Booking.com fights $20M Hawaii GET tax bill, Native Hawaiian convention sparks federal recognition debate, $1B budget for Honolulu Rail, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Online travel agency could owe state $20 million in GET. Lawsuit by Booking.com against the Hawai‘i Department of Taxation going to state Supreme Court. The Hawai‘i Supreme Court will hear a case that could leave online travel agency Booking.com owing the state nearly $20 million in taxes. Aloha State Daily.

Pacific climate hub shutters due to lapse in federal funding. After waiting months for federal funding to materialize, the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center had to officially close its doors last week. For over a decade, the center supported local researchers working to understand Hawaiʻi's climate — and how it's changing.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Can Hawaiʻi Turn Around Another Deadly Year On The Roads? An executive order emphasizes enforcement and safety education, but data shows infrastructure is also a major factor in many fatal accidents. Civil Beat.

Native Hawaiian Convention held on tribal lands sparks federal recognition debate.  More than 1,300 attendees from 37 states and countries are participating in the Hawaiian Council’s 24th annual convention, which is the largest annual gathering of Native Hawaiians. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Lawmakers to consider compassionate release measures for Hawaiʻi inmates. Hawaiʻi is the only state in the nation that does not have a compassionate release law, which allows inmates to be considered for release from prison for medical reasons. Hawaii Public Radio.

Interest-free payment options available to electric customers affected by government shutdown. Hawaiian Electric customers experiencing financial hardship because of the ongoing federal government shutdown might be eligible for interest-free monthly installment plans for their electric bills. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Half Of UH Students Struggle To Get Food. For students at the University of Hawaiʻi, skipping a meal or going hungry isn’t uncommon, according to new data. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Libraries Mark Banned Books Week With “Freedom To Read” Initiative. The state librarian says the new guidelines help people avoid any confusion that the library is banning books. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. 

Leadership program graduates most diverse class. The most diverse graduating class in the Hawaii Carpenters Union’s fourth group — inspired by one another’s commitments to their communities — included two sitting Honolulu City Council members, a Maui County Council member and others who may want to pursue their own political careers or just advocate for their causes. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HART sees $1.07B total budget next year. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027 will total nearly $1.07 billion — 9.5% above the agency’s current total budget of $968.3 million adopted in June, rail officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police targeting game rooms, keeping them closed. Honolulu police are cracking down on illegal game rooms with a new strategy that is showing big results. KHON2.

City rolls out tool to help residents calculate sewer bills. Officials with Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services are urging residents to use less water to save on sewer bills. Hawaii News Now.

Man Shot By Police Was Undergoing Court-Ordered Mental Health Treatment. Sonny Siofele, who was shot by Honolulu police outside The Queen’s Medical Center last week, had struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues for decades, according to a July report from his probation officer. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council weighs in on ICE. A resolution affirming Hawaii County’s commitment to constitutional rights, multiculturalism and protections for immigrants advanced Tuesday after the County Council’s Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs voted unanimously to send the measure to the full council. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed Hilo housing project gets favorable recommendation. After years of delays, the Kaiaulu O Kapiolani affordable housing project in Hilo received a crucial boost Tuesday when the Hawaii County Council’s Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee recommended adoption of a five-year extension — pushing the construction deadline to March 2031 — to keep the development on track. Tribune-Herald.

Mumps case prompts closure of Kailua-Kona park for sanitation. The County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation will temporarily close the park in Kailua-Kona to sanitize contact surfaces on Wednesday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Maui

Maui County Council to hear presentations from experts on climate change. The Maui County Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee will hear three presentations on climate change at 9 a.m. Thursday in the Council Chamber and online, according to Maui County councilmember and committee chair Gabe Johnson. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Maui County Board of Ethics meeting canceled. Citing technical issues with the distribution of the meeting’s agenda, the Maui County Board of Ethics has canceled its meeting scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Maui News.

Kauai

Chan Zuckerberg donates $1 million to support education, housing, culture on Kauaʻi. The Chan Zuckerberg Kaua‘i Community Fund recently donated $1 million in unrestricted funding to 25 nonprofits across the Garden Isle. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Humane Society welcomes new chief executive officer into the pack. Kaua‘i Humane Society announces the appointment of Susan Rhee as its new chief executive officer. Kauai Now.

McKenna apologizes for 'misinterpreting' Kealoha payoff court case, seabed mining threatens sharks and rays, community-acquired mumps case confirmed in Kona, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Apologizes For ‘Misinterpreting’ Case. The opinion, issued a week ago Tuesday by Sabrina McKenna one day before she took over as acting chief justice, dealt with the case of three former Honolulu officials who faced felony charges related to a $250,000 retirement payout quietly granted to disgraced police Chief Louis Kealoha. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Library Association promotes ‘Freedom to Read’. The Hawaii Library Association, in partnership with the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, is marking Banned Books Week 2025 with a campaign celebrating the “Freedom to Read” and highlighting why access to diverse stories remains essential for Hawaii’s communities. Star-Advertiser.

What the push for seabed mining could mean for marine life in the Pacific. A team of Hawaiʻi researchers is raising the alarm over the impacts of deep-sea mining on aquatic life. Their new scientific study points to a concerning overlap between the habitats of sharks and rays and proposed commercial mining activities. Hawaii Public Radio.

Cuts to U.S. Geological Survey division to affect Hawaii research. Though few may have heard of it, the U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area has for decades worked on conservation science behind the scenes. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu Democrats looking for candidates to fill Senate seat. The Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Oʻahu County Committee is looking for candidates in the Pearl City-Waipahu area to fill the soon-to-be vacant state senate District 19 seat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Home sales on Oahu surged in September. Sales of previously owned residences on the island surged 27.2% for single-family homes — to 276 last month from 217 a year earlier — while condominium transactions jumped 11.5% to 408 from 366 in the same period, according to data released Monday by the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor bicycle path segment completed, city says. The city Department of Transportation Services announced that a $2.5 million project involving the first renovated segment of the more than 10-mile Pearl Harbor Historic Trail bike path recently ended near Kamehameha Highway in Aiea. Star-Advertiser.

