Devens confirmed as Supreme Court chief justice, state budget heading to full chambers after some 'green fee' tourist tax projects cut, feral cats kill 168 native seabirds on Kauai, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate confirms Devens as Hawaii Supreme Court’s chief justice. Associate Justice Vladimir Devens was confirmed today as chief justice of Hawaii’s Supreme by the state Senate following a 20-to-5 vote that reflected concerns over Devens’ failure to initially disclose his relationship with a powerful political action committee while applying to join the court as an associate justice two years ago. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News.

Climate Change Projects Key As Lawmakers Rush To Finish State Budget. The Legislature needs to make decisions on all tax and spending bills by Friday in order to conduct final votes next week. House and Senate leaders finalized a list of more than $120 million in “green fee” environmental protection and other projects late Thursday evening as they hurried to meet a critical Friday deadline to move the state budget forward. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Proposed Hawaii ‘Green Fee’ projects overhauled again. State spending gatekeepers at the Legislature have put a big stamp on Hawaii’s first batch “Green Fee” projects to be funded by a new tourism impact fee, shunting about 40% of recommendations from an advisory council. Star-Advertiser.

Automatic voter registration close to becoming law in Hawaiʻi. Senate Bill 2239 would replace the current “opt-in” system with an “opt-out” one. In the proposed system, during the application process, eligible residents would automatically be registered to vote — unless they explicitly decline registration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kona Low storms drive March visitor spending down 1.6%. Back-to-back Kona Low storms in March hobbled Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy, triggering an estimated $300 million in lost revenue as flooding, flight cancellations and attraction closures disrupted spring break travel across the islands. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson retires after 25 years. Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson will be retiring from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism effective April 30, 2026, concluding 25 years of service managing the Hawai‘i Film Office and the state’s film program. Maui Now.

Oahu

City releases Oahu's 2026 Sustainability Report highlighting climate, transit gains. City leaders said the report reflects a coordinated effort across departments to address long-term environmental challenges. KITV4.

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden prepares master plan as storm cleanup continues. Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kāne‘ohe draws more visitors each year than any of Honolulu’s gardens — a whopping 730,000 in a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric repairs key transmission line over Koolaus. Hawaiian Electric on Thursday announced the completion of repairs to a 138-kilovolt transmission line that carries electricity from Leeward Oahu to Windward Oahu, Waimanalo and East Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Iconic Tamashiro Market closes its doors after more than 80 years. Thursday, April 30, after more than 80 years, the Tamashiro Family closed their Kalihi fish market for the final time. More than just a place to shop, the landmark business and building have been a part of Hawaii’s history for generations. KHON2. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now. 

Robyn Ah Mow opens up about why she is stepping down as Wahine coach. Ah Mow spent nine years and eight seasons in charge of the Rainbow Wahine volleyball program, compiling a 165-72 overall record with five consecutive Big West Conference championships from 2019 to 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Saddle Road extension plan revived. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is reviving plans to extend the Daniel K. Inouye Highway in the South Kohala district from its current ending at Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) westward to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway (Route 19). Tribune-Herald.

Kailua-Kona Confronts A Paid Parking ‘Epidemic’. Hawai‘i County Council members are struggling to tackle an issue that residents say is ruining the community. Civil Beat.

Big plans for Kawaihae Harbor. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is planning to begin a makeover of Kawaihae Harbor next year, including the widening of Kawaihae Road to build an 875-foot-long dedicated left turn and storage lane leading up to the harbor’s entrance. Tribune-Herald.

Konawaena High School rebuilds after the Kona low storms.  Severe flooding damaged 75 classrooms on their campus, put 5 elevators out of commission, and impacted their library and administrative offices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui Council Budget Committee slightly trims mayor’s $1.616 billion budget. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee completed its review of Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget this week, unanimously adopting a revised spending plan of approximately $1.608 billion. Maui Now.

Report: ​​MEO aided nearly 55,000 Maui County residents in 2024-25. Maui Economic Opportunity assisted 54,780 Maui County residents from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, according to the agency’s annual report. Maui News.

