Hurricane Kiko impact expected early next week, Hawaii County Council resolution seeks end to Pohakuloa bombing, Honolulu council approves homeowner tax exmptions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Kiko expected to impact the state early next week.  Kiko maintained its major hurricane strength late Wednesday night with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph in the East Pacific as it heads west toward Hawaii.The National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 11 p.m. Category 4 Hurricane Kiko was centered about 1,520 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 1,720 east-southeast of Honolulu and moving west at 8 mph. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

UH study: Researchers call for new standards for building in coastal flood zones. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research, published in Water, provides a critical resource for policymakers and designers in coastal communities such as Hawaiʻi who are planning for the impacts of climate change. Maui Now.

School bus offerings have improved since last year, but challenges remain. The bus driver shortage is no longer a state of emergency, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. This is a drastic change from last year when more than 138 bus routes were suspended, impacting 3,500 students. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority names David Uchiyama as chief administrative officer. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has announced that David Uchiyama will serve as its new chief administrative officer, bringing decades of leadership experience in Hawai‘i’s tourism, airline, transportation and energy industries. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s new inter-island air ambulance is cleared for takeoff. Hawaii has a new air ambulance serving the entire island chain. Optimum Air’s Pilatus PC-12 became operational Monday, Sept. 1.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

City Council passes homeowner tax exemption bills. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday adopted two measures meant to offer financial relief to Oahu property owners burdened with high property taxes. Star-Advertiser.

Former secretary accused of illegal campaign contributions. Terri Ann Otani of Mitsunaga & Associates was acquitted in last year’s federal bribery trial. Some of the money allegedly went to last year’s co-defendant former city prosecutor, Keith Kaneshiro. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

State unveils 20 new EV charging stations at Honolulu airport.  The OpConnect Level 2 chargers are available to the public 24 hours a day on a first-come, first-served, pay-per-use basis. Star-Advertiser.

New eyes on safety: Honolulu to install cameras at Blowhole, Plantation Village. Honolulu officials are adding more eyes in two high-profile areas. It’s part of a push to improve public safety at some of the island’s most visited – and sometimes most vulnerable – spots. KHON2.

Affordable rental apartments rising on city land in Ewa Beach. The first structure of a low-income rental housing complex in Ewa Beach initiated more than five years ago has begun to rise on a long-ignored piece of city land. Star-Advertiser.

Despite social media fears, Oahu fire numbers are steady. HFD Fire Captain Jaimie Song said the apparent uptick in fires is in part a reflection of heightened attention rather than a sharp increase in frequency. Star-Advertiser.

City urged to install cameras to monitor streams, roadways for flooding. The Honolulu City Council has unanimously passed a resolution urging the city administration to install monitoring devices to help during weather and other climate-related disasters. Hawaii News Now.

ʻAiea community shares concerns about planned Aloha Stadium development. New contracts have been signed to move forward with the demolition and construction of a new Aloha Stadium — set to open in 2029. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Great Aloha Run ending after 41 years. The Great Aloha Run, one of Hawaii’s largest community sporting events and fundraisers, has ended after 41 years. The 8.15-mile race, which began in 1985, held its final run in February and will not return for a 42nd year. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Council unanimously urges state to stop military bombing at PTA. The Hawaii County Council unanimously voted Wednesday, 8-0, to urge the state to halt military “bombing and desecration” at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Attorney General indicts Big Island woman on labor trafficking charges. Ludin Yorleny Pena Miranda, 26, was indicted in the 3rd Circuit Court in Kona on Aug. 27 by the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division on nine counts of first-degree labor trafficking, a class A felony. In one instance, the court document indicates the 26-year-old withheld government-issued identification documents to keep the reported victim from moving. Big Island Now. KITV4. 

Hawaiʻi Island residents push county to protect historic 364-acre parcel. Honolulu Landing, a 364-acre stretch of coastline in Hawaiʻi Island’s Puna District, is on the market. Some Hawaiʻi County Council members and Puna residents are urgently pushing to protect it from private buyers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Puʻu Nui Park Playground In Waikōloa Reopens Saturday, September 6. The redeveloped playground includes the installation of “two new play structures with slides and climbing areas, a new play surface to enhance safety, new walkways and fencing.” Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui council member seeks solutions to compassionately address homelessness. A bill to establish a process to decommission encampments in Maui County will be discussed in the Water Authority, Social Services, and Parks Committee on Thursday, Sept. 4, Council Member Gabe Johnson announced.  Maui Now.

Century-old Maui land dispute ends before Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Pioneer Mill claimed ownership over Maui land in 1919. In 2025, that claim has been rejected. In 1919, the Pioneer Mill Company filed an application claiming three parcels totaling 1,905 acres in Lahaina, which has left descendants of an ali‘i landowner fighting for decades to get that land back. Aloha State Daily.

New upscale Wailea restaurant staffing kitchen with culinary graduates from UH Maui College. When husband-and-wife team Taylor Ponte, the chef, and Natasha Ponte, the general manager, were staffing their new upscale restaurant Aurum Maui, they knew exactly where to find kitchen talent in the tight job market. Maui Now.

Kauai

Reporter digs into the history of the Robinson family's 100,000 acres of Hawaiʻi land. This includes the entire island of Niʻihau, where a handful of residents live and work under secretive conditions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi Beer Company shuts down popular restaurant abruptly amid market challenges. The closure came as a shock to many of its patrons, who also were saddened that the intimate microbrewery would not longer be a place for them to hang out in downtown Līhu’e. Kauai Now.

