Bipartisan congressional panel tours Maui, Hawaiian Electric stock rallies after lawsuit response, Friday siren test canceled statewide, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Governor Enlists Help From Federal Lawmakers Visiting Maui. A bipartisan congressional delegation met Green on a tour of communities impacted by the fires in Lahaina and Upcountry. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Inmates are being asked to participate in the massive effort to ID those killed in Lahaina. In an effort to identify more of the Lahaina wildfire victims, the state is tapping into a set of the population that may be willing to provide DNA samples. Inmates at all Hawaii jails and prisons are being asked to participate in the effort. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric Shares Soar After It Deflects Blame For Lahaina Fires. Shares in the utility’s parent, Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., rallied 45% Monday to close at $13.97 after a Sunday evening announcement by the company claiming that all its electrical lines in West Maui had been powerless for more than six hours when flames reported around 3 p.m. Aug. 8 quickly spread and overwhelmed first responders to become the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

First Maui victims were loaded into ambulances at least 12 hours before state was notified of deaths. Paramedics started picking up patients in Lahaina with fire-related injuries a little after 3. p.m. on Aug. 8 — at least 12 hours before the county notified key state leaders people had died in the disaster. Hawaii News Now.

HI-EMA cancels September siren test to avoid conflict with Maui memorial. State officials are canceling the monthly all-hazard statewide outdoor warning siren system test scheduled for Friday. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4.

AG will not reinstate water official anytime soon, despite calls from some in the Hawaiian community. Several dozen prominent Native Hawaiian leaders gathered at the Capitol last week to voice their concerns about the redeployment of Water Commission Deputy Kaleo Manuel. They are calling on an apology from the Green administration and Manuel's reinstatement. Hawaii Public Radio.

California’s catastrophic Camp Fire could suggest what’s ahead for Lahaina. Officials with the town of Paradise, Calif. — which before Lahaina suffered America’s previous deadliest wildfire in more than a century — have reached out to Gov. Josh Green and Maui County officials to share their experiences as a potential road map of what could lie ahead for Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Maui Rep Kaniela Ing Pleads No Contest To Campaign Spending Violation. Kaniela Ing, who represented South Maui from 2012 to 2018 and also ran for Congress, was charged in February after the Campaign Spending Commission took the rare step of referring the case to prosecutors. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Covid Outbreak Prompts Restrictions At Hawaii’s Largest Prison.  Dozens of prisoners and at least one corrections officer at Halawa Correctional Facility have tested positive for Covid-19, leading to restrictions on activities at the state’s largest prison. Civil Beat.

Honolulu County to temporarily reopen Rent and Utility Relief Program for new applicants. Oahu residents seeking rental or utility relief can apply for the Honolulu County program, which is reopening to new applicants in September. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea volcano exhibiting signs of elevated unrest. Elevated seismic activity continues in an area south of Kīlauea’s summit caldera. Earthquakes occurred steadily through the day Sunday. Big Island Now.

Work progresses on CSO decommissioning: Telescope’s secondary mirror removed last week. The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory is the first of five summit telescopes slated for decommissioning in exchange for the eventual planned construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope. Tribune-Herald.

Connections to scale back plan for new campus. Plans had been in the works since 2006 for a campus on 70-plus acres of land near the corner of Kaumana Drive and Edita Street in Hilo.  Tribune-Herald.

24 Hawaiian Homes Units Awarded In Kona. The units are part of the Laʻi ʻŌpua Village 4 ʻĀkau development in Kealakehe, a rent-to-own Hawaiian Home Lands community. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina wildfire recovery Day 20: land search is complete, survivors are no longer expected. On day 20 since a deadly wildfire swept through Lahaina Town, Governor Josh Green said the search and rescue on land is complete, and the discovery of any survivors is no longer expected. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui fire death toll unchanged, but new names released. The confirmed death toll from the Aug. 8 wildfire remained at 115 Monday, with two more Lahaina residents joining the list of those who died in the disaster. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Maui’s Fire And Winds Also Took A Toll On Farmers And Ranchers. The state's ag industry mobilized to provide aid and the state bought feed, but ranchers need rain to grow grass soon. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Visitor mandate resolution falls apart. Kaua‘i County Council members on Wednesday proposed a resolution aiming to implement visitor requirements, including proof of a round-trip ticket or proof of employment in order for people to travel to Hawai‘i. Garden Island.

Ground broken for homes for Hawaiians in Hanapepe. Huli ka lepo (turning of dirt) by state Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands dignitaries, contractors and federal and state officials marked the start of construction on Aug. 23 of a future housing site adjacent to an existing DHHL development in Hanapepe Heights. Garden Island.

State land transfers seek to reinvigorate farming, Hawaii municipal bonds plunge following Maui fires, lawsuits fly over who's to blame, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State agencies begin transfer of Act 90 lands. After two decades of mostly inaction, the state has begun transferring thousands of acres of pasture land to its Department of Agriculture in a significant win for farming in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

A Cascade Of Breakdowns In Lahaina Fire Exposes Flaws In Emergency Management System. Emergency preparedness plans identified West Maui as high risk. Under an inexperienced emergency manager, the plans didn’t translate into action. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Power lines didn’t start deadly Lahaina inferno, Hawaiian Electric says. Hawaiian Electric acknowledged that its power lines apparently started an Aug. 8 morning fire in Lahaina but contends the town was leveled by a different fire that began in the afternoon, hours after the company’s equipment had been “de-energized.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Bare electrical wire, leaning poles on Maui were possible causes of deadly fires. Videos and images analyzed by The Associated Press confirmed those wires were among miles of line that Hawaiian Electric Co. left naked to the weather and often-thick foliage, despite a recent push by utilities in other wildfire- and hurricane-prone areas to cover up their lines or bury them. Associated Press.

