Ala Wai pedestrian bridge debated, Honolulu architect convicted of bribery still licensed, working permits, 11-year-old boy among latest Lahaina fire victims identified, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Some Residents Question The Steep Cost For The Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge. Federal funding would cover much of the $63 million cost, but critics have other concerns as well. The proposed pedestrian bridge that would provide a new route over the Ala Wai canal is attracting lively debate over its function, aesthetics and cost.  Civil Beat.

Maui Fire Lawsuits: Rampant Grass Growth Is As ‘Inherently Dangerous’ As Radioactive Waste. The lawsuits are invoking a legal doctrine historically applied to wild animals, nuclear waste and explosives. Civil Beat.

Red Cross invites immigrants, regardless of citizenship, to use its services. Some immigrants who have been affected by the Lāhainā fires last month may be hesitant about seeking disaster relief assistance. The latest U.S. Census Bureau data show that about 32% of Lahaina’s population is “foreign-born." Hawaii Public Radio.

Groups claim Hawaiʻi's midwifery law violates UN human rights standards. The Center for Reproductive Rights and other health and justice organizations that collaborated on the report will present additional information to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva, Switzerland next month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Majority of Native Hawaiians don't live in Hawaiʻi, according to US Census report. Of the more than 680,000 Native Hawaiians in the U.S., 55% of the population is currently living outside Hawaiʻi.  Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now.

Technical troubles knock KITV4 local newscasts off the air for days. KITV4 Island News has not had an on-air local newscast for several days, reportedly due to technical difficulties. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Architect Is Headed To Prison For Bribery But Still Has His License. Bill Wong still has active permit applications even as he waits for his prison term to begin. More than two years after Wong admitted to bribing county permitting workers with over $100,000, and two months since he was sentenced, Wong still holds a state of Hawaii architecture license. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or DCCA, has yet to take any formal action against him.  Civil Beat.

An Ex-Cop Who Went To Jail On Felony Drugs Charges Is Getting His Record Wiped Clean. Alan Ahn, who was a bit player in the Kealoha scandal, says he deserves the chance to restore his reputation without the stigma of a criminal history. Civil Beat.

COVID among reasons nine EMS ambulances closed this weekend. An unusually high number of City ambulances were closed during Sunday’s midnight shift, nine out of 21 ambulances were offline due to low staffing. The Honolulu Emergency Services Director Dr. Jim Ireland said sick leave due to COVID-19 was among the reasons. KHON2.

Rents Could Double For Some Ewa Beach Tenants In Affordable Housing Complex. Section 8 tenants of Villages of Moe'e Ku fear they could be forced from their homes if proposed rent increases go through. Civil Beat.

Wildfire concerns grow on Oahu after deadly Aug. 8 Maui fires. Like Lahaina, the west side of Oahu is at high risk for wildfires. The Waianae coastline and valleys are hot spots due to a high number of ignitions per square mile, dry conditions and an abundance of invasive grass fuels. Star-Advertiser.

HFD: Cigarette lighter caused fire at old Stadium Bowl-O-Drome. The Honolulu Fire Department has determined that a fire that broke out at the former Stadium Bowl-O-Drome Saturday was intentionally set making it the property’s second arson in under a month. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Toppled Waikiki Gandhi statue prompts concern amid acts of vandalism. The statue of spiritual and political leader Mahatma Gandhi that stood in Waikiki was found toppled on the morning of Aug. 8, but there are differing views on what may have happened to it.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Judge to hear petitions by defendants in Dana Ireland killing. Two of three Native Hawaiian men convicted of the 1991 Christmas Eve abduction, rape and killing of Dana Ireland in lower Puna will have their day in court on Oct. 23. Tribune-herald.

Ka‘u residents call for preservation, limited development of Great Crack and Ala Wai‘i parcels. At an open house event Saturday in Pahala, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park personnel solicited community feedback about potential future uses of a pair of parcels that the park recently took over stewardship for: the 1,951-acre Great Crack property and the adjacent 2,750-acre Ala Wai‘i property. Tribune-Herald.

Funds released to develop agricultural water resource for North Kohala. Capital improvement project funds of $1.5 million were released by Governor Josh Green for the development of the ‘Upolu Well and will fund improvements to the water well to support agriculture in North Kohala. West Hawaii Today.

Fern Forest to be battleground for yellow Himalayan raspberry. Fern Forest subdivision in Puna will become the newest front in a war against an aggressive invasive plant spreading around the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Kaumana Cave Closed After Partial Collapse. County officials say the collapse appears to be in the area near the entrance to the cave and no injuries have been reported. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina boy, five others identified as among 97 fatalities. The six people were identified after their families were notified. They were Michael Morinho, 61; Ediomede Pavian Castillo, 35; Alfred Rawlings, 84; Maria Victoria Recolizado, 51; Justin Recolizado, 11; and Terri Thomas, 62. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. KHON. KITV4.

Hawaii economists say Lahaina locals could be priced out of rebuilt town without zoning changes. Residents who survived the wildfire that leveled the Maui town of Lahaina might not be able to afford to live there after it is rebuilt unless officials alter the zoning laws and make other changes, economists warned Friday. Associated Press.

Federal government to cover full costs of fire debris removal. The federal government will cover 100 percent of the costs for debris removal following the Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina that destroyed more than 2,200 structures, the White House announced. Maui News.

State preps thousands of PPE kits as some Lahaina residents prepare to go into the burn zone. Residents going into the burn zone Monday will be given a bag from the Department of Health that includes things like gloves, goggles, even PPE that covers the entire body. Hawaii News Now.

Launiupoko Beach Park reopens for public use in time for the weekend. Eight staff in the Parks department lost their homes to the fire, but worked to ensure the beach park could reopen so families could enjoy it over the weekend. Maui Now.

