Hawaiʻi Legislature Starts Session Facing Fiscal Uncertainty, Bribery Investigation

The 2026 legislative session opened Wednesday with House and Senate leaders bracing for the likelihood that Hawaiʻi will have to make up for more cuts to federal funding in 2026 after providing millions to compensate for reduced federal funding last year. Also weighing on lawmakers is ongoing corruption investigation that may include a former or current legislator.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Crowds Flood State Capitol to Advocate for Causes

Hundreds of people showed up at the state Capitol on the opening day of the legislative session to advocate for issues they care deeply about. Representatives and senators were eager to meet them. They opened the doors to their Capitol offices to welcome guests, shake hands, and offer snacks and refreshments.

Star-Advertiser.

$149M in High-Speed Internet Funding Finalized

Hawaiʻi has received final federal approval to begin spending nearly $149 million to expand high-speed internet access statewide, marking one of the largest digital infrastructure investments in state history, officials announced Wednesday.

Star-Advertiser. Kauaʻi Now.

DBEDT Director Talks Challenges Ahead for Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority

A $500,000 transfer between two funds at the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority was the headline from a Senate committee hearing last week. Lawmakers grilled Jimmy Tokioka, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, on whether he had the authority to move the funds.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Ranked the Worst State in Which to Drive

A study just released by the personal finance website WalletHub rated Hawaiʻi the worst state in the U.S. in which to drive. The same study found Vermont the best state to drive in, followed by Iowa, with Kansas, Nebraska and Indiana rounding out its top five.

Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

O‘ahu Headlines

Public Access to North Shore Beach Has Been Cut Off

Hawaiʻi has a variety of laws aimed at protecting the public’s right to access beaches. But along a stretch of beach in Mokulēʻia visitors are met with sandbags and signs that threaten trespassers with guard dogs and another that warns the reader to “Keep off the sea wall.” The state plans to conduct a site visit and open a formal investigation if authorities determine a violation has occurred.

Civil Beat.

Honolulu Traffic Is Some of the Worst in the Country, but Improvements Are on the Way

According to a recent study done by TomTom Traffic Index, Honolulu ranks third in the country for the worst traffic. This includes an average travel speed of just 17.8 miles per hour, an average travel distance of just 4.4 miles in 15 minutes, and an estimated 88 hours spent sitting in traffic per year for Honolulu drivers.

KHON2.

Honolulu Police Say More Staff Were Needed on New Year’s Eve

During Wednesday’s Honolulu Police Commission meeting, HPD assistant chief Brian Lynch told the commission that although there were about 250 officers on patrol, more staff were needed to handle drone operations and hundreds of emergency calls for fireworks and criminal reports.

Hawaii News Now.

Navy to Begin to Ventilate and Decommission 9th Tank at Red Hill

The Navy will begin ventilating another tank at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) this month, marking it as the ninth of 14 in its decommissioning process.

KITV4.

Coast Guard Considers Demolishing Aging Housing Complex in Wailupe

There’s a small U.S. Coast Guard family housing project in Wailupe that’s being considered for demolition because of its age. The Wailupe Family Housing is tucked away on three acres just off Kalanianaʻole Highway next to the Wailupe Fire Station.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

AI-Powered Parking System Debuts at Kona, Hilo Airports

A new ticketless parking system was launched at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole and Hilo International Airport to streamline entry and exit for drivers parking at the Big Island airports. Vehicles are identified by license plate recognition, eliminating the need for tickets. Parking fees are charged automatically through an online account.

Big Island Now.

South Kohala Water Restriction Downgraded

The Water Restriction Notice issued for an area along the South Kohala coast has been downgraded to a Water Conservation Notice. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply says the mandatory 25% percent reduction in water use in the affected areas, issued back in December 2025, has ended.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

With ‘Tougher Session’ Ahead, Maui Nui Lawmakers Strategize on Seeking Funding for Fire Recovery, Housing

As the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Legislature session kicks off, funding to rebuild public projects like Lahaina’s Front Street Apartments and measures to boost the local economy will be among the priorities of Maui Nui’s state lawmakers.

Maui Now.

Fire Ant Invasion Has Reached a Tipping Point on Maui

Field crews working to combat the spread of little red fire ants on Maui made an alarming discovery last week: the invasive and highly destructive insect had made its way to the Waihe‘e Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge. The ants are considered one of the worst invasive species in the world, and failure to control their spread could have big implications for life on Maui.

Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi’s Kouchi, Nakamura Lead Opening Day of 33rd Hawaiʻi State Legislature

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura and Senate President Ronald Kouch welcomed lawmakers back to the State Capitol for the opening of the 2026 session that runs through May 8. They set a tone that balanced ceremonial tradition with the heavy responsibilities facing the state.

Kauaʻi Now.

Federal Judge Dismisses Kōloa Rum Company’s Constitutional Challenge to Jones Act

A federal judge dismissed on Tuesday the Kōloa Rum Company’s constitutional challenge to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act, which requires all shipping between U.S. ports be conducted on vessels that are U.S. built, owned and registered, and crewed primarily by U.S. citizens.

Kauaʻi Now.

Sign Wavers Took to the Streets on Anniversary of Trump’s Inauguration

A group estimated at more than 200 people gathered on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, for a “Light the Night For Democracy” gathering on the Kaumualiʻi Highway sidewalks fronting Kauaʻi Community College.

Garden Island.