Case blasts military bill as neglecting Hawaii, former HTA finance official claims retaliation, Honolulu reopens popup homeless camp, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Military bill neglects Hawaii’s needs, Case says. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is blasting military appropriation legislation that is moving through the House of Representatives as “shortchanging” priorities critical to Hawaii, including environmental cleanup and military infrastructure. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily.

As immigration fears reverberate, Hawaiʻi's COFA communities work to stay informed. Here in Hawaiʻi, one particularly vulnerable immigrant community is made up of those in the country as part of COFA, the Compact of Free Association — an arrangement between the U.S. and island nations throughout Micronesia that gives citizens of those countries permission to live and work in the U.S. in exchange for a U.S. military presence in their homelands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Top Hawaiʻi Tourism Official Claims Retaliation For Reporting Mismanagement. More problems within the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority are coming to light in the lawsuit by Isaac Choy, a former vice president of finance. Civil Beat.

New laws signed by the governor will soften criminal prosecution of juveniles in Hawaii. One of the new laws would ban the arrest and criminal treatment of any child under 12 years old, and another would guarantee parole for anyone, even multiple murderers who commit the crime before their 21st birthday. Hawaii News Now.

State Legislature rules in favor of Hawaiʻi Judiciary. The 2025 legislative session was one of the most successful for the Judiciary: better compensation, more judge positions, and more diversion programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

House votes to kill funding for public media. The House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation Thursday to eliminate the next two years of federal funding for public media outlets. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s school lunch 2nd in US for nutrition. With a score of 76 out of 100, Hawaii is second in the nation for having the most nutritious school meals, according to the 2025 State of School Lunch Report from ProCare Therapy. Maui News.

Oahu

Homeless triage operation is back at Old Stadium Park. The city’s pop-up homeless triage operation has returned to Old Stadium Park in the McCully-Moiliili area of South King Street for the third time to provide temporary — and perhaps long-term — housing for a homeless population that grows when other enforcement occurs in nearby Diamond Head, Waikiki and Chinatown. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

DOE Called For 12 New Schools In ‘Ewa A Decade Ago. It’s Built 2. The education department has been unable to keep up with the housing boom in ʻEwa and Kapolei – even as developers contribute land and money to help build new schools. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi program for women in geosciences ends due to Trump Administration’s funding cuts. A program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa that supported dozens of career development activities for women in geosciences and community outreach was terminated by the loss of federal funding, according to a news release from the university. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island Urgent Care centers fined $2.19 million. The attorney representing the owner of the Hilo and Keaau Urgent Care centers on Thursday afternoon said his client is in the process of appealing a cease-and-desist order and fines of $2.19 million for performing clinical laboratory work without the required permits. Tribune-Herald. KHON2. 

Lifeguard Service Launching At Kohanaiki Beach Park. Kohanaiki will be the 13th beach under HFD lifeguard protection. The tower will be staffed daily. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Affordable Housing Gets A Big Boost In Maui County’s $1.56 Billion Budget. Maui County Council members said the budget is aimed at catching up on development projects and social services after years of being focused on the wildfires and Covid-19. Civil Beat.

Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama receives $760,528 grant to launch Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program for Maui fire survivors. The award will launch the new Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program, expand disaster recovery operations, and enhance coordination of direct services for families impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. Maui Now.

Workshops, open houses to focus on Lahaina Town street design. The Maui County Office of Recovery will be seeking input on the way streets in the commercial core of Lahaina town, including Front Street, are rebuilt during a series of design workshops and open houses June 24-26. Maui News.

Maui’s single-family home prices increase; condo sales decline in April and May 2025. Maui’s housing market experienced similar trends in April and May, with both single-family and condominium sales declining compared to the same time last year, according to the latest data from the Realtors Association of Maui.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Commission seeks public input on traits needed for next chief.  The Kaua‘i Police Commission is seeking input from all residents of Kaua‘i regarding the traits and qualities the next chief should possess and is asking community members to participate in the Police Chief Desirable Traits survey between now and June 30. Kauai Now.

National Science Foundation defunds Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaii congressional delegation pushes for details on bombing island, Kaiser Permanente buys Maui News site, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

National Science Foundation defunds long-stalled Thirty Meter Telescope. The National Science Foundation will no longer fund the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for construction atop Mauna Kea, instead choosing to back its international competitor, the Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile. The decision, revealed Friday in the NSF’s fiscal year 2026 budget request under the Trump administration, could be the death knell for the controversial $3 billion TMT project and its future viability. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Visitor deportations from Hawaii spark concerns about entry rules. Ever-tightening U.S. entry policies and accounts from international visitors who are denied entry could weaken international arrivals, which are an important base of business for Hawaii’s visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii delegation pushes Navy for information on Kaula training plan. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is pushing the Navy to provide more information on its plan to more than double bombardment training on a small Hawaiian Island that the state and conservation groups consider a critical bird sanctuary. Star-Advertiser.

