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.

State Senate races could bring in more Republicans, threats mar state election process, electricity disconnections spike post-pandemic, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Key Senate races this election that could flip seats in the state Legislature. It's no secret that Democrats make up the overwhelming majority in Hawaiʻi's Legislature. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t competitive races on the general election ballot where seats could go to the Republican Party. Hawaii Public Radio.

Why Blank Votes Count As No Votes For Hawaii Statewide Ballot Measures. Hawaii is among four states along with Minnesota, Tennessee and Wyoming that require amendments to be approved by “a majority of voters in the entire election."  That means voters who abstain from voting on an amendment “essentially count as no votes. Civil Beat.

Officials talk election threats, engaging the next generation of voters. Hawaiʻi was one of at least 16 states targeted with a suspicious package since September. Hawaii Public Radio.

Young Brothers seeks 2 kinds of rate increases for interisland ocean cargo. The company’s Oct. 15 application to the state Public Utilities Commission not only seeks a general rate increase averaging 20% for most cargo, but also asks for annual automatic rate changes tied to inflation. Star-Advertiser.

Public Utility Commission holds community meeting about energy disconnections. A recent report issued by the Public Utilities Commission estimates that roughly 6,000 households had their electricity turned off after falling behind on their bills last year, which is almost double the number of disconnections that occurred in 2019. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor Green nears decision for Water Commission’s loea position, also known as water expert. Following a months-long vacancy, Governor Josh Green plans to fill the loea position on the Water Commission by next week. KITV4.

Residents encouraged to help state identify where internet upgrades needed most. Hawaiʻi residents are encouraged to become “digital detectives” through Nov. 4 by taking a simple 30-second internet speed test to help identify areas in the islands where internet infrastructure upgrades are crucial, ensuring federal funding is allocated to where it is needed most. Kauai Now.

Timeshare industry is growing in Hawaii. American Resort Development Association President and CEO Jason Gamel said Hawaii’s timeshare growth this year is significant given that in 2023 only five new timeshare resorts opened nationwide. Star-Advertiser.

As Rhinoceros Beetles Spread, State Board Bolsters Pest Control Powers. The Hawaii Board of Agriculture has approved rule changes to help control the spread of invasive species following about a 20-month delay. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

Leaders to meet at Hawai‘i Agriculture Conference. Held every two years since 2002, the conference brings together local and national agriculture and food production leaders to share ideas and trends in the industry. Hosted by the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawai‘i, key sponsors include the state Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative and Kamehameha Schools. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii man accused of lying for money to help Afghans enter the U.S. Marty Anthony Muller allegedly wrote hundreds of letters of recommendation for Afghans applying for a special visa. Hawaii News Now.

Memorial service to honor late Big Island state lawmaker planned at state Capitol. A memorial service for late Big Island state Rep. Mark Nakashima is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday in the rotunda at the state Capitol, located at 415 S. Beretania St., in Honolulu. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council discusses new agricultural task force. Many from Oahu’s farming and ranching communities support a Honolulu City Council plan to potentially restore the city’s now-­defunct Agricultural Development Task Force. Star-Advertiser.

Settlements Recommended For Honolulu Liquor Commission And Police Lawsuits. The City Council still needs to approve the $670,000 settlement over a lawsuit against the liquor commission and $150,000 for the family of a girl who was arrested. Civil Beat.

Officials brainstorm new rules for e-bikes to improve safety amid rising accidents. New laws aimed at clarifying the rules on e-bikes could be passed by the end of this year. It comes as the City and County of Honolulu reports already more than 180 accidents related to them this year alone. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Environmental Protection Agency reports mixed bag of Red Hill water results. The current well in use got the all-clear in terms of meeting the maximum contaminant level, or MCL. The EPA also tested for total petroleum hydrocarbons. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii youth engage in voting process. Hundreds of students gathered around the Kamehameha statue Tuesday, sign-waving before walking over to Honolulu Hale to drop off general election ballots or watch the process unfold. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

EA for Keaukaha project contains references to startup company. Despite appearing in a state environmental assessment, a private company’s concept for a water treatment facility in Keaukaha remains only hypothetical for now. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island's Natural Energy Laboratory celebrates 50 years of climate-focused projects. The park is also home to the only off-shore aquaculture operation in the country, operated by Blue Ocean Mariculture. New tenants— such as Sea Dragon Energy, a company that wants to scale up its operations to produce jet fuel from seawater — are hoping to get space at the 870-acre park. Hawaii Public Radio.

Solid Waste Facilities In West Hawaiʻi To Close For IRONMAN. The Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station, as well as the West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill at Pu‘uanahulu will be closed on Sunday, October 26th.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina residents invited to workshop on rebuilding the energy grid. The new Lahaina Energy Partnership is composed of local organizations and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, or NREL. They'll be holding a community workshop Thursday to gather input. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lahaina homeowners can now apply to receive lot surveys at no cost. The Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program announced that it will offer no-cost lot surveys for Lahaina homeowners who lived in their home before the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Funding for the lot surveys was provided through a $3-million grant to Hawaiʻi Community Lending from the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.  Maui Now.

State seeks feedback on new proposed site to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary in Lahaina. The Hawai’i Department of Education is seeking community input for a new proposed site up to 16 acres from landowner Kamehameha Schools in Ku’ia, Lahaina, that could serve as the permanent home for rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was damaged in the Aug. 8 wildfires. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Voters Asked To Fund Groups Maintaining Natural Resources. One proposed charter amendment on Kauai could make it easier for the county to partner with volunteer organizations to care for properties it has acquired under a fund designed to preserve natural resources. Civil Beat.