Maui kidney donor shares story hoping to inspire others. When Maui resident Rachel Bennett Steury gave away one of her kidneys to save the life of a person she had never met before, she felt like she was helping a larger movement. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Absolute Carnage’: Feral Cats Kill 168 Native Seabirds On Kaua‘i. The island’s latest massacre of endemic shearwaters brings the state’s feline problem to the forefront. Local scientists and staff have encountered several mass slaughters at that same area in the past 15 years. Civil Beat. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Public invited to ‘Imi loa kapa. Free and open to everyone, “The Science of Kapa,” presented by Kaulele is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting May 18 and running through May 31 at the space located across from Ainofea in Kukui Grove Center. Garden Island.

Green fee tourist tax spending disputed, budget negotiations mired in income tax debate, buffalo herd may come to North Shore, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘Green Fee’ project spending faces shakeup. How the state spends nearly $130 million on initial projects to protect natural resources, mitigate disaster risk and improve visitor experiences under Hawaii’s new “Green Fee” program is facing reshuffling at the Legislature. Some powerful senators don’t want to fund about $65 million of projects recommended by an advisory council in January and instead have proffered their own list of suggested replacements. Star-Advertiser.

Debate Over Hawaiʻi Income Taxes Gums Up Budget Negotiations. A majority in the Senate last week described to a group of House members what sounded like a line in the sand over a pending Hawaii income tax relief bill that could dramatically affect how much revenue the state has to spend next fiscal year. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii secures $600K federal grant to boost specialty crops. The funding will support projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of locally grown fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. KHON2.

Online scams stole $55M from kupuna last year. Kupuna in Hawaii over the age of 60 dropped more than $55 million to online scams last year, with fake investments, cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency wallet scams accounting for the biggest online losses. Star-Advertiser.

National Weather Service predicts El Nino this summer. Hurricane season is coming — and the likelihood of an El Nino cycle only will increase the probability that one could hit the Hawaiian Islands. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oʻahu’s North Shore: Where The Buffalo Roam? If the state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity approves, American bison from Montana will soon be on a plane to Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

A new University of Hawaii study on flooding in Waikiki highlights a rising threat. UH researchers predict that rising ocean levels will lead to more flooding in the low-lying area, eventually on a daily basis, and the waters will contain sewage. Hawaii News Now.

Teen vaping on the rise in Hawaiʻi: Schools install sensors to catch students in the act. More than 70 campuses, including Kamehameha, Mililani and Radford High Schools have installed vape detection sensors inside bathrooms and other private areas. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Police Department to test, evaluate new external ballistic vest uniform. Hawaiʻi Police Department in May will embark on a 30-day operational test and evaluation of a new external ballistic vest uniform for patrol officers. Big Island Now.

DLNR marine initiative launches on Big Island in May. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will host seven “talk-story” sessions on Hawaii Island next month seeking public input about incorporating local knowledge into plans for managing marine resources. Tribune-Herald.

Funds released for Waikoloa Village library: Building will cost at least $21M and could open in 2028. Gov. Josh Green has released $21 million in state funding to build a long-sought public library in Waikoloa Village. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui police commander suspended in connection with illegal fireworks incident. The head of MPD’s Criminal Intelligence Unit, Lt. Michael Vaituulala, has reortedly been suspended in connection with an illegal fireworks incident on New Year’s Day. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Fire Lawsuit Payouts Are Near. Few Survivors Will Break Even. Money could start flowing to victims by June, nearly two years after the settlement was finalized. Civil Beat.

Standoff continues over control of East Maui streams. Agriculture company Mahi Pono currently operates the East Maui Irrigation system, and has been vying for a 30-year lease to continue doing so. The county’s East Maui Water Authority has advocated that it’s better suited to manage the flow of Maui stream water as a public entity. Hawaii Public Radio.

LCLT opens homebuyer portal for Lahaina-rooted residents seeking path to homeownership. The Lahaina Community Land Trust has launched its homebuyer portal where Lahaina-rooted ʻohana can take the first step on the path to purchasing an affordable home. Maui Now.

Kauai

Senate confirms circuit court judges for Kauaʻi, Maui. Last week, the Hawaiʻi State Senate confirmed the appointment of Judge Michael K. Soong to the Circuit Court of the 5th Circuit on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Legislature may consider lowering cruise ship tax, Kaiser Permanente workers release strike notice, Capitol reflecting pool replacement project delayed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii cruise ship tax under fire before getting started. Hawaii’s Legislature will be asked to consider amending part of a 2025 state law that attempts to tax cruise ship passengers but is tied up in federal litigation. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye (D, Hilo-Pepeekeo) plans to introduce a bill this month that would reduce the Transient Accommodations Tax charge on cruise ship fares by applying the 11% rate only to cabin cost instead of a cruise’s total base price divided by the number of days a ship is in port. Star-Advertiser.

