Traffic deaths hit 18-year high, armed police to be installed at 3 Oahu high schools, Kilauea volcano puts on 10-hour show, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Road Deaths Hit 18-Year Peak Last Year. Most Other States Dropped. Hawaiʻi was one of just six U.S. states where the rate of road deaths in 2025 rose compared to 2024. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Threaten To Withdraw Funding For Invasive Species. Senators are troubled by what they see as slow progress from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, which is struggling to find staff to keep invasive species at bay. Civil Beat.

How Hawaiʻi might spend funds from new climate tax on hotel stays. What's the most effective way to spend that money? That’s a question that faced the state’s Green Fee Advisory Council — a 10-member group making recommendations on where and how to spend this revenue. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi AG asks for $1M litigation budget to prepare for federal actions. The state attorney general’s office is asking for $1 million to support its litigation budget — largely to prepare for increased federal legal actions. So far, the Hawaiʻi attorney general has been a party to 39 lawsuits — three of which the office took a lead on. Hawaii Public Radio.

ACLU announces campaign for immigration justice ahead of Hawai‘i legislative session. The American Civil Liberties Union in Hawai‘i announced its 2026 legislative priorities, which include criminal legal system reforms, increased protection for Hawai‘i’s immigrant communities, and stronger efforts to defend gender equity and LGBTQ+ rights. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

State senators say they didn’t take $35,000 in a paper bag. Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi said he has asked all members of his chamber if they are, or know who is, the unnamed legislator mentioned in an ongoing public corruption investigation who accepted $35,000 in a paper bag, and all Senate Democrats have answered no. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Attorney Daisy Hartsfield to fill Waipahu House seat. Hartsfield — a graduate of Waipahu High School and the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii at Manoa — has served more than 20 years in public service, working as a: Child Protective Services investigator, juvenile probation officer, drug court supervisor, special assistant to the Director of Human Services, administrator of the Department of Human Services’ Social Services Division, deputy public defender, deputy attorney general and deputy prosecuting attorney. Star-Advertiser.

Online ag declaration forms yield higher completion rates. Lawmakers want more. The implementation of online agricultural declaration forms for passengers flying to Hawaiʻi, compared to the previous paper-only system, has led to an increase in compliance, but state lawmakers say more needs to be done. Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. and Pacific allies tout ties at defense conference. Military leaders, diplomats, arms manufacturers and investors are gathering in Waikiki this week to talk about tensions in the Pacific and send a signal that alliances in the region still matter. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Armed officers to provide security at 3 Oahu schools. Honolulu police and the Hawaii Department of Education are rolling out a new pilot program to boost safety at select Oahu campuses. Dedicated school resource officers will be assigned to three high schools: Waianae, Kapolei and Kaimuki high schools. KHON2.

Council member proposes task force to explore landfill-free future on Oahu. Council member Andria Tupola filed Monday Resolution 26-7, proposing a task force that would review Oahu’s long-term solid waste management strategy, and assess alternative waste reduction, recycling, diversion, and conversion strategies. Hawaii News Now.

City reschedules Waimanalo Gulch landfill public hearing. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s plan to expand the city’s Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei and extend its useful life following stalled attempts to find a suitable location for a new dump will also involve community comment, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Waialua residents challenge Kaukonahua Ranch agribusiness at DPP hearing. Dozens of North Shore residents traveled from Waialua to downtown Honolulu on Monday to testify at a Department of Planning and Permitting hearing over a controversial agribusiness project proposed for Kaukonahua Ranch, also known as Kam ananui Agribusiness — a project critics say is being improperly classified as “minor” despite what they describe as large-scale tourism impacts on agricultural land on Mount Kaala. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.  KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Lava fountaining draws visitors from across the globe. Episode 40 of the ongoing summit eruption began at about 8:22 a.m. Monday, with lava fountains erupting from vents on the floor of Halemaumau crater, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. All eruptive activity remained confined within the crater and inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption ended abruptly at 6:04 p.m. after nearly 10 hours of continuous lava fountaining. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. 