Lawyers Descend On Maui In Race For Clients Harmed By Wildfires. Survivors are being asked to make decisions about legal representation just weeks after a deadly blaze ripped through Lahaina. Civil Beat.

Financial impact of wildfires goes beyond numbers, says UH economist. The University of Hawaiʻi's Economic Research Organization is working on an analysis of the impact of the fires on Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green releases $30M to fund fire response. State response to the Lahaina fires is being paid for in part with $30 million from Gov. Josh Green’s discretionary fund. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii municipal bonds take a plunge. Hawaii state and local municipal bonds have surrendered all their 2023 gains in the past three weeks after the deadly Maui wildfires delivered a fresh reminder of climate risk in the $4 trillion market for state and local debt. Bloomberg.

State warns of COVID uptick on Maui, statewide. Dr. Sarah Kemble, state epidemiologist, said COVID-19 numbers have been steadily increasing over the past month in Hawaii and nationwide and that there are now concerns for Maui. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Red Hill to start ‘milestone’ in defueling. The military entity charged with removing 104 million gallons of aviation and marine fuels from the Navy’s controversial, underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa marks a milestone Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Makakilo rock quarry expansion is sought. A rock quarry in Makakilo that has long aggravated some and appeased other residents in communities built around the 50-year-old mining enterprise is aiming to expand and extend operations. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘How can anyone afford that?’ Few insurance options remain for residents in lava zones 1 and 2. A contentious meeting regarding homeowners insurance for Puna residents and others was held Wednesday at the Hawaiian Shores Community Center. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County chosen for Cities Forward program.  Hawaiʻi County will be one of 12 municipalities participating Cities Forward program, a U.S. Department of State initiative “seeks to foster urban sustainability on a global scale.” Big  Island Video News. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island’s Pohoiki boat ramp — landlocked by 2018 Kīlauea eruption — could reopen by end of 2024. The long, frustrating wait to regain direct access to the ocean and lucrative fishing grounds via Puna’s Pohoiki boat ramp — which became landlocked during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption — could finally be over before the end of next year. Big Island Now.

Learn to be prepared: CERT training offered next month in Puna. The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency is inviting the public to a two-day Community Emergency Response Team training course scheduled for the end of September in Keaau. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Hosts Cantankerous Meeting In Volcano Village. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth and his cabinet held another town hall event Thursday evening at a crowded Cooper Center in Volcano Village, where officials heard the usual questions and concerns from residents about roads, planning, and emergency preparedness. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Oliveira tapped to lead Maui Emergency Management Agency.  Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has named Big Island resident Darryl Oliveira, former head of Hawaii County Civil Defense, to be the interim administrator of the Maui Emergency Management Agency. Oliveira also formerly was chief of the Hawaii Fire Department. Tribune-Herald. Maui News.

HHS secretary visits Maui to pledge federal aid for health care.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary visited Maui on Friday. Xavier Becerra has been meeting with fire survivors and first responders. Hawaii News Now.

Interactive map shows unsafe water advisories on Maui. UH, Purdue researchers are sampling Kula system. Recent testing results released by the state Department of Health detected benzene in one Lahaina sample and the presence of toluene and xylenes in one Kula sample.  Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui police confirm the identity of three more Lahaina wildfire disaster victims. Maui police have identified 43 individuals publicly following notification of next of kin, including three additional individuals on Sunday afternoon.  Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Polihale Park Is Poised For A $4.3 Million Makeover. The remote park that is the site of Native Hawaiian burials and a popular camping spot has suffered years of neglect. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric suspends dividends, draws down $370M credit lines amid flurry of lawsuits, Maui releases names of 388 still missing, Supreme Court denies DLNR petition claiming fire-fighting water denied, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric. The county claims that negligent Hawaiian Electric operations caused the Aug. 8 fires in Lahaina, Kula and Olinda and that the power company should pay for damage to public property, lost revenue and expenses for emergency response and recovery. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Associated Press. KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Investors Sue Hawaiian Electric For ‘Misleading’ Them About Potential Liability For Wildfire. The latest suit targets top HEI leaders who said they believed the company had addressed environmental conditions in the field. Civil Beat.

Family files first wrongful death lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric. The first wrongful death lawsuit was filed on Thursday in connection with the Maui wildfires. The family of 79-year-old Lawrenzo "Buddy" Mornaon Jantoc II is suing Hawaiian Electric (HECO), claiming the utility is responsible for his death. KITV4.

Hawaiian Electric suspends dividend, draws down credit lines. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. drew down on revolving credit lines and said it would suspend its quarterly dividend as it seeks to shore up cash following the deadly wildfires on Maui. Bloomberg.

High Court rejects petition claiming insufficient water. The state Supreme Court on Thursday quickly denied a Board of Land and Natural Resources petition that claimed a judge’s ruling prevented enough water from being available to fight the Upcountry wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

HIEMA head: It took hours for state to understand full scope of Lahaina disaster. The scope and severity of what was happening in West Maui on the evening of Aug. 8 wasn’t communicated to key leaders at the state level during the first 12 to 15 hours of the wildfire disaster, according to the head of the state’s Emergency Management Agency. Hawaii News Now.

