Legislature may consider lowering cruise ship tax, Kaiser Permanente workers release strike notice, Capitol reflecting pool replacement project delayed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii cruise ship tax under fire before getting started. Hawaii’s Legislature will be asked to consider amending part of a 2025 state law that attempts to tax cruise ship passengers but is tied up in federal litigation. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D, Hilo-Pepeekeo) plans to introduce a bill this month that would reduce the Transient Accommodations Tax charge on cruise ship fares by applying the 11% rate only to cabin cost instead of a cruise’s total base price divided by the number of days a ship is in port. Star-Advertiser.

Courts Blocked Green Fee For Cruises. This Company Is Still Charging It. Passengers currently aboard The Pride of America were irked to see the tax appear on their invoices despite a court injunction. orwegian Cruise Lines  representatives say the company will refund its passengers if the industry ultimately prevails in court. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers prepare to address federal changes impacting health care and social services. State lawmakers will face the federal impacts on the state’s healthcare systems and social services when they reconvene next week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Republicans have plans this session to attack state’s housing crisis. According to local Republican lawmakers, a recent survey found that 91% of adults say buying a home in Hawaii is a problem. KHON2. KITV4.

Kaiser Permanente workers announce plan to strike. About 200 Hawaii workers plan to walk off the job Jan. 26.  Another strike appears imminent at Kaiser Permanente. The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals on Thursday delivered a 10-day strike notice to Kaiser executives. The strike is set to begin Jan. 26 at hospitals and clinics across Hawaii and California. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Delays have increased the cost of Hawaiʻi Capitol reflecting pools. Rising construction costs and objections over a state bid are delaying a project to fix the dilapidated reflecting pools at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, state officials in charge of the multi-million dollar project told lawmakers Wednesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Status of bus contract talks worries Honolulu City Council. After months of back-and-forth negotiations, Oahu Transit Services Inc., which operates TheBus and TheHandi-Van routes on behalf of the City and County of Honolulu, remains at odds with its labor union that represents 1,400 bus operators, mechanics and support staff. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu satellite city halls to modernize with cashless property tax payments. Residents can now pay their property taxes with a major credit card as part of Oahu’s satellite city halls effort to eventually go cashless. KITV4.

City and County Martin Luther King Jr. holiday schedule released. The City and County of Honolulu released its schedule for Memorial Day along with the schedule for the rest of its operations and the traffic and parking regulations that will be in effect for Monday, January 19, 2026. KITV4.

Hawaii Island 

Search for new Hawaii County fire chief begins. The Hawaii County Fire Commission on Thursday named Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Volpe — who has been acting chief since the Dec. 14 death of Chief Kazuo Todd — temporary fire chief as the search for a permanent first firefighter begins. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Fire Officials Embraced Prevention. Then Kazuo Todd Died. The Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission has appointed a temporary replacement but filling Todd’s shoes within the State Fire Council presents a bigger challenge. Civil Beat.

Mauna Kea oversight board begins series of workshops on the mountain’s future. The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority began a series of statewide workshops Thursday as it prepares to take over management of the mountain. Hawaii News Now.

$450K released for Boys and Girls Club center. The capital improvement program grant-in-aid funds will support construction, improvements and maintenance of the youth resource center, helping ensure a safe and supportive space for keiki and families in East Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa returns to downtown Hilo this Saturday. The free, family-friendly event runs Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and features four stages of continuous live music, performances by more than 20 Hawaii artists, and more than 40 local food and craft vendors. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

FEMA extension uncertain; Mayor urges wildfire survivors to take alternate housing, if available. With the end of temporary federal emergency assistance now set for the end of next month, Mayor Richard Bissen advised Lahaina wildfire survivors Wednesday night to take a permanent housing alternative, if available. The looming deadline affects 946 households still relying on direct rental assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Maui Now.

Report: Maui home sales surge as prices decline. Realtors Association of Maui report showed single-family house resales increased by 22.2 percent. The median price fell by 2 percent. As for condominiums, resales jumped 41.5 percent, with the median sales price dropping 25.6 percent. The surge in sales suggests buyers are responding to the significant price reductions. Hawaii News Now.

Hale Makua announces new ‘CarePlex’ and workforce housing initiatives on Maui. Hale Makua Health Services, a Maui-born nonprofit serving the island for 80 years, today announced two landmark projects inspired by the community.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County offices will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Closures also include the following facilities: All neighborhood centers, The Puhi Metals Recycling Center, The Kekaha Landfill, HI5 Redemption Centers, All refuse transfer stations. Kauai Now.

Appeals court blocks Hawaii's cruise ship 'green fee' tax, PUC approves HECO wildfire mitigation plan, Honolulu to expand Waimanalo Gulch landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Federal ruling blocks Hawaii’s climate change tourist tax on cruise ships. A federal appeals court ruling on New Year’s Eve blocked Hawaii from enforcing a climate change tourist tax on cruise ships passengers, a levy that was set to go into effect at the start of 2026.Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, arguing that the new law violates the U.S. Constitution by taxing cruise ships for entering Hawaii ports.  Associated Press.

Public Utilities Commission approves Hawaiian Electric wildfire mitigation plan. Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday (Dec. 31) approved Hawaiian Electric’s 2025-27 wildfire mitigation plan and completed a comprehensive study about whether to establish a wildfire recovery fund. Big Island Now.

Counties Are On A Hiring Spree, But Recruitment Challenges Linger. Some neighbor island jobs have the edge in salaries compared to their Oʻahu counterparts, adding to hiring difficulties.  Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii leader pushes AI, student support initiatives. When Wendy Hensel took the helm of the University of Hawaii system on Jan. 1, 2025, any notion of a gradual “honeymoon phase” was quickly dashed by an accelerating series of national and local disruptions. Star-Advertiser.

