School lunches pricey for state, gang control alleged at Oahu jail, UH sees record funding, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

No One Will Say Why School Lunch Costs Hawaiʻi DOE $9 A Plate. Lawmakers have pushed the education department for more details on the costs of running its school meal program. Civil Beat.

Report: Hawaiʻi Needs Nuclear and Geothermal Power To Meet Renewables Mandate. A study by researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi and other institutions says current energy policy will lead to “creeping collapse” of systems. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Rarely Takes Guns From People In Crisis, Despite ‘Red Flag’ Law. A law enacted five years ago was supposed to help loved ones and law enforcement get a court order to temporarily take away someone’s guns. Only 10 petitions have been filed. Civil Beat.

UH sees more record funding despite concerns. Until the upcoming federal fiscal year begins Sept. 30, UH officials are cautiously celebrating the $734 million they expect to receive from outside sources, notably over 90% from the federal government. Star-Advertiser.

UH president to represent Hawaiʻi on higher education commission. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel is the newest member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council again to review HPD radio channels access. Proposed legislation to force Honolulu Police Department to restore limited access of its radio communications to news media outlets is expected to be under City Council review today. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Hope Child Care Will Help Recruit And Retain Employees. The initiative is in early stages, but officials say options include offering a subsidy, providing in-home babysitters and building a child care center. Civil Beat.

Trial over jail killing reveals alleged gang control of facility. The killing of a detainee at Oahu Community Correctional Center is the subject of a dramatic trial in Circuit Court, where prosecutors say gangs were running the module, so that the dying man was not found by guards for hours. Hawaii News Now.

In newly released demand letter, former police chief seeks $784K citing retaliation, ‘emotional distress’. After initially refusing to release it, the city shared a demand letter sent by former Honolulu police Chief Joe Logan demanding payment for the remaining two years of his term and damages for emotional distress. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Building sale could force Honolulu renters to look for new home. Both Punahou Circle on Beretania and Citron Circle in McCully are available for sale together. The entire building. All 195 total units. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Episode 30 Begins: Kilauea erupts with stunning lava fountains. Kilauea volcano on Hawaiʻi Island has entered a new phase of activity—Episode 30 of the Halemaʻumaʻu eruption officially began early Tuesday morning.  Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. KITV4.

Dry conditions persist in July for Ka‘ū, Hāmākua Districts, according to monthly rain summary report. Last month was one of the driest Julys for East Hawai‘i in 15 years. Big Island Now.

Maui

County conveys land to Hale Makua for community development. A Maui County Council committee recommended preliminary approval for conveying public land for a 100-unit workforce rental housing project by Hale Makua Health Services in partnership with Alakaʻi Development. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Evacuation maps, new leadership, more staffing mark changes at Maui Emergency Management Agency after fires. Two years after the fire, Maui survivors still face challenges with housing, insurance, FEMA assistance, building permits and a laundry list of other obstacles. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Community hope and healing take root at a native planting project above Lahaina. This week marks two years since the 2023 wildfires that burned the town of Lahaina and parts of upcountry Maui. Throughout the week, we’ll share special stories and community voices — starting with a community project to plant native species above Lahaina.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Garden Isle has below average rainfall for July, according to monthly report. Rainfall totals were mainly below average for Kauaʻi last month, outside of northern and central portions of Garden Isle where the Hanalei and Waiahi gauges received 126% and 100% of their monthly totals between July 19-20, according to the monthly rain summary report from the National Weather Service. Kauai Now.

Blangiardi attends Hiroshima bombing 80th anniversary ceremonies, Honolulu cancels empty homes tax study, school starts today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu mayor named ‘honorary citizen’ ahead of Hiroshima bombing anniversary. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is set to be the only U.S. official to attend a peace ceremony marking the bombing of Hiroshima eight decades later. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i’s lurking nuclear dilemma. Hawai‘i pushes to decarbonize, but also pushes away nuclear energy. But maybe that's starting to change as state officials move to open a nuclear energy conversation. Aloha State Daily.

School is back in session: Hopes for A+ in attendance. The Hawaii State Department of Education has expanded students access to transportation that will provide safe and reliable rides to school. KHON2.

Some Hawaii families scramble for after school childcare. Thousands of keiki across the state are back to school, but many of them still need after school child care. KITV4.

State Boards Must Release Records Showing Hiring Decisions, Judge Says. Two state boards have acknowledged that they violated Hawaiʻi’s Sunshine Law when they hired top-level state employees in a series of closed-door meetings and interviews. Last month, Circuit Court Judge Jordon Kimura issued an order that included the release of previously confidential executive session meeting minutes. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Is Canceling Its Empty Homes Tax Study. Will That Kill The Bill? The yearlong study was supposed to help inform a now-stalled bill that would have increased property tax rates on unoccupied homes. Civil Beat.

Honolulu DPP launches new building permitting software. Speeding up the city Department of Planning and Permitting’s ability to process building permit applications began Monday, city officials said. Star-Advertiser.

City council to decide on Haleiwa zone change Wednesday. The Haleiwa Backyards Project developer is looking to build roughly 160 low-rise apartment units with 30,000 square feet of office and retail space, parking and a wastewater management system. KHON2.

Renovated classrooms double preschool capacity, cut waitlist. Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School is slashing its preschool waitlist by over 50% with the addition of a new classroom for the 2025–26 school year.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Nonprofit still searching for COFA citizens on Oʻahu to apply for COVID funeral aid. A federal program providing funeral assistance to those who lost loved ones — excluding citizens of Micronesian nations — to COVID-19 is set to end in late September. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi’s High-Priced Geothermal Consultants Are Getting Heat. Hawaiʻi wanted to educate Big Island residents about geothermal energy. So far, the plan seems to be backfiring. Civil Beat.

