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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

Hawaii Island 

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

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

Kauai

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

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

Case, Tokuda vote no as federal shutdown ends, businesses hurt by Honolulu rail construction struggle for compensation, West Maui water study released, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s U.S. House members vote against reopening government, citing lack of health care assurances. Hawaii’s two House members voted against reopening the federal government, saying the legislation contained no guarantees to prevent insurance premiums from rising for island residents who purchase their health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Green Fee Advisory Council to give update about project evaluation, recommendations. The Green Fee Advisory Council will host a webinar next week via Zoom to update the public about its ongoing evaluation criteria along with timelines and next steps in its recommendation process for possible Green Fee projects. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi DOE Spending More On Buses For Fewer Students. Schools have fewer bus drivers than before the Covid-19 pandemic, but statewide costs for student transportation have increased. Civil Beat.

AlohaCare expands access to medical equipment for Medicaid, Medicare patients. AlohaCare currently serves about 80,000 residents in Hawaiʻi who have Medicaid and Medicare coverage. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu Businesses Hurt By Rail Construction Find City Help Falls Short. It took years for the city to set up a program helping businesses that were negatively impacted by rail construction. Now, that program is underutilized and insufficient, business owners say. Civil Beat.

Bribery Case: Architect, 92, On Trial For Failed $20 Gift To City Worker. An elderly architect tried to slip an employee what he called a gratuity. County prosecutors say it was a bribe. A judge will decide. Civil Beat.

Honolulu urged to reduce water usage by 20% . Honolulu Board of Water Supply urged Oahu residents to cut their water usage by 10% when the Halawa Shaft was closed due to Red Hill contamination, and that request doubled in 2025. KHON2.

OHA receives $2M grant for environmental cleanup and redevelopment of Kaka‘ako Makai. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been awarded a federal Brownfields Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to begin critical environmental assessments and planning for the revitalization of 29 acres of Kaka‘ako.  Hawaii News Now.

Ex-informant allegedly killed trying to collect debt. Jonnaven Jo Monalim, 55, was not killed out of retribution for his work as a federal informant during the 2004 Pali Golf Course murder investigation, according to authorities.  Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Eligible Oʻahu veterans to get $20 vehicle registration fee exemption. Military veterans 65 and older on Oʻahu will be given a $20 exemption from their annual vehicle registrations. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has signed a bill that makes the exemption a city law. It will go into effect next July. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chef Chai closed for operating without valid permit. Chef Chai was shut down Wednesday after health investigators said its new owner lacked a valid permit.The restaurant, located at 1009 Kapiolani Blvd., is now owned by Pomaikai Culinary Group, LLC. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. 
 
Hawaii Island

Input sought on DOT plan to add bus stops, bike lanes, charging stations. Hawaii Island residents should see a significant boost in bike lanes, bus stop improvements, and electric vehicle infrastructure as the Hawaii Department of Transportation moves forward with its Priority Multimodal Network Plan. Tribune-Herald.

How Overhauling A Big Island Sewer Plant Is Energizing A Long-Stalled Park. A lawsuit over a controversial wastewater system in Kona may finally lead to development of a new regional park. Civil Beat.

What's causing Hāmākua's extraordinary fire season? Hāmākua on the northern coast of Hawaiʻi Island has had more than 90 fires so far this year — three times higher than average. Human activity is responsible for the majority of wildland fires. Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO works to restore South Kohala power after being shut off due to wildfire risk. Hawaiian Electric initiated a public safety power shutoff — proactively shutting off power — in South Kohala because of the threat of wildfires from high winds and dry conditions. Hawaii News Now.  Big Island Now.

Maui

West Maui water usage study to underpin better regulation ahead. The Commission on Water Resource Management published an analysis Wednesday on surface and groundwater consumption by West Maui property owners, which will be used to better regulate the public trust resource in an area plagued by severe drought and dominated by private water system operators. Star-Advertiser.

Disabled Maui residents still struggle 2 years after wildfires, report finds. More than two years after the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, disabled residents remain among the least recovered — still facing unstable housing, steep income losses and worsening health — according to a new report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Play returns to the Plantation as owner donates $750K to Maui nonprofits. About four dozen golfers ages 10 to 17 teed off at the pro-level Kapalua Plantation Course on Sunday — just after watching three junior golf nonprofits receive one big check. Maui News.

