Green promises 64k new homes, Kaiser Permanente workers set to strike, Japanese firm to help meet state energy goals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Says 64,000 New Affordable Homes Are In The Pipeline. Can He Deliver? The market has shown few signs of improving since Green took office. While the resale prices of single-family homes and condos have leveled off, rents have increased 17% since his December 2022 inauguration, according to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization. Civil Beat.

New state task force targets Hawaii’s permit backlog. A new state task force is taking aim at Hawaii’s notoriously slow and complex permitting system, which has long delayed housing and commercial projects across the islands. Tribune-Herald.

Japanese firm to help Hawaii achieve clean energy goals. Gov. Josh Green and the energy firm, JERA Co. Inc., signed a strategic partnering agreement establishing a framework for the collaboration on Oct. 6 during a weeklong trip to Japan by Green and more than a dozen other officials from state government including lawmakers. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

OHA’s Chief Executive Could See A 35% Pay Bump While On Leave. Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Stacy Ferreira, who was placed on indefinite leave in September, could see her pay jump 35%—to $270,400 — next month under a proposal up for consideration by the office’s Board of Trustees on Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Kaiser workers to strike over wages, staffing, benefits. About 2,300 Kaiser Permanente employees in Hawaii are set to walk off the job this morning as part of a five-day national strike, joining over 45,000 unionized health care workers across the country in one of the largest labor actions in the health care sector in recent years. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

HCL offers forbearances for federal employees impacted by shutdown. Hawai‘i Community Lending is offering temporary relief to federal workers in Hawai‘i to ensure they do not lose their homes amid the ongoing government shutdown. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council considers fare hikes for public transit. As initially proposed, Bill 54 could increase the annual adult fare from $880 to $990; and fares for monthly adult fare would rise to $90, up from the current charge of $80 — a 12.5% price increase for both. Star-Advertiser.

Uncertainty for TheBus riders as strike talks continue, no advance notice guaranteed. Oahu Transit Services has been receiving inquiries about a pending strike by TheBus employees, prompting the union that represents them to clear the confusion. Hawaii News Now.

Skyline debuts 4 new stops, making its way into the heart of Honolulu. Honolulu’s rail system is expanding again with Skyline Segment 2 opening Thursday, Oct. 16, at 4 a.m.  KHON2.

 Honolulu's TheBus introduces new routes for Skyline expansion. The Department of Transportation Services in Honolulu announced upcoming changes to TheBus routes, effective October 16, 2025, to align with the opening of Skyline Segment 2. KITV4.

Windward Oʻahu Senior Housing Stalls Amid Zoning Appeals Backlog. A proposed senior living facility in Kāneʻohe would bring a range of negative impacts, residents say. The developer says it will help meet a crucial need. Civil Beat.

Father, daughter charged with assaulting HPD officers in Kalihi. Father, daughter charged with assaulting HPD officers in Kalihi. Kaeo Keoki Montalbo, 39, and his daughter, Naehu Montalbo Wong, were charged Monday for allegedly assaulting Honolulu police officers during a large brawl Friday night after a high school football game in Kalihi. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Public input sought on housing project in Hilo. The County of Hawai‘i Office of Housing and Community Development will host a community meeting on Oct. 23 to share information and gather feedback on the proposed ʻĀinakō Subdivision Housing Project in Hilo. Big Island Now.

Parolee who killed Big Island woman in 1978 is ‘under the highest level of supervision’.  The 75-year-old parolee, Steven Ray Simpson, was recently paroled for the 1978 murder of a young woman on the Big Island and suspected by prosecutors of having killed another young woman on the island that same year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Is Racing To Spend $20M On Lahaina Land Deal With Prominent Developer. The county plans to use 160 acres from Peter Martin for flood control, evacuation routes and other projects that could help the fire-torn town recover. Civil Beat.

Relief in the works for applicants on Upcountry water meter waitlist. John Stufflebean, director of the Maui County Department of Water Supply, said the department has developed a plan to start processing the list of people waiting for water meters in the Upcountry area. Maui News.

