Green signs bills giving teachers raises and protections, Sylvia Luke's books are a mess, First Hawaiian pays $2B for California bank, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New laws set to strengthen teacher workforce. Gov. Josh Green on Monday signed two education bills into law designed to strengthen protections and support for Hawaii’s educators — one expanding workplace safeguards for educational workers facing harassment and the other helping improve teacher recruitment and retention by authorizing annual and longevity salary step increases through future collective bargaining agreements, subject to legislative funding. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.  Hawaii News Now.

Lt. Gov.’s Books Were A Mess. Political Insiders Say It’s Not The Norm. It’s now up to the AG to decide whether to prosecute Sylvia Luke and some of her campaign staffers for alleged campaign finance violations.  Luke's reputation as a state representative stands in contrast with what she’s accused of now: failing to report more than $50,000 in expenditures; reporting more than $30,000 in contributions late, sometimes years after they were received; and allowing unauthorized campaign staffers to sign off on checks. Civil Beat.

Tourists Visiting Hawaiʻi Have Changed Dramatically In Recent Years. A growing number of Californians have been flocking to Hawaiʻi in recent years, while tourism from Japan is half what it was before the pandemic. Civil Beat.

First Hawaiian buys California bank in $2B deal. Honolulu-based First Hawaiian Inc. on Monday announced that it has arranged to buy the parent company of Tri Counties Bank in California for $2 billion in stock. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Oahu

City advances Iwilei redevelopment with key land acquisition. The redevelopment of the city-owned Iwilei Center is expected to transform the nearly four-acre site adjacent to the future Kuwili Skyline Station along Dillingham Boulevard, near Kaaahi Street, into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented community, city officials say. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Up To 5 Billion Gallons Of Water Wasted By The Navy Since Red Hill Crisis. The Navy passed on an opportunity to divert filtered water from Red Hill to a useful purpose. Civil Beat.

The battle over a Honolulu City Council seat before ballots go out. Forget the Max Holloway/Connor McGregor rematch, when it comes to this election - many have their eyes on Tommy Waters and Trevor Ozawa squaring off for a Honolulu City Council seat for the third time. KITV4.

Parks, Beaches, Affordability: Honolulu City Council District 4 Candidate Q&As. The most competitive Honolulu City Council race features a former member running against the incumbent. Civil Beat.

Income Tax, Healthcare, Power Outages: State Senate District 9 Candidate Q&As. Democratic candidate and incumbent Stanley Chang has represented the area since 2016. His challenger is Republican candidate David Croswell.  Civil Beat.

Kaimuki community voices concerns as elections begin soon. Kaimuki residents say neighborhood board meetings are among the best ways to draw attention to problems affecting their community. KITV4.

Trap, neuter, return? Oʻahu residents clash over public spay and neuter programs. Representatives from conservancy groups, veterinary clinics and animal care organizations gathered at a public hearing last week to testify about proposed changes to Honolulu's public spay and neuter programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu man pleads guilty to using crypto to evade Iran sanctions. A 37-year-old man pleaded guilty Monday to evading U.S. financial sanctions by using cryptocurrency exchanges and digital payment applications to send about $150,000 to people in Iran. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council Candidates Rake In Thousands Ahead Of Primary. Seven of the nine seats are contested, with top vote-getters advancing to the November general election. Civil Beat.

Public invited to discuss results of Waikoloa Evacuation Traffic Study. Hawaii County invites residents and other interested parties to take part in a public meeting today to hear and discuss the results of an Evacuation Traffic Study to improve safety in Waikoloa Village and the surrounding areas during a wildfire or other emergency. Tribune-Herald.

BLNR moves to settle $45,000 fine against men who took 4,000 opihi. After three men were caught taking more than 4,000 opihi from a protected area on Hawaii Island, the Board of Land and Natural Resources moved to settle the case in lieu of a more than $45,000 fine after considering both cultural impacts for both the environment and the violators. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui Mayor Election: Sugimura Tops Bissen In Campaign Fundraising. Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura is raising and spending thousands of dollars more than Mayor Richard Bissen in her bid to unseat him this election, state campaign finance records show. Civil Beat.

North extension of Lahaina bypass needed as a critical evacuation route is finally moving forward. The 4.5-mile extension from Lahaina to Kā‘anapali is in the early planning stages, with funding from a $100 million allocation of Maui County’s $1.6 billion federal disaster recovery grant. Maui Now.

Normal irrigation to resume at Waiehu Golf Course after pond liner project completed at end of August. he County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is progressing with a project to replace the irrigation pond liner at Waiehu Municipal Golf Course. Maui Now.

Kauai

Anaina Hou hosts upcycling camp focused on beach cleanup and creativity. A weeklong summer camp at Anaina Hou Community Park will give Kauaʻi children the opportunity to transform marine debris collected from local beaches into musical instruments, games, toys and art while learning about environmental stewardship. Kauai Now.

Local nonprofits given more opportunities for natural, cultural stewardship. HB 2218 allows the land board to determine if community groups are qualified for a co-management agreement. That enables the state to share its “management functions and responsibilities and the rights of entry” with those nonprofit groups. Olan Leimomi Fisher is an advocate for Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, which helped spearhead the bill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green signs environmental, housing bills into law, Luke faces 2nd criminal investigation, lawmakers want Plan B if USPS doesn't deliver ballots, Taiwan delegation discusses Chinatown, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green signs four bills into law, focusing on environmental conservation, housing affordability. Gov. Josh Green signed four measures into law that reinforce Hawaiʻi’s long-term investments in environmental stewardship, housing, and community infrastructure. Big Island Now.

Green signs bill creating fund for cesspool conversion loans. Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday signed into law a measure to establish a fund to provide Hawaii homeowners low-interest or forgivable loans to finance costly, federally mandated conversions of their cesspools to septic systems or sewers. Tribune-Herald.

