Hawaii Supreme Court to hear habeas corpus case for zoo elephants, financial help for families hosting hurricane victims, landfill concerns on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to hear case on habeas corpus and the Honolulu Zoo. It’s time to talk about the elephants in the room. On Nov. 9th, an argument will be heard by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court on the legality of  confinement of the Honolulu's two elephants. It’s the first time a state supreme court has considered a case like this. Hawaii Public Radio.

DLE plans new license plate recognition cameras amid privacy concerns. The state of Hawaii is preparing to install potentially hundreds of surveillance cameras on several islands, raising privacy concerns over how the technology could be used. The cameras will use automated license plate recognition, or ALPR, technology, according to Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement Director Jared Redulla. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

2nd District candidates agree: military should provide more housing in Hawaii. Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa and Democrat incumbent U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda are running for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District. They have different strategies for getting help from Washington for housing, but agree on one big target: the military. Hawaii News Now.

New program provides financial help to Hawaiʻi families hosting storm-displaced residents. Hawaiian Council has launched a statewide program to provide financial assistance to Hawaiʻi households hosting friends, relatives, and neighbors displaced by recent storms, including Hurricanes Lala and Lowell. Big Island Now. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaii health officials urge flu shots amid rising cases. Hawaii’s flu cases are on the rise, prompting health officials to remind residents to get vaccinated during fall respiratory virus season. The Hawaii Department of Health said 20.3% of specimens tested positive for influenza in the last week of September compared with 11% in mid-September. Star-Advertiser.

What soaring travel costs means for Hawaiʻi's teetering tourist industry. The state just released its most recent visitor numbers, and the data shows a decline in both overall visitor numbers and total spending by visitors since 2025. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH holds first hearing on proposed new tuition schedule. Tuition needs to be raised to keep up with inflation. That was the message at the University of Hawaii’s first public hearing on the proposed new tuition schedule for the ten-campus system. KHON2.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council to review Ala Moana development plan. A conceptual plan for a proposed 400-foot luxury hotel tower, a 200-foot residential tower and 69 affordable rental units at Ala Moana Center is up for possible Honolulu City Council adoption today. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu single-family home price weakened in September. The median resale price for Oahu single-family homes dipped in September to its lowest point for any month this year amid more demand from buyers as average interest rates rose above 7%. Previously owned single-family homes on the island sold for a median $1,110,000 last month, down 3.9% from $1,155,000 a year earlier, according to a Honolulu Board of Realtors report released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

City says work on controversial zip line in Laie began without a permit. A tour company that started building a zip line in Laie without the city’s permission is trying again to win over its critics. The Department of Planning and Permitting confirmed CLIMB Works did not have a grading permit and building violations needed to be corrected.  Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Tower centennial celebration planned, observation deck to reopen. The Aloha Tower observation deck will reopen after a major upgrade that includes both interior and exterior renovations. KHON2.

Concerns over extended hours for some Oahu bars. Numerous fights are documented on social media in the early-morning hours on Lewers Street, where some bars are open until 4 a.m. That's the fear some, including the Honolulu Police Department, has with the Honolulu Liquor Commission's pilot program now allowing bars to apply for a special license to close at 4 a.m. instead of 2 a.m. on special occasions. KITV4.

Hawaii Island 

Hilo judge overrules planning commission, grants permit for Keaukaha apartment complex. A court has overturned a 2024 Windward Planning Commission decision denying a Special Management Area Use Permit to a Houston developer for a proposed 17-unit affordable workforce apartment complex in Hilo. The project proposal is a for a four-story, 41,000-square-foot apartment building in Keaukaha containing 17 rental units on a 0.445-acre parcel sandwiched between Kalaniana‘ole Street and Apapane Road, with entry on Kalaniana‘ole about 350 feet southwest of Onekahakaha Road. Tribune-Herald.

Bill 147 returns, gets negative recommendation from council committee. After several months and multiple deferrals, Hawaii County Council Bill 147 has advanced, albeit with an unfavorable recommendation from the council’s Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development, which discussed the measure at its meeting Tuesday. Introduced by Hamakua Councilwoman Heather Kimball, the bill would refine and make changes to regulations for vacation rentals on the island. Tribune-Herald.

Back to school: Nāʻālehu Elementary campus to reopen next week. It's been nearly 2 months since the school was extensively flooded and damaged by Hurricane Lala; now, with repairs complete and having to temporarily relocate to Ka‘ū District Gym in Pāhala, teachers and administration 'cannot wait to be back at school.' Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Maui

Reconstruction begins on 60 homes on Front Street in Lahaina. A groundbreaking ceremony Friday marked the start of construction of Lahaina Residential on Front Street, where 60 homes destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire will be rebuilt. Maui News.

Community meeting on Nāʻālehu Interim Disaster Housing to assist those displaced by Hurricane Lala. The project will provide 12 two-bedroom, one-bath homes on a site next to the library. After the disaster recovery period, the homes will be used as interim workforce housing for educators and clinicians. Maui Now.

King Kamehameha III School rebuild on Lahaina meeting agenda. Updates on efforts to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School are on the agenda for the next Lahaina Community Meeting on Oct. 7. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi could ban the construction of a new landfill in Kekaha area. The Kauaʻi County Council could ensure that communities on the island share the burden of hosting their landfill. The island’s Kekaha Landfill is expected to reach capacity in 2030, and the search for a new landfill site is underway. A proposed county bill would not allow new landfills within a six-mile radius of one that has accepted waste in the last 30 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi County accepts $100,000 IT services donation to repair damage caused by Kapule Building fire. Kauaʻi County Council has embraced a pivotal $100,000 donation from Constructive Construction Management LLC to rejuvenate county computer systems impaired by the Kapule Building fire. Kauai Now.

Tropical depression expected to become Hurricane Nolo this week, Maui planning commission rebuffs attempts to lift vacation rental ban, Taiwan to demolish, redevelop Chinatown Cultural Plaza, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tropical Depression 15-E redevelops, will approach state as Hurricane Nolo. Tropical Depression Fifteen-E has regenerated into a tropical cyclone that could threaten parts of the state with heavy rain and high winds. The system is currently about 400 miles south-southeast of Hilo and is forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm today before becoming a hurricane in the next couple of days. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

SUMMARY OF 500 AM HST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...14.5N 154.4W
ABOUT 320 MI...520 KM SSE OF SOUTH POINT HAWAII
ABOUT 525 MI...840 KM SSE OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 6 MPH...9 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB...29.65 INCHES
  National Hurricane Center

Gun permit window, inspection mandate upheld. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld Hawaii’s requirements that gun owners have 30 days to use a permit to acquire a handgun and some new guns have to be brought into police stations for inspection. Star-Advertiser.

