State to dole out $250 to each SNAP recipient, federal judge in Hawaii rules on abortion drug, two dead in Ewa Beach care home fire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State to give $250 to each SNAP recipient. The state will provide $250 in November for each of Hawaii’s 161,400 island residents whose SNAP benefits will no longer be federally funded Saturday because of the ongoing government shutdown, Gov. Josh Green announced at the state Capitol on Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. Maui News.  Maui Now. 

Federal Judge In Hawaiʻi Rules FDA Violated Law With Abortion Pill Restrictions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration violated the law by imposing restrictions on accessing mifepristone, a medication for abortions and miscarriage management, a federal judge in Hawai‘i ruled Thursday. Associated Press.

Disgraced Cops And Ex-Felons Are Among Hawaiʻi’s Licensed Security Guards. The state board that licenses private security guards has broad authority to certify people who apply, even if their personal history raises red flags. Civil Beat.

A Revolving Door For Mentally Ill? Lawmakers Question Diversion Program. Lawmakers are expressing concern that a law meant to keep people with mental illness accused of minor crimes from languishing in jail is instead trapping some people in a revolving door at the Hawaiʻi State Hospital without meaningful treatment. Civil Beat.

Kamehameha Ending Scholarships For Students Attending Other Schools. The Kipona Scholarship is Kamehameha’s third-largest external financial aid program. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

Hawaii’s aiports avoid delays seen on mainland — so far. Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown and nationwide staffing shortages, Hawaii airports have so far managed to avoid significant delays, according to Shelly Kunishige from the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Tribune-Herald.

Visitor arrivals to Hawaii still softening. Visitor arrivals to Hawaii declined in September, but higher daily spending helped bolster tourism revenue — though inflation and rising operational costs cut into the increases. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ewa Beach care home fire leaves 2 dead, 1 seriously injured. A 93-year-old woman was killed in an Ewa Beach adult care home fire Wednesday night, and a 32-year-old woman who lived behind the home died Thursday at Straub Medical Center. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Registration for Foodbank’s Waipio distribution event quickly hits full capacity. The event, for federal workers and food stamp recipients affected by the U.S. government shutdown, was announced around midday Thursday but, at about 4 p.m., Foodbank officials said registration was closed. Star-Advertiser.

Law enforcement operation recovers 10 runaway teens on Oʻahu. Ten runaway youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years old were recovered on Oʻahu through a multi-law enforcement agency operation, local enforcement said.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Kona Airport shut down for hours to address runway repairs. Travelers faced delays Thursday at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, which closed for about seven hours to complete repairs to its sole runway. Star-Advertiser.

Enrollment up nearly 9% at Hawaii Community College. Hawaii Community College had one of the largest enrollment increases in the University of Hawaii system this fall, rising 8.7% to 2,489 students — its highest headcount in years and a strong sign of renewed momentum. Tribune-Herald.

Waimea District Park Playground Closed, Temporarily. The repairs to the playground equipment are expected to be completed by November 8, depending on weather conditions and other factors. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission defers consideration of larger ʻohana homes to build housing inventory. The Maui Planning Commission deferred consideration Tuesday of a draft bill to increase the allowable size of accessory dwelling units, also known as ʻohana homes, on smaller lots, a move intended to help address Maui County’s critical housing shortage. Maui Now.

Four Seasons wins SMA permit after Maui Planning Commission backs off property-wide water monitoring. The Maui Planning Commission voted 5-1 Tuesday to grant a special management area use permit for the Four Seasons Resort Wailea’s $16.3 million project to make exterior renovations, including new swimming pools.  Maui Now.

Lanai bowling alley saga shines light on county’s cumbersome parking mandates. Maui County lawmakers have approved a bill that clears the way for a new four-lane bowling facility in the heart of the island’s “downtown” area.  Maui News.

Aloha Pickleball holds groundbreaking for new 18-court complex in Kīhei. After five years of dreaming, planning and perseverance, Aloha Pickleball held its groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for its new, state-of-the-art pickleball complex in Kīhei. Maui Now.

Community reports essential as little fire ant detections increase on Maui. With 75% of detections coming from residents, community engagement continues to be the key to protection. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County adopts first-ever framework to guide disaster. Kaua‘i County and University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, also known as Hawai‘i Sea Grant, have developed a framework aimed at helping Kauaʻi’s communities prepare more effectively and, in turn, better support recovery following natural disasters. Kauai Now.

