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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

Hawaii creates recreational fishing license, new ocean fee; Legislature sets session priorities, feral chickens targeted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Fishing Rules Approved By Hawaiʻi Land Board. New recreational and commercial fishing rules have been approved by the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources, which include the establishment of a non-resident recreational fishing license and a license for commercial marine vessels. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

New ocean stewardship fund established: $1 will be charged for each customer of commercial vessels, tours. A bill passed into law in 2021 establishing an ocean stewardship special fund became effective Jan. 1. All operators of commercial vessels, water craft, or water sports equipment that are required to have a commercial operator permit are now mandated to charge a $1 user fee from each customer for the fund. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii lawmakers eye help for Maui, housing and ethics ahead of 2024 session. The rebuilding of Lahaina from the tragic Maui wildfires and shortage of homes for thousands of survivors have put into sharper focus the need in Hawaii for affordable housing to help keep local residents from moving to the mainland — issues that will weigh heavily as state lawmakers convene Wednesday for the opening of the 2024 legislative session. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press.  Hawaii News Now.

Ginoza, Devens Sworn In As Hawaii Associate Justices. Lisa M. Ginoza and Vladimir P. Devens are officially associate justices of the Hawaii Supreme Court. Civil Beat. 

Ryan Kanaka‘ole Named Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources First Deputy. Governor Josh Green on Friday announced his nomination of Ryan Kanaka‘ole, who is currently a Deputy Attorney General, to fill the DLNR position that is being vacated by Laura Kaʻakua, who is moving to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Big Island Video News.

Feral chicken legislation again to be reviewed. The state Legislature once again will consider bills to tackle a feral chicken problem that continues to generate complaints while some people continue to feed them. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs faces large staffing shortage ahead of 2024 legislative session. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is facing a large staff shortage going into this legislative session with nearly one-third of its positions currently unfilled, according to its new CEO Stacy Ferreira. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian homestead leaders gather at 36th annual convention. The convention  covered an array of topics including Act 80, which would lower the minimum Hawaiian blood quantum requirement for successorship of Hawaiian home lands to one thirty- second, as well as conversations over the spending of funds allocated under Act 279, and the various challenges around reducing the 29,000-person waitlist. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Board of Water Supply rejects $75M offer to reopen Halawa Shaft. The BWS says the Nov. 29 proposal by the state Department of Health, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to tap into a portion of the $400 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for money to reopen the Halawa Shaft is premature. Star-Advertiser.

City Council pushes for public access to first responder radio transmissions. The island-wide police chase of an armed suspect on Oʻahu on New Year’s Day has prompted calls to the City and County of Honolulu to give the public more access to first responders’ radio communications. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents left scrambling after West Oahu affordable housing complex announces closure. Scores of Leeward Oahu residents who were once homeless are worried they’ll soon be living on the streets again after they say the management of  Ulu Ke Kukui in Maili announced its closure. Hawaii News Now.

City conducts hearing on proposed amendments to Affordable Housing Requirement Rules.  The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting held a public hearing to discuss affordable housing requirements on Friday. KITV4.

Three long-delayed Oahu public housing redevelopment projects took big steps forward last week and could produce 554 new homes in 2026 and 911 more in 2028. Star-Advertiser.

Sunset Beach homeowners fined about $1M for unauthorized work. The homeowners, whose properties both on Ke Nui Road front Sunset Beach, were fined by the Board of Land and Natural Resources Friday on the recommendation of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Jury pool whittled down as public corruption trial for ex-city prosecutor nears. Keith Kaneshiro, Dennis Mitsunaga, Terri Otani, Aaron Fujii, Chad McDonald and attorney Sheri Tanaka are charged with multiple counts, including conspiracy to defraud the government and conspiracy against rights of citizens. Hawaii News Now.

Miske’s Daughter-In-Law Agrees To ‘Fully Cooperate’ In Last-Minute Plea Deal. Delia Fabro-Miske's agreement with prosecutors leaves only two defendants in the federal trial as jury selection continues. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Alameda officially launches campaign to oust Roth.  More than 100 community members crowded the sidewalk in front of the King Kamehameha statue in Hilo on Saturday to support Kimo Alameda and his candidacy for Hawaii County mayor. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Big Island traffic fatalities plummet in 2023. Big Island roads saw a significant decrease in traffic fatalities in 2023 compared to 2022, from 34 official traffic deaths to 16, a 53% drop. Tribune-Herald.

