Lawsuit seeks breakup of Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger, bills advance limiting ICE policing, tourism sees double-digit increases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawsuit claims Hawaiian-Alaska Airlines merger creates monopoly on Hawaii flights. An effort to break up the Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines merger is heading back to court. Passengers have filed an appeal seeking a restraining order that would preserve Hawaiian as a standalone airline. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Can’t Control ICE. Here’s What Lawmakers Want To Do Instead.  A collection of bills intended to protect immigrants and limit cooperation between state and local agencies and federal immigration authorities remain alive as the 2026 legislative session reaches its crucial midpoint. Civil Beat.

Feds claim ‘exclusive control’ over greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii is harming the United States’ sovereignty by suing private fossil fuel companies for deceptive marketing practices contributing to climate change harms, the federal government claimed in a new court filing. Star-Advertiser.

E-bike regulation cruising after 2025 veto. Legislation to regulate high-speed electric bikes throughout Hawaii is moving down a smooth road so far this year after a bump last year that led to a similar bill being vetoed. Star-Advertiser.

Walk or wait? Bill to change crosswalk rule moves forward. At nearly every busy intersection, that flashing red hand comes with a ticking clock. KHON2.

Tourism industry could be required to educate workers on human trafficking. Workers in the tourism industry could soon be getting mandatory education on human trafficking.A bill moving through the state Legislature would mandate a training program on how to spot possible trafficking victims, what to do, and who to contact. Hawaii Public Radio.

Strong January masks uneven tourism outlook. Visitor spending jumped 19% to $2.26 billion and arrivals rose 10.4% to 874,358, driven almost entirely by powerful U.S. West and U.S. East markets that have now pushed the state past pre‑­pandemic benchmarks, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

High-spending visitors help drive economic gains. Hawaii’s overall tourism industry was dragged down by a downturn on Maui following the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, but a Maui resurgence is now driving the state overall, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, which released its latest economic forecast. Star-Advertiser.

Does Hawaiʻi have room to bring back about 800 men incarcerated in Arizona? Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Director Tommy Johnson maintains that the state would need to build a new medium-security prison to accommodate those who have been sent out of state. For 30 years, the state has sent incarcerated men to the continent to serve their sentences. However, the Hawaiʻi Legislature is weighing options to bring back hundreds who are currently held at the Saguaro Correctional Center, a private prison in Arizona. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

UH begins nationwide search to re-establish Manoa chancellor position. On Wednesday, the university said it has officially launched a national search for the next chancellor for UH Manoa to re-establish the position and ensure dedicated executive leadership for the Manoa campus. UH Manoa is the only UH campus without a dedicated chancellor. Hawaii News Now.

Floating monster home for homeless looms over Honolulu stream.  City officials are working to address a large homeless encampment along Keehi Stream in Kalihi that includes a floating two-story structure anchored in the middle of the waterway. Hawaii News Now.

King Tides And Sea Level Rise Eating Away At Pearl Harbor Bike Path. Riders on the popular trail can run into flooding, forcing them to detour to more hazardous roadways. Civil Beat.

Navy petty officer to be sentenced in sextortion case. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rumaldo Valdez, 22, aka “Duck,” was charged in a 12-page criminal complaint filed May 16. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 24 to possession of child pornography as part of a plea agreement. Star-Advertiser.

DOE Sexual Abuse Case From 1970s Could Cost Taxpayers $400K. The state of Hawaiʻi is getting ready to pay $400,000 to settle a lawsuit over Campbell High School’s failure to protect a student in the 1970s who reported that a volunteer coach raped her on a team trip to the Big Island.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Hilo hospital pauses cardiac rehabilitation program to accommodate overflow patients. Hilo Benioff Medical Center has temporarily halted its cardiac rehabilitation program. However, the hospital has a cardiac care team in place to treat acute cardiac events, such as heart attacks and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, the most severe type of heart attack. Big Island Now.

DLNR warns of potential public health risks from whale carcass off Kona coast.  Wind and ocean conditions have recently moved the carcass to a lava flat along the Kona coast where large predators such as tiger sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, mahi-mahi and visiting dolphins are still utilizing this source of food.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui sees double digit increases in visitor spending and arrivals in January 2026. For January 2026, total arrivals (236,180 visitors, +16.7%) and total visitor spending ($664.7 million, +24.3%) on Maui increased compared to January 2025.  Maui Now.

Ag board defers amending Molokaʻi rule that bans potential CRB host material. The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity deferred a request to allow gravel to be shipped to Molokaʻi, reinforcing an import ban on the island meant to keep out the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources grants awarded to 11 local projects. The County of Maui Department of ʻŌiwi Resources is awarding funding to 11 local projects through the competitive County of Maui grants program.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Federal funding will support housing, transportation projects on Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i County will receive nearly $7.5 million for three projects. Aloha State Daily.

Survey launched to shape 2026 Ka Pewa Youth Summit in April on Kauaʻi. Ka Pewa Youth Pulse Survey — a youth-driven effort designed to capture what matters most to young people today — will directly inform programming, breakout sessions and resource fair offerings for the 2026 Ka Pewa Youth Summit: Kupu Kelakela. Kauai Now.

New life for state's film industry, Legislature mulls misdemeanor charges for officials who don't report bribery, bill would protect gender-affirming care providers, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

After a dry spell, three film and television productions underway in Hawaii. Hawaii’s film industry is staging a comeback, with three major film and TV productions getting underway in the islands. The Netflix series “Untamed” is the first series since “Rescue HI Surf,” which was canceled in May of last year. It was a blow for a sector that generated over $320 million for the state’s economy in 2024. Hawaii News Now.

The Success Of Hawaiʻi’s Food And Farm Bills Could Depend On One Thing. As Hawaiʻi continues to pinch pennies and fill holes created by federal cuts, lawmakers may have to choose between bills designed to bolster local food or fight invasive species. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke stays silent on state subpoenas. Twelve days after Hawaii’s attorney general said she issued multiple subpoenas and completed interviews in a criminal investigation born out of a federal political bribery case, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will not say if she has been subpoenaed by state investigators. Star-Advertiser.

Measure could allow misdemeanor charge for failure to report bribery. Senators advanced a measure Tuesday that would allow elected officials to be charged with a misdemeanor if they're found to have failed to report bribery. Hawaii Public Radio.

