DOE slow to assess schools’ vulnerabilities to violence
Even though school shootings and mass shootings nationwide have hit historic levels — with a record-high 51 school shootings that killed or injured 140 people in 2022 — fewer than half of Hawai‘i’s 258 public school campuses have been evaluated for vulnerabilities to targeted violence. Department officials say it will take three more years for them to finish. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Gov. Green seeking compromise on tax reform he promised as candidate
As a candidate, Gov. Josh Green repeatedly promised a dramatic tax reform ― eliminating the 4.5% excise tax on food and drugs. But after lawmakers have said that was probably unrealistic, he’s floating potential compromises. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i prosecutors dodged public discipline for 40 years despite misconduct
Prosecutors sometimes cross the line. But for a host of reasons, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court does not sanction them. Civil Beat.

Feds collected $2 million from criminal, civil debtors last year
Hawai‘i’s U.S. Attorney’s office secured over $2 million owed in criminal and civil cases last year. An additional $7.5 million was collected from the owners of the defunct Oahu Sugar Company due to historical pesticide contamination. Civil Beat. Maui Now.

Applicants sought for elections commission
Hawai‘i Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is looking for qualified people to fill a seat on the state Elections Commission. The unexpired term of William Dean from the County of Hawai‘i will expire on June 30, 2024. Civil Beat.

Memorial service for Abigail Kawānanakoa open to the public
A public memorial service at ʻIolani Palace for the late Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa, known as Hawaiʻi’s ‘last princess,’ will be held on Jan. 22. She will be the 12th person to lie there. Hawai‘i Public Radio. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu prosecuting attorney on balancing crime enforcement and outreach
Identifying crime and prosecuting criminals is only one part in working to make an area safer, according to Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm.  Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Hawai‘i hospital giant reaches tentative deal with nurses
Nurses at Straub Medical Center got a New Year’s gift this week in the form of a tentative agreement that union leaders say includes provisions that will make working easier for caregivers and provide better treatment for patients. But it remains to be seen whether the concessions will be enough to sway the 400-member union. Civil Beat.

Oʻahu small businesses offered a slice of a $10M city grant
The Oʻahu Business Recovery grant program will award $10 million in grants and accept 400 online applications. Grants will range between $15,000 and $50,000 depending on a business’ size. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Kaka‘ako shoppers, businesses grapple with traffic ‘madness’ as road repairs continue
Businesses and consumers say the city’s sinkhole repairs in Kaka‘ako and other road repair projects are turning the area into a hard-to-navigate maze. Hawaii News Now.

Red Hill moms demand congressional hearing on Navy’s fuel-tainted water
Two moms who were sickened during the Red Hill fuel-tainted water crisis more than a year ago are on Capitol Hill, demanding a congressional hearing on potential long-term health impacts. Hawaii News Now.

Death penalty phase begins for Hawai‘i resident incarcerated in Arizona
Miti Maugaotega Jr. was convicted of murdering a fellow inmate in the Arizona prison where they were both being held. Civil Beat.

The goal was to create imagery that reflects the lived experiences of renters. I didn’t want to villainize or victimize anyone – it’s a fine line to walk when developing imagery for a story like this….. read more.

Hilo siren taken offline after 2 false alarms
Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno confirmed Tuesday that one faulty siren — near the intersection of Kanoelehua Avenue and Banyan Drive, across from Ken’s House of Pancakes — was the cause of both incidents. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Affordable housing complex on schedule
Construction of the Hale Na Koa ‘O Hanakahi housing project began in November after years of planning and will eventually offer 92 single-bedroom units for Big Island seniors on Kawili Street across from the UH Hilo campus. Tribune-Herald.

Coffee crop faces a ‘devastating’ drop in production, price hike
The combination of drought, coffee leaf rust fungus and the continued presence of the coffee berry borer has created what the president of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association described as “a perfect storm” that resulted in a significant drop in coffee production. Tribune-Herald.

Training underway for humpback whale disentanglements
A team of highly trained state and federal individuals met up in December in waters off of Maui to fine tune their skills in humpback whale disentanglements.  Maui Now.

Former Maui senator has paid $75,000 of his $100,000 fine
Last year, J. Kalani English pleaded guilty to taking bribes in exchange for influencing legislation on cesspools. He was sentenced to 40 months, or just over three years, in federal prison, in addition to the fine. Maui News.

Opponents of West Kaua‘i energy project want more environmental scrutiny
Some West Kaua‘i residents, including Waimea kalo farmers, are pushing back against the DLNR’s decision to allow the utility to skip the EIS. Civil Beat.