Education Committee chairman seeks answers on school bus shortage, Honolulu introduces vacancy tax on dwelling units, voter turnout lags as Primary Election Day nears, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Panel seeks answers on school bus void. Rep. Justin Woodson, chairman of the House Education Committee, wants the Department of Education to explain when it realized that 3,686 students who rely on bus service would have to scramble to find other ways to get to school across three islands, beginning this week. Star-Advertiser.

There’s still time to submit your ballot as early voting numbers indicate low Primary turnout. As of Aug. 5, Honolulu election officials say roughly 103,000 people have already turned in their ballots. With roughly about 7,000 to 9,000 ballots incoming a day, that’s on track to be lower than 2020, where the primary saw a 52% turnout on Oahu, or about 275,000 voters. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Carpenters Union PACs Are Training Candidates To Run For Office. Groups with ties to the politically influential union have doled out nearly $70,000 since 2021 to teach more than a dozen people to run better campaigns. Civil Beat.

State will pay about $800 million in Lahaina wildfires settlement agreement. Governor Josh Green says the payment won’t have any effect on any of the state’s other top priorities. KHON2.

More Details Emerge On Attack Of Hawaii Inmate Daniel Kosi, Serving Time for Two 1999 Murders, In An Arizona Prison. Hawaii officials are investigating the possible involvement of Saguaro prison guards in the assault, a lawyer says. The state currently holds 1,001 prisoners at Saguaro because there is no room for them in Hawaii prisons. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council introduces bill to establish tax on empty homes. Last week, the Honolulu City Council introduced Bill 46 to put a tax on dwelling units that have sat empty for over half of the year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Seeks Charter Commission Members. The City and County of Honolulu is seeking 13 people to serve on the Honolulu Charter Commission, and is asking residents to submit their resumes and cover letters to the mayor’s office.  Civil Beat.

Delays in trash pick-up likely to continue through 2025. Delays in picking up trash could continue through 2025, according to the city. Honolulu Deputy Communications Director Ian Scheuring said they are doing everything they can to address a shortage of trucks. KHON2.

Former Damien president files whistleblower lawsuit. The former president of Damien Memorial School has filed a lawsuit accusing the institution of firing him for uncovering alleged illegal financial management, failure to pay taxes, a football player sex scandal and payments to players from alumni. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Speed limits around schools could lower to 20 mph under new bill. The Honolulu City Council will consider a measure Wednesday that would lower speed limits in school zones. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

Homeless advocate, activist Twinkle Borge dies. Twinkle Borge, longtime activist and leader of the Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae homeless encampment, died Monday. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Primary Election Day is around the corner; know where to vote. This year, the mayoral race is packed with several community leaders going up against incumbent Mayor Mitch Roth. Hawai‘i County Council seats are also being challenged. Big Island Now.

Judge orders police to turn over new evidence in Dana Ireland case for court review. A Circuit Court judge is reviewing evidence collected from the newly identified killer of Dana Ireland. Hawaii News Now.

Summit discusses fentanyl crisis, impact on youth. The Hawaii Island Fentanyl Task Force held its 3rd Annual Fentanyl and Addictions Summit on Monday, bringing together more than 200 representatives of state and county agencies, healthcare organizations, nonprofits and more to discuss the ongoing fentanyl crisis, its impacts and potential solutions. Tribune-Herald.

L&L Drive Inn At Captain Cook Shut Down By Health Department.  The restaurant on Mamalahoa Highway was issued a red “closed” placard due to an active roach infestation, a non-operational hand-washing sink and suspected sewage backup.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Fuel dock at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor repaired, ready for business after wildfire. Nearly a year after wildfire overwhelmed Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, exploding fuel tanks and incinerating vessels moored dockside, a quiet Hawaiian blessing ceremony was held Monday for the harbor’s repaired fuel dock, now ready for business. Maui Now.

Donations exceeding expectations for victims of Maui wildfires. The outpouring of financial support through donations in the days and weeks after the wildfires was tremendous and came from various sources, small to large — through small individual checks, dozens of GoFundMe accounts, the People’s Fund of Maui launched by celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson, or millions channeled through the Hawaii Community Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

Researchers Fear A Disturbing Pattern Of Health Problems Is Emerging After The Maui Fires. It may be years before the full extent of illnesses affecting wildfire survivors is documented, but the preliminary data is troubling. Civil Beat.

Bob Fenton Reflects On A Year Of Leading FEMA’s Fire Recovery Efforts On Maui. There were highs and lows managing multiple programs in a place historically skeptical of the federal government, but overall his agency’s work has been well received. Civil Beat.

New food distribution center opens in Lahaina to alleviate hunger ‘crisis’ since fires. Maui Food Bank officials said there has been a “notable rise” in demand for food assistance since the wildfires nearly one year ago. Hawaii News Now.

Former Kihei hotel welcoming Maui wildfire survivors. Maui wildfire evacuees have begun moving into a former hotel in Kihei that the state has been fixing up since it bought the 175-room property in March from a religious institute. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Kauai

The primary election approaches; be sure to get votes in. Kaua‘i County Council members gathered last week for an election event where they delivered one-minute speeches to constituents. Kauai Now.

Land blessing held at Namahana School site. The land blessing by Namahana School and its officials on Sunday marked the start of a one-year countdown before the charter school in Kilauea receives its first students. Garden Island.

Council on Revenues predicts 5% income growth, HECO contributes $2B to $4B Maui wildfire settlement, officials seek solutions to school bus shortage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Council on Revenues predicts total income in state could grow by 5% this year. The boom in construction jobs and the ongoing Maui wildfire recovery could help drive up the total income earned in Hawaiʻi. That’s the view from the state Council on Revenues, which is forecasting 5% growth in total personal income in Hawaiʻi for both this year and 2025. Hawaii Public Radio.

