Changes proposed to motorcycle rules, HECO unveils plan to combat wildfire risk, Red Flag warnings continue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Public hearing scheduled for proposed changes to motorcycle, moped rules. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies the public of a hearing scheduled on Nov. 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., for proposed changes to Hawaii Administrative Rules 19-123 “Statewide Motorcycle, Moped, and Motor Scooter Education Courses and Licensing Skill Test Waiver.” Kauai Now.

Hawaiian Electric announces plan to help combat risk of wildfires. Hawaiian Electric on Friday announced a series of statewide strategies to alleviate the risk of wildfires in drought-stricken parts of Hawaii. Company proposes spotters, possible power shutoffs and better technology. Tribune-Herald. Maui News.

Red Flag Warning posted for parts of the state. Trades will strengthen Monday night with gusts up to 50 mph possible over the windiest portions of Maui County and the Big Island. Hawaii News Now.

Mother, Calf Whale Pairs Spotted In Hawaiʻi Waters. The appearance of the humpback whale pairs warrants extra care by ocean users, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary says.  Big Island Video News.

Oahu

Honolulu Planning Commission to decide fate of landfill selection process. The Honolulu Planning Commission plans to make a decision in early 2024 on the city’s request for a two-year extension to find an alternate site for the 34-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei. Star-Advertiser.

The Honolulu Fire Department was kept busy on Sunday with the Red Flag Warning not making things any easier as they dealt with several fire incidents across Oahu. The Honolulu Fire Department was kept busy on Sunday with the Red Flag Warning not making things any easier as they dealt with several fire incidents across Oahu. KHON2.   KITV4.

Mililani Mauka fire 85% contained amid challenging red-flag weather. Firefighters on Oahu continue to battle a large wildfire above Mililani Mauka that was 85% contained Sunday, and knocked downed five other brush fires and a building fire on a “red flag” weather day that put the state on edge in the aftermath of the deadly Lahaina inferno. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Drunken Day At A Bar Led To This Detective’s 99-Day Suspension. Other officers on scene said the off-duty detective was "code black," police jargon for when someone is totally out of control. Civil Beat.

Manufactured compostable waste to be accepted in Oahu’s green recycling bins. By 2025, specially designed plastic, paper and other materials that easily break down in the environment will be accepted inside Oahu curbside collection bins typically reserved for grass clippings, broken tree branches and raked leaves. Star-Advertiser.

Little fire ant infestations spread across Oahu. There are now more than 30 active sites of little fire ants across over 200 acres — from Kahuku down the entire Windward coastline to Hawaii Kai and Kahala. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Fire chief talks wildfire readiness during council meeting. Members of the County Council questioned Fire Chief Kazuo Todd on Tuesday about the Hawaii Fire Department’s ability to prevent or respond to a wildfire on the scale of the August blaze that devastated Lahaina. Tribune-Herald.

Project To Remove Facilities At Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau Moves Forward. The National Park Service will be able to move forward with a plan to remove and replace park maintenance facilities at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, now that a Finding of No Significant Impact has been published.  Big Island Video News.

Kona coffee farms head into this year’s festival with healthier crops. Entering  the 52nd annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival that runs through Nov. 12, farmers are celebrating higher yields and healthier crops throughout the Kona region due to more rain and better management of the killer fungus.  Big Island Now.

Several county park projects near completion. Numerous improvement projects in parks and recreational facilities across Hawaii County are nearing the finish line as the Parks and Recreation Department sets goals for next year. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

4 Lahaina schools to close Monday due to red flag warning. King Kamehameha Elementary, Princess Nahienaena Elementary, Lahaina Intermediate and Lahainaluna High School will be closed to students and staff out of an abundance of caution, according to a news release from the Hawaii Department of Education. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

300 temporary jobs available for workers impacted by fires. Three hundred temporary jobs to help with debris removal, damage cleanup and humanitarian aid are available for residents impacted by the Maui wildfires, the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announced Friday.  Maui News.

Job, housing insecurities mount as Maui tourism disaster adds to devastation. Tourism reopened to all of Maui Wednesday but the economic fallout from the Aug. 8 wildfires in Maui, the deadliest in modern U.S. history, is still unfolding and recovery is unlikely to come soon enough to stem all of the pain points. Star-Advertiser.

Lahaina’s Filipino Community Is Fighting For Its Voice. The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce applied for money from the Hawaii Community Foundation but did not get approval for funding. Civil Beat.

Lahaina Families Frustrated Over Lack Of Child Care Options. The historic Maui town, which already suffered from a child care shortage, lost 255 licensed seats in the August wildfires. Civil Beat.

Mahi Pono to bring more crops to packing facility. Company currently packing citrus; coffee, potatoes, onions up next. In a 117,000-square-foot warehouse behind the old Puunene Mill lies Mahi Pono’s new packing facility, which will now make it easier to pack some of its produce for sale.  Maui News.

