Congressional hearing in Lahaina examines federal response to wildfires

Select members of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held the hearing Wednesday to assess what has been done well and perhaps not as well to help Maui recover from the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires that killed 102 people and destroyed most of Lahaina town.

Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

DARPA sheds light on peculiar drone spotted off Hawai‘i

Officials with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have confirmed that the unmanned drone spotted off Waikīkī on Friday, Aug. 30 is designed for energy-harvesting.

KHON2.

Local environmental group calls on Hawai‘i Gas to release emissions data

Life of the Land has intervened in Hawai‘i Gas’ rate case before the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission. The organization also intervened in the docket that contained that contained Hawai‘i Gas’ long-range plan.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

New report: ‘Power Pivot — Transitioning Hawai‘i Gasoline Superusers to Electric Vehicles’

Released by Ulupono Initiative and Coltura, the paper focuses on these superusers, which account for approximately 65,000, or 6.8%, of the state’s drivers. The superusers have extensive and costly driving habits, often exceeding 40,000 miles annually, compared to the non-superusers average of 8,500 miles annually. Collectively, these superusers consume nearly 26% of Hawai‘i’s gasoline

Maui Now.

Hawai‘i chief economist shares insights from decades of data collection

Hawai‘i Chief Economist Eugene Tian gave us the context of the 1,187-page Data Book, which the state has been compiling every year for about 60 years

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

Council passes resolution for more water testing

The Honolulu City Council adopted a resolution Wednesday urging the Navy and Department of Defense to immediately implement weekly testing of monitoring wells related to past fuel spills at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

HART scrambles to free up cash for rail’s push into the city center

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation is scrambling to cut costs for various planned rail work to raise extra cash for a $1.66 billion construction contract to build the elevated rail line through the urban core to Kaka‘ako. Other work may be delayed because a $1.66 billion bid was $300 million more than the rail authority had budgeted.

Civil Beat. 

Kapi‘olani threatens lockout of union nurses

Management at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children on Wednesday said after receiving a second strike notice from the nurses union, it is prepared to impose a lockout.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Wai‘anae attacker threatened to shoot his victims’ family twice before, an attorney says

The 59-year-old man fatally shot Saturday night after he rammed his neighbor’s home with a front loader and shot and killed three women had threatened gun violence against his victims’ family twice before, an attorney representing a family member says.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Authorities seize 42 gambling machines in suspected game room raid in Makiki

Officers seized 42 gambling machines and thousands of dollars in cash in a game room raid in Makiki Wednesday evening, according to Honolulu police officials.

Hawaii News Now. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Ohana housing bill advances: Council bill would create more options for ‘accessory dwelling units’

Bill 123 is one of several measures discussed by the council this year aimed at updating rules regarding short-term vacation rentals.

Tribune-Herald.

4 Big Island men charged with illegally taking lobsters

The men, all divers, were cited for misdemeanor violations with the taking of female lobsters and eggs — which are known as roe — after DLNR officers conducted an inspection on the vessel Law and Disorder III upon its return to its slip at Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

UH Maui Wildfire Study gets $2.3M to build comprehensive survivor registry

The University of Hawai‘i’s Maui Wildfire Exposure Study has received a boost of funding from the state. The additional $2.3 million will allow the study to increase its participant base to 2,000 individuals, focusing on children and first responders.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. Maui News. 

Kula Community Association to host Candidate Forum on Sept. 11

The event will feature candidates running for Senate, House and Maui County Council offices, covering nine races. The event offers a platform for candidates to present their views and respond to questions.

Maui Now.

60 refurbished computers distributed by Maui Economic Opportunity at no cost to recipients

For some, the refurbished laptop given to them at no cost was their first computer. For others, the laptops replaced ones burned in the wildfires.

Maui Now. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Dozens of campers fall ill to suspected norovirus, Kalalau Valley closed

Kalalau Valley is a popular camping destination off the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kaua‘i. At full capacity, the campsite accommodates up to 80 people. Dozens of campers who made the 12 mile trek into the camping area became sick with an undetermined gastrointestinal illness, according to the State Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR).

KHON2. 

‘A guiding light for our keiki:’ Youth development program Kaua‘i Sea Scouts celebrates 15 years

Over the past 15 years, the Kaua‘i Sea Scouts have provided hundreds of local youths with experiences aboard the Sea Scout vessel Decisive. The program has earned national recognition, being named to the National Flagship Fleet three times and ranking among the top 10 Sea Scout programs in the nation.

Kaua‘i Now.