A Third Of Hawai’i Could Get Criminal Records Cleared. Few Do. The Attorney General’s Office just expunged the records of more than 1,300 Big Island residents through a pilot program. Some policymakers want to see the work expand. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Island program hopes to bridge generations through food. The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi Island is launching its 10-week “Food is Medicine” initiative. Kūpuna from the Keaʻau Community Center will take weekly cooking classes with recipes chosen by Keaʻau High School agriculture students.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Much of E. Hawaii had less than 50% of average rainfall in 2025. According to the National Weather Service, seven gauges in the Hamakua and Hilo districts recorded their driest calendar years on record — most notably the Hilo International Airport, which had its driest year since 1949 with 58.95 inches, or 49% of its yearly average of 120.39. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Planning Commission to review Hoʻonani Village, housing and parking bills. The Maui Planning Commission is scheduled today to review land use bills regarding the proposed Hoʻonani Village project near Kahului Airport, as well as legislation regarding accessory dwelling units, agricultural retail structures and electric vehicle charging stations. Maui Now.

FEMA housing assistance for Maui wildfire survivors extended 18 days while yearlong extension under review. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended its temporary housing and financial assistance to Maui wildfire survivors to Feb. 28, which is 18 more days than the previous deadline. Maui Now.

Man killed in officer-involved shooting identified by loved one. A man killed in an officer-involved shooting on Maui last week has been identified as Kristopher Austin, 40. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Nominees announced for Kaua‘i Circuit Court judge. Five individuals are being considered to fill the judge vacancy for the 5th Circuit Court on Kaua‘i, following the retirement of Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe in August 2025. The nominees are Stephanie R.S. Char, Craig A. De Costa, Simeona L.L.A. Mariano, Michael D. Scarbo and Kimberly A. Torigoe Metcalfe. Kauai Now.

Legislator seeks ballot question on legalizing marijuana, governor's budget chief wants to scale back promised tax cuts, Hawaii council seeks aquarium fishing ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lawmaker wants to put legalizing cannabis on state ballot. Hawaii voters would be asked in November whether to pass a constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults under a bill that state Rep. David Tarnas plans to introduce this month. Star-Advertiser.

National Turmoil Is Adding To Hawaiʻi’s Budget Angst. The governor’s budget chief says the administration will submit legislative proposals to walk back promised tax cuts in 2027 and beyond. Civil Beat.

Homebuyers in limbo with mortgage financing. The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands recently informed a state legislative committee that it is in a bind over a surge in demand for such loans that is outstripping its capacity to supply the special mortgages carrying a 1% interest rate. Star-Advertiser.

State expands nutrition access to support families in need. Under a new referral process, the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will now share monthly referrals with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. Star-Advertiser.

DFS to close Hawaii operations, laying off 183 employees. DFS Hawaii is closing its operations in Hawaii, including its shops in Waikiki and at Honolulu and Kahului airports, resulting in 183 layoffs. DFS Group LP, which has had a 63-year presence in Hawaii catering to duty-free shoppers, reinvented itself several times. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

O‘ahu’s North Shore Erosion Leaves Homeowners Without Solutions. Residents are struggling to protect their homes from falling into the ocean without violating environmental protections that preserve the island’s iconic beaches.  Civil Beat.

Vietnam veterans memorial wall replica returning to Hawaii. The wall will arrive there today and will have an official 10 a.m. opening ceremony on Wednesday with a military flyover and dignitaries giving speeches. It will begin its 2026 tour on Oahu at University of Hawaii’s West Oahu campus. Star-Advertiser.

New Records Detail How State Bungled ‘Lord Of The Flies’ Foster Home. Judge Kevin Morikone ordered the release of the trial exhibits in a lawsuit brought by a former foster boy who was sexually molested by his foster dad. Civil Beat.

Affordable housing village loses bus service, putting residents at risk. Kahauiki Village, managed by the Institute for Human Services, houses more than 500 residents including kupuna and formerly homeless families.  Hawaii News Now.

