Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Green's climate fee bill clears first committee, marijuana legalization gets initial approval, DHHL seeks $20M for geothermal exploration, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Marijuana Legalization Gets Initial Approval From 2 House Committees. The legislation would regulate and tax adult use of pot, as well as medical cannabis and hemp. Civil Beat.
Bill would create statewide policy for police car chases. A bill that would establish a statewide policy for police motor vehicle pursuits will be heard at 10 a.m. Thursday by the House Transportation Committee. Tribune-Herald.
Hawaiʻi Might Finally Put The Bite On Bedbugs In Housing — But Not Hotels. Landlords would be required to ensure rentals are free of the tiny bloodsuckers that come out at night. Civil Beat.
Governor questions Trump picks’ experience, tells loyalists: ‘You have been tricked’. Gov. Josh Green just returned from Washington, D.C., after advocating against President Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu
Number of HPD officers disciplined declined in 2024. Twenty-two Honolulu police officers were disciplined in 2024 for 19 incidents including fleeing the scene of a car crash after a chase, using excessive force against a detainee and falsifying police reports. That is down from 29 Opens in a new tab Honolulu Police Department officers disciplined in 2023 in connection with 28 incidents. Star-Advertiser.
OHA Kakaako Makai housing bill advances. Three Hawaii Senate committees have advanced a contentious bill to allow housing on land owned by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Kakaako, makai of Ala Moana Boulevard. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu extends deadline for rail-affected businesses to apply for compensation. The city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services says it will extend the application deadline for the so-called transit construction mitigation fund, or TCMF, grant online portal submissions for an additional two weeks. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.
Honolulu Festival to now charge admission. The Honolulu Festival, a cultural exchange celebrating Japan and the Pacific Rim, will return in March, and for the first time in its 29-year history will charge admission for adults to enter the exhibition hall on the ground floor of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, where a majority of the events are taking place. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
DHHL Seeks $20 Million For Geothermal Exploration On Hawaiʻi Island. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has identified three sites for further exploration in South Point, Kawaihae, and Humuʻula. Big Island Video News.
Council blamed for funding loss: Money for Puna alternate route study lapsed last year. A study to investigate possible alternate traffic routes into Puna apparently died more than six months ago, despite assurances by Hawaii County officials the project was still on track. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.
Maui
Senate bill passes to waive SMA permits for rebuilding in historic Lahaina town. Senate Bill 1296 would not require special management area permits for structures in Lahaina town if they were destroyed in the deadly Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire disaster and if planned reconstruction stays within the footprint of the structure as it stood before it was consumed by flames. Maui Now.
Bills to curb rent increases referred to committees, but no hearings scheduled yet. Bills have been referred to committees in both chambers of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to limit the amount landlords can raise rents for tenants at a time of desperate housing shortages and renters having few, if any, options if they can’t afford demands for higher monthly rent payments. Maui Now.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee discusses Maui Fair. On the agenda for Tuesday’s Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee was Bill 7, a bill to amend the fiscal year 2025 by increasing carryover and savings from the General Fund by $1,500,000, as well as adding a new appropriation entitled “Festivals of Aloha, Inc. for the 2025 Maui County Fair” in the amount of $1,500,000. Maui News.
Maui police release video of officer-involved shooting in Pukalani. Body camera footage captures the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of Macayla Deponte, less than seven minutes after Maui police officers arrived at a Pukalani residence. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Kauai
Helicopters provide critical support for Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project during field season. More than two dozen people flocked together Feb. 3 in a hangar on the north end of Līhuʻe Airport, joining Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project for an annual blessing to kick off another season of fieldwork on the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.
Lihue man encounters shark at Lydgate Beach. Chris “Shewy” Shewman of Lihue recounted his frightening experience with a shark that occurred while he was surf-foiling at Lydgate Beach on Feb. 1. Garden Island.
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Hawaii Legislature fast-tracks bills to protect immigrants, state officials react to Trump's threatened funding cutoff, $4B wildfire lawsuit goes to trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Trump’s order to cut federal funding sends shock waves in Hawaii. State officials do not know whether the list of 2,600 federal accounts used by various state agencies — including the state departments of Health and Human Services and the University of Hawaii — was complete, including how many state workers’ salaries are funded by the federal government. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Hawaiʻi Bill Ensures Right To Record Law Enforcement Activities. On Monday, Senate Bill 307 was given a positive recommendation by the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs. Big Island Video News.
Relief from soaring Hawaii property insurance costs is elusive. Members of two legislative committees Monday expressed frustration instead of optimism over the initiative to have a pair of state insurance programs provide relief to homeowners who since 2024 have been forced to pay staggering premium increases or opt for reduced or no coverage. Star-Advertiser.
Key lawmakers to focus on agricultural crimes, invasive species, food security. The top priorities for state lawmakers in key agriculture positions this year are highlighted by agricultural crimes, biosecurity, and the formation of a sustainable food system. Hawaii Public Radio.
State lawmakers target invasive species. Hawaii lawmakers are proposing to shift the state’s invasive species response to the state Department of Agriculture. Tribune-Herald.
Oahu
Hawaiʻi’s ‘new energy strategy’ opens door to liquefied natural gas imports. The site of Oʻahu’s demolished coal plant may become the home of a new fossil fuel facility. That's one part of a plan released Tuesday by the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office that calls for liquefied natural gas to play a role in Oʻahu’s energy mix. Hawaii Public Radio.
