Hawai'i Governor Josh Green M.D., State Senator Lynn DeCoite, State Representative ... The LA Rams Wyatt Miller May 7, 2025 Original Article WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – Hawai'i Governor Josh Green M.D., State Senator Lynn DeCoite, State Representative Adrian Tam and Rams President Kevin Demoff spoke with local media on Wednesday about the Rams' Mauicamp Powered by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), which will take place from Monday, June 16 to Thursday, June 19. After wildfires devastated parts of Maui in August of 2023, the Rams raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the sale and auction of custom-made "Mālama Maui" shirts and the in-game 50/50 Raffle supporting American Red Cross relief efforts, among other fundraising endeavors. Those efforts, along with their previous relationship from hosting a preseason game in 2019, made both sides realize that "a partnership is in order," Green said. "We wanted to find a way to thank L.A. for one huge reason, which if I say nothing else today, it should be this: Mahalo," Green said. "Mahalo means thanks, and it's thanks from our heart." "Our state went through a very, very tragic and tough circumstance in 2023... And we're healing, we're growing, we're returning to a place where we can live again. But the Rams stepped up, and they ran their Mālama, which was a care campaign for us, and brought incredible resources to help us heal, reestablish the need to travel to Hawai'i, to Maui." Green said they reached out to the Rams to discuss having minicamp in Maui while staying at Fairmont Kea Lani, which will serve as "an official home of the Rams" – they accepted. On Tuesday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 18, the Rams will host on-field team activities, featuring players in workout gear at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku. After team activities on Tuesday, the Rams will host a girls flag football and boys football clinic for 400 local student-athletes, and then players and staff will join Habitat for Humanity to assist the rebuilding of four homes in Lahaina. On Wednesday, the Rams will host a PLAY 60 Field Day for local children ages 5-12 who participate in the County of Maui's Play and Learn Sessions (PALS) Summer program on Wednesday. "It is going to be a special four days for the organization and hopefully something that the rest of the NFL really looks at celebrating as we get to the end of the offseason," said Demoff. The Tuesday on-field football session will be invite-only through HTA, while Wednesday's session will be open and free to the public through ticket sales. This agreement is currently only in place for one year, but both the Rams and the state of Hawai'i are leaving the door open for a longer relationship that will encourage more Rams events in Hawai'i. Demoff mentioned 2028, when Los Angeles will host the Olympics, as a potential opportunity for that. "We're hopeful to be able to continue it and see how it goes and where we can go from there," Demoff said. "... Governor Green and I have been talking over the past few years, we would love to see a stadium get get built there and as soon as one did, I think we would love to get back there for preseason." The damage that both Los Angeles and Hawai'i have endured from wildfires over the past few years has only fortified the connection between the Rams and The Aloha State. "At that time, we didn't know how tied together we would be by devastating wildfires when we made this announcement, but I think that strengthened the bond between our islands and Los Angeles," Green said. "It's made this an even more important event." The last time they held a preseason game in Hawai'i, it sold out within 12 hours of the announcement and became the most attended event at Aloha Stadium, beating out a Bruno Mars performance, "which was a good one to pass," Demoff said with a smile. He added that this is "a truly symbiotic relationship that we hope grows over time." DeCoite and Tam also expressed their thanks for the Rams' generosity and excitement about the partnership. "I'm excited to welcome the Los Angeles Rams to Hawai'i so we can not only foster more economic stimulus and grow our economies, but to grow a fan base for the Los Angeles Rams in Hawai'i as well so that we can continue to have them come visit us when we build our new stadium," Tam said. Added DeCoite: "There's been no team that I know of today like the LA Rams that have stepped up, have truly pushed out Aloha." Although he grew up a Steelers fan in Pittsburgh, Green said he always liked the Rams' "electric" franchise, and has come to appreciate it even more in working with the team's leadership. Bringing the team to Hawai'i recognizes both their appreciation for the Rams' generosity and the youth of Hawai'i's growing fandom and athletic aspirations. "This is our opportunity to bond with the L.A. Rams," Green said. "This is our opportunity to say, you are fantastic, you're the people we trust, and we want to have a positive impact and a generational relationship."