Kauai

County passes resolution in support of Filipino social studies course. Following the announcement that two high schools on O‘ahu are set to become the first public schools in the country to offer a course on Filipino history and culture, Kaua‘i County Council member Addison Bulosan introduced a resolution last week in hopes of getting a course started on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Mosquito suppression pilot project to save Kaua‘i forest birds concludes. A team of researchers working to prevent the extinction of Hawai‘i’s endangered forest birds through the release of incompatible mosquitoes in Koke‘e are set to conclude a 10-day pilot project on Saturday, Nov. 4. Garden Island.

Public Utilities Commission slow to investigate HECO role in Maui wildfires, some good news in public school test scores, Ferreira named OHA CEO, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Utility Regulators Are Still Waiting To Take A Hard Look At Hawaiian Electric. The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission has been conspicuously passive since the August fires that killed at least 99 people, destroyed much of Lahaina, including its power distribution system, and spawned dozens of lawsuits blaming Hawaiian Electric Industries for starting the fires.  Civil Beat.

Draft legislative wildfire reports available for public review.  Six legislative working groups in Hawaii’s House of Representatives have filed draft reports with recommendations on issues stemming from the Aug. 8 Maui wildfire disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Why Hawaii became a hotbed of legal activism to protect the climate. A series of legal cases show how Hawaii has become uniquely fertile ground for environmental legal action, fueled by a long tradition of decolonization advocacy, specifically enshrined environmental rights and a rich Pacific Island heritage that is imminently threatened by global warming impacts — such as the devastating wildfires that ripped through Maui in August. The state’s courts have moved decisively while other US courts quibble over jurisdiction and technical legal barriers in climate lawsuits. Bloomberg.

Some Hawaii Students See Gains In Learning Since The Pandemic. Traditionally underserved students have made significant improvements in areas such as math, reading and graduation rates since the end of the pandemic, according to data released by the Hawaii Department of Education on Thursday.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Court ruling bans state from enforcing certain sensitive places for concealed carry.  A few months after Hawaii passed its sensitive places law for concealed carry, a court ruling is now restricting the state and city from enforcing the rules. KHON2.

Who is Stacy Ferreira? Meet the new CEO at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Trustees with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have chosen Stacy Ann Kealohalani Ferreira, former budget chief with the Senate Ways and Means Committee, to serve as the new chief executive officer.  Hawaii Public Radio. Kauai Now.

Lawmakers, advocates call on military to do more to address violence against Native Hawaiian women. Advocates and lawmakers are calling on the military to bolster their response to a state-commissioned report on violence against Hawaii women and girls.  Hawaii News Now.

Coast Guard cutter returns to Honolulu. The Honolulu-based Coast Guard National Security Cutter CGC Kimball returned home Wednesday from an 85-day deployment that saw it assisting with Maui fire relief efforts and monitoring fisheries in the Arctic Circle. Star-Advertiser.

In wake of ‘horror stories,’ lawmakers push for rapid response to little fire ants. Lawmakers are getting fired up about the spread of little fire ants and believe industry pressure is delaying potential new rules aimed at stopping their spread. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

As Red Hill defueling progresses, military briefs Hawaii lawmakers on plans and commitments. Emptying underground Navy fuel storage tanks at Red Hill crossed a midway point Wednesday, and several state lawmakers received a briefing from military officials Thursday about the job and future cleanup work. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Officials Release A Draft Of The City’s Strategy To Adapt To Climate Change. They're seeking more input this month from communities across Oahu before they finish the plan. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Firefighting resumes as Mililani Mauka fire grows to 1,100 acres. The wildland fire in remote mountains above Mililani Mauka continues for a fourth day, and has now burned about 1,100 acres, according to the Honolulu Fire Department. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Honolulu City and County aims to make recycling easier for Oahu residents. The Honolulu City Council yesterday unanimously approved a bill which will allow residents to recycle more materials from homes like cardboard boxes, containers and food waste. KITV4.

The Hawaii Herald To Shutter Operations Dec. 1. The 43-year-old newspaper serves the local Japanese American community. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

TMT work progresses: Project awaiting ‘necessary steps’ from the feds. Work continues around the world on the Thirty Meter Telescope’s various systems despite no sign of a new construction date on Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Most Of Hawaiʻi Island Under Severe Drought. With just 1.36 inches of rain, Hilo Airport broke the record, set back in 1962, for the minimum total monthly rainfall for the month of October. Big Island Video News.

Local divers collect and reattach broken coral along Hawaiʻi Island coastline. A new community-led initiative is working to restore coral reefs along the Kona coast of Hawaiʻi Island. The project, called Kanu Koʻa, is supported by The Nature Conservancy and the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina Harbor cleanup estimated to finish around early December. The U.S. Coast Guard has removed 79 vessels inside and outside of Lahaina Harbor and is looking to have its cleanup of fire damage and debris done around early December, although it could take longer, an official said Wednesday. Maui News.

600 Maui businesses have closed since the wildfires, and hundreds more are on the brink. New data shows a continued drop in visitors — and revenue — on Maui as the island’s economy struggles to recover from the catastrophic wildfires. Hawaii News Now.

