Democrats seek unity after bruising primary, some races head to recounts, joblessness continues to rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Democrats Flock To Traditional Post-Primary Get-Together. The morning after the primary Democrats say they are focused on taking down Trump and the GOP in November. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Primary election: Tight races head to recounts, mayoral matchups set. The recounts will involve the Republican primary for State Senate District 20 and the Republican primary for House District 43. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Green appoints Danielle Bass to represent Senate District 18. Danielle Bass was appointed following the retirement of state Sen. Michelle Kidani and will represent the district until a successor elected in the Nov. 3 general election takes office.  Kauai Now. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

State jobless rate rises for third straight month. The state’s seasonally adjusted number was 2.6% — up from 2.4% and 2.5% the previous two months — according to recent data from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Major Landlord Accused Of Discriminating Against Section 8 Renters In Hawaiʻi. Testers sent by a nonprofit were told by agents for Greystar, the largest owner of apartment complexes in the United States, that their vouchers would not work. Civil Beat.

Chinatown nightclub to return to court in fight with Honolulu Liquor Commission. A Chinatown nightclub plans to return to federal court to press its claims of discrimination and violation of its First Amendment rights against the Honolulu Liquor Commission, saying a 2025 settlement with the city on the matter has fallen apart. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaako warehouse draws contention over tenant use. A state agency has pulled back a divisive plan for interim use of a World War II-era warehouse it owns in Kakaako after pushing for a nonprofit craftsman workshop to use the space at the expense of a fitness club. Star-Advertiser.

Police seize 15 gambling machines, $2,700 in Ewa Beach raid. Honolulu police seized 15 gaming machines and more than $2,700 in cash after executing a search warrant Thursday at an illegal gambling room on Old Fort Weaver Road in Ewa Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Another Hawaiʻi Prison Death Has Family Seeking Answers.  A 55-year-old transgender inmate at  Hālawa Correctional Facility was beaten and strangled in her cell, according to her family, and a maximum security prisoner who is a twice-convicted murderer is being blamed for the killing. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council members split on bed and breakfast bill. Amid ongoing efforts to regulate short-term vacation rentals on Hawaii Island, the Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance considered a proposal last week to create a new tax class for certain hosted short-term rentals. Tribune-Herald.

DLNR hires nonprofit for help on best practices for maintenance, improvements. Trails across Hawaii Island will soon get an upgrade as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources is partnering with nonprofit Kupu to start work this fall to make improvements at several sites. Tribune-Herald.

Community group hopes efforts to install signs designating ahupua‘a will catch on. Typically stretching from the mountains to the sea, Native Hawaiians designed ahupua‘a to organize the land in a way that ensured communities living within each one had access to all the land- and water-based resources needed to live sustainably. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Applications open for 2026 Investigative Elections Reporting Fellowship. A new $10,000 fellowship is available for a Maui County-based journalist to dig deeper into the 2026 Maui County Council and mayoral elections. The inaugural Maui Nui Media and Creativity Collaborative Investigative Elections Reporting Fellowship will fund seven weeks of original, investigative, print-first reporting focused on the candidates, issues, and decisions shaping Maui County's future. Maui News.

Court finds probable cause in terroristic threatening case against congressional candidate on Maui. Probable cause was found Thursday during a preliminary hearing for 40-year-old Congressional candidate Kirill Basin of Kīhei, who is accused of two counts of first degree terroristic threatening for an incident reported Saturday at Keawakapu Beach in South Maui.  Maui Now.

Maui man, 71, feeding feral cats, dies after Kahului attack; 2 men charged with murder. Two Maui men were charged with murder after a 71-year-old man died Friday from injuries he suffered when he was beaten and kicked during an attack in Kahului, according to the Maui Police Department. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Rapozo and Carvalho heading for mayoral face off. Mel Rapozo, getting the most votes at 40.6 percent, and Bernard Carvalho Jr., getting 30.6 percent of the Primary Election votes, will face each other for the mayor seat in the General Election on Nov. 3.  KHON2.

Kaua‘i’s Only Emergency Homeless Shelter To Get Major Overhaul. Part of the facility is expected to remain open during renovations, which are expected to cost $18 million.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii issues own vaccine guidance ahead of federal plans, Kaiser Permanente workers mull strike, Hawaii County unveils vacation rental study, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi And Western States Issue Vaccine Guidance Ahead of CDC Meeting. California, Oregon, Washington and Hawai‘i formed a health alliance earlier this month and published vaccine recommendations the day before a federal panel was set to take up the issue. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court: OHA Trustees Bound By State Ethics Code. The court also upheld dozens of charges against former Trustee Rowena Akana. Civil Beat.

Erosion of democratic norms focus of state Senate committee informational briefing. Committee members will receive an informational briefing beginning at 10 a.m. on Sept. 18 from Colin Moore, a University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization professor. Big Island Now.

Kaiser Permanente hospital workers in Hawaiʻi vote on strike authorization. More than 1,900 Kaiser Permanente hospital workers in Hawai‘i have begun casting ballots in a strike authorization vote this week, while tensions rise over ongoing contract negotiations. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Here's what you need to know about a new fee on your HECO bill. A small portion of Hawaiian Electric customers' bills will now be put in a new state trust fund to pay developers of future renewable energy projects. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi High School Seniors Could Face Major Spike In Graduation Costs. A proposal from the state education department would raise the maximum cost for caps and gowns from $25 to $125. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Overtime Pumps Up Pensions, Costs Taxpayers Hundreds Of Millions.  Public pension spiking fueled by Honolulu employee overtime has cost taxpayers a quarter of a billion dollars over the last seven years, based on department-by-department data the county provided. Civil Beat. KITV4.

