Retail, agriculture jobs face steep declines, nonprofit purchases 126-year-old Maui News, Southwest Airlines begins Hilo-Vegas nonstop flights, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii retail, agriculture jobs face biggest losses by 2034.  Projections from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations show retail trade could lose about 600 jobs by 2034, the largest decline of any industry. Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting follow closely behind retail with a projected loss of almost 500 jobs. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi education department turns to regional kitchen to boost local ingredients. A new regional kitchen, set to open in late 2027, is expected to largely boost the amount of locally sourced ingredients used in school meals across the state Department of Education. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District race tests incumbent Case. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is facing opposition for his re-election campaign in the Democratic Party primary at a time when some voters have shown they’re in the mood to oust incumbents. Hawaii Public Radio.

High Oil Prices Hammer HECO Customers. Oil is trading at close to $90 per barrel these days thanks to the Iran war compared to $65 to $70 a year ago. As a result, the average monthly residential bill rose 27% from June 2025 to this year on Maui and 30% on Oʻahu. Lānaʻi has it worst, up 55%, an average increase of more than $100 a month. Civil Beat.

Farms hit by Kona Low urged to apply for aid. Hawaii agricultural producers and farmers who were affected by the Kona- low storms from March 10 to 24 have until Friday to apply for financial and technical assistance with the Emergency Conservation Program. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

$1.8M awarded for wildfire mitigation as Hawaii enters peak fire season. The Hawaii Urban Interface (HUI) Wildfire Grant Program awarded funding to eight organizations on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii Island. The grants will support projects including firebreak construction, invasive vegetation removal, managed grazing, evacuation studies and improved emergency access. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

As Flood Aid Trickles Out For North Shore, Southeast Asian Farmers Are Left Behind. For some Thai and Laotian farmers, language barriers and immigration status stand in the way of seeking help they need after the Kona lows. Civil Beat.

Uncertainty, confusion surround East Oahu’s City Council race.  East Oahu voters, some of whom have already cast their primary election ballots, remain in the dark about the status of the race to represent them on the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Internal power outage hits twin office towers in downtown Honolulu. About 100 businesses in two downtown Honolulu office towers could be displaced for roughly three to five weeks due to an equipment-related power failure at the property. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Ward Centre closed; looming demolition will make way for new Ward Village towers. Although a timeline has not yet been finalized, sources say that demolition and redevelopment work at the site is expected to begin later this year. Aloha State Daily.

Ex-Social Worker Gets 10 Years In Prison For Daughter’s Death. The public may never know key details about how Sina Pili was able to keep working with children as police investigated her for her daughter’s death. Civil Beat. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

A Viable Cesspool Alternative Emerges On Hawaiʻi’s Coasts. After years of research and planning, Puakō residents’ efforts to create a model for the state using a low-pressure sewer system are finally gaining momentum. Civil Beat.

County names new Animal Control administrator. Hawaii County has announced that Regina DoDaro has been hired as administrator for the Animal Control and Protection Agency, effective Monday, Aug. 3. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Southwest Airlines launches nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Hilo. The new route launches Aug. 6 and will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Big Island Now.

Future Hawaiian Homestead hub secures state funding for design, initial site preparation in Panaʻewa. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye announced the release of $350,000 for the Panaʻewa Hub, which is being developed by the Keaukaha Panaʻewa Farmers Association.  Big Island Now.

Hilo Man Arrested At Malama Park, Charged With Drug Offenses. Police: Hilo man with nearly 2 pounds of cocaine nabbed at public park.  On Saturday, detectives with the Hawaii Police Department’s Vice Division conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of Michael Bratt at a public park in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.   Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui News changes owners. New nonprofit purchases 126-year-old newspaper. (subscription only print). Maui News.

Law firm fights judge’s ruling on attorney fees in Maui wildfire settlement. A law firm is appealing a Maui judge’s ruling over how attorneys will be paid from the multibillion-dollar wildfire settlement. Hawaii News Now.

Maui to open larger emergency operations center in August. County officials say the facility in Wailuku will strengthen preparedness capabilities and emergency response. The building is nearly 10,000 square feet and will increase capacity for partnerships and personnel during activation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association on Maui and ʻĀina Momona on Molokaʻi to benefit from wildfire mitigation funding. The Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, awarded $1.8 million to projects on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, an increase from the $1.5 million awarded through the program in 2025. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department conducts sex offender compliance checks. Kauaʻi Police Department, in partnership with U.S. Marshals Service and task force officers, recently conducted compliance checks of registered sex offenders to help ensure Hawaiʻi’s Covered Offender Registry remains accurate and current. Kauai Now.

Council candidate Skyler Workman. Skyler Wailea Workman is a candidate for Kauai County Council. He submitted the preceding introduction to himself and his campaign goals. Garden Island.

Hawaii battles EPA over power plants, ballots sent to the dead, Kauai electric customers may be billed for wildfire mitigation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Attorney General files complaint against EPA over air pollution agreement with Hawaiian Electric. The state Department of Health and a coalition of environmental organizations are challenging a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to partially reject Hawaii’s plan to improve air quality and reduce pollution-related haze. Both filed petitions this week in federal court. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.  KITV4. KHON2. Big Island Now.

