More Than $100 Million Cut from Hawaiʻi State Budget

Gov. Josh Green signed the nearly $40 billion executive biennium budget bill Monday, allocating $19.8 billion to state operations for fiscal year 2026 and about $19.7 billion for fiscal year 2027. Uncertainty over federal funding and projections for reduced state revenues played a role in the governor’s decision to line-item veto about $110 million in spending across the fiscal biennium.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

As Immigrant Arrests Rise, Hawaiʻi Political Leaders Condemn ICE Tactics

Rep. Ed Case, the lone holdout, said criticisms didn’t capture his or constituents’ views on immigration. With the arrests of immigrants surging, most of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation accuse federal immigration agents of creating “fear and terrorizing communities” in the Aloha State in a letter to be sent Tuesday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Civil Beat.

New Hawaiʻi Fireworks Laws Take Effect

During a ceremony in his office at the state Capitol, Gov. Josh Green signed two “signature” bills passed by the Legislature in May to crack down on rampant use, possession and distribution of illegal fireworks statewide. State Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert took questions from the media.

Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Governor: I’ll Be ‘Agnostic’ On How Hawaiʻi Spends Its New Green Fee

Climate experts and proponents of Hawaiʻi’s new green fee will kick off next month what Gov. Josh Green has dubbed the “green fee initiative” — a process to decide how hundreds of millions of dollars for climate- and conservation-related projects will be spent.

Civil Beat.

Green Tells Hawaiʻi Tea Farmers Not to Worry About New Labeling Law

The governor had put the legislation on his intent-to-veto list, but ended up signing the measure last week.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Drones to Patrol from Oʻahu Skies for Illegal Fireworks on July 4th Weekend

A measure allowing video evidence from drones was part of a package of bills aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks that became law Monday.

Civil Beat.

Despite an Alarming Rise in Traffic Fatalities, Officials Say Safety Measures Are Working

There are more traffic control measures than ever on Oʻahu: speed humps, red light cameras and now speed cameras. But traffic fatalities are still going up. There have been 39 people killed on Oʻahu roadways through June. Halfway through 2024 that number was 15.

Hawaii News Now.

Prosecutors Want Ex-Prison Guard to Serve 7 Years

The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a judge to sentence a 47-year-old ex-prison guard from Kapolei to seven years in federal prison for raping female inmates and trying to skip town before trial.

Star-Advertiser.

Fire Causes $150K in Damage to Sheridan Park Playground

For the second time in less than two months, vandals set fire to a city playground — causing about $150,000 damage and shuttering a section of Sheridan Park.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Big Island Students Produce First-Ever Draft Genome of Endangered Palila

Five Big Island high school students were among the six youths who have successfully produced the first-ever draft genome sequence of the critically endangered endemic palila bird.

Tribune-Herald.

“Voluntary Compliance Order” Issued to Stop Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Spread

Residents are being asked not to transport palm plants and mulch in an area of West Hawaiʻi this summer, in order to prevent the further spread of the destructive coconut rhinoceros beetle, or CRB.

Big Island Video News.

Kahua Kahe Mālie Integrated Care Hub Opens in Ainaloa

The Kahua Kahe Mālie Integrated Care Hub, a new medical respite and behavioral health care facility, opened Friday in Ainaloa.

Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

Samaritan’s Purse Dedicates New Homes to Maui Families Impacted by Lahaina Wildfire

Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization, dedicated three newly built homes in Lahaina for Maui families who survived the state’s deadliest wildfire in history.

Maui Now. KITV4.

6 Maui Men Arrested for Internet-Related Sexual Offenses Against Children

The latest Operation Keiki Shield action, conducted Friday to Sunday, resulted in the arrest of six Maui individuals for charges related to internet-facilitated sexual offenses against children, according to the Maui Police Department.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

DOW Invites the Public to Attend a Discussion on the Kapaa Homesteads Tanks Project

The Department of Water will hold a community event at 6 p.m. today to give the public an opportunity to review the project and share their feedback.

Garden Island.