Voter apathy underscored by Hawaiian history

Strong beliefs by some Native Hawaiians who refuse to vote or even acknowledge U.S. authority may be contributing to Hawaiʻi’s history of low voter turnout — a trend likely to continue with expected lackluster numbers for the Aug. 10 primary election.

Star-Advertiser. 

New union-backed super PAC is supporting Scott Saiki in House race

A new super PAC with funding from one of Hawaiʻi’s largest public sector unions is giving a small advertising boost to House Speaker Scott Saiki’s reelection bid.

Civil Beat.

Three picked for state House seat, governor now will choose who will replace deceased Rep. Nakashima

The Hawaiʻi Democratic Party has submitted to Gov. Josh Green the names of three people it has selected as possible candidates to succeed the late Rep. Mark Nakashima in state House District 1: Dwight Takamine, Matthias Kusch and Kristen Alice Apruzzese.

Tribune-Herald.

Native Hawaiians and farmers are asking why a key vacancy on state water board is going unfilled

Gov. Green received a short list of candidates for the seat, reserved for a customary water expert, five months ago. Now, his administration says recent issues arose with some applicants.

Civil Beat.

DOE abruptly cancels school bus routes for thousands of Hawaiʻi students

The department announced last-minute cancelations for the third year in a row amid an ongoing shortage of school bus divers. Nearly 2,900 Hawaiʻi public school students will not receive bus transportation when classes begin for the new school year on Monday.

Civil Beat. Big Island Now. KHON2.

O‘ahu Headlines

UPW Oʻahu essential workers gets hazard pay for work during pandemic

Leaders at the United Public Workers union are calling it a win. An arbitrator recently ruled its essential workers will be given hazard pay for their work during the pandemic.

KHON2.

Public asked for island transportation preferences

The Oʻahu Metropolitan Planning Organization has announced the launch of an online, interactive public survey aimed at gathering input for the update of the Oʻahu Regional Transportation Plan.

KHON2.

With plenty of help, encampment community starts building farm village in Waiʻanae

Pu’uhonua O Wai’anae, a camp community on the edge of the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor, is starting to build a new farm village in Waiʻanae Valley. Roughly 200 people live at Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae and most are Native Hawaiian.

Hawaii News Now.

New Amazon facility on Oʻahu aims to improve deliveries and the economy

The new Amazon delivery station on Oʻahu debuted Wednesday, and boasts state-of-the-art technology to speed up local deliveries and improve tracking.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Popular downtown Hilo event will return in January

After a year’s delay, the 28th KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a will return to downtown Hilo next year on Jan. 18.

Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

‘One route isn’t enough’

Waikōloa Village has only one public road in and out of the community, as well as an evacuation route that is generally blocked off to public access by a locked gate.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Maui Headlines

Insurance payouts for Lahaina fires exceeds $2.3 billion

More than 200 insurance companies have reported over 10,000 claims with an estimated 3.2 billion dollars estimated to be paid.

Maui News.

Maui Vacation Rental Association releases public opinion survey on short-term rentals

A vacation rental advocacy group has released a statewide poll it says shows that Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed ban on short-term rentals is “unpopular” with most Hawai‘i registered voters.

Maui Now.

A displaced Lahaina resident’s year-long journey to secure housing after the wildfire

Charles Nahale lost his home in last year’s wildfire on Maui. Like so many survivors, he was shuffled in and out of hotels and condos for months.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Shaping the future of Kīlauea Town

The small, charming community on North Shore, known for its history of sugar cane plantation, presented a blueprint for the beginning phases of the Kilauea Town Expansion Project, which will shape the future of Kīlauea.

Garden Island.