Homeless czar Mizuno steps down, Legislature taps budget to help nonprofits hit by federal cuts, new Hilo power plant approved, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Critic Of High Costs Of Tiny House Villages Quits Top Homelessness Post. The head of Hawaiʻi’s homelessness program, who publicly criticized excessive operating costs of some state-funded tiny home villages, has stepped down as the director of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Former homeless director John Mizuno will become a special advisor in Gov. Josh Green’s administration. Civil Beat. Spectrum News.

Lifeline considered for Hawaii nonprofits. Hawaii lawmakers are considering a contingency plan to help fund nonprofit organization operations facing federal funding cuts. SB 933 would set aside one-time, non-recurring grants within the state budget to support essential services across the nonprofit sector. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

State Is Scrambling To Fix SNAP Food Program Following $11M Fine For Errors. Hawaiʻi hopes the federal government will waive half of the penalty if the state invests more than $5 million in new technology. Civil Beat.

Converting fallow land into agroforests could counteract carbon emissions. Hawaiʻi’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 has a team of local and Native Hawaiian researchers cultivating new solutions. They mapped unmanaged, fallow agricultural land around the state and found that if all the land was converted into agroforests, it would counteract the carbon emissions of 100 million barrels of oil.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Home subsidy purchase program expands. Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program run by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. has been expanded to city workers in additional job categories. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Launches Its Own Effort To Hire Federal Workers. The mayor’s announcement comes a little more than a week after the governor launched a similar effort on the state level. Like the state of Hawaiʻi, Honolulu says it will streamline hiring for these workers. That includes waiving certain unnamed city hiring requirements for a 12-month period, according to the press release. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Oʻahu Public Housing Tenants Promised Relocation Help Hit Dead-Ends. Kūhiō Park Terrace residents have been left angry and bewildered as Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority moves to relocate them so their homes can be torn down. Civil Beat.

Dismantling Haʻikū Stairs Is Urgent Safety Issue, City Says In Court Filing. Providing security to keep hikers away has proved costly and leaving the stairs partially in place is a safety hazard, the city said in a court filing Wednesday. Civil Beat.

Kamehameha Schools Kapalama receives 3 threats. The Honolulu Police Department opened three felony investigations after a series of anonymous threats of violence at the Kameha­meha Schools Kapalama campus prompted school officials to notify parents, faculty and staff. Star-Advertiser.

Groups to provide ‘one-stop shop’ for immigrant-crackdown concerns. In the wake of the federal crackdown on illegal immigrants, the Filipino Community Center (FilCom) will host a citizenship outreach Saturday to provide legal and informational resources to all, regardless of immigration status or ethnic background. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Homes Commission Greenlights New Hilo Power Plant. The Alahao renewable energy project, proposed for a 12-acre plot in Panaʻewa near Railroad Avenue, would burn diesel produced from plant oils. Hawaiʻi Land & Power, the project developer, said it would cost $250 million with funding from Lotus Infrastructure, an investment firm based in Connecticut. Civil Beat.

General Plan meetings are wrapping up. Janice Hata, long-range planner with the county Planning Department, presented last week a variety of potential policies and actions to help diversify the county’s economy, balancing tourism with agricultural development.  Tribune-Herald.

Green receives list of nominees for Big Island judgeship. The state Judicial Selection Committee has sent four nominees to Gov. Josh Green to fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Kona Circuit Judge Robert D.S. Kim in July 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Kona coffee industry hit by funding freeze and USDA layoffs at 'existential moment'. The Kona Coffee Farmers Association held its annual symposium Tuesday on Hawaiʻi Island. The coffee was delicious, per usual, but the day's agenda was a stark reminder of the many hurdles facing local farmers who grow the beans for Kona's beloved brews. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Bissen administration explains years-long delay in homeless overnight parking program. More than two years after Maui County Council members unanimously approved a bill to allow homeless people to sleep in their cars in county parking lots, a pilot program has yet to be implemented, even after the J. Walter Cameron Center’s parking lot was initially identified as an appropriate location in the fall of 2022. Maui Now.

Commission supports food product trucks, trailers on farm land. The Maui Planning Commission has recommended expanding agricultural farm activities on the Valley Isle to include mobile food trucks and trailers after hearing testimonies from farmers about how the county Planning Department first allowed the activity but then decided to shut down the operation. Maui News.

