Uproar Over Sylvia Luke Forces Green to Cancel Out-of-State Trip

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke will not serve as acting governor this month after Gov. Josh Green announced Thursday that he has canceled his scheduled trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Governors Association meeting, as questions swirl over whether Luke is the focus of a state investigation.

Star-Advertiser. Hawai‘i Public Radio. KHON2.

Analysis: What Happens When The Governor Can’t Trust His Lieutenant Governor?

The two may seem like a team but the Legislature is the only authority that can remove an elected official from office in Hawaiʻi.

Civil Beat.

Lobbyist at Center of ‘Paper Bag’ Case Under Federal Investigation

Lobbyist Tobi J. Solidum’s company, Geopolicy Development Group LLC,  who donated $10,000 to Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, during a January 2022 dinner is a target of a federal investigation into possible public corruption and an alleged $7 million COVID-19 funding fraud, sources said.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Environmental Leaders Condemn EPA Rollback

State and local environmental leaders strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s move on Thursday to rescind a scientific finding, the loss of which effectively deregulated greenhouse gas emissions under the Environmental Protection Agency — with the state Energy Office calling it “one of the largest environmental rollbacks in U.S. history.”

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Donations Scandal Puts Shadow Over City COVID Testing Program

A $100 million COVID testing program organized by a central figure in an ongoing donations scandal is facing new scrutiny with critics calling the effort a wasteful use of taxpayer money. Tobi Solidum organized a plan for the National Kidney Foundation Hawaii to become a city contractor for testing with subcontractors including his own company and H2O Process Systems, owned by his friend, Milton Choy.

Hawaii News Now.

Lobbyist Under Fire Tied To Taxpayer-Funded Kidney Center That Was Never Built

Records show firms associated with politically connected contractor Dennis Mitsunaga collected nearly $1.8 million for a Kapolei building that has never materialized.

Civil Beat.

New 4-Year Bus Pact Reached With Local 996, OTS Says

Following months of back-and-forth negotiations, Oahu Transit Services Inc., which operates TheBus and TheHandi-Van routes on behalf of the City and County of Honolulu, announced Thursday hat it had reached an agreement with its labor union that represents hundreds of bus operators, mechanics and support staff.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Royalty Burial Grounds: Lawmakers Punt on Oversight Woes

Lawmakers are hesitant to move quickly on the sensitive issue and want a task force to come back in two years with a proposal for how to oversee Mauna ‘Ala.

Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

In State of the County Address, Alameda Focuses on Affordability, Housing, Homelessness

Among the factors that must be considered, he said, are building codes, roads, energy costs, wastewater and water services, workforce development, home insurance and mortgage rates, property taxes, and support services for the homeless.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Wastewater Spill at Treatment Plant in East Hawai‘i Forces Shoreline Closures

Portions of East Hawai‘i shorelines are closed following a wastewater spill at the Pāpaʻikou Treatment Plant, which resulted in a discharge of up to 98,300 gallons of fully treated, insufficiently disinfected wastewater.

Big Island Now.

High Bacteria Levels Detected in Waters off Hilo Bay and Spencer Beach Park

Levels of 150 per 100 mL were detected during a recent test at Canoe Beach, and levels of 624 per 100 mL were discovered at Spencer.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Schatz Secures $1 Million Earmark to Improve MolokaʻI Airport

US Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i secured $1 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for Moloka‘i Airport.

Maui Now.

HCF’s Maui Strong Fund and House Maui Program Award $6M to Expand Housing Pathways for Wildfire Survivors

Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF) announced a combined award of $6.34 million to Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) to expand the Ua Hale A‘ela program, a transformative initiative providing safe, affordable housing and clear pathways to homeownership for families affected by the devastating Maui wildfires.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Mayor Campaign Fundraising: Rapozo Outpacing Carvalho

County Council Chair Mel Rapozo is raising and spending more money than his council colleague Bernard Carvalho Jr. in their bid to be Kauaʻi’s next mayor.

Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i Police Show Off New Training Simulator

The department officially unveiled the MILO Training Range in late 2025, which allows officers to engage in real-time, immersive scenarios, including traffic stops, active shooter responses, domestic disturbances, and mental health crises.

Hawaii News Now.