Legislative Caucuses Can Help Make The Difference In Getting Bills Passed. Lawmakers combine forces to push measures helping women, kids and working families. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers consider bill to protect gender-affirming care providers. HB1875 would not create any new care standards or practices, but it seeks to ensure that those providing gender-affirming care would be safe from out-of-state legal actions, insurance policies, or licensing consequences. Hawaii Public Radio.

State support could energize movement to equip more homes with plug-in solar. On Tuesday afternoon, the state House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce deferred one of two remaining balcony solar bills after the Office of the State Fire Marshal and other fire and law enforcement agencies raised concerns that the National Electrical Code would need to be updated to ensure the safe installation of these systems. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

More Design Delays Could Push Back Honolulu Rail Project — Again. The city center segment of the $10B rail project is supposed to open in March 2031, but an outside consultant questions whether that plan is still feasible. Civil Beat.

Red Hill: Fears linger over Navy reopening water shaft. After waiting hours to hear the latest update on the Red Hill water crisis cleanup at a lengthy meeting Tuesday with the Commission on Water Resource Management, concerned community members learned the Navy had left the meeting. Star-Advertiser.

36 city parks designated as ‘On-Leash’ allowing for dogs on leashes. The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation has added 36 new on-leash dog parks. That move doubles the number already in place. KHON2.

Changes coming to high-traffic Hawaii offramp, intersections. Transportation officials said there have been over 12 serious crashes near the Koko Head offramp in recent years. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hilo Officer pleads no contest to tampering with evidence in search case. Hawaii Police Department Officer Blane Kenolio pleaded no contest Wednesday to a charge of tampering with physical evidence. The charge stemmed from Kenolio’s unconstitutional search of an arrestee’s belongings on May 24, 2023, inside the Hilo Police Station. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KITV4.

Hawaiʻi County Changes Mulch Loading Fees For Commercial Customers. Hawaiian Earth Recycling, will be charging commercial customers $5 per cubic yard at the Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station. Commercial customers will be charged $20 per cubic yard at the East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

Plan floated to solve West Maui water crisis. The plan, presented by TY Management Corp. to the state Commission on Water Resource Management on Tuesday, intends to benefit Maui County, financially struggling Maui Land &Pineapple Co., a state agriculture development agency, Native Hawaiian taro farmers, other small farmers, Kapalua homeowners and TY. Star-Advertiser.

Treecovery helps Maui wildfire recovery. In December, Treecovery, three Rotary Clubs, Maui County, and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation helped with a native-planting at Keawaiki Park near Lahaina Harbor. Maui News. 

Controversial $13M Nāpili home now offering partial ownership to buyers. Cohana Homes, which describes itself as a vacation home co-ownership company, is offering 25% ownership of the house for $3.55 million apiece. The entire 7,344-square-foot house at 5385 Lower Honoapi‘ilani Road is listed with a value of $12.9 million. Maui Now.

Kauai

State Senate confirms new circuit court judge for Kaua‘i.  The Hawai’i State Senate voted to confirm Stephanie R.S. Char, Gov. Josh Green’s selection to fill the vacancy in the Fifth Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit, created by the retirement of Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe in August 2025. Kauai Now.

Group created to protect Kauai from CRB. CRB Action Kauai, a new community-driven initiative, has formed to support Kauai residents, landowners, farmers, businesses and community groups responding to the growing threat of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB), an invasive pest impacting coconut and other palms across the island. Garden Island.

Legislature advances bribery bills, mulls curbing executive powers, reforming public schools; Maui Planning Commission rejects bill to save vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate bribery bills progress as corruption allegations linger. Bribing an elected official would bring increased penalties under three bills that passed out of a key Senate committee Tuesday as the state attorney general continues to investigate an unidentified “influential state legislator” allegedly taped in 2022 by federal investigators accepting $35,000 in a paper bag. Star-Advertiser.

Clean Elections advocates call on lawmakers to reform campaign finance. Citing a "trust deficit," the Clean Elections Hawaiʻi Coalition is asking for an impartial, independent special prosecutor to look into pay-to-play donations within the state.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii emergency proclamation powers could be curtailed under new legislation. Concerns about executive overreach during emergencies are sparking action at the State Capitol. Lawmakers are pushing new legislation aimed at reining in emergency powers and adding more oversight. KHON2.

Is Now The Time For Reforming Hawaiʻi Schools? From where the leaders of the Senate Education Committee sit, one thing seems clear: The Hawai‘i public school system is broken. A controversial bill would cut top superintendent positions from the DOE and increase community input in schools. Some families say the change is long overdue. Civil Beat.

Lawmakers renew warnings on fentanyl, cite ‘alarming’ death counts. The number of people who died from fentanyl across the islands dipped from 107 in 2023 to 103 in 2024, which is still far up from 9 in 2018. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Honolulu Investigator Obstructed His Own Criminal Case, Hawaiʻi AG Says. A 52-year-old investigator with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney was indicted by an Oahu grand jury Friday for allegedly abusing his ex-fiance in 2024 and then threatening her into silence. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Pacific leaders gather in Hawaii for business summit. Leaders from Pacific Island nations and territories gathered this week at the East-West Center in Manoa for an inaugural diplomatic and business summit aimed at promoting private sector investments and contracts across island communities in Oceania. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmaker wants to create homeless buffer zones around bus stops. Safety concerns could clear homeless residents from Oahu bus stops, under a bill proposed this legislative session. KITV4.

Repairs underway for water main break in Haleiwa. On Tuesday, Feb. 24, around 2 p.m., BWS crews responded to the break on Kamehameha Hwy. near Tutu St., about a half-mile from Waimea Bay.  Hawaii News Now.

Kailua military officer admits to ‘compulsive’ online chatting, denies sexual attraction to minors. Lt. Col. Ross Andrew Brown, a Kailua-based Air Force lieutenant colonel and attorney took the stand in his own defense Tuesday at his federal trial for attempted sexual enticement of a 14-year-old girl. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

County acquires Kona property to preserve shoreline access. The 15,372-square-foot site is located near the popular “Banyans” surfing spot and is one of the few undeveloped coastal properties in the area along Ali‘i Drive. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Police Department Welcomes New K9 Trina. A three-year-old Labrador Retriever who was trained as a live-find human tracking canine has joined the Hawaiʻi Police Department.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission Rejects Bill To Save Thousands Of Vacation Rentals. The County Council would now need a supermajority vote to allow thousands of apartment-zoned units to keep operating as short-term rentals. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui stream monitoring to flow from fine penalty.  The Commission on Water Resource Management has accepted a Maui Land & Pineapple Co. proposal to spend $150,680 to improve stream-level monitoring in lieu of a maximum $140,000 fine for West Maui stream management violations. Star-Advertiser.

