Senate Confirms Vladimir Devens as Hawaiʻi Supreme Court’s Chief Justice

Associate Justice Vladimir Devens was confirmed today as chief justice of Hawaiʻi’s Supreme by the state Senate following a 20-to-5 vote that reflected concerns over Devens’ failure to initially disclose his relationship with a powerful political action committee while applying to join the court as an associate justice two years ago.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Climate Change Projects Key as Lawmakers Rush to Finish State Budget

Today marks a critical deadline for many bills that have been stalled until lawmakers could agree on a new budget for the coming year. That agreement was finally reached late Thursday night. The House and Senate also agreed to a list of more than $120 million in environmental protection projects funded by the state’s new “green fee” on tourists.

Civil Beat. Big Island Now. KHON2.

Proposed Hawaiʻi ‘Green Fee’ Projects Overhauled Again

State spending gatekeepers at the Legislature have put a big stamp on Hawaiʻi’s first batch “Green Fee” projects to be funded by a new tourism impact fee, shunting about 40% of recommendations from an advisory council.

Star-Advertiser.

Automatic Voter Registration Close to Becoming Law in Hawaiʻi

Senate Bill 2239 would replace the current “opt-in” system with an “opt-out” one. In the proposed system, during the application process, eligible residents would automatically be registered to vote — unless they explicitly decline registration.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Kona Low Storms Drive March Visitor Spending Down 1.6%

Back-to-back Kona Low storms in March hobbled Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy, triggering an estimated $300 million in lost revenue as flooding, flight cancellations and attraction closures disrupted spring break travel across the Islands.

Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

O‘ahu Headlines

City Releases Oʻahu’s 2026 Sustainability Report Highlighting Climate, Transit Gains

City leaders said the report reflects a coordinated effort across departments to address long-term environmental challenges.

KITV4.

Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden Prepares Master Plan as Storm Cleanup Continues

Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kāne‘ohe draws more visitors each year than any of Honolulu’s gardens — a whopping 730,000 in a year.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiian Electric Repairs Key Transmission Line Over Koʻolaus

Hawaiian Electric on Thursday announced the completion of repairs to a 138-kilovolt transmission line that carries electricity from Leeward Oʻahu to Windward Oʻahu, Waimānalo and East Honolulu.

Star-Advertiser.

Iconic Tamashiro Market Closes Its Doors After More Than 80 Years

Thursday, April 30, after more than 80 years, the Tamashiro Family closed their Kalihi fish market for the final time. More than just a place to shop, the landmark business and building have been a part of Hawaiʻi’s history for generations.

KHON2. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Robyn Ah Mow Opens Up About Why She Is Stepping Down as Wahine Coach

Ah Mow spent nine years and eight seasons in charge of the Rainbow Wahine volleyball program, compiling a 165-72 overall record with five consecutive Big West Conference championships from 2019 to 2024.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Saddle Road Extension Plan Revived

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is reviving plans to extend the Daniel K. Inouye Highway in the South Kohala district from its current ending at Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) westward to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway (Route 19).

Tribune-Herald.

Kailua-Kona Confronts a Paid Parking ‘Epidemic’

Free parking is harder to come by in Kailua-Kona Village these days. Some think it’s keeping people away. The County Council tried to cap parking rates, but the bill was shelved over concerns that it could open officials up to a lawsuit.

Civil Beat.

Big Plans for Kawaihae Harbor

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is planning to begin a makeover of Kawaihae Harbor next year, including the widening of Kawaihae Road to build an 875-foot-long dedicated left turn and storage lane leading up to the harbor’s entrance.

Tribune-Herald.

Konawaena High School Rebuilds After the Kona Low Storms

Severe flooding damaged 75 classrooms on their campus, put 5 elevators out of commission, and impacted their library and administrative offices.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Maui Headlines

Maui Council Budget Committee Slightly Trims Mayor’s $1.616 Billion Budget

The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee completed its review of Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget this week, unanimously adopting a revised spending plan of approximately $1.608 billion.

Maui Now.

Report: ​​MEO Aided Nearly 55,000 Maui County Residents in 2024-25

Maui Economic Opportunity assisted 54,780 Maui County residents from Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, according to the agency’s annual report.

Maui News.

Maui Kidney Donor Shares Story Hoping to Inspire Others

When Maui resident Rachel Bennett Steury gave away one of her kidneys to save the life of a person she had never met before, she felt like she was helping a larger movement.

Maui News.

Kaua‘i Headlines

‘Absolute Carnage’: Feral Cats Kill 168 Native Seabirds on Kaua‘i

The ʻuaʻu kani, or wedge-tailed shearwater, is steadily declining here in our islands. That population shrunk a little bit more this week after 168 birds were found dead and mutilated in the area of a popular Kauaʻi beach. They had just returned to land to start their annual breeding season.

Civil Beat. Kauaʻi Now. Hawaii News Now.

Public Invited to ‘Imi Loa Kapa

Free and open to everyone, “The Science of Kapa,” presented by Kaulele is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting May 18 and running through May 31 at the space located across from Ainofea in Kukui Grove Center.

Garden Island.