HECO issues renewable energy procurement for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui. Hawaiian Electric Co. recently issued what it says is one of the state’s largest energy procurements. On July 17, the company submitted its Integrated Grid Planning request for proposals, seeking renewable energy projects and storage for Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Some deceased voters still got ballots, but officials say it’s not a sign of fraud. Elections officials are required by law to send a ballot to everyone who’s registered to vote. They’re also required to wait two federal election cycles before they can purge people from the list, including people who haven’t voted, or who’ve moved and didn’t leave a new address. So it could be more than four years before a name is taken off the voter rolls. Hawaii News Now.

Campaign signs are not allowed along Hawaii state highways. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is reminding the public that it is illegal to post campaign signs along state highways. Illegally posted signs will be removed and thrown away. Hawaii News Now.

Congressional candidates split on support for Israel and war with Iran.  Israel’s conduct in the Middle East and the war with Iran are emerging fault lines in the Democratic contest for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District between U.S. Rep. Ed Case and challenger Jarrett Keohokalole. Hawaii News Now.

Abercrombie alleges Ed Case violated House campaign rules. Former Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who represented Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District in Congress for over 20 years, has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission alleging that U.S. Rep. Ed Case sent a taxpayer-funded “self-promotional” campaign email Monday that violates House rules. Star-Advertiser.

High blank ballot rates prompt OHA voter education effort. With five seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees on the ballot this year, election officials and OHA leaders are urging voters to pay closer attention to one of the state’s least-understood contests. Star-Advertiser.

The Real Fight For Hawaiʻi Congressional District 2 Is Still To Come. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat, is seeking a third term representing rural Oʻahu and the neighbor islands, but faces little competition from within her own party. The other side of the ballot, however, tells a different story and sets the stage for a more competitive race come November’s general election.  Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa is running unopposed for the GOP nomination. Civil Beat.

Hawaii raises truck bed-riding age to 16 as roads get faster, testing a cherished island tradition. It’s common to see people riding in the beds of pickups in Hawaii, often along country highways sandwiched between towering verdant mountains and the glassy blue expanse of the Pacific. Lawmakers tried for years to put limits on the practice before passing a bill this spring that raises the minimum legal age for riding in truck beds from 12 to 16. Democratic Gov. Josh Green quietly signed it into law last month. Associated Press.

Hawaiʻi residents react to state's 'vape ban' set for 2027. Gov. Josh Green recently signed Senate Bill 2175 into law, which will prohibit the sale of non-refillable and non-rechargeable electronic smoking devices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu officials seek input on water quality priorities. Oahu residents are being asked to help shape the island’s long-term water quality priorities as the city prepares for billions of dollars in future wastewater and storm water infrastructure investments. The Honolulu Department of Environmental Services has launched its Oahu Clean Water Survey, which officials say will help identify the water quality issues residents consider most important. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian language advocates ‘devastated’ after school suspends program. Just weeks before the start of the 2026-27 school year, Kapolei Middle School has suspended its Kaiapuni Hawaiian language immersion program after failing to fill two teaching positions — a decision that parents and community advocates say undermines years of progress toward building a full K-12 immersion pathway in West Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2. 

2 men charged in alleged gold bar fraud scheme targeting kupuna. A 25-year-old man from India made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Honolulu Wednesday in connection with a multi-state fraud scheme that lured a Kaneohe kupuna in her 80s into giving him $137,458 in gold bars after liquidating her life savings. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission set to choose permanent chief next month from eight finalists. The Fire Commission finalized the criteria and interview process for applicants vying for the position of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief, with oral interviews set for the next public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27.  Big Island Now.

County’s auditor provides update to council committee. McAdam told council members her office is “currently conducting an audit of the Office of Housing and Community Development’s management of the Housing and Homeless Fund, as requested by yourselves.” Tribune-Herald.

Another Road Won’t Help Waikōloa In A Wildfire Evacuation, Study Finds. Critics dismissed the new study’s findings while resolving to do more to protect the West Hawaiʻi community from wildfires. Civil Beat.

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Found in Hilo, Council Talks Quarantine Rule. A Hawaiʻi County Council committee voted in support of resolution on Wednesday in the hopes it will help fight the spread of the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle on Hawaiʻi island, just days after a CRB was found in Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui mayoral race heats up ahead of August 8 primary election. Ten candidates are on the ballot, but only the top two vote-getters in the August 8 primary will advance to November’s general election. KHON2.

Political newcomers top fundraising in races to fill critical Maui County Council seats. The top fundraisers in the Maui County Council races are political newcomers who are competing in the upcoming Aug. 8 primary election for two critical seats that will be vacated at the end of the year by the chair and vice chair.  Maui Now.

Residents question plans for Lahaina Bypass extension project. The Lahaina Bypass extension project seeks to extend the existing bypass north from Keawe Street to create a continuous highway around Lahaina and Kaanapali. Maui News.

Planning commission approves Makena State Park expansion. The 6-1 vote approving a Special Management Area permit allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks to build two restrooms with shower facilities and expand parking at the 164.4-acre park. Maui News.

