Hawaii in bottom third of states for academic and economic outcomes, sugary drinks banned from SNAP purchases, state Supreme Court asked to free elephants at Honolulu Zoo, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Report: Teen Pregnancy Is Down But So Are Test Scores. Hawaiʻi ranks in the bottom third of states for academic and economic outcomes for kids, even as it posted improvements in other areas. Hawaiʻi is seeing fewer teen pregnancies and improvements in child mortality rates, but student achievement has yet to fully recover after dipping during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a recent report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Civil Beat.

State to restrict sugary drinks for SNAP recipients. Along with alcohol and tobacco, those using their EBT cards will not be able to buy sugary beverages. KITV4.

Ed Case Says No To Debating Jarrett Keohokalole In Congressional Race. Experts say there’s little advantage for incumbents to debate their opponents even though the event benefits voters. U.S. Rep. Ed Case said he will not debate state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole in advance of the Aug. 8 Democratic primary, arguing that his opponent has had nothing substantive to offer in terms of policy or explaining how he would better represent Hawaiʻi in Washington.   Civil Beat.

Military leaders from 25 countries gather in Waikiki to talk coastal warfare. About 300 service members from 25 countries are meeting at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies for the 12th Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, a gathering organized by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific that each year takes place in different locations around the region. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Should Other Animals Have Human Rights? Hawai‘i Court To Decide. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is being asked to free two elephants at the Honolulu Zoo based on the idea that the animals are entitled to legal personhood. Civil Beat.

New HPD Chief Lazar meets with police commission ahead of swearing in. Honolulu’s next police chief met with the Police Commission as he prepares to take office. David Lazar emphasized recruitment, retention, and modernization efforts. He will be officially sworn in on July 2nd. KITV4.

Honolulu Ocean Safety Department goes digital. The City and County of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety Department is moving to a fully digital reporting system, which will replace the previous manual system that required lifeguards to handwrite incidents on paper logs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Makiki Community Garden members happy that city finds funding. After false starts and a funding mistake, Honolulu officials announced it is finally installing fencing around the Makiki Community Garden. KHON2.

Police presence to rise amid Oahu accidents. Oʻahu has recorded 19 traffic fatalities in 2026, and multiple crashes causing serious injuries. This includes Saturday’s, June 13, multi-vehicle crash, which involved six vehicles, one with multiple children in it, including a 5-day-old infant.  KHON2.

Lawmakers host Manoa emergency prep forum after Kona low flooding. On Wednesday, a forum was held at Noelani Elementary School. Organizers said the meeting aimed to provide information to prepare for weather emergencies or other public safety threats, as well as to highlight “lessons learned” from the recent flooding. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council postpones eminent domain resolution targeting Puna land. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday agreed to postpone a resolution calling for the acquisition of 3.74 acres of coastal Puna land using eminent domain to widen Government Beach Road — a measure described by opposition testifiers as “criminal” and an attempt to “trample” on the landowner’s rights. Tribune-Herald.

FEMA joins county, state emergency management teams to assess South Kona earthquake damages. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in South Kona this week to assess properties damaged by the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck on May 22, rocking homes off their foundations and destroying dozens of catchment systems that left residents without potable water. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. 

Meeting set to discuss Kona airport master plan. The state Department of Transportation is holding its third community information meeting for the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole master plan update. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council panel rejects charter amendment to set aside transient accommodations tax for climate fund. A Maui County Council committee decided against a proposed Maui County Charter amendment to dedicate a fifth of the County’s transient accommodations tax revenue to climate change and impacts.  Maui Now.

Affordable-housing project awaits County Council action Friday. The project is on more than 160 acres of vacant land connected to Hansen and Pūlehu roads, with a variety of commercial, recreational and light-industrial uses and 1,608 multifamily housing units, including about 800 affordable units. Maui News.

Maui Police Chief: Recent Scare Underscores Lax Security At County Offices. After a suspect flashed what he implied was a gun at a planning office, Police Chief John Pelletier and others are calling for urgent action. Civil Beat.

‘Īao Valley emergency flood repairs approved; but questions arise about long-term impacts to river. On Tuesday, the Hawai‘i Commission on Water Resource Management decided the work done by residents in the days after the flood to move rocks with excavators and redirect the Wailuku River was in line with emergency rules and won’t require additional permitting. Maui Now.

Plan to expand facilities at Makena State Park sparks criticism. Some Maui residents are critical of a plan to expand the facilities at Makena State Park in South Maui, saying the project would threaten endangered hawksbill turtles and increase the likelihood of serious spinal injuries. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi grand jury indicts Billy Sinclair on all 28 counts following homicide in Hanalei. Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Michael Soong issued a no bail warrant for the 51-year-old murder suspect who has been in custody since he was captured by law enforcement on June 8 after a two-day manhunt.  Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Shipping rates to rise again, military economic impact may be overstated, manhunt in Puna after 3 homicides, tourist banned from beaches after alleged rock-throwing at endangered monk seal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Interisland Shipping Rates Set To Rise July 1 After Governor Signs Bill. Young Brothers quickly announced a 3% rate hike soon after the bill was signed. State wharfage fees will rise at the same time, potentially driving up prices even more. Civil Beat.

