Hawaii Business Magazine

Legislative session began amid uncertainty, ended with relief for Maui and taxpayers. Star-Advertiser.

Here is the status of major bills following the end of the 60-day legislative session.  Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green signs vacation rental bill into law  
Governor Josh Green on Friday made good on his promise and signed a bill into law that gives counties the ability to better regulate short-term vacation rentals in the hope of freeing up affordable, long-term housing for island residents. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4. Tribune-Herald.

Legislature OKs $18M for claims against state
Crimes committed by state employees, accidents on public property and a couple Second Amendment challenges are contributing to settlements, judgments and other legal claims this year to cost Hawaiʻi taxpayers $18.1 million. Star-Advertiser.

Water Safety Coalition’s bills sent to governor
The measures — one that designates May 15 as Water Safety Day in the state each year and another that authorizes the issuance of Duke Kahanamoku license plates, with revenue from the plates being dedicated to water safety educational programs — are now on Gov. Josh Green’s desk, pending his signature.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric execs got big raises in 2023
Shareholders of Hawaiian Electric Industries, who have seen the value of their investments drop by 75% since the Aug. 8 wildfires, soon will have the chance to vote on whether the company’s top executives deserved the raises they received in 2023. Base salaries of key executives with the HEI holding company and its utility and bank subsidiaries all went up, despite a dismal year, according to the company’s 2023 proxy statement. Civil Beat.

Lessons for Hawaiʻi: Other states have strong pay-to-play laws
Experts say regulating contractor donations along with publicly financed elections could go a long way to taming corruption. Civil Beat.

Voters could repeal Legislature’s authority on same-sex marriage
An amendment to repeal the Legislature’s authority to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples will be on the November ballot.  KHON2.

Hawaiʻi has been debating marijuana legalization for half a century
Lawmakers have been vacillating over how to handle weed consumption in the islands since the late 1960s. Civil Beat.

First responders alter operations for planned power shutoffs
Police, firefighters, paramedics and emergency management officials on Oʻahu are modifying operations to prepare for the possibility that Hawaiian Electric must shut off power to reduce wildfire risks. Star-Advertiser.

State got back $441K from Aloha Stadium consultant
An audit, spurred by a Civil Beat investigation, is leading to policy changes at the Department of Accounting and General Services. A consultant for Aloha Stadium has reimbursed the state more than $441,000 after an audit last year found that the firm charged the state for exorbitant travel expenses and excessive costs. Civil Beat.

Nurse’s aide fined over $300,000 for running unlicensed care home
The health department has fined a certified nurse aide $315,000 for running an unlicensed care home in Ewa Beach. Complaints led inspectors to a Muiona Street home where they say Nenita Mauricio of “Private Home Duty LLC” admitted to operating the unlicensed facility for nearly a year. Hawaii News Now.

North Shore seeing ‘advanced infestation’ of coconut rhinoceros beetle
From Mokulēʻia to Laniākea, to Pūpūkea, and from Ke Iki to Sunset Beach, if you look up you’ll see palms with only a few fronds, some with none, and some looking sick or oddly shaped.  KHON2.

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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park areas reopen as tremors subside
Kīlauea volcano’s recent seismic rumblings have quieted down, leading Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park officials today to reopen several areas that have been closed in the past week as a precaution. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Proposed Punalu‘u Village goes before Planning Commission Monday
Punalu‘u Village is a “residential and commercial community” proposed to be built on a 147-acre parcel in Punalu‘u, restoring several disused buildings and attractions in the process. If built, the project would add nearly 300 accommodation units to the rural community, as well as a market space, golf course, restaurant and more. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi County Council to consider preserving 27 acres near ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay
A Hawaiʻi County Council committee has advanced plans to help preserve 27 acres of land on the south end of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay near the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Hawaii Public Radio.

Removal of UH-Hilo newspaper causes flap
An administrator at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo admitted to ordering the removal of the student-run campus newspaper from a rack at an April 20 event welcoming prospective students and their parents to the campus. Tribune-Herald.

45th Maui Charity Walk raises over $1.2M for the eighth year
The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association celebrated its 45th year of giving back to the community with the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk on Saturday. Nearly 1,600 walkers attended the in-person event at the War Memorial Complex.  Maui Now.

Young Brothers blesses $1.5M mooring system to improve service for Lānaʻi
Hawai‘i interisland freight company Young Brothers blessed its new $1.5 million ShoreTension mooring system on Monday at the Port of Kaumalapau on Lāna‘i. The system keeps the barge steady against the dock during poor weather conditions. Maui Now.

County data shows recent decline in lifeguard rescues
Recent data from the County of Kaua’i Ocean Safety Bureau indicates a decline in aquatic rescues this year following the department’s announcement of the extension of operating hours at lifeguarded beaches. Kauai Now.

St. Catherine School is shutting down 
St. Catherine School, a Catholic elementary school in Kapa‘a on the East Side of Kaua‘i, is shutting down this June after 78 years in operation – despite parents’ last-ditch efforts to save it earlier this spring. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now.