Kauai voters to decide on five key Charter Amendments in General Election. Voters on Kauai will have to decide on five important charter amendments on the ballot this general election. KHON2.

Hanamaulu Stream grungiest in October. A monthly analysis of streams, rivers and surf spots around the island found high concentrations of enterococcus bacterium at a number of locations with Hanamaulu Stream emerging as the grungiest in October. Garden Island.

$149M high-speed internet plan approved, federal judge denies Maui plan to take private land for Lahaina wildfire debris landfill, parts of volcano park closed due to fire risk, more news from all the Hawaiian islands

Hawaii gets over $149M to get Hawai‘i 100% internet connected. Hawaii will soon see an expansion in affordable and reliable high-speed internet access through a grant of over $149 million, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Big Island Now.

Full text of initial Hawaii broadband proposal as approved by the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment, or BEAD, program by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. University of Hawaii.

Commission allows candidates to pay for child care with campaign funds. Lisa Dugan with the Vote Mama Foundation, an organization that advocates for caregivers to hold political office, explained that the inability to afford child care is a reason why many people wait until their children are grown to even consider running for office. Hawaii Public Radio.

Land board authorizes temporary closures of wildlife sanctuaries. In an action inspired by last month’s birth of a monk seal on Mokulua island off of O‘ahu’s windward coast, the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved the temporary closure of wildlife sanctuaries statewide when necessary to protect endangered or threatened species. Maui Now.

Can I Sue My Neighbor For Playing Pickleball? The Noise Is Tearing Hawaii Neighborhoods Apart. The sport’s popularity skyrocketed during the pandemic, but its noise is getting to some residents. Civil Beat.

Former CNN Exec Named New HPR Chief. Hawaiʻi Public Radio’s Board of Directors has appointed Meredith Artley, former editor-in-chief and senior vice president of CNN Digital Worldwide, as the nonprofit media organization’s new President and CEO.  Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu names acting Ocean Safety director. Kurt Lager, a nearly 19-year city lifeguard veteran, was named acting director of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety Department on Tuesday morning. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents are urged to vote by mail. Some 480,000 registered voters across Oahu should receive their primary election ballots in the mail sometime next week — which can be mailed back or dropped off by Election Day on Aug. 10 to vote for preferred candidates. Star-Advertiser.

How to vote on Oahu. Oahu voters have multiple ways to cast ballots on or before the Aug. 10 primary election. Star-Advertiser.

Jury deliberation continues in sprawling Miske trial.  The jury has been deliberating since Friday afternoon after both sides presented their closing arguments.  Hawaii News Now.

Chinatown Business Owners Filing Claims From June Power Outages Unsure How Much Will Be Covered. For restaurants, the outages meant lost tips and wages and spoiled food, but also damaged equipment from power surges. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Elevated Fire Risk In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Prompts Closures.  Sections of Mauna Loa Road and Hilina Pali Road has been closed to motorized vehicles, and open fires are prohibited until further notice. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Uncertain path forward for Bayfront Trails: Funding needed for next phases of the project. The Hilo Bayfront Trails project — spearheaded by the nonprofit Hilo Bayfront Trails Inc. — has built out a network of pedestrian trails throughout downtown Hilo since 2016.  Tribune-Herald.

Water quality issues continue to disrupt hatcheries at Big Island's HOST Park.  The state Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi Authority manages the HOST Park, located in Kailua-Kona. The facility houses about 50 aquaculture operations, renewable energy projects and other groups working with ocean-based sustainable technologies. Hawaii Public Radio.

How an illegal ATV Tour near Green Sand Beach was shut down. Vendors react to regulation. A recent Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) enforcement action on Hawaii Island's South Point was aimed at an illegal ATV tour company, operating in the Kau Forest Reserve. KITV4.

Maui

Federal Judge Rules Against Maui County Taking Private Land Soon For Lahaina Fire Debris. The ruling likely will result in the estimated 400,000 tons of fire debris and ash staying much longer than expected in the temporary dump site at Olowalu. Civil Beat.

Wednesday Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting to be held in Lahaina Civic Center gym, July 17. Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, in the Lahaina Civic Center gymnasium. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric deploys AI video cameras for early detection of wildfire ignitions; First station is in Lahaina, Maui. Hawaiian Electric began deploying a network of high-resolution video cameras using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide enhanced situational awareness and early detection of ignitions in elevated fire risk areas near company infrastructure.  Maui Now. KITV4.

Kauai

Hanapepe and Kaumakani fire charred an estimated 1,100 acres. A brush  fire, which tore through roughly 1,100 acres in Hanapepe and Kaumakani on Monday, was 100 percent contained about 12 hours after it started, the Kaua‘i Fire Department said.  No homes were destroyed and no injuries were reported. Garden Island. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Info-sessions to educate Kaua‘i residents on broadband equity and funding. The county of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development will hold a series of informational sessions from July to September to update and train the public on the upcoming Broadband Equity, Access and Development Challenge Process. Kauai Now.

Hawaii climate policy at risk in SCOTUS lawsuit, state could hike fines for fire safety violations, hotel occupancy down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

SCOTUS ruling hints end is near for effort to make climate policy in state courts. If a beach erodes in Honolulu, can a company be sued for producing oil in Holland? And under Hawaii state laws to boot? Sunoco and other energy companies want such lawsuits tossed, arguing that energy policy is set by Congress at the federal level, not municipal lawsuits under state and local laws. Tribune News Service.

Legislation hiking fines for fire safety violations awaits action by Gov. Green. A bill that would allow counties to levy as much as a five-fold increase of monetary fines for fire safety violations is awaiting action by Gov. Josh Green. Maui Now.

