Hotel workers prevail in tips lawsuit, judge dismisses $324M Honolulu rail lawsuit, Roseanne Barr selling mac nut farm, gun purchasing law to be re-litigated, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hotel workers prevail in service charge lawsuit. A group of over 100 Hawai‘i hotel workers have won a class-action lawsuit against their employers over improperly paid tips. Aloha State Daily.

Less Than Half Of Hawaiʻi Teachers Went To High School In-State. Only a third of educators in a recent survey said they felt well-prepared to integrate Hawaiian language, culture and history into their lessons. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i gun purchasing laws to be re-re-litigated. Second Amendment advocates criticize court decision to overturn March decision. Aloha State Daily.

Corey Rosenlee will run for Hawaiʻi House seat held by Rep. Elijah Pierick. Educator and former teachers union leader Corey Rosenlee is running for the state House of Representatives in the 2026 election.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Judge dismisses $324M Hitachi lawsuit against HART, city. On Aug. 14, 1st Circuit Court Judge Shirley Kawamura dismissed Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV’s “breach of contract and unjust enrichment” claim that it filed in December against HART and the City and County of Honolulu over stated delays that allegedly occurred during construction of the city’s more than $10 billion rail system. Star-Advertiser.

City Council chair announces run for reelection. City Council chair Tommy Waters plans to run for another term next year. Waters represents District 4, which includes Hawaii Kai, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Aina Haina, Kahala, Kaimuki, and Waikiki. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu firefighters push for COVID hazard pay. The city is determining how to compensate firefighters with the rest of its $150 million it budgeted for other essential workers.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Honolulu Police Department arrests 14 at Ala Wai homeless camp. Honolulu police on Tuesday arrested 14 people found in a homeless encampment along the grassy perimeter of the Ala Wai Golf Course, 12 days after “no trespassing” signs went up in the area and tent dwellers were warned of an impending crackdown. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor casts doubt on Waikiki natatorium pool restoration. Hopes for restoration of the pool at the Waikiki natatorium are fading again after Mayor Rick Blangiardi expressed serious doubts about whether the project is feasible. Hawaii News Now.

Can A New Tax Save Downtown Honolulu’s Small Businesses? The proposed fee could improve safety and cleanliness in the area, but critics say it won’t fix the underlying challenge facing downtown. Civil Beat.

Ex-HPD officer seeks reduced prison time for child sex crimes. A former Honolulu police officer who admitted using his ex-girlfriend’s daughter to help set up a child prostitution ring while working as an officer is asking a federal judge for a 15-year prison sentence. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Roseanne Barr’s mac nut farm for sale. Comedian and television star Roseanne Barr has put her Big Island farm on the market, ending nearly two decades of ownership at a property that once drew headlines for legal and land-use disputes. Tribune-Herald.

What to do about tourism? Dozens of Big Island residents offer feedback at HTA meeting. The Hawaii Tourism Authority engaged with over 40 Hawaii Island residents Monday evening during a 90-minute digital meeting to gather input about tourism to help shape the future of welcoming visitors to the island. Tribune-Herald.

Future of Banyan Drive properties mulled. A meeting Monday of the Banyan Drive Hawaii Redevelopment Agency produced no consensus about what should be done with the vacant lot where Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel once stood or the property where the dilapidated Country Club Condo Hotel still stands, shuttered. Tribune-Herald.

Attack on cashless bail criticized. The signing of executive orders by President Donald Trump seeking the elimination nationally of cashless bail for pretrial criminal defendants is receiving a negative reaction locally from individuals intimately familiar with courts here. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Trouble in paradise: Kapalua to close ‘dying’ PGA Tour course for 2 months amid Maui water dispute.  Kapalua Resort, the Hawaii course where the PGA Tour has started every year since 1999, is shutting down for two months as it tries to save its water-starved courses during a dispute over the handling of a century-old water system on Maui. Associated Press. KHON2.

Overcrowding in Maui classrooms forces redistricting plan. Overcrowding in Maui schools has forced the Hawaii State Department of Education to come up with a redistricting plan. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina fire debris transfer to permanent site is over 60% complete. The transfer of approximately 400,000 tons of debris began in June and is expected to continue through November. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui News. 

No significant environmental impact determined for Waiʻale Road extension. Maui County’s Department of Public Works has issued a determination of no significant environmental impacts for a $73 million project to extend Waiʻale Road 1.6 miles in Waikapū.  Maui Now.

West Maui YMCA Resource Center applies for Certificate of Occupancy. Renovations to the 6,500-square-foot facility located at  226 Kupuohi Street in Lahaina have been completed and have successfully passed all required inspections.  The Center is anticipated to open in mid-September.  Maui Now.

Ag board advances petition to protect Molokai from beetles. The Hawaii Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity on Tuesday decided to move forward on a proposed rule halting the shipment of plants to Molokai to protect the island from coconut rhinoceros beetles. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii Public Radio. 

Kauai

Kauhale o Namahana aims to provide permanent affordable homes on Kauaʻi. Kauhale O Namahana has officially started the vertical construction of its 11 affordable single-family homes in Kīlauea. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Man Died On His Birthday After Airport Staff Encounter. In a lawsuit, the homeless man’s mother says her son was beaten to death. Civil Beat.

Kauai man allegedly preyed on underage girls. A 28-year-old Lihue man is facing a federal criminal charge after he allegedly trafficked in child pornography, posed as a teenage boy on Snapchat and tried to collect sexually explicit photos from “hundreds” of underage girls. Star-Advertiser.

State Elections Commission loses 2 members just before dispute over vote count, ex-Maui cop pleads guilty to excessive force with taser, state hires fired federal workers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Two Members Quit Just Before Elections Panel To Meet On Disputed Vote Count. Two members of the Hawaiʻi Elections Commission have abruptly resigned as it is set to tackle one of the most divisive issues it’s faced — whether Kauaʻi County ballot discrepancies that a commission subcommittee documented are enough to warrant a much deeper examination of 2024 election results. One of the departed commissioners, Peter Young, was the lead author of an investigation that determined complaints about the Kauaʻi election were valid. Civil Beat.

