Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi

AI brief

AI-generated from recent headlines

Statewide

Public safety and preparedness are prominent across the islands, with a Maui police lieutenant facing federal and criminal allegations tied to bribery and protected illegal operations, a Puna shooting suspect formally charged with attempted murder, and Big Island police reporting another week of DUI arrests. At the same time, local governments and community groups are pushing preventive efforts, from Kauaʻi County’s new wildfire home assessment program to the statewide disaster philanthropy network launched by Funder Hui and covered separately by Kauaʻi Now News. Election-season pressure is also building, with contested County Council races on the Big Island and Kauaʻi drawing close attention ahead of the Aug. 8 primary. Beyond politics and enforcement, the islands are also seeing steady coverage of community needs and services, including broadband expansion, scholarship awards, and local training and event announcements.

Maui

Maui’s biggest public-safety story is the arrest and charging of Maui Police Department Lt. Michael Vaituʻulala, which follows an earlier report on his federal arrest. Another serious case involved a Lahaina man arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in Kahana. Alongside those developments, Maui also saw new community concern over additional coconut rhinoceros beetle detections, while three Maui educators received Hawaiʻi Education Association grants and the ILWU longshore division endorsed Mayor Richard Bissen for reelection.

Big Island

The Big Island is focused on crime, elections, and community activity this week. A Mountain View man was formally charged with attempted murder after a shooting in Puna, while police said 13 motorists were arrested for DUI during the latest enforcement period. In politics, District 3 voters face an incumbent-versus-challenger race for the Hawaiʻi County Council seat ahead of the Aug. 8 primary. There is also a lighter community thread in the Puna youth career fair announcement and the week’s events roundup.

Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi’s biggest local themes are the crowded county race, resilience planning, and infrastructure updates. Twenty-six candidates are running for seven Kauaʻi County Council seats, making the Aug. 8 primary especially consequential. Residents also have a new Wildfire Home Assessment Program to help reduce fire risk, while Halekō Road lane shifts and possible closures in Līhuʻe have been extended again. On the community side, Bayer Hawaiʻi Life Sciences Scholarship recipients were announced, and Kauaʻi also joins the statewide disaster philanthropy network as preparedness work expands.

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