Is The Military In For a Wake-Up Call As Hawaiʻi Leases Near End?

The state’s rejection of the U.S. Army’s environmental assessment of impacts of its training may foreshadow the future, one some Native Hawaiians say won’t be smooth sailing.

Civil Beat.

Gov. Green on Balancing National Security and the Environment in Military Land Leases

The Army says Pōhakuloa is the only remaining place where it conducts live-fire training for its troops and for the state’s first responders. But the community has resisted, with some arguing the leases should not be renewed.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Troops Forge Alliances in Philippines

The 40th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder to shoulder” — brought in service members from the U.S. as well as troops from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Among them were troops from Hawaiʻi-based units.

Star-Advertiser.

Forecasters Predict 1 to 4 Hurricanes This Season

With hurricane season beginning June 1, Hawaiʻi officials are urging residents to prepare now as forecasters predict near- to below- normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific this year.

Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

See Which Hawaiʻi Agencies Have Been Hit Hardest by Trump Funding Cuts

The total amount of confirmed federal funding cuts to Hawaiʻi state and county programs as of Thursday stands at nearly $95 million, according to figures compiled by Civil Beat. The full extent of the cuts won’t be clear for several more weeks or longer as official termination letters must be issued and legal challenges resolved.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Council OKs Sponsorship of Public Facilities

Legislation to allow private sponsorship of city parks and other public facilities in order to garner more revenue for the city was unanimously adopted Wednesday by the Honolulu City Council.

Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu City Council Approves Property Tax-Fueled Fund for Climate Projects

The measure would deposit 1.5% of property tax revenue into a fund dedicated to climate resiliency. That’s about $8.6 million a year.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. 

Navy to Remove USS Arizona Mooring Platforms After 80 Years

The U.S. Navy will be placing buoys and anchors in Pearl Harbor waters next week to prepare for the removal of decades-old mooring platforms on the USS Arizona.

Hawaii News Now.

Mānoa Falls Trail Closed Due to Fallen Tree Limb, Bamboo

Mānoa Falls Trail was closed Thursday after a large tree limb fell, bringing down a large swath of bamboo with it. Three people sustained minor injuries.

Hawaii News Now.

HPD Seizes Cash, Gambling Machines in Kalihi

When police raided the operation and how many devices and cash was confiscated during the operation was not immediately made public.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Kona Property Housing Migrants Under Investigation for Code Violations

A Kona property where dozens of migrants were reportedly living in poor conditions is now under scrutiny by Hawaiʻi County building enforcement officials.

KHON2.

Admission Fees Back on the Table for Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens

Admission fees at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens are back on the table as Hawaiʻi County is moving forward with revised proposed rule changes for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Maui County Taxpayers Encouraged to Weigh In on Budget Proposal

Despite a whopping $1.5 billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen proposed tax cuts for owner-occupied homes.

Hawaii News Now.

Property Owner Troubled by ICE Raid That Turned Up ‘Nothing’

The property owner is criticizing the manner in which armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rousted her and her family, along with other occupants including Philippine teachers with visas, at a multi-family dwelling in Kahului.

Maui News.

DOH Issues Red Placard to Maui L&L on Dairy Road for a Cockroach Infestation

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health, Maui Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard and immediately closed a Maui location of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue owned and operated by Maui L & L Food Inc.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i Councilman Announces Run for Mayor

Bernard Carvalho Jr. announced his candidacy on Wednesday at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Līhu‘e. While he currently serves as a council member, Carvalho previously served as mayor from 2000-2018.

Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i Bus Launches New Tap-and-Ride System

The Kaua‘i Bus has a new account-based ticketing system powered by Masabi’s Justride open platform.

Kauai Now.

Dorcey and Smith Are ‘Outstanding’

Government officials, including Rep. Nadine Nakamura, and the Agency on Elderly Affairs recognize the efforts and contributions of 10 Kauai Older Americans who were nominated by the public at the Older American Month “Flip the Script on Aging” Recognition ceremony at the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Garden Island.