Hurricane Kiko maintains northwest track, group targets Kamehameha Schools admission policy, East-West Center to receive $6.5M federal funds previously withheld, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Kiko expected to approach Hawaiʻi in early to middle part of next week. As of 5 a.m. on Friday, it was about 1,245 miles south-southeast of Hilo. It is expected to cross into the central Pacific basin Friday night. Maui Now. Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

‘Subdued’ economic growth for Hawaii forecast through 2026.  High global import tariffs and federal government policy uncertainties are expected to keep Hawaii’s economy in slow-growth mode for the next few years, according to a new state forecast from the  state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii joins West Coast Health Alliance to form own policies. Hawaii has joined forces with the newly launched West Coast Health Alliance, which includes California, Oregon, and Washington. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Kamehameha Schools’ Admission Policies May Face Legal Challenge. An anti-affirmative action group wants the school to end its policy of giving preference to Native Hawaiians. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Oahu

East-West Center to receive federal funds before end of fiscal year. The East-West Center (EWC) is set to receive some of its federal funding that was previously held by the Trump Administration.The center said $6.5 million in funding that was allocated by Congress is expected to arrive before the end of the fiscal year. Hawaii News Now.

Navy and NPS begin removing platforms from USS Arizona.  The U.S. Navy and National Park Service began operations to remove two World War II-era mooring platforms from the USS Arizona on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Man pleads not guilty to starting Kunia Road fire. A 70-year-old arson suspect Thursday pleaded not guilty to second-degree arson in a wildland fire along Kunia Road that broke out Aug. 23, but he has not been charged with a Haleiwa fire that was set the same day. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu EMS Director Defends Decision To Drive Wrong Way On H-1 Freeway. Honolulu Department of Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland was driving an official EMS vehicle toward Thomas Square and the Blaisdell Center to follow up on homeless complaints when he witnessed a man get hit by a car on Ward Avenue at around 11 a.m. on Aug. 27, Ireland said Thursday. Civil Beat.

Oahu homeowner shares costly eviction process after dealing with tenants who refuse to pay rent. A costly lesson for an Oahu man who used Facebook Marketplace to rent out a family property and has spent months in court to get it back from tenants who refuse to pay rent. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Marathon entries race past last year's numbers. The Honolulu Marathon is just three months away, but it’s already on track for record-breaking numbers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

County likely to delay STVR registration law until March. Hawaii County’s new law to regulate short-term vacation rentals — rentals lasting less than 180 consecutive days — is set to take effect Dec. 20 but will likely be pushed back to the end of March to give operators more time to comply. Tribune-Herald.

The weather theme for Hawaiʻi in August is ‘dry, drier and driest’. Most of Hawaiʻi Island was below average rainfall for August, with the seasonable exception of the leeward coast/slopes of the Kohala and Kona districts which turned in another month with many sites near to above average, according to the National Weather Service. Big Island Now. 

Big Island council and public testimony want Pōhakuloa military training to stop. The Hawaiʻi County Council has passed a resolution signaling that it wants to end the military’s presence at the Pōhakuloa Training Area — or at least task the military with taking better care of the land. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Island grant program invites food security organizations to apply. The Food Basket and Hawaiʻi County’s Department of Research and Development announced a $500,000 grant program to fight the island’s food insecurity issue. Grants are available to existing projects that strengthen food security and economic resilience. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Community College announces two new deans. Carrie Mospens has been named dean of career and technical education, and Jace Saplan has been named dean of liberal arts. Tribune-Herald. 

Maui

Water restrictions put starting of 2026 PGA Tour in question. The billionaire owner of Kapalua Golf said Maui Land & Pineapple Co.’s move to cut off irrigation water Aug. 29 puts preparations for the start of the 2026 Professional Golfers Association Tour at the Plantation Course in jeopardy. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Maui council seeks solutions to address homelessness in new bill. Maui County leaders are taking another look at how to handle homeless encampments. Councilmember Gabe Johnson says his new proposal, Bill 111, is designed to bring more compassion and consistency to the process. Hawaii News Now.

Nonprofits Want To Help Maui Fire Victims — If They Can Reach Them. Limited communications and continued grief have made it more challenging for nonprofits to connect with survivors who could most benefit from their services. Civil Beat.

Theft of shipping container stalls ocean cleanup efforts. A 20-foot long shipping container used as a key link for removing marine debris from Maui’s beaches has been stolen. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Office of Elections pushes back on allegations it overcounted hundreds of 2024 Kauaʻi ballots. Earlier this summer, a permitted interaction group, or PIG, within the state Elections Commission put out a report accusing the Office of Elections of overcounting 600-plus ballots received in Kauaʻi County during the 2024 election. Hawaii Public Radio.

$51M+ federal grant funding heading to Līhuʻe Airport. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Hawaiʻi $51,315,736 in federal grant funding for improvements on Kaua‘i. KHON2.

Use It Or Lose It? Kauaʻi Wants Robinson Resort Land Back To Agriculture. Developers have failed to start construction on the 250-room project for the past two decades. Civil Beat.