Maui farmers, ranchers can learn about ag lending options in July 29 webinar. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation is hosting a free webinar on agricultural financing options through American AgCredit and the Farm Credit System. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai electric customers could start paying for wildfire mitigation. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative last week filed an application with the state Public Utilities Commission to recover such costs through an initial monthly surcharge starting in April estimated at $12.87 for an average customer to cover $9.4 million in wildfire mitigation expenses. Star-Advertiser.

Department of Transportation declare traffic emergency zone after finding a subsurface void under Kaumualiʻi Highway in ʻŌmaʻo. The traffic emergency zone allows the Department of Transportation to work quickly to restore support beneath the roadway. Kauai Now.

Brown water advisory declared for three beaches on Kaua‘i. A brown water advisory has been issued at Hanamaulu,  Hanalei Bay and Niumalu Beaches. The Hawai‘i Department of Health advises beachgoers to stay out of waters that appear brown or murky, especially following storms or heavy rain, as the water may contain higher-than-normal pollutant levels. Kauai Now. KITV4.

Community Control Of Kauaʻi Fishery Is Showing ‘Remarkable’ Results. Ten years in, Native Hawaiian fishermen, North Shore nonprofit leaders and scientists are encouraged by what they see in the state’s first Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area. Civil Beat.

Niʻihau Language School At Risk Of Losing Kaua‘i Campus. Families say the school has played a critical role in preserving their cultural and linguistic ties to the Forbidden Isle for nearly two decades. Civil Beat.

1st Congressional District pits challenger Keohokalole against Case, HECO battles governor's utility partner, flags at half-staff for Oahu soldier killed in Jordan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Contrasting Campaign Styles Mark Race For 1st Congressional District. Incumbent Ed Case steadily emphasizes his job in Congress as Jarrett Keohokalole actively tries to generate buzz to pull off an upset. Civil Beat.

Case says shipping interests ‘out to get me’ by funding Keohokalole. The incumbent alleges shippers and maritime unions are bankrolling his challenger to protect the Jones Act, as the two clash over affordability in Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. Hawaii News Now.

HECO seeks to expand renewables, energy storage on 3 islands. Hawaiian Electric seeks plans for competitively priced renewable energy and storage for the Big Island, Maui and Oʻahu to meet growing energy needs and modernize its generation fleet to drive down costs by reducing use of oil for power generation.The utility submitted its Integrated Grid Planning Request for Proposals to Hawaiʻi Public Utility Commission. Big Island Now.

HECO Is At War With Governor’s Energy Partner Over Creating New Utility. Japanese rival JERA Co.wants build a new liquefied natural gas power plant and start a new regulated utility for Oʻahu, ending Hawaiian Electric’s 135-year monopoly. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2. 

Flags lowered in honor of fallen Hawai‘i soldier killed in Iran war. Soldier with ties to Hawaii killed in Iran attack. The Pentagon on Monday named 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, a 25-year-old whose military home of record was Ewa Beach, as one of two soldiers killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack against U.S. forces in Jordan on Friday. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Endangered Hawaiian Stilt Reclassified To Threatened. The ae‘o, or Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), has been downlisted from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act.  The change, announced this month and published in the Federal Register, follows more than five decades of conservation work that has helped the long-legged shorebird rebound from an estimated population of about 200 birds in the 1940s to more than 1,500 today. Big Island Video News. Maui News.

Oahu

Empty Homes Tax: Oʻahu Voters Blocked From Weighing In. The decision by the Honolulu Charter Commission may mark the end of a protracted battle over how to handle the island’s thousands of empty homes in the midst of a severe housing crisis. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Ethics Commission appoints new Executive Director. The Honolulu Ethics Commission appointed attorney Sandy Ma as its newest Executive Director and Legal Counsel in charge of enforcing ethics laws in early June.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu DJ from Jamaica had previously been deported. Bunny Anthony Parlane, aka “DJ Bunnster,” 49, who was deported in 2012 after felony convictions in New York and Pennsylvania, is facing a federal criminal charge after he was arrested in Honolulu where he was living and working as a DJ. Star-Advertiser.

Trash at East Oahu beach highlights community’s homeless problem. Dexter Kubota, a civil engineer for the kauhale project, said during last week’s Waimānalo neighborhood board meeting that they are working on mitigation efforts.  Hawaii News Now.

Progress made as Waianae residents move to new village. A Waianae homeless encampment is seeing progress. Officials said as of Friday, July 17, 80 Puuhonua O Waianae residents have moved from the Waianae Small Boat Harbor into the new 20-acre mauka “Farm Village” in Waianae Valley. KHON2.

Homestead lease opportunities on Oahu draw strong interest. Almost 500 Native Hawaiians on a long homestead waitlist obtained leases over the weekend for future house lots on Oahu planned by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Former Public Works employee suing county. Julann Sonomura, who previously served as the DPW’s Building Division chief, said she was frequently treated differently than her male colleagues and was undermined and dismissed by her supervisor, DPW Deputy Director Neil Azevedo. Tribune-Herald.

Native plants for sale from state Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Gardeners, landscapers and anyone looking to purchase seedlings on the Big Island and Maui can now shop online for native and non-invasive plants grown in state nurseries managed by Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Big Island Now.

