Gov. Josh Green signs condo insurance incentives into law Star Advertiser Dan Nakaso July 8, 2025 Original Article Insurance companies now have more incentives to provide condominium coverage after Gov. Josh Green signed a bill on Monday that he hopes will lower rates for condos across the islands — especially after their rates soared and insurance companies left following the 2023 Maui wildfires. By signing the latest version of Senate Bill 1044 into law as Act 296, Green said that Hawaii is now better positioned than other states to see condo insurance stabilize — encouraging insurance companies to return and provide more competitive rates. SB 1044 came out of a task force comprised of representatives of condo boards, actuarials, insurance representatives, state insurance officials and others that began meeting two years ago following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires that caused $13 billion in damage and led to $3 billion in insurance payouts and an exodus of insurance companies. Act 296 reactivates the dormant Hawai‘i Hurricane Relief Fund to provide hurricane coverage for condo associations that have been denied hurricane insurance. It requires no additional taxpayer funding because the coverage will come out of revenue already in the Hawai‘i Hurricane Relief Fund, said state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-Kailua), chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee. The fund was created in 1993 after Hurricane Iniki devastated Kauai, Green said, “so the market didn’t get out of control, so that people didn’t lose the value of their condos, so they didn’t have to leave Hawaii.” Act 296 also creates a pilot, low-interest rate loan program to help aging condos pay for backlogged repairs that make them difficult to insure — or can only find insurance at increasingly skyrocketing rates. It’s focused on helping the “average Hawaii residents living in a condo” over owners of high-rise luxury condos, said state Rep. Scot Matayoshi (D, Kaneohe-Maunawili), who chairs the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee. Insurers who were part of a two-year-old task force looking at ways to lower insurance rates said the threat that old water pipes could burst and flood units represented the main risk for insurance companies, Matayoshi said. By upgrading aging buildings, Matayoshi hopes condo associations will be able to purchase less expensive insurance coverage. Just since June 24, the loan program has received applications from 80 condo associations for backlogged repairs and 10 of them already have been accepted, Acting Insurance Commissioner Jerry Bump said at Monday’s bill-signing ceremony. Sen. Keohokalole said that Sunday’s wildfire in Maili represents the ongoing threats to Hawaii and the insurance problems that follow. “All the Lahaina memories came rushing back,” Keohokalole said. “It’s a reminder of how vulnerable we all are to disaster and how important it is to have insurance.” Act 296 was meant to address a “silent crisis that’s pushing thousands of residents to the brink, skyrocketing insurance costs with no alternatives in sight,” he said. It provides relief “especially for seniors with no alternatives that are the most vulnerable to the price spikes or the cancellations that we’ve been seeing throughout the community,” Keohokalole said. Green said, “it has become increasingly clear that our housing market was unstable. After the (Maui) fires, the difference in insuring ourselves was setting the condo market upside down. … It effects tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of our citizens.” Green hopes Act 296 and the new, higher increase in the hotel room tax to fund Hawaii’s wildfire and climate change mitigation efforts will combine to convince insurance companies to return and reinvest in Hawaii’s insurance market, especially for condominiums. It will turn “an unstable” insurance market into a “solid” one, Green said. Keohokalole said: “It also sets up a fire wall to potentially protect hundreds of thousands of residents whose lives could be thrown into disarray if there is a broader insurance market cancellation or another catastrophe like Lahaina.” Act 296 was aimed at “a complicated matter that affects a lot of local people,” Keohokalole said, and “to fix something that makes life better for local people.” Keohokalole called the new law “the most complicated bill I’ve ever worked on. But it’s really important.”

Gyeonggi Province to Host Climate Tech Conference on 23-24 October... Discussing Climate Crisis Response and More The Asia Business Daily Lee YeongKyu October 16, 2025 Original Article Gyeonggi Province will host the 2025 Gyeonggi-do Climate Tech Conference on October 23-24 at the Gyeonggi Convergence Town in Suwon (3rd floor of the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation). The event is designed to promote climate crisis response based on scientific evidence, technological innovation, and the activation of investments. Held under the theme "The Era of Climate Economy: Now Is the Time to Invest in Climate Tech," the conference will bring together domestic and international ambassadors, climate tech companies, investment firms, startups, and residents. The event is organized by Gyeonggi Province and co-hosted by the Gyeonggi Environment & Energy Agency and the Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center. At the opening ceremony on October 24, Chris Lee (Hawaii State Senator), Andrew Chang (CEO of New Energy Nexus), and Ethan Cohen-Cole (CEO of Capture6, USA) will deliver keynote speeches on the future of the climate tech industry and the climate economy. The following panel discussion will be moderated by Jeon Uichan, Chairperson of the Climate Crisis Response Committee, and will feature domestic and international experts including Roy Torbert (3D), Lucinda Walker (British Chamber of Commerce in Korea), Milen Dyulgerov (World Bank), and Park Gunhoo (NH Investment & Securities). In the Climate Tech Showcase, leading climate tech companies and investment firms from Korea and abroad will gather to share growth strategies for climate tech unicorns and open innovation collaboration cases. Participants include Roy Torbert (D3), Trisana Nagrani (Climeworks), Ham Ilhan (H Energy), Seo Yutaek (Hyundai Engineering & Construction), Lee Gihak (Doosan Enerbility), and Lee Hoseop (Korea CCUS Promotion Team). The session will be chaired by Kim Hyoeun, CEO of the ClimateWorks Foundation. The Climate Tech Seminar will focus on "Investment, Policy, and Market Strategies for Climate Finance and Climate Tech," with presentations on domestic and international climate finance policies and investment strategies by Professor Kim Jongdae (Inha University), the Korea Environment Institute, NH Investment & Securities, and the Gyeonggi Credit Guarantee Foundation. In the Climate Tech Competition, seven teams that passed the preliminary round will present climate tech ideas with proven feasibility, and in the afternoon, a Carbon Neutral Fund Investment Pitch Day will be held. Ten startups that advanced through the preliminaries will compete in the final IR pitching round. At the multipurpose hall on the 3rd floor of the venue, technologies from domestic climate tech startups such as Nubilab, Eight Tech, Fineco, Taiga, GreenContinue, and Enon will be on display. Byun Sangki, Director of the Climate and Environment Policy Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Climate tech is the industry of the future and a new growth engine for the climate economy," adding, "We hope this conference will serve as a starting point for the transformation of the climate tech ecosystem, where technology, finance, policy, and residents come together."