This Farmer-Artist Questions Hawaiʻi’s Statehood. He Wants To Be LG. GOP lieutenant governor candidate Daniel Anthony says he’s tired of fighting against the government, and wants to help lead the way to “generational change.” Civil Beat.

Some new Hawaii licenses not scanning at airports. Some Hawaii residents said their new driver’s licenses are not scanning at TSA checkpoints and local stores. Officials are looking into the issue, but said it is not clear the new design is to blame. KHON2.

Oahu

Taiwan to demolish, redevelop troubled Chinatown plaza.  The Taiwan government, owner of Honolulu’s long-troubled Chinatown Cultural Plaza, plans to demolish and redevelop the aging 4-acre complex after years of pressure from Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who has repeatedly urged Taiwanese officials to address what he described as a deteriorating, crime-plagued property in the heart of Chinatown. Star-Advertiser.

What Happens To Your Affordable Housing When Income Rules Run Out? Seniors at a state-owned affordable housing complex in Kakaʻako are scared about rising rents as the development authority seeks to recoup losses at the financially troubled project. Civil Beat.

Kapolei school faces obstacles to its ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi immersion program. Kapolei Middle School’s program, Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kapōlei, was cut just a few weeks before the school year, meaning that the high school will have fewer incoming students for their program. Another challenge? Students have been resistant to practicing ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Big Isle BOE member resigns, cites a lack of transparency. Hawaii County’s representative on the state Board of Education, Sylvia Lee, recently resigned. Lee provided a copy of her resignation letter to the Tribune-Herald which cited concerns about lack of transparency and oversight among the board’s leadership as the reasons for her decision. Tribune-Herald.

Water department may waive upcoming bill for Big Island customers impacted by Hurricane Lala. Some of the 1,200 customers in the system were cut off from water, others lost their water meters, and some had to boil their water for safety. Big Island Now.

Food shortage puts strain on Pahala residents. On Tuesday, residents of Pahala lined up for free groceries as the community continued to recover from Hurricane Lala — but for some, the food drive was about more than putting food on the table. Star-Advertiser.

County: Electrical failure causes discharge of partially treated sewage in Hilo. The incident took place from 9:06 p.m.to 9:55 p.m. Monday, resulting in approximately 71,000 gallons of partially treated, fully disinfected wastewater being discharged through the facility’s ocean outfall, located about three-quarters of a mile offshore in Puhi Bay. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission rebuffs exemptions to vacation rental ban. A proposal to exempt about 3,400 legal short-term vacation rental properties on Maui from an impending ban met with overwhelming disagreement from a commission Tuesday after heavy public debate. Star-Advertiser.

Trial opens for Maui man accused of killing police officer. Opening statements began Tuesday in the trial of a man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Maui police officer last year. Clembert Alii Kaneholani, 39, is accused of fatally shooting Officer Suzanne O in Paia. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Wildfire Exposure Study gets $6M in federal funding to extend post-fire health tracking to 2031. The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, through the University of Hawaiʻi, has been awarded nearly $6 million to continue and expand. Hawaii Public Radio.

State, Maui Health and Kaiser Permanente announce restoration and reopening plans for Kula Hospital. The state of Hawaiʻi, Maui Health and Kaiser Permanente today announced that Kula Hospital will be restored and reopened after damage from the March 2026 Kona Low storms forced the temporary closure of the hospital, its Emergency Department and the Hale Makamae care facility. Maui Now. Aloha State Daily.

Meetings planned on Maui SMA boundary. The Maui County Planning Department will hold public meetings Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 as it assesses the Special Management Area boundary for the island of Maui. The project will develop recommendations for a scientifically and culturally based inland SMA boundary that responds to projected environmental and climate changes while balancing environmental protection with permitting and review requirements. Maui News.

County seeks feedback on proposed Paia gym. The Maui County Parks and Recreation Department is seeking feedback on plans to replace the existing Paia Gymnasium with a larger recreational and emergency-response facility. Maui News.

Kauai

State, county emergency orders waive fees, penalties for Hurricane Lowell recovery. Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami signed an emergency order Sept. 18 waiving certain repair permits, storm debris disposal fees and property record fees for storm-damaged homes and businesses. Kauai Now.

Painful Lessons From ʻIniki Help Kauaʻi Homes Weather Hurricane Lowell. Requiring hurricane clips to prevent roofs from blowing off and other updates to the building code were hard-fought victories 30 years ago. Civil Beat.

Rare Loulu palms at Kauaʻi’s botanical gardens among the casualties from Hurricane Lowell. Hurricane Lowell has left Kaua'i's National Tropical Botanical Gardens in disarray, with damaged trees, infrastructure, and rare plant collections forcing a suspension of public tours as recovery efforts continue.  Kauai Now.

Hurricane Lowell strikes overnight, Oahu and Kauai schools, government buildings closed today, Hawaii County short-term rental registration goes into effect, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s western islands hit by fierce winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Lowell. Damaging winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Lowell were pelting Hawaii’s western islands in the overnight hours Tuesday, bringing the threat of floods, mudslides and tornadoes. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. 

Hurricane Lowell barrels past Kauai and Niihau as Cat 2 late Monday night.  Hawaiʻi Weather, Shelters, Map + More. Schools on Kaua‘i, Niʻihau and O‘ahu are closing Tuesday as Hawai‘i waits for Lowell to pass. Thousands on Kauaʻi are without power. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Public schools and University of Hawaii campuses on Oahu and Kauai, state and city offices closed Tuesday due to Hurricane Lowell. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Near-record rains hit state last month. Last month ranks as the second wettest August in more than a century, according to the Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal’s monthly report. The state received 210% more rainfall than is typical for August. Most of that came from Hurricane Lala, which dumped an average of 11 inches of rain across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Native Hawaiian Benefits Face Sweeping Legal Attacks. Conservative groups and the Trump administration have taken aim at programs supporters say are foundational to making amends for Hawaiʻi’s history. Civil Beat.

