Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Want to Make It Harder for Kids to Skip Vaccines

Roughly 1 in 5 students in Hawaiʻi were missing required vaccines last year. Doctors say that’s a growing health threat, but efforts to toughen state law are drawing intense criticism from parents opposed to vaccines.

Civil Beat.

Pacific Commander Urges Faster Arming of Forces

The top commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific wants to see a major revamp in how forces are armed and equipped amid simmering tensions in the region. In a keynote address opening the Honolulu Defense Forum in Waikiki, Adm. Samuel Paparo bemoaned what many senior commanders see as a slow, burdensome federal bureaucracy that has made it harder for the military to field new weapons and technology.

Star-Advertiser.

Trump Blocks Pipeline of EPA Funds to Hawaiʻi Environmental Justice Efforts

The Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority has been locked out of $62 million awarded through the EPA’s Solar For All program, which is designed to help low-income households finance rooftop solar.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Gabbard’s Intelligence Role Will Be Tested Immediately

Tulsi Gabbard’s meteoric rise from local politics in Hawaiʻi to a Cabinet-level position in the second Trump administration was on the minds of island politicians of all stripes, although many Democrats — her former party — either declined to comment for this story or would offer comments only if their names were not used.

Star-Advertiser.

Midwifery Bill Tries to Balance Safety With Reproductive Autonomy, Hawaiian Practices

The state Legislature is running against a time limit on its controversial 2019 law to regulate midwifery that will sunset in June.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

Covid Relief Fraud Gets Hawaiʻi Defense Contractor 87 Months in Prison

Martin Kao, convicted of stealing pandemic-era relief funds, was also ordered to pay $13 million in restitution and serve 12,800 hours of community service.

Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Toxic Work Environment Concerns Derail Honolulu EMS Director Reappointment

Former employees testified that Emergency Services Director Jim Ireland practices favoritism and retaliation, which contributes to staff and ambulance shortages.

Civil Beat.

City Parks ‘Follow-Up’ Audit Completed

The audit found improvements had been made within DPR — which has a current operating budget of nearly $120.6 million — but noted data related to spending on individual city park sites on Oʻahu was lacking.

Star-Advertiser.

Ban on Wheelies Under Council Consideration

Riders of electric bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles will no longer be able to perform stunts on any public street or roadway if a measure targeting such behavior is able to steer its way through the Honolulu City Council.

Star-Advertiser.

Windward Community College Expands Hawaiian Studies to Arizona Prison

The college launched a Hawaiian studies program at Halawa Correctional Facility in 2022, but found many students dropped out because they were sent to an Arizona prison.

Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Work on 2 Hamakua Bridges Should Start This Year

Last year, the DOT was awarded $74 million from the federal government to rehabilitate both the Nanue bridge and the Hakalau Stream Bridge, located further south down the Hamakua Coast. The state will provide the remainder of the funding.

Tribune-Herald.

Grandmother Sentenced to Probation in Child Starvation Case

A 67-year-old Hilo woman was sentenced Thursday to 10 years of probation for her role in starving her developmentally disabled 9-year-old granddaughter to death in 2016.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Those Who Lost Loved Ones in the Lahaina Fire Could Receive Some Funds Next Month

Those who lost loved ones or were severely injured in the Lahaina wildfires could begin to receive compensation in the next month with larger payouts by the end of the summer through the One ʻOhana Fund settlement.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Projects Could Curb Flooding in South Maui, but the Fixes Won’t Happen Overnight

South Kihei Road is expected to be fixed as a shoreline thoroughfare through South Maui by the end of this month, Maui County Council member Tom Cook told more than 110 people at the Malcolm Center Wednesday night.

Maui News.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Deadline Today to Apply for Funding Aimed at Helping Vulnerable Kaua‘i Youth, Adults

Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like reminded the public that the deadline is fast approaching for the Life’s Choices Adult and Adolescent Mental Health and Substance Abuse Community Program Grants. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14.

Kauai Now.

Zenon Wong Gets His Own Day

Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami proclaimed Wednesday as Zenon Kapalehua Wong Day at the Kauai Museum where Wong volunteers.

Garden Island.