Three major gym renovations on Maui leave sports teams with less space. The projects include the $28.5 million overhaul of War Memorial Gym, the $3.7 million upgrade of the Lahaina Civic Center and the $2.6 million repairs to the Lahainaluna gym. Maui Now.

‘Purely vindictive’: Maui man freed from prison thanks to DNA technology called back to court. Three days after Gordon Cordeiro walked out of prison for the first time in 31 years, the Maui County prosecuting attorney’s office filed a motion seeking a bail hearing. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina fire survivors beg government leaders for more help. Billions of dollars in federal aid have been allotted to Maui for disaster recovery and economic development. But Lahaina fire survivors fear that the Trump Administration may stall the money. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Officials kick off Kōloa Road Bridge, Kīpū Bridge repair projects with blessing. Repairs on Kōloa Road Bridge begin toward the end of next week, with work on Kīpū Bridge to start after their completion. Kauai Now.

Okinawan lifeguards complete inaugural Lifeguard Exchange Program with Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau. Nine lifeguards from Okinawa, Japan, underwent a series of hands-on training sessions from Feb. 17-21 at various key locations around Kaua‘i, each offering unique challenges for ocean rescues, as part of the inaugural Lifeguard Exchange Program. Kauai Now.

Gabbard confirmed as intelligence chief, Native Hawaiian project funding frozen, nonprofits told to strip 'climate change' wording from websites, nuclear power exploration gains steam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief. Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. representative for Hawaii with little intelligence experience, was confirmed as the top U.S. spy this morning, as Republicans lined up behind a nominee once seen as among President Donald Trump’s most controversial picks. Reuters. Maui Now.  Associated Press.

Trump executive order impedes funding for Native Hawaiian-led climate work. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order that paused the release of Inflation Reduction Act funds. More than 4,000 miles away in Hawaiʻi, that order stopped several Native Hawaiian-led climate projects in their tracks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Agricultural Projects At Risk Amid Federal Funding Freeze. The federal officials told Hawaiʻi nonprofits to delete references to climate change and Biden’s clean energy law from their websites. Civil Beat.

Nuclear power exploration legislation gains steam. Two Senate committees this month have pushed forward a bill to establish a task force led by the state’s chief energy officer to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies as part of achieving Hawaii’s clean energy goals. Star-Advertiser.

China Tariffs Could Hike Cost of Food, Luggage, Furniture, Clothing. China supplies products for many Hawaiʻi businesses that would be affected by the Trump administration’s 10% tariff. Civil Beat.

Businesses and conservationists square off on environmental oversight in state areas. Should boat tours, aquarium fishing and other activities in state-monitored areas be allowed before completing an environmental review? It’s something lawmakers are considering. Hawaii Public Radio.

Full state Senate to vote on several bills addressing top community concerns. The measures — which now move to the full Senate for a final vote before crossing over to the state House — include actions to curb illegal fireworks, increase workforce development opportunities for residents, enhance the health and safety of electric bike users and stabilize the condominium insurance market. Kauai Now.

Bill to lower Hawaii’s legal blood alcohol concentration receives support. The House Committee on Transportation advanced HB1387 HD1 aiming to lower the BAC threshold for driving while under the influence. KITV4.

Measure would bar prosecution of sex trafficking victims if they seek help. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would protect victims of sex trafficking from criminal charges if they seek help from law enforcement or medical assistance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Police union to vote on COVID hazard pay settlement. The union representing Honolulu police officers will vote on a COVID hazard pay settlement with the city worth more than $30 million with initial payouts of $20,000 “or more” by June 30. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill illness study released after apparent half-year delay. A new military study shows Red Hill families had higher rates of migraines and esophagus problems after drinking contaminated water. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Spent $21,000 A Month To Power A Village Of 20 Tiny Homes. An independent study and a key state official criticize big operating costs when kauhale aren’t connected to utilities. Civil Beat.

Bill to limit number of Waikiki street festivals moves ahead in city council. In 2024 there were some 40 applications for street festivals, parades and other events that shut down Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra turns to lawmakers for funding to expand musical outreach. On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts Committee advanced Senate Bill 441, which would recognize HSO as a state orchestra and grant it $500,000 for the next two years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Lawmakers want state to buy 146-acre Ka‘u parcel for farming. Senate Bill 1003 was introduced by a pair of Big Island Democrats — Kona Sen. Dru Kanuha and Kohala Sen. Tim Richards — and would allocate nearly $3 million to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to purchase a 146-acre agricultural parcel just west of Pahala. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County task force continues to combat opioid crisis with collaborative outreach. On Valentine’s Day, that Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force will be showing Aloha to all loved ones and the community by reaching out with a message of hope, treatment and the value of prevention. Big Island Now.