UH research highlights traditional speakers of ʻŌlelo Niʻihau dialect Maui Now August 15, 2025 Original Article On the leeward side of Kaua’i, Ke Kula Niʻihau O Kekaha — a pre-K-12 charter school — is celebrating its 25th anniversary and a major milestone in preserving ʻŌlelo Niʻihau, the Niʻihau dialect. The school announced it has authored and published more than 400 books in the language, with a selection now on display at the Līhuʻe Public Library. This cultural preservation work was highlighted during a Senate Committee on Ways and Means update in which the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission discussed the school’s use of a $30,000 legislative appropriation. “Our journey started with five visionary women who understood the importance of prioritizing the future of ʻŌlelo Niʻihau through our youth and education,” said Tia Koerte, the school’s Poʻo Tumu. “Publishing over 400 books and creating a priceless archive of recorded interviews with our manaleo (native speakers) has become our life’s work.” A preliminary report on ʻŌlelo Niʻihau by Bradley McDonnell of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was also presented, highlighting the differences between the Niʻihau dialect and the more common ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. “This is an important and exciting research that not only uplifts and calls attention to ʻŌlelo Niʻihau, but the Hawaiian language as a whole,” said Ed Noh, executive director of the charter school commission. Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani and Senate President Ronald Kouchi both emphasized the collective kuleana (responsibility) to provide resources and protect the language for future generations. “The Hawaiian language is vital for preserving the culture, its identity and history,” Kouchi said. “We must honor and protect this dialect.”

Opportunities to export local goods increased through passage of Act 237 Maui Now August 12, 2025 Original Article The Senate Committee on Ways and Means received a comprehensive update on Tuesday from the Agribusiness Development Corporation on the development of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation efforts to help scale up local farmers and entrepreneurs and increase economic resilience. The ADC is administratively attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dane Wicker, Deputy Director of DBEDT, along with other members from ADC, DBEDT, University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center, and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health gathered near the historic Kaua‘i Plantation Railway in Līhuʻe for a site visit and briefing on the strategic plan guiding the Food and Product Innovation Network pursuant to Act 237, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2025. Discussions focused on regional coordination, infrastructure development, and the launch of a pilot on Kauaʻi that integrates processing equipment, workforce training, and business support services. “Continuing to invest in agricultural production is a clear step in the right direction,” said Sen. Glenn Wakai (D – 15, Kalihi, Māpunpuna, Airport, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, and portions of ʻAiea and Pearl City), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. “A month ago, I secured a partnership with Amazon Air Cargo to take Hawaiʻi agricultural products to the mainland – cheaper and faster.” “The Senate recognizes that agriculture is not just about farming — it’s about food security, economic opportunity, and sustaining our way of life,” said Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (D – 8, Kaua‘i, Niʻihau). “We’ve supported a wide range of agricultural initiatives championed by our farmers, local business owners, and community leaders, and it is encouraging to see necessary steps being taken to expand our export capacity and provide more locally grown food on the tables for our schools and hospitals. These are the kinds of forward-thinking efforts that can transform Hawai‘i’s agricultural economy and create lasting benefits for our islands.” The Hawai‘i FPIN initiative draws inspiration from New Zealand’s public-private innovation model and includes strategic investments across the islands. Recent legislative support includes the passage of Act 237 , Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2025, establishing FPIN, Act 250, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2025, appropriating $350,000 for program coordination, and Act 230, Session Laws of Hawai‘i 2024, dedicating $2 million for a new agricultural processing facility in Kekaha. FPIN’s vision is to enable Hawaiʻi-based entrepreneurs to develop, scale and export products that strengthen our food system, reduce import reliance, and capitalize on Hawaiʻi’s global brand. The Kaua‘i facility is part of a larger ecosystem that includes complementary projects on Oʻahu and Maui, integrating food science, equipment access and training partnerships with UH and DOH. “The Food and Product Innovation Network is a meaningful investment in Hawaii’s future—one that bridges education to export pathways by equipping our schools, colleges, and entrepreneurs with the skills and infrastructure they need to bring local innovations to the global marketplace,” said Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D – 17, portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village). “By strengthening the entire ecosystem—from classroom learning to commercial-scale production—we’re fostering regional economic development that benefits our communities statewide and elevates Hawai‘i-made products on the world stage.” “The FPIN is critical to building a resilient and self-sustaining economy for Hawai‘i,” said DBEDT Deputy Director Dane Wicker. “By investing in the infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and wraparound services our local businesses need, we are not only creating new small and medium-sized enterprises—we’re supporting existing companies, expanding our Hawai‘i Made program, and strengthening initiatives like farm-to-school and farm-to-state. This is about more than just economic growth; it’s about food security, community resilience, and reducing our dependence on imported food and emergency provisions during natural disasters.”

