Legislature mulls saving night skies, controlling corporate campaign spending, allowing rodeos and events on ag land, unmasking federal agents; Kauai chicken pox outbreak intensifies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Supporters of night sky bill say people are 'in the dark about light'.  Efforts to protect Hawaiʻi's night skies are gaining momentum at the state Legislature through a new bill that would regulate artificial lighting. HB1579 would establish outdoor light fixture requirements based on the Kelvin scale and the direction of the light, and it suggests that the fixtures operate on a timer or motion sensor basis. Hawaii Public Radio.

ICE unmasking bill is amended. The first of several bills designed to unmask federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents was amended Thursday in response to concerns from the Honolulu Police Department and state Department of Law Enforcement to allow some of their non-undercover officers to cover their faces in certain instances. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Could Hawaiʻi pioneer this 'untested' approach to stop corporate campaign spending? Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads said he wants to get corporate spending in elections under control. In 2024, the last election year, the largest single donation to a political candidate running for state office did not come from a person. It came from a housing development company. Hawaii Public Radio.

Rodeos could be permitted on Hawaiʻi's agricultural land. Rodeos and related activities could be permitted on Hawaiʻi agricultural-zoned land — if a proposal passes through the state legislative session this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii's economy remains stable, says Gov. Green at State of Economy event. Governor Josh Green expressed optimism about Hawaii's economy at a State of Economy event on Thursday, stating it is stable and likely to remain so for the rest of the year. KITV4.

SHOPO seats new leadership following 27.5% pay increase. Don Faumuina, SHOPO State President, is a 25-year veteran of Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser.

Report shows strong use of Hawaii medical cannabis program. A new independent economic analysis commissioned by the state Department of Health’s Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation finds that the state’s medical cannabis program captures the vast majority of patient spending and is effectively serving registered users, while also outlining how a future adult-use cannabis market could reshape demand, regulation and public health risks. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council defers affordable housing bill. A Honolulu City Council measure that seeks to amend the city’s affordable housing requirements to allow below-market-rate for-sale and rental units either to be sold or leased more quickly was first under review then just as quickly postponed this week. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill Victims Dealt A Blow In Their Fight Against The Navy. Red Hill water contamination victims accused the federal government last year of tainting fuel samples which they say would’ve been key to their pending lawsuit, but a federal judge on Wednesday rejected those claims. Civil Beat.

Man charged with threatening to kill federal officer and family. A 40-year-old Waianae man is free on bond and facing a criminal charge after he allegedly threatened to kill a federal law enforcement officer and their family. Nehemiah Kealoha was indicted on Jan. 22 for threatening to assault and murder a federal law enforcement officer in connection with a Nov. 7 incident, U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson announced in a statement. Star-Advertiser.

HPD Officers Fired For Burglary, Assault And Fraud Could Be Rehired. Discharges are usually challenged and can be bumped down to suspensions, the records show, allowing cops to return to work. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

City pushes to install paved sidewalks in congested McCully neighborhood. The city’s Complete Streets program is looking at increasing safety in a McCully neighborhood where the streets are narrow, traffic is heavy, and the sidewalks are missing. The densely populated neighborhood is just west of McCully Street, between Kapiolani Boulevard and South King Street. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Makiki Community Garden hit again as fencing plans remain unfinished. Police detectives were in the garden asking questions and hearing from others about the ongoing theft problem. HPD said they are currently investigating the incident as a Theft 4. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Officers’ misconduct detailed. Two Hawaii Police Department officers were fired in 2025, although neither dismissal is final, and an officer fired in 2023 for burglary and assault is seeking to return to the force after a deferred plea acceptance resulted in his conviction being expunged from the record. That’s according to the department’s annual disciplinary report for 2025 to the state Legislature, which also lists 16 incidents of officers being suspended from duty without pay ranging from a day to 30 days. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Loa Seismic Activity Increased Over Past Month. Seismic activity under Mauna Loa increased slightly over the past month, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported in its monthly update on the massive Hawaiʻi island volcano, published Thursday.  Big Island Video News.

West Hawai‘i Region of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation to celebrate opening of new infusion center on Big Island. West Hawai‘i Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation invites the public to join the celebration for its newly expanded infusion center at Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua on the west side of the Big Island. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaiʻi Wrongly Jailed Him For 20 Years. Reparations Came Too Late. Alvin Jardine fought for nearly a decade to be paid under the state’s wrongful conviction compensation law. He died before receiving payment. Civil Beat.

