Plane fares climb in war aftermath, Honolulu City Council opponent pushes to declare Waters ineligible, Big Island medical marijuana card holders won't be disqualified for gun permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Fuel-price shock hits Hawaii as Iran strikes push fares higher.  Hawaii’s visitor industry is absorbing a new round of fuel-driven shocks as oil prices climb following President Donald Trump’s latest bombing campaign in Iran — a shift that is pushing airfares higher just as summer travel demand had begun to stabilize. Star-Advertiser.

Upgrade or eyesore? Locals react to the new Hawaiʻi driver’s license. It’s the first major change to the design in 17 years, and it includes 50 new security features to prevent identity theft. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Ozawa presses for ruling in suit over Council term. Honolulu City Council candidate Trevor Ozawa is asking a state judge to declare Council Chair Tommy Waters ineligible to seek a third consecutive term representing East Honolulu’s District 4, arguing the City Charter bars him from running again. Star-Advertiser.

Concrete issues at Civic Center parking lot causes concerns, forces closures of stalls. Work is underway to fix issues at the Honolulu Civic Center parking structure. But some said the improvement can’t come soon enough, as concrete has already fallen and damaged cars. KHON2.

Filipino dignitaries embrace hospitality amid outside protests. Aboard the Philippine navy ship BRP Miguel Malvar on Wednesday night, prominent members of Honolulu’s Filipino community rubbed shoulders with military personnel and diplomats as they wined and dined on its deck as it sat docked in Pearl Harbor before it and its crew set sail to join other warships participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise. Star-Advertiser.

DOH fines Pearl City tow company over $400K for alleged violations. The Hawaii Department of Health has ordered a Pearl City towing company to cease operations and fined it more than $200,000 for allegedly failing to properly store and remove solid waste from its site. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Police shut down three gambling operations in one building in Moili’ili on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. Officials recovered 57 gaming machines, more than $12,000 in cash and illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. No arrests have been made at this time. KITV4.

3 candidates to be considered for District 18 seat. The Democratic Party of Hawaii selected three nominees to fill the vacant Senate District 18 seat, serving Central Oahu, Mililani, Waipio and Waipahu, after Sen. Michelle Kidani’s retirement. The party announced Thursday that Sechyi Laiu, Beth K Fukumoto, and Danielle Bass were submitted for selection to fill the seat. Hawaii News Now.

Firebreaks And Landfills: State Senate District 20 Candidate Q&As. Three GOP candidates are running in the primary for a Senate seat in West Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

Pedestrian Safety And School Lunches: State House District 21 Candidate Q&As. Incumbent’s run for Senate opens up opportunity to represent vibrant urban and hillside communities. Civil Beat.

Tax Burdens And Emergency Hubs: State House District 29 Candidate Q&As. Partisan contest lining up for the urban Honolulu seat. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

HPD changes its stance on medical marijuana cards and guns. The chief of the Hawaii Police Department confirmed in a recent letter that people who possess a medical marijuana permit will no longer be categorically disqualified from legally possessing firearms. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority’s first executive director announces retirement. The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority Board on Thursday accepted the retirement of Executive Director John De Fries, effective July 31. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Paid parking lot operators on Hawai‘i Island will be required to post rates. After a bill to cap paid parking in the Historic Kailua Village failed to move forward, Hawai‘i County Council Member Rebecca Villegas is addressing what she describes as predatory practices in other ways. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island lawmakers share priorities, concerns at town hall. Three state lawmakers outlined priorities and Puna community members voiced concerns at a June 28 town hall in the Keaau Armory, with the overarching issue being the state’s budget and its effect on one of Hawaii’s most impoverished areas. Tribune-Herald.

Palm-Killing Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle’s Discovery In Hilo Stokes Fear. The Hilo community has been crying out for better protections from the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Maui Council committee advances bills rezoning dozens of Kīhei, West Maui apartment complexes as hotels. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee voted 6-2 Monday to forward two resolutions that would begin the process of moving dozens of vacation rentals from apartment-zoned districts into newly created hotel zoning. Maui Now.

Park Maui to launch July 15 at Kamaole Beach Parks I and III. Standard rates for nonresidents will be $10 for daily parking, $50 for a weekly pass and $150 for a monthly pass. Parking will remain free seven days a week at all Park Maui beach parking areas for residents with a Hawaii driver’s license. Maui News.

Protest Delays National Park Service’s Reopening Of Kalaupapa Tours. Protesters, including a Maui Council member, blocked the entrance to the historical park’s trailhead on Thursday morning. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kīlauea community says it has ‘lost trust’ in Kauaʻi police after lack of action resulted in deadly shooting. New Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai and members of the criminal justice system attended a public meeting Tuesday to explain their actions and hear concerns involving a homicide, attempted homicide and 2-day manhunt of William "Billy" Sinclair. Kauai Now.

New comfort station at Ha‘ena state park a community-led effort. Relief has arrived for visitors to Ha‘ena State Park in the form of a new comfort station at the entrance parking lot.  Garden Island.

No swimming advised at Hanalei Bay due to heavy runoff, brown water. Kaua‘i County’s Ocean Safety Bureau is advising no swimming or other ocean activities at Hanalei Bay due to heavy runoff and brown water. Kauai Now. KITV4. 

State labor force hits 6-year high as hospitality industry rebounds, Hawaii DOE hires largest cohort of foreign teachers, 1st in nation savings accounts for foster children, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s labor force hits 6-year high; unemployment rate increases to 2.5%. An influx of 1,400 nonfarm payroll jobs in Hawaii’s leisure and hospitality industry in May helped boost the local economy by 1,900 positions for the month as the state’s labor force reached its highest level in more than six years. Star-Advertiser.

Wespac Stacks Seats With Fishing Industry Players As Marine Protections Erode. The Hawai‘i Longline Association’s Eric Kingma and Roger Dang will join the fisheries management council next month. As the Trump administration works to open commercial fishing to U.S. fleets across the Pacific, some of its strongest allies in that push will soon fill open seats on the influential council that oversees fishing grounds around Hawaiʻi and the Western Pacific. Civil Beat.

