Kamehameha Schools sued over race-based admissions, Hawaii losing $120M a week from federal shutdown, Maui residents sue council over Sunshine Law, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Kamehameha Schools sued over race-based admissions. The nonprofit group that successfully challenged race-conscious college admissions in the U.S. Supreme Court has filed a new lawsuit — this time against Kamehameha Schools — seeking to overturn the private institution’s long-standing policy of giving preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaiʻi Defense Contractor Gets Prison Time For Illegal Donations. A federal judge says Martin Kao’s prison sentence will be a deterrent for others. Civil Beat.

Hawaii tax director accused of creating ‘hostile’ work environment. Six state Tax Department employees — including the department’s human resources officer — allege that Tax Director Gary Suganuma has created an abusive and hostile work environment over issues that have nothing to do with assisting island taxpayers or ensuring that the state collects what it’s due. Star-Advertiser.

Democrats send 3 names to governor for Senate seat. The Democratic Party of Hawaii’s Oahu County Committee has selected Steven P. Canales, Rachele F. Lamosao and Dr. Inam U. Rahman for Gov. Josh Green’s consideration to fill the Senate District 19 seat left vacant by the retirement of state Sen. Henry Aquino (D, Pearl City-Waipahu-West Loch). Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green says Hawaii losing $120 million a week during government shutdown. We’re into day 20 of the federal government shutdown with wide-ranging impacts being felt in Hawaii, including federal employees and the University of Hawaii. KHON2.

State emergency officials say new rules and delays for FEMA grants put disaster response at risk. State officials on the front lines of preparing for natural disasters and responding to emergencies say severe cuts to federal security grants, restrictions on money intended for readiness and funding delays tied to litigation are posing a growing risk to their ability to respond to crises. Associated Press. 

Federal cuts and policies lead to 'crisis' for local agriculture, food security. In an informational briefing with state lawmakers Thursday, state officials and nonprofit representatives said the fallout and uncertainty from shifting federal policies make it difficult for farming operations to grow, or even continue. Hawaii Public Radio.

Farmworkers Earn Well Over Minimum Wage But Not Enough For Hawai‘i. Farm and ranch workers made almost $22 an hour on average last year but still fell just below the state’s survival wage. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Skyline counts 61,968 rides in first 4 days after new segment opened. City officials counted 61,968 rides taken on Skyline rail trains in the first four days after opening a new 5.2-mile segment that takes passengers into four, critical new stations, including Daniel K. International Airport. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

‘Complete Failure’: Honolulu Permit Workers Say Tech Upgrade Is A Bust. The permitting director insists the new program is working and problems are being fixed, but some staff are begging for a return to the old system. Civil Beat.

Land dispute causes reef and wave project to shift to Oʻahu's south shore. Instead of being placed in the water off Mōkapu near the marine base, it will end up off O'ahu’s south side. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waterway maintenance at Moanalua Valley stream begins. The city Department of Facility Maintenance says it began using heavy machinery on Friday ) at Manaiki Stream, located in a residential neighborhood within Moanalua Valley. Star-Advertiser.

What will new Business Improvement District mean for Downtown Honolulu? Downtown Honolulu has a new business improvement district. An effort to make the area safer and cleaner in the hopes it will attract more business, residents and visitors. With a signature Monday morning, Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi turned Act 51 into law. KITV4.

New bacteria species identified off coast of Hawaiian Islands. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa believe this discovery will shed light on how unseen microbial life connects Hawaiʻi’s land and sea ecosystems. Big Island Now.

100th public pre-K classroom opens in Hawaiʻi, advancing universal access for keiki. Hawaiʻi celebrated a milestone toward making preschool accessible to all keiki with the opening of the state’s 100th public pre-kindergarten classroom at Maunawili Elementary School in Kailua, Oʻahu. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Island

Commission to discuss search for next Hawaii County police chief. The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Friday in the Council Chambers of the County Building in Hilo to finalize key parts of the hiring process, including written questions for qualified applicants. The application deadline is Oct. 31. Tribune-Herald.

Pohoiki Dredging Project Fails To Open Boat Ramp. The Department of Land and Natural Resources acknowledged the community’s disappointment with the failure of the estimated $5.4-million project. Big Island Video News.

Aerial search conducted in Kona for invasive beetles. No coconut rhinoceros beetles have been detected in East Hawaii, but surveillance efforts are ramping up as the invasive pest remains active in West Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

County continues to make progress on Hilo skatepark. Slowly but surely, the effort to construct a skatepark in Hilo is making progress as contracts are executed for the design and permitting of the structures that may one day stand across from the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Tribune-Herald.

Café in Hilo shuts down after state inspection reveals roach infestation, food safety violations.  A roach infestation and multiple food safety violations forced the immediate shutdown of White Guava Café in Hilo. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui residents file Sunshine Law complaint against County Council over Waiʻehu housing vote. Waiʻehu community members who oppose the 119-unit Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua affordable housing project have escalated their fight, filing a formal Sunshine Law complaint against the Maui County Council. Maui Now.

Up to $100K available for nonprofits supporting Maui fire survivors' mental health. Organizations offering mental health services for Maui wildfire survivors could get a boost of funding. The Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative will be awarding grants to nonprofits that increase access to mental health resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Five teen girls charged in alleged assault at Kalama School. Several teenage girls were charged with assault and kidnapping after allegedly holding a 13-year-old boy in a sound proof room at the Kalama Intermediate School campus in Makawao on Friday afternoon.  Maui Now.

Maui Police Department’s new K9 makes first arrest. When Ku Makani, 1, isn’t working, he loves playing fetch, going on walks, being carried and head scratches. But when duty calls, the Belgian Malinois is serving and protecting the people of Maui County. Hawaii News Now.

