UH president finalist denies allegations of bias by black law professor

A finalist seeking to helm the University of Hawai‘i is now speaking out amid allegations that she retaliated against a Black law professor while she was provost of Georgia State University. Wendy Hensel says she’s being wrongly accused of bias. “No complaint has ever been filed against me for discrimination,” she said.

Civil Beat.

State promotes Cybersecurity Awareness Month following recent hacks

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and officials are bringing attention to the internet crimes that continue to occur across the U.S. continent and Hawai‘i. Vince Hoang, chief information security officer at the state’s Office of Enterprise Technology Services, spoke with HPR about the attacks on larger systems.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Hawai‘i congressman denounces disaster relief misinformation

Former President Donald Trump is among a number of Republicans widely reported to be spreading lies about the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene. Now, as another hurricane barrels over Florida, U.S. Rep. Ed Case is condemning the misinformation about the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Civil Beat. 

O‘ahu Headlines

Strong opposition delays vote on $1.5M settlement over deadly police shooting

In 2021, two HPD officers fatally shot and killed 29-year-old Lindani Myeni, an unarmed Black man involved in a struggle with officers outside a Honolulu vacation rental he was accused of entering without permission. Honolulu City Council members said they wanted more time to review evidence and would reconsider the case next month.

Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Council backs measure to legalize some ground fireworks

In spite of opposition from the Honolulu Fire Department, a fireworks measure allowing ground-level fountains and sparklers to be lit in public on O‘ahu was adopted Wednesday by the City Council.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Former Oahu Community Correctional Center sergeant gets life in shooting death of his mother

Circuit Judge Rowena Somerville sentenced Anthony F. Pereira II to life in prison with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder, 20 years for use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, and five years each for first-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree dangerous drug promotion, to run concurrently.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

DHHL project will create 78 homestead lots at King’s Landing

A final environmental assessment was published Tuesday for the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ “King’s Landing Kuleana Homestead Settlement Plan,” which would take 1,334 acres of DHHL-managed land near Keaukaha and allow beneficiaries to live on those parcels with minimal development.

Tribune-Herald. 

New fencing planned for island forest reserves

Draft environmental assessments were published last month for road-building projects in the Waiākea Forest Reserve, the Manukā Natural Area Reserve and the Ka‘u Forest Reserve.

Tribune-Herald.

Sign-wavings, vigils scheduled throughout Big Island for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Several walks and vigils are taking place islandwide for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The goal is to help shed light on a problem that impacts 1 in 5 people throughout the state, according to a study by the Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence that was released in June.

Big Island Now. 

Maui Headlines

Maui County community workshops to focus on potential inter-island ferry service

A second round of community workshops is set this month as part of the Maui County Ferry Feasibility Study to gather public input on a potential ferry service connecting Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i with Maui.

Maui Now. 

Kamehameha Schools offers land for new Lahaina site

The state Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools, Gov. Josh Green and Maui Mayor Richard Bissen have begun discussions to explore the possibility of establishing a new permanent home for Kamehameha III Elementary School on Kamehameha Schools’ land in Ku‘ia, Lahaina.

Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.

Maui water quality: No more wastewater in the ocean, locals say

Maui residents say it’s time to stop letting a Lahaina plant allow treated wastewater to flow into the ocean. Ocean users, cultural practitioners and farmers are among those calling for treated wastewater to instead be used to irrigate golf courses and resorts.

Civil Beat. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i County Council candidates agree county can’t ignore housing crisis

From experienced incumbents to political newcomers, the 14 people campaigning for seven Kaua‘i County Council seats are a diverse group, but one thing they agree on is that the lack of affordable housing for the working class is tearing at the fabric of this island community

Civil Beat. 

Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women donates period products to outreach programs

About 1,500 period products were donated and distributed to three outreach agencies on the Garden Isle. The committee held a ceremony Wednesday at the Līhu‘e Civic Center’s Mo‘ikeha Building where Catholic Charities, Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity’s homelessness and housing programs, and the YWCA, received the sanitary products.

Kaua‘i Now.