Hawaii Business Magazine

Incumbents are favored in lackluster election cycle
Hawaiʻi Republican and Democratic Party primary elections often provide the most drama in a state dominated by Democrats. But this year only a couple of primary races scheduled for Aug. 10 are generating interest outside their district boundaries — notably a rematch between House Speaker Scott Saiki and Kim Coco Iwamoto to represent Ala Moana-Kakaako-­Downtown. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers had big ideas for how to prevent another Lahaina. Few became law
A House working group found a long list of things Hawaiʻi needs to do to protect itself from fire, but many of those recommendations will fall to the new state fire marshal to implement. Civil Beat.

Conditions ripe for another fire disaster
In its latest seasonal outlook, the National Interagency Fire Center says the lee sides of the islands will experience “above average significant potential” for wildfires this month through at least August. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Maui News. KITV4.

Bills would increase protection for Hawaiian burial sites
Hawaiʻi has some of the strongest laws in the United States governing historic burial locations, but lawmakers say more needs to be done to protect privately owned historic areas. Civil Beat.

Measures to fine illegal hikers for rescue fail
State lawmakers’ legislative attempts to seek reimbursement from hikers who are rescued after trespassing onto closed trails were stalled once again this year. Star-Advertiser.

Nursing workforce has improved over last few years, according to new report
There was a 31% increase in the number of advanced practice registered nurses and an 18% rise in registered nurses, according to a 2023 Nursing Workforce Supply Report released this week. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Trash company plagued with staffing shortage
Missed and delayed trash pickups by a private refuse company that brought pests and foul odors to housing complexes across the island were the result of ongoing staffing shortages. Star-Advertiser.

The Miske trial: Witnesses describe bank transactions
Several witnesses testifying this past week in the racketeering trial of former Honolulu business owner Michael J. Miske Jr. focused on bank transactions that appeared to be “structured” to avoid the banks’ mandatory reporting of cash transactions over a $10,000 threshold. Civil Beat.

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Pohoiki project moves ahead: BLNR approves permit to dredge channel
The ramp, the sole boat launch in Puna, has been unusable since 2018, when the eruption of Kīlauea deposited a roughly 11.6-acre black sand beach across the mouth of the ramp. Tribune-Herald.

Shipman looks for new space for Keaʻau Farmers Market
W.H. Shipman Ltd. says it has “identified a couple temporary spots” for the Keaʻau Farmers Market and intends to have space available by June 1 so the vendors of the popular market can continue to sell fruits and vegetables to the Keaʻau community. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island’s natural population drop signals and ominous economic trend
The natural decrease isn’t the same as a population decline. The cause of the Big Island’s natural decrease, demographer Karl Eschback said, appears to be that older people and retirees are moving to the island, while younger adults are moving away and not coming back. Civil Beat.

Council committee to receive presentation on draft of county’s first official wetland map
A draft of Maui County’s first official wetland map will be presented to the Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation Committee by the Department of Planning on Monday at 1:30 p.m. Maui News.

Land Board approves purchase of Māʻalaea Mauka watershed lands
The Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved a proposal for the state to purchase nearly 257 acres at Pōhākea, also known as Māʻalaea Mauka, for $8.22 million. Maui Now.

Maui Planning Commission to hear further public testimony on Ledcor Maui draft EIS
A project to build as many as 975 homes, including workforce housing, in the master-planned Wailea Resort community and a neighboring lot in Kīhei has begun drawing fire from opponents who say the Ledcor South Maui project’s draft environmental impact statement is inadequate. Maui Now.

Public meeting set for Kaneka Street project
The meeting will be held at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria on May 16 and will cover Kaneka Street’s existing configuration and current safety concerns, along with plans to add sidewalks and bike lanes. Garden Island.

Yearslong black slime ‘nightmare’ now in court; Kaua‘i homeowners ‘fatigued’
Six years have passed since three families purchased their first homes on Kaua‘i – and began an ordeal they claim has yet to end. They and eight other households are now suing their neighborhood’s developer, Fortune 500 company, D.R. Horton, in a bid to resolve their troubles. Kauai Now.