Foster care in crisis, state Supreme Court mulls HMSA insurance denials, Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Foster System In Crisis: Kids Still Sleeping In Offices, Hotels. A toddler, age 2, spent the night in a government office on Kauaʻi. A 13-year-old slept on an Oʻahu office futon for almost two months. And a 15-year-old lived for more than three months out of offices and hotel rooms on Hawaiʻi Island. For some Hawaiʻi foster youth, government offices and hotels are a home of last resort.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s biggest insurer defends provider contracts before state Supreme Court.  The Hawaii Supreme Court saw a historic argument as Hawaii’s biggest insurer defended its rules against some doctors and patients. They say Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) preauthorization and contract rules interfere with patient care, while the company says they help doctors do their jobs quickly and effectively. Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Kapolei affordable housing project sought on city-owned site. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says it’s seeking a developer to turn a vacant city-owned parcel in West Oahu into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented development that will feature 600 to 800 affordable housing units. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s holds blessing ceremony for expanded downtown emergency department. The department recently underwent renovations that expanded its size, more than doubling the number of its treatment rooms, and now offers dedicated facilities for state-of-the-art CT and X-ray services. Star-Advertiser.

Miske Case: Prosecutors Agree To Negotiate Settlement Over Asset Forfeiture. The deal to settle over millions of dollars in assets is an indication that the government is seeking to avoid another long, complex and expensive trial in the case. Civil Beat.

No markings, no clarity: Crosswalk changes create risky guessing game in Honolulu. Over the past decade, the city has eliminated dozens of Honolulu crosswalks. Officials say the changes aim to make streets safer by encouraging pedestrians to cross at traffic lights. But critics argue that rarely happens along a busy stretch of S. King Street. Hawaii News Now.

UH president appoints Vassilis Syrmos as interim Mānoa provost. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel on Monday appointed Vassilis Syrmos as UH Mānoa’s interim provost. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Pohoiki Boat Ramp dredging begins. Dredging work began today to restore access to the lava-barricaded Pohoiki Boat Ramp, eight years after an eruption of Kilauea volcano rendered the structure unusable. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

State senator pitches hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. State Sen. Tim Richards has an idea on how to provide more renewable energy and clean water to Hawaiʻi Island residents -- a pumped storage hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protective order against former UFC champ B.J. Penn extended. Penn must immediately vacate the home he shares in Hilo with his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine P. Shin. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget into law towards housing, recovery, natural resources. Mayor Richard Bissen signed Maui’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget of approximately $1.56 billion that addresses housing for kamaʻāina, recovery and cultural and natural resources. KITV4.

Recent drownings in Wailea put spotlight on Maui’s longtime issue of too many unguarded beaches. Before the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire that drastically curbed tourism, Maui County had the second-highest ocean drowning fatality rate per capita in the state from 2019-2023, according to the Hawai‘i Water Safety Plan released in January. And, the average per capita rate of drownings was twice as high on Neighbor Islands as on O‘ahu.  Maui Now.

Maui’s main stadium shuts down for major repairs. War Memorial Stadium will be closed for more than a year to undergo much-needed repairs. That means sports events and even graduations will have to go somewhere else. Hawaii News Now.

A `promise to restore balance’: Mayor Bissen makes his case for vacation rental phase-out. Citing Maui’s severe post-wildfire housing crisis, the Bissen administration presented its formal case to a County Council committee to phase out approximately 6,000 short-term vacation rentals mostly in West and South Maui. Maui Now.

With housing and economy at stake, Maui County weighs phase-out of 7,000 vacation rentals. The Maui County Council is currently weighing whether or not to pass a bill that would phase out roughly 7,000 transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts, nearly half of the island’s supply. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.  Maui Now.

MPD seeks help with unclaimed bodies. Maui police are asking for help contacting the family members of five people who are deceased. Maui News.

Kauai

Annual sewer rate increase on Kaua‘i kicks in on July 1. A sewer rate increase approved by the Kaua‘i County Council in 2022 increases the sewer rate by 11% per year over five years.  Kauai Now.

Kauai’s most remote areas now covered by high-speed internet.  The island of Kaua‘i is now fully fiber-enabled, providing Hawaiian Telcom customers access to high-speed internet. Hawaii News Now.

New ambulance station in Hanalei will increase calls, enhance response times for the secluded east side of the island. The new station is staffed 24/7 every day of the year and will enhance emergency coverage and response times for the more secluded area of the island. Kauai Now.

Kauai mayor ponders political future, Green revisits federal prison as county jail, fees proposed for Panewa zoo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Could Kauaʻi’s Mayor Ride Wave Of Strong Fundraising To Statewide Office? Mayor Derek Kawakami has not decided his next move, which may depend on a looming decision by Hawaiʻi Senate President Ron Kouchi, whom he calls a mentor. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi astronomers discover biggest explosion since the Big Bang. A team at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Institute for Astronomy has uncovered a dazzling new kind of cosmic explosion, more energetic than anything seen before, according to a news release from the university.  Big Island Now.