Man whose mother was found among 189 decaying bodies tells the story. Derrick Johnson buried his mother’s ashes beneath a golden dewdrop tree with purple blossoms at his home on Maui’s Haleakalā Volcano, fulfilling her wish of a final resting place looking over her grandchildren.Then the FBI called. Hundreds of families learned from officials that the ashes they ceremonially spread or kept close weren’t actually their loved ones’ remains. The bodies of their mothers, fathers, grandparents, children and babies had moldered in a room-temperature building in Colorado. Associated Press.

Judge unseals ‘salacious’ evidence in Maui doctor attempted murder case. New details in the case of a Maui doctor accused of trying to kill his wife revealed shocking claims on both sides, and the judge decided new evidence should be unsealed. Hawaii News Now.

Maui leads state in whale sightings during January survey of koholā. Volunteers counted 694 humpback whales off the shores of Maui during the annual Great Whale Count, the highest number recorded among the islands during the first coordinated survey of the 2026 season. Maui Now.

Kauai 

Kauai chickenpox outbreak increases to 10 cases across 4 schools.  In addition to the five cases reprted last week, reported last week linked to Kilauea Elementary School, five additional cases were reported this morning from three other schools — Hanalei Elementary, Kaua’i Christian Academy and Island School. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Jennie Chahanovich confirmed to serve partial term on Kauaʻi County Fire Commission. Kaua’i Mayor Derek Kawakami on Wednesday nominated and confirmed Jennie Chahanovich to fill a partial term that was vacant on the Kauaiʻ County Fire Commission. Kauai Now.

Kauai sees the most whales statewide according to most recent count. On Kauai, the total number of whales observed during the day’s count was 467 from the participating sites. According to the statewide results of the Sanctuary Ocean Count released on Thursday, Kauai saw more whales during the count period than any of the other participating islands. Garden Island.

US, China held maritime security talks in Hawaii, flower industry wilting, state gets $31M for high-speed internet, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s flower industry wilts as it faces changing tastes, global competition. According to federal and state data, the local floriculture industry generated $83.4 million in 2000 and $75.6 million in 2010; by 2022 that figure dropped to $47.1 million and fell again in 2023 to $43.9 million. The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation convened more than 200 industry leaders Tuesday to discuss how to stabilize the sector. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Farmers Are Investing In Tech To Protect Property And Livestock. Local farmers and ranchers are eager to invest more in technological solutions to their real world problems, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Civil Beat.

U.S., China held maritime security talks in Hawaii, Chinese navy says. The U.S. and Chinese militaries last week  held “frank and constructive” maritime security talks in Hawaii, the Chinese navy said Saturday, as the two superpowers gradually restore military-to-military communications after several months of trade tensions. Reuters.

Gov. Green predicts Newsom won't satisfy U.S. desire for a peacemaking leader in 2028. Gov. Josh Green, a Hawaiʻi Democrat who has floated the possibility of running for president, predicted that Americans will want a peacemaker once Donald Trump’s second term is over — and California Gov. Gavin Newsom may not fit the bill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army in Hawaii reinvests in boats for service in the Pacific. As the U.S. military has tried to shift resources from drawn-out conflicts in the Middle East to confront China and prepare for the prospect of a very different kind of engagement, the Army has dusted off the Kuroda and the Smalls and has more ambitious plans. It also is testing a new boat prototype in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Schatz: Hawai’i to receive $31M in new federal funding to expand high-speed internet. National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved a proposal that will unlock $30.6 million in new federal funding to expand high-speed internet access throughout Hawai‘i. Kauai Now.

New Hawaiian Airlines CEO sees gradual changes continuing under Alaska. Hawaiian Airlines recently named former Alaska Air Group executive Diana Birkett Rakow as its CEO. Alaska Air Group officially acquired Hawaiian Airlines in September of last year for $1.6 billion, setting off a long integration process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Strong cruise recovery collides with Hawaii’s climate rules. Cruise ship visitation to Hawaii has set a course for its strongest rebound in nearly two decades, but new state rules requiring cleaner-burning fuels and expanded “green fees” are sparking legal challenges and raising questions about the industry’s future. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Independent workers in Hawaii brace for skyrocketing health premiums. American Rescue Plan Act premiums are rising an average of 30% in 2026 for states such as Hawaii that use the federal healthcare.gov platform. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Former Lifeguard Chief Who Sparred With Mayor Is Finalist For His Old Job. After falling out with Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi a year and a half ago, former Ocean Safety Chief John Titchen is interested in getting his job back. Civil Beat.

