Kamehameha Schools sued over race-based admissions, Hawaii losing $120M a week from federal shutdown, Maui residents sue council over Sunshine Law, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kamehameha Schools sued over race-based admissions. The nonprofit group that successfully challenged race-conscious college admissions in the U.S. Supreme Court has filed a new lawsuit — this time against Kamehameha Schools — seeking to overturn the private institution’s long-standing policy of giving preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaiʻi Defense Contractor Gets Prison Time For Illegal Donations. A federal judge says Martin Kao’s prison sentence will be a deterrent for others. Civil Beat.

Hawaii tax director accused of creating ‘hostile’ work environment. Six state Tax Department employees — including the department’s human resources officer — allege that Tax Director Gary Suganuma has created an abusive and hostile work environment over issues that have nothing to do with assisting island taxpayers or ensuring that the state collects what it’s due. Star-Advertiser.

Democrats send 3 names to governor for Senate seat. The Democratic Party of Hawaii’s Oahu County Committee has selected Steven P. Canales, Rachele F. Lamosao and Dr. Inam U. Rahman for Gov. Josh Green’s consideration to fill the Senate District 19 seat left vacant by the retirement of state Sen. Henry Aquino (D, Pearl City-Waipahu-West Loch). Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green says Hawaii losing $120 million a week during government shutdown. We’re into day 20 of the federal government shutdown with wide-ranging impacts being felt in Hawaii, including federal employees and the University of Hawaii. KHON2.

State emergency officials say new rules and delays for FEMA grants put disaster response at risk. State officials on the front lines of preparing for natural disasters and responding to emergencies say severe cuts to federal security grants, restrictions on money intended for readiness and funding delays tied to litigation are posing a growing risk to their ability to respond to crises. Associated Press. 

Federal cuts and policies lead to 'crisis' for local agriculture, food security. In an informational briefing with state lawmakers Thursday, state officials and nonprofit representatives said the fallout and uncertainty from shifting federal policies make it difficult for farming operations to grow, or even continue. Hawaii Public Radio.

Farmworkers Earn Well Over Minimum Wage But Not Enough For Hawai‘i. Farm and ranch workers made almost $22 an hour on average last year but still fell just below the state’s survival wage. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Skyline counts 61,968 rides in first 4 days after new segment opened. City officials counted 61,968 rides taken on Skyline rail trains in the first four days after opening a new 5.2-mile segment that takes passengers into four, critical new stations, including Daniel K. International Airport. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

‘Complete Failure’: Honolulu Permit Workers Say Tech Upgrade Is A Bust. The permitting director insists the new program is working and problems are being fixed, but some staff are begging for a return to the old system. Civil Beat.

Land dispute causes reef and wave project to shift to Oʻahu's south shore. Instead of being placed in the water off Mōkapu near the marine base, it will end up off O'ahu’s south side. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waterway maintenance at Moanalua Valley stream begins. The city Department of Facility Maintenance says it began using heavy machinery on Friday ) at Manaiki Stream, located in a residential neighborhood within Moanalua Valley. Star-Advertiser.

What will new Business Improvement District mean for Downtown Honolulu? Downtown Honolulu has a new business improvement district. An effort to make the area safer and cleaner in the hopes it will attract more business, residents and visitors. With a signature Monday morning, Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi turned Act 51 into law. KITV4.

New bacteria species identified off coast of Hawaiian Islands. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa believe this discovery will shed light on how unseen microbial life connects Hawaiʻi’s land and sea ecosystems. Big Island Now.

100th public pre-K classroom opens in Hawaiʻi, advancing universal access for keiki. Hawaiʻi celebrated a milestone toward making preschool accessible to all keiki with the opening of the state’s 100th public pre-kindergarten classroom at Maunawili Elementary School in Kailua, Oʻahu. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Island

Commission to discuss search for next Hawaii County police chief. The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Friday in the Council Chambers of the County Building in Hilo to finalize key parts of the hiring process, including written questions for qualified applicants. The application deadline is Oct. 31. Tribune-Herald.

Pohoiki Dredging Project Fails To Open Boat Ramp. The Department of Land and Natural Resources acknowledged the community’s disappointment with the failure of the estimated $5.4-million project. Big Island Video News.

Aerial search conducted in Kona for invasive beetles. No coconut rhinoceros beetles have been detected in East Hawaii, but surveillance efforts are ramping up as the invasive pest remains active in West Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

County continues to make progress on Hilo skatepark. Slowly but surely, the effort to construct a skatepark in Hilo is making progress as contracts are executed for the design and permitting of the structures that may one day stand across from the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Tribune-Herald.

Café in Hilo shuts down after state inspection reveals roach infestation, food safety violations.  A roach infestation and multiple food safety violations forced the immediate shutdown of White Guava Café in Hilo. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui residents file Sunshine Law complaint against County Council over Waiʻehu housing vote. Waiʻehu community members who oppose the 119-unit Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua affordable housing project have escalated their fight, filing a formal Sunshine Law complaint against the Maui County Council. Maui Now.

Up to $100K available for nonprofits supporting Maui fire survivors' mental health. Organizations offering mental health services for Maui wildfire survivors could get a boost of funding. The Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative will be awarding grants to nonprofits that increase access to mental health resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Five teen girls charged in alleged assault at Kalama School. Several teenage girls were charged with assault and kidnapping after allegedly holding a 13-year-old boy in a sound proof room at the Kalama Intermediate School campus in Makawao on Friday afternoon.  Maui Now.

Maui Police Department’s new K9 makes first arrest. When Ku Makani, 1, isn’t working, he loves playing fetch, going on walks, being carried and head scratches. But when duty calls, the Belgian Malinois is serving and protecting the people of Maui County. Hawaii News Now.