Molokaʻi-based group to explore marine carbon dioxide removal. Researchers are exploring technologies that would pull carbon dioxide from the air and store it in the ocean. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Amazon Plans To Build A 42,000-Square-Foot Warehouse On Kauaʻi. A real estate development firm has plans to buy 14.6 acres in Līhuʻe to develop the 42,000-square-foot metal warehouse and distribution facility that would operate around-the-clock in the up-and-coming Ahukini Business Park. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Bus community outreach event scheduled this week. It will highlight the introduction of Kauaʻi Bus’ new battery electric buses and their connection to the Kauaʻi Bus Short Range Transit Plan and Kauaʻi Multimodal Land Transportation Plan. Kauai Now.

Tokuda raises hurricane concerns, Honolulu inflation among worst in the nation, ethics remains a concern in county government, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane concerns for isles increase after federal cuts. Hawaii’s hurricane outlook calls for a below-normal season, but ongoing cuts to the federal government have U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda concerned about the state’s ability to both predict the weather and respond if a hurricane hits the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Some Hawaiʻi Counties Are Shortchanging Efforts To Keep Government Ethical. Experts agree full-time staff support is essential to the success of the neighbor island boards, but only Maui is taking that step. Civil Beat.

UH board to vote on president’s athletics director pick. The University of Hawaii’s President Wendy Hensel picked Matt Elliot to lead the athletics department, now it’s up for approval at the UH Board of Regents meeting. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Report: Honolulu Inflation Among Worst In Nation. It’s a mixed bag. Inflation on Oʻahu ticked up very slightly in May and was higher than the nationwide rate, but continued an overall decline. Civil Beat.

City seeks developer for Iwilei transit-oriented housing. A master planning effort to potentially transform about 80 acres along Honolulu’s over $10-billion rail line into mixed-use, transit- oriented development is underway, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

An Embarrassing Housing Scam Triggers Big Island Reforms. A dishonest public worker and his partners slurped up millions of dollars by illegally manipulating a complex system of affordable housing credits. Civil Beat.

Goal of new partnership of hospitals: More specialty doctors for Big Island, fewer medical trips to Oʻahu. To alleviate the increasingly unmanageable workload, a shared workforce agreement was entered into at the beginning of June by Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation’s West Hawaiʻi Region, The Queen’s Health Systems on O‘ahu and Aliʻi Health Center in Kona. Big Island Now.

The Food Basket distributes $700,000 to dozens of Big Island ag operations. The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi Island has distributed around $700,000 in grants to over 30 island producers in an effort to promote local farming and improve food security. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ali‘i Drive to return to two-way traffic by Monday. The Hawaii County pilot program created 46 additional free parking stalls in the south-bound lane of that busy section of roadway. The program concluded after measuring the community’s feedback about the one-lane traffic pattern for more than 30 days. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Drones drop mosquitoes over Maui to save honeycreepers. Conservationists working to save Hawaii’s endangered, native birds are now using drones to deliver lab-reared, male mosquitoes over Maui. Star-Advertiser.

As Maui County farmers and ranchers grow old, younger replacements are desperately being sought. An aging farming community drastically needs to develop younger farmers to be able to take over the food production. Farms are not being handed down generation to generation as much as in the past. Maui Now.

Maui Wildfire Debris Is On The Move Again. What Happens Next? Maui County officials are still discussing the future use of the Olowalu site where wildfire debris is being temporarily stored. Civil Beat.

Former pineapple plantation operator in Hawaii embracing agave as new crop.  Maui Land & Pineapple Co. is ramping up plans to establish an agave tequilana farm on the Valley Isle. Star-Advertiser.

South Maui brush fire scorches 500 acres. A quick-spreading brush fire fueled by strong winds in Kahikinui scorched 500 acres of South Maui land Sunday, but no injuries or structural damages have been reported, according to the Maui Fire Department. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Investigators: High Winds, Rotor Flap Caused Fatal Kauaʻi Helicopter Crash. Three people died during an air tour over the Nāpali Coast in July 2024. Investigators attributed the accident to weather and a known weakness in the model of the helicopter. Civil Beat.

Princeville Public Library reopens today after closing for nearly 20 months for renovations. The project included replacing the air conditioning, repainting, re-flooring, and making structural improvements to both the interior and exterior of the building. Kauai Now.

Legislature advances 'green fee' on short-term stays, hotels and cruise ships; union workers get 4% or less raises; pay-to-play, sports betting bills DOA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Legislature Takes Historic Step Toward A Visitor ‘Green Fee’. Under the bill, the transient accommodations tax that visitors pay on their nightly hotel and short-term rental stays will increase by .75%, plus travelers who dock in Hawaiʻi on cruise ships will start paying that tax as well, to cover the new fee. Civil Beat.

New Contracts Give More Than $1 Billion In Union Pay Raises.  Unionized state workers received raises of 4% or less per year for the next four years. Civil Beat.

