Changes to coastal permits in the works, interisland shipping costs could increase by 20% or more, huge raises coming to Maui officials, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State considers changes to permit process for coastal single-family homes. Lawmakers are advancing a bill to amend the permitting process for certain coastal residences despite pushback from some conservation groups and community members. House Bill 732 would increase the cutoff for a Special Management Agency minor permit to $750,000 for single-family homes no larger than 3,500 square feet, which the supporters say would streamline the permitting process and account for inflation. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian homestead development plans questioned amid funding request. On July 11, 2022, a historic bill to reduce the number of Native Hawaiians waiting for homesteads became law, but nearly three years later it can be hard to grasp how many homesteads will be produced from the $600 million Waitlist Reduction Act. Star-Advertiser.

Bills drive union challenge of Hawaiian Electric. Both Hawaiian Electric and the carpenters union argue that their positions for and against earlier versions of House Bill 982 would be best for Hawaii when it comes to recovering from future wildfires in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, which killed 102 people and all but obliterated Lahaina. Star-Advertiser.

Bill advances to support film, TV productions. Abill passed out of the House Committee on Finance Wednesday with amendments, would create the Island Film and Media Production Investment Fund, expand tax incentives for hiring local workers and extend support to streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu. Star-Advertiser.

Young Brothers looking to raise shipping costs by at least 20%. Members of the public are invited to weigh in on shipping cost increases proposed by Young Brothers, the shipping company responsible for all interisland cargo shipping. Should the raise be accepted, container shipping will cost 20% more, with shipping to Hilo rising 35%. Shipping a car would rise 30%, and refrigerated items would increase 40%. KHON2.

Cost of raising a child in Hawaiʻi surges to $362,891—the most expensive in the US. Raising a child in Hawaiʻi now costs an estimated $362,891 over 18 years, making it the most expensive state in the country for families, according to a new LendingTree analysis. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Is Failing Special Education Students. Federal Cuts Could Make It Worse. Families and researchers say possible funding cuts and reduced federal oversight could make it harder for special education students to receive the services they need in schools.  Civil Beat.

National Endowment for the Humanities terminates grants awarded to local organizations. The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency is demanding deep cuts to a federal agency that funds humanities-focused organizations across the country, according to officials from the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nonprofits face uncertainty under Trump funding freezes. Nonprofit leaders across the state are warning that cuts to technical assistance, staff reductions in federal housing offices and the anticipated loss of millions of dollars in grants under the Trump administration are creating ripple effects — threatening the long-term stability of Hawaii’s social safety net. Star-Advertiser.

Veteran GOP state lawmaker Gene Ward served with distinction, fervor. Former state Rep. Gene Ward was remembered Friday for nearly 30 years of service in the Legislature and other accomplishments that included helping Native Hawaiians and people in poor countries around the world. Ward, 82, died Friday morning after prolonged health issues kept him sidelined from the state Capitol since January and led him to resign Monday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Council questions Honolulu transportation director about rail audit. At a Planning Committee meeting Wednesday, Council members shared their concerns over perceived limits on access to rail stations for the disabled, the public’s difficulty in using station lavatories, and reports that the city’s HOLO cards, which allow ridership on public transit, were in short supply. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu’s Outdoor Dining Pilot Program Made Permanent. Oʻahu eateries are now on solid legal ground if they want to set up tables outside on city sidewalks, thanks to a measure signed by Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Friday. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Convention Center’s 2-year repair schedule risks millions in lost group trade. The planned closure of the Hawai‘i Convention Center in 2026 for $64 million in repairs to the rooftop terrace deck is now expected to extend into 2027, putting at risk millions of dollars in group tourism bookings. Star-Advertiser.

Marines bring fallen comrades home from Guadalcanal 80 years later. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency sends teams around the world to find the remains of missing serv­ice members and bring them to Hawaii where experts at the world’s largest forensic skeleton lab work to identify them using a mixture of science and historical detective work. Star-Advertiser.

Anti-Musk movement reaches Hawaii with Waikiki Tesla protests. Twice a week, protesters take to the sidewalk in front of the Tesla dealership in Waikiki to speak out against President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO billionaire Elon Musk and their policies. Star-Advertiser.

