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A shrinking population and a weak labor force will constrain Hawaii’s economy this year and cause inflation-adjusted personal income growth to slow along with broader measures of economic health. Read more
In April, I wrote about pioneering doctor Ralph Cloward, Hawaii’s first neurosurgeon. Read more
Ahryanna McGuirk of Kalaheo High School, Maile-Lei Ji of Kealakehe High and Michael Kostecki of ‘Iolani School have been named U.S. Department of Education Presidential Scholars — one of the most prestigious accolades for high school students nationwide. Read more
Highgate, a hotel management, investment and development company, will take over management of the Kaimana Beach Hotel this summer. Read more
Four veterans of the Hawaii music industry — Raiatea Helm, Sean Na‘auao and the groups Ekolu and Waipuna — are front- runners with nominations in major categories as the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts announces finalists for the 47th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Read more
For the second time in less than a year, the Friends of Haiku Stairs has filed a lawsuit to stop the city from demolishing the more than 3,900 steps that lead to the top of the Koolau Range in Kaneohe. Read more
Question: I received an IRS inquiry form via U.S. mail. They want to know whether I am me. Is this for real? It has to do with the 2023 tax-year filing. Read more
A Senate bill exempting private health care providers from general excise taxes for services to patients with Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE has made it to the governor’s desk. Read more
Servco Pacific has promoted Peter Fukunaga to chief investment officer and treasurer from senior vice president of investments and Emily Fukunaga to vice president of Servco Parts Center from director of supply chain management transformation. Read more
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In the wake of the deadly Aug. 8 Maui wildfires, the City and County of Honolulu says it’s begun efforts to better respond to future wildfire threats on Oahu. Read more
Government witnesses are taking the stand this week to defend the Navy’s response to the Red Hill water crisis and sow doubts about the severity of the contamination as a federal mass tort lawsuit on behalf of affected families continues. Read more
New development partners are advancing a previously delayed plan to revitalize one of Hawaii’s oldest and most popular tourist attractions, Paradise Cove Luau. Read more
Former Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing faces an additional $18,250 in state Campaign Spending Commission fines after the commission on Wednesday made a “preliminary determination” of probable cause that Ing committed another 24 violations of campaign spending laws. Read more
Walter James Smith Jr. — known to family, friends and colleagues as “Freckles” — died April 19 at his home in Kapahi, Kauai. He was 89. Read more
Question: It’s been almost a year since the rail started running. Is ridership holding up to the hype of the early days? Read more
The Intermediate Court of Appeals filed an opinion April 30 vacating the verdict of a Circuit Court jury that found Erik Willis, 21, guilty in the July 8, 2020, stabbing of a 17-year-old girl at Kahala Beach. Read more
A 48-year-old Kona man will spend nearly five years in federal prison and must pay back more than $1.2 million he conned 42 teachers and friends into investing in a fake online lei business to feed his lavish Las Vegas gambling habit. Read more
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has promoted Vance Tsuda to project director. Read more
If Gov. Green doesn’t sign the bill, the current $240,000 salary of Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi will revert to its former limit of $150,000 annually. Read more
Question: In 2023 the state said the bridge in Maili would be done by June. That’s next month, and it’s obvious that’s not going to happen. Read more
The 13th annual Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, or FestPAC, is less than a month away, and Hawaii still needs to raise about $3 million to $7 million and triple its volunteer base. Read more