Hawaii insurers defy new federal COVID vaccine guidelines, state launches website on military leases, Maui Prep Academy hit with transgender lawsuits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii insurers hold firm on COVID vaccine policies. Hawaii’s health insurers say they will cover COVID vaccinations for anyone older than six months, despite new FDA guidance that says children and healthy adults don’t need the shots. While public health advocates applaud the decision by Hawaii’s insurers, doctors and pharmacies are predicting a big drop in vaccinations. Hawaii News Now.

National organization pushes for more voter registrations in Hawaiʻi. The 2026 election may seem far away, but the national Voter Participation Center is already sending out postcards to get people registered to vote in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

 Hawaiʻi enforces new law to combat discriminatory calls to law enforcement. The new law allows for penalties of no less than $1,000 plus legal fees against someone who is deemed through civil litigation to have called law enforcement on a person based on that person’s actual or perceived race, color, birthplace, age, religion, sex, gender expression or other protected class. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

New state website to keep Hawai‘i residents informed on future of U.S. Army leases. According to a new release from Gov. Josh Green’s office, the site will provide updates on key developments involving leases on Hawai‘i Island and O‘ahu and give people the chance to provide their perspectives and opinions on the matter. Big Island Now.

Native Hawaiian groups want to be included in discussions between state and military on training lands. Native Hawaiian groups are speaking out, calling for change as the military works to extend its use of training land in Hawaii. KHON2. KITV4.

Kiko remains a Category 2 hurricane, but more strengthening expected. The National Hurricane Center said in data valid at 11 p.m. Monday, Kiko had maximum sustained winds near 105 miles per hour with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend 15 miles from the center, while tropical storm force winds extend 90 miles. Kiko was located about 1,700 miles east of Hilo and was moving to the west at 7 miles per hour.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

80th anniversary of end of World War II commemorated at Pearl Harbor.  In a ceremony at Pearl Harbor, where Imperial Japan’s surprise Dec. 7, 1941, attack drew the United States into World War II, a crowd gathered Tuesday on the pier beside the battleship USS Missouri — the ship where Japanese diplomats signed the unconditional surrender that finally ended the war. Star-Advertiser.

Sustainable aviation fuel sales agreement signed for Hawaiian Airlines Osaka-Honolulu flights. Hawaiian Airlines announced it will be incorporating sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on flights between Osaka, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawai‘i under a sales agreement between parent company Alaska Air Group Inc., and Cosmo Oil Marketing Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd.  Maui Now.

Oahu

Bills aim to ease homeowner tax burden. Two measures meant to offer financial relief to island property owners burdened with high property taxes are scheduled for third and final readings by the Honolulu City Council today. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu is updating its climate plan ahead of 2030 state goals. The Honolulu Resilience Office is in the process of updating its climate plan. It will lay out actions that the City and County of Honolulu will take over the next five years to help the state meet its goal. Hawaii Public Radio.

JABSOM clinic marks 20 years of free health care for Oʻahu's houseless population. Clean clothes, a fresh shower, and routine medical check-ups await patients as they walk through the doors of an Iwilei health care clinic. But this particular clinic is dedicated solely to Oʻahu's unhoused population.  Hawaii Public Radio.

4 facing federal prison time for more than $1M tax fraud. Four people were convicted last week for their role in a conspiracy to file false tax returns and then use Hawaii real estate holdings, banks and trusts to launder more than $1 million from the federal government. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Qualifications for Public Works director could change. Under the current language, the individual must be a “registered professional.” The proposed amendment would remove this term and instead specify that candidates must have at least five years of experience in an administrative or managerial role, with at least two years in public works, construction or a related field. Tribune-Herald.

Feral Cat Battle Reaches Fever Pitch. A new county measure outlawing cat feeding on the Big Island is expected to become law this week, pitting feral cat advocates against politicians. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Police Department’s interim chief takes over command. The Hawaii County Police Department’s new interim chief has officially taken over command.Reed Mahuna replaced acting chief Ben Moszkowicz on Monday.  Hawaii News Now.

Resolution to acquire Honolulu Landing advances. The County Council on Tuesday advanced a resolution to proceed with the acquisition of Honolulu Landing in the Puna District, moving it to the full council for a vote. Tribune-Herald.

$1M grant buoys Hawaiʻi Island health clinic facing federal cuts. Kumukahi Health + Wellness started 40 years ago to serve people living with or affected by HIV. It now offers a range of services, including Med-Quest patient enrollment navigation, a sexual health clinic, and a syringe exchange program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Undeveloped beachfront parcel in Waikōloa Beach Resort returned to native Hawaiian descendants. 27.38-acres of the culturally significant coastline of ‘Anaeho‘omalu Kapalaoa in North Kona will now be permanently preserved, the Trust for Public Land announced on Tuesday. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Prep Academy hit with 2 suits on transgender policy. Two lawsuits were filed Tuesday in Maui Circuit Court against Maui Preparatory Academy related to its new school policy, which began in the 2025-26 school year, that transgender students would no longer be allowed to use restroom facilities, play on sports teams or room with students of the same gender. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Nonprofits Want To Help Maui Fire Victims — If They Can Reach Them. Limited communications and continued grief have made it more challenging for nonprofits to connect with survivors who could most benefit from their services. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Nāpali Coast: A ‘Biodiversity Hotspot,’ but with many endangered species to protect. The remote Nāpali Coast, a beautiful region of sheer sea cliffs and lush valleys on the northwestern shores of Kaua‘i, is one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Hawaiian Islands – and on Earth. Kauai Now.

Pipe replacement, road repairs scheduled near highway in Kalāheo. Lane shifts are scheduled along a portion of Papalina Road in the vicinity of Kaumuali‘i Highway to complete pipe replacement and road repairs within the Kaua‘i County right of way. Kauai Now.

