HNL next to last in airport survey, Hawaii Mormon population growing, Honolulu council mulls taxpayer-paid candidate mailers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu ranks next to last in large U.S airport survey. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport ranked next to last among large U.S. airports in the latest JD Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study despite Hawaii’s nearly $7 billion airport modernization effort. Only Philadelphia International Airport ranked lower.  Star-Advertiser.

Underdog Gov Candidate Takes On The Democratic Machine — Again. Republican and small businessman Gary Cordery says his children had to move away because they could not afford to stay. He wants to reduce the cost of living. Civil Beat.

Republican ticket brings diverse approaches to gubernatorial race. The Republican ticket for Hawaii governor and lieutenant governor brings together a 66-year-old general contractor whose 13 children and grandchildren all had to leave the state they love because of Hawaii’s high cost of living, and a 48-year-old Kahana Valley breadfruit, taro and pig farmer who lives off the land and homeschools the four youngest of his seven children. Star-Advertiser.

Kauhale builders admit ‘mistakes were made’ as audit looms. The impending release of a highly anticipated critical audit of the state’s kauhale homeless housing initiative has prompted a rebuke of HomeAid Hawai‘i over its billing practices and led the nonprofit to launch its own financial reviews resulting in its CEO repaying $17,982 for expenses considered his “personal responsibility.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Mormon Population Growing, Diversifying In U.S. The membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or more commonly known as the Mormon Church, has been getting more diverse over time, with the religion popular in the Pacific Islands and growing slightly in Hawaiʻi.  Civil Beat.

Is OHA’s Board In For Another Shakeup? The outcome of the race for three at-large seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees has the potential to change the makeup of the board as it faces several crucial decisions. Civil Beat.

Schatz Pushes AI Oversight As Tech Goes Rogue: ‘Humans In Control’. In an interview with Civil Beat, Hawaiʻi’s senior senator explains why Congress needs to set up AI safety rules now before something “horrifying” happens. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council mulls limits on taxpayer-funded election-year mailers. The Honolulu City Council is considering new restrictions on elected officials’ use of taxpayer-funded resources for mass communications, including mailers sent to voters near election dates. The action comes amid a parallel effort by the city Ethics Commission to address concerns about incumbent Council members using public resources to promote their work shortly before voters head to the polls. Star-Advertiser.

Well Reopening Near Red Hill Stirs Up Lingering Concerns Over Poisoned Plume. Five years after the fuel spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, the U.S. Navy has received conditional approval to reopen the nearby ʻAiea Hālawa Shaft. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu transit agency is paying record-high prices to fuel city buses. As the war in Iran drives up fuel prices, Honolulu's transit agency says it is paying the most it has ever paid for diesel to run city buses. Right now, the city Department of Transportation Services is paying an unprecedented $5.66 per gallon of diesel. Hawaii Public Radio.

Another change of plans for Honolulu's Chinatown. A recent vote by the Honolulu City Council canceled plans to relocate two city agencies to a building in the heart of Chinatown. That set back hopes for new economic development for the area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Road cameras to be deployed. The state Department of Law Enforcement has plans to install 75 automatic license plate reader cameras, known as ALPRs, on the Big Island as part of an initiative to deploy about 400 of the cameras statewide.  Tribune-Herald.

Online public survey launched for Puna Alternate Route Study. The online survey is aimed at gathering the public’s opinion and thoughts about travel patterns in and out of Puna, existing transportation conditions and concerns as well as emergency access and resilience. Big Island Now.

PGV aims to boost output with new wells. Drilling is scheduled to start this month for several new wells at the Puna Geothermal Venture facility. Tribune-Herald.

Two Kaʻū condo communities deserted after Lala damaged private Punaluʻu utility servicing water, sewer. The condo communities of Colony I and Kalana Estates in Kaʻū look like a ghost town. The nearly 100 units in the remote, southern part of the Big Island survived Hurricane Lala. But , the private utility Punaluʻu Water and Sanitation that services their drinking water and sewer did not. Big Island Now.

Water Restriction Notice Issued For South Kohala Coast. A Water Restriction Notice requires affected customers to reduce water use by at least 25 percent, officials say. Big Island Video News.

Maui

After finishing first in the mayoral primary, Bissen outpaces Sugimura in fundraising. Since incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen finished first in the Aug. 8 primary election, he has out fundraised opponent Yuki Lei Sugimura, but she has spent more as she tries to make up the nearly 5,000-vote gap he had over her in the 10-person field. Bissen’s campaign raised $79,963 to Sugimura’s $65,479, according to the latest spending reports. Maui Now.

Stormy summer takes toll on Maui beaches already battling erosion. Coastlines across Maui are showing the effects of torrential rains and an unusually strong hurricane season in the Pacific. In South Maui, portions of beach parks are roped off due to erosion.  Maui Now.