Hawaii hotel occupancy fell in May as softness continued. Summer isn’t coming in hot for Hawaii hoteliers, who saw hotel occupancy drop to its lowest level of the year in May and are expecting a continued slowdown. Star-Advertiser.

Unlicensed Care Homes Dodge Increased Enforcement In ‘Cat And Mouse Game’ The Office of Health Care Assurance has issued cease-and-desist orders to an average of six homes per year since 2018. But dozens of these unlicensed facilities, mainly for elderly adults, continue to operate around the state. Civil Beat.

Private Donations Are Helping Hawaii Fire Departments Fill Budget Holes. Fire departments across the islands have long been on the lookout for funding to supplement their county-funded budgets. They apply for state and federal grants, but also look to private sources to fill financial gaps that national advocates say have widened in recent decades. Civil Beat.

Hawaii-developed COVID home test kits being sold online. A locally developed COVID-19 test kit is now on the market as cases of the contagious disease are on the rise in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Ethics Commission to review city gift-giving bill. Crafted with the assistance of the Ethics Commission, Bill 23 is supposed to tighten existing rules that bar city workers from accepting gifts valued in excess of $50, also clarifying which gifts may be solicited or accepted. Star-Advertiser.

Supporters of embattled rail CEO say her ongoing contract woes could cost taxpayers. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is still pushing hard to get a contract extension for embattled rail CEO Lori Kahikina. Hawaii News Now.

Downtown Honolulu is plagued by another power outage. Hawaiian Electric repair crews continued to work overnight after a power outage shut down downtown Honolulu — the second disruption in less than a week to affect the area. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Plans to demolish former PBS building provoke tempers at UH Board of Regents. The University of Hawaii Manoa campus building that housed PBS for decades is finally headed for demolition. But UH Regent and former Gov. Neil Abercrombie fought the plan, which provoked anger from UH President David Lassner. Hawaii News Now.

Oʻahu's new water desalination facility gets $19M in federal funds. The federal government is sending Oʻahu around $19 million for a facility to turn seawater into fresh water. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ex-OCCC officer in murder, kidnapping case called ‘emotional’. Police officers’ testimony Tuesday provided clues as to what was on the mind of a then 44-year-old Oahu Community Correctional Center training officer after he allegedly fatally shot his 66-year-old mother eight years ago in his Maili home. Star-Advertiser.

A deputy sheriff was arrested Tuesday amid a harassment investigation and was placed on paid administrative leave. Authorities said Alvin Turla, 47 was arrested at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

‘It’s out of control’: E-bike crashes and noise concerns spur heated townhall in Ewa. With e-bikes growing in popularity, a town hall in Ewa was held to raise awareness about how to ride them safely. However, concerns about safety, noise, and confusion about e-bike laws have caused pushback from some residents.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Council favors proposed performance audit of Hawai‘i County R&D Department. The Hawai‘i County Council wants to know exactly what the Hawai‘i County Department of Research and Development is doing and if its resources are being used effectively. Big Island Now.

Call center nearly complete: Police and fire dispatchers could move in this September. Hawaii County’s police and fire dispatchers are getting closer to moving into a new call center that has been under construction since October 2021. Tribune-Herald.

Community hospital survey finds need for new medical facility closer to Kailua-Kona. A healthcare needs survey from Kona Community Hospital found the need for more preventative care providers and the need to build a new facility. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui residents: The state wants to know if you don’t have access to broadband internet. State data shows 1 in 10 people do not have access to high-speed internet. Hawaii News Now.

Maui nonprofit offers 40 job opportunities to assist in wildfire relief efforts. Youth job training nonprofit Kupu has positions starting at $16 an hour within resource hubs and education centers. Hawaii News Now.

Community feedback sessions report released on the rebuild plan for King Kamehameha III Elementary in Lahaina. The three choices presented to the community were: the original location on Front Street; Pulelehua, which is near the current temporary location; and Kā’anapali 2020–Pu’ukoli’i Village Mauka. Maui News.

Officials working to curb illegal camping, trespassing at popular South Maui beach. While illegal camping has been an ongoing issue along South Maui shores, some say the problem has gotten worse specifically at Po'olenalena Beach Park over the past few months.  KITV4.

Kauai

Are Kauai residents ready for an emergency? County releases results from new preparedness survey. Did you know 38% of Kauai residents have only one evacuation route in case of an emergency?That’s according to a new county survey of 177 residents conducted earlier in June. Hawaii News Now.

House-Senate negotiators agree on biggest tax cut yet, COVID hazard pay cost jumps to $449M, second round of health-care debt forgiveness begins, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii residents could see biggest tax cut yet. Hawaii taxpayers could be seeing phased state income tax cuts that over eight years amount to the biggest reduction in state history. A measure approved by House and Senate negotiators Friday,  House Bill 2404, would double the standard deduction for the 2024 tax year and then keep raising it every two years through 2030. Star-Advertiser.

State to pay $449M for government worker pandemic hazard pay. The state will have to pay $449 million to compensate government employees for coming to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost is about $150 million over previous estimates by the Department of Budget and Finance. Hawaii Public Radio.

New round of debt forgiveness begins for Hawaii healthcare professionals.  Gov. Josh Green, in partnership with the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and the state Department of Health, developed the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP) to pay off up to $50,000 for each of two years as long as health care providers commit to accepting public insurance for at least 30% of their patient care claims. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers reduce financial grants. Hawaii’s Legislature approved $30 million in grants this year to around 150 applicants amid a challenging budgetary picture that included the need to appropriate roughly $1 billion for Maui wildfire response and recovery work. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi is one step closer to having a state fire marshal. Lawmakers in conference committee, one of the final legislative hurdles, have passed Senate Bill 2085 to establish a dedicated fire marshal who will direct statewide efforts to prevent and respond to fires. Hawaiʻi is the only state without one. Hawaii Public Radio.