Hitachi files new $320M lawsuit against HART. Skyline’s principal contractor has brought a new $320 million lawsuit against the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation over claims the rail agency caused numerous costly delays during the phased construction of the city’s $10 billion-plus rail line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank gets biggest chunk of state's $50M fund for nonprofits. The Hawaiʻi Foodbank is set to receive $5.5 million from the state Legislature's grant program for nonprofits impacted by federal funding cuts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waipahu buyback event nets 724 pounds of fireworks. The state Department of Law Enforcement and partner agencies collected 724 pounds of fireworks during a buyback amnesty event Sunday at the Honolulu Police Department’s Training Academy in Waipahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Botanical garden in Windward Oahu closing for improvements. Camping will be temporarily unavailable at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe until 2026.  Hawaii News Now.

Unofficial Security Guard Arrested At ‘Hell Hole’ Honolulu Office Building. There is escalating violence at the squalid building, where Union Mall Development has turned former office suites into housing that lacks proper kitchens and bathrooms. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Jim Wilson dead at 92: Longtime Tribune-Herald publisher was a tireless advocate for the community. Jim Wilson, retired longtime publisher of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, died Friday morning at home in Volcano. He was 92. Tribune-Herald.

Council passes bill to allow henneries in residential areas. With egg prices still hovering near double digits, Hawaii Island families may soon find relief in their own backyards after the County Council voted Wednesday to legalize household henneries in most residential zones. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County agency created to improve animal control already seeking new administrator. Last month, Matthew Runnells, the agency’s first administrator selected by former mayor Mitch Roth’s office, was quietly reassigned to a veterinarian technician position at the county-owned Pana‘ewa Zoo at the behest of current mayor Kimo Alameda. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County converting Hilo hotel to affordable rentals. Hawaii County’s Office of Housing and Community Development has purchased the Dolphin Bay Hotel in Hilo, with plans to convert guest rooms into 18 affordable rentals, officials announced Friday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. 

Final Kona Open Space Network Plan To Be Presented, December 4. The Hawaiʻi County Planning Department will present the final conceptual plan to the public from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Makaeo County Pavilion. Big Island Video News.

County still determining ‘next steps’ for Moku‘ola bridge. Hawaii County is using emergency procurement procedures to hire a structural engineer to analyze the foot bridge between Waiakea Peninsula and Moku‘ola (Coconut Island), according to Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma. Tribune-Herald.

Plumbing leaks plague Kealakehe Elementary School. Persistent plumbing problems have plagued Kealakehe Elementary School in Kailua-Kona for years, a crisis that escalated earlier this week when what several teachers described as sewage leaked from the second floor into a third-grade classroom during the school day. Star-Advertiser.


Maui

What’s the health toll of 2023 Maui wildfires on firefighters? Long-term study aims to find out. A team came to Maui two months after the fire and took blood samples from more than 100 firefighters. In October, they returned for another round of samples that will help them keep an eye on the firefighters’ health over time and screen for cancer and other diseases. Maui Now.

Kahului Council candidates interviewed; contrasts emerge in policies, philosophy and personalities. Differing personalities, philosophies and policy positions surfaced Thursday afternoon as Maui County Council members interviewed three applicants vying to fill the unexpired term of the late Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama. Maui Now.

At Maui’s only go-kart track, drivers have fun and race toward their dreams. Kart racing at home on Maui is making a comeback. For the first time in six years, the club held a time trial race last weekend. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauaʻi utility's wildfire mitigation plan needs improvement, report finds. The Consumer Advocate, which represents the interests of ratepayers in utility matters, hired the outside consulting firm Jensen Hughes to review the plan. According to their findings, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative's vegetation management program needs critical improvement. Hawaii Public Radio.

Coral rescued from Ahukini. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said the corals of opportunity, or loose corals that have been dislodged from their parent reefs or damaged from storms, boat groundings or anchors, were collected by Hoomalu Ke Kai in collaboration with Kauai Ocean Awareness, Kauai Sea Farm, the DLNR-DAR, and the UH Coral Resilience Lab. Garden Island.

New map app details agriculture land, wildfire risks; controversial Maui doctor, pastor named to RFK vaccine panel; retired Honolulu cop claims $236K overtime, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Satellite-based map shares detailed view of what Hawaiʻi farms are growing. A new high-resolution map of Hawaiʻi has been released to reveal trends in what crops farmers are growing — and can potentially be used to assess and even predict wildfires. The map, called the Hawaiʻi Cropland Data Layer, is free and publicly available through the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service website. Hawaii Public Radio. Kauai Now.

Download the app: The Hawaii Cropland Data Layer (HCDL) is the first-ever raster, geo-referenced crop-specific land cover data layer for Hawaii. USDA.

Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander youth face highest rate of sexual violence in Hawai’i. Published in “JAMA Pediatrics,” the study was co-authored by Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health Dean Alex Ortega and Associate Dean Meripa Godinet. The researchers said the findings highlight a critical but often overlooked public health concern. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

HTA announces advisory board committee leadership. The panels aim to strengthen the authority’s strategic priorities and improve accountability. Maui Now.

Affirmative action opponent’s next target: A private school with admissions preference for Hawaiians. Kamehameha Schools gives admissions preference to the Indigenous people of Hawaii, with a caveat: “to the extent permitted by law.”  Associated Press.

Oahu

Former Secretary Pleads Not Guilty To Making Illegal Political Donations. Prosecutors say Terri Ann Otani, 70, donated $2,000 to former Honolulu mayoral candidate Colleen Hanabusa in 2020 in the names of her sister and niece.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Lawmakers push Oʻahu officials for more safety information during strong hurricanes. The state House Public Safety Committee urged the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management to better identify where people should go in the case of a higher category hurricane. Hawaii Public Radio.

HPD probes $236K+ overtime haul by notorious officer. The top-earning officer at the Honolulu Police Department is now the subject of a probe into his overtime claims. Darren Cachola retired in July as a sergeant. He made $371,105.66 in fiscal year 2025 which ended in June. Hawaii News Now.

State Development Agency Pitches Final Plan For Westside’s Walkable City. The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority is closing in on a final plan for Kalaeloa but major infrastructure needs mean it will be years before new development can begin.  Civil Beat.

DHHL Delays ʻEwa Real Estate Swap To Make Sure Donation Isn’t ‘Dirty Land’. The deal would allow a developer to circumvent county zoning rules by tapping into the Hawaiian housing agency’s special powers. In return, the agency could get a revenue boost for building homes. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Pilot program begins to reduce loud vehicle noise on Oahu. The state is rolling out its pilot program meant to crack down on loud noises coming from vehicles on Oahu roadways.  Hawaii News Now.

DHHL approves development agreement for Kalaeloa racetrack project. On Monday, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands approved a Project Developer Agreement with Legacy Ventures LLC for a ‘world-class raceway.’ KHON2.

Public asked to pick Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden’s weekly closure day. Over the past 43 years, Windward Oahu’s lush, tranquil 400-acre Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden has been open to visitors nearly the entire time. Star-Advertiser.

Battle continues as Margotto Hawaii announces closure. Margotto Hawaii, a high-end Ala Moana area restaurant, announced Aug. 20 it is temporarily closing until 2026, less than two months after a jury awarded $3.15 million to a former sous chef who sued its executive chef for subjecting him to violent abuse. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Applications Sought For Kīlauea Recovery Grant Program. $6 million in funding is available to support community resilience and revitalization in Lower Puna during this next round of funding, officials say. Big Island Video News.

North Kohala Water Restriction Canceled. Normal water use may resume in the areas from Hāwī to Hala‘ula, following the repair of a failed water well. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Hawaiʻi County to distribute 1,500 free plants during 5 adoption events. The County of Hawaiʻi Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience will distribute 1,500 free plants through five plant adoption events with the first 300 plants available on Saturday during the Hala Fest at the Makuʻu Farmers Market in Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

Ohtani, agent seek dismissal of land deal lawsuit. Attorneys for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo have filed a motion in state court to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them Opens in a new tab by real estate investors alleging Ohtani and Balelo conspired to cut them out of a $250 million deal on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui Doctor Who Promoted Dubious Covid Treatments Joins RFK’s Vaccine Panel. Dr. Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist and pastor at Calvary Chapel South Maui, provided the livestock drug ivermectin and the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to prevent and treat the coronavirus during free house calls for Maui residents. The advisory committee makes recommendations to the CDC on what vaccines the American public should take each year. Civil Beat.

Old military fueling station, other abandoned Maui sites targeted for potential testing, cleanup and future public spaces. When the armory shut down and the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands acquired the 1.77-acre plot of land in 2010, residents were eager to do something with it. The department talked about turning it into a community center. But nearly two decades later, the lot is empty and stubbled with asphalt and dead grass, and neighbors aren’t even sure what’s underground anymore.  Maui Now.

County confirms it is open to purchasing Maui Land & Pineapple. Maui County confirms it is interested in buying a water distribution system that has been supplying the westside for more than a century. The seller is a company that is being sued for leaving its customers dry. Hawaii News Now.