First infant, toddler center opens. The opening expands CFS’s capacity to serve more of Kauai’s youngest keiki and their families through Early Head Start services in a dedicated, center-based setting. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Petition seeks identity of mystery lawmaker who took $35k bribe, governor announces relief effort as federal benefits are frozen, Kapalua golf course to reopen, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New push underway to expose ‘influential’ lawmaker who took $35,000 bribe. A new petition is calling for lawmakers to investigate one of their own after federal court documents revealed an “influential state legislator” took a $35,000 bribe but was never charged. Hawaii News Now.

Governor announces relief effort to protect families from federal gov’t shutdown impacts. Aid for Hawaii housing costs now available as federal food aid loss nears. A new $100 million state program is offering rent and utility payment assistance to Hawaii residents with children facing financial instability as federal food aid for almost 170,000 people statewide is scheduled for suspension Saturday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

SNAP work requirement changes take effect Saturday. H.R.1, or the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, expanded work requirements for what it called “able-bodied adults,” which currently apply to residents ages 18 to 54 with no dependents, to a broader population to remain eligible for SNAP, America’s food stamp program. Under federal law, these adults will have to complete 80 hours of work or training per month to remain eligible for SNAP. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Coral reefs have reached a climate tipping point, but Hawaiʻi researchers say hope remains. A new global report warns coral reefs have already reached a climate tipping point, dying faster than they can naturally recover. KITV4.

Oahu

Chinatown seniors face steep rent increases at affordable housing complex. Seniors living at an affordable housing complex in Chinatown are facing significant rent increases, with some residents reporting hikes of more than 34%. At the Halewaiʻolu Senior Residences on River Street, 155 affordable rental units house residents 55 and older. Hawaii News Now.

Financing secured for first phase of Kūhiō Park Terrace redevelopment. In this phase, 60 of the current 174 aging public housing units will be replaced with 302 new affordable rental homes and two manager units. Aloha State Daily.

Mental health clinic for veterans and families celebrates 5 years. The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Mililani celebrated five years of operations Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Shutdown halts Hawaiʻi's primary way of confirming Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. The government shutdown has paused a critical detection component of the effort to contain Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi's native forests. For the duration of the shutdown, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service lab in Hilo is not testing new samples to confirm cases of ROD. Hawaii Public Radio.

Long-term solutions being explored after dredging of Pohoiki Boat Ramp failed. After the recent dredging at Pohoiki Boat Ramp failed, state Rep. Greggor Ilagan of Puna described two options for a long-term solution. Big Island Now.

Food Lines Form In Hawaiʻi As SNAP Benefits Near Expiration. The Food Basket held an ‘Ohana Drop food distribution in Hilo last week, as the federal government shutdown continues. Big Island Video News.

Waimea District Park Playground Closed, Temporarily. The repairs to the playground equipment are expected to be completed by November 8, depending on weather conditions and other factors. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Kapalua’s Plantation Course to reopen Nov. 10. Seeing improved conditions after the Plantation Course turned brown without water over the summer, Kapalua is preparing to reopen the course Nov. 10. Maui News.

East Maui group escalates dispute with state over visitor misbehavior on Hāna Highway. Famed for its hundreds of twists and turns through lush East Maui rainforests and dozens of one-lane bridges, the Road to Hāna has become infamous for something else — the head-scratching antics of visitors. Maui Now.

Upcountry drought concerns continue after Maui County downgrades water shortage. The County of Maui has downgraded the severity of a historic drought, but local officials are no less concerned about dry conditions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai Independent Food Bank helps feed federal workers’ families. More than 8,500 pounds of food were distributed on Monday from the Kauai Independent Food Bank facility for federal workers affected by the government shutdown. Garden Island.

North Shore Give caravan delivers gratitude to Kauaʻi’s first responders. In a moving gesture of appreciation on National First Responders Day, local nonprofit North Shore Give took to the road, forming a caravan of gratitude that stopped at fire stations, police departments and ambulance bases across Kaua’i. Kauai Now.

