Russian spy ship spotted off Hawaii, Green names military land advisory panel, Mauna Kea Thirty Meter Telescope plan draws public opposition, Seaglider completes feasibility study, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Coast Guard monitors Russian spy ship off Hawaii’s coast. U.S. Coast Guard officials said they are monitoring a Russian naval intelligence ship that has been lingering just outside U.S. territorial waters close to the Hawaiian islands for at least two weeks and is currently about 15 miles off the coast of Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Governor Names Advisory Panel For Military Land Negotiations. Gov. Josh Green announced a 10-member advisory committee composed  mostly of Native Hawaiians to weigh in on land lease negotiations with the U.S. military Thursday, hours before Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees voted to take a more aggressive approach to inserting the organization into the process. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.  Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Lawmakers, advocates defend mail-in voting. State lawmakers and voting­-rights advocates gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday to oppose a recent recommendation from the Hawaii Elections Commission to eliminate universal mail-in voting and return to single-day, in-person elections. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Commission wants more candidates to request public funds for their campaigns. Candidates running for office across Hawaiʻi are requesting less public funding for their campaigns, the state Campaign Spending Commission says. Hawaii Public Radio.

Environmental law firm says recent BLNR decisions may not be legally valid. An environmental law firm contends that recent decisions made by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources may not be legally valid for lack of a certain kind of member. Hawaii News Now.

New interisland transportation service is one step closer to coming to fruition. REGENT, the developer of electric Seaglider vessels, just completed a feasibility study to see how ready Hawaii’s infrastructure is for this type of transportation. Hawaii News Now.

Federal corruption inquiry still going following 3 convictions. The acting U.S. Attorney for Hawaii told the state House speaker that a public corruption probe that convicted two state legislators and a Maui County official for bribery remains “active” and that any parallel state probe could interfere — also clarifying that a bribery offense referred to in court documents did not involve an “influential state legislator” mentioned elsewhere in court filings. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Elderly Honolulu Architect Convicted For Attempted $20 Bribe. 92-year-old architect Kiyoshi Toi,  who tried to slip a Honolulu permit worker a $20 bill, has been convicted of bribery of a public servant and now faces potential prison time.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s Crackdown Traps Homeless In Loop Of Citations. Ticketing of Honolulu’s homeless population ballooned after the mayor pledged to get 1,000 people off the street in a year, but the effort tends to involve familiar faces. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s speed enforcement cameras off to slow start with zero citations. Hawaii’s new speed enforcement camera system has issued zero speeding citations in its first 12 days of operation at 10 intersections, despite state officials issuing half a million warnings over the prior seven months. A computer programming glitch has prevented citations from being processed, according to state officials. Hawaii News Now.

Multinational exercise prepares soldiers for high-tech warfare. The 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks is in the closing stages of its annual Hawaii rotation of its Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training as it puts one of the Army’s first “mobile brigades” to the test. Star-Advertiser.

UH wants $5M in taxpayer funds to recruit, retain college athletes. In a public meeting with state legislators on Wednesday, University of Hawaiʻi officials said the school will ask for $5 million from the state to pay potential students to play at the university.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kailua roundabout project completed at last. It took three years and cost an estimated $11 million due to numerous hurdles and delays. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu Intermediate to close Friday due to 8-inch water main break. The break was reported at around 6 p.m. Thursday on Waikele Road fronting Waipahu Intermediate School, and Board of Water Supply crews are working to repair it. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Green’s TMT letter draws strong opposition at Maunakea authority meeting. The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority took no vote Thursday but heard hours of testimony sparked by Gov. Josh Green’s recent letter outlining a path for permitting the Thirty Meter Telescope on a previously developed site atop Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Saddle Road speed limit could be lowered to 55 mph. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who introduced a bill that in 2017 increased the speed limit on portions of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway from 55 mph to 60 mph, said she thinks it’s time to roll the speed limit back to 55. Tribune-Herald.

Scouting America could sell Camp Honokaia. The executive board of Scouting America’s Aloha Council recently authorized staff to explore a range of options for Camp Honokaia near Honokaa, including selling it, leasing it or partnering with a third party. Tribune-Herald.

White Guava Café passes DOH inspection. The state Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch authorized the reopening of White Guava Café and issued a green “pass” placard during a follow-up inspection Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Fight Over The Future Of East Maui Water Returns To The State Land Board. The battle over who controls one of the island’s major water sources — a foreign company or a county board — appears headed to a contested case hearing. Civil Beat.

Biggest water users in West Maui before fire were non-owner-occupied homes, report finds. Nearly 100 applications for existing use water permits in West Maui show that single-family homes were the biggest users of water before the August 2023 wildfire, with some non-owner-occupied homes consuming even more water than ones lived in by owners, according to a report released Wednesday by state water commission staff.  Maui Now.

Maui Council gives final approval for Wailuku Executive Center purchase. The Maui County Council has given final approval to public acquisition of the four-story Wailuku Executive Center for $10 million to buy and renovate the property as the new headquarters for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. Maui Now.

Maui County Council backs Kamehameha Schools in lawsuit. The resolution comes as Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy favoring Native Hawaiians faces a new lawsuit from Students for Fair Admissions, a conservative group based in Arlington, Virginia, that successfully challenged affirmative action in college admissions in 2023. Maui News.