New Food Hub initiative at Skyline stations. The City and County of Honolulu is continuing to look for ways to improve Skyline, with their new initiative, Food Hubs at Skyline Stations. KHON2.

Amazon to offer next-day delivery on Oʻahu. It's been a little over a year since Amazon opened its delivery station near Honolulu Harbor, hiring some 500 people to staff it. Hawaii Public Radio.

Police crack down on illegal use of e-bike, e-dirt bikes. Honolulu Police Department officers worked in Ewa and Kapolei to address the illegal use of electric bikes and electric dirt bikes. Hawaii News Now.

Oʻahu Patients Hobble Up Stairs To Doctor’s Office. Patients have been without an elevator at Liliha Medical Building for months. Civil Beat.

Beloved Hawaii business survives costly embezzlement. Dave Leong, owner of Hawaii’s beloved Dave’s Ice Cream, is sharing his story of financial devastation after he said his trusted bookkeeper embezzled from his accounts and saddled him with massive tax problems. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

HTA hears feedback for tourism plan during Hilo meeting. About 20 community members joined Hawaii Tourism Authority officials on Thursday night in Hilo for a two-hour meeting to brainstorm about areas for improvement across multiple sectors of Hawaii Island tourism as part of the development of the island’s Destination Management Action Plan. Tribune-Herald.

Can This West Hawaiʻi Coral Reef Be Saved From Sewage Runoff? Cesspools in the Kohala Coast community of Puakō have been leaking into the ocean for years. So residents came up with a plan. Civil Beat.

DOH confirms community-acquired mumps case on Hawaii Island. Health officials said this case is community-acquired, and not travel-related, suggesting that mumps may currently be circulating on the island.  The ndividual attended an event at Harold H. Higashihara Park in Kailua-Kona from 4:30 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 25. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

TV star and comedian sells macadamia nut farm on Hawaii Island for $2.6M. The sale for television star and comedian Roseanne Barr’s macadamia nut farm in Honokaa just closed for a $2.6 million. Hawaii News Now. 

Funds eyed to make road near Pahoa school safer. The Hawaii County Council’s Committee on Finance is set to consider legislation Wednesday that would add more than $2.6 million in funding for a pair of pedestrian safety projects near Keonepoko Elementary School in Pahoa. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Dark Money Group Blankets Maui In Ads To Influence Vacation Rental Bill. For months, a Washington, D.C.-based group called Progress Action has been spending thousands of dollars to inundate Maui residents with radio and online advertisements warning that Mayor Richard Bissen’s plan to phase out about half the island’s short-term rentals would be “a failure and a mistake.” Civil Beat.

Maui council looks at ways to conserve water including temporary pool ban. Severe drought is forcing Maui County officials to make tough choices about water usage. KHON2.

Lahaina businesses took a ‘backseat’ in fire recovery. Now the focus is turning to rebuilding Front Street. Last week, Maui County released design options that include keeping the once-bustling Front Street as a two-lane road and purchasing makai properties to develop a more connected waterfront. The designs are open for public comment through Friday. Maui Now.

Enrollment up 7.3% at University of Hawaii Maui College. Enrollment at the University of Hawaii Maui College increased by 7.3% this fall compared to the previous year. Maui News.

 Mokulele Air could be hit due to government shutdown cutting off residents from essential services. Federal funding for the airline could be paused as soon as next Monday if the shutdown continues, threatening jobs, healthcare and other essential services. KHON2.

Kauai

Trees get a voice before the Council. The trees on Poipu Road will be on the agenda of the Oct. 15 Kauai County Council meeting, according to Council Chair Mel Rapozo. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Bus launches Open Payments with Masabi. Riders now have a contactless option to pay for trips by tapping a credit or debit card or mobile wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay on any Kauaʻi Bus. Kauai Now.

US Department of Energy cuts funding for Kauaʻi's grid, electric vehicles. The Hawaiʻi State Energy Office oversees the awards, including two grants that total $18 million for technology to keep Kauaʻi’s electric grid stable as it brings online more intermittent energy resources like solar. Hawaii Public Radio.

UH enrollment reaches 8-year high, Honolulu council mulls Skyline extention to colleges, state ranks first in access to mental health care, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

University of Hawaii enrollment hits 8-year high with 51,400 students. Enrollment across the University of Hawaii’s 10 campuses climbed to 51,411 students this fall, the system’s highest total in eight years and a 2% increase over 2024, according to new figures released Sunday. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Native Hawaiian Convention: Federal cuts, shutdown elicit a call for unity. The economic pressures of living in Hawaii are mounting, so much so that more than 50% of Native Hawaiians are now living outside of the state. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Tourism industry deepening ties to film industry. Hawaii tourism officials are looking to harness the power of film to put a spotlight on Hawaii as a visitor destination, while creating a more authentic understanding of the islands and providing employment for local residents. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi ranked No. 1 in nation for affordability of mental health care in new report. Hawaii is among the best states in the nation for mental health, according to a new national report that praised the state’s affordability of care, youth well-being and access to providers, while also highlighting areas that still need improvement. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Wespac moves toward reopening Pacific monument to commercial fishing. Members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, or Wespac, voted Sept. 17 to move toward allowing commercial fishing within four marine national monuments, including Papahanau­mokuakea and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

 Honolulu Investigator Accused Of Witness Tampering Has Been Reinstated. The prosecutor’s office halted the investigation into one of its own employees, blaming a paperwork issue. Now he’s back at work.  Civil Beat.

Proposed Skyline extension to UH spurs debate. A legislative push by the Honolulu City Council to see the city’s more than $10-billion Skyline potentially extend to the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa or to West Oahu destinations near Ko Olina resort is ongoing. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Permit Director Blames Delays In New System On Growing Pains. New technology has not yet been able to “accelerate everything” as the mayor promised, but the permitting director is urging people to keep the faith. Civil Beat.

