Gambling, geothermal, transient accommodations tax hike top Hawaiian Home Lands agenda, Maui to phase out over 6,200 short-term rentals, Honolulu airport adds electric buses, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DHHL considers gambling, building review and geothermal this legislative session. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will push for new revenue streams that would allot it to develop more homestead projects for the 2026 legislative session. Raising the Transient Accommodations Tax by 1 percentage point and exploring geothermal energy to generate revenues are some top priorities for the department. The department is also considering a casino.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Influenza cases and 911 calls surging in Hawaii, DOH says. The Hawaii Department of Health is seeing a surge in influenza cases, along with flu-related 911 calls and emergency department visits statewide. A seasonal uptick in flu- related symptoms is expected during the winter months, especially as more gatherings take place indoors. There has, however, been a sharp increase in respiratory-related 911 calls. Star-Advertiser.

State relaunches first-time home buyer program to address high interest rates. State home loan program undercuts market interest rates. Hawaii renters with low or moderate incomes have a new opportunity to become homeowners under a revived state program offering below-market mortgage loans. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wespac Looks To Expand Commercial Access To Hawaiʻi’s Papahānaumokuākea. Local fishery managers, moving in step with the Trump administration, want to eventually reopen large protected swaths of the Pacific to potentially all sorts of commercial fishing — not just the deep-sea tuna and swordfish sought by longline boats but nearshore lobsters and corals as well. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaiian Home Lands Could Get More Money Out Of ʻEwa Land Swap Deal. The proposed commercial center on donated West Oʻahu land has run into significant opposition this year. But the proposal has evolved and a vote Tuesday will decide its fate. The commission in charge of developing Hawaiian homelands is set to vote Tuesday on a land swap proposal that skirts county zoning rules in a deal that proponents say could raise $100 million for the department over the next 65 years. Civil Beat.

Historic bar in Honolulu to shut down. Smith’s Union Bar, a Chinatown institution and Honolulu’s oldest continually operating bar, will be closing its doors after its landlord apparently decided not to renew its lease. Established in 1934 on Hotel Street, the bar has endured decades and was famous as the watering hole of the crew of the USS Arizona before its destruction during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

New cafe, electric buses blessed at Honolulu airport; looks to make travel smooth, easy. There are some new improvements at Honolulu Airport that officials say are meant to make the travel experience smoother and better, which they say will keep people flying in and out of the islands. KHON2.

Hawaii health officials allow Kaimuki restaurant to reopen. Hawaii health officials have issued a green placard to the Himalayan Kitchen LLC in Kaimuki, authorizing the restaurant to reopen after shutting it down last week. Star-Advertiser.

New lawsuit claims sex abuse, non-consensual videotaping by former Tripler doctor. Already facing sex crime allegations from about 100 women, a former Tripler Army Medical Center gynecologist is at the center of a new lawsuit. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

NOAA funds restoration work along Kona's Aliʻi Drive. Hawaiʻi County has plans to restore native habitat and cultural sites on an 11.5 acre parcel in the middle of Kona's main commercial strip. Hawaii Public Radio.

A new state park for Hilo? Kusch schedules meeting on proposal. Rep. Matthias Kusch has a community meeting slated for Wednesday evening to discuss a proposal to purchase 283 acres of land in the Kaumana area for what he calls a passive recreation wilderness state park for Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Traffic Emergency Zone Planned For Worsening Highway 19 Conditions. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation plans to declare a traffic emergency zone on Highway 19 in North and South Hilo, as worsening conditions along the Hāmākua coast highway will require repairs. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Researcher looks into a link between public gatherings in the Pacific and dengue spread. Hawaiʻi Island was recently selected to host the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education in 2028. The event would bring thousands of educators and leaders to Waikoloa from across the globe. But what impact might large gatherings like this one have on the spread of dengue virus? Hawaii Public Radio.

Former Bank of Hawaii teller indicted for theft, computer fraud. A 24-year-old former Bank of Hawaii teller pleaded not guilty Friday to charges she allegedly embezzled more than $40,000 from bank customers, including two elderly customers. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Maui

Maui to phase out over 6,200 short-term rentals. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s Bill 9 passed its final hearing before the County Council on Monday but the future of the more than 6,200 short-term vacation rentals in West and South Maui that have to convert to long-term rental units for local residents remains in doubt. Bissen signed Bill 9 into law after the Council forwarded it to him Monday, starting the clock on converting 6,208 vacation rentals within three years for West Maui and five years for South Maui. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Lahaina harbor opens for business. The Lahaina Small Boat Harbor is hosting tour vessels again as of Monday, more than two years after the 2023 Maui wildfires destroyed the historic landmark. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police warn public of ‘spoofing’ scam calls. The Maui Police Department is warning the public of recurring phone scams involving spoofed calls that falsely appear to originate from the MPD. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County now requesting proposals for its homeless. The purpose of this grant program is to provide critical services to those who are currently experiencing homelessness, according to a news release from Kaua‘i County. Kauai Now.