Virus to fight coconut rhinoceros beetle shows promising results.  UH-Manoa is assistant investigating a virus to kill the coconut rhinoceros beetle, also referred to as CRB, which is decimating Oahu’s coconut and palm trees. Star-Advertiser.

Waikīkī Roosters Remain At Large, For Now. Chicken nuisance complaints have doubled to 321 complaints per year from 160 since the Honolulu Department of Customer Services started keeping track in 2023. Waikīkī has the most complaints out of any ZIP code on Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Council resolution urges ban on aquarium fishing. A resolution urging a ban on the taking of ornamental fish for aquariums received a 9-0 vote Tuesday by the County Council’s Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs, which forwarded the measure to the full council with a positive recommendation. Tribune-Herald.

Lack of progress at Isaac Hale peeves council members. A resolution urging the county Department of Parks and Recreation “to prioritize and expedite the restoration of Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park at Pohoiki” received a unanimous 9-0 vote Tuesday by the County Council’s Committee on Government Operations and External Affairs. Tribune-Herald.

Fisherman Gets Maximum Penalty For Longline Violation Off Kona. Konane Zager, owner of the vessel Waiʻaka, will be fined $10,051.90 and have his Commercial Marine License revoked for one year, following a vote by the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday.  Big Island Video News.

Fire Chief Kazuo Todd remembered for his efforts to leave the Big Island a safer, better place. Fire Chief Kazuo Todd remembered for his efforts to leave the Big Island a safer, better place. More than 200 people gathered Sunday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo in reverence of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd, who died unexpectedly from natural causes on Dec. 14 at age 45. Big Island Now. KHON2. 

Maui

Man wounded in shootout with police succumbs to injuries. According to the Maui Police Department, dispatch received a call at 7:27 p.m. Thursday reporting a possible terroristic threatening incident involving a man armed with a gun in an open field off Kuikahi Drive in Wailuku next to the Hele gas station. Maui News.

With rising seas, erosion threatening Pā‘ia Youth & Cultural Center, plans are underway to build new one. Located at the edge of Pā‘ia town just off Hāna Highway, the youth center has served an estimated 6,000 kids since it was founded in 1993 out of a former sugar plantation workers’ home. Maui Now.

Molokai High School begins $18.7M gym renovation. The 21,000-square- foot gym, affectionately known as “The Barn,” is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade aimed at modernizing student athletic facilities while reinforcing the structure to serve as a Category B hurricane shelter during severe weather events. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

New club leads revival of Anahola trails; organizes mountain bike race on Kauaʻi. A new nonprofit, Mountain Biking Kaua’i, has revived the Anahola trail system, enabling organized off-road cycling and competitive racing on the island’s East Side. Kauai Now.

School authority tries to fast-track classroom construction, Blangiardi won't sign budget transparency bill, US Supreme Court to hear The Cannabis Ministery raid case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Facilities authority moves to speed classroom builds. The School Facilities Authority, the state agency charged by lawmakers with modernizing school construction, has begun rolling out a digital planning tool called Akamai, a cloud-based configurator designed to automate much of the pre-design and planning work that traditionally takes months — or even years — to complete. Star-Advertiser.

UH Engaged With Hackers Who Highjacked Cancer Study Data. The university has declined to provide additional information about a ransomware attack that exposed the personal information of cancer study participants. Social Security numbers and other personal information from participants in a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center study were exposed to computer hackers in August but four months later UH had yet to notify those affected that their data was stolen. Civil Beat. 

Hawaii’s jobless rate remains second lowest in U.S. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate plunged three-tenths of a point to 2.2% in November from September and now has fallen by a half-percentage point over the last three reporting periods, according to data released Tuesday from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green appoints James Carpio to the BLNR. Gov. Josh Green has appointed James (Jay) John Kamealoha Carpio of Wailuku to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The appointment runs through June 30, 2029. Carpio, a Native Hawaiian born and raised in Wailuku, Maui, has worked as a hunter and guide, rancher, land manager, master fisherman and farmer. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric, shareholders agree to nearly $48M settlement over Maui fires. Hawaiian Electric Industries has agreed to pay its shareholders $47.75 million in a settlement filed Monday. Several investors sued the utility parent company after the Maui fires in 2023, alleging that HEI's top executives made misleading claims about the company's wildfire mitigation work. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

City budgeting openness bill to become law without Blangiardi’s signature. Mayor Rick Blangiardi has refused to sign a Honolulu City Council bill that aims to hold the administration more accountable over the funding appropriations it provides for the city’s use each year. Star-Advertiser.