Downed communication cables spark concerns on Maui. Downed cables on Maui have many residents worried it could potentially spark a fire. Hawaiian Telcom, the company that owns the lines, promises there is no danger. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Rat lungworm disease detected in adult on Kaua‘i. A case of neuroangiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease, was identified in an adult on Kaua‘i for the first time since 2019. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Green pushes national agenda, hearings start today on Young Brothers' 27% shipping rate increase, Hanabusa quits HART board, Chief Justice Recktenwald forced to retire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

'There Can Be Peace': Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Wants To Heal The Country. In a wide-ranging conversation, the governor makes it pretty clear where his head is at when it comes to combining his ongoing efforts for Hawaiʻi with his future national ambitions. Civil Beat.

Retiring chief justice led with kindness, compassion, wisdom. Mark E. Recktenwald, who turns 70 on Oct. 8, will retire Tuesday due to the state’s mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices and judges. Star-Advertiser.

Choy fired while suing Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for retaliation. Isaac Choy, a former state tax director and state legislator, was terminated from his job at the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority effective Sept. 15, according to a motion to file an amended complaint in his whistle-blower lawsuit. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Young Brothers shipping company proposes a rate increase to shore up finances. The state Public Utilities Commission is holding a weeklong hearing starting today on Young Brothers’ request to raise its rates. The shipping company asked the commission to approve a 27% rate increase last year.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

State Tries To Seal Foster Care Files To Protect Info It Already Revealed. When Civil Beat sought exhibits in the trial of an abusive Hawaiʻi foster dad, the Attorney General’s Office intervened to prevent “family trauma” from becoming public. It already had. Civil Beat.

Hawaii consumers hit by higher prices brace for more. Last week, UHERO forecast a bleak economic future for Hawaii for the rest of the year and into 2026 with more job losses expected as federal immigration agents continue to deport immigrants and more federal workers are expected to end their job extensions on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Keeping Hawai‘i Convention Center repairs on track is vital to stemming tourism losses, officials say. The modified closure of the Hawai‘i Convention Center over at least the next two years will cost the visitor industry hundreds of millions in lost revenue, and a lack of confidence in the state-run project’s timeline is putting future bookings at risk. Star-Advertiser.

Developers seeking to build affordable housing reach new heights. Demand for affordable housing in Hawaiʻi is rising, and so is the number of developers seeking to meet that demand. And now federal changes could mean more housing built.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii schools are climbing back from pandemic slump. The 2025 Strive HI report shows that math proficiency climbed to 41% in the 2024-2025 academic year, science to 43% and language arts proficiency saw a slight increase to 53%, meaning they met benchmarks set by the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Health care student loans to be paid by year-end. The fourth and final student loan payments for the first 780 Hawaii health care workers has been delayed but are now expected by the end of October, or at least the end of the year, according to the doctor in charge of overseeing the two-year program designed to keep and recruit workers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Colleen Hanabusa resigns from HART board. Colleen Hanabusa, chairperson of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board of directors, is resigning from the body that governs construction of the more than $10 billion Skyline rail project, officials announced at Friday’s HART meeting. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Affordable apartments in Makiki billed as first of many by partnership. The partnership between Tradewind Capital Group and Stanford Carr Development recently received state financing commitments to fund nearly all of the estimated $148 million cost to build their initial tower. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofits anticipate hunger to worsen in Hawaii. Thousands of people filled the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Saturday for the return of the Empty Bowl fundraiser, where guests selected handmade bowls crafted by local potters and enjoyed soups donated by more than a dozen restaurants. Star-Advertiser.

This Kāneʻohe Road Is Overdue For Repair. Kea’ahala Road connects Kāneʻohe town to major state facilities, but it’s been 20 years since it was properly repaved, and sidewalks are impassable for many.  Civil Beat.

State looks for lessee to revamp and operate Mālaekahana campground. The 36-acre recreation spot in Kahuku closed in 2023 for infrastructure upgrades. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents reeling after being told to vacate Honolulu apartment building within days. A letter from the owner of Union Plaza posted on Saturday night said residents had until Tuesday to get out.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Housing Scandal Stalls Plans For Apartments. The affordable rentals in Kailua-Kona were supposed to be ready in 2024 and cost $50 million. The developer now hopes to finish in 2027 at a cost of $81 million. Civil Beat.

Keauhou Bay development clears another hurdle. Kamehameha Schools is advancing plans for a resort development on lands above Keauhou Bay, following the county Planning Department’s acceptance of the project’s final environmental impact statement. Tribune-Herald.

