Hawaii freshman failing, Lala unearths bodies from Ka'u cemetery, Maui immigrant pleads not guilty to illegal voting, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Freshmen Failing: Ninth Grade Repeater Rate Among Nation’s Highest. Hawaiʻi has held back high school freshmen at a higher rate than nearly any other state. Civil Beat.

Lala spares Hawaii tourism major damage. Despite widespread disruptions, tourism officials said Hawaii’s visitor industry weathered the storm with limited damage to tourism infrastructure and fewer concerns about long-term visitor losses than during the Kona-low storms in the spring.  Star-Advertiser.

State announces SNAP replacement benefits for recipients affected by Lala. The state Department of Human Services has announced a plan for the replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for current SNAP recipients who experienced food loss due to household misfortune, such as extended power outages (over four hours or longer) or flooding. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Oahu

Voters claim disenfranchisement in Honolulu City Council election. Forty Oahu voters in a district served by Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters are challenging the validity of results in Hawaii’s Aug. 8 primary election for the seat held by Waters. The voters filed the challenge with the Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Kidney Nonprofit’s Taxpayer-Funded Bus Is Collecting Dust. The Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi’s mobile care clinic was never put into service for kidney patients, according to the nonprofit’s CEO. Civil Beat.

Lala triggers 4 sewage spills; power outage stalls safety tests. At least four sewage spills occurred on Oahu during the storm, with two at the Ala Moana Wastewater Pump Station being attributed to backup power failure caused by a power outage in the area. Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant also spilled sewage into state waters. That spill began around 8:20 a.m. Sunday and was not contained until the evening, according to City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services spokesperson Jenn Boneza. Star-Advertiser.

Wahiawa Dam levels dropping after Hurricane Lala; state continues discharging water. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the lake on Oahu, also known as the Wahiawa Reservoir, peaked at 79.87 feet on Tuesday morning, Aug. 18, following Hurricane Lala. To put that into context, the lake has a 93-foot capacity and the dam spillway threshold is marked at 80 feet. KITV4.

Kalihi, Kalihi Valley residents say they've been without power for days. Some residents in the Kalihi Valley area have been without power for days, which they say could come at a significant cost. Hawaii Public Radio.

Happy Days, Kaimuki building ceiling collapse injures 4: EMS. Four women in their 80’s were treated by Honolulu Emergency Medical Services following a partial ceiling collapse in Kaimuki, at Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant on Tuesday, Aug. 18. KHON2.

Kalihi family in shock after home’s roof blows off with mother inside. Alice Ome’s voice was calm as she called her daughter to let her know the roof of her home had blown off. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Lala unearths graves and caskets at Big Island cemetery. Hurricane Lala tore the dead from the earth on the Big Island. On Monday, a body stripped of clothes lay crushed beneath a boulder. About a half dozen caskets were visible, most empty and torn apart. The smell of the unearthed dead suffused parts of the debris field. New York Times. Hawaii News Now.

No power for “at least” two weeks in pockets of Hawaii Island. Hawaii Island residents reeling from Hurricane Lala could be without power for at least two weeks while Hawaiian Electric Co. pledged to have 95% of its customers back online by Friday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. 

 Lala Recovery Begins: Ka‘ū Residents Rally To Share Food, Fuel, Hope. A second body was discovered Tuesday. Local businesses remain battered and shuttered as people from around the Big Island step up to help. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Video News. 

Beloved Hawaiʻi Island bakery left devastated by Hurricane Lala. In Nāʻālehu on Hawaiʻi Island sits Punaluʻu Bake Shop, a sweetbread bakery that sells thousands of its famous malasadas every day and attracts nearly half a million visitors each year. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. 

A look at 72 hours of rain from Lala. Hilo International Airport received a record 6.82 inches on Saturday. Despite Saturday’s record rainfall, there are numerous Hawaii Island locations that received significantly more rain than the 14.38 inches the Hilo airport saw during the 72-hour period between 8 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Charter school secures permanent Kona roots with purchase of West Hawai‘i Today building. Hawaiʻi Technology Academy solidifies its presence in the Kona community with the $7.4 million purchase of the West Hawaiʻi Today building, promising to expand its innovative educational programs by 2028. Big Island Now.

Maui

Second Maui Immigrant Pleads Not Guilty To Illegal Voting. Just two people have been charged with voting as noncitizens in Hawaiʻi in at least the last 40 years. Civil Beat.

UH Maui College secures $660,000 in federal grants to launch AI-integrated cybersecurity programs. To tackle a critical nationwide shortage of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence professionals, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College has secured a three-year, $441,645 National Science Foundation award to launch a groundbreaking project: “CyberAI Innovation: AI-Enhanced Cyber Data Analytics Education.”  Maui Now.

Some East Maui residents are trapped after Lala washes away bridge. Nahiku residents are desperate for help as flooding cuts off access to food, water and supplies. Hawaii News Now.

At least 74 damage reports filed on Maui after Lala. Lala produced hurricane-force wind gusts of 85 mph in Olowalu and 82 mph in Ukumehame, along with heavy rain and flooding. The storm left many roads blocked in the Olinda, Makawao, Piiholo and Wailuanui areas. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Wildlife officials warn of injured, grounded birds after Tropical Storm Lala. As Kauaʻi embarks on recovery efforts after Tropical Storm Lala, officials urge residents to exercise caution when encountering displaced native birds. Kauai Now.
 

