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
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
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.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
State to establish insurer of last resort for condo owners, ICE raids hit Maui and Big Island, LA Rams to hold minicamp on Maui, Fox cancels North Shore lifeguard drama, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
ICE raids lead to arrests, teachers detained. Federal agents served search warrants, detained and arrested more than two dozen people in Kona on suspicion of immigration law violations, and detained a group of Maui teachers from the Philippines as part of an ongoing effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to deport undocumented immigrants. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
An Inside Look At The Sudden Shake-Up In House Leadership. Regardless of how Rep. Chris Todd came to replace Rep. Kyle Yamashita as chair of the Finance Committee, the repercussions were immediate. Todd said Wednesday he wants to relax the iron grip the committee has traditionally held on almost all legislation, which has created a procedural bottleneck that kills significant bills every year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4.
Golden Week sees slight bump in Japanese visitors. Golden Week, a traditional holiday time for Japanese travelers, attracted more visitors to Hawaii than last year but still brought only about half the volume of 2019. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
Fox cancels North Shore lifeguard drama ‘Rescue: HI-SURF’. Fox will not renew “Rescue: HI-Surf,” the prime-time television drama about the daily life of lifeguards on Oahu’s North Shore, after one season, according to various entertainment news sources. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Honolulu city inspector with 35 convictions accused in sex-for-freedom plot. An inspector with Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting office has been placed on leave after records allege he held a young woman captive attempting to extort her for sex. Hawaii News Now.
'It's a landmark': Hawaii Theatre asks for state support to keep the show going. The Hawaii Theatre has a knack for survival, going through two pandemics in its 103-year-old lifespan. Yet it’s still able to keep its marquee sign illuminating Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood. Hawaii Public Radio.
E-bikes top the list of concerns at Kapolei Town Hall. A town hall for residents in the Kapolei and Ewa Beach neighborhoods had one topic that was top of mind for those attending -- e-bikes. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Army explains why discovery of burial objects left out of environmental impact statement. The state land board is poised to make a decision on Friday impacting the future of live-fire military training at the Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii News Now.
Mobile Vending Stand Operators Sought For County Parks. Concessions will be awarded for Onekahakaha, Reed's Bay, Cooper Center, Isaac Hale, Old Airport, and the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo. Big Island Video News.
Public Hearing Set For Panaʻewa Zoo Fees. The hearing on proposed rules changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex will be held on June 3 at the Aging and Disability Resource Center in Hilo. Big Island Video News.
UH Hilo student earns NASA honors. Jeffrey “Raven” Kromer, a senior at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has received a national travel grant from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to present his research later this month at the 8th International Planetary Dunes Workshop in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Maui Fire Survivors Uprooted Again As FEMA Starts Charging Rent. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is trying to reduce the load on the island’s housing stock but the continual need to relocate is frustrating residents. Civil Beat.
‘Where’s the money?’ Applicants wait for funds from Maui County program to help build ‘ohana housing. Housing Director Richard Mitchell told the council in an April 11 letter that county attorneys are working on the legal documents so the department can distribute the money, but he did not give a timeline. Maui Now.
Maui Council advances voluntary deed restriction program, targeting Molokaʻi as pilot. Bill 57, introduced by Molokaʻi Council Member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, aims to help residents afford housing by offering county funding with legally binding conditions that ensure publicly subsidized homeownership remains in local hands. Maui Now.
LA Rams plan to hold June minicamp on Maui. The camp will feature two days of on-field workouts at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku, with one day open to the public. Associated Press. Maui Now. KHON2.
Kauai
Waimea breaks ground for gym. A group of people representing contractors for the proposed Waimea High School gymnasium talked on Wednesday, ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled to take place at the site of the new facility on the Waimea High School campus. Garden Island.
Repair work on one-lane Kīpū Bridge to further reduce lane width. Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works and contractor Kaikor Construction Group notify the public that construction related to upcoming repairs on Kīpū Bridge will reduce its lane width. Kauai Now.
Monday, March 10, 2025
Hawaiian Independence Day could become 14th state holiday, federal raids on Kona coffee farms raise concerns, longtime UH sports announcer Bobby Curran dies at 69, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Hōkūleʻa events celebrate 50 years of preserving Polynesian wayfinding. Hōkūleʻa reached a milestone birthday this Saturday, celebrating 50 years. To honor Hawaiʻi’s "Star of Gladness," festivities across Oʻahu this week will reflect on the double-hulled canoe's beginnings and profound impact as a precious link to the past through the seafaring people who came first to the islands. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.
