Hawaii ponders Trump's new rules for mail-in ballots, gas and electricity prices surge, more than 2T gallons of rain fell on the state in March, bomb threat at Keaau Post Office shuts down shopping center, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump’s executive order targets mail-in voting in all states. President Donald Trump attempted Tuesday to put federal controls on mail-in voting handled by states including Hawaii, where the vast majority of votes were cast by mail in recent elections. Scott Nago, Hawaii’s chief elections officer, said he was reviewing the order closely and how it may or may not impact elections scheduled for Aug. 8 and Nov. 3. Star-Advertiser.

Trump’s War In Iran Is About To Show Up In Your Electric Bill. The Aloha State burns foreign oil to generate most of its electricity. With prices soaring, electric bills are projected to increase 20-30% in the coming months. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gas prices up more than $1 per gallon in 1 month. California currently has the record for the highest average gas price at $5.88 per gallon. Hawaii is in second place, with each gallon averaging $5.45. KHON2.

The state is still waiting on more federal assistance, nearly two weeks after the second Kona Low caused widespread devastation. Gov. Josh Green submitted a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration eight days ago, on March 23. Hawaii News Now.

Senate committee advances resolution reaffirming access to abortion care. The Senate Health and Homelessness Committee advanced a resolution that would reaffirm the state’s commitment to require hospitals to provide abortion care when it is necessary to stabilize the patient. Hawaii Public Radio.

2 trillion gallons of water inundate Hawaiʻi in March, trigger historic flooding. More than 2 trillion gallons of water — enough to fill 3 million Olympic-sized swimming pools — inundated Hawaiʻi in March. Statewide rainfall averaged 18.25 inches from March 1-23 — more than 2.6 times the standard March average of 6.85 inches. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Gov. Josh Green appoints circuit court judges on Kaua‘i and Maui. On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Green announced Michael K. Soong has been appointed as a judge for the Fifth Circuit Court of Kauaʻi and Ni‘ihau. Also, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was appointed to a judgeship with the Second Circuit Court in Maui. Kauai Now.

Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines to function under one app in April: Here’s what to do. The new app, simply titled “Alaska Hawaiian,” will provide travelers with all their travel needs without having to switch between separate Alaska and Hawaiian interfaces, the company said. KHON2.

Oahu

Storm damage tally for city about $100M, Honolulu officials say. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration is still assessing the cost of the devastation wrought by two powerful Kona-low storms in March on city-owned properties and operations, but preliminary estimates put the damage at over $100 million. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor pollution trial against Navy begins. Wai Ola Alliance filed a lawsuit against the Navy in 2022, demanding the Navy close the Red Hill fuel storage facility and pay for past environmental violations tied to its fueling operations. Star-Advertiser.

Kaimukī’s Queen Theater Is Falling Apart. Honolulu Doesn’t Want To Step In. The venue, which over the decades went from family friendly theater to purveyor of pornographic films, will likely continue to sit empty. Civil Beat.

Reports of mold concerns inside UH Manoa dorms after Kona Low storms. For years, Frear Hall has been considered one of the campus’s more modern residence halls. But several students say excess moisture and repeated storms have left some rooms with persistent mold. Hawaii News Now.

Hokulani Elementary closed for the rest of school year due to storm damage. Students will resume in-person learning Thursday at nearby campuses while repairs are underway. Star-Advertiser.

Residents urged to combat mosquitoes by removing standing water. The state Department of Health traps thousands of mosquitoes every year and tests them for contagious viruses like Zika, dengue and chikungunya. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island’s Kona low storm damage could top $59M. Gov. Josh Green and Mayor Kimo Alameda on Tuesday toured Hawaii Island sites damaged by the recent Kona low storm, including Konawaena High School, which was so badly flooded it is delivering its curriculum via distance learning for the remainder of the school year. Tribune-Herald.

Missing Members And Muscle, Hawaiʻi Ethics Board Struggles To Function. The volunteer board often cancels meetings for lack of quorum and doesn’t have a paid staff like other counties to shoulder some of the load. Civil Beat.

Police Make Arrest After Bomb Threat Shuts Down Keaʻau Shopping Center. 43-year-old Erick Smith of Volcano was arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening, after he allegedly told an employee that he left a bomb at the counter of a post office in the Kea‘au Shopping Center.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Water Discoloration Notice Issued For Waimea. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply says it is currently flushing the water system and investigating the possible cause of the discolored water.  Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Island newlyweds recount immigration detainment that nearly tore them apart. Hawaiʻi Island resident Juan José Estrada Lopez was detained by ICE agents at his green card interview. He remained in the Honolulu FDC until late January. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

New hire at Maui Police Department arrested on suspicion of sexual assault while off duty. The 26-year-old Makawao man was taken into custody on Monday, March 30, 2026, following allegations of sexual abuse and remains detained. He has been placed on administrative leave without pay.  Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Community Lending revives Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund after storms. Hawai‘i Community Lending, a nonprofit community development financial institution, announced it has revived its Kānaka Anti-Displacement Fund following the devastating kona storms that have impacted communities across the state. Maui Now.

Sunken graves at Molokaʻi cemetery shock loved ones after severe rainfall. Kapaʻakea Cemetery, just east of Kaunakakai, is managed by Maui County, but families have traditionally cared for their own burial plots. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauai has good final Ocean Count for 2026. Cindy ‘Iwalani Among-Serrao, the Ocean Count coordinator and the Hawaii Island Program Coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, said that on Kauai, the total number of whales observed during the four-hour count period was 169. Garden Island.

Commercial fishing reopened in Pacific national marine monuments, Kauai tour helicopter crash kills 3, statewide regular gas price average now $5.33, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Final action taken on commercial fishing access in Pacific Marine National Monuments. After a full discussion and hearing approximately 70 written and oral public comments at its recent meeting, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council took final action to restore commercial fishing in parts of the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments. Maui Now.

Gas prices surge 93 cents statewide in March: AAA Hawaii. Hawaii gas prices continued to rise in March — a total increase of 93 cents from last month, according to the American Automobile Association Hawaii. The statewide average for regular is $5.33, AAA said as of March 26. KHON2.