Army wants land deals inked this year, police union wants voice in Honolulu chief selection, Kauai seeks more fire-resistant plantation camps, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Army Secretary Wants Deal On Hawaiʻi Training Lands By End Of 2025. On Thursday, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll sent Gov. Josh Green’s office a letter calling on the state to move fast on negotiations to continue the Army’s access to thousands of acres of training lands on Oʻahu and the Big Island.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  KHON2. 

Oahu

First piece of Kapolei West community draws closer to start. A Honolulu City Council committee endorsed a plan to build 750 affordable rental apartments in Kapolei on Thursday despite grievances over a new state law aiming to compel county approval for subsidized affordable-housing projects recommended by a state agency. Star-Advertiser.

East Honolulu’s Last Undeveloped Valley Faces Uncertain Fate. Kamehameha Schools has yet to release its plan for Kamilonui Valley. But the school’s history of development in the area is stoking fears about what will happen to Hawaiʻi Kai’s last farmlands. Civil Beat.

Police officers want voice when it comes to new police chief. The Honolulu police commission says it could take seven months to find a new police chief using a professional hiring firm. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Arson investigation opened as latest Kunia fire burns 15 acres of sugar cane. Other farms spared from major damage. The latest — and largest — of the recent Kunia brush fires destroyed 15 acres of sugar cane, but it appears that the wind directed the fire away from other farms in the area. Hawaii Public radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

New county property tax credits in the works. Bill 38 proposes a one-time tax credit of up to $1,000 for property owners who install solar water heaters on qualifying dwellings and introduces a new credit of up to $250 for residents who contribute to private roadway maintenance. Tribune-Herald.

Puna Geothermal Venture moves forward with long-awaited upgrades. Puna Geothermal Venture is moving ahead with a project to boost its renewable energy production after receiving long-awaited approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Hawaii News Now.

HPD’s temporary morgue now operational. The morgue was built in 1984, and because of population increases and the police’s function as coroner, its occupancy often was strained beyond its capacity of 16 bodies. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Community College butchery program graduates second cohort. One of Hawai‘i Community College’s newest programs, whole-animal butchery, will once again be open for enrollment starting Aug. 29. Big Island Now.

Maui

Council panel moves ahead with Kahului housing project, sparks debate over water availability. A unanimous vote by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee to advance an affordable housing project in Kahului drew criticism Wednesday from West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin. Maui Now.

Maui police officer fatally shot in Paia was ambushed.  The 37-year-old Maui Police Department officer ambushed and killed Friday night was one of a half-dozen officers who responded to the Paia Sugar Mill after the caretaker reported a man was trespassing and shooting at him. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Maui police release bodycam footage in deadly, officer-involved shooting. The Maui Police Department Thursday released bodycam footage from a shooting last Friday that resulted in the death of an officer. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Kauai

A Kauaʻi bill seeks to make plantation camps like Kaumakani more fire-resilient. The bill would require new construction in these plantation camps to follow updated building standards. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waimea Public Library turned 75 with special birthday party. Waimea Public Library is celebrating 75 years of public service. Kauai Now.

Army secretary asks governor to fast-track Pohakuloa bombing plans, Trump favorability falls among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, complaints rise about Zuckerberg Kauai development, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Army secretary wants to move more quickly on an agreement for Hawaii live-fire training lands. The U.S. Army’s top civilian leader said Tuesday that he wants to move more quickly on an agreement that will allow the military to continue using Pohakuloa, the only large-scale live-fire training range for ground forces in Hawaii. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said he discussed the issue during a meeting with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Monday.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. 

Trump’s favorability has fallen among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders since last year, AAPI Data/AP-NORC poll finds. The percentage of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders with an unfavorable opinion of Trump rose to 71% in July, from 60% in December, according to a national survey by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Associated Press.

Some keiki might be missing out on food aid. This summer represents the second year the state has participated in a federal program providing preloaded debit cards that parents who don’t earn a lot can use to buy groceries when free meals for their children aren’t available at school. Star-Advertiser.

Trump’s school voucher law raises questions in Hawaii. The country’s first-ever federal tax-credit school voucher program gives states the opportunity to opt in, but that decision is not so straightforward in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Active public school bus routes “on track” to resume this fall. All public school bus routes that have been operating will continue to run this upcoming school year. The Department of Education made the announcement Tuesday, with less than two weeks before the new school year starts. KHON2.

Public Broadcasting In Hawaiʻi Is OK – For Now. Federal funding cuts to public radio and television stations, which threaten the existence of some small broadcasters on the continent, are expected to have a muted immediate impact on Hawaiʻi broadcasters and their listeners, viewers and staffs, despite dealing the stations financial blows. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Bill would restore some media access to HPD radio communications. The Honolulu City Council on Thursday will consider proposed legislation to force the Honolulu Police Department to restore limited access to its radio communications to legitimate news media outlets. Star-Advertiser.

HPD shooting of hotel gunman deemed justified. The two Honolulu police officers who shot and killed Benjamin Moralez on Dec. 9, 2022, at the Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites were justified to use deadly force, Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm told reporters at a news conference Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Lawmakers urge psychiatrist’s removal from national cemetery over sex abuse allegations. Hawaii’s congressional delegation wants the body of a former Kamehameha Schools psychiatrist removed from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Dr. Robert Browne, an Army veteran, was accused of sexually assaulting dozens of students, but committed suicide in 1991 before charges could be filed. Hawaii News Now.

Nurses union says Queen’s is not staffing as agreed upon in contract. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association, which represents nearly 2,000 at Queen’s, said these ratios were part of the new contract both parties agreed upon in January, averting a strike in the final hours. Star-Advertiser.

