New Law to Expand Affordable Homeownership Opportunities in Hawaiʻi

Gov. Josh Green has signed a new housing measure aimed at creating more affordable homeownership opportunities for local residents. Senate Bill 2061, now known as Act 121, expands and clarifies Hawaiʻi’s Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program, which is designed to provide affordable condominium homes on state and county-owned land.

Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs 2026 Election: Here’s What to Know

Five of the seats on the nine-member Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees are up for grabs, with 19 people vying to represent O‘ahu, Maui and statewide. The election comes as OHA considers its options in several areas, including a potential bid to buy the television news station KITV, how best to develop Kakaʻako Makai, and ways to gain a larger role in military lease negotiations.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Commission Considering Liability Cap and Recovery Fund for Future Hawaiʻi Wildfires

The state Public Utilities Commission wants stakeholders, including rate­payers, to help shape administrative rules governing a wildfire liability cap framework called for under a 2025 Hawaiʻi law.

Star-Advertiser.

Initial Results From State-Mandated Pre-eviction Mediation Program Show 85% Success

A statewide pre-eviction mediation program for landlords and tenants has shown success so far. Launched in February, the two-year pilot program requires participation in a mediation process before eviction for non-payment of rent.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi Unemployment Rises, Some Industries Remain Flat

The Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reported that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.5% in May. That was slightly higher than April’s revised rate of 2.4%.

KHON2.

O‘ahu Headlines

Ex-city Worker Charged With Food Funding Fraud

Former Food Security and Sustainability Program manager Dexter Kishida was arrested Monday after allegedly causing the Hawai‘i Foodbank to buy and distribute $800,000 worth of food that he claimed would be reimbursed by federal pandemic relief funds.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2. KITV4.

Distrust, Uncertainty as Navy Moves to Reopen Red Hill Well

As the Navy continues to move forward with plans to reopen its Red Hill well and reconnect it to its Oʻahu water system five years after it was contaminated with jet fuel, the service faces ongoing skepticism over its insistence the water will be safe to drink.

Star-Advertiser.

Poverty, Schools, Extreme Weather: State House District 26 Candidate Q&As

In the Legislature, the House of Representatives seat Della Au Belatti is leaving has attracted six candidates. Get to know the candidates for State House District 26 who will represent nearly 30,000 residents of the inner Honolulu area.

Civil Beat.

Ozawa Asks Judge to Fast-Track Lawsuit Challenging Waters’ Candidacy

Trevor Ozawa, a former Honolulu City Council member and District 4 candidate in 2026, has asked a state judge to accelerate proceedings in his lawsuit challenging Council Chair Tommy Waters’ eligibility to seek a third consecutive term in office.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Seek to Rename Post Office After Hanabusa

Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation is introducing a bill to rename the Waiʻanae Post Office in honor of late U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Puna Lawmaker Targeted in Threatening Social Media Post

State Sen. Joy San Buenaventura said she beefed up security for a campaign event last Saturday after a Facebook post called her a “child abusing domestic terrorist” and advocated she be convicted of treason and “hung by the neck until she is dead then sent to hell where she spawned from.”

Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County in Lease Negotiations With Owner of Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park

Since at least the mid-1950s, the county has leased the 6.8-acre park site comprising parking lots, pavilions, bathrooms and campgrounds from private owners in order to provide the public with recreational space and shoreline access.

Tribune-Herald.

This Rural Hawaiʻi Pharmacy Was a Lifeline for Seniors. Now It’s Gone

The Kamehameha Pharmacy in Kohala closed its doors last week after 50 years. It was one of the last independent pharmacies on the Big Island and, for the rural community of roughly 7,000, it was the only pharmacy for miles. The drug store’s closure is symbolic of the kind of long-term healthcare access issues already affecting rural parts of Hawaiʻi.

Civil Beat.

Fear and Uncertainty in Hawaiʻi’s Solar Industry Amid Changes to Tax Credits

The back and forth, combined with the rollback of federal renewable energy incentives, has resulted in uncertainty and concern for solar energy providers across the state and local companies on Hawaiʻi island, including Honoka‘a-based Renewable Energy Services.

Tribune-Herald.

Hilo Chef and Restaurauteur Miyo Harumi Dies at 82

Miyo Harumi, a retired chef and restaurateur whose first name is synonymous with Japanese food in Hilo, died June 3 at Pohai Malama Care Home in Hilo. She was 82.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

New Hotel Zoning for Vacation Rentals Passes Maui Council on Final Vote, 7-2

Maui County Council members voted 7-2 Friday to give final approval to Bill 88, a measure creating two new hotel zoning districts intended to provide a path forward for thousands of vacation rentals being phased out of apartment-zoned districts.

Maui Now.

Mayor Bissen Signs $1.61B Maui County Budget Into Law for FY2027

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has signed a $1.61 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget into law, outlining major investments in housing, recovery efforts, community well-being and economic development.

KITV4.

Maui’s Hale Kau Kau Reports Record Meal Numbers in May; Volunteers Needed

Hale Kau Kau, the 35-year-old daily meals program at St. Theresa Church in South Maui, delivered 3,475 meals to kūpuna and people with disabilities and 2,625 meals were provided onsite to anyone experiencing food insecurity.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Political Newcomers Are Trying to Unseat West Kauaʻi House Rep

The race to represent West and South Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau is drawing new challengers and fresh debate. Rep. Dee Morikawa, who has held the District 17 seat since 2010, is facing a rare challenge after all her years in office now that Chad Schimmelfennig is running against her in the Democratic primary.

Civil Beat.