State continues push to hire federal workers impacted by budget cuts. It’s been about six months since Gov. Josh Green put out an executive order to speed up the hiring of former federal workers hit by budget cuts for state jobs. The program received about 6,000 applications and hired about 140 people. About a third of those who applied worked for the federal government. Hawaii Public Radio.

Army and governor’s response to leases ‘framework’ deadline gets pushback. The Army’s hopes for a framework by the end of the year to keep its leased training lands in Hawaii, and the governor’s response, is getting push back. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi climate plan opts for 'conservative approach' in light of federal funding challenges. The Hawaiʻi Climate Commission has compiled a list of almost 250 climate projects as part of its development of a new roadmap to guide state climate action. But even if all of those projects were implemented, the state would fall short of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Hawaii Public Radio.

New study reveals rapid pace of ocean acidification in Pacific waters near Hawaiʻi. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa oceanographers have revealed that the ocean is acidifying more rapidly than predicted below the surface in the open waters near Hawaiʻi. Kauai Now.

Some businesses unaware of updated Hawaii food safety code. Hawaii restaurants have some new food safety rules to follow that went into effect on Sunday, Aug. 24, but the Hawaii Restaurant Association and some local businesses said communication about the changes could be improved. KHON2.

Airline veteran Shelly Parker named head of Hawaiʻi guest operations for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Air Group named Shelly Parker as head of Hawai‘i guest operations for Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. Parker has also been appointed as a member of the company’s Honolulu leadership team. Maui Now.

Oahu

2 rail housing projects underway. The city has launched the second project of its kind this year to begin the process of building affordable housing around Honolulu’s Skyline rail system, this time in Kalihi at the site of the old Dee Lite Bakery. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

HPD launches road safety campaign after 55 traffic fatalities. In response to the 55 traffic fatalities on Oahu through Aug. 21, the Honolulu Police Department launched a “community-driven traffic safety campaign designed to reduce fatalities and dangerous driving behaviors,” according to a news release. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Tsunami readiness: Red and yellow zones on evacuation maps determine how far water could reach inland. Emergency officials said they got a wake-up call after the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and realized they needed to plan for the possibility of more extreme events. Star-Advertiser.

Chinatown acid attack appears to be premeditated, judge says. The Aug. 8 Chinatown acid attack appears to be premeditated, an Oahu Circuit Court judge said at Monday’s arraignment of 34-year-old Marquis A. Johnson. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island 

Chewing betel nut has deep Pacific roots, but health officials warn of cancer risk. On Hawaiʻi Island, there is no shortage of buyers for the tropical nuts. Chewing the seeds is a stimulant and used as a daily ritual by immigrant communities. Hawaii Public Radio.

Live Fire Training At Kona Airport This Week. Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting units will conduct live fire training exercises at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole from August 26th to 28th. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Nonprofit receives $175K for Guardians of the Trails. The nonprofit Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has received a $150,000 grant from the National Park Foundation and $25,000 from donor Helen Wright to support of the Guardians of the Trails program. Tribune-Herald.

New playground equipment coming to Captain Cook park. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation project will remove the existing playground and replace it with new playground equipment, a synthetic turf safety surfacing system, and reconfigured accessible walkways. Big Island Now.

Maui

Ex-Maui police officer admits using ‘unreasonable’ force. An ex-Maui Police Department officer pleaded guilty Friday to repeatedly using a Taser on a suspect after he got on the ground, surrendered and begged him to stop on Jan. 6, 2024. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Maui Now.  KITV4. 

Researchers: Lahaina Burn Zone May Not Be As Safe As People Think. Maui wildfire survivors living or working in fire-damaged parts of Lahaina are more likely to show evidence of long-term exposure to harmful toxins, according to recent research. Civil Beat.

Maui County residents say child care, shelter, kūpuna assistance among biggest needs.  That's according to the results of the 2025 Maui County Community Needs Assessment released last week. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kula meeting to focus on preparedness. The Kula Community Association will host its next general meeting from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Kula Community Center with the focus on emergency preparedness and water issues. Maui News.

Kauai

Comment period for KIUC HCP DEIS open. The public comment period for the second draft Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and the draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the HCP prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started on Saturday. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi officer is honored for his courageous, selfless rescue last month. Officer Matthew VanAken set aside any concerns to find and rescue a distressed hiker on the Kalalau Trail last month. Kauai Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii mulls fisheries protections, big plans for Aloha Stadium partners, Maui condo owners prepare lawsuits against vacation rental ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

With Wild Fish Stocks Dwindling, Congress Considers Backing Aquaculture. After years of fish farmers criticizing the state of Hawaiʻi for overlooking aquaculture, the federal government is offering some hope in new legislation. Civil Beat.

UH launching advanced degrees in fisheries management. The University of Hawaii has hired eight faculty members for new master’s and doctorate degree programs in sustainable fisheries management, coincidentally as President Donald Trump opened up prohibited fishing areas to Hawaii’s longline fleet. Star-Advertiser.

For Environmental Scientists, Climate Change Means Coping With Death. As deep anxiety over climate change and the future grips the general public, this summer’s Hawaiʻi Conservation Convention conference featured a first-of-its-kind grief seminar.  Civil Beat.

Campaign Reform Is Forcing Lawmakers To Raise More Cash In Non-Election Years. Two new laws intended to slow the easy flow of money to lawmakers while they’re in session significantly crimped incumbents’ cash-raising abilities during the 2025 session. But the new restrictions have not stopped special interest money from finding its way to state legislators at other times.  Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Is Increasingly Relying On Unlicensed Teachers To Fill Vacancies. The number of unlicensed teachers has steadily grown in Hawaiʻi schools since the pandemic, and the state may see a wave of retirements in the coming years. Civil Beat.

