Showing posts with label immigrants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label immigrants. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Senate advances bills guarding against federal immigration actions, tax relief tug-of-war in the Legislature, SHOPO police union officials' pay increased without approval, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Legislature Moves To Guard Against Federal Immigration Enforcement. Bills are advancing to prohibit face coverings, protect the right to record police and limit state cooperation. HB 1886 easily passed the Senate Tuesday with only the chamber’s three Republicans voting against it. More than a dozen related measures are still alive as the Legislature works toward a May 8 adjournment. Civil Beat.

Tax relief tug-of-war: Lawmakers divided on balancing budget and savings. A budget battle at the State Capitol. While rejecting the Governor’s proposal to pause tax credits for the next five years, both the House and Senate say they want to put money back in your pocket, but they’re taking very different paths to get there. KHON2.

Oahu aquarium fishing ban advances as DLNR eyes West Hawaii reopening. A ban on aquarium fishing off Oahu moved forward Tuesday, with the Senate passing by a vote of 19-6 its third reading of a bill received from the House. The legislative move comes on the heels of the Division of Aquatic Resources, known as “DAR” and a part of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, holding two public meetings soliciting public comment to modify rules that would reopen the trade in West Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Police Union Officials Got Pay Raises Without Approval. The state police union’s executive director announced raises for employees without the board’s permission, the union said. The move was quickly undone. Civil Beat.

‘Blew this one’: Gov. Green calls out senator as DLE director leaves over pension. After a failed bill at the state Legislature prompted a top law enforcement official to step down, Gov. Josh Green called out the lawmaker he believes could have prevented the measure’s death and the director’s departure. Green ridiculed state Sen. Brandon Elefante, who chairs the committee, for not scheduling a hearing that could have kept Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert at his job. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi is filing more firearm permits every year. According to the Department of the Attorney General, firearm applications have increased by nearly 15 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year. Officials said more than 19,300 private applications were processed across the state — 95 percent were approved and issued permits. KHON2.

Gov. Green: Storms caused $700M in damage as Hawaii recovers. Gov. Josh Green said Hawaii suffered an estimated $700 million in damage from the recent succession of storms over the past four weeks, and that the state is now in recovery mode. Star-Advertiser.

Amemiya, Laderta appointed to UH Board of Regents. Gov. Josh Green has appointed Keith Amemiya and Marie Laderta to the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, with the nominations subject to confirmation by the state Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

State agribusiness agency to vote on acquiring Wahiawā dam and spillway. The state Agribusiness Development Corp. board is set to make a key vote today to acquire the Wahiawā dam and spillway. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council to OK COVID-era hazard pay for bus workers. More than 2,000 city bus drivers and mechanics could receive hazard pay for work during the COVID-19 pandemic under a proposal before the Honolulu City Council that would cost nearly $17 million. Star-Advertiser.

Flood damage threatens Pearl City church’s summer camp for at risk youth. Agape Christian Fellowship Oahu says devastating flood damage from last month’s Kona lows may force leaders to cancel a long-running summer camp serving children with incarcerated parents. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

$21.7M contract awarded for new bridge, roundabout in Waimea. The state Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that Maui contractor Alpha Inc. has been selected to replace the 94-year-old Waiaka Stream Bridge at the intersection of Kawaihae Road and Kohala Mountain Road. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Residents Say Dangerous Dog Law Has No Bite. After several attacks, police are trying to get the owner of a dog that’s been terrorizing a Puna neighborhood to surrender the animal. Civil Beat.

Maui


Public Works director reports ‘unsustainable’ staffing levels amid disaster recovery efforts. The Maui County Department of Public Works now has a single engineer working to manage two disasters — the recovery from the August 2023 wildfires and the recent Kona Low storms. Maui Now.

Big Island nonprofit gifts two Big Dog Tanker Trucks to Maui Fire Department.
Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation partners with nonprofits to donate two tank trucks to the Maui Fire Department after the department lost four trucks in the Lahaina and Kula fires of August 2023. Big Island Now.

Kauai

Career fair at Kaua‘i Community College attended by more than 160 students. More than 160 students attended the first career fair hosted by Kauaʻi Community College in over a decade on April 9, highlighting strong interest in career development and community connection on campus. Kauai Now.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Lawmakers seek to hasten penny phaseout, traffic cameras could monitor vehicle registration, Tokuda visits Honolulu immigrant detention, Kauai absent an auditor for 11 years, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii retailers, caught in a pinch over pennies, seek bill rounding. Five months after the federal government stopped minting new pennies, Hawaii lawmakers are working to accelerate phasing out use of the coins throughout the state. Star-Advertiser.

State eyes measure to track vehicle registration and safety checks. Registration and safety checks could be monitored by traffic cameras under a new bill moving through the state Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmaker targets parking ticket loophole after HNN Investigates found millions unpaid. A Hawaii News Now investigation used data provided by the state Judiciary and found thousands ignore parking citations. Hawaii News Now.

