Maui businesses hope for a return to Lahaina
Commercial redevelopment has not kicked into high gear in Lahaina; however, some recent progress has been made.
West Hawaii homeowner sues to save house from demolition
Attorney Patrick Wong asked the court to reverse the Board of Appeals’ affirmation of the Department of Public Works’ revocation of an alterations permit granted to the previous homeowner, two years after its issuance.
Subaru Telescope gets major instrument upgrade
The instrument contains about 2,400 individual prisms, each of which can be used to collect light from a different celestial object simultaneously.
Bills aimed at corralling Hawaii government corruption raise hopes
House Bill 390 and Senate Bill 283 would increase the penalties for bribing an elected or appointed official and for any official who solicits bribes.
Hanalei man indicted for murder
Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like announced that Michael John Sears, 43, of Hanalei, was indicted last week for murder in the second degree, arson in the first degree and abuse of a corpse.
Kalihiwai Beach decedent identified
Officials with the Kauai Police Department (KPD) identified 31-year-old Nickolas Balsimo of Kauai as the man discovered at Kaihiwai Beach on Jan. 17.
Service members occupy nearly 14% of Oahu rentals, Pentagon says
The Pentagon’s latest report says that 60% of service members stationed on Oahu today reside on military installations.
HPD major nominated to lead state agency
The director of the state Department of Law Enforcement is stepping down and a Honolulu Police Department major has been nominated to replace him, according to Gov. Josh Green.
Hawaii nurses unions call for law regulating staffing ratios
State Rep. Sean Quinlan (D, Waialua-Haleiwa-Punaluu) announced plans to introduce a bill establishing enforceable ratios, along with accountability in hospital staffing practices.
Hawaiian Airlines lays off 61 noncontract workers
Hawaiian Airlines has begun its second round of merger-related layoffs, and on Thursday issued WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices to 61 of its noncontract workforce based in Honolulu.
Lagging Japan arrivals point to slow recovery for Hawaii tourism
Hawaii’s top source of international visitors, Japan, is not projected to recover to pre-pandemic levels this decade.
Point in Time Count to skip unsheltered homeless this year
Hawaii’s Continuums of Care will forgo this year’s unsheltered Point in Time Count — a key measure of homelessness conducted annually since 2012, except in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic — though the sheltered count will proceed as planned.
Mokulele flight disruptions highlight service vulnerabilities
Southern Airways Express LLC, doing business as Mokuele Airlines, temporarily suspended all of its interisland airline routes across Hawaii on Wednesday morning, citing maintenance needs and an abundance of caution.
12 deputies still suspended amid investigations
A dozen of Hawaii’s nearly 300 state deputy sheriffs have had their law enforcement powers restricted following arrests and internal investigations into allegations of misconduct that started in 2024.
Hawaiian Electric submits wildfire safety plan
Hawaii’s largest electrical utility has formalized a three-year plan to reduce future wildfire risks in a new report filed with state regulators.
KPD issues drone guidelines for Kauai
An illegal drone collided with a Canadian “Super Scooper” airplane while battling the raging Palisades Fire last week. The aircraft was grounded for several days forcing a pause in air operations, prompting an investigation by the FBI to find the operating pilot.
Young child’s remains identified 60 years later, but killer unknown
The Honolulu Police Department has finally released information regarding the murder of a young child who died more than 60 years ago.
Hawaii seeks stricter penalties for illegal fireworks
State officials, including Gov. Josh Green and Attorney General Anne Lopez, unveiled Monday proposed changes to Hawaii’s fireworks laws aimed at improving enforcement, enhancing penalties and simplifying legal definitions.
Maui population losses cause millions in lost income
There were more Maui residents leaving after the devastating Maui wildfires in 2023 and fewer moving in — reducing the island’s population by more than 1,000 residents and resulting in an estimated $50 million loss in annual income for Hawaii’s economy.
Fundraiser for family of fallen firefighter surpasses $50K goal
A GoFundMe page dedicated to supporting the wife and family of a 25-year-old Honolulu firefighter killed in the line of duty last week had raised more than $58,000 by Monday afternoon.