UH president recommends Matt Elliott for AD post. Matt Elliott, who was an innovative administrator for 13 years with UCLA and the past 18 months with the Hawaii Community Foundation, one of the state’s leading nonprofit organizations, is set to be named UH’s athletic director. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. Aloha State Daily.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council adopts $5.19B budget package. Two late votes by the Hono­lulu City Council Wednesday evening finalized approval of a $5.19 billion budget package for the city’s 2026 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green revisits acquiring federal prison building to replace declining OCCC. The Honolulu Federal Detention Center could be back on the table to replace the deteriorating and overpopulated Oʻahu Community Correctional Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

City Attorney Delays Raise Price Tag In $3.25M Settlement. Honolulu City Council approved a payout to the United Public Workers to resolve a dozen disputes over garbage collector pay. Delays by city officials added thousands in fees and fines. Civil Beat.

US soldier gets 23 years for killing his pregnant wife with a machete and dumping her in the trash. The court martial of Army Pfc. Dewayne Arthur Johnson, 29, concluded Thursday as a military judge sentenced him to 23 years in prison for killing his pregnant wife, 19-year-old Mischa Mabeline Kaalohilani Johnson, and their unborn child on July 12. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Long-awaited legal racetrack on former Navy land in Kalaeloa closer to reality. The city got the deed to the land in September. The goal is to build a sprawling park along with campsites. But the raceway is the first project. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County proposes new fees for zoo, increased fees for equestrian center. To pay for new positions, programs and other needs, Hawai’i County has proposed new fees for residents and visitors at the Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo that would begin on July 1. The zoo now is free for everyone. Big Island Now.

Affordable housing scheme ends in guilty verdicts. Three men who conspired with a Hawaii County worker for seven years to secure and sell $10.9 million in land and affordable housing credits in exchange for $1.9 million in bribes and kickbacks were found guilty by a federal jury Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Residential building that survived Lahaina fire on Front Street set to reopen later this month. The 42-unit building opens at a pivotal time, as the Maui County Council prepares to decide on Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to ban more than 7,000 short-term rentals for certain condominiums in apartment districts, including Lahaina Roads. Maui Now.

Maui Takes 1st Steps Toward Restoring Historic Royal Site In Lahaina. Moku’ulu, the royal compound where Native Hawaiian nobility resided for centuries, is buried beneath the burned remnants of a ballpark. Maui County officials hope to restore the Lahaina landmark over the next several years. Civil Beat. Maui News. 

Maui County preschool program gets federal funds in time for next school year. Maui Economic Opportunity received notice that its Head Start preschool program was approved for federal funding. This comes after uncertainty about whether the program could continue under the threat of federal budget cuts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Change of command: Capt. Stevenson retires after 35 years of service. The Change of Command ceremony held on Thursday in the hangar of the Pacific Missile Range Facility saw Capt. Robert A. Prince relieve Capt. Brett A. Stevenson as the Commanding Officer. Garden Island.

Office of Economic Development announces 2025 Kauai Cultural Grant Program and Events awardees. From educational workshops and music festivals to heritage celebrations and creative place-making, this year’s awardees reflect the island’s cultural richness and resilience. Their work strengthens Kauai’s communities, enhances quality of life, and promotes sustainable cultural and economic futures. Garden Island.

Survey to assess emergency preparedness level of Kauaʻi households this month. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Kauaʻi District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) survey to assess the emergency preparedness level of Kauaʻi households at the end of June. Kauai Now.

UH cuts travel, raises and expenses amid federal cuts, Gedeon named to House seat, Kaui police chief leaving June 12, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH Scrambles To Address ‘High-Risk’ Financial Situation Amid Trump Cuts. The university has been bracing for the trickle-down effect of $83.4 million in research funding cuts. The University of Hawaiʻi has suspended merit pay increases, curtailed nonessential travel and imposed greater scrutiny of grant-funded hires to maintain financial stability amid major research cuts imposed by the White House. Civil Beat.

Slower growth with long-term stability expected for Hawaii’s economy. The new outlook from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism published Wednesday anticipates that Hawaii’s economy will expand 1.5% next year after growing 1.2% this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority could be replaced with new governance. Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, warned the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority during a Wednesday board meeting that the coming passage of Senate Bill 1571 —which upon Gov. Josh Green’s signature will dramatically change HTA’s governance model — reflects a loss of confidence so deep that he is already considering a bill to upend the agency next year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi solar industry expects setbacks from U.S. House spending bill. If the Republican-led measure makes it through the Senate and President Donald Trump signs it into law, clean energy companies would need to break ground on new commercial projects within 60 days of the bill’s signing to be eligible for certain tax credits. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gedeon to replace Republican Gene Ward. Democratic Gov. Josh Green has named Republican Joe Gedeon to succeed the late Republican Rep. Gene Ward to represent Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley. Green picked Gedeon out of a list of three potential replacements sent to him by a panel of Hawaii Republican Party members in Ward’s district. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Failed ‘Assault Rifle’ Ban Was The Victim Of Convoluted Politics. Hawaiʻi has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the nation, but senators balked in the 11th hour at a ban on semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazines. Civil Beat.

