Legislature mulls doubling HI-5 deposit fee, helping condo owners pay insurance, Green orders expedited hiring of displaced federal workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bottle bill would boost deposits for beverage container recycling. State lawmakers are considering a bill that proposes doubling the deposit fee on beverage containers to 10 cents from 5 cents under a 20-year-old program that has accrued a record $67 million special-fund balance. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii governor orders expedited hiring for displaced federal workers. Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday signed an executive order intended to place qualified applicants discharged from federal employment into state jobs quickly. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Green attending National Governors Association 2025 Winter Meeting in nation’s capital. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green is in Washington this week for the National Governors Association 2025 Winter Meeting. Kauai Now.

Voter registration could move to an opt-out system when getting state licenses. People in the state could be automatically registered to vote when getting their driver's license or identification card. Lawmakers are considering a measure to instead have people opt out of being registered to vote versus having to opt in. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Condo Owners Could Benefit From State Plan To Prop Up Insurance Market. Lawmakers are moving forward with bills that would rescue owners facing rising rates. Civil Beat.

Consumers Sacrifice To Pay Hawaiʻi’s Record Electric Bills. Between August 2023 and August 2024, 33% of state residents cut back on basic necessities so they could pay their electricity bill, according to a Lending Tree report. That put Hawaiʻi at 29 out of the 50 states.  Civil Beat.

UH students are on hook for COVID pay to employees. A specific group of UH employees would receive a one-time collective payment of $42.5 million coming out of a special fund that UH students pay into as part of their tuition. Star-Advertiser.

Measures seek to bolster farmers and boost penalties for agricultural crimes. Among a plethora of agriculture-related bills introduced this legislative session, two moving forward include one that would increase penalties for agricultural theft and another which would allow farmers and ranchers to use deadly force against intruders under certain circumstances. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Helmets for teens, other rules now law after mayor signs e-bike safety bill.  bill aimed at making roads safer for e-bike riders was signed into law on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oahu grand jury indicts CEO for campaign contributions. Court documents allege Timothy Lee, the CEO of JL Capital, used the names of his employees to give $13,000 to the 2020 mayoral campaigns of Keith Amemiya and Kymberly Pine. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

HFD battalion chief arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. A Honolulu Fire Department battalion chief was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. The 49-year-old was arrested Tuesday afternoon for an incident that police said occurred on Feb. 14. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Environmental activist allegedly stole more than $81K from nonprofit. From Feb. 3, 2021, through Feb. 16, 2022, Moanaoio Bjur, a former member of the Hawaii Environmental Advisory Council, allegedly issued herself 24 payroll payments through QuickBooks and made three unauthorized withdrawals from a PayPal account totaling just north of $81,000. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Leaks And Mold At The 4-Year-Old State Hospital Will Cost Millions To Fix. State officials say it will take $8.16 million, including $2 million in legal costs, to repair water leaks and get rid of mold that employees say is a health hazard. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Amid workforce crisis, corrections department opts to leave some jail posts unmanned before approving overtime. In the midst of a chronic staffing crisis at Oahu’s largest jail, HNN Investigates has learned the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) is opting to leave some posts unmanned before approving overtime to cover additional labor gaps. Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit filed over 2020 COVID mask incident. An openly transgender person transitioning from female to male is suing the city and the Honolulu Police Department after he was allegedly assaulted by officers during a confrontation over COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council members put the brakes on HPD resolution. Routine agreements between federal agencies and the Hawaii Police Department were postponed Tuesday over concerns about overreach in illegal immigration enforcement. Tribune-Herald.

Resilience Hub Network Expands Across Hawaiʻi Island. Vibrant Hawai‘i recently announced the addition of 20 new Resilience Hub partners from every district of Hawai‘i Island.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Batch Of Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias Recalled. The Keaʻau-based Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC recently issued a voluntarily recall for a batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

County Department of Housing to conduct Fair Market Rent Survey in Maui County. The purpose of the Fair Market Rent Survey, which started in January, is to collect accurate and up-to-date information about current rental housing costs across the County. Maui Now.

More than 1,000 acres of West Maui land returned to productive use by local ranch. Maui family-owned Ka Ike Ranch will operate over 1,000 acres of land in West Maui, in a long-term lease from Maui Land & Pineapple Company.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

‘This is what makes Kaua‘i so special’: Good Samaritan, first responders honored for lifesaving efforts. Megan Gayagas, Ashley Rapozo, members of the Līhu‘e Fire Station and several personnel from American Medical Response saved the life of Melissa Gregory on Dec. 20, 2024, after she collapsed in the checkout line at Longs Drugs in Līhu‘e. Kauai Now.

State Capitol may be closed for $100M renovation, hundreds across the islands protest Trump' policies, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai named best hotel in the U.S., more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaiʻi State Capitol Could Be Closed For Years To Fix Aging Systems. A major upgrade of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol to refurbish core functions of the historic structure could cost as much as $100 million and keep the building closed for a prolonged period of time. Civil Beat.

Hawaii hotels’ performance lost ground during 2024. Hawaii hotels statewide reported an occupancy of 73.3% in 2024, down 1.1 percentage points from 2023 and 7.5 percentage points from 2019, according to a Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Being A Mom In Hawaiʻi Isn’t Easy. This Report Shows Why. Hawaiʻi has the highest child care costs in the nation. And in what could be viewed as a related problem, women in the Aloha State are the most sleep-deprived in the nation, according to an analysis by the United Health Foundation for its annual Health of Women and Children report. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Bodycam video in lawsuit shows alleged assault by police officers during pandemic. Dramatic police body camera video shows an alleged assault by Honolulu police officers during a confrontation over the mask mandate. The video is part of a lawsuit against the city over an incident that occurred outside 7-Eleven in Wahiawa in September 2020. Hawaii News Now.

Public advised to avoid part of Ala Wai Canal after sewage spill. The public is advised to stay out of the water from Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library to Liliuokalani Avenue. Hawaii News Now.