City seeks rail oversight agreement in historic Chinatown. As Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s construction of the more than $10 billion Skyline rolls toward Chinatown, city officials seek an updated agreement with the state to gain more oversight over historical sites and future development projects along the rail line’s route. Star-Advertiser.

5 things to know about HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health's proposed partnership. Two major players in medical care and insurance in Hawaiʻi are joining forces. The state's largest insurance provider, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, and major health care system Hawaiʻi Pacific Health have announced plans to formalize their partnership. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

U.S. high court could hear case regrading 2010 raid of THC Ministry. The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled a conference today in Washington, D.C., to consider surveillance and privacy issues surrounding the federal raid in 2010 of The Hawaii Cannabis Ministry — also known as the THC Ministry — which operated openly for years with a storefront banner in downtown Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi County Council honors legacy of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with passing of two fire safety bills. On Wednesday morning, the Hawaiʻi County Council passed Bill 108, which allocates $1.75 million in state funding to establish ambulance operations at Makalei Fire Station in Kailua-Kona, which includes six new positions. Big Island Now.

Passing zones to be removed from section of Highway 19 in W. Hawaii. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is removing passing zones on a 14-mile stretch of the Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Highway 19) in West Hawaii. Passing zones will be removed between mile posts 78 and 92.6, from Waikoloa Beach Drive down to Keahole Airport Road.  Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Department of Water Supply issues water restriction notice for upper Waiākea Uka. A water restriction is necessary to maintain water in its upper storage tank while the Department of Water Supply locates a possible main break and repairs it. Big Island Now.

Maui

Hawaiʻi’s Critically Endangered Crow Is Soaring In Maui Forests. Extinct in the wild since 2002, several ʻalalā have survived their first year since being released on the Valley Isle. Civil Beat.

Man injured in officer-involved shooting on Maui. The shooting took place just before 7:30 p.m. Thursday near the Kehalani Ace Hardware in Wailuku for a reported terroristic threatening incident. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Kauai

Valenciano’s Early Retirement Creates Opening For Kaua‘i’s Next Chief Judge. Randal Valenciano’s 18-year run as the chief judge of the 5th Circuit Court ended quietly this fall, leaving a vacant seat at the top of the Kaua‘i judiciary. The Hawai‘i Judicial Selection Commission is evaluating nominees to fill the 5th Circuit Court seat. Civil Beat.

‘Keep Vaccines Optional’ draws a crowd. A Keep Vaccinations Optional meeting on Tuesday drew an overflow audience of about 300 people to the Lihue Neighborhood Center, according to resident Steve Yoder. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi Coffee Co. warns of 141 job losses with land lease set to end in March. Kauaʻi Coffee Co., one of the island’s largest agricultural employers and a major visitor attraction, addressed the Kauaʻi County Council as its land lease approaches expiration in March. Kauai Now.

Revenue Council releases upbeat economic forecast, Blangiardi signs bill giving limited media access, former Hawaii councilman Yagong dies at 66, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii tax revenue forecast stable amid upbeat economic outlook. The state Council on Revenues decided during a meeting Wednesday to leave unchanged its prior forecast for state general fund revenue in the current and next fiscal years. That means the Legislature will need to base its budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, largely on the council’s projection for roughly $9.7 billion in general fund revenue representing a 2.0% increase over an estimated $9.5 billion for the current fiscal year. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

$35K Mystery Payment: Bill Would Extend Time To Prosecute. The state Department of the Attorney General will wait until an ongoing federal public corruption investigation ends before considering allegations that an unnamed state lawmaker accepted $35,000 in a paper bag in 2022. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

Need A Doctor? Hawaiʻi’s Physician Shortage Keeps Getting Worse. Neighbor islands bear the brunt of the growing shortage, which contributes to uneven costs and poorer care. Civil Beat.

