Cruise ship industry sues over visitor green fee, state legislators call for special session on immigration enforcement, state working to improve tsunami protocols, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Cruise Ship Industry Sues To Scuttle Hawaiʻi’s New Visitor Green Fee. Ship passengers will soon to start paying the same visitor tax as hotel guests to help cover the conservation fee — unless the cruise lines can stop it in court. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi legislators call for a special session to address immigration enforcement. Senate and House leadership have not released any information about a special session. But it did block off several dates throughout the year if needed. One was this week. The next is at the end of September, and the third is in mid-November. Hawaii Public Radio.

New HTA advisory board under pressure to regain public trust. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advisory board — composed of eight new members and four returning ones — met Thursday with the hope of achieving a paradigm shift that proves its trustworthiness to manage state tourism and the tens of millions of dollars of public money that funds it. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

State working to improve tsunami reaction protocol. Deficiencies in managing the tsunami threat to Hawaii last month are leading to planned improvements that include manual traffic intersection management, fewer broken warning sirens and safety information websites that don’t crash under high demand. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Electrifying vehicles is key to the Hawaiʻi DOT's climate roadmap. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is finalizing a climate roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. About half of the state's total emissions come from the transportation sector. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi-grown foods like ʻulu and kalo are on the menu at public schools. The state Department of Education has updated its school breakfast and lunch menus to offer more locally sourced foods such as ʻulu, kalo, ʻuala, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Aloha Stadium teardown expected to take 12 months. The Aloha Stadium Authority has secured the necessary permits from the City and County of Honolulu to start work on dismantling the old stadium in Halawa, but the stadium board chair said it will likely be “early in the new year” before the public starts to notice large pieces of the old facility being torn down. Star-Advertiser.

Next phase of Hawaiian homestead houses in Kapolei awarded. More than 100 state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries are set to become homeowners in Kapolei early next year after a lottery Saturday. Star-Advertiser.

Law to streamline affordable housing leads to power struggle over Kapolei project. The Laulima Affordables rental project just west of the Kapolei Commons shopping center is caught in the middle of the dispute. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu road deaths in 2025 now surpass all of 2024. The City is pleading with the public to be safer on Honolulu roads — they say 55 people have died so far on Oahu, surpassing 2024’s total of 54. KHON2.

Why HPD Has A Major Morale Problem, According To Staff. Officers and civilians want to make sure their voices are heard throughout the selection process for a new chief. Civil Beat.

Man who received $12.5M city settlement sentenced on gun, drug offenses. Just a year and a half after receiving a multimillion-dollar payment from the city, Jonaven Perkins-Sinapati will spend 10 years in federal prison. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Residents push back on Puna Geothermal Venture during upgrade project. The company’s Repower Project has equipment upgrades and increased power generation. It has 12 generating units that are more than 30 years old, and the plan is to install three larger generating units and decommission the old ones. Hawaii News Now.

County to proceed with plans for old Hilo hospital site. The project, located at 34 Rainbow Drive in Hilo, is a key part of the county Office of Housing and Community Development’s effort to create a resource hub focused on housing stabilization, workforce readiness and behavioral health services. Tribune-Herald.

Convent repurposed into housing for homeless kupuna. Ten elders without housing are expected to move into the bright and airy single-story North Hawaii home in October, according to representatives of HOPE Services Hawaii and their partner for the housing project, Honoka‘a’s historic Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Hawaiʻi County, HALE O Hawaiʻi partner to deliver affordable homeownership. The handover ceremony and celebration Aug. 22 marked a milestone in a partnership between HALE O Hawaiʻi Community Land Trust and Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development, advancing an innovative land trust model to keep homes affordable for generations to come. Big Island Now.

Puna Beach Park To Close For Pohoiki Boat Ramp Dredging. Isaac Hale Beach Park will be closed until further notice starting September 2 to support public safety efforts during crane dredging operations. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Police: Multiple people injured in Kalapana affray. Police are investigating an affray Sunday evening in Kalapana that resulted in multiple stabbings. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Procession and memorial service to honor Officer Suzanne O. The Maui Police Department, in partnership with the family of Officer Suzanne O, will hold a procession and memorial service honoring her life and service on Friday, Aug. 29. Maui News. Maui Now.

South Maui beach parking zones get Maui Council nod; first priority for residents. Maui County Council members unanimously gave initial approval Tuesday to a measure that would establish paid parking zones at South Maui beach parks, a move to give residents first priority access to some of the island’s most popular beaches. Maui Now.

Maui DWS to use backup water for Upcountry system starting in early September. County to supplement Upcountry water supply due to drought conditions. In September, the Maui County Department of Water Supply is planning to supplement water delivery to the Upcountry area, which has been plagued by ongoing drought conditions. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Lahaina fire survivor is arrested by ICE. A Lahaina man who lost his home and business in the fatal Lahaina wildfires was arrested by federal agents on the two-year anniversary of the disaster for an alleged violation of U.S. immigration law. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kauaʻi lawmakers consider regulations on e-bikes. The Kauaʻi County Council’s Bill 2972 would require minors to wear helmets while using e-bikes, or electric bicycles. It would also effectively ban bike tricks like wheelies, along with riding in a “hazardous manner” — such as driving with more than one person. Hawaii Public Radio.

