Hawaii Business Magazine

“Maui County’s move against vacation rentals likely to bog down in court.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii State News summary are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 24 May 2024, 2118 UTC.

Content and Source: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGxTPHKWNxjhkGvpTbxMVTPdcJJ/Hawaii Business Magazine Newsletters.

Please scroll down to read your selections. Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigestonline.com).

Locally Owned, Locally Committed Since 1955

5.24.2024

TOP STORIES

Maui County’s move against vacation rentals likely to bog down in court
Attempts by Maui County to convert short-term vacation units into long-term rentals will be confronted by a lawsuit, according to the Honolulu attorney who plans to file it. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said that legal action was likely when he announced the bill that would change the zoning designation of over 7,000 short-term units, a move intended to open up more long-term rentals. Civil Beat.

Green: Hawaiʻi should consider liquefied natural gas as a “bridge” to 100% renewable energy
Liquefied natural gas should be considered as Hawaiʻi works to meet its clean energy goal of being completely renewable by 2045, Gov. Josh Green said this week at the Hawaii Energy Conference. Civil Beat.

Millions in grants to nonprofits put on hold after OHA Board raises concerns about fairness
On Wednesday, the OHA Board of Trustees put off approving more than $11 million in grant disbursements after raising issues over how the funding was allocated. Civil Beat.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
Fixing Hawai‘i’s Deadly Roads
Speeding, drunk driving and other causes kill about a hundred people a year. Here is what’s being done to keep Hawai‘i’s drivers, pedestrians and bikers safer… read more.

OʻAHU

Public corruption trial centered on Kealoha payout delayed
Trial for three former Honolulu administrators accused of conspiracy has been delayed from October to next March. Hawaiʻi News Now.

Hawaiʻi Department of Health probe in February didn’t detect petroleum in water
A recent investigation by the state Department of Health into the Navy’s Oʻahu drinking water system found no petroleum or jet fuel compounds in drinking water samples collected in February but did not rule out the possibility of residual fuel in the system after fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill storage facility contaminated it in November 2021. Star-Advertiser.

HPD says illegal game rooms down, as legislation aims to target landowners
Honolulu Police said the District 5 Crime Reduction Unit, assisted by the Narcotics Vice Division, executed a search warrant on Wednesday in Palama. KHON2.

Farm operator, 53, indicted in labor trafficking
A 53-year-old Oʻahu woman was indicted May 17 for allegedly deceiving a man into working for more than eight years and keeping his government identification so he could not leave. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Talk Story with Chad Buck, Named Salesperson of the Year 2023

Inside his extraordinary rise from headstrong teen with a one-way ticket to Maui to founder, owner and CEO of Hawai‘i Foodservice Alliance… read more.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND

Astronomers create “catalog” of exoplanets
A years-long survey using W. M. Keck Observatory was able to identify 126 confirmed and likely exoplanets — planets outside our solar system — from data collected by a NASA satellite. Tribune-Herald.

UH Hilo researcher studies bacteria levels at 6 popular coastal spots
A new study by University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo researcher Maria Steadmon looks at bacteria levels at six of Hilo’s popular swimming and surfing spots. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Join us at the AI Hawaiʻi Summit on June 4, 2024!

HAWAII BUSINESS MAGAZINE
AI Summit Keynote Speaker: Mike Trinh, Associate General Counsel at OpenAI
Get ready to gain exclusive insights into the dynamic world of AI law with Mike Trinh, Associate General Counsel at OpenAI. Join us as Mike navigates through the complexities of AI’s impact on our organizations and daily lives, offering a unique perspective from his extensive legal background. Register today!

MAUI COUNTY

Lahaina teachers say more help is needed for struggling West Maui schools
The teachers’ union is asking for more pay and leave benefits as educators continue to deal with the aftermath of the wildfires. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaiʻi News Now.

Maui’s youth hope to come back after graduation. Will the economy let them?
Students are graduating at a time when median home prices on Maui are $1.3 million and thousands of Lahaina families struggle with displacement. Maui Now.

Hawaiʻi Journalism Initiative launches nonprofit newsroom on Maui
The donor-supported organization will operate in partnership with Pacific Media Group, which runs the online breaking news websites Maui Now, Big Island Now and Kaua‘i Now, as well as radio stations across the state. Maui Now.

State releases performance report: Maui has largest vacation rental supply; average daily rate is up
In April 2024, Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply at 246,500 available unit nights, and Maui vacation rental unit supply continued to be impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfire. Maui Now.

KAUAʻI

Small Business Administration lends a helping hand to flood victims
Many island residents continue to navigate through an overflow of obstacles after the intense April flooding event that damaged about 177 residences and 26 businesses on the Garden Island. Garden Island. Kauaʻi Now.

Kaua‘i District Health Office to assess emergency preparedness among residents
The Kaua‘i District Health Office will conduct a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, also known as CASPER, survey to assess the emergency preparedness level of Kauaʻi households. Kauaʻi Now.

MAY ISSUE