Army Secretary Wants Deal on Hawaiʻi Training Lands by End of 2025

U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll wants to finalize a deal with Hawaiʻi by the end of the year to continue the Army’s access to thousands of acres of training lands on Oʻahu and the Big Island, Driscoll wrote in a letter to Gov. Josh Green on Thursday. Part of the deal could include land exchanges, Driscoll wrote, without offering specifics.

Civil Beat. Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Big Island Video News.

With Wild Fish Stocks Dwindling, Congress Considers Backing Aquaculture

After years of fish farmers criticizing the state of Hawaiʻi for overlooking aquaculture, the federal government is offering some hope in new legislation.

Civil Beat.

New East-West Center President on Future Funding, Cultural Diplomacy

The East-West Center marks its 65th anniversary this year, but the Trump administration has stamped a question mark on its future. New EWC President Celeste Connors took the reins this summer after stepping down from Hawaiʻi Green Growth. HPR sat down with Connors in her office this week to talk about the center’s uncertain budget.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

First Piece of Kapolei West Community Draws Closer to Start

A Honolulu City Council committee endorsed a plan to build 750 affordable rental apartments in Kapolei on Thursday despite grievances over a new state law aiming to compel county approval for subsidized affordable-housing projects recommended by a state agency.

Star-Advertiser.

East Honolulu’s Last Undeveloped Valley Faces Uncertain Fate

Kamehameha Schools has yet to release its plan for Kamilonui Valley. But the school’s history of development in the area is stoking fears about what will happen to Hawaiʻi Kai’s last farmlands.

Civil Beat.

Police Officers Want Voice When It Comes to New Police Chief

The Honolulu police commission says it could take seven months to find a new police chief using a professional hiring firm.

KHON2. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

New County Property Tax Credits in the Works

Bill 38 proposes a one-time tax credit of up to $1,000 for property owners who install solar water heaters on qualifying dwellings and introduces a new credit of up to $250 for residents who contribute to private roadway maintenance.

Tribune-Herald.

Puna Geothermal Venture Moves Forward With Long-Awaited Upgrades

Puna Geothermal Venture is moving ahead with a project to boost its renewable energy production after receiving long-awaited approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.

Hawaii News Now.

HPD’s Temporary Morgue Now Operational

The morgue was built in 1984, and because of population increases and the police’s function as coroner, its occupancy often was strained beyond its capacity of 16 bodies.

Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i Community College Butchery Program Graduates Second Cohort

One of Hawai‘i Community College’s newest programs, whole-animal butchery, will once again be open for enrollment starting Aug. 29.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Council Panel Moves Ahead With Kahului Housing Project, Sparks Debate Over Water Availability

A unanimous vote by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee to advance an affordable housing project in Kahului drew criticism Wednesday from West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin.

Maui Now.

Maui Police Officer Fatally Shot in Pāʻia Was Ambushed

The 37-year-old Maui Police Department officer ambushed and killed Friday night was one of a half-dozen officers who responded to the Pāʻia Sugar Mill after the caretaker reported a man was trespassing and shooting at him.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Maui Police Release Bodycam Footage in Deadly, Officer-Involved Shooting

The Maui Police Department Thursday released bodycam footage from a shooting last Friday that resulted in the death of an officer.

Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Kaua‘i Headlines

A Kauaʻi Bill Seeks to Make Plantation Camps Like Kaumakani More Fire-Resilient

Last summer, a fire came close to destroying homes in Kaumakani, a plantation-style neighborhood in West Kauaʻi. A bill has been introduced at the Kauaʻi County Council to manage vegetation and update requirements on home construction in plantation camps like Kaumakani to make them more fire resilient.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Waimea Public Library Turned 75 With Special Birthday Party

The library hosted a party the afternoon of Aug. 1 to commemorate the milestone. The public was treated to a brief program followed by birthday cake and ice cream, make-and-take crafts, musical perforance by Kūpaoa and special screening of “Aletha,” a documentary about lifelong Waimea resident Aletha Goodwin Kaohi.

Kauaʻi Now.