Foreclosure Moratorium Extended For Some Maui Homeowners. Fire survivors with FHA loans on destroyed or damaged properties can breathe a little easier for the next few months. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

ACLU wants Maui homeless sweeps to end. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii this week demanded that Maui County stop homeless sweeps that were pending at county parks near wildfire- ravaged Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Public comment sought at meeting about creation of Maui County wetlands map. Maui residents can provide public comment about the creation of a comprehensive Maui County wetlands map during a meeting on Nov. 8 at the Maui Ocean Center Sphere in Māʻalaea.  Maui Now. Maui News.

Kauai

Kīlauea Elementary on Kaua‘i exceeds statewide academic trends. From school year 2021-22 to 2022-23, scores for language arts increased by 14 points to 62%, math increased by 16 points to 49%, and science increased by 35 points to 67%. Kauai Now.

State lawmakers lay out wildfire prevention roadmap, one more Maui fire victim identified, evidence released in advance of HPD crash trial, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Lawmakers Propose ‘Bold Action’ To Address Wildfire Risk. The Aug. 8 Maui fires have created “one of the largest public policy challenges that Hawaii has ever faced,” state lawmakers said Wednesday in laying out details in six preliminary reports aimed at providing a roadmap for the 2024 Legislature to follow in addressing shortcomings in the state’s wildfire prevention and management efforts. Civil Beat.

Wildfire named Hawaii’s top hazard in new report. The Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency released the recently updated State Hazard Mitigation Plan on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Recent laser incidents on Kauai, Maui prompt FBI warning. Pilots are reporting several laser-pointing incidents while landing at airports on Kauai and Maui, prompting warnings by the FBI and police that those responsible face federal prosecution.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

UH Foundation launches $1 billion fundraising drive.  The University of Hawaii Foundation on Wednesday launched the public phase of an ambitious $1 billion fundraising campaign aimed at support for students, UH research, Native Hawaiian stewardship, sustainability, Hawaii’s workforce, community engagement and innovation and entrepreneurship. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Family celebrates as Hawaii woman stuck in Gaza gains her freedom. Family members of Ramona Okumura were celebrating Wednesday after the 71-year-old aid worker originally from Hawaii was whisked out of war-torn Gaza to safety in Egypt. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Tribune-Herald.  KHON2.

Oahu

Prosecutors detail evidence ahead of trial against 4 HPD officers in near-fatal crash. The city Prosecutor’s Office has revealed some of the evidence they plan to show the jury in the upcoming trial for four Honolulu police officers. Officers Joshua Nahulu is charged with collision involving serious bodily injury. Officers Erik Smith, Jake Bartolome and Robert Lewis are charged with hindering prosecution and conspiracy. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Confirms New Member Of Police Commission. Jeannine Souki replaces Shannon Alivado, who stepped down in October. Civil Beat.

Two New Liquor Commissioners Confirmed By Honolulu Council. The Honolulu City Council confirmed two new liquor commissioners on Wednesday, updating the membership of a body that has been a subject of controversy in recent years.  Civil Beat.

Helicopters continue dropping water on Mililani Mauka wildfire. A wildfire in Central Oʻahu has grown to cover more than a square mile in a remote mountainous area and has burned native koa and ʻōhiʻa trees, officials said.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Jewish temple in Nuuanu beefs up security. The largest Jewish temple in Hawaii is trying to raise $50,000 to pay for armed guards and enhanced security in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Lab-Grown Corals Help Restore Damaged Reef In Hanauma Bay. The project demonstrated how it may be possible to restore larger areas much more quickly than would happen naturally. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council passes resolution to strengthen island's fire department. The Hawaiʻi County Council passed a resolution urging Mayor Mitch Roth to increase the capacity of and funding for the Hawaiʻi Fire Department. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council takes step toward more South Kohala affordable housing. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday approved a resolution authorizing the director of finance to negotiate a 68-year lease with Pacific Housing Assistance Corporation/Kamakoa Nui Limited Partnership to develop Na Hale Makoa in Waikoloa Village. Tribune-Herald.

Kalaoa Solar Project meeting on Nov. 13, open to public. The public is invited to attend an informational meeting about the Kalaoa Solar Project, a proposed 40-acre renewable energy facility on state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property in Kalaoa. West Hawaii Today.

Car dealership to occupy property currently housing Millie’s Deli, New Saigon restaurant. A plan by a Hilo car dealership to relocate to a new location blindsided business owners who say they weren’t told that the building they sublease was being sold. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui police identify Lahaina man, 76, as latest fire fatality. Lee Rogo, 76, was publicly identified after his family was notified. Of the 99 confirmed fatalities, 98 have been publicly identified after notification of next of kin. One victim has not been identified. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Native Hawaiians and commercial boat operators clash over Lahaina Harbor, Mala Wharf future. The Maui Arts and Cultural Center was packed on Wednesday with people who are passionate about protecting West Maui. Hawaii News Now.