Green signs emergency proclamation, Jim Cantore in Hilo as Tropical Storm Lala expected to become hurricane before reaching Hawaii; state Supreme Court expedites Waters' election appeal; military may turn Oahu and Molokai land over to state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green signs emergency proclamation ahead of Tropical Storm Lala. The proclamation activates the Major Disaster Fund, and authorizes the activation of the Hawaii National Guard if needed. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

Hawaii Island under hurricane warning, Oahu under tropical storm watch as Lala nears. Tropical Storm Lala is holding steady in intensity but is forecast to strengthen as it nears the islands. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

====================================

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Hawaii County
 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and
Kahoolawe
 A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Oahu
* Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau. National Hurricane Center.

====================================

Tropical Storm Lala prompts interisland flight changes. As Tropical Storm Lala approaches the Hawaiian Islands, airlines are making some changes to interisland schedules while urging passengers to closely monitor their flights and remain flexible. KITV4.

Navy and Marine Corps may turn over land to state. Two parcels are intended for transfer. One is a 32-acre site at the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Kalaeloa that includes warehouses currently used by the state to accommodate film and TV productions. The other parcel is a 12-acre Marine Corps training area next to the Molokai airport.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Some Hawaiʻi Youth Love To Vape. Will New Limits Make Them Quit? Hawaiʻi lawmakers approved some of the country’s most restrictive vaping regulations. Some doubt it will prompt youth to kick the habit. Starting Jan. 1, the sale of disposable vapes, the kind often favored by young people, will be banned in the islands. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State Supreme Court to expedite Waters’ appeal. The Hawaii Supreme Court has agreed to take up and expedite Hono­-lulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters’ appeal of a ruling that found him ineligible to seek a third consecutive term, as six state judges and two justices — including newly ­installed Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Vladimir Devens — recused themselves. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

‘Does He Ever Sleep?’: New Honolulu Police Chief Hits The Ground Running. Honolulu police Chief David Lazar has promised to be transparent and accessible. So far, observers say he’s living up to his word.  Civil Beat.

Here’s how Honolulu is spending its climate funds. Honolulu has set aside $9 million to expand community gardening, convert cesspools, and complete other climate projects this fiscal year. In its first year, the climate fund supported a loan program for cesspool conversions and an initiative to help residents retrofit their homes to lower electricity bills. Hawaii Public Radio.

In A Hidden Hawaiʻi Gulch, A Wartime Secret Opens To The Public. Last month, the National Park Service started guided tours to Honouliuli, a former World War II internment camp.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore is in Hilo; a sure sign to take Tropical Storm Lala seriously. Meteorologists and county officials are putting Lala on par with storms like Tropical Storm Iselle that knocked out power, uprooted massive albizia trees and flooded areas of the Puna District in 2014. Big Island Now.

Civil Defense seeks a new administrator amidst storm. With Tropical Storm Lala bearing down on the Big Island, Hawaii County is accepting applications for a new Civil Defense administrator to succeed Talmadge Magno, who retired Aug. 1. County Managing Director Bill Brilhante — the second-in-command in Mayor Kimo Alameda’s administration — has assumed the role of acting Civil Defense administrator. Tribune-Herald.

List of Cancellations, Shelters as Hawaiʻi County Prepares For Hurricane. The County will be opening shelters as of 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 at the locations below. Bring your own food, water, and any necessary medicine. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Live Opossum Captured Near Hilo Harbor. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity announced the small mammal was captured on Wednesday by workers at a freight transporting warehouse.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Tropical Storm Lala could bring heavy rain, flooding to Maui County. Don’t wait to prepare, county officials say. Maui News.

Mahi Pono has water license hearing Friday. The meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources will start at 9 a.m. Friday in Honolulu. The public can watch the hearing through a live stream at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku or via YouTube at youtube.com/live/F6yXsclyd9M. Maui News.

Kauai

Tenant applications now being accepted for Uahi Ridge Phase I. The Housing Agency announces that tenant applications are now being accepted by Mark Development Inc. for Uahi Ridge Phase I, a new affordable rental housing community in Lihu‘e developed in partnership by the Housing Agency and Mark Development Inc.  Garden Island.

Formation of Tropical Storm Lala likely by weekend, Jones Act waiver extended, 5 judges recuse themselves in Tommy Waters election appeal, Land Board to dive into Maui water wars, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tropical Storm Lala forecast to form Wednesday or early Thursday. NWS continues monitoring possible tropical cyclone as it approaches Hawaiʻi. A developing cyclone is approaching the state with possible severe weather over the weekend. Conditions will vary from island to island, so best to be prepared for strong winds and heavy rain as well as large life-threatening surf along east and southeast shores through Sunday. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Trump-Backed Program Offers Money For Students. Will Hawaiʻi Take It? An infusion of scholarship money could help families pay for private school tuition and other educational expenses. But Hawaiʻi will have to cross political lines to get it. Gov. Josh Green initially said Hawaiʻi would not participate in the scholarships, but he is now waiting for the federal government to release program regulations in September before consulting with other state agencies.  Civil Beat.

Trump extends Jones Act waiver for 90 days, narrows scope. President Donald Trump has extended for 90 days a waiver allowing foreign-flagged ships to transport oil and other commodities between U.S. ports, but imposed new limits after shipbuilders and their allies in Congress argued the policy was undermining the domestic maritime industry, the White House said. Reuters.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs plans televised candidate forums for 2026 trustee election. Forums will be presented in partnership with ʻŌlelo Community Media and Hawaiʻi’s local media networks, pre-recorded Oct. 3 and then broadcast statewide during the week of Oct. 12, providing broad public access. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Five judges recuse themselves from Tommy Waters’ ineligibility appeal. Five of the seven judges on the state Intermediate Court of Appeals have recused themselves from Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters’ appeal of the ruling that found him ineligible to seek a third consecutive term.  Star-Advertiser.

