Tax fairness, education bills mulled by Legislature, 135 mph wind gust clocked on Big Island, catastrophic flooding on Oahu as Kona low resumes, what Jones Act reprieve means to the state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tax fairness promoted in bills would implement major changes. The Hawai‘i Tax Fairness Coalition is advocating for bills that would make major changes to the state’s income tax, capital gains tax, real estate sales tax and a tax on income for real estate investment trusts, putting more pressure on the wealthiest to pay more. Star-Advertiser.

From Free Meals To Teacher Safety, An Array Of Bills For Hawaiʻi Schools. Proposals have made it halfway through the legislative session, and some advocates are cautiously optimistic that legislation that failed in past years will make it this year. Civil Beat.

Free Bus Rides For Keiki? So Much For That. An initiative to make transit free for all youth across Hawaiʻi that had raised supporters’ hopes appears dead, a victim of tight budgets and funding concerns. Civil Beat.

Hawaii agricultural damage estimated in the millions after Kona Low. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said damage to agricultural crops and infrastructure is in the millions. KHON2.

Nearly 300 damage reports at schools as another Kona low approaches Hawaii. The state Department of Education is continuing to assess damage to campuses statewide after a powerful Kona low storm brought heavy rain, flooding and strong winds across multiple islands, as another system is expected to impact the islands from Thursday evening through Monday. Star-Advertiser.

What To Know About The Jones Act As Trump Unveils A 60-Day Waiver. U.S.-flagged ships are generally more expensive to both operate and build than foreign ones. And those costs are especially damaging to states that are supplied by sea, such as Hawai‘i. Associated Press.

Four deals fuel $2.9B in commercial real estate investment. Hawaii’s commercial real estate market saw its strongest performance in four years in 2025 with $2.9 billion in sales volume across 279 transactions, driven by four blockbuster deals. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Catastrophic flooding hits northern Oahu today. On Oahu, a large band of heavy showers and thunderstorms has already dropped 5 to 10 inches of rain in just six hours, causing catastrophic flooding in the northern part of the island. KITV4.

City’s $24.6M land purchase paves way for responder hub. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration and the owner of a commercial center on Oahu’s North Shore have finalized a $24.6 million land sale agreement that may lead to a first-responder hub built close to the area’s residents and to those visiting its world-renowned beaches, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

‘We’re Screwed’: Dole Did Little To Fix Dangerous Wahiawā Dam. Hawaiʻi’s proposal to acquire the dam, and have taxpayers foot the bill for repairs, let the company off the hook. Civil Beat.

Kahuku students escape school bus fire on H-3 Freeway. The Kahuku High School girls’ flag football team escaped a raging bus fire on the H-3 Freeway Thursday night. School principal Walter Santiago confirmed the team was on the bus, and the coaches and players got off safely with no injuries. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

135 mph Wind Gust Recorded On Hawaiʻi Island. The University of Hawaiʻi’s Hawaiʻi Mesonet recorded the hurricane-force wind gust at Kaiāulu Puʻuwaʻawaʻa during last weekend’s kona low storm. Big Island Video News.

Emergency Repairs Planned for Pāhala Transfer Station. Emergency repairs will begin Friday at the Pāhala Recycling and Transfer Station, due to a subsidence issue at the facility. Big Island Video News.

Pahoa food drop draws large crowd — and plenty of aloha. The aid event was organized by Vibrant Hawaii, a nonprofit organization running a network of community resilience hubs across Hawaii Island supporting disaster preparedness and relief work. Tribune-Herald.

Maui 

Council hears updates on kona low response, Lahaina wildfire rebuilding. While Maui County braces for more severe weather, council members are poised to take action Friday morning on a $15 million request for emergency funding, following a Wednesday committee update on the effort to rebuild from the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire disaster. Maui Now.

Planning Department navigates ‘relentless’ workload amid staffing shortages. Maui County planners are managing a “relentless” amount of work, including permit applications for Lahaina rebuilding, while operating with 15 staff vacancies, acting Planning Director Jacky Takakura told Maui County Council members Wednesday. Maui Now.

Kauai

No public risk from ongoing wastewater discharge in Līhuʻe. An ongoing wastewater spill at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant is being contained on-site and does not pose a threat to pubic health, Kauaʻi County officials announced in a press release. Kauai Now.

County again urges vigilance ahead of severe weather. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency is urgently warning the public to stay alert and take action, as the National Weather Service warns that another Kona low system poses a significant threat to Kauai this weekend. Garden Island.

Jones Act waived for 60 days, tax and fee hikes loom in the Legislature, Blangiardi targets housing, affordability in State of the City address, new Kona low looms, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Trump orders Jones Act waiver amid Iran war.  The White House on Wednesday announced a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act.  The waiver, a rare exception to the century-old law, temporarily would allow foreign-flagged vessels to move ‌fuel, fertilizer and other goods between U.S. ports in hopes of curbing sharp price increases and supply disruptions from the intensifying conflict. Star-Advertiser.

‘Very Scary’ Stack Of Bills Seek To Boost Taxes On Lots Of Stuff In Hawaiʻi. A stack of bills under consideration by lawmakers would increase taxes or impose new levies on cars, liquor, real estate, capital gains and more. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi House Approves $10B State Budget That Prioritizes Essential Services. The budget now passes to the Senate which will continue fine-tuning the state’s spending priorities for the coming fiscal year. Civil Beat.

Lower DUI threshold draws mixed reviews. Hawaii lawmakers are considering lowering the state’s legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from 0.08 to 0.05. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers push new protections for kids online. Lawmakers at the Capitol are advancing new efforts to protect kids online – from artificial intelligence to social media. KHON2.

‘Left To Struggle’: Hawaiʻi Parents’ Long Wait For Paid Family Leave. Several bills over the years have been pared back to studies and advocates are impatient. But the state says it must get it right.  Civil Beat.