Kauai

Preparing to care for The Kauai Bus future. A new 35-foot electric bus was parked on the side of Hoolako Road on Thursday when the county, project partners and community members broke ground on the Kauai Bus Baseyard Expansion Project that is located across Hoolako Road from the Vidinha Stadium soccer fields. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

State notifies public about upcoming full closure of Wailuā River Bridge. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies the public about the planned upcoming full closure of Wailuā River Bridge over Kūhiō Highway, also known as Highway 56, between Kuamoʻo Road and North Leho Drive. The bridge will be closed from 6 to 10 a.m. Nov. 16. Kauai Now.

Green seeks $10B for use of military land, Hawaii teacher claims rights violation in Charlie Kirk discussion, Hawaii County Council delays vacation rental regs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Gov Wants $10 Billion From Feds For Military Land Leases. Gov. Josh Green wants to secure significant investments from the federal government for housing and environmental protection while also moving swiftly on a deal that would allow the Army to continue using thousands of acres of state land for training. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Teacher says DOE response to Charlie Kirk class discussion violates her rights. A conservative legal group has sent a demand letter to the state Department of Education because of a classroom discussion about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A middle school history teacher at a Hawaiʻi public school alleges that the department violated her First Amendment right to free speech. Hawaii Public Radio.

At least 7 dead in ‘catastrophic’ fiery crash of Honolulu-bound UPS plane in Kentucky. A UPS cargo plane bound for Hawaii crashed and exploded in a massive fireball Tuesday while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities said. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

The University of Hawaii announced a temporary grace period for registration holds across all 10 campuses Tuesday. A letter from UH President Wendy Hensel said students can register for Spring 2026 even with unpaid Fall quarter balances. Hawaii News Now.

New hemp registration requirements coming in 2026. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation (OMCCR) is launching a statewide outreach and education campaign to help hemp retailers and distributors prepare for new registration requirements that take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Maui Now.

State Sen. Awa contests election ethics violation over social media video. The Hawaiʻi Ethics Commission is considering a violation against Oʻahu North Shore state Sen. Brenton Awa that could result in a nearly $1,000 fine. Awa appeared before the commission Monday to contest the violation regarding a video he posted on his official Instagram account. In issuing the violation notice, the commission said Awa's video used government resources for campaign purposes, which is against the law. Hawaii Public Radio.

Matson pays $6.4M in port fees to China since levies started. Honolulu-based ocean shipping company Matson Inc. has paid $6.4 million in port fees to China since they were implemented on Oct.14, CEO Matt Cox said Tuesday. Reuters.

Federal Cuts Mean Less Help For Hawai’i Domestic Violence Victims. Programs providing targeted outreach to Native Hawaiian and Filipino survivors are among those facing cuts. Civil Beat.

 1 dead, 1 sick from listeria infection in Hawaii. DOH said that the strain has been linked to prepared pasta meals that have since been recalled due to a potential listeria contamination — the source of the two Hawaii cases has yet to be determined. KHON2.

Oahu

Osprey command team relieved of duty. Maj. Gen. Marcus B. Annibale, commanding general of the Okinawa-based 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, relieved Lt. Col. Shaina M. Hennessey of her duties as commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, along with its senior enlisted leader Sgt. Maj. Jamie Lampley and the squadron’s unnamed executive officer. Star-Advertiser.

HPD using mounted license plate reading cameras in parts of Waikiki and Downtown. Honolulu Police have been using license plate reading cameras in their patrol cars for years. But they’ve recently started mounting them in fixed locations. And if police had their way, the cameras would be all over the island.  KHON2.

Uncertainty surrounding the distribution of SNAP benefits and ongoing furloughs during the government shutdown is causing multiple challenges for federal employees.  An Oʻahu food pantry added a day of distributions specifically for federal workers. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘Very painful,’ former Miss Hawaii fights to stop her husband from being deported.  With a cane in hand guiding her every step, former Miss Hawaii Cheryl Bartlett slowly walks along the garden of palms and hinahina she and her husband, Rogerio Araujo, grew together outside of their Makiki apartment.  Hawaii News Now.

Years of blight: Crumbling Waialae Ave home sparks safety fears. It’s one of the first homes you see driving into Kahala. Neighbors say the crumbling, overgrown property on Waialae Avenue has become a magnet for trouble, and they’re pleading for something to be done. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County Council committee votes to delay start of STVRs law. A proposal to delay implementation of Hawaii County’s short-term vacation rental law until mid-2026 cleared a County Council committee Tuesday and now heads to the full council for final approval. Tribune-Herald.

State leaders support alternate Mauna Kea sites as option for Thirty Meter Telescope. Gov. Josh Green is pledging to help “promptly” establish a procedure to permit construction of a controversial telescope atop Mauna Kea on a site previously developed for observatory use. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Community College Sees Large Enrollment Increase. Hawaiʻi CC saw an enrollment of 2,489 students, an 8.7% rise, said to be one of the highest headcounts in years at the Hawaiʻi island-based college.  Big Island Video News.

BJ Penn charged with alleged assault of 45-year-old man outside Hilo residence. Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged former UFC two-division champion 46-year-old Jay Dee “BJ” Penn of Hilo with third-degree assault following an incident early Tuesday morning (Nov. 4) in Hilo. Big Island Now. KITV4. 

