Hannemann resigns as HTA chair amid investigation, HECO and Carpenter's Union battle it out, longline fishers experience record low profits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hannemann Resigns As Chair Of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Amid Freebie Inquiry. Tourism executive and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann resigned as chair of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Thursday after questions were raised over possible inappropriate use of HTA resources by two nonprofits he leads. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

HECO Accuses Carpenters Union Of ‘Shakedown’. The carpenters union and Hawaiian Electric Co. are clashing over a proposed labor agreement and legislation to help the utility address future wildfires. Hawaiian Electric Co. and an influential labor union got into a high-profile political fight Thursday, exchanging accusations that the union was engaged in a “shakedown” and the utility was trying to soak ratepayers with a new fee. Civil Beat.

Water commission litigation diffused by new appointment. Gov. Josh Green on Thursday appointed Hannah Kihalani Springer to fill the special seat on the Commission on Water Resource Management after twice previously passing her over in moves that led to litigation. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Trump’s tariffs cast doubt on Hawaii vehicle sales forecast. Hawaii’s auto dealers ended 2024 down 3% in sales and were expecting a rebound this year until the enthusiasm was abruptly halted when President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on foreign auto imports and auto parts this week. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi longline fishers experience 'all-time low' in profits. Hawaiʻi's longline fishers are facing record lows in profits, according to a recent report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kūpuna are extra vulnerable during disasters. Here’s how programs hope to help. The state Legislature is also considering resolutions that ask the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency to develop outreach programs to better inform kūpuna about emergency preparedness. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

It Took 8 Pedestrians Struck At This Intersection For The City To Act. Residents asked the city to make the intersection safer after a woman was killed there in 2019, but the city said no changes were needed. Since then, more people have been hit. Civil Beat.

E-bikes, homelessness among the topics discussed at the mayor’s first town hall of the year. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi kicked off the third year of town hall meetings around Oahu Thursday night in a hot recreation room at Kalanianaole Beach Park. The meeting drew a standing room only crowd, with dozens waiting outside a half hour before it began. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

HPD confirms command changes after communication breakdown during Waikiki gun fight. The  Honolulu Police Department is set to put a new commander in charge of the bureau that oversees the district.  Statements made by Chief Joe Logan at a recent police commission meeting seem to indicate displeasure with the fact those in charge failed to provide him with real-time information about the shootout. Hawaii News Now.

2 hurt, home damaged after small plane lands in Kunia field. Two men were injured and a home was damaged after a small aircraft landed in a field in Central Oahu. According to the Honolulu Fire Department, a 911 call came in at around noon after a small Piper Cherokee aircraft reportedly landed in an open field between Royal Kunia and Wheeler Army Airfield. Authorities confirmed it was not a military aircraft. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

County seeks operator for reusable foodware program. The selected applicant from the RFP process will operate and oversee a community-scale system responsible for collecting, washing and reusing takeout containers with the goal of eliminating waste and supporting the local economy, according to a press release. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County seeks liaison to connect job seekers with businesses. The Department of Research and Development is requesting proposals from applicants interested in serving as the county’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) One-Stop Operator. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County Council member Alice Lee to look into assessment complaints. Maui County Council chair Alice Lee said she is worried about the rise in residential property tax assessments in Maui County and will be looking at its impact on Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s $1.51 billion fiscal year 2026 budget. Maui News.

Maui County budget proposal written in ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi for the first time in 100 years. "Staying true to our commitment to cultural restoration and inclusion, this year's County of Maui fiscal budget mayor's message will be formally delivered to the county clerk in both English and ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi," Mayor Richard Bissen said. Hawaii Public Radio.

Intermediate appeals court rules in archaeological permitting case. The intermediate appeals judges held that the Land Board, in a contested case, “erroneously placed the burden on Mālama to prove ASH LLC failed to comply with its permit conditions for calendar years 2015-2017.”  Maui Now.

Maui IRS office closes amid federal budget cuts, raising concerns for taxpayers. As tax season enters its final stretch, residents of Maui are facing an additional hurdle: the temporary closure of the IRS office in Wailuku. KHON2.

