Hawaii
Hawaiian Electric Gets The Green Light On Its $190 Million Resiliency Plan To Harden The Grid
State energy regulators have given their conditional approval to a five-year, $190 million plan by Hawaiian Electric to retool some of the most vulnerable parts of its grid as the company looks to address wildfire dangers and other threats related to climate change.
The decision comes almost six months after a deadly wildfire swept through Lahaina, destroying much of the West Maui town and killing at least 100 people.
Local watchdogs and energy policy experts who keep an eye on the state’s largest power company said they’re pleased with the Public Utility Commission’s decision Wednesday to green-light Hawaiian Electric’s new grid-hardening plan.
The timing of the approval, they said, allowed Hawaiian Electric to meet a deadline that will help it secure a $95 million federal grant for about half that work. The grant should cut the cost of the grid upgrades in half for electricity ratepayers.
President Joe Biden announced that Department of Energy grant in August after visiting the Lahaina disaster zone.
“We view it as a win,” Michael Colon, energy director for the Ulupono Initiative, said Thursday. “It’s great that the federal money is coming.”
Still, many millions of additional dollars and investment will be needed in the coming decades if Hawaii’s grid is to be modernized and made more resilient overall, he added. The expensive task of burying overhead power lines underground in West Maui to help protect that area against wildfires, for example, hasn’t undergone any local planning yet.
The new Hawaiian Electric plan will include replacing and hardening some 2,100 poles across the grid so that they might better withstand heavy wind gusts, according to a company statement.
It will also involve installing sensors plus replacing circuits and equipment along the transmission routes so that they’re less prone to spark fires, according to documents filed with the PUC.
Many questions remain as to how exactly the company will carry out its grid-hardening. The PUC added about a dozen conditions in its decision that require Hawaiian Electric to come back and brief regulators on the details of its projects as they develop.
“That was kind of the tension there,” Colon said Thursday.
The PUC wanted to ensure Hawaiian Electric’s plans would be effective, especially after the Lahaina disaster, but it needed to “figure it out quickly” in order to hold on to the federal grant, he said.
In a statement Thursday, Hawaiian Electric Senior Vice President Colton Ching said the company appreciated the PUC’s approval of its plan and thanked federal partners for their support.
Ching was unavailable Thursday to discuss the decision further, company officials said.
An Effort That Started Before Lahaina
Hawaiian Electric initially applied for the “Climate Adaptation Transmission and Distribution Resilience Program” in June 2022, more than a year before the destructive wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui.
The company’s application at that time focused heavily on protecting against the threat of hurricanes and heavy storms.
After the Aug. 8 tragedy, however, the threat of wildfires took center stage in Hawaii. Regulators and utility watchdogs had new, lengthy questions about whether Hawaiian Electric’s $190 million proposal would sufficiently address the wildfire dangers in its service area, which includes Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and the Big Island.
In November, Hawaiian Electric responded by adjusting the plan somewhat, giving higher priority to service areas with a high wildfire risk. It shifted tens of millions of dollars worth of grid-hardening work from areas not prone to wildfires into those high-risk regions.
It also boosted the plan’s Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation initiative from an original budget of $14 million to $42 million by taking money from other areas. The $190 million price tag remained the same.
“The question was what can be done with the existing application to lean it more toward wildfire mitigation?” Colon said Thursday.
The nonprofit environmental and community watchdog group Life of the Land submitted numerous questions after the Lahaina disaster about Hawaiian Electric’s ability to address the wildfire threat. Earlier this month, Hawaiian Electric responded to many of those questions and Life of the Land then said it would support a PUC decision on the climate plan.
Henry Curtis, the group’s executive director, said Wednesday he was pleased with the PUC conditions.
“We look forward to more disclosures and more discussions as the process moves forward,” he said.
Next, Hawaiian Electric will finalize its deal with the Department of Energy for the plan’s grant, Colon said. The company is also expected to conduct community outreach and gather more input on the latest version of the climate and wildfire plan, he said.
“This is kind of step one,” Colon said. “Wildfire is something that’s been ignored for a long time in Hawaii. Now, it’s front and center.”
Civil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.
Civil Beat’s coverage of environmental issues on Hawaii island is supported in part by a grant from the Dorrance Family Foundation.
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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The search for Honolulu’s next police chief is moving into the next phase.
