Ostrov returns to head Hawaii GOP, bills advance unmasking ICE agents, Waikiki instituting major drone surveillance program, Rudy Tai named Kauai police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Head of Hawaiʻi Republican Party talks state priorities, President Trump. The Hawaiʻi Republican Party has had a revolving door with three different party chairs in the last six months. Shirlene Ostrov is back in the driver's seat after a stint five years ago.  She said that between then and now, the local party went through nine elected chairs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bills advance to identify ICE agents. The first of several bills that would unmask federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents was met with concerns Tuesday from the Honolulu Police Department and state Department of Law Enforcement that backup officers from their departments also could be identified while supporting local undercover operations. No representatives for ICE or any federal agency testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee or submitted written testimony regarding SB 2203. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Homeowners Need More Options To Get Rid Of All Cesspools By 2050. State lawmakers are taking up a bill this week that would create a low-interest loan program. All property owners in Hawaiʻi have until 2050 to get rid of their cesspools under state law. But daunting cost challenges have left 83,000 cesspools intact across the island state, with only a few hundred getting removed annually. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers hear passionate testimony on plan to study potential geothermal sites. State lawmakers heard passionate testimony opposing geothermal exploration by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) during a House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection hearing. The department is asking the legislature for $15 million to study geothermal energy and says beneficiary meetings will start in April and May. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii looks to fend off federal fossil fuels lawsuit. A lawsuit the federal government filed against Michigan over fossil fuels has been thrown out — prompting Hawaii to use that case to bolster its own of efforts to hold private companies accountable for their role in climate change. The federal government filed a lawsuit against Hawaii on April 30 after Gov. Josh Green announced he planned to sue private fossil fuel companies for deceptive marketing that contributed to climate change harms. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi’s Cost Of Living Is High. But There’s Another Huge Problem. Policymakers and media outlets often point to Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living when discussing why people flee the state for greener economic pastures. But a study by economists at the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization argues there’s another, equally important factor: a lack of high-paying jobs. Civil Beat.

How a media censorship case in Alaska relates to Hawaiʻi newspapers. A recent story in the Columbia Journalism Review highlighted the owner of Oahu Publications Inc. Its flagship publication is the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, which it created in 2010 after purchasing the Honolulu Advertiser from Gannett.  The Alabama company Carpenter Media Group acquired Oahu Publications and its media brands in 2024. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Sheriff Drones May Be Watching You In Waikīkī. A major drone surveillance program could be coming to Waikīkī as soon as March as part of a statewide push to use modern technologies to fill gaps in policing. Sheriffs plan to fly drones over the tourist district to watch for crimes being committed in public spaces during peak busy hours, festivals and large events.  Civil Beat.

Lawsuit is filed against city over approval of new Turtle Bay hotel. Earthjustice filed the suit Tuesday in First Circuit Court on behalf of the nonprofit groups Center for Biological Diversity and Conservation Council for Hawaii, and community group Kapa‘a Kuilima. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Dozens of tenants forced out of low-rise apartments for 'Iolani School demolition. Landowner ʻIolani School is beginning a long-planned expansion, knocking down five aging apartment buildings next to the campus. From keiki to kupuna, dozens of families over the weekend got notices to vacate and are now scrambling to find homes. KITV4.

Council bill seeks online database of city funds. A Honolulu City Council measure requiring the city administration use real-time, web-based software to grant greater public access to the annual, multi-billion dollar budgets and day-to-day finances of the city advanced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Car dealers say DMV registration delays slowing business on Oahu. For car dealers on Oahu, the biggest holdup isn’t selling vehicles, it’s registering them. Several dealers say limited appointment availability at the Satellite City Hall in Kapalama has turned registration into a waiting game, delaying deliveries and frustrating customers. Hawaii News Now.

Power outage sparks renewed push to restructure HECO. After a massive power outage that left thousands across the island in the dark yesterday, lawmakers are pushing a proposal to restructure Hawaiian Electric, raising new questions about reliability and accountability. KHON2. 

Pearl City woman sentenced for threatening Trump, Biden. A Pearl City woman was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release Monday while she continues her mental health treatment after pleading guilty to threatening to assassinate Trump or Biden, whoever was in the White House at the time. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Tephra cleaup continues: Kilauea volcano’s recent episode made a mess of things. A week-and-a-half after episode 41 of Kilauea’s yearlong summit eruption deposited tephra — lightweight volcanic glass debris — over a sizable area surrounding Halema‘uma‘u crater, residents of Volcano are still digging out. Tribune-Herald.