Molokaʻi-based group to explore marine carbon dioxide removal. Researchers are exploring technologies that would pull carbon dioxide from the air and store it in the ocean. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Amazon Plans To Build A 42,000-Square-Foot Warehouse On Kauaʻi. A real estate development firm has plans to buy 14.6 acres in Līhuʻe to develop the 42,000-square-foot metal warehouse and distribution facility that would operate around-the-clock in the up-and-coming Ahukini Business Park. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Bus community outreach event scheduled this week. It will highlight the introduction of Kauaʻi Bus’ new battery electric buses and their connection to the Kauaʻi Bus Short Range Transit Plan and Kauaʻi Multimodal Land Transportation Plan. Kauai Now.

Police to get hefty raises, bonuses, perks; Green and Driscoll ink preliminary military land agreement; Waikiki bank robbery injures 18, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Arbitrator awards police officers their largest pay raise in 17 years. Police officers in Hawaii secured the increase after an independent arbitrator issued a decision on a new four-year contract that was lauded by union leadership. Police officer pay will increase 40% between 2021 and 2028. The  total compensation package will provide most members an increase of more than 27.5%. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Green signs ‘statement of principles’ with Army on land negotiations. Governor Josh Green and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll have established a non-binding Statement of Principles as land lease talks continue.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Young Brothers warns interisland shipping is at risk. A state commission began a multiday hearing Monday to determine whether the distressed company transporting most goods between the main Hawaiian islands deserves a big rate hike plus automated inflationary annual increases. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

The search is on for a new Hawaii Chief Justice. Longtime Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is retiring this week, and there aren’t yet enough qualified applicants interested in taking his place. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Shutdown would add to Hawaii’s economic woes. Federal workers in Hawaii who are worried about a shutdown of the federal government that could begin at 6:01 p.m. today (12:01 a.m EDT Wednesday) are likely already cutting back on local spending, adding to Hawaii’s already sluggish economy, according to the head of the University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Chemical dispersed during Waikiki bank robbery. Police search for suspect in Waikiki bank robbery; 18 patients treated at scene. Officers were called to the First Hawaiian Bank’s Waikiki branch on Kalakaua Avenue and Lewers Street just after 2 p.m. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Skyline stations transform into community food hubs. Honolulu Skyline passengers may notice something different on their morning rail commute: more than half-a-dozen planter boxes full of growing tomatoes, eggplants, scallions and sweet potatoes, among other edible plants. Civil Beat. KHON2.

‘Lord Of The Flies’: How Hawaiʻi’s Model Foster Dad Preyed On Boys. John Teixeira answered a desperate need for the state: Where to put boys no one else would take. He’d eventually take in almost 60. But there would be a cost. Civil Beat.

Community vows to protect Oahu’s water amid Red Hill contamination concerns. Community leaders, advocates and students gathered at Honolulu Hale on Monday afternoon to launch the “Pledge to Our Wai, Pledge to Our Keiki,” a public commitment to protect Oahu’s aquifer from ongoing contamination tied to the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.  Star-Advertiser.

Forum on political history of Native Hawaiians seeks to help navigate the future. In a nod to Hawaiian History Month, a forum sponsored by the Honolulu mayor's office and the city council is to take place on Tuesday to highlight the changing political climate and the concern that programs to help Native Hawaiians are being targeted. Hawaii Public Radio.

Blaisdell Center has completed new state-of-the-art parking system. While the upgrade work started on Sept. 22, additional operational adjustments are still being finalized, and the Department of Enterprise Services is asking commuters and visitors to be patient during this transition period. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Wai Golf Course gets major upgrades, including solar and LED lighting. These improvements align with the City's wider initiatives to decrease energy consumption, lower expenses, and advance the objectives of the City's Climate Action Plan. Concurrently, they aim to maintain and enhance the distinguished golf course, which accommodates over 12,000 rounds of golf annually. KITV4.

Hawaii Business Magazine's new editor-in-chief talks next generation, media landscape. Jennifer Ablan returned home from New York after three decades to take the job. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Teen Arrested For Alleged Terroristic Threatening At Kona High School. A 14-year-old female from Ocean View was arrested after the Konawaena High School student allegedly threatened to shoot three fellow students on campus. Big Island Video News.

Construction of county’s Kukuiola project begins. The Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center in Kailua-Kona will include 16 emergency shelter units for the homeless, a manager’s unit, a 2,000-square-foot assessment center, community restroom facilities with showers, a 1,400-square-foot community center and a shared kitchen. Tribune-Herald.

Next Lava Episode In Kilauea Eruption Is About To Begin. Precursory activity in Episode 34 of the Kīlauea eruption got underway overnight at the summit.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Sunshine Interview: Maui Mayor Richard Bissen And Recovery Chief John Smith. The county’s chief executive and head of the Maui Office of Recovery discuss federal funding for the rebuilding of Lahaina and Upcountry. Civil Beat.

Pāʻia Elementary School to remain closed through Friday; asynchronous distance learning to begin Wednesday.  While the campus did not sustain direct fire damage, soot continues to impact parts of the campus. Maui Now.

Maui County Fair returns this week. The Maui County Fair is returning to the War Memorial Special Complex this week, featuring dozens of food booths, rides, live entertainment, livestock and poultry exhibits, a petting zoo and much more. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi Water Utility Hawks $1.3B Plan To Overhaul Century-Old System. The repairs are needed to protect the island’s drinking water and ensure sufficient supply to face the growing wildfire risk, officials said. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi-based conservationists sound alarm over mass killing of native birds. At Ninini Point near the Līhuʻe airport, Archipelago Research and Conservation recently discovered 125 dead birds. The group said all the birds had been killed by cats. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi County’s Housing Agency to open applications for community development block grants. Online applications will be available beginning Friday on the Housing Agency’s CDBG webpage. The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 13, by 4:30 p.m. Kauai Now.