Lost reef recreation because of climate change could cost Hawaiʻi up to $3 billion by beginning of next century. A new study finds coral reef decline driven by climate change could cost Hawaiʻi residents between $1.8 billion and $3 billion in lost reef-related activities by 2100. Big Island Now.

Hawaii fast-tracks pilot recruiting efforts as aviator shortage looms. Hawaii’s aviation industry is accelerating efforts to rebuild its pilot pipeline, turning to youth training programs and new community partnerships as retirements mount and global demand for cockpit­-ready talent continues to rise. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOE welcomes largest cohort of foreign teachers. Hawaii public schools will begin the upcoming academic year with a record 237 new J-1 visa teachers, bringing the state’s total number of international educators in the program to more than 600 as the state Department of Education credits overseas recruitment with helping reduce teacher vacancies to fewer than 100 statewide. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Gov. Green announces first-in-the-nation savings accounts for foster youth. Gov. Josh Green announced that Hawaiʻi is becoming the first state in the nation to ensure every eligible child in foster care, from newborn through age 17, has a funded, tax-advantaged savings and investment account.  Maui Now.

Grassroot Institute Aims To Keep Growing Its Political Influence. Now in its 25th year, the nonprofit policy research organization wants to play a larger role in influencing state and county governance. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Transportation Barriers Block The Route To Opportunities For Many On Oʻahu, Study Finds. On the same day a study was released calling for more accessible public transportation, fares for TheBus were hiked. Civil Beat.

Honolulu sees improvement in pedestrian safety, national report finds. In a recently released national pedestrian safety report, urban Honolulu ranked among the safer major metropolitan areas, even as pedestrian fatalities remain a persistent challenge locally and nationwide. Star-Advertiser.

Dole Food Co. sells Hawaii’s largest cacao farm. Dole Food Co. has exited the chocolate business in Hawaii after pioneering large-scale farming of cacao on former sugarcane fields in Waialua. Star-Advertiser.

Chinatown, Sewers And Public Safety: State House District 28 Candidate Q&As. Five Democrats are on the primary election ballot to represent urban and industrial Honolulu neighborhoods. Civil Beat.

Hawaii veterans reflect on their service, America’s role in the world. Sterling Kanoa Beair served as an Army combat medic in Iraq. He excelled in the military, attaining the rank of staff sergeant and earning accolades from his comrades and superiors. But he also carried demons from his wartime experiences as he struggled to reintegrate into civilian life, wrestling with post-traumatic stress and substance abuse, eventually finding himself homeless and living in a tent near Kaena Point. Star-Advertiser.

Emergency flood mitigation work to begin in Waianae. State transportation crews are beginning emergency flood mitigation work along Paakea Road in Waianae after recent heavy rains highlighted ongoing flooding concerns in the area. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Paid parking lots debate continues. The Hawaii County Windward Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to defer consideration of a bill banning new paid parking lots on the island after hearing input from the planning director and co-author of the measure. Tribune-Herald.

A new state-led vision for Hilo’s Banyan Drive resort district is in the works. Hawaii’s Legislature this year laid a foundation to turn most of the Waiakea Peninsula, including two blighted hotel sites, into a blank canvas for a state agency to plan new development that could include hotels, retail, park space, a cultural center and a performance venue larger than the nearby Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-­Purpose Stadium that hosts the annual Merrie Monarch Festival. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Court Clears The Way For $81M Affordable Rental Project In Kona. The Honuaʻula project was delayed for years by a Big Island affordable housing scandal and then by a dispute with a neighboring land owner. Civil Beat.

Queen’s Health Systems plans its first employee housing at new Kailua-Kona hospital. In the next five years, Hawaiʻi's largest health system will build 150 below-market-rate residential units on Hawaiʻi Island, on the campus of a planned new hospital in Kailua-Kona. They're being built for a specific group: hospital employees. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH lab gives sweet potato farmers a leg up on the Hamakua Coast. A University of Hawaii at Manoa lab, located at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience facility in Hilo, has been working to tackle threats from numerous diseases by identifying and distributing “clean,” disease-free plants to local farmers. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Exemption path opens for Maui vacation rental phaseout. Owners of a few thousand condominiums on Maui long approved for vacation rental use have a new opportunity to sidestep an approaching ban intended to increase the supply of housing for residents after losses in the 2023 wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Maui County’s fringe mayoral candidates add unique ideas, opinions, entertainment to race. Anyone who thinks local candidate forums are boring did not attend the Kīhei Community Association’s event on June 16 featuring nine of the 10 people running for mayor of Maui County. Maui Now.

Outdoor marketplace aims to bring business back to Front Street in Lahaina. Plans for a new outdoor marketplace on Front Street in Lahaina are bringing hope to local business owners as Maui County officials and nonprofit partners look to revive commercial activity lost in the 2023 wildfire. Maui News.

Study: Maui among areas facing early reef recreation losses. Leeward Maui is among the areas expected to see the earliest and most severe recreational losses from climate-driven coral reef decline, according to a new study that estimates Hawaii residents could lose between $1.8 billion and $3 billion in reef-related recreation by 2100. Maui News.

Kauai

A New Era for West Kaua‘i’s Agriculture? After decades of being dominated by large seed operations, the state Agribusiness Development Corp.’s Kekaha lands are slowly moving towards increased local food production. Civil Beat.

State hires contractor for Battle of Hanapepe memorial. The state has selected a contractor to build a monument to remember the 1924 Battle of Hanapepe, which was instrumental in shaping Hawaii’s labor rights. Hawaii News Now.