Enforcement increasing at Sacred Falls State Park on the North Shore of Oʻahu. Despite clearly posted park closure and hazardous conditions signs, people are continuing to ignore the risks and enter Sacred Falls State Park, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources reports. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council Postpones Vote On Pōhakuloa Training Area Resolution. The Hawaiʻi County Council is considering a measure urging state officials to request an end to "bombing and desecration activities" at PTA. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

74 Acres Of Hilo Farmland Protected. O.K. Farms, Hawai‘i Land Trust, and Trust for Public Land announced the successful completion of the Pu‘u‘eo Mauka conservation easement. Big Island Video News.

Tree victims identified online. Police have not released the identities of two women whose bodies were found in the rubble of a fallen banyan tree eight days after it toppled in Hilo, but multiple reports on social media and on a GoFundMe page set up to finance their burial identifies them as Tricia J. Almazan and Michelle Comer. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council answers questions on Bill 9 as committee members reconvene for deliberations. A newsletter with information on a proposal to phase out transient vacation rental use in apartment districts is being delivered to homes across Maui County this week, Council Presiding Officer Pro Tempore Tasha Kama announced Tuesday. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi’s Wetlands Are Vanishing. This Failed Plan Offers A Warning. Maui County’s expansive wetland law was expected to pave the way for stronger protections statewide. More than two years and a $250,000 map later, it’s never been enforced. Civil Beat.

Private initiative propels effort to bring new fire station to West Maui. A group of West Maui residents have forged their own “miracle” in securing land for a new fire station in Olawalu, and this time they won’t have to pay for the firetruck. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Mark Zuckerberg’s expansive Kauai compound has some worried over iwi kupuna. The growing compound of tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg on Kauaʻi has some worried about iwi kupuna. A man whose ancestors are buried there has been fighting for years to protect them. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency response exercise Thursday. The County of Kauai, in partnership with the Hawaii National Guard’s 93rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST), will host a full-scale, multi-agency emergency response exercise on Thursday at Nawiliwili Harbor.  Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Metal recycling drop-off again available at all county solid waste facilities. Metal recycling drop-off is once again available to island residents at all Kauaʻi County solid waste facilities, including transfer stations and Kekaha Landfill. Service resumed July 21. Kauai Now.

Army brings long-range rockets to Schofield and Pohakuloa, Honolulu city worker paid not to work for 5 years, House includes $16.7M for East-West Center in budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Army adds long-range missiles to its arsenal in Hawaiʻi . In a media briefing Tuesday morning, the military talked about the need to add the capacity of the high mobility rocket launchers to strengthen its defenses in the Indo-Pacific, with the threat from China and North Korea. The Army plans to acquire a total of 16 of these launchers. They will have a range of 250 miles compared to the 25 to 40-mile range of howitzer cannons. Hawaii Public Radio.

ICE Is Moving Immigrants Arrested On The Mainland To Honolulu. U.S. Rep Jill Tokuda said that during a two-hour visit to the detention center on Friday, Bureau of Prisons staff told her that 77 ICE detainees were there. Civil Beat.

Hawaii schools looking into contingency plans for $33 million lost in federal funds. School officials across the state want to reassure parents and families that they are doing all they can to make sure the upcoming school year runs as smoothly as possible, despite possibly losing millions of dollars in federal funds. KHON2.

Toxoplasmosis spread by cats poses growing threat to endangered nēnē, public health. Nēnē, Hawaiʻi’s state bird, face a growing threat not just from predators—but from disease. Feral and free-roaming cats are transmitting toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease that is increasingly killing these endangered geese, according to conservationists at Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Worker Paid Not To Work For Nearly Five Years. The employee has been paid at least $300,000 while his mileage reimbursements are investigated.  Brandon Kaaa-Swain hasn’t been to work since October 2020, but the Honolulu prosecutor’s office investigator continues to collect a taxpayer-funded paycheck.  Civil Beat.

Ex-HPD chief files $460K pay claim. Honolulu police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan alleges he was forced to retire and is demanding the city pay him for the two years remaining on his contract. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

‘We are very shorthanded.’ Navy program dealing with forever chemicals cleanup at Red Hill has 50% vacancies. Navy leaders updated state lawmakers Monday during a House Special Committee on Red Hill on the closure of the fuel facility and clean up after the 2021 spill that contaminated Pearl Harbor’s drinking water. Hawaii News Now.

City to launch new permitting software. An effort to speed up Hono­lulu Department of Planning and Permitting’s ability to process building permit applications is scheduled to begin next month, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

House panel proposes $16.7M for East-West Center. The East-West Center has cleared a crucial early hurdle in the federal budget process, with a U.S. House spending bill proposing $16.7 million in funding for the Hawaii-based institution — despite the White House having recommended zero dollars for the center next year. Star-Advertiser.

Possible new Hawaiʻi jail spurs discussion on reducing OCCC population. As the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation continues to consider how to replace the overcrowded and deteriorated Oʻahu Community Correctional Center, the Correctional System Oversight Commission is considering alternatives to a new, bigger jail. Hawaii Public Radio.

EAH Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing organization in Hawaii and California, today announced the start of leasing at Aloha Ia Halewiliko. The new $62 million rental community aims to provide affordable housing to older adults in ‘Aiea.  Hawaii News Now.

Ewa developer to pay $40 million to resolve lagoon suit. About 2,900 homebuyers at Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei Resort have resolved litigation against developer Haseko (Hawaii) Inc. over the company converting a planned boat marina into a recreational lagoon as the centerpiece of the master-planned community. Star-Advertiser.

