Gilma now a major hurricane, while a new tropical cyclone still expected Thursday

As of the 11 p.m. report, the National Hurricane Center said Gilma is a major Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour. It was 2,060 miles east-southeast of Hilo and was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 miles per hour.

Hawaii News Now. Accuweather. 

Here’s what Hawaii Democrats say a Harris presidency would mean for the Aloha State

There are expectations that personal relationships and shared concerns will translate into continued federal support for the islands. Call it Biden-Harris 2.0.

Civil Beat. 

Tropical rainstorm approaches Hawaii as wildfire risk looms

Hawaii residents are urged to prepare for gusty wind that potentially could spark wildfires as a tropical rainstorm is expected to approach the islands this weekend.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii has done little to shore up neighborhoods against fire

Some Are Doing It Themselves. Residents aware of the dangers can take some steps to protect their communities, but they’re still looking to government to enforce stricter codes for all.

Civil Beat. 

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu City Council considers additional property tax exemptions for homeowners

The Honolulu City Council is considering a measure that would increase the property tax exemptions for those who own and live in their home.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. 

Honolulu police chief scores high in evaluation

Two years into his tenure as Honolulu’s 12th police chief, Arthur “Joe” Logan is exceeding expectations as a leader, innovator and a cost saver while needing to improve internal and external communications, according to his second annual review by the Honolulu Police Commission.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Why do efforts to impose higher taxes on empty homes in Honolulu keep stalling?

Supporters say the measure would help combat the affordable housing crisis. But questions remain about who should be exempt and how it would be implemented.

Civil Beat. 

Makakilo rock quarry gets 15-year extension

The state Land Use Commission voted unanimously to extend a special operating permit by 15 years, to 2047 from 2032, for the roughly 200-acre hillside quarry in Makakilo owned by Grace Pacific LLC.

Star-Advertiser. 

Skyline sees low rail ridership, high monthly costs during first year.

It’s been just over a year since Honolulu Skyline started up, and it has been slow going for rail when it comes to ridership. Right now, the rail is averaging 250 riders per hour, but Skyline trains can handle more than 14 times that amount.

KITV4. 

Trash truck shortage causes collection delay on O‘ahu

An ongoing shortage of available refuse collection trucks resulted in several routes on O‘ahu being missed this week. The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services said refuse crews are working to service blue and grey carts that were missed between Foster Village and Pālolo. Delayed collections could continue through the rest of the week.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

HPD looks to build citizen ‘army’ to help reduce crime in Waikīkī

The Honolulu Police Department  is relaunching its Waikīkī Citizen Patrols this Saturday in hopes of getting more residents and businesses engaged in public safety.

Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Hawai‘i Island lawmakers aim to simplify new short-term rental laws

 As the council overhauls Hawai‘i Island’s STR regulations through Bill 121, it has made a series of amendments in response to concerns from homeowners, local officials, and other stakeholders.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Bill permitting street vendors debated, but unresolved

A Hawai‘i County Council proposal to issue permits to vendors allowing them to sell on county roads generated debate, but wasn’t resolved on Tuesday.

Tribune-Herald. 

4.7-magnitude earthquake rattles Hawai‘i Island amid busy week of seismic activity

A 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck Hawai‘i Island early Thursday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami threat.

Hawaii News Now. 

Kīlauea Visitor Center to close for next 2 years

The expansion of the visitor center is considered phase two of the greater park improvement project, with phase one of the already underway.

Tribune-Herald. 

Maui Headlines

Maui Economic Development director placed on paid leave pending ethics investigation

There’s an ongoing review of grants administered by the Office of Economic Development under director Luana Mahi. This comes after a county ethics board opinion found conflicts of interest involving Luana Mahi and grants that went to nonprofits run by her family members.

Civil Beat. 

Maui officials move forward with securing night chopper for first responders

This week, the county closed off the bidding process for offers from firms to provide the helicopter, and now must decide who will be awarded the contract.

KITV4. 

Blessing commemorates acquisition of Pōhākea Watershed in Māʻalaea for conservation

A blessing held Wednesday morning commemorated the acquisition of the 257-acre Pōhākea Watershed parcel that was recently purchased for conservation and preservation in Māʻalaea.

Maui Now. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative activates emergency preparedness plan due to Hurricane Gilma

The Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative is monitoring the progress of Hurricane Gilma along with other storm activity in the Pacific and has activated its emergency preparedness plan.

Kaua‘i Now. 

Hotel performance report: In July, Kaua‘i led counties in revenue per available room

Kaua‘i hotels led the counties in July 2024 revenue per available room at $358 (+7.4% vs. 2023, +55.0% vs. 2019), with average daily rate at $453 (-0.1% vs. 2023, +50.5% vs. 2019) and occupancy of 79.0% (+5.5 percentage points vs. 2023, +2.3 percentage points vs. 2019).

Kaua‘i Now.