‘Kick In The Face’: Hawaiʻi’s $2M Business Registration System Slammed. The Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ new, $2.1 million “Business Express” registration system is causing what users describe as interminable delays in processing documents needed to start and operate businesses. Processes that previously might take a few days are taking weeks or months.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu residents urged to stay home until Lowell passes. City officials urged Oahu residents Monday night to stay home and take precautions as Hurricane Lowell was bearing down about 200 miles west of the island, with the worst impacts expected into early today. Star-Advertiser.

High surf from Hurricane Lowell inundates Makaha condominium complex. High surf from Hurricane Lowell has inundated coastal areas on Oʻahu’s leeward coast, forcing the closure of Farrington Highway and flooding ground-floor residential units in Mākaha. Hawaii News Now.

Hurricane Lowell generates massive 20-foot swells on Oahu’s south shore. Massive, messy swells generated by Hurricane Lowell battered Oʻahu’s south shore Monday, drawing out experienced surfers and prompting warnings from emergency officials. Hawaii News Now.

Accused Of Violating Patients, A Hawaiʻi Doctor Still Practices. Nine women accused Dr. Gregory Yim of performing unnecessary breast exams that violated their sense of trust. The Hawaiʻi Medical Board has taken no action. Civil Beat.

Southwest Airlines plans premium airport lounge in Honolulu. Southwest Airlines plans premium airport lounge in Honolulu. Southwest Airlines will open premium airport lounges across the country starting late next year, a major shift for a carrier famous for catering to budget travelers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Transient vacation rental registration takes effect. Beginning Sept. 1, 2026, owners of both hosted and un-hosted transient vacation rentals (TVRs) — defined as rentals of 180 days or less — are required to register their properties with the county through an online portal. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Tennis Courts Project Complete, Online Reservation System Introduced. A project to improve the Lincoln Park Tennis Courts in Hilo has been completed, and now the Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation is implementing an online reservation system to use the courts. Big Island Video News.

Salvation Army seeks donations as Hawaii Island pantries face high demand. The Salvation Army’s Hilo, Honokaa and Kona corps have reported shortages of food staples as they continue weekly distributions. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

No Water, And No End In Sight: A Big Island Condo Copes With Lala. Roaring runoff from the hurricane wiped out a privately run water system serving about 100 homes.It has been more than three weeks since flooding from Hurricane Lala rampaged through the condominiums called Colony I at Sea Mountain in Kaʻū, wiping out the complex’s water, sewer and electrical service.  Power has been restored, but the privately operated water and sewer systems that serve the complex were heavily damaged in the storm. Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui County home, condominium prices decrease in August. The price of single-family house resales in Maui County decreased by 7.9% in August compared to the same month in 2025, according to the association. The median sales price in August was $1,200,000, compared to $1,302,500 in August 2025. The median price of condominium sales dropped by 13.1%, decreasing from $650,000 in August, 2025 to $564,950. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai urges residents to shelter in place as Hurricane Lowell hits. The county has opened five “hurricane refuge” areas: Kilauea Neighborhood Center, Kapaa Middle School, Kauai High School, Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and Waimea Canyon Middle School. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation statewide stream cleanups roundup: Kaua‘i. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation notifies the public about statewide stream cleanup work to clear accumulation of debris, sediment and brush in an effort to improve drainage and waterflow through stream systems to prevent future flooding. Kauai Now.

Green declares state of emergency, positions resources ahead of Hurricane Lowell, Covid cases rise again, NOAA offers $20k reward in bludgeoning death of endangered monk seal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green declares State of Emergency, pre-positions resources ahead of Tropical Cyclones. Gov. Josh Green signed a statewide emergency proclamation ahead of three hurricanes encroaching on the island chain this weekend. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hurricane Lowell weakens to Category 3, shifts west of Kauai. Hurricane Lowell track shifts slightly west, but major surge, rain and wind impacts still possible. It is still forecast to be at or near major hurricane strength when making its closest approach to the islands Monday. At 11 p.m. Thursday, Lowell had maximum sustained winds had weakened slightly to near 130 miles per hour. It was about 595 miles south of Lihue, or 555 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, and was moving to the west at 9 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hurricane Lowell’s expected turn resembles paths of Iniki, Dot. The only two hurricanes to make direct landfall in Hawaii in modern history both made sharp turns before crossing over Kauai — a similar turn forecasters and emergency officials are watching closely as Hurricane Lowell moves south of the islands. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii’s COVID positivity rates are rising again. The average positivity rates for COVID-19 are ticking up in Hawaii once again after a nearly year-long lull. On Wednesday, the Hawaii Department of Health reported an average positivity rate of 9.0% statewide, with a weekly average of 18 cases per day. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Native Hawaiian education funding awarded. The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $29.7 million to Hawaii providers serving Native Hawaiian children and families, with the funds expected to be distributed by today, following an agreement to extend federal funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Program for another year. Star-Advertiser.

Trump Administration Aims To Strip Tax Status Of Private Schools With DEI Policies. Kamehameha and other Hawaiʻi schools are tracking the proposal, which would remove the tax-exempt status of private schools and colleges that provide scholarships or admission benefits to students based on their race. Civil Beat.

ʻUlu On The Up: Hawaiʻi Breadfruit Production Keeps Booming. This year’s stormy weather might drive a dip in production. But if longer-term forecasts are accurate, breadfruit could get closer to resuming its status as a Hawaiian staple. Civil Beat.

Oahu

H-POWER was closed for more than 80 days last year. The H-POWER facility on Oʻahu helps divert waste from the near-capacity Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, but during the last fiscal year it was out of service for more than 80 days. Honolulu officials estimate that 200,000 tons of waste went to the landfill instead of being burned at H-POWER. Hawaii Public Radio.

OHA, city begin talks on future use of Kakaako Makai site. The former J.K.K. Look Laboratory building is a familiar sight on the Point Panic side of the entrance to Kewalo Basin in Kakaako. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs says it is in exploratory discussions with the City and County of Honolulu on possible future purposes for the site. Hawaii News Now.

City reopens Central Oahu park used as temporary Kona low debris site. Patsy T. Mink Central Oʻahu Regional Park fully reopened to the public Thursday after restoration work was completed following its use as a temporary debris site in the wake of the Kona low storms. Hawaii News Now.

Storms Shut Down Elevators Indefinitely For Hundreds In Honolulu. This year’s storms have been disastrous for some Oʻahu residents immobilized by their building’s broken elevators. Restoration could take weeks or months.  Civil Beat.