Military sued over details of proposed rocket testing site on Johnston Atoll. The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the military for details on a proposal to build a rocket test site in a remote wildlife refuge less than 900 miles from Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Green signs bills to bolster schoolchildren. Gov. Josh Green signed three bills Friday afternoon to support healthier keiki through better access to food, transportation and surfing programs in schools. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s rural nonprofits stay afloat amid federal funding insecurity. A Kauai and a Hana-based nonprofit are using grants from Newman’s Own Foundation to promote indigenous food justice by keeping Hawaiian youth connected to the traditions, regenerative farming techniques and culture of their communities. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Can’t Spend Entire Budget Because It Can’t Fill Positions. The City Council will consider a resolution aimed at reducing vacancies and encouraging more hires and fewer retirements. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. 

Affordable housing project breaks ground in Ala Moana. An affordable housing project that will bring 64 new rental units to the heart of Honolulu broke ground Friday. Hawaii News Now.

New changes coming to UH Mānoa campus roads.  Roadwork near the University of Hawaii at Mānoa campus begins on June 2, and people heading to campus in the fall will see quite a few changes including a driving lane reduction, new bike lanes and more crosswalks. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Punalu‘u Village developers avoid foreclosure. A foreclosure lawsuit against developers of a controversial proposed commercial development near a popular black sand beach in Ka‘u has been withdrawn by the mortgage lender. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat.

Keaau health center funded. The state has allocated $25 million for construction of the Keaau Benioff Medical Center in Puna. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Fully funded Olowalu fire station on hold over ‘iwi kupuna discovered 2 years ago in subdivision. A planned new fire station in West Maui was going nowhere for years until the deadly and destructive August 2023 wildfire highlighted the need for the facility just south of Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente purchases Maui News site. The purchase agreement allows The Maui News to continue operating at the site for up to a year. General Manager Jenni DeFouw said the newspaper is working to identify new office space and move quickly.  Maui News.

Kula has been hit hard by summer wildfires, so residents are getting better prepared. Summer wildfires have hit the Upcountry Maui community of Kula the past two years, fueling community efforts to ensure area residents are better equipped for the worst-case scenarios. Hawaii Public Radio.

MPD officer arrested for sex assault allegations identified as Devin Schoeppner. The Maui Police Department confirmed the name of the 11-year veteran officer who was arrested on Thursday over sexual assault accusations. KITV4.

Kauai

HDOT declares traffic emergency zone. The Wailua Bridge is scheduled to undergo emergency repairs and will be closed overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday. Garden Island. Kauai Now.  KHON2. 

Army's last remaining live-fire training in jeopardy at Pohakuloa, 1-4 hurricanes predicted this season, Honolulu to allow private sponsorship of public facilities, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is The Military In For A Wake-Up Call As Hawaiʻi Leases Near End? The state’s rejection of the U.S. Army’s environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some Native Hawaiians say won’t be smooth sailing.  Civil Beat.

Gov. Green on balancing national security and the environment in military land leases.  The Army says Pōhakuloa is the only remaining place where it conducts live-fire training for its troops and for the state’s first responders. But the community has resisted, with some arguing the leases should not be renewed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii troops forge alliances in Philippines. The 40th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder to shoulder” — brought in service members from the U.S. as well as troops from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Among them were troops from Hawaii-based units. Star-Advertiser.

Forecasters predict 1 to 4 hurricanes this season. With hurricane season beginning June 1, Hawaii officials are urging residents to prepare now as forecasters predict near- to below- normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific this year. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

See Which Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Been Hit Hardest By Trump Funding Cuts. The total amount of confirmed federal funding cuts to Hawaiʻi state and county programs as of Thursday stands at nearly $95 million, according to figures compiled by Civil Beat. The full extent of the cuts won’t be clear for several more weeks or longer as official termination letters must be issued and legal challenges resolved. Civil Beat.

For the first time in seven years, tuition is increasing across the University of Hawaii system beginning this fall. The 2% increase was approved by the UH Board of Regents in 2023 as part of a four-year tuition schedule. KHON2.

UH risks losing $78 million in federal research funds due to cuts. In a report to the Board of Regents on Thursday, UH President Wendy Hensel said the university expects to lose more than $78 million in federal research funding due to recent grant cancellations and suspensions. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Electricity Shut-Offs Are Nearly Triple Pre-Pandemic Levels. Expiring post-Covid payment plans, state’s cost of living blamed for spike in residential disconnections. Civil Beat.