County of Kauai launches motor vehicle registration kiosk in Hanapepe. County of Kauai officials, in partnership with Western Motor Service and Intellectual Technology Inc. (ITI), launched a new self-service kiosk for motor vehicle registrations at Western Motor Service in Hanapepe. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Ex-building inspector gets 5 years for taking bribes, Legislature dumps millions on department unsure how to spend it, Tripler to pay $29.5M in medical malpractice case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Last-Minute Budget Scrum At The Capitol May Cause An Odd Problem: Too Much Cash. Hundreds of millions of dollars were dumped on the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which now has one year to spend most of it. The mysterious and much-criticized budget process used by House and Senate leaders in the final days of session this spring may have poured more money into the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism than the department can readily handle. Civil Beat

NOAA to release outlook for 2023 hurricane season in Central Pacific. NOAA will outline its outlook on Thursday for the 2023 Central Pacific hurricane season, which kicks off June 1. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Tackles Climate Change With a Human Rights Focus. In Hawaii, residents have a right to a healthy climate – but in a novel lawsuit, a group of young people say the state needs to do more to protect it. US News & World Report.

How will Hawaii reach its clean energy goals? ‘We just have to be committed.' According to Hawaiian Electric, 32% of electricity generated on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County was from renewable resources last year. Hawaii Island generated 48%, Maui County generated 36%, and Oahu generated 28%. Kauai County has its own co-op, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. KIUC led the state, achieving more than 60% last year. Hawaii News Now.

Courts rule another deadly weapon can be carried in public.  It’s now legal for people to possess yet another dangerous weapon on the street. According to a court ruling Tuesday, May 23, people can now carry a billy club or baton in public. KHON2.

Bank invests $4M in nonprofit to bolster Native Hawaiian homeownership. American Savings Bank has invested $4.3 million in the nonprofit Hawaiʻi Community Lending to help offset costs to put more people on Hawaiian home lands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Former Honolulu building inspector gets 5 years in bribery scheme. The city’s former chief building inspector was sentenced to five years in federal prison and fined $100,000 for taking $103,000 in bribes from a Honolulu architect and contractors to pre-screen and fast-track approval of permits. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

64% of Honolulu homes vulnerable to hurricanes. Home to nearly a million people, Oahu and its infrastructure remains vulnerable to hurricane impacts.  KHON2.

FEMA unveils disaster-resistant broadcast studio in Hawaii. FEMA unveiled a brand new emergency broadcast radio studio that sits on the grounds of Kahauiki village near Keehi Lagoon. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu medical calls up 20% since pre-COVID. As the pandemic wanes, Honolulu Emergency Serv­ices Department Director Dr. Jim Ireland says medical calls on Oahu have spiked over 20% compared to the pre-COVID-19 years. Star-Advertiser.

Tripler Army Medical Center to pay $29.5M in malpractice case. Hawaii’s U.S. District Court on Tuesday awarded $29.5 million to a local military family in the largest medical malpractice judgment against Tripler Army Medical Center for a 2016 incident involving their then-month-old child. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Environmental watchdog claims pipe at Kailua treatment facility is leaking sewage. The facility has been the subject of complaints for several years after water with high bacterial counts was released several times over the years into Kailua Bay. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit: HPD Officer Violated Policy When He Shot A Man In A Car. The department had updated its use-of-force policy to prevent officers from shooting at people in cars. Civil Beat.

Residents get opportunity to speak directly with military officials defueling Red Hill. Red Hill open house might seem like an oxymoron to some. But for the hundred or so community members who went out to Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial Park, it did mean direct access to military personnel like never before to understand this chapter of Red Hill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Medical respite kauhale readied for opening. It took a large village Wednesday to complete a small village for homeless people in urban Honolulu with medical respite needs. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Public meeting set regarding PGV expansion. Puna residents will be able to provide in-person feedback next week regarding a planned upgrade of Puna Geothermal Venture. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Homeless Encampment Swept At Hale Hālāwai In Kona. The County carried out the enforcement operation to address unsafe conditions at the Kailua Village beach park. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Input sought for old hospital site: 20 acres surrounding Hilo facility could be developed by the county. Part of the former Hilo Memorial Hospital is being renovated, and Hawaii County is collecting feedback about the future development of 20 acres surrounding the facility. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County council approves budget on first reading.  Waikapu residents may be closer to getting a land buffer between them and Wailuku and a small new medical clinic on Molokai may quickly get some needed funding as Maui County Council members unanimously approved the county’s fiscal year 2024 budget on first reading Tuesday.  Maui News.

Groundbreaking of infrastructure for planned Puʻunani subdivision provides hope for Maui DHHL waitlist beneficiaries. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands conducts a groundbreaking ceremony today, marking the start of a $17 million capital improvement project to install infrastructure for the planned Puʻunani subdivision in Waikapū.  Maui Now.

Outrigger Hospitality Group to acquire Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel on Maui. The transaction is expected to close on July 26, at which time the property will be rebranded as OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort.  Maui Now.

