Hawaiʻi Republicans: We Need the ‘Trump People’ to Turn Out the Vote

The minority party hopes to capitalize on recent gains in the Hawaiʻi Legislature, but the biggest elephant in the room is Trump. To build on gains in the Legislature, Hawaiʻi Republicans were told Saturday at their state convention at the Kroc Center in ʻEwa Beach, is to inspire hardcore Donald Trump supporters in a year when he is not on the ballot.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi’s Fight Against Medicaid Fraud Plagued for Over a Decade

Behind the verbal sparring last week between federal and state officials over policing Medicaid fraud, data shows Hawaiʻi’s recent record on the subject is in some respects worst in the nation. In each of the last four years, Hawaiʻi’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has produced no indictments and no convictions for fraud — something no other state has done.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Residents With Unpaid Medical Bills Could Soon Get Help

The Legislature this year passed a bill to cancel unpaid medical debt for lower-income Hawaiʻi residents.

Civil Beat.

Patient Access Bill Raises Free Speech Debate

House Bill 1961 makes it unlawful for someone to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly interfere with access to a healthcare facility or disrupt its operations through physical obstruction, repeated disruptive phone calls or threats against patients, workers, owners or property.

Star-Advertiser.

Requiring Judges to Consider Past Trauma of Youth Offenders Aim of New Law

The proposed law, which awaits the governor’s signature, would also bar youth who have been trafficked or sexually abused from being charged as adults for crimes in which their abuser is the victim.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Homelessness Drops 91% in Waikīkī Core

A point-in-time count on April 16 found 201 people experiencing homelessness across Waikīkī and nearby areas, down from 251 in September 2022, according to WBID and the University of Hawaiʻi. The steepest decline came along Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues and Kuhio Beach, where unsheltered homelessness fell about 91%.

Star-Advertiser.

Nonprofit Acquires Building in Chinatown for Homeless Youth

Residential Youth Services and Empowerment will develop the new four-story property into affordable housing and provide workforce development support for young adults from 18 to 24 years old.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Chief Candidate Investigated in Georgia Over Conduct

Former Glynn County, Georgia Police Chief Scott Ebner, now a finalist for the Honolulu chief job, has been under investigation for months over allegations of inappropriate behavior with a subordinate but apparently failed to mention that to a hiring consultant who recommended him as a top candidate for the Honolulu job.

Civil Beat. 

Largest Affordable Housing Project Celebrates Grand Opening

Construction of the 90-unit Makiki Banyan began in late March of 2025. There are 80 one-bedroom units and 10 two-bedroom units. The community also includes 33 parking stalls.

KHON2. 

As Oʻahu Landfills Approach Capacity, Deconstruction Beats Demolition

Oʻahu’s two landfills are both approaching capacity. But for certain kinds of waste, recycling is making some progress.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Hawaiʻi’s Worst Flooding in 20 Years Leaves Farmers Struggling and Fewer Veggies at the Market

Across Oahu’s North Shore, an area famed for its big-wave surfing, the small farms that help supply the island’s food are struggling after back-to-back storms in March brought the state’s worst flooding in two decades.

Associated Press. 

‘Distasteful’: Flood Victims Say Landlord is Raising Rent as They Recover From Kona Low

A water main break flooded 14 units on Koali Road in Manoa back in October. Months later, residents said the apartments were swamped again during the second Kona Low storm.

Hawaii News Now. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Property Tax Hikes Eyed: County Faces $15 Million Budget Deficit

The Hawaiʻi County Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider raising property tax rates for nonresidents and those with second homes in an effort to close the gap on an estimated $15 million budget shortfall.

Tribune-Herald. 

Public Meeting on Hilo Bay Set for Saturday, May 23

A Community Listening Fair for the Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan will be held on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Aupuni Center Conference Room (101 Pauahi Street in Hilo).

Big Island Video News. 

Partial Funding Allocated for Outpatient Care Center in Kona

Plans for an Outpatient Care Center in Kailua-Kona are moving forward after $50 million was allocated for the project in the recent state budget, an investment in health care infrastructure that West Hawaiʻi Region of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation CEO Clayton McGhan said is “much-needed” in the area.

Tribune-Herald. 

Maui Headlines

Maui Council Advances $1.6 Billion Budget, Splits 5-4 on Mayoral Spending Limits

The Maui County Council unanimously passed a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget on first reading Friday, approving a contested shoreline stabilization grant after a lengthy discussion and splitting 5-4 on election-year spending limits on the mayor’s office.

Maui Now. 

Expansion Plans of Lāna‘i Luxury Resort Are Economic Win to Some Residents, Cultural Loss to Others

Last month, Pūlama Lāna‘i asked the Hawai‘i Land Use Commission to rezone about 170 acres from agricultural and rural to urban land so it can build nine villas and five more spa units for Sensei Lāna‘i, a Four Seasons Resort perched on the windswept slopes of Kō‘ele.

Maui Now. 

Sne Patel to Run West Maui Seat in State House

Lahaina Town Action Committee President Sne Patel has announced his candidacy for the state House District 14 seat representing West Maui.

Maui News. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

AT&T Withdraws Controversial Kaua‘i Cell Tower Plan

A telecommunications company has called off a contentious plan to build a 125-foot cellphone tower in a rural Kaua‘i neighborhood where cell service is weak but locals’ distaste to fix the problem with a large installation — even one disguised as a pine tree — is strong.

Civil Beat. 

Arryl Kaneshiro Files for Re-election

The Elections Office accepted the nomination documents on Friday from Kauaʻi County Council member Arryl Kaneshiro.

Garden Island.