Revenue Council releases upbeat economic forecast, Blangiardi signs bill giving limited media access, former Hawaii councilman Yagong dies at 66, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tax revenue forecast stable amid upbeat economic outlook. The state Council on Revenues decided during a meeting Wednesday to leave unchanged its prior forecast for state general fund revenue in the current and next fiscal years. That means the Legislature will need to base its budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, largely on the council’s projection for roughly $9.7 billion in general fund revenue representing a 2.0% increase over an estimated $9.5 billion for the current fiscal year. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

$35K Mystery Payment: Bill Would Extend Time To Prosecute. The state Department of the Attorney General will wait until an ongoing federal public corruption investigation ends before considering allegations that an unnamed state lawmaker accepted $35,000 in a paper bag in 2022. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

Need A Doctor? Hawaiʻi’s Physician Shortage Keeps Getting Worse. Neighbor islands bear the brunt of the growing shortage, which contributes to uneven costs and poorer care. Civil Beat.

Nearly 30% of state sheriff, investigator positions are vacant, officials say. The state Department of Law Enforcement says low pay is a primary concern amid its 28% vacancy rate, and is hoping for new legislation to combat it. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi wildfire plan in the works in conjunction with expansion of new state fire marshal’s office. A plan that aims to overhaul how state agencies prepare for wildfires is expected to be completed in early 2027, according to the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Maui Now.

DFS pulls out of Hawaii after more than 60 years. After more than 60 years in Hawaii, Duty Free Shoppers (DFS) is preparing to pull out of the market.They are set to close their two locations at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Maui Airport location and Waikiki location by the end of March. KHON2.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi signs Honolulu Police Department media access bill. Mayor Rick Blangiardi has signed a bill into law requiring the Honolulu Police Department to release timely and accurate information to selected news outlets during major public safety incidents. Blangiardi’s Dec. 22 approval of Bill 46 means HPD is expected to use its newly- created media crime alert system to provide limited media access to its radio communications. Star-Advertiser.

Rebates increased on appliances to encourage water conservation. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Department of Environmental Serv­ices announced Wednesday it would be increasing rebates on certain household appliances to encourage more water conservation on the island. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

HMSA, Hawai‘i Pacific Health propose new health care affiliation amid affordability concerns. Hawaii Medical Service Association and Hawai‘i Pacific Health said the proposal would bring the two local, nonprofit organizations under a new parent entity, tentatively called One Health Hawaii, while allowing each to continue operating independently as legal affiliates. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Proposed healthcare partnership questioned by Queens, nurses’ union. Not everyone is cheering the proposed affiliation between HMSA and Hawaii Pacific Health. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Dominic Yagong, former council chairman, dies at 66. Dominic Yagong, a former County Council chairman who represented Hamakua and was the beloved emcee of Honokaa High School Dragons sports, died Wednesday. He was 66. Yagong was in hospice care the past couple of weeks after suffering a second stroke late last year. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

$30 Million Invested. Hawaiʻi Island Homeless Population Still Grew. The county has tried to combat homelessness in recent years, but more people are living on the streets of Hilo and Kona. Civil Beat.

Community groups out in front in the fight against hunger on Hawaiʻi Island. An estimated 90,000 people on Hawaiʻi Island are battling some degree of food insecurity. The island has one of the highest rates of hunger in the state, according to a report compiled by major food banks in 2025. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Bill To Save Thousands Of Maui Vacation Rentals Heads To Planning Commissions. Nearly a month after passing a version of Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s bold plan to free up housing for residents by phasing out thousands of the island’s short-term vacation rentals, the Maui County Council on Wednesday advanced legislation that would reduce the number of affected units by more than half. Civil Beat.

Mahi Pono announces first commercial harvest of Hawaiʻi-grown mandarins. Mahi Pono today announced the first commercial harvest of its Hawaiʻi-grown mandarins, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to increase local food production and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s food security. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department adds four officers from the 102nd recruit class. Family members, friends, fellow officers and the Kaua’i County Council gathered on Dec. 6 for the 102nd Police Recruit Class graduation ceremony at the Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall for recruits Kent Morano, Brandon Chun, Kaleo Josiah and Daylin Huni. Kauai Now.

Governor's budget tries to plug federal gaps, doesn't address promised income tax cuts; first lawsuit filed against Maui vacation rental ban; pay hikes for Big Island officials, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green’s budget reflects federal culling. Gov. Josh Green has proposed a $20.4 billion supplemental budget that would help the state respond to on-going cuts in federal funding for Hawaii while continuing to focus on affordable housing, climate infrastructure, healthcare and education. The administration is also expected to implement the first year of what’s known as the green fee, a dedicated source of funding from hotel taxes to protect environmental resources and sustain the tourism industry. But the budget doesn’t address large tax cuts for Hawaiʻi residents passed by the Legislature in 2024 that the governor has already talked about scaling back. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Budget in Brief (pdf). Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Condominium insurance prices begin to stabilize. Condominium building insurance rates are beginning to stabilize. This comes five months after the state's Hurricane Relief Fund began issuing policies to buildings that couldn't secure coverage on the traditional market. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection announces $6M settlement with PayPal. The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), on behalf of the state of Hawaii, announced on Monday a $6 Million settlement with PayPal, Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc.  The settlement resolves OCP’s lawsuit, filed in December 2022, alleging unfair and deceptive acts or practices through PayPal’s operation and Venmo e-payment platforms.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii groups blast SNAP’s restrictions on sugary products. Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Children’s Action Network say the rules will raise costs, reduce choices and create extra work for retailers and state administrators without improving health outcomes. Maui News.