Court hearing on ex-Kahuku coach’s job is set for Friday. Kahuku’s former football coach is suing the state Department of Education, a former team captain and the player’s dad alleging he was fired after confronting the player and his father, who complained about playing time in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hū Honua, Hawaiian Electric reignite plans for Hawaiʻi Island biomass plant. On June 3, the companies submitted a joint letter to the Public Utilities Commission via their attorneys that expressed their intent to file a new application for HELCO to purchase power from Hū Honua's facility in Pepeʻekeo, a few miles north of Hilo. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ownership of toppled banyan still a bit murky. The county, the state and Kamehameha Schools all have a stake in the disposal of the landmark banyan that fell. The chopped-up tree remains partially on the roof of the church and partially in the parking lot off Kilauea that serves both the church and the Wailoa State Recreation Area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Sixth West Maui TDS report shows compliance with environmental regulations. The West Maui Temporary Debris Storage (TDS) site environmental monitoring quarterly report for the sixth 90-day operational period shows the findings from sampling and monitoring are in compliance with county, state and federal environmental regulations. Maui Now.

Lahaina Energy Partnership releases new report; announces Phase 2 kickoff workshop. Local partners of the Lahaina Energy Partnership have released the “Community-Identified Energy Pathways Report.” The LEP invites all community members to join the Phase 2 Kickoff Co-Design Workshop on July 24, 2025, to continue shaping a resilient, community-guided energy plan for Lahaina. Maui Now.

Nominations, candidates sought for open judge’s position. position. The vacancy was created after District Judge Blaine Kobayashi retired on July 1 after serving as a district court judge since October 2010. Maui News. 

This Common Precursor To Murder Is Too Rarely Prosecuted On Maui. The Maui County Prosecutor’s Office is looking to crack down on domestic abuse cases involving strangulation, which experts say often precedes homicide. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Navy, NASA hosting 3 public meetings about Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory. The U.S. Navy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are seeking public comment at three public meetings this week about their recently released draft Environmental Impact Statement for proposed continued use of state lands on Kaua‘i for the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory. Kauai Now.

What If HOAs, Not Government, Enforced Wildfire Prevention Rules? A Kauaʻi County planner thinks homeowners associations should be the first line of defense when it comes to wildfire risk. Kauaʻi County planners are pushing forward a bill to impose new landscaping and construction restrictions on five heritage plantation camp properties. Civil Beat.

Kauai CASPER survey report released. More than a third, or 35 percent, of Kauai households are very concerned, or somewhat concerned about their ability to pay the next month’s rent or mortgage.That’s according to the 2025 Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, or CASPER survey. Garden Island.

ACLU seeks records on local police agreements with immigration enforcement, police departments say they're not helping ICE, judges' retirement benefits cut, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

ACLU of Hawaiʻi requests records from county police departments regarding immigration enforcement. In light of the recent passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that allocates resources into immigration enforcement along with an increase in immigration arrests in Hawaiʻi,  the ACLU of Hawai‘i submitted public records requests to all county police departments regarding any current agreements with the US Department of Homeland Security, including its Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies, in their immigration enforcement efforts in the state. Maui Now.

Police say they're not helping with immigration arrests. The Honolulu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii police departments are not part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s work to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in American history, police and federal officials told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Green signs ‘Sharkey’s Law’ to prevent keiki drownings. Five-year-old Charlotte “Sharkey” Schaefers drowned 21 years ago after saving a 3-year-old boy in a poorly maintained and overflowing detention retention pond, and her legacy was front and center during a bill-signing ceremony Thursday for the new “Sharkey’s Law” aimed at improving water safety for Hawaii’s children, adults and visitors. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

New law cuts retirement benefits for judges. A measure enacted Thursday by Gov. Josh Green that reduces by nearly half the retirement benefits for future judges comes at a time when the state Judiciary is struggling to find qualified judges, especially on the neighbor islands, and they are facing an increasing number of threats to their safety. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City ready to roll out new user-friendly software for building permit applications. The city’s Department of Planning and Permitting has announced that it will start using a new system to apply for and track building permits next month. The new permitting software is called “HNL Build.” It is aimed at speeding up the application process, where lost time costs money. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Has Been Struggling To Regulate Fireworks For More Than A Century. The only thing more reliable in Hawaii than the annual explosions lighting up the New Year’s Eve sky has been the failure of politicians and law enforcement to address the issue in any meaningful way. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

US military’s attempt to retain strategic land for training runs into Native Hawaiian opposition. A high-altitude plateau on the Big Island is the only place in Hawaii where thousands of ground forces can practice firing live munitions. It’s also a place many Native Hawaiians consider the spiritual heart of the island. Associated Press.

Four agricultural officers coming to Big Island this month for pilot program under new state law. To protect farmers and ranchers from being victims of crimes, four agricultural officers will be deployed to Hawaiʻi Island this month as part of a pilot enforcement program. Big Island Now.

Maui

Update: Council panel recesses vacation rental deliberations until July 23. Bill 9 aims to phase out thousands of transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts mostly in South and West Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai County Council warns of fake letters sent to residents. County officials said the fraudulent letters appear to use their official letterhead and contain false statements about illegal use of fireworks, enforcement actions, and penalties.  Hawaii News Now

Army's last remaining live-fire training in jeopardy at Pohakuloa, 1-4 hurricanes predicted this season, Honolulu to allow private sponsorship of public facilities, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is The Military In For A Wake-Up Call As Hawaiʻi Leases Near End? The state’s rejection of the U.S. Army’s environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some Native Hawaiians say won’t be smooth sailing.  Civil Beat.

Gov. Green on balancing national security and the environment in military land leases.  The Army says Pōhakuloa is the only remaining place where it conducts live-fire training for its troops and for the state’s first responders. But the community has resisted, with some arguing the leases should not be renewed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii troops forge alliances in Philippines. The 40th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder to shoulder” — brought in service members from the U.S. as well as troops from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Among them were troops from Hawaii-based units. Star-Advertiser.