Governor approves broadband equity access and development state match plan. Governor Josh Green approved the use of $33 million in state funds for the state match plan for the Broadband Equity Access and Development (BEAD) grant program on Friday, April 27. Eight programs will be funded with this grant which will have a statewide impact on ensuring Hawai‘i’s goal toward universal broadband access.  Big Island Now.

Frequent Withdrawals Of Nominees Hinder Green’s Efforts To Fill Boards And Commissions. More than 10% of the governor’s nominees have been pulled back this year. Civil Beat.

Governor Backs Effort To Stem The Tide Of Invasive Species In Hawaii. The biosecurity measure is one of two key pieces of legislation that will strengthen the efforts of the Department of Agriculture. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Tourism Agency campaign targets U.S. market. Hawaii’s hotel booking pace is in the red through December, but legislative funding has allowed the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to support a new multimillion dollar marketing campaign aimed at U.S. visitors. Star-Advertiser.

Flat Golden Week foretells a sluggish Japan tourism recovery in Hawaii. Golden Week, the traditional peak Japanese travel season, is better this year than last, but it isn’t the gold mine that it once was because Hawaii is losing ground to competing destinations during this holiday period and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii child abuse cases decrease, according to 2023 statistics. Last year, 1,800 total cases were reported — a decrease of over 300 reported the year before. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Trial starts today in federal lawsuits over military jet fuel leak. 17 relatives of U.S. military members suing the United States over the leak from the World War II-era storage tanks. The 17 are considered “bellwether” plaintiffs representing more than 7,500 other military family members, civilians and service members in three federal lawsuits.  Associated Press.

Officers posted outside Mayor’s office after alleged heated discussion with Ocean Safety chief.  Honolulu police officers are posted outside the Mayor’s office at Honolulu Hale after an alleged heated discussion between the Mayor and the Division Chief of Ocean Safety. John Titchen was put on unpaid administrative leave this week. Hawaii News Now.

Ocean Safety Task Force members critical of process. Some who served on Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Ocean Safety Task Force to help form the new public safety department say they were fed up with the outcome. Star-Advertiser.

Financial woes plague state’s free dental clinic. After serving Hawaii’s low-income population for over 20 years, the state’s only free dental clinic might be forced to close its doors this summer. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Road, Cabins Closed Due To Sharp Increase In Earthquakes. Hilina Pali Road is closed on the Upper East Rift Zone, where 250 earthquakes have occurred in the past 24 hours. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Union Says Big Island Wastewater Plants Are Dangerously Understaffed. It's not uncommon for a lone worker to be responsible for operating sewage treatment facilities that have been plagued with problems. Civil Beat.

Draft EIS: PTA lease extension could have adverse impact. A draft environmental impact statement released earlier this month about the Army’s proposal to renew its lease on up to 22,750 acres of state land at Pohakuloa Training Area indicated that granting the extension could have an adverse impact on Hawaiian cultural practices and environmental justice. Tribune-Herald.

A solution for insurance crisis? Some Puna residents pursue member-owned insurance cooperative. After most of the recently proposed legislative solutions have failed, Puna residents are hoping they can solve their district’s impending housing insurance crisis. Tribune-Herald.

Light at the end of the tunnel for Hakalau park. The long-closed Hakalau Beach Park will reopen more than a decade after being shut to the public according to a state Department of Transportation document. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Missing Maui County documents complicate Lahaina fire probe. Missing Maui Emergency Management Agency documents make it “difficult to make a complete and accurate accounting” of activities inside the Emergency Operations Center on Aug. 8 when fires killed 101 people, burned 6,721 acres and left 8,000 people homeless, according to the state attorney general.  Star-Advertiser.

37 Fires Along One Maui Road This Year Alone Have Residents Of Nearby Town On Edge. In the aftermath of the Lahaina tragedy, officials are stepping up efforts to protect Paia and other areas considered at high risk.  Civil Beat.

Emergency slope repairs will close remote Alelele Point roadway 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays starting May 1.  A portion of remote county roadway at Alelele Point near Mile Marker 39 will be closed to all traffic, with the exception of emergency vehicles, between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday starting May 1, 2024, due to an emergency slope repair project on the makai side of the road, according to a County of Maui Department of Public Works announcement today. The road closure is expected to last five months, the department said. Maui Now.

Rebuilding Lahaina: Homeowners In The Seaside Town May Get A Reprieve From Coastal Zone Rules. Shoreline setbacks or a retreat from the water so far aren't getting much traction under state and county planning efforts. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Storm damage assessment process continues on Kaua‘i. Local, state and federal officials will embark on a process aimed at validating damage data from heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding earlier this month on the island. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

State board mulls Thirty Meter Telescope permit, broadband plan tackles dead zones, Maui Council to meet on Office of Recovery funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Board hears arguments over TMT permit. Defining the word “construction” took up a large part of a more than three-hour Tuesday hearing that could determine whether a permit to develop the controversial Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea is valid. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.

Covid Funds Help Hawaii Schools Tackle Absenteeism. What Happens When Those Are Gone?. While chronic absenteeism improved across the state last year, some groups of students still lag behind in their attendance rates. Civil Beat.