Upcountry Maui water shortage downgraded to Stage 1. Following recent rainfall that improved surface water flows and replenished reservoirs, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) is suspending the Stage 2 Upcountry water shortage and downgrading it to a Stage 1. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Charter Review Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments. Kaua‘i County Charter Review Commission is considering several changes to the Kaua‘i County Charter that could appear on the 2026 General Election ballot. Kauai Now.

Public can give input on update of county Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan. Garden Isle community members are invited to help update the 5-year Kaua‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan — a key to strengthening community preparedness and reducing risks from natural disasters. Kauai Now.

Hawaii readies nation's first climate impact fee on tourists, Kaiser Permanente workers vote to strike, inaugural high school surfing championships coming this spring, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Conference showcases nexus between green fees, tourism. Members of the Green Fee Advisory Council updated Hawaii’s visitor industry Monday on the process that they are using to ensure that the nation’s first-ever climate impact fee strengthens Hawaii’s environment, builds resilience and enhances the visitor experience. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi is getting less rainfall than in the past. Is that shift permanent? Overall, last month was the driest August for Hawaiʻi since at least 1991. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser Hawaii workers vote to authorize a strike. The vote signals the possibility that thousands of health care workers, including hospital aides, medical assistants, nurses, and lab technicians, among others, could walk off the job if no agreement is reached by the end of month, when contracts expire. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Ruling opens door for challenges to HMSA prior authorization decision. The Hawaii Supreme Court has cleared the way for customers of the state’s largest health insurance company to sue over coverage denials that they believe harmed them or their families.  Hawaii News Now.

Here’s Where Hawaiʻi School Enrollment Is Dropping Fastest. The state is looking at redistricting schools and closing campuses amid an ongoing decline in enrollment. Civil Beat.

Surfing State Championships Coming To Hawaiʻi Schools This Spring. Surfing has been a high school sport since 2004, but a lack of funding and state support has kept many schools from starting their own competitive teams. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Now. 

Coral in Hawaiʻi waters officially named after furry 'Star Wars' lookalike. A species of deep-sea coral has been named after the beloved "Star Wars" character Chewbacca. Its long shape makes it look like it’s standing upright, and its extended, flexible branches resemble the famous character’s fur. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Alleged discrepancies in HFD fund under Council discussion. The City Council’s Budget Committee is set today to discuss an audit that showed that a Honolulu Fire Department fund to support fire prevention efforts islandwide was instead allegedly used to finance the department’s operations, staffing and new fire equipment purchases with little to no oversight. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill whistleblower describes ‘cover-up’ during May 2021 fuel leak. A whistleblower turned over a mountain of evidence years ago, which includes never-seen-before photos of the initial spill. Hawaii News Now.

Invasive Beetles Are Overrunning Oʻahu. Could New Methods Offer Relief? The agriculture department has been focusing on coconut rhinoceros beetles on other Hawaiian islands, leaving Oʻahu largely to fend for itself. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Salary Commission to discuss raises for top officials, County Council. The Salary Commission is proposing to mirror Hawaii Government Employees Association alary increases for executives and elected officials for the next four years: 3.5% increase for year one; 3.79% increase for year two, 4% increase for year three, and 4% increase for year four. Tribune-Herald.

Council OK’s effort to acquire Honolulu Landing property. The Hawaii County Council has given full approval to a resolution urging the Department of Finance to move ahead with acquiring 364 acres of culturally and environmentally significant coastline in Puna known as Honolulu Landing. Tribune-Herald.

Hakalau Bridge Project Begins September 24. Work to rehabilitate the bridge will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Balances Compassion With Fire Safety In Homeless Encampment Sweeps. County leaders say they are prioritizing the community as a whole but critics feel it’s scapegoating. Civil Beat.

With debris transfer nearing completion, attention turns to future of site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates some 400,000 to 500,000 tons of debris will be moved from the temporary disposal site at Olowalu to the permanent location at Puunene next to the Central Maui Landfill. Maui News.

Maui to host first-ever Hawaii high school surfing championship May 1-2. After almost three decades of work to bring surfing into the mainstream of high school sports on Maui, the first Hawaii High School Athletic Association surfing state championship will be decided on the Valley Isle. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Coordinated Hunt in Kauaʻi’s Kalalau Valley reduces feral animal population. Kalalau Valley has long struggled with populations of feral pigs and goats, which damage native plants, cause erosion, and create public health and safety concerns for campers and hikers. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii HOA fees third-highest in nation, Green Fee Advisory Council sets inaugural meeting, Big Island council weighs plastic foodware ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawai’i Is Near The Top In Homeowners Association Fees. The median monthly fee paid to a homeowners or condo association last year in Hawaiʻi was $470, the third-highest in the nation, according to the latest estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Civil Beat.