Lawmakers and community leaders oppose planned Oahu landfill site. Elected officials, environmental advocates, agriculture insiders and the city’s top water chief appeared Tuesday at the state Capitol to promote new state-level legislation — namely, eight bills introduced in the state House or Senate — that largely seeks to prevent landfills from being placed above fresh groundwater sources anywhere in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.
Harmful Sewage Continues To Pollute Kailua Bay Despite Increased Scrutiny. Large, costly upgrades are underway for the Kailua treatment plant. But unsafe bacteria levels continue to crop up after strong storms. Civil Beat.
Oʻahu's community gardens are tilling over the rules. The city is holding a public hearing later today about revising the rules for the Community Gardening Program. Those rules were last amended in 1984 and are overdue for an overhaul. Hawaii Public Radio.
Free Speech Group Blasts UH For Censoring Law School Presentation. Instead of using a generic diagram, University of Hawaiʻi law instructor Ken Lawson used pictures of real colleagues at UH’s William S. Richardson School of Law to depict a hypothetical crime. Civil Beat.
Fifth Victim Of New Year’s Eve Fireworks Explosion Dies In Arizona. Man, 29, dies from Jan. 1 Aliamanu fireworks injuries. Kevin Vallesteros died at 6:42 a.m. Hawaii time. He is the fifth fatality tied to the explosion at a house party at 4144 Keaka Drive. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.
Kalihi Uka teacher Kristy Inamas awarded $25K Milken educator prize. A kindergarten teacher at Kalihi Uka Elementary School was honored Tuesday as Hawaii’s sole recipient of the 2025 Milken Educator Award. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.
Hawaii Island
Julia Neal, publisher of The Ka‘u Calendar newspaper, dies at 75. Julia Neal, owner of the Pahala Plantation House and Cottages and editor-publisher of The Ka‘u Calendar newspaper, died Friday at her Pahala cottage. She was 75. Tribune-Herald.
12 arrested, charged in Puna warrants sweep. The nine men and three women were arrested for offenses ranging from contempt of court, failure to appear and violating terms of release. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
A $4B settlement for Hawaii wildfire victims is in legal limbo as an unusual trial starts. When Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced a $4 billion settlement about a year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century devastated Lahaina in 2023, he touted the speed of the deal to “avoid protracted and painful lawsuits.” Five months later, however, an unusual trial starting Wednesday will delve into difficult questions about survivors’ losses as a judge decides how to divide the settlement. Associated Press.
Council’s 5-4 majority-minority split reflects ‘deeply divided electorate’. Just three meetings into the new year, the Maui County Council’s five-member majority has shown its upper hand, with minority members chafing at being on the losing end of 5-4 votes in contested issues on the Council floor. Maui Now.
Maui housing advocates beg for help as end of eviction moratorium nears. The governor’s emergency proclamation protecting renters on Maui is set to expire next week. Now, housing advocates are begging elected officials for help. Hawaii News Now.
Winter Storm Watch: Snow accumulations of up to 4 inches possible at Haleakalā on Maui. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch in effect late Wednesday night through late Thursday night at the summit of Haleakalā on Maui. The forecast calls for snow accumulations of up to four inches with a mix of snow and precipitation expected. Maui Now.
Kauai
Construction of raised crosswalk at deadly Kauaʻi intersection to begin Feb. 14. In the past four years, Kaua‘i police said there were 17 crashes at that intersection. Two involved either a pedestrian or a cyclist. Kauai Now.
Kauai High School seeking head track and field coach. The Kauai High School Athletic Department is currently seeking applicants to fill the position of head track and field coach. Garden Island.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Governor's State of the State speech highlights affordability, housing; new House rules ban members from disparaging other members on social media, Maui cop indicted in tasing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Full text of Green's State of the State address.
Public preschool, food insecurity among House Democrats' top priorities. The state House of Representatives majority caucus will focus on preparing keiki for school, combating high costs of living and food insecurity across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.
State House updates its rules on public testimony, social media use. The state House of Representatives amended the rules that governs how it operates, from when public testimony gets uploaded to the power of committee chairs. Public testimony will now be available at least two hours before hearings in the House. There will also now be a list of organizations that have bills introduced by request. Lawmakers are prohibited from disparaging one another on social media. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hikers who trespass might pay for search, rescue costs. Bills introduced to the Legislature say trespassing hikers who ignore a warning notice or sign of closure would have to pay all or a portion, but not less than half, of all search and rescue expenses, which typically involve county firefighters, helicopters, pilots, ambulances and medical crews. Star-Advertiser.
22 states, including Hawaii, sue to stop Trump’s birthright citizenship order. Attorneys general from 22 states, including Hawaii, sued President Donald Trump in two federal district courts today to block an executive order that refuses to recognize as citizens the U.S.-born children of immigrants in the country illegally, the opening salvo in what promises to be a long legal battle over the Trump administration’s immigration policies. New York Times. Associated Press. KHON2.
Hawaiʻi ‘Proud Boy’ Founder, US Army Soldier Get Jan. 6 Pardons From Trump. Nicholas Ochs was accused of throwing a smoke grenade toward police while Alexander Poplin is alleged to have beat an officer with a flag pole. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Fireworks Injuries, Deaths Reached 14-Year High On New Year’s. Oʻahu accounted for 84% — 91 people — of the hospitalizations on New Year’s Eve and New Year's Day this year. Injuries on neighbor islands were also higher than last year. Civil Beat.