Bill to levy GET on rental car companies stalls at the Legislature. State senators took up House Bill 2575 that would require car rental companies to pay a 4.5% tax, based on the general excise tax, on imported or purchased cars — a steep hike up from the 0.5% rate companies currently pay. Hawaii Public Radio.

State budget may need to adjust for storm recovery as governor seeks FEMA funds. The first damage assessment to understand the full impacts of the storms is expected within the next several days. Gov. Josh Green estimated it will likely be over a billion dollars. This comes as state lawmakers are more than halfway through the budgeting process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s Corals Were Struggling To Survive. Then Came The Mud Floods. Coral reefs already face a litany of threats. Experts say storm runoff from the recent Kona lows will only make matters worse. Civil Beat.

Recent Rains Decrease Drought Across Hawaiʻi. As farmers recover from devastating floods and historic rainfall, drought-stricken areas are soaking in the moisture. Civil Beat.

Health Safety Guidance Issued For Hawaiʻi Flooding Cleanup. The Hawai‘i Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions during cleanup and recovery efforts. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

Council advances measure to enhance TOD communities. Private builders who seek zoning incentives like density and height bonuses or financial incentives like monetary grants from the city to construct transit- oriented development projects near Skyline stations will first need to give more back to surrounding communities, new city-initiated legislation dictates. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Wants Next Police Chief To Be Anti-ICE, Pro-Transparency. As the Honolulu Police Commission prepares to select a new police chief by the end of May, residents are making clear what they want: someone who is transparent, communicative and refuses to cooperate with ICE. Civil Beat.

Storm debris at Central Oahu Regional Park grows to over 5,200 tons.  Debris left from the destructive Kona-low storm that hit Oahu’s North Shore especially hard late last week continued to pile up in rows Thursday that varied in height from 6 to 12 feet in a section of Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipio. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii National Guard helps with debris removal. Teams of National Guard troops were on the North Shore on March 20 as floodwaters rose, but say they were spread thin and overwhelmed by the severity of the storm. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu North Shore businesses struggle with flood damage, visitors staying away. Although most of Haleiwa town has been spared the most serious flood damage, spring break business has plummeted with visitors staying away. Hawaii News Now.

State collects 300+ firearms at buyback event. Of the 303 firearms turned in, officials said 17 were assault rifles, nine were ghost guns, and two were stolen guns. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Progress made on Banyan Drive redevelopment bill. Hilo’s state lawmakers, all Democrats, are in agreement that Banyan Drive needs to be redeveloped — and it appears that differences in approaches are to be ironed out when a bill reaches a House-Senate conference committee. Tribune-Herald.

Largest survey of exoplanets with Mauna Kea observatory confirms new spin on planet formation. The largest survey of exoplanets using an observatory atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island confirms a long-predicted relationship between planetary mass and rotation — putting a new spin on planet formation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Economist warns council of vulnerable economy ahead of budget deliberations. University of Hawaiʻi economist Carl Bonham warned Maui County Council members Wednesday that a stagnant job market and a precarious reliance on wealthy tourists leave the county vulnerable as it begins annual budget deliberations. Maui Now.

Target Maui reopens March 30; Donates $25K to Maui Food Bank after historic floods. After closing due to flooding from the kona low storm, Target’s Maui store in Kahului is set to reopen Monday, March 30, as recovery efforts continue across the island. Maui Now.

Kauai

3 dead, 2 injured in tour helicopter crash on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Three people are dead and two injured after a tour helicopter crashed off Kalalau Beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Thursday afternoon, county officials said. This is the second fatal tour helicopter crash off the Na Pali Coast in less than two years. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Garden Island. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. KHON2.

Luke discloses $7,800 unreported campaign contributions from 2022, Hawaiian Airlines to lay off 48 more employees, Green issues emergency proclamation ahead of Kona low, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lt. Gov. Luke discloses $7,800 in unreported 2022 donations. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke did not report $7,870 in campaign donations and $3,882 in spending during the first six months of 2022, according to a statement released by her campaign on Friday. Luke detailed the unreported donations and expenditures in a Wednesday audit released by her campaign on Friday, the same day she filed an amended report with the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4.

48 Hawaiian Airlines employees to be laid off. The company notified the state that the cuts affect 48 Hawaii-based, non-union employees whose jobs will end in May or June. KHON2.

Hawaii gas prices tick up amid nationwide spike. Hawaii gas prices have risen only a little in the past week amid a large increase nationally, and it’s uncertain whether a spike driven by the war in Iran could be around the corner. The average price per gallon for regular gas Monday in Hawaii was $4.52, up 3% from $4.39 a week earlier, according to AAA. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Rental car companies might have to pay full GET on fleet purchases. The state House of Representatives passed a law that would subject rental car fleet purchases to the full general excise tax instead of the current wholesale tax rate of 0.5%. The measure will next be heard by the Senate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Finding housing with pets can be rough. State bills seek to improve access. In Hawaiʻi, it’s rough to find landlords who allow pets, and it’s even harder for renters in affordable and publicly funded housing. Hawaii Public Radio.

Former Hawaii lawmaker Bertrand Kobayashi awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun. Former state legislator Bertrand Yoshito Kobayashi was formally presented on March 3 with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, one of Japan’s highest honors, in recognition of his decades-long work strengthening ties between Japan, Hawaii and the United States. Star-Advertiser.

Sharks Are Taking A Larger Bite Of Hawaiʻi Fishermen’s Catch. At least 1 in 4 licensed fishing trips lose catches — and profits — to sharks in Hawaiian waters. Scientists are developing chemical repellents and magnetic fields as deterrents. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green issues emergency proclamation ahead of expected storm to Hawaiian Islands. A Kona low weather system is expected to produce prolonged heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding statewide, with the highest likelihood of flooding impacts across the smaller islands and urban areas, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Big Island Now. KITV4.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

Council reviews mayor’s $5 billion budget for 2027. The Honolulu City Council had its first review Monday of the city’s proposed $5.08 billion budget package for the 2027 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Developer chosen for transit-oriented affordable housing project in Kalihi. The City and County of Honolulu has selected nonprofit developer EAH Housing to transform the former Dee Lite Bakery property in Kalihi into new transit-oriented affordable housing. The city-owned site at 1930 Dillingham Blvd. and 1907 Eluwene St. sits directly across from the future Mokauea (Kalihi) Skyline Station. Hawaii News Now.