New storm poses threat across Hawaii. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii Island from 6 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Sunday, warning of widespread rain and potential flash flooding. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi targets housing, affordability. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s sixth State of the City address Wednesday evening focused on affordability, or lack thereof, for those who live and work on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Spreadsheet error inflated benefits of LNG by up to $1.2 billion, expert says. As Hawaii considers a proposal from Tokyo-based JERA Co. Inc. to build a liquefied natural gas-fueled power plant on Oahu, the state’s top energy official has acknowledged a spreadsheet error in a key LNG study, while stopping short of accepting independent experts’ claims that the mistake overstated projected benefits by as much as $1.2 billion. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaii Island

Second Hawaiʻi Police Officer Pleads No Contest In Evidence Tampering Case. Noah Serrao, a 29-year-old Hawaii Police Department officer, pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges of perjury, making a false sworn statement in official matters, and tampering with a government record. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Areas Reopen In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.  Some sections of the park reopened Wednesday morning, but other areas remain closed due to major storm and volcanic impacts. Big Island Video News.

Konawaena High will transition to distance learning during storm repairs. Hawai‘i Department of Education reported Tuesday evening, March 18, that the school will be closed March 23-27 to students to allow time for cleanup and repair work. School staff will use that week to prepare for distance learning. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui

Monthly cash payments could boost disaster survivors. A Maui nonprofit tries it out.  Some 69 households are enrolled in an experimental program sending Lahaina fire survivors cash for one year, an effort to stabilize some of the most at-risk during the island’s protracted recovery. Associated Press.

Maui Food Bank coordinates airlift of 2,000 pounds of food to Hāna. The Maui Food Bank is coordinating with the Maui Emergency Management Agency and Maui United Way to load helicopter flights to deliver 2,000 pounds of shelf-stable food to Hāna residents cut off by the recent “March Kona Low” storm system.  Maui Now.

‘Worst it’s ever been’: In Hāna, power and roads still limited days after storm. Three days after leaving the office when a Kona low storm knocked out the power at Hāna Health, Executive Director Cheryl Vasconcellos returned to work on Monday to face thousands of dollars worth of spoiled vaccines and damaged crops on the clinic’s 15-acre organic farm. Maui Now.

Historic Maui home to be demolished after Kona storm triggers partial collapse.  The historic Baldwin Home will need to be torn down and rebuilt after one of its stone walls collapsed after a recent Kona storm, days after stabilization work began. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Recent storms cause overflow, resulting in a wastewater spill of 70,000 gallons per day. An ongoing wastewater spill of about 70,000 gallons per day at the Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant remains confined within the facility and does not pose a risk to public health at this time, county officials say. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i County officials gather to bless water line improvements project in Hanalei. Contracted with Koga Engineering & Construction Inc., the $3.1 million project will upgrade the water main infrastructure to meet current water system standards, including existing fire flow requirements.  Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Family suing Kamehameha Schools gets death threats, Legislature mulls saving coconut palms as food source, rental car tax plans abound, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill aims to elevate status of Hawaii’s coconut trees. A bill that would recognize the coconut tree as a food and water source and cultural treasure is moving forward in the state Legislature. A coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation has reached a critical point, but so far the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity have recommended few natural remedies to deal with the beetle. Star-Advertiser.

The People Suing Kamehameha Schools Are Getting Death Threats. A white family suing Kamehameha Schools over its Native Hawaiian admissions policy wants to stay anonymous for the duration of the case over online death threats and fears that being named publicly could affect their careers. Civil Beat.

Two bills pending at the Legislature aim to help a California company launch payloads via rocket into space at low cost from a winged booster ship towed high into the sky by plane. The measures — one to let the firm sell up to $40 million in low-interest bonds and another to have the state help pay for building a high-tech hangar at Hilo International Airport — recently advanced after initial committee hearings. Star-Advertiser.

Measures could incentivize locally produced sustainable aviation fuel. House Bill 1694 creates a tax credit to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuel, a lower-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel. If the measure is adopted, distributors of sustainable aviation fuel could get up to $2 back per gallon of fuel sold in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Hawaii rental car tax proposed. A variety of bills are being considered this year to generate around $90 million in new tax revenue annually from the industry for the state’s general fund, or for Hawaiian homestead development, or for retroactive hazard pay for public school teachers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Bill seeks to facilitate more film productions on agricultural land. State lawmakers are moving along a measure meant to facilitate film production on agricultural land, though some film advocates worry it could add more bureaucracy to the process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Free Buses For Keiki? Supporters Hopeful After Statewide Bill Axed A proposal for statewide free transit died last week at the Legislature, but supporters still have hope for a proposal to make transit free for youth. Civil Beat.

Did Boat Salvage Law Save The State Money? Auditor Says No One Knows. The state’s boating division doesn’t do enough, a new report found, to recover costs from those responsible for stranded and grounded vessels. Civil Beat.

Oahu

OHA to study feasibility of Native Hawaiian cultural center. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced Sunday that it selected AEA Consulting to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed Native Hawaiian Cultural Center in Kaka‘ako Makai, launching what officials describe as a community-driven planning process for the long-discussed project. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial Developer Ousted As Manager of Downtown ‘Hell Hole’ Building. Chad Waters, founder of a downtown co-living space that became a squalid nightmare for residents is being removed as the property’s manager, marking the final days for the leading figure in a monthslong drama at the building one former resident dubbed a “hell hole.” Civil Beat.

Flash flooding forces evacuations with more wet weather ahead. Eight feet in 1-1/2 hours.That is how quickly Kaukonahua Stream rose to flood stage Saturday afternoon, causing the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management to evacuate roughly 80 residents from Otake Camp in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore. Hawaii News Now. Star -Advertiser.

Dole assures no Wahiawa Reservoir Dam breach after heavy rain. Dole Food Company said there was no breach of the Wahiawa Reservoir Dam after heavy rain and flash flood warnings prompted an evacuation order in the Haleiwa-Waialua area Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i County reduces vacancies by 100 positions in past year, but workforce still down 17%. But vacancies still are high, with 589 out of a workforce of 3,395. Big Island Now.

