Paul Drewes

Honolulu

Reporter and Anchor at KITV-TV (Honolulu, HI)

Articles

State to expand red light cameras, will start speeding fines for drivers

1 day ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

HONOLULU (Island News) -- Even though a bill to expand the state's red light camera program died this legislative session, the Department of Transportation (DOT) still plans to shift the pilot program into high gear. At 10 different intersections around Oahu, red light cameras catch drivers crossing through when they shouldn't. A lot of drivers. Adding up to nearly 24,000 citations issued over a one year period, or roughly 65 per day.
Hawaii Congresswoman takes aims at ghost guns with new legislation

2 days ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

Hawaii Congresswoman Jill Tokuda targets illegal firearms with proposed legislation: the Ghost Act. This comes after a sharp increase in ghost guns being recovered at island crime scenes. The Ghost Act wouldn't actually regulate the ghostly parts of weapons being made by 3D printers, those without serial numbers or registration. Instead, it would regulate the upper part of guns, like the barrel. Those parts are now legally bought and sold over the internet.
Real ID now required for flights at airports, do you have yours?

1 week ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

HONOLULU (Island News) -- Real ID requirements went into effect for travelers at airports around the country. Some travelers planned ahead for this day, like Joseph Rodriguez from San Diego, who got his driver's license two years ago. "When I first got my drivers license, they asked me if I wanted a Real ID and I said yeah, so I signed up for it," stated Rodriguez. But his friend Gabriel Rosales never upgraded his ID. "I didn't think of it, and didn't know I would need it," said Rosales.
Could federal reductions be coming for Hawaii SNAP benefits?

1 week ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

HONOLULU (Island News) -- Kalihi resident Jesse Makamani is retired and relies on the $170 a month he receives in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits. "I use it to buy food and my medicine," said Makamani. He is one of the more than 160,000 people in Hawaii receiving SNAP benefits. "There's a lot of people who are struggling to make ends meet, where SNAP really makes a difference for their family," said Dept. of Human Services Administrator Scott Morishige.
Nearly 250 bills pass at Hawaii State Legislature

2 weeks ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

After a marathon day of measures being voted on by lawmakers here, now hundreds of bills will head to the Governor's desk for his signature. We see how lawmakers graded their efforts this legislative session. "We started with 3,000 bills, which are whittled down to today where we voted on 257 bills. In terms of grading us, I would give us an A," said House Speaker Nadine Nakamura.
See where food assistance resources go, as more hungry people need help in Hawaii

2 weeks ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

Food programs in Hawaii see some cuts in their federal funds. These reductions come as food insecurity rises in the islands. Some of the food from the Hawaii Foodbank, along with other donations, ends up at Wallyhouse where it is turned into hot meals 4 days a week. Volunteers make plates of food, and give it away to anyone who needs it. "Having that sense of security of where the next meal will come from is big," said Catholic Worker Jeremy Castro.
Hawaii's food insecurity at highest levels, as support from the federal government drops

2 weeks ago | waaytv.com | Paul Drewes

Click here for updates on this story HAWAII (KITV) -- There are more empty spaces on Hawaii Foodbank shelves, after a recent cut to funding from the federal government. "We normally carry about three to four weeks of inventory on hand at any given time. So all the food you see in the warehouse, we run through that in about three weeks. Right now we're closer to two," said Hawaii Foodbank President & CEO Amy Miller.
Hawaii's food insecurity at highest levels, as support from the federal government drops

2 weeks ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

There are more empty spaces on Hawaii Foodbank shelves, after a recent cut to funding from the federal government. "We normally carry about three to four weeks of inventory on hand at any given time. So all the food you see in the warehouse, we run through that in about three weeks. Right now we're closer to two," said Hawaii Foodbank President & CEO Amy Miller.
It's getting harder and more expensive to replace Hawaii's aging fire truck fleets

3 weeks ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

Fire trucks are critical for keeping communities safe, but at Hawaii stations and around the country, getting these trucks now take a lot longer and comes with a much higher price tag. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the big pumper trucks cost the Honolulu Fire department approximately $720,000 each. Now the price is $1,700,000 an increase of 136%. Maui County has seen a 20% increase in cost. Hawaii County more than 50%. And Kauai County? "Pre-COVID, I would say up to $800,000 for a fire engine.
Busier West Oahu buses prompt a call for a transportation study, even after federal funds disappear

3 weeks ago | kitv.com | Paul Drewes

Waianae resident Celeste Stone is a regular passenger on the Route 40 bus. "I ride it every day," stated Stone. She is one of the 6,700 daily riders who uses it to get around from Makaha to Honolulu. "I'm comfortable with the route they have, but I hope they don't cut back on the 40," said Stone. For others, riding the bus along the Waianae Coast can be a challenge.

Journalists covering the same region

Sheila Beal

Travel Writer at Freelance

Editor at Go Visit Hawaii

Sheila Beal primarily covers news in the Hawaiian Islands, United States, including areas such as Maui and the Big Island.

Megan Tagami

Education Reporter at Honolulu Civil Beat

Megan Tagami primarily covers news in the Hawaiian Islands, particularly around Maui and surrounding areas in the United States.

Susan Essoyan

Staff Writer at Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Susan Essoyan primarily covers news in the Hawaiian Islands, particularly around the areas of Maui and Oahu, United States.

Richard Wiens

News Editor at Honolulu Civil Beat

Richard Wiens primarily covers news in the Hawaiian Islands, specifically around Maui and Oahu, United States.

Sophia McCullough

Digital News Producer at KHPR-FM (Honolulu, HI)

Sophia McCullough primarily covers news in Hawaii, United States, focusing on areas including Maui and Oahu.

Contact details

Emails

[email protected]

Socials & Sites

Try JournoFinder For Free

Search and contact over 1M+ journalist profiles, browse 100M+ articles, and unlock powerful PR tools.

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial →

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)

Followers: 230
Tweets: 396
DMs Open: Yes

paul drewes @KITVPaulDrewes

15 Sep 21

For some, the pandemic economy is showing some improvement. But for those working in island food pantries, they see a different metric going up: food insecurity among island residents. Take a look at this KITV 4 Island News report. https://t.co/auZjojQVec https://t.co/zmxm3zgUhY

paul drewes @KITVPaulDrewes

3 May 21

Surf was up this weekend. Take a look at some of the island pics sent in, from this out of season NW swell. Be sure to get the latest forecast of our waves and weather on KITV Island News. https://t.co/15pVxASV2b

paul drewes @KITVPaulDrewes

26 Apr 21

https://t.co/iIWLGJ57xf

Paul Drewes

Articles

State to expand red light cameras, will start speeding fines for drivers

Hawaii Congresswoman takes aims at ghost guns with new legislation

Real ID now required for flights at airports, do you have yours?

Could federal reductions be coming for Hawaii SNAP benefits?

Nearly 250 bills pass at Hawaii State Legislature

See where food assistance resources go, as more hungry people need help in Hawaii

Hawaii's food insecurity at highest levels, as support from the federal government drops

Hawaii's food insecurity at highest levels, as support from the federal government drops

It's getting harder and more expensive to replace Hawaii's aging fire truck fleets

Busier West Oahu buses prompt a call for a transportation study, even after federal funds disappear

Journalists covering the same region

Sheila Beal

Megan Tagami

Susan Essoyan

Richard Wiens

Sophia McCullough

Contact details

Emails

Socials & Sites

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)