Forecasters predict 1 to 4 hurricanes this season. With hurricane season beginning June 1, Hawaii officials are urging residents to prepare now as forecasters predict near- to below- normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific this year. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

See Which Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Been Hit Hardest By Trump Funding Cuts. The total amount of confirmed federal funding cuts to Hawaiʻi state and county programs as of Thursday stands at nearly $95 million, according to figures compiled by Civil Beat. The full extent of the cuts won’t be clear for several more weeks or longer as official termination letters must be issued and legal challenges resolved. Civil Beat.

For the first time in seven years, tuition is increasing across the University of Hawaii system beginning this fall. The 2% increase was approved by the UH Board of Regents in 2023 as part of a four-year tuition schedule. KHON2.

UH risks losing $78 million in federal research funds due to cuts. In a report to the Board of Regents on Thursday, UH President Wendy Hensel said the university expects to lose more than $78 million in federal research funding due to recent grant cancellations and suspensions. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Electricity Shut-Offs Are Nearly Triple Pre-Pandemic Levels. Expiring post-Covid payment plans, state’s cost of living blamed for spike in residential disconnections. Civil Beat.

Tourism agency brings back passenger counts after data blip. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has restored passenger counts from international and domestic travelers, correcting at least part of the blip in data caused by the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council OKs sponsorship of public facilities. Legislation to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities in order to garner more revenue for the city was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council approves property tax-fueled fund for climate projects. The measure would deposit 1.5% of property tax revenue into a fund dedicated to climate resiliency. That’s about $8.6 million a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy to remove USS Arizona mooring platforms after 80 years. The U.S. Navy will be placing buoys and anchors in Pearl Harbor waters next week to prepare for the removal of decades-old mooring platforms on the USS Arizona. Hawaii News Now.

Manoa Falls Trail closed due to fallen tree limb, bamboo. Manoa Falls Trail was closed Thursday after a large tree limb fell, bringing down a large swath of bamboo with it. Three people sustained minor injuries. Hawaii News Now.

HPD seizes cash, gambling machines in Kalihi. When police raided the operation and how many devices and cash was confiscated during the operation was not immediately made public. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona property housing migrants under investigation for code violations. A Kona property where dozens of migrants were reportedly living in poor conditions is now under scrutiny by Hawaii County building enforcement officials. KHON2.

Admission fees back on the table for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. Admission fees at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens are back on the table as Hawaiʻi County is moving forward with revised proposed rule changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County taxpayers encouraged to weigh in on budget proposal. Despite a whopping $1.5 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed tax cuts for owner-occupied homes. Hawaii News Now.

Arts program for Maui fire survivors loses White House funding. The Archive for Health, Arts, and Spirit has been able to provide an arts for healing program to residents with a $100,000 grant from the White House Initiative on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Property owner troubled by ICE raid that turned up ‘nothing’.  The property owner is criticizing the manner in which armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rousted her and her family, along with other occupants including Philippine teachers with visas, at a multi-family dwelling in Kahului. Maui News.

DOH issues red placard to Maui L&L on Dairy Road for a cockroach infestation. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and immediately closed a Maui location of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owned and operated by Maui L & L Food Inc. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i councilman announces run for mayor. Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his candidacy on Wednesday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. While he currently serves as a council member, Carvalho previously served as mayor from 2000-2018.  Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Bus launches new tap-and-ride system. The Kaua‘i Bus has a new account-based ticketing system powered by Masabi’s Justride open platform. Kauai Now.

Dorcey and Smith are ‘Outstanding’.  Ten Kauai older adults who were nominated by the public were honored and recognized for their service. Garden Island.

Green forms national pro-science PAC, ex-Honolulu police chief released from prison, Land Board rejects Pohakuloa EIS, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Governor Creates National PAC To Support 'Pro-Science Candidates'. Josh Green appeared with his Heal America political action committee partners while on a state-sponsored trip. At the same time that he was in Washington, D.C., at Hawaiʻi taxpayer expense opposing the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Gov. Josh Green was quietly launching a national political action committee that aims to work for health care, homelessness, gun control and “pro-science candidates for federal office.” Civil Beat.

State pushing speed cam expansion despite failed bill. DOT issued a request for proposals seeking 100 additional cameras on Oahu and 20 cameras each for the three neighbor island counties. Star-Advertiser.

A Series Of Child Abuse Deaths Failed To Spur Major Reform. The legislative session was punctuated by an arrest in yet another child death, but lawmakers did not act on recommendations of a child welfare task force. Civil Beat.

Fireworks legislation awaits Gov. Green’s signature. The year-old state Department of Law Enforcement would get new funding and an increased mandate to crack down on illegal fireworks under pending legislation. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers pass bill establishing lottery system for leasing cabins on public lands. House Bill 1348, introduced by Kaua‘i state Rep. Dee Morikawa, requires the Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreation-residence use by public lottery under certain conditions and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located under certain conditions. Kauai Now.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority official placed on leave pending investigation.  Isaac Choy, vice president of finance and acting chief administrative officer, was placed on leave Friday at the direction of the state Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Human Resources amid allegations he made racist and sexist remarks on the job. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii to receive $700M in drug settlement over blood thinner. Hawaii will receive $700 million in a landmark settlement from pharmaceutical giants Bristol Myers Squibb and Sanofi following more than a decade of litigation over the blood thinner Plavix and its lack of efficacy in Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian populations, Gov. Josh Green announced Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric parent touts financial strength. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. on Friday reported net income of $27 million for the January-March period, down from $42 million a year earlier. Star-Advertiser.

GMO Seed Companies In Hawai‘i Earn More Money With Less Land. Hawaiʻi’s genetically modified seed industry has been on the decline for at least a decade, but it is still worth more financially than any other agricultural commodity in the state. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Former police chief Kealoha released from federal prison, but he’s not a free man yet. Kealoha is back home after serving most of his seven-year sentence. His official release date is set for May 18, 2026. He will serve the remainder of his time under home monitoring. Hawaii News Now.

