Good evening, Hawaii. A broad range of proposed charter amendments covering issues such as affordable housing and managing cultural resources are on the ballot this Election Day. Our partner Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that the Public Utilities Commission directs HECO to create a new rate structure that better acknowledges the growing use of renewable energy. Nationally, leaders from both the Democrat and Republican parties lay out their last arguments ahead of Election Day. Here are the most important stories you need to know.

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High pressure will continue to produce breezy easterly winds, with showers over windward and mountain areas, mainly during the overnight hours.

Leeward areas will be more dry, but we can’t rule out an isolated shower or two.

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Today's Big Stories

1. Proposed charter amendments cover broad range

From affordable housing funding in Honolulu to the duties of the Hawaii County auditor to a new department to manage cultural resources and help Maui County operate as a bilingual government, voters have a broad range of proposed charter amendments to consider this general election.

Residents of Maui County are voting on no less than 13 charter amendments, by far the most of any of the four counties. But each county has important, and potentially expensive, changes proposed for their local government.

2. Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Hawaiian Electric ordered to revamp power rate structure

In a landmark order that could set the tone for electricity rates across the country, the state Public Utilities Commission has ordered Hawaiian Electric to transform its existing power rate structure into one that better acknowledges the growing use of renewable energy.

Specifically, the order that was issued Oct. 31 will lead to a new rate structure designed to encourage customers to reduce electricity during peak times when energy costs are high and shift load to the time of day when cheaper renewable resources are plentiful.

The time-of-use rate scheme — planned to be fully implemented in a couple of years — will give customers the opportunity to explore rate options and save money, according to the PUC.

While a number of municipalities across the country use the same type of rate structure in an effort to maximize their energy grids, Hawaii’s PUC is the first state regulatory commission to mandate it statewide.

“It sets Hawaii at the head of the class nationally in advanced utility rate design, and it will be a model for other states to follow,” said Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake, who represented the Hawaii Solar Energy Association in the PUC proceedings that led to the order.

Jay Hernandez stars as Thomas Magnum in the reboot of "Magnum P.I." set and shot in Hawaii. (Courtesy CBS)

3. NBC announces season 5 premiere for 'Magnum P.I.'

Hawaii-based "Magnum P.I." is back on the case, with new episodes starting Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, NBC announced on Monday.

CBS canceled "Magnum" after four seasons on May 12 despite the crime drama bringing in strong ratings in its Friday night time slot.

NBC stepped in on June 30 and rescued the show from series cancellation, ordering two more seasons comprising 10 episodes each. 

The network may opt for more seasons if the show is successful.

The show employs several hundred people in Hawaii, including technicians, film crew and extras.

The show will air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET (8 p.m. on KHNL-TV), and episodes will be available to stream on Peacock the next day.

4. Decision 2022: Here's what's at stake in Tuesday's midterm elections

The 2022 midterm elections— the first mid-cycle contests of Joe Biden’s presidency — are shaping up to be one for the history books.

According to an analysis from pollster Echelon Insights, an estimated 125.6 million Americans are expected to turn out in November’s midterm contests. Such a figure would shatter the record set in 2018’s midterms, which saw 53.4% of the eligible voting-age population cast their ballots, according to the Census Bureau.

And already voters are starting to come out in full force: As of Sunday, Nov. 6, at least 40 million people have already cast their ballots in the midterms, according to the United States Elections Project.

And with the issues at stake in November’s midterms, it’s easy to see why voters on both sides of the aisle are turning out in droves. 

Up for grabs in November is control of Congress — the House and Senate are both narrowly controlled by Democrats — as well as several key gubernatorial races across the country, including in key battleground states like Georgia, Pennsylvania and Arizona, which narrowly decided the 2020 presidential election.

There are also a number of key ballot initiatives in states across the country, with referendums on issues from voting rights to recreational marijuana, as well as the right to an abortion. November’s contests feature six ballot measures related to abortion, with these being the first midterm contests since the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in June.

The battle over abortion rights looks to be a key issue in these elections, with some advocates calling it “Roe-vember” and banking on a surge in voter registration and enthusiasm following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, which eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion.

