Taxes: Governor seeks $126M for 'Green fee' projects; lawmakers mull luxury home tax, new rental car fee to fund DHHL; private-sector construction workers want public-sector benefits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor Asks Lawmakers For $126M In Green Fee Projects. The source of all that extra cash is an increase in the state hotel room tax, from 9.25% to 10%, and a new levy on cruise ships. Some lawmakers are questioning the administration’s plan to fund the projects through a combination of the new fee and bonds. Civil Beat.

Higher Luxury Home Taxes? State Eyes New Ways To House Hawaiians. State lawmakers are introducing plans to create new and permanent sources of funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands including higher taxes on the sale of luxury homes as well as new taxes on rental cars.  Civil Beat.

‘Vienna model’ bill advances to limit rental housing fund surpluses to more housing. A state Senate committee has advanced a bill that uses the “Vienna Model” of housing in Austria, where limited-profit housing associations create a sustainable cycle of money available for future development. Maui Now.

Hawaii construction workers want state taxpayer support. Private-sector construction workers in Hawaii are seeking public financial benefits at the Legislature this year, including a paid holiday and retroactive hazard pay. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Sen. Michelle Kidani Says She’s Capable Of Handling Her Job. The 77-year-old lawmaker is trying to defuse concerns that she suffers from an illness that is affecting her performance. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Rep. Lauren Matsumoto on tax relief, housing bills, transparency. House Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto is pushing legislation to eliminate taxes on food and medical services as part of her cost-of-living agenda for the 2026 legislative session. Hawaii News Now.

Will Disaster Insurance Overhaul Increase Protections For Future Survivors? Other states impacted by similar disasters are reforming their insurance laws. Legislators here are teeing up bills to follow suit.  Civil Beat.

New study shows spending on medical cannabis, possible revenue from legal recreational use. According to the analysis by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, Hawaii’s 30,000 registered patients spent $5.3 million a month at legal dispensaries. Hawaii News Now.

State saw a hot, dry 2025, UH report finds. Last year was one of the driest and warmest on record in the state, with the temperature being above average each month and rainfall below average in all but one month, according to the Hawai‘i Annual Climate Report from University of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

2 HPD officers arrested, dozens disciplined in 2025. Officer Keone Kissinger, 32, was arrested in connection with two alleged domestic abuse cases. Officer Chad Fuller was arrested Sunday morning and is accused of driving under the influence after crashing into a guardrail on Farrington Highway. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii man sentenced to life for trying to assassinate Trump. Ryan Routh, the former Hawaii resident accused of hiding in the bushes of a Florida golf course with a semi-automatic rifle to try to assassinate Donald Trump less than two months before the 2024 U.S. election that returned him to the presidency, was sentenced by a judge Wednesday to life in prison. Routh was originally from North Carolina but lived in Laie for several years before the attempted assassination on Sept. 15, 2024. Reuters.

Bus routes expansions could lead to 24 hour availability for airports. During a testimony before the City Council on Wednesday, Feb. 4, Jon Nouchi, Department of Transportation Services Deputy Director, spoke about a new project in the works. KHON2.

TheBus, Skyline ‘combined’ ridership grows, city officials say. Since the more than $10 billion rail project opened its Segment 2 line past the airport in October 2025, the city Department of Transportation Services states TheBus’ rapid ridership routes — or express buses, which run to downtown Honolulu, the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Waikiki — when included with the Skyline route from East Kapolei to the Kalihi Transit Center, currently average about 20,820 rides daily. Star-Advertiser.

Family complains about lack of toilet paper at Halawa Correctional Facility. Worried family members are complaining about no toilet paper at Halawa Correctional Facility (HCF). It’s unclear how widespread the issue is at the state’s largest prison, but advocates say it’s a basic hygiene right. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

UH report confirms 2025 was isle’s second-driest year on record. A study released Wednesday by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program found that Hawaii Island experienced its second-driest year in 106 years, with 2010 the only year that was drier. Tribune-Herald.

Water Restriction Notice Issued For South Kohala Due To Drought. The town of Waimea and its surrounding subdivisions must reduce water use by at least 25 percent. Big Island Video News.

Goodwill Hawai‘i relocating Hilo store, donation center to new campus. The new location at the campus, located at 17 Maka‘ala Street, offers a larger retail space, more parking and convenient donation drop-off point. Big Island Now.

Stuck in paradise: Non-native brown pelican spotted along Hawaiʻi Island’s south shore. A non-native brown pelican, nicknamed “Kiko,” was spotted Jan. 22 at Punaluʻu Beach, marking what appears to be the first modern record of a brown pelican arriving in Hawaiʻi. KITV4.

Maui

Humpback whale counts on Maui show stable numbers. Pacific Whale Foundation chief scientist Jens Currie said the numbers counted from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 31 at 11 sites totaled 694 compared to 700 last year. Maui News.

Investigation into illegal poaching on private ranch land in Haʻikū nets two arrests. The Maui Police Department arrested two individuals during a coordinated enforcement operation in response to multiple complaints from local ranchers regarding ongoing illegal night hunting activity in Haʻikū. Maui Now.

Maui boat tour operator pleads guilty to wire fraud, false statement. A Hawaii boat tour operator that crashed off Lanai in 2022, which sent five people overboard, pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to wire fraud and making a false statement to the U.S. Coast Guard. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Kauai

Grove Farm sells land to DHHL. The Grove Farm Company has sold 260 acres of land, situated in Lihue mauka of Isenberg Park, to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Garden Island.

One-on-one with Kauaʻi’s new police chief, Rudy Tai. New Kauaʻi Police Chief Rudy Tai’s interest in law enforcement began long ago in Pearl City, Oʻahu, where the mentorship and coaching of local cops inspired him to become a junior police officer at Highlands Elementary. He was just 12 years old. Kauai Now.

