County, Hawaiian Dredging host blessing, grounbreaking for Kapa‘a Homesteads Tanks Project Kauai Now July 18, 2025 Original Article Kaua‘i County Department of Water and contractor Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. hosted a blessing ceremony and groundbreaking July 11 to commence the Kapa‘a Homesteads Tanks Project. 📷Kaua‘i County Department of Water and contractor Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. hosted a blessing ceremony and groundbreaking July 11, 2025, for the Kapa‘a Homesteads Tanks Project. From left are Kaua‘i Department of Water Manager and Chief Engineer Joe Tait, Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Senior Project Manager Ryder Coelho, Kaua‘i County Board of Water Supply Vice Chairman Tom Shigemoto, Hawai‘i Speaker of the House Rep. Nadine Nakamura and Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Sr. Vice President Heavy Division Len Dempsey. (Photo Courtesy: Kaua‘i County Department of Water) The $23.3 million project will replace an existing 200,000-gallon water storage tank with the construction of two 500,000-gallon storage tanks, totaling 1 million gallons, along with necessary storm drain improvements. Installation of about 1,700 linear feet of water lines — 16-inch and 12-inch — along with associated appurtenances are also part of the project. “This project has been a long time coming,” Kaua‘i Department of Water Manager and Chief Engineer Joe Tait was quoted in a county release as saying during the ceremony. “These new storage tanks enhance the current on-site storage from the circa 1923 storage tank and will be a tremendous benefit to the surrounding community.” Hawai‘i Speaker of the House Rep. Nadine Nakamura and Hawai‘i Senate President Sen. Ron Kouchi, who both represent Kaua‘i at the state Capitol in Honolulu, played a large role in securing state funds to help finance about one-third of the project. Nakamura was present during last week’s blessing and groundbreaking. She emphasized the positive impact the infrastructure improvements will have for fire protection in the area, particularly for Kapa‘a Elementary and Kapa‘a High schools. Successful implementation of the master plan for Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital in Kapa‘a also relies on the establishment a robust water infrastructure. The project’s blessing was officiated by Kahu Jade Waiʻaleʻale Battad. Among those in attendance during the ceremony and groundbreaking were Nakamura, Kaua‘i County Board of Water Supply Vice Chairman Tom Shigemoto, Tait and Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. Sr. Vice President Len Dempsey. The project is estimated to be completed in 2027. Contact Kaua‘i County Department of Water at 808-245-5455 or via email at publicrelations@kauaiwater.org with any questions or for additional information.

Gov. Green signs bills to tackle housing bottlenecks, fund nonprofits Maui Now July 10, 2025 Original Article Gov. Josh Green, M.D., concluded the bill signing season by holding the final two bill signing ceremonies on Wednesday, which highlighted measures focused on addressing some of Hawaiʻi’s most pervasive challenges. The newly enacted laws focus on providing effective remediation for claims of construction defects and delivering essential funding to support critical nonprofit organizations impacted by federal funding reductions. “Today represents the full scope of what policymaking is all about,” said Green. “Sometimes, it takes many sessions to pass legislation and show foresight for long-term change. Other times, it is about the flexibility to pivot quickly when urgent challenges arise. Signing these two bills reflect both ends of that spectrum and truly demonstrates the best of what this bill signing period stands for.” HB 420: Relating to remedies: A recent UHERO report indicates a surge in litigation related to construction defect claims, which has resulted in costly and time-consuming delays of housing projects across the state. These delays, in turn, leave many awaiting construction in limbo and drive up the cost of housing, all of which have major implications throughout the state’s housing pipeline. House Bill 420 (Act 308) amends the Contractor Repair Act and Statute of Repose to address the exploitative litigation practices currently hindering Hawai‘i’s housing market. “This bill is a couple years in the making, and today’s signing marks a step toward removing roadblocks for affordable, accessible housing in Hawai‘i,” said Green. “HB 420 is a solution-based measure that tackles one of many contributing factors to our rising cost of living in the islands. It supports a broad range of stakeholders across the housing market, helping to move projects forward and bring real relief to our communities.” HB 420 aims to streamline and improve the efficiency of the Hawai‘i Contractor Repair Act for its proper utilization in lieu of litigation. Amendments to the act provide defined timelines and processes related to the notice of claims between claimants and contractors, including the acceptance or rejection of contractor’s offer of settlement or authorized repair. To support prompt repair and remediation, the measure establishes standardized requirements that must be included in a construction of defect claim to ensure contractors are given sufficient evidence to address the matter. The bill further establishes clear timelines regarding inspections, testing, and mediation to provide homeowners and contractors with a comprehensive roadmap for remedies. Together with these procedural improvements, Gov. Green said the bill includes provision to deter unnecessary litigation through clarifying the