Farm to school program gets failing grade, Climate Advisory Team releases first report, legislative panel mulls Oahu landfill location, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

DOE says it's made no progress on Farm to School mandate. Act 175, a state law passed in 2021, has mandated the Department of Education to locally source 30% of the food it serves by the end of the decade. An October report to lawmakers said that the department bought $64.1 million worth of food from July 2022 through June 2023. Of that, it reported that 6.1% was spent on locally produced food. Hawaii Public Radio.

Climate Advisory Team unveils policy recommendations, hosting virtual presentation Friday. The Climate Advisory Team, established by Gov. Josh Green, on Tuesday released its policy paper describing actions Hawaiʻi can take immediately while simultaneously building the foundation for long-term policies that will help Hawaiʻi survive and respond to future disasters. Maui Now.

Lawmakers learn price tag for fireworks crackdown. The state Department of Law Enforcement Tuesday laid out details of what it will cost to crack down on fireworks, but some lawmakers are suggesting even more should be spent. Hawaii News Now.

Fireworks Come To Hawaiʻi On Passenger Jets ‘Almost Daily’. Illegal fireworks are being transported to Hawaiʻi on passenger airplanes on an “almost daily” basis, challenging the presumption that explosives only come here inside shipping containers and raising the specter of a mid-flight explosion, a top state law enforcement official said Tuesday. Civil Beat.

Biden Honors Hawaiians Who Served On Remote Pacific Islands. The U.S. sent 135 men before and during World War II to secure land claims. The White House has posthumously honored the service and sacrifice of members of Hui Panalāʻau and renamed the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument as the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Some State Legislators Unhappy With Proposed Site For New Oʻahu Landfill. The City and County of Honolulu wants to build it in Wahiawā, but some lawmakers ask if there are alternatives. On Dec. 10, the city announced that an area northwest of Wahiawā was the favored location for the new landfill. It is on agricultural land to the west of Kamehameha Highway and north of Paʻalaʻa Uka Pūpūkea Road. Civil Beat.

Blangiardi requests confirmation of his new executive Cabinet. Those being tapped for the city and county’s key leadership roles are positions many have maintained since Mayor Rick Blangiardi first assumed the city’s top elective office on Jan. 2, 2021. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Teacher Housing Complex Faces Possible Delays, Funding Shortfalls. Community members and developers are closer to a compromise on where to build a new teacher housing complex at Mililani High School, but the proposed solution will likely require more time and money. Civil Beat.

OHA Will Host Community Meeting On Kakaʻako Makai. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs will host a community meeting on proposals for workforce housing and development on lands in Kakaʻako Makai on Wednesday night. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

State to hold fireworks amnesty event Saturday at Aloha Stadium. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing participants to turn in fireworks for safe disposal with no questions asked. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KHON2.

Hawaii Island

State offers funds to battle coffee pests. Big Island coffee farmers could once again get thousands of dollars in state funds to pay for pesticides to combat a pair of devastating pests. Tribune-Herald.

'We are not giving up': Struggling Pacific Tsunami Museum works to stay open in Hilo. The Pacific Tsunami Museum has been a fixture along Hilo’s waterfront for almost three decades. But now, its future is in question.  The museum has laid off the majority of its staff and slashed its hours. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH Hilo botanical garden gets a nod from world's largest plant conservation network. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International has offered formal accreditation to UH Hilo's garden, which specializes in bromeliads, palms, and cycads, a type of cone-bearing plant. Hawaii Public Radio.

Vog lingering over Hawai‘i Island while Kīlauea eruption is paused. While the Dec. 23 eruption at Kīlauea paused again on Saturday, the lingering vog has smothered much of the island, resulting in poor air quality for some communities. Big Island Now.

Maui

Kama holds on as Housing and Land Use Committee chair; minority ouster attempt fails. By a 5-4 vote, Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama maintained chairmanship of the Housing and Land Use Committee last week, although it came with diluted committee responsibilities and no jurisdiction over proposals for increasing housing availability or affordability. Maui Now.

Maui homeless suing county over sweep celebrate after ruling. Sonia Davis and Jessica Lau say they are one step closer to receiving justice. The two women, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaii, are suing Maui County for taking and destroying all their belongings during a homeless sweep at Kanaha Beach Park four years ago. Hawaii News Now.

Maui United Way awards $1.15M in Mā‘ona Food Security Grants. Maui United Way announced the recipients of its Mā‘ona Food Security Grant, a new initiative aimed at addressing critical food security challenges in Maui County. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Rooster Farm Stokes Cockfighting Criticism. On Kauaʻi, where thousands of feral chickens freely roam, residents are accustomed to rooster noise. But in this neighborhood on the island’s east side, the owners of $2 million homes on land zoned for agriculture say the disruption from a rooster farm next door is unreasonable.  Civil Beat.

Connors resigns as US Attorney, Thirty Meter Telescope gets new mayor's support, Honolulu firefighter dies in house fire, Maui nurses approve contract, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Clare E. Connors resigns as U.S. Attorney for Hawaii. U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii Clare E. Connors on Monday submitted her resignation effective 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 19, the day before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Connors, a former Hawaiʻi attorney general, was nominated to her post by Biden in September 2021, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December of that year and sworn into office in January 2022. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Trump Tariffs, Immigration Crackdown Could Increase Hawaiʻi Inflation. A University of Hawaiʻi economist says if the president-elect makes good on his promises it could affect everything from tourism to real estate. Civil Beat.

