New life for state's film industry, Legislature mulls misdemeanor charges for officials who don't report bribery, bill would protect gender-affirming care providers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

After a dry spell, three film and television productions underway in Hawaii. Hawaii’s film industry is staging a comeback, with three major film and TV productions getting underway in the islands. The Netflix series “Untamed” is the first series since “Rescue HI Surf,” which was canceled in May of last year. It was a blow for a sector that generated over $320 million for the state’s economy in 2024. Hawaii News Now.

The Success Of Hawaiʻi’s Food And Farm Bills Could Depend On One Thing. As Hawaiʻi continues to pinch pennies and fill holes created by federal cuts, lawmakers may have to choose between bills designed to bolster local food or fight invasive species. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke stays silent on state subpoenas. Twelve days after Hawaii’s attorney general said she issued multiple subpoenas and completed interviews in a criminal investigation born out of a federal political bribery case, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will not say if she has been subpoenaed by state investigators. Star-Advertiser.

Measure could allow misdemeanor charge for failure to report bribery. Senators advanced a measure Tuesday that would allow elected officials to be charged with a misdemeanor if they're found to have failed to report bribery. Hawaii Public Radio.

Legislative Caucuses Can Help Make The Difference In Getting Bills Passed. Lawmakers combine forces to push measures helping women, kids and working families. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider bill to protect gender-affirming care providers. HB1875 would not create any new care standards or practices, but it seeks to ensure that those providing gender-affirming care would be safe from out-of-state legal actions, insurance policies, or licensing consequences. Hawaii Public Radio.

State support could energize movement to equip more homes with plug-in solar. On Tuesday afternoon, the state House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce deferred one of two remaining balcony solar bills after the Office of the State Fire Marshal and other fire and law enforcement agencies raised concerns that the National Electrical Code would need to be updated to ensure the safe installation of these systems. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

More Design Delays Could Push Back Honolulu Rail Project — Again. The city center segment of the $10B rail project is supposed to open in March 2031, but an outside consultant questions whether that plan is still feasible. Civil Beat.

Red Hill: Fears linger over Navy reopening water shaft. After waiting hours to hear the latest update on the Red Hill water crisis cleanup at a lengthy meeting Tuesday with the Commission on Water Resource Management, concerned community members learned the Navy had left the meeting. Star-Advertiser.

36 city parks designated as ‘On-Leash’ allowing for dogs on leashes. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has added 36 new on-leash dog parks. That move doubles the number already in place. KHON2.

Changes coming to high-traffic Hawaii offramp, intersections. Transportation officials said there have been over 12 serious crashes near the Koko Head offramp in recent years. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Officer pleads no contest to tampering with evidence in search case. Hawaii Police Department Officer Blane Kenolio pleaded no contest Wednesday to a charge of tampering with physical evidence. The charge stemmed from Kenolio’s unconstitutional search of an arrestee’s belongings on May 24, 2023, inside the Hilo Police Station. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi County Changes Mulch Loading Fees For Commercial Customers. Hawaiian Earth Recycling, will be charging commercial customers $5 per cubic yard at the Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station. Commercial customers will be charged $20 per cubic yard at the East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Plan floated to solve West Maui water crisis. The plan, presented by TY Management Corp. to the state Commission on Water Resource Management on Tuesday, intends to benefit Maui County, financially struggling Maui Land &Pineapple Co., a state agriculture development agency, Native Hawaiian taro farmers, other small farmers, Kapalua homeowners and TY. Star-Advertiser.

Treecovery helps Maui wildfire recovery. In December, Treecovery, three Rotary Clubs, Maui County, and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation helped with a native-planting at Keawaiki Park near Lahaina Harbor. Maui News. 

Controversial $13M Nāpili home now offering partial ownership to buyers. Cohana Homes, which describes itself as a vacation home co-ownership company, is offering 25% ownership of the house for $3.55 million apiece. The entire 7,344-square-foot house at 5385 Lower Honoapi‘ilani Road is listed with a value of $12.9 million. Maui Now.

Kauai

State Senate confirms new circuit court judge for Kaua‘i.  The Hawai’i State Senate voted to confirm Stephanie R.S. Char, Gov. Josh Green’s selection to fill the vacancy in the Fifth Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit, created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe in August 2025. Kauai Now.

Group created to protect Kauai from CRB. CRB Action Kauai, a new community-driven initiative, has formed to support Kauai residents, landowners, farmers, businesses and community groups responding to the growing threat of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB), an invasive pest impacting coconut and other palms across the island. Garden Island.

Legislature advances bribery bills, mulls curbing executive powers, reforming public schools; Maui Planning Commission rejects bill to save vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate bribery bills progress as corruption allegations linger. Bribing an elected official would bring increased penalties under three bills that passed out of a key Senate committee Tuesday as the state attorney general continues to investigate an unidentified “influential state legislator” allegedly taped in 2022 by federal investigators accepting $35,000 in a paper bag. Star-Advertiser.

Clean Elections advocates call on lawmakers to reform campaign finance. Citing a "trust deficit," the Clean Elections Hawaiʻi Coalition is asking for an impartial, independent special prosecutor to look into pay-to-play donations within the state.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii emergency proclamation powers could be curtailed under new legislation. Concerns about executive overreach during emergencies are sparking action at the State Capitol. Lawmakers are pushing new legislation aimed at reining in emergency powers and adding more oversight. KHON2.

Is Now The Time For Reforming Hawaiʻi Schools? From where the leaders of the Senate Education Committee sit, one thing seems clear: The Hawai‘i public school system is broken. A controversial bill would cut top superintendent positions from the DOE and increase community input in schools. Some families say the change is long overdue. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers renew warnings on fentanyl, cite ‘alarming’ death counts. The number of people who died from fentanyl across the islands dipped from 107 in 2023 to 103 in 2024, which is still far up from 9 in 2018. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu Investigator Obstructed His Own Criminal Case, Hawaiʻi AG Says. A 52-year-old investigator with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney was indicted by an Oahu grand jury Friday for allegedly abusing his ex-fiance in 2024 and then threatening her into silence. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Pacific leaders gather in Hawaii for business summit. Leaders from Pacific Island nations and territories gathered this week at the East-West Center in Manoa for an inaugural diplomatic and business summit aimed at promoting private sector investments and contracts across island communities in Oceania. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmaker wants to create homeless buffer zones around bus stops. Safety concerns could clear homeless residents from Oahu bus stops, under a bill proposed this legislative session. KITV4.

