Kilohana Plantation General Partner Fred Atkins is still waiting for insurance funds needed to fully reopen and bring workers back to the 104-acre historic estate and visitor attraction in Lihue more than a month after Hurricane Lowell toppled 185 mature trees and left about 900 truckloads of debris.
Centene exiting Hawaii’s Med-QUEST program at end of yearNational health insurer Centene is pulling out of Hawaii’s Medicaid market, leaving 24,000 members in need of a new plan.
USPS considers curbside delivery for rebuilt Lahaina homesThe U.S. Postal Service is open to reversing its heavily criticized decision to not resume curbside mail service for many Lahaina residents who rebuilt homes destroyed by the 2023 wildfire.
National Park Service designates Honolulu as World War II Heritage CityThe National Park Service officially designated the City &County of Honolulu as an American World War II Heritage City in recognition of its unique history during the war and ongoing efforts to preserve that history.
Volcanic Ash: First they came for Somalis; are Hawaii immigrants next?Of the 20 City Charter amendments on the general election ballot, I’ve wrestled most with No. 6, to require Honolulu police to adopt policies protecting the rights of all people, regardless of citizenship, and limit HPD’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Kona community mourns teen who died while free-divingFamily, friends and the Kona community are mourning the loss of Joven Young, an 18-year-old Kailua-Kona man who apparently drowned Tuesday while free diving off Pebble Beach in Captain Cook.
Kokua Line: Will torched playground ever be replaced?Question: An arsonist burned down the Sheridan Park playground well over a year ago. Does the city intend to ever rebuild it?
Hawaii’s plantation legacy leaves lasting risks of flooding and firesMonths after Kona-low storms in March flooded homes and farmland on Oahu’s North Shore, community members say damaged infrastructure, blocked waterways and a lack of clear responsibility for maintaining plantation-era irrigation systems continue to leave the area vulnerable to flooding.
Oahu desalination plant fully funded thanks to EPA loanThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $109 million loan to help the Honolulu Board of Water Supply build a large-scale seawater desalination plant that has been decades in the making.
Ex-Moanalua wrestling coach indicted for sex crimes with underage girlsA federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment Thursday charging a former Moanalua High School girls wrestling coach with exploiting and raping a former wrestler and sex trafficking another underage girl.
Housing scholarships offered for Hawaii families facing homelessnessFamily Promise of Hawaii has launched a Housing Scholarships program to help families experiencing or at risk of homelessness secure housing and develop the financial stability needed to remain housed long term.
Hawaii justices push state to help dysfunctional Elections CommissionHawaii Supreme Court justices on Friday appeared perturbed with the State Office of Elections not trying to help a dysfunctional oversight commission meet during an ongoing elections season.
Direct2UH expands to all 10 campuses, extends to 13 public charter schoolsThe University of Hawaii’s Direct2UH program is expanding for its second year, offering Hawaii public high school seniors a streamlined path to all 10 UH campuses and extending eligibility to students at 13 participating public charter schools for the first time.
Hawaii County Council panel rejects Waikoloa housing projectThe Hawaii County Council’s Committee on Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions has voted 5-3 against forwarding a favorable recommendation to the full Council regarding zoning changes requested for the proposed Waikoloa Green housing project.
On the Move: Joshua SymesMid-Pacific Institute has hired Joshua Symes as middle and high school assistant principal for student life. Symes joins with more than 25 years experience in teaching, school administration and student wellbeing across Australia, Asia and the United States; including serving as an education-focused academic in Deakin University’s School of Education and acting executive principal and head of secondary at Geelong Lutheran College in Australia; and nearly 15 years in Singapore, including deputy principal for wellbeing and daily operations at Stamford American International School, teacher and team leader at Singapore American School and assistant principal at Australian International School in Singapore.
Honolulu Police Department to reassign 100 officersThe Honolulu Police Department is projecting a $34 million shortfall at the end of the year and exceeded its overtime budget by $6 million in the first quarter, contributing to difficult financial decisions and staff reassignments.
Volcano man allegedly tried to trade guns for a motorcycleA Volcano man facing federal firearm charges after he allegedly tried to trade homemade assault rifles for a motorcycle was released on bond Tuesday ahead of his trial.
Ongoing Pacific hurricane season already setting recordsThis year’s hurricane season across the Pacific Ocean is now the most energetic yet — and there’s still about six weeks left to go.
Kokua Line: Why is temporary license so big?Question: With all you’ve said about Hawaii new licenses you didn’t mention that we just get a receipt now upon renewal. They gave me my old license back, with a hole punched in it. Can I use that at the TSA?