Trump tariffs expected to weaken isle tourism. Economist Paul Brewbaker, principal of TZ Economics, is concerned that tariff-related trade wars could hurt Hawaii’s bread-and-butter U.S. consumers, who ultimately will pay more for goods and services, causing them to pull back on luxury and long-haul travel. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaiʻi’s Smallest Elementary Schools Could Face Closure. The Hawaiʻi Board of Education is looking for ways to reduce costs as enrollment continues to decline statewide. Civil Beat.
Plan to raise hotel room tax for climate change among surviving bills. A bill that would generate new revenue for the state to address climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires by increasing the state hotel room tax remains alive at the midpoint of the 2025 Hawaii legislative session. Perennial efforts to allow different forms of gambling, such as a lottery, and legalize adult recreational marijuana use, however, once again appear dead, among hundreds of other bills that have stalled. Star-Advertiser.
Still no clear answer for combating Hawaiʻi physician shortage. A bill requiring local medical school graduates to work as physicians in Hawaiʻi for two years after graduation has died in the Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.
Parents seek flexibility in preschool subsidies. Bills advancing through the state Legislature aim to support families with preschool-age children, but many parents are calling for greater flexibility in qualifying for child care subsidies. Their concerns center around strict requirements, including income limits and age eligibility, which some argue do not reflect the harsh financial realities facing struggling families. Star-Advertiser.
Trump's funding cuts create challenges for University of Hawaiʻi research. The University of Hawaiʻi's research enterprise is a $605 million operation, but UH is now facing significant challenges. So far, 30 stop work orders have halted more than $30 million in contracts. Hawaii Public Radio.
‘Damning’ Report: Hawaiʻi Falls Short Helping Inmates Reenter Society. The study says the lack of effective reentry programs is one reason so many inmates get in trouble again soon after release. Civil Beat.
Wildfire mitigation: Bringing out the sheep, goats to keep vegetation in check. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, joined other senators in introducing the measure in February to promote research on grazing and how it can support fuels reduction, wildfire mitigation and post-fire recovery. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
City Council discusses helping with cesspool conversion. The City Council is advancing a measure to use the climate resiliency fund, supported by 0.5% of the city’s estimated annual real property tax revenue, to convert outdated cesspools on Oahu, possibly to more updated sewer systems. Star-Advertiser.
Lawmakers hope military property could solve landfill deadlock. The city has said if lawmakers rule out the Wahiawa site, there is no choice left but to expand Waimanalo Gulch, which some westside lawmakers suspect was the plan all along. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu developer mulls design, funding options for Aloha Stadium. A replacement for Aloha Stadium may be built on parts of the existing condemned facility in Halawa as a way to reduce costs and help meet a 2028 opening timetable. The strategy is being considered by the project’s tentative developer to produce a “basic” 25,000-seat sports and entertainment complex estimated to cost $450 million. Star-Advertiser.
Bobby Curran, long-time voice of Rainbow sports, dies at 69. Curran, who grew up in Long Island, N.Y., was the play-by-play announcer for more than 400 broadcasts in 32 football seasons. He also was host of the popular sports talk show, “The Bobby Curran Show.” Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Hawaii Island
Alarm Sounded Over Big Island Police Pacts With Federal Immigration Agency. The memorandums of understanding have existed for years but in the new Trump era they are red flags for immigrants and their advocates, especially after Kona raids last week. Civil Beat.
Island posts extremely low rainfall totals for February. Hilo International Airport, for example, received just 0.75 inches of rain for the entire month. That’s 7% of its usual 10.22 inches of rain for February. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.
Waimea residents blast rezoning request; decision postponed. For years, developer Ka‘upulehu Land LLC has requested a zoning change for a parcel of land on Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea, about one mile east of its intersection with Kawaihae Road. Tribune-Herald.
Hospital expansion on schedule for ’26. Almost one year into construction at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, everything is “on track” with the expansion of the main hospital and the East Hawai’i Clinic facilities across the street. Tribune-Herald.