Man arrested after HPD shuts University Ave. gambling room. According to HPD, on Wednesday, at around 6 p.m., the department’s Narcotics/Vice Division Gambling Detail executed a search warrant on the property, recovering 10 gaming machines, more than $3,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Sewer Rate Hike? Big Island Wastewater System Is Millions In Debt. The County Council is weighing a bill that would more than double the rates over the next five years. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Kona earthquake gets federal disaster declaration. Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday that President Donald Trump has approved his request for a major disaster declaration following the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the Kona area on May 22. Tribune-Herald.

About 60 customers still lack water in Ka‘u in wake of Lala. The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is continuing to assess and repair damage to the water system infrastructure in the Na‘alehu-Wai‘ohinu area caused by the catastrophic rainfall and flooding last month from Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald.

‘Double Death’: Grief Revived Amid Search For Bones From Nāʻālehu Graves. A community devastated by Hurricane Lala now faces the gruesome and heart-wrenching task of identifying their deceased loved ones and burying them all over again.  Civil Beat.

Maui

Maui Council panel votes 5-4 to adopt sea-level-rise criteria for apartment rezoning in new hotel districts. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 5-4 last week to adopt criteria for which apartment-zoned vacation rental properties can be recommended to the Maui Planning Commission for hotel-district rezoning, tying eligibility to how deeply a property sits within the county’s Sea Level Rise Exposure Area. Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen urges USPS to preserve home mail delivery for Lahaina residents rebuilding after wildfire. In a letter sent Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, to US Postmaster General David Steiner, Mayor Richard Bissen said his most urgent concern is that residents returning to rebuilt homes may no longer receive the direct mail delivery they had before the fire and instead could be required to use centralized or cluster mailboxes. Maui Now.

NOAA offers up to $20,000 reward for info in death of Hawaiian monk seal. Federal wildlife authorities are asking for the public's help in finding the individual or individuals responsible for the death of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal whose body was discovered last month on a Molokai beach. According to NOAA, the investigation into the death of Hawaiian monk seal RU68 determined the 1-year-old female died from blunt force trauma to the head, likely sometime on Aug. 17 or 18.  Maui News. KHON2. 

Kauai

Kauai braces for possible impacts from Hurricane Lowell. Lowell, a Category 4 cyclone passing far south of the islands, is expected to weaken as it encounters southwesterly shear, but will still be at or near major hurricane strength when it approaches the westernmost main Hawaiian islands late Monday and Tuesday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. 

Lawmakers push for special session on contractor campaign donations, federal Covid spending review likely, Kapaa Quarry mulled for Oahu landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Indictment sparks calls for special session on contractor donation ban. Indictments against Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, current and former state employees, and a contractor in an alleged bribery conspiracy are prompting calls for a special legislative session focused on campaign finance reform. Some lawmakers are pushing for a return to the Capitol to take up Senate Bill 2530, a measure that would ban government contractors and their immediate family members from donating to political candidates. Hawaii News Now.

Federal review of COVID-19 spending likely in wake of alleged corruption, Case says. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, said he expects federal scrutiny of Hawaii’s COVID-19 contracts following a public corruption indictment involving Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others. Star-Advertiser.

Betting On Hawaiʻi Politics Is Legal Despite State’s Gambling Ban. Users can now wager on when indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke may resign on the prediction market app Kalshi, which is not covered by Hawaiʻi’s gambling law. Civil Beat.

State airports administrator on paid leave after indictment. State Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami was placed on paid leave for 30 days, effective Monday, after he and four others were indicted Friday in an alleged criminal conspiracy to bribe state officials to secure money for COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Rules to limit CRB spread passed on Big Island and Maui. The coconut rhinoceros beetle’s hold across the Hawaiian Islands has grown in recent months, prompting the state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to expand restrictions on transporting potential host material between infested islands and areas. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Gen Z’s new travel habits to Hawaiʻi . Hawaiʻi's hospitality industry is seeing a new kind of visitor in Generation Z. How they travel could bring changes to the state's largest private industry. Hawaii Public Radio.

Alan B. Carpenter chosen to lead DLNR Division of State Parks. Alan B. Carpenter assumes responsibility for the care and management of 55 state parks and 14 other places of interest, which encompass 34,000 acres of coastal and wildland recreational areas, scenic waysides and cherished places spanning from Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauaʻi to ʻAkaka Falls State Park on Hawaiʻi Island. Maui Now.

This Hawaiian Waterbird Is Making A Comeback. Should It Still Be Endangered? Most agree efforts to save the aeʻo, the native stilt, have succeeded so far, but some worry about lifting its ‘endangered’ status in a Trump era with looser conservation rules. Civil Beat.

Fausto now a remnant low as it passes north of Hawaiian Islands. Fausto is no longer a tropical cyclone and is now a remnant low passing north of the islands. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in data valid at 5 a.m. Wednesday, post-tropical cyclone Fausto was 285 miles north of Hilo, or 225 miles northeast of Honolulu. It was moving west-northwest at 13 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Voters in Waters’ district confused as name remains on ballot after being ruled ineligible to run. While Honolulu election officials try to figure out what to do for Tommy Waters’ council seat, the district’s voters are left confused with his name still on the ballot. As of Tuesday morning, thousands have already cast their votes. KHON2.

City eyes Kapaa Quarry for Oahu’s next landfill. The City is eying Kapaa Quarry as a potential site for Oahu’s next landfill, and Windward lawmakers are pushing back. KHON2.

These Historic Oʻahu Homes Pay Practically No Property Tax. Honolulu homes valued in the millions are getting a major tax break. One City Council member says the program is being abused. Civil Beat.

State-subsidized rental housing for middle-income households blessed in Waipio. Scott Glenn, a housing adviser to Gov. Josh Green, said the new homes — one-bedroom apartments renting for $1,800 to $2,280 a month depending on household size — allow Koa Ridge to include residents who might not be able to afford new market-priced housing being built in the 3,500-home community master-planned by Castle &Cooke Hawaii in Waipio. Star-Advertiser.

Beach Cleanup Activist Challenges Longtime Incumbent In East Oʻahu. Kahi Pacarro has mounted an aggressive campaign against the low key Rep. Mark Hashem in the District 19 Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Fresh lei, hot pizza? Oahu’s one-of-a-kind vending machines turn heads. Need a fresh flower lei for a graduation, special event or last-minute celebration? There is now a vending machine for that. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

A reprieve for 5 early childhood education sites on isle. Several months after nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation prepared to close five early childhood education sites on Hawaii Island — and 16 on other islands — due to federal funding cuts, the organization recently announced the sites will now be staying open. Tribune-Herald.