State bill would change oversight of Hawai’i Tourism Authority. State lawmakers advanced a bill by the Legislature session deadline that will significantly change the governance model for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for the first time since it created the agency in 1998. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Kill Pay-to-Play Bill — Again. The Legislature has refused to close a loophole in state law that has allowed millions of dollars to flow to Hawaiʻi political campaigns from people who get big state contracts. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers to vote on over 200 bills this week. If approved by the full House and Senate Wednesday, the bills would go to Gov. Josh Green, who has already signed 27 new laws this year, including further tightening firearms requirements across the islands, which already have some of the strictest firearms laws in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers scurry to advance flurry of bills past key deadline. Casualties included a bill to legalize online sports betting in Hawaii and one to give the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands an additional $600 million to develop homesteads for beneficiaries. Bills that cleared the hurdle included one to raise the state’s transient accommodations tax in part to help sustain Hawaii’s natural resources, and one to expand the use of cameras to ticket speeding drivers on roadways statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi will not legalize online sports betting this year. Online sports betting will not be legalized this legislative session. Lawmakers decided to defer the measure Friday afternoon. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Kill Pay-to-Play Bill — Again. The Legislature’s powerful money committees wouldn’t sign-off on what had become a much-watered down measure. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Lawmakers To Require Audit Of Green’s Kauhale Homeless Initiative. The governor says the funding legislators also approved will keep the state on track to have 30 kauhale villages by 2026. Civil Beat.

Bill to create food systems working group likely to pass Legislature. Senate Bill 1186, which passed the conference committee process this week, seeks to create a “statewide interagency food systems coordination team” that would include leaders along the food supply chain — from farms to restaurants. Hawaii Public Radio.

Reducing the Hawaiian homestead waitlist: DHHL on track to award 2,600+ leases in 2025. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands presented an ambitious awards schedule before the Hawaiian Homes Commission last week and announced its plan to issue more than 2,600 leases by the end of 2025. Big Island Now.

Hawaii is ranked low for emergency readiness. The Trust for America’s Health evaluated each state, using 10 key indicators ranging from public health funding to workforce mobility. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Too Many Exemptions From Empty Homes Tax Could Cost Honolulu $150 Million. The city council has been trying to pass a 1% to 3% tax for years but wants to target offshore investors, not local residents. Civil Beat.

Settlement in $324M Hitachi suit is coming, HART says. A more than $324 million lawsuit brought by rail’s principal contractor against the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in 2024 appears on the verge of a final settlement, while condemnation actions will proceed on four downtown area properties. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii crews clear 45 homeless camps on Diamond Head slopes. LNR officials said there are large amounts of camping gear and buckets of human waste that litter the slopes. Star-Advertiser.

Government gridlock on evacuation plan frustrates Leeward residents. Leeward Coast residents — already worried about being trapped if Farrington Highway turns into gridlock during an emergency — received frustrating news from federal, state and city governments recently that help isn’t coming anytime soon. Star-Advertiser.

Consumers in Hawaii prepare for tariffs’ impact. While businesses have already been hit hard by the international trade war, the impact has only just begun to trickle down to local customers and visitors, who will ultimately have to pay more to keep the businesses alive, according to Justin Tyndall, an associate professor at University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Next Waimea Town Meeting to dig deep into Hawai‘i County budget, revenue policies. North Hawai‘i community members have the opportunity to dig deep into Hawai‘i County budget and revenue policies — including those governing property taxes and short-term vacation rentals — during the next Waimea Town Meeting. Big Island Now.

‘They see things no one should see’: Book by UH Hilo professor being used to help first responders. First responders are learning about the surprising causes and unique therapies for challenges prevalent among their community thanks to workshops in Hilo and Kona that derive treatment strategies from a new book. Tribune-Herald.

Bikeshare ridership increases islandwide. Cyclists took 11,305 rides on rented bikes from HIBIKE kiosks across the island in 2023, which rose to 12,463 rides throughout 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Asks Feds To Flex Rules Governing $1.6 Billion Wildfire Recovery Grant. The county wants to use some of the money to rebuild accessory dwelling units but is primarily focused on securing final approval. Civil Beat.

Replanting at Kahoma Village to support Lahaina recovery, growth following wildfires. Nearly 200 Kahoma Village homeowners, community members, and local organizations gathered Saturday to restore the landscape in Lahaina by planting 100 native and resilient species to support ongoing post-wildfire recovery.  Maui Now.

Maui volunteers recycle mountains of fire-donated clothing otherwise doomed for the landfill. Clothes in good condition will be gifted to targeted community partners for those in need. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i state legislators tout support for key Garden Isle investments in state budget.  Here’s a look at important Kaua‘i County investments appropriated in the biennium state spending plan for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, from highest to lowest price tag. Kauai Now.

Kauai councilmember sounding ’emergency alarm’ on coconut rhinoceros beetles. Councilmember Fern Holland says the destructive beetle has been spotted from Hā’ena to Waimea. KHON2.

Tariffs, travel cuts start hitting home, HECO and state tackle wildfire prevention, Legislature earmarks $807M for Lahaina settlement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tariffs ‘significantly’ hitting Hawaii businesses. Nearly 70% of Hawaii businesses have been “significantly” affected by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and 27% have been “moderately” touched, according to preliminary results of a survey still being conducted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. In addition, government-related travel to Hawaii has fallen a whopping 50% since Trump took office and began slashing both federal spending and the federal workforce through Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi May Cut Grass On More State Land To Prevent Spread Of Wildfires. The state land department is asking for $10 million more to battle wildfires. Civil Beat.

HECO rolls out weather stations, AI cameras as part of wildfire safety plan. Hawaiian Electric's wildfire safety strategy includes installing over 50 weather stations mounted on utility poles across the state by this summer. HECO will also be installing nearly 80 cameras with artificial intelligence for early fire detection. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill to streamline unemployment applications sent to governor's desk. Representatives advanced House Bill 477 on Monday to streamline the application process for unemployment benefits, in part by allowing documents and decisions to be delivered electronically, instead of by mail. Hawaii Public Radio.

Leaders reach deal on state budget. State government funding is slated to be a little higher in the next two fiscal years compared with the current year under a budget agreement reached Monday evening by state House and Senate leaders. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Farmers And Ranchers Face $46 Million In Federal Funding Cuts. The USDA decision has led to lost jobs, confusion and a setback on climate initiatives in the agricultural sector. Civil Beat.