U.S. military’s economic impact in Hawaii overstated, report contends.  The 199-page report from a consortium of groups and activists says the military contributes $7.2 billion to Hawaii’s economy and 6.4% to its GDP annually, about 30% lower than most recently touted by the state and Pentagon. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi solar energy projects at risk after tax credit is signed into law. The governor signed a bill into law on May 21 that will not only phase out solar credits but also affect projects already in the pipeline. Hawaii Public Radio.

Push for renewed look at legislative corruption petition. Former federal attorney Alexander Silvert sent a three-page letter to state House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and Vice Speaker Linda Ichiyama on Wednesday, asking them to bring back the petition he started last year that collected more than 900 signatures. Hawaii News Now.

Teens Suing Kamehameha Didn’t Have Scores To Get In, Lawyer Says. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say race preference permeates the process. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State blesses homeless kauhale village in Waimanalo. Hawaii’s 26th homeless kauhale — 20 tiny homes on the makai side of the former Weinberg Village in Waimanalo — was blessed Wednesday in a community that had seen a nearby homeless encampment at Waimanalo Beach Park grow to more than 40 people lining Kalanianaole Highway last year, which has since been cleared. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Access To Oʻahu Outdoor Recreation Spot Still Restricted After Storm Damage. High above Kaʻena Point, access to the campgrounds and accompanying trails at Peacock Flats has been restricted for more than a month due to damage from this spring’s Kona low storms. Civil Beat. 

Hawaii Island

Manhunt ongoing for Puna man suspected of three homicides. A manhunt continues for 36-year-old Jacob Daniel Baker of Pahoa, who is a suspect in three homicides that occurred over the course of two days in Kapoho and Kalapana earlier this week. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Water Conservation Notice Issued After Quake Damages South Kona Tank. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply says customers in the affected areas must reduce water usage by at least 10%, in order to maintain adequate water storage while DWS performs emergency repairs to the damaged tank. Big Island Video News.

High schoolers granted precious ‘telescope time. Eight Kealakehe High School students were the recipients of Maunakea Scholars awards last Friday, earning them the coveted opportunity to carry out research using the telescope array atop Hawaii Island’s tallest mountain. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New hotel zoning clears Council committee, 6-1, despite planning commissions’ opposition. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 6-1 Tuesday to advance new hotel zoning districts for thousands of short-term vacation rentals facing a county-mandated phase-out — overriding unanimous rejection from all three county planning commissions. Maui Now.

Man accused of throwing rock at seal is banned from Hawaii beaches. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk  was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond ahead of his next court appearance. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Keoni Kuoha announces campaign for Hawaiʻi State House, District 12. Surrounded by supporters on May 18, 2026, Keoni Kuoha formally announced his candidacy for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 12, representing the Maui communities of Makawao, Hāliʻimaile, Pukalani, Kula, Pūlehu, ʻUlupalakua, Kanaio and Kahikinui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System to host community call, town hall on Kaua‘i. Garden Isle veterans can learn about available services, get health screenings and vaccines, receive assistance with Veterans Affairs healthcare enrollment, renew or replace Veterans Affairs identification cards and more. Kauai Now.

Governor seeks to borrow against new 'green fee' tourist tax, military wants Oahu to be hub of Pacific arms manufacturing, Air Force plans 7 new telescopes on Haleakala, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Initial ‘Green Fee’ projects are caught in funding dilemma. Gov. Josh Green is proposing to use debt instead of new special tax revenue to pay for an initial 18 “Green Fee” environmental improvement projects costing $42.2 million. The plan, which has aggravated some state lawmakers, would increase Green Fee project costs due to the interest on such debt while also freeing up a stream of cash specifically created for such projects to instead potentially fund other state needs. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers push for more transparency on Green Fee fund allocations. State lawmakers are working on how they will spend millions of dollars generated for climate projects by the new Green Fee on hotels and cruise ships. Two bills that would create more oversight for the selected projects advanced out of their first committees on Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Special Interests Are Fueling Gov. Josh Green’s Anti-RFK Jr. Super PAC. A political action committee Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green launched last year to push back against U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism and support candidates who believe in science-backed medicine raised nearly $500,000 during 2025, according to federal campaign spending records.  Civil Beat.

Questions over Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke likely to inspire challengers. Democratic and nonpartisan elected officials across the state are quietly calculating the financial and political costs of challenging Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke by the June 2 filing deadline while suspicions swirl whether Luke is the target of an ongoing investigation by Hawaii’s attorney general. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi AG says 'no conflict' in investigation into alleged $35K lawmaker exchange. Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez reaffirmed her position Friday that there is no conflict of interest in her department’s investigation into an “influential lawmaker” who allegedly accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during a January 2022 meeting. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Rep. Daniel Holt leaves state House for Hawaii DLNR job. State Rep. Daniel Holt resigned from the state House Friday following his appointment to serve as an executive assistant to Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang. The Hawaii Democratic Party now has 30 days to give Gov. Josh Green a list of potential candidates to replace Holt in the House. Green will then have 60 days to select Holt’s replacement. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

String Of ‘Devastating’ Suicides In Hawaiʻi Prisons Continues. Corrections officials are asking for millions of dollars this year to hire dozens of health care workers to improve mental health services inside. Civil Beat.

