Bill that would bar suspension of public records requests during emergency advances
A state Senate bill that would bar the governor or county mayors from suspending requests for public records or vital statistics during a declared state of emergency passed its first committee hurdle in the House. Tribune-Herald.

Lawmakers look to claw back felons’ pensions
Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha is set to begin a seven-year prison sentence next month for felony convictions relating to his use of police officers to help frame his wife’s uncle. But that won’t stop his $9,700 monthly pension payments that come with having served 33 years on the police force. Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i police chiefs defend themselves on video, but won’t take reporters’ questions
Communicating with the public is becoming a one-sided, scripted event for three of Hawai‘i’s police chiefs. They’ve refused multiple media requests for interviews on the challenges facing their departments ― and criticism of them personally ― instead using department-produced video statements to make their case. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i National Guard to deploy 80 members to Washington D.C.
The members will support US Capitol Police until early May by patrolling specific areas and providing flexible security functions with the National Guard’s “Task Force Capitol.”  Maui Now.

Hawai‘i’s unemployed must clear up earlier benefit status before getting federal dollars
Minor mistakes that led to overpayments of a few hundred dollars can hold up much more substantial relief for struggling families. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Telcom brought fast broadband to 10,740 locations in 2020
Last year Hawaiian Telcom enabled broadband service with speeds up to 940 megabits per second download and 300 Mbps upload to more than 10,740 locations in Hawai‘i, according to a news release. Maui Now.

HART: Defective train wheels are a ‘major’ problem and possible safety issue
The flaw involving the Hitachi Rail-manufactured wheels requires the driverless train cars to drastically reduce speed at track crossings along the line, HART’s interim director, Lori Kahikina, told City Council members Tuesday. The periodic decreases in speed will keep the trains from arriving at the line’s stations on time unless the problem is fixed, she said. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

O‘ahu karaoke bar owners ask mayor to modify reopening order
Under Honolulu’s rules, anyone singing needs to be at least 10 feet from any other person and a physical barrier must separate the person singing from others. Hawaii News Now.

Medical teams hit the street to vaccinate Hawai‘i’s most vulnerable homeless people
The Department of Health says more than 500 homeless people have been immunized. Since March 8, immunization clinics have been organized at about a half dozen sites, including Barber’s Point, the Punawai Rest Stop, Wai‘anae Boat Harbor and the HONU at Ke‘ehi Lagoon. Hawaii News Now.

Aloha Stadium replacement plan includes maintenance risk shift
The state Department of Accounting and General Services said a partner that builds a new stadium would be paid pre-agreed amounts of state money over 30 to 40 years as a way to essentially repay the partner for any of its own stadium development costs as well as the cost to maintain the facility to “prescribed standards.”  Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

In this interview, they discuss how the culture and place of Hawai’i gives it a competitive advantage, and how the CHANGE framework keeps the Hawai’i Community Foundation grounded for the future… read more.

Hundreds get Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Hilo POD
The state Department of Health on Tuesday hosted its first mass vaccination clinic in East Hawai“i utilizing the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. According to District Health Officer Eric Honda, about 850 people had signed up to be vaccinated Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

A Hele-On hub for Kona
Eleven Kailua-Kona locations are in the running for a centralized Hele-On bus hub, and the county wants to hear which one the public likes best, or if other sites would be better. West Hawaii Today.

County’s 1st hydrogen bus should be on the island within 6 weeks
The first bus is a 2014 Eldorado 29-passenger Aero Elite vehicle that was donated to the county by the University of Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute after it was converted from diesel power and upgraded to fuel cells that run on hydrogen fuel. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i task force sting nets 7 men suspected of online enticement of minors
A sting operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Hawai‘i has resulted in charges against seven men who are accused of soliciting who they believed to be minors for sex and arranging to meet up with them on Maui. Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Emergency lane open on highway near Hanalei
A single lane is now open on Kuhio Highway above the Hanalei Bridge, and concrete barriers have been placed along the side of the single emergency-only lane. The state Department of Transportation is keeping the single lane for emergency access on the highway today. Garden Island.

Council talks path erosion
Coastal erosion has already gone beneath the multi-purpose Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal path at Wailua Beach, and the county knew that might happen. Mitigation efforts and more-responsible building, councilmembers suggested, should be looked into. Garden Island.