State Sen. Michelle Kidani to Retire From Hawaiʻi Legislature

State Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, 77, whose health was the subject of speculation during the last legislative session, announced Saturday that she will retire, effective Tuesday, while acknowledging concerns over her health.

Star-Advertiser. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Key Lawmaker’s Exit Creates Power Void in Hawaiʻi Legislature

Sen. Karl Rhoads, 63, will end his 20-year career. Colleagues say Rhoads doesn’t play power games or politics with bills like other Hawaiʻi lawmakers despite his position chairing a powerful committee where he oversaw the confirmation of 70 state court judges and justices.

Star-Advertiser.

Bill Requiring AI Platforms to Protect Minors Awaits Governor’s Signature

Senate Bill 3001 requires AI companion platforms operating in Hawaiʻi to provide disclosures to users, establish protocols for responding to prompts involving suicidal ideation or self-harm, and implement safeguards.

Hawaii News Now.

Proposed Protest Limits at UH Trigger Concerns

In the fall, University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel plans to release proposed changes that would impose new limits on speech and protests across all 10 UH campuses.

Star-Advertiser.

Draft Bill in Congress Calls for Negotiation on Army Land Leases in Hawaiʻi

A draft of Congress’s annual military spending bill approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee contains language that would limit the Army’s ability to seize land in Hawaiʻi through eminent domain.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

O‘ahu Headlines

The Future of Honolulu Rail: Report Details Pricey Possibilities

The new report envisions innovative rail extensions to reach much more of Oʻahu’s population but the HART board is asking for more study in anticipation of seeking more public funding.

Civil Beat.

Honolulu Rail Board Still Must Finalize Next Year’s $1.07B Budget

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s $1.07 billion operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2027, which begins July 1, have been approved, but with a catch.

Star-Advertiser.

Turtle Bay’s Tiniest Residents Could Thwart Luxury Resort Plans

A luxury resort’s development at Turtle Bay may hit a snag in the face of native bees and other local creatures. Opponents say the most recent environmental impact study is too old and should be thrown out, which would impact construction plans. The project developers want to move forward. Both sides are headed to court.

Civil Beat.

Deadline Extended for Relocation of Waiʻanae Homeless Encampment

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has extended to October the deadline for Puʻuhonua O Waiʻanae (POW), one of Hawaiʻi’s largest long‑standing homeless encampments, to vacate its makai shoreline site and relocate to a new kauhale community.

Star-Advertiser.

New UH AI Data Center Aims to Improve Healthcare Throughout Pacific Region

More than $12 million in federal funding has spurred researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Cancer Center and John A. Burns School of Medicine to focus on converting a garage-­sized, air-conditioned, ground-floor room at the Cancer Center into Hawaiʻi’s first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence data center.

Star-Advertiser.

$1M Investment Aims to Speed Up Honolulu’s Bikeshare Program

The city is prepared to invest $1 million from the Climate Resiliency Fund into bringing 600 bikes back into circulation and to put additional funds into fixing the stations.

Star-Advertiser.

Master Developer Expands Into Rental Housing Ownership

James Campbell Co. announced Wednesday that it bought The Element, a 318-unit rental apartment complex developed in 2020 at Ho‘opili on the ʻEwa plain near Kapolei.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Toll Booth, Cultural Center Proposed for Maunakea Access Road

Two years after the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled that the access road to the Maunakea summit had been illegally seized and designated as state property in 2018 by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, plans to manage it going forward are under discussion.

Tribune-Herald.

Rural Hawaiʻi Island Candidates Want More Say — And Resources

Candidates from South Kona, Kaʻū and Puna shared their responses to questions about water, local and sustainable agriculture, geothermal energy, and other environmental concerns. Read more about the issues that are important to each candidate and how, if elected, they hope to tackle the challenges.

Civil Beat.

Geothermal, Housing, Vacation Rentals: Hawaiʻi Council District 6 Candidate Q&As

Five candidates are in the running for the district made up of Big Island’s south-west corner.

Civil Beat.

Puna Alternate Route Study Underway but Delayed

Publication of a state and Hawaiʻi County-funded traffic study exploring alternate routes into Puna District has been delayed by at least half a year, according to the county Department of Public Works.

Tribune-Herald.

Waikoloa Green Project Stirs Wildfire Evacuation Route Concerns

The need for another road in Waikoloa, especially for use during emergencies, was a part of Thursday’s Leeward Planning Commission discussion.

Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

‘A Lot at Stake for West Maui’: Three Longtime Residents Face Off in Democratic Primary

A chef, a high school teacher and a business advocate are competing for the chance to represent West Maui in a state Democratic primary race left wide open by incumbent Ellie Conchran’s unexpected switch to the Republican Party in March. This year’s primary falls on Aug. 8, which is also the three-year anniversary of the Lahaina wildfire.

Maui Now.

West Maui Condo Agrees to Finally Put In Public Beach Access That Was Required 50 Years Ago

The owners and association of a West Maui condominium complex that has not provided required public beach access for nearly five decades have agreed to finally install a pathway and stairs to the shoreline to avoid nearly $2 million in fines from Maui County.

Maui Now.

Lānaʻi School Relies on Temporary Power Lines for Years

An electrical failure took out the power at Lānaʻi High and Elementary in 2021. Five years later, the school’s still waiting for a permanent fix. In the meantime, the campus is relying on a temporary electrical line that runs through a building to bring power to parts of campus.

Civil Beat.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Police Department Warns Public About Increase in Vehicle Fuel Thefts

The Kauaʻi Police Department (KPD) is advising residents and visitors to remain vigilant following an increase in fuel thefts from vehicles reported across the island. Recent incidents involve suspects cutting gas tank lines from parked vehicles, and drilling holes in gas tanks.

Garden Island.

Kauaʻi County Hosts Blessing for New Piʻikoi Youth Center Dedicated to Keiki, ʻOhana

“Every child who walks through these doors will have a safe, welcoming place to learn, play and grow, and every family will have a place to turn for the programs and support they need,” said Kauaʻi County Mayor Derek Kawakami.

Kauaʻi Now.

Kaua‘i Police Ignored Warnings Ahead of Murder, Residents Say

Ten months before Kīlauea resident William “Billy” Sinclair was arrested for fatally shooting his former tenant, Kaua‘i judges — acting in response to scared neighbors — forbade him from possessing firearms or ammunition. Turns out at the time of his arrest, Sinclair had no less than 20 firearms. Now, neighbors and a County Council member who lives nearby want to know why police didn’t do more after getting repeated warnings that Sinclair was armed and dangerous.

Civil Beat.