Bill seeks to offset Honolulu’s sewer fee hike. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has sponsored legislation to defray costs associated with the city’s planned 10-year, 115% sewer fee rate hike that is slated to start this summer. Star-Advertiser.

City Council requests to restore Sand Island’s Native name. City lawmakers are leading the push to return Sand Island’s name to its Native Hawaiian name Mauliola, which means “breath of life” or “power of healing.” Star-Advertiser.

Developer Wants To Use Hawaiian Home Lands Powers To Skirt Zoning Rules. Land swap could clear the way for commercial development on land set aside for housing. Commissioners say it’s worth it for the revenue. Civil Beat.

June closures are planned at Koko Head Shooting Complex. The shooting complex at 8102 Kalanianaole Highway will close weekdays from June 2 through 23. Weekend access to all of the facility’s firearm and archery ranges will be open and available under their regular weekend schedules. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s, Kapi‘olani seek labor board review. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association is at an impasse with The Queen’s Medical Center since the employer filed an appeal with the National Labor Relations Board. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Land Board rejects Pohakuloa EIS but lease negotiations to move ahead. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted Friday to reject the Army’s Final Environmental Impact Statement on its proposal to renew its lease on state owned land on on Hawaii Island that makes up its Pohakuloa Training Area. Star-Advertiser.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi County increases support for coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication. The county  recently awarded $250,000 to Big Island Invasive Species Committee to combat the beetle and other pests. In addition, the county is continuing to assist Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture by providing the use of 75-foot boom trucks to treat palm tree crowns for coconut rhinoceros beetles. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui community receives largest wave of wildfire survivors to date. The largest wave of displaced Maui fire survivors, who are losing their temporary hotel housing this month, will move into Ka La‘i Ola, a modular housing project mauka of the Lahaina Civic Center designed specifically for survivors who are ineligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina burn zone slowly transforming from ‘ghost town’ to big construction zone. Many streets in the burn zone have homes under construction. In Lahaina, eight homes have been completed so far, and 368 building permits have been issued, with 301 others being processed. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi drinks up in April with overwhelmingly above average rainfall totals. April rainfall totals were abnormally high around Kauaʻi with the majority of the island seeing three to six times their normal averages. Kauai Now.

State to establish insurer of last resort for condo owners, ICE raids hit Maui and Big Island, LA Rams to hold minicamp on Maui, Fox cancels North Shore lifeguard drama, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Will Reforms Stabilize Hawaiʻi Condo Insurance Costs? New bill establishes state insurance and loan programs after years of false starts, allowing the government to serve as the insurer of last resort for condo associations. Civil Beat.

ICE raids lead to arrests, teachers detained. Federal agents served search warrants, detained and arrested more than two dozen people in Kona on suspicion of immigration law violations, and detained a group of Maui teachers from the Philippines as part of an ongoing effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to deport undocumented immigrants. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

An Inside Look At The Sudden Shake-Up In House Leadership. Regardless of how Rep. Chris Todd came to replace Rep. Kyle Yamashita as chair of the Finance Committee, the repercussions were immediate. Todd said Wednesday he wants to relax the iron grip the committee has traditionally held on almost all legislation, which has created a procedural bottleneck that kills significant bills every year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KITV4.

Golden Week sees slight bump in Japanese visitors. Golden Week, a traditional holiday time for Japanese travelers, attracted more visitors to Hawaii than last year but still brought only about half the volume of 2019. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Fox cancels North Shore lifeguard drama ‘Rescue: HI-SURF’. Fox will not renew “Rescue: HI-Surf,” the prime-time television drama about the daily life of lifeguards on Oahu’s North Shore, after one season, according to various entertainment news sources. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

 Honolulu city inspector with 35 convictions accused in sex-for-freedom plot. An inspector with Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting office has been placed on leave after records allege he held a young woman captive attempting to extort her for sex.  Hawaii News Now.

'It's a landmark': Hawaii Theatre asks for state support to keep the show going. The Hawaii Theatre has a knack for survival, going through two pandemics in its 103-year-old lifespan. Yet it’s still able to keep its marquee sign illuminating Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood. Hawaii Public Radio.

E-bikes top the list of concerns at Kapolei Town Hall.  A town hall for residents in the Kapolei and Ewa Beach neighborhoods had one topic that was top of mind for those attending -- e-bikes. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Army explains why discovery of burial objects left out of environmental impact statement. The state land board is poised to make a decision on Friday impacting the future of live-fire military training at the Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii News Now.

Mobile Vending Stand Operators Sought For County Parks. Concessions will be awarded for Onekahakaha, Reed's Bay, Cooper Center, Isaac Hale, Old Airport, and the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo. Big Island Video News.

Public Hearing Set For Panaʻewa Zoo Fees. The hearing on proposed rules changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex will be held on June 3 at the Aging and Disability Resource Center in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

UH Hilo student earns NASA honors. Jeffrey “Raven” Kromer, a senior at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has received a national travel grant from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to present his research later this month at the 8th International Planetary Dunes Workshop in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Fire Survivors Uprooted Again As FEMA Starts Charging Rent. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is trying to reduce the load on the island’s housing stock but the continual need to relocate is frustrating residents. Civil Beat.

‘Where’s the money?’ Applicants wait for funds from Maui County program to help build ‘ohana housing. Housing Director Richard Mitchell told the council in an April 11 letter that county attorneys are working on the legal documents so the department can distribute the money, but he did not give a timeline.  Maui Now.