It’s been 2+ years since a high-profile fireworks bust at OCCC. Where’s the accountability? In December, 2022, a corrections officer was suspected of having boxes filled with illegal fireworks shipped to Oahu Community Correctional Center under inmates' names. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
School preps new plan for a campus in Kaumana. Connections Public Charter School officials, twice rebuffed for their plans to build a campus on 70-plus acres of leased state land in Kaumana, are set to submit a scaled-down proposal for a 15-acre campus. Tribune-Herald.
Hawaii chicken farmers asked to guard against bird flu. The bird flu virus, H5N1, was first detected in Hawaii in November at a bird sanctuary on Oahu. Since then, the virus has been detected at the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant in December, and last week trace amounts were detected on Kauai. Tribune-Herald.
West Hawaii residents urge crackdown on ‘predatory paid parking providers’. A group of business owners and residents on Tuesday appealed to the County Council’s Committee on Communications, Reports and Council Oversight and urged action against “predatory paid parking providers,” who have dominated much of Kailua Village’s available parking spaces over the last two years. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Maui police officer indicted and fired after tasing incident. Federal grand jury indicts former Maui police officer on alleged civil rights violation. A former officer with the Maui Police Department is facing decades behind bars after a federal grand jury indicted him on allegations he had no legal justification for using a Taser and then tried to cover up his crime by falsifying a police report. Maui News. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Cost Of 450 Temporary Homes For Maui Wildfire Victims: $411,000 Each. Costs are up 60% just this year, and it is unclear what will happen to the homes after 5 years. But families are grateful to be settling into their own homes. Civil Beat.
Fire buffer zone planned for Maui Meadows. Maui County fire officials said they are moving forward with looking at creating a fire buffer zone around a South Maui community and improving the fire code to prevent wildfires. Maui News.
New bills provide Hawaiian language and culture-based learning to county employees. The Maui County Council gave final approval Friday to legislation providing Hawaiian language and culture-based learning for county employees in partnership with University of Hawaiʻi – Maui College. The bills also implement requirements to include ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi in official documents pursuant to Charter Section 13-17. Maui Now.
Kauai
Transformative outcome: Community-built comfort station coming to Hā‘ena State Park. Hā‘ena on Kaua‘i’s scenic North Shore is the newest model of a Hawai‘i community where residents and organizations joined forces to get an important capital improvement project designed, planned and paid for instead of waiting for somebody else to do it for them. Kauai Now.
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Gov. Green teams up with Omidyar group for federal funding, state's largest solar farm goes on line, Miske acquitted of attempted murder, Mauna Kea telescope part of NASA’s $19.5M artificial star mission, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Kids Count report Shows Early Impacts Of The Pandemic On Hawaii Students And Families. While the Covid-19 pandemic left its mark on Hawaii students’ achievement and families’ economic stability, the results may not be as dire as expected, according to a national report released Monday. Civil Beat.
‘It’s everywhere’ labor shortage plaguing every industry. The labor shortage is very real according to officials. And they said it isn’t just one field, it’s across the board. KHON2.
Young Hawaii farmers face mental health crisis says new UH study. According to a new study, published by the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), nearly 50% of farmers in Hawaii under the age of 46 have suffered from experienced of depression and nearly 14% with suicidal thoughts. KITV4.
Midwives ask court to stop Hawaii law that requires licensing to practice. Nine plaintiffs a civil complaint, asking for the court to stop the state of Hawaii from enforcing the “Midwifery Restriction Law,” which they say criminalizes practitioners, including skilled midwives who do not have the licensing the state now requires to practice midwifery, as well as birth workers and family members who care and support those who are pregnant and giving birth. Star-Advertiser.
Electric vehicles put charge into Hawaii’s auto sales. Battery electric vehicle registrations in the state rose 11% in the first quarter from the year-earlier period as the market share of BEVs among all vehicles sold in Hawaii reached a record 15%, according to a recent report from Hawaii Auto Outlook. Star-Advertiser.
Supreme Court seeks US government views on Honolulu climate suit against oil companies. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked President Joe Biden’s administration to offer its views on a bid by Sunoco and other oil companies to scuttle a lawsuit by Honolulu accusing them of deceiving the public about climate change. Reuters.
Oahu
Judge Acquits Miske Of Attempted Murder Related To A 2017 Ambush At Kualoa Ranch. The charges stem from an attack on Lindsey Kinney, a Kaneohe man a former Miske associate said the alleged crime boss wanted dead. Civil Beat.
Honolulu to pay $7M to boy injured in 2021 police chase. City attorneys agreed to pay $7 million to a boy who was partially paralyzed after a police chase led to a crash and an alleged cover-up in Makaha in September 2021. Star-Advertiser.
Most Oʻahu residents don't have flood insurance, city survey finds. Only one in five Oʻahu residents have flood insurance, according to a recent survey conducted by the City and County of Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.
HART board agrees to discuss, vote on CEO's contract in upcoming meeting. A vote to extend Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina’s contract to lead Oʻahu’s rail operations could come in two weeks. Hawaii Public Radio.
BWS seeks to reassure public after legionella bacteria detected at federal building. The Board of Water Supply said people who live and work in Downtown Honolulu should not be concerned about the discovery of legionella bacteria in the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole federal building and courthouse water systems last month. Hawaii News Now.