Feasibility study underway for new Kapalua recycled water treatment plant. Hawaii Water Service has selected Carollo Engineering Inc. to complete a feasibility study for a decentralized wastewater treatment plant in Kapalua that would produce recycled water and provide the community with a drought-resistant irrigation supply.  Maui News.

Kauai

Controversial Kōloa Housing Project Gets Green Light In Unanimous Vote. Over objections, the commission cited the dire need for more homes. At least 45% of the units must go to locals. A controversial 148-unit Kōloa housing project got the green light from Kaua‘i’s Planning Commission with the conditions that the units never be turned into vacation rentals and that at least 45% of them go to existing county residents. Civil Beat.

Gluck appointed to Intermediate Court of Appeals, Epstein associates vacationed in Hawaii, advocates continue push for special prosecutor in bribery investigation, Luke speaks out, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green appoints Daniel Gluck to Intermediate Court of Appeals. Gov. Josh Green on Monday announced the appointment of Daniel Gluck as an Associate Judge for the Intermediate Court of Appeals. A graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School, Gluck previously served as Executive Director and General Counsel of the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission, the Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i and an attorney in private practice. Maui Now.

Epstein associates vacationed in Hawaii, emails show. Nonprofit advocates say emails highlight local sex trafficking concerns. Emails connected to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein show his associates vacationed in Hawaii, according to a Hawaii News Now review of documents posted to a public website called Jmail, created by two tech innovators. Hawaii News Now.

Climate Funding Under New Hawai‘i Tax Could Be Cut By Millions. Legislation to instead charge a per-passenger fee would recoup less than half of all the green fee revenues cruise ships were expected to generate. As the cruise industry and the state spar in court over Hawaiʻi’s new green fee, state lawmakers are moving full steam ahead to remove those ships from the landmark climate law and have them instead pay a new fee of around $10 per passenger. Civil Beat.

Clean government groups push for special prosecutor.  Advocates for campaign finance and other “clean government” reforms on Monday renewed the call for the appointment of a special prosecutor to conduct an independent probe of allegations that an unidentified “influential state legislator” accepted $35,000 in a paper bag. Star-Advertiser.

Lt. Gov. Luke addresses campaign finance report errors in new video. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke posted a video Monday addressing what she says is an innocent mistake in her campaign finance reports. Luke said she’s embarrassed, but never acted in bad faith.  Hawaii News Now.

Tax break halt still alive, gambling bills dying in Hawaii Legislature. Efforts to legalize any form of gambling again appear dead this year but the state Legislature continues to move bills that would eliminate future tax cuts, limit free school lunches to public charter students and prohibit ICE and local law enforcement from covering their faces. Star-Advertiser.

More Local Food? These State Agencies Aren’t Buying It. Few departments met the official 10% goal last year. While cost, quality and lack of consistent supply are concerns, the current pace doesn’t bode well for the larger push to wean the islands off imported food. Civil Beat.

Rising child care costs strain families despite wage gains. With Hawaii’s cost of living ranking among the highest in the nation, state leaders are accelerating public preschool and child care subsidy expansions aimed at helping working families afford early education. Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser Permanente ends strike; talks progress. The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, which represents 31,000 workers in California and Hawaii, said they would return to work at 7 a.m. today after walking off the job four weeks ago. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Maui Now. 

HMSA Proposal: Hawaiʻi Health Care Could See Radical Transformation. The deal, which would bring together the state’s largest health insurer and one of its biggest hospital companies under a new umbrella organization called One Health, is likely to touch the lives of some 760,000 Hawaiʻi residents and their doctors. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council OKs HPD transparency legislation. The City Council is formally on record commending Honolulu police for policies favorable to transparency, including not wearing masks when encountering members of the public. Star-Advertiser.

Rail expansion might come down the line faster for Kapolei than UH Mānoa. The planning phase to extend the Honolulu rail to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa can now start, but a new segment on its other terminus, on the Kapolei side, could come first. Hawaii Public Radio.

Global Entry halt affects international arrivals at Honolulu airport. HDOT expects limited impact on processing times for international arrivals at the airport. Recent investments in modernizing federal inspection facilities and deploying advanced technologies have enhanced passenger facilitation and operational efficiency.  KITV4.

Farmer rescues co-worker from flood in Waialua. A former firefighter, Chris Greer, did not hesitate when his co-worker needed him after being trapped in flood water Saturday at their workplace, Laulau Solutions farm in Waialua. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

House bill would allow for up to 10-year extensions of Mauna Kea leases. A House bill that would authorize the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing astronomical observatory leases and subleases for up to 10 years has advanced despite concerns from state departments and overwhelming opposition from residents around the state. Big Island Now.

Rising home insurance in lava zones prompts subsidy proposal. House lawmakers have advanced a measure that would subsidize home insurance for low-income families in lava zones. Insurance premiums on property in lava zones on Hawaiʻi Island have spiked since the 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hilo YWCA Demolition, Construction Of New Campus Examined In Draft EA. Under the proposal, the existing pool house and swimming pool would be demolished, and a new preschool facility would be constructed. Big Island Video News.
 
Maui

As focus turns to Lahaina commercial rebuilds, owners face daunting challenges. As Lahaina commercial property owners navigate a daunting post-fire road to rebuilding, some are finding it so challenging that they’re not sure if they’ll be able to reconstruct at all. Hawaii Public Radio.

Two recruits graduate, joining the ranks of the Maui Ocean Safety division. Kelson Lau and Kevin Smallwood completed the 12-week-long training program that covered not only an extensive variety of ocean rescue skills, but also Emergency Medical Responder and CPR skills, ATV/UTV and RWC operation, and communication protocols.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Former state public safety employee on Kaua‘i pleads guilty to embezzling government funds. A former Hawai‘i Department of Public Safety employee waived indictment and pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and official misconduct during a hearing on Monday in Fifth Circuit Court on Kaua‘i. Lisa Kuwamura, who worked as an account clerk for the Sheriff Division – Kauaʻi Section, manipulated computer records that tracked her time and attendance between Oct. 1, 2021, and June 20, 2024, in order to receive more than $64,000 in unearned compensation. Kauai Now.