Courts Blocked Green Fee For Cruises. This Company Is Still Charging It. Passengers currently aboard The Pride of America were irked to see the tax appear on their invoices despite a court injunction. orwegian Cruise Lines  representatives say the company will refund its passengers if the industry ultimately prevails in court. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers prepare to address federal changes impacting health care and social services. State lawmakers will face the federal impacts on the state’s healthcare systems and social services when they reconvene next week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Republicans have plans this session to attack state’s housing crisis. According to local Republican lawmakers, a recent survey found that 91% of adults say buying a home in Hawaii is a problem. KHON2. KITV4.

Kaiser Permanente workers announce plan to strike. About 200 Hawaii workers plan to walk off the job Jan. 26.  Another strike appears imminent at Kaiser Permanente. The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals on Thursday delivered a 10-day strike notice to Kaiser executives. The strike is set to begin Jan. 26 at hospitals and clinics across Hawaii and California. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Delays have increased the cost of Hawaiʻi Capitol reflecting pools. Rising construction costs and objections over a state bid are delaying a project to fix the dilapidated reflecting pools at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, state officials in charge of the multi-million dollar project told lawmakers Wednesday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Status of bus contract talks worries Honolulu City Council. After months of back-and-forth negotiations, Oahu Transit Services Inc., which operates TheBus and TheHandi-Van routes on behalf of the City and County of Honolulu, remains at odds with its labor union that represents 1,400 bus operators, mechanics and support staff. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu satellite city halls to modernize with cashless property tax payments. Residents can now pay their property taxes with a major credit card as part of Oahu’s satellite city halls effort to eventually go cashless. KITV4.

City and County Martin Luther King Jr. holiday schedule released. The City and County of Honolulu released its schedule for Memorial Day along with the schedule for the rest of its operations and the traffic and parking regulations that will be in effect for Monday, January 19, 2026. KITV4.

Hawaii Island 

Search for new Hawaii County fire chief begins. The Hawaii County Fire Commission on Thursday named Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Volpe — who has been acting chief since the Dec. 14 death of Chief Kazuo Todd — temporary fire chief as the search for a permanent first firefighter begins. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Fire Officials Embraced Prevention. Then Kazuo Todd Died. The Hawaiʻi County Fire Commission has appointed a temporary replacement but filling Todd’s shoes within the State Fire Council presents a bigger challenge. Civil Beat.

Mauna Kea oversight board begins series of workshops on the mountain’s future. The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority began a series of statewide workshops Thursday as it prepares to take over management of the mountain. Hawaii News Now.

$450K released for Boys and Girls Club center. The capital improvement program grant-in-aid funds will support construction, improvements and maintenance of the youth resource center, helping ensure a safe and supportive space for keiki and families in East Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa returns to downtown Hilo this Saturday. The free, family-friendly event runs Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and features four stages of continuous live music, performances by more than 20 Hawaii artists, and more than 40 local food and craft vendors. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

FEMA extension uncertain; Mayor urges wildfire survivors to take alternate housing, if available. With the end of temporary federal emergency assistance now set for the end of next month, Mayor Richard Bissen advised Lahaina wildfire survivors Wednesday night to take a permanent housing alternative, if available. The looming deadline affects 946 households still relying on direct rental assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Maui Now.

Report: Maui home sales surge as prices decline. Realtors Association of Maui report showed single-family house resales increased by 22.2 percent. The median price fell by 2 percent. As for condominiums, resales jumped 41.5 percent, with the median sales price dropping 25.6 percent. The surge in sales suggests buyers are responding to the significant price reductions. Hawaii News Now.

Hale Makua announces new ‘CarePlex’ and workforce housing initiatives on Maui. Hale Makua Health Services, a Maui-born nonprofit serving the island for 80 years, today announced two landmark projects inspired by the community.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County offices will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Closures also include the following facilities: All neighborhood centers, The Puhi Metals Recycling Center, The Kekaha Landfill, HI5 Redemption Centers, All refuse transfer stations. Kauai Now.