Surfer breaks back bailing from wave on Oahu’s North Shore. Lucas Recovery is expected to take at least three months but surgery may be necessary and spinal stability will still be compromised. Hawaii News Now.

Ravenous Beetles Go Urban, Preying On Honolulu’s Iconic Coconut Palms. Urban Honolulu has been hit by tree-killing coconut rhinoceros beetles, renewing concerns about what would remain of the tropical cityscape if the ravenous pests chew their way through the coastline. Civil Beat.

Sea Anemones Invade Kāne‘ohe Bay, Likely From Home Aquariums. A new invasive species threatens Kāneʻohe Bay’s fragile coral ecosystem, sending state officials scrambling for a solution. Civil Beat.

Hawaii protesters rally against Trump, Musk on Presidents Day. Hundreds of protesters Monday lined South Beretania Street fronting the state Capitol as part of a nationwide Presidents Day effort to oppose the Trump administration’s policies in the first weeks since taking power. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai recently took the No. 1 spot in the Best Hotels in the USA ranking for U.S. News &World Report’s 15th annual ranking of best hotels. Another Hawaii island hotel, the Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, took third place in the Best Hotels in the USA category. Five more Hawaii hotels were ranked among the top 50 of the Best Hotels in the USA. Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Lani loan request OK’d. DHL Mahi Opco, LLC — owners of the Mauna Lani Resort — intends to take out a mortgage from Goldman Sachs for about 750 acres of land that includes both the resort property and 230 acres of state-leased land that contains the Puako petroglyph fields and is largely used as an archaeological park. Tribune-Herald.

Bids for Nānue Bridge rehabilitation project tens of millions higher than state’s revised cost estimate. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is reviewing three bids it received for a project to rehabilitate the more than 70-year-old Nānue Bridge outside of Hilo, and all are tens of millions more than the state’s latest revised cost estimate. Big Island Now.

Presidents Day protests draw anti-Trump crowds in Hilo. More than 100 people lined the mauka sidewalk on Hilo’s Kamehameha Avenue near the statue of King Kamehameha I. Another 50 or so voiced their displeasure with the administration of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency by waving signs on Kanoelehua Avenue near the Ross Dress for Less store. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Council’s $300,000 vacation rental phase-out study strays off course. A Maui County Council plan to contract its own study of the economic impacts of Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed phase-out of Maui County vacation rentals has fallen to the wayside, and Council legislative analysts will conduct research in-house instead. Maui Now.

Maui County: Lahaina wildfire debris will begin being moved from Olowalu to Central Maui in June. After a slow start to create a permanent site for the 2023 Lahaina wildfire debris, Maui County said the process is now moving quickly with semi-trucks scheduled to begin in June to transport the approximately 400,000 tons of debris and ash from Olowalu to Central Maui. Maui Now.

South Maui to receive $3.2 million to help control deer. Gov. Josh Green has released $3.2 million in capital improvements to design and construct more fencing along the slopes of South Maui to control the overpopulation of axis deer. Maui News.

Presidents’ Day protests against Trump break out across Hawaii. Dozens along Wailuku's High Street protested President Donald Trump on Presidents' Day. KITV4.

Kauai

Sex Harassment Claim Against Judge Could Cost Taxpayers $90K. Leanne Rosa had worked for Kauaʻi Judge Randal Valenciano for about 18 years when, she says, he began conducting himself in a “sexually suggestive” way, subjecting her to “sexualized hugs” and “unwanted and unwelcome touching” in the courthouse. Civil Beat.

This Luxury Kauaʻi Hotel Is Housing Foreign Workers In Container Homes. The 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay also bought a multimillion-dollar home in a working class neighborhood to house upper management. Civil Beat.

‘UnPresidents Day’: expressing displeasure with Musk, Trump. A biologist, and two biotechs from the Wildlife Refuges were fired on Friday afternoon. The trio was among more than 400 people who held signs on Monday expressing their displeasure with President Trump’s recent executive orders and actions. Garden Island.

Jones Act bill reintroduced in Congress, state reels from federal workforce cuts, Honolulu council postpones emergency services director confirmation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill To Reform Jones Act Reintroduced In Congress. U.S. Rep. Ed Case says the federal law drives up costs for imported goods to places like Hawaiʻi. Three legislative proposals introduced Friday in Congress seek to amend a century-old federal law that the introducers say “creates crippling monopolies on shipping lifelines” for remote jurisdictions such as Hawaiʻi and Alaska. Civil Beat.

Cuts to Hawaii’s federal workforce loom. Hawaii was home to about 35,500 federal civilian workers last year, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Eugene Tian, DBEDT’s chief economist, said this group represents 5.6% of Hawaii’s workforce. Star-Advertiser.

Senate bill advances to strip county council approval of state-funded housing projects. A bill to exempt state-financed housing developments from county council approval has passed second reading on the Hawaiʻi Senate floor and advanced to the Ways and Means Committee. Maui Now.

Should Hawai‘i Families Be Allowed To Opt Out Of School Vaccines? Roughly 1 in 5 students in Hawaiʻi were missing required vaccines last year. Doctors say that’s a growing health threat, but efforts to toughen state law are drawing intense criticism from parents opposed to vaccines. Civil Beat.

Bullying of teachers persists; DOE lacks resolution. Lawmakers for the third time have introduced a bill aimed at strengthening workplace safety for educational workers following concerns from advocates about the state Department of Education’s handling of harassment issues. Star-Advertiser.

The price of hunger: Navigating the cost burden of free meals for Hawaiʻi students. Several bills this legislative session opt for either universal free breakfast and lunch, or for free meals for students who are currently eligible for reduced-pricing. To date, no one has publicly gone on record to oppose supplying free lunches to students in Hawaiʻi.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Marijuana legalization bill alive in Senate. Two Senate committees voted Thursday to recommend passage of a bill to legalize adult personal use of cannabis Hawaiʻi and establish taxes on its retail sale and medical use. Maui Now.