Maui

Judge orders hearing on E. Maui water permit. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources failed to adequately consider Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices — violating its public trust duties — when it approved water-diversion permits to Mahi Pono LLC and East Maui Irrigation Co. LLC, a state judge ruled Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Proposed rules to stop invasive beetle from infesting Maui or Lānaʻi moving forward. The state will consider a petition from the Lahaina Community Land Trust asking for a restriction on imports to Maui or Lānaʻi, in an attempt to keep the islands from being overrun with coconut rhinoceros beetles. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui jury convicts man on 16 counts of sexual assault against a child. Roberto Omar Morales Andrade, 49, was found guilty of eight counts each of first degree sexual assault and third degree sexual assault following a two-week trial. Maui Now.

Kauai

Department of Water plans repairs, intermittent outages along upper Kuamoʻo Road. Residents of Wailua Homesteads near Kuamoʻo Road can expect water disruptions as essential repairs are conducted on a local water tank.  Kauai Now.

Lieutenant Governor candidates face off, Belatti files late spending report, Case congressional race gets national attention, voting machines tested statewide, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lieutenant Governor candidates’ appearance shows similarities, differences. During their joint appearance, frontrunners Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and state Rep. Della Au Belatti last week shared the need for more affordable housing, reducing Hawaii’s high cost of living, and their overall support for Gov. Josh Green’s kauhale housing program expansion to create permanent, affordable homes for Hawaii’s homeless. Both, however, said the lieutenant governor should remain independent from Green. Star-Advertiser.

Belatti Files Campaign Spending Report A Week Late. Della Au Belatti’s campaign blamed a computer glitch for the delay. State Rep. Della Au Belatti finally filed the reports Thursday afternoon, but not before her rival for lieutenant governor, Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami, had issued press releases publicly calling her out for the missing report. Civil Beat.

The Race For Lieutenant Governor: A Coveted Political Stepping Stone. While the job itself doesn’t amount to much, it helped elevate four politicians who later became governors, and two others who eventually became U.S. senators. Civil Beat.

Case And Keohokalole Ramp Up Their Spending In Advance Of August Primary. New Federal Election Commission filings show that both candidates raised and spent about the same amount in the last quarter, but Case has more money left over for the final run. Civil Beat.

Honolulu congressional race draws national attention. The race to represent urban Honolulu in Congress has attracted national attention from the New York Times and the Washington Post as an example of younger, left-leaning Democrats like state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole challenging older, more moderate incumbents like U.S. Rep. Ed Case. Star-Advertiser.

Voting equipment testing statewide as primary election approaches. The Office of Elections held its statewide logic and accuracy test at the State Capitol, with around 60 official observers on Oahu and another 20 on each of the neighbor islands. KITV4.

History shows every vote counts in Hawaii legislative races. All 51 state House seats and 14 of the 25 state Senate seats are up for election this year, but 16 Democratic and Republican legislators face no challenge and will automatically return to office in the Aug. 8 party primary elections. Star-Advertiser.

‘Hawaii Builds’ initiative aims to fast-track affordable housing. Under Senate Bill 2544, which legislators passed almost unanimously on May 6, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. is being directed to help private developers produce at least one affordable-housing project on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Kauai and in Maui County under the new program in part by sidestepping county council reviews. Star-Advertiser.

Military scales up 3D printing, drones and AI to supply RIMPAC forces. Over the last few iterations of RIMPAC, the Naval Postgraduate School’s Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research and Education participated in the exercise and experimented with these systems. But this year, military leaders have made a point of massively scaling up their use across the Hawaiian islands and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Waters holds huge fundraising lead in City Council race. Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters is heading into the Aug. 8 primary election with a commanding financial advantage over his closest challenger as he seeks a third term representing East Honolulu’s District 4, campaign filings indicate. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard’s brother charged in alleged Waikiki ‘stranger danger’ incident. The 55-year-old brother of former U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was arrested and charged Friday with second-degree custodial interference after allegedly trying to lure children to a Waikiki hotel room. Batarti Gabbard, aka Bhakti Gabbard, allegedly approached several children, including a boy, age 9, and offered them gum and money to accompany him to his hotel room, according to police. Star-Advertiser.

HECO seeks energy bids as JERA moves forward with LNG plan. JERA Americas, a subsidiary of Japan’s largest energy company, JERA Co., filed a notice of intent Friday with the Public Utilities Commission seeking approval to establish a new Hawaii-­based regulated wholesale power-generation company called GenCo that would own and operate the proposed power plant and supply liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to Oahu’s energy grid. Hawaiian Electric Co. is arguing the “unprecedented” move would create complexity, inefficiencies and risk in Hawaii’s energy grid. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu could follow other county councils in calling for aquarium fishing ban. The city council is moving along a pair of resolutions urging state-level policymakers to prohibit the collection of fish in the state for the commercial aquarium trade. One urges the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules banning aquarium fishing, and the other is directed at the state Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Home at last: New beginning for 815 Native Hawaiian families. On July 18, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands awarded 815 residential leases on Oahu, the largest offering on the island this year. KHON2.