$28,500 To COFA Migrant Denied Gun Permit By HPD. The Micronesian plaintiff sued the state, arguing he was denied fundamental rights protected under the U.S. Constitution. Civil Beat.

Thousands across Hawaii join 'Hands Off' protest against Trump and Musk. As part of a national response, reportedly involving over a thousand demonstrations across the U.S., an event called "Hands Off!" hit the streets Saturday outside the Hawaii State Capitol. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

About 1,000 people in Hilo participate in nationwide ‘Hands Off’ protest of Trump, Musk. People with signs gathered at the Ross Dress For Less on Kanoelehua Avenue when the protest began at 10 a.m. As the crowd swelled throughout the three hours of the demonstration, it stretched from Makaala Street to Pohaku Street. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Waiakea Intermediate robotics team heading to world championships. Four students from Waiakea Intermediate School will be the only team representing the Big Island in May at the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas. Tribune-Herald.

Laupahoehoe Transfer Station to close until 2026. The Laupahoehoe Transfer Station will close for up to 10 months starting Monday, April 21, so significant improvements can be made to the facility. Tribune-Herald.

Work on Goodwill campus progresses. The consolidation of Goodwill Hawaii’s Hilo stores and social service programs to the 67,000 square-foot campus at 17 Makaala St. acquired in late 2023 should be completed by the end of 2026. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Salary Commission boosts pay for mayor, council members, department heads. The Maui County Salary Commission has given Pay raises as high as 89% to elected and appointed executive and legislative branch public officials, based on a “classification and compensation report” carried out by government consultant MGT. Maui Now. KHON2.

Maui Council To Take Up Bill Phasing Out Vacation Rentals This Summer. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s plan to convert thousands of temporary vacation rentals into long-term housing for locals may start moving forward again as soon as next month. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Helicopter Company Wants New Flight Rules Amid Public Opposition. Blue Hawaiian has petitioned federal regulators for a rule change but community members, worried about safety and noise, say they need more time to study the proposal. Civil Beat.

‘Hands off!’ message goes out. A crowd that one member estimated to be about 2,500 people braved blustery weather conditions on Saturday to express their displeasure and objections over recent actions and announced plans by the President Trump administration. Garden Island.

County police deny having agreements with ICE, but they do; condos may get insurance relief, Nakasone named ICA chief judge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Cops Said They Don’t Have Agreements With ICE. They Do. Advocates fear the agreements will be a slippery slope to local police becoming more involved in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.  Police departments in all four Hawaiʻi counties have agreements with Homeland Security Investigations, which has been increasingly active in immigration raids since Trump took office.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii condo insurance relief on horizon. Administrators of the state’s dormant Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund are preparing to begin offering hurricane insurance policies in June to one or more types of condo association properties. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Legislature Moves To Define And Criminalize Torture. Police and prosecutors testify the legislation is especially needed to protect minors. Civil Beat.

Accusation of committee power play highlights broader issue at Legislature. Common Cause Hawaii Program Director Camron Hurt explained that regardless of what happened, it highlights a systemic issue: committee chairs at the Legislature have too much power. Hawaii Public Radio.

Nakasone is named chief judge of Intermediate Court of Appeals. Karen T. Nakasone, associate judge of Hawaii’s Intermediate Court of Appeals, has been named chief judge of Hawaii’s second-highest court by Gov. Josh Green. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

DHS Director Ryan Yamane discusses new program to better assist foster care keiki . The embattled Department of Human Services, which oversees Child Welfare Services, has a new director. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi Is Ramping Up Measles Vaccination Campaign. A new emergency rule would allow students to receive the measles vaccine without giving up their religious exemptions in schools. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

‘The White Lotus’ May Cost Hawai‘i Taxpayers $550,000. The hit show debuted on Maui in 2021. Filming has since moved offshore but editing work done on Kaua‘i allows for tax benefits. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu EMS Director On Track To Keep Job Despite Complaints About Management. An army of supporters, including the governor, rallied to help Jim Ireland advance after opponents blamed him for a toxic workplace and slow response times. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

City considers using downtown minipark as a site for affordable housing. Mayor Rick Blangiardi said the city is considering redeveloping Kamalii Park into affordable housing units. But he also told a gathering that it’s still just an idea. Hawaii News Now.