Monterey Bay Aquarium granted permit to collect marine life off Kona coast. The Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a special activity permit allowing George Peterson, director of Marine Operations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to collect, possess and transport various regulated and nonregulated marine organisms off the coast of West Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Tokuda discusses shutdown threat, health care cuts during Hilo visit. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda met with the Tribune-Herald on Wednesday during a visit to Hilo, where she discussed the potential for a federal government shutdown, ongoing attacks on Congress, the fight to preserve health care funding and efforts by states to shift the balance of power ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Tribune-Herald.

AG, county reach agreement over HPD internal records. The Hawaii Police Department and the state attorney general have come to an agreement regarding statements made by four HPD officers in an internal affairs investigation of alleged misconduct regarding events in May 2023. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State mulls rescue help for parched Maui water system. Over 30 years ago, state leaders saw a need to take over Hawaii plantation-era water systems and fallow farmland to support diversified agriculture, and now one such water system that’s become a drain on Maui’s economy is for sale. Star-Advertiser.

Paia Elementary cleans up from nearby brush fire; school to remain closed Monday. The school has now been closed for four school days since Tuesday’s Holomua wildfire burned 400 acres and led to the evacuation of 1,600 Paia residents.  Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Maui Now. 

Petition calls for Holomua Road closure after 380-acre fire; houseless community says it’s not to blame. Tania Kawa‘akoa shakes her head at the notion that one of the roughly 25 people who live in their cars, tents and temporary shelters along Holomua Road had anything to do with the 380-acre blaze that broke out Tuesday in the open fields above Pā‘ia and Kū‘au. Maui Now.

105 Hawaiian Homes agricultural leases on Maui mark first such awards in over 20 years. It was a day of celebration and anticipation for Maui ʻohana as they received their agricultural lot awards in two homestead projects. Some were on the Hawaiian Homes waitlist for nearly 50 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corp. to hold first board meeting on Maui, Oct. 16. The Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) will hold its next board of directors meeting on Maui, marking the first time the state agency has convened on the island. Maui Now.

Kauai

High Enterococcus fecal indicating bacteria measured at Morgan’s Pond in September. This month 12 of the 29 sites tested had bacteria concentrations higher than the Hawaii state standard (130 mpn) and 14 of the 29 had geometric means high enough to put them on the chronically polluted list. Garden Island.

Scheduled Kaua‘i lane closures on state roadways for Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announces the following lane closures and road work projects for state roadways on the Garden Isle during the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court rules Green overstepped authority in original housing proclamation, new task force tackles slow permitting process, Honolulu council mulls aid for residents displaced by affordable housing projects, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Puts Guardrails On Governors’ Executive Powers. In a unanimous opinion Thursday, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court said Gov. Josh Green overstepped his powers early on in his administration two years ago when he suspended dozens of laws under a series of sweeping emergency proclamations intended to spur housing development. Civil Beat. Kauai Now. 

State task force tackles slow Hawaii building permit process. A task force recently created by Hawaii’s Legislature has begun to work on “simplifying” the building permit process statewide in an effort to unleash more construction and economic development.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi gas prices hold steady as inflation shifts. The statewide average for regular unleaded is $4.47. That is the same as last week and 17 cents less than one year ago.  KHON2.

Hawaiʻi's dairy industry aims to expand.  For the past six years, Oʻahu consumers have not been able to buy fresh locally produced milk. It's only been available on Hawaiʻi Island, where Cloverleaf Dairy in Kohala is the last remaining dairy farm in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council wants city help for displaced tenants. The Honolulu City Council is pushing for a city program to assist Oahu residents displaced by the future construction of city-funded affordable housing projects. Star-Advertiser.

HART sets its sights on the next two Skyline stations in Kalihi. As the city gets ready to open the second segment of the Skyline rail project next month, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is getting input for stations in the next segment down Dillingham Boulevard. Hawaii News Now.

State House committee looks to improve Honolulu’s response to emergency situations. Better communication. More training. Even using artificial intelligence. Those were just some of the improvements that officials with Honolulu’s emergency management team mentioned as ways to help Oahu deal with emergencies. KHON2.

Has City Homeless Services Program Lost Its Way? Audit Will Check. The program has strayed from its emphasis on social work, according to people who value the program but call it ineffective. Civil Beat.

