Same-sex marriage protection on November ballot, $35M project could reopen Waikiki Natatorium, Bissen heads to California wildfire conference, we're still the happiest state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Voters Asked To Ensure Protection Of Same-Sex Marriage. A proposed constitutional amendment calls for repealing lawmakers' authority over gender and matrimony. Civil Beat.

$18M headed to Hawai‘i to make buildings more energy efficient, lower bills, combat climate change. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Hawai‘i will receive $18.1 million in federal funding to adopt a building performance standard for energy efficiency in commercial buildings.  Maui Now.

Some Hawaii Nonprofits May Get Good Financial News From OHA After Delay. Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are being asked to approve nearly $3 million in funding for nonprofits that was delayed in May amid concerns the money was not being equitably distributed. Civil Beat.

Pacific Islanders Are Often Left Out Of Medical Studies. This Team Wants To Change That. The University of Hawaii is participating in a national study of gaps in health research for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Civil Beat.

High School Surfing Is A Thing In Hawaii, But Not As Much As You Might Think. Schools have struggled to start official teams with limited funding and no recognition from local athletic leagues. Civil Beat.

Hawaii trafficking charges part of case against arrested Philippine mega-church pastor. Philippine televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, accused of human trafficking and sex assault — including in Hawaii, was arrested this weekend in the Philippines after a two week stand-off between law enforcement and his followers. Hawaii News Now.

Study: Hawaii ranks #1 as happiest state in America. Lucky we live in Hawaii! A new 2024 study revealed that the Aloha state has been ranked the “Happiest State in the Nation.” KHON2.

Oahu

State eyes takeover of struggling affordable condo project in Kakaako. A state agency that helped finance the project called The Block 803 Waimanu is considering foreclosure against the developer after financial difficulties stemming from 61 unsold units in the 153-unit complex despite prices as low as $276,102 for a studio.  Star-Advertiser.

City, nonprofit aims to reopen shuttered Waikiki natatorium after 40 years. More than 40 years after a Waikiki natatorium was deemed unsafe and closed, a $35 million project aims to reopen the gates for public swimming. Hawaii News Now.

West Oahu refinery seeks to develop plant-based biofuels. PAR Hawaii Refining LLC proposes that part of its 151.4-acre facility in Kapolei produce low-carbon-­emission, plant-based biofuels, including renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel and renewable liquefied petroleum gas, among others. Star-Advertiser.

Iwilei autopsy facility re-opens after $5.9M transformation. After completing nearly $6 million in renovations, the Department of the Medical Examiner received a modern look for its Iwilei headquarters. KHON2.

City launches rock slide mitigation project to enhance safety on Pacific Heights Road. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction will begin rock slide mitigation work on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 for the lower portion of Pacific Heights Road. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Cesspool Closures In Naʻalehu Examined In Draft EA. The County of Hawaiʻi must close three large capacity cesspools that serve approximately 164 private residences in Naʻalehu. Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Forest Reserve Fencing Projects Planned. Three draft environmental assessments have been published for fenceline and access projects in the Kaʻū and Upper Waiakea Forest Reserves, as well as the Manukā Natural Area Reserve. Big Island Video News.

NOAA ship ‘has a special mission’: Reporters get closer look at Okeanos Explorer. A vessel dedicated to exploring the unknown parts of the ocean is docked this week at the Port of Hilo for the first time as the crew and scientists prepare for the next part of their expedition. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Richard Bissen to travel out of state for wildfire summit. Mayor Bissen, along with County of Maui Managing Director Josiah Nishita and other County staff, will travel to California to attend the After the Fire USA 2024 Wildfire Leadership Summit. Maui News.

Feds Partner With Maui Groups To Develop An Energy Plan For Lahaina. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is working with three local organizations. When efforts to clean up debris from the fire that leveled much of Lahaina in August 2023 were still in the early stages, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory sent a team to Maui to better understand what happened and to eventually help create a sustainable energy plan for the rebuilding of the historic town. Civil Beat.

EPA’s Maui Wildfire Emergency Response Team awarded government service equivalent of an ‘Oscar’. Pete Guria, Steve Calanog, Tara Fitzgerald of the Environmental Protection Agency (San Francisco) directed more than 300 EPA personnel to remove tons of hazardous materials from the Maui wildfires while respecting local cultural norms and setting standards for federal response teams that followed.   Maui Now.

County declares Stage 1 water shortage for Central and South Maui. A water shortage is underway on Maui, and county officials are calling for conservation measures. The Department of Water Supply has declared a Stage 1 water shortage for the Central Maui System. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Officials highlight cesspool conversion funding for Kaua‘i homeowners already feeling the pinch.  The Kaua‘i County Residential Cesspool Conversion Grant Program will divide $2 million among 100 qualifying homeowners ($20,000 per household). Kauai Now.

4.5k units get building exemptions under emergency proclamation, Mallory named Deputy Adjutant General, state has no 'stand your ground' law to protect man who shot Waianae attacker, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Brig. Gen. Phillip Mallory Named Next Deputy Adjutant General. Brig. Gen. Mallory, currently the commander of the 154th Wing, Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, will succeed Brig. Gen. Stephen Logan on October 1st. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.