How to save the animals? Big Island alliance trains responders to be prepared for the next big natural disaster. The loss of many beloved animals, big and small, in the traumatic 2018 Kilauea eruption planted in many residents an urge for knowledge about how to rescue pets and livestock during disasters. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Mayor Bissen delivers 2025 State of the County Address, focuses on housing, recovery. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen delivered his third State of the County Address at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Castle Theater on Friday, expressing renewed hope for residents and progress made in the year and half after the 2023 Maui wildfires. Maui Now. KITV4.
Flip-flopping tariffs create confusion, price uncertainty for builders in Lahaina. For local contractors and suppliers, the flip-flopping tariff policy and escalating feud between the United States and two of its biggest trading partners have created uncertainty and potential price spikes at a time when Maui is rebuilding from the 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.
Maui residents out of jobs funded by National Dislocated Workers Grant program. Federal funding cuts have hit close to home for Maui residents — a grant program that supported wildfire recovery efforts has been terminated. More than 130 Maui residents received notices on Feb. 24 that their jobs ended, effective immediately. Hawaii Public Radio.
Kauai
Kauai County reaches COVID hazard pay settlement with police union. The union representing Kauai Police Department officers reached a settlement agreement with the county over COVID-19 hazard pay with initial payouts of approximately $20,000 coming in the next four to five months if the Kauai County Council votes to accept it. Star-Advertiser.
‘Ready, set, go!’: New playgrounds open at Pacific Missile Range Facility Child Development Center. A ribbon-cutting ceremony March 4 officially opened two new playgrounds at the Barking Sands facility in Kekaha following 4 months of demolition and construction. Kauai Now. Garden Island.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Hawaii Legislature fast-tracks bills to protect immigrants, state officials react to Trump's threatened funding cutoff, $4B wildfire lawsuit goes to trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Trump’s order to cut federal funding sends shock waves in Hawaii. State officials do not know whether the list of 2,600 federal accounts used by various state agencies — including the state departments of Health and Human Services and the University of Hawaii — was complete, including how many state workers’ salaries are funded by the federal government. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Hawaiʻi Bill Ensures Right To Record Law Enforcement Activities. On Monday, Senate Bill 307 was given a positive recommendation by the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs. Big Island Video News.
Relief from soaring Hawaii property insurance costs is elusive. Members of two legislative committees Monday expressed frustration instead of optimism over the initiative to have a pair of state insurance programs provide relief to homeowners who since 2024 have been forced to pay staggering premium increases or opt for reduced or no coverage. Star-Advertiser.
Key lawmakers to focus on agricultural crimes, invasive species, food security. The top priorities for state lawmakers in key agriculture positions this year are highlighted by agricultural crimes, biosecurity, and the formation of a sustainable food system. Hawaii Public Radio.
State lawmakers target invasive species. Hawaii lawmakers are proposing to shift the state’s invasive species response to the state Department of Agriculture. Tribune-Herald.
Oahu
Hawaiʻi’s ‘new energy strategy’ opens door to liquefied natural gas imports. The site of Oʻahu’s demolished coal plant may become the home of a new fossil fuel facility. That's one part of a plan released Tuesday by the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office that calls for liquefied natural gas to play a role in Oʻahu’s energy mix. Hawaii Public Radio.
Lawmakers and community leaders oppose planned Oahu landfill site. Elected officials, environmental advocates, agriculture insiders and the city’s top water chief appeared Tuesday at the state Capitol to promote new state-level legislation — namely, eight bills introduced in the state House or Senate — that largely seeks to prevent landfills from being placed above fresh groundwater sources anywhere in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.
Harmful Sewage Continues To Pollute Kailua Bay Despite Increased Scrutiny. Large, costly upgrades are underway for the Kailua treatment plant. But unsafe bacteria levels continue to crop up after strong storms. Civil Beat.
Oʻahu's community gardens are tilling over the rules. The city is holding a public hearing later today about revising the rules for the Community Gardening Program. Those rules were last amended in 1984 and are overdue for an overhaul. Hawaii Public Radio.
Free Speech Group Blasts UH For Censoring Law School Presentation. Instead of using a generic diagram, University of Hawaiʻi law instructor Ken Lawson used pictures of real colleagues at UH’s William S. Richardson School of Law to depict a hypothetical crime. Civil Beat.
Fifth Victim Of New Year’s Eve Fireworks Explosion Dies In Arizona. Man, 29, dies from Jan. 1 Aliamanu fireworks injuries. Kevin Vallesteros died at 6:42 a.m. Hawaii time. He is the fifth fatality tied to the explosion at a house party at 4144 Keaka Drive. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.