Litigation is doused by settlement in an ‘unprecedented’ time. A $4 billion agreement Friday to settle every loss claim over Maui’s wildfire disaster of nearly a year ago is a monumental deal, but much work lies ahead to wrap up Hawaii’s biggest incidence ever of mass tort litigation. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii, Maui County, HECO And Others Agree To Pay $4 Billion To Wildfire Victims. The proposed settlement still needs to be approved by a judge. And insurers that have paid out billions in claims have not agreed to terms. HECO said in a statement its part of the agreement is $1.99 billion. The settlement term sheet, which was filed in Maui state court on Friday, did not disclose the amounts individual defendants would pay. Civil Beat. Associated Press.  Big Island Now.

RIMPAC exercise wraps up in Hawaii. The biennial Rim of the Pacific — the world’s largest naval training exercise — wrapped up in Hawaii last week after bringing together forces from 29 nations with warships, planes, helicopters and troops practicing fighting skills both on land and at sea, as well as humanitarian disaster response. Star-Advertiser.

How A Group That Started As Libertarian Found Influence In Blue State Hawaii. The Grassroot Institute, a think tank with libertarian roots, has chalked up some big policy wins this year, which some see as evidence of a shifting political landscape in Democratic-dominated Hawaii. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Gets Federal Funds To Fight Brown Tree Snake Threat. $375,000 in federal funding is coming to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to prevent the introduction of the brown tree snake, considered a top invasive species threat to Hawai‘i. Big Island Video News.

DLNR launches new website to reserve permits for outdoor recreation. The new website, Explore Outdoor Hawai‘i, was established in compliance with a law mandating the department to provide information on processes such as fee collection, permit and license applications, and reservations for commercial and recreational activities in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Professional Development Can Be Lucrative For Hawaii Teachers — And Hard To Come By. Teachers can increase their annual pay by completing certain courses, but some say it's a challenge to find classes that are accessible and affordable. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Witness In Miske Case Keeps Getting Beaten In Prison By Crime Boss’s Allies, Lawyer Says. A motion filed last week says there's no place safe in the Federal Detention Center for Jake Smith, but a judge denied releasing him on house arrest until sentencing. Civil Beat.

Oahu Condo Owners Are Debating Best Way To Limit Fire Safety Costs. After a deadly fire at the 36-story Marco Polo building in Honolulu killed four people in 2017, the city created an ordinance requiring all existing high-rise residential buildings to take steps to pass a Building and Life Safety Evaluation within seven years. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Faces Opposition Over Sale Of Public Park. The Honolulu City Council passed a resolution earlier this year approving the sale of Piikoi Mini Park, a decision that has since been criticized by community members who feel the city is offloading its responsibilities to maintain the land by simply selling it off. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply seeks info about residents' water access and affordability.  Honolulu, and other communities in the U.S., are exploring the issue in collaboration with The Center for Water Security and Cooperation. Hawaii Public Radio.

State takes action following complaints of aggressive dogs at Sand Island. The state says it’s now cleared a Sand Island homeless camp that was home to a pack of dangerous dogs. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Isle tourism down in first half of ‘24. According to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, 866,173 people visited the island during the first half of 2024, a decrease of 1.6% from both the first half of 2023 and the first half of 2019, the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald.

DOE, county seek solutions to school bus crisis. An elementary school principal whose school is one of those impacted by what the state Department of Education says is a shortage of bus drivers said suspension of service to all public schools in the Hilo-Waiakea and Ka‘u-Keaau-Pahoa Complex Areas is “an inconvenience all the way around.” Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hearing resumes on Schweitzers’ innocence in Dana Ireland case. A hearing to determine the innocence of the Schweitzer brothers in the murder of Dana Ireland is scheduled to resume Monday.  KHON2.

Final draft of 2045 General Plan released. Hawaii County released a final draft of its plan for the island’s development over the next 25 years. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui’s Mayor Has Struggled To Lead An Island Reeling From Tragedy. But Some Say He’s Getting Better. From awkward public appearances to stonewalling the media, former judge Richard Bissen has been slow to adapt to life as an elected leader.  Civil Beat.

Maui Strong Fund has paid out $109 million. The Hawaii Community Foundation has awarded over $109 million in grants over the past year to support recovery efforts from the devastating Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui. Star-Advertiser.

Restoring drinking water is latest step toward Lahaina’s recovery. Restoring safe drinking water to Lahaina is perhaps the most critical recovery milestone met in advance of Thursday’s first anniversary of the disaster. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green sees hope, progress since deadly Lahaina wildfires.  As Maui prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly Aug. 8 wildfires, Gov. Josh Green worries about the collective stress on the people of West Maui who continue to struggle emotionally and financially. Star-Advertiser.

A year after Maui wildfire, chronic housing shortage and pricey vacation rentals complicate recovery. Thousands on Maui have faced a year of anxious uncertainty since the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire brought apocalyptic scenes of destruction to Lahaina, the historic former capital of the Hawaiian kingdom, forcing some survivors to flee into the ocean.  Associated Press.

Temporary housing projects moving ahead in Lahaina for displaced residents. The first dozen or so Ka Laʻi Ola temporary housing units are nearly ready for occupancy by wildfire survivors in pre-fab, futuristic NanoNest tiny homes with curved ends and floor-to-ceiling transparent walls that take advantage of views of the ocean and West Maui Mountains. Maui Now.

