HECO edges toward creditworthiness with Legislature's help, state's two Job Corps centers to close, ACLU sues Honolulu police department over sober drivers' arrests, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Efforts To Shore Up HECO Gain Traction On Wall Street. Wall Street rewarded Hawaiian Electric Industries’ efforts to strengthen its financial profile by restoring the company to the edge of investment-grade creditworthiness for the first time since shortly after the August 2023 wildfire that killed 102 people and destroyed much of Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Job Corps to close. The U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday that Job Corps operations nationwide, which provide low-income youth and young adults with vocational training and schooling, will cease by June 30. There are two Job Corps centers in Hawaii among about 125 nationwide: one in Waimanalo on Oahu and one in Makawao on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

How physically present must state lawmakers be during session, if at all? Hawaiʻi's legislative session lasts 60 days, but there are no requirements for state lawmakers to be present. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

ACLU lawsuit alleges HPD made impaired driving arrests without having proof. A class-action lawsuit filed Thursday accuses the Honolulu Police Department of an “egregious and longstanding pattern and practice” of arresting people without probable cause or due process for allegedly driving under the influence. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. KITV4. 

Developer Accused Of Campaign Fraud Allowed to Travel While Out On Bail. A wealthy Honolulu real estate executive accused of making fraudulent campaign contributions will be allowed to travel outside Hawaiʻi for business while out on bail and as his case plays out in court.  Timothy Lee, chief executive officer of JL Capital, was indicted in February with nine counts of making false name contributions to candidates in Honolulu’s 2020 mayoral election. Civil Beat. 

Agency warns against illegal construction activity. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting urges the public to take care when hiring contractors, designers, architects and engineers for building projects. Star-Advertiser.

Violent video brings calls for labor talks over prison staff. Public safety advocates say a violent video from inside the walls of Oahu Community Correctional Center is evidence of a rising crisis in Hawaii’s correctional facilities. Hawaii News Now.

Outreach team provides medical, social services to homeless in Waikīkī. The joint effort includes members of the Waikīkī Business Improvement District and its Safe and Sound Waikīkī program, the Institute for Human Services, Waikīkī Health and other business partners. They walk Waikīkī every Wednesday, meeting people where they're at. Aloha State Daily.

Kamehameha Schools still figuring out future of Hawai‘i Kai properties. Despite residents' concerns about hypothetical high-rises, decisions about three Haha‘ione parcels are still pending. Aloha State Daily.
 
Hawaii Island

Police Warn Residents Of Parking Violation Scam In Kona. The Hawaiʻi Police Department is investigating the apparent scam – involving a device known as “The Barnacle” being placed on the windshields of parked cars. Big Island Video News.

BJ Penn misses court date following 2 arrests. UFC Hall of Fame mixed martial artist BJ Penn failed to show up in court Tuesday in a domestic abuse case after being arrested twice over the Memorial Day weekend at his family’s Puueo Street home in Hilo. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

County aims to rehome puppy taken from Hilo homeless woman. Hawaii County has filed a petition asking a judge to order the forfeiture of a pet puppy owned by a 58-year-old Hilo woman who is accused of abusing the animal. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Workforce housing for educators gets underway in West Maui. State and county officials broke ground this week on a $20 million workforce housing project aimed at providing rental units for public school employees in West Maui, many of whom continue to face housing challenges in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina shoreline near harbor now open for recreational use. The harbor itself is still closed, but after requests from the community, Maui County officials have opened up areas on the north and south ends of the harbor for noncommercial use. Hawaii Public Radio.

11-year Maui Police Department veteran arrested on sexual assault charge. The Maui Police Department announced the arrest in a Thursday news release. The department identified the individual arrested as a 48-year-old man from Kahului but did not name him. Maui News. Maui Now. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

Groundbreaking: $46M Kahului Airport South TSA Checkpoint expected to reduce wait times. The new two-story security screening checkpoint building at the south end of the ticket lobby will house up to six screening lanes. Maui Now.

Kauai

Public feedback wanted in search for Kauai's next chief of police. Kaua‘i County Police Commission thinks every member of the community is a stakeholder in the selection of the next chief and seeks input from Kaua‘i residents about the traits and qualities they want the next leader of Kaua‘i Police Department to possess. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Tackles Child Care Crisis With New Spaces And Baby-Friendly Workplaces. Solving the problem is seen as an important step in helping recruit and retain much-needed workers on the Garden Island. Initiatives could be models for the rest of the state. Civil Beat.

Water conservation stretches into 8th week for Hanalei, ‘Anini areas. A water conservation request issued by Kaua‘i County Department of Water at the beginning of April for customers in Hanalei and ʻAnini Beach on the North Shore has stretched into its eighth week — and will continue for the foreseeable future. Kauai Now.

UH cuts travel, raises and expenses amid federal cuts, Gedeon named to House seat, Kaui police chief leaving June 12, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH Scrambles To Address ‘High-Risk’ Financial Situation Amid Trump Cuts. The university has been bracing for the trickle-down effect of $83.4 million in research funding cuts. The University of Hawaiʻi has suspended merit pay increases, curtailed nonessential travel and imposed greater scrutiny of grant-funded hires to maintain financial stability amid major research cuts imposed by the White House. Civil Beat.

Slower growth with long-term stability expected for Hawaii’s economy. The new outlook from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism published Wednesday anticipates that Hawaii’s economy will expand 1.5% next year after growing 1.2% this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority could be replaced with new governance. Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, warned the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority during a Wednesday board meeting that the coming passage of Senate Bill 1571 —which upon Gov. Josh Green’s signature will dramatically change HTA’s governance model — reflects a loss of confidence so deep that he is already considering a bill to upend the agency next year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi solar industry expects setbacks from U.S. House spending bill. If the Republican-led measure makes it through the Senate and President Donald Trump signs it into law, clean energy companies would need to break ground on new commercial projects within 60 days of the bill’s signing to be eligible for certain tax credits. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gedeon to replace Republican Gene Ward. Democratic Gov. Josh Green has named Republican Joe Gedeon to succeed the late Republican Rep. Gene Ward to represent Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley. Green picked Gedeon out of a list of three potential replacements sent to him by a panel of Hawaii Republican Party members in Ward’s district. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Failed ‘Assault Rifle’ Ban Was The Victim Of Convoluted Politics. Hawaiʻi has some of the most restrictive firearms laws in the nation, but senators balked in the 11th hour at a ban on semiautomatic rifles and large-capacity magazines. Civil Beat.