By Resisting Feds’ Demand For Personal SNAP Data, Hawaiʻi Could Face Cuts. Hawaiʻi is one of 22 states that have called the USDA’s demand for food stamp recipients’ information unprecedented and unlawful. Civil Beat.

Hawaii insurers paid $13.3 million for fireworks injuries in past year. State insurance commissioner says costs extend beyond insurance companies to employers and taxpayers. Hawaii’s health insurance companies paid out $13.3 million for 1,496 fireworks-related injury claims over the past year, according to new data released by state insurance commissioner Scott Saiki. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Is Still Releasing Inmates Without IDs Needed To Reenter Society. Lawmakers have made multiple efforts to improve the process of getting incarcerated people the identification they need to access basic services, but little has changed. Civil Beat.

2025 in memoriam: These Hawaiʻi figures contributed to the fabric of our islands. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

City aims to expand Waimanalo Gulch landfill. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration intends to pursue expansion of the city’s Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei following stalled attempts to find a suitable location for a new dump. The city plans to petition for a special-use permit to expand the approximately 200-acre solid-waste landfill at 92-460 Farrington Highway by 92.5 acres, according to city documents.  Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu Needs Sidewalks. Should The County Be Required To Build Them? Two Honolulu charter amendment proposals this year aim to enshrine sidewalk construction as a core local government responsibility. Civil Beat.

Oahu sees calmer New Year’s celebration. Oahu rang in 2026 with significantly fewer fireworks-­related fires and “a below-­average night” for emergency medical crews in a marked shift from the chaos and death that marred the previous New Year’s Eve celebration, authorities reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

2 arrested as Honolulu police respond to nearly 600 fireworks violation calls. (video only). Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu EMS responds to multiple firework-related injuries on New Year's Eve. At least seven people were hurt with suspected fireworks injuries in five separate incidents on Oʻahu this New Year's Eve. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing, short-term vacation rentals, drought, volcanic eruptions, more: A look back at some of the top Hawaii Island news stories. Alook back at the Top 10 stories of the year, as selected by the editorial staff of the Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Fire Department tackles 22 fires over New Year’s Eve. From 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, Maui firefighters worked to put out brush fires, vehicle fires, small vegetation fires and more.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Repair work starts on section of Haʻikū Road. Starting today, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, a section of Haʻikū Road between Hamana Place and Līhau Place will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday while work is underway to repair the eroding slope embankment and replace damaged guardrails, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works. Maui Now.

DLNR patrols Kāne‘ohe Bay to deter illegal Christmas tree bonfires on New Year’s Day. Officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will again conduct patrols over the New Year’s holiday to enforce laws and protect the environment, including the sacred Ahu o Laka (Kāne‘ohe Bay sandbar).  Maui Now.

Kauai

Department of Water announces new access hours for the bill payment drop box. The Department of Water (DOW) has completed construction of its new, motorized entry gate to the main entrance of its administrative buildings parking lot. The bill payment drop box located in the DOW parking lot, at 4398 Pua Loke St., Lihue, will be accessible from Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Federal judge clears the way for new tourist tax on cruise ships, hotels; ER doctor killed in head-on Saddle Road crash; Kauai mayor signs climate change plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s climate change tax clears legal hurdle. Hawaii’s so-called "green fee" is set to take effect as scheduled Jan. 1 after a federal judge dismissed most of the cruise industry’s legal challenge to Act 96 and denied its request to block implementation. Beginning in 2026, Act 96 raises the transient accommodations tax, or TAT, on lodging for visitors to 11%, a 0.75 percentage point increase, and for the first time applies it to cruise ships docking in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. 

Germany seeks tighter alignment in the Pacific. This month Alexander Taylor-Fowles, a German diplomat working in his country’s embassy in D.C. as the first secretary of its Indo-Pacific Affairs Political Section, visited Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Charter Schools Need Facilities. Could The DOE Be A Solution? Charter schools are the only growing sector of Hawaiʻi education, but limited funding and campus space has prevented schools from expanding and meeting families’ demands. Civil Beat.

Bill seeks to reverse student loan changes. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaii joined fellow Democrats Tim Kennedy of New York and Shomari Figures of Alabama this week in introducing legislation aimed at reversing steep federal student loan limits imposed on nurses, social workers and other health professionals under the Republican-led reconciliation bill, H.R. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Conservationists alarmed over proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. Proposed changes by the Trump administration to the federal Endangered Species Act are raising alarm among conservationists working to save Hawaii’s plants and animals. Maxx Phillips, Hawaii director for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the islands would be drastically affected by the changes, as the 1973 Endangered Species Act has been instrumental to their survival, protection and recovery. Star-Advertiser.

75% of middle-income households may or will leave Hawaiʻi, affordability survey finds. Holomua Collective, a nonprofit focused on affordability issues in Hawaiʻi, asked over 3,000 local workers about cost-of-living issues. Holomua Collective, a nonprofit focused on affordability issues in Hawaiʻi, asked over 3,000 local workers about cost-of-living issues. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

City investigating Nuuanu Stream sewage discharge. An unknown amount of wastewater spilled into Nuuanu Stream earlier this week after a 14-inch sewer line broke near Awa Street and the Nimitz Highway Bridge, according to city officials. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Farmers Are Fighting To Keep Their Soil From Flushing Out To Sea. From kalo to cacao, farmers are adapting to effects of a changing climate by fusing traditional Hawaiian practices with new, regenerative agricultural techniques to save soils, streams and reefs. Civil Beat.