State dark sky committee hopes to flip the switch on Hawaiʻi's light pollution. Pushing to regulate artificial light use is one suggestion in a new report from the state's Dark Night Skies Protection Advisory Committee. The report listed suggestions, including implementing warm-glow LED lights or shielded lights in spaces like parks, parking lots, and home fixtures, which is said to reduce sky-glow and energy use. Hawaii Public Radio.

Law enforcement warns of illegal fireworks vigilance ahead of New Year's Eve. Got illegal fireworks? Be warned, after last year’s tragic fireworks explosion in the Salt Lake-Āliamanu area that killed six, there are tougher laws and public safety is top of mind for state officials. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

HART pays $41.3M to settle lengthy Ward Village dispute. On Nov. 25, state Judge John M. Tonaki formally resolved the matter by allowing HART to pay more than $41.3 million to acquire easement access — specifically, for Skyline’s proposed Kakaako Station in the area of Ward Avenue and Queen Street — that could eventually allow the city’s rail project to travel eastward to Ala Moana Center and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Is Senator’s Affordable Housing Plan Happening? Depends Who You Ask. State authority says market conditions and project requirements put Aloha Homes on the shelf. Sen. Stanley Chang says the Kakaʻako development remains underway. Civil Beat.

Downtown ‘Hell-Hole’ Building Founder Faces Eviction From His Luxury Condo. Honolulu developer Chad Waters’ landlord alleges he owes $5,000 in back rent. The founder of a squalid downtown office building converted into unlicensed apartments now faces his own eviction complaint for allegedly failing to pay rent on the luxury Kakaʻako condo where he lives. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Ocean Safety chief sworn in. Honolulu’s first-ever Ocean Safety Chief was sworn in at a special ceremony at Honolulu Hale Monday morning. Kurt Lager’s appointment to the position earned unanimous approval from the Ocean Safety commission. Hawaii News Now.

UH hotline answers the call to immigration detention in Honolulu. Once it became clear that the Trump administration was pursuing an aggressive immigration policy, the Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa set up a “Deportation Defense Hotline.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Mililani man first to be compensated under Hawaii’s wrongful conviction law. A man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit will become the first person in Hawaii to receive compensation under a 10-year-old law. Roynes Dural will receive $420,833 from the state for the eight years and five months he spent in prison following a wrongful conviction. Hawaii News Now.

Gen X is squeezed, caring for generations before and after. On weekends, Raphael Bacani, 51, packs silken tofu and brown‑sugar syrup into his car and heads to the Waipahu farmers market to sell taho, the Filipino street food that’s one of two side businesses he and his wife run to help cover the bills. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Pay hike for county managers. In its final meeting of the year Monday in Hilo, the Hawaii County Salary Commission approved a 15.29% pay raise for the county’s top officials. The raises, which follow negotiated pay increases for Hawaii Government Employee Association members, will take place in four increments — 3.5% on Jan. 1, 2026, 3.79% on July 1, 2026, and 4% on July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028. Tribune-Herald.

As promised: Hawai‘i governor commits funding to new Big Island hospital in supplemental state budget. Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green submitted his Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 to the State Legislature Monday, which dedicates $50 million in General Obligation funds to the building of a new hospital on Hawai‘i Island. Big Island Now.

Large-Scale Marijuana Growing Operation Investigated In Ocean View.  During a search at a residence in the 92-8600 block of Jasmine Drive, officers recovered approximately 397 marijuana plants, 364 pounds of processed marijuana, 19,814 grams of marijuana concentrate, 1.2 grams of cocaine, and four firearms. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Thousands Of Maui Vacation Rentals In Limbo After Council Hits Gridlock. Kāʻanapali condo owners have filed the first lawsuit so far against the county over Bill 9. Civil Beat.

Volunteers replant Keawaiki Park at Lahaina Harbor with native plants. On Dec. 6, representatives from the three Lahaina Rotary Clubs, Treecovery and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation came together to replant Keawaiki Park with native Hawaiian trees, groundcover and vines. Maui News.

Kauai

Building a Future at Lima Ola: KHDC marks first phase success. Kauai Housing Development Corporation (KHDC) announced that 23 of the first 24 three-bedroom, two-bath homes in the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development have been sold to Kauai families, turning the dream of homeownership into reality for local workers who want to stay on island, according to a press release. Garden Island.

Green might scale back promised income tax cuts; HMSA, Hawaii Pacific Health mull merger; Pearl Harbor ceremony held without survivors for first time, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Suggests Hawaiʻi Might Scale Back On Income Tax Cuts. Gov. Josh Green won’t be releasing his proposed new budget for another two weeks, but he is already floating the idea that he and lawmakers may reduce the scope of the whopping state income tax cuts they approved in 2024. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Why Doesn't The Hawaiʻi Legislature Have An Electronic Voting System? Most states have them, and some lawmakers argue it would improve transparency and jolt some of their colleagues out of their complacency. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi's biggest shipper is shifting its China business model. Companies that ship in goods from China have adopted a strategy to diversify their supply chains. Hawaiʻi shipping company Matson is shifting its service to accommodate this China Plus One strategy.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Lack of funding puts Hawaii tourism program on hold. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority invested upwards of $700,000 to launch the regenerative tourism program Qurator, but with no funding to keep it running, the award-winning, state-backed initiative has been put on ice. Star-Advertiser.

