Hawaii

Hawaii governor says President Trump told him of criticism: ‘Have at it as long as you’re leaving me out of it’

Published

7 months ago

March 12, 2025

Hawaii governor says President Trump told him of criticism: ‘Have at it as long as you’re leaving me out of it’

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green revealed Tuesday that he spoke with the president on a recent visit to the White House.

“I was at the White House with (my wife) Jaime a week or two ago, and I did have a chance to speak with the president, and I’ll just kind of give you an overview because it’s private what we said,” Green said.

“But I said to the president, you know, I’m not going to criticize him directly provided that we care for people. In fact, I’m not going to criticize him directly much at all. But I am going to speak up for what’s right and wrong, and that’s usually going to be a reflection of what the directors or secretaries do,” he said.

The Hawaii governor has been an outspoken critic of many of the president’s policies and actions, most notably his pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health and human services secretary.

Green went so far as to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate against the nomination, citing Kennedy’s his lack of health experience, stance on vaccines, and actions during a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019.

Green said of his conversation with Trump, “He said, and it was quite interesting, as long as I’m not being rude to him, I should do whatever I think is best regarding his secretaries. To which I said, well, you know, there are some fundamental differences of opinion that I have on health matters, at least, with the secretary of health, and he laughed and he said, have at it as long as you’re leaving me out of it. I’m basically summarizing.”

Green hasn’t minced words about the president in the past.

“There is absolutely a president who is a dictator,” he previously said. “Even if you are straight up MAGA, if you are not a multi-multimillionaire, you are going to see your relatives and your friends get hurt. You have been tricked.”

Green said Tuesday that the two also spoke at length over various issues.

“There are things we can find common ground on,” Green said, which includes a developing project on clean water and cesspools.

“They appear to like the approach where I can be direct with the president. I’m not going to be petty. I’m not going to dispute who is the president of the United States. But I am going to at least represent our state’s values,” he said.

Hawaii

Commission to discuss search for next Hawaii County police chief – Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Published

11 minutes ago

October 21, 2025

Press Room

Commission to discuss search for next Hawaii County police chief – Hawaii Tribune-Herald

With a mid-April deadline in sight, the Hawaii County Police Commission is ramping up efforts to select the island’s next police chief — and fast.

The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Friday in the Council Chambers of the County Building in Hilo to finalize key parts of the hiring process, including written questions for qualified applicants. The application deadline is Oct. 31.

The commission at its Sept. 19 meeting expressed interest in speeding up the process, noting that other counties also are conducting police chief searches. Members cited the previous hiring cycle — which lasted about four months — as a model that could be streamlined further. In that cycle, recruitment opened on Aug. 1 and closed on Aug. 28, with a chief appointed by Dec. 16.

Commissioners said filling the role quickly is important not only for departmental stability but also to remain competitive in attracting qualified applicants, according to the commission’s meeting minutes.

Discussion also will cover whether to limit recruitment to candidates residing in Hawaii, following public testimony that favored a local hire and opposed diverting local resources toward federal immigration enforcement. The commission is expected to take a formal vote on the matter, which would help determine whether to amend the job posting.

Testifiers at previous meetings also emphasized the importance of transparency, strong leadership, and community engagement in the selection process. Suggestions included creating a standing interaction group to maintain regular communication between the police department and community members about evolving issues such as immigration and drug enforcement, according to the meeting minutes.

The commission on Friday also is expected to review the overall application and interview process, with the goal of providing permanent leadership for the department as soon as possible.

The search is necessitated by the commission’s acceptance of an emailed resignation in July by Chief Ben Moszkowicz — which he attempted to withdraw, without success.

Deputy Chief Reed Mahuna is the interim chief as the search continues.

Email Daniel Farr at dfarr@hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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8 Reasons to Love Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island – Hawaii Magazine

Published

20 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Press Room

8 Reasons to Love Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island – Hawaii Magazine

While it shares its name with the canyon on Kauaʻi and the bay and valley on Oʻahu, the town of Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island stands apart in a delightful way.

Located toward the northern tip of the Big Island, Waimea is unlike any other town on the Big Island—and it’s one of my favorites to visit for that reason. I always look forward to the serene drive north from Kona, as barren lava fields give way to rolling green pastures. You know you’ve arrived in Waimea as you begin to see herds of cattle roaming, hinting at the area’s deep-rooted ranching history.

But beyond its paniolo (cowboy) culture, Waimea—also known as Kamuela to help distinguish it from other locales—is home to a welcoming community of independent businesses, award-winning farm-to-table restaurants, bustling farmers markets and more.

While visiting the Big Island, here are 10 reasons to stop in Waimea.

1. Fascinating Paniolo History

The 4th of July rodeo at Parker Ranch is the largest annual event in Waimea on Hawaiʻi Island.
Photo: Courtesy of Parker Ranch/Jacob Tavares

While paniolo culture is prevalent across the Islands, one of the best places to learn about Hawaiʻi’s cowboys is where the tradition started. After all, Waimea was home to cowboys before the American West.

In the 1830s, three Mexican vaqueros were brought to the Islands to teach Hawaiians how to rope, slaughter, breed cattle and work with horses. As a result, a class of dexterous Hawaiian cowboys ensued, long before the first big cattle drives of the Old West.

