Hawaii Business Magazine Newsletters

“House passes bill requiring governor to submit reports when using emergency grants.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii State News update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 09 April 2024, 0047 UTC.

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.blogspot.com).

Locally Owned, Locally Committed Since 1955

4.8.2024

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TOP STORIES

House passes bill requiring governor to submit reports when using emergency grants
Reports must be sent to the state Legislature 14 days before using grants, including federal aid, received through emergency management powers. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Hawai‘i faces above-normal risk of significant wildfires over the next three months
Record-breaking January rains fed the growth of wildfire-prone grasses, while the summer will dry them out and create more risk of wildfires — especially in leeward areas. Civil Beat.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Hawai‘i’s Best Places to Work 2024: 78 Companies That Made the Cut
Find out who led the way in 14 categories, and how two organizations attract and keep employees despite serious challenges… read more.

OʻAHU

Honolulu City Council members say they’ll reject 3% pay hike
All nine members appear to be unified on one issue: to formally reject the city Salary Commission’s proposed salary increase granted last month. Star-Advertiser.

Homicides, weapons violations are on the rise
So far this year, there have been 11 homicides on O‘ahu and 195 weapons violations. In the first quarter of 2023, there were four murders and 128 weapons violations. Star-Advertiser.

Chinatown’s syringe-exchange van faces hurdles finding a permanent home
The program has been operating out of a mobile van for about 35 years. The tricky part is finding a good brick-and-mortar location that doesn’t disrupt clients’ routines. Civil Beat.

Chinatown community worries about state’s possible acquisition of “Bethel Block”
House Bill 2328 would allow the state to acquire the Ohia, Blaisdell and Whitlow buildings to develop affordable housing, but some local businesses worry they’ll be pushed out of the neighborhood. Star-Advertiser.

Architect selected to design multi-use building at Helemano Elementary School
The state Department of Education has selected WhiteSpace Architects to design the new $16-million building in Wahiawā. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Robynne Maii: Celebrated Chef and Entrepreneur joins us as Closing Keynote Speaker at Women Entrepreneurs Conference, May 17

Explore Robynne Maii’s remarkable journey, from her culinary education to becoming the visionary chef and entrepreneur behind Honolulu’s beloved restaurant Fête. Join us as she shares the recipe for her entrepreneurial success at the Women Entrepreneurs Conference. Register today!

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Mayor’s proposed budget is up 6.6%
Mayor Mitch Roth and his department heads will present a proposed $888 million budget to the County Council Finance Committee beginning Tuesday. West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

Residents blast vacation-rentals bill
At a marathon meeting of the Windward Planning Commission, residents clashed with the County Council chair over Bill 121, which would overhaul the county code concerning short-term vacation rentals. Tribune-Herald.

Lawsuit filed over Puna geothermal environmental impact statement
A lawsuit filed over a recently accepted environmental study is seeking a “permanent injunction on any further Puna Geothermal Venture expansion.” Big Island Video News.

Power-supply problems continue to plague Hawai‘i Island
Hawaiian Electric Company has been facing mechanical problems at three of the island’s five largest power plants while part of the largest plant undergoes an annual overhaul. Star-Advertiser.

“Acute problems” with wastewater treatment systems prompt EPA crackdown
Recent inspections by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency turned up “acute problems” in the Hilo, Kulaimano and Pāpa‘ikou plants. The county has been given strict timelines to repair the plants, eliminate large cesspools and expand county sewer service. Civil Beat.

Steep rent increases force Hawai‘i Keiki Museum in Kona to shutter its doors
When the museum opened in 2022, rent was $11,000 a month. It has since shot up to $18,000 a month. Big Island Now.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Honolulu Harbor Isn’t Ready for Climate Change
But the new Kapālama Container Terminal is the first step in an ambitious plan to create a more resilient port and cope with a rising ocean... read more.

MAUI COUNTY

The most detailed Lahaina fire account so far points to one termite-damaged utility pole
While the public awaits Maui County’s official report on the cause of the fire, lawyers for victims and insurers say Pole 7A set off a cascade of events that led to a wall of flame. Civil Beat.

Kahului housing project for fire survivors finally opens
After months of battling red tape, ‘Ohana Hope Village has opened its doors and can house about 500 people. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Council green-lights eminent domain for landfill expansion
On Friday, the Maui County Council authorized eminent-domain proceedings to gain legal access to land for the planned expansion of the Central Maui Landfill. Maui Now.

Timeline for reopening Lahaina harbor depends on funds
Lahaina Small Boat Harbor sustained $30 million worth of fire damage, and its destruction continues to hit Maui’s activities and attractions market hard. Star-Advertiser.

Maui voters created a public water board. Are vested interests dragging their feet?
The community board that governs the fledgling East Maui Water Authority took longer to get up and running than voters envisioned when they created it via county charter amendment in late 2022. Civil Beat.

Lahaina residents are turning anger into action through legislative advocacy
With about 3,000 fire survivors still living in hotel limbo, Maui’s housing crisis is far from over. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

KAUAʻI

Coco Palms developer, state officials deny claims of burial disturbances
The developer rebuilding the resort has firmly denied claims that Native Hawaiian burials were unearthed and moved during construction work, an assertion supported by government officials following a preliminary investigation. Kaua‘i Now.

Passenger count drops in March at Līhu‘e Airport
A total of 66,037 passengers off-boarded domestic flights in March, compared with 76,069 in March 2023 — a 13.2% decrease. Garden Island.

Viewing site at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge to open at end of April
The new site will let the public safely view the many endangered species and habitats in the valley. Kaua‘i Now.