Change comes to Aliamanu in aftermath of  fireworks blast. Nearly one year after a massive illegal fireworks explosion tore through a Salt Lake neighborhood, killing six people and injuring at least 20 others, the three-story home where the blast occurred is repaired and dressed for the holidays, with hanging lights lining the house and glowing Christmas inflatables — a Grinch and Santa Claus — perched on the second-floor porch.  Star-Advertiser.

State opens first transitional shelter for homeless Hawaiian Home Lands waitlisters. $6.4 million Kalaeloa facility to house 18 people with services aimed at eventual homeownership. Hawaii News Now.

Pair Of Faded Crosswalks Near Diamond Head Present A Pair Of Safety Hazards. Transportation Department says rains, water main work have delayed re-striping of the Honolulu crossings. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Funeral services set for Fire Chief Todd. Kazuo Todd died unexpectedly the morning of Dec. 14 after suffering an aneurysm. A funeral service and procession will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10 followed the next day by a public memorial service. Members of the public are encouraged to join the larger public memorial service on Sunday, Jan. 11. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Hawai‘i Island police roll out new heat monitors, K9 collars after death of Archer. While the Hawai’i State Office of the Attorney General decided not to file criminal charges following the death of a Hawai‘i Island police K9, the department has taken steps to ensure the tragedy never happens again. Big Island Now.

Residents across Big Island mourn the loss of beloved, dedicated emergency physician in head-on collision. Hilo Benioff Medical Center announced the passing of a beloved and longtime emergency department doctor, Dr. Judy Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald and the other driver, later identified as 34-year-old Caitlin Smith of Hilo, were transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where Fitzgerald was later pronounced dead. Smith was treated for minor injuries. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Hawaii’s Big Island bans feeding feral cats in an effort to help endangered native species. A Hawaii County law set to take effect at the start of the new year bans feeding feral animals on county property. It’s an effort to protect native species, such as an endangered goose called the nene, from a super predator introduced to the islands by Europeans in the 18th century. Associated Press.

Maui

Access to Lahaina Historic District adjusted as harbor operations resume. Following one week of operations at the State of Hawaiʻi’s Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, some adjustments are being made to the public access plan for the Lahaina Historic District. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai County adopts climate change action plan. Kauai County mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has signed the county’s first comprehensive plan focused on addressing climate change. The Kauai Climate Adaptation and Action plan was developed over the course of four years and was informed by both research and community feedback. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi film commissioner finds success as productions continue to film on the island. Despite rising costs, union strikes, and increasing competition from overseas markets, Kauaʻi’s Film Commissioner Sandy Kaʻauwai has kept Kauaʻi on the industry’s radar. Kauai Now.

DOJ moves to block green fee on cruise ships, Health Department amends medical cannabis rules, Hawaii County Council advances plastic foodware ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Fee showdown: DOJ moves to block Hawaii’s climate surcharge. There’s a new twist in the fight over Hawaii’s new Green Fee. The U.S. Department of Justice is jumping into the lawsuit against the state, and it could become a national test case about who gets to regulate ships. KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers call for colleague to step forward in bribery investigation. State Reps. Della Au Belatti, a Democrat, and Kanani Souza, a Republican, are publicly calling for a colleague linked to a federal bribery investigation to step forward and explain their role in the case. The unnamed legislator is connected to the pay-to-play scandal that sent two former lawmakers, Kalani English and Ty Cullen, to prison in 2022. Hawaii News Now.

Medical Cannabis Dispensary Rules Amended By Health Department. State officials are proposing several changes to the rules regarding medical cannabis dispensaries in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Evaluation committee for Act 310 nonprofit grants to announce application decisions. The state’s Act 310 Nonprofit Grants Program evaluation committee will host an information briefing Thursday (Nov. 20) to announce decisions on grant applications for fiscal year 2026. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i DOE Wants $83,000 To Provide Data On Gender Equity In Schools. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education has recently stepped up its oversight of high school sports, but parents say they want more information on how female athletes are treated. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City Council advances bill to incentivize income-based rental housing program. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee advanced a bill Tuesday to try to make an unused affordable housing program more attractive to landlords. Hawaii Public Radio.

City council weighs new measures to curb soaring traffic deaths. With traffic deaths nearly doubling compared to last year, Honolulu City Council members said Wednesday they are considering every possible tool, from enforcement to new technology, to get drivers to slow down and pay attention. Hawaii News Now.

Contractor: City Offered $8M To Settle $320M Claim For Honolulu Rail Delays. Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV, which is still on the job, refiles a suit alleging HART exhibited an ‘inability to learn’ from its mistakes.  Civil Beat.

Fatal Police Shooting: Teen’s Family Could Get $1 Million Settlement. The Honolulu City Council is slated to vote on whether to approve the settlement in the 2021 death of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap at its next meeting. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Kahala residents push for removal of homeless camps along stream. City officials recently replaced a gate to the access point for the Waialae Nui Stream near Malia Street after the one before it was torn out, allowing homeless people to crawl in. Hawaii News Now.

4 years after fuel leak, Board of Water Supply continues Red Hill remediation. Four years ago today, a massive jet fuel leak forever changed the Navy’s operations at its once-top-secret, underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa Valley. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers want service members to be able to seek damages for Red Hill. Two Pacific lawmakers are pushing the federal government to allow service members to seek compensation for toxic exposures connected to the Red Hill water crisis. Star-Advertiser.

How City Council could improve food security for Oʻahu residents. The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice has recommended that the Honolulu City Council work on four areas to improve food security on Oʻahu: disaster planning, summer feeding programs for children, kūpuna programs, and direct funding for food banks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Renowned Chef Chai leaves U.S. with return in doubt. Chai Chaowasaree, 63, will need permission from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to return to Hawaii after leaving to care for his ailing mother in Thailand. Star-Advertiser.

