DOJ moves to block green fee on cruise ships, Health Department amends medical cannabis rules, Hawaii County Council advances plastic foodware ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green Fee showdown: DOJ moves to block Hawaii’s climate surcharge. There’s a new twist in the fight over Hawaii’s new Green Fee. The U.S. Department of Justice is jumping into the lawsuit against the state, and it could become a national test case about who gets to regulate ships. KHON2.

Hawaii lawmakers call for colleague to step forward in bribery investigation. State Reps. Della Au Belatti, a Democrat, and Kanani Souza, a Republican, are publicly calling for a colleague linked to a federal bribery investigation to step forward and explain their role in the case. The unnamed legislator is connected to the pay-to-play scandal that sent two former lawmakers, Kalani English and Ty Cullen, to prison in 2022. Hawaii News Now.

Medical Cannabis Dispensary Rules Amended By Health Department. State officials are proposing several changes to the rules regarding medical cannabis dispensaries in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Video News.

Evaluation committee for Act 310 nonprofit grants to announce application decisions. The state’s Act 310 Nonprofit Grants Program evaluation committee will host an information briefing Thursday (Nov. 20) to announce decisions on grant applications for fiscal year 2026. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i DOE Wants $83,000 To Provide Data On Gender Equity In Schools. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education has recently stepped up its oversight of high school sports, but parents say they want more information on how female athletes are treated. Civil Beat.

Oahu

City Council advances bill to incentivize income-based rental housing program. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee advanced a bill Tuesday to try to make an unused affordable housing program more attractive to landlords. Hawaii Public Radio.

City council weighs new measures to curb soaring traffic deaths. With traffic deaths nearly doubling compared to last year, Honolulu City Council members said Wednesday they are considering every possible tool, from enforcement to new technology, to get drivers to slow down and pay attention. Hawaii News Now.

Contractor: City Offered $8M To Settle $320M Claim For Honolulu Rail Delays. Hitachi Rail Honolulu JV, which is still on the job, refiles a suit alleging HART exhibited an ‘inability to learn’ from its mistakes.  Civil Beat.

Fatal Police Shooting: Teen’s Family Could Get $1 Million Settlement. The Honolulu City Council is slated to vote on whether to approve the settlement in the 2021 death of 16-year-old Iremamber Sykap at its next meeting. Civil Beat. KITV4. 

Kahala residents push for removal of homeless camps along stream. City officials recently replaced a gate to the access point for the Waialae Nui Stream near Malia Street after the one before it was torn out, allowing homeless people to crawl in. Hawaii News Now.

4 years after fuel leak, Board of Water Supply continues Red Hill remediation. Four years ago today, a massive jet fuel leak forever changed the Navy’s operations at its once-top-secret, underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa Valley. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers want service members to be able to seek damages for Red Hill. Two Pacific lawmakers are pushing the federal government to allow service members to seek compensation for toxic exposures connected to the Red Hill water crisis. Star-Advertiser.

How City Council could improve food security for Oʻahu residents. The Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice has recommended that the Honolulu City Council work on four areas to improve food security on Oʻahu: disaster planning, summer feeding programs for children, kūpuna programs, and direct funding for food banks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Renowned Chef Chai leaves U.S. with return in doubt. Chai Chaowasaree, 63, will need permission from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to return to Hawaii after leaving to care for his ailing mother in Thailand. Star-Advertiser.

‘The future of Hawaiʻi’s film and television industry’: Local studio group unveils plans for new private studio near UH West Oʻahu. The master plan released on Nov. 19 included renderings and stage layouts for the proposed studio, as the group is currently in final negotiations with UH for a long-term ground lease and development agreement. KHON2.

Mayor urges Oahu residents to take community survey. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi is urging Oahu residents to participate in the City and County of Hono­lulu’s 2025 Community Survey, an annual assessment that measures residents’ satisfaction and tracks priorities ranging from public safety and city services to housing, transportation and overall quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Disposable foodware bill passes first reading. The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday advanced a second draft of Bill 83 on first reading with an 8-1 vote, moving forward a proposal that would significantly expand the county’s restrictions on disposable plastic and polystyrene foodware. Tribune-Herald.

Funds eyed for Puapuaʻa Iki restoration in Kona. The Hawaii County Council is set to consider a proposed $1.9 million budget amendment today that would fund the restoration of more than 11 acres of deforested land and cultural sites in Puapua‘a Iki in North Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Tsunami evacuation exercise Friday in Keaukaha. According to a county press release, the exercise starts at 9 a.m. with students from participating schools following prepared evacuation plans as far as the airport gates at Andrews, Baker and Pua avenues. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Hawaiʻi’s New Remote Weather Stations Boost Wildfire Risk Assessment. The state has installed 16 new weather stations across Maui County since the deadly fires in August 2023 and plans to install more soon on other islands. Civil Beat.

