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.

130k Hawaii veterans face VA cuts, state may raise capital gains tax, UH Manoa one of 60 campuses warned about antisemitism, Maui police chief named in Sean “Diddy” Combs rape lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Scale of cuts to the VA in the Pacific unclear. With significant proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs by the administration of President Donald Trump, it’s not yet clear what that will mean for veterans in Hawaii and across the Pacific. Hawaii is home to an estimated 100,000 veterans on Oahu and 30,000 veterans on the neighbor islands. Star-Advertiser.

Tulsi Gabbard stops in Hawaii ahead of trip to Asia. Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, is heading to Asia on a trip that will include an appearance at a security conference in India next week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi could raise its capital gains tax to 9%. Lawmakers are considering increasing the capital gains tax from about 7% to 9%. Capital gains are the profits earned on investments or through the sale of a property. Hawaii Public Radio.

Double-digit raises considered for state officials. The Commission on Salaries on Thursday will consider finalizing recommendations that would give the governor a series of pay raises totaling 27% until mid-2030, in addition to 44% overall pay increases for state legislators over the next five years. Star-Advertiser.

Why Does UH’s New President Need A $250,000 Adviser? Before University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel took office, she already had plans to bring on a new senior adviser from her last job in New York. That adviser, Kim Siegenthaler, started work last week, earning $250,000 a year. In January, the university’s Board of Regents had created the new position just for her, opting to forgo formal recruitment. Civil Beat.

Resolution for potential state highway patrol and speed cameras passes. A senate committee on March 10 passed a resolution aimed at making roads safer. It would ask the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to look at the possibility of a highway patrol and speed cameras along major freeways and highways. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Are Pushing For Car-Free Fun Zones — But Not On Oʻahu. To reduce carbon emissions, encourage sustainable transportation and promote community health, counties could be required to pilot a “Summer Streets” program, closing select roads to traffic and repurposing them for pedestrians and bicyclists.  Civil Beat.

UHERO study: reveals ‘debilitating impact’ of construction defect litigation on housing access in Hawaiʻi. The Hawaiʻi HomeOwnership Center (HHOC) collaborated with key stakeholders to release a new, independently-commissioned report Monday examining the effects of construction defect litigation on Hawaiʻi’s housing market—first-time homebuyers, current homeowners, builders, and the overall housing industry. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Farmers Want Protections For Poi. The Legislature is now weighing how best to safeguard local farmers and the culturally important starch they produce by adding poi to an expanding list of foods and crops the state has stepped in to help in recent years, māmaki tea and Kona coffee among them.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii a good spot to see total lunar eclipse. A total lunar eclipse that will take place Thursday will be perfectly timed for Hawaii viewing. According to NASA data, a partial eclipse will begin at about 6:30 p.m. HST. It will reach totality at 8:26 p.m. and will last until 9:32 p.m. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

UH-Manoa among 60 colleges warned of antisemitism penalties by Trump officials. In January 2024 a group of Jewish students at UH filed a Title VI complaint with U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, claiming that words and acts of antisemitism had made the university’s Manoa campus an “unsafe and hostile environment” for them. New York Times. KITV4.

City’s proposed $5.14B budget under Honolulu Council review. The city’s new plan — which proposes a $3.93 billion operating budget and a $1.21 billion capital improvement program that, if adopted, begins July 1 — will cover its costs without raising real property taxes, according to officials. Star-Advertiser.

Pilot program in Kalihi helps residents cross the street safely. The city’s Department of Transportation Services recently installed a solar-powered rapid-flashing beacon on North School Street at Ahonui Street in Kalihi as part of a pilot improvement project to help pedestrians safely cross the street. Spectrum News.

Work begins to improve street lighting at McCully and Kapiolani Boulevard. Work to improve street lighting and enhance pedestrian safety begins Monday, March 10, on the mauka/ewa corner of McCully Street and Kapiolani Boulevard next to the McCully Shopping Center.  Spectrum News.

Waianae veterans garden plants seeds to reduce homelessness. On any given night there are more than 100 people finding shelter with U.S. VETS Waianae and roughly 10% of those people are veterans. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

2 unions finalize COVID hazard pay agreements with Hawaiʻi County. The County of Hawaiʻi has reached an agreement for COVID-19 hazard pay with the Hawaiʻi Government Employees Association and Hawaiʻi Fire Fighters Association. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi County Seeks Input On Homelessness, Housing Strategies. The County of Hawaiʻi is updating its Strategic Roadmap for Homelessness and Housing, and inviting residents to participate. Big Island Video News.