There Are Plenty Of Aggressive Drivers In Hawaiʻi, But Is It ‘Road Rage’? Researchers and law enforcement officials are seeing increases in careless and aggressive driving in Hawaiʻi. It’s challenging to quantify the extent of the problem. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Changes coming to city grant program for rail-affected businesses. The City and County of Honolulu’s financial relief effort for small businesses negatively affected by ongoing construction of the over-$10 billion Skyline project is on track for proposed changes. Star-Advertiser.

Facing required wastewater upgrades, City Council moves toward shorter fee hike schedule. The Honolulu City Council has proposed a six-year sewer fee hike plan for Oʻahu that incentivizes water savings, instead of the original 10-year plan. Hawaii Public Radio.

Land Board approves research to raise native and endemic limu species. Last week the board approved a project submitted by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi to construct a limu — or seaweed — nursery at the Ānuenue Fisheries Research Center on Oʻahu’s Sand Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikiki visitors undeterred by fee increase. An upcoming increase in the state hotel room tax of less than 1% — or $3 more per night for a $400 room — won’t deter any of nearly two dozen Waikiki tourists from coming back, especially if it provides money to restore beaches, fight erosion and prevent future wildfires, they unanimously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Assault video exposes use of untrained guards at Oahu jail. A rampaging inmate at Oahu Community Correctional Center injured two corrections officers Monday while an untrained emergency guard watched helplessly. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea summit lookout reopens for the first time since 2018. An observation deck on Kilauea volcano’s summit that provides panoramic views of the caldera and Halema‘uma‘u crater has reopened in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Public preschool classroom opens in South Kona. It’s the second public pre-K classroom to open in West Hawaii since the launch of the Ready Keiki initiative, which now operates classrooms on all islands. Hawaii News Now.

Former UFC champion BJ Penn faces family abuse charge; slapped with restraining order. Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn was arrested and charged twice in the past few days for abusing his 79-year-old mother, according to the Hawaiʻi County court documents. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Island coffee grower hopes to keep things brewing during tariff uncertainty. Ralph Gaston is part of Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee, a family business on the Big Island that grows, roasts and distributes coffee.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Nearly 30 pounds of pot found in Kona airport luggage.  Airport after checked baggage for a Honolulu-bound flight on Southwest Airlines was found to contain about 26 pounds of marijuana. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Council hears support for proposed real property tax rates. Maui County Council members accepted oral and written testimony Tuesday on revised real property tax rates that reduced rates in some categories while retaining proposed rates in others.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Filipino Fire Survivors Association launches to fight for working class migrants. LFFSA, an initiative of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center, is a grassroots organization of directly impacted worker leaders organizing for a long term recovery that addresses the most crucial needs of Lahaina’s Filipino fire survivors in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Trolling permitted in Kahoʻolawe for 2 weekends in June. The Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission has announced permitted trolling dates during two weekends this June.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi police officers ready to move forward as Chief finally announces retirement date. In a letter to the Kauaʻi Police Commission, Chief Todd Raybuck said he’s retiring on June 12. He first announced he was leaving back in November. KHON2.

Metal, appliance drop-off closed until further notice at some county facilities. Contractor staffing issues are forcing Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division to close scrap metal and metal appliances recycling until further notice beginning today (May 29) at some of its collection facilities. Kauai Now.

Goodwill to host reuse collection event later this week in Līhu‘e. Residents, businesses and other organizations can bring unwanted or unneeded items for reuse to Kaua‘i Resource Center in Līhu‘e from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 30. Kauai Now.

Judiciary programs win legislative approval, Carvalho wants to be Kauai mayor again, Honolulu airport faces baggage handler layoffs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Chief Justice Says He’ll Retire On High Note After Rare Legislative Success. In his last year on the Supreme Court, Mark Recktenwald helped secure funding for Judiciary programs throughout Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Many UH med school grads plan to stay in Hawaii amid physician shortage. As Hawaii faces a shortage of nearly 800 physicians, a very special ceremony was held Sunday for some of the state’s newest doctors. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Proposed Cuts To Food Stamps Program Could Be ‘Horrific’ In Hawai‘i. Under Republican proposals, Hawaiʻi could face more than $100 million in new costs to maintain the food stamp program. Civil Beat. Some 157,600 residents — roughly 1 in 9 — will receive SNAP benefits this year. Civil Beat.

Judge Blocks Trump Health Funding Cuts For Hawaiʻi, Other States. Hawaiʻi could have lost more than $89 million for critical community health programs, the Attorney General’s Office said. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Student Debt Puts Hawaiʻi’s Older Adults At Risk Of Social Security Cuts. People who stopped paying their student loans during the Covid-19 pandemic could soon start facing reductions in their monthly Social Security benefits. Some 8,400 adults aged 62 or older in Hawaiʻi owe roughly $440 million in federal student loans, according to the U.S. Department of Education.  Civil Beat.

Federal funding for Hawaiian Home Lands on chopping block.  President Donald Trump is proposing to eliminate the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program as part of a rough budget plan for the next federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Star-Advertiser.

UH researchers, faculty suffering from federal cuts. As of Friday, 77 grant awards at the University of Hawaii had been terminated, stopped or were being phased out. Of those, 66 grants have been terminated, amounting to $83 million in federal dollars, according to a UH spokesperson. Star-Advertiser.