Police ID women killed in Hilo fire. Hawaii Island police have identified the two women who died in the Nov. 29, 2025, structure fire at the former Puueo Poi factory building on Kekuanaoa Street in Hilo. The victims have been identified as 72-year-old Antoinette Amii and a 56-year-old Neilla Lee, both tenants of the building. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Maui

KCWA hosts Community Conversation on how Maui’s watersheds really work, Feb. 5. The Kula Community Watershed Alliance will host its next Community Conversations event on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 6 p.m., featuring hydrologist Christopher Shuler of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Water Resources Research Center. Maui Now.

Response underway to remove grounded boat from Kīhei shoreline. Owners of a grounded vessel are hoping to get the boat removed from the Kīhei shoreline today. The vessel, Na Nahiku, ran aground on the shore fronting 131 S. Kīhei Road fronting the Kīhei Youth Center on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. Maui Now.

Kauai

Rudy Tai named next Kauai police chief. An Oahu man who retired Monday as the deputy chief of the San Diego Police Department was selected Tuesday to be Kauai’s next police chief. The Kauai Police Commission appointed Rudy Tai from a pool of 51 applicants. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Mayor Kawakami attends U.S. Conference of Mayors in D.C. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors, joining mayors from across the country to collaborate on shared challenges and national priorities impacting local communities.  Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Hawaii GOP in disarray; US military seeks to increase training, mines, off Hawaii; 7 governors support Kamehameha Schools in racial preference lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi’s GOP Continues To Fight Amongst Itself As The 2026 Elections Loom. The state Republican Party just elected its third chair in six months while several party officials have recently resigned over fights with leadership. Hawaiʻi’s minority party now has the most elected members in the Legislature since the halcyon days of GOP Gov. Linda Lingle in the 2000s. Civil Beat.

Military selects Pacific training preferences. The U.S. military announced Tuesday it had released its “record of decision” on preferences for training in the Pacific as it seeks new operating permits. The proposed course includes  increases in training around both California and Hawaii from the previous permit, including the installation and maintenance of mine training areas off Hawaii and Southern California.  Star-Advertiser.

Seven Hawaii governors support Kamehameha Schools admissions policy. All seven living Hawaiʻi governors, from current Gov. Josh Green to George Ariyoshi, 99, said some wrongly seek to undermine Princess Bernice Pauahi’s vision by forcing Kamehameha Schools to disregard her 1883 directive giving preference to Native Hawaiians. Hawaii News Now.

Lights, camera, comeback: Major 2026 productions signal rebound for Hawaii film & TV industry.  Hawaii’s film and TV industry has been quiet for months. But new signs of life are emerging, and for local workers whose livelihoods were at risk, it couldn’t come soon enough. KHON2.

Trump admin’s proposed rules may deter Hawaii's future nurse practitioners. Nurses are often the first primary care providers you'll see when needing care, and now the federal government is looking to reclassify them, which will impact the amount of money nursing students could borrow for advanced degrees. KITV4.

Oahu

Some Honolulu charter amendment proposals seek to improve food security, farming. Nearly 280 proposed charter amendments have been submitted to the Honolulu Charter Commission, including several with a focus on improving farming or ensuring that residents don’t go hungry. Hawaii Public Radio.

AI Is Everywhere. Will Honolulu Voters Get To Set Limits? Artificial intelligence is already widely used in city government. Some residents want to see the charter updated to require more transparency. Civil Beat.

Task force proposes housing stipends, bonuses to fill HPD vacancies. With more than 600 officer and civilian openings at the Honolulu Police Department, a new report is offering solutions. Lawmakers and law enforcement leaders say the key to reducing vacancies is incentives. Hawaii News Now.

New Honolulu Liquor Commission administrator sought. Honolulu Liquor Commission Administrator Salvador Petilos was charged with leading reform efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the wake of lawsuits the agency was forced to settle alleging discrimination and misconduct by liquor investigators. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore gondola project hits snag as DPP reconsidering developer’s conditional use permit. The proposed gondola project on Oahu’s North Shore has hit a snag. The city’s permitting office says there are issues with the project’s initial permits. That could prevent any further development in the area and leave the idea of gondolas dangling in the air. KHON2.