Reed Mahuna Sworn In As Hawaiʻi Police Chief. Mahuna was sworn in by Mayor Kimo Alameda during a private ceremony Friday in the Mayor’s office in Hilo. County officials say a larger, public swearing-in ceremony will take place on Friday, March 6. Big Island Video News.

Banyan Drive redevelopment bills advance in Legislature. Legislation to facilitate redevelopment of Hilo’s Banyan Drive — once an East Hawaii crown jewel, now a picture of dilapidation and disrepair — continues to move in both the state House and Senate, but not without contention. Tribune-Herald.

Waipiʻo Valley Road To Close For Geophysical Survey. The road will be closed to all traffic between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day from Tuesday, February 24 through Friday, February 27. Big Island Video News.

Maui

As demand for organic food rises, federal program to help local farmers transition is cut short. ‘Oko‘a Farms is one of 43 operations, including six on Maui, that is enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program in Hawai‘i. The five-year initiative that started under the Biden presidency was set to run through 2027. Maui Now.

As focus turns to Lahaina commercial rebuilds, owners face daunting challenges. As Lahaina commercial property owners navigate a daunting post-fire road to rebuilding, some are finding it so challenging that they’re not sure if they’ll be able to reconstruct at all. Hawaii Public Radio.

Planned new telescopes for Haleakala draw strong opposition. As the military moves forward on its plans to build as many as seven new telescopes on the summit of Haleakala, opposition to the project is mounting on Maui. Star-Advertiser.  Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kaua‘i Residents Worry 148-unit Housing Project Will ‘Kill’ Kōloa Town. The Garden Isle needs more housing but Kōloa residents worry the proposed project is too big, will harm the environment and won’t be within reach of community members. Civil Beat.

Hanapēpē bus stop closed due to damage. The Kauaʻi Bus announced that the bus stop in front of the Hanapēpē First United Church is closed until further notice due to damage. Kauai Now.

Tourist tax, minimum wage hikes among 13 new state laws, Honolulu faces big sewer rate hikes, bomb threat emailed to Oahu synagogue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

13 new Hawaii laws take effect Jan. 1, including tourist tax increase, minimum wage hike. Thirteen new Hawaii laws taking effect Jan. 1 will raise costs for tourists and uninsured drivers while expanding protections for families and consumers. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.  KHON2. 

Remembering Hawaiʻi’s Biggest Stories Of 2025. Economic worries, the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history and a chaotic tsunami evacuation kept residents on their toes in 2025. And those weren’t even the most important Hawaiʻi news stories of the year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi Is Doing Worse At Protecting Children, Based On A Sampling Of Cases. A recent report shows that in the last two years the child welfare system’s performance has fallen in nearly every category. The state says the numbers don’t reflect the overall health of the system. Civil Beat.

DBEDT says fewer visitors, but more spending. Total spending by visitors in November 2025 amounted to $1.77 billion (measured in nominal dollars), which is an increase of 15.9 percent when compared to November 2024, reported the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). Garden Island.

Oahu

New laws for Honolulu include start of huge increase in sewer fees. Originally adopted in June 2025 as Bill 60, the law — now called Ordinance 27 — will start with a 6% rate hike, followed by annual increases of 7.5%, 8.5%, 9%, 9%, 9%, and 9% over about 6.5 years. Star-Advertiser.

City seals failed sewer line after spill into Nuuanu Stream. Nearly 238,000 gallons leaked from corroded pipe near Nimitz Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Bomb threat emailed to Oahu synagogue prompts increased security, closure. An emailed bomb threat to the chaplain of a Jewish synagogue at Pearl Harbor triggered beefed-up security and the closure of another place of worship.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kona coast on Big Island becoming central spot for innovative coral reef restoration. Earlier this month, a team of scientific divers, snorkelers and boat crews carefully recovered and reattached 313 kūʻa (coral) colonies that had been broken or overturned in Kahuwai Bay in Kailua-Kona. Big Island Now.

East Hawaii men facing felony federal fireworks charges released on bond. The combined weight of the fireworks seized after authorities served search warrants on the residences of 52-year-old Darrel Goo of Keaau and 45-year Cy Tamura of Hilo in August was more than 37,000 pounds, according to the feds. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Homeless Hilo man accused of breaking windows of five downtown businesses. According to court documents filed by police, Wayland Kaili Leong Sr. told the arresting officer something to the effect of “yeah was me and I was having a bad day” when he was contacted near the Mooheau Bus Terminal. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui Council set for leadership reorganization on Jan. 5. Swearing-in ceremony for Kauanoe Batangan, special council meeting set for Monday. Kauanoe Batangan is expected to be sworn in on Maui County Council during a public ceremony at 8 a.m. Monday before a special council meeting at 9 a.m., according to Chair Alice L. Lee. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kaheawa Wind Farm seeks new lease amid concerns over endangered species. Kaheawa Wind Farm I near the mountain slopes of Maalaea is seeking a new lease to continue its operation on state land providing 30 megawatts of renewable energy for Maui.  Maui News.

Microtransit bus service proposed for some Maui routes. Maui County is considering replacing two of its fixed bus routes with on-demand, microtransit services. Both the Waiheʻe Villager Route 8 and the Kula Islander Route 39 have had low ridership in recent years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

New Kaua’i bus routes to connect Anahola and Waimea beginning Jan. 5. County officials said the new 900 and 950 routes will launch Monday, Jan. 5, running between Anahola and the Waimea Athletic Field. The routes will provide expanded access across Kauaʻi, with stops at Līhuʻe Airport in both directions. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi prepares for New Year’s Eve: Fireworks for sale, increased DUI enforcement. As the Garden Isle prepares for New Year’s Eve, fireworks are on sale, but Kauaʻi first responders are ramping up enforcement of illegal fireworks, as well as driving under the influence. Kauai Now.

Delinquent state taxpayers owe millions, Kamehameha Schools to go tuition-free, Kilauea marks anniversary with new eruptive episode, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Who Are Hawaiʻi’s Biggest Tax Delinquents? Search Here. A government database tracks who owes what in state taxes. Spoiler alert: Some owe millions. The list includes state legislators, government contractors, businesses and individuals. Civil Beat.