4,500 affordable residential units secure building exemptions under emergency proclamation. Nine affordable housing projects, decided by the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance & Development Corporation director, have received building exemptions through the governor’s proclamation.So far, over 4,500 units on Oʻahu, Kauaʻi and Maui have received building exemptions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Thousands of local hotel workers begin strike after talks stall with top chains. Strike lines are up at eight Hawaiʻi hotels — seven on Oʻahu and one on Kauaʻi.  Hawaii Public Radio. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu businesswoman Kim Coco Iwamoto is shaking up Hawaii politics. Video Only. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

State law required arrest of Waianae attacker’s killer, HPD Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan says. Responding to questions about why the man who stopped his neighbor’s deadly rampage was arrested, Logan spoke generally about self-defense, saying Hawaii is not a “stand-your-ground state.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

‘Silva dome’ linked to attacker in Waianae was unpermitted. The city Department of Planning and Permitting has investigated at least 20 community complaints over the past two decades related to the house involved in Saturday’s Waianae Valley Road shooting. Star-Advertiser.

Some Small Businesses In Kailua Town Are Closing As Costs Continue To Climb. Restaurateurs say the challenges they face are more complex than simply high rents. Civil Beat.

City rolls out CORE bus to curb Honolulu homelessness. CORE workers will drive the bus to encampments, parks, beaches and surrounding areas to identify, evaluate and transport the unsheltered to the city’s Leahi or Aala respite center and shelter, when homeless people agree to accept such help, city officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Kapi‘olani nurses give notice of planned 1-day strike. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association on Tuesday filed 10 days’ notice that its 600 nurses at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children will strike again Sept. 13. It would be a one-day strike on a Friday.  Star-Advertiser.

DLNR reports 14 hikers arrested at Haiku Stairs. The 14 hikers were arrested by Honolulu police over the past six days, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. All face criminal trespassing charges. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

New call center fails inspection. The long-delayed opening of the Hawaii County Emergency Call Center has been pushed back once again because the facility on July 29 failed a building inspection. Tribune-Herald.

Roadside vendors bill stalls. A County Council committee on Tuesday once again postponed a decision about Bill 184, which would establish a process for people to apply for a permit to sell wares on county roads, after council members raised several more questions about how the process would work. Tribune-Herald.

New NAS Swimming Pool facility opens to the public. After more than four years, the Hilo pool reopened Tuesday morning after a quick ceremony and blessing followed by recreational swimming time. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

HCF, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez donate $2.128M to purchase fire trucks for the Maui County Fire Department. The Hawai‘i Community Foundation announced the award of $2.128 million to the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, to be used for the purchase of four new fire trucks for the Maui Fire Department.  Maui Now.

Climate Advocates Want Tourists To Rent Electric Vehicles. Maui Shows Why That’s Hard. Transitioning rental car fleets to EVs could help the state meet its ambitious energy goals, but "range anxiety" leaves customers concerned about making it around the island. Civil Beat.

Mandatory water restriction in place for Central Maui residents. According to BWS officials, under a stage one shortage declared Tuesday, residents and businesses in 11 areas are only allowed to irrigate their properties two days a week. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Organizers push for public shoreline access in West Maui, removal of beachfront condos. A legal battle is brewing over an effort to save beachfront condos in West Maui that were built in the '70s and are now threatened by erosion. KITV4.

Kauai

Suspected norovirus among 24 campers results in closure of popular Kaua‘i trail. The Kalalau Section of the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kaua‘i is closed after an illness, suspected to be the norovirus, has made numerous campers ill. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Immediate water conservation request issued for Princeville area customers. The order was issued by Princeville Utilities Co. Inc. Additionally, the Kaua‘i County Department of Water is asking its customers located on Anini Road, Kalihiwai Valley Estates and a portion of Kuhio Highway, near Hanalei Plantation Road, to abide by the conservation request. Kauai Now.

Counties grapple with building code changes as affordable housing grants flow in, storms Gilma and Hector expected to weaken, bring weekend rain, newspaper puts the AI in Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

As stakeholders navigate building code updates, counties bear the burden. Gov. Josh Green's emergency housing proclamation, issued last July, suspended the State Building Code Council. As a result, the 2021 international codes were adopted by the state last month without changes. Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO and KIUC submit plans to strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters. Hawaiʻi's two big electricity providers have filed plans with the Public Utilities Commission about what they are doing to prepare for natural disasters. Hawaii Public Radio.

Storms Gilma and Hector to weaken, bring rain to start the holiday weekend. The latest hurricane center forecasts show that tropical cyclones Gilma and Hector are weakening as they move closer. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

DOE contracts with Roberts Hawaii for school bus drivers to expire in October. The State made three contracts to find a solution to the school bus driver shortage. This provides school bus service to students on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu. KITV4.

Young UH-Manoa voters have little enthusiasm for the presidential race. Young voters could play a critical role in deciding who will be America’s next president, but as a new school year begins at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, there’s little enthusiasm in any big way ahead of Nov. 5. Star-Advertiser.

Trump to put Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr. on his transition team. Former President Donald Trump plans to name his former rival, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Hawaii’s Tulsi Gabbard, a one-time Democrat, as honorary co-chairs of a presidential transition team that will help him select the policies and personnel of any second Trump administration, according to a campaign senior adviser. New York Times.

Water commission leader is named following wildfire-related controversy. An attorney with complex litigation experience is positioned to be the next administrator of state water resources more than a year after controversy related to the Lahaina wildfire led to the reassignment, reinstatement and resignation of a predecessor. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawyer: Hawaii Prisoner Who Was Stabbed Repeatedly In Arizona Must Be Moved. Myles Breiner says his client fears for his life after being stabbed dozens of times in an alleged gang attack at the Saguaro Correctional Center. Civil Beat.

Oahu

$10M in incentives available for affordable housing developers under new law. In an effort to get more affordable housing built, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 3 into law to offer more incentives for owners and developers. KHON2.

State grants contract for Oʻahuʻs 1st teacher workforce housing development. The 109-unit project will be built on the Mililani High School campus for teachers making up to 120% of the state’s annual median income. Hawaii Public Radio.

