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Top Headlines

Governor vetoes 7 bills passed by lawmakers

Gov. Green, who had until today to veto bills passed earlier this year by the Legislature, announced Tuesday that he is vetoing only seven bills from a list of 17 that he previously indicated could be vetoed due to concerns.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Hawaiʻi faces shortage of Covid vaccines as demand surges

Experts say that demand increased because of timing with graduations, summer-time get-togethers and peak travel season. The Centers for Disease Control is scheduled to release the latest version of its vaccine later this fall. Until then, doctors advise the public to be cautious.

KHON2. 

Governor signs nearly $24 billion state budget

Governor Green signed Hawaii’s supplemental budget on Tuesday, allocating $19.1 billion for operating funds and $4.5 billion for capital improvements in fiscal year 2025. These funds aim to address various state priorities including affordable housing, healthcare needs, and wildfire recovery efforts on Maui.

Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Government workers in Hawaiʻi get paid not to work as misconduct investigations drag on for months or years

A system meant to protect worker rights and resolve disciplinary cases fast has turned into something much different, with taxpayers picking up the tab for employees told not to come to work.

Civil Beat. 

New Hawaiʻi laws signed for gun control, child protection

On Tuesday, Gov. Green signed bills addressing public safety and crime response, including implementing stricter regulations on the sale and ownership of ammunition, and extending the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse.

Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

O‘ahu Headlines

Army concedes ‘environmental justice concerns’ amid debate over future of state-leased lands

The Army is expecting passionate testimony as it kicks off a series of meetings over the future of its leased lands on O‘ahu. The U.S. government leases about 6,322 acres of land from the state to the Army at the Makua Military Reservation, Kahuku Training Area and Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area near Schofield Barracks.

Hawaii News Now. 

3 bridges in Hawaiʻi Kai will undergo $1.6 million rehabilitation

Three well-traveled bridges built more than 50 years ago over the man-made waterways of Hawaiʻi Kai will undergo a $1.6 million rehabilitation, city officials say. Work began Monday on Hawaiʻi Kai Drive Bridge, the Keahole Street Bridge over Kuapā Pond crossing the Hawaiʻi Kai Marina, and the Wailuā Street Bridge, also over Kuapā Pond.

Star-Advertiser.

Nurses picket for safer staffing ratios

Hundreds of unionized nurses Tuesday morning held signs in front of three hospitals across O‘ahu, eliciting honks from passing cars, as they called for safer staffing levels.

Star-Advertiser. 

What comes next for Aloha Stadium with 1 developer in the running?

Two development teams were in the running for the project, and then, all of a sudden, one dropped out in June. Waiola Development Partners said no thanks, leaving Aloha Halawa District Partners as the last group standing.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Mayoral candidates to appear today at AARP Hawaiʻi forum

The candidates are Kimo Alameda, Breeani Kobayashi, Mitch Roth and Seaula Jr. Tupaʻi. They will answer questions from AARP Hawaii and a live audience.

Tribune-Herald. 

Short-handed Kona Public Defender’s Office won’t accept new drunken driving cases

The Kailua-Kona Public Defender’s Office has stopped accepting new drunken driving cases and the most serious felony cases because it is short-handed. A retired Big Island judge is warning that it could affect public safety if something isn’t done.

Civil Beat. 

Proposal aims to create more farmers markets

A new Hawaiʻi County bill introduced at Tuesday’s meeting of the County Council’s Policy Committee on Health, Safety and Well-Being would allow seven additional farmers markets to be set up in county parks and facilities island-wide.

Tribune-Herald. 

Dredging begins at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor

The $3.1 million dredging operation at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor started on Tuesday, the Hawaiʻi DLNR reports. It should be complete by the end of the year, if not sooner.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui Headlines

Fire lawsuits settlement advances at Maui County Council

A massive settlement resolving all claims and lawsuits over the Maui wildfires could be on the table as soon as next week. A Maui County Council committee late Tuesday advanced a measure to the full council, to approve a global settlement.

KHON2. 

Maui Commission meeting postpones action on phasing out thousands of vacation rentals

Tuesday was supposed to be a monumental day regarding the future of thousands of short-term rentals on Maui. However, it turned into a major disappointment after an important Planning Commission meeting was unexpectedly canceled.

Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Stream restoration, water supply needs prompt a closer look at Ha‘ikū streams

Maui County is planning to ask the state to amend the interim in-stream flow standards for 11 streams in Ha‘ikū, according to Department of Water Supply Director John Stufflebean. It comes amid a greater push for community control over East Maui water and the county’s search for more water sources in the face of demand and drought.

Maui Now. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Next Kaua‘i Community College chancellor recommended to university president

Margaret Sanchez has been recommended to be the next chancellor of Kauaʻi Community College after a nationwide search. Sanchez has been serving as interim chancellor since 2023.

Kauai Now. 

Sprucing up historic Koloa monument

For Derwin Nohara and others on the Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi Engineering Department team, the two-day cleaning project of the historic Koloa monument became an educational experience at the space where the monument is located.

Garden Island.