Navy announces $8B for Hawaii and Wake Island, state seeks more geothermal plant locations, fishing council asks Trump to open Papahanaumokuakea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Navy announces $8 billion contract for Hawaii and Wake Island. The Navy announced it has awarded an $8 billion mega contract to 11 companies — including both local and mainland contractors — for a series of construction, maintenance and renovation projects to facilities, as well as the demolition of old facilities, in Hawaii and on Wake Island. Star-Advertiser.

Threats to Hawaii Judiciary officials on pace to double. The Honolulu Police Department notified state and federal court officials after a 911 caller said an unidentified man was going to shoot a judge at a Honolulu courthouse. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Wants More Geothermal Power Plants But Doesn’t Yet Know Where. The state must spend millions to see if more electricity can be produced using heat deep under the earth. And it will have to convince residents to support such an effort. Civil Beat.

Fishing council to ask Trump to lift fishing ban in Papahanaumokuakea. The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council which sets fishing policies will ask President Trump to allow commercial fishing in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the northwestern Hawaiian islands. It’s the largest marine protected area in the world. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s new fire marshal takes over as state concludes Maui wildfire probe. The state has concluded its investigation into the government’s response to the deadly Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire, state Attorney General Anne Lopez announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi signs laws to shutter illegal game rooms. With the enactment of new city laws, the Honolulu Police Department and related city agencies say they will have more tools to more easily remove illegal game rooms operating on Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police arrest 3 in Kakaako illegal game room raid. Officers executed a search warrant at an “illegal gambling room near Kawaiahao St.” at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to an HPD social media post. They recovered 16 gambling machines, $5,222 in cash and drugs. Star-Advertiser.

Skunk captured in Kakaako Waterfront Park, tested for rabies.  A skunk was captured, euthanized and tested for rabies after it was found running around Kakaako Waterfront Park Wednesday night, state officials said today. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Questions raised over paying to find next Honolulu police chief. A consulting firm is expected to narrow down the list of candidates, but some question the time and money that will be put into it. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Massive lava fountains erupt in episode 26 at Kīlauea. A new eruption at Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, known as Episode 26, began around 1:40 a.m. on June 20, 2025. Lava fountains erupted from the north vent, shooting over 1,000 feet into the air.  KITV4.

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel joins Wyndham brand. The Hilo Hawaiian Hotel has officially joined the Trademark Collection by Wyndham, becoming the first property in Hawaii to be part of the global hotel brand, Castle Resorts &Hotels announced Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

11 Maui seniors laid off as federal cuts take toll on decadesold program. Maui Economic Opportunity will be suspending an on-the-job training program that has existed for three decades and benefited thousands of senior citizens. Maui News.

Kahoʻolawe wins marine conservation award as Trump rolls back other Pacific protections. The Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve has become the second marine protected area in the Hawaiian archipelago to win the prestigious Blue Park Award. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Council hears another 70 testifiers on vacation rental phase-out bill; still more to come.  Public debate intensified Wednesday during several hours of sometimes heated testimony over a proposed phase-out of vacation rentals before the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee. Maui Now.

Kauai

‘Truly grateful for her years of service’: Kaua‘i County mayor’s office Chief of Staff leaving post in July. A nearly 15-year veteran of the mayor’s office in Kaua‘i County — who has played a key part in helping the Garden Isle through some of its toughest times during her tenure — will be saying her final farewells to colleagues during the next couple of weeks as she prepares to leave her post. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Cops Are Using Virtual Reality To Boost Their Firearms Training. With real-time simulations and a high-tech shooting range, the Kauaʻi Police Department hopes to quadruple weapons drills. Civil Beat.

LOOKOUT launches on Kauai. State and county officials said on Wednesday at a statewide press conference that launched the 2025 Wildfire and Drought LOOKOUT campaign that it took a series of devastating wildfires, including the Lahaina fires of 2023, to get people to pay attention to fire risk. Garden Island.

House leadership shakeup slots Chun as new ag committee chair, Vanic named interim Honolulu police chief, deadline nears for Maui wildfire claims, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New House Agriculture Committee chair plans to prioritize invasive species, food security. Rep. Cory Chun, the new chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems said his focus will be on legislation addressing biosecurity and food security in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Campaign urges wildfire preparedness. With drought conditions worsening and wildfires already occurring across the islands, state and county officials are launching an awareness effort ahead of what forecasters warn could be an especially dangerous dry season. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

State survey reveals workforce housing would keep Hawai‘i educators in classrooms. Hawai‘i School Facilities Authority is ready to execute the build of 2,500 rental housing units to serve 11% of the educator workforce by 2030. Big Island Now.

Critical shortage of court reporters causing delays in trial cases, appeals. The state judiciary is struggling to find stenographers to provide accurate transcripts for court proceedings. A backlog is pushing back the start of civil and criminal trials and appeals are also on hold. Hawaii News Now.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald on retirement, Judiciary success. Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald will formally hang up his robes in Sept., after 15 years in the role. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Rade Vanic chosen as interim HPD chief. The Honolulu Police Commission selected Rade K. Vanic to serve as interim Honolulu police chief Wednesday, ignoring Mayor Rick Blan­gi­ardi’s move to replace Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan with his handpicked successor. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Honolulu’s Effort to Fast-Track Affordable Housing Projects Hasn’t Worked. Developers of much-needed affordable housing are supposed to get permits approved or denied within three months. It’s taking far longer. Civil Beat.