Trial set for Big Island brothers suing state over wrongful conviction compensation. Albert Ian and Shawn Schweitzer are the first to get a trial date of the Hawaii men freed so far because new evidence showed they did not commit the crime that sent them to prison. Hawaii News Now.

North Kohala customers asked to reduce water use by 25% due to down wells. Only one of the three wells serving the region is currently operational, water supply officials say. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

Maui

Maui fire settlement still ironing out details. As the two-year anniversary of the deadly Maui wildfires nears, a four billion dollar global settlement in principle is still pending in court. KHON2.

Post-wildfire housing stability improvements on Maui reflected in surveys. A running monthly survey of people affected by Maui’s wildfire disaster nearly two years ago suggests that some market rental housing rates have begun to come down after spikes tied to emergency needs. Star-Advertiser.

Better tools for Maui Police Department since 2023 wildfires include new helicopter, rapid DNA machine. The wildfires led to the creation of the Morgue Identification and Notification Task Force, or MINT, and later to the establishment of the permanent Cold Case Unit that MPD launched in October 2023 to investigate unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.  Maui Now.

Lahaina to mark two years since wildfires with memorial gatherings, tributes. Two years after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century tore through Lahaina, the people of Maui will gather to remember the 102 lives lost and reflect on a long and ongoing recovery. Star-Advertiser.

Maui County Charity Walk raised record $1.75 million. It was a record-breaking day for island charities and their benefactors Aug. 1 as The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association held a special reception breakfast at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa celebrating the 46th annual Maui County Charity Walk, which raised an unprecedented $1.75 million for 76 nonprofit organizations. Maui News.

Community hope and healing take root at a native planting project above Lahaina. It’s a sunny morning on the hillside above Lahaina. Volunteers have gathered to spend their Sunday watering more than 4,000 native plants and trees in a lush, 2-acre area. Around it, hundreds of acres are brown and barren. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i County now accepting proposals for this fiscal year’s Innovation Grants. Focus areas include small business, technology, transportation, agriculture, local manufacturing, creative industries, workforce development, circular economies, and tourism destination management and product development. Kauai Now.

Electric and hybrid vehicles temporarily not accepted at Puhi Metals until further notice. Due to the potential for hazardous conditions, shipping and handling procedures of these vehicles are being updated at the recycling center, according to a Kaua‘i County press release. Kauai Now.

Personal incomes predicted to rise slightly, Big Island ballot discrepancies investigated, Honolulu mayor sued by former police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Council on Revenues says personal incomes set to slightly increase for 2025. Despite uncertainty regarding tariffs and federal job layoffs, personal income in Hawaiʻi is expected to slightly increase this year, but remain flat in 2026. Hawaii Public Radio.

Tabular data from July 31, 2025, personal income report. Hawaii Department of Taxation.

Schools Ask Families To Spend Big On Supplies As Kids Go Back To Class. Schools often request more than $150 worth of supplies at the start of each year. Unlike some other states, Hawaiʻi has no rule against it. Civil Beat.

State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole challenges U.S. Rep. Ed Case for Congress seat. Kāneʻohe state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole is challenging U.S. Rep. Ed Case for the Hawaiʻi District 1 seat, which covers most of urban Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Cesspools contribute to water pollution crisis. According to the state Department of Health, Hawaii is home to approximately 88,000 cesspools — unlined pits that dispose of untreated sewage directly into the ground — with nearly 50,000 on Hawaii island, 14,000 on Kauai, over 12,000 on Maui, more than 11,000 on Oahu and around 1,400 on Molokai. Star-Advertiser.

Senators seek answers on Hawaii veteran ordered to self-deport. U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut have sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemning her agency’s treatment of Sae Joon Park, a Hawaii veteran and Purple Heart recipient who was ordered to “self-deport” to South Korea in June after more than five decades living in the United States. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Army’s ‘Pacific Division’ gets a new commander. On Monday, Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans handed command of the division over to Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees — who previously served as U.S. Army Pacific’s chief of staff at Fort Shafter. Star-Advertiser.

6 Charged In Killing Of Hawaiʻi Inmate At Arizona Prison. Six Hawaiʻi inmates have been charged — five of them with first-degree murder — in the death of  fellow Hawaii inmate Anton Myklebus at an Arizona prison last year. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Former Honolulu police chief sues mayor over alleged threats. Former Honolulu police Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan filed a civil lawsuit Thursday accusing Mayor Rick Blangiardi of micromanaging the department, issuing illegal orders and threatening to “make it very difficult” for him and his family if he refused to step down. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Honolulu police, city, SHOPO try to tackle record vacancies. According to HPD’s Human Resources Division, as of July 1 there were 465 vacancies for uniformed officers and 189 civilian openings — and 228 officers eligible for retirement. Star-Advertiser.

City selects nonprofit to redevelop Waikiki housing site. The City and County of Honolulu has selected EAH Housing as its preferred negotiating partner for the redevelopment of 436 Ena Road, one of four sites included in the city’s first-ever affordable housing portfolio solicitation, city officials announced Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

YMCA of Honolulu requests city rezone of Atkinson property. The YMCA of Honolulu says it wants to sell its Central Y property near Waikiki, but only after the site is formally rezoned by the City & County of Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

HPD busts two illegal game rooms in a week. Narcotics and vice officers seized 20 gambling machines, more than $3,615 in cash and drugs from a home on Kahaha Street in Kalihi on Monday.  Then on Wednesday, police seized 18 gambling devices, $4,300 and more drugs from a home on Wanaka Street in Salt Lake. Hawaii News Now.

Buying Lei Is A Cost Of Doing Politics In Hawaiʻi. Here’s a look at how much City Council members spend on the colorful and often fragrant garlands. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Foodbank raises donations for over 573k meals during 2025 Food Drive Day. The event took place at six collection sites across O‘ahu on Saturday, Aug. 2 to fight hunger.  KITV4.