KPD provides alternative contact numbers amid technical issue. The Kaua‘i Police Department is alerting the public to intermittent outages affecting its non-emergency phone line due to an ongoing technical issue. Kauai Now.

Army's last remaining live-fire training in jeopardy at Pohakuloa, 1-4 hurricanes predicted this season, Honolulu to allow private sponsorship of public facilities, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is The Military In For A Wake-Up Call As Hawaiʻi Leases Near End? The state’s rejection of the U.S. Army’s environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some Native Hawaiians say won’t be smooth sailing.  Civil Beat.

Gov. Green on balancing national security and the environment in military land leases.  The Army says Pōhakuloa is the only remaining place where it conducts live-fire training for its troops and for the state’s first responders. But the community has resisted, with some arguing the leases should not be renewed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii troops forge alliances in Philippines. The 40th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder to shoulder” — brought in service members from the U.S. as well as troops from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Among them were troops from Hawaii-based units. Star-Advertiser.

Forecasters predict 1 to 4 hurricanes this season. With hurricane season beginning June 1, Hawaii officials are urging residents to prepare now as forecasters predict near- to below- normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific this year. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

See Which Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Been Hit Hardest By Trump Funding Cuts. The total amount of confirmed federal funding cuts to Hawaiʻi state and county programs as of Thursday stands at nearly $95 million, according to figures compiled by Civil Beat. The full extent of the cuts won’t be clear for several more weeks or longer as official termination letters must be issued and legal challenges resolved. Civil Beat.

For the first time in seven years, tuition is increasing across the University of Hawaii system beginning this fall. The 2% increase was approved by the UH Board of Regents in 2023 as part of a four-year tuition schedule. KHON2.

UH risks losing $78 million in federal research funds due to cuts. In a report to the Board of Regents on Thursday, UH President Wendy Hensel said the university expects to lose more than $78 million in federal research funding due to recent grant cancellations and suspensions. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Electricity Shut-Offs Are Nearly Triple Pre-Pandemic Levels. Expiring post-Covid payment plans, state’s cost of living blamed for spike in residential disconnections. Civil Beat.

Tourism agency brings back passenger counts after data blip. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has restored passenger counts from international and domestic travelers, correcting at least part of the blip in data caused by the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council OKs sponsorship of public facilities. Legislation to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities in order to garner more revenue for the city was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council approves property tax-fueled fund for climate projects. The measure would deposit 1.5% of property tax revenue into a fund dedicated to climate resiliency. That’s about $8.6 million a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy to remove USS Arizona mooring platforms after 80 years. The U.S. Navy will be placing buoys and anchors in Pearl Harbor waters next week to prepare for the removal of decades-old mooring platforms on the USS Arizona. Hawaii News Now.

Manoa Falls Trail closed due to fallen tree limb, bamboo. Manoa Falls Trail was closed Thursday after a large tree limb fell, bringing down a large swath of bamboo with it. Three people sustained minor injuries. Hawaii News Now.

HPD seizes cash, gambling machines in Kalihi. When police raided the operation and how many devices and cash was confiscated during the operation was not immediately made public. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona property housing migrants under investigation for code violations. A Kona property where dozens of migrants were reportedly living in poor conditions is now under scrutiny by Hawaii County building enforcement officials. KHON2.

Admission fees back on the table for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. Admission fees at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens are back on the table as Hawaiʻi County is moving forward with revised proposed rule changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County taxpayers encouraged to weigh in on budget proposal. Despite a whopping $1.5 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed tax cuts for owner-occupied homes. Hawaii News Now.

Arts program for Maui fire survivors loses White House funding. The Archive for Health, Arts, and Spirit has been able to provide an arts for healing program to residents with a $100,000 grant from the White House Initiative on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Property owner troubled by ICE raid that turned up ‘nothing’.  The property owner is criticizing the manner in which armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rousted her and her family, along with other occupants including Philippine teachers with visas, at a multi-family dwelling in Kahului. Maui News.

DOH issues red placard to Maui L&L on Dairy Road for a cockroach infestation. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and immediately closed a Maui location of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owned and operated by Maui L & L Food Inc. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i councilman announces run for mayor. Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his candidacy on Wednesday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. While he currently serves as a council member, Carvalho previously served as mayor from 2000-2018.  Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Bus launches new tap-and-ride system. The Kaua‘i Bus has a new account-based ticketing system powered by Masabi’s Justride open platform. Kauai Now.

Dorcey and Smith are ‘Outstanding’.  Ten Kauai older adults who were nominated by the public were honored and recognized for their service. Garden Island.

House committees punt housing density plans back to counties, lawmakers mull tax breaks, last USS Arizona survivor dies at 102, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Housing density bill curtailed. A proposal to increase housing density statewide was substantially cut Monday after lawmakers chose to leave the matter to the counties. The measure attracted lengthy testimony, both positive and negative, during a Monday joint meeting of the House committees on Housing, Water and Land, and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs. Tribune-Herald.