Displaced Lahaina students lose access to long-distance school bus routes for high school students. Some displaced Lahaina families say they are scrambling after the DOE’s announcement that more than 150 school bus routes will be suspended, including one that takes students to West Maui’s only public high school. Hawaii News Now.

Mental health needs rise on Maui. With small fires breaking out more frequently lately, mental health clinics on the Valley Isle under the state Department of Health can field 40 to 50 calls a day. But even when the power goes out or it’s a really windy day, the clinics see a surge of calls for help. Star-Advertiser.

Kula Residents Say They Have Built A Closer And More Resilient Community Since The Fire. A steady stream of volunteers has helped clean the land of debris and potential fuel for future fires. Civil Beat.

The Maui Wildfires Were Massive. These Numbers Help Us Comprehend Them. It’s been one year since four fires devastated the Valley Isle. Numbers were one of the earliest byproducts of the disaster — a way to measure the human, economic and environmental toll of an overwhelming event. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative continues to lead state in renewable energy, officials report. For the fifth year in a row, Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative is leading the state in renewable generation at 57.9%. Kauai Now.

Community Emergency Response Team tests equipment and trains in Princeville. Community Emergency Response Team trailers are provided in the case of an emergency during any natural disaster and first responders cannot immediately respond to such emergency. Garden Island.

All Hawaii News opinion: Keeping the spotlight on the state Legislature

We won a bronze! "Sunlight: The Best Disinfectant" for All Hawaii News took 3rd place in the Editorial Opinion category at the SPJ-Hawaii annual contest. (Photo digitally enhanced to improve screen readability) #SPJ

"Sunlight: The Best Disinfectant" is a series of columns tracing the arc from optimism to realism to skepticism during a legislative session focused on ethics reforms. The editorials raised public awareness of the myriad issues involved in ethics reform and kept lawmakers on their toes with regular reminders.

https://www.allhawaiinews.com/2023/01/sunlight-is-best-disinfectant-political.html

https://www.allhawaiinews.com/2023/03/sunlight-is-best-disinfectant-same-same.html

https://www.allhawaiinews.com/2023/05/sunlight-best-disinfectant-legislative.html

Native Hawaiian beliefs stymie voter participation, new super PAC supports Saiki, Oahu UPW workers granted COVID hazard pay, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Voter apathy underscored by Hawaiian history. Strong beliefs by some Native Hawaiians who refuse to vote or even acknowledge U.S. authority may be contributing to Hawaii’s history of low voter turnout — a trend likely to continue with expected lackluster numbers for the Aug. 10 primary election. Star-Advertiser.

New Union-Backed Super PAC Is Supporting Scott Saiki In House Race. Building a Brighter Future, which registered July 29, is funded by the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly and the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 675. Civil Beat.

Three picked for state House seat, governor now will choose who will replace deceased Rep. Nakashima. The Hawaii Democratic Party has submitted to Gov. Josh Green the names of three people it has selected as possible candidates to succeed the late Rep. Mark Nakashima in state House District 1: Dwight Takamine, Matthias Kusch and Kristen Alice Apruzzese. Tribune-Herald.

Native Hawaiians And Farmers Are Asking Why A Key Vacancy On State Water Board Is Going Unfilled. Gov. Green received a short list of candidates for the seat, reserved for a customary water expert, five months ago. Now, his administration says recent issues arose with some applicants. Civil Beat.

DOE Abruptly Cancels School Bus Routes For Thousands Of Hawaii Students. The department announced last-minute cancelations for the third year in a row amid an ongoing shortage of school bus divers. Nearly 2,900 Hawaii public school students will not receive bus transportation when classes begin for the new school year on Monday. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Retired federal judge Alan Cooke Kay made historic Hawaii rulings. Retired U.S. District Court Judge Alan Cooke Kay, the jurist who handed down historic rulings protecting Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy and journalism in Hawaii, died Tuesday. He was 92. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

UPW Oahu essential workers gets hazard pay for work during pandemic. Leaders at the United Public Workers union are calling it a win. An arbitrator recently ruled its essential workers will be given hazard pay for their work during the pandemic. KHON2.

Oahu dodges rolling outages after Kahe plant boost, conservation. Hawaiian Electric said the combination of customer conservation, energy storage and energy efficiency programs Wednesday night reduced demand by 40 megawatts Wednesday night, helping to avert the need for rolling outages. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Public asked for island transportation preferences. The Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization has announced the launch of an online, interactive public survey aimed at gathering input for the update of the Oahu Regional Transportation Plan. KHON2.

New Amazon facility on Oʻahu aims to improve deliveries and the economy. The new Amazon delivery station on Oʻahu debuted Wednesday, and boasts state-of-the-art technology to speed up local deliveries and improve tracking. Hawaii Public Radio.

With plenty of help, encampment community starts building farm village in Waianae. Pu’uhonua O Wai’anae, a camp community on the edge of the Waianae Boat Harbor, is starting to build a new farm village in Waianae Valley. Roughly 200 people live at Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae and most are Native Hawaiian. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

'One route isn't enough': As Waikōloa's population grows, so do fire safety concerns. Waikōloa Village has only one public road in and out of the community, as well as an evacuation route that is generally blocked off to public access by a locked gate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Date set for KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a: Popular downtown Hilo event will return in January. After a year’s delay, the 28th KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a will return to downtown Hilo next year on Jan. 18. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Insurance payouts for Lahaina fires exceeds $2.3 billion. More than 200 insurance companies have reported over 10,000 claims with an estimated 3.2 billion dollars estimated to be paid. Maui News.