Commercial aquarium harvesting rules proposed, another raise planned for Honolulu officials, police use pepper spray at middle school, double-digit rise in tourism, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Aquarium fishing considered; 2 public meetings to be held this week. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources is holding a pair of public meetings as part of what it is calling a “holomua project” on a proposed set of rules that could lead to the return of harvesting fish in West Hawaii for saltwater aquariums worldwide. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii tourism arrivals, spending climb, but challenges loom. Visitor spending in Hawaii rose at a double-digit pace in February, up 10.3% from a year earlier to $1.91 billion, unadjusted for inflation, according to preliminary data released Monday by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Total visitor arrivals also increased, up 3.6% to an estimated 787,024 visitors during the month. Star-Advertiser.

From farms to produce vendors, Kona low impacts widespread. It’s uncertain what the overall loss will be, but a joint state House and Senate briefing scheduled for Wednesday at the state Capitol will hear early damage estimates, along with “the urgent needs of farmers and ranches,” according to an announcement of the briefing. Star-Advertiser.

State could have to do more outreach on disaster preparation. Hawaiʻi lawmakers could require the state to do more public outreach on how to prepare for major disasters. Hawaii Public Radio.

Affordable housing bills still alive in the Legislature. Attorney Scott Settle joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss affordable housing bills including the usual mix of subsidies, permitting reforms, and land use changes, a new idea (housing infrastructure growth bonds) which would allow counties to borrow against future property tax revenue and require a Constitutional amendment, tradeoffs involved in perpetual restrictions to make housing more available and affordable for locals, and notable bills that did not pass this legislative session. KHON2.

Bill to extract more taxes from rental car industry stalls. The last of six bills introduced this year proposing to apply the retail general excise tax on wholesale vehicle purchases by car rental companies was deferred last week after a contentious public hearing. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools lawsuit plaintiffs seek anonymity amid death threats. A mother and daughter suing Kamehameha Schools over its admissions policy want to remain anonymous because of death threats to their lawyers. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Another Raise For Honolulu Politicians? Salary Group Says Yes. If approved, it would be the third raise in three years for top city officials.  Civil Beat.

Council proposes defunding city’s Office of Economic Revitalization. A city agency tasked with leading Oahu’s economic development may see much of its funding cut and a majority of its positions slashed following a budgetary proposal by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Police Use Of Pepper Spray At Hawaiʻi School Boosts Calls For Counselors. Some community members say the incident at a Kapolei Middle School underscores the need for behavioral health staff at the state’s public schools. Civil Beat.

Flooding shuts down Hokulani Elementary through the end of the school year.  One week after rapid floods destroyed their classrooms, Hokulani Elementary School students are getting ready to move to different schools. KITV4.

Central Oahu park to be storm waste site for at least another month. A couple hundred tons of storm debris has been moved from Oahu’s North Shore to Central Oahu Regional Park in the days since the floods. Hawaii News Now.

Cleanup continues on Oahu’s North Shore, 23 homes ‘lost entirely’ .  Folks on the North Shore of Oahu are still clearing out the mess caused by back-to-back storms. KHON2.
 
Hawaii Island

ʻŌhiʻa Restrictions Remain In Effect As Merrie Monarch Festival Nears. A restriction remains in effect on the transport of ʻōhiʻa from Hawai‘i Island, state officials say, as travelers prepare to attending the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo next week. Big Island Video News.

Tamashiro Market to close April 30 after over 80 years. After more than eight dec­ades serving fresh fish and building a fiercely loyal customer base in Kalihi, Tamashiro Market will close its doors April 30, bringing an end to a family business rooted in immigration, resilience and community. Star-Advertiser.

April’s monthly emergency siren test aligns with 80th anniversary of deadly tsunami to Hawaiian Islands. The upcoming monthly statewide all-hazard siren system test aligns with the 80th anniversary of the devastating 1946 tsunami that struck the Hawaiian Islands, leading to the tragic loss of over 100 lives, according to a news release from Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency. Big Island Now.

Maui

Groundbreaking held for Olowalu Fire Station, additional funding needed for completion. Maui Fire Department Chief Bradford Ventura said that adding a third fire station on the west side is not only a benefit to the community but also to the safety of firefighters.  Maui Now.

Construction Industry of Maui invests $44,000 in UH Maui College trades program. The Construction Industry of Maui is doubling down on the island’s future, announcing a $44,000 donation to University of Hawai‘i Maui College to fund 12 scholarships for students in the construction vocational program. Maui Now.

Kauai

Rudy Tai officially assumes KPD command. The Kauai Police Department held a Change of Command ceremony Monday to mark the official transition of leadership from outgoing Interim Police Chief Elliott Kalani Ke to incoming Police Chief Rudy Tai.  Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Kauaʻi County Council hears support, concerns about Santos, an appointee to Planning Commission. The Kaua‘i County Council on Wednesday began considering Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami’s appointment of Ku‘uleialoha Santos to the seven-member Planning Commission, with some community members voicing strong support, highlighting her experience, while others had concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Kauai Now.

‘Pretty Unusual’: Big Changes Are Possible At The Kauaʻi County Council. With four open seats, this election presents a chance for better gender and geographic diversity. Civil Beat.

Community meetings scheduled to discuss proposed water rate increases in Kaua‘i County. The Kauaʻi Department of Water is hosting a series of community meetings to discuss capital infrastructure needs and associated proposed water rate increases. Kauai Now.

Commercial fishing reopened in Pacific national marine monuments, Kauai tour helicopter crash kills 3, statewide regular gas price average now $5.33, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Final action taken on commercial fishing access in Pacific Marine National Monuments. After a full discussion and hearing approximately 70 written and oral public comments at its recent meeting, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council took final action to restore commercial fishing in parts of the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments. Maui Now.

Gas prices surge 93 cents statewide in March: AAA Hawaii. Hawaii gas prices continued to rise in March — a total increase of 93 cents from last month, according to the American Automobile Association Hawaii. The statewide average for regular is $5.33, AAA said as of March 26. KHON2.

Bill to levy GET on rental car companies stalls at the Legislature. State senators took up House Bill 2575 that would require car rental companies to pay a 4.5% tax, based on the general excise tax, on imported or purchased cars — a steep hike up from the 0.5% rate companies currently pay. Hawaii Public Radio.