‘The future of Hawaiʻi’s film and television industry’: Local studio group unveils plans for new private studio near UH West Oʻahu. The master plan released on Nov. 19 included renderings and stage layouts for the proposed studio, as the group is currently in final negotiations with UH for a long-term ground lease and development agreement. KHON2.

Mayor urges Oahu residents to take community survey. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is urging Oahu residents to participate in the City and County of Hono­lulu’s 2025 Community Survey, an annual assessment that measures residents’ satisfaction and tracks priorities ranging from public safety and city services to housing, transportation and overall quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Disposable foodware bill passes first reading. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday advanced a second draft of Bill 83 on first reading with an 8-1 vote, moving forward a proposal that would significantly expand the county’s restrictions on disposable plastic and polystyrene foodware. Tribune-Herald.

Funds eyed for Puapuaʻa Iki restoration in Kona. The Hawaii County Council is set to consider a proposed $1.9 million budget amendment today that would fund the restoration of more than 11 acres of deforested land and cultural sites in Puapua‘a Iki in North Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Tsunami evacuation exercise Friday in Keaukaha. According to a county press release, the exercise starts at 9 a.m. with students from participating schools following prepared evacuation plans as far as the airport gates at Andrews, Baker and Pua avenues. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Hawaiʻi’s New Remote Weather Stations Boost Wildfire Risk Assessment. The state has installed 16 new weather stations across Maui County since the deadly fires in August 2023 and plans to install more soon on other islands. Civil Beat.

Community survey asks about brownfield sites. Maui United Way, in partnership with Hā Sustainability, is inviting residents to participate in a short survey to help prioritize sites for environmental assessment and cleanup through the Maui United Way Environmental Recovery Initiative. Maui News.

Maui Council explores ways to reduce alarming rate of ocean drownings. Maui County faces a disproportionately high rate of ocean drowning fatalities, driven largely by the high number of visitors lured by the ocean’s beauty but unprepared for its hidden dangers. Maui Now.

‘Small in stature, huge in presence’: Maui bids aloha to Council Member Tasha Kama. Tears, laughter and the soaring voices of 31 grandchildren filled the Castle Theater on Wednesday morning to celebrate a life of love, service and faith as Maui bid farewell to Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank awarded $25,000 grant from Nareit Hawai‘i. Nareit Hawai‘i announced earlier this week that it is awarding a total of $120,000 in grants to five community nonprofits throughout the state. Kauai Now.

Enter to win a toilet from Kauai’s Department of Water. The department will hold a grand prize drawing for three toilets recognized by WaterSense, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that identifies water-efficient products that perform as well as or better than conventional models. Hawaii News Now.

Task force to investigate permit delays, voter overcount found in 2024 Kauai election, COVID cases rise, $400M housing aid coming to Maui wildfire survivors, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Task force created to investigate permitting delays statewide. Act 133 directs the state House of Representatives to work with a group of state and county officials to investigate and recommend action that the Legislature can take to address permitting delays. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii health officials urge vigilance as COVID cases rise again.  The Hawaii Department of Health today reported the statewide test positivity rate — or percentage of all tests that are positive — at 12.4% as of Saturday, up from 10.9% the previous week.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  KITV4.

Cuts to SNAP could deepen food insecurity in Hawaii. A new report by the Urban Institute finds that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits failed to cover the cost of a modestly priced meal in 99% of U.S. counties last year — and new federal legislation may widen the gap. Star-Advertiser.

Local food production advocates seek funding source for farmers after USDA cuts. Advocates for food production are looking for alternate funding sources for farmers after the federal government slashed $400 million from the nationwide Regional Food Business Centers program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Drastic changes could be coming to Hawaii's cruise industry. The State Department of Transportation plan reduces 50% of state greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. But to reach those goals it recommends cutting in half the number of cruise ships making calls in the islands. With a 75% reduction by the year 2035. KITV4.

Search Begins For New Kamehameha Schools Trustee. Trustees earn up to $186,000. Kamehameha Schools is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on its five-member board of trustees that controls the assets of one of the largest charitable trusts in the United States. Applications are due Sept. 1. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Farming Dispute On North Shore Highlights Zoning Challenges. Hawaiʻi needs more locally grown food, but plans for a vertical farm and aquaculture operation near Sunset Beach Park violate zoning rules and threaten the community character, critics say. Civil Beat.

Allegations of unsafe staffing triggers an ultimatum for Hawaii’s largest hospital. The Hawaii Nurses Association (HNA) says Queens Medical Center has not enforced nurse to patient ratios outlined in HNA’s new contract which was ratified in January. Hawaii News Now.

From supplies to haircuts, nonprofit helps families get back-to-school ready in Ewa Beach. The nonprofit Child & Family Service is welcoming families to its Ewa Beach office at 91-1841 Ft. Weaver Rd. this Saturday, July 26, from 2 to 6 p.m. Students in grades 6-12 can receive school supplies, including Sprayground backbacks (while supplies last), as well as physical exams by Physical Solutions and haircuts by Superior Blendz Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

 Falls of Clyde’s voyage has come to an end. A chapter in Hawaii’s maritime history is coming to a close. Shipwright LLC have started removing the 146-year-old Falls of Clyde. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

2 women found dead under Hilo banyan prompts scrutiny of other trees. Mayor Kimo Alameda said he has started surveying banyan trees across Hawaiʻi Island. He said the trees can act as hiding places, so some people live in them. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Lawsuit Alleges Mentally Disabled Inmate Was Preyed Upon. Drake Terlep was reportedly afraid to leave his cell in the Hilo jail, and finally killed himself. Civil Beat.