First meeting of Hawaiʻi’s new Green Fee Advisory Council to be held virtually on Wednesday. Hawaiʻi’s newly created 10-member Green Fee Advisory Council will convene for the first time on Wednesday during a virtual public meeting to discuss how this new climate-impact tax will go into effect and how money generated from this tax will be used. Big Island Now.

Former Gov. Ige's portrait will be added to Hawaiʻi State Capitol ceremony room. In his official portrait, former Gov. David Ige stands tall in an office at the Capitol, where he spent eight years leading the state.  Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. 

Hawaii nonprofits navigate federal uncertainty while protecting vulnerable communities. A recent study conducted by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health surveyed 24 nonprofit leaders across the islands and found that operational disruption and related anxiety was already evident, even before major funding losses mandated by the Trump administration had landed. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers explore potential of record expungements for minor offenses. A state pilot program has cleared the records of nearly 1,000 people arrested but not convicted for certain drug charges, leading to an interest in clearing others of minor offenses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Financial Risks Loom Over The Honolulu Rail Project. Construction of the rail line through the urban core is about to begin in earnest, but some major cost items are still subject to change. Civil Beat.

Honolulu council to consider library vending machines for Skyline stations. The proposal, introduced by councilmembers Augie Tulba and Radiant Cordero, calls for an 18-month pilot program to install library vending machines at two key rail stations: Pouhala in Waipahu and Kahauiki near Middle Street. KHON2.

Why Honolulu Bus Fares May Be On The Rise. Honolulu transit fares could go up starting next year to help make up for lower ridership and pay for escalating costs as bus service is increased and new labor contracts are negotiated. Civil Beat.

Work set to begin on 12-month flood control project in Kailua. Crews will rebuild a 90-foot section of the Keolu Stream channel wall that partially collapsed, backfill behind the new wall, and install erosion control matting. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Plastic foodware restrictions eyed. A Hawaii County Council committee postponed action Tuesday on a bill that would prohibit food providers and county facilities from offering disposable plastic or polystyrene foodware and serviceware. Tribune-Herald.

Keaau High educator named Hawaii Teacher of the Year. Judith “Elise” Hannigan still remembers the words she scribbled onto a note card for a nervous student preparing to take the Advanced Placement English exam: “You’ll do on the test exactly as well as you put in the effort to do.”  Star-Advertiser.

High court rules that former warden was wrongfully terminated. The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled 4-1 Wednesday that Ruth Forbes, a former warden at Kulani Correctional Facility, was wrongfully terminated in 2015 by the then-Department of Public Safety. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Program to help fire survivors become first-time homeowners is flooded with applications. Maui County said it has received more than 1,800 applications from people who rented units before the wildfires and now want to buy homes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army Corps of Engineers expect to restore temporary disposal site of Lahaina fire debris in Olowalu by end of year. Two years after the August 2023 Lahaina fire destroyed more than 2,220 structures, the transportation of 400,000 tons of mostly non-hazardous ash and debris is nearing completion — after first being taken to a controversial temporary site in Olowalu near the ocean and now to its final location on land purchased next to the Central Maui Landfill. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Real Property Division launches online home exemption application. The County of Kauaʻi Real Property Division has launched a new online home exemption application system that will make this process more accessible, efficient and user-friendly for residents. Kauai Now.

GoFarm Hawaiʻi seeking people interested in farming for its 15th Kauaʻi cohort. Since its inception in 2012, GoFarm Hawaiʻi has offered a nontraditional pathway to a career in agriculture.  Kauai Now.

Homeowners rush to beat solar tax credit deadline, residents weigh in on how to spend $100M green fee, state violated due process in Maui water case, Kiko downgraded to tropical storm, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Homeowners rush to install solar on roofs before tax credits expire. Due to the passage in July of H.R.1, the “big, beautiful bill,” the 30% federal tax credit for residential solar PV panels and batteries ends Dec. 31 instead of the end of 2032. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.   Maui Now.

