Indiana Power Company Constructs Natural Gas Plant, Brings 4,000 Jobs
Duke Energy began construction on a natural gas power plant in Indiana that will create nearly 4,000 jobs and power 1.1 million homes when completed in 2029-2030. The new facility will generate 1,476 megawatts of power, 500 megawatts more than the current coal plant it’s replacing. Construction will employ approximately 700 workers with priority given […]
State Approves $200M for Lahaina Elementary Rebuild and Infrastructure
Hawaii legislature allocated nearly $200 million to rebuild King Kamehameha III Elementary School and improve Lahaina infrastructure. The funding includes $146 million for the school, $12 million for harbor improvements, and $76.7 million for highway relocation. King Kamehameha III Elementary will receive $146 million for rebuild on new 14-acre site below Lahaina Bypass, contingent on […]
Environmental Coalition Backs Green Fee Spending, Pushes for Better Oversight
Hawaii’s new Green Fee is funding $100+ million in environmental projects including wildfire prevention and marine protection. A coalition of 70+ groups wants stronger public tracking of how the money is spent. Green Fee generates over $100 million annually for conservation and climate projects statewide. Funding includes $15.7 million for wildfire risk reduction and $6.64 […]
British Election Results May Signal Challenges for US Progressive Politics
A political columnist analyzes Britain’s recent election where Labour Party lost support over immigration policies, drawing parallels to US Democratic Party challenges with progressive positions. Britain’s Labour Party lost support as voters expressed concerns about immigration and social disorder issues. Reform UK, an anti-immigration party, gained ground by breaking traditional two-party dominance. The column draws […]
County Council Reviews Revised $1.6B Budget with Infrastructure Cuts
Maui County Council will consider a $1.6 billion budget that reduces capital projects by $20 million while increasing day-to-day operations funding. The budget addresses ongoing recovery from wildfires, recent storm damage, and economic pressures from global conflicts affecting fuel costs. Council committee unanimously approved cutting $8.4 million from mayor’s budget proposal, shifting $20 million from […]
Maui Energy Conference to Address Solar Costs and Renewable Goals May 20-21
The 13th Annual Hawaiʻi Energy Conference will be held at Maui Arts & Cultural Center May 20-21, focusing on energy policy, solar adoption challenges, and Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Key discussions will cover controversial LNG proposals and concerns about reduced solar incentives affecting the state’s ambitious rooftop solar targets. Conference at Maui Arts & Cultural […]
Hawaii Economic Forecast Warns of Tourism Slowdown, Rising Costs
Rising oil prices from Middle East conflict are increasing travel costs and slowing tourism growth, while Hawaii continues recovering from March storm damage. Economic growth is expected to weaken significantly through 2027. Tourism arrivals projected to grow only 2% in 2026 and just 0.2% in 2027 due to higher jet fuel costs. Airlines cutting capacity […]
Paradise High Football Team to Play Lahaina High in Unity Bowl on Maui
Paradise High School and Lahaina High School will play in an inaugural Unity Bowl football game in September, bringing together two communities that suffered devastating wildfires. NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers donated $15,000 to help Paradise High travel to Maui for the game. Paradise High and Lahaina High will play football in September’s inaugural Unity Bowl, […]
African Mountain Fire Study Shows Climate Change Impact on Remote Ecosystems
Research on a 2012 wildfire in Africa’s Rwenzori Mountains found it was the first major fire in 12,000 years in an ecosystem previously too cold and wet to burn. Scientists warn that climate change may be making similar high-altitude ecosystems worldwide more vulnerable to fire. The 2012 wildfire in Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains was unprecedented in […]
Search Called Off for North Carolina Tourist Missing at Kaanapali Beach
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Monday evening for a 75-year-old North Carolina man who disappeared while snorkeling off Kaanapali Beach on Friday. Multiple news outlets reported that extensive search efforts involving several agencies covered over 1,200 square miles but failed to locate the missing tourist. John Weems, 75, of North Carolina, was last […]