Neighbor Island News

It’s not entirely clear how many dogs are being used in Hawaiʻi for invasive species detection, but some estimate more than a dozen between various organizations and state and federal agencies. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

State lawmakers are advancing a measure that would not allow county councils to impose conditions or median income restrictions stricter than the ones established by the state — if those conditions will increase the cost of the project. The measure would also not allow counties to reduce fee waivers for these projects.

The federal government supports Hawaiʻi's food banks in a variety of ways, but there's a risk of that support drying up under the Trump administration. Some of that support has already stopped or has been put on pause. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote and Mark Ladao have more.

The fees would go to the state park special fund, which is used to pay for park staff, maintenance and programming. Ten state parks, including Diamond Head State Monument, already require an entry fee for nonresidents.

The triennial has a mixture of immersive and conversational work. Some works of art are as small — flowers spread across the floor — while others are sculptures that nearly touch the ceiling. The materials used in the pieces range from ink, paint, kapa, seaweed, and more.

Every month there is a new native plant that kamaʻāina can adopt for free. Species have included ʻilima, native hibiscuses, ʻōhiʻa, loulu palms, ʻulu and more. We talked to NTBG Communications Director David Bryant about the program.

A recent quality of life survey conducted by the University of Hawaiʻi, unsurprisingly, found that residents are struggling with the state’s high cost of living — but also that many find support in their jobs and communities.

Hawaiʻi voters should have received their mail-in ballots last week, but for those needing to vote in person, main voter service centers opened Tuesday, Oct. 22. Each county has at least one center open through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

In addition to voting on your preferred candidates, you will be asked to decide on several county-specific charter amendment questions. HPR's Ashley Mizuo explains what a "yes" or "no" vote means for each question.

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.