Endemic pueo killed by collision with vehicle on Kauaʻi’s westside. A pueo, a Hawaiian short-eared owl revered in local culture as an ancestor spirit/guardian, was found dead on a road outside of ‘Ele’ele early Monday morning, underscoring ongoing concerns about vehicle collisions involving Kauaʻi’s native birds. Kauai Now.

An exchange of lifesaving knowledge and culture. The Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau (OSB), in partnership with the Okinawan Lifesaving Association, hosted a certificate ceremony on Friday at the Moikeha Rotunda.  Garden Island.

Family suing Kamehameha Schools gets death threats, Legislature mulls saving coconut palms as food source, rental car tax plans abound, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Bill aims to elevate status of Hawaii’s coconut trees. A bill that would recognize the coconut tree as a food and water source and cultural treasure is moving forward in the state Legislature. A coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation has reached a critical point, but so far the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity have recommended few natural remedies to deal with the beetle. Star-Advertiser.

The People Suing Kamehameha Schools Are Getting Death Threats. A white family suing Kamehameha Schools over its Native Hawaiian admissions policy wants to stay anonymous for the duration of the case over online death threats and fears that being named publicly could affect their careers. Civil Beat.

Two bills pending at the Legislature aim to help a California company launch payloads via rocket into space at low cost from a winged booster ship towed high into the sky by plane. The measures — one to let the firm sell up to $40 million in low-interest bonds and another to have the state help pay for building a high-tech hangar at Hilo International Airport — recently advanced after initial committee hearings. Star-Advertiser.

Measures could incentivize locally produced sustainable aviation fuel. House Bill 1694 creates a tax credit to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuel, a lower-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel. If the measure is adopted, distributors of sustainable aviation fuel could get up to $2 back per gallon of fuel sold in the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

New Hawaii rental car tax proposed. A variety of bills are being considered this year to generate around $90 million in new tax revenue annually from the industry for the state’s general fund, or for Hawaiian homestead development, or for retroactive hazard pay for public school teachers who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Bill seeks to facilitate more film productions on agricultural land. State lawmakers are moving along a measure meant to facilitate film production on agricultural land, though some film advocates worry it could add more bureaucracy to the process. Hawaii Public Radio.

Free Buses For Keiki? Supporters Hopeful After Statewide Bill Axed A proposal for statewide free transit died last week at the Legislature, but supporters still have hope for a proposal to make transit free for youth. Civil Beat.

Did Boat Salvage Law Save The State Money? Auditor Says No One Knows. The state’s boating division doesn’t do enough, a new report found, to recover costs from those responsible for stranded and grounded vessels. Civil Beat.

Oahu

OHA to study feasibility of Native Hawaiian cultural center. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced Sunday that it selected AEA Consulting to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed Native Hawaiian Cultural Center in Kaka‘ako Makai, launching what officials describe as a community-driven planning process for the long-discussed project. Star-Advertiser.

Controversial Developer Ousted As Manager of Downtown ‘Hell Hole’ Building. Chad Waters, founder of a downtown co-living space that became a squalid nightmare for residents is being removed as the property’s manager, marking the final days for the leading figure in a monthslong drama at the building one former resident dubbed a “hell hole.” Civil Beat.

Flash flooding forces evacuations with more wet weather ahead. Eight feet in 1-1/2 hours.That is how quickly Kaukonahua Stream rose to flood stage Saturday afternoon, causing the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management to evacuate roughly 80 residents from Otake Camp in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore. Hawaii News Now. Star -Advertiser.

Dole assures no Wahiawa Reservoir Dam breach after heavy rain. Dole Food Company said there was no breach of the Wahiawa Reservoir Dam after heavy rain and flash flood warnings prompted an evacuation order in the Haleiwa-Waialua area Saturday. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawai‘i County reduces vacancies by 100 positions in past year, but workforce still down 17%. But vacancies still are high, with 589 out of a workforce of 3,395. Big Island Now.

Reed Mahuna Sworn In As Hawaiʻi Police Chief. Mahuna was sworn in by Mayor Kimo Alameda during a private ceremony Friday in the Mayor’s office in Hilo. County officials say a larger, public swearing-in ceremony will take place on Friday, March 6. Big Island Video News.

Banyan Drive redevelopment bills advance in Legislature. Legislation to facilitate redevelopment of Hilo’s Banyan Drive — once an East Hawaii crown jewel, now a picture of dilapidation and disrepair — continues to move in both the state House and Senate, but not without contention. Tribune-Herald.

Waipiʻo Valley Road To Close For Geophysical Survey. The road will be closed to all traffic between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day from Tuesday, February 24 through Friday, February 27. Big Island Video News.

Maui

As demand for organic food rises, federal program to help local farmers transition is cut short. ‘Oko‘a Farms is one of 43 operations, including six on Maui, that is enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program in Hawai‘i. The five-year initiative that started under the Biden presidency was set to run through 2027. Maui Now.

As focus turns to Lahaina commercial rebuilds, owners face daunting challenges. As Lahaina commercial property owners navigate a daunting post-fire road to rebuilding, some are finding it so challenging that they’re not sure if they’ll be able to reconstruct at all. Hawaii Public Radio.

Planned new telescopes for Haleakala draw strong opposition. As the military moves forward on its plans to build as many as seven new telescopes on the summit of Haleakala, opposition to the project is mounting on Maui. Star-Advertiser.  Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kaua‘i Residents Worry 148-unit Housing Project Will ‘Kill’ Kōloa Town. The Garden Isle needs more housing but Kōloa residents worry the proposed project is too big, will harm the environment and won’t be within reach of community members. Civil Beat.

Hanapēpē bus stop closed due to damage. The Kauaʻi Bus announced that the bus stop in front of the Hanapēpē First United Church is closed until further notice due to damage. Kauai Now.

Hawaii the most unionized state in the nation, Green seeks $100M more in pandemic hazard pay, union rebukes senator over school bureaucracy bill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii union membership in 2025 led nation at 26%. Hawaii’s union membership declined last year but the state still led the nation with 26% of employed wage and salary workers represented by collective bargaining, according to data released Wednesday from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Star-Advertiser.

Tab For Pandemic Hazard Pay Grows As Gov. Green Seeks Another $100 Million. Gov. Josh Green is asking lawmakers to earmark nearly $100 million this year for additional pandemic hazard pay for public employees, marking the third consecutive year the administration has asked for large sums to settle pandemic hazard claims by the public worker unions. Civil Beat.