Free School Meals Are Popular. Hawaiʻi Isn’t Sold. Three years after lawmakers first considered making school meals free for all kids, students and teachers are still pushing for change.  Civil Beat.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda shares inside look on immigrants held behind bars. With the rise of immigration raids under the Trump administration, more and more immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been held at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center. While it's difficult to acquire information on what happens inside the facility, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda made her fourth visit to find out more about who’s been detained and why. Hawaii Public Radio.

Labor lawyer ‘Cov’ Ratcliffe appointed to state House. Green announced Michael Covenant “Cov” Ratcliffe as his pick on Monday to represent House District 28 and fill the seat vacated Feb. 13 by then-Rep. Daniel Holt (D, Sand Island-Iwilei- Chinatown). Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green’s chili fundraiser raises over $5K. On Monday, April 13, Governor Josh Green hosted his Chili and Rice Fundraiser, raising money to support the Hawaii Foodbank as part of the State Employees’ Food Drive. KHON2.

Oahu

HECO's $1 Billion Power Project Is In A Flood Zone. The electric company says the site is located several stories above sea level and has never experienced a flood in almost 90 years. Civil Beat.

Surfrider urges stricter Sand Island wastewater permit limits. As the state Department of Health weighs whether to renew a key wastewater permit for Oahu, environmental advocates are urging regulators to impose stricter limits, warning that current standards could pose ongoing risks to public health and coastal waters.  Star-Advertiser.

Air Force general in charge of recruiting stops in Hawaii. Eleven young men from Hawaii raised their right hands on Monday as they took their oaths of enlistment to join the Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Star-Advertiser.

Kaimuki residents oppose $850K archery range at park. A private proposal to build an $850,000 Japanese archery range and training facility at a city park in Kaimuki is being shot down by nearby residents who say the dojo threatens public safety, worsens flooding risks, and reduces one of the area’s few remaining green spaces. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Saddle Road speed limit bill dies in state Legislature. A bill that would have lowered the speed limit from 60 mph to 55 mph on portions of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway has died in the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Moku‘ola bridge repair could take 2 years; full reconstruction estimated at $20M. Hawaii County might use a single environmental assessment to cover both the temporary fix and permanent replacement of the damaged Moku‘ola (Coconut Island) pedestrian bridge. Tribune-Herald.

Large Tree Trimming Project At Lili‘uokalani Gardens Begins April 13. The project is expected to last 45 days, with work occurring Mondays-Fridays (excluding state holidays) between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Big Island Video News.

Election notification cards arriving soon. The Hawaii County Elections Division has mailed election notification cards to voters on Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen to hold community meeting Sunday for storm-impacted residents on Molokaʻi. Mayor Richard Bissen will hold a community meeting at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai for Molokaʻi residents to discuss impacts of the recent kona storms and severe weather in their area. Maui Now.

Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Department registration returns to original location as CDU construction continues. ffective Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Maui Memorial Medical Center’s Emergency Department (ED) patient registration, triage, fast track, and waiting room will return to their original locations inside the ED. Maui Now.

Kauai


Kauaʻi Voters Mandated A Watchdog. Auditor Seat Has Sat Empty For 11 Years.
Despite a charter mandate for an in-house auditor, Kaua‘i has had to hire outside firms to conduct the county’s financial and performance audits. Civil Beat.

State, county agencies to convene on Kauaʻi for Hawaiʻi Wildfire. Officials on Kauaʻi are calling on residents, emergency responders and community groups to take part in a statewide effort to strengthen wildfire preparedness at the upcoming Hawaiʻi Wildfire Summit 2026. Kauai Now.




Thursday, March 12, 2026

State budget bill advances, Maui severs ties with FBI, immigration measures pass legislative hurdle, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State budget bill undergoes first revision. The 16-member House Finance Committee has tweaked Gov. Josh Green’s proposed budget for next fiscal year with a roughly $100 million trim mainly from many relatively small changes. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Hawaiʻi immigration protection measures pass significant legislative hurdle. The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passed a package of bills that would increase protections for immigrants. The measures have cleared a significant step in the legislative process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Here Comes The Judge? Not So Fast, Says State’s Appellate Court. The Senate wants to add a seventh position to the ICA. Court officials say it’s not needed. Civil Beat.

Solar microgrids offer rural health centers stability amid a myriad of rising costs. Senate Bill 3254 would appropriate about $2.5 million in state funds to construct solar microgrids with storage to power five community health centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council reviews $1.07B HART budget for fiscal ’27. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s next budget is set to fill jobs, tackle the debt service for its over-$10 billion Skyline project and build two 2,000-stall park-and-ride lots at its West Oahu stations. Star-Advertiser.

‘Involuntary’ assessment of troubled Oahu homeless sees early success. More than 30 homeless people who are believed to suffer from mental health or substance abuse issues have been taken off the street and placed under “involuntary” observation through a 4-month-old pilot program that pairs city ambulance crews with Honolulu Police Department officers and state sheriffs deputies in seven Oahu communities. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers see new renderings for proposed Aloha Stadium.
A new set of renderings for a new Aloha Stadium was shown to state lawmakers during a briefing Wednesday, including plans that could add more seats. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

State breaks ground on new facility to help at-risk students in Central Oahu. The Hawaii State Department of Education broke ground on a new High Core/Storefront program facility on Wednesday for the Leilehua-Mililani-Waialua complex area schools. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island


Parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Reopen After Episode 43 Eruption. Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Kilauea Military Camp has been reopened after tephra was cleared from roads. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Island Prepares For Storm, Peak Impacts Expected to Start Friday. Emergency officials are urging readiness as a powerful kona storm is expected to impact Hawaiʻi through this weekend, with the peak of the event forecast for Friday and Saturday.  Big Island Video News.