US judge in Hawaii considers legality of restrictions on access to abortion medication. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to overly restrict access to mifepristone, a medication for abortions and miscarriage management, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union argued Friday in a lawsuit by a Hawaii doctor and healthcare associations challenging the legality of the restrictions.  Associated Press.

Two companies jump on board to move inter-island fiber infrastructure forward. Ocean Networks Inc., a leading telecom development and service company, has officially selected two world leaders—Prysmian, a cable solutions provider, and International Telecom, an engineering and installation specialist—to build and deliver the Hawaiian Islands Fiber Link project. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Aloha Stadium project partners include sports arena and entertainment district pros. Hawaii doesn’t have a professional sports team to support a planned new stadium on Oahu, but the consortium working to develop a mixed-use community around a future Aloha Stadium has big-league players. Star-Advertiser.

East Honolulu’s Last Undeveloped Valley Faces Uncertain Fate. Kamehameha Schools has yet to release its plan for Kamilonui Valley. But the school’s history of development in the area is stoking fears about what will happen to Hawaiʻi Kai’s last farmlands. Civil Beat.

Grant helps provide stable housing for Native Hawaiian women. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced last month that it was contributing $180,000 to provide additional rent subsidies for Native Hawaiian women living at Mohala Mai — a permanent supportive housing project — to help combat the prison recidivism rate. Star-Advertiser.

Elevated safety ambassadors help fight crime in Waikiki. The pilot program, which began Wednesday, is meant to serve as a “force-multiplier” for the staff-constrained Honolulu Police Department. Star-Advertiser.

Engineering company Oceanit turns 40. The company had modest beginnings as a small coastal engineering firm. Founder and CEO Patrick Sullivan, an engineer and scientist, followed his wife Jan Sullivan — who hailed from Hawaii — to the islands to pursue her law career. Star-Advertiser.

Popular Waikīkī Promenade Is Finally Open Again. The area languished for about a year as the city fenced it off for repairs. Civil Beat.

East-West Center President on importance of pilina: ‘America First’ doesn’t have to be ‘America Alone’. Since taking the helm of the East-West Center in July, long time White House advisor and diplomat Celeste Connors has been applying Hawaiian values to help navigate a tumultuous time. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Residents, commissioners weigh in on search for next police chief. The top concern with of majority of testifiers on Friday was that whomever becomes top cop in Hawaii County not enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security and/or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which reportedly raided coffee farms in West Hawaii and removed a first-grader from Honduras from Konawaena Elementary School. Tribune-Herald.

Salvation Army Dedicates Hilo Overnight Safe Space Expansion. The shelter, which opened last year to assist the houseless community, has doubled in size and is ready to serve up to 50 overnight guests. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hāmākua wildland fire 75% contained, Highway 19 near Pāʻauilo reopens. The Hawaiʻi Fire Department reports a wildland fire in Hāmākua and has issued a wildfire watch for Pāʻauilo. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Removal of banyan cost $153K: Questions, concerns linger following collapse of tree that killed 2. The debris from the banyan tree on Hilo’s Kilauea Avenue that uprooted and fell July 12, killing two women, has been trucked away and disposed of, and damage caused by the massive tree crashing onto the roof of Calvary Chapel Hilo’s church building is now visible. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Owners mulling legal action if Maui County’s short-term rental bill passes. At about 70 condo complexes where short-term rentals could become illegal under a proposed bill before the Maui County Council, property owners have been watching, waiting and talking with their lawyers.  Maui Now.

Lawsuit against Maui Land & Pineapple fuels debate over water supply and reveals The Sentry golf tournament is in jeopardy. The lawsuit, filed on Monday in the Second Circuit Court on Maui, also revealed that the Plantation Golf Course at Kapalua may have to close due to deteriorating conditions caused by the water restrictions. Maui Now.

Environmental advocates propose interim ban to protect Molokai from invasive beetles. The proposal calls for a temporary block on plants, soil, mulch, and other goods prone to infestation to the island. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Maui Economic Development Board raises funds for STEM education. Students from Maui High, Maui Waena Intermediate, Lahainaluna High, and Pukalani Elementary School showed off robots they designed, built, and programmed to complete tasks and challenges. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

How Did State Count More Kauaʻi Ballots Than County Said It Delivered?  The next meeting of the Hawaiʻi Elections Commission on Wednesday is expected to be dominated by recent findings of discrepancies in the number of drop box and mail-in ballots cast on Kauaʻi during the 2024 general election.   Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi County Council greenlights use of $361,000 from national opioid settlements. The County of Kaua’i now has the green light to accept and spend more than $361,000 in national opioid settlement funds aimed at curbing the island’s opioid crisis. Kauai Now.

Kauai Fire Department graduates 5, promotes 2. Five graduates of the Kauai Fire Department 34th Recruit Class, and two promotions from within the KFD were celebrated on Friday before a throng of family members and friends at the Moikeha Building rotunda. Garden Island.

Army wants land deals inked this year, police union wants voice in Honolulu chief selection, Kauai seeks more fire-resistant plantation camps, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Army Secretary Wants Deal On Hawaiʻi Training Lands By End Of 2025. On Thursday, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll sent Gov. Josh Green’s office a letter calling on the state to move fast on negotiations to continue the Army’s access to thousands of acres of training lands on Oʻahu and the Big Island.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  KHON2. 

Oahu

First piece of Kapolei West community draws closer to start. A Honolulu City Council committee endorsed a plan to build 750 affordable rental apartments in Kapolei on Thursday despite grievances over a new state law aiming to compel county approval for subsidized affordable-housing projects recommended by a state agency. Star-Advertiser.