HPR wins best overall news site, sweeps 2 major categories at SPJ Hawaiʻi journalism awards. Hawaiʻi Public Radio was named best overall news site and swept two top categories — eight awards total — in the Excellence in Journalism Contest, presented by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawai‘i Chapter.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Civil Beat Reporter Honored For Public Service Reporting. Civil Beat garnered 28 awards total, 12 of them winning first place. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Business Wins 19 Awards, Including 7 Top Prizes. The accolades were handed out during the Society of Professional Journalists’ annual statewide competition.  Hawaii Business.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Elections Officials Tackle Big Island Ballot Discrepancies. After finding major discrepancies in how many Kauaʻi ballots were cast, a state commission is looking at the Big Island numbers. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi County reviving program to give victims of minor crimes a louder voice, reduce backlog of cases. Located within the Hawaiʻi County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Restorative Justice program can be an option for eligible offenders if the victims want to pursue it. Big Island Now.

Groundbreaking research reveals potential underwater reservoir off Hawaiʻi Island coast. A groundbreaking scientific expedition was just completed off the west coast of Hawai‘i Island in search of something unexpected – fresh water beneath the ocean floor.  Big Island Now.

Maui

Final Maui report on wildfires offers 3 new recommendations.  While a 98-page preliminary After-Action Report was issued in February 2024, this final report includes three new recommendations from the Maui Fire Department, a joint report by the Fire Safety Research Institute and the Hawaii Attorney General, and one additional recommendation from the Maui Police Department. Star-Advertiser.

Saving history from the ashes: Volunteers work to restore thousands of cultural artifacts that survived Lahaina wildfire. On a crystalline morning, with humpback whales leaping in the indigo waters offshore, a group of archivists, curators, conservators and volunteers took on a “CSI”-like challenge: identifying, cleaning and cataloging the surprising array of artifacts that survived the fires, some nearly unrecognizable beneath flaking metal, scorch marks, ashes and soot. New York Times.

Two years after wildfires, Maui Fire Department’s changes to staffing, fleet, fire code aim to prevent another tragedy. The wildfires exposed multiple vulnerabilities in the emergency preparedness and response of the small county spread over three islands. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kauai beaches are getting trashed. Kauai’s beaches are on the front lines of a growing marine debris crisis. In 2024, Kauai alone collected more than the next leading state, Washington state. Star-Advertiser.

Collecting for tomorrow: Hundreds donate to well-being of Hawaii Foodbank Kauai. On Saturday, a steady stream of people stopped at multiple locations from Hanalei to Waimea to contribute to the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Food Drive Day.  Garden Island.

Green raises possibility of presidential run, Hawaii Supreme Court allows out-of-state attorneys; nurses, hotel workers, teamsters mull strikes, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green raises possibility of 2028 run for president.  Gov. Josh Green told NBC News he is considering a 2028 campaign for president of the United States with a possible platform of healing the nation after the bitterly divisive era of American politics that has consumed the country. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi lawmakers consider clarifying the National Guard's role in the islands. This comes after President Donald Trump activated the National Guard in California in June without the governor's consent, due to protests against immigration enforcement. Hawaii Public Radio.

A climate science network may lose its Pacific hub. Here's what that means for local researchers. The Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center is one of nine regional hubs in a climate research network funded by the federal government. Hawaii Public Radio.

NOAA budget cuts threaten climate research in Hawai‘i. Right now, climate science is at a critical crossroads, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faces major budget cuts that could upend research programs and fellowship opportunities across the U.S., with Hawai‘i among the hardest-hit locations. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Needs Lawyers. Now, Mainland Attorneys Can Practice Here. To help address serious staffing shortages at the state public defenders’ and county prosecutors’ offices, the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is allowing licensed attorneys from other states to work at these agencies without taking the state bar exam.  Civil Beat.

Tropical storms Iona, Gil move west with no threat to Hawaii. Tropical Storm Iona continued racing west across the Central Pacific while Tropical Storm Gil strengthened far to the east, with both systems posing no threat to Hawaii, forecasters said. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii tourism cools off this summer as arrivals dip.  Arrivals to Hawaii in June decreased to 857,102, a 1.8% drop from the same month last year, according to preliminary numbers released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The state department reported that June visitor spending rose to nearly $1.97 billion, a 2.8% gain in nominal visitor spending. Star-Advertiser.

Red flag warning signals extreme wildfire risk for Hawaii. The National Weather Serv­ice issued the warning Thursday morning, just two days after the state was under a tsunami warning that led to mass evacuations and gridlock but no major damage. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.  Hawaii News Now. 

Thieves target business, homes during tsunami evacuation. As thousands across Hawaiʻi evacuated coastal areas during July 29’s tsunami warning, criminals took advantage targeting homes and businesses on Maui and Oʻahu. KHON2.

Teamsters on Oahu, Hawaii Island strike Airgas. Unionized workers of Airgas on Oahu and Hawaii Island have been on strike since Monday, and negotiation set for today have been canceled. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New Protections Sought For Kailua Neighborhoods. Concerned about gravesites and a new law to quicken development, the Preservation Commission wants area added to historic register. Civil Beat.


Aloha Stadium Authority board fills 2 top positions. The Aloha Stadium Authority voted board members Eric Fujimoto as chair and Andrew Pereira as vice chair in its monthly meeting Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Union rallies for Ilikai Hotel workers ahead of possible strike. The union representing some 60 workers at the Ilikai Hotel staged a rally Thursday afternoon as they seek a new contract. Hawaii News Now.

Defense Claims Oʻahu Jail Killing Had ‘Nothing To Do With Being In A Gang’. Lawyers for three defendants acknowledged their clients’ gang affiliations, but said other inmates beat Chris Vaefaga to death. Civil Beat.

