Kali Watson will not seek reappointment at the end of this year as director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, state officials announced Friday. Appointed by Gov. Josh Green in 2023, Watson was responsible for overseeing the development of thousands of homes and the implementation of a […]
Taylor Nāhulukeaokalani Cozloff
Taylor Nāhulukeaokalani Cozloff is a Civil Beat's community engagement reporter for Hawaiʻi island.
Posted inCommunity Health
Hawaiʻi Still Needs Doctors. We’re Gaining On Nurses, At Least
While Hawaiʻi’s doctor shortage widens, vacancies in other healthcare jobs are shrinking, according to the Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi’s biannual report. Non-physician healthcare job openings decreased by 20% between 2024 and 2026. The largest decrease in vacancy rates occurred on the neighbor islands, where the greatest need for healthcare professionals exists. That’s due to collaborative […]
Posted inBig Island
Native Hawaiians ‘Take The Torch’ Of Big Island Council Majority
Native Hawaiians will hold a majority of the Hawaiʻi County Council seats when newly elected members take office next month — the first time in at least three decades. Maile David, who became the first Native Hawaiian woman to chair the Hawaiʻi County Council in 2020, called the incoming representation remarkable. “It took a long […]
Posted inElections 2026
Voters Bring On New Faces To Tackle Old Issues In Neighbor Island Councils
It’s a seminal moment for the local lawmaking bodies on the neighbor islands as 11 newly elected leaders across three counties prepare to join the ranks for at least the next two years. The councils on Maui, Kauaʻi and the Big Island have distinct goals, practices and procedures, but they’re all facing similar challenges. Voters […]
Posted inElections 2026
Big Island Election Results: 3 New Council Members Win Open Seats
The nine-member council will also see a mix of incumbents and former members rejoining the legislative body.
Posted inBig Island
A 6-Month Vacation? Hawaiʻi Council Deadlocked On Short-Term Rental Bill
A bill would expand where vacation rentals are allowed and lengthen the rental period considered short-term to 180 days.
Posted inBig Island
Big Island’s Next Fire Chief Is Daniel Volpe
The fire commission voted 5-1 to hire the chief after receiving more than 30 applications.
Posted inBig Island
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park To Belong To The Public
The Hawai‘i County mayor made a deal to buy the nearly 7-acre property owned by Eva Liu.
Posted inBig Island
Sick Of Being Sidelined: Kaʻū Council Candidates Want Action After Lala
Recent climate change-fueled disasters have hit the southern part of Hawaiʻi island hard, rising to the top of local candidates’ priorities.