Full-Time Criminal Investigative Unit Proposed To Tackle Illegal Fireworks. A task force that began its work long before the recent tragedy in Salt Lake also recommends a unified fireworks permitting system in Hawaiʻi and $2 million for a new firearms and explosives lab. Civil Beat.

New laws kick off 2025: Some aim to attract more nurses, doctors to Hawaii. A number of new laws took effect starting Jan. 1. At least four of those laws are related to medicine — with two intended to facilitate the licensing of physicians and nurses, which are in short supply in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu firefighter dies; 5 people injured in McCully building fire. A 25-year-old Honolulu firefighter died and five people were seriously injured Monday night in a two-story building fire on Young Street that caused a partial roof collapse. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Boy, 3, dies from injuries in New Year’s blast. A 3-year-old boy is the fourth and youngest person to die from injuries sustained in the catastrophic explosion of a large cache of aerial fireworks at an Aliamanu New Year’s Eve party. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu councilmembers face aging facilities, affordable housing in new term. The nine-member council held its first meeting following the November elections. The council is actually nearly identical to what it was before the elections, except for the presence of newly elected Councilmember Scott Nishimoto, who has replaced the now-retired Councilmember Calvin Say. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu housing market notches price gains in 2024, but not complete rebound. The median price for single­-family houses sold in 2024 rose 4.8% to $1,100,000 from $1,050,000 in 2023, and came close to the peak reached in 2022 at $1,105,000. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Skyline to shut down for next 2 weekends. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services announced Monday that Skyline passenger service on two segments of its planned three- segment rail line will shut down for two consecutive weekends. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

New mayor’s support reignites TMT debate. The Thirty Meter Telescope is back as a hot topic, after Hawaii County’s new mayor said he could now support the project if it’s done right. In videos posted to social media in recent days, Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda expresses support for TMT, something that caught many on both sides of the issue by surprise as Alameda had previously opposed the project back when construction was set to begin in 2019.  KHON2.

Emergency rules continue for Waipio Valley Road, 3 years since their introduction. The County of Hawaiʻi is continuing emergency rules for Waipio Valley Road, three years after the rules were first enacted in 2022. Mayor Kimo Alameda signed the 15th Waipio Valley Road Declaration of Emergency and related emergency rules due to ongoing safety concerns.  Big Island Now.

Vog conditions could continue in East Hawaii. Volcanic fumes might linger over East Hawaii for the next few days even as the latest eruption of Kilauea has paused. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Health workers avoid strike, approve new contract with 21% pay raises and safe staffing plans. Maui Health and union agree to new 4-year contract. The United Nurses and Health Care Employees of Hawaii, which represents more than 900 workers at Maui Health, said Monday its members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Do Maui Wildfire Lawyers Deserve $1 Billion In Fees? A Maui judge will decide this month how to divide up a $4 billion settlement among many groups of lawyers representing fire victims. Civil Beat.

New leadership roles announced by Hawaiʻi Department of Education, including on Maui. Hawai‘i State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi has appointed a new deputy superintendent for operations and a new assistant superintendent for information technology services, both of whom will step into their new roles this month. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County offering grants to combat homelessness. The County of Kauaʻi’s Housing Agency is awarding grants up to $500,000 as a Homeless Program Grant to eligible non-profit agency initiatives, with applications for the grant closing Jan. 31. KHON2.

Health department fines Waimea asphalt plant $33K, following ‘numerous violations’. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order to Maui Asphalt for numerous violations of improper disposal of pollutants reportedly at their asphalt batch plant located in Waimea. Kauai Now.

Santana postpones Las Vegas residency shows after falling at home on Kaua‘i. According to a statement from Michael Vrionis, President of Universal Tone Management, said the musician was taking a walk at his home in Princeville when took a hard fall resulting in him breaking his little finger on his left hand. Kauai Now.

$300M, 2k affordable homes in the pipeline, HTA wants to tap into emergency fund to bolster tourism, state lawmakers to discuss Oahu landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Is Hawaiʻi’s Historic Investment In Affordable Housing Paying Off? Two years ago, the state made a record investment in affordable rental housing. Results so far are both encouraging and sobering. Hawai’i’s Legislature made a historic investment in affordable housing in 2022, betting that $300 million would make a dent in the state’s affordability crisis. Two and a half years later, initial results are encouraging: About 2,000 units priced below market rates are in the pipeline for renters in the coming year. Civil Beat.

HTA seeking to shore up tourism with new round of emergency funds. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has declared another tourism emergency, and for only the second time since its creation in 1998 is seeking approval to use its $5 million Tourism Emergency Special Fund to shore up the industry, which is still in recovery mode. Star-Advertiser.