East Honolulu’s Last Undeveloped Valley Faces Uncertain Fate. Kamehameha Schools has yet to release its plan for Kamilonui Valley. But the school’s history of development in the area is stoking fears about what will happen to Hawaiʻi Kai’s last farmlands. Civil Beat.

Police officers want voice when it comes to new police chief. The Honolulu police commission says it could take seven months to find a new police chief using a professional hiring firm. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Arson investigation opened as latest Kunia fire burns 15 acres of sugar cane. Other farms spared from major damage. The latest — and largest — of the recent Kunia brush fires destroyed 15 acres of sugar cane, but it appears that the wind directed the fire away from other farms in the area. Hawaii Public radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island

New county property tax credits in the works. Bill 38 proposes a one-time tax credit of up to $1,000 for property owners who install solar water heaters on qualifying dwellings and introduces a new credit of up to $250 for residents who contribute to private roadway maintenance. Tribune-Herald.

Puna Geothermal Venture moves forward with long-awaited upgrades. Puna Geothermal Venture is moving ahead with a project to boost its renewable energy production after receiving long-awaited approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Hawaii News Now.

HPD’s temporary morgue now operational. The morgue was built in 1984, and because of population increases and the police’s function as coroner, its occupancy often was strained beyond its capacity of 16 bodies. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Community College butchery program graduates second cohort. One of Hawai‘i Community College’s newest programs, whole-animal butchery, will once again be open for enrollment starting Aug. 29. Big Island Now.

Maui

Council panel moves ahead with Kahului housing project, sparks debate over water availability. A unanimous vote by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee to advance an affordable housing project in Kahului drew criticism Wednesday from West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin. Maui Now.

Maui police officer fatally shot in Paia was ambushed.  The 37-year-old Maui Police Department officer ambushed and killed Friday night was one of a half-dozen officers who responded to the Paia Sugar Mill after the caretaker reported a man was trespassing and shooting at him. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Maui police release bodycam footage in deadly, officer-involved shooting. The Maui Police Department Thursday released bodycam footage from a shooting last Friday that resulted in the death of an officer. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Kauai

A Kauaʻi bill seeks to make plantation camps like Kaumakani more fire-resilient. The bill would require new construction in these plantation camps to follow updated building standards. Hawaii Public Radio.

Waimea Public Library turned 75 with special birthday party. Waimea Public Library is celebrating 75 years of public service. Kauai Now.

Consultant finds deficiencies in HECO wildfire plan, attorney general gets extra $4M for Trump lawsuits, state expects low-paying job growth, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Expert report finds 'critical deficiencies' in HECO's wildfire safety strategy. The Public Utilities Commission mandated that HECO create an official wildfire mitigation plan and submit it for review. Consulting firm Jensen Hughes found that while HECO's plan technically met the minimum requirements set by the PUC, key elements were underdeveloped and below industry standards. Hawaii Public Radio.

Report: Future Jobs Growth In Hawaiʻi Likely Concentrated In Low-Paid Work. New report says increases are expected primarily in areas such as food preparation, transportation and health care support — all lower-paying work. Farming/fishing/forestry, sales and related jobs, and office and administrative support were the only three groups projected to lose jobs by 2032. Civil Beat.

Employment Projections for Industries and Occupations full report.  Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Hawaii attorney general’s litigation budget increased by $4 million to cover 27 Trump-related lawsuits. The Legislature has agreed to add $4 million to the state Attorney General’s litigation budget — essentially doubling it over the next two years — to help support the state’s court battle against President Donald Trump’s policies. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green unveils 2025 policy report titled “Results For Our People”. Gov. Josh Green launched a new policy report titled “Results for our People,” which outlines the Green administration’s plans to tackle significant issues facing the state of Hawai‘i. The report builds upon priorities discussed during his 2025 State of the State Address to the Legislature. Maui Now.

State continues planning how to spend federal grants despite uncertainty. The state gets about $4 million in federal Community Services Block Grants a year to spend on programs to help low-income individuals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Expands Effort To Keep Women Out Of Jail. Addressing the underlying trauma and substance abuse issues that many non-violent women offenders struggle with can put them on a better path — and save taxpayer money too. Civil Beat.

A closer examination of kidney transplants in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific territories. Almost half of the kidneys donated in Hawaiʻi go to recipients on the continent.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

HPD officer’s fatal shooting of Waianae suspect was justified, prosecutor says. A 24-year-old Honolulu police officer was justified to use deadly force when he shot and killed a 60-year-old felon who beat his girlfriend and shot three people trapped in a Waianae home on Aug. 14, 2024. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Teen death occurred amid sharp rise in traffic fatalities on Oahu. The death of a 14-year-old boy struck by a car Wednesday morning in Ewa Beach has prompted a call for more awareness and safety on Oahu’s roadways.This was Oahu’s 54th traffic fatality so far this year, more than double the 26 at the same time last year. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

City Lawyer Gets Off With A Scolding For Citing Fake Law In Civil Rights Case. A state judge told a Honolulu deputy corporation counsel accused of basing his argument on a fictional case created by artificial intelligence, ‘Don’t do it again.’ Civil Beat.

Reef damage being assessed at Kewalo Basin after removal of grounded boat. With the Atlantis Adventures’ Discovery shuttle boat now removed from Kewalo Basin, it’s time to see what was done to the reef. Hawaii News Now.

Murder trial begins in Samoa over death of former Hawaii professor. Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard, who was 76 years old, was the older sister of state Sen. Mike Gabbard and the aunt of former congresswoman, current director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi State Board of Education hosting public meetings on Big Island about potential statewide changes. Board members traveled to Hilo on Tuesday to host the first of the community engagement meetings, which emphasize the Department of Education’s youngest and oldest students. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County Council Wants ‘Desecration’ To End At Military Training Area. Its resolution also asks the state to reject any land lease renewal unless there is a “comprehensive cleanup” of the site. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Work paused on pump station repairs in Lahaina amid demands by ʻĀina Momona to protect sacred Mokuʻula site. Āina Momona has submitted a formal complaint to the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) and the County of Maui regarding recent construction activities that have allegedly disturbed or threaten to disturb Mokuʻula, a sacred and historically significant site. Maui Now.

