A Data-Driven Look at Lobbying in Hawai‘i

When the Hawaiʻi State Legislature mandated the Legislative/Administrative Action Report (LAAR) beginning in 2025, it launched one of the country’s most detailed state-level lobbying datasets. The final filing for the 2025 session (due June 2) revealed 7,188 positions taken by 340 organizations on 1,747 bills.

Civil Beat.

State Lawmakers Grill Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority as It Faces Restructuring

Gov. Josh Green is reportedly planning on asking all the members of the board to resign so that a new group can oversee the restructured agency, though officials say none of the board members have resigned yet.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Tourism Briefing Reveals Unexpected L.A. Rams Expense

The state legislators in charge of tourism praised the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, but cried foul on HTA when it learned that the agency now expects to pick up the tab for the team’s welcome reception, estimated to cost from $80,000 to $100,000.

Star-Advertiser.

Governor Says He May Veto Bill to Reduce Judges’ Pensions

The governor updated his list of potential vetoes, announcing he may reject as many as 20 of the 320 measures passed by state lawmakers this spring.

Civil Beat. KITV4.

Changes on Horizon for Regulating Hawaiian Electric

The state Public Utilities Commission already has begun gathering input from a working group of key stakeholders over how an existing regulatory framework based on performance might be modified, and an application from Hawaiian Electric is expected by the end of this year to begin a quasi-judicial proceeding to adjust a basis for rates under an updated framework starting in 2027.

Star-Advertiser. 

O‘ahu Headlines

Blangiardi Finalizes City’s $5.2B Budget Adoption

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on Tuesday signed into law the city’s over-$5.2 billion budget package for fiscal year 2026, which starts July 1. The city’s new financial plan is a nearly 10.9% increase over Honolulu’s current $4.7 billion budget, which expires Monday.

Star-Advertiser.

Changes in Honolulu City Council Leadership Creates Uncertainty

Last Tuesday, the council voted to promote Councilmembers Andria Tupola and Esther Kiaʻāina to the council’s vice chair and floor leader, respectively. They’re replacing Councilmembers Matt Weyer and Radiant Cordero, who held those positions.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

HPD Selects 2 Deputy Chiefs

Deputy Chief Rade K. Vanic announced the selection of Assistant Chief Ryan Nishibun to serve as the acting deputy chief for Field Operations and Assistant Chief Aaron Takasaki-Young to serve as the acting deputy chief of Administrative Operations.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

New Aloha Stadium District Contract Delayed 6 Weeks

The state and the preferred offeror to build the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District have pushed back their self-­imposed deadline for a signed contract by six weeks, but officials said that will not affect the target date for starting demolition of the old stadium and also will not affect the target of having the new stadium ready for the 2028 football season.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Deadly Force ‘Justified’ in 2023 Standoff in Pearl City

Honolulu police were justified to use deadly force to stop a 32-year-old man in June 2023 after he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s Kalauipo Street home and threatened to shoot people with a police officer’s rifle, Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm announced Tuesday.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Accountability Proves Elusive in $25,000 Damage to This Popular Oʻahu Reef

No one was held responsible for the 2024 Kewalo Basin incident, highlighting some of the difficulties in reef damage enforcement.

Civil Beat.

Blangiardi Announces Honolulu Ocean Safety Commission Nominees

Blangiardi’s nominees — Racquel Achiu, Steven Jenness, Richard Kebo, Kanani Oury and Billy Pratt — come from all over Oʻahu.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

New Hilo Zoo Fees Kick in Aug. 1

The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation is adopting rule amendments for the Pana‘ewa Recreational Complex, including the introduction of admission fees to the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Lease Extension Still in the Works for Hilo Mall

A 40-year lease extension for almost 39 acres of homestead land the owner-operators of Prince Kuhio Plaza are seeking from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands could be on the agenda when the Hawaiian Homes Commission next meets on the Big Island.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

A&B Drops Out of Battle for Long-Term Water Control

Alexander & Baldwin, a legacy plantation company is stepping away from its generations-long hold on a consequential East Maui water system.

Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Idea for Maui’s Housing Crisis: Using Vacation Rental Profits for Residents’ Down Payments

A novel approach to Maui’s severe housing crisis emerged during a third round of emotional public testimony Monday on the hotly debated vacation rental phase-out bill: leveraging short-term rental profits to finance affordable housing for local families.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Launches Foodbank on Wheels

The 16-foot refrigerated vehicle is designed to expand access to nutritious food in rural and under served communities.

Hawaii News Now.

Kawakami Attends U.S. Conference of Mayors 93rd Annual Meeting

Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami traveled to Washington, D.C., from June 8 to 11, to participate in the 9th annual Hawaii on the Hill, and later attended the 93rd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors held June 19 to 22 in Tampa, Florida.

Garden Island.