Group outlines spending plan for 'Green fee' tourist tax, Houses urges AG to expedite bribery investigation, Case gathers war chest in congressional race challenged by state legislators, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Group outlines spending plan for new climate change tax. The new Green Fee Advisory Council had to choose from among more than $2 billion worth of funding requests to help Hawaii respond to climate change, but will only have $100 million or so annually to recommend through the first statewide tax of its kind in the country, which has been collecting revenue since Jan. 1. The recommendations that the 10-member, volunteer council made to Green include $1.5 million to track and publicize how the Green Fee is being dispersed among three separate funding “buckets” mandated by Act 96: environmental stewardship; climate and hazard resilience; and sustainable tourism. Gov. Josh Green signed the so-called “Green Fee” into law last year as Act 96. It increases the state’s transient accommodation tax by .075% — to 11% — on overnight lodgings for everyone, including local residents. Star-Advertiser.

House urges Hawaiʻi AG to expedite investigation into alleged $35,000 payment. The state House passed a resolution urging the Hawaiʻi attorney general to expedite the investigation to identify a Hawaiʻi lawmaker who is accused of accepting $35,000 in 2022.  Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Ed Case Has Substantial Lead In Money Race For U.S. House Seat.  Two state lawmakers, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole and Rep. Della Au Belatti, have mounted campaigns against Case. Civil Beat.

The State Capitol Is Buzzing About This Prominent Hawaiʻi Lawmaker. Longtime Sen. Michelle Kidani may be leaving office early amid concerns about whether she is mentally fit. Sources say the 77-year-old lawmaker is suffering from dementia and has been under a doctor’s care. Civil Beat.

Bill deferred that would prohibit open carry of bladed weapons. Multiple machete-related violent crimes across Oahu left Hawaii lawmakers to revisit a proposal that would prohibit the open carry of any deadly or dangerous weapon. KHON2.

Nurses brace for a long haul on second week. The United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, which represents 31,000 workers, including about 250 in Hawaii, began striking on Jan. 26.  Star-Advertiser.

Dozens of traveling preschools in underserved communities at risk of closing. More than 60 of these early learning programs across the state could soon close with millions in federal funds drying up as early as this summer, leaving more than 2,000 keiki without access. KITV4.

Bankoh passing CEO torch as Ho retires. Bank of Hawaii Corp. CEO Peter Ho is set to hand off the chief executive role at the 128-year-old financial institution to company President and Chief Banking Officer James Polk. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi practitioners say AI has no place in cultural tattoo practices. The rise of AI-generated images has cultural practitioners in Hawaiʻi worried about the misappropriation of Indigenous tattoos and copying designs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Judge orders mediation for HART, Hitachi litigation. A state judge presiding over contending, multimillion dollar lawsuits brought by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation and its main contractor has directed both parties to submit to mediation, a HART lawyer confirms. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaiʻi to search for separate Mānoa campus chancellor. The University of Hawaiʻi is thinking about splitting President Wendy Hensel’s job into two positions — similar to how it was a decade ago. Hawaii Public Radio.

State Agrees To Settle Case Over Prison Drug Withdrawal Death. The settlement calls for a $600,000 payment to the estate of Brian Kimo O’Gorman after he suffered heart failure while withdrawing from methadone. Civil Beat.

State, county settle lawsuits over wrongful psychiatric detention. When finalized, the deal will end the state and federal civil lawsuits filed by Joshua Spriestersbach, who was 46 years old in 2017 when he was arrested for someone else’s crimes outside a shelter in Chinatown. Hawaii News Now.

No Parking signs near Lanikai Beach could mean more ticketing, towing. About 170 cars are parked illegally along the loop near the popular Lanikai Beach every day, according to city officials, who drafted a proposal to ease congestion in the area. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Honolulu real estate company buys family-owned Pāhoa Village Center. Watumull Properties Corporation acquired the 101,000-square-foot neighborhood shopping center located at 15-2880 Pāhoa Village Road in Pāhoa in October for $4.39 million from the Bellman family. Big Island Now.

Council urges restoration of Isaac Hale park. A resolution urging the county Department of Parks and Recreation “to prioritize and expedite the restoration of Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki” was approved 6-0 on Jan. 23 by the County Council with council members Ashley Kierkiewicz and Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder of Puna and Heather Kimball of Hamakua excused. Tribune-Herald.

Kealakehe Elementary breaks ground on $16 million classroom building. The two-story structure will add more than 13,000 square feet of learning space, including four new classrooms, special education areas, faculty offices, and an outdoor learning space. Hawaii News Now.

Waimea Town Hall to address unexploded ordnance cleanup, drug seizures, proposed legislation. At the upcoming Waimea Town meeting on Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will address the current unexploded ordnance cleanup slated to begin at Waimea-Kohala Airport this month, as well as the latest statistics of drug seizures made by Hawai‘i Island police and proposed county legislation. Big Island Now.

Maui

Oceanfront Lahaina Property Owners May Get Buyout In Updated Disaster Plan. The county is seeking an amendment to create a voluntary buyout program with some of its $1.6 billion fire recovery grant from the feds. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Water Service requests rate increase for Kapalua, Maui. Hawaii Water Service Company, which provides water and wastewater services in Kapalua, Maui, is requesting a rate increase. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Hawai‘i governor selects new Kaua‘i Circuit Court judge. Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green has appointed Stephanie R.S. Char to be Circuit Court judge for the Fifth Circuit on Kaua‘i. Char currently serves as a district family court judge for the 5th Circuit, where she presides over a wide range of civil, criminal and family court matters. Kauai Now.

Finance Department, Mayor celebrate installation of DMV kiosk. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and the joined the Western Motor Service ‘ohana, including the Kaiakapu family — Crystal, Koty and Jed — to celebrate the self-service motor vehicle registration kiosk that was installed at the business in December. Garden Island.