This Lahaina fire survivor has launched a clothing brand that's risen from the ashes. Lahaina resident Courtney Lazo sells her clothing online and at local markets and pop-ups through her clothing company, called Henōhea. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai’s Dark Skies Program aims to protect endangered birds. Developed in partnership with federal, state and community groups, the Pacific Missile Range Facility program  plays a vital role in protecting these threatened birds by reducing light pollution and ensuring safer passage for fledglings from the mountains to the sea. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi residents provide ideas for improving tourism while balancing locals quality of life. On sticky notes, Kauaʻi residents wrote their insights and ideas about the future of tourism on the island during two public input sessions last week that were run by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Kauai Now.

Federal farm grants, Mauna Loa Observatory face federal budget axe, Air Force surges in huge Pacific exercise, new law removes development obstacle, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USDA Cancels $30 Million Grant Intended To Boost Hawaiʻi Food Production. Hawaiʻi program leaders say there are few alternative funding options available to local farmers who want to increase and improve operations. Civil Beat.

U.S. Air Force surges forces into Pacific in massive exercise. Hundreds of planes and thousands of service members are flying across the Pacific as part of the largest air fighting exercise in the region’s recent history. About 400 aircraft, 12,000 airmen and 700 Space Force guardians are participating in the exercise from 50 locations across the Pacific and Indian Oceans as the Pentagon tests its ability to surge forces into the region in the event of a major crisis or conflict. Star-Advertiser.

Newly Signed Bill Imperils Historic Places and Burial Sites, Critics Say. Preservationists decry Gov. Josh Green’s late decision to approve a measure to remove an obstacle to development. Civil Beat.

Protecting Coral Habitat May Prove Vital As Ocean Becomes More Acidic. A paper published Monday in the Journal of Geophysical Research found the oceans around Hawai’i will become significantly more acidic throughout the 21st century, based on climate modeling.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu couple accused of fraud in fire victims scam. An Oahu couple is facing federal criminal charges after allegedly lying about being victims of the Aug. 8, 2023, West Maui wildfires and the January Los Angeles fires — allegedly stealing more than $110,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Huge petroglyphs covered for years unearthed again at Pokai Bay. The kiʻi pōhaku in the shoreline sandstone front cabin 11 at the Pililaʻau Army Recreation Center. The biggest one is more than 3 feet tall. Hawaii News Now.

Applications open for media training program by Hawaii News Now, Kamehameha Schools. Hawaii News Now and Kamehameha Schools Kaiāulu are partnering on a special, hands-on training program for emerging media-makers who are rooted in Hawai‘i. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Trump’s budget would kill Mauna Loa Observatory after seven decades. The observatory is part of a global network of stations that monitor the atmosphere. The research performed at these labs lets scientists assess changes over the long term, figure out what caused the changes and make better predictions for extreme events like heat waves, droughts and floods. New York Times.

Water quality issues remain for Kona aquaculture companies. State officials will meet next week with some tenants of the Hawaiʻi Ocean Science and Technology Park in Kona to discuss lingering problems with water quality amid a pending lawsuit against the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Over 31 billion gallons of magma have flowed during Kīlauea's episodic eruption. Lava fountaining could soon be returning to the Big Island. The U.S. Geological Survey said pressure is once again building up inside the Halemauʻmaʻu crater. The on-again, off-again eruption at Kīlauea has shot lava up to 1,250 feet just about every week for the past seven months. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona Skatepark more than doubles in size. The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation joined community partners Wednesday for the opening of a significant addition to the skatepark. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Taming the ‘Kraken’: Father, son rowing across the Pacific to Hilo. An Atlanta man and his 18-year-old son are on Day 45 of rowing 2,400-plus nautical miles from San Francisco Bay to Hilo to raise awareness about and funds for veterans’ mental health. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Emotions run high as officials clear massive Maui homeless encampment. Maui County started clearing a homeless encampment of about 50 people in Kahului on Thursday. Officials said 23 people went into shelters from the effort. Meanwhile, others moved to other encampments, or down the road and said they were coming right back. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Bissen leads delegation to United Nations. A delegation led by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen visited New York to submit the state of Hawai‘i’s third Voluntary Local Review to the United Nations. Maui Now.

North Shore Greenway near Kahului Airport reopened. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation notifies the public of the re-opening of the North Shore Greenway bike and pedestrian path adjacent to Kahului Airport. Maui Now.

Rising ground beef prices impact ranchers, retailers and burger lovers. The cost of ground beef in the U.S. reached $5.98 per pound in May, the highest it’s been since the Department of Labor started tracking beef prices in the 1980s, according to the Federal Reserve.  That’s about $3 less than the average price of ground beef on Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi council seeks to shore up restrictions on beachfront home improvements. The Kauaʻi County Council is moving along Bill 2969 primarily to address a county-level exemption for beachfront properties that has allowed owners to make repairs to their homes without adhering to setback rules, which seek to keep them a certain distance from the shoreline. Hawaii Public Radio.

