Hawaii Legislature opens with pageantry, dissent; big hike proposed for school lunches; Kilauea volcano lava fountains draw crowds, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Prickly dissent colors opening day of Hawaii Legislature.  The 33rd Hawaii State Legislature convened Wednesday morning, welcoming new members and House leadership, including Hawaii’s first female House Speaker. Hawaii government policies and leadership long dominated by Democrats were criticized in a floor speech by Sen. Brenton Awa as the new leader of the three-member Republican Senate caucus, while newly elected Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto voted against her fellow Democratic colleague Rep. Nadine Nakamura becoming House speaker. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Big Island Now. KHON2. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii lawmakers vow to stabilize property insurance market as climate change fuels higher premiums. Hawaii lawmakers began a new legislative session Wednesday with a vow to try to stabilize the state’s property insurance market as hurricanes, wildfires and other climate change-influenced disasters at home and elsewhere prompt insurance carriers to raise rates. Associated Press.

Hawaiʻi Families Could Face Big Price Hike For School Meals. Charging elementary and middle school students $4.75 for lunch would be a huge hit to working families, advocates say. Civil Beat.

Climate team urges funding sources, better planning for destructive disasters. The Climate Advisory Team, convened by Green last year, is urging the state to prepare for this new reality in which climate-fueled disasters are more destructive and more frequent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi is the only state without a fire marshal. We need one ASAP, new report says. Last year, the state Legislature passed a law to establish the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Since then, the State Fire Council, which is composed of all the county fire chiefs, has been working through the hiring process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Invasive Species In Hawaiʻi: Lawmakers Float New Plan As Urgency Mounts. Draft legislation proposes consolidating programs under a renamed Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, but critics say the agency already has a spotty track record on invasive species. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Department major nominated to lead state agency. The director of the state Department of Law Enforcement is stepping down and a Honolulu Police Department major has been nominated to replace him, according to Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Mokulele flight disruptions highlight service vulnerabilities. Southern Airways Express LLC, doing business as Mokuele Airlines, temporarily suspended all of its interisland airline routes across Hawaii on Wednesday morning, citing maintenance needs and an abundance of caution. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KITV4.

Navy holds public meetings over mine warfare training plan around Hawaii. This type of training is traditionally done in Southern California, but the Navy wants more of it around Hawaii. As for why, project managers would only say it’s to respond to a requirement from operational commanders. Hawaii News Now.

Will NOAA’s Race To Make Papahānaumokuākea A National Sanctuary Survive Trump? The added protection for the environmentally and culturally sensitive area in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is set to take effect in March. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City's proposed landfill site draws strong opposition at Wahiawa town hall meeting. For the first time, Wahiawa area residents got the chance to react to the city’s proposal to build a 15-acre landfill on agricultural land in Central Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

California developer revives plans to build ‘iconic’ resort in West Oahu. Some of Ko Olina’s empty fields could be the future site of what developers are calling an “iconic resort.” The “Atlantis” would be built on Oahu on 26 acres of land, next to Disney’s Aulani Resort. Hawaii News Now.

Queen’s Medical Center nurses ratify tentative agreement. Nurses at The Queen’s Medical Center are celebrating a huge victory after ratifying a tentative agreement to secure a three-year contract. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Eager visitors flock to see spectacular lava fountaining from Kilauea eruption in Hawaii. People were flocking to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Wednesday to get a glimpse of fountaining lava. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.

A face-lift for Central Fire: Decrepit downtown Hilo station will be repaired, renovated starting later this year. Firefighters will vacate the Central Fire Station in downtown Hilo as early as this spring while the nearly 90-year-old building undergoes long-overdue repairs. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lahaina Library and Spring House one of many issues coming before Maui County Council this week. A bill related to the demolition of the historic Lahaina Library and Spring House that was ravaged by the 2024 Lahaina wildfire is on the Maui County Council’s agenda for Friday. Maui News.