Aloha Stadium swap meet site being swapped. An outdoor retail marketplace that’s been a fixture around Aloha Stadium for 46 years is about to move to a new and largely improved location. Star-Advertiser.

Competency hearing set for Pearl City woman who threatened Biden, Trump. Rebecca Ann Folley, 48, who is also known as Becca Waters, was charged by federal criminal complaint April 2 with one count of making threats against the president and one count of making illegal interstate communications. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Were Told Of Miske’s Suicidal Thoughts. The convicted crime boss died in 2024 while awaiting sentencing. The nature of his death remains unresolved. Civil Beat.

Rainbow Tours helicopter makes precautionary landing in Kapiolani Park. Lacrosse players at Kapiolani Park encountered an unusual sight at around 8 a.m. Sunday morning, after a tour helicopter landed nearby. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Sentencing delayed for culprits in county housing credits fraud. Attorney Gary Charles Zamber was to have been sentenced Tuesday and businessman Rajesh P. Budhabhatti on Wednesday, while attorney Paul J. Sulla Jr. was to have been sentenced on Oct. 21.  Sentencing for Alan Scott Rudo — a former housing specialist in the county Office of Housing and Community Development from 2006 to 2018 who testified against the three in their trial — is now set for Nov. 19. Tribune-Herald.

Man who murdered UH-Hilo student in 1978 granted parole. Steven Ray Simpson was convicted for the death of University of Hawaii at Hilo student Mary Catherine Drapp, 24, whose body was found Dec. 11, 1978, in tall grass in Fern Forest in Puna. Star-Advertiser.

Council to mull proposed Hilo housing development near police station. The Hawaii County Council’s Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee will hear a presentation Tuesday at 11 a.m. about a request to extend the construction deadline for a 64-unit affordable housing development in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Kona Sewer Project Begins October 15. The $6.4 million Hale Hālāwai Force Main Replacement Project – required under Hawaiʻi County’s Administrative Order on Consent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – will be conducted in five phases, the County of Hawaiʻi reports. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Council committee advances bills for acquisition of Wailuku Executive Center, expansion of Kula Ag Park. The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee has recommended full Council approval of bills to acquire a new building for the Department of Prosecuting Attorney and to re-appropriate funds for phase one expansion of the Kula Agricultural Park.  Maui Now.

First neighbor island kauhale preparing to open on Maui. The state is preparing to welcome the first of at least 64 homeless people into Hawaii’s first neighbor island “kauhale” starting Oct. 20, as Gov. Josh Green’s vision of these tiny-home enclaves for those in need expands across the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Master Plan complete for restoration, reconstruction of eight Lahaina historic landmarks. The Lahaina Restoration Foundation announced the completion of the Historic Building Restoration Master Plan, a comprehensive roadmap for the restoration and reconstruction of eight of Lahaina’s most significant historic landmarks. Maui Now.

Volunteer-made firebreaks above Lahainaluna High bring safety and peace of mind. West Maui residents, neighbors and families recently got their hands dirty to protect something special to them: Lahainaluna High School. Hawaii Public Radio.

Historic return of Maui County Fair draws 30,000 fair entrants on opening night. An estimate 30,000 people attended the 98th Maui County Fair on Thursday’s opening day, according to fair organizers. The historic return of the Maui County Fair kicked off festivities with the traditional parade up Kaʻahumanu Avenue.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative funding in jeopardy. KIUC has been notified that federal grants for two projects that would have boosted electric grid reliability and reduced Kauai’s vulnerability to supply-chain issues and foreign oil pricing may have been canceled. KIUC was positioned to receive $18.2 million in federal assistance toward the $35.8 million cost of the combined two projects. Garden Island.

Renowned Kauai kumu hula dies from cancer. Leināʻala Pavao-Jardin, a beloved Kauaiʻi kumu hula, has died at 51 after her battle with cancer. KITV4. Kauai Now. 

Supreme Court to consider overturning Hawaii gun ban, FEMA scales back housing for Maui fire victims, $126M for nonprofits at risk, arguments conclude over proposed shipping increase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Supreme Court will consider overturning Hawaii’s strict ban on guns on private property. The Supreme Court said on Friday that it will take up its latest gun rights case and consider striking down strict regulations on where people can carry firearms in Hawaii.  The court will consider Hawaii’s restriction banning guns on private property unless the owner has specifically allowed them.  Associated Press.

Arguments wrap up over steep increase in regulated interisland shipping rates. A quasi-judicial hearing over a proposed 27% hike for regulated interisland ocean cargo rates ended Thursday after four days of witness testimony, tough questions and sometimes contentious arguments. The state Public Utilities Commission will render a decision, anticipated by the end of the year, on how much of an increase should be granted Young Brothers LLC. Star-Advertiser.

Investigation Clears State Utility Official In Toxic Workplace Case. The state agency announcing the findings provided few details about the case, saying only that 5 of 20 issues related to the allegations against the PUC’s chief of policy and research Randy Baldemor had been partially substantiated but were not “considered to be determinative of the overall claim or issue.” Civil Beat.

$126M for Hawaii’s nonprofits at risk. A new analysis released Thursday by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization and the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) lays out the risks in stark terms: 74 federal grants to 59 Hawaii nonprofits — totaling $126 million in unpaid balances — are politically vulnerable. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. Aloha State Daily. 

Threat to federal workforce 'unlike anything we've seen before,' Rep. Tokuda says. About 24,000 civilian federal employees and 47,000 active duty military servicemembers in Hawaiʻi have been impacted by the federal government shutdown. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi air travel expected to continue with minimal disruption despite federal shutdown. Despite the federal government shutdown, travelers heading to the Hawaiian Islands are advised not to cancel or postpone their plans, as most tourism-related services will continue operating with little to no disruption. Big Island Now.

