Haley Lehman
Decisions made by city and county councilmembers impact the quality of the roads you drive on, how your neighborhood is zoned, what your property taxes cost, how easy it is to obtain a driver’s license, and more. While Aloha State Daily is based in Honolulu, I’ll cover the four counties and their governments statewide. I aim to hold civic leaders accountable for their actions and keep readers informed on the impacts to their daily lives.
I grew up in Virginia and received a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University. I got my start in journalism covering everything from crime and court to the state Legislature at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Alaska. My time at the News-Miner taught me that local journalism is all about people: telling their stories and reporting news most relevant to them.
As a newcomer to the Islands, I am looking forward to getting to know the Rainbow State and its residents.
Haley Lehman can be reached at Haley@alohastatedaily.com.
Latest from Haley Lehman
Hawaiʻi remembers 9/11: annual day of remembrance honors fallen and first responders
Hawaiʻi leaders and residents honored the 2,977 victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including people with connections to Hawaiʻi, during a ceremony at the Honolulu Hale on Friday evening.
Haley LehmanSeptember 12, 2026
Retailers say fines for illegal peddling are too low
The Honolulu City Council is considering a bill that would increase the fines for unlawful peddling on Oʻahu.
Haley LehmanSeptember 12, 2026
Homeowners vs. hikers: Council weighs in with no-parking proposal
A proposal to paint curbs with "no parking" near trailheads is before the Honolulu City Council. The bill has received opposition from the Department of Transportation Services, while residents have voiced frustration over congestion on streets near public trailheads.
Haley LehmanSeptember 11, 2026
“The primary is not pau:” The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court orders new primary election in tied Makakilo race
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled Friday that the House District 43 primary race will go back to the voters in November.
Haley LehmanSeptember 05, 2026
Volunteers battle coqui frog infestation in Pālolo Valley
The Pālolo Coqui volunteer group is working alongside the Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee and state agencies to contain a coqui frog infestation in their neighborhood.
Haley LehmanSeptember 05, 2026
Making Makiki’s streets safer
The City and County of Honolulu will repave and restripe Wilder Avenue and Piʻikoi Street later this year and in early 2027 in an effort to improve road safety in the Makiki neighborhood.
Haley LehmanSeptember 04, 2026
Supreme Court to decide future of House District 43 primary
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in the election contest of the Makakilo primary race that was settled by a tiebreaker in August.
Haley LehmanSeptember 03, 2026
Hawaiʻi County lease of Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park to end
Negotiations between the county and landowner Black Sand Beach LLC will cease Saturday without an agreement. County officials aim to "minimize the disruption" to the community, while tourism operators work to shift their itineraries.
Haley LehmanAugust 29, 2026
Shopping carts could be banned if removed from commercial stores
Sponsored by Chair Tommy Waters, Bill 53 is a "step toward reducing avoidable cost increases, while helping keep neighborhoods across O‘ahu safe and accessible," he says.
Haley LehmanAugust 28, 2026
Two candidates challenge primary election results
A lawsuit contesting the results of the August primary election for Makakilo in the state house is scheduled to go to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court next week, while a case for Waikīkī on the Honolulu City Council is still pending.
Haley LehmanAugust 28, 2026
Dog owners could be fined if their dog strays
Bill 16 would create a civil penalty structure with fines of $250, $500 or $1,000 depending on if a dog has strayed before.
Haley LehmanAugust 27, 2026
City rolls out new permitting system for public fields
Sports teams across Oʻahu are adjusting to a new permitting system rolled out by the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation on Monday.
Haley LehmanAugust 26, 2026
Kauaʻi County takes step to harden homes against wildfires
Kauaʻi County Council's Planning Committee this week took up Bill 2998, which, inspired by the loss of Lahaina, details ways to harden homes against wildfires. If adopted, the revised building codes would reduce the ways a fire can jump from fields to homes. At the same time, some attending the hearing worried the home modifications would make housing even more expensive.
Haley LehmanAugust 22, 2026
John Berry is living his dream, again
The new Honolulu Zoo Director John Berry took the role in July and said he is living his dream. Aloha State Daily caught up with Berry and some of his favorite zoo residents on Tuesday at the zoo.
Haley LehmanAugust 20, 2026
Environmental groups file lawsuit against Interior Secretary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Seven environmental groups filed a lawsuit against Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service alleging that the new Critical Habitat Exclusion Rule prioritizes economic development over environmental protections. The Interior Department wrote that they stand by the regulation.
Haley LehmanAugust 17, 2026
City to host community outreach event in Makiki
Residents can provide feedback on traffic safety improvements at 6:30 p.m. this Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Makiki District Park to The City and Council of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services and Honolulu Complete Streets.
Haley LehmanAugust 15, 2026
Honolulu City Council considers lowering motor vehicle weight tax
Bill 47, proposed by Chair Tommy Waters, aims to lower the motor vehicle weight tax by 1.5 cents per pound.
Haley LehmanAugust 13, 2026
LALA UPDATE: Government offices, public schools reopen Tuesday on Honolulu, Maui, Kauaʻi counties
Government offices and schools will remain closed on Tuesday, Aug. 18 for Hawaiʻi County. Here are the latest state and county updates.
Michael Brestovansky & Haley LehmanAugust 12, 2026
Maui County Council votes to expand fare-free bus access
Bill 95 expands eligibility for the fare-free bus access program to include more residents and gives authorization to the county's the director of transportation to suspend enforcement of fares for special events, parades or emergency closures for up to 14 days in a fiscal year.
Haley LehmanAugust 12, 2026
Office of Economic Revitalization slated to close Friday
The City and County of Honolulu Office of Revitalization announced Aug. 7 that it will close on Friday, Aug. 14, after the Honolulu City Council cut the office’s budget by $2 million.
Haley LehmanAugust 11, 2026
Compassion leads Regina DoDaro's approach to Hawaiʻi Island animal control
Regina DoDaro took the helm of the Hawaiʻi County's Animal Control and Protection Agency on Aug. 3.
Haley LehmanAugust 07, 2026