Oahu

9 HPD officers are named in civil suit alleging brutality. An amended federal civil complaint alleges nine Hono­lulu police officers beat a 25-year-old man after knowing he wasn’t the prime suspect in a Jan. 1, 2024, pursuit and gunfight with an attempted murder suspect. Star-Advertiser.

State set to pay $750,000 in wrongful death settlement. The state Legislature is expected to approve a $750,000 settlement in the 2019 wrongful shooting death of an unarmed, disabled, homeless man by an on-duty state deputy sheriff, who was not criminally held responsible but since faces scrutiny in the deaths of two more people in 2021 and 2022 while a police officer in San Diego. Star-Advertiser.

Busier West Oahu buses prompt a call for a transportation study, even after federal funds disappear. A study that would have a taken a closer look at bus rapid transportation for the Waianae Coast was funded until cuts to Congress took nearly $5 million away. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi’s Parks Are Strained. Should DOE Open Campuses To Help? With limited space at city parks, communities are calling for the education department to make schools more accessible for recreational use. Civil Beat.

City unveils Blaisdell’s new PV system. To celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, the City and County of Honolulu formally unveiled a massive installation of 4,554 large-format photovoltaic panels to assist in powering its prime entertainment venue. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘Franz gave so much of himself’; W. Hawaii residents mourn loss of community volunteer. Franz Weber, 71, president of the Hawaii Cycling League and a prolific West Hawaii community volunteer, died April 17 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, eight days after the Trek bicycle he was riding rear-ended a Motor Coach Industries tour bus that was stopped on the shoulder of Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 94.5-mile marker in North Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County to install fencing at Hilo Transfer Station. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management will begin installing about 600 linear feet of fencing improvements at the Hilo Transfer Station on Monday, April 28. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lawmakers Agree To Pay $807 Million Into Lahaina Wildfires Settlement Fund. The legislation is part of a $4 billion deal that includes money from HECO, Kamehameha Schools and others. Civil Beat.

Maui ethics board given more muscle, autonomy.  A voter-mandated law could expand the independence of the Maui County Board of Ethics, enabling its staff to perform more classes to promote ethical conduct as well as independent investigations into political wrongdoing.  Maui News.

Maui County’s labor force gaining somewhat, first time 19 months after wildfire disaster. Maui County’s labor market conditions have improved, as of March, with the number of employed people at 79,500 being the highest since the August 2023 wildfire disaster, said Chief State Economist Eugene Tian. Maui Now.

Kauai

Taking the battle to the beetles. Over the Easter weekend, a different kind of egg hunting occurred, as community volunteers hunted Kauai’s current invasive pest, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. Garden Island.

New agricultural park aims to innovate, accelerate Kauaʻi farming businesses. Mālama Kauaʻi looks for community input on Olohena ‘ĀINA Center, an agricultural park that will increase agricultural production and access for new and experienced farmers in Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

UH faces uncertainty over state, federal funding; Maui mayor's salary outpaces governor's; Honolulu official cleared to take trip from no-bid contractor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH faces uncertainty over Senate budget. The University of Hawaiʻi needs an additional $37.9 million for programs and services at its 10-campus system for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. Kalbert Young, UH vice president for budget and finance and chief financial officer, noted that the budget proposal recently passed by the Senate includes a more limited level of general fund support for UH in several key areas, compared to the versions put forward by the governor and the House. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

The State Spent Millions On Housing For The Homeless But Doesn't have Receipts To Back It All Up. Since late 2023, the state has issued more than $37.1 million in no-bid contracts to HomeAid Hawaiʻi to build small dwellings as part of Gov. Josh Green’s signature Kauhale Initiative.While HomeAid has provided the Department of Human Services with balance sheets and supporting documents showing how it used state money for some of its projects, the state doesn’t have receipts or other documents detailing the specific use of public money for other projects. Civil Beat.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on the push to send more Hawaiʻi produce nationwide. Luke recently returned from a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the nation's capital. It's the second time a Hawaiʻi delegation has ever visited.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Rule Change On Endangered Species Of Particular Concern in Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi has more endangered species than any other state, so elimination of habitat protections could be felt deeply here. Associated Press.

Lawmakers May Reduce Court Fines For Youth, But Judges Have Already Cut Back. The amount of fines imposed by judges has dropped, raising questions about whether lawmakers need to do anything. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City to lose over $11 million in federal funding. The biggest losses will mean a $4.8 million cut for planning for a potential rapid transit bus program for the Waianae Coast, followed by a $3 million loss in federal funding for special needs housing improvements. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council OKs City Director’s Free Trip To Poland. A Honolulu department head’s trip to Poland next month will be funded by a private company that has signed a no-bid contract with that department after City Council members voted Wednesday to approve the gift. Civil Beat.

City Council approves new development plan for Honolulu's urban core. The primary urban core is Oahu’s most populated area, with about 350,000 people packed in from Kahala to Pearl City and all the valleys in between. Hawaii News Now.

Plans presented to develop areas around East Kapolei rail stations. A meeting in Kapolei on Wednesday night focused on developing the land around the rail transit stations. KITV4.

Treatment facility for boys with behavioral problems gets pushback from area residents. The state has approved a new live-in treatment facility for up to five boys who have behavioral problems stemming from sexual abuse or trauma. The home run by Catholic Charities Hawaii is in the quiet “Royal Summit” neighborhood in Aiea. Hawaii News Now.

Warning extended: Speed cameras catch 30k speeders weekly. It was supposed to last two months, but now the state’s new speed camera warning period is getting a major extension.  KHON2.

