Report: Teen Pregnancy is Down but So Are Test Scores

Hawaiʻi ranks in the bottom third of states for academic and economic outcomes for kids, even as it posted improvements in other areas. Hawaiʻi is seeing fewer teen pregnancies and improvements in child mortality rates, but student achievement has yet to fully recover after dipping during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a recent report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Civil Beat.

State to Restrict Sugary Drinks for SNAP Recipients

Along with alcohol and tobacco, those using their EBT cards will not be able to buy sugary beverages.

KITV4.

Ed Case Says No to Debating Jarrett Keohokalole in Congressional Race

Experts say there’s little advantage for incumbents to debate their opponents even though the event benefits voters. U.S. Rep. Ed Case said he will not debate state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole in advance of the Aug. 8 Democratic primary, arguing that his opponent has had nothing substantive to offer in terms of policy or explaining how he would better represent Hawaiʻi in Washington.

Civil Beat.

Military Leaders From 25 Countries Gather in Waikīkī to Talk Coastal Warfare

About 300 service members from 25 countries are meeting at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies for the 12th Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, a gathering organized by U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific that each year takes place in different locations around the region.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Should Animals Have Human Rights? Hawai‘i Court to Decide

The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court is being asked to free two elephants at the Honolulu Zoo based on the idea that the animals are entitled to legal personhood.

Civil Beat.

New HPD Chief Lazar Meets With Police Commission Ahead of Swearing in

Honolulu’s next police chief met with the Police Commission as he prepares to take office. David Lazar emphasized recruitment, retention, and modernization efforts. He will be officially sworn in on July 2nd.

KITV4.

Honolulu Ocean Safety Department Goes Digital

The City and County of Honolulu’s Ocean Safety Department is moving to a fully digital reporting system, which will replace the previous manual system that required lifeguards to handwrite incidents on paper logs.

Hawai‘i Public Radio. 

Makiki Community Garden Members Happy That City Finds Funding

After false starts and a funding mistake, Honolulu officials announced it is finally installing fencing around the Makiki Community Garden.

KHON2. 

Police Presence to Rise Amid Oʻahu Accidents

Oʻahu has recorded 19 traffic fatalities in 2026, and multiple crashes causing serious injuries. This includes Saturday’s, June 13, multi-vehicle crash, which involved six vehicles, one with multiple children in it, including a 5-day-old infant.

KHON2. 

Lawmakers Host Manoa Emergency Prep Forum After Kona Low Flooding

On Wednesday, a forum was held at Noelani Elementary School. Organizers said the meeting aimed to provide information to prepare for weather emergencies or other public safety threats, as well as to highlight “lessons learned” from the recent flooding.

Hawaii News Now. 

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Council Postpones Eminent Domain Resolution Targeting Puna Land

The Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday agreed to postpone a resolution calling for the acquisition of 3.74 acres of coastal Puna land using eminent domain to widen Government Beach Road — a measure described by opposition testifiers as “criminal” and an attempt to “trample” on the landowner’s rights.

Tribune-Herald. 

FEMA Joins County, State Emergency Management Teams to Assess South Kona Earthquake Damages

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in South Kona this week to assess properties damaged by the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck on May 22, rocking homes off their foundations and destroying dozens of catchment systems that left residents without potable water.

Big Island Now. Big Island Video News. 

Meeting Set to Discuss Kona Airport Master Plan

The state Department of Transportation is holding its third community information meeting for the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole master plan update.

Tribune-Herald. 

Maui Headlines

Maui Council Panel Rejects Charter Amendment to Set Aside Transient Accommodations Tax for Climate Fund

A Maui County Council committee decided against a proposed Maui County Charter amendment to dedicate a fifth of the County’s transient accommodations tax revenue to climate change and impacts.

Maui Now. 

Affordable-housing Project Awaits County Council Action Friday

The project is on more than 160 acres of vacant land connected to Hansen and Pūlehu roads, with a variety of commercial, recreational and light-industrial uses and 1,608 multifamily housing units, including about 800 affordable units.

Maui News. 

Maui Police Chief: Recent Scare Underscores Lax Security at County Offices

After a suspect flashed what he implied was a gun at a planning office, Police Chief John Pelletier and others are calling for urgent action.

Civil Beat. 

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Grand Jury Indicts Billy Sinclair on All 28 Counts Following Homicide in Hanalei

Fifth Circuit Court Chief Judge Michael Soong issued a no bail warrant for the 51-year-old murder suspect who has been in custody since he was captured by law enforcement on June 8 after a two-day manhunt.

Kaua‘i Now.  Garden Island.