Judge sets $5M bail for Maui doctor in alleged attempted murder. Court documents filed Thursday reveal Arielle Konig, the wife of 46-year-old Maui anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, told police he struck her about 10 times in the head and tried to inject her with a syringe filled with an unknown liquid while on a hike Monday. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kauai

Princeville’s expansion project gains fuel support. Aloha Petroleum Ltd. has opened the temporary Princeville Aloha Gas station, fueling excitement and curiosity about the expansion of the Princeville Shopping Center. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi Hiking Hazards Could Cost Taxpayers $550K. The state has tentatively agreed to pay a pair of tourists injured at Waimea Canyon State Park in 2021 and 2023. Civil Beat.

3rd legislator investigated in Choy bribery case, big changes mulled for medical marijuana law, turf war between lawmakers and new police standards board, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FBI Recorded Hawaiʻi Lawmaker Being Given $35,000. Three years after the handoff, the identities of an unnamed man and a lawmaker he paid remain unknown to the public. A court filing reveals the existence of two new characters in a scandal that rocked the Hawaiʻi Capitol and launched a crisis of public trust that elected officials have yet to fully reckon with. The investigation landed Cullen and former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English in prison after they pleaded guilty to taking cash and other gifts from businessman Milton Choy. Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson confirmed officials are still working on the case, but he declined to answer questions. Civil Beat.

State Collects Money From Home Builders For New Schools. It’s Never Spent a Dime. Lawmakers and housing advocates say the fee should be eliminated because the state hasn’t used the money. DOE says the rules on spending it are too restrictive.Nearly two decades after the Legislature gave the Hawaiʻi education department a way to raise money from housing construction to pay for new schools, lawmakers may take that power away.  Civil Beat.

Tired Of Waiting For Rules On Police Chases, Lawmakers Step In. A turf war is brewing between a new police standards board and lawmakers, who are frustrated with the lack of progress. Civil Beat.

Governor names new appointment to water commission. Gov. Josh Green has appointed Hannah Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Springer is from North Kona, where she and her family have maintained a homestead for 100 years, raising sheep, pigs, and chickens. Hawaii News Now.

Local ag leaders are trying to bring back federal funds for farming, food security. A Hawaiʻi delegation wrapped up a three-day visit Wednesday in Washington, D.C., for its second annual policy summit focused on farming and food security.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Big reforms may be in store for Hawaii’s medical marijuana program along with a crackdown on illicit cannabidiol (CBD) outlets. The changes would make it much easier to get medical cannabis and harder to find it illegally. Hawaii News Now.

Bill eases UH residency requirements for graduates of Hawaii high schools. House Bill 1170 aims to simplify residency requirements for students, particularly those experiencing homelessness or complex family situations, who currently face challenges in proving residency. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii joins legal challenge to block DOE closure. State Attorney General Anne Lopez is leading a multi­state legal battle to block the Trump administration in its attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, joining 20 other attorneys general in seeking a preliminary injunction to halt widespread layoffs and service disruptions. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Council to explore tax financing to fund development. The proposed program would employ tax increment financing, or TIF, which uses bonds to support public projects. Typically, this public financing method uses anticipated real property tax increases — also known as “tax increments” — to fund such projects. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi kicks off his annual town hall meetings with the public Thursday night, focusing on the west side of Oahu. Councilmembers say it’s no secret what their concerns are, and hope some progress is being made. KHON2.

State considers community assessment of possible Kakaʻako Makai developments. The Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority wants $1 million for community planning sessions and an infrastructure assessment of Kakaʻako Makai. That includes evaluating residential, hotel and manufacturing development in the area. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy plan to reactivate a water source for military communities raises concerns.  The  military wants to reactive the Aiea-Halawa shaft as a backup water source. Hawaii News Now.

Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home opens in Kapolei. The long-planned Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home finally opened its doors Wednesday in Kapolei as the family of its namesake, the late U.S. senator from Hawaii, bestowed the facility with a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

PBS Hawaii’s mission withstands any potential federal defunding. Despite calls from House Republicans to defund PBS and NPR, leadership at PBS Hawai‘i said the changes will not affect how they serve the local community. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

When will fire-prone Waikōloa get another evacuation route? Residents of fire-prone Waikōloa Village were hopeful that they would get a new evacuation route this year. Work on an egress road started under former Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth, but now the new mayoral administration is casting doubt on the project. Hawaii Public Radio.

Officials address coconut rhinoceros beetle threat in Big Island community meeting. Elected officials will be joined by representatives of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee; the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Biosecurity Division; the Department of Land and Natural Resources Invasive Species Division; the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture to discuss the increasingly detrimental issue during a virtual community meeting next Wednesday. Big Island Now.