Domestic Abuse Allegations Prompt Democrats To Scuttle Legislative Nominee. The party has pulled back its nomination of Inam Rahman of Waipahu as one of three choices to fill a legislative vacancy. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green announces appointments to boards and commissions. Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday announced several appointments and reappointments to state boards and commissions, bringing experience in water resource management, ethics, agriculture and community development to state service. Maui Now.

Kamehameha Schools will no longer require tuition for preschool through Grade 12. Starting with the 2026-27 school year, Kamehameha preschools and K–12 campuses will no longer require tuition. The announcement was made in a message from the Board of Trustees and CEO of Kamehameha Schools. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Volunteers Oversee Hawaiʻi Charter Schools. The State Has Little Say Over Them. Volunteer boards oversee the academics and finances of Hawaiʻi charter schools. But the state has limited influence over who serves on those boards or how they hold schools accountable.  Civil Beat.

Baby boomers struggle with housing, food and health risks. Today’s Hawaii boomers — the youngest is 61 and the oldest 79 — primarily rely on fixed incomes such as Social Security. Star-Advertiser.

WWII Navy veteran Ira ‘Ike’ Schab, one of last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, dies at 105. World War II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab, one of the dwindling number of survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 105.  With his passing, there remain only about a dozen survivors of the surprise attack, which killed just over 2,400 troops and propelled the United States into the war.  Associated Press.

Proposed state budget reckons with lost federal funding. Gov. Josh Green's budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2026, focuses on investments in healthcare and social services. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

HART board revises closed-door meeting policy.  One member of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors has for years been disallowed from attending the rail agency’s most confidential, closed-door meetings. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

High Lava Fountains Mark Kīlauea Eruption Anniversary. Episode 39 fountaining began at about 8:10 pm HST on Tuesday evening, the anniversary of the current year-long summit eruption. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

South Kohala communities urged to reduce water use after months of dry conditions. According to Hawai‘i County’s Department of Water Supply, affected communities include Āhualoa to Waiemi Subdivision, as well as Honokaia, Puʻukapu, Nīnauele, Waimea Town, Lālāmilo Farm Lots, portions of Māna Road, parts of Māmalahoa Highway, Anekona Estates, and Kānehoa Subdivision. Affected customers are asked to reduce water use by at least 25%. Big Island Now.

Maui

Condo owners file lawsuit over Maui rentals law. Less than a week after its passage, a group of more than 40 Maui condo owners challenged the county’s new short-term rentals law, contending their property rights were violated with the requirement that they must convert their units into long-term housing. Star-Advertiser.

New electric buses set to roll out on Maui. (video only). Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i police make crack in homicide cold case of Amber Jackson. New developments in the 15-year-old murder cold case of Amber Jackson on Kaua‘i have led to the arrest warrant for a 57-year-old man who may now be on the Big Island. On Tuesday, the Kaua‘i Police Department issued a warrant for Gregory Glaser, who was initially identified as a person of interest in the death of Jackson, a resident of Kapa‘a. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Foreign ownership of Hawaii farmland spikes, Calvin Say ends long political career, Queen's nurses vote to strike, 3 dead, dozens injured in Oahu fireworks explosion, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

From Busboy To House Speaker: Longtime Hawaiʻi Lawmaker Calvin Say Retires. Say’s critics see him as emblematic of Hawaiʻi’s “old boys’” style of politics. He defends his cautious style as necessary to keep the state running smoothly. Civil Beat.

Foreign ownership of Hawaiʻiʻs farmland has spiked over the past five years from 166,000 acres to 278,000 acres — a 65% increase, most of it purchased by companies and investors from Canada — according to a USDA Farm Service Agency report released this month. Civil Beat.

New year begins with lower state taxes for all. The state Legislature in 2024 passed the first of what’s intended to be seven years of historic tax cuts designed to make Hawaii increasingly more affordable over the course of the cuts. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Has Been Arguing Over How To Tax Tourists For Generations. Gov. Josh Green’s push for tourists to help fund climate mitigation is just the latest round of a debate that goes back nearly a century. Civil Beat.

Did The Legislature Have Authority To Defer Pay Raises During the Pandemic? Two prominent members of the state Salary Commission question whether lawmakers violated the state constitution in 2021 and 2022. Civil Beat.

Here’s How A Second Trump Term May Impact Hawaiʻi Police. Police officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office after pledging to be tough on crime. Civil rights advocates are worried about criminal justice reform efforts. Civil Beat.

State moves forward with more cameras to crack down on red-light runners. Ten additional cameras planned for 2025.  A proposed list will be presented to state lawmakers for approval and a public information period will follow. Hawaii News Now.

New Hawaiʻi law seeks to protect domestic abuse survivors from excessive litigation. Abusive litigation is when an abusive partner files excessive, and often meritless, legal actions against their partner or former partner. Hawaii Public Radio.

HEI sells 90% of American Savings Bank to help pay for Maui fire settlement. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. has sold over 90% of its subsidiary American Savings Bank to independent investors in a transaction that will provide HEI with much-needed funds to help pay its share of the $4 billion Maui wildfire lawsuit settlement while also keeping Hawaii’s third-largest bank under local leadership. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

3 people dead, over 2 dozen wounded in Aliamanu fireworks explosion. Three women were killed and about two dozen people injured at an Aliamanu home when a “cake bomb” filled with illegal aerial fireworks set off massive explosions at 12:01 a.m. at a large New Year’s Eve party. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Inauguration ceremonies for mayor, Council to take place Thursday. Inauguration ceremonies for Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s second term and the incoming Honolulu City Council will take place separately Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Council salary cap, other laws take effect. New laws that go into effect with the new year include capping future Honolulu City Council raises at 5% annually, after the Council in 2023 was approved for a whopping 64% pay hike. Star-Advertiser.