Maui

Proposed UH Maui College four-year nursing program moves ahead in state Senate. A measure aimed at addressing a shortage of nurses on Maui by establishing a four-year nursing Bachelor of Science degree program at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College has passed second reading on the Senate floor. Now, it’s headed to the influential Ways and Means Committee for decision-making on funding. Maui Now.

$3.2M released for axis deer fencing in South Maui to address flood risks, environmental concerns. State Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey on Wednesday announced $3.2 million in Capital Improvement Project funds to design and construct axis deer fencing in South Maui.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Council addresses nurse-patient ratios. The Kauai County Council unanimously passed a resolution “urging the Hawaii State Legislature to Implement Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Requirements for Hospitals” during its Kauai County Council meeting on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Waimea Town Celebration: 9 days of events for every part of West Kauaʻi. The 48th annual Waimea Town Celebration begins Saturday and will be as fun as ever with long distance canoe races, storytelling, rodeos, films, concerts and eating contests. Kauai Now.

Green sounds alarm about RFK Jr. in Washington, Legislature mulls natural disaster resistance, biosecuirty; shortages plague health care, education, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green sounds alarm in Washington over RFK Jr. Even as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with top Senate committee leaders, Hawaii’s Democratic governor came to Capitol Hill to urge the Senate to reject his nomination. CQ-Roll Call. Fox News. CNN video via Instagram.

’Sobering’ report issued on Hawaii natural disaster resilience spending needs. A panel advising Gov. Josh Green is urging the state Legislature to appropriate almost $2 billion over the next five years to help reduce and respond to future natural disaster damage in Hawaii. Recommendations in the 58-page report by the Climate Advisory Team include helping homeowners strengthen their residences against hurricanes, enhancing natural protections from storm surges and inland flooding, expanding Firewise community programs, creating a permanent Hawai‘i Resilience Office and establishing a “properly funded” Office of the State Fire Marshal. Star-Advertiser.

Find the full 58-page Climate Advisory Team report here.

State Sees A Rare Surge In Inheritance Taxes. The state Council on Revenues, a committee tasked with projecting state tax collections, is projecting general fund tax collections will grow from about $9.57 billion last fiscal year to nearly $10.2 billion in the year that ends on June 30. Civil Beat.

State Department of Agriculture shares biosecurity budget wishlist. The new legislative session kicks off next week — but key budget briefings with lawmakers are in full swing. The state Department of Agriculture was called before the state Senate on Tuesday afternoon to discuss their budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii still facing health care work shortages, report says. The 2024 Hawaii Healthcare Workforce Initiative report, published every two years by the nonprofit trade group Healthcare Association of Hawaii, noted some easing of shortages for some categories, but found the state short of more than 4,600 health care workers in 94 professions. Star-Advertiser.

Education summit explores solutions to teacher shortage in Hawaii. Members of Hawaii’s education community came together to address the teacher shortage across the state. The summit addressed, in part, building a pipeline of teachers for the next generation, which includes strengthening support for high school students to become teachers. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

That Cop Pulling You Over May Soon Be A State Deputy Sheriff. Unlike other states, Hawaiʻi generally leaves it to the counties to almost exclusively enforce traffic laws. But now lawmakers are being asked to authorize a new traffic enforcement unit staffed with two dozen state deputy sheriffs to help patrol Oahu highways and enforce regulations on commercial vehicles. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

EPA Clean Ports Program contributes to Honolulu Harbor and climate change solutions. Hawaii is more dependent on goods being brought in by ship than any other state in America and Honolulu Harbor is getting a $59 million grant from the federal government. KITV4.

Maintenance cited as possible cause of Kamaka crash. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary investigation report that could provide clues as to what might have caused the Dec. 17 Kamaka Air Flight 689 crash that killed two young pilots shortly after takeoff on an instructional flight to Lanai. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

ATF sends team to Honolulu to help investigate fatal McCully fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is sending dozens to assist with the investigation into an apartment fire on Young Street that killed Honolulu firefighter Jeffrey Fiala on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Miske Case: 2 More Co-Defendants Sentenced. The cases against Michael Miske’s co-defendants continue more than a month after the convicted crime boss was found dead in his cell. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i County Council unanimously supports Mayor Alameda’s chosen cabinet leaders. On Tuesday, during Hawai‘i County Council’s Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee, Alameda sought confirmation of nine of his selected department heads.These mayoral appointees received unanimous support from the council committee members but they must go before the full council for final approval on Jan. 22 in Kona. Big Island Now.