The Dunes at Maui Lani faces repeated storms in 2026. In March, more than 22 inches of rain caused extensive flooding, toppled 12 trees and forced the course to close for 13 days, according to course officials. Since then, two hurricanes have affected Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai man ‘very grateful’ after surviving debris-clearing accident, loses leg. A Kauai man is on a long road to recovery after he said he nearly lost his life in the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell. Agenhart Puulei, known by many as “Tin Tin,” was using an excavator to clear debris from Hurricane Lowell when one of the logs he picked up fell. Hawaii News Now.

Salt Pond Beach Park remains closed after Lowell damages historic salt-making area. Nearly a month after Hurricane Lowell passed near the state, Salt Pond Beach Park remains closed as crews and community members work to recover from extensive sand and debris damage. KHON2.

Officials advise no swimming, ocean recreation activities because of brown water advisory. Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau officials advise no swimming or other ocean recreation activities because of an islandwide brown water advisory issued by Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Water Branch. Kauai Now.

Kids saddle up for fall fun at Healing Horses Kauaʻi. Children on Kauaʻi will have the opportunity this week to spend their fall days learning about horses, building riding skills, and exploring their creativity at Healing Horses Kauai’s 2026 Fall Horsemanship and Riding Camps. Kauai Now.

Everything is free at family fun day! Everything at the Puhi park open field was free at the Family Fun Day, Teddy Arroyo said on Sunday. Garden Island.

Hawaiians celebrate their independence day, military plans to house hypersonic missiles in Hawaii, sports' survival may take taxpayer dollars, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Moment — Lā Kūʻokoʻa, Hawaiian Independence Day. In the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, Nov. 28 was an official holiday called Lā Kūʻokoʻa, or Independence Day. This was the day in 1843 when England and France formally recognized Hawaiʻi’s independence. Maui Now.

Military leased lands panel begins laying groundwork for future talks with U.S. Army. Members used their inaugural meeting — in advance of meeting with the governor — to review their roles and responsibilities, discuss a general framework to proceed and develop a shared understanding of the choices before the state — lease, land exchange and condemnation. Big Island Now.

Plans to house hypersonic missiles in Hawaii years away, experts say. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda said she’s investigating reports that the U.S. Navy is planning to base a future arsenal of hypersonic weapons in the Aloha State. A Hawaii congresswoman said she’s investigating reports that the U.S. Navy is planning to base a future arsenal of hypersonic weapons in the Aloha State. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi works to fill the gap left by narrowed fair housing protections. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s rollback of protections for housing discrimination related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and English language proficiency will likely impact Hawaiʻi residents’ options for reporting housing discrimination. Hawaii Public Radio.

Goodwill Hawaii sees surging demand but falling donations as holidays approach. This fall, Goodwill stores statewide have reported double-digit increases in customers, including families seeking lower-cost holiday items. But donations haven’t kept pace.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii joins states suing over SNAP cuts for legal immigrants. A group of Democratic-led states, including Hawaii, sued Wednesday to block President Donald Trump’s administration from cutting off food aid benefits for tens of thousands of legal immigrants by declaring certain groups of non-citizens ineligible for the anti-hunger program. Reuters.

Lawsuit Claims ‘Negligence’ Led To Fatal Stabbing Of State Hospital Nurse. Family claims administrators at Hawaiʻi’s only public psychiatric hospital failed to institute basic safety protocols to prevent the death of Justin Bautista by a patient. Civil Beat.

Sporting event survival may demand taxpayer dollars. The state already supports sports with significant investments, including $350 million to replace Aloha Stadium. But experts say changes in the sports business landscape will make state subsidies even more essential. Hawaii News Now.

Can Hawaiʻi Tackle Football’s Massive Carbon Footprint? Sports organizers, including the International Olympic Committee, are increasingly grappling with how to handle carbon emissions related to big events. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Could Become The First US City Where Food Is A Human Right. Among dozens of proposed amendments that the Charter Commission will consider putting on the ballot next fall is one underscoring a basic need: to eat. Civil Beat.

Honolulu EMS announces significant pay raises to boost staffing. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services will implement significant pay raises starting in January to recruit and retain experienced paramedics, EMTs and dispatchers who handle about 9,000 calls every month island-wide. Hawaii News Now.

Medical helicopter group offers Oahu service. Global Medical Response is now offering emergency helicopter flight services from Oahu, with a newly established rotor-wing base at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Beetles Attacked Wahiawā Botanical Garden Trees, Closing Trails. A large swath of the central Oʻahu garden has been closed for many weeks due to a coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation. It is scheduled to reopen Thanksgiving weekend. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Lights switch ‘on’ Saturday. Official lights will bring the holidays to life on Saturday when the switch to the 55-foot Christmas tree in front of Honolulu Hale is turned on during the electric light parade at the 41st Honolulu City Lights celebration. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

PGV seeks to boost power output by 5 megawatts. Puna Geothermal Venture shared progress about its repower project and discussed a pending state permit request during the company’s final quarterly community meeting of the year on Tuesday at the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility.  Tribune-Herald.