Community survey asks about brownfield sites. Maui United Way, in partnership with Hā Sustainability, is inviting residents to participate in a short survey to help prioritize sites for environmental assessment and cleanup through the Maui United Way Environmental Recovery Initiative. Maui News.

Maui Council explores ways to reduce alarming rate of ocean drownings. Maui County faces a disproportionately high rate of ocean drowning fatalities, driven largely by the high number of visitors lured by the ocean’s beauty but unprepared for its hidden dangers. Maui Now.

‘Small in stature, huge in presence’: Maui bids aloha to Council Member Tasha Kama. Tears, laughter and the soaring voices of 31 grandchildren filled the Castle Theater on Wednesday morning to celebrate a life of love, service and faith as Maui bid farewell to Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Independent Food Bank awarded $25,000 grant from Nareit Hawai‘i. Nareit Hawai‘i announced earlier this week that it is awarding a total of $120,000 in grants to five community nonprofits throughout the state. Kauai Now.

Enter to win a toilet from Kauai’s Department of Water. The department will hold a grand prize drawing for three toilets recognized by WaterSense, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that identifies water-efficient products that perform as well as or better than conventional models. Hawaii News Now.

Kai Kahele pushes Congress over military land, Maui mulls desalination plant, AI comes to Mauna Kea telescope, government meeting reports, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

OHA presses for role in military land decisions. Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees chair Kai Kahele is appealing to Congress to press the military to engage with Native Hawaiian groups in negotiations for leases on state-owned training lands. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Grants awarded to strengthen food security for local nonprofits. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii is investing $263,000 in four local nonprofits to expand access to healthy, locally sourced food for families across the islands, the health care provider announced Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Locally created AI tool transcribes and dissects government meetings. Joe Kent is the executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi. He created the Open Hearings tool after he felt he was wasting time and money hiring interns to monitor meetings. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Kakaako Makai housing plan could skirt ban. The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs is pursuing a new strategy to develop housing on land it owns in Kakaako where the Legislature banned residential development in 2006, and it has the potential to sidestep the prohibition. Star-Advertiser.

Council pushes for transparency over unspent money. The Honolulu City Council seeks to hold Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration more accountable over the funding appropriations it provides for the city’s use each year. Star-Advertiser.

Fatal HPD Chases Cost City Millions. Will New Law Change That? As Honolulu looks to settle with the family of a teenager killed in a 2021 chase, efforts to regulate police pursuits continue to draw criticism. Civil Beat.

The Foster Girl’s Bones Kept Breaking. Expert Suggested She Didn’t Feel Pain. In response to a Hawaiʻi Supreme Court decision, case files in one of Hawaiʻi’s most notorious child abuse cases were unsealed. They reveal how the state and experts ignored multiple warnings before Ariel Sellers died. Civil Beat.

$17M in forfeitures sought against company’s late founder Christopher Dawson. Federal prosecutors are seeking to recoup roughly $17 million meant for Native Hawaiian charitable causes that they allege was embezzled to pay for polo, homes in Hawaii and Florida, and other personal expenses of the late founder of Hawaiian Native Corp., according to federal court records. Star-Advertiser.

Popular Downtown Honolulu Street Crossing Needs To Be More Visible. In the past two months, Honolulu architect Joshua Briggs said he has almost been hit three times by cars and even a city bus, all while crossing King Street’s striped crosswalk between ʻIolani Palace and the King Kamehameha statue. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

UH debuts advanced robotic optics on Maunakea, sharpening images in night sky. The University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy (IfA) has launched initial science operations for Robo-AO-2, a robotic laser adaptive optics system now operating at the UH 2.2-meter telescope. Maui Now.

Mobile Family Resource Center rolls out in Puna. The van was made available to Neighborhood Place of Puna through partnerships with state nonprofit organizations Blueprint for Change and Hawaii Ohana Support Network.  Tribune-Herald.

Outreach team from Hawaiian Council coming to Big Island to help with emergency relief applications. The team will provide in-person support for applicants needing help filling out applications, eligibility verification forms and more. Big Island Now.

Puna Geothermal to host final quarterly community meeting of 2025. The meeting is slated for 4 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, located at 15-0322 Kauhale St., in Pāhoa. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui Water Department begins initial planning for West Maui desalination plant. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is taking the first steps toward developing its first publicly owned desalination facility in West Maui. Maui Now.

