Off the news: Construction of new Matson ships begin

• Oct. 2, 2024

Construction has begun on three new cargo ships for Hawaii-based transportation firm Matson Inc., at a contracted cost of about $1 billion — spent within the U.S., as required by the Jones Act. Read more

Off the news: Future of Lahaina school site uncertain

• Oct. 1, 2024

The destruction of King Kamehameha III Elementary School by the Lahaina fires has meant the land is being turned back over to state and county agencies, but little about the school’s future is clear. Read more

Off the news: State works to rid Oahu of coqui frog blight

• Oct. 1, 2024

It’s challenging for humans to scale the Kuliouou Ridge Trail — but apparently not so much for coqui frogs, which have established a 13-acre colony in ridge forestland about 200 meters below the summit, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Read more

Off the news: Pupukea home that eroded into sea razed

• Sept. 30, 2024

The erosion of beaches along the Windward Coast persists as a worry. But it is at least welcome news to see the city Department of Planning and Permitting move quickly on the permit to demolish a home that collapsed onto the sand off Ke Nui Road and clear debris before it could become a further public threat. Read more

Off the news: State misses Aloha Stadium bid deadline

• Sept. 30, 2024

The state had set a target date of today, Sept. 30, for accepting a proposal as the winning bid to design, build, operate and maintain a new Aloha Stadium, and develop acreage surrounding it — but it’s falling shy of meeting that deadline. Read more

Off the news: Ewa community owed $27M, court says

• Sept. 27, 2024

After more than a decade of legal action, an appellate court last week found some 1,800 homeowners at Ocean Pointe and Hoakalei Resort are entitled to $27 million for a promised marina that failed to materialize. Read more

Off the news: UH president finalist touts AI, data analysis

• Sept. 27, 2024

Data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) can elevate the University of Hawaii, UH presidential finalist Wendy Hensel said Tuesday at a UH-Hilo forum, framing them as powerful tools for improving student engagement and valuable tech skills for students. Read more

Off the news: Workers strike at Hilton Hawaiian Village

• Sept. 26, 2024

Hilton Hawaiian Village is the world’s largest Hilton property, and Hawaii’s largest hotel. Read more

Off the news: City looks to federal funds for hazard pay

• Sept. 26, 2024

The city has set aside $115 million in federal State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 for “hazard pay” to Oahu public employees working during the pandemic. Read more

Off the news: Rule change will increase SNAP benefits

• Sept. 25, 2024

More families in Hawaii will be able to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the state Department of Human Services eliminates net income limit eligibility. Read more

Off the news: Rep. Alcos fined for failing to disclose liens

• Sept. 25, 2024

The candidacy of incumbent state Rep. David Alcos III could be in jeopardy after revelations that Alcos has violated campaign financial disclosure rules. Read more

Off the news: Hawaii man faces charges in Trump plot

• Sept. 24, 2024

Federal prosecutors have in mind serious charges for Oahu resident Ryan Routh, now in custody in a Florida jail, as a result of an investigation into an alleged assassination attempt targeting former President Donald Trump. Read more

Off the news: Arrests made at Kapi‘olani nurse lockout

• Sept. 24, 2024

Kim Coco Iwamoto, a newly elected state representative, Ikaika Hussey, Democrat candidate for a state House seat, and Jim Witeck of the Hawaii Workers Center were among 10 people arrested for allegedly blocking two chartered buses carrying replacement travel nurses from entering the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children on Monday. Read more

Off the news: DOE audit after missed teacher paychecks

• Sept. 23, 2024

This is not a mistake any payroll office wants to make twice — and yet for some unionized public school teachers, they did experience two missed paychecks. Read more

Off the news: CNHA hosts Hawaii County mayoral debate

• Sept. 23, 2024

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s (CNHA’s) annual convention, “Experience Hawai‘i Island,” served as the site for a debate between the two candidates for mayor of Hawaii County last week, in advance of the Nov. 5 general election. Read more

Off the news: Crash victim’s daughter advocates safety

• Sept. 20, 2024

The daughter of a woman killed while on her bicycle in an Ewa Beach crosswalk has traveled from San Diego to Honolulu to advocate for more effective street safety measures and stronger enforcement of laws meant to protect cyclists and pedestrians in Hawaii. Read more

Off the news: No charges for shooter in Waianae attack

• Sept. 20, 2024

Rishard Kanaka Keamo-Carnate, the 42-year-old man who shot and killed his Waianae Valley Road neighbor to end a deadly attack on his home, will not be charged. Read more

Off the news: City declines federal land for new landfill

• Sept. 19, 2024

The 35-year-old Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill is operating on a lifeline — or at least an extended deadline — with the state having granted Honolulu two additional years to site its next dump. Read more