From orphan to advocate: state senator shares story of adoption, reunion Hawaii News Now Jonathan Masaki November 1, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - For State Sen. Glenn Wakai, the 125th anniversary of Okinawans immigrating to Hawaii has a special and personal significance. For most of his life, Wakai knew that he was adopted but kept it a secret. He was one of the few orphans from Okinawa more than 50 years ago to leave when a loving family from Hawaii offered him a new life. “Back in 1967, there were only about 50 Japanese that would go to foreign lands to there’s not like 5000 right so there was only 50 kids that left Japan for a life in a foreign country,” he said. The senator was adopted by Ruth and Calvin Wakai. Together, they provided the young Uchinanchu boy opportunities that he would never have had had he not been adopted. “You think about 125 years of immigration between Okinawa and Hawaii. I think I embody the American dream, an orphan from Japan picked up by a loving family, and is able to chase their dreams,” Glenn said. Sadly, Ruth passed in 2013, followed by Calvin a few months later. Prior to Calvin’s passing, he presented Glenn with his childhood passport that bore his birth name. After a time of mourning, Wakai’s wife, Miki, asked him if he would like her to help him find his biological mother. He obviously said yes. “His born name is Mitsuru Shimabukuro. Shimabukuro was the last name, so I started calling all the Shimabukuros in Tokyo,” Miki said. During one of her calls, Miki said a nice lady suggested she contact the adoption agencies in Japan to see if they had any information. So, she did, and sure enough, one of them did have Glenn’s childhood records. The Wakais hired a lawyer, and a few months later, they received some good news. “I mean, there are 8 billion people on this planet, and Miki needed to help me find one person, and she did,” the senator said. “When we found her, we were so happy,” said Miki. That led to reuniting with Glenn’s biological mom, Yoko Boughton. Sen. Wakai realized that there was a chance that she may not have wanted to meet for various reasons, but was elated when she did. “He had all of the lucky stars lined up, I have to say this is not always the case when you look for birth mom in a foreign country, I think,” Miki said. “I feel like I got a second mom, and keep in mind, she had me up for adoption because she was age 15,” Glenn said. Since their reunion, the Wakais now try to make it back to Okinawa every year to spend time with Glenn’s biological family. This has also prompted the Hawaii lawmaker and his mom to help reform Japan’s policies when it comes to dealing with Japanese orphans. “My mother and I joined that crusade, met with the Diet members, the congressional-level ministers here in Japan, and we changed the law,” he said. When Glenn was adopted, only 12% of all orphans were in foster care. While there is still a long way to go, he said the law now requires that by 2030, 35% of all orphans need to be in foster care rather than a warehouse orphanage. “Every child has value, and I want as best as I can from an outside perspective to pressure Japan to really invest in their children,” Wakai said. After all, the senator is living proof of how an orphan can thrive if given a chance. He said he is forever grateful to his God-given parents, Ruth and Calvin, for adopting him and also grateful for the 125 years of Okinawa and Hawaii relations. “Here I am, a product of the benefits of that close collaboration between our islands, and I really am grateful for the opportunity Hawaii has given me that I wouldn’t have gotten here in Okinawa,” he said.

Tourism industry deepening ties to film industry Star Advertiser John Berger October 5, 2025 Original Article Hawaii tourism officials are looking to harness the power of film to put a spotlight on Hawaii as a visitor destination, while creating a more authentic understanding of the islands and providing employment for local residents. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority are increasing support for the industry, which has been hard hit by the departure of major productions and the absence of new ones. CBS’s “Hawaii Five-0” shut down in 2020, and “NCIS: Hawai‘i” and the reboot of “Magnum P.I.” both aired their last episodes on the network in 2024, while “Rescue: HI-Surf” was canceled by Fox in May. Gov. Josh Green and DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka recently allocated $500,000 in HTA funding for the film industry and directed the new HTA advisory board to create a Film Production Tourism Standing Committee. The committee, made up of select HTA advisory board members, is expected to guide initiatives that promote Hawaii through film, television and integrated marketing while supporting economic development and authentic representation of the state. The state agencies’ recent focus on film also was a key part of the Hawai‘i Tourism Conference held Sept. 22-23 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center and drew more than 600 attendees, who represented a cross section of Hawaii’s visitor industry and community members, nonprofits and cultural practitioners. Hawaii film industry veteran Brian Keaulana, state Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D, East Maui-Upcountry Maui-Molokai-Lanai-Kahoolawe) and film industry professionals Kourtney Kang and Matt Kester provided insight during a well-attended panel on “Harnessing the Power of Film to Elevate the Destination.” Keaulana said during the panel discussion that the Aug. 1 world premiere of the Apple TV+ miniseries “Chief of War” was a missed opportunity for Hawaii to fully benefit from its cultural advantages and expertise. The nine-episode historical drama, about the battles leading to unification of the isles in the final years of the 18th century, was created, written and produced by Hawaiians. It starred Hawaiian actors Jason Momoa and Moses Goods, and featured several other Hawaiians in prominent supporting roles. Its total production cost of $340 million made “Chief of War” one of the most expensive series ever produced for Apple TV+; however, for financial reasons it filmed only one month in Hawaii and six months in New Zealand. “The Maoris and the people over there, the Indigenous people, all asked us, ‘Why are you coming here?’” Keaulana said. “We had to tell them, ‘The only reason is we can’t (afford to) finish the film (in Hawaii) and we need to finish the film to showcase what we can do.’” DeCoite was a leader this year in the push to enact Senate Bill 732, which proposed increasing the annual payout cap for film and TV production tax credits to $60 million. Other provisions later added to the bill included nixing the $17 million cap per production, waiving county permit fees for certain film activity, providing an extra 5% tax credit for qualified productions employing at least 80% local workers and phasing out production credits over five years. Different versions of SB 732 passed the full House and Senate but stalled April 25 in a conference committee of House and Senate members who could not agree on a compromise. The local film industry got a reprieve when Green vetoed House Bill 796, which would have imposed an automatic five-year sunset on every tax credit established or renewed after the end of this year, or phase out such credits over three years. Green’s veto protected the film tax incentive through Dec. 31, 2032. “Gov. Green has always been on board with the film industry,” DeCoite said. “He sees the value within the industry itself, the outreach of everything else. It’s educating the (legislative) body that basically still has the mindset that this is a rich industry. It’s not, and if this state does not invest, does not look at tax incentives, does not continue to have these conversations and educate themselves, we’re going to look at having it never to return.” Mericia Palma Elmore, executive director of industry union SAG-AFTRA Hawaii and chair of HTA’s Film Production Tourism Standing Committee, also attended the conference panel discussion. She said Hawaii’s film and television industry is not just about entertainment, it’s also essential to driving the state’s economy, including tourism. “All the production that happens here, it creates jobs for our members, actors, stunt people, background performers, but it is also a global advertisement for Hawaii — and not just the beauty of Hawaii, but now, if you look at most recent offerings, the history and culture of Hawaii,” she said. Elmore cited a 2022 DBEDT report that found that film and TV productions contributed $1.2 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, paid over $543 million in wages and generated $121.6 million in state tax revenue. Additionally, she said the report noted that 4.5 million visitor days were directly tied to productions filmed in Hawaii. “Hawaii must remain competitive as best we can globally, and incentives are a part of it,” Elmore said. “I think that sometimes people can see it as a handout, but they should see it in terms of investment.” She added that Hawaii needs to invest in the film industry in the same way it invests in tourism. “The governor sees it — you can look at his record on this and just really his openness to our community and to the creative community in Hawaii,” Elmore said. “I am so glad that people are really starting to see it now.”