Honolulu rail inches toward downtown, Matson navigates shipping losses from China, COVID infects Hilo longterm care, jail facilities, UH football free on TV, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Phase 3 of Skyline Rail project breaks ground. Phase 3 of the $1.4 billion project will add six new stations and about three miles of elevated guideway from Middle Street to Civic Center.  Construction is expected to be complete by 2030. KHON2. HART press release. KITV4. 

HART to receive $112M state funding; the review before the reimbursement. Honolulu’s Skyline rail is a semi-autonomous entity of the City and County, but it does get funding from the state through general excise taxes as well as transit accommodation taxes. KITV4.

Matson navigates drop in Chinese business. Matson Inc. recently reported a 14.6% decline in cargo volume for its China service during the April-June quarter that included a rebound in mid-May after a 30% drop in April attributed to Trump tariff announcements. Star-Advertiser.

UH televising free football home games this season, ending pay-per-view. On Monday, UH and Spectrum Sports announced an agreement on a one-year deal in which the pay-per-view format of the past 22 years will be scrapped.  Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily.

The former Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement unveiled a new name, logo, and tagline as part of a broader rebranding initiative. The rebrand also introduces a new tagline: “Hawaiians Advancing Hawai‘i,” a reflection of the organization’s deep commitment to its homeland and people. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Why This Honolulu Housing Strategy Is Not A ‘Super Successful’ Program. A new state law requires counties to let homeowners build two additional housing units on eligible properties. Honolulu is struggling to persuade people to build just one. Civil Beat.

Honolulu legislation seeks to create a downtown business improvement district. The pandemic changed the workplace, and downtown is on the cusp of more change: new investment by local developers and a push to rebrand downtown as DOHO to revitalize the financial district for those who live and work in this hub.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor Wants To Buy Wo Fat Building In Chinatown For Housing. Developers ran out of money to convert the landmark former restaurant into a hotel. Star-Advertiser.

City continues roadwork on Kapiolani Boulevard. The city Department of Design and Construction on Monday began installing striping and pavement markers along a roughly half-mile stretch of Kapiolani Boulevard, from Waiaka Road to Date Street. Star-Advertiser.

Water Has Been Leaking From This State Building For Over A Month. Community members near the Diamond Head Health Center have noticed a steady stream of water leaking from the property around the clock. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County planning commissions to consider household hennery bill. Bill 52 would permit residents in certain residential and mixed-use zones to raise hens and other female poultry for household egg production under specific regulations. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County seeks dismissal of claims against officers. Hawaii County civil attorneys are attempting to have the county and unnamed police officers removed as defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by family members of a Holualoa woman who claim the officers are at least partially responsible for the woman’s death from a drug-and-alcohol overdose. Tribune-Herald.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240M Hawaii real estate project. A Hawaii real estate investor and broker are suing Shohei Ohtani, claiming the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his agent got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island’s coveted Hapuna Coast that they brought him in to endorse. Associated Press.

As COVID-19 infection rates rise across Hawaii, Hilo Medical Center’s long-term care facility reported an outbreak among its residents and staff. A total of 13 people at the center tested positive for the coronavirus in the past week. The spike in infections at the care home comes after another outbreak among Hilo inmates that canceled visitation this past weekend at a reintegration facility in Panaewa.  Hawaii News Now.

BISAC’s behavioral health services earn highest level of accreditation. Big Island Substance Abuse Council earns accreditation for comprehensive behavioral health services, marking over 25 years of national recognition. Big Island Now.

Hilo-based youth circus club teaches LGBTQ+ teens aerial tricks and techniques. Last week was the grand opening of Aerial Arts Hawaiʻi's Queer Youth Circus Club. It’s a free social club that teaches self-identifying LGBTQ+ youth circus arts while connecting them with like-minded peers and instructors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Two-lined spittlebug continues to devastate Hawaiʻi Island ranches. The two-lined spittlebug has been a growing problem for ranchers on Hawaiʻi Island over the last couple years — and experts warn it’s also a threat for the whole community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Council to focus on budget adjustments, discounted water rates and Honuaʻula this week. The Maui County Council will meet Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. to consider the mayor’s requests to amend the fiscal year 2026 budget for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney and Department of Water Supply a bill to establish discounted water rates for preservation and restoration of native species habitats. Maui Now.

Two years After Wildfire, Maui Homeowners Face A New Threat: Foreclosure. A local nonprofit, Hawaiʻi Community Lending, surveyed 257 Lahaina homeowners with mortgages affected by the fire and found their average balance was $696,983, more than twice the national average.  Civil Beat.

Guide To Keeping And Rebuilding Homes In The Wake Of 2023 Maui Wildfires. Two years after the devastating 2023 wildfires, homeowners may be facing the prospect of repaying mortgage loans previously in forbearance. Civil Beat.

Lahaina meeting to cover sewer project, housing programs, more. Maui County will host a Lahaina community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui News.

Maui County finance department recognized for ‘excellence in financial reporting.  The Maui County Department of Finance Accounts Division was recently recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for excellence in financial reporting. Maui News.

Restaurant at historic Kula Lodge in Upcountry Maui burns. Maui Fire Department arrived Monday at 3:33 a.m.  to find the restaurant at 15200 Haleakala Highway engulfed in flames. They had the fire under control at about 5:30 a.m. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Governor says Kauai is strong. Gov. Josh Green, MD, had the opportunity for an in-person meeting with more than 300 people who attended the 27th Annual Governor’s Luncheon hosted by the Kauai Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Airlines at the Koloa Landing Resort. Garden Island.

East Kauaʻi community to discuss the future of transportation tonight. Community members are invited to participate in two more focused public workshops for the East Kauaʻi Community and Circulation Plan. Kauai Now.