Total visitor arrivals, spending in July increases in Kauaʻi, decreases statewide. There were 143,289 visitors to Kauaʻi in July 2025, an increase of 5.6% from the 135,740 visitors in July 2024 and a 3% increase from the 139,157 visitors in July 2019. Kauai Now.

Sunday road closures for Kauai Marathons. The 2025 Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, starting at 6:00 a.m. The racecourse will impact Koloa, Poipu, Lawai, and Kalaheo, with a combination of lane closures, full road closures, and partial restrictions between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Mail-in voting, elections chief in commission crosshairs; Honolulu cop runs red light, hits moped; first detection of measles in state wastewater, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elections Commission Panel Calls For A Shakeup In How Hawaiʻi Votes. The subcommittee wants to end all-mail elections and fire Elections Chief Scott Nago, but it’s unclear whether it has the votes to do either. Civil Beat.

Tariffs tap the brakes on Hawaii auto sales, report shows.  Rising tariffs and trade policy uncertainty have shaken Hawaii’s auto market, contributing to a 3.3% drop in new car and light truck registrations in the state during the first half of 2025 compared to a year earlier, according to a recent report from the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Council program seeks to lower energy costs for DHHL households. A new initiative from the Hawaiian Council — formerly the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement — wants to help local households reduce their energy costs, which are already some of the highest in the nation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Oahu residents push for better tourism management. The overwhelming majority of Oahu community members attending a virtual community input session held Wednesday by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority as part of its tourism management planning efforts said the island’s top economic driver is negatively affecting their daily lives. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Offers $7,500 For Firefighters Covid Hazard Pay. They Want More. More than three years after the last pandemic emergency order, firefighters are still negotiating their hazard payments with the city. Civil Beat.

HPD: Officer runs red light, hits moped rider in Ala Moana area. A 25-year-old man was seriously injured after a Honolulu police officer collided with his moped at an intersection in the Ala Moana area, police said. Star-Advertiser.

 Ex-HPD officer gets 23 years in underage sex case. A former Honolulu police officer who used his ex­-girlfriend’s daughters to make child pornography and recruit underage prostitutes will spend 23 years in federal prison. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Man, 70, charged with arson in connection with Kunia wildfire. Antonio Vierra, 70, was charged on suspicion of second-degree arson in connection with a fire that sparked Aug. 23 near the area of Kunia Road and Leia Street. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Recent safety enhancements and current needs remain large focus after fireworks tragedy. Approaching September, local officials continue working on enhancing community safety. Preventing future fireworks disasters is among the largest priorities. KITV4.

City, state closer to condemning Wahiawa property known for illegal activity. A homeless man was killed Sunday after being attacked by a pack of dogs at an encampment in Wahiawa. Hawaii News Now.

UH Stan Sheriff Center gets updated name under Bank of Hawaiʻi deal. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s sports dome will now be known as Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Hawaii Public Radio.

Shortage Of Swim Lessons Leaves Honolulu Parents Scrambling. Nonprofits are expanding efforts to reach more low-income kids, but a shortage of funding and pool space means not enough swim classes to meet the demand — even for families with money and time to spare. Civil Beat.

Struggling And Lost On Oʻahu’s Streets, Woman Says Yes To Help. A psychiatrist set out to find a 33-year-old Hilo woman who battles homelessness and addiction after a failed medical intervention. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Draft ordinance proposes special district for Pahoa town. Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz will introduce a draft ordinance that would establish a new Downtown Pahoa Commercial District, with goals to support economic development, preserve cultural heritage, and update land use regulations in the area. Tribune-Herald.

‘A hero to many’: Longtime Big Isle judge Greg Nakamura dies at 72. After serving as a clerk to retired Hilo Circuit Judge Ernest Kubota, Nakamura was a civil litigator before devoting nearly three decades to the bench. Tribune-Herald.

Measles detected in West Hawaii wastewater, health officials say. Health officials said in a news release today that the sample was collected Aug. 11 from a site in West Hawaii County and is the first wastewater detection of measles in the state. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. KITV4. 

Keāhole Ag Park Green Waste Fumigated For CRB. A multi-agency response to detections of coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) included the mass fumigation and removal of suspected breeding sites. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaii Island mother stirs up discussion over long-standing classroom practice. A Hawaii Island mother is revisiting the debate over a long-standing practice in public school classrooms: the daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Council postpones vote on Waiehu housing project after debate over public input. After a lengthy debate over process and public input, the Maui County Council delayed action Tuesday on a resolution that would grant exemptions and modifications to the Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua affordable housing project in Waiehu. Maui Now.

Kapalua golf courses to temporarily close to restore grass in attempt to save The Sentry tournament on Maui. Right now, the Maui golf course that hosts the PGA Tour’s prestigious season opener every January for the past 27 years is unplayable at the elite level. Severe water restrictions in West Maui have resulted in brown fairways and dying grass on the greens. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court rules against state land board in case involving seed research operations on Kauaʻi. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court has ruled that the state Board of Land and Natural Resources must complete a full environmental assessment before allowing seed research operations to proceed on conservation land in Kekaha. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Wailua Marina back to normal after spill. Smith’s Kauai employees on Wednesday utilized a crane and scoop nets to remove vegetative debris contaminated with oil from an oil spill. Garden Island.

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.