statute of repose and limitation periods. HB 420 clarifies the applicability of the 10-year statute of repose, which applies to all actions, including contracts, torts or statutory claims. Pre-filing of a lawsuit is not to occur more than six months before the litigation or repose period ends. “HB 420 is a meaningful step forward for Hawai‘i’s communities because it helps with the process of getting homes repaired and built faster, without getting caught up in long, costly lawsuits,” said Sen. Jarrett Keohokālole (Senate District 24 – Kāne‘ohe, Kailua), who chairs the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. “By encouraging builders and homeowners to work together early on, this law protects families from unnecessary delays and high costs, helping to make housing more affordable and accessible for everyone across the islands.” “HB 420 is about restoring balance and fairness to the construction defect process,” said Rep. Lisa Marten. “For too long, certain legal strategies have delayed critical repairs and driven up costs. This bill strengthens protections for both homeowners and builders by requiring a good-faith opportunity to inspect and repair before litigation begins. It’s a practical fix that helps move housing projects forward and ensures we’re not putting unnecessary barriers in the way of affordable housing in Hawai‘i.” “We sincerely thank Governor Josh Green for signing HB 420 into law. This legislation brings critical reform to the Contractor Repair Act by prioritizing cooperation and timely resolution over costly and prolonged litigation,” said D.R. Horton Hawai‘i Division President Tracy Tonaki on behalf of Housing No Kākou. “HB 420 strengthens consumer protections by prioritizing cooperation before litigation so that we can collectively preserve access to essential government backed loan programs, ensure legitimate repairs are made in a timely manner and continue to build much needed housing for Hawai‘i’s families.” SB 933: Relating to the state budget: Senate Bill 933 (Act 310) serves as a targeted measure to support Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector. Due to the federal funding freeze, many valuable nonprofits that provide essential community services, including child care, housing services, and healthcare, will be adversely affected and face significant reductions in funding. To help offset these losses, SB 933 appropriates $50 million for fiscal year 2026 to fund grants-in-aid for non-profit organizations across Hawai‘i. The Office of Community Services, within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, will oversee the selection and distribution of these grant awards. “It is not fair that organizations dedicated to supporting the people of Hawai‘i are being forced to scale back due to federal funding cuts,” said Green. “This state funding is a critical lifeline — not just for the nonprofits themselves, but for the individuals and families who depend on the essential services they provide everyday. We are stepping in to ensure our communities do not lose access to the care and support they need.” A selection committee will be established to evaluate applications from non-profit organizations that demonstrate a termination or reduction of funding, or whose beneficiaries have been adversely impacted by the changes in federal funding. To carry out the provision of the bill and to assist with the distribution of grants, the measure establishes temporary full-time positions within the Office of Community Services. Through this measure, the Office of Community Service authorizes the to contract the services of Aloha United Way, Inc. to provide administrative support and assist in the distribution of grant awards. “This investment is more than just funding—it’s a vote of confidence in Hawai‘i’s nonprofit sector” said Michelle Bartell, President & CEO, Aloha United Way. “We’re grateful to the State Legislature for acting swiftly and to HANO for their tireless advocacy. Together, we’re helping ensure essential services remain strong and responsive for those who rely on them every day.” “Senate Bill 933 is a timely and targeted response to protect the nonprofits that form the backbone of our communities,” said Sen. Troy Hashimoto (Senate District 5 – Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Wai‘ehu). “As federal funding declines, it’s our responsibility to make sure that vital services like childcare, housing and healthcare continue to be accessible to those who need them the most. This law helps keep critical support systems intact for Hawai‘i’s families.” “We recognize the vital role that nonprofit organizations play in the health and resilience of our communities in Hawai‘i,” said Rep. Daniel Holt. “SB 933 responds to an urgent need, ensuring essential services like childcare, housing, and healthcare remain accessible despite federal funding cuts. This measure reflects our collective commitment to mālama our communities and support those who serve them every day.” The complete list of bills signed include the following. Click the link to see full details of the bill enacted into law. HB 431 (ACT 309) Relating to Housing