Kaimuki residents voice concerns over new bus route 200 changes. Route 9 used to travel through the main areas of Kaimukī town — connecting riders to places like the library, post office, and Leahi Hospital. But more than a year ago, the route changed to Route 200… now running along Alohea Avenue and 7th Avenue. KITV4.

Mike Miske Killed Himself To Protect $20 Million Estate, Prosecutors Say. The convicted crime boss died of a fentanyl overdose in federal prison in December 2024, before he had been sentenced. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

‘No Trespass’ Signs Thwart County Inspections Of Kona Dome House. Vacation rentals aren’t permitted on farmland under state law, but recent legal battles show some Big Island landowners want to test that. Civil Beat.

Applications Open For Koa Canoe Logs From Kapāpala. Individuals and organizations can apply acquire a koa canoe log for use in kālaiwaʻa, the construction of traditional Hawaiian canoes. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mayor Bissen appoints Margaret Willis as new County Director of Human Concerns. Citing successful houseless programs in major California cities and her deep experience addressing human needs with compassion, Mayor Richard Bissen appointed Margaret “Maggie” Willis as the new County of Maui Director of the Department of Human Concerns. Maui Now.

Attorney provides snapshot of immigration enforcement on Maui. Longtime Maui immigration attorney Kevin Block says that enforcement activity on the island has changed dramatically, and that his clients are skipping medical appointments and reducing their inter-island travel out of fear. Hawaii Public Radio.

County in historic negotiations to acquire key West Maui water systems. Maui County is in the process of acquiring key water systems in West Maui that are currently privately owned. Mayor Richard Bissen announced the historic move in his recent State of the County address. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hoʻōla LTRG and Mennonite Disaster Service mark milestone with completion of their first two rebuilt homes in Lahaina. Some 100 community leaders, volunteers, partner organizations, and supporters gathered for two private home blessings and dedications to celebrate the Yadao and Kahahane families’ return home and recognize the collective efforts that made these rebuilds possible. Maui Now.

Kauai

Rudy Tai formally sworn in as Kaua‘i Police chief. Rudy Tai officially began his tenure on Monday as Chief of Police of the Kaua‘i Police Department, following his appointment by the Kaua‘i Police Commission. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Wants To Get Tough On Beachfront Home Renovations As Tides Climb. As beaches shrink, the proposal would revise the county’s shoreline setback rules to ensure that coastal homes truly being rebuilt are relocated inland. Civil Beat.

Spending a day at the Capitol. The Kauai delegation to the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities numbered 42 of the 656 attendees at the Day at the Capitol. The event was celebrated on March 4 in observance of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Garden Island.

Gas prices rising as Iranian-Americans rally, inspectors allowing 'lightly infested' goods into state, Skyline downtown leg delayed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Average price of gas jumps 11 cents overnight in the US, AAA reports. Hawaii gas prices could increase amid Middle East conflict. Hawaii is thousands of miles away from the Middle East, but experts say the conflict in Iran could trickle down to higher prices at the pump in the islands. KHON2. Associated Press. KITV4.

Former Iran residents living in Hawaii share opposing views on war. Organizers of a rally at the state Capitol Monday evening said there was a similar protest in Hilo at the same time, and others plan to have another rally at the Capitol to voice their opposition to the Trump administration on March 28. Hawaii News Now.

Inspectors Let ‘Lightly Infested’ Goods Into State. Lawmakers Want It To End. Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole is probing the department for evidence of what he believes to be a ‘shadow policy’ of favoring industries the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is in charge of regulating. Civil Beat.

Bill targets DOE complex superintendents. A proposal to cap the number of top administrators at the state Department of Education and require additional oversight of complex area superintendents received support from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, while many school-level administrators and complex area leaders submitted testimony in opposition. |The bill passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Tourism industry could be required to educate workers on human trafficking. Workers in the tourism industry could soon be getting mandatory education on human trafficking. A bill moving through the state Legislature would mandate a training program on how to spot possible trafficking victims, what to do, and who to contact. Hawaii Public Radio.

Accessing ADHD medication in Hawaiʻi can be a huge headache. Here's why. Stimulant drugs are a common treatment for ADHD. But there's been a nationwide shortage of those medications since 2022. The shortage has affected Adderall and variations of methylphenidate, commonly known under brand names Ritalin or Concerta. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Skyline’s downtown opening in 2031 could be delayed. Design delay involving the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s primary contractor could postpone Segment 3’s scheduled revenue service date of March 1, 2031, for the rail line being built to Kakaako, according to a Federal Transit Administration consultant. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha By Zippy’s Stadium? Oʻahu Venue Naming Rights Could Be At Play. To raise revenue for its redevelopment, officials of the Hālawa arena want to join the legions of mainland sports venues named for corporate sponsors. Civil Beat.

New venue opening at the Ala Moana Hotel as the Hawaii Convention Center partially shuts down. With the Hawaii Convention Center now partially shut down until 2028, a new event venue has popped up across the street to fill the void.  The new $15 million venue called Limelight Hawaii is attached to the Ala Moana Hotel. KITV4.

Navy petty officer sentenced to prison in sextortion case.  Navy Petty Officer Rumaldo Valdez, 22, ho sextorted children into cutting themselves for him was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison today and ordered to pay restitution to 11 underage victims, according to U.S. District Court records. Star-Advertiser.

Man charged with attempted murder after allegedly attacking police officer. Braxton Rabago, 33, is charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, and second-degree attempted assault. Hawaii News Now.