AG to ‘go where the facts lead’ in Lahaina fire probe. The state Department of the Attorney General clarified that a comprehensive review of the Lahaina fires that killed at least 115 and caused about $5.5 billion in damage will not be limited “in scope or subject matter.” Star-Advertiser.

Frustrated parents and teachers confront Board of Education. Dozens of public school educators and parents from Maui poured out their anguish, anger and frustration Thursday over what they feel have been slow and confusing actions by state education officials in the wake of the wildfire disaster. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Why Many Patients Are Stuck In Hospitals Waiting For Long-Term Care Beds. The average wait was 123 days in May, up from 78 in November, according to the Healthcare Association of Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Oahu

 Access Is Major Issue When Fighting Oahu’s Wildfires, City Council Told. Honolulu’s emergency managers will be learning from the response to the Maui fires and make adjustments in coming months, its Director of Emergency Management Hiro Toiya said Thursday. Civil Beat. KHON2.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

 Kona post office to change location. Postal customers in Kona received notice of the proposed change in the mail over the past week which indicated the new retail space would be “within two miles of the current location”. West Hawaii Today.

27 UH-Hilo students impacted by Maui wildfires.  Additional support is being offered by UH-Hilo, which includes the division of student affairs working with counterparts across the UH system to help support students. Tribune-Herald.

Update: Retest shows bacteria levels at Kailua Pier do not exceed threshold level. High levels of bacteria were found at the Kailua Pier, with levels of 591 per 100 mL detected. Big Island Now.

Maui

 MPD releases identities of 8 more victims; death toll remains 115. Of the 115 confirmed fatalities, 35 have been identified and their families notified, while 11 have been identified but their families have not been located or notified, MPD said Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Gov. Josh Green hopes Lahaina fire fatalities have peaked. Green said the number of unaccounted for people will drop “very significantly” today as the FBI continues to work with Maui police and other agencies to go through the list of people reported missing.  Star-Advertiser.

Maui Releases List Of 388 People Unaccounted For After Lahaina Fire. Police ask for anyone who recognizes a name on the list to contact the FBI. Civil Beat. Maui Now. KHON2.  KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

Initial water tests for Lahaina, Kula show trace amounts of chemicals. The initial water samples tested at Lahaina and Kula following the Maui fires earlier this month have shown just trace amounts of contaminants, although Maui County said an ongoing unsafe water advisory for the areas will stay in place. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Upcountry Maui Disaster Recovery Center opens Aug. 25. Specialists from the US Small Business Administration, which provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes, will also be at the Disaster Recovery Center. Maui Now.

At least 49 sunken vessels counted in Lahaina harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Strike Team said they have counted about 49 sunken vessels in the Lahaina Harbor as they work to mitigate maritime environmental impacts from the burn zone.  KHON2. 

Kauai

DHHL breaks ground on Hanapēpē Phase II; 82 new homes to be created by 2024. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands broke ground Wednesday to mark the beginning of the Hanapēpē Phase II housing project on Kauaʻi’s west side, where 82 single-family residential lots will be developed on a location of more than 28 acres. Kauai Now.

Public meeting planned to discuss Kekaha Landfill vertical expansion project. The meeting will be an open-house format and include stations providing information about the vertical expansion, Kaua‘i’s landfill history, current landfill operations and community benefits and waste diversion. Kauai Now.

Searchers take to the sea looking for Lahaina fire victims, blaze reignites after firefighters thought scene contained, controversy erupts over images of FEMA workers at luxury Maui resort, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

As search for wildfire victims continues on land, recovery operations in the water expand. Maui Fire Department and Ocean Safety personnel conducted grid searches on Wednesday in waters off Lahaina Harbor, where scores of people jumped into the water to flee the flames. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat. Maui Now. KHON2.

Not enough water to fight Upcountry Maui fires, state claims. The claim that firefighting efforts have been hampered by legal rulings in water was challenged by state Supreme Court justices in a hearing Wednesday. On the day after wind-driven wildfires broke out across Maui, the state filed a complaint to the state Supreme Court claiming that, due to a judge’s ruling, there was not enough water to fight the flames that destroyed some 19 Upcountry homes and thousands of acres. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Maui wildfires renew tensions around water rights in a centuries-old conflict over sacred streams. Shortly after the ignition of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, a developer of land around a threatened Maui community urgently asked state officials for permission to divert water from streams to fight the growing inferno. Maui News.

Lahaina inferno began after firefighters departed ‘contained’ scene. More than eight hours before a deadly fire swept through the town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, a small brush fire broke out on the edge of a residential neighborhood located a little more than 1 mile away from the town’s historic waterfront. New York Times.

In deadly Maui fires, those who dodged barricades survived. Car after car was turned back toward the rapidly spreading wildfire by a barricade blocking access to Highway 30. Associated Press.

Images of FEMA workers at luxury Maui hotels stir anger, but agency says it’s there to do a job. Pain and suffering have turned to anger for some residents after national news reports showed FEMA workers staying a luxury hotels on Maui. Hawaii News Now.

5 new COVID-related deaths, 826 new infections recorded in Hawaii, DOH reports. The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) reported five new deaths related to COVID-19 and 826 new infections over the last seven days in Hawaii. The total number of deaths stands at 1,965. KITV4.

Oahu

City proposes greater fines for ‘monster homes’.  Builders of so-called monster homes on Oahu could face monster fines of $25,000 or greater under a proposed bill being floated by the city. Star-Advertiser.