Gambling, geothermal, transient accommodations tax hike top Hawaiian Home Lands agenda, Maui to phase out over 6,200 short-term rentals, Honolulu airport adds electric buses, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DHHL considers gambling, building review and geothermal this legislative session. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will push for new revenue streams that would allot it to develop more homestead projects for the 2026 legislative session. Raising the Transient Accommodations Tax by 1 percentage point and exploring geothermal energy to generate revenues are some top priorities for the department. The department is also considering a casino.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Influenza cases and 911 calls surging in Hawaii, DOH says. The Hawaii Department of Health is seeing a surge in influenza cases, along with flu-related 911 calls and emergency department visits statewide. A seasonal uptick in flu- related symptoms is expected during the winter months, especially as more gatherings take place indoors. There has, however, been a sharp increase in respiratory-related 911 calls. Star-Advertiser.

State relaunches first-time home buyer program to address high interest rates. State home loan program undercuts market interest rates. Hawaii renters with low or moderate incomes have a new opportunity to become homeowners under a revived state program offering below-market mortgage loans. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Wespac Looks To Expand Commercial Access To Hawaiʻi’s Papahānaumokuākea. Local fishery managers, moving in step with the Trump administration, want to eventually reopen large protected swaths of the Pacific to potentially all sorts of commercial fishing — not just the deep-sea tuna and swordfish sought by longline boats but nearshore lobsters and corals as well. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaiian Home Lands Could Get More Money Out Of ʻEwa Land Swap Deal. The proposed commercial center on donated West Oʻahu land has run into significant opposition this year. But the proposal has evolved and a vote Tuesday will decide its fate. The commission in charge of developing Hawaiian homelands is set to vote Tuesday on a land swap proposal that skirts county zoning rules in a deal that proponents say could raise $100 million for the department over the next 65 years. Civil Beat.

Historic bar in Honolulu to shut down. Smith’s Union Bar, a Chinatown institution and Honolulu’s oldest continually operating bar, will be closing its doors after its landlord apparently decided not to renew its lease. Established in 1934 on Hotel Street, the bar has endured decades and was famous as the watering hole of the crew of the USS Arizona before its destruction during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Star-Advertiser.

New cafe, electric buses blessed at Honolulu airport; looks to make travel smooth, easy. There are some new improvements at Honolulu Airport that officials say are meant to make the travel experience smoother and better, which they say will keep people flying in and out of the islands. KHON2.

Hawaii health officials allow Kaimuki restaurant to reopen. Hawaii health officials have issued a green placard to the Himalayan Kitchen LLC in Kaimuki, authorizing the restaurant to reopen after shutting it down last week. Star-Advertiser.

New lawsuit claims sex abuse, non-consensual videotaping by former Tripler doctor. Already facing sex crime allegations from about 100 women, a former Tripler Army Medical Center gynecologist is at the center of a new lawsuit. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

NOAA funds restoration work along Kona's Aliʻi Drive. Hawaiʻi County has plans to restore native habitat and cultural sites on an 11.5 acre parcel in the middle of Kona's main commercial strip. Hawaii Public Radio.

A new state park for Hilo? Kusch schedules meeting on proposal. Rep. Matthias Kusch has a community meeting slated for Wednesday evening to discuss a proposal to purchase 283 acres of land in the Kaumana area for what he calls a passive recreation wilderness state park for Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Traffic Emergency Zone Planned For Worsening Highway 19 Conditions. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation plans to declare a traffic emergency zone on Highway 19 in North and South Hilo, as worsening conditions along the Hāmākua coast highway will require repairs. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Researcher looks into a link between public gatherings in the Pacific and dengue spread. Hawaiʻi Island was recently selected to host the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education in 2028. The event would bring thousands of educators and leaders to Waikoloa from across the globe. But what impact might large gatherings like this one have on the spread of dengue virus? Hawaii Public Radio.

Former Bank of Hawaii teller indicted for theft, computer fraud. A 24-year-old former Bank of Hawaii teller pleaded not guilty Friday to charges she allegedly embezzled more than $40,000 from bank customers, including two elderly customers. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Maui

Maui to phase out over 6,200 short-term rentals. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s Bill 9 passed its final hearing before the County Council on Monday but the future of the more than 6,200 short-term vacation rentals in West and South Maui that have to convert to long-term rental units for local residents remains in doubt. Bissen signed Bill 9 into law after the Council forwarded it to him Monday, starting the clock on converting 6,208 vacation rentals within three years for West Maui and five years for South Maui. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Lahaina harbor opens for business. The Lahaina Small Boat Harbor is hosting tour vessels again as of Monday, more than two years after the 2023 Maui wildfires destroyed the historic landmark. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police warn public of ‘spoofing’ scam calls. The Maui Police Department is warning the public of recurring phone scams involving spoofed calls that falsely appear to originate from the MPD. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County now requesting proposals for its homeless. The purpose of this grant program is to provide critical services to those who are currently experiencing homelessness, according to a news release from Kaua‘i County. Kauai Now.

County of Kauai launches motor vehicle registration kiosk in Hanapepe. County of Kauai officials, in partnership with Western Motor Service and Intellectual Technology Inc. (ITI), launched a new self-service kiosk for motor vehicle registrations at Western Motor Service in Hanapepe. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Green imposes spending limits on state departments, tax office going after noncompliant vacation rentals, Maui Councilmember Tasha Kama dies, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi’s Child Welfare Reform Efforts Bump Up Against Budget Fears. Gov. Josh Green has imposed spending restrictions on state departments, which means new money to help fix problems at CWS will be scarce next year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii braces for suspension of SNAP. Organizations devoted to helping financially strapped Hawaii families were scrambling Monday after the federal Food and Nutrition Service told states that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP — will be suspended beginning Saturday because of the federal government shutdown. Star-Advertiser.

What to know about SNAP benefits and a $100M Hawaiʻi relief program. More than 160,000 Hawaiʻi residents received SNAP benefits totaling about $753 million throughout fiscal year 2024, according to the state Department of Human Services. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs sets aside $6.1 million for emergency relief amid federal government shutdown. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees approved $6.1 million in emergency funding for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries impacted by the shutdown of the federal government and the potential suspension of food assistance on Nov. 1. Kauai Now.