City sells $217M in bonds to upgrade wastewater system. The city asserts bond proceeds will finance the costs of certain improvements, including design and construction of projects that rehabilitate Oahu’s existing wastewater system, expand system capacity and upgrade treatment processes. Star-Advertiser.

HPD moves forward with plans for school resource officers at three high school campuses. Honolulu’s interim police chief, Rade Vanic, wants to start a pilot program that would result in law enforcement officers being on campus in some schools. Hawaii News Now.

How Chaminade and HPU are handling the latest federal DOE cuts. Administrators  are still trying to get their arms around the impact of losing what’s known as Title III grants, which is federal money set aside for minority serving institutions like UH, Chaminade University and Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Hawaii Public Radio.

Living in Hawaiʻi just got even pricier: 3 new reports. To live comfortably in 2025, a Honolulu household needs between $225,751 and $280,000 a year, respectively. That amount covers basic needs, discretionary spending, long-term savings and taxes. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

STVRs study unveiled: Report to County Council highlights economic, social impacts. A new study commissioned by the Hawaii County Council is shedding light on the substantial economic and social impact of short-term vacation rentals across Hawaii Island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Council mulls another pedestrian safety bill. Bill 82, which passed out of the council’s Policy Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit with a 7-0 vote, will now be considered by the full council. It serves as a follow-up to a previously vetoed measure, offering revisions in response to legal concerns. Tribune-Herald.

High bacteria count notification issued for Lehia Beach Park in Leleiwi. Hawai‘i Department of Health is retesting waters at Lehia Beach Park in Hilo’s Leleiwi community, located on the easternmost edge of the East Hawai‘i town, after bacteria levels of 288 per 100 mL were detected during recent routine beach monitoring. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County mulls buying water system amid drought. Maui County is open to acquiring water system infrastructure from a company that can’t meet demand amid a historic drought, though it’s unclear how such an acquisition might help affected customers suing the system’s owner. Star-Advertiser.

State hopes change in course will salvage Sentry golf tournament on Maui.  State officials say they still hope to have the Sentry golf tournament played in Hawaii after the PGA said it could not be played at the Kapalua course that has hosted it for years. Hawaii News Now.

Open house for temporary disposal site restoration plan Sept. 20.  There will be an open house regarding plans for the temporary wildfire debris storage site at Olowalu from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at the Lahaina Resource Center. Maui News.

Maui Council green-lights fast-track affordable housing at Kahului Civic Center site. Located on 3.4 acres of state land at 153 West Kaʻahumanu Ave., the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corp. project, developed by EAH Housing, will feature two six-story buildings with 303 residential units and 298 parking stalls. Maui Now.

Poor Protection Of Molokaʻi From Invasive Beetles Called An Emergency. The loss of plants to invasive species would threaten the island’s food security and calls for more serious action. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua’i County holding series of community meetings about future of island’s water. The sessions come after a recently completed Water Systems Investment Plan – a comprehensive island-wide water system study aimed at improving Kauaʻi’s water infrastructure. Kauai Now.

KIUC warns of false claims by solar PV companies on island. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said it has received reports from members saying that solar PV and battery system salespersons have provided them with inaccurate or incomplete information on how solar installations interact with KIUC’s electric grid, rates and programs. Star-Advertiser.

 

Foster care in crisis, state Supreme Court mulls HMSA insurance denials, Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Foster System In Crisis: Kids Still Sleeping In Offices, Hotels. A toddler, age 2, spent the night in a government office on Kauaʻi. A 13-year-old slept on an Oʻahu office futon for almost two months. And a 15-year-old lived for more than three months out of offices and hotel rooms on Hawaiʻi Island. For some Hawaiʻi foster youth, government offices and hotels are a home of last resort.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s biggest insurer defends provider contracts before state Supreme Court.  The Hawaii Supreme Court saw a historic argument as Hawaii’s biggest insurer defended its rules against some doctors and patients. They say Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) preauthorization and contract rules interfere with patient care, while the company says they help doctors do their jobs quickly and effectively. Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Kapolei affordable housing project sought on city-owned site. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says it’s seeking a developer to turn a vacant city-owned parcel in West Oahu into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented development that will feature 600 to 800 affordable housing units. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s holds blessing ceremony for expanded downtown emergency department. The department recently underwent renovations that expanded its size, more than doubling the number of its treatment rooms, and now offers dedicated facilities for state-of-the-art CT and X-ray services. Star-Advertiser.

Miske Case: Prosecutors Agree To Negotiate Settlement Over Asset Forfeiture. The deal to settle over millions of dollars in assets is an indication that the government is seeking to avoid another long, complex and expensive trial in the case. Civil Beat.

No markings, no clarity: Crosswalk changes create risky guessing game in Honolulu. Over the past decade, the city has eliminated dozens of Honolulu crosswalks. Officials say the changes aim to make streets safer by encouraging pedestrians to cross at traffic lights. But critics argue that rarely happens along a busy stretch of S. King Street. Hawaii News Now.

UH president appoints Vassilis Syrmos as interim Mānoa provost. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel on Monday appointed Vassilis Syrmos as UH Mānoa’s interim provost. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Pohoiki Boat Ramp dredging begins. Dredging work began today to restore access to the lava-barricaded Pohoiki Boat Ramp, eight years after an eruption of Kilauea volcano rendered the structure unusable. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

State senator pitches hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. State Sen. Tim Richards has an idea on how to provide more renewable energy and clean water to Hawaiʻi Island residents -- a pumped storage hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protective order against former UFC champ B.J. Penn extended. Penn must immediately vacate the home he shares in Hilo with his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine P. Shin. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget into law towards housing, recovery, natural resources. Mayor Richard Bissen signed Maui’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget of approximately $1.56 billion that addresses housing for kamaʻāina, recovery and cultural and natural resources. KITV4.

