Debating Jones Act defenders is like playing whack-a-mole
Hawaii Egg Prices Increase Even More
Republican Party announces nominees to fill Gene Ward’s East Oahu House seat
HNN: …The party nominated Michel Gedeon, Alexander Malabey, and Tara Gregory for consideration to represent House District 18, which covers Portlock, Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley.
Michel “Joe” Gedeon is a lifelong resident of Hawaii Kai with over two decades of business experience as a cofounder of JPG Hawaii and JPG Media. He has supported more than 80 political campaigns through strategic branding and grassroots engagement. The Kaiser High and ITT Technical Institute graduate also served as communications officer at Saint Louis School and co-produced a conservative talk radio show. His civic involvement includes past presidency of the Waikiki Rotary Club, contributions to UH athletics through NIL initiatives, and leadership roles in several industry associations.
Alexander “Alika” Malabey is a Kaiser High School graduate, small business owner, caregiver, and foster parent guided by the principles of faith, family, and freedom. As a former office manager at the Hawaii State Capitol, he worked across the aisle to influence key legislation on civil unions, tort reform, and pro-life issues. His family legacy includes territorial legislators and pioneering Hawaiian/Chinese professionals who helped shape the district.
Tara Malia Gregory is a nationally recognized marketing consultant, wellness entrepreneur, and former Division I track and field team captain with over two decades of leadership experience in both corporate and grassroots arenas. She has spearheaded multimillion-dollar brand campaigns for clients including Don Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier, and Herbalife. Tara holds a degree in cognitive studies from Vanderbilt University and is currently pursuing a master’s in theological studies.
“Although no one can truly replace Gene Ward’s unwavering dedication and service, we are proud to offer three exceptional candidates,” said Tamara McKay, state chair of the Hawaii Republican Party. “Each nominee possesses the qualities and commitment necessary to effectively represent District 18 and uphold the principles of our party.”
Gov. Josh Green has until May 31, or 60 days from the start of the vacancy, to make his pick….
SA: 3 entrepreneurs in the running for Hawaii House seat | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
read … Hawaii Republican Party announces nominees to fill East Oahu House seat
Shamed at the Shoreline: When Did Visiting Hawaii Start Feeling Like a Crime?
BH: … Mindful tourism, as defined by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, encourages visitors to respect the land, support local businesses, avoid culturally insensitive behavior, and engage in meaningful experiences. It’s a concept that emerged as a response to overtourism and the real strain it has placed on Hawaii’s environment and communities.
But the tone of implementation has evolved—sometimes unintentionally—into something more judgmental than educational.
Aaron Sala, CEO of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, recently described Hawaii’s traditional tourism model as “outdated, extractive, colonial, and dangerously romantic.” This perspective has sparked debate among stakeholders.
One BOH reader, Andrew, expressed concern: “To me, that sounds like the guy in charge is more concerned about feelings (and maybe politics) than economic realities. It also sounds like he’s making excuses for the sharp decline in tourists, suggesting that’s exactly what Hawaii wants and needs when we all know that Hawaii needs tourism to create and maintain jobs.”
Visitors are now expected not only to be thoughtful but also to participate in volunteer programs, spend more money, and demonstrate a kind of moral alignment with the state’s values. Policies—such as limiting short-term rentals, raising park fees, and launching behavior-focused campaigns—are meant to reduce strain but have contributed to what some see as visitor micromanagement.
One reader called it “vacationing under supervision.” Another described it as “a cultural audition with a price tag.”
Even the HTA’s language has shifted. Their stated goal to attract “higher-spending mindful travelers” was widely interpreted as code for filtering out the middle class. As one reader put it: “You sure you don’t mean pocketful, not mindful tourists?” ….
read … Shamed at the Shoreline: When Did Visiting Hawaii Start Feeling Like a Crime? - Beat of Hawaii
Hawai‘i County Council fills Leeward Planning Commission seat with mother of a council member
BIN: … During the council’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Council Chair Holeka Inaba recused himself from voting on the confirmation of Rebecca Kawehi Inaba to the commission seat, disclosing that she is his mother.