Family of man killed by dogs says petty misdemeanor charges are ‘insufficient’. The ex-wife and a daughter of a 71-year-old Ocean View man fatally mauled by dogs 17 months ago said authorities aren’t doing enough to hold the owners of the dogs responsible for the attack. Tribune-Herald.

Roundabout plan advances: Final EA issued for Waikoloa Village road project. The Department of Public Works published on Wednesday a final environmental assessment for a project to build a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Waikoloa Road, Paniolo Avenue and Pua Melia Street. Tribune-Herald.

Industrial fire affects county metal recycling. The acceptance of metals and appliances at East Hawaii transfer stations has been put on hold because of a fire Wednesday morning at Big Island Scrap Metal, Hawaii County’s contracted recycling partner. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

 Draft study completed for mauka move of vulnerable portion of Honoapi‘ilani Highway. About a 6-mile segment of Honoapi‘ilani Highway from Ukumehame to Launiupoko would be moved mauka, beyond the reach of rising sea levels, to protect a vital roadway to West Maui. Maui Now.

Baldwin Beach restoration work continues. The effort is funded from a more than $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund to develop site-specific plans for dune restoration at Kapukaulua, from Lower Pāʻia Park to Wawau Point, or Baby Beach. Maui News.

New program allows Moloka‘i residents to scrap two cars per year. A new tow and scrap program for Molokaʻi residents to recycle their unwanted qualified vehicles at no cost. Maui News.

Kauai

57 households face relocation as Hawaiian Home Lands nears purchase of Kaua‘i condos. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is preparing to acquire an East Side apartment complex on Kauaʻi in early February, which has led 57 households to confront a daunting future: Where will they relocate? Kauai Now.

Slope stabilization to close one lane of Kūhiō Highway at the Waikoko turn for 7 months. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies highway users about a single lane closure of Kūhiō Highway (Route 560) at the Waikoko hairpin turn for emergency slope stabilization. Kauai Now.

Farm to school program gets failing grade, Climate Advisory Team releases first report, legislative panel mulls Oahu landfill location, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DOE says it's made no progress on Farm to School mandate. Act 175, a state law passed in 2021, has mandated the Department of Education to locally source 30% of the food it serves by the end of the decade. An October report to lawmakers said that the department bought $64.1 million worth of food from July 2022 through June 2023. Of that, it reported that 6.1% was spent on locally produced food. Hawaii Public Radio.

Climate Advisory Team unveils policy recommendations, hosting virtual presentation Friday. The Climate Advisory Team, established by Gov. Josh Green, on Tuesday released its policy paper describing actions Hawaiʻi can take immediately while simultaneously building the foundation for long-term policies that will help Hawaiʻi survive and respond to future disasters. Maui Now.

Lawmakers learn price tag for fireworks crackdown. The state Department of Law Enforcement Tuesday laid out details of what it will cost to crack down on fireworks, but some lawmakers are suggesting even more should be spent. Hawaii News Now.

Fireworks Come To Hawaiʻi On Passenger Jets ‘Almost Daily’. Illegal fireworks are being transported to Hawaiʻi on passenger airplanes on an “almost daily” basis, challenging the presumption that explosives only come here inside shipping containers and raising the specter of a mid-flight explosion, a top state law enforcement official said Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Biden Honors Hawaiians Who Served On Remote Pacific Islands. The U.S. sent 135 men before and during World War II to secure land claims. The White House has posthumously honored the service and sacrifice of members of Hui Panalāʻau and renamed the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument as the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Some State Legislators Unhappy With Proposed Site For New Oʻahu Landfill. The City and County of Honolulu wants to build it in Wahiawā, but some lawmakers ask if there are alternatives. On Dec. 10, the city announced that an area northwest of Wahiawā was the favored location for the new landfill. It is on agricultural land to the west of Kamehameha Highway and north of Paʻalaʻa Uka Pūpūkea Road. Civil Beat.