Filipino teachers arrive in time for school. For the third year, members of the Department of Education, the Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce, the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center, and the Kauai Filipino Community Council welcomed about 20 new teachers from the Philippines on Tuesday. Garden Island.

Bomb squad called to Wailua Golf Course after suspicious device found in parking lot. According to police officials, the bomb squad was dispatched to the scene to investigate. They quickly secured the area with yellow tape, and it was later determined that the object did not contain any explosive material. Kauai Now.

Tokuda raises hurricane concerns, Honolulu inflation among worst in the nation, ethics remains a concern in county government, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane concerns for isles increase after federal cuts. Hawaii’s hurricane outlook calls for a below-normal season, but ongoing cuts to the federal government have U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda concerned about the state’s ability to both predict the weather and respond if a hurricane hits the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Some Hawaiʻi Counties Are Shortchanging Efforts To Keep Government Ethical. Experts agree full-time staff support is essential to the success of the neighbor island boards, but only Maui is taking that step. Civil Beat.

UH board to vote on president’s athletics director pick. The University of Hawaii’s President Wendy Hensel picked Matt Elliot to lead the athletics department, now it’s up for approval at the UH Board of Regents meeting. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Report: Honolulu Inflation Among Worst In Nation. It’s a mixed bag. Inflation on Oʻahu ticked up very slightly in May and was higher than the nationwide rate, but continued an overall decline. Civil Beat.

City seeks developer for Iwilei transit-oriented housing. A master planning effort to potentially transform about 80 acres along Honolulu’s over $10-billion rail line into mixed-use, transit- oriented development is underway, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

An Embarrassing Housing Scam Triggers Big Island Reforms. A dishonest public worker and his partners slurped up millions of dollars by illegally manipulating a complex system of affordable housing credits. Civil Beat.

Goal of new partnership of hospitals: More specialty doctors for Big Island, fewer medical trips to Oʻahu. To alleviate the increasingly unmanageable workload, a shared workforce agreement was entered into at the beginning of June by Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation’s West Hawaiʻi Region, The Queen’s Health Systems on O‘ahu and Aliʻi Health Center in Kona. Big Island Now.

The Food Basket distributes $700,000 to dozens of Big Island ag operations. The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi Island has distributed around $700,000 in grants to over 30 island producers in an effort to promote local farming and improve food security. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ali‘i Drive to return to two-way traffic by Monday. The Hawaii County pilot program created 46 additional free parking stalls in the south-bound lane of that busy section of roadway. The program concluded after measuring the community’s feedback about the one-lane traffic pattern for more than 30 days. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Drones drop mosquitoes over Maui to save honeycreepers. Conservationists working to save Hawaii’s endangered, native birds are now using drones to deliver lab-reared, male mosquitoes over Maui. Star-Advertiser.

As Maui County farmers and ranchers grow old, younger replacements are desperately being sought. An aging farming community drastically needs to develop younger farmers to be able to take over the food production. Farms are not being handed down generation to generation as much as in the past. Maui Now.

Maui Wildfire Debris Is On The Move Again. What Happens Next? Maui County officials are still discussing the future use of the Olowalu site where wildfire debris is being temporarily stored. Civil Beat.

Former pineapple plantation operator in Hawaii embracing agave as new crop.  Maui Land & Pineapple Co. is ramping up plans to establish an agave tequilana farm on the Valley Isle. Star-Advertiser.

South Maui brush fire scorches 500 acres. A quick-spreading brush fire fueled by strong winds in Kahikinui scorched 500 acres of South Maui land Sunday, but no injuries or structural damages have been reported, according to the Maui Fire Department. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Investigators: High Winds, Rotor Flap Caused Fatal Kauaʻi Helicopter Crash. Three people died during an air tour over the Nāpali Coast in July 2024. Investigators attributed the accident to weather and a known weakness in the model of the helicopter. Civil Beat.

