The Hawaiʻi State Capitol Could Be Closed for Years to Fix Aging Systems

State officials say the 1969 building’s basic infrastructure is outdated, including electrical, water and wastewater systems. The first hurdle is $2 million in Gov. Josh Green’s current proposed budget for planning, including identifying where the lawmakers and other leadership can hole up while the work takes place. It could cost up to $100 million to do the actual work.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Hotels’ Performance Lost Ground During 2024

Hawaiʻi hotels statewide reported an occupancy of 73.3% in 2024, down 1.1 percentage points from 2023 and 7.5 percentage points from 2019, according to a Hawaiʻi Hotel Performance Report released by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Star-Advertiser.

Being a Mom in Hawaiʻi Isn’t Easy. This Report Shows Why

Hawaiʻi has the highest child care costs in the nation. And in what could be viewed as a related problem, women in the Aloha State are the most sleep-deprived in the nation, according to an analysis by the United Health Foundation for its annual Health of Women and Children report.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Ravenous Beetles Go Urban, Preying on Honolulu’s Iconic Coconut Palms

Urban Honolulu has been hit by tree-killing coconut rhinoceros beetles, renewing concerns about what would remain of the tropical cityscape if the ravenous pests chew their way through the coastline.

Civil Beat.

Bodycam Video in Lawsuit Shows Alleged Assault by Police Officers During Pandemic

Dramatic police body camera video shows an alleged assault by Honolulu police officers during a confrontation over the mask mandate. The video is part of a lawsuit against the city over an incident that occurred outside 7-Eleven in Wahiawā in September 2020.

Hawaii News Now.

Sea Anemones Invade Kāne‘ohe Bay, Likely From Home Aquariums

An invasive sea anemone could overrun much of Kane‘ohe Bay’s fragile coral ecosystem if left unchecked, researchers say. But state conservation officials have a plan to eradicate the majano anemone before it spreads farther, and legislation is moving forward to devote some $200,000 toward that effort.

Civil Beat

Hawai‘i Protesters Rally Against Trump, Musk on Presidents Day

Hundreds of protesters Monday lined South Beretania Street fronting the state Capitol as part of a nationwide Presidents Day effort to oppose the Trump administration’s policies in the first weeks since taking power.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Public Advised to Avoid Part of Ala Wai Canal After Sewage Spil

The public is advised to stay out of the water from Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library to Liliʻuokalani Avenue. Officials say the discharge began on Saturday, Feb. 15, on Wai Nani Way.

Hawaii News Now.

Surfer Breaks Back Bailing From Wave on O‘ahu’s North Shore

Growing up in Pūpūkea, Lucas Godfrey is no stranger to the massive waves. But when he dropped in on a barrel on Feb. 7th, he decided to bail after seeing the wave build in height too quickly. The water then slammed him onto the reef, shattering his vertebrae. He says he’s grateful for the lifeguards that rescued him.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Four Seasons Hualalai Tops U.S. News Hotel Rankings

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai recently took the No. 1 spot in the Best Hotels in the USA ranking for U.S. News & World Report’s 15th annual ranking of best hotels. Another Hawai‘i Island hotel, the Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, took third place in the Best Hotels in the USA category. Five more Hawai‘i hotels were ranked among the top 50 of the Best Hotels in the USA.

Star-Advertiser.

Mauna Lani Loan Request OK’d

DHL Mahi Opco, LLC — owners of the Mauna Lani Resort — intends to take out a mortgage from Goldman Sachs for about 750 acres of land that includes both the resort property and 230 acres of state-leased land that contains the Puakō petroglyph fields and is largely used as an archaeological park.

Tribune-Herald.

Bids for Nānue Bridge Rehabilitation Project Tens of Millions Higher Than State’s Revised Cost Estimate

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is reviewing three bids it received for a project to rehabilitate the more than 70-year-old Nānue Bridge outside of Hilo, and all are tens of millions more than the state’s latest revised cost estimate.

Big Island Now.

Presidents Day Protests Draw Anti-Trump Crowds in Hilo

More than 100 people lined the mauka sidewalk on Hilo’s Kamehameha Avenue near the statue of King Kamehameha I. Another 50 or so voiced their displeasure with the administration of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency by waving signs on Kanoelehua Avenue near the Ross Dress for Less store.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Council’s $300,000 Vacation Rental Phase-Out Study Strays off Course

A Maui County Council plan to contract its own study of the economic impacts of Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed phase-out of Maui County vacation rentals has fallen to the wayside, and Council legislative analysts will conduct research in-house instead.

Maui Now.

Maui County: Lahaina Wildfire Debris Will Begin Being Moved From Olowalu to Central Maui in June

After a slow start to create a permanent site for the 2023 Lahaina wildfire debris, Maui County said the process is now moving quickly with semi-trucks scheduled to begin in June to transport the approximately 400,000 tons of debris and ash from Olowalu to Central Maui.

Maui Now.

South Maui to Receive $3.2 Million to Help Control Deer

Gov. Josh Green has released $3.2 million in capital improvements to design and construct more fencing along the slopes of South Maui to control the overpopulation of axis deer.

Maui News.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Sex Harassment Claim Against Judge Could Cost Taxpayers $90K

The state Judiciary has agreed to pay $90,000 to settle a sexual harassment case filed in federal court against Kauaʻi Judge Randal Valenciano by longtime employee Leanne Rosa. The settlement — which the Legislature must approve — is one of 17 claims against the state totaling $5.9 million the Attorney General’s Office wants to pay this year.

Civil Beat.

This Luxury Kauaʻi Hotel Is Housing Foreign Workers in Container Homes

Container homes are a premiere resort’s answer to Kaua‘i’s severe workforce housing shortage. The 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay has struggled to hire and maintain employees who need at least $10 above minimum wage to cover rent on the island. So some businesses are becoming landlords, spending heavily to develop affordable housing options for their workers.

Civil Beat.

‘Un-Presidents Day’: Kauaʻi Residents Express Indignation With Musk, Trump

A biologist, and two biotechs from the Wildlife Refuges were fired on Friday afternoon. The trio was among more than 400 people who held signs on Monday expressing their displeasure with President Trump’s recent executive orders and actions.

Garden Island.