Trump signs Hawaii disaster declaration, Honolulu firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay, Maui doctor found guilty of attempted manslaughter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump signs disaster declaration for Hawaii. President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Hawaii in the aftermath of the two Kona-low storms that pummeled the islands over a 14-day period last month, Gov. Josh Green announced Wednesday night. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. Big Island Video News.

Cut State Jobs, Keep Tax Cuts? Hawaiʻi Senate Makes Budget Pitch. Faced with federal budget cuts, lawmakers hope to balance the budget in part by wiping out positions that have been vacant for more than five years. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider banning disposable e-cigarettes. Disposable e-cigarettes could be banned in Hawaiʻi starting in 2027. State lawmakers are advancing a measure that would make it illegal to sell electronic smoking devices that don’t have refillable cartridges or a rechargeable battery. Hawaii Public Radio.

State legislators continue to question HPH-HMSA deal. The  House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce had many lingering concerns over the impacts of Hawaii Medical Service Association joining forces with Hawaii Pacific Health. Star-Advertiser.

Conservative Activists Take Aim At Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship. A new lawsuit filed by a legal advocacy nonprofit says a 35-year-old federal scholarship program that brought Native Hawaiian doctors to the islands is unconstitutional. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Director Wants To Return To Honolulu Police Department. Mike Lambert said he had hoped to stay longer with DLE but plans to step down this summer because of a retirement system issue. Civil Beat.

‘Strongest in the nation’: DBEDT on Hawaii unemployment rate. January’s unemployment rate of 2.2 percent compares to the national rate of 4.3 percent, which was down from 4.4 percent in December. KHON2.

Oahu

Firefighters ratify $11.7M COVID hazard pay. Honolulu firefighters are set to receive $11.7 million in temporary hazard pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials say. The agreement provides up to $7,500 in compensation for each city firefighter who worked during the national public health emergency that began in March 2020 and ended in March 2022. Star-Advertiser.

COVID-19 fraud case is possibly resolved. A 31-year-old Kapolei woman facing federal criminal charges after allegedly stealing another person’s identity in a scheme to steal more than $36,000 in unemployment insurance and COVID-19 assistance may have reached a resolution with the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

About 4,000 more Oʻahu properties could be required to have flood insurance. Decades-old maps that the federal government uses to determine which properties are high flood risks will be updated on June 10, expanding to include more homes near coasts and streams. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

General Plan changes blasted; Kierkiewicz’s revision draws sharp criticism. The Hawaii County Council chambers rang out with criticisms Tuesday as a committee meeting meant to consider a long-term planning document devolved into accusations, lawsuits and conspiracy theories. Tribune-Herald.

Kona attorney confirmed as District Court judge. The Hawaii State Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Andrew Michael Kennedy to serve as a Hawaii Island District Court judge, following his appointment by Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui doctor who attacked wife on Nuuanu trail found guilty of attempted manslaughter. An Oahu Circuit Court jury rendered a guilty verdict on the lesser charge of attempted manslaughter Wednesday in the trial of 47-year-old Maui anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig accused of trying to kill his wife March 24, 2025, while hiking on the Pali Puka Trail in Nuuanu. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui. The beetle has become emblematic of the state’s decades-long struggle to contain and mitigate the impacts of invasive species throughout the islands.  Civil Beat. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi blesses first dedicated medical helicopter that started operations Wednesday. The new air medical service through Hawai’i Life Flight also will support inter-facility transfers to Līhuʻe’s trauma center, cardiac catheterization laboratories and specialty care facilities on Oʻahu. Kauai Now.

Governor seeks federal disaster declaration; FEMA arrives on Maui; Honolulu traffic cams may ticket for lapsed registration, safety checks; lava zone insurance measure gutted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green requests federal disaster declaration for storm assistance. Gov. Josh Green has asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster to help Hawaii recover from the back-to-back Kona-low storm systems, with the hope that the federal government will provide up to 90% of funding for recovery efforts. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Will the Feds Help Hawaiʻi After the Floods? It’s Up to Trump. The president has denied and delayed requests for disaster aid from Democratic-led states. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green hopes that won’t be the case. Civil Beat.