State Rep. Sue Lee Loy trying to finish what Nakashima started: bill to revitalize Hilo’s Waiākea Peninsula. The late Big Island state Rep. Mark Nakashima spent 15 years trying to pass legislation to revitalize the Waiākea Peninsula that features the once-thriving Banyan Drive in downtown Hilo. Big Island Now.

Crews survey Kona airport after finding 3 coconut rhinoceros beetles. It's the first time they have been detected on Hawaiʻi Island in about five months.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Police Chief Pelletier named as co-conspirator in Diddy rape case lawsuit; mayor calls for leave, investigation. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen is asking the Police Commission to place Maui Police Department Chief John Pelletier on leave after the chief was named in a lawsuit alleging he posed as a sheriff to a woman who reported being raped by Sean “Diddy” Combs and took two people at gunpoint from Las Vegas to the California home where they witnessed the rape of the woman in 2018. Maui Now. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4.

Council takes action on Maui County Fair, public tax notices, traffic safety and more. A bill to appropriate $1.5 million to the nonprofit Festivals of Aloha for the 2025 Maui County Fair gained final approval Friday from the Maui County Council and advances to the desk of Mayor Richard Bissen. Maui Now.

Lahaina fire survivors await electrical infrastructure as HECO hits delays. As more homes are rebuilt in Lahaina, a new challenge is leaving residents powerless.That is because Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is facing its own challenge. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Volunteers clean site more than 60 years after a missile’s crash landing. About 800 feet above sea level, two dozen volunteers embarked on a nearly 24-mile trek about to the top of Niu Valley Ridge by all-terrain vehicle to clear debris left behind from an inert testing missile that crashed more than 60 years ago. Kauai Now.

Kauai’s Corey Nakamura honored. Corey Nakamura, the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School principal, was honored on Saturday as one of the Department of Education’s Top 15 principals by the Island Insurance Foundation in Honolulu. Garden Island.

University of Hawaii removes 'diversity' term from programs, Legislature mulls park fees, rental regulation, surfing programs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii removes ‘diversity’ from key office in effort to safeguard federal funding. The Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity had a mission to “promote diversity in higher education.” Now it’s called the SEED office with a new mission statement: “cultivating the SEEDs of students success for a brighter future.” Hawaii News Now. Spectrum News.

Attorney General Anne E. Lopez at forefront of fight against Trump orders. Lopez acknowledged Trump’s pattern of ignoring the rule of law and his practice of flooding the public conversation around his administration with controversy and outlandish statements and actions. Trump’s reality television tactics will be countered through the courts, said Lopez. Star-Advertiser.

Nonresidents could pay more fees to visit state parks and trails. The state Senate is considering a bill that would have the Board of Land and Natural Resources adopt rules to impose more fees on nonresidents visiting state parks and trails. Hawaii Public Radio.

Multiple agencies back DLE director nominee Mike Lambert. Honolulu Police Major Mike Lambert faced senators in a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 19 after being nominated by Governor Josh Green to succeed outgoing director Jordan Lowe. KHON2.

Proposed leadership, rule changes to Water Commission seek to curb political conflicts. Changes could be coming to the state Commission on Water Resource Management, including some meant to address political conflicts of interest in managing and protecting Hawaiʻi’s water. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to ban algorithmic price-setting in Hawaiʻi’s rental market moves ahead in Senate. A bill aimed at protecting Hawaiʻi renters from algorithmic price-setting has cleared the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, which has recommended passage on second reading and referral to the Judiciary and Ways and Means committees. Big Island Now.

Swell legislation: Bills would provide funding for high school surf teams. House Bill 133 and its companion, Senate Bill 178, would provide as-yet unspecified funding to the state Department of Education to create high school surf teams and leagues across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Educators, organizers push for free meals for all Hawai'i public school students. The push for free meals for all students at Hawai'i public schools will be the topic of conversation at a public meeting with teachers, advocates and education officials next month.  KITV4.