“A slap in the face”: Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization folds after county cuts funding. Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization is ceasing operations this Friday — a decision made weeks after the City Council cut a majority of its funding and staff positions in early July. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Sand Island technology modernizes wastewater treatment for Oahu. A new Membrane Bioreactor Facility at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant separates solids out of the water more effectively than older methods. KHON2.

Hawaiian Council buys Sea Life Park, assumes stewardship. Hawaiian Council has acquired Sea Life Park in Waimanalo, placing the landmark marine attraction under Native Hawaiian stewardship for the first time and expanding the organization’s growing portfolio of tourism and cultural enterprises. Star-Advertiser.

NOAA confirms deaths of 2 endangered monk seal pups. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said it got a report last Wednesday of a deceased monk seal entangled in an unattended fishing net about 10 yards offshore of an area west of Mokuleia Beach Park. he pup’s death follows that of another monk seal, RUO2, known to most as ‘Umi‘umi, several months ago. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Measures to combat fentanyl advance. A Hawaii County Council committee last week supported two measures aimed at addressing fentanyl-related overdoses across the island. One would equip the Hawaii Police Department with portable devices capable of detecting trace amounts of fentanyl. The second would allow for the installation of distribution boxes for naloxone — a fast-acting overdose reversal medication — at county buildings in Hilo and Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Young Brothers plans modified cargo acceptance, availability at Port of Kawaihae. Hawai‘i shipping company Young Brothers will have modified cargo acceptance and availability at the Port of Kawaihae this month. Big Island Now.

Two Wildland Fires Close Daniel K. Inouye Highway. The highway was closed in both directions Tuesday afternoon between Old Saddle Road Junction and Highway 190 Junction. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui

State opposing county plan for East Maui water system. A Maui County effort to take control of the island’s largest water system has stalled after the state land department moved to block it, drawing criticism from environmentalists and traditional farmers. Hawaii News Now.

Bissen swept all districts in Maui County mayoral primary, including Sugimura’s backyard. Incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen won every district of Maui County in Saturday’s primary election, including West Maui, where the recovery from the 2023 wildfires was the biggest test of his first term, as well as Upcountry, the home district of challenger Yuki Lei Sugimura. Maui Now.

Maui County Council votes to expand fare-free bus access. Bill 95 expands eligibility for the fare-free bus access program to include more residents and gives authorization to the county's the director of transportation to suspend enforcement of fares for special events, parades or emergency closures for up to 14 days in a fiscal year. Aloha State Daily.

Haʻikū Fire Station project stalls as Maui County Council panel wrestles with land title dispute. After more than 17 years of planning, the proposed Haʻikū Fire Station has hit a legal stumbling block significant enough for council members to seek legal advice in a closed executive session and delay further consideration for two weeks. Maui Now.

Maui Police Leader Accused Of Taking Bribes Will Stay In Jail For Now. Entertainer is linked to Maui officer accused of corruption. A Maui police lieutenant accused of taking bribes to protect organized crime allegedly watched over a Jan. 1 illegal aerial fireworks party hosted by the founder of country reggae group Maoli, according to state and federal court records. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Brothers arraigned in Maui labor trafficking case. Maui police arrested two men Monday on labor trafficking, extortion and document-related charges following the execution of search warrants at a Kihei residence. Maui News.

Report shows Maui housing gains while jobs and incomes lag. Three years after devastating wildfires swept through Maui, the island’s recovery is showing meaningful progress in housing — but economic challenges, including weak employment and lower household incomes, continue to weigh on fire-affected residents, according to a new report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Kauai

Public invited to review proposals for County of Kauaʻi grant program. The Office of Economic Development’s Innovation Grants Program is designed to support projects that bring innovative solutions to Kauaʻi in the areas of small business, technology, transportation, agriculture, local manufacturing, creative industries, workforce development, circular economies, tourism destination management, and product development. Kauai Now.

Inspection of Wailua–Kapaʻa sewer collection system scheduled. A comprehensive inspection and condition assessment of the Wailua–Kapaʻa sewer collection system will begin Aug. 19. The County of Kauaʻi Department of Public Works describes this as a critical step toward strengthening wastewater infrastructure serving the eastside communities of Wailua, Kapaʻa and Waipouli. Kauai Now.

Fire weather signs installed at Westside fire stations. The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the Kaua‘i Fire Department and the Department of Public Works, has installed new fire weather signs at the Hanapepe and Waimea fire stations to help residents and visitors stay aware of wildfire conditions and the year-round risk of wildfires on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Trump administration admits cutting Hawaii energy grants because it voted Democrat, carpenters union dumps millions into primary campaigns, RIMPAC wraps up, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump Administration Lawyers Admit Hawaiʻi Funding Cuts Were Partisan. Hawaiʻi, which voted overwhelmingly for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and is represented by an all-Democrat delegation in Congress, had six projects on the Energy Department’s October termination list, representing nearly $68 million in total grant awards. Civil Beat.

RIMPAC wraps up after more than a month of training across the Hawaiian islands. The biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise, first held in 1971, is the world’s largest. This time it brought forces from 30 nations with 30 surface ships, five submarines, nearly 200 aircraft and more than 30,000 personnel to the islands from June 24 to Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Big Money In Hawaiʻi Politics: Carpenters union-backed PAC pours nearly $5M into primary campaigns. Other political action committees are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on candidates, too, but their financial efforts fall far short of the Carpenters Union. Pacific Resource Partnership, a powerful group representing Hawaiʻi carpenters and contractors, is dominating the political landscape this election, according to financial reports filed last week with the Campaign Spending Commission. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Keohokalole Derides Dark Money. A New Super PAC Is Backing Him. Future Progress, a Washington-based super PAC, reported spending $75,000 on digital advertising last week in support of state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who’s challenging U.S. Rep. Ed Case in the Aug. 8 primary.  Civil Beat.