Luke Campaign Violations Referred To AG For Possible Prosecution. The Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission on Wednesday voted to refer a set of alleged campaign finance violations by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s campaign to the Attorney General’s Office for possible prosecution, which has already been investigating the matter. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers want a ‘Plan B’ if USPS won’t deliver ballots. The state Office of Elections is banking on the U.S. Postal Service and judicial system to ensure that Hawaii residents can easily vote in November’s general election, but some state lawmakers are worried over the lack of a contingency plan. Star-Advertiser. KITV4

DEA moves to ban ‘gas station heroin’ sold openly in Hawaii. The Drug Enforcement Administration has filed a notice of intent to ban 7-OH and two related synthetic compounds, MGM-15 and MGM-16, saying the substances have no medical purpose and are dangerous. Hawaii News Now.

Trust, Income Tax And Green Fees: Lieutenant Governor Candidate Q&As. A diverse field is on the ballot for the office left vacant by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s abrupt departure. Civil Beat.

ʻĀina, Army and Mauna Kea: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Candidate Q&As. A total of 19 nonpartisan candidates are running for five trustee positions on the nine-person board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs this year. The agency controls over $600 million in unrestricted funds set aside to improve the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Slashes Economic Recovery Office Over Mayor’s Objections. The county agency received strong community support, but was also the subject of a scathing audit over its failure to meet goals. Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi condemns City Council’s veto override. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

First of at least 8 additional Red Hill trials gets underway.  The first of at least eight additional trials relating to claims stemming from the 2021 Red Hill jet fuel crisis began Tuesday, with U.S. District Judge Leslie Koba­yashi left to contemplate one key question: Was ingesting contaminated ice enough exposure to get sick? Star-Advertiser.

Blangiardi meets Taiwan delegation over Chinatown Cultural Plaza redevelopment. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi met Wednesday with a delegation from Taiwan for two days of talks on plans to redevelop the Chinatown Cultural Plaza on Beretania Street. The $52 million, 4-acre property owned by the Taiwanese government has fallen into disrepair and become a draw for crime. Hawaii News Now.

Influential Energy Researcher Quietly Backed By Big Money Climate Group. Amid Gov. Josh Green’s push to bring liquefied natural gas to Hawaiʻi, one critic has risen to the forefront: a policy research leader who has repeatedly attacked Green’s arguments that LNG belongs in the state’s energy future. Civil Beat.

UH Mānoa's new chancellor shares his vision for the university. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa welcomed Vassilis Syrmos as its newest chancellor on July 1. Syrmos brings for over three and a half decades of experience as a professor, researcher and administrator to his new role. Hawaii Public Radio.

Falling construction debris prompts road closure in Honolulu. Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. Wednesday confirmed that just before 8 p.m., an incident involving a temporary guardrail system occurred at the Straub Benioff Medical Center Construction Project on King Street. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Council votes to tweak bill regarding PONC funds. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation providing greater flexibility in determining the share of property taxes earmarked for a popular land conservation maintenance fund. Tribune-Herald.

Next phase of Hilo Bayfront Trails project could begin later this year. Nearly two decades ago, the Hilo Bayfront Trails project laid out a vision to better connect the Hilo area through a network of multi-use trails – linking downtown to the harbor and passing through the scenic Wailoa River State Recreation Area and Lili‘uokalani Gardens. Tribune-Herald.

3 convicted sex offenders in Kona arrested for failing to register. Three convicted sex offenders from Kona were arrested during a three-day compliance operation on Hawaii Island last week, according to the state Department of the Attorney General. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. 

UH study: Big Island spinner dolphins are producing fewer calves. Unexpectedly low calf numbers within the spinner dolphin population off Hawaii Island were revealed in a study led by scientists with the Marine Mammal Research Program, or MMRP, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa along with national and international collaborators. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council votes to authorize purchase of West Maui condo unit for kūpuna housing. Maui County Council members voted unanimously to authorize the acquisition of a West Maui condominium unit for up to $278,000 to expand the Nā Hale Kūpuna program, which provides permanent housing for kūpuna displaced by the August 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Upcountry Maui Coalition urges action on emergency water infrastructure. Seeking a proactive partnership to safeguard lives and property, the Kula Community Association (KCA) and a broader alliance of organizations issued a formal briefing today to Maui County officials and Hawaiʻi State Legislators. KCA and supporting organizations are calling for leadership accountability and direct budgetary collaboration to fund immediate, localized water infrastructure ahead of the peak wildfire season. Maui Now.

Maui Is Pushing The State To Double Down On Palm-Killing Beetles. Community members around Hawaiʻi say the only way to get the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to do its job is by forcing its hand. Civil Beat.

Kauai

After lease scare ends with 15-year agreement, new chapter brewing at Kauaʻi Coffee Company. At the Kauaʻi County Council meeting on Wednesday, Wayne Katayama was in much better spirits than the last time he addressed the members six months ago with nearly two years of land lease negotiations stalled between the owners of Kauaʻi Coffee Company and its landlord, Colorado- based investment firm Brue Baukol Capital Partners. Kauai Now.

Renovations to stadium on Kaua‘i will close parking lots in phases. The Vidinha Stadium parking lot will close in phases starting July 13 to accommodate continued renovations at the stadium. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Campaign Spending Commission files complaint against Sylvia Luke, juror compensation increases to $50 a day, cash rounding law eliminates pennies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission files 39-page complaint against Sylvia Luke. A 39-page complaint from the Hawaiʻi Campaign Spending Commission accused Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, her campaign team and committee of violating state campaign finance laws during the 2022 election. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Know the rules: Hawaii's new cash rounding law. A new law aimed at easing headaches caused by a nationwide penny shortage took effect in Hawaii on Wednesday, July 1. Businesses are now allowed to round up or down to the nearest nickel. KHON2.