Three Big Island teachers recognized for receiving national certification. Three Hawaii Island teachers were among the 25 Hawaii educators from throughout the state who were recognized for their completion of the rigorous certification program of the National Board Certified Teacher. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

US Department of Labor awards additional $2.5M for Maui wildfire recovery jobs, training. The $2.5 million in additional funding is part of the Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) and is allocated to the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Maui Now.

U.S. Rep Tokuda tells Maui residents fearful of Trump’s changes: ‘You need to help us agitate’.  Tokuda, a Democrat who represents Hawaiʻi’s 2nd Congressional District that includes Maui County, responded to vocal frustrations in a town hall on Maui last week with a call to action. Maui Now.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen presents proposed budget. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen introduced a $1.5 billion proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year as the county continues to work to fund wildfire recovery efforts and bolster emergency response measures. Maui Now. Maui News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui doctor charged after allegedly attempting to kill wife.  Gerhardt Konig, 46, allegedly struck his wife, 36, attempted to push her off the Pali Puka hiking trail on Oahu and then struck her multiple times with a rock Monday morning. Two witnesses called 911. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Police Department seeks recruits. Kaua‘i Police Department is looking for an infusion of new blue blood to better serve the Garden Isle with purpose. Police recently unveiled a new recruitment website, providing an opportunity for those interested in working for the department to explore rewarding career paths and join a dedicated team serving the Kaua‘i community. Kauai Now.

Mufi Hannemann investigated for freebies, Hegseth tours Hawaii bases, Honolulu to purge inactive building permits, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Mufi Hannemann’s Events Spark Inquiry Into Freebies From Tourism Agency. A state audit has triggered an investigation of whether the HTA board chair’s nonprofits inappropriately received free food and use of state facilities from his own agency. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority board on Tuesday questioned Hannemann at length about the events hosted by HTA for Hannemann’s organizations.  The Ethics Commission has already begun interviewing people as part of an inquiry into more than $14,000 in food and beverages provided for the two events.  Civil Beat.

Hegseth tours Hawaii bases, makes appeal to Pacific allies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued his tour of Hawaii on Tuesday, meeting with troops, touring bases and giving a speech in Waikiki in which he made overtures to American allies in the Pacific and called on them to help the U.S. confront China. Star-Advertiser.

Prince Kuhio Day eve event rallies support for $600M Hawaiian Homes funding. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a unity rally Tuesday at the state Capitol to pay tribute to Prince Kuhio a day ahead of his birthday and to counteract recent resistance to homestead development funding at the Legislature. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

The Unlikely Odyssey Of Prince Jonah Kūhiō. Raised in nobility and imprisoned after the overthrow of the monarchy, Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole had an outsized impact on modern Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Digitized agriculture form disrupts tourism data. Akamai Arrival, the pilot program for a digitized agriculture disclosure form, left out the optional tourism questions from the back of the form, creating a blip in the state’s continuous tourism arrivals set that goes back to before the jet age. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu permitting department to purge building permit applications that have been in system more than 1 year. DPP announced that effective immediately, it will purge building permit applications that have been in its review system for more than 365 days, with no activity from the applicant. This includes permits that have been approved to be issued but have not been picked up. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Co-Owner Of Waiʻanae Company Arrested For Import Of Illegal Fireworks. The seizure of 24 tons of fireworks was the largest single interdiction by the state Illegal Fireworks Task Force. Josephine Quintanilla, a co-owner of Explicit Pyrotechnics, was charged on March 11 with allegedly importing fireworks into Hawaiʻi without a state license, a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  Civil Beat.

Lawmakers vote to support new Aloha Stadium project. A public hearing held at the state’s capitol building Tuesday, with two resolutions urging lawmakers to support the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District Project. KITV4.

TheBus, Skyline, Handi-Van phone lines resume after outage.  The outage follows scheduled maintenance early Tuesday, after which the phone lines failed to come back online. Star-Advertiser.

Balancing safety: Speed humps reduce crashes. But may be slowing Honolulu Fire’s response times. The Department of Transportation started installing speed humps in 2019. In total, there are 180 across Oahu with 11 more in the works. Hawaii News Now.

School Harassment Case Could Cost Hawaiʻi Taxpayers $150K. Stevenson Middle School Principal Katherine Balatico sued the education department for failing to protect her and her family after they received death threats through her job. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea begins ‘15th episode’ of eruption. Scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said “episode 15” of the ongoing eruption commenced at 12:04 p.m. Tuesday  “with the onset of vigorous overflows from the north vent,” along with “continuing cycles of lava rise, fountaining and vigorous overflows, and drainback events.” Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Big Island Video News.