State budget may need to adjust for storm recovery as governor seeks FEMA funds. The first damage assessment to understand the full impacts of the storms is expected within the next several days. Gov. Josh Green estimated it will likely be over a billion dollars. This comes as state lawmakers are more than halfway through the budgeting process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s Corals Were Struggling To Survive. Then Came The Mud Floods. Coral reefs already face a litany of threats. Experts say storm runoff from the recent Kona lows will only make matters worse. Civil Beat.

Recent Rains Decrease Drought Across Hawaiʻi. As farmers recover from devastating floods and historic rainfall, drought-stricken areas are soaking in the moisture. Civil Beat.

Health Safety Guidance Issued For Hawaiʻi Flooding Cleanup. The Hawai‘i Department of Health is urging residents to take precautions during cleanup and recovery efforts. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

Council advances measure to enhance TOD communities. Private builders who seek zoning incentives like density and height bonuses or financial incentives like monetary grants from the city to construct transit- oriented development projects near Skyline stations will first need to give more back to surrounding communities, new city-initiated legislation dictates. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Wants Next Police Chief To Be Anti-ICE, Pro-Transparency. As the Honolulu Police Commission prepares to select a new police chief by the end of May, residents are making clear what they want: someone who is transparent, communicative and refuses to cooperate with ICE. Civil Beat.

Storm debris at Central Oahu Regional Park grows to over 5,200 tons.  Debris left from the destructive Kona-low storm that hit Oahu’s North Shore especially hard late last week continued to pile up in rows Thursday that varied in height from 6 to 12 feet in a section of Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipio. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii National Guard helps with debris removal. Teams of National Guard troops were on the North Shore on March 20 as floodwaters rose, but say they were spread thin and overwhelmed by the severity of the storm. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu North Shore businesses struggle with flood damage, visitors staying away. Although most of Haleiwa town has been spared the most serious flood damage, spring break business has plummeted with visitors staying away. Hawaii News Now.

State collects 300+ firearms at buyback event. Of the 303 firearms turned in, officials said 17 were assault rifles, nine were ghost guns, and two were stolen guns. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Progress made on Banyan Drive redevelopment bill. Hilo’s state lawmakers, all Democrats, are in agreement that Banyan Drive needs to be redeveloped — and it appears that differences in approaches are to be ironed out when a bill reaches a House-Senate conference committee. Tribune-Herald.

Largest survey of exoplanets with Mauna Kea observatory confirms new spin on planet formation. The largest survey of exoplanets using an observatory atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island confirms a long-predicted relationship between planetary mass and rotation — putting a new spin on planet formation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Economist warns council of vulnerable economy ahead of budget deliberations. University of Hawaiʻi economist Carl Bonham warned Maui County Council members Wednesday that a stagnant job market and a precarious reliance on wealthy tourists leave the county vulnerable as it begins annual budget deliberations. Maui Now.

Target Maui reopens March 30; Donates $25K to Maui Food Bank after historic floods. After closing due to flooding from the kona low storm, Target’s Maui store in Kahului is set to reopen Monday, March 30, as recovery efforts continue across the island. Maui Now.

Kauai

3 dead, 2 injured in tour helicopter crash on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Three people are dead and two injured after a tour helicopter crashed off Kalalau Beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Thursday afternoon, county officials said. This is the second fatal tour helicopter crash off the Na Pali Coast in less than two years. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Garden Island. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. KHON2.

Hawaii airports to remain open amid partial government shutdown, 13 public schools close for storm repairs, backroom dealing alleged in Oahu power plant case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii airports remain open amid partial government shutdown. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is reassuring the public that all Hawaii airports are being staffed and remain operational amid the partial government shutdown. HDOT says they are aware of national news stories reporting that small airports nationwide may close or pause operations due to the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and funding of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii braces for higher travel costs. Surging global fuel prices — driven by escalating conflict involving Iran and continuing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz — are emerging as a new threat to Hawaii’s airline-dependent travel industry, raising the risk of higher airfares, reduced service, and renewed pressure on the state’s fragile tourism recovery. Star-Advertiser.

13 Oahu, Big Island and Molokai schools to close due to storm-related damage. Thirteen public schools on Oahu, Hawaii island and Molokai will be closed Monday or for the week for storm-related damage assessments, cleanup and repairs, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.  KITV4. 

State launches guides to help understand flood insurance. On Sunday, the Hawaii Insurance Division said it created a Post-Disaster Insurance Claims Guide along with an instructional video on how to file a claim. Hawaii News Now.

Upgrade delayed for Hawaiian history archives. As Hawaii lawmakers weigh years of deferred maintenance across the Capitol district, the State Archives faces an unclear path forward after Senate Bill 2916 — meant to fund planning toward a new facility — appears dead this legislative session. Star-Advertiser.

Bill would grant overdue diplomas to certain veterans. State lawmakers on Thursday advanced Senate Bill 2614, which would allow the state Department of Education to award diplomas to certain veterans who served in the three wars. The bill offers no estimate of how many left high school to fight. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

‘Backroom deal’ meddling alleged in power plant case. Mark Glick, head of the Hawaii State Energy Office, is being accused of meddling in a quasi-judicial proceeding on an Oahu renewable- energy project in favor of an alternative power project proposal announced Tuesday by the governor. Star-Advertiser.

Is Hawaiʻi's corporate power shifting off island? In the past few months, two locally founded companies underwent changes that have altered their relationship to Hawaiʻi by shifting C-suite decision-making toward the continent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Neighborhood Parking Limits Off To Choppy Start In Kalihi Valley. Residents in this Honolulu neighborhood clamored for parking restrictions. Now they’ve got mixed feelings about it. Civil Beat.