Juror compensation increases to $50 per day. Individuals serving as jurors in Hawaiʻi state courts will receive $50 per day for their service, an increase from the previous rate of $30 per day. The increase marks the first adjustment to juror compensation since 1989, when the daily rate increased from $20 to $30. Maui Now.

Oahu

DPP launches fast-track permit review program. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting has launched a new program to fast-track eligible building permit applications using an artificial intelligence-assisted screening platform ahead of the software becoming mandatory later this year. Star-Advertiser.

Unopposed For Reelection, Honolulu Budget Chair Isn’t Afraid To Fight Admin. Council member Val Okimoto has charged into public disputes against powerful members of the city administration. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Riders Face Persistent Station And Elevator Closures. Three years after opening, the city’s Skyline transit system has endured its share of operational hiccups. Civil Beat.

Law enforcement finds 14 endangered children on Oahu. Fourteen endangered, missing children were found by Honolulu Police Department officers working with state and federal law enforcement last week during a two-day operation. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

More sidewalks planned for portion of Kilauea Avenue. A $10 million sidewalk construction project will commence Monday along Kilauea Avenue as part of a federally funded initiative to create a safe, convenient route for students at the three Waiakea schools to walk and bike to class. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Wastewater In Lava Fields: Delayed Fix Costs Big Island $1K Daily. After a legal settlement, Hawaiʻi County agreed to upgrade the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant beginning in March. Now the project is four months overdue and the county could face a hefty fine. Civil Beat.

Increased aircraft noise possible in Waimea-Kohala region during July 4 military exercises. The training is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. July 4 and will include KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft and MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft operating over parts of the region. Big Island Now.

Big Island mayors celebrate diverse heritage. Hawaii County leaders say the America250 milestone offers a chance to celebrate their island’s rich and diverse culture and its unique place in the nation’s history, which has been shaped both by patriotism and historical inequities. Star-Advertiser. 

Maui

Mayor Bissen announces $6M proposal to purchase Launiupoko, Olowalu water assets for public trust. This marks the critical second phase of a broader effort that will increase public stewardship of West Maui’s drinking water systems from 45% to 93% while supporting much-needed housing development for residents. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. 

Council seeks answers on Maui safe parking pilot program. Maui County Council members are pressing Mayor Richard Bissen’s administration for answers on why a safe parking pilot program for unhoused residents has not opened nearly four years after the council approved legislation allowing the county to create one. Maui News.

Mayoral candidate says campaign signs have been taken.  Maui County Mayoral candidate P. Denise La Costa said more than 18 of her political election signs have been stolen in the past few weeks. Maui News.

National Park Service launches first-of-its-kind Kalaupapa hiking tour. Starting this month, the Kalaupapa National Historical Park will guide visits to the remote peninsula — but there’s a catch. The hike down — and up — the strenuous Pali Trail from topside Molokaʻi is a 1700-foot elevation change over three miles each way. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Community groups win temporary pause to 148-unit Kōloa housing development until court hears appeal. The groups challenging the project have raised concerns about the size of the project, the impact of increased traffic, parking demands and emergency access on the narrow rural roads in the Kauaʻi town. Kauai Now.

Landfill, Cesspools And Another ʻIniki?: Kauaʻi County Council Candidate Q&As. Kauaʻi’s council members face daunting infrastructure needs, a shortage of workforce housing and declining visitor numbers on the island. Civil Beat.

Concert in the Sky anchors Kauai’s July Fourth mix of celebration and care.  Kauai is marking America250 with events that highlight the island’s layered history — from early Native Hawaiian stewardship to Western contact, plantation‑era immigration and modern military ties — as residents navigate mixed feelings about July Fourth. Star-Advertiser.

Convicted lawmaker's emails purged by House, flooding expected from latest storm, university funding bill scaled back, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Heavy rain and flash flooding possible through Friday. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Hawaiian Islands from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. A deep layered trough will develop west of the islands, drawing moisture northward as it strengthens today. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.  KHON2.

Convicted Hawaiʻi Lawmaker’s Emails Were Deleted When He Left Office. Civil Beat requested emails ex-Rep. Ty Cullen and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke exchanged with a lobbyist. Requests were denied because the accounts were deleted. Soon after Hawaiʻi. Rep. Ty Cullen left office, resigning in disgrace due to a bribery scandal, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives wiped his email account clean, deleting years of messages. Civil Beat.

Restrictions in UH funding bill loosened after pushback.  SB 2602, a proposal to limit how the University of Hawaii can manage its student tuition and student fees was significantly scaled back Tuesday following concerns from UH officials and lawmakers, including House Higher Education Chair Andrew Takuya Garrett. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Child Welfare Nonprofits Say It’s Too Easy To Sue Them. A bill pending in the Hawaiʻi Legislature would limit the liability of nonprofits that contract with the state. Opponents say it would also cheat children. Civil Beat.

'Every kid is different': State eyes universal dyslexia-sensitive screenings across Hawaiʻi public schools. Hawaiʻi is the only state that does not have laws that address dyslexia, a condition that impacts roughly 20% of people. Some literacy advocates believe this lack of legislation has led the state’s Department of Education to not properly support keiki with dyslexia in school. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii residents warned of contractor scams ahead of approaching storm. The Better Business Bureau is warning Hawaii residents to be cautious of contractors going door to door or sending unsolicited messages as homeowners rush to prepare for another approaching storm system. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor postpones town halls indefinitely for storm. Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced Monday, April 6, that all City and County of Honolulu town hall meetings scheduled for 2026 are postponed indefinitely. KHON2.