Luke conspiracy indictment could inspire Republican voters, discourage Democrats. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s recent indictment on conspiracy and bribery charges, coupled with nationwide frustration over President Donald Trump’s war with Iran and tariffs that have been blamed for rising consumer costs in the U.S., could influence Saturday’s party primary elections in Hawaii by discouraging — or energizing — people to actually vote. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii teachers say aging school facilities are disrupting classrooms statewide. Broken air conditioning, termite infestations, aging electrical systems and deteriorating buildings have become familiar challenges. Star-Advertiser.

Air conditioning in classrooms limited by aging infrastructure. For some schools, the challenge isn’t the air conditioning units themselves but the aging infrastructure needed to support them — like at Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua-Kona, where teacher Jill Jacobs said roughly 80% to 85% of classrooms still lack air conditioning because the electrical system cannot handle the demand. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs launches national search for new CEO. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has launched a nationwide search for its next chief executive officer. The announcement comes amid a whistleblower lawsuit by CEO Stacy Ferreira who was placed on leave. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

City Clerk: Votes For Tommy Waters Won’t Be Counted. The decision follows a Circuit Court ruling stating the council chair could not seek a third term.  Civil Beat.

Tommy Waters appeals judge’s election eligibility ruling. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters has appealed a judge’s ruling last week that he was ineligible to run for a third term in Saturday’s primary election because of term limits. In his notice of appeal filed late Friday with the state’s Intermediate Court of Appeals, Waters argued that because his first term was not a full four years, he is eligible for another term. Star-Advertiser.

Empty Homes Tax: Some Like The Idea. Oʻahu Politicians Won’t Hear Of It. The two most recent proposals to tax empty homes in Honolulu have each failed to advance by just one vote. Civil Beat.

DHHL turns down city gift of Kailua land. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has turned down a land gift in Kailua from the city after determining that soil conditions aren’t viable for housing. Star-Advertiser.

Windward landfill proposal draws backlash. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration has identified Kapa‘a Quarry in Kailua as its preferred site for Oahu’s next municipal solid- waste landfill, a proposal that would require changes to state law and has already drawn opposition from Windward lawmakers. Star-Advertiser.

State, City to begin months-long Manoa stream cleanup. Nearly five months after floodwaters from the March Kona low storms swept through Mānoa, sending cars floating down streets and damaging homes, schools and businesses, crews are beginning a major effort to reduce the risk of it happening again. KHON2.

Protesters say hotel is misusing their culture. Native Hawaiian protesters gathered in Waikiki Sunday, claiming a hotel that caters to military personnel is misusing their culture. The group told Hawaii News Now that the luau at the Hale Koa Hotel is offensive to them because the event begins and ends with songs that honor America. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

District 5 candidates for Hawaiʻi County Council bring distinct knowledge, experiences to race. With Hawaiʻi County Council Member Matt Kānealiʻi-Kleinfelder unable to pursue re-election due to term limits, five political newcomers are competing for the open seat representing the Upper Puna district in the Aug. 8 primary election. Big Island Now.

New Papaikou cell tower draws ire. The Hawaii County Planning Department approved the plans for the tower — which will rise about 60 feet tall and be disguised as a palm tree — in December 2024, and in June of this year approved the building permit for construction to begin. Tribune-Herald.

$3.5 Million Released for Hilo’s Kawānanakoa Gym Renovations. State funds have been released to finance the construction phase of long-awaited renovations to Kawānanakoa Gym in Keaukaha. Big Island Video News.

Child and Family Service celebrates new permanent facility in Hilo. Child &Family Service, a Hawaii nonprofit founded in 1899, celebrated the blessing of its new permanent Hilo location on Thursday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Blacktip shark ‘nursery’ discovered in Hilo Bay. Research at the University of Hawaii at Hilo has identified the first known blacktip shark nursery habitat in Hawaiian waters, offering new insight into how young sharks use Hilo Bay during their earliest years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bissen, Sugimura each raise $100,000 in July for mayoral campaigns ahead of upcoming primary. Incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen raked in $102,799 from July 1 to 24, putting him at a total of $395,447 across the entire election period, while Maui County Council Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura pulled in slightly more at $110,702 in July, giving her $446,259 in total campaign contributions, according to the latest spending reports. MKaui Now.

County to offer wildfire recovery grants for workforce, public services. The funding opportunities, offered through the county’s Hoʻokumu Hou program, are open to nonprofit organizations and government agencies providing recovery-related services to wildfire-impacted communities. Maui News.

Workshop helps Maui nonprofits access $130 million in Green Fee funds. Maui nonprofits will learn how to secure state Green Fee funding during a Wailuku workshop on Aug. 13. The $130 million program helps local organizations protect island resources and survive severe weather. Maui Now.

Three years later, many Lahaina fire survivors are still waiting for a home. Front Street, the famed two-lane thoroughfare along the ocean’s edge in Lahaina, reopened to traffic Saturday for the first time since the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire gutted much of the historic town, offering one of the clearest signs yet that the community is rebuilding. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4. 

Kauai

What you need to know about Kaua‘i County’s Aug. 8 primary election. This year, Kauaʻi residents can vote for mayor, all seven County Council seats and various state and federal offices. Kauai Now.