Maui Council advances voluntary deed restriction program, targeting Molokaʻi as pilot. Bill 57, introduced by Molokaʻi Council Member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, aims to help residents afford housing by offering county funding with legally binding conditions that ensure publicly subsidized homeownership remains in local hands. Maui Now.

LA Rams plan to hold June minicamp on Maui. The camp will feature two days of on-field workouts at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku, with one day open to the public. Associated Press. Maui Now.  KHON2.

Kauai

Waimea breaks ground for gym. A group of people representing contractors for the proposed Waimea High School gymnasium talked on Wednesday, ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to take place at the site of the new facility on the Waimea High School campus. Garden Island.

Repair work on one-lane Kīpū Bridge to further reduce lane width. Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works and contractor Kaikor Construction Group notify the public that construction related to upcoming repairs on Kīpū Bridge will reduce its lane width. Kauai Now.

Libraries face funding cuts, GOP nominates 3 to fill Rep. Ward's House seat, Army releases EIS for Pohakuloa Training Area, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Proposed Funding Cuts Could Reduce Access To Hawaiʻi Libraries. The Hawaiʻi State Public Library System is poised to lose nearly 25 staff positions and $27 million in funding for the maintenance and construction of its facilities, according to the most recent version of the state budget that lawmakers are considering.  Civil Beat.

Police records will answer questions for victims’ families. Families of victims like Andrew Nakoa Jr. — who died of a stab wound 21 years ago blocks from his home — now will be able to get a copy of the closing report from Hawaii law enforcement under a new law designed to answer lingering questions that haunt them. Star-Advertiser.

Watered Down Property Seizure Bill Moves Forward. Lawmakers are backing away from requiring someone be convicted of a felony before seizing their property. Civil Beat.

State fund eyed for workforce housing subsidies. State lawmakers are considering diverting a state fund used almost exclusively to develop low-income rental housing to build apartments for residents with higher incomes — topping out well above what most people earn. Star-Advertiser.

Could Hawaiʻi go nuclear? Some lawmakers want the option investigated. Hawaiʻi lawmakers are advancing a resolution to study whether nuclear power can help Hawaiʻi meet its green energy goals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Hawaii Republican Party announces nominees to fill East Oahu House seat. The party nominated Michel Gedeon, Alexander Malabey, and Tara Gregory for consideration to represent House District 18, which covers Portlock, Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley. Hawaii News Now.

State is asked for millions to preserve Waikiki beach. The Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association is collaborating with local government agencies and stakeholders to develop an interim beach restoration and mitigation plan for the state to save Waikiki’s beaches. Star-Advertiser.

Parts of Hawaii are sinking — Chronic beach loss and infrastructure risks loom. The urgency to address the sinking is greater in some parts of Hawaii like Waikiki, which is sinking faster than other places.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers still working on torture bill. Recent high-profile cases of child torture and neglect that led to the deaths of two children on Oahu have sharpened the focus for police officers and prosecuting attorneys pushing Hawaii lawmakers to pass a bill that would codify torture and outline punishment. Star-Advertiser.

Animal cruelty bill in Hawaii Legislature gains momentum. A bill advancing through the state Legislature to increase penalties for animal cruelty has gained fresh momentum following the circulation of a graphic video depicting the violent abuse of a dog in Wahiawa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Army releases final EIS for Pohakuloa Training Area. The Army has released its finalized environmental impact statement on the prospect of retaining 22,750 acres of state-owned land at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii island after its lease expires in August 2029. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi County Moves To Adopt Nepotism Rules For Government Employees. A lot of people know each other on the Big Island, and thatʻs all the more reason to be above reproach, a council member says. Civil Beat.

Settlement talks ongoing in Pohoiki Road condemnation suit. Hawaii County still anticipates construction to restore lava-ravaged Pohoiki Road in lower Puna will begin before the end of June. Tribune-Herald.

Virtual meeting to introduce draft stewardship plan for Ka‘u parcel. The plan being introduced regards the stewardship of the Kaunamano property, which covers 1,363 acres between Pohina Pali and the Maniania Pali below the Na‘alehu Police Station. Tribune-Herald.

State’s high court visits Hilo to give students a closer look at legal system. About 250 students from five East Hawaii High Schools were present Thursday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Performing Arts Center to hear oral arguments before the Hawaii Supreme Court as part of the Judiciary’s “Courts in the Community” program. Tribune-Herald.

Merrie Monarch Festival kicks off with Ho‘olaule‘a. The 62nd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival kicked off on Sunday with the Ho‘olaule‘a at Hilo’s Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

County’s updated plan for $1.6 billion in fire recovery funds includes help for first-time homebuyers, rebuilding homes. Office of Recovery Administrator John Smith said Wednesday that the county is working to send in its plans to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development by Monday, and that the programs could start taking applications by this summer.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Fire Stole Their Dream Home. Plans To Rebuild Reveal Deep Divides. The Deals are the first oceanfront property owners on Front Street to try rebuilding in an area that scientists say is at risk due to sea level rise. Neighbors see it as a test case. Civil Beat.

State To Offer New Option For Rural Residents Struggling To Access Health Care. Living on Hawaii’s least populated islands means specialized medical care is not readily available, a growing challenge as the number of air carriers servicing Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi has dropped. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Surf's up: Recycled surfboard scraps could be part of Maui’s housing solution. Styrofoam waste from surfboard building usually ends up in the landfill. And there’s a huge need for fire-resistant housing materials on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Soil sampling at former Kekaha Sugar Mill Lot B will determine if contaminants exist. Kauai’i County Office of Economic Development is notifying the public that its contractors will conduct soil sampling from April 21 to May 2 at the former Kekaha Sugar Mill Lot B property. The county is conducting the sampling — with permission from property owner Aloun Farms — to determine whether the property’s soil is contaminated before it moves forward with any future economic development of the property. Kauai Now.