Tourism agency brings back passenger counts after data blip. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has restored passenger counts from international and domestic travelers, correcting at least part of the blip in data caused by the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council OKs sponsorship of public facilities. Legislation to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities in order to garner more revenue for the city was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council approves property tax-fueled fund for climate projects. The measure would deposit 1.5% of property tax revenue into a fund dedicated to climate resiliency. That’s about $8.6 million a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy to remove USS Arizona mooring platforms after 80 years. The U.S. Navy will be placing buoys and anchors in Pearl Harbor waters next week to prepare for the removal of decades-old mooring platforms on the USS Arizona. Hawaii News Now.

Manoa Falls Trail closed due to fallen tree limb, bamboo. Manoa Falls Trail was closed Thursday after a large tree limb fell, bringing down a large swath of bamboo with it. Three people sustained minor injuries. Hawaii News Now.

HPD seizes cash, gambling machines in Kalihi. When police raided the operation and how many devices and cash was confiscated during the operation was not immediately made public. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona property housing migrants under investigation for code violations. A Kona property where dozens of migrants were reportedly living in poor conditions is now under scrutiny by Hawaii County building enforcement officials. KHON2.

Admission fees back on the table for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. Admission fees at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens are back on the table as Hawaiʻi County is moving forward with revised proposed rule changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County taxpayers encouraged to weigh in on budget proposal. Despite a whopping $1.5 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed tax cuts for owner-occupied homes. Hawaii News Now.

Arts program for Maui fire survivors loses White House funding. The Archive for Health, Arts, and Spirit has been able to provide an arts for healing program to residents with a $100,000 grant from the White House Initiative on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Property owner troubled by ICE raid that turned up ‘nothing’.  The property owner is criticizing the manner in which armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rousted her and her family, along with other occupants including Philippine teachers with visas, at a multi-family dwelling in Kahului. Maui News.

DOH issues red placard to Maui L&L on Dairy Road for a cockroach infestation. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and immediately closed a Maui location of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owned and operated by Maui L & L Food Inc. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i councilman announces run for mayor. Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his candidacy on Wednesday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. While he currently serves as a council member, Carvalho previously served as mayor from 2000-2018.  Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Bus launches new tap-and-ride system. The Kaua‘i Bus has a new account-based ticketing system powered by Masabi’s Justride open platform. Kauai Now.

Dorcey and Smith are ‘Outstanding’.  Ten Kauai older adults who were nominated by the public were honored and recognized for their service. Garden Island.

Hawaii among 4 states sued by Trump administration for climate policies, state sues fossil fuel companies, ICE targets coffee workers' kids, Legislature blocks proposed landfill location on Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan, Vermont and New York over state climate actions. The U.S. Justice Department filed lawsuits against four states this week, claiming their climate actions conflict with federal authority and President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda.  Associated Press. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii sues big oil companies over climate change. The 196-page civil complaint filed Thursday in Oahu Circuit Court accuses Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, BP, Aloha Petroleum, Phillips 66, Woodside Energy Hawaii, BHP Hawaii, Equilon and the American Petroleum Institute of lying to the public about how fossil fuels cause climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi AG says the state is 'fully engaged' in responses to Trump administration. Trump's executive orders have triggered more than 200 lawsuits. Hawaiʻi has joined other states in at least 14 of the legal challenges. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Consumer Advocate Pushes Back Against Young Brothers’ Rate Hike. The state watchdog could get behind a more modest increase if public utility regulators investigate the interisland shipper’s relationship with its parent company. Civil Beat.

Hundreds of bills have passed the Hawaiʻi Legislature. Here are 6 you should know about. State lawmakers passed over 200 bills on Wednesday. That’s a lot to keep track of, so with the legislative session ending on Friday, HPR is narrowing it down to the important bills we’ve been tracking. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Marines field new weapons in the Philippines. A unit of Hawaii Marines is in the Philippines fielding new weapons for the first time amid simmering tensions with China. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Legislature Blocks Honolulu’s Proposed Landfill Location. Supporters applauded the bill for safeguarding drinking water, but the decision once again delays the closure of the city’s current site in Nānākuli. Civil Beat.

East-West Center offers buyouts to 80% of employees. The East-West Center is offering buyouts to 80% of its 137 employees as federal funding concerns continue under Donald Trump’s efforts Opens in a new tab to slash the State Department’s budget by half next fiscal year. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council OKs merged housing department. During a special meeting Wednesday, the City Council voted 6-1, with Radiant Cordero dissenting, to adopt Resolution 86, which advanced the mayor’s plan to create the city Department of Housing and Land Management. Star-Advertiser.

Military couple demands child abuse probe at Navy day care. A military couple is demanding justice, saying their daughter was abused at a U.S. Navy day care. Evie, who was nearly 2 years old, had been attending day care at the Navy’s Ford Island Child Development Center (CDC) since she was baby.  Hawaii News Now.