Republican State Sen. Brenton Awa to run for U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda's seat. Republican state Sen. Brenton Awa announced his run for Congress on Monday, putting him in the race for the second congressional district against incumbent Rep. Jill Tokuda, a Democrat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Alaska, Hawaiian airlines combining under a single operating certificate. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to issue a single operating certificate to Alaska Airlines on Wednesday — a pivotal step in its merger with Hawaiian Airlines, which will mark the milestone with the appointment of a new CEO and several other major transitions to its Honolulu-based leadership team. Star-Advertiser.

State tax office on going after vacation rentals that skip out on TAT. The Conversation spoke to the state tax office about a recent legal notice listing the names of 18 people or entities that were in violation of the law by not disclosing their tax information in their advertising on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Mom Sues Boys & Girls Club For Not Protecting Child From Abuse. Staff members of a Boys & Girls Club after-school program in Honolulu did nothing to address reports that one student was bullying and sexually assaulting another young boy for nearly four months, according to a lawsuit filed by the boy’s mother.  Civil Beat.

City offers more $10K grants to rail-affected businesses. A new round of city-subsidized relief is being offered to eligible businesses impacted by construction of the more than $10-billion Skyline rail project’s Dillingham Boulevard corridor, Honolulu officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Popular luau to close after nearly 50 years. After 47 years of service, Paradise Cove will hold its final luau on New Year’s Eve. The luau’s parent company, PC Services, said 172 employees will lose their jobs.  Hawaii News Now.

Demolition begins as Kawaiahao Church prepares for reburial of ancestral remains. Kawaiahaʻo Church is preparing to rebury hundreds of skeletal remains that were dug up during a construction project 16 years ago, with demolition work beginning Tuesday.  Hawaii News Now.

Assaults on Honolulu officers up, what’s behind the trend? Assault on law enforcement officer (LEO) cases jumped in 2025 — up 20% compared to the same time in 2024. Most of the assaults occur during responses for intoxication, domestic or mental health-related calls. Interim chief Vanic said de-escalation is key. KHON2.

Teens who died while fishing identified as Waianae High School seniors. The boys who died are Maikah Hampp-Iriarte, 17, and Tony Siufanua, 17. The incident happened Saturday morning at Kaena Point. Friends say one of the boys was swept into the water and the other jumped in to help. They’re not sure who was in the water first. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of federal workers line up for free food in Kalihi as government shut down drags on. Hundreds of cars were lined up on Rose Street in Kalihi, federal workers in many cases going to work every day, but not getting paid. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

State proposes rules to reopen waters to aquarium fishing. The reopening of waters off Hawaii’s Kona coast to aquarium fishing took a step closer to reality after a state board decided to put forth a set of proposed rules for public hearings. The Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday voted unanimously to approve the proposed rulings, a required step in the process of opening up waters again to the harvesting of fish from local waters to be sold as pets in saltwater aquariums worldwide. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i County to host traffic safety vigil days after deadly Daniel K. Inouye Highway crash. Hawai‘i County and partners will be hosting a “Healing Our Highways” Traffic Safety Vigil and Remembrance Event this week just days after a two-vehicle crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway left four injured and two people dead. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi County police commissioners discuss hiring procedures for next chief. The Hawaiʻi County Police Commission discussed and voted on procedures for hiring the next police chief during Friday’s meeting. Big Island Now.

Waitlist opens for housing project in Waikōloa Village. Nonprofit developer Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation, through property manager Indigo Real Estate Services, will accept applications for both project-based voucher and non-project-based voucher units at Nā Hale Makoa till Nov. 17. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council Member Tasha Kama, 73, Remembered For Life Of Service. Her death leaves a void on the ideologically split nine-member council as it confronts major housing policy decisions. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Maui News.  Maui Now. KITV4.

Final request: Kama asks Council to consider appointing Kauanoe Batangan as her successor. Seven-year Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, who died Sunday night at Maui Memorial Medical Center, has asked fellow council members to appoint Kauanoe Batangan to serve out the remainder of her term. Maui Now.

Four Seasons Resort to seek permit for $16.3 million in exterior renovations and improvements. The Maui Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing tomorrow morning on a $16.3 million proposal for exterior renovations and improvements at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea. Maui Now.

Kauai

Dark Skies fall upon Pacific Missile Range Facility with mission to protect fledgling ʻaʻo, ʻuaʻu. Annual fledging of ʻaʻo, or Newell’s shearwaters, and ʻuaʻu, or Hawaiian petrels, on Kauaʻi, is underway and runs through Dec. 15 — a critical period for two of Hawai‘i’s most threatened seabirds. Kauai Now.

$400M state stockpile could soften blow of federal cuts, state libraries banned from saying 'banned' during Banned Books Week, state Senate committees to examine impacts on agriculture food security, IRONMAN kicks off with Kona underpants run, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Legislators to examine federal impacts on ag, food security. Two state Senate committees will hold a joint informational briefing next week to examine how recent federal policy changes are affecting the state’s agricultural and food sectors, amid growing concern over rising costs, trade disruptions and weakening federal support for farmers. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii library system bans displays that refer to ‘Banned Books Week,’ rebrands to ‘Freedom to Read’.  New guidelines issued by the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System ahead of the 41st annual event prohibit the use of the words “censorship” and “banned,” as well as the phrase “banned books week,” in displays at 51 public libraries across the state.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Introduce A Lot Of Bills. See Whose Pass — And Fail. Committee chairs and legislative veterans have the best track record, a review of the data shows. But even they only get a fraction of what they introduce through. Civil Beat.

$400M stockpile for Hawaiʻi low-income families could soften effects of federal cuts. The state has more than $400 million in unspent federal funds for a program to help low-income families through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tourist Tax Hike Sought For Hawaiian Home Lands. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands plans to ask lawmakers to approve a 1% increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax, which could generate more than $100 million in annual revenue for the department to pursue development and assist its beneficiaries with home loans — a key sticking point for many who have languished for decades on a waiting list for housing lots. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian Convention wraps up with focus on tourism, culture. The Native Hawaiian Convention wrapped up this week in Tulalip, Washington, after days of cultural exchange and discussion about how tourism can better support local communities. KHON2. Big Island Now. 