‘What’s more Hawaiian than poi?’: Bills aim to protect local fish, poi. Right now, poi sold in stores is all made in Hawaii and a bill wants to keep it that way, by requiring all things labeled “poi” to be made from taro grown locally. KHON2.

Oahu

These 5 Bridges Across The Ala Wai Got Top Public Votes. After combing through hundreds of scorecards from two public input sessions, the results are in: Honolulu residents remain divided over the best design for a pedestrian bridge spanning the Ala Wai Canal but care deeply about the aesthetics of their city. Civil Beat.

To Rescue The Cliffs Below Diamond Head, This Group Went Rogue. The Honolulu community group says it’s providing a critical public service neglected by the city, but Kuilei Cliffs also brushes off city instructions that it says are unreasonable. Civil Beat.

A Rare Conviction For Selling Illegal Fireworks Ends With Supervised Release. The case is one of only two felony convictions as a result of the Department of Law Enforcement’s Illegal Fireworks Task Force. Civil Beat.

Latest phase of Kailua roundabout project frustrating park users. A project aimed at easing traffic has been causing gridlock in Kailua. And efforts to reduce the construction gridlock has led to another set of frustrations, this time for users of Kailua Beach Park. Hawaii News Now.

4-year-old state hospital building rife with defects. Hawaii taxpayers may be coughing up $35 million or more to fix a state hospital building that a private contractor designed and built for $160 million four years ago. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

HFD battalion chief accused of sex assault. A 25-year veteran of the Honolulu Fire Department was arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 33-year-old woman at the department’s main station on Valentine’s Day. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Trump order halts wildfire prevention work around Waikōloa's high-risk power lines. Hawaiian Electric's Wildfire Safety Strategy, submitted to the Public Utilities Commission in January, identified the power circuit above Waikōloa as having the highest wildfire risk on Big Island, and the fourth highest risk in the state overall. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill eyeing geothermal on Hawaiian home lands draws opposition. A state proposal to locate possible geothermal well sites on Hawaiian home lands has Big Island residents pushing back. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New species of bee discovered on Molokaʻi. The newly identified bee species, named Hylaeus paumako — paumākō meaning “mourning” or “grief” in Hawaiian — was distinguished by its all-black face, a unique characteristic not seen in any other known male bee species on Moloka‘i. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Local Food Coalition backs bills to boost Hawai‘i farm grants, infrastructure. The announcement comes in anticipation of the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau’s annual “Ag Day at the Capitol” on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Hawai‘i State Capitol. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua’i County Council Chair: ‘We’re in crisis mode’ with lone landfill approaching capacity. About 90,000 tons of waste enter the Kekaha Landfill on the West Side of Kaua‘i each year. But current permits do not allow the landfill to operate beyond November 2027.  Kauai Now.

Life-saving efforts honored. A fast-acting samaritan along with several first responders were honored for their collaborative life-saving efforts that saved a woman’s life last December. Garden Island.

State seeks food security, Oahu landfill site selected near water supply, avian flu found in Hilo wastewater, Alaska Air stock takes off after Hawaiian purchase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How To Keep Hawaiʻi Better-Fed, According To Food-Security Advocates. Even in the best of times, Hawaiʻi isnʻt doing a good enough job of feeding itself, with 30% of households statewide experiencing food insecurity.  Addressing the underlying issues will require a lot of work, state food system planner Amanda Shaw told attendees at the Hawaiʻi Food Systems Summit on Tuesday during a three-day event at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

UH study on quality of life cites housing, health care as stressors. A new dashboard launched by the University of Hawaii at Manoa offers data from a survey of more than 8,000 adult residents conducted earlier this year. It offers snapshots of how residents from a broad range of demographics felt about their neighborhood, workplace, housing, mental and physical health and other factors affecting quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

Alaska sees $1B jump in profit after Hawaiian Airlines merger. Alaska Air on Tuesday unveiled a plan to generate $1 billion in additional profits by 2027 by leveraging its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and booming demand for premium travel, sparking a rally in its shares. Reuters.

Experiences in Hawaii may hold clues to suspected CEO killer’s anger. Luigi Mangione, who lived in Hawaii for about two years, is accused of shooting to death UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last Wednesday. Police say Mangione left three pages of notes, calling the company’s leaders “parasites.” Hawaii News Now.