Community to celebrate life of Ka'ū Calendar editor Julia Neal Big Island Now Tiffany DeMasters February 7, 2025 Original Article Julia Neal, founder of the monthly publication the Ka‘ū Calendar and owner of the Pāhala Plantation Cottages, has been described as compassionate, generous, a community advocate and a dedicated journalist. On Jan. 24, the Pāhala resident for about 30 years passed away in her home on Jan. 24. She was 75. “Everybody knew who she was and what she did,” said Iopa Maunakea, founder of the nonprofit Men of Pa‘a. “That lady impacted the community just by her paper alone. She had a lot of integrity.” Neal kept people from Miloli‘i to Pāhala informed of the goings-on in Hawai‘i Island’s sprawling rural district. From county elections to the controversial proposed resort development in Punalu‘u, Neal reported on the community truthfully. On Saturday, the community is invited to celebrate Neal’s life at 9 a.m. at the Plantation House at 96-3209 Maile St. in Pāhala. With Neal now gone, the Ka‘ū Calendar will cease operations, with its final publication to run later this month. The community is invited to submit letters, prayers, poems and art in honor of Neal to contribute to the final issue. Send submissions to tibarra2000@gmail.com by Feb. 14. Neal also ran a bed and breakfast and vacation rental business called the Pāhala Plantation Cottages, where she hosted weddings, science camps, music festivals and a variety of community events and gatherings. “Her love for Ka‘ū’s unique community and culture and realization that the rural region lacked organized print media inspired her to start the Ka‘ū Calendar,” said Neal’s nephew, William Neal. “She also firmly believed that bringing the voices of those who call Ka‘ū home to the forefront on the region’s most consequential issues was imperative.” William Neal said his aunt was the hardest-working person he ever knew. “Few have had the passion and drive that she had,” he said. “Every day, she would wake up to report on the happenings of the community and national stories of consequence for Hawai‘i at large without missing a day.” Neal covered community events, including the Ka‘ū Coffee Festival, high school graduations and the Pāhala Christmas Parade. She also hosted countless concerts at her property. One Facebook user said they can’t imagine Pāhala without Neal, who always was wearing a hat and smiling. William Neal said his aunt largely ran the paper alone. “She did have some help with graphic design putting the paper together and from time to time throughout the years she had some folks help her take photos for stories or seek advertisers,” he said. “But largely the day-to-day reporting was all done by Julia.” Neal was born in Missouri to a military family that was always on the move. She grew up in several places around the U.S. and Europe, including Kentucky, New York, Germany and France. In the 1980s, Neal worked as a photographer for The Garden Island newspaper on Kaua‘i, working her way up to editor of the publication. Senate Speaker Ron Kouchi was elected as a Kaua‘i County Council member when he met Neal, who at the time was a reporter at The Garden Island. “It was a time when reporters would sit through the entire county council meetings,” Kouchi said. “They were firey journalists and did a lot of homework and research.” Kouchi said Neal covered the development controversy of Nukoli‘i. According to a 2016 Honolulu Civil Beat article by the now Kaua‘i State Rep. Luke Evslin, the fight over Nukoli‘i was “Kaua‘i’s worst political crisis since statehood.” Developers were trying to build a resort on Kaua‘i’s east shore. Although the vacant land at Nukoli‘i was upzoned to urban by the State Land Use Commission in 1974, no building could occur until the county changed the zoning to resort. According to the Civil Beat article, the Planning Department, through the Līhu‘e Development Plan, recommended resort zoning in 1978, which sparked a wave of protests. While they were on opposite sides of the issue, Kouchi supporting development and Neal opposing it, the senator said she wrote the story with all the facts, allowing readers to make their own choices. “She was a professional,” Kouchi said. “She held you to the fire and asked the hard questions.” After turning 40, Neal moved to the Big Island to start a new life in Pāhala. Men of Paʻa’s Maunakea said Neal was involved in everything from housing to education. “She was fearless about reporting things in Punalu‘u,” Maunakea said. Maunakea met Neal four years ago. She opened up her cottages to the nonprofit when the members would stay overnight while in Ka‘ū to do service projects. He said Neal always made it a point to spend time with the group during their stays. “She opened doors for us to engage our community service with the Ka‘ū region,” Maunakea said. Neal is survived by her partner Michael C. Worthington, brother Forest Neal II, and three nephews; Forest Neal III, Michael Neal and William Neal.