US ambassador to the United Nations stops in Hawaiʻi en route to Cook Islands. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield is leading the United States delegation to the 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. Hawaii Public Radio.

Transportation Department hopes to expand Red Light Safety program statewide. The Red Light Safety Camera Pilot Program has been “live” for a year and still has another year to go but officials are already hoping to expand the program, citing a decline in red light runners. But there are still a few issues that need to be ironed out, including how to ensure citations are paid. KHON2.

Broadband initiative targets lack of access and slow internet speeds. The state is releasing hundreds of millions of dollars for initiatives to connect more people to the internet — and improve services for those already online. The federal initiative recognizes that internet access is no longer considered a luxury. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Audit finds long delays in Honolulu Department of Design and Construction projects. Honolulu improvement projects have been plagued by delays, according to the findings in a recent audit of the city’s Department of Design and Construction. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wage Bump Aims To Stem Departure Of Honolulu’s Deputy Prosecutors. In the midst of a workforce shortage, some city positions are getting big pay boosts. Civil Beat.

Makiki affordable rental project completed. Constructed in prefabricated concrete in under nine months, the building at 1427 Ernest St. will offer 24 studio apartments and two one-bedroom units, on a more than 5,300-square-foot property. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Ex-Mililani Athletic Director Gets Probation For Booster Club Theft. Glenn Nitta pleaded no contest to the theft of more than $400,000. Civil Beat.  Star-Advertiser.

Wildfire concerns revive pleas for new emergency evacuation routes on Oahu. Three months since the Maui fires and communities all over Hawaii are re-thinking their own safety plans, including coastal areas on Oahu where thousands of people have no alternate escape routes. Critical areas include the west side, the North Shore, and the Windward side. Hawaii News Now.

Wildfire burns 1,638 acres above Mililani Mauka, 90% contained. Honolulu Fire Department officials say that they are transferring command of the Mililani Mauka firefighting efforts to the U.S. Fire and Wildlife Service, now that the remote wildfire is 90% contained with only “isolated smoldering pockets.” Star-Advertiser.

Stalled Train Temporarily Halts Service Along Skyline. No passengers were on board that driverless train, city officials say. They haven't said what may have stalled it. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Police Department warns of recent extortion scam. The Honolulu Police Department is warning the public about a rise in extortion cases over the past several weeks in which perpetrators impersonate law enforcement. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Home Lands Seeks $6M To Test For Geothermal Power. Research identifies DHHL lands in three areas of the Big island that show promise for development for geothermal power production. Civil Beat.

Big Isle police mourn death of former colleague. When former Hawaii Police Department officer Nicholas C.K. McDaniel was laid to rest Saturday in Post Falls, Idaho, numerous Big Island officers attended his funeral. Tribune-Herald.

150 Narcan kits given to Hawai‘i County to aid in fight against fentanyl. The Hawai‘i Island Fentanyl Task Force donated 150 Narcan kits to Hawai‘i County as part of the ongoing effort to combat the spread of fentanyl in the Big Island community as concern grows surrounding opioid overdoses. Big Island Now. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Special council meeting to consider bill to fund the new Office of Recovery. The Maui County Council will hold a special council meeting Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. to consider Bill 114, which seeks to: fund the new Office of Recovery; and add new conditional language for a Lahaina Wildfire Final Disposition site in Olowalu. Maui Now.

Maui Realtor’s Fire Relief Fundraiser Under Audit From AG’s Office. Churches who were recipients of money from Eric West have provided limited details of how they have spent it, but they are not required to do so. Civil Beat.

$54M contract awarded for temporary Lahaina elementary school. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $53.7 million base contract to a Waianae-based company to build a temporary elementary school campus for students displaced from King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was destroyed in the August wildfire.  Maui News. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Recovery still on the horizon for Lahaina.  Gov. Josh Green is slated to provide a 90-day update on the Maui wildfire recovery efforts at noon today from the Governor’s Conference Room on the fifth floor of the state Capitol. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Visitor spending crosses $2B mark on Kaua‘i. The spending total climbed to $2.05 billion for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30 from $1.69 billion in the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2022, and $1.46 billion in the pre-pandemic nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2019. Garden Island.

House Finance Committee visits Kaua‘i. Members of the House Finance Committee, led by Chair Kyle T. Yamashita, and the Kauaʻi delegation consisting of House Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura, House Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa, and Rep. Luke A. Evslin made its way to the Garden Isle to view firsthand several projects and programs supported by the Legislature. Kauai Now.

Special prosecutor in public corruption cases appears before grand jury, Land Board Tuesday to hear Thirty Meter Telescope dispute, 11-year old stabbed at Oahu elementary school, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Appearance of special prosecutor spurs talk of expanding corruption probe.  The special prosecutor assigned to weed out public corruption in Honolulu eight years ago is back before a federal grand jury, spurring talk about more charges.Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat has been before the panel several times recently. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Advances Plans To Distribute $149 Million For Broadband Access. The public is invited to weigh in on which areas lack high-speed service. Those areas will be the top priority for funding. Civil Beat.

Maui Democrats Select 3 Possible Candidates For Senate Vacancy.  On Monday members of the Maui County Committee’s Senate District 5 selection body sent three names to Gov. Josh Green:  Troy N. Hashimoto, Jason Alexander Economou and  Justin V.E. Hughey. Civil Beat.

Oahu

1 Student Hospitalized, Another Detained After Apparent School Stabbing. A Makaha Elementary student was taken into policy custody on Monday afternoon after allegedly stabbing an 11-year-old boy who was taken to the hospital in serious condition.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Rally, hearing set over Ala Wai harbor parking. A public rally will be held today to protest what many believe is a state-level action to do away with free recreational parking at the popular, state-controlled Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu residents struggle with landlord issues amid retaliation concerns. A fear of retaliation from landlords is just one of the problems causing tensions among low-income renters in Waipahu. Hawaii News Now.