Counties are closer to getting back authority over tobacco regulations. County councils were the lead authorities to pass tobacco regulations until 2018 when the state Legislature passed Act 206, a tobacco law that preempts and nullifies county-level regulations and gives state lawmakers that authority. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Airports System successfully issues $849M of bonds, largest in its history. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announced that the state’s Airports System has successfully raised $849 million in bond financing to fund approximately $600 million of essential projects to upgrade and expand airport infrastructure, including runway repairs, terminal renovations, security enhancements and the construction of new facilities.  Maui Now.

Hirono, colleagues introduce bipartisan bill to promote wildfire mitigation through grazing. US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) on Friday announced her support for the bipartisan Wildfire Resilience Through Grazing Research Act, introduced alongside Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and James Lankford (R-OK). The bill aims to promote research on using grazing as a strategy to mitigate wildfires, reduce fuel loads and support post-fire recovery efforts. Maui News.

Bill targets owners of properties hosting illegal massage parlors. A bill at the state Legislature would identify trafficked sex workers as victims while simultaneously going after landlords and property owners who allow massage parlors that pose as legitimate businesses but are actually illegal houses of prostitution.  Star-Advertiser.

Bill would subsidize fencing to control ungulates. A proposal to help subsidize the installation of animal control fences is the only survivor of four bills in the state Legislature aimed at controlling pigs, goats and sheep. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

City Council committee postpones reappointment of emergency services director. Dr. Jim Ireland has led the city’s Department of Emergency Services for the past four years. A City Council committee got an earful from detractors who say he doesn’t deserve another four, because the department is in worse shape than it was when he began. Hawaii News Now.

 State senators killed a bill on Thursday that would have permitted casinos on Oahu. Senate Bill 893 would have granted 20-year licenses for casinos at the new Aloha Stadium Entertainment District and at the Hawaii Convention Center. Hawaii News Now.

Long-time Makaha surfing competition highlights growing impact of coastal erosion. Rocks and berms that support nearby Farrington Highway were covered with sand last year. This year, winter swells pushed the sand elsewhere down the beach. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i County launches task force to address nearly 700 vacancies. There are fewer hours at transfer stations and public pools; slower response to maintenance of roads, tree trimming, parks and fields; clerk shortages that sometimes result in no one answering phones when the public calls the county for help. Big Island Now.

Police discipline reported: HPD terminations, suspensions documented for lawmakers. One Hawaii Police Department officer was fired in 2024, one terminated in 2023 is in binding arbitration hoping to regain his badge, while a third discharged in 2023 has returned to the force as a result of his grievance. Tribune-Herald.

New Hawaiʻi County Parks and Recreation director highlights projects to finish, projects to begin. Hawaiʻi County’s new Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma, who is returning to a position he knows well, plans to focus this time around on “safe, recreational facilities and programs for everyone – visitors and residents.” Big Island Now.

Funding is sought again for Puna alternate traffic route study. State officials are still seeking to restore funds for a study of alternate traffic routes into Puna, even as Hawaii County officials try to figure out what went wrong. Tribune-Herald.

Highly venomous sea snake found ashore in Hilo. A highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake was found washed up on the shore at Honoli‘i Beach in Hilo last week, according to the state Department of Agriculture. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui fire survivors soon have to pay rent for FEMA housing. Some still don't know how much. There are more than 1,100 Maui fire survivor households in FEMA’s direct lease housing, a program in that FEMA pays property owners to house survivors. That program ends Feb. 28. Hawaii Public Radio.

These Are The Stories Lahaina Wildfire Survivors Never Got To Tell. Court documents filed in a wildfire compensation lawsuit give an unprecedented look at the struggles fire survivors continue to face. Written statements filed with the courts by more than three dozen people offer rare insights into the night of the fire, and the lingering effects of disaster. Civil Beat.

County releases report on strategies to reduce and prevent homelessness. The County of Maui Department of Human Concerns on Friday released “Recommendations to Address Homelessness in Maui County,” a report offering strategic solutions to reduce and prevent homelessness across the county. Maui Now.

Catholic Charities Hawai‘i’s new Maui Support Center for first responders receives blessing. From first responders to educators, therapists, disaster case managers and more, Catholic Charities Hawai’i’s Maui Support Center hopes to be a vital resource for public servants.  Maui News.

Kauai

Momentous milestone reached in fight against often-deadly avian malaria on Kauaʻi. It seems counterproductive, at the least, to release hundreds of thousands of 6-legged, flying harpoons into a place where a portion of their population is spreading a plague that has several species of native Hawaiian honeycreepers — some endemic only to Kaua‘i — fighting for their very existence. Kauai Now.

Kauai launches new ‘PulsePoint Respond App’. Officials in Kauai have launched their latest tool this week that now connects everyday heroes to those in need before the arrival of emergency responders. Garden Island.

Defense Department beefs up Pacific forces, Honolulu defense contractor gets 87 months in prison for Covid relief fraud, Trump blocks $62M EPA solar grant, state could ban octopus farming, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pacific commander urges faster arming of forces. Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo- Pacific Command, delivered a keynote address Thursday at the Hawaii Military Affairs Council’s biannual State of the Indo-Pacific event at the ‘Alohilani Resort in Waikiki. The Department of Defense has been pouring money into Hawaii to build up its forces in the Pacific and to train a high-tech workforce in the island to support it.  Star-Advertiser.

