Hawaii Daily News Read

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

October 6, 2026 News Read

By Andrew Walden @ 9:56 AM :: 146 Views

Supreme Court showdown leaves future of climate lawsuits up in the air

Hawaii's Latest Gun Control Fiasco Hinges on 'Footnote Nine'

Office of Elections Hearing: How to Choose Candidates 'By Lot'

OHA Announces Three Finalists for Administrator/CEO Position

In memoriam: UH alumna, former U.S. Rep. Pat Saiki

Hawaii DoE Schools, 73% of 11th Graders can’t do the Math

CB: … Last year, 52% of students were proficient on the third grade math test. That proportion dropped by nearly half in 11th grade, with only 27% of teens meeting or exceeding expectations….

(TRANSLATION: The longer they spend in public schools, the further they fall behind.)

The state has an ambitious goal for all eighth grade students to be proficient in math by 2029, but it’s a long way off. Last year, only 35% of eighth graders met or exceeded the state standards in math.

(DO THE MATH: Between grades 3-8: (52-35)/5 years = 3.4% lose proficiency for each year in a DoE school. Between grades 8-11: (35-27)/3 years = 2.6% lose proficiency for each year in a DoE school.)

Last year, 13% of Hāna’s students were chronically absent, meaning they missed at least 10% of the school year. Only about 16% of kids tested proficient in math….

(DO THE MATH: 100 – 13 – 16 = 71% of students attend and fail math. 16/71= 22.5% of students who attend are proficient, assuming all of the absentees are not.)

read … Low Test Scores: For Hawaiʻi High Schoolers, The Math Isn't Mathing - Honolulu Civil Beat

How Much Will this bill increase the cost of Housing Construction?

CB: … Kauaʻi County Council members at a September planning committee meeting deferred the bill over concerns stemming from a cost estimate submitted by the Contractor’s Association of Kaua‘i at the request of council chair Mel Rapozo. Council members wanted more public input and time to mull over the bill.

The association’s estimate for a key component was four times greater than those local builders provided to the county Planning Department….

For a 1,000-square-foot home, the bill was originally expected to add an extra $6,750 to the cost of building, but new estimates from the Contractors Association of Kaua‘i show the extra costs could be as high as $106,850. …

The council planning committee will take up the bill again on Wednesday morning. If it passes, it’ll move to the full council for a final vote….

read … Kaua‘i Wildfire Resilience Bill Has Turned Into A ‘Fight Over Numbers’ - Honolulu Civil Beat

Hilo Coconut Island Bridge Replacement Becomes $22M Boondoggle

HNN: … “I thought it was easy. It’s just a bridge, right? I mean, just fix it. But no, it’s all kind of regulatory obligations.”

The mayor said necessary permits took months to obtain, but the vision is already in the works….

As for costs, the temporary access bridge could run anywhere from one $1.5 million to $2 million, and be ready by June or July….For the permanent rebuild, however, estimates are around $20 million, the mayor confirmed….

(IDEA: Be satisfied with the ‘temporary’ bridge and quit there.)

“I already saw the preliminary design. It’s gonna be bigger. It’s gonna be wider. (It’s) gonna be nice. I’m asking for lights. It’s just gonna be super nice,” he said….

Read … Hawaii Island mayor offers timeline, cost estimates for Mokuola bridge rebuild | Hawaii News Now

Union Plaza tensions flare as first responders answer medical call

HNN: … Dozens of Honolulu police officers were called to a downtown apartment building to keep other first responders safe during a medical call.

Honolulu Police Department cars lined Bishop Street on Monday 10:11 a.m. to escort firefighters and Emergency Medical Services crews who were trying to get to a person on the top floor of the nine-story building.

An ongoing feud between tenants and owners there has led to numerous power and water shutoffs in the last year. About 25 tenants remain in the building.

Some apparently threw items at officers when they arrived. Trash is can now be seen lining the alley behind the building….

Read … Union Plaza tensions flare as first responders answer medical call | Hawaii News Now

Honolulu Police Commission approves taxpayer-funded lawyer for controversial ex-sergeant

HNN: … The Honolulu Police Commission has approved a request from former HPD sergeant Darren Cachola for an attorney funded by taxpayers to defend him in a civil lawsuit over DUI arrests.

The commission debated the request for several weeks before agreeing.

Cachola was the ranking officer on Nov. 7, 2023, at a DUI roadblock when Ammon Fepuleai was stopped. An officer told Fepuleai he detected the odor of alcohol. But a breathalyzer test at the scene showed Fepuleai had no alcohol in his system.

Fepuleai and several other drivers arrested for DUI filed a class-action lawsuit through the ACLU Hawaii accusing the department and the officers of violating their right to due process and probable cause.

All the officers named had already been granted taxpayer-funded attorneys. Only Cachola had to fight for it….

read … Honolulu Police Commission approves taxpayer-funded lawyer for controversial ex-sergeant | Hawaii News Now

Sued, Honolulu Liquor Commission suddenly seeks new records-retention rules

SA: … The City Council’s International and Legal Affairs Committee voted without discussion Sept. 24 to recommend full Council adoption of Resolution 144, which would replace the commission’s agency-specific records-retention schedule adopted in 2022. The committee’s September vote was the first Council action on the measure.

“The timing of this seems incredibly suspicious, given our lawsuit,” said Robbie Baldwin, Scarlet’s co-owner, after the committee’s vote.

Scarlet’s lawsuit was prompted in part by “disputes over (the Liquor Commission) not turning over records,” Baldwin added.

“Now they seek Council approval to start destroying records,” Baldwin said. “They are refusing to turn over records while simultaneously seeking approval to destroy them.”…

BACKGROUND:

Read … Honolulu Liquor Commission seeks new records-retention rules | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Special licenses would allow select Honolulu bars to close at 4 a.m.

KHON: … At 2 a.m., establishments must switch to exit-only. Businesses must also have a sound mitigation plan. At 3 a.m., last call begins and no additional alcohol can be served.

Liquor Commissioner Jeffrey Hong said the goal is to allow businesses to generate additional revenue while minimizing impacts on surrounding communities.

“We wanted to balance that with making the smallest impact to the community,” Hong said.

The first trial run took place this weekend at Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand Waikiki and Tapas. Liquor Commission staff monitored the businesses from 2 to 4 a.m. to see how the new restrictions were implemented.

Hong called the trial a success.

The test was held ahead of Honolulu Pride, which is scheduled for Oct. 16….

read … Special licenses would allow select Honolulu bars to close at 4 a.m.

Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to hear case on elephants’ human rights

HPR: … Mari and Vaigai are the Honolulu Zoo’s two elephants, and they have a court hearing coming up — a public hearing at Punahou School that will mark a milestone for a legal battle over animal rights.

On Nov. 9th, an argument will be heard by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court on the legality of their confinement in the Honolulu Zoo.

It’s the first time a state supreme court has considered a case like this….

(IDEA: Call the elephants up to the stand to testify.)

read … Hawaiʻi Supreme Court to hear case on habeas corpus and the Honolulu Zoo | Hawai'i Public Radio

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