Falling power poles stir concerns of wildfire risks, but mitigation efforts are underway. Hahaione Valley in East Oahu is like so many other valleys around the state. It’s lush and green -- and the slopes are dotted with power poles that largely go unnoticed. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

ICE Takes Aim At Immigrant Kids In Big Island’s Coffee Belt. President Trump has said he wants to deport hardened criminals. But on Hawaiʻi, agents are snaring undocumented children and their adult relatives. At the start of March, a Big Island first grader was taken into custody at his elementary school by a Hawaiʻi Police Department school resource officer. Civil Beat.

Salvation Army’s Kona Thrift Store To Close, May 17. The Kona Corps is shifting focus to maximize support for its other local social services and The Salvation Army’s Kona Preschool. Big Island Video News.

Kilauea bursts into the night sky in 19th episode. Kilauea's latest episode began with fountains spouting from the volcano, filling more pools of lava on Thursday night. KITV4.

Maui

Nearly 20% of fire survivor families in FEMA rental housing have missed a payment. FEMA says 175 families in the program have missed at least one rental payment since March. That’s almost 20% of the 984 households currently in the program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Maui shipping increase raises worries. Some Maui County residents and elected officials are expressing concerns about a requested temporary rate increase of 25% by Interisland shipper Young Brothers, especially in light of efforts to rebuild Lahaina devastated by the 2023 wildfire. Maui News.

Kauai

JABSOM expands family medicine residency program to Kauai. More family doctors are coming to Kauai as the University of Hawaii’s medical school is expanding its family medicine residency program. Hawaii News Now.

Water conservation request for Hanalei and ‘Anini areas ongoing. Department of Water customers in the Hanalei Community and ʻAnini Beach areas remain under a water conservation request due to a mechanical failure on the water system’s pump station. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i teen graduates high school, college at the same time. A Kaua‘i student is making history on the island as she prepares to walk the graduation stage not once, but twice in May. KHON2.

Japanese tourism slow to recover, proposed constitutional amendment would limit campaign contributions, bills would speed development, oust homeless from bus stops, legalize recreational marijuana, ban flavored vapes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Japanese visitors are still missing from Hawaiʻi's hospitality picture. Last year, the number of visitors who came to Hawaiʻi from Japan was less than half the number who came in 2019. It's not just the lingering effects of the pandemic keeping some of them away. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii visitors bureau to explore beyond HTA contracts. The Hawai‘i Visitors &Convention Bureau, a more than century-old member of Hawaii’s visitor industry, has for years shaped how visitors think of Hawaii and how residents perceive tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi constitutional amendment proposed as protest of unlimited campaign spending. Senate Bill 311 would advance a proposed amendment to the Hawaiʻi State Constitution to provide that its freedom of speech protection does not include the expenditure of money to influence elections. Kauai Now.

House bill advances to speed up historic preservation reviews of development projects. House Bill 738 appears aimed at removing one of the “systemic barriers” identified in a report by the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corp. The report said such barriers in Hawaiʻi constrain housing production and lie at the root of the state’s housing shortage and residents’ high cost of living. Big Island Now.

Bills would require local UH med students to stay in state after graduating. House Bill 221 and Senate Bill 101 would require students who pay in-state tuition to attend UH’s John A. Burns School of Medicine to work in Hawaii for two years after they graduate. If they don’t, they would have to pay the state the difference between their in-state tuition and the cost, nearly double, of nonresident tuition: $36,372 for each academic year, compared with $71,328. Star-Advertiser.

24,000 In Hawaiʻi Call Federal Government Their Boss, For Now. Most federal employees in Hawaiʻi work in the defense sector, but about 5,000 work for other agencies including Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Interior and Commerce, that could be affected by cutbacks under the Trump administration. Civil Beat.

Bill to ban loitering at bus stops sparks concerns about treatment of homeless people . People without housing may no longer be able to use bus stops as places to sleep or rest for long periods of the day. House Bill 1486 states that loitering within 20 feet of a bus stop will be considered a disorderly conduct offense. The bill allows law enforcement officers to immediately remove anyone who violates this order. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers try again to legalize recreational pot. A state bill that would legalize adult personal use of marijuana — as well as regulate recreational cannabis, medical cannabis and hemp within a single office — will get its first committee hearing this week. Tribune-Herald.