Trump blocks pipeline of EPA funds to Hawaiʻi environmental justice efforts. The Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority has been locked out of $62 million awarded through the EPA's Solar For All program, which is designed to help low-income households finance rooftop solar. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gabbard’s intelligence role will be tested immediately. Gabbard’s meteoric rise from local politics in Hawaii to a Cabinet-level position in the second Trump administration was on the minds of island politicians of all stripes, although many Democrats — her former party — either declined to comment for this story or would offer comments only if their names were not used. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Want To Make It Harder For Kids To Skip Vaccines. Roughly 1 in 5 students in Hawaiʻi were missing required vaccines last year. Doctors say that’s a growing health threat, but efforts to toughen state law are drawing intense criticism from parents opposed to vaccines. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi could ban octopus farming before the practice crawls its way here. House Bill 365 and Senate Bill 1159 made it out of their first committee hearings this week. They argue that raising the animals for consumption could lead to environmental and ecological threats. Hawaii Public Radio.

Midwifery bill tries to balance safety with reproductive autonomy, Hawaiian practices. The state Legislature is running against a time limit on its controversial 2019 law to regulate midwifery that will sunset in June. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda demands answers after HNN investigation exposes one-sided kidney trade. For every 46 kidneys that have gone to the mainland in recent years, Hawaii has gotten just one in return.  Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Covid Relief Fraud Gets Hawaiʻi Defense Contractor 87 Months In Prison. Martin Kao, convicted of stealing pandemic-era relief funds, was also ordered to pay $13 million in restitution and serve 12,800 hours of community service. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Toxic Work Environment Concerns Derail Honolulu EMS Director Reappointment. Former employees testified that Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland practices favoritism and retaliation, which contributes to staff and ambulance shortages. Civil Beat.

City parks ‘follow-up’ audit completed. The  audit found improvements had been made within DPR — which has a current operating budget of nearly $120.6 million — but noted data related to spending on individual city park sites on Oahu was lacking. Star-Advertiser.

Ban on wheelies under Council consideration. Riders of electric bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles will no longer be able to perform stunts on any public street or roadway if a measure targeting such behavior is able to steer its way through the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser.

Windward Community College Expands Hawaiian Studies To Arizona Prison. The college launched a Hawaiian studies program at Halawa Correctional Facility in 2022, but found many students dropped out because they were sent to an Arizona prison. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Work on 2 Hamakua bridges should start this year. Last year, the DOT was awarded $74 million from the federal government to rehabilitate both the Nanue bridge and the Hakalau Stream Bridge, located further south down the Hamakua Coast. The state will provide the remainder of the funding. Tribune-Herald.

Grandmother sentenced to probation in child starvation case. A 67-year-old Hilo woman was sentenced Thursday to 10 years of probation for her role in starving her developmentally disabled 9-year-old granddaughter to death in 2016. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Maui

Those who lost loved ones in the Lahaina fire could receive some funds next month. Those who lost loved ones or were severely injured in the Lahaina wildfires could begin to receive compensation in the next month with larger payouts by the end of the summer through the One ʻOhana Fund settlement. Hawaii Public Radio.

Projects could curb flooding in South Maui, but the fixes won’t happen overnight. South Kihei Road is expected to be fixed as a shoreline thoroughfare through South Maui by the end of this month, Maui County Council member Tom Cook told more than 110 people at the Malcolm Center Wednesday night. Maui News.

Kauai

Deadline today to apply for funding aimed at helping vulnerable Kaua‘i youth, adults. Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like reminded the public that the deadline is fast approaching for the Life’s Choices Adult and Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Abuse Community Program Grants. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14. Kauai Now.

Zenon Wong gets his own day. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami proclaimed Wednesday as Zenon Kapalehua Wong Day at the Kauai Museum where Wong volunteers. Garden Island

Gabbard confirmed as intelligence chief, Native Hawaiian project funding frozen, nonprofits told to strip 'climate change' wording from websites, nuclear power exploration gains steam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief. Tulsi Gabbard, a former U.S. representative for Hawaii with little intelligence experience, was confirmed as the top U.S. spy this morning, as Republicans lined up behind a nominee once seen as among President Donald Trump’s most controversial picks. Reuters. Maui Now.  Associated Press.

Trump executive order impedes funding for Native Hawaiian-led climate work. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order that paused the release of Inflation Reduction Act funds. More than 4,000 miles away in Hawaiʻi, that order stopped several Native Hawaiian-led climate projects in their tracks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Agricultural Projects At Risk Amid Federal Funding Freeze. The federal officials told Hawaiʻi nonprofits to delete references to climate change and Biden’s clean energy law from their websites. Civil Beat.

Nuclear power exploration legislation gains steam. Two Senate committees this month have pushed forward a bill to establish a task force led by the state’s chief energy officer to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies as part of achieving Hawaii’s clean energy goals. Star-Advertiser.

China Tariffs Could Hike Cost of Food, Luggage, Furniture, Clothing. China supplies products for many Hawaiʻi businesses that would be affected by the Trump administration’s 10% tariff. Civil Beat.

Businesses and conservationists square off on environmental oversight in state areas. Should boat tours, aquarium fishing and other activities in state-monitored areas be allowed before completing an environmental review? It’s something lawmakers are considering. Hawaii Public Radio.

Full state Senate to vote on several bills addressing top community concerns. The measures — which now move to the full Senate for a final vote before crossing over to the state House — include actions to curb illegal fireworks, increase workforce development opportunities for residents, enhance the health and safety of electric bike users and stabilize the condominium insurance market. Kauai Now.

Bill to lower Hawaii’s legal blood alcohol concentration receives support. The House Committee on Transportation advanced HB1387 HD1 aiming to lower the BAC threshold for driving while under the influence. KITV4.

Measure would bar prosecution of sex trafficking victims if they seek help. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would protect victims of sex trafficking from criminal charges if they seek help from law enforcement or medical assistance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Police union to vote on COVID hazard pay settlement. The union representing Honolulu police officers will vote on a COVID hazard pay settlement with the city worth more than $30 million with initial payouts of $20,000 “or more” by June 30. Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill illness study released after apparent half-year delay. A new military study shows Red Hill families had higher rates of migraines and esophagus problems after drinking contaminated water. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Spent $21,000 A Month To Power A Village Of 20 Tiny Homes. An independent study and a key state official criticize big operating costs when kauhale aren’t connected to utilities. Civil Beat.