Teacher shortage is focus of upcoming Hawaiʻi Education Association summit. Ending Hawaiʻi’s teacher shortage will be a focus of discussion this week of the Hawaiʻi Education Association, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthen teaching and building an educator pipeline for the next generation, during the organization’s annual summit on Oʻahu. Hawaii ranks in the top 10 states with the lowest teacher-to-state population ratio. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Pressure put on Hawaii lawmakers to stamp out illegal fireworks. At least four new Hawaii laws have been enacted in the past six years to rein in the distribution and use of illegal fireworks. Yet the general perception from many residents and government leaders is that the thunderous booms and aerial displays detonated in neighborhoods around the state mostly on New Year’s Eve have not declined. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council considers city’s planned sewer fee hikes. Currently, the city says, an average single-family residential sewer bill totals approximately $110.89 a month. By July 1 that bill would rise to $122.05 a month. And by July 2034, the city predicts, the average monthly sewer bill will be $248.53 — a 124.1% increase from the current average sewer bill. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers to discuss Oahu’s future landfill with environmental, water officials. Two legislative committees plan to meet with city environmental and water officials to explore the potential impacts of a new dump at a proposed site just outside Wahiawa. Hawaii News Now.

Police investigate doctor’s role in woman’s death. Honolulu police searched the home of a 73-year-old psychiatrist Friday for evidence he may have illegally assisted in the death of an 88-year-old woman in October at her home in the Punahou area. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Red Hill Registry available for initial sign-up. The University of Hawaii has opened pre-enrollment for the Red Hill Registry, a community-driven initiative designed to assist people affected by the jet fuel-­contaminated drinking water from the Navy waterline on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Olson Trust donates $200,000 to Pacific Tsunami Museum. The Olson Trust, which carries out the vision of its founder, the late Hilo businessman and philanthropist Ed Olson, has come forward with a $200,000 contribution to the nonprofit museum. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Community Hospital to seek funding from Hawai‘i Legislature for emergency department expansion. Leaders at Kona Community Hospital plan to seek state funding for what they say are much-needed improvements to the Kailua-Kona facility’s “cramped” 6,200-square-foot emergency department. Big Island Now.

Maui

Gov. Green offers guidance with Maui’s moratorium on evictions set to end next month. Maui’s eviction moratorium will end Feb. 4, and Gov. Josh Green is trying to call attention to a new law that establishes a mediation-based process for resolving rent disputes between landlords and tenants. Maui News. Maui Now.

Latest report shows more prefer Ku’ia as permanent site for King Kamehameha III Elementary. DOE report reveals opinions on new Lahaina campus. The state Department of Education on Friday released a summary report on community sentiment regarding plans to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which was damaged beyond repair in the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

Preservation groups demand state follow court order and pause commercial permits at Kā‘anapali Beach until study is done. Two West Maui advocacy groups are claiming the state is issuing permit renewals for commercial operators at Kā‘anapali Beach “in open defiance” of a court order that’s part of a yearslong dispute over use of the shoreline. Maui Now.

Alpha Inc. hits milestone in Lahaina recovery: 107 temporary homes in 34 days. Within just 34 days, Maui company Alpha Inc. have installed 107 temporary housing units at the Kilohana Temporary Housing Project in Lahaina, an announcement said Tuesday. Of these, they report that 68 homes have already been made available for fire survivors to move into, a vital step toward recovery. Maui Now.

Kauai

Wilcox nurses on Kauai issue 3-day strike notice. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association has notified Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai that the 159 registered nurses represented by the union will begin a three-day limited-­duration strike next week to protest unfair labor practices and to underscore the fight for “safer” nurse-to-patient ratios. The team of Wilcox nurses will begin their strike on Jan. 14 and continue through Jan. 17. Star-Advertiser. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Green to lobby against RFK Jr. confirmation, teens no longer need parents' permission for sexually transmitted disease treatment, Blangiardi inaugurated to second term, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Gov. Green to lobby in D.C. against RFK Jr. nomination. Gov. Josh Green, a medical doctor, plans to spend much of next week in Washington, D.C., trying to dissuade U.S. senators from confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Will Tragedy Change How Hawaiʻi Polices Illegal Fireworks? A task force created to find and stop shipments has seized more than 100 tons of explosives — but no criminal charges have followed. Now, lawmakers returning to this month face extra pressure to put a lid on the aerial displays in the wake of a New Year’s Eve explosion at a Salt Lake home that left three people dead and seriously injured more than 20. Civil Beat. Associated Press.  KITV4.

Hawaii teens have increased ability to protect themselves from STIs in 2025. With further options in place, a new law in effect this year, authorizes minors as young as 14 years old to consent to medical care and services, plus prevention of sexually transmitted infections. KITV4.

Nurses strikes loom due to nurse-to-patient ratios. The Hawaii Nurses’ Association announced enough votes over the New Year’s holiday to authorize strikes among union nurses — first at The Queen’s Health System and its two campuses in downtown Honolulu and in West Oahu, then at Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii saw 16 travel-related dengue cases in 2024. The Hawaii Department of Health says the year 2024 ended with a total of 16 travel-related dengue cases in the state. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi sworn in for second term. The City and County of Honolulu’s 15th mayor formally started his second term Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Honolulu City Council elects Councilmember Matt Weyer to be Vice Chair. Weyer was first elected to the council in 2023, representing Waikele, Kunia, Wahiawa and the entire North Shore to Kahaluʻu. KHON2.

New rules for Honolulu community gardens almost set. The city has about 1,238 garden plots at 11 sites on Oʻahu, and they’re open for residents who want to flex their green thumbs. But the waitlist currently has over 300 people, with some waiting up to three years for a spot. Hawaii Public Radio.