Charity donates $10M for 2 hospital cancer centers on Oahu. Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children and The Queen’s Medical Center-West Oahu Cancer Center were awarded a total of $10 million in philanthropic funding Thursday from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to expand access to cancer care. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Ruff Situation: Kailua residents call for compromise on dog park ban. It’s a law that has no wiggle room. Kaha Park – once the go-to spot for local dog owners – is now strictly off-limits to four-legged friends who like to run free. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island police detective found guilty of perjury. Hawaii County Circuit Judge Peter Kubota found William Brown guilty of knowingly making a false statement as a detective during a grand jury proceeding in 3rd Circuit Court. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.

VIDEO: HVNP releases body-worn camera footage from March 4 officer involved shooting. As part of the National Park Service’s established protocol regarding officer-involved shootings, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has released body-worn camera footage from a March 4, 2025, officer involved shooting. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Maui

MPD getting set to launch new helicopter and train officers for canine units. The Maui Police Department’s new helicopter, dubbed “Blue Thunder,” will be operational by this summer, supported by officers on the ground with new portable radios with enhanced capabilities, members of the Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee learned Wednesday. Maui Now.

Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore appoints GM ahead of May 2025 opening. Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore, a forthcoming 136-room oceanfront retreat set to debut in May 2025, has appointed Serkan Hizliok as Area General Manager.  Maui Now.

Lānaʻi skateboarders now have a dedicated spot to shred and drop in. Lānaʻi was once the only populated Hawaiian island without a skatepark. Since the '90s, skateboard enthusiasts have petitioned for a facility to be built. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kauaʻi mayor seeks exemption from possible state ban on landfills near aquifers. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami is suggesting an exemption for the island if state lawmakers pass a measure to ban the placement of landfills over aquifers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai Police Department clean up graffiti in Lihue. Twelve police officers from the Lihue Patrol District volunteered their time to beautify seven public spaces along Rice Street. Garden Island.

Hawaii population rebounds, Honolulu improves monster home enforcement, Hawaii County Council agrees to assist federal law enforcement, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Report: Hawai‘i’s Population Has Been Rebounding Thanks To Locals Returning Home. The state’s yearslong population decline turned a corner in 2023, boosted by a net gain in Hawaiʻi-born residents returning home, a University of Hawaiʻi economist reported on Wednesday. The report based on census data shows more people moved to Hawaiʻi from the U.S. mainland than moved away from the islands in 2023. It’s a marked reversal of a trend that began in 2018. Civil Beat.

Travel-size shampoo and conditioner bottles might be checking out of Hawaiʻi hotels. House Bill 348 would ban small single-use plastic bottles in hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts — essentially any place with 50 or more lodging rooms — starting next year. Once 2028 rolls around, this ban will apply to any location that provides one or more rented rooms for lodging. Hawaii Public Radio.

Registration tax could increase for Hawaiʻi vehicles over 4,000 pounds. State lawmakers are considering increasing the tax on registering large vehicles from 2 cents a pound to 3 cents to fund the Safe Routes to School Program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Most bills aimed at child welfare protections moving forward in the legislature. Recent high-profile cases involving child abuse and neglect have prompted calls for stiffer penalties and more preventive measures that state lawmakers are tackling in the state legislature’s final month. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai'i public libraries brace for possible federal funding cuts. The Trump administration has taken aim at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which could affect federal funding that goes to the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii businesses brace for fallout from Trump’s new tariffs. Mom-and-pop businesses across Hawaii could close their doors and consumers will soon face higher prices for everyday items after President Donald Trump announced an across-the-board minimum 10% tariff on most imports, which went into effect Wednesday night, local business and government officials say. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Oahu

City’s ‘monster homes’ enforcement improve, audit states.  The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting has improved the way it reviews, permits, inspects and thwarts large detached dwellings from being illegally built on Oahu, a city audit found. Star-Advertiser.