A ‘Devil’ Seaweed Is Spreading Inside Hawaiʻi’s Most Protected Place. An invasive algae has wrecked huge sections of reef in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Scientists are racing to find out what it is, where it came from and whether anything can stop it.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

New Oʻahu Landfill Site Is Above Island’s Water Supply. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposes the decision, but the mayor and the director of the Department of Environmental Services think they can prevent leaks. After a yearslong search filled with pivots and delays, Honolulu city leaders announced on Tuesday plans to place Oʻahu’s new municipal landfill on land belonging to Dole Food Co. outside of Wahiawā. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Price increase expected for Oahu Transit Services. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is trying to generate more money to run Oahu Transit Services, TheBus and Skyline, by increasing costs in the next few years. KITV4.

Popping a wheelie on a public street may soon be illegal. The popularity of e-bikes continues to grow along with the number injuries relating to them. So lawmakers are pushing for stricter safety guidelines by banning wheelies on e-bikes and mopeds. KHON2.

Police subsidized vehicle reportedly involved in Aiea hit-and-run. Law enforcement sources say an HPD sergeant, who claimed to be a passenger in that police vehicle, told responding officers the man in the driver’s seat took off. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State reports H5 avian flu detected in Hilo wastewater. The Hawaii Department of Health today said the H5 avian influenza virus has been detected in a wastewater sample collected from the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Cell tower bills head to council. A duel between two proposed regulations on Big Island cell towers ended with both bills victorious, after the Windward Planning Commission punted them both to the County Council on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Artificial intelligence being used as tool to protect Hawai‘i’s native birds. UH Hilo biology professor Patrick Hart’s research, funded by the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, uses artificial intelligence to monitor bird populations in remote forests on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County files for dismissal of election suit. A motion filed by the Maui County Clerk seeks to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the results of the Nov. 5 general election, arguing that former Maui County Council member Kelly King, who lost to incumbent Tom Cook, failed to provide evidence of any errors or wrongdoing. Star-Advertiser.

Tobacco bill moves forward through Maui County Council. Multiple individuals testified Friday during a Maui County Council meeting in support of a bill that hopes to ban e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products on the island some day.  Maui News.

Residents fear cutbacks in Akaku Maui Community Media budget. With a song and a Hawaiian chant, supporters of nonprofit Akaku Maui Community Media testified for more than four hours in favor of preserving the budget for its access channels and production. Maui News.

Maui police seek help contacting families of 11 unclaimed bodies. The Maui Police Department is seeking the public’s help in contacting the family members of 11 unclaimed bodies at its forensic facility. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.

November single-family home prices shy of all-time record, but not by much. The median price of a single-family home on Maui was $1.3 million in November, according to a monthly statistical report by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Economic Opportunity to mark 60 years. Kauai’s Economic Opportunity Inc. will mark an impressive milestone in 2025, celebrating 60 years of helping Kauai residents resolve disputes through effective mediation. Garden Island.

Hensel to earn $675k as new UH president, US attorney named to oversee election complaints, wetter than average rainy season expected, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Next University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel vows to lead with a ‘heart open wide’. Wendy Hensel, executive vice chancellor and university provost for The City University of New York, will take over the University of Hawaii system in January — earning an annual salary of $675,000 — after UH regents unanimously selected her Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Maui News.  Maui Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

US Attorney Named To Oversee Hawaii Election Complaints. Clare Connors, the U.S. attorney for the District of Hawaii, announced this week the appointment of Michael Nammar to lead local efforts in connection with the U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide Election Day Program. Nammar, an assistant U.S. attorney, will serve as the district election officer to oversee the handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud. Civil Beat.

Voters to decide on selection process of district court judges in state constitutional amendment question. A proposed constitutional amendment in Hawaii aims to unify the appointment and confirmation process for district court judges with that of supreme court justices and circuit court judges.  KHON2.

What happens in Vegas... stays there? Gov. Green on lessons from the new sports hub. When you hear Sin City, you think of casinos, gambling, Las Vegas. But these days, it's become Sports City. That's why Gov. Josh Green was in Nevada. Hawaii Public Radio.

'I make nothing': Local fishers weigh leaving the industry as inflation drives up costs. There are some 140 Hawaiʻi-based longline fishing vessels that bring in more than 20 million pounds of tuna annually. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii likely to see wetter-than-average rainy season. After a slow start to Hawaii’s wet season this month, forecasters project above-average rainfall from December through April, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  KHON2.