Sayre Foundation partners with Life Flight Network to provide Big Island with new air ambulance. The Big Island will soon have a new tool able to rapidly respond to and transport the most critical patients from even its most rural areas because of two nonprofits dedicated to saving lives. Big Island Now.

A monument for Vietnam vets planned for school in Kona. Vietnam vet Clyde Brumaghim is currently leading an effort to raise money from the community for an elegant monument that will stand at Konawaena High School to honor the Wildcats who served in the Vietnam War, which took place from 1954 to 1975. Tribune-Herald.

Management plan for a popular Big Island trail focuses on capacity, cultural preservation. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources' new management plan for the Pololū Trailhead aims to perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture, preserve the ʻāina, and address the overwhelming number of visitors. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Mayor Bissen presents $1.512 billion FY2026 budget to Maui County Council. The document addresses funding needed for housing, recovery and well-being, natural and cultural resources, water, infrastructure and public safety. Maui Now.

Lawsuit challenges Trump freeze on Maui funding. The state Department of Human Services will have to shut down its ongoing relief efforts for 4,431 remaining survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires on April 4 unless the Federal Emergency Management Agency lifts a funding freeze, according to a federal lawsuit filed by attorneys general from both Republican and Democratic states. Star-Advertiser.

Shuttered Maui Fire Victims Jobs Effort Gets Funds, But Fate Still Unclear. Nonprofit that ran the dislocated worker grant program will get the new funding to cover expenses it already racked up. Civil Beat.

Commission supports Wailea housing project. The Maui Planning Commission has recommended moving forward with a revised plan for a 670-acre housing development in Wailea that reduces the requirement to provide affordable housing from 700 to 288 units. Maui News.

Lānaʻi Clinic Pushes To Prescribe Drugs As Telehealth Bill Moves Forward. The legal battle comes as the Legislature debates a bill that would allow pharmacists on neighbor islands to remotely supervise services at rural medical clinics. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Did you hear the siren? Let Kaua‘i Emergency Management know with new online tool. Kaua‘i County’s emergency management agency launched a new online reporting tool so residents and businesses can voluntarily help monitor the monthly tests. Kauai Now.

Hanalei Pavilion and parking lot to close. The Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled Hanalei Pavillion to close for two weeks for septic repairs and maintenance. Garden Island.

Defense Secretary Hegseth stops in Honolulu, gender wage disparity persists, state to allow inspections of prisons and jails, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Defense secretary stops in Hawaii as part of Pacific tour. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is on Oahu to meet with Pacific military leaders to discuss China and other security priorities in the region. Images released by Hegseth and the military on social media showed that soon after touching down on Oahu, he went to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters at Camp Smith, where he met with INDO­PACOM chief Adm. Samuel Paparo and other members of the military’s senior leadership in the Pacific, the Pentagon’s top-priority theater of operations. He also laid a wreath at Pearl Harbor.  Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.

Federal actions impact nearly $90M meant for Hawaiʻi and Pacific farmers, food organizations. Federal cuts and actions have already had “significant impacts” on the local food supply chain, as an estimated $88.5 million in federal funds meant for Hawaiʻi and Pacific region farmers and food system organizations have been frozen or eliminated, or have an uncertain future. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gender wage disparities still persist in Hawaii. Despite progress over the decades, data shows that women in the state still earn less than men, particularly in higher-paying occupations and among certain ethnic groups. Star-Advertiser.

State To Open Prisons And Jails For Inspection Of Mental Health Services. Hawaiʻi has agreed to open its prisons and jails for inspection by two national experts who will assess the state’s troubled inmate mental health services. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority names new interim leader. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has announced a leadership change as interim president and CEO Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi resigned on March 21 after 18 months in the role and over a decade in other leadership roles within the HTA. Hawaii Public Radio.

Pandemic in Hawaii’s rearview mirror, but COVID ‘still with us’.  More than five years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, throwing Hawaii and the world into chaos, memories of the traumatic events for many have become a blur in the rearview mirror. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu City Charter Commission officially convenes. After a decadelong absence, a 13-person panel charged with proposing ballot amendments to potentially change the City and County of Honolulu’s constitution officially convened Monday. Star-Advertiser.

