HECO’s Shaky Credit Prompts Proposal for Help From State

It’s been rough sailing for Hawaiian Electric Co. since the Maui fires. Now, the utility is asking for help from the state as Hawaiʻi nears a 100% renewable energy mandate by 2045. The utility wants the state to back its contracts with wind and solar farms. HECO is concerned that its uncertain financial future could hamper efforts to get the ball rolling on these new projects

Civil Beat.

Defense Bill Includes Funding for Hawaiʻi Facilities, Environmental Cleanup

The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to pass the latest iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military spending bill that sets the Pentagon’s priorities. It included pay raises for troops and a major emphasis on military infrastructure in the Pacific amid simmering tensions with China and North Korea. The bill authorizes over $2.2 billion in spending on Hawaiʻi facilities.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Braces to Protect Milk Supply as Bird Flu Spreads on the Mainland

Bird flu has been found in dairy cows in 16 states and more than 60 people on the mainland. Just yesterday, California’s governor declared a state of emergency. Suffice it to say that Hawaiʻi is on high alert – especially after bird flu was detected in wastewater and wild birds a few times over the past couple of months.

Civil Beat.

Honolulu Plane Crash Exposes State’s Fragile Air Cargo Infrastructure

A fatal Kamaka Air cargo plane crash outside of Honolulu Airport on Tuesday killed two young pilots and sent ripple effects through the neighbor islands. Pharmacists are struggling to get medication for patients, though Mokulele Airlines is pitching in to help transport some of these goods. It’s been a turbulent few years at Kamaka Air, which has gone through major staffing shakeups and two crashes in less than two years.

Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser Associated Press.

O‘ahu Headlines

Feds Send Another $250M for Honolulu Rail Construction

Honolulu’s Skyline rail project will receive another $250 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of its funding agreement with the city, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday.

Star-Advertiser.

CDC Studies Community Recovery in Wake of Red Hill Fuel Spill

The Red Hill Community Representation Initiative is in a spat with the Navy over its absence at a meeting last week. The group points to what it calls a lack of transparency from the Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Innovative Affordable Housing Community Opens in Kapolei

A new, innovative affordable housing community is welcoming families in West Oʻahu. Parkway Village at Kapolei celebrated its grand opening Tuesday with 401 rental units — from studios to four-bedroom homes — serving individuals and families earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income (AMI).

Hawaii News Now.

Windward Oʻahu Opens First Off-Leash Dog Park in Kāneʻohe

The new park, located at the makai end of Kulauli Street, spans about 3 acres and offers separate areas for large and small dogs.

KHON2.

Rare Hawaiian Snail Reintroduced Into Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu

After more than 33 years in captivity, a rare Hawaiian snail species known as Achatinella fuscobasis was released recently into the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve of the Ko‘olau Mountains on Oʻahu.

Maui Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Hawaiʻi Island Lawmakers Try Again to Ask Legislature for Expanded Midwifery Laws

A Hawaiʻi County Council resolution heard Wednesday urges the Legislature to permanently exempt birth attendants from being required to have a state midwifery license and to expand the eligibility criteria for the license.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.Tribune-Herald.

Judge Picks Contractor to Demolish Mistakenly Built House in HPP

Kona Circuit Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya has selected the proposal by Sanborn General Contracting Inc. of Hilo to remove the house mistakenly built on a lot owned by Annaleine “Anne” Reynolds.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Maui County’s Public Access Network Akakū Fighting to Prevent Significant Cuts to Its Funding

Maui County’s public access television network Akakū, which provides news coverage of local government and a variety of other community programming and services, is already operating with a lean budget. But now the nonprofit is battling to prevent the loss of hundreds of thousands in funding from cable company franchise fees.

Maui Now.

Maui OKs Lahaina Wildfire Waste Site on First Reading

A plan to use 79 acres near the Central Maui landfill to dispose of waste from the August 2023 wildfires seems headed for final passage by the Maui County Council.

Maui News.

Lahaina Wildfire Still Impacting Tourism

The wildfire that destroyed Lahaina in August 2023 is continuing to have a ripple effect with tourism decreases on several Hawaiian islands including Maui. Maui has experienced a 10.1% decrease in visitor numbers for the first 10 months of this year, state Chief Economic Eugene Tian said.

Maui News.