US military plane to fly six fireworks blast patients to continent. Six adult patients will be transported on a U.S. military plane to the continent on Saturday for highly specialized care at hospitals.  Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County driver safety coordinator charged with DUI after crash. Steven Hoolahui Kalilikane Jr., 43, a Hawaii County employee whose title is “safety and driver improvement coordinator” for the Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division was arrested in the early morning of Dec. 21 after allegedly crashing a vehicle into a utility pole in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

The Hilo airport runway will be closed nightly for lighting replacement beginning Monday. The work will require the closure of runway 8-26 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. nightly for a minimum of 128 calendar days. During the closure the alternate runway, 3-21, will be used for aircraft operations. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lawsuit threatens Kaanapali ocean permits. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking reconsideration of a recent 2nd Circuit Court order that enjoins the issuance and renewals of all commercial use permits in Kaanapali ocean waters — an action that could cause the closure of some 30 Kaanapali businesses leading to direct and indirect job losses for more than 200 Maui residents. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless for the holidays: State sees 87% increases in homelessness as many residents have to fight to stay afloat. Desiree Mendez said that for the past nine months, she’s been without shelter, living on the beach after her vehicle broke down and facing one challenge after the next.  Maui News.

Kauai

Update: Wilcox Medical Center nurses have 30 days to decide following strike authorization. The Hawai‘i Nurses Association and Wilcox Medical Center nurses will meet in the coming days to discuss next steps, after nurses’ voting period to authorize a strike closed Wednesday night. Kauai Now.

Foreign ownership of Hawaii farmland spikes, Calvin Say ends long political career, Queen's nurses vote to strike, 3 dead, dozens injured in Oahu fireworks explosion, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

From Busboy To House Speaker: Longtime Hawaiʻi Lawmaker Calvin Say Retires. Say’s critics see him as emblematic of Hawaiʻi’s “old boys’” style of politics. He defends his cautious style as necessary to keep the state running smoothly. Civil Beat.

Foreign ownership of Hawaiʻiʻs farmland has spiked over the past five years from 166,000 acres to 278,000 acres — a 65% increase, most of it purchased by companies and investors from Canada — according to a USDA Farm Service Agency report released this month. Civil Beat.

New year begins with lower state taxes for all. The state Legislature in 2024 passed the first of what’s intended to be seven years of historic tax cuts designed to make Hawaii increasingly more affordable over the course of the cuts. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Has Been Arguing Over How To Tax Tourists For Generations. Gov. Josh Green’s push for tourists to help fund climate mitigation is just the latest round of a debate that goes back nearly a century. Civil Beat.

Did The Legislature Have Authority To Defer Pay Raises During the Pandemic? Two prominent members of the state Salary Commission question whether lawmakers violated the state constitution in 2021 and 2022. Civil Beat.

Here’s How A Second Trump Term May Impact Hawaiʻi Police. Police officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office after pledging to be tough on crime. Civil rights advocates are worried about criminal justice reform efforts. Civil Beat.

State moves forward with more cameras to crack down on red-light runners. Ten additional cameras planned for 2025.  A proposed list will be presented to state lawmakers for approval and a public information period will follow. Hawaii News Now.

New Hawaiʻi law seeks to protect domestic abuse survivors from excessive litigation. Abusive litigation is when an abusive partner files excessive, and often meritless, legal actions against their partner or former partner. Hawaii Public Radio.

HEI sells 90% of American Savings Bank to help pay for Maui fire settlement. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. has sold over 90% of its subsidiary American Savings Bank to independent investors in a transaction that will provide HEI with much-needed funds to help pay its share of the $4 billion Maui wildfire lawsuit settlement while also keeping Hawaii’s third-largest bank under local leadership. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

3 people dead, over 2 dozen wounded in Aliamanu fireworks explosion. Three women were killed and about two dozen people injured at an Aliamanu home when a “cake bomb” filled with illegal aerial fireworks set off massive explosions at 12:01 a.m. at a large New Year’s Eve party. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Inauguration ceremonies for mayor, Council to take place Thursday. Inauguration ceremonies for Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s second term and the incoming Honolulu City Council will take place separately Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Council salary cap, other laws take effect. New laws that go into effect with the new year include capping future Honolulu City Council raises at 5% annually, after the Council in 2023 was approved for a whopping 64% pay hike. Star-Advertiser.

Town hall meetings slated on proposed sewer fee hikes. A city-initiated measure that calls for a more than 124% increase to sewer fees for Honolulu’s average single-family residential customer over a 10-year period will be part of upcoming city-hosted town hall meetings in January. Star-Advertiser.

90% Queen’s Medical Center nurses vote in favor of strike. More than 1,900 nurses at The Queen’s Medical Center have voted in favor of a strike over unfair labor practices. KHON2.

Council OKs settlement in Portlock flooding lawsuit. Filed in 1st Circuit Court in November 2023, the lawsuit by plaintiffs Michael Sklarz and Jo Frasier claimed their residence at 158 Hanapepe Loop in the Portlock neighborhood of Hawaii Kai was severely damaged after “contaminated floodwater, wastewater, and debris” overflowed from a nearby storm drain onto their property and into their home. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island traffic fatalities nearly doubled in 2024, contributing to a statewide increase. Hawaiʻi County saw the second highest number of traffic-related fatalities with a total of 29 — a nearly 100% increase from 15 in 2023. Traffic-related crashes resulted in 102 fatalities statewide in 2024, which is a 10% increase from 93 fatalities last year, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Big Island Now.

