Small Group of Lawmakers to Award $50M to Nonprofits Facing Federal Cuts

Times are tough for local nonprofits amid steep federal cuts. Hawaiʻi lawmakers are doling out an extra $50 million for health and human services programs in addition to the $30 million allocated during this year’s legislative session. This time around, nonprofits are under a tight deadline and will answer to a four-person panel instead of the full Legislature.

Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Food Banks and Farmers Are in ‘Real Trouble’ With Federal Cuts

Hawaiʻi has lost $80 million in federal funding for food and agriculture programs under the Trump administration. And another $110 million in cuts are looming. “This is a crisis,” Hawaiʻi Food Bank CEO Amy Miller told state lawmakers Thursday.

Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Should OHA Play a Bigger Role in Military Lease Negotiations?

Multiple military leases are up soon in Hawaiʻi, and Gov. Josh Green is in talks with the Army. Activists and prominent community leaders urged the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on Thursday to assert itself as the representative of the Hawaiian community in lease negotiations between the state and federal government for thousands of acres of land used for military training.

Civil Beat.

Illnesses at Hawai‘i Schools Potentially Linked to Milk Rise to 15

As of Thursday morning, the state Department of Health had received reports of approximately 15 individuals experiencing gastrointestinal illness potentially linked to recently recalled Meadow Gold chocolate milk.

Star-Advertiser.

Four Hawai‘i Sheriff Deputies Sue State After ‘Illegal’ Arrests

A lawsuit filed by four state sheriff deputies accuses the state and two former Department of Law Enforcement leaders of “illegally” arresting them to help counter accusations in a separate civil lawsuit brought by a commander.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Passengers Begin Riding Extended Lines on Honolulu’s Skyline Rail System

Skyline trains Thursday morning were running fuller than they typically have been, with Leeward residents expected to ride the rail to the major employment centers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the airport.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaiʻi Public Radio. KHON2.

Hundreds of Kapiolani Medical Center Employees to Strike

Unionized workers at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children will begin a strike at 7 a.m. Friday morning. The union represents about 300 of Kapiolani’s technicians, housekeeping, food service staff and more.

Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

North Shore Gondola Project Modified Amid Community Concerns

North Shore residents are speaking out against changes to a proposed gondola up Mount Ka‘ala. They said certain approved conditions are not being followed.

KHON2.

Warning From Board of Water Supply After Residents Encounter Fake Water Tester

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is warning residents to be cautious after a man went door to door in ʻEwa Beach claiming he needed to test people’s tap water.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Lava Emerges at Kīlauea Summit, High Fountains Expected Soon

A series of lava overflows and drainbacks occurred from the south vent on Thursday, while spatter was seen at the north vent.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Day 3 of Kaiser Strike in Hilo

About 15 picketers circled the entrance to the Hilo Kaiser Permanente clinic Thursday on the third day of a labor strike by employees represented by the Alliance of Health Care Unions.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Maui Planning Commission Backs Higher Lahaina Building Limit, Parking Reform

The Maui Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend that the Maui County Council approve a bill that would increase the maximum allowable building heights for new construction in the post-disaster Lahaina National Historic Landmark District from 30 to 35 feet.

Maui Now.

Grand Opening Celebrates 200 Affordable Housing Units in Lahaina

In addition to three managerial units, the project offers rent-restricted homes for 197 families who earn between 30% to 60% of Area Median Income, enabling residents to save an average of 53% annually in their rent payments compared to market-rate options.

Maui News. KITV4.

House Finance Committee Visits Maui

Members of the House Finance Committee visited Maui to see firsthand several projects and programs supported by the Legislature.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative Bolsters After-Hours, Weekend Customer Support Services

As of Oct. 1, the Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative has partnered with Cooperative Response Center — a nationwide 24/7 contact center providing support to rural electric utilities — to accept after-hours and weekend customer service and emergency calls.

Kaua‘i Now.

Community Rallies to Protect Trees Threatened by Po‘ipū Road Safety Project

Kaua‘i County this week broke ground on a $70 million project aimed at increasing safety along Po‘ipū Road. But when ribbons started appearing on trees lining the south Kaua‘i roadway, residents raised the alarm. The county said the trees were not on the original plans when engineers designed the improvements.

Hawaii News Now.