Keohokalole challenges Case for Congressional seat, Green extends solar tax credit another year, new GoFundMe rules for Hawaii nonprofits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Experience Or New Energy: Case Squares Off Against Keohokalole for Congress. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term, faces his most challenging primary race since returning to Congress in 2018. Case, a Democrat, is seeking his fifth term representing Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District, which covers urban Oʻahu from Hawaiʻi Kai to ʻEwa. But if he’s to return to Washington in 2027 he’ll need to stave off a challenge from 42-year-old state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who’s now his main opponent in the contest. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green preserves 2026 Hawaii solar tax credit. Gov. Josh Green signed an executive order that would preserve solar credits for projects this year, delaying any changes to the program prompted by Act 24 until 2027. Green had signed Act 24 May 21 that reduced tax credits for several industries to help the state balance its budget and partly offset nearly $3 billion in anticipated lost revenue from the federal government.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

There’s One Big Flaw With The AG’s Track Record On Medicaid Fraud. A single settlement with a dialysis company accounted for the lion’s share of funds recovered by Hawaiʻi’s fraud unit, now facing federal scrutiny. Civil Beat.

New law changes fundraising for Hawaii nonprofits.  Beginning July 1, Hawaii’s Act 205 will require online charitable fundraising platforms, including GoFundMe, to obtain written permission from nonprofits before allowing users to donate to them or create fundraisers on their behalf. Star-Advertiser.

DHHL legal settlement distribution nears end. A genealogical hunt to find beneficiaries of a $328 million Hawaii legal settlement is nearing a likely incomplete end after more than two years of difficult and often emotionally searing work. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Convention center forced to postpone dozens of projects. The Hawai‘i Convention Center is moving ahead with critical leak repairs during its two-year shutdown, but state lawmakers’ rejection of a $55 million funding request means many of the upgrades needed to keep the venue competitive will be pushed off for years. Star-Advertiser.

Navy plans Red Hill water treatment facility. Five years since the Red Hill fuel leaks contaminated drinking water that serves 93,000 Oahu residents, sickening many, the Navy has completed its environmental assessment for a Red Hill Water Treatment Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Circus producer sues city over alleged ticketing failures, lost sales. The  lawsuit alleges the city required Showmakers Inc., a Honolulu- based producer of a circus featuring acrobats and motorcycle stunts rather than animal acts, to sell tickets exclusively through Ticketmaster LLC as a condition of using the city-owned venue at 777 Ward Ave. Star-Advertiser.

OHA reconsiders exploring KITV/KIKU deal. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will reconsider its vote against funding due diligence for a possible acquisition of KITV and KIKU, reviving a proposal the Board of Trustees narrowly rejected last month. Star-Advertiser.

New Haleiwa farm expands opportunities for immigrant and refugee farmers. Community leaders, elected officials and immigrant farmers gathered at the North Shore Friday to bless Pacific Gateway Center’s new 80-acre Haleiwa farm, celebrating a project they say will strengthen Hawaii’s food security while creating economic opportunities for refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu condo owners pay some of the highest fees in the country. More than 60% of Oʻahu condominiums sold this year have maintenance fees of $800 a month or more. That’s up from just 20% in 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Military and civic leaders celebrate Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s founding. Military and civic leaders gathered Sunday on the grounds of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to recognize Flag Day — the celebration of the official adoption of the American flag in 1777 — as well as the anniversary of the U.S. Army’s founding in 1775. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Harbor project hits snag. A $62 million planned expansion of Hilo Harbor will include traffic-flow improvements along Kalanianaole Street, promising relief to beach-goers, school commuters and residents of Keaukaha fed up with frequent gridlocks caused by cargo trucks entering and exiting the port. But the project’s timetable continues to be pushed back by breakdowns in negotiations over five privately owned properties adjacent to the port which the state needs to acquire before work can begin. Tribune-Herald.

Lawsuit trying to stop Kamehameha School’s Keauhou Bay plan to have hearing about consultant’s role. The main goal of the lawsuit's petitioner is to stop a proposed 150 bungalow development that is part of the nonprofit's management plan, which also includes a new cultural education center. Big Island Now.

Waikoloa Village residents ramp up demand for a new road. Wildfires in recent years on Hawaii Island and Maui have driven Waikoloa Village residents to seek proactive solutions to the looming danger of traffic bottlenecks in the event of a full-scale evacuation. The village is home to roughly 7,000 full-time residents with only one way in and out: Waikoloa Road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

3 Democrats Compete For West Maui House Seat In Primary. House District 14 has gone Democrat for decades. But its two-term incumbent, Rep. Elle Cochran, traded teams in March and is running as a Republican.  Civil Beat.

Cost of Government Commission releases sweeping review of Maui County Boards and Commissions. The report identifies seven cross-cutting issues affecting the County’s governance infrastructure and recommends a mix of eliminations, restructurings and reforms. Maui Now.

Maui Health celebrates new CT scanner made possible with Oprah Winfrey donation. The June 8 ceremony brought together the hospital’s Imaging team, Kahu Kimokeo Kapahulehua, and Winfrey, whose gift to Maui Health Foundation funded the advanced diagnostic equipment. Maui Now.

