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.

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.