1 In 4 Hawai‘i Students Are Chronically Absent From School. Five years after the pandemic upended attendance, many schools are still struggling to get kids to show up regularly. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i House of Reps accepting applications for 2026 legislative session. Session staff positions are temporary and typically span from December/January through May each year, with salary ranges dependent on the specific position and relevant experience. Kauai Now.

State senators see results — and challenges — during illegal fireworks bunker inspection. Senators also were briefed about the ongoing work of the Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement Illegal Fireworks Task Force, highlighting enforcement efforts and challenges of addressing illegal fireworks throughout the islands. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Assaults on Honolulu police officers on the rise. Assaults on Honolulu police officers are up 21% this year compared with the same period last year, and are on pace to surpass 2024’s total of 43 cases, the Honolulu Police Department announced Thursday in a news release. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hopes high for increase in Skyline ridership. Journalists got to ride the city’s second segment of the Skyline rail system on Thursday that will take passengers down a new, 5.2-mile route to some of the most important stations and major employment centers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Oceanit donates thousands of COVID test kits to local schools. Honolulu-based Oceanit this week said it has donated thousands of its ASSURE-100 COVID rapid test kits to schools across Oahu. The test kits, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, were developed by Oceanit scientists and engineers locally. Star-Advertiser.

This School Wanted Officers On Campus. 3 Others Will Get Them First. Representatives of Nānākuli High and Intermediate School say they have been left out of Oʻahu’s upcoming school resource officer pilot program. Civil Beat.

City says improper propane tank disposal sparked waste facility fire. The Department of Environmental Services (ENV) confirmed the fire that sparked Wednesday, leaving piles of charred debris and equipment, was caused by improper disposal of a propane tank. Hawaii News Now.

Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden to close Thursdays, city says. City officials say that in the post-pandemic era the number of guests to Ho‘o­maluhia — which in the Hawaiian language translates to “a peaceful refuge” — skyrocketed to a point where the garden itself needed peace and refuge. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona Underpants Run Held On Aliʻi Drive. The Kona Underpants Run was held on Aliʻi Drive Thursday morning, part of the IRONMAN World Championship pre-race series of events. Big Island Video News.

2025 IRONMAN World Championship Week In Kona. This year marks the final co-hosting rotation of the IRONMAN World Championship, with the 2025 men’s edition having been held in Nice, France in September, with the women’s edition taking place in Kona this weekend. Big Island Video News.

Restoration Of Honu‘apo Estuary Wetland Planned. A proposal to restore 8 acres of estuary and wetland habitat at Honu‘apo in Kaʻū is examined in a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) published in the October 8th issue of The Environmental Notice.  Big Island Video News.

20 Sheep Killed On Puna Ranch. The sheep were killed sometime between Friday, October 3th, and Monday, October 6th, police say. Investigators discovered what appeared to be dog bite marks on the slaughtered sheep. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

Maui

Major GMO Seed Company Is Maui County’s Top Water Customer. While the genetically modified seed industry has declined across Hawaiʻi, records show Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, has increased its water usage on two Maui farms by 13% since 2021. Civil Beat.

Public hearing set for Kula Forest management plan.  The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has scheduled a public hearing next week to solicit feedback on a comprehensive plan to manage the 3,434-acre Kamehamenui Forest Reserve in Kula. Maui Now.

DOT completes repairs to erosion-damaged highway on Molokai. The state said it has completed emergency road repairs to the main highway on Molokai damaged by coastal erosion at a cost of $720,000. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Road work scheduled for various locations in Wailuā Houselots area. Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works and contractor Maui Kupono Builders notify the public about road closures and single-lane contraflows for portions of Nonou Road, Likeke Place, Laʻaukea Place, Eggerking Road and Nānā Place in the Wailuā Houselots area beginning next week. Kauai Now.

U.S. Postal Service hiring for holiday help on Kauaʻi. The holiday positions available are at the Kapa’a and Līhuʻe post offices, with assignments running from Nov. 15 to Dec. 26. Kauai Now.

Auditor calls classroom cooling project a $120M disaster, deadline nears for proposed uses of green fee, Honolulu inflation rate slows, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Auditor: Plan To Cool Hawaiʻi Classrooms A ‘$120 Million Disaster’. A multimillion-dollar effort to cool the state’s school classrooms has fallen well short of its goals due to rushed planning and poor decision-making, the state Office of the Auditor found in a damning report released Tuesday.  Civil Beat.

Full audit report on cooling school classrooms. One DOE funding report dated November 7, 2018, more than a year after Governor Ige and DOE declared success at cooling 1,000 classrooms, placed the total amount spent at $122.8 million, which included $22 million for consultants, $95 million for construction, and another $6 million on LED lighting and water coolers. Office of the Auditor.

Deadline approaching to give opinion on Hawaii’s Green Fee. A deadline is fast approaching for the public to give input on how funding from Hawaii’s green fee legislation can address critical shortfalls of Hawaii’s natural resources. “Care for Aina Now” is urging the public to share their input before the Aug. 15 deadline for the statewide survey. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines to suspend 3 underperforming routes this fall. Hawaiian Airlines announced Tuesday that it is suspending service in November on three underperforming routes, including service between Honolulu and Boston, Incheon, South Korea, and Fukuoka, Japan. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

HECO builds out network of AI-powered wildfire detection cameras. Hawaiian Electric has deployed 180 AI-powered cameras across Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, and Maui County to help detect early signs of wildfires in remote areas. Hawaii Public Radio.

The fight to save Hawaii’s coconut palms. Across Hawaii, what looks like a bad haircut on the landscape is marking the slow death of the coconut palm, that icon of paradise. The culprit: the coconut rhinoceros beetle, a glossy, thumb-size scarab that bores into the crowns of palms to feed on sap. New York Times.