Emotional testimony offered in preliminary hearing for man accused of killing Maui police officer. Emotional testimony was received Wednesday from a Maui police officer and a caretaker of the Pāʻia Sugar Mill who shared details during a preliminary hearing, of the deadly shooting that took the life of beloved Officer Suzanne O on Friday night.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4.

Maui chef rises to the top on Food Network’s ‘Chopped’.  Chef Daniel Lipson survived elimination to advance to the final round before winning it all and becoming a “Chopped Champion” in front of a national audience. Maui News.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative website SHiNEs online with redesign. Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative last week launched a redesigned website that already is out-SHiNE-ing the utility cooperative’s previous site — complete with updated security, new design features and more created with member convenience in mind. Kauai Now.

Local artist brightens walls at Līhuʻe Public Library with community mural and a tribute. Local artist Holly Ka’iakapu is creating a striking mural at the Līhu’e Public Library that will honor Kauai’s deep-rooted traditions and memorialize Eric Larson, a part of the Hawaiʻi Public Library System on the Garden Isle for 14 years. Kauai Now.

Hawaii braces for vote-by-mail restrictions, alleged jail gang members found not guilty, Honolulu police chief selection process may go to the voters, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi primarily votes by mail. Here's how a proposed Trump order could change that. President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign against mail-in ballots, saying he is considering an executive order to do away not just with voting by mail but with voting machines as well — ahead of next year's midterm elections. Hawaii Public Radio.

Future Of Commercial Fishing In Protected Pacific Waters In Courts’ Hands. Conservationists scored an early court victory, but a larger decision looms on whether the fishing opened up under Trump can continue. Civil Beat.

UH signs agreement with military’s POW/MIA agency.  The five-year agreement signed Tuesday creates a formal framework that will give UH students and faculty access to the DPAA’s facilities and data collections for research, while DPAA will be able to call on UH’s own faculty, students and research to help it in its mission to find and identify the remains of missing service members from past conflicts. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR offers $6.7M in land conservation grants. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its Legacy Land Conservation Program, with about $6.7 million available for land acquisition grants in fiscal year 2026. Tribune-Herald. Kauai Now.

Charting an easier path: State Land Survey Division continues work digitizing maps. The Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services Land Survey Division plans to make the maps with the information publicly available whenever they want to or need to find them. Kauai Now.

Alaska, Hawaiian join their loyalty programs to form Atmos Rewards. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Tuesday introduced Atmos Rewards — a combined loyalty program that is one of the major consumer-­facing milestones since Alaska Air Group’s $1.9 billion acquisition on Sept. 18 of Hawaiian Holdings, parent company of Hawaiian Airlines. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Oʻahu voters may get to decide who can hire and fire the police chief. A new proposal would give Honolulu’s mayor the ability to hire and fire the city’s chief of police — a move that proponents say could improve oversight of the Honolulu Police Department. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu City Attorney Used Fictional Case Law To Combat Civil Rights Suit. Courts are increasingly grappling with mistakes made by an unethical reliance on artificial intelligence programs, but Honolulu’s top lawyer says the erroneous argument in the high-profile case was the result of sloppy work. Civil Beat.

Three Alleged Gang Leaders Found Not Guilty in Jail Beating Death. Current and former inmates testified that the gang ruled an OCCC module, but their accounts of the 2023 killing failed to convince a jury. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Evacuations lifted for Kunia as brushfire danger eases. The Kunia area continues to be a hot spot for brush fires. Honolulu firefighters responded to that vicinity Tuesday afternoon for at least the third time over the past week to fight a blaze that initially prompted evacuations. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

New UH Mānoa housing complex adds 316 units with priority for grad students. The newest addition to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's on-campus housing offerings is officially welcoming tenants just before the start of the new academic year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Removal process begins for grounded shuttle boat at Kewalo Basin. The Atlantis boat “Discovery” has been removed from Kewalo Basin after being stuck there for more than a week. KHON2.

Hilo Family Fights To Bring A Missing Woman Home From Oʻahu’s Streets. A 33-year-old woman with mental struggles disappeared after she was medevaced from Hilo to The Queen’s Medical Center. Then she ended up on the unfamiliar streets of Honolulu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council moves forward with resolution urging end to military activities at PTA. A County Council committee voted 8-0 on Tuesday to support a resolution regarding the Pohakuloa Training Area, sending the measure to the full council for further discussion. Tribune-Herald.

Council moves to strengthen fight against financial crimes. The Hawaii County Council is poised to approve a resolution that would authorize Mayor Kimo Alameda to enter into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Honolulu Division to collaborate on the Hawaii Financial Crimes Task Force. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island judge to rule next month on state subpoena requesting files of disciplined police officers. A 3rd Circuit Court judge will decide next month whether or not to grant the Hawaiʻi Attorney General’s subpoena to force Hawai‘i County to release investigative files compiled by the Hawai‘i Island Police Department into the alleged misconduct of four officers. Big Island Now.

County to expand Kailua-Kona parking lot. The expansion of the lot between Kuakini Highway and Likana Lane is expected to add 23 new free parking stalls, according to spokesman Tom Callis of the mayor’s office. Tribune-Herald.

Waimea Middle School Welcomes Two Buses Donated By Benioffs. Two brand-new school buses, donated by two longtime Waimea philanthropists, will help provide Waimea Middle Public Conversion Charter School students with free and reliable transportation.  Big Island Video News.