There Are Plenty Of Aggressive Drivers In Hawaiʻi, But Is It ‘Road Rage’? Researchers and law enforcement officials are seeing increases in careless and aggressive driving in Hawaiʻi. It’s challenging to quantify the extent of the problem. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Changes coming to city grant program for rail-affected businesses. The City and County of Honolulu’s financial relief effort for small businesses negatively affected by ongoing construction of the over-$10 billion Skyline project is on track for proposed changes. Star-Advertiser.

Facing required wastewater upgrades, City Council moves toward shorter fee hike schedule. The Honolulu City Council has proposed a six-year sewer fee hike plan for Oʻahu that incentivizes water savings, instead of the original 10-year plan. Hawaii Public Radio.

Land Board approves research to raise native and endemic limu species. Last week the board approved a project submitted by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi to construct a limu — or seaweed — nursery at the Ānuenue Fisheries Research Center on Oʻahu’s Sand Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikiki visitors undeterred by fee increase. An upcoming increase in the state hotel room tax of less than 1% — or $3 more per night for a $400 room — won’t deter any of nearly two dozen Waikiki tourists from coming back, especially if it provides money to restore beaches, fight erosion and prevent future wildfires, they unanimously told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Assault video exposes use of untrained guards at Oahu jail. A rampaging inmate at Oahu Community Correctional Center injured two corrections officers Monday while an untrained emergency guard watched helplessly. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea summit lookout reopens for the first time since 2018. An observation deck on Kilauea volcano’s summit that provides panoramic views of the caldera and Halema‘uma‘u crater has reopened in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Public preschool classroom opens in South Kona. It’s the second public pre-K classroom to open in West Hawaii since the launch of the Ready Keiki initiative, which now operates classrooms on all islands. Hawaii News Now.

Former UFC champion BJ Penn faces family abuse charge; slapped with restraining order. Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn was arrested and charged twice in the past few days for abusing his 79-year-old mother, according to the Hawaiʻi County court documents. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Island coffee grower hopes to keep things brewing during tariff uncertainty. Ralph Gaston is part of Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee, a family business on the Big Island that grows, roasts and distributes coffee.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Nearly 30 pounds of pot found in Kona airport luggage.  Airport after checked baggage for a Honolulu-bound flight on Southwest Airlines was found to contain about 26 pounds of marijuana. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Council hears support for proposed real property tax rates. Maui County Council members accepted oral and written testimony Tuesday on revised real property tax rates that reduced rates in some categories while retaining proposed rates in others.  Maui Now.

Lahaina Filipino Fire Survivors Association launches to fight for working class migrants. LFFSA, an initiative of the Hawaiʻi Workers Center, is a grassroots organization of directly impacted worker leaders organizing for a long term recovery that addresses the most crucial needs of Lahaina’s Filipino fire survivors in the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires. Maui Now.

Trolling permitted in Kahoʻolawe for 2 weekends in June. The Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission has announced permitted trolling dates during two weekends this June.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi police officers ready to move forward as Chief finally announces retirement date. In a letter to the Kauaʻi Police Commission, Chief Todd Raybuck said he’s retiring on June 12. He first announced he was leaving back in November. KHON2.

Metal, appliance drop-off closed until further notice at some county facilities. Contractor staffing issues are forcing Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division to close scrap metal and metal appliances recycling until further notice beginning today (May 29) at some of its collection facilities. Kauai Now.

Goodwill to host reuse collection event later this week in Līhu‘e. Residents, businesses and other organizations can bring unwanted or unneeded items for reuse to Kaua‘i Resource Center in Līhu‘e from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 30. Kauai Now.

Green signs nation's first climate change fee on lodging, Honolulu council advances sewer fee hike, mandatory water restrictions on Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green signs the nation's first climate impact fee into law. Everyone who stays in a Hawaii hotel, cruise ship or other lodging beginning Jan. 1 will pay an extra $3 for every $400 in overnight costs — or an additional $30 for every $4,000 spent to stay in the islands — to help Hawaii pay to address climate change and reduce the risk of future wildfires. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

CORRECTION: We at All Hawaii News apologize for errors in the above story that were carried over from an original source. They have subsequently been corrected.

Legislation aims to crack down on cannabis industry, improve oversight. Several bills passed in the 2025 Legislative Session, aimed at improving transparency and oversight in Hawaiʻi’s growing hemp industry, and addressing safety and continued access for patients relying on cannabis for medical treatment. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Has A New Ghost Gun Law. Will It Make A Difference? Prosecutors in Hawaiʻi and Maui counties have used the 2020 statute to charge more than 50 people, according to court records reviewed by Civil Beat. But their counterparts in the state’s most populous county, Honolulu, have found the law hard to enforce. Civil Beat.

Protecting Hawaiʻi’s vulnerable youth aim of 3 measures waiting for governor’s signature. Senate Bills 292 and 951 along with House Bill 613 focus on accountability, safety and access to essential services. Kauai Now.

Senior enlisted man based in Hawaii will advise Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Pentagon announced Tuesday that Fleet Master Chief David Isom, a seasoned combat veteran, has been selected to serve as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or SEAC. He will be the sixth person to take on the position since it was was created in 2005. Star-Advertiser.

Lunch Debt And Book Fines Are The Last Barriers To Graduation. Hawaiʻi requires high school seniors pay off school debts before donning a cap and gown. Not all families can afford to. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council advances sewer fees bill. Budget Committee Chair Tyler Dos Santos-­Tam’s version of the measure, which shaves the city’s decade-­long span for increased rates down to about six years, will start Jan. 1, 2026 and run through 2031. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Rail guideway construction hop over Kalihi causes conflicts. Construction of the rail guideway for Honolulu’s Skyline is suddenly on the verge of reaching downtown and Kakaako after the contractor decided to do the last mile of guideway and stations and come back later to finish in Kalihi. Hawaii News Now.