Hawaii Supreme Court considers case of idled Elections CommissionA polarized and paralyzed state commission with elections oversight duties may have the Hawaii Supreme Court break an impasse that has prevented the panel from meeting since June.
Cost of Living Summit addresses Hawaii’s higher-than-mainland inflationHawaii continues to deal with inflation as the prices of housing and energy rise and as wages fail to keep up, with younger residents being hit especially hard.
Rearview Mirror: Take a trip through time on Ala Moana BoulevardI was driving along Ala Moana Boulevard last week. Out the front window, I saw things that are here today, in 2026. In my rearview mirror, I saw things that used to be there, but are now gone.
Maui contractor picked to restore Hilo veterans cemeteryHILO >> Maui contractor Alpha Inc. has been selected for a grave-site restoration project at Hilo’s East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2.
Water fight deepens on Maui, expands to federal courtA year-old legal battle over water between two Maui companies with billionaire owners has branched into federal court, where a lawsuit making racketeering allegations was filed Wednesday.
Man with 36 convictions sentenced in Waikiki arsonA 42-year-old man who was arrested eight times over the past month for an array of misdemeanors was sentenced to six months in prison Tuesday for burning city surveillance cameras in Waikiki with a cigarette.
Hawaii lawmakers push for bonds to fund infrastructureGov. Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and state lawmakers urged Hawaii voters Wednesday to approve a constitutional amendment that would authorize a new way to finance infrastructure projects, arguing it could help address the state’s housing shortage without raising property taxes.
Kokua Line: Since when is motorcycle training course required?Question: Since when does an adult have to take a training course to get a motorcycle license? I already have a license to drive a car, and I didn’t take a course to get that (my dad taught me).
Hawai‘i Symphony marks 15 years with stellar lineup, including Lea SalongaFour Brahms symphonies, guest performances by Broadway star Lea Salonga, clarinetist Anthony McGill, and violinists Augustin Hadelich and Jennifer Koh are part of the 2026-2027 season as the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 15th anniversary.
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra 2026-27 seasonHAWAI‘I SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Veteran’s family challenges VA hospital over her death during ‘routine’ procedureFredenalda Kuulei Price was born in Kahaluu on Feb. 1, 1969, during an intense storm. Her mother went into labor while the family was stranded at home and firefighters had to carry her through rushing floodwaters to an ambulance.
Aloha Tower reopens for centennial celebration after $8.5M renovationAloha Tower, one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmarks and a longtime symbol of arrival in Honolulu Harbor, will celebrate its 100th anniversary Thursday and Friday with public festivities and the reopening of its observation deck.
Man who killed Maui officer to serve life in prisonProsecutors will ask a judge to impose the “maximum sentence allowed by law” when sentencing a Makawao man convicted of shooting and killing Maui Police Department Officer Suzanne O on Aug. 15, 2025.
Lottery open for new low-income kupuna housing tower in KalihiA new rental housing tower in Kalihi for kupuna with low incomes is expected to welcome its first residents in January after a lottery to select tenants.
Maui police chief, mayor embroiled in bitter feudMaui County’s highest elected official and its top law enforcement officer remain locked in a high-profile, high-stakes feud that erupted last week when Police Chief John Pelletier was placed on paid administrative leave then alleged that Mayor Richard Bissen is the subject of a criminal investigation.
Federal aid for individuals after Lala, Lowell still pendingFederal emergency assistance for individual residents impacted by Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell remains in limbo despite presidential approval last week for the funding for state and local governments as well as qualified nonprofits.
Kokua Line: Where will drug takeback event occur?Question: I recall that there is usually a drive-by drop-off at the Kailua fire station for unused/expired meds every April and October. Will that occur this October?
Tech View: Passkeys are good way to discourage hackersSecurity methods have evolved over the years in a never-ending quest to stave off the bad guys of the cyber world. For years now, IT professionals have been extolling the virtues of multi-factor authentication (better known as MFA). But MFA is not foolproof, and reports of compromised codes are becoming increasingly common. So what’s the next big deal? Passkeys. Your favorite apps and/or websites may have already asked you to set one up.
Hawaii’s holiday travel outlook not too merry amid high costsHawaii’s crucial holiday travel season is shaping up weaker than expected, with some hotel operators reporting bookings running about 15% behind last year’s pace amid higher airfares and mounting vacation costs.
Dole Food to cease coffee farm operations on OahuDole Food Co. has decided to cease coffee farming on Oahu and lay off nine employees on Nov. 30 amid an effort to sell the 154-acre Waialua Estate farm.
FEMA raises rent for Maui wildfire survivors for 3rd time this yearMaui wildfire survivors living in housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency will see their rents increase for the third time this year, with rent prices nearly tripling since March.