5 Lahaina residents selected to help Maui mayor with wildfire recovery efforts. The Lahaina Advisory Team includes: Hokulea crewmember and waterman Archie Kalepa, who turned his home into a distribution hub. Lahainaluna High wrestling coach Kim Ball, who’s also the founder and president of Hi-Tech Maui, Inc. U.S. Army veteran Rick Nava, who served on the West Maui Taxpayers Association and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. Kaliko Store, a training and cultural advisor for Hyatt Resorts. Laurie DeGama, owner of No Ka Oi Deli in Lahaina and president of the Lahainaluna PTSA. Hawaii News Now.

Surviving Lahaina artifacts remain at risk. Most of Lahaina’s surviving historical and cultural artifacts remain buried under ash and debris a month and a half after a horrific wildfire ravaged the center of the historic town. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Deadline nears to apply for real property tax relief, exemptions. If you are a primary resident of the island and not already receiving a home exemption or related tax credit, you could be eligible to file a claim to reduce the real property taxes on your home. The deadline to apply for 2024 real property tax relief and exemptions is Oct. 2. Kauai Now.

Opening night for Kaua‘i High School gym. Kapa‘a High School junior varsity girls volleyball coach Mai’lika Napoleon said the look of disbelief and astonishment on their faces was indescribable when they first walked into the newly minted Kaua‘i High School gym on Friday. Garden Island.

Census shows most Native Hawaiians now live outside Hawaii, Green vows Maui residents won't be displaced by tourists, school enrollment flat, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

US Census shows majority of Native Hawaiians now live outside of Hawaii. According to the 2020 Census, 46.7% of Native Hawaiians or part Hawaiians lived in Hawaii, compared to 55% in 2010. Hawaii News Now.

Green Promises West Maui Residents Won’t Be Displaced By Tourism’s Return. Officials say visitor demand to the Valley Isle is very low and Lahaina fire survivors will continue to be housed in area hotels as needed. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii report details ‘heavy blow’ to Maui’s economy after fires. Wildfires have delivered a “heavy blow” to Maui’s economy and will exert costs on the county and state that will last well into the future, according to a University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization report released today. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.  Garden Island.

Maui to host PGA Tour opener in January, 5 months after deadly fires. The PGA Tour is returning to Maui to start the new season with the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, five months after deadly wildfires destroyed nearby Lahaina and killed at least 97 people. Associated Press.

Little change in enrollment at Hawaii public schools. The number of students enrolled is 167,649, compared with an enrollment of 168,634 students at the start of last school year — a difference of 0.6%, the DOE said in a new release. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Regaining public trust could be an uphill battle for the state Water Commission. After 12 hours of deliberation and public testimony at the monthly meeting of the state Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), it was clear that regaining the public's trust could be an uphill battle for Commission Chair Dawn Chang and Gov. Josh Green. Hawaii Public Radio.

Native Hawaiian churches urge investigation into missionary role in federal boarding schools. The history of Christianity in Hawaiʻi is a complicated one. And now parts of that history have led to an investigation by the United Church of Christ.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Reduced light and caution urged during turtle nesting season.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies are asking the public to be on the lookout for turtles on local beaches this nesting season, which began in mid-April and continues through September but can last as late as December. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Police Chief Had A Good 1st Year But There’s ‘Room To Grow,’ Eval Says. The police commission largely praised Chief Joe Logan's job performance but said he can do better with communications. Civil Beat.

City to hold public hearing on proposed rule changes for shore water events. Shore water events include surf contests, canoe regattas, triathlons and swim races. Hawaii News Now.

Criminals beware: New Chinatown camera system boasts next-level surveillance. Phase one of the city’s upgraded Chinatown surveillance system is now online. It boasts state-of-the-art capabilities like 360-degree coverage, on-screen tracking and much more. KHON2.

Bidding Deadline For The Last Major Honolulu Rail Contract Is Extended. HART blamed state licensing delays, but the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs says there is no backlog. Civil Beat.

State agency disputes HART CEO’s comments over delays.  The state agency that licenses construction industry contractors says recent claims that the Maui wildfire disaster has caused long delays within its application system that have hampered the progress of the Skyline project to Kakaako are unfounded. Star-Advertiser.

Prosecutor handling Hawaii Loa murder case is fired. Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm this week fired the deputy prosecutor handling the case against the man accused of murdering a Hawaii Loa Ridge resident and concealing the body in a cement-filled bathtub. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kailua Post Office suffering from lack of cleaning. The local President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 5516 that represents letter carriers assigned to the Kailua-Kona Post Office says the lack of janitorial services has created unsightly and unhealthy work conditions. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaiʻi County Provides Resource Hub For Displaced Maui Residents. In tandem with Governor Green’s announcement on finding longer-term housing options for displaced Maui residents, the County of Hawaiʻi unveiled a virtual resource hub to assist. Big Island Video News.

Paving work starts on Waikōloa Road next week. Work on the long-awaited $26 million Waikōloa Road Rehabilitation Project is a reason to celebrate for many people. Big Island Now.

Maui

Passes to Maui disaster zone now available. Thirty-six street addresses are included in the first residential zone to reopen to property owners and residents who will be able to see for themselves the destruction left behind by the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui News.  Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric begins restoration work in Lahaina at request of Maui Emergency Operations Center.  The work will restore power to wastewater pumps and telecommunication services and improve electrical service reliability to surrounding residents and neighborhoods. Maui Now.

How a Maui PD officer worked with community to open an evacuation route. Alfredo Malapira is grateful to the Maui County PD officer who acted decisively on Aug. 8, opening a closed off route leading to Old Stuart Road (off of Keawe Street), at the urging of the community. KITV4.

