Honolulu revives the idea of shipping trash off island

O‘ahu has few options on how to handle its garbage in the coming years. That’s because the city’s lone municipal landfill is scheduled to close in 2028, and the roughly 300,000 tons of trash that go there every year will need some alternative disposal plan. That has led the city to reconsider shipping the trash to the mainland, a method it tried over a decade ago but decided was too complicated at the time.

Civil Beat. 

Gov. Green’s Climate Advisory Team talks priorities to mitigate disaster losses

Gov. Josh Green established a Climate Advisory Team this past May to promote resilience and recovery from future climate-related disasters. The volunteer team is looking at areas ripe for policy-making: environmental and infrastructure resilience, and physical and financial recovery.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Public invited to comment on federal plan to preserve coral

The National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy will be used to protect reefs around Hawaiʻi, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the U.S. Pacific Remote Island Area and other areas.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Ballot question revives debate over same-sex marriage in Hawai‘i

Many voters are expressing confusion over a constitutional question on ballots that arrived at homes over the weekend. It brings up the 30-year-old debate over same-sex marriage in Hawai‘i that most people feel was settled a decade ago.

Hawaii News Now. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawai‘i unemployment rate remains at 2.9% in September

The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reports 651,100 people were employed last month, while 19,300 were unemployed, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 670,400 statewide.

Kaua‘i Now.

O‘ahu Headlines

Council urges state action on rising property insurance premiums

A Honolulu City Council resolution wants state lawmakers to address what it deems are “drastic” increases in property insurance premiums paid by homeowners across O‘ahu, particularly for those who own condominiums.

Star-Advertiser.

Rare court filing puts trial on hold for four HPD officers accused in near-fatal crash

The high-profile criminal case against four Honolulu police officers has been shelved until a higher court can rule on the defense team’s interlocutory appeal.

Hawaii News Now.

Westside after-school clubs are helping kids stay out of trouble

After-school programs that provide a safe place for youth on weekdays have taken on greater importance as teens on O‘ahu’s Westside say they feel increasingly unsafe after a series of violent incidents in the last year. This year, at least four shootings have involved teenagers.

Civil Beat.

Voter service centers on O‘ahu open ahead of general election

With general election just two weeks away, in-person voter service centers open Tuesday across the state. On O‘ahu, it opens at Kapolei Hale and Honolulu Hale and they will remain open until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Ironman emphasizes respect, safety ahead of Kona World Championship

In the first all-male Ironman race in Kona, about 2,500 athletes will compete in the swim, bike and run competition that covers 140.6 miles on Saturday, starting at the Kailua Pier and ending on Aliʻi Drive.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Volcano Skatepark reopens after 4+ year closure

Volcano Skatepark is one of the only wooden and indoor parks out of eight skateparks on the island. It closed during the COVID-19 pandemic after the structure deteriorated to the point it posed safety risks to users. On Saturday, Oct. 19, community members, state officials and dedicated volunteers celebrated the official reopening with a blessing and lei untying ceremony.

KHON2. Big Island Video News. 

Kona hotel prepares again to serve as hub for Ironman World Championship

When a semi-truck loaded with pasta and other foods arrived at the Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort last week, the employees knew that soon to follow would be hoards of hungry triathletes competing in the 2024 VinFast Ironman World Championship.

Big Island Now. 

Maui Headlines

Feedback conflicting on how to rebuild Lahaina

Survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire expressed both clear and often conflicting opinions on how to rebuild the historic fishing village, with many participants in community engagement sessions on long-term recovery calling for better communications and other technological upgrades to respond to future emergencies, climate change and sea-level rise.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4.

HECO narrowly avoided cutting power in West Maui last week. What happened?

West Maui customers were told last Wednesday that Hawaiian Electric might have had to cut power as a fire prevention measure under the new protocols of the utility’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program, which launched in July.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. 

Trash, invasive trees and abandoned vehicles to be removed from 5-acre County-owned parcel at Ukumehame

In coordination with Mālama Maui Nui and Kane’s Legacy Tree Services, the County of Maui will be conducting trash removal, invasive tree cleanup and abandoned vehicles disposal during a three-day period from Oct. 23-25 at a 5-acre parcel owned by the County directly mauka of mile marker 13.5 in Ukumehame, West Maui.

Maui Now. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Should Kaua‘i’s police commission get more time for investigations?

The seven-member commission that oversees the operations of the island’s police department currently has 90 days to go through the entire process of investigating all complaints that come to it.

Civil Beat. 

Voter Service Center to open in Līhuʻe

The Voter Service Center (VSC) is scheduled to open on Tuesday, Oct, 22, in the basement of the historic County Annex Building at 4386 Rice St. in Līhuʻe.

Garden Island.