Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Plan Special Sessions to Address Federal Funding Cuts

The Legislature has about three weeks left of its regular session. But the magnitude of federal cuts and what it means for the state’s budget is still unknown. The budget overhaul being considered by Congress threatens about 75% of the state budget’s $4.6 billion in federal funds.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Geothermal Power Exploration Building Up Steam

Three state agencies have big ambitions to expand geothermal power production in Hawaii, and two somewhat competing bids for more funding are at a final stage of potential legislative approval.

Star-Advertiser. 

Lawmakers Take Up the Issue of Midwifery, Possibly Affecting Native Hawaiian Practices

Midwifery and the Native Hawaiian cultural practices that blur the boundaries of statutory definitions are again at the center of a fierce legislative debate that harkens back to the 2019 legislative session, when lawmakers passed what became Act 32 in recognition of “the potential for harm to public health and safety posed by the unregulated practice of midwifery.”

Star-Advertiser.

Bills Would Require Youths to Wear Skateboard Helmets

Minors would be required to wear helmets when riding skateboards on public property under two bills that continue to move through the Legislature.

Star-Advertiser.

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Visits Hawaiʻi, Amid Heightened Tensions in Asia-Pacific

New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, who also serves as the foreign minister, was set to visit Hawaii over the weekend, leading a high-level, cross-party delegation for key meetings across the Pacific.

Hawaii News Now. 

O‘ahu Headlines

City Fails to Collect Millions in Rental Fines

The city has issued over $100 million worth of fines for short-term rental violations over the past three fiscal years but has collected less than $2 million — or barely 2% — even after hiring a collection agency in 2023 that was tasked with bringing in every dollar owed to the city.

Star-Advertiser.

Speedier Reviews, Quicker Honolulu Building Permits? Not So Fast

The county says it’s doing its job faster, but that’s not yet translating to faster permits for property owners.

Civil Beat.

Navy Seeks to Reactivate Wells Closed During Red Hill Crisis

More than three years after the Navy shut down two of its Oʻahu water wells in response to the Red Hill water crisis, the service is now looking to reopen them.

Star-Advertiser.

Transit-Oriented Development Forum Is Set for Kapolei

The city Department of Planning and Permitting announced it will hold a community meeting Wednesday to address proposed land use changes that could allow for TOD development around three city rail stations in the East Ka­polei area.

Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu Residents Turn In Over 367 Firearms in Gun Buyback Program

The guns were exchanged for $37,900 in Foodland gift cards contributed by the Department of Law Enforcement.

Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu’s Traffic Fatalities Nearly Tripled in Deadly Start to 2025

Oʻahu, the most populated isle, usually has the greatest share, and so far this year has 22 fatalities, nearly triple the eight fatalities at the same time last year.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Advance Bills Banning Landfills Over Aquifers

Opponents to plans by Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration to site the city’s next solid-waste landfill on active pineapple fields above Central Oʻahu’s freshwater aquifer claimed a tentative victory this week.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Vacation Rental Registration Process Subject of Online Briefing

An upcoming, online informational briefing will be held about a potential registration process for hosted Transient Vacation Rentals and hosting platforms in Hawai‘i County.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County Council Goes Round and Round on Bus Budget.

Hawaiʻi Island’s mass transit budget has increased by 400% since 2018. At a budget hearing on Thursday, Hawaiʻi County council members questioned whether that fourfold investment has been worth it.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Waikoloa Village Wildfire Preparedness in the Spotlight

The public is invited until April 30 to give input to Hawaiʻi County to help identify potential wildfire risks and opportunities for preparation and prevention in the Waikoloa Village area.

Tribune-Herald.

Opposition to Fence Grows: Some Neighbors of Muni Golf Course Cite Safety Concerns

Hawaii County is following through on its plans to fence off the Hilo Municipal Golf Course from nearby residents, to the displeasure of at least some of the neighbors.

Tribune-Herald.

Aging Kona Inn Shopping Village Struggling to Sell Despite Property’s Century History as Tourist Mecca

Nearly 100 years ago, the opening of Kona Inn along the coastline marked the beginning of commercial tourism for the once sleepy fishing village of Kailua-Kona.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Worries About Climate Change Spiked on Maui After 2023 Fires

More than three-quarters of Maui residents said they were concerned about global warming in 2024, according to a national climate survey conducted annually by Yale University — a six percentage point increase from 2022.

Civil Beat.

Dozens of Maui County Officials to Get Hefty Raises After Vote by Salary Commission

More than 40 top county officials, including Maui’s mayor, police and fire chief, will see substantial raises following a vote by the salary commission.

Hawaii News Now.

Maui Wedding and Events Industry Seeks Help

The Maui Wedding and Event Association is asking for $300,000 from Maui County to help to support Maui’s wedding and events industry.

Maui News.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua’i Billionaire Wants to Sell Prime Ag Land. The State Might Buy It

More than 1,000 acres of former Kauaʻi plantation land owned by a billionaire tech entrepreneur Steve Case  are in the sights of the state’s Agribusiness Development Corp. as part of the effort to help Hawaiʻi achieve its local food production goals.

Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i County Reviewing, Updating Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan

The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires a community to review and update its Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan at least every 5 years to remain eligible for a range of the agency’s programs, including the agency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant program and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant program.

Kauai Now.