More than 200 EBT accounts compromised by thieves. Hawaii families counting on food stamps, also known as SNAP benefits, have been victimized by hackers who emptied their accounts. The state said more than 200 accounts have been compromised. All of them on Oahu. KHON2. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Home prices end declines as slowdown in sales eases on Oahu. The velocity of a roughly two-year slowdown for Oahu home sales eased in October, and the median price paid for single-family houses ticked up to break a 10-month string of year-over- year declines. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

BLNR to reevaluate contested case about Maunakea TMT permit conditions.  The permit allowing the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea is under review by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. At issue is whether the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo met a condition that required TMT construction to begin within two years of the permit being granted.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Puna retail center sold to Hawai‘i-based private investor. CBRE has arranged the sale of Pāhoa Marketplace, a multi-tenant retail center in Puna, to a Hawaii-based private investor for $8.3 million. Big Island Now.

‘Running smoothly’: 92-unit senior housing complex on schedule to open next summer. Work on the Hale Na Koa ‘O Hanakahi housing project began last November on a 5.6-acre lot on Kawili Street across from the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus, and will offer 92 single-bedroom units of affordable housing for Big Island seniors, with a preference toward veterans and their spouses. Tribune-Herald.

New search underway for ordnance in West Hawaii. Currently, the Corps is conducting preliminary scans of three parcels in Kohala extending from Kawaihae Harbor to Waimea, and south along the shoreline around Hapuna Beach and Puako. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Gov. Green extends Emergency Proclamation on Wildfires. Gov. Josh Green on Monday signed the Eighth Emergency Proclamation on Wildfires to continue state support for the recovery of the people of Maui. Maui Now.

Insurance claims from Maui wildfires soar above $1 billion. A breakdown of the first insurance data for the Maui wildfires shows more than 6,079 residential property and personal motor vehicle claims totaling more than $1.35 billion have been filed for losses in West Maui and Upcountry Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

It Will Be Years Before Clean Water Is Restored In Lahaina. Rebuilding the water system is likely to cost tens of millions of dollars and could be a limiting factor in rebuilding the town. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian Company Gets $53.7M Contract For Temporary Lahaina School. The campus will be used by students and staff from King Kamehameha III Elementary, which was destroyed in the fire. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County issues violation notice to HPM Building Supply site for operating illegally.  The notice of violation was issued on Oct. 23 after the Planning Department concluded the HPM “truss manufacturing facility is not a generally permitted use within the Agriculture Zoning District (and) operation of a truss manufacturing facility within the Agriculture Zoning District without the proper zoning permit(s) constitutes a violation.” Kauai Now.

Forensic nurses honored by County of Kaua‘i. Chelise Ka‘aihue and Ceisha Judd represent two of Kaua‘i’s five forensic nurses who operate with the Kaua‘i Police Department. Garden Island.

Public schools, polling places open today, mudslinging defines political races, Honolulu parks advise bring your own toilet paper, battle continues over tourism contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Testing elections counting machines in Hawaii ©2022 All Hawaii News

Voter service centers prepare to welcome those who want to cast their ballot in person. Most voters will opt to use mail-in ballots for the primary election, but in-person voting will also be available starting Monday. On Saturday morning, state election officials tested the vote counting system that will be used at each service center. Hawaii News Now.

New era of negative campaigning begins in Hawaii. The window for last-minute negative attack campaigns has opened wider with mail-in ballots arriving weeks before the Aug. 13 primary and Nov. 8 general elections, an update to the old political tactic of making allegations just before election day.  Star-Advertiser.

Jewish leaders condemn Kahele campaign’s use of ‘Mr. Men’ meme, saying it resembles Hitler. An already heated Democratic gubernatorial primary now includes an allegation of hate speech. Members of the local Jewish community say Congressman Kai Kahele’s campaign should apologize for using a caricature they said resembles Adolf Hitler. Hawaii News Now.

All 3 Top Candidates For Hawaii Governor Have Lucrative Side Jobs. Lt. Gov. Josh Green has a business through which he contracts his services as an emergency room physician. U.S. Rep Kai Kahele receives income for his work as a Hawaiian Airlines pilot and the Hawaii National Guard and receives an income from real estate properties he owns in Tennessee. Businesswoman Vicky Cayetano started United Laundry Service and still maintains an ownership interest in the business’ parent company. Civil Beat.

By Land And Space: How GOP Candidates For Governor Plan To Diversify Hawaii’s Economy. Duke Aiona eyes opportunities in the space industry, while Gary Cordery and Heidi Tsuneyoshi want more funding for farmers. Civil Beat.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2022 election: Here's what to expect. Six of the nine seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for election this year. This includes three at-large seats and one seat each for Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Tourism Authority predetermined procurement for U.S. tourism award, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau says. The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is alleging that the Hawaii Tourism Authority violated state procurement law by running an unfair process that predetermined that re-solicitation for its largest piece of business, the U.S. brand management and global support services contract, should go to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. Star-Advertiser.

Cruise ship COVID reporting program ending. The recent discontinuation of a program by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that tracked COVID-19 cases aboard cruise ships and reported findings to the public has no effect on how state agencies deal with the virus on cruise ships. Tribune-Herald.