2023 drier than normal for much of the island. December brought rainfall to most of the windward Big Island, but most of the gauges islandwide registered less than the average amount of precipitation for the final month of the year. Tribune-Herald.

Fixes slated for Wailoa boat harbor: $3.2M allocated for the project. The harbor, which is one of the only functioning boat launches in East Hawaii after the blockage of the Pohoiki Boat Ramp during the 2018 Kilauea eruption, has not been dredged for years, leading to a buildup of sediment in the mouth of the harbor. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council OKs Olowalu As Dump Site For Lahaina Wildfire Waste. The Maui County Council voted 6-2 on Friday to approve the Olowalu site to temporarily store an estimated 400,000 tons of debris and toxic ash from the Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina.  Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Maui Has A Bunch Of Community Plans But A Patchy Record Of Following Them. A fresh community plan for South Maui is outlining a vision for some of the last areas available for growth in Kihei. Civil Beat.

Significant finds made at Lahaina’s historic sites.  Numerous artifacts have been recovered by  Lahaina Restoration Foundation, which serves as steward for 14 historic sites in Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Kīpahulu to become third community-based subsistence fishing area. The remote Kīpahulu area on the southeast side of Maui will become the third Community-Based Subsistence Fishing (CBSFA) area in Hawai‘i, following previous designations of Hā‘ena on Kaua‘i and Miloli‘i on Hawai‘i Island. Maui Now.

Maui Has An Axis Deer Problem. So The State Has Put A Price On Their Tails. Landowners will get paid for killing the deer as part of a new animal control program run by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Civil Beat.

Sudden Deluge Does Little To Move The Needle On Maui Drought. The disruptive storm forced many roads and schools to close. But it wasn't enough to erase Maui's persistent drought. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Man wanted in connection with assault on Kaua‘i police officer turns himself in. Kaua‘i police say 24-year-old Travis Bonachita of Kōloa, who was wanted in connection with an assault on a police officer, was taken into custody. Kauai Now.

Serving the houseless at Martin Luther King gathering. The Kaua‘i Soto Zen Temple will be hosting a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday gathering on Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. Garden Island.

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

Lawsuit dropped after Green revises housing proclamation, Maui releases 2018 wildfire after-action report, Hawaii County officials in line for raises, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green revamps housing proclamation. Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday issued a third emergency proclamation to stimulate development of affordable housing, satisfying plaintiffs who withdrew a lawsuit they had filed over concerns that Green’s proclamation removed safeguards on protecting the environment, cultural resources and government transparency. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

 Hawaii Bribery Scandal Casts A Shadow Over Lahaina’s Ruins. For years, a local businessman paid off officials in exchange for lucrative contracts. The system he exploited has been left largely unchanged. An examination of one of the state’s largest bribery cases reveals a county procurement system that may be ill-equipped to handle the millions of dollars it will spend following the devastating wildfires on Maui.  Civil Beat.

DHHL proposes 10 legislative measures to reduce its housing waitlist. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is considering legislation to reduce its waitlist, which currently includes more than 28,000 Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Proposals boast everything from general excise tax exemptions for DHHL developments to allowing in-house historic preservation reviews of homeland projects. Hawaii Public Radio.

33 states, including Hawaii, sue Meta over alleged harm to kids’ mental health. Dozens of U.S. states, including Hawaii, California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. Associated Press. Civil Beat.

Researchers coring into ancient reefs off Hawaii seek to mend fences after uproar. UK-based researchers taking samples of the ocean floor off Hawaii Island don’t appear to be breaking any rules, but they are drawing criticism. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Impaired-driving arrests on Oahu top 1,500. As of Oct. 3 there were 1,574 arrests for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, compared with 1,587 at the same time in 2022, HPD reported. Star-Advertiser.

Relief in the works for businesses affected by Dillingham rail construction. Rail construction keeps hurting businesses in Kalihi, but the city is still trying to figure out how to provide them with financial aid. Hawaii News Now.