Many voters are also expected to be focused on the economy, with inflation still near a 40-year high and Americans feeling the pain everywhere from the grocery store to the gas pump, though prices of the latter have fallen significantly and largely steadily since hitting an all-time high in June. 

Recent polls have shown that both issues are top of mind for Americans heading into the midterms, with economic issues often slightly outpacing abortion in recent surveys.

5. 'Let's go win this thing': Dems, GOP deliver closing pitches ahead of midterms

An election year weighted by economic turmoil, elimination of federal abortion rights and broad concerns about the future of democracy concluded with a final full day of campaigning Monday by leaders of both parties urgently appealing to their supporters.

President Joe Biden is holding a Monday evening rally in Maryland, where Democrats have one of their best opportunities to reclaim a Republican-held governor’s seat. The appearance is in line with Biden’s late-campaign strategy of sticking largely to Democratic strongholds rather than stumping in more competitive territory, where control of Congress may ultimately be decided.

In an interview with the Rev. Al Sharpton airing Monday on Sharpton's radio show, Biden warned that his administration's progress on key issues including bolstering funding for historically Black colleges and universities and trying to forgive student loan debt for millions of Americans would be at risk if Republicans take Congress.

“If we don’t win, they’re going to wipe out everything we’ve done,” the president said.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, will hold his final rally of the campaign in Ohio. As he readies another run for the White House, Ohio holds special meaning for the former president because it was one of the first places where he was able to prove his enduring power among Republican voters. His backing of JD Vance was crucial in helping the author and venture capitalist — and onetime Trump critic — secure the GOP’s nomination for a Senate seat.

More than 41 million people have already voted, according to the U.S. Elections Project, signaling the potential for a record-breaking midterm turnout. Monday's events were largely geared toward driving voter turnout on Tuesday, including a video from President Biden and former President Barack Obama urging Americans to cast their ballots..

Your Notes for Tomorrow

Tuesday, November 8

• Midterm elections
• SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch of the Intelsat Intelsat G-31/G-32 mission
  
• Northrop Grumman 18th commercial resupply mission arrives at the ISS
• U.N. Climate Change Summit in Egypt (COP27) continues
  
• Billie Jean King Cup tennis finals

Here are events happening on the islands tomorrow:

Oahu

• What: Kalapana
• Where: Blue Note Hawaii | Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, 2335 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu | 808-777-4890
• Details: Every island resident who was around in the 70s has a favorite Kalapana song. Kalapana performs two special concerts remembering three of the four founding members: DJ Pratt, Malani Bilyeu and Mackey Feary, and their timeless hits, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 8-9. Tickets.

Maui

• What: Maui Street Market
• Where: 150 Hana Hwy., Kahului
• Details: “The New York Times” described “Bent” as “powerful and Located next to the former 24-Hour Fitness, Maui’s “Food Truck Hub” is presented by the nonprofit Maui Food Technology Center dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs and revitalizing the community of Kahului. It’s open seven days a week with varied hours depending on individual food trucks. Dubbed “eat the street, Maui style,” the market features a gathering of food trucks offering lots of ono food and aloha in one place. Free parking available.

Hawaii Island

• What: All Wahine Arts Festival
• Where: Kona Commons Shopping Center |74-5450 Makala Blvd., Kailua-Kona | 808-203-2240
• Details: The debut of the All Wahine Arts Festival features the creation of two murals — one features Haumea, the goddess of creation, the second features ulu, a symbol of resilience, perseverance and security. The community is invited to help bring the murals to life during a community paint day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 8. Artists from around the Pacific will guide participants.

Kauai

• What: Lihue Placemaking, Forestry & Gardens Initiative
• Where: Kalena Park
• Details: Join in the two-year effort to develop a future green infrastructure along Rice St. in collaboration with the Rice Street Business Assoc., Better Block Hawaii, County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, AARP, The Funders Network and Health Go Market. No experience needed for this gardening effort, 4-6 p.m. Register.

For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.

Watch Live

• HHSAA Cheerleading Championships, 7 p.m. Tuesday on OC16 or streaming on the Spectrum News app.