City clearing park of debris ahead of storm. Over 2,300 tons of storm debris piled in a massive mound at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park had been reduced Tuesday to 250 tons — just ahead of the third major storm forecast for Hawaii in less than a month, which could leave even more rubbish in its wake. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Honolulu activating emergency shelters Wednesday due to storm. The shelters will be available for residents and visitors who need a safe place during the storm, officials said. As of now, the city is activating shelters at the Waianae, Manoa Valley, Kaneohe and Wahiawa district parks.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Toxic Mud? North Shore Flooding Likely Diluted Pesticide Risk. Residents are worried the mess they are wading through is contaminated by chemicals sprayed on farms upstream. Test results are pending. Civil Beat.

Chinatown business owners worry about crime as bill moves through Legislature.  A new bill that would cut people charged with misdemeanors loose before their trial is one step closer to reality. But people in the business community fear this will only make crime in their area worse. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Heavy rain and thundershowers are in the forecast for Hawaii Island over the next three or four days. Patrick Blood, an NWS Honolulu forecaster, said a deep, low pressure trough west of the state — a cold front and not a Kona low — will deliver the same kind of impacts that resulted from the two recent Kona low storms. Tribune-Herald.

Surge in passengers anticipated at Hawaiʻi airports because of 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival. Hawaiʻi airports are expected to be busier than usual this week with a surge in interisland travel because of the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo. Thousands of participants and enthusiasts are expected to visit the Big Island. Big Island Now.

Merrie Monarch Festival Traffic Pattern Change Begins Wednesday. A temporary one-way traffic pattern will go into effect on Kalanikoa Street in Hilo this week, in conjunction with the 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Flooding reported Tuesday night in East Maui. According to the Maui Emergency Management Agency, rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour with the heaviest rainfall along the slopes of East Maui. Maui News.

Mayor Bissen unveils FY2027 County Affordable Housing Plan. The County of Maui has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Affordable Housing Plan, outlining a $79,491,899 budget to support the development, acquisition and rehabilitation of nearly 800 affordable housing units across Maui County. Maui Now.

Nā Hale O Maui breaks ground on seven affordable homes in Kahului. The Fairways at Maui Lani project, located at 120 Puʻumakani St., marks a milestone for the nonprofit as it shifts toward new construction to combat island real estate market prices, which now top $1 million for single-family homes. Maui Now.

Kauai

Emergency road closure in Wailua for bridge cleaning, debris removal ahead of storm. An emergency road closure in Wailua is ongoing along a portion of ‘Ōpaeka‘a Road in the vicinity of Pulana Street for bridge cleaning and debris removal ahead of potential inclement weather this week. Kauai Now.

Cloud over the Capitol: Calls for independent investigation as Governor's Office caught up in $35k bribery scandal; Big Island businessman sentenced in affordable housing credit scam; Japanese archery range draws opposition, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

$35K Case: New Development Sparks Calls For Independent Probe.  Because Attorney General Anne Lopez is appointed by the governor’s office, she and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke are both part of the executive branch. The Clean Elections Hawai‘i Coalition, made up of 40 pro-democracy organizations, said in a press release on Tuesday afternoon that an “impartial special prosecutor” is now needed to ensure public trust in the investigation.  Civil Beat. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Gov. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke comes under more scrutiny. The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission will investigate whether Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke violated state law when she failed to report $16,000 in campaign contributions, including $10,000 tied to a businessman involved in a high-profile bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Sylvia Luke Quietly Took Thousands From This Lobbyist Linked To Cullen. The lieutenant governor is only now reporting money she received four years ago as a bribery scandal continues to roil the Hawaiʻi Legislature. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. 

Luke’s campaign spending reports fuel more questions, uncertainty.  Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will have a cloud over her whenever she fills in as acting governor — and heading into the August Democratic primary election — as long as she is tied to the case of the “influential state legislator” who allegedly accepted $35,000 in a bag in 2022, said current lawmakers who served with Luke at the time, and others. Star-Advertiser.

Speed-limiting devices could be coming for Hawaii repeat offenders. A bill moving through the Legislature would let judges order speed-limiting devices in the cars of habitual offenders, similar to ignition interlocks for drunk drivers. KHON2.

Hawai‘i Doctor Shortage Has Patients Paying Fees For Fast Care. Direct primary care is a burgeoning business model that bypasses insurance. If widely adopted, it could lessen the state’s dire shortage of primary care doctors — or make things worse. Civil Beat.

‘It Is Not A Fraud’: Schatz, Murkowski Blast Attack On Native Contracting. The two senators are leading a bipartisan push to protect the SBA’s 8(a) program amid the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to eliminate DEI initiatives. Civil Beat. 

Oahu

State affordable-housing project fails to gain traction. The endeavor to develop one leasehold condo tower on state land in Kakaako as a pilot project for envisioned replication ran into trouble several months ago over concerns that unit prices and use restrictions would deter buyers, who would receive 99-year leases instead of fee-­simple ownership. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai’i Pacific Health, HMSA partnership plans proceeding. Hawaii Medical Service Association insures more than 750,000 people statewide, while HPH operates major hospitals including Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Council urges city to secure lower cost ambulance services. The Honolulu City Council is urging the city to work with state officials to establish a federally funded program aimed at reducing the city’s cost of ambulance serv­ices for low-income people. Star-Advertiser.

Plan for Japanese archery range draws some opposition from Kaimukī neighbors. For decades, the 125-year-old Hawaiʻi Kyudo Kai club has been looking for a permanent home. The search may soon be over as the nonprofit Hawaiʻi Kyudo Foundation and the city announced last year that it would build a kyudojo at the Mauʻumae Nature Preserve, located on 16th Avenue and Claudine Street. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Another Big Island man sentenced for affordable housing scam. Rajesh Budhabhatti,  65-year-old Big Island businessman who prosecutors said “played a central role in the conspiracy and scheme” to earn millions of dollars illegally using Hawaii County affordable housing credits, was sentenced Friday in Honolulu to 7 1/2 years in federal prison. Tribune-Herald.

