Hawaii sues TikTok parent company, Hawaii County Council passes plastic foodware ban, Honolulu teen's family to get $1M in police shooting, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

‘The mental health and well-being of our keiki must come first’: State announces TikTok lawsuit. The state of Hawaiʻi is suing the parent company of TikTok, Bytedance Inc., for the alleged addictive platform design that causes harm to its users, especially children, whom they have exploited for economic gain. KHON2. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.  Star-Advertiser.

Rep. Lamosao named to replace Sen. Aquino. State Rep. Rachele Lamosao (D-Waipahu) has been selected by Gov. Josh Green to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Sen. Henry Aquino (D, Pearl City- Waipahu-West Loch). Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Honolulu Rail Pays $41 Million In Dispute Over Ala Moana Extension. The settlement gives the city the easements it needs to build through Kakaʻako, but HART does not yet have the money to construct that segment. Civil Beat.

City council passes bill to allow media police scanner access. The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 46 Wednesday, which would require the Honolulu Police Department to release certain public information to the public and the media. The measure was introduced by council chair Tommy Waters and council member Augie Tulba in an effort to force the department to allow news organizations to access police scanner communication. Hawaii News Now.

HPD says fraud losses total $7 million in 2025. Law enforcement officials, kupuna advocates and state lawmakers urged caution and vigilance Wednesday after Honolulu police reported Oahu residents lost more than $7 million in 222 fraud cases this year. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Shooting: Teen’s Family To Get $1 Million Despite Pushback. Honolulu City Council members approved the settlement to protect the officers involved in the 2021 fatal shooting of Iremamber Sykap from future liability. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Oʻahu officials reconsider controversial North Shore gondola proposal. A controversial gondola project on Oʻahu could be halted as it is at risk of losing its conditional use permit. Hawaii Public Radio.

HPD staffing task force recommends increased incentives. A Honolulu City Council task force empaneled to help the Honolulu Police Department recruit and retain officers is recommending housing stipends, retention bonuses and other incentives. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Council passes plastic foodware bill despite mayor’s concerns. Mayor Kimo Alameda issued a forceful plea Wednesday urging the Hawaii County Council to reject Bill 83, warning that new restrictions on disposable plastic and polystyrene foodware would drive up costs for families and strain county resources. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawaii Health Systems Corp., Queen’s partnership to expand care in Kona. Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday announced plans by a new public-­private partnership to build a new outpatient medical facility, with $50 million in state bonds, next door to the new hospital planned by Queen’s in Kailua-Kona. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Prosecutors seek to detain Sulla, allege wrongdoing on release. Federal prosecutors have filed a motion to revoke bond for a Hilo attorney convicted in U.S. District Court and awaiting sentencing for an affordable housing credits scam.The motion filed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Margaret Nammar seeks to detain Paul J. Sulla Jr. pending sentencing. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island residents can keep riding Hele-On buses for free. Hawaiʻi County's Hele-On bus system will stay free for another three years. Officials voted to extend the late pandemic era program that was set to expire this month. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Maui visitor spending increases in October despite fewer visitors. Ten months into 2025, Maui is still outpacing last year’s visitor totals — even though October delivered the island’s first year-over-year dip since midsummer. Maui Now.

Measles virus detected in Maui County’s wastewater surveillance. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is monitoring the first-ever detection of the measles virus in Maui County’s wastewater. Maui Now.

Kauai

A Month After Kauaʻi ICE Raid, Questions Linger. None of the 44 workers detained that day ended up seeking asylum. Their employer, a local janitorial contractor, has faced federal scrutiny before. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency seeks public input on disaster mitigation plan. The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency is inviting residents to help update the county’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan, a five-year strategy aimed at reducing risks from natural disasters and strengthening community preparedness. Kauai Now.

Hawaii GOP in disarray; US military seeks to increase training, mines, off Hawaii; 7 governors support Kamehameha Schools in racial preference lawsuit, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi’s GOP Continues To Fight Amongst Itself As The 2026 Elections Loom. The state Republican Party just elected its third chair in six months while several party officials have recently resigned over fights with leadership. Hawaiʻi’s minority party now has the most elected members in the Legislature since the halcyon days of GOP Gov. Linda Lingle in the 2000s. Civil Beat.