W. Maui hotel occupancy still mostly residents. Occupancy rates down but room revenue, daily rates highest in state. Maui News.

Developers: Rising mortgage rates threaten Maui’s wildfire recovery. Prominent Maui developer Everett Dowling is responding by making big changes to one project that was already in the pipeline towards construction.  To keep the project alive while Maui is desperate for new housing, Dowling’s company is proposing dropping the plan from 54 buildings with homes for sale to a simpler, six-building layout with 202 rentals. Hawaii News Now.

Chefs Anticipate Even More Demand To Feed Maui Months After Wildfires. Farm owners and feeding operations are preparing to be in it for the long haul. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Celebrate Arbor Day on Kaua‘i with tree giveaway, more on Nov. 4. The Kauaʻi Landscape Industry Association will host a tree giveaway, educational booths and keiki planting zone at the Kukui Grove Center in Līhuʻe this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Kauai Now.

 

Slow progress for Hawaii students, Oahu wildfire grows, Lahaina fire victims need financial help, housing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Test Scores Show Slow Progress For Hawaii Students. While chronic absenteeism improved in Hawaii public schools, there was little improvement in reading and math scores in the 2022-23 school year. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi’s waterfall-climbing fish threatened by climate change, human activity. Research out of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa focused on ʻoʻopu nākea — a type of goby fish found only in Hawaiʻi — to link the importance of the mountain to ocean approach in the stewardship of the state’s natural and cultural resources. Kauai Now.

Oahu

700 acres scorched as crews continue battling wildfire above Mililani Mauka. By 4:30 p.m. Tuesday fire officials said the wildland blaze had grown but that airborne fire crews had suspended operations for that evening. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

How Recruiting More Women Could Help Police Solve A ‘Staffing Crisis’. Leaders say implementing policies, like paid maternity leave, could help bring more women to the force and improve policing overall. Civil Beat.

Settlement over lack of girls' locker rooms at Campbell High School includes independent evaluator.  A 2018 class-action lawsuit over a lack of locker rooms for female athletes at Hawaii's largest public school has reached a settlement that attorneys say will ensure athletic gender equity at the high school. Associated Press.

Lawmaker wants solar panels over troubled Sunset Memorial Park. There’s a novel proposal in the works for a Pearl City cemetery that’s been plagued with problems for more than a decade. A local lawmaker wants to install solar panels over Sunset Memorial Park, with hopes of generating money and a solution to its list of problems. KHON2.

Couple convicted in ID theft case. A jury has convicted a Hawaii couple of conspiracy, passport fraud and identity theft for stealing identities and living for decades under the names of dead babies.  Civil Beat. Associated Press.

Health Department issues red placard to Queen’s food vendor. The state Health Department has shut down Cooking Fresh, a food establishment in the lobby at Queen’s Medical Center Physicians Office Building III in Honolulu due to a lack of proper refrigeration. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii to receive $23.5M for Kawaihae Harbor. The funding will be used to widen the highway adjacent to the port, pave 10 acres in the cargo yard, build new 80-foot mast lighting to replace lower lighting equipment, install conduits and raised transformer pads for expanded reefer plug-ins, and relocate an office building and a maintenance shed. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.

Council resolution asks government agencies to help mitigate visitor impacts at Kumukahi. The Hawaii County Council is urging county and state administrations to take steps to preserve the easternmost edge of the Big Island in the face of increasing visitors. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Big Island fire department stations in desperate need of upgrades. After a long day or night of fighting everything from wildfires to house fires, Hawai’i Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller said while they’re grateful to be of service, they wouldn’t mind a little more comfort.  Big Island Now.

DA BUX program gets more funding. Gov. Josh Green has released $500,000 for the DA BUX Double-Up Program, which doubles recipients’ purchasing power for locally grown produce, using their federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui emergency response officials ignored advice, turned down state help in early hours of disaster. Some of the people in charge on the day flames tore through Lahaina rejected the state’s advice ahead of the catastrophic wildfire and even refused extra state help in the early hours of the unfolding disaster. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina fire survivors cite financial help, housing as greatest needs. Lahaina wildfire survivors cited financial recovery and permanent housing as their greatest needs, according to a recent survey by the state Department of Health. Star-Advertiser.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Unsafe Water Advisory lifted for remaining areas of Upper Kula. The Department of Water Supply has lifted the Unsafe Water Advisory for Upper Kula, removing the two remaining areas, UK-2B and UK-5. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Community College nursing students get Mokihana Club support. In addition to the $30,000 in awards to current nursing program students, the Mokihana Club announced an additional $10,000 in scholarships awarded to two students, Deva Siblerud, and Mary Hall — both graduates of the KCC Nursing program — who are pursuing Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. Garden Island.

Green sea turtles hatch at Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua‘i. Green sea turtles nest on beaches in the general area of where they had hatched years earlier. The shoreline at PMRF is ideal for nests, since it is a protected and quiet location with limited human activity and light pollution. Kauai Now.