Kalihi Uka teacher Kristy Inamas awarded $25K Milken educator prize. A kindergarten teacher at Kalihi Uka Elementary School was honored Tuesday as Hawaii’s sole recipient of the 2025 Milken Educator Award. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.
Hawaii Island
Julia Neal, publisher of The Ka‘u Calendar newspaper, dies at 75. Julia Neal, owner of the Pahala Plantation House and Cottages and editor-publisher of The Ka‘u Calendar newspaper, died Friday at her Pahala cottage. She was 75. Tribune-Herald.
12 arrested, charged in Puna warrants sweep. The nine men and three women were arrested for offenses ranging from contempt of court, failure to appear and violating terms of release. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
A $4B settlement for Hawaii wildfire victims is in legal limbo as an unusual trial starts. When Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced a $4 billion settlement about a year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century devastated Lahaina in 2023, he touted the speed of the deal to “avoid protracted and painful lawsuits.” Five months later, however, an unusual trial starting Wednesday will delve into difficult questions about survivors’ losses as a judge decides how to divide the settlement. Associated Press.
Council’s 5-4 majority-minority split reflects ‘deeply divided electorate’. Just three meetings into the new year, the Maui County Council’s five-member majority has shown its upper hand, with minority members chafing at being on the losing end of 5-4 votes in contested issues on the Council floor. Maui Now.
Maui housing advocates beg for help as end of eviction moratorium nears. The governor’s emergency proclamation protecting renters on Maui is set to expire next week. Now, housing advocates are begging elected officials for help. Hawaii News Now.
Winter Storm Watch: Snow accumulations of up to 4 inches possible at Haleakalā on Maui. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect late Wednesday night through late Thursday night at the summit of Haleakalā on Maui. The forecast calls for snow accumulations of up to four inches with a mix of snow and precipitation expected. Maui Now.
Kauai
Construction of raised crosswalk at deadly Kauaʻi intersection to begin Feb. 14. In the past four years, Kaua‘i police said there were 17 crashes at that intersection. Two involved either a pedestrian or a cyclist. Kauai Now.
Kauai High School seeking head track and field coach. The Kauai High School Athletic Department is currently seeking applicants to fill the position of head track and field coach. Garden Island.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Green returns to Washington to again oppose Kennedy, immigrant crackdown begins in Honolulu, lawsuit filed over water commission appointment, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Tulsi Gabbard’s unorthodox path to Trump’s intelligence team. Gabbard, who grew up in a fringe spiritual movement and was a darling of the left during her early years in Congress, has ricocheted across nearly the entire ideological spectrum of American politics, fueling questions about what she stands for and truly believes. New York Times.
Hawaiʻi Conservationists, Taro Farmers Sue To Stop Greenʻs Cultural Pick For Water Board. A new community group argues that Gov. Josh Green bypassed the legal process to select a loea, or expert in traditional stream water rights and uses, when he held off from making an appointment for months only to restart the process after two of the four finalists withdrew. The reset, Hui Kānāwai argues in its suit, invalidates Greenʻs selection of V.R. Hinano Rodrigues to serve as the state Commission on Water Resource Management Boardʻs loea. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Latest bills would set term limits, ban cellphones in schools. A flurry of bills introduced last week would lower the blood alcohol content to be found guilty of driving while intoxicated, ask voters whether they want to allow adults to use and possess recreational marijuana, ban cellphones in public schools, impose term limits for state legislators and also bar them from nepotism, among other possible changes. They were among 3,150 bills that legislators have introduced this session. Star-Advertiser.
State House panels to review wildfire prevention bill introduced by Speaker Nakamura. A state House bill intended to prevent wildfires in Hawai‘i, requested by the administration of Gov. Josh Green, will be heard by two committees Wednesday morning. Big Island Now.
Native Hawaiian Caucus prioritizes funding DHHL, protecting cultural branding. Funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and protecting the Native Hawaiian brand are the priorities of the bipartisan Native Hawaiian Caucus this legislative session. One measure would increase the state’s 10.25% transient accommodations tax levied on hotels by 1%, which would go into the Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund. Hawaii Public Radio.
State Legislature hear proposed bills advocating for Hawaiʻi’s keiki. Hawaiʻi state legislators and community advocates joined together to present the 2025 Keiki Caucus Bill Package and priorities dedicated to improving the lives of Hawaiʻi’s children and families. Kauai Now.