Officers Raid Maui Antique Shop For Allegedly Selling Illegal Ivory. State lawmakers barred the sale of most ivory years ago in hopes of preventing poaching across the globe. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i home, condo sales sink in April. A total of 22 home sales closed in April, down from 60 in April 2022, according to monthly data pooled from multiple sources by Hawai‘i Realtors in Honolulu. That marked a decrease of 63.33 percent. Garden Island.

Mālama Kauaʻi’s FEED Orchard Grants to increase fruit production, food access.  Mālama Kauaʻi will distribute 18 FEED Orchard Grant Awards to increase fruit production for food access markets this summer.  Kauai Now.

Thirty Meter Telescope goes back to Land Board, Hawaii County Council candidate indicted on voter fraud charge, $13M settlement for Tripler Army Medical Center, homeless emergency extended, Kauai mulls raises for officials, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tour of Subaru Telescope atop Mauna Kea © 2016 All Hawaii News

The proposed Thirty Meter Telescope project on Wednesday landed back in the jurisdiction of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, which now must hold a new contested case hearing. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. David Ige and acting Gov. Shan Tsutsui have signed eight emergency proclamations since taking office in 2014, including four that waive procurement and other normal procedures to more quickly address the highest per capita homeless rate in the nation. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department of Health has made some major improvements in its ability to test for the Zika virus, following the confirmation of a child born in the state with possible Zika-related birth defects last month. Civil Beat.

Key lawmakers in the state House and Senate are making some major changes to Gov. David Ige’s plan to spend $100 million in energy efficiency funds to cool 1,000 public school classrooms. Star-Advertiser.

Senate Committee Passes Bill to Authorize Psychologists to Prescribe Medication . Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii lawmakers are pushing a bill to make it easier to get medication that counteract the effects of overdoses, and provide immunity for people who administer them. Associated Press.

Why Do Business, Labor Groups Support The NextEra Merger? Many organizations have spoken out against the purchase of Hawaiian Electric, but not much has been heard from certain supporters. Civil Beat.

A proposed bill would make Hawaii’s current 100 percent renewable energy goal more clear and make sure that all resources being fed to the grid are by renewable resources, the head of the state’s Energy Office told Pacific Business News.

Democrat Lorraine Inouye was not alone when she held a campaign fundraiser Tuesday night at Mandalay in downtown Honolulu. It turns out that Sens. Donovan Dela Cruz and Michelle Kidani were on hand as well, and also asking for donations of $150. Civil Beat.

It’s high time to take expanding mongoose and rodent populations in hand before they destroy more of a fragile native landscape. That’s the gist of a new joint state and federal proposal to launch a comprehensive control or eradication of the invasive animals from native ecosystems. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Following a successful first year of getting homeless people into so-called “Housing First” apartments and homes, the city is now seeking bids to expand the program across Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Beretania Street should soon offer drivers a smoother ride now that road crews are finally repaving the major thoroughfare, resuming work more than a year after abruptly stopping when they encountered shallow utility lines. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are pushing for more details on Honolulu's backlog of untested rape kits, which supporters say can be crucial for catching repeat offenders. Associated Press.

The federal government has reached a $13 million settlement with the parents of a 7-year-old girl who as an infant suffered severe, permanent brain damage while being treated at Tripler Army Medical Center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii

Tiffany Edwards Hunt, a blogger and former County Council candidate, has been charged with voter fraud, the Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

State Sen. Lorraine Inouye is pushing a bill that would raise the speed limit on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, commonly called Saddle Road, from 55 mph to 65 mph — 5 mph faster than the state’s highest-speed roads currently allow. Tribune-Herald.

Hu Honua Bioenergy is firing back at the Hawaii Electric Light Company in a document filed with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, addressing what it calls incomplete and misleading information in HELCO’s status report to the PUC. Big Island Video News.

One of Hawaii’s last remaining dairy farms is asking the state for help building its own milk processing facility. Big Island Dairy, located in Ookala, says the $10 million in special purpose revenue bonds it is requesting would help it secure low-cost loans for the plant, which it sees as helping stabilize the industry. Tribune-Herald.

The Hawaii Health Systems Corp. West Hawaii Region board of directors has selected Frank Sayre to serve as its new chair. Pacific Business News.

On Saturday, faculty, students and residents will celebrate the grand opening and open house of the Hawaii Community College-Palamanui. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

The percentage of unused wind power by Maui Electric Co. in 2015 grew 3 percentage points to 10 percent compared to 2014, but the utility accepted its highest amount of power from wind farms in the year, according to a filing with the state Public Utilities Commission late last month. Maui News.

Victory Development's proposed 39-unit Nani Loa condominium hotel project in Kihei's "Kamaole Superblock" became a procedural hairball for the Maui Planning Commission on Tuesday. Maui News.

Kauai

The county is considering more than $800,000 in raises for elected and appointed officials. Garden Island.

A 3 percent assessment cap for homestead and long-term affordable rental properties was approved unanimously by the five members of the county council present at Wednesday’s meeting. Garden Island.

In their Tuesday meeting, the planning commission approved the zoning, use, and special permits for a middle and high school along the mauka side of Kuhio Highway in Kilauea. Garden Island.