Neighbor Island News

Hawaiʻi Public Radio is following the races for U.S. Congress, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, county council seats on all islands and more. Here's where things stand.

Voter Service Centers are now open across the state through primary election day on Aug. 10. The centers offer in-person voting, same-day registration and ballot collection.

Two measures that would allow counties to begin phasing out non-conforming use permits for transient vacation rental units passed out of both of their chambers. It would give counties more control over short-term rentals. HPR's Ashley Mizuo has more.

Each Hawaiʻi mayor gives an annual State of the County address in March. Housing, infrastructure, jobs, education and tourism consistently remain top of mind for the local leaders. HPR reporters have been tuning into this year's speeches on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island to learn the latest.

Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi released its new Blue Water Task Force Water Quality Report this week. The Conversation talked with the foundation’s Hawaiʻi Regional Manager Lauren Blickley about the most polluted beaches in our state and other results of the 2023 report.

The electric utility announced Friday that it will start contract negotiations with developers. The projects could produce approximately 517 megawatts from intermittent sources like wind and solar, and about 654 megawatts of firm generation.

Today we're replaying our recent series on the status of the little fire ant across our state, as lawmakers push for a rapid response to the infestation of the invasive pest spreading throughout our islands.

Does money grow on trees? In some cases, maybe so when it comes to tax deductions. The Exceptional Tree Initiative provides special protections for single trees or groves of trees.

Strong winds and dry conditions have prompted a red flag warning for leeward sides of all Hawaiian Islands until Tuesday evening. The warning is in place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The four schools closed Monday are King Kamehameha III Elementary, Princess Nāhi’ena’ena Elementary, Lāhainā Intermediate and Lāhaināluna High. The red flag warning has been canceled for Oʻahu and Kauaʻi as of Monday morning. It remains for Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.