10k public housing units proposed, child abuse cases rise, Oahu jail funding uncertain, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

10,000 more homes planned at Hawaii public housing projects. The Hawaii Public Housing Authority anticipates picking a private master developer partner within 60 days to redevelop nine of the agency’s low-income rental housing subdivisions on four islands where all 1,187 existing apartments would be replaced while also adding potentially 10,880 more homes for low- and middle-income households. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority faces critical week. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority faces its most critical week since its 1998 creation as lawmakers consider a state budget that could zero out its funding or drastically reduce it, and begin the final push in advance of Friday’s decking deadline on two bills that could repeal the agency. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii concerned with Senate version of budget. The House version of the state budget fully restores funding to the University of Hawaii, unlike the Senate version, which only partially restores funds cut during COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Latest sequel to Hawaii film tax credit program pending at Legislature. Hawaii lawmakers have written several different scripts this year to dramatically alter the state’s ever-changing film industry tax credit program, and one controversial draft is still pending at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Bill protecting sexual assault survivors awaits Governor Josh Green's signature. Senate Bill 1267 will help survivors obtain a restraining order against their offender regardless of what state they live in. KITV4.

Child abuse cases in Hawaii rose to 2,114 in 2022 as pandemic unwound. In a news conference Sunday, the Children’s Justice Centers of Hawaii said that in 2022 they tracked 2,114 cases of abuse in children ranging in age from infants to 17 years old. The cases were up 332 from 2020 and 54 from 2021. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Teenagers Go To Court To Force Climate Action. Lawsuits in Hawaii and Montana shine light on how climate chaos threatens their adult lives. Hawaii presents another opportunity to test a constitutional guarantee to a “clean and healthful environment.” What does that mean? The plaintiffs, represented by Our Children’s Trust and Earthjustice, are determined to find out.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s water systems tackle ‘forever chemicals’. PFAS, an acronym for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been found in water systems throughout the country, particularly those that rely on surface water. In Hawaii, most of the state’s drinking water comes from groundwater. Star-Advertiser.

UH Sea Grant Program receives over $5M for ocean debris cleanup. Efforts to keep waters around Hawaii pristine are getting some welcome funding. Hawaii News Now. Maui Now.

Hawaii Residents Are Struggling Even More With High Interest Rates. But Good News May Be Looming. Many people and small businesses racked up debt during the pandemic and are "in catch-up mode," according to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. Civil Beat.

US Rep. Jill Tokuda Refuses To Take Corporate PAC Money. Does It Matter? The first-term congresswoman doubled down on her campaign pledge in a recent fundraising email. Experts say it's all about political messaging. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Debate Over A New Hawaii Jail Heats Up In The Final Days Of The Legislature. The Senate proposed spending $25 million to plan and solicit bids to replace the aging Oahu Community Correctional Center. The House offered nothing. Civil Beat.

Honolulu rail safety plans include security cameras, patrols. A federally mandated rail safety plan identifying the city Department of Transportation Services as the final responsible party for the coming rail system has rolled toward official approval. Star-Advertiser.

The Battle Against Cockfighting In Hawaii: Lax Enforcement Helps Foster An Attitude Of ‘What’s Wrong With It?’ HPD used to do weekly raids and undercover ops to tackle cockfighting. Now, police haven’t made any arrests in over a year.  Civil Beat.

Chinatown Walmart Could Be Converted To Housing If City Council Bill Passes. The measure would make it easier to transform commercial spaces into residential. Some say the measure goes too far. Civil Beat.

Dorm to be UH Manoa’s second housing partnership. A newly approved University of Hawaii student housing project on Dole Street will be a landmark in a couple of ways, becoming the second public-private student housing project on the Manoa campus and housing a child care facility supported by the state’s new preschool initiative. Star-Advertiser.

Project aims to kick-start Waikiki coral reefs. The REEFrame project, as it is being called, is a partnership of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Conservation International, the state Division of Aquatic Resources, ocean technology firm Natrx, ocean engineering firm Oceanit and ClimbHI, a workforce development nonprofit. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

DLNR to monitor monk seal Kaiwi, pup around the clock. DLNR said its Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers will help keep people safe by directing them away from where the seals are in the water. Anyone who ignores the DOCARE officers’ directions can be cited or arrested. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

State to open new pre-K classrooms: Big Island to receive a total of 13 by 2024. Eleven new pre-kindergarten classrooms are set to open throughout the state by August, including one at Waimea Elementary School. Tribune-Herald.

Puna Wastewater Service Options Examined In Draft EIS. The County of Hawaiʻi is considering options for wastewater systems in Puna, including sending the wastewater to Hilo for treatment. Big Island Video News.

Pohoiki Bay Restoration Draft Environmental Assessment Published. Public comments are being accepted on a plan to dredge the accumulated volcanic debris and restore access to the Pohoiki Boat Ramp. Big Island Video News.

Lawyers in Boy Scout shooting case express frustration. Lawyers for the family of an 11-year-old Boy Scout killed last August when an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle was accidentally discharged at a shooting range wrangled in court Friday with lawyers for the Boy Scouts of America and its Aloha Council. Tribune-Herald.

Food Basket working to establish ag innovation campus. With newly acquired 24.5 acres of land, The Food Basket is working to create the Hawaii Island Agricultural Innovation Park and Food Systems Campus, which will help alleviate food insecurity, lift barriers to pursuing agriculture, and respond to the current economic downturn by providing the capital needed to create a robust agricultural economy. Tribune-Herald.

Paving Waikoloa Road – Community meeting explains timeline, process. Nearly 20 community members attended a meeting Thursday evening presented by the county Public Works Division at Waikoloa Elementary School to learn the details of the planned paving of the road that transverses their village from Mamalahoa Highway to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

State cracking down on illegal car rentals at airport. Owners say they need help from Turo, state to comply with rules Since early March, the state Department of Transportation has been working “hand in hand” with the Maui Police Department to crack down on peer-to-peer rental car businesses operating without permits at Kahului Airport.  Maui News.

Sports, extracurricular activities moving ahead at Kulanihako‘i. Officials at the new Kihei high school are seeking an athletic director and coaches. Maui News.

Kauai

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda talks climate at first Kaua‘i town hall. On Earth Day, the climate was top of mind for many in attendance, including resident Jimmy Trujillo, who asked about tapping into federal funds to address climate change on Kaua‘i. Garden Island.

Oahu Land Crunch Leads Aloun Farms To Expand Acreage On Fertile West Kauai. Aloun Farms, one of Hawaii’s most prolific producers of Chinese cabbage, green beans, pumpkin and sweet corn, made a name for itself in Central Oahu in the 1990s as a local food producer focused on edging out vegetable imports. Civil Beat.

Red Hill families fill federal courtroom on lawsuits, unemployment dips, homeless up 20% on Big Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Impacted families fill courtroom amid government’s push to consolidate Red Hill lawsuits. The U.S. government is asking a federal judge to consolidate a flurry of cases filed by families impacted by the Red Hill tainted water crisis. On Thursday, the federal courthouse was packed with Red Hill families and attorneys for both sides. Hawaii News Now.

Should Boats Have To Slow Down To Avoid Hitting Humpback Whales? New recommendations are directly aimed at tour boats and other small vessels, but they're currently voluntary. This year marks the first full whale season with the new, official guidelines for how fast boats should travel near humpback whales in Hawaiian waters, and state legislators are considering resolutions that urge regulators to make those recommended speeds mandatory. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s jobless rate dips to 8-month low of 3.5%. The seasonally adjusted rate in March was down from 3.6% in February and matched the U.S. rate for the month, according to data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green designates Nov. 28 as Lā Kūʻokoʻa, Hawaiian Independence Day. Gov. Josh Green signed into law Senate Bill 731 on Wednesday, which recognizes and commemorates Hawaiian Independence Day. Hawaii Public Radio.

DOH simplifies COVID vaccine recommendations. The state Department of Health is now recommending an additional dose of the bivalent booster against COVID-19 for those over the age of 65 and those at increased risk of severe infection. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Council and city spar over $3.41B budget. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration, proposing a $3.41 billion operating budget for the coming 2024 fiscal year, contends that recent City Council amendments to reduce it to 2022’s level are insufficient to keep the city running smoothly and should be abandoned. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu’s largest buildings to track energy, water and emissions. The owners of more than 450 buildings in Honolulu will have to report their yearly energy and water use this summer under a new city ordinance that aims to cut down on the use of natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions. Star-Advertiser.

Affordable rental project for seniors now accepting applications for lottery. The Halewaiolu Senior Residences on River Street will have 155 one and two-bedroom apartments for kupuna 62 and older who earn 30% to 80% of the area median income. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Cop Remains Armed And On Active Duty Despite Claiming Mental Health Issues In Lawsuit. A Navy officer had to turn in his firearms to HPD for lesser concerns. Civil Beat.

Maili mass shooting suspect Jacob A. Borge appears in court. A 23-year-old man charged in connection with a mass shooting in Maili where two people were killed and three others were wounded made his initial appearance at Honolulu District Court on Thursday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Koko Head Shooting Complex officially set to reopen after hiatus. Oʻahu’s only outdoor shooting complex will reopen next week. The range has been closed for nearly eight months due to reports of increased lead exposure from employees. Hawaii Public Radio.

Beachgoers urged to give space to monk seal Kaiwi and her pup. With Kaiwi nursing her weeks-old pup at popular Kaimana Beach, federal and state authorities once again ask the public to give them the recommended space — or visit a different Waikiki beach altogether. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Tally of homeless up nearly 20% in Hawaii County. The count, taken by community volunteers over a five-day period between Jan. 23-27, found 1,004 homeless people islandwide, compared to 837 counted in 2022. Tribune-Herald.

Chief: Officer ‘within two millimeters’ of being killed. A Kailua-Kona couple that led police on a manhunt from Captain Cook to Volcano on Thursday after allegedly shooting at three officers and carjacking a sport-utility vehicle surrendered without a fight after the SWAT unit surrounded a Volcano home, according to Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Waikoloa Maneuver Area UXO Removal Update. During a U.S. Senate Committee On Armed Services hearing on Wednesday, defense officials provided an update on unexploded ordnance removal efforts on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Video News.

Hundreds turn out for Experience PTA Day. Over 200 students from nearly half-a-dozen schools came out to enjoy the annual Experience PTA Day event Thursday at the Pohakuloa Training Area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

County faces $145K penalty over firefighter’s death. State cites ‘serious’ violations, says staff ‘not adequately trained’. Maui News.

Operation Keiki Shield on Maui nets nine arrests. Police say the individuals were arrested on charges related to internet-facilitated sexual offenses against children. All individual were being held on $100,000 bail each. Maui Now. KITV4.

Maui Space Surveillance Complex community forum on fuel spill recovery, April 26. The meeting comes following a 700 gallon diesel fuel spill at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex in January.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Department of Water announces $21.7M system improvements project. The Kalaheo Water System Improvements Project will be the department’s largest ever undertaking, and is expected to last from late May 2023 into 2025. Garden Island.

SpaceX Starship explodes after launch, will not land near Kaua‘i. The largest rocket ever built will not splash down off the coast of Kaua‘i as planned after it exploded over the Gulf of Mexico four minutes into its innagural flight. Garden Island.

Schatz nation's most popular senator, union wants pay equity with teachers, two cited for feeding feral cats, cease and desist order issued to Coco Palms developer, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Survey: Hawaii’s Brian Schatz Is ‘Most Popular’ Senator. And Josh Green ranks sixth most popular among U.S. governors, according to a national marketing research firm. Morning Consult reported Wednesday that Democrat Brian Schatz has the highest approval rating of all U.S. senators — 65%. Just 24% disapprove. Civil Beat.

Union for nonteacher public workers seeks pay equity. A union representing nearly 7,000 Hawaii public school employees other than teachers is claiming that pay equity for many of its members has been thrown out of whack by recent gains for teachers. Star-Advertiser.

HTA cuts would cost Hawaii millions, agency says. The embattled Hawai‘i Tourism Authority said state lawmakers could cost the state millions of dollars in federal funding, halt destination management efforts and put community programs at risk if they continue down a path of repealing the agency or funding it through a budget bill that cuts the agency’s funding request by more than half. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Bill ‘fundamental to the future of Hawaii’ looks to stop corruption. Hawaii’s political system could undergo significant reform as a bill providing public money to finance election campaigns for political candidates has successfully passed both the State House and Senate. KHON2.

Sports Doctors From Other States May Get A License Exemption In Hawaii. A bill that would clarify the status of doctors traveling with sports teams to the islands is in the final stages at the Legislature. Civil Beat.

Schools getting new preschool classrooms. Although some Hawaii lawmakers have grumbled that a new agency in charge of public school construction is moving too slowly, its leader says the first 11 classrooms in the state’s Ready Keiki preschool initiative are on track to welcome students this fall — below budget and a year ahead of schedule — while three Oahu high schools are in advanced discussions to become Hawaii’s first major teacher housing projects. Star-Advertiser.

Survey finds increased homelessness on neighbor islands. The annual survey, done by Ka Mana O Na Helu and Bridging the Gap Continuum of Care with partners on Maui, Kaua’i and Hawai’i Island, found an overall 9% increase in homelessness, up from 2,022 in 2022 to 2,195 this year. Hawaii Public Radio.

University of Hawaii ROTC cadets train amid growing tensions in Pacific. After a long day of training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, a platoon of cadets from the University of Hawaii’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program began to prepare a patrol base for the night, when they would trade off sleeping or keeping watch for an enemy attack. Star-Advertiser.

Air quality on 3 Hawaiian islands among best in the US, report says. The American Lung Association released its annual State of the Air report Tuesday, giving a yearly snapshot of air pollution throughout the U.S.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Dept. of the AG prevails in federal challenge to COVID-19 emergency proclamations. The US District Court for the District of Hawaiʻi dismissed a federal constitutional challenge to COVID-19 emergency proclamations issued by former Governor David Ige. Maui Now.

Hawaii reports 935 new COVID-19 cases, 10 more deaths. The state’s seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases was at 133 a day, about the same as 138 a day reported on April 12. The state’s average positivity rate was at 7.9%, down from 9.2% reported on April 12. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Leaky Roofs Are Causing Costly Problems For 2 Historic State Buildings. Water damage from rain that leaked into two historic state buildings downtown has caused interior damage to both, and fixing the roofing and other problems will cost tens of millions of dollars, according to state officials. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Officials Move To Dismiss Charges Against Them In Police Chief Retirement Payout. The case centers on a $250,000 retirement deal for former police chief Louis Kealoha allegedly orchestrated in 2016 by officials at the time — corporation counsel Donna Leong, managing director Roy Amemiya and police commission chair Max Sword.  Civil Beat.

In bid to make Hawaii roadways safer, incoming DOT chief pushes speed enforcement cameras. Honolulu police in 2022 issued about 28,000 basic speeding citations and about 20,000 were issued on freeways. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Finishing touches near complete for Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa’s royal tomb. Hawaiian heiress Abigail Kawananakoa is in her final resting place at Mauna Ala, the Royal Mausoleum in Nuuanu. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Council overrides Roth veto; bill regarding extensions of zoning change applications becomes law. Hawaii County Council on Wednesday overruled Mayor Mitch Roth’s veto of a bill that would allow the council to confirm whether developers can get extensions on their rezoning applications. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Weight, speed limits reduced on Hilo’s ‘Singing Bridge’.  The state Department of Transportation said Wednesday the weight limit and speed limit are being reduced on Wailuku Bridge in Hilo as emergency repairs are being made. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

DLNR issues 2 citations at cat feeding protest in Waikoloa. State conservation officers issued two citations and one warning during a protest by cat activists Tuesday night over the removal of cat-feeding stations at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Businessman pitches lofty plan to expand farming in East Hawaii. Ken Fujiyama, former owner of the then-Naniloa Volcanoes Resort in Hilo and various other businesses, has a plan to convert a vast amount of state land in East Hawaii into parcels for commercial farming. Tribune-Herald.

Removal of Caltech observatory mirror from Maunakea marks first decommissioning. Two observatories atop Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island are scheduled for decommissioning this year: the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory and the University of Hawaiʻi's Hōkū Ke‘a Observatory. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Can Maui’s New Mayor Finally Make A Dent In The Housing Crisis? The challenge now rests with Mayor Richard Bissen, who is hashing out his government’s first annual budget, a $1 billion spending plan that would lay the foundation for tackling the housing shortage during his four-year term and beyond.  Civil Beat.

Maui Council’s Budget Committee completes deliberations with departments. The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee completed deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget with Maui County’s departments and will begin the decision-making process on Friday, according to Committee Chair Yuki Lei K. Sugimura. Maui Now.

Maui homeless numbers continue to decline. The number of homeless people in Maui County continues on a downward trend, with overall homelessness numbers down by 5 percent according to results of this year’s Homeless Point In Time Count which was released on Tuesday.  Maui News.

Virtual public meeting for Puʻunēnē Ave. improvements set for May 2. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public meeting on proposed improvements to Puʻunēnē Avenue between Wākea Avenue and Kūihelani Highway. Maui Now.

Kauai

State land board issues “Cease and Desist” order to Coco Palms developers. The state has issued a cease-and-desist order to a Utah company trying to build a new 350 room hotel on Kauai’s old Coco Palms property. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i County Council shifts tax break plan. After a Wednesday, April 19 county council committee meeting, a plan for broad Kaua‘i property tax breaks appears to have been shelved in favor of a more targeted proposal. Garden Island.

Deadline to apply for Residential Investor tax credit is Friday. The County of Kaua‘i Department of Finance reminds taxpayers whose properties may have been misclassified as Residential Investor that the deadline to apply for tax credit differentials for the 2022 and/or 2023 tax years is on Friday, April 21. Kauai Now.

Ala Wai flood project unveiled, meth lab, explosives found in Kapolei, union fights outsourcing building permit approvals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Army Corps unveils plan to handle Ala Wai flooding. While the controversial concrete walls around the Ala Wai Canal remain in the plan, another contentious proposal has been dropped: the Manoa District Park detention basin. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii May Subsidize Pay For Child Care Workers. A bill proposes the creation of a two-year pilot program in a bid to attract more qualified child care professionals in the state. Civil Beat.

Have A Complaint About Your Condo? You May Get Slapped With Paying For The Lawyers Who Fight You. Condo association lawyers and lobbyists have successfully shot down efforts by lawmakers to ban "excessive" fees on owners. Civil Beat.

UH population biologist stresses continued COVID risk. Hawaiʻi’s COVID positivity rate has more than doubled since the beginning of March. The state Department of Health reported a 9% positivity rate last week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Proposal to outsource reviewers for building permits in Honolulu faces pushback. A measure before the Honolulu City Council that would allow the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) to outsource consultants to review building permit applications has drawn criticism from the head of the largest union representing government workers. KITV4.

Rep. Case calls for Jones Act waiver for Red Hill defueling. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is urging the Biden administration to grant Hawaii a Jones Act waiver to aid in the defueling of the Navy’s underground Red Hill Fuel Storage Facility. The Department of Defense plans to move the 104 million gallons of fuel in the tanks around the Pacific region in a new “distributed” posture to support its operations.  Star-Advertiser.

Early childhood program to receive nearly $15M in federal funding. The grant will go to the Honolulu Community Action Program, the nonprofit that operates the Head Start and Early Head Start program on Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

State toning down rent hike for Waiahole Valley tenants. The cost to live on and in some cases farm state-owned land in Waiahole Valley won’t go up as much from historically very low rates under a new compromise with roughly 100 tenants in the rural community subsidized by Hawaii taxpayers. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

This Elderly Woman Was Threatened With Eviction — Over 50 Cents. The management of a state-owned affordable apartment property for seniors is threatening to terminate the lease of an elderly resident over a 50 cent debt.  Civil Beat.

Agents discover suspected drug lab, explosives while executing search warrant at West Oahu home. Agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration conducting a search warrant of a suspected clandestine methamphetamine production lab in the 92-500 block of Awawa Street in Kapolei at about 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon found “volatile chemicals and materials that could endanger area residents,” according to release from the DEA. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County considers new dedications for ag land. The County Council Finance Committee discussed a pair of bills Tuesday that together would repeal the current commercial agricultural dedication process and install an updated one with multiple new categories of use. Tribune-Herald.

Board OKs telescope decommission. The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved on Friday a conservation district use application from UH-Hilo’s Center for Maunakea Stewardship regarding the decommissioning of the university’s Hoku Ke‘a observatory. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now . Big Island Video News.

HHSC gives notice it will drop insurance provider. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation operates several Big Island hospitals including Hilo Medical Center, Ka‘u Hospital and Kona Community Hospital, among others. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County offering $3,000 bonuses for landlords participating in housing programs. The Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development is offering $3,000 sign-on bonuses for Hawaiʻi Island landlords that rent to people with federal housing assistance vouchers. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiian Homes Nominee For West Hawaiʻi Gets A Hearing. Hawaiian Homes Commission nominee, Makai Freitas, appeared before the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs on Monday. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County faces ‘serious’ occupational safety violations after death of firefighter. The County of Maui has agreed to pay state fines for occupational safety violations tied to the death of a 24-year-old firefighter during a flood in Kihei earlier this year. Hawaii News Now.

Maui County Is Struggling To Get The Apartments It Bought Last Year Up And Running. In a town with rental pressures, Lahaina Crossroads has been an affordable foothold. Civil Beat.

Critical funding for West and South Maui secured in Senate Budget draft. Some key items included are: appropriations for the Lahaina Bypass North, a grade-separated crossing for Kūlanihākoʻi High School, critical repairs for Māla Ramp, and a new wastewater facility for Waikapū. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi bus shelters improved through murals, storytelling. Local nonprofits recently worked with Kaua‘i artists to improve three bus shelters with vibrant murals. Kauai Now.

Green and HSTA plan big teacher raises, Hawaii Island seeks to double shoreline setback, Kauai prosecutes illegal vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii teachers union, Gov. Green tout ‘strongest’ contract ever. The $577 million deal includes annual pay increases between 3% and 5% for a total of 14.5% over four years, but some extraordinary terms are also part of the contract agreement, including at least a 32% increase for new entry-level hires, higher pay for nontraditional teachers and a new top pay class for veteran educators. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Kauai Now. KHON2.  KITV4.  Hawaii News Now.

State Legislature begins conference committee process to address differing viewpoints. Lawmakers will take up measures on gun laws, tourism management and government transparency in conference committees this week and next. Hawaii Public Radio.

49 endangered Hawaiian species to gain habitat protections. The US Fish and Wildlife Service agreed today to designate protected critical habitat for 39 endangered plants and 10 endangered animals. The determination comes amid a legal victory stemming from a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity. Maui Now.

Oahu

Council member hopes to cut Sand Island Treatment Center’s costs. Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam did not know that the city had forced the Sand Island Treatment Center into his district in Iwilei, but toured it on Monday to try to figure out how to ease its $36,000 in new monthly costs. Star-Advertiser.

After sitting empty over a year, portion of city’s Homeless Resource Center set to open. Major developments are underway in regards to the future of a mismanaged homeless housing project that’s been sitting empty in Iwilei more than a year. Hawaii News Now.

River of Life helps homeless with 40 sites across Oahu. River of Life Mission, once the center of blame for homelessness in Chinatown, has reinvented its model to aid the needy by shutting down its Chinatown feeding program and instead helping the homeless at 40 different sites across Oahu, with plans to expand to the neighbor islands and even to foreign countries. Star-Advertiser.

Construction begins on $4.4M project to upgrade busy part of Chinatown. Construction began Monday at Kekaulike Mall where a $4.4 million project will upgrade the busy market space between King Street and Hotel Street. Hawaii News Now.

Why Some Stores In Chinatown Keep Doors Locked During Business Hours. Boutiques and other stores installed buzz-in systems with the onset of the pandemic and decided to keep them as traffic returned to the area. Civil Beat.

Rail will open in July, HART CEO confirms. Lori Kahikina, executive director and CEO of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, confirmed that the city’s nearly $10 billion rail line will open for public ridership in July. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

HPD vows to step up gambling enforcement in wake of shooting. The search for an armed man responsible for a mass shooting at a Maili cockfight around midnight Friday that killed two people continued Monday as police promised to step up gambling enforcement in the area. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Proposed rules would double shoreline setback.  Pending revisions to the Hawaii County planning rules could result in developments being pushed farther away from the coast in an effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Tribune-Herald.

Document details plan for bottling plant in Hilo. One less hurdle stands in the way of a new proposal to build a water-bottling plant next to the Wailoa River State Recreation Area. Tribune-Herald.

Another chemical leak found at a Maunakea telescope. The University of Hawaii’s 88-inch telescope, also called UH88, was discovered in January to have sprung a leak in its coolant system some time between mid-December and Jan. 10, spilling an unknown amount of anti-freezing agent ethylene glycol. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Traci Fujita named the Council’s representative on MEO Board. Traci Fujita, who currently serves as the director of the Office of Council Services, has joined the Maui Economic Opportunity Board of Directors, filling the Council representative spot. Maui Now.

Surfrider’s water quality monitoring expands; reports ongoing pollution in Wailuku River. Surfrider Foundation’s Blue Water Task Force program released its annual Maui water quality report for 2022.  Maui Now.

Molokai mobile clinic expands services. The Molokai Community Health Center’s Mana Mobile Medical Clinic is expanding its services to better serve residents on the island’s East Side. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Undercover sting operations’ mop up illegal vacation rentals on Kaua‘i. Data-sharing agreements with tech companies and undercover “sting operations” have cut the number of illegal vacation rentals operating on Kaua‘i to the lowest rate in a decade, officials report. Garden Island.

Coco Palms Resort to be demolished for a new 350-room hotel. Demolition will soon begin on a Kauaʻi resort once favored by Elvis Presley and other Hollywood royalty before it was heavily damaged by a hurricane three decades ago. Associated Press.

DLNR proposes to drain Wailua Reservoir. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing to drain the Wailua Reservoir and breach the dam after finding that neglected maintenance could threaten the lives of nearby residents if no action is taken. Garden Island.

An Innovative Kauai Farm Project May Depend On Saving A 100-Year-Old Reservoir. Plans to create a community agriculture park in the heart of Kauai’s north shore town of Kilauea stalled for decades until the ratty mattresses, washing machines and wrecked cars were finally hauled off a 75-acre county plot in 2015, transforming an illegal dumping ground into an organic meat and vegetable farm.  Civil Beat.

Teachers to get $10k annual raises under tentative state agreement, 19 more bills hit governor's desk, cockfighting shooting brings old problem to light, Merrie Monarch festivities wrap up, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

60th Annual Merrie Monarch festivities wrap up with competition, parade. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

State and teachers union reach tentative agreement. Teacher salaries will increase by an average of more than $10,000 annually, the teachers union said. It also said 21 hours of professional development will be permanently incorporated into the contract. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Legislature sends 19 more bills to governor’s desk. Among the bills awaiting action by the governor, one would declare a Hawaiian Independence Day, another would generate awareness of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and another establishes standards for the firearm industry. Star-Advertiser.

House Speaker Has Little To Say About Party Incident At His Capitol Office. Speaker Scott Saiki refuses to speak about reports of drinking but says Rep. Natalia Hussey-Burdick will not be disciplined. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

One Hawaii GOP House Leader Says Her Caucus Is ‘A Cult’. Rep. Kanani Souza says she's not willing to give up on the Republican Party, but takes issue with this particular group of lawmakers. Civil Beat.

State-backed leasehold condo pilot pending. Senate Bill 865 would establish a pilot program to develop one condo project for sale on state land under a 99-year land lease in an effort to demonstrate whether the concept is a viable solution to increase the long-term supply of affordable housing. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii troops playing big role in exercises with Philippines. The United States and the Philippines officially kicked off their largest joint military exercise in recent history last week amid boiling regional tensions, and Hawaii troops are playing a central role. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Has Had Amazing Success Reducing The Number Of Homeless Vets. Here’s How. The number of homeless veterans in Hawaii declined by 51% between 2015 and 2022, a number far higher than the national average. Civil Beat.

State partnership aims to address school psychologist shortage. The state Department of Education and Chaminade University are offering 20 full-tuition scholarships to address the state's shortage of educational psychologists in the public school system. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii nonprofits working to restore their volunteer rolls. Hawaii was one of a handful of states that saw double- digit declines in “formal volunteering” between 2019 and 2021, according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps survey. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ala Wai flood control project plan to be unveiled. A multimillion-dollar plan to protect Waikiki and nearby communities from a flooding disaster appears to be coming into focus as the Army Corps of Engineers announced it will present its “prospective plan” at a virtual meeting April 24. Star-Advertiser.

No Window In Your Bedroom? It Could Be The Future Of Low-Cost Housing In Honolulu. The Honolulu City Council is considering loosening some housing codes to allow empty commercial buildings to more easily be converted to housing units. Civil Beat.

City prepares fare system, security on Honolulu rail ahead of expected July opening. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services expects to receive the completed segment of the rail system from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium this summer, once safety testing is complete and verified.  Hawaii Public Radio.

This Downtown Methadone Clinic Has Been Across From A School For Decades. Now The Neighbors Want It Gone. However, the American Disabilities Act deems clients of substance use disorder services to be a protected class. Civil Beat.

Cockfight shootings in Maili highlight danger, residents say. A weekend shooting at a Maili cockfight — leaving two dead and three injured — underscores the dire shortage of police officers on the Waianae Coast and possibly the need for legislation to facilitate arrests and prosecution of those involved in cockfighting, a community leader said. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Big Island home sales down 40%. Home sales on the Big Island continued to decline through the first quarter of 2023 as higher interest rates chill the market nationwide. Tribune-Herald.

‘Last fishing village in Hawaiʻi nei’ in homestretch for long-awaited community center. The 3,200-square-foot community center just needs one last thing – a contractor to finish up the last needed touches. The near-complete center includes enclosed and open-air classrooms, a historical library, kitchen, restrooms, workshop, parking lot with ADA stalls, water, Native Hawaiian landscaping and a photovoltaic power supply system. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hospital strike ends after nearly two months. An overwhelming majority of United Public Workers members voted in favor of ratifying a three-year contract with Maui Health, putting an end to a nearly two-month strike at three hospitals in Maui County on Friday afternoon. Maui News.

Reviving Hawaii’s Meat Inspection Program Could Also Take Aim At Axis Deer. A solution to Maui County’s invasive deer problem could come from reviving the state’s meat inspection program that was halted back in 1995. The hope is a reboot could also get invasive axis deer integrated into Hawaii’s mainstream food system at a more affordable price than currently available under the federal USDA inspection regime. Civil Beat.

Maui County adopts updated special management area and shoreline rules. Updated special management area and shoreline rules were approved by the Maui Planning Commission last month, bringing “more balance and flexibility for homeowners while improving coastal resilience for the environment,” the county announced Friday. Maui News.

Maui Family Support Services re-accredited. Prevent Child Abuse America announced that Maui Family Support Services, Inc. has been re-accredited through March 2027. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi, state visitor numbers rising. Visitor arrivals to Kaua‘i (to date through February) were up 207,505 from 173,256 in 2022, or 19.8%. Kauai Now.

New safety measures sought for air tours. Hawaii's legislative delegation is aiming to improve air tour safety and reduce noise disturbances for residents across the Hawaiian Island chain. Garden Island.

Japanese tourists return to Hawaii for Golden Week, foster kids may keep more federal benefits, more Honolulu red light cameras go live, more news fro m all the Hawaiian Islands

Golden Week sees slow but steady return of Japanese visitors to Hawaii. Japan celebrates four national holidays from April 29 to May 6, making it the longest vacation of the year for many Japanese workers and historically, a lucrative week for Hawaii businesses. Hawaii News Now.

A New Program Aims To Help Hawaii’s Older Adults Keep Their Homes. Hawaii’s financially struggling older adults may get a new support system intended to keep them out of the homelessness crisis. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i ‘clean elections’ bill nears endgame. The state of Hawai‘i could be weeks away from a radical re-envisioning of politics in the state, as a bill to facilitate full public financing of state and county campaigns awaits debate over final changes by the state Legislature. Garden Island.

Hawai‘i Elections Commission to meet Monday. The commission will receive a status of operations report from the Office of Elections and the public will be provided an opportunity to present public testimony. Big Island Now.

State wants to stop collecting foster kids’ benefits, but says funding needed to fill gap. Dozens of children in Hawaii’s foster system are being stripped of money they may not even know is theirs as part of a controversial practice that’s attracting new criticism. Hawaii News Now.

Reports of child abuse reach a new record high in Hawaiʻi, says DHS. Researchers found that 2021 had a record number of almost 5,820 reported child abuse and neglect cases. It’s the highest number of reported cases since 2009, according to the data. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Taxpayers Will Pay For Indicted Officials’ Defense. The Honolulu City Council will consider spending $100,000 or more per defendant. Former managing director Roy Amemiya and former Honolulu Police Commission chair Max Sword have both requested the local government cover the cost of their defense. Civil Beat.

Nine of Oahu’s 10 red-light cameras will be live by Friday. The red-light safety camera at McCully and Algaroba streets will begin issuing warnings on Friday, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

HPD Is Considering Buying A Gun That’s Being Shelved By Other Police Departments Over Safety Concerns. The P320 is linked to multiple cases where users allege they were injured by an unintentional firing. Civil Beat.

Long-awaited reopening of Oahu’s only public gun range will also come with new rules. The city has announced that the pistol and rifle ranges at the Koko Head Shooting Complex, the only public gun range on Oahu, will reopen on April 29. Hawaii News Now.

City prepares fare system, security on Honolulu rail ahead of expected July opening. The city expects to receive the completed segment of the Honolulu rail system from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium in July, once safety testing is complete and verified. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu seeks to reduce backlog of building permit applications.  The city’s Department of Planning and Permitting would continue to use third-party reviewers, but licensed architects and engineers would have to attest that their submitted plans comply with applicable laws under a proposed bill. Star-Advertiser.

Former Mililani athletic director negotiating plea deal. The former athletic director accused of stealing more than $360,000 from the Mili­lani High School athletic booster club is in plea agreement negotiations with prosecutors. Star-Advertiser.

Polynesian Voyaging Society to host send-off for Hokule‘a launch. A send-off for the voyaging canoe Hokule‘a before it is shipped to Alaska to embark on a four-year circumnavigation of the Pacific is planned for Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

A House resolution requests the DLNR investigate the factors causing the decline of the palila population on Maunakea. Two senate committees voted recommend the passage of a House resolution on Wednesday dealing with the future of the endangered palila bird, a native species that makes its home only on Maunakea. Big Island Video News.

Pharmacy college aims to shore up enrollment. Over the last decade, enrollment has dropped by about 50% at the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. Tribune-Herald.

Astronomers using Maunakea telescopes unveil new way to hunt for exoplanets. Astronomers using Maunakea telescopes have developed a technique that they say could revolutionize how to capture images of distant planets. Tribune-Herald.

100 horses to strut their stuff during Merrie Monarch Royal Parade. When you’re a beast of burden on the Big Island, you’re often saddled with carrying around paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) and working on a ranch or farm. It’s not often you can get gussied up for a day on the town. Big Island Now.

Maui

Full Senate passes draft budget; includes funds for Maui jail and UHMC health center. The Senate’s version of HB300 for the biennium budget covering fiscal years 2024 (FY24) and 2025 (FY25) includes appropriations of $11,652,494,699 and $9,942,927,794 in general funds, respectively. Maui Now.

Iao Valley on Maui to require tourist reservations.  When Iao Valley State Monument soon reopens after a nine-month closure for a slope stabilization project, it will become the fourth state park in Hawaii to require advance reservations for nonresidents. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Survey shows interest for planting native trees along Rice Street. A recent report published by the Rice Street Business Association, Better Block Hawaiʻi and Solid Ground Connections indicates overwhelming support for replacing dead and dying trees, shrubs and plants along Rice Street with healthy, native greenery. Kauai Now.

AG nominee Lopez endorsed by committee, indicted ex-prosecutor can keep her lawyer, DLNR orders Waikoloa cat feeding stations closed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Committee endorses Hawaii attorney general nominee. A Senate committee on Wednesday voted to recommend that Anne Lopez become Hawaii’s permanent attorney general after she pledged to brainstorm ideas to legalize recreational marijuana and come up with constitutional ways to allow more local residents to buy homes, among other issues important to committee members. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

New Department of Health director starting out with a 24% staff vacancy rate. Hawaiʻi's new health director, Dr. Kenneth Fink, is the former Med-QUEST director for the state and most recently served as vice president of Medicare and Medicaid Programs at HMSA. Hawaii Public Radio.

Noise-detecting camera bill heads back to Senate. Senate Bill 588 would create a pilot program to use noise detection traffic cameras in urban areas, in each participating county.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Government wants 30-month sentence for ex-union officer. The 64-year-old former executive officer of the Hawaii Longshore Division should spend the next 30 months in federal prison and pay a $150,000 fine after he was found guilty of falsifying records and embezzlement that cost his union $95,000, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii reports 959 new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths. The metrics show a leveling off after two consecutive weeks of increases in daily average cases and positivity rates. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Indicted Honolulu Official Can Keep Her Lawyer, Judge Rules. Donna Leong, Honolulu’s former corporation counsel, is fighting federal charges that she conspired with two others to improperly grant a $250,000 severance payment to former police chief Louis Kealoha.  Civil Beat.

Early discussions on how to fix Honolulu's permitting backlog begin. One proposal would codify a program allowing industry professionals to review and certify plans. Currently, the department allows third-party reviewers to certify plans, which is done by using administrative rules. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal grand jury conducting criminal probe into Red Hill fuel spills. A number of military and civilian officials have been subpoenaed in recent months to testify about the 2021 spills, which contaminated the drinking water of more than 90,000 military personnel and civilians. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu inflation shrinks to 3.3%. Honolulu consumers may be finding prices more affordable as inflation continues to ease under the weight of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive campaign to increase interest rates. Star-Advertiser.

More arrests being made in Waikiki to get habitual criminals off the street, but many are still violating geographic restrictions. Over the past six months, Honolulu police have made over 700 arrests in Waikiki, but residents say there's still much more that needs to be done. KITV4.

Oahu Inmate Kills Himself After Jail Staff Fails To Put Him On Suicide Watch. Jimuel Gatioan hanged himself at OCCC despite warnings by a prosecutor and a defense lawyer that he was suicidal, court records show. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Mauna Kea Authority Nominees Receive Thumbs Up From Senate Committee. The appointees include Richard Matsuda, Gary Kalehua Krug, Kamanamaikalani Beamer, Paul Horner, Noe Noe Wong-Wilson, John Komeiji, Joshua Lanakila Mangauil, and Pomaikalani Bertelmann. Civil Beat.

State Orders End To Cat-Feeding Stations At Waikoloa Shopping Center. DLNR has directed the removal of cat-feeding stations located at a Hawai‘i Island shopping center, following complaints that the endangered Hawai‘i state bird, the nēnē (Hawaiian goose), are being negatively impacted by the consumption of cat food and close contact with feral cats. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

DOH looks into cases of sickened students at school. The state Department of Health is in the midst of an investigation at Maui Preparatory Academy to try to determine what may have been causing some fourth-grade students to experience symptoms, including nausea and headaches, in recent months. Maui News.

ʻĪao Valley State Monument remains closed, reopening postponed until further notice. The closure went into effect on Aug. 1, 2022 to allow crews to complete the final phase of a slope stabilization project and parking lot improvements. It was initially slated to reopen on Jan. 15, 2023, but the closure was extended until April 15, 2023 to allow for continued slope stabilization work.  Maui Now.

Study warns of Molokini islet overuse. A new study of the marine life at Molokini islet suggests the popular snorkeling destination off Maui is being overused and in need of additional management to improve not only ecosystem health but also the visitor experience. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Maui cheeseburger eatery ordered to close because it doesn’t have hot water. The state has temporarily ordered the Lahaina location of Cheeseburger in Paradise to close because the eatery does not have hot water. Hawaii News Now. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i council chair plans to fund tax breaks with reserves. Under a plan proposed by Chairman Mel Rapoza, the county would allocate 27 percent of the previous year’s general fund revenues toward the reserve fund instead of the 30 percent that it traditionally puts aside. Garden Island.

This Nonprofit Helps Kaua‘i’s Farmers Start Up and Grow. Mālama Kaua‘i’s network increased sales by almost 6% in a year, with one farmer reaching six figures. Hawaii Business magazine.

Hula now covered by health insurance provider, state hits new record in fentanyl overdoses, HPR dumps Twitter in protest, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Native Hawaiian Healing Practices Are Now Covered By This Insurance Provider. Everything from hula to lomilomi massage is free for AlohaCare's 83,000 members. The services are provided free of charge to AlohaCare’s approximately 83,000 members. The program, called Ke Aloha Mau, began last fall and is currently being rolled out across the Hawaiian Islands. Civil Beat.

Gun Rules, Fate Of HTA Among Bills Headed To Closed-Door Committees. More than 250 bills remain under consideration as the Hawaii Legislature enters the home stretch of this year's session. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi House lawmakers approve 77 Senate bills before second crossover deadline. The state House of Representatives today passed an additional 77 Senate Bills ahead of Thursdayʻs second crossover deadline. These bills now head back to the Senate for their consideration. Maui Now.

Bill creating a luxury home sales tax to fund homeless services misses key deadline. A bill that would have raised the taxes to help fund a homeless program in the state has died in this year's Legislative session. Senate Bill 362 would have raised the conveyance tax by a percentage point for condos, houses and other properties selling for $2 million or more.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Drunken driving threshold bill is pulled over for a check. A legislative effort to lower Hawaii’s blood-­alcohol threshold for drunken driving was held up recently to better examine concerns over the proposed change. Star-Advertiser.

Understanding how words are stricken from the Legislature's record. After each session, the state Legislature releases an official record of events. But while lawmakers meet on the floors of their chambers, members can have their words stricken from that record. Hawaii Public Radio.

Alarming figures show Hawaii set new record last year for fentanyl drug overdoses. Synthetic opioids killed a record number of people in Hawaii last year, according to newly-released state Health Department figures. Statewide, fentanyl is likely linked to at least 60 deaths. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Public Radio will no longer be sharing content on Twitter. Twitter has erroneously labeled NPR as “state-affiliated media,” a term Twitter uses for government propaganda outlets in countries without a free press—which is a guaranteed right in the U.S. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Who’s Behind The Fake Honolulu Parking Meter Sticker Scam? A phantom organization incorporated in Alaska just weeks ago appears to have orchestrated the hundreds of fraudulent parking stickers that turned up recently on Honolulu’s meters, and two people registered as its officials claim someone else is using their names. Civil Beat.

Permit revoked for Kalihi ‘monster home’. A planned two-story, single-family home with nine bathrooms, no side yards and insufficient parking that the city originally granted a building permit to in 2022 but now calls a gross violation of the city’s “monster homes” ordinance had its building permit revoked Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Program that helps chronic homeless seeks financial relief. The city in November 2021 forced Hawaii’s original and oldest substance abuse treatment center to move, and the Sand Island Treatment Center now hopes to get financial relief from $36,000 in monthly lease and utility costs to continue to help chronically homeless clients who often suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues. Star-Advertiser.

Amid crime concerns, college students join forces with residents to patrol Chinatown. Criminal justice students are joining forces with residents to bring attention to crime concerns in Chinatown. Every second Tuesday, residents of Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown come together to take a stand against crime. Hawaii News Now.

Blangiardi appoints commissioners to protect Oʻahu's historic landmarks. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has announced his candidates for the Oʻahu Historic Preservation Commission. Hawaii Public Radio.

$180.5M expansion for Sand Island wastewater plant. According to the City and County of Honolulu, the project will expand the plant’s biosolids production capacity. KHON2.

Rapid ohia death jumps to Waianae range on Oahu. During surveys, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee detected a roughly 40-foot ohia tree that had fallen, with symptoms of the fungal disease that kills Hawaii’s native ohia trees. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

’Uncontrollable cost increases’ bump up Mayor Roth’s proposed $794.3 million budget.  The County Council will continue to discuss the proposed budget and capital improvement plan today and Thursday during a special meeting of the Finance Committee. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Funds Released For Hawaiʻi Island Hospitals. Governor Josh Green has released Capital Improvement Project funding for both Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital. Big Island Video News.

Maui

94-acre coastal land parcel in Hāna donated to the community. Puʻu Kaʻuiki, the iconic hill overlooking Hāna Bay in East Maui, is now under community management. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.

Kīhei Charter School hopes to become first “zero waste” public school in Hawaiʻi. Students at Kīhei Charter School are hoping to become the first “zero waste” public school in the state, and in doing so, potentially become a model for other schools and the community at large.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Motion to intervene filed against KIUC rate hike. Local activist group Friends of Maha‘ulepu has filed a motion to intervene in the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s request to increase electric rates by an average 9.42 percent. Garden Island.

Starship rocket could splash down near Kauai. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted Monday that his company’s massive Starship rocket will conduct its first orbital launch “near the end of third week of April,” assuming it receives final regulatory approval.  Star-Advertiser.