Act 13 adds qualifying military exigency to Hawaiʻi's Family Leave Law, letting eligible workers take up to four weeks of unpaid, job‑protected leave per year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maui's council chair introduced Bill 119 to raise fines for excessively loud car stereos; the original draft allowed equipment forfeiture but a committee amendment may strip that penalty.

A Honolulu judge found that pre-session closed‑door meetings by a House rules committee violated the state constitution, raising fresh transparency questions.

David Lazar will arrive on Oʻahu on June 14 and begin volunteer onboarding June 15 while his background check clears ahead of a targeted early‑July swearing‑in.

A federal suit filed June 1 challenges the Hawaiian Homes 50% blood‑quantum rule, arguing the cutoff unlawfully bars residents from applying for DHHL leases. The case pits constitutional law against a program designed for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.

The Hawai‘i State Energy Office corrected spreadsheet mistakes in a May 2026 update that changed LNG’s economics, lifting some scenarios and refocusing regulators on Waiau and a JERA $2B plan.

Akakū says a state cable deal will cost the nonprofit about $400,000 a year and could force program and staff cuts across Maui.

At the Shangri‑La Dialogue, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of China’s rapid military buildup and pressed Asian allies to boost spending. His remarks carry direct implications for Hawaii's military posture.

The Marine Corps awarded Oshkosh two contracts totaling roughly $92M to expand and test unmanned ROGUE‑Fires launchers for the NMESIS anti‑ship system. The buys push the weapon from prototype toward production.

Lawmakers removed a proposed cash‑acceptance mandate and approved a rounding rule allowing cash totals to be rounded to the nearest five cents amid penny shortages. The measure is now on the governor's desk.

Some new Hawaii REAL ID cards aren't scanning, causing delays at TSA and kiosks. The city is offering free replacements at Kapalama Driver Licensing Center.

A conference draft of SB 903 redirects $55 million to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and reboots the public‑land trust working group, setting a 2027–2028 audit and settlement timetable.

A citizen-drafted charter amendment would require HPD to verify federal agents’ identity and legal authority before assisting them; the commission will consider the measure this week.