Opportunities to export local goods increased through passage of Act 237. The Senate Committee on Ways and Means received a comprehensive update on Tuesday from the Agribusiness Development Corporation on the development of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation efforts to help scale up local farmers and entrepreneurs and increase economic resilience.  Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Providers Fear RFK Jr. Could Roll Back Access To Abortion Pill. Women in remote and rural parts of Hawaiʻi have long struggled to access abortion care. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Oahu inflation slows amid tariff backdrop. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday reported that prices for a broad sampling of goods and services on the island generally rose 2.3% over 12 months through July. This inflation rate for Oahu compared with 4.5% in the 12-month period through July 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium Contracts Are Set For Final Vote. The Aloha Stadium Authority plans to vote Wednesday on whether to approve hundreds of millions of dollars of redevelopment contracts, a big step forward in the long-stalled $400 million project to rejuvenate the surrounding area and open a new home for the University of Hawaiʻi’s football team.  Civil Beat.

Sen. Schatz pledges to support community health centers amid federal cuts. Hawaiʻi U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz visited the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center on Oʻahu as health care facilities and low-income families brace for looming federal cuts. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu City Council accepts donated CPB property for city use. The Honolulu City Council has formally accepted Central Pacific Bank’s donation of more than $1.63 million in real and personal property for use by the city Department of Community Services near Aala Street and the H-1 freeway. Star-Advertiser.

Colliers talks latest findings on Honolulu's empty office space. The real estate company Colliers tracks industry trends and just released its Q2 report on downtown occupancy rates. Honolulu has the second-highest rate in cities across the country for planned office space conversions to residences. Hawaii Public Radio.

Feds Investigating At Least One Prison Guard’s Actions In OCCC Killing. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a “target letter” to a state corrections officer signaling his actions are under investigation in connection with the beating death of an inmate — allegedly by other prisoners — at the Oʻahu Community Correctional Center two years ago. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

New Building Department eyed. The Hawaii County Council is proposing a County Charter amendment that would create a Department of Building aimed at speeding up the permitting and inspection process and easing the workload of the Department of Public Works — but Mayor Kimo Alameda is not convinced it’s the right approach. Tribune-Herald.

Puna, Waiākea communities invited to share ideas to improve conservation. Puna and Waiākea community members are invited to join their neighboring farmers and ranchers for upcoming meetings of local working groups with U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Drought Update: Extreme Drought On Maunakea. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows severe dryness in northern interior parts of the Big Island. Big Island Video News.

Mother of former UFC star B.J. Penn seeks to extend restraining order. Former UFC star B.J. Penn appeared in court on Tuesday defending himself as his mother sought to have the temporary restraining order she has against him extended for a year. KITV4.

Pancho & Lefty’s authorized to reopen after passing follow-up inspection. Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch authorized the reopening of a downtown Kailua-Kona eatery after being forced to immediately shutter last week following a failed food safety inspection that revealed multiple food safety violations, including dead and live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces and in ready-to-eat food.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Fire at Kula Lodge guts beloved Maui restaurant and puts Upcountry community ‘on edge’.  The iconic restaurant on the slopes of Haleakalā had caught fire, gutting the rustic dining room with a cozy fireplace where countless Maui families and visitors gathered for brunches and celebratory dinners. With its good food and sweeping views of the central valley, Kula Lodge also was a must stop for many people going to and from the national park. Maui Now.

Maui Film Festival’s 25-year run is over; Wailuku Film Festival to start in 2026 with different focus. For 25 years, the Maui Film Festival was a beloved event, bringing new movies to the island and for more than a decade featuring “Celestial Cinema” nights on the joint driving range of the Emerald and Gold golf courses in Wailea. Maui Now.

Kauai

New free airport wayfinding app enhances passenger experience at Līhuʻe Airport. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation launched a pair of free airport wayfinding smartphone apps — including one for a Kaua‘i airport — designed to make the airport experience less stressful and more enjoyable for travelers. Kauai Now.

Construction of temporary bridge on Anahola Road expected through December. Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works and Cushnie Construction notify the public that construction of a temporary bridge over Olokauha Stream on Anahola Road in Anahola is anticipated through December. The bridge will remain closed to traffic for the full duration of construction. Kauai Now.

Thousands of pounds of marine debris removed from Kauai coastline. More than 9,000 pounds of marine debris was removed from the remote coastline of Moloaa on Kauai. Hawaii News Now.

Legislature advances 'green fee' on short-term stays, hotels and cruise ships; union workers get 4% or less raises; pay-to-play, sports betting bills DOA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Legislature Takes Historic Step Toward A Visitor ‘Green Fee’. Under the bill, the transient accommodations tax that visitors pay on their nightly hotel and short-term rental stays will increase by .75%, plus travelers who dock in Hawaiʻi on cruise ships will start paying that tax as well, to cover the new fee. Civil Beat.

New Contracts Give More Than $1 Billion In Union Pay Raises.  Unionized state workers received raises of 4% or less per year for the next four years. Civil Beat.

State bill would change oversight of Hawai’i Tourism Authority. State lawmakers advanced a bill by the Legislature session deadline that will significantly change the governance model for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for the first time since it created the agency in 1998. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Kill Pay-to-Play Bill — Again. The Legislature has refused to close a loophole in state law that has allowed millions of dollars to flow to Hawaiʻi political campaigns from people who get big state contracts. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers to vote on over 200 bills this week. If approved by the full House and Senate Wednesday, the bills would go to Gov. Josh Green, who has already signed 27 new laws this year, including further tightening firearms requirements across the islands, which already have some of the strictest firearms laws in the country. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers scurry to advance flurry of bills past key deadline. Casualties included a bill to legalize online sports betting in Hawaii and one to give the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands an additional $600 million to develop homesteads for beneficiaries. Bills that cleared the hurdle included one to raise the state’s transient accommodations tax in part to help sustain Hawaii’s natural resources, and one to expand the use of cameras to ticket speeding drivers on roadways statewide. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi will not legalize online sports betting this year. Online sports betting will not be legalized this legislative session. Lawmakers decided to defer the measure Friday afternoon. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Kill Pay-to-Play Bill — Again. The Legislature’s powerful money committees wouldn’t sign-off on what had become a much-watered down measure. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Lawmakers To Require Audit Of Green’s Kauhale Homeless Initiative. The governor says the funding legislators also approved will keep the state on track to have 30 kauhale villages by 2026. Civil Beat.