City to conduct emergency storm debris pickup in North Shore. The city’s Department of Environmental Services said crews will be deployed to the North Shore starting Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Mud, Mud And More Mud: Residents Of Oʻahu’s North Shore Start To Dig Out. Residents of Haleʻiwa and Waialua were allowed over the weekend to return to their neighborhoods, flooded in the second of two powerful Kona lows. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Flood-ravaged Otake Camp leans on volunteers as residents face housing struggles. As excavators lifted waterlogged furniture from gutted homes and volunteers shoveled thick mud under a blazing sun, residents of Otake Camp were left to pick up the pieces after devastating flooding from the second Kona-low storm — many without clear answers from property owners or government agencies. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

More pushback on county housing plan. A resolution to allow leases of six county-owned residential properties to nonprofits to provide “long-term permanent housing for underserved populations who face significant barriers to secure, safe and affordable housing” was shelved for a second time last week by the County Council Finance Committee. Tribune-Herald.

Council votes to expand ‘no parking’ area near Kahalu‘u Beach Park. The Hawaii County Council voted unanimously Wednesday to expand “no parking any time” zones along Ali‘i Drive fronting Kahalu‘u Beach Park in an effort to protect beach-goers from passing cars. Tribune-Herald.

County hosts animal control summit. About 100 people representing Hawaii County departments and community organizations participated in the first Animal Control and Protection Summit held Feb. 27 at the Kahilu Town Hall in Waimea. Their input will be used t o develop a strategic plan for the new Animal Control and Protection Agency.  Tribune-Herald.

$107M Lava buyout program winds down, helping many impacted by 2018 eruption in Puna move on. The final batch of Puna residents who opted to sell their properties affected by the 2018 Kilauea eruption to Hawaii County should be getting paid out by this summer. Tribune-Herald.

Kona low devastates 176-year-old coffee farm on Big Island. Greenwell Farms on Hawai‘i Island has been producing coffee for 176 years. But current owner Tom Greenwell said the Kona low storm that brought heavy rains, flooding, high winds and debris on March 14 was the most destructive to ever hit the family farm. Big Island Now.

Maui

Iwi Kūpuna Desecrated During Lahaina Fire Cleanup, Lawsuit Says. A family is suing a Maui landowner and the state for not protecting Native Hawaiian remains as required by law. Civil Beat.

200,000 gallons of treated wastewater overflows at Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility during kona storm 2. Approximately 200,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater (backwash) overflowed at the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility, 3300 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina, during kona storm 2 on March 21, 2026, according to the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management. Maui Now.

Most MEMA evacuation warnings and advisories for Maui County zones lifted Sunday night. Maui Emergency Management Agency LIFTED evacuation warnings and advisories for most zones throughout Maui County as of 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026, due to improving kona storm conditions and dissipating threats. Maui Now.

Kauai

Editor’s note: Due to the number of candidates for council and our limited staffing, The Garden Island requests council candidates to submit a press release and we will run them on a first come basis. Garden Island.

Council candidate Paul Applegate wants a ‘Safe Kauai’.  Paul Applegate, a candidate for the Kauai County Council, will be hosting a series of “Talk Story” events at various locations across the island. Dates, times, and venues for each event will be shared through his campaign website and social media channels.  Garden Island.

Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Chapter 3 hosts annual protocol. The commemorative service hosted by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Chapter 3, and Na Wahine Hui O Kamehameha celebrated the 150th birthday of Prince Kuhio on Saturday — five days prior to the actual March 26 birth date that is a recognized Hawaii state holiday. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County addressing ongoing wastewater spill contained to the Līhu‘e Wastewater Treatment Plant. The discharge remains confined within the facility and has not reached any public areas or state waters, and does not pose a risk to public health, according to a news release from Kaua‘i County Sunday afternoon. Kauai Now.

Lawsuit seeks breakup of Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger, bills advance limiting ICE policing, tourism sees double-digit increases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawsuit claims Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger creates monopoly on Hawaii flights. An effort to break up the Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines merger is heading back to court. Passengers have filed an appeal seeking a restraining order that would preserve Hawaiian as a standalone airline. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Control ICE. Here’s What Lawmakers Want To Do Instead.  A collection of bills intended to protect immigrants and limit cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities remain alive as the 2026 legislative session reaches its crucial midpoint. Civil Beat.

Feds claim ‘exclusive control’ over greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii is harming the United States’ sovereignty by suing private fossil fuel companies for deceptive marketing practices contributing to climate change harms, the federal government claimed in a new court filing. Star-Advertiser.

E-bike regulation cruising after 2025 veto. Legislation to regulate high-speed electric bikes throughout Hawaii is moving down a smooth road so far this year after a bump last year that led to a similar bill being vetoed. Star-Advertiser.

Walk or wait? Bill to change crosswalk rule moves forward. At nearly every busy intersection, that flashing red hand comes with a ticking clock. KHON2.

Tourism industry could be required to educate workers on human trafficking. Workers in the tourism industry could soon be getting mandatory education on human trafficking.A bill moving through the state Legislature would mandate a training program on how to spot possible trafficking victims, what to do, and who to contact. Hawaii Public Radio.

Strong January masks uneven tourism outlook. Visitor spending jumped 19% to $2.26 billion and arrivals rose 10.4% to 874,358, driven almost entirely by powerful U.S. West and U.S. East markets that have now pushed the state past pre‑­pandemic benchmarks, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

High-spending visitors help drive economic gains. Hawaii’s overall tourism industry was dragged down by a downturn on Maui following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, but a Maui resurgence is now driving the state overall, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, which released its latest economic forecast. Star-Advertiser.

Does Hawaiʻi have room to bring back about 800 men incarcerated in Arizona? Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson maintains that the state would need to build a new medium-security prison to accommodate those who have been sent out of state. For 30 years, the state has sent incarcerated men to the continent to serve their sentences. However, the Hawaiʻi Legislature is weighing options to bring back hundreds who are currently held at the Saguaro Correctional Center, a private prison in Arizona. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

UH begins nationwide search to re-establish Manoa chancellor position. On Wednesday, the university said it has officially launched a national search for the next chancellor for UH Manoa to re-establish the position and ensure dedicated executive leadership for the Manoa campus. UH Manoa is the only UH campus without a dedicated chancellor. Hawaii News Now.