‘Not just about farming’: Senate Ways and Means Committee gets update about food and product initiative Kauai Now August 13, 2025 Original Article Members of the Hawaiʻi Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday received an update from the Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development about plans for a new state initiative aimed at scaling up local farmers and entrepreneurs while increasing economic resilience. Members of the Ways and Means Committee and other officials gathered near the historic Kaua‘i Plantation Railway in Līhuʻe for a site visit and briefing about the strategic plan guiding the Hawai‘i Food and Product Innovation Network. The Kauaʻi facility is part of a larger ecosystem that includes complementary projects on Oʻahu and Maui, integrating food science, equipment access and training partnerships with University of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Department of Health. Discussions focused on regional coordination, infrastructure development and launch of a pilot program on Kauaʻi that integrates processing equipment, workforce training and business support services. The Hawai‘i Food and Product Innovation Network initiative draws inspiration from New Zealand’s public-private innovation model and includes strategic investments throughout the islands. Participating in Tuesday’s discussions also were Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Deputy Director Dane Wicker and other department officials along with others from Agribusiness Development Corporation, University of Hawaiʻi Community Design Center and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health. “Continuing to invest in agricultural production is a clear step in the right direction,” said state Sen. Glenn Wakai, who represents O‘ahu’s District 15 , in a release following Tuesday’s visit. Recent legislative support includes enactment of: Act 237 , which established the Food and Product Innovation Network. Act 250 , which appropriates $350,000 for program coordination. Act 230 , which dedicates $2 million for a new agricultural processing facility in Kekaha. “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 Kouchi, who represents Kaua‘i and Niʻihau, in the release. Kouchi added that it’s encouraging to see the necessary steps being taken to expand export capacity and provide more locally grown food on plates at 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,” he said in the release. Wicker — whose state agency oversees Hawai‘i Agribusiness Development Corporation — said the intiative is critical to building a resilient and self-sustaining Hawai‘i economy. “The Food and Product Innovation Network is a meaningful investment in Hawai‘i’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 Senate Ways and Means Chairman Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who represents O‘ahu’s District 17 , in the release. By investing in the infrastructure, facilities, equipment and wraparound services the state’s local businesses need, small and medium-sized enterprises will be created and existing companies will continue to be supported. Wicker said that will expand the state’s Hawai‘i Made program and strengthen other efforts such as farm-to-school and farm-to-state programs. “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,” he said in the release. Hawai‘i Food and Product Innovation Network’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. “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,” Dela Cruz added in the release.

Downtown revitalization pursuits including Bill 51 addressed at Honolulu town hall KITV Eric Naktin August 15, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (Island News) -- A second town hall focusing on creating a "Downtown Honolulu Business Improvement District" took place Thursday night at the former Walmart turned pickleball complex at Fort Street Mall. City leaders fielded questions and concerns from residents and businesses about proposed plans to revitalize the area. Sen. Karl Rhoads (D) Punchbowl, Chinatown and Downtown stated, "The fact there's even a meeting here to talk about this, says to me there's things we can do better at the government level." While progress has been made, many local workers and community members feel additional improvements are overdue. Ernest Caravalho stated, "I've been fighting for last ten years for the safety of this community, that's the biggest thing, so that my kapuna, my keiki (and other family) can walk these streets safely." Vaster coverage and more personnel could be ahead. Warren Wong with the Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District stated, "Bill 51 wants to expand the Fort Street Mall BID to include Nuuanu and go all the way through Beretania, Ala Moana, so we'll have better coverage." Ed D'Ascoli told Island News, "Our family owns the Podmore building on Merchant and Alakea Street - we're very interested in this, we support it - Bill 51 and the Business Improvement District. We want to be able to enhance what the city does, it's important for us. With Bill 51, the plan/objective is similar to Waikiki, where folks help clean sidewalks, offer directions and provide another set of eyes for police, It would involve 14 additional personnel members out on the streets. Plans would reportedly involve property owners paying a fee to fund the services. Honolulu City Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam said, "I think a lot of people recognize to pay for security, to pay for maintenance, pressure washing and all those services, I think that's going to be a welcome addition." What's a ballpark figure of the price? "The overall BID budget is about $1.9 million a year, that goes to security and power washing maintenance, that translates to about two cents per square foot on cam, on everyone's maintenance for the commercial properties, but again if people are already paying for private security, already painting out the graffiti on their own, if the BID comes through, the BID organization would help pay for that", added Dos Santos-Tam. The next hearing is Sept. 3rd before the city council. The public is encouraged to attend and express their views.