Trial begins for Hawaii couple accused of stealing dead babies’ identities. According to prosecutors, Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison are the real names of the couple who have been fraudulently living for decades under stolen identities Bobby Fort and Julie Montague. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County officials could be next to receive pay raises. The Hawaii County Salary Commission has not adjusted pay for executive, elected or appointed officials since March 2018. Meanwhile, employees covered by collective bargaining have received raises over the years. KHON2.

Army set to conduct large-scale exercise. Tropic Lightning Soldiers from the Army’s 25th Infantry Division will participate in the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, an Army training operation to be held on the Big Island and Oahu primarily from Nov. 1 through Nov. 10. Tribune-Herald.

Ex-assistant police chief charged with numerous offenses. Mitchell Kanehailua Jr., 57, of Hilo was arrested Sunday morning and charged Monday evening with violating a restraining order, first-degree attempted burglary, third-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

North Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor Breakwater Improvements Planned. The Hawaiʻi DLNR is seeking to improve the small boat harbor's damaged main breakwater to better withstand winter swells. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Panel is urged to restore West Maui stream flows. Some 200 people packed Tuesday’s meeting of the state Commission on Water Resource Management on Maui, many of them urging the restoration of stream flows in the Lahaina area. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

State House members to tour Lahaina’s Mala Wharf. Members of the state House Finance Committee plan to visit Maui’s Soil &Water Conservation District today and Lahaina’s Mala Wharf on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Report On 2018 Lahaina Fire Failed To Address Issues That Reappeared Five Years Later. Community criticism about a lack of emergency alerts, sirens and fire prevention didn't make it into the report. A report on the shortcomings of Maui County’s response to a 2018 fire failed to address many problems identified by residents at the time, according to a copy of the document released Tuesday.  Civil Beat. KITV4.

2 years ago, Maui County-funded commission sounded the alarm about wildfire risks. A 2021 report from a publicly-funded commission identifies key solutions to the wildfire risk threatening Maui, but it’s unclear if Maui County acted on the findings. Members of the commission say there was never any government follow-up. Hawaii News Now.

Oprah And Dwayne Johnson’s Relief Fund Has Paid Out $19 Million. The People’s Fund of Maui established by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson will disburse its second round of $1,200 payments this week. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i sewer credit applications accepted from Nov. 1 to Jan. 2.  Qualified sewer customers shall be granted a monthly credit of $24 per month for 2024. Kauai Now.

Kapa‘a community celebrates $750K renovation of Boys & Girls clubhouse. The building serves 100 keiki and provides a safe place to go after school with meals they can count on, caring mentors who believe in them and meaningful life experiences empowering them to discover their great futures. Kauai Now.

Coalition seeks to repeal constitutional gay marriage limits, state fund planned for Maui fire victims, fed awards $52M for Lahaina cleanup to contractor under investigation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Marriage equality advocates form coalition to change Hawaiʻi State Constitution. A new coalition of community partners has formed to repeal Section 23 of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution, which places the power to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples in the hands of the state legislature. Big Island Now.

New State Fund For Maui Fire Victims Is Taking Shape. Gov. Josh Green is finalizing details of a Maui fire victim recovery fund that could be paid for by Hawaiian Electric, major Maui landowners and even Maui County, all of which have been named as defendants in lawsuits stemming from the Aug. 8 fire that killed at least 98 people and destroyed much of Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Hawaii company wins $52M Lahaina cleanup contract despite federal probe. A Native Hawaiian defense contractor at the center of an ongoing federal criminal investigation into potential financial and tax crimes landed a $52.5 million contract for fire debris removal in Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

One complaint gums up distribution of historic Hawaiian Homelands waitlist settlement. The historic settlement of the Hawaiian Homelands waitlist case, which involved years of litigation, thousands of beneficiaries and hundreds of millions of dollars, has been stalled by the complaint of a single person. That’s because the complaint forced an appeal. Now the state Supreme Court may have to save the massive agreement. Hawaii News Now.