Waianae residents taking proactive approach to prepare for disasters. The community gathered for a meeting Wednesday night - organized by the Waianae Kupuna Council. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Bill’s passage puts Hawai‘i County in position for next round of Kīlauea recovery grants. The Hawai‘i County Council last week adopted a bill aimed at getting additional funds into the hands of nonprofit organizations to not only help lower Puna rebuild and recover from the impacts of the 2018 Kīlauea lower East Rift Zone eruption and lava flow but also support long-term resilience for the community. Big Island Now.

Hawaii County COVID death toll reaches 260. The statewide death toll has climbed to 1,936 people since the start of the pandemic, with the DOH reporting five deaths over the last week, mainly on Oahu. Tribune-Herald.

Inmate Found Dead In Apparent Suicide At Hilo Jail Was Due A Mental Evaluation. A Honolulu lawyer plans to ask a federal judge to appoint a special master to force the state to provide better mental health care to inmates. Civil Beat.

Geothermal sites identified: Report favors energy development on DHHL property. The Hawaiian Homes Commission on Monday voted unanimously to accept and adopt a report identifying two Hawaii Island locations on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property for potential geothermal development. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

6 more Maui fire victims identified as deaths remain at 115. The Maui Police Department on Wednesday released the identities of six more victims of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire, however the total number of confirmed fatalities remains 115. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

2,025 Lahaina students not enrolled. About two-thirds of the 3,001 children who once attended Lahaina’s four public schools still have not enrolled in other Hawaii public schools or the state’s distance learning program.  Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofit restoring Wi-Fi to Lahaina survivors cut off from the world. The Starlink receivers rely on satellites sent into near-Earth orbit by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Where Did Lahaina’s Homeless Population Go? Outreach workers are trying to locate those who may have fled the fire or perished, but the search is complicated. Civil Beat.

California Woman Is The Only Tourist Confirmed Killed In Maui Wildfire So Far. There has not been a centralized effort to account for how many of the remaining missing people were visitors to Maui. Civil Beat.

For mourning Maui families, DNA identification can offer an important sense of closure. Maui County said the missing-persons list following the blaze is now at 1,054. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui County officials warn of DNA collection scams. Some Maui community members are receiving calls claiming to be with “DNA Services,” according to officials, and should be disregarded as scams.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Initial Tests Show Water In Maui Burn Zones Is Within Safety Guidelines. Maui County’s top water official says initial sampling of the drinking water supply in Lahaina and Upper Kula turned up no evidence of contamination that exceeds public health standards. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Affordable housing dilemma for County of Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i County Council Chair Mel Rapozo will introduce a resolution next month urging the county to buy the Courtyards at Waipouli apartments, following the state’s decision against purchasing the roughly $43 million development for affordable housing. Garden Island.

Blessing ceremony held for new Kaua‘i High School gym. “Don’t step on the hardwood floors,” said state Department of Education Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Daniel Hamada on Monday afternoon. Garden Island.

Frustrations, lawsuits mount in Lahaina fire aftermath, state senator's personal litigation role questioned, FBI seeks familial DNA samples to ID remains, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Dozens of Maui residents express their frustration. The County Council heard sometimes conflicting recommendations about how quickly to move to rebuild Lahaina and what issues should be prioritized. The consensus was that community members should be consulted, but how soon remained unclear because many remain traumatized. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

A Key Maui Lawmaker’s Likely Role In Wildfire Litigation Raises Questions. State Sen. Gil Keith-Agaran said he sees no conflict between his role as a lawyer and his role as a lawmaker. Keith-Agaran, who represents Wailuku, Kalului and Waihee, appeared Friday in an online “Maui Wildfire Impact Community Discussion,” an event hosted by his law firm and a major mainland firm, Morgan & Morgan. Civil Beat.

Maui fire victims pursue tactic that led to $13.5B California settlement. Hawaii property owners are seizing on a legal shortcut used by fire victims in California to secure compensation from Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. for damages following the fires that ravaged Maui. Bloomberg.

Moody’s estimates Hawaiian wildfires caused up to $6 billion in economic losses. The losses could range from $4 billion to $6 billion, Moody’s said Tuesday. About 75% of the losses will be covered by insurance because of the island’s high insurance penetration rates, according to the risk modeling agency. CNN.

Hawaiian Electric engages Guggenheim amid Maui fire suits. Numerous lawsuits have been filed alleging that the utility’s power lines ignited the fires which destroyed much of Lahaina, Hawaii earlier this month. The potential liabilities could reach almost $4 billion if the utility is deemed negligent, according to investment research firm Capstone LLC. Bloomberg.

Lahaina Was A Wakeup Call, But Forecasters Say Above Normal Fire Risk Remains. Self-preservation backed up by stringent building codes can significantly limit the potential for fire damage. Civil Beat.

As Maui burned, Hawaii’s top emergency management officials were at a Waikiki conference. As the wildfire in Lahaina spread, the Pacific’s top disaster management leaders were together with many of Hawaii’s emergency officials at a meeting on Oahu educating them about how to respond in crisis situations. Hawaii News Now.

Cancellations outpace bookings for Maui hotels. Gov. Josh Green used the opportunity of President Joe Biden’s visit Monday to strongly encourage visitors to travel to the unaffected parts of Maui and the rest of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

UH Law School Instructor Says He Was Banned For Criticizing ‘Nice Racism’. A prominent instructor at the University of Hawaii’s law school has sued the school, alleging the dean, unnamed faculty and a university provost retaliated against him by banning him from the law school campus after he criticized and organized a boycott against a Black History Month event that did not include any Black person as a panelist, facilitator or organizer. Civil Beat.