Recent drownings in Wailea put spotlight on Maui’s longtime issue of too many unguarded beaches. Before the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire that drastically curbed tourism, Maui County had the second-highest ocean drowning fatality rate per capita in the state from 2019-2023, according to the Hawai‘i Water Safety Plan released in January. And, the average per capita rate of drownings was twice as high on Neighbor Islands as on O‘ahu.  Maui Now.

Maui’s main stadium shuts down for major repairs. War Memorial Stadium will be closed for more than a year to undergo much-needed repairs. That means sports events and even graduations will have to go somewhere else. Hawaii News Now.

A `promise to restore balance’: Mayor Bissen makes his case for vacation rental phase-out. Citing Maui’s severe post-wildfire housing crisis, the Bissen administration presented its formal case to a County Council committee to phase out approximately 6,000 short-term vacation rentals mostly in West and South Maui. Maui Now.

With housing and economy at stake, Maui County weighs phase-out of 7,000 vacation rentals. The Maui County Council is currently weighing whether or not to pass a bill that would phase out roughly 7,000 transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts, nearly half of the island’s supply. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.  Maui Now.

MPD seeks help with unclaimed bodies. Maui police are asking for help contacting the family members of five people who are deceased. Maui News.

Kauai

Annual sewer rate increase on Kaua‘i kicks in on July 1. A sewer rate increase approved by the Kaua‘i County Council in 2022 increases the sewer rate by 11% per year over five years.  Kauai Now.

Kauai’s most remote areas now covered by high-speed internet.  The island of Kaua‘i is now fully fiber-enabled, providing Hawaiian Telcom customers access to high-speed internet. Hawaii News Now.

New ambulance station in Hanalei will increase calls, enhance response times for the secluded east side of the island. The new station is staffed 24/7 every day of the year and will enhance emergency coverage and response times for the more secluded area of the island. Kauai Now.

Broadband bills signed, vacation rental laws stir public in two counties, Honolulu council shakeup, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Hawaii law creates broadband office to close connectivity gap. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as acting governor while Gov. Josh Green is out of state, on Monday signed two bills into law aimed at closing Hawaii’s digital divide by establishing a centralized state Broadband Office and expanding digital literacy services. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now. 

What Is Farming? Hawaiʻi Moves To Broaden Allowed Agricultural Uses. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture plans to overhaul its rules this summer to allow more than just agricultural production on 25,000 acres under a new agricultural enterprise lands program. Civil Beat.

Hawaii keiki face mixed trends in well-being vs. mainland peers. Hawaii’s children are increasingly affected by housing instability and parental job insecurity, ranking the state among the worst in the nation for economic well-being, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

Report shows use of Hawaiian language growing at home. Once banned in public schools in Hawaii, the Hawaiian language continues to make a comeback, rising as a spoken language among households by more than 48% in less than 10 years. Maui News.

ACLU of Hawai‘i asks county leaders not to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaiʻi is urging county leaders in the state to refrain from assisting the federal government with immigration enforcement. Kauai Now.

Will Cuts To Pension Benefits Hurt Efforts to Recruit New Hawaiʻi Judges? The Hawaiʻi Salary Commission approved hefty pay raises for judges to help attract more applications for the bench. Then lawmakers voted to cut judges’ pension benefits. Civil Beat.

How The Māmaki Tea Industry Shut Down A Bill Regulating Its Products. Opponents of the measure said the bill would hurt the industry it was intended to help. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council shake-up follows close vote on sewer rate increase. The face-off at the Honolulu City Council over sewer fees now has political fallout for two council members. Two days after council chair Tommy Waters lost that vote, two members who voted against him are losing their leadership positions. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu condo buyers gaining advantages in slowing market. The Honolulu Board of Realtors reported that condominium sales plummeted 22% in May to 374 from 478 in the same month last year, representing the biggest year-over-year decline for any month in the last 11 months. Star-Advertiser.

Parking rates are going up at Honolulu airport. Hourly parking rates at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are going up starting July 1.  Hawaii News Now.

City seeks development partner for West Oahu affordable housing project.  On Monday, the Honolulu Department of Housing and Land Management put in a request for qualifications to help develop 13 acres of land near Wakea Street and Kamokila Boulevard. Hawaii News Now.

With insecticide planned for hundreds of trees in urban Honolulu, farmers want a natural way to fend off coconut rhinoceros beetles. Crews are injecting about 800 trees from Kakaako Waterfront Park through Kewalo Basin to Magic Island with an insecticide called Xytect. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill. The Hawaiʻi County Council has passed a measure requiring short-term rental owners to register their units with the county. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers offer updates about recent legislative session. House Bill 818, which would’ve established the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District, died after passing over to the Senate, which didn’t schedule any hearings about the measure. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Airport Runway To Close Overnight On Wednesday, June 11. Runway 17-35 at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole will close from 10 p.m. on June 11 to 6 a.m. on June 12, as part of an ongoing runway rehabilitation project. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Emotions Are High As Maui Considers Phasing Out Short-Term Rentals. Dozens of people turned out to testify on Mayor Richard Bissen’s effort to convert short-term rentals into long-term housing in a bid to ease the affordable housing crisis. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

50 trucks will spend 5 months moving Lahaina fire debris to permanent landfill. Fifty trucks will spend five months hauling Lahaina wildfire debris to a landfill in the center of Maui starting next Monday, Maui County said. There’s enough debris to fill five football fields five stories high. Associated Press. Maui News. 

