Hawaii Business Magazine

Study examines reinventing tourism oversight
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority received an unfavorable rating from 43% of the stakeholders who gave feedback to the contractor working on a tourism governance structure recommendation. Star-Advertiser.

Landmark coffee legislation to tighten labeling requirements nears final approval
Senate Bill 2298 has passed through the state Legislature and is awaiting Gov. Josh Green’s signature to become law. It would require roasted, instant, or ready-to-drink coffee marketed as “locally sourced” to have at least 51% local coffee. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Passed bill would protect shelters that house homeless minors
A newly passed bill before Gov. Josh Green would protect homeless shelters that take in minors without the consent of their parents or guardians. The latest version of House Bill 470 has been years in the making to help minors avoid life on the street where they can become prey to sexual assault and other violence, or entered into the foster care system against their will.  Star-Advertiser.

Judge in Red Hill trial takes on question of compensation
Families who ingested water tainted by Navy fuel in 2021 are now waiting for a ruling from a federal judge on how much the government will pay them for their suffering and the disruption to their lives. The plaintiffs are seeking a combined sum of nearly $7 million for physical and mental harm related to Red Hill. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Request to halt Haʻikū Stairs’ dismantling denied by judge
Friends of Haʻikū Stairs filed a lawsuit arguing that the city’s effort to dismantle the stairs didn’t follow proper historic preservation procedures and asked Judge Lisa Cataldo to halt the city’s actions. Cataldo ruled Monday afternoon against the preliminary injunction, saying that the plaintiffs “have not established a substantial likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable harm.” Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Former UH Regents chair to oversee public school facilities
Randy Moore will replace Curt Otaguro as one of three deputy superintendents in the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. Civil Beat.

New law governing Tenant Screening Fees now in effect
The law prohibits a landlord from charging an applicant for a residential dwelling unit, a tenant screening fee that is more than the actual cost to obtain information about the applicant. Maui Now.

A ‘high-ranking prosecutor’ helped Mike Miske out of a traffic citation, HPD officer testifies
Without naming former Honolulu prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, the feds try to show how Miske used powerful connections to avoid legal trouble for years while operating a criminal enterprise. Civil Beat.

Honolulu agrees to 4-month window to grant or deny gun carrying licenses after lawsuit
Honolulu has agreed to grant or deny applications to carry guns in public within four months of submission in response to a lawsuit by residents who complained of delays of up to a year, according to a stipulation signed by a federal judge Friday. Associated Press.

HART director receives support at Council
During a special budget hearing Monday morning, HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahi­kina, who’s come under fire in recent weeks from some on the board and has voiced concerns of her own over her future at the rail agency, got public backing from Council Vice Chair Esther Kia‘aina. Star-Advertiser.

Ala Moana Boulevard to close for pedestrian bridge work
State officials are issuing a traffic alert ahead of a full closure of Ala Moana Boulevard on Tuesday and Wednesday night for construction of the pedestrian bridge. Star-Advertiser.

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Akaka Falls State Park to close weekdays, starting May 15
The temporary weekday closure is expected to run through the end of the month, in order for the park to undergo rockfall mitigation work the DLNR Division of State Parks says. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

MCCC inmate hospitalized after becoming unresponsive
A female inmate is in the hospital after becoming unresponsive at Maui Community Correctional Center on Monday. Officials say staff found her in a cell around 2 p.m. and provided CPR. Hawaii News Now.