Economists predict slow but stable growth, Kaneshiro corruption case expands to contract killing allegations, Buttigieg rides the rail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UHERO: ‘Resilient’ US Economy, Return Of Tourists Bolster Hawaii’s Outlook. UHERO Executive Director Carl Bonham said Thursday at a news conference to discuss UHERO’s first-quarter forecast that “the overall picture is one of sort of continued growth but much, much slower and, going forward, even slower growth.” Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Education Department braces for severe budget cuts. State education officials say that between a new round of possible state budget cuts on top of a looming “federal fiscal cliff,” they are are bracing for a triple punch to the funding of Hawaii’s public school system. Star-Advertiser.

Senate WAM Committee advances bills on wildfire emergencies, workforce development. The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means advanced several bills aimed at addressing key priorities for the Senate, including legislation covering areas of wildfire preparedness and workforce development. Maui Now.

Funding bill to settle claims against the state advances. The House Committee on Finance on Thursday passed an appropriations bill to cover payments for claims against the state, its officers and employees. Tribune-Herald.

Class-Action Lawsuit Targets Aggressive Cosmetic Vendors. The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection is notifying victims of aggressive cosmetic salespeople that they may be entitled to join a class-action lawsuit aimed at recouping money spent on unwanted purchases. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Feds Are Confident Honolulu Rail Is Finally Moving In The Right Direction. U.S. Transportation Secretary Peter Buttigieg expressed strong support Thursday for Honolulu’s long-struggling Skyline rail line and even took a ride along the partially opened system, part of his daylong tour of transit, harbor and airport infrastructure projects across Oahu. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Defendant in public corruption case now part of a contract killer investigation. The FBI is investigating an alleged murder for hire plot targeting a federal judge and the special prosecutor involved in the upcoming public corruption trial involving Keith Kaneshiro, Honolulu’s longest serving prosecuting attorney, and employees of a politically connected engineering firm. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Wai harbor parking contract being contested. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation today are expected to submit requests to the Board of Land and Natural Resources to deny three petitioners’ requests to hold contested case hearings. Star-Advertiser.

Community members react to possible new plans for Pali Lanes in Kailua. Developer and property owner Alexander & Baldwin proposed redevelopment plans for a registered Hawaii Historic Landmark, Pali Lanes, which closed down over two years ago. KITV4.

Police focus on stopping smash-and-grab burglaries. The Honolulu Police Department says it is meeting with some success in ongoing operations to thwart smash-and-grab burglaries across Oahu, which have been on the uptick over the past few months. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

HVNP seeks public input for Kilauea summit plan. The National Park Service announced Thursday that it is developing a Kilauea Summit Area and Corridor Management Plan, a document that eventually will allow the NPS to better manage the transportation infrastructure around and within the park to reduce frequent traffic delays. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

County Clears Encampments At Kona Community Aquatic Center. County officials conducted another park rules enforcement operation in Kona on Thursday morning. Six individuals accepted offers for housing and other services. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Possible Unexploded Ordnance Found Off Waikoloa Road. On Thursday afternoon, police said they were coordinating with the U. S. Army Explosive Ordnance Division for disposal of the 75 mm projectile. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Big Island astronomers laud success of lunar mission. Hawaii astronomers were over the moon Thursday after a private commercial company’s spacecraft made the first successful American moon landing in more than 50 years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Group asks for extension of emergency protections for tenants facing evictions. A group rallying to help secondary victims of the August wildfires is asking Gov. Josh Green to extend protections for tenants facing evictions from landlords seeking more lucrative rental income tied to subsidized housing for displaced fire survivors. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

New MEMA head shares goals for the agency in first media interview. In his very first news interview as Maui’s recently installed top emergency management official, Amos Lonokailua-Hewett outlines his vision for the future of disaster response in the county.  KITV4.

War Memorial Gym gets major facelift. The gym is to be upgraded into a category-five-rated hurricane shelter.  Maui News.

New School Will Welcome Lahaina’s Hawaiian Immersion Students In April. A temporary campus being built to replace the destroyed King Kamehameha III Elementary School will also accommodate Hawaiian immersion students. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Arson reported at multiple Kaua‘i parks; officials advise public to be vigilant. Trees at Lydgate Beach Park, ‘Anini Beach Park and Anahola Beach Park were recently found burned. Kauai Now.

Legislature tackles assault weapon ban, warrant-less fireworks searches, public election funding, free school lunches; U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg tours Lahaina, feces found on Honolulu police supervisors' desks, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

More Assault Weapons May Be Banned As Hawaii Seeks To Shore Up Strict Gun Laws. Lawmakers are working to tighten Hawaii’s existing assault weapons ban by passing a bill that would expand the types of weapons it covers, even as the state fends off legal challenges to some of its current gun regulations. Civil Beat.