Airline outlook weakens as Hawaii heads into peak summer travel season. The outlook for airline seats into Hawaii softened this month with losses widening into the peak summer tourism season, exacerbating concerns that demand for leisure travel will hold amid worldwide economic uncertainty. Star-Advertiser.

Bill passes allowing darker tints on vehicles. The state Legislature has passed a major reform bill for vehicle window tinting laws, which marks the most significant update since originally enacted in 1983, the House of Representatives announced Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Dozens of workers face layoffs at Honolulu airport. A company that provides baggage-handling services to the airlines at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is ending its operations there. That means dozens of workers will lose their jobs.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Concern for University Lab School as officials discuss possible ‘UH CampusTown’. The prospect of a mixed-use development to create a more vibrant atmosphere for students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is drawing fire from supporters of University Laboratory School who fear the K-12 campus would be displaced in the process. Star-Advertiser.

State agency’s preschool production pipeline bulges while other projects hit roadblocks. Inside what looks like it could’ve been an art classroom at a Moiliili elementary school, a former engineer is leading a small team on a big quest to develop preschool classrooms, teacher housing and a more than $300 million new school. Star-Advertiser.

The newest kauhale, Alana Ola Pono, moves 11 people into long-term homes. The Alana Ola Pono kauhale represents the newest of 21 that have gone up around the state, with more planned in Waimanalo and Kapolei, on Middle Street and off of Nimitz Highway by Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

Straub Benioff Medical Center to see new facilities. The Straub Benioff Medical Center is undergoing a massive transformation, according to Hawaiʻi Pacific Health. KHON2.

Honolulu Council might widen surveillance at parks. Overt video monitoring at city-owned parks prone to high crime has advanced under a new Honolulu City Council resolution. Star-Advertiser.

Miske’s Trust: A Look At His Moves To Control His Fortune From The Grave. In amending his revocable living trust shortly before he died, Michael J. Miske confirmed his granddaughter is the primary beneficiary. It is the first time the provisions of Miske’s trust have been made public. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia to make final stop in Hilo ahead of global, 3-year voyage. The canoes are expected to arrive in Hilo on Tuesday afternoon and stay for more than a week to engage with the community and make final voyage preparations.  Big Island Now.

Zoo fees revisited: County mulls charging admission to popular attraction. Hawaii County is holding another hearing to consider proposed entry fees for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo &Gardens. Tribune-Herald.

Reservations for bunkhouse, cabins open daily. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife has announced that the Keanakolu Bunkhouse and Ranger Cabins off Mana Road are now available for camping reservations seven days a week. Tribune-Herald.

Military presence at Pōhakuloa Training Area critical to community safety. But at what cost to the land, native species? In the summer of 2022, when the Mana Road fire burned more than 44,000 acres of land, destroyed some homes and livestock, and threatened Waikōloa Village, small Hawaiʻi County received help from the U.S. Army. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council passes fiscal 2026 budget on first reading; final reading set for June 3. The Council will hold another public hearing on tax rates at 9 a.m. May 27 in the eighth floor Council Chambers of the Kalana O Maui Building. Maui Now.

For Immigrants After Lahaina Wildfire, Survival Is A ‘Daily Challenge’. A new survey shows that many immigrants are struggling with housing, jobs and stress after the 2023 fire. Civil Beat.

This Molokaʻi dental provider's waitlist is 1 year long. Expanded services are coming soon. If you live on Molokaʻi and need to see a dentist, you may have to wait as long as one year. The Molokaʻi Community Health Center is one of just two dental providers on the island, and right now, its wait list is 10 pages long. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hoʻoikaika Partnership awarded $100,000 grant. Hoʻoikaika Partnership, a coalition of more than 75 organizations working to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families across Maui County, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation. Maui News.

Kauai

Carvalho announces mayoral candidacy. Bernard Carvalho Jr. is a council member who served as Kauai’s mayor from 2008 through 2018. Garden Island.

More than 160 walk through rain at Kauai Community College graduation. More than 160 Kauai Community College students braved the Friday afternoon showers to participate in the 60th Annual Kauai Community College Commencement held on the Puhi campus. Garden Island.

Līhu‘e transfer station again taking trailer loads and construction, demolition waste. Kaua‘i County Public Works Solid Waste Division announced Friday that waste disposal restrictions on construction and demolition debris as well as trailer loads — which have been in effect since September 2024 — are lifted effective immediately at the Līhu‘e transfer station. 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.

'Mild' recession forecast, 50 arrested in ICE raids, Red Hill victims awarded damages, state seizes Kona fishing vessel, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mild recession forecast for Hawaii economy. A month before Trump took office in January, UHERO had forecast that Hawaii’s economy, after accounting for inflation, would grow by 2.9% this year and then 2.5% in 2026. The new report revised those figures to 1.1% growth this year followed by a 0.3% decline in 2026. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Kauai Now.