Students honored for voter registrations The Garden Island Dennis Fujimoto August 14, 2025 Original Article LIHUE — Six high school students and a Department of Education Complex Area resource teacher were honored for their efforts that increased the list of registered voters by more than 300 voters. Indivisible Kauai, a group dedicated to fighting for democracy, joined Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and Senate President Ron Kouchi in congratulating and recognizing the students from Island School, Kspaa, and Waimea high schools, as well as resource teacher Darlene Muraoka from the Complex Area office. “These students have shown that civic engagement starts early,” Kawakami said. “They’ve set an example for the whole community.” Waimea High School, with support from social studies teacher Lisa Davalos-Wade, registered 135 voters through the efforts of Bystin Nagamine, Stanley Kimmel, and Naia Lewis. Khloe Graves, who is on track to be a middle blocker for the Kapaa High School girls volleyball team, worked with Muraoka to register 106 voters, the most of the student registrars. Island School, with the support of High School and College Counselor Renate McMullen, saw the team effort of sisters Violet and Ruby Swartz register 77 students during a May 5 drive. Muraoka said voters can register when they are 16 years old. They cannot vote until they turn 18. Muraoka, a key organizer for the recent Back to School Bash, where 2,500 backpacks of school supplies were distributed, was assigned to the initiative to select student leaders, arrange training, and ensure campus rules were followed during the voter registration drives. Indivisible Kauai member Mary Lu Kelley said, “Building on this success, additional student-led registration drives are planned for the Fall 2025 and the Spring 2026. We hope to get participation from the Hawaii Technology Academy and Kauai High School, joining the current roster of Waimea, Kapaa, and Island School.” The voter registration initiative started in the summer of 2024 when Kauai voter registrar Bevin Parker-Evans and Kelley met with then-DOE Complex Area Superintendent Daniel Hamada to discuss increasing civic engagement in high schools. The Kauai Indivisible ladies proposed student-led voter registration events supported by training and materials from “The Civics Center,” a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth participation in democracy.

Community Health Center Unveils New Dental Clinic The Molokai Dispatch Léo Azambuja August 14, 2025 Original Article Friendly Isle residents have a new reason to smile. The nonprofit organization Molokai Community Health Center unveiled Saturday its newly renovated and expanded dental facility in Kaunakakai — almost five months ahead of schedule. “This is going to be huge for the community,” MCHC Board President James Rarick told the crowd attending the grand opening. Like others, he too had been forced to seek dental care off-island. The $2.4 million upgrading and expansion increased the numbers of dental chairs to six from the previous capacity of three. The current full-time dentist, Dr. Paula Gardner, will be joined by a part-time dentist, two full-time dental hygienists, plus specialty-care professionals on an as-needed schedule, allowing for a significant increase in dental services to the community. “The plan is to bring two full time dentists to the practice,” project manager Terry Radi said, adding they have been trying to recruit more staff for the last two years, but the country has been experiencing a shortage of dental service providers. More than 100 people attended the grand opening in Kaunakakai, including many dignitaries who had a role in the project. Besides all the good news, the event offered free shoyu chicken bento plates, drinks from Friends and Coffee, popcorn, dental hygiene kits and raffle tickets. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele was key in securing the initial $1.4 million in federal funds years ago, when he was serving as a congressman. He said he wanted to thank MCHC staff for serving thousands of residents on Molokai. Radi said that initial funding allowed MCHC to start the process of renovating the dental building. The remaining funds came from a $350,000 donation from Hawaii Dental Service and a $660,000 grand from Maui County. “Hawaii Dental Service has been so generous with us over the past few years,” she said. And then County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez heard MCHC was expanding the program, and helped to secure funding to help cover expenses attached to doubling operations for the next two years, according to Radi. State Sen. Lynn DeCoite, State Rep. Mahina Poepoe, and Zhantell Lindo, representing Rawlins-Fernandez, also attended the grand opening and spoke to the public. Radi said the actual work on expanding the clinic started four years ago, navigating fund-seeking, permits and design, among other things. Last year, as the construction phase was approaching, she said they were trying to figure out how to keep services open during the renovations. Coincidentally, last November, Dr. Gregory Davis retired from private practice and closed his office near Paddlers Restaurant and Bar in Kaunakakai. “We talked to him about renting his space,” Radi said. “Then he donated his old equipment to us, and we have been operating out of that facility while we have been under construction.” The temporary solution came with challenges; the equipment was limited, and the facility was aged. “We just couldn’t keep up with the number of patients that we have. So, we are all just super excited to get out of that location and into our new location where we have doubled the capacity for seeing the patients,” Radi said. MCHC signed the contract for construction in December 2024, and started construction in early January 2025. The building was planned to be ready by the end of this year, but Radi said MCHC CEO Milton Cortez asked if they could cut the construction time in half. “Unfortunately, it just couldn’t be done in six months. But it was done in eight months, and we are pretty proud of that. So, we did push up the project a good four-and-a-half months,” Radi said. MCHC dental program currently serves about 2,300 patients, according to Radi. Now that the new facility is open, she said the number of patients might increase to up to 3,000. Because MCHC is a nonprofit organization, Cortez said, they cannot refuse service based on financial situation. “Our business model makes sure that we are looking at taking care of people without insurance, people that can’t pay. We can’t, by law, turn them away,” Cortez said.