Town hall meetings slated on proposed sewer fee hikes. A city-initiated measure that calls for a more than 124% increase to sewer fees for Honolulu’s average single-family residential customer over a 10-year period will be part of upcoming city-hosted town hall meetings in January. Star-Advertiser.

90% Queen’s Medical Center nurses vote in favor of strike. More than 1,900 nurses at The Queen’s Medical Center have voted in favor of a strike over unfair labor practices. KHON2.

Council OKs settlement in Portlock flooding lawsuit. Filed in 1st Circuit Court in November 2023, the lawsuit by plaintiffs Michael Sklarz and Jo Frasier claimed their residence at 158 Hanapepe Loop in the Portlock neighborhood of Hawaii Kai was severely damaged after “contaminated floodwater, wastewater, and debris” overflowed from a nearby storm drain onto their property and into their home. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island traffic fatalities nearly doubled in 2024, contributing to a statewide increase. Hawaiʻi County saw the second highest number of traffic-related fatalities with a total of 29 — a nearly 100% increase from 15 in 2023. Traffic-related crashes resulted in 102 fatalities statewide in 2024, which is a 10% increase from 93 fatalities last year, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Big Island Now.

Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Continues Into 2025. Eruptive activity has been confined to Halemaʻumaʻu with sustained lava fountaining. Big Island Video News. Garden Island.

Maui

Maui tourism rebounds in November 2024, visitor spending surpasses pre-wildfire levels: Maui visiors up more than 21% over November 2023. On Maui, there were 197,622 visitors in November, which was 21.6% higher than November 2023 (162,470), but still down 14.9% from November 2019 (232,330). Visitor spending increased to $435.7 million in November, compared to $378.2 million in November 2023 and $377.9 million in November 2019. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Endangered native birds hatch at Kauai Community College taro field. Six endangered alae ula, or the Hawaiian Moorhen, showed up at the loi a few months before December, and the chicks hatched in the loi in December. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Tax hikes sought on wealthy, smokers, hotel stays; bill paving way to remove Trump from ballot advances; state may sell naming rights to Convention Center, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Wants To Make Targeted Changes To Hawaii’s Tax Code. Will The Legislature Go For It? Gov. Josh Green is asking the Legislature for tax increases aimed at the ultra-wealthy and smokers along with his earlier proposals for income tax relief to help working families, but both requests may be a tough sell in this election year.  Civil Beat.

Proposed increase to Hawaiʻi's accommodations tax makes progress in the House. A measure that would increase the state’s vacation tax by 1% and apply an additional flat surcharge on accommodations per night is making its way through the Legislature. Hawaii Public Radio.

HTA seeks additional funds for destination management. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is still fighting for its life in the state Legislature but has come out swinging with a request to increase its budget by $9 million, add 14 more staff positions and raise salaries for its top executives. Star-Advertiser.

Bill advances that could remove Trump from Hawaii ballot.  A bill that could have far-reaching implications for the general election, may set up a process to bar former President Donald Trump from the ballot in Hawaii. KITV4.

Legislation to eliminate Hawaii’s tip credits deferred for vote again. Senate Bill 2784 has divided employees and employers over whether to pay tipped employees at least Hawaii’s minimum wage and has been deferred for a second time. Star-Advertiser.

Tenant screening fee law to protect renters set to go into effect. A new law regulating tenant screening fees, in an effort to protect renters and provide more transparency in the rental application process, will take effect May 1. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaii Department Of Education Is Nowhere Close To Meeting Its Mandate To Buy More Local Food. The Department of Education has blown past the deadline for a report intended to detail progress toward its mandated goal to buy more local food, delivering mixed messages to lawmakers about its progress in the meantime. Civil Beat.

Hawaii tourism outlook is flat amid challenges, economists say. The forecast for Hawaii tourism in 2024 is “same old”: a year of flat visitor arrivals, which aren’t even expected to recover to Hawaii’s benchmark 2019 level until after 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Bill aimed at targeting repeat violent offenders moves through legislature. A three strike rule aimed at locking up habitual offenders for felonies is moving through the legislature. KHON2.

Hawaii Could Join National Police Misconduct Database. If Only It Could Finally Get Its Police Standards Board To Work. A House bill would allow state law enforcement agencies to have more information on potential new hires. Civil Beat.

Bill exploring geothermal use on Hawaiian Home Lands passes first hearing. Senate Bill 2650 would set aside funds to continue the exploration of geothermal hot spots on lands overseen by DHHL.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

A bill at the state legislature proposes selling naming rights to Convention Center. Should Hawaii's Convention Center be allowed to sell advertising and marketing on and in the facility? That's what a Senate committee considered on Thursday.  KITV4.

$4.25 million in Waimanalo park upgrades is pending, city says.  A proposed $4.25 million improvement project to repair or replace Waimanalo Beach Park’s aging pavilion, comfort stations, recreation building and related facilities is the topic of a Feb. 21 community meeting, the city says. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Update On Two Maunakea Telescope Removal Projects.  The University is working on the termination of the CSO sublease, and is preparing for the removal of the Hōkū Keʻa teaching telescope.  Big Island Video News.

Public input sought on Papaaloa Park. Two years after the demolition of the Papaaloa Gym, residents are asked to weigh in on a plan to improve the park where the building once stood. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

DLNR: Uncle Billy’s demolition still on schedule. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says it expects to complete the demolition of the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel by November. Tribune-Herald.

Community gathers to dedicate Rockne Freitas Way.  Rockne Freitas may have been an all-pro NFL player for 11 years, but his legacy lives on as a great leader and visionary in higher education in Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Rebuilding Lahaina: An Oversight Board, A Dedicated Tax Stream, Even A Bank. Lawmakers are considering a number of bills that aim to play a role in the West Maui town's recovery after the Aug. 8 fires. Civil Beat.

School meals will be free for 6 Maui schools impacted by wildfires. Six Maui schools will provide free meals for all students for the remainder of the school year due to a federal food program aimed at serving students who attend schools in high-poverty areas. Hawaii News Now.