Kauai

Corteva Agriscience grants awarded to local schools. The schools — King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School, Kalaheo Elementary School, Kaua‘i High School and Waimea Canyon Middle School and Waimea High School — all received their Corteva Agriscience grant moneys as part of the $35,000 total awarded by Corteva Agriscience for 2023. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i led counties in hotel performance last month, new report shows. Kaua‘i hotels came out on top last month, according to the Hawai‘i Hotel Performance Report published by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Kauai Now.

$42M to improve Hawaii green space, state Senate committee investigating Lahaina insurance issues, HECO taps utility bankruptcy expert as CFO, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii's congressional delegation announces over $42M to improve state’s green spaces. U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $42,585,500 in grants to nine Hawaii organizations to plant and maintain existing trees, combat extreme heat and improve access to green spaces in communities throughout the state. Spectrum News.

The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection announced that it will hold a field briefing in Lahaina to address questions and take testimony pertaining to wildfire-related insurance claims. The briefing will take place from 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m., Sept. 28. KITV4.

Chief Pelletier to Maui Police Commission: ‘We saved lives’. The Maui Police Department’s preliminary after-action report of its response to the deadly Aug. 8 wildfires will not be completed for a few more months, and the final report may take up to two years. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Mayor Bissen responsible for Lahaina evacuation per Hawaii Revised Statutes. The Hawaii Revised Statutes states under section 127A-13 (b)(4) that "under a local state of emergency," the Mayor has the power to "direct and control the mandatory evacuation of the civilian population." KITV4.

Hawaiian Electric Industries Hires Utility Bankruptcy Expert As CFO. Investment banker Scott DeGhetto will be paid about $1.5 million for a 15-month gig. Civil Beat.

HMSA says it resolved COVID-19 shot coverage confusion. Hawaii Medical Service Association is telling members it is covering the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the fall and winter after some people said they paid out of pocket for the shot, HMSA official said a technical issue on its end is being blamed for the confusion. KHON2.

Oahu

Landlords Hosting Illegal Game Rooms Could Face Fines Of $1,000 Per Day. Draft Honolulu City Council legislation would raise the stakes for landlords who allow illegal gambling in their units. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

City in high-stakes talks with military over proposed new landfill site. Last year, the city went back to the drawing board on selecting a new site for a municipal landfill after the Board of Water of Supply said six potential locations identified to replace Waimanalo Gulch in Nanakuli were too close to Oahu’s aquifer. Hawaii News Now.

‘This has got to end’: Pipes leaking millions of gallons of water a month at Dillingham Airfield still not fixed. Leaky pipes at Dillingham Airfield on Oahu’s North Shore have been a problem for years, causing millions of gallons of water to be wasted monthly. Hawaii News Now.

City to close Moiliili Neighborhood Park for month-long maintenance and renovations. Moiliili Neighborhood Park is one of the city’s busiest. But when you look at its nearly three and a half acres, you can definitely tell its overdue for a refresh. Hawaii News Now.

2 Kailua schools earn 2023 National Blue Ribbon recognition. Ka‘elepulu and Maunawili Elementary schools in Kailua  received the National Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Council works to identify legislative priorities for next year. The Hawaii County Council wants the state Legislature to pursue bills to better regulate vaping and allow counties more control over dangerous roads. Tribune-Herald.

Critically Endangered, Nocturnal Seabird Found On Hawaiʻi Island. A Critically Endangered ‘akē‘akē, or band-rumped storm-petrel, was recently found nesting on Hawaiʻi island within the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve. Big Island Video News. Garden Island.

Maui

Maui County announces first residential reentry zone. Maui County late Wednesday announced reentry procedures for Lahaina residents to access properties in the restricted disaster zone that have been off-limits in the aftermath of the Aug. 8 firestorm, which killed at least 97 people and destroyed more than 2,200 properties. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

In wake of devastating wildfire, experts propose new sources of water for parched West Maui. The West Maui water shortage is part of the reason for the devastating wildfire in Lahaina — and has caused huge division in the community. Hawaii News Now.

DOE opens distance learning hub in Kahana for over 250 students. The state Department of Education opened a distance learning hub in Kahana on Tuesday that will host displaced Lahaina students while their campuses remain closed following the Aug. 8 wildfire.  Maui News.

Planned Lahaina visits divide survivors. Maui County plans to let some survivors back into the devastated historic Lahaina fire area Monday and Tuesday, but evacuees have mixed feelings about what they’ll see and how they’ll feel. Star-Advertiser.

One more victim identified by police six weeks after Lahaina wildfire. The Maui Police Department on Wednesday added Lahaina resident Kirk Carter, who died Aug. 15 at Straub Medical Center’s Burn Unit in Honolulu, to its official list of fatalities from the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kauai

FFA students given scholarships to attend national convention. Four Kaua‘i High School students from the school’s Future Farmers of America will be joining a group of about 50 people from Hawai‘i at the national FFA convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, starting on Oct. 29 and wrapping up on Nov. 5. Garden Island.

Lassner to retire as UH president, new COVID vaccine not yet available to many, Maui mayor creates Lahaina Advisory Team, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

UH President David Lassner Will Retire Next Year. He has run the University of Hawaii since 2013, an institution he first began working at in 1977. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Maui Activists Urge Return Of DLNR Water Official To Former Job. A meeting of Hawaii’s Commission on Water Resource Management was dominated Tuesday by calls to reinstate a senior water official who was reassigned amid criticism over decisions made during the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  KHON2.

Insurance lag results in wait for COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines became available following a steady upward trend in U.S. COVID-19 hospitalizations since summer. Star-Advertiser.

Dems To NOAA: Hold Wespac Accountable For Misspending Nearly $1 Million. Members of Congress sent a letter seeking accountability for the fishery council's "transgressions." Civil Beat.