50 arrested in ICE raids on 3 islands. Federal agents arrested 50 people this week on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island for violating immigration laws due to convictions for crimes including murder, domestic violence and drug possession. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Readies Weather Stations Against Trump Assault On Climate Research. The federal government will no longer track the nation’s costliest natural disasters. A local solution can fill some of the need here — if its funding holds out. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Commentary: Neighbor Islands Need More State Support On The Job Front. The Legislature funded minor workforce development initiatives but did not invest much in diversifying the local economy. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Damages are awarded in first Red Hill lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi ordered the government to pay $682,258 to the plaintiffs to compensate them for damages and, in the case of some clients, for future medical care related to exposure to jet fuel that tainted the Navy’s Oahu water system, which serves 93,000 people, including military families and civilians living in former military areas. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Windward Oahu residents raise landfill concerns at mayor’s town hall. The location of a new landfill were among the big concerns at Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s latest town hall meeting Thursday night. Windward residents expressed fears that their area may once again be under consideration. Hawaii News Now.

DBEDT to lead restoration efforts of Waikīkī's dwindling shoreline. The long-term response to the Waikīkī Beach erosion is being put at the doorstep of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Coastal geologist talks solutions for beach erosion and deteriorated walkways in Waikīkī. Dolan Eversole is with the University of Hawaiʻi's Sea Grant Program and has been tapped by the Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District Association. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers want an online database that shows water availability. The Hawaiʻi County Council advanced Resolution 137-25 on Tuesday that called on the county Department of Water Supply to create an online system that shows the amount of available water islandwide. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pre-K Facility Planned Next To ‘Imiloa In Hilo, Draft EA Published. The State of Hawai‘i School Facilities Authority will fund the construction of the facility under the "Ready Keiki" program. Big Island Video News.

DLNR seizes fishing vessel in Kailua-Kona. State officers seized a fishing vessel and cited a 52-year-old man in Kailua-Kona Wednesday morning after receiving multiple complaints about longline fishing in the Hawaii State Territorial Sea that comprises about 3,069 square miles of water. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Union Fears Maui ICE Raid Will Scare Away Foreign Teachers. Hawaiʻi has been recruiting teachers from the Philippines for several years to address the state’s ongoing teacher shortage. Civil Beat.

Maui teacher describes trauma brought on by ICE raid. A group of teachers from the Philippines and a teacher who is a U.S. citizen were rousted from their beds early Tuesday morning along with their families at their Kahului residence by armed Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents serving a search warrant. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Aloha House increases program capacity with dormitory groundbreaking. The dormitory will add an additional 12 beds to the current 48 beds on campus, increasing program capacity by 25%. Maui Now.

Kauai

Water conservation request continues for some North Shore areas until further notice. A water conservation request originally issued now 5 weeks ago — at the beginning of April — remains in effect until further notice for Kauaʻi County Department of Water customers in two North Shore communities. Kauai Now.

More students get free meals, Hawaii to sue fossil fuel companies, homeless relocation program killed in Legislature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

More local students are set to become eligible for free meals. A bill passed Thursday would allow students who qualify for reduced-priced meals to get them for free starting in July. Hawaii Public Radio.

Here’s How Many Kids Are Unvaccinated At Your School. More than 20% of students in Hawaiʻi don’t have all of the vaccines required to attend school. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to file lawsuit against fossil fuel companies. As the legislative session that saw the State of Hawaii navigate an $800 million loss from the budget to pay for the Global Settlement for Lahaina wildfire victims comes to an end this week, Hawaii Governor Josh Green is turning attention to entities he thinks also need to pay up for the deadly and destructive disaster: fossil fuel companies. KHON2.

HECO to study where to underground utility lines as a fire prevention measure. Hawaiian Electric plans to study where to put power lines below ground as a fire prevention measure.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii will raise visitor taxes to tackle climate change. Gov. Josh Green is celebrating lawmakers’ decision to increase tourist taxes and dedicate the new money to what they call Hawaii’s climate emergency. Hawaii News Now.

Climate fee, property insurance, illegal fireworks: Here's what could change for Hawaiʻi . While lawmakers are considering many bills ahead of the end of the 2025 session on Friday, Hawaiʻi Public Radio has narrowed down the topics to the top four they're paying close attention to. Hawaii Public Radio.

Permanent ‘Return-to-Home Program’ for homeless persons in Hawaiʻi dies in conference committee. A bill to establish a permanent “Return-to-Home program” failed to make it out of a House and Senate conference committee on Friday as the State Legislature winds down its 2025 session. Big Island Now.

What The State Refuses To Say About Fatal Child Abuse Cases. A federal law requires states to release information about how they handled child maltreatment cases ending in deaths. Hawaiʻi’s reports raise more questions than they answer. Civil Beat.

UH says a majority of its international students are safe amid visa policy changes. Brent White, the chief global officer for the University of Hawaiʻi System, explained how the university is trying to help its international students navigate the unpredictable circumstances. Hawaii Public Radio.