New signs honor Purple Heart medal recipients Spectrum News Spectrum News Staff August 13, 2025 Original Article In 2024, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 7 into law, designating Honolulu as a “Purple Heart City,” and on Aug. 8 a special ceremony unveiled the new signs honoring Purple Heart medal recipients. What You Need To Know The Purple Heart signs will be installed at a total of eight locations around the island over time Introduced by Councilmember Augie Tulba, Bill 7 was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council “This is more than just a sign — it stands as a profound symbol of our aloha and commitment to honor those who were injured in the line of duty while serving our country,” said Tulba In addition, Senator Mike Gabbard (D-21) introduced Senate Resolution 93 (SR93, SD1 ) to request the City and County of Honolulu to light City Hall with purple lights on Aug. 7 each year to honor National Purple Heart Day The signs will be installed at a total of eight locations around the island — Arizona Memorial, Pūowaina/National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu Hale, Kapolei Hale, Fort Shafter (H-201 westbound off-ramp), Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii entrance, and Tripler Army Medical Center (H-201 eastbound off-ramp). The signs will be installed at each location over time. “The men and women who have earned Purple Heart medals deserve our absolute highest praise and eternal gratitude. They put their bodies and their lives on the line to defend this country, to uphold freedom, and to protect all of us, and that should never be forgotten.” said Blangiardi at the ceremony held on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds. “We are so proud to be able to take this opportunity to install these beautiful signs, which are a meaningful reflection of the City and County of Honolulu’s unwavering resolve to eternally honor the brave men and women who are true heroes,” Blangiardi said. Introduced by Councilmember Augie Tulba, Bill 7 was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council. “This is more than just a sign — it stands as a profound symbol of our aloha and commitment to honor those who were injured in the line of duty while serving our country,” said Tulba in a release. “I deeply appreciate the partnership and tireless advocacy of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter #483, whose members are not only veterans but also our neighbors, friends, and family. “By placing these signs throughout our community, we take a meaningful, visible step to recognize the sacrifices of those who have served in the military, reminding every resident and visitor of the courage and dedication that define the champions who have protected our nation, Tulba said. According to a city release, the Purple Heart was created by General George Washington in 1782. Originally called the “Badge of Military Merit,” it is the oldest military decoration still in use. The ceremony on Friday also commemorated National Purple Heart Day, held annually on Aug. 7 to remember military members wounded or killed in action. In attendance were Capt. Samuel White, commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam; the Hawaii Air National Guard Base Honor Guard; members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter #483; and other military dignitaries. “These wonderful new signs and today’s moving ceremony send a powerful and resounding message to our military community that they are truly recognized for their sacrifices and that they are deeply appreciated here in the City and County of Honolulu,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Ed Cruickshank. “We are enormously grateful to Mayor Rick Blangiardi, his administration, Councilmember Augie Tulba, and to the entire Honolulu City Council for their leadership and their commitment to honor the legacy of our inspirational Purple Heart recipients and their families.” In addition, Senator Mike Gabbard (D-21) introduced Senate Resolution 93 (SR93, SD1) to request the City and County of Honolulu to light City Hall with purple lights on August 7 each year to honor National Purple Heart Day. Gabbard presented a certificate on behalf of the Hawaii State Senate to commemorate Gov. Josh Green’s proclamation of Hawaii as a Purple Heart State. “It was an honor to stand with Governor Green, Representative Kong, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Rainbow Chapter Number 483 to celebrate Hawaii becoming a Purple Heart State,” said Gabbard. “We’re making sure our state sets aside time each year to remember and mahalo our Purple Heart recipients. These heroes and their ‘ohana, have sacrificed so much for our country — we owe them our deepest aloha and gratitude.”