Bill to limit number of Waikiki street festivals moves ahead in city council. In 2024 there were some 40 applications for street festivals, parades and other events that shut down Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra turns to lawmakers for funding to expand musical outreach. On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts Committee advanced Senate Bill 441, which would recognize HSO as a state orchestra and grant it $500,000 for the next two years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Lawmakers want state to buy 146-acre Ka‘u parcel for farming. Senate Bill 1003 was introduced by a pair of Big Island Democrats — Kona Sen. Dru Kanuha and Kohala Sen. Tim Richards — and would allocate nearly $3 million to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to purchase a 146-acre agricultural parcel just west of Pahala. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County task force continues to combat opioid crisis with collaborative outreach. On Valentine’s Day, that Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force will be showing Aloha to all loved ones and the community by reaching out with a message of hope, treatment and the value of prevention. Big Island Now.

Maui

Proposed UH Maui College four-year nursing program moves ahead in state Senate. A measure aimed at addressing a shortage of nurses on Maui by establishing a four-year nursing Bachelor of Science degree program at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College has passed second reading on the Senate floor. Now, it’s headed to the influential Ways and Means Committee for decision-making on funding. Maui Now.

$3.2M released for axis deer fencing in South Maui to address flood risks, environmental concerns. State Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey on Wednesday announced $3.2 million in Capital Improvement Project funds to design and construct axis deer fencing in South Maui.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Council addresses nurse-patient ratios. The Kauai County Council unanimously passed a resolution “urging the Hawaii State Legislature to Implement Safe Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Requirements for Hospitals” during its Kauai County Council meeting on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Waimea Town Celebration: 9 days of events for every part of West Kauaʻi. The 48th annual Waimea Town Celebration begins Saturday and will be as fun as ever with long distance canoe races, storytelling, rodeos, films, concerts and eating contests. Kauai Now.

Legislature mulls bills to return homeless to U.S. continent, allow farmers to stand their ground, protect gender-affirming care, extend Honolulu rail tax; plus more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Returning homeless to the mainland could become permanent. Popular and successful efforts that have returned over 800 homeless people to the mainland since 2015 would become permanent if either of two bills in the state Legislature becomes law this session. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ‘Stand your ground’ laws could expand after killing. Hawaii’s current stand-your-ground laws allow lawful gun owners to use deadly force to protect themselves if they believe their lives are in danger on their own property or while they are at work. Some said the rules make confronting armed poachers difficult if they live or work on agricultural land. KHON2. Hawaii Public Radio.

Testimony over gender-affirming care bill gets heated. Lawmakers with the Senate committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Health and Human Services heard a flood of support Tuesday for Senate Bill 1150, which would let children get gender-affirming health care services in Hawaii without other states getting in the way. Hawaii News Now.

‘Modest’ piece of wildfire settlement promoted for insurers. Gov. Josh Green doubts that Hawaii’s insurance market will suffer from a Monday court decision supporting a tentative $4 billion Maui wildfire settlement, but he still sees merit in sharing settlement proceeds with insurers. Star-Advertiser.

Acasio, 7 others sue state House. A former state senator from Hilo is suing the state House of Representatives, accusing the legislative body of violating the state Constitution by holding a Rules Committee meeting behind closed doors. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

A 15-Year Extension Of Honolulu Rail Tax Advances In The Senate. A Senate committee gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a bill to extend the half-percent excise tax surcharge for rail for another 15 years, a politically volatile move that could lead to billions of dollars in additional funding for the city’s Skyline project. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Hires New Homeless Coordinator. Honolulu’s newest homelessness czar will be Roy Miyahira, a retired operations manager who spent much of his career at Nestlé Waters in California. Miyahira is taking on a big job. The city’s unsheltered homeless population doubled during the past decade, and much of the local response entails acquiring more shelter space. Civil Beat.

Council ponders bill on revenue-generating sponsorships.  For the second time in nearly 10 years, a Honolulu City Council measure that would allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities is drawing concern from some in the community who fear the legislation will clear the way for large billboards and other outdoor advertising signs that could mar the natural beauty of Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Miske’s half brother gets 20 years in federal prison. The 37-year-old half brother of Michael J. Miske Jr. was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison Tuesday for his role in the criminal organization that sold drugs, committed murder-for-hire, robberies, assaults and used chemical weapons against the opposition. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Body of a 72-year-old woman found in Kapahulu dumpster. An investigation is underway after a body was found in a dumpster in the Kapahulu area on Tuesday morning, February 11. KITV4. KHON2.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Sewage plant prompts emergency proclamation. Mayor Kimo Alameda signed an emergency proclamation Tuesday in preparation for a potential failure of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant in in Keaukaha. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Kimo Alameda talks priorities in his first year as Hawaiʻi Island mayor. Alameda and the other three county mayors are presenting their respective requests to state lawmakers this legislative session. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal may result in more parking at Akaka Falls. Landowner and businessman Tirtha Luitel has requested that the county permit him to convert about 18,000 square feet of a 98-acre parcel near Akaka Falls State Park in to a 49-stall paid parking lot. Tribune-Herald.

Kealakehe Regional Park project drags on. Efforts to move the Kealakehe Regional Park project forward are underway, but a construction date has not been announced, county officials said. West Hawaii Today.

Micah Kāne To Become Next Parker Ranch CEO. Kāne will transition into the Parker Ranch CEO role in April 2025, and depart the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation effective August 2025. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Environmental assessments online for public review including Wākiu Master Plan in East Maui. Public comments are due March 10 for the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ draft Wākiu Master Plan for development of approximately 656 acres south of the Hāna Airport for department beneficiaries. Maui Now.

Bill advances to allow tenants with liability insurance to keep pets in rental units. Maui Residents Can’t Find Housing. Neither Can Their Cats And Dogs. With housing scarce after the Lahaina wildfire, the Maui Humane Society says it’s struggling to find people to adopt animals and its shelter is well over capacity. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center focuses on restoration around island heiau. This past weekend the Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center brought together a group of volunteers to a sacred and remote heiau, where restoration efforts have been underway for the past nine years.  Maui News.

Kauai

Public input sought on preferred site for new Kauaʻi Community Correctional Center. Land off Māʻalo Road in Līhuʻe, owned by Grove Farm, was identified by the state as the preferred site. The location offers about 20 to 30 acres of usable land, access to infrastructure and proximity to critical support services, including Kaulu I Ka Pono Academy, a treatment and education facility for at-risk youth. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

State Supreme Court rules against insurance companies in $4B Lahaina fire settlement, bill would ban non-medical vaccine exemptions, big salary hikes slated for state officials, Honolulu CEO indicted on false name campaign contributions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Supreme Court rules against insurance companies in Maui wildfire, allowing $4B settlement to proceed.  Maui wildfire victims are closer to sharing a $4 billion settlement, possibly before the disaster’s second anniversary in August, after a Hawaii Supreme Court ruling Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Governor, Japanese official sign pact to ease entry for visitors. Gov. Josh Green and the consul general of Japan in Honolulu, Yoshinori Kodama, have signed an action plan to bring more Japanese visitors to Hawaii to enhance economic benefits and spark more people-to- people exchanges through an expanded VIP entry program, which now includes school groups, and promotion of other programs that ease entry such as the mobile passport control program and a global entry program. Star-Advertiser.

State officials could see big pay raises soon. A proposal to increase salaries for Hawaii's state executives, judges and legislators is facing pushback, with some questioning whether elected officials deserve a pay hike while ongoing state issues remain unresolved. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, judges, legislators and more could see raises as high as 61%. KHON2. KITV4.

Heated debate surrounds Hawaiʻi measure to ban non-medical vaccine exemptions in schools. A bill that would repeal non-medical vaccine exemptions for Hawaiʻi students received about 1,300 pages of written testimony. The controversial House Bill 1118 passed through the House Committee on Health on Friday with the two Republican members voting "no." Hawaii Public Radio.

The state Legislature is considering a measure that would stockpile 1,000 doses of the abortion drug mifepristone. The bill is meant to protect Hawaiʻi's inventory of the drug in case federal laws or court rulings limit access. Hawaii Public Radio.

Citizens videoing police bills move in Legislature. Companion bills that acknowledge the right of private citizens to video law enforcement activities without interfering and to sue if those rights are violated are making their way through committees in the Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Seek Tougher Fireworks Enforcement, But No Statewide Ban. State senators declined to move forward with a statewide ban on all fireworks on Monday, and instead are working to significantly strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute fireworks cases. Civil Beat.

Bill requiring medical students to stay in isles dies in House. A Senate bill remains alive that would require University of Hawaii medical school students to remain in Hawaii for two years after they complete their residencies, but the House version has died. Star-Advertiser.

Committee to hear bills aimed at fixing Hawaii school bus system. In response to parents’ pleas for reliable school transportation, the House Education Committee today will consider bills aimed at preventing a repeat of the abrupt cancellations of 108 bus routes at the start of this year’s school year, which was a repeat of the start of the 2023 school year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers look to regulate commercial dog breeders. SB593 would require licensing for more than 10 breeding dogs, impose standards of care, and ban anyone from owning more than 30 breeding dogs. Hawaii News Now.

Biosecurity bill could move invasive species council under Agriculture Department. State lawmakers are moving along a bill that would bring a host of biosecurity improvements to the state — but stakeholders feel uneasy about a provision that could have a significant impact on the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric surges to 36% renewable energy on grids. Boosted by new grid-scale and rooftop solar capacity, Hawaiian Electric achieved a 36% consolidated renewable portfolio standard in 2024, accelerating progress toward the 2030 RPS milestone of 40%. Maui Now.

Oahu

CEO indicted for alleged illegal campaign donations. An Oahu grand jury Friday indicted JL Capital CEO Timothy Lee, 48, on nine counts of false-name contribution for allegedly making $13,000 in campaign contributions in another person’s name in 2020 to the mayoral campaigns of Keith Ame­miya and Kymberly Pine. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

City Council’s budget panel to review sponsorship bill. Reestablishing the city’s ability to obtain private sponsorships for publicly owned facilities in order to secure non-property tax revenue is the focus of new legislation now under Honolulu City Council review. Star-Advertiser.

Laie farmer’s arrest stirs controversy amid crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Last Thursday, farmers held a rally to support 60-year-old Hanjun Shen of China. He’s the owner of JM Farm in Laie. He had been in Hawaii since 2009 and was detained by federal agents last month even though he has no criminal record. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Self-Storage Warehouse Plan Replaces Proposed Hilo Water Bottling Plant. A draft environmental assessment has been published for the proposed Talon 1 Properties Self-storage Warehouse between the Hoʻolulu Complex and the Wailoa River State Recreation Area. Big Island Video News.

Kailua-Kona condo complex settles federal disability lawsuit for $162,500. A Kona condominium association and its managing agent will pay $162,500 to settle a federal lawsuit that alleged the condo association and the managers of the complex discriminated against an individual with paraplegia. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina Disaster Still A ‘Relentless Presence’ In Fire Survivors’ Lives. Court documents filed in a wildfire compensation lawsuit give an unprecedented look at the struggles fire survivors continue to face. Civil Beat.

Maui County Mayor signs tobacco bill. On Friday, youth from several local schools and supporters of a tobacco-free Hawaii gathered in a room where Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen signed a bill that brings the county one step closer to a potential tobacco ban.  Maui News.

Open house on Lahaina ash and fire debris transfer to Central Maui. The public is invited to learn more about the transfer of Lahaina’s ash and fire debris from the temporary storage site in Olowalu to the Permanent Disposal Site in Central Maui during an open house Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the County of Maui’s Lahaina Resource Center. Maui Now.