Social media bans impact Honolulu businesses and artists. Several  businesses, community organizations and artists in Hawaii that have come to depend on Meta’s platforms say they’ve dealt with seemingly arbitrary bans, with little explanation from the company as it increasingly turns to AI and other systems for content moderation. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki organizations unite to boost community, visitor impact. With Hawaii’s tourism marketing resources under pressure and international visitor arrivals still below expectations, two of Waikiki’s leading business organizations have combined operations to strengthen the resort district’s voice, marketing reach and competitive position. Star-Advertiser.

Horse-Trading And Living Costs: State House District 18 Candidate Q&As. Member chosen to replace Gene Ward runs against Democratic challenger. Incumbent representative Joe Gedeon will face Democratic challenger James Wataru in the Nov. 3 general election. Both are running unopposed in the primary. Civil Beat.

Not Again! Another Sidewalk Collapse Next To Barefoot Beach Cafe. For more than a year after a portion of Waikīkī’s popular beachside walkway collapsed into the sand, Barefoot Beach Cafe customers looking to drink out of pineapples as they watched the sunset had to do so through a chain-link fence. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kona-based company is bringing aquaculture to Florida. Kona-based company Ocean Era recently received approval for a first-of-its-kind aquaculture pilot project off of the Gulf Coast of Florida. Titled the Velella Epsilon project, it will be located in federal waters about 40 miles out from Sarasota, to cultivate 20,000 red drum fish over the course of a year in a submerged net system. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island residents turn in nearly 150 firearms during community gun buyback event. Firearms collected included eight assault-style rifles and nine privately manufactured firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” Big Island Now.

Community raises questions about Laupahoehoe boat ramp. Dozens of community members gathered July 8 for an informational meeting about planned repairs to the breakwater in Laupahoehoe, which juts out about 100 feet from the rocky coastline. Tribune-Herald.

Investment firm pays $23 million to become outright owner of Kailua-Kona hotel. Nine Brains, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., acquired full fee-simple ownership of Pacific 19 Kona hotel — formerly Kona Seaside Hotel — 4 years after it purchased the ground lease for the property. Big Island Now.

New youth hub in Puna to guide young people toward independence. The Neighborhood Place of Puna has opened the Puna ʻŌpio Hub for youth and young adults, ages 14-25, as they explore employment and educational pathways that may seem inaccessible. Big Island Now.

Waimea Continues “Speed Dating” Election Candidate Tradition. Voters sat down with candidates for Hawaiʻi County Council, State House, and Lieutenant Governor. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina’s Front Street scheduled to reopen on Aug. 1, 2026. Repairs and rebuilding in the area have been ongoing since the 2023 Maui Wildfires, including: removal of wildfire debris and offshore pilings; repairs to the seawall and sidewalk; installation of new railings and planting of trees along the makai side of the street; installation of fencing along the mauka side of the street and around off-limit areas; and road paving and striping. Maui Now.

‘Keep Hawaiʻi Loud’: Car Stereo Enthusiasts Boo Increased Fines On Maui. For some Maui residents, the noise is a source of repeated frustration. Others see the music as part of Hawai‘i’s local culture.  Civil Beat.

Displaced Lahaina residents hope jobs will provide a way home. Hundreds of homes have been rebuilt, according to Maui County officials, and billions of dollars have been committed to disaster recovery. Yet many West Maui families remain displaced, businesses continue to struggle to rebuild their workforce and many former residents still cannot afford to come home. Star-Advertiser.

Moloka‘i growers feeding the island in wake of missed barges, plant shipping restrictions. On an island rich with farmland and resourceful people, the goal is to help make the community more resilient and sustainable during unexpected crises like missed shipments and interisland restrictions. Maui Now.

Airlines compete for Lanai air service contract. Pacific Air Charters and Cape Air are competing against Mokulele Airlines, the only commercial airline currently servicing the island,  receiving federal subsidies to do so. Hawaii News Now.

Selenium detected in Makawao water. Trace levels of selenium have been found for the first time in the Maui County Department of Water Supply’s Makawao water system. Maui News.

Luxury Rentals, Bill 9 And Public Water: Maui County Council, Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū District. Five candidates are running for the seat held by Council Chair Alice Lee, who is stepping down. Civil Beat.

Wetlands, ICE And Accountability: Maui County Council, South Maui District Candidate Q&As. Itʻs a rematch for the two candidates running in the November general election. Civil Beat.

Invasive Species, Sustainability And Planning: Maui County Council – Kahului District. Three candidates are running in the primary for the council seat covering Mauiʻs largest commercial center. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi keiki bring home free helmets, bikes after annual Keiki Bike Safety Day on Saturday. Forty lucky youngsters pedaled home with new bikes, and hundreds learned essential riding skills and helmet safety from dedicated Wilcox Medical Center physicians and community partner. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Disasters, Tourism And Housing: State House District 16 Candidate Q&As. Incumbent Democrat faces Republican challenge for the Kauaʻi House seat. Democratic House Member Luke Evslin, who has represented state House District 16 since 2023, will face Republican opponent David Hazlebeck in the general election in November. Both are running unopposed in the primary. Civil Beat.

Income Tax Relief And Housing Affordability: State House District 17 Candidate Q&As. Longtime Kauaʻi Democratic incumbent faces primary opponent and Republican challenger.Incumbent House member Dee Morikawa is facing Democratic challenger Chad Schimmelfennig in the Aug. 8 primary election for State House District 17, which Morikawa has represented since 2010. Civil Beat.