Repairs underway for water main break in Haleiwa. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, around 2 p.m., BWS crews responded to the break on Kamehameha Hwy. near Tutu St., about a half-mile from Waimea Bay.  Hawaii News Now.

Kailua military officer admits to ‘compulsive’ online chatting, denies sexual attraction to minors. Lt. Col. Ross Andrew Brown, a Kailua-based Air Force lieutenant colonel and attorney took the stand in his own defense Tuesday at his federal trial for attempted sexual enticement of a 14-year-old girl. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County acquires Kona property to preserve shoreline access. The 15,372-square-foot site is located near the popular “Banyans” surfing spot and is one of the few undeveloped coastal properties in the area along Ali‘i Drive. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Police Department Welcomes New K9 Trina. A three-year-old Labrador Retriever who was trained as a live-find human tracking canine has joined the Hawaiʻi Police Department.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission Rejects Bill To Save Thousands Of Vacation Rentals. The County Council would now need a supermajority vote to allow thousands of apartment-zoned units to keep operating as short-term rentals. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui stream monitoring to flow from fine penalty.  The Commission on Water Resource Management has accepted a Maui Land & Pineapple Co. proposal to spend $150,680 to improve stream-level monitoring in lieu of a maximum $140,000 fine for West Maui stream management violations. Star-Advertiser.

Feasibility study underway for new Kapalua recycled water treatment plant. Hawaii Water Service has selected Carollo Engineering Inc. to complete a feasibility study for a decentralized wastewater treatment plant in Kapalua that would produce recycled water and provide the community with a drought-resistant irrigation supply.  Maui News.

Kauai

Controversial Kōloa Housing Project Gets Green Light In Unanimous Vote. Over objections, the commission cited the dire need for more homes. At least 45% of the units must go to locals. A controversial 148-unit Kōloa housing project got the green light from Kaua‘i’s Planning Commission with the conditions that the units never be turned into vacation rentals and that at least 45% of them go to existing county residents. Civil Beat.

Cloud over the Capitol: Calls for independent investigation as Governor's Office caught up in $35k bribery scandal; Big Island businessman sentenced in affordable housing credit scam; Japanese archery range draws opposition, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

$35K Case: New Development Sparks Calls For Independent Probe.  Because Attorney General Anne Lopez is appointed by the governor’s office, she and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke are both part of the executive branch. The Clean Elections Hawai‘i Coalition, made up of 40 pro-democracy organizations, said in a press release on Tuesday afternoon that an “impartial special prosecutor” is now needed to ensure public trust in the investigation.  Civil Beat. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Gov. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke comes under more scrutiny. The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission will investigate whether Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke violated state law when she failed to report $16,000 in campaign contributions, including $10,000 tied to a businessman involved in a high-profile bankruptcy. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Sylvia Luke Quietly Took Thousands From This Lobbyist Linked To Cullen. The lieutenant governor is only now reporting money she received four years ago as a bribery scandal continues to roil the Hawaiʻi Legislature. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. 

Luke’s campaign spending reports fuel more questions, uncertainty.  Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will have a cloud over her whenever she fills in as acting governor — and heading into the August Democratic primary election — as long as she is tied to the case of the “influential state legislator” who allegedly accepted $35,000 in a bag in 2022, said current lawmakers who served with Luke at the time, and others. Star-Advertiser.

Speed-limiting devices could be coming for Hawaii repeat offenders. A bill moving through the Legislature would let judges order speed-limiting devices in the cars of habitual offenders, similar to ignition interlocks for drunk drivers. KHON2.

Hawai‘i Doctor Shortage Has Patients Paying Fees For Fast Care. Direct primary care is a burgeoning business model that bypasses insurance. If widely adopted, it could lessen the state’s dire shortage of primary care doctors — or make things worse. Civil Beat.

‘It Is Not A Fraud’: Schatz, Murkowski Blast Attack On Native Contracting. The two senators are leading a bipartisan push to protect the SBA’s 8(a) program amid the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to eliminate DEI initiatives. Civil Beat. 

Oahu

State affordable-housing project fails to gain traction. The endeavor to develop one leasehold condo tower on state land in Kakaako as a pilot project for envisioned replication ran into trouble several months ago over concerns that unit prices and use restrictions would deter buyers, who would receive 99-year leases instead of fee-­simple ownership. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai’i Pacific Health, HMSA partnership plans proceeding. Hawaii Medical Service Association insures more than 750,000 people statewide, while HPH operates major hospitals including Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center and Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Council urges city to secure lower cost ambulance services. The Honolulu City Council is urging the city to work with state officials to establish a federally funded program aimed at reducing the city’s cost of ambulance serv­ices for low-income people. Star-Advertiser.

Plan for Japanese archery range draws some opposition from Kaimukī neighbors. For decades, the 125-year-old Hawaiʻi Kyudo Kai club has been looking for a permanent home. The search may soon be over as the nonprofit Hawaiʻi Kyudo Foundation and the city announced last year that it would build a kyudojo at the Mauʻumae Nature Preserve, located on 16th Avenue and Claudine Street. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Another Big Island man sentenced for affordable housing scam. Rajesh Budhabhatti,  65-year-old Big Island businessman who prosecutors said “played a central role in the conspiracy and scheme” to earn millions of dollars illegally using Hawaii County affordable housing credits, was sentenced Friday in Honolulu to 7 1/2 years in federal prison. Tribune-Herald.