Maui Emergency Management Agency urges public to avoid restricted areas in Lahaina. MEMA has received numerous reports of vehicles parked on private property or in private lots. Also, there have been reports of individuals disregarding signage and entering unsafe, restricted zones, according to county officials. Maui Now.

Kauai

Bird flu detected in samples collected at Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hawai‘i Department of Health State Laboratories Division officials say bird flu, specifically H5 avian influenza, was detected at very low levels in wastewater samples collected at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant. Kauai Now.

Upcoming symposium to address future of Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center. The Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will share updates, receive feedback, and explore best practices on the relocation plans for the Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center next Saturday. Kauai Now.

Nurses strike continues at Wilcox Medical Center with staffing ratios as sticking point. The 159 nurses now on strike at Wilcox Medical Center, the largest medical center on Kaua‘i, say five minutes of delayed care can be a matter of life and death. Kauai Now.

Kahele takes over OHA board, state economy inching up, Honolulu police shooting ruled justified after attempted murder suspect shot 23 times, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

OHA Leadership Shakeup Puts Kai Kahele In Charge, With An Eye on Development. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs elected former U.S. Congressman Kai Kahele as board chairman in a move aimed at putting the agency in a better position to win approval from the Legislature for a high-profile development in Honolulu. Big Island Now. Civil Beat.

State economy to inch up 1.6% with 2% growth forecast in 2025. Hawaii’s economy performed slightly better than expected in 2024 and — with a red hot construction industry, in particular — should show even more gains for 2% growth in 2025, according to the latest economic data from the state Department of Economic Business and Development. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Farmers Face Risk of Crime Daily. Is A Murder Enough To Spur Reform? After years of inaction and neglect, a handful of lawmakers and state officials now say they want to address it this legislative session. Potential responses include an agriculture-specific stand-your-ground law, allowing ranchers and farmers to defend themselves with lethal force. Civil Beat.

Feds want more attention on Hawaii’s beetle battle. Federal officials want to expand the coconut rhinoceros beetle program in Hawaii — it is currently only active on Oahu. KHON2.

Hawaii Spends More On Takeout Than Any Other State. Hawaii residents spend just under 10% of their average income on takeout. Civil Beat.

Oahu

New potential landfill sites identified, require changes to state law. The city said it has identified six new landfill locations, but they are only feasible if the state Legislature makes changes to a current law restricting landfills. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu certifies election results. The final results of Honolulu’s Nov. 5 general election involving the passage of four city charter amendments have been officially certified. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police shooting ‘justified’, prosecutor Steve Alm says. An attempted murder suspect shot 23 times and killed by Honolulu police officers following a New Year’s Day-long pursuit and shootouts was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine and officers were justified to use deadly force, Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KITV4.

Empty homes tax bill up for final reading Dec. 11. The Honolulu City Council is scheduled to hold its final reading Wednesday on a proposed empty-homes tax. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor ducks also tested positive for H5N1. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture today confirmed that another backyard flock of birds infected with avian influenza was discovered in the Pearl Harbor area. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

How to protect Kahalu‘u Bay? Public invited to provide feedback about ecosystem restoration study. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Kohala Center’s Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center, will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12, to discuss an ongoing study that will investigate methods to restore the bay’s marine environment, which has become degraded due to human impact and changing weather patterns caused by climate change. Tribune-Herald.

New Island Naturals project ‘moving slowly’.  Grocery chain owner and former state Sen. Russell Ruderman announced plans in 2021 to build a new retail center at the intersection of Kekuanaoa and Mililani streets in Hilo that would house the franchise’s new flagship location. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act. Wednesday, he full House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act – introduced by US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) – marking another significant step forward in her efforts to support the community in recognizing Lahaina’s historic and cultural importance.  Maui Now.

Hawaiian Crow That Went Extinct In The Wild Decades Ago Released On Maui. The birds, described as intelligent and charismatic, are the last survivor of all the Hawaiian crow species. Associated Press. Maui News. Maui Now.