DAGS getting new digs in Honokaʻa. Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services is getting a new home on the Big Island, breaking ground earlier this month on a nearly $8 million base yard project in a different  location in Honokaʻa. Big Island Now.

Hilo’s Basically Books turns 40, hosts celebration Saturday. Basically Books is more than a bookstore — it’s Hilo’s gathering place for Hawaii’s finest authors, artists and musicians and their patrons, who are often as much friends as fans. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina debris call center closes, marking progress toward completion. The debris removal process after the Lahaina fire has reached several milestones, more than two years after the blaze. The Lahaina debris call center has officially closed.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Two ʻalalā added to wild flock on Maui. The pilot project that released five ʻalalā (Hawaiian crows) into the forests of Maui in November of 2024 is taking steps to expand the flock. Two ʻalalā, a male and female, were recently translocated to the field aviary where the first five birds got their start more than a year ago. Maui Now.

Kauai

First major winter swell expected this weekend along north, west shorelines.  The first major winter swell of the season looks like it will arrive on Kaua‘i’s doorsteps this weekend, generating monster waves, with sets that could at times exceed 50 feet along northern shores. Kauai Now.

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.

Interisland shipping rates hiked 25%, more families go hungry, Native Hawaiian telecom company loses operating licnse after fraud case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Young Brothers Wins 25% Rate Hike But Faces Stricter Oversight. The increase is expected to generate an extra $26 million in revenue, which the interisland barge service says will still leave it operating at a loss next year. The cost of shipping food and other goods between the Hawaiian Islands is about to rocket up more than 25%, sparking dismay among some residents, farmers and business owners.  Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.  Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

More Hawaii families go hungry. Hawaii’s second annual survey of “food insecurity” showed that almost half of island families (or 48%) are either food insecure or on the brink of choosing between food, housing or healthcare — even among households that earn $90,000 or more. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

DHHL Severs Ties To Company That It Says Abandoned Homesteaders. Waimana Enterprises, founded by Al Hee, was hit with utility violations and previously got wrapped up in a fraud case. The telecommunications company that provided broadband internet and telephone service to thousands of rural Hawaiian homesteaders across the state since the mid-1990s was stripped of its operating license Monday after years of service disruptions and other violations, including a federal fraud case that sent the company’s founder to prison. Civil Beat.

2 unions fight to represent Alaska-Hawaiian aircraft technicians. As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines move closer to completing their $1.9 billion merger, a behind-the-scenes union battle could influence how aircraft maintenance is managed — and shape the future of local jobs and operational efficiency. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council bill aims to proactively identify possible lapsed funding. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee will consider a bill  Tuesday that aims to bring more transparency to the city’s budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu police officers accused of dodging court service in DUI lawsuit. Three Honolulu police officers accused of wrongful DUI arrests are now facing allegations they deliberately avoided a process server in a class action lawsuit. Records show officers Ridge Newcom and Kelsey Messmer, along with recently retired officer Darren Cachola, have been evading service of legal papers. Hawaii News Now.

Massive Convention Center makeover to reshape events for two years starting 2026. The Hawaii Convention Center is moving forward with what will be its most complete renovation since it opened 26 years ago. KHON2. 

Approval process underway for new high-rise project in Ala Moana. Another luxury, high-rise project is being planned in Ala Moana – right on the shopping center’s property. It’ll be a condo and a hotel. KHON2.

USPS removes blue collection boxes around Oahu. The U.S. Postal Service is removing blue collection boxes across Oahu, prompting concerns from residents who rely on them. Removal notices have appeared on boxes in Foster Village, Mapunapuna, and Kapahulu, requiring residents to travel miles to alternative locations. Hawaii News Now.

Roberts bus packages expected to ease traffic to Hanauma Bay. The  City & County of Honolulu is offering visitors a quicker, easier way to get to there through a contract with Roberts Hawaii that offers a package deal including transportation on an electric motorcoach. Star-Advertiser.

Highway Inn sues state over tax on pandemic-era Restaurant Revitalization Fund. HPR sat down with Monica Toguchi Ryan, the third-generation owner of the longtime family restaurant Highway Inn, which has locations in Kakaʻako and Waipahu, plus a cafe at Bishop Museum. Hawaii Public Radio.

What’s A Playground Without A Slide? A Honolulu park slide was removed and its entrance boarded up earlier this year. It’s still unclear when it’ll be replaced.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Salary hikes for county officials questioned. At its meeting Monday in Hilo, the Hawaii County Salary Commission received some public pushback on a proposed 15.29% pay hike for the county’s top officials. Tribune-Herald.

New directors at Public Works, DEM. Daniel Girvan has been appointed director of the Department of Environmental Management, and Wesley Segawa, who served as DEM director since December 2024, has been appointed director of the Department of Public Works. Neil Azevedo, who has served as acting DPW Director since March 31, will continue with the department as deputy director. Tribune-Herald.