Hawaii tourism takes a hit, police release Lahaina body cam footage, Oahu battles rural wildfire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tourism drops, with recovery expected in 2024.  Jack Richards, president and CEO of Pleasant Holidays, said travel to Hawaii was up 16.5% for 2024 before the Maui wildfires in August, and is now negative statewide. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Halts Work On Another Computer System Upgrade. An effort to redesign and modernize the state’s business registration system has been suspended after a review this year found dozens of defects in the project, according to a consultant’s report. Civil Beat.

Telehealth Has Improved Medical Service To Remote Areas Of Hawaii But More Is Needed. The state made great strides in improving remote access to medical care during Covid, experts say, but barriers remain for many groups. Civil Beat.

State to begin sending out settlement checks from $326M Hawaiian homestead lawsuit. To be a class member, individuals must have applied for Hawaiian Homes by June 30, 1988, and applied to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Individual Claims Review Panel between 1991 and 1995. Hawaii Public Radio.

Funding denied to program that helps with transition Hawaii inmates back into community. The program was created to help incarcerated people transition back in their communities by providing support and guidance for when they get out. Worknet Inc., and the Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice are working together to continue the program. KITV4.

Oahu

Mililani Mauka fire destroys 160 acres. In three hours the blaze in the remote, mountainous area above Mililani Mauka that had consumed an estimated 60 acres by 3 p.m. had literally spread like wildfire to 160 acres in size at 6 p.m. and was 35% contained. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Medical marijuana farm owner says his raided greenhouses supplied 1,000 patients. The owner of the Care Waialua medical marijuana farm that was raided on Oahu’s North Shore said he supplied nearly 1,000 patients — and they need their medicine. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Waikoloa Family Affordable Development Dedicated. The 110-unit housing complex is located on 68-3911 Makana Kai Drive in Waikoloa. The $46 million project was developed by the non-profit Coalition for Specialized Housing and partner GSF LLC, and managed by Locations LLC, the complex serves qualifying families with annual incomes of 60 percent or less of the area median income. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui police release Lahaina body camera footage. Maui police officers went house to house, walked seniors down flights of stairs and drove through the streets pleading with people to evacuate on the day a firestorm burned down Lahaina, killing at least 99 and leaving more than 7,000 people homeless. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Kula fire debris removal to begin in 2-4 weeks; hazardous site assessments start in Lahaina. The hazardous site assessments of 26 private properties burned in the Aug. 8 wildfire in Kula is complete, paving the way for heavy equipment and crews to begin removing debris in two to four weeks. Maui Now.

Credible missing persons list drops to 4 people unaccounted for from Lahaina fire. Police say there is only one more set of remains to be identified of the 99 known fatalities. To date, 97 people have been publicly identified. Maui Now.

Visitors to Maui in September 2023 following the Lahiana wildfires was half the volume of the same period in 2022. In the month following the Lahaina wildfires, 94,221 visitors came to Maui in September 2023, less than half the volume of September 2022 (219,667 visitors, -57.1%) and September 2019 (210,108 visitors, -55.2%).  Maui Now.

Red Cross: Fire evacuees won’t be kicked out as West Maui fully reopens to tourism. As West Maui prepares to fully open to tourists on Wednesday, the American Red Cross is assuring people that no one staying in hotels under their program will be evicted. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiians push for honoring Maui’s past.  To the outside world there has been no more vivid symbol of the storied history of Lahaina, and its potential for rebirth, than a 150-year-old banyan tree in the center of town whose scarred branches are now, nearly three months after a devastating wildfire, sprouting new, green leaves. New York Times.

Lack Of Native Seeds Spurs Federal Plan To Replant Fire-Loving Invasive Grasses. The proposal surprised local elected officials and conservation groups that had already been working on native seed issues. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Home sales sink at end of summer, median price rises. A stagnant local housing market showed no signs of recovery in the final month of summer, as home sales plunged amid a backdrop of lofty mortgage interest rates. Garden Island.

Almost half of Emergency Management Agency positions vacant, Inouye's son to run for state Legislature, raises in store for public schools executives, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency Struggles To Fill Many Key Jobs. About 45% of HIEMA's civil service jobs are vacant, forcing the agency to use temporary and exempt employees to fill in. Civil Beat.

Hawaii public school executives’ maximum salaries raised to $192K to $206K.  Seven months after angry public testimony helped to compel the state Department of Education to scale back a proposal to raise salaries of officials at the top levels of Hawaii’s public school system, the state Board of Education has approved salary increases of 4.6% to 6% for the 2023-2024 fiscal year for 21 out of 25 of its “subordinate superintendents.”  Star-Advertiser.

Inouye’s son making first run at House seat against La Chica. The son of the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye plans to make his first foray into politics at the age of 59 by challenging fellow, first-time Democratic state Rep. Trish La Chica for the House seat representing Waipio-Mililani in 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Late state Sen. Sam Slom to be celebrated at Capitol. Friends, family and legislative colleagues have planned the only public “celebration of life” for state Sen. Sam Slom, who died in May at the age of 81 after serving 20 years in the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

State Central Committee of Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi votes to oust chairperson Jung. The State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i on Sunday voted to remove Chairperson Dennis Jung and begin the process to elect new party leadership. Maui Now.