New reports document energy priorities, concerns of Puna, Kaʻū residents. The reports reflect responses from a total of 481 community members — 340 in Puna and 141 in Kaʻū — and examine energy affordability, power outages, household preparedness, renewable energy development, community participation, protection of ʻāina and cultural resources as well as benefits residents expect from future energy investments. Big Island Now.

Speed limit to be reduced on part of Puainako Street Extension. The speed limit on a portion of the Puainako Street Extension — also known as Hawaii Route 2000 — will be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph as part of an effort to improve roadway safety. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 52 fountaining ends at Kilauea summit. Episode 52 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended at 2:36 a.m. on Wednesday. High lava fountaining from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu began at 7:10 p.m. HST on Tuesday evening. Big Island Now. KITV4. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui Council advances new hotel zoning for over 2,000 apartment-district vacation rentals. Maui County Council members voted Friday to send two bills to the Maui Planning Commission that would move vacation rental units, currently operating in A-1 and A-2 apartment districts, into new hotel zoning classifications. Maui Now.

County to pull four speed tables in Haiku, hold community meeting. Responding to residents' concerns, Maui County officials plan to remove four speed tables on West Kuiaha Road as part of an ongoing review of traffic-calming devices in Haiku. Maui News.

Plan to rebuild popular Kaanapali Beach with offshore sand faces scrutiny. Plan would move 75,000 cubic yards of sand to restore beach to 1980s condition. Kaanapali Beach on Maui’s west side has been eroding for four decades, and a plan is now moving forward to restore it to how it was in the 1980s — but the proposal is facing some community opposition. Hawaii News Now.

Audubon Society asks for pueo study with Lahaina Bypass project. The National Audubon Society has asked state transportation officials to include a biological review of the Hawaiian short-eared owl in the study of Lahaina Bypass connector alternatives near Wahikuli Gulch in West Maui. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi police join countywide emergency alert system to expand public safety notifications. The partnership, announced by the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency, expands use of the Everbridge Emergency Mass Notification System, which is already used by the emergency management agency, the Kauaʻi Fire Department and the county Department of Water. Kauai Now.

Kauai Habitat starts 5 homes in Waimea. Volunteer opportunities are available at the Kauai Habitat build sites, such as the current one in Waimea, the Kauai Habitat office in Hanapepe, or the ReStore at Hanapepe. Garden Island.

Price-fixing settlement nets Hawaii 1M eggs, Big Island residents blast vacation rentals legislation, tourist arrivals and spending rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii due to receive 1M eggs from price-fixing settlement. Hawaii may be getting 1 million eggs due to a settlement with three of the nation’s largest producers over illegal price fixing, according to the state Attorney General’s office. The 53 million donated eggs will be provided to food banks and nonprofits across the participating states, while meeting all food safety and regulatory standards. Star-Advertiser. 

Attorney General announces charity amnesty program. The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General is offering a 60-day amnesty period to help delinquent charitable organizations return to good standing. Hawaii News Now.

Supreme Court ruling puts attention on Hawaii's first-in-the-nation election law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that political parties can spend unlimited money in coordination with their candidates, citing First Amendment protections. The decision comes shortly after Hawaii approved Act 11, a first-in-the-nation law targeting corporate political spending. (video only). KITV4.

Shorter Hawaii visitor stays risk tourism growth. Hawaii visitors are trimming their trips to the shortest length in at least seven years, a contraction that threatens to drag on the tourism‑driven economy even as May brought moderate gains in arrivals and visitor spending. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

UH-Manoa gets its own chancellor today. The UH Board of Regents in June appointed Vassilis Syrmos — who served as interim provost for a year — as Manoa’s newest chancellor, joining the other nine campus chancellors who advocate for their individual campuses. Star-Advertiser.

Locals say goodbye to Ward Centre. Ward Centre will be closing its doors for the final time Tuesday. The shopping center's four-decade-long legacy is concluding as developer Howard Hughes Corp. moves forward with the plan to construct two luxury condominiums at the Kakaʻako location. Hawaii Public Radio.

Drains, Schools And Public Trust: State House District 46 Candidate Q&As. The central Oʻahu district was hard hit in the recent Kona low storms. Civil Beat.

Westside Families And Community Safety: State House District 45 Candidate Q&AsTwo partisan candidates are facing off in the West Oʻahu race. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Bets Millions That Students Will Eat Way More Eggs. The Agribusiness Development Corp. is closing in on a $4.7 million land purchase in Wahiawā for a highly specialized facility to crack eggs. Civil Beat.

Luxury Real Estate Broker Had Sex With Assistant At Homes He Was Selling. Former assistant says sexual activities took place at 10 to 20 listed properties over four years. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Residents blast STVRs legislation; commission defers action. The Hawaii County Leeward Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to defer consideration of a bill seeking to overhaul vacation rental rules during a meeting attended by more than a dozen testifiers, the majority of whom spoke in opposition. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Police Department officer sentenced in perjury case. A Hawaii Police Department officer was sentenced Tuesday to four years of supervision and 400 hours of community service after pleading no contest March 17 to charges of perjury, making a false sworn statement in official matters, and tampering with a government record. Noah Serrao, 29, who is on full-duty status, is allowed to possess and carry a firearm. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

US Army Corps of Engineers to host info session about Laupāhoehoe breakwater repairs. The breakwater sustained wave-related damage that is now impacting the use of the harbor; a design for repairs includes replacement of the breakwater core and installation of a new concrete crest cap and is intended to reduce wave energy in the harbor and improve navigation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui struggles to establish safe overnight areas for homeless communities. The Maui County Council granted funding for a Safe Parking Pilot Project in 2023. But despite funding and authorization being approved, the program has stalled. Hawaii Public Radio.

HDOT starting preliminary environmental studies for Lahaina Bypass Phase 1C. Earlier this year, Maui County announced it would allocate $100 million in federal disaster funds from the Maui Wildfires to this extension of the bypass, which is expected to cost between $220 million and $250 million. Maui Now.

Kaiser Permanente, Maui Health plan new Lahaina clinic. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Maui Health announced plans Tuesday to open a new clinic in Lahaina, nearly three years after Kaiser’s previous Lahaina clinic was destroyed in the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. Maui News.

Maui visitor spending climbs 26% in May as arrivals near pre-wildfire levels. Visitor spending on Maui rose 26.4% in May compared with a year earlier, outpacing every other island in Hawaiʻi, according to preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Maui Now.