Plan to rebuild historic Coco Palms Resort gets financial backing. A Utah-based real estate investment firm that acquired the Coco Palms site in 2022 through a state court foreclosure case recently arranged $431 million in financing and said it has begun below-grade construction work on the 32-acre property in Wailua. Star-Advertiser.

Keohokalole challenges Case for Congressional seat, Green extends solar tax credit another year, new GoFundMe rules for Hawaii nonprofits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Experience Or New Energy: Case Squares Off Against Keohokalole for Congress. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term, faces his most challenging primary race since returning to Congress in 2018. Case, a Democrat, is seeking his fifth term representing Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District, which covers urban Oʻahu from Hawaiʻi Kai to ʻEwa. But if he’s to return to Washington in 2027 he’ll need to stave off a challenge from 42-year-old state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who’s now his main opponent in the contest. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green preserves 2026 Hawaii solar tax credit. Gov. Josh Green signed an executive order that would preserve solar credits for projects this year, delaying any changes to the program prompted by Act 24 until 2027. Green had signed Act 24 May 21 that reduced tax credits for several industries to help the state balance its budget and partly offset nearly $3 billion in anticipated lost revenue from the federal government.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

There’s One Big Flaw With The AG’s Track Record On Medicaid Fraud. A single settlement with a dialysis company accounted for the lion’s share of funds recovered by Hawaiʻi’s fraud unit, now facing federal scrutiny. Civil Beat.

New law changes fundraising for Hawaii nonprofits.  Beginning July 1, Hawaii’s Act 205 will require online charitable fundraising platforms, including GoFundMe, to obtain written permission from nonprofits before allowing users to donate to them or create fundraisers on their behalf. Star-Advertiser.

DHHL legal settlement distribution nears end. A genealogical hunt to find beneficiaries of a $328 million Hawaii legal settlement is nearing a likely incomplete end after more than two years of difficult and often emotionally searing work. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Convention center forced to postpone dozens of projects. The Hawai‘i Convention Center is moving ahead with critical leak repairs during its two-year shutdown, but state lawmakers’ rejection of a $55 million funding request means many of the upgrades needed to keep the venue competitive will be pushed off for years. Star-Advertiser.

Navy plans Red Hill water treatment facility. Five years since the Red Hill fuel leaks contaminated drinking water that serves 93,000 Oahu residents, sickening many, the Navy has completed its environmental assessment for a Red Hill Water Treatment Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Circus producer sues city over alleged ticketing failures, lost sales. The  lawsuit alleges the city required Showmakers Inc., a Honolulu- based producer of a circus featuring acrobats and motorcycle stunts rather than animal acts, to sell tickets exclusively through Ticketmaster LLC as a condition of using the city-owned venue at 777 Ward Ave. Star-Advertiser.

OHA reconsiders exploring KITV/KIKU deal. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will reconsider its vote against funding due diligence for a possible acquisition of KITV and KIKU, reviving a proposal the Board of Trustees narrowly rejected last month. Star-Advertiser.

New Haleiwa farm expands opportunities for immigrant and refugee farmers. Community leaders, elected officials and immigrant farmers gathered at the North Shore Friday to bless Pacific Gateway Center’s new 80-acre Haleiwa farm, celebrating a project they say will strengthen Hawaii’s food security while creating economic opportunities for refugees, immigrants and survivors of human trafficking. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu condo owners pay some of the highest fees in the country. More than 60% of Oʻahu condominiums sold this year have maintenance fees of $800 a month or more. That’s up from just 20% in 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Military and civic leaders celebrate Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s founding. Military and civic leaders gathered Sunday on the grounds of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to recognize Flag Day — the celebration of the official adoption of the American flag in 1777 — as well as the anniversary of the U.S. Army’s founding in 1775. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Harbor project hits snag. A $62 million planned expansion of Hilo Harbor will include traffic-flow improvements along Kalanianaole Street, promising relief to beach-goers, school commuters and residents of Keaukaha fed up with frequent gridlocks caused by cargo trucks entering and exiting the port. But the project’s timetable continues to be pushed back by breakdowns in negotiations over five privately owned properties adjacent to the port which the state needs to acquire before work can begin. Tribune-Herald.

Lawsuit trying to stop Kamehameha School’s Keauhou Bay plan to have hearing about consultant’s role. The main goal of the lawsuit's petitioner is to stop a proposed 150 bungalow development that is part of the nonprofit's management plan, which also includes a new cultural education center. Big Island Now.

Waikoloa Village residents ramp up demand for a new road. Wildfires in recent years on Hawaii Island and Maui have driven Waikoloa Village residents to seek proactive solutions to the looming danger of traffic bottlenecks in the event of a full-scale evacuation. The village is home to roughly 7,000 full-time residents with only one way in and out: Waikoloa Road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

3 Democrats Compete For West Maui House Seat In Primary. House District 14 has gone Democrat for decades. But its two-term incumbent, Rep. Elle Cochran, traded teams in March and is running as a Republican.  Civil Beat.

Cost of Government Commission releases sweeping review of Maui County Boards and Commissions. The report identifies seven cross-cutting issues affecting the County’s governance infrastructure and recommends a mix of eliminations, restructurings and reforms. Maui Now.