DEI and student visa rulings seen as reprieves. In the wake of federal court rulings blocking enforcement of new federal rules threatening diversity, equity and inclusion programs and revoking certain student visas, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii reached out to college and university officials statewide urging them to “continue to feel empowered to push for academic freedom and free speech.” Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii borrowers in default are among millions nationwide affected by end of payment pause. A pandemic-era pause for federal student loan borrowers in default is set to end Monday, and millions of former and current students nationwide are bracing for renewed loan collections. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council to review empty-homes tax study. A proposed Honolulu City Council measure to penalize real-­property owners who leave their Oahu residences vacant for extended periods of time has a chance to start moving again following the release of the first phase of a city-commissioned study. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

City aims to loosen requirements to help more small businesses. The transit construction mitigation fund was created to assist businesses hit hard by rail construction along Dillingham Boulevard according to Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam. KHON2.

Honolulu EMS Chief Says Medics Aren’t Safe In Oʻahu Prisons. Recent incidents at two state facilities prompted a letter to state prison officials telling them medical crews won’t be going inside the jails and prison anymore. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's food insecurity at highest levels, as support from the federal government drops. There are more empty spaces on Hawaii Foodbank shelves, after a recent cut to funding from the federal government. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island Lands Protected With Grant Approvals. Three of the five grants approved by the State will be used to protect lands on the Big Island: Hīlea, Kawainui Makai, and Kōkua Kealakekua. Big Island Video News.

State funding secured for Puna alternate route study. Big Island lawmakers secured $1.5 million to fund the Puna Makai (oceanside) Alternate Route Study after funding lapsed last year. Lawmakers also secured $1 million for a Puna Mauka (mountainside) Alternate Route Study.  Big Island Now.

Maui

9 projects with over 800 housing units could get funding from Maui County for construction, rising costs. Maui County wants to spend its $43.5 million Affordable Housing Fund on nine projects with 843 units of mostly rental housing in the next fiscal year, including a rental project in Kīhei with social spaces for seniors, a Nāpili apartment complex for fire-displaced families and a major housing development in Kahului with a civic center and commercial space.  Maui Now.

West Maui residents beg commission to manage water better. The Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) held a meeting in Lahaina on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Community meeting May 12 on proposed plans for two West Maui playgrounds. The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation invites residents to provide input on proposed plans for the Lahaina Recreation Center and the Kelawea Mauka Park playgrounds during a community meeting Monday, May 12, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall. Maui Now.

Kauai

No injuries reported following fire at Pacific Missile Range Facility. Fire crews have extinguished a blaze at the edge of the Pacific Missile Range Facility Makaha Ridge site, which initially forced personnel to evacuate the premises. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers agree on nearly $50B 2-year budget, federal cutbacks threaten 48 UH programs, 82 employees, USDA cuts $46M in farm aid, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers Settle On A New Two-Year Budget That Focuses On Housing. House and Senate lawmakers have earmarked nearly $400 million for housing subsidies and public housing developments over the next two years to try to make a dent in the increasingly desperate statewide need for affordable housing.  House and Senate lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a $19.9 billion operating budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, and a $19.76 billion budget for the following year, as well as a  $7.4 billion construction budget. Civil Beat.

UH president backs Harvard amid $6M more in lost funding. University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel said amount of federal funding cuts rapidly increased by $6 million, to $36 million, since Thursday, bringing the total of terminated or paused research programs to 48 from Thursday’s 36. There are now 82 employees affected by the federal cuts, she said. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

USDA cuts previously frozen funds, including $46M to support Hawaiʻi farmers. Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture slashed around $46 million meant for Hawaiʻi as part of the Biden-era Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. Hawaii Public Radio.

House lawmakers pass resolution to study legalized gambling in Hawaiʻi. House lawmakers passed a resolution Monday to convene a working group to evaluate legalized gambling in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

On The Run And Undercounted, Homeless Youth Try Hard To Stay Out of Sight. By official counts, just a handful of homeless teens live on the streets of Hawaiʻi. Those who try to help them suggest that’s all wrong, that there are many more — perhaps 150 doing their best not to be counted. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi invasive species groups explore the paws-ibilities of detection dogs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has about half a dozen, and others are being used by the state Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

City Council confirms Honolulu EMS leader’s reappointment. Dr. James Ireland, whose renomination as head of the city Emergency Serv­ices Department faced vocal opposition in recent months, was formally reinstated last week. Star-Advertiser.

FBI investigating allegation that HPD officer planted evidence. A sergeant with the Honolulu Police Department is the target of a federal investigation into allegations that there is recorded footage of him planting drug paraphernalia on the driver of a car during a November traffic stop. Star-Advertiser.

New affordable housing rental complex opens in Makiki. PenseMetro consists of 29 units with monthly rents ranging from $1,900 to $2,400. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Free daily hula performances showcase local hālau, bring energy during Merrie Monarch Festival. While tickets sell out fast to the three competition nights of the Merrie Monarch Festival, local hālau provide an opportunity for the public to experience and appreciate hula during daily daytime — and free — performances at hotels. Big Island Now.

Local artist donates pieces to fund coconut rhinoceros beetle fight. A major donation is helping fund the fight against the coconut rhinoceros beetle on Hawaii Island. Local artist Kim Taylor Reece is donating 1,400 art pieces worth $3.5 million for sale in Hilo during this week’s Merrie Monarch Festival. Hawaii News Now.

