Hawaii health care workers’ student loans to be paid
Just in time for Christmas, the state told 492 Hawaii health care workers this week that it will pay off their student loans—up to $100, 000—in return for a two-year commitment to stay in the islands.
Hannemann appointed as HTA chair as agency prepares for tough legislative session
Dec. 14—The Hawaii Tourism Authority, which ended last year’s contentious legislative session without a budget, is headed into this one with a controversial new HTA board chairperson—former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann.
Nearly 600 EBT cardholders in Hawaii victimized by fraud
Dec. 14—Cybercriminals have accessed funds from nearly 600 Electronic Benefits Transfer cards in Hawaii, more than double the number recently reported, as food insecurity intensifies during the holidays.
Heart of historic Lahaina, scene of deadly wildfire, reopens to residents after 4 months
LAHAINA, Hawaii — The heart of Lahaina, the historic town on the Hawaiian island of Maui that burned in a deadly wildfire that killed at least 100 people, is reopening to residents and business owners holding day passes.
Pilgrims yearn to visit isolated peninsula where Catholic saints cared for Hawaii’s leprosy patients
KALAUPAPA, Hawaii — Kalaupapa beckoned to Kyong Son Toyofuku. She had long prayed to visit the hard-to-reach Hawaiian peninsula, trapped by its deep-green, sheer sea cliffs and rugged, black rock shores that glisten under the Pacific’s pristine waters.
‘Bad actor’ nurseries targeted by officials over little fire ant infestations
Nov. 24—The state Department of Agriculture is moving to take legal action against a handful of “bad actors, ” nurseries that are aware they have an infestation of little fire ants but are doing nothing about it.
Fire debris removal from Maui private properties begins
Nov. 11—The operation began at a property in Kula, and two other property owners were given 72-hour notices, according to Corps officials.
Lahaina Strong group to stay at Kaanapali Beach until housing demands met
KAANAPALI—Lahaina Strong, a grassroots organization focused on Lahaina’s recovery and resilience, held a demonstration of customary and traditional rights to draw attention to the long-term housing crisis facing thousands of Lahaina residents since the Aug. 8 Maui wildfires.
Hawaii governor announces $150M fund for Maui wildfire victims modeled after 9/11 fund
HONOLULU — Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday announced the creation of a $150 million fund to help those who lost family members or who were injured in Maui’s wildfires.
Officials urge ocean vigilance during humpback whale season
Wildlife officials are urging vigilance from ocean users as humpback whales return to Hawaiian sanctuary waters.
A trial begins for a Hawaii couple accused of stealing identities of dead babies
HONOLULU — A trial opened Tuesday for a Hawaii couple accused of fraudulently living for decades under stolen identities of dead babies.
Can this team create a ‘perfect’ reef? Why the US military is banking on it
MIAMI — The nation’s military has been working on a new weapon: Creating a “perfect,” self-healing coral reef that can withstand disease, warming temperatures and sea rise.
Over 16 million gallons of fuel drained from Red Hill
Oct. 21—In its first week of draining the massive fuel tanks at the Navy’s underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, the military task force responsible for defueling said it had safely removed 16, 299, 594 gallons from the facility as of 2 p.m. Friday.
Video provides first clear views of WWII aircraft carriers lost in the pivotal Battle of Midway
Footage from deep in the Pacific Ocean has given the first detailed look at three World War II aircraft carriers that sank in the pivotal Battle of Midway and could help solve mysteries about the days-long barrage that marked a shift in control of the Pacific theater from Japanese to U.S. forces.
Navy issues written reprimands for fuel spill that sickened 6,000 people at Pearl Harbor base
HONOLULU (AP) — The Navy on Thursday issued written reprimands to three now-retired military officers for their roles in the spill of jet fuel into Pearl Harbor’s drinking water in 2021 but did not fire, suspend, dock the pay or reduce the rank of anyone for the incident.
Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson launch fund with $10 million for displaced Maui residents
Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson have committed $10 million to make direct payments to people on Maui who are unable to return to their homes because of the wildfires, through a new fund they announced Thursday.
FAA sets up new process for Hawaii air tour operators to fly at lower altitudes after fatal crashes
HONOLULU (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that it is setting up a new process for air tour operators in Hawaii to be approved to fly at lower altitudes after numerous fatal crashes in recent years.
Hawaii doesn’t want firearms on its beaches. The state’s latest gun control law goes before a judge
HONOLULU — A legal battle over whether Hawaii can continue enforcing a new law banning firearms on its world-famous beaches went before a U.S. judge, who said Friday she would rule as soon as possible but didn’t give a specific date.
Honolulu architect gets year in prison for bribery scheme
Jul. 28—William Wong will serve his time at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan, Ore.
Final approval given for $328M Hawaiian homesteads settlement
Jul. 22—Plaintiffs in a nearly 24-year-old class-action lawsuit against the state over Hawaiian homestead claims should begin to receive their share of a $328 million settlement in September, after a final approval in court Friday.