Hiring slowing as costs, minimum wage increase. Employee hiring among private employers dropped nationwide by 32,000 positions in November in the latest measurement of the American economy that’s also affecting Hawaii’s job market. Star-Advertiser.

Sales increase for Hawaii retailers despite tariff and inflation worries. As holiday-season crowds swelled in Hawaii’s malls and smaller local storefronts, some independent retailers say this year’s shopping surge feels nearly counterintuitive — a boost to their bottom lines even as the national economy remains fraught with uncertainty. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Pacific Health, HMSA discussing possible merger. Two of Hawaii’s largest players, Hawaii Pacific Health, which runs four hospitals on Oahu and Kauai, and Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state’s largest health insurer, are exploring a partnership. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Pearl Harbor ceremony carries on as survivors skip this year. Veterans, dignitaries and community members gathered at Pearl Harbor on Sunday to mark the 84th anniversary of the surprise attack that pulled the United States into World War II.  Only 12 survivors are still alive — all centenarians — and this year none were able to make the pilgrimage to Hawaii to mark the event Sunday. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors in Honolulu for WWII memorial events. Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors, known as the “hibakusha,” will host events to share personal stories of the 1945 World War II atomic bombing and engage in discussions of peace as this year marks the 80th anniversary. Hawaii News Now.

First of 10 towers at Mayor Wright Homes positioned to rise next year. The first phase of a more than $1 billion plan to redevelop one of Hawaii’s oldest and biggest public housing communities is on track to begin next year after a big recent financing commitment by a state board following over a decade of work. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Patients To Join New Lawsuit Against Army Doctor Accused Of Abuse. At least 10 women who were patients of Maj. Blaine McGraw when he was a resident at Tripler Army Medical Center are lining up to sue the OB-GYN and the Army. Civil Beat.

News outlets are closer to renewed access to Honolulu police communications. A bill ordering the Honolulu Police Department to share information with news outlets has passed through its final hearing at the Honolulu City Council, though some worry community reporting on social media will suffer. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Council questions nonprofit spending. Hawaii County Council on Tuesday advanced a $6 million package of homelessness and housing grants out of committee, but not without sharply criticizing local service providers for what members described as inefficient spending, weak accountability and uneven delivery of services. Tribune-Herald.

Ag property tax measure advances. The Hawaii County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to advance Bill 103, Draft 2, a measure that would extend a 3% annual property assessment cap to certain former agricultural parcels that also qualify for the homeowner tax class. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County leaders outline needs, priorities to state senators during Big Island visit. During their early November visit, members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee also met with county and community leaders to receive updates on projects and initiatives relating to biosecurity, economic development and sustainability, housing, culture, and workforce pathways, which are outlined in a 20-page report. Big Island Now.

Prized cattle reunited with owners thanks to new ag crimes task force. An agricultural crimes task force created and funded by “Duke’s Law” is starting to bear fruit. Tribune-Herald.

Enormous Lava Fountain Erupts At Kilauea, Destroys Webcam. Episode 38 in the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ended abruptly at 8:52 p.m. HST on Saturday evening after 12.1 hours of continuous lava fountaining. Big Island Video News.

Maui

'It's about balance': Maui nears final vote to phase out thousands of vacation rentals. A measure that would close about half of vacation rentals in Maui County passed the first reading in the full council by a narrow 5-3 vote this week. Now, it’s headed to a second and final reading on Dec. 15. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Council advances tax relief extension for Lahaina wildfire survivors. The Maui County Council unanimously passed a bill on first reading Friday that would extend real property tax relief for Lahaina wildfire survivors through June 2028. Maui Now.

Delayed Maui County Grants Leave Local Nonprofits in Limbo. The county says it is tightening up its oversight of public money to prevent fraud and abuse.  Civil Beat.

More Maui schools adopt e-bike bans or regulations following state Department of Education guidelines. It was not until last month, despite it being illegal under Hawaiʻi state law for children under the age of 15 to have or operate e-bikes, that the state Department of Education set new regulations that banned e-bikes at all elementary and intermediate schools in its system.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi grant aims to elevate sustainable tourism, cultural preservation efforts. The start of the new year could bring extra cash to some nonprofits on the Garden Isle through the annual Kauaʻi Cultural Program and Events Grant. Hawaii Public Radio.

Temporary service changes at Hanalei transfer station scheduled this week. Kaua‘i County Solid Waste Division reports that the transfer station serving the North Shore community will accept bagged trash only — no loose mixed waste — Friday (Dec. 12). The facility will also be completely closed to the public Saturday (Dec. 13). Kauai Now.

Green imposes spending limits on state departments, tax office going after noncompliant vacation rentals, Maui Councilmember Tasha Kama dies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi’s Child Welfare Reform Efforts Bump Up Against Budget Fears. Gov. Josh Green has imposed spending restrictions on state departments, which means new money to help fix problems at CWS will be scarce next year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii braces for suspension of SNAP. Organizations devoted to helping financially strapped Hawaii families were scrambling Monday after the federal Food and Nutrition Service told states that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — will be suspended beginning Saturday because of the federal government shutdown. Star-Advertiser.