Military selects Pacific training preferences. The U.S. military announced Tuesday it had released its “record of decision” on preferences for training in the Pacific as it seeks new operating permits. The proposed course includes  increases in training around both California and Hawaii from the previous permit, including the installation and maintenance of mine training areas off Hawaii and Southern California.  Star-Advertiser.

Seven Hawaii governors support Kamehameha Schools admissions policy. All seven living Hawaiʻi governors, from current Gov. Josh Green to George Ariyoshi, 99, said some wrongly seek to undermine Princess Bernice Pauahi’s vision by forcing Kamehameha Schools to disregard her 1883 directive giving preference to Native Hawaiians. Hawaii News Now.

Lights, camera, comeback: Major 2026 productions signal rebound for Hawaii film & TV industry.  Hawaii’s film and TV industry has been quiet for months. But new signs of life are emerging, and for local workers whose livelihoods were at risk, it couldn’t come soon enough. KHON2.

Trump admin’s proposed rules may deter Hawaii's future nurse practitioners. Nurses are often the first primary care providers you'll see when needing care, and now the federal government is looking to reclassify them, which will impact the amount of money nursing students could borrow for advanced degrees. KITV4.

Oahu

Some Honolulu charter amendment proposals seek to improve food security, farming. Nearly 280 proposed charter amendments have been submitted to the Honolulu Charter Commission, including several with a focus on improving farming or ensuring that residents don’t go hungry. Hawaii Public Radio.

AI Is Everywhere. Will Honolulu Voters Get To Set Limits? Artificial intelligence is already widely used in city government. Some residents want to see the charter updated to require more transparency. Civil Beat.

Task force proposes housing stipends, bonuses to fill HPD vacancies. With more than 600 officer and civilian openings at the Honolulu Police Department, a new report is offering solutions. Lawmakers and law enforcement leaders say the key to reducing vacancies is incentives. Hawaii News Now.

New Honolulu Liquor Commission administrator sought. Honolulu Liquor Commission Administrator Salvador Petilos was charged with leading reform efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the wake of lawsuits the agency was forced to settle alleging discrimination and misconduct by liquor investigators. Star-Advertiser.

North Shore gondola project hits snag as DPP reconsidering developer’s conditional use permit. The proposed gondola project on Oahu’s North Shore has hit a snag. The city’s permitting office says there are issues with the project’s initial permits. That could prevent any further development in the area and leave the idea of gondolas dangling in the air. KHON2.

Coca-Cola’s Hawaii bottling plant to close in January. The 65-year-old Mapunapuna bottling plant, operating since 1960, will not have a successor, and instead, the Coca-Cola franchise owner will focus on distribution, and will build a new warehouse in Kapolei.  Star-Advertiser.

‘What’s That Smell?’ Mysterious Stench Stumps Nānākuli Residents. A West Side community has been plagued for several months by a deathly stink, but no one knows where it’s coming from. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

High court to hear case regarding retired West Hawaii firefighters. Two retired Hawaii Fire Department battalion chiefs who sued former Fire Chief Darren Rosario and lost both their Circuit Court case and their appeal to the Intermediate Court of Appeals will have their case heard by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Tribune-Herald.

Immigration resolution advances. A Hawaii County Council committee on Tuesday advanced a resolution opposing the Trump administration’s recent immigration directives and urging the state to limit local involvement in federal civil enforcement. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County Council member Ashley Kierkiewicz on adjusting affordable housing rules. Hawaiʻi County is looking to change some of its affordable housing rules. Over the past few weeks, there have been community meetings about this topic — with the latest one wrapping up late Monday afternoon in Hilo. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hilo fires over Thanksgiving weekend raise alarm about safety of county’s aging buildings, infrastructure. After two fires engulfed decades-old buildings in Hilo over Thanksgiving weekend, killing two people, causing evacuations and leaving dozens homeless, Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said Monday he is concerned about the emerging trend of aging buildings, infrastructure, and even trees, becoming safety hazards. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui reaches 100th rebuilt structure in wildfire zones.  Maui County has marked the completion of the 100th rebuilt structure in areas damaged by the 2023 wildfires, officials said Tuesday. Maui News. KHON2. 