Developer applies for permit to demolish Aloha Stadium. This permit may not look like much, but it’s the next significant step in Hawaiʻi’s journey to build the New Aloha Stadium. KHON2.

Grand opening for Humane Society’s dog park set for Saturday. The official opening of the Schuler Family Foundation and Jones Family Community Dog Park comes nearly two years after the Society’s Kosasa Family Campus at Ho‘opili opened in Leeward Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Mandatory 25% water restriction effective until further notice in Hakalau. A significant reduction in spring flows and operational issues with a backup well have caused Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply to implement a mandatory 25% water restriction ‘ effective immediately and until further notice — for customers in the Hakalau area of East Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking is Thursday for Papa‘aloa Park covered playcourt. The playcourt will replace the park’s plantation-area gymnasium that was razed in May 2022 after the building was declared unsalvageable due to extensive termite damage. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Council Funds Affordable Housing, New Program To Help Working Poor. Council members at first wanted to trim the budget. Instead they added programs to help residents struggling to make ends meet. Maui Now.

Maui Bicycling League urges action on Vision Zero following well-attended Ride of Silence. The Maui Bicycling League hosted its annual Ride of Silence on Saturday, May 24, along the Maui Veterans Highway Bike Path, drawing 37 riders and a powerful show of support from Maui County officials and the Maui Police Department. Maui Now.

Kauai

Final workshop for Waimea 400 housing project scheduled this week. The workshop — scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the cafeteria at Waimea Canyon Middle School — will provide residents with updates about the county’s progress for the entire Waimea 400 site. Kauai Now.

Central Pacific Bank Līhuʻe Branch relocates. Central Pacific Bank has moved to a new location in Līhuʻe as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment and transition plan to serve the Garden Isle community. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Sen. Schatz makes waves in Washington, Honolulu doubles vacation rental registrations, state jobless rate among nation's lowest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

With His Political Star On The Rise, Brian Schatz Aims For A Powerful New Role. Hawaiʻi’s senior U.S. senator is constantly popping up in national media reports as a go-to critic of Trumpism and someone who is actually taking action — here putting a hold on the president’s nominees for State Department posts, there introducing a resolution to condemn President Donald Trump’s acceptance of a $400 million airplane gift from Qatar.  Civil Beat.

Few details released on more than 100 immigration arrests. Federal agents have arrested more than 100 people in Hawaii so far this year for alleged violations of immigration law, but information on exactly how many over 100, where they were arrested and for what was not made public.  Star-Advertiser.

Will Hawaiʻi’s Supreme Court Curb Governor’s Power To Suspend Laws? Gov. Josh Green has issued more than 90 emergency proclamations during less than three years in office. Now the Hawaii Supreme Court may soon define the scope of the governor’s power to issue such executive orders and suspend laws with the stroke of a pen. Civil Beat.

Hawaii child welfare service providers search for cultural solutions. The Malama Ohana Working Group, established by the Legislature to develop recommendations to improve the state’s child welfare system, concluded in a recent report that integrating Native Hawaiian cultural values into policies and practices is necessary to fix a failing system. Star-Advertiser.

After Fumbling Fire Priorities Last Year, Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Make Amends. After the 2023 fires destroyed much of Lahaina, Hawaiʻi vowed to improve prevention measures. More than two years later, the state has finally paved the way for that to happen. Civil Beat.

State jobless rate remains among the nation’s lowest. The seasonally adjusted jobless rate in April remained at 2.9% for the second straight month after holding at 3.0% for the previous eight months, according to data released last week from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Barriers to physical, mental health care persist in Hawaii, survey finds. The latest University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization Public Health Report found there to still be a high mental health burden, particularly among young adults, continued barriers to health care, and persistent struggles obtaining food. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Sees Doubling Of Vacation Rental Registrations Under New Rules. The city has made it easier to sign up, but many owners are still flying under the radar even in areas like Waikīkī and Ko Olina where short-term rentals are legal to operate. Civil Beat.

Wahiawa landfill plans sidetracked. The city likely will seek an extension of operations at the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill. New state legislation likely will upend the city’s plan to close its current solid-­waste landfill in West Oahu and replace it with one near Wahiawa, on active pineapple fields above Central Oahu’s freshwater aquifer. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s proposed 115% hike in sewer fee under review. The Council’s Budget Committee today is scheduled to review aspects of city-initiated Bill 60, which, if approved, will take effect July 1. Star-Advertiser.

Servco Pacific requests pause on HART’s eminent domain plans of its Kakaako property. A more than 100-year-old family-owned business has requested the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation pause its plans to condemn the company’s large automotive servicing center property in Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

HI-EMA fined $98K for violating underground storage tank laws.  The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency had  operated a 6,000-gallon underground storage tank system at its Battery Birkhimer facility inside Diamond Head Crater since December 1997. Star-Advertiser.

New elevated walkway connects Kakaʻako to Ala Moana Beach Park, Kewalo Basin. The elevated walkway is located between Ward Avenue and Kamake‘e Street and crosses six lanes of traffic, connecting the Kaka‘ako community to Ala Moana Beach Park and Kewalo Basin. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii Public Radio.

Suicides At Hawaiʻi’s Largest Prison Up The Stakes For Mental Health Review. Two more prisoners at Hālawa Correctional Facility died in the past two months in what are believed to be the fourth and fifth suicides there since last summer, making the state’s largest prison a disturbing anomaly nationally that experts blame on longstanding operational flaws. Civil Beat.

Journalist Jerry Burris excelled at insightful political coverage. Longtime Honolulu Advertiser reporter, Capitol bureau chief, city editor and editorial page editor Jerry Burris died Wednesday in his sleep at his home in La­nikai. He was 81. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Foreclosure Opens Door To Preserve Famous Black Sand Beach On Big Island. Lineal descendants of Punaluʻu and conservationists devise plans to permanently protect the land on Hawaiʻi island and its unique cultural and ecological features. Civil Beat.