Public invited to provide feedback on HTA’s destination management plan. The Hawaii Tourism Authority's  Hawaii Island virtual meeting is from noon to 1 p.m. this Thursday. Registration is required to receive the Zoom links to the virtual meeting. Register at: hawaiitourismauthority.org/what-we-do/events/ Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Care Choices is expanding services, care options to North Hawaiʻi this month.  Beginning this month, the Kupu Palliative Care Program will be available through a dedicated clinic space within the North Hawaiʻi Hospice office, extending palliative care services to residents of Hāmākua, Waimea, North Kohala, and South Kohala. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Cops Could Still Aid Feds Despite Council Immigration Concerns. A Maui County Council committee on Tuesday voted to kill a bill that would have authorized Mayor Richard Bissen to re-up a now-controversial agreement between the county’s police department and the FBI-Joint Terrorism Task Force. But the council committee’s 8-0 recommendation on Tuesday that the full council file Bill 92 did not alter or overturn the existing agreement with the FBI task force, which has been in place for more than two decades. Civil Beat.

Supreme Court ruling deemed ‘huge milestone’ for Maui wildfire settlement. A ruling from the Hawaii Supreme Court on Tuesday could allow for the more than 21,000 Maui fire survivors in a $4 billion settlement to begin receiving payments in a matter of weeks, an attorney for the victims said. Hawaii News Now.

Budget priorities topic of discussion at South Maui community town hall on Feb. 24. Maui County Council member Tom Cook will host a South Maui town hall at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Malcolm Center, 1305 N. Holopono St., Suite 5, to gather input on the community’s budget priorities. Maui News.

Power restored to ~10,000 in West Maui after safety shutoff.  Hawaiian Electric says it has re-energized all West Maui circuits impacted by the Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Approximately 10,000 customers in West Maui had been out of power for approximately 24 hours. Hawaii News Now.

West Maui schools to reopen Wednesday. Department of Education officials say electrical service has been restored following required utility inspections, and water intake has been cleared. With utilities restored, campuses are able to safely resume normal school operations. Maui Now. KITV4. 

Kauai

Free tax preparation opens. Due to the large amount of people needing tax returns — both federal and state — hours have been extended on opening day for several of the sites. Garden Island.

Sylvia Luke may be mystery legislator in paper bag bribery scandal, immigrant protection bills advance, state mops up after wind gusts up to 60 mph, 20" of rain, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lieutenant governor says she may be the ‘influential state legislator’ referred to in federal case. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke says she didn’t take $35k but may be lawmaker behind months-long mystery. Luke said Monday amid the ongoing furor that she did not take $35,000 in a paper bag in front of state House colleague turned FBI informant Ty J.K. Cullen during a January 2022 dinner, but did accept $10,000 in checks for her campaign from two people whom Cullen introduced her to that night. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Package of immigration protection bills passes out of first committee. State lawmakers are advancing a package of bills to increase immigration enforcement protections. The House Economic Development and Technology Committee advanced six measures on Friday — all of them providing more guardrails for immigration enforcement. Hawaii Public Radio.

Long-vacant state jobs with languishing funds on rise in Hawaii. The number of stagnant state job vacancies tying up taxpayer revenue jumped last year after flattening in 2024, expanding a pile of cash that some Hawaii lawmakers want to use for urgent needs amid looming budget uncertainties. There were 485 civil serv­ice positions unfilled for over four years as of Nov. 1, up from about 420 in each of the two preceding 12-month periods, according to a Jan. 8 report from the state Department of Human Resources Development. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers are discussing an “ambitious” proposal that would make public transportation free across Hawaiʻi. House Bill 2451 would require Hawaiʻi’s counties to implement “fare-free” access to their public transit systems. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bills To Address Dementia, Alzheimer’s Gain Traction At State Capitol. The legislation may be getting a boost by the revelation that a state senator is struggling with mental decline. Civil Beat.

Will Disaster Insurance Overhaul Increase Protections For Future Survivors? Hawaiʻi consumers would have additional protections folded into their insurance coverage after a disaster declaration if a bundle of new Senate bills introduced this session are codified into law. Civil Beat.

Pacific plays strategic role, Air Force official says. Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier wrapped up a tour of the Pacific last week that took him to Hawaii, South Korea and Japan as the service works out its strategy for the region.  Star-Advertiser.

State, county, schools reopen after weather shutdown. State and county offices, public schools and most government services across Hawaii are reopening today after widespread closures Monday due to severe weather, officials said. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Power restored to more than 114,000 customers since Saturday. Hundreds of Hawaiian Electric employees and contractors have restored power across Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island to more than 27,300 customers since Sunday and and more than 114,000 customers since Saturday. Maui Now.

Oahu

Native Hawaiian-led productions anchor $10M push at Ko Olina. More than $10 million in investment tied to “Kaula Lu‘au” and related contracts is poised to deliver hundreds of jobs and multi- million‑dollars in work to Ko Olina, injecting new momentum into a resort district that has long fought to draw visitors — and their spending — to Oahu’s West Side. Star-Advertiser.

Dog attack leaves 11 sheep dead in West Oahu. A devastating dog attack at Ka’ala Farm in Waianae has decimated the farm’s sheep flock and dealt a major blow to wildfire prevention efforts. KHON2.

Oʻahu high school students protest ICE actions. Hundreds of high schoolers across Oʻahu gathered after school Friday to protest recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violence. Hawaii Public Radio.

Damage reported across Oahu following severe weekend storm. Heavy rains flooded neighborhoods while fierce winds uprooted trees that stood for decades. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

‘Unreal’: Storm gusts rip roofs off Oahu homes, 12 displaced. Sunday’s whipping winds ripped roofs off 22 structures, the Honolulu Fire Department reported. One of the buildings with a blown roof was an apartment complex in Nanakuli along Helelua Street, leaving 12 people without a home. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcano: Neighborhoods Still Littered With Ash And Debris. The 41st episode of the Big Island’s latest eruption threw ash and tephra, a general word for volcanic debris, thousands of feet in the air and the Kona winds sent it as far as Hilo over 20 miles away. It is the first time a debris and ashfall like this has happened in over 1,000 years, said Don Swanson, a long-time geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Civil Beat.