What to know about masking, other pandemic procedures in Hawaii public schools. Masking is now optional indoors and outdoors in Hawaii public schools, so for the first time in a year, whether a student should wear a mask on campus will be left for each family to decide. However, state schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi says that in keeping with state Health Department guidance, masks are still “highly encouraged,” especially while community levels of COVID-19 are high now across most of the state. Star-Advertiser.

Teachers union pushing for better air ventilation to help prevent spread of COVID. With masks optional for Hawaii public and charter schools starting fall semester, ventilation will play a key role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms. Tribune-Herald.

Kalima case lawyers calculate damages for Native Hawaiians in $328M settlement with the state. Damages are being calculated for more than 2,700 Native Hawaiians in the Kalima case — a class-action lawsuit filed by Native Hawaiians waiting for homestead land. Now, lawyers for the claimants are working to ensure the $328 million settlement approved by the state gets to those who deserve it. Hawaii Public Radio.

New law restores $1M for immigrant resource centers in Hawaiʻi. A bill introduced by the Filipino Caucus and signed into law earlier this month by Gov. David Ige allocated $1 million to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Office of Community Services to restore the centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii gas prices stay stubbornly high amid major national decline. Nationally, the decrease was 61 cents as of Friday compared with a month earlier, and eight states led by Ohio had drops of 70 cents to 82 cents. Hawaii’s decline was 11 cents, while the next smallest decrease was 30 cents for Idaho. Star-Advertiser.

New York firm gets PUC’s OK to buy Hawaii Gas. The state’s only franchised gas utility and largest propane distributor has a new owner after a New York-based infrastructure fund manager received approval from the state Public Utilities Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Latin America takes on growing RIMPAC role. At this year’s Rim of the Pacific Exercise, Latin America’s interests in the Pacific have taken on new significance. For the first time in the history of the biennial exercise, every country on South America’s Pacific Coast has sent serv­ice members to participate. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Bring Your Own Toilet Paper. Honolulu Parks Are Experiencing A Shortage. Honolulu officials warned they may have to close some public bathrooms in city parks due to a shortage in industrial toilet paper rolls. The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation called on park-goers to bring their own toilet paper until the problem can be solved. Civil Beat.

Wealthy beachfront homeowners turn to the courts to avoid Hawaii environmental laws. When heavy surf threatened their home in Mokuleia in the winter of 2006-07, Elizabeth and Mike Dailey ignored state environmental laws and stacked large boulders along the beach, creating a formidable seawall. The Daileys’ case is among the state’s longest running seawall enforcement cases and highlights how wealthy beachfront property owners have been able to evade state laws aimed at protecting public beaches. Star-Advertiser.

Battle For Central Oahu Senate Seat Pits Incumbent Against Well-Known City Councilman. Rivals Brandon Elefante and Sen. Bennette Misalucha agree major concerns facing District 16 are public safety, housing and homelessness. Civil Beat.

Waianae House Race Highlights The Democratic Party’s Power In Hawaii. Former Rep. Jo Jordan and Rep. Cedric Gates are facing off against each other for the fifth election in a row, vying to represent Waianae, Makaha and Makua in West Oahu. Their rivalry has a history. Civil Beat.

Efforts underway to get a more accurate count of feral cats, reduce concentrated populations. Just about all of us have seen feral cats on Oahu and on the neighbor islands, but exactly how many of them are there? There have been estimates, but those estimates are likely to be wrong. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Bill would add EV stations: Councilwoman says lack of charging options an obstacle to EV ownership. Big Island property developers may be required to add electric vehicle charging stations to their parking lots under a bill to be introduced Tuesday to the Hawaii County Council. Tribune-Herald.

Senate District 4: Democrat Tim Richards and Republican Nicholas Tancheff will square off in the general election. There are two candidates on the ballot for the vacant District 4 state Senate seat, but they’re not running against each other. At least, not yet. West Hawaii Today.

House District 6: 3 Democrats, one Republican, line up for newly created House district. There’s a new House district in town, and four candidates have lined up to compete for it. Running for the seat are Democratic candidates Ilya Barannikov, Kirstin Kahaloa and Lono Mack. The winner of the Aug. 13 primary will square off with Republican candidate Jonathan Kennealy in the general election. West Hawaii Today.

‘An unfortunate event’. An estimated 4,500 internet and 16,000 voice customers in West Hawaii were affected on Tuesday when a Hawaiian Telcom fiber-optic cable was severed in Waikoloa. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Three Maui County mayor candidates see tourism management as a platform priority. Three candidates for Maui County mayor unveiled Saturday what they would do to manage tourism during a time when the islands have reopened to near-record numbers of visitors. Maui Now.

Primary to whittle down packed field for Kahului seat on council. In the second-most crowded race of the Maui County primary election, seven individuals compete for the Kahului residency seat: Cara Flores, incumbent Council Member Tasha Kama, Carol Lee Kamekona, Buddy James Nobriga, Tina Pedro, Jason “Jack” Schwartz and Keoni Watanabe. Maui News.

Should Maui County Take Over Water Long Controlled By Private Companies? Voters will have a say in whether the county should create new water authorities charged with managing the island’s most precious natural resource. Civil Beat.

Committee to consider updated zoning map. A bill to adopt amendments to the Maui Digital Zoning Map for 13 parcels will be considered by the Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committee at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Maui News.

County sees 41% increase in stolen cars this year. Some residents raise concerns over burned cars off Piihana Road. Maui News.

Rehab of Kahoolawe continues. The effort to return Kaho'olawe to its nature state continues. There's been nearly 20 years of renovation, since the military finished cleaning up munition on the island from when it was a firing range. KITV4.