Maui

Maui Council adopts dual track Kahului seat vacancy process, clashes over Bill 9 delay. The Maui County Council ended a contentious special meeting to determine a process to fill the vacancy left by the death of Council Member Tasha Kama with a final, tense 8-0 vote. Maui Now.

Maui’s King Kamehameha III school to reopen Wednesday. King Kamehameha III Elementary plans to reopen Wednesday after being closed Tuesday “out of an abundance of caution” due to Monday’s Kapalua wildfire which is now 100% contained. Star-Advertiser.

Maui fishers donate thousands of pounds of fish to feed hungry families. Fishers on 23 boats participated in the tournament, bringing in more than 4,800 pounds of fish, including marlin, mahi mahi, and ahi.  Hawaii News Now.

County of Maui seeking volunteers to serve on Boards and Commissions. Maui County boards and commissions need volunteers for more than 30 panels, including Liquor Control Commission, Maui Planning Commission, Police Commission, Salary Commission, Urban Design Review Board, Fire and Public Safety Commission and others. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mayor, county officials swear-in the county’s new attorney. Tyler Saito previously worked as a deputy county attorney and a deputy prosecuting attorney in the Kauaʻi Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Kauai Now.

Mākua Beach Parking Woes May Be Eased Under Kauaʻi Mayor’s Plan. Parking has been a problem for decades at the main access point shared by Mākua Beach and Hāʻena Beach Park. An effort to fix it may be gaining momentum. Civil Beat.

Conservationists seek to reduce nēnē deaths on West Kauaʻi highway. The Mānā Plains Nēnē Project will focus on reducing car collisions with nēnē along a 5-mile stretch of Kaumualiʻi Highway in West Kauaʻi near the Kawaiʻele Waterbird Sanctuary. Hawaii Public Radio.

National Science Foundation defunds Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaii congressional delegation pushes for details on bombing island, Kaiser Permanente buys Maui News site, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

National Science Foundation defunds long-stalled Thirty Meter Telescope. The National Science Foundation will no longer fund the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for construction atop Mauna Kea, instead choosing to back its international competitor, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. The decision, revealed Friday in the NSF’s fiscal year 2026 budget request under the Trump administration, could be the death knell for the controversial $3 billion TMT project and its future viability. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Visitor deportations from Hawaii spark concerns about entry rules. Ever-tightening U.S. entry policies and accounts from international visitors who are denied entry could weaken international arrivals, which are an important base of business for Hawaii’s visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii delegation pushes Navy for information on Kaula training plan. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is pushing the Navy to provide more information on its plan to more than double bombardment training on a small Hawaiian Island that the state and conservation groups consider a critical bird sanctuary. Star-Advertiser.

Military sued over details of proposed rocket testing site on Johnston Atoll. The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the military for details on a proposal to build a rocket test site in a remote wildlife refuge less than 900 miles from Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green signs bills to bolster schoolchildren. Gov. Josh Green signed three bills Friday afternoon to support healthier keiki through better access to food, transportation and surfing programs in schools. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s rural nonprofits stay afloat amid federal funding insecurity. A Kauai and a Hana-based nonprofit are using grants from Newman’s Own Foundation to promote indigenous food justice by keeping Hawaiian youth connected to the traditions, regenerative farming techniques and culture of their communities. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Can’t Spend Entire Budget Because It Can’t Fill Positions. The City Council will consider a resolution aimed at reducing vacancies and encouraging more hires and fewer retirements. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

Affordable housing project breaks ground in Ala Moana. An affordable housing project that will bring 64 new rental units to the heart of Honolulu broke ground Friday. Hawaii News Now.

New changes coming to UH Mānoa campus roads.  Roadwork near the University of Hawaii at Mānoa campus begins on June 2, and people heading to campus in the fall will see quite a few changes including a driving lane reduction, new bike lanes and more crosswalks. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Punalu‘u Village developers avoid foreclosure. A foreclosure lawsuit against developers of a controversial proposed commercial development near a popular black sand beach in Ka‘u has been withdrawn by the mortgage lender. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat.

Keaau health center funded. The state has allocated $25 million for construction of the Keaau Benioff Medical Center in Puna. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Fully funded Olowalu fire station on hold over ‘iwi kupuna discovered 2 years ago in subdivision. A planned new fire station in West Maui was going nowhere for years until the deadly and destructive August 2023 wildfire highlighted the need for the facility just south of Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente purchases Maui News site. The purchase agreement allows The Maui News to continue operating at the site for up to a year. General Manager Jenni DeFouw said the newspaper is working to identify new office space and move quickly.  Maui News.

Kula has been hit hard by summer wildfires, so residents are getting better prepared. Summer wildfires have hit the Upcountry Maui community of Kula the past two years, fueling community efforts to ensure area residents are better equipped for the worst-case scenarios. Hawaii Public Radio.

MPD officer arrested for sex assault allegations identified as Devin Schoeppner. The Maui Police Department confirmed the name of the 11-year veteran officer who was arrested on Thursday over sexual assault accusations. KITV4.