Oahu

Navy ‘recklessly destroyed’ Red Hill evidence, lawyers allege. Attorneys representing families sickened by the 2021 Red Hill water crisis introduced a motion in Honolulu’s U.S. District Court on Tuesday that alleges that Navy officials “recklessly destroyed” text and phone rec­ords between two key officials. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Affordable rental project and 2 preschools break ground. Oo sticks, wielded by Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Mayor Rick Blangiardi and an assortment of bankers, developers and other local officials, broke ground Tuesday on a $199 million affordable rental project offering two on-site preschools in Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

With school in session, Skyline sees a positive bump in ridership. Officials are seeing about a 14% increase in demand that they say is fueled partly by students. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County looks to the future: General Plan 2045 envisions next 25 years, seeks to balance growth with sustainability.  Public comments on the plan, a 25-year blueprint for the long-term growth and sustainable development of Hawaii Island, are being accepted until Nov. 20 through Konveio, an interactive online platform. Tribune-Herald.

Two Big Island nonprofits will receive a share of more than $42 million in grants awarded by the US Department of Agriculture through the Inflation Reduction Act to nine organizations for planting and maintaining trees, combat extreme heat, and improve access to green space in communities throughout the state. West Hawaii Today.

Small amounts of chemical TCP found in Mt. View water source. Trace amounts of a potentially carcinogenic chemical have been detected in a Mountain View water source, according to the state Department of Health. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui mayor announces: Lahaina Advisory Team, community meetings, creation of Office of Recovery.  Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has formed a 5-member Lahaina Advisory Team comprised of Lahaina residents that will meet with him weekly to ensure the County makes decisions based on the needs and desires of the community.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Council begins talks on recovery plan after fires. Committee seeks public input, will hold another meeting in West Maui Sept. 27.  It was the first time the committee took up the resolution that aims to develop a comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan in response to Maui’s wildfires in Lahaina and Kula on Aug. 8. Maui News.

Amid calls for accountability, Maui’s mayor steers clear of spotlight and avoids news conferences. A month and a half after a wall of flames tore through Lahaina town, killing at least 97 people and erasing the town, scores of key questions linger. Despite that, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen hasn’t publicly answered questions at a news briefing since Aug. 29. Hawaii News Now.

Criticism building against Lahaina's Oct. 8 reopening to tourists. Thousands of Maui residents are expressing their opposition to Gov. Josh Green's decision to reopen Lahaina to tourists on Oct. 8.  KITV4.

‘The Wildfire Litigation Industry’ Takes On Hawaiian Electric. The outcome of numerous lawsuits will affect victims, shareholders and, potentially, 470,000 customers statewide. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

 Harrowing Eyewitness Accounts Cast Doubt On Official Lahaina Fire Narrative. Those who fled the fire by car tell of being blocked or funneled into narrow gridlocked streets. The county has not said when it will release a detailed report on what happened. Civil Beat.

Firefighters contained early fire, left for short break and returned to find flames anew.  Five firefighters who fought the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire left the scene that day after nearly eight hours containing the blaze so Maui Electric Co. workers could repair downed utility poles and power lines, one of the firefighters and a Maui County attorney said.  Civil Beat.

They face ‘unimaginable challenges’ but a new reason for hope: A full ride at UH for a year. UH will offer full scholarships to every Lahainaluna High senior for one academic year. UH President David Lassner made the announcement in a class assembly at the school’s temporary location at Kulanihakoi High School in Kihei. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Kaua‘i household hazardous waste collection set for Sept. 23 and 24. Among the items that will be accepted are automotive products, lead-acid batteries, lawn and garden products, oil-based paints, thinners and stains, fluorescent lights, batteries and more. Kauai Now.

Saiki seeks criminal penalties for unscrupulous fundraising, some Lahaina fire victims asked to leave hotels for tourists, college students improve Skyline ridership numbers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Unscrupulous fundraising for Maui relief under heavy scrutiny. Citing the immediacy of fundraising for Maui relief efforts, House Speaker Scott Saiki asked Gov. Josh Green on Monday to issue an emergency proclamation “to prohibit and criminalize fundraising under false pretenses” and for an attorney general audit of funds.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

HTA pursues tourism recovery plan for Maui, state. The Hawaii Tourism Authority board is seeking a contractor to develop a Tourism Recovery Plan that supports Maui and the state in rebuilding the economy following the devastating Aug. 8 wildfire that destroyed Lahaina town. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Here are some of the changes in Gov. Green's latest emergency housing proclamation. The changes now exclude the area affected by the Lāhainā wildfire, restore cultural and environmental protections, and reinstate the open meetings through the Sunshine Law. The new proclamation also prioritizes state and county affordable housing projects, which aim to create thousands of new low-income and workforce housing units statewide. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH fundraising dips, but still tops $100M mark. Money raised by the University of Hawaii Foundation to benefit UH students, programs and research amounted to $103.6 million for the 2022-2023 fiscal year — a decrease of more than one-third compared with the previous year. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawai‘i’s four-year universities earn high marks for grad rates, more. The University of Hawaiʻi’s three 4-year universities were highly ranked in the U.S. News and World Report 2024 Best Colleges rankings released Monday. Big Island Now. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Skyline ridership up since fall classes started at LCC, UH West Oahu. There has been an increase in ridership on the Skyline rail system since Aug. 21, according to the Department of Transportation Services (DTS). That was the day the University of Hawaii and all of its campuses started classes. KITV4.

Amendments made to parking limits bill.  A City Council committee has approved amendments to a proposed measure to make permanent a years-long program to restrict parking in Kalihi Valley — including a proposed fee structure with fixed, annual permit fees. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Bill seeks to ease rules for home solar systems. Installing a home solar system could become cheaper under a new bill that will be discussed by the Hawaii County Council. Tribune-Herald.