MAHALO SENATOR ELEFANTE – SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HOLDS SERIES OF HEARINGS ON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS BILLS myPearlCity.com PC Community February 6, 2025 Original Article HONOLULU – The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs (PSM), chaired by Senator Brandon Elefante (Senate District 16 – ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City), completed a series of significant hearings today addressing legislation aimed at combatting illegal fireworks in communities across Hawai‘i. Three separate hearings held at the Hawai‘i State Capitol went over several key bills that focus on strengthening enforcement measures and penalties related to illegal fireworks use. A priority for the Senate, these bills aim to enhance public safety and respond to the increasing concerns about the dangerous and disruptive use of fireworks. The following bills were heard today: SB 999 : this bill would ban the use and sale of consumer fireworks, set fines for breaking the law, and create a fund to support safety education programs using money from the fines and seized property; the committees who heard the bill (PSM/CPN) deferred it to Monday, February 10 for decision-making. SB 1226 : this bill aims to create a program to inspect shipping containers, require the Department of Law Enforcement to report on the program’s effectiveness, and provide money to support the program. The TCA/PSM committees passed the bill with amendments. SB 302 : this piece of legislation would limit the use of consumer fireworks to only approved cultural events with a permit, ban selling them without a permit, and add a fee for those permits. The TCA/PSM committees passed the bill with amendments. SB 1324 : this bill would increase penalties for fireworks-related injuries or deaths, create new criminal offenses for illegal fireworks actions, and set up a system to handle fireworks violations. The PSM/TCA committees passed the bill with amendments. SB 227 would create a new division to enforce laws against illegal fireworks. It was passed unamended. SB 476 would raise the fines for certain fireworks violations, starting on July 1, 2025. The bill was deferred. SB 222 : this bill provides more funding for the illegal fireworks task force for the next few years until June 30, 2030. It was passed unamended. Senator Elefante emphasized the critical nature of these discussions, noting that illegal fireworks not only pose safety hazards but also disturb residents, pets, and local wildlife. “Today’s hearings represent a major step forward in ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Senator Elefante. “By strengthening enforcement and increasing penalties, we are sending a clear message that the unlawful use of fireworks will not be tolerated.” The bills are part of ongoing efforts to address the rising concerns over fireworks-related incidents, including fires, injuries, and public disturbances, especially in light of the tragedies that happened in the state at the beginning of this year. Senate Committee acronyms, for reference: PSM: Public Safety and Military Affairs CPN: Commerce and Consumer Protection TCA: Transportation and Culture and the Arts ABOUT THE HAWAIʻI STATE SENATE MAJORITY The Hawaiʻi State Senate consists of 25 members who serve staggered four-year terms. The Senate Majority consists of 22 Democrats for the 33rd Legislature, which convened on January 15, 2025. For the latest news and updates, follow the Senate Majority on Facebook, Instagram, or visit https://www.hawaiisenatemajority.com .

Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz praises release of 2024 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life Dashboard Maui Now Maui Now December 12, 2024 Original Article Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Senate District 17 – portions of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village) applauded the release of the 2024 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard. On Tuesday, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the Office of Wellness and Resilience under the Office of the Governor launched the dashboard, which features in-depth findings on social, economic, and health issues affecting the state’s residents. The Office of Wellness and Resilience was made possible through legislation (Act 291) that the senator championed in 2022. “The state has taken meaningful strides to make Hawaiʻi a trauma-informed state, and I am proud to have continued these efforts by advocating for legislation (Act 106, SLH 2024) that resulted in the largest statewide survey on health in Hawaiʻi ever, as well as the largest dataset using CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Worker Well-Being Questionnaire (NIOSH WellBQ) ,” said Senator Dela Cruz. “The data in this dashboard shows that we must continue to increase the economic opportunities for our residents so they can remain in Hawaiʻi. Diversifying our economy in the areas of creative industries, agriculture, and technology must be paired with investments in workforce development so our residents can fill the good-paying jobs here in Hawaiʻi.” Key findings from the report that populates the dashboard identify main economic stressors, health disparities, community strength and workplace support, within Hawaiʻi’s communities. It also provides recommendations for actions advancing health equity, economic stability, disaster preparedness and workplace innovation. The dashboard’s launch will allow people to access data as a resource for crafting strategies and improving lives. For more details on the interactive dashboard, visit health-study.com .