Redevelopment to begin on Varona Village. The Ewa plain community — once filled with 93 homes rented by employees of the long-defunct Oahu Sugar’s Ewa Plantation — is being redeveloped by the city in partnership with the Savio Group of Companies and Hawaii  Habitat for Humanity Association. Star-Advertiser.

TheHandi-Van use recovers from COVID with less reliable service. Ridership on TheHandi-­Van has nearly recovered from a drop that began with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are concerns about the government’s ability to keep up with the growing demand for its services. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hilo jail expansion should be complete in December.  The $20.7 million project will add 48 new beds to the jail and will increase its total operational capacity from 226 inmates to 274. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Farmers Held Back A Fire Until Help Arrived: ‘It Could Have Been Another Lahaina’. That same fateful day, a couple of farmers, a troop of cowboys and fire crews were all that stood between a Waimea wildfire and potential catastrophe. Civil Beat.

Staffing, maintenance woes continue to limit use of county pools. Frequent and random closures at Hawaii County pools are causing frustration for swimmers across the island. Tribune-Herald.

Once home to Keauhou Beach Hotel and Kona Lagoon, Kamehameha Schools continues work to rehabilitate historic land. At the southern end of Ali’i Drive on the way to Keauhou Bay is a grassy 22 acres that may look like a park, but holds generations of history of the Hawaiian culture including some of the 53 heiau (temples) along its Kona coastline. Big Island Now.

Maui

FBI says over 1,000 unaccounted for in Lahaina. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Maui police have made a public plea for DNA samples and specific identifying information as they work through a list of 1,000 to 1,100 people who are unaccounted for after the wildfires that leveled Lahaina and killed at least 115. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press.  Maui Now.  KITV4.

8 added to list of wildfire victims. The official death toll from the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire remained at 115 Tuesday, but the Maui Police Department released the names of eight more victims who died. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Maui fire relief housing program showing results. Nearly 80 households displaced by the fire that destroyed nearly all of Lahaina have found single-family homes, condominiums and other more residential temporary accommodations rented from owners under the Hawaii Fire Relief Housing program. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

Water service shutdown on Lauoho Road and Kaumuali’i Highway scheduled Aug. 24. A water service shutdown has been scheduled on a portion of Lauoho Road and a portion of Kaumuali’i Highway on Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting to allow contractor, Earthworks Pacific, Inc. to tie-in new service laterals to the existing waterline. Kauai Now.

Biden visits, offers support in wake of Lahaina fire, ACLU challenges Honolulu homeless sweeps, Hawaiian Homes report eyes geothermal on Mauna Kea, Kohala, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Biden offers message of support, hope after touring Lahaina. President Joe Biden described the devastation in Lahaina as “overwhelming” on Monday as he and First Lady Jill Biden toured the charred remains of the historic, seaside town, leveled in the worst U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio.  Associated Press.  Big Island Video News.  Maui News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Video of Biden visit whitehouse.gov

For Gov. Green, a balancing act with no margin for error.  The  53-year-old governor, a Democrat less than a year into his first term, is confronting the horrific wildfires on Maui that have killed at least 114 people and perhaps many more. In a state where political decisions are often a balancing act among factions — from progressives to pro-development Democrats to powerful labor unions — some worry that the rush to rebuild will shred hard-won environmental and cultural protections. New York Times.

Lawsuit seeks to upend reassignment of water deputy.  A lawsuit filed Monday seeks to overturn the reassignment of state Water Commission Deputy Director M. Kaleo Manuel, who was given a new job after he apparently delayed permission to allow stream water to be made available for water control during the Lahaina wildfire. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Gov. Green encourage travel to parts of Maui not impacted by wildfires. While travel to West Maui continues to be discouraged following a deadly wildfire that decimated Lahaina’s historic Front Street, government officials emphasized the importance to visit other parts of Maui and neighboring Hawaiian Islands. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Legal experts refute rumors about FEMA aid and eminent domain.  Posts and comments circulating on social media claim that signing up for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency can give the government control of your land through eminent domain. FEMA’s powers are laid out in the Stafford Act — and eminent domain is not among them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Hawaii ACLU files motion to stop Honolulu homeless sweeps. Honolulu’s use of homeless sweeps constitutes cruel or unusual punishment under Hawaii’s constitution and should therefore cease immediately via a court order, according to an ACLU legal motion filed Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu District Court reopens after construction mishap. Honolulu District Courthouse will reopen today after a structural assessment found its parking garage, damaged the night of Aug. 15 by a contractor, and the courthouse are safe for occupancy. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Homes Report Eyes Geothermal On Maunakea, Kohala. Potential geothermal resources near Maunakea and Kohala mountains on Hawaiʻi island have the “highest probability of viable electricity generation” according to a new report provided to the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Big Island Video News.

‘Third try’ at starting master plan for Pahoa.  A survey has been sent in the mail and online to Pahoa property owners to help determine the future of the historic village. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor to host seventh town hall on Thursday. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 pm. Thursday at the Cooper Center in Volcano Village. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui death toll at 115; search moves to multi-story structures. Maui County officials said that 100% of burned single-story residences have been searched for Lahaina wildfire victims, and now search crews and their cadaver-detecting dogs will concentrate on multi-story properties. Star-Advertiser.

Toxic Debris From The Lahaina Fire Will Be Shipped To The Mainland. The contaminated waste includes a unique Hawaii building material made of sugarcane fiber and termite poison. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.