Maui Health celebrates new CT scanner made possible with Oprah Winfrey donation. The June 8 ceremony brought together the hospital’s Imaging team, Kahu Kimokeo Kapahulehua, and Winfrey, whose gift to Maui Health Foundation funded the advanced diagnostic equipment. Maui Now.

Dead coconut rhinoceros beetles found in Waikapu traps. State agriculture officials have confirmed the discovery of dead coconut rhinoceros beetles in Waikapu, prompting additional surveys and monitoring efforts as Maui continues to guard against the destructive invasive pest. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County seeking to expand part of Kekaha Landfill by 2030. Kauai County is aiming to vertically expand a portion of the Kekaha Landfill — the only permitted landfill on the island — as it’s expected to reach its maximum capacity in 2030. Star-Advertiser.

Want to live like a rockstar? Former Carlos Santana estate up for sale on Kaua‘i’s North Shore. The $13 million former Santana home is next door to another larger 6.87-acre estate also up for grabs for a mere $32.5 million by the same seller. Kauai Now.

McKenna named acting Supreme Court chief judge, economists predict Hawaii recession, arson alleged in latest Maui wildfire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sabrina McKenna to lead Hawaii Judiciary as acting chief justice. Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Oct. 1, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September, the state Judiciary announced  Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Another state lawmaker launches challenge to Ed Case in Congress. Hawaii’s moderate Democrat in Congress, U.S. Rep. Ed Case, is attracting a growing challenge from within his own political party for next year’s midterm election. State Rep. Della Au Belatti announced on Thursday a campaign to run for the U.S. House District 1 seat held by Case. Star-Advertiser.  KITV4. 

OHA’s Chief Executive Has Abruptly Been Put On Paid Leave. Stacy Ferreira, the chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was quietly placed on paid leave Tuesday by the OHA Board of Trustees. The circumstances surrounding Ferreira’s exit are unclear. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Economists Forecast Hawaiʻi Recession Tied To Job Losses, Trump Tariffs. The University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization's third-quarter economic forecast outlines a long list of forces — many driven by Trump administration policies — that are expected to lead to more job losses, rising costs and a “mild recession” for Hawaii that will affect everyone. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald. 

State will see SNAP benefit reductions next week. Families across Hawaii are bracing for yet another reduction in food assistance benefits, as the state Department of Human Services prepares to implement federally mandated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Star-Advertiser.

Confessions could be thrown out because of new Hawaii Supreme Court ruling. Police departments in Hawaii are now required to use video and audio recordings of all interrogations done at police stations if the suspect is under arrest. Hawaii News Now.

Driving change: State gives away 1,000 dashcams to make roads safer. The state Department of Transportation is launching a pilot program called “Eyes on the Road.” The goal is to fix road hazards faster and crack down on unsafe drivers. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi recognized for community resilience, equity at Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting. Gov. Josh Green represented Hawaiʻi at an event featuring leaders from around the world discussing solutions for pressing global challenges, focusing on resilience, health and equity. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Seaglider Initiative expands with new partners. The Hawaii Seaglider Initiative — a coalition advocating electric-powered vehicles known as seagliders as a cleaner, affordable interisland transportation option — announced Thursday it added three major organizations to its membership: Hawaii Medical Service Association, The Queen’s Health System and Kamehameha Schools. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Defends Bumpy Rollout Of New Building Permit System. The $7 million system, funded by city and federal funds, has had problems since it launched on Aug. 4. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

New Aloha Stadium contracts signed. Two contracts signed Tuesday give  the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District's private partnership group, Aloha Halawa District Partners, the go-ahead to dismantle the old stadium and build the new one at the same site. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

A New Plan Is Brewing In The Fight To Save O‘ahu’s North Shore Beaches. University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant teams up with North Shore Community Land Trust to find solutions for the island’s disappearing beaches. Civil Beat.

How Many Crosswalks Have Been Removed In Honolulu? The City Isn’t Sure. The city took out dozens of crosswalks more than six years ago, but city officials they haven’t tallied how many have been removed since then. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Tourism to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park contributes $571 million to economy last year. A new National Park Service report reveals that 1,433,593 visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2024 had a cumulative economic benefit of $571 million for the local economy. Big Island Now.

Residents invited to shape tourism plan at 2 Hawaii Island meetings. The Hawaii Tourism Authority invites residents to take part in community input sessions that will provide space for members of the public to share their insights, experiences and ideas about the future of tourism on their island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

MFD: Paia wildfire that led to evacuations was intentionally set. The Holomua wildfire that burned about 400 acres, led to the evacuation of over 1,600 Paia residents and has closed a school for three days was intentionally set, Maui Fire Department officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

State-run Ka Laʻi Ola temporary housing for Lahaina fire survivors is finished; 450 units soon-to-be full. There are 432 units completed on site in Lahaina and another 18 units set to go for residential dwellings to be put on property owned by fire survivors. Maui Now.

Maui public schools included in flawed, $100 million-plus solar air-conditioning initiative. On Maui, the schools that received air conditioning were located in Central and West Maui. Kaunakakai Elementary on Moloka’i is listed, but no classrooms received air-conditioning, even though nearly $320,000 was spent for design of units. Maui Now.

