Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today:
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Light winds from the southeast will settle in throughout the end of the week with an afternoon sea breeze and overnight land breeze pattern. Afternoon pop-up showers and storms could bring pockets of heavy rain for island interiors. Moderate trades could return early next week.
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Today's Big Stories
1. Maui County announces Lahaina sewer system 100% restored
Maui County officials announced that Lahaina’s County sewer system is now 100% active — a significant milestone in the aftermath of the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire.
When County crews started to repair sewer lines in April 2024, about 1,822 lots had inactive sewer service. In Oct. 2024, the contractor Mocon Corp. began working too, ramping up progress on repairs. Now, a year later, all 3,526 sewered lots in West Maui are active.
Maui’s Department of Environmental Management Director Shayne Agawa thanked staff with the Wastewater Reclamation Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal and state partners, including the City of Santa Rosa, Calif., for helping with Lahaina’s sewer.
“Most of all, I would like to thank our residents of Lahaina for their patience and understanding while we worked to restore sewer service,” Agawa said.
2. Hirono, Schatz react to Durbin retirement announcement
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s announcement Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in 2026 elicited fond remembrances from Senatorial colleagues including Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, as well as murmurs of uncertainty about the leadership of the party — something Schatz himself may help to resolve.
The 80-year-old Durbin, the second-most powerful Democrat in the Senate, has served in Congress for 43 years. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and served seven terms before succeeding Sen. Paul Simon in the Senate in 1996. He has served as Democratic whip since 2005.
“As Democratic whip, he has played a key role in shaping some of the most significant legislation of our time and has been a fixture of the Senate floor, bringing his brilliant Lincoln-land trial attorney skills to Senate debate,” Schatz said. “Further, his leadership on the Judiciary Committee has been historic, with the confirmation of 235 judges during the Biden administration — the most diverse set of federal judges of any presidency ever.
Schatz, whose national profile has risen in recent months due to his outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump’s policies and directives and his controversial blocking of some 300 Trump nominees in response to the administration’s gutting of key federal agencies, has been broadly identified as a potential successor to Durbin. He currently serves as chief deputy whip.
In the meantime, Senate Democrats are relying on Durbin’s continued leadership, even as they reflect on his legacy.
“I have had the honor of working with Dick Durbin through my time in the Senate, not solely in his role as whip, but especially through our time together on the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Hirono said. “As a member, chair, and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Dick has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead with compassion for communities in need while forcefully pushing back on policies that will harm and divide our nation. His focus on a pathway to citizenship for DREAMERs and on curbing the epidemic of gun violence in this country are just two of the many ways Dick has worked to better his home state of Illinois and our country.
3. Kauai’s north shore residents asked to continue conserving water
Kauai County’s Department of Water asks customers in the Hanalei community and Anini Beach areas to continue conserving water due to a mechanical failure at the water system’s pump station that affected the system’s water storage supply.
Since April 4, DOW officials have been working to secure contractor services and equipment to do the emergency work.
Officials ask customers to limit their water use to “essential needs only” to avoid a full water service outage. A few things people can do to help conserve water is turn off appliances and fixtures that automatically draw water such as ice machines and irrigation systems and refrain from washing cars.
DOW will continue to issue weekly notices via the county’s emergency notification system, the Wireless Emergency Notification System. Sign up by visiting the Kauai Emergency Management Agency website and click on “Notification Services.” People can also monitor service updates online at the Department of Water website.
Contact DOW at 808-245-5455 for more information.
4. Waimanalo native Tetairoa McMillan taken No. 8 by Carolina Panthers in NFL Draft
Tetairoa McMillan, a Waimanalo native who became a top wide receiver prospect on the mainland, was taken eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers on Day 1 of the NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wis., on Thursday.
McMillan, who attended Servite High School in Anaheim, Calif., spent three years at Arizona before becoming the second receiver taken in the 2025 draft. Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter was taken by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 2.
He raised his arms as he made his way onto the stage at Lambeau Field, hugged Roger Goodell and placed a lei on the commissioner.
McMillan, nicknamed, “T-Mac,” wore a “N4LO” chain. He wore No. 4 at Arizona.
“Oh man, it’s a blessing,” McMillan told the ESPN broadcast of becoming the latest player of Polynesian descent from Hawaii to make it to the NFL. “At the end of the day, the people that came before me is the people that laid the foundation and set the precedents for me to be successful today. Shoot, at the end of the day, I’m trying to put on for the Polynesian culture and making everybody proud.”
5. City seeks input on dog-friendly park possibilities
The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation wants to increase the number of city parks that allow leashed animals on their grounds and it’s seeking public input to decide which ones to authorize.
“We firmly believe the current rules regarding pets in city parks are too restrictive and should be changed, but we want to be respectful of the various needs of our community members,” said DPR spokesperson Nate Serota, who is leading the initiative. “With this in mind, we are empowering you to let us know where these dog-friendly privileges should be extended, decriminalizing an activity that should be encouraged in these open, public spaces. We strongly encourage you to take part in this process, with DPR requesting formal input from each of the Neighborhood Boards before September 2025.”
Of the 308 city parks around Oahu, only 36 allow leashed dogs and just 10 have off-leash areas.
According to DPR, rural areas along the leeward, windward and northern coasts are particularly lacking in dog-friendly parks.
Ala Moana Regional Park and the Honolulu Botanical Gardens are not being considered for dog access because of their popularity and existing emphasis on dog restrictions. However, DPR said it intends to discuss accommodations at these locations at another time.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Friday, April 25
- George Santos sentenced after pleading guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft
- Congress returns after recess
- NFL Draft Continues
- U.N. Security Council meetings
In Case You Missed It
"No Parking" signs will be placed along affected roadways one week ahead of construction work. Those who park on the road are advised to move their vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Department of Design and Construction)
New road rehab project begins Monday in Mililani Mauka
The city’s Department of Design and Construction announced a new road rehabilitation project beginning in Mililani Mauka. This is in addition to an ongoing rehabilitation project that began in October 2024.
Construction is set to begin April 28 and will last about 16 months. Project work hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except holidays.
List of affected streets:
- Ahahuina Place, Ahea Place, Ahea Street, Ahikao Street, Ainakuai Place, Ainamakua Drive, Ainana Place, Ainana Way, Akaluli Street, Akeake Street, Alakaina Street, Alaume Place, Alaume Street.
- Hakala Street, Hookaau Street, Hookahane Street, Hookupu Street, Hoomua Street.
- Kahonua Street, Kahualea Street, Kailewa Street, Kanae Street, Konaku Street, Kuahaua Place.
- Lahui Place, Lahui Street, Lauae Street, Liho Street, Lilii Place.
- Malielie Place, Malielie Street, Meanui Street, Milia Place, Milia Street, Mua Place.
- Naaualii Place.
- Paeli Place, Pakau Street, Puneki Place, Puneki Street, Puneki Way, Puulu Street.
Residents should anticipate detours and lane and road closures and allow extra travel time.
Direct any questions or comments to the Department of Design and Construction at 808-768-8400.