BWS Consultants: Thousands Of Navy Water Tests After The Red Fuel Leak Are Invalid. Residents who use the water system affected by that spill say the experts' findings support their concerns that there's still something in the water. Civil Beat.

UH researchers granted $4.2M to take on Hawaiʻi’s clean energy needs. A $4.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation will allow a team led by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers to tackle clean energy needs on multiple fronts, from sustainable solutions and integrating Native Hawaiian knowledge to engaging with high school students. Kauai Now.

Bikinis, surfboards and battle-axes? Hawaii loosens long-strict weapons laws after court ruling. Hawaii’s tourist hotspot of Waikiki is known for bikinis, shopping and surfboards. But resident Andrew Roberts has recently introduced a different item on evening walks through his neighborhood: a long-poled battle-axe. Associated Press.

Former homeless outreach center becomes encampment hotspot in Wahiawa. A facility in Wahiawa that was initially opened to get homeless individuals off the streets is now a hotspot for illegal encampments. Residents said ever since the nonprofit Achieve Zero closed its doors in December, it’s become a place for squatters and suspicious activity. Hawaii News Now.

3 face federal charges in game room robbery. Three men are facing federal charges after they allegedly robbed an illegal gambling operation on Kawaiahao Street at gunpoint early Thursday morning. Star-Advertiser.

Man indicted for allegedly shooting boy, 16, riding TheBus. An Oahu grand jury indicted a 19-year-old man for attempted murder after he allegedly shot a 16-year-old Farrington High School student on Aug. 9 who was riding TheBus after school, according to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Schofield soldier faces 3 charges in pregnant wife’s disappearance. A 28-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier, who is the husband of a missing 19-year-old pregnant woman, is facing three charges, the U.S. Army in Hawaii announced Tuesday in a news release. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Safe Space, mobile kitchen to be unveiled Friday at Salvation Army.  Funded through $1.8 million in state and county money, the Hilo Overnight Safe Space will house up to 25 homeless individuals each night at the Salvation Army’s Ponahawai Street location. Tribune-Herald.

Death of Ocean View man by dog mauling led to stronger state penalties for owners of uncontrolled vicious animals. A year after four dogs viciously attacked 71-year-old Bob Northrop while he was out for a walk, the animalsʻ owners Kalani Burgher and Keli Toyama were charged with negligent failure to control a dangerous dog and will face a judge in the case on Sept. 5 in Kona District Court. Big Island Now.

Maui

Queen Kaʻahumanu Center change of zoning gets final Council approval for redevelopment. Maui County Council members approved on second-and-final reading Tuesday land use measures to pave the way for redevelopment of Queen Kaʻahumanu Center as it struggles amid a nationwide decline in brick-and-mortar shopping malls. Bills 67 and 68 advance to Mayor Richard Bissen for final action. Maui Now.

Government Bureaucracy Complicates Maui’s Response To Sea Level Rise. Conflicting guidance from permitting agencies makes it harder for the county to save or move roads threatened by the ocean. Civil Beat.

Corps of Engineers clearing debris from final three properties in Lahaina. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with federal, state, and local partners, announced that debris removal on the last single- and multi-unit residential properties in Lahaina is currently underway. Maui News.

Maui Woman sentenced to 10 years on prison for involvement in suspicious Central Maui fire. Krystale Kaneakua of Pukalani was sentenced to 10 years in jail on Tuesday by 2nd Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill for second degree arson in connection with a five acre brush fire along the Maui Veterans Highway two years ago. Maui Now.

Kauai

AI-generated ‘TGI Today’ to launch on Thursday, Aug. 29. Caledo’s AI platform generates captivating studio shows featuring dialogues and interviews between avatars. Caledo will help The Garden Island revolutionize how it produces and distributes news to the communities it serves on the island of Kauai. Garden Island.

Fatal Kauai Helicopter Crash Intensifies Spotlight On Air Tour Industry. A week before the crash, one federal agency criticized another for allowing risky practices and inadequate communication in the Hawaii air tour industry. Civil Beat.

Waikiki beach clutter spurs cease-and-desist orders, Honolulu, Big Island councils mull affordable housing, vacation rental measures, Miske witness moved after prison assaults, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Waikīkī hotels, vendors receive cease-and-desist notices for beach equipment. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation issued cease-and-desist notices to several Waikīkī hotels and vendors for presetting equipment on public beaches. Notices were given to four hotels and five commercial vendors.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Yen fluctuations impact visitor spending in Hawaii. Overall visitor numbers are down from major markets. Around a 7% decrease in US and Canadian visitors for the year.  KITV4.

Victims fear $4B settlement will hide accountability as Maui wildfire investigations continue. Two major investigations into the fire and government response are still not complete, so, some victims wonder if the truth will ever come out. Hawaii News Now.

Primary Ballot Returns Lagging Behind 2022 Levels. Ballot returns across the state in advance of Saturday’s primary election are down by 14% compared to the same time in the 2022 primary. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Little-Known Candidates Challenge A Well-Funded Incumbent In Honolulu Mayor’s Race. Three challengers face Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who claims many successes in his first term. Civil Beat.

City Council to review housing-related bills. The Honolulu City Council today is poised to consider adoption of a bill meant to give private developers of affordable rental housing greater financial incentives to build on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu home sales heating up this summer. The latest Honolulu Board of Realtors report shows that July year-over-year single-family home sales spiked by 20%.  KITV4.

Miske witness will be moved after third assault in custody. A man who once worked for convicted crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr. is being moved to another facility after gangs assaulted him three times in the past four months, allegedly for testifying against his former employer, according to federal court documents. Star-Advertiser.

