State Must Fork Over $124.4 Million in Pandemic Hazard Pay for Prisons

Prison guards are among thousands of state workers who still haven’t received hazard pay they’re entitled to for working during the pandemic. Corrections officers will be paid 25% of their wages, plus interest. In all, that makes for the second-largest award of pandemic hazard pay.

Civil Beat.

Number of ICE Arrests in Hawaiʻi Remains Unknown

Homeland Security Investigations Honolulu has said that more than 100 people have been arrested for alleged violations of immigration law in Hawaiʻi so far this year. Information on exactly how many over 100, where they were arrested and for what reason has not been made public.

Star-Advertiser.

Forfeiture, Mandatory Jail Time Part of Effort to Curb Crime on Agricultural Land

Hawaiʻi landowners lost about $3.3 million last year due to theft and vandalism, according to a report by the Department of Agriculture. A new law would bring stiffer penalties for thieves, vandals and trespassers.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi DOH Could Seize Unregulated THC Products in 2026

Delta 8 and Delta 10 are just a few lesser-known cannabinoids that can still get a user high, but they have never been regulated in Hawaiʻi like regular cannabis. That will change on Jan. 1, 2026.

KHON2.

With the HTA in Chaos, a New Hawaiʻi Tourism Leader Has Emerged

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority faces a major restructuring, staff defections and legal drama. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is filling the void.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu City Council Leadership Changes Proposed

A special meeting of the Honolulu City Council today may lead to the political shake-up of its leadership. The Council is scheduled to discuss only one item for action — Resolution 170, which seeks to reinstall Tommy Waters as the nine-member panel’s chair and presiding officer. It also would remove current Vice Chair Matt Weyer.

Star-Advertiser.

Heated Moments at Mākaha Meeting on Transitional Homes Project

Opponents and supporters of a tiny homes project for homeless young adults in Mākaha experienced some tension as they came together Monday. It was the first time the project held a meeting at someone’s house.

Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Lawsuit Asks Court to Halt Haʻikū Stairs Demolition, Citing State Flip-Flop

The Friends of Haʻikū Stairs filed a new lawsuit last week in hopes of stopping the city’s plans to demolish the stairs. This time around, they’re taking aim at the State Historic Preservation Division, which initially supported the preservation of the stairs but reversed course, paving the way for demolition to proceed.

Civil Beat.

ICE Agents Arrest Russian Woman at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested a Russian woman in the United States illegally at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i in Kāneʻohe, officials said.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

County Housing Office Still Working to Implement Auditor’s Recommendations

Hawai‘i County’s top housing official said the Office of Housing and Community Development “has implemented or is actively working on all seven of the county auditor’s recommendations” to prevent future fraud, such as the affordable housing credits scam that led to the federal convictions of four Big Island residents.

Tribune-Herald.

Kīlauea Fountaining Draws Locals and Visitors Like Moths to a Flame

Since the start of the on-again, off-again eruption Dec. 23, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater within Kīlauea has seen fountaining episodes that have lasted anywhere from hours to days, with molten lava spraying up to 1,200 feet.

Star-Advertiser.

Maui Headlines

Kahikinui Fire 93% Contained; Evacuation Orders Lifted

Evacuation orders for Kahikinui were lifted at 7 p.m. Monday, June 16, due to increased fire containment, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency.

Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Lahaina Wildfire Debris Transfer Work Begins

A large fleet of trucks began hauling Lahaina wildfire debris Monday from a temporary holding area in Olowalu to a permanent landfill 19 miles away in Central Maui.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Water Service Shutdown Scheduled in Hanalei to Replace Water Main Infrastructure

The shutdown, which will occur starting today at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will impact customers located on a portion of Weke Road, from Mālolo Road to the north end of Weke Road; Kūhiō Highway, from Mālolo Road to Waikoko, in the vicinity of the hairpin turn, according to a press release from Kaua‘i County.

Kaua‘i Now.