Earthjustice asks water commission to stop Kapalua golf courses from using drinking water for irrigation. The environmental law firm Earthjustice is claiming that two Kapalua golf courses unlawfully used millions of gallons of drinking water for irrigation, and with the knowledge of the state water commission chair.  Maui Now.

First eight families receive County of Maui’s First-Time Homebuyer Program shopping letters. Marking a significant chapter in rebuilding, the County of Maui Office of Recovery announced that eight families received First-Time Homebuyer Opportunity Program shopping letters that allow them to begin shopping for a house within their approved price range. Maui Now.

Kauai

State completes $24 million project to secure landslide-prone Hanalei Hill on Kauaʻi. After a four-year effort, the project to stabilize the slope at Hanalei Hill and make one of Kaua‘i’s most vulnerable roadways safe is finally finished, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation said. Kauai Now.

Project Housing Connect program raising awareness. Tessa Belardo of the Department of Education, Project YES (which stands for Youth Education Stability program) said on Tuesday that even children who are homeless need to be educated. Garden Island.

Interisland shipping rates hiked 25%, more families go hungry, Native Hawaiian telecom company loses operating licnse after fraud case, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Young Brothers Wins 25% Rate Hike But Faces Stricter Oversight. The increase is expected to generate an extra $26 million in revenue, which the interisland barge service says will still leave it operating at a loss next year. The cost of shipping food and other goods between the Hawaiian Islands is about to rocket up more than 25%, sparking dismay among some residents, farmers and business owners.  Civil Beat.  Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser.  Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

More Hawaii families go hungry. Hawaii’s second annual survey of “food insecurity” showed that almost half of island families (or 48%) are either food insecure or on the brink of choosing between food, housing or healthcare — even among households that earn $90,000 or more. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

DHHL Severs Ties To Company That It Says Abandoned Homesteaders. Waimana Enterprises, founded by Al Hee, was hit with utility violations and previously got wrapped up in a fraud case. The telecommunications company that provided broadband internet and telephone service to thousands of rural Hawaiian homesteaders across the state since the mid-1990s was stripped of its operating license Monday after years of service disruptions and other violations, including a federal fraud case that sent the company’s founder to prison. Civil Beat.

2 unions fight to represent Alaska-Hawaiian aircraft technicians. As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines move closer to completing their $1.9 billion merger, a behind-the-scenes union battle could influence how aircraft maintenance is managed — and shape the future of local jobs and operational efficiency. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

City Council bill aims to proactively identify possible lapsed funding. The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee will consider a bill  Tuesday that aims to bring more transparency to the city’s budget. Hawaii Public Radio.

Honolulu police officers accused of dodging court service in DUI lawsuit. Three Honolulu police officers accused of wrongful DUI arrests are now facing allegations they deliberately avoided a process server in a class action lawsuit. Records show officers Ridge Newcom and Kelsey Messmer, along with recently retired officer Darren Cachola, have been evading service of legal papers. Hawaii News Now.

Massive Convention Center makeover to reshape events for two years starting 2026. The Hawaii Convention Center is moving forward with what will be its most complete renovation since it opened 26 years ago. KHON2. 

Approval process underway for new high-rise project in Ala Moana. Another luxury, high-rise project is being planned in Ala Moana – right on the shopping center’s property. It’ll be a condo and a hotel. KHON2.

USPS removes blue collection boxes around Oahu. The U.S. Postal Service is removing blue collection boxes across Oahu, prompting concerns from residents who rely on them. Removal notices have appeared on boxes in Foster Village, Mapunapuna, and Kapahulu, requiring residents to travel miles to alternative locations. Hawaii News Now.

Roberts bus packages expected to ease traffic to Hanauma Bay. The  City & County of Honolulu is offering visitors a quicker, easier way to get to there through a contract with Roberts Hawaii that offers a package deal including transportation on an electric motorcoach. Star-Advertiser.

Highway Inn sues state over tax on pandemic-era Restaurant Revitalization Fund. HPR sat down with Monica Toguchi Ryan, the third-generation owner of the longtime family restaurant Highway Inn, which has locations in Kakaʻako and Waipahu, plus a cafe at Bishop Museum. Hawaii Public Radio.

What’s A Playground Without A Slide? A Honolulu park slide was removed and its entrance boarded up earlier this year. It’s still unclear when it’ll be replaced.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Salary hikes for county officials questioned. At its meeting Monday in Hilo, the Hawaii County Salary Commission received some public pushback on a proposed 15.29% pay hike for the county’s top officials. Tribune-Herald.