Kauai

Kaua‘i visitors are spending more than they were pre-pandemic. Kaua‘i has been outpacing the state in terms of tourism recovery. Hawai‘i as a whole was only at 89% of its June 2019 visitor level, with a total of 842,927 visitors in June 2022. Garden Island.

Only bon dance on the island draws huge crowd. The pau-hana time came, the rain clouds that welcomed Friday parted, and the people came to Puhi to enjoy the bon odori experience of food, games and, of course, the bon odori. Garden Island.

Voters want legislative term limits, alleged Russian spies lived quietly on Oahu, health care access dismal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature gets low marks for handling of corruption. The state Legislature gets an abysmally low rating for policing internal corruption in a poll of registered Hawaii voters who also overwhelmingly support lawmaker term limits and more funding for regulatory commissions focused on ethics and campaign spending. Star-Advertiser.

Education: Governor Candidates Say More Money Is Needed To Fix Hawaii’s Schools. Both Josh Green and Vicky Cayetano say teacher pay increases are key to improving the system. The candidates also floated ideas such as housing stipends and a new literacy program. Civil Beat.

Hawaii police officers get a raise and bonus under new union contract. Police officers across the state are getting a pay raise. The new contract was issued by the arbitrator on Tuesday. They'll get a pay raise amounting to 15.76% in their base wage. KITV4.

Does US Sen. Brian Schatz Have ‘A Job For Life?’ Hawaii’s senior senator is on the ballot this year but faces little competition. Some say it’s because he made all the right moves. Civil Beat.

They lived quiet lives in Hawaii for years. The US alleges they were actually Russian spies. A couple living quietly in Kapolei for years were actually Russian spies, federal agents with the state Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service allege. Walter Glenn Primose, also known as Bobby Edward Fort, and Gwynn Darle Morrison, aka Julie Lyn Montague, were arrested in a raid Friday morning. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Former Kaneohe Marine associated with neo-Nazi group plotted attacks, feds say. Prosecutors allege that while serving at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Cpl. Matthew Bel­anger was secretly conspiring to commit mass murder and sexual assault to “decrease the number of minority residents” in the United States as part of his membership in a far-right neo-Nazi group called Rape­krieg. Star-Advertiser.

Molokaʻi, Honolulu Airports to receive $34M to improve infrastructure and safety. Moloka‘i Airport and the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oʻahu will receive nearly $34 million in combined funding from the US Department of Transportation to improve their runways and taxiways. Maui Now.

Health care access in Hawaii bleak, report finds. Community First, a nonprofit based in Hilo, released the “Access to Care” report Tuesday — a snapshot based on online survey results from nearly 3,300 Hawaii residents, along with input from more than 300 health care providers statewide in April and May. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

New diversity director of Queen’s Health System seeks to better serve Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities. Hepua Hermosura, a licensed clinical psychologist, will lead Queen’s initiatives to better serve and support Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities. She said that means ensuring all identities across race, ethnicity, culture, gender and sexual orientation are represented in decision making. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Public support for stadium replacement plan is shaky. Hawaii lawmakers and Gov. David Ige recently recommitted to replacing Aloha Stadium at its Halawa site, but voters electing the state’s next governor in November appear widely split over the bogged-down, roughly $400 million plan. Star-Advertiser.

HART: Cracking Could Require Building More Piers Under West Oahu Stations. The city and its consultants should release their findings on the potentially significant cracking problem in six to eight weeks. Civil Beat.

City council members concerned over manufacturer price gouging ahead of plastic, polystyrene foam container ban. As the city prepares to enforce the final phase of ordinance 19-30, banning plastic and polystyrene foam food containers from eateries and businesses, Honolulu city council members raised several concerns at a briefing Tuesday. KITV4.

Hawaii Health Department details concerns about Navy’s defueling plan in rejection letter. The Hawaii Department of Health has rejected the Navy’s plan to defuel its Red Hill fuel facility, laying out a list of shortcomings in a letter to Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, commander of Navy Region Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

A Navy Captain Was Faulted For His Red Hill Response. But He’s Still Working There. A Navy captain who was relieved of command over “leadership and oversight failures” after the catastrophic fuel leak at the Red Hill facility in November is still working on petroleum operations at the storage complex, according to the Navy. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council considering suspending bus fares to increase ridership. To increase TheBus ridership, the Honolulu City Council is considering suspending public transportation fares for HOLO card users from Aug. 22 to 26. Star-Advertiser.

Librarian: Homeless encampments at Oahu public libraries bring ‘compassion fatigue’. State library officials said Tuesday they’re working with the Sheriffs Department to keep homeless camps off their properties. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Telecommunications outage in West Hawaii resolved. The hours-long telecommunications outage that impacted much of West Hawaii was caused by the accidental severing of a fiber optic cable by a construction company working in a remote area near Waikoloa Village, according to Hawaiian Telcom. West Hawaii Today. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.

Maui

Here Are Answers To Commonly Asked Questions About Voting In Maui County. Still not registered to vote? Not sure whether you can vote by mail or in-person? Civil Beat.

Molokai residents Lynn DeCoite and Walter Ritte face off for second straight election. After losing by just 94 votes in 2020, longtime Hawaiian activist and community organizer Walter Ritte again is taking on incumbent Lynn Pualani De­Coite in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary — except challenging De­Coite for her Senate seat this time. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Department Deputy Chief Olsen resigns amid union criticism. Kaua‘i Police Department Deputy Chief Stan Olsen announced last week that he would be resigning from the Kaua‘i Police Department effective Aug. 26, citing personal reasons. Olsen became the subject of State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers criticism after airport security discovered a loaded, department-issued handgun in his carry-on bag at Lihu‘e Airport in April. Garden Island.