HART wants 26% budget increase for fiscal year ’26

HART’s combined budgets, which total over $968.3 million and would take effect July 1, show marked increases to debt service on the project’s loans as well as increased labor costs for the nearly $10 billion Skyline construction.

Taiwan president plans Hawaii visit on sensitive trip to Pacific

WASHINGTON D.C./TAIPEI — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is planning to stop in Hawaii and maybe Guam on a visit to Taipei’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific in the coming weeks, sources told Reuters, a sensitive trip coming shortly after the U.S. election.

Navy’s handling of toxic fire suppressant spills reviewed

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released a management advisory report Thursday detailing concerns about the Navy’s handling of spills involving thousands of gallons of aqueous film- forming foam concentrate — a toxic fire suppressant containing “forever chemicals” — at Red Hill from 2019 to 2022.

Chan and Zuckerberg donate to Namahana School

KILAUEA — Namahana School on Tuesday announced it is beneficiary of Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg through the Chan Zuckerberg Kauai Community Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation award for the Kauai charter school, which is scheduled to open in the fall 2025.

FEMA extends assistance to Maui survivors

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Hawaii’s request to extend Financial Assistance and Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for an additional year, now through Feb. 10, 2026. Originally, the 18-month assistance period was scheduled to end on Feb. 10, 2025.