Why New Hawaiʻi Teachers Can’t Afford To Buy A House. When it comes to housing for educators, Hawaiʻi is one of the least affordable places for early career teachers, according to an analysis from the National Council on Teacher Quality released last month.  Civil Beat.

Oʻahu Wants To Crack Down On Homeless Bus Riders. New rules for TheBus could prohibit passengers whose belongings emit noxious odors or who ride with no destination in mind, signaling a stricter approach to how Honolulu transit systems handle homeless people. Civil Beat.

Community input sought for study on health risks due to fuel exposure from Red Hill spill. Individuals impacted by the 2021 Red Hill Storage Facility leaks can choose to attend two in-person community engagement sessions on June 25, hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Hawaii Public Radio.

Group files ‘next step’ appeal to save Haiku Stairs. To save a World War II-era mountainside staircase marked for removal by the City and County of Honolulu, the Friends of Haiku Stairs has brought an appeal to overturn a 2024 State Historic Preservation Division approval that allowed the city’s demolition plan to proceed. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kona Open Space Network Event Set For June 28. The Kona Open Space Network Draft Conceptual Plan will be presented during a upcoming event in Kealakehe. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

W. Hawaii woman’s death triggers lawsuit. Family members of a Holualoa woman who died two years ago are suing the woman’s estranged husband and Hawaii County police, saying they are responsible for her death from a drug-and-alcohol overdose. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui vacation rental bill again draws supporters, opponents. Maui County Council members heard another full day of testimony Wednesday for and against a proposal to convert 6,100 vacation rentals in Maui “apartment districts” into long-term housing, but recessed with plans for a third and fourth hearing. Star-Advertiser.

Time running short for Maui wildfire claims. Maui wildfire victims who have not hired attorneys yet will soon learn how they can file claims through a class action lawsuit. It’s another big step toward paying out the $4 billion settlement, as time to file runs short. Hawaii News Now.

East Maui kalo farmers won the water fight. Now they battle climate change and invasive species. There had been plenty of water until Alexander & Baldwin, more than a century ago, diverted the major streams mauka of their properties to irrigate thirsty sugar crops on the other side of the island. In East Maui, the kalo dried up. Farmers moved away. Maui Now.

Maui wildfire survivors still struggling with health, housing. The UH Economic Research Organization’s latest report, released Wednesday, found that mentally, half the survivors it has been tracking are showing depressive symptoms, with a quarter reporting moderate to severe anxiety. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative appoints new chief financial officer. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative announced this week that Erin Tsuda was appointed chief financial officer and financial vice president effective July 1. Kauai Now.

Task force annual reports highlight chronic pollution. Waikomo Stream, that empties into the popular Koloa Landing, has made the top of this year’s list at being polluted with concentrations of enterococcus bacteria more than 90 percent of the time. Garden Island.

Locals account for big share of drownings, 8 apply for Honolulu police chief, 50 new preschools to open within two years, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

It’s Not Just Tourists: Hawaiʻi Residents Drown At Alarming Rates. The number of residents who die each year is surprising, even to lifeguards. And the danger is not limited to inexperienced swimmers or surfers chasing Hawaiʻi’s notorious big waves.  Civil Beat.

State survey reveals workforce housing would keep Hawai‘i educators in classrooms. A survey commissioned by the Department of Education revealed that retention of Hawai‘i educators would increase with the availability of workforce housing. Big Island Now.

Families to have more preschool access in fall. Approximately 25 new classrooms are scheduled to open statewide for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, with the other 25 opening by August 2026. The 50 additional classrooms will add approximately 1,000 new seats for 3- and 4-year-old preschool students. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Drones Could Be Dispatched As First Responders To Crime Scenes In Hawaiʻi. State police want to use license plate readers and drones to fight crime on Hawaiian homelands. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Needs New Tech To Clean Up Old Bombs. Magnetic detection can only go so far in an island chain made of volcanic rock. Experts say other methods could be a game-changer. Civil Beat.

State Hospital Psychiatrist Says He Was Demoted For Raising Staffing Concerns. The former chief of psychiatry files suit, saying severe understaffing is contributing to a dangerous work environment. Civil Beat.


Oahu

Eight apply to serve as interim Honolulu police chief. The Honolulu Police Commission will select an interim chief from eight candidates who have applied to replace Arthur “Joe” Logan, whose retirement was announced June 2.  The applicants are retired U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Thomas K. Aiu; HPD Maj. Ryan T. Hironaka; HPD Deputy Chief Keith K. Horikawa; former Maui Police Department Lt. Wayne K. Ibarra; HPD Assistant Chief Brian Lynch; Hawaii Police Chief Benjamin T. Moszkowicz; HPD Capt. Clifford K. Ramson; and HPD Deputy Chief Rade K. Vanic. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council leadership reorganized during intense meeting. Public allegations of political retaliation, anti-gay bias and a lack of government transparency did not halt a formal reorganization to the leadership of the Honolulu City Council on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

UH Manoa names new leaders to start in July. Vassilis Syrmos has been appointed interim provost of University of Hawaii’s flagship Manoa campus, starting July 1, while UH leadership conducts a national search for a permanent provost. Star-Advertiser.

Aloha Stadium Swap meet relocation delayed to August. The planned relocation of the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet to the Halawa parking lot has been delayed by a month, officials announced Tuesday. KHON2

Schofield Barracks brush fire burns 570 acres, 50% contained.  The brush fire at Schofield Barracks range complex has scorched at least 570 acres and is 50 percent contained. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kona coffee farmers spared from ICE raids — so far. It appears that at least some local farmers have been spared from federal immigration enforcement, including rapid policy changes over the last few days. Hawaii Public Radio.