Mayor Bissen weighs in on Kahului Airport ‘Wall of Fame’ controversy. A new “Wall of Fame” exhibit installed at Maui’s Kahului Airport has sparked a viral debate on its controversial inclusion of non-Maui native celebrities. KITV4.

Maui Vacation Rental Association releases public opinion survey on short-term rentals. A vacation rental advocacy group has released a statewide poll it says shows that Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed ban on short-term rentals is “unpopular” with most Hawai‘i registered voters. Maui Now.

Maui County Council’s Aug. 13 meeting will be online while chamber closed to public. The Maui County Council will hold its next meeting, online, beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 13 while elections officials use the Council Chambers for primary elections work, Chair Alice Lee announced. Maui Now.

A displaced Lahaina resident's year-long journey to secure housing after the wildfire. Charles Nahale lost his home in last year's wildfire on Maui. Like so many survivors, he was shuffled in and out of hotels and condos for months. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Shaping the future of Kilauea Town. The small, charming community on North Shore, known for its history of sugar cane plantation, presented a blueprint for the beginning phases of the Kilauea Town Expansion Project, which will shape the future of Kilauea. Garden Island.

$4B Maui wildfire settlement could come next week, Oahu faces rolling blackouts, traffic fatalities climb, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

$4 billion settlement for 2023 Maui wildfire could come next week. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green says the parties in Lahaina wildfire lawsuits against Hawaii, Maui County and utilities are close to a global settlement of claims that will be worth a little over $4 billion. The parties involved in Lahaina wildfire lawsuits against the state of Hawaii, Maui County and utilities are close to a global settlement of claims that will be worth a little over $4 billion, Gov. Josh Green told The Associated Press on Wednesday.  KITV4. Associated Press.

German official stresses Indo-Pacific stability. Germany’s defense minister was in Honolulu this week to meet with American military leaders, as well as with German sailors and airmen who participated in the biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2024 election: Here's what to expect. Four seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for election this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii summer traffic fatalities surpassed last year’s. State officials have tallied 59 traffic-related deaths in roughly the first seven months of 2024, 10 more than the same time in 2023, according to preliminary statistics from the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oahu power generation drop prompts rolling blackout warnings.  The possibility of forced outages rotating around parts of the island was announced by the company at about 2 p.m. based on supply and demand estimates after an unexpected shutdown of the largest independently owned power plant on the island, a 208-megawatt facility operated by Kalaeloa Partners. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

HPD Releases Body Camera Footage In Only A Fraction Of Deadly Encounters. Body cameras are supposed to help hold police accountable, but many officers involved in critical incidents are part of specialized units that are exempt from wearing the devices. Civil Beat.

The possibility of offshore windfarms in Kaiwi channel waters gets major pushback. The state set a goal of generating 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2045. But just the concept of using offshore wind turbines to generate some of that energy got major blowback in a Waimanalo town hall meeting with federal officials. Hawaii News Now.

Pacific Palisades residents fear single road, broken siren hinder fire evacuation. The neighborhood is nestled in Waimano Valley in Central Oʻahu. According to the federal Wildfire Risk to Communities map, it is classified as a “more likely” area to experience wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

A Fallen Tree Has Been Blocking Tantalus Drive For A Month. Why Hasn’t The City Cleared It? Residents say that the closure of Tantalus Drive leaves them in a dangerous situation, blocking their emergency access. Civil Beat.

Amazon vans are ready to roll from new distribution station. The world’s largest online retailer is about to open its own ground transportation operation for package delivery on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

10 employees affected as City Mill closes warehouse. The 10 affected warehouse employees will retire or transition to “other employers.” KHON2.

Hawaii Island

County homeless camp relocated: Former site in Hilo has been restored. The county dismantled the Ponahawai shelter and relocated its 15 remaining occupants to a new shelter on Kuawa Street — a short road connecting Manono Street and Mamalahoa Highway just mauka of Kamehameha Avenue. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Final Draft Of Hawaiʻi County General Plan 2045 Released. The comprehensive policy document will guide the physical, economic, environmental, and sociocultural development of Hawaiʻi County over the next 25 years. Big Island Video News.

Health Department issues high bacteria count notification at Kolekole Gulch; retesting site. Levels of 1652 per 100 mL were detected during routine beach monitoring – but the Department of Health is uncertain about the representativeness of the first sample. Big Island Now.

Maui

There Are So Few Doctors In Maui County That Even Medical Workers Struggle To Get Care. More than two-thirds of Maui County residents experienced delays accessing health care last year, according to a new report. Civil Beat.

Lahainaluna graduates awarded financial support to further studies. In the outpouring of support after the 2023 wildfire, Lahaina­luna’s 215 seniors were all offered full scholarships to attend the University of Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KITV4.

Lāna‘i residents face a question: Should a private company or Maui County run their ferry? About 35 Pineapple Isle residents attended the first public meeting on the Maui County Ferry Feasibility Study, a Maui County Council-initiated report that is being conducted by the county Department of Transportation as it considers whether to develop a government-run intracounty ferry service from Maui to Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i.  Maui Now.

Kauai

First installment of Kaua‘i real property taxes coming due. Payments can be made online at https://kauairpt.ehawaii.gov, by mail, in person, or at the drop box located outside the Kapulē Building at the Līhu‘e Civic Center.  Kauai Now.

Green calls for changes to process of filling vacant legislative seats, more delays for Thirty Meter Telescope, Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger decision stalled, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Process For Filling Vacant Legislative Seats Is Getting Closer Scrutiny. Appointing a replacement for vacant seats close to an election can have an undue influence on the outcome of an election, the governor says. Gov. Josh Green is calling for changes to the process of filling legislative vacancies after being forced to choose a new senator for Waianae just a little over a week before the primary election. Civil Beat.