Demand soars as loan relief keeps health care workers home. Under bills being considerred by the Legislature, those who receive a total annual loan amount of $50,001 or more would be required to work in Hawaii for three years instead of two. Star-Advertiser.

Group says military contributes 16% of Hawaiʻi's gross domestic product. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded more than $3 billion in contracts in Hawaiʻi in 2023. That's according to a recent report from Hawaiʻi's Military and Community Relations Office, or MACRO. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. 

Sea-level rise concerns most Hawaii residents, UH study finds. The majority of Hawaii residents recognize that sea-level rise is happening — and the opinion is shared across political party lines, according to a new statewide survey by University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, which asked more than 1,300 residents in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties various questions on their opinions about sea-level rise. Star-Advertiser.

Lei legislation aims to bolster Hawaii flower farm industry. Buying lei made only with natural materials from Hawaii nei could be a new requirement for state agencies under an effort at the Legislature aimed at helping the local floriculture industry. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Military wants Hawaii to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing. Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, visited the Honolulu Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility — which has $12 million worth of machines funded by his office — and “The Forge,” a new facility at Schofield Barracks with on-site tools for 3D printing, casting and forging and the ability for what military officials call “rapid prototyping.” Star-Advertiser.

Pentagon mulls ending tuition assistance at HPU. The Pentagon is mulling terminating tuition assistance to service members attending dozens of universities, including Hawaii Pacific University. The military branches have begun to compile lists of colleges and universities that may have a “moderate to high risk” of being impacted, meaning the Pentagon wouldn’t fund any active-duty service members’ higher education there. Star-Advertiser.

Council works to boost agritourism oversight. To prevent abuse, members of the Honolulu City Council say they want to strengthen the oversight of agritourism activities on Oahu’s agricultural lands. Star-Advertiser.

Where Are Honolulu’s Wāhine Lifeguards? 19 Out Of 20 Are Men. Hawaiʻi has some of the lowest rates of female lifeguards in the country. As more women surfers claim a spot in the lineup, there’s hope that might change. Civil Beat.

Illegal rentals hurt hotel sector, deepen housing crisis. Honolulu’s hotel sector pumps more than $12 billion a year into the local economy and supports nearly 64,000 jobs, but industry leaders warn those gains are increasingly at risk as illegal vacation rentals drain housing from residents and erode public support for tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaʻako residents frustrated over dog ban at Ward Village park. The developer Howard Hughes Corp. promised residents a pet-friendly neighborhood, but it has now walked back its pitch to residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Higher tax rate eyed for Hawaii County homes worth $4M or more. The Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee on Feb. 4 voted 7-1 to forward with a favorable recommendation to the full council a measure that would add a new, higher rate of residential property tax for property with a net taxable value of $4 million or more. Tribune-Herald.

County, former department head exonerated in trial. Following a civil jury trial presided over by Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto, the county and Douglass Adams — former director of the Department of Research and Development — have been found legally not liable of all allegations in a lawsuit regarding the county’s hiring processes. Tribune-Herald.

County installs roundabout by in Hilo by HCC. The roundabout replaces the previous T-intersection at Kawili and Manono streets and was installed Friday as part of the ongoing Kawili Street paving project. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 42 Lava Fountains Erupt At Kīlauea Volcano. Episode 42 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 11:38 p.m. HST on February 15 after 9 hours and 48 minutes hours of continuous lava fountaining. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Air Force advances plans to build 7 more telescopes on Haleakalā as fuel spill cleanup continues. Activists are gearing up for another fight as the U.S. Air Force outlines plans to build up to seven more telescopes on the summit, even though it has not finished the cleanup of a 700-gallon fuel spill from 2023.  Maui Now.

Maui Housing Policy Divides Top Candidates For Mayor This Election. The mayoral election on Nov. 3 will give voters their first opportunity since the fires to decide who should steer the county for the next four years as it grapples with those issues. With four months before the candidate filing deadline, Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura has emerged as Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s top challenger. Civil Beat.

Open house offers chance to learn more about Maui’s new water conservation rules. The Maui County Department of Water Supply will host an open house from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 25 to discuss recent amendments to the county’s water conservation rules and what those changes mean to the community. Maui News.

Kauai

$6M OHA emergency fund offering help to Kauai Residents. OHA’s Hawaiian Council Outreach Team will be on Kauai on Monday, Feb. 16, to provide in-person assistance through its ‘Ola Emergency Relief Fund program. KHON2.

New mural ‘inspires responsibility,’ honors Kauai man killed by impaired driver. Students from Waimea High School and community members painted a new mural to limit impaired driving and remember a Kauai man killed in a hit-and-run crash. Hawaii News Now.