County hosts disaster prep summit for Big Island’s ham operators. Over 60 ham radio users met with personnel from Civil Defense, the National Weather Service and disaster preparedness organization Vibrant Hawaii to learn more about the critical role they can play in protecting the community during natural disasters. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County to unveil Kona Open Space Network Draft Conceptual Plan. A key cornerstone of plans to develop the Kona community has finally been put down on paper and community members are invited to weigh in with their opinions and input. Big Island Now.
 
Maui

Police take in 129 guns through buyback program. The Maui Police Department took three illegal firearms, including a fully automatic AK-47, off the street through the department’s gun buyback program on Saturday. Maui News.

FEMA no longer available for in-person fire survivor support at Maui recovery centers. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is closing its presence at Maui recovery centers, 21 months after the wildfires. The agency said the demand for in-person services has dropped over time. Hawaii Public Radio.

Los Angeles Rams and Hollman Lockers team up to refurbish locker rooms at Lahainaluna. The Los Angeles Rams in collaboration with Hollman Lockers and design firm Forty Nine Degrees announced an initiative to support the Maui community by building new locker rooms for Lahainaluna High School. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui brush fire burns 330 acres, 95% contained. The blaze broke out in Kahikinui Sunday and forced the evacuation of 105 homes through Monday evening. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kauai

UPDATE: Hanalei water service shutdown to impact much smaller number of customers. Kauaʻi County Department of Water announced late Tuesday afternoon that several of the areas previously slated to be included in a scheduled water service shutdown Wednesday in the Hanalei area will no longer be affected, with the shutdown now expected to impact a much smaller number of customers. Kauai Now.

$124.4M pandemic hazard pay for corrections officers, changes coming to Honolulu City Council, ag crime bill awaits governor's signature, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Must Fork Over $124.4 Million In Pandemic Hazard Pay For Prisons. Hawaiʻi corrections officers will receive hazard pay worth 25% of their wages, including thousands of hours of overtime they worked during the pandemic, under a series of arbitration decisions that will cost the state an estimated $124.4 million. Civil Beat.

Number of ICE arrests in Hawaii remains unknown. Homeland Security Investigations Honolulu has said that more than 100 people Opens in a new tab have been arrested for alleged violations of immigration law in Hawaii so far this year. Information on exactly how many over 100, where they were arrested and for what reason has not been made public. Star-Advertiser.

Forfeiture, mandatory jail time part of effort to curb crime on agricultural land. New law would bring stiffer penalties for thieves, vandals and trespassers. Hawaii landowners lost about $3.3 million last year due to theft and vandalism, according to a report by the Department of Agriculture. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii DOH could seize unregulated THC products in 2026 . Delta 8 and Delta 10 are just a few lesser-known cannabinoids that can still get a user high, but they have never been regulated in Hawaii like regular cannabis. That will change on Jan. 1, 2026.  KHON2.

With The HTA In Chaos, A New Hawaiʻi Tourism Leader Has Emerged. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority faces a major restructuring, staff defections and legal drama. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is filling the void. Civil Beat.

Beginning July 1, Hawai‘i drivers to pay more for annual vehicle safety inspections. Starting July 1, 2025, the fee for a Hawai‘i vehicle safety inspection will increase by 75 cents to $25.75 for automobiles and trucks and to $17.75 for motorcycles and trailers. Maui Now. KHON2.

Board of Regents approves Matt Elliott as next athletics director at University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa. During a special meeting on Monday, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents unanimously approved the appointment of Matt Elliott as UH Mānoa’s next athletics director. Big Island Now. KITV4. 

Oahu

Honolulu City Council leadership changes proposed. A special meeting of the Honolulu City Council today may lead to the political shake-up of its leadership. Star-Advertiser.

Heated moments at Makaha meeting on transitional homes project. Opponents and supporters of a tiny homes project for homeless young adults in Mākaha experienced some tension as they came together Monday. It was the first time the project held a meeting at someone’s house. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Lawsuit Asks Court To Halt Haʻikū Stairs Demolition, Citing State Flip-Flop. The State Historic Preservation Division hasn’t adequately explained why it now supports the stairs’ removal, the suit says. Civil Beat.

ICE agents arrest Russian woman at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested a Russian woman in the United States illegally at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

County housing office still working to implement auditor’s recommendations. Hawaii County’s top housing official said the Office of Housing and Community Development “has implemented or is actively working on all seven of the county auditor’s recommendations” to prevent future fraud such as the affordable housing credits scam that led to the federal convictions of four Big Island residents. Tribune-Herald.

Kilauea fountaining draws locals and visitors like moths to a flame. Since the start of the on-again, off-again eruption Dec. 23, Halemaumau Crater within Kilauea has seen fountaining episodes that have lasted anywhere from hours to days, with molten lava spraying up to 1,200 feet. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Kahikinui fire 93% contained; evacuation orders lifted. Evacuation orders for Kahikinui were lifted at 7 p.m. Monday, June 16, due to increased fire containment, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Lahaina wildfire debris transfer work begins. A large fleet of trucks began hauling Lahaina wildfire debris Monday from a temporary holding area in Olowalu to a permanent landfill 19 miles away in Central Maui. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Here's what you need to know about KIUC's wildfire mitigation work. The Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative has submitted a wildfire mitigation plan to the Public Utilities Commission. It lays out KIUC's strategy for reducing wildfire risk, as well as its associated costs, over the next three years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Water service shutdown scheduled in Hanalei to replace water main infrastructure. The shutdown, which will occur starting at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will impact customers located on a portion of Weke Road, from Mālolo Road to the north end of Weke Road; Kūhiō Highway, from Mālolo Road to Waikoko, in the vicinity of the hairpin turn, according to a press release from Kaua‘i County. Kauai Now.