Police deferred retirement scheduled for public hearing by House Committee on Labor. The House Committee on Labor will hear public testimony at 9 a.m. Tuesday on a bill aimed at recruiting and retaining police officers in Hawaiʻi. Maui Now.
Hawaiʻi is the country's first statewide Economic Development District. For the first time, the federal government is designating an entire state — Hawaiʻi — as an Economic Development District. The designation will open up doors for more federal funding for local projects, said Lauren Primiano, the manager of strategic initiatives at the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development. Hawaii Public Radio.
Eight Hawaiʻi school robotics teams advance to the world championships. Eight out of 45 Hawaiʻi VEX robotics teams will advance to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas after competing in the 2025 Hawaiʻi High and Middle School VEX V5 Robotics Regional Championships held Jan. 25-26. Big Island Now. Maui Now.
Oahu
As crackdown begins in Hawaii, advocates urge immigrants to remain calm. The local office of Homeland Security Investigations posted photos on social media of officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration arresting immigrants. This Sunday, Jan. 26, in Honolulu, HSI participated in a multiagency operation with federal law enforcement partners to enforce federal immigration laws. Hawaii News Now.
Tracking recyclables: GPS devices show us where blue bin items actually go. HNN Investigates put trackers in residential blue bins for weeks. The trackers stopped at RRR Recycling on Kalaeloa Boulevard, exactly where they were supposed to go. Hawaii News Now.
Speed cameras hit bump in the road. A program meant to nab speeders has hit a bump in the road. The Department of Transportation’s speed camera program was expected to launch this month but it’s been delayed to ensure it has enough manpower to move forward. KHON2.
Kamalani Academy Was Struggling Long Before State Opted To Shut It Down. Hawai‘i’s latest charter school closure highlights longstanding challenges in state oversight.Missing financial statements, undeposited checks, school funds spent on first-class plane tickets for trips with no clear educational benefit and dwindling enrollment contributed to the state’s decision to close Kamalani Academy last week. Civil Beat.
Hawaii Island
Wells eyed for DHHL project. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands plans to drill two wells on a North Kona hillside with the intent of providing potable water to residents of the Villages of La‘i Opua, a DHHL master-planned community. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.
Mahukona Beach Park reopens. Mahukona Beach Park in North Kohala reopened Saturday after over two weeks of demolition work costing $278,000, county officials said. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.
Puainako Street resurfacing could be finished next month. The Hawaii Department of Transportation said in a recent press release it expects to complete major work for the ongoing Puainako Street resurfacing project by the end of March. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Council votes to preserve Spring House in historic Lahaina. Maui County Council members passed on second-and-final reading a bill authorizing an intergovernmental agreement for the disposition of the historic Spring House and the Lahaina Public Library, both ravaged by the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire. Maui Now. Maui News.
MEMA wildfire review calls for clear leadership roles in emergencies. The Maui Emergency Management Agency has released its After-Action Report on the 2023 wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.
Maui County unemployment drops to 3.4% in December 2024. In Maui County, the not-seasonally adjusted rate for the county was 3.4% in December, compared to 3.7% in November and 5.6% in December of the previous year. Maui Now.
Kauai
Kauaʻi Lawmakers Target Housing, Recreation Woes In 2025 Session. With a median home costing $1.4 million on the Garden Isle, lawmakers look to Vail, Colorado, for a solution. Kauaʻiʻs housing market surged more than 20% last year, squeezing out teachers, nurses and firefighters even as the county aggressively funneled money toward affordable developments. Civil Beat.
State proposing to move Kauaʻi’s only jail out of tsunami zone. The Department of Corrections &Rehabilitation has officially designated a location off Maalo Road in Lihue as the preferred site for the new Kauai Community Correctional Center. Garden Island. Kauai Now.
Memorial honoring Hanapēpē Massacre on Kauaʻi closer to completion. A memorial honoring the 1924 Hanapēpē Massacre is taking shape on Kauaʻi as state officials are closer to constructing a monument that is expected to be completed in 2026. Hawaii Public Radio.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Governor's State of the State speech highlights affordability, housing; new House rules ban members from disparaging other members on social media, Maui cop indicted in tasing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Full text of Green's State of the State address.
Public preschool, food insecurity among House Democrats' top priorities. The state House of Representatives majority caucus will focus on preparing keiki for school, combating high costs of living and food insecurity across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.
