Happy weekend, Hawaii! This is part of Spectrum News Hawaii's weekly series, where we recap the top stories you may have missed throughout the week.
Note: The stories below have been truncated, so please click on the links to read them in their entirety.
This week’s big stories
1. Observation deck at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopens
An observation deck at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that provides a sweeping view of Kilauea volcano’s summit caldera has reopened.
HVNP officials announced the reopening of the Uēkahuna observation deck in a news release Wednesday, and said the area has been closed since May 2018, after magma drained from the chamber beneath Halemaumau crater, and the caldera collapsed, triggering thousands of earthquakes.
The seismic activity near the crater affected the structural integrity of buildings on the Uēkahuna bluff, including Jaggar Museum and two U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory buildings. Deconstruction of the buildings began in April 2024 and is now finished.
Although the buildings were removed, the observation deck and historic stone walls, once crumbling and fractured from the 2018 earthquakes, have been restored to their former glory.
The surrounding area was restored to a more natural landscape, with native shrubs, grasses and trees planted near the observation deck. Crews restored a historic bench and added several new benches that replicate the historic look. A new path connects the observation deck to Crater Rim Trail along the rim of the caldera.
2. Oahu launches pilot program to divert reusable goods from the landfill
The Honolulu Department of Environmental Services is testing out a new program to help keep reusable items out of the landfill.
With the launch of the pilot reuse program on May 31, Kapaa Transfer Station will serve as a one-stop shop for dropping off trash and donatable goods.
Community members may take trash, gently used household items, and salvaged construction materials to a collection site at the Kapaa Transfer Station, where staff from Goodwill and Re-Use Hawaii will offer advice about what items they accept and which should go in the “pit” at the Transfer Station.
“All the household goods that we collect here will be going to various stores that Goodwill runs, and then the building materials — hardware, doors, windows, plumbing, electrical, fixtures, things like that — will be going to the Re-Use store on Salt Lake Boulevard, across the street from the stadium,” said Roger Babcock, director of the Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, during a news conference on Friday.
Babcock didn’t have information about the amount of items that may be diverted from H-POWER or the landfill, but his department plans to collect data during the six-month pilot and hopes to use it as evidence for extending the program.
3. 4 arrested in assault on woman after viral video amplifies
Video showing a group of females who assaulted a 21-year-old woman drew an explosive response on social media this week.
It resulted in a flood of outraged comments, a group of would-be vigilantes livestreaming their search for the perpetrators and, ultimately, the arrest of an 18-year-old woman and three juveniles involved in the attack.
The incident occurred a month ago, but the video is believed to have surfaced online only this week. The flashpoint occurred when the video made it to the popular Instagram account HHHNewz on Wednesday. Less than two hours after it was first posted, the video had generated thousands of views and hundreds of angry comments.
The video identified the suspects as students from Leilehua High School and viewers familiar with them posted their names in the comments.
It didn’t stop there. Within hours of the post, a group of Wahiawa-area residents, including some Leilehua students, formed a loose-knit posse and descended on the apartment building where two of the suspects, sisters, are believed to live. A livestream of the scene, which captured individuals climbing up the side of the building and knocking on doors in search of the suspects, garnered some 11,000 viewers.
Meanwhile, alerted by the social media activity, Honolulu Police Department officers conducted an initial investigation of the incident, then identified and arrested the four suspects. The three juvenile suspects were described as a 13-year-old boy and two girls, ages 14 and 16. The 18-year-old woman was initially charged with third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal property damage, but prosecutors later dropped the charges, with prejudice, to allow police more time to investigate. Charges may be refiled later.
Both the suspect and her mother have since issued separate apologies on social media, explaining that the conflict started on the bus and “went too far.” The mother said she fears for her family’s safety.
4. Ala Moana Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge opens
Nearly three years after construction began, the Hawaii Department of Transportation announced Thursday the opening of the Ala Moana Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge that spans six traffic lanes and is located between Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street.
The $17.8 million project was funded at an 80-20 cost share through the U.S. DOT’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development transportation discretionary grant program and State Highway Funds. Victoria Ward Limited took part in the state cost share by donating land and paying for the bridge design and environmental documentation, according to HDOT.
HDOT Director Ed Sniffen said, “The Ala Moana Pedestrian Bridge has been eagerly anticipated by many. Our partners in this project have done a fantastic job of building a walkway that will not only serve as a pedestrian and bike safety measure but as an aesthetic addition to the corridor.”
Doug Johnstone, president of the Hawaii region for Howard Hughes, said the new walkway is a “meaningful step forward,” because connecting community lies at the heart of Ward Village. “Our collaboration with the state DOT and the Federal Highway Administration has helped create a welcoming, safe link between Ward Village and Ala Moana, expanding access to public parks and improving the pedestrian experience. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum with the upcoming expansion of Victoria Ward Park next year.”
5. Governor considers three cannabis-related bills
Three bills aimed at improving transparency and oversight of the state’s hemp industry and addressing safety and continued access for those who use cannabis for medical purposes are awaiting final consideration by Gov. Josh Green.
House Bill 1482 would require manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers to register with the state Department of Health and allow funds from the Hawaii Hemp Processing Special Fund to be used for the registry. It also establishes the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing; prohibits the sale of tinctures to anyone under age 21; grants authority to inspect businesses involved in distribution and sale of hemp products and to seize or confiscate products containing hemp.
HB 302 proposes to modernize the state’s medical cannabis program by improving patient safety and access and addressing issues caused by the illicit cannabis market.
Meanwhile, Senate Bill 1429 aims to strengthen patient access within the medical cannabis system.
Green has until July 9 to sign into law or veto bills that were passed during the 2025 legislative session. If he neither signs nor vetoes a bill, the measure will automatically be enacted into law. Green has until June 24 to inform the Legislature of any bills he intends to veto.
6. Stadium project could miss June 30 contract execution deadline, NASED officials say
The stadium project in Halawa may miss a key upcoming deadline for execution of a full contract with its development team, state officials said Thursday.
The New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District project’s self-imposed June 30 target for full agreement with Aloha Halawa District Partners has been in place since the project was rebooted by Gov. Josh Green in 2023. Stadium manager Chris Sadayasu, speaking at Thursday’s Stadium Authority board meeting inside old Aloha Stadium, said a full agreement “might slip” into July.
However, Stadium Authority chair Brennon Morioka told Spectrum News that should the contract lag June 30, the planned venue’s overall timetable, including demolition of existing Aloha Stadium, remains on track.
Officials have targeted a fall 2028 opening in time for that year’s University of Hawaii football season. Meanwhile, the demolition process — a piece-by-piece dismantling of the 50-year-old steel frame, not an implosion — is slated to begin in August and is projected to take 10 months through early summer 2026.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.
