Honolulu’s Source for Local News, Business & Events
Honolulu’s Source for Local News, Business & Events
City, county, and state government news affecting Honolulu
The Honolulu City Council approved $350,000 for legal defense against Hitachi Rail’s lawsuit over disputed rail project costs. The litigation could mean more financial burden for taxpayers already paying billions in rail overruns.
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David Lazar, a retired San Francisco police assistant chief, was chosen as Honolulu’s 13th police chief despite 90% of HPD officers preferring local candidate Mike Lambert. The decision raises questions about department morale and community trust.
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HomeAid Hawaiʻi grew from $235K to nearly $142M in revenue by winning no-bid homeless housing contracts, but failed to disclose payments to the CEO’s spouse. State auditor warns lawmakers about oversight failures in emergency procurement.
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Honolulu City Council approved Bill 60 authorizing HART to study extending Skyline rail to UH Mānoa. The potential expansion could serve 17,000 students and thousands of East Honolulu commuters, though funding and route challenges remain.
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Hawaii approves $89.4M in rail reimbursements as HART accelerates Segment 3 construction through Downtown Honolulu. The funding boost aims to keep the 2031 passenger service target on track amid ongoing cost scrutiny.
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Honolulu City Council advances legislation requiring public disclosure of all concessions, waivers, and perks granted to real estate developers. The transparency measure responds to community frustration over secretive backroom negotiations on major projects in Kakaako and beyond.
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Honolulu City Council moves to eliminate the Office of Economic Revitalization, cutting $1.4M and 20 positions after a damning audit. Mayor Blangiardi and downtown businesses are fighting the cuts before the June 28 final vote.
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Honolulu Council unanimously creates ambitious task force to eliminate landfills before Waimānalo Gulch closes in 2028. The group has 540 days to develop alternatives that could make Hawaiʻi the first landfill-free state.
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Mayor Blangiardi signed Bill 60, authorizing HART to study rail extensions to UH Manoa and West Kapolei. The feasibility studies will examine routing options and funding mechanisms for the ambitious expansions beyond the current airport line.
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Gov. Green signed eight bills including a first-in-nation corporate donation limit challenging Citizens United and a ban on license plate covers starting 2027. More than 200 bills await action by July 15.
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