Parking fees coming to Keeaumoku Walmart, Sam’s Club lot. To deter non-shoppers from taking up space in the lot meant for customers only, Walmart hired Secure Parking Hawaii to begin parking enforcement starting May 1. KHON2.

State seeks more attorneys to become court-appointed guardians ad litem. A guardian ad litem is a court-appointed attorney who is there to protect the interests of a person who cannot take care of themselves. But there are only two doing this work for the island of Oʻahu.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

HPD, UH Hilo partner for new internship program. The Hawaii Police Department kicked off its Kalounui internship program in March with an event at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Lifeguard certification course to be offered in Kapa‘au. The Hawaii County Department of Parks & Recreation is offering a lifeguard certification course at Kohala Swimming Pool at Kamehameha Park in Kapa‘au. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui mayor’s salary to outpace Hawaiʻi governor’s until mid-2028. Starting July 1, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen will earn $245,000 annually — more than Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green‘s salary through the end of their current terms in office in 2026.  Maui Now.

Maui Department of Housing announces FY 2026 Affordable Housing Fund Annual Plan. The County of Maui Department of Housing announced the release of its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) Annual Plan, which outlines key investments and initiatives designed to address the growing demand for affordable housing across Maui County. Maui Now.

Kekaulike Avenue to reopen a month ahead of schedule following storm-related repairs. Officials with the state Department of Transportation say Kekaulike Avenue between Waiakoa Road and ʻAlae Road will be reopened by noon, Thursday, April 17. Maui Now.

Kauai

Lives of federal conservation workers on Kauaʻi upended by Trump administration. On Valentine's Day, four employees who worked across Kauaʻi’s three USFWS refuges lost their jobs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Water conservation request continues for Hanalei, ‘Anini areas. Kaua‘i County Department of Water officials issued the request April 4 after a pump station mechanical failure that continues to affect the water storage supply. Kauai Now.

Water commission nominee amasses support, lawmakers fight for farms, ICA upholds plan to release mosquitoes on Maui, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii water commission nominee garners flood of support. The Senate Committee on Water and Land voted 5-0 Friday for Hannah Kihalani Springer to be the traditional Native Hawaiian water management expert on the Commission on Water Resource Management for the next few years. Gov. Josh Green  passed over Springer twice as a candidate in favor of seeking more candidates, moves that drew criticism from environmental and Hawaiian cultural organizations as well as litigation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi crop exports continue to face strict USDA policies. A handful of resolutions, including House Resolution 26, going through the state Legislature would urge Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation to petition the U.S. Department of Agriculture to “address the lack of parity between Hawaiʻi and other states and territories pertaining to the export of agricultural goods.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Crimes on farms and ranches could incur increased penalties. Senate Bills 763 and 1249, would strengthen penalties, create a dedicated group of state officers, and establish a special fund all to better prevent and punish agricultural crimes like theft and vandalism. Hawaii Public Radio.

More than 400 bills still alive as end of Legislative Session nears. Just over 2 dozen bills passed their third and final reading without any changes. But lawmakers disagreed over more than 400 bills and those disagreements have to be worked out over the next 2 weeks in order for those bills to survive. KITV4.

Voting Blind: Why Lawmakers Don’t Know The Cost Of Bills Before They Vote. Hawaiʻi is the only state that lacks legislative fiscal analysis of bills. This year lawmakers may take a step toward fixing that. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers want to work toward a paid family leave program. The House Labor Committee advanced a resolution to create a working group to produce a report on paid family leave that could include proposed legislation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Several international students at UH have visas revoked. A “few” international students at the University of Hawaii are among more than 1,700 students who have been stripped of their visas across the United States. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Director’s Free Trip To Poland Raises Ethics Questions. A company that just signed a no-bid contract with Honolulu’s motor vehicle office has offered to cover the flight, hotel, meals and other related costs — a $5,000 value — for Department of Customer Services Director Kim Hashiro to visit their facility.  Civil Beat.

Kolekole Pass ready to use as an emergency exit for Waiʻanae Coast communities. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has been working with the U.S. Army and Navy to make repairs to Kolekole Pass so that it's safe for residential use. Hawaii Public Radio.

Councilwoman denies public safety conflict over relationship with fire battalion chief. Honolulu city councilwoman Val Okimoto said she will not voluntarily leave her position as chair of the Public Safety Committee, and, by law, cannot recuse from issues that affect the Honolulu Fire Department. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu councilmember develops plan to address HPD officer shortage. A new plan is in the works to tackle the ongoing officer shortage at the Honolulu Police Department. One lawmaker said they need to look at more than recruitment. KHON2.

Honolulu fails to collect millions in short-term rental fines. City officials are expressing shock and frustration over how few fines for illegal rentals are actually being collected. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu child with measles recovers; 92 people identified for possible exposure. An adult member of the child’s household who came down with symptoms remains a presumptive case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New Emergency Call Center dedicated. Decades in the making, the new 17,127-square-foot dispatch facility on Mohouli Street will operate as a unified call center, housing dispatch operations for the police and fire departments. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Councilwomen to hold public meeting regarding hosted vacation rentals. The briefing, set up by council members Heather Kimball and Ashley Kierkiewicz, will be between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Participants must register in advance at www.hawaiicountytar.com to receive a unique Zoom login. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Intermediate appeals court upholds approval of Maui mosquito project. The ruling is the latest back-and-forth over a proposed project using the Incompatible Insect Technique — or the release of incompatible male mosquitoes — to reduce the wild mosquito population. Star-Advertiser.