Army launches Uber pilot program on Oahu. Soldiers and their families in Hawaii might have an easier time getting on and off base, whether it’s going to the airport or getting home safe after a wild night out, with a new pilot program the Army is launching in partnership with Uber. Star-Advertiser.

Blaisdell Concert Hall, Waikīkī Shell welcome back events after renovations. Two of Oʻahu’s iconic entertainment venues, the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall and Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell, have finished long-awaited renovations. Hawaii Public Radio.

City closes Ahihi Street footbridge due to safety concerns. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) has closed the Ahihi Street footbridge indefinitely due to damage to its metal railings. The city said the bridge was built in 1975 and is located on Ahihi Street between Kamanaiki and Nihi streets. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Former Mayor Roth joins Central Pacific Bank. Former Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth has joined Central Pacific Bank as senior vice president and Hawaii Island region manager. He is based in the bank’s Hilo branch. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Kona Community and Kohala hospitals launch rebrand amid ongoing efforts to grow services. Kohala Hospital and Kona Community Hospital are getting a brand makeover with new logos that Hawaiian cultural practitioners helped design. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui advocates hope for change after ruling says state failed to protect iwi kupuna.  A new court ruling claims the state mishandled its archaeological permitting process and failed to protect iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) at a Maui development site. Hawaii News Now.

Online survey to rate county’s funding priorities. The survey is being released as Maui County Council prepares to review the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget, which runs from July 1 to June 30, 2026.  Maui News.

Bill for test well near Launiupoko advances. Maui County Council members are looking at what might be a potential source of fresh water near Lahaina that hasn’t been used as much since sugarcane was cultivated by the Pioneer Mill Company. Maui News.

Infrastructure repairs and maintenance for Maui State Forest Reserves scheduled in April. Sites in Upcountry Maui will close for the month of April to allow for trail repairs and fuel mitigation work.  Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

After Lahaina fire, Hawaii residents address their risk by becoming ‘Firewise’. Even with renewed interest in fire resilience, community leaders face challenges in mobilizing their neighbors. Mitigation can take money, time and sacrifice. Associated Press.

Kauai

Applications open for second building in Kai Olino affordable housing project on Kaua‘i. After delayed construction due to a fire, an affordable housing project in ‘Ele‘ele has finally begun accepting applications. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.

Rep. Gene Ward retiring due to health reasons, Legislature scrutinizes tax credits, COVID pandemic effects still felt after 5 years, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State Rep. Gene Ward is retiring due to health concerns. Ward, a Republican, has been the longest-serving member of Hawaiʻi's House of Representatives, after being in public service for more than three decades, including more than 27 years working for his constituents in District 18 that encompasses Hawaiʻi Kai, Kalama Valley and Portlock. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4.  Spectrum News. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii tax credits scrutinized by state lawmakers. Hawaii lawmakers have been busy this year assessing whether there should be more or fewer ways to earn state income tax credits, a year after approving historic tax cuts that ramp up through 2031. Star-Advertiser.

More of Hawaii’s House members juggle family and work. An unusually high number of state House members — Rep. Chris Todd counts “at least” 14 out of 51 — are juggling long days and often long nights this legislative session while raising infants and elementary school-age children, sometimes inside the state Capitol itself. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii poised to significantly expand amount of red light/speed cameras across the islands. The total cost of the expansion is expected to cost between $10 million to $15 million, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. These intersections are located on Oahu, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai. KITV4.

Hawaii’s economic growth has been stunted since recovering from pandemic. It’s been five years since Hawaii’s economy got broadsided by COVID-19 impacts, and about 18 months since state economic health surpassed its pre-pandemic level. Yet corona­virus aftereffects continue to play out. Star-Advertiser.

COVID changes still disrupt lives across Hawaii. As Hawaii marks the five-year anniversary of the start of COVID-19 outbreaks in the isles and health-related shutdowns, for some the pandemic was a blip, a small notation in their medical charts. But others view their COVID-19 experience as a deep wound that has yet to heal and is forming scars.  Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Camera system warning phase for speeders in urban Honolulu starts Monday. The state Department of Transportation will begin issuing warnings Monday for speeding violations detected by newly implemented safety camera systems. The cameras, installed at 10 urban Honolulu intersections where red-light cameras are already operational, will begin citing speeding motorists in September or October, according to DOT Director Ed Sniffen. Star-Advertiser.