Small Group Of Lawmakers To Award $50M To Nonprofits Facing Federal Cuts Civil Beat Kevin Dayton October 17, 2025 Original Article Hawaiʻi lawmakers are inviting nonprofit organizations to seek extra state grant funding under a $50 million initiative to offset recent federal cuts to health and human services programs. In an unusual move, the money will be doled out by a four-member panel instead of the full Legislature. Legislators authorized the extra grants-in-aid funding in the closing days of the last session amid concerns the Trump administration would impose deep cuts in social service programs. Gov. Josh Green approved that plan as Act 310 . Hawaiʻi nonprofits “are facing unprecedented delays and reductions in federal funding,” according to an announcement issued by lawmakers this week. “The cuts in federal funding have impacted areas such as healthcare, human services, education, homelessness, and food security.” In an effort to make up for lost federal funding, the state has begun accepting applications for the Act 310 grants, with a deadline for the nonprofits to submit applications of 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 24. Act 310 says nonprofit applicants for the state grants must be “recipients or providers that have sustained a reduction or termination of their federal funding,” or primarily serve populations that were “negatively affected by reductions or terminations of federal funding.” The $50 million is in addition to $30 million lawmakers directed to nonprofits under the regular grant-in-aid process during the legislative session last spring. A recent report by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization concluded 74 federal grants to 59 Hawai‘i nonprofits “are politically vulnerable” to budget cuts by the Trump administration. Programs serving Native Hawaiians account for much of that risk. Those nonprofits are awaiting $126 million in unpaid balances on federal grants, and “more than half of this risk is concentrated in healthcare programs, with significant exposure also in human services, environment, and education,” according to the UHERO report. But it isn’t clear yet how much funding or how many grants to local nonprofits have actually been cut. State Rep. Daniel Holt, who oversees nonprofit grant-in-aid awards for the House, said in an interview Wednesday he was unaware of any local nonprofits that have taken a big financial hit from federal cuts. “We don’t know what to expect,” Holt said of the application process. “We don’t know if we’re going to get overwhelmed, we don’t know if we’re going to have a lot of extra money,” he added. “We honestly have no idea at this point.” The applications will be administered by Aloha United Way, and a panel of four Democratic legislators will decide the amounts awarded to each nonprofit. Those lawmakers include Holt, House Finance Committee Vice Chair Jenna Takenouchi, Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and Senate Majority Leader Dru Kanuha. Act 310 has been criticized by some lawmakers because it empowers just those four legislators to decide which nonprofits will get portions of the $50 million. Grants-in-aid are normally part of state budgets approved in votes by the full Legislature. Other critics pointed out lawmakers exempted that four-member panel from the state public meetings or Sunshine law, raising concerns the awards to the nonprofits could be decided in secret. Holt said the panel plans to meet publicly after all of the applications are received to hear the nonprofits present their requests for funding. The panel will then meet privately to develop a list of awardees, then will approve that list in a public vote, he said. That process is similar to the way regular grants-in-aid are decided, except that under Act 310 only four lawmakers will be voting. Public First Law Center Executive Director Brian Black warned in July there were procedural defects in the adoption of Act 310 that “threaten to invalidate any grants awarded by the committee.”

Parkway Village adds 400 affordable units, 2 preschools in Kapolei Pacific Business News Janis Magin December 23, 2024 Original Article Developers Kobayashi Group and Ahe Group, along with the City and County of Honolulu, have completed the first units in Parkway Village at Kapolei, which will have 401 affordable units, from studios to four-bedroom apartments, when complete. Parkway Village is being built on land owned by the City and County of Honolulu in a $199 million public-private partnership between the city, the developers, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. and financial partners CREA LLC and Bank of Hawaii, and financed with low-income housing tax credits and Hula Mae bonds. The project broke ground in September 2023 and a blessing for the first completed units was held last week. The apartment complex is being built for residents earning 30 to 60 percent of the area median income, which equates to between $41,760 and $83,250 for a family of four. The project will also include two preschools, including Hawaii’s first privately developed public charter preschool, in partnership with Kamehameha Schools and operated by Parents And Children Together. The second preschool for residents will be operated by Keiki O Ka Aina. "Parkway Village provides quality homes, access to early education, and a focus on sustainability, health, and well-being for families in West Oʻahu," said Alana Kobayashi Pakkala, CEO and managing partner of Kobayashi Group. "Affordable housing and early childhood education play a vital role in building strong communities, and we are honored to contribute in a way that supports the well-being of residents.” Kahu Kordell Kekoa blesses Parkway Village with developers and elected leaders on Dec. 17, 2024, in Kapolei. From left: Makani Maeva of Ahe Group; BJ Kobayashi of Kobayashi Group; Alana Kobayashi Pakkala of Kobayashi Group; Gov. Josh Green; Mayor Rick Blangiardi; and state Sen. Mike Gabbard.

