Hawaiʻi Legislature Takes Historic Step Toward a Visitor ‘Green Fee’

Under the bill, the transient accommodations tax that visitors pay on their nightly hotel and short-term rental stays will increase by .75%, plus travelers who dock in Hawaiʻi on cruise ships will start paying that tax as well, to cover the new fee.

Civil Beat.

New Contracts Give More Than $1 Billion in Union Pay Raises

Unionized state workers received raises of 4% or less per year for the next four years.

Civil Beat.

State Bill Would Change Oversight of Hawai’i Tourism Authority

State lawmakers advanced a bill by the Legislature session deadline that will significantly change the governance model for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for the first time since it created the agency in 1998.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Kill Pay-to-Play Bill — Again

The Legislature has refused to close a loophole in state law that has allowed millions of dollars to flow to Hawaiʻi political campaigns from people who get big state contracts.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers to Vote on Over 200 Bills This Week

If approved by the full House and Senate Wednesday, the bills would go to Gov. Josh Green, who has already signed 27 new laws this year, including further tightening firearms requirements across the islands, which already have some of the strictest firearms laws in the country.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Too Many Exemptions From Empty Homes Tax Could Cost Honolulu $150 Million

The city council has been trying to pass a 1% to 3% tax for years but wants to target offshore investors, not local residents.

Civil Beat.

Settlement in $324M Hitachi Suit Is Coming, Hart Says

A more than $324 million lawsuit brought by rail’s principal contractor against the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation in 2024 appears on the verge of a final settlement, while condemnation actions will proceed on four downtown area properties.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Crews Clear 45 Homeless Camps on Diamond Head Slopes

LNR officials said there are large amounts of camping gear and buckets of human waste that litter the slopes.

Star-Advertiser. 

Government Gridlock on Evacuation Plan Frustrates Leeward Residents

Leeward Coast residents — already worried about being trapped if Farrington Highway turns into gridlock during an emergency — received frustrating news from federal, state and city governments recently that help isn’t coming anytime soon.

Star-Advertiser.

Consumers in Hawaiʻi Prepare for Tariffs’ Impact

While businesses have already been hit hard by the international trade war, the impact has only just begun to trickle down to local customers and visitors, who will ultimately have to pay more to keep the businesses alive, according to Justin Tyndall, an associate professor at University of Hawaiʻi’s Economic Research Organization.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Next Waimea Town Meeting to Dig Deep Into Hawai‘i County Budget, Revenue Policies

North Hawai‘i community members have the opportunity to dig deep into Hawai‘i County budget and revenue policies — including those governing property taxes and short-term vacation rentals — during the next Waimea Town Meeting.

Big Island Now.

Book by UH Hilo Professor Being Used to Help First Responders

First responders are learning about the surprising causes and unique therapies for challenges prevalent among their community thanks to workshops in Hilo and Kona that derive treatment strategies from a new book.

Tribune-Herald.

Bikeshare Ridership Increases Islandwide

Cyclists took 11,305 rides on rented bikes from HIBIKE kiosks across the island in 2023, which rose to 12,463 rides throughout 2024.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Maui Asks Feds to Flex Rules Governing $1.6 Billion Wildfire Recovery Grant

The county wants to use some of the money to rebuild accessory dwelling units but is primarily focused on securing final approval.

Civil Beat.

Replanting at Kahoma Village to Support Lahaina Recovery, Growth Following Wildfires

Nearly 200 Kahoma Village homeowners, community members, and local organizations gathered Saturday to restore the landscape in Lahaina by planting 100 native and resilient species to support ongoing post-wildfire recovery.

Maui Now.

Maui Volunteers Recycle Mountains of Fire-Donated Clothing Otherwise Doomed for the Landfill

Clothes in good condition will be gifted to targeted community partners for those in need.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i State Legislators Tout Support for Key Garden Isle Investments in State Budget

Here’s a look at important Kaua‘i County investments appropriated in the biennium state spending plan for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, from highest to lowest price tag.

Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi Councilmember Sounding ’Emergency Alarm’ on Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles

Councilmember Fern Holland says the destructive beetle has been spotted from Hā’ena to Waimea.

KHON2.