County of Kaua‘i launches Wildfire Home Assessment Program. The County of Kaua‘i, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, has launched its new Wildfire Home Assessment Program to help residents reduce wildfire risk and strengthen community resilience. Garden Island.

Volunteers vouch for ballot integrity, indicted officials remain on government payroll, judge rules Tommy Waters ineligible for 3rd term, Tropical Storm Fausto weakens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Volunteers vouch for process as first ballots counted. The first batch of mail-in ballots arrived at the state Capitol Monday to be counted for the Aug. 8 party primary elections, with volunteers representing both Republicans and Democrats vouching for the security of how they’re handled inside the Capitol, as President Donald Trump continues to sow doubts over U.S. elections. Star-Advertiser.

‘Culture Of Corruption’? Records Link Arrested Lawmaker To Lobbyist. Prosecutors allege that lobbyist Tobi Solidum paid Rep. Ryan Yamane in a series of cash and check installments between 2020 and 2022 to take official actions culminating in a scheme, prosecutors allege, to direct emergency funds to a pricey Covid-testing program run by the kidney foundation. Solidum made millions of dollars from the testing program, according to court documents.  Civil Beat.

Fuchigami on paid leave, Luke still officially Hawaii’s LG. Transportation officials said Airports Director Ford Fuchigami has been placed on paid, 30-day leave by the department effective Monday. He was indicted along with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on bribery charges. Despite the indictment and bribery allegations, Luke is still officially the state’s Lieutenant Governor. KHON2.

TRACKING FAUSTO Tropical Storm Fausto nears Hawaii, bringing dangerous surf as Genevieve remains a powerful major hurricane. Tropical Storm Fausto is moving closer to Hawaii and is expected to pass north of the islands from Tuesday night through late Wednesday. As of the latest update, Fausto was about 340 miles east-northeast of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. The storm continues moving west-northwest and is expected to weaken further over the next few days. KITV4. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

HECO plans to bring online about 1,650 gigawatt-hours of new solar and wind power, the equivalent of about 15% of all the energy on its grids. HECO announces new renewable energy procurement, looks to natural gas. Hawaiian Electric says that new renewable energy generation will help the state reduce its dependence on oil. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOE spends millions on campus repairs ahead of school year.  Over $140 million worth of repairs and renovations are happening across the state Department of Education’s campuses ahead of the new school year. Jesse Souki, the department’s deputy superintendent of operations, said that the work is focused on extending the lifespan of school facilities, while also creating environments where students can focus on their academics. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Judge rules Waters ineligible to seek 3rd Council term. A 1st Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters is ineligible to seek a third consecutive term representing East Honolulu’s District 4. The ruling by Judge James H. Ashford sides with Council candidate and attorney Trevor Ozawa’s legal challenge over the City Charter’s term limits and prevents Waters, also a lawyer, from continuing his campaign for reelection unless the decision is overturned. It’s unclear what this means for voters who have already voted for Tommy Waters in the primary election. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Skyline’s Kalihi through Civic Center station designs unveiled. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has officially released the renderings for the Skyline Segment 3 stations, stretching from Kalihi to Civic Center. KHON2.

Weather worries change RIMPAC plans. Over the weekend, the various forces gathered for the exercise had been slated to carry out a simulated assault at Bellows Beach in Waimanalo using both amphibious landing craft and helicopters to bring troops and equipment ashore. Star-Advertiser.

Filipino national charged with unlawful voting. Bernadette Acaso, a Filipino national who was living in Honolulu and Kahului, was charged by criminal complaint on July 22, with unlawfully voting in the 2024 presidential election. Star-Advertiser.

Salvage company says state owes them more for removing a sunken ship. Hawaiʻi Island-based Pacific Underwater Construction said it sank about $600,000 into removing a roughly 77-foot sunken ship from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island 

Voter Service Centers Open In Hawaiʻi County. Voter service centers will be open from now through August 8th to provide in-person election services, such as voter registration and accessible voting. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

County gets some help from FEMA for blaze in West Hawaii. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state in combating the Kawaihae Road Fire that is still burning. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Storm-damaged Konawaena HS ready for new school year. Konawaena High School will be ready to reopen for the new school year following extensive flood damage repairs caused by the Kona low storms in March, the state Department of Education said Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report finds many Maui wildfire survivors still face health, housing challenges. Nearly three years after the Maui wildfires, many survivors are returning to work, gaining health insurance and finding more stable housing, but thousands continue to struggle with food insecurity, mental health challenges and lingering physical health concerns, according to a report released Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Kaanapali sand replenishment moves forward. The proposal by the Pilikahakai Foundation and the Ka'anapali Operations Association would collect sand that has accumulated offshore beyond the reach of natural processes and redistribute it along the shoreline from Keka'a to Maui County’s Hanakao'o Beach Park. Maui News.

Kauai

DHHL sued over evictions of non-Native Hawaiians in East Kauai project. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is facing another lawsuit. This time it stems over the eviction of residents from an East Kauai complex who don’t meet blood quantum requirements. Hawaii News Now.

Annual report: Surfrider Kauaʻi in 2025 removed nearly 80.3 tons of trash — or 160,552 pounds — from beaches. That total includes two cleanups last year on the Garden Isle that broke the scales — one in January at Anahola Bay where 3,202 pounds were collected and another in June at Nukoli‘i Marine Camp when 2,402 pounds were removed — as reported in national nonprofit Surfrider Foundation's seventh annual beach cleanup report. Kauai Now.