New City And State Homeless Directors Face Monumental Task. Roy Miyahira and Jun Yang have just stepped almost simultaneously into a pivotal moment in the landscape of homelessness in Hawaiʻi. Each is the third person to hold their position in as many years.  Civil Beat.

Outdoor dining is set to become a permanent option for Oʻahu restaurants. Dining al fresco may become more common at Oʻahu restaurants with the Honolulu City Council's passing of Bill 1 to make the outdoor dining services program permanent. Hawaii Public Radio.

Council OKs Ewa Beach affordable rental project. Kaleimao Village, a ublic-private partnership to convert a vacant city-owned property in Ewa Beach into 127 units of affordable rental housing has advanced. Star-Advertiser.

A Honolulu attorney who was part of a black market pipeline offering babies from the Marshall Islands for adoption has been barred from practicing law. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court put Laurie Loomis on inactive status last month “due to incapacity.”  Civil Beat.

Youth Facility Can Spend Up To $80,000 On Fast Food. For the third year in a row, the Hawaiʻi Youth Correctional Facility’s kitchen is understaffed, so it is turning to plate lunches for emergency meals. Civil Beat.

Free state program helps Oʻahu residents rid little fire ants from their homes. If you're an Oʻahu resident and have a problem with little fire ants, you can get some help for free. The state Department of Agriculture has launched a $1.1 million program to help eradicate infestations of the ants, treating around 600 homes on the island. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State commission delays decision on rate increase for private utility company on Big Island. After hearing more than two hours of online testimony on Thursday evening, the Public Utilities Commission decided to seek more written testimony before deciding whether to approve temporary rate increases requested by the privately-owned Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation utility. Big Island Now.

County Council passes pilot program to allow mobile vendors along a stretch of highway in Kona. The Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday voted for a pilot program that would authorize special activity permits for commercial vendors on the ocean side of Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kailua-Kona. Big Island Now.

Trailhead Management Plan Published For “Overly Loved” Pololū. The management plan “aims to preserve its cultural, historical, and environmental resources while ensuring accessibility for future generations.”  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Uncertainty over federal funding cuts hangs over the upcoming budget talks for Maui County. Mayor Richard Bissen will deliver the fiscal year 2026 budget to the council on Tuesday, giving the nine members about three months to hammer out a final product that will balance the wildfire recovery in Lahaina and Upcountry with other pressing needs of Maui, Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.  Maui Now.

Maui Humane Society program helps dogs shine, creating a national model for success. The shelter's Kama’āina Beach Buddies and Dogs on Demand programs give dogs a chance to escape the stressful kennel environment — and help them meet potential adopters along the way. It's so popular it’s often booked out months in advance. Hawaii Public Radio.

Community-led coral restoration effort launches in South Maui. A new Community-Based Coral Restoration Area (CBCRA), established in South Maui, is offering damaged corals a chance to recover from rising ocean temperatures, sediment pollution and human activity. Maui Now.

Kauai

Mālama Kaua‘i partners with Bette Midler on 87-acre agricultural park to help farmers. Mālama Kaua‘i is working on an agricultural park on the East Side of the Garden Isle that will offer affordable, sublicensed farm plots on 87 acres fronting Olohena Road between Kapa‘a and the Wailua Homesteads. Kauai Now.

New affordable housing on Kauai to begin accepting applications. The project called Kai Olino Family Apartments in Eleele began accepting applications Thursday for its first building, with the deadline being set for Monday.  Hawaii News Now.

New Kuleana.work space dedicated. The Kuleana AI Lab was dedicated by Kumu Sabra Kauka and the Kuleana leadership team on Saturday morning at the site of the former First Hawaiian Bank, Kukui Grove branch. Garden Island.

Legislature advances state park fee bills, mulls sex-trafficking, prior authorization insurance measures, turmoil at the top at HTA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Visitor ‘green fees’ bill passes House committees. The House Tourism and Water and Land Committee passed the latest version of Senate Bill 439, which would allow the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to select certain state parks that would require a user fee, be adjusted over time for inflation and contribute to the state parks special fund. Star-Advertiser.

HTA scrambles to fill void after departure of another president and CEO. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has appointed Caroline Anderson as its new interim president and CEO following the resignation of its current interim top leader Daniel Naho’opi’i, who had been in the role for the past 18 months. Star-Advertiser.