Floating monster home for homeless looms over Honolulu stream.  City officials are working to address a large homeless encampment along Keehi Stream in Kalihi that includes a floating two-story structure anchored in the middle of the waterway. Hawaii News Now.

King Tides And Sea Level Rise Eating Away At Pearl Harbor Bike Path. Riders on the popular trail can run into flooding, forcing them to detour to more hazardous roadways. Civil Beat.

Navy petty officer to be sentenced in sextortion case. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rumaldo Valdez, 22, aka “Duck,” was charged in a 12-page criminal complaint filed May 16. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 24 to possession of child pornography as part of a plea agreement. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Sexual Abuse Case From 1970s Could Cost Taxpayers $400K. The state of Hawaiʻi is getting ready to pay $400,000 to settle a lawsuit over Campbell High School’s failure to protect a student in the 1970s who reported that a volunteer coach raped her on a team trip to the Big Island.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hilo hospital pauses cardiac rehabilitation program to accommodate overflow patients. Hilo Benioff Medical Center has temporarily halted its cardiac rehabilitation program. However, the hospital has a cardiac care team in place to treat acute cardiac events, such as heart attacks and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, the most severe type of heart attack. Big Island Now.

DLNR warns of potential public health risks from whale carcass off Kona coast.  Wind and ocean conditions have recently moved the carcass to a lava flat along the Kona coast where large predators such as tiger sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, mahi-mahi and visiting dolphins are still utilizing this source of food.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui sees double digit increases in visitor spending and arrivals in January 2026. For January 2026, total arrivals (236,180 visitors, +16.7%) and total visitor spending ($664.7 million, +24.3%) on Maui increased compared to January 2025.  Maui Now.

Ag board defers amending Molokaʻi rule that bans potential CRB host material. The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity deferred a request to allow gravel to be shipped to Molokaʻi, reinforcing an import ban on the island meant to keep out the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources grants awarded to 11 local projects. The County of Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources is awarding funding to 11 local projects through the competitive County of Maui grants program.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Federal funding will support housing, transportation projects on Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i County will receive nearly $7.5 million for three projects. Aloha State Daily.

Survey launched to shape 2026 Ka Pewa Youth Summit in April on Kauaʻi. Ka Pewa Youth Pulse Survey — a youth-driven effort designed to capture what matters most to young people today — will directly inform programming, breakout sessions and resource fair offerings for the 2026 Ka Pewa Youth Summit: Kupu Kelakela. Kauai Now.

FAA ends flight cutbacks, Hawaii SNAP payments resume in full, Honolulu AI police surveillance worries advocates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FAA to end cuts to flights at 40 airports, including Honolulu. The FAA says it is ending all commercial flight restrictions that were put in place during the federal government shutdown. Starting Monday, Nov. 17, at 1 a.m. HST, airlines will be able to go back to their regular schedules. KHON2. Reuters. Associated Press.

Hawaii working on restoring SNAP benefits after shutdown. The state Department of Human Services said it successfully issued full November SNAP benefits Nov. 7 to more than 78,000 households representing over 160,000 people statewide. Star-Advertiser.

From Fundraisers To Favors, Ethics Panel Wants To Crack Down On State Workers. New reform measures would prohibit high level state officials from holding fundraisers and stop state employees from doing favors for former employers. Civil Beat.

Travel firms urge increase in marketing as visitor numbers slip. A total of 690,858 visitors came to Hawaii in September, down 2.5% from September 2024, according to state data. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ranks second highest in the country for women in construction. Construction Coverage, which researches construction software, insurance and related services for builders and real estate professionals, looked at all 50 states in its “Best-Paying States for Women in Construction” report that found that women make up 13.2% of Hawaii’s construction industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Job Corps survives federal shutdown attempt. The operator of the Job Corps centers on Oahu and Maui wants the public to know that the facilities didn’t close at the end of June as directed by the U.S. Department of Labor. Star-Advertiser.

Campaign to ID unknowns from USS Arizona reaches milestone. A civilian-led effort called Operation 85 has reached its goal of collecting enough DNA samples from the living relatives of the battleship’s crew to prompt the Defense Department to consider reexamining dozens of unidentified servicemen who were buried in Hawaii after the Pearl Harbor attack. Arizona Daily Star.

Oahu

Advocates Fear ‘Surveillance Creep’ If HPD Starts Using AI To Write Reports. Honolulu police will start testing an AI program for writing reports run by body camera company Axon on Monday. Civil Beat.

Justice Department: Well-Known Hawaiian Defense Contractor Embezzled Funds. Newly public court documents accuse Christopher Dawson and other executives not only of stealing from their federal contracting business but shortchanging Native Hawaiians in the process. Civil Beat.

Centre Urban project would create 72 Waikiki workforce housing units. Centre Urban Real Estate is advancing plans to transform two Waikiki sites, including the long-­derelict 1615 Ala Wai Blvd., into 72 affordable workforce housing units under city guidelines. Star-Advertiser.

Anxious Honolulu bus riders await contract resolution. After months of stalled negotiations and warnings of a possible strike, the approximately 130,000 daily riders of Honolulu’s TheBus have been left in limbo, hoping for a resolution to the contract stand-off. Star-Advertiser.

Strike continues at Kapi‘olani Medical Center. Hundreds of union workers continued their strike Saturday in front of the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children, marking four weeks since walking off the job Oct. 17. Star-Advertiser.

This Hawaiian Fishpond Is Nearly Restored. All That’s Missing Is Fresh Water. The Heʻeia Fishpond relies on fresh water to create the right conditions to raise fish for the community, but the stream that feeds into it was diverted 85 years ago.  Civil Beat.

Housekeeper sues Hilton Hawaiian Village, alleges co-worker sexually assaulted her. A housekeeper at Hilton Hawaiian Village filed a lawsuit against the hotel, alleging a colleague sexually assaulted her, and arguing her employer should have done more to protect her. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Construction of Hilo roundabout to start in ’27. The intersection of Bayfront Highway, Kamehameha Avenue and Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo is set for a $22 million redesign that includes a roundabout, with construction expected to begin in 2027. Tribune-Herald.