Public invited to provide feedback on HTA’s destination management plan. The Hawaii Tourism Authority's  Hawaii Island virtual meeting is from noon to 1 p.m. this Thursday. Registration is required to receive the Zoom links to the virtual meeting. Register at: hawaiitourismauthority.org/what-we-do/events/ Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Care Choices is expanding services, care options to North Hawaiʻi this month.  Beginning this month, the Kupu Palliative Care Program will be available through a dedicated clinic space within the North Hawaiʻi Hospice office, extending palliative care services to residents of Hāmākua, Waimea, North Kohala, and South Kohala. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Cops Could Still Aid Feds Despite Council Immigration Concerns. A Maui County Council committee on Tuesday voted to kill a bill that would have authorized Mayor Richard Bissen to re-up a now-controversial agreement between the county’s police department and the FBI-Joint Terrorism Task Force. But the council committee’s 8-0 recommendation on Tuesday that the full council file Bill 92 did not alter or overturn the existing agreement with the FBI task force, which has been in place for more than two decades. Civil Beat.

Supreme Court ruling deemed ‘huge milestone’ for Maui wildfire settlement. A ruling from the Hawaii Supreme Court on Tuesday could allow for the more than 21,000 Maui fire survivors in a $4 billion settlement to begin receiving payments in a matter of weeks, an attorney for the victims said. Hawaii News Now.

Budget priorities topic of discussion at South Maui community town hall on Feb. 24. Maui County Council member Tom Cook will host a South Maui town hall at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Malcolm Center, 1305 N. Holopono St., Suite 5, to gather input on the community’s budget priorities. Maui News.

Power restored to ~10,000 in West Maui after safety shutoff.  Hawaiian Electric says it has re-energized all West Maui circuits impacted by the Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Approximately 10,000 customers in West Maui had been out of power for approximately 24 hours. Hawaii News Now.

West Maui schools to reopen Wednesday. Department of Education officials say electrical service has been restored following required utility inspections, and water intake has been cleared. With utilities restored, campuses are able to safely resume normal school operations. Maui Now. KITV4. 

Kauai

Free tax preparation opens. Due to the large amount of people needing tax returns — both federal and state — hours have been extended on opening day for several of the sites. Garden Island.

Sylvia Luke may be mystery legislator in paper bag bribery scandal, immigrant protection bills advance, state mops up after wind gusts up to 60 mph, 20" of rain, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lieutenant governor says she may be the ‘influential state legislator’ referred to in federal case. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke says she didn’t take $35k but may be lawmaker behind months-long mystery. Luke said Monday amid the ongoing furor that she did not take $35,000 in a paper bag in front of state House colleague turned FBI informant Ty J.K. Cullen during a January 2022 dinner, but did accept $10,000 in checks for her campaign from two people whom Cullen introduced her to that night. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Package of immigration protection bills passes out of first committee. State lawmakers are advancing a package of bills to increase immigration enforcement protections. The House Economic Development and Technology Committee advanced six measures on Friday — all of them providing more guardrails for immigration enforcement. Hawaii Public Radio.

Long-vacant state jobs with languishing funds on rise in Hawaii. The number of stagnant state job vacancies tying up taxpayer revenue jumped last year after flattening in 2024, expanding a pile of cash that some Hawaii lawmakers want to use for urgent needs amid looming budget uncertainties. There were 485 civil serv­ice positions unfilled for over four years as of Nov. 1, up from about 420 in each of the two preceding 12-month periods, according to a Jan. 8 report from the state Department of Human Resources Development. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers are discussing an “ambitious” proposal that would make public transportation free across Hawaiʻi. House Bill 2451 would require Hawaiʻi’s counties to implement “fare-free” access to their public transit systems. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bills To Address Dementia, Alzheimer’s Gain Traction At State Capitol. The legislation may be getting a boost by the revelation that a state senator is struggling with mental decline. Civil Beat.

Will Disaster Insurance Overhaul Increase Protections For Future Survivors? Hawaiʻi consumers would have additional protections folded into their insurance coverage after a disaster declaration if a bundle of new Senate bills introduced this session are codified into law. Civil Beat.

Pacific plays strategic role, Air Force official says. Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier wrapped up a tour of the Pacific last week that took him to Hawaii, South Korea and Japan as the service works out its strategy for the region.  Star-Advertiser.

State, county, schools reopen after weather shutdown. State and county offices, public schools and most government services across Hawaii are reopening today after widespread closures Monday due to severe weather, officials said. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Power restored to more than 114,000 customers since Saturday. Hundreds of Hawaiian Electric employees and contractors have restored power across Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island to more than 27,300 customers since Sunday and and more than 114,000 customers since Saturday. Maui Now.

Oahu

Native Hawaiian-led productions anchor $10M push at Ko Olina. More than $10 million in investment tied to “Kaula Lu‘au” and related contracts is poised to deliver hundreds of jobs and multi- million‑dollars in work to Ko Olina, injecting new momentum into a resort district that has long fought to draw visitors — and their spending — to Oahu’s West Side. Star-Advertiser.

Dog attack leaves 11 sheep dead in West Oahu. A devastating dog attack at Ka’ala Farm in Waianae has decimated the farm’s sheep flock and dealt a major blow to wildfire prevention efforts. KHON2.

Oʻahu high school students protest ICE actions. Hundreds of high schoolers across Oʻahu gathered after school Friday to protest recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violence. Hawaii Public Radio.

Damage reported across Oahu following severe weekend storm. Heavy rains flooded neighborhoods while fierce winds uprooted trees that stood for decades. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

‘Unreal’: Storm gusts rip roofs off Oahu homes, 12 displaced. Sunday’s whipping winds ripped roofs off 22 structures, the Honolulu Fire Department reported. One of the buildings with a blown roof was an apartment complex in Nanakuli along Helelua Street, leaving 12 people without a home. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcano: Neighborhoods Still Littered With Ash And Debris. The 41st episode of the Big Island’s latest eruption threw ash and tephra, a general word for volcanic debris, thousands of feet in the air and the Kona winds sent it as far as Hilo over 20 miles away. It is the first time a debris and ashfall like this has happened in over 1,000 years, said Don Swanson, a long-time geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Civil Beat.

