Offshore wind farm plan gets blowback

Aukahi Energy LLC, a joint venture involving a subsidiary of French utility giant EDF Group, in recent months has publicly shared its vision to put 22 to 30 floating wind turbines — each taller than the length of a football field — between O‘ahu and Molokaʻi to supply about 25% of the electricity used on O‘ahu at an estimated cost of over $1.8 billion.

Star-Advertiser. 

Native Hawaiian council seeks to develop economic opportunities

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement already has gotten a firm foothold in tourism products, especially in Waikīkī, since securing a multiyear, $27 million contract for stewardship services in 2023 from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

Star-Advertiser. 

Data consultant on how Native Hawaiians are getting priced out of paradise

One of the largest gatherings of Native Hawaiians wrapped up Thursday on Hawaiʻi Island. The Native Hawaiian Convention featured a regenerative tourism tour and a fashion show from local designers. But one topic on everyone’s mind was getting priced out of paradise.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. 

Next UH president to face ‘autonomy’ with strings attached

University of Hawaiʻi officials have to defend their annual budget requests to the state Legislature every year because tuition, donations, endowments and other revenue sources aren’t enough to keep the 10-campus system running on a budget of over $1 billion. The institution employs nearly 8,000 people while educating 46,000 students.

Star-Advertiser. 

Convention highlights new prominence of Hawaiian leadership

This year’s Native Hawaiian Convention focused on how Hawaiians have played a much bigger role in shaping policy. They now hold top leadership positions in tourism, Mauna Kea management and recovery efforts in West Maui after wildfires destroyed most of Lahaina in 2023.

Civil Beat. 

O‘ahu Headlines

Kapi‘olani nurses plan protest before talks resume

Unionized nurses, who have been barred from work for over a week, plan to hold a demonstration today outside Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children after contract negotiations ended Sunday with no resolution.

Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Turtle Bay developer’s execs were part of a global company with a questionable environmental record

Top executives at the company behind a major residential development near Turtle Bay Resort previously were high-ranking officers with an international developer that has frequently come under fire for environmental practices and community complaints.

Civil Beat.

Concrete reefs to be deployed off Oʻahu to slow wave energy, promote coral growth

The first prototype of a concrete block artificial reef will be placed in the ocean off Windward Oʻahu later this year or early next. The $27 million coastal protection project is meant to slow wave energy, reduce impacts to near-shore communities and support a coral reef ecosystem.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Roth, Alameda face off: Mayoral candidates spar while fielding questions during forum

Hawaiʻi County’s two remaining mayoral candidates took potshots at each other in between setting out their own policy plans at a forum on Saturday.

Tribune-Herald. 

Top candidates in tight Big Island mayor’s race offer a study in contrasts

While they agree on some issues and diverge on others, Mitch Roth and Kimo Alameda differ sharply in style and presentation.

Civil Beat.

Council approves ohana regulation changes

Bill 123’s most significant change allows up to three ohana units — now called “accessory dwelling units” or ADUs — to be built on a single lot, as long as that lot is within a zoning districts that permits ohana units.

Tribune-Herald. 

Bid for overhaul of Hilo wastewater plant could be approved next month

Hawaiʻi County next month could approve a bid for contractors to begin the long-awaited overhaul of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Tribune-Herald. 

Maui Headlines

Delays hamper state effort to better manage West Maui’s limited water

The Lahaina wildfire and staffing shortages stymied the state’s review of new and existing water users. Housing advocates worry that could help cause more families to leave Maui.

Civil Beat.

Lahaina evacuees urged to vote in burn zone addresses

Lahaina residents whose homes were destroyed in the fire are still able to vote using their old address in the burn zone.

Hawaii News Now. 

Maui voters to decide whether to extend terms for board and commission members

If approved, a charter amendment on the November ballot would allow citizens to serve two consecutive terms or 10 years, whichever is greater.

Civil Beat. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

‘A huge moment’ for Kaua‘i reefs: Coral nursery coming to island with federal funding

A much-needed facility to protect coral reefs, one of the Hawaiian Islands’ most precious natural resources, will be built on Kaua‘i due to a recently awarded grant of nearly $200,000.

Kaua‘i Now. 

Want to farm on the Garden Isle? AgXposure course still accepting applications on Kaua‘i

Potential farmers on the Garden Isle have until Sept. 30 to submit applications to AgXposure, a month-long course introducing participants to the ins and outs of small-scale commercial farming.

Kaua‘i Now.