Nearly 30% of state sheriff, investigator positions are vacant, officials say. The state Department of Law Enforcement says low pay is a primary concern amid its 28% vacancy rate, and is hoping for new legislation to combat it. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi wildfire plan in the works in conjunction with expansion of new state fire marshal’s office. A plan that aims to overhaul how state agencies prepare for wildfires is expected to be completed in early 2027, according to the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization. Maui Now.

DFS pulls out of Hawaii after more than 60 years. After more than 60 years in Hawaii, Duty Free Shoppers (DFS) is preparing to pull out of the market.They are set to close their two locations at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Maui Airport location and Waikiki location by the end of March. KHON2.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi signs Honolulu Police Department media access bill. Mayor Rick Blangiardi has signed a bill into law requiring the Honolulu Police Department to release timely and accurate information to selected news outlets during major public safety incidents. Blangiardi’s Dec. 22 approval of Bill 46 means HPD is expected to use its newly- created media crime alert system to provide limited media access to its radio communications. Star-Advertiser.

Rebates increased on appliances to encourage water conservation. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Department of Environmental Serv­ices announced Wednesday it would be increasing rebates on certain household appliances to encourage more water conservation on the island. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

HMSA, Hawai‘i Pacific Health propose new health care affiliation amid affordability concerns. Hawaii Medical Service Association and Hawai‘i Pacific Health said the proposal would bring the two local, nonprofit organizations under a new parent entity, tentatively called One Health Hawaii, while allowing each to continue operating independently as legal affiliates. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Proposed healthcare partnership questioned by Queens, nurses’ union. Not everyone is cheering the proposed affiliation between HMSA and Hawaii Pacific Health. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Dominic Yagong, former council chairman, dies at 66. Dominic Yagong, a former County Council chairman who represented Hamakua and was the beloved emcee of Honokaa High School Dragons sports, died Wednesday. He was 66. Yagong was in hospice care the past couple of weeks after suffering a second stroke late last year. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

$30 Million Invested. Hawaiʻi Island Homeless Population Still Grew. The county has tried to combat homelessness in recent years, but more people are living on the streets of Hilo and Kona. Civil Beat.

Community groups out in front in the fight against hunger on Hawaiʻi Island. An estimated 90,000 people on Hawaiʻi Island are battling some degree of food insecurity. The island has one of the highest rates of hunger in the state, according to a report compiled by major food banks in 2025. Hawaii Public Radio.

Maui

Bill To Save Thousands Of Maui Vacation Rentals Heads To Planning Commissions. Nearly a month after passing a version of Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s bold plan to free up housing for residents by phasing out thousands of the island’s short-term vacation rentals, the Maui County Council on Wednesday advanced legislation that would reduce the number of affected units by more than half. Civil Beat.

Mahi Pono announces first commercial harvest of Hawaiʻi-grown mandarins. Mahi Pono today announced the first commercial harvest of its Hawaiʻi-grown mandarins, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to increase local food production and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s food security. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Police Department adds four officers from the 102nd recruit class. Family members, friends, fellow officers and the Kaua’i County Council gathered on Dec. 6 for the 102nd Police Recruit Class graduation ceremony at the Kaua’i War Memorial Convention Hall for recruits Kent Morano, Brandon Chun, Kaleo Josiah and Daylin Huni. Kauai Now.

State reconvenes ocean safety task force, Hawaiian Electric settling wildfire claims, Oahu hospitals to join HMSA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi To Step Up Anti-Drowning Efforts. After more than a decade of refusing to convene the task force charged with putting up warning signs at dangerous beaches, the state is now recommending the group meet again. About 800 people have drowned in the waters off Hawaiʻi’s roughly 1,000-mile coastline in the last decade, with an increasing number of people frequenting remote stretches of coastline with little to warn them of risks. Yet the state has not called for a single new warning sign to be put up on a beach in more than 13 years. Civil Beat.