Kīlauea Volcano Eruption Continues Into 2025. Eruptive activity has been confined to Halemaʻumaʻu with sustained lava fountaining. Big Island Video News. Garden Island.

Maui

Maui tourism rebounds in November 2024, visitor spending surpasses pre-wildfire levels: Maui visiors up more than 21% over November 2023. On Maui, there were 197,622 visitors in November, which was 21.6% higher than November 2023 (162,470), but still down 14.9% from November 2019 (232,330). Visitor spending increased to $435.7 million in November, compared to $378.2 million in November 2023 and $377.9 million in November 2019. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

Endangered native birds hatch at Kauai Community College taro field. Six endangered alae ula, or the Hawaiian Moorhen, showed up at the loi a few months before December, and the chicks hatched in the loi in December. Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

HECO bailout bill a top legislative priority, Green signs executive order to protect cannabis caregivers, all the top stories of 2024, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Plan To Bail Out HECO’s Credit Rating Would Cost Customers $48 A Year. A proposed wildfire settlement fund tops the utility’s legislative agenda for 2025. Hawaiian Electric Co. customers would have to pay $4 more per month under a proposal to create a settlement fund meant to bolster the power company’s battered credit rating in an era of catastrophic wildfires. Civil Beat.

Green Moves To Protect Medical Cannabis Caregivers from ‘Undue’ Enforcement. The governor’s executive order addresses a state law that is set to expire Wednesday. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green on Monday said caregivers should still be allowed to provide medical cannabis to qualified patients. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

The rise in mail voting comes with a price, as mismatched signatures lead to ballot rejections. As with many voters on Maui, Joshua Kamalo thought the race for president wasn’t the only big contest on the November ballot. He also was focused on a hotly contested seat for the local governing board. Associated Press.

Water commission leader supports higher code violation fines, quicker emergency response. First Deputy Ciara Kahahane, who Gov. Josh Green appointed to the commission in August, recently informed commissioners of potential measures she wants to include in the governor’s legislative package for the upcoming session. Hawaii Public Radio.

'I make nothing': Local fishers weigh leaving the industry as inflation drives up costs. There are some 140 Hawaiʻi-based longline fishing vessels that bring in more than 20 million pounds of tuna annually. Collectively, the state’s longline commercial fishing industry is one of the largest local food producers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal to expand mine warfare training around Hawaii sparks concerns. The Navy wants to renew its operating permit for training at sea around Hawaii and California with more mine warfare training around the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Year in review: 2024 was a tumultuous one for Hawaii. 2024 will be remembered for the $1.9 billion merger of Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, announcement of a $4 billion settlement for victims of the Maui wildfires, the selection of Wendy Hensel to replace retiring University of Hawaii President David Lassner, and labor unrest that led to hospital nurses and hotel workers walking picket lines, as well as increased gun violence on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi’s Top Stories Of 2024: How Civil Beat Covered A Year Of Upheaval. Let’s take a month-by-month look at stories that made the year memorable. Civil Beat.

9 community stories we were excited to share with you in 2024. From Ice Cream Aunties to a student-led climate change lawsuit, here are nine news stories HPR was eager to share with you this past year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Eventful year includes many newsmakers: Here are the University of Hawai‘i News top people stories for 2024. The University of Hawaiʻi News posted nearly 1,500 stories throughout an eventful 2024. Many of them involved people with connections to the university system making headlines. Big Island Now.

Surfer, judge, Pearl Harbor survivors among notable deaths in 2024. Hawaii mourned the loss in 2024 of people who influenced island life in ways that changed the course of Hawaii history, shaped island culture and entertained through song, art and acting. They included a North Shore surfing legend and lifeguard who was killed by a shark, a federal judge who upheld Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy in preference of Native Hawaiians, the last known Pearl Harbor survivor still living in Hawaii and a former insurance commissioner who fought to protect residents from unfair insurance practices. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii residents donated over $10M on GoFundMe this year. Hawaii residents in 2024 gave more than $10 million to strangers, as well as friends and relatives in need, through the world’s leading online fundraising (and crowdfunding) platform. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Unauthorized message appears on Moanalua Freeway sign. An unauthorized message was made on a sign on Moanalua Freeway to say “Gay Furry Pride uwu” on Sunday evening. OT crews disabled the sign as quickly as possible and reset the board for safety measures. An investigation is underway to find out the origins of the message and how someone got access. KITV4.

Popular all-you-can-eat McCully restaurant to close after 25 years. McCully Buffet, which sits in Hana Market on McCully Street, announced on Monday, Dec. 30 that they will cease operations Sunday, Feb. 2. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Alameda Appoints Hawaiʻi County Corporation Counsel. Mayor Kimo Alameda has appointed Renee Schoen as Corporation Counsel and J Yoshimoto as Assistant Corporation Counsel. The selections complete Alameda’s cabinet for the start of his first term in office. Big Island Video News.

Aloha, 2024! A recap of the top 10 Big Island news stories of the year. Hospital expansion, homelessness, workforce housing and regulating short-term vacation rentals are top stories in 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Knowledge And Western Science: A Recipe For Reef Recovery? Kahaluʻu Bay on the Big Island has become a focal point for blending science, tourist education and cultural know-how. So far, hopeful signs abound.  Civil Beat.