DPS training officer pleads guilty to falsifying credentials. The Department of Public Safety training officer who was accused of falsifying her academic transcripts to internal affairs investigators pleaded guilty in the Oahu Circuit Court today to criminal charges of two counts of tampering with a government record and two counts of unsworn falsification to authorities. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Oahu

 Some Honolulu Building Permit Applicants Sailed Through Despite Long Waits For Most. A Civil Beat analysis raises questions about the fairness of wide disparities in how fast permits get approved. Bribery, political influence, people skills and other factors help determine a permit application's speed. Civil Beat.

HECO Should Not Be Paid For Work On Substation, HART Chair Says. Meanwhile, the HART board is budgeting for a communications function that some members believe is needed to respond when HART or the rail board is 'attacked.' Civil Beat.

Honolulu penthouse condo sells for record $27.5M. An unnamed wealthy buyer recently paid $27.5 million for a penthouse condominium in Honolulu, eclipsing the prior peak of $22 million for the same unit at the Park Lane Ala Moana midrise when it first sold six years ago new. Star-Advertiser.

Senior housing construction begins on part of old Aiea Sugar Mill site. A big piece of a more than 20-year-old community dream to reuse part of the former Aiea Sugar Mill site on Oahu has begun to take physical shape. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore homeowners on edge as season’s first big swell rolls in. For years, homeowners, particularly those between Rocky Point and Sunset Beach, have grappled with erosion in their own backyards, watching anxiously as powerful swells took out chunks of lawn, felled coconut palms and damaged landscaping, stairways and decks. Star-Advertiser.

Miske Co-Defendant Charged With 2 Felony Offenses Ahead Of Likely Plea Deal. At 27, Dae Han Moon is the youngest of the 12 co-defendants originally charged in the federal racketeering case. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Expert cautions County Council about its power and waste preferences. Mike Ewall, an environmental activist and founder of the Energy Justice Network, a national support organization for grassroots clean energy community groups, spoke Tuesday at a meeting of the County Council’s Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee to discuss the county’s various plans to reduce waste and transition to clean energy. Tribune-Herald.

Nonprofit: Big Isle domestic violence rose in last 2 years. There has been more than a 60% increase on Hawaii Island between 2021 and 2023 in the number of participants in programs aimed at the prevention of domestic violence, according to a statewide private nonprofit organization providing those services. Tribune-Herald.

New HTA Program Expands To Punaluʻu, Kealakekua Bay. The Hawai‘i Island Community-Based Action Stewardship Program will support visitor education efforts and mitigate tourism impacts at the popular locations. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen seeks to defend — and explain — his actions on the day of the Lahaina wildfire. The mayor said he was alerted to a separate fire in Lahaina that morning, but was told it had been contained. He says it wasn’t until late afternoon he realized the situation in Lahaina was much worse. Hawaii News Now.

New Maui Hale Match website trying to connect fire displaced residents with affordable places to live. Native Hawaiian Matt Jachowski has used his skills as a software developer to create the website Maui Hale Match, which he hopes will make it easier for displaced fire survivors to connect with homeowners and landlords that have available units they can afford. Maui Now.

Maui timeshares expect 90% occupancy by Thanksgiving.  Occupancy in West Maui timeshares should reach 80% to 90% by Thanksgiving — similar to the industry’s strong recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic all but brought Hawaii’s tourism economy to a halt, officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Army Corps of Engineers will spend over $18M on cultural monitoring during Lāhainā cleanup. They have subcontracted multiple Native Hawaiian Organizations including Nā ‘Aikāne o Maui, Inc. and ‘Āina Archaeology, LLC to conduct site assessments and archeological monitoring. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Couple suing Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort after slipping on hotel stairs. A couple is suing the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort after the then-newlywed husband slipped on stairs at the resort nearly two years ago. Garden Island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

Judge to consider guns on beaches, insurance company to leave Hawaii, light sentence for Honolulu architect who helped FBI expose corrupt building inspectors, Ellison's Lanai explored, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Judge to consider whether Hawaii can ban firearms on its beaches.  The state’s latest gun control measure landed in court because of a lawsuit by three Maui residents who want to carry guns on beaches and other places deemed sensitive by the law, which took effect this month and involves a misdemeanor offense. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Feds To Boost State Efforts To Take On Affordable Housing Shortfall. State officials say the State plans to take advantage of a new $85 million funding opportunity under HUD that will help communities "address restrictive zoning, land use, and regulatory policies." Big Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Quiet on set: Hollywood strikes leave Hawaii crew members behind. The Hollywood strike that has united writers and actors for the first time in 60 years also has left hundreds of crew members in Hawaii without paychecks as work on Hawaii-based television shows and movies has been suspended. Star-Advertiser.