Tokuda raises hurricane concerns, Honolulu inflation among worst in the nation, ethics remains a concern in county government, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane concerns for isles increase after federal cuts. Hawaii’s hurricane outlook calls for a below-normal season, but ongoing cuts to the federal government have U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda concerned about the state’s ability to both predict the weather and respond if a hurricane hits the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Some Hawaiʻi Counties Are Shortchanging Efforts To Keep Government Ethical. Experts agree full-time staff support is essential to the success of the neighbor island boards, but only Maui is taking that step. Civil Beat.

UH board to vote on president’s athletics director pick. The University of Hawaii’s President Wendy Hensel picked Matt Elliot to lead the athletics department, now it’s up for approval at the UH Board of Regents meeting. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Report: Honolulu Inflation Among Worst In Nation. It’s a mixed bag. Inflation on Oʻahu ticked up very slightly in May and was higher than the nationwide rate, but continued an overall decline. Civil Beat.

City seeks developer for Iwilei transit-oriented housing. A master planning effort to potentially transform about 80 acres along Honolulu’s over $10-billion rail line into mixed-use, transit- oriented development is underway, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

An Embarrassing Housing Scam Triggers Big Island Reforms. A dishonest public worker and his partners slurped up millions of dollars by illegally manipulating a complex system of affordable housing credits. Civil Beat.

Goal of new partnership of hospitals: More specialty doctors for Big Island, fewer medical trips to Oʻahu. To alleviate the increasingly unmanageable workload, a shared workforce agreement was entered into at the beginning of June by Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation’s West Hawaiʻi Region, The Queen’s Health Systems on O‘ahu and Aliʻi Health Center in Kona. Big Island Now.

The Food Basket distributes $700,000 to dozens of Big Island ag operations. The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi Island has distributed around $700,000 in grants to over 30 island producers in an effort to promote local farming and improve food security. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ali‘i Drive to return to two-way traffic by Monday. The Hawaii County pilot program created 46 additional free parking stalls in the south-bound lane of that busy section of roadway. The program concluded after measuring the community’s feedback about the one-lane traffic pattern for more than 30 days. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Drones drop mosquitoes over Maui to save honeycreepers. Conservationists working to save Hawaii’s endangered, native birds are now using drones to deliver lab-reared, male mosquitoes over Maui. Star-Advertiser.

As Maui County farmers and ranchers grow old, younger replacements are desperately being sought. An aging farming community drastically needs to develop younger farmers to be able to take over the food production. Farms are not being handed down generation to generation as much as in the past. Maui Now.

Maui Wildfire Debris Is On The Move Again. What Happens Next? Maui County officials are still discussing the future use of the Olowalu site where wildfire debris is being temporarily stored. Civil Beat.

Former pineapple plantation operator in Hawaii embracing agave as new crop.  Maui Land & Pineapple Co. is ramping up plans to establish an agave tequilana farm on the Valley Isle. Star-Advertiser.

South Maui brush fire scorches 500 acres. A quick-spreading brush fire fueled by strong winds in Kahikinui scorched 500 acres of South Maui land Sunday, but no injuries or structural damages have been reported, according to the Maui Fire Department. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Investigators: High Winds, Rotor Flap Caused Fatal Kauaʻi Helicopter Crash. Three people died during an air tour over the Nāpali Coast in July 2024. Investigators attributed the accident to weather and a known weakness in the model of the helicopter. Civil Beat.

Princeville Public Library reopens today after closing for nearly 20 months for renovations. The project included replacing the air conditioning, repainting, re-flooring, and making structural improvements to both the interior and exterior of the building. Kauai Now.

Case blasts military bill as neglecting Hawaii, former HTA finance official claims retaliation, Honolulu reopens popup homeless camp, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Military bill neglects Hawaii’s needs, Case says. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is blasting military appropriation legislation that is moving through the House of Representatives as “shortchanging” priorities critical to Hawaii, including environmental cleanup and military infrastructure. Star-Advertiser. Aloha State Daily.

As immigration fears reverberate, Hawaiʻi's COFA communities work to stay informed. Here in Hawaiʻi, one particularly vulnerable immigrant community is made up of those in the country as part of COFA, the Compact of Free Association — an arrangement between the U.S. and island nations throughout Micronesia that gives citizens of those countries permission to live and work in the U.S. in exchange for a U.S. military presence in their homelands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Top Hawaiʻi Tourism Official Claims Retaliation For Reporting Mismanagement. More problems within the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority are coming to light in the lawsuit by Isaac Choy, a former vice president of finance. Civil Beat.

New laws signed by the governor will soften criminal prosecution of juveniles in Hawaii. One of the new laws would ban the arrest and criminal treatment of any child under 12 years old, and another would guarantee parole for anyone, even multiple murderers who commit the crime before their 21st birthday. Hawaii News Now.

