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Salary commission approves raises for hundreds of state officials

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Salary commission approves raises for hundreds of state officials


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Despite public outcry, the state Commission on Salaries approved Tuesday raises for hundreds of state officials.

But the pay hikes are not as high as first proposed.

The salary commission’s original draft proposal called for 50 to 60 percent raises over a six year period but after objections by the governor and public criticism, the commission lowered it to about 40 percent.

The raises would be incremental over a six-year period with most taking effect July 1.

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Hawaii’s governor would see a 39% raise over the next six years, putting him at $275,000, while the lieutenant governor would make $268,000.

Hawaii Supreme Court’s chief justice would make $339,000 along 102 positions at the State Judiciary would see raises around 40 percent.

“It’s becoming increasing hard to recruit the very best lawyers to become judges. The top lawyers make a lot of money. We want the best lawyers to be our judges so I think there are good reasons to increase some of these salaries,” said Hawaii Political Analyst Collin Moore.

State lawmakers would also get a 40% raise with the first increment starting July 1, 2027, the first year they are allowed an increase under the state constitution.

Their salary would go up to $114,000. Controversial since they are only in session 4 months of the year.

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It also comes after several lawmakers told the commission at a hearing last month that the raises were too high.

“I think to me see this seems a little ton def and particular for the legislatures I don’t understand the rationale,” said Moore.

“My hope would be that the salary commission would’ve proposed more modest cost of living raises for legislatures.”

But the commission pointed out that even by sixth year of raises, the salaries of state lawmakers would still not match what current Honolulu City Council members make now.

The commission plans to sign the final report on March 13 as a formality.

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The salary commission convenes once every six years. If the Legislature blocks the raises, none of the 218 positions will get a raise until at least 2031.

The raises for state leaders comes two years after city leaders got a controversial 64% increase.

The Governor’s Office released a statement responding to the raises reading:

”Governor Green respects the decision of the State Salary Commission and the legislative process regarding salary adjustments for state officials. The commission, which reviewed salary schedules across the country, made its recommendations to ensure Hawai’i remains competitive in attracting and retaining public servants. However, Governor Green has advocated for a smaller raise, emphasizing that public service is a privilege and that his commitment to the people of Hawai’i remains unchanged regardless of his salary.”He understands that any increase in compensation must be balanced with accountability to taxpayers. Should the raise for the Governor’s office exceed what workers across Hawai’i normally receive, he will increase his personal donations to charitable causes to offset the difference. His focus remains on improving the lives of Hawai’i’s residents and addressing critical issues such as affordable housing, healthcare, and climate resilience. Governor Green believes that leadership is about service and remains dedicated to earning the trust and support of the community every day.”

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Green requests federal disaster declaration for storm assistance – Hawaii Tribune-Herald

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Green requests federal disaster declaration for storm assistance – Hawaii Tribune-Herald


Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster to help Hawaii recover from the back-to-back Kona low storm systems, with the hope that the federal government will provide up to 90% in funding.

The first storm hit on March 10, followed by a second Kona low on Thursday that the governor’s office said brought “catastrophic flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage and emergency evacuations across multiple islands.”

“These storms have impacted every county in our state and stretched our emergency response capabilities,” Green said in a statement Tuesday. “This request is about getting our communities the support they need to recover quickly and safely.”

If approved, Trump’s declaration would trigger the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support for residents in the form of housing assistance, disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling and legal services.

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There would also be federal funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repairs to roads, bridges, utilities and public facilities.

Green also hopes for federal assistance to strengthen infrastructure and reduce the risks of future disasters across the state.

The storms knocked down trees, and triggered mudslides and rockfalls that blocked highways, isolated communities and disrupted emergency access statewide.

The first storm caused more than $400 million in damage, followed by the second, which, combined, is expected to exceed more than $1 billion in damage.

Otake Camp in Waialua was hit especially hard, and the Hawaii National Guard continues to help with debris removal and clearance operations, along with National Guard recovery and emergency operations statewide, Green’s office said.

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“The scale of damage we are seeing — from washed-out highways to overwhelmed water systems — makes clear that federal partnership is essential,” Green said in his statement. “We are doing everything we can at the state and county level, but this is exactly the type of event where FEMA support is critical.”

On the North Shore, water “buffaloes” have been deployed in Waialua, Haleiwa and at Sunset Elementary to provide drinkable water.

The state and city have also set up a mobile clinic at Haleiwa’s Ali‘i Beach Park, while Kaiser Permanente has also deployed a mobile clinic to Kula on Maui to help patients from Kula Hospital who had to evacuate because of storm damage.





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Doctor’s wife testifies he beat her with rock, tried to force her toward cliff edge during hike

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Doctor’s wife testifies he beat her with rock, tried to force her toward cliff edge during hike


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A Hawaii doctor’s wife testified Tuesday that he beat her with a rock and tried to push her over a cliff during a birthday hike, telling jurors she feared she would die.

”He’s trying to kill me,” Arielle Konig testified she screamed during the alleged attack, according to ABC News.