Princeville Public Library reopens today after closing for nearly 20 months for renovations. The project included replacing the air conditioning, repainting, re-flooring, and making structural improvements to both the interior and exterior of the building. Kauai Now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

Water commission nominee amasses support, lawmakers fight for farms, ICA upholds plan to release mosquitoes on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii water commission nominee garners flood of support. The Senate Committee on Water and Land voted 5-0 Friday for Hannah Kihalani Springer to be the traditional Native Hawaiian water management expert on the Commission on Water Resource Management for the next few years. Gov. Josh Green  passed over Springer twice as a candidate in favor of seeking more candidates, moves that drew criticism from environmental and Hawaiian cultural organizations as well as litigation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi crop exports continue to face strict USDA policies. A handful of resolutions, including House Resolution 26, going through the state Legislature would urge Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation to petition the U.S. Department of Agriculture to “address the lack of parity between Hawaiʻi and other states and territories pertaining to the export of agricultural goods.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Crimes on farms and ranches could incur increased penalties. Senate Bills 763 and 1249, would strengthen penalties, create a dedicated group of state officers, and establish a special fund all to better prevent and punish agricultural crimes like theft and vandalism. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 400 bills still alive as end of Legislative Session nears. Just over 2 dozen bills passed their third and final reading without any changes. But lawmakers disagreed over more than 400 bills and those disagreements have to be worked out over the next 2 weeks in order for those bills to survive. KITV4.

Voting Blind: Why Lawmakers Don’t Know The Cost Of Bills Before They Vote. Hawaiʻi is the only state that lacks legislative fiscal analysis of bills. This year lawmakers may take a step toward fixing that. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers want to work toward a paid family leave program. The House Labor Committee advanced a resolution to create a working group to produce a report on paid family leave that could include proposed legislation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Several international students at UH have visas revoked. A “few” international students at the University of Hawaii are among more than 1,700 students who have been stripped of their visas across the United States. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Director’s Free Trip To Poland Raises Ethics Questions. A company that just signed a no-bid contract with Honolulu’s motor vehicle office has offered to cover the flight, hotel, meals and other related costs — a $5,000 value — for Department of Customer Services Director Kim Hashiro to visit their facility.  Civil Beat.

Kolekole Pass ready to use as an emergency exit for Waiʻanae Coast communities. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has been working with the U.S. Army and Navy to make repairs to Kolekole Pass so that it's safe for residential use. Hawaii Public Radio.

Councilwoman denies public safety conflict over relationship with fire battalion chief. Honolulu city councilwoman Val Okimoto said she will not voluntarily leave her position as chair of the Public Safety Committee, and, by law, cannot recuse from issues that affect the Honolulu Fire Department. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu councilmember develops plan to address HPD officer shortage. A new plan is in the works to tackle the ongoing officer shortage at the Honolulu Police Department. One lawmaker said they need to look at more than recruitment. KHON2.

Honolulu fails to collect millions in short-term rental fines. City officials are expressing shock and frustration over how few fines for illegal rentals are actually being collected. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu child with measles recovers; 92 people identified for possible exposure. An adult member of the child’s household who came down with symptoms remains a presumptive case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New Emergency Call Center dedicated. Decades in the making, the new 17,127-square-foot dispatch facility on Mohouli Street will operate as a unified call center, housing dispatch operations for the police and fire departments. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Councilwomen to hold public meeting regarding hosted vacation rentals. The briefing, set up by council members Heather Kimball and Ashley Kierkiewicz, will be between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Participants must register in advance at www.hawaiicountytar.com to receive a unique Zoom login. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Intermediate appeals court upholds approval of Maui mosquito project. The ruling is the latest back-and-forth over a proposed project using the Incompatible Insect Technique — or the release of incompatible male mosquitoes — to reduce the wild mosquito population. Star-Advertiser.

Decline in West Maui water supply means new housing projects will have to wait. Commission reviews aquifers in West Maui. State water management officials fear some aquifers in West Maui might be showing signs they are surpassing their sustainable yield in pumping water, raising questions about water allocations for future developments. Maui News. Maui Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Housing Department submits report on unspent Affordable Housing Fund appropriations. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee has gotten a written response from the Department of Housing about nearly $12 million in unspent and unencumbered funds in the County’s Affordable Housing Fund. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi's first government-funded hula center to begin construction on Maui. Construction is slated to begin this month on Hawaiʻi's first government-funded hula center. The 47,000-square-foot Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art will be located in Wailuku, Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Wilcox Medical Center nurses vote to ratify new contract. The new contract comes after more than 35 bargaining sessions, a three-day strike in January, and a Kauai Council  resolution supporting the nurses. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Namahana Public Charter School set to open for 7th and 8th graders this August. Last Saturday, Namahana School in Kīlauea welcomed the 100 founding families and the seventh and eighth graders who will comprise the inaugural middle school classes beginning in August. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers grill ag chief over lack of biosecurity progress, gender inequality evident in high school career prep, Maui council passes water measures, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers grill state Agriculture Department for not spending $10M biosecurity fund. In an informational briefing last week, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole noted that the department has spent only about $1 million of that funding so far.  He then criticized DOA Chair Sharon Hurd for not filling any of the 44 biosecurity-related jobs built into the fund. He also accused the department of misleading the public about how much money had actually been spent. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Additional inspection requirements aimed at preventing increasing spread of invasive species. U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, both Democrats from Hawaiʻi, are battling serious threats to the state’s agriculture, environment and economy by reintroducing the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Protection Act. Big Island Now.