Dismantling of Department of Education raises concerns in Hawaii. While the majority of funding for Hawaii’s public education system comes from the state, Hawaii still relies on federal funds to maintain programs for vulnerable students. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Senate Judiciary Committee set for decision-making on sex trafficking bill next week. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled for decision-making next week on a House bill that would authorize sex trafficking victims to file civil lawsuits against the perpetrators of what’s been called a “form of modern-day slavery.” Maui Now.

Farm to Families bills seek to help food banks with emergencies, federal cuts. Lawmakers are moving along a pair of measures that  would establish a Farm to Families program within the state Department of Agriculture to allocate state funds to food banks for buying, storing and delivering locally grown or produced food for food-insecure communities.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Doctors call for reform on insurance practice they say impacts care and leads to burnout. Lawmakers are trying to reform an insurance practice aimed at curbing unnecessary treatments called "prior authorization” — when health care providers need approval from insurers before delivering medical services or medications. Hawaii Public Radio.

Science advisors discuss updates to protected species issues, strategic planning for Western Pacific fisheries. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee met this week to review protected species management and discuss strategic planning for fisheries in the region. Maui Now.

New study finds forests, fish, food production protected by indigenous agroforestry. A team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, Kamehameha Schools and Seascape Solutions found that protecting native forests combined transitioning fallow and unmanaged agricultural lands to a Native Hawaiian agroforestry system can improve local food production, biodiversity conservation and cultural connection in places from land to sea. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Proposed sewer fee hikes approaching on Oahu. Officials say the fees are rising because the city needs to complete $10 billion worth of projects in the next 15 years, including a $2.5 billion project at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hawaii News Now.

No Charges For HPD Officer In 2024 Shooting Death Of Homeless Man. Prosecutors said officers tried to de-escalate the situation and use non-lethal force before shooting Brandan Maroney. Civil Beat.

Aliamanu firework survivors discharged from Arizona hospital. The five survivors from the Aliamanu New Year’s blast, who were transported to Arizona, have been discharged from acute care at Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center Valleywise Health. Hawaii News Now.

State Suddenly Swaps Contractor For Major Oʻahu Public Housing Overhaul. No reason was given for the sudden change at Kūhiō Park Terrace, approved Thursday by the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority’s board. Civil Beat.

Blaisdell Concert Hall completes $10 million in phased renovations. Reopening in early March after a nearly two-year closure, the 60-year-old concert hall at 777 Ward Ave. underwent $10 million in interior upgrades to enhance the entertainment venue’s back-of-house facilities and equipment. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu rail project CEO sets sights on opening next segment in October. The second segment runs a little over 5 miles from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street  and includes stops at Honolulu airport and Pearl Harbor. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s homeless sweeps, what else is needed. Officials continue to conduct homeless sweeps at public parks but it is not clear if the enforcement is putting a dent in the problem or pushing it down the road. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano puts on dazzling show with lava fountains hundreds of feet high. Lava from Hawaii’s most active volcano created fountains that reached 700 feet (215 meters) Thursday during the latest episode of an ongoing eruption.  Associated Press.

Progress made in effort to build Hilo skatepark. Funding from Hawaii County and the state totaling $6 million is bringing the decade-long effort to build Hilo’s first skatepark closer to fruition. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Mayor stands behind request for leave of absence for Maui police chief. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said there was not any personal dispute between him and Police Chief John Pelletier when he recommended Pelletier take a leave of absence pending a civil lawsuit naming the police chief as a co-defendant. Maui News.

5 Lahaina homes to be rebuilt through multi-organization partnership. More than half of the 1,355 homes destroyed in the Lahaina wildfires were owner-occupied. Five of those families will get new homes thanks to a multi-organization partnership.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Transgender Students Have Strong Protections In Hawaiʻi. That May Not Last. A private school on Maui is restricting transgender students’ access to bathrooms and sports teams. Some advocates are worried that more schools might follow. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kauai District Health Office open house coming soon. Department of Health staff will be available during the open house to share their work and talk about how members of the community can work together to identify and address public health issues.  Garden Island.

Green wants to create Federal Affairs Office, HECO execs got big raises despite financial woes, Maui police chief to stay on job despite Diddy lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Proposes a Federal Affairs Office To Make Hawaiʻi’s Case In DC. The governor is asking legislators for $1.3 million to fund five new positions over the next two years. Gov. Josh Green is asking for state money to open a new federal affairs office with staff in Hawaiʻi and Washington, D.C., citing dramatic shifts in federal policy that have already unfolded under President Donald Trump’s administration. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Electric Execs Pocketed Huge Raises Despite $1.4B In Losses. Steering the utility from the brink of bankruptcy justified a $1.7 million raise for its CEO, the company said. Civil Beat.