Coca-Cola’s Hawaii bottling plant to close in January. The 65-year-old Mapunapuna bottling plant, operating since 1960, will not have a successor, and instead, the Coca-Cola franchise owner will focus on distribution, and will build a new warehouse in Kapolei.  Star-Advertiser.

‘What’s That Smell?’ Mysterious Stench Stumps Nānākuli Residents. A West Side community has been plagued for several months by a deathly stink, but no one knows where it’s coming from. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

High court to hear case regarding retired West Hawaii firefighters. Two retired Hawaii Fire Department battalion chiefs who sued former Fire Chief Darren Rosario and lost both their Circuit Court case and their appeal to the Intermediate Court of Appeals will have their case heard by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Tribune-Herald.

Immigration resolution advances. A Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday advanced a resolution opposing the Trump administration’s recent immigration directives and urging the state to limit local involvement in federal civil enforcement. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Council member Ashley Kierkiewicz on adjusting affordable housing rules. Hawaiʻi County is looking to change some of its affordable housing rules. Over the past few weeks, there have been community meetings about this topic — with the latest one wrapping up late Monday afternoon in Hilo. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hilo fires over Thanksgiving weekend raise alarm about safety of county’s aging buildings, infrastructure. After two fires engulfed decades-old buildings in Hilo over Thanksgiving weekend, killing two people, causing evacuations and leaving dozens homeless, Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said Monday he is concerned about the emerging trend of aging buildings, infrastructure, and even trees, becoming safety hazards. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui reaches 100th rebuilt structure in wildfire zones.  Maui County has marked the completion of the 100th rebuilt structure in areas damaged by the 2023 wildfires, officials said Tuesday. Maui News. KHON2. 

Maui microtransit options explored for Kula-Upcountry and Waiheʻe-Kahului, Dec. 10. Community members are invited to a County of Maui Department of Transportation (DOT) virtual meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, to offer feedback on a proposed public transportation option called microtransit for Kula-Upcountry and Waiheʻe-Kahului areas. Maui Now.

Maui council advances vacation rental bill aimed at increasing housing stock. The Maui County Council continues to weigh a bill that would phase out about half of vacation rentals.  Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency seeks public input on disaster mitigation plan. The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency is inviting residents to help update the county’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan, a five-year strategy aimed at reducing risks from natural disasters and strengthening community preparedness. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi to host gala in hopes of raising funds for food security. Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi will host its first Nourish Gala in a couple of weeks, where the community will come together to raise funds to ensure Garden Isle residents have dependable access to fresh, locally grown foods. Kauai Now.

Hawaii GOP chair resigns in QAnon Twitter backlash, Court: Mauna Kea police presence warranted, unemployment snags persist, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Republican Party Chairwoman Shirlene Ostrov via LinkedIn

Hawaii GOP chair resigns following backlash over tweets defending QAnon followers. The head of Hawaii’s Republican Party is stepping down. The party announced late Sunday that Shirlene Ostrov resigned after four years as chair. Hawaii News Now.

Who’s Leading The Hawaii House GOP? Nobody Knows. The four minority members are split 2-2 on who should represent the chamber. Meanwhile, the party’s chair has resigned over controversial tweets. Civil Beat.

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Hawaii telework bill among measures backed by the Women’s Legislative Caucus. Government workers would be given greater flexibility over their work schedules under a bill that would require all state departments to come up with telework and alternative work schedule policies. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island.

‘Overpayment’ Reviews Causing Latest Delays To Hawaii Jobless Benefits. Many locals, still unemployed in the pandemic, are getting stuck as they try to secure extended benefits from federal COVID-relief packages. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

State Health Department Is Mum On Former Epidemiologist’s Departure. The department says that Dr. Sarah Park, criticized for her leadership during the pandemic, left the department the last day of 2020. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s electricity most expensive in the nation, but tax credit extension could help. Rooftop solar installations in Hawaii were up 55% in 2020, despite the economic turmoil brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. KHON2.

Can You Make Money Being A Farmer In Hawaii? Often lost amid the talk of growing more food in Hawaii is that Hawaii’s biggest crops aren’t foods eaten here, but things grown mainly to export. According to the UDSA, the state’s three biggest cash crops in 2017 were seed crops, coffee and macadamia nuts. The seed crops, mostly corn shipped to farmers elsewhere, were valued at $120.8 million; macadamia nuts, $53.9 million and coffee, $43.8 million. Civil Beat.