Storm damage minimal for Big Island. Heavy rain fell in the Hamakua and North Hilo districts. For the 48-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Monday, a gauge above Laupahoehoe measured 20.48 inches, while Honokaa checked in with 19.3 inches. The Hawaiian Electric station on Ala Kahua Drive in Waimea clocked 60 mph gusts at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, while Kohala Ranch measured 59 mph winds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

National Fight Over Immigration Enforcement Roils Maui County. County’s agreement with FBI provokes alarm among activists and, now, council members. The focus is Bill 92, a long-standing agreement between the Maui Police Department and the FBI that came up for renewal last year, which has suddenly prompted deep soul searching among County Council members. Civil Beat.

Maui County severe weather impacts — final update, Feb. 9.  All County of Maui offices on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi are scheduled to reopen Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Olowalu Recycling and Refuse Convenience Center is set to reopen Tuesday, Feb. 10. County parks will be inspected early Tuesday by County crews before reopening Tuesday, Feb. 10. Maui Now.

Kauai

US Rep. Jill Tokuda meets with Kauaʻi residents to address local, national concerns. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Līhuʻe on Saturday to meet with residents and hear their questions and concerns about a variety of issues, including Immigration & Customs Enforcement operations, rising costs for farmers and accountability in Washington. Kauai Now.

Flood advisory upgraded to flash flood warning; allowed to expire early today. The National Weather Service upgraded the flood advisory previously in effect for Kaua’i to a flash flood warning because of heavy rains happening over the island. Kauai Now.

Legislature opens session amid financial uncertainty, 'dark cloud'; $149M federal funding finalized for high-speed internet; federal judge dismisses Jones Act lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Legislature facing uncertain federal spending cuts as session begins. The 2026 legislative session opened Wednesday with House and Senate leaders bracing for the likelihood that Hawaii will have to make up for more cuts to federal funding in 2026 after providing millions to compensate for reduced federal funding last year, including responding to the record-­long 43-day federal government shutdown and long lines that followed at pop-up food banks across the islands. But exactly how much the state may have to pay again this year — and how it will pay for it — remains unclear. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Start New Session Under ‘Dark Cloud’. The investigation into a possible $35,000 bribe to a legislator can’t be ignored even as lawmakers promise more work on perennial state issues such as affordable housing. Civil Beat.

Crowds flood state Capitol to advocate for causes. Representatives and senators were eager to meet them. They opened the doors to their Capitol offices to welcome guests, shake hands and offer snacks and refreshments. Star-Advertiser.

$149M in high-speed internet funding finalized. Hawaii has received final federal approval to begin spending nearly $149 million to expand high-speed internet access statewide, marking one of the largest digital infrastructure investments in state history, officials announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

New report puts questions about nuclear power in Hawaiʻi on the back burner. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office determined advanced nuclear technologies are not appropriate for Hawaiʻi at this time. Hawaii Public Radio.

DBEDT director talks challenges ahead for Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. A $500,000 transfer between two funds at the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority was the headline from a Senate committee hearing last week. Lawmakers grilled Jimmy Tokioka, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, on whether he had the authority to move the funds. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaii ranked the worst state in which to drive. A study just released by the personal finance website WalletHub rated Hawaii the worst state in the U.S. in which to drive. The same study found Vermont the best state to drive in, followed by Iowa, with Kansas, Nebraska and Indiana rounding out its top five. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Multi-million dollar renovation coming to Hawaii governor’s official residence. Washington Place was once the private home of Queen Liliuokalani and is now the official residence of Hawaii’s governor — there are new plans to give the building a $7.3 million facelift. KHON2.

Oahu

Public Access To North Shore Beach Has Been Cut Off. The state plans to conduct a site visit and open a formal investigation if authorities determine a violation has occurred at Mokulēʻia. Civil Beat.

Honolulu traffic is some of the worst in the country, but improvements are on the way. According to a recent study done by TomTom Traffic Index, Honolulu ranks third in the country for the worst traffic. This includes an average travel speed of just 17.8 miles per hour, an average travel distance of just 4.4 miles in 15 minutes, and an estimated 88 hours spent sitting in traffic per year for Honolulu drivers. KHON2.

Honolulu police say more staff were needed on New Year’s Eve. During Wednesday’s Honolulu Police Commission meeting, HPD assistant chief Brian Lynch told the commission that although there were about 250 officers on patrol, more staff were needed to handle drone operations and hundreds of emergency calls for fireworks and criminal reports. Hawaii News Now.

Navy to begin to ventilate and decommission 9th tank at Red Hill. The Navy will begin ventilating another tank at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) this month, marking it as the ninth of 14 in its decommissioning process. KITV4.

Coast Guard considers demolishing aging housing complex in Wailupe. There’s a small U.S. Coast Guard family housing project in Wailupe that’s being considered for demolition because of its age.The Wailupe Family Housing is tucked away on three acres just off Kalanianaole Highway next to the Wailupe Fire Station. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

AI-powered parking system debuts at Kona, Hilo airports on Big Island. A new ticketless parking system was launched at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole and Hilo International Airport to streamline entry and exit for drivers parking at the Big Island airports. Vehicles are identified by license plate recognition, eliminating the need for tickets. Parking fees are charged automatically through an online account. Big Island Now.

South Kohala Water Restriction Downgraded. The Water Restriction Notice issued for an area along the South Kohala coast has been downgraded to a Water Conservation Notice. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply says the mandatory 25% percent reduction in water use in the affected areas, issued back in December 2025, has ended. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

With ‘tougher session’ ahead, Maui Nui lawmakers strategize on seeking funding for fire recovery, housing. As the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Legislature session kicks off today, funding to rebuild public projects like Lahaina’s Front Street Apartments and measures to boost the local economy will be among the priorities of Maui Nui’s state lawmakers. Maui Now.

Bill to accelerate property tax relief hits speed bump.  A proposal to provide expedited property tax relief to local homebuyers stalled Tuesday after Maui County finance officials cautioned that the county’s tax system is designed to be “retroactive” and cannot easily handle mid-year adjustments for now. Maui Now.