Decline in West Maui water supply means new housing projects will have to wait. Commission reviews aquifers in West Maui. State water management officials fear some aquifers in West Maui might be showing signs they are surpassing their sustainable yield in pumping water, raising questions about water allocations for future developments. Maui News. Maui Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Housing Department submits report on unspent Affordable Housing Fund appropriations. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee has gotten a written response from the Department of Housing about nearly $12 million in unspent and unencumbered funds in the County’s Affordable Housing Fund. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi's first government-funded hula center to begin construction on Maui. Construction is slated to begin this month on Hawaiʻi's first government-funded hula center. The 47,000-square-foot Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art will be located in Wailuku, Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Wilcox Medical Center nurses vote to ratify new contract. The new contract comes after more than 35 bargaining sessions, a three-day strike in January, and a Kauai Council  resolution supporting the nurses. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Namahana Public Charter School set to open for 7th and 8th graders this August. Last Saturday, Namahana School in Kīlauea welcomed the 100 founding families and the seventh and eighth graders who will comprise the inaugural middle school classes beginning in August. Kauai Now.

Anti-corruption bills await introduction, Hawaii Trump supporters head to Washington, parasitic wasps to be deployed against coffee pest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bills aimed at corralling Hawaii government corruption raise hopes. A new round of bills have been introduced — or are pending introduction — at the newly convened state Legislature, with the goal of continuing to crack down on government corruption ever since the federal guilty pleas of the former Senate majority leader and the then-vice chair of the House Finance Committee on bribery charges in the early weeks of the 2022 legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Bill seeks tougher penalties for sex trafficking in Hawaii. A new bill this legislative session seeks to amend penalties for sex trafficking in Hawaii, proposing fines ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 and a prison term of up to 20 years without the possibility for parole, suspended sentences or probation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers introduce multiple proposals targeting fireworks. Every year bills are introduced aimed at controlling the barrage of illegal pyrotechnics shipped into the islands that regularly maim — and sometimes kill — New Year’s revelers while also igniting brush and structure fires. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

In-Laws Of Rep. Sue Lee Loy Claim She Doesn’t Live In Her Hilo District. Lee Loy said she moved into the district before running for office, but still spends time at a house outside the district to care for her disabled adult son. Civil Beat.

State seeks to stop neglect at adopted government cemeteries. The state Department of Accounting and General Services is proposing to create and fund a cemetery management office to regularly maintain eight cemeteries on three islands that don’t receive routine groundskeeping service. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

More than a dozen Hawaii Trump supporters made the almost 5,000 mile journey to Washington D.C. for Monday’s inauguration ceremony. Due to cold weather, the president-elect announced Friday the inauguration was take place inside the U.S. Capitol, leaving many of those who traveled to D.C. without seating inside. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Service members occupy nearly 14% of Oahu rentals, Pentagon says. The Pentagon’s latest report says that 60% of service members stationed on Oahu today reside on military installations. It also found that 2,150 service members own homes on the island. Star-Advertiser.

Rail-affected businesses could soon get grants. Honolulu businesses affected by the ongoing construction of the nearly $10 billion Skyline rail project can soon apply for financial relief, city officials announced last week. Star-Advertiser.

HPD officers to be deposed in connection with Jan. 1, 2024, beating. Investigators with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney and a deputy prosecutor are looking into evidence turned over by Honolulu police following the criminal investigation of an alleged beating of a 25- year-old man by 10 to 12 officers on Jan. 1, 2024. Star-Advertiser.

California developer revives plans to build first U.S. Atlantis resort in West Oʻahu. A California developer bought oceanfront land at Ko Olina Resort last week. The seller was financially troubled China Oceanwide, which acquired the land in 2016 with big plans to build the first Atlantis Resort in the U.S.  Hawaii Public Radio.

North Shore residents push for first responder hub following multiple deaths. In the last four months, there have been eight deaths within a two mile radius of Sharks Cove. KHON2.

Search for 2 missing teens on Oahu’s North Shore enters 3rd day. The multi-agency search for two teens who went missing in waters off Oahu’s North Shore is entering its third day Monday, and authorities are also asking the public to keep an eye out for the pair. The search for 17-year-old Samantha Chun and 18-year-old Joseph “Joey” Fujioka will resume at first light Monday. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.  KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Parasitic wasps to help combat CBB; officials look to release them this spring. Swarms of parasitic wasps will descend upon Kona coffee farms this spring as a long-gestating plan to control the coffee berry borer. Tribune-Herald.

Restoration of Highway 137 begins; contract awarded for Pohoiki Road. Work to rebuild part of Highway 137 in lower Puna began Jan. 9 with contractor Isemoto Contracting grading the area adjacent to “Four Corners,” where Highway 137 meets Highway 132. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Plotting Banyan’s course: As razing of Uncle Billy’s finishes, officials mull future of area. The end of the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel marks the beginning of a new era for Banyan Drive, Hilo stakeholders hope. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Summit Eruption Pauses Again. The inactive vents at the summit continue to glow and degassing currently remains at a high level. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Officials Want Legislature To Lean Into Water, Police, Midwifery Issues. The county has thrown its support behind bills that address needs beyond the ongoing recovery from the August 2023 fires. Civil Beat.

Bury all power lines or rebuild the town fast? In Lahaina fire recovery, it’s hard to do both. For Hawaiian Electric, which is already on the hook for half of the $4 billion settlement reached for the damages caused by the fire, the priority is putting everything back in the same place in order to get residents back home more quickly. But they say these installations come with changes that will address the risk their equipment posed before.  Maui Now.

Maui businesses hope for a return to Lahaina. Commercial redevelopment has not kicked into high gear; however, some recent progress has been made.  Star-Advertiser.

