Cruise Ship Industry Sues to Scuttle Hawaiʻi’s New Visitor Green Fee

Ship passengers will soon to start paying the same visitor tax as hotel guests to help cover the conservation fee — unless the cruise lines can stop it in court.

Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

New HTA Advisory Board Under Pressure to Regain Public Trust

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advisory board — composed of eight new members and four returning ones — met Thursday with the hope of achieving a paradigm shift that proves its trustworthiness to manage state tourism and the tens of millions of dollars of public money that funds it.

Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

State Working to Improve Tsunami Reaction Protocol

Deficiencies in managing the tsunami threat to Hawai’i last month are leading to planned improvements that include manual traffic intersection management, fewer broken warning sirens and safety information websites that don’t crash under high demand.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Electrifying Vehicles Is Key to the Hawaiʻi DOT’s Climate Roadmap

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is finalizing a climate roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. About half of the state’s total emissions come from the transportation sector.

Hawai’i Public Radio.

Aloha Stadium Teardown Expected to Take 12 Months

The Aloha Stadium Authority has secured the necessary permits from the City and County of Honolulu to start work on dismantling the old stadium in Halawa, but the stadium board chair said it will likely be “early in the new year” before the public starts to notice large pieces of the old facility being torn down.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Next Phase of Hawaiian Homestead Houses in Kapolei Awarded

More than 100 state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries are set to become homeowners in Kapolei early next year after a lottery Saturday.

Star-Advertiser.

Law to Streamline Affordable Housing Leads to Power Struggle Over Kapolei Project

The Laulima Affordables rental project just west of the Kapolei Commons shopping center is caught in the middle of the dispute.

Hawaii News Now.

Oʻahu Road Deaths in 2025 Now Surpass All of 2024

The City is pleading with the public to be safer on Honolulu roads — they say 55 people have died so far on Oʻahu, surpassing 2024’s total of 54.

KHON2.

Why HPD Has A Major Morale Problem, According To Staff

Officers and civilians want to make sure their voices are heard throughout the selection process for a new chief.

Civil Beat.

Man Who Received $12.5M City Settlement Sentenced on Gun, Drug Offenses

Just a year and a half after receiving a multimillion-dollar payment from the city, Jonaven Perkins-Sinapati will spend 10 years in federal prison.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Residents Push Back on Puna Geothermal Venture During Upgrade Project

The company’s Repower Project has equipment upgrades and increased power generation. It has 12 generating units that are more than 30 years old, and the plan is to install three larger generating units and decommission the old ones.

Hawaii News Now.

County to Proceed With Plans for Old Hilo Hospital Site

The project, located at 34 Rainbow Drive in Hilo, is a key part of the county Office of Housing and Community Development’s effort to create a resource hub focused on housing stabilization, workforce readiness and behavioral health services.

Tribune-Herald.

Convent Repurposed Into Housing for Homeless Kupuna

Ten elders without housing are expected to move into the bright and airy single-story North Hawaii home in October, according to representatives of HOPE Services Hawaii and their partner for the housing project, Honoka‘a’s historic Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County, HALE O Hawaiʻi Partner to Deliver Affordable Homeownership

The handover ceremony and celebration Aug. 22 marked a milestone in a partnership between HALE O Hawaiʻi Community Land Trust and Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development, advancing an innovative land trust model to keep homes affordable for generations to come.

Big Island Now.

Puna Beach Park to Close for Pohoiki Boat Ramp Dredging

Isaac Hale Beach Park will be closed until further notice starting September 2 to support public safety efforts during crane dredging operations.

Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

Maui Headlines

Procession and Memorial Service to Honor Officer Suzanne O

The Maui Police Department, in partnership with the family of Officer Suzanne O, will hold a procession and memorial service honoring her life and service on Friday, Aug. 29.

Maui News. Maui Now.

South Maui Beach Parking Zones Get Maui Council Nod; First Priority for Residents

Maui County Council members unanimously gave initial approval Tuesday to a measure that would establish paid parking zones at South Maui beach parks, a move to give residents first priority access to some of the island’s most popular beaches.

Maui Now.

Maui DWS to Use Backup Water for Upcountry System Starting in Early September

County to supplement Upcountry water supply due to drought conditions. In September, the Maui County Department of Water Supply is planning to supplement water delivery to the Upcountry area, which has been plagued by ongoing drought conditions.

Maui News. Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Lawmakers Consider Regulations on E-bikes

The Kauaʻi County Council’s Bill 2972 would require minors to wear helmets while using e-bikes, or electric bicycles. It would also effectively ban bike tricks like wheelies, along with riding in a “hazardous manner” — such as driving with more than one person.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Total Visitor Arrivals, Spending in July Increases in Kauaʻi, Decreases Statewide

There were 143,289 visitors to Kauaʻi in July 2025, an increase of 5.6% from the 135,740 visitors in July 2024 and a 3% increase from the 139,157 visitors in July 2019.

Kauai Now.

Sunday Road Closures for Kauaʻi Marathons

The 2025 Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, starting at 6:00 a.m. The racecourse will impact Koloa, Poipu, Lawai, and Kalaheo, with a combination of lane closures, full road closures, and partial restrictions between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Garden Island. Kauai Now.