Konig testified against her husband, anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, who is accused of attempting to kill her during the March 24, 2025, incident on Oahu’s Pali Puka Trail.

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He has pleaded not guilty to second-degree attempted murder.

SURGEON IN OHIO DENTIST DOUBLE MURDER ALLEGEDLY USED FAKE ADDRESSES TO DODGE LAWSUITS: ‘HE JUST DISAPPEARED’

A split image shows the Pali Puka hiking trail on Oahu, Hawaii, and Gerhardt Konig, who is accused of attacking his wife during a hike. (iStock; Honolulu Police Department)

Arielle Konig told jurors the couple had traveled from Maui to celebrate her birthday and work on their marriage after what she described as “flirty” messages with a colleague.

She said the hike turned violent when her husband suddenly grabbed her by the arms and began forcing her toward the cliff’s edge.

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”I’m so f—ing sick of this s—,” Arielle Konig testified he said as he pushed her, per the outlet.

Arielle Konig testified she threw herself to the ground and held onto nearby vegetation as her husband tried to move her closer to the edge.

She said she then saw him holding a syringe and moving to use it.

”Hold still,” he allegedly told her, she testified, adding that she knocked it away.

She told jurors her husband then picked up a rock and began repeatedly striking her in the head.

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”I just started screaming, because in my mind, he’s trying to knock me unconscious, to be able to drag me over the edge,” she told jurors.

Hawaii doctor Gerhardt Konig appears before a judge via video during an arraignment hearing in April 2025 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

She said she continued yelling for help, telling the court she believed she was fighting for her life.

Two hikers eventually came upon the scene and called 911.

”There’s a man trying to kill her,” a caller said, according to audio previously played in court.

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Arielle Konig testified that her husband stopped when the hikers appeared, allowing her to crawl to safety before he fled the area.

Gerhardt Konig then fled the scene on foot, sparking a manhunt before police arrested him later that evening, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

HUSBAND CHARGED IN PREGNANT PHYSICAL THERAPIST WIFE’S MURDER AFTER GIVING POLICE A DIFFERENT STORY

She testified her husband struck her as many as 10 times with the rock and said she did not lose consciousness.

She was later hospitalized with severe scalp lacerations and showed jurors scarring on her head.

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Defense attorneys pushed back on that account during cross-examination, with defense attorney Thomas Otake questioning Arielle Konig about what both sides described as an “emotional affair,” suggesting the incident stemmed from a confrontation between the couple, according to ABC News.

Gerhardt Konig is charged with attempted second-degree murder after he allegedly tried to kill his wife while hiking in Hawaii. (Gerhardt Konig/Facebook)

Otake argued the encounter was an ”unplanned, unanticipated scuffle,” not an attempted murder, and suggested Arielle Konig hit him with the rock first during an argument over what both sides described as an “emotional affair,” according to ABC News.

Arielle Konig disputed that characterization during her testimony.

”I would call it an attack versus a scuffle,” she told jurors, according to ABC News.

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Arielle Konig moved to end the marriage in May 2025, filing for divorce and seeking sole custody of the couple’s two young children.

Her husband has remained in custody since his arrest, and a judge last month rejected his bid to have the indictment thrown out.

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Konig has been suspended from his work as an independent contractor at Maui Memorial Medical Center, according to a Maui Health representative.

Fox News’ Julia Bonavita and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Hawaii launches emergency relief program for farmers, businesses | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii launches emergency relief program for farmers, businesses | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


JAMM AQUINO / MARCH 20

Sandy Ath Tab, co-owner of Koolau Range Farms, stands in floodwater outside their farmland on Friday, March 20, in Waialua. Ath Tab and her husband were trying to assess damage and find their farm cat.

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The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity today opened up applications for an emergency farm relief program for those impacted by the recent Kona low storms.

Farmers, ranchers, and businesses statewide that experienced losses and damage from the storm can apply for a one-time grant of $1,500 to address immediate needs. They must, however, provide a General Excise Tax license to qualify.

The state has authorized a total of $500,000 for the program from DAB-restricted funds.

“While the full impacts from the Kona Low 1 and Kona Low 2 storms are still being assessed, we know our agricultural producers have been severely impacted by these events,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture, in a news release. “The Emergency Farmer Relief funding aims to support our agriculture industry with grant money to start recovering from the disaster or providing brief financial stability during this time.”

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement that Hawaii’s farmers are a crucial lifeline for the state’s food security and sustainability efforts.

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“As we work to increase our islands’ independence from offshore food imports, we must support the farmers and ranchers who supply healthy and nutritious produce and meats for our local people through grocery stores, schools and restaurants,” said Green in the statement. “This emergency funding for our agriculture communities emphasizes their essential role in our state’s food security and our commitment to aid in their recovery.”

Applicants who complete and submit applications by Friday will be prioritized for funding, the release said. Awards will be announced next week.

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The application is available online on DAB’s website at dab.hawaii.gov/emergencyfarmerrelief/.

Applicants with limited internet access can call the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency for help with the applications at 808-586-0034.

Questions? Email dab.efr@hawaii.gov.


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