Maui's eviction moratorium ends soon. What does that mean for tenants and landlords? An eviction moratorium on Maui will expire Feb. 4, after being repeatedly extended over the past year. Hawaii Public Radio.

$19.4M sewer line extension to support Kilohana housing and Lahaina community. A sewer line being built for the Kilohana Temporary Group Housing Site on Maui will have long-term benefits for Lahaina, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Maui Now.

Meeting set for Lahaina Recreation Center playground area. The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will host a community meeting regarding the Lahaina Recreation Center playground from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai Police Department issues drone guidelines for Kauai.  Permission from KPD is not required to fly a drone on the island; however, drone regulations are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that states all drones must be registered with the FAA. Garden Island.

Fewer kids getting routine vaccinations, state agencies and advocates seek money as legislative session gears up, LA fires likely to raise Hawaii insurance premiums, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fewer Kids In Hawaiʻi Are Getting Routine Vaccines. The state health department is warning that more unvaccinated students could put children at higher risk for infections like measles. In the 2023-24 school year, 21% of students were missing vaccinations, up from nearly 19% in the previous year.  Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Report urges help for Hawaii households struggling financially. The 2024 ALICE in Hawaii report shows that while the percentage of households below the poverty line decreased to 12% in 2024 from 14% in 2022, the proportion of ALICE households remained unchanged at 29%. Nearly one-third of Hawaii households are classified as ALICE  — asset-limited, income-constrained, employed. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Advocates renew push for Hawaii legislative reforms. A coalition of local community organizations seek changes in ethics, public access and campaign rforms. The coalition delivered a letter and petition with about 1,600 signatures to House and Senate lawmakers asking for five rule changes to legislative procedures and five new laws in the wake of high- profile corruption scandals and reduced voter participation that the letter writers said lead people to question whether engaging with Hawaii’s legislative system even matters at all. Star-Advertiser.

State Department of Agriculture asks for additional $28M in general funds. Hawaiʻi's Agriculture Department is asking state lawmakers for an additional $28 million in general funds over the next two years. The governor’s proposed budget for the next biennium would allocate $73.4 million to the state Department of Agriculture and $71.5 million for its operating budget over the next two fiscal years, respectively. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOE Gets An F: Hawaiʻi Schools Miss Their First Local Food Target. The department has included bottled water in its accounting for locally produced food. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric to close Shift and Save rates program to new enrollments as of Feb. 1. Hawaiian Electric will close its Shift and Save time-of-use rates program to new enrollments as of Feb. 1, 2025, following the completion of a one-year pilot. Customers enrolled in Shift and Save before that date will be allowed to continue in the program with the ability to opt out at any time. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Telcom targets 2026 for state to be fully fiber-enabled. Hawaiian Telcom announced a groundbreaking initiative Thursday to make Hawaii the nation’s first fully fiber-enabled state by 2026, with the project already more than halfway completed. The company is replacing its outdated copper network with a state-of-the-art fiber- optic system, marking a significant shift in broadband infrastructure. Star-Advertiser.

LA inferno likely to hike Hawaii insurance. The state Insurance Division said in a statement: “These events have significantly impacted the insurance industry, particularly in California, where major insurers have withdrawn from high-risk areas…Such large-scale events can have indirect effects on our local insurance landscape.” KHON2.

Oahu

OHA pitches community on Kakaako Makai housing. The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs worked to wrangle public support Wednesday night for its revamped proposal to undo a state law prohibiting residential use of land it owns in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Legislators consider new laws to restrict where landfills can be placed. Debate over landfill site is aired before lawmakers. Two joint Legislature committees held an informational meeting over the city’s plan to site its dump on Dole Food Co. Hawaii property near Wahiawa. A 2020 law places restrictions on locating waste-disposal facilities, particularly those close to conservation lands or half-mile “buffer zones” near residential areas, schools or hospitals, as well as near airports or tsunami inundation zones. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal investigators join HFD in search for answers in deadly McCully fire. Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are on Oahu working closely alongside the Honolulu Fire Department at the scene of a deadly fire along Young Street. Together, investigators are trying to piece together a cause of the blaze that killed a young firefighter Monday night. Hawaii News Now.

Death At Illegal North Shore New Year’s Eve Party Stokes Safety Concerns. A young woman’s death at an illegal New Year’s Eve party in a North Shore state forest reserve has left a community grieving and many neighbors wondering why authorities hadn’t cracked down on the annual event sooner. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

County plans to install dozens of drywells along Kawili Street. The Hawaii County Department of Public Works is in the early stages of a $21 million construction project to improve East and West Kawili streets and Manono Street by installing a continuous sidewalk along the road, as well as other various pavement and striping maintenance. Tribune-Herald.

Lots of work still ahead for road into Waipi‘o Valley.  Almost three years after the county restricted access, Department of Public Works spokeswoman Sherise Kana‘e-Kane said the project remains “in its preliminary design stages.” Tribune-Herald.

New EIS Prep Notice Posted For Expansion At Leilani Quarry. Sanford’s Service Center is seeking a State Land Use District Boundary Amendment to reclassify 94-acres in order to expand mining of black-colored cinder at the quarry. Big Island Video News.

Captain Cook Post Office to get name change honoring Vietnam War Veteran Lt. Kauhaihao. President Joe Biden signed US Rep. Jill Tokuda’s bill into law, naming the Captain Cook Post Office on Hawaiʻi Island the “Army 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao Post Office Building.” Maui Now.

Maui

Federal disaster funding signals a shift for Lahaina. There was a shift at Wednesday’s disaster recovery community meeting in Lahaina where residents were informed Maui County is gearing up to distribute more than $1 billion funds that’s been allocated to the county through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds.  Maui News.