Community Mourns Death Of Hawaiian Activist And Homeless Advocate Twinkle Borge. The 54-year-old had dedicated much of her life to creating a home for the homeless in Waianae and was one of the inspirations for the kauhale or tiny home movement in Hawaii. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Oahu officials capture nearly 2K feral chickens since 2022. The feral chicken problem on Oahu seems to be growing and never-ending.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council bills propose changes to vacation rental rules. The most complex — and controversial — of those bills is Bill 121, which would establish several different tiers of vacation rentals, with their own conditions and standards of use, prohibit ohana units from being used as vacation rentals, and many other things. Tribune-Herald.

Mandatory water restriction for areas in North Kona due to down wells. Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply has implemented a mandatory 25% water restriction for areas in North Kona effective immediately. Big Island Now.

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site Celebration Set For August. The site will mark its 52nd anniversary Establishment Day, “Hoʻokuikahi”, with its traditional Hawaiian Cultural Festival on August 17th and August 18th. Big Island Video News.

2024 Native Hawaiian Convention coming to Waikoloa. The 2024 Native Hawaiian Convention is set to take place at the Hilton Waikoloa from September 17 to 19.  KHON2.

Maui

Tourism Is Still Way Down On Maui. And That’s Causing A Lot Of Problems Efforts to boost the industry will focus on key Southern California markets, with additional pushes targeting corporate meeting and incentive planners. Civil Beat.

The View From Above: How Far We’ve Come Since The Maui Fires. Here’s what progress has looked like from an aerial perspective over the past year in Lahaina, Upcountry and Olowalu. Civil Beat.

Maui transitional housing for fire survivors proliferating one year after disaster. It’s only a trickle at the moment, but the supply of new homes for transitional use by Maui wildfire survivors is on the cusp of surging one year after the disaster. Star-Advertiser.

$1M donation from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to help replace bunkhouse cabins at Camp Maluhia on Maui; support Scouting America, Aloha Council. Scouting America, Aloha Council has announced a landmark donation of $1 million from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. Maui Now.

How Lahaina’s more than 150-year-old banyan tree is coming back to life after devastating fire. When a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina on Maui last August, the wall of flames scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town’s Front Street. Associated Press.

Maui Bicycling League calls for enhanced road safety amid rising traffic fatalities. In light of a worrying 17% increase in Hawai’i’s traffic fatalities compared to 2023, the Maui Bicycling League, inspired by Hawaii’s ancient Law of the Splintered Paddle, calls for increased vigilance on our roads.  Maui News.

Grand Wailea Resort employees go on strike over unfair labor practices. Housekeepers, check-in personnel and food prep workers walked off the job Monday at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa over unfair labor practices. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai Police Department leadership under fire: Scathing survey reveals distrust, resentment among employees. A workplace survey revealed scores of officers and civilian staff aren’t just unhappy with how the department’s being run. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Bus outreach program seeking applicants. A new program aimed to assist people who rely on public transportation has officially rolled into effect. Garden Island.

Nearly all gauges on Kaua‘i record below-average rainfall. Nearly all of the rain gauges on Kauaʻi had below-average rainfall for the month of July with two of the island’s rain gauges posting their lowest totals – for the month – on record. Kauai Now.

Fewer than half of Hawaii schoolchildren proficient in math and reading, state lawmaker wrongly claims hundreds of thousands in property tax exemptions, activists decry 'timid' stance on cockfighting, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fewer than half of Hawaii’s keiki proficient in reading and math. A new study reports that fewer than half of Hawaii’s students are proficient in reading and math and that Hawaii is ranked among the bottom third of states nationally for economic well-being, indicating a need for more state action supporting keiki and families. Star-Advertiser.

State Lawmaker Wrongly Claims Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars In Property Tax Exemptions. House Rep. Micah Aiu has owned a Kinau Street apartment near downtown since 2018 but has been living in Moanalua, which he represents, since 2021. Civil Beat.

Activists decry Hawaii’s ‘timid’ stance on cockfighting as they push for tougher laws nationwide. Animal Wellness Action, based in Washington D.C., says Hawaii is among the weakest states for cockfighting laws. Hawaii News Now.

'Inappropriate behavior' alleged in lawsuit against top officials at Department of Law Enforcement. A commander in the Sheriff Division of the Department of Law Enforcement filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the department's top officials, alleging inappropriate behavior including sexual harassment. KITV4.

Prices Have Abruptly Skyrocketed At The Arizona Prison That Houses Many Hawaii Inmates. A contractor that provides store orders for more than 1,000 Hawaii convicts at a privately run prison in Arizona has jacked up its prices, a move critics condemn as “price gouging” that is causing hardship for the Hawaii inmates and their families. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Finally Fires Electrical Inspector Who Approved His Own Jobs. Arthur Suverkropp was officially let go as of April 29, according to his former employer, the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting. Civil Beat.

Council, retailers wish to ignite fireworks bill. In spite of government seizures to quash illegal fireworks on Oahu, the Honolulu City Council is pushing a new measure to allow some currently banned “consumer fireworks” — namely, ground-level fountains and sparklers — to be legally sold to those with permits, during designated periods like New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July. Star-Advertiser.

Plan for vacant publicly-funded units unveiled, but timeline for filling them still uncertain. For nearly two and a half years, 27 brand new low-income units have sat vacant in Iwilei because the city was unable to find a property manager to run the place. Now, the state is in charge of operations. Hawaii News Now.

State moves forward with plan to acquire HPU’s former Windward Oahu home. The 123-acre property has potential for housing in student dorms and as a temporary headquarters for the state Department of Health. Hawaii News Now.