New deadlines announced for Maui wildfire survivor housing assistance. Maui residents displaced by the August 2023 wildfires have until Dec. 15 to submit new applications for the Hawaiʻi Interim Housing Program. Households with existing applications have until Jan. 15 to complete them. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kawakami appoints Emily Ishida as new executive on aging for Kaua‘i County. Ishida has been a program specialist at the Agency on Elderly Affairs since 2017, overseeing its information and referral program and working with 6 team members and case management consumers. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development awards 2024-25 Innovation Grants. Kaua‘i County’s Office of Economic Development for the fifth year is awarding funds to new programs and projects that identify and solve local problems with advanced innovation while supporting economic development of the island. Kauai Now.

Locals-only discounts coming to Hawaiian Airlines, state DOT seeks young people for climate board, Honolulu mulls plastic bottle ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Airlines to offer locals-only discounts. Starting next year, kamaaina can save money on neighbor island airfares through Huaka‘i by Hawaiian, a new permanent travel benefits program for locals launched following Hawaiian Airlines’ combination with Alaska Airlines.  Star-Advertiser.

Transportation Department seeking young people to serve on climate council. The creation of council is one of the terms that the state agreed to in a historic climate settlement this summer after a group of young plaintiffs sued the department to push for more climate action.  The youth council will advise the DOT as it works to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands Looks At New Lots To Reduce Waitlist. More than 200,000 acres on all the major islands have set aside for Indigenous use, but most of those lots can’t be developed because they’re too far from roads, sewers, electric lines and broadband or are impossible to traverse, such as cliffsides and other mountainous areas. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green calls Kennedy’s choice as HHS leader ‘insane’.  Green — the only sitting governor who is also a medical doctor — described the decision as “gross malpractice” and warned that Kennedy’s appointment “will do incredible harm if he’s the director of Health and Human Services.” Star-Advertiser.

Gabbard’s sympathetic views toward Russia cause alarm as Trump’s pick to lead intelligence services. Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. intelligence services, in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s main justifications for invading Ukraine: the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu lawmakers mull ban on sale of plastic bottles on city properties. Bill 59, as drafted, states no single-use plastic bottles one liter in size or less may be “purchased, sold, or offered for sale for use at any city facility, city-authorized concession, city-sponsored or city-permitted event, or city program.” Star-Advertiser.

Plans For Hawaii’s First Public Teacher Housing Complex Face Backlash. A first-of-its-kind project would create over 100 units of affordable housing on Mililani High School's campus, but some teachers and families say the planning process needs more community input. Civil Beat.

City hosts workshops over Ala Wai bridge. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services will host two public workshop meetings this week regarding the planned design and construction of the $63.3 million Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge. Star-Advertiser.

DOH warns of possible avian flu exposure at Mililani Pet Fair. The Hawaii Department of Health issued a warning Sunday that members of the public who attended the Mililani Pet Fair held on Nov. 2 may have been exposed to H5N1 avian influenza, which recently was confirmed in a backyard flock of various birds in Central Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

HART wants 26% budget increase for fiscal year ’26. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's combined budgets, which total over $968.3 million and would take effect July 1, show marked increases to debt service on the project’s loans as well as increased labor costs for the nearly $10 billion Skyline construction. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu 911 system restored for mobile carriers. The system went down for some mobile carriers, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, and anyone needing emergency service would have to use a landline. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Overnight ambassadors help reduce Waikiki homelessness. The expanded beach closure hours augment Safe & Sound Waikiki, a crime reduction and human services program that began in September 2022, coinciding with the start of the Waikiki Business Improvement District’s overnight ambassador program that assigns two safety “ambassadors” and a human services outreach coordinator to an overnight patrol to uphold park rules, guiding individuals toward safer behaviors and resources. Star-Advertiser.