What to know about SNAP benefits and a $100M Hawaiʻi relief program. More than 160,000 Hawaiʻi residents received SNAP benefits totaling about $753 million throughout fiscal year 2024, according to the state Department of Human Services. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs sets aside $6.1 million for emergency relief amid federal government shutdown. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees approved $6.1 million in emergency funding for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries impacted by the shutdown of the federal government and the potential suspension of food assistance on Nov. 1. Kauai Now.

Republican State Sen. Brenton Awa to run for U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda's seat. Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa announced his run for Congress on Monday, putting him in the race for the second congressional district against incumbent Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Alaska, Hawaiian airlines combining under a single operating certificate. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to issue a single operating certificate to Alaska Airlines on Wednesday — a pivotal step in its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, which will mark the milestone with the appointment of a new CEO and several other major transitions to its Honolulu-based leadership team. Star-Advertiser.

State tax office on going after vacation rentals that skip out on TAT. The Conversation spoke to the state tax office about a recent legal notice listing the names of 18 people or entities that were in violation of the law by not disclosing their tax information in their advertising on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Mom Sues Boys & Girls Club For Not Protecting Child From Abuse. Staff members of a Boys & Girls Club after-school program in Honolulu did nothing to address reports that one student was bullying and sexually assaulting another young boy for nearly four months, according to a lawsuit filed by the boy’s mother.  Civil Beat.

City offers more $10K grants to rail-affected businesses. A new round of city-subsidized relief is being offered to eligible businesses impacted by construction of the more than $10-billion Skyline rail project’s Dillingham Boulevard corridor, Honolulu officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Popular luau to close after nearly 50 years. After 47 years of service, Paradise Cove will hold its final luau on New Year’s Eve. The luau’s parent company, PC Services, said 172 employees will lose their jobs.  Hawaii News Now.

Demolition begins as Kawaiahao Church prepares for reburial of ancestral remains. Kawaiahaʻo Church is preparing to rebury hundreds of skeletal remains that were dug up during a construction project 16 years ago, with demolition work beginning Tuesday.  Hawaii News Now.

Assaults on Honolulu officers up, what’s behind the trend? Assault on law enforcement officer (LEO) cases jumped in 2025 — up 20% compared to the same time in 2024. Most of the assaults occur during responses for intoxication, domestic or mental health-related calls. Interim chief Vanic said de-escalation is key. KHON2.

Teens who died while fishing identified as Waianae High School seniors. The boys who died are Maikah Hampp-Iriarte, 17, and Tony Siufanua, 17. The incident happened Saturday morning at Kaena Point. Friends say one of the boys was swept into the water and the other jumped in to help. They’re not sure who was in the water first. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of federal workers line up for free food in Kalihi as government shut down drags on. Hundreds of cars were lined up on Rose Street in Kalihi, federal workers in many cases going to work every day, but not getting paid. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

State proposes rules to reopen waters to aquarium fishing. The reopening of waters off Hawaii’s Kona coast to aquarium fishing took a step closer to reality after a state board decided to put forth a set of proposed rules for public hearings. The Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday voted unanimously to approve the proposed rulings, a required step in the process of opening up waters again to the harvesting of fish from local waters to be sold as pets in saltwater aquariums worldwide. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i County to host traffic safety vigil days after deadly Daniel K. Inouye Highway crash. Hawai‘i County and partners will be hosting a “Healing Our Highways” Traffic Safety Vigil and Remembrance Event this week just days after a two-vehicle crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway left four injured and two people dead. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi County police commissioners discuss hiring procedures for next chief. The Hawaiʻi County Police Commission discussed and voted on procedures for hiring the next police chief during Friday’s meeting. Big Island Now.

Waitlist opens for housing project in Waikōloa Village. Nonprofit developer Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation, through property manager Indigo Real Estate Services, will accept applications for both project-based voucher and non-project-based voucher units at Nā Hale Makoa till Nov. 17. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council Member Tasha Kama, 73, Remembered For Life Of Service. Her death leaves a void on the ideologically split nine-member council as it confronts major housing policy decisions. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Maui News.  Maui Now. KITV4.

Final request: Kama asks Council to consider appointing Kauanoe Batangan as her successor. Seven-year Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, who died Sunday night at Maui Memorial Medical Center, has asked fellow council members to appoint Kauanoe Batangan to serve out the remainder of her term. Maui Now.

Four Seasons Resort to seek permit for $16.3 million in exterior renovations and improvements. The Maui Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing tomorrow morning on a $16.3 million proposal for exterior renovations and improvements at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea. Maui Now.

Kauai

Dark Skies fall upon Pacific Missile Range Facility with mission to protect fledgling ʻaʻo, ʻuaʻu. Annual fledging of ʻaʻo, or Newell’s shearwaters, and ʻuaʻu, or Hawaiian petrels, on Kauaʻi, is underway and runs through Dec. 15 — a critical period for two of Hawai‘i’s most threatened seabirds. Kauai Now.

Green trims $100M from state budget, Rep. Case lone congressional delegation holdout over ICE immigrant tactics, governor signs fireworks bills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

More Than $100 Million Cut From Hawaiʻi State Budget. Gov. Josh Green signed the nearly $40 billion executive biennium budget bill Monday, allocating $19.8 billion to state operations for fiscal year 2026 and about $19.7 billion for fiscal year 2027. Uncertainty over federal funding and projections for reduced state revenues played a role in the governor’s decision to line-item veto about $110 million in spending across the fiscal biennium. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Press release with budget highlights. Governor's Office.