Bills aiming to ban flavored vapes reintroduced. Hawaii health advocates are once again pushing for legislation banning flavored nicotine and vape products to protect youth from becoming victims of the harmful substance. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Free school meals on legislative menu, once again. During the 2024 legislative session, a number of bills aimed at providing free school meals passed the House but ultimately stalled in the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Passed A Law to Pay The Wrongfully Convicted. No One Has Been Paid. The law requires people to prove they’re innocent to get paid. Even after their convictions have been set aside, no one has been able to meet that standard.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Marines train with new anti-­drone fighting system.  Marines in Hawaii are testing out a new anti-­drone fighting system as they prepare for a deployment to the Western Pacific later this year as part of Marine Rotational Force Southeast Asia. Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Mint's new $1 coin features Native Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui. A new $1 coin will feature a Native Hawaiian scholar that many credit with preserving and protecting ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu officials preparing for more 'targeted' attempt at federal funding freeze. The City and County of Honolulu administration expects another attempt at a federal funding freeze, and is preparing for what could be a more “targeted” approach. Hawaii Public Radio.

Cameras almost ready to ticket drivers. Photo enforcement of speed limits at 10 intersections in urban Honolulu is expected to start with a warning period later this month or in early March after being authorized by state lawmakers last year. Star-Advertiser.

Officials urge action on speeding problem. During a town hall meeting Tuesday at Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School, residents of District 27 — Pacific Heights, Nuuanu and Liliha — voiced concerns about speeding on Pali Highway and in residential areas. Star-Advertiser.

Effluent at Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant meets standards. The test result taken Saturday showed that the enterococcus bacteria count is within the daily National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit limit for the Kailua wastewater treatment plant, and that the exceedance present on Jan. 31 is not continuing. Star-Advertiser.

Sinkhole repairs trigger partial closure of Kalanianaole Highway. The roadway was closed between Kealahou Street and the vicinity of the Makai Research Pier from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Questions raised about DEM pick, but ultimately Segawa is approved by council. Mayor Kimo Alameda in November named Wesley Segawa — owner of Big Island consulting engineering firm Wesley R. Segawa and Associates — to serve as the director of the Department of Environmental Management. Tribune-Herald.

Sen. Hirono Questions Army Secretary Nominee On Pohakuloa Training Area. The U.S. Army’s effort to retain lands at Pōhakuloa for military training was briefly discussed at a recent Senate Committee hearing in Washington. Big Island Video News.

What’s next for Banyan Drive? Mayor, state legislators mull future of Waiakea Peninsula. During Wednesday’s meeting of the Banyan Drive Hawaii Management Agency, Mayor Kimo Alameda and three Big Island lawmakers discussed their visions for the peninsula. Tribune-Herald.

Tropical Gardening: Coffee flowering now means abundant harvests coming this fall. This year harvest should be concentrated thus making the harvest short and heavy if all else goes well. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Hawaii Supreme Court considers fate of $4B wildfire settlement. On Thursday, the Hawaii Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments primarily from three groups of litigants with huge stakes in the outcome of more than 600 lawsuits seeking compensation from wildfires that destroyed most of Lahaina and properties in Upcountry Maui on Aug. 8, 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Lawmakers Seek To Speed Up Rebuilding For Some Fire Victims. As temporary housing for survivors has cropped up around the island, efforts to replace permanent housing have been slowed by a special state coastal permit process. Civil Beat.

As eviction moratorium ends, Maui’s renters face pricier market than before wildfires. Rents have dipped in recent months, but they’re still higher than they were before the fires. And even as dozens of people rebuild their burned homes and temporary housing projects go up, early data shows a dip in Maui’s population that economists and advocates worry will only worsen without more safety nets. Maui Now.

Woman killed in police shooting on Saturday. A woman armed with “an edged weapon” was shot dead by a Maui police officer Saturday. Maui Police Department officials said that at about 3:46 p.m., police received a report of an abuse case at a Noho Place residence in Pukalani. Maui News. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Molokaʻi residents turn to risky boat crossings as Mokulele flight cancellations continue. Taking a fishing boat to the doctor's has become commonplace for Molokaʻi families in recent weeks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County schedules lane closures for week of Feb. 3-7, announces updated playcourt completion dates. Kauaʻi County Department of Public Works and its contactors announce lane closures. Kauaʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation also updated its schedule for completion of playcourt resurfacing projects at three parks in Wailua and Puhi. Kauai Now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kauai

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

HECO seeks state partnership to shore up shaky credit, feds send Honolulu rail $250M, Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HECO’s Shaky Credit Prompts Proposal For Help From State. Hawaiian Electric Co. is working with lawmakers on a plan that would make the state take over energy projects if HECO defaulted, a situation lawmakers say is unlikely to occur. The new idea is a proposal to backstop HECO’s renewable energy contracts using the state’s creditworthiness. “With the state’s ability to step into the utility’s place, it is likely that financing parties will view contracts with the utility as being supported by the investment grade credit rating of the state instead of the utility, avoiding higher bills and risks to reliability,” the company said in a presentation. Civil Beat.