Drought grips Big Island Hawaii Tribune-Herald John Burnett August 10, 2025 Original Article Drought conditions are becoming “a crisis” in some areas of Hawaii Island. Tina Stall, a National Weather Service hydrologist in Honolulu, said the driest areas are in the Ka‘u and Hamakua districts, as well as the leeward lower elevations of Kohala. “It’s really a lot of the same,” said Stall, comparing July’s rainfall and the first week of August to June. “There’s not much improvement for most areas, and the Hamakua and Ka‘u areas are still in pretty bad shape.” Hilo International Airport, with 3.75 inches of rain, and Waiakea Experimental Station, with 4.7 inches, had their driest July since 2010, while Hakalau, at 1.26 inches, experienced its driest July since 2011. Kealakomo, at 0.4 inches, had its second-driest July on record, as did Waimea, at 1.4 inches. Conditions on the island range from abnormally dry to extreme drought, and the absence of rain has left many areas quite dry and prone to wildfires. The Big Island has had several red flag warning days in the past month, the same conditions where abnormally arid and windy conditions lead to increased fire hazards. Those were the conditions in effect when Maui had the catastrophic fires two years ago that left more than 100 people dead. West Hawaii had wind-driven wildfires, as well, without the loss of life, but with seven structures destroyed or damaged. A brush fire on parched pastureland near Paauilo on Thursday blackened about 150 acres, requiring both county helicopters to make water drops and bulldozers to cut fire breaks. Another brush fire was reported in the area mid-afternoon Friday, causing a road closure on Highway 19 between the 36 and 39 mile markers and advisories to residents near Old Mill Road in Paauilo to be prepared for evacuation. On Saturday, there was a small fire near the 21-mile marker of Highway 19 on the Hamakua Coast that led to the temporary closure of the Hilo-bound lane. A nearby rain gauge in Honokaa received just 2.28 inches for July, 31% of its usual total for the month, and 19.38 inches for the first seven months of the year, 32% of average. “We’re about halfway through the dry season, so we’ve got a ways to go yet,” said Talmadge Magno, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator. “We knew we were going to have an issue coming out of the wet season this past winter, because rainfall was below average already.” “I was talking … to the National Weather Service (on Thursday), and we’re probably about 50% under what we’re supposed to have,” Magno continued. “It’s contributing to fires, and you have some folks on catchment, so we’re monitoring that to make sure the Department of Water Supply has enough spigots out for folks, enough for the water haulers so they can provide for the folks who are on catchment. “We’re also encouraging people to order water early, before they run out, basically.” State Sen. Tim Richards of Waimea, a large-animal veterinarian who grew up on Kahua Ranch, said the drought in some areas — including Waimea, Kohala and Hamakua — “is absolutely a crisis.” “Because of our tropical grasses, most of our livestock get almost half of their water through grazing,” Richards said. “But when it’s really dry, the demand for water almost doubles because the livestock gets water from the grass itself. And that’s where it really strains our watering system. “The water systems are being put to the test. The Hamakua ranchers are running out of stock water. We just got permission to tap into the Waimea water system that (the state Department of Agriculture) runs to allow us to pull water for emergency services for livestock. We’re short of feed right now, but more pressing than that is the shortage of drinking water. “And of course, the crops, everything that relies upon rain, everything’s being impacted by that.”

Momentum Grows For Farm-To-School Programs In Hawaiʻi Civil Beat Jesse Cooke August 11, 2025 Original Article Across decades, Hawai‘i’s educators, farmers and food advocates have championed a stronger, vital connection between our local food system and public schools. The vision is clear: nourish students with fresh, local meals and provide stable, reliable opportunities for island farmers and food producers. Turning this vision into a consistent, large-scale reality has been difficult and often delayed, but today, we may be witnessing a pivotal shift. For long-time champions of this cause, it is gratifying to see renewed purpose and focused leadership translating farm-to-school ideals from aspiration into plans for action. This heightened alignment is underscored by recent news releases demonstrating robust public support from key leaders, including Hawaiʻi First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, legislators like Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz and Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa, and Superintendent Keith Hayashi. Their unified endorsement sends a powerful message: farm-to-school is a necessity, and the time for decisive action is now. After years of stop-and-go progress, the Hawai‘i Department of Education is now taking tangible, visible steps toward building a more localized and sustainable school food system. This includes strategic investments in infrastructure and redesigning menus that will feature locally grown ingredients and appeal to students’ local tastes. By integrating more locally grown produce, HIDOE is starting to actively embrace the significance of its role in growing Hawai‘i’s food economy. This momentum is not accidental — it is backed by a legislative mandate. In 2021, Act 175 took a critical first step by establishing statewide benchmarks for the department’s local food procurement. While this initial legislation was lauded by advocates (including Ulupono Initiative), its implementation was lacking. A concerning drop in local ingredients in student meals (from 6.2% to 5.4%) and vague legislative reports clearly showed that better planning, accountability, and strategies to hui up with local farmers were needed. Hawai‘i’s farm-to-school goals are ambitious, but they are achievable with the right systems and support from local leadership. No longer a niche idea, farm-to-school is now widely recognized as a smart, long-term investment yielding significant returns in student health, robust local economies, and enhanced educational outcomes. This movement is a clear win for our students, farmers and families across Hawai’i. Momentum is not accidental. It’s backed by legislative mandate. Still, HIDOE cannot do this alone. Reaching these goals requires strong teamwork among agencies, close partnerships with local farmers and food hubs, and ongoing investment in essential infrastructure like packaging and distribution. As the state’s largest food buyer, HIDOE’s leadership is key to this success. For all who have championed this cause for years, this is a moment of hope and excitement for the future. With strong leadership and shared purpose, we can finally make local food in every school not just a goal, but a given.