The Honolulu Police Commission announced it has narrowed the candidate pool to six semi-finalists, selected from an initial list of 11 applicants identified by a recruitment firm.
“The commissioners feel these six applicants exhibited the leadership and management skills necessary to lead an organization as large, complex and critical to the community as the Honolulu Police Department,” said member of the Honolulu Police Commission, Chair Laurie Foster.
“Those qualities were identified in part by surveys and stakeholder interviews conducted by the recruitment firm,” she added.
The names of the semi-finalists have not been released. Officials said confidentiality is being maintained at this stage to encourage applicants who may still be employed elsewhere.
The candidates will next be interviewed by stakeholder panels made up of community members and others who interact with the Honolulu Police Department.
The commission is expected to select finalists during a May 6 meeting, with those names to be announced afterward.
Finalists will then participate in additional interviews and a public appearance before the commission votes on the next police chief at a public meeting scheduled for May 20.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Pending Home Sales Increased From February to March in the U.S.
Despite higher mortgage rates, pending home sales in the U.S. were up 1.5% in March from the prior month while recording a 1.1% year-over-year decline, according to the National Association of Realtors. On a monthly basis, pending home sales were up in the Northeast and South, while they declined in the Midwest and West. Year-over-year contract signings, however, were down in every region but the South. Realtor.com
‘Untouched’ Scottish Island Selling for £350,000
An island in Scotland will be sold at auction this week with a guide price of £350,000 (US$473,441). Insh Island last sold in 2019, when the National Trust for Scotland sold it for a reported £353,000. The National Trust acquired the island from the will of a man who reportedly lived in a cave for 30 years. Daily Record
Iran War Puts a Pause on Hawaii’s Housing Market Recovery
Hawaii’s housing market was set to be on the road to recovery this year, with local interest rates predicated to decline. However, the war with Iran has caused rates to shoot back up, diminishing buyer confidence. Hawaii’s high concentration of condos and second homes keeps Hawaii’s average mortgage rates slightly higher. Pacific Business News
Unlivable Waterfront Home Outside Melbourne Sells for A$2.38M
An unlivable property in Williamstown, Victoria—a suburb of Melbourne—has sold at auction for A$2.38 million (US$1.7 million), more than A$680,000 over its reserve price. Despite its rundown condition, the sale price isn’t surprising to most, as it’s one of the last opportunities to build on the waterfront. Domain
Hawaii offers a wide range of small towns across its islands, each with its own draw. The state has hikes among active volcanoes near Volcano Village and long stretches of coastline like Waimanalo Beach on Oahu. One town below sits on a crescent-shaped bay that has drawn visitors for decades. Another holds a winery on volcanic slopes. The list ahead covers seven small towns spanning beach and inland Hawaii.
Hanalei
On the north shore of Kauai, the census-designated place of Hanalei is known for a laid-back atmosphere, a crescent-shaped bay, and a small collection of shops and restaurants. Hanalei Beach is a stretch of fine sand and clear water, and has been featured in films including The Descendants and South Pacific. It has been ranked among the state’s best beaches, with picnic tables, good surfing, and kayaking all within reach. Within walking distance is the Hanalei Inn, a small retro-style lodging near downtown.
Further into town is the Wai’oli Mission House, a historic two-story missionary home built in 1837 and preserved as a museum. Tours run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, covering the lives of the missionaries who lived there. Near Black Pot Beach is Pat’s Taqueria, a Mexican food truck serving Hawaiian-style tacos, burritos, and quesadillas within walking distance of the Hanalei Pier. Locals and visitors both favor it for its locally sourced ingredients.
Pāʻia
In the north of Maui is Pāʻia (also spelled Paia), a walkable community with local surf shops, restaurants, and ocean views. Lower Pāʻia Park is one of the more photographed beaches in the state, with calm waters good for snorkeling, surfing, and swimming. Basketball courts, a skatepark, and a youth center sit nearby. Near the beach, the Surf Club is an event venue for weddings, dinners, and corporate or private functions, with a short walk back to downtown.
Wabisabi Soba and Sushi is a sushi restaurant on the Hana Highway known for its 100 percent buckwheat Jyuwari soba noodles. The interior and garden lean Japanese, and the restaurant is BYOB. The Rip Curl Surf Shop in downtown stocks swimwear, boardshorts, surf accessories, hats, surfboard covers, and apparel for anyone heading out to the waves.