Storm damage minimal for Big Island. Heavy rain fell in the Hamakua and North Hilo districts. For the 48-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Monday, a gauge above Laupahoehoe measured 20.48 inches, while Honokaa checked in with 19.3 inches. The Hawaiian Electric station on Ala Kahua Drive in Waimea clocked 60 mph gusts at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, while Kohala Ranch measured 59 mph winds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

National Fight Over Immigration Enforcement Roils Maui County. County’s agreement with FBI provokes alarm among activists and, now, council members. The focus is Bill 92, a long-standing agreement between the Maui Police Department and the FBI that came up for renewal last year, which has suddenly prompted deep soul searching among County Council members. Civil Beat.

Maui County severe weather impacts — final update, Feb. 9.  All County of Maui offices on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi are scheduled to reopen Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Olowalu Recycling and Refuse Convenience Center is set to reopen Tuesday, Feb. 10. County parks will be inspected early Tuesday by County crews before reopening Tuesday, Feb. 10. Maui Now.

Kauai

US Rep. Jill Tokuda meets with Kauaʻi residents to address local, national concerns. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Līhuʻe on Saturday to meet with residents and hear their questions and concerns about a variety of issues, including Immigration & Customs Enforcement operations, rising costs for farmers and accountability in Washington. Kauai Now.

Flood advisory upgraded to flash flood warning; allowed to expire early today. The National Weather Service upgraded the flood advisory previously in effect for Kaua’i to a flash flood warning because of heavy rains happening over the island. Kauai Now.

Hawaii gas price tops in the nation, Green, Luke to be inaugurated today, unexploded ordnance temporarily closes lava viewing area, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Why Is Hawaii Still Suffering From High Oil Prices When The Mainland Has Dropped? Hawaii was the only state in the U.S. last week where electric rates continue to cause consumer shock and average gasoline prices topped $5 per gallon. As crude oil and gasoline prices drop on the mainland, bringing relief to consumers after a long period of high prices, Hawaii residents and businesses face a grim alternate reality: gasoline prices haven’t dropped much, and neither has the price of electricity. Civil Beat.

Is Hawaiʻi nearing a recession? Analysts say not quite. Paul Brewbaker, economist and principal of TZ Economics, said that inflation in Hawaiʻi is running at 6.6% now — of which 4.1% is core inflation. That, combined with rising interest rates, is changing the dynamics between lenders and consumers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Inauguration of Green and Luke set for today.  Gov.-elect Josh Green and Lt. Gov.-elect Sylvia Luke are scheduled to be sworn in to Hawaii’s highest offices today in an inauguration ceremony at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena to include the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Roosevelt High School String Quartet and the Hawaii National Guard Joint Color Guard &Royal Guard. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Tourism Authority calls for special meeting on U.S. tourism contract.  The Hawaii Tourism Authority has called a special board meeting for Wednesday to discuss extending the U.S. tourism contract while it sorts out a procurement protest and other irregularities a week after a secret meeting with the outgoing governor and the director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tourism Authority emails show contract process concerns. Hawaii Tourism Authority staff may have violated state procurement law during solicitation for the U.S. tourism contract, typically worth more than $100 million over a five-year period, according to information found in approximately 2,700 pages of public records. Star-Advertiser.

Former sports anchor, union official sentenced to probation for his role in corruption scandal. Former KHNL sports anchor and union official Russell Yamanoha has been sentenced to two years of probation and was fined $5,000 for his role in a union corruption scandal. Yamanoha, the former assistant business manager for the IBEW Local 1260, was convicted in 2019 for helping rig union votes. Hawaii News Now.

Federal Rental Subsidies Could Help Thousands Of Kupuna On DHHL Waitlist. A new program overseen by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement follows more than $12 million of rent relief the department has disbursed. Civil Beat.

Army moving equipment across Pacific for training. The Army is moving equipment across the Pacific in support of its Operation Pathways exercise to be held in Australia in 2023 as it continues to define its changing role in the region. Star-Advertiser.

Fishing council questions monument’s spillover benefits. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is again challenging the reported benefits of the Papaha­naumokuakea Marine National Monument — this time by directly questioning the legitimacy of a recent study on the spillover effects the monument’s expansion area has on marine life. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

DOT announces locations for new red light cameras. The Department of Transportation's red light safety camera pilot will install 10 cameras throughout intersections in Honolulu with a history of red light violations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy hikes toxic leak estimate: ‘They’re on thin ice’.  Officials said on Saturday, Dec. 3 that the amount that was actually released could be almost 20 percent higher than originally reported. KHON2.

‘Last straw’: BWS chief engineer Ernie Lau joins water advocates in Red Hill protest. For the first time, Board of Water Supply Chief Engineer Ernie Lau joined dozens of water advocates at a Red Hill protest Friday outside the State Health Department. Hawaii News Now.

Construction to resume on Mandarin Oriental Honolulu luxury tower.  A developer plans to start building a $650 million luxury hotel and condominium tower across from the Hawai‘i Convention Center next year following a three-year delay influenced by the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Makua Beach Standoff: Residents Say They Are Being Run Off By A Man Camping Out. People who regularly use the beach say Samson Souza has been blocking access for months. He says he’s trying to protect endangered spinner dolphins. Civil Beat.