Hawaii News Now wins 14 Society of Professional Journalists awards for journalism excellence. The Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter recognized the islands’ outstanding journalists Wednesday. An awards ceremony took place at the Japanese Cultural Center. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Mayor Says State Won’t Meet 2050 Deadline To Wipe Out Cesspools. The state mandate to get rid of the reef-killing sewage systems is unrealistic, according to Mayor Kimo Alameda.  Civil Beat.

Groundbreaking held for $337M in upgrades to Hilo sewage plant. Under the gun due to an administrative consent order between Hawaii County and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ground was broken Thursday for critical upgrades and long-needed improvements to the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant in Keaukaha. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Nurses threaten short strike at Waimea hospital. The majority of 100 nurses from Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea have voted “overwhelmingly in favor” of going on strike for three days if contract negotiations with the hospital’s leadership continue to fall short of the nurses’ demands. Tribune-Herald.

Loan program seeks to help lower-income Big Island homeowners maintain properties. Hawaiʻi County's Office of Housing and Community Development announced its home improvement loan program as a way for low and moderate-income homeowners to repair and improve their homes without as heavy a financial burden. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waikoloa Village evacuation drill Saturday. A red flag warning has been issued for most of West Hawaii through tonight, just as Waikoloa residents are about to prepare for the wildfire season with the final Hulu Street evacuation drill of the year set for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Police, other agencies investigate ordnance found near landfill. Maui police requested the assistance of the Hawaii Inter-Island Bomb Squad Maui unit on Wednesday following reports of a possible military ordnance discovered off Pulehu Road, about a quarter mile mauka of the Central Maui Landfill. Maui News. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Memory of 2023 wildfires taught Maui community, government to respond more urgently to tsunami warning. Already in the back of most minds was the fast approaching two-year anniversary of the deadly fires on Aug. 8. Maui Now.

Kauai

KIUC discusses goals during 23rd Annual Membership Meeting. Despite “challenges” to meeting the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative goal of being 100 percent renewable by 2033, there was little for the more than 100 people, or members, to be concerned about on Wednesday at the 23rd Annual Membership Meeting held at the Kauai Philippines Cultural Center. Garden Island.

Hilo cruise ship passengers left behind, Waikiki traffic gridlocked during tsunami evacuation, Oprah falsely accused of blocking Maui evacuation route, Red Cross served 770 meals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Tsunami Prediction Has Gotten Much Better. Hawaiʻi Just Needs More Data. Specialized buoys can monitor waves on the seafloor. But there are few sea-level stations between Asia and Hawaiʻi to test the accuracy of the forecast. Civil Beat.

'Feeling really good': Gov. Green reports no significant damage after tsunami event. The earthquake appeared to be the strongest recorded since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off Japan in 2011 caused a massive tsunami and meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. Hawaii Public Radio.

HI-EMA looking to make infrastructure improvements following tsunami warning gridlock. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency is looking at strategies to deal with issues like gridlock, which was widely experienced during July 29’s tsunami warning in the islands. KHON2.

Salvation Army Hawaii feeds hundreds at tsunami shelters across the state. The Salvation Army served 770 meals for breakfast at tsunami shelters across the islands on Wednesday morning up until the advisory was lifted. KITV4.

U.S. Rep. Ed Case announces reelection campaign. U.S. Rep. Ed Case is running for reelection. This would mark his seventh full term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawsuit: Censoring Inmates’ Reading Material Violates Publisher’s Rights. A publisher of magazines and books for prison inmates, including “Prison Legal News,” is suing the state correctional system for blocking its publications from being mailed to inmates in Hawaiʻi prisons and jails, arguing the ban violates the publisher’s constitutional rights. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Tsunami threat triggered islandwide gridlock, reveals gaps in emergency evacuation. Damaging waves from Tuesday’s tsunami to Hawaii never materialized, but the traffic it triggered offered a sobering real-time test of Oahu’s evacuation capacity — one that state officials admit was deeply strained. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press.

Honolulu Airport Travelers Fend For Themselves Amid Tsunami Threat. A mother-daughter excursion in Waikīkī was spoiled by the tsunami warning. They blame airport communication failures for leaving them stranded with hundreds of other travelers. Civil Beat.

‘Ignorant’: Evacuees in Waikiki upset others ignored tsunami warning. Many in Waikiki didn’t listen to evacuation orders during Tuesday’s tsunami warning, putting themselves and others in danger.  Hawaii News Now.

City acquires $8M expansion for Honolulu police headquarters. A parcel of property adjacent to the Honolulu Police Department’s headquarters has been acquired by the City and County of Honolulu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Skyline trial runs past the airport have begun. Skyline rail cars are scheduled to run with passengers from Aloha Stadium, past the airport to Kalihi by Oct. 15, rail officials now estimate. Star-Advertiser.

Case dismissed against city in killing of unarmed man. The civil trial in the wrongful death case brought by the widow of Lindani Myeni, an unarmed Black man shot by police in 2021, abruptly ended Tuesday when the judge dismissed the case. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii cruise ships sailed to safety amid tsunami warnings, leaving some passengers behind. Tsunami waves generated by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia on Tuesday did less damage than had been feared. But some cruise passengers were distressed to learn they had been left behind when all ships were ordered out of port by local authorities. New York Times. KHON2. 

Hawai‘i County escapes a disaster, but lessons can be learned from tsunami response, coastline evacuation. Before he first waves of the tsunami were expected to hit at 7:17 p.m. on Tuesday, most motorists were out of the inundation zones. Big Island Now.