State Legislature rules in favor of Hawaiʻi Judiciary. The 2025 legislative session was one of the most successful for the Judiciary: better compensation, more judge positions, and more diversion programs. Hawaii Public Radio.

House votes to kill funding for public media. The House of Representatives narrowly approved legislation Thursday to eliminate the next two years of federal funding for public media outlets. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s school lunch 2nd in US for nutrition. With a score of 76 out of 100, Hawaii is second in the nation for having the most nutritious school meals, according to the 2025 State of School Lunch Report from ProCare Therapy. Maui News.

Oahu

Homeless triage operation is back at Old Stadium Park. The city’s pop-up homeless triage operation has returned to Old Stadium Park in the McCully-Moiliili area of South King Street for the third time to provide temporary — and perhaps long-term — housing for a homeless population that grows when other enforcement occurs in nearby Diamond Head, Waikiki and Chinatown. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

DOE Called For 12 New Schools In ‘Ewa A Decade Ago. It’s Built 2. The education department has been unable to keep up with the housing boom in ʻEwa and Kapolei – even as developers contribute land and money to help build new schools. Civil Beat.

University of Hawaiʻi program for women in geosciences ends due to Trump Administration’s funding cuts. A program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa that supported dozens of career development activities for women in geosciences and community outreach was terminated by the loss of federal funding, according to a news release from the university. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island Urgent Care centers fined $2.19 million. The attorney representing the owner of the Hilo and Keaau Urgent Care centers on Thursday afternoon said his client is in the process of appealing a cease-and-desist order and fines of $2.19 million for performing clinical laboratory work without the required permits. Tribune-Herald. KHON2. 

Lifeguard Service Launching At Kohanaiki Beach Park. Kohanaiki will be the 13th beach under HFD lifeguard protection. The tower will be staffed daily. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Affordable Housing Gets A Big Boost In Maui County’s $1.56 Billion Budget. Maui County Council members said the budget is aimed at catching up on development projects and social services after years of being focused on the wildfires and Covid-19. Civil Beat.

Hoʻōla iā Mauiakama receives $760,528 grant to launch Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program for Maui fire survivors. The award will launch the new Volunteer Rebuild Housing Program, expand disaster recovery operations, and enhance coordination of direct services for families impacted by the August 2023 wildfires on Maui. Maui Now.

Workshops, open houses to focus on Lahaina Town street design. The Maui County Office of Recovery will be seeking input on the way streets in the commercial core of Lahaina town, including Front Street, are rebuilt during a series of design workshops and open houses June 24-26. Maui News.

Maui’s single-family home prices increase; condo sales decline in April and May 2025. Maui’s housing market experienced similar trends in April and May, with both single-family and condominium sales declining compared to the same time last year, according to the latest data from the Realtors Association of Maui.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Commission seeks public input on traits needed for next chief.  The Kaua‘i Police Commission is seeking input from all residents of Kaua‘i regarding the traits and qualities the next chief should possess and is asking community members to participate in the Police Chief Desirable Traits survey between now and June 30. Kauai Now.

200+ trek to Washington for Hawaii on the Hill, Green joins governors condeming use of National Guard in Los Angeles, Kilauea Volcano puts on a show, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano erupts. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island, began spewing lava from the north vent Wednesday, the latest event in an ongoing eruption that began almost six months ago. Episode 25 started and ended on Wednesday, with lava fountain heights once again reaching over 1,000 feet. Associated Press. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Green, Lopez condemn Trump’s use of National Guard in L.A. Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez joined their Democratic counterparts from around the country in condemning President Donald Trump’s deployment of California National Guard troops to quell protests of immigration sweeps in Los Angeles. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Maui News.

Hawaiʻi On The Hill. More than 200 of Hawaiʻi’s political and business luminaries gathered in Washington, D.C., this week for the 9th annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill event, a three-day gathering that allows business and nonprofit groups to showcase their wares and meet directly with congressional power players. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.

Gov. Josh Green could veto 19 bills. Here are 5 you should know about. The 19 bills on Gov. Josh Green's intent-to-veto list impact many different issues, from criminal justice to housing to taxes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green may spare Hawaiʻi's renewable energy tax credit. House Bill 796 would sunset several income tax credits, including one that offers people up to $5,000 back for the installation of a rooftop solar system. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Governor Urged To Reconsider Possible Veto Of E-Bike Bill. Advocates say HB 958 addresses a growing public safety challenge. But the attorney general worries it’s unconstitutional and a threat to electric vehicles. Civil Beat.

Fentanyl overdose deaths drop in Hawaii as meth-related fatalities spike. A sharp rise in deaths is connected to methamphetamine in Hawaii, the highest in five years. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

New state law bolsters Red Hill fuel spill remediation efforts. Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill into law that directs a state Department of Land and Natural Resources official to develop a public dashboard to display water test results from sources around the Red Hill facility, which is being decommissioned by the Navy under a closure plan anticipated for completion in 2028. Star-Advertiser.

AG:  Native Hawaiian Skeletal Remains Destroyed After State Halted North Shore Project. Hawaiʻi is seeking a restraining order against the landowner and builder who were installing a septic system at a Ke Iki beach property where iwi kūpuna were damaged. Civil Beat.

DOH invites residents to learn about groundwater and contaminants. Oʻahu residents use 145 million gallons of water per day — but where exactly does that water come from? Hawaii Public Radio.