Repaving project on Wawae Road will limit access to homes next week. Residents living off Wawae Road are asked to prepare for a repaving project that will fully close the road during the day next week in Lāwaʻi. Kauai Now.

Hilo cruise ship passengers left behind, Waikiki traffic gridlocked during tsunami evacuation, Oprah falsely accused of blocking Maui evacuation route, Red Cross served 770 meals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tsunami Prediction Has Gotten Much Better. Hawaiʻi Just Needs More Data. Specialized buoys can monitor waves on the seafloor. But there are few sea-level stations between Asia and Hawaiʻi to test the accuracy of the forecast. Civil Beat.

'Feeling really good': Gov. Green reports no significant damage after tsunami event. The earthquake appeared to be the strongest recorded since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off Japan in 2011 caused a massive tsunami and meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. Hawaii Public Radio.

HI-EMA looking to make infrastructure improvements following tsunami warning gridlock. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency is looking at strategies to deal with issues like gridlock, which was widely experienced during July 29’s tsunami warning in the islands. KHON2.

Salvation Army Hawaii feeds hundreds at tsunami shelters across the state. The Salvation Army served 770 meals for breakfast at tsunami shelters across the islands on Wednesday morning up until the advisory was lifted. KITV4.

U.S. Rep. Ed Case announces reelection campaign. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is running for reelection. This would mark his seventh full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawsuit: Censoring Inmates’ Reading Material Violates Publisher’s Rights. A publisher of magazines and books for prison inmates, including “Prison Legal News,” is suing the state correctional system for blocking its publications from being mailed to inmates in Hawaiʻi prisons and jails, arguing the ban violates the publisher’s constitutional rights. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Tsunami threat triggered islandwide gridlock, reveals gaps in emergency evacuation. Damaging waves from Tuesday’s tsunami to Hawaii never materialized, but the traffic it triggered offered a sobering real-time test of Oahu’s evacuation capacity — one that state officials admit was deeply strained. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press.

Honolulu Airport Travelers Fend For Themselves Amid Tsunami Threat. A mother-daughter excursion in Waikīkī was spoiled by the tsunami warning. They blame airport communication failures for leaving them stranded with hundreds of other travelers. Civil Beat.

‘Ignorant’: Evacuees in Waikiki upset others ignored tsunami warning. Many in Waikiki didn’t listen to evacuation orders during Tuesday’s tsunami warning, putting themselves and others in danger.  Hawaii News Now.

City acquires $8M expansion for Honolulu police headquarters. A parcel of property adjacent to the Honolulu Police Department’s headquarters has been acquired by the City and County of Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Skyline trial runs past the airport have begun. Skyline rail cars are scheduled to run with passengers from Aloha Stadium, past the airport to Kalihi by Oct. 15, rail officials now estimate. Star-Advertiser.

Case dismissed against city in killing of unarmed man. The civil trial in the wrongful death case brought by the widow of Lindani Myeni, an unarmed Black man shot by police in 2021, abruptly ended Tuesday when the judge dismissed the case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii cruise ships sailed to safety amid tsunami warnings, leaving some passengers behind. Tsunami waves generated by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia on Tuesday did less damage than had been feared. But some cruise passengers were distressed to learn they had been left behind when all ships were ordered out of port by local authorities. New York Times. KHON2. 

Hawai‘i County escapes a disaster, but lessons can be learned from tsunami response, coastline evacuation. Before he first waves of the tsunami were expected to hit at 7:17 p.m. on Tuesday, most motorists were out of the inundation zones. Big Island Now.

Union nurses vote to authorize strike at Waimea hospital. After more than six months of negotiations, the Hawaii Nurses’ Association, which represents about 100 registered nurses at the Waimea hospital, said tensions are escalating and morale has plummeted. The nurses’ contract expired March 31. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

‘A glorious day’ for Waiakea Uka; Hilo park reopens. Hawaii County on Tuesday celebrated the reopening of Waiakea Uka Park after a two-year renovation, expansion and upgrade. Tribune-Herald.


Maui

No, Oprah Winfrey didn’t block access to a private road amid tsunami warning evacuations. Even as the threat of a tsunami swamping Hawaii had passed on Wednesday, social media posts were still circulating claims that Oprah Winfrey had refused immediate access to a private road that would allow residents a shorter evacuation route. Associated Press.

No significant damage or injuries reported on Maui from tsunami. Maui residents spent an anxious day in anticipation of a potential tsunami. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Tsunami produces minor flooding, evacuations. The emergency center at the Kauai Veterans Center was full of activity on Wednesday as evacuees anxiously waited for news about flight departures from the Lihue Airport. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

New Kauaʻi laws address environmental stewardship, public access, community priorities. Kauaʻi state legislators and community advocates gathered at the end of last week to celebrate the recent enactment of several key measures that reflect efforts to protect natural resources, improve public land access and support community initiatives on the Garden Isle . Kauai Now.

HECO seeks state partnership to shore up shaky credit, feds send Honolulu rail $250M, Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HECO’s Shaky Credit Prompts Proposal For Help From State. Hawaiian Electric Co. is working with lawmakers on a plan that would make the state take over energy projects if HECO defaulted, a situation lawmakers say is unlikely to occur. The new idea is a proposal to backstop HECO’s renewable energy contracts using the state’s creditworthiness. “With the state’s ability to step into the utility’s place, it is likely that financing parties will view contracts with the utility as being supported by the investment grade credit rating of the state instead of the utility, avoiding higher bills and risks to reliability,” the company said in a presentation. Civil Beat.

