About $1B arranged for Maui wildfire expenses
State House and Senate leaders have determined that close to $1 billion should be appropriated by the state for Maui wildfire response and recovery work through mid-2025. Read more
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Rearview Mirror: Here’s to the ‘Suck ’Em Up’ saga
One reader said he vaguely remembered reading about a horse named Suck ’Em Up, owned by Duke Kahanamoku. He asked whether I could verify that. Read more
State House bill seeks to increase tobacco tax for cancer research
A bill seeking to increase the tax on cigarettes and vaping products at the state Legislature is moving forward, but without the actual increase first proposed. Read more
Foundation commits $40M to Maui housing project
The Hawaii Community Foundation awarded a $40 million grant through the Maui Strong Fund on Thursday to nonprofit HomeAid Hawaii to support the Ka La‘i Ola interim housing development project. Read more
Hawaii legislators face deadline to avoid repeat of ‘chaos’
House and Senate legislators negotiating changes are under pressure to approve final bills by 6 p.m. tonight to avoid what Senate President Ron Kouchi called “the chaos” that surrounded the end of 2023’s session. Read more
Petroleum results in Red Hill water came from lab tests, Navy finds
Laboratory contamination was the cause of increased low levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons detected in the Navy’s drinking water system since last summer, the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill announced Wednesday. Read more
Officials meet, discuss Makua Valley military training sites
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda joined community members Thursday in tours and meetings with officials at military sites on Oahu’s Leeward side. Read more
Kokua Line: Can I ignore letter from Census Bureau?
Question: I received a letter claiming to be from the U.S. Census Bureau notifying me that my participation in an “important survey … is essential.” Read more
HART receives $125M in federal funding
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation on Thursday announced $125 million in long-awaited federal funding to aid in the ongoing construction of the nearly $10 billion Skyline project. Read more
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On the Move: Kukui Children’s Foundation
Kukui Children’s Foundation has elected the following new members to its board of directors. Read more
Repairs on 2 Oahu bridges begin next week
Repairs on two Oahu bridges will begin Monday, the City and County of Honolulu announced this week. Read more
Ocean Safety chief placed on administrative leave, city says
John Titchen, Honolulu’s Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division chief since 2018, has been placed on administrative leave effective Tuesday, the city confirmed. Read more
Compromise committee draft for state budget bill reached
Hawaii House and Senate leaders resolved their differences over spending priorities Tuesday evening, settling on a conference committee draft of the state budget bill that appropriates $19.2 billion for operations during the fiscal year beginning July 1. Read more
Kokua Line: How do I qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program?
Question: I’m an applicant for Medicare’s Extra Help program and they want details about my checking and/or savings account and any stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs, etc. This surprised me. Don’t they need just my Social Security income to qualify me? Read more
State unemployment rate steady at 3.1% in March
Hawaii’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.1% in March to match the previous month, according to recent data from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Read more
Key committee passes Hawaii vacation rentals bill
The full House and Senate will now consider the question of whether to allow each county to determine how — if at all — to regulate short-term vacation rentals on their islands, including the possibility of outlawing them. Read more
Investigation of alleged beating by HPD officers is ongoing
An internal investigation is ongoing nearly five months after Honolulu police allegedly hit a man with a car before beating him and his son during a New Year’s Day manhunt and shootouts with an attempted murder suspect. Read more
On the Move: Gary Spencer and Erika Kauffman
Highgate, a real estate and hospitality management company, has announced two appointments to its Hawaii leadership team. Read more
Gov. Green pledges to sign short-term rentals bill
Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday pledged to sign a bill into law that would give each county clear authority over vacation rentals — including the possibility of banning them — if it arrives on his desk, as expected. Read more
Hawaiian boosts revenue but loses $137.6M in first quarter
Hawaiian Holdings Inc., the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, improved revenue and continued investments during the first quarter, but deepened losses as it grappled with rising operating costs and other headwinds while pursuing a merger with Alaska Airlines. Read more
Kokua Line: Is there an age when I can no longer renew my driver’s license?
Question: I am 88 years of age. Is there an age when I can no longer be issued a Hawaii driver’s license if all other requirements are met? Read more
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