Union rebukes senator as school leadership bill sparks capitol clash. Senate Bill 3334 would eliminate Complex Area Superintendents (CAS) and shift more authority over principal hiring to the superintendent. There are currently 15 CAS employed within the Department of Education, which has two staff members each. KHON2.

Commercial aquarium fishing ban proposal hits choppy waters at state level. Those in support of the ban say the practice is unsustainable and depletes native fish populations and natural resources. But those against the ban say the practice is the foundation for their livelihoods and how they support their family. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill would fund sanctuary for Hawaii’s homeless women, children. Homeless women and children under age 18 would be able to live in their vehicles or in a communal tent on government-sanctioned land that would offer security, case management and bathroom and laundry services under a Senate bill under consideration at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

‘Keiki Ride Free’ measure on buses and rail advances. House Bill 1879, dubbed the “Keiki Ride Free” measure, would provide fare-free county bus and rail serv­ice for youth up to age 18, with priority given to low-income and vulnerable children if funding falls short. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi House advances bill to increase DUI penalties for highly intoxicated drivers. The Hawai‘i House Committee on Transportation passed a measure with amendments that would make a second DUI offense with a blood alcohol content above .15% — and that is within 10 years of a driver’s first DUI conviction — as a class C felony. Big Island Now.

Bill that creates harsher penalties for those driving without a license advances. If it becomes law, HB 2589 “Makes a second conviction for operating a motor vehicle without a license within a five-year period a Class A felony if the defendant's actions result in the death of another person." KITV4.

Hawaiʻi records its second driest year in over a century. Hawaiʻi had its second driest year in more than a century in 2025. About half the state experienced some level of drought, and average temperatures were up to a degree higher than normal across the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Concerns raised over Hawaii Pacific Health-HMSA partnership’s impact on Native Hawaiian care. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs heard concerns Thursday that a proposed partnership between Hawaii Pacific Health and HMSA could harm health care for Native Hawaiians. OHA called in both sides of the merger debate because of fears that the partnership will harm the Native Hawaiian community. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Oahu

City moves to beef up oversight measure on agritourism. The Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt Resolution 17, which proposes amendments to the city’s land use ordinance relating to granting a conditional use permit, or CUP, to large-scale agritourism businesses. Star-Advertiser.

Loud vehicles could be targeted by new cameras. More drivers moving through urban areas with modified or illegal mufflers could see camera technology expand that can detect illegal noise levels, under a bill that continued to move through the Legislature on Thursday. Star-Advertiser.

2 more HPD officers attacked in Waikiki. In Waikiki, the most recent assaults, stemming from Hono­lulu Police Department attempts to break up alcohol- fueled fights on Lewers Street, bring to 10 the number of officers assaulted in Waikiki Opens in a new tab since June. Star-Advertiser.

Failed $20 Bribe: 92-Year-Old Architect Sentenced In Honolulu Permitting Case. An elderly architect convicted of bribery for trying to slip a Honolulu permit reviewer some cash – what he said was $20 for oxtail soup – was sentenced on Thursday to two years of probation.  Civil Beat.

Frustrations aired on proposed permanent parking ban in Lanikai. The popularity of Lanikai beaches has caused a longstanding parking and traffic headache, not just for visitors but especially for residents. Those residents jammed the Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting Thursday night to sound off on plans to fix that. Hawaii News Now.


Hawaii Island

It’s been a wet month so far in East Hawaii, but drought persists. As of 8 a.m. Thursday, Hilo International Airport received 8.45 inches of rain for the month, closing in on its normal February average of 10 inches. Tribune-Herald.

Volunteer group helps clean up Volcano town post-Kīlauea eruption. Team Rubicon, a veteran-led volunteer group, has been helping with repair and recovery through operation “Tephra Falling.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui’s median single-family home prices increase to $1.4 million in January. Maui’s median single-family home price rose to $1,445,000 in January 2026, up 20.4% from the same month last year. Meanwhile, the median price for a condominium on Maui was $629,950, down 6.7% from a year ago, according to the latest data from the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

Lahaina’s Famed Banyan Tree Still ‘In The ICU’. Arborists see reasons for optimism — and worry — about the future of the tree. An upcoming assessment will help Maui County officials determine how healthy it is and when it’s safe for the public to go near it again. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Send in the Dogs: How man’s best friend is helping save Kauaʻi’s coconut palms. Tails wagged and noses took center stage on Tuesday evening at the Princeville Community Center as conservationists explained how dogs are becoming an unlikely but powerful ally in the fight against the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Kauai Now.

Mayor visits Kauai Community College students learning trades. Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami joined other special guests for a visit to Kauai Community College’s Automotive Technology department on Wednesday. Garden Island.

Bill restricting public beach access stalls, state Senate passes 'no secret police' bill, measure would allow feral chicken killings, Skyline rail approved to extend to UH-Manoa, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Effort to restrict beach access to the public stalls. Public lands — including beaches in front of hotels and resorts — will remain open to the public after a Senate committee on Wednesday deferred a bill that drew near universal condemnation. SB 3148 — which is supported by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources — would allow private interests to restrict access to Hawaii’s beaches. Star-Advertiser.

Landfill siting ban could be repealed under new bill at Legislature. A measure going through the state Legislature this year seeks to strengthen last year’s ban on building landfills too close to water sources — but now the bill could undo that ban altogether. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Senate sends 'no secret police' bill to the House. The state Senate passed a measure that would ban local and federal law enforcement from covering their faces, with some exceptions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bills to require stronger buildings against hurricanes moving forward in Legislature. The measures are being acted on just days after strong winds with gusts near 70 miles per hour, less than hurricane strength, caused damage around the state. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii residents sick of early crowing and aggressive pecking could be allowed to kill wild chickens. Lawmakers are considering possible solutions — including measures that would let residents kill feral chickens, deem them a “controllable pest” on public land in Honolulu, and fine people for feeding them or releasing them in parks. Associated Press.

Mistaken ID Case At Hawaiʻi State Hospital May Cost State $200K. A man with a history of mental illness was held at the Oʻahu jail and Hawaiʻi State Hospital for nearly three years after police mistook him for a wanted felon. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Higher food prices elevate inflation in Honolulu. Honolulu consumers are finding it more expensive to both eat out and to prepare food at home. Higher food prices contributed to the county’s inflation rising 1.1% over the two-month period that ended in January, and increasing 2.4% over the previous 12 months, according to a report issued Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Star-Advertiser.