Maui wrestling coach sues Hawaii DOE, alleges wrongful termination. Grant Nakamura, a Baldwin High School wrestling coach is suing the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, alleging his due process rights were violated after he was removed from his position following anonymous complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Crews clean up 1,000-gallon wastewater spill from sewage pump station on Kaua‘i. Cleanup is underway following an estimated 1,000-gallon wastewater spill Tuesday morning due to a communication failure at the Kapaʻia Sewage Pump Station, located near Kūhiō Highway and Ma‘alo Road. State health officials issued a wastewater discharge advisory because of the spill. Kauai Now.

Annual water quality report is available online and in print beginning Wednesday. The Kauaʻi Department of Water’s 2026 Water Quality Report will cover the water quality for all of 2025 for nine systems on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

First cohort graduates from University of Hawai‘i medical school’s Kaua‘i Medical Training Track. Four years after launching an effort to address Hawaiʻi’s rural healthcare needs, the first Kauaʻi Medical Training Track cohort has officially graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Housing, Affordability Are Center Stage In East Kaua‘i House Race. Rep. Luke Evslin is being challenged by David Hazlebeck, an algae farmer who is new to politics. Civil Beat.

Green signs bill aimed at making condos more affordable, Maui approves hotel zoning for vacation rentals, former Honolulu employee charged with $800k foodbank fraud, San Buenaventura faces online threat, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green has signed a new housing measure aimed at creating more affordable homeownership opportunities for local residents. Senate Bill 2061, now known as Act 121, expands and clarifies Hawaii’s Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program, which is designed to provide affordable condominium homes on state and county-owned land. Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2026 election: Five of the seats on the nine-member Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for grabs, with 19 people vying to represent O‘ahu, Maui and statewide. The election comes as OHA considers its options in several areas, including a potential bid to buy the television news station KITV, how best to develop Kakaʻako Makai, and ways to gain a larger role in military lease negotiations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Commission considering liability cap and recovery fund for future Hawaii wildfires.  The state Public Utilities Commission wants stakeholders, including rate­payers, to help shape administrative rules governing a wildfire liability cap framework called for under a 2025 Hawaii law. Star-Advertiser.

Initial results from state-mandated pre-eviction mediation program show 85% success. Launched in February, the two-year pilot program requires participation in a mediation process before eviction for non-payment of rent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hotels spending more to attract high spending visitors. Hawaiʻi's hotel industry is pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into luxury renovations as the state shifts focus to higher-spending visitors.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi unemployment rises, some industries remain flat. The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in May. That was slightly higher than April’s revised rate of 2.4%.  KHON2.

Oahu

Ex-city worker charged with food funding fraud. Former Food Security and Sustainability Program manager Dexter Kishida was arrested Monday after allegedly causing the Hawai‘i Foodbank to buy and distribute $800,000 worth of food that he claimed would be reimbursed by federal pandemic relief funds. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4. 

Distrust, uncertainty as Navy moves to reopen Red Hill well. As the Navy continues to move forward with plans to reopen its Red Hill well and reconnect it to its Oahu water system five years after it was contaminated with jet fuel, the service faces ongoing skepticism over its insistence the water will be safe to drink. Star-Advertiser.

Poverty, Schools, Extreme Weather: State House District 26 Candidate Q&As. In the Legislature, the House of Representatives seat Della Au Belatti is leaving has attracted six candidates. Civil Beat.

Ozawa asks judge to fast-track lawsuit challenging Waters’ candidacy. Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member and District 4 candidate in 2026, has asked a state judge to accelerate proceedings in his lawsuit challenging Council Chair Tommy Waters’ eligibility to seek a third consecutive term in office. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers seek to rename post office after Hanabusa. Hawaii’s congressional delegation is introducing a bill to rename the Waianae Post Office in honor of late U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Puna lawmaker targeted in threatening social media post. State Sen. Joy San Buenaventura said she beefed up security for a campaign event last Saturday after a Facebook post called her a “child abusing domestic terrorist” and advocated she be convicted of treason and “hung by the neck until she is dead then sent to hell where she spawned from.” Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County in lease negotiations with owner of Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Since at least the mid-1950s, the county has leased the 6.8-acre park site comprising parking lots, pavilions, bathrooms and campgrounds from private owners in order to provide the public with recreational space and shoreline access. Tribune-Herald.

This Rural Hawaiʻi Pharmacy Was A Lifeline For Seniors. Now It’s Gone. Loss of the Kohala drug store is symbolic of the healthcare access issues affecting remote regions of the state. Civil Beat.

Fear and uncertainty in Hawaii’s solar industry amid changes to tax credits. The back and forth, combined with the rollback of federal renewable energy incentives, has resulted in uncertainty and concern for solar energy providers across the state and local companies on Hawaii Island, including Honoka‘a-based Renewable Energy Services. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo chef and restaurauteur Miyo Harumi dies at 82. Miyo Harumi, a retired chef and restaurateur whose first name is synonymous with Japanese food in Hilo, died June 3 at Pohai Malama Care Home in Hilo. She was 82. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New hotel zoning for vacation rentals passes Maui Council on final vote, 7-2. Maui County Council members voted 7-2 Friday to give final approval to Bill 88, a measure creating two new hotel zoning districts intended to provide a path forward for thousands of vacation rentals being phased out of apartment-zoned districts. Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen signs $1.61B Maui County budget into law for FY2027. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has signed a $1.61 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget into law, outlining major investments in housing, recovery efforts, community well-being and economic development. KITV4.

Maui’s Hale Kau Kau reports record meal numbers in May; volunteers needed. Hale Kau Kau, the 35-year-old daily meals program at St. Theresa Church in South Maui, delivered 3,475 meals to kūpuna and people with disabilities and onsite, 2,625 meals were provided to anyone experiencing food insecurity. Maui Now.

Kauai

Political Newcomers Are Trying To Unseat West Kauaʻi House Rep. Rep. Dee Morikawa, who has held the District 17 seat since 2010, will face Chad Schimmelfennig in the Democratic primary. Civil Beat.

Lackluster primary predicted, electric bills to drop on two islands, JERO and HECO close to power plant deal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Primary elections unlikely to stir voter enthusiasm, turnout. There is little expectation that voters will turn out in droves for the upcoming Aug. 8 party primaries following the 2024 presidential election year, when only 32.3% of all of Hawaii’s registered voters bothered to vote in the primary, a record low since widespread mail-in voting began in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: Hawaiʻi Primary Shows There’s Still Hunger For Public Service. At first blush the August primary election would seem to be a bit of a yawner. But dig a little deeper and voters will find a lot of competitive races across the ballot, especially for county-level offices. Civil Beat.