Woman arrested, charged for biting 2 police officers in Downtown Honolulu. Officers were securing detainees to transport them to the district court when 40-year-old Maile Eberly became combative. The suspect bit a male and a female officer leading them both to suffer injuries. KITV4.

Transair plane with landing gear issues makes hard landing at Honolulu airport. Authorities say Transair flight R96, a Short SD3-60 turboprop aircraft, had five people on board. No one was hurt.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Dry season kicks off with an islandwide drought. While portions of East Hawaii are getting rainfall, particularly during nighttime hours, the entire Big Island remains in drought. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Reserves To Temporarily Close For Animal Control. State officials say the action is part of a federal mandate to protect the habitat of the critically endangered palila bird. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Mayor Bissen signs $1.56B budget into law; Priorities are kamaʻāina housing, recovery and well-being. The budget was signed into law four days after it was unanimously passed by Maui County Council on June 6, 2025. Maui Now.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ 656-acre project of farms, homes, public spaces in Hāna moves forward. The project in the Wākiu area will take place on a vacant swath of land mauka of Hāna Highway, across the street from Hāna High and Elementary School and the Hāna Public Library, according to a final environmental assessment of the master plan released Sunday. Maui Now.

Lahaina community meeting on fire hazard mitigation to be held June 16. The County of Maui will hold a meeting for the Lahaina community on fire prevention, mitigation and evacuation planning at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Princess Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Search Is On For New Kauaʻi Police Chief. Todd Raybuck’s tenure was clouded by controversy, but the outgoing police chief says he is leaving the Kauaʻi Police Department in better shape than when he arrived in 2019. Civil Beat.

Foster care in crisis, state Supreme Court mulls HMSA insurance denials, Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Foster System In Crisis: Kids Still Sleeping In Offices, Hotels. A toddler, age 2, spent the night in a government office on Kauaʻi. A 13-year-old slept on an Oʻahu office futon for almost two months. And a 15-year-old lived for more than three months out of offices and hotel rooms on Hawaiʻi Island. For some Hawaiʻi foster youth, government offices and hotels are a home of last resort.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s biggest insurer defends provider contracts before state Supreme Court.  The Hawaii Supreme Court saw a historic argument as Hawaii’s biggest insurer defended its rules against some doctors and patients. They say Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) preauthorization and contract rules interfere with patient care, while the company says they help doctors do their jobs quickly and effectively. Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Kapolei affordable housing project sought on city-owned site. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says it’s seeking a developer to turn a vacant city-owned parcel in West Oahu into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented development that will feature 600 to 800 affordable housing units. Star-Advertiser.

Queen’s holds blessing ceremony for expanded downtown emergency department. The department recently underwent renovations that expanded its size, more than doubling the number of its treatment rooms, and now offers dedicated facilities for state-of-the-art CT and X-ray services. Star-Advertiser.

Miske Case: Prosecutors Agree To Negotiate Settlement Over Asset Forfeiture. The deal to settle over millions of dollars in assets is an indication that the government is seeking to avoid another long, complex and expensive trial in the case. Civil Beat.

No markings, no clarity: Crosswalk changes create risky guessing game in Honolulu. Over the past decade, the city has eliminated dozens of Honolulu crosswalks. Officials say the changes aim to make streets safer by encouraging pedestrians to cross at traffic lights. But critics argue that rarely happens along a busy stretch of S. King Street. Hawaii News Now.

UH president appoints Vassilis Syrmos as interim Mānoa provost. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel on Monday appointed Vassilis Syrmos as UH Mānoa’s interim provost. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Pohoiki Boat Ramp dredging begins. Dredging work began today to restore access to the lava-barricaded Pohoiki Boat Ramp, eight years after an eruption of Kilauea volcano rendered the structure unusable. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  KHON2.

State senator pitches hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. State Sen. Tim Richards has an idea on how to provide more renewable energy and clean water to Hawaiʻi Island residents -- a pumped storage hydropower plant on Kohala Mountain. Hawaii Public Radio.

Protective order against former UFC champ B.J. Penn extended. Penn must immediately vacate the home he shares in Hilo with his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine P. Shin. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Maui mayor signs $1.56B budget into law towards housing, recovery, natural resources. Mayor Richard Bissen signed Maui’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget of approximately $1.56 billion that addresses housing for kamaʻāina, recovery and cultural and natural resources. KITV4.

Recent drownings in Wailea put spotlight on Maui’s longtime issue of too many unguarded beaches. Before the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfire that drastically curbed tourism, Maui County had the second-highest ocean drowning fatality rate per capita in the state from 2019-2023, according to the Hawai‘i Water Safety Plan released in January. And, the average per capita rate of drownings was twice as high on Neighbor Islands as on O‘ahu.  Maui Now.

Maui’s main stadium shuts down for major repairs. War Memorial Stadium will be closed for more than a year to undergo much-needed repairs. That means sports events and even graduations will have to go somewhere else. Hawaii News Now.

A `promise to restore balance’: Mayor Bissen makes his case for vacation rental phase-out. Citing Maui’s severe post-wildfire housing crisis, the Bissen administration presented its formal case to a County Council committee to phase out approximately 6,000 short-term vacation rentals mostly in West and South Maui. Maui Now.

With housing and economy at stake, Maui County weighs phase-out of 7,000 vacation rentals. The Maui County Council is currently weighing whether or not to pass a bill that would phase out roughly 7,000 transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts, nearly half of the island’s supply. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News.  Maui Now.