Team Hickam invites public for Wings of Aloha open house. The public will get a chance to tour military aircraft and equipment, check out interactive booths and learn about careers in aviation at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam this Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Eviction order at McCully massage parlor leads to illegal game room bust. Deputy sheriffs with the Department of Law Enforcement served an eviction order at a massage parlor in Pawaa Thursday, only to discover it was actually an illegal game room. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

DAGS creates new district office, hires new program manager. Kailua-Kona civil engineer Ramzi Mansour is stepping into the role of program manager at the recently formed West Hawaiʻi District Office for the Department of Accounting and General Services. (DAGS). Big Island Now.

Council to consider revised pedestrian conduct bill following mayoral veto. The Hawaii County Council is set to revisit legislation regulating pedestrian behavior near roadways, following Mayor Kimo Alameda’s recent veto of a similar measure. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Construction Update. The national park Service recently reported that Phase One of the Disaster Recovery construction projects resulting from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse is almost complete.  Big Island Video News.

This street medicine program lends a helping hand to Hawaiʻi Island's homeless population. It’s been about eight years since the Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center started doing street medicine, but it wasn't until 2023 that it became a full-time program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Island Republicans to hold vigils in remembrance of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The West Hawai‘i Republican Party is planning vigils around the island over the weekend in the wake of the shooting death in Utah on Wednesday of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court reaffirms water advocates' rights to challenge stream water diversion permits. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has ruled that the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi was improperly denied the ability to contest one-year revocable permits that allow the diversion of millions of gallons of water from east Maui streams. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Maui police launch internal investigation into social media comments. The Maui Police Department reports it is aware of an incident involving a department member who allegedly posted inappropriate comments on social media. Maui Now.

3 Maui projects, 2 on Molokai get funding from Hawaii Tourism Authority. A restoration project at the Haleakalā Visitor Center on Maui is among 26 projects across Hawaii that are being supported by funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui News.

Backup wells to help in drought; Stage 1 restrictions continue. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is beginning to use a couple of backup wells to provide potable water for Upcountry residents as a drought continues across the county. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui Humane Society announces leadership transition. Lisa Labrecque has resigned as the chief executive officer for Maui Humane Society, which runs the island’s only open-admission shelter and cares for more than 4,900 animals a year. Maui News.

Kauai

U.S. Fish and Wildlife seeks feedback on long-term conservation plan for Kauaʻi. The draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, developed by the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 22, beginning a 60-day public comment period. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi medical school's Kauaʻi program aims to combat physician shortage on the island. The Kauaʻi Medical Training Track at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine welcomed its fourth cohort of students into its program, which aims to improve healthcare in Kauaʻi's rural areas while also training future physicians. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fixing Up Homes From Kauaʻi’s Plantation Past Could Ease Local Housing Woes. The county was able to help cut development costs by changing its zoning and subdivision codes. Civil Beat.

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.

Green heads to Washington to tout vaccinations, housing affordability worsens, Honolulu may tap into transient accommodations tax to defray sewer costs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green heading to D.C. to urge vaccinations. Green will board a coach seat for a red-eye flight to Washington, D.C., on Monday to testify in support of vaccinations after Hawaii’s 90% COVID-era vaccine rate contributed to the lowest COVID mortality rate in the country. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Looks To Expand Leadership Team Amid Bus Shortages And Facility Woes. State education leaders say creating a new assistant superintendent position could improve operations, but the department is close to doubling the number of top leadership posts since 2012. Civil Beat.

Housing affordability continues to elude many in Hawaii. It took more income to afford the median rent for a place to live or to buy a median-priced single-family house in 2024, according to the study published Wednesday by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Hawaii home prices are three times the national median and the state also has the nation's highest rate of homeless population, according to the study.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Maui Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaiʻi will not meet its climate goals without significant transportation changes. The latest state greenhouse gas report, prepared by the state Department of Health, concludes that based on emission data from 2022, the state is off-track on two important goals: slashing emissions in half by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, and eliminating emissions entirely by 2045. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senators back bill to boost reimbursements for farmer and rancher transportation costs. US Sens. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaiʻi) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced legislation to increase funding for the US Department of Agriculture’s Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment program. The program reimburses farmers and ranchers in Hawaiʻi, Alaska and other insular areas for transportation costs of supplies like feed, fertilizer and equipment parts. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council advances bill to offset sewer fee hike.  The Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Bill 43, meant to redirect a portion of the 3% visitor-­generated Oahu transient accommodations tax, which in part is earmarked for Honolulu’s rail project, to the city’s sewer fund. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Approves Last Big Covid Hazard Payments For City Workers. After years of delays, the City Council signed off on a $41 million deal with the state’s largest union after previously reaching agreements with two other unions. Civil Beat.