2024 House recount shows importance of every vote. Republican Rep. Elijah Pierick and Democratic Campbell High School teacher Corey Rosenlee know firsthand that every vote matters after their razor-thin race in 2024 flipped from a Rosenlee victory to a win for Pierick by just 11 votes. Star-Advertiser.

Many Hawaii electric bills dipping in June. A typical residential bill on Oahu is edging down 2.5% for June after a 14.4% increase in May that followed a 14% increase in April, according to Hawaiian Electric. On Kauai, the decrease for June is 3.9%.  For Maui County and Hawaii Island June bills for typical residential customers are still higher because of the timing of oil purchases. Star-Advertiser.

Can refusal of sobriety test implicate driver? A challenge to whether a driver’s refusal to take the voluntary field sobriety test can be treated as evidence of guilt is before the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Healthcare legislation addressed vapes, medical debt. While legislators approved some bills addressing the use of vapes among youth in Hawaii, along with others that expand health services for kupuna, other bills seeking to address the state’s chronic doctor shortage and protect patients’ rights failed. Star-Advertiser.

See How Your Beach Stacks Up To Hawai‘i Water Pollution Standards. “Can I get sick if I swim there?” That’s one question the Surfrider Foundation wants to answer for residents of Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi with its latest water quality report. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Council: Powerful Incumbent Faces Challengers Old And New. Voters spanning Waikīkī to East Honolulu get to decide this year whether to replace Council Chair Tommy Waters or elect him to a third term. Waters will also have to defend himself against political and legal challenges to his eligibility for the office. Civil Beat.

HPD’s interim chief ready for next chance to protect community. Twice in the last five years interim Chief Rade Vanic was asked to lead the Honolulu Police Department during abrupt leadership changes, but his greatest policing accomplishment came as a sergeant training officers. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green says JERA and HECO close to deal to bring natural gas to Oʻahu. JERA has proposed building a new facility that would burn natural gas for power on Oʻahu. The governor told HPR a deal could happen as soon as June 8. Hawaii Public Radio.

Potential West Oahu hillside landfill site spared. Makaiwa Hills, a West Oahu hillside property recently touted as the most viable location for Oahu’s next municipal solid waste landfill is now off the table, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu homes sales slightly stronger in May; condo sales lag. The Honolulu Board of Realtors on Saturday published data showing the island’s single-family home sales increased 8.5% year-over-year to 255 transactions in May compared to 235 a year earlier. Condo sales continued to lag behind 2025 volume, falling 9.4% year-over-year with 339 closings compared to 374 in May 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Family faces mounting fines after home fell onto shoreline. When their Rocky Point home fell onto the shoreline a little more than four years ago, the Guerrero family didn’t have time to grieve. Star-Advertiser.

Closing time for Hub Coworking Hawaiʻi locations. The owners of a coworking business are closing their two locations in Honolulu at the end of this month. The move will end memberships for 500 people.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Council votes down proposal that sought to limit responsibilities of the mayor. The Hawaii County Council voted 5-3 Wednesday in opposition of a bill that would transfer many of the executive powers vested in the mayor’s office to a newly created “county manager” position in what Mayor Kimo Alameda described as a “total power grab.” Tribune-Herald.

Panel defers bill regarding STVRs. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted unanimously Friday to defer a bill seeking to overhaul vacation rental rules. Bill 147 would lengthen the rental period considered “short-term” to stays less than 180 consecutive days — as opposed to 30 days under current rules — and set occupancy limits, reduce “quiet hours,” and restrict the types of activities allowed on rental properties. Tribune-Herald.

Emergency roadwork on Saddle Road begins today. The state Department of Transportation on Monday will begin work on the Hilo side of Daniel K. Inouye Highway that authorities hope will end a spate of crashes which have resulted in five fatalities this year — all within a period of less than a month. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Councilwoman proposes Hamakua Coast trail. Although parts of the region are largely inaccessible on foot, a proposal for a new trail through the area, running from Hilo to Waipio, could someday change that. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi CC Chancellor Susan Kazama Announces Retirement. Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama will step down on July 31, after a 40-year career with the University of Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Polls show incumbent Bissen, challenger Sugimura dueling for top spot in 10-candidate mayoral primary race. The race for Maui County mayor features a crowded field of 10 candidates, but two of three polls show County Council Vice Chair Yuki Sugimura with an early lead over incumbent Richard Bissen with two months to go before the August 8 primary election. Maui Now.

Maui Council passes $1.6 billion budget; adds security funding after terroristic threatening arrest. The Maui County Council gave final approval Thursday to a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, sending the spending plan to Mayor Richard Bissen’s desk, but not before adding $50,000 for Maui County campus security. Maui Now. Maui News. 

Judge Caps Maui Fire Legal Fees At $222M. A Maui judge has significantly reined in legal fees related to the $4.03 billion Maui wildfire settlement, awarding victims’ lawyers a fraction of the $1 billion they had sought.  he order is an enormous victory for fire victims who will be able to retain the bulk of the settlement money rather than see a large share go to their attorneys. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Costliest repairs to Lahaina Harbor still ahead as dredging gets underway. Lahaina Harbor has been the most visible sign of recovery in an area where most businesses have yet to rebuild and charred historic buildings hopeful of being restored and sensitive areas remain off limits to the public in the wake of the August 2023 wildfire. Maui Now.

Lacking funds, Maui Wildfire Exposure Study has halted, facing an uncertain future. The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study has offered a healthcare lifeline to fire-impacted Maui residents. It also provided a model for tracking the long-term effects of the disaster. Hawaii Public Radio.

Dying At Home Is Harder For These Hospice Patients Stuck On Oʻahu. Medical facilities on Moloka‘i aren’t equipped to provide the level of treatment some residents need, but when they fly to Honolulu for advanced care it can be difficult to make it back to spend their remaining days on the island. Civil Beat.

Condo sales, median price both down in May. There there were 58 single-family home sales in May, up 3.6% from the same month last year. The median sales price fell 9% to $1,174,500 from $1.29 million in 2025. Maui News.