Maui welcomes Wall That Heals. The traveling three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is scheduled to be on continuous display at the stadium through Wednesday at 1 p.m. Admission is free.  Maui News.

Māla Tavern marks first business on Lahaina's Front Street to reopen after the fire. It’s lunchtime and Māla Ocean Tavern is packed with excited locals and tourists. You would never think from the inside that it’s just steps away from Lahaina’s burn zone. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lahainaluna football players, coaches serve as honorary coin toss captains at Super Bowl. It was a very special moment for four Lahainaluna High School football captains as they represented Lahaina and the entire state of Hawaii as honorary coin toss captains at Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Below-average rainfall recorded in January at the wettest location on Kaua‘i. During January, the lack of trade winds resulted in most of the normally “windward” gauges along the north- and east-facing slopes recording below-average monthly rainfall totals. Normally “leeward” gauges on the south- and west-facing slopes had mostly above-average rainfall totals. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi police urge community to take precautions against vehicle break-ins. With a recent surge in vehicle break-ins at the trailheads of popular hiking spots in the Kapa‘a and North Shore areas, the Kauaʻi Police Department is urging the public to take precautions to minimize the risk of being targeted by criminals. Kauai Now. Garden Island.

Preschool program ahead of schedule, under budget, tax collections take downturn, 5th Honolulu pleads guilty to taking bribes to expedite building permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘Just the beginning’: State ahead of schedule, under budget on ambitious Ready Keiki preschool program. The state on Wednesday signed the first 11 contracts for Ready Keiki preschool program at a cost of about half previous estimates. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii tax collections turned red in April. The state Council on Revenues at a Monday meeting projected that Hawaii tax collections for the fiscal year ending June 30 will slip 1%. Star-Advertiser.

State takes closer tax look at cash-based businesses. Some businesses may not report all their sales or income to the State Tax Department. That can be a problem for ones that deal mainly with cash. KITV4.

Hawaii housing units increase as population declines, census data reports. Hawaii’s housing shortage eased somewhat with the addition of 6,071 housing units from 2020 to 2022, with help from the state’s declining population, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Star-Advertiser.

Governor lists accomplishments, wish list at in-person town hall.  Nearly six months into his term, Gov. Josh Green wanted to use his first in-person town hall appearance to highlight the progress that’s been made since he took office. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Ex-city official pleads guilty to taking cash bribes. Jocelyn Godoy, the fifth city employee who took cash bribes to move plans through the city Department of Planning and Permitting entered a plea of guilty Wednesday as part of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Council revisits proposal to tax houses that sit empty on Oʻahu. Members of the Honolulu City Council’s recently assembled real property taxation working group met Tuesday to talk over proposals that could affect more than 130,000 island households. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu City Council to offer 50% property tax break to businesses impacted by rail construction. The rail is preparing to welcome riders for the grand opening of the first phase of the project in June, but construction along Dillingham Blvd. further down the line is still years from completion. KHON2.

Oʻahu Business Recovery Grant portal closes following short-lived reopening. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi and the City and County of Honolulu reopened the Oʻahu Business Recovery Grant portal on Monday, and closed it shortly after.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Despite accelerated timeline, military’s Red Hill plan doesn’t account for up to 400,000 gallons of fuel. The Department of Defense has released an ambitious timeline for defueling the underground Red Hill facility, saying that crews will begin emptying the tanks in October. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

A Rough-And-Tumble Oahu Park Is Finally Getting Some Love As Rail Opening Looms. Community input is helping resuscitate Makalapa Neighborhood Park. Civil Beat.

Kaneohe Bay Pollution Is Prompting Congressional Attention. Hawaii delegation wants to get money to upgrade a failing wastewater treatment plant. Marine Corps Base Hawaii needs to upgrade its aging wastewater treatment plant after being fined nearly $250,000 last year for discharging high levels of fecal bacteria into the popular bay. Civil Beat.

Humane Society to open second Oahu location. The Hawaiian Humane Society is opening its second facility — the Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili — on Saturday in Ewa Beach with a grand opening celebration. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Council kicks ag bills down the road. The future of a property tax break for farm owners is uncertain after Hawaii County Council members discussed Wednesday whether to scrap a bill that would overhaul the process. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Council gives favorable recommendation to new sustainability office.  A bill that would create a new cabinet-level Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience moved a step forward Tuesday with a favorable recommendation by the Hawaiʻi County Council’s Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County Police Department implements year-round recruitment for Police Officers. The decision to accept applications throughout the year aims to make it more convenient for aspiring police officers to join the force. Hawaii News Now.

Waipiʻo Valley Road Rockfall Work Set For May 22. County officials estimate Waipiʻo Valley Road will be temporarily closed from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday for approximately six weeks, as crews work to address potential rockfall hazards in the area. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Input sought on plan that calls for fewer air tours at Haleakala. The draft air tour management plan would authorize up to 2,412 air tours per year on a defined route within the air tour management plan planning area. On average, there were 4,824 air tours per year reported at Haleakala National Park from 2017 to 2019. Maui News.

Three new doctors join Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi on Maui, Oʻahu. Jennifer Villa, MD, joins the behavioral health department at Kaiser Permanente Maui Lani Medical Office. Maui Now.

Kauai

Seabird restoration project begins at critical Kaua‘i cultural site. Several governmental, cultural and conservationist groups have teamed up to restore seabird populations at Nu‘alolo Kai, one of Kaua‘i’s most significant cultural and historic sites. Garden Island.

Big bonuses for Hawaii health insurer HMSA amid worker layoffs, what still lives and dies entering Legislature's final week, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HMSA President and CEO Mark Mugiishi

HMSA execs saw big pandemic pay raises as workers lost their jobs. Executives at the Hawaii Medical Service Association, the state’s largest health insurer, received hefty pay raises and bonuses during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the company’s board voted to begin compensating itself for the first time in the nonprofit’s history, with its highest paid directors receiving about $100,000 annually beginning in 2022. Star-Advertiser.

Green Wanted Tax Relief, Housing and Action On Homelessness. Lawmakers Mostly Agreed. But the "green fee" to slap extra charges on tourists failed, and bills to change the state tax code turned out to be more modest than the governor proposed in January. Civil Beat.

