George Ariyoshi, Hawaiʻi’s Third Governor and Nation’s First Asian American Governor, Dies

Hawaiʻi’s longest-­serving governor and the first Asian American to serve as governor of any U.S. state, George Ariyoshi, died Sunday night at the age of 100, leaving a “quiet and effective” legacy grounded in shaping the state’s future.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press.

Legislation to Curb Corporate Influence in Elections Awaits Final Negotiation by Lawmakers

The state Legislature is looking at a new, untested legal approach to curb corporate money in elections. It’s an attempt to get around the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision Citizens United.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Transportation Officials Want a New Military Partnership

A bill being considered by the Legislature would allow the state DOT to act as a military contractor to expedite federal projects for improvements to airports and roads.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Gambling Regulations Would Likely Be Complex to Accommodate the Evolving Industry

That was advocates’ message to state lawmakers looking at how it could impact Hawaiʻi, one of two states that outlaw all forms of gambling. Other states that allow gambling now have to update their current laws because of the evolution and growing popularity of sports gambling and prediction markets like Polymarket.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

PGA Tour Cuts Hawaiʻi Events in 2027, Dealing a $150M Blow to the State

The PGA Tour confirmed on Monday that its two Hawaiʻi golf tournaments — the Sony Open in Hawaii and The Sentry at Kapalua — will not be included in the 2027 tour schedule, representing a more than $150 million annual loss in visitor industry revenue for the Islands.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

O‘ahu Headlines

Lambert Must Return to HPD to Protect Pension Benefits

Mike Lambert, 46, is one of the 41 applicants to serve as Honolulu’s 13th police chief. If he is not picked to lead HPD, he also applied to continue his law enforcement career where it began, as a HPD patrol officer.

Star-Advertiser.

Residents, Farmers Have Conflicting Feelings About Wahiawā Dam

There is a heightened public safety risk because of the threat the dam poses to more than 2,000 North Shore residents. On the other hand, state leaders have said it is important to local agriculture.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Kaimukī’s Iconic Queen Theater, Now in Disrepair, Prepped for Sale

The Queen Theater, a once-beloved 1930s-era landmark in the heart of Kaimukī that fell into dec­ades of disrepair, is being readied for sale, city leaders say.

Star-Advertiser.

Cleanup Underway of Floating Homeless Encampments

Heavy machinery continued Monday to tear out thick and overgrown mangroves along Keʻehi Stream in Kalihi that had camouflaged 25 or so floating and land-based homeless structures that have occupied the waters from Keʻehi Stream to Keʻehi Lagoon for years.

Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Cyclists Lament Safety Barriers, Green Paint in Bike Lanes

New asphalt along South King Street meant bike path safety features had to be removed temporarily. They are taking too long to be replaced, cyclists say.

Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

ʻŌhiʻa Trees, Invasive Species: Years of Research Could Be Lost

The Hilo-based Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry headquarters and a biocontrol lab in Volcano are among at least 57 Forest Service facilities targeted for closure across the country in an agency restructuring plan rolled out by the Trump administration late last month.

Civil Beat.

2,000 Acres in Kapoho Being Considered for Preservation

A Hawaiʻi County Council committee today will consider a resolution calling for the purchase of nearly 2,000 acres of rugged coastal land in Kapoho using public land preservation funds.

Tribune-Herald.

Former Kamehameha Schools Employee Indicted for Internal Theft

Zachary Heltz, a 32-year-old Big Island man, has been indicted for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi.

Tribune-Herald.

Kīlauea Volcano Alert Level Raised as Lava Activity Begins

Low-level lava activity began at the summit of Kīlauea overnight, prompting a change in the Alert Level for the Hawaiʻi island volcano.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Work to Replace Lava Tube Bridge Begins Thursday

Work to replace the deteriorating bridge into Nāhuku lava tube in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will start Thursday. The lava tube will remain open, but the entrance and exit will be on the east (or “exit”) end only.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

MEMA, Other Agencies to Participate in April 23 Training in Kahului

A multiagency, full-scale training exercise will be held Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Kahului, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i Fire Is Seeking Public Input on How to Improve

The Kaua‘i Fire Department is looking for public input to see how they can improve their emergency response and overall community safety.

Kauaʻi Now.