Union nurses vote to authorize strike at Waimea hospital. After more than six months of negotiations, the Hawaii Nurses’ Association, which represents about 100 registered nurses at the Waimea hospital, said tensions are escalating and morale has plummeted. The nurses’ contract expired March 31. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

‘A glorious day’ for Waiakea Uka; Hilo park reopens. Hawaii County on Tuesday celebrated the reopening of Waiakea Uka Park after a two-year renovation, expansion and upgrade. Tribune-Herald.


Maui

No, Oprah Winfrey didn’t block access to a private road amid tsunami warning evacuations. Even as the threat of a tsunami swamping Hawaii had passed on Wednesday, social media posts were still circulating claims that Oprah Winfrey had refused immediate access to a private road that would allow residents a shorter evacuation route. Associated Press.

No significant damage or injuries reported on Maui from tsunami. Maui residents spent an anxious day in anticipation of a potential tsunami. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Tsunami produces minor flooding, evacuations. The emergency center at the Kauai Veterans Center was full of activity on Wednesday as evacuees anxiously waited for news about flight departures from the Lihue Airport. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

New Kauaʻi laws address environmental stewardship, public access, community priorities. Kauaʻi state legislators and community advocates gathered at the end of last week to celebrate the recent enactment of several key measures that reflect efforts to protect natural resources, improve public land access and support community initiatives on the Garden Isle . Kauai Now.

Tsunami warning downgraded to advisory as Hawaii remains wary, Hurricane Iona, Tropical Storm Keli continue to pose no threat, flights resume at airports, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii residents and visitors evacuate ahead of a tsunami that brought some flooding. Over a million Hawaii residents and visitors spent more than seven hours under threat of a potentially highly destructive tsunami Tuesday that triggered evacuations from low-lying coastal areas statewide. The tsunami warning issued by the National Weather Service around 2:45 p.m.was in response to an 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

TSUNAMI ADVISORY has been extended until noon today with unusual currents and more tsunami waves across the state. Light to moderate trades will strengthen over the next couple of days to moderate to locally strong as a high north of the state builds.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Quiet Beaches, Traffic, Canceled Flights: How Hawaiʻi Prepared For Tsunami. Traffic was gridlocked and sirens blared every hour after a tsunami was generated by a massive earthquake off Russia. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines flights resume, Alaska Airlines flights resume Wednesday morning after Tsunami Warning. Hawaiian Airlines flights have resumed this evening while Alaska Airlines flights will resume tomorrow morning after a pause from the state’s Tsunami Warning. KITV4.

Hawaii has long history of devastating tsunamis. It had been more than 12 years since a tsunami warning and statewide coastal evacuation has been issued in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Hurricane Iona weakening rapidly, Tropical Storm Keli remains steady; no threats to Hawaii. In data valid at 11 p.m. Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center said Hurricane Iona was about 690 miles south of Honolulu and was moving to the west at 17 miles per hour. Hawaii News Now.

How projects compete for the state's hundreds of millions pegged for affordable housing. One of the state’s biggest investments over the last decade has been to subsidize affordable housing. Over the next two years alone, the state Legislature has invested $200 million into its Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Hawaii Public Radio.

AI In The Courtroom? Complaints About Misuse By Hawaiʻi Lawyers Growing. Hawaiʻi is seeing an increase in complaints against lawyers accused of improperly using artificial intelligence programs to help produce documents, but the state court system has yet to take decisive action to address the problem. Civil Beat.

Care Home Failures Are Common — And Rarely Tracked Over Time. Officials estimate about 90% of adult residential care homes have issues each year, though most of them are minor. Fines for larger problems are rare. Civil Beat.

UH law, medical schools say new federal loan caps will worsen the affordability gap. Students pursuing professional paths, like those in law or medical schools, are limited to $50,000 a year in loans, with a lifetime limit of $200,000. These limits go into effect July 1, 2026, under President Trump's budget bill signed into law earlier this month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Waikiki hotels evacuate guests to higher floors during tsunami warning. As threat assessments touched off warning sirens across Waikiki, hotels began moving guests mostly to higher floors — a standard protocol known as vertical evacuation. Star-Advertiser.

Warning snarled Oahu traffic as people fled inundation zones. The evacuations ordered in advance of Tuesday’s tsunami snarled traffic on freeways and surface streets on Oahu for hours as people fled the inundation zones. No major accidents or injuries were reported as people followed orders and inched their way to safe areas of the island. Star-Advertiser.

Tsunami waves cover boat ramp; leave debris, damage in East Oahu. High waters pushed over a parking stall curb and left debris in the Maunalua Bay parking lot. Small, tsunami-powered waves left minor damages in the parking lot of Maunalua Bay in East Oahu on Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Airlines’ Honolulu leaders named. Alaska Air Group on Tuesday announced the core Hawaiian Airlines leadership team that will oversee the combined operations in Honolulu, the company’s second-largest hub, once the carriers obtain a single-use operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration this fall. Star-Advertiser.

Judge Stops Trial In Police Shooting Lawsuit Before It Goes To Jury. A lawsuit filed by the widow of Lindani Myeni, who was shot and killed by Honolulu police in 2021, was dismissed Tuesday by a Honolulu judge who said there was no evidence police had violated Myeni’s constitutional rights.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Evacuation orders canceled after tsunami warning downgraded to advisory.  Update at 11:34 p.m. July 29, 2025: Hawaiʻi County canceled evacuation orders for coastal areas after officials assessed areas in tsunami inundation zones. It follows the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s downgrading of the tsunami warning, which had been in effect for most of the day for the Hawaiian Islands, to a tsunami advisory. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

High court bars Sulla, Zamber from law practice. Two Hilo attorneys recently convicted by a federal jury in Honolulu for an affordable housing credits scam have been barred from practicing law in Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

New Hawaiʻi County initiative offers homeowners HILP with repairs, upgrades. Hawai‘i County’s Office of Housing and Community Development has a new program that offers Big Island homeowners HILP — an extra level of help — with essential improvements to their homes. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaiʻi downgraded to Tsunami ADVISORY following 8.8 Russia quake; 15 foot drop in water levels reported at Kahului Harbor.  There was a 15-foot water drop reported at Kahului Harbor as water receded and exposed the pier on Tuesday evening. Kahului also had the highest amplitude wave values in Hawaiʻi of 5.7 feet, which is the height of the wave, relative to normal sea level.  Maui Now.

