Critical Shortage of Court Reporters Causing Delays in Trial Cases, Appeals

The state judiciary is struggling to find stenographers to provide accurate transcripts for court proceedings. A backlog is pushing back the start of civil and criminal trials and appeals are also on hold.

Hawaii News Now.

Campaign Urges Wildfire Preparedness

With drought conditions worsening and wildfires already occurring across the islands, state and county officials are launching an awareness effort ahead of what forecasters warn could be an especially dangerous dry season.

Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.

Data Dive: Why New Hawaiʻi Teachers Can’t Afford to Buy a House

According to a Department of Education survey conducted last year, 41% of employees said they were likely to leave their jobs because of high housing costs. School workers spent a median of $1,500 on housing each month, and more than a third said they spent more than 30% of their paychecks on housing.

Civil Beat.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald on Retirement, Judiciary Success

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald will formally hang up his robes in Sept., after 15 years in the role.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

Rade Vanic Chosen as Interim HPD Chief

The Honolulu Police Commission selected Rade K. Vanic to serve as interim Honolulu police chief Wednesday, ignoring Mayor Rick Blan­gi­ardi’s move to replace Chief Arthur “Joe” Logan with his handpicked successor.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Honolulu’s Effort to Fast-Track Affordable Housing Projects Hasn’t Worked

It’s been six years since Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell signed off on a law calling on the city to approve or deny affordable housing building permits within a few months. If that didn’t happen, those permits would have been automatically approved. But that’s not happening. These important projects aren’t moving any quicker and sometimes take a backseat to commercial projects.

Civil Beat.

Oʻahu Wants to Crack Down on Homeless Bus Riders

New rules for TheBus could prohibit passengers whose belongings emit noxious odors or who ride with no destination in mind, signaling a stricter approach to how Honolulu transit systems handle homeless people.

Civil Beat.

Group Files ‘Next Step’ Appeal to Save Haʻikū Stairs

To save a World War II-era mountainside staircase marked for removal by the City and County of Honolulu, the Friends of Haʻikū Stairs has brought an appeal to overturn a 2024 State Historic Preservation Division approval that allowed the city’s demolition plan to proceed.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Kona Open Space Network Event Set for June 28

The Kona Open Space Network Draft Conceptual Plan will be presented during a upcoming event in Kealakehe on Saturday, June 28, at the at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center. Information on the the draft conceptual plan can already be reviewed by the public using an interactive StoryMap ahead of the event.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

West Hawai‘i Woman’s Death Triggers Lawsuit

Family members of a Hōlualoa woman who died two years ago are suing the woman’s estranged husband and Hawai‘i County police, saying they are responsible for her death from a drug-and-alcohol overdose.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Maui Vacation Rental Bill Again Draws Supporters, Opponents

Maui County Council members heard another full day of testimony Wednesday for and against a proposal to convert 6,100 vacation rentals in Maui “apartment districts” into long-term housing, but recessed with plans for a third and fourth hearing.

Star-Advertiser.

Time Running Short for Maui Wildfire Claims

Maui wildfire victims who have not hired attorneys yet will soon learn how they can file claims through a class action lawsuit. It’s another big step toward paying out the $4 billion settlement, as time to file runs short.

Hawaii News Now.

Maui Wildfire Survivors Still Struggling With Health, Housing

The UH Economic Research Organization’s latest report, released Wednesday, found that half the survivors it has been tracking are showing depressive symptoms and a quarter are reporting moderate to severe anxiety.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative announced this week that Erin Tsuda was appointed chief financial officer and financial vice president effective July 1.

Kaua‘i Now.

Task Force Annual Reports Highlight Chronic Pollution

Waikomo Stream, which empties into the popular Koloa Landing, is one of the most polluted waters, with concentrations of enterococcus bacteria more than 90 percent of the time. That’s according to the results of Surfrider Foundation’s annual report on water quality from its Blue Water Task Force.

Garden Island.