Waianae Coast pig farmer fights for livelihood against landlord. A 55-year-old Waianae Coast pig farmer who filed a petition to the state’s highest court for help to save his livestock and his livelihood said he’s not giving up the fight despite being rejected by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

More progressive County Council to be sworn in Monday. There’s a new day coming for the Hawaii County Council, with a freshly minted chairwoman, three freshman members, newly named committees and a more progressive agenda. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

Explosive device closes Mauna Loa viewing area. The Hawaii County Police Department reopened the parking area on old Saddle Road on Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of a police investigation that closed the Mauna Loa eruption viewing area for nearly five hours. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Civil Beat.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Volcanic risk: 2020 report could be key in avoiding disaster.  After the lava flows from the 2018 Kilauea eruption took out more than 700 homes and cost tens of millions of dollars in road reconstruction and land buyouts, the county spent more than $2 million on a consultant to conduct an islandwide volcanic risk assessment as well as a Kilauea recovery plan. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island still draws home buyers despite eruption risks.  Despite the threats of hurricanes, tsunamis, vog, earthquakes — and now another eruption from Mauna Loa — people continue to move to the more affordable areas of Hawaii Island, including the Leilani Estates subdivision that was overrun by Kilauea lava in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

A legacy of lava: Kim, Trusdell reflect on 1984 Mauna Loa eruption that threatened Hilo.  Former Mayor Harry Kim was county Civil Defense administrator in 1984, a position he held for 24 years before becoming Hawaii County’s chief executive in 2000. In his role at Civil Defense, as well as in his dozen years as mayor, Kim has dealt with volcanoes more on a day-to-day basis than any other county official. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County council voices support for restoration of Kawela Stream flow. Resolution urges water commission to deny contested case hearing for landowner. Maui News.

Work to start on new hale at Kepaniwai. A project to build a replacement Hawaiian Hale at Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in Iao Valley will begin Dec. 12. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Coco Palms development faces new legal challenge. Kaua‘i community group I Ola Wailuanui filed a lawsuit last month against the state Board of Land and Natural Resources and the developers behind the project, arguing recently renewed BLNR permits granted to a defunct LLC without the typically required environmental impact statements.  Garden Island.

Millions released for Kaua‘i projects.  Waimea High School will get a new gym, as $27 million of the funds released between Nov. 1, 2022, and Dec. 2, 2022, are for construction of a new gym and related facilities.  Garden Island.

COVID testing company gives big to Hawaii Democrats, Honolulu permitting chief resigns, Maui police chief cleared, Kauai council gives itself 15% raise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Why Is Nomi Health Donating To Key Democrats In Blue State Hawaii After Giving Big To GOP? The Utah-based company contributed to the campaigns of six Democrats in Hawaii, including Josh Green and Sylvia Luke, the Democratic nominees for governor and lieutenant governor. USA Today.

Former defense contractor pleads guilty to PPP fraud. A former Hawaii defense contractor changed his plea to guilty in federal court Wednesday, admitting he defrauded banks of more than $22.8 million intended to help businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Martin Kao, 49, the former head of Martin Defense Group LLC, formerly known as Navatek LLC, is charged with bank fraud and money laundering. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Marines welcome new commander of Pacific forces. Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder handed the reins of Marine Corps Forces, Pacific to Lt. Gen. William Jurney in a Wednesday morning ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Abrupt closure of air ambulance company leaves many in shock. The parent company of LifeSave KuPono shut down the air ambulance service Wednesday, leaving just one air ambulance company serving the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines dropping employee vaccination mandate. Hawaiian Airlines is removing COVID-19 vaccinations as a requirement for employment effective Oct. 1 and dispensing with other elements of its COVID-19 safety policy. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers emphasize importance of wastewater surveillance to monitor COVID. After delays in Hawaii’s wastewater monitoring program, DOH officials said they have started processing some wastewater samples to monitor COVID. Hawaii News Now.

New COVID booster shots available as Hawaii case counts decline. Several pharmacies have already started taking appointments for the boosters, while some community health centers are preparing to do so in the coming days. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii will begin offering the bivalent COVID-19 boosters at its facilities Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Health Department reports 1,215 new COVID-19 infections, 11 coronavirus-related deaths this past week. The state’s average positivity rate, meanwhile, continued dropping to 6.4% compared to 7.3% reported the previous week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Director Of Honolulu’s Troubled Permitting Office Resigns. Mayor Rick Blangiardi appointed Dean Uchida with hopes of streamlining permitting, but delays have gotten significantly worse. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pentagon speeds up timeline for defueling Red Hill by several months. The U.S. Department of Defense has sped up its timeline for draining the Navy’s underground Red Hill fuel tanks by about five months and now expects that the work can be completed by July 2024. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Honolulu taxi industry wants more control over meter rates. Dale Evans, CEO of Charley's Taxi, has asked the City and County of Honolulu to repeal the ordinance that controls taxi fares — which she says is threatening her business. Hawaii Public Radio.

Another Key Player In The Miske Conspiracy Case Has Made A Deal With Prosecutors. Lance Lee Bermudez is the sixth of the original 10 co-defendants to flip by agreeing to testify against the accused crime boss. Civil Beat.

Thursday parade and festivities to honor Honolulu Little League World Series champions. The city of Honolulu will come together Thursday to honor the Little League World Series Champions -- with a midday parade and festivities on beginning at noon. KITV4. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing scandal: Council seeks accounting; defendants fire their lawyers. Hilo attorneys Paul Joseph Sulla Jr. and Gary Charles Zamber, in a Sept. 1 status conference with federal Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield, asked that their attorneys be terminated so they can represent themselves. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Bayfront Trails project gets next installment. While the first phase of the project — which connected Mooheau Park, Pauahi Street, the Bayfront canoe hale, and the Bayfront soccer fields — was completed in 2016, work on a second phase to connect Kilauea Avenue to the soccer fields trail built in Phase 1 didn’t begin until earlier this year. Tribune-Herald.

County Works to Set Replacement Schedule for e-Waste Collection Events. While the county’s e-Waste Collection Program remains suspended, county officials say they are working to set a replacement schedule of electronics recycling collection events for the remainder of the calendar year with the reduced state funding available. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Police Commission Finds Complaints Against New Chief ‘Not Substantiated’. Outside investigators were hired to look into several complaints made against John Pelletier, who has hired a coach to address his management style. Civil Beat.