Maui microtransit options explored for Kula-Upcountry and Waiheʻe-Kahului, Dec. 10. Community members are invited to a County of Maui Department of Transportation (DOT) virtual meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, to offer feedback on a proposed public transportation option called microtransit for Kula-Upcountry and Waiheʻe-Kahului areas. Maui Now.

Maui council advances vacation rental bill aimed at increasing housing stock. The Maui County Council continues to weigh a bill that would phase out about half of vacation rentals.  Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency seeks public input on disaster mitigation plan. The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency is inviting residents to help update the county’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan, a five-year strategy aimed at reducing risks from natural disasters and strengthening community preparedness. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi to host gala in hopes of raising funds for food security. Hawaiʻi Foodbank Kauaʻi will host its first Nourish Gala in a couple of weeks, where the community will come together to raise funds to ensure Garden Isle residents have dependable access to fresh, locally grown foods. Kauai Now.

Rank-and-file left behind as government officials get big raises, Maui council advances vacation rental phase-out, arson not suspected in Hilo fires, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Recent Government Salary Hikes At The Top Leave Many Public Workers Behind. Hawaiʻi state and local governments invested in executives and senior managers with a recent round of hefty raises that did not extend to a majority of the public-sector workforce, the latest update to Civil Beat’s Public Employee Salary database shows. Raises for many top bosses on July 1 range from 15% at the state level to more than 50% at the county level for a select group of appointed and elected officials. Most rank-and-file workers received increases of between about 2% and 4% this year following union negotiations. Civil Beat.

Civil Beat’s Public Salary Database Is Updated. Here’s How To Use It. Civil Beat’s database of Hawaiʻi public employee salaries has been updated with the latest numbers for the fiscal year running from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. Civil Beat.

.08 is Hawaii’s blood alcohol content limit under DUI laws. Some want that changed. Hawaii’s legal limit for blood alcohol content stands at .08, which is in alignment with most of the country. Depending on a number of factors like gender, and weight, reaching .08 on average is reached after about three to five drinks. Hawaii News Now.

DHHL expects to meet deadline to spend $600M. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands anticipates meeting a June 30 deadline to fully use $600 million appropriated in mid-2022 by the Legislature mainly to develop homestead lots for beneficiaries. Star-Advertiser.

Here's what proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act mean for Hawaiʻi. The Department of the Interior proposed new rules to the ESA in late November that would allow the federal government to take into account economic factors when deciding to list a new species or designate critical habitat for a protected species. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

New city 3-1-1 app and system expected to speed up resident's requests. Most know about calling 9-1-1 for emergencies, or 2-1-1 for assistance or support, but do you know about dialing 3-1-1? That is the city's site for Honolulu residents to request services in their community. KITV4.

DPP closes building permit counter for a week. The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting has closed its building permit counter through Friday to deal with a stated backlog of permits stuck in the prescreen process since the summer time. Star-Advertiser.

Family housing service provider sees increase in calls for assistance. Family Promise of Hawaiʻi, an organization that serves families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, has seen the number of calls for assistance significantly increase over the last few months. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Council resolution urges state to push back against Trump’s immigration order. A new resolution before the Hawaii County Council is challenging the Trump administration’s latest immigration directives and urging the state to resist stepped-up federal enforcement. Tribune-Herald.

No-parking change proposed for Kona street. Bill 109, introduced by Council Chair Holeka Inaba, would amend Chapter 24 of the Hawaii County Code to revise the existing no-parking designation on Hina-Lani Street. Tribune-Herald.

Arson not suspected in Hilo fire that burned multiple buildings. Fire investigators also reported there was no indication of accelerants or evidence of foul play, and the cause of the fire is currently classified as undetermined, police said in a follow-up statement on Monday. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  KHON2.  KITV4. 