Lawmaker Posts Rare Win For Injured Workers — And Pushes For More. Following a rare win for injured workers this past legislative session, a Hawaii lawmaker is pushing for more reforms to the state’s workers’ compensation system, in an effort that has support from diverse stakeholders. Civil Beat.

Ruling on Alaska-Hawaiian merger is stalled. Consumers must wait longer to learn whether federal antitrust enforcers will approve a proposed $1.9 billion merger between competitors Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines. The airlines announced in separate current-earnings releases Monday that they had agreed to a 10-day extension for the Department of Justice’s formal review period for their proposed merger, which includes $900 million in Hawaiian debt. Star-Advertiser.

State OK’s Hawaiian Telcom’s request to provide cable TV service. The state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs announced Tuesday it has approved Hawaiian Telcom’s request to offer TV service in Hawaii, Kauai and Maui counties, a move the company and DCCA say will benefit thousands of consumers. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

Maui wildfires dampen Hawaii summer tourism. The softness has been present in Hawaii’s visitor industry since the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, and even in June, Maui’s 22% drop in visitor arrivals and 27% decrease in spending were dragging down the statewide tourism performance, according to preliminary statistics released Tuesday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Oahu

Green taps state House candidate to fill vacant W. Oahu Senate seat.  Gov. Josh Green  appointed Croccifixio “Cross” Crabbe to replace former Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, who resigned in May and was a Democrat representing the Nanakuli-Waianae-Makaha district. Star-Advertiser.

HECO: Major outage in east Honolulu not linked to power shutoff program. Hawaiian Electric crews have restored power to thousands of customers in east Honolulu following an outage on Tuesday morning. The outage impacted more than 20,000 customers from Aina Haina to Waimanalo. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

The National Science Foundation could take until the end of 2026 to complete an environmental review for a potential investment in the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Hawaii Island. The nation’s leading funder of science research is considering an investment of potentially $800 million or more in the planned $2.65 billion TMT project after opponents blocked construction of the telescope atop Mauna Kea in 2015 and 2019. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Sides spar in case to decide whether Schweitzers deserve compensation. A hearing Tuesday to determine if Albert “Ian” Schweitzer and his brother, Shawn Schweitzer — whose convictions for abducting, raping and killing Dana Ireland on Christmas Eve 1991 were vacated last year by a judge — are “actually innocent,” turned out to be a contentious affair. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

DNA swab in Ireland case was outside recommended procedures. Hawaii County police went beyond FBI and U.S. Department of Justice procedures when a swab was taken from Dana Ireland murder suspect Albert Lauro Jr. when they already had DNA linking him directly to the crimes, according to the former FBI attorney and federal prosecutor who first identified Lauro. Star-Advertiser.

Tents For Houseless On Ponahawai Street To Be Moved To Kuawa Street. The tents on Ponahawai Street in Downtown Hilo that are serving as a temporary “respite area” for houseless individuals are being dismantled and moved to Kuawa Street.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Big Island High School Accused Of Mishandling Sexual Assault Case. The female student had to keep attending class with her attacker, despite repeated requests from her family for assistance, the lawsuit says. Civil Beat.

Maui

Short-term rental bans proposed by Maui Mayor unpopular, according to poll. Just 10% of voters support banning existing, legal short-term rentals. Maui News.

Economists explore alternatives to banning short-term rentals on Maui. Economists have suggested that Maui County should not get rid of thousands of short-term rentals but instead place higher taxes on them. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal to phase out short-term rentals on Maui nears final vote. A report containing those recommendations will be transmitted to the County Council within the next four months.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed Maui housing development draws fiery opposition over affordability, impact on resources. A plan to develop 1,000 acres of land into a new residential community in South Maui received fiery opposition Tuesday night. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4

Local health care workers receive national award for service during Maui wildfires. Twenty Maui-based school nurses and health technicians received a national award for their service during the Aug. 8 wildfire. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

State continues to deny interview with man jailed for allegedly threatening councilman. The state Department of Corrections has continued to deny requests to interview Glen Gruenhagen, a local artist sentenced to a year in jail in May for an ambiguous poster aimed at Kaua’i County Councilman Billy DeCosta.  Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi neighborhood's close call with a wildfire exposes its evacuation vulnerabilities. Hanapēpē Heights is a residential area nestled in Southwest Kauaʻi with acres of agricultural land on one side, and a cliff on the other. The neighborhood has one way in and one way out on Moi Road. Hawaii Public Radio.

Visitor spending in record territory on Kaua‘i. here may have been fewer tourists on the island of Kaua‘i in the first half of the year, but the people who did visit spent a record amount of money in the period. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Only one way out -- state grapples with evacuation routes, 10k Maui fire claims reach $3.4B in losses, Hawaii Gas seeks 17.7% rate hike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is Hawaiʻi prepared for its next disaster? The state's race for emergency evacuation routes. HDOT director Ed Sniffen estimated that roughly 20% of Hawaiʻi's developed communities have only one point of ingress and egress — or only one-way in or out. About half of those communities are also in areas prone to wildfire. Hawaii Public Radio.

Over 10,000 claims due to Maui fires top $3.29B in losses and damage. Some $2.34 billion of the claims, or over 71%, were paid as of June 30, according to data released Monday by the state Insurance Division. As many as 3,782 of the claims were reported as total losses. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Got a Grant To Speed Up Infrastructure For Affordable Housing But Needs Much More. A $6.6 million federal grant to help increase the supply of affordable housing in Hawaii will be primarily used to design infrastructure for high-density residential areas on the neighbor islands, including around public housing on Maui and the Big Island. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Gas files utility rate adjustment with PUC for all islands. Hawaiʻi Gas files utility rate adjustment with PUC for all islands. Hawaiʻi Gas filed an application with the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission on Friday requesting an average statewide increase of about 17.7% in utility rates. Maui Now. KHON2. 