How could Waikiki respond to sea level rise? These researchers have some ideas. By the end of the century, sea level rise will reach nearly 6 feet, the current estimates predict. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Falls of Clyde is a step closer to being removed from Honolulu Harbor. The ship has already been delisted from the state and national registers of historic places, and a Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation environmental assessment on its removal was released this month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Porn Producer Is Waging War In Honolulu Against Alleged Copyright Pirates. An adult film company known variously as a “copyright troll” and “the Steven Spielberg of porn” is campaigning in Honolulu to stop alleged piracy of its “high-end, artistic and performer-inspiring motion pictures” distributed on sites with names like “Tushy,” “MILFY” and “Vixen.” Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hilo housing complex for veterans will offer 92 units. Big Island veterans should be able to move into a long-awaited Hilo housing development by September. Tribune-Herald.

Above average rain in May unlikely to ease dry season concerns. Hilo International Airport recorded 9.75 inches of rain in May, 139% of its norm. Piihonua, on the Mauna Loa slope above Hilo, received 22.21 inches, 165% of its May average. Tribune-Herald.

King’s Landing Settlement Plan Draft EA Published. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has published a draft environmental assessment for the planned settlement of King's Landing, where beneficiaries have already been living for 40 years. Big Island Video News.

Maui

EIS preparation notice issued for Mākena Mauka development, with 850 to 900 homes. Public comments are due July 8 for an environmental impact statement preparation notice for Mākena Mauka, a proposed 1,041-acre, master-planned residential community located within the Mākena Golf & Beach Club in South Maui. Maui Now.

Recovery plan workshop for Lahaina Town South residents. The Lahaina Town South neighborhood will have a planning workshop this Saturday through the county's Office of Recovery and Department of Planning. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Return To Lahaina? Camping Out On His Vacant Lot Sounds Perfect To This Fire Victim. After 10 months living in a resort condominium paid for by the federal government, Mario Siatris just wants to get back to his land. Civil Beat.

Environmental Groups Seek Injunction In Maui Seabird Case. Conservation Council for Hawaii and the Center for Biological Diversity say the Grand Wailea Resort must be barred at certain times of the year from using bright lights at night. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric launches Public Safety Power Shutoff program to enhance wildfire safety on Maui, Molokai. Starting July 1, Hawaiian Electric is launching its Public Safety Power Shutoff program to reduce the risk of wildfire. Maui News.

Kauai

DHHL Is Finding It’s Not So Easy To Just Buy An Apartment Building For Families On The Homelands Waitlist. A rental project for Kauai families on the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands waitlist is in limbo as millions of dollars in tax credits it needs to move forward this summer are likely to be rejected by the state housing finance agency. Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i rainfall totals above average for month of May. The U.S. Geological Survey’s rain gauge on Mount Waiʻaleʻale had the highest monthly total of 45.64 inches (148% of average) and the highest daily total of 6.18 inches on May 13. The Kalāheo and ʻŌmaʻo gages posted their highest May totals since 2011. Kauai Now.

HECO casts blame on Maui in wildfire lawsuit rebuttal, affordable housing incentive bill could nullify county rules, state may increase water testing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Moves To Improve Water Testing At Popular Beaches. Advocates have been pushing the state for years to increase how often it tests popular swimming and surfing beaches for harmful bacteria. Civil Beat.

Conflict Of Interest? Some Hawaii Lawmakers Work For Or Even Own Companies That Get State Contracts. An examination of current state legislators’ business interests found that at least a dozen sitting lawmakers are paid by or even own entities that have won more than $56 million in government contracts since 2006. Businesses they're tied to have won contracts in construction, consulting and trash collection. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Legislature aims to alter affordable-housing program, possibly at expense of counties.  The Legislature passed a bill, which if enacted, would give developers credits for affordable units completed under a state program that already has incentives that include exemptions to general excise taxes, county development fees, height limits and density in return for making at least 50% or 60% of a project affordable for moderate-income households. Star-Advertiser.

Survey says isle residents support expanding renewable energy in Hawaiʻi. More than 90% of island residents support more alternative energy in the Hawaiian Islands, according to a survey commissioned by the Ulupono Initiative and released during the 11th Annual Hawaiʻi Energy Conference on Maui. Maui Now.

National Guard commander Hara to retire this year. Maj. Gen. Kenneth Hara, who has served as head of the state Department of Defense since 2019, will step down from his position and retire from the military this fall after 40 years of military service. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

DHHL Tells Beneficiaries To Ditch Sandwich Isles Communications Service. The state is urging Hawaiian homelands beneficiaries to dump Sandwich Isles Communications as their telephone and internet provider and switch to Hawaiian Telcom or Spectrum. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.  Maui News.

BOE policy aligns with press freedoms for student journalists. Exactly two years after former Gov. David Ige signed a law supporting student journalists and their press freedoms, the state Board of Education has clarified school censorship policy, requiring  school officials to articulate their reasons for censoring student work, aligning its policy with Ige’s student journalism law that’s intended to protect student journalists from legal actions. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu homeless with mental issues could be assessed involuntarily. Homeless people displaying mental health issues could be taken off the street against their will and brought in for assessment at a 3-month-old behavioral center in Iwilei if a new bill becomes law. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-CIA Officer Accused Of Spying For China Pleads Guilty In A Honolulu Courtroom. A former CIA officer and contract linguist for the FBI accused of spying for China for at least a decade pleaded guilty Friday in a federal courtroom in Honolulu. Associated Press.