Kauai

HDOT declares traffic emergency zone. The Wailua Bridge is scheduled to undergo emergency repairs and will be closed overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday. Garden Island. Kauai Now.  KHON2. 

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

Green calls for changes to process of filling vacant legislative seats, more delays for Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger decision stalled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Process For Filling Vacant Legislative Seats Is Getting Closer Scrutiny. Appointing a replacement for vacant seats close to an election can have an undue influence on the outcome of an election, the governor says. Gov. Josh Green is calling for changes to the process of filling legislative vacancies after being forced to choose a new senator for Waianae just a little over a week before the primary election. Civil Beat.

Lawmaker Posts Rare Win For Injured Workers — And Pushes For More. Following a rare win for injured workers this past legislative session, a Hawaii lawmaker is pushing for more reforms to the state’s workers’ compensation system, in an effort that has support from diverse stakeholders. Civil Beat.

Ruling on Alaska-Hawaiian merger is stalled. Consumers must wait longer to learn whether federal antitrust enforcers will approve a proposed $1.9 billion merger between competitors Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. The airlines announced in separate current-earnings releases Monday that they had agreed to a 10-day extension for the Department of Justice’s formal review period for their proposed merger, which includes $900 million in Hawaiian debt. Star-Advertiser.

State OK’s Hawaiian Telcom’s request to provide cable TV service. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced Tuesday it has approved Hawaiian Telcom’s request to offer TV service in Hawaii, Kauai and Maui counties, a move the company and DCCA say will benefit thousands of consumers. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Maui wildfires dampen Hawaii summer tourism. The softness has been present in Hawaii’s visitor industry since the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, and even in June, Maui’s 22% drop in visitor arrivals and 27% decrease in spending were dragging down the statewide tourism performance, according to preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

Green taps state House candidate to fill vacant W. Oahu Senate seat.  Gov. Josh Green  appointed Croccifixio “Cross” Crabbe to replace former Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, who resigned in May and was a Democrat representing the Nanakuli-Waianae-Makaha district. Star-Advertiser.

HECO: Major outage in east Honolulu not linked to power shutoff program. Hawaiian Electric crews have restored power to thousands of customers in east Honolulu following an outage on Tuesday morning. The outage impacted more than 20,000 customers from Aina Haina to Waimanalo. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

The National Science Foundation could take until the end of 2026 to complete an environmental review for a potential investment in the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Hawaii Island. The nation’s leading funder of science research is considering an investment of potentially $800 million or more in the planned $2.65 billion TMT project after opponents blocked construction of the telescope atop Mauna Kea in 2015 and 2019. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Sides spar in case to decide whether Schweitzers deserve compensation. A hearing Tuesday to determine if Albert “Ian” Schweitzer and his brother, Shawn Schweitzer — whose convictions for abducting, raping and killing Dana Ireland on Christmas Eve 1991 were vacated last year by a judge — are “actually innocent,” turned out to be a contentious affair. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

DNA swab in Ireland case was outside recommended procedures. Hawaii County police went beyond FBI and U.S. Department of Justice procedures when a swab was taken from Dana Ireland murder suspect Albert Lauro Jr. when they already had DNA linking him directly to the crimes, according to the former FBI attorney and federal prosecutor who first identified Lauro. Star-Advertiser.

Tents For Houseless On Ponahawai Street To Be Moved To Kuawa Street. The tents on Ponahawai Street in Downtown Hilo that are serving as a temporary “respite area” for houseless individuals are being dismantled and moved to Kuawa Street.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Big Island High School Accused Of Mishandling Sexual Assault Case. The female student had to keep attending class with her attacker, despite repeated requests from her family for assistance, the lawsuit says. Civil Beat.

Maui

Short-term rental bans proposed by Maui Mayor unpopular, according to poll. Just 10% of voters support banning existing, legal short-term rentals. Maui News.

Economists explore alternatives to banning short-term rentals on Maui. Economists have suggested that Maui County should not get rid of thousands of short-term rentals but instead place higher taxes on them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal to phase out short-term rentals on Maui nears final vote. A report containing those recommendations will be transmitted to the County Council within the next four months.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Maui housing development draws fiery opposition over affordability, impact on resources. A plan to develop 1,000 acres of land into a new residential community in South Maui received fiery opposition Tuesday night. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4

Local health care workers receive national award for service during Maui wildfires. Twenty Maui-based school nurses and health technicians received a national award for their service during the Aug. 8 wildfire. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

State continues to deny interview with man jailed for allegedly threatening councilman. The state Department of Corrections has continued to deny requests to interview Glen Gruenhagen, a local artist sentenced to a year in jail in May for an ambiguous poster aimed at Kaua’i County Councilman Billy DeCosta.  Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi neighborhood's close call with a wildfire exposes its evacuation vulnerabilities. Hanapēpē Heights is a residential area nestled in Southwest Kauaʻi with acres of agricultural land on one side, and a cliff on the other. The neighborhood has one way in and one way out on Moi Road. Hawaii Public Radio.