HEI settling wildfire-related litigation with shareholders. The parent of Hawaiian Electric expects to use $100 million in insurance proceeds to settle eight lawsuits filed by shareholders who allege company leaders didn’t properly disclose wildfire risks before the 2023 Maui wildfire disaster. Plaintiffs in the case accused Hawaii’s biggest utility ‌operator of misleading them about its wildfire prevention and safety protocols before high winds toppled utility poles blamed for starting the blaze. Star-Advertiser.

‘We Really Are Hurting’: Hawaiʻi Deputy Pay Lags $20K Behind Cops. State law enforcement Director Mike Lambert asked lawmakers for help addressing staffing shortages. Civil Beat.

DOT seeks more Kauaʻi, Maui, Big Island drivers to be 'Eyes on the Road'. The state Department of Transportation is partnering with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Engineering to give out 1,300 free dashcams to drivers across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Petition calls for inquiry on unnamed lawmaker in paper-bag-of-cash corruption case. Former deputy Federal Public Defender Alexander Silvert asked state lawmakers Monday to convene a committee with subpoena and contempt powers to investigate an “unknown but influential legislator” who accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during an ongoing public corruption investigation. Star-Advertiser.

SNAP emergency funds expire for thousands in Hawaii. HEFAP recipients lose unused benefits after Dec. 31 deadline. Thousands of residents received funds through the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) during the 2025 federal government shutdown. Hawaii News Now.

Perspectives on Hawaiʻi housing crisis examined in new survey. The state’s housing crisis continues to grab the attention of island residents who rate the need for affordable housing as their No. 1 concern elected leaders should focus on, according to a study commissioned by Pacific Resource Partnership. Maui Now.

Oahu

HMSA plans merger with Hawaii Pacific Health hospitals. HPH includes Pali Momi, Kapiolani, Straub, and Wilcox hospitals, as well as affiliated clinics and specialists. Ray Vara, CEO of Hawaii Pacific Health, said the company would create an entity similar to Kaiser, eliminating duplicate administrative costs and establishing a model of care so HPH doctors wouldn’t need to get preauthorization for care from HMSA. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu home sale price record notched in 2025 amid year of small market changes. Changes in Oahu’s housing market were pretty muted in 2025, but included a new annual median sale price peak for single-family houses at $1,139,000. Star-Advertiser.

Skyline numbers continue to rise; December grows by nearly 11K. December had a total of 281,281 riders throughout the month, which is 10,666 more riders than November’s 270,615 total riders. KHON2.

Rebuilt Mokapu Elementary campus opens on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Mokapu Elementary School marked a major milestone Tuesday with the grand opening of its newly rebuilt campus, completing the first phase of a full reconstruction of the decades-old school on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

177 Days: Bumpy City Parking Lot Still Waiting For Its Overdue Makeover. The asphalt surface of the parking lot at Kapālama Hale in Honolulu caps soil contaminated by decades of use as an automotive workshop. Civil Beat.

In long-running Oʻahu landfill saga, city considers expanding Waimanalo Gulch. The City and County of Honolulu says it’s out of options and is considering expanding the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill by 3.7 acres. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

New rules, fees for Hawaiʻi Island vacation rentals to take effect this year. Bill 47, now Ordinance 25-50, was extended to July 1, 2026, from Dec. 20, 2025. Council member Heather Kimball said this will give the county more time to get a registration management and enforcement system in place. The bill doesn’t change any zoning requirements or limit the number of rentals that can operate, instead, it sets up a new system of registration that for the first time includes hosted rentals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Downpours from kona low system should positively affect East Hawaii.  East Hawaii received the brunt of that rainfall, with Glenwood, in the midst of the upper Puna rainforest, receiving 14.21 inches between 8 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Proposal for new hotel zoning for vacation rentals deferred in Housing and Land Use Committee. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee on Monday deferred action on the creation of new hotel zoning districts following an executive session that lasted over an hour. Maui Now.

Restoration now complete at Olowalu temporary wildfire debris storage site. The closure and restoration of the Temporary Debris Storage site in Olowalu was completed recently and honored with a pule ceremony on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Maui Now.