Canadians cite Trump in canceling trips to Hawaii. A small sample of once-loyal Hawaii visitors from Canada have written to Gov. Josh Green and Hawaii tourism officials that they canceled their latest trips to the islands because of President Donald Trump’s comments and actions toward their country. Star-Advertiser.

Federal funding uncertainty puts climate resiliency bills in jeopardy. Major initiatives that would have created a dedicated funding stream for climate resiliency are in jeopardy at the state Legislature. Uncertainty regarding federal funding is pushing lawmakers to make tough decisions.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Lawmakers vote to keep invasive species council housed under land department. Lawmakers nixed a proposal to move the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council out from under the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s construction industry braces for trade war fallout. Some Hawaii businesses are feeling the fallout of President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. Now, all steel and aluminum imports, regardless of the country they came from, are subject to a 25% tariff. For China, that tariff is now up to 45% due to the existing tax.  Hawaii News Now.

University of Hawaii moves forward with search for next AD.  The process of hiring the University of Hawaii’s next athletic director is underway with the enlistment of a national search firm and the formation of a 10-member search committee, UH president Wendy Hensel announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

New rail segment to open later this year. The second segment of Skyline is set to begin passenger operations on Oct. 1, expanding the City and County of Honolulu's rail system and bringing passengers closer to Honolulu's urban core.  Aloha State Daily.

Honolulu Council adopts ban on wheelies for e-bikes, motorcycles. A measure targeting the riders of electric bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles who perform stunts on public streets or roadways has successfully steered its way through the Honolulu City Council. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Blangiardi's annual address highlights Honolulu rail and affordable housing progress. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s fifth State of the City address was filled with plans, announcements and highlights of his efforts to help residents and improve city services during his second four-year term. Hawaii Public Radio.

Housing opportunities among top focus for Honolulu officials in '25 and beyond. With some new housing opportunities getting set to open, including Pensacola Maikiki Banyan Apartments (90-unit affordable housing project, located at corner of Pensacola and Wilder) opening next year and another location on Algaroba (25 units, studios and 1-bedrooms, utilities included), opening in July, many feel progress is being made, but what more can be done? KITV4.

City councilmember to ask for police chief’s resignation if HPD vacancies hit 475. Honolulu City Councilmember Andria Tupola says police chief Joe Logan should step down if the number of vacancies in the Honolulu Police Department hit 475. As of March 1, HPD had 1,722 officers and 455 vacancies. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu police chief apologizes for silence over Waikiki shooting. Honolulu’s police chief is apologizing for failing to inform the public about potential danger. This time, the department didn’t alert the public after an apparent shootout Sunday night in Waikiki that might have involved an automatic weapon with the shooter or shooters still at large. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Is Being Evicted Amid Federal Cuts. Observatory leaders have assured local emergency officials their public service will continue, but questions linger about how and where that work will happen. Civil Beat.

Private utility company requesting temporary water/wastewater rate increases for Punalu‘u. Due to opposition to the Punalu‘u Village, the owner has ceased further financial support for Punalu‘u Water and Sanitation and has requested rate increases for the approximately 100 households that use the private system. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Police Commission opts against putting chief on leave over Diddy lawsuit. The Maui Police Commission decided Wednesday against placing Maui Police Chief John Pelletier on administrative leave, as recommended by the mayor after the filing of a civil lawsuit in Northern California alleging Pelletier acted as an operative in 2018 for rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs to help hide his alleged sexual assaults. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

County Department of Human Concerns seeking feedback on community needs. The County of Maui Department of Human Concerns is seeking resident feedback to improve existing services and identify needs for new services to support Maui County residents.  Maui Now.

Children displaced by Maui fires will receive playhouse at temporary school. To support the children affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires, the nonprofit Maui United Way is funding the installation of a children’s playhouse at the temporary Kamehameha III School in Pulelehua. Spectrum News.

Kauai

County Engineering Division now offers road permit applications online. A road permit is required for any work within a county right of way. The county’s Department of Public Works Engineering Division recently launched an online application process for the permits on the Kaua‘i County website. Kauai Now.

2 new renewable projects would bring Garden Isle close to 80% renewable energy within 3 years. Two new solar-plus-battery-storage projects being pursued by Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative would bring the Garden Isle close to 80% renewable energy before the end of this decade. Kauai Now.