Former Kohala Coast estate of the late Lisa Marie Presley on the market for $17.5M. Realtor Paul Stukin described the 8,178-square-foot home as having a “Hawaiiana vibe.”  Big Island Now.

Maui

ICE Concerns Spur Maui’s Move To Sever Ties With Feds. Worried about immigration actions across the nation, the Maui County Council voids longtime local partnership between its police and the FBI. Civil Beat.

Beyond The Burn Zone: Maui Wildfires Cause Widespread Mental Health Issues. New research shows housing displacement and income loss were central drivers of psychological harm. Civil Beat.

Efforts to restore historic Baldwin Home underway. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation has begun efforts to restore the historic Baldwin Home. Built in the 1830s, it was the oldest home on Maui before the 2023 wildfire left it heavily damaged. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Energy distributes more than 100 energy-efficient appliances to Lānaʻi homes
. Hawaiʻi Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, distributed 132 new energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers to Lānaʻi households today through its Appliance Trade-Up Program. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kawakami touts housing, road projects in final State of the County address. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami delivered his 2026 State of the County address remotely after weather forced organizers to cancel the in-person event. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kaua‘i’s Robinson Family Seeks To Evict Major Hawaiʻi Farm. Gay & Robinson has filed a lawsuit demanding nearly $700,000 in unpaid rent from Aloun Farms. Civil Beat.

Severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts moving over Kaua‘i waters. National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a special marine warning in effect until 5:45 a.m. today (March 12) for Kaua‘i Channel as well as leeward and windward waters of Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

More bad weather coming.
At the wettest point of the overnight Kona Low storm on Kauai, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that nearly 7 inches of rain — 6.90 inches at the North Wailua recording station — fell in a hydrologic report ending at 5 a.m. Wednesday. Garden Island.

Friday, February 27, 2026

Lawsuit seeks breakup of Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger, bills advance limiting ICE policing, tourism sees double-digit increases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawsuit claims Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger creates monopoly on Hawaii flights. An effort to break up the Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines merger is heading back to court. Passengers have filed an appeal seeking a restraining order that would preserve Hawaiian as a standalone airline. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Control ICE. Here’s What Lawmakers Want To Do Instead.  A collection of bills intended to protect immigrants and limit cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities remain alive as the 2026 legislative session reaches its crucial midpoint. Civil Beat.

Feds claim ‘exclusive control’ over greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii is harming the United States’ sovereignty by suing private fossil fuel companies for deceptive marketing practices contributing to climate change harms, the federal government claimed in a new court filing. Star-Advertiser.

E-bike regulation cruising after 2025 veto.
Legislation to regulate high-speed electric bikes throughout Hawaii is moving down a smooth road so far this year after a bump last year that led to a similar bill being vetoed. Star-Advertiser.

Walk or wait? Bill to change crosswalk rule moves forward. At nearly every busy intersection, that flashing red hand comes with a ticking clock. KHON2.

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.

Strong January masks uneven tourism outlook. Visitor spending jumped 19% to $2.26 billion and arrivals rose 10.4% to 874,358, driven almost entirely by powerful U.S. West and U.S. East markets that have now pushed the state past pre‑­pandemic benchmarks, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

High-spending visitors help drive economic gains. Hawaii’s overall tourism industry was dragged down by a downturn on Maui following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, but a Maui resurgence is now driving the state overall, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, which released its latest economic forecast. Star-Advertiser.

Does Hawaiʻi have room to bring back about 800 men incarcerated in Arizona? Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson maintains that the state would need to build a new medium-security prison to accommodate those who have been sent out of state. For 30 years, the state has sent incarcerated men to the continent to serve their sentences. However, the Hawaiʻi Legislature is weighing options to bring back hundreds who are currently held at the Saguaro Correctional Center, a private prison in Arizona. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

UH begins nationwide search to re-establish Manoa chancellor position. On Wednesday, the university said it has officially launched a national search for the next chancellor for UH Manoa to re-establish the position and ensure dedicated executive leadership for the Manoa campus. UH Manoa is the only UH campus without a dedicated chancellor. Hawaii News Now.

Floating monster home for homeless looms over Honolulu stream.  City officials are working to address a large homeless encampment along Keehi Stream in Kalihi that includes a floating two-story structure anchored in the middle of the waterway. Hawaii News Now.

King Tides And Sea Level Rise Eating Away At Pearl Harbor Bike Path. Riders on the popular trail can run into flooding, forcing them to detour to more hazardous roadways. Civil Beat.