Kauai

State starts work on Līhu‘e Airport parking improvements.  The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has started improvements to an employee parking lot at the Līhu‘e Airport meant to relieve some congestion in the airport’s public lot. Kauai Now.

Kelvin Moniz retires from Kauai Independent Food Bank. Moniz, born and raised on the Westside and a graduate of Waimea High School, joined the KIFB in 1998 following 22 years of honorable military service and retirement from the U.S. Army. Garden Island.

HDLE director calls for 5-year fireworks ban, petition seeks info on $35k given top lawmaker, Hawaii awarded $190M for rural health care, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Leader Calls For 5-Year Ban On All Fireworks. Officials say this New Year’s Eve was quieter than last, but state Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert is calling for more drastic measures to cut off the state’s supply of illegal fireworks. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care. Hawaii has been awarded nearly $190 million in federal funding to augment rural health care under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” through a plan co-written by Democratic Gov. Josh Green. He said it’s the result of working with fellow Pennsylvania native and physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Star-Advertiser.

PUC study supports creation of Hawaiʻi wildfire recovery fund. The Public Utilities Commission has concluded that a state recovery fund is likely warranted to compensate future victims of major wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

$35K Mystery Payment: Petition Calls For Hawaiʻi Legislature To Investigate. More than 900 Hawaiʻi residents are asking the Legislature to get to the bottom of a mysterious transaction in 2022 that involved a man handing $35,000 in a paper bag to someone federal investigators have described as an influential legislator. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Hawaiʻi ICE Arrests And Detentions In 2025 Spiked From Year Before. Updated tallies are not yet complete but already eclipse those in 2024. Data show immigration arrests are increasingly likely to take place at ICE offices and at the state’s civil court houses. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades. Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Crackdown nets 61 tons of illegal fireworks. Honolulu police and state law enforcement officials stepped up joint enforcement against illegal fireworks on New Year’s Eve, responding to a sharp increase in fireworks-related calls while reporting fewer serious injuries and fires than in previous years. Star-Advertiser.

ABC Stores CEO Lags On Fixing Up ‘Eyesore’ In Busy Waikīkī Corridor. Property owner says renovation plans are on hold due to high construction costs, but neighbors are frustrated by the lack of action. Civil Beat.

Off-leash dog park opens in Makiki. Honolulu’s dogs have more space to explore and exercise after city leaders officially opened an off-leash dog park in Punahou Square. Hawaii News Now.

Celebrate Year of the Horse with festival, parade in Chinatown. Get ready to celebrate the Year of the Horse! Chinatown 808 will host its 50th Chinatown Festival & Parade celebrating the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 14. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Nalani Kanaka‘ole-Zane, renowned kumu hula and Merrie Monarch judge, dies at 79. Nalani Kanaka‘ole-Zane, revered kumu hula of Halau o Kekuhi, cultural matriarch and veteran judge of Merrie Monarch Festival hula competitions, died Saturday in Hilo. She was 79. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

Maui

Batangan takes seat on Maui County Council. Kauanoe Batangan was sworn into office as a Maui County Council member Monday morning, saying he was honored to have been selected by his late predecessor, Tasha Kama, to serve out the remainder of her term. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui To Settle Landfill Legal Battle After Scrapping Plan To Seize Property. The county won’t say how much it intends to pay the company in damages over the eminent domain case to acquire a dump site for Lahaina fire debris. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative offers new rebates for medical device power backup. The Medical Device Power Backup Rebate Program provides eligible members with a rebate of up to $200 for the purchase of a qualifying backup power solution, such as a battery backup or portable generator, according to a news release from the power company. Kauai Now.

Legislature to focus on promised tax cuts, Oahu seeks volunteers to count homeless, snowfall atop Mauna Kea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Taxes Will Drive Agenda Of Hawaiʻi Lawmakers In Coming Session. Federal actions cloud the revenue picture. Immigration, marijuana and energy issues also loom. When state lawmakers begin the 2026 legislative session Jan. 21, they will be forced to navigate some unusual and unwelcome political risks. That’s because Gov. Josh Green and the county mayors seem poised to press for action on touchy tax issues that could prove to be perilous in an election year. Civil Beat.