Voter Service Centers open for in-person voting, same-day registration. The centers also offer same-day registration and ballot collection. Each county has at least one center open through primary election day on Saturday, Aug. 10. Hawaii Public Radio.
 

UH study finds Native Hawaiians face higher rates of accelerated biological aging. A new study by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa discovered for the first time that Native Hawaiians experience higher accelerated biological aging in comparison to White and Japanese American residents. Hawaii News Now.   Big Island Now.

State Circuit Court rules in favor of Native Hawaiian midwives. A state Circuit Court has ruled in favor of plaintiffs challenging a Hawaii law that prevented traditional midwives from assisting in pregnancies and births without state-issued licenses. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Officials In 2004 Had A Vision Of The City In 20 Years. The Reality Looks Much Different. As the city updates its development plan for urban Honolulu, officials hope to achieve more goals than they have since the last update. Civil Beat.

Honolulu residents invited to give feedback on urban development plan. The Honolulu City Council Committee on Planning and the Economy is working on the Primary Urban Center Development Plan to outline growth through 2040. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shidler gives $1 million to launch UH Cancer Center Director’s Innovation Fund. University of Hawaii alumnus and philanthropist Jay H. Shidler is donating $1 million to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Police Didn’t Have Probable Cause To Arrest Albert Lauro Jr. of Hawaiian Paradise Park For Dana Ireland’s Murder, Chief Says. Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said Monday that his department didn’t have probable cause to arrest the former “Unknown Male No. 1” for the Christmas Eve 1991 murder of Dana Ireland in lower Puna. Tribune-Herald. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

County’s eminent domain plan heads to court. A plan by Hawaii County to take private land in Puna in order to restore Pohoiki Road has gone to court. Tribune-Herald.

Neighbors of Punalu‘u project seek contested case. In May, the Punalu‘u Village project — a 225-unit resort community to be built on a 147-acre parcel in Punalu‘u mauka of the black sand beach there — stalled after two different groups of Ka‘u residents successfully appealed for a contested case against the project during a meeting of the Windward Planning Commission. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Researchers Face Funding Gap In Effort To Study Long-Term Health Of Maui Fire Survivors. The University of Hawaii team is having to recalibrate plans after the governor vetoed a wildfire omnibus bill, setting back efforts to follow a larger cohort of survivors. Civil Beat.

New ferry routes proposal gaining support in Maui County. Maui County residents are weighing in this week about a proposed county-run ferry service between Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. It comes after mounting complaints about a need for transportation between the county. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Voter Service Center opens in Lihu‘e. Harold and Rose Matsunaga whipped out their voting receipt on Monday as the couple strolled up the ramp leading to the Voter Service Center, which opened on Monday for the 2024 Primary Election. Garden Island.

Kapa‘a and Waimea swimming pools to resume regular hours July 30. The Kapa‘a and Waimea swimming pools will resume their regular hours starting July 30, according to the county of Kaua‘i Department of Parks and Recreation. Kauai Now.

820 more pre-K seats to open statewide, Maui judge grapples with wildfire settlement standoff, runoff predicted in Hawaii County mayoral race, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State to open ‘historic’ number of pre-K classrooms ahead of new school year. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke made the announcement at Kuhio Elementary on Friday that 44 new classrooms will open statewide come August.  The expansion of public classrooms will add 820 more seats to the inventory of public pre-K seats across Hawaii, bringing the total to 1,767.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui Judge Tries To Clear The Path To A Settlement Of Billion-Dollar Wildfire Cases. Judge Peter Cahill issued an order Friday requiring all sides to talk next month after defendant Hawaiian Electric Industries joined plaintiffs in asking him to step in. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric details power shutoff program. A top Hawaiian Electric Co. official says the company’s wildfire notification and mitigation efforts are moving forward on several fronts “to give people as much notice as we can.” Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

The Miske Criminal Enterprise May Be Gone But Other Powerful Crime Networks Remain. Federal prosecutors say the community is safer because of Michael Miske's racketeering conviction, but other groups are still at work in Hawaii's criminal underworld. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Military forces practice coastal combat at Bellows during RIMPAC. At this year’s iteration of exercise Rim of the Pacific, service members from countries in Asia, the Pacific islands and Latin America have joined American Marines in training around Bellows Beach, practicing amphibious fighting tactics. Star-Advertiser.

More initiatives for improvements around Waikiki. Over $11 million allocated for sand replenishment and other improvements to the Waikiki Beach area lapsed June 30, but the Legislature plans to reappropriate the funds in 2025. Star-Advertiser.

Amazon delivery station on Oʻahu set to open in August. There is a new business opening on Oʻahu that is getting a lot of attention. It's taking up more than half a million square feet— and providing hundreds of jobs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Mayoral spending tops $277K: UH political scientist predicts runoff between Roth, Alameda. Colin Moore, a University of Hawaii political scientist, thinks the top two vote-getters in the seven-person race on Election Day, Saturday, Aug. 10, will be Mayor Mitch Roth and first-time candidate Kimo Alameda. Tribune-Herald.

County to study economics of short-term rental industry on Big Island, but likely won’t delay proposed new regulations. A June report for The Travel Technology Association states nearly 44% of all Big Island visitors stayed in short-term rentals in 2023, contributing about $1.3 billion to the local economy and resulting in more than $17.7 million in transient accommodations tax revenue and $7.1 million-plus in general excise tax revenue. Big Island Now.