Public Hearing Set For Puna Geothermal Power Increase, December 8. The Noncovered Source Permit will grant conditional approval for PGV to increase from 41 megawatts (MW) to 46 MW.  Big Island Video News.

Coconut Island footbridge in Hilo collapses, repairs could take two years.  The pedestrian bridge leading to Mokuʻola, commonly known as Coconut Island, collapsed Friday morning as a county worker drove a mini-excavator across the structure, closing the popular Hilo park indefinitely. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Video News. 

DOT plans speed reductions on Highway 19. The Hawaii Department of Transportation announces the planned reduction of the speed limit in four different areas on Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19), according to a press release. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

First reading of Bill 9 scheduled for Dec. 1. Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee announced on Monday there will be a special hearing next month for Bill 9, a proposal that would phase transient vacation rentals out of apartment districts on Maui. Maui News.

Temporary potable water use for Maui golf course contested. An environmental law firm is objecting to state condoned use of potable water for irrigating the Maui Kapalua golf course that recently reopened after a two-month closure and loss of an economically valuable January PGA tournament. Star-Advertiser.

Trace levels of selenium detected in Lahaina’s water system. Trace levels of selenium have been detected for the first time in water samples collected from the County of Maui Department of Water Supply’s Lahaina water system. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

New Kauaʻi charter school fills a void for North Shore community. For decades, Kauaʻi’s North Shore has been a learning desert. The Namahana School aims to change that.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Thanksgiving turkeys go out. There were at least 500 turkeys being given to Kauai families on Saturday during the big Hawaii Foodbank Kauai drive-through food distribution at the Kauai Community College. Garden Island.

Cruise ship industry sues over visitor green fee, state legislators call for special session on immigration enforcement, state working to improve tsunami protocols, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cruise Ship Industry Sues To Scuttle Hawaiʻi’s New Visitor Green Fee. Ship passengers will soon to start paying the same visitor tax as hotel guests to help cover the conservation fee — unless the cruise lines can stop it in court. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi legislators call for a special session to address immigration enforcement. Senate and House leadership have not released any information about a special session. But it did block off several dates throughout the year if needed. One was this week. The next is at the end of September, and the third is in mid-November. Hawaii Public Radio.

New HTA advisory board under pressure to regain public trust. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advisory board — composed of eight new members and four returning ones — met Thursday with the hope of achieving a paradigm shift that proves its trustworthiness to manage state tourism and the tens of millions of dollars of public money that funds it. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

State working to improve tsunami reaction protocol. Deficiencies in managing the tsunami threat to Hawaii last month are leading to planned improvements that include manual traffic intersection management, fewer broken warning sirens and safety information websites that don’t crash under high demand. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Electrifying vehicles is key to the Hawaiʻi DOT's climate roadmap. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is finalizing a climate roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. About half of the state's total emissions come from the transportation sector. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi-grown foods like ʻulu and kalo are on the menu at public schools. The state Department of Education has updated its school breakfast and lunch menus to offer more locally sourced foods such as ʻulu, kalo, ʻuala, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Aloha Stadium teardown expected to take 12 months. The Aloha Stadium Authority has secured the necessary permits from the City and County of Honolulu to start work on dismantling the old stadium in Halawa, but the stadium board chair said it will likely be “early in the new year” before the public starts to notice large pieces of the old facility being torn down. Star-Advertiser.

Next phase of Hawaiian homestead houses in Kapolei awarded. More than 100 state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries are set to become homeowners in Kapolei early next year after a lottery Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Law to streamline affordable housing leads to power struggle over Kapolei project. The Laulima Affordables rental project just west of the Kapolei Commons shopping center is caught in the middle of the dispute. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu road deaths in 2025 now surpass all of 2024. The City is pleading with the public to be safer on Honolulu roads — they say 55 people have died so far on Oahu, surpassing 2024’s total of 54. KHON2.

Why HPD Has A Major Morale Problem, According To Staff. Officers and civilians want to make sure their voices are heard throughout the selection process for a new chief. Civil Beat.

Man who received $12.5M city settlement sentenced on gun, drug offenses. Just a year and a half after receiving a multimillion-dollar payment from the city, Jonaven Perkins-Sinapati will spend 10 years in federal prison. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Residents push back on Puna Geothermal Venture during upgrade project. The company’s Repower Project has equipment upgrades and increased power generation. It has 12 generating units that are more than 30 years old, and the plan is to install three larger generating units and decommission the old ones. Hawaii News Now.

County to proceed with plans for old Hilo hospital site. The project, located at 34 Rainbow Drive in Hilo, is a key part of the county Office of Housing and Community Development’s effort to create a resource hub focused on housing stabilization, workforce readiness and behavioral health services. Tribune-Herald.

