More Local Students Are Set to Become Eligible for Free Meals

A bill passed Thursday would allow students who qualify for reduced-priced meals to get them for free starting in July. In 2026, families that earn below 300% of the federal poverty level would also receive free school meals. An average family of four that earns less than $97,000 a year would be eligible.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Here’s How Many Kids Are Unvaccinated at Your School

Roughly two-thirds of public elementary schools in the state reported vaccination rates below 95% last year — that’s the threshold needed to protect unvaccinated students from a measles outbreak, though it’s unclear what vaccines those students were missing.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Will Raise Visitor Taxes to Tackle Climate Change

Gov. Josh Green is celebrating lawmakers’ decision to increase tourist taxes and dedicate the new money to what they call Hawaiʻi’s climate emergency.

Hawaii News Now.

Climate Fee, Property Insurance, Illegal Fireworks: Here’s What Could Change for Hawaiʻi

While lawmakers are considering many bills ahead of the end of the 2025 session on Friday, Hawaiʻi Public Radio has narrowed down the topics to the top four they’re paying close attention to.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Permanent ‘Return-To-Home Program’ for Homeless Persons in Hawaiʻi Dies in Conference Committee

A bill to establish a permanent “Return-to-Home program” failed to make it out of a House and Senate conference committee on Friday as the State Legislature winds down its 2025 session.

Big Island Now.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Council to Review Empty-Homes Tax Study

A proposed Honolulu City Council measure to penalize real-­property owners who leave their Oʻahu residences vacant for extended periods of time has a chance to start moving again following the release of the first phase of a city-commissioned study.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

City Aims to Loosen Requirements to Help More Small Businesses

The transit construction mitigation fund was created to assist businesses hit hard by rail construction along Dillingham Boulevard, according to Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam.

KHON2.

Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Chief Says Medics Aren’t Safe in Oʻahu Prisons

Recent incidents at two state facilities prompted a letter to state prison officials telling them medical crews won’t be going inside the jails and prison anymore. That means that corrections staff will have to transport inmates outside for treatment.

Civil Beat.

Motion Denied for New Trial in Baby’s Benadryl Death

A circuit judge Monday denied babysitter Dixie Denise Villa’s motion for a new trial in the Benadryl overdose death of 7-month-old Abigail Lobisch. Lobisch died Feb. 24, 2019, of diphenhydramine (the main active ingredient in Benadryl) toxicity at Villa’s Aliamanu Military Reservation home, and on Nov. 15 a jury found Villa guilty of manslaugter.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Hawaiʻi Island Lands Protected With Grant Approvals

The Hawai‘i Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday approved nearly $7 million in state grants for five land conservation projects, three of which will be used to protect lands on the Big Island: Hīlea, Kawainui Makai and Kōkua Kealakekua.

Big Island Video News.

State Funding Secured for Puna Alternate Route Study

Big Island lawmakers secured $1.5 million to fund the Puna Makai (oceanside) Alternate Route Study after funding lapsed last year. Lawmakers also secured $1 million for a Puna Mauka (mountainside) Alternate Route Study.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Nine Projects With Over 800 Housing Units Could Get Funding From Maui County for Construction

Maui County wants to spend its $43.5 million Affordable Housing Fund on nine projects with 843 units of mostly rental housing in the next fiscal year, including a rental project in Kīhei with social spaces for seniors, a Nāpili apartment complex for fire-displaced families and a major housing development in Kahului with a civic center and commercial space.

Maui Now.

West Maui Residents Beg Commission to Manage Water Better

The Hawaii Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) held a meeting in Lahaina on Monday. The purpose was to address a request from the county to use a new well in Kahana to increase water supply in West Maui.

Hawaii News Now.

Community Meeting May 12 on Proposed Plans for Two West Maui Playgrounds

The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation invites residents to provide input on proposed plans for the Lahaina Recreation Center and the Kelawea Mauka Park playgrounds during a community meeting Monday, May 12, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

No Injuries Reported Following Fire at Pacific Missile Range Facility

Fire crews have extinguished a blaze at the edge of the Pacific Missile Range Facility Makaha Ridge site, which initially forced personnel to evacuate the premises.

Kaua‘i Now.