Helicopter searching for signs of invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle in Waikōloa Big Island Now Big Island Now Staff December 3, 2024 Original Article If you live in Waikōloa or the surrounding area and noticed a helicopter flying low overhead today, you might have wondered why. Hawai‘i state Sen. Tim Richards, who represents the Big Island’s Senate District 4 (North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikōloa, North Kona), explained in a Facebook post that the Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Labs at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is conducting a low-altitude helicopter flight over Waikōloa until noon today. The flight, which started at 10 a.m., is part of an effort to collect aerial imagery of palm trees in the Waikōloa area to identify potential damage caused by the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. It’s in partnership with the Big Island Invasive Species Committee. The data gathered will help the committee improve its palm surveys and target trees that might need further inspection. What this means for Waikōloa area residents: The helicopter is flying low to capture detailed imagery. If a tree on your property needs further inspection, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee will contact you. Trees found to have coconut rhinoceros beetle damage could qualify for free treatment by the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Hawai‘i team and Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture. “Thank you for your cooperation in protecting Hawai‘i’s palms!” said Richards in his post. For more information or to get on the list for a free property survey, call/text the Big Island Invasive Species Committee at 808-731-9232 or email to biisc@hawaii.edu .

Senate Committee on Ways and Means advances executive budget bill Maui Now March 31, 2025 Original Article The Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Monday passed House Bill 300 Senate Draft 1 , which outlines the Executive Branch state budget for the upcoming fiscal years. The bill includes funding for both the State’s operating and capital improvement budgets for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. Following the latest downward forecast from the Council on Revenues and amidst ongoing economic uncertainty, the WAM committee has adopted a budget that it says maintains essential services for the state’s most vulnerable populations and proactively expands the economy through strategic investments in emerging sectors. With potential cuts in federal funding and policy changes that could result in broader economic challenges, the Senate reports it remains committed to fostering economic resilience and advancing meaningful solutions that Hawaiʻi’s communities need to thrive. A summary of totals included in the approved budget are as follows: Operating Budget: For Fiscal Year 2025-2026 , the operating budget totals almost $10.44 billion in general funds and about $19.93 billion across all financing sources. For Fiscal Year 2026-2027 , the operating budget totals around $10.42 billion in general funds and almost $19.74 billion across all financing sources. Capital Improvement Budget: For Fiscal Year 2025-2026 , the capital improvement budget includes about $1.56 billion in general obligation bond funds and around $3.72 billion from all financing sources. For Fiscal Year 2026-2027 , the capital improvement budget includes over $339.5 million in general obligation bond funds and about $2.05 billion from all financing sources. “The Senate continues to prioritize investments that foster systems within our island home to sustain essential services, including access to food, healthcare, and housing,” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Senate District 17 –  portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), WAM chair. “This budget makes strategic appropriations to invest into our local regional economies to drive economic growth statewide. This wholistic approach will help to diversify our economy, create high-paying local jobs, and reverse the brain drain. Together, we can make Hawaiʻi a place where locals can live, learn, work, and play.” “In these times of uncertainty, we focused on the essentials: health and safety, compliance, infrastructure, and maintaining and modernizing state assets,” stated Sen. Sharon Y. Moriwaki (Senate District 12 – Waikīkī, Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, McCully), vice-chair of WAM. “We’ve also focused on our Senate priorities of affordable housing, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and economic development and diversification including agricultural innovations.” Budget allocations in line with this year’s Senate priorities: Education and Workforce Development Add one position and $55,068 in FY26 and $110,136 in FY27 to advance financial literacy education initiatives statewide Add 2 positions and $220,272 in FY26 and FY27 for educational programming for students in residential facilities and for neglected/delinquent youth Add $1,450,000 in FY26 and FY27 to address healthcare workforce shortages in collaboration with DOE Add four positions and $947,736 in FY26 and FY27 to provide career foundations across core and emerging industries, in collaboration with the McKinley Community School for Adults and the Business Development and Support Division Add 11 positions and $1,243,212 in FY26 and $1,468,488 in FY27 to address nursing shortages statewide Add $15,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to help improve access to quality healthcare in underserved areas Add $1,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute in UH Community College Systems to develop pathways for workforce development Add $4,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Hoakea Program, in partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society Add $465,000 in FY26 and FY27 for differentials for Charter Schools teachers, including for hard-to-fill and Hawaiian Immersion teachers Add 58 positions and $5,027,927 in FY26 and 108 positions and $8,236,302 in FY27 for the Lieutenant Governor’s Ready Keiki initiative, which aims to expand access to pre-school statewide Housing, Homelessness, and Stabilizing Hawaiʻi’s Property Insurance Market Add $4,100,000 in FY26 and FY27 to help offenders reintegrate into society, including by providing replacement vital documents, mental health treatment services, substance abuse treatment services, and transitional housing Add $1,550,000 in FY26 and FY27 for Family Assessment Centers for homeless families with minor children Add $3,750,000 in FY26 and FY27 for Housing First Program to provide transitional housing to individuals who frequent healthcare services and the criminal justice system Add $1,750,000 in FY26 and FY27 for Homeless Outreach Services to collaborate with state agencies to transition individuals into long-term housing solutions Add $5,000,000 in FY26 to support State agencies to address homeless encampments on State lands Add $3,750,000 in FY26 and FY27 for Rapid Re-housing Program which provides supportive services to families Add $250,000 in FY26 and FY27 for State Rent Supplement Program to provide housing subsidies for low-income families Increase State Low-Income Housing revolving fund ceiling to add 2 positions and $160,478 in FY26 and $300,356 