As Immigrant Arrests Rise, Hawaiʻi Political Leaders Condemn ICE Tactics. Rep. Ed Case, the lone holdout, said criticisms didn’t capture his or constituents’ views on immigration. With the arrests of immigrants surging, most of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation accuse federal immigration agents of creating “fear and terrorizing communities” in the Aloha State in a letter to be sent Tuesday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Civil Beat.

New Hawaii fireworks laws take effect today. During a ceremony in his office at the state Capitol, Gov. Josh Green signed two “signature” bills passed by the Legislature in May to crack down on rampant use, possession and distribution of illegal fireworks statewide. State Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert took questions from the media. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Governor: I’ll Be ‘Agnostic’ On How Hawaiʻi Spends Its New Green Fee. Climate experts and proponents of Hawaiʻi’s new green fee will kick off next month what Gov. Josh Green has dubbed the “green fee initiative” — a process to decide how hundreds of millions of dollars for climate- and conservation-related projects will be spent. Civil Beat.

EV owners may opt for state road usage charge starting July 1. Starting Tuesday, owners of passenger EVs have the option of paying the state either a per-mile road usage charge of $8 per 1,000 miles, capped at $50, or an annual flat fee of $50. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

New law shifts seafood labeling rules. The bill mandates retail establishments that sell products made with raw yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna, such as poke and sashimi, must label them with the country of origin where the fish was caught. Maui News.

Green Tells Hawaiʻi Tea Farmers Not To Worry About New Labeling Law. The governor had put the legislation on his intent-to-veto list, but ended up signing the measure last week. Civil Beat.

OHA budget battle pits its CEO against the chair of the board. OHA Trustees Race To Beat Deadline For New Controversial Budget. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved a new two-year budget after a marathon meeting on Monday to resolve issues in a spending plan that had drawn intense criticism and scrutiny in recent weeks. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i gender-affirming care providers brace themselves amid Trump ending LGBTQ+ youth hotline. Hawai‘i advocates said there is already a lack of gender-affirming resources locally, and cuts to that federally funded service could lead to severe consequences. Hawaii Public Radio.

Summer tourism lag risks long-term performance. Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka said in a statement that May’s modest increase in total visitors was led by growth from the U.S. West, which offset arrival drops of 1.1% from the U.S. East, 0.5% from Japan, and 8% from Canada. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Drones To Patrol From Oʻahu Skies For Illegal Fireworks On July 4th Weekend. A measure allowing video evidence from drones was part of a package of bills aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks that became law Monday. Civil Beat.

Despite an alarming rise in traffic fatalities, officials say safety measures are working. There are more traffic control measures than ever on Oahu: speed humps, red light cameras and now speed cameras. But traffic fatalities are still going up. There have been 39 people killed on Oahu roadways through June. Halfway through 2024 that number was 15. Hawaii News Now.

Prosecutors want ex-prison guard to serve 7 years. The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a judge to sentence a 47-year-old ex-prison guard from Kapolei to seven years in federal prison for raping female inmates and trying to skip town before trial. Star-Advertiser.

Fire causes $150K in damage to Sheridan Park playground. For the second time in less than two months, vandals set fire to a city playground — causing about $150,000 damage and shuttering a section of Sheridan Park. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Big Island students produce first-ever draft genome of endangered palila. Five Big Island high school students were among the six youths who have successfully produced the first-ever draft genome sequence of the critically endangered endemic palila bird. Tribune-Herald.

“Voluntary Compliance Order” Issued To Stop Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Spread. Residents are being asked not to transport palm plants and mulch in an area of West Hawaiʻi this summer, in order to prevent the further spread of the destructive coconut rhinoceros beetle, or CRB.  Big Island Video News.

Kahua Kahe Mālie Integrated Care Hub Opens In Ainaloa. The Kahua Kahe Mālie Integrated Care Hub, a new medical respite and behavioral health care facility, opened Friday in Ainaloa. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Samaritan’s Purse dedicates new homes to Maui families impacted by Lahaina wildfire. Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization, dedicated three newly built homes in Lahaina for Maui families who survived the state’s deadliest wildfire in history. Maui Now. KITV4.

6 Maui men arrested for internet-related sexual offenses against children. The latest Operation Keiki Shield action, conducted Friday to Sunday, resulted in the arrest of six Maui individuals for charges related to internet-facilitated sexual offenses against children, according to the Maui Police Department. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

DOW invites the public to attend a discussion on the Kapaa Homesteads Tanks Project. The Department of Water will hold a community event at 6 p.m. today to give the public an opportunity to review the project and share their feedback. Garden Island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

 

Tone deaf government officials ring up big raises

The state Legislature is grappling with a budget beset by a multitude of challenges from stiff costs for Maui wildfire recovery to declining tourism revenue from disgruntled former U.S. allies.

Couple that with federal employee layoffs and a sharp decline in grants courtesy of the current federal administration. That’s forcing Hawaii to take on displaced workers or incur more hits to the unemployment insurance fund. Sure, the federal government is supposed to pay that money back, but will it?

This in a state where almost a quarter of the working population has federal, state or local government jobs and a quarter of the state budget comes from federal sources.

Add in the president’s seesawing stance on international tariffs and local shippers asking for their own double-digit increases in transportation costs in a state where 80% of goods are imported.

Hawaii economic forecasters have even started using the “R” word, they’re so concerned.

But, what -- we worry? Guess not. There's apparently still plenty of money for fat raises for government officials.