New law limits street closures, festivals in Waikiki. A new law will limit the number of street festivals that can be held in Waikiki. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 50 into law Wednesday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Council suggests 4% sewer fee boost for Oʻahu instead of 10-year increase plan. The Honolulu City Council is considering a short-term boost in sewer fees instead of a substantial increase. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu Rail’s next segment to open by October. The second segment of Rail is less than six months away from opening to the public if all goes according to plan. Service will extend to Middle Street and open up access to a couple of important job centers. KHON2.

School Sex Abuse Case From The ’70s Could Cost State $330K. In the 1970s, Highlands Intermediate School in Pearl City allowed a security officer to take boys on camping trips, meet with students in a private office and run after-school clubs. All the while, he was grooming and sexually abusing male students. Civil Beat.

Discharge into storm drain leads to notice of violation for Oahu company. An incident involving the discharge of water into an East Honolulu storm drain is prompting a notice of violation to one Oahu company HTM Contractors. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Divided Big Island Council Signs Off 5-4 On Police MOUs with Feds. The council added language that the agreements don’t authorize local officers to enforce immigration laws. The Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday approved a controversial resolution allowing the mayor to sign agreements between the Big Island’s police department and federal law enforcement agencies. Civil Beat.

Bill to clear Hawaii Island marijuana arrests is sent to governor’s office. If signed into law, House Bill 132 would make it easier for the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center under the Attorney General’s Office to continue a pilot program that clears the arrest records of small possessions of marijuana on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser.

Kona Apartment Building To Serve Residents Experiencing Homelessness. HOPE Services Hawai‘i has officially acquired the Kani Leʻa apartment building, expanding its efforts to provide permanent, affordable housing in West Hawai‘i. Big Island Video News.

Contract expires for nurses at Queen’s hospital on Big Isle. The contract for nurses at Queen’s North Hawai‘i Community Hospital in Waimea has expired but negotiations have entered a fourth month. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Maui

Years after Maui led the way, surfing could become a statewide sanctioned sport in Hawaiʻi high schools under proposed bill. On Maui, state-sanctioned high school surfing meets have been happening since 2014. But that has not been the case elsewhere in Hawaiʻi, a place known worldwide for its great breaks and surfing champions. Maui Now.

New tree hub at Kahului Airport helps wildfire survivors replant lost landscapes. One of 24 spaces like it on the island, the hub provides free trees to residents rebuilding their homes in Kula and Lahaina, allowing them to replant the species that once shaded their yards before the 2023 fires. Maui Now.

Kauai

Community input sought on Kaua‘i’s updated mitigation and resilience plan. The County of Kaua‘i is updating its Multi-hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan to address impacts of natural hazards affecting the Garden Isle as well as the county’s capability to mitigate those risks. Kauai Now.

Protecting Kaua‘i from invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. Allowing the Coconut rhinoceros beetle to proliferate could be devastating to the island’s agricultural industry. Kauai Now.

Kilauea Volcano puts on a show, Legislature tackles accountability, Honolulu council IDs funding cuts in budget, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Government reform bills move ahead. Bills aimed at clamping down on campaign contributions from government contractors while separately providing more public money to run for political office remain alive following a key Senate committee hearing Tuesday, joining other bills aimed at government reform that continue to move through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

‘This Has To End’: Revelations Renew Calls For Government Accountability. A growing chorus of good government advocates want the Legislature to increase accountability within its own ranks following a Civil Beat story about an unknown Hawaiʻi lawmaker receiving a $35,000 donation amid an ongoing federal corruption investigation. Civil Beat.

Midwifery bill advances but causes confusion. After months of fluctuating support and opposition, two Senate committees passed a controversial bill Tuesday that would potentially criminalize unlicensed attendants of a home birth who engage in midwifery duties, causing confusion and concern among lawmakers and the midwife community. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers want changes in HTA as new board members confirmed. The two newest members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority board were officially confirmed by a Senate committee on April 1. But lawmakers first demanded some changes throughout the entire organization. KHON2.