Rally at beach takes aim at development on Maui for wealthy Maui News Eli Pace September 4, 2025 Original Article As protesters demanding better wages took to the streets in cities across the U.S. over the holiday weekend, a small group of Maui residents and activists went to the beach. It wasn’t a day off for Maui Indivisible, which organized Saturday’s rally featuring a handful of keynote speakers and state officials, nor were they there working on a tan. Rather, the group was at Maluaka Beach in Makena hoping to call attention to what they described as the systematic removal of working-class people and Native Hawaiians from the Makena community and beyond. Specifically, the rally took aim at Mākena Mauka, a large proposed luxury development on land owned by the Mākena Golf & Beach Club. “We wanted to have (the rally) the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and really bring folks together to show how the billionaires who live here, at least part time, are an apparatus that supports and funds and even the architects of this fascist regime are right here on Maui,” said Marnie Masuda-Cleveland, the lead for Maui Indivisible who helped organize the lineup of speakers. “Just little by little, working people here on Maui are being displaced, marginalized, beaten down by the needs and wants of the millionaire and billionaire class,” she added. “And it just has to stop.” Groups supporting federal workers and unions marched in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and other U.S. cities in support of workers’ rights and other causes. One of the nationwide rally organizers, May Day Strong, said on its website that “billionaires are stealing from working families, destroying our democracy and building private armies to attack our towns and cities.” Speakers at Saturday’s rally on Maui didn’t pull any punches on the billionaires either, as they likened what’s happening on Maui to the broader issues of fascism, big-money influence and the need for community solidarity. Moreover, they blasted the planned Mākena Mauka development featuring as many as 900 new luxury homes, a golf course and beach club. According to rally organizers, each home is anticipated to have its own swimming pool and come with a price tag of $10 million or more. After opening in the Hawaiian language, activist, educator and keynote speaker Kahele Dukelow called upon the crowd to fight back as she traced how development has pushed so many local families and Native Hawaiians out of the area while also harming the natural environment and only catering to the uber wealthy. “Whether your ancestors came during the plantation or whether you came and immigrated here later on, there is no better time than now for us to unite and resist and work against the racist and fascist government of America,” Dukelow said. “What is happening in America, what is happening in Palestine and what is happening here on Maui have the same source: unchecked power, insatiable greed, all the evils of settler colonialism.” Dukelow said a small group of people “fought like hell” in the 1980s to prevent much of the development that’s taken place today at Makena and across Maui. She said that group had the foresight to see what was happening decades ago and they successfully fought to preserve beach access that allowed for the rally. “They recognized that what was going to happen was the removal and erasure of Hawaiians and of working-class people from those communities,” she said. ‘They fought in the courts. They fought in our community meetings. They fought down here on the beaches, fighting to maintain access to these shorelines for our people.” Near the end of Saturday’s rally, two large signs were posted on the beach criticizing “Tech Billionaires” and advocating for “People Over Profit.” “What they feared was going to happen has happened, and you would think that it could not get any worse,” Dukelow added. “But like Marnie mentioned, it can get a lot worse. Developers like Wailea 670 and Discovery Land Company that surround us right now, they have plans. They have plans that don’t include us, don’t include people like us, except for exploiting our labor possibly.” Dukelow said she has been organizing her entire life, and it has been hard going up against such deep pockets, but she’s not ready to give up either. “They are not building a community for us,” she said. “Our labor should go into building communities for us. … If they can do this in Makena with no water and no community will for any of it, they can do whatever they want anywhere, and that’s what we have to stop.” Other speakers included state Rep. Terez Amato and state Sen. Angus McKelvey, who took shots at the Trump administration as well as luxury development as they promised to fight for working-class people. Additionally, Laila Popata, one of the founders of Maui For Palestine, called for action against the ongoing genocide in Gaza in a passionate plea for more people to get involved. “This is not about Hamas or about self-defense. This is ethnic cleansing,” she said. “Currently, an entire civilian population — 2.2 million people — are being starved to death and there are aid trucks sitting at the border crossing with much needed food and humanitarian supplies.” The rally was promoted by Maui Indivisible, the same group that’s been holding regular pro-democracy and anti-Trump rallies on Maui. Numbers at Saturday’s event were significantly lower than recent protests on the island, such as a rally in front of the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in June that drew thousands, but those in attendance were no less adamant that action needs to be taken. On Labor Day, demonstrations in Chicago and New York were organized by One Fair Wage to draw attention to the struggles laborers face in the U.S. Chants of “Trump must go now!” echoed outside the president’s former home in New York, while protesters gathered outside a different Trump Tower in Chicago. Large crowds also gathered in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. In New York, people gathered outside Trump Tower, and demonstrators waved signs and banners calling for an end to what they said is a fascist regime. In Washington, a large crowd gathered with signs saying “Stop the ICE invasion” and an umbrella painted with “Free D.C. No masked thugs.” Hundreds more gathered at protests along the West Coast to fight for the rights of immigrants and workers. Multiple groups joined together at the protests in Chicago to listen to speeches and lend their voices to the chants. Along the West Coast from San Diego up to Seattle, hundreds gathered at rallies to call for a stop to the “billionaire takeover.”

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.”

