Green Signs 4 Bills Into Law, First Batch From 2026 Legislative Session

The bills include measures on corporate spending in elections, license plate covers, Hawaiʻi leadership awards and Love My Library Day.

KITV4.

State Opens $20 Million Loan Program for Hawaiʻi Condominium Repairs

Hawaiʻi officials have launched a new state-backed loan program to help condominium associations pay for critical building repairs as rising insurance costs and aging infrastructure continue to strain the state’s condo market.

Big Island Now.

Higher Oil Prices Hurting Hawaiʻi’s Economy, UHERO Report Says

Hawaiʻi’s near-term economic outlook “has worsened noticeably” as the war with Iran continues to push oil and consumer prices higher, according to the latest economic forecast by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, released Thursday.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Defends Medicaid Fraud Enforcement

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez pushed back Thursday against claims leveled a day earlier by Vice President JD Vance that the state isn’t serious about combating Medicaid fraud.

Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Military Leaders Meet in Waikīkī as Land Leases Remain in Limbo

At this week’s Association of the U.S. Army’s annual Land Forces Pacific Symposium, or LANPAC, in Waikīkī, military leaders continued to make the case for continuing to use state land as a training and weapons-testing ground for their troops and those of their allies as they prepare forces for a potential showdown with China in Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Emails Show FBI Director Kash Patel’s Hawaiʻi Trip Included ‘VIP Snorkel’ at a Pearl Harbor Memorial

When Kash Patel visited Hawaiʻi last summer, the FBI took pains to note the director was not on vacation. Left out of the FBI’s news releases was an exclusive excursion that Patel took days later when he participated in what government officials described as a “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona in an outing coordinated by the military.

Associated Press.

Honolulu City Council Proposes Building Rules in Flood Areas

Honolulu lawmakers are working on changes to city construction laws in anticipation of new federal flood maps. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will update its flood areas on Oʻahu on June 10.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Honolulu BWS Chief Urges Residents to Store Water Ahead of Hurricane Season

Hurricane season in Hawaiʻi traditionally falls between June to November. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply wants the public to consider what Hawaiʻi just experienced with the recent back-to-back Kona low storms.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Chief Finalists Answer Questions in Live PBS Forum

The three finalists to be Honolulu’s next police chief made their only joint public appearance Thursday night on the PBS Hawaiʻi “Insights” program.

Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Permit Granted for Falls on Fire Festival in Pāpaʻikou

The controversial Burning Man-inspired festival known as “Falls on Fire” can continue to be held in Pāpaʻikou after the Hawaiʻi County Windward Planning Commission voted 4-1 on Thursday in favor of issuing a special use permit clearing the way for the event to proceed.

Tribune-Herald.

County Purchases Honolulu Landing Property

Hawaiʻi County has completed the purchase of Honolulu Landing, a 364-acre parcel on the Puna coast first identified for preservation 20 years ago. The $3.7 million acquisition occurred through the County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) program.

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

Maui Headlines

Maui Council Races Could Reshape Power Balance

Two members of Maui County Council’s moderate-conservative majority have chosen to not seek another term this fall, opening the door for a more progressive faction to take over. Maui voters have an opportunity to decide who they want to steer the county as it continues to navigate long-term disaster recovery, a longstanding housing crisis, challenges posed by climate change and other significant issues.

Civil Beat.

Lahaina School Rebuild Gets Nearly $200M, Wildfire Study Misses Out on Funding

Maui came away with the promise of nearly $200 million to rebuild a burned-down Lahaina elementary school but lost out on funds to expand a study on the health of wildfire survivors as the legislative session closed last week.

Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric Seeks Renewable Energy Proposals for Lānaʻi

Hawaiian Electric is beginning the process to seek proposals of a large-scale renewable energy project on Lānaʻi to reduce the use of imported fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions and stabilize rates.

Maui News.

Kaua‘i Headlines

New Kauaʻi Renewable Energy Project Approved by Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission

If successfully developed, AES’ Mānā Solar + Storage project, coupled with AES’ previously approved Kaawanui Solar project, would bring Kaua‘i to nearly 90% renewable generation by 2030, according to a news release from Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative.

Kauaʻi Now. Garden Island.

Landfill Project Open House Scheduled

The County of Kauaʻi Department of Public Works Solid Waste Division, along with project consultant Tetra Tech, invites the community and Westside residents to attend an informational open house on the proposed Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion project on May 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Garden Island.