The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union, which represents more than 800 farmers, ranchers and food producers statewide, announced Sunday that it will lobby legislators for a drastic increase to the state Department of Agriculture’s $53.6 million budget over the next two years.
Test scores for Hawaiʻi students show little progress despite major funding boost
The state has received over half a billion dollars in pandemic support, but there’s been no tracking of which investments and programs have actually improved student learning.
Clash erupts over Hawai‘i Tourism Authority budget request
The director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is planning to make a $70 million legislative budget request for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, even though its board, of which he is a voting member, voted to request a higher amount.
Hawaiʻi remains the top desired destination for Japanese travelers
As Japanese people gradually begin to eye international travel again after the pandemic, Hawaiʻi remains the top dream destination for Japanese travelers, according to research by travel firms and the Japanese government.
For Japan’s Hawaiʻi lovers, a changing relationship with the Aloha State
Changing modes of travel and shifting tastes are changing the way Japanese tourists experience Hawaiʻi. And it’s changing how they perceive island culture — both while visiting Hawaiʻi and back home in Japan.
Wahine Forum Closing Session: Performance and Talk Story with Miss Aloha Hula Honorees
The Miss Aloha Hula honorees from 2021 to 2024 will grace the stage at the closing general session of this year’s Wahine Forum. Join us on October 11 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for an unforgettable evening featuring their captivating performance and an inspiring talk story. It’s going to be a memorable evening you won’t want to miss!
City seeks $115,000 to defend against civil rights suit
Honolulu is asking for more legal fees to defend against a 2023 federal civil rights lawsuit alleging three Honolulu Liquor Commission investigators subjected another investigator to discrimination, harassment and a hostile work environment based on his sexual orientation and race after starting his job with the city in 2022.
Development of luxury condo units on Oʻahu’s north shore now on pause
Utah-based developing firm Areté Collective, which bought about 65-acres of land near Turtle Bay Resort in April, said it is delaying vertical construction until Dec. 1, 2024 to allow for more conversations with the community.
Through an intergovernmental support agreement, the Navy is giving $18 million for upgrade work to the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority, a state agency that governs much of the former base that was closed in 1999 and largely transferred to state, city and private entities for reuse.
Wāhine leaders, such as East-West Center’s President Suzanne Vares-Lum, are promoting innovative and resilient solutions to critical issues in Hawai‘i.
UH Cancer Center celebrates federal designation renewal
The designation from the National Cancer Institute comes with a support grant of $11 million from NCI to help fund further research at the center for another five years.
Coconut rhinoceros beetles deal fatal blow to Hawaiʻi palm trees
The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation has marked 80 trees for removal due to public safety concerns since the crowns of the damaged trees threaten to fall on people below.
Kapiolani nurses return to work after tense negotiation, 22-day lockout
New Kapiʻolani contract includes nursing council to oversee staffing conditions. The council is meant to serve as an enforcement mechanism to ensure appropriate staffing levels.
Council bill seeks to ease permit restrictions for ag lot owners
At a Land Use and Development Committee meeting Wednesday, Puna Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz introduced a bill which would exempt greenhouses and other small structures from requiring building permits on agricultural lots.
The owner of a home in Milolii Beach Lots is suing Hawaii County, claiming its Electronic Processing and Information Center system — known as EPIC — has trapped him in a permitting Catch-22 that only will allow him to demolish his house, not to remodel or live in it.
The BOSS Survey is being conducted now and we want to include you if you are the owner or a senior executive of a locally based company. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
NOAA seeks to restore road to Mauna Loa Observatory
Access to the Mauna Loa Observatory could be restored by next April, more than two years after the eruption of its namesake volcano cut it off from the rest of the island.
Mayor Bissen to host community budget meeting in Wailuku
Central Maui residents are encouraged to attend the meeting Tuesday to provide input as County of Maui departments begin to shape the budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1, 2025.
Akakū to broadcast Maui County Council candidate forum hosted by Lahaina Strong
Monday night’s Lahaina Strong candidate forum will be broadcast live by Akakū Maui Community Media from 5:30 to 8 p.m. from Hanakaʻōʻō “Canoe” Beach in West Maui.
Maui Memorial health care workers poised for potential strike.
The contract for about 1,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, imaging techs and others represented by United Nurses and Health Care Employees of Hawaii, or UNHCEH, expired Monday.
Keālia PO Box holders who used them as primary mailing address urged to reregister to vote
The Kaua‘i County Elections Division is urging voters who had PO Boxes at the now shuttered Keālia Post Office and used them as their primary addresses to reregister to vote with a new mailing address to ensure they receive their ballot for the upcoming Nov. 5 general election.
Kaua’i County discusses how to improve search and rescue operations after failed effort
Two months after a failed official effort to find a missing man from Kapa’a led to public criticism of Kauaʻi County’s search and rescue procedures, police and other emergency agencies outlined their handling of missing person cases last week during a tense County Council meeting in which improvements also were discussed.
ʻUlutopia project at Kauaʻi Community College increasing production and use of breadfruit
On a fraction of a 40-acre farm behind Kauaʻi Community College in Puhi, 64 breadfruit, or ʻulu, trees bear abundant green fruit and teach important scientific lessons.
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kh6jrm@gmail.com
I am the retired news director of Pacific Radio Group stations on the Island of Hawaii. I am a retired Lt. Col., USAF Reserve. I am a FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operator, holding the Amateur Extra Class License. I am a substitute teacher for the state of Hawaii Department of Education.
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