Hawaii Business Magazine Newsletters

Retired state ag official’s return to the agency has critics concerned over conflicts of interest
Carol Okada had been sidelined at the Department of Agriculture because of personality clashes and her relationship with nurseries. Civil Beat.

Bill calls for increase in autism services reimbursement
A House bill to increase funding for autism services by requiring the state Department of Human Services to seek additional funding sources and maximize federal matching funds continues to move through the Legislature. Star-Advertiser.

Hospitality purchases lead Hawai‘i commercial real estate investments
Hospitality purchases at more than 23% were the largest share of Hawai‘i’s $1.93 billion commercial real estate investment in 2023, with Outrigger Hotels and Resorts’ $325 million acquisition of the Outrigger Beach Ka‘anapali Hotel topping the list. Star-Advertiser.

Valerie Kato confirmed as deputy director of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health
As deputy director of health, Kato will head the DOH administrative offices. Before she began her career in public health, Kato was in private practice for 17 years and clerked for Judge Corinne K.A. Watanabe at the Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals. Maui Now.

Cattle import restrictions due to avian influenza cases on the mainland
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has placed a restriction on the transport of cattle from premises where a virus has infected cattle. Maui Now. Garden Island.

City Council resumes discussion on adding more incentives for affordable rental developers
Bill 3 would amend a $10 million city program by offering grants to developers before the construction of rental units, instead of just after construction. It would also allow developers to receive up to $35,000 per eligible unit — up from a maximum of $15,000. Hawaii Public Radio.

Former HPD officer pleads guilty to child sex charges
Prosecutors say Mason Jordan, while serving as a Honolulu police officer, impersonated young people on social media to lure children to work as prostitutes. Civil Beat.

Key figure in Kaneshiro, Mitsunaga bribery and corruption case testifies
Prosecutors questioned Laurel Mau on the long list of “side jobs” that engineering firm Mitsunaga and Associates, Inc. had compiled. The company alleges Mau worked on the side jobs during company time. Mau was charged with second-degree theft and fired from the company in 2011, which were later dismissed.. KHON2.

Group appeals court decision to stop Haiku Stairs removal
The City and County of Honolulu are moving ahead with removing the Haiku Stairs with a blessing scheduled this week to mark the beginning of the removal project, although the lead attorney working to keep the stairs said he will continue to make his case in court.  KHON2.

Homeless camps inside Mōʻiliʻili drainage canals raise health and safety concerns
The mayor’s office said in a statement that some homeless people seem attracted to these areas because they are more concealed compared to sidewalks and parks, where there is more frequent enforcement due to complaints. Hawaii News Now.

Kawananakoa Middle School teacher receives $25,000 Milken Educator Award
Jade Pham, a 27-year-old teacher at Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School, was surprised with a $25,000 Milken Educator Award at a schoolwide assembly on Monday. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Health department reports travel-related dengue case on O‘ahu
A third confirmed case of travel-related dengue has been reported in Hawai‘i this year, according to the state Health Department. Star-Advertiser.

Removal of second Mauna Kea telescope to begin this month
UH Hilo will remove the Hoku Kea Observatory and generator buildings, telecommunications and electrical infrastructure beginning on Monday, a process that should be done by August, according to a university press release. 

Public comment sought on proposed transit hub and library in Puna
Hawai‘i County and state officials are holding a public meeting on April 17 to discuss the findings reported in the Draft Environmental Assessment and offer an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on a proposed new transit hub and co-located library in Pāhoa Town. 

HMC begins preparing for new modern administrative services building
A new facility to house additional office space and a planned medical simulation lab at Hilo Medical Center took a step forward Monday, but is still years away from reality. The project has no funding right now, but a draft assessment estimates the building will cost roughly $10.5 million. 

Monthly parking at Kona airport no longer offered starting this summer
Monthly parking passes for the general public will no longer be offered at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, effective June 1, 2024. 

Hū Honua renews calls for PUC to bring its biomass plant onto the grid
Hū Honua President Warren Lee sent a letter asking the PUC to direct HECO to restart contract negotiations. In the letter, Lee called Hū Honua the “solution” to Big Island’s energy woes. 

Half of rental units reserved for Maui fire victims (and paid by taxpayers) are sitting vacant
About half of the rental units being reserved for Maui fire victims — more than 600 mostly former vacation rentals — are still vacant even as taxpayers fork over above-market rent for them. 

Landowner offers to donate 5 acres for Lahaina fire debris dump site to avoid eminent domain
Komar Maui Properties says it will give the county enough land to handle all 400,000 cubic yards of fire ash and debris, but the county said it needs it all. 

Judge blocks new appointee from joining Maui Planning Commission
The matter stems from a dispute between Mayor Richard Bissen and the County Council over his nominations to the volunteer boards. 

Maui County Council passes bill for Kulanihako‘i Gulch sediment removal
Councilmember Tom Cook applauded the Maui County Council’s passage of a bill to authorize the county to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the federal government to support a sediment-removal project for Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch in North Kīhei. 

Hale Puna restoring oldest house on Kaua‘i as prior success Kōke‘e Lodge ramps up events
A westside nonprofit is making headway in restoring the oldest building on Kaua‘i – while its business counterpart expands its community programming in Kōkeʻe State Park.