Authorities Believe They Finally Figured Out Who Murdered Dana Ireland 30 Years Ago. Then He Killed Himself. A Puna man recently identified as a new suspect in the 1991 murder of Dana Ireland on the Big Island killed himself last week, just days after Hawaii County police took a cheek swab for DNA testing purposes, attorneys in the case say. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Approval Of New Moorings Off Mauna Lani Postponed By Land Board. A decision on a request to install two new offshore moorings in Makaiwa Bay offshore the Mauna Lani Resort on Hawaiʻi island was deferred by the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday, after the community spoke out in opposition. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Lahaina’s Front Street Property Owners Are Eager To Rebuild, But It’s Complicated. Sea level rise, permitting and a push for restoration of a buried historic site and wetlands make it challenging. Civil Beat.

Ward calls for the release of ATF’s Cause and Origin Report for the Lahaina wildfire. Representative Gene Ward (R-18 Hawaii Kai – Kalama Valley) expressed his strong dismay at the stalled release of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives report regarding the cause and origin of the Lahaina wildfires, according to a Friday press release.  Maui News.

Emotions running high as Lahaina fire anniversary nears. The need for staples including bottled water, toilet paper, diapers and food has only increased since the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, and so have the emotions and uncertainty as the island prepares to mark the one-year anniversary since a wind-whipped firestorm tore across Lahaina, killing at least 102 people and leaving two still missing in the nation’s deadliest inferno of its kind in over a century. Star-Advertiser.

Six new public preschools opening this August. More Child Care Is On Its Way To Lahaina Families. Some early learning programs are reopening after their centers were destroyed last summer, but providers say more resources are needed. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

$33 million beachfront estate in Wailea-Mākena to auction. It is currently for sale by Tina Moss and Edward White as Trustees of the Jerome S. Moss Living Trust. The late Jerry Moss was the co-founder of A&M Records. This property is expected to garner starting bids between $15 million and $20 million. Maui Now.

Kauai

Surfrider Kauaʻi continues focus on marine debris following release of annual report. The Surfrider Kauaʻi chapter removed 39,581 pounds of marine debris from beaches around the island, and 10,200 pounds of land-based trash, for a total of 49,788 pounds in 2023. Kauai Now.

Vacation rental occupancy drops, Honolulu trims permit backlog, prominent economist apologizes for obscene gesture during Maui rental hearing, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Vacation rentals post statewide occupancy drop. Vacation rental occupancy in June was lower compared with the same month in 2023; however, supply, average daily rate and demand were higher, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi has a medical malpractice problem. A recent study revealed that Hawaiʻi has the fourth-highest rate of medical malpractice in the United States. KHON2.

Hawaii receives $5M in federal funding to support future teachers.  Hawaii has received nearly $5 million in federal funding to support the state’s education workforce, including establishing the first statewide registered apprenticeship program for K-12 teachers. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Politicians Turn To Social Media App TikTok To Reach Next Generation Of Leaders. Millennial lawmakers see it as a more constructive way to engage with voters and encourage new voices to emerge. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting reduces permitting backlog. In a presentation to the City Council on Thursday, the department reported a reduction in its backlog from 12,000 permits in December to 9,800 this month. KHON2.

Changes Are Coming To Honolulu’s Bus Routes, And Not Everyone Is Happy. Honolulu is constantly trying to deploy buses more efficiently and to deal with changes, such as the new rail line. Civil Beat.

Actions on homeless are complaint-driven, city says. As states and municipalities across the country push forward with sweeps of encampments in the month after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling granted officials new authority to police homelessness, the city says enforcement actions conducted on Oahu should not be deemed to be the same thing. Star-Advertiser.

Community pushes back on military land lease renewals on Oʻahu. For 60 years, the U.S. Army has leased land on Oʻahu for military training for $1 a year. However, the leases at Mākua Valley, Kahuku and Poamoho are set to expire in 2029. Hawaii Public Radio.

Plan for new Aloha Stadium development heading for early approval. The state could accept a proposal for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District in Halawa as soon as mid-September, but demolition of the original Aloha Stadium won’t start until a contract is finalized nine months later. Star-Advertiser.

Bids open for Falls of Clyde’s removal. The state Department of Transportation on Thursday issued a request for propo­sals and is seeking bids from local, national and international outfits with the expertise and experience required to permanently remove the vessel. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

$62M expansion of Hilo Harbor entrance still in the works. The state Department of Transportation last year received $15 million to acquire several privately owned parcels on Kalanianaole Street for the project. Tribune-Herald.

Jaggar Museum nearly removed from Kīlauea Caldera edge. Jaggar Museum was the first park museum in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, sharing volcano science and Hawaiian culture with millions of visitors over many decades. Big Island Now.

Maui

Prominent Hawaii economist apologizes for obscene gesture during short-term rentals hearing. Paul Brewbaker is apologizing for an obscene gesture he made during an emotional hearing about vacation rentals. The former chairman of the state Council on Revenues is under fire for a two-second statement with his middle finger. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County’s vacation rentals at 49.3% occupancy in June, down double-digits from last year. With the largest supply of vacation rental nights available in the state, Maui County’s unit demand and occupancy rates are down in double-digits since last year and 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, according to a report for June by the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. Maui Now.

Fire crews continue work at Waiehu brush fire; containment remains at 80%. Heavy equipment was deployed to help contain a brush fire that burned about 25 acres in Waiehu mauka of Kahekili Highway near Maka’ala Drive, fire officials said in an update Thursday afternoon. Maui Now. KITV4.