Visitor spending in record territory on Kaua‘i. here may have been fewer tourists on the island of Kaua‘i in the first half of the year, but the people who did visit spent a record amount of money in the period. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Too late for TMT? Plus, campaign shenanigans in state House races, high COVID warning and more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New TMT team changes approach to get community support, but is it too late for the telescope? It’s been five years since thousands of protesters blocked the start of construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope planned near the summit of Mauna Kea. Now, a different management team is trying a different approach to try to move the telescope forward. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Health Department warns of high COVID activity. The Hawaii Department of Health said its Respiratory Disease Dashboard shows COVID activity level is red, or at a high activity level, indicating the virus is circulating at high levels compared with historic trends. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Many Hawaii High School Counselors Are Taking The Summer Off As School Budgets Run Short. Not all campuses have the budget to offer year-round counseling services, and roughly half of high schools in the Hawaii Department of Education offer summer college and career counseling. Civil Beat.

Republican primary producing complaints to HPD. State Rep. Kanani Souza, an attorney representing Kapolei and Makakilo, in complaints filed with the Hono­lulu Police Department on April 28, May 16, and June 9, is accusing challenger Sheila Medeiros, a 55- year-old retired U.S. Army veteran, of harassing her. Star-Advertiser.

Lee Loy candidacy challenged: Petitioners claim her main residence is in a different district. An objection has been filed over Hawaii County Council member Sue Lee Loy’s candidacy for the state House District 2 seat and her registration to vote in the district. Tribune-Herald.

Suit: State failed to conduct proper screening before placing child in same home where girl starved to death. The boy lived for five years in the Wahiawa home of Thomas and Brandy Blas and like Geanna suffered severe abuse and neglect, the complaint says. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

EPA To Disband Red Hill Oversight Group Amid Navy Complaints. The Navy wanted to control the agenda. Community members said no. Now the group is being cancelled. Civil Beat.

City gains 400 acres of former Navy-owned land for public recreation. The City and County of Honolulu took ownership of approximately 400 acres of former Navy-­owned land at Kalaeloa that will go toward public recreation use, Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced at a ceremony outside Honolulu Hale on Wednesday afternoon. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

City expands homeless services at new facility. With an aim to get Oahu’s chronically homeless off the streets and into permanent housing, the city’s new Leahi Behavioral and Medical Respite facility has officially opened near the slopes of Diamond Head. Star-Advertiser.

Home-Buying Subsidy At New Kapiolani High Rise Targets Doctors, Teachers And Police Officers. The program is aimed at middle-income buyers often overlooked by affordable housing policies. Civil Beat.

Miske Defense Hints At Alternate Theories For Alleged Murder Victim’s Disappearance. Defense attorneys called on multiple experts to highlight the lack of forensic evidence directly tying Michael Miske to the 2016 killing of Johnathan Fraser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

All access to Haiku Stairs region closed for removal. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the City and County of Honolulu announced Wednesday the closure of the entire Moanalua Section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve — also known as Middle Ridge — and the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park for the removal of the Haiku Stairs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Work on Nanue project could begin early next year. The Nanue Stream Bridge, located at about the 15 mile marker on Highway 19 — just south of Ninole — is slated for a three-year repair project that will replace large sections of infrastructure that have become dangerously degraded. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Army Corps’ latest mission will provide 169 temporary homes for Maui fire survivors. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) newest mission is the Kilohana Temporary Housing Project – a 34-acre site located off a cane haul road near Wahikuli Road in Lahaina. Hawaii News Now.

Pōhākea public land purchase: 250 acres protected in perpetuity at Māʻalaea Mauka. A 257-acre parcel at Pōhākea (also known as Māʻalaea Mauka) is now protected in perpetuity with the State Legacy Land Conservation Program and the County of Maui Open Space contributing $1M and $6.2M to fund the conservation purchase, respectively.  Maui Now.

Pride flag raised last week in celebration of Pride Month was removed twice; police report filed. The Pride Flag hung by the County of Maui as a celebration of national June Pride Month was illegally removed twice after it was raised during a Proclamation and flag ceremony last week outside the County building, organization leaders with Aloha Maui Pride said. Maui Now.

Waikapū Development Venture project completion deadline extended to 2029. The Maui County Council has approved extending the construction completion date to September 2029 for Waikapū Development Venture’s 80-unit affordable workforce housing project south of Wailuku town. Maui Now.

Kauai

Colleague alleges jailed artist’s letter for Kauaʻi councilman was a complaint, not a threat. Over a month after local artist Glen Gruenhagen was handed a year-long jail sentence for allegedly threatening Councilman Billy DeCosta through a handmade poster in January, a recently obtained record of a heated private meeting among county staff reveals the man had come to the Historic County Building in Lihuʻe begging for help, claiming DeCosta had been harassing him in Kōkeʻe for years. Kauai Now.

Coco Palms bringing Kimpton to Hawai‘i. Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants announced Wednesday that it is partnering with the Coco Palms Resort following a historically sensitive restoration of the iconic property in Wailua. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Runway project underway at Lihu‘e Airport. The work is expected to run through Thursday, July 18, and requires the installation of new lighting or Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights to runways and taxiway edges, including LED lighting to airfield signage and conduits along with cabling. Garden Island.

Tourism impact fee dies in Legislature, Mitsunaga arrested again in Kaneshiro bribery case, TMT project manager says he won't move forward without Hawaiian buy-in, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tourism impact fee appears dead, expected to be retooled. An effort to increase the state hotel tax by $25 to offset the impact of visitors on the environment and climate change has stalled this legislative session but the concept of a “green fee” remains alive and will likely return with a new funding plan next session. Star-Advertiser.