Universal Homeowners Insurance Company Is Pulling Out Of Hawaii. Roughly 1,500 polices will be affected by Universal Property & Casualty’s departure from the homeowners, condominium and renters insurance market in Hawaii, according to a state news release Thursday. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.

Thousands enrolled in HECO pilot that institutes different rates for peak, non-peak hours. The “Shift and Save Rate” pilot program will enroll about 15000 residential homes and 1,700 business customers on Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island who were selected at random. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

New classrooms opening this fall seen as big step toward achieving universal preschool. The state plans to open 11 new free public preschool classrooms this fall as part of the Ready Keiki initiative. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii-Japan summit rebuilds relationships, forges new ones. Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii’s four county mayors attended the event, where they welcomed governors and mayors of six prefectures and 16 cities and towns from Japan with state and city sister relationships. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Visitor arrivals in June continue recovery. Some 889,274 visitors came to Hawaii in June, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Architect who helped FBI build case against corrupt building inspectors gets leniency in federal court. An architect who gave tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to workers at the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting was sentenced on Thursday to one year and a day in prison and a $5,000 fine. In the face of painful permitting delays, Bill Wong said he gave in to the pressure to "pay to play." Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City awarded $25M toward Ala Wai pedestrian bridge. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services has been awarded $25 million in federal funding toward construction of the planned Ala Wai pedestrian bridge, the city announced Thursday. The June arrivals were a 5.5% increase from the June 2022 total. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

 Red Hill’s Fuel Director Raised An Alarm Before Pipes Leaked. The Navy Removed Her. Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Bencs reported problems with Red Hill’s infrastructure and leadership culture just months before fuel leaks contaminated the drinking water. Civil Beat.

City cites lack of funding for delay in building Makakilo bypass.  Those in favor of the city constructing the Makakilo Bypass Road claim it’s a matter of safety. But the city said the reason it isn’t happening boils down to funding. KHON2.

Half A Million Dollars Buys 6 Months Of Security Guards For Waikiki. While crime on the tourist strip is trending down the city says more resources are still needed. Civil Beat.

Kaneohe care homes must pay $287K for overtime violations.  The owners and operators of two residential care homes in Kaneohe must pay $287,279 in overtime wages and damages to 23 caregivers after a federal court ruling, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island’s New Climate Change Office Will ‘Create A Unified Front’. The office will work toward reducing emissions, promoting renewable energy and efficiency, and fortifying infrastructure against climate change impacts. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Why were oral arguments challenging permit of Thirty Meter Telescope deferred? Nobody will say.  The Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, which announced the postponement on July 21, provided no reason why the arguments would not be heard at the July 28 regular Land Board meeting. It also would not say how long the arguments will be stalled. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui's 900-acre Olowalu Reef to receive slice of large federal funding.  Over $180,000 will go toward restoring the over 900-acre Olowalu Reef, which has been identified as one of the most essential reefs around Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Housing to benefit from proposed wastewater project. A proposed wastewater facility in Central Maui is set to benefit a number of current and future housing projects, including the Waikapu Country Town development of more than 1,500 units and the master-planned Kehalani community. Maui News.

A look inside life on an island owned by Larry Ellison, the fourth richest person in the world. Imagine trying to make ends meet while living on an island owned by one of the richest people in the world. That’s the reality for some residents on Lānaʻi, who say the power dynamics of land control can get… complicated.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Brewing Company in Lahaina reopens after health inspection. The state Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch has allowed Maui Brewing Company to reopen in Lahaina after shuting it down due to a cockroach and rodent infestation. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Liquor Department offers free Narcan kits to licensees.  The Kaua‘i Department of Liquor Control is offering free Naloxone, also known as Narcan, to all of its liquor licensees. Kauai Now.