Bill aims to give kupuna farmers property tax relief. Two Hawaii County Council members are proposing a measure that would give longtime kupuna farmers a break on property tax increases after they retire from agricultural work. Tribune-Herald.

Land use debate heats up over controversial ‘Burning Man-inspired’ festival in Pāpaʻikou. On a 15-acre portion of his land in Pāpaʻikou near Hilo, Pennsylvania native Andrew Tepper held a controversial festival in 2023 and 2024 called “Falls on Fire,” an event with a large wooden effigy inspired by the annual weeklong, large-scale Burning Man held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Big Island Now.

Ka‘u student group seeks to minimize waste through composting, recycling. A student-led zero-waste initiative in Ka‘u has kept more than 20,000 pounds of waste out of the West Hawaii landfill since the 2024 start of their grant-supported efforts in trash separation, recycling and composting. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report projects post-shutdown OGG travel surge with TSA data. Kahului International Airport (OGG) is expected to see one of the nation’s steepest surges in passenger traffic this holiday season, according to a new analysis of Transportation Security Administration data by Luxury Link.  Maui Now.

Who uses the most water in Lahaina? A new report says non-owner-occupied homes. Single-family dwelling was the biggest category of water use in West Maui by meter type, at approximately 5.5 million gallons per day, with hotels coming in second at about 3.5 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Japan’s richest person loves Kapalua, but not its water crisis. The owner of the course, Japanese billionaire Tadashi Yanai, has been eagerly pursuing avenues to secure a new adequate supply of irrigation water. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. 

Nation’s first communal dialysis home in Hāna needs repairs to keep operating at full capacity. Maui County, which owns the home and leases it to the nonprofit Hui Laulima O Hāna led by Cosma, plans to provide funding to help with the repairs.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua’i Council advances measure targeting disposable bodyboards. The Kaua‘i County Council is considering a proposal to ban disposable bodyboards in an effort to reduce plastic waste and protect the island’s beaches and marine life. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i County comes together to observe National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  Kaua‘i County Housing Agency on Nov. 10 joined community members and county officials during a special ceremony in the Mo‘ikeha Rotunda at Līhu‘e Civic Center to proclaim this week, Nov. 16-22, as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Kauai Now.

Hawaii readies nation's first climate impact fee on tourists, Kaiser Permanente workers vote to strike, inaugural high school surfing championships coming this spring, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Conference showcases nexus between green fees, tourism. Members of the Green Fee Advisory Council updated Hawaii’s visitor industry Monday on the process that they are using to ensure that the nation’s first-ever climate impact fee strengthens Hawaii’s environment, builds resilience and enhances the visitor experience. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi is getting less rainfall than in the past. Is that shift permanent? Overall, last month was the driest August for Hawaiʻi since at least 1991. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaiser Hawaii workers vote to authorize a strike. The vote signals the possibility that thousands of health care workers, including hospital aides, medical assistants, nurses, and lab technicians, among others, could walk off the job if no agreement is reached by the end of month, when contracts expire. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Ruling opens door for challenges to HMSA prior authorization decision. The Hawaii Supreme Court has cleared the way for customers of the state’s largest health insurance company to sue over coverage denials that they believe harmed them or their families.  Hawaii News Now.

Here’s Where Hawaiʻi School Enrollment Is Dropping Fastest. The state is looking at redistricting schools and closing campuses amid an ongoing decline in enrollment. Civil Beat.

Surfing State Championships Coming To Hawaiʻi Schools This Spring. Surfing has been a high school sport since 2004, but a lack of funding and state support has kept many schools from starting their own competitive teams. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Now. 

Coral in Hawaiʻi waters officially named after furry 'Star Wars' lookalike. A species of deep-sea coral has been named after the beloved "Star Wars" character Chewbacca. Its long shape makes it look like it’s standing upright, and its extended, flexible branches resemble the famous character’s fur. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Alleged discrepancies in HFD fund under Council discussion. The City Council’s Budget Committee is set today to discuss an audit that showed that a Honolulu Fire Department fund to support fire prevention efforts islandwide was instead allegedly used to finance the department’s operations, staffing and new fire equipment purchases with little to no oversight. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill whistleblower describes ‘cover-up’ during May 2021 fuel leak. A whistleblower turned over a mountain of evidence years ago, which includes never-seen-before photos of the initial spill. Hawaii News Now.

Invasive Beetles Are Overrunning Oʻahu. Could New Methods Offer Relief? The agriculture department has been focusing on coconut rhinoceros beetles on other Hawaiian islands, leaving Oʻahu largely to fend for itself. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Salary Commission to discuss raises for top officials, County Council. The Salary Commission is proposing to mirror Hawaii Government Employees Association alary increases for executives and elected officials for the next four years: 3.5% increase for year one; 3.79% increase for year two, 4% increase for year three, and 4% increase for year four. Tribune-Herald.

Council OK’s effort to acquire Honolulu Landing property. The Hawaii County Council has given full approval to a resolution urging the Department of Finance to move ahead with acquiring 364 acres of culturally and environmentally significant coastline in Puna known as Honolulu Landing. Tribune-Herald.

Hakalau Bridge Project Begins September 24. Work to rehabilitate the bridge will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Balances Compassion With Fire Safety In Homeless Encampment Sweeps. County leaders say they are prioritizing the community as a whole but critics feel it’s scapegoating. Civil Beat.

With debris transfer nearing completion, attention turns to future of site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates some 400,000 to 500,000 tons of debris will be moved from the temporary disposal site at Olowalu to the permanent location at Puunene next to the Central Maui Landfill. Maui News.