Really fat.

State lawmakers are poised to get a 48% raise over six years, starting conveniently enough just after the 2026 elections, adding $40,188 to their salaries for their part-time positions to $114,348. The Senate president and House speaker would get a $45,000 bump to their salaries over the same period from $83,052 to $128,052.

Judges' salaries would rise more than $100,000 over the six years to $327,948. The governor's would increase to $275,304. Department heads would likewise see increases to $251,064 or $263,592, depending on their tier.

The optics aren’t good. The public should live to see their salaries go up like that. Bear in mind, the 2023 median income in Hawaii was $43,944.

Officials want to hide behind the cover of the Hawaii Salary Commission, claiming they have no say over how it sets pay increases.

But that’s not entirely true. The Legislature could have stopped the hikes with a simple resolution passed by a simple majority. In fact, such resolutions were introduced in both houses this session, only to be shot down by legislative leaders without so much as a public hearing.

Only Gov. Josh Green seemed to have the grace to feel embarrassed by the largess. He advocated smaller raises and then said he’d donate his to charity.

Granted, government raises won’t make or break a budget already teetering on uncertainty. But maybe putting a few more pennies aside would make more economic sense in the long run.

Saving the money instead of spending it on themselves sends a message of shared sacrifice to the public. Especially if legislative leaders cave to groups already pressuring them to walk back the income tax cuts promised to the people just last year.

More money for you, less money for us. That would be the worst optics of all.

Commentary. Nancy Cook Lauer, who’s covered state and local governments for more than 30 years in Hawaii and Florida, is the publisher of All Hawaii News (www.allhawaiinews.com)

Sources:

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/03/salary-commission-approves-hefty-raises-for-legislators-state-officials/

https://dhrd.hawaii.gov/state-hr-professionals/class-and-comp/executive-branch-commission-on-salaries/

https://datacommons.org/place/geoId/15?utm_medium=explore&mprop=income&popt=Person&cpv=age,Years15Onwards&hl=en

Legislature mulls budget holes from Trump mandates, parks feel the sting of staff cuts, Honolulu rail audit confirms problems, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s wildlife refuges, national parks feel sting of federal cut. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency slashed probationary positions across various divisions under the Department of the Interior, impacting the management and care of Hawaii’s most precious habitats, wildlife refuges for endangered species and national parks from Kauai to Hawaii island. They include the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey, which runs the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory that updates the public on locally generated earthquakes and eruptions. Star-Advertiser.

Trump’s Actions Are Creating A Budget Problem For Hawaiʻi Lawmakers. Halfway through the session, legislative priorities are emerging. But the new uncertainties mean lawmakers may need a special session to fine tune. Civil Beat.

Hoteliers push back on proposed tax hikes. Hospitality industry members from the Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance and the American Hotel &Lodging Association are seeking to draw attention to current and looming challenges facing their industry and are pushing back against proposed transient accommodations tax increases that are still moving forward in several bills at the halfway mark of this year’s state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Lights, camera... struggles? A look into Hawaii Film and TV industry and the path ahead. Hawaii has long been a sought-after backdrop for Hollywood, but the reality behind the scenes tells a different story. KITV4.

A ‘Super-Aged’ Population Poses Major Challenges For Hawaiʻi. The Covid-19 pandemic changed the outlook for the state’s oldest seniors from optimistic to more sobering, a recent report says. Civil Beat.

Program aims to bring engineers back to Hawaii amid workforce shortage. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii has launched Kama‘aina Come Home, a job placement program designed to reconnect former Hawaii residents with engineering opportunities in the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Bill to increase legal amount of cannabis possession voted out. A measure to increase the legal amount of cannabis a person can possess was struck down during a senate floor vote on Friday, Feb. 28.  KHON2.

Bills would continue to give diplomas to military veterans. Two bills remain alive that would continue to award honorary high school diplomas to military members who did not receive theirs because of service in World War II, Korea or Vietnam. Star-Advertiser.

OHA Chair Kai Kahele To Return To Washington For Trump Address. Kahele also has meetings scheduled at the Pentagon where he will discuss military leases in Hawaiʻi, including those covering the Pōhakuloa Training Area. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Audit Confirms Honolulu Rail Woes: Poor Marketing, Clunky Payment System. Skyline’s usefulness is still below par 14 years after ground was broken and more than a year and a half after its first segment opened, new audit says. Civil Beat.

Proposed Bills Would Leave Few Options For Where Oʻahu Puts Its Next Dump. Westside residents want the island’s trash to stop coming to their community, but potential new restrictions could make it difficult to place a city dump anywhere else. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council reviews outside sponsorship of public facilities. Honolulu City Council reviews outside sponsorship of public facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Home Lands looks to factory-built housing for projects. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants to start up a modular housing factory on Oahu to produce homes more quickly and at less cost for beneficiaries. Star-Advertiser.

Decades-old city-state spat afflicts community in Oahu’s ‘Second City’.  Decrepit  conditions stem from a state action in the late 1980s that resulted in the city refusing to take ownership and responsibility for Villages of Kapolei roads from a state affordable-housing development agency, which was the community’s master developer, initially because road construction bypassed city regulations and subsequently didn’t meet city standards. Star-Advertiser.

