Hawaii News

Election results are the dominant story across the islands, with several races still being counted but clear early trends emerging. On Maui, Maui Now reports that incumbent Mayor Richard Bissen held a 10-point lead over council vice chair Keani Rawlins-Fernandez Sugimura in the second printout, while its general election results page is tracking updated vote totals across Maui County. On Hawaiʻi Island, Big Island Now says the third printout showed narrow leads in two Hawaiʻi County Council races, and its election coverage notes the results remain preliminary. Kauaʻi’s mayoral race also appears settled in early returns, with Kauaʻi Now reporting that Mel Rapozo claimed 56.2% of the vote, while county council results and state and county charter amendments were also moving through the count. Across the state, Big Island Now reports that Gov. Josh Green is essentially headed to a second term with Kauaʻi’s Derek Kawakami as lieutenant governor.

Housing and disaster recovery remain major statewide concerns. Big Island Now reports and Kauaʻi Now reports that Hawaiʻi has been awarded a $7.45 million HUD grant to support households needing supportive housing. At the same time, Big Island Now and Kauaʻi Now report that FEMA denied individual aid for residents affected by Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell, leaving assistance questions unresolved.

Weather and surf forecasts are also prominent, with Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi all carrying island-specific outlooks for November 4. Maui also has a public safety concern after Maui Now reported a 51-year-old pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries in a collision on South Kīhei Road. On Kauaʻi, community and civic items include a Coffee with a Cop event in Kīlauea and a statewide call for volunteers for the Law Enforcement Standards Board.