City officials to unveil new homeless services initiative. Honolulu’s Mayor Rick Blangiardi, alongside city and county leaders, will convene with homelessness and healthcare experts to introduce the city’s latest endeavor: the Leahi Behavioral and Medical Respite facility. KHON2.
Kahala landowner on notice for alleged shoreline violations. State and county officials have put a Kahala Avenue property owner on notice of potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines due to multiple alleged violations of shoreline laws. Star-Advertiser.
New Oʻahu solar project on military land prepares to come online. Kūpono Solar is the largest solar, plus storage, project on the island and can generate enough energy to power 10,000 homes, according to its developer Ameresco, Inc. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii Island
UH telescope part of NASA’s $19.5M artificial star mission. A University of Hawaiʻi telescope on Maunakea will play a key role in a newly approved $19.5 million NASA space mission that will put an artificial “star” in orbit around the Earth. Maui Now.
DHHL plan would develop more than 1,300 acres at King’s Landing. On Saturday, a draft environmental assessment was published for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ “King’s Landing Kuleana Homestead Settlement Plan” — a proposal to take several DHHL-owned parcels near Keaukaha totaling 1,334 acres and allow them to be developed as homestead land. Tribune-Herald.
Family of ‘Sammy’ Mwarey sues police department, cop. The family of a 16-year-old Hilo High School junior who died after being struck as a pedestrian by an on-duty Hawaii Police Department officer driving a blue-and-white police cruiser is suing the department and the officer. Tribune-Herald.
Cop cleared in teen’s death. An 18-year Hawaii Police Department veteran who was behind the wheel of a police cruiser when it struck and killed a 16-year-old pedestrian in January is back on duty. Tribune-Herald.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Relocated After Biting Divers Off Kona. A Hawaiian monk seal that was said to be approaching and biting divers in the waters off Kona has been translocated to a remote island in Papahānaumokuākea. Big Island Video News.
Maui
AES Hawai‘i begins operations of the state’s largest solar facility. The Kuihelani Solar-plus-Storage sits on 450 acres in central Maui, and is producing 60 megawatts of renewable energy supported by a 240 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system to supply 15% of Maui’s energy needs, Hawaiian Electric said in a statement. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.
Kapono‘ai Molitau appointed Director of County Department of Oiwi Resources. Molitau is founder and CEO of Native Intelligence, opened in 2009 as a Hawaiian cultural resource center and retail business in Wailuku. Maui News.
With 100s of fire survivors still in hotels, concerns about disaster’s impact on rental market grows. A deadline that caused some panic among Lahaina fire survivors has been extended again. Meanwhile, there’s growing frustration about how FEMA’s disaster response has destabilized Maui’s rental market. Hawaii News Now.
A village designed to house hundreds of Maui fire survivors is hitting a new roadblock. The day after the fires, Family Life Center started planning Ohana Hope Village. Hawaii News Now.
Kauai
Tropic Care team ready for action on Kaua‘i. Tropic Care Kaua‘i is a medical mission from the United States Department of Defense; it is part of the defense department’s Innovative Readiness Training program. The Tropic Care team of about 200 military reservists includes nurses, doctors, pharmacists, optometrists, dermatologists and dentists from across the nation. Garden Island.
Annual report reveals rise in individual homelessness on Kaua‘i. While a newly released annual study showed an increase in individual homelessness it also revealed a decline in houseless families. Kauai Now.
Friday, June 9, 2023
Luke exceeds budget with staff raises, Green aids 3rd medical victim in less than a month, tax break for Oahu homeowners, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
Gov. Green comes to aid of passenger ejected from pickup bed. Gov. Josh Green, a medical doctor, treated another victim of a traffic accident today when a 25-year-old Kauai man was ejected from the back of a pick-up truck and suffered an apparent concussion while traveling in front of Green’s vehicle. It was the third time the governor has come to a victim's aid since May. Star-Advertiser.
It’s a first for the state. The transportation department’s “Freeway Service Patrol” is now sponsored by GEICO. It’s a first for the state. The transportation department’s “Freeway Service Patrol” is now sponsored by GEICO. KHON2.
Luke: Despite progress, domestic violence survivors still grapple with stigma, lack of support. Hawaii has made progress in addressing domestic violence and broadening support to survivors, but there’s most work to be done, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke told advocates Thursday. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Gas strike forcing several businesses to close. The ongoing Hawaii Gas strike is beginning to take its toll on local businesses that are being forced to close because of interrupted service. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.
Officials warn of Hawaii wildfire risks with extended drought. Drought conditions are expected to kick in later this summer and last longer than usual, extending the high fire risk, according to National Weather Service forecaster Derek Wroe. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.
Oahu
Council approves $350 rebate for owner-occupants and say they’re just getting started. The $3.4 billion budget passed by the Honolulu Council on Wednesday night included a $54 million tax break for owner-occupant property owners. Hawaii News Now.
Electronic filings of building permits to be required. Beginning July 1, the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting will require all building permits needing plans and all building permit applications for commercial projects to be submitted only through its electronic plan review system. Star-Advertiser.
Honolulu Rail: Trains, Tracks And Base Yard To Be Officially Turned Over To The City. The transfer of billions of dollars in assets clears the way for the Department of Transportation Services to open the Honolulu rail system to the public on June 30. Civil Beat. KITV4.
