Bill Would Feed Every Public School Student for Free

Every public school student — regardless of family income — would receive free meals at school under a bill introduced Thursday by nearly half of all 51 House members. Hawaiʻi’s public schools — not including charter schools —currently educate about 150,000 students across the state. As of Dec. 30, just over 10,400 students qualify for reduced-price meals.

Star-Advertiser.

State Panel Begins Research for Legalized Gambling

Hawaiʻi’s Tourism and Gaming Working Group convened for the first time Thursday to begin developing a statewide gambling policy framework. Established following a divisive legislative resolution, the group will present its findings to lawmakers in about a year.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

House GOP Caucus Wants Voters to Pick Chief Election Officer

Hawaiʻi House Republicans unveiled their legislative priorities yesterday. Their top piece of legislation targets corruption and government reform in Hawaiʻi by having voters choose a chief election officer rather than have the position appointed. They were also critical of their Democratic counterparts for focusing too much on how the Trump administration and its potential impact on the state budget.

Civil Beat. KHON2. KITV4.

Microsoft Global Outage Impacts Hawaiʻi State Senate

The Hawaiʻi State Senate reports it experienced delays in email communications yesterday due to the global Microsoft Exchange outage. The outage began around 9 a.m. HST and is said to have affected Microsoft 365, Outlook and other services.

Big Island Video News.

Hawaiʻi Democrat Seeks Federal Review of Native Hawaiian Contracting Program

Rep. Ed Case has requested an SBA inquiry into the 8(a) program following the investigation and suicide of contractor Christopher Dawson. Case, a Democrat, clarified that his intention is not to align with anti-DEI agendas, but rather to shore up a program that, despite recent troubles, remains rooted in noble and necessary ideals.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Illegal Gameroom Crackdown Brings New City Law

Arcade-style games aren’t just for kids anymore, the Honolulu Police Department said some are being used for illegal gambling. Illegal game rooms have grown in popularity over the years, prompting HPD’s Narcotics and Vice Division to crack down. They are now targeting these money machines that keep the game rooms open.

KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Red Light, Speed Camera Program to Expand

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is expanding its red light and speed camera program on Oʻahu. Officials said the devices — which are currently at 10 intersections on the island — have dramatically cut dangerous driving.

KHON2.

HART Board of Directors Cancels Today’s Meeting

A scheduled meeting today for the board of directors of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation was canceled. The meeting, which was to start at 8 a.m. with the convening of committees prior to the full board meeting, was rescheduled to Jan. 30.

Star-Advertiser.

Kaiser Permanente Begins Construction on New Oncology Wing

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii celebrated the start of construction on a new hematology and medical oncology wing at Moanalua Medical Center. The 12,500-square-foot wing will be on the first floor of the hospital’s Diamond Head Tower and nearly triple the size of the existing space.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Seven Men and a Woman in Running for Big Island’s Top Cop

Eight applicants, including two current members of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, will be interviewed by the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission for the vacant chief’s position.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

What Are the Backgrounds of the 8 Finalists for Hawai‘i County Police Chief?

Of the eight finalists, two already work on the force. The others come from as far away as Maryland and the Pacific island of Niue. One has been a chief, one is an interim chief and two have served as acting chiefs. They have worked at small agencies and large ones, in San Diego and Las Vegas.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Maui Properties Get State Money for Preservation

After an emotional and sometimes tearful two-day meeting in Wailuku, the state Legacy Land Conservation Commission announced it had chosen four iconic properties to recommend for purchase under a cash-strapped state-funded program that rescues at-risk real estate.

Civil Beat.

Maui Powerhouse Gym Announces Plans for Facility and Retail Village in Kahului

Maui Powerhouse Gym has announced the acquisition of a 2.2-acre property adjacent to Costco in Kahului, paving the way for a new flagship gym and wellness-focused commercial village designed to serve the Maui community for generations.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Security Guard Made off With $400K. Police Still Haven’t Caught Him

In 2023, a security guard skimmed nearly $400,000 from cash deliveries to banks on Kauaʻi before hopping on a pre-arranged flight and disappearing. The office filed criminal theft charges in September against Kody Corbett, a former employee of global cash handling firm Loomis. There’s a warrant out for Corbett’s arrest, though police have yet to track him down.

Civil Beat.

Invasive Ramie Moth Caterpillar Found on Kauaʻi

An invasive pest that has already spread through the islands of Maui, Hawaiʻi and Oʻahu has now been detected on Kauaʻi. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said that a single live ramie moth caterpillar was reported to the Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee.

Hawaii News Now.