Honolulu To Pay $2.1 Million To End Wrongful Arrest Lawsuit. The Honolulu City Council has agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who spent nearly three years in jail awaiting trial for drug trafficking charges — despite never having been found in possession of drugs or drug money.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu parks department updates community garden rules. For the first time in 40 years, new rules are now in place for Honolulu’s community gardening program, which currently has a 300-person waitlist. Hawaii News Now.

Tariff uncertainty is affecting these Chinatown small business owners. Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, the founder and president of the Chinatown Business & Community Association,  said Chinatown business owners are worried that they won't have something to sell in the next few months.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Kai roads reopen after projectile devices defused. Two possibly live M49A2 mortar bombs were found and turned in by a member of the public. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kona coffee fields have become a target for ICE. Kona coffee retails for more than $30 for an 8-ounce bag. With a devoted following around the world, the distinct coffee has been a point of pride for the Big Island, and for the thousands of immigrants from Latin America who for decades have handpicked the beans in the Kona fields. Now the fate of many of those immigrant workers is uncertain, as is the future of the island’s coffee industry. New York Times.

Budget bill contains $2.5M for Puna Alternate Route Study.  The 2023 budget previously allocated $1 million in state funds for such a study, but required a $500,000 match by Hawaii County. Those state funds unexpectedly lapsed in mid-2024. Tribune-Herald.

Case involving Puna house snafu settled. A settlement has been reached in the case of a house built on the wrong lot in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Tribune-Herald.

Last Two Phases of Māmalahoa Highway Repaving Project Starts May 19. Resurfacing will be completed from Kalamauka Road to Ha‘awina Street, as well as from Palani Road to Kamalani Street, by the end of the year. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Decrease in visitor tax rate sought as fear of recession looms. Maui County Council chair Alice Lee said she hopes to roll back the council’s proposed property tax rate hikes for the visitor industry because there’s sufficient funding for future projects and a likelihood of a recession. The proposed reduction would reduce the estimated real property tax revenues for the visitor industry by $14.5 million.  Maui News.

Lahaina Wildfire Debris Heading To Final Central Maui Site In June. Officials say they have worked to minimize traffic and address health concerns. But a December deadline for removal looms large. Civil Beat.

Online briefing for Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners as no-cost property surveys move ahead. Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners are encouraged to register now for an online briefing on how to receive property surveys through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program. Maui Now.

Prosecutors say Maui doctor took powerful drug from hospital. Just three days after anesthesiologist, Gerhardt Konig, allegedly tried to kill his wife, Arielle, in March by pushing her off an Oahu cliff and injecting her with needles, court document say she contacted Honolulu police after finding the defendant’s Nike fanny pack on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi councilmembers propose diverting money from stalled projects. Kauaʻi councilmembers have proposed some budget changes that divert money from projects that have stalled or don't have solid plans going forward. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kapolei grandmother sues Child Welfare Services in toddler death, Legislature hits halfway mark, endangered wildlife in jeopardy from federal cuts, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Federal Cuts May Clip Wings Of Hawaiʻi’s Endangered Birds. Workers who had hoped to spend their careers supporting these at-risk local species have been let go. Now, who might take over remains up in the air. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi congressional delegation introduces legislation to protect native species. The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would fund conservation and recovery projects addressing invasive species, the ecological consequences of climate change, native species’ habitats, and population recovery. Big Island Now.

Insurance, fireworks and federal cuts are key topics as legislators reach the halfway point. The legislative session is at its halfway point — Thursday was the key deadline, called "crossover," for bills to pass out of their originating chamber to survive. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Senate moves bill to protect access to contraceptives. The Hawai‘i State Senate passed Senate Bill 350, which proposes an amendment to the state’s Constitution that protects individuals’ rights to access contraceptives and make decisions about their reproductive health. Maui Now.

