Housing, Clean Energy Bills Pass Key Committee

The critical state Senate Ways and Means Committee has moved out four bills on ahead of next week’s deadline to keep bills alive, including one measure that would provide more state funding to improve and upgrade low-income housing projects.

Star-Advertiser.

Sports Betting Is Back in the Ring at the Hawaiʻi Legislature

House lawmakers advanced a measure that would legalize the industry. House Bill 1308 would allow four different sports betting companies to be licensed to operate in the state.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Is Considering How to Rein In the Use of Heavy Pesticides

State lawmakers are considering how to decrease the use of heavy pesticides in Hawaiʻi following concerns about their impacts on people and non-target species.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Bill Ending Religious Exemptions to School Vaccines Makes Headway

House Bill 1118, which is part of the governor’s package, passed its third reading in the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs on Friday, and is poised to cross over to the Senate in March.

Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofits Fighting Childhood Homelessness at Risk of Losing Millions in Federal Funding

Hawai‘i’s first-ever Childhood Homelessness Symposium brought together local leaders and advocates Tuesday to address a growing crisis — children experiencing homelessness at an alarming rate.

KITV4.

O‘ahu Headlines

Major Fireworks Seizure at Honolulu Port Points to Federal Failure

Last year, a state fireworks task force netted its biggest seizure to date. The Waiʻanae importer had a federal license but not a state one, suggesting an apparent failure in federal oversight. The fireworks weren’t hidden at all, even though importing fireworks without a state license is a felony.

Civil Beat.

Honolulu Mayor Seeks Public Feedback at Town Hall Meetings Across the Island

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi will hold a series of town hall meetings across Oʻahu to get input on community issues and concerns. Blangiardi, as well as directors and deputy directors from more than 25 city departments, will attend all meetings.

Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu City Council Considers Sponsorships for Public Facilities

A Honolulu City Council measure to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities to garner more revenues for the city is scheduled for further review today.

Star-Advertiser.

State to Host Job Fair Aimed At Departing Federal Workers

The hiring event is being hosted by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in downtown Honolulu for attendees to explore available jobs and interview for positions at DLIR and other state agencies.

Star-Advertiser.

Drug Rehab Recruiters From California Fuel Concerns Over ‘Body Brokers’ in Hawaiʻi

State officials and health providers are warning the community that so-called “body brokers” may be targeting homeless drug addicts. The alarm was raised Friday night after two women showed up at Kauhale Health homeless treatment and housing facility on North King Street, passing out business cards and an offer that seemed too good to be true.

Hawaii News Now.

HDOT Issues Call to Action as Oʻahu Traffic Fatalities Rise

So far in 2025, Oʻahu has seen 11 traffic fatalities compared to five at the same time last year, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

KHON2.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Trial Set In Housing Credits Scam

A federal trial has been scheduled for two Hilo attorneys accused of receiving Hawai‘i County affordable housing credits and land conveyances worth at least $10.98 million, with no intention of developing affordable housing.

Tribune-Herald.

Kīlauea Eruption Resumes: Episode 11 Lava Fountains Reach 600 Feet High

Lava fountains continue to erupt from both the north and south vents within Halemaʻumaʻu as of 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday night, February 25th.  The red glow from Episode 11 could be seen from as far away as Hilo on Tuesday night.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Traffic Advisory Issued for Maunakea Summit, Increased Congestion at Sunset

Officials warn visitors that traffic on the Maunakea Access Road and the summit area has been significantly heavier than usual during sunset hours, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Big Island Video News.

Police to Hold Public Meeting on Temporary Morgue

The Hawaiʻi Police Department invites the public to attend a community meeting to discuss a temporary morgue facility in Hilo from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 3, at the Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street in Hilo.

West Hawaii Today. Big Island Video News.

High Surf Complicates Business for This Kona-Based Tour Company

Manu Powers, who runs Sea Quest Hawaii with her husband, says unusual surf activity and problems funding qualified workers pose challenges for for their boat and snorkel tour company based in Kona.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Maui Headlines

More Than 100 Maui Fire Survivors Laid off After Federal Funding Cut

A total of 131 Maui residents displaced by the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires and working on recovery efforts were laid off Monday after the Trump administration cut federal funding for their positions.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

County Wants to Buy Land to Improve Emergency Evacuation Routes in Lahaina

Maui County is moving quickly to buy a half-acre site in Lahaina that it hopes to use as part of a larger effort to revamp emergency evacuation routes, which proved deadly inadequate in 2023 when dozens of residents were trapped while trying to flee the fast-moving wildfire.

Maui Now.

Community Meeting on Imi Kala Street Extension Proposal to Be Held March 5 in Wailuku

The County of Maui Department of Public Works is holding a community meeting Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Wailuku to discuss the proposed Imi Kala Street Extension project that would provide another connection between Waiehu and Wailuku.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Input Needed for Kauaʻi’s Long-Range Transportation Plan

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is updating the Regional Long-Range Land Transportation Plan for Kauaʻi after more than 10 years of changes in population, development and travel needs.

Kaua‘i Now.

County Looks to ‘Grow Our Own’

A group of forty 10th-grade students toured the County of Kauaʻi facilities as a field trip to acquaint students with the variety of jobs and career opportunities available there.

Garden Island.