Statewide Traffic Fatalities surpasses last years total: Changes new and present coming KHON2 Nathan Shinagawa October 25, 2025 Original Article WAIPIO, Hawaii (KHON2) — Statewide traffic deaths recently hit an unfortunate milestone Friday, Oct. 24, with the total deaths on Hawaii’s roads reaching 106, compared to last year’s 102. Now, the state is looking to take action to bring the numbers down, both in the long run and in day-to-day life. “In the past we thought if we just tell everybody how bad things are and everybody will take care of each other and adjust. It’s not happening,” said Director Ed Sniffen of the Hawaii Department of Transportation. “So we’re going to make sure that we start adjusting the system to ensure that we minimize fatalities.” Changes include a variety of projects from the DOT, including red light cameras, multiple speed hump installations, and more, and the DOT says that they’re far from finished. “So far we have about 260 speed humps throughout the state. There’s going to be another 30 more coming in by the end of the year,” said Sniffen. “We’re also adding in rapid flashing beacons with street lights on top of them. We’re putting them in 50 different locations throughout the state.” But the state is also making efforts on safety on a day-to-day scale, including this weekend, by coning off almost the entirety of the portion of Kamehameha Highway, between Waipahu and Waipi’o Uka street, during a joint mural painting project between Mililani, Waipahu, and Pearl City High School. Senator Michelle Kidani partnered with the DOT, Department of Education, local artists, and student interns and volunteers from the three schools to create a three-quarter-long mural on the wall across the portion of Kamehameha Highway. “This project is not only dependent on the artists, but on the DOE and DOT,” said Blythe Yoshikane Simpliciano, one of the lead artists for the project, on the importance of coning off the road. “The community is also playing a huge part in having patience for us right now, and making sure all of our students are safe.” “The students safety comes first,” said Senator Kidani. “So without having that aspect that the road lanes were closed, we could not have done this project at all.” And having this project was an important one, as it not only gives the wall a lot more color, but also helps tell the Mauka to Makai story of the area, and gives the students a chance to be a part of that. “As their families drive up and down the road from now, they can say to their brothers and sisters ‘I was part of that project,'” said Hawaii State Superintendent Keith Hayashi. “Unifying the highway, it’s a win for everyone.” While all the improvements and projects are meant to help reduce the traffic fatalities, the DOT also reminds the community that keeping the roads safe are a two-way street. “93% of the fatalities occur because we make really bad decisions. We drive drunk, we speed excessively, we drive distracted, all of those things,” said Sniffen. “If we take care of those things tomorrow, 93% of the fatalities of the 106 people that died, go home.”

Senate WAM Committee gains fire management insights during visit to Maui Maui Now September 10, 2025 Original Article The Senate Committee on Ways and Means met with the Department of Law Enforcement, The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal to receive updates on fire management in the state. Ernest Robello, DLE Deputy Director of Administration, Dawn Chang, Chair of DLNR, and Dori Booth, Hawaiʻi’s newly-instated State Fire Marshal (Act 302, 2025) presented recent efforts in fire mitigation, including a community fuels reduction project (Act 303, 2025). Members walked through the DOFAW’s Kahului Baseyard, where DLNR is leading current fire management efforts. “Hawaiʻi is facing urgent challenges when it comes to fire risk,” said Sen. Brandon J.C. Elefante (D 16 – ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights, Hālawa, Pearlridge, Newtown, Royal Summit, Waimalu, Waiau, Momilani, Pacific Palisades, and Pearl City), Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs. “I am confident that with the reinstatement of our State Fire Marshal and team, along with the support of our departments, we are better positioned to respond effectively and protect our communities from the growing threats of wildfires.” “The risk of wildfires is growing in Hawaiʻi, and we must always be prepared when it comes to responding to these threats,” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D 17 – Portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Our continued investments in disaster preparedness and development of mitigation strategies, such as reestablishing the Office of the State Fire Marshal, demonstrate how state and county agencies can work together on wildfire prevention.” “As someone who represents communities that have faced the real and growing threat of wildfires, I deeply appreciate the collaborative efforts being made to strengthen fire prevention and response across our state,” said Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D7 – Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, Kaho‘olawe and Molokini), Chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism. “We must continue to prioritize these proactive, community-based strategies to ensure the safety and resilience of all our islands.” “Today’s briefing in Kahului emphasized the importance of coordinated, on-the-ground fire management strategies for Hawaiʻi’s future,” said Sen. Troy N. Hashimoto (D5 – Wailuku, Kahului, Waihe‘e, Waikapu Mauka, Waiehu), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. “From fuels reduction to erosion control, it’s encouraging to see state agencies continuously implementing and developing strategies that strengthen resilience in my district and across our state.” “The DLE will continue to work with and support the Fire Marshal, DLNR, and our community partners to improve prevention, mitigation, and suppression of wildfires across Hawaiʻi,” said Ernest Robello, DLE Deputy Director of Administration. “I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our legislators for their leadership in passing Act 302,” said State Fire Marshal Dori Booth. “This landmark legislation not only strengthens Hawaiʻi’s wildfire preparedness, but also elevates our entire approach to fire and life safety across the state. By investing in public education, enhancing code enforcement, improving fire investigations, and building a statewide data analysis hub for the fire service, we are laying the foundation to reduce risk on every front. Act 302 positions Hawaiʻi to be a national leader in fire prevention and community resilience, and I am proud of the collective commitment to safeguarding the people and places we cherish most. I look forward to continuing this strong partnership with our legislators on future projects and policies that will further strengthen our capacity to protect and serve Hawaiʻi’s communities.” “Mahalo nui to WAM for joining us on Maui and for the opportunity to share how DLNR is building out a strong fire management program,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang. “The 2023 wildfires were a wake-up call for all of us, and we are deeply grateful to the legislature for the increased funding support you have provided. With this support, our DOFAW team has been able to expand its capacity statewide, with added positions and equipment in all districts. Our expanded capacity has already proved critical in our response to wildfires this dry season. We will continue to work alongside the DLE and our community partners to improve prevention, mitigation, and suppression of wildfires across Hawaiʻi.”

