the knowledge of the state water commission chair.  Maui Now.

First eight families receive County of Maui’s First-Time Homebuyer Program shopping letters. Marking a significant chapter in rebuilding, the County of Maui Office of Recovery announced that eight families received First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program shopping letters that allow them to begin shopping for a house within their approved price range. Maui Now.

Kauai

State completes $24 million project to secure landslide-prone Hanalei Hill on Kauaʻi. After a four-year effort, the project to stabilize the slope at Hanalei Hill and make one of Kaua‘i’s most vulnerable roadways safe is finally finished, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation said. Kauai Now.

Project Housing Connect program raising awareness. Tessa Belardo of the Department of Education, Project YES (which stands for Youth Education Stability program) said on Tuesday that even children who are homeless need to be educated. Garden Island.