Not enough workers to deal with uptick in Hawaiʻi SNAP benefit applications. The state Department of Human Services said it has a 25% vacancy for eligibility workers and 50% for clerical staff at SNAP processing centers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Gov. Green announces three judicial appointments. He has appointed Taryn Tomasa Gifford and Karin L. Holma to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. These appointments follow the governor’s recent selection of Kauanoe A. D. Jackson to the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit. Maui Now.

Oahu

City Council identifies $25M in cuts to vacant positions to help fund sewer projects. The council is reviewing Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s budget for the next fiscal year and is looking to cut expenses — largely to pay for other projects like wastewater infrastructure. Hawaii Public Radio.

City’s proposed sewer fee increase hits roadblock in council. Plans to raise sewer fees more than 100 percent over 10 years are hitting a wall at the Honolulu City Council. A key committee voted Tuesday to limit the raise and force the city to find other sources of money. Hawaii News Now.

City seeks Iwilei properties to redevelop near future rail station. City officials say they have started acquiring private properties to create affordable housing and transit-oriented development in and around the city-owned Iwilei Center next to Dillingham Boulevard. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

City Plans To Finish Waiʻanae Police Station, But It May Not Mean More Cops. Nine years after opening the station, the city is working to finish construction. But Honolulu is short on police, so there won’t necessarily be more officers on patrol. Civil Beat.

New parking restrictions to allow for street sweeps. The City and County of Honolulu is making an effort to keep drains clear and the water safe by allowing street sweepers to come by every first Monday and Thursday of the month. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Milolii homeowner wins lawsuit against county. A Kona judge ruled Friday that the Hawaii County Board of Appeals erred when it sided with the Department of Public Works, which revoked a 2020 renovation building permit that was in effect after a man bought a small Milolii Beach Lots house in a shoreline management area four years ago. Tribune-Herald.

Renaming of Captain Cook Post Office in honor of fallen soldier observed at Vietnam War memorial service. More than 50 years after U.S. troops departed Vietnam, the post office in Captain Cook is being named after 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau, who was killed in action during the war. Big Island Now.

Lava fountains top 700 feet in latest ‘episode’ of Kilauea eruption. The eruption prompts warnings of volcanic ash, rock and vog. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui County Council Digs Into The Mayor’s $1.5 Billion Spending Plan. Some members are concerned about the high level of county job vacancies. Civil Beat.

Mayor responds to study suggesting housing bill cost Maui 1,900 jobs or more. Mayor Richard Bissen said the proposal is not meant to be anti-tourism but is pro-resident. Bissen acknowledged that the transition would bring challenges, but the mayor contends delaying action will only make those challenges more severe. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui United Way invests $1.5M in Lahaina Community Land Trust. Maui United Way is backing an effort to keep the land in Lahaina firmly in the hands of local residents by committing $1.5 million to the Lahaina Community Land Trust. Maui News. Maui Now.

With government help delayed, Upcountry Maui volunteers clear overgrowth ahead of fire season. Hundreds of volunteers have spent countless hours working to clear the land of invasive, fire-prone plants as the drought worsens island-wide. Hawaii News Now.

What Lahaina’s Miracle House Tells Us About Building Fire-Resistant Homes. Building with the right materials saved homes in the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires, but many homeowners can’t afford the price. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Office of Economic Development awards second year of agriculture expansion grants. After a successful first year of funding, the grant program continues to bring more focus on building Kaua‘i’s agriculture portfolio by creating more direct support for the farming community. Kauai Now.

Coworking space now offers AI programs to improve research, education, development. Kuleana.work coworking space in Līhuʻe has launched an AI Lab to provide a space for local entrepreneurs, students and community members to utilize artificial intelligence to benefit their lives. Kauai Now.

Income tax cuts questioned, sports betting and cigarette tax hikes considered as Senate mulls cautious budget, Maui vacation rental ban could cost 2k jobs, $1B hit to economy, egg prices rise, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Senate Budget Proposal Would Eliminate State Jobs To Save Money. Hawaiʻi senators are advancing a cautious spending plan for the next two years, citing economic uncertainty and the possibility of federal budget cuts. The Hawaiʻi Senate budget committee wants to wipe out a batch of state government jobs that have been vacant for nearly five years in an effort to save about $50 million. Civil Beat.