Details are still not available on people missing in Lahaina. Two weeks after a wildfire killed at least 115 people and destroyed Lahaina, no official list of the names and number of people missing is publicly available. Star-Advertiser.

New Prefab Homes Are Arriving On Maui. A local group has transported 60 fold-up structures to use as temporary homes. Civil Beat.

Your 2023 Maui County Council Guide: Everything You Need To Know. Here's how you can make your voice heard in local government by attending a council meeting or submitting testimony. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Community Health Alliance closing clinic. The head of the Kaua‘i Community Health Alliance (KCHA) has announced the North Shore medical provider will permanently close its doors in the coming weeks due to circumstances, including low insurance reimbursement rates and labor shortages. Garden Island.

County and federal agencies partner for Kekaha Road Brownfields Study. County and federal agencies are partnering to revitalize brownfields along the Kekaha Road corridor, between Amakihi Road and Pueo Road, as a means to improve the quality of life for Kekaha residents. Kauai Now.

Water use plan update meetings set. The public is invited to attend the county Department of Water’s (DOW) second round of meetings for the Kaua‘i Water Use and Development Plan (KWUDP) update being held at various locations island wide, now through Aug. 31. Garden Island.

Biden to tour Lahaina today, 114 confirmed dead, 850 missing, Maui County Council to begin rebuilding plan Tuesday, Legislature may hold special session on fires, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

President Biden and first lady to tour Lahaina disaster zone.  President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive today on a grief-stricken Maui, where the number of wildfire deaths is expected to rise considerably above the 114 being reported and loved ones need answers about the fate of an estimated 1,000 still missing. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  Spectrum News.

Schatz: Biden Visit To Lahaina ‘Forces Action’. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said the priority ahead will be making sure that Lahaina and Hawaii are not forgotten when the world's attention moves on. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

In online address, Hawaiʻi governor vows ‘Lāhainā will rise again’. Hawaiʻi Governor, First Lady Address Maui Wildfire Response. Governor Josh Green, M.D., and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green gave an update on the coordinated response to the Maui wildfires during a live broadcast on Friday. Big Island Video News. Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Legislature May Hold Special Session On Maui Fires. For now, House and Senate leaders say it's premature to schedule one. But the disaster may well warrant convening to pass spending and statutory measures. Civil Beat.

Maui mayor: New FBI-vetted list puts number of missing in Lahaina at 850. Teams armed with cadaver dogs have searched about 85% of the town. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources names interim water deputy. Dean Uyeno, a 25-year-long staffer with the Commission on Water Resource Management, has been assigned on a temporary basis as the interim Water Deputy with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources. Maui Now.

Maui Mayor: Replacing Emergency Management Chief Will Take Time. Pending a search for a permanent replacement, the No. 2 official at the agency is in charge. Civil Beat.

State Told Maui Emergency Office It Should Consider Sounding Sirens Before Fire Spread. Before a fire swept through Lahaina, killing at least 114 people, Hawaii state emergency management personnel sent a “reminder” to their counterparts at the Maui Emergency Management Agency that the island’s all-hazard siren system “could be used” if needed. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Maui fire will reshape Hawaiian Electric. Hawaiian Electric — and the state’s power utility sector in general — may be in store for reconstruction in the aftermath of the massive disaster as state leaders, regulators and litigators push for change and accountability. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric ends week at 58% plummet. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. shares notch the worst weekly drop in at least four decades on concern it may be responsible for the fires that ravaged the island of Maui, with Wells Fargo’s analyst warning the possible liabilities could be large enough to wipe out the value of its utility arm. Star-Advertiser.

Job losses mount in Maui, but anti-tourism could block recovery. Since the wildfires, Maui is experiencing a sharp rise in initial unemployment claims, which hit 6,663 from Aug. 9-17, according to state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations spokesperson William Kunstman. Star-Advertiser.

Senior Managers At Hawaii State Hospital Fired In Major Shake-Up. Three top managers at the Hawaii State Hospital are being terminated from their jobs and were abruptly escorted off the hospital campus Thursday morning in a move to “restructure” the facility’s management team. Dr. Bimmie Strausser, HSH associate administrator, was escorted off the property by staff from the state Attorney General’s office along with Director of Nursing Lani Tsuneishi and HSH Operations Administrator Anthony Fraiola, according to staff at the facility. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Charter amendments would address raises for elected officials. A Honolulu City Council member who recently received a 64% pay raise says key amendments need to be made to the city’s constitution to ensure future pay hikes for top elected and appointed officials cannot be rejected by an overwhelming vote of the Council or the mayor. Star-Advertiser.

Bill to ban flavored tobacco products advances.  The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously Aug. 9 to advance Bill 46 that intends to ban flavored tobacco products — including electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices — which contain “a characterizing flavor or that imparts a cooling or numbing sensation during consumption of a tobacco product,” the bill reads. Star-Advertiser.

HART still waiting for $125 million. After more than a decade, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation waits for the final portion of a $1.55-billion funding agreement that since 2014 has been held up at the federal level due to years of cost overruns and delays to the build out of the city’s rail line. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hirono, Tokuda visit Food Basket ag campus, stress need for sustainable food. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited Hilo for a ceremony celebrating the Hawaii Island Food Basket’s new agricultural campus. Tribune-Herald.

