New Law Cuts Voters Out of Picking State Senate Candidates

After 18 years in office, State Sen. Kidani has decided to retire following consultations with her physician. Because the primary registration deadline has already passed, District 18 constituents will not vote for her immediate replacement. Instead, the Democratic Party will submit three nominees to Gov. Josh Green, who will appoint an interim senator until a Nov. 3 special election.

Civil Beat.

Statewide Workshop Series to Help Community Organizations Better Access ‘Green Fee’ Funding Opportunities

Act 96 established a dedicated funding source to support Hawaiʻi’s environmental priorities. With approximately $129 million allocated through the state budget, many community organizations will have an unprecedented opportunity to secure resources for projects that protect Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources.

Big Island Now.

Philippines Ships Arrive for RIMPAC Amid Tensions With China

As the U.S. Pacific Fleet gears up to kick off the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise this week, ships from around the world are arriving in Pearl Harbor.

Star-Advertiser.

Pent‑Up Demand Lifts Hawaiʻi Travel Ahead of Fourth of July; Outlook Still Mixed

Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry is seeing a modest pick-up heading into the Fourth of July holiday driven by pent-up demand after spring’s Kona-low disruptions and spillover from FIFA World Cup travelers.

Star-Advertiser.

‘Making Sanitation Sexy’: Hawai‘i Colleges Are Growing Wastewater Workforce

Hawaiʻi is facing a shortage of wastewater workers to meet the 2050 deadline and phase out more than 83,000 cesspools. Two neighbor island community colleges are now training students to help fill the gap. Progress has been slow since the mandate was set in 2018, and advocates say more workers could also help lower the high cost of conversions.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Mayor Vetoes Budget Cuts to Office of Economic Revitalization

The City Council stripped the office of $1.5 million, or 15 positions, after an audit found it was not meeting all of its goals.

Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Transit Fare Increase Takes Effect July 1

The fare changes average roughly 14%, with most fare categories increasing between 11% and 13%, city data indicates.

Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Spent $450K on Plans for Flood-Prone Stream. Then It Did Nothing

Weeks before the Kona low storms sent residents near Kaukonahua Stream fleeing floodwaters in the middle of the night, Honolulu reported that it was cancelling a long-stalled project to dredge the flood-prone North Shore waterway.

Civil Beat.

Rebuilding Trust and Fiscal Analysis: State Senate District 13 Candidate Q&As

Meet the six candidates in the race for the State Senate District 13, representing Liliha, Palama, Iwilei, Kalihi, Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Lower Tantalus, and Downtown.

Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Police Issue Over 1,000 Tickets in Saddle Road Enforcement Effort

Following several recent fatal crashes, Hawaiʻi island police stepped up enforcement on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway. From June 4 to 21, officers conducted 1,069 traffic stops on Saddle Road, issuing over 1,000 violations. The citations included 649 for speeding, 17 for reckless driving, six for unsafe passing, and 509 other infractions.

Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi County Urged to Develop Composting Plan

A recent Hawaiʻi County study determined that 26% of the material that ends up in the West Hawaiʻi landfill is organic waste. This includes food scraps, plant trimmings and other natural materials, all of which, if processed correctly, could be composted and used to create healthier soil and help grow more food.

Tribune-Herald.

30 Households in Volcano, Impacted by Tephra, Get Catchment Diverters

The free installations come as the community continues to experience periodic tephra fall associated with ongoing eruption at Kīlauea.

Big Island Video News.

Maui Headlines

Blessing for Front Street Railing and Walkway Project Set for July 1

Lahaina officials and residents will gather next week to bless the newly completed Front Street Railing and Walkway Project, marking another step in the area’s recovery from the 2023 wildfire.

Maui Now.

Maui Bus Expands Fare-Free Program, Adds New Stops

Maui Bus fixed-route service will be free for students of any age and Maui County employees beginning July 1. Existing fare-free categories remain available for riders age 55 and older with valid identification, as well as qualifying riders with disabilities, Medicare recipients and individuals demonstrating financial need who are registered with Maui Economic Opportunity.

Maui News. KITV4.

$2.2M Grant Supports Second Phase of Maui Wildfires Impact Study

The three-year funding award from the National Institutes of Health will allow researchers to survey 1,200 people who were living on Maui during the wildfires, including those who were displaced.

Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Developer of Coco Palms Resort Property Secures $431M in Financing for 351-Room Luxury Resort

After decades of projects that have gone nowhere to redevelop the once iconic resort that was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the new financing has led to a new hotel opening date of 2028.

Kauaʻi Now.