This is what residents think the new 'Green Fee' should be spent on. The state is deciding how it will spend an estimated extra $100 million a year from the new "Green Fee" tax on hotels and cruise ships that starts next year. More than half of those surveyed touted projects that focus on restoration, recovery and workforce development. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kiko downgraded to tropical storm as it passes north of Hawaii. Kiko weakened to a tropical storm Monday night and is on track to pass well north of Hawaii over the next two days. Once a major Category 4 hurricane just a few days ago, Kiko is now a shallow tropical storm and is mostly a swirl of low level clouds. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Girls Remain Underrepresented In Hawaiʻi High School Sports. Seven years after the state education department faced a civil rights lawsuit over gender inequality in sports, Hawaiʻi girls remain consistently underrepresented in high school athletics. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Report Describes ‘Atrocious’ Conditions For Mentally Ill Inmates. Psychiatrists who inspected state facilities cited problems ranging from overuse of pepper spray to intentionally harsh conditions on suicide watch. Civil Beat.

Blue Hawaiian’s request to fly at lower altitudes gets pushback. In a 20-page petition to the Federal Aviation Administration, Blue Hawaiian explained if its pilots were allowed fly below the 1500-foot minimum altitude in certain areas, they could more easily avoid clouds, which typically form at 1,200 feet on up. Hawaii News Now.

How Small Businesses Are Breaking Into Hawaiʻi’s Big Tourism Markets. Airlines and hotels can provide a lucrative market for Hawaiʻi entrepreneurs, but making inroads with large brands and scaling up production isn’t easy. Civil Beat.

Oahu

HPD Tried To Fire This Cop. He’s Retiring With A Giant Pension Instead. The police department has opened an inquiry into the 2,375 hours of overtime filed last year by Darren Cachola, who is one of the officers being sued along with the department for arresting sober drivers at DUI checkpoints.  Civil Beat.

Council OKs 750-unit affordable rental project in Kapolei. The Council’s approval allows Laulima Affordable Housing LLC, an affiliate of Utah-based the Wasatch Group, to build its project within a part of a 516-acre Kapolei West master-­planned development.  Star-Advertiser.

Hanauma Bay closed for parking lot repaving. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is closed for two weeks starting Monday. A city contractor is repaving and restriping the attraction’s two main public parking lots, which includes approximately 280 parking stalls.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council committee passes bill to extend free bus rides through 2028. The move aims to address ongoing staffing shortages within the Mass Transit Agency and give officials time to implement improvements, including a micro-transit program that will better serve rural residents. Tribune-Herald.

Final EIS For Keauhou Bay Management Plan Published. The documents detail Kamehameha Schools' proposal to implement the Keauhou Bay Management Plan on approximately 29 acres at Keauhou Bay.  Big Island Video News.

PETA weighs in on K-9 Archer’s death. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said it sent a letter Monday to Hawaii Police Department Interim Chief Reed Mahuna concerning Archer, the West Hawaii Vice Division K-9 that died Thursday after being left unattended in a police vehicle. Tribune-Herald.

Once homeless, man helps job seekers through the same organization that helped him. When Kevin Aki Jr. first attended an American Job Center Hawaii community outreach event a decade ago, he and his family were “homeless and low-income.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State violated due process in Maui water case, Hawaii justices rule. The Hawaii Supreme Court has ruled that the state Board of Land and Natural Resources violated constitutional rights when it allowed Alexander &Baldwin Inc. to divert streams in East Maui without granting community groups a full hearing on the environmental and cultural consequences. Star-Advertiser.

Free building trades courses offered at UH Maui College this fall. The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College is offering a free eight-week carpentry pre-apprenticeship training beginning next Monday, Sept. 15 and running through Friday, Nov. 14. The tuition value is $6,000. Maui Now.

Guided tours resume at the remote Hawaii leprosy settlement of Kalaupapa. A former leprosy settlement in a remote part of Hawaii will reopen this month for the first time since the pandemic, when it closed to shield the few remaining patients, all of whom are over 80, from exposure to COVID-19, officials said Monday.  Associated Press.

Kauai

County strengthens wildfire safety in West Kauai plantation camp communities. On Monday, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed into law Bill No. 2961, an ordinance passed unanimously by the Kauai County Council to advance wildfire mitigation in West Kauai’s plantation camp districts.  Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Healthy coconut trees cut down on Kalalau Trail; state staff reprimanded for not protecting natural resources. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources is facing criticism from residents and outdoor enthusiasts after its employees cut down more than a dozen healthy coconut trees along the Kalalau Trail on the Nāpali Coast of Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

ID card production resumes after temporarily being unavailable on Kauai. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announces that the production of identification cards will resume on Tuesday for Kauai residents. Hawaii News Now.