Named paniolo, a Hawaiian iteration of the word Español, local cowboys created their own style and practices distinct from the vaquero.

Today, you can take a self-guided tour of Hawaiʻi’s oldest and largest working ranch, Parker Ranch, which remains committed to preserving the heritage of the area.

Not far from Parker Ranch, Kahuā Ranch was established in 1928. The ranch welcomes visitors for horseback riding tours through electric green pastures with panoramic views of the coastline. You can also book a spot for an exciting paniolo barbecue dinner at the ranch.

2. Vibrant Farmers Markets

The Kamuela Farmers Market is one of the many farmers markets held every week in Waimea.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Dana Edmunds

Browse the bounty of crops grown in the region, along with handcrafted goods, at several Waimea farmers markets. The Waimea Town Market, Kamuela Farmers Market and Kūhiō Farmers Market are on Saturdays, and the Pukalani Midweek Market on Wednesdays.

3. Hawaiian Style Café

The teri-beef burger-chicken cutlet plate lunch.
Photo: David Croxford

For local comfort food, Hawaiian Style Café is a must-try. Serving the community since 1993, the restaurant dishes out massive loco mocos and plate lunches, from kālua pork to kalbi ribs.

4. Farm-to-Table Restaurants

Since 1988, Merriman’s in Waimea has been a leading restaurant in farm-to-table practices.
Photo: Courtesy of Merriman’s Waimea

Waimea isn’t just known for its historic ranches; it’s also surrounded by a bounty of local farms. Along with local ranchers and fishermen, these farms and others across the island supply farm-to-table restaurants like Merriman’s Waimea and FORC with the freshest ingredients available. As a result, diners can savor thoughtfully prepared dishes that highlight the flavors and spirit of the Islands.

READ MORE: The 5 Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants on Hawaiʻi Island

5. Pâtisserie Nanako

A spread of Pâtisserie Nanako’s popular desserts: raspberry ladybug mousse, strawberry shortcake, lilikoʻi mango mousse, vanilla cream puff, and mac nut carrot cake.
Photo: Lauren Okinaka

Since opening in 2021, this family-owned shop has become beloved among locals and visitors for its Japanese-style pastries. (There’s usually a line out the door, but it moves quickly!) From pillowy strawberry shortcake and delicate cheesecake to a curry pan (buttery bread stuffed with savory curry), everything is made with care at Pâtisserie Nanako.

The raspberry ladybug is the bakery’s signature dessert. With a light chocolate cake base, the rich chocolate mousse is encased in a glossy raspberry glaze. And it’s delightful!

6. Cherry Blossoms Bloom in the Spring

The Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is held every February to celebrate the cultural significance of the trees.
Photo: Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB)/Kirk Lee Aeder

Cherry blossoms are among the world’s most iconic symbols of spring. While Japan is famous for its pink sakura, few know about the pockets of cherry blossoms hidden throughout the Hawaiian Islands—including in Waimea.

In the 1950s, cherry blossoms were introduced to the town and by the 1970s, dozens were planted along Waimea’s Church Row. Today, the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival is held every February to celebrate the cultural significance of the trees here in the Islands and beyond. The festivities include a tea ceremony, art show, crafts, cooking demonstrations and more—all surrounded by the beauty of the sakura trees.

7. Kahilu Theatre

Built in 1980, Kahilu is a multidisciplinary art center that brings the community together through live performances. It hosts ʻukulele and slack-key guitar festivals, jazz performances, plays and more. Check out events and shows here.

8. Waimea Nature Park

Waimea Nature Park has the largest collection of variously colored ‘ōhi‘a lehua trees in the state.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA)/Kirk Aeder

Spread across 20 acres, Waimea Nature Park—also known as Ulu Lāʻau—is a serene place for a stroll or a peaceful rest. The former pastureland was acquired by the Waimea Outdoor Circle in 1999, and volunteers soon planted native species and transformed it into a park. Today it boasts the largest collection of ʻōhiʻa lehua trees in the state.

Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

Categories: Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i Island What To Do

Tags: forc, Hawaiian Style Cafe, Kahilu Theatre, Kahua Ranch, kamuela farmers market, kuhio farmers market, merriman’s waimea, paniolo, parker ranch, Patisserie Nanako, pukalani midweek market, Waimea, Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, waimea hawaii island, Waimea Nature Park, waimea town market

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Hawaii

Hawaii Island Police search for endangered 13-year-old runaway

Published

2 days ago

October 19, 2025

Press Room

Hawaii Island Police search for endangered 13-year-old runaway

HAWAIIAN ACRES (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island Police is asking for the public’s help in finding an endangered 13-year-old runaway.

Johnessa Elkin-Kanae was last seen on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on Io Kea Road in Hawaiian Acres.

Johnessa is a 13-year-old girl, 5′2″, 120lb, with brown eyes and black shoulder-length curly hair.

She was last seen wearing white pants and a dark colored shirt.

She is considered endangered due to her age.

If you have info that can assist in helping safely locate Johnessa Elkin-Kanae, please call the police at 911 or the non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

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