Blangiardi requests confirmation of his new executive Cabinet. Those being tapped for the city and county’s key leadership roles are positions many have maintained since Mayor Rick Blangiardi first assumed the city’s top elective office on Jan. 2, 2021. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Teacher Housing Complex Faces Possible Delays, Funding Shortfalls. Community members and developers are closer to a compromise on where to build a new teacher housing complex at Mililani High School, but the proposed solution will likely require more time and money. Civil Beat.

OHA Will Host Community Meeting On Kakaʻako Makai. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will host a community meeting on proposals for workforce housing and development on lands in Kakaʻako Makai on Wednesday night. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

State to hold fireworks amnesty event Saturday at Aloha Stadium. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing participants to turn in fireworks for safe disposal with no questions asked. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

State offers funds to battle coffee pests. Big Island coffee farmers could once again get thousands of dollars in state funds to pay for pesticides to combat a pair of devastating pests. Tribune-Herald.

'We are not giving up': Struggling Pacific Tsunami Museum works to stay open in Hilo. The Pacific Tsunami Museum has been a fixture along Hilo’s waterfront for almost three decades. But now, its future is in question.  The museum has laid off the majority of its staff and slashed its hours. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH Hilo botanical garden gets a nod from world's largest plant conservation network. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International has offered formal accreditation to UH Hilo's garden, which specializes in bromeliads, palms, and cycads, a type of cone-bearing plant. Hawaii Public Radio.

Vog lingering over Hawai‘i Island while Kīlauea eruption is paused. While the Dec. 23 eruption at Kīlauea paused again on Saturday, the lingering vog has smothered much of the island, resulting in poor air quality for some communities. Big Island Now.

Maui

Kama holds on as Housing and Land Use Committee chair; minority ouster attempt fails. By a 5-4 vote, Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama maintained chairmanship of the Housing and Land Use Committee last week, although it came with diluted committee responsibilities and no jurisdiction over proposals for increasing housing availability or affordability. Maui Now.

Maui homeless suing county over sweep celebrate after ruling. Sonia Davis and Jessica Lau say they are one step closer to receiving justice. The two women, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaii, are suing Maui County for taking and destroying all their belongings during a homeless sweep at Kanaha Beach Park four years ago. Hawaii News Now.

Maui United Way awards $1.15M in Mā‘ona Food Security Grants. Maui United Way announced the recipients of its Mā‘ona Food Security Grant, a new initiative aimed at addressing critical food security challenges in Maui County. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Rooster Farm Stokes Cockfighting Criticism. On Kauaʻi, where thousands of feral chickens freely roam, residents are accustomed to rooster noise. But in this neighborhood on the island’s east side, the owners of $2 million homes on land zoned for agriculture say the disruption from a rooster farm next door is unreasonable.  Civil Beat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

Voting skepticism intensifies, Young Brothers seeks 20% rate hike, state Supreme Court rejects Aloha Petroleum's stance on climate change, Legislature not policing itself, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voting skepticism and party division intensify among Hawaiʻi's own Elections Commission. If it were up to the Hawaiʻi Elections Commission, the state would end mail-in voting and hand-count all the ballots. Since 2020, meetings have become increasingly contentious — with some lasting hours. The focus was once getting more people to vote, while now it's on election security — even though there has never been evidence of widespread voter fraud in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Legislature Rarely Uses Its Own Process To Investigate Lawmakers. The dormant House Select Standards of Conduct Committee raises questions about whether self-policing really works or if an independent agency is needed. When the Hawaii State Ethics Commission last month fined a state legislator $12,500 for campaign financial disclosure violations, the case was referred to House Speaker Scott Saiki.  But as of this week the commission had not received a formal response from Saiki, even though the rules of the Hawaii House of Representatives on legislative conduct indicate that action is required. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court rejects oil company's argument that greenhouse gases aren't pollutants. Aloha Petroleum is a named defendant in cases brought by the City and County of Honolulu and the County of Maui that allege several major players in the oil industry promoted disinformation about the role of fossil fuels in causing climate change. Hawaii Public Radio.

Young Brothers seeks rate hikes. The cost to ship most cargo between islands in Hawaii could jump 20% on average, and in instances up to 45%, next summer under a plan by the state’s regulated interisland tug-and-barge operator. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. KHON2.

Hawaii voters to receive General Election ballots by October 18. Importantly, ballots must be received, not just postmarked, by 7:00 p.m. on November 5, 2024.  KHON2.