Navy petty officer to be sentenced in sextortion case.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rumaldo Valdez, 22, aka “Duck,” was charged in a 12-page criminal complaint filed May 16. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 24 to possession of child pornography as part of a plea agreement. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Sexual Abuse Case From 1970s Could Cost Taxpayers $400K.
The state of Hawaiʻi is getting ready to pay $400,000 to settle a lawsuit over Campbell High School’s failure to protect a student in the 1970s who reported that a volunteer coach raped her on a team trip to the Big Island.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hilo hospital pauses cardiac rehabilitation program to accommodate overflow patients. Hilo Benioff Medical Center has temporarily halted its cardiac rehabilitation program. However, the hospital has a cardiac care team in place to treat acute cardiac events, such as heart attacks and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, the most severe type of heart attack. Big Island Now.

DLNR warns of potential public health risks from whale carcass off Kona coast.  Wind and ocean conditions have recently moved the carcass to a lava flat along the Kona coast where large predators such as tiger sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, mahi-mahi and visiting dolphins are still utilizing this source of food.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui sees double digit increases in visitor spending and arrivals in January 2026
. For January 2026, total arrivals (236,180 visitors, +16.7%) and total visitor spending ($664.7 million, +24.3%) on Maui increased compared to January 2025.  Maui Now.

Ag board defers amending Molokaʻi rule that bans potential CRB host material. The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity deferred a request to allow gravel to be shipped to Molokaʻi, reinforcing an import ban on the island meant to keep out the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources grants awarded to 11 local projects
. The County of Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources is awarding funding to 11 local projects through the competitive County of Maui grants program.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Federal funding will support housing, transportation projects on Kaua‘i
. Kaua‘i County will receive nearly $7.5 million for three projects. Aloha State Daily.

Survey launched to shape 2026 Ka Pewa Youth Summit in April on Kauaʻi. Ka Pewa Youth Pulse Survey — a youth-driven effort designed to capture what matters most to young people today — will directly inform programming, breakout sessions and resource fair offerings for the 2026 Ka Pewa Youth Summit: Kupu Kelakela. Kauai Now.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Green asks Legislature for help protecting immigrants, candidate filing opens Monday, swastikas deface Kauai hiking trail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor Wants New Laws To Protect Immigrants — Fast. Lawmakers were surprised by his comments, which came after a rally at the Capitol where hundreds protested ICE and the killings of protesters.In the wake of two killings of protesters by federal agents and amid bitter national debate over immigration enforcement, Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday he’d welcome action by the state Legislature to fast-track legislation protecting immigrants.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Senate President Ron Kouchi weighs in on state of the islands.
The Conversation invited Senate President Ron Kouchi to talk about the governor’s plan to pause tax breaks intended to help with the cost of living. Kouchi says he wants to see more details.  Hawaii Public Radio.

2026 Election Candidate Filing Opens Feb. 2 in Hawai‘i. In order to qualify, candidates must obtain a nomination paper and collect signatures from registered voters in the district they represent. The filing deadline is June 2, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. KITV4.

Hawaii lawmakers to consider placard program for firearms. Senate Bill 3041 would require business owners to post color-coded signs indicating whether they allow guns and large knives on their properties. KITV4.

NOAA asks mariners to watch out for entangled humpback whale. Wildlife officials said the 40-foot-long whale – referred to as Palette — was last seen Thursday off Lahaina by the monitoring team of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi's wildlife refuges brace for potential federal funding cuts. There are 10 refuges across Hawaiʻi, including James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oʻahu, Keālia Pond on Maui, and Hakalau Forest on the Big Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Waiʻanae Group Wants A New Homeless Shelter. Can They Overcome Objections? Disagreements include whether more services will help current Westside homeless or if they will just become a magnet for more. Civil Beat.

Queen’s May Cut Ties With This For-Profit Medicare Insurer. The contract dispute with Humana highlights broader health system woes. The Queen’s Health Systems has notified patients with Humana Inc. medical insurance that they soon may need to find a new doctor or get new health insurance. Civil Beat.

8 Honolulu police officers attacked in Waikiki since June.
Waikiki is HPD’s patrol District 6, the department’s smallest patrol area at 1-1/2 square miles, covers the Waikiki peninsula bordered by the Ala Wai Canal, Diamond Head and the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Washington Place renovations to begin in February.
Historic Hawaii home Washington Place will soon undergo repairs and restoration. But that work will keep the public out until the end of 2027. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

As Palm-Killing Beetles Spread On Big Island, State Action Is Slow. Hawaiʻi island residents have been tracking coconut rhinoceros beetles’ destruction throughout the islands. Fearing the same for their home, they’re urging the state to move faster. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.

County acquires coastal property in E. Hawaii. An 81-acre site on the Hilo/Hamakua coast will be preserved in perpetuity following its purchase by Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

The Hawaii Police Department is now leading the state in total drug seizures. Police say the nearly two pounds of illicit fentanyl recovered alone had the potential to cause 500,000 fatal overdoses. KHON2. KITV4. 

Maui


Mayor Bissen: Maui’s wildfire recovery shifts gears to housing delivery and infrastructure investment. Mayor Richard Bissen told state lawmakers Monday that his administration has shifted its focus from immediate wildfire recovery to housing delivery and large-scale infrastructure investments, forecasting the construction of approximately 3,000 affordable and workforce homes by 2030. Maui Now.