Feral Sheep Salvage Project Seeks Participants. The project will involve "humane live-trapping and removal" of feral sheep along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Lahaina fire survivors find new sense of community as Ka Laʻi Ola housing nears completion. Ka Laʻi Ola is the state’s modular home community that will include 450 units and house about 1,500 residents who didn't qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Traffic expected as crews truck Lahaina wildfire debris to central Maui. It’s said to be the next important step in rebuilding Lahaina, moving all the debris from the fire to its permanent site.  KHON2.

Homeless community is back 4 years after clearing of Amala Place. What will Maui County do this time? When government crews and police officers cleared out the extensive homeless community along Amala Place in 2021, it didn’t take long for some people to return.  Maui Now.

Secluded corner of Molokai puts subsistence hunting near unexploded bombs. While the nation honors those who fought for freedom, another legacy of World War II continues to be a challenge in Hawaii: unexploded munitions in some of Hawaii’s most sensitive environments. It’s an issue on the most northwest corner of Molokai, where the state-acquired Ilio Point, knowing it had been a Navy target range. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

The 2026 Kauaʻi Mayor’s Race Is Off To An Early Start. Bernard Carvalho, the longest-serving mayor in Kauaʻi history, and Mel Rapozo, a retired Kauaʻi police officer, announced their intent to run within days of each other.  Civil Beat.

Final workshop for Waimea 400 housing project scheduled this week. Kaua‘i County Housing Agency invites the public to the final community workshop for the Waimea 400 Affordable Housing Master Plan. Kauai Now.

State audit blasts HTA tourism destination management plan, Ala Wai harbor deteriorates after private takeover plans, bioenergy plant sues HECO over monopoly claims, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State audit criticizes Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s destination management. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s destination management focus is “not new — or effective — and the agency remains unable to gauge its own performance,” according to the latest state audit, which was especially critical of its community-driven Destination Management Action Plan effort. Star-Advertiser.

Conservation Groups Sue To Block Commercial Fishing In Pacific Monument. The fishing has resumed in the deep ocean waters that were designated off-limits over a decade ago. Honolulu longliners wasted little time cashing in on President Donald Trump’s decision last month to lift the commercial fishing ban in the deep ocean waters of the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Lacks Resources For Homeless College Students. The effort to help struggling students at the University of Hawaiʻi is led by volunteer faculty and staff. Other states allocate money to help college students alleviate hardships. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi seeks to control prescription drug costs for underserved populations. The measure aims to adjust the 340B federal program that requires pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs to hospitals that care for disadvantaged populations at a discounted rate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Digital agriculture form will expand after pilot. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced Thursday that the state plans to expand the Akamai Arrival program to additional flights throughout the year, allowing more travelers entering Hawaii to complete a digitized version of the Department of Agriculture’s Plants and Animals Declaration Form.  Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

Traffic noise, homelessness top concerns at mayor’s sixth town hall meeting. Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s sixth town hall meeting of the year covered a wide geographic area, from Pearl City to downtown. And because of that, the administration was ready for a wide range of questions. Hawaii News Now.

How The Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Has Gone From Cash Cow To Eyesore. The harbor’s status as a public asset is at odds with the state’s long-term goals for private management boating facilities. Civil Beat.

Ala Moana Boulevard pedestrian bridge now open. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) announced that the Ala Moana Boulevard pedestrian bridge located between Ward Avenue and Kamakeʻe Street is available for use. KHON2.

Isle Japanese Americans seek to save incarceration history. A March lawsuit against the Department of Government Efficiency has Hawaii’s Japanese Americans concerned about future visits to former incarceration camps, many of which are national historic sites managed by the National Park Service. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Renewable energy plant on Big Island files lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric.  Honua Ola Bioenergy on Hawai‘i Island has filed a lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, claiming the state’s largest power supplier has created a monopoly that has resulted in the renewable energy plant being unable to operate. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County Council revisits more oversight on the short-term rental industry. Under the measure, properties would have to register with the county’s director of finance and provide information such as the location and number of units for rent. A registration fee of $250 for hosted and $500 for unhosted rentals would apply, and failing to register could result in a $10,000 fine. Hawaii Public Radio.

FDA’s COVID-19 changes worry local health professionals. Big Island health professionals are concerned changes to U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules for COVID-19 vaccines could limit their availability for healthy people under 65 who get vaccinated to protect vulnerable family members. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Support grows to rebuild Lahaina homeless shelter. With $8 million committed to providing emergency shelter and affordable housing in Lahaina, a Maui group is moving forward to rebuild at the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center in Lahaina following the 2023 fire. Maui News.

County announces access for noncommerical shoreline recreation near Lahaina Harbor starting Saturday. Beginning Saturday, May 24, 2025, access to the shoreline on the north and south ends of Lahaina Harbor will be made available for recreational, noncommercial purposes, the County of Maui Office of Recovery announced. Maui Now.

Low levels of PFAS detected in water system serving Central Maui. Samples collected from Consolidated Baseyards water system wells were found to contain low levels of Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS). Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Keiki summer program explores animal husbandry, gardening and life skills. The Kauaʻi Animal Education Farm, a farm animal rescue in Kapaʻa, will host weeklong enrichment programs for students ages 8 to 14 throughout the summer. Kauai Now.

Convention center's $64M repairs in limbo, tax collections to fall amid federal uncertainty, ACLU vows to sue Honolulu police over sober arrests on DUI stops, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Convention Center $64M repair project in limbo amid leadership crisis. Just weeks after posting one of its most profitable months, the Hawaii Convention Center is now facing a new wave of uncertainty. KHON2.