Hawaii Ethics Commission Steps Up Training Of Government Employees. Since a new law requiring state legislators and employees to complete live or online ethics training classes every four years went into effect Jan. 1, the number of people taking the course has increased significantly as compared to 2021. Civil Beat.

50,000 acres of state farmland set to move under Department of Agriculture management. About 50,000 acres of Hawaiʻi farmland managed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources are set to be transferred to the Department of Agriculture. The move is two decades in the making. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Waikiki climate change study underway, city says. The city Department of Planning and Permitting says it’s kicked off a nearly $400,000 pilot project to study the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on Oahu’s prime tourist zone. Star-Advertiser.

Cesspool Conversions: Honolulu Seeks To Connect More Homes To Main Sewer System. A proposal to install sewer lines for a section of Ewa Beach is shaping up as a litmus test for the effort as homeowners say they need more help covering the costs. Civil Beat.

Hawaii to be first to offer Filipino History Culture course in public school curriculum. Waipahu and Farrington high Schools will be the first in the nation to offer a student created Filipino Studies class in a public school curriculum. Hawaii News Now.

Teaching Kids To Read In Hawaii Is Going Back To Basics. Makakilo Elementary is one of about 80 schools in the state to receive funding from a roughly $50 million federal grant awarded in 2019 to improve literacy among the country’s youngest readers. Civil Beat.

Tour helicopter makes ‘precautionary landing’ on small island near Honolulu‘s airport. Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to a helicopter that had made a “precautionary landing” on a small island near the Honolulu Airport Saturday morning. Honolulu EMS officials say the incident happened just after 10:00 a.m. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

County delays Waikoloa siren installation. HI-EMA Communications Director Adam Weintraub Weintraub acknowledged that Waikoloa Village is a particularly at-risk community — the village only has one way in or out for about 7,000 residents — he added that HI-EMA, responding to personnel shortages, has prioritized installing emergency sirens for coastal communities that currently do not have redundant sirens in case of tsunami. Tribune-Herald.

County hopes water study will shed light on Hilo Bay contaminants. After the bay was found to not meet state water standards in 2009, county, state and federal agencies have investigated various methods for improving it. Tribune-Herald.

Surf schools to find out Nov. 17 if they can operate at Kahalu‘u Beach Park. After years of public meetings, draft rules with numerous amendments and jurisdictional disputes, surf schools wanting to operate at Kahalu‘u Beach Park will find out on Nov. 17 if they are awarded one of four coveted spots determined by a lottery. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Inmate Serving Two Life Sentences Dies In An Arizona Prison. Richard Keokeo Taylor Jr., 51,  a Big Island man who spent nearly 28 years in prison for the robbery of a downtown Hilo Pizza Hut in 1995 has died at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. Civil Beat.

Maui

State Land Board OKs Olowalu For Ash And Debris Disposal From Maui Fires. The site would be monitored for 30 years for any leakage of contamination into the groundwater and ocean. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Deadlines near to receive FEMA wildfire disaster aid. On Friday, federal officials reported that more than $236.8 million already has been approved for 6,505 Maui households affected by the high winds and wildfires. Star-Advertiser.

Immigrants on Maui hesitant to apply for disaster assistance. The deadline is approaching for Maui residents impacted by the August fires to apply for FEMA assistance, but there is some concern that many in the Latino community have not yet applied. KHON2.

Maui’s struggling small businesses driven by the spirit of aloha. Dreams shattered. Shops burned to the ground. Irreplaceable losses. These are the realities that small business owners in Lahaina are dealing with as the three-month mark of the devastating Aug. 8 fires draws near.  Star-Advertiser.

Gift drive, celebration aim to lift spirits of young Maui fire survivors. Kanani Oury aunched “Makana no na Keiki” — an online Christmas gift drive and in-person holiday event for children directly affected by the Maui wildfires — to spark joy for that community, but she aches for the stories pouring into her email inbox from families asking for presents for their kids. Star-Advertiser.

Dispute shuts down a major community hub in West Maui. There is one thing that both sides agree on -- that state Rep. Elle Cochran started the hub in the Kelawea Mauka subdivision of Lahaina. But volunteer managers asked her to leave -- and when she didn’t, they decided to dismantle the hub. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Next tool for saving Kaua’i forest birds from extinction introduced. A dozen researchers and technicians on Thursday began releasing incompatible male mosquitoes to try and stop the near-certain extinction of at least four species of Native Hawaiian honeycreepers. Kauai Now.

Coco Palms debate continues as demolition nears. As the developer of the Coco Palms Resort reported being just weeks away from commencing demolition of the deteriorated site and constructing a 350-room resort, county officials and members of the public continued to debate the possibility of halting the project in two separate meetings this week. Garden Island.

2-mile-long fence on Kauai ready to protect seabirds.  Pono Pacific Land Management LLC built the $1.7 million fence along the perimeter of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai’s north shore. Star-Advertiser.

