Elected officials, health experts and others celebrated the groundbreaking of construction and renaming of the Straub Benioff Medical Center, following a $100 million donation from tech billionaire and philanthropist Marc Benioff.

According to this year's Point in Time Count, the amount of people experiencing homelessness increased by about 12%. For those unsheltered, the increase was higher at 17%. Throughout one day in January, volunteers surveyed Oʻahu's homeless population. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on the latest data.

Oʻahu homeless numbers are up by 12% over last year — about the same as in 2018, according to the annual Point in Time Count. Gov. Josh Green talked with The Conversation on Thursday morning about the long view in tackling the homeless and housing crisis.

Prosecutors allege that Mitsunaga & Associates employees conspired to bribe then-Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro with campaign donations in exchange for Kaneshiro's prosecution of a former company employee.

The Community Representation Initiative for Red Hill announced this week that chemicals, also known as PFAS, have been found in the Navy’s water system. The detections were found at homes at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Hawaiʻi drivers will soon be able to get a license plate with famed Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku. Money from the new plates will go towards promoting water safety.

State lawmakers approved a bill to protect local macadamia nut farmers. It now awaits the governor’s signature to become law. Similar to a coffee labeling measure passed this year, the macadamia nut bill would require sold packages to indicate if they contain foreign-grown nuts.

Most Hawaiʻi residents will likely see lower income taxes next year due to a measure passed by the state Legislature. Lawmakers say it's the biggest tax cut in state history: about $5 billion over the next five years. As HPR's Ashley Mizuo explains, some advocates say those changes could limit tax assistance for those who need it most.

For two weeks 17 “bellwether” families shared how they were affected after the 2021 leak from the Navy’s fuel tanks into its water system, which serves 93,000 people.

As it stands, only 10% of coffee in packages labeled "Hawaiʻi grown" must be sourced locally. Growers say that's deceptive to buyers and harmful to the local industry. New legislation awaiting the governor's signature would require roasted, instant or ready-to-drink coffee marketed as "locally sourced" to have at least 51% local coffee. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.