Puna police officer arrested on suspicion of burglary, assault. A 31-year-old Puna patrol officer suspected of illegally entering a Ka‘u home early Tuesday morning and assaulting a 20-year-old man remained in custody late Friday afternoon as police detectives investigated the case. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Uncle Billy’s demolition slated for early next year; officials unsure about future of property. The 148-room hotel closed in 2017 and has been a blight on the Waiakea Peninsula ever since, becoming the site of squatters, drug use, vandalism, fires and other crimes. Tribune-Herald.

‘Bruddah Waltah’ Aipolani dies at 68; ‘Father of Hawaiian Reggae’ suffered from liver cancer. Singer-guitarist Walter Aipolani, better known as Bruddah Waltah, died Thursday after a long battle with liver cancer. He was 68. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Make Your Voice Heard At This Week's Maui County Council Session. The council has scheduled a meeting Tuesday that offers the public a chance to get involved in the daunting task of planning for the future. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Lahaina’s Large Immigrant Community Is Facing A Unique Struggle In The Fire’s Aftermath. Losing important documents is a real problem while fear and mistrust of government agencies has inhibited some from seeking aid, experts say. Civil Beat.

What Saved The ‘Miracle House’ In Lahaina? The historic structure on Front Street is the last house standing in a neighborhood reduced to rubble. Michael Wara, the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Stanford Wood Institute for the Environment, said it was likely the Millikins’ decision to dig out the existing landscaping directly surrounding the house and replace it with river stones that made the biggest difference.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Outrigger Resorts & Hotels to acquire Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa. The transaction to purchase the 25-acre beachfront property with 350 guest rooms is expected to close on Aug. 22, 2023.  Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi vacation rental occupancy for May down 14% from a year ago. The occupancy for Kauaʻi vacation rentals in May was 51.7%, which is down 1.1% from a year ago and 28.2% lower than May 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Kauai Now.

Maui emergency chief quits, Justice Department investigates Lahaina fire; cell service, 911, sirens, electric and water failures illustrate lack of preparedness, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui Emergency Chief Quits Amid Scrutiny Of Lahaina Fire Response. Herman Andaya faced a mountain of criticism for his agency's decision not to activate sirens that could have saved lives. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

U.S. Department of Justice probes cause of Lahaina fire.  A U.S. Department of Justice fire investigation team is in Hawaii to determine the origin and cause of the Lahaina wildfire that killed more than 110 people and destroyed the 5-square-mile heart of town. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Judge pursuing legal action against Hawaii power companies after his house burns down. Retired Maui Chief Circuit Court Judge Shackley Raffetto is suing Maui Electric Co., Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawaiian Electric Industries over the fire that reduced his house in Kula to ashes. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Fragile Fiber Lines In Lahaina Were Burned And Battered, Taking Out 911 And Cell Service. The utter collapse in communications during the deadly wildfire in Lahaina points to an urgent need to protect miles-long runs of above-ground fiber optic lines that form the backbone of Hawaii’s cellular phone and broadband networks.  Civil Beat.

New data reveals dozens of power grid malfunctions as Maui wildfires began. While the official cause of the Lahaina fire has not yet been determined, the focus appears to be centering around Hawaii’s largest power utility. Hawaii News Now.

Maui water pumps can work without HECO power.  Hawaiian Electric Co. executives, under widespread criticism and facing an onslaught of lawsuits, have maintained a key reason for not shutting off power early on Aug. 8 as wildfires began spreading on Maui was that electricity was needed to keep water pumps working for the firefighters battling the blazes. Star-Advertiser.

Arrivals to Maui down 80% as tourists cancel, change plans amid wildfire disaster. Government and tourism officials have repeatedly asked visitors not to travel to West Maui for the foreseeable future as the recovery work continues. But they’ve also taken paints to say the rest of Maui remains open. Hawaii News Now.

Concerns over ‘climate gentrification’ rise after devastating Maui fires. With a housing crisis that has priced out many Native Hawaiians as well as families that have been there for decades, concerns are rising that the state could become the latest example of “climate gentrification,” when it becomes harder for local people to afford housing in safer areas after a climate-amped disaster. Associated Press.

Green’s proclamation allows vehicles other than buses to transport students. In response to an ongoing school bus shortage, Gov. Josh Green has issued an emergency proclamation allowing vehicles other than school buses to be used to transport students. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2.

State Ag Corporation Hires New Leader. The Agribusiness Development Corp.’s board announced on Thursday that Wendy Gady will take on the role of executive director, following a four-month search.  Civil Beat.

Kaiser Permanente, Hawaiʻi Health Systems reach new contract agreement. Kaiser Permanente and Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp., after months of talks, have reached an agreement in a new 4-year contract covering service rates for Kaiser members at all of the health system’s Hawaiʻi facilities. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Red Hill task force trains roving fire watch. Joint Task Force Red Hill, the organization the Pentagon set up to drain the massive fuel tanks at the Navy’s underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, announced Thursday that it has completed training for its roving security and fire watch team. Star-Advertiser.

Paddle Out for Lahaina planned at Kūhiō Beach in Waikīkī on Saturday. Duke Kahanamoku Ocean Festival, together with Nā Kama Kai, invites the public to come together on Saturday, Aug. 19, for family and friends affected by the Lahaina fires with a community paddle out to “Queens” surf break in Waikīkī on Oʻahu. Maui Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Design work begins for new Papa‘aloa gym. Hawaii County has hired a design consultant and is working on a contract to begin work on the new Papa‘aloa gym. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Friends, family remember dead as list of Maui fatalities grows. The death toll from the disaster is well beyond 100, with an estimated 1,000 people still unaccounted for. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Lahaina residents pick up supplies, process loss as road access reopens. Kahele Alipio and her family fled her ill-fated Lahaina Surf apartments “to wherever there was blue skies” as the fire approached and the town was choked with dark smoke on the afternoon of Aug. 8. Maui News.