Defense bill includes funding for Hawaii facilities, environmental cleanup.  The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to pass the latest iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military spending bill that sets the Pentagon’s priorities. It included pay raises for troops and a major emphasis on military infrastructure in the Pacific amid simmering tensions with China and North Korea. The bill authorizes over $2.2 billion in spending on Hawaii facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Braces To Protect Milk Supply As Bird Flu Spreads On The Mainland. Bird flu has been found in dairy cows in 16 states and in more than 60 humans on the mainland so far this year. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Plane Crash Exposes State’s Fragile Air Cargo Infrastructure. Tuesday's fatal accident is the most serious incident in a turbulent three years at Kamaka Air. It comes less than two years after another Kamaka Cessna crashed on Molokaʻi. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Feds send another $250M for Honolulu rail construction. Honolulu’s Skyline rail project will receive another $250 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of its funding agreement with the city, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

New leaders of Honolulu climate change office set out to paint 'picture of a better future'.  Benjamin Sullivan, director of the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, took the helm in September, and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi appointed Kealoha Fox as the team’s deputy director in mid-November. Hawaii Public Radio.

CDC studies community recovery in wake of Red Hill fuel spill. The Red Hill Community Representation Initiative is in a spat with the Navy over its absence at a meeting last week. The group points to what it calls a lack of transparency from the Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Innovative affordable housing community opens in Kapolei. A new, innovative affordable housing community is welcoming families in West Oahu. Parkway Village at Kapolei celebrated its grand opening Tuesday with 401 rental units — from studios to four-bedroom homes — serving individuals and families earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). Hawaii News Now.

Windward Oahu opens first off-leash dog park in Kaneohe. The new park, located at the makai end of Kulauli Street, spans about 3 acres and offers separate areas for large and small dogs.  KHON2.

Rare Hawaiian snail reintroduced into Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu. After more than 33 years in captivity, a rare Hawaiian snail species known as Achatinella fuscobasis was released recently into the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve of the Ko‘olau Mountains on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers try again to ask Legislature for expanded midwifery laws. A Hawaiʻi County Council resolution heard Wednesday urges the Legislature to permanently exempt birth attendants from being required to have a state midwifery license and to expand the eligibility criteria for the license. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Fishpond caretakers in Keaukaha ask drivers to stop 'burning rubber'. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported tire microplastics from synthetic rubber tires are a major contributor of microplastic pollution. KITV4.

Judge picks contractor to demolish mistakenly built house in HPP. Kona Circuit Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya has selected the proposal by Sanborn General Contracting Inc. of Hilo to remove the house mistakenly built on a lot owned by Annaleine “Anne” Reynolds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding to rebuild Lahaina. The U.S. Senate has tentatively agreed to $12 billion to respond to disasters across the country, including $1.6 billion to help Maui rebuild following the 2023 wildfires, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Tuesday. With Congress scheduled to adjourn Friday, the U.S. House likely will take up the bill this week before sending it back to the Senate, Schatz said. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Maui County’s public access network Akakū fighting to prevent significant cuts to its funding. Maui County’s public access television network Akakū, which provides news coverage of local government and a variety of other community programming and services, already is operating with a lean budget. But now the nonprofit is battling to prevent the loss of hundreds of thousands in funding from cable company franchise fees. Maui Now.

Maui OKs Lahaina wildfire waste site on first reading. A plan to use 79 acres near the Central Maui landfill to dispose of waste from the August 2023 wildfires seems headed for final passage by the Maui County Council. Maui News.

The wildfire that destroyed Lahaina in August 2023 is continuing to have a ripple effect with tourism decreases on several Hawaiian islands including Maui. Maui has experienced a 10.1% decrease in visitor numbers for the first 10 months of this year, state Chief Economic Eugene Tian said. Maui  News.

Kauai

Public asked to weigh in on Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan project. The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency is seeking public feedback following a community workshop in November about the Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan project. Based on previous community feedback, affordable housing will comprise roughly 60 acres of the site, just west of Waimea Sunset subdivision. Kauai Now.

$1.66B contract awarded for final Honolulu rail segment, Alaska Air, Hawaiian extend merger deadline, Polynesians now lead 3 top state-funded tourism agencies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HART awards $1.66B contract for final segment. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on Thursday announced a $1.66 billion contract award to Los Angeles-based Tutor Perini Corp. to design and build Skyline’s last 3-mile segment to Kakaako. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

Alaska Air, Hawaiian further extend review period of proposed deal. Alaska Air said Thursday it has agreed to further extend the review period of its proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of peer Hawaiian Holdings with the U.S. Department of Justice. The companies will extend the review period with the DOJ until 12:01 AM ET, Aug 20 (6:01 p.m. Hawaii time on Monday). Reuters.

Legislators urge DOE to fix bus driver shortage. State legislators met with the Department of Education on Thursday to address protracted concerns about ongoing public school bus driver shortages, following the DOE’s abrupt announcement of suspended routes right before the school year began. Star-Advertiser.

Polynesians lead 3 top tourism agencies. Come September, all three of Hawaii’s top state-funded tourism management and destination branding organizations, which together control more than a $128 million in state funds, will have a Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander at the helm. Star-Advertiser.

UH reports progress in presidential search. The University of Hawaii reported that its search for a new president is progressing on schedule. The university received over 90 applications for the position.  KHON2.

Hemp farmers want more input on needs and recommendations to grow industry. The Hawaiʻi Hemp Task Force has packed its schedule for the rest of the month with meetings to better understand the local hemp industry.Since May, the group has met six times and is set to dissolve at the end of the month. Hawaii Public Radio.

EPA issues $234K in fines for illegal cesspools on Maui, Hawaii Island. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued property owners more than $234,000 in fines and ordered the closure of five large-capacity cesspools on Maui and Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu resident diagnosed with Dengue Fever; 11th Hawaii resident diagnosed in 2024. The state Department of Health says the latest case involves a traveler who was previously abroad in a country where the virus is more common.  KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Vows Tougher Approach On Homelessness. Rick Blangiardi said he’ll take 1,000 people off the streets within a year, and that he's not worried about legal challenges. Civil Beat.