Investigator in prosecutor’s office pleads not guilty in witness intimidation case. Christopher Moon, 51, an investigator in the Honolulu prosecutor’s office has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges after he was accused of domestic violence and allegedly tried to prevent the victim from moving forward with the case. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Sherry Bird Selected First Female Deputy Chief Of Hawaiʻi Police Department. Police Chief Reed K. Mahuna has selected Assistant Chief Sherry Bird as deputy chief. The selection is pending approval by the Hawaii County Police Commission. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i County Council to take up paid parking bill in Historic Kailua Village. For years, business owners and residents in downtown Kona have been advocating for relief from the economic hardship they say is caused by the exorbitant parking rates, which now range from $9 to $21 an hour, although some lots offer free time or discounted prices for residents. Big Island Now.

Maui

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher For Maui Planning Department. The third Maui County planning director in three years plans to prioritize post-wildfire rebuilding and tackle complex local issues. Civil Beat.

Ex-MPD officer receives prison for tasing man who surrendered. Carlos Nahuel Frate,  a 41-year-old ex-Maui Police Department officer was sentenced to nearly five and a half years in federal prison for using a Taser on Jan. 6, 2024, on a suspect who had surrendered, was on the ground, and pleaded with him to stop. Star-Advertiser.

1,935 whales spotted across Hawaiʻi, 847 off Maui during second count for the 2026 season. On Maui, 847 whales were observed, the most of any location, followed by 337 on Kauaʻi, 288 on Oʻahu, 244 on Hawaiʻi Island, 166 on Molokaʻi and 53 on Lānaʻi. Maui Now.

Kauai

Three locations identified as priorities in Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s draft Destination Management Action Plan for Kaua‘i. The draft of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s latest destination management action plan for Kaua‘i has homed in on three priority hotspots: Kapaʻa – Wailua Corridor, Hoʻopiʻi Falls and Kōkee and Waimea Canyon. Kauai Now.

Life’s Choices awards $1 million. Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like recently announced the recipients of $1,000,000 in grant funding. Thirteen non-profit community organizations will be receiving grants through the Life’s Choices Adult and Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Abuse Grant Program.  Garden Island.

Hawaiian Home Lands rent-to-own prospect has few takers. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands awarded 25 leases on Saturday for apartments in its recently acquired 82-unit Courtyards at Wai­pouli complex on Kauai where beneficiary households with low to moderate incomes can buy renovated apartments for far below market value after 11 years of paying below-market rent. Star-Advertiser.

Federal cuts imperil homeless housing, health insurance; Aloha Stadium demolition begins; gas prices hit year low, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HUD Plan Leaves Millions For Hawaiʻi Homeless Housing In Limbo. Local nonprofit leaders estimate that more than 400 people could end up back on the streets if funding cuts go through. Millions of dollars for homeless services in Hawaiʻi are at risk as the Trump administration pulls back from funding targeted housing programs that have been the mainstay of efforts to get people off the streets for nearly two decades. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green gears up to cover health care gaps in the short term. If subsidies under the Affordable Care Act expire at the end of the year as expected, that will leave tens of thousands of Hawaiʻi residents with dramatically higher insurance costs and will also affect rural health care across the state.  Hawaii Public Radio.

ICE has been sending immigrants from the continental U.S. to Hawaiʻi, and no one knows why. ICE has been transferring detained immigrants from the continental U.S. to the Honolulu Federal Detention Center since this summer. Local immigration attorneys are facing unprecedented case loads. Hawaii Public Radio.

AAA Hawaiʻi: Island gas prices are at lowest levels of 2025.  Gas price averages statewide and in Honolulu are at their lowest levels of 2025, echoing a pattern seen throughout the US, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch. The statewide average price for regular unleaded is $4.43, which is one cent lower than last week and 11 cents lower than this time last year. The average national price is $2.89. Maui Now.

Three Kamehameha Schools trustee finalists outline challenges ahead. Three finalists to fill a vacancy on the Kamehameha Schools Board of Trustees vowed to fight a lawsuit challenging the school’s admissions policy favoring Native Hawaiians. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Should A State Worker Be Able To Lease Public Property Without Bids? An agency development director can now enter five-year leases for state-owned property in Kakaʻako at below-market rates without board approval or public notice. Civil Beat.

Demolition of Aloha Stadium begins. Although the outside may look the same for now, the project to tear down Aloha Stadium has begun. On Thursday, the Aloha Stadium Authority held its final meeting inside the stadium, as work began last week to cut utilities and remove hazardous materials. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Aloha Stadium Authority hires executive with construction background. The Aloha Stadium Authority board voted at its final meeting at the facility Thursday to install Michael Yadao as deputy manager ahead of the facility’s dismantling and replacement in Halawa by the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Commission to decide how to improve HPD staffing shortage. A city task force presented a report with recommendations on how to address the Honolulu Police Department’s chronic staffing shortage — and now it’s up to the Honolulu Police Commission to choose how to move forward. Hawaii Public Radio.

Red Hill victims win attorney fees as appeal continues. A U.S. District Court judge this month ordered the federal government to pay more than $160,000 in attorneys’ fees to plaintiffs in the Red Hill civil lawsuit, following a nearly $600,000 judgement issued in September and amid an appeal on behalf of child victims. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Meeting to discuss Hilo wilderness park draws large crowd. About 100 people attended a community meeting Wednesday night at Hilo High School concerning a proposal by state Rep. Matthias Kusch to create a wilderness park on 283 acres of land on Akolea Road in Kaumana. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaiian Electric to begin construction of first standalone load-shifting battery energy storage system on Maui. As part of its transition to using more renewable energy and cutting carbon emissions to power Maui, Hawaiian Electric will begin construction in January of the island’s first large standalone load-shifting battery energy storage system (BESS). The Waena BESS will enable the planned retirement of four generating units at the company’s Kahului Power Plant. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i’s Robinson Family Quietly Pursues New Industrial Development. The island’s largest private landowner is exploring how to turn the old Olokele sugar mill into the rural Westside’s first industrial park. Civil Beat.