Chief: Fireworks crackdown could provide some relief. The Big Island’s police chief hopes that the seizure of at least 75 tons of fireworks in Honolulu by the Illegal Fireworks Task Force over the past year will make for a somewhat quieter New Year’s Eve. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Restrictions ease in Lahaina burn zone. Maui County is lifting access restrictions to much of a largely commercial area of Lahaina destroyed by wildfire more than a year ago. Star-Advertiser.

Schatz secured $6 billion for Hawaiʻi in 2024, including funds to support Maui’s recovery. In 2024, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) helped secure more than $6 billion in federal funding for Hawai‘i as he led efforts to deliver resources to support Maui’s recovery from last year’s fires and advance a range of other priorities for the state.  Maui Now.

A Model for Maui: Regenerative “Green Streets” blessed at Honoiki and Keoneʻōʻio. A blessing was held last week for the new “Green Streets” project in Mākena, a transformative milestone in sustainable, low-impact development on Maui, according to managers.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Wilcox nurses hold vote on strike. The 159-member nursing staff at Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai began voting Sunday, and has until 8 p.m. Wednesday to cast a vote that could lead to a strike. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Results are in for top 2024 story on Kaua‘i. With only days left until the start of 2025, Kaua‘i Now readers have determined the year’s top story, which is the latest in the decades-long soap opera surrounding the once-grand Coco Palms Resort. Kauai Now.

Hawaii homeless nearly double, Navy seeks to expand mine warfare training, Hawaii leaders remember Jimmy Carter, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

 Homelessness Nearly Doubled In Hawaii After Maui Fires, New Federal Report Says. The state experienced an 87% increase from 2023 to 2024, compared to an 18% increase nationally. The number of people who were homeless in Hawaiʻi in 2024 grew from 6,223 to 11,637 – an 87% jump – according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Read the full U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress here.

Navy seeks to expand mine warfare training in Hawaii. The Navy’s draft environmental impact statement Opens in a new tab, which is open for community input and will be the subject of public meetings in California and Hawaii next month, lays out a request to install and maintain new ranges to train troops to avoid, disable, destroy or — in some cases — use ocean mines during operations at sea. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric delivers answers to PUC probe. Hawaiian Electric has delivered a 96-page report to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in response to 30 information requests and nearly 200 questions about the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fire, which killed 102 people, caused $5.5 billion in damage, left thousands homeless and decimated Maui’s visitor industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Leaders Mourn Loss Of Jimmy Carter. The 39th U.S. president died Sunday in Georgia at the age of 100. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Ahi prices surge for New Year’s. Bluefin tuna prices are holding steady at $40.95 per pound this year, but the prices for other types of fish have yet to be determined. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Green Proposes Spending Another $30 Million On A New Oʻahu Jail. Ultimately it could be a $1 billion project. Meanwhile, some are advocating for greater emphasis on keeping people out of prison. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail agency requests eminent domain on 7 properties. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors has approved resolutions to acquire by eminent domain portions of seven adjacent properties along the rail corridor as construction continues toward Kakaako. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu neighborhood board election registration now open. People interested in running for a seat on their local neighborhood board can now register as a candidate for the 2025 election, the city Neighborhood Commission Office announced. Star-Advertiser.

Waikiki transit-priority lane finishes first phase, city says. In what is deemed as a pilot project, the city Department of Transportation Services and Honolulu Complete Streets’ new transit-priority lane is a westbound lane that stretches along Kuhio Avenue, from Kapahulu Avenue to Launiu Street. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea eruption continues with steady, moderate activity as new ‘hazard’ erupts. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Sunday in its daily update that fountaining vigor increased during the past day as the third episode of the eruption persists, but the intensity was still below that seen during the eruption’s first few days last week. Big Island Now.

Alameda’s work on fentanyl task force led to the job where he can make an even bigger difference. Two years ago, Kimo Alameda was holding a horn in one hand and Narcan in the other, teaching people at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo how to use the nasal spray that can reverse an opiate overdose and potentially save a life. Big Island Now.

‘It brings the family together’: Takeya family celebrates 100th anniversary mochitsuki. One Hilo family, the Takeyas, on Sunday celebrated its 100th New Year’s mochitsuki — the ceremonial pounding of the sticky, glutinous rice into a pliable dough that’s then rolled into sweet rice cakes. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Fire Ravaged Upcountry Maui, Too. Residents There Try To Heal. The same day flames tore through Lahaina in 2023, another fire in Kula caused millions of dollars in damage. The recovery effort there has been quiet but intense. Civil Beat.

Heartwarming holiday homecoming: 14 wildfire survivors get help coming home to Maui for the holidays. This holiday season, Maui United Way, in partnership with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines  and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, is spreading the spirit of aloha by reuniting four wildfire survivor families with their island home. These families, displaced to the continent following the devastating 2023 wildfires, now have the chance to return to Maui to celebrate the holidays and visit with their loved ones, experience the warmth of home once again. Maui Now. KHON2.

Kauai

Facebook CEO addresses Hawaii ‘Doomsday bunker’ rumors in rare interview. Tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is speaking out for the first time about reports of having a Doomsday bunker under his property on the Garden Island. Hawaii News Now.