Play Streets coming to Laukona Park. The Play Streets Kaua‘i planning team announced the arrival of and accessibility to the popular Play Streets free program at Laukona Park in Hanama‘ulu on Aug. 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. Garden Island.

ACLU sues over Honolulu homeless sweeps, Gov. Green bails out Lt. Gov. Luke's budget overruns, feds probe for money laundering in state real estate transactions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawsuit claims Honolulu’s homeless policies are unconstitutional.  Honolulu’s homeless sweeps and other “anti-houseless” laws should be ruled illegal and unconstitutional because they violate Hawaii’s state constitutional prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Oahu Circuit Court by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii LG Sylvia Luke Needed Bailout From Governor, Documents Show. Just before the close of the fiscal year, Gov. Josh Green stepped in with a $49,000 solution to a budget problem that threatened to expose Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to possible liability and removal from office. Civil Beat.

Feds Closely Watching Local Property Deals For Signs Of Money Laundering. Real estate purchases by anonymous shell companies can distort appraisals and tax assessments. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has begun requiring title companies on Oahu, Maui, Big Island and Kauai to report the identities of the true owners for all-cash purchases of residential real estate exceeding $300,000.  Civil Beat.

Businesses, residents demand more clarity on how new ocean recreation fee will be used. The state is preparing to collect a new $1 fee from every customer of commercial vessels, watercraft and water sports equipment operators. Hawaii News Now.

Law Enforcement Standards Board Inches Toward Hiring Key Staff. The board charged with overseeing police statewide still can’t develop standards, leaving Hawaii the only state unable to certify its law enforcement officers. Civil Beat.

Angelo named as Hawaii’s Consumer Advocate.  The state has named Michael S. Angelo executive director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Division of Consumer Advocacy. Angelo assumed the position on July 17. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Defense Contractors Likely To Get Probation For Campaign Violations. Clifford Chen and Lawrence Lum Kee, formerly of Navatek LLC, were indicted along with their boss, Martin Kao, after making illegal donations to a senator's reelection efforts. Civil Beat.

Oahu

EPA hosting public meeting to create new community group for Red Hill defueling.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a community meeting Thursday night in Salt Lake, joined by Navy officials, to share more information about the formation of the “Community Representation Initiative.” Hawaii News Now.

HPD’s newly converted fleet of pickups taken off patrols after safety concerns surface.  In June, Honolulu police converted 10 Chevy Colorados into the department’s newest patrol vehicles. The trucks were purchased during the pandemic using COVID relief funds. Hawaii News Now.

Planners OK more mixed-use development in Halawa.  The Honolulu Planning Commission voted Wednesday to recommend rezoning 227 acres around Skyline’s Halawa station to allow for more development of mixed-use business, residential and affordable housing sites near the state’s planned New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. Star-Advertiser.

Former site of Stadium Bowl-o-Drome will be new home for DHHL’s first rental project. The 23-story building in Moiliili will include 278 affordable apartments exclusively for beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Lands program. Hawaii News Now.

Developer renews plan for homes below Koko Crater.  A developer has revived plans to extend a subdivision of million-dollar homes in Hawaii Kai onto land zoned for preservation after making similar efforts twice before in recent decades. Star-Advertiser.

Nearly 300 tsunami hazard road signs installed across Oahu. The city says this is part of phase 2 of its project to alert people where the danger zone begins and ends. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council votes to change process for ag land tax assessments.  An effort to offer Big Island commercial farmers a better break on their taxes took a new form Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

UH reaches agreement with hackers in Hawaii Community College ransomware attack.  The University of Hawaii has reached an agreement with those responsible for a ransomware attack on the Hawaii Community College network. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Board hearing over TMT construction is postponed.  Land Board Chair Dawn Chang has formally declared she can be fair and unbiased in the matter despite having previously worked for the University of Hawaii and the Department of Land and Natural Resources in matters related to the Mauna Kea summit and its astronomy uses. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Roadway along rural Alelele Point reopens 3 months after rockfall.  Maui County’s roadway along rural Alelele Point in East Maui reopened Tuesday, nearly three months after a rockfall forced emergency work to remove rock debris and stabilize the cliffside.  Maui News.