Bill establishing labor standards in Hawaii moves forward. Senate Bill 2615 has the backing of some county officials who say they have seen cases of labor law violations in their districts. Star-Advertiser.

House passes bill to increase penalties for driving without a driver’s license on state roads.  Upon a third conviction within five years, the offense would become a Class C felony, carrying a maximum term of five years in prison.  Maui News.

Bill would establish regular state funding for DA BUX food program. The initiative cuts the price in half for eligible produce grown by Hawaiʻi farmers, and this year’s state budget bill could allocate a recurring $1 million annually to DA BUX. Hawaii Public Radio.

Invasive Parakeets Are Threatening Hawaii Farms. Is Killing Them The Answer? A proposed bill would create a one-year pilot program to cull the birds on Oahu and Kauai, where the animals are destroying an estimated 10% of crops on small farms. Civil Beat.

Political Fight Over School Construction Could Slow Hawaii’s Preschool Expansion Plans. Four years after its creation, a state agency created to expedite school construction projects is at risk of losing all of its staff and funding. Civil Beat.

Hawaii among states sued over voter registration record. The conservative Public Interest Legal Foundation, often known as PILF, has active lawsuits in Hawaii, Michigan and South Carolina over their voter roll maintenance.  Stateline.

Oahu

Federal agents arrest high-profile businessman tied to Kaneshiro bribery trial.  Businessman Dennis Mitsunaga, a defendant in the sprawling criminal bribery trial in which former city Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro is also indicted, was arrested Friday night. Federal agents took Mitsunaga into custody at his Waialae Iki home. Hawaii News Now.

Head of HART under fire after top executive resigns. The executive management team of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has faced challenges this month. Star-Advertiser.

Regenerative tourism draws groups to Hawaii. Members of the American Association of Geographers, who were in Honolulu for their 2024 annual meeting, volunteered Sunday during an ocean and beach park cleanup at Magic Island where tons of trash were removed from the polluted peninsula and ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds bid farewell to Haiku Stairs during final hike before removal. Despite it being illegal, hundreds of people climbed the Haiku Stairs, better known as Stairway to Heaven, for a final hike before it’s gone for good. KHON2.

Waimea Valley plans renovation project. A planned project to renovate Waimea Valley on the North Shore is rooted in restoring the land’s cultural and historical significance. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

TMT project manager admits past mistakes, notes project is dependent on NSF funding, support from Hawaiians. TMT project manager Fengchuan Liu said that after the extensive protests against the observatory’s construction in 2019, it became clear to him that no future for the observatory exists without first building up bonds of trust and respect toward the local community, something he said the project disregarded in the past. Tribune-Herald.

Pilot program for marijuana possession state-initiated record expungement passes. A state legislative bill to create a pilot program for a state-initiated expungement process for Hawaiʻi County passed a final reading in the House and will be transmitted to Gov. Josh Green for approval. Hawaii Public Radio.

Increased Kīlauea Activity Prompts Daily Updates From Scientists.  A moderate swarm of earthquakes beneath the Kīlauea summit indicated movement of magma in the subsurface, scientists say. Big Island Video News.

UH-Hilo faces enrollment challenges. Some 2,781 students enrolled at UH-Hilo in fall 2023, a 6.5% drop from the previous year, and the second year in a row that fall enrollment has decreased, UH-Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin told a County Council committee Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

More setbacks for Honua Ola: Ongoing lawsuit against HECO seeks $1B in damages. Honua Ola Bioenergy on Tuesday filed an objection to an order by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield denying its request to add three subsidiaries of Hawaiian Electric Industries as defendants in an ongoing lawsuit. Tribune-Herald.

Lead contamination at Kolekole Gulch Park still an issue as Hawai‘i County readies to reopen it following accessibility upgrades. Hawaii County plans  reopen Kolekole next week following the completion of a $6.3 million project to upgrade aging infrastructure and bring the park into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, making it more accessible for everyone. Big Island Now.

Maui

Bill’s new version deals with emergency Maui wildfire recovery funding. State senators are pushing a bill that would fund and govern a Maui wildfire death and injury compensation fund, but the measure runs a risk of violating the Hawaii Constitution. Star-Advertiser.

Big ask for FEMA homes for Maui fire survivors meets resistance. Gov. Josh Green and other local government leaders early this year asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to build 1,000 homes as part of a multilevel government effort to relocate evacuees of the Aug. 8 Lahaina disaster, but FEMA is only committing to build 169 modular homes in Lahaina under a contract expected to be awarded May 24. Star-Advertiser.

Unequal Treatment By Lenders Is Hurting Lahaina Homeowners. The lenders' policies and an obscure thicket of state and federal regulation and law determine which homeowners will get interest on their sizable insurance payouts. Civil Beat.

HTA report: Maui County hotels led state in average daily rate in March. Maui County hotel performance remains affected by the aftermath of the August wildfires, reports the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, but the county still led the state in revenue per available room in March due to comparatively higher average daily rate.  Maui Now.