Hawaii under fire weather watch, measles found in Kauai wastewater, state to aid SNAP recipients, film industry shrinks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Forecasters issue fire weather watch for Hawaii due to low humidity, high winds. The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for all Hawaii islands from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon as high winds, dry brush and low humidity increase the threat that any wildfire could spread quickly.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii set to offer aid for SNAP families as federal shutdown threatens to disrupt food stamp program. On Nov. 1, people who rely on food stamps may find their EBT cards no longer working if Congress doesn’t reopen the government by the end of the month. That would leave about 85,000 households in Hawaii scrambling to put food on the table. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii film industry shrunk 80% since pandemic, hope on the horizon. Hawaii’s film industry has been struggling since the pandemic and has seen a massive reduction in locally-produced projects, but lawmakers and those in the industry said they are working on solutions to encourage more opportunities. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Balked At Natural Gas. Now, It Could Lower Energy Bills. Critics say an agreement between the state and a Japanese energy firm lacks details and could bind Hawaiʻi to using fossil fuel to produce electricity. Civil Beat.

Trump’s drug war using the military has come to the Pacific. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strike took place in the “Eastern Pacific” without further details, but the New York Times reported that the strike took place near Colombia’s Pacific Coast.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Will New Bonuses Keep Honolulu’s 911 Staff On The Job? The dispatchers will get from $500 to $2,000 extra per month depending on their job. Some say that’s welcome but more needs to be done to address concerns about working conditions. Civil Beat.

Dole St. main break floods properties; BWS requests water conservation in area. Crews continue to respond to a 20-inch water transmission main break for a second day on Dole Street, fronting Kanewai Community Park near the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Star-Advertiser.

Suspect in officer’s shooting, Kapahulu barricade is felon from Kauai. Robert Melvin Morris s in custody at the Federal Detention Center, Honolulu after his 15-hour standoff with Honolulu Police Department officers, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and Sheriff’s deputies ended in surrender just before 1 a.m. Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2. KITV4.

Judge allows trial to move forward in Kakaako road rage case. An Oahu Circuit Court judge wasted no time in setting a trial date for California serial road rage offender Nathaniel Radimak, who was denied use of an insanity defense in his alleged attack against an 18-year-old driver and her 35-year-old mother in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

State admits Pohoiki Boat Ramp dredging effort has failed. Despite months of dredging work to reopen the Pohoiki Boat Ramp, the entrance channel has again filled with volcanic debris and sand, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Fire Weather Watch Issued For Parts Of Hawaiʻi Island. Dry and windy conditions will develop by the end of the week, producing fire weather conditions across portions of the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

One dead, one missing after hotel blaze in Hilo. At about 2 a.m., police officers and firefighters responded to the blaze at the Wild Ginger Hotel on the 100 block of Puueo Street. The structure was engulfed in flames upon arrival, with parts of the building already collapsed, according to the Hawaii Police Department.  Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  KITV4. 

Progress made in effort to restore Ka‘u estuary. A draft environmental assessment filed with the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in September advances Ka‘u wetland restoration that has been almost 20 years in the making. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Maui Ethics Board Rules Silence Citizens With Pending Complaints. The Maui Board of Ethics unanimously approved sweeping new rule changes Wednesday, including what several members of the public described as a gag order against anyone who files an ethics complaint against a county employee or elected official. Civil Beat.

Mayor Bissen urges Council to pass Bill 9, citing need to restore housing balance. Mayor Richard Bissen urged Maui County Council members to pass Bill 9, which would phase out apartment district properties operating as transient vacation rentals, arguing the move is critical to addressing direly needed long-term housing for residents. Maui Now.

Maui Gold Pineapple wants to ramp up to full production, but deer and drought stand in the way. Hungry wild deer and pigs have been wreaking havoc on about 20 acres of the Hāli‘imaile pineapple farm. Maui Now.

The Sentry at Kapalua gets canceled instead of going to another course. The PGA Tour is canceling its season opener at The Sentry instead of finding a replacement course for water-deprived Kapalua on Maui, the first time a tournament has been canceled since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Associated Press.

Kauai

DOH finds measles in Kauai wastewater, no cases reported.  Officials said the sample was collected on Sept. 24 from a site in East Kauai County, and that DOH was notified of the result on Oct. 20. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Public invited to comment on the top road safety concerns. The Planning Department has created an online survey for the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, which will identify ways to improve road safety and work toward the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries for all road users. Kauai Now.

Nonprofit North Shore Give delivers ultrasound machine to Kauaʻi’s rural urgent care. With no hospitals and only one urgent care clinic on Kauaʻi’s remote North Shore, residents have long faced challenges in accessing timely medical imaging and specialized care. Kauai Now.