Education department’s pilot program serves locally grown squash in Kaua‘i cafeterias. Fourteen years ago, the nonprofit Mālama Kaua‘i established initiatives to get local food on cafeteria plates.This month, it finally happened, with 200 pounds of prepared kabocha squash distributed to four public schools across the Garden Isle through a farm-to-school pilot program. Kauai Now.

State lawmakers may tackle political patronage in new session, rail contractor files $324M lawsuit, toddler saved from fall into volcano, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Legislature May Take A Stand Against Decades Of Pay-To-Play Politics. New rules and proposed laws could fundamentally change how political campaigns are financed. Hawaiʻi could soon take significant steps against the kind of political patronage that has come to define local politics for generations. Civil Beat.

Hawaii lawmakers divided on Trump’s promise to scrap US Education Department. The state Department of Education gets roughly $200 million from the federal Education Department from Title I funds that support low-income schools to grants for students with disabilities. Hawaii News Now.

Legislators Look To Support Student Recovery From The Pandemic. Some lawmakers and advocates say schools need more help with funding gaps, especially after federal assistance expired this fall. Civil Beat.

Governor Injects $2.2 Million Into Revival Of Hawaiʻi Fire Marshal’s Office. The resurrection of a Hawaiʻi fire prevention agency appears to be on course after Gov. Josh Green announced a plan to inject $2.2 million into the effort. Civil Beat.

Amid Deportation Threats, Hawaiʻi’s Immigrants Brace For President Trump. Advocates said some immigrants — including those in mixed-status families, with members legally authorized to remain here and those who are undocumented – already are avoiding contact with the government. They have started to stay away from health services. They are thinking twice about reporting crimes, whether they are victims or witnesses. Some have stopped working for fear of workplace raids. Civil Beat.

Education leaders impressed with new AI program in Hawaiʻi schools. Eighty students across six teams from elementary, middle, and high schools from around the islands were given a task to identify challenges their fellow students faced, and then create an AI program or “chatbot” to help find solutions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Key First Hawaiian executive Christopher Dods to step down. Christopher L. Dods, vice chair and chief operating officer of First Hawaiian Inc. and First Hawaiian Bank, will resign from his roles effective March 31, the company announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

At Honolulu’s Troubled Permitting Department, There Are Signs Of Hope. People have been waiting way too long for permits, with many applications literally taking years, but city data suggests the system is gaining speed. Civil Beat.

Hitachi Rail files $324M lawsuit against Honolulu, HART.  Costly delays and mismanagement over Honolulu’s over-budget, long-overdue rail line are the basis for a new lawsuit being brought by the project’s principal contractor. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu parks department to update rules for community gardens. As demand for community garden space grows on Oahu, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation is set to implement long-needed updates to the Honolulu Recreational Community Gardening Program rules. Star-Advertiser.

Avalon buys Topa towers in a continued effort to revitalize downtown Honolulu. Christine Camp,  president and CEO of the Honolulu-based Avalon Group — a real estate development firm -- just closed on the Topa Financial Center towers at the corner of Bishop and Queen streets, an area she wants to see rebranded as DoHo to mark the revitalization of downtown Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Queen’s unionized nurses holding strike authorization vote. After nearly a year of stalled negotiations, nurses from The Queen’s Medical Center campuses at Punchbowl and West Oahu are voting on whether to authorize a strike. Star-Advertiser.

Richard Parsons, corporate troubleshooter and UH alum, dies at 76. Richard D. Parsons, a University of Hawaii alumnus who would become well known on Wall Street for leading major U.S. corporations, including Time Warner and Citigroup, through troubled times, died Thursday at his New York City home. He was 76. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Boy saved from falling into Kilauea volcano summit caldera. A boy, roughly 2 to 3 years old, ran into a closed area Wednesday at the Kilauea Overlook, coming within a foot from the edge of Kaluapele, the summit caldera, before his mother managed to pull him to safety. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.
 
Maui

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court finds in favor of Cook in challenge of his election to South Maui Council seat. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favor of incumbent South Maui Council Member Tom Cook and against an election challenge by opponent and former Council Member Kelly King. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County releases Lahaina’s long-term recovery plan. Maui County has unveiled its finalized Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina, marking a significant milestone since the devastating wildfires of Aug. 8, 2023. Forty projects within the plan cover key areas like community planning, economic recovery, housing, infrastructure and natural and cultural resources. It also identifies funding sources to make those projects a reality. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Biden signs bill to study designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area. U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday signed 50 bills into law, one of them directing the National Park Service to assess the suitability of designating Lahaina, Maui, as the “Lahaina National Heritage Area.” Kauai Now.

Lahaina Harbor needs to be rebuilt quickly, vessel owners say. Under a plan presented by Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, Lahaina Harbor is to be restored within three to five years at an estimated cost of $30 million. Maui News.

More modular homes to be delivered to the Kilohana project on Dec. 29.  Motorists are advised of potential traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are delivered to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Kilohana site in Lahaina.  Maui Now.

Their House Survived The Maui Fires Untouched. Here’s What Happened Next. The only way the owners of Lahaina’s red-roofed “miracle house” have been able to process what happened — and cope with their feelings of guilt for having survived one of the most devastating wildfires in American history so unscathed — is to look for ways to help.  Civil Beat.

Kauai

Free eye exams draw people of all ages. Following the successful response to the free Kauai Dental Clinic presented by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, both Kapaa and Lawai campuses, Dr. Janie Yoo of the Kauai Eye Institute announced a free eye exam day with discounted pricing on frames. Garden Island.