State Reduces Meal Service For Lahaina Fire Survivors Still Living In Costly Hotels. Dinner is now the only meal being provided to the approximately 1,254 displaced adults and children still living in hotel rooms in West Maui through the emergency housing program. Two months ago, the Federal Emergency Management Agency stopped reimbursing the state for meals served as part of the temporary housing program. Civil Beat.

It Will Take Years And Millions Of Dollars To Replace Lahaina’s Trees. Volunteers are working to jumpstart the effort by tending to surviving trees, planting seedlings and pushing the county to hire a second arborist. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Corrections Commission ‘Taken Aback’ By Use Of Restraint Chairs In Kauai Jail. The state Correctional System Oversight Commission wants Hawaii jail and prison officials to suspend the use of potentially dangerous inmate restraint chairs after commission members discovered one in the Kauai jail. Civil Beat.

 Ambulance service providers vying for contract as procurement process restarts following controversy. A longtime ambulance service provider for Kauaʻi and Maui will once again compete for an emergency services contract alongside the previously chosen provider, whose contract was canceled late last year following protests that led the state to cancel and restart the application process.  Kauai Now.

State revenue council forecasts 4% growth, NSF sets May deadline to choose Giant Magellan or Thirty Meter telescope, Maui wildfire lawsuits to stay in state court, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Council On Revenues Anticipates 4% Growth This Year Despite Maui Fire Problems. State tax collections are holding up despite the impact of the deadly Maui wildfire, and will continue to grow at the brisk clip of 4% or more this year and next year, according to a state panel of experts. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Republicans could lock up Trump’s nomination tonight. Hawaii Republicans will gather at 35 locations around the islands tonight to determine how many delegates will cast ballots for presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump, the only Republican still running for president. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Public invited to inaugural Environment Day at the state Capitol. Eighteen local organizations are gearing up to convene at the state Capitol today for the first-ever legislative Environment Day.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Kaneshiro-Mitsunaga Bribery Case Puts ‘Pay To Play’ On Trial. Allegations of impropriety have dogged Dennis Mitsunaga for years. A jury will decide whether the money he allegedly funneled to the city prosecutor constitutes a criminal conspiracy. Civil Beat.

City’s nearly 2,500 vacancies lead budget talks. A formal review of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s proposed $3.63 billion operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1, prompted discussion over the city’s nearly 2,500 worker vacancies. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Convention Center takes 2nd attempt at securing funds to fix leaky roof. This year, lawmakers are being asked for the $64 million again to finally fix the roof.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Dedication ceremony for new battery energy storage facility in West Oahu. A special dedication ceremony was held for one of the world’s largest battery energy storage facilities located in Leeward Oahu. The new Kapolei Energy Storage facility, located on eight acres near Kalaeloa Boulevard, includes 158 Tesla Megapack batteries. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Dueling telescope proposals considered by NSF. The National Science Board, in a Feb. 27 statement, gave the National Science Foundation until May to decide how to choose between two competing proposals for the telescope -- the Giant Magellan Telescope at Las Campanas in Chile and the Thirty Meter Telescope currently planned for Mauna Kea. New York Times.

Building Permit Delays Expected Due To Software Issue. A recent software update is causing intermittent service disruptions for the County of Hawaiʻi’s EPIC building permit system.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Ag Department proposes releasing wasps on Hawaii Island to save macadamia nuts trees. The Parasitoid Metaphycus is a small wasp found in Australia. It is about 0.8 millimeter, about the size of a sesame seed or smaller. The wasp doesn’t sting or bite, so most people won’t even notice it is there. KITV4.

BLNR issues temporary changes to Hawaiʻi Island hunting rules. The changes say that for two years, many hunting areas will have increased bag limits for pigs, goats and sheep. Some areas will also have expanded hunting periods. Hawaii Public Radio.

Rezoning request approved for Manono Street lot. Despite outcry from neighbors, the Windward Planning Commission approved a request by Big Island developers to rezone a property at the corner of Manono and Lanikaula streets in order to demolish the two dilapidated single-family homes and an abandoned small engine repair shop currently on the site and develop a retail building in their place. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Wildfire Cases Will Stay In Maui State Court. Hawaiian Electric Industries on Monday lost its bid to remove the cases to federal court. At least 90 lawsuits related to the Maui wildfires against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Spectrum, Kamehameha Schools and other defendants will be sent back to Maui state court, where they were originally filed, a federal judge ruled Monday. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Lawsuit calls Olowalu fire debris site cultural, environmental threat. Claiming environmental and cultural damages, two Maui residents are suing the county over the temporary disposal site in Olowalu that is currently storing debris from the Lahaina fire. KITV4.

Eminent domain proposal for Central Maui Landfill expansion sent to Council committee. Maui County Council members were sharply divided Friday over a proposal to use Maui County’s condemnation power of eminent domain to obtain a nearly 20-acre former quarry next to the Central Maui Landfill for the final disposal of toxic Lahaina fire ash and debris. Maui Now.

EPA inspects 18.5 miles of sewer lines in Lahaina. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Monday said it has finished inspecting sanitary sewer lines in Lahaina following the Aug. 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Mayor Kawakami to address Kaua‘i in State of the County address. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami will address the people of Kaua‘i in the State of the County Address on Thursday. Kauai Now.

