Latest Hawaii state government News
Hawaii bill promotes zero-emission travel between islands
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers this year passed legislation creating a working group to develop ways to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions on transportation between the islands. Sen. Chris Lee said at a news conference on Thursday that Hawaii has some of the highest...
Hawaii gets $14M in federal funding to help forest birds
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii is on course to receive $14 million in federal funding to help protect endangered forest birds and other species, officials said Monday. U.S. Rep. Ed Case, a Democrat from Hawaii, said the funding will help the state fight mosquitoes that threaten birds found...
U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele announces bid for Hawaii governor
HONOLULU (AP) — U.S. Rep. Kaiali’i Kahele announced over the weekend that he will run for Hawaii governor in the upcoming Democratic Primary. Kahele, who currently represents Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, told supporters on Saturday in his Big Island hometown of Hilo...
House arrest for Hawaii man accused of killing wife's lover
HONOLULU (AP) — A judge ordered a Hawaii man into house arrest Friday after a prosecutor argued his wealth makes him a flight risk and he poses a danger to his wife after allegedly killing her lover. Prosecutors wanted Eric Thompson behind bars after a grand jury indicted him for...
Former Honolulu mayor ends campaign for Hawaii governor
HONOLULU (AP) — The former mayor of Honolulu has pulled out of the race for Hawaii governor. Kirk Caldwell announced in a statement Wednesday that he is ending his campaign for governor in the upcoming Democratic primary election. Caldwell served as Honolulu mayor for two terms,...
Hawaii Legislature passes bill raising minimum wage to $18
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday that would hike the state's minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2028, potentially the highest in the nation. Advocates say the raise is badly needed in a state that routinely tops lists for most expensive housing and cost of...
Flush revenue leads means funds for Native Hawaiian programs
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers are on course to commit $600 million to a long-underfunded program providing housing and land leases to Native Hawaiians as they wrap up the current legislative session this week. The allocations come after Hawaii tourism and state tax revenues...
US territory Guam ends indoor face mask mandate
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — Face masks to protect against COVID-19 are no longer required in Guam, a U.S. territory. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero issued an order Monday that starting Tuesday, wearing masks in public is optional, Pacific Daily News reported. Masks were required...
Hawaii House, Senate to vote on raising minimum wage to $18
HONOLULU (AP) — A committee of Hawaii senators and representatives on Friday agreed on legislation that would raise the state's minimum wage to $18 an hour by 2028. The bill goes to the full House and Senate for votes next week. Hawaii currently has a minimum wage...
Mauna Kea management bill heads to Hawaii House, Senate
HONOLULU (AP) — A committee of Hawaii senators and representatives on Friday agreed on legislation creating new management for Mauna Kea, the site of some of the world's most advanced telescopes and demonstrations against the construction of a new observatory. An amended bill...