Historic Chinatown building is turned into affordable housing. The $30 million conversion of the historic Hocking Building on a corner of North King Street and Nuuanu Avenue includes 40 apartments with monthly rent as low as $731, meeting space for the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board and office space for the nonprofit Institute for Human Services. Star-Advertiser.

Kupuna at Kahala luxury retirement complex express grievances. About two-thirds of the community’s independent residents recently expressed alarm in a letter to the chief executive and board of the nonprofit that owns and operates Kahala Nui over how to pay for buying the land under the complex while also pursuing development of a second retirement complex. Star-Advertiser.

Students connect to heritage as Filipino studies begin. In spring 2025 the one-­semester course will be taught at McKinley High School, DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach and Maryknoll School. The fall 2025 semester will include Leilehua High and James Campbell High, according to the DOE. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New County Council Leadership Announced: Inaba As Chair, Onishi Vice Chair. The council leadership says it will prioritize a strong partnership with Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda and his administration. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

County provides update on Highway 137. At the first of a planned series of monthly community briefings about the ongoing project to reopen a 3.64-mile stretch of Highway 137 in lower Puna, Department of Public Works spokeswoman Sherise Kanae-Kane said the work is still on track to be completed by March 2026. Tribune-Herald.

The humpback whales are coming: Tour company spots one off Kona Coast. Hawaiian Adventures Kona on Saturday encountered their first humpback whale sighting of the season. Big Island Now.

Maui

State gets $10M grant to save West Maui reefs. A nearly $10 million federal grant to the state will restore habitat from “summit-to-sea,” with the goal of saving West Maui reefs. Star-Advertiser.

There's more FEMA housing for Lahaina fire survivors, but they'll have to pay rent soon. A Federal Emergency Management Agency modular home site in Lahaina called Kilohana will be ready to house residents Friday.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Why a $4 billion settlement of Maui fire claims is tangled up in court. Getting a deal done quickly meant adopting an unorthodox approach to the insurance industry’s role in the settlement — one that the industry is challenging. Now, hopes for a timely payout are at the mercy of the courts. New York Times.

Settlement negotiations underway in wrongful death lawsuit from 2023 police shooting. More than a year and a half after a Molokai man died in a police shooting on April 30, 2023, a civil lawsuit filed by his family might be headed for a settlement. Maui News.

Lahaina neighborhood watch, checkpoints prevent looting, disaster tourism. The program’s primary purpose is to prevent looting, mostly of building materials and tools left overnight. But it also has been to prevent a phenomenon known as disaster tourism, where visitors gawk and take pictures of destruction for social media. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami eyes state Capitol office after term ends. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami seems to have his sights set on running for a position at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol after he terms out in 2026.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Meeting about Wailua Bay shoreline mitigation set for Thursday. For the past four months the Surfrider Foundation Kauaʻi Chapter has been opposing the implementation of “sand savers,” the last of three parts of the Kūhiō Highway Emergency Shoreline Mitigation Project for Wailua Bay. Kauai Now.

Concern for albatross as military proposes increased training on Kaʻula off Niʻihau. The Navy said it received some 1,800 pieces of testimony during the public comment period. It expects to finalize an environmental assessment early next year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi gardens race to protect loulu palms from coconut rhinoceros beetles. The Kauaʻi-based National Tropical Botanical Garden's  prized loulu palms are being closely monitored as the beetles were discovered on Kauaʻi last year.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Report cites Navy mismanagement in Red Hill fuel leak, Mauna Kea fuel tanks to be replaced, Zuckerberg donates $1.5M to Kauai charter school, 17,000 Maui axis deer killed, overpopulation continues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Report: Navy Mismanagement Led To Red Hill Water Contamination Disaster. A new military report released Thursday blames the fuel contamination of Pearl Harbor’s drinking water on Navy mismanagement at the Red Hill fuel depot and leaders’ failure to prepare for leaks. In a trio of reports, the Department of Defense inspector general outlined numerous shortcomings behind the 20,000-gallon fuel leak that sickened Pearl Harbor water users three years ago. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Notable items from the Pentagon investigations. Reports from the Pentagon’s Inspector General office on the Navy’s fuel and water systems on Oahu were released Thursday, with detailed timelines of the failures that led to spills from Red Hill. Here are some highlights from the reports: Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kamehameha Schools trustee process is upheld. Since 2016 a group of former Kamehameha Schools leaders and supporters has advocated for the change because they believe the current trustee selection process in place since 2000 lacks transparency and stakeholder management. Star-Advertiser.