East, southeast shores to remain under high surf advisory. Strong trade winds will maintain relatively short period high surf along east-facing shores of Kauaʻi lasting into Wednesday. Kauai Now.

Bill seeks cellphone ban at schools, Kaiser Permanente strike begins today, Schofield soldiers doubling up in barracks as US military beefs up Hawaii presence, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Teachers, parents divided over proposed school cellphone ban. Cellphones and all other telecommunication devices would be banned in Hawaii’s public schools under a House bill that attempts to resolve a divisive issue, even among Hawaii’s public school teachers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Are Full Of Ideas For Improving Schools. Few Will Pass. Lawmakers are prioritizing free meals for students and stronger protections for school employees this session, but less than 10% of education bills become law each year. Civil Beat.

Math at the center of Hawaii’s education priorities as leaders look ahead. Math readiness has emerged as a defining education issue for Hawaii as lawmakers and school leaders prepare for the 2026 legislative cycle, framing numeracy not only as an academic concern but as a foundation for workforce readiness, economic mobility and long-term student success. Star-Advertiser.

Japanese American soldiers once branded ‘enemy aliens’ to be promoted posthumously. Seven Japanese American soldiers will be promoted to officer ranks in a solemn ceremony Monday, eight decades after they died fighting for the U.S. during World War II despite having been branded “enemy aliens.”  The seven were students at the University of Hawaii and cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps, on track to become Army officers, when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.  Associated Press.

Kaiser strike set to begin despite union offer to resume bargaining. Hundreds of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii employees are set to walk off the job on Monday at 7 a.m. Approximately 240 pharmacists, rehabilitation therapists and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in Hawaii will be joining thousands of others in California from the United Nurses Association of California and the Union of Health Care Professionals. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

'We have to push back,' ACLU president on mission to uphold civil liberties. Deborah Archer has been the president of the national ACLU since 2021. She spoke with HPR about how the ACLU has changed during the second Trump administration. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaiian Kingdom enters lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools. The Council of Regency, as interim government of the Hawaiian Kingdom, on Jan. 21 filed a motion to intervene with an accompanying motion to dismiss in the Students for Fair Admissions vs. Kamehameha Schools lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Schofield soldiers forced to ‘double up’ in barracks with more troops coming. Some soldiers on Oahu are being told they might be living “doubled up” in their barracks rooms for at least 15 months or longer as the U.S. Army increases the number of troops in Hawaii under a major force restructuring. The Army has been putting increased emphasis on Hawaii as a hub for Pacific training and operations amid tensions with China. Star-Advertiser.

City seeks new headquarters for Ocean Safety Department.  HOSD’s plans include a proposed land swap arrangement involving the Kapiolani Park Trust to temporarily accommodate mobile trailers near its existing headquarters in the Waikiki area. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Fireworks Citations Offer Glimpse Into Use Of New Laws. Fireworks citations and fines were up on Oʻahu, but the jury is still out on how effective aerial drones will be. Civil Beat.

Hawaii slows speed camera expansion after warning period. The state Department of Transportation is declaring its recently activated automated speed limit enforcement program in urban Honolulu a success, but expansion is going to be slower and smaller than previously planned. Star-Advertiser.

Strike at Kaiser Moanalua set to begin today. No resolution is yet in sight over a new contract between Kaiser and the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, which represents 31,000 registered nurses, pharmacists and others, including about 250 in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

For those who depend on coconuts, few options exist to fight invasive beetles. The invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle, or CRB for short, has killed thousands of coconut trees on Oahu since its arrival in 2013. Around 1-1/2 years ago, it first appeared in Kahana Valley. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Update On Ashfall, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park After Episode 41. The ongoing eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano is once again paused, following the high lava fountaining of episode 41 that covered the surrounding area in tephra and dispersed fine ash as far as Hilo.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

New artificial intelligence degree debuts later this year at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. The College of Business and Economics is launching a new artificial intelligence concentration in the bachelor of business administration program beginning in the 2026 fall semester. It will formally interface with the university’s data science program. Big Island Now.

Police investigating Thursday afternoon affray in Hilo. At 3:17 p.m., police responded to a report of a disturbance involving an estimated 30 to 40 teenagers at Mohouli Park. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor Bissen to make annual appearance with Hawai‘i mayors before state lawmakers. Mayor Richard Bissen will join the state’s other three mayors in making presentations Monday afternoon before members of the Senate Ways and Means and House Finance committees at the State Capitol. Maui Now.

Federal Housing Programs For Maui Fire Survivors Extended Until 2027. Federal officials approved the state’s request to extend for a year the program that hundreds of Maui wildfire survivors still rely on for temporary housing and financial assistance, Gov. Josh Green announced on Friday afternoon. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser Permanente releases Maui pharmacy closure details ahead of Monday strike. Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi announced operational plans Saturday for Maui County ahead of an open-ended strike by unionized health care workers scheduled to begin Monday. Maui Now.