Maui Humane Society selected for national lost pet technology pilot program. The Maui Humane Society has been selected as one of 25 shelters around the country to participate in a program called Network Neighbors to help more lost pets get back home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Three graduate from Kauai Police Department 101st Recruit Class. One of the few remaining items needing attention by Police Chief Todd Raybuck before Thursday was the administering of oath to three graduates of the 101st Police Recruit Class on Monday at the Kauai Veterans Center. Garden Island.

Although bacteria rates are rising, federal funding cuts threaten water quality testing. In its national annual report, Surfrider Foundation revealed that Waikomo Stream at Kōloa Landing in Poʻipū was on a list of the top ten beach bacteria hotspots. Kauai Now.

 

1st Native Hawaiian woman confirmed to federal bench, tourism spending down, 'Land and Power' author Cooper dead at 75, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate Confirms First Native Hawaiian Woman As US District Court Judge. Shanlyn Park, a former federal defender and current state court judge, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a bipartisan vote. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii visitor arrivals, spending fall for 3rd straight month. Last month, 734,582 tourists visited Hawaii, down 3.2% from October 2022, and down 7.7% from the pre-pandemic October 2019, according to preliminary statistics released  Thursday  by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

10 years later, Hawaii’s marriage equality law has overwhelming support. Saturday marks 10 years since marriage equality became law in Hawaii and helped reverse what had been overwhelming opposition locally and around the country for so-called same-sex marriage. Star-Advertiser.

What is modular construction and could now be the time for Hawaii to start using it? Tens of thousands of people across the islands are in need of housing, but the supply can’t seem to keep up with demand. Hawaii News Now.

The Money Is There, But This Restorative Justice Program Can’t Get It. The Legislature appropriated $200,000 to expand the program, but the Department of Public Safety says the bids for the funding haven't met requirements. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Time-Of-Use Rates Pilot Set To Launch. The Shift and Save pilot, set to launch February 1, has been expanded to 16,000 customers on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island only. Big Island Video News.

‘Land And Power’ Author George Cooper Dead At 75.The 1985 book, written with Gavan Daws, is a seminal work about Hawaii politics and government. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Condo Tower Fire Is Reminder Of Lack Of Sprinklers In Older Buildings. There were no sprinklers when a fire broke out Thursday, shooting flames and black smoke from the 14th floor of a condo tower in Ala Moana, but the residents knew what to do. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Incomplete police report, differing accounts: ‘Red flags’ questioned in crash involving HPD officer. According to police records, HPD Corp. Vasai Isala Jr. was on “last chance” probation when he recently slammed his subsidized vehicle into the back of a motorcyclist, seriously injuring the rider. Hawaii News Now.

Homeless residents in Honolulu wait years for support despite city's efforts. There are a little more than 6,000 homeless individuals statewide. Two-thirds of that population lives on Oahu. KITV4.

Kapiolani Medical Center nurses prepare informational picket as contract expires. More than 600 nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children will be working without a contact Friday. And even though they’re not going on strike, they will let management and the public know that they’re unhappy with the situation. Hawaii News Now.

City installing new gate at Koko Head to allow cars in earlier. The community area near Koko Head District could see less parking congestion from early morning hikers in mid-December.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Surf schools granted restraining order on lottery. Kona Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim on Thursday granted a temporary restraining order which will halt the issuing of permits by the DLNR for surf school operators at Kahalu‘u Bay. West Hawaii Today.

Volunteer firefighter sues county. A Big Island volunteer firefighter who was injured in 2021 while battling a long-burning underground fire in Ka‘u has filed a lawsuit against the department and three ranking individuals. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Reactions mixed on bill to incentivize long-term rentals. Feelings are mixed over Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to offer a property tax exemption for short-term rental owners to rent long term to wildfire survivors. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

EPA Completes Fire-Related Cleanup On Maui. Hazardous materials have been removed from Lahaina and Upcountry sites nearly three months after the fires. Civil Beat.

Kona low threatens Lahaina nearshore waters. This week’s Kona low storm was anticipated to be the first big rain in Lahaina since the wildfire that destroyed the heart of the historic town and left toxic ash and chemicals at risk of being washed into the ocean. Star-Advertiser.

Kona low brings 10″ of rain at Keʻanae in East Maui; flooding results in impassible roads. Nearly 10 inches of rain – the highest rainfall total in the state – was recorded in United States Geological Survey’s rain gage near Keʻanae in a 24-hour period ending at 1 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2023.  Maui Now.

Hawaii Tourism Authority floats Maui recovery plan. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is seeking public input on a Tourism Recovery Plan that supports Maui and the state in rebuilding the economy following the devastating Aug. 8 wildfire that destroyed Lahaina and has dragged state visitor arrivals and spending below 2022’s level for three straight months. Star-Advertiser.

Unmanned commercial fishing sailboat grounds on Sugar Beach in Kīhei. During rainy weather sometime midday on Wednesday, a 46-foot commercial fishing sailboat called Ka Imi Kai broke loose from its anchor or mooring in Māʻalaea Bay and slowly drifted more than a 1/4-mile before grounding on Sugar Beach in Kīhei. Maui Now.

Kauai

Theft cases dominate Kaua‘i court docket. Kaua‘i Fifth Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe heard various burglary and theft cases on Tuesday, Nov. 28, as some defendants pleaded guilty, others awaited the results of their mental fitness evaluations, while others failed to appear at all.  Garden Island.