Fire Ant Invasion Has Reached A Tipping Point On Maui. The population of tiny stinging ants has surged despite efforts to control the invasive species. Experts fear devastating consequences if the infestation spirals out of control. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi’s Kouchi, Nakamura lead opening day of 33rd Hawaiʻi State Legislature. House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and Senate President Ronald Kouch welcomed lawmakers back to the State Capitol for the opening of the 2026 session that runs through May 8. They set a tone that balanced ceremonial tradition with the heavy responsibilities facing the state.  Kauai Now.

Federal judge dismisses Kōloa Rum Company’s constitutional challenge to Jones Act. A federal judge dismissed on Tuesday the Kōloa Rum Company’s constitutional challenge to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act, which requires all shipping between U.S. ports be conducted on vessels that are U.S. built, owned and registered, and crewed primarily by U.S. citizens. Kauai Now.

Sign wavers took to the streets prompted by the anniversary of Trump’s inauguration. A group estimated at more than 200 people gathered on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, for a “Light the Night For Democracy” gathering on the Kaumualii Highway sidewalks fronting Kauai Community College. Garden Island.

3rd legislator investigated in Choy bribery case, big changes mulled for medical marijuana law, turf war between lawmakers and new police standards board, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FBI Recorded Hawaiʻi Lawmaker Being Given $35,000. Three years after the handoff, the identities of an unnamed man and a lawmaker he paid remain unknown to the public. A court filing reveals the existence of two new characters in a scandal that rocked the Hawaiʻi Capitol and launched a crisis of public trust that elected officials have yet to fully reckon with. The investigation landed Cullen and former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English in prison after they pleaded guilty to taking cash and other gifts from businessman Milton Choy. Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson confirmed officials are still working on the case, but he declined to answer questions. Civil Beat.

State Collects Money From Home Builders For New Schools. It’s Never Spent a Dime. Lawmakers and housing advocates say the fee should be eliminated because the state hasn’t used the money. DOE says the rules on spending it are too restrictive.Nearly two decades after the Legislature gave the Hawaiʻi education department a way to raise money from housing construction to pay for new schools, lawmakers may take that power away.  Civil Beat.

Tired Of Waiting For Rules On Police Chases, Lawmakers Step In. A turf war is brewing between a new police standards board and lawmakers, who are frustrated with the lack of progress. Civil Beat.

Governor names new appointment to water commission. Gov. Josh Green has appointed Hannah Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Springer is from North Kona, where she and her family have maintained a homestead for 100 years, raising sheep, pigs, and chickens. Hawaii News Now.

Local ag leaders are trying to bring back federal funds for farming, food security. A Hawaiʻi delegation wrapped up a three-day visit Wednesday in Washington, D.C., for its second annual policy summit focused on farming and food security.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Big reforms may be in store for Hawaii’s medical marijuana program along with a crackdown on illicit cannabidiol (CBD) outlets. The changes would make it much easier to get medical cannabis and harder to find it illegally. Hawaii News Now.

Bill eases UH residency requirements for graduates of Hawaii high schools. House Bill 1170 aims to simplify residency requirements for students, particularly those experiencing homelessness or complex family situations, who currently face challenges in proving residency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii joins legal challenge to block DOE closure. State Attorney General Anne Lopez is leading a multi­state legal battle to block the Trump administration in its attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, joining 20 other attorneys general in seeking a preliminary injunction to halt widespread layoffs and service disruptions. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council to explore tax financing to fund development. The proposed program would employ tax increment financing, or TIF, which uses bonds to support public projects. Typically, this public financing method uses anticipated real property tax increases — also known as “tax increments” — to fund such projects. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi kicks off his annual town hall meetings with the public Thursday night, focusing on the west side of Oahu. Councilmembers say it’s no secret what their concerns are, and hope some progress is being made. KHON2.

State considers community assessment of possible Kakaʻako Makai developments. The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority wants $1 million for community planning sessions and an infrastructure assessment of Kakaʻako Makai. That includes evaluating residential, hotel and manufacturing development in the area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy plan to reactivate a water source for military communities raises concerns.  The  military wants to reactive the Aiea-Halawa shaft as a backup water source. Hawaii News Now.

Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home opens in Kapolei. The long-planned Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home finally opened its doors Wednesday in Kapolei as the family of its namesake, the late U.S. senator from Hawaii, bestowed the facility with a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

PBS Hawaii’s mission withstands any potential federal defunding. Despite calls from House Republicans to defund PBS and NPR, leadership at PBS Hawai‘i said the changes will not affect how they serve the local community. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

When will fire-prone Waikōloa get another evacuation route? Residents of fire-prone Waikōloa Village were hopeful that they would get a new evacuation route this year. Work on an egress road started under former Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth, but now the new mayoral administration is casting doubt on the project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Officials address coconut rhinoceros beetle threat in Big Island community meeting. Elected officials will be joined by representatives of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee; the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Biosecurity Division; the Department of Land and Natural Resources Invasive Species Division; the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture to discuss the increasingly detrimental issue during a virtual community meeting next Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Three Big Island teachers recognized for receiving national certification. Three Hawaii Island teachers were among the 25 Hawaii educators from throughout the state who were recognized for their completion of the rigorous certification program of the National Board Certified Teacher. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

US Department of Labor awards additional $2.5M for Maui wildfire recovery jobs, training. The $2.5 million in additional funding is part of the Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) and is allocated to the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Maui Now.

U.S. Rep Tokuda tells Maui residents fearful of Trump’s changes: ‘You need to help us agitate’.  Tokuda, a Democrat who represents Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District that includes Maui County, responded to vocal frustrations in a town hall on Maui last week with a call to action. Maui Now.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen presents proposed budget. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen introduced a $1.5 billion proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year as the county continues to work to fund wildfire recovery efforts and bolster emergency response measures. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui doctor charged after allegedly attempting to kill wife.  Gerhardt Konig, 46, allegedly struck his wife, 36, attempted to push her off the Pali Puka hiking trail on Oahu and then struck her multiple times with a rock Monday morning. Two witnesses called 911. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Department seeks recruits. Kaua‘i Police Department is looking for an infusion of new blue blood to better serve the Garden Isle with purpose. Police recently unveiled a new recruitment website, providing an opportunity for those interested in working for the department to explore rewarding career paths and join a dedicated team serving the Kaua‘i community. Kauai Now.