Kauai

Hale Lihue marks milestone. In a joint announcement on Monday, Hawaiian Telcom and Hale Lihue announced that Hawaiian Telcom will be the exclusive technology partner for the new community center that will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Garden Island.

Three Kauaʻi towns named in top 8 “most neighborly” in Hawaiʻi. Hanalei, Hanapepe and Kōloa were all featured in a list of the “Top 8 Most Neighborly Towns in Hawaiʻi,” which was put together by WorldAtlas to give readers a glimpse into close-knit towns that embrace the spirit Aloha. Kauai Now.

Eggs at a premium, federal court upholds age-based gun ban, appeals court rules against hotel in beach use, casino gambling bill introduced, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Demand skyrocketing for local eggs. Demand for local eggs in Hawaii has skyrocketed as a shortage persists across the U.S. due to continual outbreaks of bird flu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii leaders challenge federal buyout plan. State Attorney General Anne Lopez announced Sunday that she is leading a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in supporting the legal challenge against the directive, which offers federal workers up to eight months of pay and benefits in exchange for their immediate resignation. Employees who decline the offer face potential termination. Star-Advertiser.

Bill is back to clear way for Filipino WWII vets to reunite with families. A group of bipartisan lawmakers in Congress has reintroduced legislation aimed at expediting the visa process for the children of Filipino World War II veterans, many of whom have spent decades separated from their families due to immigration backlogs. Star-Advertiser.

Federal Court upholds Hawaii’s age-based firearms acquisition law. On Friday, a federal judge upheld Hawaii’s law banning those under 21 from buying a gun. Hawaii News Now.

New bill seeks to build casinos and legalize gambling. Hawaii is one of two states in the country where gambling is illegal. A new bill aims to bring in casinos and legalize gambling. KHON2.

Lawmakers are trying to help families pay their electric bills. With what funding?  State senators have proposed two measures to create utility assistance programs for low-income households: Senate Bill 191 and Senate Bill 994. Hawaii Public Radio.

Racism Is Common In Hawaiʻi Schools — And Often Goes Unaddressed. Nearly half of white high school students and more than half of Black students in the state said they’d experienced racism in schools, according to a federal survey recently pulled from the internet by Trump administration orders. Civil Beat.

Measures target ‘fentanyl tsunami’.  At least three bills have been introduced by the Legislature this year to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Homes agency seeking an additional $600M. Hawaii lawmakers are considering big funding increases to produce homesteads for state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries after a historic $600 million appropriation in 2023. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition reveals state’s first-ever Water Safety Plan. The Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition on Thursday released its first Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan to address the drowning crisis that is threatening the health of Hawaiʻi’s residents and visitor-dependent economy.  Maui Now.

Oahu

Kahala hotel’s use of public beach in dispute and could affect other hotels. A recent ruling by the state’s Intermediate Court of Appeals could become precedent-setting when it comes to protecting the public’s interests at public beaches. The appeals court ruled Jan. 29 in David Kimo Frankel v. the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Land and Natural Resources and Resort Trust Hawaii LLC — owner of the Kahala Hotel & Resort — that BLNR breached its public-trust duties when it authorized the hotel’s exclusive use of a portion of land designated for use as a public beach. Star-Advertiser.

Military launches new effort to ID unknown soldiers from West Loch Disaster. On May 21, 1944, as American troops prepared for the invasion of Japanese-­occupied Saipan in the Northern Marianas, a series of explosions in West Loch killed at least 163 people and injured 396, though some historians have alleged that shoddy record keeping by military officials in a rush to keep the operation on track may have left more uncounted. Star-Advertiser.

E-bike bills advance at City Council, Legislature. The state Department of Health asserts the average number of reported e-bike incidents statewide more than doubled from an average of 10 per month in 2022 to 24 per month in 2024. Oahu experienced a nearly threefold increase, from an average of seven per month in 2022 to 19 per month in 2024, the data indicates. Star-Advertiser.

Council mulls proposal to strengthen fireworks laws. Bill 7 seeks to amend the city’s fire code to increase penalties for possessing, using and causing the explosion of any aerial device, pyrotechnic or display fireworks on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Several gambling machines found at illegal game room bust in Kalihi. An illegal game room in Kalihi was raided where 11 gambling machines and cash were seized. Honolulu police executed the search warrant on Thursday, Feb. 6 where the machines and cash was found.  KITV4.

ACLU Cites ‘Pattern Of Violence’ After Murder At Oʻahu Jail. The death of OCCC inmate Eric Scotton is apparently the third homicide in the Hawaiʻi correctional system in less than a year. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Contested case could decide fate of Papaikou’s ‘Falls on Fire’. A Papaikou property owner’s plan to host an annual “Burning Man-style” festival on his land is being challenged by neighbors. In 2023, Andrew Tepper opened a portion of his more-than-1,400-acres located on Indian Tree Road north of Papaikou for a multiday festival called “Falls on Fire.”  Tribune-Herald.

2 more school bus routes to be restored in East Hawaiʻi starting Monday. The routes serve Pāhoa High and Intermediate School, Pāhoa Elementary School and Keonepoko Elementary School.  Big Island Now.

Under the big top: Super American Circus comes to Hilo this week. Look for the big top at the Afook-Chinen Civic fairgrounds in Hilo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and at Old Kona Airport Park on Feb. 21, 22 and 23. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Meeting could help chart course for Hana Community Pathway. Design concepts for the Hāna Community Pathway will be presented at the next in-person community meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Helene Hall in Hāna. Maui News.