Man Killed In Waianae Is The Fourth Officer-Involved Shooting Death This Year. Honolulu police chief appeals for help in wake of fatal shooting. The 60-year-old man fatally shot by a Honolulu police officer Wednesday night in Waianae fired a stolen .40-caliber handgun into a neighbor’s home after his girlfriend fled there seeking safety following an assault, HPD Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan said Thursday afternoon during a news conference. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Honolulu named most desirable place to live 2nd year in a row. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index analyzed 173 cities worldwide based on 30 categories of living standards. Honolulu received high marks for infrastructure, stability, education, natural beauty and weather. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘New ways to HOLO’: City encourages residents to use public transit. City officials hope people will use public transportation — that includes the Skyline, the bus, or Biki bikes. The Department of Transportation Services said they’re adding and extending some bus routes for more convenience. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Proposal to develop popular spot on Oahu’s North Shore stirs debate. A developer plans to spend about $20 million on a new food and retail center on the mauka side of Kamehameha Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Tower Observation Deck Is Closed Indefinitely For Repairs. The popular tourist attraction closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. But DOT's Harbors Division has a list of renovations to address before reopening the site. Civil Beat.

Pregnant military spouse missing more than 2 weeks. The search continues for Mischa Mabeline Kaalohilani Johnson, a pregnant 19-year-old Army spouse who has been missing for more than two weeks. The Army is offering a $10,000 reward for credible information that can lead authorities to Johnson. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Council OKs 3 proposed county charter amendments for November general election ballot. The council last week adopted resolutions for three proposed charter amendments that will appear on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. They deal with vacancies on the council and in county department leadership as well as the terms for members of one of the county’s commissions. Big Island Now.

Mayor Roth the victim of online prank. Mayor Mitch Roth said Thursday he felt “a little bit of frustration” after learning an anonymous email has been circulating that invites individuals experiencing homelessness to stay at a certain address in Hilo. The address provided in the email is Roth’s home address. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Farmers laud North Kohala well project. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources next month will commence a yearlong $5.7 million project to improve a well in North Kohala so it can be used for agricultural purposes once again. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina Community Land Trust secures first piece of land to steward in Lahaina hands. The Lahaina Community Land Trust has secured its first parcel of community-owned land, that will be held in Lahaina hands forever, for the benefit of the local community for generations to come. The property at 1651 Lokia Street was secured by the LCLT in partnership with The Conservation Fund, a national land conservation organization. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Sister cities delegation visits Kaua‘i. A protocol sister city courtesy visit with Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami turned into an unexpected real life learning lesson at the Mo‘ikeha Building on Thursday. Garden Island.

Money flows to incumbents in state races, DOE fails to spend farm-to-school grant, Kauai fire contained as 200 evacuated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Lawmakers Have Big Money Advantages In This Year’s Election Campaigns. Members of the House have spread campaign cash around to newcomers in efforts aimed at coalition building. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s bold tax cuts and its impact on residents. Hawaii recently enacted the most significant tax cuts in its history, which promise to impact residents positively. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii DOE Still Doesn’t Have A Plan For How To Spend Farm-To-School Funds. The Hawaii Department of Education is responsible for spending the bulk of a federal grant that would support local farmers, but it has yet to touch the funding. Civil Beat.

DOA reopens applications for popular micro-grant program. This year, the department received about $3.5 million from the federal government for the program under the 2018 Farm Bill.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Ag Agency Won’t Get All The Money Slated For Pest Management After All. Money to manage feral chickens and educate the public are among the items zeroed out of the budget. Millions of dollars have been cut from other programs for pest management. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Disaster response training at RIMPAC in Hawaii grows.  A task force of nine countries, led by the Japan Self-Defense Forces, has been conducting operations across the Hawaiian Islands practicing search-and-rescue operations, evacuations and medical treatment in partnership with local Hawaii hospitals, emergency agencies and volunteer organizations. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

More video monitoring on Skyline sought. According to Council staff, Bill 37 ensures that the public would be made aware of the presence of cameras and any video monitoring in or around the city rail system, and the use of data collection. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Merchants have mixed views about county homeless camp. Some downtown Hilo business owners are conflicted about a temporary shelter erected on Ponahawai Street to house the area’s homeless population. Tribune-Herald.

Funds Provided For Fentanyl Task Force, Big Island Substance Abuse Council. $478,400 in National Opioid Settlement Funds are being invested to directly address the growing opioid crisis on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lessons From Lahaina: Upcountry Maui Residents Prepare To Flee As Crater Road Fire Burns. While stronger interagency coordination and better public communication are cited, some residents say they're relying on themselves, neighbors and past experience to stay safe. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Maui Crater Road fire remains 80% contained. The Maui Crater Road fire remained 80% contained as of 7 p.m. Monday with 574 acres burned and no fire growth, according to the Maui Fire Department. Star-Advertiser.

UH to conduct $3.8 million study of Lahaina wildfires. A five-year, $3.8 million study by a team of UH Manoa’s researchers will look at the government’s response and its impact to the residents affected by the Lahaina wildfires that occurred in August 2023.  KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

200 Residents Evacuate As Fast-Moving Wildfire Rips Through West Kauai. One structure has been destroyed, 1,000 acres have burned and KIUC has de-energized its transmission lines as a safety precaution.  Civil Beat. Kauai Now.

Kauai tour helicopter crash victims’ family wants search to resume. Family members of the victims of Friday’s Kauai tour helicopter crash are urging the public to contact Kauai officials if they find any wreckage following the suspension of search and rescue operations for two of the three victims. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

More than 2,100 backpacks given out to school children at Kukui Grove Center on Saturday. For the 10th year, the Kukui Grove Center partnered with the Department of Education to distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to students preparing to return to the classrooms at the 10th annual Back to School Bash on Saturday. Garden Island.

