Hawaii Business Magazine

Concerns rise for low-income families over Legislature’s recent tax cut measure. 
Most Hawaiʻi residents will likely see lower income taxes next year due to a measure recently passed by the state Legislature. However, some advocates are concerned that those changes could also limit tax assistance for those who need it the most. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Maui Council holds down property tax rates for local homeowners
Most Maui homeowners will pay the same or less in property taxes starting July 1 under new rates approved unanimously by the Maui County Council. The council decided to lower or hold flat the rates for those who own and live in homes valued at less than $3 million, and offset that mostly by increasing taxes on bed-and-breakfast operations and short-term rentals that are also the owner’s primary residence. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Keeping peace is crucial, officer declares at LANPAC
The Association of the U.S. Army kicked off its annual Land Power in the Pacific Symposium on Tuesday at the Sheraton Waikiki, bringing in attendees from 30 countries. Star-Advertiser.

Vacant land sales around Lahaina have jumped since the wildfires
Sales of land around Lahaina since the devastating Aug. 8 fire already have exceeded the total amount sold in all of 2023. That’s been driven in part by Lahaina residents who lost their homes but have the means to resettle close by as the timeline for rebuilding in the town remains uncertain. Civil Beat.

Brown water health risks aren’t just in the ocean
At least seven brown water advisories were issued since Monday and ranged from Kauaʻi to Hawaiʻi Island. KHON2.

How do officials plan to address state infestation of coconut rhinoceros beetle? 
State and county legislators met to address the statewide infestation of the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Lawmakers said everyone needs to be more diligent when it comes to dealing with the pests that have now spread from Oʻahu to every other county. KHON2.

Honolulu rail authority to seek damages for delays in completing airport segment
Imposing liquidated damages on contractor STG would be a turnabout. Last year it was the contractor that demanded cash compensation from the city for project delays. Civil Beat.

Former inmate hiring program, supports Waikīkī’s Aloha Ambassadors. 
The Waikīkī Business Improvement District Aloha Ambassador second-­chance program employs low-risk, incarcerated people, and recently released people. The program will expand to 24 hours, seven days a week this summer and is projected to remove 500,000 pounds of trash and serve over 350,000 visitors. Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu homeless figures to be released
The latest number of homeless people who were counted across Oʻahu in January will be released today in the latest benchmark of homelessness in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

An ‘āina-focused nonprofit on Moloka‘i is restoring natural landscapes with native plant species- with the help of volunteering visitors… read more.

County wants private land for Puna road
Hawaiʻi County will seize portions of a pair of private properties in lower Puna in order to complete the reopening of Pohoiki Road. Tribune-Herald.

Court urges parties to settle in case of house on wrong lot
After weeks of appearing in court Kailua-Kona, both sides were ordered by a judge to meet in a closed session to try to come up with an agreement. KITV4.

Condo and house sales rise on Maui during April, along with prices
The median sales prices for both categories also saw notable increases as single-family homes rose by 16.9%, while condominiums climbed by 8.4%, compared to April 2023. Maui News.

Molokaʻi health care providers struggle with low payments, high costs and little support
The island of Molokaʻi has only a third as many doctors as communities of similar size on the mainland. But experts say roots of the health care crisis there — economics and isolation — exist in rural areas on every island. Hawaii News Now.