Council gives initial approval for new investigator to target Lahaina contractor fraud

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) is expanding efforts to bring more locally sourced food to school meals by building regional partnerships that connect school cafeterias with producers in their communities. A partnership between Hawaiʻi Island schools and Parker Ranch is the first under this initiative, with additional regional sourcing opportunities in development on Maui and Kauaʻi.

The Maui County Council voted 8-0 on Friday to pass on first reading a bill that would add a prosecutor’s office investigator to focus on contractor fraud tied to the 2023 wildfires.

Hawaiian Airlines this month started construction of its new premium lounge in Honolulu, marking the milestone with a traditional Hawaiian blessing for the future, nearly 13,000-square-foot space conveniently located at the entrance of the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport’s (HNL) Mauka Concourse.

The Subaru Telescope on Maunakea is committing 100 nights of observations to a new international partnership with NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to jointly investigate the origins of the Universe, dark matter, and planets beyond our Solar System.

The 2026 NHOA Community Showcase highlighted how Native Hawaiian Organizations leverage business success—including over $125.4 million invested in community programs between 2018 and 2024—to support local families and key initiatives across Hawaiʻi.

The next generation of sustainable poultry production students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) got a big boost through a $600,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture.

Mayor Richard Bissen’s annual Holomua Kākou scheduled for Lānaʻi on Oct. 27-28, 2026, is being postponed due to severe weather forecasts canceling the Lānaʻi ferry. The Holomua Kākou visit included the Talk Story Community Meeting, Community Drop-In Center, Grant Writing Workshop and Community Budget Meeting.

Chances for heavy showers will increase today as a trough passes over the island chain through Wednesday night. The trough will bring the threat of heavy flooding rainfall and thunderstorms before weakening Thursday or Friday, though humid conditions with a chance of heavy showers may linger, according to the National Weather Service.

The Lahaina Restoration Foundation invites the community to enjoy an evening of live Hawaiian music at the next Hawaiian Music Series concert on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6–7:30 p.m. The free concert will take place on the lawn of Waiola Church in Lahaina and will feature father-and-son duo Bodi and Ikaika Mendez.

County of Maui officials are encouraging residents and visitors to prepare for the potential of heavy rainfall, flooding and isolated thunderstorms as a narrow band of rain moves over the state Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Upcountry Farmers Market is welcoming 22 additional vendors for its Holiday Craft Fair, giving shoppers a chance to buy handmade gifts from their Upcountry neighbors. The extra vendors will set up Saturdays from Oct. 31 through Dec. 26 during regular market hours, 7 to 11 a.m.

Federal grant money will be used to support two inspectors and one chemist position with the State of Hawaiʻi.