Mayor Kimo Alameda asked Kawehi Inaba to apply for the open seat on the seven-member Leeward Planning Commission, a body of community volunteers that advises on planning and land use matters within the districts of North Kohala, South Kohala, North Kona and South Kona.
Kawehi Inaba was confirmed, with council members Michelle Galimba, Jenn Kagiwada and Heather Kimball opposing the appointment.
With her confirmation, Kawehi Inaba will serve on the commission until 2029….
Kawehi Inaba currently serves as the Executive Director of La‘i‘ōpua 2O2O, a nonprofit organization in West Hawai‘i that supports Native Hawaiians. She actively volunteers with the Daniel R. Sayre Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds to purchase equipment for the Hawai‘i Fire Department and the West Hawai‘i Mediation Center.
Kawehi Inaba has a diverse background that includes government service and strategic planning, as well as being a pilot and flight instructor.
She is the first Native Hawaiian woman to operate a certified Part 135 Air Carrier in the United States. She did so for Mokulele Airlines.
Kagiwada told Kawehi Inaba that her no vote had nothing to do with her qualifications, but the perceived consolidation of power in too few hands….
read … Hawai‘i County Council fills Leeward Planning Commission seat with mother of a council member : Big Island Now
Maui County water rates to Jump 50%?
MN: … Under a proposal by the Department of Water Supply, hotels on the county system and general residential customers using more than 35,000 gallons of water a month would see their rates increase by 25%....
All other customers — except for general residential customers who use 5,000 gallons or less — could potentially see their water bills go up by at least 5%. …
Residents in single-family homes who use more than 35,000 gallons a month are currently charged $10.56 per 1,000 gallons, according to county budget documents. The department’s proposal would bump their rates to $13.20 for the next fiscal year that starts July 1. And, the department now wants to add a fifth tier to charge people who use more than 50,000 gallons a rate of $15.90. …
(DO THE MATH: 15.90 / 10.56 = 150%)
Customers in multifamily homes, which do not have tiers, would see a 10% increase from $4.63 to $5.09 per 1,000 gallons.
Hotels are currently charged some of the highest rates of all users at $10.56 per 1,000 gallons. Their rates are proposed to increase to $13.20.
Agricultural users would also see the following increases of 5% per category…
“Now the streams are flowing again, we’re recharging … aquifers again, and we’re trying to create capacity for the future,” Keahi said. “These are the things that we put into place, but now we need to go beyond that.”
(TRANSLATION: Move to Vegas. Plenty of water there.)
read … Hotels, highest residential users could see higher water rates as county tries to conserve more amid drought : Maui Now
Hawaiʻi isn't doing well with employment: 3 findings from a new study
KHON: … Even worse, Hawaiʻi placed 43rd for unemployment claims per 100,000 workers, one of the highest in the country. Only eight states had more claims….
When compared to places like South Dakota or New Hampshire, which had the lowest number of claims per worker, the difference is clear. Those states had about 30–40 claims per 100,000 people in the labor force.
Hawaiʻi had 155….
read … Hawaiʻi isn't doing well with employment: 3 findings from a new study
Could Hawaiʻi go nuclear? Some lawmakers want the option investigated
HPR: … Sen. Glenn Wakai, who chairs the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, introduced Senate Bill 1588, which called on the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office to convene a task force to study the feasibility of using nuclear energy to power the state.
That bill stalled out in late March. But Senate Concurrent Resolution 136 revived the conversation. It also asks HSEO to create a working group to study the feasibility of incorporating nuclear power into Hawaiʻi’s energy mix….
SCR 136 originally focused on geothermal power. But its language was changed to resemble that of SB1588 ahead of its hearing in front of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
HSEO submitted similar testimony on both the bill and the resolution. It argues that investing resources into studying the feasibility of nuclear power for Hawaiʻi would be premature….
read … Could Hawaiʻi go nuclear? Some lawmakers want the option investigated | Hawai'i Public Radio
TRUMP NEWS:
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
QUICK HITS: