EV drivers face new road usage fee, Maui newspaper up for sale, more than 50% of Native Hawaiians now live outside the state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

EV drivers could see a new road usage charge. Senate Bill 1534, passed out of the 2023 legislative session will create a mileage-based road usage charge that will impact all electric vehicles first. Drivers will pay based on how much they use the roadways. KITV4.

COVID ‘whistleblower’s’ firing headed to arbitration. A former COVID-19-era epidemiological specialist who was fired from the state Health Department after saying “contact tracers” were woefully understaffed and overworked under dangerous conditions faces an arbitration hearing in July, followed by a possible trial over her lawsuit alleging wrongful dismissal. Star-Advertiser.

Special Interests Spent More To Lobby The Hawaii Legislature This Year. More than 300 organizations spent almost $5.6 million total on lobbying this legislative session, according to records filed with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii to receive $150M for rural broadband access. Nearly $150 million in new federal funding for high-speed internet access is coming to Hawaii — a major boost to ongoing efforts to ensure broadband and internet service to households across the state, particularly in rural areas. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers look to increase Coast Guard’s Pacific footprint.  A $91.5 billion bill making its way through Congress funding programs under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security includes provisions to continue supporting an increased U.S. Coast Guard presence in the Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Foster Kids Are Sleeping In Hotels And State Offices. They Have Nowhere Else To Go. There aren't enough foster homes, especially for kids with the biggest challenges. Civil Beat.

Leaving for Las Vegas: Reaching out to Native Hawaiians.  Trying to make it in Hawaii is becoming increasingly difficult — so impossible for some that more than 50% of Native Hawaiians are now living outside of the state. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiians share experience of mainland living. Native Hawaiians and former Hawaii residents who live on the mainland talked with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser about their lives, joys and challenges far away from Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Rail Spent $100 Million To Relocate Utilities. Much Of It May Have Been A Waste. Some cash spent on Honolulu utility relocation work under a rail contract with Nan Inc. went to mobilization costs, or to work in areas beyond the end of the rail line. Civil Beat.

Rail eminent domain dispute heads to Hawaii high court.  The Hawaii State Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments involving the Texas- based developer Howard Hughes Corp., doing business here as Victoria Ward Ltd., and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s 2018 condemnation of about 2 acres containing roughly 25 parcels owned by the developer — from Cooke to Kamakee streets. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Board of Water Supply will invest more than $43M for a new reservoir in Waiawa.  The Honolulu Board of Water Supply will invest $43.5 million for a new reservoir in Waiawa. Environmentalists say the project could help ease the strain caused by the Red Hill water crisis. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu couple arrested in connection with fatal mass overdose; fentanyl distribution ring exposed.  A Honolulu couple has been arrested in connection with a suspected mass overdose incident in Waikiki that left two people dead and three others hospitalized in early June, according to a federal criminal complaint filed Monda. Hawaii News Now.

Thousands cited for running the red, the few who contest it are unsuccessful. According to numbers by the Department of Transportation, since the red light safety camera pilot program started in November 2022, a total of 6,311 citations have been issued at all 10 of the locations. KHON2.

Bishop Museum announces settlement with former CEO, president. The Bishop Museum has reached a settlement in the dispute with former President and CEO Melanie Ide. In January, after a months-long investigation, the museum’s board of directors voted unanimously to terminate Ide, General Counsel Barron Oda, and Vice President of Operations, Planning and Program Management Wesley “Kaiwi” Yoon. Hawaii Public Radio.

This North Shore Community Wants Stronger Protection Against Disasters, Climate Change. Hauula's efforts to build a resiliency hub may get a boost from a FEMA grant supporting more rural areas. Civil Beat.

More Funding Means More Lifeguard Coverage On Oahu. The new budget includes money for 18 new lifeguard positions and extended hours, with an emphasis on the Leeward Coast. Civil Beat.

Kamaaina to get reservations-free entry to Hanauma Bay.  The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation said all Hawaii residents with valid photo identification, such as a Hawaii driver’s license or school ID, in July will be able to enter the nature preserve for free during hours of operation from 6:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, without either, thanks to additional staffing. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Debate over manta ray tours continues. A decade-long discussion over potential rules and regulations for manta ray tours will continue after Gov. Josh Green stated his intent to veto a bill that would have altered the permitting process. Tribune-Herald.

New Mass Transit administrator named. Hawaii County has announced the appointment of Victor Kandle as the new Mass Transit Agency administrator. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

PTA change of command set for Wednesday.  U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Cronin to leave after two years as commanding officer of Pohakuloa Training Area. Tribune-Herald.

Naniloa given OK for new loan aimed at avoiding foreclosure. After repeated rejections, the owners of the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo secured approval Friday from the Board of Land and Natural Resources for a new mortgage to pay off the business’ current one. Tribune-Herald.

Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lūʻau Hale In Hilo To Reopen.  The facility was being utilized by the State Department of Health and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency for the past two years. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Ogden Newspapers exploring options for new ownership of The Maui News.  The Ogden Newspapers announced Monday that it is exploring options for the possible sale of their Maui Publishing group and is planning to accept offers from interested parties over the next few weeks.  Maui News.

Hawaiian Electric invites Maui community to offer input on renewable generation plans. Hawaiian Electric will hold a community meeting on July 11 to receive comments on its proposal to build new generating units that can run on a variety of renewable fuels, including biofuels. Maui Now.