The ferocity of the downpour that brought the latest Hawaii flooding surprised even meteorologists. Crews on Tuesday began evaluating damage from a surprise downpour that sent floodwaters raging through a neighborhood near downtown Honolulu — the latest bout in a series of storms and flooding that have pummeled the state over the past two weeks. Associated Press.

Hawaii farms report more than $15M in storm damage.  The Kona-low storms wreaked havoc on more than 1,000 acres of Hawaii farms statewide — from small farms growing fruits on Oahu’s North Shore to a longtime coffee farm on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Competing Energy Proposals Debate Which Will Limit Costs For Consumers. HECO says the cost to upgrade the old Waiau power plant exceeds what state utility regulators have allowed. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Traffic Cams May Soon Ticket For Registration, Safety Checks. One critic worries data from the cameras could be misused, but the state House gave preliminary approval to expanding the uses of the cameras. Civil Beat.

North Shore flood frustrations boil over as residents demand answers. Dozens packed the Waialua Elementary cafeteria Tuesday night, where a Neighborhood Board meeting quickly turned tense as frustrations over recent flooding boiled over. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

A plantation-era history of Wahiawā Dam as the state eyes acquisition. This week, the Hawaiʻi State Water Commission is taking up the issue of whether the state should acquire the Wahiawā Dam in Central Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu buses became evacuation vehicles for North Shore residents. When thousands of North Shore Oʻahu residents were told to evacuate Friday, some city bus drivers made the trip back toward the evacuation zones to help residents get to safety. Hawaii Public Radio.

SOS in sand saves couple stranded at Yokohama Bay for 24 hours. A stranded couple at Yokohama Bay was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after writing a large SOS in the sand during Kona low flooding on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Storm evacuees prioritized pets as floodwaters raged. Floodwaters from the second devastating storm that forced Oahu residents to flee early Friday morning revealed the frantic efforts of some evacuees to keep families safe, including their pets. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Trying To Bilk Miske Granddaughter Out Of Inheritance, Lawyer Says. Federal prosecutors say Miske killed himself in prison to prevent the government from seizing his $20 million estate. The trust’s lawyer is pushing back on that. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lava zones insurance measure is gutted by state Senate committee. The state Senate’s Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted unanimously Tuesday to heavily amend a bill originally meant to help pay for property insurance for Puna and Ka‘u residents living in high-risk lava zones. Tribune-Herald.

Four Mile Creek Bridge replacement project clears another hurdle. The long-awaited replacement of an old, well-traveled one-lane bridge that provides an access corridor between Highway 11 and Hilo’s southern outskirts is a step closer to reality. Tribune-Herald.

Kawamoto pool closed after lightning damages pump. Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium in Hilo is closed until further notice after the pool pump was damaged Monday during a lightning storm. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. 

A residential green waste removal effort is launching in the Kona Palisades area to reduce wildfire risk and limit the breeding habitat for the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Residents along Kaʻiminani Drive, from Māmalahoa Highway to Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, are invited to move green waste from their properties to the curb for collection. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA arrives on Maui as damage from storms climbs into hundreds of millions. Maui County officials are preparing for federal assistance as teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrive today to begin formal damage assessments following back-to-back Kona-low storms that battered the island chain. Star-Advertiser.

HIDOE schools reopening on Maui and Molokaʻi; closures continue on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education reports that school will reopen on Wednesday on Maui and Molokaʻi.  Maui Now.

Impassable roads, flooded homes as Molokaʻi tackles post-storm recovery. Residents on Molokaʻi have been trying to salvage their belongings from flooded homes, and some of them had to evacuate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor to hold community meetings in storm-impacted areas of Upcountry, ʻĪao Valley, South Maui, Lahaina and Molokaʻi. County staff from the departments of Public Works, Environmental Management, Water Supply, Emergency Management and ʻŌiwi Resources will attend to provide response updates and help with any questions. Maui Now.

Draft EIS published for Hoʻonani Village development in Puʻunēnē. The Maui Planning Commission called for an environmental impact review for the proposed 1,608-unit Hoʻonani Village development in Puʻunēnē, and developers have delivered a draft study with public comments due May 7. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Community College to host career fair for first time in 10 years. The career fair will be on campus from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. The event is designed to provide students, recent graduates, and alumni with a dedicated “safe space” to transition from the classroom to the professional world. Kauai Now.

A special gathering to recognize Kauai’s Jewish community. A special gathering on Monday filled the rotunda of the Moikeha Building with song and merriment as Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami joined the Kauai Jewish Community, friends, and interfaith groups in recognizing Kauai’s Jewish community. Garden Island.

Experts predict less federal funding, higher costs for Hawaii under Trump; DLNR changes seabird rescue guidelines as avian flu spreads; Honolulu transit loses $100k from cyberattack, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump wants to slash federal funding. Here's what that could mean for Hawaiʻi. Federal funds make up about 20% — or over $3 billion — of the state's budget financing. President-elect Donald Trump has made bold claims about slashing the federal budget. Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation, who are all Democrats, are bracing for what that could mean for the federal funding Hawaiʻi receives. Hawaii Public Radio.

How will Trump’s tariffs affect Hawaii? Hawaii Pacific University economist Gerard Dericks said that an increase of $2,000 to $3,000 in spending a year can be expected. Dericks also said an across the board tariffs could impact the ability for domestic and international travelers to spend money. That would clearly impactful Hawaii's number one business sector, the tourism industry. KITV4.

Former State Archaeologist Faces Ethics Probe Into Revolving Door Allegation. A former State Historic Preservation Division archaeologist faces an ethics investigation into an allegation he violated the state’s “revolving door” policy by going to work for a private business before a required one-year cooling off period.  Civil Beat.

You Thought $9 For A Dozen Eggs Was Bad? Bird Flu Might Make It Even Worse. Local chickens are in good health -- but they face a potential threat. Civil Beat.

State adds guidelines for rescue of downed seabirds due to H5N1. The disease, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has not yet been detected in native seabirds, according to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the risk of human transmission is low. DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, however, has amended its seabird rescue guidance to minimize transmission risk. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s hurricane season is below average. As Hawaii’s hurricane season comes to a close, the Central Pacific saw only two tropical cyclones develop, including the more damaging one, which walloped Hawaii Island in August, along with damage to parts of Maui and Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

Oahu

At least $100K in transit fare revenue lost from cyberattack. A crippling cyberattack that targeted TheBus and The­Handi-Van earlier this year wound up costing the city $100,000 or more in lost fare revenues, Honolulu officials indicate. Star-Advertiser.

Concern for endangered birds rises as avian flu turns up at Kahuku wildlife refuge. The discovery of the state’s second bird flu location — a North Shore wildlife refuge — is raising fears that the virus will spread island-wide. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed that the infected bird was at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, home to several endangered and endemic species like the Hawaiian stilt and the Koloa duck. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Honokōhau Harbor’s new Hawaiian monk seal pup neighbor welcomed, but maybe too much? The monk seal pup tagged number T64/T65 and named Keaka is a frequent visitor to busy Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor in Kona, a sprawling West Hawai‘i harbor and marina that serves hundreds of commercial and recreational vessels. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA’s Plan For Maui Wildfire Survivors Lacked Safeguards For Residents. FEMA officials said they didn’t want their housing program for survivors of Maui’s 2023 wildfires to displace any residents. But they didn’t bar the agency’s contractors from leasing properties previously occupied by long-term tenants. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s congressional delegation races for federal funding to rebuild housing after Maui wildfires. Hawaii’s congressmembers are racing to get billions of dollars in disaster aid approved for Hawaii and dozens of other states. So far, just two homes have been rebuilt since Maui’s disaster nearly 14 months ago. Wildfires killed more than more than 100 people, destroyed 2,200 structures, caused $5.5 billion in damage, and left 12,000 homeless. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Council member urges Maui Health System to provide fair contract. Maui County Council member Tamara Paltin introduced a resolution on Tuesday, Nov. 26, urging Maui Health to “negotiate in good faith” with healthcare workers on Maui and Lanai. KHON2.

Kauai

Kaua’i Police Department honors officers for excellence in service. Officer Alexander Lacson was named this year’s recipient of the TOP COP Award, presented annually by the Law Enforcement and Security Coalition of Hawaiʻi.  Garden Island.