Honolulu Conspiracy Trial Pushed To October 2024. Ex-city attorney Donna Long, former managing director Roy Amemiya and former Honolulu Police Commission chair Max Sword stand accused of improperly executing a retirement payout to disgraced police chief Louis Kealoha in 2017. Civil Beat.
After nearly 5 years of repairs, Pearl City public pool finally reopens. The Pearl City District Park pool reopened for public use Thursday after being closed for nearly five years due to numerous improvements. Hawaii News Now.
King Kamehameha Day celebrations kick off today. The holiday celebrates the legacy of King Kamehameha I, who is known for unifying the Hawaiian Islands under a single governance in 1810. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now
Hawaii Island
State judge rules officer accused of harassment can’t carry firearms. A state judge has ruled that a Hawaii County police officer who pulled a gun on a Big Island man in a police station parking lot cannot carry firearms. Hawaii News Now.
Kilauea advisories lowered as eruption resumes, wind vortex forms. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists lowered Kilauea’s alert level from warning to watch and aviation advisory code from red to orange. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.
Kona Community Hospital moves forward on supplemental wastewater treatment facility. According to the DEA, KCH is proposing a redundant wastewater treatment system with a capacity of 50,000 gallons-per-day (gpd) to supplement its existing 50,000-gpd system, which requires a shutdown to perform critical repair and maintenance. West Hawaii Today.
Weekend events in Hilo, Kona to honor King Kamehameha I. The event will start with the ceremonial ho‘okupu and lei draping beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday at the statue on Kamehameha Avenue. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Committee to discuss general excise tax and Central Maui’s wastewater facilities. Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development committee will meet June 9 at 9 a.m. to discuss the county’s new authority on general excise tax. Maui Now.
Shoreline advocates block machines at Kā’anapali Beach, seek community input on dune restoration. The groups want the state to issue a stop work order, expressing concern saying cumulative impacts of multiple resorts “stockpiling sand” in front of hotels covers up encroaching dirt fill and vegetation that they say is causing the steep erosion scarp. Maui Now.
Maui County Is Trying To Bring Relief To Farmers And Ranchers During Times Of Drought. Amid forecasts of less available water, officials want to ensure food producers have enough for their crops and livestock. Civil Beat.
Long-awaited farmland on horizon for lessees. More than 30 years ago, 58 native Hawaiian beneficiaries were selected by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for leases on Molokai and have been waiting to occupy their agricultural lots ever since. Maui News.
Maui County waitlist reopening for Section 8 rent subsidy program. The County of Maui is reopening its waitlist for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program that provides rental assistance to eligible low-income households with federal funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Maui Now.
Kauai
Green signs law for community-based concessions in state parks. This Revamped State Park On Kauai Is A Case Study For Beating Overtourism, Officials Say. New crowd control and parking enforcement measures at Haena could help bring special places back into balance statewide. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.
Road closures for King Kamehameha Day Parade on June 10. The King Kamehameha Day Parade will be held in downtown Lihu‘e on Saturday. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. Garden Island. Kauai Now.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Military releases video of Pearl Harbor-based destroyer’s close call with Chinese warship, older SNAP beneficiaries may be required to work, ACLU threatens lawsuit in Big Island homeless sweeps, more news from all the Hawaiian islands
West Coast port trouble raises Hawaii shipping concerns. Dockworker labor difficulties flared up over the past few days at West Coast ports, but after largely settling down Monday, no major disruptions are expected for Hawaii ocean cargo deliveries. Star-Advertiser.
Will Hawaii residents see changes in SNAP requirements?...maybe. Thousands more Hawaii residents could be returning to jobs, as the federal government raises the work requirement for SNAP beneficiaries from age 49 to age 54. KITV4.
Oahu
Oahu homeowners might get $350 tax credit. The Honolulu City Council’s pending approval Wednesday of Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s proposed $3.41 billion operating budget for next fiscal year might include a $300 one-time tax credit the administration seeks to give to nearly 152,000 qualifying homeowners, a city official said. Star-Advertiser.
Here’s Why The Salary Commission Thinks Big Raises For The Honolulu Council Are Warranted. Commission members say the pay for elected officials should reflect the jobs they do. Civil Beat.
New Red Hill Defueling Deal With EPA Provides Little Accountability. Residents will get to talk with the military about emptying the tanks but are unlikely to see anyone punished for previous violations. Civil Beat.
People with disabilities give feedback about the accessibility of the Honolulu rail. The city is set to take control of the first segment of Honolulu’s rail system on Friday. Honolulu transportation officials hosted a couple dozen members of the disabled community last week to get feedback about accessibility on the train and its stations. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.
‘Startling’ number of officer vacancies at HPD spur public safety concerns. The Honolulu Police Department is scrambling to hire hundreds of police officers, a critical shortage that a former deputy chief says could be impacting the agency’s ability to respond to crime. Hawaii News Now.
City to replace viewing platform atop Koko Crater Stairs. City officials today announced that a project to replace the dilapidated viewing platform at the summit of the popular Koko Crater Stairs hike begins this week. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.
Central Oahu Regional Park closure for maintenance planned. One of the largest city parks on the island will see closures this summer for the upkeep of its baseball and softball fields, the city announced recently. Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii Island
ACLU criticizes county, threatens legal action over homeless sweeps. The ACLU has issued a letter to Hawaii County demanding that it stop evicting homeless encampments without providing adequate shelter space — or face legal action. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.