Maui

Wildfire survivors can tap into nearly $400M in aid. Maui County plans to begin accepting applications on Aug. 11 from low- and moderate-income households to replace housing lost in the disaster, which county officials say destroyed about 5,500 residences including rental apartments. Star-Advertiser.

County completes Amala Place cleanup with 16 cars towed, 13 tons of trash removed. A two-day dispersal of more than 40 homeless people and the subsequent cleanup of Amala Place was completed Saturday morning with 16 vehicles towed and 13 tons of trash removed, according to Maui County officials. Maui News.

New fire station coming to Olowalu. The West Maui Improvement Foundation announced that the Olowalu fire station project has raised enough money to be built. KHON2.

Mayor Bissen announces return of Maui County Fair with rides Oct. 2-5. The 98th Maui County Fair is now being supported by the County of Maui and will be held at War Memorial Special Events Complex. The fair did not continue after 2019 due to financial and other challenges. Maui Now. Maui News. 

Kauai

Investigation Finds Vote Discrepancies In 2024 Kauaʻi Election. A state Elections Commission subcommittee found evidence that the state counted hundreds more ballots than were cast on Kauaʻi. Civil Beat.

Brown water advisory issued for two bays on Kaua‘i. According to a press release from the Hawai‘i Department of Health, the advisories are for Wailua Bay and Hanalei Bay, which is 26 miles north.  Kauai Now.

Green signs nation's first climate change fee on lodging, Honolulu council advances sewer fee hike, mandatory water restrictions on Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green signs the nation's first climate impact fee into law. Everyone who stays in a Hawaii hotel, cruise ship or other lodging beginning Jan. 1 will pay an extra $3 for every $400 in overnight costs — or an additional $30 for every $4,000 spent to stay in the islands — to help Hawaii pay to address climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

CORRECTION: We at All Hawaii News apologize for errors in the above story that were carried over from an original source. They have subsequently been corrected.

Legislation aims to crack down on cannabis industry, improve oversight. Several bills passed in the 2025 Legislative Session, aimed at improving transparency and oversight in Hawaiʻi’s growing hemp industry, and addressing safety and continued access for patients relying on cannabis for medical treatment. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Has A New Ghost Gun Law. Will It Make A Difference? Prosecutors in Hawaiʻi and Maui counties have used the 2020 statute to charge more than 50 people, according to court records reviewed by Civil Beat. But their counterparts in the state’s most populous county, Honolulu, have found the law hard to enforce. Civil Beat.

Protecting Hawaiʻi’s vulnerable youth aim of 3 measures waiting for governor’s signature. Senate Bills 292 and 951 along with House Bill 613 focus on accountability, safety and access to essential services. Kauai Now.

Senior enlisted man based in Hawaii will advise Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Pentagon announced Tuesday that Fleet Master Chief David Isom, a seasoned combat veteran, has been selected to serve as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or SEAC. He will be the sixth person to take on the position since it was was created in 2005. Star-Advertiser.

Lunch Debt And Book Fines Are The Last Barriers To Graduation. Hawaiʻi requires high school seniors pay off school debts before donning a cap and gown. Not all families can afford to. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council advances sewer fees bill. Budget Committee Chair Tyler Dos Santos-­Tam’s version of the measure, which shaves the city’s decade-­long span for increased rates down to about six years, will start Jan. 1, 2026 and run through 2031. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Rail guideway construction hop over Kalihi causes conflicts. Construction of the rail guideway for Honolulu’s Skyline is suddenly on the verge of reaching downtown and Kakaako after the contractor decided to do the last mile of guideway and stations and come back later to finish in Kalihi. Hawaii News Now.

Developer applies for permit to demolish Aloha Stadium. This permit may not look like much, but it’s the next significant step in Hawaiʻi’s journey to build the New Aloha Stadium. KHON2.

Grand opening for Humane Society’s dog park set for Saturday. The official opening of the Schuler Family Foundation and Jones Family Community Dog Park comes nearly two years after the Society’s Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili opened in Leeward Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mandatory 25% water restriction effective until further notice in Hakalau. A significant reduction in spring flows and operational issues with a backup well have caused Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply to implement a mandatory 25% water restriction ‘ effective immediately and until further notice — for customers in the Hakalau area of East Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking is Thursday for Papa‘aloa Park covered playcourt. The playcourt will replace the park’s plantation-area gymnasium that was razed in May 2022 after the building was declared unsalvageable due to extensive termite damage. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council Funds Affordable Housing, New Program To Help Working Poor. Council members at first wanted to trim the budget. Instead they added programs to help residents struggling to make ends meet. Maui Now.

Maui Bicycling League urges action on Vision Zero following well-attended Ride of Silence. The Maui Bicycling League hosted its annual Ride of Silence on Saturday, May 24, along the Maui Veterans Highway Bike Path, drawing 37 riders and a powerful show of support from Maui County officials and the Maui Police Department. Maui Now.

Kauai

Final workshop for Waimea 400 housing project scheduled this week. The workshop — scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the cafeteria at Waimea Canyon Middle School — will provide residents with updates about the county’s progress for the entire Waimea 400 site. Kauai Now.

Central Pacific Bank Līhuʻe Branch relocates. Central Pacific Bank has moved to a new location in Līhuʻe as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment and transition plan to serve the Garden Isle community. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Green granted $200M discretionary spending, Tokioka named DBEDT director, cruise ships return with a vengeance, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s cruise ship tourism picks up steam. The winds are shifting for Hawaii’s cruise ship trade as bookings catch up with pent-up demand for travel after the state went almost two years without a single sailing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Gov. Green’s $200M ‘pot of money’ under scrutiny. Some House members who voted in protest against the new state budget ended the legislative session with questions about how leaders of both chambers ended up granting Gov. Josh Green power to use $200 million — accompanied by “safeguards” — to spend any way he wants. Star-Advertiser.