Maui Council committee to consider Energy Conservation Code amendments. Councilmember Kelly Takaya King announced that the Climate, Action, Resilience and Environment Committee, which she chairs, will consider a county-specific version of Hawaiʻi State Energy Conservation Code. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i county council approves 15% raises for mayor, department heads, council members. In a procedure unique among Hawai‘i counties, Kaua‘i County council members unanimously voted Wednesday to approve raises that will likely affect some of their own salaries. Garden Island.

Laukona Park improvements pau. The county’s Department of Parks &Recreation and Cushnie Construction hosted a small group of dignitaries, community supporters and friends to the new pavilion Wednesday, after Sean Chung officiated at the blessing of the Laukona Park Improvements Project in Hanama‘ulu. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Special election edition: It's Green, Aiona, Luke, Tokuda and a bunch of incumbents, more election news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Josh Green thanks supporters for Democratic gubernatorial primary win PC:Hawaii News Now

Democrat Josh Green and Republican James ‘Duke’ Aiona will face off for Hawaii governor. Democratic Lt. Gov. Josh Green and former Republican Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona are the Nov. 8 general election candidates to become Hawaii’s next governor after Saturday night’s overwhelming party primary election victories. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Democrat Sylvia Luke triumphs, Seaula Tupai grabs GOP spot in race for lieutenant governor. Sylvia Luke has won the six-way Democratic race to be Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, triumphing over other top contenders Ikaika Anderson and Keith Amemiya. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Jill Tokuda dominates Patrick Branco in runoff for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District. In the contentious race to become the Democratic candidate for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, Jill Tokuda dominated challenger Patrick Pihana Branco in Saturday’s primary election results, capturing a lead of more than twice as many votes and a berth in the Nov. 8 general election. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

House Speaker Scott Saiki not among losing incumbent lawmakers. A few incumbent Hawaii lawmakers are on a path to being ousted from the Legislature based on near-­complete voting results in Saturday’s primary election. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Kalei Akaka wins Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Oahu seat; 6 others advance in at-large race. Kalei Akaka cruised to re-election to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees after capturing more than 50% of the vote for the Oahu seat. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Stream of last-minute Hawaii voters turn up in person. Statewide, the only long lines were reported at the voter service center in Wailuku, Maui, according to Nedielyn Bueno, spokesperson for the state Office of Elections. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

All Honolulu City Council races advance to November run-off election. Honolulu City Council District 8 candidates Ron Menor and Val Okimoto are neck-in-neck in the crowded primary race for the open seat. Menor is leading Okimoto by just seven more votes. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Inouye bests Acasio in Democrat primary; other state Senate matchups set. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, whose Paukaa residence was redistricted from Senate District 4 to Senate District 1, cruised to an easy victory Saturday night over District 1 incumbent Laura Acasio in the Democrat primary election. Tribune-Herald.

Evans, Galimba take council races: The District 9, District 6 County Council candidates appear not to face a runoff. With an estimated 90% of votes counted, Naalehu cattle rancher Michelle Galimba appears to have come out on top of a four-way County Council District 6 race, rounding up 54.27% of the votes, enough to win the race outright against contenders Colehour Bondera, Shane Palacat-Nelson and Henry “Bo” Cho III. West Hawaii Today.

Kagiwada, Kusch headed for runoff in Hilo. Two political first-timers, Jenn Kagiwada and Matthias Kusch, will face each other in a runoff election in November for the County Council District 2 seat representing Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

6 incumbents win outright for Hawaii County Council. In the race for Hawaii County’s nine Council seats, all of the six incumbents in the running were reelected Saturday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

It’s Kahaloa, Kennealy in the general election: Former Kanuha aide sweeps Democratic primary. Kirstin Kahaloa swept through the Democratic competition and is headed for a general election matchup against Republican Jonathan Kennealy for the newly created House District 6, holding a commanding 63.3% of the vote, with about 90% of votes counted Saturday. West Hawaii Today.

Kapela to face Goodwin, Last for House District 5. Republican Lohi Goodwin and Libertarian Michael Last will challenge Democratic incumbent state Rep. Jeanné Kapela to represent House District 5. West Hawaii Today.

Slow, steady and smooth: Voters wrap up the primary process. A steady stream of voters came to the West Hawaii Civic Center, where a few voting options were provided to people for Saturday’s primary election. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Incumbent Maui Mayor Michael Victorino to face former judge Richard Bissen in general election. Retired state judge Richard Bissen looks to have a good shot at unseating Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino in a November runoff election after drawing the most votes in Saturday’s mayoral primary election. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

DeCoite secures win over Ritte; McKelvey and Walker top Senate District 6 primaries. In the closely watched Democratic primary race for state Senate District 7, incumbent Sen. Lynn DeCoite beat challenger Walter Ritte by a much wider margin on Saturday night. Maui News.

Early Maui County Council results highlight Valley Isle natives, political newcomers. Late Saturday night, Maui native Nohe U’u-Hodgins was ahead in the race for the Maui County Council Makawao-Haʻikū-Pāʻia residency seat, which is being vacated by Council Member Mike Molina, who is running for mayor. Maui Now.

Turnout in Maui County lowest in the state at 25 percent. Lines started forming at the voter service center in Wailuku early on the morning of Election Day as residents hurried to place their votes before the close of voting on Saturday. Maui News.

Kauai

Incumbent Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami easily advances to the Nov. 8 election. Incumbent Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami received a majority of the votes in the primary election for the county mayoral race and will advance to the Nov. 8 general election with first-time candidate Michael Roven Poai. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Carvalho, Evslin, Rapozo top council field. The crowded field in the county council race was whittled down slightly after the primary election Saturday, with five of 19 candidates eliminated. Garden Island.