Report: Growing Number Of Maui County Residents Are ‘Barely Surviving’.  Nearly half of Maui residents say their financial situation has worsened since the Lahaina fire and 1 in 5 are “seriously considering” leaving the state, according to a new report that paints a troubling picture of the challenges facing fire survivors — and the county as a whole. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Wildfire Shows How Other Hawaii Power Safety Shutoffs Might Work. It's a learning experience for the utilities and the communities they serve as emergency plans are developed. Civil Beat.

Nightly closures for portion of Kūhiō Highway to begin in August. A full closure is necessary for crews to install a 24-inch drain line from the top of Hanalei Hill down the face of the slope, according to Hawai‘i Department of Transportation. Kauai Now.

HECO, wildfire plaintiffs ask judge to expedite settlement, crime boss Miske to forfeit more than $20M in assets, Big Island affordable housing credits a big fail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

HECO Joins With Wildfire Plaintiffs In Asking Maui Judge To Help Break Settlement Logjam. Parties are so close to a global settlement of Lahaina wildfire lawsuits that lawyers on opposing sides are asking a Maui judge to help remove a last apparent obstacle to a resolution. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric begins installation of weather station network in high-risk areas to strengthen wildfire response. The project includes the installation of 52 weather stations on four islands. The weather stations, mounted on Hawaiian Electric utility poles, will provide meteorological data that will help the company to decide whether to activate and deactivate a public safety power shutoff. Maui Now.

A closer look at U.S. military emissions during RIMPAC and beyond. The Rim of the Pacific Exercise, or RIMPAC, ends next week. But how much do we know about the military's greenhouse gas emissions during RIMPAC and as an industry? Hawaii Public Radio.

Young plaintiffs across the US draw inspiration from Hawaiʻi's Navahine case. Hawaiʻi reached a landmark settlement agreement last month on climate change. The state Department of Transportation agreed to roll out a new plan to reduce carbon emissions after facing a lawsuit from a group of young plaintiffs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Court Rules in Favor of Native Hawaiian Midwives. A Hawai‘i state court on Tuesday temporarily blocked part of the Midwifery Restriction Law, which prevents pregnant people in Hawai‘i from using traditional midwives for their pregnancies and births. Maui Now.

A provocative social media post comes as Republicans try to tamp down racist and sexist attacks on the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Rocklin Youngstrom, chair of Hawaii Young Republicans,   says Kamala Harris “would be more effective” in the White House kitchen than in the Oval Office. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Miske To Forfeit More Than $20 Million In Assets To Government, Jury Rules. The forfeiture trial was the last phase in the nearly seven-month federal trial of Michael Miske, who was convicted last week of 13 counts related to the operation of a racketeering organization. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

New bill would nix Honolulu building permit affidavits. Among the many requirements to obtain a city-issued building permit, applicants must submit a sworn statement declaring they have no outstanding fines or liens payable to the City and County of Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Transportation officials outline hundreds of millions of dollars in West Oahu road projects. State and city transportation officials have been moving ahead with big projects in West Oahu and the leeward coast in particular.  Hawaii News Now.

Navy crews conduct ‘spill drill’ to prepare to wash Red Hill fuel tanks. Pressure washing on two tanks is scheduled to begin in mid-August and take about four months. Hawaii News Now.

Group announces tiny homes plan for homeless kupuna on Waianae Coast. Waianae Moku Kupuna Council announced initial plans Tuesday for a kauhale — a tiny homes project — with the help of Blanche McMillan of Hui Mahi’ai Aina, a kauhale village on state property in Waimanalo.  Hawaii News Now.

House Candidates In McCully And Moiliili Offer Sharply Contrasting Ideas On Homelessness. One House candidate supports expanding the state's largest jail so it can house homeless people. The other wants to bring health care to the homeless. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Time to end affordable housing credits? Report finds they don’t work as intended. The California-based real estate advisory firm Keyser Marston Associates prepared the report for the county. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Kīlauea volcano rattled by nearly 1,000 earthquakes in three days. The rapid onset and concentrated intensity of the July 22–24 earthquake swarm, coupled with abrupt changes in upper East Rift Zone ground deformation patterns, show that an intrusion of magma is occurring in the area of Pauahi Crater, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. Big Island Now.

Maui

This South Maui Race Is Likely To Determine The Balance Of Power On The County Council. The Aug. 8 fires emboldened politicians to crack down on the proliferation of short-term rentals to deal with a growing housing crisis. Now it's an election issue. Civil Beat.

Maui County commission endorses draft bill to ban short-term rentals. The Maui County Planning Commission has thrown its support behind a proposal from Maui Mayor Richard Bissen to phase out legal use of roughly 7,000 short-term vacation rentals mostly on the Valley Isle. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Maui Now

Realtor claims he was harassed out of plan to house Maui fire survivors, residents respond. A reported confrontation between several men at a beach in Kahana likely ended a plan to house Lahaina fire survivors, according to realtor Gary Mooers.  KITV4.

Kauai

‘Huge’ gust of wind, ‘bang’ preceded fatal helicopter crash off Kaua‘i; underwater search discovers partial wreckage. Witnesses to the fatal July 11 helicopter crash off northern Kaua‘i experienced a “huge” gust of wind followed by a very loud “bang” noise, according to a preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board. Kauai Now. KITV4.

Arson suspected in two fires on Kaua‘i. The Kaua‘i Fire Department said investigators found incendiary devices in the area of the Poki‘i Ridge Fire on Tuesday. The Poki‘i Ridge Fire was first reported on July 18. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.