Hurricane Fausto expected to approach Hawaii next week, new Army commander to tackle land leases, Case and Keohokalole differ on immigration enforcement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Fausto strengthens into Category 2 storm, expected to approach Hawaiian Islands next week. The risk of some impacts from wind and rainfall in the area is increasing, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday, but it’s too soon to determine the exact location or potential magnitude. Fausto was far from land, about 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Maximum sustained winds were around 100 mph (161 kph). Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

New Army leader in Hawaii vows open communication as leases loom. Col. Rick Luce faces setbacks in both its outreach efforts and operations plans. Most significantly, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted last summer to reject the Army’s final environmental impact statements for renewing leases on state-­owned land on both Oahu and at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Crop seed producer Bayer plans layoffs in Hawaii. Bayer, which has seed operations on Oahu, Maui and Molokai, said it is making operational changes that include consolidating some of its farm activities on Maui and Oahu over time as part of an effort to better align its land, facilities and resources with the future needs in areas that include plant breeding and agricultural technology. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Case and Keohokalole agree on ICE abuses, but differ on immigration policy. The two candidates competing for Oahu’s urban 1st Congressional District are both critics of the Trump administration’s immigration tactics, but they differ on key enforcement policies, including border security and deportation procedures. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauaʻi's mayor eyes lieutenant governor's office with some powerful help. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami is a surfer. But lately he's spending less time in the water and more time on the campaign trail. Hawaii Public Radio.


Oahu

Facing A Competitive Reelection, Honolulu Council Chair Pitches Tax Breaks. As Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters campaigns for a third term, he is floating the idea of tax breaks for island homeowners and drivers that would save residents money but could reduce city revenue by too much for the city administration’s liking. Civil Beat.

This year’s elections will bring new faces to Chinatown, Iwilei areas. Veteran Sen. Karl Rhoads, from Senate District 13 — which includes Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown — is retiring from office this year. House District 28’s Rep. Daniel Holt — who represented Sand Island, Iwilei, and Chinatown — recently stepped down from his seat to take a job at the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Sen. Karl Rhoads reflects on 20 years of service. Sen. Karl Rhoads, the longtime chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, confirmed last year that he would not be seeking reelection at the end of his term in 2026. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu voter service centers to open ahead of primary election. Oahu voters will soon have more opportunities to cast their ballots in person as Honolulu’s full-time voter service centers open Monday, July 27, ahead of Hawaii’s 2026 Primary Election. KHON2.

Hokulani Elementary School getting ready to reopen after devastating floods in Kaimuki. Exactly four months ago flash floods destroyed a dozen classrooms at Hokulani Elementary School in the Kaimuki area, forcing the campus to close down for the remainder of the school year and displacing students to two different schools. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Democrats to hold Grand Rally on Saturday. A bigger-than-usual turnout is expected Saturday in Hilo as Gov. Josh Green, Mayor Kimo Alameda and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda speak to voters at the Democratic Party’s Grand Rally. Tribune-Herald.

Short-term rental owners in violation of registering in Hawaiʻi County could get 4-month grace period. A Hawaiʻi County Council committee on Wednesday forwarded with a favorable recommendation Bill 175, which would create a 4-month window during which violation fees would be waived as the county continues to develop and tweak its short-term rental registration platform. Big Island Now.

In Puna, It Takes Years To Get A Mail Box At The Post Office. In the fastest growing part of Hawai‘i, a post office box shortage has made voting, shopping online, accessing important paperwork and sending packages an ongoing challenge. Civil Beat.

State staffing slows coconut rhinoceros beetle response in Kona. The Hawaiʻi County Council is urging state officials to step up enforcement of coconut rhinoceros beetle containment protocols in Kona. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

FEMA rent increase to hit Maui fire survivors still in temporary housing. (video only) Hawaii News Now.

West Maui nonprofit, resort group unveil plan to restore eroding Kāʻanapali Beach. Pilikahakai Foundation and Kāʻanapali Operations Association Inc. submitted an application for a conservation district use permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, marking the first step in what officials described as a multi-year county, state and federal permitting process. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi public charter school that teaches Niʻihau dialect can open on time until lease dispute is settled. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Stephanie R.S. Char granted a temporary restraining order Wednesday preventing the termination of the charter school's lease while a broader legal dispute over a sharp rent increase moves forward. Kauai Now.

Full-scale, multiagency emergency response exercise scheduled for Nāwiliwili Harbor next Thursday. The exercise is part of a training series aimed at enhancing preparedness for emergencies, which is set for Saturday, July 25 to Friday, July 31. Kauai Now.

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.

State releases campaign spending reports, Green signs anti-corruption bills, Kauai seeks help after Waimea River shifts toward homes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

See Who’s Getting, And Giving, Millions In Campaign Funds This Year. Hawaiʻi’s political newcomers are raking in the cash, while lobbyists and labor unions top the list of donors. Who is donating to whom has taken on new importance in recent years as ongoing corruption investigations have roiled Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

New state laws enacted to deter corruption in Hawaii government. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill into law that will extend the statute of limitations from three years to nine years for the offense of bribery. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s new ‘millionaire tax’ rivals top tax rate among other states. Under part of Act 24, which some call Hawaii’s new “millionaire tax,” a married couple earning over $1 million and filing a joint return would be charged $88,729 plus 13% on any income above $1 million for the 2027 tax year. Star-Advertiser.