Construction of Kauai luxury condo on hold after backlash from activists. Construction of a luxury vacation condo on a Kauai cultural site is now on hold for 10 days. On Monday, a judge ordered a temporary work stoppage for Kauanoe O Koloa, a 279-unit project located next to the Kiahuna Golf Course. Hawaii News Now.

State board mulls Thirty Meter Telescope permit, broadband plan tackles dead zones, Maui Council to meet on Office of Recovery funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Board hears arguments over TMT permit. Defining the word “construction” took up a large part of a more than three-hour Tuesday hearing that could determine whether a permit to develop the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea is valid. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.

Covid Funds Help Hawaii Schools Tackle Absenteeism. What Happens When Those Are Gone?. While chronic absenteeism improved across the state last year, some groups of students still lag behind in their attendance rates. Civil Beat.

US ambassador to the United Nations stops in Hawaiʻi en route to Cook Islands. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield is leading the United States delegation to the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Hawaii Public Radio.

Transportation Department hopes to expand Red Light Safety program statewide. The Red Light Safety Camera Pilot Program has been “live” for a year and still has another year to go but officials are already hoping to expand the program, citing a decline in red light runners. But there are still a few issues that need to be ironed out, including how to ensure citations are paid. KHON2.

Broadband initiative targets lack of access and slow internet speeds. The state is releasing hundreds of millions of dollars for initiatives to connect more people to the internet — and improve services for those already online. The federal initiative recognizes that internet access is no longer considered a luxury. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Audit finds long delays in Honolulu Department of Design and Construction projects. Honolulu improvement projects have been plagued by delays, according to the findings in a recent audit of the city’s Department of Design and Construction. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wage Bump Aims To Stem Departure Of Honolulu’s Deputy Prosecutors. In the midst of a workforce shortage, some city positions are getting big pay boosts. Civil Beat.

Makiki affordable rental project completed. Constructed in prefabricated concrete in under nine months, the building at 1427 Ernest St. will offer 24 studio apartments and two one-bedroom units, on a more than 5,300-square-foot property. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Ex-Mililani Athletic Director Gets Probation For Booster Club Theft. Glenn Nitta pleaded no contest to the theft of more than $400,000. Civil Beat.  Star-Advertiser.

Wildfire concerns revive pleas for new emergency evacuation routes on Oahu. Three months since the Maui fires and communities all over Hawaii are re-thinking their own safety plans, including coastal areas on Oahu where thousands of people have no alternate escape routes. Critical areas include the west side, the North Shore, and the Windward side. Hawaii News Now.

Wildfire burns 1,638 acres above Mililani Mauka, 90% contained. Honolulu Fire Department officials say that they are transferring command of the Mililani Mauka firefighting efforts to the U.S. Fire and Wildlife Service, now that the remote wildfire is 90% contained with only “isolated smoldering pockets.” Star-Advertiser.

Stalled Train Temporarily Halts Service Along Skyline. No passengers were on board that driverless train, city officials say. They haven't said what may have stalled it. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Department warns of recent extortion scam. The Honolulu Police Department is warning the public about a rise in extortion cases over the past several weeks in which perpetrators impersonate law enforcement. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Home Lands Seeks $6M To Test For Geothermal Power. Research identifies DHHL lands in three areas of the Big island that show promise for development for geothermal power production. Civil Beat.

Big Isle police mourn death of former colleague. When former Hawaii Police Department officer Nicholas C.K. McDaniel was laid to rest Saturday in Post Falls, Idaho, numerous Big Island officers attended his funeral. Tribune-Herald.

150 Narcan kits given to Hawai‘i County to aid in fight against fentanyl. The Hawai‘i Island Fentanyl Task Force donated 150 Narcan kits to Hawai‘i County as part of the ongoing effort to combat the spread of fentanyl in the Big Island community as concern grows surrounding opioid overdoses. Big Island Now. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Special council meeting to consider bill to fund the new Office of Recovery. The Maui County Council will hold a special council meeting Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. to consider Bill 114, which seeks to: fund the new Office of Recovery; and add new conditional language for a Lahaina Wildfire Final Disposition site in Olowalu. Maui Now.

Maui Realtor’s Fire Relief Fundraiser Under Audit From AG’s Office. Churches who were recipients of money from Eric West have provided limited details of how they have spent it, but they are not required to do so. Civil Beat.

$54M contract awarded for temporary Lahaina elementary school. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $53.7 million base contract to a Waianae-based company to build a temporary elementary school campus for students displaced from King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was destroyed in the August wildfire.  Maui News. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Recovery still on the horizon for Lahaina.  Gov. Josh Green is slated to provide a 90-day update on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts at noon today from the Governor’s Conference Room on the fifth floor of the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Visitor spending crosses $2B mark on Kaua‘i. The spending total climbed to $2.05 billion for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30 from $1.69 billion in the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2022, and $1.46 billion in the pre-pandemic nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2019. Garden Island.

House Finance Committee visits Kaua‘i. Members of the House Finance Committee, led by Chair Kyle T. Yamashita, and the Kauaʻi delegation consisting of House Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura, House Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa, and Rep. Luke A. Evslin made its way to the Garden Isle to view firsthand several projects and programs supported by the Legislature. Kauai Now.