Convent repurposed into housing for homeless kupuna. Ten elders without housing are expected to move into the bright and airy single-story North Hawaii home in October, according to representatives of HOPE Services Hawaii and their partner for the housing project, Honoka‘a’s historic Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Hawaiʻi County, HALE O Hawaiʻi partner to deliver affordable homeownership. The handover ceremony and celebration Aug. 22 marked a milestone in a partnership between HALE O Hawaiʻi Community Land Trust and Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development, advancing an innovative land trust model to keep homes affordable for generations to come. Big Island Now.

Puna Beach Park To Close For Pohoiki Boat Ramp Dredging. Isaac Hale Beach Park will be closed until further notice starting September 2 to support public safety efforts during crane dredging operations. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Police: Multiple people injured in Kalapana affray. Police are investigating an affray Sunday evening in Kalapana that resulted in multiple stabbings. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Procession and memorial service to honor Officer Suzanne O. The Maui Police Department, in partnership with the family of Officer Suzanne O, will hold a procession and memorial service honoring her life and service on Friday, Aug. 29. Maui News. Maui Now.

South Maui beach parking zones get Maui Council nod; first priority for residents. Maui County Council members unanimously gave initial approval Tuesday to a measure that would establish paid parking zones at South Maui beach parks, a move to give residents first priority access to some of the island’s most popular beaches. Maui Now.

Maui DWS to use backup water for Upcountry system starting in early September. County to supplement Upcountry water supply due to drought conditions. In September, the Maui County Department of Water Supply is planning to supplement water delivery to the Upcountry area, which has been plagued by ongoing drought conditions. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Lahaina fire survivor is arrested by ICE. A Lahaina man who lost his home and business in the fatal Lahaina wildfires was arrested by federal agents on the two-year anniversary of the disaster for an alleged violation of U.S. immigration law. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kauaʻi lawmakers consider regulations on e-bikes. The Kauaʻi County Council’s Bill 2972 would require minors to wear helmets while using e-bikes, or electric bicycles. It would also effectively ban bike tricks like wheelies, along with riding in a “hazardous manner” — such as driving with more than one person. Hawaii Public Radio.

Total visitor arrivals, spending in July increases in Kauaʻi, decreases statewide. There were 143,289 visitors to Kauaʻi in July 2025, an increase of 5.6% from the 135,740 visitors in July 2024 and a 3% increase from the 139,157 visitors in July 2019. Kauai Now.

Sunday road closures for Kauai Marathons. The 2025 Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, starting at 6:00 a.m. The racecourse will impact Koloa, Poipu, Lawai, and Kalaheo, with a combination of lane closures, full road closures, and partial restrictions between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Garden Island. 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.

Green releases proposed budget, state deportation cases reach 25-year high, West Hawaii fishing ban extended, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green's proposed budget includes likely raises, covers tax cuts. Gov. Josh Green has unveiled his proposed state budget for the next two fiscal years, which accounts for record tax cuts for residents that begin in January, the state’s $800 million share of a proposed $4.037 billion settlement to settle lawsuits in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires and includes likely raises for unionized workers. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.   Civil Beat.

Read the full budget here. Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Hawaiʻi Deportation Cases Hit Quarter-Century High. The backlog of cases in U.S. immigration courts has tripled since 2017 and is at record levels in Hawaiʻi. Most involve immigrants from China. Civil Beat.

Gabbard shows ‘momentum’ on Capitol Hill. Despite mostly partisan concern over an apparent closeness to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and what critics say is a tendency to repeat Kremlin propaganda, it seems former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has found a warm reception on Capitol Hill. Boston Herald.

Hawaiʻi Hemp Growers Say New State Rules Will Put Them Out Of Business. Gov. Josh Green’s approval of new regulations for CBD products, touted as a win for locally grown hemp, actually represents a major setback for the industry, local hemp farmers and CBD processors say.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘I have never been this angry’: Lawmakers to fight proposed landfill site in Central Oahu. (video only.) Hawaii News Now.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi education in the spotlight amid 'dead language' comment at council meeting. A testifier who called ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi a "dead language" at a recent Honolulu City Council meeting was met with rebuke from Hawaiian council members. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English are the official languages of the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Land board extends fishing ban for Achilles tang in West Hawaiʻi. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has extended a temporary fishing ban for the pākuʻikuʻi, also known as the Achilles tang, until the end of 2026. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Despite the closure of the Kīlauea Visitor Center early next year, visitors will still have access to the store and park services. The construction and expansion project will close the entirety of the visitor center, including the restrooms, lānai and most of the parking beginning Feb. 17.  Big Island Now.

Puna Geothermal to host year-end community meeting this week. Puna Geothermal Venture in Puna hosts its year-end quarterly community meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at at Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-2906 Pāhoa Village Road, in Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

Treasured Hawaii Island tsunami museum faces closure amid financial struggles. A museum in Hilo that aims to educate the public on the devastating impact of tsunamis could have to close its doors for good. Hawaii News Now.