As deadline looms, lawmakers evaluating best use of limited money for tax breaks. Lobbying for tax breaks is in high gear at the state Capitol. That’s because Gov. Josh Green last week said costs for Maui’s recovery are lower than expected, making limited tax relief possible.  Hawaii News Now.

State Senate wants to establish renewable fuel working group to study local production. State senators are asking stakeholders from across the energy industry to convene a working group to figure out the best way to ramp up local production of renewable fuels.  Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO rolls out program for customers to streamline rooftop solar energy programs. “Smart Renewable Energy” represents the next step in Hawaiian Electric’s push to bring more customer-sited renewable energy resources onto the grid as Hawai‘i strives to achieve its clean energy goals. Maui Now.

Hawaii Senate bill seeks to toughen penalties for speeding in school zones. A bill is moving through the legislature that will allow harsher fees and penalties for those who speed in a school zone. KITV4.

Lou Conter, last survivor of the USS Arizona, dies at 102. Lou Conter, the last survivor of the USS Arizona, died Monday morning at his home in Grass Valley, Calif., at the age of 102. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.Hawaii News Now.

OHA selects Hailama Farden as Senior Director of Hawaiian Cultural Affairs. The newly created position will be responsible for creating recommendations and institutionalizing OHA’s culture ensuring that a Hawaiian worldview and practices are incorporated into all lines of business. Maui Now.

Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count conclude for 2024 humpback whale season. Data collected during the Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count combined with other research efforts can help reveal trends in humpback whale occurrence within and amongst whale seasons. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Navy Whistleblower Pursued Fraud Case Against Red Hill Contractors, Unsealed Documents Show. Newly unsealed court documents show that federal authorities spent the past two years investigating but ultimately declined to pursue a Navy whistleblower’s claim that private contractors helped cause the dire fuel leaks at the military’s Red Hill fuel storage facility by fraudulently cutting corners on their work there. Star-Advertiser.

High Fives And Hugs: Witness Describes Friendly Relationship Between Mike Miske And HPD Officers. A government witness in the trial of accused crime boss Miske told jurors he asked HPD for help after Miske threatened him. Instead, officers at Miske's business told him to get lost, he says. Civil Beat.

Court records: GPS data to be presented at trial will show officers drove past crash scene after pursuit. Court records show the city Prosecutor’s Office plans to employe location tracking technology in the trial against four HPD officers charged in connection with a 2021 chase and crash that seriously injured six people. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police officer shortage imperils public safety, union says. The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers is urging the Honolulu Police Department and county leadership to address a shortage of 437 officers that leaves areas of Oahu with “limited to no coverage” several days a week. Star-Advertiser.

Public Comment Requested For Oahu’s Near-Term Infrastructure Projects. The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization announced Monday that it is seeking public comment to determine which local infrastructure projects get federal funding over the next three years.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

A new name for Hawaii Island? A state board considering it. The Board on Geographic Names is considering it — and could take a key vote this week. Hawaii News Now.

Hu Honua Pushes PUC To Take Action On Hawaiʻi Island Power Crisis. Hu Honua takes aim at Hawaiian Electric's "monopolization of the firm power generation market on the Big Island", and wants the Public Utilities Commission to help bring the bioenergy facility online. Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Planning Commission to mull housing-related bills. A trio of Hawaii County Council bills that would change how transient accommodations and ‘ohana housing units are regulated will go before the Windward Planning Commission on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

EPA addresses pollution violations involving wastewater treatment plants on Hawaiʻi Island. The US Environmental Protection Agency entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with the County of Hawai’i to ensure pollution discharge requirements are met at the Hilo, Pāpa‘ikou, and Kula‘imano Wastewater Treatment Plants in accordance with the Clean Water Act. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island has most traffic fatalities in state. This time last year Hawaii island was at five traffic deaths, as of April 1, 2024, they’re at 14. KHON2.

Hualālai Deepwell Goes Offline, Kona Water Restriction Notice In Place. North Kona customers that a mandatory 25 percent Water Restriction Notice with two deepwells offline. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Waikoloa Road Rehabilitation project ongoing. Work continues on the Waikoloa Road Rehabilitation, which extends from Mamalahoa Highway to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii Governor Will Take ‘Unilateral Action’ To Restore Historic Wetland In Lahaina. With legislative efforts dead this session, Native Hawaiian leaders remain encouraged by what they're hearing from elected officials and seeing on the ground. Civil Beat.

Maui Council Wrestles With ‘Tough Questions’ As It Begins Reviewing $1.7B County Budget. The county needs to ensure it is spending its own money wisely while asking for hundreds of millions of dollars in outside funding to rebuild Lahaina. Civil Beat.

State acquires former hotel to house Maui fire survivors. Between 350 and 450 Maui wildfire survivors in early May should begin moving into a former hotel in Kihei now owned by the state. Star-Advertiser.

Wai Now: Public forum sparks debate on Upcountry water well development. Members of the Upcountry community gathered to discuss a possible public-private partnership aimed at incrementally building one to four water wells in Kula, Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge sets opening date for long-awaited viewpoint. The Hanalei refuge is the oldest of Kauaʻi’s three national wildlife refuges.  Hawaii Public Radio.