Defense bill includes funding for Hawaii facilities, environmental cleanup.  The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to pass the latest iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military spending bill that sets the Pentagon’s priorities. It included pay raises for troops and a major emphasis on military infrastructure in the Pacific amid simmering tensions with China and North Korea. The bill authorizes over $2.2 billion in spending on Hawaii facilities. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Braces To Protect Milk Supply As Bird Flu Spreads On The Mainland. Bird flu has been found in dairy cows in 16 states and in more than 60 humans on the mainland so far this year. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Plane Crash Exposes State’s Fragile Air Cargo Infrastructure. Tuesday's fatal accident is the most serious incident in a turbulent three years at Kamaka Air. It comes less than two years after another Kamaka Cessna crashed on Molokaʻi. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Feds send another $250M for Honolulu rail construction. Honolulu’s Skyline rail project will receive another $250 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of its funding agreement with the city, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

New leaders of Honolulu climate change office set out to paint 'picture of a better future'.  Benjamin Sullivan, director of the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency, took the helm in September, and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi appointed Kealoha Fox as the team’s deputy director in mid-November. Hawaii Public Radio.

CDC studies community recovery in wake of Red Hill fuel spill. The Red Hill Community Representation Initiative is in a spat with the Navy over its absence at a meeting last week. The group points to what it calls a lack of transparency from the Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Innovative affordable housing community opens in Kapolei. A new, innovative affordable housing community is welcoming families in West Oahu. Parkway Village at Kapolei celebrated its grand opening Tuesday with 401 rental units — from studios to four-bedroom homes — serving individuals and families earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI). Hawaii News Now.

Windward Oahu opens first off-leash dog park in Kaneohe. The new park, located at the makai end of Kulauli Street, spans about 3 acres and offers separate areas for large and small dogs.  KHON2.

Rare Hawaiian snail reintroduced into Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu. After more than 33 years in captivity, a rare Hawaiian snail species known as Achatinella fuscobasis was released recently into the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve of the Ko‘olau Mountains on Oʻahu. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers try again to ask Legislature for expanded midwifery laws. A Hawaiʻi County Council resolution heard Wednesday urges the Legislature to permanently exempt birth attendants from being required to have a state midwifery license and to expand the eligibility criteria for the license. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Fishpond caretakers in Keaukaha ask drivers to stop 'burning rubber'. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported tire microplastics from synthetic rubber tires are a major contributor of microplastic pollution. KITV4.

Judge picks contractor to demolish mistakenly built house in HPP. Kona Circuit Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya has selected the proposal by Sanborn General Contracting Inc. of Hilo to remove the house mistakenly built on a lot owned by Annaleine “Anne” Reynolds. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding to rebuild Lahaina. The U.S. Senate has tentatively agreed to $12 billion to respond to disasters across the country, including $1.6 billion to help Maui rebuild following the 2023 wildfires, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Tuesday. With Congress scheduled to adjourn Friday, the U.S. House likely will take up the bill this week before sending it back to the Senate, Schatz said. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Maui County’s public access network Akakū fighting to prevent significant cuts to its funding. Maui County’s public access television network Akakū, which provides news coverage of local government and a variety of other community programming and services, already is operating with a lean budget. But now the nonprofit is battling to prevent the loss of hundreds of thousands in funding from cable company franchise fees. Maui Now.

Maui OKs Lahaina wildfire waste site on first reading. A plan to use 79 acres near the Central Maui landfill to dispose of waste from the August 2023 wildfires seems headed for final passage by the Maui County Council. Maui News.

The wildfire that destroyed Lahaina in August 2023 is continuing to have a ripple effect with tourism decreases on several Hawaiian islands including Maui. Maui has experienced a 10.1% decrease in visitor numbers for the first 10 months of this year, state Chief Economic Eugene Tian said. Maui  News.

Kauai

Public asked to weigh in on Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan project. The Kaua‘i County Housing Agency is seeking public feedback following a community workshop in November about the Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan project. Based on previous community feedback, affordable housing will comprise roughly 60 acres of the site, just west of Waimea Sunset subdivision. Kauai Now.

Reality TV reno stars build without Honolulu permits, $150M DHHL project goes to developer with ties to agency, Kauai councilwoman sworn in despite ongoing court challenge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Has Tulsi Gabbard Bid Hawaii A Last Aloha? Tulsi Gabbard owes her political career to Hawaii, where she served in elective office at the county, state and federal level. But she appears to have largely left its shores behind as her national profile ascended. Civil Beat.