Green testifies in defense of COVID vaccines in D.C. Gov. Josh Green, a medical doctor, on Wednesday defended COVID-19 vaccines before a U.S. Senate subcommittee in Washington, D.C., saying they saved countless lives during the pandemic. Over three hours, however, most of the testimony before the U.S. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations alleged that federal agencies failed to adequately warn the public about the risk of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, from the COVID-19 shots — in particular, the mRNA vaccines. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Tax Collections Will Be Lower Than Expected Over Next 2 Years. The  state Council on Revenues on Wednesday downgraded projections for the next three fiscal years amid swirling uncertainties over federal policy upheaval. The extra new pessimism was rooted in expected fallout from Trump administration actions to slash the federal workforce, reduce federal spending and tax global imports with high tariffs. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Opportunity to pay less for electricity during sunlight hours yields mixed results. Last year, Hawaiian Electric put a group of randomly selected Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island customers on an experimental rate scheme that made electricity cheaper during the day when solar energy was abundant and more expensive in the evening and nighttime. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Is Facing A Food Crisis. Can A State Plan Finally Help? Lawmakers are pushing for a comprehensive plan to address Hawaiʻi’s overreliance on imported foods and the growing number of residents who can’t afford groceries. Civil Beat.

Five Troubling Findings From New Report On Hawaiʻi’s Health. University of Hawaiʻi study has followed 2,000 people since 2022. Hawaii’s Health and Wellbeing Journey Over Time – Monitoring Equity And Access found that existing health disparities — including access to care — have widened precipitously in less than two years for most non-white ethnic and racial groups, especially Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.  Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Honolulu-L.A. United flight turns back after bomb threat in lavatory. A United Airlines flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles returned to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport early Wednesday morning after a bomb threat was found written on a bathroom mirror. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

ACLU Hawaii prepares to sue HPD over ‘concerning trend’ of sober drivers arrested for DUI. The American Civil Liberties Union Hawaii could pursue legal action against the Honolulu Police Department over a “pattern and practice of falsely arresting drivers in Honolulu without probable cause and without due process,” a letter sent to the police chief on Tuesday read. Hawaii News Now.

Former BLNR chair on the Army's use of federal land in Mākua Valley. William Aila served as the chair of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources from 2010 to 2014. Hawaii Public Radio.

Illegal gambling arrests on Oahu increased in 2024. The Honolulu Police Department made 115 arrests for gambling equipment violations in 2024, up from 92 in 2023, according to HPD’s data dashboard. Officers also arrested 124 people for operating, promoting or assisting gambling in 2024, up from 109 arrests in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

How UH-Manoa Is Trying To Hold Onto Hawaiʻi’s High School Grads. Federal data shows a decline in students staying home for college. The University of Hawaiʻi is trying to reverse that trend. Civil Beat.

Community honors West Loch disaster anniversary. The West Loch disaster was a deadly — and often forgotten — World War II incident in Hawaii that prompted major reforms in the U.S. military due to the disproportionate death toll of Black service members. Star-Advertiser.

City moves to take over property where family has been squatting for decades. The city is moving to take back a derelict home next to Kapiolani Park. The rundown home on 3808 Paki Avenue has blue tarps, 55-gallon drums, and a mix of household items outside. Hawaii News Now.

Tariffs are making it pricier to bring Filipino food to Hawaii. One importer says it’s absorbing the cost, for now. Filipino food importer Ramar Foods was shocked when President Donald Trump imposed a 17% tariff on Philippine goods, almost triple the previous tax. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers consider proposal for 'household henneries'. County law currently only allows chickens to be raised on agricultural land, but Bill 52 would let residents have “household henneries” for non-commercial egg production. Hawaii Public Radio.

Summer meal program set to feed 6,000 keiki throughout Big Island. Kaukau 4 Keiki, a summer food program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will once again provide free weekly meal kits with a focus on reaching children under 18-years old in rural communities statewide. Big Island Now.

Hokulea, Hikianalia dock in Hilo ahead of Pacific-wide voyage. After two days of travel, Hokulea and Hikianalia are now docked in Hilo. The voyaging canoes were welcomed by the community and hula halau near the Grand Naniloa Hotel. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

LCLT Report: Zero homes sold within typical Maui residents’ financial reach in 2024. The Lahaina Community Land Trust’s “Keeping Lahaina Home,” authored in partnership with Native Hawaiian data scientist Matt Jachowski, seeks to shed light on “how despite our best intentions, most of the homes that we continue to build are not actually meant for our local families.” Maui Now.

Applications now available for Hale O Piʻikea 1 affordable rental housing project in Kīhei. Applications are now being accepted for Hale O Piʻikea I, the first phase of a County-supported, three-phase affordable rental housing initiative by ʻIkenākea Development that will deliver 223 rental homes upon completion.  Maui Now.

Environmental watchdogs tell state officials ‘try again’ for Lahaina pollution control permit. A small, but determined, group testified at the Lahaina Civic Center Wednesday morning. Hawaii Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch listened to their feedback about its revised permit proposal for the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility. Hawaii News Now.

Corals damaged by yacht returned to Maui waters following rehabilitation. Rehabilitated coral fragments damaged by a grounded luxury yacht more than two years ago were returned Wednesday to Honolua Bay on Maui’s northwestern coast. Kauai Now.

Kauai

Water conservation measures remain in place for Hanalei community and ʻAnini Beach areas. Water conservation measures remain in place for Department of Water customers in the Hanalei community and ʻAnini Beach areas due to a downed water system pump station. Kauai Now.

Fraud alleged in homeless village construction, Honolulu and HGEA finalize $41M Covid hazard pay settlement, teachers learn their rights vs ICE, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Manager Alleges Potential Fraud In Homeless Village Construction. A licensed contractor employed as a construction manager for the state’s Kauhale Initiative has written to Gov. Josh Green, alleging violations of building codes, contract terms and other issues with the homeless housing program — allegations that the initiative’s developer denies. The allegations involve the nonprofit HomeAid Hawaiʻi, and CM&D, which HomeAid has hired to manage the sprawling statewide initiative. Civil Beat.

