Yamashita Ousted as Chair of State House Finance Committee

One of the Legislature’s heaviest hitters just got sidelined. Rep. Kyle Yamashita will no longer lead the powerful House Finance Committee. He’s been replaced by Rep. Chris Todd, effective today, according to a memo sent to all House members by House Speaker Nadine Nakamura. Learn more about what happened behind the scenes.

Civil Beat.

Native History Exempt From DEI, CRT Restrictions

The U.S. Department of Education said Native Hawaiian, American Indian and Alaska Native history will not be categorized as “diversity, equity and inclusion” or “critical race theory” under the federal government’s new directive for the nation’s schools.

Star-Advertiser.

Matson Cargo Business From China Is Broadsided by Trump Trade Tariffs

The U.S.-led trade war with China has delivered a hard initial blow to one of Hawaiʻi’s largest companies, ocean cargo transportation firm Matson Inc. On Monday, Matson said its container volume sank about 30% in April from a year earlier.

Star-Advertiser.

Trump Lawsuits: Tracking Hawaiʻi’s Legal Actions Against the White House

A new database will track Hawaiʻi lawsuits against executive orders and other actions taken by the second Trump administration. Hawaiʻi is currently a plaintiff in 16 lawsuits.

Civil Beat.

Bills to Increase Food Security Go to Governor

With statistics showing the state of Hawaiʻi imports about 90% of the food its residents consume, a pair of bills with the goal of improving food security has made it through the Legislature and to Gov. Josh Green.

Tribune-Herald.

O‘ahu Headlines

Longtime Chinatown Business Facing Tariffs Says Hawaiʻi’s Lei Will Survive

Mother’s Day is this weekend, and graduations are just around the corner, making it the busiest time of year for lei makers. But tariffs are raising the price of flowers, and families are feeling a squeeze in their budgets.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Real Estate Market Favors Buyers, but Sales Lower Despite High Inventory

Amid a growing inventory of single-family homes and condominiums on O‘ahu, year-to-date sales volumes in both markets remained depressed in April from the same period in 2024 but rose slightly from March’s numbers, according to a monthly report released Tuesday by the Honolulu Board of Realtors.

Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu EMS Unveils New Ambulances

In a line that stretched the length of one of the park’s parking lots, the city showed off 16 brand-new or newly refurbished ambulances — namely, 14 Emergency Medical Serv­ices rigs and two Crisis Outreach Engagement and Response Sprinter vans — meant to respond to a myriad of lifesaving emergencies and medical care incidents across O‘ahu, on a 24/7 basis.

Star-Advertiser.

Controversy Over Royal Summit Youth Treatment Facility in ʻAiea

In the quiet Royal Summit neighborhood, residents are riled up over a new residential program for teens with histories of sexual behavior problems.

KITV4.

Straub Discharges Final Burn Patient From Aliamanu Fireworks Explosion

Charmaine Benigno was the last survivor of the New Year’s Day explosion in Aliamanu to be discharged in Honolulu.

Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

The Aloha Stadium Swap Meet Set to Make Its Move

After years of discussion and planning, the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and Market place is just weeks away from relocating.

KHON2.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Big Island Journalist on Uncovering the Housing Corruption Case Set for Trial

Alan Scott Rudo, a former Hawaiʻi County housing official, pleaded guilty to taking bribes and is awaiting sentencing. Three others, including Hawaiʻi Island attorneys Paul Joseph Sulla Jr. and Gary Charles Zamber, go to trial next week in Honolulu’s federal court before Judge Jill Otake.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

County Seeks Proposals for Affordable Housing Production Program

The County’s Office of Housing and Community Development is seeking non-profit and for-profit organizations, public agencies and community land trusts who may be eligible for Affordable Housing Production (AHP) Program funding.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i County Seeks Public Input on Proposal to Charge Admission at Zoo

The new proposal said that keiki and kūpuna who are county residents would still be free, but adult residents would pay $4.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Warrior’s Feathered Cape Returns Home to Hawai‘i Island

Chief Keaoua Kekuaokalani wore the ʻahu ʻula when he was killed in the Battle of Kuamoʻo in 1819. The Smithsonian Museum in Suitland, Maryland, had held the cape since 1869.

Hawaii News Now.

Maui Headlines

Maui Health Achieves ACS Level III Trauma Center Verification

Maui Health announced that Maui Memorial Medical Center has been verified as an American College of Surgeons (ACS) Level III Trauma Center.

Maui Now.

Three Hawaiian Immersion Students From Maui Ask for Help to Get to D.C.

Three Hawaiian language immersion students from Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kekaulike on Maui are calling on the community to help raise $12,000 to represent Hawaiʻi at the 2025 National ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Showcase in Washington, D.C., this June.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Hundreds of Workers Owed Back Pay

The U.S. Department of Labor is actively seeking hundreds of workers who are owed their share of more than $3.8 million in unpaid overtime deliberately withheld by a Kīlauea staffing agency and Līhuʻe cleaning contractor following a federal investigation and litigation.

Garden Island.

Namahana School Gifted $1M for New Middle School Classrooms

An anonymous donor couple gifted $1 million to a public charter school on Kaua‘i, which will go toward building middle school classrooms.

Kaua‘i Now.