Unionized Kaiser workers prepare for possible strike after contract expires. UNITE HERE Local 5 members voted overwhelmingly last week to authorize a strike, meaning union leaders now have the ability to call a strike at any time. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu police shoot, kill felon, 50, who pointed revolver at officers. A 50-year-old felon was shot and killed by police Thursday morning after he pulled a revolver out of his waistband and pointed it at two Honolulu Police Department officers on Punchbowl Street, according to Interim Police Chief Rade K. Vanic. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Waiʻanae Goes All In With New $17M Facility To Boost Food Security. A 15-acre campus is expected to include a food bank, fruit trees, community kitchen, wastewater treatment center and more. Civil Beat.

Foster Home Abuses Were Secret For Years. A Lawsuit Exposed Them. The foster sons of John Teixeira had told almost no one about the abuse they suffered in his household. Then they started to talk. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island 

Kona woman pleads not guilty to coffee fraud. Patricia Johnson pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal criminal charges accusing her of making more than $5.2 million selling “100% Kona coffee” that was actually from foreign countries and bought in California and Washington. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii real estate investor denies improper use of Shohei Ohtani’s likeness in lawsuit. Ohtani and Nez Balelo of CAA Baseball were sued Aug. 8 in Hawaii Circuit Court for the First Circuit by developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr., real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto, West Point Investment Corp. and Hapuna Estates Property Owners over a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island’s coveted Hapuna Coast.  Associated Press.

Funding released to expand E.B. DeSilva school. The release of over $2 million in construction funding for Hilo’s Ernest Bowen DeSilva Elementary School will allow it to build more classrooms to better accommodate students. Tribune-Herald.

UH Hilo Opens Veterans Student Services Resource Center. The new space, dedicated to veterans for networking and accessing support, was recently blessed at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Big Island Video News.

Maui

FEMA Scales Back Direct Lease Housing For Maui Fire Survivors. Citing no more unmet needs, the agency canceled $2 million worth of contracts with a company managing residential units leased from property owners.  Civil Beat.

Urban Design Review Board set to review Kahului Civic Center project Oct. 7. The Maui County Urban Design Review Board is scheduled Oct. 7 to review design plans for the proposed Kahului Civic Center mixed-use complex, a project that pairs more than 300 affordable rental apartments with a civic center featuring a wave-inspired roof design. Maui Now.

Kauai

Both Kaua‘i County Division of Motor Vehicles locations to close 1 day next week. The main Līhu‘e office and Kapa‘a satellite office will be shuttered Oct. 8 to accommodate staff training. Kauai Now.

‘Think pink’: Kaua‘i community urged to come together in solidarity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women encourages survivors, supporters and the community to come together in solidarity during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025, which began Oct. 1. Kauai Now.

Elections Commission seeks audit, return to same-day in-person voting; job cutbacks amid softening tourism; status unclear on federal parks in Hawaii, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elections Commission Wants State Auditor To Examine Hawaiʻi’s 2024 Vote. The commission also asked the Legislature to consider returning to one-day, in-person voting, and narrowly rejected firing chief election officer Scott Nago. Civil Beat.

‘Closely monitoring’ shutdown: Green’s office issues statement in wake of federal funding uncertainty. With a partial federal government shutdown in place and the Trump administration freezing $26 billion in federal funding for Democrat-run states, including Hawaii, the office of Gov. Josh Green says it is “closely monitoring the impacts … on our residents, workers and critical programs.” Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Tourism softening prompts job cuts and reduced hours for Hawaii workers. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported Tuesday that there were 806,776 total visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in August. The 2.6% decline from August 2024 was the second-worst arrivals drop of the year after July, when visitor arrivals dropped 4.4%. Star-Advertiser.

Trump freezes $26B in funding for Democratic-run states, including Hawaii. The targeted programs included $18 billion for transit projects in New York, home to Congress’s top two Democrats, and $8 billion for green-energy projects in 16 Democratic-run states, including Hawaii, California and Illinois.  Reuters.

Federal funding cuts trigger Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund activation. The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation announced it has activated its Hawaiʻi Resilience Fund in response to ongoing federal funding cuts to nonprofit organizations across the state. Maui Now.

Private funding keeps Hawaii’s historic sites open.  Despite a federal government shutdown that began Tuesday evening in Hawaii, the state’s most visited historic sites will remain open to the public. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Digital Navigator program launches at state libraries. Beginning this month, Hawaii residents will be able to sit down with trained “digital navigators” at public libraries for help with everyday technology skills, part of a new state initiative to expand digital literacy and bridge the digital divide.  Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Eyeing rooftop solar? Options are slim for the rest of 2025. The deadline to claim a major federal tax credit for rooftop solar is three months away. But for some Hawaiʻi residents, the window may have already closed. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Convicted Officials May Be Innocent, Hawaiʻi Chief Justice Suggests. Honolulu’s former top city attorney Donna Leong, managing director Roy Amemiya and Honolulu Police Commission Chair Max Sword may have an opening to get their criminal records thrown out, one legal expert says.  Civil Beat.

Council OKs Downtown Business Improvement District. Downtown Honolulu property owners will soon pay into a revamped special improvement district to boost public safety and economic revitalization in an area long known for crime, homelessness and closed businesses. Star-Advertiser.

City completes Dillingham Boulevard Bridge rehabilitation project ahead of schedule. The city’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) said the $1.5 million project finished two months ahead of schedule. Hawaii News Now.

OHA May Have Found A Way To Build Housing In Kakaʻako Makai. After years of failing to get building approval, the office may look to another Hawaiʻi government agency to jumpstart construction. Civil Beat.

Concerns raised as state approves use of ‘camera car’ to enforce parking at Ala Wai harbor.  A vehicle with a license plate reader  goes though the lots and figures out who’s been parked for longer than the six-hour limit. Hawaii News Now.

