Tariffs ‘Significantly’ Hitting Hawaiʻi Businesses

Nearly 70% of Hawaiʻi businesses have been “significantly” affected by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, and 27% have been “moderately” touched, according to preliminary results of a survey still being conducted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. In addition, government-related travel to Hawaiʻi has fallen a whopping 50% since Trump took office and began slashing both federal spending and the federal workforce through Elon Musk’s new Department of Government Efficiency.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi May Cut Grass on More State Land to Prevent Spread of Wildfires

The state land department is asking for $10 million more to battle wildfires.

Civil Beat. 

HECO Rolls Out Weather Stations, AI Cameras as Part of Wildfire Safety Plan

Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire safety strategy includes installing over 50 weather stations mounted on utility poles across the state by this summer. HECO will also be installing nearly 80 cameras with artificial intelligence for early fire detection.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Leaders Reach Deal on State Budget

State government funding is slated to be a little higher in the next two fiscal years compared with the current year under a budget agreement reached Monday evening by state House and Senate leaders.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Farmers and Ranchers Face $46 Million in Federal Funding Cuts

The USDA decision has led to lost jobs, confusion and a setback on climate initiatives in the agricultural sector.

Civil Beat. 

O‘ahu Headlines

9 HPD Officers Are Named in Civil Suit Alleging Brutality

An amended federal civil complaint alleges nine Hono­lulu police officers beat a 25-year-old man after knowing he wasn’t the prime suspect in a Jan. 1, 2024, pursuit and gunfight with an attempted murder suspect.

Star-Advertiser.

State Set to Pay $750,000 in Wrongful Death Settlement

The state Legislature is expected to approve a $750,000 settlement in the 2019 wrongful shooting death of an unarmed, disabled, homeless man by an on-duty state deputy sheriff, who was not criminally held responsible but since faces scrutiny in the deaths of two more people in 2021 and 2022 while a police officer in San Diego.

Star-Advertiser.

Busier West Oʻahu Buses Prompt a Call for a Transportation Study, Even After Federal Funds Disappear

A study that would have a taken a closer look at bus rapid transportation for the Waianae Coast was funded until cuts to Congress took nearly $5 million away.

KITV4.

Hawaiʻi’s Parks Are Strained. Should DOE Open Campuses to Help?

With limited space at city parks, communities are calling for the education department to make schools more accessible for recreational use.

Civil Beat.

City Unveils Blaisdell’s New PV System

To celebrate Earth Day on Tuesday, the City and County of Honolulu formally unveiled a massive installation of 4,554 large-format photovoltaic panels to assist in powering its prime entertainment venue.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

W. Hawaiʻi Residents Mourn Loss of Community Volunteer

Franz Weber, 71, president of the Hawaii Cycling League and a prolific West Hawaiʻi community volunteer, died April 17 at The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu, eight days after the Trek bicycle he was riding rear-ended a Motor Coach Industries tour bus that was stopped on the shoulder of Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 94.5-mile marker in North Kona.

Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County to Install Fencing at Hilo Transfer Station

The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management will begin installing about 600 linear feet of fencing improvements at the Hilo Transfer Station on Monday, April 28.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Lawmakers Agree to Pay $807 Million Into Lahaina Wildfires Settlement Fund

The legislation is part of a $4 billion deal that includes money from HECO, Kamehameha Schools and others.

Civil Beat.

Maui Ethics Board Given More Muscle, Autonomy

A voter-mandated law could expand the independence of the Maui County Board of Ethics, enabling its staff to perform more classes to promote ethical conduct as well as independent investigations into political wrongdoing.

Maui News.

Maui County’s Labor Force Gaining Somewhat, First Time 19 Months After Wildfire Disaster

Maui County’s labor market conditions have improved, as of March, with the number of employed people at 79,500 being the highest since the August 2023 wildfire disaster, said Chief State Economist Eugene Tian.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Taking the Battle to the Beetles

Over the Easter weekend, a different kind of egg hunting occurred, as community volunteers hunted Kauaʻi’s current invasive pest, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle.

Garden Island.

New Agricultural Park Aims to Innovate, Accelerate Kauaʻi Farming Businesses

Mālama Kauaʻi looks for community input on Olohena ‘ĀINA Center, an agricultural park that will increase agricultural production and access for new and experienced farmers in Kauaʻi.

Kauai Now.