Maui County Students Awarded $37K in Educational Scholarships
Ten high school seniors from Maui County received Takitani Foundation scholarships totaling $37,000 for academic excellence and community service. The scholarships are part of a statewide program that awarded $232,000 to 63 students across Hawaii. Lauren Ghotane from King Kekaulike High School received the top $8,000 Karen Uno Distinguished Student Scholarship. Maui High School’s Aleizy […]
Nantucket Short-Term Rental Zoning Bylaw Gets State Approval
The Attorney General approved Nantucket’s bylaw explicitly allowing short-term rentals island-wide after November’s town meeting vote. The measure can now take effect once final posting requirements are completed. The bylaw passed at November’s town meeting by 71% (1,045-421 votes) and survived state review challenges. An opponent argued the measure violated rules against reconsidering failed zoning […]
Maui County to Acquire Private West Maui Water Systems from MLP
Multiple news outlets report that Maui County has reached a memorandum of understanding with Maui Land & Pineapple Co. to acquire the company’s West Maui water infrastructure. The agreement would increase public ownership of West Maui drinking water systems from 45% to 93%, though the County Council must still approve the final purchase. County signed […]
Hawaii’s Medicaid Fraud Enforcement Record Ranks Worst Nationally
Hawaii’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has produced zero indictments and convictions for four straight years, marking the worst enforcement record in the nation according to federal data. Hawaii is the only state with no Medicaid fraud indictments or convictions in each of the last four years. Federal reviews in 2015 and 2019 found serious operational […]
New Federal Reserve Chair Confirmed as Congressional War Vote Fails
The Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chair in a mostly party-line vote, while both chambers failed to pass resolutions ending the war on Iran. Kevin Warsh was confirmed as Federal Reserve chair by a 54-45 Senate vote, replacing Jerome Powell. Senate resolution to end the war on Iran failed 49-50 with […]
Tupper Lake Resident Pushes Town Board for STR Rules After Years of Delays
A Tupper Lake resident is urging local officials to create short-term rental regulations, expressing concerns about STRs in residential neighborhoods. The town currently has no specific STR restrictions beyond state tax requirements. Tupper Lake currently has no specific short-term rental regulations beyond state tax collection rules. A resident cited concerns about STRs in dense residential […]
Hawaii Tax Changes Could Affect Property Owner Deductions and Business Zones
New Hawaii tax legislation adopts some federal tax changes including no tax on tips, but keeps stricter itemized deduction limits and adds new enterprise zone benefits. The changes could impact how property owners calculate deductions and business tax benefits. Hawaii adopts federal ‘no tax on tips’ provision but rejects no tax on overtime and enhanced […]
Memorial Day ceremony planned at Makawao veterans cemetery May 25
The Maui County Veterans Council will host a Memorial Day tribute ceremony on May 25, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. at the Maui Veterans Cemetery in Makawao. The public ceremony will include wreath presentations and honors for fallen service members. Memorial Day tribute scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. at Maui Veterans Cemetery […]
Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Position Open for Applications
The Judicial Selection Commission is accepting applications for an Associate Justice position on Hawaii’s Supreme Court, with nominations due June 29 and applications due August 13, 2026. Position requires Hawaii residency, US citizenship, and at least 10 years of Hawaii law practice. Ten-year term offers $290,016 annual salary plus comprehensive state benefits package. Nomination deadline […]
Hawaii Legislature Passes Bills to Streamline Housing Development Process
Four housing reform bills await governor approval that would require studies before inclusionary zoning, speed up historic preservation reviews, expand school fee exemptions, and improve permit processes. These measures aim to reduce regulatory barriers that slow housing construction statewide. HB1741 would require counties to study impacts before implementing inclusionary zoning requirements on new housing projects. […]