Broad tax relief proposals nixed. Hawaii taxpayers can expect less generous tax relief than proposed earlier this year, under legislation positioned for final votes this week at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s Green Fee Proposal Dies At The Last Minute — Again. Hawaii lawmakers opted not to pass what would have been a novel visitor-impact fee during this year’s legislative session, despite broad support for the initiative by local environmental groups and polls showing that most state voters supported it. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Legislature slashes nearly all funding for proposed clean elections program. In a matter of days, Senate Bill 1543 — a bill to promote clean elections through public campaign financing — was transformed from a radical shift in Hawai‘i’s politics to a one-year pilot program to a dead bill with no explanation as to why it died. Garden Island.

Anti-vaping advocates win nine-year battle to tax vape products similar to tobacco. Anti-vaping advocates won a nine-year battle to tax vape products like tobacco — with a 70% surcharge. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless kauhale villages in Hawaii supported at Legislature. The Legislature has backed expanding Gov. Josh Green’s “kauhale” efforts to create permanent villages of tiny homes for homeless people across the islands, along with Hawaii’s first-ever effort to provide affordable rental units for teachers and other public school employees. Star-Advertiser.

Expanded Hawaii preschool subsidies clear major legislative hurdle. A bill to greatly expand access to preschool for Hawaii children by making more and larger state subsidies available, and by allowing families with children as young as 3 to apply, has passed its last major hurdle at the state Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Neighbor Island Hospitals Are Set To Receive ‘Drastically Needed’ Funding In New State Budget. Hawaii lawmakers are steering millions of dollars to facilities on the Big Island, Maui and Kauai for capital improvements. Civil Beat.

Food, agriculture bills appear to fail in final hearing. On the final day to get funding for bills that needed it, some popular food and agriculture bills that had made it through most of the legislative session gantlet didn’t get a hearing. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers Are Trying To Make It Safer For Children To Get To School. In response to more than 100 cases of traffic-related fatalities in 2022, many near schools, the Legislature is in the final steps to reestablish the Safe Routes to School Program as a new government initiative called the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. Civil Beat.

The Problem With Hawaii’s Secret Court Files. In confidential lawsuits, a select few can keep sometimes embarrassing legal disputes hush-hush in ways that experts say may violate the First Amendment. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s Cockfight Economy Is Worth Millions Of Dollars A Year. Prize-fighting chickens battle for six-figure purses while the sale and export of prize birds is a lucrative business. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council chair Tommy Waters offers budget insights. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s proposed $3.41 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2024 sees a $200 million increase over last year’s city budget, but Waters is questioning whether city officials, including members of the Council, should receive pay raises while thousands of city positions like the 390 unfilled spots on the police force remain vacant. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Blangiardi energized to pursue second term. Taking the oath of office in 2021, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi recently posted he's seeking a second term. KITV4.

Bleachers, no shade in revamped Aloha Stadium plan. Gov. Josh Green’s revamped effort to replace Aloha Stadium is betting that a private developer will help pay for more than an economy-class venue. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless man accused of $737K fraud in COVID-19 relief funds. A homeless man who allegedly founded a diabetes nonprofit, a web company and a crypto currency mining operation to fraudulently obtain $737,802 in Paycheck Protection Program funds and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds made his initial appearance in federal court Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Drag story hour at park went on as planned despite protest. Tensions flared on Saturday at a Keiki Community Fair at a public park that featured drag performers, but organizers say they considered the event a success despite the controversy. The event was organized by the nonprofit Family Promise of Hawaii, which has helped homeless families and children for almost two decades. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kona Coffee Farmers, ABC Stores Settle Labeling Lawsuit For $12 Million. The farmers alleged in early 2019 that more than 20 defendants — including MNS Ltd., which operates ABC Stores — were selling mislabelled ground coffee and beans, claiming they came from Kona.  Civil Beat.

Solemsaas out as HCC chancellor. Hawaii Community College Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas will be stepping down from her role following the spring 2023 semester, citing personal matters on Friday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Staffing shortages leading Big Island public defenders to withdraw from cases. There are 15 public defender positions on Hawai‘i Island — nine in Hilo and six in Kona — and four (26%) are vacant. Two each in Hilo and Kona. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking and blessing ceremony held for new Koloko Heights project. The Kaloko Heights Affordable Housing Project will feature 99 family units, including 58 3-bedroom units and 41 2-bedroom units, in addition to one 3-bedroom manager’s unit. The 10.75-acre site is located on the Kohala (north) side of Hina Lani Street, approximately 2.3 miles mauka (east) of Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

Document outlines solutions for Puna’s wastewater. In a draft environmental impact statement published last week, the county Department of Environmental Management explains that there are no wastewater collection or treatment facilities in the district, and there were an estimated 16,000 cesspools in the region discharging more than 8.5 million gallons of sewage daily in 2010. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Committee passes out county budget. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee passed out a $1.07 billion county budget on Thursday. Maui News.

Treatment of fuel spill area may begin in 2024.  It could be a year before treatment begins on the contaminated soil and cinder from an approximate 700-gallon diesel fuel leak at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex atop Haleakala.  Maui News.

One man dead following officer involved shooting on Molokaʻi. One man is dead after a confrontation with officers on Molokaʻi who were responding to a report of a Temporary Restraining Order violation on Sunday morning. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kauai

State might remove Wailua Dam Reservoir. The Wailua Reservoir Dam was built a century ago to provide water for a thriving sugar industry on Kauai. With the sugar plantations long gone and agriculture on the decline, the reservoir and dam — now run by the state — no longer serve their original purpose. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi utility cooperative’s new $8.5 million Anahola Service Center receives blessing. The facility replaces the Kapa‘a Service Center after more than 60 years of operations.  Kauai Now.

Tough opening quarter for home sales on Kaua‘i. Single-family home sales on Kaua‘i moved at a molasses-like pace in the first quarter of the calendar year, as evidenced by a more than 55 percent drop in transactions when compared with the same period a year ago. Garden Island.

