Push to Feed Hawaiʻi Kids More Local Food Is ‘Structural Disaster’

The DOE has not taken the effort seriously and has no real plan for how to meet a legislative mandate to spend 30% of its food budget locally by 2030, according to a state audit.

Civil Beat.

Full Report on School Lunch Program

The DOE missed its January 1, 2025, local food mandate, with an audit showing that only 5.4% of the department’s $82 million food budget for the 2023–2024 school year was spent locally. The report noted that the department failed to prioritize both the Farm to School Program and the legal requirement to increase local food in school meals.

Office of the Hawaiʻi Auditor.

Free Student Meals Back on the Table at the Legislature

On Wednesday the House Committee on Finance moved along House Bill 1779, which would give all students free breakfast and lunch at school starting with the 2029-2030 school year. The measure also includes public charter school students.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Officers Would Have to Expose Their Faces Under Bills

House and Senate bills that would prohibit law enforcement officers from covering their faces and limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials remain alive and appear ready to move into the opposite chamber of the state Capitol for further consideration.

Star-Advertiser.

U.S. Aims to Exhume and Identify 88 USS Arizona Crew Members Buried as Unknowns

The U.S. military plans to exhume the remains of 88 sailors and Marines killed when the USS Arizona was bombed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and who were buried as unknowns in a Honolulu cemetery.

Associated Press.

O‘ahu Headlines

Council Defers Affordable Rentals Measure Pending Further Study

Introduced in February by Council Vice Chair Andria Tupola, Bill 18, which proposes amendments to the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu that govern the city’s affordable rental housing laws, was postponed due to a mixed level of support from many in the development community.

Star-Advertiser.

City Considers Loan Forgiveness to Recruit Engineers, Cut Permit Backlog

During a city briefing Thursday, officials said staffing shortages at the Department of Planning and Permitting remain a major factor slowing projects across Oʻahu, including affordable housing developments.

Hawaii News Now.

Agreement Opens Kolekole Pass in Emergencies

Military and state officials have signed a new memorandum of understanding establishing procedures to open Kolekole Pass during emergencies to support communities along the Waiʻanae coast.

Star-Advertiser.

State Agrees to Settle Lawsuit Over Oʻahu Jail Suicide

Lawyers for the defense and prosecution called the jail to warn that a prisoner was suicidal. Then the inmate hanged himself in a cell.

Civil Beat.

Police Release Findings of Skeletal Remains on Mid-pacific Institute Campus

The human skeletal remains found on Mid-Pacific Institute’s Mānoa campus in January appear to be ancient, police said Thursday. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will further review the remains.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

$13.4 Million in FEMA Funds for Waiānuenue Avenue Bridge

On Thursday, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D, Hawai‘i) announced the new funding, which will go towards the Waiānuenue Avenue Bridge modernization project. The modernized bridge will be designed to withstand earthquake forces and erosion from flooding.

Big Island Video News.

New Hawaiʻi Pilot Program Aims to Curb Evictions, Keep Disputes Out of Court

A new statewide pre-eviction mediation law that went into effect last month has already had success in keeping Hawaiʻi island tenants in their homes.

Tribune-Herald.

Water Restriction Notice Issued After Honomū Well Breakdown

The affected areas include Honomū Village and customers along Honomū Road and Māmalahoa Highway (Highway 19), including all side roads and lanes. Affected customers are required to reduce water use by at least 25 percent until further notice.

Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

Maui Mayor Sets Housing and Rebuilding as Top Priorities in State of the County Address

Mayor Richard Bissen highlighted Maui County’s continued progress across housing, recovery, well-being and economic stability, while outlining actions to strengthen communities and build a resilient future in his 2026 State of the County Address.

Maui Now.

Maui Wildfire Lawyers Vying for $1 Billion Payday

Lawyers for Maui wildfire victims are lining up for a potential $1 billion payday, pending a ruling by Circuit Court Judge Peter Cahill. But the judge may have a say in the matter, and could reduce the amount paid to those lawyers who represented individual fire victims.

Civil Beat.

Long-Awaited Affordable Housing Project Is Underway on Lānaʻi

The first affordable housing project on Lānaʻi in 35 years is set to begin construction this year. Kaiāulu O Lānaʻi will offer 72 rent-to-own units.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Līhuʻe Airport’s Improvement Plan Includes Modernization, Not Adding Capacity

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation officials presented a draft optimization plan for Līhuʻe Airport on Tuesday evening, emphasizing the effort is focused on modernization and efficiency — and not expansion.

Kauaʻi Now.

Four Months Later, Updates on a Kauaʻi Immigration Raid

Four months ago, Kauaʻi County Councilmember Fern Holland watched an immigration raid unfold across from her home. It was at 4 a.m., and when it was all over, 44 people — mostly Venezuelan nationals — were picked up.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi Provides Help for TSA Workers

The Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi rolled out its recently dedicated Mobile Pantry refrigerated transporter to provide more than 150 emergency food packages for local Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Coast Guard workers caught up in a partial government shutdown.

Garden Island.