Green’s Proposed Budget Adds to Rainy Day Fund, Covers Tax Cuts

Gov. Josh Green has unveiled his proposed state budget for the next two fiscal years, which accounts for record tax cuts for residents that begin in January, the state’s $800 million share of a proposed $4.037 billion fund to settle lawsuits in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires and includes likely raises for unionized workers.

Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. Civil Beat.

Read the Full Budget Here

The budget states the Administation’s top priorities are improving the overall quality of life of Hawai‘i’s people, Maui’s recovery, addressing the rapidly increasing cost of condominium insurance, “improving opportunities for educational equity, improving government responsiveness and transparency, increasing housing opportunities and access to health care, and protecting our environment and natural resources.”

Hawai‘i Department of Budget and Finance.

Hawaiʻi Deportation Cases Hit Quarter-Century High

Hawaiʻi is seeing a record-high number of deportations — about 1,210 as of October — with a majority from China. The islands are home to an estimated 41,000 to 50,500 undocumented people, and the incoming Trump administration has promised a mass deportation operation after he takes office.

Civil Beat.

Gabbard Shows ‘Momentum’ on Capitol Hill

Despite mostly partisan concern over an apparent closeness to ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad and what critics say is a tendency to repeat Kremlin propaganda, it seems former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has found a warm reception on Capitol Hill.

Boston Herald.

Hawaiʻi Hemp Growers Say New State Rules Will Put Them Out of Business

Last month, Gov. Josh Green approved new regulations for hemp products containing CBD, a non-intoxicating cannabis product with health benefits. This milestone was touted as a win for locally grown hemp. But folks in the industry say it’s just the opposite. Health officials say they’re trying to keep products containing THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, away from youth. Hemp advocates say these changes make their work economically unfeasible.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

‘I Have Never Been This Angry’: Lawmakers to Fight Proposed Landfill Site in Central Oʻahu

State Rep. Sean Quinlan, House majority leader, says he plans to fight the city’s decision to put the next landfill northwest of Wahiawā on agricultural land 800 feet above Oʻahu’s aquifer.

Hawaii News Now.

Long-Awaited High-Rise for Hawaiian Beneficiaries Begins Construction

A long-awaited rental high-rise project on Oʻahu has begun construction. Hale Mōʻiliʻili is a more than $150 million housing project. The 23-story building will have 278 units ranging from studios to three bedrooms. Kali Watson, the head of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, said the project is an opportunity for Hawaiians to get affordable housing for themselves and that the area is an ideal location for residents.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

High School Students Get Taste of the Supreme Court in Action

Nearly 400 students from ʻAiea, Leilehua, McKinley Mililani, Radford and Waipahu high schools packed the stands Tuesday at the Mililani High School gymnasium to witness a powerful “visiting team” in action.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Store, Park Services Will Remain Accessible Despite Kīlauea Visitor Center Closure Early Next Year

Park patrons will continue to have access to the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park store and visitor services even while Kīlauea Visitor Center is shuttered for 2 years for renovations beginning next spring. The construction and expansion project will close the entirety of the visitor center, including the restrooms, lānai and most of the parking beginning Feb. 17.

Big Island Now.

Puna Geothermal to Host Year-End Community Meeting This Week

Puna Geothermal Venture in Puna hosts its year-end quarterly community meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at at Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-2906 Pāhoa Village Road, in Pāhoa.

Big Island Now.

Treasured Hawaiʻi Island Tsunami Museum Faces Closure Amid Financial Struggles

A museum in Hilo that aims to educate the public on the devastating impact of tsunamis might have to close its doors for good. The Pacific Tsunami Museum sits on prime real estate, but it’s an old building, and ticket sales haven’t been covering the bills. The museum was created nearly 30 years ago in 1997 at Hilo Bayfront. In 1946, the area was hit by the most devastating tsunami in Hawaii’s modern history, killing 158 people. Just 14 years later, the area got hit again; 61 people died.

Hawaii News Now.

Kawamoto Swim Stadium Reopens After Two-Month Closure

The Hawaiʻi County Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium reopened on Saturday, December 14th, following the completion of repairs.

Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

Revocable Permit Granted, With Amendments, for Use of East Maui Stream Water

The Board of Land and Natural Resources voted 5-0 Friday evening to issue a revocable permit to Alexander & Baldwin and subsidiary East Maui Irrigation Co. for the use of East Maui stream water, much of it for Upcountry drinking water and for nearly 10,600 acres of Mahi Pono farm lands.

Maui Now.

Lahaina Debris Disposal Site, Landfill Expansion Gets Approval

The county announced last month that it had reached conditional agreements with a subsidiary of Nan Inc., Hawaiʻi’s largest, locally owned construction company, to purchase approximately 49 acres of previously quarried land and 30 acres of land currently being quarried adjacent to the Central Maui Landfill.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Report Calls for Inclusive Recovery for Filipino Survivors of Lahaina Fire

A comprehensive report by Maui grassroots organization Tagnawa and the Hawai‘i Workers Center highlights the deep disparities, resilience and urgent needs of Filipino survivors of the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina fires.

Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i County Building Closed for Installations

The Department of Public Works Buildings Division announced that its services and doors will be closed for a week so that its staff can return to the offices located at the Mo‘ikeha Building, Suite 175.

Garden Island. Kaua‘i Now.