Hamakua Energy Plant sold Hawaii Tribune-Herald JOHN BURNETT March 12, 2025 Original Article The parent company of Hawaiian Electric Co., Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., has sold the 60-megawatt Hamakua Energy Plant to a subsidiary of Harbert Management Corp. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, but HEI said the sale isn’t expected to have a material impact on company finances. The Honokaa power plant was owned by Pacific Current LLC, a subsidiary of HEI. In previous news releases, HECO has referred to Hamakua Energy as the electric company’s “largest independent power producer.” Harbert, based in Birmingham, Ala., is an investment management firm with longstanding holdings of power-generating facilities, including an ownership stake in the 208-megawatt Kalaeloa Partners LP co-generation plant on Oahu since 1997. “We believe Harbert’s depth of experience in owning and operating power plants and being a good partner with utilities, including in our state, will serve the Hamakua Energy Plant and Hawaiian Electric well in their missions to supply power for the people of Hawaii Island and support the island’s transition to an increasingly renewable energy future,” said HEI CEO Scott Seu in a statement. “This sale is a further step toward simplifying HEI’s strategy and regulatory position as we focus on our core utility business.” According to a March 3 blog entry by Henry Curtis, an environmental activist and executive director of Life of the Land, HEI — which had banking, shipping and real estate interests — has been selling off its assets and now owns only HECO, the electric utility for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. In an earnings announcement last month, HECO reported a net loss of $1.4 billion for 2024, partly due to being tagged with a $1.9 billion share in payouts to victims of the August 2023 Maui wildfires that killed 102 people. The power company reported a net income of $199 million in 2023. After its credit rating plummeted to junk-bond status, HECO asked legislators this session for a $1 billion fund as a hedge against future wildfire liability, to be paid for by a small fee on its customers. One measure, House Bill 982, which has passed over to the Senate, would limit amounts customers could collect in lawsuits or administrative settlements. A companion measure, Senate Bill 1201, didn’t receive a hearing from the Ways and Means committee and missed the first crossover. The utility claims it can’t pay another catastrophic wildfire settlement without the requested fund. HECO — which said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it can’t afford to pay a dividend to HEI — compensated Shelee Kimura, HECO’s president and CEO, with $1.25 million in salary and bonuses in 2024. Four HECO vice presidents collected from nearly $600,000 to more than $900,000 in salary and bonuses. The Hamakua Energy Plant, which provides about a third of the Big Island’s 180-megawatt peak electricity demand, went offline in late February 2024. A Hamakua Energy spokesperson attributed the plant’s failure to “mechanical issues with our generators.” The outage occurred at the same time HECO’s Keahole generator — which, according to Hawaiian Electric’s website, contributes 77 megawatts to the grid — was on the mainland being overhauled. On March 25, 2024, the utility asked customers to reduce their power consumption through at least mid-April, a time period that included Hilo’s signature event, the weeklong Merrie Monarch Festival. Low generation capacity forced HECO to initiate forced outages known as rolling blackouts on the Big Island on Jan. 8, Feb. 13 and March 14, 2024. Three state lawmakers wrote the PUC on March 15, 2024, calling for an investigation of HECO, noting that 21,000 customers were affected by the rolling blackouts on the Big Island the previous night and another 13,000 on Oahu who lost power a week earlier. “The lack of reliability due to insufficient energy generation, HECO’s aging equipment, unreliable oil-fired power generation, and immediate and long-term solutions should be investigated,” the letter by Sens. Glenn Wakai, Jarrett Keohokalole and Lynn De Coite, all Democrats, stated. The Merrie Monarch Festival and its signature hula competition were not impacted by outages, and HECO announced a public end to the Big Island’s power shortage on April 25. In early September 2024, former owners Pacific Current announced that Hamakua Energy — which used biodiesel to generate between a quarter and a third of its Honokaa plant’s electrical power — was converting its facility to use 100% renewable fuels. The state has set a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045. Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com .