The Fallout: Life After Aging Out Of An Abusive Foster Home. The former foster sons of John Teixeira were left to find their way in the world. Some made it. Some did not. Civil Beat.

Stuck On A Honolulu Rail Platform? Let A Book Take You Somewhere. The city wants livelier rail stations. The library system wants more access to their books. Can a vending machine pilot project satisfy both goals? Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Woman charged for making millions off ‘100% Kona Coffee’ that was not pure. Patricia Johnson, aka “Trish,” was charged in a 24-count indictment Sept. 25 after she allegedly made more than $5.2 million selling “100% Kona coffee” that was actually sourced from South American beans bought in California and Washington. Johnson’s Kona Coffee Cafe on Alii Drive opened in the 1990s and purportedly sold “100% Kona Coffee” in drinks, coffee beans, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. Kona Coffee Cafe’s physical location is closed but its online business remains open, according to the company website. Star-Advertiser. 

How does the federal government shutdown affect Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park? Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will remain accessible to the public during the federal government shutdown, but some services may be limited or unavailable, officials with the National Park announced on Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Young Brothers shipment originally slated to arrive Oct. 2 at Hilo port delayed. Cargo destined for Hilo will be loaded on another barge departing today, with Young Brothers reporting in its promised update that the backup barge is expected to arrive Oct. 3 at the Port of Hilo. Big Island Now.

Maui

Lahaina Strong and Housing Back Hui Coalition urge Maui County Council to pass Bill 9 ‘clean’. Bill 9, which passed out of the Maui County Council Housing and Land Use Committee on July 24, 2025, would transition short-term vacation rental (STR) units in apartment-zoned districts—once homes for local families—back into the long-term housing pool for residents. Maui Now.

Lahaina’s Front Street to remain two lanes. A Maui County government consulting firm looking at ways to rebuild Lahaina after the 2023 wildfire has narrowed the field of discussion about redesigning Lahaina’s commercial district and eliminated turning Front Street into a mall or into a one-way thoroughfare. Maui News.

New Pā‘ia siren expected in late 2026, as recent emergencies show they’re no longer a ‘last resort’. The use of the sirens in the Pā‘ia fire and during the tsunami warning in July showed just how much the approach to sounding them has changed since the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.  Maui Now.

State selects Ku‘ia property for new King Kamehameha III Elementary. Gov. Josh Green’s office announced Wednesday that state and county officials have landed on the Ku’ia site below the Lahaina Bypass as they move forward with plans to rebuild the school destroyed in the 2023 Maui wildfires. Maui News. KITV4.

Kauai

EPA fines Grove Farm, Hawaii Gas for illegal cesspools on Kauai. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined the Grove Farm Company Inc. and The Gas Company more than $104,500 for operating illegal large-capacity cesspools in Lihue, Kauai. Garden Island.

24k federal civilian workers in Hawaii brace for shutdown, state Elections Commission divided over mail-in voting, Waikiki bank robber suspect arrested, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How the federal government shutdown impacts Hawaii. With 24,000 federal civilian workers in Hawaii, it is unclear how many and exactly what services could be impacted. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Mail-in vs in-person: State Elections Commission divided. The state elections commission is divided over mail-in versus in-person voting, with allegations of mishandled and miscounted ballots unresolved, and some calling for the voting director to lose his job. KHON2.

State funding beefs up project possibilities for Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. The council received 54 funding requests for various pest-related projects, beating the 19 received last year. The nearly $5.7 million HISC has available to distribute is also the most it's had in at least the last decade. Hawaii Public Radio.

Study: 3D-printed shelters by Hawaii scientists protect baby corals. University of Hawaii at Manoa scientists have just released results from more than a year long study on the key to restoring Hawaii’s coral populations. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Honolulu councilmembers urge more department coordination during emergencies. Honolulu councilmembers pushed the city Department of Emergency Management for more coordination and public awareness for evacuation plans following the July tsunami warning. Hawaii Public Radio.

Police arrest suspect in Waikiki bank robbery. 18 people treated at scene after man released pepper spray. Officials said the 66-year-old suspect turned himself in at the Kapolei Federal Building on Tuesday and he was arrested for robbery. Hawaii News Now.

Police praise surveillance camera pilot project for deterring break-ins. The six-month, $65,000 project involves trailers placed in areas of high criminal activity. Hawaii News Now.

Family Court Must Release Records In Isabella Kalua Child Abuse Death. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court on Tuesday broke with more than two decades of precedent to order the release of 975 pages showing how the 6-year-old was placed with parents now accused of killing her. Civil Beat.

‘You Take What You Can Get’: Hawaiʻi Brushed Off Signs Of Abuse At Foster Home. Some boys tried to warn about what was happening, but their reports were discounted or ignored. Civil Beat.

They Signed Up For Co-Living In Honolulu And Got A ‘Hell Hole’. Dozens of people have been living in a downtown office building without kitchens, air conditioning and proper ventilation. The landlord says he is working to address safety concerns and plans to convert the building to student housing. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Episode 34 eruption at Kīlauea sends lava fountains soaring. By early October 1, lava fountains had reached up to 330 feet high and were tilted slightly to the northeast.  KITV4.

Invasive species control efforts literally are paying off. Three biological control programs aimed at tackling invasive species in Hawaii are showing positive economic returns, with two delivering especially strong results, according to a recent economic analysis conducted by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii Island bus crash in Laupahoehoe sends 22 to hospital. The driver of a Hawaii County Hele-On bus that rolled down an embankment and overturned early Tuesday morning in Laupahoehoe has been relieved of his duties pending further investigation. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Police Department holds memorial service to honor K9 Archer. The Hawaii Police Department held a private memorial service on Tuesday to honor the life and service of K9 Archer, who died after being left unattended in a police vehicle. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui Council approves MPD participation in Joint Terrorism Task Force with the FBI. Maui County Council members have given initial approval to Bill 92, which authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for Maui County to participate in a Joint Terrorism Task Force, Honolulu Division. Maui Now.