Virtual community meeting for Coconut Marketplace Mobility Hub Plan set for Dec. 14. The County of Kaua‘i Office of Economic Development invites the public to a virtual meeting on transportation conditions and potential improvements in and around the Coconut Marketplace on the eastern shore of Kaua‘i. The meeting will be held on Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. Kauai Now.

State budget director assembling Maui fire relief fund has conflict of interest in HECO stock, Inouye portrait unveiled at Capitol, Amazon to hire 500 in Honolulu, vacation rentals down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Budget Director’s Conflict Of Interest: He Owns HECO Stock. Luis Salaveria is helping plan an innovative Maui fire victims fund that could also help reduce Hawaiian Electric's liability. Civil Beat.

A Message From Hawaii To DC: ‘We Don’t Have Enough Money’. Local business and civic leaders made the rounds of key federal agencies this week in an effort to get more money and better policy decisions for Maui fire relief. Civil Beat.

Inouye portrait unveiled. A portrait of the late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye was unveiled Wednesday at the US Capitol, becoming the first portrait of a person of color in the US Senate’s leadership portrait series.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Demand, supply and prices were down for vacation rentals last month. Vacation rentals were down across the state last month compared to a year ago. Demand was lower, so was supply, and so were prices. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii developers pay to settle Fair Housing Act violation claims.  Hawaii-based developers Albert C. Kobayashi, Stanford Carr Development and other defendants have agreed to pay $120,000 to settle federal claims they violated the Fair Housing Act when designing and building five Hawaii apartment complexes. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Promise of rail-fueled revitalization cold comfort to Kalihi businesses struggling to stay afloat. The Honolulu Rail Authority is responding to complaints from Kalihi business owners who’ve been putting up with a utility relocation project for nearly a year. Officials say construction won’t be completed until March of 2031. Hawaii News Now.

Amazon continues Hawaii expansion with $415M investment, 500 new jobs for residents. Amazon is revealing details of its much-anticipated expansion plans in Hawaii, saying that it plans to hire hundreds of people for a new facility in Sand Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Waikiki Shell slated for renovations. The iconic shell-shaped outdoor venue on the edge of Waikiki that’s played host to hula festivals, music concerts and other entertainment events for nearly 70 years is expected to undergo major improvements in the future. Star-Advertiser.

New plaque unveiled at Kapaemahu stones. The City and County of Honolulu held a blessing this week at the Healer Stones of Kapaemahu, where a new plaque was unveiled that includes a QR code to an online website with additional history and information. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hilo wastewater plant upgrades could start next summer. The Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee voted last week to approve a bill that would issue a general obligation bond totaling $187 million, $100 million of which would go toward the Hilo wastewater plant’s rehabilitation, although county Finance Director Deanna Sako said at the time that some of the $100 million also could be directed toward other wastewater facilities around the island. Tribune-Herald.

New $46 million housing complex helps fill ‘a tremendous and urgent need’ for Waikoloa. A new affordable rental housing complex has opened in Waikoloa Village for qualifying families and kupuna. Tribune-Herald.

Army Engineers Push Forward With WWII Bomb Survey On Big Island. The bullets and bombs were left on the range there 80 years ago, but the U.S. military is still cleaning up the mess. Civil Beat.

Leonard: KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa cancelled due to denial of road closure permits. The 28th KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa, scheduled for January in downtown Hilo, has been cancelled, according to Chris Leonard, president and general manager of New West Broadcasting Corp. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New Maui fire relief program draws high interest. A special effort to deliver more financial assistance to families with dependent children on Maui who lost property or income due to the Aug. 8 wildfires is being met with exceptional demand. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Want To Plant Invasive Grasses To Control Soil After Maui Fires. USDA officials said with no vegetation left on thousands of acres, there's a need to prevent sedimentation before the wet season arrives. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Overpass For Kulanihakoi High School Slated For December 2025. An underpass construction would provide more accessibility for students, the Kihei Community Association said. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Longest predator exclusion fence in the nation completed on Kaua‘i. The 11,200-foot-long predator exclusion fence on Kauaʻi is located along the perimeter of the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kauai Now.

Hawaii State of the State: Gov. Ige proposes $100 tax rebates to all, $18 minimum wage bill advances, Maui first county to require booster to be fully vaxxed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige delivers State of the State Jan. 24, 2022 PC: Governor's Office

Gov. David Ige proposes $100 refund for every Hawaii taxpayer and their dependents. Gov. David Ige proposed refund checks of $100 for every taxpayer and each of their dependents that would pump $110 million from the state general fund into the economy during his eighth and final State of the State speech Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Full text of Gov. David Ige's State of the State address can be found here.

Hawaii minimum wage increase bill advances. A bill to raise Hawaii’s minimum hourly wage incrementally to $18 by 2026 cleared the first of two anticipated public hearings in the state Senate on Monday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Garden Island.