New $16 minimum hourly wage complicates a cost crunch for Hawaiʻi restaurants. With the new year comes a new minimum wage in Hawaiʻi. It’s now $16 an hour — and many local restaurant owners are concerned about what that means for their industry.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Climate security threats to Hawaii outlined in report. A climate report released by the Council on Strategic Risks outlined how climate change could threaten both Hawaii’s civilian and military communities, and how cuts to programs that monitor weather and other environmental threats could leave both more vulnerable. Security analysts have warned that droughts, sea level rise and other changes risk fueling displacement of communities and competition over resources, potentially destabilizing countries or entire regions. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers propose climate literacy program in public schools. State lawmakers have revived a measure that would create a climate literacy program in public schools. House Bill 99 was first introduced last year by a cohort of state representatives who believe "that climate change education is necessary to ensure that the next generation are climate leaders," according to language in the bill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Language Schools Grow As DOE Shrinks. There’s One Big Problem. The state doesn’t have enough teachers to keep up with demand for schools taught in Hawaiian. Upcoming retirements are expected to add to the challenge. Civil Beat.

For Cynthia Thielen, Decades Of Public Service Are 'Just The Right Thing To Do'. The former longtime legislator, attorney and community activist is still deeply involved in her community. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Volunteers needed for annual homeless count on Oahu. The annual Point in Time Count is set take place on Monday, Jan. 26.Organizers said they are looking for volunteers to help their partner agencies in the field for the one-day survey, or by helping pack incentive kits. Hawaii News Now.

UH earns top global rankings in oceanography, atmospheric science. The University of Hawaii at Manoa earned high marks across nearly 20 disciplines in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, with oceanography, atmospheric science and hospitality and tourism management emerging as its highest-ranked programs, according to a news release. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Hawaii Island

Snow Covers Hawaiʻi Summits Overnight, High Wind Warning Issued. Observatory webcams using night vision captured a view of the snow after sundown, as the Maunakea Access Road was closed to the public due to the weather conditions.  Big Island Video News.

Big Island traffic fatalities down in 2025. The number of traffic fatalities rose sharply statewide in 2025 with 129 to 102 in 2024, a 26.5% increase and the highest total since 2007. Here in Hawaii County, however, the number of traffic deaths decreased last year from the previous year’s total of 28 to 21, a 25% reduction. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

50th anniversary of ‘Kahoolawe Nine’ begins year-long remembrance, lessons. Fifty years ago, as the U.S. Coast Guard turned away a flotilla of Native Hawaiians trying to make landfall on Kahoolawe, a lone Boston Whaler made its way through while carrying occupants who would become known as the Kahoolawe Nine. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Economic slowdown forecast for Kauaʻi in 2026. Steven Bond-Smith with the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization told the Kauaʻi County Council at a briefing in mid-December that factors like inflation and tariffs are dampening domestic consumers’ outlook, which may make them less likely to visit Kauaʻi on vacation. The tourism industry accounts for about a third of Kauaʻi’s economy, and up to 95% of Kauaʻi’s visitors come from the U.S. continent. Hawaii Public Radio.

In last leg of his second term, Kauai mayor looks back at county’s successes. As he prepares for the final 11 months in office, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami reflected on the strides made while leading the county, and also talked about his final priorities in a one-on-one interview Friday. Hawaii News Now.

The Kauai Bus offers 100 no-cost Holomua Transit Cards. The Kauai Bus is announcing a special promotion offering 100 no-cost Holomua Transit Cards, each preloaded with $5, to the first 100 riders who show up to claim them. Garden Island.

Kawaihau Road utility work, lane closures extended through February. Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., under contract with Kauaiʻi County Department of Water, extended the utility work and excavation along Kawaihau Road, from the intersection of Kaʻapuni Road to Kapahi Road, through Feb. 28 in Kapaʻa, weather permitting. Kauai Now.