With massive flooding in Kīhei wreaking havoc every winter, community wonders: When will things change? Maui County says while it is following a master drainage plan, South Maui’s wetland origins make it inherently vulnerable to flooding. But residents and environmental scientists say more concrete action needs to be taken, and more quickly.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Community College works to fund scholarship for graduating island seniors. The Ho‘olei Scholarship Fund aims to cover first-year tuition, after financial aid, for every senior graduating from a public or charter high school on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Bills would eliminate middle class income tax, raise general excise tax instead; recreational marijuana bill deferred, Maui firefighters show elevated PFAS, Queen's cuts 100 jobs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

No Income Tax For Working Class? Unions Float Radical Proposal. Lawmakers are cnsidering bills to eliminate the state income taxes for all residents who earn up to $100,000 and offset the revenue loss by increasing the state excise tax from 4% to 6% on most goods and services sold in Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Hopes For Legal Marijuana In Hawaiʻi Dashed As Politicos Flip-Flop. Less than 48 hours after approving a bill to make marijuana use legal for Hawaiʻi residents aged 21 and older, the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives on Thursday punted the measure until next year. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH Cancer Center backs bills to boost cigarette tax 2 cents. The University of Hawaii Cancer Center would receive a welcomed funding boost if the Legislature increases the state’s cigarette tax by another 2 cents, while a separate Senate bill would have forced the center to merge with the UH medical school, which UH previously said would jeopardize the center’s accreditation. Star-Advertiser.

Increased harbor inspections and penalties on the table to combat illegal fireworks. The state Legislature is considering several measures to crack down on illegal fireworks. Lawmakers are exploring different tactics from more inspections at the harbors to increasing penalties for violators. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Proposed police pursuit policy clears committee. Police could only initiate a pursuit if an individual in the vehicle being chased is believed to have committed murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, felony assault, sexual assault, domestic abuse, escape or DUI — and the vehicle pursuit “is necessary to identify or apprehend” the suspect. Tribune-Herald.

Senate committee defers bill to subsidize school bus driver certification. The Senate Education Committee on Monday killed a bill that would have created a school bus driver certification subsidy pilot program within the state Department of Education for the next school year. Hawaii Public Radio.

State high court probes conditions of Maui wildfires settlement. Hawaii Supreme Court justices posed many exacting, and sometimes skeptical, questions Thursday to attorneys in a case pertaining to the validity of a $4 billion deal to settle Maui wildfire litigation. It may be weeks before the court’s five justices render a decision. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  

Oahu

Honolulu Transit Rates Could Go Up. The Honolulu Rate Commission, which reviews the city’s transit rates, is holding four public meetings next week for people to provide feedback. Civil Beat.

Queen’s eliminating positions to adapt to ‘evolving needs’.  The Queen’s Health Systems is eliminating about 100 positions at its hospitals to maintain sustainable operations and adapt to changing times. Queen’s did not specify which positions, how many or when, exactly, they would be eliminated. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Honolulu launches $5M grant program to support low-income rental housing. The Department of Land Management is soliciting proposals from nonprofit entities and public agencies for funding opportunities through the Affordable Housing Fund, or AHF, which typically provides funding to develop and expand affordable rental housing for households earning 60% or less of area median income. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu home sales gain as inventory expands. Single-family home resales increased by 6.5% compared with January 2024, with 196 homes sold in January from 184 a year ago. Condominium sales also rose, climbing 6.8% to 312 transactions from 292. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore farmer with no criminal record detained by ICE. Hanjun Shen, 60, has been in Hawaii for 16 years and owns JM Farm in Laie, an 18-acre farm which grows Thai basil, Okinawan sweet potato, taro leaf and other herbs. The undocumented immigrant was under a removal order since his application for asylum was denied. Hawaii News Now.

Kakaako dog owners: Kolowalu Dog Park is opening. After months of anticipation, Kakaako residents will have a place to let their four-legged friends run around and have fun. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Bill Could Allow Maunakea Authority To Side Step Sunshine Law. House Bill 144 was heard by the House Committee on Water & Land on Thursday, although lawmakers have not yet given their recommendation. Big Island Video News.

Volcano Watch: Assembly of volcano scientists to gather in Hilo. Volcano scientists from around the world will gather from Feb. 9-14 in Hilo for the American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference on Caldera-forming Eruptions at Basaltic Volcanoes: Insights and Puzzles from Kīlauea 2018 and Beyond. Big Island Now.

‘We’re watching a coup in real time’. Dozens of West Hawaii activists flocked to the highway Wednesday afternoon in support of a nationwide protest in opposition to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, President Donald Trump and his administration’s ties to Project 2025. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

CDC Report Finds Traces Of PFAs In Maui Firefighters’ Blood. Firefighters who responded to the Maui wildfires had elevated levels of PFAs, a manmade chemical linked to cancer, in their bloodstream, according to a new wildfire report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Associated Press.

Lahaina seaside owners want accelerated rebuilding process. Native Hawaiian Warren Freeland wants to see his family’s historic Pioneer Inn rebuilt as it was before the 2023 wildfire that destroyed a large portion of Lahaina, and he hopes government officials will find a way of accelerating the permitting process in the face of rising construction costs. Maui News.

Air travel crisis on Molokai: Survey reveals devastating impacts to families. An effort is underway aimed at improving the island’s limited access to air travel. This comes after Mokulele, the island’s only air carrier, scrapped dozens of flights last month due to a series of unscheduled aircraft inspections leaving travelers stranded for days, even weeks. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Graveyard Of Kauaʻi Cattle Killed By Anthrax Could Undermine Luxury Homes. A judge will hear a lawsuit that Princeville residents have filed against the developer on Tuesday. The  lawsuit that seeks to shut down the development on Kauaʻi’s North Shore claims the dead cattle left behind millions of still-dangerous anthrax spores capable of sickening and animals — and maybe people — if unearthed during construction. Civil Beat.

Kapa‘a Satellite DMV brings services to island’s largest residential area. There is a new shortcut to service at the Kaua‘i County Division of Motor Vehicles, due to a new satellite office that launched in January in Kapa‘a town, the largest residential area on the island. Kauai Now.