Bottle Bill Would Boost Deposits for Beverage Container Recycling

State lawmakers are considering a bill that proposes doubling the deposit fee on beverage containers to 10 cents from 5 cents under a 20-year-old program that has accrued a record $67 million special-fund balance.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Governor Orders Expedited Hiring for Displaced Federal Workers

Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday signed an executive order intended to place qualified applicants discharged from federal employment into state jobs quickly.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Hawai‘i Condo Owners Could Benefit From State Plan to Prop Up Insurance Market

Across Hawaiʻi, rising insurance premiums are exacerbating the state’s already severe housing affordability problems. The steep inflation affects about one in five Hawaiʻi residents and lawmakers are concerned. Through bills this session, they are pushing to create an insurance pool of last resort for Hawaiʻi homeowners, hoping to stabilize the market.

Civil Beat.

Green Attending National Governors Association 2025 Winter Meeting in Nation’s Capital

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green is in Washington this week for the National Governors Association 2025 Winter Meeting. While he’s in D.C., the governor will meet with federal officials and leaders from throughout the nation to foster bipartisan collaboration on critical policy issues affecting states and territories.

Kauaʻi Now.

Consumers Sacrifice to Pay Hawaiʻi’s Record Electric Bills

Between August 2023 and August 2024, 33% of state residents cut back on basic necessities so they could pay their electricity bill, according to a Lending Tree report. And according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration January 2025 report, the cost of electricity in Hawaiʻi for residential customers approached three times the national average.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

O‘ahu Grand Jury Indicts CEO for Campaign Contributions

Court documents allege Lee used the names of his employees to give $13,000 to the 2020 mayoral campaigns of Keith Amemiya and Kymberly Pine.

Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Helmets for Teens, Other Rules Now Law After Mayor Signs E-Bike Safety Bill

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 52 Tuesday, and it will establish clear guidelines for e-bikes by introducing key safety provisions, including: A 750-watt power limit for e-bikes on public roads, Helmet requirements for all riders under 18 years old, and guidelines to prevent reckless riding, giving HPD clear enforcement authority.

Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

HFD Battalion Chief Arrested on Suspicion of Sexual Assault

A Honolulu Fire Department battalion chief was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. The 49-year-old was arrested Tuesday afternoon for an incident that police said occurred on Feb. 14.

Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Leaks and Mold at the 4-Year-Old State Hospital Will Cost Millions to Fix

State officials say it will take $8.16 million to make repairs at the relatively new Hawaiʻi State Hospital building that houses high-risk patients sent for evaluation and treatment by the court system. The 144-bed facility has had problems since even before it finally opened in 2022 and now employees are complaining the working conditions are a health hazard.

Civil Beat. KHON2.

Environmental Activist Allegedly Stole More Than $81K From Nonprofit

From Feb. 3, 2021, through Feb. 16, 2022, Moanaoio Bjur, a former member of the Hawaii Environmental Advisory Council, allegedly issued herself 24 payroll payments through QuickBooks and made three unauthorized withdrawals from a PayPal account totaling just north of $81,000.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Amid Workforce Crisis, Corrections Department Opts to Leave Some Jail Posts Unmanned Before Approving Overtime

In the midst of a chronic staffing crisis at O‘ahu’s largest jail, HNN Investigates has learned the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) is opting to leave some posts unmanned before approving overtime to cover additional labor gaps.

Hawaii News Now.

Lawsuit Filed Over 2020 COVID Mask Incident

An openly transgender person transitioning from female to male is suing the city and the Honolulu Police Department after he was allegedly assaulted by officers during a confrontation over COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Council Members Put the Brakes on HPD Resolution

Routine agreements between federal agencies and the Hawai‘i Police Department were postponed Tuesday over concerns about overreach in illegal immigration enforcement.

Tribune-Herald.

Resilience Hub Network Expands Across Hawaiʻi Island

Vibrant Hawai‘i recently announced the addition of 20 new Resilience Hub partners from every district of Hawai‘i Island.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Batch of Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias Recalled

The Keaʻau-based Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company LLC recently issued a voluntary recall for a batch of its Mauna Loa Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamias snack (1oz) pouches, due to the presence of undeclared almonds which are an allergen.

Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

County Department of Housing to Conduct Fair Market Rent Survey in Maui County

The purpose of the Fair Market Rent Survey, which started in January, is to collect accurate and up-to-date information about current rental housing costs across the County.

Maui Now.

More Than 1,000 Acres of West Maui Land Returned to Productive Use by Local Ranch

Maui family-owned Ka Ike Ranch will operate over 1,000 acres of land in West Maui, in a long-term lease from Maui Land & Pineapple Company.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Maui Fund Aims to Help Local Performing Arts Programs While State Resources in Jeopardy

Barry Kawakami, president and founder of the Wave of Harmony Foundation, said their organization started the Maui Performing Arts Fund in an effort to keep performing art programs alive for the island’s keiki.

Maui News.

Kaua‘i Headlines

‘This Is What Makes Kaua‘i So Special’: Good Samaritan, First Responders Honored for Lifesaving Efforts

Megan Gayagas, Ashley Rapozo, members of the Līhu‘e Fire Station and several personnel from American Medical Response saved the life of Melissa Gregory on Dec. 20, 2024, after she collapsed in the checkout line at Longs Drugs in Līhu‘e.

Kaua‘i Now.