Green Ranks Sixth Nationally in Governor Approval Ratings

Gov. Josh Green ranks in the top 10 in approval ratings compared with the rest of America’s governors, according to separate surveys reported this month. Morning Consult, an independent pollster that conducts political polling and continues to track this year’s presidential race, placed Green sixth most popular in the nation, with a 62% approval rating that “likely reflects a solid base of support among Hawaiʻi’s electorate.”

Star-Advertiser.

OHA Race: Ahuna and Lindsey Run Modest Campaigns for Kauaʻi and Niʻihau Seat

OHA is a semi-autonomous agency created to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians. The agency is tasked with managing a trust of about $600 million. The general election is on Nov. 5 and as a statewide race, all Hawaiʻi residents can  vote for OHA.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. 

ACLU of Hawaiʻi Demands Investigation Into Arizona Prison’s Drinking Water

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi is demanding an investigation into the drinking water quality at Saguaro Correctional Center in Arizona. Nearly a thousand Hawaiʻi inmates are incarcerated there.

Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Campaign Aims to Prevent Aquarium Dumping

The weeklong “Don’t Let It Loose” campaign aims to prevent aquarium owners from releasing these invasive species into the ocean, as well as the importation and possession of illegal marine aquarium species.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Mayor Blows Up Fireworks Measure

Bill 22, adopted by a majority of the Council in early October to allow ground-level fountains and sparklers to be lit in public on O‘ahu, was vetoed Oct. 25 by Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

Star-Advertiser.

City Council Considers Reviving Its Agricultural Development Task Force

The nine-member group of agriculture stakeholders and practitioners would recommend policies in zoning, land use, infrastructure, and other issues that would affect farming and food production on O‘ahu.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. 

Emotions Pour Over Red Hill Crisis at BWS Meeting

The Board of Water Supply is standing by its warning that a fuel-related chemical plume could be spreading from the Navy’s Red Hill tanks. This comes after the Navy accused the agency of “misinformation” and being “grossly inaccurate.”

Hawaii News Now. 

Cleanup Underway After Heavy Rain, Runoff Turn Ala Wai Harbor Into Dump Site

State crews and volunteers are clearing debris from the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor after the weekend’s heavy rains triggered runoff from Makiki, Pālolo and Mānoa streams. Those waterways have been littered with illegally dumped items, such as appliances and landscaping waste.

Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Halloween Eve Flash Flood at UH Mānoa Left Ruin in Its Wake

Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of a Halloween Eve flash flood that sent a tsunami of mud, water and debris up to 8 feet high roaring through the University of Hawaiʻi Mānoa campus, damaging 30 buildings and tossing dumpsters and vehicles in its path.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Crisis Intervention Team Expands On Hawaiʻi Island

The Hawaiʻi Police Department has expanded its Crisis Intervention Team with the addition of 10 new officers. The newly trained CIT officers completed a rigorous 40-hour course in Hilo, culminating in a recognition ceremony on October 18th.

Big Island Video News.

More Than $9.1 Million Coming to Hawai‘i for Forest Restoration Projects

A Big Island company is one of two entities that will receive funds from the federal government for forest restoration projects that will help protect rare species, support agricultural production and increase climate resilience in Hawai‘i.

Big Island Now.

Lease Extension for Hilo Mainstay Spurs Debate

The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved on Friday a 20-year lease extension for three parcels at the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and Leilani Street to Yamada Consolidated Inc., which was first issued a state lease in 1959 for a term of 45 years.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

New Carpenters Union Super PAC Is Spending Big on Maui Council Races

A new super PAC tied to the carpenters union has dumped more than $290,000 into the Maui County Council race. They’re focusing on three seats as they seek to maintain a developer-friendly majority on the council.

Civil Beat.

Two Escape Routes Could Have Saved Dozens Of Maui Fire Victims

The largest concentration of people who died in the 2023 Lahaina wildfire — nearly three dozen victims — were found in the Kuhua Camp neighborhood, where fallen trees and power lines blocked many as they tried to flee across narrow roads. Without the dead end on Kuhua Street and the private lot dividing Aki Street, everyone there likely would have gotten out safely, Maui county planners say.

Civil Beat.

FEMA Seeks Landowners for Modular Home Sites to Help Displaced Lahaina Residents

To expand housing options in West Maui for wildfire survivors, FEMA is collaborating with the County of Maui and Lahaina property owners to place modular housing units on private properties.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kouchi Named Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi’s State Legislator of the Year

Hawaiʻi Senate President and longtime Kauaʻi state legislator Ronald Kouchi was recently honored by a Hawaiʻi nonprofit aimed at creating a healthy Hawaiʻi, where every resident has access to affordable, high quality health care.

Kauaʻi Now.