Good evening, Hawaii. Gov. Josh Green signed a slate of 10 bills into law Wednesday that addressed access to affordable housing and homelessness, a report from the Department of the Attorney General stated that the number of firearms applications dropped in 2022 and the U.S. Coast Guard says that a missing sub imploded, killing all five people on board. Read about the important stories you need to know.
Your Weather Planner
Our breezy trade winds stick around through the weekend. By the end of the weekend, the trades should start to peak and settle early next week. We do chances for rain throughout the next few days, with bands of clouds and showers moving through the islands. Showers will favor windward and mauka areas. A few showers could also reach leeward communities as well.
Watch the latest news from across the country.
Today's Big Stories
1. Green signs affordable housing, homelessness bills
Continuing his series of themed bill signings, Gov. Josh Green enacted 10 bills Wednesday that he said would expand access to affordable housing and provide assistance to families and individuals at risk of becoming homeless.
Senate Bill 764 Senate Draft 1, House Draft 3, Conference Draft 1, now Act 96, allows banks to invest in entities formed to invest in developing residential properties that qualify for low-income housing tax credits.
Senate Bill 865, SD2, HD1, CD1, now Act 97, is intended to increase the number of affordable residential leasehold units in the state by establishing a 99-year leasehold program to develop low-cost homes on state- and county-owned land in an urban redevelopment site to be sold in leasehold by the Hawaii Community Development Authority to qualified residents.
SB 898, SD2, HD1, CD1, now Act 98, is aimed at preventing older adults and families from becoming homeless.
Click on the link above to read about the full slate of bills that Gov. Green signed.
2. Firearm permit applications dropped in 2022
Personal firearm permit applications in the state dropped more than 6% in 2022, according to the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General’s newly released report on 2022 firearm registration statistics.
According to the report, 21,881 personal and private firearm permit applications were processed statewide, a 6.1% decrease from the 23,299 applications processed in 2021.
Of the total applications processed last year, 96.2% were approved and permits were granted. Of those, 1.3% were subsequently voided when the applicants failed to return for their permits in time. The remaining 2.5% were denied.
Of the 540 total denials, 371 were for longarm permits and 169 for handgun permits.
The DAG report also included concealed carry permit applications.
Hawaii County accounted for the largest number of concealed carry permit applications with 90, followed by Maui (75), Kauai (65) and Honolulu (6).
3. Maui County Council to vote on appointments to new board
The Maui County Council is scheduled to vote on appointments to the East Maui Regional Community Board at its Friday meeting.
The council’s Water Authority, Social Services and Parks Committee, chaired by council member Shane Sinenci, recruited and vetted applicants following the approval of a charter amendment that was supported by 64% of voters last November.
“I am excited to see the formation of this important community board,” said Sinenci, who holds the council seat for the East Maui residency area and introduced the charter amendment. “They will bring community input into restoration and management of the East Maui watershed to ensure our water resources are sustainable for generations to come.”
The WASSAP committee interviewed 19 candidates over four meetings. The council will appoint seven voting members; the remaining four members will be appointed by Mayor Richard Bissen.
4. UH study: 20% of Hawaii residents have taken part in outrigger paddling
A recent study conducted by the University of Hawaii researchers has shed light on the popularity of traditional Hawaiian sports and their potential impact on community health. The study, led by Dr. Tetine Sentell, Interim Dean of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, examined the participation rates in outrigger paddling and hula among Hawaii residents.
According to the study, which was published this week by the Center for Disease Control, 20% of Hawaii residents have taken part in outrigger paddling. The research found that outrigger paddling holds particular appeal for Native Hawaiians, with 42% having engaged in the activity. Pacific Islanders also showed significant participation, with 31% reporting paddling experiences.
Paddling was found to attract participants across various ages, income groups and geographic locations, showing its potential as a comprehensive community health promotion tool.
“Public health surveys do not typically measure culturally relevant physical activity,” said Sentell in a news release about the study. “Because of our diverse population, it is vital that we promote culturally relevant activities like outrigger canoe paddling in public health programming, research and surveillance.”