State ups security around derelict hotel. Gov. Josh Green has signed a second emergency proclamation regarding the former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel, and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has established 24-hour security following recent break-ins at the dilapidated resort. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Ahead of tourism reboot in West Maui, some Lahaina fire victims are told they’ll have to move. Some Lahaina residents who lost their homes are being forced to move from temporary housing as hotels prepare to welcome visitors back to West Maui. Hawaii News Now.

Five additional Lahaina wildfire victims were identified; a total of 74 people have been named. The Maui Police Department released the names of five more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire on Sunday. Maui Now.

Maui Residents ‘Want Hope’ As Council Develops Wildfire Recovery Plan. Members held the first in a series of meetings to gather public input on what actions the county should take. Civil Beat.

Their homes and businesses were destroyed in Lahaina, but mortgage payments are still due. Almost six weeks after the devastating wildfire, mortgage payments are coming due — even for some whose homes or businesses no longer exist. Advocates are urging banks to give their customers a bigger break. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Falck pledges to maintain current services in county. Advance life support services will be maintained for Maui County’s ambulances and Falck, a global healthcare and emergency services company, says if anything they will try “to improve it.”  Maui News.

Lahaina Residents Can Return To Their Burned Properties Soon. But Is The Air Safe? Some health experts say the state and county should be more cautious in their approach. Civil Beat.

State Water Code suspension lifted as debate continues over rights in West Maui.  The Commission on Water Resource Management will receive an update from staff on the status of water resources in West Maui at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The meeting begins at 9 a.m.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Lahaina banyan tree sprouting new leaves. New growth sprouting from the 150- year-old banyan tree in Lahaina offers signs of hope for its revival more than a month after fire singed its leaves. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

4,200 pounds of marine debris airlifted from Kaua‘i’s shores by helicopter. Surfrider Kaua‘i announced its 12-week annual Operation Airlift program has concluded, as volunteers partnered with Jack Harter Helicopters and Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club to fly 2 tons of marine debris out of some of the island’s hardest-to-reach shores. Garden Island.

Green links Lahaina fires to climate change at UN summit, super PAC uses Maui fires as fundraising tool, HART claims $580M surplus at rail's end, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green links Lāhainā fires to climate change during UN Sustainable Development Goals Summit. Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green spoke Sunday at the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals Summit in New York, delivering a message about the destructive impact that climate change is having in the state.  Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

This Hawaii Super PAC Says It’s Raising Money For Wildfire Victims — And Political Candidates Too. A progressive political organization is taking advantage of the Maui wildfires to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars that may go to support political candidates instead of direct help for victims of the Aug. 8 fires. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Has Been Facing A Housing Crisis For Generations. Politicians have been pledging to address a shortage of housing in the islands for decades, but the root causes of the crisis run deep. Civil Beat.

Hispanics Are The Fastest Growing Demographic In Hawaii. They Need More Services To Keep Pace. More translators, interpreters and other services are critical for residents and visitors who have been moving here in increasing numbers. Civil Beat.

Electric Seagliders Could Come To Hawaii As Soon As 2026. But Mokulele Airlines' new parent company says interisland travelers will start to see improvements in service much sooner than that. Civil Beat.

Health officials tout new COVID shot. The new COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out are a move away from the booster-shot models in use up to this point. Tribune-Herald. KITV4.

Oahu

HART says $580M surplus awaits at rail’s end. A cash surplus of over a half-billion dollars will likely be available once the city’s Skyline rail system ends at the Civic Center in Kakaako early next dec­ade, according to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. Star-Advertiser.

HART Board Defers Proposed New Rules. AG Anne Lopez warned the new rules as written would impose 'impermissible' restrictions on the free speech rights of some board members. Civil Beat.

Public votes on Red Hill oversight committee, includes two well-known Native Hawaiian activists. 10 people were selected on Saturday to be part of an oversight group for the de-fueling of the Navy’s Red Hill Facility scheduled for mid-October.  Hawaii News Now.

Payment for parking resumes after city installs new smart parking meters. All 2,200 of the city’s new smart parking meters are now in place, and Honolulu Police Department plans to start enforcement Monday. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu sugar mill housing camp slated for redevelopment. The remnants of a worker housing camp for the last sugar plantation to close on Oahu could become a new subdivision for primarily low-income households reflecting the character of the rural community in Waialua where some century-old homes still stand. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

USGS: Kilauea eruption ends as volcano alert lowered to advisory.  After a week of spewing lava, the eruption at the Kilauea summit within the Halemaumau crater has ended, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

County creates new wildfire working group. Hawaii County has established a multiagency working group to develop strategies and responses to wildfires and other threats around the island. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

EPA grant to fund program to reduce disposable foodware. Hawaii County will receive $1.5 million in a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a reusable foodware and refillable water bottle system in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

New Kona affordable housing to be discussed. The public is invited to an informational meeting Monday where the proposed Kuakini Heights Affordable Housing Project details will be presented. West Hawaii Today.

County pool woes continue: Lack of lifeguards leads to unpredictable hours at many of the facilities. Residents continue to raise concerns about the lack of transparency pertaining to Hawaii County’s swimming pools. Tribune-Herald.

Old Hilo hospital renovations slated for next year. The old hospital building, currently leased to HOPE Services Hawaii and the Big Island Substance Abuse Council, is in need of substantial restoration work after decades of degradation. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui County Council considers bill on post-fire cleanup options. The Maui County Council is considering a bill that would give residents and businesses the option to have the government remove fire debris from their properties for free.  Maui News.