Maui

Maui County Council Advances Plan To Phase Out Short-Term Vacation Rentals. The Maui County Council voted 5 to 3 on Monday to pass the first of three readings on Bill 9 — Mayor Richard Bissen’s divisive proposal to convert 6,100 short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing for Maui residents. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News.  Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Community Meeting set for Wednesday, Dec. 3. Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Hawaiian Electric to install bird diverters using drones on Maui. Hawaiian Electric will be installing power line markers also known as bird diverters on its electrical infrastructure using unmanned aircrafts, or drones, in parts of Kahakuloa, Honomanū, and Keālia National Wildlife Refuge areas from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and weather permitting. Electric service will not be impacted. Maui Now.

Kauai

SHOPO says it will work with new Kauaʻi police chief amid call for transparency. On Nov. 21, the Kauaʻi Police Commission made a conditional offer to San Diego Police Department Deputy Chief Rudy Tai to lead the island’s beleaguered police department. The State of Hawaiʻi Organization of Police Officers said it wants to help Tai succeed, despite its concerns about his past. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai lifeguard discharged from hospital after shark bite. Chance Swanson, 33, was surfing at a spot he frequents just outside of Hanalei Bay when he was bitten by a shark that severed a major artery in his leg. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

More lights on tap for the holidays. The Kauai Rotary Club Lights on Rice holiday parade is coming on Friday, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Rice Street. Garden Island.

Green seeks $500M to clean military munitions; Hilo fires destroy historic buildings, kill 2, displace dozens; commercial boat operations to return to Lahaina, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How Far Will $500M Go To Clean Up Army Bombs Left In Hawaiʻi? Gov. Josh Green has requested a $10 billion investment for the military to continue training on state lands, including funds for cleaning military waste.  Civil Beat.

Holiday discounts, vacancies signal Hawaii tourism downturn. Hawaii’s visitor industry is confronting one of its weakest holiday seasons in recent memory, with hoteliers reporting rare availability during the traditionally sold‑out festive period and industry leaders warning of mounting economic pressures. Star-Advertiser.

University of Hawaii seeks funding for student athletes. UH officials say that staying competitive in the NCAA’s Mountain West Conference of mid-major schools will take $5 million in annual public funding on top of private funding, and that the new landscape has already negatively affected recruiting. Star-Advertiser.

Trans Community Hits New Barriers To Gender-Affirming Care In Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi has one of the highest per-capita populations of transgender people in the nation and māhū, which means “dual spirit” or “third gender,” is deeply rooted in Native Hawaiian culture. According to the Williams Institute at UCLA, 3.6% of Hawaiʻi youth and 0.7% of adults identify as transgender.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Council’s ‘constitutional rights’ resolution advances. An attempt to forge trust between local government and all Oahu residents is the aim of new Honolulu City Council legislation. Council’s Resolution 301 urges Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration to affirm the constitutional rights of all City and County of Honolulu residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Star-Advertiser.

State laying foundation to boost Central Oahu food production. Two state agencies recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for what they are calling the Central Oahu Agriculture and Food Hub on a site that was once an operations base of sugarcane and pineapple producer Dole Food Co. in Whitmore Village. Star-Advertiser.

Rail Work Is Causing Pedestrian Hazards And Headaches On Dillingham. Construction crews have torn up not just the streets but also the sidewalks, leading to potential ADA violations. Civil Beat.

Panel picks 3 finalists for city’s Ocean Safety chief. John Titchen, the City and County of Honolulu’s former top lifeguard, who was terminated from his job in 2024 over claims of insubordination following an alleged row inside the Mayor’s Office, is now a finalist for his prior post. Besides Titchen, the commission is considering Ron Bregman, a retired city lifeguard lieutenant who now works as aquatics director and chief lifeguard for Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe; and Kurt Lager, currently the designated director of the Ocean Safety Department. Star-Advertiser.

