Gov. Josh Green Wants to Heal the Country

In a wide-ranging conversation, the governor makes it pretty clear where his head is at when it comes to combining his ongoing efforts for Hawaiʻi with his future national ambitions.

Civil Beat.

Retiring Chief Justice Led With Kindness, Compassion, Wisdom

Mark E. Recktenwald, who turns 70 on Oct. 8, will retire Tuesday due to the state’s mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices and judges.

Star-Advertiser.

Choy Fired While Suing Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for Retaliation

Isaac Choy, a former state tax director and state legislator, was terminated from his job at the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority effective Sept. 15, according to a motion to file an amended complaint in his whistle-blower lawsuit.

Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Young Brothers Shipping Company Proposes a Rate Increase to Shore Up Finances

The state Public Utilities Commission is holding a weeklong hearing starting today on Young Brothers’ request to raise its rates. The shipping company asked the commission to approve a 27% rate increase last year.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

State Tries to Seal Foster Care Files to Protect Info It Already Revealed

When Civil Beat sought exhibits in the trial of an abusive Hawaiʻi foster dad, the Attorney General’s Office intervened to prevent “family trauma” from becoming public. It already had.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Affordable Apartments in Makiki Billed as First of Many by Partnership

The partnership between Tradewind Capital Group and Stanford Carr Development recently received state financing commitments to fund nearly all of the estimated $148 million cost to build their initial tower.

Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofits Anticipate Hunger to Worsen in Hawaiʻi

Thousands of people filled the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Saturday for the return of the Empty Bowl fundraiser, where guests selected handmade bowls crafted by local potters and enjoyed soups donated by more than a dozen restaurants.

Star-Advertiser.

This Kāneʻohe Road Is Overdue For Repair

Kea’ahala Road connects Kāneʻohe town to major state facilities, but it’s been 20 years since it was properly repaved, and sidewalks are impassable for many.

Civil Beat.

State Looks for Lessee to Revamp And Operate Mālaekahana Campground

The 36-acre recreation spot in Kahuku closed in 2023 for infrastructure upgrades.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Residents Reeling After Being Told to Vacate Honolulu Apartment Building Within Days

A letter from the owner of Union Plaza posted on Saturday night said residents had until Tuesday to get out.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Big Island Housing Scandal Stalls Plans for Apartments

The affordable rentals in Kailua-Kona were supposed to be ready in 2024 and cost $50 million. The developer now hopes to finish in 2027 at a cost of $81 million.

Civil Beat.

Keauhou Bay Development Clears Another Hurdle

Kamehameha Schools is advancing plans for a resort development on lands above Keauhou Bay, following the county Planning Department’s acceptance of the project’s final environmental impact statement.

Tribune-Herald.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Granted Permit to Collect Marine Life off Kona Coast

The Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a special activity permit allowing George Peterson, director of Marine Operations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to collect, possess and transport various regulated and nonregulated marine organisms off the coast of West Hawaiʻi.

Tribune-Herald.

Tokuda Discusses Shutdown Threat, Health Care Cuts During Hilo Visit

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda met with the Tribune-Herald on Wednesday during a visit to Hilo, where she discussed the potential for a federal government shutdown, ongoing attacks on Congress, the fight to preserve health care funding and efforts by states to shift the balance of power ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Tribune-Herald.

AG, County Reach Agreement Over HPD Internal Records

The Hawaiʻi Police Department and the state attorney general have come to an agreement regarding statements made by four HPD officers in an internal affairs investigation of alleged misconduct regarding events in May 2023.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

State Mulls Rescue Help for Parched Maui Water System

Over 30 years ago, state leaders saw a need to take over Hawaiʻi plantation-era water systems and fallow farmland to support diversified agriculture, and now one such water system that’s become a drain on Maui’s economy is for sale.

Star-Advertiser.

Paia Elementary Cleans Up From Nearby Brush Fire; School to Remain Closed Monday

The school has now been closed for four school days since Tuesday’s Holomua wildfire burned 400 acres and led to the evacuation of 1,600 Paia residents.

Star-Advertiser. Maui News.

Petition Calls for Holomua Road Closure After 380-Acre Fire; Houseless Community Says It’s Not to Blame

Tania Kawa‘akoa shakes her head at the notion that one of the roughly 25 people who live in their cars, tents and temporary shelters along Holomua Road had anything to do with the 380-acre blaze that broke out Tuesday in the open fields above Pā‘ia and Kū‘au.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

High Enterococcus Fecal Indicating Bacteria Measured at Morgan’s Pond in September

This month 12 of the 29 sites tested had bacteria concentrations higher than the Hawaii state standard (130 mpn) and 14 of the 29 had geometric means high enough to put them on the chronically polluted list.

Garden Island.