Young Brothers Held on to $26M in State Money to Cover Its Costs

The company that has a near-monopoly on interisland shipping essentially helped itself to a $26 million loan from the state. For the past two years, Young Brothers LLC has pocketed wharfage fees it was supposed to give to the state and spent them on operating expenses. In all, the company owes the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation about $30 million including penalties and interest.

Civil Beat.

$50M Deposit Proposed for Hawaiʻi’s State ‘Rainy Day’ Fund

Representatives of House and Senate committees overseeing state finances recently agreed to deposit $50 million into the state’s Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, also known as the “rainy day” fund.

Star-Advertiser.

Bill Goes to Vote to Release $55M in Overdue Public Land Trust Funds for Native Hawaiians

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is supporting a measure approved by a state legislative conference committee that would release $55 million in Public Land Trust funds currently withheld under an annual payment cap.

Kauaʻi Now. KHON2.

DHHL to Hold Public Meetings on Statewide Geothermal Energy Exploration

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will hold a series of public meetings this summer on plans to explore geothermal energy statewide. The agency wants to examine 12 potential sites for geothermal energy on its land from Hawaiʻi island to Maui County, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi.

Hawaii News Now.

Here’s the Few Culture and Arts Measures That Made It Through the Legislature

As Hawaiʻi lawmakers wrap up the legislative session, few measures related to culture and arts have made it through.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Proposal to Allow Mayor to Choose Police Chief Tabled Temporarily

The Honolulu Charter Commission wants to work out the kinks in a proposal to give the mayor more ability to hire and fire the City and County of Honolulu’s chief of police.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

City’s Economic Revitalization Office Faces Defunding

A city agency tasked with leading Oʻahu’s economic development appears to be closer to having its funding cut and a majority of its positions slashed by the Honolulu City Council.

Star-Advertiser.

Children Play At Their Own Risk in This Mililani Park

Corroded metal and missing railings don’t exactly make for a dream playground. The city moved quickly to block off the equipment with playground tape after a viral Instagram video exposing the shortcomings at Mililani’s Makaʻunulau Community Park.

Civil Beat.

Former Hawaiian Properties Manager Indicted for Allegedly Embezzling Nearly $650K

On March 27, an Oʻahu Grand Jury indicted Russell Doane, 66, for allegedly using his position as a property manager at Hawaiian Properties to embezzle $647,061.09 from several homeowner associations.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

‘Peter Boy’ Lawsuit Drags On: ‘What the State Did Was Terrible. The Liability Is Obvious’

Eight years after filing a wrongful-death lawsuit, the siblings of Peter Kema Jr., also known as “Peter Boy,” are still trying to hold the state accountable for its role in the death of their brother, who was tortured and killed by their father in 1997.

Tribune-Herald.

Agitated Testifier Disrupts County Council Vote on Kapoho Land

An irate testifier interrupted a Hawaiʻi County Council meeting Tuesday while its members were preparing to vote on a resolution calling for the acquisition of nearly 2,000 acres of coastal land in Kapoho.

Tribune-Herald.

Episode 46 Lava Fountains End After 9 Hours in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater

Lava fountains in Halemaʻumaʻu crater ended at 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, bringing Episode 46 of the on-again, off-again Kīlauea volcano eruption to a close.

Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Richard Henderson, Businessman, GOP Senator, Dies

Richard “Scotchy” Henderson, a longtime business leader and former Republican state senator from Hilo, died April 25. He was 97.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Hawaiʻi Balks at Funding Maui Fire Victim Health Study

The University of Hawaiʻi is scrambling to figure out how to continue a study of the long-term health impacts of the Maui fires on victims. Last week, legislators quietly killed a bill to put $1.5 million toward funding the effort. Up until that point, researchers believed their work had overwhelming support. This work could come to a screeching halt if researchers can’t figure it out.

Civil Beat.

Workshop Set for May 7 on Historic District Hurdles for Lahaina Commercial Properties

A free workshop focused on the unique challenges of rebuilding within Lahaina’s historic districts is set for 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Morgado Hall.

Maui Now.

DPW Revises Hours for Nighttime Closure on Section of County Roadway in Kaupō

To accommodate area motorists, County of Maui Department of Public Works is revising the closure on a section of Piʻilani Highway in Kaupō to instead be from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. May 5 through May 8, 2026, for repairs project roadwork.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s New Mobile Truck Offers Lifeline on Kauaʻi’s Remote North Shore

On the far North Shore of Kauaʻi — where winding roads, distance and even a passing storm can cut off access to basic necessities — a refrigerated box truck filled with fresh food is quietly becoming a lifeline.

Kauaʻi Now.

Todd Ozaki Files Papers for County Council

Todd R. Ozaki filed his nomination papers for the Kauaʻi County Council on May 1. Working in the Mayor’s Office, Ozaki serves on the Finance and Budget team and oversees the county’s Capital Improvements Program, assisting in moving projects from planning through completion.

Garden Island.