Tsunami evacuation orders lifted for Maui; county bus routes to start late Wednesday. The Maui Emergency Management Agency lifted evacuation orders shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday, giving residents who had evacuated low-lying areas for a tsunami warning a chance to return to their homes. Maui News.

JABSOM begins new school year with reaccreditation, housing on Maui. At the John A. Burns School of Medicine, the opening of a new home on Maui this past weekend will help with the goal to boost health care on the neighbor islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Tsunami warning downgraded to advisory. Update at 4 a.m. July 30, 2025: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has continued the Tsunami Advisory for Kaua‘i with sea level oscillations across the state of Hawaiʻi still at advisory levels. Kauai Now.

Kīlauea community to look at site layouts in next town expansion project meeting. The community is collaborating with the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency to develop a master plan for the Kīlauea Town Expansion. Kauai Now.

Division of Motor Vehicles to close all offices next Wednesday. The Division of Motor Vehicles will close both the main Līhuʻe office and the newly opened Kapaʻa satellite office next Wednesday, Aug. 6, for staff training. Kauai Now.

 

Green limits Hawaii National Guard in immigrant actions, Hurricane Iona, Tropical Storm Keith pose no threat to Hawaii, Honolulu lawsuit against fossil fuel companies heads to court today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green limits activation of Hawaii National Guard.  Gov. Josh Green will require a briefing on the circumstances and the “true need” of a federal request to activate the Hawaii National Guard before considering the deployment of soldiers for any law enforcement duties like President Donald Trump’s effort to carry out the largest mass deportation of immigrants in U.S. history. Star-Advertiser.

Governor steps into national leadership roles, expanding Hawai‘i’s voice on key issues. Gov. Josh Green has been elected to the Executive Committee of the National Governors Association (NGA) and named vice chair of the Western Governors’ Association (WGA). Maui Now.

Iona now a major hurricane, Tropical Storm Keli remains steady; no threats to Hawaii.  Iona has quickly intensified into a major Category 3 hurricane as it continues on a track keeping it well south of Hawaii. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Keli is maintaining is intensity as a weak tropical storm to the southeast of the state. Associated Press. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

The Human Rights Defense Center is suing the Hawaiʻi Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for censorship. The center says the department has not allowed its educational publications, books and informational brochures to be delivered to inmates.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Will Political Uncertainty Force Hawaiʻi’s Native Birds ‘Into Oblivion’? Ever since the federal budget ax came for wetland and forest protection jobs earlier this year, nonprofits and private groups have been trying to fill the gap in hopes that the government would soon see the error in its ways. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Parents Are Giving Schools A Better Grade. Five years after the Covid-19 pandemic started, schools are seeing fewer students who feel unsafe on campus and an increase in the percentage of parents who are satisfied with their children’s school and feel engaged in Hawaiʻi’s public education system.  Civil Beat.

Law enforcement officials rally ranchers, farmers to help curb crime on agricultural land. On Monday, the Department of Law Enforcement held a meeting with dozens of farmers and ranchers, encouraging them to help carry out the newly-signed Act 235.  The department’s new unit is starting off as a pilot program of about 8 officers, with half of them on Oahu and the other half on Hawaii Island. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu’s lawsuit against fossil fuel companies leads climate change legal fight. Honolulu is not alone in its effort to sue fossil fuel companies to hold them accountable for climate change harms, but the city’s lawsuit is further along than similar litigation across the country. A hearing on Tuesday will indicate how these fights play out in court.  Associated Press.

HPD Is Sending Its Newest Cops To West Oʻahu. Will The Unusual Move Help? The influx of new officers to the Westside is meant to improve response times, but the interim police chief has declined to say how long it currently takes police to respond to calls. Civil Beat.

Haleiwa expansion project progresses. A proposed Haleiwa housing and commercial development continued to spark opposition over the potential loss of agricultural land, increased traffic congestion and the high cost of living even as a Honolulu City Council measure advanced Monday. Star-Advertiser.

North School Street properties eyed for city use. The city agency tasked with helping at-risk families and individuals in need of low-income housing, job training, or battling homelessness, also plans to grow beyond its existing Iwilei area offices. Star-Advertiser.

State deputy sheriff sues the State of Hawaii. State Deputy Sheriff Martin Horton has sued the state for allegedly experiencing discrimination and whistleblower retaliation within the Department of Law Enforcement. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Proposed preschool next to ‘Imiloa clears another hurdle. A recently released final environmental assessment for a proposed Hilo preschool for up to 80 children near the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center helped guide a finalized design and an updated construction schedule for the project. Tribune-Herald.

The last of three inmates to escape Hale Nani has been returned to custody after seven months. Inmate Clyde T. T. Loa is the last of three inmates who left the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center’s Hale Nani Facility without permission in December 2024 to be returned to custody. Big Island Now.

Free workshop provides options for financial, technical support to West Hawaiʻi farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a resource workshop Friday to bring one-on-one, personalized advice and other assistance directly to producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. Big Island Now.

Maui

Ag tourism gets a boost as an accessory use in Maui County agricultural districts, except on Molokaʻi. Maui County Council members unanimously gave final approval Friday to a bill establishing agricultural tourism as permitted accessory use in agricultural districts, except on Molokaʻi. Maui Now.

