Lawsuit Challenges Hawaiʻi’s Gun Ownership Ban for Young Adults
Hawaiʻi bans guns for adults younger than 21 years old. This law is the subject of a Second Amendment lawsuit that plaintiffs say is an unconstitutional restriction on the right of Americans to bear arms. Their lawyers say Hawaiʻi is the only state with a total ban on acquiring and owning firearms and ammunition by those who are 18 to 20.
Hawaiʻi Agency Details Plan to Improve ‘Failing’ Foster Care
Daisy Lynn Hartsfield, administrator of the Social Services Division overseeing the Child Welfare Services Branch within the state Department of Human Services, presented corrective action plan goals to a panel of state lawmakers Thursday in the wake of alarming findings in the audit requested by the Legislature in 2022.
Hawaiʻi Sheriff Division Faces New Scrutiny in 2019 Capitol Shooting Trial
In 2019, a deputy sheriff fatally shot Delmar Espejo outside of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol. His family has accused former deputy sheriff Gregory Bergman of excessive force, and the matter is going to trial this week. The case spotlights persistent turmoil in the understaffed sheriff division. Meanwhile, the Department of Law Enforcement, which oversees the state sheriffs, is investigating multiple staffers for possible misconduct in an unrelated matter.
Gov. Josh Green’s Concerns About Trump’s Cabinet Picks
Green expressed concern over some of Trump’s Cabinet appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s selection to head the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as Dr. Mehmet Oz to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The Growing Trend of Hawaiʻi Private School Coaching
Tutoring centers helping students with private school admissions have become more popular in recent years, but not all families can afford them. Private schools play a prominent role in Hawaiʻi’s educational system, more so than any other state, according to the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics. Wealthy parents who want to ensure their children’s success in admissions have driven a booming business for private school tutoring and preparation companies, with some charging hourly rates of $100 or more.
Our melting pot of Hawaiian, Polynesian, Asian and Western influences helps unite Oceania’s diverse islands and serves as a bridge to the world beyond.
Honolulu City Council’s Empty-Homes Tax Measure Advances
On Thursday the Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee voted 3-2, with Esther Kiaʻaina and Augie Tulba dissenting, to advance the second of three readings of Bill 46, which could tax a vacant real property by as much as 3%.
West Oʻahu May Get More Than 800 New Short-Term Rentals in Apartment Zone
On Oʻahu, areas zoned for apartments can’t host short-term rentals. Should that change in areas near resorts? It’s up for consideration by the Honolulu City Council. And if the change passes, it could mean 800 short-term rentals near the Hoakalei in ʻEwa.
Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting Improves Review Times
After years of building permit backlogs, the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting is taking steps to address the problem. It’s also aggressively trying to double its current staff and has upgraded its software so now you can track the status of your permits.
Par Hawaii to Invest $90 Million in Renewable-Fuel Transformation
A petroleum refinery in the James Campbell Industrial Park officially began its transition into the clean-energy sector with a blessing ceremony Thursday, marking the start of its efforts to adopt more sustainable energy practices and work toward Gov. Josh Green’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045.
HPD Pushes for Tougher ‘Ghost Gun’ Laws Amid Spike
A ghost gun is a privately made firearm not marked with a serial number and is almost impossible for law enforcement to trace if it is used to commit a crime, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The 88 ghost guns recovered by the Honolulu Police Department this year come from crimes they were used in or were found during investigations. The seizures represent a nearly 70% increase from the 52 found by officers in 2023.
Hawaiʻi’s Recycled Plastic, Asphalt Road Shows ‘No Increased Leaching’ 2 Years In
Some ʻEwa Beach residents have been driving on a road that is partially made of recycled plastic for over two years. Researchers have been studying whether the road has been leaching microplastics into the environment and the results are promising. Phase One of the project used a mix of asphalt and recycled plastic from the Mainland, Phase Two is underway just up the road and is using recycled material from Hawaiʻi. Testing for Phase Two starts January 2025.
DOH: No Humans Tested Positive for h5n1 From Infected Flock
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health says so far, no one has tested positive for avian influenza after the first detection of H5N1 in a flock of ducks and geese last week. DOH followed up with 54 individuals for potential exposure to the infected flock in Wahiawā.
In order to improve health care access across the Big Island, the Hawaiʻi County Planning Department hopes to expand where hospitals and other medical facilities are allowed to be built.
Hope Services Hawaii Granted $2.5 Million From Bezos Day 1 Families Fund
The grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will help connect Hawaiʻi island families experiencing homelessness with stable housing and critical services. Hope Services is one of 40 organizations across the U.S. receiving a total of $110.5 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund.
Big Island Candies’ Merry-and-Bright Medley for the Holidays!
In addition to our many year-round selections, Big Island Candies handcrafts a series of seasonal sensations that will help make the holidays merry and bright with every bite. Check out these seasonal sensations to share with your loved ones!
Modular Home Hauling for Lahaina Happening Friday and Saturday
The Hawai’i Department of Transportation said Thursday that local drivers may expect slight traffic delays as modular homes for wildfire survivors are being transported from Central Maui to the Ka Laʻi Ola housing site.
State Historic Preservation Division Working to Streamline Lahaina Approvals
In an effort to reduce delays and frustration for residents and commercial property owners preparing to rebuild in fire-ravaged Lahaina, the DLNR State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is working to balance speed and efficiency with protection of historic and archeological resources, particularly iwi, department officials said.
Panel Discusses How Ancestral Knowledge Can Guide Lahaina Rebuilding Following 2023 Wildfire
Hundreds gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for the 2024 Piʻo Summit: Hulihia: Fire and Rain, a free series of forums focused on leveraging ancestral ʻike (knowledge) to support long-term recovery efforts for communities affected by the Lahaina wildfires and the 2018 Kauaʻi floods.
Various community members and agencies were honored at an awards ceremony Tuesday for their heroic efforts during mid-July wildfires in Hanapēpē-Kaumakani and Kōke‘e.
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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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