FEMA denies request for Lala assistance, state plans appeal. Hawaiʻi County emergency officials learned last week that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied a request for individual assistance for residents affected by Hurricane Lala. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii election tiebreaker rules set. Formalized rules for breaking Hawaii election ties may be in place for results of Tuesday’s general election after a decision Thursday by state Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago. The statute simply requires election ties be broken “by lot,” meaning some form of random decision. Star-Advertiser.
Gambling in Hawaiʻi — lock it down or make it legal? With tourism talk taking over the top of everyone's minds, lawmakers are looking at new ways to bring visitor dollars in. One suggestion? Gambling. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hurricane fallout batters Kauai tourism, weighs on statewide visitor numbers. Statewide, visitor arrivals fell 3.6% to 672,990 and visitor spending declined 9% to $1.41 billion, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii drivers to receive nearly $2.9M in settlement over GM data tracking. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection said from 2016 to 2024, GM allegedly enrolled millions across the country into its Smart Driver program, which tracked driver habits. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu
Council leadership fight involves claims of illegal meeting. Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam has introduced a resolution to become chair of the City Council. His rival for the job, Andria Tupola, said he is moving too quickly and may have broken the law. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.
Police chief defends staffing shifts, touts increased pace of hiring at ‘talk story’ session. Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar defended staffing shifts that would add 100 more officers on patrol. Lazar made the comments after a “talk story” session Thursday night at the Mission Memorial Auditorium. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
UH sports study estimates $753M in economic activity. The University of Hawaii at Manoa athletics program generated an estimated $752.9 million in economic activity between fiscal years 2023 and 2026, according to a new study that Gov. Josh Green cited Thursday in making the case for additional investment in the university’s sports programs. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii’s winningest football coach June Jones left a lasting mark on generations of players. Former University of Hawaii football coach June Jones, 73, who led the Rainbow Warriors to unprecedented achievements, died Wednesday in Portland, Oregon. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. KITV4.
Plans For New Jail To Include Community-Based Treatment. Alternatives to jail are picking up momentum as state officials seek to replace the overcrowded Oʻahu Community Correctional Center. Civil Beat.
Two candidates face off for Honolulu City Council's East Honolulu seat. Voters in District 4, which covers Waikīkī through East Honolulu (including Kapahulu, Kaimukī, Kahala, Āina Haina, and Hawaiʻi Kai), will be deciding between Trevor Ozawa and Tara Malia Gregory in the election. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii Island
Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority seeks executive director. The leader will guide the state authority through critical transition period of taking over management of Mauna Kea from the University of Hawaiʻi and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Big Island Now.
OHA Providing Additional Recovery Assistance for Kaʻū Families Impacted by Hurricane Lala. Native Hawaiian households are being offered a choice of $750 in direct financial assistance, or a backup generator valued at approximately $840. Big Island Video News.
Maui
No Relief For Maui Wildfire Survivors Losing Thousands To Contractors. Homeowners rebuilding in Lahaina have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors. Government officials have so far failed to hold anyone accountable. Civil Beat.
Maui Prosecutor To Hire Investigator Focused On Post-Wildfire Contractor Fraud. The Maui Department of the Prosecuting Attorney is expected to soon have an investigator working full-time on contractor fraud cases targeting survivors of the deadly 2023 Lahaina wildfire, county officials say. Civil Beat.
Five things voters should know about the Maui County Council races this election. Seven of the nine Maui County Council seats are contested in the Nov. 3 election, and the county's elected leadership could see a shake-up based on the results. Maui News.
Kahului Airport ranks third among medium-sized US airports for holiday travel surge, study finds. Kahului Airport ranked third among 35 medium hub airports for its percentage increase in average daily passenger traffic during the 2025 holiday periods, according to an analysis by travel booking platform Luxury Link. Maui Now.
Kauai
Kauaʻi Fire Department proposes contracted emergency helicopter pilots become county employees. The Fire Department has relied on Airborne Aviation for pilot services since 2010 but said now is the time to make the pilots permanent employees to maintain their expertise of Kauaʻi terrain. Kauai Now.
Kapaʻa DMV reopens Nov. 4 by appointment only; booking opens Nov. 2. The County of Kaua‘i Division of Motor Vehicles will reopen at its Kapa‘a office on Wednesday, offering a full range of services by appointment only. Appointment booking opens Monday, at www.kauai.gov/DMV. Garden Island.
USDA doubles down on retracting a Kauaʻi nonprofit's SNAP eligibility. Mālama Kauaʻi, a nonprofit that works to boost local food production and access on the Garden Isle, had its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program accreditation revoked. Hawaii Public Radio.
Avian flu virus detected in Kauai wastewater, state says. It is the first detection of the virus associated with this year’s migratory bird season, which typically runs from August to May, as well as the first detection of genotype D1.1 in Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.
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