Schofield soldiers developing drones for Pacific operations.  25th Infantry Division’s “Lightning Lab” at Schofield Barracks is the division’s “innovation and development” section, meant to look at how new technology can help support the division’s soldiers and leaders. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Overhaul of county’s affordable housing rules eyed. Hawaii County officials are inviting a limited number of residents to weigh in on proposed changes to the county’s affordable housing rules at a second public housing summit on Monday from 1 to 4 p.m. in Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Fire razes four buildings in downtown Hilo. Sunday’s fire occurred just a day after an early morning fire killed two people and displaced 28 others at the old Puueo Poi factory apartments just off Kekuanaoa Street in midtown Hilo.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Festival Inspired By ‘Burning Man’ Ignites Big Island Debate. The events on private property outside of Hilo were held without permits, and critics say they should not be allowed to continue, especially on agricultural land. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Island chosen to host prestigious international Indigenous conference in 2028. The largest and most influential Indigenous Peoples’ conference will be coming to the Big Island. Maui Now.

Monk seal hospital begins vaccine trial for bird flu in pups. The Marine Mammal Center of California is taking a proactive step by running a trial on the effectiveness of H5N1 vaccines on two monk seal pups at its specialized hospital in Kona. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Limited commercial boat operations to return to Lahaina Harbor for first time since destructive wildfire of 2023.  On Dec. 15, following the difficult removal of the sunken boats, restoration of the fueling station and repairs of the bathrooms, the state-run harbor will begin to slowly allow commercial marine operations to return with loading and unloading permitted at the dock during daytime hours. Maui Now.

State clarifies Central Maui pumping data; groundwater aquifer limits are under review. State water regulators have clarified data regarding groundwater pumping in Central Maui, acknowledging that while current withdrawals exceed official sustainable yield limits, those limits are conservative estimates that are now under re-evaluation. Maui Now.

Brown grass cost a famed golf course a big tournament and highlighted Hawaii water problems. High up on the slopes of the west Maui mountains, the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort provides golfers with expansive ocean views. The course is so renowned that The Sentry, a $20 million signature event for the PGA Tour, had been held there nearly every year for more than a quarter-century. Associated Press.

Kauai

Permanent striping of the Kīlauea roundabout begins Monday. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) will close the Kolo Road access from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday until Dec. 12. During these hours, Kīlauea Town can be accessed through Pūʻeli Road and Hoʻokūʻi Road. Kauai Now.

Small Business strong. Tucked between the shopping frenzy of the Black Friday weekend, Small Business Saturday capitalized on the adaptability and flexibility of small businesses to get a share of the shopping pie. Garden Island.

Hawaiians celebrate their independence day, military plans to house hypersonic missiles in Hawaii, sports' survival may take taxpayer dollars, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Moment — Lā Kūʻokoʻa, Hawaiian Independence Day. In the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, Nov. 28 was an official holiday called Lā Kūʻokoʻa, or Independence Day. This was the day in 1843 when England and France formally recognized Hawaiʻi’s independence. Maui Now.

Military leased lands panel begins laying groundwork for future talks with U.S. Army. Members used their inaugural meeting — in advance of meeting with the governor — to review their roles and responsibilities, discuss a general framework to proceed and develop a shared understanding of the choices before the state — lease, land exchange and condemnation. Big Island Now.

Plans to house hypersonic missiles in Hawaii years away, experts say. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda said she’s investigating reports that the U.S. Navy is planning to base a future arsenal of hypersonic weapons in the Aloha State. A Hawaii congresswoman said she’s investigating reports that the U.S. Navy is planning to base a future arsenal of hypersonic weapons in the Aloha State. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi works to fill the gap left by narrowed fair housing protections. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s rollback of protections for housing discrimination related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and English language proficiency will likely impact Hawaiʻi residents’ options for reporting housing discrimination. Hawaii Public Radio.

Goodwill Hawaii sees surging demand but falling donations as holidays approach. This fall, Goodwill stores statewide have reported double-digit increases in customers, including families seeking lower-cost holiday items. But donations haven’t kept pace.  Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii joins states suing over SNAP cuts for legal immigrants. A group of Democratic-led states, including Hawaii, sued Wednesday to block President Donald Trump’s administration from cutting off food aid benefits for tens of thousands of legal immigrants by declaring certain groups of non-citizens ineligible for the anti-hunger program. Reuters.