Work underway to move those impacted by Maui wildfires from emergency shelters to hotel rooms. Work is underway to close all the emergency shelters on Maui, with the goal to have anyone affected by the deadly wildfires placed in hotel rooms by next week. Maui Now. Associated Press.

Lahaina Fires Leave Businesses And Livelihoods In Ruins. The Maui tourist hub hosted nearly 1,000 business establishments, most of which were burned to the ground. Civil Beat.

Maui County Waives Property Tax For Buildings Destroyed By Fire. Waivers and refunds apply only to residential buildings damaged by the wildfires. Civil Beat.

DOE works to reopen Maui schools, accommodate affected students. King Kekaulike High School, damaged during last week’s disaster on Maui, will begin a phased reopening next week, the state Department of Education said Thursday night. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina survivors face contaminated air and water and emotional issues.  The state Health Department continues to warn Lahaina residents that the air they breath could contain toxic substances such as asbestos and arsenic after the fire burned historic wooden homes and structures dating back to the late 1800s. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

New county finance department leaders sworn in. Michelle L. Lizama was announced as the County of Kaua‘i director of finance and Chelsie A. Sakai as the deputy director of finance on Wednesday during a swearing-in ceremony at the Mo‘ikeha Building, Lihu‘e Civic Center. Garden Island.

Maui defends decision not to sound sirens during wildfires, DLNR official who held back water reassigned, COVID deaths highest since January, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui emergency chief defends not sounding sirens in Lahaina.  Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Herman Andaya on Wednesday defended the decision not to activate sirens to warn residents about the rapidly moving inferno that overwhelmed Lahaina town. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

State Water Official Who Delayed Water Release Has Been Reassigned. Kaleo Manuel was given another job in DLNR while officials investigate what happened. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it “is re-deploying” the state water resource administrator who was at the center of a delayed decision to divert water from Upcountry Maui land to help firefighters as the Aug. 8 wildfires began to take hold around Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

State not pursuing criminal probe of Maui fire. The comprehensive review by the state attorney general of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century is not a formal criminal or civil investigation into the cause and response to the deadly blaze, Gov. Josh Green said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Maui fire timeline and warnings: Forecast through engulfment. A timeline of eyewitness accounts and official alerts show just how chaotic things got on Maui, on what was predicted to be a red flag fire-risk day Tuesday, Aug. 8. KHON2.

Hawaiian Electric Faces Heavy Legal, Financial Pressure After Lahaina Fire. The company faces scrutiny for not shutting down the power prior to the fire. Lawyers have wasted no time filing lawsuits. Civil Beat.

Analysis shows fires, other disasters increasing in Hawaii. Hawaii is increasingly under siege from disasters, and what is escalating most is wildfire, according to an Associated Press analysis of Federal Emergency Management Agency records. That reality can clash with the vision of Hawaii as paradise. It is, in fact, one of the riskiest states in the country. Associated Press.

COVID deaths climb. The statewide death toll has climbed to 1,931 people since the start of the pandemic, with the DOH reporting 11 deaths over the last week, the most since January.  Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu District Courthouse to be closed due to structural damage.  The Honolulu District Courthouse will be closed Thursday following “inadvertent structural damage caused by a contractor working in the building,” the state Judiciary said in a news release Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Earthquake Swarm Detected At Kīlauea Summit, Elevated Unrest Continues. Kīlauea volcano is not erupting, but scientists say recent earthquakes indicate movement of magma in the south caldera region. Big Island Video News.

Commission to consider Miloli‘i park improvements. More than $1.7 million in improvements are coming to Miloli‘i Beach Park in Captain Cook. Tribune-Herald.

Free eye clinic in Kona a success. Hundreds of Hawaii Island residents, some traveling from as far away as Hilo and Puna, took advantage of a free eye exam and glasses at the Hawaii Island Community Health Center in Kealakehe thanks to a program within the Department of Defense. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

More Maui fire victims named, officially and by family.  Maui County so far has released the names of five of the 111 officially acknowledged fatalities from last week’s wildfire that laid waste to Lahaina — all of them over the age of 70. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Maui Residents Finally Have Local Access To Federal Relief Programs. SBA loan limits were substantially hiked only a week before the destructive fires. Civil Beat.

Water Contamination Concerns Loom Over Lahaina And Upper Kula. As they await test results, Maui residents in affected areas are told not to drink tap water and to wash their clothes in cold water. Civil Beat.

FEMA official addresses business leaders in Hawaiʻi, urges disaster survivors on Maui to register for federal assistance. To date, FEMA has provided more than $2.3 million in assistance to more than 1,330 households, including more than $800,000 in initial rental assistance. Maui Now.

Installation of dust screens begins around Lahaina Town. Following the opening of the Lahaina Bypass on Aug. 15, 2023, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation began installing dust screens around Lahaina Town.  Maui Now.

‘There’s still life’: Nationwide effort underway to save Maui’s historic banyan tree.  Arborists from around the country are lending a hand in West Maui to save the historic banyan tree that sits in the heart of Lahaina. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Road closure planned Wednesday on Peleke Street in Līhuʻe for waterline repair. Kauaʻi County Department of Water crews are conducting emergency waterline repairs on Peleke Street in Līhuʻe, which required the roadway to be closed about 4 to 5 hours from Milikeleka Place to Aukele Street. Kauai Now.