Green Picks Former Legislator Tokioka To Lead the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. James “Jimmy” Kunane Tokioka is a former member of the Kauai County Council and Hawaii State House of Representatives with a background in the hotel industry. He left the Legislature last year to be Green’s director of the airports division in the state Department of Transportation. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.  Maui Now.  Garden Island. Kauai Now.

How major bills fared at the Capitol. Here is the status of major bills following the end of the 60-day legislative session known as “sine die.”  Star-Advertiser.

Chaos at the Capitol is part of lawmaking in Hawaii. Many bills fell by the wayside amid the rush, or “cattle call” as some observers called it, including legislation where agreement was lacking but also some bills where no conference committee quorum could be arranged or a key lawmaker was elsewhere when their vote was needed. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Legislature Delivers Mixed Bag On Climate, Environment Solutions. Lawmakers punted on key cesspool measures, but they made some progress on conservation and the state's zero-emission goals. Civil Beat.

Hawaii doctors to get more from Medicaid. Hawaii doctors are poised to get paid more for treating Medicaid patients after state lawmakers inserted $60 million into the state biennium budget to boost reimbursement rates for the government insurance plan that primarily covers low-income and disabled residents. Star-Advertiser.

Health advocates praise vape bill’s passage. Senate Bill 975 Opens in a new tab taxes electronic smoking devices and e-liquids at the same level as other tobacco products and prohibits the shipping of vaping products to anyone other than licensed retailers. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

HMSA employees say executive compensation came as a shock. Employees at the Hawaii Medical Service Association say they’re angry after learning that top executives at their company raked in large pay increases during the COVID-19 pandemic while at the same time curtailing pay raises and benefits for regular employees. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu reduces workforce vacancies, but slightly. To drive down the more than 3,000 vacancies plaguing the ranks of the city’s workforce, Mayor Rick Blangiardi in 2022 sought to quash the six-month wait it took to fill an average City and County of Honolulu employee position. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council Members Hope To Strengthen New Historic Preservation Commission. The Oahu Historic Preservation Commission, the city’s newest oversight board, is going to be more muscular and better staffed than originally envisioned, if City Council members Tommy Waters and Esther Kiaaina have their way. Civil Beat.

Grant to foster traditional watershed management. Groups led by Malama Maunalua, have been awarded an $8 million National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grant to utilize the traditional ridge-to-reef ahupuaa strategy to address habitat degradation in the Niu, Kuliouou, and Wailupe watersheds of Maunalua Bay. Star-Advertiser.

Joint Task Force-Red Hill releases investigation into November forever chemical spill. Six months ago, the U.S. Navy reported a 1,300 spill of a highly concentrated Aqueous Film Forming Foam at the infamous Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

Hawaii Island

Scientists look to cull invasive beetle decimating Hawaii coffee. Researchers plan to import a population of parasitic wasps to manage an invasive insect devastating Hawaii’s coffee industry. Tribune-Herald.

Coffee bill passed – Bill expands current coffee-labeling requirements. Although it’s not what coffee farmers were hoping for, the first step to protect the name Kona and other geographic names for the coffee grown and produced in the state was passed through the Hawaii Senate and awaits Gov. Josh Green’s signature. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island hospitals awarded nearly $70M. The state Legislature has awarded Hilo Medical Center, Hawaii island’s largest hospital, $50 million for its long-awaited expansion project to help address overcapacity. The Legislature also appropriated Kona Community Hospital with $18.5 million to make urgently needed infrastructure repairs. Star-Advertiser.

Ceremony celebrates Edith Kanaka‘ole’s commemorative coin. Hundreds of people filled the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Performing Arts Center on Saturday to honor the legacy of Edith Kanaka‘ole, a revered Hawaiian educator, composer, singer and dancer. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County lawmakers mull wins, defeats as session ends. Lawmakers feel Maui County fared well this legislative session, with funding for a variety of local projects, bills passed to address the lack of medical professionals as well as legislation and funding to help ease the housing crisis. Maui News.

With One Airline Left, Molokai And Lanai Residents Struggle To Access Medical Care. Living on Hawaii’s least populated islands means specialized medical care is not readily available. It’s always been part of the reality on Molokai and Lanai, but the challenge has become increasingly severe due to air travel options. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Meeting Tuesday is on further Kawaihau Road improvement plans. The county Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on May 9 frm 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Catherine Church Coyle Hall to review the developing design concepts for the Kawaihau Road Improvements Project, for the area from St. Catherine Church to Ka‘apuni Road. Garden Island.

Mongoose captured at Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauaʻi. While mongoose populations are well-established on O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i and Hawai‘i Island, the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee continues to successfully prevent the animal from gaining a foothold on the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.

Congressman Kahele shuns Washington for Hawaii, House-Senate Mauna Kea showdown looms, Maui officials get 5% raises, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep Kai Kahele ©2022 All Hawaii News

Has US Rep. Kai Kahele Given Up On Washington? The Hawaii congressman, who hasn’t been to the nation’s capital since January, has been having other members cast his votes for months. Civil Beat.

Working in Legislature gives Sylvia Luke a leg up in lieutenant governor’s race. State Rep. Sylvia Luke has a clear advantage over the four other candidates running for lieutenant governor as the only one currently serving in elected office and, especially, as chairwoman of the powerful House Finance Committee. Star-Advertiser.

Big state budget proposal moves forward with anticipated record surplus. The state Senate is ready to vote on a draft budget that increases spending — thanks to higher than expected revenues that have resulted in a big surplus. Lawmakers said a lot of the anticipated record surplus will go toward restoring critical programs and services, many of which were stalled during the COVID lockdown. But some watchdog groups are cautioning against boosting the budget too quickly. Hawaii News Now.