Kawamoto Swim Stadium Reopens After Two-Month Closure. The Hawaiʻi County Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium reopened on Saturday, December 14th, following the completion of repairs. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Revocable permit granted, with amendments, for use of East Maui stream water. The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5-0 Friday evening to issue a revocable permit to Alexander & Baldwin and subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. for the use of East Maui stream water, much of it for Upcountry drinking water and for nearly 10,600 acres of Mahi Pono farm lands. Maui Now.

Lahaina debris disposal site, landfill expansion gets approval. The county announced last month that it had reached conditional agreements with a subsidiary of Nan Inc., Hawaii’s largest, locally owned construction company, to purchase approximately 49 acres of previously quarried land and 30 acres of land currently being quarried adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Report calls for inclusive recovery for Filipino survivors of Lahaina fire. A comprehensive report by Maui grassroots organization Tagnawa and the Hawai‘i Workers Center highlights the deep disparities, resilience and urgent needs of Filipino survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fires. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

County building closed for installations. The Department of Public Works Buildings Division announced that its services and doors will be closed for a week so that its staff can return to the offices located at the Moikeha Building, Suite 175. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Group mapping out feral cat population, judge considers Red Hill compensation, Hawaii Tourism Authority gets negative rating, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Community invited to submit feral cat sightings to help protect native species. In the wake of the death of a nēnē gosling from a disease transmitted by cats, a nēnē research and conservation group is asking members of the community to report cat colony sightings. The group will put together a comprehensive cat map and work with policymakers to prioritize areas where feral cats and endangered native species are coming in contact. It’s the first statewide effort of its kind. Hawaii Public Radio.

HTA study examines reinventing tourism oversight. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority received an unfavorable rating from 43% of the stakeholders who gave feedback to the contractor working on a tourism governance structure recommendation. Star-Advertiser.

Landmark coffee legislation to tighten labeling requirements nears final approval. Senate Bill 2298 has passed through the state Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Josh Green’s signature to become law. It would require roasted, instant, or ready-to-drink coffee marketed as "locally sourced" to have at least 51% local coffee. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii bill would protect shelters that house homeless minors. A newly passed bill before Gov. Josh Green would protect homeless shelters that take in minors without the consent of their parents or guardians. Star-Advertiser.

Former UH Regents Chair To Oversee Hawaii Public School Facilities. Randy Moore will replace Curt Otaguro as one of three deputy superintendents in the Hawaii Department of Education. Civil Beat.

New law governing Tenant Screening Fees now in effect. Enacted as Act 200 (SLH 2023) and codified in Hawai‘i Revised Statutes § 521-46, the law prohibits a landlord from charging an applicant for a residential dwelling unit, a tenant screening fee that is more than the actual cost to obtain information about the applicant. Maui Now.

Oahu

A Missouri River Court Decision Could Sink Hawaii’s Ala Wai Flood Control Plan. The nearly 30-year push to better protect one of Hawaii’s most populous watersheds from extreme rains and flooding has hit another snag, city leaders say — this time due to a federal court ruling that upholds farming interests along the Missouri River.  Civil Beat.

Judge In Red Hill Trial Takes On Question Of Compensation. Plaintiffs are seeking a combined sum of nearly $7 million for physical and mental harm related to Red Hill. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

A ‘High-Ranking Prosecutor’ Helped Mike Miske Out Of A Traffic Citation, HPD Officer Testifies. Without naming former Honolulu prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, the feds try to show how Miske used powerful connections to avoid legal trouble for years while operating a criminal enterprise. Civil Beat.

Honolulu agrees to 4-month window to grant or deny gun carrying licenses after lawsuit. Honolulu has agreed to grant or deny applications to carry guns in public within four months of submission in response to a lawsuit by residents who complained of delays of up to a year, according to a stipulation signed by a federal judge Friday. Associated Press.

HART director receives support at Council. During a special budget hearing Monday morning, HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahi­kina, who’s come under fire in recent weeks from some on the board and has voiced concerns of her own over her future at the rail agency, got public backing from Council Vice Chair Esther Kia‘aina. Star-Advertiser.

Request To Halt Haiku Stairs’ Dismantling Denied By Judge. Friends of Haiku Stairs argued during a court hearing Friday that the city didn't follow proper historic preservation procedures for dismantling the stairs. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Ala Moana Boulevard to close for pedestrian bridge work. State officials are issuing a traffic alert ahead of a full closure of Ala Moana Boulevard on Tuesday and Wednesday night for construction of the pedestrian bridge. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Study of PGV’s impacts on groundwater set to begin. A nearly $500,000 federal study of the impacts of Puna Geothermal Venture on Puna’s groundwater should begin soon. Tribune-Herald.

Akaka Falls State Park To Close Weekdays, Starting May 15. The temporary weekday closure is expected to run through the end of the month, the DLNR Division of State Parks says. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

'Unacceptable': critics testify against proposal for more telescopes on Haleakala. Tensions escalated during a public meeting Monday evening discussing a proposal from the Department of the Air Force to construct up to seven additional telescopes on Haleakala.  KITV4.