Future is unclear for largest coffee farm in Hawaii. The owner of Kauai Coffee Co., an affiliate of an Italian beverage firm, faces the prospect of losing control of the nearly 40-year old business it acquired more than a decade ago from a local former sugar plantation operator. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Supreme Court rules Green overstepped authority in original housing proclamation, new task force tackles slow permitting process, Honolulu council mulls aid for residents displaced by affordable housing projects, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Puts Guardrails On Governors’ Executive Powers. In a unanimous opinion Thursday, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court said Gov. Josh Green overstepped his powers early on in his administration two years ago when he suspended dozens of laws under a series of sweeping emergency proclamations intended to spur housing development. Civil Beat. Kauai Now. 

State task force tackles slow Hawaii building permit process. A task force recently created by Hawaii’s Legislature has begun to work on “simplifying” the building permit process statewide in an effort to unleash more construction and economic development.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi gas prices hold steady as inflation shifts. The statewide average for regular unleaded is $4.47. That is the same as last week and 17 cents less than one year ago.  KHON2.

Hawaiʻi's dairy industry aims to expand.  For the past six years, Oʻahu consumers have not been able to buy fresh locally produced milk. It's only been available on Hawaiʻi Island, where Cloverleaf Dairy in Kohala is the last remaining dairy farm in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council wants city help for displaced tenants. The Honolulu City Council is pushing for a city program to assist Oahu residents displaced by the future construction of city-funded affordable housing projects. Star-Advertiser.

HART sets its sights on the next two Skyline stations in Kalihi. As the city gets ready to open the second segment of the Skyline rail project next month, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is getting input for stations in the next segment down Dillingham Boulevard. Hawaii News Now.

State House committee looks to improve Honolulu’s response to emergency situations. Better communication. More training. Even using artificial intelligence. Those were just some of the improvements that officials with Honolulu’s emergency management team mentioned as ways to help Oahu deal with emergencies. KHON2.

Has City Homeless Services Program Lost Its Way? Audit Will Check. The program has strayed from its emphasis on social work, according to people who value the program but call it ineffective. Civil Beat.

Team Hickam invites public for Wings of Aloha open house. The public will get a chance to tour military aircraft and equipment, check out interactive booths and learn about careers in aviation at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam this Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Eviction order at McCully massage parlor leads to illegal game room bust. Deputy sheriffs with the Department of Law Enforcement served an eviction order at a massage parlor in Pawaa Thursday, only to discover it was actually an illegal game room. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

DAGS creates new district office, hires new program manager. Kailua-Kona civil engineer Ramzi Mansour is stepping into the role of program manager at the recently formed West Hawaiʻi District Office for the Department of Accounting and General Services. (DAGS). Big Island Now.

Council to consider revised pedestrian conduct bill following mayoral veto. The Hawaii County Council is set to revisit legislation regulating pedestrian behavior near roadways, following Mayor Kimo Alameda’s recent veto of a similar measure. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Construction Update. The national park Service recently reported that Phase One of the Disaster Recovery construction projects resulting from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse is almost complete.  Big Island Video News.

This street medicine program lends a helping hand to Hawaiʻi Island's homeless population. It’s been about eight years since the Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center started doing street medicine, but it wasn't until 2023 that it became a full-time program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Island Republicans to hold vigils in remembrance of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The West Hawai‘i Republican Party is planning vigils around the island over the weekend in the wake of the shooting death in Utah on Wednesday of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court reaffirms water advocates' rights to challenge stream water diversion permits. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has ruled that the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi was improperly denied the ability to contest one-year revocable permits that allow the diversion of millions of gallons of water from east Maui streams. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Maui police launch internal investigation into social media comments. The Maui Police Department reports it is aware of an incident involving a department member who allegedly posted inappropriate comments on social media. Maui Now.

3 Maui projects, 2 on Molokai get funding from Hawaii Tourism Authority. A restoration project at the Haleakalā Visitor Center on Maui is among 26 projects across Hawaii that are being supported by funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Maui News.

Backup wells to help in drought; Stage 1 restrictions continue. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is beginning to use a couple of backup wells to provide potable water for Upcountry residents as a drought continues across the county. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui Humane Society announces leadership transition. Lisa Labrecque has resigned as the chief executive officer for Maui Humane Society, which runs the island’s only open-admission shelter and cares for more than 4,900 animals a year. Maui News.

Kauai

U.S. Fish and Wildlife seeks feedback on long-term conservation plan for Kauaʻi. The draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, developed by the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 22, beginning a 60-day public comment period. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi medical school's Kauaʻi program aims to combat physician shortage on the island. The Kauaʻi Medical Training Track at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine welcomed its fourth cohort of students into its program, which aims to improve healthcare in Kauaʻi's rural areas while also training future physicians. Hawaii Public Radio.

Fixing Up Homes From Kauaʻi’s Plantation Past Could Ease Local Housing Woes. The county was able to help cut development costs by changing its zoning and subdivision codes. Civil Beat.

Hurricane Kiko strengthens, Japan arrivals rebounding, bumper coffee crop hampered by ICE raids, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Kiko strengthens, no threat to Hawaii today. As of early this morning, the storm was located about 1,815 miles east of Hilo, moving slowly west at 6 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.  KITV4. Hawaii News Now. 

Clock is ticking on how to spend new green fees. When the legislative session begins, it’ll be up to Green to turn the Green Fee Advisory Council’s recommendations into bills for the Legislature to debate and potentially send back to Green by the time the session ends in May. Star-Advertiser.

Japan arrivals rebounding in the back half of the year.  Japanese arrivals to Hawaii were expected to drop below last year’s levels after a sluggish start to the year, but visitor industry members say that the market is gaining ground and has a shot at finishing flat to slightly better. Star-Advertiser.

Who Uses The Most Water In Hawaiʻi? Golf courses, big resorts and the Marine Corps Base on the Windward side of Oʻahu top the list of the state’s biggest water-hungry consumers. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi legislators call for a special session to address immigration enforcement. This year, from January through the end of July, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement made almost 150 administrative arrests in Hawaiʻi. The agency made 45 arrests locally in all of 2024. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gas prices up slightly in Hawaii. According to AAA Hawaii, the statewide average price for regular unleaded was $4.47 as of Aug. 28, which is one cent more than last week and 19 cents lower than this time last year. Maui News.