Almost 4 of 5 fire dispatch recruits wash out. In the five-year period between 2018 and 2022, almost 80% — 14 of 18 — of the Hawaii Fire Department’s new dispatcher hires washed out, according to statistics provided by HFD. Tribune-Herald.
Relocation of Waikoloa cats ‘going well so far’: Rescue effort finds homes for dozens. Last month, volunteers with local rescue agencies Aloha Animal Oasis and Hawaii Animal Kuleana Alliance teamed up May 19 to May 22 to capture 64 cats from the Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa. Tribune-Herald.
Maui
Maui Condo Owners Are Trying To Buy Time In The Fight Against Rising Seas. A lengthy hearing Monday left County Council members with unanswered questions about using a new financing tool to replenish the beach. Civil Beat.
County close to buying Wailuku building as it aims to cut rent costs. Trask building latest in county’s efforts to rent less, own moreMaui County is close to purchasing another building in Wailuku town that it hopes will help cut down on the rent it pays for office space. Maui News.
MPD takes lead providing services to growing homeless camp. It started as an idea by Maui police officers. The Department of Transportation donated a decommissioned bus, and MPD used COVID funding to retrofit it to make it possible. Hawaii News Now.
Kauai
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles Make Landfall On Kauai. The invasive insect has decimated the Pacific's coconut palm populations. Now it's been found on Kauai. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.
Kaua‘i’s Nawiliwili Stream ranked nation’s most frequently polluted beach. Kalapaki Bay’s Nawiliwili Stream is the most consistently overpolluted beach tested by national environmental group Surfrider Foundation, according to the group’s annual report on water quality. Garden Island.
Affordable housing advocates want state to purchase Waipouli apartments. Affordable housing advocates are asking state and county lawmakers to purchase the Courtyards at Waipouli apartments and make a 60-year commitment to securing all 82 units as affordable housing. Garden Island.
Kapaʻa residents urge state to award low-income tax credits. Property owners are requesting funding through the HHFDC’s low-income housing tax credit application. The state agency has financed more than 200 units across four projects on Kauaʻi since last year, including 66 units on Rice Street, the 96-unit Uahi Ridge project, and two ʻEleʻele developments, including the 48-unit Kai Olino project and the Lima Ola project. Hawaii Public Radio.
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Legislature passes anti-nepotism bill but exempts itself, Honolulu police use of force rises, mystery balloon not from China, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
State lawmakers pass anti-nepotism bill — but it doesn’t apply to them. The law would bar any state employee from making employment decisions about a family or household member or contracting decisions involving a company owned or controlled by family. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii could become first state to offer debt repayment to all medical professionals. Hawaii may be the first state in the country to offer to pay student debt for every eligible health professional in the state. Over the last 10 years, the Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program has helped about 90 people working in nonprofit, government and rural health care with their student loans. Hawaii News Now.
Green’s First Veto Override: A Condo Bill That Could Increase The Cost Of Housing. Besides the Senate override, lawmakers in both chambers worked through numerous bills Tuesday, including some dealing with taxes and guns. Civil Beat.
Governor Green In Los Angeles For Global Conference. Governor Josh Green, M.D. travelled to Los Angeles, California, to attend the 26th Annual Milken Institute Global Conference, an event that brings together leaders from around the globe to tackle critical issues facing society. Big Island Video News.
Your Hawaii Home Insurance Rates Have Probably Gone Up. Here’s Why. The reasons are numerous, including rising construction costs, leaking pipes and Florida’s Hurricane Ian. But there are ways to reduce your premiums. Hawaii Business magazine.
Balloon recently spotted off Hawaii not a threat, military says. The Air Force sent fighter jets Friday to respond to a mysterious balloon that flew through Hawaii’s airspace, but officials say they don’t think the object poses a threat either to civilian aircraft or national security. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Garden Island.
Humpback Whales Are ‘Remarkably Resilient’ Even Amid Climate Crisis, New Study Shows. When a researcher first went to study whales from the air, he worried for their future. His recent findings make him hopeful. Civil Beat.
Oahu
HPD’s use of force is rare, but increasing, UH study finds. The police officers union panned a University of Hawaii study that showed use-of-force incidents involving Honolulu Police Department officers increased from 706 in 2010 to 2,646 in 2021 while police leadership and commissioners continued to review the findings. Star-Advertiser.
Transit ordinance to also include rules for rail riders. After years of construction delays, the Honolulu Rail is expected to welcome passengers starting in July, the Honolulu City Council is working on passing new public transit rules to also include the rail. KHON2.
Community, lawmakers and Marines clash on use of Puʻuloa Range Training Facility. Long before houses and schools popped up in the area, the U.S. Marine Corps has utilized the Puʻuloa Range Training Facility in Leeward Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.
Tests reveal wetlands at Bellows littered with toxic waste, triggering environmental concerns. An investigation is underway at Bellows Air Force Base after tests revealed a wetlands area that was once a shooting range is now littered with lead and other contaminates. Hawaii News Now.
Labor department charges Honolulu sushi restaurant $102K for overtime violations. Imanas Tei, located near the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, failed to pay 10 chefs who worked over 40 hours in a workweek, according to the department's Wage and Hour Division. Hawaii Public Radio.
Hawaii Island
Hawaiʻi County Integrated Climate Action Plan Released. The plan outlines the County's strategy to combat global climate change and bolster the resiliency on the Big Island. Big Island Video News.
$30 million set aside for Highway 130. Puna’s primary traffic corridor will be widened thanks to a $30 million allocation in the state budget. Tribune-Herald.