Lawsuit Claims ‘Negligence’ Led To Fatal Stabbing Of State Hospital Nurse. Family claims administrators at Hawaiʻi’s only public psychiatric hospital failed to institute basic safety protocols to prevent the death of Justin Bautista by a patient. Civil Beat.

Sporting event survival may demand taxpayer dollars. The state already supports sports with significant investments, including $350 million to replace Aloha Stadium. But experts say changes in the sports business landscape will make state subsidies even more essential. Hawaii News Now.

Can Hawaiʻi Tackle Football’s Massive Carbon Footprint? Sports organizers, including the International Olympic Committee, are increasingly grappling with how to handle carbon emissions related to big events. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Could Become The First US City Where Food Is A Human Right. Among dozens of proposed amendments that the Charter Commission will consider putting on the ballot next fall is one underscoring a basic need: to eat. Civil Beat.

Honolulu EMS announces significant pay raises to boost staffing. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services will implement significant pay raises starting in January to recruit and retain experienced paramedics, EMTs and dispatchers who handle about 9,000 calls every month island-wide. Hawaii News Now.

Medical helicopter group offers Oahu service. Global Medical Response is now offering emergency helicopter flight services from Oahu, with a newly established rotor-wing base at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Beetles Attacked Wahiawā Botanical Garden Trees, Closing Trails. A large swath of the central Oʻahu garden has been closed for many weeks due to a coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation. It is scheduled to reopen Thanksgiving weekend. Civil Beat.

Honolulu City Lights switch ‘on’ Saturday. Official lights will bring the holidays to life on Saturday when the switch to the 55-foot Christmas tree in front of Honolulu Hale is turned on during the electric light parade at the 41st Honolulu City Lights celebration. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

PGV seeks to boost power output by 5 megawatts. Puna Geothermal Venture shared progress about its repower project and discussed a pending state permit request during the company’s final quarterly community meeting of the year on Tuesday at the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility.  Tribune-Herald.

DAGS getting new digs in Honokaʻa. Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services is getting a new home on the Big Island, breaking ground earlier this month on a nearly $8 million base yard project in a different  location in Honokaʻa. Big Island Now.

Hilo’s Basically Books turns 40, hosts celebration Saturday. Basically Books is more than a bookstore — it’s Hilo’s gathering place for Hawaii’s finest authors, artists and musicians and their patrons, who are often as much friends as fans. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lahaina debris call center closes, marking progress toward completion. The debris removal process after the Lahaina fire has reached several milestones, more than two years after the blaze. The Lahaina debris call center has officially closed.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Two ʻalalā added to wild flock on Maui. The pilot project that released five ʻalalā (Hawaiian crows) into the forests of Maui in November of 2024 is taking steps to expand the flock. Two ʻalalā, a male and female, were recently translocated to the field aviary where the first five birds got their start more than a year ago. Maui Now.

Kauai

First major winter swell expected this weekend along north, west shorelines.  The first major winter swell of the season looks like it will arrive on Kaua‘i’s doorsteps this weekend, generating monster waves, with sets that could at times exceed 50 feet along northern shores. Kauai Now.

Solar installations soar but face dim future, Honolulu closes permit counter for a week, measles detected in Maui wastewater, Maui council choice falls to mayor, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii solar installations soar but industry faces ‘disruption’. Hawaii overall now has the highest per capita rate of rooftop solar installations at 45%, Hawaiian Electric said, citing data from the U.S. Energy Information Agency. ales of solar systems increased this year — especially over the past several months — as the Dec. 31 deadline approaches for 30% federal tax credits to expire. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii nurses warn proposed federal rule could worsen shortage. The plan limits how much nursing students can borrow for their training. A petition saying nursing is a professional degree is now being circulated. There are 17,000 nurses in Hawaiʻi, and nurses warn the proposed rule would make the years-long nursing shortage even worse. Hawaii News Now.

