DLNR Invites Public to Weigh In on ‘Na Ala Hele’ Hiking Trails

The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources is updating its “Na Ala Hele Program Plan” on hiking trails and access for the first time since 1991. DLNR manages a statewide inventory of more than 120 publicly accessible trails in Hawaiʻi. The 855 miles of trails are used for hiking, mountain biking and hunting.

Star-Advertiser.

New Cellphone Limits Coming for Hawaiʻi Students

Hawaiʻi parents will begin receiving notices from their children’s schools about a new statewide cellphone policy that will restrict when students can use their phones on campus beginning this fall.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Offers ‘Just in Case’ Abortion Pills

Hawaiʻi is one of two states to adopt “Just in Case Abortion Pills” through a Planned Parenthood affiliate. This is the first time a Planned Parenthood organization is offering abortion medication ahead of pregnancy.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi AG Joins Others Pushing Back Against Vance’s Medicaid Allegations

Five attorneys general from New York to Hawaiʻi on Tuesday pushed back against Vice President JD Vance’s insistence that blue states overlook Medicaid fraud and abuse, saying all 50 states experience abuses.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Fund to Help Hungry Appears on Its Way to Honolulu’s November Ballot

One in four folks on Oʻahu don’t have enough food to live a healthy life, according to Hawaiʻi Foodbank’s latest analysis. It looks like voters on island will get the chance this November to decide whether a sliver of their property taxes should go toward feeding hungry neighbors with local food.

Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s Affordable Housing Project Hasn’t Delivered So Far, UHERO Report Says

The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization reviewed the city’s Bill 7 program and sent its report to the Honolulu City Council on March 27.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Amazon Pursuing Expansion in Kapolei

Amazon is seeking to develop a five-floor warehouse and order fulfillment center containing 2.8 million square feet of space at a Kapolei business and industrial park where 1,562 employees split in two daily shifts and assisted by robots would process packages for local delivery.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

2 Charged in Alleged Bribe of Army Official

Two Florida men are facing federal criminal charges after they allegedly bribed a U.S. Army official with $1.25 million over five years to steer contracts to them from the military’s Hawaiʻi-­Pacific Innovation Campus.

Star-Advertiser.

Red Hill Registry Seeks More Participants, Feedback

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has launched Red Hill Registry, which aims to track health outcomes of the 2021 Red Hill water crisis to inform research and clinical guidance on fuel exposure.

Star-Advertiser.

City-Owned Plantation Homes Crumbling in ʻEwa Villages

Seven city-owned plantation homes are deteriorating in ʻEwa Villages while the city and state struggle to provide affordable housing. The houses were part of the ʻEwa plantation renovation project that promised affordable housing in renovated plantation homes.

Hawaii News Now.

Fine Print Reveals Who’s to Blame for North Shore Flooding — To an Extent

It’s not as simple as pointing the blame at the county or Dole Food Co., which acquired much of the land to grow pineapple after the demise of Waialua Sugar. Civil Beat reviewed hundreds of property transactions between Dole, Waialua Sugar and other companies, landowners and farms on the North Shore to better understand exactly who’s responsible. Here’s what we learned.

Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

$4 Million Released for Hilo Airport Improvements

State Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye (D, District 1) announced on Tuesday that Governor Josh Green released the CIP funding for the design of T-Hangar and West Ramp improvements at the Hilo airport.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Kona Earthquake Left Catastrophic Water Supply Damage for Hundreds

The jolt that shoved homes off their foundations also crushed water tanks in Kona, leaving as many as 500 farmers and others without water. Farmers have been hauling jugs back and forth from a public spigot. Officials are still taking stock of the full extent of the damage, but it could be months before folks see financial relief.

Civil Beat.

Quake Damaged Nearly 150 Properties

At least five homes in South Kona sustained such substantial damage during last week’s 6.0-magnitude earthquake that they’ve been deemed “destroyed,” the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency said Tuesday.

Tribune-Herald.

Progress Made on Volcano School of Arts and Sciences’ Expansion

A new site covers 14.9 acres and, upon its anticipated completion in 2032, will allow VSAS to serve an additional 287 students, according to Principal Kalima Kinney.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Lawyer Says Tourist Accused of Hurling Rock at Hawaiian Monk Seal Has Been Doxed and Threatened

The defense attorney for Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, from Washington state accused of hurling a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal says his client was trying to protect sea turtles and has since been physically assaulted, threatened and doxed.

Associated Press. Maui Now. Maui News.

Timeline for Repairs to Sinkhole on South Kīhei Road Rests on Federal Funding for Kona Low Storm Recovery

The County Department of Public Works’ pursuit of emergency federal funding and the complexity of repairs are shaping the timeline for permanent restoration of South Kīhei Road near Kamaʻole Beach Park II, where a sinkhole forced the closure of both lanes during severe weather in March.

Maui Now. Maui News.

Maui School Successfully Launches Garden to Cafeteria Lunches

The māla (garden) at Hāna High and Elementary School has everything from ʻuala (sweet potato) to corn and many other crops, providing a hands-on learning opportunity for students.

Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Unemployment Rates for April Slightly Below State Average

Kaua‘i County’s unemployment rate sits slightly below the state average at 2.3%, according to a news release from the Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Kauaʻi Now.

Taylor Shigemoto Enters Kauaʻi County Council Race

Taylor H. Shigemoto formally filed his nomination papers with the Elections Division office on Friday.

Garden Island.