Advocates explain rights regarding ICE agents. Advocates and educators gathered virtually Tuesday evening to share critical guidance with Hawaii families and public school staff on how to respond if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up at school. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Criminals Mailing Illegal Fireworks To Hawaiʻi Mostly Get Away With It. People are sending undeclared explosives via U.S.P.S. on a regular basis. Few face arrest or prosecution.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii high school surfing still a tough wave to catch. Lawmakers passed House Bill 133, which has the backing of Gov. Josh Green and would appropriate $685,870 in each of the next two fiscal years to help cover expenses for public high schools in regional athletic leagues that include surfing as an interscholastic sport, which is something that currently exists only on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Bomb threat delays Hawaiian Airlines flight to Honolulu. A Hawaiian Airlines flight from San Diego bound for Honolulu Tuesday morning was stopped shortly before takeoff after a passenger allegedly threatened to bomb the aircraft. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Sweet potato to become part of the regular menu in Hawai‘i’s public schools. Approximately 372 pounds of local Okinawan sweet potatoes were distributed to 91 participating schools. The effort is part of the Hawai‘i Department of Education’s farm-to-school initiative, which aims to enhance food sustainability in Hawai‘i and aligns with the goals of Act 175 to improve student health while supporting local farmers. Big Island Now.

Oahu

HGEA finalizes $41 million hazard pay settlement. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blan­giardi’s administration has finalized a multimillion-dollar settlement with the Hawaii Government Employees Association involving dangerous COVID-19-era work. Star-Advertiser.

Army official discusses proposed return of state land on Oʻahu. A week after a brutal seven-hour public hearing before the state Land Board over the military's land lease at Pōhakuloa on the Big Island, the U.S. Army released a report signaling it was considering drastically pulling back on its footprint on Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Judge Rules Miske’s Mother Can’t Represent Granddaughter’s Interests. The mother of convicted racketeering boss Mike Miske, who died last year, had been seeking guardianship of his granddaughter. Civil Beat.

Waikiki will step up safety efforts this summer. There will be new enhanced patrols starting up and a plan to tap into hundreds of private cameras overlooking public areas. KITV4.

Fire prevention pilot program in Oʻahu neighborhood park turns to lamb-scaping. The 3.5-acre Laukahi Slopes Mini Park in the middle of a Waiʻalae Iki neighborhood on Oʻahu is hilly and overgrown with trees, bushes and grass — a fire risk. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Thousands on the Big Island could face cuts in SNAP benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps 21,472 Hawaii Island households by providing an average of $365 in monthly federal support for food, according to state DHS statistics from mid-May. Tribune-Herald.

Hokule‘a, Hikianalia head to Hilo. The Hokule‘a and Hikianalia voyaging canoes are expected to arrive in Hilo this afternoon, and celebrations honoring their trans-Pacific journey will be happening this weekend.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Federal lawsuit details graphic sexual harassment allegations against Pāʻia Inn owner. A federal lawsuit alleges that Pāʻia Inn owner Michael Baskin used drugs to try to engage in sexual acts with female employees, some teenagers, while in his hotel room, and the young women were “unable to consent” because “they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol.” Maui Now.

Maui woman breaks silence on her disappearance. Hannah Kobayashi, a Hawaii woman who Disappeared rom Los Angeles International Airport in November, kicking off an international search before resurfacing in Mexico a month later, spoke out on social media this week about her “loss, pain and suffering.” New York Times.

Kauai

Graduation time: Public high school graduations this Friday. Friday marks a milestone for nearly 700 seniors in the three public high schools on Kauai as the students and their support group of family, relatives and friends celebrate graduation. Garden Island.

Full closure scheduled on Temporary Kapa‘a Bypass Road later this month. A full closure of the Temporary Kapa‘a Bypass Road (Route 5600) is scheduled for later this month to install new striping and paving markers on the newly paved road, according to Hawai‘i Department of Transportation. Kauai Now.

Hawaii trails up for review, Army proposes downsizing Oahu training grounds, Trump cuts threaten broadband access, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State seeks public input on Nā Ala Hele Trail program. The program, part of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, manages hundreds of miles of trails and access roads across the state. Nā Ala Hele is updating its program plan, originally created in 1991, and seeks community input. Big Island Now.

Hawaii hopes to restore ‘racist’ broadband access grant canceled by president. Hawaii’s lieutenant governor is scrambling to find money to replace a broadband access grant that President Donald Trump terminated — a grant he called “racist” and a “woke giveaway.” Hawaii News Now.

In Hawaiʻi, Drowning Leading Cause Of Death For Tourists, Children Under 15. The Department of Health says data shows Hawaiʻi’s resident drowning rate is the second highest in the nation, and most drowned in swimming pools. Big Island Video News.

Bill To Guard Against Imitation Hawaiian Tea Could End Up Hurting Industry. Māmaki producers say they support efforts to protect Hawaiʻi-grown products but fear this bill could put companies out of business. Civil Beat.

Movies And TV Shows Left Hawaiʻi. The Workers Followed. With the loss of productions came a decline in film jobs and spending in the state. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Loyal travelers with Hawaiian Airlines are being told not to worry as their HawaiianMiles are safe. The program will eventually be phased out because of the merger with Alaska Airlines.  KHON2.

Oahu

Army Proposes Downsizing Its Training Grounds On Oʻahu. Those include parts of the Kahuku Training Area that aren’t used for ground maneuvers as well as all 4,390 acres in the Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area that for the last decade have almost exclusively been used for aviation training, according to the Army’s final environmental impact statement posted online Thursday night. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City Council approves $40K Liquor Commission settlement. Litigation involving the Honolulu Liquor Commission and one of its former investigators who claimed discrimination, harassment and a hostile work environment based on his sexual orientation while working for the agency has advanced toward a settlement. Star-Advertiser.

EMS director says ‘ambulances are safe’ after recent fire sparks concerns.  Investigators with the Honolulu Fire Department are looking into what sparked an ambulance fire over the weekend. Hawaii News Now.

Gondola development project proposed for North Shore. Mt. Kaala is the tallest peak on Oahu, and the owner of Adventure Group in Canada owns 2,300 acres in Waialua and plans to develop it. KHON2.

West Loch Disaster remembrance planned. The Obama Hawaiian Africana Museum and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency will host a remembrance ceremony Wednesday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl honoring the anniversary of the deadly 1944 West Loch Disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Waikīkī restaurant worries tariff on Japan will affect Wagyu beef prices. Jack Sinanaj, the owner of Empire Steak House Hawaii in Waikīkī, is concerned about a 24% tariff on A-5 Wagyu beef from Japan — a small but real way the Trump administration's tariffs could impact local businesses. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Punaluu Village project thwarted. Black Sand Beach LLC had plans to develop Punalu‘u Village on 147 acres inland of Punaluu Bay in Kaʻu, where endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles nest. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County not accepting permit applications May 23-25 due to system update. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works will update its Electronic Process Information System for permit applications on May 23 to improve the site’s performance and change the service fees. Big Island Now.