Dead coconut rhinoceros beetles found in Waikapu traps. State agriculture officials have confirmed the discovery of dead coconut rhinoceros beetles in Waikapu, prompting additional surveys and monitoring efforts as Maui continues to guard against the destructive invasive pest. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County seeking to expand part of Kekaha Landfill by 2030. Kauai County is aiming to vertically expand a portion of the Kekaha Landfill — the only permitted landfill on the island — as it’s expected to reach its maximum capacity in 2030. Star-Advertiser.

Want to live like a rockstar? Former Carlos Santana estate up for sale on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. The $13 million former Santana home is next door to another larger 6.87-acre estate also up for grabs for a mere $32.5 million by the same seller. Kauai Now.

Connors resigns as US Attorney, Thirty Meter Telescope gets new mayor's support, Honolulu firefighter dies in house fire, Maui nurses approve contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Clare E. Connors resigns as U.S. Attorney for Hawaii. U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Clare E. Connors on Monday submitted her resignation effective 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 19, the day before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Connors, a former Hawaiʻi attorney general, was nominated to her post by Biden in September 2021, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December of that year and sworn into office in January 2022. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Trump Tariffs, Immigration Crackdown Could Increase Hawaiʻi Inflation. A University of Hawaiʻi economist says if the president-elect makes good on his promises it could affect everything from tourism to real estate. Civil Beat.

Full-Time Criminal Investigative Unit Proposed To Tackle Illegal Fireworks. A task force that began its work long before the recent tragedy in Salt Lake also recommends a unified fireworks permitting system in Hawaiʻi and $2 million for a new firearms and explosives lab. Civil Beat.

New laws kick off 2025: Some aim to attract more nurses, doctors to Hawaii. A number of new laws took effect starting Jan. 1. At least four of those laws are related to medicine — with two intended to facilitate the licensing of physicians and nurses, which are in short supply in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu firefighter dies; 5 people injured in McCully building fire. A 25-year-old Honolulu firefighter died and five people were seriously injured Monday night in a two-story building fire on Young Street that caused a partial roof collapse. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Boy, 3, dies from injuries in New Year’s blast. A 3-year-old boy is the fourth and youngest person to die from injuries sustained in the catastrophic explosion of a large cache of aerial fireworks at an Aliamanu New Year’s Eve party. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu councilmembers face aging facilities, affordable housing in new term. The nine-member council held its first meeting following the November elections. The council is actually nearly identical to what it was before the elections, except for the presence of newly elected Councilmember Scott Nishimoto, who has replaced the now-retired Councilmember Calvin Say. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu housing market notches price gains in 2024, but not complete rebound. The median price for single­-family houses sold in 2024 rose 4.8% to $1,100,000 from $1,050,000 in 2023, and came close to the peak reached in 2022 at $1,105,000. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Skyline to shut down for next 2 weekends. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services announced Monday that Skyline passenger service on two segments of its planned three- segment rail line will shut down for two consecutive weekends. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

New mayor’s support reignites TMT debate. The Thirty Meter Telescope is back as a hot topic, after Hawaii County’s new mayor said he could now support the project if it’s done right. In videos posted to social media in recent days, Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda expresses support for TMT, something that caught many on both sides of the issue by surprise as Alameda had previously opposed the project back when construction was set to begin in 2019.  KHON2.

Emergency rules continue for Waipio Valley Road, 3 years since their introduction. The County of Hawaiʻi is continuing emergency rules for Waipio Valley Road, three years after the rules were first enacted in 2022. Mayor Kimo Alameda signed the 15th Waipio Valley Road Declaration of Emergency and related emergency rules due to ongoing safety concerns.  Big Island Now.

Vog conditions could continue in East Hawaii. Volcanic fumes might linger over East Hawaii for the next few days even as the latest eruption of Kilauea has paused. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Health workers avoid strike, approve new contract with 21% pay raises and safe staffing plans. Maui Health and union agree to new 4-year contract. The United Nurses and Health Care Employees of Hawaii, which represents more than 900 workers at Maui Health, said Monday its members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Do Maui Wildfire Lawyers Deserve $1 Billion In Fees? A Maui judge will decide this month how to divide up a $4 billion settlement among many groups of lawyers representing fire victims. Civil Beat.

New leadership roles announced by Hawaiʻi Department of Education, including on Maui. Hawai‘i State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi has appointed a new deputy superintendent for operations and a new assistant superintendent for information technology services, both of whom will step into their new roles this month. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County offering grants to combat homelessness. The County of Kauaʻi’s Housing Agency is awarding grants up to $500,000 as a Homeless Program Grant to eligible non-profit agency initiatives, with applications for the grant closing Jan. 31. KHON2.

Health department fines Waimea asphalt plant $33K, following ‘numerous violations’. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order to Maui Asphalt for numerous violations of improper disposal of pollutants reportedly at their asphalt batch plant located in Waimea. Kauai Now.

Santana postpones Las Vegas residency shows after falling at home on Kaua‘i. According to a statement from Michael Vrionis, President of Universal Tone Management, said the musician was taking a walk at his home in Princeville when took a hard fall resulting in him breaking his little finger on his left hand. Kauai Now.