EPA says Navy does not have to engage with community over Red Hill crisis. The Navy is no longer required to meet with a group of concerned community members regarding the fallout from the Red Hill water crisis, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared last week. Star-Advertiser.

Council OKs HART rail planning to UH Manoa. The Honolulu City Council voted 8-1, with Council member Augie Tulba dissenting, to finalize adoption of Bill 60, which authorizes the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to conduct preliminary engineering plans to construct the city’s rail line to branch beyond its current terminus in Kakaako, on to UH Manoa’s campus as well as to locations near the Leeward Coast. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

New way to get rid of food waste coming to Oahu. The Department of Environmental Services is aunching the Green Recycling Organic Waste (GROW) program where residents will be able to dispose of their leftover or spoiled food in their green collection bin to cut back. KHON2.

Deadly force justified to end 2024 standoff in Waikiki. Four Honolulu police officers who shot and killed a 56-year-old man who was a suspect in a trio of bank robberies in July 2024 were justified to use deadly force, Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm said Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Water Main Break Adds Up And Down Ride To Travel On Kamehameha Highway. There’s no ETA for repairs to a buckled spot of road on Oʻahu’s Windward side. Civil Beat.

Ban on Hawaiian flag in Ewa community spurs proposal for protections. Senate Bill 2795 would require residential associations to allow homeowners to display the Hawaiian flag on their property. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Proposed new Hawaiʻi County tax rate for luxury second homes passes first reading. The Hawai‘i County Council passed on first reading Wednesday a proposed new tax code that would create a Tier 3 tax rate for luxury second homes worth more than $4 million. Big Island Now.

Is it getting hotter? Hawaiʻi Island adopts data-driven approach to tracking heat. Measurements taken near Hilo International Airport show that the number of days per year with temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit has increased significantly in the last decade. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hilo’s Beloved Banyan Drive Is In Ruins. Could A New Agency Save It? Lawmakers want a hotel built at Hilo’s airport to meet the housing needs of the Merrie Monarch festival while longer-term efforts to revitalize the once-thriving tourist district continue. Civil Beat.

Maui

Who should get first crack at water licenses in Hawaiʻi? This bill wants it to be the counties. Maui County’s recently created water authority for East Maui could have a more direct shot at securing water licenses under a bill proposed in the Hawai‘i State Legislature. Maui Now.

Hale Makua plans $160M health care complex, housing project on Maui. The major non-profit announces state-of-the-art “CarePlex” and workforce housing. Hale Makua Health Services announced plans for a major expansion that includes a new innovative health care complex and workforce housing project. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Failed development on Kauaʻi’s south shore leads to bankruptcy auction of 25-acre property. California-based Kupono Resort LLC had big plans to develop a luxury resort and wellness center on Kauaʻi’s south shore. But the $227 million project called The Ohia, with an 84-room boutique hotel, a spa and 115 residential units, never broke ground. Kauai Now.

Community input sought on additional protection of Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve on Kauaʻi. Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife seeks community feedback on a proposed fencing project to protect an additional 2,400 acres of the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve on Kauaʻi. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Bills could protect chief elections officer, mitigate erosion near oceanfront homes; Aloha Stadium coming down, $60M deal in city takeover of Kapolei roads, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Elections officer could get more protection from political firing attempts. The state’s chief elections officer could get more job protection this year under a proposal by state lawmakers. If the three-page Senate Bill 2466 becomes law, that position “may only be terminated for cause,” sparing that position from politically motivated attacks.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Rollback could strengthen state’s position in lawsuits. President Donald Trump rescinded a key rule known as the “endangerment finding” that was foundational for fighting climate change, and while it is considered a massive setback in environmental policy, legal experts said the move could strengthen the state’s arguments against the federal government and fossil fuel companies in its lawsuits. Star-Advertiser.

Senators seek pathway to recreational marijuana. Supporters of legal recreational marijuana for adults made another push at the state Capitol Tuesday, facing fierce opposition even as the final decision may rest with President Trump. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Lawmakers shelve bill requiring homeschooled students to test at public schools. Hundreds of families gathered at the Hawaii State Capitol Tuesday to oppose House Bill 2376, which would have required homeschooled students to take standardized tests at their local public schools. Hawaii News Now.

Divers Are Dying Near The Surface. Now There’s A Call For Safety Warnings. Freediving is one of the leading causes of fatal drownings for Hawaiʻi residents. Now lawmakers and safety advocates want labels on equipment — and more. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Bills seek to mitigate 'slow-moving disaster' facing waterfront homes. Over 90% of Oʻahu's North Shore beaches are expected to be in a chronic state of erosion by 2050, according to the Surfrider Foundation’s 2025 State of the Beach Report. Hawaii Public Radio.

State-city dispute over Kapolei roads being settled for $60M. Under a memorandum of agreement with the city, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. will transfer more than 100 roads covering 24 miles throughout the 888-acre community to the city with the $60 million payment spread over 10 years to cover expenses for maintenance and upgrades. Star-Advertiser.

Council to consider approving Skyline planning to UH Manoa. The Honolulu City Council is set to consider the final approval of a measure calling for plans and feasibility studies for future city rail routes to University of Hawaii at Manoa and toward Ko Olina resort in West Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Workers begin to dismantle Aloha Stadium. Out with the old officially started at Aloha Stadium as destruction began for the 50,000-seat facility, which opened in 1975 and hosted its final sports event a little over five years ago. Star-Advertiser.

New Victoria Ward Park policy prompts outcry by pet owners. In the middle of all the condominiums in Kakaako lies a recently refurbished, yet-to-reopen park. The well-manicured lawn and other amenities will likely lure many to enjoy the green space amid the concrete jungle. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore Marketplace in Haleiwa changing hands after lease rent dispute. A rental dispute is forcing big changes to a decades-old iconic landmark in Haleiwa. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Inspectors Missed Illegal Rentals In Factory That Burned. The county subsidized rentals in an office building 30 feet away on the same property, but overlooked illegal units in the adjacent poi factory. Civil Beat.

Kona coffee worker back home after ICE arrest. A 42-year-old Captain Cook man who was locked up more than five months by the federal government without charges or bond was freed late last month, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii said Tuesday.  Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i nonprofit buys condominium building in Hilo, growing its rent-to-own program. Hawaiian Community Assets, a nonprofit housing counseling agency, partnered with Hawai‘i County’s Office of Housing and Community Development to purchase Ali‘i Kai apartments in Keaukaha. This purchase doubles the number of units available through the nonprofit’s Ua Hale Aʻela program, which is meant to turn Hawai‘i renters into homeowners in two years or less. Big Island Now.