Proposed bill prevents illegal vacation homes from advertising. HB1516 affects businesses without state or county licensing. This would prevent illegal vacation rentals from promoting their services on cards, signs and media. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bills aim to reduce number of abandoned vehicles. A Big Island lawmaker is spearheading a suite of bills aimed at reducing the amount of abandoned vehicles in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate tumbles to 5.7%. Hawaii’s unemployment rate dropped sharply in December to a 21-month low of 5.7% as the state’s economy continued making significant strides in recovering from the nearly 2-year-old pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii GOP Has A New Candidate For Governor. Lynn Mariano is a retired veteran who calls himself a uniter. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 cases may be peaking, but not hospitalizations. Hawaii’s COVID-19 infection rate appears to be stabilizing, Hilton Raethel, president and CEO of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, said Monday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s COVID-19 boosted numbers rise slightly, while overall vaccinated data dips after review. Revised data, arising from a review of vaccination reporting, shows an increase in booster shots administered and a decrease in vaccinations completed to date, the announcement said. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees 2,660 new coronavirus cases, bringing statewide total to 204,933. The new confirmed and probable infection count includes 1,554 new cases on Oahu, 303 on Hawaii Island, 456 on Maui, 285 on Kauai, 13 on Molokai, 16 on Lanai and 33 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council considers new rules for short-term rentals. The Honolulu City Council is again considering a measure that would alter the rules for short-term rentals, notably increasing the minimum stay proposal to three months from 30 days unless a special permit is granted. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Senate Bill Takes Aim At Red Hill Fuel Facility. The bill is the first state legislative effort to shut down the Red Hill fuel facility since the Navy poisoned the water supply of 93,000 people. Civil Beat.

Navy to withhold full Red Hill fuel leak report. The Navy is now hedging on the release of a much-anticipated investigation into the source of the petroleum contamination that began sickening families in late November. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill water crisis taking toll on students, teachers say. About a dozen teachers spoke out publicly for the first time Monday about what they have witnessed and felt since the running water at their schools was declared off-limits due to possible fuel contamination. Star-Advertiser.

Notorious Pearl City cemetery to get new website, GPS system. Community members say an owner-less cemetery in Pearl City notorious for its homeless camps, sinkholes, and overgrown grass continues to be a danger. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Struggling to achieve: More support needed on the Big Island for special needs children and adults. Parents of special needs children say there’s a lack of support for them on the Big Island — and the pandemic has only made it worse. Tribune-Herald.

Pathways to productivity: Programs help people with special needs thrive after high school. Editor’s note:Life after high school is not always an easy transition for students with special needs, but some programs on the Big Island are giving students an avenue to a brighter future. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County booster requirement now in effect. A booster shot is now required to be considered fully vaccinated in Maui County. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Commission Wants Public’s Feedback On 40 Reforms To Local Government. A citizens commission has consolidated 135 ideas on how to refine county governance into 40 Maui County Charter amendment proposals. Now it wants the public’s help to finalize the list for voters. Civil Beat.

Deer on Kahului Airport runway prompts additional fencing. A reinforced fence has been installed around Kahului Airport after a deer blocked a runway earlier this month. Associated Press.

Kauai

County of Kaua‘i begins distribution of free at-home COVID-19 tests.  Free COVID-19 home test kits ran out within a half hour at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center, where the county, in partnership with the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office, began its distribution of about 15,000 kits islandwide. Garden Island. KITV4.

Most Hawaii lower-grade students a year behind, woman indicted in church sex trafficking ring, USS Daniel Inouye reaches Pearl Harbor home port, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii schoolchildren pre-COVID ©2021 All Hawaii News

Most Hawaii elementary and middle schoolers are at least one grade level behind, testing shows. An analysis of fall testing data indicates that three-quarters of Hawaii’s public school students in first through eighth grades were at least one or two grade levels behind in math after the first quarter of the 2021-22 school year while two-thirds were also behind in English language arts. Star-Advertiser.

Slight increase in Japanese visitors after eased restrictions, but obstacles remain. According to daily visitor counts from the state, 720 Japanese visitors traveled to the state in the week after restrictions were lifted — fewer visitors than the previous seven days. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate drops to 6.3% in October. Hawaii’s unemployment rate fell to a seasonally adjusted 6.3% last month compared to 6.6% in September, the state said Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian trailblazer Suzanne Vares-Lum named East-West Center president. The East-West Center Board of Governors announced today that it has selected Suzanne Vares-Lum to serve as the institution’s next president. Vares-Lum will be both the first Native Hawaiian and the first woman to hold the position. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii records 7 new coronavirus-related deaths, 226 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 116 new cases on Oahu, 57 on Hawaii Island, 22 on Maui, 21 on Kauai, and 10 Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

USS Daniel Inouye reaches home port at Pearl Harbor. The U.S. Navy’s newest warship, the USS Daniel Inouye, arrived Thursday at its home port at Pearl Harbor. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is named for the late Hawaii senator and war hero. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu’s short-term rental rule decision likely to extend an additional 4 months. Holiday scheduling delays at the Honolulu City Council mean owners of short-term rental properties will likely have to wait longer for a decision on new rules that would extend the minimum stay for guests from 30 days to 180 days. Star-Advertiser.

Up to 50% of a new hotel tax fund could go to the Honolulu rail — which has an estimated cost of $11.4B. A Honolulu City Council committee Wednesday agreed to allocate between one-third to one-half of revenues from a proposed visitor bed tax to the city’s rail transit project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army Corps of Engineers, city try again on Ala Wai flood control — this time with more modest goals. Officials are now looking to protect the area from more frequent storms, not just a once in a century flood. Hawaii News Now.

State seeking to sell Waianae rental complex. Board members of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. unanimously approved a plan Thursday to sell the 72-unit project called Kulia I Ka Nuu with a land lease. Star-Advertiser.

Why It’s So Hard For Homeless People To Collect Seized Belongings On Oahu. Civil rights advocates say the storage warehouse is too hard to reach and homeless people should be allowed to keep possessions needed to survive. Civil Beat.