Shelter’s focus on health care redirects homeless patients’ lives. The new Aala medical respite shelter on North King Street has taken in and treated some of Oahu’s oldest and most seriously ill homeless patients and gotten several lives pointed in positive directions so that 14 have been reunited with their-once estranged families, mostly on Oahu, and another six have gone back to the mainland in barely nine months since opening. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Alameda, Cabinet To Meet With Waimea Community On March 6. The Hawaiʻi County mayor will be a part of the Waimea Community Association Town Meeting as his administration nears its first 100 days in office. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Island wildlife refuge's field staff cut in half under Trump orders. On Thursday, a federal judge in San Francisco partially halted the Trump administration’s firings of probationary federal employees. But the actions may still have broader impacts on the Hakalau Forest.  Hawaii Public Radio.

New UH president visits Big Island campuses; emphasizes embracing AI, infrastructure upgrades, Native Hawaiian needs. Wendy Hensel, the new president of the University of Hawaii system, continued her statewide tour of universities, community colleges and education centers last week at the Hawaii Community College Manono campus. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Sale price drops 50% for 2 Kona restaurants along Aliʻi Drive. About a year ago, the leases and contents of two well-known Big Island restaurants – the Kona Inn Restaurant and Kona Canoe Club – were listed for $3 million, but last week the price dramatically dropped. Big Island Now.

Maui

Mayor Bissen to deliver State of County on March 7. The 2025 State of the County Address presented by Mayor Richard Bissen will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 7 at Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s Castle Theater. Maui News.

With Lahaina commercial debris cleared, next up is transferring 400,000 tons to Central Maui. Exact traffic plans are still in progress, but Maui County officials asked for patience during what will be a logistically challenging debris transfer. Hawaii Public Radio.

Long-awaited greenway moving forward with potential as Lahaina evacuation route; but project still years away. Despite all the work that already has gone into the project, the 25-mile greenway for walking and biking that traverses nearly the entirety of the west side, from Ukumehame to Līpoa Point north of Honolua Bay first 5.25 miles may still be nine years away from completion. Maui News.

Hawaii congressmembers ask for rent waiver for Maui fire survivors in FEMA housing program. Hawaii’s Congressional Delegation has asked the Federal Management Agency (FEMA) to waive rent collection for survivors of the Maui fires in FEMA’s Direct Housing program. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi 17-year-old named 2025 Boys & Girls Club of Hawai‘i Youth of the Year finalist. Kauaiʻi’s Nainoa Hirokane was honored during the weekend as one of three 2025 Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi Youth of the Year finalists. The 17-year-old represents the Boys & Girls Club Līhu‘e Clubhouse. Kauai Now.

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

Hawaii braces for federal shutdown, state income tax cuts set to kick in, man sentenced for sending Chinese mothers to Hawaii to give birth, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii jobless claims, tourism jumped in last federal closure. Unemployment claims jumped in Hawaii, but so did visitor arrivals, the last time the federal government struggled through a partial shutdown six years ago through the holidays. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green lays out his priorities in current political climate. A federal government shutdown looms as Congress goes down to the wire on a Friday night deadline to deal with the budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Income tax cuts set to kick in. Hawaii taxpayers should have a happy New Year as the first of a series of historic tax cuts takes effect in January. Each year until 2031, the new tax plan will eliminate the lowest tax brackets, reduce the tax rates for all brackets, and increase the standard income tax deduction. Tribune-Herald. Maui News.

UH initiative aims to provide accessible cancer care across the state. The University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center and the John A. Burns School of Medicine have launched the Ka ‘Umeke Lama initiative to address health disparities and access to care in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO’s Report On Maui Wildfires Mirrors Prior Investigations. Utility does not dispute earlier findings its equipment started the fire that destroyed much of Lahaina in 2023. Hawaiian Electric Co. added to the pile of reports on Thursday, filing a 59-page accounting to the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission that provided no new information about the cause of the blaze or the companyʻs response. Civil Beat.

California man behind ‘birth tourism’ scheme told Chinese clients to fly to Hawaii.  Michael Liu, 59, was sentenced Monday to 41 months in federal prison for his role in the scheme. Court records show Liu and 47-year-old Jing Dong charged people from China tens of thousands of dollars to help them get to the U.S. so that they could give birth. Hawaii News Now.

Former Hawaiʻi Public Radio Executive Dead At 61.  Staff and supporters of public radio in the islands are mourning the death of José Fajardo, who died Thursday. Fajardo was president and general manager of Hawai‘i Public Radio from 2016 until earlier this year. He died at age 61 from complications from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Developer releases new renderings of New Aloha Stadium project. The goal – have a venue that people can visit 365 days a year. That’s what developers of the New Aloha Stadium said Thursday, as they gave the public a glimpse of what’s being planned. KHON2.

United flight attendants rally at Honolulu airport before travel rush. United flight attendants held a labor picket Thursday at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in advance of the busy holiday travel rush when travelers don’t want to think about disruptions and delays. Star-Advertiser.

Aid soon on its way to Dillingham businesses hit hard by rail construction. The city is getting closer to providing relief to businesses derailed by construction along Dillingham Blvd.  The Rail Transit Mitigation Fund, announced in July, hasn’t paid anyone yet because the city had to develop rules, a way accept applications, and award the funds. KHON2.

Would Eddie go this Sunday? Yellow alert active for North Shore surf contest. A yellow alert was issued for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational with a possible run this Sunday.The 2024-2025 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational will take place if surf consistently reaches 40 feet between Dec. 14, 2024 to March 13, 2025. KITV4.