Community input welcome on Māla Boat Ramp site improvements. The community is invited to a Feb. 4 meeting to provide input on a proposed improvement project for Māla Boat Ramp on Maui’s west side. Maui Now.

Forensic Sciences Lab secures last remains of venerated Saint Marianne of Molokaʻi. More than a century after her death, the story of a saint who served those with Hansen’s disease and died on Moloka’i is being told anew—through science. Chaminade University’s Forensic Sciences Unit is helping evaluate her remains. Maui Now.

Kauai

Swastikas deface Sleeping Giant hiking trail on Kauai. Hikers were alarmed Sunday to find 14 swastikas spray-painted on trees, rocks and a bench with the word “Aloha” carved into it, along the popular Sleeping Giant hiking trail on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.


Friday, December 19, 2025

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.

Friday, December 5, 2025

Federal shutdown cost state less than expected, Hawaii ranks high for senior health, Honolulu council passes immigrant rights measure, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Is A Great Place To Grow Old — But Only For Some. The high percentage of kūpuna who exercise regularly — along with Hawaiʻi’s good air and water quality and comparatively low rates of depression —  help make the state one of the healthiest places in the nation for seniors, according to a report from the United Health Foundation.  Civil Beat.

State funding during shutdown less than expected. Hawaii stepped in to provide a financial and food assistance lifeline during the record-long federal government shutdown and now expects to end up paying far less in state funds than expected. Star-Advertiser.

Ethics panel fines state Senator Brenton Awa. An ethics panel has reprimanded and fined state Sen. Brenton Awa for using state resources to encourage voters to elect his former office manager to the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Why Hawai’i Tenants Can Be Left Out To Dry By The State. Policymakers say it’s time to reassess a decades-old law that leaves the state’s consumer watchdog agency without teeth to protect tenants. Civil Beat.

Could Hawaiʻi's Japanese visitor market be making a comeback? 
Visitors from Japan were up 16% in October — the second month in a row of solid growth — and visitor spending from Japan was up as well. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii ranks fifth nationally in early FAFSA filing
. Hawaii high school seniors are filing for federal financial aid at one of the highest rates in the nation, according to new data released by the National College Attainment Network. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council OKs ‘constitutional rights’ measure. The Honolulu City Council is urging Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration to affirm the constitutional rights of all Oahu residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Star-Advertiser.

Council Member Accuses Mayor’s Administration Of Coercion Over Housing Vote. Council member Val Okimoto said a “senior administration official” threatened to withhold funding to her district, but she won’t say who did it. Civil Beat.

High stakes at Honolulu Hale: Who will lead Ocean Safety for the next 5 years? A packed room filled with current and former lifeguards, community members and city leaders, leaning in on the Ocean Safety Commission’s most important task in front of them – selecting a chief who will lead the brand new department for the next five years. KHON2.

Police shut down gambling operation in Ewa Beach. The gambling bust took place at a business located near Old Fort Weaver Road at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Honolulu Police Department officers from the Narcotics Vice Division executed a search warrant in which 18 gambling machines worth an estimated value of $155,000, along with $5,037 in cash were seized. KITV4.

Erosion fears prompt removal of 12 ironwood trees at Kailua Beach. Ironwood trees have been part of the Kailua Bay shoreline for years. But more and more of them are becoming casualties as the ocean eats away at the sand that’s beneath them. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Bond revoked for Hilo attorney Sulla. U.S. District Chief Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield on Thursday found probable cause that Paul Sulla engaged in the unauthorized practice of law while free on bond, after being ordered to cease practice by the Hawaii Supreme Court on July 29. Tribune-Herald.

$1.9 Million Awarded For Puapuaʻa Iki Habitat Restoration. The project will restore 11.5 acres of coastal land and provide shoreline stabilization while protecting historic infrastructure on the site. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Emergency Management Agency wraps up work on monthslong wildfire risk reduction project.
A wildfire risk-reduction project on county-owned land in West Maui led to the removal of 123 vehicles, more than 1,200 tires, 10 drums of oil, at least two pieces of heavy equipment and other debris. Maui News. Maui Now.

Bookkeeper’s ‘Miracle’ House listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Pioneer Mill Company/Lahaina Ice Company (PMCo/LICo) Bookkeeper’s House in Lahaina, more recently dubbed the “Miracle House” after the August 2023 wildfires on Maui, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.  Maui Now. KHON2.

Lahaina fire-ravaged neighborhood to get new sewer system
. The Environmental Protection Agency says it is almost finished designing the system to replace the cesspools or septic systems now used by 231 single-family properties. Hawaii News Now.

Pacific Whale Foundation removes more than 12,000 pounds of marine debris in 2025. The Pacific Whale Foundation, the designated Marine Debris Rapid Response partner for Maui Nui, is reporting more progress in its ongoing effort to remove harmful debris from local waters. Maui Now.

Kauai

Līhuʻe and Kapaʻa DMV offices to close for staff training next week. The Kaua‘i Division of Motor Vehicles will close its main Līhu‘e office and the recently opened Kapa‘a satellite location next week to allow for staff training, county officials announced. Both offices are scheduled to close on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and resume normal operations on Dec. 11. Kauai Now.