Man, 27, arrested for allegedly punching security guard, 71, over mask dispute. Honolulu police arrested a 27-year-old man after he allegedly punched a 71-year-old security guard who attempted to escort him out of a COVID-19 testing site area in Waikiki following a mask dispute. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kapolei woman, 50, indicted in connection with alleged church sex trafficking operation. A superseding indictment unsealed in California today charged the founder and administrators of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC) with running a sex trafficking operation that threatened girls and women with “eternal damnation” if they did not have sex with the church’s leader, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, who was referred to as “The Appointed Son of God,” according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

No Big Island hotel tax exemption. Big Island residents will not be exempt from a proposed extra 3% tax on hotel, timeshare and transient vacation rental charges, despite efforts from County Council members. Tribune-Herald.

Tour van burns on Mauna Kea; 9 escape after smelling smoke while driving. The driver and eight passengers of a tour van heading to the summit of Mauna Kea on Nov. 9 had to evacuate the vehicle after it caught fire and was eventually engulfed in flames. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui

New chief picks deputy from Las Vegas. Residency requirements to be waived; county to cover moving expenses for incoming chief. Incoming Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has chosen a fellow colleague of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to be his second in command. Maui News.

$3 million federal grant to help replace Kaupakalua Bridge. Structure was washed out in March, forcing residents to drive farther for services. Maui News.

2 nene geese on Maui killed by cars near Kahului Airport. State wildlife officials are urging motorists to slow down and drive with aloha after a bonded nene pair — a male and female — were struck and killed Tuesday near Kahului Airport on Maui. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

Partial Humpback Whale Birth Off Maui, Detailed in Scientific Publication. Underwater footage captured by author Deborah Patton’s GoPro on Feb. 3, 2020 reveal an in-process birth with two male escorts surrounding the mother in labor after approaching a whale watching boat operated by Captain Steve’s Rafting Adventures in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

Solid Waste Management Plan adoption delayed. The Kaua‘i County Council deferred the adoption of the 2021 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan on Wednesday, citing the need for further discussion. Garden Island.

Kamalani Inclusive Playground construction begins. Construction on the county’s new Kamalani Inclusive Playground began this week, according to the county Department of Parks and Recreation. The playground is designed for keiki with developmental disabilities. Garden Island.

Honolulu rail deficit less than feared, Honolulu advances hotel tax, Hawaii County advances pesticide ban, Bezos gives $2.5M for Maui homeless project, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu rail construction PC:HART

Honolulu rail deficit estimate cut to $1.97B. The projected $3.5 billion deficit for the city’s troubled rail project is far less than feared — $1.97 billion, rail officials said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Electric vehicles are all over Hawaii roads. So why aren’t there more charging stations? In the past year, there was a nearly 32% increase in the number of passenger electric vehicles in Hawaii, according to the state. But there’s a big disconnect when it comes to charging those vehicles up. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Pacific Health ranks second in nation for cost-efficiency. Hawaii Pacific Health ranks second in the country for cost-efficiency among health care systems, according to Lown Institute, a nonpartisan think tank that advocates for making health care more effective and affordable. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii records 8 new coronavirus-related deaths, 142 additional infections. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 94 new cases on Oahu, 15 on Hawaii Island, 11 on Maui, 13 on Kauai and nine Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council committee OK’s Oahu hotel tax proposal. A measure that would establish a 3% city hotel tax advanced to final reading during a Honolulu City Council Budget Committee meeting Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Vacation Rental Bill Could Starve Windward Businesses That Cater To Tourists. Already suffering from Covid-19’s blow to tourism and the continuing shut-down of travel from Japan, small businesses in Kailua are bracing for the impact of a bill to crack down on illegal short-term rentals. Civil Beat.

Reasons behind Honolulu's building permit backlog. Building permit applications have been piling up on Oahu, adding to project wait time for thousands of residents. The Department of Planning and Permitting has been hit with high turnover and has an overall vacancy rate of 25%. KITV4.

Honolulu Fire Commission Restarts Search For Department Chief. A new commissioner could deliver a tie-breaking vote sometime in 2022. Civil Beat.

HPD Says It Will Take A Fresh Look At Its Vehicle Pursuit Policy. Interim Chief Rade Vanic told the Honolulu Police Commission that the department will gather data on vehicle pursuits before deciding on any changes. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

State: Aloha Stadium redevelopment will provide nearly $1.5B economic boost. Construction to build a new Aloha Stadium ― which will begin in early 2023 ― is expected to add 12,660 construction jobs and more than $595 million in construction wages alone. Hawaii News Now.

No opioid epidemic talk at Honolulu ex-prosecutor’s brother’s trial. There will be no mention of the “opioid epidemic” at a trial against the pain physician brother of a former Hawaii prosecutor imprisoned in a corruption case that also took down her former police chief husband. Associated Press.

Oahu grand jury indicts adoptive parents in Isabella Kalua murder case. An Oahu grand jury on Wednesday indicted Lehua Kalua, 44, and Isaac “Sonny” Kalua III, 52, on charges of second-­degree murder, abuse and related charges in the death of their adopted daughter, Isabella “Ariel” Kalua. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Herbicide ban advances. A County Council panel on Wednesday advanced a measure to ban the use of glyphosate-based herbicides at county Parks and Recreation facilities. West Hawaii Today.

Nearly 100 apply for Phase 2 of buyout program for lava-inundated properties. As of the end of last week, 90 people had applied for the second phase of the county’s Voluntary Housing Buyout Program, said Disaster Recovery Officer Douglas Le at a Wednesday meeting of the County Council’s Government Operations, Relations and Economic Development Committee. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Bezos Day One Fund Gifts $2.5 Million to Family Life Center in Kahului, Maui. Family Life Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving the homeless population on the islands of Maui, Molokaʻi and on Kauaʻi, has been selected to receive a $2.5 million grant from the Bezos Day One Families Fund—the largest grant in Family Life Center’s history. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Alakoko “Menehune” Fishpond saved; Chan, Zuckerberg make $4 million donation. The 102-acre Alakoko “Menehune” Fishpond has successfully been purchased by nonprofits The Trust for Public Land and Malama Hule‘ia for cultural and environmental stewardship in perpetuity. Garden Island.