With ‘The Eddie’ possible, groups and organizers urge safety — and to leave a lot at home. The world-famous beach can normally accommodate huge crowds, but that’s not the case when Eddie-sized swells roll in for the Super Bowl of surfing. Hawaii News Now.

Surge in pedestrian crashes on Oahu highlights disturbing trend. Between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 11, 2024, Honolulu EMS responded to 137 pedestrian crashes — a number that has already surpassed last year’s total of 121. That’s a 13% increase. And the year’s not over. Meanwhile, the Honolulu Police Department says fatal crashes are up nearly 40% from 11 in 2023 to 15 so far this year. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hilo jail expansion unveiled. Corrections officials, dignitaries and other prominent community members gathered Thursday at Hawaii Community Correctional Center’s main Hilo campus to dedicate the brand-new Kamana Housing Unit. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Land Board rejects revetment proposal for Hololani Resort erosion. By a narrow 4-3 vote, the Board of Land and Natural Resources rejected a request last week from Hololani Resort apartment owners seeking an amendment to 2018 board action for a sheet pile and rock revetment to protect the property from shoreline erosion. Maui Now.

Maui County recognized for budget presentation, financial reporting. Maui County recently received awards for distinguished budget presentation and excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association. Maui News. Maui Now.

Transgender-related policies proposed for Maui Preparatory Academy face backlash. The proposed rules would require students to use he/she pronouns only and no alternatives will be acknowledged. Restrooms would be used based on biological birth gender and students would only be allowed to dress themselves in the uniform of their birth gender.  KITV4.

New study looks at effects of plastic in live wedge-tailed shearwaters. The Hawaiian Islands are magnets for plastic debris from around the Pacific Basin. Plastic accumulates on our shorelines, where it’s eaten by fish, birds, and other wildlife.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

County council celebrates waterman Nick Beck. Nick Beck received the Kauai County Council’s commendation during the Wednesday council meeting for his induction into the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation Waterman Hall of Fame. Garden Island.

Green releases proposed budget, state deportation cases reach 25-year high, West Hawaii fishing ban extended, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green's proposed budget includes likely raises, covers tax cuts. Gov. Josh Green has unveiled his proposed state budget for the next two fiscal years, which accounts for record tax cuts for residents that begin in January, the state’s $800 million share of a proposed $4.037 billion settlement to settle lawsuits in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires and includes likely raises for unionized workers. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.   Civil Beat.

Read the full budget here. Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Hawaiʻi Deportation Cases Hit Quarter-Century High. The backlog of cases in U.S. immigration courts has tripled since 2017 and is at record levels in Hawaiʻi. Most involve immigrants from China. Civil Beat.

Gabbard shows ‘momentum’ on Capitol Hill. Despite mostly partisan concern over an apparent closeness to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and what critics say is a tendency to repeat Kremlin propaganda, it seems former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has found a warm reception on Capitol Hill. Boston Herald.

Hawaiʻi Hemp Growers Say New State Rules Will Put Them Out Of Business. Gov. Josh Green’s approval of new regulations for CBD products, touted as a win for locally grown hemp, actually represents a major setback for the industry, local hemp farmers and CBD processors say.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

‘I have never been this angry’: Lawmakers to fight proposed landfill site in Central Oahu. (video only.) Hawaii News Now.

ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi education in the spotlight amid 'dead language' comment at council meeting. A testifier who called ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi a "dead language" at a recent Honolulu City Council meeting was met with rebuke from Hawaiian council members. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and English are the official languages of the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Land board extends fishing ban for Achilles tang in West Hawaiʻi. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has extended a temporary fishing ban for the pākuʻikuʻi, also known as the Achilles tang, until the end of 2026. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Despite the closure of the Kīlauea Visitor Center early next year, visitors will still have access to the store and park services. The construction and expansion project will close the entirety of the visitor center, including the restrooms, lānai and most of the parking beginning Feb. 17.  Big Island Now.

Puna Geothermal to host year-end community meeting this week. Puna Geothermal Venture in Puna hosts its year-end quarterly community meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at at Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-2906 Pāhoa Village Road, in Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

Treasured Hawaii Island tsunami museum faces closure amid financial struggles. A museum in Hilo that aims to educate the public on the devastating impact of tsunamis could have to close its doors for good. Hawaii News Now.

Kawamoto Swim Stadium Reopens After Two-Month Closure. The Hawaiʻi County Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium reopened on Saturday, December 14th, following the completion of repairs. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Revocable permit granted, with amendments, for use of East Maui stream water. The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5-0 Friday evening to issue a revocable permit to Alexander & Baldwin and subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. for the use of East Maui stream water, much of it for Upcountry drinking water and for nearly 10,600 acres of Mahi Pono farm lands. Maui Now.

Lahaina debris disposal site, landfill expansion gets approval. The county announced last month that it had reached conditional agreements with a subsidiary of Nan Inc., Hawaii’s largest, locally owned construction company, to purchase approximately 49 acres of previously quarried land and 30 acres of land currently being quarried adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Report calls for inclusive recovery for Filipino survivors of Lahaina fire. A comprehensive report by Maui grassroots organization Tagnawa and the Hawai‘i Workers Center highlights the deep disparities, resilience and urgent needs of Filipino survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fires. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

County building closed for installations. The Department of Public Works Buildings Division announced that its services and doors will be closed for a week so that its staff can return to the offices located at the Moikeha Building, Suite 175. Garden Island. Kauai Now.