Outrigger finalizes acquisition of Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel; welcomes Maui Brewing Co. restaurant this summer. Outrigger Resorts & Hotels finalized its acquisition of the iconic Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel on Wednesday. The 11-acre, 432-room property is now rebranded as Outrigger Kā‘anapali Beach Resort.  Maui Now.

School bus routes modified to handle driver shortage. Some Maui public school students will head to campus on modified or consolidated routes, similar to last school year, as the island deals with a shortage of 29 bus drivers, the state Department of Education said.  Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Bus to offer free passes to high school students this upcoming school year.  With ongoing staffing shortages for school bus drivers, the state will partner with counties for the second year in a row to provide transportation for students attending Hawai‘i public schools. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Community College begins chancellor search.  Margaret Sanchez was appointed interim chancellor on Jan. 3, 2023 after the previous chancellor, Joseph Daisy, retired in December 2022. Kauai Now.

Tour companies host free sightseeing event at Kikialoa Small Boat Harbor.  Tour companies at Kikialoa Small Boat Harbor gave free Napali Coast sightseeing tours to more than 200 Kaua‘i residents on Wednesday, July 26, launching what organizers say will be an annual event for locals. Garden Island.

New state laws address highway safety, driver's licenses, shoreline protection; Honolulu rail CEO wants tax extended, Kauai managing director moves to Schatz' office, beers created from rice, ti root, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Roadway Safety Bills Signed Into Law. Seven bills relating to roadway safety in Hawaiʻi were signed into law by Governor Josh Green on Thursday, during a ceremony on Oʻahu. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

A new law makes driver license renewal easier. You will eventually be able to renew your driver’s license online or by mail. It was a bill that Governor Josh Green, M.D. signed into law on Thursday, July 6. KHON2.

Increased fines, drones to protect Hawaii shorelines . Governor signs measures to boost coastal management, enforcement.  Gov. Josh Green signed a handful of bills Thursday related to coastal protection. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

In fight against erosion, new legal weapon targets homeowners who go rogue. As ocean levels rise, new rules give the state more power to keep people from breaking the law to protect their properties from erosion. Hawaii News Now.

Preschool educators stipend program finally launches.  Despite a two-year wait to fully launch Hawaii’s first public stipend program for early-childhood educators, state officials are hopeful that it will make big strides toward solving a chronic and severe shortage of teachers and caregivers for keiki ages 0 to 5. Star-Advertiser.

DOE spent $168M on bell and alarm system, but more than half of schools still don’t have it. More than half of Hawaii’s 255 public schools rely on aging bell, alarm and P.A. systems due to delays in installing promised high-tech upgrades. Hawaii News Now.

Civil rights attorney to file class action against Hawaii education, health departments. A Honolulu attorney says he's a few weeks away from filing a class action lawsuit against the state over special education services. KITV4.

President’s commission meeting in Hawaii OKs broad set of recommendations. For the first time, the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders convened for its quarterly meeting outside of Washington, D.C. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiians discuss housing challenges with U.S. HUD Secretary.  The visit served as an opportunity for HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda and HUD Regional Administrator Jason Pu to listen to the struggles, successes and valuable feedback shared by the community.  Big Island Now.

Hawaii, Honolulu score $4M for climate action plans. The funding — $1 million to Honolulu and $3 million to the state — was announced Thursday in Honolulu by Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. Star-Advertiser.

83,000 Hawaii homes dispose of sewage in cesspools. Hawaii has 83,000 cesspools — more than any other state — and about 20% are less than 0.6 mile from shore. Six years ago, Hawaii mandated the removal of all cesspools by 2050. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council trio needed to reject 64% pay raises in writing. In the days leading up to the controversial start of the salary increases for Hono­lulu’s top elected and appointed officials, Council members Augie Tulba, Andria Tupola and Radiant Cordero were each required to submit a memorandum to the city stating their rejection to the expected $44,400 pay bump — to $113,304 from $68,904. Star-Advertiser.

