Hawaiʻi Public Radio

10/20/2026

We’re kicking off Celebrate 808 with Honeyfingers on Saturday, November 7.

Led by NYC-born musician Jonny, Honeyfingers brings a lifetime of musical adventures — and a whole lot of steel — to the Atherton for a steel guitar extravaganza.

One set. One beautiful obsession with the steel guitar.

Saturday, November 7
Atherton Performing Arts Studio
Live from the Atherton, presented by HMSA
hprtickets.org

10/20/2026

The operator for Kauaʻi Shrimp is asking the state for $1.85 million to help it recover from the recent storms in Hawaiʻi.

Aloun Kauaʻi Farming is making the request to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the three-year recovery package. It would help AKF with more than 530 acres of land used for farming, and about 140 acres for the Kauaʻi Shrimp farm. Aloun Farms acquired Kauaʻi
Shrimp in Kekaha in 2022, adding it to its portfolio of farms.

Hurricane Lowell had impacts throughout Kauaʻi last month, including significant damage to Kauaʻi Shrimp. It announced it would permanently close at the end of this month because of the damage.

Aloun Kauaʻi Farming is making the request to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the three-year recovery package. It would help AKF with more than 530 acres of land used for farming, and about 140 acres for the Kauaʻi Shrimp farm.

10/20/2026

As Lahaina residents have been rebuilding their burned homes, many also installed new mailboxes, hoping their home mail delivery would resume. But the U.S. Postal Service has said it considers the rebuilt neighborhoods as new developments, which would get centralized delivery, rather than their former curbside service.

That policy has received widespread pushback from Lahaina homeowners and lawmakers, who say fire survivors should, at a minimum, have the same services they did before the fire.

Now, the postal service says it may reconsider that policy for Lahaina if certain safety measures are put in place.

The United States Postal Service has not been delivering mail to rebuilt homes in Lahaina following the 2023 wildfires. As HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol reports, that policy has received widespread pushback from Lahaina homeowners and officials, and the postal service has responded.

10/20/2026

Hawaiʻi has a severe housing shortage that’s fueling poverty, homelessness and an exodus of residents.

This year’s general election ballot includes a constitutional amendment measure that supporters say could help address the crisis — without raising taxes.

The question, if approved by a majority of voters, would give counties a new way to pay for sewer, water, drainage and other vital infrastructure for new homes in a defined district. The counties would have the authority to issue bonds that would be paid off by higher property tax revenue generated by the redeveloped area.

HPR is breaking down the charter amendments on your ballot and explaining them in easy-to-understand terms before Election Day on Nov. 3.

📝: Audrey McAvoy / HPR
📹️: Tori DeJournett / HPR

10/20/2026

The search for a permanent CEO is coming to a close as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees is expected to vote Thursday on the three finalists vying to help lead the agency’s mission of bettering the conditions of Native Hawaiians.

The finalists are interim CEO Summer Sylva, who assumed the role last year after Stacy Ferreira was put on paid administrative leave; Todd Apo, a former Honolulu City Council member; and Kaulana Park, a former director of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

The search comes at a pivotal time as five seats on the Board of Trustees are up for reelection and its deposed CEO Stacy Ferreira is legally challenging the agency and its nine trustees, alleging that her leave was retaliation and that the board violated sunshine and whistleblower laws.

OHA is looking for its third CEO in the past four years. The search comes at a pivotal time as five seats on the Board of Trustees are up for reelection and its deposed CEO Stacy Ferreira is legally challenging the agency and its nine trustees, alleging that her leave was retaliation and that the bo...

10/17/2026

Tickets on sale now! Join HPR at Celebrate 808, celebration of the sounds, artists, and community of the 808.

From familiar favorites to new discoveries, Celebrate 808 brings artists across genres into the Atherton Performing Arts Studio for intimate live performances that showcase the diversity, creativity, and community of music being made across the islands.

Come discover a new favorite, celebrate the artists you love, and experience the sound of the 808 — Live from the Atherton. Tickets are on sale now at hprtickets.org

Live from the Atherton is sponsored by HMSA

10/17/2026

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is approaching the final phase of its search for a new president and CEO.

The state agency hasn't had a permanent leader since John De Fries stepped down in 2023. Applications for the position will close Oct. 30. After that, a selection committee will review them and select up to three finalists.

The applications for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority's president and CEO position will close Oct. 30.

10/17/2026

The Honolulu Police Department is reassigning 100 officers to patrol duty starting Nov. 1 as a financial move and in response to community feedback.

Recently hired HPD Chief David Lazar announced the officers will be reassigned from other divisions, including the chief's own office. Lazar named other divisions where officers will be taken from, including community affairs, narcotics, major events, technology and human resources.

The department will also stop sending new officers to “fourth watch,” an additional field training period that lasts a few weeks. Instead, officers will be assigned to a station and trained for patrol duty.

Recently hired HPD Chief David Lazar announced that the officers will be reassigned from other divisions, including the chief’s own office. Lazar named other divisions where officers will be taken from, including community affairs, narcotics, major events, technology and human resources.

10/16/2026

Maui County Councilmember Gabe Johnson of Lānaʻi helped develop Maui County's new Kamaʻāina Credit for ALICE Households Pilot Program. It will provide one year of monthly financial assistance to about 900 households on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

ALICE is a term that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It refers to working households above the federal poverty level who still struggle to afford basic living costs.

Maui County allocated $12 million for the 12-month pilot program, in which awarded applicants will receive between $500 and $800 per month.

Applications for the Kamaʻāina Credit for ALICE Households Pilot Program open on Monday, Oct. 19, with a deadline of Nov. 20.

Maui County working families who still struggle to make ends meet will have a chance to get a helping hand with their expenses. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on a year-long pilot program that can help with the rising cost of living.

10/16/2026

Progress on a new elementary school that will serve the Kapolei and ʻEwa communities in a few years is officially underway.

The state Department of Education broke ground and blessed the site of the future Oʻahu school, which is set to serve roughly 750 students from kindergarten through 5th grade.

The school hasn’t been officially named yet, but is currently being referred to as “East Kapolei Elementary School.”

The state Department of Education broke ground and blessed the site of the future O’ahu school in East Kapolei, which is set to serve roughly 750 students from kindergarten through 5th grade.