State Budget 101: New handbook simplifies process for curious citizens

A handful of state lawmakers have teamed up with the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice to present a primer in a first step to simplifying the state budget as best they can.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Federal investigators still won’t say what caused the Lahaina fire

Two months after the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives shared its findings on the cause of the Lahaina wildfire with Maui County officials, the agency continues to withhold that information from the public.

Civil Beat. 

Candidates running for office in Hawai‘i will now be able to use their campaign funds for adult dependent care expenses

The Hawai‘i Campaign Spending Commission approved an advisory opinion that says campaign funds can be used to care for elderly relatives or dependents if it is directly related to campaign activities.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Additional 13 school bus routes return to O‘ahu and the Big Island on Monday

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education announced that 13 suspended school bus routes on Central O‘ahu and the East Hawai‘i Island will be reinstated on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024.

KITV4. Hawaii News Now. 

Nisei military units to be honored at Punchbowl

Nisei military units that fought heroically in World War II will be honored Sept. 29 at the 19th annual Joint Memorial Service, at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Kapi‘olani union nurses strike set for today as lockout looms

Hundreds of union nurses at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children are holding a one-day strike starting this morning after talks failed to yield a new contract

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

BWS’ $1.2B Red Hill claim still under review

It’s been nearly a year since the Honolulu Board of Water Supply filed a $1.2 billion claim against the Navy to recover costs for its response to massive jet fuel leaks at the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in 2021.

Star-Advertiser. 

State grapples with uncertainty over Kaka‘ako affordable condo project debt

The board of the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corp. on Thursday approved using up to $500,000 to recover the bad debt through options that include taking over the midrise project, called The Block 803 Waimanu, through foreclosure or in lieu of foreclosure.

Star-Advertiser. 

Mayor says its wrong to blame city property enforcement for Wai‘anae mass shooting

With some in the Wai‘anae community blaming lack of property law enforcement for the tragic mass shooting. Mayor Blangiardi called together administration leaders Thursday afternoon, a meeting that reinforced that the city’s powers are limited.

Hawaii News Now. 

Flags at half staff in remembrance of Twinkle Borge

The Native Hawaiian activist, affectionately known as “Mama” or “Aunty Twinkle,” passed away on Aug. 5, 2024. She led the Pu‘uhonua O Wai‘anae homeless encampment and is credited with turning it into a community.

KITV4. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Big Island commission on efficiency wants voters to help it be more efficient

A charter change on the November ballot would give the Hawai‘i County Cost of Government Commission  more time to study county operations.

Civil Beat. 

Hawai‘i Supreme Court Is Considering Whether To Release Investigative Files In Dana Ireland Case

Yesterday, the Hawaii Supreme Court held a hearing over the question of whether Hawaii County police have to turn over records of their investigation into Albert Lauro Jr., the man who was recently identified as the source of DNA found on Ireland’s body after her killing in 1991

Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Six previously suspended school bus routes restored in East Hawai‘i

The Hawai‘i State Department of Education announced Thursday that 13 previously suspended school bus routes in Central O‘ahu and East Hawai‘i Island will be reinstated starting Monday, restoring service for nearly 300 student bus riders at eight schools.

Big Island Now. 

Search and rescue exercise completed off Kawaihae

Participants in the exercise – which simulated an overdue boat and missing persons – included Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, the Hawai‘i Fire Department, Hawai‘i Ocean Safety and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Big Island Video News. 

Maui Headlines

Maui Ethics Board says water authority appointee has no conflict of interest

Gina Young sought the ethics opinion after three County Council members declined to vote on moving her appointment forward, voicing concern that she may have had unfair advantages in the job application process — and a conflict of interest because she helped draft the charter amendment that led to the water authority’s creation.

Civil Beat.

Plumbing the depths of Maui’s housing shortage: Can small changes have a big impact?

Maui County’s water-fixture-unit regulations and related fees have not been updated since 1995 and are at least partially responsible for driving up costs for building much-needed housing, according to a policy brief by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Maui Now. 

Maui rent stabilization topic of special committee meeting on Monday

The Housing and Land Use Committee will have a special meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber to discuss the possible effects of rent stabilization in Maui.

Maui Now. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i Council bill aims to grow housing supply by allowing more guest units

Bill 2919 would allow one guest house to be built per dwelling unit on properties in certain zoning areas, including agricultural, commercial and most residential districts.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Pacific Missile Range Facility releases draft assessment on land-based training, testing impacts in West Kaua‘i

The U.S. Navy will hold a public meeting for Kaua‘i residents to review the potential environmental impacts of conducting land-based training and testing at launch areas and other locations in areas managed by the Pacific Missile Range Facility.

Kaua‘i Now.

Domestic passenger count tops 71,000 in August at Lihue Airport

The domestic passenger count weighed in at its third highest total of the year, as more than 71,000 people flew into Lihue Airport in the penultimate month of summer.

Garden Island.