Lawmakers Grill State Agriculture Department for Not Spending $10M Biosecurity Fund

In an informational briefing last week, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole noted that the department has spent only about $1 million of that funding so far. He then criticized DOA Chair Sharon Hurd for not filling any of the 44 biosecurity-related jobs built into the fund. He also accused the department of misleading the public about how much money had actually been spent. Hurd disagreed, arguing that more than half of that funding has actually been allocated.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Tribune-Herald.

Additional Inspection Requirements Aimed At Preventing Increasing Spread of Invasive Species

U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, both Democrats from Hawaiʻi, are battling serious threats to the state’s agriculture, environment and economy by reintroducing the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Protection Act.

Big Island Now.

Crisis Fund Access Stirs Feud Between HTA and DBEDT

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s attempt to dip into another $5 million from its Tourism Special Emergency Fund after declaring a continued tourism emergency related to the softness following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires has been blocked by Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka.

Star-Advertiser.

Girls Are Losing Out in Hawai‘i’s Push to Train Kids for High-Paying Jobs

The number of Hawaiʻi public school students enrolled in career and technical education courses has exploded in recent years, amid debates about how to help students secure high-paying jobs after graduation, but the programs aren’t serving boys and girls equally across the state. In the 2022-23 school year, boys made up nearly 75% of Hawaiʻi CTE programs focused on STEM and information technology, and roughly 70% of programs focused on manufacturing.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Wildfire Risks Lead To Demand for More Sheep

As the state looks for innovative ways to prevent wildfires, Hawaiʻi’s struggling livestock industry may be part of the solution. Growing flocks of sheep on local solar farms may soon be employed to both creating firebreaks and providing local food. Rancher Dustin Griffith says the livestock keep invasive grasses under control. Using sheep or cattle to create firebreaks is already happening in California. Hawaiian Electric is promoting the concept in social media, and it has the support of lawmakers.

Hawaii News Now.

O‘ahu Headlines

Limits on Honolulu Landfills Could Change After Opposition to Wahiawā Site

After Honolulu residents came out last week against building the city’s new landfill in Wahiawā above an aquifer, some state lawmakers, including House majority leader Sean Quinlan, are planning to give the city some choices. Quinlan drafted a bill that would reduce the minimum allowed distance between a landfill and homes, schools and hospitals from a half-mile to a quarter-mile. Shrinking the buffer zone could put other potential sites in play. City officials remain confident they can build the landfill in a way that protects the water supply.

Civil Beat.

DPP Software Upgrade Delayed Due to Technical Snag, City Says

The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting’s upgrade to its electronic plan review software for building permits has suffered a delay, DPP announced.

Star-Advertiser.

Downtown Business Improvement District Is Proposed

Downtown Honolulu, once bustling with office workers who frequented eateries at lunchtime, has seen a downturn in office space occupancy since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and needs revitalization, say businesses and developers.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Man Faces Federal Charges for Allegedly Smuggling Fish

Shane Takasane faces federal charges after he allegedly ran an illegal aquarium fish smuggling operation with non-native, endangered species and protected Hawai‘i reef fish for sale starting at $300 each.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

12 Motorists Arrested for DUI During Week of Jan. 1-5 on Big Island Roads

Hawai‘i Police Department officers during the first week of the new year continued their crackdown on motorists who drive under the influence of an intoxicant on Big Island roadways, arresting 12 drivers for DUI from Jan. 1-5. Four of those motorists were involved in traffic crashes.

Big Island Now.

Volcano Watch: Tiny Crystals in Lava Flows Provide Scientists Information

The eruption at the summit of Kīlauea remains paused. Glow from the inactive vents indicate that lava remains close to the surface of Halemaʻumaʻu within the caldera, while the USGS Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH. From this week’s Volcano Watch article, written by USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory post-doctoral researcher Heather Winslow: “Like fortune tellers who peer into a crystal ball for insight, volcanologists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) peer into the tiny crystals contained in lava flows to learn about the magma’s journey before it was erupted onto the surface.”

Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

Maui County Council Passes Bills to Ease Water Use

Bill 180 allows farmers to expand the storage capacity of their private water catchment and storage tank system from 15,000 to 30,000 gallons in agricultural, residential and rural districts. Bill 146 could allow existing water customers to have a farm or ohana dwelling without obtaining an additional water meter.

Maui News.

Committee Referral Item Sparks Discord Among Maui County Council Members

It was mostly smooth sailing for the Maui County Council’s first regularly scheduled meeting of 2025, but then decorum hit choppy waters as the Friday agenda drifted to a planned referral of three bills to the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee.

Maui Now.

December Housing Median Price Nudges Close to All-Time Record in Maui County

The median sales price of a single-family home in Maui County rose to $1,374,238 in December 2024, a 14.5% increase over the same month in 2023 and just 2.4% less than the all-time highest median price of $1,408,287, set in September 2024.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

State Urges More Biosecurity Measures to Protect Flocks From Avian Flu

With low levels of the H5 influenza found in the wastewater samples on Kauaʻi, the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division urges commercial poultry operations and backyard bird owners to increase biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.

Kauaʻi Now.

GoFarm Offering Course to Kauaʻi Residents Wanting to Become Next Crop of Farmers

This year, no prior experience is required to join the six-month AgXcel course. It is open to anybody who has the passion for learning and for sustainable agriculture and growing food, program manager Lily Nguyen said.

Kauaʻi Now.