Stewart Yerton

2 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Stewart Yerton

Māmaki producers say they support efforts to protect Hawaiʻi-grown products but fear this bill could put companies out of business. It’s been a rocky year for Matt and Andrea Drayer, two of the state’s largest growers of Hawaiian māmaki tea. In late 2024, the company saw the closing of its largest buyer, Shaka Tea, whose bottled, ready-to-drink māmaki beverages created a new market for the Hawaiian herb.

4 weeks ago | civilbeat.org | Stewart Yerton

Gov. Josh Green said the money will help “weather the storm” of potential cuts from Washington, D.C.Hawaiʻi will receive $700 million under a settlement with two major pharmaceutical companies that failed to properly label a blood thinner known to pose risks to non-Caucasian patients. Gov. Josh Green said he expects the money to be used for a variety of health and human services programs, subject to approval by the Legislature.

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Stewart Yerton

New bill establishes state insurance and loan programs after years of false starts, allowing the government to serve as the insurer of last resort for condo associations. Marcia Kimura needs help with her condo insurance. The 71-year-old retiree this year saw her association fee increase $71 a month because of rising insurance rates. It’s a lot for Kimura, whose income amounts to Social Security payments of about $865 per month.

1 month ago | chronicle-tribune.com | Stewart Yerton

Hawaiʻi lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill intended to help shore up Hawaiian Electric Co.’s credit rating despite strong opposition from House and Senate committee chairs who helped vet the measure. The bill would impose a new fee on HECO customers to help pay for investments needed to protect the public from wildfires. But that’s not what drew criticism from Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, chair of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, and Rep.

1 month ago | civilbeat.org | Stewart Yerton

Energy advocates say HECO’s effort to increase rates sidesteps ratepayer protection law. Utility regulators have given Hawaiian Electric Co. the green light to pursue its first major rate increase in more than five years. The result could mean higher electric bills for residents and businesses by the end of 2026. The utility says it has gone years without hiking its base ratedespite skyrocketing costs of materials.