50 Years On Kahoʻolawe: Inside The Journey To Rescue Hawaiʻi’s Target Island. The goal isn’t just to heal the environment, activists say. It’s to forge an island where Hawaiians can reclaim their culture. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Tsunamis, Floods And Not Enough Space: Kauaʻi Is Moving To Replace Its Jail. With an upcoming highway-widening project expected to encroach on a third of the Wailua facility’s property, the state is finally moving forward with plans to construct a new rehabilitation-focused KCCC on empty agricultural land in Hanamā‘ulu.  Civil Beat.

Updated leadership in Hawaiʻi House of Representatives named for 2026 state legislative session. Members of the Kaua‘i House delegation will be taking leadership roles on the House floor and in committees, including House Speaker Nadine Nakamura (Hā‘ena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kapa‘a, portion of Wailua, Kawaihau) and Majority Floor Leader Dee Morikawa (Ni‘ihau, portion of ‘Ōma‘o, Kōloa, Po‘ipū, Lāwa‘i, Kalāheo, Ele‘ele, Hanapēpē, Kaawanui Village, Pākalā Village, Waimea, Kekaha). Kauai Now.

Recktenwald joins Justice Department resistance, Honolulu tackles Waikiki squalor spots, thousands commemorate overthrow anniversary, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Retired chief justice joins resistance to Trump’s Justice Department. Former Hawaii chief justice Mark Recktenwald is helping bring together about 40 other former chief justices to defend their colleagues and judicial institutions from President Trump’s criticism of judges and control of the Justice Department. Hawaii News Now.

Deputy Sheriffs Are Beefing Up Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement. After a 20% surge in highway deaths last year, deputies will help crack down on speeding in school zones on weekdays and drunken driving on weekends.State sheriff’s deputies traditionally do not focus on traffic enforcement, but state Transportation Director Ed Sniffen told Civil Beat his department has committed $2 million in federal highway safety funding to pay overtime for deputies to work on the traffic crackdown. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi AG To Supreme Court: Gun Control Is Hawaiian Tradition. A case questioning whether Hawaiʻi gun owners need explicit permission to carry their weapons onto private property will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Allies try to adapt to shifting U.S. priorities. Last week in Waikiki, senior military leaders, diplomats and defense contractors from around the world met in Waikiki for the now annual Honolulu Defense Forum to talk about how they can cooperate in the Pacific as many of them see increasing challenges from China, Russia and North Korea. Star-Advertiser.

Thousands join ‘Onipa‘a march to remember illegal overthrow of Hawaiian Kingdom. About 6,000 people on Friday marched from Mauna‘ala to ‘Iolani Palace for the annual ‘Onipa‘a Peace March, commemorating 133 years since the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council members who nixed pay raises are now collecting 6-figure salaries. Three Honolulu City Council members who rejected a contentious 64% pay increase for the nine- member panel nearly three years ago now annually draw six-figure, city-funded salaries, city pay documents state. Star-Advertiser.

City Has Few Options To Address Pockets Of Squalor In Waikīkī. Owners of blighted properties won’t say what they’re planning to do with vacant lots and deteriorating buildings in Waikīkī, and there’s little that public officials can do about it. Civil Beat.

Beach Boys return to prime Waikiki concession spot. The Pacific Island Beach Boys has returned to its prime concession spot on Kūhiō Beach after an eight-year absence. The nonprofit was awarded a five-year city lease for board rentals, surfing lessons and canoe rides. Hawaii News Now.

Flashing Crosswalk Broken For Months On A Busy Road. Pedestrians need to be extra careful in this popular Mōʻiliʻili crosswalk. City says an upgrade is in the works. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Tetairoa McMillan, other pro athletes invest in Hilo-based beverage company. The Waimānalo-raised NFL rookie, a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, Devin Williams, a pitcher for the New York Mets; and Jerami Grant, a veteran NBA forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, has joined Hilo-based Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages as athlete investors and impact partners. Aloha State Daily.

Hundreds rally in Hilo to honor Martin Luther King, protest Trump administration. An estimated 250 protesters lined the makai side of Kamehameha Avenue along the Hilo Bayfront on Monday for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day demonstration, undeterred by an overcast, intermittently rainy morning. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui County Council committee to review real property tax exemption reforms. The Maui County Council’s Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers to consider legislation aimed at easing the tax burden for residents and streamlining exemption deadlines. Maui Now.

Maui Planning Commission to weigh zoning changes for new Haʻikū Fire Station. The Maui Planning Commission is scheduled to consider land use changes and zoning amendments for a new Haʻikū Fire Station during its meeting Jan. 27. Maui Now.

Maui fire survivors face housing uncertainty as FEMA assistance nears expiration.  Nearly 1,000 families who survived the 2023 fires are facing uncertainty as their FEMA housing assistance is set to expire next month. Hawaii News Now.

Free Medical Flights Start For Some Neighbor Island Residents. State pilot program to help connect people with services on Oʻahu expected to begin later this month for Molokaʻi and in February for Lānaʻi. Civil Beat.

