A WalletHub ranking and a KHON2 poll show Hawaiʻi residents name federal and state taxes, high sales levies and filing costs among the leading pressures on household budgets. The split between low property levies and steep consumption taxes helps explain the frustration.

Cool Cat Express has opened at Whaler’s Village in Lahaina, serving the café’s classic burgers and Roselani shakes while offering a 20% kamaʻāina discount.

Kupuna at Malulani Hale are living with a months‑long elevator outage after water damaged the main lift, leaving seniors to rely on a cramped service elevator and miss rides. Repairs and parts could stretch for months.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health confirmed a measles case in a vaccinated visitor and named airport and public exposure sites on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island.

USGS has shifted aviation VONA alerts into an ICAO‑aligned, machine‑readable format; HVO will send the first new‑format notice when Kīlauea next fountains. The move should speed ash warnings to pilots.

A 44-year-old man died after jumping from a Waipiʻo apartment balcony following an argument, Honolulu police say. The department says the investigation is ongoing.

Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi returns to Ala Moana Beach on May 25 with 6,000 lanterns, a dedicated military pickup line and livestream options.

Alejandro’s Mexican Food has opened a Pauoa outpost at 1997 Pauoa Road, bringing its tacos, wet burritos and loaded nacho fries to the neighborhood. The shop occupies the former Pauoa Chop Suey space and features a Dodgers‑inspired mural.

HB1590 would let counties use time‑stamped screenshots as evidence and require listing platforms to report bookings and collect taxes, part of a bid to protect housing.

The Made in Hawai‘i Festival returns Aug. 20–23 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center with evening preview nights and full weekend hours as the center finishes construction.

A kitchen fire early Tuesday on Ala Akau Street in Waiʻanae has been reclassified as first‑degree arson; police say no arrests have been made and are seeking tips.

Two masked men armed with handguns robbed a man after an ATM withdrawal at the Laie Shopping Center early Monday; police say they fled in two cars and no one was hurt.

Phase II of the Iwilei kauhale is taking shape as crews install tiny homes and utilities. Officials and neighbors are weighing the expansion amid questions about costs and oversight.