News briefs for Aug. 9: Honolulu police drones, commemorative ribbon, Little League winners and more

Registration open for 2026 Hawaiian Home Lands Sovereignty Conference

The 2026 Hawaiian Home Lands Sovereignty Conference is scheduled for Sept. 15-17 at Ala Moana Hotel in Waikiki. It’s purpose is to provide opportunities to network, convene and build capacity of Hawaiian communities, partners and allies. The conference is dedicated to the 203,000 acres of tribal lands in the Hawaiian Islands, established in 1920 by U.S. Congress.

Participants will hear from local and national policymakers, leaders in Native Hawaiian community development, capacity building and affordable housing practitioners, grant makers, grant writers, civic engagement specialists, lenders and more.

Registration is now open. Fees are $250, which directly supports convening costs. A limited number of registration scholarships are available. Email to conference@hawaiianhomesteads.org or call 808-312-1001 for additional information or with any questions.

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ACLU of Hawaiʻi opposes Honolulu police Drone as First Responder pilot program

American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi opposes Honolulu Police Department’s newly launched Drone as First Responder pilot program, which began operations Aug. 5, calling on the department and Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement to halt the program until Honolulu City Council enacts binding oversight legislation with meaningful civil liberties protections.

Honolulu Police Department announced it will deploy drones in response to 9-1-1 calls in Downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, Nuʻuanu, Mākiki, Ala Moana, Kakaʻako, Kalihi, ʻIwilei, Kapālama, ʻAlewa, Moanalua and Salt Lake. These are among the most diverse, working-class, and immigrant communities on Oʻahu, and now they will be the first to live under these surveillance drones.

The published Drone as First Responder policy prohibits “random surveillance” but does not include a warrant requirement for drone deployment, does not establish independent auditing and does not impose binding limits for how long footage can be retained or with whom it can be shared. Honolulu police also have not committed to prohibiting the use of facial recognition technology in conjunction with the drone program. American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi argues that a policy written by police, without legislative backing, is not an adequate substitute for law.

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Aloha Festivals unveils 2026 commemorative ribbon celebrating 80 years of aloha

Aloha Festivals unveiled its official 2026 commemorative ribbon, inviting residents and visitors to celebrate the organization’s 80th anniversary while supporting the largest Hawaiian cultural celebration in the United States. Available for $10, all proceeds benefit Aloha Festivals and help fund its free cultural programs and signature events throughout September.

Designed by Aloha Festivals Board Director Kuʻuipo Lorenzo, the limited-edition ribbon features a honu (Hawaiian green sea turtle) encircled by a lei of melia, or plumeria, blossoms symbolizing the 2026 theme “80 Years of Aloha: Our Culture, Our Stories, Celebrating Our Island Home.”

The annual commemorative ribbon has become a cherished tradition for residents and visitors, serving as a collectible keepsake and way to support Hawaiʻi’s largest Hawaiian cultural celebration. Commemorative ribbons are available for purchase at the Aloha Festivals website.

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Schatz congratulates Pearl City Little League for Senior League World Series win

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaiʻi, released the following statement congratulating Pearl City Little League on winning the 2026 Senior League World Series:

“Congratulations to Pearl City Little League on an incredible win! These young athletes represented Hawaiʻi with heart and determination. Hawaiʻi is proud of you. Congratulations, champions!”

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Hirono marks 3 years since devastating, deadly Maui wildfires

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawaiʻi Democrat, on Aug. 8 commemorated the third anniversary of the devastating, deadly Maui wildfires.

“Aug. 8 is a day the people of Maui, and Hawaiʻi, will never forget,” said Hirono in a statement. “Three years later, we still feel the weight of the devastating losses wrought by the wildfires, especially the 102 community members whose lives were tragically lost. As we mourn these losses, we also recognize the incredible strength and unity shown by the people of Maui over the past 3 years.”

The progress made during the past 3 years is inspiring, Hirono said, adding that more than $2.8 billion in federal recovery aid delivered to date spans every step of the rebuilding process: “But the road to full recovery remains long. I remain fully committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to advocate for the ongoing federal funding and long-term support Maui needs to fully rebuild.”