Oahu

HFD fund lacks public transparency, city audit states. A Honolulu Fire Department fund meant to collect public payments for fire plan reviews related to the city’s building code is non- transparent to the public it serves, the Office of the City Auditor says. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu is updating its climate plan ahead of 2030 state goals. The Honolulu Resilience Office is in the process of updating its climate plan. It will lay out actions that the City and County of Honolulu will take over the next five years to help the state meet its goal of slashing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions in half compared to 2005 levels.  Hawaii Public Radio. 

Honolulu County Employee Fired After Nearly 5 Years Of Paid Leave. The employee was paid not to work for years as officials mulled over his “impossible” mileage reports. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

North Kohala Customers Told To Use Water for Essential Needs Only. The Hawi #2 well is suspected to have failed around mid-day September 1st, prompting the Essential Needs Only Notice. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

ICE Takes Aim At Immigrant Kids In Big Island’s Coffee Belt. President Trump has said he wants to deport hardened criminals. But on Hawaiʻi, agents are snaring undocumented children and their adult relatives. Civil Beat.

Immigration Raids Throw Long Shadow Over Big Island Coffee Harvest. As their workers are arrested and deported, flee the country or stay away, coffee farmers are struggling to bring in a bumper crop. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi County partnership aims to increase affordable housing. The partnership between Hawaiʻi County and the HALE o Hawaiʻi Community Land Trust is opening doors to affordable housing for local families. Hawaii Public Radio.

Playground project underway at Greenwell Park. Redevelopment of the playground of Arthur L. Greenwell Park in Captain Cook began last week and will continue for about five months, according to Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Maui 

County encourages Hoʻokumu Hou applicants to get official information. The County of Maui Office of Recovery is encouraging residents to find official information on Hoʻokumu Hou housing programs directly through the County due to potential fraud by third-party entities.  Maui Now.

Residents encouraged to attend in-person Lahaina Community Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kula Hospital celebrates 115 years of providing care in Upcountry Maui. Maui’s oldest upcountry hospital is celebrating its 115th birthday this year. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Brutal beating that ended the life of a Kauai man under investigation. Authorities are investigating a beating on an east Kauaʻi shoreline that left a man near death, crying out for help on the side of a busy highway. Hawaii News Now.

Department of Public Works announces lane closures in Kōloa. The Department of Public Works, in partnership with contractor Maui Kupono Builders, reported that lane closures will be in effect on portions of Hailima Road, Iuka Place, and Aka Road in Kōloa starting Tuesday. Kauai Now.

Red Hill oversight panel shutdown controversy heats up, Maui County loses appeal in waste-to-energy project, bleak summer forecast for coral reefs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Coral Disease Forecast Tool Shows High Risks Of Summer Outbreaks In Hawaii. Coral researchers in Hawaii recently developed a new early warning system that forecasts how likely it is for two common diseases to afflict those vital marine animals in the Pacific, and it already shows a strong chance of outbreaks across the Hawaiian archipelago this summer. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Wants To Expand Career-Based Learning But It Needs More Teachers. The state is giving out bonuses and may ease licensing requirements to address an ongoing shortage of instructors in career technical education. Civil Beat.

Pacific leaders of 5 island nations forge a political alliance in Hawaiʻi. Traditional leaders from across the Pacific are uniting to create the Oceania Traditional Leaders Forum, a dedicated space for ongoing dialogue and collaboration among Pacific nations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kamaka Air has resumed inter-island air cargo service to all islands. The carrier announced the news Thursday after suddenly halting all flights last week due to staffing issues. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi gas prices remain steady. The statewide average price for regular unleaded is $4.76, which is the same as week. The national average gas price is $3.46, two cents lower than last week.  Maui Now.

Oahu

Hawaii Congressional Leaders Deny Supporting Shutdown Of Red Hill Oversight Panel. An EPA official was captured on video characterizing the delegation's stance, but the EPA now says that never happened. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

The City Stopped Mandating Parking In New Urban Housing. Builders Are Providing It Anyway. Honolulu is learning that people have a hard time parting with their cars. Developers know it and are paying millions to provide parking. Civil Beat.

City addresses utility’s power shut-off program. Starting July 1, Hawaiian Electric says it will cut off power to its customers when conditions prove too hazardous to life and property. Star-Advertiser.

New solar farm celebrated on Ewa plain. Developers of the 42-megawatt Kupono Solar project held a ceremony Thursday recognizing the completion of the facility, which began commercial service June 7 and also has batteries capable of storing four days’ worth of electricity produced by the roughly 120,000 solar panels on 131 acres of land leased from the Navy. Star-Advertiser.

Lawsuit filed against state, Catholic Charities and DHS. A civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a 5-year-old adopted son of Brandy Blas and Thomas Blas, who were charged with the murder and abuse of 10-year-old Geanna Bradley, reveals he had numerous scars and bruises and suffered from malnutrition and developmental delays. Star-Advertiser.

People stuck in elevators, traffic gridlock: Power outage triggers chaos in busy business district. The Downtown Honolulu power failure Thursday struck the center of Hawaii commerce and government, shutting down federal and state offices, courts and the work of thousands of office employees. The power went out about 10 a.m. and wasn’t restored until nine hours later. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

‘This is a broken system’: Effort to reform Child Welfare Services gains momentum. Concerned community members have banded together to reform Hawaii’s child welfare system to better serve the most vulnerable families and children. Tribune-Herald.

Summer Food Service Sites On Hawaiʻi Island Announced. Meals will be provided to all children from June 12th to July 19th at various sites around the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County Loses Appeal In Case Involving Waste-To-Energy Project. The Intermediate Court of Appeals found that the county should have done the environmental review of Anaergia Services' proposed sludge-drying facility. Civil Beat.