Kauai RSVP volunteers recognized, celebrated during annual luncheon. The Thursday gathering of more than 250 people at the Koloa Landing Resort came down to honoring and recognizing the volunteer time put forth by members of Kauai Retired &Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), an Americorps Seniors affiliate, and other community volunteers. Garden Island.


Thursday, November 6, 2025

Flight reductions coming to HNL, election commission votes to end vote by mail, ICE arrests 44 on Kauai, school chief gets huge raise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HNL on list of airports where FAA will reduce flights. FAA says it's cutting thousands of flights a day starting this week due to shutdown. Hawaii News Now. ABC.

Hawaiʻi Schools Chief Gets $45,000 Raise As His 4-Year Contract Is Renewed. DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi also could see his salary rise up to $400,900 by the end of the decade if he continues to get good performance reviews. Civil Beat.  Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii elections commission calls for end to mail-in voting.
The state elections commission has voted to ask the legislature to ban mail-in and early voting and return to traditional in-person voting on Election Day. Hawaii News Now.

OHA Chief Executive Sues Trustees For Retaliation, Damage To Reputation. Stacy Ferreira, who has been on leave from her position as the chief executive of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs since late September, alleged in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that Board Chairman Kai Kahele retaliated against her for reporting misconduct during the office’s budget sessions earlier this year and “orchestrated” her removal from office. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii House leaders won’t investigate bribery scandal citing federal case. Circulating petition asks lawmakers to investigate one of their own. It's been a little more than a week since a petition was circulated to put pressure on state lawmakers to investigate one of their own. It stems from a public corruption case that sent two lawmakers to jail: Sen. J. Kalani English and Rep. Ty Cullen. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Ban on e-bikes at Hawaii's public schools. New regulations announced for electric bicycles on school campuses, properties statewide. Hawai‘i Department of Education — effective immediately — implemented new regulations governing the use of electric bicycles, more commonly known as e-bikes, on all department campuses throughout the islands. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Green wants $10B in Hawaii benefits for future Army use of state lands
. Gov. Josh Green is proposing a $10 billion deal for future use of state land by the Army for training if the federal government pursues condemnation for such use. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Hawaiian Airlines Changes Surfboard Policy After PR Wipeout. Travelers can now carry 10-foot, 5-inch surfboard bags on Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines flights. Civil Beat.

Honolulu-bound UPS plane crash kills 12; ‘black boxes’ found. U.S. federal safety investigators have located the “black box” recorders from the wreckage of a Hawaii-bound UPS cargo plane that crashed in flames on takeoff from the airport at Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least 12 people, officials said. Reuters.

Oahu

Queen Emma Land Co. Wants Former Tenant To Tear Down Historic Building. The controversy over the downtown Honolulu building pits one of Hawaiʻi’s oldest real estate services companies against an aliʻi trust established by Queen Emma to benefit her hospital. Civil Beat.

HPD shoots, kills ‘aggressive’ dog; 1 officer injured. Loved ones gathered in the Iwilei area to say goodbye to a beloved pet that was shot and killed by a Honolulu police officer. KHON2.

Filmmaker, caregiver in Hawaii facing deportation to Brazil. A filmmaker from Brazil allegedly living in the U.S. illegally for more than 25 years was arrested by federal agents in Hawaii and is facing deportation after he failed to appear before an immigration judge in August. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaii Island

Legal wrangling continues in fatal dog attack case. A West Hawaii couple facing petty misdemeanor charges for a fatal dog mauling that occurred more than two years ago in Ocean View has filed separate motions to dismiss their cases in Kona District Court. Tribune-Herald.

Lead contamination found in Hawaii school water. Education officials are investigating lead contamination at Waiakea Intermediate School on the Big Island. Drinking fountains have been shut down after the kitchen water tested above federal limits. KHON2.

Maui

Wildfire Risk Reduction Project set to start Nov. 12 off Waiʻale Road in Wailuku. The County’s Maui Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with County staff and contracted partners, will begin removing hazardous wildfire risks from County-owned parcels near a public school and a church in Wailuku on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Maui Now.

Complaints of living conditions at Maui public housing facility. Chantia Kaulia lives at Kahekili Terrace in Wailuku. Her life improved dramatically when she moved in about two years ago. But her gratitude has now turned into frustration. Hawaii News Now.

Over 130 health care professionals convene for Maui County Healthcare Stakeholders’ Summit.
Health care professionals, administrators, educators, government leaders and nonprofit directors from Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi gathered for a daylong meeting aimed at building bridges and finding solutions to Maui County’s health care woes.  Maui Now.

Kauai


44 people arrested in immigration raids on Kauai. Federal agents have arrested 44 people on Kauai for allegedly violating U.S. immigration law, including two “suspected associates” of the Venezuelan criminal gang Tren de Aragua, after serving warrants at six homes and one business, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Kauaʻi County Council approves taxi fare increase to support local drivers. The Kaua‘i County Council has approved an ordinance to raise taxi rates across the Garden Isle, marking the first major fare adjustment in years for local drivers. Kauai Now.