Nearly $5 million dredging project completed at Hilo small boat harbor Star Advertiser Michael Brestovansky December 6, 2024 Original Article Boaters are in deep water at last after a months-long dredging project at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo wrapped up last week. The harbor, one of East Hawaii’s last functioning boat launches after the Pohoiki Boat Ramp in Puna was cut off during the 2018 Kilauea eruption, has not been dredged for more than seven years and sediment had accumulated at the harbor mouth. Boats repeatedly went aground attempting to pass the mouth of the Wailoa River, and boaters quickly learned the harbor only was usable at the highest tides. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation began a project to dredge the river in July, using $3.2 million in capital improvement funds. That work ended on Nov. 27, the DLNR announced Tuesday, although construction equipment including a barge will remain on site until Saturday. The total cost of the project swelled to $4.8 million, according to a DLNR news release, but the cost overrun was covered through DOBOR’s Boating Special Fund, which is replenished from statewide harbor and boating facility use fees. “We appreciate the public’s patience, understanding and advocacy as DOBOR navigated the permitting and funding hurdles to get this project completed before the end of the year,” DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts said in a statement. ”We also appreciate the Legislature for recognizing the importance of this project and providing funding.” “It’s definitely better, it’s deeper,” said boater Antoine Debarge on Tuesday, mooring his boat directly across the river mouth from Suisan Fish Market. “This was completely dry land here a few months ago.” Hilo Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who advocated for the initial $3.2 million allocation, said she was happy East Hawaii boaters can finally safely access the ocean again from the harbor, but lamented that the problem persisted for years. “When I became District 1 senator in 2022, that was already a problem, and we embarked on making sure it got fixed,” Inouye said. “I’m happy we were able to do this, but the boaters had to deal with it for so long.” Inouye said she will continue to monitor conditions at the the harbor and will listen to boaters’ concerns to identify other potential issues that need to be addressed. She added she is working on a project to determine the accumulation rates of sediment at the harbor so future dredging operations are more timely. Inouye went on to say that she will try to make additional funds available for additional maintenance projects at the harbor during the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January.

DKI Highway speed limit could be lowered to 55 mph Hawaii Tribune-Herald John Burnett November 13, 2025 Original Article State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who introduced a bill that in 2017 increased the speed limit on portions of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway from 55 mph to 60 mph, said she thinks it’s time to roll the speed limit back to 55. Inouye, a Hilo Democrat, told the Tribune-Herald fatalities on the Big Island’s main east-west thoroughfare — also known as Route 200 and Saddle Road — are “very concerning,” and she’s considering introducing a bill in the 2026 legislative session to return the speed limit to 55 mph. According to Inouye, she was “happy when that highway was completed” in 2013, mostly with federal funding. “I was the one that told state Highways Division, ‘Let’s consider raising the speed limit in the appropriate areas’ at the time the road was dedicated,” Inouye said. “And I did that by law. “But, nonetheless, I think I’m going to make an amendment to take away that benefit for our drivers. It’s the drivers who are minding the speed limit who get hurt. That’s why, for me, it’s very bothersome. This is addressing those who are being killed by the drivers who are speeding.” The most recent fatal crash was on Oct. 23, a head-on collision that claimed the lives of 47-year-old Anina Masaichy and her 3-week-old granddaughter. Four other passengers in the Subaru SUV Masaichy and the infant were in sustained serious injuries — a 4-year-old boy, 17-year-old girl, 18-year-old woman and 51-year-old man. The driver of the other vehicle, 43-year-old Kimo Medeiros of Kurtistown, allegedly caused the crash and has a long history of traffic offenses. He was cited just three days earlier for driving without a license. Medeiros was charged with two counts each of manslaughter, first-degree negligent homicide and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug; three counts of first-degree negligent injury; plus reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs, marijuana possession, and driving without a license. Medeiros, who was driving a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, was indicted Nov. 3 by a Hilo grand jury. His bail is set $2.055 million. Inouye said state Transportation Director Ed Sniffen supports her idea for the speed limit reduction. An email from the state Department of Transportation said agency officials believe “setting speed limits