Tax breaks, legal pot, abortion rights, transparency bills advance as Legislature reaches midpoint, Supreme Court rules taxpayers not liable for Kealoha legal fees, Kilauea eruption pauses, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tax Breaks, Legal Pot, Abortion Rights Get The Green Light At The Hawaii Legislature — So Far. House and Senate lawmakers voted Tuesday to advance an array of tax breaks for hard-pressed, low-income Hawaii residents, but left many of the difficult details for later. Civil Beat. Garden Island.

Hawaii’s Budget May Be Smaller Than Expected This Year, Council Says. Hawaii is likely to collect about $328 million less in revenue than previously anticipated during this fiscal year, the Council on Revenues said Tuesday.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Senate passes abortion protections bill. Advocates of a woman’s right to an abortion celebrated Tuesday’s passage of a state Senate bill protecting health care workers who perform abortions across the islands, including procedures performed on women coming in from out of state. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Legalized adult recreational marijuana bill passes Senate. A bill that would legalize adult recreational use of cannabis in Hawaii passed its final state Senate floor vote Tuesday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

GET bill clears state Senate. The state Senate voted 25-0 to pass Senate Bill 1035, which would exempt medical providers treating Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE patients from the state’s general excise tax. Tribune-Herald.

Some essential workers push for their own collective bargaining groups at the Legislature. The state has always been leery of the creation of new collective bargaining units for public employees, and with four measures up at the state Legislature this session, those decisions are at the table again. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers consider boosting wages for childcare providers amid critical shortage. Underpaid early childhood education providers are abandoning the profession at an alarming rate in what experts call a red flag for the economy. Hawaii News Now.

Voters Support Nearshore Water Protection Despite State Scrapping 30×30 Goal, Polling Finds. Four out of five voters are supportive of stricter fishing regulations, according to a poll commissioned by The Nature Conservancy. A recent poll commissioned by conservation groups found Hawaii’s voters support more protective measures for nearshore waters, despite the Department of Land and Natural Resources recently scrapping the “30×30” marine management goal in response to what it said were community concerns. Civil Beat.

Thousands Of Hawaii ID Cards Were Misprinted In February, State DOT Says. The state Department of Transportation announced in a press release Monday that it discovered an error on licenses and ID cards. The “Hawaii” text in the top left corner was misprinted due to hardware used by the state’s license vendor. The misprinted cards show “Hawaii” in plain sans-serif typeface instead of a script typeface. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.  Garden Island.

Oahu

Ex-HPD chief not entitled to city-funded attorney, high court finds. The state Supreme Court has reversed a decision that Louis Kealoha was entitled to taxpayer-funded legal representation while on trial for the scandal he was involved in as chief of the Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Medical Examiner backlog of reports causing death certificate delays. The Honolulu Medical Examiner is working on an 877 report backlog dating back three years ago and 400 reports have been completed so far. KHON2.

Kakaako Makai bill is rejected again. A bid by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs to permit residential development on land it owns in Kakaako Makai has been blocked at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

$600 A Month In Kakaako Gets Seniors Mold, Shocks And The Smell Of Death. Maintenance problems at a state-owned apartment building for seniors underscore another challenge in providing affordable housing. Civil Beat.

Housing project for formerly incarcerated women opens. Mohala Mai, meaning to “blossom forth,” is Oahu’s first permanent, supportive housing project for formerly incarcerated women. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Ex-athletic director allegedly used nonprofit to pay bills. A 2021 investigation by Mililani High School officials into allegations of theft from the athletic booster club revealed that then-athletic director Glenn S. Nitta Opens in a new tab allegedly used the nonprofit’s money to pay $364,709 for personal expenses, including gambling in Las Vegas; business, car and student loans; credit cards; and a Chinese dinner on New Year’s Eve. Star-Advertiser.

Plans to convert sports courts on Oahu for pickleball receives pushback. In order to add nearly 70 pickleball courts to Oahu, the city says it plans to convert some tennis courts, like the ones at Kilauea District Park, to make room for the pickleball courts, but some are saying it will have a negative impact on children. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea volcano activity pauses after 61 days.  Lava is no longer flowing on the Halemaumau Crater’s floor, where all recent eruptive activity has been confined, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Tax relief measure aimed at helping farmers advances. The measure would modify the county’s tax code to allow agricultural properties with residences built on them to qualify for the county’s homeowner tax exemption. Tribune-Herald.

Cockfight in Kona: New info revealed. Hawaii Island revealed more information Tuesday about a cockfight Saturday in South Kona that drew an estimated 800 to 1,000 people to the illegal event. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Couple sues Maui snorkeling firm after being left behind. A Hayward, Calif., couple is suing a Maui snorkeling operator, along with the boat captain and other unnamed defendants, for abandoning them in waters off Lanai while on a snorkelng tour during their 2021 honeymoon. Star-Advertiser.

Speed limit reduction along Kaʻahumanu Avenue takes effect March 22. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies Maui motorists of a speed limit change on Kaʻahumanu Avenue (Route 32) between Kainani Street/Lunalilo Street and Mile Marker 1.96 (vicinity of Mile Marker 2). The speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph in both directions. Maui Now.

Larry Ellison’s Company Helps Hawaii Find Housing For Key Mental Health Hire. A state mental health agency has filled a key position on Lanai, restoring in-person social services to patients with severe psychiatric conditions amid a housing crisis that had forced two prior applicants to pull out of the job because they could not find an affordable place to live.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i North Shore schools top list of religious vaccine exemptions. Students on the North Shore of Kaua‘i are among the most likely in Hawai‘i to opt out of routine vaccinations for religious reasons, data from the state Department of Education shows. Garden Island.

Dangerous waves up to 40 feet on the way to Kauaʻi, Niʻihau starting Wednesday morning. The forecast is for dangerously large breaking waves building to 30 to 40 feet along north-facing shores and waves of 20 to 30 feet along west-facing shores of Niʻihau and Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.