House committee to hear bill allowing warrantless fireworks searches. A bill that would allow law enforcers and firefighters to search the premises of fireworks licensees without a warrant is making its way through the state House of Representatives. Tribune-Herald.

State Senate approves comprehensive public funding for ‘clean elections’ by 2028. The Hawaiʻi State Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 2381 Senate Draft 2 (SB2381 SD2), which would establish a comprehensive system of public financing for candidates seeking election to state and county public offices, beginning with the 2028 general election year.  Maui Now.

Lawmakers Question Plans For Governor’s Maui Wildfire Death Settlement Fund. The state will contribute $65 million to the fund, which is designed to limit litigation and provide some closure in cases where there were deaths or severe injuries. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Should public buildings be able to withstand Category 5 hurricanes? Senate Bill 2972 states that warmer seas and fewer trade winds are making Hawaiʻi more vulnerable to strong hurricanes, and thus future government buildings should be adequately equipped to serve as shelters in a major disaster.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Surveyed lawmakers don’t think Hawaiʻi is prepared for sea level rise. A new survey from the University of Hawaiʻi's Economic Research Organization polled elected officials at the state and county levels to take their pulse on sea level rise.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi gets $50M in federal funds for clean water infrastructure projects. The federal funding comes from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which sets out to invest over $50 billion in clean water initiatives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor signs executive order declaring Hawaiʻi a trauma-informed state. It’s an internal message for the state government to collaborate with the Office of Wellness and Resilience to use trauma-informed care in programs and policies. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Vehicle towing rates in Hawaii could more than double this year. Under a  bill sponsored by state Sen. Kurt Fevella, the rate for a hookup would go up from $65 to $143. KITV4.

Free breakfast and lunch for all public school students could be making a comeback. There’s a bill (HB 1775) gaining traction in the legislature would make it a reality and help thousands of kids who go hungry each day.  KHON2.

CVS Health invests nearly $35 million for affordable housing, preschools in Hawaii. CVS Health on Wednesday announced an investment of almost $35 million for affordable housing developments in Kapolei and Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HPD leadership, morale called into question after police supervisors find envelopes with feces on their desks.  HPD confirms its Professional Standards Office launched an internal probe after someone placed envelopes full of feces on the desks of a Honolulu police commander and a Honolulu police supervisor earlier this month. Hawaii News Now.

7 public schools in Pearl Harbor area show detections of petroleum-based chemicals. Advocates are urging the Navy to warn the public, but the military insists the water is safe. Hawaii News Now.

University Of Hawaii Medical School Resumes Accepting Donated Bodies. The program had been halted in July due to having too many bodies for too few surgical trainees. Civil Beat.

City ethics commission reviews gift prohibitions for employees. During a virtual meeting Wednesday, the Honolulu Ethics Commission discussed but took no formal action on the measure.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Meeting On Future Waikoloa Public Library, February 27.  According to the Draft Environmental Assessment for the project published in January 2024, the proposal includes a new, 12,000 square foot public library, with an “approximately 3,000 square foot Early Learning Center (ELC), 71-stall surface parking lot, and complimentary landscaping.  Big Island Video News.

Hilo smoke shop owner accused of selling illegal marijuana products from business. The charges came after police and the state Narcotics Narcotics Enforcement Division executed a search warrant Feb. 15 at Karl Stasik’s business, Hale Hookah at 60 Waianuenue Ave. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Maui

U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg tours Lahaina destruction.  U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured what remains of Lahaina on Wednesday and heard from members of Mayor Richard Bissen’s advisory counsel, who reported sometimes conflicting pressures as Maui continues to recover from the Aug, 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Pop-Up Village For Maui Fire Survivors Battles Red Tape To Finally Open. Organizers had hoped to have the rent-free housing ready to go within weeks of the fire. They're still waiting. Civil Beat.

State discusses how to shelter displaced residents once FEMA leaves Maui. State lawmakers are concerned there may not be enough housing in place to shelter displaced Lahaina residents by the time the Federal Emergency Management Agency leaves next February. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kīlauea man killed in blast caused by homemade explosives, police report. On the evening of Monday, Feb. 12, police were dispatched to a residence in Kīlauea following the report of an unattended death, which led to the discovery of a man’s body. The deceased was later identified as Jasper Gunsell, a 37-year-old resident of Kīlauea. Kauai Now.