Bill to create food systems working group likely to pass Legislature. Senate Bill 1186, which passed the conference committee process this week, seeks to create a “statewide interagency food systems coordination team” that would include leaders along the food supply chain — from farms to restaurants. Hawaii Public Radio.

Reducing the Hawaiian homestead waitlist: DHHL on track to award 2,600+ leases in 2025. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands presented an ambitious awards schedule before the Hawaiian Homes Commission last week and announced its plan to issue more than 2,600 leases by the end of 2025. Big Island Now.

Hawaii is ranked low for emergency readiness. The Trust for America’s Health evaluated each state, using 10 key indicators ranging from public health funding to workforce mobility. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Too Many Exemptions From Empty Homes Tax Could Cost Honolulu $150 Million. The city council has been trying to pass a 1% to 3% tax for years but wants to target offshore investors, not local residents. Civil Beat.

Settlement in $324M Hitachi suit is coming, HART says. A more than $324 million lawsuit brought by rail’s principal contractor against the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in 2024 appears on the verge of a final settlement, while condemnation actions will proceed on four downtown area properties. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii crews clear 45 homeless camps on Diamond Head slopes. LNR officials said there are large amounts of camping gear and buckets of human waste that litter the slopes. Star-Advertiser.

Government gridlock on evacuation plan frustrates Leeward residents. Leeward Coast residents — already worried about being trapped if Farrington Highway turns into gridlock during an emergency — received frustrating news from federal, state and city governments recently that help isn’t coming anytime soon. Star-Advertiser.

Consumers in Hawaii prepare for tariffs’ impact. While businesses have already been hit hard by the international trade war, the impact has only just begun to trickle down to local customers and visitors, who will ultimately have to pay more to keep the businesses alive, according to Justin Tyndall, an associate professor at University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Next Waimea Town Meeting to dig deep into Hawai‘i County budget, revenue policies. North Hawai‘i community members have the opportunity to dig deep into Hawai‘i County budget and revenue policies — including those governing property taxes and short-term vacation rentals — during the next Waimea Town Meeting. Big Island Now.

‘They see things no one should see’: Book by UH Hilo professor being used to help first responders. First responders are learning about the surprising causes and unique therapies for challenges prevalent among their community thanks to workshops in Hilo and Kona that derive treatment strategies from a new book. Tribune-Herald.

Bikeshare ridership increases islandwide. Cyclists took 11,305 rides on rented bikes from HIBIKE kiosks across the island in 2023, which rose to 12,463 rides throughout 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Asks Feds To Flex Rules Governing $1.6 Billion Wildfire Recovery Grant. The county wants to use some of the money to rebuild accessory dwelling units but is primarily focused on securing final approval. Civil Beat.

Replanting at Kahoma Village to support Lahaina recovery, growth following wildfires. Nearly 200 Kahoma Village homeowners, community members, and local organizations gathered Saturday to restore the landscape in Lahaina by planting 100 native and resilient species to support ongoing post-wildfire recovery.  Maui Now.

Maui volunteers recycle mountains of fire-donated clothing otherwise doomed for the landfill. Clothes in good condition will be gifted to targeted community partners for those in need. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i state legislators tout support for key Garden Isle investments in state budget.  Here’s a look at important Kaua‘i County investments appropriated in the biennium state spending plan for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, from highest to lowest price tag. Kauai Now.

Kauai councilmember sounding ’emergency alarm’ on coconut rhinoceros beetles. Councilmember Fern Holland says the destructive beetle has been spotted from Hā’ena to Waimea. KHON2.

Hotel tax hike still on the table, economists predict 2k+ local layoffs in Trump plan, warn of possible recession; Aloha Stadium price tag rises to $650M, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers eye tourism industry to help fund $1.4B reportedly needed for climate resiliency. Three measures still alive at the Legislature would collect funds for climate resilience – two of which would again increase the tax levied on hotels. Hawaii Public Radio.

Trump Job Cuts In Hawaiʻi: Economists Predict 2,200+ Layoffs. The estimate does not include up to 1,200 jobs potentially lost at the University of Hawaiʻi or layoffs expected related to future downsizing of government and grants. Hawaiʻi’s workforce of some 637,700 included 35,500 federal employees as of December, data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics shows. Civil Beat.

The University of Hawaii launched a new federal policy and resource information website on Monday. The webpage makes it easier for students and faculty to track the impact President Trump’s federal policies have on the 10-campus system.  Hawaii News Now.

Economic report offers sobering forecast for Hawaii amid federal shakeup. The 2025 first-quarter economic forecast by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization paints a somber outlook of the state economy, warning of the potential for a recession depending on how policy shake-ups by President Donald Trump and his new administration ultimately take shape. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

House advances bill to speed up projects requiring historic preservation review. Under the bill, if the state Department of Land and Natural Resources cannot complete a project review within 60 days, the project would be passed onto a third party chosen by the State Historic Preservation Division. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii hospitals inundated with patients as flu cases soar.  Health  care officials have this urgent message: If you need to see a doctor and it’s not an emergency, consider going to an urgent care or trying to get in with your primary care physician. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu managing director is reconfirmed. Honolulu’s Managing Director Mike Formby and 11 others will continue in their roles as the city’s top appointed officials. The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday on separate but related resolutions to confirm many of those comprising Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s next executive Cabinet. Star-Advertiser.

The Cost Of A New Aloha Stadium Is Now Up To $650 Million. Utilities and infrastructure are expected to add millions more but stadium developers would be expected to pay for those costs. Civil Beat.

Newest shelter targets homeless trauma, mental health. The first of 24 homeless patients are scheduled to move into the newest joint state-city homeless shelter of its kind focused on treating mental health, memory and brain injuries. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Fire prevention project halted in Waikōloa Village by Trump Administration. A $75,000 fire mitigation project on the Big Island was abruptly halted after the U.S. Department of Energy rescinded its grant funding as part of the Trump Administration’s slashing of federal spending. Big Island Now.