Some Expectant Mothers In Hawaii Are Steering Clear Of Hospitals During the Pandemic. Midwives say they’ve been so busy that they’ve sometimes had to turn away clients. Civil Beat.

Officials discuss various ways vaccinations are happening in Hawaii. There are four major ways the state Department of Health is working to get COVID-19 vaccines out to the public, state Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char told lawmakers last week during a joint informational briefing with the House Committee on Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness and the state Senate Committee on Health. Tribune-Herald.

HAWAII VIRUS TRACKER — Jan. 31: 82 New COVID-19 Infections And 3 Deaths. Sunday’s cases included 59 on Oahu, nine on Maui, 10 on the Big Island and four residents diagnosed out of state. Two of the deaths were on Oahu and one was on Maui. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Looking to revitalize Oahu’s economy, Honolulu mayor considers easing restrictions. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is looking to loosen restrictions on bars, restaurants, and youth sports. Hawaii News Now.

Civil Beat Sues Honolulu Police To Make Officer Overtime Data Public. Honolulu Civil Beat filed a lawsuit Friday to get data from the Honolulu Police Department on the amount of overtime each officer has worked in the past five years. Civil Beat.

State seeks innovative ways to finance and build new OCCC. State officials are asking construction contractors, financiers and investors around the world to come up with innovative ways to pay for and build a new, cost-effective and efficient Oahu Community Correctional Center that would ideally provide a template for future state construction. Star-Advertiser.

DOCARE Academy’s first cohort of graduates is ready to serve. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has added 12 new Conservation and Resource Enforcement officers to its team due to a new collaboration with Honolulu Community College. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore wind farm settlement offers added funding, protections for endangered species. The operator of the Kawailoa Wind farm in the hills above Waimea Bay has agreed to pay for greater protections for endangered species as part of a contested case hearing settlement announced Friday. Star-Advertiser.

OHA trustees launch new effort to develop Kakaako Makai property. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Thursday took the first step toward kick-starting the stalled development of its waterfront holdings in Kakaako, valued at $200 million. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua’s Kawainui Marsh to undergo major 2-year restoration. An East Oahu wetland is getting some much-needed improvements thanks to a new restoration effort. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu developer takes plunge into COVID-tinged housing market. The developer of a planned twin-tower condominium project near Ala Moana Center is preparing to sell units after holding off last year because of COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Appellate court affirms police presence on Maunakea. Hawaii County Police Chief Paul Ferreira had the legal authority to request police officers from other counties to help maintain order on Maunakea during 2019 protests over the Thirty Meter Telescope, the state Intermediate Court of Appeals said Wednesday in an opinion upholding a ruling by 3rd Circuit Court Judge Henry Nakamoto. West Hawaii Today.

Change in opinion: HPD to comply with Act 47, ID officers fired, suspended for misconduct. A day after stating the Hawaii Police Department would not submit until court-ordered the names of officers suspended or fired for misconduct, pursuant to a law that went into effect last fall, the county has changed its stance. West Hawaii Today.

Planning for the future; Proposed capital improvements measure includes bond funding for HMC expansion project. A proposed expansion of Hilo Medical Center is a capital improvement priority for one local legislator. Tribune-Herald.

Bill would allow luxury property owners choice to send tax money to county or charity. The tax, approved last year, imposes $13.60 tax per thousand dollars worth of property value over $2 million for property in the residential category, compared to $11.10 in tax per thousand for the portion of the property under $2 million. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Harbor Lights COVID-19 cluster is now ‘stablilized’. Residents, community groups band together to assist complex. Maui News.

Five Maui Coast workers test positive for virus. Five employees at the Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei have tested positive for COVID-19, though three have already recovered and are back at work and the other two are expected to return shortly, according to the hotel’s general manager. Maui News.

County considers purchase of Maui News property. Maui County is considering the purchase of a 6.3-acre parcel that includes The Maui News offices in Wailuku. Maui News.

Kauai

Council passes enhanced shoreline-setback ordinance. The county Planning Department isn’t completely satisfied with new additions to the county’s shoreline-setback ordinance that were recently passed through the Kaua‘i County Council. Garden Island.

County requests proposed Westside beach access bill be modified. A hearing notice proposing a pilot permit program at Polihale State Park and Kekaha Beach Park to allow for beach driving was the first time the County of Kaua‘i heard of such a proposal. Garden Island.