Litigation spikes over Hawaii home construction. The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization report said at least 17,555 new Hawaii homes over the past 25 years, or 702 homes annually on average, have been subject to construction defect litigation. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

‘Utter failure’: Grandmother of murdered toddler sues state over handling of child abuse reports.  The grandmother of a Kapolei 3-year-old who died from alleged abuse and neglect is suing the state, claiming it failed to act on reports to child welfare services. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Oahu home prices hit record high of $1,185,000. Oahu single-family home prices in February hit a rec­ord high for the first time in nearly three years while condominium activity softened as the housing market diverged. Star-Advertiser.

Co-conspirator of late crime boss Mike Miske sentenced. Harry Kauhi will spend nearly nine years in prison for his role in the Miske criminal enterprise. Kauhi was sentenced Tuesday after accepting a plea deal in 2022, and testified against Mike Miske at trial. Hawaii News Now.

Builder is sought for Iwilei Center redevelopment project. An experienced builder who can convert Iwilei Center’s aging warehouse space into a new mixed-use, transit-­oriented development on the edge of downtown Honolulu is now being sought, city officials say. Star-Advertiser. Spectrum News.

Campbell High breaks ground on athletics facility expansion. This marks the second phase of renovations after the installation of artificial track and turf on the football field two years ago. This next wave includes new boys and girls locker rooms, a press box, and bleachers for the stadium along with new lights. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Symphony Orchestra back at Blaisdell Center Concert Hall after nearly three years. The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra takes the stage for the first time in nearly three years. The concert hall completed the first phase in its $10 million renovation project. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County to move ahead with Puna route study. Contract being finalized, but state funding remains lapsed. County Public Works Director Hugh Ono on Thursday reassured a Hawaii County Council committee that a study of possible new traffic routes in and out of Puna can still happen using county funds, despite surprise news last month that state funds allocated in 2023 for that purpose had expired in 2024 without anyone noticing. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County calls for public feedback on hazard mitigation plan. Hawaiʻi County is updating its hazard mitigation plan for the first time since 2020, and the county is taking public feedback on the plan now. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Public input sought for affordable housing effort. The Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development is seeking community input on Hawaii Island’s housing needs for the Affordable Housing Production Program. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Faces Huge Funding Gap For Wildfire Recovery, Draft Plan Shows. The county is hosting public meetings on the plan starting Saturday. Billions of dollars from other funding sources must be identified to achieve long-term goals.  Civil Beat.

Affordable housing project moves forward with $15.5M in financing secured. The team that’s building Hale O Pi’ikea III, the final phase of a three-phase affordable housing development in southwest Maui, has reportedly closed $15.5 million in federal and state financing for the project. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami on navigating 'a sea of uncertainty'. Illegal vacation rentals, federal funding uncertainties, budget plans and more were the topics of a live discussion with Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami as he prepares to deliver his state of the county address next week on March 13. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi volunteers break record collecting over 160,000 pounds of marine debris. Surfrider Foundation Kauaʻi announced Wednesday that its volunteers collected more than 162,902 pounds of marine debris and trash in 2024 from the beaches and coastlines of Kauaʻi, beating the previously held record of 120,000 pounds in 2017. Hawaii Public Radio.

4 homes blessed at Waimea Huakai. The crowd for four new homes being dedicated on Thursday was large, with more than 100 individuals, including Kauai Habitat for Humanity staff, building volunteers, and a visiting Collegiate Challenge group for the passing of four keys at the Waimea Huakai subdivision. Garden Island.

$300M, 2k affordable homes in the pipeline, HTA wants to tap into emergency fund to bolster tourism, state lawmakers to discuss Oahu landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is Hawaiʻi’s Historic Investment In Affordable Housing Paying Off? Two years ago, the state made a record investment in affordable rental housing. Results so far are both encouraging and sobering. Hawai’i’s Legislature made a historic investment in affordable housing in 2022, betting that $300 million would make a dent in the state’s affordability crisis. Two and a half years later, initial results are encouraging: About 2,000 units priced below market rates are in the pipeline for renters in the coming year. Civil Beat.

HTA seeking to shore up tourism with new round of emergency funds. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has declared another tourism emergency, and for only the second time since its creation in 1998 is seeking approval to use its $5 million Tourism Emergency Special Fund to shore up the industry, which is still in recovery mode. Star-Advertiser.