Oahu

What Honolulu Can Learn From An Empty Homes Tax In Vancouver. Honolulu Council members are looking to the Canadian city as a model for their own version. Civil Beat.

Residents in high-risk flood zones could need new insurance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency released new flood insurance rate maps on Thursday after a five year re-examination of Oahu’s flood hazards, including multiple streams that have never been studied before. Hawaii News Now.

Health department and city settle over wastewater violations at Kailua Bay.  The state Department of Health initially fined the city more than $434,000 for those effluent discharges exceeding permit limits for enterococci that occurred over 13 different days, from April to May 2023, from the city-owned Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. Star-Advertiser.

Is Drag Racing A Good Way To Till Soil? This State Farmland Tenant Says So. The Agribusiness Development Corp. will soon deliberate on whether drag racing is an appropriate way to till soil and rejuvenate former plantation lands. That’s because one of its Whitmore Village tenants hosted a “mud drag” event Saturday, which attracted a crowd of about 1,000 to watch souped-up pickups and home-built dragsters churn down a track on state-owned farmland on Oahu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

A look at the ballot questions: Voters will decide fate of proposed amendments to County Charter, state Constitution. In addition to the contested races on the ballot, there are five ballot questions — three concerning county government and two concerning state government. Tribune-Herald.

Federal investigation underway as packages missing at Hilo post office.  Frustrated business owners say they’re out thousands of dollars after packages dropped off at Hilo’s post office near the airport keep vanishing. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island’s technology park celebrates 50 years of researching renewable ocean energy. Founded in 1974, the Hawai‘i Ocean Science Technology Park off Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway was established by visionaries in an attempt to harness the power of ocean thermal energy conversion by mixing deep-sea water with surface-sea water as a source of electricity. On Saturday, the community is invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the technology park, now home to 43 companies, at an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Big Island Now.

Maui

County Department of Housing seeks proposals for Affordable Housing Fund projects on Maui. The County of Maui Department of Housing issued a request for proposals seeking affordable housing projects that will be funded by the Affordable Housing Fund in fiscal year 2026.  Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui paramedic to be honored at Stars of Life Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C. David Kingdon, a paramedic with American Medical Response Maui County, has been named one of 33 Global Medical Response Stars of Life. The Stars of Life program honors emergency medical services professionals who have completed extraordinary acts of service for their patients, colleagues, communities or the profession. Maui Now.

New MEO bus for East Maui blessed. A new Maui Economic Opportunity 14-passenger bus that will be running through the streets of East Maui was blessed Tuesday in Hāna with community members, Maui County officials and MEO staff attending. A new Maui Economic Opportunity 14-passenger bus that will be running through the streets of East Maui was blessed Tuesday in Hāna with community members, Maui County officials and MEO staff attending.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Bill to allow guesthouses on Kauaʻi to address housing shortage passes in committee. To address housing shortages on Kauaʻi, the County Council unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday that would allow the building of guest houses on land zoned residential, agricultural, commercial, open and university.  Kauai Now.

County mayors to discuss trust, regents grapple with UH present choice, EPA report indicates low-level contamination in Navy water system after Red Hill leak, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mayors, economists meet to talk about the economics of (dis)trust. Leading economists will provide insight into the state’s economic outlook, and explore the impact of trust in Hawaii. This Friday, Hawaiiʻs county mayors will be on Oahu for the all-day Hawaii Economic Association Conference happening at Halekulani Hotel. KHON2. HEA.

Regents meet privately with 2 finalists for University of Hawaii president. University of Hawaii regents met privately and separately for about six hours with the two finalists to become UH’s 16th president and ended Wednesday’s regents’ meeting with no announcement, but with plans to resume their special meeting this morning. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Hawaii voters to decide on changing constitutional amendment to remove language on opposite-sex marriage. The proposed State Constitutional Amendment seeks to remove what is considered outdated language regarding marriage. KHON2.

Oahu

Navy says EPA report that found low-level contamination proves water is ‘safe’.  The Navy released Wednesday a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that was the result of an inspection of its water system that serves more than 93,000 people on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Discrimination lawsuit against Honolulu Liquor Commission settled, plaintiffs confirm. A 2021 federal lawsuit filed by the owners of a Chinatown nightclub and a guide to the islands catering to the LGBTQ+ community in which they alleged anti­-gay discrimination by investigators working for the Honolulu Liquor Commission has tentatively settled. Star-Advertiser.