Director of Human Concerns Lori Tsuhako to retire Dec. 31. Maui County Director of Human Concerns Lori Tsuhako, who has served as a director under three different administrations, has announced she is retiring at the end of the year. Maui News.

Maui Plans To Redraw Its Coastal Development Lines. The county has started the long process of reevaluating the Special Management Area maps that govern which parts of the island are subject to enhanced protections for environmental, cultural and historic resources.  Civil Beat.

Maui United Way joins community partners to build firebreak around Lahainaluna HS. Maui United Way brought together local alumni, community leaders and partners including Hawaiian Electric, Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Lahaina Excavation, and Maui Emergency Management Agency to launch the Lahainaluna Firebreak Initiative.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kapa‘a Swimming Pool reopens this week following 2-week closure. Kapa‘a Swimming Pool reopens Oct. 1 for its regular schedule after Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation completed repairs of mechanical issues that caused the pool to close 2 weeks ago. Kauai Now.

Aloha ‘Ike resurrected. The Kauai Economic Development Board agreed to “resurrect” the Aloha ‘Ike program, and a fundraising gala at Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort Friday served to formalize the decision. Garden Island.

Police to get hefty raises, bonuses, perks; Green and Driscoll ink preliminary military land agreement; Waikiki bank robbery injures 18, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Arbitrator awards police officers their largest pay raise in 17 years. Police officers in Hawaii secured the increase after an independent arbitrator issued a decision on a new four-year contract that was lauded by union leadership. Police officer pay will increase 40% between 2021 and 2028. The  total compensation package will provide most members an increase of more than 27.5%. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Green signs ‘statement of principles’ with Army on land negotiations. Governor Josh Green and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll have established a non-binding Statement of Principles as land lease talks continue.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Young Brothers warns interisland shipping is at risk. A state commission began a multiday hearing Monday to determine whether the distressed company transporting most goods between the main Hawaiian islands deserves a big rate hike plus automated inflationary annual increases. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

The search is on for a new Hawaii Chief Justice. Longtime Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is retiring this week, and there aren’t yet enough qualified applicants interested in taking his place. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Shutdown would add to Hawaii’s economic woes. Federal workers in Hawaii who are worried about a shutdown of the federal government that could begin at 6:01 p.m. today (12:01 a.m EDT Wednesday) are likely already cutting back on local spending, adding to Hawaii’s already sluggish economy, according to the head of the University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Chemical dispersed during Waikiki bank robbery. Police search for suspect in Waikiki bank robbery; 18 patients treated at scene. Officers were called to the First Hawaiian Bank’s Waikiki branch on Kalakaua Avenue and Lewers Street just after 2 p.m. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Skyline stations transform into community food hubs. Honolulu Skyline passengers may notice something different on their morning rail commute: more than half-a-dozen planter boxes full of growing tomatoes, eggplants, scallions and sweet potatoes, among other edible plants. Civil Beat. KHON2.

‘Lord Of The Flies’: How Hawaiʻi’s Model Foster Dad Preyed On Boys. John Teixeira answered a desperate need for the state: Where to put boys no one else would take. He’d eventually take in almost 60. But there would be a cost. Civil Beat.

Community vows to protect Oahu’s water amid Red Hill contamination concerns. Community leaders, advocates and students gathered at Honolulu Hale on Monday afternoon to launch the “Pledge to Our Wai, Pledge to Our Keiki,” a public commitment to protect Oahu’s aquifer from ongoing contamination tied to the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.  Star-Advertiser.

Forum on political history of Native Hawaiians seeks to help navigate the future. In a nod to Hawaiian History Month, a forum sponsored by the Honolulu mayor's office and the city council is to take place on Tuesday to highlight the changing political climate and the concern that programs to help Native Hawaiians are being targeted. Hawaii Public Radio.

Blaisdell Center has completed new state-of-the-art parking system. While the upgrade work started on Sept. 22, additional operational adjustments are still being finalized, and the Department of Enterprise Services is asking commuters and visitors to be patient during this transition period. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Wai Golf Course gets major upgrades, including solar and LED lighting. These improvements align with the City's wider initiatives to decrease energy consumption, lower expenses, and advance the objectives of the City's Climate Action Plan. Concurrently, they aim to maintain and enhance the distinguished golf course, which accommodates over 12,000 rounds of golf annually. KITV4.

Hawaii Business Magazine's new editor-in-chief talks next generation, media landscape. Jennifer Ablan returned home from New York after three decades to take the job. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Teen Arrested For Alleged Terroristic Threatening At Kona High School. A 14-year-old female from Ocean View was arrested after the Konawaena High School student allegedly threatened to shoot three fellow students on campus. Big Island Video News.

Construction of county’s Kukuiola project begins. The Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center in Kailua-Kona will include 16 emergency shelter units for the homeless, a manager’s unit, a 2,000-square-foot assessment center, community restroom facilities with showers, a 1,400-square-foot community center and a shared kitchen. Tribune-Herald.

Next Lava Episode In Kilauea Eruption Is About To Begin. Precursory activity in Episode 34 of the Kīlauea eruption got underway overnight at the summit.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Sunshine Interview: Maui Mayor Richard Bissen And Recovery Chief John Smith. The county’s chief executive and head of the Maui Office of Recovery discuss federal funding for the rebuilding of Lahaina and Upcountry. Civil Beat.

Pāʻia Elementary School to remain closed through Friday; asynchronous distance learning to begin Wednesday.  While the campus did not sustain direct fire damage, soot continues to impact parts of the campus. Maui Now.