New Mauna Kea Authority Has Difficult Task Ahead — And Limited Time. University officials and some senators are concerned about the fate of astronomy on the mountain. Civil Beat.

Family and friends mourn cultural matriarch, kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole. For years, Kanakaʻole had worked tirelessly in teaching her students hula at Hālau o Kekuhi. Her life’s work was dedicated to continuing the ancient traditions of Hawaiian chant and hula kahiko, teachings she inherited from her mother, Edith Kanakaʻole. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Is Haleakalā The Next Frontier For A Telescope Standoff? Public opposition to the military’s plan to build up to seven telescopes in a state conservation district atop Haleakalā has been mounting in recent weeks, after the release of a draft environmental impact statement late last month. Civil Beat. Maui News. Hawaii News Now. 

Maui Fire Department announces 25 recent promotions. Maui Fire Chief Brad Ventura announced a list of 25 personnel who were promoted recently, including 18 to the rank of Firefighter III and seven to the rank of Firefighter II. Maui Now.

Kauai

Ready before the call: KPD upgrades officer training. Police officers on Kauai are using a state-of-the-art training facility to make safer, smarter decisions in the field. Garden Island.

Lydgate Beach Park campground to close for scheduled maintenance. These closures, scheduled for March 2-22, are necessary to allow Department of Parks and Recreation staff and partner agencies to thoroughly clean the area, perform much-needed grounds maintenance, and conduct various repairs of the campground facilities. Kauai Now.

Residents concerned about sea level rise, lawmakers mull ticket scalping, suing Big Oil, teacher incentives; Honolulu City Council seeks police transparency, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Sea level rise worries most Hawai‘i residents, new study shows. The report, Public Views on Sea Level Rise in Hawaiʻi: Results from a Statewide Survey, draws on responses from 1,314 adults surveyed in summer 2025 and provides the most comprehensive snapshot to date of how residents view sea level rise and the policy choices it raises. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Senate committee advances bill to allow state to sue Big Oil for climate damage. A state Senate committee pushed forward a bill last Wednesday that would allow the state to sue major corporations for climate-related damages, a move that attempts to stabilize Hawaiʻi’s volatile insurance market. Big Island Now.

Hawaii eyes ban on reselling tickets above face value. Hawaii concert fans are often priced out by ticket scalpers who snatch up seats and resell them for huge markups. KHON2.

Measures tackle Hawaii teacher shortage. A measure that would create a new five-year state permit for visiting international teachers has drawn strong support from the state Department of Education as well as immigrant and educator advocates, as Hawaii continues to grapple with a persistent teacher shortage. Star-Advertiser.

Legislative bills address costs of hike rescues in Hawaii. For at least seven years, the bills have resurfaced, but seldom survive. This year, the idea of reimbursement, along with a prepaid hike card to cover rescue fees, were reintroduced, along with a proposal for a state search-and-rescue coordinator. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii bill aims to provide immediate assistance to wrongfully convicted. Legislation would provide case managers and monthly payments to help exonerees transition after release. Hawaii News Now.

High prices are forecast to lower auto sales this year. Hawaii auto sales reaccelerated and rose 3.7% in 2025 after three straight down years,  but sales are forecast to dip 1.8% in 2026 as consumers grapple with the high price of vehicles and the lingering effect of tariffs. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council to review HPD’s transparency measure. A Honolulu City Council measure that commends the city’s police force for not wearing masks when encountering members of the public it’s sworn to protect and serve is scheduled for final review on Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Hale Nani strike averted after tentative agreement reached. Unionized health care workers at Hale Nani Rehabilitation & Nursing Center said they have reached a tentative agreement with management and will no longer be going on strike.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Banyan Drive in spotlight. A pair of bills to facilitate the redevelopment of Banyan Drive in Hilo are scheduled for committee hearings this week. Tribune-Herald.

Water Restriction Notice Issued For Kawaihae, South Kohala Resorts, Again. Effective immediately and until further notice, residents and businesses in Kawaihae, as well as the resort communities along the South Kohala coast, must reduce water use by 25%. Big Island Video News.

State staff discover one of oldest Hawaiian honeycreepers on Big Island. Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife staff recently recaptured — and re-released — one of the oldest ʻiʻiwi ever observed. Big Island Now.

Maui

Public Safety Power Shutoff watch: Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions this week. Customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans should a Public Safety Power Shutoff be necessary, and to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages Monday through Thursday. Maui Now.

Students have been speaking ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi at this Molokaʻi school for over 30 years. Walk down the hallway at Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapuʻu, and you’ll hear students learning and conversing in Hawaiian, practicing oli and studying math. Today, Kumu Lokelani Han’s sixth grade class, or Papa ʻEono, is practicing for a Hawaiian language speech competition next week to celebrate Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Hawaii Public Radio.

Haleakala eyed for 7 more telescopes despite opposition. The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with plans to build seven more telescopes on Haleakalā, drawing opposition from those who consider the mountain sacred. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

County postpones remaining rubbish pick up in Anahola, Moloaʻa to Tuesday. Residential trash collection in portions of Anahola and Moloaʻa has been delayed because of staffing shortages, county Solid Waste officials said Monday afternoon.  Kauai Now.

Plan ahead now: Road closure scheduled for Pe‘e Road at intersection of Po‘ipū Road. Kaua’i County Department of Public Works and contractor Goodfellow Bros. notify the public about an upcoming closure of Pe‘e Road at the intersection of Po‘ipū Road. Kauai Now.

Governor seeks to borrow against new 'green fee' tourist tax, military wants Oahu to be hub of Pacific arms manufacturing, Air Force plans 7 new telescopes on Haleakala, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Initial ‘Green Fee’ projects are caught in funding dilemma. Gov. Josh Green is proposing to use debt instead of new special tax revenue to pay for an initial 18 “Green Fee” environmental improvement projects costing $42.2 million. The plan, which has aggravated some state lawmakers, would increase Green Fee project costs due to the interest on such debt while also freeing up a stream of cash specifically created for such projects to instead potentially fund other state needs. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers push for more transparency on Green Fee fund allocations. State lawmakers are working on how they will spend millions of dollars generated for climate projects by the new Green Fee on hotels and cruise ships. Two bills that would create more oversight for the selected projects advanced out of their first committees on Thursday. Hawaii Public Radio.