Appeals court blocks Hawaii's cruise ship 'green fee' tax, PUC approves HECO wildfire mitigation plan, Honolulu to expand Waimanalo Gulch landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Federal ruling blocks Hawaii’s climate change tourist tax on cruise ships. A federal appeals court ruling on New Year’s Eve blocked Hawaii from enforcing a climate change tourist tax on cruise ships passengers, a levy that was set to go into effect at the start of 2026.Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, arguing that the new law violates the U.S. Constitution by taxing cruise ships for entering Hawaii ports.  Associated Press.

Public Utilities Commission approves Hawaiian Electric wildfire mitigation plan. Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday (Dec. 31) approved Hawaiian Electric’s 2025-27 wildfire mitigation plan and completed a comprehensive study about whether to establish a wildfire recovery fund. Big Island Now.

Counties Are On A Hiring Spree, But Recruitment Challenges Linger. Some neighbor island jobs have the edge in salaries compared to their Oʻahu counterparts, adding to hiring difficulties.  Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii leader pushes AI, student support initiatives. When Wendy Hensel took the helm of the University of Hawaii system on Jan. 1, 2025, any notion of a gradual “honeymoon phase” was quickly dashed by an accelerating series of national and local disruptions. Star-Advertiser.

By Resisting Feds’ Demand For Personal SNAP Data, Hawaiʻi Could Face Cuts. Hawaiʻi is one of 22 states that have called the USDA’s demand for food stamp recipients’ information unprecedented and unlawful. Civil Beat.

Hawaii insurers paid $13.3 million for fireworks injuries in past year. State insurance commissioner says costs extend beyond insurance companies to employers and taxpayers. Hawaii’s health insurance companies paid out $13.3 million for 1,496 fireworks-related injury claims over the past year, according to new data released by state insurance commissioner Scott Saiki. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Is Still Releasing Inmates Without IDs Needed To Reenter Society. Lawmakers have made multiple efforts to improve the process of getting incarcerated people the identification they need to access basic services, but little has changed. Civil Beat.

2025 in memoriam: These Hawaiʻi figures contributed to the fabric of our islands. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

City aims to expand Waimanalo Gulch landfill. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration intends to pursue expansion of the city’s Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei following stalled attempts to find a suitable location for a new dump. The city plans to petition for a special-use permit to expand the approximately 200-acre solid-waste landfill at 92-460 Farrington Highway by 92.5 acres, according to city documents.  Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu Needs Sidewalks. Should The County Be Required To Build Them? Two Honolulu charter amendment proposals this year aim to enshrine sidewalk construction as a core local government responsibility. Civil Beat.

Oahu sees calmer New Year’s celebration. Oahu rang in 2026 with significantly fewer fireworks-­related fires and “a below-­average night” for emergency medical crews in a marked shift from the chaos and death that marred the previous New Year’s Eve celebration, authorities reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

2 arrested as Honolulu police respond to nearly 600 fireworks violation calls. (video only). Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu EMS responds to multiple firework-related injuries on New Year's Eve. At least seven people were hurt with suspected fireworks injuries in five separate incidents on Oʻahu this New Year's Eve. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing, short-term vacation rentals, drought, volcanic eruptions, more: A look back at some of the top Hawaii Island news stories. Alook back at the Top 10 stories of the year, as selected by the editorial staff of the Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Fire Department tackles 22 fires over New Year’s Eve. From 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, Maui firefighters worked to put out brush fires, vehicle fires, small vegetation fires and more.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Repair work starts on section of Haʻikū Road. Starting today, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, a section of Haʻikū Road between Hamana Place and Līhau Place will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday while work is underway to repair the eroding slope embankment and replace damaged guardrails, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works. Maui Now.

DLNR patrols Kāne‘ohe Bay to deter illegal Christmas tree bonfires on New Year’s Day. Officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will again conduct patrols over the New Year’s holiday to enforce laws and protect the environment, including the sacred Ahu o Laka (Kāne‘ohe Bay sandbar).  Maui Now.

Kauai

Department of Water announces new access hours for the bill payment drop box. The Department of Water (DOW) has completed construction of its new, motorized entry gate to the main entrance of its administrative buildings parking lot. The bill payment drop box located in the DOW parking lot, at 4398 Pua Loke St., Lihue, will be accessible from Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Garden Island. Kauai Now.