Maui to host first-ever Hawaii high school surfing championship May 1-2. After almost three decades of work to bring surfing into the mainstream of high school sports on Maui, the first Hawaii High School Athletic Association surfing state championship will be decided on the Valley Isle. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Coordinated Hunt in Kauaʻi’s Kalalau Valley reduces feral animal population. Kalalau Valley has long struggled with populations of feral pigs and goats, which damage native plants, cause erosion, and create public health and safety concerns for campers and hikers. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

New visa fee could further crimp tourism, restauranteurs eye coming $16 minimum wage, study disputes usefulness of genki balls, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tourism officials worry about new visa fee starting Oct. 1. The new fee is aimed at deterring visitors from overstaying their visas, and potentially will generate billions in revenue for immigration services. But state tourism leaders like Keith Vieira worry it will slow down our economic recovery even more. KITV4. 

Hawaii restaurants struggling as 2026 minimum wage hike approaches. Owners said the raise in minimum wage to $16 at the start of 2026 means customers might see some changes. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Loves ‘Genki Balls’ To Clean Water. New Studies Say They Don’t Work. A new two-year research project found the balls not only were ineffective, they might make water quality worse. Supporters of the effort don’t believe it. Civil Beat.

Trump’s Reversal Of EV Policies Will Affect The Road To Clean Electricity. Hitting the brakes on electric vehicles will mean less progress in reducing transportation emissions and less strategic U.S. leadership in a key technology. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi works to restore solar program for low-income households. Hawaiʻi was awarded about $62 million from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act for the Solar for All program. But in August, the HGIA received a termination letter of the grant from the EPA. Hawaii Public Radio.

Weakened Kiko produces possible dangerous rip currents and high surf. Swells that were generated by Kiko are gradually building from east to west across waters around the islands. This surf is forecast to peak tonight through Wednesday with the potential to produce dangerous surf and rip currents. KITV4.

Oahu

Homeless camps, crime prompted Kailua Beach Park nightly closures. Illegal homeless encampments, vandalism and reports of violent threats to visitors and nearby residents at Kailua Beach Park led to the three-month pilot program that began Friday, imposing nighttime closure hours from midnight to 4 a.m. at the city-owned park, Honolulu officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu clears Piʻikoi Street homeless encampment in early morning operation. Honolulu city crews and police cleared a homeless encampment along Piʻikoi Street early Tuesday morning, removing tents, shopping carts and other personal items from the sidewalks. KITV4.

Honolulu Immigrant Tracked Via Money Transfers Sentenced, Turned Over To ICE. The Mexican citizen had pleaded guilty and was convicted of illegally reentering the United States. Civil Beat.

2 Navy workers face October trial over Red Hill fuel spill. Two U.S. Navy civilian employees accused by federal prosecutors of doctoring documents and lying to cover up the severity of a May 6, 2021, jet fuel spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility are scheduled to stand trial next month. Star-Advertiser.

HPD makes step to be more transparent to the public. The Honolulu Police Department has introduced a new online page for its Public Affairs Office.  KHON2.

Oʻahu schools recognized for student success beyond academics. This year, Moanalua, Kaimuki, and Āliamanu middle schools were all recognized by the Association for Middle Level Education, putting them among 24 schools across the country that were given this title for 2025. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Blue Hawaiian’s request to fly lower generates blowback. Big Island locations where Blue Hawaiian is requesting permission to fly as low as 700 feet above ground include: Waikoloa Heliport to Kilauea summit; Kulani Cone to Eucalyptus Tree area; Makuu Point to Kilauea’s Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent; Hilo International Airport, shoreline to Cape Kumukahi, shoreline to Kalapana to Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent; Hilo International Airport, shoreline to Pololu Valley; Waimanu Valley to Waimea; and Honokane Nui or Pololu Valley to either Water Tank or Riders areas. Tribune-Herald.

County moves forward with Four Mile Creek Bridge replacement. The County of Hawaii Department of Public Works is moving forward with plans to replace the aging Four Mile Creek Bridge in Hilo, aiming to improve traffic flow, safety and pedestrian access along Kilauea Avenue and Haihai Street. Tribune-Herald.

Councilwoman Kierkiewicz invites community to presentation on revitalizing downtown Pahoa. The Office of Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz is inviting the community to attend a presentation on new draft legislation aimed at creating economic opportunities and revitalizing Downtown Pahoa. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawaii police officer whose K-9 died now on regular patrol, under criminal investigation. Police dog Archer, a drug sniffing K-9, reportedly died after being left in a squad car for an “unacceptable period of time.” Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Residential project leases coming to more than 1,100 DHHL beneficiaries on Maui. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands conducted an orientation Saturday for beneficiaries on the Maui residential waitlist interested in the upcoming award of more than 1,100 residential project leases on the Valley Isle. Maui Now.

New Maui recycling facility seeks to keep green waste out of the landfill and make it usable. A new green waste recycling facility is now open on Maui. Hawai’i Organics Compost in Waikapū is the largest operation of its kind on the island. Hawaii Public Radio.

21st annual Lahaina Town Cleanup returns Sept. 27. In an effort to preserve Maui’s coastline and unite the community for a cleaner coastline, volunteers including students, families, divers, community members and guests have gathered for the Lahaina Town Cleanup for more than 20 years. Maui News.

Senate Ways and Means Committee visits Lānaʻi for updates on local sustainability. The Senate Ways and Means Committee arrived on Lānaʻi to receive updates on economic development and sustainability efforts from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Maui Now.

Kauai

Researchers rediscover 2 native Hawaiian land snails on Kaua‘i last seen nearly a century ago. Researchers from Bishop Museum, along with partners from the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project, found live specimens of Godwinia caperata (described in 1852) and Hiona exaequata (described in 1846) on Kauaʻi during recent biodiversity surveys. Kauai Now.

Live mongoose found and captured on Kauaʻi. A live mongoose has been captured on Kauaʻi, where the invasive species does not have an established population. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi sets new standard with wildfire mitigation ordinance. On Sept. 8, Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signed into law Bill 2961, an ordinance passed unanimously by the Kauaʻi County Council to advance wildfire mitigation in West Kauaʻi’s plantation camp districts. Kauai Now.