Family responds to road rage allegations on Hana Highway. This much is clear: the road rage incident that happened on the popular Road to Hana last Friday ended with a shattered windshield and a few minor injuries. But as to how it all unfolded? Depends who you ask. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Lydgate Beach Parkʻs Bynum Bridge to close temporarily for structural improvements. Bynum Bridge at Lydgate Beach Park in Līhuʻe will be closed for scheduled maintenance from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29, the Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation announced. Officials said the work is necessary to improve the bridge’s structural support. Kauai Now.

InterFaith Roundtable of Kauai leads Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Hanapepe. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Kauai was a time for people to engage in many facets of the national, state and county holiday, thanks to efforts by the Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai, in partnership with the Kauai Soto Zen Temple in Hanapepe. Garden Island.

Survey finds support for Hawaii military presence, feds investigating state transgender athletics policies, Honolulu hires search firm for police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Survey finds broad support for Hawaii military presence. Hawaii residents generally support the military’s presence in the islands, which employs 73,072 Department of Defense employees and pumps billions into the local economy each year, officials with the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism announced Wednesday. DBEDT’s online survey of 541 adult island residents showed that 62% of residents feel “positively” about the military’s presence in Hawaii, with 74% agreeing that it “strengthens” Hawaii’s economy. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Feds Investigating Hawaiʻi Schools’ Policies On Transgender Athletes. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education is one of 18 school districts and educational institutions across the country being investigated for allowing transgender athletes to participate in school sports, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday.  Hawaiʻi’s education department allows transgender student athletes to join the high school sports teams of their choice. Civil Beat.

House Majority outlines top priorities for 2026 legislative session. Housing, Native Hawaiian issues and preserving the social safety net are among priorities when the Hawaiʻi State Legislature will convene in regular session on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Maui Now.

Public Defenders Got 20% Raises, But Hawaiʻi Isn’t Paying Them. The public defense attorneys typically earn far less than lawyers at other state agencies. Six months after a move to address the disparity, the money still hasn’t materialized. Civil Beat.

State Lawmakers Want To Protect Hawaiʻi Kids From AI Chatbots. Worried that children are being exploited by chatbots, lawmakers will again push for a bill to require organizations that use artificial intelligence in commercial transactions to publicly disclose that information to consumers. Civil Beat. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Handbook rewrite, incorrect memo prompt concerns for Hawaiian Airlines. A policy rewrite and a misworded memo about it caused concern for employees and frequent flyers of Hawaiian Airlines. The last bullet point was highlighted: “In an effort to align our language to be inclusive for our entire employee population across the entire U.S., the Hawaiian words have been removed.” Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Commission hires firm to find next HPD chief. The Honolulu Police Commission has entered into a $121,900 contract with an executive search firm from California as part of the ongoing effort to hire the city’s 13th police chief. Star-Advertiser.

$1.1M grant for Hawaiʻi's medical school seeks to further AI development. The funding comes from the American Medical Association as part of its national “Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education” grant program. The John A. Burns School of Medicine plans to use the money to develop AI systems to have a humanistic approach when teaching medical students about rural health. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Fight During Work Hours Wasn’t Enough To Get This City Inspector Fired. Honolulu hired Bryan Porcello despite at least eight convictions, and only fired him after his arrest for allegedly bailing a woman out of jail for sex.  Civil Beat.

Pilot program puts Honolulu police officers in 3 schools. The Honolulu Police Department and state Department of Education have launched Oahu’s first formal school resource officer pilot program, placing officers at Waianae, Kapolei and Kaimuki high schools through the current school year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

ACLU Hawaii sues federal government to seek release of immigration detainee  who was detained during his green card hearing. ACLU comes to aid of Captain Cook man taken by ICE. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii filed a habeas corpus petition Tuesday in U.S. District Court seeking the release of 42-year-old Captain Cook man Jose Estrada Lopez, who has been incarcerated without charges or bail at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Interim Police Chief addresses arrests of two Hawaiʻi Island officers. Two Hawai‘i Island police officers appeared Wednesday afternoon in Hilo Circuit Court, where they pleaded not guilty to charges levied against them by the State of Hawai‘i Attorney General involving alleged unconstitutional searches of an arrestee’s belongings in May 2023. Big Island Now.

PONC program accepting nominations through Jan. 31.  The Hawaii County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) is accepting nominations from the public through Jan. 31 for lands to be considered for preservation. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Jacky Takakura named Maui County Planning Director. Mayor Richard Bissen has appointed Jacky Takakura, a former Deputy Planning Director, to serve as County of Maui Planning Director. Her appointment takes effect Feb. 1 and is subject to confirmation by the Maui County Council. Maui Now.

Longtime kalo farmer announces run for Maui County Council. A longtime kalo farmer, Bobby Pahia, has announced his bid for a seat in the Maui County Council. Pahia announced Wednesday afternoon that he is running for the Upcountry residency seat currently held by Yuki Lei Sugimura, who is running for mayor. Hawaii News Now.

Maui braces for possible end to FEMA rental assistance and more housing strain for fire survivors. Nearly 1,000 households displaced by catastrophic wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui are anxiously awaiting word on whether federal assistance helping them stay housed will be left to expire, forcing them to find new housing or pay more for it in one of the tightest and most expensive rental environments in the country. Associated Press.