Inmate hospitalized after becoming unresponsive at MCCC. A female inmate is in the hospital after becoming unresponsive at Maui Community Correctional Center on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i poi to be served at dozens of Hawai‘i schools throughout May. To help increase local menu offerings in school lunches, three dozen public schools on Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Kaua‘i, and Moloka‘i will be offering fresh local poi as an accompanying lunch menu item to students and staff this month in honor of May Day. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Public school fire alarms failing, senators seek pay cut for prison oversight commission head, Maui wildfire disaster commemorated on 6-month anniversary, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DOE: Fire alarms at 11 public schools don’t work, others need repairs. Eleven Hawaii public schools do not have working fire alarm systems, and at least a dozen more need repairs, according to the Department of Education. Hawaii News Now.

Senators Move To Cut The Pay Of The Top Staffer On Hawaii’s Prison Oversight Commission. Critics of the bill say it's the latest in a series of moves to undermine or defund the panel, which has drawn attention to major problems and the need for reforms. Civil Beat.

House GOP Champions ‘Common Sense’ Bills, Conservative Values. Measures include paid family leave, term limits and tax breaks for Hawaii. But other bills call for death to sex traffickers, teaching of fetal growth and open carry of handguns. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s high court cites ‘The Wire’ in rebuke of US Supreme Court decision that expanded gun rights.  A ruling by Hawaii’s high court saying that a man can be prosecuted for carrying a gun in public without a permit cites crime-drama TV series “The Wire” and invokes the “spirit of Aloha” in an apparent rebuke of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that expanded gun rights nationwide. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Appoints TV Journalist As New Chief Of Staff. Mayor Rick Blangiardi has hired Andy Sugg as his new chief of staff, filling the hole left in January when former chief of staff Sam Moku became the city’s homelessness coordinator. Civil Beat.

‘Monster homes’ measure nears final vote.  As a means of cracking down on those who would build so-called “monster homes” on Oahu, a 2023 measure meant to prohibit giving false statements to city planners proposes a new set of penalties be given to violators. Star-Advertiser.

Army bio-diesel generating plant is helping to ‘fill the gap’ in HECO grid. What makes this fuel source different is that instead of mixing fossil fuel, the bio-diesel is a mix of diesel and cooking oil that is processed at a plant on the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

Lead Detections Near Puuloa Shooting Range Prompt Calls For Investigation. Residents are asking the state health department to investigate lead contamination in the community neighboring the range.  Civil Beat.

State pilot program tapped for Kuilei Place units. Prices for the affordable units at Kuilei Place in Moiliili with one to three bedrooms ranged from $370,600 to $813,300. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial bill to relax Hawaii’s century-old anti-billboard law. SB3197 would allow advertisements on billboards, digital signs, and wallscapes in the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

12 dump truck loads needed to clear Kona encampment, tunnels. State Department of Transportation crews, joined by Hawaii Police Department Community Policing Officers, cleared out three drainage tunnels and another encampment in Kona on Wednesday, hauling away tons of trash. West Hawaii Today.

County Accepts Final EIS For Puna Geothermal Venture Repower Project. The County of Hawai‘i Planning Department has accepted the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Puna Geothermal Venture Repower Project. Big Island Video News.

County Council drives ahead with new funding bill for study to identify alternate routes in Puna. Bill 131 would provide $2 million for the Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works to complete a Puna Alternate Routes Study.  Big Island Now.

Upcoming moon mission has ties to the Big Island. Should all go well, on Feb. 22, the rocket will deposit on the moon a lunar lander carrying several instruments, including two from the Waimea-based International Lunar Observatory. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii Governor: There’s Still ‘A Ton More Work To Do’ In Maui’s Fire Recovery. Six months after the deadliest wildfire in modern U.S. history, government officials gathered to tout the progress in helping Maui rebound from the disaster that killed 100 people and destroyed more than 2,200 buildings in Lahaina. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  KITV4.   Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Maui wildfire residents still reeling, UH health study finds. Six months after the devastating Maui wildfires, many survivors are suffering from depression, poor health and financial struggles, according to researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Bill would broaden, streamline emergency building permits on Maui. Maui County Council members Thursday advanced a measure designed to broaden and streamline emergency building procedures in a move that aims to speed up construction approvals in the wake of the Aug. 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Asks To Waive Minimum Days Required For Maui Schools To Help Fire Survivors. Some Maui schools were closed for long periods after the disaster, and education officials want to help students recover emotionally and academically. Civil Beat.

Aikanaha project could be first buildout of rental housing in Waikapū Country Town. A 212-unit, low-income rental housing project in Waikapū underwent review Wednesday morning by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Public invited to workshop for Waimea 400 Affordable Housing project. The County of Kaua‘i Housing Agency will host a community workshop for the Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan project later this month. This workshop will share more information and gather input from the community on the different types of housing the public would like to see at Waimea 400. Kauai Now.