Planned $15 million Kohala health clinic gets architect. WhiteSpace Architects is planning to break ground on the 24,000-square-foot Hāmākua-Kohala Health Rural Health, Wellness and Teaching Center in mid-2024. Big Island Now.
Big Isle marks 5 years after Kilauea eruption. Leilani Estates, ground zero for the 2018 eruption, continues to attract buyers despite its recent history. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Maui
Arrivals to Maui in March topped pre-pandemic levels. A rising influx of tourism dollars and the return of international travel strengthened Hawaii’s economy in March, with Maui seeing more visitors than it did prior to the pandemic, according to preliminary visitor statistics released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Maui News.
Salvage begins of grounded vessel near culturally significant birthing stone in Lahiana. Salvage of the grounded vessel, Kuuipo, began today with the placement of large sandbags between the boat and the Hauola stone (birthing stone), located less than eight-feet away. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.
Molokai family urges MPD to release body camera footage following officer involved shooting. The family of a Molokai man shot and killed by police on Sunday demands answers from the Maui Police Department. Hawaii News Now.
Kauai
Kaua‘i visitor spending surged in March. The state Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism continued to see high increases in visitor spending on Kaua‘i — and throughout the state — according to its most recent monthly report. Garden Island.
Friday, December 30, 2022
Elections, eruption, corruption among 2022 highlights, Honolulu searches for landfill site, Maui police shoot, kill reported suicidal man, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
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Mauna Loa eruption over Hilo ©2022 All Hawaii News |
Hawaii lost notable people in 2022, but their legacies live on. From a royal Hawaiian heiress, to a world-renown kumu hula, Hawaii bid a fond aloha to a number of notable people in 2022. Hawaii News Now.
Gov. Josh Green announces 7 more appointments. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has announced seven more appointments for his administration, including new Deputy of the Department of Human Resources Development Ryan Yamane, Deputy of the Department of Transportation’s Airports Division Jimmy Tokioka and the first Director of Wellness and Resilience Tia Roberts Hartsock. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Kauai Now.
New COVID-19 testing requirement further delays Chinese tourism to Hawaii. Next week also marks the start of China’s massive “chunyun” migration event when hundreds of millions of people travel in and out of China for Lunar New Year family reunions. That 40 day travel period could be a global super spreader event if precautions aren’t taken. Hawaii News Now.
As year ends, pause in economic growth expected. Surging construction demands, recovery of tourism may help skirt harsh recession. Hawaii’s economic growth will hit a pause in the new year, but the state still looks likely to escape a harsh recession with the return of international travelers fueling the tourism industry and rising construction demands. Maui News.
Be mindful: Fireworks celebrations can impact veterans and pets. New Year’s Eve can be a stressful time for veterans suffering from PTSD and pets who are sensitive to loud noises as fireworks blanket neighborhoods with a barrage of bangs. West Hawaii Today. Garden Island.
Oahu
Potential landfill sites on Oʻahu may require a bill modification to make progress. The city had until this week to come up with a site for a new landfill for Oʻahu’s trash, but state lawmakers then passed a bill which added constraints on conservation land and residential areas. Hawaii Public Radio.
Concealed-carry weapon license issued on Oahu. The first concealed-carry weapon license was issued in Honolulu on Thursday as police work their way through about 600 applications from citizens seeking to bear arms in public. Star-Advertiser.
New Red Hill health clinic on Oahu off to a rocky start. Military families had been told by the Defense Health Agency Region Indo-Pacific that they could begin booking appointments Tuesday by calling the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line and that appointments would be scheduled starting Jan. 3. Star-Advertiser.
Police step up staffing, enforcement on Oahu to usher in 2023. Honolulu police are increasing staffing on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day and encouraging partygoers to drive sober, abide by fireworks laws and not park on the side of the freeway to watch pyrotechnics. Star-Advertiser.
Frustrations grow over Kaaawa recreation center left run down, unused for years. The Swanzy Beach Park recreation building has been closed for the last five year due to staffing issues. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Burian named acting chief — for less than three weeks. The Hawaii County Police Commission on Thursday unanimously selected Assistant Police Chief Andrew Burian to be the Big Island’s acting chief of police until Honolulu police Maj. Benjamin Moszkowicz is sworn in Jan. 17 as the department’s chief. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.
Waikoloa Solar + Storage Project To Begin Full Operations By April 2023. The solar and battery storage project is now being tested up to 85% of its capacity, and will generate 42.2 megawatts when fully operational. The largest solar and battery storage project on Hawaiʻi island is on schedule to begin full operations by April 2023, or earlier. Big Island Video News.
Maui
Maui police fatally shoot armed man. At around 7 p.m., Maui Police Department officers responded to a report of a suicidal male, age 29, at a Kahului residence. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.
How One Hawaiian Family Battled In Court For 20 Years To Reclaim Ancestral Land. In Kauaula Valley, one family is working to show others what it takes to reclaim ancestral lands. Civil Beat.
Maui Health ends COVID-19 community vaccination lobby clinic. The final clinic date at the Maui Memorial Medical Center lobby was Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Maui Now.
Funding bill includes $13M for Kaupo Ranch acquisition. Nearly $13 million in additional funding for the possible purchase of Kaupo Ranch for the National Park Service is included in the omnibus funding bill recently passed by Congress, Hawaii U.S. Rep. Ed Case announced Wednesday. Maui News.