Special Interests Are Fueling Gov. Josh Green’s Anti-RFK Jr. Super PAC. A political action committee Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green launched last year to push back against U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism and support candidates who believe in science-backed medicine raised nearly $500,000 during 2025, according to federal campaign spending records.  Civil Beat.

Questions over Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke likely to inspire challengers. Democratic and nonpartisan elected officials across the state are quietly calculating the financial and political costs of challenging Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke by the June 2 filing deadline while suspicions swirl whether Luke is the target of an ongoing investigation by Hawaii’s attorney general. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi AG says 'no conflict' in investigation into alleged $35K lawmaker exchange. Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez reaffirmed her position Friday that there is no conflict of interest in her department’s investigation into an “influential lawmaker” who allegedly accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during a January 2022 meeting. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.

Rep. Daniel Holt leaves state House for Hawaii DLNR job. State Rep. Daniel Holt resigned from the state House Friday following his appointment to serve as an executive assistant to Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang. The Hawaii Democratic Party now has 30 days to give Gov. Josh Green a list of potential candidates to replace Holt in the House. Green will then have 60 days to select Holt’s replacement. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

String Of ‘Devastating’ Suicides In Hawaiʻi Prisons Continues. Corrections officials are asking for millions of dollars this year to hire dozens of health care workers to improve mental health services inside. Civil Beat.

Demand soars as loan relief keeps health care workers home. Under bills being considerred by the Legislature, those who receive a total annual loan amount of $50,001 or more would be required to work in Hawaii for three years instead of two. Star-Advertiser.

Group says military contributes 16% of Hawaiʻi's gross domestic product. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded more than $3 billion in contracts in Hawaiʻi in 2023. That's according to a recent report from Hawaiʻi's Military and Community Relations Office, or MACRO. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Now. 

Sea-level rise concerns most Hawaii residents, UH study finds. The majority of Hawaii residents recognize that sea-level rise is happening — and the opinion is shared across political party lines, according to a new statewide survey by University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, which asked more than 1,300 residents in Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui counties various questions on their opinions about sea-level rise. Star-Advertiser.

Lei legislation aims to bolster Hawaii flower farm industry. Buying lei made only with natural materials from Hawaii nei could be a new requirement for state agencies under an effort at the Legislature aimed at helping the local floriculture industry. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Military wants Hawaii to be a hub for Pacific arms manufacturing. Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy, visited the Honolulu Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility — which has $12 million worth of machines funded by his office — and “The Forge,” a new facility at Schofield Barracks with on-site tools for 3D printing, casting and forging and the ability for what military officials call “rapid prototyping.” Star-Advertiser.

Pentagon mulls ending tuition assistance at HPU. The Pentagon is mulling terminating tuition assistance to service members attending dozens of universities, including Hawaii Pacific University. The military branches have begun to compile lists of colleges and universities that may have a “moderate to high risk” of being impacted, meaning the Pentagon wouldn’t fund any active-duty service members’ higher education there. Star-Advertiser.

Council works to boost agritourism oversight. To prevent abuse, members of the Honolulu City Council say they want to strengthen the oversight of agritourism activities on Oahu’s agricultural lands. Star-Advertiser.

Where Are Honolulu’s Wāhine Lifeguards? 19 Out Of 20 Are Men. Hawaiʻi has some of the lowest rates of female lifeguards in the country. As more women surfers claim a spot in the lineup, there’s hope that might change. Civil Beat.

Illegal rentals hurt hotel sector, deepen housing crisis. Honolulu’s hotel sector pumps more than $12 billion a year into the local economy and supports nearly 64,000 jobs, but industry leaders warn those gains are increasingly at risk as illegal vacation rentals drain housing from residents and erode public support for tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Kakaʻako residents frustrated over dog ban at Ward Village park. The developer Howard Hughes Corp. promised residents a pet-friendly neighborhood, but it has now walked back its pitch to residents. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Higher tax rate eyed for Hawaii County homes worth $4M or more. The Hawaii County Council’s Finance Committee on Feb. 4 voted 7-1 to forward with a favorable recommendation to the full council a measure that would add a new, higher rate of residential property tax for property with a net taxable value of $4 million or more. Tribune-Herald.

County, former department head exonerated in trial. Following a civil jury trial presided over by Hilo Circuit Judge Henry Nakamoto, the county and Douglass Adams — former director of the Department of Research and Development — have been found legally not liable of all allegations in a lawsuit regarding the county’s hiring processes. Tribune-Herald.

County installs roundabout by in Hilo by HCC. The roundabout replaces the previous T-intersection at Kawili and Manono streets and was installed Friday as part of the ongoing Kawili Street paving project. Tribune-Herald.

Episode 42 Lava Fountains Erupt At Kīlauea Volcano. Episode 42 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 11:38 p.m. HST on February 15 after 9 hours and 48 minutes hours of continuous lava fountaining. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Air Force advances plans to build 7 more telescopes on Haleakalā as fuel spill cleanup continues. Activists are gearing up for another fight as the U.S. Air Force outlines plans to build up to seven more telescopes on the summit, even though it has not finished the cleanup of a 700-gallon fuel spill from 2023.  Maui Now.

Maui Housing Policy Divides Top Candidates For Mayor This Election. The mayoral election on Nov. 3 will give voters their first opportunity since the fires to decide who should steer the county for the next four years as it grapples with those issues. With four months before the candidate filing deadline, Maui County Council member Yuki Lei Sugimura has emerged as Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s top challenger. Civil Beat.

Open house offers chance to learn more about Maui’s new water conservation rules. The Maui County Department of Water Supply will host an open house from 5:30-7 p.m. Feb. 25 to discuss recent amendments to the county’s water conservation rules and what those changes mean to the community. Maui News.

Kauai

$6M OHA emergency fund offering help to Kauai Residents. OHA’s Hawaiian Council Outreach Team will be on Kauai on Monday, Feb. 16, to provide in-person assistance through its ‘Ola Emergency Relief Fund program. KHON2.

New mural ‘inspires responsibility,’ honors Kauai man killed by impaired driver. Students from Waimea High School and community members painted a new mural to limit impaired driving and remember a Kauai man killed in a hit-and-run crash. Hawaii News Now.

East, southeast shores to remain under high surf advisory. Strong trade winds will maintain relatively short period high surf along east-facing shores of Kauaʻi lasting into Wednesday. Kauai Now.