Mainland company plans to start ghost tours in Lahaina, where more than 100 died in wildfires. Two years after the Maui fires killed more than a hundred people in one of the deadliest wildfires in US history, a mainland tour company is getting ready to start a Lahaina ghost tour, marketing it in the city's most haunted and historic locations. KITV4.

Maui Strong awards $7.5M to help struggling families rebuild from wildfires. The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, through its Maui Strong Fund, has been awarded $7.5 million to help families on Maui begin rebuilding homes that were lost to the August 2023 wildfires.  Maui News.

Kauai

Navy Hopes Native Hawaiian Outreach Will Help Keep Kauaʻi Missile Base Land. Seeking to avoid pitfalls that have stalled other military negotiations, the U.S. Navy is reaching out to Native Hawaiians and promising to assess cultural impacts in its bid to retain use of land on Kauaʻi needed to support operations at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. Civil Beat.

Kīlauea community to look at site layouts in next town expansion project meeting. The community is collaborating with the Kauaʻi County Housing Agency to develop a master plan for the Kīlauea Town Expansion. Kauai Now.

Kauaians celebrate impacts of new laws. The Kauai contingent of legislators and a group of community advocates met with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on Friday to celebrate recent legislation that protects natural resources, improves public land access, and supports community initiatives. Garden Island.

First hurricane of the season to track south of Hawaii, extension sought on state emissions plan, Kauai narrows field for police chief, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane Iona becomes first hurricane of 2025 Central Pacific season. At 5:00 AM HST, the National Weather Service reported that Tropical Storm Iona had strengthened into a hurricane. The storm is currently located about 895 miles southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii, moving west at 10 mph. KITV4. Big Island NowStar-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Extension sought for public to comment on Hawaii emissions plan. Eight state House members want more time for the public to comment on a transportation emissions reduction plan that could raise costs for consumers in Hawaii. The public has until Thursday to comment on the draft plan produced by the state Department of Transportation. Star-Advertiser.

College Students In Hawaiʻi Could Lose Access To Federal Loans. An estimated 1 in 6 community college students are enrolled in programs at risk of losing federal loan eligibility if UH can’t prove graduates earn more than residents with a high school diploma. Civil Beat.

HIDOE advances efforts to cut food imports, boost local purchasing. With a statewide regional kitchen master plan now in motion, the Hawai‘i Department of Education (HIDOE) is turning its attention to transforming school menus to feature more locally grown and produced foods. Big Island Now.

Success of Women’s Court pilot program helps to make it permanent. Women’s Court provides trauma-informed care and gender-­responsive services, substance use disorder treatment, education and training in domestic violence prevention, and life skills. It was made permanent on Oahu and extended to Hawaii Island after a bill passed by the Legislature was signed June 26 by the governor. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Public Radio raises nearly half a million dollars after federal funding cuts. Hawai‘i Public Radio raised nearly half a million dollars in a two-day emergency fundraiser that concluded Friday. The campaign took place after Congress last week approved clawing back $1.1 billion in previously approved federal funding to public media. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Nearly 500 pounds of illegal fireworks collected. The state Department of Law Enforcement collected 493 pounds of illegal aerial fireworks on Saturday at Aloha Stadium during its first-ever fireworks buyback event — part of a broader effort to prevent holiday season tragedies by giving residents ample opportunities to dispose of banned explosives safely and anonymously. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

5 picks for new Honolulu Ocean Safety Commission prioritize chief selection. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s candidates to fill the city’s new Ocean Safety Commission say their priorities are to learn more about the department’s needs and properly choose its chief. Hawaii Public Radio.

North Shore residents rally against proposed gondola. Residents of Oahu’s North Shore are not backing down in their fight against a plan to build a gondola along the slopes of Mount Kaala.  Hawaii News Now.

21 native birds found dead in East Honolulu over weekend. On Saturday, Pacific Rim Conservation executive director Dr. Eric VanderWerf found 21 native birds dead near Halona on Oahu’s East shore. KHON2.

Extended reality redefines Hawaii tourism. XploreRide’s bus tour has become the first of its kind in Hawaii and opens the door for other business in Hawaii’s visitor industry to tap into the expanding global virtual tourism industry. Star-Advertiser.

Food entrepreneurs eye Hawaiʻi's first 'high-pressure processing' machine. Business owners and other interested parties gathered last week in Wahiawā during a food summit at Leeward Community College's Value-Added Product Development Center, where the machine is housed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Former football coach to return to court for defamation lawsuit hearing. The former head football coach of the Kahuku Red Raiders is set to appear in Circuit Court. A hearing is scheduled Monday in Sterling Carvalho’s defamation lawsuit against the Hawaii State Department of Education. Hawaii News Now.

Early Hawaiian petroglyphs on a beach are visible again with changing tides and shifting sands. Hawaiian petroglyphs dating back at least a half-millennium are visible on Oahu for the first time in years, thanks to seasonal ocean swells that peel away sand covering a panel of more than two dozen images of mostly human-looking stick figures.  Associated Press.

Historic Falls of Clyde ship to be disposed of at sea. The state has awarded Shipwright LLC, a Florida-based company, a $4.9 million contract to remove the 146-year-old ship from Honolulu Harbor and to scuttle it at sea, marking a final chapter after decades of wrangling over its fate. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

State releases $1 million for feasibility study, redevelopment planning of Waiākea Peninsula, Banyan Drive in Hilo. State funding that was secured a year ago has finally been released by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green to begin master planning for the redevelopment of the Waiākea Peninsula that includes iconic Banyan Drive in Hilo. Big Island Now.

Inouye: Banyans near Lili‘uokalani Gardens ‘have been neglected’.  $1 million in bond funding was released as seed money for the peninsula’s redevelopment, despite the failure this legislative session of Senate Bill 1078, introduced by Sen. Lorraine Inouye,  and House Bill 818, introduced by Hilo Rep. Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy. Tribune-Herald.