"Unless we include culturally important activities in our surveys, their importance to the health of our population remains invisible," Sentell said.
5. Coast Guard: Missing sub imploded, killing all 5 passengers
The Titanic-bound submersible that went missing on Sunday imploded near the wreckage of the famed ocean liner, killing all five people on board, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and the company leading the expedition.
Experts had called a vessel implosion the worst possible outcome since the Titan went missing Sunday while descending to the Titanic wreck in the North Atlantic.
OceanGate Expeditions, the company that operated the Titanic-bound submersible that went missing on Sunday, said in a statement Thursday that it believed all five passengers aboard the vessel "have sadly been lost."
"We now believe that our CEO Stockton Rush, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet, have sadly been lost," the company wrote in a statement. "These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans."
"Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time," the statement continues. "We grieve the loss of life and joy they brought to everyone they knew."
OceanGate did not provide details when the company announced the “loss of life” in a statement or how officials knew the crew members perished. The passengers' families were notified.
The news came just hours after the U.S. Coast Guard said that it found a "debris field" near the Titanic site, a grim development as the critical 96-hour mark passed when breathable air could have run out.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Friday, June 23
- World's Ugliest Dog contest 12 p.m. HST
- GOP presidential candidates speak at Faith and Freedom 'Road to Majority' Policy Conference
- 6th annual Pride Live, global campaign working to elevate awareness and support for the Stonewall legacy and the continuing fight for full LGBTQ+ equality. Hosted by Angelica Ross. Christina Aguilera is this year's headline performer.
- What: Obon Festival
- Where: Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin | 1727 Pali Hwy., Honolulu | 808-536-7044
- Details: The Obon season is a time when we express gratitude to our ancestors, as well as participate in joyous gatherings known as the bon dance. The public is invited to take part in taiko drumming, dancing, food, a boutique shop, professional photos with kimono provided, temple tours and more, 6-10:30 p.m. June 23-24. Overflow parking available at Hongwanji Mission School, Soto Mission and Kawananakoa Middle School.
- What: Rebel Souljahz featuring Katchafire
- Where: Maui Arts & Cultural Center | One Cameron Way, Kahului | 808-242-7469
- Details: Rebel Souljahz — Michael Maglinti, Will Sua, Andrew “Bubba” Hodges and Tunez Moananu — celebrates the release of their fifth album, “Move With Love,” 5:30 p.m. June 23. The performance also features New Zealand’s Katchafire, as well as Ekolu and Hammah House Band. Tickets.
- What: ‘Daniel Van Zyle: A Celebration of 50 Years Exhibiting’
- Where: Volcano Art Center Gallery | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Details: View the original paintings and lithographs created by Van Zyle throughout his decades of making art. Exhibit is free, park entrance fee applies.
- What: Aloha Friday Art Night
- Where: Along Kress St., Lihue
- Details: Island artists put their passion on display, 2-6 p.m., along Kress Street. Whether they’re inspired by the beauty of Kauai, by the places they’ve been to or their cultural roots, these artists share their talents with the local community on creative, colorful murals.
For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.
In Case You Missed It
The documentary "Shaka, A Story of Aloha" will be shown in a series of sneak peeks through December. (Photo courtesy ID8)
'Shaka, A Story of Aloha' documentary kicks off with sneak peeks
Producer/writer Steve Sue is launching his new feature-length documentary, “Shaka, A Story of Aloha,” in a series of preview screenings through December at various locations throughout the islands.
The first sneak peek in the six-month series was June 20; the next one will take place at the Pacific Club on June 24. Upcoming screenings are limited to specific groups except for the Aug. 26 event hosted by Maui’s Lahaina Restoration Foundation, which will be shown outdoors and is open to the public.
After four years of planning and filming that took Sue throughout the state, the completed film will take audiences on an exploration of the origins, meanings and uses of the iconic hand gesture known throughout the world as a symbol of Hawaii.
Groups looking to host a free screening can find information by clicking “Host an Event” on the “Shaka” film website.