When Do Hawaiʻi’s Dying Inmates Deserve ‘Compassionate Release’? Advocates say we’re the only state without a law requiring release of dying inmates in some circumstances, and will press the Legislature to pass one. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Police Face Unique Barriers To Solving Violent Crimes. The percentage of violent crimes that end in an arrest or a closed case is declining, as agencies grapple with understaffing, insufficient technology and geographical challenges of an island state. Civil Beat.

Can Hawaiʻi's coral reefs survive increased oceanic heat waves?  A marine heat wave has been cooking the North Pacific Ocean over the last several months, endangering underwater ecosystems. Cloudy weather saved the day, sparing corals from damaging irradiation. Temperatures are now dropping. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chief State Economist Seth Colby named the new head of Budget and Finance. Gov. Josh Green has announced that Seth Colby will be the next director of the state Department of Budget and Finance, starting in less than two weeks. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now. 

Oahu

Honolulu Permit Counter Closing Next Week To Catch Up With Backlog. More than 800 projects are waiting to clear the first hurdle in the permitting process. Honolulu’s troubled permitting department will close its front counter services next week and won’t be accepting phone calls from the public as it tries to climb its way out of a six-week backlog of applications.  Civil Beat.

Family of disabled woman loses thousands in forged deed scam. A Waianae family lost their disabled relative’s one-acre property to alleged title theft despite working with attorneys to gain legal guardianship and sell the home to pay for her care. Hawaii News Now.

Christmas tree sales begin as Hawaii family tradition comes to a close. Paula Tajiri, owner of Christmas Hawaii, hopes her last year will be a good one, even though she’s cut shipments of trees from Washington in half — from 5,000 to 2,500. Star-Advertiser.

Tradition drives Hawaiian Pie Company through its peak season. As Thanksgiving approaches, the ovens at Hawaiian Pie Company in Kalihi are working overtime. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Kilauea lava fountaining ends after 9 hours in Halemaumau crater. Kilauea displays lava fountains for the 37th time since its eruption began last year. The on-and-off eruption that’s been dazzling residents and visitors on Hawaii’s Big Island for nearly a year resumed Tuesday as Kilauea volcano sent fountains of lava soaring 400 feet (122 meters) into the air.  Associated Press. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Star-Advertiser.

Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake In Puna Shakes Hawaiʻi Island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported the quake was not strong enough to generate a tsunami threat for Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Hawai‘i Island AgriPolicy Summit Set For December 11. Food producers, distributors, retailers, chefs, schools, nonprofits, and community advocates are invited to participate in the solutions-focused conversation. Big Island Video News.

Big Island Press Club to honor Julia Neal at Annual Torch of Light Luncheon and Silent Auction. The Big Island Press Club will host its annual Holiday Torch of Light Luncheon and Silent Auction from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the historic Plantation House in Pahala. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Split Maui Council Can’t Agree On New Member. Now The Mayor Will Decide. Since the death of Tasha Kama, the council is divided into two equal factions of four members. Civil Beat. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

DOH Monitoring first wastewater detection of measles in Maui County. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is monitoring a positive wastewater sample for the measles virus, the first-ever wastewater detection of the virus for Maui County.  Maui Now.

New report shows Maui County generates $103.7M in annual farm sales. Maui County produces about $103.7 million in agricultural goods each year, according to a new Farm Flavor analysis that ranks agricultural output across nearly 3,000 US counties and all 50 states. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi’s Next Top Cop Says He’s A Relationship-Builder. San Diego Deputy Chief Rudy Tai’s conditional appointment as Kauaʻi police chief marks a turning point for a department with a documented morale problem. Civil Beat.

12 programs receive grant funding to tackle community issues, push innovation on Kauaʻi. After receiving 28 proposals for its innovation grants for fiscal year 2025-2026, the Office of Economic Development has selected 12 initiatives that advance innovation, address community challenges, and strengthen Kaua‘i’s economic development. Kauai Now.