1st humpback of the season spotted, Supreme Court clears $328M Hawaiian homestead settlement for distribution, rail could reach Honolulu airport by 2025, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

First humpback whale of season spotted in Maui waters. The Pacific Whale Foundation has sighted its first humpback whale this fall in Maui waters, marking the start of whale watching season. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hitch in $328M homesteads settlement cleared. The state Supreme Court cleared the last hurdle for the 2022 landmark $328 million settlement in the Hawaiian homesteads class-action lawsuit, and the settlement funds can now be transferred to the 2,515 settlement class members in Kalima v. State of Hawaii. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Bill seeks to separate data on Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center announced the reintroduction of the All Students Count Act in a Zoom news conference Thursday.  Star-Advertiser.

Most Hawaii Wildfires Are Started By People, But Arson Cases Are Rarely Solved. There are too few investigators and insufficient resources to find out who was to blame in most fires. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Contractor provides update to Skyline’s ‘airport’ segment. Under Mayor Rick Blan­giardi’s administration, the city in 2022 truncated the last 1.25 miles of guideways and the planned final two stations near Ward Avenue and Ala Moana Center. That reduced costs from more than $12.45 billion for a 20-mile, 21-station route down to a $9.9 billion system with an 18.9-mile, 19-station line terminating at Halekauwila Street. HART expects to complete testing and transfer of the Airport Guideway and Stations segment in mid-2025. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill class action lawsuit tops 7,000 plaintiffs. There are now more than 7,000 people who have joined a class action lawsuit against the Navy for contaminating the water with fuel at Red Hill. KHON2.

Oahu's electric bus fleet grounded indefinitely due to charging issue. One of the eight chargers at the Middle Street bus yard shorted out about three weeks ago and the heat generated in the incident frayed some of the dispenser cables. KITTV4.

These ‘Affordable’ High Rise Apartments Aren’t Selling. It’s Not For Lack Of Interest. Only about 13% of affordable units in some Honolulu towers have sold after being on the market for over a year. Civil Beat.

This HPD Officer Quit In The Face Of Discipline. But The Story Didn’t End There. Officer Mason Jordan left the force in 2021 as he was under investigation. He was later arrested on separate charges related to the sexual exploitation of children. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

More funding proposed for Hawai’i Fire Department to prevent, battle wildfires. Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz will introduce Resolution 333 on Oct. 31 during a meeting of the Council Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, urging Hawai‘i County Mayor Mitch Roth’s office to increase the Fire Department’s capacity and funding to enhance its ability to respond, prevent and mitigate wildfires and other emergencies. Big Island Now.

Military Training Exercise Will Involve Hilo Airport, Pōhakuloa. Tropic Lightning Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division will be training at Pohakuloa and will periodically use the airfield at Hilo International Airport. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Goodwill Hawaii acquires Hilo property for future hub. Goodwill Hawaii has acquired about 67,000 square feet, or roughly 1.5 acres, in Hilo to create a hub for team members, according to a news release from real estate firm Colliers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii family working for auntie’s safe return from war-torn Gaza. Ramona Okumura, a prosthetics expert, was volunteering with Palestine Children’s Relief Fund in Gaza when the hostilities broke out Oct. 7. She has been stuck there ever since. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

House Finance Committee visits Lahaina wildfire disaster zone to identify priorities. Members of the House Finance Committee, led by Chair Kyle T. Yamashita (D-12, Upcountry Maui), visited various sites in the Lahaina wildfire disaster zone on Thursday to receive an update on recovery efforts from Federal and County officials, and identify key priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Maui Now.

Green plans to extend Maui renter protections. Gov. Josh Green plans to extend renter protections that are set to expire next month, his office said Wednesday following a rally by tenants earlier this week calling for a continued eviction moratorium and rent freeze. Maui Now.

Wildfire impacts result in unavailable vacation rental units on Maui in September. Unit night supply and unit night demand were inactive for the entire month of September in West Maui, according to the latest Hawaiʻi Vacation Rental Performance Report compiled by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism. Maui Now.

Shipment of 90 tiny homes for wildfire survivors arrives on Maui from Europe. A shipment of 90 tiny homes for wildfire survivors have arrived on Maui from Europe. They will be part of the 10-acre Ohana Hope Village off Kuihelani and Maui Veterans Highway. Developers hope to welcome the first round of residents before Thanksgiving. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina fire debris burial site proposed in West Maui. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources is scheduled to consider at a meeting today whether to grant permission for Maui County to use 53 acres of state land in Olowalu, about 5 miles from Lahaina in a former cinder quarry, to exclusively and permanently store the debris. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Hazardous waste from over 85% of Lahaina properties removed. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday that it has removed hazardous waste from over 85% of the burned properties in Lahaina. That includes more than 1,300 parcels. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