New faces coming to state Legislature, Honolulu city council already set, HART CEO gets 22% raise, cell tower battles in two counties, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature to see 11 new faces even before November election. The state House and Senate will welcome at least 11 new faces for the next legislative session, even before the Nov. 5 general election, which could result in more incumbent upsets. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: The FBI Continues To Stall On Releasing Hawaii Lawmakers’ Bribery Investigations. Former state lawmakers Ty Cullen and J. Kalani English pleaded guilty more than two years ago to taking cash bribes in exchange for swaying legislation to favor Honolulu businessman Milton Choy, who owned a wastewater disposal company. Civil Beat has been trying to get the investigative files on public officials convicted of bribery for more than a year. Civil Beat.

California, Hawaii can ban guns in bars and parks, appeals court rules. Court ruling supports Hawaii gun restrictions. State Attorney General Anne Lopez hailed a ruling of a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that Lopez said reinstates restrictions on where people can carry firearms in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Waianae Shootings May Spur A Push To Strengthen Hawaii’s Self-Defense Laws. Some lawmakers want to amend the state law on use of deadly force for self-protection, but a key senator says that's unnecessary. Civil Beat.

Oahu

No contested Honolulu city races on general election ballot. All of the contested city races — namely, elections for mayor and City Council — were decided during the Aug. 10 primary election. Star-Advertiser.

HART OKs 22% raise for CEO Kahikina to a $336,000 annual contract. The board of directors for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on Friday approved a new contract with a 22% raise for Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina to oversee completion of the nearly $10 billion Skyline. Star-Advertiser.

‘It Smells Like Earth’: Honolulu Shows Off Its Alternatives To Landfills. An end-of-year deadline looms for Honolulu officials to name a location for a new municipal landfill. Meanwhile, the city is working to divert waste from needing to go to the disposal site in the first place. Civil Beat.

Kapi‘olani nurses seek injunction to block lockout. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association/Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 50 is seeking an injunction to stop Kapi‘olani Medical Center from locking unionized nurses out of the hospital following a planned one-day strike, the union’s second this year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Oahu housing market steady ahead of possible demand increase. According to data released Friday by the Honolulu Board of Realtors, sales and prices ticked up for single-­family homes and down for condominiums. Star-Advertiser.

Ewa Beach to get first hotel. Alaka‘i Development has secured $135 million in financing and is on its way to delivering Ewa Beach’s first hotel: a dual-branded Hyatt Place and extended-stay Hyatt House for the Ho‘opili master-­planned community. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay resort expansion proceeding under new owners. Arete Collective recently hosted an “open house” in Kahuku to share its plan with community members and gather feedback on what its chief executive described as an eight- to 10-year project slated to begin later this year with 20 homes in four buildings between the beach and the 18th hole of the resort’s Arnold Palmer Golf Course. Star-Advertiser.

St. Francis Healthcare pensions face chopping block. Almost all private retirement plans are required to comply with federal pension and tax laws, according to the Pension Rights Center, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., with the exception of church pension plans. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County buys refrigerated containers to store bodies; Morgue at Hilo hospital is overcapacity. Hawaii County has purchased two 40-foot refrigerated containers and is exploring the possibility of an emergency proclamation to start using them as a temporary storage facility for the bodies of decedents whose deaths occurred somewhere other than Hilo Benioff Medical Center. Tribune-Herald.

Changes eyed for cell towers: Proposals would alter the approval process. Cell towers on the Big Island could be installed without a Hawaii County permit under a proposed new policy. Tribune-Herald.

2 Keaukaha projects rejected: Planning commission sides with area residents. The Windward Planning Commission on Thursday considered a pair of applications for special management area use permits to build housing in Keaukaha near Onekahakaha Road. Tribune-Herald.

Public advised to avoid affected waters following sewage spill at Kailua-Kona Pier. On Sunday, September 8, 2024, it was reported that a sewage spill had occurred at the Kailua Kona Pier. Officials state that an unknown amount of sewage had spilled from a restroom and onto the pier, which entered the ocean.  KITV4. Big Island Video News.

NOAA research ship docks in Hilo: Okeanos Explorer to host events throughout week. The team on board — Shannon Hoy, Anna Coulson, Mark Durbin and Caitlin Ruby — just finished conducting 24-hour-a-day exploratory seafloor mapping operations of the atoll’s deep waters for 20 days before traveling to Hilo this past Saturday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui’s toxic debris could fill 5 football fields 5 stories deep. Where will it end up? The temporary landfill in Olowalu is a former quarry on state-owned land and close to Lahaina, which made it a convenient choice for quickly storing the debris being cleared away so the town can rebuild. Associated Press.

End of an era? Lahaina fire delivers big blow to already declining commercial fishing industry. On Aug. 27, following a request for an update on the harbor work, officials from the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation said the harbor has been cleared of debris and pilings and was expected to be operational in two-plus years, but did not provide more details. Maui Now.

County of Maui acquires Kula community center land for $950,000 for ‘public use in perpetuity’. The County of Maui has acquired approximately seven acres of land beneath the Kula community center and adjacent facilities for “public use in perpetuity,” according to a press release announcing the acquisition. The county has leased the land for over six decades.  Maui News.

Feds Partner With Maui Groups To Develop An Energy Plan For Lahaina. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is working with three local organizations. Civil Beat.

AES launches state’s largest solar power facility on Maui. The Central Maui project is a key part of Hawaii’s aggressive 2045 Clean Energy Initiative goals as well as AES’ own 2040 goal of net zero carbon emissions from electricity sales. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Haʻena residents file lawsuit against proposed 5G cell tower. In a continuing effort to stop the construction of a 95-foot tall 5G cell tower in their neighborhood, two Haʻena couples have filed a lawsuit against the California-based property owner who is leasing the vacant lot to AT&T. Kauai Now.

