Effort to Get Cruise Ships on Board With Green Fee is Sputtering

Some legislators worry the state will lose its case to uphold cruise ship payments and with it millions in environmental funding. That leaves the state in an all-or-nothing court battle to secure the approximately $26 million in annual cruise ship payments included in the  original green fee law.

Civil Beat.

HTA’s Tourism Management Plan Targets Several Islands With Shuttle Proposal

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is rolling out a new statewide tourism management strategy aimed at addressing one of residents’ biggest complaints — traffic and overcrowding at tourism hot spots.

KHON2.

Tax Cuts Preserved, Immigration Enforcement Limited as Legislature Sends Final Bills to Green

Hawaiʻi taxpayers — except for the highest income earners — will continue to benefit from historic tax breaks after legislators wrapped up their 60-day session by increasing the state’s $1.6 billion “rainy day fund” by $50 million and adding new limits on county and state law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KITV4.

With Immigrant Protection Bills, Hawaiʻi Joins States Resisting ICE Crackdown

While fears of retaliation blocked similar bills last year, reaction to national events and realities of local enforcement eased passage of immigrant legislation in 2026.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Shelters Inadequate Against Hurricanes

With a potential El Nino cycle increasing hurricane threats to the Hawaiian Islands, state and county officials warn that most existing shelters are insufficient to protect residents beyond a Category 1 storm.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Council, Mayor Clash Over Proposed $41M Emergency Account

A dispute is emerging between the Honolulu City Council and Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration over a proposed provisional account intended to help fund future city emergencies following two Kona-low storms that caused more than $100 million in damage to city operations and properties.

Star-Advertiser.

Detained Immigrants Could Wait 19 Months for Their Day in Honolulu Court

Asylum hearings are being curtailed, and more removal orders issued as DHS looks to reduce backlog of cases.

Civil Beat.

‘Renovation Aloha’ Hosts Fined for Illegal Airbnbs in Latest Misstep

The home flippers behind the hit HGTV show “Renovation Aloha” now owe $40,000 to the city of Honolulu for operating two illegal short-term rentals through the rental site Airbnb.

Civil Beat. 

Kona-low Recovery: ‘People Are Still Struggling Out There’

For days after flood­waters tore through Otake Camp on O‘ahu’s North Shore, 77‑year‑old Grace Visaya slept in her car.

Star-Advertiser. 

Care Home Operator Pleads No Contest to Endangerment of Patient’s Welfare

Ederlina U. Manzano, 64, an O‘ahu care home operator has pleaded no contest to criminal endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, in this case an 87-year-old woman who was under her care.

Star-Advertiser. 

Crews Work to Repair 20-inch Water Main Break in Waimanalo

The Board of Water Supply reported a water main break on Hihimanu Street between Makulama Street and Ahiki Street. BWS officials are asking some Waimanalo residents to continue conserving water as crews work to repair a 20-inch main after discovering a second leak.

Hawaii News Now. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

‘It’s Gonna Be Very Devastating’: Five Hawaiʻi Island Early Childhood Education Sites to Close

The Mountain View Ka Pa‘alana Preschool — part of a network of early childhood education programs across the state run by the nonprofit Partners in Development Foundation — is slated to close at the end of this school year, along with 16 of its other Ka Pa‘alana, Tutu and Me and other early childhood education programs, due to lack of federal funding.

Tribune-Herald. 

County Approval Sought for Festival That Has Irritated Neighbors

The Hawaiʻi County Windward Planning Commission on Thursday will decide the fate of the “Falls on Fire” Festival — a controversial “Burning Man”-inspired gathering in Papaikou hosted by Pennsylvania video game executive Andrew Tepper.

Tribune-Herald. 

Hilo Tsunami Clock Memorial to Be Moved?

The Hilo Tsunami Clock — a Landmark Along Kamehameha Avenue at the Edge of the Grand Naniloa Golf Course — Might Find Itself With New Digs as Part of the Waiakea Peninsula Revitalization.

Tribune-Herald. 

Maui Headlines

Maui Council Shakeup: Chair Lee Won’t Seek Re-election to Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū Seat

Instead, the veteran council member will support the candidacy of Marvin Moniz, a longtime state Department of Transportation airports manager, to succeed her in the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency seat.

Maui Now.

Kula Resident Brad Sultzer and His Wife Donna Are Dealing With Close to $100,000 in Storm Damage

The Kona Low storm turned a stream into a raging river that ripped through their Polipoli Road property, along with neighboring homes and the road itself.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Mental Health Needs Remain Key to Wildfire Recovery

Survivors of the Maui wildfires still face profound emotional and psychological challenges nearly three years after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century killed more than 100 people, destroyed more than 2,200 structures and displaced an estimated 10,000 residents.

Star-Advertiser. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kaua‘i County’s DMV and Real Property Offices to Close for Training

The Division of Motor Vehicles and the Real Property Assessment and Collections Section will be closed on Wednesday, May 13, to accommodate staff training.

Kaua‘i Now.