Maui

Reef-Friendly Landscaping Summit launches to protect Kāʻanapali’s shoreline. The Pilikahakai Foundation, a nonprofit rooted in Native Hawaiian values and dedicated to preserving Kāʻanapali Beach, hosted its inaugural Reef-Friendly Landscaping Summit over the weekend, aimed at advancing sustainable land care practices that protect West Maui’s coastline.  Maui Now.

Planned Parenthood to offer vasectomy services on Maui. Planned Parenthood expects to start offering vasectomy services at its Honolulu and Kahului Health Centers with procedures beginning June 12 and 13. Maui News.

National award recognizes Molokaʻi's efforts to improve the health of its land and people. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Prize celebrates communities across the U.S. that highlight locally-led solutions to healthier futures. Molokaʻi was one of nine communities awarded this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Petroleum company on Kaua‘i cited for hazardous waste violations. The Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order against IES Downstream, a limited liability company, for violating the state’s hazardous waste management laws at its ‘Ele‘ele storage terminal on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

SurfRider Foundation Kaua‘i releases monthly water quality tests for beaches, streams. Water quality in several Kaua‘i streams had overwhelming levels of bacteria recorded during the SurfRider Foundation’s monthly testing in May. Kauai Now.

Judiciary programs win legislative approval, Carvalho wants to be Kauai mayor again, Honolulu airport faces baggage handler layoffs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Chief Justice Says He’ll Retire On High Note After Rare Legislative Success. In his last year on the Supreme Court, Mark Recktenwald helped secure funding for Judiciary programs throughout Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Many UH med school grads plan to stay in Hawaii amid physician shortage. As Hawaii faces a shortage of nearly 800 physicians, a very special ceremony was held Sunday for some of the state’s newest doctors. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Proposed Cuts To Food Stamps Program Could Be ‘Horrific’ In Hawai‘i. Under Republican proposals, Hawaiʻi could face more than $100 million in new costs to maintain the food stamp program. Civil Beat. Some 157,600 residents — roughly 1 in 9 — will receive SNAP benefits this year. Civil Beat.

Judge Blocks Trump Health Funding Cuts For Hawaiʻi, Other States. Hawaiʻi could have lost more than $89 million for critical community health programs, the Attorney General’s Office said. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Student Debt Puts Hawaiʻi’s Older Adults At Risk Of Social Security Cuts. People who stopped paying their student loans during the Covid-19 pandemic could soon start facing reductions in their monthly Social Security benefits. Some 8,400 adults aged 62 or older in Hawaiʻi owe roughly $440 million in federal student loans, according to the U.S. Department of Education.  Civil Beat.

Federal funding for Hawaiian Home Lands on chopping block.  President Donald Trump is proposing to eliminate the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program as part of a rough budget plan for the next federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Star-Advertiser.

UH researchers, faculty suffering from federal cuts. As of Friday, 77 grant awards at the University of Hawaii had been terminated, stopped or were being phased out. Of those, 66 grants have been terminated, amounting to $83 million in federal dollars, according to a UH spokesperson. Star-Advertiser.

Airline outlook weakens as Hawaii heads into peak summer travel season. The outlook for airline seats into Hawaii softened this month with losses widening into the peak summer tourism season, exacerbating concerns that demand for leisure travel will hold amid worldwide economic uncertainty. Star-Advertiser.

Bill passes allowing darker tints on vehicles. The state Legislature has passed a major reform bill for vehicle window tinting laws, which marks the most significant update since originally enacted in 1983, the House of Representatives announced Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Dozens of workers face layoffs at Honolulu airport. A company that provides baggage-handling services to the airlines at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is ending its operations there. That means dozens of workers will lose their jobs.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Concern for University Lab School as officials discuss possible ‘UH CampusTown’. The prospect of a mixed-use development to create a more vibrant atmosphere for students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is drawing fire from supporters of University Laboratory School who fear the K-12 campus would be displaced in the process. Star-Advertiser.

State agency’s preschool production pipeline bulges while other projects hit roadblocks. Inside what looks like it could’ve been an art classroom at a Moiliili elementary school, a former engineer is leading a small team on a big quest to develop preschool classrooms, teacher housing and a more than $300 million new school. Star-Advertiser.

The newest kauhale, Alana Ola Pono, moves 11 people into long-term homes. The Alana Ola Pono kauhale represents the newest of 21 that have gone up around the state, with more planned in Waimanalo and Kapolei, on Middle Street and off of Nimitz Highway by Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser.

Straub Benioff Medical Center to see new facilities. The Straub Benioff Medical Center is undergoing a massive transformation, according to Hawaiʻi Pacific Health. KHON2.

Honolulu Council might widen surveillance at parks. Overt video monitoring at city-owned parks prone to high crime has advanced under a new Honolulu City Council resolution. Star-Advertiser.

Miske’s Trust: A Look At His Moves To Control His Fortune From The Grave. In amending his revocable living trust shortly before he died, Michael J. Miske confirmed his granddaughter is the primary beneficiary. It is the first time the provisions of Miske’s trust have been made public. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia to make final stop in Hilo ahead of global, 3-year voyage. The canoes are expected to arrive in Hilo on Tuesday afternoon and stay for more than a week to engage with the community and make final voyage preparations.  Big Island Now.

Zoo fees revisited: County mulls charging admission to popular attraction. Hawaii County is holding another hearing to consider proposed entry fees for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo &Gardens. Tribune-Herald.

Reservations for bunkhouse, cabins open daily. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife has announced that the Keanakolu Bunkhouse and Ranger Cabins off Mana Road are now available for camping reservations seven days a week. Tribune-Herald.