USDA calls for 2.3% hike in SNAP benefits to reflect food costs in islands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday proposed a 2.3% increase to benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often still referred to by many as food stamps, for Hawai‘i to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of food in the state.The proposal would result in an extra estimated $40 a month for a family of four receiving benefits in Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Changes in procedure, short staffing causing long lines at state benefits offices. The state Department of Human Services said calls to its offices jumped from 17,000 in September to more than 40,000 in November. In October, DHS said it’s processed 9,100 new applicants as well as 10,000 recertifications, so workers are now doing twice the amount of work as before.  KHON2.

NAVFAC Hawaiʻi awards $81M contract for waterfront projects. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaiʻi has awarded an $81 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification to Moffatt & Nichol – Burns & McDonnell Hawaiʻi in Honolulu. The contract will fund engineering services for various waterfront projects across Hawaiʻi and other South Pacific Islands. Maui Now.

Oahu

For ‘Renovation Aloha,’ Permit Violations Are The Cost Of Doing Business. Husband and wife home flippers Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama have a low tolerance for delays. Civil Beat.

Construction At Turtle Bay Development Stays On Hold For Now. The building of a big new high-end development at Turtle Bay on Oahu’s North Shore will remain on pause as the developers respond to comments on its plans made during a review by the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting. Utah-based developer Areté Collective first applied for the permits nearly two years ago.  Civil Beat.

Community demands training moratorium after elevated lead levels found. In February, the U.S. Marine Corps took two dozen soil samples across 3,000 feet of shoreline by the Puuloa Range Training Facility in Ewa Beach to test for toxic chemicals. Now in a draft report, the military tests found elevated levels of heavy metals. Hawaii News Now.

Local crime boss’s cause of death still a mystery. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii, announced Tuesday that no determination of foul play or suicide has been made in the death of Honolulu businessman and crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

A Suicide At The Oahu Jail Prompts A Lawsuit By The Inmate’s Family. Two lawyers involved in the criminal case against Jimuel Gatioan say they warned the jail he was suicidal before he hanged himself. Civil Beat.

Oahu restaurant owner must pay workers $158K for wage violations. The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday announced the owner of Domo Cafe restaurants in Honolulu must pay more than $158,000 in back wages to 14 workers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

DHHL project goes to developer with ties to the agency’s leader. The work, estimated to cost around $150 million, represents the first major project for the year-old company led by Patti Tancayo, who spent over two decades working with DHHL Director Kali Watson running a nonprofit affordable-housing development firm before Watson was appointed in early 2023 to head DHHL. Star-Advertiser.

New leadership and faces on Hawaiʻi County Council. The Hawaiʻi County Council has a new look as members were sworn into office this week — and decided on new leadership. Hawaii Public Radio.

New mayor suspends plan to charge admission at Hilo zoo. The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation announced Tuesday that it is suspending plans to introduce admission fees to the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo  pending further review. KHON2 . Tribune-Herald.

Harbor dredging project pau. Boaters are in deep water at last after a months-long dredging project at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo wrapped up last week. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Project formerly known as Wailea 670 to consult with Maui County ʻŌiwi Resources Department. A contentious and complicated proposed luxury home development project in South Maui may need to meet with the Maui County Department of ʻŌiwi Resources before going any further.  Maui News.

Residents encouraged to attend Wednesday Disaster Recovery Community Meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Disaster Recovery Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

State data shows more visitors are gradually coming to Maui after a hiatus due to the fires. The latest state data shows more than 180,000 visitors came to Maui in October, 34% higher than the same time last year and 24% lower than before the pandemic. KITV4.

Kauai

Holland is newest council member. Fern Anuenue Holland became the newest member of the Kauai County Council when the council was sworn in by Judge Randal Valenciano despite a challenge of the Kauai County Council race by Hawaii State Elections Commissioner Ralph Cushnie that is sitting at the Hawaii Supreme Court. Garden Island.

New hotel may be in the works on Kauai. A sale is pending on a 25-acre parcel of land in Poipu on the Garden Isle’s South Shore that is entitled for hotel or resort residential development. KHON2.

Community meeting scheduled for Lydgate Beach Park breakwater maintenance project. The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park and Oceanit Laboratories, with support from Kaua‘i County, will host the meeting from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Conservatory Room at Hilton Garden Inn Kaua‘i, located at 3-5920 Kūhiō Highway, in Kapa‘a, adjacent to Lydgate Beach Park. Kauai Now.

Veterans Day: Hawaii's growing military significance. Plus, Republican influence grows in the state, panic buttons for schools, officials, Hawaii woman banned from South Korea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Retiring U.S. Army Pacific commander Gen. Charles Flynn says Hawaii is highly significant amid Pacific tensions.  Flynn, 61, reflected on his service in Hawaii, how the military presence in the islands has changed, and warned that the geopolitical situation in the Pacific has gotten more dangerous. He also said Hawaii’s geopolitical significance is greater than it’s ever been. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii activist is banned from South Korea. Christine Ahn, who was born in South Korea and immigrated to the United States, made international headlines in 2015 when her Honolulu-based organization Women Cross DMZ rallied 30 women to cross the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Star-Advertiser.