Maui County Fair returns this week. The Maui County Fair is returning to the War Memorial Special Complex this week, featuring dozens of food booths, rides, live entertainment, livestock and poultry exhibits, a petting zoo and much more. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi Water Utility Hawks $1.3B Plan To Overhaul Century-Old System. The repairs are needed to protect the island’s drinking water and ensure sufficient supply to face the growing wildfire risk, officials said. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi-based conservationists sound alarm over mass killing of native birds. At Ninini Point near the Līhuʻe airport, Archipelago Research and Conservation recently discovered 125 dead birds. The group said all the birds had been killed by cats. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi County’s Housing Agency to open applications for community development block grants. Online applications will be available beginning Friday on the Housing Agency’s CDBG webpage. The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 13, by 4:30 p.m. Kauai Now.

Green pushes national agenda, hearings start today on Young Brothers' 27% shipping rate increase, Hanabusa quits HART board, Chief Justice Recktenwald forced to retire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

'There Can Be Peace': Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green Wants To Heal The Country. In a wide-ranging conversation, the governor makes it pretty clear where his head is at when it comes to combining his ongoing efforts for Hawaiʻi with his future national ambitions. Civil Beat.

Retiring chief justice led with kindness, compassion, wisdom. Mark E. Recktenwald, who turns 70 on Oct. 8, will retire Tuesday due to the state’s mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices and judges. Star-Advertiser.

Choy fired while suing Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for retaliation. Isaac Choy, a former state tax director and state legislator, was terminated from his job at the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority effective Sept. 15, according to a motion to file an amended complaint in his whistle-blower lawsuit. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Young Brothers shipping company proposes a rate increase to shore up finances. The state Public Utilities Commission is holding a weeklong hearing starting today on Young Brothers’ request to raise its rates. The shipping company asked the commission to approve a 27% rate increase last year.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

State Tries To Seal Foster Care Files To Protect Info It Already Revealed. When Civil Beat sought exhibits in the trial of an abusive Hawaiʻi foster dad, the Attorney General’s Office intervened to prevent “family trauma” from becoming public. It already had. Civil Beat.

Hawaii consumers hit by higher prices brace for more. Last week, UHERO forecast a bleak economic future for Hawaii for the rest of the year and into 2026 with more job losses expected as federal immigration agents continue to deport immigrants and more federal workers are expected to end their job extensions on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Keeping Hawai‘i Convention Center repairs on track is vital to stemming tourism losses, officials say. The modified closure of the Hawai‘i Convention Center over at least the next two years will cost the visitor industry hundreds of millions in lost revenue, and a lack of confidence in the state-run project’s timeline is putting future bookings at risk. Star-Advertiser.

Developers seeking to build affordable housing reach new heights. Demand for affordable housing in Hawaiʻi is rising, and so is the number of developers seeking to meet that demand. And now federal changes could mean more housing built.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii schools are climbing back from pandemic slump. The 2025 Strive HI report shows that math proficiency climbed to 41% in the 2024-2025 academic year, science to 43% and language arts proficiency saw a slight increase to 53%, meaning they met benchmarks set by the state Department of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Health care student loans to be paid by year-end. The fourth and final student loan payments for the first 780 Hawaii health care workers has been delayed but are now expected by the end of October, or at least the end of the year, according to the doctor in charge of overseeing the two-year program designed to keep and recruit workers. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Colleen Hanabusa resigns from HART board. Colleen Hanabusa, chairperson of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board of directors, is resigning from the body that governs construction of the more than $10 billion Skyline rail project, officials announced at Friday’s HART meeting. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Affordable apartments in Makiki billed as first of many by partnership. The partnership between Tradewind Capital Group and Stanford Carr Development recently received state financing commitments to fund nearly all of the estimated $148 million cost to build their initial tower. Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofits anticipate hunger to worsen in Hawaii. Thousands of people filled the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Saturday for the return of the Empty Bowl fundraiser, where guests selected handmade bowls crafted by local potters and enjoyed soups donated by more than a dozen restaurants. Star-Advertiser.

This Kāneʻohe Road Is Overdue For Repair. Kea’ahala Road connects Kāneʻohe town to major state facilities, but it’s been 20 years since it was properly repaved, and sidewalks are impassable for many.  Civil Beat.

State looks for lessee to revamp and operate Mālaekahana campground. The 36-acre recreation spot in Kahuku closed in 2023 for infrastructure upgrades. Hawaii Public Radio.

Residents reeling after being told to vacate Honolulu apartment building within days. A letter from the owner of Union Plaza posted on Saturday night said residents had until Tuesday to get out.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Housing Scandal Stalls Plans For Apartments. The affordable rentals in Kailua-Kona were supposed to be ready in 2024 and cost $50 million. The developer now hopes to finish in 2027 at a cost of $81 million. Civil Beat.

Keauhou Bay development clears another hurdle. Kamehameha Schools is advancing plans for a resort development on lands above Keauhou Bay, following the county Planning Department’s acceptance of the project’s final environmental impact statement. Tribune-Herald.

Monterey Bay Aquarium granted permit to collect marine life off Kona coast. The Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a special activity permit allowing George Peterson, director of Marine Operations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to collect, possess and transport various regulated and nonregulated marine organisms off the coast of West Hawaii. Tribune-Herald.

Tokuda discusses shutdown threat, health care cuts during Hilo visit. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda met with the Tribune-Herald on Wednesday during a visit to Hilo, where she discussed the potential for a federal government shutdown, ongoing attacks on Congress, the fight to preserve health care funding and efforts by states to shift the balance of power ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Tribune-Herald.

AG, county reach agreement over HPD internal records. The Hawaii Police Department and the state attorney general have come to an agreement regarding statements made by four HPD officers in an internal affairs investigation of alleged misconduct regarding events in May 2023. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State mulls rescue help for parched Maui water system. Over 30 years ago, state leaders saw a need to take over Hawaii plantation-era water systems and fallow farmland to support diversified agriculture, and now one such water system that’s become a drain on Maui’s economy is for sale. Star-Advertiser.