Judge: BJ Penn cannot contact his mother for a year. A judge on Tuesday granted Hilo businesswoman Lorraine Shin a one-year order for protection from her son, former two-division UFC champion BJ Penn. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui

Community groups ask Hawaii Supreme Court to rollback ruling on foreclosures. A coalition of community groups led by Maui attorney Lance D. Collins and joined by state Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti is asking the Hawaii Supreme Court to reconsider its recent decision in the Bank of New York Melon v. White. Maui News.

Funds drying up for study tracking Maui fire health effects. Half of young survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires show symptoms of depression two years after the disaster, 20% reported severe symptoms and 4.2% considered killing themselves, according to a ongoing study that’s running out of funding and staff. Star-Advertiser.

Maui County, US Geological Survey collaborate on West Maui water project. The Maui County Council’s Water and Infrastructure Committee received a briefing Monday afternoon on a bill that would authorize the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the US Geological Survey for water resource exploration in West Maui. Maui Now.

Maui Land & Pineapple sued over West Maui water control. The billionaire owner of Kapalua Golf, and several homeowners’ associations, are accusing Maui Land &Pineapple Co. of mismanaging West Maui’s water supply, causing increased rates, water shortages and wildfire conditions that hurt residents and businesses. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Chief of War screening on Kauai paired with a work day at taro patch. The screening of the series at the Waimea Theatre was coordinated by Kumano I Ke Ala on Friday, which was followed by an exclusive panel with cast members. Then on Saturday, several cast members helped at a community work day in a taro patch. Hawaii News Now.

Five Kaua‘i students awarded newly created scholarships through Andy Irons Foundation. The foundation, founded in honor of the late three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons, honored the inaugural recipients during a ceremony on Aug. 9 at Pine Trees in Hanalei.  Kauai Now.

Tsunami alert reveals malfunctioning sirens, state unemployment rate drops to pre-COVID low, $68M remains in Maui Strong fund, bedbugs at Honolulu mall food court, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Nearly 1 In 5 Warning Sirens On Oʻahu Were Broken During Tsunami Scare. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency says two dozen new sirens will be installed by the end of the year. Civil Beat.

How federal tax cuts will impact Hawaiʻi residents. The top 1% of Hawaiʻi's income earners will get a tax cut of about $43,000 next year. The bottom 20% will see a reduction of about $90. That's according to a recent analysis of President Trump's mega budget bill HR 1 by Hawaiʻi's Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. Hawaii Public Radio.

End of EPA solar program to affect thousands in Hawaii. The termination of Solar for All, a federal program designed to expand affordable solar energy for low-income communities, has abruptly eliminated that savings option for 2,000 low-to-­moderate income households in Hawaii, which officials say will make it harder for the state to achieve its aggressive renewable energy goals. Star-Advertiser.

State unemployment rate hits pre-COVID low of 2.7%. Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July fell to 2.7% from 2.8% in June to mark its lowest level since before COVID-19. Star-Advertiser.

Distracted driving ‘a serious issue’ in Hawaii. A study released last month found Hawaii has the sixth-highest rate of fatal crashes caused by distracting driving among U.S. states. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi officials continue to encourage the export of value-added food products. This year, state lawmakers passed House Bill 774 to establish a Food and Product Innovation Network within the state Agribusiness Development Corporation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Backlash May Prompt New Rules For Affordable Rentals In Honolulu. Supporters say new requirements in Bill 53 would protect neighborhoods from the side effects of increased housing density. Opponents fear the changes would hamstring an already struggling program. Civil Beat.

New Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts executive director paints the future. Jennifer Santos has been on the job for more than a month as head of the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu mall addresses bed bug concerns in busy food court. Oahu’s largest mall is dealing with some tiny pests. Bed bugs were found in wooden chairs in the Lanai Food Court at Ala Moana Center. Hawaii News Now.

Downtown Honolulu Rail construction: ‘5 years is a long time’.  Folks in the Downtown area are bracing for a major traffic shake-up. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation started work on the City Center Guideway and Stations — it requires lane closures on Nimitz Highway between ‘Awa and Bishop streets, 24/7 until September, 2030. KHON2. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

DLNR urges caution after discovery of large crack in Puna lava delta. Newly formed lands from the 2018 Kilauea volcano lava flows — known as lava deltas — are creating a potential hazard for Hawaii Island residents and visitors, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Now.  KITV4. 

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is on the verge of erupting again. Scientists expect Kilauea volcano to again gush lava in the coming days for the 31st time since December as the mountain lives up to its identity of one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Associated Press. Big Island Video News.

County, ex-R&D director sued for age discrimination. Doug Adams, Hawaii County’s former Research and Development director,  has requested the county cover any damages that may be assessed against him in an age-discrimination lawsuit. Tribune-Herald.

Project to repair 2 East Hawai‘i bridges extended to next year.  A project to repair the Kaiwilahilahi and Honoliʻi Stream bridges in East Hawai‘i is being extended to February. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Strong Fund has about $68M remaining to help fire survivors. The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, which administers the fund, recently released its two-year impact report with details on how that money is being spent. Hawaii Public Radio.

After Maui wildfires, Study sheds light on housing decisions. Maui Housing Hui, in collaboration with the University at Albany and the University of North Texas, will host a Talk Story event on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, to present new research findings on housing decision-making following the Maui wildfires. Maui Now.

Uniqlo Founder Sues Maui Land & Pineapple Over West Maui Water Shortage. The lawsuit argues that Kapalua’s water shortages are not simply the result of less rainfall in the area, but rather Maui Land & Pineapple’s failure to maintain its water system. Civil Beat.