Surfer suffers leg injuries after being bitten by shark at Hanalei Bay. Kauai’s Hanalei Bay is closed until further notice after a surfer was bitten by a shark — leaving him with multiple leg injuries. KHON2. 

Monday, July 7, 2025

Coral monitoring plan develops, Green signs bill allowing HECO to borrow against rates, federal detention center to house immigrants, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tracking Coral Disease Attacking Hawaiʻi’s Reefs Is All-Hands-On-Deck Job. Hawaiian reefs account for 85% of coral reefs in the United States, stretching over 1,200 miles around the state’s shoreline — a vast territory for any individual group to monitor.  Creating a way for tourists and casual oceangoers to flag diseased coral is underway as white syndrome threatens reefs around Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Governor enacts HECO securitization measure. Gov. Josh Green quietly signed into law a major piece of legislation dealing with Hawaiian Electric's finances on Tuesday night. Act 258 authorizes securitization, which allows the utility to issue ratepayer-backed bonds for certain costs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Here's how the state is moving forward to stabilize the condo insurance crisis. The state has started to accept applications for hurricane insurance from condominium and townhouse associations that have been unable to secure full coverage on the regulated market. Last August, Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation to stabilize the insurance market after condominium buildings were unable to secure full insurance coverage from one of the three companies operating in Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu’s Federal Detention Center to house ICE detainees. The Federal Detention Center in Honolulu is one of three prisons that joined the list of five approved facilities that will hold detained immigrants. McClatchy News.

Rep. Case confirms ICE detainees coming to Honolulu facility. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D- Hawaii, said his office was recently notified of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to house its detainees in additional prison facilities, including the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu.  Star-Advertiser.

With No Federal Halfway House in Hawaiʻi, Inmates Remain Far From Home. The state’s only halfway house for people convicted of federal crimes closed six years ago so those who qualify for supervised release must stay on the mainland. Civil Beat.

Only Half Of Hawaiʻi High School Seniors Apply For Financial Aid.
The state has seen a boost recently in the application rate for federal financial aid, but it still falls short of its pre-pandemic level. Civil Beat.

Young Brothers announces leadership transition: Jay Ana stepping down, Frank Almaraz selected as Interim President. The inter island freight company, Young Brothers, LLC, has announced a leadership transition. Jeremiah “Jay” Ana is stepping down as President after leading the company since 2020 and will assume an advisory role through the end of the year to support a seamless transition. Frank Almaraz has been appointed Interim President. Maui Now.

Oahu

Maili wildfire prompts mass evacuation on Leeward Coast. Honolulu firefighters had a 95-acre wildfire in Maili 75% contained Sunday night after it led to the mass evacuation of Leeward Coast residents, resulted in a 94-year-old woman being treated for smoke inhalation and burned two homes. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Traffic fatalities skyrocket on Oahu. More than half of the states 70 traffic-­related fatalities were on Oahu, with a current count of 41, more than double the 15 reported at the same time last year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu housing market slows at midpoint of 2025. While homebuyers are seeing more single-family home options at the midpoint of 2025, year-to-date sales for both single-family homes and condominiums in June lagged slightly behind the same time last year, according to the Honolulu Board of Realtors’ monthly report. Star-Advertiser.

Schofield Barracks soldiers turn to drones as battlefields change. Soldiers at Oahu’s Schofield Barracks have been making drones a more central part of how they operate, both in Hawaii and in operations across the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Police chief to face commission on Thursday.
The Hawaii County Police Commission has scheduled a special meeting for 10 a.m. Thursday, with the only agenda items relating to the fate of Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz as the Big Island’s top cop. Tribune-Herald.

Pāhala Wastewater Collection System Construction Starts Monday, July 7. The $30.9 million contract for the Pāhala Wastewater Collection System was awarded to Goodfellow Bros., and includes exploratory excavation and potholing, sewer and water line installation, lateral connections to the 109 existing LCC-served properties, and roadway restoration and paving. Big Island Video News.

Cessna Aircraft Crash Lands On Kona Beach Road.  An airplane crash landed in North Kona on Thursday, and the pilot was able to walk away from the plane with only minor injuries. Big Island Video News.

Tree trimming, removal maintenance project scheduled this week at Liliʻuokalani Gardens.
Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation notifies the public that a tree trimming and removal maintenance project is planned this week at Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hilo. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Gears Up For Legal Challenges From Former Employees.
Maui is poised to spend more than $800,000 in taxpayer dollars to hire outside counsel to defend the county against various legal challenges and to pay legal settlements. The cases include allegations from the mayor’s former chief of staff and a gender discrimination lawsuit against the Maui Police Department. Civil Beat.

Over 400 building permits have been issued for Lahaina rebuilds so far. As of Wednesday, more than 30 homes have been issued their certificate of occupancy, marking completion. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

12 projects receive Agriculture Farm Expansion Grants from Office of Economic Development. This is the second year the office offered funding through the grant program aimed at advancing Kaua‘i’s agricultural industry through targeted investments in the expansion of farming and/or production around the island. Kauai Now.

