Yen fluctuations impact visitor spending in Hawaiʻi

The Japanese yen continues its roller coaster ride, jumping to nearly its highest levels of the year against the US dollar. The rebound comes a day after a dramatic drop. These wild fluctuations in the yen cut into the spending of Japanese visitors while they are here.

KITV4. 

Waikīkī hotels, vendors receive cease-and-desist notices for beach equipment

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation issued cease-and-desist notices to several Waikīkī hotels and vendors for presetting equipment on public beaches. Notices were given to four hotels and five commercial vendors.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Victims fear $4B settlement will hide accountability as Maui wildfire investigations continue

Two major investigations into the fire and government response are still not complete, and some victims wonder if the truth will ever come out.

Hawaii News Now.

Primary ballot returns lagging behind 2022 levels

Ballot returns across the state in advance of Saturday’s primary election are down by 14% compared to the same time in the 2022 primary.

Civil Beat. 

O‘ahu Headlines

Little-known candidates challenge a well-funded incumbent in Honolulu mayor’s race

The race for Honolulu mayor is quiet this year. Mayor Rick Blangiardi is outspending his opponents by hundreds of thousands of dollars. His most serious competitor, realtor and frequent testifier at the Honolulu City Council Choon James, said that she decided to run because it seemed that nobody else was.

Civil Beat. 

City Council to review housing-related bills

The Honolulu City Council today is poised to consider adoption of a bill meant to give private developers of affordable rental housing greater financial incentives to build on O‘ahu.

Star-Advertiser. 

O‘ahu home sales heating up this summer

The latest Honolulu Board of Realtors report shows that July year-over-year single-family home sales spiked by 20%. However, the same could not be said for condominium sales, which dipped nearly 8% in July.

KITV4. 

Miske witness will be moved after third assault in custody

A man who once worked for convicted crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr. is being moved to another facility after gangs assaulted him three times in the past four months, allegedly for testifying against his former employer, according to federal court documents.

Star-Advertiser. 

Community mourns death of Hawaiian activist and homeless advocate Twinkle Borge

The 54-year-old had dedicated much of her life to creating a home for the homeless in Waiʻanae and was one of the inspirations for the kauhale or tiny home movement in Hawai‘i.

Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

O‘ahu officials capture nearly 2K feral chickens since 2022

Since February 2022, the city said it’s caught nearly 1,500 chickens on its properties. More than 430 chickens have been caught on private properties since last September.

KHON2. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Council bills propose changes to vacation rental rules

The most complex — and controversial — of those bills is Bill 121, which would establish several different tiers of vacation rentals, with their own conditions and standards of use, prohibit ohana units from being used as vacation rentals, and many other things.

Tribune-Herald. 

Mandatory water restriction for areas in North Kona due to down wells

Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply has implemented a mandatory 25% water restriction for areas in North Kona effective immediately.

Big Island Now. 

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site celebration set for August

The site will mark its 52nd anniversary Establishment Day, “Hoʻokuikahi”, with its traditional Hawaiian Cultural Festival on August 17th and August 18th.

Big Island Video News. 

2024 Native Hawaiian Convention coming to Waikōloa

The 2024 Native Hawaiian Convention is set to take place at the Hilton Waikoloa from September 17 to 19. The three-day event will showcase a special fashion show featuring Hawai‘i Island designers, hands-on workshops covering lei-making, hula, olelo, and oli, and breakout sessions with special guest speakers and local organizations. Various local vendors will also be available.

KHON2. 

Maui Headlines

Tourism is still way down on Maui

Government officials and tourism executives are seeking to restore tourism to Maui, a year after wildfires destroyed much of the island’s Lahaina tourism hub. Efforts to boost the industry will focus on key Southern California markets, with additional pushes targeting corporate meeting and incentive planners.

Civil Beat. 

The view from above: How far we’ve come since the Maui fires

Photos show what progress has looked like from an aerial perspective over the past year in Lahaina, Upcountry and Olowalu.

Civil Beat. 

Maui transitional housing for fire survivors proliferating one year after disaster

It’s only a trickle at the moment, but the supply of new homes for transitional use by Maui wildfire survivors is on the cusp of surging one year after the disaster.

Star-Advertiser. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i Police Department leadership under fire: Scathing survey reveals distrust, resentment among employees

Poor communication within the department, a lack of accountability and a distrust of leadership — those are just some of the many problems highlighted in the results of the scathing survey ordered by the Kaua‘i Police Commission.

Hawaii News Now. 

Kaua‘i Bus outreach program seeking applicants

A new program aimed to assist people who rely on public transportation has officially rolled into effect.

Garden Island. 

Nearly all gauges on Kaua‘i record below-average rainfall

Nearly all of the rain gauges on Kauaʻi had below-average rainfall for the month of July with two of the island’s rain gauges posting their lowest totals – for the month – on record.

Kaua‘i Now.