Kauai

New public pre-K classroom to help increase education access on Kauai. King Kaumualii Elementary in Lihue is now the fifth out of Kauai’s nine public elementary schools to offer public pre-K. Hawaii News Now.

Kapa‘a Satellite DMV site open, available to assist East Kaua‘i residents. Kaua‘i County Division of Motor Vehicles reminds the public that — while services are somewhat limited and by appointment-only — its Kapa‘a satellite location is open and available to assist East Kaua‘i residents. Kauai Now.

Hawaii’s largest coffee farm warns of mass layoff. Kauai Coffee Co. has told state and county leaders that it is being forced to lay off the 136 employees of its 3,100-acre Garden Isle farm. In December, Brue Baukol executives told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the company was committed to keeping Kauai Coffee open and was exploring ways to preserve, improve, or potentially manage the business itself. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

Kauai

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

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

Changes sought in solitary confinement law, safety inspections lag as building fires rise, Pentagon denied additional condemnation authority at Pohakuloa, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation seeks changes to solitary confinement law. The state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation wants the state Legislature to loosen a law that sets stronger regulations on the use of solitary confinement on incarcerated individuals. Hawaii Public Radio.

New political action committee aimed at electing inclusive, equality-driven leaders. Community leaders on the third anniversary of the Respect for Marriage Act announced last week the official launch of HOKU PAC, a new non-partisan political action committee dedicated to empowering māhū and LGBTQIA+ candidates — and their allies — seeking county and state office throughout Hawaiʻi.  Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Building Fires Are On The Rise; Safety Inspections Aren’t Keeping Up. Regular inspections of hotels and other accommodations required by the state are being inconsistently carried out by most county fire departments. Staffing and resource limitations mean that all of the state’s county fire prevention bureaus only inspect a fraction of the state’s accommodations, leaving visitors and residents at risk.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Wants To Bring Home The Bacon Again — Literally. Pork production in the islands has dropped significantly in the past 20 years. The state is now taking calls for help from piggeries more seriously. Civil Beat.

The state is urging households to use their Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) benefits before they expire on Dec. 31. The Hawaii Department of Human Services said Wednesday that households that received the $250 per person HEFAP benefits should use them as soon as possible. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Deadly force found justified in Keehi Boat Harbor barricade. A Honolulu police corporal was justified to use deadly force when he shot a 37-year-old man high on methamphetamine through the cheek after the man threatened officers with a hammer and a rifle during a standoff June 22 at Keehi Boat Harbor, the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office said. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Prison guard and wife permanently banned by DOE. The state Department of Education issued a permanent ban from all campuses and properties against a man accused of punching out Moanalua High School’s associate athletic director after allegedly harassing referees at his son’s exhibition basketball game Dec. 4.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

State begins emergency repairs at Kamehameha Hwy. at Kualoa. The state Department of Transportation has begun emergency repairs to a section of Kamehameha Highway near Kualoa Regional Park after erosion threatened to undermine the roadway. The DOT said the erosion was found on Monday by inspectors, and repairs were started Tuesday because of fears the roadway could fail. Hawaii News Now.

Manoa pool closed again as city fixes renovation problems. After reopening in June following nearly nine months of repairs, the pool shut down once more in late November.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island gets new official name. The "Island of Hawaiʻi" will now be known simply as "Hawaiʻi" on official state documents. The Hawaiʻi Board on Geographic Names voted in favor of the change last week after more than a year of discussion on what the island's official name should be. Hawaii Public Radio.

Senate Passes Military Spending Bill, Includes Provision On Pōhakuloa Land. Senator Mazie Hirono says the bill does not provide the military with any additional authority to condemn state land, despite a last-minute push by the Army. Big Island Video News.

Street Medicine Program To End At Year-End. The Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center says it is terminating its innovative Street Medicine Outreach program for un-housed individuals at year-end. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier seeks apology as ‘Diddy’ civil lawsuit is dismissed. The civil lawsuit filed in California against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs — later amended to add a list of co-defendants, including Maui Police Chief John Pelletier — was dismissed on Tuesday for failure to prosecute. Maui Now. Maui News. 

A Maui sailing company is among the first to resume operations in Lahaina Harbor. Lahaina Small Boat Harbor has officially reopened. The harbor sustained $30 million in damage from the 2023 wildfire. Hawaii Public Radio.

Troubled Maui water system due for improvements. A state commission has fined Maui Land &Pineapple Co. for failures earlier this year to manage stream water feeding competing demands that include taro farming, wildlife habitat, golf course irrigation and residential landscaping. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Mayor Kawakami signs Kauai Climate Adaptation and Action Plan. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed the Kauai Climate Adaptation and Action Plan (KCAAP) on Wednesday, marking an important step in the County of Kauai’s long-term work to prepare for climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Kauaʻi Renters Are Fighting A Hawaiian Homesteads Condo Project. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is being sued over a relocation plan residents say is inadequate. Civil Beat.