A Stomach Bug Outbreak Brings Uncomfortable Scrutiny To One Of Hawaii’s Most Beautiful Places. Some of the campers who endured the recent norovirus outbreak at the end of Kauai’s famed Kalalau Trail hope the unusual incident, which sickened dozens of people, will lead to better state upkeep of one of the most scenic destinations in Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Senate committee saves arts funding, lawmaker who led same-sex marriage opposition apologizes, Kaneshiro bribery trial begins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate committee defers measure that would have slashed arts funding. A Senate committee on Tuesday killed a bill that would have drastically overhauled how a state arts agency receives funding from the percent-for-art law that requires 1% of construction or renovation costs from state buildings to go to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, an agency that runs the public museum and arts programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Teacher Harassment Bill Dies In Senate Committee.  The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday deferred a bill that would have strengthened protections against the harassment of school workers after the Hawaii Department of Education proposed creating a code of conduct for families instead. Civil Beat.

Bill To Fund Geothermal Energy Exploration Advances. SB 2518 SD2 HD1 would appropriate funds for the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office “to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a geothermal resources characterization program under the direction of the Hawaiʻi Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center at the University of Hawaiʻi.”  Big Island Video News.

Bill Allows Ag Officials To Enter Leased Property For Invasive Species. A bill that would allow Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture officials to enter leased property to address invasive species is moving through the State Legislature. Big Island Video News.

After change of heart, lawmaker who led charge against same-sex marriage apologizes. A well-known Hawaii lawmaker who spent his career fighting to stop same-sex marriage has issued a public apology, saying his views have evolved. State Sen. Mike Gabbard was one of the leaders who passed the constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage in 1998. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency Aeromedical Services Cost-Sharing Bill Advances In House. Officials say the effort will address a pivotal step towards addressing a critical gap in Hawaiʻi's healthcare delivery system.  Big Island Video News.

Spring break tourists flocking to Hawaii, but hotel occupancy remains below pre-COVID levels. The tourism industry is lowering expectations for spring break. Hotels have seen a boost in occupancy — between 70% to 80% — but that’s still below the 90% mark that was typical for spring break before the pandemic. Hawaii News Now.

1 of the few remaining survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor has died at 102. Richard C. “Dick” Higgins, one of the few remaining survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, has died, a family member said Wednesday. He was 102. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Kaneshiro, Mitsunaga federal bribery trial begins. Political donor Dennis Mitsunaga, his associates and family members contributed $48,250 in campaign funds to then-­Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro as Kaneshiro’s office pursued a criminal case against a fired Mitsunaga employee who later sued the company for discrimination, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Wednesday on the opening day of the federal bribery trial of Kaneshiro, Mitsunaga and four of Mitsunaga’s employees. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

HPD opens officer-involved manslaughter investigation. The Honolulu Police Department has opened a manslaughter investigation involving two officers after a 77-year-old man died from injuries suffered during a late-December arrest for an alleged moped theft. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Oahu’s long-term urban growth plan advances. The Honolulu Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt changes meant to revise, repeal and update aspects of the city’s primary urban center development plan encompassing almost 448,700 people and over 177,380 housing units, on an island that’s home to nearly 990,000 residents. Star-Advertiser.

Nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center working without contracts due to ongoing negotiations. Nurses have been working without a contract since Dec. 1 and held a one-week strike in January. KHON2. Star-Advertiser.

Company fined for breaking rules while filming at Kaiwi. State conservation officials have cited Bumper Productions LLC for violating park rules and causing damage while taping “Rescue:HI Surf,” a reality series, at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline last month.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Extends Comment Period On Summit Plan. The comment period on the Kilauea Summit Area and Corridor Management Plan will now be open for the entire month of March. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Council committee hears more on eminent domain proposal for landfill expansion. After hearing impassioned pleas Tuesday from Lahaina wildfire survivors for quick action on a proposed eminent domain condemnation, Maui County Council members struggled to pin down the property owner on what it would take, or cost, for the county to acquire the nearly 20-acre quarry for final disposal of toxic ash and debris. Maui Now.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Close in Kahului. The Small Business Administration announced it will close its Kahului Disaster Loan Outreach Center located at the Kahului Public Library at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Maui Now.

A New Delay For These Lahaina Fire Survivors Could Scramble Plans To Leave FEMA Hotels Behind. Mario Siatris and U‘i Kahue-Cabanting have lined up a trailer as a creative temporary housing solution while they wait to rebuild Mario's home. But assembly delays threaten to complicate its overseas shipment date. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiians aim to bring cultural sensitivity to Maui wildfire cleanup. Along with this cultural liaison work, several indigenous groups are providing cultural monitors to work alongside the cleanup crews through an $18.7 million contract with the Corps, an effort local residents advocated for after the fires.  Hawaii Public Radio.

These volunteers are rebuilding Lahaina’s watershed, one native plant at a time. After the Maui wildfire disaster last August, the restoration of water and native plants has become a top priority. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Judge orders luxury Kauaʻi vacation condo project to pause construction. Last week, a judge ordered a 10-day work stoppage for the Kauanoe O Kōloa project, a 279-unit development that has received backlash from members of the Native Hawaiian community. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ala Wai pedestrian bridge debated, Honolulu architect convicted of bribery still licensed, working permits, 11-year-old boy among latest Lahaina fire victims identified, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Some Residents Question The Steep Cost For The Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge. Federal funding would cover much of the $63 million cost, but critics have other concerns as well. The proposed pedestrian bridge that would provide a new route over the Ala Wai canal is attracting lively debate over its function, aesthetics and cost.  Civil Beat.

Maui Fire Lawsuits: Rampant Grass Growth Is As ‘Inherently Dangerous’ As Radioactive Waste. The lawsuits are invoking a legal doctrine historically applied to wild animals, nuclear waste and explosives. Civil Beat.

Red Cross invites immigrants, regardless of citizenship, to use its services. Some immigrants who have been affected by the Lāhainā fires last month may be hesitant about seeking disaster relief assistance. The latest U.S. Census Bureau data show that about 32% of Lahaina’s population is “foreign-born." Hawaii Public Radio.