A statewide ad campaign explains how new Hawaii tax cuts will impact families just three weeks ahead of the state income tax deadline. But some said the ads gloss over a controversy about who benefits, and whether the cut was a wise decision. Hawaii News Now.

Will Hawaiʻi Be The Next State To Legalize Sports Betting? A gambling bill is cruising through the Legislature, leaving a lot of questions in its wake. Civil Beat.

Higher cigarette tax clears key Hawaii Senate committee. A bill proposing a 2-cent increase in the state cigarette tax that would boost funding for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center passed its first hearing before a key Senate committee Monday despite ongoing opposition from retailers who worry about increased shoplifting and lost cigarette sales. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi’s Needy Wait As Benefits System Overhaul Runs Late, Busts Budget. The Benefits Eligibility Solution’s contract cost has nearly doubled and it’s years overdue, as the state grapples with mistakes and a $10.9 million fine. A project to speed state benefits to the poor for food, clothing and shelter while detecting fraud and errors has been mired in delays and cost overruns for seven years.  Civil Beat.

Softening Hawaii visitor arrivals reflect wobbly consumer confidence and higher prices. Hawaii’s international market is still down, and its core U.S. market is softening faster than expected with the percentage of U.S. households planning to travel dipping below 2024 and 2023.  Star-Advertiser.

State market report: price of local eggs continued to rise. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture  said the benchmark price for a dozen large, locally produced eggs rose by 20% to $9.51 during the first quarter of this year, while the price of a dozen U.S. mainland eggs rose by 30% to $9.46. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Oahu

Honolulu unveils new emergency notification system. Starting today, the City and County of Honolulu officially launches its new real- time, mass-notification system to inform the public about severe weather, beach and ocean safety conditions, drinking water issues, evacuations, road closures and other community updates. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Free event celebrates 125th birthday of U.S. Navy’s Submarine Fleet. The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum will host a free Kamaaina Sunday event on April 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. celebrating the 125th birthday of U.S. Navy’s Submarine Fleet. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Plans To Fund Studies On Waikoloa Wildfire Evacuation, North Kona Floods. The County of Hawai‘i is inviting the public to comment on a proposed amendment to the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Action Plan that would support the flood and traffic studies. Big Island Video News.

Three cited in Kona for piciking undersized ‘opihi. A DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement marine patrol unit spotted several people who appeared to be picking ‘opihi Saturday along the Ali‘i Drive shoreline in Kailua-Kona. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Report: Maui short-term rental ban would bring big economic shocks. Maui could pay a hefty price that includes losing close to 2,000 jobs and $1 billion in annual visitor spending for turning a special class of vacation rental units into housing. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s plan to convert several thousand vacation rentals into long-term housing could lower housing costs and improve affordability in Maui County, according to a study unveiled Monday by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization. But it could also significantly weaken Maui’s tourism-dependent economy, prompt widespread job loss and result in a drastic decrease in tax revenue. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

State officials ask judge to adjust order opening trail to public.  State land officials have asked Maui Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill to broaden his ruling on a traditional trail above Olinda Road to include the use of motor vehicles for certain purposes, including a Birds, Not Mosquitoes project. Maui News.

Kauai

Hanalei Hill Slope Stabilization Project nears completion.  Scheduled intermittent closures on Kuhio Highway between Hanalei Plantation Road and Ohiki Road will occur on April 1. Garden Island.

Warrant sweep operation on Kaua‘i yields 6 arrests. The police department’s Līhu‘e Field Operations Division arrested individuals on March 19 wanted for outstanding warrants. Kauai Now.

$11B Ala Wai flood control project stalls, interim Kauai police chief named, Maui council tepid on vacation rental conversion plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Concerns raised over Ala Wai flood control project’s $11.1B price tag. A decades-old plan to protect Waikiki and neighboring communities against a potential flooding disaster appears to have stalled yet again. This time the issue, in part, is related to the project’s persistently escalating price tag. Star-Advertiser.