Maui police identify two more victims of Lahaina fire; bringing total to 69. The Maui Police Department released the names of two more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire on Sunday: Janet St. Clair, 75, and Douglas Matsuda-Boucher, 65, both of Lahaina. Maui Now. KHON2.

Scientists scramble to better understand scope of toxic sludge in Lahaina Harbor. Experts are worried about a slew of contaminants in the water, including fuel, dioxins, PCBs and forever chemicals — and all that sludge will eventually need to be dredged out. Hawaii News Now.

After Lahaina fire, seniors behind in receiving tech updates, study finds. Most of the victims of the Lahaina wildfire were ages 65 and older — a demographic that struggles with technology — while Maui County sent cellphone text alerts as the fire all but obliterated Lahaina, killing at least 97 people. Star-Advertiser.

Maui nonprofit expected to meet $6.5M goal in 2 weeks. The funds will go toward the first phase of a two-part campaign to help residents of Hawaiian ancestry impacted by the wildfires.  Star-Advertiser.

Hundreds of millions in private funding headed to Maui fire survivors. Upward of $200 million has been raised by five of the top sources of private donations and their affiliates for Maui wildfire victims, with charitable funds coming from hundreds of thousands of donors in Hawaii and across the globe. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i’s streams, rivers remain polluted despite drought conditions. Not even low rainfall can stop Kaua‘i’s rivers and streams from contamination. But Kaua‘i’s continued drought conditions have kept surf sites incredibly clean, limiting the potential for pollutants to creep into the offshore waters. Garden Island.

Green to change emergency housing proclamation to address concerns, U.S. House seeks answers on Maui fire from HECO, PUC, state energy office, drought worsens, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green to amend Hawaii emergency housing panel powers.  Green plans to issue a second emergency housing proclamation today that he hopes will mollify concerns and satisfy lawsuit complaints in order to fast-track construction of 50,000 new homes to give island residents a major reason to stay home. Seeking compromise, a new document to be signed Friday restores environmental review, historic preservation and open meetings laws. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Congressional committee to probe Maui fires amid demand for answers.  The U.S. House committee investigating the deadly Aug. 8 Maui firestorm said it expects the heads of Hawaiian Electric Co., the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and the State Energy Office to testify at its first hearing on the disaster. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

$1000 Hotel Rooms? House GOP Wants Answers From FEMA On Maui Wildfires. The House Oversight and Accountability Committee sent a letter to FEMA's top administrator asking questions about its response to the Maui wildfires. Civil Beat.

Drought worsened, expected to intensify across Hawaii.  More than 81%, of the Hawaiian islands are now in moderate to severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released today. The rest are abnormally dry. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaii AG Raises Concerns About Proposed New HART Rules. The rules would infringe on the rights of some rail authority board members to speak publicly about the massive rail project, according to the attorney general. Civil Beat.

U.S. government files motion to block prominent physician’s testimony in Red Hill suit. Tthe U.S. government is trying to block the testimony of a prominent Hawaii physician in a Red Hill lawsuit that includes allegations of medical negligence. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council proposal seeks to help state collect unpaid traffic fines. Two Honolulu City Council members want the city administration to work with the state to collect a reported $81 million in uncollected assessed traffic fines owed to the State of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Why Everybody Had To Move Out Of This Affordable Housing Project. A $7.5 million apartment building purchased by the City and County of Honolulu in 2018 to provide housing for low-income and homeless people is now sitting vacant due to problems with the building.  Civil Beat.

City extends feral chicken service. The city is extending a cage and disposal service to help tackle the issue of feral chickens.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Stoplight slated for Kaiminani. Two more traffic lights are in the initial design phase for installation on Highway 190, or Mamalahoa Highway in North Kona. West Hawaii Today.

Keaukaha Park Closure Set For Road, Parking Lot Restriping. James Kealoha Beach Park, known locally as “4-mile”, will be closed 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily from September 18 to September 22. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui councilmembers suggest improvements to state's recent housing proclamation. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use committee reconvened Wednesday, picking up discussion on the governor’s emergency proclamation on housing and how that may come into play following the Maui wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Maui County Council committee is considering a possible investigation into how firefighters, police, emergency management and public works officials performed while responding to the wildfires in August. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Lahaina property owners allowed to return Sept. 25. Owners and renters who lost their homes and businesses in the deadly Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire will be allowed escorted visits to their properties on a zone-by-zone basis starting Sept. 25. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

‘First day’ for Maui public school students displaced by wildfire.  For nearly 600 Maui public school students displaced by the closure of their schools by the Lahaina wildfire, Thursday was a “first day of school” like none other. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

American Lung Association questions state’s messaging on Lahaina air quality. The head of the American Lung Association Hawaii says the state Health Department is not doing enough to protect Lahaina fire victims from contaminants in the air. The group is especially concerned about the state’s release of some confusing data on air quality. Hawaii News Now.

The battle over water rights in West Maui is generational for this Kauaʻula taro farmer.  Taro patches once dominated the landscape in Lāhainā, with more than 1,700 recorded in the region in the mid-1800s. But once water started being diverted for sugar cane cultivation, taro farmers from Kauaʻula Valley fought back in one of the earliest recorded legal battles over water rights in West Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Lihu‘e Airport bustling in August. A total of 78,648 passengers deplaned domestic flights in August, compared with 83,331 in August 2022, according to data compiled by the state of Hawai‘i’s Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism. Garden Island.

Fire season getting longer on Kaua‘i. Fire Chief Michael Gibson told The Garden Island he previously considered fire season to run from June through September, but that has started to expand to March through November. Garden Island.

Regulators, shareholders kick up the heat on Hawaiian Electric's role in Lahaina fire, looming government shutdown shouldn't hamper recovery efforts, Maui Invitational may move to Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Regulators Push Hawaiian Electric On Liability Insurance Coverage. Hawaiian Electric is facing numerous lawsuits over the Maui fires and questions are being asked about the companies ability to pay any successful claims. Civil Beat. KITV4.