HIDOE to restore one additional school bus route for Kalama Intermediate School on Maui. The Hawai‘i State Department of Education announced today that one previously suspended school bus route serving Samuel E. Kalama Intermediate School will be reinstated starting on Monday, Jan. 13, restoring service for approximately 31 student bus riders. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County is notifying the public that the Real Property tax collections office at the Līhu‘e Civic Center is closed until further notice because of unforeseen circumstances. Payments can be made in the Real Property tax assessment office or online. Kauai Now.

Kapa‘a Bypass closed daily starting Monday, will shut again in February for repairs. Traffic will be re-routed to Lehua Street, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. The road will be open every afternoon after 3 p.m. and on weekends and holidays. Kauai Now.

UPW state director accused of mishandling funds, golden parachutes, some job cuts after Hawaiian Airlines sale, Kauai mayor seeks to replace Kouchi in 2026, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii United Public Workers Leader Accused Of Misusing Funds. Kalani Werner, who is up for re-election as state director, was put on trial by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees earlier this week. Civil Beat.

Green Fills Hawaii State Ethics Commission Vacancy. Roderick Becker replaces Harry McCarthy on the five-member panel. The agency responsible for administering and enforcing the state ethics code and lobbyist law has a new commissioner. Civil Beat.

‘Golden parachutes’ deployed for top Hawaiian Airlines execs. A few top Hawaiian Airlines executives are out of a job now that Alaska Airlines has acquired Hawaii’s largest air carrier, but they are being well compensated with “golden parachute” benefits totaling close to $25 million.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines Takeover: Acquisition By Alaska Will Mean Loss Of Some Non-Union Jobs. Union jobs including flight attendants, pilots and mechanics, will be protected. Civil Beat.

Gun Violence Data In Hawaii Is Incomplete – And Unreliable. Data collection and sharing is so limited that the Attorney General's Office says researching ways to prevent firearm violence is "virtually impossible." Civil Beat.

HIDOE restores 14 more school bus routes statewide. The Hawaii State Department of Education announced that 14 suspended school bus routes on Central Oahu, Upcountry Maui and East Hawaii Island will be reinstated on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. KITV4.

Oahu

Report backs empty-homes tax to address housing crisis on Oahu. The Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law &Economic Justice is recommending that the Honolulu City Council impose a 3-5% empty-homes tax, citing a worsening housing crisis on Oahu where more than 8 in 10 renters now spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs. Star-Advertiser.

Residents protest plans for housing development at former Saint Francis School. Residents of Manoa gathered Wednesday to protest plans by the Avalon Group to convert the old Saint Francis School campus into a housing development.  KHON2.

AES Hawaiʻi reports successful bat deterrent system at Oʻahu wind farm. Birds and bats colliding into large wind turbines were a big concern when the renewable energy projects began appearing across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shooter who ended Waianae rampage won’t be charged. The 42-year-old man who shot and killed the neighbor who rammed his house and shot and killed three women at the home on Waianae Valley Road will not be charged in the incident. Star-Advertiser.

Pickleballers vs. tennis players: Battle for court space heats up at Ala Moana Beach Park. It’s pickleballers versus tennis players vying for court space, and they both say there are long waits to play. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island councilmembers expand number of allowable ADUs.  The Hawaiʻi County Council narrowly passed a bill allowing for more accessory dwelling units on residential properties. Bill 123 would allow property owners to build up to three ADUs, each of which can serve as residential housing units. Hawaii Public Radio.

Discovery of burial site halts work on HPP mailbox project. The discovery of a Native Hawaiian burial site in Hawaiian Paradise Park has some residents concerned. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Radiologic Associates shut down by ‘security incident’.  Hawaii Radiologic Associates has canceled all patient appointments for medical imaging services since late August due to what it called “a security incident that affected some of our systems.” Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea Eruption Changes Prompt New Closures, While Chain Of Craters Reopens. The eruption near Nāpau Crater in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park continues, as the State DLNR announced the closure of the Kahaualeʻa Natural Area Reserve. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Judge approves agreement that stops cutting of live trees on wetlands parcel in Kīhei. After more than five hours of talks on Friday, 2nd Circuit Court Chief Judge Peter Cahill approved an agreement Tuesday between the two sides of a dispute over the clearing of a 7.2-acre wetlands parcel in Kīhei. Maui Now.

Maui council to consider rent cap to control skyrocketing prices. As Maui grapples with a housing crisis made even worse by last year’s wildfires, the county council is now considering rent control. Hawaii News Now.

Meeting for Kula homeowners impacted by wildfires to be held Sept. 24. The County of Maui Office of Recovery and the Office of Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura will be hosting a meeting for Kula homeowners impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. Maui Now.

NTSB releases final report into fatal air ambulance crash off Maui. National Transportation Safety Board investigators found that inadequate pilot training and performance tracking played a factor in the crash, which happened on Dec. 15, 2022. KITV4.

Kauai

Kawakami’s campaign office confirms Kauaʻi mayor plans to run for Kouchi’s Senate seat in 2026. The campaign office for Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has confirmed the mayor intends to run for Hawaiʻi Senate District 8 in 2026, with the support of the current seat holder, Senate President Ron Kouchi. Kauai Now.

State closes Kalalau trail indefinitely after around 50 hikers became ill with norovirus. Instead of reopening Thursday, the state now says Kauai’s Kalalau Trail will remain closed indefinitely. Hawaii News Now.

Land conservation nonprofit hires Annalise “Anna” Kindstedt as Kaua‘i ‘āina steward and educator. Hawai‘i Land Trust, a statewide land conservation nonprofit, has a new ‘āina steward and educator on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.