HPD arrests 16 people trying to illegally access Haiku stairs.  Honolulu Police arrested 16 people who were trying to illegally access the Haiku stairs in Windward, Oahu, early Wednesday morning. HPD says they were arrested for second-degree trespassing. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

52 warnings given during H3 traffic enforcement. For the first time, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and the Marines conducted joint traffic enforcement on the H3 freeway to slow down speeding and dangerous drivers on Monday, Oct. 7. KHON2.

Police shuts down Waianae game room, uncovers 10 gambling machines and a firearm. Honolulu police shut down an illegal game room in Waianae last week with 10 gambling machines and a ghost gun inside it. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Roadside vendors bill approved by council. Bill 184 establishes a process by which the county Public Works director can grant special activity permits to people wishing to conduct commercial activities along county roads. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Council looks to push more units into affordable rental program. Homeowners in the program must keep the rent they charge below a certain cost, and in exchange, they get breaks on their real property taxes and a cap on how much their assessed value can increase every year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona Rabbi’s lawsuit against county appears headed for settlement. The suit, filed on behalf Chabad Jewish Center of the Big Island and Rabbi Levi Gerlitzky, claims that fines levied by the county at Gerlitzky for using his Nani Kailua Drive home for religious gatherings are discriminatory and violate rights guaranteed by both the U.S. and state constitutions. Tribune-Herald.

County wants piece of Ka‘u parcel for sewage plant. The County Council on Wednesday discussed a resolution that would authorize county attorneys to use eminent domain proceedings to acquire 28.7 acres of a parcel just west of Na‘alehu Spur Road in Na‘alehu town that would be the site for an eventual Na‘alehu Wastewater Treatment Plant, which would replace the large-capacity cesspools in the area. Tribune-Herald.

Runway repairs scheduled at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. A temporary runway closure at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole is scheduled throughout November into December. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Maui

Maui County has 3 charter amendments on November ballot. What would they change? Maui County voters in the general election will be asked to consider three proposals that include giving the Board of Ethics full-time staffing who would be able to prosecute violations. The other proposals would make it easier for people to serve a second term on county boards and commissions as well as better define the role of the Salary Commission. Maui Now.

HECO Calls Off Warning Of Power Shutoffs On Maui. The utility created the Public Safety Power Shutoff program last May to for adverse weather conditions. Hawaiian Electric Co. notified West Maui communities Wednesday that they could face intentional extended power outages to prevent wildfires, but rescinded the warning hours later. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui residents offer feedback about future ferry service. Molokai, which previously had a private ferry service from 1987 to 2016, has been without such a system leaving residents only one option–travel by plane or not at all.  Maui News.

County approves building permits for Kahoma Village reconstruction in Lahaina. The County of Maui has approved with conditions building permits for Kahoma Village to reconstruct four multi-family buildings totaling 24 units that were destroyed in the August 2023 wildfires.  Maui News.

Upcountry Maui fire victims await change as cesspool restrictions block rebuilding. State law requires 7,400 cesspools in upcountry Maui to be converted to septic tanks by 2050.  Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Wilcox Medical Center nurses take their battle to the streets. The event, which was characterized as an informational picket, came after months of contract negotiations between the Hawai‘i Nurses Association and Wilcox Medical Center management. Garden Island.

Hawaii Gas seeks big rate hike; pilikia grows in UH president selection; one dead, two injured in rough surf on North Shore, Kauai workers to get COVID hazard pay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Public input sought on Hawai‘i Gas rate hike plan. Hawai‘i Gas wants to adjust rates that range from a 19.4% hike on Oahu to a 13.2% decrease on Lanai in an overall effort to bolster annual revenue by $24.3 million, which the company said would cover operational and maintenance costs that have gone up significantly since its last rate increase in 2018. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

PUC probing utility’s role in deadly Maui fire. The state Public Utilities Commission has issued more than 30 information requests totaling nearly 200 questions to Hawaiian Electric as part of an ongoing investigation into the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire, which killed 102 people and caused more than $5.5 billion in damage. Star-Advertiser.