UH study: Meth poisoning leading cause for fatal overdoses in older Hawaiʻi residents. A new study by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Center on Aging finds that methamphetamine poisoning is the leading cause of fatal overdoses among midlife and older adults in Hawai‘i. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii to join the Mountain West full-time and won’t pay subsidies. The University of Hawaii announced Tuesday that it will join the Mountain West Conference as a full-time member effective July 1, 2026. Hawaii will compete in 15 sports in the Mountain West Conference, which does not sponsor beach volleyball, men’s volleyball, men’s swimming and diving and women’s water polo. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Voters To Decide If Climate Change Fund Needed. A proposed city charter amendment would funnel some property tax revenue to a Climate Resiliency Fund. The proposed city charter amendment would establish a Climate Resiliency Fund to pay for things like electric buses, tree plantings, solar panels over parking lots and programs to protect people from flood and hurricane damage. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council adopts possible worker hazard pay. The City and County of Honolulu will likely tap about $5 million in federal COVID-19 money to help pay the estimated tens of millions of dollars in temporary hazard pay to city workers employed during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

City Council pay raises: No more than 5% a year under Charter Change. Voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on Charter Amendment Question #4, which proposes capping annual salary increases for Honolulu City Councilmembers at no more than 5%.  KHON2.

North Shore Development On Fast Track Thanks To 2022 City Decision. Plans for a Turtle Bay development are under review, but the developer inherited government approvals that helped it get off to a quick start. version of a construction project underway near the Turtle Bay Resort. The Utah-based company Arete Collective intends to build up to 350 units on two coastal land parcels the company purchased in April. Civil Beat.

State senator calls out Hawaii’s governor over recent West Oahu gun violence. State Sen. Kurt Fevella, R-Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, on Tuesday called out the Green administration over what he considers a “lack of action” in response to recent gun violence in West Oahu. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kalani High’s Silver is named Hawaii State Teacher of the Year. The state Department of Education announced Tuesday that Bryan Silver of Kalani High School has been named the 2025 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year, the highest honor given annually to one of over 13,000 DOE teachers statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County mayoral candidates discuss economy, short-term rentals, homelessness, and more. Incumbent Mitch Roth is set to face challenger Kimo Alameda in a general election runoff for Hawaii County mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Radio proposal draws concerns at council meeting.  The plan would establish partnerships between the county and various amateur and professional radio operators that would be able to disseminate vital information to remote areas of the island in case of an emergency. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i County Council to discuss wastewater treatment plant projects mandated by EPA. During today’s meeting, Hawai‘i County Council will make decisions about two wastewater treatment plant projects. Big Island Now.

Local historian takes Kona beekeeping to infinity and bee-yond.  Kona is home to one of the largest queen bee breeders in the world. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Vs Maui: Candidates Square Off In County Council Power Struggle. The first election since the 2023 fires could change the balance of power on the nine-member board. Civil Beat.

Watchdog group demands answers from MPD chief amid reports department mishandled Lahaina victims’ remains. Common Cause Hawaii, is calling on the police commission to get answers to questions Chief John Pelletier is refusing to acknowledge.  Hawaii News Now.

Second phase announced for Lahaina Civic Center renovations and repairs. The Lahaina Civic Center gymnasium will close beginning Dec. 1 for repairs and renovations, the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation announced. It is scheduled to reopen Sept. 30, 2025. Maui Now.

Kauai

Public can weigh in on planned emergency zone declaration near Waikoko hairpin turn. The state plans to declare a traffic emergency zone at milepost 4.7 to conduct emergency slope stabilization work. Kauai Now.

Previously unknown native flora discovered on Kauaʻi with flying technology.  The new species is called Schiedea waiahuluensis — a reference to the valley where it was discovered. The genus, Schiedea, is endemic to Hawaiʻi and now includes 36 species. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii settles landmark climate change case, Maui council member seeks statewide delay of school start for Lahaina fire anniversary, gas prices decrease, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi agrees to landmark settlement in youth climate lawsuit. In the settlement, the state commits to implementing targeted plans and programs to decarbonize the state’s transportation system and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui Council Member Wants Schools To Delay Classes For Lahaina Fire Anniversary. The Maui County Council is taking up a resolution on Friday asking the Hawaii Department of Education to delay the start of classes for public school students across the state by a week to recognize the one-year anniversary of the Maui wildfires. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

3 Hawaii governors support former state lawmaker as race for state Senate seat heats up. Three Hawaii governors are backing former Democratic state Sen. Clayton Hee, who’s trying to win back his old seat in District 23 from Kaneohe to Wahiawa. Hee has the backing of long-time legislative friends of 40 years — former Govs. Neil Abercrombie, Ben Cayetano, and John Waihee. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

AAA Hawaiʻi: Gas prices decrease. Gas prices statewide are decreasing, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch. The statewide average price for regular unleaded is $4.72, which is four cents lower than last week. Maui Now.