State budget proposal has significant allocations for child welfare programs. The state Senate Ways and Means Committee approved a version of Gov. David Ige’s proposed fiscal year 2022-2023 operating budget on Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

Patients Are Dying Before They Can Get Help To Kill Themselves. Advocates hope House Bill 1823 will lower barriers to medically assisted suicide by making it easier for  doctors to prescribe medications and lowering wait times. Civil Beat.

A group of chemicals found in nonstick cookware and firefighting foam could soon be banned from some products in Hawaii as a growing body of research shows they’re polluting the environment and suspected of causing health problems, including cancer. Hawaii House Bill 1644 would prohibit the manufacture and sale of certain items that contain PFAS: wraps and liners, plates, food boats and pizza boxes. Civil Beat.

For the first time in more than two years, The Pride of America Cruise ship has relaunched their inter-island sailings. Hawaii DOT officials say for the initial trips, the Norwegian Cruise liner will only be at 50% capacity, which is just over 1,000 passengers and crewmembers aboard. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Hot, dry summer could bring mandatory water restrictions on Oahu. If conditions continue to trend drier going into the hotter summer months, water customers from the Aiea-Halawa area to Hawaii Kai could face mandatory water restrictions and the potential for periods of low water pressure and water outages due to the problems linked to the Red Hill crisis. Star-Advertiser.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirms pledge to defuel Red Hill. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated Thursday the Defense Department’s pledge to defuel the Red Hill fuel storage facility, but did not give a timeline for doing so. Hawaii Public Radio.

Students, staff at schools affected by Red Hill fuel leak remain wary of tap water. The caution tape finally has been stripped off nearly all the sink faucets and drinking fountains at Red Hill Elementary School, now that the fuel contamination warnings have been lifted. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu developers face fallout from the Navy’s Red Hill water crisis. The potential water shortage facing urban Honolulu is already threatening to hold up hundreds of units of affordable housing, new residential and commercial projects in Kakaako and a major environmental upgrade to a sewage treatment plant, among other planned developments — a predicament that could have far-reaching effects on the island’s economy. Star-Advertiser.

Upstart company wants to establish garbage-to-energy power plant to rival Oahu’s power facility. An upstart Hawaii company aims to establish a second garbage-to-energy power plant on Oahu using technology proclaimed as superior to the city’s long-running H-POWER facility. Star-Advertiser.

City: New modular complex could be model for future affordable housing projects. The complex is made out of modular units built in Canada. Two years ago, the City Council urged leaders to consider this kind of construction to speed up the process. Hawaii News Now.

Why More Apartment Buildings May Not Be The Answer To Oahu’s High Housing Costs. A Canadian asset management company is stepping into a void with more than 1,000 apartments built or planned for Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Sticker shock: Businesses beg for property tax relief. Hawaii Island business groups, facing steep increases in property values, are clamoring for relief from taxes set forth in a record high $689.9 million budget proposed by Mayor Mitch Roth. West Hawaii Today.

State House and Senate on a collision course over future of astronomy on Mauna Kea. Change to Maunakea bill gives joint authority to UH, new state entity. After a Friday meeting of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, House Bill 2024, which is intended to transfer authority of the Maunakea summit lands to a newly formed state entity, passed with additional amendments that allow the University of Hawaii to retain control of astronomy on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Army seeks input on PTA lease. The U.S. Army is requesting public feedback on a draft environmental impact statement that will determine whether part of the Pohakuloa Training Area will remain under Army management. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Waipio Valley Road Closure Prompts Community Organizing, Legal Action. The road closure, which took many by surprise, has provoked emotional divisions among diverse groups of people who use the valley. Civil Beat.

Maui

Panel awards pay raises to mayor, council. Five percent salary increase to take effect July 1. Reversing a decision four months ago to defer pay raises for the mayor and County Council, the Maui County Salary Commission voted Friday to give 5 percent salary increases to the elected officials. Maui News.

Two longtime West Maui politicians aim to change course. Cochran shifts from county to state politics, McKelvey pulls papers for state Senate. Two longtime West Maui politicians are looking to head in a new direction, with one venturing from county to state politics and the other hoping to move from the state House to the state Senate. Maui News.

Hula advocates urge full support for Maui’s proposed Hālau of ʻOiwi Art. Many of the more than 50 people who testified during a budget committee meeting on Friday voiced support for funding of Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art, a center dedicated to the study, practice, celebration and perpetuation of hula and various ‘ōiwi arts connected to hula. Maui Now.

Maui County seeking applications for Recycling Grant Program. The Maui County Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division is soliciting grant applications for the recycling grant program for fiscal year 2023. Maui Now.

Health officials shut down Lahaina restaurant after seeing cockroaches, a cat and a rat. The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch has issued a red “closed” placard and shut down a restaurant in Lahaina due to pests, food debris, grease accumulation and more. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Slight bump in homelessness. The Point-in-Time Count, conducted by Bridging the Gap, a coalition of agencies working to end homelessness on the neighbor islands, showed that there were 444 homeless individuals on island — a 5% increase over the 424 in 2020. Garden Island.

Kamokila future is up in the air as eviction looms. With an eviction deadline approaching, the future of the Kamokila Hawaiian Village in Wailua is hanging in the balance. Garden Island.

Maui enacts hotel moratorium, first cruise ship in almost 2 years docks at Honolulu Harbor, PUC chairman stepping down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Flowers and fruit at Hawaii farmers market ©2022 All Hawaii News

A New Crop Of Farmers Is Helping Hawaii Grow More Food. It’s not easy to make a living in agriculture. But some intrepid residents are trying to answer the state’s call to wean the islands off imported food. Civil Beat.