Groups claim Hawaiʻi's midwifery law violates UN human rights standards. The Center for Reproductive Rights and other health and justice organizations that collaborated on the report will present additional information to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva, Switzerland next month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Majority of Native Hawaiians don't live in Hawaiʻi, according to US Census report. Of the more than 680,000 Native Hawaiians in the U.S., 55% of the population is currently living outside Hawaiʻi.  Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Technical troubles knock KITV4 local newscasts off the air for days. KITV4 Island News has not had an on-air local newscast for several days, reportedly due to technical difficulties. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Architect Is Headed To Prison For Bribery But Still Has His License. Bill Wong still has active permit applications even as he waits for his prison term to begin. More than two years after Wong admitted to bribing county permitting workers with over $100,000, and two months since he was sentenced, Wong still holds a state of Hawaii architecture license. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or DCCA, has yet to take any formal action against him.  Civil Beat.

An Ex-Cop Who Went To Jail On Felony Drugs Charges Is Getting His Record Wiped Clean. Alan Ahn, who was a bit player in the Kealoha scandal, says he deserves the chance to restore his reputation without the stigma of a criminal history. Civil Beat.

COVID among reasons nine EMS ambulances closed this weekend. An unusually high number of City ambulances were closed during Sunday’s midnight shift, nine out of 21 ambulances were offline due to low staffing. The Honolulu Emergency Services Director Dr. Jim Ireland said sick leave due to COVID-19 was among the reasons. KHON2.

Rents Could Double For Some Ewa Beach Tenants In Affordable Housing Complex. Section 8 tenants of Villages of Moe'e Ku fear they could be forced from their homes if proposed rent increases go through. Civil Beat.

Wildfire concerns grow on Oahu after deadly Aug. 8 Maui fires. Like Lahaina, the west side of Oahu is at high risk for wildfires. The Waianae coastline and valleys are hot spots due to a high number of ignitions per square mile, dry conditions and an abundance of invasive grass fuels. Star-Advertiser.

HFD: Cigarette lighter caused fire at old Stadium Bowl-O-Drome. The Honolulu Fire Department has determined that a fire that broke out at the former Stadium Bowl-O-Drome Saturday was intentionally set making it the property’s second arson in under a month. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Toppled Waikiki Gandhi statue prompts concern amid acts of vandalism. The statue of spiritual and political leader Mahatma Gandhi that stood in Waikiki was found toppled on the morning of Aug. 8, but there are differing views on what may have happened to it.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Judge to hear petitions by defendants in Dana Ireland killing. Two of three Native Hawaiian men convicted of the 1991 Christmas Eve abduction, rape and killing of Dana Ireland in lower Puna will have their day in court on Oct. 23. Tribune-herald.

Ka‘u residents call for preservation, limited development of Great Crack and Ala Wai‘i parcels. At an open house event Saturday in Pahala, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park personnel solicited community feedback about potential future uses of a pair of parcels that the park recently took over stewardship for: the 1,951-acre Great Crack property and the adjacent 2,750-acre Ala Wai‘i property. Tribune-Herald.

Funds released to develop agricultural water resource for North Kohala. Capital improvement project funds of $1.5 million were released by Governor Josh Green for the development of the ‘Upolu Well and will fund improvements to the water well to support agriculture in North Kohala. West Hawaii Today.

Fern Forest to be battleground for yellow Himalayan raspberry. Fern Forest subdivision in Puna will become the newest front in a war against an aggressive invasive plant spreading around the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Kaumana Cave Closed After Partial Collapse. County officials say the collapse appears to be in the area near the entrance to the cave and no injuries have been reported. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina boy, five others identified as among 97 fatalities. The six people were identified after their families were notified. They were Michael Morinho, 61; Ediomede Pavian Castillo, 35; Alfred Rawlings, 84; Maria Victoria Recolizado, 51; Justin Recolizado, 11; and Terri Thomas, 62. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. KHON. KITV4.

Hawaii economists say Lahaina locals could be priced out of rebuilt town without zoning changes. Residents who survived the wildfire that leveled the Maui town of Lahaina might not be able to afford to live there after it is rebuilt unless officials alter the zoning laws and make other changes, economists warned Friday. Associated Press.

Federal government to cover full costs of fire debris removal. The federal government will cover 100 percent of the costs for debris removal following the Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina that destroyed more than 2,200 structures, the White House announced. Maui News.

State preps thousands of PPE kits as some Lahaina residents prepare to go into the burn zone. Residents going into the burn zone Monday will be given a bag from the Department of Health that includes things like gloves, goggles, even PPE that covers the entire body. Hawaii News Now.

Launiupoko Beach Park reopens for public use in time for the weekend. Eight staff in the Parks department lost their homes to the fire, but worked to ensure the beach park could reopen so families could enjoy it over the weekend. Maui Now.

5 Lahaina residents selected to help Maui mayor with wildfire recovery efforts. The Lahaina Advisory Team includes: Hokulea crewmember and waterman Archie Kalepa, who turned his home into a distribution hub. Lahainaluna High wrestling coach Kim Ball, who’s also the founder and president of Hi-Tech Maui, Inc. U.S. Army veteran Rick Nava, who served on the West Maui Taxpayers Association and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. Kaliko Store, a training and cultural advisor for Hyatt Resorts. Laurie DeGama, owner of No Ka Oi Deli in Lahaina and president of the Lahainaluna PTSA. Hawaii News Now.

Surviving Lahaina artifacts remain at risk. Most of Lahaina’s surviving historical and cultural artifacts remain buried under ash and debris a month and a half after a horrific wildfire ravaged the center of the historic town. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Deadline nears to apply for real property tax relief, exemptions. If you are a primary resident of the island and not already receiving a home exemption or related tax credit, you could be eligible to file a claim to reduce the real property taxes on your home. The deadline to apply for 2024 real property tax relief and exemptions is Oct. 2. Kauai Now.

Opening night for Kaua‘i High School gym. Kapa‘a High School junior varsity girls volleyball coach Mai’lika Napoleon said the look of disbelief and astonishment on their faces was indescribable when they first walked into the newly minted Kaua‘i High School gym on Friday. Garden Island.