State addresses ‘misconceptions’ over plans for popular Maui beach. Following a slew of rumors on social media, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) clarified its proposal for upgrades at Makena State Park.  Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center opens new Kauaʻi office. The opening comes just months after H3RC expanded to Kauaʻi following the closure of Mālama Pono Health Services, ensuring critical public health and support services remain available to residents of Kauaʻi.  Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Thousands turn out to celebrate Pride Month. Several thousand people — including parade participants, spectators and shoppers — turned out Saturday to celebrate the 8th annual Kauai Pride Parade and Festival hosted by the YWCA of Kauai. Garden Island.

Budget cuts jeopardize Convention Center leak repairs, almost all dams classified high hazard, legislation would require Airbnb, other booking companies, to collect tax information, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

$55M cut threatens convention center leak fixes. The Hawai‘i Convention Center’s two-year construction-­related shutdown may not resolve its decades‑old leak problems if lawmakers uphold a proposed $55 million funding cut, raising the likelihood the center will reopen in 2028 with ongoing water intrusion and safety concerns. Star-Advertiser.

Most dams in Hawaii classified as high hazard. Nearly all of Hawaii’s regulated dams are classified as “high hazard,” meaning their failure could result in loss of life — a designation that state officials say reflects downstream development, not the likelihood of collapse. Star-Advertiser.

AccuWeather estimates $2B in damage after storms. As Gov. Josh Green asks the federal government for an emergency designation to secure funding for recovery efforts, AccuWeather estimates the back-to-back Kona-low storms caused around $2 billion in damage and economic loss across the state. Star-Advertiser.

Recent storms trigger widespread cancellations, stalling tourism rebound. Back-to-back Kona-low storms slammed Hawaii just as its visitor industry was beginning to stabilize, triggering widespread trip cancellations, erasing key March and April bookings and stalling what tourism leaders say was the first sustained momentum since the 2023 Maui wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Airbnb As Tax Collector? It’s A Familiar Debate In The Legislature. Taxpayer information collected by booking companies would be used to collect taxes but not to allow counties to crack down on illegal vacation rentals. Civil Beat.

Energy affordability signaled as state priority with Public Utilities Commission decision. The first decision and order issued by Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission, under the direction of Chairperson Jon Itomura, signals energy affordability as a state priority. Big Island Now.

Most Hawaii schools resume normal operations after storm disruptions. Most public schools are scheduled to resume normal operations as recovery efforts continue for impacted campuses, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education. KITV4.

Should Hawaiʻi Pay More For Teachers With Master’s Degrees? Teachers with master’s degrees have a higher starting salary than those with bachelor’s degrees, but research suggests these degrees may not improve educator quality. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaiʻi Land Board Approves Acquiring Wahiawā Reservoir As Costs Increase. A budget request from Gov. Josh Green puts the new price tag on repairs to the dam and reservoir, which rose to dangerous levels during the recent Kona low, at more than $60 million. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Neglected North Shore Plantation Waterways Fueled Damaging Floods. Sugar and pineapple acreage was sold off over the years, divided into hundreds of smaller plots for farming and housing. After the deluge, everyone is pointing fingers. Civil Beat.

Scrutiny of Kaukonahua Stream grows after the devastating North Shore flooding. Families who have lived for generations along the waterway describe a system choked with debris, tangled in jurisdictional confusion and left without consistent maintenance — conditions they say turned a severe storm into a near-deadly event. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless program hit hard by flood wants to help others affected. A homeless program on Oahu’s windward side that was hit hard by the flooding during the Kona low storms now wants to help others who were affected. Hawaii News Now.

‘No Dictators’ demonstrators allowed to return to State Capitol after bomb threat. Demonstrators participating in the “No Dictators” protest were allowed back onto the grounds of the State Capitol around noon Saturday after a bomb threat temporarily closed the area. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center making progress; clinic building to open in June. As part of the ongoing expansion of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center campus, a new 20,000-square-foot clinic building is preparing to open in June and a 55,000-square foot building with 55 patient beds is expected to be completed in early 2027. Big Island Now.

Legislation seeks to bolster Pahoa. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission will consider three bills at its meeting Thursday that would rezone parts of downtown Pahoa, allowing for a greater scope of commercial activities including agricultural processing, co-working office spaces, “cultural enterprises” — even indoor sports arenas. Tribune-Herald.

Growing agritourism on Hawaiʻi Island. Agritourism has become a powerful tool for Hawaiʻi farmers looking to diversify their income and connect with consumers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona area to adopt protocols to limit coconut rhinoceros beetle. The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity has approved new measures to limit the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetles on Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

‘We’re being called to rise’: More than 3,200 turn out for ‘No Kings’ rally. The sidewalks on both sides of Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo swelled with protesters Saturday as thousands turned out for the third “No Kings” National Day of Nonviolent Action. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Sugimura picks up endorsement in bid for Maui County mayor. The Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters has endorsed Yuki Lei Sugimura for Maui County mayor. Maui News.

Lahaina Wastewater Plant Spilled 200,000 Gallons. Why Did People Still Swim? Several people at nearby beaches said they did not know that backwash had overflowed from the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility days earlier. Civil Beat.

Floods compound Lahaina fire damages. Wildfires make soil hydrophobic, meaning the soil repels water rather than absorbs it, which can cause greater flash flooding and erosion, according to climatologist and University of Hawaii affiliate faculty member Abby Frazier.  Star-Advertiser.

Displaced by storm damage, over 100 Kula Hospital patients cope with separation between Maui, O‘ahu facilities. The only other hospital on the island aside from Maui Memorial Medical Center in Wailuku, Kula Hospital is a critical access facility with a 105-bed long-term skilled nursing care facility and the nine-bed Hale Makamae as well as urgent and limited emergency care, short-stay acute care, short-term rehab, imaging and lab services, and an onsite family medicine clinic.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Community Meeting to cover plans for a new Lahaina community center, Hoʻokumu Hou updates, kona storm impacts. Residents are encouraged to attend the monthly County of Maui Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

Probe of tour copter crash to begin. Federal agencies have begun to investigate the cause of Thursday afternoon’s crash of a tour helicopter off Kauai’s Na Pali coast that killed three people and injured two. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Homeowners Can Soon Get A Free Wildfire Home Assessment. The county responded to more than 300 brushfires last year, and officials are making the issue a major focus going forward. Civil Beat.

Kauai speaks out. Nearly 2,000 people of all ages turned out on Saturday, March 28, 2026, to become part of a nationwide protest to protect democracy at the No Dictators rally on Rice Street fronting the historic County Building in Lihue. Garden Island.