Dan Nakaso

Gov. Josh Green today signed into law a bill that gives counties the ability to better regulate short-term vacation rentals in the hope of freeing up affordable, long-term housing for island residents.

The Hawaii legislative session began Jan. 17 clouded in unknowns over how much money would be available overall, how much could be spent to help Maui recover from the Aug. 8 wildfires, and concerns that lawmakers would have to tap into the state’s so-called rainy day fund to meet Hawaii’s needs.

Here is the status of major bills following the end of the 60-day Hawaii legislative session on Friday. The bills listed as passed were approved by both the House and Senate. Original bills that are known as acts have been signed into law by Gov. Josh Green.

Notices of an ongoing homeless sweep at Maui’s Kahului Boat Harbor by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources lack the same information that was cited by the Hawaii Supreme Court in a challenge to Maui County’s homeless sweeps.

Former Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing faces an additional $18,250 in state Campaign Spending Commission fines after the commission on Wednesday made a “preliminary determination” of probable cause that Ing committed another 24 violations of campaign spending laws.

In an unusually quiet election year, there will be no race for Hawaii governor and no serious challengers to either Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi or Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm.

A newly passed bill before Gov. Josh Green would protect homeless shelters that take in minors without the consent of their parents or guardians.

The latest number of homeless people who were counted across Oahu in January will be released today in the latest benchmark of homelessness in Honolulu.

The number of homeless people on Oahu increased for the second year in a row — to 4,494 in January — with the greatest increase among those considered “unsheltered,” meaning they were not staying in homeless shelters.

May 15—1/3 Swipe or click to see more JAMM AQUINO / [email protected] A homeless encampment is seen, Tuesday, in Honolulu.