Oahu

Future Of HART Line Extending Into City Center Hinges On Critical Contract Bid. This is the second time the rail authority solicited proposals for that segment. Last time the bids were $1 billion too high, forcing years of delays and some major cost cutting. Civil Beat.

Man, DLNR employee charged in death of monk seal pup on North Shore. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday  that its Office of General Counsel assessed Lesley Macpherson and James Armstrong Lyman a $20,000 penalty “in the case of an attack by unleashed dogs causing the death of a Hawaiian monk seal pup.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Court temporarily halts Haiku Stairs’ demolition. The Friends of Haiku Stairs’ recently filed legal injunction to stop the city’s demolition of the World War II-era staircase, above Haiku Valley and the H-3 freeway in Kaneohe, partially advanced this week. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

HECO restores power to last 600 Chinatown customers. Hawaiian Electric said power has been restored to the remaining 600 customers in Chinatown at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

After more than 40 years, Native Hawaiians in King's Landing could get long-term leases. A proposal to develop more than 1,300 acres in King’s Landing on Hawaiʻi Island is being considered by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Committee denies extension for Kona Vistas. When development of the Kona Vistas subdivision began in 1984 on Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Holualoa, the developers at the time planned for a second phase that would add a 450-unit multifamily housing project on a 69-acre parcel immediately south of the subdivision. Tribune-Herald.

43 Acres In Kaumana Purchased By Hawaiian Non-Profit For Affordable Housing. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has acquired 43.08 acres of land in “the Kaumana subdivision of Ponahawai, Hilo” for an affordable housing development, said to be a first step towards establishing “a private land trust specifically for housing Native Hawaiian and other Hawai‘i families.”  Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Maui

Maui Golf Course Odor Prompts Council To Consider Repealing County Pesticide Ban. The required shift to organic fertilizer, and subsequent use of manure, spurred recent complaints. Civil Beat.

West Maui residents want bypass extended to ease daily traffic nightmare. Hawaii Department of Transportation officials promised residents they will open Honoapiilani Highway to help alleviate traffic on the Lahaina Bypass. Hawaii News Now.

Deaths, drugs, violence reported at Maui homeless shelter -- management responds to claims. According to the Maui Police Department, it received 174 calls from the site – ranging from assaults, narcotics, to terroristic threats – leading to 59 incident reports. MPD confirmed there have been four deaths at the facility since it opened weeks after the fires to house the pre-disaster homeless. KITV4.

Community supports rebuilding King Kamehameha III Elementary on historic Front Street. While it’s well-loved, the Front Street location is still in the fire recovery process and the property does not have space for future expansion. Hawaii Public Radio.

Change of zoning recommended for one of oldest buildings in Hāna town. The former Old Laundry Building in Hāna would be returned to commercial use in a bill providing for change of zoning to country-town business district for the structure located across from the Hāna-Maui Resort. Maui Now.

Kauai

Disaster awareness improves among Kauaʻi residents, county survey finds. The percentage of households with an emergency communication plan rose by 15% since 2023. Also, 80% of residents knew that they should have a 14-day supply of essential supplies like food, water and medication. Hawaii Public Radio.

Māla lā‘au coming to Wailuā Homesteads Park on Kaua‘i; nonprofit wants neighborhood input.  A county park on the East Side of Kaua‘i is set to add something unprecedented: A māla lā‘au, or forest garden, bringing well-being to the community around it. 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.

Decade-low candidates in this year's elections, oil industry asks Supreme Court to block climate change lawsuits, Air Force changes mind, opts to keep Bellows Air Force Station, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fewer Candidates Filed For Election In Hawaii This Year Than In The Past 10 Years. Dozens of incumbent lawmakers face no challenger. The most significant race in Hawaii’s Aug. 10 primary may well influence who is the next speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives — and thus directly impact the policies and laws of the entire state. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oil industry asks Supreme Court to block climate change lawsuits from Hawaii, other states. Oil and gas companies are asking the Supreme Court to block dozens of high-powered lawsuits from Hawaii to Massachusetts seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in costs related to climate change. Los Angeles Times.