Machetes Are Common Tools In Hawaii – Including For Crime. Knives and cutting instruments, like machetes, are used more often in violent crimes than firearms in Hawaii, statistics show. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaii officials investigate bird flu wastewater source. The state Department of Health said Thursday the specimen was collected Nov. 7 and that it received the result Tuesday but is unable to determine whether it is the specific subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Here's why Republicans won big in West Oʻahu. The 2024 general election was seen as a big win for Republicans, not just nationally, but locally as well — particularly in West Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Underground fuel tanks at Halepohaku need to be replaced. The midlevel facility about 9,400 feet up Maunakea currently has three underground fuel storage tanks that together can hold up to 18,000 gallons of gasoline. Tribune-Herald.

Kawamoto pool closure drags on. The Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium closed on Oct. 14 for what was supposed to be scheduled maintenance to correct a persistently leaky pump. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

With ballots cured, Cook still leads by a narrow margin in Maui County Council race. The slim margin in the South Maui Council race narrowed from 117 votes after the third printout to 97 votes in the final summary report, with incumbent Tom Cook defeating Kelly Takaya King. Maui Now. Maui News.

Emails reveal Maui Police Department still holds portion of Lahaina fire victim’s remains. While the department is adamant victims “were treated with the utmost respect, dignity and professionalism,” we’ve obtained emails documenting an apparent mix-up. Hawaii News Now.

17,000 Axis Deer Were Killed On Maui This Year, But They Just Keep Coming. A herd recently threatened the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Hawaii is upping its effort to control the population. Civil Beat.

Draft environmental assessment details Waiʻale Road extension project. A draft environmental assessment has been completed for an 1.6-mile, southerly extension of Waiʻale Road that would, literally, pave the way for the Waikapū Country Town development. Maui Now.

Moloka‘i residents talk internet, broadband service. Earlier this year, Sandwich Isles Communications, the telecommunications company that provides telephone and broadband services to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, terminated its services, leaving many homesteaders on Moloka’i without internet access.  Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County says police chief is retiring without severance deal. Unlike the controversial settlement Chief Louis Kealoha reached with Honolulu’s commission, Kauai County says Raybuck’s retirement is not tied to any settlement or other agreement. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Sheraton Kauai hotel workers ratify contract. Hotel workers at the Sheraton Kauai Resort represented by UNITE HERE Local 5 voted today by an overwhelming majority to ratify their new contract. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Fledgling public charter school gets more than $1.5M boost from Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund. Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, through the Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, made a cash gift of $750,000 to Namahana School alongside a set of state-of-the-art mobile facilities valued at $800,000. Kauai Now.

Webinar highlights rich archeological history of Kōloa on Kauaʻi. Kōloa, about 10 miles from Līhuʻe, was the site of the state’s first sugar mill and one of the early archeological surveys conducted in the islands.  Hawaii Public Radio.

More than $72M for Hawaiian Home Lands broadband, Maui still trying to count ballots, popping wheelies could be outlawed in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DHHL receives over $72 million for broadband connectivity expansion. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has received a more than $72 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program to expand high-speed internet access for Native Hawaiian households. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald.  Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii DOE Is Attempting To Rein In Bad Parent Behavior. The Hawaii Department of Education has released a new visitor code of conduct aimed at preventing violent and threatening behavior from parents after a school employee safety bill failed to pass last year.  Civil Beat.

