Hawaii Business Magazine Newsletters

Gov. Green condemns Alaska mayor’s plan to give homeless people tickets to warmer cities
There’s growing pushback among local elected leaders to the mayor of Anchorage’s plan to send homeless people to warmer cities this winter — including, conceivably, cities in Hawai‘i. Hawaii News Now.

Federal Aviation Administration proposes new safeguards for Hawai‘i air tours
In response to multiple fatal crashes over the years, the FAA aims to prevent air tour operators from flying too low and in bad weather. Tour companies would be required to have safety plans for aircraft equipment and pilot training. Star-Advertiser.

Troubling trajectory of Hawai‘i newspapers has “deep implications” for democracy
Mirroring a national trend, multiple newspapers in Hawai‘i are showing signs of financial duress, which could mean fewer watchdogs for the public’s interest. Civil Beat.

Union balks over “hazard pay” survey sent to thousands of government employees
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations surveyed Hawai‘i Government Employees Association members about their hours and “temporary hazard pay” from 2020 to 2022, despite the union’s strong objections. Hawaii News Now.

Emergency housing declaration prohibits price gouging, lawyer says
A Maui attorney contends that Gov. Josh Green’s July 17 proclamation automatically made it illegal to raise retail and wholesale prices on any commodity, including groceries and gas. Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i hotel investment tops $2 billion since 2019
Hotels statewide have completed more than $2 billion in improvements, with at least another half-billion in renovations and new hotel builds in the pipeline. Star-Advertiser.

First 11 preschool classrooms launch Ready Keiki initiative
After more than two decades, the state is finally making progress on its universal preschool access, with seven classrooms opening this week on O‘ahu, two on Maui and one each on Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i. Star-Advertiser.

As generative AI booms, students dive in and educators lag behind
So far, neither the state Department of Education nor the UH system are considering sweeping bans. While some educators embrace AI, others argue that it is hurting students by short-circuiting their ability to think for themselves. Star-Advertiser.

Veterans have until Aug. 9 to file for retroactive benefits from toxin exposure
Veteran Affairs’ Hawai‘i Division is hosting an event today to answer questions and help people register. The event is at the Ala Moana Hotel from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i affordable housing demand is sky high, but not at one tower
At the Sky Ala Moana towers, market-priced condominiums are sold out, yet only 14 of 84 units priced from about $270,000 to $515,000 under a city affordable-housing program have sold over the past nine months. The problem is the re-sale terms. Star-Advertiser.

State, Hawai‘i Pacific University stalled in dispute over repairs
The unresolved dispute concerns several million dollars in repairs to piers around Aloha Tower Marketplace, which HPU owns and where it houses and teaches some of its students. Star-Advertiser.

Feral pigs are increasingly running wild in some O‘ahu neighborhoods
City animal-control ordinances don’t address feral pigs, causing people to find solutions on their own. Pig hunters are becoming the de facto first responders for residents who feel threatened by growing herds. Civil Beat.

Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving the health of the entire community by addressing food insecurity and climate change… read more.

Council member urges expanded mail delivery in Puna
Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder is asking the U.S. Postal Service to improve its Puna service, which he says is woefully insufficient. Tribune-Herald.

FBI sweep locates five missing keiki; police say they were not victims of sex trafficking
Five runaway children on Hawai‘i Island were recovered as part of Operation Cross Country, a nationwide FBI-led sweep targeting sex traffickers and missing children. Tribune-Herald.

Kahului business closed due to rodents
Port Town Texaco temporarily closed after the state Department of Health found a rodent infestation. Maui News.

Two more craft breweries to open this year, with a fifth in the works
The number of Kaua‘i-based craft breweries will double in 2023, with the recent opening of Nā Pali Brewing Company in Wailua and the planned November opening of Mucho Aloha in Kōloa. Another brewery is planned for Līhu‘e. Kaua‘i Now.