Gov. Green Signs Bills to Support Hawaiʻi’s Film Industry and Economic Development

Hawaiʻi movie star Jason Momoa made a cameo appearance by video in the governor’s office Monday to celebrate the enactment of a new state law aimed at expanding the state’s film industry. Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2580 into law to increase rebates for production spending on movies, episodic shows, TV specials and commercials in Hawaiʻi.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

‘We Can’t Screw It Up’: Infighting Rankles OHA

Accusations of retaliation, violating public meetings laws and stifling dissent. The fight inside the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board is ratcheting up. OHA is bitterly divided over how to handle a lawsuit from the agency’s ousted CEO Stacy Ferreira. Some worry that this could stir tensions within the board and eventually imperil yearslong projects.

Civil Beat.

New York Times Flags Rep. Ed Case as Vulnerable in Hawaiʻi’s 1st District Primary

The New York Times has identified U.S. Rep. Ed Case as one of six Democrats vulnerable in upcoming primaries, drawing national attention to his race against state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole for Hawaiʻi’s 1st Congressional District seat.

Hawaii News Now.

Robotics Teams Are Shrinking. Students Say They’re More Important Than Ever

Hawaiʻi could well see an increase in STEM jobs in the years ahead, but participation in state robotics competitions has dropped since the pandemic. High costs and a heavy reliance on volunteers are making it harder for school robotics programs to survive, especially for younger keiki. What will this mean for our local workforce?

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Sea Grant and Pili Nā Moku Launch $7M Community Funding Program

The initiative aims to support projects that care for the land, promote cultural and ecological stewardship, and foster resilient communities throughout Hawaiʻi. Each project must be based in one of five districts — Kona, Kauaʻi, Waiʻanae on Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Central Maui or Kohala on Hawaiʻi island — and must align with that district’s priorities.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

O‘ahu Headlines

Self-Promotion or Communication? Taxpayer-Funded Mailers Blur Lines

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a campaign ad and a taxpayer-funded constituent mailer, especially when election season rolls around. While the city pays for mailers to keep residents in the loop about what their council members have been up to, it can be a fine line between education and promotion. And it’s free exposure for incumbents running to keep their seat.

Civil Beat.

Gov. Green Pushes Calls UHERO Clean Energy Report “Baloney”

Nearly a week after a new University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization report outlined an argument for the state to pursue more solar electricity production and not investment in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green is pushing back.

KHON2.

17 Ballot Drop Boxes Opening Across Oʻahu on Monday

The drop box for Honolulu Hale is expected to arrive later in the week on Wednesday, July 8. Click here to view the complete list of ballot drop box locations.

KITV4.

New Honolulu Chief Prioritizes Strategic Planning

On his first day as Honolulu’s new police chief, David Lazar began with an ambitious agenda. His goals include departmental expansion via recruitment and retention, developing a new strategic plan and integrating modern law enforcement technologies.

KHON2.

Oʻahu Home Sales: Median Price Hit Record $1,242,500 in June

The 10.4% gain was the biggest year-over-year increase for any month since July 2022 when the median price surged 11.6% to $1,107,944.

Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Appoints Former HART Executive Richard Keene to Board

Richard “Rick” Keene, HART’s former deputy executive director and chief operating officer who retired last year from the more than $10 billion Skyline project, will begin his duties on the governing body “effective immediately.”

Star-Advertiser.

HPD Shutters Waipahu Gambling Den, Seizes More Than $6K in Cash

HPD’s Narcotics/Vice Gambling Detail, with the help of the District Three Crime Reduction Unit, Forfeiture Detail and Specialized Services Division, found 17 gaming machines and more than $6,000 in cash, which were submitted into evidence.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Data Centers on Hawaiʻi County Council Agenda This Week

Data centers will be the subject of Bill 170, to be heard by the Council Committee on Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Economic Development during a July 7th hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. HST.

Big Island Video News.

Dangerous Dogs and Deadly Roads: Hawaiʻi County Council District 5 Candidate Q&As

Five nonpartisan candidates are on the primary election ballot vying to represent the vast Big Island council region of Hawaiʻi County Council District 5, which takes in Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Orchidlands Estates, Ainaloa, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest Estates, mauka of Pāhoa Town, Kaohe Homesteads, Kamaili Homesteads, Kalapana, ʻOpihikao, Kehena and Kaimu.

Civil Beat.

Fuel, Food and Disaster Preparation: Hawaiʻi County Council District 7

Three nonpartisan candidates are standing for the Hawaiʻi County Council seat for District 7 in the Aug. 8 primary election as current council member Rebecca Villegas is about to be termed out.

Civil Beat.

Maui Headlines

Still No Parking for Safe Parking Project; No Overall Homeless Plan

More than four years after Maui County set aside $200,000 to create an overnight parking program for people living in their vehicles, the pilot program has yet to provide a safe haven for homeless people.

Maui Now.

Director of Personnel Services Set to Retire After 30 Years With County of Maui

County Director of Personnel Services Cynthia Razo-Porter has announced she is retiring, effective July 31, 2026.

Maui Now. Maui News.

Maui Nonprofit Argues New Coastal Deregulation Law Unconstitutional

A nonprofit community group sued the Maui County Planning Commission in an effort to stop a new law that allows for exemptions for development in coastal areas from taking effect.

Star-Advertiser.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Deadline for Landfill Expansion Comments Wednesday

The County of Kauaʻi Solid Waste Division is reminding residents that the deadline to submit written comments on the Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice for the Kekaha Landfill Cell 3 Vertical Expansion Project is Wednesday.

Garden Island.

State Hires Contractor to Build Monument Memorializing 1924 Deadly Hanapēpē Labor Strike

The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services is another step closer to erecting a monument remembering a battle that occurred just over a century ago, when 16 Filipino strikers and four police officers died in a violent clash over a labor strike in Hanapēpē. Construction starts Sept. 1, and it’s expected to be completed by February 2027.

Kauaʻi Now.