Navies from 29 countries train around Hawaii during RIMPAC, HART board violated Sunshine Law, HECO asks PUC for fee increases to cover Maui wildfire costs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Navies train in Hawaii during RIMPAC as ocean turns into mock battlefields. The biennial Rim of the Pacific, the world’s largest recurring naval exercise, is underway in Hawaii and San Diego, bringing together 40 warships from 29 countries. Exercises are scheduled June 26 to Aug. 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.  Star-Advertiser.

Congress looks to continue Coast Guard’s Pacific expansion. The Coast Guard is slated to continue solidifying its Pacific footprint with new funds from Congress as the service plays an increasingly prominent role in Washington’s regional strategy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric system upgrades to buffet electric bills. Hawaii’s largest electric utility, Hawaiian Electric Co., is seeking regulatory approval for a second “exceptional” investment project where it intends to recover costs from ratepayers who stand to have their bills affected by incremental, long-lasting small increases.  Star-Advertiser.

Governor Signs 13 Bills For Native Hawaiian Beneficiaries, Culture. Governor Josh Green on Friday signed 13 bills into law, renewing the state’s commitment to the Hawaiʻi Department of Hawaiian Homelands, as well as Native Hawaiian education, cultural practices and traditions, and stewardship.   Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Bill on traffic violations may face governor’s veto. If it becomes law, House Bill 2526 would increase the penalty for a third or subsequent offense involving unauthorized driving or operation of motor vehicles to a class C felony and authorize the court to order the forfeiture of the vehicle used in the offense. Star-Advertiser.

First Amendment Groups Oppose Veto Of Bill To Limit Governor’s Power To Cut Off Electronic Media In Emergencies. Hawaii’s governor warns of the need to respond to possible violence generated by social media in times of crisis. But journalists and attorneys fear violation of constitutionally protected free speech. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green Makes Appointments To Boards And Agencies. They include Christine Sakuda as Hawaii's chief information officer. Green also appointed Barbara Polk and Danton Wong to serve on the Campaign Spending Commission, Andrew Pereira to the Stadium Authority and Debbie Cabebe to the Hawaii Community Development Authority Pulehunui. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Former HART Board Members Violated Sunshine Law By Discussing Consulting Contract In Private. Ultimately, Colleen Hanabusa turned down the lucrative consulting contract in favor of rejoining the unpaid board as public scrutiny grew. Three key board members overseeing Honolulu’s Skyline transit construction violated state open meeting laws when they traded emails about hiring Colleen Hanabusa to a lucrative consultant contract before discussing the proposal in an open meeting, the Office of Information Practices ruled last week. Civil Beat

Skyline marks first anniversary, anticipates more stations opening in next 18 months. A year after it opened to the public, Honolulu’s Skyline rail system continues to see a mix of more than 1 million commuters, first- timers, lookie-loos and tourists who are already anticipating four more stations that are scheduled to open in the next 18 months — including into and out of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

City Council’s affordable rental housing bill advances. A bill meant to give private developers of affordable rental housing greater financial incentives to build is moving forward — but with a change to post-construction grant amounts meant to spur completion of more units above or below 300 square feet in size. Star-Advertiser.

City taking over Biki bikeshare system. Starting Monday, the City and County of Honolulu is officially taking over management of the Biki bikeshare system — marking a major change since its launch in 2017. Star-Advertiser.

Star-Advertiser will now use the mail to deliver newspapers in Waikiki. In a letter, Aaron Kotarek, senior vice president of audience and operations for the Star-Advertiser, wrote that beginning July 1, the company will partner with the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the paper to readers in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

For Chief Judge Kim, retirement is ‘rehirement’. Today will be the last day on the bench for Third Circuit Chief Judge Robert Kim, four years to the day after being named the Big Island’s chief administrative jurist by Hawaii Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo roundabout gets funding. A project to build a traffic roundabout in downtown Hilo has received more than $17 million in federal funding. Tribune-Herald.

Unrest escalates at Kīlauea; more than 500 earthquakes rock upper East Rift Zone. Hundreds of earthquakes are occurring in Kīlauea's upper East Rift Zone, prompting an overnight status report from the USGS.. Scientists say “any substantial increases in seismicity and/or deformation could result in a new eruptive episode, but there are no signs of an imminent eruption at this time.” Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Another Suicide At The Maui Jail Leaves A Grieving Family To Conclude ‘Something Is Wrong’. Artrina De Lima's death is the sixth suicide at the Maui jail in the past four years. That is more than the total number of known suicides at all other Hawaii correctional facilities during that time. Civil Beat.

Bill To Designate Lahaina As A National Heritage Area Gets Congressional Hearing. The governor, Maui mayor, cultural leaders from West Maui and others say such a designation would help Lahaina recover and celebrate its past. Civil Beat.

Kahikolu Project on Maui targets axis deer and widespread environmental impacts. Prolific herds of hungry axis deer continue to wreak havoc in Maui County, damaging farm crops, overgrazing livestock pasture lands, threatening fragile watersheds and even encroaching in heavily urbanized areas like Kahului Airport’s runways and baggage claim areas. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kīlauea roundabout being constructed on Kūhiō Highway. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is notifying drivers of a $12 million roundabout being constructed on Kūhiō Highway in Kilauea, which is planned to be completed late next year.  Kauai Now.

House passes $11.3B state budget that devotes $1B to Maui wildfire losses, DOE steps up construction projects to encumber funding, last known Pearl Harbor attack survivor laid to rest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

$11.3B state budget advances with a focus on Maui recovery.  Finance Chair Rep. Kyle Yamashita explained that the committee tried to balance funding both Maui recovery and important state functions, with about $1 billion going to Maui wildfire costs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Details on the proposed state budget, HB1800, can be found here.