in FY27 to assist with Public Housing programs Add one position and $100,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the 99-year leasehold program, which aims to develop low-cost residential condominium units for first-time homebuyers Increase special fund ceiling by $200,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for distribution of insurance proceeds from the Maui wildfires General Governance and Constitutional Rights Add $200,000 in FY26 and $220,000 in FY27 for IT accessibility implementation in the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, in consultation with the Disability and Communication Assess Board Increase special fund ceiling by $5,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to expand 911 services to new and emerging technologies Add two positions and $440,000 in FY26 and FY27 to establish the Immigrant Services and Access Unit to promote economic self‑sufficiency, community inclusion, and integration Add $1,500,000 in FY26 to improve paid family and medical leave Add $250,000 in FY26 and $264,000 in FY27 for the Silver Alert Program, which helps protect vulnerable kupuna and persons with cognitive impairments or developmental disabilities Add eight positions and $5,042,937 in FY26 and $2,292,014 in FY27 to create the Explosives Enforcement Section to help stop the importation of illegal fireworks Add one position and $200,000 in FY26 and FY27 to help incorporate language access laws into disaster management plans Add six positions and $876,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Office of Wellness and Resilience to continue Hawaiʻi’s largest statewide health survey ever, as well as the largest dataset using the Center for Disease Control’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Worker Well-being Questionnaire. Add $125,000 in FY26 for medical transportation across rural Oahu Add two positions and $612,210 in FY26 and $1,694,644 in FY27 to expand critical State services to blind and visually impaired residents of the neighbor islands Environmental Sustainability and Infrastructure Add 44 positions and $13,324,731 in both fiscal years for biosecurity Add 7.5 positions and $422,604 in in both fiscal years to operate and maintain irrigation systems statewide Add $200,000 in FY26 and FY27 to minimize the spread of rat lungworm disease Add $1,500,000 in FY26 and FY27 for overtime payments within the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Add 21 positions and $4,967,103 in FY26 and $2,002,972 in FY27 to protect the natural resources of our State Add one position and $110,000 in FY26 and FY27, and increase special fund ceiling by $5,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to revitalize plantation-era reservoirs statewide Add $500,000 in FY26 for climate change assessments in community development districts Increase federal fund ceiling by $393,600 in FY26 and $442,800 in FY27 for three positions for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, which aims to expand high-speed internet access to Native Hawaiian households Add $15,000,000 in FY26 for fire mitigation on highways statewide Increase revolving fund ceiling by $11,591,397 in FY26 for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits Agricultural Innovation and Other Revenue Streams Add $2,058,118 for the Agribusiness Development Corporation to support local farmers, in collaboration with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience Add $2,000,000 in FY26 to supplement the revolving fund to keep irrigation water rates affordable for local farmers Add $865,000 in FY26 and FY27 to help local entrepreneurs expand to global markets Add $4,150,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the First Lady’s Feeding Hawaiʻi Keiki initiative, in collaboration with the DOE and CTAHR Add $1,500,000 in FY26 to establish the Smart Food Program that will allow Hawaiʻi food producers and retailers to make specific food items available at discounts to SNAP recipients Add $4,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to cement Hawaiʻi’s position as the gateway between the East and the West Add one position and $35,508 in FY26 and $71,016 in FY27 for the Hawaiʻi Film Office Add two positions and $66,888 in FY26 and $133,776 in FY27 for the Academy of Creative Media Add $126,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Small Business Coordinator, to help ensure equal opportunity for businesses owned by veterans, Native Hawaiians, and women Add one position and $57,500 in FY26 and $115,000 in FY27 for antitrust laws and the promotion of a fair and competitive economy Budget allocations for State Departments include: Department of Agriculture Add 44 positions and $13,324,731 in both fiscal years for biosecurity Add 7.5 positions and $422,604 in in both fiscal years to operate and maintain irrigation systems statewide Add $2,000,000 in FY26 to supplement the revolving fund to keep irrigation water rates affordable for local farmers Add $100,000 and 1 Grant Writer position to capitalize on extramural funding Department of Accounting and General Services Add one position and $2,550,000 in FY26 and $4,800,000 in FY27 to expand access to Boards and Commissions meetings Add $200,000 in FY26 and $220,000 in FY27 for IT accessibility implementation in the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, in consultation with the Disability and Communication Assess Board Add $1,600,000 in FY26 and FY27 for cybersecurity risk mitigation efforts Add $310,000 in FY26 and $325,000 in FY27 for cloud backup and disaster recovery solutions Add two positions, and $1,088,500 in FY26 and $1,167,000 in FY27 to establish the Cemetery Management Office Add $126,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Small Business Coordinator, to help ensure equal opportunity for businesses owned by veterans, Native Hawaiians, and women Add two positions and $2,115,000 in FY26 and $380,000 in FY27 for the Campaign Spending Commission to upgrade electronic voting systems Increase special fund ceiling by $5,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to expand 911 services to new and emerging technologies Increase special fund ceiling by $200,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for distribution of insurance proceeds from the Maui wildfires Department of the Attorney General Add two positions and $196,863 in FY26 and $271,445 in FY27 for the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission to help ensure a comprehensive offender re-entry program Add two positions and $152,767 in FY26 and $305,531 in FY27 for the Medical Fraud Unit Add one position and $57,500 in FY26 and $115,000 in FY27 for antitrust laws and the promotion of a fair and competitive economy Add one position and $57,500 in FY26 and $115,000 in FY27 to help uphold child protection laws and support the Office of Youth Services Add $3,070,000 in FY26 and FY27 to help ensure pay equity for Deputy Attorney General positions Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism Add $1,450,000 in FY26 and FY27 to address healthcare workforce shortages in collaboration with DOE Add $250,000 in FY26 and FY27 to provide career foundations in collaboration with DOE’s community schools for adults Add $865,000 in FY26 and FY27 to help local entrepreneurs expand to global markets Add $4,150,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the