Honolulu daily headlines: City budget plan, UH Cancer Center cyber incident, and a key utility hearing
Honolulu, HI – March 5, 2026 – A proposed city budget, a UH Cancer Center cyber incident, a power-line hearing, and a Lanikai Pillbox rescue update.
1) City Hall rolls out a proposed FY2027 budget
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi released a proposed $5 billion operating and capital improvements budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The plan is smaller than the current year by about $133.6 million, with city leaders pointing to economic uncertainty and expectations of flat property tax growth.
Major revenue streams cited include real property taxes, sewer service charges, and Oahu transient accommodations tax revenue. Next up: City Council budget hearings in the coming weeks before a final vote.
2) UH Cancer Center reports cyberattack involving older research records
The University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center said a cyber incident affected records in its Epidemiology Division. The report said sensitive identifiers may have been exposed, including Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers tied largely to older Hawai‘i driver’s license and voter registration records used for research.
The notice said letters were mailed to many study participants and that credit monitoring and identity protection services are being offered, along with a dedicated call center for people checking whether they may be impacted.
3) Public hearing set on a proposed overhead line tied to a solar project
State utility regulators announced a public hearing on March 9 at the O‘ahu Veterans Center in Honolulu. The hearing is tied to a request involving an amended power purchase agreement for the Pu‘uloa Solar project, described as a 6-megawatt photovoltaic system paired with battery storage.
The filing includes a proposal to build a short overhead sub-transmission line extension near Salt Lake Boulevard and Namur Road to interconnect the project with the island grid. Written public comments will also be accepted.
4) Lanikai Pillbox rescue highlights ongoing trail safety demands
Honolulu firefighters airlifted an injured hiker from the Lanikai Pillbox area on Wednesday morning after an ankle injury. She was transferred to emergency medical personnel after the helicopter operation.
As visitor numbers stay high on popular ridge trails, this was a reminder that even short hikes can quickly turn into rescues when footing goes bad.
Sources
- https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/03/04/mayor-proposes-5b-fiscally-disciplined-budget-amid-economic-uncertainty/
- https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/evening-briefing/2026/03/04/hawaii-evening-briefing–march-3–2026
- https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/press-release-puc-conducts-public-hearing-on-hawaiian-electrics-overhead-line-construction-for-puuloa-solar-project/
- https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/03/04/firefighters-airlift-hiker-lanikai-pillbox/
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