Police Chief Pelletier vows MPD will be ‘relentless in pursuit of justice’ for fallen Maui officer; suspect appears in court. The suspect in Fridayʻs fatal shooting of a Maui Police officer made his initial appearance in Wailuku District Court on Monday before Judge Annalisa Bernard Lee. Judge Lee ordered Clembert Kaneholani, 38, to return to court on Wednesday, Aug. 20 for a preliminary hearing. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Kauai

Kaumakani Avenue wildfire preparedness outreach set. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), in partnership with various partners, will continue wildfire preparedness outreach efforts on Wednesday, Aug. 20, in Kaumakani, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Circuit Court seeks attorney applicants for independent Grand Jury counsel. The position, which does come with compensation, would be a one-year appointment, according to a press release from the Hawai‘i State Judiciary. Kauai Now.

Green walks tightrope with Trump administration, Hawaii ranks high in reliable utility services, equitable distribution of income, fresh milk returns to Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Is Walking A Tightrope With The Trump Administration. As Trump’s domestic military moves and threats play out in DC and LA, the need to balance legal challenges and relationship-building isn’t lost on Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Army chief vows to respect Hawaii culture and environment, but 60-day timeline is questioned. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll has a vision for soldiers in the Pacific, and part of it centers on renegotiating leases for Hawaii lands the service has trained on for decades that expire in 2029. Star-Advertiser.

Military, state leaders seek to train high-tech workforce. As tensions have heated up in the Pacific amid tensions with China, the military is looking to find ways to manufacture more critical components for its weapons and equipment in the region, where commanders have long complained that supply chains are cumbersome. Star-Advertiser.

Court ruling imperils federal workers’ rights. Federal workers in Hawaii are facing an unprecedented period of uncertainty following a federal appeals court ruling that allows agencies to terminate collective bargaining agreements under executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

Students Are Missing Out On The Right To Hawaiian Immersion, Lawsuits Say. Two lawsuits filed against the Department of Education this summer allege the state has fallen short of its constitutional duty to provide families with access to Hawaiian language immersion schools. Civil Beat.

Equitable distribution of income makes Hawaii one of the most equal states, researchers say. A combination of lower salaries for high-end earners and higher wages for lower-income jobs compresses Hawaii’s income wage gap, meaning the islands have a more equitable distribution of income, according to researchers at the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ranks number one in most reliable utility services in the nation. In a study done by UtilityRates.com, an electricity and natural gas rate comparison website, Hawaii was identified as the U.S. state with the most reliable utility services. KHON2.

Immigrant Sent Cash To Family In Mexico; ICE Used That To Nab Him. Experts say it’s the first time they know of that money transfer records have been used to trace someone purely for reentering the U.S. illegally, in this case 17 years ago. Civil Beat.

New specialty license plate honors Duke Kahanamoku. The specialty license plate is expected to be available for purchase late this year through local DMV vehicle registration offices across the islands, with proceeds supporting critical drowning prevention initiatives and swimming programs throughout Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Fresh local milk returns to Oahu. Oahu residents can once again buy milk produced entirely in Hawaii, the result of a new partnership between Farm Link Hawaii and Meadow Gold Dairies. The collaboration brings 100% local milk to the island for the first time since 2019. Star-Advertiser.

City Council pushes pair of bills to ease homeowner tax burdens. If adopted, the bills package supposedly would lower future annual property tax bills for many, particularly senior citizens on fixed incomes. Star-Advertiser.

This Former Police Chief Could Be The Next Honolulu Police Commissioner. The Honolulu City Council is considering whether to approve Christopher Magnus, a veteran former police chief as the latest addition to the city’s police oversight board. Civil Beat.

Oahu drivers brace for 5-year Nimitz Highway lane closures for City Rail Project. Starting on Monday, Aug. 18, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation will close one lane in each direction on Nimitz Hwy between ‘Awa and Bishop St. KITV4.

City struggles to keep up with stream maintenance. The city Department of Facility Maintenance is under pressure to clear vegetation and other debris from nearly 100 city-owned and privately-owned waterways that flow across Oahu to protect the environment and prevent flooding. Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay development moving ahead with construction. A project to add new resort homes on Oʻahu's North Shore is moving forward after some lengthy delays. The developer Areté Collective said it's working with the community on its next steps. Hawaii Public Radio.

Aloha Stadium district developer leading project got start carpeting homes. Local real estate developer Stanford Carr expects to sign initial state contracts this week to deliver an estimated $5 billion to $6 billion project far dwarfing anything he has ever produced. The plan to create a mixed-use community anchored by a new stadium on 98 acres of state land in Halawa is a huge endeavor for the 63-year-old Carr, who was born and raised on Maui and got into part of the industry in 1982, when he became a self-employed flooring contractor at age 20 after deciding not to become a doctor. Star-Advertiser.

Suspect arrested in Chinatown acid attack. On Sunday, the Honolulu Police Department said that Marquis Johnson turned himself in at around 5:35 p.m. Johnson allegedly threw acid at a 30-year-old man in Chinatown on Friday, Aug. 8. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

STVRs law goes into effect soon. New regulations for short-term vacation rentals in Hawaii County are set to take effect in December, following passage of a bill that drew passionate debate from residents, property owners and housing advocates. Tribune-Herald.

Round 2 for Pohakuloa Training Area resolution. The Hawaii County Council is set to resume discussions Tuesday about a resolution urging the state to call for an immediate end to “bombing and desecration activities” at the Pohakuloa Training Area, citing environmental damage, wildfire risk and impacts to Native Hawaiian cultural rights. Tribune-Herald.

HPD clarifies concealed carry permit process at meeting. About two dozen individuals were present but just one testified Thursday during a public hearing in Hilo about proposed changes in the Hawaii Police Department’s rules for issuing licenses for concealed carry of handguns in Hawaii County. Tribune-Herald.

Maunakea Authority seeks community guidance. The first meeting of the year took place Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Na‘alehu Community Center. Tribune-Herald. 