Water conservation request lifted for Kauai residents. After three months Kauai residents in Hanalei and Anini Beach are no longer asked to conserve water. This comes after repairs to a pump that failed at the Maka Ridge Well in Hanalei back in April. Hawaii News Now.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Green heads to Washington to tout vaccinations, housing affordability worsens, Honolulu may tap into transient accommodations tax to defray sewer costs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green heading to D.C. to urge vaccinations. Green will board a coach seat for a red-eye flight to Washington, D.C., on Monday to testify in support of vaccinations after Hawaii’s 90% COVID-era vaccine rate contributed to the lowest COVID mortality rate in the country. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Looks To Expand Leadership Team Amid Bus Shortages And Facility Woes. State education leaders say creating a new assistant superintendent position could improve operations, but the department is close to doubling the number of top leadership posts since 2012. Civil Beat.

Housing affordability continues to elude many in Hawaii. It took more income to afford the median rent for a place to live or to buy a median-priced single-family house in 2024, according to the study published Wednesday by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Hawaii home prices are three times the national median and the state also has the nation's highest rate of homeless population, according to the study.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Maui Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaiʻi will not meet its climate goals without significant transportation changes. The latest state greenhouse gas report, prepared by the state Department of Health, concludes that based on emission data from 2022, the state is off-track on two important goals: slashing emissions in half by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, and eliminating emissions entirely by 2045. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senators back bill to boost reimbursements for farmer and rancher transportation costs. US Sens. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaiʻi) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) reintroduced legislation to increase funding for the US Department of Agriculture’s Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment program. The program reimburses farmers and ranchers in Hawaiʻi, Alaska and other insular areas for transportation costs of supplies like feed, fertilizer and equipment parts. Maui Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Council advances bill to offset sewer fee hike.  The Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Bill 43, meant to redirect a portion of the 3% visitor-­generated Oahu transient accommodations tax, which in part is earmarked for Honolulu’s rail project, to the city’s sewer fund. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu Approves Last Big Covid Hazard Payments For City Workers. After years of delays, the City Council signed off on a $41 million deal with the state’s largest union after previously reaching agreements with two other unions. Civil Beat.

Honolulu To Pay $2.1 Million To End Wrongful Arrest Lawsuit. The Honolulu City Council has agreed to pay $2.1 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a man who spent nearly three years in jail awaiting trial for drug trafficking charges — despite never having been found in possession of drugs or drug money.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu parks department updates community garden rules. For the first time in 40 years, new rules are now in place for Honolulu’s community gardening program, which currently has a 300-person waitlist. Hawaii News Now.

Tariff uncertainty is affecting these Chinatown small business owners.
Chu Lan Shubert-Kwock, the founder and president of the Chinatown Business & Community Association,  said Chinatown business owners are worried that they won't have something to sell in the next few months.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Kai roads reopen after projectile devices defused. Two possibly live M49A2 mortar bombs were found and turned in by a member of the public. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kona coffee fields have become a target for ICE. Kona coffee retails for more than $30 for an 8-ounce bag. With a devoted following around the world, the distinct coffee has been a point of pride for the Big Island, and for the thousands of immigrants from Latin America who for decades have handpicked the beans in the Kona fields. Now the fate of many of those immigrant workers is uncertain, as is the future of the island’s coffee industry. New York Times.

Budget bill contains $2.5M for Puna Alternate Route Study.  The 2023 budget previously allocated $1 million in state funds for such a study, but required a $500,000 match by Hawaii County. Those state funds unexpectedly lapsed in mid-2024. Tribune-Herald.

Case involving Puna house snafu settled. A settlement has been reached in the case of a house built on the wrong lot in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Tribune-Herald.

Last Two Phases of Māmalahoa Highway Repaving Project Starts May 19. Resurfacing will be completed from Kalamauka Road to Ha‘awina Street, as well as from Palani Road to Kamalani Street, by the end of the year. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Decrease in visitor tax rate sought as fear of recession looms. Maui County Council chair Alice Lee said she hopes to roll back the council’s proposed property tax rate hikes for the visitor industry because there’s sufficient funding for future projects and a likelihood of a recession. The proposed reduction would reduce the estimated real property tax revenues for the visitor industry by $14.5 million.  Maui News.

Lahaina Wildfire Debris Heading To Final Central Maui Site In June.
Officials say they have worked to minimize traffic and address health concerns. But a December deadline for removal looms large. Civil Beat.

Online briefing for Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners as no-cost property surveys move ahead. Lahaina owner-occupant homeowners are encouraged to register now for an online briefing on how to receive property surveys through the Lahaina Homeowner Recovery Program. Maui Now.

Prosecutors say Maui doctor took powerful drug from hospital. Just three days after anesthesiologist, Gerhardt Konig, allegedly tried to kill his wife, Arielle, in March by pushing her off an Oahu cliff and injecting her with needles, court document say she contacted Honolulu police after finding the defendant’s Nike fanny pack on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi councilmembers propose diverting money from stalled projects. Kauaʻi councilmembers have proposed some budget changes that divert money from projects that have stalled or don't have solid plans going forward. Hawaii Public Radio.