Loving Navy father dies while trying to save his son in Kauai waters. A trip to the beach turned into a tragedy for a Navy family stationed in West Kauai. Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz died Sunday, just one day before his 48th birthday. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Public-sector construction falls, teacher turnover intensifies, ousted occupants storm apartment building, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii construction report shows drop in public-sector projects. Pacific Resource Partnership said data for this year through Sept. 30 show that the industry remains strong with spending at $4.3 billion, though the sum trails full-year spending that was over $8 billion in each of the last three years, including $9.5 billion in 2023 and $8.4 billion in 2024. Star-Advertiser.

High teacher turnover challenges Hawaii public schools. The teacher turnover rate averages 15.7% statewide, according to the state Department of Education’s recent analysis. Some schools have posted turnover rates of 30% to 50% over two years. Star-Advertiser.

Bonuses Aren’t Solving Hawaiʻi’s Special Education Teacher Shortage. The Hawaiʻi DOE offers at least $10,000 to special education teachers to fill open positions, but most schools have reported worsening shortages. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Police Face Unique Barriers To Solving Violent Crimes. The percentage of violent crimes that end in an arrest or a closed case is declining, as agencies grapple with understaffing, insufficient technology and geographical challenges of an island state. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaiʻi Launches New Online Data Portal About Invasive Species. Lawmakers called on the agriculture department to create the dashboard so the public can keep an eye on what it’s doing to stem the spread of pests. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Oahu

Deed forgery scheme impacts properties across Oahu. Hawaii’s attorney general has charged two men with stealing three properties, but investigators say a Kalihi lot may be one of about a dozen others taken as part of a much larger deed fraud scheme. Hawaii News Now.

Evicted tenants reoccupy downtown apartment building in ‘hostile takeover’.  The owner of Union Plaza said someone called in a false fire alarm, so that about 30 evicted tenants could storm the building and reoccupy rooms. Hawaii News Now.

Property manager blames clerical error for rent hike notices wrongly sent to low-income seniors. Seniors at two Oahu housing complexes say they were thrown into panic after receiving rent hike notices that turned out to be wrong. EAH Housing now confirms the issue was caused by a clerical error that affected both Ainahau Vista and Artesian Vista. Hawaii News Now.

Local journalists look for a way forward as newsrooms shrink or disappear. The book “Presstime in Paradise” by editor George Chaplin details the life and times of the Honolulu Advertiser from 1856 to 1995. The 'Tiser' was one of Honolulu’s first non-government newspapers under the Hawaiian Kingdom, but it no longer exists. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Hilo hospital expansion on target for 2027 completion. The $80 million expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center is taking shape, with certain facilities likely ready for use early next year and full completion expected in 2027, hospital officials said. Tribune-Herald.

Push to expand Hawaiʻi Island bus infrastructure reaches another step in Pāhoa. A proposed Pāhoa Transit Hub is gaining traction in its planning phase, with a preferred location confirmed by Hawaiʻi County's Mass Transit Agency. Hawaii Public Radio.

New access road proposed for Kaʻu Forest Reserve. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is proposing to bulldoze a short access road in the remote Ka‘u Forest Reserve to improve management of native ecosystems and maintain a hooved-animal-proof fence, according to a draft environmental assessment released this week. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Maui County to collect domestic waste.  Maui residents may start making appointments Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, for the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s free Residential Household Waste Collection on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Central Maui. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

SHOPO raises concerns about pick for the next Kauaʻi police chief. At a meeting on Friday, the commission made a conditional offer to Rudy Tai, one of four finalists. Tai was born and raised on Oʻahu, but spent his 35-year police career with the San Diego Police Department, where he currently serves as deputy chief. Hawaii Public Radio.

Man dies rescuing children in Kauai surf. A Good Samaritan has died on Kauai after being pulled from the waters of Waiapuaa Bay. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

DMV identification cards unavailable through Wednesday. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is unable to produce identification cards, such as driving permits, driver’s licenses, and state identification cards, because of hardware issues. Kauai Now.

First cohort of AI Accelerator celebrates. The Capstone Pau Hana held on Friday at the Kuleana Workspace in Kukui Grove celebrated achievements of six members — all local small business owners — of the first AI (Artificial Intelligence) Lab cohort. Garden Island.