DOE Says It Can Step Up Spending To Save Construction Projects. The Department of Education is planning to significantly increase its spending on construction in the next three and a half months in an effort to reduce the amount of funding it is set to lose at the end of June because of delays in getting projects off the ground. Civil Beat.

Hawaii students’ learning loss from COVID may cut wages 3.7% lifetime. The learning loss that Hawaii students suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to lower their lifetime earnings by an average of 3.7%, spurring a 1.2% loss in Hawaii’s gross domestic product, or $31.3 billion in present value, according to a new report by the Hoover Institution of Stanford University released Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Feds seized more than $6 million in Hawaii in ’23. The U.S. Department of Justice more than tripled the amount of money collected through criminal and civil actions by adding $6.64 million to government coffers in fiscal year 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Changes To Hawaii’s Home Battery Program Could Hinder Its Clean Energy Transition. A revision in how much homeowners are paid for the electricity they send to the grid could keep them from participating at all. Civil Beat.

Catastrophes are driving up condo insurance rates in Hawaii and nationwide. A ripple effect across the country is showing up in the condo fees for nearly 200,000 Hawaii residents, and experts say catastrophes are driving up their insurance rates. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Human Services Director Stepping Down In May.  Cathy Betts, director of the Hawaii Department of Human Services is leaving her post to become executive director of the Hawaii State Bar Association. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s last Pearl Harbor survivor laid to rest. Sterling Robert Cale, 102, the last known Pearl Harbor attack survivor living in Hawaii was laid to rest Thursday alongside his late wife at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe. Star-Advertiser.

Deaths of young dolphin, humpback calf highlight importance of responsible boating in Hawaiʻi waters. Within the span of just a few weeks in February, a Hawaiian spinner dolphin yearling and humpback whale calf stranded dead in Hawaiʻi, both suffering injuries consistent with being struck by a vessel. Big Island Now.

Oahu

University of Hawaii housing repair plans axed, records show. University of Hawaii officials trying to learn how the Hale Noelani student housing complex ended up shuttered for seven years have discovered that although some top UH leaders have said they regret being unaware too long of its closure, preliminary work and permit applications actually were initiated and later canceled by the student-housing program in the past few years. Star-Advertiser.

 Honolulu City Council checks on improvements to building permit process. Inadequate staffing, onerous regulations, manual procedures, and outdated technology. On Thursday, the Honolulu City Council focused on the city's backlog problem at the Department of Planning and Permitting. KITV4.

Navy Says Indications Of Petroleum In Pearl Harbor Water May Be ‘False Positives’. More than two years after fuel contaminated Pearl Harbor’s drinking water, residents remain at odds with the Navy about whether the water is clean. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Malfunction sends eastbound Skyline train in the wrong direction. More than 30 passengers heading into town suddenly found themselves going backward. The City’s Transportation Services Director Roger Morton said this was the programmed response for the rail system. KHON2. KITV4.

Bill to bolster native fish hatchery would help keiki 'bring the ʻanae back to Waiʻanae'. Hawaiʻi lawmakers have advanced a measure to bolster a native fish hatchery program in Waiʻanae that would produce pua, or juvenile mullet, for fishponds and stock enhancement. Hawaii Public Radio

State-run health care center opens in Iwilei. Located in an industrial area of downtown Honolulu where homeless people live in tents or shacklike structures erected on city sidewalks, the stand-alone Behavioral Health Crisis Center  at 806 Iwilei Road will provide short-term “compassionate mental health care," according to the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

No decision on Punalu‘u Village. Dozens testified before the Windward Planning Commission, which met to decide whether to grant a special management area permit to developer Black Sand Beach LLC. The permit would allow Black Sand Beach to build a roughly 225-unit “residential and commercial community,” called Punalu‘u Village, on a 147-acre parcel. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Downtown Hilo roadwork nears completion. Excavation and reconstruction of sections of Kilauea Avenue and Keawe Street in downtown Hilo are set to be complete at the end of next week.  Tribune-Herald.

Snow Covers Hawaiʻi Summits As Winter Weather Advisory Continues. Rangers reported the road to the summit of Maunakea was closed at the mid-level Visitor Information Station, due to snow and icy roads causing hazardous driving conditions. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority discusses Maui marketing plan amid lower visitor numbers. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is mapping out its marketing plan to deal with softening visitor numbers since the wildfires. That includes a campaign to welcome visitors back to the Valley Isle — Mākaukau Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Attorneys claim new evidence in search for spark that set off Lahaina inferno. Maui attorneys representing wildfire survivors are sharing new details of how they believe the fire started last August. One of the attorneys is a victim himself. Hawaii News Now.

Maui releases trove of emails offering new insight into wildfire response. After six months of submitting records requests, HNN Investigates finally obtained hundreds of emails belonging to the former head of Maui County’s Emergency Management Agency Herman Andaya during a key period. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Office of Recovery announces interim housing projects for Lahaina wildfire survivors. Mayor Richard Bissen and officials from the County’s Office of Recovery announced temporary modular home group housing projects being planned in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State of Hawaiʻi and private developers to provide an estimated 4,000 interim housing units for wildfire survivors. Maui Now.

Preliminary data shows impacts of wildfire on Lahaina coastal waters. Preliminary data on coastal water quality monitoring in West Maui was presented Wednesday at a public speaker series featuring Andrea Kealoha, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Oceanography at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hanalei nonprofit wants to transform former church into housing for teachers, lifeguards. A nonprofit organization has taken possession of the Church of Latter Day Saints ward in Hanalei – and it has big plans for the three-quarter-acre plot on the North Shore of Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.