Visitors to the Big Island up 10% in January. According to data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the more than 158,000 visitors to the Big Island in January was 10% more than those who came to the island in January 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Replacement of Waiaka Bridge could start late this year. Efforts to replace the 93-year-old Waiaka Stream Bridge in South Kohala are still in motion, but construction is not expected to begin until late this year, state officials said.  West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Lahaina land trust granted $5M in county funds to keep shoreline in community hands.  The Maui County Council has granted the organization pre-authorization to use $5 million from the county’s Managed Retreat Revolving Fund. Hawaii Public Radio.

Toxic Maui Wildfire Debris Heading Soon To Permanent Home. It took nearly a year and a half to remove the ash and wreckage from commercial lots and residential properties and move it to the Olowalu landfill. Now that debris is headed to Central Maui. Civil Beat.

FEMA to collect rents from some wildfire survivors. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui wildfire survivors participating in the agency’s Direct Housing Program should be getting their first rental bill on March 1 and they will have 30 days to pay it. Maui News.

Software upgrade planned for Maui’s Automated Planning and Permitting System. After the upgrade, MAPPS will offer enhanced security features, as well as a new web address and link, which will be published on the MAPPS website https://www.mauicounty.gov/MAPPSUpgrade0325 on March 10. Maui Now.

Kauai

Housing Agency announces first families moved in to Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development. Four families will be moving into 3-bedroom homes in late February. Lima Ola is a Kaua‘i County master planned community with about 550 new affordable housing units comprised of single-family homes and multi-family rental units. Kauai Now.

53-year-old man dies after reported disorderly incident at Līhu‘e Airport. Officers with Kaua‘i Police Department responded to a request for assistance from airport law enforcement officers, arriving at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday to help with a man who was reported to be disorderly. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Green's climate fee bill clears first committee, marijuana legalization gets initial approval, DHHL seeks $20M for geothermal exploration, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

First climate fee bills pass initial hearing, with concerns. Gov. Josh Green’s bills to fund Hawaii’s climate change response by increasing the state’s hotel room tax and dedicating all of the interest from the $1.5 billion rainy day fund were unanimously passed out of a House committee Tuesday, but with concerns that they need “a lot of work.” Star-Advertiser.

Marijuana Legalization Gets Initial Approval From 2 House Committees. The legislation would regulate and tax adult use of pot, as well as medical cannabis and hemp. Civil Beat.

Bill would create statewide policy for police car chases. A bill that would establish a statewide policy for police motor vehicle pursuits will be heard at 10 a.m. Thursday by the House Transportation Committee. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Might Finally Put The Bite On Bedbugs In Housing — But Not Hotels. Landlords would be required to ensure rentals are free of the tiny bloodsuckers that come out at night. Civil Beat.

Governor questions Trump picks’ experience, tells loyalists: ‘You have been tricked’.  Gov. Josh Green just returned from Washington, D.C., after advocating against President Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Number of HPD officers disciplined declined in 2024.  Twenty-two Honolulu police officers were disciplined in 2024 for 19 incidents including fleeing the scene of a car crash after a chase, using excessive force against a detainee and falsifying police reports. That is down from 29 Opens in a new tab Honolulu Police Depart­ment officers disciplined in 2023 in connection with 28 incidents.   Star-Advertiser.

OHA Kakaako Makai housing bill advances.  Three Hawaii Senate committees have advanced a contentious bill to allow housing on land owned by the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Kakaako, makai of Ala Moana Boulevard. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu extends deadline for rail-affected businesses to apply for compensation.  The city Department of Budget and Fiscal Services says it will extend the application deadline for the so-called transit construction mitigation fund, or TCMF, grant online portal submissions for an additional two weeks. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Honolulu Festival to now charge admission. The Honolulu Festival, a cultural exchange celebrating Japan and the Pacific Rim, will return in March, and for the first time in its 29-year history will charge admission for adults to enter the exhibition hall on the ground floor of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, where a majority of the events are taking place. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

DHHL Seeks $20 Million For Geothermal Exploration On Hawaiʻi Island. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has identified three sites for further exploration in South Point, Kawaihae, and Humuʻula. Big Island Video News.

Council blamed for funding loss: Money for Puna alternate route study lapsed last year. A study to investigate possible alternate traffic routes into Puna apparently died more than six months ago, despite assurances by Hawaii County officials the project was still on track. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Senate bill passes to waive SMA permits for rebuilding in historic Lahaina town. Senate Bill 1296 would not require special management area permits for structures in Lahaina town if they were destroyed in the deadly Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire disaster and if planned reconstruction stays within the footprint of the structure as it stood before it was consumed by flames. Maui Now.

Bills to curb rent increases referred to committees, but no hearings scheduled yet. Bills have been referred to committees in both chambers of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to limit the amount landlords can raise rents for tenants at a time of desperate housing shortages and renters having few, if any, options if they can’t afford demands for higher monthly rent payments. Maui Now.

Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee discusses Maui Fair. On the agenda for Tuesday’s Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee was Bill 7, a bill to amend the fiscal year 2025 by increasing carryover and savings from the General Fund by $1,500,000, as well as adding a new appropriation entitled “Festivals of Aloha, Inc. for the 2025 Maui County Fair” in the amount of $1,500,000. Maui News.

Maui police release video of officer-involved shooting in Pukalani. Body camera footage captures the moments leading up to the fatal shooting of Macayla Deponte, less than seven minutes after Maui police officers arrived at a Pukalani residence. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Kauai

Helicopters provide critical support for Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project during field season. More than two dozen people flocked together Feb. 3 in a hangar on the north end of Līhuʻe Airport, joining Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project for an annual blessing to kick off another season of fieldwork on the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.

Lihue man encounters shark at Lydgate Beach. Chris “Shewy” Shewman of Lihue recounted his frightening experience with a shark that occurred while he was surf-foiling at Lydgate Beach on Feb. 1. Garden Island.