Crisis fund access stirs feud between HTA and DBEDT.  The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s attempt to dip into another $5 million from its Tourism Special Emergency Fund after declaring a continued tourism emergency related to the softness following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires has been blocked by Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka. Star-Advertiser.

Youth advocate for more local food, climate action this legislative session.  Many of the young people meeting with lawmakers are a part of the Climate Future Forum and want to see the state take more action on climate change.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Connors speaks about Trump transition, future for U.S. Attorney's office in Hawaii. Clare Connors spent more than two decades delivering justice across the country, most recently as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii appointed by former President Biden and approved in 2022. KITV4.

Hawaii wildfire risks lead to demand for more sheep. As the state looks for innovative ways to prevent wildfires, Hawaii’s struggling livestock industry may be part of the solution. Hawaii News Now.

Girls Are Losing Out In Hawai‘i’s Push To Train Kids For High-Paying Jobs. Career-based education has rapidly gained traction in Hawaiʻi schools, but not all programs are attracting boys and girls equally.  Civil Beat.

What The Data Shows About Gender Inequality In High School Career Prep. Use Civil Beat’s searchable database to see how your school is doing when it comes to closing gender gaps in career preparation program. Civil Beat.

Here's why this year's Point in Time Count will not survey unsheltered people. Partners In Care Director Laura Thielen said her group and its partner on the neighbor islands, Bridging The Gap, are only mandated to do the count every other year. She said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development changed its funding cycle to a two-year term. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Limits On Honolulu Landfills Could Change After Opposition to Wahiawā Site. A bill proposed by state Rep. Sean Quinlan would bar siting landfills over aquifers but loosen restrictions against placing them near communities. Civil Beat.

DPP software upgrade delayed due to technical snag, city says. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting’s upgrade to its electronic plan review software for building permits has suffered a delay, DPP announced. Star-Advertiser.

Downtown business improvement district is proposed. Downtown Honolulu, once bustling with office workers who frequented eateries at lunchtime, has seen a downturn in office space occupancy since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and needs revitalization, say businesses and developers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu man faces federal charges for allegedly smuggling fish. Shane Takasane faces federal charges after he allegedly ran an illegal aquarium fish smuggling operation with non-native, endangered species and protected Hawaii reef fish for sale starting at $300 each. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

12 motorists arrested for DUI during week of Jan. 1-5 on Big Island roads. Hawai‘i Police Department officers during the first week of the new year continued their crackdown on motorists who drive under the influence of an intoxicant on Big Island roadways, arresting 12 drivers for DUI from Jan. 1-5. Four of those motorists were involved in traffic crashes. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Council passes bills to ease water use. Bill 180 allows farmers to expand the storage capacity of their private water catchment and storage tank system from 15,000 to 30,000 gallons in agricultural, residential and rural districts.  Bill 146 could allow existing water customers to have a farm or ohana dwelling without obtaining an additional water meter. Maui News.

Committee referral item sparks discord among Maui County Council members. It was mostly smooth sailing for the Maui County Council’s first regularly scheduled meeting of 2025, but then decorum hit choppy waters as the Friday agenda drifted to a planned referral of three bills to the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee. Maui Now.

December housing median price nudges close to all-time record in Maui County. The median sales price of a single-family home in Maui County rose to $1,374,238 in December 2024, a 14.5% increase over the same month in 2023 and just 2.4% less than the all-time highest median price of $1,408,287, set in September 2024. Maui Now.

Mokulele Airlines resumes flights after safety pause, some cancellations remain. According to Mokulele Airlines’ website, it states that only certain flights have been cancelled. KITV4.

Kauai

State urges more biosecurity measures to protect flocks from avian flu. With low levels of the H5 influenza found in the wastewater samples on Kauaʻi, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division urges commercial poultry operations and backyard bird owners to increase biosecurity measures to protect their flocks. Kauai Now.

GoFarm offering course to Kauaʻi residents wanting to become next crop of farmers. This year, no prior experience is required to join the six-month AgXcel course. It is open to anybody who has the passion for learning and for sustainable agriculture and growing food, program manager Lily Nguyen said. Kauai Now.