Growing popularity of e-bikes prompts safety concerns. Community members report that children on e-bikes are zipping around on sidewalks, roadways and through neighborhoods, sometimes popping wheelies along the way, and often without wearing helmets. At the same time, accidents involving e-bikes are on the rise, according to the Honolulu Emergency Serv­ices Department. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

‘Serving the people,’ The Queen’s Medical Center-Wahiawa Emergency Room blessed.  The Queen’s Health System blessed the Emergency Department at The Queen’s Medical Center-Wahiawa on Friday, May 24, celebrating better air conditioning and technology. KHON2.


Hawaii Island

DLNR on dredging Hilo's Wailoa Small Boat Harbor this summer. Last week the state Department of Land and Natural Resources put a bid out to dredge Hilo’s Wailoa Small Boat Harbor. It hopes to begin work by June 17 to provide relief to boaters from the buildup of sediment that has made the harbor almost impassible at times.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Demolition of historic Jaggar Museum begins. Demolition began this month at the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, ending a six-year period of disuse after the facility was critically damaged during the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

HPP lot owner said to be seeking nearly $1.4M. A California woman being sued by a developer whose contractor mistakenly built a house on her Hawaiian Paradise Park lot in Puna is seeking more than $1.3 million in damages, according to both the developer and Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaiian Electric Co. Says It’s Maui County’s Fault Fire Destroyed Much Of Lahaina. Hawaiian Electric Industries and its utility subsidiaries are fighting back against Maui County with a court filing alleging that failures by the county, and not the company, allowed wildfires to ravage Lahaina in August, killing 101 people and causing an estimated $5 billion in damage. Civil Beat.

Behind Maui's Minatoya List: a look at short-term rentals affected by county proposal. There are nearly 14,000 legal short-term rentals in Maui County. Nearly half are part of what's known as the Minatoya List — a collection of units in apartment-zoned districts that county officials say used to be largely workforce housing.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Boards May Soon Be Able To Get Back To Business With Settlement Agreement. A legal dispute that for weeks has ensnared a string of appointments to Maui County boards and commissions is about to come to a close with a deal that would correct the process used to fill vacant seats, according to people involved in the settlement.  Civil Beat.

Council supports closures of Holomua Road for public safety in Pāʻia. Maui County members voted 9-0 on Tuesday to approve a bill on first reading to close the mauka portion of Holomua Road above the entrance to old Maui High School to address concerns about brush fires and other public safety issues. Maui Now.

Lahaina Property Owners Urged To Apply For Building Permits As Soon As Possible. The urgency to apply comes despite residents' concerns that Lahaina's infrastructure is yet to be rehabilitated. Civil Beat.

Kauai

State awards ambulance contracts to American Medical Response following protests. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has made its decision on ground ambulance services for Kauaʻi and Maui following its restarted procurement process, awarding contracts to longtime service provider American Medical Response (AMR), which will now be doing business as International Life Support, Inc. Kauai Now.

Garden Island newspaper moving. As of Tuesday, May 28, the business office and newsroom will be located in the Haleko Building at 2970 Haleko Road, Suite 205, Lihu‘e. Garden Island.

Home sales at 25-year low as only 20% can afford a single-family house, $13 loaf of bread spurs Kauai councilman complaint, past medical marijuana use stymies gun permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Report: Home Affordability In Hawaii Is ‘As Bad As It’s Ever Been’. Only 1 in 5 households in Hawaii can afford to buy a single-family home — a dramatic drop from just three years ago, according to a grim housing report released by the University of Hawaii on Monday.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii faces shortage of 800 physicians, with neighbor islands hit hardest. The most recent data by John A. Burns School of Medicine, reports, Hawaii has a shortage of nearly 800 full-time physicians and the need is more pronounced on the neighbor islands. KITV4.

Hawaii hotels’ soft spring is carrying over to summer. Statewide hotel occupancy in April dipped to 72.3%, a 1.4-percentage- point loss from April 2023, according to a Hawaii Hotel Performance report released Monday by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Starting Thursday, drivers in Hawai‘i can get ‘shaka plates’ benefitting nonprofit. Beginning this Thursday, residents throughout the state of Hawai‘i will be able to register for vehicle license plates depicting the iconic “shaka” hand gesture. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Water agency prepares for possible cyberattacks. The Environmental Protection Agency is warning water utilities nationwide to be wary of cyberattacks from hackers affiliated with Iran and China seeking to sabotage drinking and wastewater resources. Oahu’s water supply has not been attacked, according to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

The Miske Trial: Key Cooperating Witness Says Working For Miske Made Him Feel Protected. A court heard that Jacob Smith was "on call" to beat targeted victims at Mike Miske's direction. Civil Beat.

State Installing New Cameras At Women’s Prison After $2 Million Settlement Over Sex Assaults. Outside observers said the lack of working cameras was a red flag because cameras provide a deterrent to misconduct. Civil Beat.

Invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle taking a toll on Oahu palm trees. The palms along much of Oahu’s North Shore are losing their fronds and dying, a harbinger of the fate of others on the rest of the island. Star-Advertiser.

New Ililani affordable condo project opens in Kakaako. Buying a one-bedroom condo for $300,000 and a two-bedroom for under $600,000 in Kakaako is almost unheard of. But those were the prices back in 2019 for about 200 units in the Ililani condo complex — a project designed to be 60% affordable housing and give young families, kupuna and working class folks a chance to achieve home ownership. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Medical marijuana permits caused the Big Island to reject more gun permits than other counties in 2023. According to the report, the number of gun permit rejections in 2023 hovered at 1% or lower in Maui, Kauaʻi and Honolulu counties. But in Hawaiʻi County, 6.9% were denied. Hawaii Public Radio.