HEI board accused of skimping on safety. A lawsuit filed Monday by a Hawaii Electric Industries shareholder accuses the board of directors of not spending enough on wildfire prevention measures on Maui in the three years before the Aug. 8 fires killed at least 115 people and leveled Lahaina. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Energy secretary talks electric grid improvements, federal fund. Jennifer Granholm visits Lahaina after destructive wildfires. The U.S. Secretary of Energy said she would like to see “undergrounding” of electric lines, weeks after Hawaiian Electric received a $95 million federal grant to improve its grid and equipment in the wake of devastating wildfires on Maui. Maui News.

Schatz: Government Shutdown Shouldn’t Stop Maui Recovery Efforts. President Biden has already approved a disaster declaration that allows Hawaii to access federal relief aid. Civil Beat.

Hawaii leaders, tech experts battle ‘war online’ of misinformation over Maui wildfires. After online rumors from the Maui wildfire linked to China and Russia spread fear and division, big tech took center stage at Capitol Hill. Hawaii News Now.

No timetable for finding cause of Lahaina fire. Evidence gathered by a team of fire investigators with the U.S. Department of Justice after the Aug. 8 Lahaina firestorm could take weeks or months to turn over to the Maui Fire Department. Star-Advertiser.

Former Maui senator who lost Lāhainā home focuses on hope for the future. An act of kindness may have saved the life of veteran Maui lawmaker Rosalyn "Roz" Baker. The former state senator offered an airport ride to a visiting couple only to later see the glow of Lāhainā town in the distance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Businesses push organizers to keep Maui Invitational on the Valley Isle. As organizers of the Maui Invitational college basketball tournament consider whether to move the tournament from Lahaina this year, Maui County businesses are pushing for the event to remain on the Valley Isle. No final decision has been made, but Gov. Josh Green said this week that this year’s invitational will likely be moved to Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

COVID cases continue to climb as new vaccine heads to pharmacies. COVID cases are still on an upward trend, including in Hawaii, where the Department of Health reported there were 1,200 new cases statewide last week. Nearly 900 of them were on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Updated COVID vaccines to be rolled out in Hawaii. The new COVID-19 vaccines targeting the latest omicron variants should be available in Hawaii by next week. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

BWS proposes rate increases starting next year. Expect to pay more in your water bill, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply is planning to increase rates beginning next year.  KHON2.

A Trailhead Shuttle May Be The Answer To Lanikai’s Parking Problems. The idea is being considered as part of efforts to better manage access for popular tourist destinations on Oahu. Civil Beat.

City to install 4G-enabled parking meters by December. The city is nearing its goal of installing about 4,200 4G-enabled parking meters across urban Honolulu, from Chinatown to Waikiki, by the end of this year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

HPD chief touts major drop in violent crime, but department refuses to share data on it. Honolulu Police Chief Joe Logan recently announced a major drop in violent crime island wide. Hawaii News Now.

Latest Lawsuit In Makaha Police Pursuit Case Invokes Racketeering Charge. The four Honolulu police officers face felony criminal trial in December. Civil Beat.

2 Prisoners Die At Halawa Correctional Facility. One inmate died after a fight. The other had been hospitalized with a medical condition. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea daily update: Lava fountains at heights of 32 feet. The roughly east-west trending erupting vents within the Kīlauea caldera now span approximately a half mile — down from about 1 mile — as of this morning and have lava fountain heights of up to about 32 feet. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

EPA grants $1.5 million to Hawaiʻi County to expand recycling in Hilo. The US Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday it has awarded $2.2 million in grants to Hawaiʻi for a recycling project in Hilo and a study of waste management across several islands. Big Island Now.

Maui

Committee to discuss comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan on Sept. 18 in Central Maui and Sept. 27 in West Maui. Council member Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins announced today that the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will meet in the Council Chamber on Monday, Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. and on Sept. 27 at The Westin Maui Resort and Spa in Kāʻanapali, to discuss a resolution to develop a comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan in response to the August wildfires. Maui Now.

Two more wildfire disaster victims identified, including teen and 79-year-old Lahaina man. The Maui Police Department released the names of two more victims from the Aug. 8 Lahaina fire. Police today confirmed the identity of: Keyiro Fuentes, 14, and Maurice Buen, 79, both of Lahaina. Maui Now.

2 key Lahaina stores reopen while residents wait their turn.  Maui County on Wednesday reopened two more business zones in the Lahaina wildfire disaster area, including the parcel encompassing Lahaina Cannery Mall and its two anchor tenants, Longs Drugs and Safeway. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2.

Out of the 99 moorings at Lahaina Harbor, a row of 13 boats appears largely unscathed. After receiving permission from Maui County and the US Coast Guard, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement escorted the owners, in two groups, to the harbor.  Maui Now.

Over a month after the Lahaina wildfire, Maui first responders face breathing issues. There are reports that first responders on Maui are now dealing with breathing issues like coughing up soot after battling the Lahaina wildfire. Hawaii News Now.

Deadlines for Maui wildfire assistance approaching. Deadlines for victims of the Maui wildfires to register for assistance are coming up fast, starting with one Friday for those still needing emergency lodging. Star-Advertiser.

New online report gives DOE updates on Lahaina schools. A new online status report on Maui public schools and students affected by the Aug. 8 wildfires — including campus safety testing of soil, water and air at three closed campuses in Lahaina, and reopening plans — was made live by the state Department of Education on Wednesday and will be kept updated, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Homes sales fall to lowest total of year on Kaua‘i. A total of 15 single-family homes were sold in July, compared with 24 in July 2022, according to monthly data pooled from multiple sources by Hawai‘i Realtors in Honolulu. That marked a decrease of 37.50 percent in the period and the lowest number of single-family residences sold in any month this year. Garden Island.