Maui Mayor Signs $1.7B County Budget Into Law. Mayor Richard Bissen signed the overall county budget bill into law Wednesday, ending any question about whether he would veto any parts of the final version the Maui County Council approved last week. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Survey: Maui Fire Survivors Cite Urgent Financial Needs And Housing Instability As Major Concerns. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement issued a report highlighting a range of problems experienced by people who lived through last summer's deadly wildfires. Civil Beat.

Unsafe Water Advisory lifted for area L-6B in Lahaina. The Unsafe Water Advisory for Lahaina was amended to remove area L-6B, including properties primarily along Honoapiʻilani Highway and Ainakea Road, from Wahikuli Road to Kaniau Road. Maui Now.

MPD pledges action on fire safety gear for officers, but timeline unclear. MPD’s preliminary after-action report on the Lahaina wildfire confirmed most responding officers didn’t have basic equipment needed to keep them safe. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai firefighters battling 1,200-acre brushfire in Kokee. Firefighters from the Waimea and Hanapepe fire stations responded, along with the on-duty battalion chief, the Kauai Police Department, Kauai Department of Public Works, and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. Firefighters with the Pacific Missile Range Facility also responded. Star-Advertiser.  Garden Island. KHON2. KITV4.

Coquis found on Kauai after 2012 eradication. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is working to stop the spread of coqui frogs on Kauai. KHON2.

Hawaii gas price tops in the nation, Green, Luke to be inaugurated today, unexploded ordnance temporarily closes lava viewing area, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Why Is Hawaii Still Suffering From High Oil Prices When The Mainland Has Dropped? Hawaii was the only state in the U.S. last week where electric rates continue to cause consumer shock and average gasoline prices topped $5 per gallon. As crude oil and gasoline prices drop on the mainland, bringing relief to consumers after a long period of high prices, Hawaii residents and businesses face a grim alternate reality: gasoline prices haven’t dropped much, and neither has the price of electricity. Civil Beat.

Is Hawaiʻi nearing a recession? Analysts say not quite. Paul Brewbaker, economist and principal of TZ Economics, said that inflation in Hawaiʻi is running at 6.6% now — of which 4.1% is core inflation. That, combined with rising interest rates, is changing the dynamics between lenders and consumers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Inauguration of Green and Luke set for today.  Gov.-elect Josh Green and Lt. Gov.-elect Sylvia Luke are scheduled to be sworn in to Hawaii’s highest offices today in an inauguration ceremony at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena to include the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Roosevelt High School String Quartet and the Hawaii National Guard Joint Color Guard &Royal Guard. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Tourism Authority calls for special meeting on U.S. tourism contract.  The Hawaii Tourism Authority has called a special board meeting for Wednesday to discuss extending the U.S. tourism contract while it sorts out a procurement protest and other irregularities a week after a secret meeting with the outgoing governor and the director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Tourism Authority emails show contract process concerns. Hawaii Tourism Authority staff may have violated state procurement law during solicitation for the U.S. tourism contract, typically worth more than $100 million over a five-year period, according to information found in approximately 2,700 pages of public records. Star-Advertiser.

Former sports anchor, union official sentenced to probation for his role in corruption scandal. Former KHNL sports anchor and union official Russell Yamanoha has been sentenced to two years of probation and was fined $5,000 for his role in a union corruption scandal. Yamanoha, the former assistant business manager for the IBEW Local 1260, was convicted in 2019 for helping rig union votes. Hawaii News Now.

Federal Rental Subsidies Could Help Thousands Of Kupuna On DHHL Waitlist. A new program overseen by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement follows more than $12 million of rent relief the department has disbursed. Civil Beat.

Army moving equipment across Pacific for training. The Army is moving equipment across the Pacific in support of its Operation Pathways exercise to be held in Australia in 2023 as it continues to define its changing role in the region. Star-Advertiser.

Fishing council questions monument’s spillover benefits. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is again challenging the reported benefits of the Papaha­naumokuakea Marine National Monument — this time by directly questioning the legitimacy of a recent study on the spillover effects the monument’s expansion area has on marine life. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

DOT announces locations for new red light cameras. The Department of Transportation's red light safety camera pilot will install 10 cameras throughout intersections in Honolulu with a history of red light violations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy hikes toxic leak estimate: ‘They’re on thin ice’.  Officials said on Saturday, Dec. 3 that the amount that was actually released could be almost 20 percent higher than originally reported. KHON2.

‘Last straw’: BWS chief engineer Ernie Lau joins water advocates in Red Hill protest. For the first time, Board of Water Supply Chief Engineer Ernie Lau joined dozens of water advocates at a Red Hill protest Friday outside the State Health Department. Hawaii News Now.

Construction to resume on Mandarin Oriental Honolulu luxury tower.  A developer plans to start building a $650 million luxury hotel and condominium tower across from the Hawai‘i Convention Center next year following a three-year delay influenced by the coronavirus pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Makua Beach Standoff: Residents Say They Are Being Run Off By A Man Camping Out. People who regularly use the beach say Samson Souza has been blocking access for months. He says he’s trying to protect endangered spinner dolphins. Civil Beat.

Waianae Coast pig farmer fights for livelihood against landlord. A 55-year-old Waianae Coast pig farmer who filed a petition to the state’s highest court for help to save his livestock and his livelihood said he’s not giving up the fight despite being rejected by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

More progressive County Council to be sworn in Monday. There’s a new day coming for the Hawaii County Council, with a freshly minted chairwoman, three freshman members, newly named committees and a more progressive agenda. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.

Explosive device closes Mauna Loa viewing area. The Hawaii County Police Department reopened the parking area on old Saddle Road on Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of a police investigation that closed the Mauna Loa eruption viewing area for nearly five hours. Star-Advertiser. West Hawaii Today. Civil Beat.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Volcanic risk: 2020 report could be key in avoiding disaster.  After the lava flows from the 2018 Kilauea eruption took out more than 700 homes and cost tens of millions of dollars in road reconstruction and land buyouts, the county spent more than $2 million on a consultant to conduct an islandwide volcanic risk assessment as well as a Kilauea recovery plan. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Island still draws home buyers despite eruption risks.  Despite the threats of hurricanes, tsunamis, vog, earthquakes — and now another eruption from Mauna Loa — people continue to move to the more affordable areas of Hawaii Island, including the Leilani Estates subdivision that was overrun by Kilauea lava in 2018. Star-Advertiser.