Landmark bill gives Native Hawaiians larger public lands role. Gov. Josh Green signed House Bill 2218 into law Wednesday after it unanimously passed both chambers of the state Legislature, creating a formal legal pathway for the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to enter into long-term co-management agreements with qualified community-based nonprofit organizations. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Dissenters Won’t Recant Retaliation Claims. Four trustees from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are bucking orders to withdraw a court document filed as part of a lawsuit that alleges the office, other members of the board and Chair Kai Kahele unfairly retaliated against CEO Stacy Ferreira. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi forgiveness program to reduce $91M in medical debt. About 50,000 Hawaiʻi residents have accumulated a total of $91 million in medical debt, but a new state program could help absolve lower-income residents of those unpaid bills. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal aid climbs, thousands apply for Kona-low support. Federal agencies have approved tens of millions of dollars in assistance for survivors of Hawaii’s Kona-low storms in March, with thousands of FEMA, SBA and USDA applications still under review as recovery efforts continue statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Traffic fatalities in Hawaii ticked up after Memorial Day. Since Memorial Day on May 25, there have been at least a dozen fatalities, accounting for roughly 25% of the total, which stood at 48 as of Friday. At the same time last year, the number was at 69. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waters’ War Chest Dwarfs Opponents In Competitive Honolulu Council Primary. Candidates running for the Honolulu Council District 4 seat have vastly different resources to draw on. Honolulu Council Chair Tommy Waters is sitting on a $320,000 war chest and has so far spent $130,000 in his bid for reelection to Honolulu Council District 4, the latest state campaign finance reports show.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council advances bill aimed at expanding affordable housing. A Honolulu City Council measure aimed at accelerating affordable rental housing construction on Oahu by easing development standards has advanced despite concerns from housing advocates, Council members and other stakeholders over its potential impacts. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae homeless community shrinks as permanent homes arrive. The Pu‘uhonoua o Wai‘anae homeless community at the Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor has shrunk from a peak of 250 people to just 30 who are waiting for new, permanent homes to arrive so they can join their friends and family who already have moved to a new 20-acre site on the mauka side of Farrington Highway. Star-Advertiser.

HPD sends Aliamanu fireworks case to prosecutors. The Honolulu Police Department’s investigation into the Jan. 1, 2025, explosion of illegal fireworks at a New Year’s party in Aliamanu that killed six people, including a 3-year-old child, has been sent to prosecutors for possible criminal charges. Star-Advertiser.

As pro golf tournaments leave Hawaiʻi, so do millions in charitable giving. Friends of Hawaii Charities hosted the Sony Open PGA golf tournament in Hawaiʻi for 28 years. Over that time, it raised nearly $28 million in grants for nonprofits in Hawaiʻi that serve children, older people and underserved communities. Hawaii Public Radio.

After storm damage, Hawaii’s reefs brace for another blow from El Niño. When back-to-back Kona lows hit the state in March, Alika Garcia got ready to dive.As executive director of Kuleana Coral, a coral restoration group on Oahu, he and his team worked under an emergency permit to survey and restore the affected coral colonies in Maunalua Bay as soon as ocean conditions were safe. Star-Advertiser.

No ‘large cat-like animal’ found at Manoa Falls, DLNR says. After reports of large wild cats at Manoa Falls, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said it found no evidence that would require the trail to close. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Most of Big Island sees above average rainfall last month, with 10 sites having wettest June on record. Several locations on the leeward side, on the other hand, didn't fare as well, with much of the Kona and Kohala coasts, slopes and interior higher elevations recording below average rainfall for June. Big Island Now.

A place to call home: DHHL awards 200 lots in Pana‘ewa to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. For the first time in over 20 years, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands presented leases for residential lots in East Hawaii to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries Saturday at a ceremony in Hilo, where 200 lots were awarded. Tribune-Herald.

Kona low victims awarded nearly $5M. Hawaii County launched a recovery grant program late last month for businesses impacted by back-to-back Kona low storms that hammered the island in March, just as a similar federal aid effort formed to help storm victims is wrapping up. Tribune-Herald.

Takeout Boxes Are Filling Landfills. This Town Has A Plan To Phase Them Out. As Hawaiʻi island prepares to enact a ban on single-use plastic serviceware, a coalition in Hilo is rolling out the nation’s first comprehensive city-wide reuse program with over $3 million in seed funding. Civil Beat.

Ka‘u cultural center clears another hurdle. A final environmental assessment was recently completed for the site, which is located near Waiohinu on land managed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Star-Advertiser.

Hilo skateboard ramp expected to officially open soon. Intended to “bridge the gap” until the proposed multimillion-dollar roller-sport facility along Piilani Street across from the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium can be built, the 16-foot-wide and 60-foot-long plywood half-pipe ramp was gifted to the county by Oasis Skateboards owner Dan Madsen to create a dedicated space for skaters. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fired Maui County official sues Mayor Bissen, Board of Ethics for defamation. Luana Mahi, the former director of the county Office of Economic Development, is suing the county for defamation, saying her reputation was tarnished by “inaccurate” claims that she used grant funding to benefit her family members.  Maui Now.

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.

National Park Service ‘pauses’ Kalaupapa tours after one trip. The National Park Service abruptly paused its planned twice-a-week walking tours of Kalaupapa National Historic Park after its inaugural trip Thursday was met by about 30 Native Hawaiians and Molokai residents demanding a say in the future of the site where 8,000 Hansen’s disease patients were forced to live in isolation for over a century. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Rebuilding, Mental Health And Groundwater: Maui County Mayor Candidate Q&As. A ballot full of candidates is running in the primary election to lead Maui Nui. Civil Beat.