Nurses at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community College ratify new contract. A possible 3-day nurses’ strike at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea — originally scheduled to begin today — was averted during the weekend with a vote on a new contract by hospital neurses. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi County wants to know what's important to the island's community. The Laulima Community Survey is open to all residents of Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nonprofit purchases 3 acres in Volcano to grow cat sanctuary now helping only kittens. Erin Young last year started the nonprofit Volcano Cat Sanctuary, where she currently houses 15 cats on her property in Puna and has placed 15 other felines in foster homes. Big Island Now.

Maui

Suspect in Maui police officer’s killing had extensive criminal record. Clembert Kaneholani, the 38-year-old man who Maui police said fatally shot an officer on Friday night in Paia has a long criminal record and is being held without bail. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui police officer served with ‘courage, honor and dedication’.  Maui is mourning the loss of police officer Suzanne O, who was fatally shot Friday night while responding to a terroristic threatening incident in Paia. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

First-time homebuyer program most popular among Maui fire survivors seeking aid from $1.6 billion federal grant. Maui County launched a program last week to give fire survivors up to $600,000 to buy a new home. Maui Now.

Over 100 acres in Kula will be a native forest someday. It all starts with a nursery. Two large hoop houses stand in a grassy pasture in Kula that will one day be a native forest. The 60-foot-long structures will grow tens of thousands of native plants. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mahi Pono’s summer interns propagate plants to support Lahaina wildfire recovery. As part of its ongoing commitment to support the recovery of Lahaina, Mahi Pono is working alongside the community to help restore cultural connections.  Maui News.

Kauai

Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission plans public hearing for proposed Puhi Sewer & Water rate hikes. Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission scheduled a public hearing next week on Kaua’i to gather community input about an Aqua Puhi — doing business as Puhi Sewer & Water Company — application for proposed rate increases, revised rate schedules and changes to its tariff, which are the company’s regulated rules and policies. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee details visit to Kauaʻi. Members of the Hawai‘i Senate Ways and Means Committee — including Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau lawmaker Senate President Ronald Kouchi — spent 2 days this week on the Garden Isle for a whirlwind tour for discussions and meetings with officials with various government agencies and community leaders. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Hawaii involved in 27 lawsuits against Trump administration, new chief economist named, gang activity in Honolulu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii involved in 27 lawsuits against Trump administration. Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez said Thursday that Hawaii is now involved in 27 lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration. Lopez said her office is fighting against attempts to “control states’ rights,” including birthright citizenship issues and spending cuts to universities and nonprofit organizations. Hawaii News Now.

State introduces its new chief economist. The state has hired a new chief economist following the retirement of Eugene Tian at the end of May. Seth Colby recently succeeded Tian, and is now the fourth chief economist in state history. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Youth basketball coach gets 33 years in sex abuse case. Senior U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright sentenced Dwayne Yuen, 52, who coached thousands of girls and boys over a 17-year career, to spend 405 months behind bars, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and he must register as a sex offender. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. Aloha State Daily. 

‘Ready To Die Boys?’ Multiple Oʻahu Shootings Linked To Gang. Prosecutors have attributed two deadly shootings on Oʻahu’s Westside in 2023 as well as another in May — the result of a botched murder-for-hire plot — to a gang called the “Shark Boys.” Civil Beat.

Police identify suspect in Chinatown acid attack. The Honolulu Police Department has identified the suspect in last Friday’s acid attack in Chinatown. Police say Marquis Johnson, 34, was the man who allegedly attacked a 30-year-old on Friday, Aug. 8, at around 11:40 p.m. near the intersection of Hotel and Smith streets. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Illegal game room raid in Waipahu leads to two arrests. HPD officers from the Narcotics Vice Division executed a search warrant at an illegal gambling room on Lumiauau St. in Waipahu. During the search, police officers discovered 16 gambling machines and $2,837 in cash. KITV4.

LGBTQ+ community raises concerns over federal rollbacks of funding and rights. Members of Hawaii’s LGBTQ+ community say they’ve made big strides in recent years. But they’re now concerned and alarmed that many of those strides are being walked back. It wouldn’t necessarily mean that such unions in Hawaii would become illegal. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

UH Hilo has a role in massive AI project. The University of Hawaii Hilo announced Thursday it has received a $1.4 million to support advancement of science through the use of artificial intelligence. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

COVID-19 outbreak hits Hilo nursing home. Hilo Benioff Medical Center’s nursing home currently has 10 residents and five staff that tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week. Star-Advertiser.

BOE to hold public meetings next week in Hawaii County. The Hawaii State Board of Education is holding a series of community engagement meetings across the state so the public can engage with board members and Department of Education staff about the early childhood workforce. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Honuaʻula continues to stir controversy over South Maui’s future development. Maui County Council’s 5-4 vote to finalize amendments to the Honuaʻula master-planned community project has reignited a debate over the project’s long-term impacts on South Maui. Maui Now.

$140M Maui Strong Fund marks 2 years of recovery work. Two years after wildfires swept through Maui in August 2023, the Hawaii Community Foundation released its Maui Strong Fund Two-Year Impact Report, providing a detailed account of donations, grants and recovery programs, while noting the continuing challenges for residents. Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

$1M gift expands scholarships for Maui nursing students. The Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Charitable Trust has awarded an additional $1 million, building on its initial $2 million gift, to the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College to expand scholarships for nursing students – helping more Maui residents pursue careers in healthcare at a time when the island faces a critical nursing shortage. Maui Now.

Kauai

Three new postmasters chosen to serve Kaua’i post offices. The appointments were made around the United States Postal Service’s 250th anniversary on July 26. On Kauaʻi, the first federal post office was established in Nāwiliwili in 1852, according to the Post Office in Paradise. Kauai Now.

Garden Island Orchid Society hosts Fall orchid show and sale this weekend. The Garden Island Orchid Society opens the doors to its fall show and sale today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ social hall, located adjacent to the Hanapepe Public Library. Garden Island.