Reusable foodware plan still in the works. The project, which received $2.1 million in grant funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year, would develop a system for distributing reusable food containers to restaurants and other participating organizations, and could be launched by February of next year, said Jennifer Navarra, program director for Zero Waste Hawaii Island.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen secures Kula community center land for public use. After decades of leasing Kula land from the Von Tempsky family for County of Maui facilities, such as the community center, the County of Maui has negotiated terms to acquire the land beneath the community center and adjacent facilities for public use in perpetuity. Maui Now.

Residents invited to meet about permanent King Kamehameha III Elementary School. There are three possible sites to rebuild the school, which will be announced at a meeting on Tuesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Grounded former ferry being defueled. Work is expected to continue today to remove 2,500 gallons of fuel, oil and other hazardous items from a large dinner cruise vessel that grounded off Lahaina last week. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Owners of grounded luxury yacht Nakoa seeking contested case over $1.8 million fine. This coming Friday, the Land Board will take up a recommendation to deny the April 30 request of yacht owners Kevin and Kimberley Albert for a contested case proceeding. Maui Now.

Battling invasive species will be topic of county Sustainability Together series. The County of Maui Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division announced on Friday the third installment of its Sustainability Together: Community-led Regenerative Action speaker series from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere.  Maui News.

Kauai

‘I thought it was a joke!’: Rising grocery prices spur formal complaint from Hawaii lawmaker. Prices for everyday staples in Hawaii are known to be higher than usual, but a loaf of bread over $13 on Kauai caused Kauai County Council Chair Mel Rapozo to file a complaint about the bread with the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Hawaii News Now.

Zuckerberg settles lawsuit following 2019 death of security guard. A lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg surrounding the wrongful death of a security guard who suffered a heart attack while climbing a steep, slippery trail on his North Shore Kauaʻi property was dismissed earlier this month following a settlement. Kauai Now.

Kazuyoshi (Tommy) Inouye’s Purple Heart comes home. The U.S. Army awarded 29 medals to soldiers who were killed in a plane crash on Okinawa as World War II ended nearly 80 years ago, and the five medals presented at Pearl Harbor represent the first of the 29 medals. Garden Island.

Legislature mulls boat harbor dredging, redirection of affordable housing funds, Honolulu council advances resident-preference housing plan, missile test off Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

A bill advances in state House to pay for small boat harbor dredging. A bill to provide state funding for maintenance dredging at small boat harbors statewide has advanced to the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives. Maui Now.

Flow of affordable-housing funding faces redirection. A state agency that helps finance affordable-housing development in Hawaii faces having its funding award criteria dictated by the Legislature to favor state and county projects. Star-Advertiser.

Affordability still a challenge for Hawaii homebuyers. The annual income needed for major homeownership costs is $145,151 in Honolulu County, $118,454 in Hawaii County, and $208,806 in Maui County. But the average wage earner in Honolulu County makes $65,715, and the average is $54,561 in Hawaii County, and $58,201 in Maui County. Star-Advertiser.

Big rent-to-own housing push by Home Lands agency praised, pilloried. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is pursuing its biggest homestead development initiative in history, but one expanding piece of the plan aimed at helping low-income beneficiaries is distressing some stakeholders. Star-Advertiser.

HTA emerges from legislative crosshairs in fight for funds. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is poised for a comeback in the state Legislature and in all likelihood will emerge this session with a recurring lump sum budget — that’s no small feat for an agency that endured cutbacks, organizational changes, and the threat of defunding over the last several sessions and returned this year with the looming threat of carryover bills calling for its repeal. Star-Advertiser.

Family caregivers tax credit moves through Legislature. Though the initial family caregiver tax credit bill fell through, House Bill 2404 remains alive in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. KHON2.

Legislators seek voters’ input from mailer survey. Some legislators have come to rely on surveying their constituents ahead of final votes on issues such as whether to legalize recreational cannabis for adults or dip into the state’s rainy day fund to help Maui recover from the Aug. 8 wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

‘Resident-preference’ housing measure advances. Under the campaign-like slogan “Keep Hawaii, Hawaii,” Honolulu City Council members Radiant Cordero and Tyler Dos Santos-Tam have introduced legislation that seeks to  ensure that any housing created by the city, or with city funds, be first offered to those who live and work on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

A Dispute Between The AG And Honolulu Prosecutor Is Playing Out In The Senate. Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm quit taking minor criminal cases generated by state law enforcement last year. Civil Beat.

Bills to crack down on illegal game rooms finally get a hearing after mounting community pressure. Two bills aimed at cracking down on illegal game rooms will finally get a hearing before Honolulu’s City Council this week. In November, lawmakers proposed a package of legislation meant to address landlords who host illegal game rooms on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

‘1,000 Steps Backward’: Navy Says Its Vast Testing Of Pearl Harbor Water Has Been Flawed. For two years, the Navy said water test results indicated no problems. Civil Beat.

Water is safe at Hickam Elementary School, officials say. State and federal officials say that water tested at Hickam Elementary School for potential petroleum contamination is safe after an “unvalidated” test found high levels early this month. Star-Advertiser.

One Reason For Persistent Speeding? Roads Whose Designs Seem To Invite It. Following the deaths of two cyclists hit by a car along a main road in Ewa, some lawmakers and officials are reiterating their calls to tackle the issue of speeding not just through more law enforcement but also through changes in road design. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Longer County Council terms? A bill introduced by North Kona Councilman Holeka Inaba proposes a charter amendment that would double the length of council members’ terms in office from two to four years. Tribune-Herald.

Bees causing a buzz: County bill would change how beehives, apiaries are regulated. The Big Island will be abuzz Tuesday about a proposal to allow bees to be kept on residential and other properties. Tribune-Herald.