State Department of Education sees expanded free meal access for students KHON2 Cameron Macedonio July 31, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education will see a change in school meal prices this upcoming academic year, which also includes more access to free school meals for keiki. Act 139, which was signed into law in May by Governor Josh Green M.D., provided this expanded free meal access to students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. Per the act, qualifying students will now receive a free breakfast meal, as well as a free lunch meal daily. “Removing the cost for reduced-price meals ensures more students are fed, focused and ready to learn — no matter their family’s financial situation,” said Superintendent Keith Hayashi. Last school year, approximately 11,000 students qualified for reduced-price meals. Act 139 would make these reduced-price meals completely free for the students this upcoming year. “As a mother and grandmother, I have seen firsthand how hunger affects a child’s ability to focus and learn,” said Senate Vice President and Education Committee Chair Michelle Kidani, who introduced the act to the legislature. “I still remember visiting classrooms in my district where teachers kept granola bars or crackers in their desks, just in case a student came to school without breakfast.” For Kidani, equitable access to nutritious meals is not just a matter of hunger — it’s a matter of ensuring a successful future for keiki. “This bill is about more than food. It’s about dignity, equity and ensuring every child has a fair chance to succeed,” she said. “Well-nourished students learn better, and I am proud to have authored this bill.” The only price increase for meals are for second meals and adult meals, with the prices increasing by just over a dollar for breakfast and two dollars for lunch. Students in the state that receive free meals will be categorized as “reduced-price eligible” per federal guidelines, with their meals being 100% reduced and their state-designated category being “Reduced — No Charge.” Here’s the full list of meal prices for the 2025-2026 academic year: Breakfast PreK through eighth grade$1.10 Ninth through 12th grade$1.10 Reduced-price, PreK through 12th gradeFree Student second meal$3.50 Adult Meal$3.50 Lunch PreK through eighth grade$2.50 Ninth through 12th grade$2.75 Reduced-price, PreK through 12th gradeFree Entree$2.25 Student second meal$7.50 Adult Meal$7.50 To apply for the free and reduced meal program, visit the EZMealApp or the HIDOE website .

Extended reality redefines Hawaii tourism Star Advertiser Talia Sibilla July 28, 2025 Original Article An extended reality (XR) bus tour kicked off this week allowing participants to see an erupting volcano and Hawaii’s coral reefs up close and personal with XR headsets — all while staying in Waikiki. XploreRide’s bus tour has become the first of its kind in Hawaii and opens the door for other business in Hawaii’s visitor industry to tap into the expanding global virtual tourism industry. The “Virtual Tourism – Global Strategic Business Report” Opens in a new tab released earlier this year values the virtual tourism industry at $8.8 billion in 2024, and says it’s expected to reach $31.6 billion by 2030 — due to a compound annual growth rate of nearly 24%. XR is an umbrella term for all immersive technologies including VR (virtual reality). Its advantage to destinations like Hawaii is that technology can minimize visitor impacts by helping to reduce everything from air travel’s carbon footprint to rental cars on the road as well as people at popular natural and cultural sites. However, an emerging concern as this technology ramps up is whether all usage is appropriate, especially for a destination like Hawaii, where nature and culture are key and authenticity is important. XploreRide, a collaboration led by HIS, in partnership with NAKED and SYNESTHESIAS, an IT venture from the University of Tokyo, officially launched on Tuesday. Cultural Advisor Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia who designed the the XploreRide experience with his son Kikau Kia, 19, led a ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessed the tour bus with ti leaves before passengers boarded. Kia said that the pair provided their own recordings of chants in Hawaiian that are used throughout the tour and brainstormed visual ideas. “When you’re in the bus, the idea is to raise that consciousness and to awaken your senses,” the elder Kia said at the ceremony. A virtual glowing stingray “Hawaiian guardian spirit” narrates the 45-minute journey along a 6.4-mile loop down Kalakaua Avenue and around Diamond Head. Animated whales and dolphins swim outside the windows, while colorful fish fill the bus as it travels. At other points, the natural world disappears entirely as passengers are transported to an XR underwater scene, above the clouds in a rainbow filled sky, or to the site of an erupting volcano as lava rains down. As the bus passes landmarks like Waikiki Beach, “mana stones” appear in front of passengers, which they can collect using hand-tracking technology in their XR headsets. Each stone triggers a visual text box with information relevant to the location. “All of these elements are meant to educate everyone about the Hawaiian culture, but also to give you an entertainment value as well,” Kia said. Jerry Gibson, president of Hawaii Hotel Alliance, knows that may visitors enjoy taking tours of Honolulu landmarks. “You see trolleys driving everywhere,” he told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser during a phone interview. “They always seem pretty busy so obviously people are using them and enjoy them” Gibson, who hadn’t taken an XploreRide tour, said that he would prefer a tour without the virtual component, though