Waimanalo
On the east side of Oahu is Waimanalo, a community with a three-mile stretch of beaches, a laid-back culture, and an agricultural character. At the eastern end of town is Sea Life Park Hawaii, an aquarium and animal sanctuary home to dolphins, sharks, sea lions, native fish, rays, and birds. Visitors can interact with animals in the water, visit penguin habitats, meet sea lions, and see sea turtles. Waimanalo Beach is a wide stretch of white sand backed by the Ko’olau Mountains, with turquoise water for swimming and surfing, and Waimanalo Beach Park shaded by ironwood trees. Parking is limited, especially on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is best.
Further inland, Olomana Golf Links is an 18-hole par-72 course with the Ko’olau Mountains in the background. Former U.S. President Barack Obama has played here, and professional golfer Michelle Wie trained on the course. The Waimanalo Forest Reserve is farther still, with quiet hikes on trails such as the ‘Ohana Trail and the Maunawili Ditch Trail, home to wild birds, small mammals, and reptiles, along with views of Maunawili Falls within the 500-acre reserve.
Volcano
Volcano, or Volcano Village, sits as the gateway to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in a cool, damp rainforest setting. The park is home to two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano in the world. The rest of the park holds geographical features that often require multiday trips to reach. Visitors can view lava eruptions, hike, and explore the rolling hills of the Kahuku Unit.
In the heart of town, the Lava Lodge at Hale Kilauea offers cottages for visitors exploring the park. Each cottage has a small tropical garden. The hotel is within walking distance of the Lava Rock Cafe, which serves burgers, pancakes, and local Hawaiian dishes. Volcano Winery is one of only a few wineries in the state, with views of Mauna Loa and a rare chance to taste Big Island wines on the Big Island itself.
Lānaʻi City
At the center of the island of Lānaʻi is Lānaʻi City, a plantation town with historic homes, local restaurants and shops, and a walkable center. On Lanai Avenue, Dreams Come True Bed and Breakfast is a renovated property with mountain views and a garden. Further up in town, the Lānaʻi Culture and Heritage Center preserves the island’s history, traditional cultures, and plantation past through photographs and artifacts.
The Lānaʻi Art Center is within walking distance of the Culture and Heritage Center. It serves as a studio space for local artists, features a gallery, offers classes and workshops, and is the island’s main community arts program. On the outskirts of town is the Koloiki Ridge Trailhead, a roughly 5-mile trail that follows old cattle paths and opens up to panoramic views of the island.
Honokaa
On the northeastern coast of the Big Island is Honokaa, a census-designated place with plantation-era architecture and a role as gateway to Waipi’o Valley. The Honokaa Heritage Center is a museum covering the town’s history, with research materials and exhibits of photographs and artifacts. The center hosts the Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival every October, dedicated to the state’s plantation history with parades and a festival fair. South of the heritage center is the Hāmākua Country Club, a nine-hole course and one of the oldest on the island, set 1,200 feet above sea level with views of the Pacific Ocean. Carts are available for rent, and the course hosts tournaments.
Waipi’o Valley is just west of town. It was the boyhood home of King Kamehameha and is considered one of the most sacred places on the Big Island. Trails such as the Muliwai Trail lead into the tropical valley, where coconuts, green bananas, and papayas grow. Note that valley access is currently restricted to Hawaii residents.
Makawao
Upcountry from Paia is the census-designated place of Makawao, a community with boutique shops, art galleries, and an upcountry character. Makawao Public House is a gastropub serving local fare and paying tribute to the town’s past. On Baldwin Avenue, Banyan Tree Bed and Breakfast sits on 2.5 acres of gardens with cottages for stays, a short drive from local restaurants and shops.
On the southern outskirts of town is the Kahakapao Loop Trail, a 5.9-mile route in the Makawao Forest Reserve that is a popular hiking and mountain biking spot. At roughly 4,000 feet, the rainforest setting offers a cooler alternative to a beach day. At the northern edge of town, the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center operates as a cultural hub with a gallery, classes, workshops, a gallery shop, and exhibits by local community members.
Small-Town Hawaii
Hawaii’s small towns provide a different side of the state from the major resorts, with local character, natural features, and regional history. Makawao draws visitors to the Makawao Forest Reserve. Volcano offers access to two of the state’s most active peaks. Waimanalo’s white-sand beach anchors the east side of Oahu. Each of these communities offers something different from the others, but all share a strong sense of place.
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