SBA Recovery Center opens in Kapa‘a. The U.S. Small Business Administration partnered with the Hawai‘i Small Business Development Center to open an SBA Disaster Assistance and Business Recovery Center on Monday in the former Otsuka’s Furniture building on Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a. Garden Island.

Tokuda, Case keep congressional focus on Maui, Hawaii GOP caucus set for March 12, DOH contracts for new COVID call center, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Tokuda requests moment of silence for Maui on House floor. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda on Tuesday, along with fellow U.S. Rep. Ed Case, stood on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and asked for a moment of silence. Hawaii's congressional delegation wants to keep focus on the Aug. 8 wildfires to ensure that federal resources continue to flow to the state. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii GOP Sets Presidential Caucus For March 12. That's a week after Super Tuesday, one of the biggest voting days in next year's election cycle. Civil Beat.

Former Land Board Chair To Lead New UH Conservation Office. Suzanne Case served two terms as director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Civil Beat.

Planned reopening of West Maui tourism stirs concern. Gov. Josh Green said nearly 7,300 people are staying in 32 hotels across West Maui, and those hotels are set to reopen to tourism in less than four weeks. Some say it’s too soon, but state leaders say it’s the right time. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers take closer look at existing rules for management of dry brush. Dry brush and unmanaged vegetation can be the worst enemy for firefighting. KHON2.

HECO indicates it could turn to ratepayers to help cover extensive fire rebuilding costs. Hawaiian Electric may be asking customers to pay for damage and recovery from the Maui wildfires — even though many say HECO is to blame. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric Posted “working closely” with EOC, then crews blocked lanes. KITV4 is learning more about the communication failures of August 8th, during the afternoon self-evacuation of Lahaina.  KITV4.

DOH awards $415K contract for new COVID surveillance call center. The $415,000 contract has been awarded to market researcher Omnitrak Group, which will be tasked with calling individuals who test positive for coronavirus. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi health care workers can now receive up to $50K a year to pay student loans. The Hawaiʻi Education Loan Repayment Program, or HELP, aims to tackle the state's physician shortage as it's grown from several hundred to above 1,000 over the last decade. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Resignations continue at liquor commission as Honolulu mayor hopes for ‘new beginning’. The newest chair of the Liquor Commission is just eight months into his role as chair but has already announced he will be leaving in the coming months. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu EMTs, Paramedics Sue The City For Overtime. A lawsuit filed a decade ago got the Emergency Services Department to update its payroll system, but that hasn't fixed the problem. Civil Beat.

HPD pursuit policy ‘defective,’ lawsuit alleges. The family of a teen permanently injured in a September 2021 Makaha car chase by Honolulu Police Department officers has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the HPD’s pursuit policy is defective. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Defueling Red Hill won’t hurt readiness, Pentagon says. The Pentagon has officially told Congress that military operations in the Pacific will not be adversely affected by the closure of the Navy’s underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Has A Hiring Problem. Here’s What That Means For Fire Mitigation Efforts. While city-owned land makes up a relatively small portion of Oahu, groundskeepers need to be strategically redeployed to stave off wildfires. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Vog returns to Kona with Kilauea’s current eruption.  Volcanic smog, or “vog,” filled West Hawaii’s skies Tuesday, obliterating views of Hualalai and blurring the horizon, as Kilauea volcano continued to erupt for a third day, pumping out thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which reacts with the atmosphere and creates the visible haze. West Hawaii Today. Associated Press.

An arid August. Hilo International Airport received 5.35 inches of rain in August, almost half of its norm of 11.3 inches for the month. Despite that, most windward Big Island areas remain verdant. Tribune-Herald.

Governor releases $500,000 in capital improvement project funds for Waimea schools.  A master plan will be the first step in outlining a strategy to make full use of the campus, which encompasses Waimea Elementary and Middles Schools. Big Island Now.

New Superintendent Selected For Kona National Historical Parks.  Paul Scolari has been chosen to serve as the superintendent of Kaloko-Honokōhau and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Parks. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

As temporary housing deadlines approach, officials look at long-term solutions on Maui. About 2,000 homes in Lāhainā were lost in the Maui wildfires, displacing thousands of individuals. Survivors of the Maui wildfires have until this Friday to sign up for temporary housing through the American Red Cross. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lahaina Businesses Hoping To Reopen Face Daunting Challenges. From unsafe water to uncertainty over future earnings, obstacles line the path of recovery for businesses in and around the burn zone. Civil Beat.

Recovery in Maui’s Upcountry slow as fires still burn.  More than a month after a series of destructive wildfires that decimated much of the historic town of Lahaina and a number of homes in the Upcountry community of Kula, many residents are still being advised not to drink or bathe with water from systems that officials say were damaged and contaminated during the fires. Star-Advertiser.

County amends Unsafe Water Advisory for part of Upper Kula.  Water serving homes and buildings in Zone 1 has been determined to be safe for unrestricted use. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Another name is added to the list of Maui fatalities.  The Maui Police Department on Tuesday named Buddy Joe Carter as the 61st fatality of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.  MPD said seven others have been identified but their families had yet to be notified. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Council to consider resolution supporting AMR. Council to consider resolution supporting AMR. The Maui County Council will consider a resolution on Friday that urges the state Department of Health to continue contracting American Medical Response for Maui County’s emergency medical response services.  Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi rain gauges show below average precipitation for month of August. According to the monthly precipitation summary from the National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu, the Anahola gauge had its lowest August total since 2000, and Mount Waiʻaleʻale and Wainiha had their lowest August totals since 2005. Kauai Now.