State House updates its rules on public testimony, social media use. The state House of Representatives amended the rules that governs how it operates, from when public testimony gets uploaded to the power of committee chairs. Public testimony will now be available at least two hours before hearings in the House. There will also now be a list of organizations that have bills introduced by request. Lawmakers are prohibited from disparaging one another on social media. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hikers who trespass might pay for search, rescue costs. Bills introduced to the Legislature say trespassing hikers who ignore a warning notice or sign of closure would have to pay all or a portion, but not less than half, of all search and rescue expenses, which typically involve county firefighters, helicopters, pilots, ambulances and medical crews. Star-Advertiser.
22 states, including Hawaii, sue to stop Trump’s birthright citizenship order. Attorneys general from 22 states, including Hawaii, sued President Donald Trump in two federal district courts today to block an executive order that refuses to recognize as citizens the U.S.-born children of immigrants in the country illegally, the opening salvo in what promises to be a long legal battle over the Trump administration’s immigration policies. New York Times. Associated Press. KHON2.
Hawaiʻi ‘Proud Boy’ Founder, US Army Soldier Get Jan. 6 Pardons From Trump. Nicholas Ochs was accused of throwing a smoke grenade toward police while Alexander Poplin is alleged to have beat an officer with a flag pole. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Fireworks Injuries, Deaths Reached 14-Year High On New Year’s. Oʻahu accounted for 84% — 91 people — of the hospitalizations on New Year’s Eve and New Year's Day this year. Injuries on neighbor islands were also higher than last year. Civil Beat.
It’s been 2+ years since a high-profile fireworks bust at OCCC. Where’s the accountability? In December, 2022, a corrections officer was suspected of having boxes filled with illegal fireworks shipped to Oahu Community Correctional Center under inmates' names. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
School preps new plan for a campus in Kaumana. Connections Public Charter School officials, twice rebuffed for their plans to build a campus on 70-plus acres of leased state land in Kaumana, are set to submit a scaled-down proposal for a 15-acre campus. Tribune-Herald.
Hawaii chicken farmers asked to guard against bird flu. The bird flu virus, H5N1, was first detected in Hawaii in November at a bird sanctuary on Oahu. Since then, the virus has been detected at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant in December, and last week trace amounts were detected on Kauai. Tribune-Herald.
West Hawaii residents urge crackdown on ‘predatory paid parking providers’. A group of business owners and residents on Tuesday appealed to the County Council’s Committee on Communications, Reports and Council Oversight and urged action against “predatory paid parking providers,” who have dominated much of Kailua Village’s available parking spaces over the last two years. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Maui police officer indicted and fired after tasing incident. Federal grand jury indicts former Maui police officer on alleged civil rights violation. A former officer with the Maui Police Department is facing decades behind bars after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations he had no legal justification for using a Taser and then tried to cover up his crime by falsifying a police report. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Cost Of 450 Temporary Homes For Maui Wildfire Victims: $411,000 Each. Costs are up 60% just this year, and it is unclear what will happen to the homes after 5 years. But families are grateful to be settling into their own homes. Civil Beat.
Fire buffer zone planned for Maui Meadows. Maui County fire officials said they are moving forward with looking at creating a fire buffer zone around a South Maui community and improving the fire code to prevent wildfires. Maui News.
New bills provide Hawaiian language and culture-based learning to county employees. The Maui County Council gave final approval Friday to legislation providing Hawaiian language and culture-based learning for county employees in partnership with University of Hawaiʻi – Maui College. The bills also implement requirements to include ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in official documents pursuant to Charter Section 13-17. Maui Now.
Kauai
Transformative outcome: Community-built comfort station coming to Hā‘ena State Park. Hā‘ena on Kaua‘i’s scenic North Shore is the newest model of a Hawai‘i community where residents and organizations joined forces to get an important capital improvement project designed, planned and paid for instead of waiting for somebody else to do it for them. Kauai Now.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Hawaii Supreme Court considering election challenges, Maui releases long-term recovery plan for Lahaina, Kilauea pauses after brief eruption, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
State Supreme Court considers two challenges to tight election races (video only) Hawaii News Now.