Kauai

Access gate to Queen’s Bath closed for winter. Access to the gate is closed due to hazardous ocean conditions and anticipation of the winter season,” said Kauai Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson.  Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Hawaii 2nd in nation for drownings, labor force shrinks, 2 Navy employees indicted for lying about size of Red Hill spill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

It’s Not Just Tourists: Hawaiʻi Residents Drown At Alarming Rates. The number of residents who die each year is surprising, even to lifeguards. And the danger is not limited to inexperienced swimmers or surfers chasing Hawaiʻi’s notorious big waves.  Civil Beat.

Burden For Preventing Drownings In Hawaiʻi Falls On Counties — And Residents. Hawaiʻi has the second highest rate of resident drownings in the nation, but there’s been no serious statewide effort to address the problem. Ocean safety efforts are left up to individual counties, leading to big disparities in drowning prevention across the islands. The state does little to help them.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii labor force is shrinking as population ages, workers leave. In July, Hawaii had 650,800 jobs led by employees in government (126,000), leisure and hospitality (124,400) and trade, transportation and utilities (118,700), according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Operation Hire Hawaii initiative fills less than 3% of state job vacancies. An effort to expeditiously fill chronically high state job vacancies with displaced federal workers in Hawaii since February is being touted as a success, though program use has been selective. Star-Advertiser.

New De Minimis rules to bring higher prices, shipping delays. The de minimis exemption, which previously allowed packages valued under $800 to bypass duties and taxes, has now been scaled back, which means higher costs and potential shipping delays for consumers across the islands. KHON2.

Hirono, Tokuda, Case introduce resolution recognizing history, contributions, and significance of Maunaloa Observatory.  US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and US Reps. Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Ed Case (D-HI) introduced a resolution after the Trump Administration announced its plans to cancel the lease for several National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities earlier this year, including an office needed to support the observatory. Maui News.

Federal funding cuts to University of Hawai‘i threaten work on sea level, climate research. A recent round of federal funding cuts is expected to impact the University of Hawai‘i’s modeling of sea level rise impacts, which could result in the loss of accurate climate projections, university officials fear. Maui Now.

State’s EV perks, federal tax credits nearing an end. These changes come at a time when Hawaii is being held accountable for its ambitious, state-mandated goals of achieving 100% clean energy and net-zero emissions by 2045, and are expected to hamper efforts to get more residents to drive electric in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Star-Advertiser.

State Fund Aims To Get More Kids Walking To School. Over a dozen engineering projects designed to make it safer for students to walk or bike to and from Hawaiʻi schools will receive an $8 million boost from a special fund as the state seeks to reverse a heavy dependence on vehicles for school travel. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Two Navy employees indicted for lying about size of Red Hill fuel spill. John Floyd, 63, of Mililani, who worked as Fuels Department Deputy Director for the Navy , and Nelson Wu, 38, of Waipahu who was Fuels Department Supervisory Engineer were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. 

Nimitz lane closures intensify evacuation gridlock worries. The lane closures on Nimitz Highway through 2030 for Honolulu rail construction are raising concerns not only about daily traffic but also about how the city will move people in the next evacuation emergency in the aftermath of last month’s tsunami-scare gridlock. Star-Advertiser.

‘Deeply affordable’ Halawa rental tower nearly full. The 25-story project, Naulu Apartments, features 302 units that rent for as little as $704 a month and are near fully leased. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless youth will find support at new drop-in center. Leeward Coast youth who are living on the street will finally have a nearby resource hub when Residential Youth Services &Empowerment opens its first youth-focused drop-in center in the region. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Buildingʻs Solar Panel System Is On The Blink — Again. It costs taxpayers $4,000 every month that system isn’t producing electricity. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Landing in Puna eyed for preservation. The Hawaii County Council is renewing its push to acquire a historic stretch of coastal land in Puna, urging the Department of Finance to proceed with the purchase of a 364-acre property in Pahoa using dedicated conservation funds. Tribune-Herald.

Work starts to restore 4.5-mile section of Pohoiki Road. The Hawaii County Department of Public Works has issued a notice to proceed to Nan Inc. for the restoration of Pohoiki Road, which was inundated by lava during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Work to replace Waiaka Bridge in Waimea could start next summer. The Hawaii Department of Transportation plans to seek bids soon for a replacement bridge and roundabout for the 93-year-old Waiaka Bridge at the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road in Waimea. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Ghost guns tough to regulate in Hawaiʻi, police and legislators agree after one used in fatal shooting of Maui officer. The weapon was a “ghost gun” that was untraceable until the suspected killer — a convicted felon who police say should never have had a gun — allegedly used it to fire at O as she responded to a call at the Pā‘ia Sugar Mill. Maui Now.

Honoring a hero: With heavy hearts, community celebrates the life of Officer Suzanne O. Hundreds of officers from agencies across Maui County joined members of the community Friday inside the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater to pay their respect to Officer Suzanne O. Maui News.

Kauai

Department of Public Works announces lane closures in Kōloa. The Department of Public Works, in partnership with contractor Maui Kupono Builders, reported that lane closures will be in effect on portions of Hailima Road, Iuka Place, and Aka Road in Kōloa starting Tuesday. Kauai Now.