Mufi Hannemann investigated for freebies, Hegseth tours Hawaii bases, Honolulu to purge inactive building permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mufi Hannemann’s Events Spark Inquiry Into Freebies From Tourism Agency. A state audit has triggered an investigation of whether the HTA board chair’s nonprofits inappropriately received free food and use of state facilities from his own agency. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority board on Tuesday questioned Hannemann at length about the events hosted by HTA for Hannemann’s organizations.  The Ethics Commission has already begun interviewing people as part of an inquiry into more than $14,000 in food and beverages provided for the two events.  Civil Beat.

Hegseth tours Hawaii bases, makes appeal to Pacific allies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued his tour of Hawaii on Tuesday, meeting with troops, touring bases and giving a speech in Waikiki in which he made overtures to American allies in the Pacific and called on them to help the U.S. confront China. Star-Advertiser.

Prince Kuhio Day eve event rallies support for $600M Hawaiian Homes funding. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a unity rally Tuesday at the state Capitol to pay tribute to Prince Kuhio a day ahead of his birthday and to counteract recent resistance to homestead development funding at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

The Unlikely Odyssey Of Prince Jonah Kūhiō. Raised in nobility and imprisoned after the overthrow of the monarchy, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole had an outsized impact on modern Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Digitized agriculture form disrupts tourism data. Akamai Arrival, the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form, left out the optional tourism questions from the back of the form, creating a blip in the state’s continuous tourism arrivals set that goes back to before the jet age. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu permitting department to purge building permit applications that have been in system more than 1 year. DPP announced that effective immediately, it will purge building permit applications that have been in its review system for more than 365 days, with no activity from the applicant. This includes permits that have been approved to be issued but have not been picked up. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Co-Owner Of Waiʻanae Company Arrested For Import Of Illegal Fireworks. The seizure of 24 tons of fireworks was the largest single interdiction by the state Illegal Fireworks Task Force. Josephine Quintanilla, a co-owner of Explicit Pyrotechnics, was charged on March 11 with allegedly importing fireworks into Hawaiʻi without a state license, a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  Civil Beat.

Lawmakers vote to support new Aloha Stadium project. A public hearing held at the state’s capitol building Tuesday, with two resolutions urging lawmakers to support the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District Project. KITV4.

TheBus, Skyline, Handi-Van phone lines resume after outage.  The outage follows scheduled maintenance early Tuesday, after which the phone lines failed to come back online. Star-Advertiser.

Balancing safety: Speed humps reduce crashes. But may be slowing Honolulu Fire’s response times. The Department of Transportation started installing speed humps in 2019. In total, there are 180 across Oahu with 11 more in the works. Hawaii News Now.

School Harassment Case Could Cost Hawaiʻi Taxpayers $150K. Stevenson Middle School Principal Katherine Balatico sued the education department for failing to protect her and her family after they received death threats through her job. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea begins ‘15th episode’ of eruption. Scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said “episode 15” of the ongoing eruption commenced at 12:04 p.m. Tuesday  “with the onset of vigorous overflows from the north vent,” along with “continuing cycles of lava rise, fountaining and vigorous overflows, and drainback events.” Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Big Island Video News.

Sayre Foundation partners with Life Flight Network to provide Big Island with new air ambulance. The Big Island will soon have a new tool able to rapidly respond to and transport the most critical patients from even its most rural areas because of two nonprofits dedicated to saving lives. Big Island Now.

A monument for Vietnam vets planned for school in Kona. Vietnam vet Clyde Brumaghim is currently leading an effort to raise money from the community for an elegant monument that will stand at Konawaena High School to honor the Wildcats who served in the Vietnam War, which took place from 1954 to 1975. Tribune-Herald.

Management plan for a popular Big Island trail focuses on capacity, cultural preservation. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources' new management plan for the Pololū Trailhead aims to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture, preserve the ʻāina, and address the overwhelming number of visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Mayor Bissen presents $1.512 billion FY2026 budget to Maui County Council. The document addresses funding needed for housing, recovery and well-being, natural and cultural resources, water, infrastructure and public safety. Maui Now.

Lawsuit challenges Trump freeze on Maui funding. The state Department of Human Services will have to shut down its ongoing relief efforts for 4,431 remaining survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires on April 4 unless the Federal Emergency Management Agency lifts a funding freeze, according to a federal lawsuit filed by attorneys general from both Republican and Democratic states. Star-Advertiser.

Shuttered Maui Fire Victims Jobs Effort Gets Funds, But Fate Still Unclear. Nonprofit that ran the dislocated worker grant program will get the new funding to cover expenses it already racked up. Civil Beat.

Commission supports Wailea housing project. The Maui Planning Commission has recommended moving forward with a revised plan for a 670-acre housing development in Wailea that reduces the requirement to provide affordable housing from 700 to 288 units. Maui News.

Lānaʻi Clinic Pushes To Prescribe Drugs As Telehealth Bill Moves Forward. The legal battle comes as the Legislature debates a bill that would allow pharmacists on neighbor islands to remotely supervise services at rural medical clinics. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Did you hear the siren? Let Kaua‘i Emergency Management know with new online tool. Kaua‘i County’s emergency management agency launched a new online reporting tool so residents and businesses can voluntarily help monitor the monthly tests. Kauai Now.

Hanalei Pavilion and parking lot to close. The Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled Hanalei Pavillion to close for two weeks for septic repairs and maintenance. Garden Island.

Defense Secretary Hegseth stops in Honolulu, gender wage disparity persists, state to allow inspections of prisons and jails, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Defense secretary stops in Hawaii as part of Pacific tour. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is on Oahu to meet with Pacific military leaders to discuss China and other security priorities in the region. Images released by Hegseth and the military on social media showed that soon after touching down on Oahu, he went to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters at Camp Smith, where he met with INDO­PACOM chief Adm. Samuel Paparo and other members of the military’s senior leadership in the Pacific, the Pentagon’s top-priority theater of operations. He also laid a wreath at Pearl Harbor.  Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Federal actions impact nearly $90M meant for Hawaiʻi and Pacific farmers, food organizations. Federal cuts and actions have already had “significant impacts” on the local food supply chain, as an estimated $88.5 million in federal funds meant for Hawaiʻi and Pacific region farmers and food system organizations have been frozen or eliminated, or have an uncertain future. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gender wage disparities still persist in Hawaii. Despite progress over the decades, data shows that women in the state still earn less than men, particularly in higher-paying occupations and among certain ethnic groups. Star-Advertiser.

State To Open Prisons And Jails For Inspection Of Mental Health Services. Hawaiʻi has agreed to open its prisons and jails for inspection by two national experts who will assess the state’s troubled inmate mental health services. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority names new interim leader. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has announced a leadership change as interim president and CEO Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi resigned on March 21 after 18 months in the role and over a decade in other leadership roles within the HTA. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pandemic in Hawaii’s rearview mirror, but COVID ‘still with us’.  More than five years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, throwing Hawaii and the world into chaos, memories of the traumatic events for many have become a blur in the rearview mirror. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Charter Commission officially convenes. After a decadelong absence, a 13-person panel charged with proposing ballot amendments to potentially change the City and County of Honolulu’s constitution officially convened Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Army launches Uber pilot program on Oahu. Soldiers and their families in Hawaii might have an easier time getting on and off base, whether it’s going to the airport or getting home safe after a wild night out, with a new pilot program the Army is launching in partnership with Uber. Star-Advertiser.

Blaisdell Concert Hall, Waikīkī Shell welcome back events after renovations. Two of Oʻahu’s iconic entertainment venues, the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall and Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell, have finished long-awaited renovations. Hawaii Public Radio.

City closes Ahihi Street footbridge due to safety concerns. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has closed the Ahihi Street footbridge indefinitely due to damage to its metal railings. The city said the bridge was built in 1975 and is located on Ahihi Street between Kamanaiki and Nihi streets. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Former Mayor Roth joins Central Pacific Bank. Former Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth has joined Central Pacific Bank as senior vice president and Hawaii Island region manager. He is based in the bank’s Hilo branch. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Kona Community and Kohala hospitals launch rebrand amid ongoing efforts to grow services. Kohala Hospital and Kona Community Hospital are getting a brand makeover with new logos that Hawaiian cultural practitioners helped design. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui advocates hope for change after ruling says state failed to protect iwi kupuna.  A new court ruling claims the state mishandled its archaeological permitting process and failed to protect iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) at a Maui development site. Hawaii News Now.

Online survey to rate county’s funding priorities. The survey is being released as Maui County Council prepares to review the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget, which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2026.  Maui News.

Bill for test well near Launiupoko advances. Maui County Council members are looking at what might be a potential source of fresh water near Lahaina that hasn’t been used as much since sugarcane was cultivated by the Pioneer Mill Company. Maui News.

Infrastructure repairs and maintenance for Maui State Forest Reserves scheduled in April. Sites in Upcountry Maui will close for the month of April to allow for trail repairs and fuel mitigation work.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

After Lahaina fire, Hawaii residents address their risk by becoming ‘Firewise’. Even with renewed interest in fire resilience, community leaders face challenges in mobilizing their neighbors. Mitigation can take money, time and sacrifice. Associated Press.

Kauai

Applications open for second building in Kai Olino affordable housing project on Kaua‘i. After delayed construction due to a fire, an affordable housing project in ‘Ele‘ele has finally begun accepting applications. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Rep. Gene Ward retiring due to health reasons, Legislature scrutinizes tax credits, COVID pandemic effects still felt after 5 years, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Rep. Gene Ward is retiring due to health concerns. Ward, a Republican, has been the longest-serving member of Hawaiʻi's House of Representatives, after being in public service for more than three decades, including more than 27 years working for his constituents in District 18 that encompasses Hawaiʻi Kai, Kalama Valley and Portlock. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.  Spectrum News. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii tax credits scrutinized by state lawmakers. Hawaii lawmakers have been busy this year assessing whether there should be more or fewer ways to earn state income tax credits, a year after approving historic tax cuts that ramp up through 2031. Star-Advertiser.

More of Hawaii’s House members juggle family and work. An unusually high number of state House members — Rep. Chris Todd counts “at least” 14 out of 51 — are juggling long days and often long nights this legislative session while raising infants and elementary school-age children, sometimes inside the state Capitol itself. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii poised to significantly expand amount of red light/speed cameras across the islands. The total cost of the expansion is expected to cost between $10 million to $15 million, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. These intersections are located on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai. KITV4.

Hawaii’s economic growth has been stunted since recovering from pandemic. It’s been five years since Hawaii’s economy got broadsided by COVID-19 impacts, and about 18 months since state economic health surpassed its pre-pandemic level. Yet corona­virus aftereffects continue to play out. Star-Advertiser.

COVID changes still disrupt lives across Hawaii. As Hawaii marks the five-year anniversary of the start of COVID-19 outbreaks in the isles and health-related shutdowns, for some the pandemic was a blip, a small notation in their medical charts. But others view their COVID-19 experience as a deep wound that has yet to heal and is forming scars.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Camera system warning phase for speeders in urban Honolulu starts Monday. The state Department of Transportation will begin issuing warnings Monday for speeding violations detected by newly implemented safety camera systems. The cameras, installed at 10 urban Honolulu intersections where red-light cameras are already operational, will begin citing speeding motorists in September or October, according to DOT Director Ed Sniffen. Star-Advertiser.

New City And State Homeless Directors Face Monumental Task. Roy Miyahira and Jun Yang have just stepped almost simultaneously into a pivotal moment in the landscape of homelessness in Hawaiʻi. Each is the third person to hold their position in as many years.  Civil Beat.

Outdoor dining is set to become a permanent option for Oʻahu restaurants. Dining al fresco may become more common at Oʻahu restaurants with the Honolulu City Council's passing of Bill 1 to make the outdoor dining services program permanent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council OKs Ewa Beach affordable rental project. Kaleimao Village, a ublic-private partnership to convert a vacant city-owned property in Ewa Beach into 127 units of affordable rental housing has advanced. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu attorney who was part of a black market pipeline offering babies from the Marshall Islands for adoption has been barred from practicing law. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court put Laurie Loomis on inactive status last month “due to incapacity.”  Civil Beat.

Youth Facility Can Spend Up To $80,000 On Fast Food. For the third year in a row, the Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility’s kitchen is understaffed, so it is turning to plate lunches for emergency meals. Civil Beat.

Free state program helps Oʻahu residents rid little fire ants from their homes. If you're an Oʻahu resident and have a problem with little fire ants, you can get some help for free. The state Department of Agriculture has launched a $1.1 million program to help eradicate infestations of the ants, treating around 600 homes on the island. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State commission delays decision on rate increase for private utility company on Big Island. After hearing more than two hours of online testimony on Thursday evening, the Public Utilities Commission decided to seek more written testimony before deciding whether to approve temporary rate increases requested by the privately-owned Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation utility. Big Island Now.

County Council passes pilot program to allow mobile vendors along a stretch of highway in Kona. The Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday voted for a pilot program that would authorize special activity permits for commercial vendors on the ocean side of Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kailua-Kona. Big Island Now.

Trailhead Management Plan Published For “Overly Loved” Pololū. The management plan “aims to preserve its cultural, historical, and environmental resources while ensuring accessibility for future generations.”  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Uncertainty over federal funding cuts hangs over the upcoming budget talks for Maui County. Mayor Richard Bissen will deliver the fiscal year 2026 budget to the council on Tuesday, giving the nine members about three months to hammer out a final product that will balance the wildfire recovery in Lahaina and Upcountry with other pressing needs of Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.  Maui Now.

Maui Humane Society program helps dogs shine, creating a national model for success. The shelter's Kama’āina Beach Buddies and Dogs on Demand programs give dogs a chance to escape the stressful kennel environment — and help them meet potential adopters along the way. It's so popular it’s often booked out months in advance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Community-led coral restoration effort launches in South Maui. A new Community-Based Coral Restoration Area (CBCRA), established in South Maui, is offering damaged corals a chance to recover from rising ocean temperatures, sediment pollution and human activity. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mālama Kaua‘i partners with Bette Midler on 87-acre agricultural park to help farmers. Mālama Kaua‘i is working on an agricultural park on the East Side of the Garden Isle that will offer affordable, sublicensed farm plots on 87 acres fronting Olohena Road between Kapa‘a and the Wailua Homesteads. Kauai Now.

New affordable housing on Kauai to begin accepting applications. The project called Kai Olino Family Apartments in Eleele began accepting applications Thursday for its first building, with the deadline being set for Monday.  Hawaii News Now.

New Kuleana.work space dedicated. The Kuleana AI Lab was dedicated by Kumu Sabra Kauka and the Kuleana leadership team on Saturday morning at the site of the former First Hawaiian Bank, Kukui Grove branch. Garden Island.

Legislature advances state park fee bills, mulls sex-trafficking, prior authorization insurance measures, turmoil at the top at HTA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Visitor ‘green fees’ bill passes House committees. The House Tourism and Water and Land Committee passed the latest version of Senate Bill 439, which would allow the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to select certain state parks that would require a user fee, be adjusted over time for inflation and contribute to the state parks special fund. Star-Advertiser.

HTA scrambles to fill void after departure of another president and CEO. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has appointed Caroline Anderson as its new interim president and CEO following the resignation of its current interim top leader Daniel Naho’opi’i, who had been in the role for the past 18 months. Star-Advertiser.

Dismantling of Department of Education raises concerns in Hawaii. While the majority of funding for Hawaii’s public education system comes from the state, Hawaii still relies on federal funds to maintain programs for vulnerable students. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Senate Judiciary Committee set for decision-making on sex trafficking bill next week. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled for decision-making next week on a House bill that would authorize sex trafficking victims to file civil lawsuits against the perpetrators of what’s been called a “form of modern-day slavery.” Maui Now.

Farm to Families bills seek to help food banks with emergencies, federal cuts. Lawmakers are moving along a pair of measures that  would establish a Farm to Families program within the state Department of Agriculture to allocate state funds to food banks for buying, storing and delivering locally grown or produced food for food-insecure communities.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Doctors call for reform on insurance practice they say impacts care and leads to burnout. Lawmakers are trying to reform an insurance practice aimed at curbing unnecessary treatments called "prior authorization” — when health care providers need approval from insurers before delivering medical services or medications. Hawaii Public Radio.

Science advisors discuss updates to protected species issues, strategic planning for Western Pacific fisheries. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee met this week to review protected species management and discuss strategic planning for fisheries in the region. Maui Now.

New study finds forests, fish, food production protected by indigenous agroforestry. A team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Kamehameha Schools and Seascape Solutions found that protecting native forests combined transitioning fallow and unmanaged agricultural lands to a Native Hawaiian agroforestry system can improve local food production, biodiversity conservation and cultural connection in places from land to sea. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Proposed sewer fee hikes approaching on Oahu. Officials say the fees are rising because the city needs to complete $10 billion worth of projects in the next 15 years, including a $2.5 billion project at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hawaii News Now.

No Charges For HPD Officer In 2024 Shooting Death Of Homeless Man. Prosecutors said officers tried to de-escalate the situation and use non-lethal force before shooting Brandan Maroney. Civil Beat.

Aliamanu firework survivors discharged from Arizona hospital. The five survivors from the Aliamanu New Year’s blast, who were transported to Arizona, have been discharged from acute care at Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center Valleywise Health. Hawaii News Now.

State Suddenly Swaps Contractor For Major Oʻahu Public Housing Overhaul. No reason was given for the sudden change at Kūhiō Park Terrace, approved Thursday by the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority’s board. Civil Beat.

Blaisdell Concert Hall completes $10 million in phased renovations. Reopening in early March after a nearly two-year closure, the 60-year-old concert hall at 777 Ward Ave. underwent $10 million in interior upgrades to enhance the entertainment venue’s back-of-house facilities and equipment. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu rail project CEO sets sights on opening next segment in October. The second segment runs a little over 5 miles from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street  and includes stops at Honolulu airport and Pearl Harbor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s homeless sweeps, what else is needed. Officials continue to conduct homeless sweeps at public parks but it is not clear if the enforcement is putting a dent in the problem or pushing it down the road. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano puts on dazzling show with lava fountains hundreds of feet high. Lava from Hawaii’s most active volcano created fountains that reached 700 feet (215 meters) Thursday during the latest episode of an ongoing eruption.  Associated Press.

Progress made in effort to build Hilo skatepark. Funding from Hawaii County and the state totaling $6 million is bringing the decade-long effort to build Hilo’s first skatepark closer to fruition. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor stands behind request for leave of absence for Maui police chief. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said there was not any personal dispute between him and Police Chief John Pelletier when he recommended Pelletier take a leave of absence pending a civil lawsuit naming the police chief as a co-defendant. Maui News.

5 Lahaina homes to be rebuilt through multi-organization partnership. More than half of the 1,355 homes destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires were owner-occupied. Five of those families will get new homes thanks to a multi-organization partnership.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Transgender Students Have Strong Protections In Hawaiʻi. That May Not Last. A private school on Maui is restricting transgender students’ access to bathrooms and sports teams. Some advocates are worried that more schools might follow. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai District Health Office open house coming soon. Department of Health staff will be available during the open house to share their work and talk about how members of the community can work together to identify and address public health issues.  Garden Island.

Green wants to create Federal Affairs Office, HECO execs got big raises despite financial woes, Maui police chief to stay on job despite Diddy lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Proposes a Federal Affairs Office To Make Hawaiʻi’s Case In DC. The governor is asking legislators for $1.3 million to fund five new positions over the next two years. Gov. Josh Green is asking for state money to open a new federal affairs office with staff in Hawaiʻi and Washington, D.C., citing dramatic shifts in federal policy that have already unfolded under President Donald Trump’s administration. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Execs Pocketed Huge Raises Despite $1.4B In Losses. Steering the utility from the brink of bankruptcy justified a $1.7 million raise for its CEO, the company said. Civil Beat.

Canadians cite Trump in canceling trips to Hawaii. A small sample of once-loyal Hawaii visitors from Canada have written to Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii tourism officials that they canceled their latest trips to the islands because of President Donald Trump’s comments and actions toward their country. Star-Advertiser.

Federal funding uncertainty puts climate resiliency bills in jeopardy. Major initiatives that would have created a dedicated funding stream for climate resiliency are in jeopardy at the state Legislature. Uncertainty regarding federal funding is pushing lawmakers to make tough decisions.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers vote to keep invasive species council housed under land department. Lawmakers nixed a proposal to move the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council out from under the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s construction industry braces for trade war fallout. Some Hawaii businesses are feeling the fallout of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. Now, all steel and aluminum imports, regardless of the country they came from, are subject to a 25% tariff. For China, that tariff is now up to 45% due to the existing tax.  Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii moves forward with search for next AD.  The process of hiring the University of Hawaii’s next athletic director is underway with the enlistment of a national search firm and the formation of a 10-member search committee, UH president Wendy Hensel announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New rail segment to open later this year. The second segment of Skyline is set to begin passenger operations on Oct. 1, expanding the City and County of Honolulu's rail system and bringing passengers closer to Honolulu's urban core.  Aloha State Daily.

Honolulu Council adopts ban on wheelies for e-bikes, motorcycles. A measure targeting the riders of electric bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles who perform stunts on public streets or roadways has successfully steered its way through the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Blangiardi's annual address highlights Honolulu rail and affordable housing progress. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s fifth State of the City address was filled with plans, announcements and highlights of his efforts to help residents and improve city services during his second four-year term. Hawaii Public Radio.

Housing opportunities among top focus for Honolulu officials in '25 and beyond. With some new housing opportunities getting set to open, including Pensacola Maikiki Banyan Apartments (90-unit affordable housing project, located at corner of Pensacola and Wilder) opening next year and another location on Algaroba (25 units, studios and 1-bedrooms, utilities included), opening in July, many feel progress is being made, but what more can be done? KITV4.

City councilmember to ask for police chief’s resignation if HPD vacancies hit 475. Honolulu City Councilmember Andria Tupola says police chief Joe Logan should step down if the number of vacancies in the Honolulu Police Department hit 475. As of March 1, HPD had 1,722 officers and 455 vacancies. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police chief apologizes for silence over Waikiki shooting. Honolulu’s police chief is apologizing for failing to inform the public about potential danger. This time, the department didn’t alert the public after an apparent shootout Sunday night in Waikiki that might have involved an automatic weapon with the shooter or shooters still at large. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Is Being Evicted Amid Federal Cuts. Observatory leaders have assured local emergency officials their public service will continue, but questions linger about how and where that work will happen. Civil Beat.

Private utility company requesting temporary water/wastewater rate increases for Punalu‘u. Due to opposition to the Punalu‘u Village, the owner has ceased further financial support for Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation and has requested rate increases for the approximately 100 households that use the private system. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Police Commission opts against putting chief on leave over Diddy lawsuit. The Maui Police Commission decided Wednesday against placing Maui Police Chief John Pelletier on administrative leave, as recommended by the mayor after the filing of a civil lawsuit in Northern California alleging Pelletier acted as an operative in 2018 for rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs to help hide his alleged sexual assaults. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

County Department of Human Concerns seeking feedback on community needs. The County of Maui Department of Human Concerns is seeking resident feedback to improve existing services and identify needs for new services to support Maui County residents.  Maui Now.

Children displaced by Maui fires will receive playhouse at temporary school. To support the children affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires, the nonprofit Maui United Way is funding the installation of a children’s playhouse at the temporary Kamehameha III School in Pulelehua. Spectrum News.

Kauai

County Engineering Division now offers road permit applications online. A road permit is required for any work within a county right of way. The county’s Department of Public Works Engineering Division recently launched an online application process for the permits on the Kaua‘i County website. Kauai Now.

2 new renewable projects would bring Garden Isle close to 80% renewable energy within 3 years. Two new solar-plus-battery-storage projects being pursued by Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative would bring the Garden Isle close to 80% renewable energy before the end of this decade. Kauai Now.

Native Hawaiians eye funding cuts, Blangiardi seeks safer Oahu in State of City speech, Maui teacher fired for opposing transgender rules, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Senate committees slashes DHHL’s $600M request to $50M. A drastic cut to the money could come to Department of Hawaiian Homelands as it aims to clear its decades-long waitlist. Two Senate committees moved a proposed bill forward Tuesday, but took a big cut to the DHHL’s $600 million request. Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian services at risk due to federal funding cuts. From Hawaiian immersion programs to affordable housing and food banks across the islands, critical programs are in jeopardy of being eliminated. KITV4.

High Court Rules Against Insurers. Now It’s Time To Divvy Up $4B. Among the questions: how much will Maui wildfire victims and their lawyers get from the huge settlement, and how will Hawaiʻi’s insurance market react? Civil Beat.

Family caregivers could get up to $5,000 in tax credits for out-of-pocket costs. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a bill that would allow caregivers to claim a tax credit for out-of-pocket costs for supplies. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposed AI facility at UH approved by panels. A joint hearing of the Senate Higher Education and Labor and Technology committees passed the latest version of House Bill 546 to establish an “aloha intelligence institute” at UH that would “develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide,” according to the bill. Star-Advertiser.

Federal support secured for UH, restoration of 442nd web page. Gov. Josh Green announced Monday that discussions with White House officials have helped secure continued federal funding for the University of Hawaii amid an ongoing civil rights investigation, while also advocating for the restoration of an Army web page honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

State considers costly solution to fight coconut rhinoceros beetles. The state has tried to stop the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle since its first detection in 2013. So far it’s been a losing battle, but agriculture officials now say a virus in New Zealand may be the answer. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii sees continued growth in solar installations and capacity. Rooftop solar installations across Hawaiian Electric’s service areas continued to expand in 2024, with 7,976 new systems added, bringing the total to 113,999. This marks a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Blangiardi Outlines Plans For Safer Oʻahu In State Of The City Speech. A North Shore first responders hub, a Windward ocean safety facility and a Waipahu base for the city’s homelessness response team are part of a raft of public safety investments that Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is planning for the coming year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Measure to ban landfills over aquifers is now fielding concerns about recycled ash. In December, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration announced plans to site Oʻahu’s new landfill in Wahiawā, prompting several measures to be introduced at the Legislature this year to clarify where landfills and waste facilities can, and can't, be placed. Hawaii Public Radio.

To Sell More Housing in West Oʻahu, This Developer Plans To Raise Prices. In Kalaeloa, affordable housing units aren’t a lot cheaper than market-rate units. So the developer plans to raise the price of market-rate units. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Committee Punts Approval Of Police MOUs With Feds To Full Council. By a razor-thin margin, a Hawaiʻi County Council committee on Tuesday voted to leave it up to the full council whether to allow the mayor to sign agreements between the Big Island’s police department and federal law enforcement agencies after its top cop insisted he had no interest in enforcing immigration law. Civil Beat.

New preschool for 80 children to be built near ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. The preschool will offer a variety of benefits such as affordable child care for UH Hilo students, workforce development for new teachers, and meeting the demand for more early childhood education taught in the Hawaiian language. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Community College butchery course graduates inaugural class. A new butchery course at Hawai‘i Community College graduated its inaugural class of six at the Kō Center in Honoka‘a. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui police chief’s lawyer asks commission not to investigate allegations; county says fair probe needed for public trust. Pelletier has been accused in a civil lawsuit of being involved in the conspiracy of a gang rape orchestrated by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in California in 2018. At the time Pelletier was working for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.  Maui Now.

Maui teacher says she was fired for speaking out against anti-trans policy. A teacher on Maui said she was fired for not accepting a new school policy that she said discriminates against transgender students. Vashti Daise has been a teacher for 35 years. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Waena Intermediate School’s Principal McCandless named Principal of the Year. Maui Waena Intermediate School Principal Jacquelyn McCandless has been named a winner of the state’s 2025 National Distinguished Principals of the Year by the Hawai’i Association of Secondary School Administrators. Maui News. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC looking at two new renewable energy projects. On Tuesday, the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative announced that it is proposing two new renewable energy projects that will bring Kauai close to 80 percent renewable energy by 2028. Garden Island.

Hands-on ocean awareness. The first paid lifeguard internship program hit the waters on Tuesday at the South end of Lydgate Beach Park. Garden Island.

USDA grants to Hawaii farms on hold, Air Force Research Laboratory awards $176M for Haleakala supercomputing site, renewed support for good government bills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

USDA program to send millions of dollars to Hawaiʻi farmers is on pause, under DOGE review. A federally funded initiative that’s set to send millions of dollars to Hawaiʻi food producers was scheduled to launch this month, but now it’s on hold — and possibly on the chopping block — while the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency reviews it. Hawaii Public Radio.

Latest USDA Cuts Will Harm Hawaiʻi’s Food Security, From Farmers To Kids. Hawaiʻi’s food security is already weak. Nearly one-third of children in the state live in a food insecure home and the demand for food banks is on the rise. Civil Beat.

Hawaii veterans, VA staff speak out on federal cuts. The VA has confirmed that in Hawaii it has laid off a “small number” of probationary employees working for the VA Pacific Island Health Care System, but would not discuss what roles they were in. Star-Advertiser.

‘Clean government’ bills have renewed support. A series of bills aimed at further cleaning up government ethics, lobbying practices and campaign contributions — while making it easier for new candidates to campaign for office — are suddenly enjoying renewed energy in the Legislature after a lull in 2024. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants weigh new deal. Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement on a contract extension, which is expected to improve negotiations for a joint collective bargaining agreement, a key step in the post-merger integration of flight attendants from Hawaiian and Alaska. Star-Advertiser.

Chief Justice seeks public comment on judicial nominees for the First Circuit. Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald announced today that he is seeking public comment on judicial nominees for one vacancy in the District Court of the First Circuit (Island of Oʻahu) and two vacancies in the District Family Court of the First Circuit. Maui Now.

Oahu

Wahiawā's Kamalani Academy to close in June after Charter School Commission decision. The Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission noted that Kamalani failed to meet three of four requirements outlined in the contract: material and substantial violations of charter contract terms, failure to meet generally accepted standards of fiscal management, and failure to meet or make sufficient progress toward performance expectations. Hawaii Public Radio.

Barnwell sells water drilling subsidiary for $1,050,000. Honolulu-based Barnwell Industries Inc., which specializes in oil and natural gas operations, said today it has sold subsidiary Water Resources International Inc. for $1,050,000. The subsidiary is a deep drilling and well pumping specialist in the exploration and development of groundwater resources for government, commercial and private clients. Star-Advertiser.

New affordable rentals coming to Central O‘ahu. Koa Vista is a new two-phase affordable rental development located within Koa Ridge that will ultimately include a total of 192 senior and family rental apartments in two mid-rise buildings. Aloha State Daily.

Hawaii Island

UPW, county reach hazard pay settlement. United Public Workers has reached a settlement agreement with Hawaii County over temporary hazard pay for frontline workers who endured heightened risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Fire Department welcomes 4 new ambulances to service. Funded by the state with $1.2 million, the ambulances will be assigned to the Central (Hilo), Keauhou, Waikōloa, and Ocean View stations. They replace existing emergency vehicles that have reached the end of their life. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Documents detail cop shooting: Alleged accomplice in Hilo parking lot incident makes initial court appearance. Court documents paint a harrowing picture of an incident Friday in Hilo in which both a police officer and a suspect were wounded by gunfire. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2.

UH Hilo has new plan to help boost enrollment. The five-pronged Strategic Enrollment Management Plan includes infrastructure improvements, streamlining the admissions and transfer processes, and adjusting recruitment strategies.  Tribune-Herald.

Maui

KBR awarded $176M contract to Air Force Maui Supercomputing Site at Haleakalā. KBR announced today it has been awarded a $176M cost plus fixed-fee, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory to provide operations and equipment maintenance support to the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site (AMOS), on Maui. Maui Now.

Maui police chief fires back against ‘false and baseless’ allegations in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs lawsuit. Maui Police Chief John Pelletier submitted a packet of information to the police commission Monday in an effort to stay on the job and clear his name after a civil lawsuit linked him to a Sean “Diddy” Combs sex assault case. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

UHERO: Persistent income, employment, housing challenges 1.5 years after the Maui wildfires. Nearly a year and a half after the devastating August 2023 wildfires, new survey results from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) highlight persistent housing unaffordability, elevated poverty and unemployment rates, and ongoing economic hardship among fire-impacted households on Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Farm expansion grants grow. The Office of Economic Development has offered funding with the intent to advance Kauai’s agricultural industry through targeted investments in the expansion of farming and production across the island. Of the 18 proposals received by the OED, a dozen projects were selected to share in $637,429 in grants funding. Garden Island.

Hawaiʻi’s Imperiled Milk Industry Has A Rare Chance To Grow. Hawaiʻi is down to just one commercial dairy, mostly relying on imported milk. A new proposal looks at a West Kauaʻi site. Civil Beat.

Legislature unlikely to hold public hearings on big pay hikes, first $1.5M payment made to Maui victim's estate, suspect dead in Big Island police shooting, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 Lawmakers Likely To Let Big Pay Raises Take Effect Without Public Hearings. There is still time for the Legislature to hold public hearings on proposed raises for lawmakers, judges, the governor and other state officials, but there is a good chance any further objections from the public will be smothered. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi jurors could get a pay bump to $50 a day for their service. Lawmakers advanced a bill that would pay jurors $50 each day they spend in court. They currently receive $30. Hawaii Public Radio.

Housing Authority Wants To Dump Evicted Tenants’ Things More Quickly. Under a bill that’s part of Gov. Josh Green’s legislative package, the housing authority could get rid of tenants’ stuff after 14 days. Currently, it must hold onto them 30 days. Civil Beat.

State House lawmakers defer hate crime bill. The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs deferred a bill Tuesday that would broaden the current definition of a reported hate crime and push more resources to recording hate crime data and training law enforcement officers. Star-Advertiser.

Senate committee advances a bill artists say would threaten arts funding. House Bill 1378 would shift some of the funding from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, which is used to pay its employees and the state art museum, from special funds to general funds. Hawaii Public Radio.

How Trump’s Economic Policies Are Roiling Hawaiʻi’s Economy. Economists struggle to predict the fallout, while tourism, construction and retail businesses seek their own paths through upheaval. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii faculty preparing for the worst as funding cuts loom. The University of Hawaii officials got some positive news Friday when U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced that UH had been dropped from a list of universities being investigated for possible violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian immersion schools are standing firm in uncertain times. The state Department of Education’s Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawaiian immersion school program has played a key role in helping restore a critical mass of Hawaiian speakers in Hawaii and expanding the use of Hawaiian among residents and visitors. Star-Advertiser.

Health officials recommend vaccines amidst rise in measles cases. Measles cases this year have so far been reported in at least 15 states, including Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alaska, California, and Florida — but not in Hawaii.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii jobless rate holds at 3% for seventh straight month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January held at 3.0% for the seventh straight month after six consecutive months at 2.9%, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor to give State of the City Address.  Bold plans in the city’s agenda will be shared during Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s State of the City Address on March 18. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Senators Want More Accountability For Aloha Stadium Spending. But they are declining to advance provisions that would have defunded the stadium and given the money to the University of Hawaiʻi instead. Civil Beat.

Amid Concerns About Campus Violence, Police To Come To Oʻahu Schools. Students were more likely to be arrested on a campus with a school resource officer, according to Department of Education data. Civil Beat.

Some places in Hawaiʻi falling into sea faster than others. That discovery, published recently in a study by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, also highlights that as sea level rises, the infrastructure, businesses and communities in these low-lying areas are at risk of flooding sooner than scientists anticipated — particularly in certain urban areas of Oʻahu. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Sports Media Legend Cindy Luis, dies at 70.  Luis was a trailblazer for women in media here in Hawaii throughout her career. As she became the first woman sports editor of a daily newspaper in Hawaii. KHON2. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island manhunt ends; suspect dead. The manhunt for Christopher Lucrisia, a 39-year-old fugitive accused of shooting a Hawaii Police Department officer midday Friday, ended Sunday afternoon when police reported him dead after a shooting involving an officer. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Astronomy could be in jeopardy amidst federal cutbacks. While it is still too early to predict how cuts to the National Science Foundation will impact the observatories’ operations, the situation could eliminate the U.S. as a competitive player in global astronomy. Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Bay watershed management plan is sought. The Hawaii County Department of Research and Development announced Wednesday that it is requesting proposals from contractors to develop a “Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan.” Tribune-Herald.

Lava buyouts program is winding down. A Hawaii County program offering to purchase Puna residents’ lava-damaged properties should finally wrap up this year. The Voluntary Housing Buyout Program launched in 2021 to offer residents whose properties were damaged, destroyed or isolated by the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

First $1.5M payment has been made to the estate of a Maui wildfire victim as part of state’s $175M One ʻOhana Fund. Gov. Josh Green, M.D., announced the initial disbursements from the $175 million One ‘Ohana Fund, a key initiative of the Maui Wildfires Compensation Program. This fund was created to provide direct financial relief to the families of those who lost loved ones and to individuals who suffered serious physical injuries in the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfire. Maui Now.

$1.6B in federal recovery funding coming to Maui will focus on housing. If all goes as planned, $1.6 billion in recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will help the Lahaina community get back on its feet. It’s known as Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding, and it comes with strict requirements. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Revitalization plan in works for milk production on Kauai. One of the biggest local growers of fruits and vegetables, Aloun Farms, is seeking legislative backing to establish a dairy farm on Kauai described as a project to “revitalize” Hawaii’s dairy industry. Star-Advertiser.

Salary Commission approves big pay hikes for state officials, whale entanglements skyrocket, Maui and Kauai face record-low stream levels, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Salary Commission finalizes double-digit raises for state officials. The Commission on Salaries on Thursday unanimously approved a series of pay raises for state officials totaling 27% for Hawaii’s governor until mid-2030, in addition to 44% overall pay increases for state legislators over five years. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Fears, frustration among University of Hawaii community over federal funding, DEI cuts. University of Hawaii president Wendy Hensel hosted a town hall Thursday, getting feedback from the school community on fears of DEI references being scrubbed from materials, a crackdown on alleged antisemitism, canceled grants, and layoffs of researchers and federal employees. The university operates on a budget of $1.3 billion, with $636 million coming from the state, $410 million from tuition, and $370 million from federal funding. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Repeal of impact fees threatens new school growth across Hawaii. The state Department of Education is warning that repealing school impact fees — a move now under consideration by lawmakers — could eliminate a critical funding source used to build new schools in growing residential communities across Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

HIDOE shares proposed methodology and timeline for school consolidation study. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education announced that it has initiated a discussion on its approach to review public school campuses for potential consolidation in light of a steady decrease in overall enrollment over the past decade. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi could set a standard for affordable housing developers to support displaced tenants. Two bills still alive this legislative session await a joint hearing from the Senate Housing and Ways Committee after crossing over from the House. Hawaii Public Radio.

Sports betting bill advances. The Hawaii Senate committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and on Economic Development and Tourism recommended on Thursday the passage of House Bill 1308, which would establish regulations for betting on sports and specify that “legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests” would not be considered gambling. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers want more biosecurity measures. Ag officials want to see the money. As measures to manage pests continue to move through this legislative session, state officials are urging lawmakers to provide the necessary resources to carry out the directives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Whale entanglements in Hawaii skyrocket this season. So far this season alone, there have been 16 reported whale entanglements. That is compared to six last season and double the average of eight over the past 23 seasons. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Oʻahu Social Worker Accused In Daughter’s Death Continued To Work With Kids. Until six days ago Sina Pili was still working as a behavioral health specialist at Kahuku High and Intermediate School, where she tended to students with learning disabilities, special needs and behavior issues. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Illegal Fireworks Seller Avoids Jail Time, Fined $5,000. This concludes the second of two cases brought by a state fireworks task force – both for low-level offenders. Civil Beat.

East-West Center’s federal funding in jeopardy. The East-West Center, which has suspended “nonessential expenditures” since being cut off from federal funding by the U.S. Department of State at the start of Donald Trump’s administration, received $5 million in previously appropriated money Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Ewa Beach affordable rental project under review. A public-private partnership to convert an empty, city-owned parcel in Ewa Beach into 127 units of affordable rental housing is underway. At a special Honolulu City Council Budget Committee meeting Thursday, Stanford Carr Development LLC unveiled plans to build Kaleimao Village at 91-1666 Renton Road. Star-Advertiser.

Waimanalo homeless sweeps starts Friday morning. Some members in the tight-knit community have been against sweeps in Waimanalo, where huge encampments have popped up over the years. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Budget bill includes funding for Puna alternate route studies. The latest version of the state’s budget bill, House Bill 300, includes funds for two Puna alternate route studies. The first would allocate $1.5 million in general obligation bonds to develop a Puna Makai Alternate Route Study. Tribune-Herald.

Next 2 phases of roadwork near Holualoa to begin in May. Department of Public Works spokeswoman Sherise Kana‘e-Kane said the next two stretches of approximately three miles each that will be simultaneously upgraded are north and south of the nearly completed first phase, which spanned Route 180 between Kamalani Street and Kalamauka Road. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui streams flowing at record-low levels. Some streams are already completely dry and that’s affecting water availability for drinking water supplies, for traditional and customary practices, and for agriculture.  Maui News. Maui Now.

Highly invasive bird spotted near Kāʻanapali; poses serious threat to Maui agriculture. Agriculture and wildlife officials are raising concerns after a red-vented bulbul was spotted near Kāʻanapali, Maui. To better determine the bird’s presence on Maui and develop an effective response strategy, MISC officials are asking the public to report any red-vented bulbul sightings immediately. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i streams flowing at record low levels. The water level in Kawaikōī Stream in West Kaua‘i, which drains a portion of the Garden Isle’s vast Alaka‘i Plateau, probably looks fine to the untrained eye. But stream flow data gathered by the Hawai’i Commission on Water Resource Management tell a far — and alarmingly — different story. Kauai Now.

Super American Circus is back. The Super American Circus has returned to Kauai for an engaging three-day circus event, marking the final leg of its Hawaiian tour.  Garden Island.