Waiākea Uka Park in Hilo set to reopen after being closed for renovations.  The park now also has a reoriented ballfield with a new dedicated comfort station, dugouts, concession building and scorekeeper’s booth. Big Island Now.

UH Hilo to use AI to help students succeed. Two platforms, EAB Navigate360 and Edify, aim to improve student retention and graduation rates by catching students who are falling behind in their studies or attendance. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Goats prove their worth (and appetite) in wildfire mitigation program on Maui. Using grazing animals to help with fire prevention isn’t a new solution, but on Maui, goats are helping with the task. Hawaiian Electric had a herd of goats on its payroll as part of a pilot program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Displaced Lahaina fire survivors eager to rebuild with help from $1.6 billion federal grant. Applications to rebuild have ramped up in the nearly two years since the fire. According to the Maui County recovery dashboard, 453 building permits had been issued in Lahaina and Kula, with another 323 being processed as of Tuesday. So far, 42 buildings, all residential, have been completed. Maui Now.

An Infusion Of Fire Aid Is Changing How The Maui Food Bank Does Business. The Maui Food Bank saw its revenues jump to more than $77 million after the 2023 fires, a nearly eightfold increase from the previous year. It’s trying to use the windfall wisely. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauaʻi public, Navy spar over state renewing lease agreements at Pacific Missile Range Facility. Emotions ran high during three recent public meetings in Līhu’e, Kekaha and Kapa’a concerning the U.S. Navy’s and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement for proposed lease renewal agreements on state-owned land on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Narrows Candidate Field For New Police Chief. Kauaʻi’s efforts to recruit a new chief come as Honolulu and Hawaiʻi island wage their own searches for a new top cop. The Kauaʻi Police Commission decided Friday to advance 13 candidates to become the next police chief to the next round, a process that involves asking the contenders to answer five written essay questions about their background and vision for KPD’s future. Civil Beat.

Maui vacation rental phase-out of 6k units advances, Honolulu media fight for police band access, trash piles up on Kauai from worker shortage, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Maui vacation rental conversion bill passes initial vote. A divided Maui County Council committee has approved a controversial bill to prohibit short-term vacation rental use in about 6,100 condominiums that may somewhat replenish housing inventory lost to wildfire nearly two years ago. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Associated Press.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4. 

U.S. Rep. Case looks to improve funding for Indigenous-based tourism. A congressional measure seeks to expand Indigenous-based tourism through grants for Native Hawaiian Organizations, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Alaskans. Hawaii Public Radio.

Survey of bird keepers shows few knew how to prevent bird flu.  Hawaii health officials learned from a recent survey that few respondents involved with caring for birds actually know what to do to prevent bird flu. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Restoration of access to HPD radio channels advances. The City Council’s proposed legislation to force the Honolulu Police Department to restore limited access to its radio communications to legitimate news media outlets advanced to a second of three readings Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

KPT tenants sue to smooth relocations during $212M renovation. A group of Kuhio Park Terrace tenants are suing the state and asking a federal judge to halt their relocation by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority unless they have a comparable place to stay during a $212 million renovation of the public housing complex. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

City selects developer to build affordable workforce housing in Waikiki. The City and County of Honolulu has selected a Los Angeles-based company to build a new affordable housing project in Waikiki. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Oahu concrete workers strike at Campbell Industrial Park. More than two dozen union workers at Island Ready-Mix Concrete are now on strike. KITV4.

Suit alleges abuse at Youth Challenge Academy. Six families have filed a lawsuit against the state, the state Department of Defense and the Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy alleging their minor sons were subjected to physical violence, sexual assault and gross neglect by staff and fellow cadets of Class 61 in 2024 at the Kalaeloa campus. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu Jail Killing Shines A Light On Prison Gang Mayhem. Grand jury testimony in a 2023 killing details the power and violence of an organization known as Murder Inc. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Foundation awards $450K to programs supporting Waimea. An award of $450,000 from the Richard Smart Fund has been granted to 24 programs supporting culture, education, health and safety in Waimea. Tribune-Herald.

Nonprofits invited to apply for county Impact Grants. Hawaii County has announced the launch of its fiscal year 2025-2026 Impact Grants program, inviting eligible organizations to apply for competitive funding opportunities that will drive positive change across Hawaii Island communities. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Crucial Insurance Deadline Looms In Two Weeks For Maui Fire Victims. Homeowners and renters with property lost or damaged in the 2023 wildfires risk losing key insurance benefits if they miss Aug. 8 deadline to file claims or request extensions. Civil Beat.

Mayor Bissen to bring Holomua Kākou back to Maui’s rural communities.  Mayor Richard Bissen is bringing Holomua Kākou — talk story gatherings — back to Lanai on July 30 and July 31 as part of his effort to take county government to rural communities in Maui County. Maui News.

New helicopter aids Maui police night and day. Trying to elude Maui police just got a bit more difficult, but those who need to be rescued in Maui County might get help more quickly. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. 

Akakū has day in court; decision could affect future of public access TV on Maui. Facing impending revenue cuts that could threaten public access TV in Maui County, Akakū presented its case Wednesday before Judge Kelsey T. Kawano. Maui News.

Kauai

Trash not getting picked up again islandwide as Solid Waste Division continues to cope with staffing issue. Ongoing staffing issues resulted in yet another day of trash piling up at homes around the island as Kauaʻi County Solid Waste Division announced there would be no rubbish collection — islandwide. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Multiple agencies wrap up exercise Thursday. The County of Kauai, in partnership with the Hawaii National Guard 93 Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, coordinated a full-scale, multi-agency emergency response that closed a portion of Nawiliwili Harbor on Thursday. Garden Island.