State insurance chief doesn’t see carrier exit. Hawaii has been the subject of some scary national headlines lately regarding property insurance, but the state insurance commissioner Tuesday expressed a less calamitous view of the industry affecting homeowners. Star-Advertiser.

A ‘Hard Market’ Is Battering Condo Owners. A confluence of events is causing the hard market, said Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito. And the resulting spike in premiums — primarily for hurricane insurance for condominium associations — is sending shocks to homeowners across Hawaii, Ito said. Civil Beat.

Hawaii launches wildfire, drought alert campaign. The summer months ahead are shaping up to be hot and dry, with the same level of wildfire risks as 2023, according to experts Tuesday at the launch of the Wildfire and Drought Lookout campaign. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaiian Telcom vows to serve Hawaiian home lands amid disruption. After Gov. Josh Green’s emergency proclamation Friday to preserve telecommunications services for approximately 1,500 homes and businesses served by Sandwich Isles Communications, Hawaiian Telcom on Tuesday announced its commitment to serving residential and business customers on Hawaiian home lands with existing connectivity infrastructure. Star-Advertiser.

Doctors to get tax relief on patients' government health plans under new law. Starting in 2026, doctors will no longer have to pay the state’s general excise tax on health care for patients on Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. Hawaii Public Radio.

State works to spend millions of dollars to address opioid addiction. Hawaiʻi can address substance abuse with $33 million from opioid manufacturer settlements — and that number is expected to continue to grow. However, managing and spending the funds has been a work in progress. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Air Force has ‘change of heart’ on plan to part with training site riddled with old munitions. Citing “changes in operational requirements,” the Air Force says it now plans to keep a 138-acre training site at Bellows Air Force Station that it had long planned to part with. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Council is poised to adopt $4 billion-plus budget. The Honolulu City Council today is expected to review for adoption the city’s proposed $3.63 billion executive operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Blangiardi calls for multi-year contract for Honolulu rail CEO.  Mayor Rick Blangiardi today told officials who oversee the city’s rail project to offer a multi-year contract to Lori Kahikina — its CEO and executive director — and fully cooperate with an investigation into any alleged “bullying and harassment” of Kahikina by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Council Proposes Kailua Land Sale For Hawaiian Homelands. Hawaiian homelands lots may be offered for the first time in Kailua under a proposal introduced at the Honolulu City Council on Tuesday. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Man awarded $12.5M from city ordered held without bail in federal gun, drug case. The 38-year-old man who settled with the city for $12.5 million following injuries he suffered in a 2021 police pursuit was ordered held without bail today on federal charges that he used a ghost gun while selling methamphetamine in Waianae. Star-Advertiser.

Raw sewage seeps over Sand Island park. Sand Island State Recreation Area has long stretches of coastline and plenty of pretty beaches. But at the end of the park, there was something ugly found behind one of its bathrooms. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

COVID cases creep up on the Big Island. Hawaii Island hospitals are reporting a slight increase in COVID-19 activity similar to rising rates throughout the state. Tribune-Herald.

Recent Kilauea eruptions could indicate new phase of activity. Ken Hon, scientist in charge at HVO, said Kilauea’s recent behavior seems to potentially indicate a new phase of volcanic activity, one characterized by a series of “pulses” of activity instead of sustained events over longer periods of time. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui court upholds governor’s Emergency Proclamation on affordable housing. Second Circuit Court Judge Peter T. Cahill issued judgment in favor of Gov. Josh Green, M.D., and the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, in a lawsuit that sought to, among other things, invalidate the governor’s emergency proclamation on affordable housing. Maui Now.

Temporary groundwater monitoring wells to be installed at Temporary Debris Storage site in Olowalu. County officials say the installation is part of its commitment along with the US Army Corps of Engineers to protect public health and the environment during the wildfire cleanup. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative continues to lead Hawai‘i in renewable generation. For the fifth straight year, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative leads the state of Hawaiʻi in renewable generation, having achieved 57.9% renewable for 2023. This puts KIUC well ahead of the state of Hawaiʻi requirement of 40% by 2030. Kauai Now.

Visitor count drops, spending climbs on Kaua‘i in April. A steep drop in the number of visitors to the island of Kaua‘i in April was of no consequence on the spending front, as tourists continued to plow piles of cash into the local economy. Garden Island.