on DKI Highway/Saddle Road that are consistent with the characteristics and surrounding land use will improve safety. Especially with the recent fatal crashes involving speed and head-on crashes on DKI Highway/Saddle Road.” An Oct. 28 press release by the Hawaii Police Department urged motorists “to drive responsibly following a recent increase in reports and incidents involving reckless and dangerous driving.” As of October, officers had issued over 9,200 speeding citations, compared to 9,088 citations issued in all of 2024, the release said. Police said “a significant majority” of excessive speed citations and arrests this year have occurred along the DKI, underscoring the ongoing danger associated with speeding and reckless behavior on the highway. “It’s a known fact that speed kills. It’s just physics,” said Reed Mahuna, interim police chief. “The faster you’re going has an impact on injuries and fatalities. I don’t think the police department would ever be in a position to be opposed to a reduction in the speed limit. “I would say that people who are driving 60 mph on that stretch of roadway and driving legally and safely are not necessarily the problem,” Mahuna added. “The fatal crashes that we have, people are driving recklessly. They’re driving in excess of 60, or they’re driving 60 when the road conditions aren’t safe — in heavy rain, for example, in fog or in other situations where it creates an unsafe road condition by the manner in which they’re driving. “I think that we, as a community, have to look at ourselves in the mirror and decide that we’re going to drive safely, that we’re going to care for one another — especially our keiki and our kupuna, the most vulnerable among us — and that getting somewhere two, five or 10 minutes earlier is not worth putting ourselves, our family and our community family at risk. I think that’s the turning point.” “We, as a police department, we’re going to continue to do our enforcement, we’re going to aggressively look at ways that we can reduce fatal traffic crashes on the island,” Mahuna concluded. “But I think that all of us, working together, is going to be the turning point when we can finally say enough is enough.”

Kulāia Festival Kicks Off Canoe Races The Molokai Dispatch Léo Azambuja October 2, 2025 Original Article A large street celebration rocked Kaunakakai last Friday, welcoming the most important Hawaiian outrigger canoe races in Hawaii and honoring one of Molokai’s most beloved watermen. “Aloha mai kākou. Welcome to Kulāia, our 8th Annual Molokai Canoe Festivals Hoʻolauleʻa,” event organizer Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello said at the beginning of the festival. “Although we had missed a few years due to COVID, last year we came back very excited.” Hundreds of people attended the event taking the entire block of Ala Malama Avenue in front of the Molokai Public Library from 5 to 10 p.m. The event, she said, was all about perpetuating the culture and legacy of Molokai. As the Na Wahine O Ke Kai — the women’s canoe race across the Kaiwi Channel to Oahu — was scheduled to Sunday, Rawlins-Crivello said everyone was happy that there were two women crews representing Molokai. Live music and hula performances kept the large crowd entertained. The entire block was closed to traffic to accommodate nearly 40 vendors, including food stands, cultural booths and merchandise sellers. Rawlins-Crivello presented Mervin Dudoit Sr., “lovingly known as Uncle Merv,” with the 2025 Hoʻoilina Award, an honor that had been given in past years to Melvin Paoa Jr., Mac Poepoe, Dr. Noa Aluli, Eliza Kauila Poʻaha Reyes, Shirley Rawlins, Raquel Moana Dudoit and the island of Molokai itself. “Born and raised here, he has long embodied the spirit of a waterman. Whether paddling, fishing or caring for our ocean, Uncle Merv has lived in rhythm with the sea, and most importantly, he share that ‘ike with generations to come. His wisdom has touched not only his own ‘ohana but thousands of keiki across Molokai, Hawaii and beyond,” Rawlins-Crivello said. Uncle Merv was also a paddler, a coach and founder of the Mana‘e Canoe Club. He was a crewmember in the Molokai Canoe Club team that took second place overall in the Molokai Hoe race in 1967. State Sen. Lynn DeCoite presented a certificate from the Senate to Uncle Merv. “On behalf of the senate and the state Legislature, we honor Uncle Merv,” DeCoite said. “We love you, uncle, we recognize all your hard work.” She added that as the chair of the Senate’s Committee on Economic Development, Tourism and Technology, it is her honor to continue sponsoring the event, “so we never forget who we are and where we came from.” Kulāia was inspired by the annual lā kulāia, dating back to the 1860s. Those were festivities honoring the Hawaiian Kingdom and king. Outrigger canoe races were part of those festivities. After the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, the kulāia festivities shifted focus to just the outrigger canoe races. In an effort to revive the spirit of the festivals, a group of residents formed the Molokai Canoe Festivals committee a few years ago, and has since organized the event aimed at embracing this tradition and passing it on to future generations.