In partnership with Job Corps, MPD launches new program to help at-risk youth. The Maui Police Department is partnering with Hawaii Job Corps Center to help at-risk teens and young adults. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Tenants facing eviction hope state will convert Kauaʻi’s Waipouli apartments to affordable housing. Affordable housing advocates continue efforts for Waipouli apartments.   Affordable housing advocates held a second press conference in the Kintaro restaurant parking lot last week, urging the state government to purchase the Courtyards at Waipouli apartments and secure all 82 units as affordable housing for 60 years. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Green signs 18 government anti-corruption bills, journalist shield law, announces potential veto list; Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi signs $3.4B budget and $350 property tax rebate, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green signs batch of government reform bills. These bills, passed by the Legislature earlier this year, include one requiring Hawaii legislators to disclose relationships with lobbyists, one prohibiting campaign donations by lobbyists to elected officials during or close to legislative sessions and one enhancing criminal penalties for public corruption offenses. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Green signs bill protecting the work of journalists. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed into law a measure that brings back and makes permanent protections to prevent reporters from being forced by state courts to disclose confidential  information or sources. Star-Advertiser.

Governor Announces Intent To Veto 11 Bills. Certain bills related to water code penalties, ocean recreation commercial permits, and education are all under threat of veto. Gov. Josh Green plans to veto 11 bills passed by lawmakers this year, including one related to the controversial Hawaii Technology Development Corp. and another that he says could discourage the building of new housing.  Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui News.

Tourism plans extend beyond stewardship contract, CNHA says. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement got a seat at the tourism table when it secured a multiyear, $27 million contract for stewardship services from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Star-Advertiser.

Hussey leaving post as CEO of Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Office of Hawaiian Affairs Ka Pouhana/CEO Sylvia Hussey announced she will be leaving the organization June 30, at the end of the fiscal year, “to focus on her personal and ‘ohana health.” Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Maui News.

Oahu

Mayor Rick Blangiardi approves Honolulu’s $3.41B budget. The mayor also formally adopted the city’s one-time $350 tax rebate that will be granted to nearly 152,000 qualifying homeowners with an active home exemption on their 2023 assessment, regardless of property value. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Inside Honolulu’s Six-Decade Fight Over Rail: It’s Always Been ‘Boondoggle Or Boon’. Proposals for an elevated rail system on Oahu date back to the 1960s. Now, at least part of a modern-day rail line is finally about to open to the public. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Judge nixes bid to depose Pacific Fleet chief in Red Hill lawsuit. A federal judge decided Friday to quash an attempt to make the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet sit for a deposition in a civil lawsuit brought by military and civilian families whose drinking water was contaminated with jet fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility in November 2021. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Board OK’s removal of Doris Duke breakwater.  The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has given the green light to demolish the Diamond Head Breakwater, a wall of large boulders that juts out into the ocean, creating a protected cove fronting Doris Duke’s Shangri La estate. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Kaimuki residents protest ‘monster home’ construction.  An appeal by a builder of so-called monster homes in Kaimuki drew the anger of about 15 Kaimuki residents outside the city’s Mission Memorial Auditorium who beat on a drum and waved signs that read, “Kaimuki against monster homes” and “Be a good neighbor” at a hearing of the city’s Building Board of Appeals on Friday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Popular Koko Crater hike to close temporarily.  The city plans to close the Koko Crater stairs for four days this month to replace the viewing platform at the top. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Waste proposal draws doubts: Board presented with information on trash conversion technology. A company’s proposal to convert Big Island waste into energy, concrete and more raised eyebrows Friday at a Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission meeting. Tribune-Herald.

Green, BISAC tout medical kauhale for Hilo.  The concept for a medical kauhale for homeless people in Hilo originally came from the Big Island Substance Abuse Council, or BISAC. Tribune-Herald.

State gun permits drop: Hawaii County sees registration decrease of 7.9% in 2022. In Hawaii County, there were 4,510 applications processed last year, a decrease of 7.9% from the 4,899 applications processed in 2021. Tribune-Herald.

Budget cuts leave boat ramp in limbo.  The state project to reopen the Pohoiki Boat Ramp regained, then promptly lost, $35 million in funding this month after gubernatorial budget cuts. Tribune-Herald.

Land Acquisition To Expand Hilo Harbor Open For Comment.  The draft environmental assessment for the Hilo Harbor Private Lands Acquisition and Development has been published for public review. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Former Mayor Arakawa, Kalo Farmers Among 6 Chosen For New East Maui Water Board. The County Council's selections marked the culmination of a weekslong power struggle over control of the board that will help shape the region's future. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Phase II response work begins at fuel spill site atop Haleakalā. Phase two of the spill response efforts at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex began on June 20, 2023. This comes after 700 gallons of diesel fuel spilled at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex Jan. 29 into Jan. 30, 2023.  Maui Now.

Environmental groups raise alarms as illegal dumping in West Maui continues to grow.  Despite recent crackdowns by the county, they said that illegal junkyards at Ukumehame and Cut Mountain have gotten larger in recent months. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Plan To Save Kauai Forest Birds With ‘Mosquito Birth Control’ Published. State officials are seeking public comment on a plan to bring the world's first attempt at landscape-scale mosquito control to Kauai. Civil Beat. Garden Island.  Kauai Now.

Jobless rate falls to 2.5 percent on Kaua‘i.  The unemployment rate in the County of Kaua‘i moved within spitting distance of pre-pandemic lows last month, largely because of robust hiring in the accommodation sector ahead of the summer tourism season. Garden Island.

Residents in Kauai pushing for the state to lower their rent as they can no longer afford the price increase.  Since 2019, residents have been working to convince the state to lower their rent so it can be affordable again. This came after rent increased after the 10-year affordable housing plan ended.  KITV4.

Hawaii's Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander population edges up, Biden panel coming to Honolulu to seek input, Green signs health care bills, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders up 1.8% in 2022. The Native Hawaiian and “other Pacific Islander” population in the U.S. rose to nearly 1.76 million in 2022, an increase of 1.8%, or almost 32,000 people, over the previous year, according to population estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Star-Advertiser.

Biden Panel On AAPI And Native Hawaiians Seeks Local Input. President Biden’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders will meet in person in Honolulu July 7, the first time the commission has met outside the U.S. mainland, the administration said. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green returns to Hawai‘i Island where he practiced medicine to sign health care bills.  Gov. Josh Green used West Hawaii as a pulpit on Thursday to address Hawaii’s problems and sign several bills into law.  Green traveled to the Hawaii Island Community Health Center in Kealakehe for a signing ceremony for three bills related to health care and one for consumer telecommunications. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.

Oahu

Hawaii report details health effects of Red Hill leak.  A new report released by the state Department of Health provides an assessment of the health effects people may have faced after being exposed to jet fuel, the cleaning product Simple Green, high levels of chlorine and an anti-icing agent in their drinking water after a pipeline burst at the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility on Nov. 20 2021. Star-Advertiser.

HPD officer justified in shooting, prosecutor says.  Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm announced Thursday that a plainclothes acting police sergeant was justified in the Dec. 28, 2020, fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man in the parking lot of a public-housing apartment complex in Ahuimanu. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

‘Safe and Sound’ sees lower crime stats in Waikīkī.  The Honolulu Police Department is providing an update on the “Safe and sound” program that they instigated in Waikīkī.  According to HPD, crime is going down. KHON2.

Businesses hoping for boom in customers ahead of the June 30 opening of Oahu's new rail system. Like many businesses along the rail line, Ichiriki in Aiea endured months of construction that affected the number of customers coming into the restaurant. KITV4.

Honolulu rail’s launch means big changes ahead for bus riders, too.  The city’s long-awaited rail line opens on June 30, but regular bus riders may not yet be aware that it could affect their usual routes, especially west of Aiea. Hawaii News Now.

Thousands of endangered Hawaiian snails in captivity relocated to new home on Oahu. Some 8,000 snails were moved from Kailua to their new home in the Pearl City area Thursday morning. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Councilmember Seeks Emergency Declaration For Abandoned Hilo Hotel.  Hawaiʻi County Councilmember Sue Lee Loy has introduced a resolution urging Governor Josh Green to declare a state of emergency for the condemned and dilapidated former Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel on Banyan Drive. Big Island Video News.

Charges brought in Merrie Monarch Festival burglary.  Hawaii island police have brought an array of charges against two men arrested for the recent Merrie Monarch Festival office burglary and trespassing at a closed business in Hilo. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Maui

Bill to regulate air and replica guns advances. A bill that would limit air and replica guns in certain public spaces to improve safety for the community and police officers was unanimously recommended by a Maui County Council committee on Wednesday afternoon.  Maui News.

County of Maui seeking public input for future Kehalani Mauka Park improvements.  The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a pop-up open house to share information and seek input from the public on future improvements for Kehalani Mauka Park in Wailuku. Maui Now.

Kauai

Garden sprouts on Rice Street in downtown Lihu‘e.  The garden is part of the Downtown Lihu‘e’s Lihu‘e Placemaking, Forestry and Gardens Initiative, a two-year effort to build valued community green spaces in Lihu‘e and a shared vision for future green infrastructure along Rice Street. Garden Island.

Outrigger Resorts & Hotels to acquire Kauaʻi Beach Resort & Spa.  The transaction to purchase the 25-acre beachfront property with 350 guest rooms is expected to close on Aug. 22, 2023. Kauai Now.

New laws to reduce rents, send homeless back to mainland; taxpayers no longer on the hook in HPD chase case, state to regulate deep-sea mining, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New laws signed to increase affordable housing, return homeless to mainland. Gov. Josh Green signed a suite of bills Wednesday approved by the state Legislature aimed at creating more affordable housing, returning homeless people to the mainland and reducing housing rents. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii’s Critical Data Is At Risk From Flooding. So Why Wait To Move It? Hawaii's IT agency has been asking for funding to move but some state officials think it's better to wait years for a new proposed tech center to be built. Civil Beat.

State to begin deep-sea mining regulation by monitoring vessel access. Gov. Josh Green has signed a law that gives the state Department of Transportation the ability to delay or deny entry and departure for any vessel that is known to have engaged in illegal deep-sea activity. Hawaii Public Radio.

He Was A Solar Industry Advocate. Now He’s On The PUC. That Doesn’t Sit Well With Hawaiian Electric. Colin Yost says he's committed to fairness and impartiality in decision-making including when it comes to the state's largest electric company. Civil Beat.

Group aims to decrease recidivism to Hawaii’s prisons.  In one year, an estimated 15,000 people are booked into local jails and prisons throughout Hawaii. KITV4.

Native Hawaiians weigh in on federal funds, protections. Bipartisan staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs were at the first Western Regional Native Hawaiian Convention held in Las Vegas to highlight that Congress has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in dedicated federal funding, the most ever, for Native Hawaiians and to seek input on amending legislation to extend protection to Native Hawaiian art and artists for the first time. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Judge to decide whether top Navy officer can be deposed. A federal judge is expected to decide soon whether Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, will have to sit for a deposition in a civil lawsuit brought by military and civilian families whose drinking water was contaminated with jet fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill fuel facility in November 2021. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

HPD Cops In Makaha Pursuit Case Withdraw Requests For Publicly Funded Legal Assistance. The department's Professional Standards Office has completed its investigation into the incident. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Amid mounting safety concerns, a favorite swim spot is again facing demolition. A favorite swim spot may be a thing of the past by late 2024. The protected swimming cove known as Cromwells is popular with people seeking both tranquility and thrills — from jumping off surrounding sea walls. Hawaii News Now.

Thrill seekers jumping into polluted Ala Wai Canal waters spark major health concerns. Video posted from a highrise on Monday shows someone in a chair being pushed off the platform at the McCully Bridge into the brown waters of the canal. In another video, you can hear a man shocked by what he just saw: A woman swimming in the waterway. Hawaii News Now.

High bacteria alert issued at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. During routine monitoring this morning, the department’s Clean Water Branch found levels of enterococci that exceeded the threshold, at 408 per 100 milliliters. The threshold for recreational waters is at 130 per 100 milliliters. Star-Advertiser.

City to hold in-person event for rental and utility relief applications. The City and County of Honolulu’s Rental and Utility Relief Program has closed its online portal. The city, Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement will be holding an event for new applicants to apply in-person at Hauʻula Community Center on Saturday from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Hawaii Public Radio

Bell Tolls For Historic Iron Ship Docked In Honolulu Harbor. The 145-year-old vessel Falls of Clyde will be scrapped or scuttled after years of neglect. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Proposed Hawaiʻi County office of sustainability, climate moving forward. Council members voted 5-1 to approve the first reading of Bill 48, which would create by ordinance a new Hawai’i County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience and a new Chapter 37 in county code that lays out its responsibilities.  Big Island Now.

Stolen Merrie Monarch items recovered; two men arrested.  The stolen items were recovered during a police investigation into a criminal trespass case that resulted in two men, 36-year-old Dayson Eblacas of Ewa Beach, Oahu, and 30-year-old Makua Amituanai of Pahoa being arrested. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

7-Eleven Hawaii, the EPA reach agreement regarding cesspools. Under terms of the settlement, the company has agreed to audit all of its properties for the presence of large capacity cesspools, or LCCs, after the EPA discovered three LCCs serving 7-Eleven locations on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea eruption: ‘Deciding whether it’s over is a dynamic question’.  With another Kilauea eruption on pause, geologists are unsure when the volcano will resume activity. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Agriculture Department adds staff, doles out grants. Director also in talks with DOE to get more local food in schools. Maui County’s first-ever Department of Agriculture is slowly expanding as the new directors begin to hire specialists, build programs and plan for Maui’s future in sustainability and food security. Maui News.

Committee to discuss Maui general excise tax surcharge, June 26.  The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee will meet Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss and receive input on Bill 49 (2023)—which, if approved, would add a 0.5% surcharge on the 4% state general excise tax. Maui Now.

Bissen travels to DC, talks interisland transportation with congressional leaders.  Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to meet with Hawaii’s congressional leaders and promote products from local businesses at the Capitol.  Maui News.

Kauai

Upcoming Kauaʻi budget is paying off debts and lowering residential taxes.  Ahead of the new county fiscal year in July, and Mayor Derek Kawakami signed the legislation last week. Key points of the County of Kauaʻi’s $400 million budget are infrastructure, tax relief and paying off debt. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Habitat breaks ground on 17 Waipouli units.  Kaua‘i Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its latest project — Kauhale O Waipouli — on Wednesday, with the ceremony officiated by Kahu Ipo Kahaunaele Ferreira, herself a Habitat homeowner. Garden Island.

Report: Kauai Backslides In At-Home Disaster Preparedness. A significant number of households have less emergency food and water supplies in the aftermath of the pandemic. Civil Beat. Kauai Now.

Honolulu seeks to borrow another $210.5M for rail construction, Interior Secretary Haaland to visit Hawaii, court cuts water diversion from Maui streams, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

City seeks $210.5M in bonds to fund rail construction. During a Honolulu City Council Committee on Budget meeting Tuesday, the city advanced three related resolutions — 122, 124 and 125 — requesting the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services to issue and sell a series of general obligation bonds toward finishing the nearly $10 billion, 18.9-mile rail line, which runs from East Kapolei to the Kakaako area, where HART says the last of 19 stations is planned to be completed by 2031. Star-Advertiser.

Secretary of the Interior to visit Hawaii as part of Biden’s ‘Investing in America’ tour.  Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland will visit Hawaii as part of the Biden administration’s “Investing in America” tour. The tour is part of a larger agenda to generate $470 billion in clean energy and private sector manufacturing investments. Hawaii News Now.

Rigging The System: The Martin Kao Case Offers An Inside View Of Pay-To-Play Politics. The former Hawaii defense contractor has pleaded guilty to a series of federal crimes related to PPP fraud and illegal campaign donations. Court records detail how he tried to get away with it. Civil Beat.

Final Budget Leaves UH Treading Water On Key Programs And Improvements. The final legislative budget will likely leave the University of Hawaii several hundred million dollars short of its request for fiscal years 2024-2025. The end result will have very clear consequences for the UH community.  Civil Beat.

Visitors paid more, stayed less at Hawaii hotels in May.  Hawaii’s hotel industry had pretty stable business in May compared with a year earlier, according to a survey report released Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Fecal bacteria found at a number of Hawaii beaches. Hawaii's beaches not only have hazards like rough surf conditions or aggressive water life, some may have a hidden danger: fecal bacteria. KITV4.

Firearm Permit Applications Down For 2nd Straight Year In Hawaii. The most common permit denial reason listed was due to being a current or former medical marijuana patient. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Inflation adds $16M and a year to UH student center development.  A new student center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will cost $16 million more than expected and open about a year later than first scheduled, and officials say inflation and pandemic-related delays are to blame.  Star-Advertiser.

Ex-Mililani athletic director pleads no contest to theft charges. The trial for the former athletic director accused of stealing more than $360,000 from the Mili­lani High School athletic booster club that he and his immediately family managed pleaded no contest to all charges Tuesday morning. Star-Advertiser.

City and state to pay $130K to settle gun owner’s lawsuit. The lawsuit by Michael Santucci alleged that the HPD seized his guns and that it held up his permit application in 2021 because he wrote down on his firearms questionnaire that he had recently received mental health counseling. Hawaii News Now.

Riding Skyline may be a 'learning curve' for some. Here's what officials want you to know. The public opening of the Honolulu rail, Skyline, is just 10 days away and according to those who've spent years on the project, it's one of a kind. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Ransomware attack strikes Hawaii Community College. Hawaii Community College has been struck with a ransomware attack, and security measures are being increased to protect digital assets, University of Hawaii officials said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Bill regarding Kalanianaole Street pushed to future council meeting.  A proposed speed limit reduction along Kalanianaole Street is on hold as Hawaii County officials determine how best to protect nene in the area. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui's $1.07B budget invests in affordable housing for residents.  The budget invests 8% of real property tax revenues to the county's Affordable Housing Fund, up from 3% in years prior.   The budget features a decrease in tax rates for resident-occupied homes assessed at $3 million or less. Hawaii Public Radio.

Court cuts East Maui water diversions again. The state’s Environmental Court has lowered the amount of water that Alexander & Baldwin and East Maui Irrigation can take from East Maui streams by about 9 million gallons per day, the latest decision in a longstanding battle over diverted water for farming and other uses. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Council to appoint East Maui Regional Community Board members Friday. The Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee, chaired by Sinenci, recruited and vetted East Maui Regional Community Board applicants following approval of a charter amendment by 64% of the voters at the Nov. 8 election.  Maui Now.

It’s Still Unclear Who Will Fill The DHHL Seat On The New East Maui Water Board. As the council moves to vote later this week, the member recommended by DHHL may have to wait for Hawaiian Homes Commission approval. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai Mayor highlights budget for fiscal year. Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami  has done a bit of traveling recently – to the Philippines, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Hawai‘i on Hill.  KHON2.

Kaua‘i: last week to apply for Kupu ‘Āina Corps. Kupu is actively seeking host sites and participants to work in sustainability-focused sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

 

Safeway discontinuing local beef amid dispute, Honolulu City Council 64% raise starts July 1, Kilauea eruption pauses, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Big beef: Safeway breaks ties with iconic ranch as local meat industry struggles to grow. When Idaho rancher and investor Frank Vandersloot bought the Hawaii meat processing plant in Paauilo on Hawaii Island and another one on Oahu, he was hailed as a potential savior of the meat industry in Hawaii. But his business practices have caused conflicts among major players in the industry, including Parker Ranch. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i’s Love-Hate Relationship with Tourism Is Getting a Little Friendlier. Support for the state’s largest industry rose to 57% in the latest Hawai‘i Tourism Authority survey.  Hawaii Business magazine.

Cheap summer flights testing ‘aloha spirit’ as low-budget travelers flock to the islands. People pay big money to fly across the ocean to see Hawaii’s blue water and spend even more once they’re here, but recent deals to paradise have some residents rolling up the welcome mat. Hawaii News Now.

New working group aims to improve state's existing child welfare system.  The state's Office of Wellness and Resilience will start up a Mālama ʻOhana Working Group. Members will begin to recommend changes to the state's child welfare system. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ex-union official might get 14-year sentence.  A federal jury found Brian Ahakuelo, 62, former elected business manager and financial secretary of the Inter­national Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1260, and his wife, Marilyn Ahakuelo, 59, guilty Nov. 21 of one count of conspiracy and 42 counts of wire fraud. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council members’ 64% pay increase to begin July 1.  City Council member Augie Tulba says his effort to discuss and possibly thwart the more than 64% pay hike going to the Council on July 1 has failed. Star-Advertiser.

Revote Scheduled For Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Seat After Concerns Over Low Turnout. Following a technical glitch that deterred some residents from voting during part of last month’s neighborhood board elections, the Neighborhood Commission announced Monday it had scheduled a revote for Hawaii Kai’s subdistrict 11 board seat. Civil Beat.

New Medical Center Opens For Honolulu’s Homeless Community. The Honolulu Emergency Services Department is working with the city's outreach program to help homeless patients find permanent housing. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Kamehameha Schools’ redevelopment to transform 2 Moiliili blocks. Kamehameha Schools on Monday announced its plans to redevelop a two-block area in Moiliili into what is slated to become Waianuenue, a modernized retail space geared to suit the neighborhood’s vibrant community. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Investigators find pilots' confusion caused 2021 cargo plane crash off Oʻahu.  Federal investigators say a cargo plane ditched into the ocean off Oʻahu in 2021 because pilots identified the wrong engine that was failing and didn’t have enough power to remain airborne. Associated Press.

Popular Oahu hiking trail to close for repairs.  The popular Manoa Falls Trail is scheduled for a five-day closure, starting next Monday, for maintenance and repairs. Star-Advertiser.

BYU Is Considering Taking Down An Iconic Mural On Its North Shore Campus. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are simmering at the prospect that a historic mosaic on the campus of Brigham Young University-Hawaii could be damaged during a redevelopment project. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea volcano eruption pauses after 12 days.  The summit eruption at the volcano, located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, has paused after 12 days, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported just after 8:30 p.m. Monday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Estimated $2.7K worth of Merrie Monarch items stolen on Big Isle.  Between 10 a.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. today, an unknown suspect or suspects broke into the office and took off with several items, including a gilt frame with a display of 12 Merrie Monarch Royal Court Medals. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Speed limit change proposed: Bill would impact about two miles of Kalanianaole Street.  Bill 51, a Hawaii County Council bill that will be introduced at today’s meeting of the council’s Policy Committee on Infrastructure and Assets, would reduce the speed limit on a roughly 1.7-mile stretch of Kalanianaole Street in Hilo from 30 mph to 25 mph between Leleiwi Street and the James Kealoha Park Access Road. Tribune-Herald.

Mahuna ‘very humbled’ to be named acting deputy police chief.  Maj. Reed Mahuna said he’s “very humbled” by Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz’s decision to appoint him acting deputy police chief for the Hawaii Police Department, effective July 1. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Council Committee seeks input on lands with conservation value. The Maui Council Committee on Agriculture, Diversification, Environmental Protection, and Transportation is seeking community input on lands with conservation value. Maui Now.

Mayor’s office wants Independent Nomination Board filled. The Office of the Maui County Mayor is accepting applications for the Independent Nomination Board, an all-volunteer board responsible for recruiting, selecting, and determining nominees for appointment to more than 40 county boards and commissions. Maui News.

Transportation study focus of open house. A community open house will be held Tuesday on the draft plan for Maui County’s I Mua Central Maui transportation study, a 20-year plan that will identify transportation projects and programs in Central Maui to ensure the community is connected by safe, efficient and sustainable travel options, according to a county news release. Maui News.

Kauai

UH buoy, aquatic drone set for Kaua‘i deployment to study fossil fuel impact on reefs.  Researchers at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa are set to deploy this summer a research buoy off Kaua‘i’s coast alongside multiple aquatic drones, as part of a project to assess Hawai‘i’s vulnerability to climate change impacts. Garden Island.

Queen’s Bath closed due to hazardous conditions.  Queen’s Bath, a noteworthy site on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, was closed throughout last winter due to dangerous conditions. It usually reopens during the summer months. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Luke finds cash to cover shortfall, slow rebound expected for Japanese tourists, Southwest to end Kona, Kauai nonstop mainland flights, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii LG Sylvia Luke Finds Cash To Cover Shortfall: ‘I Expect Better Of Myself’. Following a wave of public criticism, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke says that her office will likely avoid a previously forecasted budget shortfall that threatened to put her in legal jeopardy.  Civil Beat.

State Agriculture Corp. Gets New Board Leadership. Warren Watanabe, a seasoned agricultural advocate, has been elected to lead the Agribusiness Development Corp.’s board of directors. The election at a meeting Thursday, comes as part of a leadership shakeup for the ADC following the unexpected death of long-time executive director James Nakatani in April.  Civil Beat.

Green shaking up education, UH, tourism boards. New members of the boards that oversee lower and higher public education and the Hawaii Tourism Authority are being named by Gov. Josh Green after soured relationships with the state Legislature resulted in lackluster financial support, including proposals to not fund the HTA and even abolish it. Star-Advertiser.

‘Slow gradual rebound’ expected for Japan visitors to Hawaii. Hawaii arrivals from Japan, once forecast to make a quicker rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, now are not expected to return to pre-pandemic 2019 levels until the end of next year. Star-Advertiser.

Southwest ending nonstop flights Sept. 5 between Los Angeles and Kauaʻi, Big Island airports. On Sept. 5, the day after Labor Day, Southwest Airlines will end its daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and two Hawaiʻi airports: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport on the Big Island and Līhuʻe Airport on Kaua‘i. Kauai Now.

Women in Hawaii not receiving adequate prenatal care.  The  state has ranked last in recent years when it comes to women obtaining adequate care, defined as initiating care in the first four months of pregnancy and making it to an appropriate number of doctors appointments. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Struggle To Provide Health Care For Rural Islands Nearly Turned Tragic For This Expectant Mom. For months the fragility of a vital air link endangered the health of people across rural Hawaii. The state is still trying to fix it. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom Wins A $37M Grant To Install Undersea Cables To Improve Broadband Service. The new federal funding would provide additional fiber links between the islands to make service more reliable, and to reach unserved rural communities. Civil Beat.

State adjusts eligibility requirements for Homeowner Assistance Fund program.  It allows qualified households to receive mortgage assistance or financial relief from certain expenses, such as property taxes or association fees. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ocean users advised to avoid research drones, buoys. Ocean users are cautioned to keep far from three uncrewed Saildrone Explorer research vessels that have been deployed around the Hawaiian Islands to help look for signs of climate change. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Council lowers tax rate for owners of second homes used for rentals.  The Council voted unanimously June 7 to approve Resolution 33, which is expected to lower the city’s real property tax rate for the first million dollars of value of Residential A properties and, in so doing, reduce taxes by $500 under that two-tier taxpaying class. Star-Advertiser.

A $900 Towing Fee? Concerns Are Being Raised Over Honolulu’s New Towing Contract. Insurance companies have balked at reimbursing drivers, calling the prices unreasonable. Civil Beat.

Work completed for Coast Guard at new Honolulu dry dock.  Over the weekend, Pacific Shipyards International wrapped up its biggest maintenance project yet at its Honolulu Harbor facility, where shipyard workers over 90 days put the Coast Guard’s CGC Kimball, one of the service’s large national security cutters, through its first dry dock maintenance period. Star-Advertiser.

E. coli detected in Windward Oahu water source.  The Board of Water Supply has detected E. coli bacteria in the BWS Kahaluu Tunnel, officials said. Board of Water Supply officials the water from this source is safe to drink because it is routinely disinfected before it reaches customers, so there is no action required by customers. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Thanks to millions in federal aid, city eyes expansion of homeless camp program. The city’s HONU camp is currently set up in Maili, but the mobile program has been moving around the island since 2019. City officials are looking to expand the program with a new, $3.4 million grant. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Judge to appoint ‘special discovery master’ in Boy Scout wrongful death suit.  An ongoing dispute over the disclosure of documents in a civil lawsuit brought by the family of an 11-year-old Boy Scout killed last August by the accidental discharge of an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle at Camp Honokaia near Honokaa has led a judge to order the appointment of a special master to oversee the discovery process. Tribune-Herald.

Kapapala Ranch land transfer deal could move 7,000 acres to forest reserve. Some 7,000 acres of pasture land in Ka‘u could become part of the Kapapala Forest Reserve as two state agencies bury a 20-year-old bureaucratic hatchet. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island manta ray tour operators mixed about proposed rules, possible new law.  For more than a decade, with more and more manta ray tour companies converging at two small viewing areas off the West Hawai’i coast, ocean advocates and some tour operators have been concerned about safety and the preservation of the marine resource. Big Island Now.

Feline TNR programs ending at 2 island sites. AdvoCATS representatives said they recently received communication from Kamehameha Schools that it was terminating the trap/neuter/return, or TNR, programs for homeless cats at two of its properties on the Big Island, Keauhou Shopping Center and above the Lako gas station in West Hawaii. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui Ethics Board: You Can’t Keep Those $400 Koa Digging Sticks. County officials should give back the pricey koa digging sticks they received at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for a housing development in West Maui, the Maui Board of Ethics says. Civil Beat.

Maui residents are looking at a possible islandwide tax increase. A bill that would increase the state general excise tax in Maui County is scheduled for a hearing at the county council meeting. If approved, the GET on Maui would go up by half a percent. KITV4.

Council close to appointing East Maui water board. A previous mayor, a former Mahi Pono official, kalo farmers, lineal descendants of East Maui and experts in water and irrigation are all vying for seats on a newly created 11-member community board that will help guide policy for East Maui water use.  Maui News.

Kalaupapa park remains closed 3 years after pandemic shutdown.  The park, in conjunction with the state Department of Health, normally allows limited access — 100 people a day — via authorized tour operators in a move to protect the lifestyle and privacy of the Hansen’s disease patients who still live in the settlement. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami signs 2024 fiscal year budget. The spending blueprint, which consists of an operating budget of $311.4 million and a capital improvement budget of $87 million, reflects the administration’s continuing focus on infrastructure. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County identifies new potential landfill site.  Kaua‘i County is moving to build a second landfill site in Kekaha, Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division officials said, as the division’s head suggested the island’s existing site will likely shut down years before another could open. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i County sewer rate increase goes into effect on July 1. Kaua‘i residents are reminded that the county’s sewer rate will increase by 11% starting July 1, 2023.  Kauai Now.

HTA Chief De Fries to step down, education officials lament budget cuts, Hawaii Marines told to be ready for war, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Tourism Authority Chief Announces Plans To Step Down. John De Fries had faced criticism for the agency's efforts to balance tourism with local and environmental concerns. The head of the embattled Hawaii Tourism Authority will step down after his contract ends in September, the agency said Thursday. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Budget Gap Puts Brakes On Public School Capital Improvement Projects. English learner programs and mathematics initiatives are also not currently funded. Key pieces of the Hawaii Department of Education’s newly approved six-year strategic plan will be delayed or deferred due to a $43 million budget shortfall. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Some airlines are calling it a flash sale and if you wait too long, those low prices may be gone.  Certain Hawaiian Airlines routes to the mainland could cost around $200 to get there and back. Southwest Airlines also offered a lower fare with 40% off on flights.  KHON2.

Mental Health Worker Shortage And Stigma Are Hurting Veterans, Troops In Hawaii. A loan forgiveness program is providing incentive for workers, while a Mililani clinic is fighting the stigma. Civil Beat.

New law meant to stop underage smoking faces backlash from cigar enthusiasts. The new law — SB 975 signed by Gov. Josh Green — starting July 1, will make it illegal for tobacco products to be shipped to anyone in Hawaii that is not licensed by the state. It also requires all tobacco products, including e-cigs- or vapes to be taxed. KHON2.

Hawaii Marines need to be ready for war, officer says. The 3rd MLR officially activated last year and is the first unit of its kind. It is meant to serve as a blueprint for an ambitious Marine Corps plan to restructure its entire force amid boiling geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China. Under an initiative called Force Design 2030, service leaders envision the Corps returning to its roots as a naval fighting force focused on the sorts of coastal and island operations it conducted in the Pacific during World War II, but with a 21st century twist. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Gates will be open during free rides on Oahu rail system. City officials will open the gates at the first nine rail stations for free rides on June 30, meaning it will be impossible to get an accurate count of exactly how many passengers show up to ride the rail line in person. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

DPS fined $104K for Halawa fuel storage tank violations. The state Health Department has fined the Hawaii Department of Public Safety $104,125 for underground storage tank violations at its Halawa Correctional Facility nearly a year after discovering the tank’s existence. Star-Advertiser.

