New UH President Was Accused of Discrimination at Two Posts Before Hiring

At the time of the Gaza protests on New York City campuses earlier this year, the incoming president of the University of Hawaiʻi was facing accusations of discrimination by a Jewish faculty member — concerns that followed similar allegations by a Black law professor in Georgia. The chair of the University of Hawaiʻi’s Board of Regents is staunchly defending the vetting of incoming president Wendy Hensel, saying it aligned with national best practices.

Civil Beat.

Data Suggests Hawaiʻi Nursing Home Deficiencies Among Highest in the Nation

Each year, longterm nursing facilities are inspected and deficiencies are reportedto the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In Hawaiʻi, the average number of deficiencies reported in nursing homes increased between 2019 and 2023, from 7.4 per facility in 2019 to 11.7 in 2023. Over that same time, care hours provided by registered nurses fell by 21% and nurse-aid hours by 10%.

Civil Beat.

Other Than Hone and Gilma, 2024 Hurricane Season Blows Through With Little More Than Stiff Breeze

Hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year, featured just two tropical cyclones — Hurricanes Hone and Gilma. The hurricane center’s season outlook issued May 21 prognosticated there was a 50% chance for a below normal season. An average year sees four to five tropical cyclones.

Big Island Now.

O‘ahu Headlines

UHERO Offers ‘Uncertainties’ Over Council’s Proposed Empty-Homes Tax

An empty-homes tax meant to penalize real-­property owners who leave their Oʻahu residences vacant for extended periods of time continues to receive wider public scrutiny. If adopted by the Honolulu City Council, Bill 46 would tax vacant real property by as much as 3%. That means a home valued at $1 million could receive a $30,000 tax bill each year it remains empty. As drafted, the bill currently provides a list of 15 exemptions, which owners would need to declare.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

The Unnamed Dead of Honolulu May Be Revealed Through DNA Testing

The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has approximately 58 sets of unidentified human remains dating back to 1966. Five cases — all children and teens — have been sent for additional DNA testing thanks to a $50,000 grant from Houston-based cold case resolution company, Othram, which performs forensic genetic genealogy testing.

Civil Beat.

State Confirms Avian Flu in Wild Duck on Oʻahu’s North Shore

The National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed Monday highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a wild duck on Oʻahu’s North Shore. The virus was first confirmed at a bird sanctuary in Wahiawā and officials said it may be spreading through the wild bird population.

KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Affordable Housing Project in Waimea Gains Support

A 43-lot affordable housing subdivision in Waimea got a thumbs-up from the Leeward Planning Commission last week.

Tribune-Herald.

Visiting Hawaiian Monk Seal Prompts Warning to Kona Harbor Users

A five-month-old female Hawaiian monk seal named Keaka has been visiting Honokōhau Harbor in Kona recently, prompting state officials to warn the public about their interactions with the protected species. Keaka has already been hooked by fishing line twice this month.

Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Maui Headlines

Maui Council Candidate Wants State Supreme Court to Void Election

The former chair of the Maui County Council on Monday asked the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to order a new election for the South Maui district seat. Kelly King, who lost to Tom Cook by 97 votes, seeks a new election, arguing that not every vote was counted in the Nov. 5 contest.

Civil Beat.

Community Outraged Over Changes to Long-Awaited South Maui Development

A long-planned housing project in South Maui is facing opposition from people who say the developer owes the community hundreds of affordable homes. Critics say the developer is breaking a promise and the council is rushing toward approval.

Hawaii News Now.

First FEMA Modular Homes Ready for Maui Fire Survivors

An initial increment of new rent-free temporary homes developed in Lahaina by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires has opened for use. The first 24 homes in FEMA’s 167-unit temporary housing community called Kilohana were provided to fire survivors over the past weekend. FEMA expects to have all the homes, which have beds, desks, dining tables and other basic furnishings, ready for use in phases.

Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Chan, Zuckerberg Donate $626,000 to Affordable Housing Program

Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg have donated $626,000 to the nonprofit Permanently Affordable Living Hawaiʻi to place five homes of a workforce housing project into a land trust.
The Chan and Zuckerberg contribution is going toward the project called Kauhale O Namahana in Kīlauea, which will have a total of 11 single-family units for low and middle-income households.

Kauaʻi Now. Garden Island.