MPD seeks help with unclaimed bodies. Maui police are asking for help contacting the family members of five people who are deceased. Maui News.

Kauai

Annual sewer rate increase on Kaua‘i kicks in on July 1. A sewer rate increase approved by the Kaua‘i County Council in 2022 increases the sewer rate by 11% per year over five years.  Kauai Now.

Kauai’s most remote areas now covered by high-speed internet.  The island of Kaua‘i is now fully fiber-enabled, providing Hawaiian Telcom customers access to high-speed internet. Hawaii News Now.

New ambulance station in Hanalei will increase calls, enhance response times for the secluded east side of the island. The new station is staffed 24/7 every day of the year and will enhance emergency coverage and response times for the more secluded area of the island. Kauai Now.

Broadband bills signed, vacation rental laws stir public in two counties, Honolulu council shakeup, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New Hawaii law creates broadband office to close connectivity gap. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as acting governor while Gov. Josh Green is out of state, on Monday signed two bills into law aimed at closing Hawaii’s digital divide by establishing a centralized state Broadband Office and expanding digital literacy services. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Hawaii News Now. 

What Is Farming? Hawaiʻi Moves To Broaden Allowed Agricultural Uses. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture plans to overhaul its rules this summer to allow more than just agricultural production on 25,000 acres under a new agricultural enterprise lands program. Civil Beat.

Hawaii keiki face mixed trends in well-being vs. mainland peers. Hawaii’s children are increasingly affected by housing instability and parental job insecurity, ranking the state among the worst in the nation for economic well-being, according to the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Star-Advertiser.

Report shows use of Hawaiian language growing at home. Once banned in public schools in Hawaii, the Hawaiian language continues to make a comeback, rising as a spoken language among households by more than 48% in less than 10 years. Maui News.

ACLU of Hawai‘i asks county leaders not to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaiʻi is urging county leaders in the state to refrain from assisting the federal government with immigration enforcement. Kauai Now.

Will Cuts To Pension Benefits Hurt Efforts to Recruit New Hawaiʻi Judges? The Hawaiʻi Salary Commission approved hefty pay raises for judges to help attract more applications for the bench. Then lawmakers voted to cut judges’ pension benefits. Civil Beat.

How The Māmaki Tea Industry Shut Down A Bill Regulating Its Products. Opponents of the measure said the bill would hurt the industry it was intended to help. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council shake-up follows close vote on sewer rate increase. The face-off at the Honolulu City Council over sewer fees now has political fallout for two council members. Two days after council chair Tommy Waters lost that vote, two members who voted against him are losing their leadership positions. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu condo buyers gaining advantages in slowing market. The Honolulu Board of Realtors reported that condominium sales plummeted 22% in May to 374 from 478 in the same month last year, representing the biggest year-over-year decline for any month in the last 11 months. Star-Advertiser.

Parking rates are going up at Honolulu airport. Hourly parking rates at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport are going up starting July 1.  Hawaii News Now.

City seeks development partner for West Oahu affordable housing project.  On Monday, the Honolulu Department of Housing and Land Management put in a request for qualifications to help develop 13 acres of land near Wakea Street and Kamokila Boulevard. Hawaii News Now.

With insecticide planned for hundreds of trees in urban Honolulu, farmers want a natural way to fend off coconut rhinoceros beetles. Crews are injecting about 800 trees from Kakaako Waterfront Park through Kewalo Basin to Magic Island with an insecticide called Xytect. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill. The Hawaiʻi County Council has passed a measure requiring short-term rental owners to register their units with the county. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers offer updates about recent legislative session. House Bill 818, which would’ve established the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District, died after passing over to the Senate, which didn’t schedule any hearings about the measure. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Airport Runway To Close Overnight On Wednesday, June 11. Runway 17-35 at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole will close from 10 p.m. on June 11 to 6 a.m. on June 12, as part of an ongoing runway rehabilitation project. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Emotions Are High As Maui Considers Phasing Out Short-Term Rentals. Dozens of people turned out to testify on Mayor Richard Bissen’s effort to convert short-term rentals into long-term housing in a bid to ease the affordable housing crisis. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

50 trucks will spend 5 months moving Lahaina fire debris to permanent landfill. Fifty trucks will spend five months hauling Lahaina wildfire debris to a landfill in the center of Maui starting next Monday, Maui County said. There’s enough debris to fill five football fields five stories high. Associated Press. Maui News. 

Maui Humane Society selected for national lost pet technology pilot program. The Maui Humane Society has been selected as one of 25 shelters around the country to participate in a program called Network Neighbors to help more lost pets get back home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Three graduate from Kauai Police Department 101st Recruit Class. One of the few remaining items needing attention by Police Chief Todd Raybuck before Thursday was the administering of oath to three graduates of the 101st Police Recruit Class on Monday at the Kauai Veterans Center. Garden Island.

Although bacteria rates are rising, federal funding cuts threaten water quality testing. In its national annual report, Surfrider Foundation revealed that Waikomo Stream at Kōloa Landing in Poʻipū was on a list of the top ten beach bacteria hotspots. Kauai Now.

 

Green releases intent-to-veto list, state Republicans visit White House, money comng to rail-impacted business, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Governor considers vetoing parts of the budget, plus housing and tax credit bills. Also making the list are bills stipulating the labeling of Māmaki tea and making as yet unidentified line-item reductions to the state budget.  Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Full Intent-To-Veto List. Governor's Press Release.

