Report Ranks Hawaii Teachers Union 5th Strongest

Widen Saddle Road?

Trump Administration Foolishly Gives HART another $125M  

SA: … The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has received a $125 million federal reimbursement connected to last year’s opening of the more than $10-billion Skyline project’s second segment past the airport, the agency’s leadership announced Friday.

During its board of directors’ meeting, HART Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina confirmed that the Federal Transit Administration finalized its release of Segment 2’s $125 million tranche to the agency in mid-May, following the Oct. 16, 2025, opening of the 5.2-mile rail extension between Halawa Station and the Kalihi Transit Center on Middle Street.

Read … HART gets reimbursed $125M for Segment 2 completion | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Honolulu Officials Accept Raises Without Hearing Public Opposition

CB: … Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, city council members and other department heads are set to receive pay bumps worth thousands of dollars come July — their fourth pay raise in four years. 

Blangiardi will get a $10,000 boost to $237,000, which is 27% more than he made four years ago. A similar increase for the managing director will bring his pay to $226,403, also 27% more than what the job paid in 2022. 

Honolulu City Council members will make $128,000 as of July 1, an 86% increase from four years ago. Their 4.7% salary raises this year follow a 64% pay bump for council members in 2023 that ignited outrage in the community. Council members can and do have outside employment. 

City officials are receiving the raises without having to hear from the public. …

Read … Honolulu Officials Accept Raises Without Hearing Public Opposition - Honolulu Civil Beat

Judge OKs Settlements Between Government, 630 Plaintiffs In Hawaii Fuel Spill Case

MLR: … settlements with a combined value exceeding $17M ….

DO THE MATH:  $17M / 630 = $27K each

Read … Judge OKs Settlements Between Government, 630 Plaintiffs In Hawaii Fuel Spill Case

Her dad’s death led to tougher penalties for dangerous dog owners in Hawaiʻi. Now her daughter tests law after attack

BIN: … In 2024, Shannon Matson pushed for the passing of a state law that significantly toughens the legal consequences for owners of dangerous dogs after the death of her 71-year-old father, Bob Northrop.

He was mauled by four large dogs while walking to a friend’s house on Outrigger Drive in Ocean View in 2023.

Now, two years after the passage of Act 224, Matson said: “Our family never thought we’d be the ones testing the law we helped pass.”

On Mother’s Day, Matson’s 12-year-old daughter, Penny, was riding her bike in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision in Kurtistown when a dog began chasing her. The dog attacked her bike, causing her to fall and break her collarbone. Her uncle was nearby and stopped the dog from biting her, Matson said….

Read … Her dad’s death led to tougher penalties for dangerous dog owners in Hawaiʻi. Now her daughter tests law after attack : Big Island Now

Group seeks to restart aquarium fishing on Oahu

SA: … The Hawaii Fishers Association held a public scoping meeting on Tuesday to receive feedback on its upcoming environmental impact statement, or EIS, a required step under state law for any permit request that is found to potentially have an effect on the environment.

Aquarium fishing has been banned statewide since December 2020, when (tourism industry activists ordered it shut down) ….

Read … Group seeks to restart aquarium fishing on Oahu | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

As visitors decline, Hawaii braces for a 'difficult' summer season

SFG: … the decline in international markets, higher airfares tied to rising oil prices and weakened demand following Hawaii’s recent kona low storms have some in Hawaii’s tourism industry bracing for a rough summer.

“Since the Kona Low storms this spring, our booking pace has been averaging down per day, and that trend has continued through today,” said David Hu, president and CEO of A|T Collective, the parent company behind vacation wholesaler Pleasant Holidays, in an email to SFGATE. “With summer now weeks away and little recovery in sight, it’s shaping up to be a difficult season.”…

Read … As visitors decline, Hawaii braces for a 'difficult' summer season

QUICK HITS:

1. Big Q: Do you think the military's “true cost” to Hawaii has been overstated? | Honolulu Star-Advertiser  2-1 = ‘NO’

2. Chinese and US Militaries Met in Hawaii, Stressed Communication, Chinese Navy Says

3. Op-Ed: Beyond Tax Relief — Delivering Real Housing Solutions for Hawaiʻi : Maui Now

4. Hawaii Firearms Coalition -- Koko Head New Hours| Facebook

5. HTH: 13 applicants in play to be next fire chief - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

6. HTH: FEMA doles out $2M to Kona low victims in Hawaii County - Hawaii Tribune-Herald

7. Sinkholes spread in troubled Pearl City cemetery, even as improvements are made | Hawaii News Now

8. For many sinkholes left by March storms on Maui County roads, cost and timeline for repairs unclear - Hawaii Journalism Initiative

9. Akakū continues fight to preserve Maui County’s public access funding with $400,000 in annual cuts looming - Hawaii Journalism Initiative

10. Mayor, county officials invite Waimea residents for community dialogue at town meeting

11. Havoc in Hawaii’s Coffee Fields After an Earthquake Destroyed Water Collection Tanks - The New York Times

12. Local program gives Hawaii residents free job training

13. Beth Fukumoto: What High School Graduations Ought To Mean To All Of Us - Honolulu Civil Beat

14. Artificial Intelligence Is Here To Stay. Are Hawaiʻi Schools Ready? - Honolulu Civil Beat

15. UH Mānoa ASL Interpreter Training Program Needs Critical Funding - Honolulu Civil Beat

16. Kaua‘i Wants To Expand Its Only Landfill — Again - Honolulu Civil Beat

17. Honolulu’s longest-running bar has ‘last call’ | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

18. Kona-low storm fallout continues to hit North Shore business | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

19. Editorial: More traffic cams, fewer scofflaws | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

20. Plans for new Costco, Zippy’s closure in Waipahu met with pushback | Hawaii News Now

21. Rearview Mirror: Memories of Ariyoshi reveal he was good fun | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

22. Umi Martin announces candidacy for Kauai Council - The Garden Island

23. Some question if the JERA natural gas project will deliver meaningful savings | Hawai'i Public Radio