Native Hawaiian Contractor Chris Dawson Has Died While Under Investigation. Christopher Dawson, 62, a prominent Native Hawaiian defense contractor, was found dead Thursday on Oʻahu, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office. Dawson’s death, which the medical examiner determined to be a suicide, comes as he was under federal investigation for alleged financial crimes, including wire fraud and money laundering. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Another Honolulu Rail Contractor Demands More Money, Citing Years Of Delays. In a $324 million lawsuit, a key contractor alleges the city hasn’t resolved its claim because it wants to avoid further public criticism. Civil Beat.
Topa Financial Center property sale another sign of evolving downtown. Developer Christine Camp said her company’s acquisition Friday of Topa Financial Center is just a small part of a larger trend in reimagining “DOHO” — downtown Honolulu — with its many largely vacant office buildings. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.
A new kauhale opens as the state tackles growing homelessness. The newest tiny-home village to reduce homelessness — with 43 units designed to house single adults, couples and their pets — was unveiled and blessed Monday in Iwilei. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
Kīlauea pauses after a brief eruption . Kilauea puts on ‘outstanding’ show. It’s a “Pele Kalikimaka” in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to Jessica Ferracane, the park’s spokeswoman, referring to the eruption that started early Monday morning within Kilauea volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u crater. Tribune-Herald. Associated Press. Hawaii Punlic Radio. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.
Maui
Maui releases final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. Maui Country officials have released the county’s final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. The release follows a monthlong community engagement series on the draft plan that included feedback from hundreds of residents and local stakeholders. The Long-Term Recovery Plan. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.
Lahaina immigrants who survived fire now wary of Trump’s deportation threats. Nearly one-third of Lahaina’s population before the August 2023 wildfire came from another country, and their recovery from the blaze has been hampered in some cases by language barriers, housing costs, the decline in work and the lack of access to services reserved for U.S. citizens. Maui Now.
Report emphasizes recovery access needs for Filipino survivors of Maui wildfires. A group focusing on Filipinos in Lahaina recently released a report on the community’s experiences and needs following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.
Iwi kupuna unearthed after surf slams Maui’s North Shore. The waves uncovered iwi kupuna – or ancestral remains – from Hawaiian burials. Hawaii News Now.
Kauai
Efforts underway for permanent Hanapēpē Massacre memorial on Kauaʻi 100 years later. The state is looking to build a permanent memorial to honor the 1924 Hanapēpē Massacre, a tragic turning point in Hawai‘i’s labor movement that led to the deaths of 16 Filipino strikers and four police officers. Hawaii Public Radio.
Contractors Association of Kauai wraps up 2024 with membership meeting. The Contractors Association of Kauai closed 2024 with its 67th Annual Meeting and Installation dinner on Dec. 5 at the Puakea Golf Course. Garden Island.
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Hawaii roads among the worst, Honolulu homeless face court-ordered treatment, Maui police officer arrested, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
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Saddle Road on Hawaii Island ©2019 All Hawaii News |
Expert: Trade war could impact Hawaii construction projects. The escalating trade war between the U.S. and China could lead to a shakeout in Hawaii construction industry, a real estate expert predicts. Hawaii News Now.
Air Travel’s Carbon Footprint Takes A Big Environmental Toll In Hawaii. Carbon emissions from planes are only now starting to get some of the attention as other troubling side effects caused by soaring numbers of tourists. Civil Beat.
Fewer Students in UH Classrooms Than a Decade Ago. It was back to school Monday for nearly 50,000 University of Hawaii students across the state. Total enrollment has been declining over the last decade, and officials have been trying to reverse the trend. Hawaii Public Radio.
Fixed Broadband Speeds Up in 2019. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Cable Television Division has issued its 2019 Report on Fixed Wireline Broadband Speeds, which builds upon data included in the 2018 Report on Fixed Wireline Broadband Speeds released in June of 2018. Big Island Now.
Hawaiian-Emperor Seamounts ecosystems recovering after trawling, report finds. For decades the sunken islands northwest of Hawaii proved a popular draw for fishing and trawling, with crews dragging heavy nets across the fertile peaks. In the process, the nets scraped the real estate to devastating effect. Star-Advertiser.
Oahu
Homeless people with mental illness to get court-ordered help. Officials with the city, state and the Institute for Human Services are teaming up on a new approach to deal with homeless people with mental health issues by trying to get court-ordered help for the first of potentially hundreds of homeless people on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu Invests $500,000 To Reach Hardest-To-Serve Homeless People. The mayor is hoping state and federal agencies will help fund the effort to help homeless people, whether they want it or not. Civil Beat.
