Over 2,200 Are Licensed to Carry Concealed Guns in Hawaiʻi

In the first-ever look at the number of people licensed to carry a concealed handgun in Hawaiʻi, the state Department of the Attorney General announced Wednesday that 2,207 people can pack in public, which is about 0.2% of the state’s resident population age 20 or older.

Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

State Police Force Plan Gains Traction, but Funding, Staffing Still Concerns

Mike Lambert, the new director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement, wants to launch the force with a priority to protect rural areas and state facilities. Lambert said this won’t step on the county police departments, rather it would fill in the gaps left by officer shortages.

Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers Wrangle HECO Rescue Bills as Session Deadline Looms

After a big win before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court in February, the utility is making a final push before the Legislature. It’s settled lawsuits brought by more than 2,000 fire victims, but HECO is hoping legislators will protect it from future fire lawsuits to help boost the company’s credit rating.

Civil Beat.

Big Changes Could Be Coming for Hawaiʻi’s Film Industry — And They Aren’t Good

A bill meant to boost the film industry in Hawaiʻi may undergo amendments that threaten to do the opposite, according to an industry expert. And the lawmaker who introduced the original bill said the proposed changes are sending the wrong message.

KHON2.

Lawmakers Put Hawaiʻi’s Foster Care System on Blast at State Capitol

Hawaiʻi’s foster care system was on the hot seat at the State Capitol in the wake of deadly child abuse cases and an audit from a year ago pointing out problems.

KHON2.

O‘ahu Headlines

Kuilei Place ‘Affordable’ Condo Project Breaks Ground

Kuilei Place, a 43-story, $619 million tower complex, which includes 603 “affordable” units at 2599 Kapiolani Blvd., is touted as one of the largest projects of its kind currently under construction on O‘ahu.

Star-Advertiser.

Safety Concerns Mount at O‘ahu’s Largest Jail With Fence Lines in Need of Repair

Photos taken inside Oahu Community Correctional Center (OCCC) show wooden props holding up a portion of the perimeter fence after it nearly collapsed during a recent storm.

Hawaii News Now.

Woman Charged With Repeatedly Posting Threats to Biden, Trump

Rebecca Ann Folley, 48, of Pearl City is facing federal criminal charges after allegedly posting more than 200 social media threats to kill the president of the United States as a way to draw attention to being a victim of human trafficking.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Hawai‘i Island Name Change Vote Coming This June

The Hawai‘i Board of Geographical Names (HBGN) is debating whether to change the Big Island’s official name from ‘Island of Hawai‘i’ to ‘Hawai‘i’. They say this will match the names of nearby islands like O‘ahu or Maui.

KITV4.

West Hawaiʻi Needs More Water. But at What Cost?

West Hawaiʻi is one of the fastest-growing communities in our islands. Developers and local officials want to build more housing in North Kona, but water access is the missing ingredient. On the other hand, it’s unclear how a well could impact the sensitive environment.

Civil Beat.

Volunteers Complete Cleanup of Tire Graveyard in Kailua Bay

Four boats full of 40 volunteers came together on Sunday to finish the project of removing nearly 100 dumped tires that have been sitting for a couple decades on the ocean floor in Kailua Bay.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

ACLU Demands Maui Prep Rescind Anti-transgender Policy

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii has issued a formal legal demand to Maui Preparatory Academy in Lahaina, alleging the school has adopted a discriminatory policy targeting transgender students in violation of state anti­discrimination laws.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4.

Speaker Series to Feature Maui Voyager for Earth Day Talk

In honor of Earth Day, the Mayor’s Sustainability Speaker Series will feature Maui educator and voyager Mary Anna (Enriquez) Grimes for a special presentation at noon April 17 in the Mayor’s Conference Room on the ninth floor of the County Building at 200 S. High St.

Maui News.

More Maui County Employees, but Where Do They Park?

With growing numbers of Maui County employees, is there enough space for them to park at the Kalana O Maui campus in Wailuku? Deputy Managing Director Erin Wade said there isn’t, currently, a comprehensive parking plan for the Kalana O Maui campus.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Renovated Princeville Library Begins Limited Door Service in May

Princeville Public Library closed its doors Oct. 30, 2023, for a $7 million face-lift that included health and safety improvements. Staff is excited to reopen the facility, located at 4343 ‘Emmalani Drive, in May and again offer the full range of public library services to the North Shore community by June.

Kaua‘i Now.

Commercial Airliner Crash Simulation at Līhu‘e Airport to Bring Multiple Agencies Together

The “crash” is the premise for an emergency response exercise from 9 a.m. to noon April 15 in the general aviation ramp area at the north end of Līhu‘e Airport.

Kaua‘i Now.