New Draft of State Budget Bill Slims Spending

Both the House and Senate rejected the governor’s plan to cancel some tax relief, despite earlier uncertainty about the state’s financial situation. The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday amended the state budget bill to include $10.4 billion in total state funding appropriations.

Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate Becomes A Tax Bill Graveyard

The state House proposed an assortment of potential tax increases for the Senate to consider, but senators buried almost all of them without a hearing.

Civil Beat.

A Last-Minute Miracle for a Bill to Help Hawaiʻi Convert Cesspools

The bill would create a new low-interest loan program to help eliminate some of the 80,000 cesspools leaking millions of gallons of sewage into Hawaiʻi’s nearshore waters daily.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Gas Prices Soar to Record Highs

Drivers across the islands are now paying record prices for gas after the statewide average for regular fuel climbed to $5.63 per gallon on Thursday, April 9, according to AAA Hawaiʻi.

KHON2.

HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health File With Justice Department for Clearance to Integrate

HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health have filed with the Department of Justice to integrate and create a new parent organization called One Health Hawaiʻi.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

O‘ahu Schools, State, City Offices Close as Heavy Rain Moves In

All state offices and public schools on O‘ahu, as well as nonessential City and County of Honolulu offices and services, are closed today in anticipation of heavy rain across the island.

Civil Beat. Hawai‘i Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Hawaiʻi County Council Considering Leasing 6 Residential Properties to Nonprofits

In November, the Office of Housing and Community Development issued a request for proposals for the leasehold operation and rental of each of the six residential properties as long-term housing for underserved populations. The nonprofits will each only pay $10 annually for the houses to the county.

Big Island Now.

Kīlauea Eruption Episode 44 Ends After 9 Hours

Episode 44 in the ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ended abruptly at 7:41 p.m. HST Thursday evening, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining.

Big Island Video News.

Ivy Leaguer From Maui Is Miss Aloha Hula 2026

Faith Kealohapau‘ole Paredes of Halau Kekuaokala‘au‘ala ‘Iliahi scored 1161 points Thursday night — the first evening of the 63rd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival’s hula competition at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

Hawaii News Now. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

‘Don’t Make It Worse’: Kīhei Cleans Up, Braces for More Rain

Residents and business owners are still dealing with March flood damage as Maui readies for the next storm.

Civil Beat.

Maui Severe Weather Update: More Shelters Open, Water Conservation in Effect

Maui Emergency Management Agency, other County of Maui departments and the American Red Cross started proactively opening shelters on April 8, ahead of severe weather.

Maui Now.

Kona Lows Highlight Need for Emergency Service Upgrades on Moloka‘i

Pukoo Fire Station, the only one servicing Moloka‘i’s east end, is actually a two-bedroom house that is more than 100 years old. The aging facility is also in a flood zone, and like many nearby homes, the structure also gets flooded during storms.

Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi County Council Approves Santos for Environmental Seat on Planning Commission

The Kauaʻi County Council unanimously approved Hanapēpē native Kuuleialoha Santos to fill a vacant environmental seat on the Planning Commission.

Kaua‘i Now.

DOW Water Rate Community Meeting Rescheduled

The new meeting date will be April 15, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Garden Island.

Kaua‘i Residents Warned to Stay Off Roads as Storm Moves In

Kaua‘i was the first island hit by an incoming storm system Thursday evening.

Hawaii News Now.