Military presence at Pōhakuloa Training Area critical to community safety. But at what cost to the land, native species? In the summer of 2022, when the Mana Road fire burned more than 44,000 acres of land, destroyed some homes and livestock, and threatened Waikōloa Village, small Hawaiʻi County received help from the U.S. Army. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council passes fiscal 2026 budget on first reading; final reading set for June 3. The Council will hold another public hearing on tax rates at 9 a.m. May 27 in the eighth floor Council Chambers of the Kalana O Maui Building. Maui Now.

For Immigrants After Lahaina Wildfire, Survival Is A ‘Daily Challenge’. A new survey shows that many immigrants are struggling with housing, jobs and stress after the 2023 fire. Civil Beat.

This Molokaʻi dental provider's waitlist is 1 year long. Expanded services are coming soon. If you live on Molokaʻi and need to see a dentist, you may have to wait as long as one year. The Molokaʻi Community Health Center is one of just two dental providers on the island, and right now, its wait list is 10 pages long. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hoʻoikaika Partnership awarded $100,000 grant. Hoʻoikaika Partnership, a coalition of more than 75 organizations working to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen families across Maui County, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation. Maui News.

Kauai

Carvalho announces mayoral candidacy. Bernard Carvalho Jr. is a council member who served as Kauai’s mayor from 2008 through 2018. Garden Island.

More than 160 walk through rain at Kauai Community College graduation. More than 160 Kauai Community College students braved the Friday afternoon showers to participate in the 60th Annual Kauai Community College Commencement held on the Puhi campus. Garden Island.

Līhu‘e transfer station again taking trailer loads and construction, demolition waste. Kaua‘i County Public Works Solid Waste Division announced Friday that waste disposal restrictions on construction and demolition debris as well as trailer loads — which have been in effect since September 2024 — are lifted effective immediately at the Līhu‘e transfer station. Kauai Now.

Army's last remaining live-fire training in jeopardy at Pohakuloa, 1-4 hurricanes predicted this season, Honolulu to allow private sponsorship of public facilities, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is The Military In For A Wake-Up Call As Hawaiʻi Leases Near End? The state’s rejection of the U.S. Army’s environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some Native Hawaiians say won’t be smooth sailing.  Civil Beat.

Gov. Green on balancing national security and the environment in military land leases.  The Army says Pōhakuloa is the only remaining place where it conducts live-fire training for its troops and for the state’s first responders. But the community has resisted, with some arguing the leases should not be renewed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii troops forge alliances in Philippines. The 40th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder to shoulder” — brought in service members from the U.S. as well as troops from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Among them were troops from Hawaii-based units. Star-Advertiser.

Forecasters predict 1 to 4 hurricanes this season. With hurricane season beginning June 1, Hawaii officials are urging residents to prepare now as forecasters predict near- to below- normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific this year. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

See Which Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Been Hit Hardest By Trump Funding Cuts. The total amount of confirmed federal funding cuts to Hawaiʻi state and county programs as of Thursday stands at nearly $95 million, according to figures compiled by Civil Beat. The full extent of the cuts won’t be clear for several more weeks or longer as official termination letters must be issued and legal challenges resolved. Civil Beat.

For the first time in seven years, tuition is increasing across the University of Hawaii system beginning this fall. The 2% increase was approved by the UH Board of Regents in 2023 as part of a four-year tuition schedule. KHON2.

UH risks losing $78 million in federal research funds due to cuts. In a report to the Board of Regents on Thursday, UH President Wendy Hensel said the university expects to lose more than $78 million in federal research funding due to recent grant cancellations and suspensions. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Electricity Shut-Offs Are Nearly Triple Pre-Pandemic Levels. Expiring post-Covid payment plans, state’s cost of living blamed for spike in residential disconnections. Civil Beat.

Tourism agency brings back passenger counts after data blip. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has restored passenger counts from international and domestic travelers, correcting at least part of the blip in data caused by the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Council OKs sponsorship of public facilities. Legislation to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities in order to garner more revenue for the city was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council approves property tax-fueled fund for climate projects. The measure would deposit 1.5% of property tax revenue into a fund dedicated to climate resiliency. That’s about $8.6 million a year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy to remove USS Arizona mooring platforms after 80 years. The U.S. Navy will be placing buoys and anchors in Pearl Harbor waters next week to prepare for the removal of decades-old mooring platforms on the USS Arizona. Hawaii News Now.

Manoa Falls Trail closed due to fallen tree limb, bamboo. Manoa Falls Trail was closed Thursday after a large tree limb fell, bringing down a large swath of bamboo with it. Three people sustained minor injuries. Hawaii News Now.

HPD seizes cash, gambling machines in Kalihi. When police raided the operation and how many devices and cash was confiscated during the operation was not immediately made public. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona property housing migrants under investigation for code violations. A Kona property where dozens of migrants were reportedly living in poor conditions is now under scrutiny by Hawaii County building enforcement officials. KHON2.

Admission fees back on the table for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. Admission fees at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens are back on the table as Hawaiʻi County is moving forward with revised proposed rule changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County taxpayers encouraged to weigh in on budget proposal. Despite a whopping $1.5 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed tax cuts for owner-occupied homes. Hawaii News Now.

Arts program for Maui fire survivors loses White House funding. The Archive for Health, Arts, and Spirit has been able to provide an arts for healing program to residents with a $100,000 grant from the White House Initiative on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Property owner troubled by ICE raid that turned up ‘nothing’.  The property owner is criticizing the manner in which armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rousted her and her family, along with other occupants including Philippine teachers with visas, at a multi-family dwelling in Kahului. Maui News.

DOH issues red placard to Maui L&L on Dairy Road for a cockroach infestation. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and immediately closed a Maui location of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owned and operated by Maui L & L Food Inc. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i councilman announces run for mayor. Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his candidacy on Wednesday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. While he currently serves as a council member, Carvalho previously served as mayor from 2000-2018.  Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Bus launches new tap-and-ride system. The Kaua‘i Bus has a new account-based ticketing system powered by Masabi’s Justride open platform. Kauai Now.

Dorcey and Smith are ‘Outstanding’.  Ten Kauai older adults who were nominated by the public were honored and recognized for their service. Garden Island.