he called himself “intrigued” by the new technology. “I would really be interested in seeing the natural scenery, not something that is fantasy,” he said. “One of the reasons that I live here is the natural beauty of the island, so I don’t know that I would want it distorted.” But Gibson said that he liked the sound of a tour that teaches Hawaiian history. “I like the factual piece and perhaps being brought through by a narrator,” he said. “I’d be really interested in the cultural pieces and I would be interested in hearing about different places in Hawaii as you drive by.” Kia said that the project has room to evolve. “There’s so much more that can be done it’s just a matter of getting it off of the ground. Everything we threw at HIS (Hawaii), that was all on the table, maybe only a third got onto the scenes. We still have a lot of things we can add.” Range of Applications The range of XR, which includes VR, in the global visitor industry spans everything from marketing and pre-travel engagement to experiences like XploreRide Hawaii, which allow visitors to explore destinations through technology. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority introduced a virtual reality tour experience in 2016 offering 360- degree, live-action footage of the state. Leslie Dance, former HTA vice president of marketing and product development, touted the VR experience in 2016 and said it was “a new platform for showcasing Hawaii’s culture and natural environment, the two pillars of our global appeal.” HTA’s VR Hawaii experience, called “Let Hawaii Happen,” still is available on various public VR platforms for download, like STEAM (store.steampowered.com). Paul Brewbaker, principal of TZ Economics, remembers when VR had a surge in popularity around 2012, after the release of the Oculus Rift — a now-discontinued line of virtual reality headsets — and says it could become popular again. “For about five minutes VR was everybody’s thing and now it’s AI, but it’ll come back,” he said. “Tourism in the metaverse has fewer environmental, social, and cultural negative externalities then tourism in the real world.” Although he had not been on an XploreRide tour, Brewbaker said “there’s a marketing opportunity for virtual reality bus tours,” as a way to explore the island. Brewbaker said that he could see a VR Hawaii experience, like HTA’s “Let Hawaii Happen,” become a popular experience for people interested in visiting Hawaii without actually getting on a plane. “In the next 30 years there’s a potential to have an explosion of possibility here, capitalizing on Hawaii’s destination branding which is already secured,” he said. “There’s never been a time in my life where I haven’t seen the possibilities that technology could bring to doing everything better, faster, safer, cheaper, healthier.” Responsible tourism Brewbaker opined that “the dark side of tourism” comes in three broad forms, “congestion, natural resource and environmental degradation and cultural inauthenticity,” and said that extended reality technology could provide an opportunity to manage the harmful impacts of tourism. Yuki Toshida, manager of HIS Westbound and XploreRide, said the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Hawaii Tourism Japan in September 2022 to support Malama Hawaii, an initiative that promotes regenerative and responsible tourism, and that “XploreRide tours take place on a 100% electric, zero-emission bus. Sen. Sharon Y. Moriwaki (D, Waikiki-Ala Moana-Kakaako),who took the first XploreRide tour during Tuesday’s grand opening event, said, “I think it’s great for visitors because not only can you see big whales and things you might not actually see if you came here to visit, but it was also very educational and tells you about how we’re trying to protect our environment.” James Kunane Tokioka, director of Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said that he appreciates the effort to promote more sustainable tourism through the use of VR. “Any time you have companies that are trying to be sustainable in their model and try to do things differently than we have in the past, I think that’s great,” Tokioka said. “That’s something we would definitely support.” Tokioka hadn’t taken the tour yet but said that XploreRide looked like a good activity for parents with kids who might also want to learn about Hawaii. “This particular tour looked like a lot of fun,” he said. “I think it’s going to attract the younger generation.” Noah Marian, a 13 year-old member of the content creator family “Life with five kids,” told the Star-Advertiser that he has a personal VR headset on Maui, so he knew what to expect at the XploreRide grand opening. “I have a VR headset, it’s a little different because I play skydiving games and things like that,” he said. “I feel like this one was cool because I could see outside, and I could see all of the fish around me.” His brother, 11-year-old Mikah Marian said that he would recommend it to other kids. “If you want to come here and learn about the culture of Hawaii and do it in a fun way for kids, it would be really good,” he said.

A $42.5M education hub broke ground in Wahiawa Hawaii News Now HNN Staff July 29, 2025 Original Article WAHIAWA (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state broke ground on Monday for a new $42.5 million dollar education hub. The 43,000 square-foot facility known as “Wahiawa Center for Workforce Excellence” will serve as the future home of the new Wahiawa Public Library, UH Community College satellite classrooms, and Department of Education offices. “The goal is clear — a space that is central that brings together education and public service,” said Governor Josh Green. The three-story building will be on California Avenue. The project is anticipated to be completed in two years.