Maunakea fence to protect wildlife from cats. The ‘ua‘u, or Hawaiian petrel, is a highly endangered species of bird that is primarily found on Maui but was rediscovered on Maunakea in 2021 for the first time in nearly 70 years. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

2 Hawaiʻi Island hospitals get federal funds to improve access to medical records. The $2.5 million will help Kona Community Hospital and Kohala Hospital continue to enhance their technological infrastructure, ensuring streamlined access to medical records. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui producer named new County Film Commissioner. Brian Kohne, an award-winning music producer and filmmaker who grew up on Maui, has been named as the new County of Maui Film Commissioner, according to an announcement by the county’s Office of Economic Development today. Maui News.

Visitors to Maui down in February 2024 as wildfire recovery continues. There were 181,301 visitors on Maui in February 2024, and visitor spending was $443.1 million, according to new data released by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism. Maui Now.

Kauai

American and Australian forces conduct a missile defense test off Kauai. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy and Australian forces, successfully conducted an intercept of a medium range ballistic missile test target on Thursday using a Standard Missile-6 — or SM-6 — with a special software upgrade. Star-Advertiser.

Non-native coral found multiple times in the water off Anini Beach. Since the original discovery back in 2021, the Reef Guardians have repeatedly found non-native coral at Anini Beach. Garden Island.

Housing top of mind for Legislature, DHHL, Maui to allocate $13M police COVID hazard pay, Green lobbies Washington for aid for Lahaina, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Almost 12,000 affordable homes in Hawaii could be lost over next 20 years, study says. AARP Hawai‘i commissioned the study from Washington, D.C.-based Smart Growth America, and is scheduled to brief two legislative committees today on results. Star-Advertiser.

DHHL changes $600M spending plan to prioritize acquired land development. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is making last-minute changes to its spending plan for the $600 million the agency needs to encumber by the end of June.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Why The State’s Housing Working Group Is Being Dissolved. The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. is taking over for the Build Beyond Barriers Working Group. Civil Beat.

Maui costs may lead to budget cuts for state departments. There are serious budget cuts on the table for state departments. In a memo, the Chairman of the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee asked department heads to propose 10% and 15% budget reductions to cover soaring costs from the Maui wildfires. KHON2.

Gov. Josh Green lobbies for more federal aid for Lahaina. Green said his visit with the nation's top leaders paid off because the feds have agreed to pay more than $40 million to get people out of hotels and into condos. KITV4.

On eve of roll-out, fund for wildfire deaths still awaits legislative approval. The Governor’s “One Ohana Fund” aims to pay $1.5 million each to families of people who died or were seriously injured in the Maui wildfire. Hawaii News Now.

Statewide survey shows strong public support for protecting natural resources. A statewide survey commissioned by the Care for ‘Āina Now coalition, formerly known as the Hawai‘i Green Fee Coalition, shows strong support for state funding of legislative bills to fund natural resource stewardship, the coalition announced. Maui Now.

Measure calls for homeless triage center.  A homeless triage center would be established within the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the state Department of Health under a proposal advancing at the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i lawmakers to hold public hearing on vicious dog bill. Bills that would increase the penalties for owners whose dogs have seriously injured or killed someone are moving through the State Legislature with a public hearing scheduled this morning in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Big Island Now.

State measure to help combat invasive two-line spittlebug. The State House of Representatives Committee on Finance took up a measure on Thursday to fund mitigation and control of the two-lined spittlebug, an invasive pest that has destroyed thousands of acres of pasture land on the Big Island. West Hawaii Today.

Oahu

Federal Judge Says He’ll Rule Soon On Motions In Kaneshiro Bribery Case. The trial against former Honolulu prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and those accused of trying to bribe him with campaign donations, including businessman Dennis Mitsunuaga, is currently scheduled for March 12.  Civil Beat.

HART board to consider scrapping internal audit. Plans to scrap a previously sought top-down internal review of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation are expected for review today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police fire 3 officers in Makaha crash case. Three Honolulu Police Department officers awaiting trial for allegedly causing a high-speed chase and crash and covering it up in Makaha in September 2021 were fired by the department. Star-Advertiser.

Green ‘super concerned’ about petroleum-based detections in water at 7 Hawaii schools. There’s growing concern after seven public schools in the Pearl Harbor area showed detections of petroleum-based chemicals. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island cable market could see fresh face. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will hold public meetings in Hilo and Kailua-Kona today to solicit feedback about a plan by Hawaiian Telcom to enter the island’s cable television market. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui settles COVID hazard pay grievance with police for $13 million. Less than a month after an arbitrator ruled that thousands of state workers were owed COVID-19 hazard pay for their efforts during the pandemic, the County of Maui settled a grievance with the Maui Police Department for about $13 million. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

No high levels of bacteria found off of West Maui in five months following Lahaina wildfire. Ocean water quality samples taken from seven sites off the Lahaina burn zone showed no high bacteria levels five months after the Aug. 8 wildfires, according to the 2023 Blue Water Task Force water quality report released by the Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.

Maui police arrest 13-year-old for alleged threat at Kalama; Investigation remains active at Baldwin and ʻĪao schools. A 13-year-old girl was arrested for Terroristic Threatening in connection with an alleged threat at Kalama Intermediate School.  Police say an investigation revealed the teen was responsible for the Kalama threat and she was arrested at approximately 3:20 p.m.  Civil Beat. Maui Now.  KITV4.

Kauai

Big crowd turns out for Waimea Town Celebration. Hundreds of people collected at the Waimea Product Fair under the shade of the old sugar mill to wrap up the 47th Waimea Town Celebration over the weekend. Garden Island.