First Lady’s Feeding Hawaiʻi Keiki initiative, in collaboration with the DOE and CTAHR Add $4,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to cement Hawaiʻi’s position as the gateway between the East and the West Add one position and $35,508 in FY26 and $71,016 in FY27 for the Hawaiʻi Film Office Add $500,000 in FY26 for climate change assessments in community development districts Add $2,058,118 to support local farmers, in collaboration with the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience Department of Budget and Finance Add one position and $983,500 in FY26 and $592,600 in FY27 to safeguard the State’s $24 billion assets for the Employees’ Retirement System Increase trust fund ceiling by 143,719 in FY26 and $287,438 in FY27 for one Investment Officer to help maintain post-employment benefits, including healthcare Add $1,653,691 in FY26 and FY27 to help ensure pay equity for positions within the Office of the Public Defender Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Increase special fund ceiling by:$12,000,000 to renovate the historic King Kalakaua Building $58,233 in FY26 and $116,466 in FY27 for 1 Auditor for the Public Utilities Commission to address rate payer affordability and renewable portfolio standards Department of Defense Add $230,000 in FY26 for critical telecommunications infrastructure Add $2,037,196 in FY26 and FY27 to help ensure pay equity for positions at the Youth Challenge Academy Add one position and $200,000 in FY26 and FY27 to help incorporate language access laws into disaster management plans Department of Education Add $4,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Hoakea Program, in partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society Add $726,100 in FY26 and FY27 to make girls flag football a sport Add $63,082 in FY26 and FY27 for neighbor island student participation in JROTC competition Add two positions and $220,272 in FY26 and FY27 for educational programming for students in residential facilities and for neglected/delinquent youth Add $10,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for skilled nursing services for individuals with disabilities Add $1,700,000 in FY26 and FY27 to increase access to mental health and well- being support systems Add four positions and $697,736 in FY26 and FY27 to provide career foundations across core and emerging industries, in collaboration with the McKinley Community School for Adults Add $4,125,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Farm to School mandate, which aims to locally source 30% of DOE school meals by 2030 Add $500,000 in FY26 and $250,000 in FY27 for an automated handing system that utilizes radio-frequency identification for all Public Libraries Add $465,000 in FY26 and FY27 for differentials for Charter Schools teachers, including for hard-to-fill and Hawaiian Immersion teachers Add 58 positions and $5,027,927 in FY26 and 108.00 positions and $8,236,302 in FY27 for the Lieutenant Governor’s Ready Keiki initiative, which aims to expand access to pre-school statewide Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Increase federal fund ceiling by $393,600 in FY26 and $442,800 in FY27 for three positions for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, which aims to expand high-speed internet access to Native Hawaiian households Department of Human Services Add six positions and $876,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Office of Wellness and Resilience to continue Hawaiʻi’s largest statewide health survey ever, as well as the largest dataset using the Center for Disease Control’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Worker Well-being Questionnaire. Increase special fund ceiling by $225,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Hospital Sustainability Program Increase special fund ceiling by $35,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Nursing Facility Sustainability ProgramThese recurring appropriations sustain public-private partnerships to provide care to the most vulnerable populations in the State Add $750,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Child Wellness Incentive Pilot Program Add $1,500,000 in FY26 to establish the Smart Food Program that will allow Hawaiʻi food producers and retailers to make specific food items available at discounts to SNAP recipients Add two positions and $612,210 in FY26 and $1,694,644 in FY27 to expand critical State services to blind and visually impaired residents of the neighbor islands Department of Human Resources Development 1. Add $1,750,000 in FY26 to help ensure pay equity for civil service jobs across the State Department of Health Add $125,000 in FY26 for medical transportation across rural Oʻahu Add $8,600,000 in FY26 and $18,400,000 in FY27 for Medicaid home and community-based services waiver for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities Add $5,500,000 in FY26 to expand the number of psychiatric beds at the Hawaiʻi State Hospital Add $1,600,000 in FY26 and FY27 for a second medic station and ambulance on Molokaʻi Add three positions and $192,408 in FY26 and FY27 for the Senior Medicare Patrol Program to protect kupuna from medical fraud and scams Add $1,700,000 in FY26 and FY27 for reproductive health and family planning services Add $15,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to help improve access to quality healthcare in underserved areas Department of Law Enforcement Add eight positions and $5,042,937 in FY26 and $2,292,014 in FY27 to create the Explosives Enforcement Section to help stop the importation of illegal fireworks Add $825,000 in FY26 to help prevent gun violence Add $250,000 in FY26 and FY27 for de-escalation training for law enforcement officers Add $250,000 in FY26 and $264,000 in FY27 for the Silver Alert Program, which helps protect vulnerable kupuna and persons with cognitive impairments or developmental disabilities Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Add two positions and $440,000 in FY26 and FY27 to establish the Immigrant Services and Access Unit to promote economic self‑sufficiency, community inclusion, and integration Add $1,500,000 in FY26 to improve paid family and medical leave Add two positions and $76,996 in FY26 and $130,592 in FY27 to enforce temporary disability insurance and prepaid healthcare laws Department of Land and Natural Resources Add one position and $110,000 in FY26 and FY27, and increase special fund ceiling by $5,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to revitalize plantation-era reservoirs statewide Add $1,500,000 in FY26 and FY27 for overtime payments within the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Add 21 positions and $4,967,103 in FY26 and $2,002,972 in FY27 to protect the natural resources of our State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Add $112,000 in FY26 and FY27 to provide trauma-informed care training for uniformed and non-uniformed staff Add $4,100,000 in FY26 and FY27 to help offenders reintegrate into society, including by providing replacement vital documents, mental health treatment services, substance abuse treatment services, and transitional housing Department of Taxation Add 338,150 in FY26 and $593,400 in FY27 for the Tax System Modernization Project Department of Transportation Add $15,000,000 in FY26 for fire mitigation on highways statewide Add $5,000,000 in FY26 to support State agencies to address homeless encampments on State lands University of Hawaiʻi Add 11 positions and $1,243,212 in FY26 and $1,468,488 in FY27 to address nursing shortages statewide Add $200,000 in FY26 and FY27 to minimize the spread of rat lungworm disease Add two positions and $66,888 in FY26 and $133,776 in FY27 for the Academy of Creative Media Add $1,000,000 in FY26 and FY27 to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute in UH Community College Systems to develop pathways for workforce development Add two positions and $210,150 in FY26 and FY27 for Windward Community College’s Mental Health Technician Certificate of Competence Program, in collaboration with the Hawaiʻi State Hospital