Senate to tackle climate change, Big Island geothermal expansion advances, new gun laws stir Honolulu residents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Briefing to be held to discuss threats climate change poses to Hawaii. A joint Informational Briefing will be held at the State Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 11, by Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, and Representative Nicole Lowe, Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. KHON2.

Here’s why Hawaiʻi’s new pay transparency law might not affect your employer. Act 203 requires that companies must put a reasonable salary range or hourly rate in their job listings. Exempt are internal promotions or transfers, public sector employees subject to collective bargaining agreements, and companies with 50 or more employees. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Governor Will Seek More Funds To Update Financial Management System. Gov. Josh Green’s administration plans to ask lawmakers for more money to replace an outdated financial management system, saying the project will cost $60 million after it stalled last year when the state terminated its troubled contract with a vendor. Civil Beat.

Invasive species are top of mind for Department of Agriculture this legislative session. Managing invasive species is a top priority for the state Department of Agriculture in the upcoming legislative session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council panel OKs federal plan to fund rail. On a split vote, the City Council’s budget committee Tuesday approved a federal agreement to fund Skyline’s ongoing construction to a planned station in Kakaako. On a split vote, the City Council’s budget committee Tuesday approved a federal agreement to fund Skyline’s ongoing construction to a planned station in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Public hearing set for proposed changes to affordable housing rules. A public hearing on proposed amendments to the city’s Affordable Housing Requirement Rules is scheduled for Friday morning.  Star-Advertiser.

The public shares concerns with HPD on newly enacted state laws on guns. As the Honolulu Police Department weighs compliance with newly enacted state laws, gun owners Tuesday flooded a hearing to weigh in on rules that will govern where firearms are not allowed, and the requirements for permits and licenses. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu mayor appoints new Homeless Coordinator. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed a new homeless coordinator for the City’s Department of Community Services. On Tuesday, they announced Sam Moku was selected for the role. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi's largest energy storage project now online in Kapolei. After several delays, the utility-scale battery farm kicked off commercial operations shortly before the holidays.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy Releases Nearly 2 Million Gallons Of Partially Treated Wastewater Off Pearl Harbor. The latest incident at its sewage treatment plant happened after heavy rains knocked out a power transformer. Civil Beat.

Red Hill task force will soon begin removing residual fuel from pipelines. Joint Task Force - Red Hill completed defueling the storage tanks last month, but approximately 64,000 gallons remain in the pipelines from that process. Hawaii Public Radio.

5 power sources linked to blackouts. Hawaiian Electric avoided a second straight evening of rolling blackouts across Oahu on Tuesday, but the power shutoffs Monday substantiated prior concerns about the company’s shift to more renewable energy. Star-Advertiser.

Ewa Beach Residents Left In The Dark About Possible Lead Contamination From Marines’ Shooting Range. A state lawmaker is refusing to share a taxpayer-funded lab report while endorsing a Marine-backed plan community leaders oppose.  Civil Beat.

Amid worrisome surge, Queen’s West sees more ER visits than state’s largest hospital. The emergency room at The Queen’s Medical Center West Oahu is so inundated it now gets more daily visits than Queen’s Punchbowl, the state’s largest hospital. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Puna Geothermal Venture expansion moves ahead. PGV’s long-awaited “repower” project, which will boost the facility’s energy production from 38 megawatts to 46 by replacing energy converters with more efficient ones, passed one of its final hurdles Monday when the final draft of an environmental impact statement covering the project was published, anticipating “no unavoidable adverse long-term impacts.” Tribune-Herald.

2 Big Island inmates charged after fatal fentanyl overdose. Hawaii County police are awaiting toxicology results in the suspected fentanyl overdose death Thursday of a 56-year-old Hilo inmate whose 41-year-old cellmate, Izaiah Shields, allegedly smuggled fentanyl inside his body onto a plane and into the Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Woman fined for stealing nene gosling from state park. A 58-year-old woman was convicted for stealing a nene gosling from Wailoa State Recreation Area last March and sentenced Tuesday in Hilo Environmental Court. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Unspent Funds Could Fill Maui’s $31 Million Budget Hole. The Bissen administration won't have more precise figures until at least next month, but county officials expect a rosier outlook. Civil Beat.

8 people rescued aboard foreign flagged sail boat that ran aground off Lahaina, Maui. The US Coast Guard and local agencies are responding to a foreign flagged sailing vessel that ran aground near Lahaina, Maui on Monday. Maui Now.

Scores of residents still can’t sift their Lahaina properties for belongings. Maui’s burn zones fully reopened last month, allowing thousands an opportunity for closure. But some residents still haven’t been allowed to sift through their homes.  Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Nakamura named Act 279 Working Group chair. Hawai‘i House Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura of Kaua‘i (District 15) was named chair of a legislative working group, whose role will be to oversee the execution of millions of dollars aimed at whittling down a beneficiary waiting list for housing. Garden Island.