State Republican lawmakers meet with the White House, federal officials. Hawaii state senators Brenton Awa and Samantha DeCorte, and state Rep. Diamond Garcia spoke to officials from the federal departments of the interior and defense to find ways to reduce the Native Hawaiian housing list.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii’s math teaching deemed ‘unacceptable’. A nonpartisan national council that analyzed the quality of the nation’s math teaching found Hawaii to be one of seven states with an “unacceptable” rating for math education. Tribune-Herald.

Ridding state Capitol of water leaks nears completion. Keeping rainwater out of subterranean spaces of the state Capitol has been a big undertaking that now is within sight of completion by September after some unexpected extra effort. Star-Advertiser.

Jarrett Keohokalole Talks About HECO 'Sell-Out' And Condo Insurance Rescue. The Senate Commerce chair was in the middle of some of the Legislature’s most contentious issues. Civil Beat.

Hawaii’s SNAP recipients at risk of losing nutritional benefits. Around 158,000 of Hawaii’s low-income seniors, families and single adults could lose essential nutrition education and access to local produce by the end of September if the U.S. House- proposed tax bill, which would cut an estimated $300 billion from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is approved by the Senate. Star-Advertiser.

Regulators say no to time-of-use rates for HECO customers. The Public Utilities Commission has determined that an experimental electricity rate program isn't ready for a full roll-out to Hawaiian Electric customers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii support for LGBTQ+ community is loud and proud. Hawaii has generally veered progressive in its support of the LGBTQ+ community. The state was one of the first to legalize same-sex relationships and protect against discrimination in housing and employment. Star-Advertiser.

New Lawsuit Raises Concerns Over Labeling Of ‘Reef-Safe’ Sunscreens. Experts say labeling sunscreens “reef-friendly” is deceptive since even chemicals that aren’t banned can do widespread damage to coral reefs. Civil Beat.

4 Hawaii beaches land in Dr. Beach’s top 10. Wailea Beach on Maui and Poipu Beach on Kauai were ranked No. 2 and 3, respectively. Kaunaoa Beach on Hawaii island, also known as Mauna Kea Beach, captured the eighth spot followed by La­ni­kai Beach on Oahu at No. 9 on the list compiled by Florida International University professor Stephen Leatherman. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Grant changes approved for rail-affected businesses. The Honolulu City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to pass Bill 31, which increases the maximum allowed annual revenue for affected small businesses to $1 million, up from $750,000, under the city’s transit construction mitigation fund, or TCMF, grant program. Star-Advertiser.

Chinatown rail station design comes into focus. The public will soon get a close look at renderings for the proposed Chinatown rail station, one of the final six planned stations along an overhead “guideway” rail track that are expected to be cheaper to build and operate, look different and attract local subcontractors to do the work. Star-Advertiser.

DAGS takes on convention center project despite ‘aggressive’ timetable. The state Department of Accounting and General Services has pledged to help the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through a leadership change that put $100 million worth of Hawai‘i Convention Center repairs at risk. Star-Advertiser.

Police Set Out To Curb Violence On West Oʻahu. Traffic Citations Soared. Honolulu police said they stepped up traffic enforcement on the Westside last summer to help them find criminals and guns. Some residents said they felt harassed.  Civil Beat.

City passes set of bills to aid crack down on illegal game rooms. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi plans to sign three bills that will further the crack down on illegal gambling. The bills were passed on Wednesday by the city council.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island council passes $950M budget but denies $2M for food security. On Thursday, the council passed both the county’s operating and capital improvement budgets through their final readings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council votes to protect Parks and Rec staffers: Some are targeted in lawsuit over dead tree-trimmer. The Hawaii County Council on Thursday voted to indemnify against liability former Department of Parks and Recreation director Maurice Messina, former deputy director Michelle Hiraishi and four current or former Parks and Rec employees in a wrongful death lawsuit related to a fatal workplace incident more than four years ago. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi To Settle Teacher’s Claim He Was Fired Over False Abuse Allegation. Hawaiʻi is set to pay $140,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former Big Island teacher who claims the state education department defamed and wrongfully fired him in 2019 after he was accused of child abuse.  Civil Beat.

One-Way Traffic On Aliʻi Drive To Revert Back To Two-Way Pattern. During the 30-day trial period, community feedback returning the traffic pattern to its original two-way flow. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County Council to hear response to vacation rentals conversion today. A key Maui County Council committee will hear testimony today on Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to convert less than half of Maui’s short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing for local residents that’s expected to trigger a loss of $60 million in tax revenue while lowering sales and rental prices. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Maui Council approves staff pay raises after contentious debate on transparency. After a tense 90-minute debate, the Maui County Council voted 6-3 on Friday to give its staff a 15% pay increase, plus an additional 5% for experience- and performance-based “step” increases. Maui Now.

Maui marketing campaign kicks off. A $6 million Maui emergency marketing campaign is finally underway some four months after Gov. Josh Green released the funds to help counter the continued softness from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, Hawaii’s top tourism source market. Star-Advertiser.

More oversight added to preserve native rights. State Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Carmen Hulu Lindsey said a new position is being created to serve as an advocate for protecting traditional and customary rights on Maui after hearing complaints about the lack of protection of Hawaiian burials. Maui News.

Kauai

Postal Service is hosting open houses in Kauaʻi this month. The community will have the opportunity to learn about assistant rural carrier and rural carrier associate positions currently available at facilities in Kauaʻi with two open house events in Līhuʻe. Kauai Now.