Hawaii Business Magazine Newsletters

Limits on renewable energy could become Hawai‘i law
A bill passed by the Legislature and awaiting action by Gov. David Ige aims to amend the state’s energy policy so that it prevents more than 66.67% of power being generated from sources such as wind, waves and sun. Star-Advertiser.

Coalition criticizes state telehealth bill
Social workers, psychologists and other medical professionals are urging Gov. David Ige to veto a bill that could restrict telehealth appointments for mental health services, which soared during the pandemic. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i to get up to $62 million for its small businesses
The state Hawaii Technology Development Corp. will distribute millions of dollars in seed capital to small businesses under a federally funded program aimed at job creation and economic recovery. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Loophole ruins ban on flavored tobacco, health advocates say
The latest version of House Bill 1570 would prohibit the sale or distribution of flavored tobacco products starting Jan. 1. But  a loophole — inserted by the Senate — exempts tobacco products that received a “marketing order” from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Star-Advertiser.

Is it time for Hawai‘i to renegotiate its relationship with the military?
For decades, the state’s political powers have uncritically supported the Department of Defense’s growing footprint. That could be changing, in large part due to widespread outrage over the Navy’s recent water contamination crisis, community members and elected officials say. Civil Beat.

First negative ads in governor’s race air, but political experts think they’ll backfire
A newly formed Super PAC has begun running ads featuring the local comedy duo “Da Braddahs” attacking Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s credentials as a physician. Hawaii News Now.

Weddings in Hawai‘i are rebounding 
In the first quarter of 2022, 4,466 marriages were recorded, up 54% from the same quarter in 2021 and nearing the 4,661 marriages in the first quarter of 2020. Star-Advertiser.

State to spend $26 million to fix the aging Wahiawā dam, acquire Lake Wilson
The Legislature appropriated the money this session to repair the 116-year-old earthen dam and acquire its irrigation system. As part of that deal, Dole Food Company will turn the 325-acre lake over to the state. Hawaii News Now.

Judge says lawsuit against Department of Agriculture can go forward
A Kahuku farm couple filed a lawsuit against the state agency and Roy Hasegawa, manager of the Kahuku Agricultural Park, after they were threatened with eviction and had water for their aquaponics operation shut off. Civil Beat.

State lawsuit says brothers improperly profit from public roads in Kaka‘ako and Waikīkī
The state Department of the Attorney General is suing Calvert and Cedric Chun, who do business as the Kakaako Land Co., seeking reimbursement for alleged fraudulent collecting of money for the private use of public streets. Star-Advertiser.

A new downtown driver testing site has the highest failure rate on O‘ahu
Only 45% of people at the Sheridan Park testing site passed last year. Between 2017 and 2021, Wai‘anae had the highest average passing rate at 64%, followed by Ko‘olau at 60%, Kapolei at 53% and Wahiawā at 48%. Civil Beat.

As our community embraces in-person celebrations once again, the Honolulu Museum of Art has opened its doors in the evenings, offering an oasis of world-class art, entertainment and public programming. HoMA Nights is held every Friday and Saturday until 9pm with safe, engaging ways to explore the galleries, stargaze in the courtyards… read more.

Thousands of building permits set to expire
Nearly 7,000 Hawai‘i County building permits will expire at the end of the month. After the rollout last July of the Electronic Processing and Information Center, the county can now enforce the expiration of permits under the county code. Tribune-Herald.

How a wellness company is saving sandalwood on the Big Island
DoTERRA, a Utah-based manufacturer of essential oils, is planting trees at Kealakekua Mountain Reserve, a 9,600-acre property on the western slope of Mauna Loa. The reserve is a former ranch about 20 miles south of Kailua-Kona. Civil Beat.

Next phase of Lahaina bypass is sidelined after dip in rental car funds
The project was originally scheduled for construction in 2023 using $70 million of state funds from the rental car surcharge. Pandemic slowdowns reduced those funds. Maui News.

Retired police lieutenant returns as captain
A Maui Police Department lieutenant who retired more than eight months ago has been rehired as acting captain of the Moloka‘i Patrol Division. Maui News.