New office to coordinate state's broadband expansion efforts Spectrum News Michael Tsai June 11, 2025 Original Article With the signing of House Bill 934 this week, the state’s efforts to achieve universal broadband access will be officially coordinated via a centralized State Broadband Office. What You Need To Know Act 201, formally establishes the State Broadband Office within the Department of Accounting and General Services In addition to coordinating broadband deployment across public and private sectors, the office will be responsible for administering grant programs in support of broadband infrastructure and innovation, overseeing strategic broadband investments and ensuring high-speed internet access is extended to underserved communities statewide Act 201 also provides funding for six digital navigators, who will support digital literacy programs in libraries and other venues across the state The state has opened a request for proposals for the Hawaii Community Digital Navigators Project to hire, train and manage community digital navigators who will be located in 51 public library branches Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as acting governor while Gov. Josh Green is in Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials and attend the annual Hawaii on the Hill event, signed the measure into law on Monday. “With the signing of House Bill 934, Hawaii is taking a necessary step toward a future where every resident, regardless of geography, age or income, can connect to and use affordable, reliable broadband internet to access education, healthcare and economic opportunity,” said Luke, who leads the state’s Connect Kakou high-speed internet initiative. “This law not only lays the groundwork for much-needed services — it also helps ensure keiki through kupuna acquire the skills and support they need to use the internet to improve their daily lives.” The measure, now Act 201, formally establishes the State Broadband Office within the Department of Accounting and General Services. In addition to coordinating broadband deployment across public and private sectors, the office will be responsible for administering grant programs in support of broadband infrastructure and innovation, overseeing strategic broadband investments and ensuring high-speed internet access is extended to underserved communities statewide. “Access to high-speed internet is vital for every aspect of our lives,” said state Rep. Greggor Ilagan, who co-introduced the bill. “There are residents in rural areas who are counting on us to deliver important broadband upgrades and programs. The State Broadband Office gives us the focus and framework to turn vision into action.” Act 201 also provides funding for six digital navigators, who will support digital literacy programs in libraries and other venues across the state. The new positions build on a 2023 pilot program in which community-based professionals, stationed at public libraries, assisted residents with digital skills, internet connectivity, accessing devices, and online services like telehealth and job applications. “I’ve seen firsthand the barriers a rural island community faces when it comes to building computer skills that many take for granted,” said state Sen. Lynn DeCoite. “By connecting people to digital navigators, we’re empowering our residents in countless ways.” State librarian Stacey Aldrich said the 2023 pilot program demonstrated the high demand for digital literacy support. “Digital navigators are trusted guides who will help ensure no one is left behind in the digital age and we are so excited to grow this program,” she said. The state has opened a request for proposals for the Hawaii Community Digital Navigators Project to hire, train and manage community digital navigators who will be located in 51 public library branches. Interested applicants can access the full RFP by visiting connectkakou.org . The deadline to submit a proposal is June 30 at 2 p.m.

Hawaii elections commission calls for end to mail-in voting Hawaii News Now Daryl Huff November 4, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state elections commission has voted to ask the legislature to ban mail-in and early voting and return to traditional in-person voting on Election Day. The bipartisan commission, which is half Democrat and half Republican, voted 5-3 over several contentious meetings to recommend voting only on Election Day in person with ID required on paper ballots that would be hand counted in precincts. Under the proposal, only military families and people with special needs would be allowed to vote absentee. Republican concerns over verification Republican commissioners said they have found discrepancies in mail-in voting and claim the movement of absentee ballots and envelopes from homes to post offices to counties for verification and to the state for counting has not been securely controlled or tracked. “No one who is outside the system can verify the results,” said Lindsey Kamm. Dylan Andrion said the commission is “going back to what works.” There was also concern that the emphasis on mail-in balloting made it more difficult for people to vote in person at limited sites. Commissioner Kahiolani Papalimu, from the Big Island, said, “being an incredibly rural island, I’d much prefer voting in our precincts, which is accessible to everyone in their area.” Democrats dispute claims Democrat commissioners and elections officials said the Republican claims are false and that there is no evidence of fraud or miscounting. “It’s just ludicrous. There’s no basis for connecting this supposed unverifiable statement, which is false, to the need to go back to in person voting,” said Jeffrey Osterkamp. Clare McAdam noted that in the 2024 election, 92.5% of voters voted by mail. “It’s 92.5% of the state wants to vote by mail, and I think that’s very important that we bear in mind all the time when we consider this,” McAdam said. Senate Judiciary chair Karl Rhoads, who would have jurisdiction over changing election law, said he believes the chances the legislature will approve the changes are zero. “I don’t even know the last time that Hawaii had one-day voting,” Rhoads said. Rhoads said he believes Republican commissioners are trying to undermine election confidence following President Trump’s lead. “I think they’re doing what they think he’s asking him to do. I think it’s from the top. The irony, of course, is that Trump himself uses mail-in voting,” Rhoads said. In addition to seeking to ban mail-in voting, Republican commissioners have repeatedly tried and failed to fire elections administrator Scott Nago and may try again Wednesday.