RISE Maui Summit will bring together scientists, artists and cultural practitioners. With proceeds benefiting Lahaina’s rebuilding efforts, the RISE Maui: Sustainability + Tech Summit in August at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa will spotlight sustainability and innovation through the lens of regeneration. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi seeks state assistance as Waimea River mouth shifts towards homes. Kauaʻi County urgently seeks technical assistance because the Waimea River's sudden westward shift threatens nearby homes and properties. Kauai Now. Garden Island. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Kauaʻi Wants New Homes To Resist Fire. It’s Cheaper Than You Might Think. The Garden Isle has a higher wildfire risk than most counties in the country. Civil Beat.

Plane fares climb in war aftermath, Honolulu City Council opponent pushes to declare Waters ineligible, Big Island medical marijuana card holders won't be disqualified for gun permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fuel-price shock hits Hawaii as Iran strikes push fares higher.  Hawaii’s visitor industry is absorbing a new round of fuel-driven shocks as oil prices climb following President Donald Trump’s latest bombing campaign in Iran — a shift that is pushing airfares higher just as summer travel demand had begun to stabilize. Star-Advertiser.

Upgrade or eyesore? Locals react to the new Hawaiʻi driver’s license. It’s the first major change to the design in 17 years, and it includes 50 new security features to prevent identity theft. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Ozawa presses for ruling in suit over Council term. Honolulu City Council candidate Trevor Ozawa is asking a state judge to declare Council Chair Tommy Waters ineligible to seek a third consecutive term representing East Honolulu’s District 4, arguing the City Charter bars him from running again. Star-Advertiser.

Concrete issues at Civic Center parking lot causes concerns, forces closures of stalls. Work is underway to fix issues at the Honolulu Civic Center parking structure. But some said the improvement can’t come soon enough, as concrete has already fallen and damaged cars. KHON2.

Filipino dignitaries embrace hospitality amid outside protests. Aboard the Philippine navy ship BRP Miguel Malvar on Wednesday night, prominent members of Honolulu’s Filipino community rubbed shoulders with military personnel and diplomats as they wined and dined on its deck as it sat docked in Pearl Harbor before it and its crew set sail to join other warships participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise. Star-Advertiser.

DOH fines Pearl City tow company over $400K for alleged violations. The Hawaii Department of Health has ordered a Pearl City towing company to cease operations and fined it more than $200,000 for allegedly failing to properly store and remove solid waste from its site. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Police shut down three gambling operations in one building in Moili’ili on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Officials recovered 57 gaming machines, more than $12,000 in cash and illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. No arrests have been made at this time. KITV4.

3 candidates to be considered for District 18 seat. The Democratic Party of Hawaii selected three nominees to fill the vacant Senate District 18 seat, serving Central Oahu, Mililani, Waipio and Waipahu, after Sen. Michelle Kidani’s retirement. The party announced Thursday that Sechyi Laiu, Beth K Fukumoto, and Danielle Bass were submitted for selection to fill the seat. Hawaii News Now.

Firebreaks And Landfills: State Senate District 20 Candidate Q&As. Three GOP candidates are running in the primary for a Senate seat in West Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

Pedestrian Safety And School Lunches: State House District 21 Candidate Q&As. Incumbent’s run for Senate opens up opportunity to represent vibrant urban and hillside communities. Civil Beat.

Tax Burdens And Emergency Hubs: State House District 29 Candidate Q&As. Partisan contest lining up for the urban Honolulu seat. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

HPD changes its stance on medical marijuana cards and guns. The chief of the Hawaii Police Department confirmed in a recent letter that people who possess a medical marijuana permit will no longer be categorically disqualified from legally possessing firearms. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority’s first executive director announces retirement. The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority Board on Thursday accepted the retirement of Executive Director John De Fries, effective July 31. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Paid parking lot operators on Hawai‘i Island will be required to post rates. After a bill to cap paid parking in the Historic Kailua Village failed to move forward, Hawai‘i County Council Member Rebecca Villegas is addressing what she describes as predatory practices in other ways. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island lawmakers share priorities, concerns at town hall. Three state lawmakers outlined priorities and Puna community members voiced concerns at a June 28 town hall in the Keaau Armory, with the overarching issue being the state’s budget and its effect on one of Hawaii’s most impoverished areas. Tribune-Herald.

Palm-Killing Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle’s Discovery In Hilo Stokes Fear. The Hilo community has been crying out for better protections from the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Council committee advances bills rezoning dozens of Kīhei, West Maui apartment complexes as hotels. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 6-2 Monday to forward two resolutions that would begin the process of moving dozens of vacation rentals from apartment-zoned districts into newly created hotel zoning. Maui Now.

Park Maui to launch July 15 at Kamaole Beach Parks I and III. Standard rates for nonresidents will be $10 for daily parking, $50 for a weekly pass and $150 for a monthly pass. Parking will remain free seven days a week at all Park Maui beach parking areas for residents with a Hawaii driver’s license. Maui News.

Protest Delays National Park Service’s Reopening Of Kalaupapa Tours. Protesters, including a Maui Council member, blocked the entrance to the historical park’s trailhead on Thursday morning. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kīlauea community says it has ‘lost trust’ in Kauaʻi police after lack of action resulted in deadly shooting. New Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai and members of the criminal justice system attended a public meeting Tuesday to explain their actions and hear concerns involving a homicide, attempted homicide and 2-day manhunt of William "Billy" Sinclair. Kauai Now.

New comfort station at Ha‘ena state park a community-led effort. Relief has arrived for visitors to Ha‘ena State Park in the form of a new comfort station at the entrance parking lot.  Garden Island.

No swimming advised at Hanalei Bay due to heavy runoff, brown water. Kaua‘i County’s Ocean Safety Bureau is advising no swimming or other ocean activities at Hanalei Bay due to heavy runoff and brown water. Kauai Now. KITV4.