Businessman Accused Of Bribing Honolulu Prosecutor Points Finger At Feds.  If convicted of bribing former prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro, the 79-year-old Dennis Mitsunaga could go to prison for the rest of his life.  Civil Beat.

Rail CEO looks to extend the system — by extending rail surcharge. Mostly with money from the half percent general excise tax, HART has spent about $5 billion so far to get the first 11 miles up and running, construct most of the way from Pearl Harbor to Middle Street and begin utility work on the final segment to Kakaako. Hawaii News Now.

Rail Contractor Sues HART Over Construction Delays. Contractor STG is seeking more than $99 million in damages, and says HART "has only itself to blame." The contractor hired to build the 5-mile airport segment of the Honolulu rail line is suing the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, alleging HART’s failure to address problems with the relocation of utilities along the line has caused expensive construction delays. Civil Beat.

Rail ridership falls as paid service begins.  The first day of paid rail ridership saw a drop in interest, as expected, with only 1,245 passengers boarding Skyline trains. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

State agrees to purchase and maintain Wahiawā Irrigation System, Lake Wilson.  Gov. Josh Green signed a bill Wednesday that requires his office to negotiate the purchase of Wahiawā Dam, Lake Wilson, and its associated spillways and irrigation ditches.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiwi coast scenic area on Oahu could become state park.  Hawaii might have a new state park by this time in 2024 covering about 340 acres of mostly natural coastal land in East Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu housing market cooled off in June.  The median price for single-family home resales stabilized in June but remained above seven figures at $1,050,000. That was down 4.5% from $1.1 million a year ago and off 5.3% from $1,109,000 in May, according to data released Thursday from the Honolulu Board of Realtors.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County Council approves creation of Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience. The Hawai‘i County Council on Wednesday approved the creation of a cabinet-level Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience — and a new section of county code to govern it — that will lead the County’s efforts to ensure the island can withstand the effects of climate change. Big Island Now.

Council rejects plan for downtown Hilo. A proposal to create a Business Improvement District to revitalize downtown Hilo has been decisively killed after pushback from area business owners. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Wants To Use Opioid Settlement Money To Open Its First Detox Facility. Hawaii County will receive $489,000 in opioid settlement funds this year and just over $100,000 annually thereafter through 2038, Mayor Mitch Roth announced Thursday.  Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

How ‘ōkolehao, an alcoholic spirit made of tī root, could change the liquor industry. Hawaiʻi's first-ever alcoholic spirit made from the root of the tī plant may soon get a boost in popularity from a Big Island brewery.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Keaukaha speed limit change advances. A proposal to reduce the speed limit on Kalanianaole Street is closer to reality after passing a Hawaii County Council committee Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

For the second month in a row, visitor arrivals slowed. In May, there were 240,407 visitors to Maui, down 2.8 percent compared to May 2022 when there were 247,280 visitors, and down 4.5 percent versus May 2019 when there were 251,665 visitors, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. Maui News.

Can’t Afford To Junk Your Car? Maui Will Tow And Recycle It For Free. Officials estimate 2,500 vehicles are abandoned each year in the county. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Kamehameha Schools acquires thousands of acres at Kaupō Ranch and Hāmākualoa, Maui. Kamehameha Schools announced today its acquisition of more than 4,500 acres of land from Kaupō Ranch Ltd. on southeastern Maui for approximately $21 million.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Matsuyama named Kauaʻi County’s managing director, replacing Dahilig who joins U.S. Sen. Schatz’ office.  Kauaʻi native Reiko Matsuyama has been appointed as the new managing director of the County of Kaua‘i by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. Kauai Now.

And so we wait': Kauaʻi doctor underscores dialysis needs on island.  The capacity of dialysis treatment on Kauaʻi is critical, according to a local doctor. Dr. Raymond Petrillo, Kauaʻi’s sole kidney doctor, operates his private practice, Island Kidney Care, in Lihuʻe and Waimea.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Rice beer on tap on Rice Street. Rice grower Jerry Ornellas said when the first batch of Jerry’s Rice Beer — the name assigned to the rice-based beer by the Kaua‘i Beer Company — went online on Monday, it was the first time in more than 60 years that Kaua‘i-grown rice was used commercially. Garden Island.