HPD rolls out retrofitted pickup trucks, changing the way officers patrol the streets. The Honolulu Police Department is rolling out a fleet of retrofitted Chevrolet Colorado trucks, changing the way officers patrol the streets. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Renovations at Richardson expected to be done in a few months.  Since June 2022, the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation has closed various parts of the popular Keaukaha beach park in order to improve access to the beach and comply with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, including installing a concrete walkway to the beach and renovations to the parking lot and comfort stations. Tribune-Herald.

Kanu o ka ʻĀina Charter School in Waimea awarded $150,000 grant. The school is one of the 17 Hawaiian Focused Charter Schools awarded $3 million over the next two school years to support unmet facility’s needs.  Big Island Now.

Maui

4.4 acres of Keōpūolani remain closed due to corroded light poles.  Emergency repairs of rusted and corroded field lights has forced the closure of nearly five acres at the 110 acre Keōpūolani Regional Park in Central Maui.  Maui Now.

Airline hopes Maui delays will subside. Honolulu runway work has been impacting Neighbor Island flights for months Hawaiian Airlines says things should be much better now since runway 8L at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu reopened on May 27. Maui News.

Kauai

‘Managed retreat’ may be beach erosion option.  The County of Kaua‘i Planning Department met with community members on Wednesday evening to discuss the island’s future as it grapples with a series of existential threats due to increasingly severe climate change impacts. Garden Island.

Council approves federal funds for Lima Ola affordable housing project.  Long-term plans for the County of Kaua‘i’s affordable housing subdivision project in ‘Ele‘ele moved forward on Wednesday, as council members voted to approve receipt of $12.72 million in federal funding for infrastructure and water systems for the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development. Garden Island.

Green lops $1B off budget amid less rosy economic forecast, Teamsters end gas strike, Oahu first responder campus axed, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green plans to cut over $1B from Hawaii budget. Gov. Josh Green told state legislators today that he plans to eliminate or reduce over $1 billion in spending on 22 projects from the state budget because of projected reductions in state revenue. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Detailed list of budget cut line items. Governor's Office.

Gov. Green signs bills relating to domestic violence and child welfare. Gov. Josh Green signed eight bills at the state Capitol on Wednesday relating to domestic violence and sexual assault, and seven bills relating to wellness and child welfare. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi tackles health care shortage with loan forgiveness, nurse programs. The state continues to face a severe health care shortage, which Gov. Josh Green reports as about 4,000 vacancies in the field statewide. In response, the upcoming state budget has $30 million for a loan forgiveness program for health care workers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signs fireworks task force bill, several others into law. A bill that establishes a state task force to stop the importation of illegal fireworks and explosives into Hawai‘i is now law after Gov. Josh Green signed it last week. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Gas strike ends after workers approve new contract. Hawaii Gas union workers have voted to approve a three-year contract, ending a two-week strike across the state. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

HTA awards $3.78M for its events, enrichment programs. The Hawaii Tourism Authority awarded $3.78 million in funding for its Signature Events and Community Enrichment programs, supporting 76 community projects, festivals and events across the state. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Hawaii Governor Axes $71M For First Responders Campus. In an unusual move, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday used his line-item veto power to reject a $50 million appropriation for proposed emergency and cybersecurity facilities in Mililani. Civil Beat.

This Stretch Of North Shore Highway Could Be Moving Inland — With A Parking Lot On The Beach Side. Managed parking is set to come to this popular beach teeming with tourists and residents who come to watch the sea turtles. Civil Beat.

Plan to replace Ward Center with two new high-rises revealed. The largest landowner in Kakaako has filed permits with the state to build two new high-rises along Ala Moana Boulevard. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

State gives Hawaii library system a shot in the arm. The state Board of Education today will discuss $36 million in capital improvement projects for the Hawaii State Public Library System, including new libraries in Keaau and Waikoloa. Tribune-Herald.

Longtime Geothermal Critics Refuse to Back Down As Puna Plant Eyes Expansion. In a move that has ignited a fresh wave of criticism, a geothermal plant on Hawaii island that has long operated on the flanks of one of the world’s most active volcanoes is seeking state approval to expand production. Civil Beat.

Mayor Roth addresses Kona concerns at Town Hall. Mayor Mitch Roth and his cabinet presented an update on issues impacting the Kona community at Tuesday’s Town Hall Meeting at Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park. This was the second in a series of meetings he has planned for the island. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

Legendary UH Hilo basketball coach Jimmy Yagi dies at 88. Jimmy Yagi, the architect of “Vulcan Fever” who put Hawaii’s small college basketball on the map with energy, tenacity and, most of all, humility, died today of natural causes at Hilo Hospital. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Green signs bills to help West Maui Hospital, expand nursing program. Gov. Josh Green signed a pair of bills on Tuesday that could help finance a portion of the West Maui Hospital as well as expand a program to help nurses advance their careers. Maui News. Maui Now.

Judge Michelle Drewyer sworn in as Maui Circuit Court Judge.  She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Richard Bissen, Jr. who is now Maui Mayor. Maui Now.

Kauai

Passengers departing Līhuʻe Airport should arrive 2-3 hours early due to screening problem.  Additional time may be needed in the check-in process because the checked bag screening equipment is not at full capacity.  Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

County of Kauaʻi launches revamped website. The County’s website was remodeled to enhance its user-friendliness, improve search capabilities and provide access to well-organized information.  Kauai Now.