‘It was a failure’: Member of wildfire advisory team says Maui can’t miss key lessons again. A member of the advisory team helping guide Lahaina’s recovery is calling on state and county leaders to bolster Maui’s disaster plan to prevent future disasters. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Transportation agency accepting applications for its Kaua‘i Bus Pass Outreach Program. The County of Kaua‘i Transportation Agency will be accepting applications from Kaua‘i-based non-profit organizations for its Kaua‘i Bus Pass Outreach Program beginning Nov. 1. Kauai Now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oahu

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Island

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

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

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

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

Maui

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

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

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

Kauai

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

Lawsuit dropped after Green revises housing proclamation, Maui releases 2018 wildfire after-action report, Hawaii County officials in line for raises, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green revamps housing proclamation. Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday issued a third emergency proclamation to stimulate development of affordable housing, satisfying plaintiffs who withdrew a lawsuit they had filed over concerns that Green’s proclamation removed safeguards on protecting the environment, cultural resources and government transparency. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

 Hawaii Bribery Scandal Casts A Shadow Over Lahaina’s Ruins. For years, a local businessman paid off officials in exchange for lucrative contracts. The system he exploited has been left largely unchanged. An examination of one of the state’s largest bribery cases reveals a county procurement system that may be ill-equipped to handle the millions of dollars it will spend following the devastating wildfires on Maui.  Civil Beat.

DHHL proposes 10 legislative measures to reduce its housing waitlist. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is considering legislation to reduce its waitlist, which currently includes more than 28,000 Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Proposals boast everything from general excise tax exemptions for DHHL developments to allowing in-house historic preservation reviews of homeland projects. Hawaii Public Radio.

33 states, including Hawaii, sue Meta over alleged harm to kids’ mental health. Dozens of U.S. states, including Hawaii, California and New York, are suing Meta Platforms Inc. for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. Associated Press. Civil Beat.

Researchers coring into ancient reefs off Hawaii seek to mend fences after uproar. UK-based researchers taking samples of the ocean floor off Hawaii Island don’t appear to be breaking any rules, but they are drawing criticism. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Impaired-driving arrests on Oahu top 1,500. As of Oct. 3 there were 1,574 arrests for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, compared with 1,587 at the same time in 2022, HPD reported. Star-Advertiser.

Relief in the works for businesses affected by Dillingham rail construction. Rail construction keeps hurting businesses in Kalihi, but the city is still trying to figure out how to provide them with financial aid. Hawaii News Now.

Trial begins for Hawaii couple accused of stealing dead babies’ identities. According to prosecutors, Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison are the real names of the couple who have been fraudulently living for decades under stolen identities Bobby Fort and Julie Montague. Associated Press.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County officials could be next to receive pay raises. The Hawaii County Salary Commission has not adjusted pay for executive, elected or appointed officials since March 2018. Meanwhile, employees covered by collective bargaining have received raises over the years. KHON2.

Army set to conduct large-scale exercise. Tropic Lightning Soldiers from the Army’s 25th Infantry Division will participate in the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, an Army training operation to be held on the Big Island and Oahu primarily from Nov. 1 through Nov. 10. Tribune-Herald.

Ex-assistant police chief charged with numerous offenses. Mitchell Kanehailua Jr., 57, of Hilo was arrested Sunday morning and charged Monday evening with violating a restraining order, first-degree attempted burglary, third-degree assault and third-degree attempted assault. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

North Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor Breakwater Improvements Planned. The Hawaiʻi DLNR is seeking to improve the small boat harbor's damaged main breakwater to better withstand winter swells. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Panel is urged to restore West Maui stream flows. Some 200 people packed Tuesday’s meeting of the state Commission on Water Resource Management on Maui, many of them urging the restoration of stream flows in the Lahaina area. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

State House members to tour Lahaina’s Mala Wharf. Members of the state House Finance Committee plan to visit Maui’s Soil &Water Conservation District today and Lahaina’s Mala Wharf on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Maui Report On 2018 Lahaina Fire Failed To Address Issues That Reappeared Five Years Later. Community criticism about a lack of emergency alerts, sirens and fire prevention didn't make it into the report. A report on the shortcomings of Maui County’s response to a 2018 fire failed to address many problems identified by residents at the time, according to a copy of the document released Tuesday.  Civil Beat. KITV4.

2 years ago, Maui County-funded commission sounded the alarm about wildfire risks. A 2021 report from a publicly-funded commission identifies key solutions to the wildfire risk threatening Maui, but it’s unclear if Maui County acted on the findings. Members of the commission say there was never any government follow-up. Hawaii News Now.

Oprah And Dwayne Johnson’s Relief Fund Has Paid Out $19 Million. The People’s Fund of Maui established by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson will disburse its second round of $1,200 payments this week. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i sewer credit applications accepted from Nov. 1 to Jan. 2.  Qualified sewer customers shall be granted a monthly credit of $24 per month for 2024. Kauai Now.

Kapa‘a community celebrates $750K renovation of Boys & Girls clubhouse. The building serves 100 keiki and provides a safe place to go after school with meals they can count on, caring mentors who believe in them and meaningful life experiences empowering them to discover their great futures. Kauai Now.