State surveys flock owners, bird rescuers; Kakaako housing plan fails; Honolulu officials charged with conspiracy in Kealoha case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Survey Launched For Hawaiʻi Flock Owners, Bird Rescuers. Health officials are inviting Hawaiʻi residents who come in contact with birds to participate in a new survey concerning bird flu.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Winter 2024 Hawai‘i Perspectives Report identifies cost of living as top concern. Pacific Resource Partnership has released the Winter 2024 edition of Hawai‘i Perspectives, a comprehensive survey capturing the voices of more than 900 residents across all four counties. Maui Now.

Bill seeks to gather more accurate data on hate crimes in Hawaiʻi. Lawmakers are considering a measure that would redefine a reported hate crime as any reported incident that might be motivated by bias or prejudice. Currently, an incident is only reported as a hate crime if it results in a criminal charge. Hawaii Public Radio.

Here are the culture and arts bills still flourishing at the Hawaiʻi Legislature. Hawaiʻi lawmakers are expected to approve a few culture and arts bills this week before the crossover deadline on Thursday.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Half Of Hawaiʻi Kids Can’t Swim. Little Is Being Done To Help Them. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children in the state, but efforts to address the problem have been mostly left up to community organizations with limited funding and uneven reach.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu officials charged in Kealoha retirement payout case. Honolulu’s former managing director, corporation counsel and chair of the Police Commission were charged with misdemeanor conspiracy by the U.S. Department of Justice on Monday for their handling of a $250,000 retirement payment in 2017 to former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, according to federal court documents. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Honolulu mayor submits $5.14B budget package. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration has released a $5.14 billion budget package for fiscal year 2026 that the city claims will address affordable housing, homelessness and public safety services on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Bid to undo Kakaako Makai housing ban fails. Two Senate committees on Friday indefinitely deferred a bill that proposed to partly repeal a ban on residential development in Kakaako, makai of Ala Moana Boulevard, for the benefit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pricey Honolulu Police Robot Dog Is Out Of Service. The Honolulu Police Department hasn’t used “Spot” for about three years. Civil Beat.


Hawaii Island

USAID cuts hit research that could help Kona coffee growers. The Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council said a $6 million U.S. Agency for International Development grant to develop coffee trees resistant to the fungal disease coffee leaf rust has been halted. Hawaii Public Radio.

Downtown policing discussed; more foot patrols planned. About two dozen people attended a public meeting with East Hawaii Community Policing Section officers last Wednesday at the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Public input sought for Maui’s Long-Range Transportation Plan update. The draft plan is available for public review at mauimpo.org, where comments may also be submitted. Feedback can also be shared via email at getinvolved@mauimpo.org before the public comment period closes on March 29, 2025. Maui Now.

County Department of Parks and Recreation recruiting for pool guard trainees. The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation is recruiting pool guard trainees as part of an initiative to provide future water safety professionals with the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to ensure safe and enjoyable experiences for all swimmers. Maui Now.

‘We’re very sorry’: Disney actress apologizes after posting video touching a turtle on Maui. Actress China Anne McClain, known for her roles in multiple Disney productions is apologizing after she recently posted a video gently touching resting turtles in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kauai

New mural honors crash victim while raising awareness against impaired driving. It was organized by Keep It Flowing, a Hawaii nonprofit that aims to spread safety and education through art and collaboration. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Police activities league to put on middle school track meet. Kaua‘i Police Activities League, in collaboration with Island School and Iwi Kua, announced the Mayor’s Youth Track Meet event for middle schoolers, providing an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talents and compete in a fun and supportive environment. Kauai Now.

Experts predict less federal funding, higher costs for Hawaii under Trump; DLNR changes seabird rescue guidelines as avian flu spreads; Honolulu transit loses $100k from cyberattack, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump wants to slash federal funding. Here's what that could mean for Hawaiʻi. Federal funds make up about 20% — or over $3 billion — of the state's budget financing. President-elect Donald Trump has made bold claims about slashing the federal budget. Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation, who are all Democrats, are bracing for what that could mean for the federal funding Hawaiʻi receives. Hawaii Public Radio.

How will Trump’s tariffs affect Hawaii? Hawaii Pacific University economist Gerard Dericks said that an increase of $2,000 to $3,000 in spending a year can be expected. Dericks also said an across the board tariffs could impact the ability for domestic and international travelers to spend money. That would clearly impactful Hawaii's number one business sector, the tourism industry. KITV4.

Former State Archaeologist Faces Ethics Probe Into Revolving Door Allegation. A former State Historic Preservation Division archaeologist faces an ethics investigation into an allegation he violated the state’s “revolving door” policy by going to work for a private business before a required one-year cooling off period.  Civil Beat.

You Thought $9 For A Dozen Eggs Was Bad? Bird Flu Might Make It Even Worse. Local chickens are in good health -- but they face a potential threat. Civil Beat.

State adds guidelines for rescue of downed seabirds due to H5N1. The disease, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has not yet been detected in native seabirds, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the risk of human transmission is low. DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, however, has amended its seabird rescue guidance to minimize transmission risk. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s hurricane season is below average. As Hawaii’s hurricane season comes to a close, the Central Pacific saw only two tropical cyclones develop, including the more damaging one, which walloped Hawaii Island in August, along with damage to parts of Maui and Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

At least $100K in transit fare revenue lost from cyberattack. A crippling cyberattack that targeted TheBus and The­Handi-Van earlier this year wound up costing the city $100,000 or more in lost fare revenues, Honolulu officials indicate. Star-Advertiser.

Concern for endangered birds rises as avian flu turns up at Kahuku wildlife refuge. The discovery of the state’s second bird flu location — a North Shore wildlife refuge — is raising fears that the virus will spread island-wide. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that the infected bird was at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, home to several endangered and endemic species like the Hawaiian stilt and the Koloa duck. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Honokōhau Harbor’s new Hawaiian monk seal pup neighbor welcomed, but maybe too much? The monk seal pup tagged number T64/T65 and named Keaka is a frequent visitor to busy Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor in Kona, a sprawling West Hawai‘i harbor and marina that serves hundreds of commercial and recreational vessels. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA’s Plan For Maui Wildfire Survivors Lacked Safeguards For Residents. FEMA officials said they didn’t want their housing program for survivors of Maui’s 2023 wildfires to displace any residents. But they didn’t bar the agency’s contractors from leasing properties previously occupied by long-term tenants. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation races for federal funding to rebuild housing after Maui wildfires. Hawaii’s congressmembers are racing to get billions of dollars in disaster aid approved for Hawaii and dozens of other states. So far, just two homes have been rebuilt since Maui’s disaster nearly 14 months ago. Wildfires killed more than more than 100 people, destroyed 2,200 structures, caused $5.5 billion in damage, and left 12,000 homeless. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Council member urges Maui Health System to provide fair contract. Maui County Council member Tamara Paltin introduced a resolution on Tuesday, Nov. 26, urging Maui Health to “negotiate in good faith” with healthcare workers on Maui and Lanai. KHON2.

Kauai

Kaua’i Police Department honors officers for excellence in service. Officer Alexander Lacson was named this year’s recipient of the TOP COP Award, presented annually by the Law Enforcement and Security Coalition of Hawaiʻi.  Garden Island.