Schatz announces more Social Security for public workers with pensions, crime boss Miske died of fentanyl overdose, Maui police investigate body found in airplane wheel well, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Schatz: Social Security change to boost benefits for 100K in Hawaii. Congress gave over 100,000 public-sector workers in Hawaii an early Christmas gift by repealing provisions in federal law that reduced Social Security benefits for people who also receive a pension. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Miske Died Of Fentanyl Overdose In Federal Detention, Medical Examiner Says. His death appeared to be “accidental,” according to a preliminary report from the Honolulu Medical Examiner. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

New CEO Joe Sprague Explains What’s Next for Hawaiian Airlines. A Q&A about airfares, interisland flights, the fate of nonunion employees, coordinating with Alaska Airlines and maintaining the Hawaiian brand.  Hawaii Business magazine.

Oahu

Oversight commission concerned about plans for new Oʻahu jail. The Department of Corrections began working on plans for the new jail over seven years ago. It is expected to cost about $1 billion and would expand the facility’s capacity by 350 beds. Hawaii Public Radio.

ACLU Hawaii expands probe into HPD drunk driving arrests after more drivers come forward. The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has broadened its investigation and potential lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department over intoxicated driver arrests. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Public warned to be mindful of air quality as Kilauea erupts. Although the USGS has lowered Kīlauea’s volcano alert level, vents are continuing to erupt on the floor of the southwest part of the summit caldera and high levels of volcanic gas can have far-reaching effects downwind of the summit, generally southwest. Maui News.

Plane crash under investigation on Hawaii Island. The National Transportation Safety Board confirms it is looking into what caused a Cessna to go down at Parker Ranch in Waimea shortly before noon. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Draft environmental assessment details Māʻalaea condo plans for erosion control. Public comments are due Jan. 22 for a proposed installation of a “geotextile, sand-filled burrito” as erosion control at the Kanai A Nalu, a nearly 50-year-old, four-story condominium in Māʻalaea. Maui Now.

Maui police investigate body found in wheel well of United Airlines flight.  Maui police are investigating after a body was found in a wheel well of a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

State installing 2 speed tables near Maui high school.  They will be installed at mile marker 0.25 on Haleakala Highway, or Route 377, in response to community and school concerns over speeding in the area. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Detective Bobby Thopson honored for investigative work. The Kauaʻi Police Commission on Friday honored Detective Bobby Thompson for his outstanding investigative work and dedication to public safety.  Kauai Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court considering election challenges, Maui releases long-term recovery plan for Lahaina, Kilauea pauses after brief eruption, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

State Supreme Court considers two challenges to tight election races (video only) Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian Contractor Chris Dawson Has Died While Under Investigation. Christopher Dawson, 62, a prominent Native Hawaiian defense contractor, was found dead Thursday on Oʻahu, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office.  Dawson’s death, which the medical examiner determined to be a suicide, comes as he was under federal investigation for alleged financial crimes, including wire fraud and money laundering.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Another Honolulu Rail Contractor Demands More Money, Citing Years Of Delays. In a $324 million lawsuit, a key contractor alleges the city hasn’t resolved its claim because it wants to avoid further public criticism. Civil Beat.

Topa Financial Center property sale another sign of evolving downtown. Developer Christine Camp said her company’s acquisition Friday of Topa Financial Center is just a small part of a larger trend in reimagining “DOHO” — downtown Honolulu — with its many largely vacant office buildings. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

A new kauhale opens as the state tackles growing homelessness. The newest tiny-home village to reduce homelessness — with 43 units designed to house single adults, couples and their pets — was unveiled and blessed Monday in Iwilei. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea pauses after a brief eruption . Kilauea puts on ‘outstanding’ show.  It’s a “Pele Kalikimaka” in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to Jessica Ferracane, the park’s spokeswoman, referring to the eruption that started early Monday morning within Kilauea volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u crater. Tribune-Herald. Associated Press.  Hawaii Punlic Radio.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui releases final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. Maui Country officials have released the county’s final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. The release follows a monthlong community engagement series on the draft plan that included feedback from hundreds of residents and local stakeholders. The Long-Term Recovery Plan.  Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina immigrants who survived fire now wary of Trump’s deportation threats. Nearly one-third of Lahaina’s population before the August 2023 wildfire came from another country, and their recovery from the blaze has been hampered in some cases by language barriers, housing costs, the decline in work and the lack of access to services reserved for U.S. citizens. Maui Now.

Report emphasizes recovery access needs for Filipino survivors of Maui wildfires. A group focusing on Filipinos in Lahaina recently released a report on the community’s experiences and needs following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

Iwi kupuna unearthed after surf slams Maui’s North Shore. The waves uncovered iwi kupuna – or ancestral remains – from Hawaiian burials. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Efforts underway for permanent Hanapēpē Massacre memorial on Kauaʻi 100 years later. The state is looking to build a permanent memorial to honor the 1924 Hanapēpē Massacre, a tragic turning point in Hawai‘i’s labor movement that led to the deaths of 16 Filipino strikers and four police officers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Contractors Association of Kauai wraps up 2024 with membership meeting. The Contractors Association of Kauai closed 2024 with its 67th Annual Meeting and Installation dinner on Dec. 5 at the Puakea Golf Course. Garden Island.