Paia Elementary cleans up from nearby brush fire; school to remain closed Monday. The school has now been closed for four school days since Tuesday’s Holomua wildfire burned 400 acres and led to the evacuation of 1,600 Paia residents.  Star-Advertiser. Maui News.  Maui Now. 

Petition calls for Holomua Road closure after 380-acre fire; houseless community says it’s not to blame. Tania Kawa‘akoa shakes her head at the notion that one of the roughly 25 people who live in their cars, tents and temporary shelters along Holomua Road had anything to do with the 380-acre blaze that broke out Tuesday in the open fields above Pā‘ia and Kū‘au. Maui Now.

105 Hawaiian Homes agricultural leases on Maui mark first such awards in over 20 years. It was a day of celebration and anticipation for Maui ʻohana as they received their agricultural lot awards in two homestead projects. Some were on the Hawaiian Homes waitlist for nearly 50 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corp. to hold first board meeting on Maui, Oct. 16. The Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) will hold its next board of directors meeting on Maui, marking the first time the state agency has convened on the island. Maui Now.

Kauai

High Enterococcus fecal indicating bacteria measured at Morgan’s Pond in September. This month 12 of the 29 sites tested had bacteria concentrations higher than the Hawaii state standard (130 mpn) and 14 of the 29 had geometric means high enough to put them on the chronically polluted list. Garden Island.

Scheduled Kaua‘i lane closures on state roadways for Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announces the following lane closures and road work projects for state roadways on the Garden Isle during the week of Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. Kauai Now.

McKenna named acting Supreme Court chief judge, economists predict Hawaii recession, arson alleged in latest Maui wildfire, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sabrina McKenna to lead Hawaii Judiciary as acting chief justice. Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna will begin serving as acting chief justice Oct. 1, following the retirement of Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald at the end of September, the state Judiciary announced  Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

Another state lawmaker launches challenge to Ed Case in Congress. Hawaii’s moderate Democrat in Congress, U.S. Rep. Ed Case, is attracting a growing challenge from within his own political party for next year’s midterm election. State Rep. Della Au Belatti announced on Thursday a campaign to run for the U.S. House District 1 seat held by Case. Star-Advertiser.  KITV4. 

OHA’s Chief Executive Has Abruptly Been Put On Paid Leave. Stacy Ferreira, the chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was quietly placed on paid leave Tuesday by the OHA Board of Trustees. The circumstances surrounding Ferreira’s exit are unclear. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Economists Forecast Hawaiʻi Recession Tied To Job Losses, Trump Tariffs. The University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization's third-quarter economic forecast outlines a long list of forces — many driven by Trump administration policies — that are expected to lead to more job losses, rising costs and a “mild recession” for Hawaii that will affect everyone. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald. 

State will see SNAP benefit reductions next week. Families across Hawaii are bracing for yet another reduction in food assistance benefits, as the state Department of Human Services prepares to implement federally mandated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Star-Advertiser.

Confessions could be thrown out because of new Hawaii Supreme Court ruling. Police departments in Hawaii are now required to use video and audio recordings of all interrogations done at police stations if the suspect is under arrest. Hawaii News Now.

Driving change: State gives away 1,000 dashcams to make roads safer. The state Department of Transportation is launching a pilot program called “Eyes on the Road.” The goal is to fix road hazards faster and crack down on unsafe drivers. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi recognized for community resilience, equity at Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting. Gov. Josh Green represented Hawaiʻi at an event featuring leaders from around the world discussing solutions for pressing global challenges, focusing on resilience, health and equity. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Seaglider Initiative expands with new partners. The Hawaii Seaglider Initiative — a coalition advocating electric-powered vehicles known as seagliders as a cleaner, affordable interisland transportation option — announced Thursday it added three major organizations to its membership: Hawaii Medical Service Association, The Queen’s Health System and Kamehameha Schools. Tribune-Herald.

Oahu

Honolulu Mayor Defends Bumpy Rollout Of New Building Permit System. The $7 million system, funded by city and federal funds, has had problems since it launched on Aug. 4. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

New Aloha Stadium contracts signed. Two contracts signed Tuesday give  the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District's private partnership group, Aloha Halawa District Partners, the go-ahead to dismantle the old stadium and build the new one at the same site. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

A New Plan Is Brewing In The Fight To Save O‘ahu’s North Shore Beaches. University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant teams up with North Shore Community Land Trust to find solutions for the island’s disappearing beaches. Civil Beat.

How Many Crosswalks Have Been Removed In Honolulu? The City Isn’t Sure. The city took out dozens of crosswalks more than six years ago, but city officials they haven’t tallied how many have been removed since then. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Tourism to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park contributes $571 million to economy last year. A new National Park Service report reveals that 1,433,593 visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2024 had a cumulative economic benefit of $571 million for the local economy. Big Island Now.

Residents invited to shape tourism plan at 2 Hawaii Island meetings. The Hawaii Tourism Authority invites residents to take part in community input sessions that will provide space for members of the public to share their insights, experiences and ideas about the future of tourism on their island. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

MFD: Paia wildfire that led to evacuations was intentionally set. The Holomua wildfire that burned about 400 acres, led to the evacuation of over 1,600 Paia residents and has closed a school for three days was intentionally set, Maui Fire Department officials said Thursday. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

State-run Ka Laʻi Ola temporary housing for Lahaina fire survivors is finished; 450 units soon-to-be full. There are 432 units completed on site in Lahaina and another 18 units set to go for residential dwellings to be put on property owned by fire survivors. Maui Now.

Maui public schools included in flawed, $100 million-plus solar air-conditioning initiative. On Maui, the schools that received air conditioning were located in Central and West Maui. Kaunakakai Elementary on Moloka’i is listed, but no classrooms received air-conditioning, even though nearly $320,000 was spent for design of units. Maui Now.

Kauai

Access gate to Queen’s Bath closed for winter. Access to the gate is closed due to hazardous ocean conditions and anticipation of the winter season,” said Kauai Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson.  Garden Island. Kauai Now.