State Salary Commissioners Defend The Big Pay Raises They're Recommending. Unless the Legislature rejects them, salary increases are on the way for top elected and appointed officials in Hawaiʻi. Civil Beat.

Key Hawaii Republicans, voters mixed on Trump. Key Hawaii Republicans offered differing views of President Donald Trump three months into his second term, with some continuing their full support while others are hearing from constituents who regret voting for him. Star-Advertiser.

Native Hawaiians developing sovereign AI data. House Bill 546 would establish an “aloha intelligence institute” at the University of Hawaii that would “develop, support and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide.” Star-Advertiser.

Deep-Sea Mining Threatens Sea Life In A Way No One Is Thinking About. The extraction process involves dumping debris into the thriving midwater zone. Civil Beat.

Researchers say state funding is crucial to climate data collection. The House Finance Committee has advanced a bill to fund a new climate center within the University of Hawaiʻi's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, which researchers say is critical to the continued collection of climate data. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii jobless rate steady as federal layoffs loom. The state’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate in February held at 3.0% for the eighth straight month after six consecutive months at 2.9%, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Interview: Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. The city and county’s chief executive talks about the landfill, homelessness, the police commission and more. Civil Beat.

Center tackles homelessness at root levels. The Behavioral Health Crisis Center opened in 2024 across the street from the Institute for Human Services’ men’s shelter in Iwilei and has seen 1,182 people ever since to address issues including substance abuse and mental health, which are considered critical underlying reasons why people end up and remain homeless. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu looks to add more affordable housing in ‘Ewa Beach. Although the project is still in the development phase, city officials say they're nearing a "major milestone" with the financing. Aloha State Daily.

Protestor arrested at Tesla rally in Waikiki. Maximo Ramos Arango was arrested Sunday at a Tesla showroom in Waikiki during a rally against Tesla that drew a crowd of around 200 people. Star-Advertiser.

Two men cited for picking opihi at protected site. State conservation officers cited two men Wednesday for illegally collecting opihi from the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District on Oahu’s North Shore. Spectrum News.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi County Public Works Director Hugh Ono To Retire. After a few months in the position, Hawaiʻi County Public Works Director Hugh Ono will again retire on March 31. Deputy Director Neil Azevedo will serve as acting director until a permanent replacement is found. Big Island Video News.

Community health center eyes expansion. A bill that would provide funding for Hawaii Island Community Health Center to expand the reach of its services to about 55,000 patients yearly is making its way through the state Legislature. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Won’t Be Converting Vacation Rentals To Long-Term Housing Anytime Soon. A phased-in approach was to begin July 1 but the council has yet to take up the mayor’s proposal. Civil Beat.

Maui County Council to address proposed budget, property assessments. Real property tax assessments and Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed $1.5 billion budget are expected to be discussed during a series of upcoming public meetings. Maui News.

As property values climb, Maui County eyes lower tax rates for resident homeowners. Each of the three tax tiers for owner-occupied properties would see a decrease under the mayor’s budget, which proposes going from $1.80 to $1.70 per $1,000 of assessed value in the lowest tier, $2 to $1.90 in the second-highest tier and $3.25 to $3.10 in the highest tier.  Maui Now.

Maui Fire Settlements Could Shrink If Health Insurers Take A Bite. As settlement money begins to flow to Maui wildfire victims, a state law that allows health insurers to recoup their costs becomes a concern. Civil Beat.

Firefighters have high levels of PFAS in aftermath of Maui fires. Maui firefighters who responded to the August 2023 Maui wildfires had the highest levels of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their bloodstream when compared with other first responders a month later. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers still weighing temporary exemption for tour boat environmental reviews. Senate Bill 1074 could allow dozens of tour boat operators to return to the waters off West Maui’s Kā‘anapali, a tourism hotspot.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Interim chief selected following announcement of embattled Kaua‘i police chief’s retirement. The Kaua‘i Police Commission appointed Assistant Chief Elliott Kalani Ke as interim chief following the announcement of Chief Todd Raybuck’s announcement to retire last year. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

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.