A legacy of lava: Kim, Trusdell reflect on 1984 Mauna Loa eruption that threatened Hilo.  Former Mayor Harry Kim was county Civil Defense administrator in 1984, a position he held for 24 years before becoming Hawaii County’s chief executive in 2000. In his role at Civil Defense, as well as in his dozen years as mayor, Kim has dealt with volcanoes more on a day-to-day basis than any other county official. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County council voices support for restoration of Kawela Stream flow. Resolution urges water commission to deny contested case hearing for landowner. Maui News.

Work to start on new hale at Kepaniwai. A project to build a replacement Hawaiian Hale at Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens in Iao Valley will begin Dec. 12. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Coco Palms development faces new legal challenge. Kaua‘i community group I Ola Wailuanui filed a lawsuit last month against the state Board of Land and Natural Resources and the developers behind the project, arguing recently renewed BLNR permits granted to a defunct LLC without the typically required environmental impact statements.  Garden Island.

Millions released for Kaua‘i projects.  Waimea High School will get a new gym, as $27 million of the funds released between Nov. 1, 2022, and Dec. 2, 2022, are for construction of a new gym and related facilities.  Garden Island.

Green names Cabinet appointees, Hawaii only state with $5 gas, blue-ribbon panel has 31 anti-corruption proposals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Gov.-Elect Josh Green’s Cabinet Will Have Many Familiar Faces. Gov.-elect Josh Green on Thursday announced the names of 20 Cabinet-level appointees, including many who led state agencies during Gov. David Ige’s tenure. Green, who has been lieutenant governor for four years, is to be sworn in as governor at noon Monday at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Kauai Now.

These are Josh Green’s 5 big priorities for his first 100 days in office. Green discussed what changes he plans to make in his first 100 days in office. The first is to take immediate action on Hawaii’s housing crisis. Green says if necessary he’ll use emergency powers to adjust some of the processes that are obstructing the ability to build housing. Hawaii News Now.

‘A Deep Moral Crisis’: Commission Proposes ‘Bold’ Reforms In Government. Commission members urged the public to pay close attention to what the Hawaii Legislature does with the 31 proposals intended to combat corruption, ethical issues and more. A blue-ribbon panel tasked with identifying ways to better Hawaii government is calling for sweeping reforms to restore public trust in government. The suggested reforms include enhancing investigation and prosecution of fraud, providing more openness and transparency, curbing the influence of money to lawmakers and limiting their time in office. Civil Beat.

Expectations for Hawaii’s economy stay level. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released a new quarterly forecast for the local economy earlier this week, and anticipates no change from its previous projection for 2023 and 2024 made in August. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Garden Island.

AAA: Hawaiʻi only state with gas price averaging more than $5 a gallon. Hawaiʻi gas prices remained in a holding pattern even while all other Western states experienced weekly price dips of 20 cents or more, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s State Board Of Education Draft Plan Includes Higher Reading and Math Goals. BOE board members highlighted a need for higher basic academic achievement for all students, and more support for minorities and English learners. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Navy plan approved by health department following foam leak at Red Hill. The state Department of Health has approved a Navy Sampling and Analysis Plan following the leak of 1,100 gallons of concentrated fire suppressant into the ground at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill defueling on pause while Navy cleans up toxic fire suppressant spill. Defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility remains on pause as the Navy cleans up a separate toxic spill from earlier this week. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Red light camera initiative moves forward despite backlash. There will be 10 red light cameras installed at various Honolulu intersections by March as a part of the state Department of Transportation's red light safety program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

County creates ‘Traffic Hazard Mitigation Route’ for lava viewing. Via the route, which was unveiled today, drivers can enter the Old Saddle Road directly across from the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area. From there, drivers can travel the 4.5-mile stretch of road until it rejoins with the Daniel K. Inouye Highway just before Puʻuhuluhulu near the Maunakea Access Road. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hāmākua Bridge Reopens Closed Lane In Case Lava Cuts Saddle. The second lane over Nanue Bridge at mile marker 18.5 on Hawaii Belt Road has been reopened, after a closure due to emergency repairs. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Climate scientists at Maunaloa Observatory are 'pursuing all options' to get back on site. The eight scientists and technicians who work at the Maunaloa Observatory collecting climate data are grateful to be out of harm’s way of the lava flow. They say they are anxious to return to the facility though no one knows when it will be safe to do so.  Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

For many Hawaiians, lava flows are a time to honor, reflect. Glowing lava from the world’s largest volcano is a sight to behold, but for many Native Hawaiians, Mauna Loa’s eruption is a time to pray, make offerings and honor both the natural and spiritual worlds. Associated Press.

Maui

Another Former Maui County Official Has Been Charged With Accepting Bribes. Federal authorities announced Thursday that another former Maui County environmental management official has been charged with accepting bribes as part of a long-running corruption scheme involving Honolulu businessman Milton Choy. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Citing Water Crisis, Maui Makes Fodor’s List Of Places To Not Visit Next Year. The travel publication listed the island among regions “suffering from water crises.” Civil Beat.

Lanai Runway Expansion Hits A Nerve Over ‘Two-Tiered’ Travel. The upgrade would allow bigger private jets to fly to Lanai nonstop from the mainland. Lanai Airport’s existing 5,000-foot runway isn’t long enough for some heavier jets to land. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Mayor Kawakami lays out priorities for next term at his inauguration. Kawakami, entering his second term as mayor, laid out the goals for the next four years of his administration: “Infrastructure, infrastructure and infrastructure.” Garden Island.

Mayor Kawakami, Kauaʻi County Council sworn into office at inauguration ceremony. The 2022-2024 Kaua‘i County Council members include Council Chair Mel Rapozo, Council Vice Chair KipuKai Kuali‘i, Addison Bulosan, Bernard P. Carvalho Jr., Felicia Cowden, Bill DeCosta and Luke A. Evslin. Kauai Now. KHON2.