Fire at Kauai Sea Farm caused about $144K in damage. Kauai firefighters on Tuesday extinguished a fire at the eastern shore of Nomilu Fishpond in Kalaheo. No injuries were reported. Star-Advertiser.

Green seeks $500M to clean military munitions; Hilo fires destroy historic buildings, kill 2, displace dozens; commercial boat operations to return to Lahaina, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How Far Will $500M Go To Clean Up Army Bombs Left In Hawaiʻi? Gov. Josh Green has requested a $10 billion investment for the military to continue training on state lands, including funds for cleaning military waste.  Civil Beat.

Holiday discounts, vacancies signal Hawaii tourism downturn. Hawaii’s visitor industry is confronting one of its weakest holiday seasons in recent memory, with hoteliers reporting rare availability during the traditionally sold‑out festive period and industry leaders warning of mounting economic pressures. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii seeks funding for student athletes. UH officials say that staying competitive in the NCAA’s Mountain West Conference of mid-major schools will take $5 million in annual public funding on top of private funding, and that the new landscape has already negatively affected recruiting. Star-Advertiser.

Trans Community Hits New Barriers To Gender-Affirming Care In Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi has one of the highest per-capita populations of transgender people in the nation and māhū, which means “dual spirit” or “third gender,” is deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian culture. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA, 3.6% of Hawaiʻi youth and 0.7% of adults identify as transgender.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council’s ‘constitutional rights’ resolution advances. An attempt to forge trust between local government and all Oahu residents is the aim of new Honolulu City Council legislation. Council’s Resolution 301 urges Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration to affirm the constitutional rights of all City and County of Honolulu residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Star-Advertiser.

State laying foundation to boost Central Oahu food production. Two state agencies recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for what they are calling the Central Oahu Agriculture and Food Hub on a site that was once an operations base of sugarcane and pineapple producer Dole Food Co. in Whitmore Village. Star-Advertiser.

Rail Work Is Causing Pedestrian Hazards And Headaches On Dillingham. Construction crews have torn up not just the streets but also the sidewalks, leading to potential ADA violations. Civil Beat.

Panel picks 3 finalists for city’s Ocean Safety chief. John Titchen, the City and County of Honolulu’s former top lifeguard, who was terminated from his job in 2024 over claims of insubordination following an alleged row inside the Mayor’s Office, is now a finalist for his prior post. Besides Titchen, the commission is considering Ron Bregman, a retired city lifeguard lieutenant who now works as aquatics director and chief lifeguard for Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe; and Kurt Lager, currently the designated director of the Ocean Safety Department. Star-Advertiser.

Schofield soldiers developing drones for Pacific operations.  25th Infantry Division’s “Lightning Lab” at Schofield Barracks is the division’s “innovation and development” section, meant to look at how new technology can help support the division’s soldiers and leaders. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Overhaul of county’s affordable housing rules eyed. Hawaii County officials are inviting a limited number of residents to weigh in on proposed changes to the county’s affordable housing rules at a second public housing summit on Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Fire razes four buildings in downtown Hilo. Sunday’s fire occurred just a day after an early morning fire killed two people and displaced 28 others at the old Puueo Poi factory apartments just off Kekuanaoa Street in midtown Hilo.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Festival Inspired By ‘Burning Man’ Ignites Big Island Debate. The events on private property outside of Hilo were held without permits, and critics say they should not be allowed to continue, especially on agricultural land. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Island chosen to host prestigious international Indigenous conference in 2028. The largest and most influential Indigenous Peoples’ conference will be coming to the Big Island. Maui Now.

Monk seal hospital begins vaccine trial for bird flu in pups. The Marine Mammal Center of California is taking a proactive step by running a trial on the effectiveness of H5N1 vaccines on two monk seal pups at its specialized hospital in Kona. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Limited commercial boat operations to return to Lahaina Harbor for first time since destructive wildfire of 2023.  On Dec. 15, following the difficult removal of the sunken boats, restoration of the fueling station and repairs of the bathrooms, the state-run harbor will begin to slowly allow commercial marine operations to return with loading and unloading permitted at the dock during daytime hours. Maui Now.

State clarifies Central Maui pumping data; groundwater aquifer limits are under review. State water regulators have clarified data regarding groundwater pumping in Central Maui, acknowledging that while current withdrawals exceed official sustainable yield limits, those limits are conservative estimates that are now under re-evaluation. Maui Now.

Brown grass cost a famed golf course a big tournament and highlighted Hawaii water problems. High up on the slopes of the west Maui mountains, the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort provides golfers with expansive ocean views. The course is so renowned that The Sentry, a $20 million signature event for the PGA Tour, had been held there nearly every year for more than a quarter-century. Associated Press.

Kauai

Permanent striping of the Kīlauea roundabout begins Monday. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will close the Kolo Road access from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday until Dec. 12. During these hours, Kīlauea Town can be accessed through Pūʻeli Road and Hoʻokūʻi Road. Kauai Now.

Small Business strong. Tucked between the shopping frenzy of the Black Friday weekend, Small Business Saturday capitalized on the adaptability and flexibility of small businesses to get a share of the shopping pie. Garden Island.