Safety

While lawmakers are considering many bills ahead of the end of the 2025 session on Friday, here at Hawaiʻi Public Radio, we’ve narrowed down the topics to the top four we’re paying close attention to.

State lawmakers are moving bills that aim to punish and deter the use of illegal fireworks. A pair of fireworks measures passed through conference hearings last week, among the final hurdles for bills going through the state legislative process.

About half of Hawaiian Electric's utility lines are underground. HECO officials say the study will help them determine a strategy for burying more lines.

A measure that would ban the purchase of assault rifles is heading to a final vote in the state Legislature. If it passes, Hawaiʻi would become the 11th state to adopt this type of ban.

As part of its wildfire safety strategy, Hawaiian Electric is installing weather stations and AI-equipped cameras on utility poles across the islands to make more informed decisions about weather-related utility response.

The Public Utilities Commission will take public comment on Hawaiian Electric's wildfire mitigation plan next week. It lays out a range of strategies to reduce the risk of wildfires on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui Nui.

Work on Kolekole Pass as an emergency evacuation route is on track and under budget, according to the director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation.

After the event, all collected guns will be destroyed, except stolen firearms. Redulla stated that law enforcement officers will do their best to return the guns to their initial owners.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency announced at a press conference on Tuesday that Genasys Protect will be available to the public starting May 1.

Officer Austin Ewaliko, a five-year veteran of HPD, allegedly used the department's internal system to research the case and then provided confidential information to suspects.