Interest is high now that electric guns are legal to buy and carry in Hawaii. The sale and possession of electronic guns became legal in Hawaii on Jan. 1, but it will be at least several weeks before they are available to the public. Star-Advertiser.

State lawmakers want a detailed plan for transition to 100% clean energy by 2045. State lawmakers are asking for a detailed plan on how the state will transition to clean energy by 2045. Senators were briefed on a budget request by the Department of Business, Economic, Development and Tourism on Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Report: Solar Panels Might Endanger Hawaii’s Birds. Reducing the attractiveness of solar panels to birds by tilting them upright overnight is among the proposed deterrents. Civil Beat.

Hawaii PUC Chairman Stepping Down In June. Public Utilities Commission chairman James (Jay) Griffin has told Gov. David Ige that he will be stepping down from the PUC at the end of his term, which expires on June 30. Civil Beat.

New East-West Center president brings Hawaiian values to complex Asia-Pacific challenges. With the start of 2022, the center welcomed Suzanne Vares-Lum as its new president. The first woman and Native Hawaiian to hold the position, she grew up in Hawaiʻi, graduating from ʻAiea High School and the University of Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Pacific University Hopes A New School Of Nursing Will Boost Recruiting Efforts. The need to attract more nurses is a longstanding problem in Hawaii, but the pandemic has intensified the problem. Civil Beat.

Miscovich: State needs more COVID testing. Hawaii is dangerously underestimating the omicron variant, a health care executive said Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii records 3 new coronavirus-related deaths, 4,578 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 3,212 new cases on Oahu, 364 on Hawaii Island, 679 on Maui, 226 on Kauai, 20 on Molokai, eight on Lanai, and 69 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

First cruise ship in nearly 2 years docks in Honolulu with more than 2,000 passengers. The first cruise ship in nearly two years arrived in the Honolulu Harbor Sunday. But with the recent surge of the Omicron variant, critics say it’s too soon to reopen Hawaii’s ports to the cruise business. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

SHOPO Leader Wants Faster Progress In Finding A New Honolulu Police Chief. The union’s newly elected president, Robert Cavaco, criticized the police commission’s decision to hire a consulting firm to help with the search. Civil Beat.

Coast Guard acquiring new aircraft, $45 million hangar at Barbers Point. In late October the Honolulu-based Coast Guard cutter Kimball returned home after a 66-day patrol to the Bering Sea and Arctic during which it shadowed four Chinese navy ships — a guided missile cruiser and destroyer and intelligence and auxiliary ships — operating as close as 46 miles off the Aleutian Islands. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable rentals available in new Waikiki high-rise. The developer of the first rental apartment tower built in Waikiki in over 20 years has scheduled a lottery to pick tenants for 38 studios reserved for households with lower-moderate income. Star-Advertiser.

Miske’s Hawaii Kai Home Is For Sale, But He’s Unlikely To Get The Proceeds. The waterfront property has been encumbered by the federal government’s intent to seek its forfeiture if Miske is convicted on the charge of racketeering conspiracy. Civil Beat.

Oahu homes stay above $1 million to end 2021 as sales slip. Tight inventory in Oahu’s housing market finally pulled down single-family home sales to end 2021 but is expected to keep upward pressure on prices this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Waikoloa bus drivers to get a break(room), Pahoa bus hub could get a public library. For years, Hele-On bus drivers taking the cross-island trek to deliver passengers to Waikoloa resorts have had to wait in their buses for up to seven hours before making the return trip. West Hawaii Today.

Hele-On riders offered free Bikeshare use. Following Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency’s recent push for a fare-free bus system, passengers can now add HIBIKE Bikeshare to their passes at no cost. Passengers who request an access code from bus drivers will receive a card with the printed code, which is valid for 30 minutes of bike use. Tribune-Herald.

Commission stymied on sewer charge: Property owner seeks reimbursement of 23 years of past bills. The question of whether a storage shed with restroom and laundry facilities should be billed for sewer service is apparently more complicated than first envisioned, at least for the Environmental Management Commission. West Hawaii Today.

Increased home sales expected to continue in 2022. After a strong year for Big Island real estate, agents expect 2022 will be almost as robust. Tribune-Herald.

Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Canceled. The current surge in COVID-19 cases has prompted officials to rethink holding even a scaled-down version of the event next month. Big Island Video News. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Council overrides mayor’s moratorium veto. Measure puts a pause on new visitor lodgings while council seeks solutions. Maui County Council members Friday evening voted to override Mayor Michael Victorino’s veto of a bill that establishes a temporary moratorium on new transient accommodations on Maui. Maui News.

Minor shipping disruptions amid COVID-19 impacts at Young Brothers on Maui. Temporary interisland shipping disruptions are expected for small container or palletized shipping as a result of COVID-19 related worker impacts at the Young Brothers shipyard on Maui, Mayor Michael Victorino confirmed. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Governor Ige extends emergency relief period for Maui’s axis deer problem. Governor David Ige signed a supplemental proclamation that extends the emergency relief period for conditions created by the overpopulation of axis deer in Maui County. Maui Now.

Maui Turo owners pivot to keep up with growing car rental supply. Maui residents with vehicles listed under Turo are finding problems getting the same attention they had over the summer even with the largest vacation rental supply in the state. Maui Now.

Kauai

PMRF field-constructed tank on way to decommissioning. The Pacific Missle Range Facility is home to one of two field-constructed tank sites operated by the U.S. Navy in Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Construction underway for the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge viewpoint. Visitors and residents can look forward to a new spot to enjoy the beauty of the Hanalei Valley as seen from above it. Garden Island.