Hawaiʻi’s U.S. House Members Vote Against Reopening Government, Citing Lack of Health Care Assurances

Hawaiʻi’s two House members voted against reopening the federal government, saying the legislation contained no guarantees to prevent insurance premiums from rising for island residents who purchase their health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Green Fee Advisory Council to Give Update About Project Evaluation, Recommendations

The Green Fee Advisory Council will host a webinar next week via Zoom to update the public about its ongoing evaluation criteria along with timelines and next steps in its recommendation process for possible Green Fee projects.

Kauaʻi Now.

Hawaiʻi DOE Spending More on Buses for Fewer Students

Hawaiʻi public schools still haven’t reached the pre-pandemic number of bus drivers, though things were looking up this year. Yet we pay substantially more to transport keiki than we did before the pandemic

Civil Beat.

AlohaCare Expands Access to Medical Equipment for Medicaid, Medicare Patients

AlohaCare currently serves about 80,000 residents in Hawaiʻi who have Medicaid and Medicare coverage. The nonprofit insurance provider is partnering with Aeroflow Health so that its patients can use their insurance to purchase medical equipment like breast pumps and incontinence supplies.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Businesses Hurt by Rail Construction Find City Help Falls Short

For a decade, Honolulu has talked about launching a grant program to help local businesses suffering as a result of rail construction. Officials have finally made it happen. Business owners are grateful but say the process is tricky — and the $10,000 award is hardly enough to offset the impacts of the mess that construction has left in its wake.

Civil Beat.

Bribery Case: Architect, 92, on Trial for Failed $20 Gift to City Worker

An elderly architect tried to slip an employee what he called a gratuity. County prosecutors say it was a bribe. A judge will decide.

Civil Beat.

Honolulu Urged to Reduce Water Usage by 20%

Honolulu Board of Water Supply urged O‘ahu residents to cut their water usage by 10% when the Hālawa Shaft was closed due to Red Hill contamination, and that request doubled in 2025.

KHON2.

OHA Receives $2M Grant for Environmental Cleanup and Redevelopment of Kaka‘ako Makai

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been awarded a federal Brownfields Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to begin critical environmental assessments and planning for the revitalization of 29 acres of Kaka‘ako.

Hawaii News Now.

Ex-Informant Allegedly Killed Trying to Collect Debt

Jonnaven Jo Monalim, 55, was not killed out of retribution for his work as a federal informant during the 2004 Pali Golf Course murder investigation, according to authorities.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Eligible Oʻahu Veterans to Get $20 Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption

Military veterans 65 and older on Oʻahu will be given a $20 exemption from their annual vehicle registrations. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has signed a bill that makes the exemption a city law. It will go into effect next July.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Chef Chai Closed for Operating Without Valid Permit

Chef Chai was shut down Wednesday after health investigators said its new owner lacked a valid permit.The restaurant, located at 1009 Kapiʻolani Blvd., is now owned by Pomaikai Culinary Group, LLC.

Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Input Sought on DOT Plan to Add Bus Stops, Bike Lanes, Charging Stations

Hawai‘i Island residents should see a significant boost in bike lanes, bus stop improvements and electric vehicle infrastructure as the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation moves forward with its Priority Multimodal Network Plan.

Tribune-Herald.

How Overhauling a Big Island Sewer Plant Is Energizing a Long-Stalled Park

North Kona has grown quickly. But as neighbors looked around over the decades, they noticed the county wasn’t keeping up with their burgeoning needs, namely a new park. Certainly, many mayoral administrations have tried. A lawsuit over a controversial wastewater system in Kona may finally lead to development of a new regional park.

Civil Beat.

What’s Causing Hāmākua’s Extraordinary Fire Season?

Hāmākua on the northern coast of Hawaiʻi Island has had more than 90 fires so far this year — three times higher than average. Human activity is responsible for the majority of wildland fires.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

HECO Works to Restore South Kohala Power After Being Shut off Due to Wildfire Risk

Hawaiian Electric initiated a public safety power shutoff — proactively shutting off power — in South Kohala because of the threat of wildfires from high winds and dry conditions.

Hawaii News Now. Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

West Maui Water Usage Study to Underpin Better Regulation Ahead

The Commission on Water Resource Management published an analysis Wednesday on surface and groundwater consumption by West Maui property owners, which will be used to better regulate the public trust resource in an area plagued by severe drought and dominated by private water system operators.

Star-Advertiser.

Disabled Maui Residents Still Struggle 2 Years After Wildfires, Report Finds

More than two years after the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, disabled residents remain among the least recovered — still facing unstable housing, steep income losses and worsening health — according to a new report from the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization.

Star-Advertiser.

Play Returns to the Plantation as Owner Donates $750K to Maui Nonprofits

About four dozen golfers ages 10 to 17 teed off at the pro-level Kapalua Plantation Course on Sunday — just after watching three junior golf nonprofits receive one big check.

Maui News.

Kaua‘i Headlines

County Charter Review Commission Invites Public Comment on Proposed Amendments

Kaua‘i County Charter Review Commission is considering several changes to the Kaua‘i County Charter that could appear on the 2026 General Election ballot.

Kaua‘i Now.

Public Can Give Input on Update of County Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan

Garden Isle community members are invited to help update the 5-year Kaua‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan — a key to strengthening community preparedness and reducing risks from natural disasters.

Kaua‘i Now.