Hawaiʻi to Launch Digitized Agriculture Declaration Form

The initiative, authorized under Act 196 during the previous legislative session, is a step toward modernizing the state’s biosecurity efforts by improving form completion rates and enhancing protections against invasive species.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Could Create a Loan Program for Condo Building Repairs

It’s an effort to address the insurance issues impacting condos — especially older buildings built before 1980. Over 30,000 units in the state are having issues with commercial lenders because they are unable to have full insurance coverage on their buildings.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Larry Ellison’s Half-Billion-Dollar Quest on Lāna‘i to Change Farming Has Been a Bust

His Sensei Ag company hasn’t succeeded in boosting output and nutrition in its greenhouses with AI, robotics and software.

Wall Street Journal (link does not require WSJ subscription).

Proposed Tax on Foreign Ships Could Increase Costs in Hawaiʻi

Many Hawaiʻi businesses are already considering the impact of Trump’s proposed tariffs, and now some are preparing for even greater economic effects if foreign ships visiting the islands face extra fees for docking — potentially passing those costs on to the consumer or prompting the ships to avoid Hawaiʻi altogether.

Star-Advertiser.

Decline of Student Newspapers at Public High Schools Impacts Local Journalism

A Hawaiʻi Public Radio survey of 44 public high schools found that fewer than half still have a student newspaper journalism program. The ones that ceased to exist cited similar challenges, such as a lack of student interest, a shortage of newspaper advisers, expensive printing costs and the elimination of journalism as an English credit.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

ICE ‘Deeply Regrets’ Error After Hawai‘i Farmer Detained, Letter Says

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement admits it made a mistake after detaining Hanjun Shen, 60, who’s from China and owns JM Farm in Lāʻie, last month. The error wasn’t the arrest itself, but was part of a statement given to Hawaii News Now, which they acknowledge violated confidentiality obligations.

Hawaii News Now.

Head of Homeland Security Investigations in Honolulu Retired Ahead of Immigration Policy Shift

John Tobon, 51, was an assistant director, in charge of Homeland Security Investigations’ Honolulu office until he retired on Jan. 31. “There were concerns about where the mission of the agency was going with the incoming administration,” Tobon said, and immigration enforcement was not something he was interested in doing.

Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Seeks New Exec for Troubled Liquor Commission

The Honolulu Liquor Commission is looking to hire a new senior-level executive after it announced a key employee plans to leave the troubled agency after nearly 25 years on the job.

Star-Advertiser.

UH Researchers Conduct Dye Tracer Study at Red Hill

Researchers from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa are conducting a dye tracer study to gain insight into the groundwater flow near Red Hill.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Five Staff Members at Hakalau Forest Refuge on Big Island Fired by Trump Administration

Five staff members at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge were among the more than 400 employees with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service who were fired earlier this month as part of the drastic downsizing of the federal government by the Trump Administration.

Big Island Now.

Proposals Wanted for Kukuiola Emergency Shelter in Kona

The County of Hawaiʻi has issued a Request for Proposals to developers for the construction of the first phase of the Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center.

Big Island Video News.

Plans to Revitalize Prime Real Estate on Big Island Moving Forward

The old country club on Hilo’s Banyan Drive is officially closed. Meanwhile, the push to revitalize Banyan Drive is gaining traction with HB818 breezing through the finance committee Monday afternoon. The bill establishes the Waiākea Peninsula Community Development District and sets guidelines for Hawai‘i Community Development Authority tasked with creating a master plan for the area.

KHON2.

University of Hawaiʻi Team Discovers Ancient Hawaiian Calendar System at a Hawaiʻi Island Heiau

New research has uncovered evidence that an ancient Hawaiian heiau (place of worship, shrine) served as a sophisticated seasonal calendar, demonstrating the advanced scientific knowledge of Native Hawaiian culture.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Council Panel to Receive Update on Pilot Project for Overnight Sleeping in Cars

The Maui County Council’s Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee will receive an update Tuesday morning on the status of a Maui County pilot project to allow people to sleep in their cars in county-owned public parking lots.

Maui Now.

Maui Leaders, Nonprofits Push for Better Medical Care for Homeless

Homeless advocates say a recent death near Maui Memorial Medical Center raises major concerns about what is being done to help homeless who are on the verge of dying.

Hawaii News Now.

Federal Funding Cuts Affect Lahaina Fire Survivors Working at the Maui Humane Society

On Friday, according to the MHS, notification arrived by email that funding for the three from the National Dislocated Workers Grant program would be cut, effective immediately. The society had less than 24 hours’ notice.

Star-Advertiser. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Headlines

U.S. Department of Agriculture Safety Inspector Charged in Child Pornography Case

A 39-year-old consumer safety inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Kaua‘i faces federal charges after he allegedly groomed two minor boys in Fargo, N.D., and Philadelphia into making child pornography.

Star-Advertiser.