Teacher shortage is focus of upcoming Hawaiʻi Education Association summit. Ending Hawaiʻi’s teacher shortage will be a focus of discussion this week of the Hawaiʻi Education Association, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthen teaching and building an educator pipeline for the next generation, during the organization’s annual summit on Oʻahu. Hawaii ranks in the top 10 states with the lowest teacher-to-state population ratio. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Pressure put on Hawaii lawmakers to stamp out illegal fireworks. At least four new Hawaii laws have been enacted in the past six years to rein in the distribution and use of illegal fireworks. Yet the general perception from many residents and government leaders is that the thunderous booms and aerial displays detonated in neighborhoods around the state mostly on New Year’s Eve have not declined. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council considers city’s planned sewer fee hikes. Currently, the city says, an average single-family residential sewer bill totals approximately $110.89 a month. By July 1 that bill would rise to $122.05 a month. And by July 2034, the city predicts, the average monthly sewer bill will be $248.53 — a 124.1% increase from the current average sewer bill. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers to discuss Oahu’s future landfill with environmental, water officials. Two legislative committees plan to meet with city environmental and water officials to explore the potential impacts of a new dump at a proposed site just outside Wahiawa. Hawaii News Now.

Police investigate doctor’s role in woman’s death. Honolulu police searched the home of a 73-year-old psychiatrist Friday for evidence he may have illegally assisted in the death of an 88-year-old woman in October at her home in the Punahou area. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Red Hill Registry available for initial sign-up. The University of Hawaii has opened pre-enrollment for the Red Hill Registry, a community-driven initiative designed to assist people affected by the jet fuel-­contaminated drinking water from the Navy waterline on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Olson Trust donates $200,000 to Pacific Tsunami Museum. The Olson Trust, which carries out the vision of its founder, the late Hilo businessman and philanthropist Ed Olson, has come forward with a $200,000 contribution to the nonprofit museum. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Community Hospital to seek funding from Hawai‘i Legislature for emergency department expansion. Leaders at Kona Community Hospital plan to seek state funding for what they say are much-needed improvements to the Kailua-Kona facility’s “cramped” 6,200-square-foot emergency department. Big Island Now.

Maui

Gov. Green offers guidance with Maui’s moratorium on evictions set to end next month. Maui’s eviction moratorium will end Feb. 4, and Gov. Josh Green is trying to call attention to a new law that establishes a mediation-based process for resolving rent disputes between landlords and tenants. Maui News. Maui Now.

Latest report shows more prefer Ku’ia as permanent site for King Kamehameha III Elementary. DOE report reveals opinions on new Lahaina campus. The state Department of Education on Friday released a summary report on community sentiment regarding plans to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was damaged beyond repair in the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

Preservation groups demand state follow court order and pause commercial permits at Kā‘anapali Beach until study is done. Two West Maui advocacy groups are claiming the state is issuing permit renewals for commercial operators at Kā‘anapali Beach “in open defiance” of a court order that’s part of a yearslong dispute over use of the shoreline. Maui Now.

Alpha Inc. hits milestone in Lahaina recovery: 107 temporary homes in 34 days. Within just 34 days, Maui company Alpha Inc. have installed 107 temporary housing units at the Kilohana Temporary Housing Project in Lahaina, an announcement said Tuesday. Of these, they report that 68 homes have already been made available for fire survivors to move into, a vital step toward recovery. Maui Now.

Kauai

Wilcox nurses on Kauai issue 3-day strike notice. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association has notified Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai that the 159 registered nurses represented by the union will begin a three-day limited-­duration strike next week to protest unfair labor practices and to underscore the fight for “safer” nurse-to-patient ratios. The team of Wilcox nurses will begin their strike on Jan. 14 and continue through Jan. 17. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines begins layoffs, state mulls ways to help insurance-stricken condo owners, hundreds of Maui health-care workers to strike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Airlines begins merger-related layoffs. Hawaiian Airlines plans to eliminate 73 people from its 1,400 noncontract workforce in Hawaii and on the mainland in the wake of its recent merger with Alaska Air Group Inc.  Layoffs of Hawaiian Airlines employees include 57 people in Hawaii and another 16 from the mainland. Star-Advertiser.

