Hawaii Business Magazine Newsletters

Gov. Green signs bills to improve school facilities, curricula
Measures giving the state’s new School Facilities Authority access to millions more dollars and dramatically broader flexibility to build teacher housing and preschool classrooms were among a group of education-related bills signed into law by Gov. Josh Green on Monday. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News.  Maui Now.

DOH recycling program receives 2-year audit
Although the refund and recycling program’s issues involving fraud have reportedly waned, an increased risk of fraud is still a concern. The audit found that a “significant deficiency” in internal controls to curb fraud as well as the ongoing reliance on third-party certifications remained. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i losing economic strength, economist says
Inflation has stabilized in Hawai‘i, but what is of concern to one  local economist is the state’s gross domestic product, which over the past five years has fallen way behind the national economy. Star-Advertiser.

Court: You can’t say “FCK” on your license plate
The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is a loss for Honolulu resident Edward Odquina, who in 2021 applied for and received a personalized plate with the message “FCKBLM.” Civil Beat.  Star-Advertiser.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Hawai‘i’s Chamber of Commerce seeks to rein in red tape to help businesses
A new web portal is part of a long-term approach to improving the business environment in the state. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i’s parole board is the most powerful in the country. That may change.
The paroling authority sets the minimum terms that inmates must serve before they can be released from prison, a task that other states assign to judges. Civil Beat.

City officials’ pay raises weren’t included in the budget. Now what?
The city charter mandates that these raises be delivered, meaning officials have to scrape together the money from other sources. Civil Beat.

O‘ahu’s traffic-related fatalities remain high
At roughly the halfway mark, the number of traffic­-related fatalities in Hawai‘i is lower than at the same time in 2022. Star-Advertiser.

State, city strain to keep traffic signs clear of overgrown foliage
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, labor shortages in state and city maintenance departments and a switch to sustainable yet less efficient weedkiller have hampered the frequency and quality of roadside maintenance. Star-Advertiser.

Unlikely alliance working to disrupt illegal gambling in West O‘ahu
Kincaid Olayan, better known as Mana, is the founder of God Forgives Bad Boys and Bad Girls, a ministry made up of former gang members. His group is among those trying to make his Ewa Beach neighborhood safer. Civil Beat.

Honolulu EMS welcomes 8 new ambulances
These new vehicles are set to replace other ambulances across O‘ahu that have reached the end of their service lives. KHON2.

State finds new operator for low-income complex
A private development partnership has taken over the Kulia i ka Nu‘u low-­income rental housing complex in Wai‘anae under a state land lease arrangement that includes a planned renovation of the property. Star-Advertiser.

UH students set to move into new state-of-the-art facility inspired by Utah school
The Residences for Innovative Student Entrepreneurs, or RISE, was inspired by the University of Utah’s Lassonde Studios. Students will move into the facility in August. Hawaii News Now.

A good mortgage loan officer knows all those little differences. You have to be a problem solver by nature. That’s really the kind of team we have at CPB…. read more.

Waipi‘o Valley Road phase one rockfall mitigation work completed
The next two phases are still in such early development that a timeframe for when they might start is unknown. Tribune-Herald.

Conservation land designation resurfaces for discussion in committee on Thursday
The Maui Council committee on Agriculture, Diversification, Environment and Public Transportation will reconvene July 6 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss Resolution 23-146, requesting that the Conservation Planning Committee review and provide recommendations on the possible acquisition or management of certain lands for conservation purposes. Maui Now.

Committee agrees to revise proposed renaming of Puamana burial site
The Water and Infrastructure Committee agreed on a proposal Monday to rename Puamana Beach Park in Lahaina to Puamana Cultural Preserve at Waianuʻukole.  Maui Now.

Nagramada takes Island School helm
Island School announced that Nancy Nagramada assumed the head of school role on July 1. She brings more than 25 years of experience in educational settings on the East Coast and West Coast. Garden Island.