Kauai
Public input sought in Kaua‘i Food Access Plan. Malama Kaua‘i is hosting four Community Food Access Meetings, starting Jan. 4, 2023, to focus on how to increase local food access and create sustainable food systems on Kaua‘i. Garden Island. Kauai Now.
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Gun carry laws taking shape, Honolulu property taxes to increase, Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcano eruptions cease, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands
OHA: Carmen Hulu Lindsey Will Remain Chair Of Board Of Trustees. The board also voted for Mililani Trask to serve as vice chair in its first meeting since the Nov. 8 election. Civil Beat. Maui Now.
Career academies gain traction in Hawaii public schools. A career academy is essentially a school within a school. Students and teachers are sectioned into a closely knit “learning community,” and much of the coursework and extracurricular activities are designed to get students acquainted with their chosen fields. Star-Advertiser.
Tourism contract snags prompt call for reform. The eleventh-hour decision to rescind the multimillion-dollar award for the state’s top U.S. tourism contract by the outgoing director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is likely to stand, thereby prompting a third solicitation as the controversial procurement process heads into a second year. Star-Advertiser.
Prosecutor Describes Gruesome Details In The Killing Of A Hawaii Prison Inmate In Arizona. A jury will decide whether Miti Maugaotega Jr. should be executed for the gang-related murder of of Bronson Nunuha in 2010. Civil Beat.
UH Pi‘o Summit aims to tackle water sovereignty, justice. The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Hawaiinuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge is slated to host an inaugural Pi‘o Summit on Thursday at the East-West Center, focusing on sovereignty and justice tied to wai, or water. Star-Advertiser.
Pacific Nations Are Bracing To Lose Tons Of Tuna From Their Waters. The research shows that as much as 20% of the tuna stocks that swim through the waters of at least 10 Central and Western Pacific nations, such as the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands and Kiribati, are expected to relocate farther east over the next 30 years or so, as climate change alters the prevailing ocean weather patterns. Civil Beat.
Oahu
Housing boom to boost Honolulu property taxes. The overall assessed value of taxable properties on Oahu is set to increase 12.4% for the 2023-2024 tax year, according to a news release from the City and County of Honolulu’s Real Property Assessment Division. Star-Advertiser.
Fire Sprinkler Retrofits Gain Traction As Building Owners Eye Rising Insurance Costs. Five years after the Marco Polo tragedy some Honolulu building managers are considering the benefits of the costly fix. Amid a terse political debate about fire safety in Honolulu, managers in at at least 10 older high-rise buildings in the city are pushing ahead to install fire sprinklers for the first time, according to city records and interviews with condominium associations. Civil Beat.
Honolulu EMS ‘stretched thin’ as low morale, staff shortages takes major toll. A shortage of emergency workers has been taking ambulances of Oahu’s streets and paramedics are among those complaining. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.
Suit includes reports Navy knew about ‘forever chemicals’ in groundwater a year ago. A Red Hill lawsuit against the U.S. government has been expanded to include reports the military knew about toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” in the groundwater before the public did. Civil Beat. KITV4.
Plans to prevent Waikiki from flooding still in discussion. After more than 20 years of planning to prevent a flooding disaster in Waikiki, the debate continues. The flood walls were a hot topic at a virtual public meeting Tuesday night to help engineers come up with a new proposal. Hawaii News Now.
Hawaii Island
Hawaii Island eruptions come to an end. Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Tuesday declared both the Mauna Loa and Kilauea eruptions over, saying the production of lava, volcanic gases and seismicity on both mountains either ended or diminished to negligible amounts. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.
‘They know better’: Finalist for police chief criticized for accepting free hotel stay worth $1,953. A retired Hawaii Police Department assistant chief told the Tribune-Herald on Tuesday that a HPD major in the running for police chief and a captain who answers directly to her shouldn’t have accepted four nights in a Kailua-Kona hotel paid for by the Ironman Triathlon. Tribune-Herald.
Hawaii Police Officers Say They Want Their Next Chief To Make Training A Priority. Unlike many other law enforcement jurisdictions across the nation, Hawaii County has no requirement that police officers receive what’s called annual recall training. The training provides instruction in areas such as use of force, firearms, hazardous materials and legal matters. Civil Beat. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Now.
Maui
Inaugural Youth Council highlights local issues in legislative package. The inaugural Maui County Youth Council, a pilot project aimed at getting students involved in local government, adopted resolutions at its Dec. 5 meeting for inclusion in the 2022 Maui County Youth legislative package, Maui County Council Member Kelly Takaya King announced. Maui News.
Maui News employees fear their livelihoods, ‘soul of newspaper’ is in jeopardy. Union representatives said Ogden Newspapers has engaged in practices that have led to multiple federal allegations of Unfair Labor Practices. Hawaii News Now.
Kauai
Kauai mayor priorities align with Capitol and new governor. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami joins KHON2 live to talk about priorities ahead for the new year, with a new governor and state administration, as well as lawmakers at the Capitol in Honolulu. KHON2.
Kaua‘i in-person voting went Republican. If you only counted in-person voting, the midterm election would have been a red tsunami for Kaua‘i Republicans. Garden Island.
Kauai Fishermen Bring Deep-Sea Shrimp Back To The Dinner Table. The once popular seafood became somewhat of a delicacy over the years, but some consumers are now getting a fresh taste. Civil Beat.