Hawaii military seeks public comments on noise pollution, two named to Department of Interior, Honolulu council mulls caps on short-term rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

©2021 All Hawaii News

The Military Wants Ideas On How To Turn Down The Volume In Hawaii’s Noisy Skies. The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation is seeking comments from community members through Oct. 3 as part of a noise mitigation initiative for areas experiencing noise levels of 65 decibels or more from nearby military training and operations. Civil Beat.

Two Native Hawaiians, Keone Nakoa and Summer Lee Haunani Sylva, appointed to the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Two Native Hawaiians were appointed to the U.S. Department of the Interior Wednesday, garnering praise from local leaders who say their experiences and backgrounds will strengthen the Biden-Harris administration’s pledge to better serve and support indigenous communities. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

How The Hawaii Supreme Court Has Shaped Policing In The State. Recent rulings have built on decades of precedent in Hawaii that protects individuals from unreasonable government intrusions. Civil Beat.

Under mandate, Hawaii inmates will have to be vaccinated before they’re paroled. Hawaii inmates will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID before they are released on parole, under a new mandate that goes into effect Thursday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Enrollment at Hawaii’s public schools declines for second year in a row. The state Department of Education announced Wednesday that over 3,000 fewer students enrolled in the statewide public school system this year over the start of last year — a decline of 1.7%. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Combating COVID as a state brought on many challenges. Misinformation isn’t helping. Public health experts and government officials say they’re being hobbled in their efforts to right the spread of COVID by opponents spreading misinformation. Hawaii News Now.

State officials issue warning over illegal gatherings. State officials Wednesday said they have a stern message for anyone planning to defy gathering restrictions on public lands. Law enforcement will be out in full force and on the lookout for illegal, superspreader events this Labor Day weekend. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii records 13 new coronavirus-related deaths, 455 additional infections in partial count. The new confirmed and probable infection count by island includes 291 new cases on Oahu, 51 on Maui, 64 on Hawaii Island, 37 on Kauai, three on Molokai, one on Lanai, and eight Hawaii residents diagnosed outside the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Short-term rental bill gets first public hearing. A measure that would change the restriction of a short-term rental to 180 days, from less than 30 days, attracted over 350 virtual attendees with mixed opinions during a five-hour meeting Wednesday in a public hearing held by the Honolulu Planning Commission. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu vaccine enforcement will be complaint-driven. The City and County of Honolulu will require patrons and employees of certain businesses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in less than two weeks. KHON2.

Honolulu’s strict vaccine mandate could sideline hundreds of first responders who refuse to get shot. Of the 2,500 total Honolulu Police Department workers, about 270 officers and civilians have requested exemptions and around two dozen didn’t fill out the vaccine status form altogether. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi clashes with anti-vax demonstrators. The scene outside Honolulu Hale turned hostile as anti-vaccination and anti-mask protesters demanded a meeting with Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

State-owned firm delinquent on Kakaako housing fees. The delinquency stems from financial shortfalls operating 150 state-owned affordable rental apartments in the Honuakaha complex, which also includes 93 condos and the historic Royal Brewery building at 545 and 547 Queen St. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

COVID closes transfer stations: Diminished staff rotating around the island. COVID, not costs, is driving the closure of county garbage transfer stations, officials said Wednesday. West Hawaii Today.

KCH Cancels Elective Surgeries as Oxygen Needs Increase. Kona Community Hospital has canceled all elective surgeries until further notice as the facility continues to grapple with overwhelming patient counts due to COVID-19 and increased demand for oxygen. Big Island Now.

Public input sought: Hearing set for proposed Kahalu‘u surf school regulations. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will hold the hearing via Zoom at 10 a.m. on Sept. 8 on the proposed amendments of Hawaii Administrative Rules. West Hawaii Today.

Hilo Veterans Home Slowly Getting Back to Normal After Deadly Outbreak Last Year. It’s been a year since a deadly COVID-19 outbreak surged through the Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home in Hilo, killing 27 residents and infecting more than 100 residents and staff. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Councilmember Sugimura Announces Formation of Axis Deer Task Force. Councilmember Yuki lei Sugimura, in partnership with Mayor Michael Victorino, announced the formation of a Maui Axis Deer Task Force to address the growing impacts of feral deer across the island. Maui Now.

Amala Place Clean-Up to Begin This Month. The County of Maui and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources announced plans for a comprehensive clean-up of public lands surrounding the Kanahā Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and Wailuku-Kahului Wastewater Treatment Plant. Maui Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Hulopoʻe Beach Park Council Explores Limiting Visitor Access. A public Hulopoʻe Beach Park Council meeting was held in July to discuss limiting nonresidents at the beach park — the first hearing brought to the community. The area is unique because while the beach is managed by the state, the beach park is owned and maintained by Pūlama Lānaʻi, Larry Ellison's land and resource management company. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County Council defers rental car tax class bill. After strong opposition from major rental car companies, the county administration has asked for a deferral of a bill that would create a real property tax classification for rental car operations. Garden Island.

Kauai mayor asks residents to cooperate with contact tracers, avoid traveling and gathering. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami is asking Garden Island residents to help avoid a shutdown due to the coronavirus by avoiding unnecessary travel and large gatherings — and cooperating with contact tracers. Star-Advertiser.