Big Island reserves to temporarily close for animal control activities. Animal control activities will be conducted this week for feral goats, feral sheep and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids within palila critical habitat in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A), Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (Unit K), Palila Mitigation Lands, and the Ka‘ohe Game Management Area (Unit G) on Hawaii Island, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Haleakalā National Park seeks subject matter experts for first of its kind project. Haleakalā National Park is looking for subject matter experts to create and translate content from the Hawaiian perspective to the park’s website. Maui Now.

UH Maui College signs Green Chemistry Commitment. As part of its continuing commitment to advancing Sustainable Science education, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is the first UH campus to sign the “Beyond Benign Green Chemistry Commitment." Maui Now.

Maui’s newest respite shelter can help up to 20 men. Chaplain Ministries of Maui (CMOM) held a soft opening on Monday where dozens gathered at 250 Waiehu Beach Road for a formal blessing. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Giving Hawaiians back their voice: Kauaʻi educator sees a Hawaiʻi where hearing Hawaiian is ‘just normal’. Mālia ʻAlohilani Kuala Rogers, or ʻAlohilani, as she prefers to be called, remembers her gut reaction when she heard her grandma talk about not being allowed to speak Hawaiian. Kauai Now.

 

UH faces uncertainty over state, federal funding; Maui mayor's salary outpaces governor's; Honolulu official cleared to take trip from no-bid contractor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH faces uncertainty over Senate budget. The University of Hawaiʻi needs an additional $37.9 million for programs and services at its 10-campus system for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance and chief financial officer, noted that the budget proposal recently passed by the Senate includes a more limited level of general fund support for UH in several key areas, compared to the versions put forward by the governor and the House. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

The State Spent Millions On Housing For The Homeless But Doesn't have Receipts To Back It All Up. Since late 2023, the state has issued more than $37.1 million in no-bid contracts to HomeAid Hawaiʻi to build small dwellings as part of Gov. Josh Green’s signature Kauhale Initiative.While HomeAid has provided the Department of Human Services with balance sheets and supporting documents showing how it used state money for some of its projects, the state doesn’t have receipts or other documents detailing the specific use of public money for other projects. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on the push to send more Hawaiʻi produce nationwide. Luke recently returned from a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the nation's capital. It's the second time a Hawaiʻi delegation has ever visited.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Rule Change On Endangered Species Of Particular Concern in Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi has more endangered species than any other state, so elimination of habitat protections could be felt deeply here. Associated Press.

Lawmakers May Reduce Court Fines For Youth, But Judges Have Already Cut Back. The amount of fines imposed by judges has dropped, raising questions about whether lawmakers need to do anything. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City to lose over $11 million in federal funding. The biggest losses will mean a $4.8 million cut for planning for a potential rapid transit bus program for the Waianae Coast, followed by a $3 million loss in federal funding for special needs housing improvements. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council OKs City Director’s Free Trip To Poland. A Honolulu department head’s trip to Poland next month will be funded by a private company that has signed a no-bid contract with that department after City Council members voted Wednesday to approve the gift. Civil Beat.

City Council approves new development plan for Honolulu's urban core. The primary urban core is Oahu’s most populated area, with about 350,000 people packed in from Kahala to Pearl City and all the valleys in between. Hawaii News Now.

Plans presented to develop areas around East Kapolei rail stations. A meeting in Kapolei on Wednesday night focused on developing the land around the rail transit stations. KITV4.

Treatment facility for boys with behavioral problems gets pushback from area residents. The state has approved a new live-in treatment facility for up to five boys who have behavioral problems stemming from sexual abuse or trauma. The home run by Catholic Charities Hawaii is in the quiet “Royal Summit” neighborhood in Aiea. Hawaii News Now.

Warning extended: Speed cameras catch 30k speeders weekly. It was supposed to last two months, but now the state’s new speed camera warning period is getting a major extension.  KHON2.

Parking fees coming to Keeaumoku Walmart, Sam’s Club lot. To deter non-shoppers from taking up space in the lot meant for customers only, Walmart hired Secure Parking Hawaii to begin parking enforcement starting May 1. KHON2.

State seeks more attorneys to become court-appointed guardians ad litem. A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed attorney who is there to protect the interests of a person who cannot take care of themselves. But there are only two doing this work for the island of Oʻahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

HPD, UH Hilo partner for new internship program. The Hawaii Police Department kicked off its Kalounui internship program in March with an event at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Lifeguard certification course to be offered in Kapa‘au. The Hawaii County Department of Parks & Recreation is offering a lifeguard certification course at Kohala Swimming Pool at Kamehameha Park in Kapa‘au. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui mayor’s salary to outpace Hawaiʻi governor’s until mid-2028. Starting July 1, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen will earn $245,000 annually — more than Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green‘s salary through the end of their current terms in office in 2026.  Maui Now.

Maui Department of Housing announces FY 2026 Affordable Housing Fund Annual Plan. The County of Maui Department of Housing announced the release of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) Annual Plan, which outlines key investments and initiatives designed to address the growing demand for affordable housing across Maui County. Maui Now.