Lien, foreclosure threats add anxiety over insurance-driven condo fees. Soaring condominium fees due to insurance cost hikes are putting owners at risk of foreclosure, and trapping others in properties they can’t sell, according to residents struggling to keep up. The governor’s office points to a second emergency order this month that among other things suspended certain laws in order to allow an industry association and a state agency to issue master policies to condo associations. KHON2.

Most Hawaii Schools Have Gardens — But Few Kids Can Eat What They Grow. A state program that helped schools meet food safety standards ended during the pandemic and it can be daunting for campuses to tackle the requirements on their own. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s State Psychiatric Hospital Has Leaks, Causing Mold To Grow. Some three years after the newest building at Hawaii State Hospital was completed, persistent leaks are allowing rainwater to seep in and causing mold to grow inside the facility, according to a consultant that investigated the problem. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Inmate Dies in An Arizona Prison. A Hawaii prisoner apparently hanged himself in a disciplinary unit of the Saguaro Correctional Center this week, the fourth Hawaii inmate in Arizona to die this year. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu’s next landfill: City weighs sites as waste dilemma looms. The search for a new landfill site on Oahu is moving forward, but the top sites selected so far would require legislative action. KHON2.

State: Drag-Racing Event On Farmland Violated License-Holder’s Agreement. The Agribusiness Development Corp. has issued a violation notice to one of its license-holders after he claimed an unapproved drag-racing event on state farmland was a way of tilling the soil.  Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Union to provide support for Hilton Hawaiian Village workers as strike continues. It's been a month since 1,800 hotel workers walked off the job at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Hawaii Public Radio.

On Your Ballot: Honolulu City Charter amendments explained. If you are voting in the City and County of Honolulu, your ballot has four questions related to proposed amendments to the Honolulu City Charter. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

New 99-Unit Affordable Rental Complex Dedicated In Kona. Kauhale I Ke Kula Uka features 99 units, including 58 3-bedroom units and 41 2-bedroom units, for households earning up to 60% of area median income (AMI), in addition to a manager’s unit. For reference, a household of four in 2024 could earn up to $66,480 per year. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Iconic bridge in Hilo park to be rebuilt. One of the most recognizable structures in Lili‘uokalani Gardens, the vermilion wooden bridge pavilion, will undergo a complete rebuild because of extensive termite damage. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Maui

Unionized workers at Maui Memorial, clinics to strike. Hundreds of unionized health care workers, including most of the essential staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center, will hold a three-day strike starting 7 a.m. Nov. 4 in protest of unfair labor practices. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Rolling lottery planned for healthcare professionals at transitional housing development in Kahului, Maui. Maui Health Foundation’s Housing for Healthcare initiative is accepting interest from healthcare professionals for 31 transitional housing units in Kahului, including 16 brand new, 4-bedroom, single-family homes, and 15 accessory dwelling units (‘ohana units).  Maui Now.

Maui County trying to collect millions in overdue visitor lodging taxes. Hundreds of property owners who have failed to pay Maui County the 3% transient accommodations tax for visitor lodgings have been receiving letters saying they need to pay up, and fast. Maui Now.

South Maui community meeting centers around development concerns. Several South Maui residents came together Wednesday night at the ProArts Theater in Kihei to discuss a variety of topics ranging from road development and water management to affordable housing and controversial luxury home developments in the area. Maui News.

Hawaii Is Allowing Registered Sex Offender To Keep Treating Patients. California revoked Edward Hsu's physical therapy license based on a Hawaii conviction. In Hawaii, both his physical therapy and acupuncture licenses remain in good standing. Civil Beat.

Kaheawa Wind 1 Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice published, 30-day comment period begins. This proposal involves continuing operations of the existing Kaheawa Wind 1 wind generation facility, located above the town of Māʻalaea, for an additional 20-year period.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County passes resolutions following public beach access complaints. Although all beaches in Hawai’i are generally open to the public by law, there have been complaints on Kauaʻi about a declining number of public access routes to the shoreline, including to the popular and family-friendly ʻAnini Beach. Kauai Now.

Ancestral Remains Conflict Means Trouble For Hawaii Cesspool Owners. A stop work order has been placed on a septic installation project in Hanalei while the State Historic Preservation Division investigates the finding of iwi kupuna on the property. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Kauai Now.

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.