UNITE HERE Local 5 expects to settle labor contracts for more than 5,000 hotel workers, or approximately half the union’s membership, by the end of this week with average earnings that keep up with inflation and make up for some past losses — a significant  gain that moves the union closer to its rallying cry, “One job should be enough.”  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City’s proposed fare changes for public transit are pending. Public transit fares on Oahu soon might go up for some riders due to a stated shortfall of $40 million. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Popping wheelies would become illegal under proposed law on Oahu. Councilmembers Radiant Cordero and Matt Weyer introduced Bill 61 on Nov. 7. The proposed legislation would outlaw balancing on the back wheels of motorcycles, e-bikes and mopeds. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii health officials detect bird flu in wastewater for first time. State health officials said Tuesday night that they have detected H5 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in wastewater test samples on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Homicide is leading cause of death for pregnant women, experts say. Domestic violence experts are sounding the alarm after a Schofield soldier was charged for the murder of his pregnant wife. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Security equipment problems cause delays, missed flights at Hilo International Airport. Lorie Dankers, spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration, didn’t offer more detail into the problems with malfunctioning equipment, how often it happens or what the federal security agency is doing to fix the machines. Big Island Now.

World’s largest active volcano Mauna Loa showed telltale warning signs before erupting in 2022. About two months before Mauna Loa spewed rivers of glowing orange molten lava, geologists detected small earthquakes nearby and other signs, and they warned residents on Hawaii’s Big Island. Now a study of the volcano’s lava confirms their timeline for when the molten rock below was on the move. Associated Press.

Disease Could Kill Most of The Big Island’s ‘Ohi‘a Forests Within 20 Years. Inside the race to save the tree supporting Hawaii’s flora, fauna and culture. Ultimately, saving the ‘ohi‘a, a plant unique to Hawaii on which thousands of other plant and animal species depend to survive, will require more money. Civil Beat.

Despite soggy end, October registers average to below average rainfall. Low-pressure systems affecting Hawaii Island in the second half of last month gave the impression of a wetter-than-usual October, but most Big Island rain gauges logged average or slightly below-average rainfall for the month. Tribune-Herald.

Feedback sought for HPP park. Construction of  Hawaiian Paradise Park's first public park could begin in two years, and a draft environmental assessment published last week is the latest step in the project’s development. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Clerk says 1,069 ballots still need to be verified. Election Day was one week ago, but it is still not over. The Maui County Clerk said there are 1,069 ballot signatures that still need to be verified. Hawaii News Now.

Watchdog group launches social media campaign publicizing details on Maui police commission meeting. This comes amid a push for answers about apparent missteps the department made while recovering the remains of Lahaina fire victims. Hawaii News Now.

Settlement reached on issue of birds and Maui power lines. Hawaiian Electric has reached an agreement with two conservation groups on what it will do to protect imperiled seabirds in Maui County from collisions with its power lines. Star-Advertiser.

Nene deaths on Maui spark warnings from state biologists. State officials said two nene born and raised on Maui were struck and killed by vehicles in separate incidents over the weekend. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.  KITV4.

State says the deer count is down, but farmers and ranchers are still hurting. The state legislature has set aside $6.1 million in fiscal 2024-25 for the Maui Axis Deer program. Maui News.

DOH issues guidance for existing cesspool use in residential Kula. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is issuing Guidance for Existing Cesspool Use in Residential Kula, Maui. It was developed in an effort to support Kula residents affected by the wildfires, working to rebuild and reoccupy their homes. Maui Now.

Median price of single-family homes drops to $1.3 million, down from record high of $1.4 million in September. The median price of a condominium in Maui County was down as well in October, compared with September.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Temporary water shut down at Kikiaola Boat Harbor on Wednesday. The Department of Water has scheduled a temporary water shut down at Kikiaola Boat Harbor entrance on Kaumualii Highway in Kekaha from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Garden Island.