Kekaulike Avenue to reopen a month ahead of schedule following storm-related repairs. Officials with the state Department of Transportation say Kekaulike Avenue between Waiakoa Road and ʻAlae Road will be reopened by noon, Thursday, April 17. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lives of federal conservation workers on Kauaʻi upended by Trump administration. On Valentine's Day, four employees who worked across Kauaʻi’s three USFWS refuges lost their jobs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Water conservation request continues for Hanalei, ‘Anini areas. Kaua‘i County Department of Water officials issued the request April 4 after a pump station mechanical failure that continues to affect the water storage supply. Kauai Now.

Salary Commission approves big pay hikes for state officials, whale entanglements skyrocket, Maui and Kauai face record-low stream levels, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Salary Commission finalizes double-digit raises for state officials. The Commission on Salaries on Thursday unanimously approved a series of pay raises for state officials totaling 27% for Hawaii’s governor until mid-2030, in addition to 44% overall pay increases for state legislators over five years. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Fears, frustration among University of Hawaii community over federal funding, DEI cuts. University of Hawaii president Wendy Hensel hosted a town hall Thursday, getting feedback from the school community on fears of DEI references being scrubbed from materials, a crackdown on alleged antisemitism, canceled grants, and layoffs of researchers and federal employees. The university operates on a budget of $1.3 billion, with $636 million coming from the state, $410 million from tuition, and $370 million from federal funding. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Repeal of impact fees threatens new school growth across Hawaii. The state Department of Education is warning that repealing school impact fees — a move now under consideration by lawmakers — could eliminate a critical funding source used to build new schools in growing residential communities across Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

HIDOE shares proposed methodology and timeline for school consolidation study. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced that it has initiated a discussion on its approach to review public school campuses for potential consolidation in light of a steady decrease in overall enrollment over the past decade. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi could set a standard for affordable housing developers to support displaced tenants. Two bills still alive this legislative session await a joint hearing from the Senate Housing and Ways Committee after crossing over from the House. Hawaii Public Radio.

Sports betting bill advances. The Hawaii Senate committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and on Economic Development and Tourism recommended on Thursday the passage of House Bill 1308, which would establish regulations for betting on sports and specify that “legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests” would not be considered gambling. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers want more biosecurity measures. Ag officials want to see the money. As measures to manage pests continue to move through this legislative session, state officials are urging lawmakers to provide the necessary resources to carry out the directives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Whale entanglements in Hawaii skyrocket this season. So far this season alone, there have been 16 reported whale entanglements. That is compared to six last season and double the average of eight over the past 23 seasons. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Oʻahu Social Worker Accused In Daughter’s Death Continued To Work With Kids. Until six days ago Sina Pili was still working as a behavioral health specialist at Kahuku High and Intermediate School, where she tended to students with learning disabilities, special needs and behavior issues. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Illegal Fireworks Seller Avoids Jail Time, Fined $5,000. This concludes the second of two cases brought by a state fireworks task force – both for low-level offenders. Civil Beat.

East-West Center’s federal funding in jeopardy. The East-West Center, which has suspended “nonessential expenditures” since being cut off from federal funding by the U.S. Department of State at the start of Donald Trump’s administration, received $5 million in previously appropriated money Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Ewa Beach affordable rental project under review. A public-private partnership to convert an empty, city-owned parcel in Ewa Beach into 127 units of affordable rental housing is underway. At a special Honolulu City Council Budget Committee meeting Thursday, Stanford Carr Development LLC unveiled plans to build Kaleimao Village at 91-1666 Renton Road. Star-Advertiser.

Waimanalo homeless sweeps starts Friday morning. Some members in the tight-knit community have been against sweeps in Waimanalo, where huge encampments have popped up over the years. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Budget bill includes funding for Puna alternate route studies. The latest version of the state’s budget bill, House Bill 300, includes funds for two Puna alternate route studies. The first would allocate $1.5 million in general obligation bonds to develop a Puna Makai Alternate Route Study. Tribune-Herald.

Next 2 phases of roadwork near Holualoa to begin in May. Department of Public Works spokeswoman Sherise Kana‘e-Kane said the next two stretches of approximately three miles each that will be simultaneously upgraded are north and south of the nearly completed first phase, which spanned Route 180 between Kamalani Street and Kalamauka Road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui streams flowing at record-low levels. Some streams are already completely dry and that’s affecting water availability for drinking water supplies, for traditional and customary practices, and for agriculture.  Maui News. Maui Now.

Highly invasive bird spotted near Kāʻanapali; poses serious threat to Maui agriculture. Agriculture and wildlife officials are raising concerns after a red-vented bulbul was spotted near Kāʻanapali, Maui. To better determine the bird’s presence on Maui and develop an effective response strategy, MISC officials are asking the public to report any red-vented bulbul sightings immediately. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i streams flowing at record low levels. The water level in Kawaikōī Stream in West Kaua‘i, which drains a portion of the Garden Isle’s vast Alaka‘i Plateau, probably looks fine to the untrained eye. But stream flow data gathered by the Hawai’i Commission on Water Resource Management tell a far — and alarmingly — different story. Kauai Now.

Super American Circus is back. The Super American Circus has returned to Kauai for an engaging three-day circus event, marking the final leg of its Hawaiian tour.  Garden Island.