Trump support grows in blue state Hawaii. Since his first run for president in 2016, support for President-elect Donald Trump has steadily increased among Hawaii voters, just like it did this year in other politically deep-blue states from California to New York. Star-Advertiser.

Republicans gain seats in state Legislature. The state Senate now has three Republicans, while the House has nine members -- the most in the Republican Caucus in the past 20 years. Hawaii News Now.

Data Shows A Dramatic Difference In Test Scores Between Hawaii Schools. Statewide numbers suggest student test scores have flatlined in Hawaii in recent years, but results for individual schools show significant changes. Civil Beat.

Panic Buttons For Schools? Hawaii Has A New System To Deal With Violence. The $7 million mobile security system also can be used by top state officials and lawmakers. Civil Beat.

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii releases 2030 Blueprint to boost Hawaii’s economic competitiveness. Chamber President and CEO Sherry Menor-­McNamara said the chamber paid a third-party contractor $100,000 to develop the Blueprint, a forward-thinking analysis to support new and better business opportunities for small-business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric claims gains in cutting fire risk. Hawaii’s largest electrical utility plans to spend $300 million over the next three years on top of $120 million this year to reduce wildfire risk. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald.

State seeks contractors to respond to 3 invasive pests. The state Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals from contractors to help combat three invasive pests across Hawaii with $2.8 million in taxpayer funds. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Public input sought on proposed city transit fare changes. Public transit fares on Oahu soon may go up for some riders. The Honolulu Rate Commission said it will accept public testimony on proposed transit fare changes affecting Skyline, TheBus and TheHandi-Van at its Tuesday meeting. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki Beach projects expected to top $50 million. Millions in state funding for Waikiki Beach improvements lapsed under the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and while the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is moving four projects forward again in a final environmental impact statement, the estimated cost has ballooned to more than $50 million. Star-Advertiser.

Council recommends city seize dilapidated Queen Theater. The Queen Theater, once an iconic landmark in Kaimuki, has turned into a rundown, blighted building that’s attracted decades of public complaints, vagrants and a litany of illicit and illegal activities. Star-Advertiser.

Officers allegedly assaulted in separate incidents on Oahu. Honolulu police officers were allegedly assaulted during two separate cases on Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mayor-Elect Alameda Announces First Appointments. Bill Brilhante has been chosen to serve as Managing Director, and Merrick Nishimoto will fill the role of Deputy Managing Director. Big Island Video News.

Vacation rentals bill shelved: Council decides contentious measure too complicated in current state. A proposal by the Hawaii County Council to revamp how the county regulates short-term vacation rentals could start again from scratch. Tribune-Herald.

Bill aims to increase number of affordable rentals. Hawaii County could change how it defines “affordable rental,” which could raise the cost of rent for some low-income residents. The 2024 affordable rental housing rates for most of the county ranged from $1,202 for a studio apartment to $3,061 for a six-bedroom home. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County to award over $13 million to boost affordable housing. The County of Hawaiʻi is awarding over $13.2 million in Affordable Housing Production Program funds to four projects across Hawaiʻi Island that will support, increase, and sustain the availability and accessibility of affordable housing. Big Island Now.

Public input sought on Kahuku Unit plan. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is inviting the community to provide input about a plan to manage the Kahuku Unit, which is a separate area of the park that encompasses 132,000-plus acres in Ka‘u. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui court strikes down new shoreline management rules. Maui Environmental Court Judge Kirstin Hamman ruled against the Maui Planning Commission’s recently updated special management area rules, siding with the Maui Tomorrow Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental preservation. Star-Advertiser.

Maui residents, officials speak out against proposed contested case hearing for long-term water permit. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5 to 2 on Friday to deny a recommendation to hold a contested case hearing regarding a controversial 30-year permit for water coming from Maui’s Ko’olau Forest Reserve.  Maui News.

Deficient envelopes add drama to South Maui race.  There were still 1,069 deficient envelopes holding ballots, according to the Maui County Clerk’s Office, which is still contacting voters and awaiting their cured ballots. The deadline to receive the cured ballots is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 13.  Maui News.

Yearlong renovation of War Memorial Stadium could pave way for Hula Bowl, concerts, rodeos. To be able to attract University of Hawaiʻi football games and other big events in the future, Maui County plans to shut down War Memorial Stadium in June of 2025 for a one-year renovation project. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department celebrates appointment of Deputy Chief Mark Ozaki. The Kaua‘i Police Department announced the official appointment of Assistant Chief Mark Ozaki as the department’s new Deputy Chief last week.  Kauai Now.