Law Professor: UH President Candidate Is Lying About Discrimination Complaint. Professor Tanya Washington and her lawyer say CUNY Provost Wendy Hensel is continuing to gaslight and retaliate in the statements she is currently making. Civil Beat.

UH president finalist Wendy Hensel on her vision for the 10-campus system. Hensel is currently the executive vice chancellor and university provost for the 25-campus City University of New York system, also known as CUNY. Also a Harvard Law School graduate, she has been a lawyer and previously worked at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH president finalist Julian Vasquez Heilig on what he would bring to the role. Vasquez Heilig, a Stanford University Ph.D. graduate, is currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Michigan University.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Stargazers capture ‘comet of the century’ soaring over Hawaii. According to NASA, the comet will initially appear low on the western horizon in the glow of twilight about 45 minutes after sunset each day starting Oct. 12, through the end of the month. Hawaii News Now.

‘Humble limu’ faces threat from non-native species. Invasive seaweed may better adapt to changes than native species in Hawai‘i waters. Hawai‘i waters. Botanists from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa have uncovered key survival strategies used by invasive seaweed species in nearshore ecosystems, potentially explaining their dominance over native Hawaiian limu in certain habitats. Maui News. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii bracing for shortage of IV and dialysis fluids after Hurricane Helene disrupts production. Hawaii’s hospitals and dialysis centers are bracing for a shortage of two commonly used medical solutions after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to one of the nation’s few production sites. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

One dead, two hospitalized after being pulled from rough surf on Oahu's North Shore.  Three people were swept into the ocean at Ke Iki Beach. Despite warning signs, they were apparently walking on the shoreline when a big wave overtook them. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

Man convicted in Fujita murders is stabbed to death at Halawa. A Japanese national convicted in the 1994 shooting deaths of a psychic and her son was allegedly stabbed to death in the Halawa Correctional Facility early Monday morning by his 38-year-old cellmate. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Illegal dumping an ‘eyesore’ for Tantalus area residents. Those living near Tantalus said it has a reputation for being a dumping ground for crime. KHON2.

Here's the latest on the new container terminal project at Honolulu Harbor. The $555 million Kapalama Container Terminal project started almost seven years ago. This second main offloading site is meant to help make Hawaiʻi more disaster-resilient.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea Closures Set For October 30 For DLNR Animal Control. The Hawaiʻi DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife will conduct aerial shooting from helicopters for feral goats, feral sheep, mouflon and mouflon/feral sheep hybrids within Palila critical habitat. Public animal salvage will be allowed by permit. Big Island Video News.

Citizen brings grenade to police station, halts operations for nine hours. Police say that shortly before noon on Saturday, a Hilo resident arrived at the Hilo Police Station Receiving Desk to turn in what appeared to be an unexploded grenade they had discovered at a vacant home in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Court documents reveal names of officers allegedly shot at during Volcano incident. Court documents filed by police identify officers involved in the apprehension of a man alleged to have held off police for about 24 hours in an armed standoff last week in Volcano. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Once banned in schools, ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i now part of push to make Maui County government bilingual. In 2022, Maui County voters passed a charter amendment that would make county operations bilingual in English and ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, as well as create a Department of ‘Ōiwi Resources that would oversee management of cultural resources and improve planning in culturally sensitive areas. The department launched on July 1, and efforts are underway to move the county toward a bilingual government. Maui Now.

Temporary housing aid for Maui fire survivors is extended for a year. The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday, at the request of the state, approved a one-year extension of the Individuals and Households Program for survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Wildfire survivors can get free or reduced-cost designs for home rebuilding.  Maui property owners impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfires can access free or reduced-cost home design plans and rebuilding assistance through a collaborative effort between the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and local AIA Maui chapter architectural firms, including Hawaii Off Grid Architecture + Engineering. Maui Now.

FEMA hopes to fill jobs at new Long Term Recovery Office on Maui. The agency is seeking qualified and passionate individuals to join the team as Maui continues to recover following the Aug. 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai County UPW to get COVID hazard pay. Kauai County United Public Workers members have voted to accept 15% of their base hourly pay for all the hours worked during the COVID-19 pandemic, the union announced Monday. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

2024 General Election ballots being mailed out to voters. Registered voters in the County of Kauai should begin receiving ballot packets for the 2024 General Election this week. Garden Island.