State’s only psychiatric street medicine team gets $500,000 from city. The city has awarded the state’s only psychiatric street medicine team $500,000 to help get more homeless people with mental illness off the streets and into treatment. Hawaii News Now.
City aims to help mentally ill, addicted homeless. KHON2.
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Katherine Kealoha’s Relatives Demand New Civil Trial Because Of Her Alleged Fraud. A motion seeks to overturn a $658,000 judgment in favor of the former city prosecutor, who was recently convicted of trying to frame her uncle. Civil Beat.
Katherine Kealoha’s relatives point to her conviction in bid for new civil trial. Hawaii News Now.
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State agency approves 80-acre solar project near UH West Oahu. The state Public Utilities Commission has approved a 12.5-megawatt solar project with a 50-megawatt-hour energy storage system in West Oahu, according to the Hawaiian Electric Co. Star-Advertiser.
City and County to hold workshops on sea level rise and climate change. The Department of Planning and Permitting is holding a series of pop-up workshops to gather input on how climate change and sea level rise will affect the area between Kahala and Pearl City, also known as the Primary Urban Center. KHON2.
Kailua Town Farmers’ Market finds temporary home. The popular Kailua Town Farmers’ Market is moving to the Pali Lanes parking lot, starting this Sunday, after getting booted from the elementary school parking lot it had been using for years. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu’s first bikeshare is raising its fares. After more than two years in operation, Bikeshare Hawaii, the nonprofit that manages Biki, has raised some of its fares while extending a new discount to low-income residents. Star-Advertiser.
One neighborhood’s loss is another’s gain as HPU moves its Downtown campus. Hawaii Pacific University students headed back to school Monday to a very different downtown campus. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
First accomplice sentenced in fatal shooting of police officer. The man who tipped off police to Justin Waiki’s whereabouts, witnessed the fatal shooting of Hawaii Police Department Officer Bronson Kaliloa and then gave the suspected shooter a ride from the scene last summer was sentenced to prison. West Hawaii Today.
Naalehu sewer bill scofflaws reap fines, warrants. Some Naalehu residents who haven’t been paying their sewer bills have found themselves slapped with fines and penalties, and even warrants taken out against them. West Hawaii Today.
First day of contraflow ‘very smooth’. A new traffic pattern on Highway 130 did not cause significant delays Monday morning despite previous complaints about the project. Tribune-Herald.
Mauna Kea Access Attempt Denied. A handful of Hawaiian beneficiaries in vehicles, and some on foot, were blocked from traversing the Mauna Kea Access Road on Monday morning. Big Island Video News.
Maui
Maui police officer arrested following reports of inappropriate conduct, abuse of authority. Maui police arrested one of their own tonight at the Kahului Airport on the strength of an arrest warrant based on information gathered in an ongoing criminal investigation. Star-Advertiser.
Maui Police Arrest Officer Brandon Saffeels, Victims’ Attorney Says Women Need to Step Forward. Maui Now.
Maui officer accused of misconduct arrested after stepping off flight. A Maui police officer accused of attempted perjury among other charges has been arrested amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Maui police confirmed Monday evening. Hawaii News Now.
Maui police officer arrested for perjury and witness tampering. KITV.
Maui Police Chief releases statement on the arrest of Maui PD officer. KHON2.
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Repairs for beach groins grow closer. Final assessment released for project, repairs expected in fall. Maui News.
Hawaii Group Seeks Block Of Federal Policy On Immigrants. A Hawaii community action agency has requested governmental help in blocking a new national policy that would affect immigrants across the islands, officials said. Associated Press.
Kauai
County buys 417 acres on the Westside. County buys 417 acres on the Westside. Garden Island.
County of Kauai acquires over 400 acres in Waimea from Kikiaola Land Company. The County of Kauai is announcing the purchase of 417 acres of agriculture land from the Kikiaola Land Company Ltd. on Monday. KHON2.
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Mayor signs 10th emergency proclamation. Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami has signed a 10th supplementary emergency proclamation on Monday for the County of Kauai, extending the emergency relief period for damages sustained during the April 2018 flood. Garden Island.
Council to consider ‘highway safety’ bills. Two bills pertaining to “highway safety” will be presented for potential inclusion in the 2020 Hawaii State Association of Counties Legislative Package and the 2020 County of Kauai Legislative Package. Garden Island.