New directors at Public Works, DEM. Daniel Girvan has been appointed director of the Department of Environmental Management, and Wesley Segawa, who served as DEM director since December 2024, has been appointed director of the Department of Public Works. Neil Azevedo, who has served as acting DPW Director since March 31, will continue with the department as deputy director. Tribune-Herald.

Public Hearing Set For Puna Geothermal Power Increase, December 8. The Noncovered Source Permit will grant conditional approval for PGV to increase from 41 megawatts (MW) to 46 MW.  Big Island Video News.

Coconut Island footbridge in Hilo collapses, repairs could take two years.  The pedestrian bridge leading to Mokuʻola, commonly known as Coconut Island, collapsed Friday morning as a county worker drove a mini-excavator across the structure, closing the popular Hilo park indefinitely. Hawaii News Now. Big Island Video News. 

DOT plans speed reductions on Highway 19. The Hawaii Department of Transportation announces the planned reduction of the speed limit in four different areas on Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19), according to a press release. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

First reading of Bill 9 scheduled for Dec. 1. Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee announced on Monday there will be a special hearing next month for Bill 9, a proposal that would phase transient vacation rentals out of apartment districts on Maui. Maui News.

Temporary potable water use for Maui golf course contested. An environmental law firm is objecting to state condoned use of potable water for irrigating the Maui Kapalua golf course that recently reopened after a two-month closure and loss of an economically valuable January PGA tournament. Star-Advertiser.

Trace levels of selenium detected in Lahaina’s water system. Trace levels of selenium have been detected for the first time in water samples collected from the County of Maui Department of Water Supply’s Lahaina water system. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

New Kauaʻi charter school fills a void for North Shore community. For decades, Kauaʻi’s North Shore has been a learning desert. The Namahana School aims to change that.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Thanksgiving turkeys go out. There were at least 500 turkeys being given to Kauai families on Saturday during the big Hawaii Foodbank Kauai drive-through food distribution at the Kauai Community College. Garden Island.

FAA ends flight cutbacks, Hawaii SNAP payments resume in full, Honolulu AI police surveillance worries advocates, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

FAA to end cuts to flights at 40 airports, including Honolulu. The FAA says it is ending all commercial flight restrictions that were put in place during the federal government shutdown. Starting Monday, Nov. 17, at 1 a.m. HST, airlines will be able to go back to their regular schedules. KHON2. Reuters. Associated Press.

Hawaii working on restoring SNAP benefits after shutdown. The state Department of Human Services said it successfully issued full November SNAP benefits Nov. 7 to more than 78,000 households representing over 160,000 people statewide. Star-Advertiser.

From Fundraisers To Favors, Ethics Panel Wants To Crack Down On State Workers. New reform measures would prohibit high level state officials from holding fundraisers and stop state employees from doing favors for former employers. Civil Beat.

Travel firms urge increase in marketing as visitor numbers slip. A total of 690,858 visitors came to Hawaii in September, down 2.5% from September 2024, according to state data. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii ranks second highest in the country for women in construction. Construction Coverage, which researches construction software, insurance and related services for builders and real estate professionals, looked at all 50 states in its “Best-Paying States for Women in Construction” report that found that women make up 13.2% of Hawaii’s construction industry. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Job Corps survives federal shutdown attempt. The operator of the Job Corps centers on Oahu and Maui wants the public to know that the facilities didn’t close at the end of June as directed by the U.S. Department of Labor. Star-Advertiser.

Campaign to ID unknowns from USS Arizona reaches milestone. A civilian-led effort called Operation 85 has reached its goal of collecting enough DNA samples from the living relatives of the battleship’s crew to prompt the Defense Department to consider reexamining dozens of unidentified servicemen who were buried in Hawaii after the Pearl Harbor attack. Arizona Daily Star.

Oahu

Advocates Fear ‘Surveillance Creep’ If HPD Starts Using AI To Write Reports. Honolulu police will start testing an AI program for writing reports run by body camera company Axon on Monday. Civil Beat.

Justice Department: Well-Known Hawaiian Defense Contractor Embezzled Funds. Newly public court documents accuse Christopher Dawson and other executives not only of stealing from their federal contracting business but shortchanging Native Hawaiians in the process. Civil Beat.

Centre Urban project would create 72 Waikiki workforce housing units. Centre Urban Real Estate is advancing plans to transform two Waikiki sites, including the long-­derelict 1615 Ala Wai Blvd., into 72 affordable workforce housing units under city guidelines. Star-Advertiser.

Anxious Honolulu bus riders await contract resolution. After months of stalled negotiations and warnings of a possible strike, the approximately 130,000 daily riders of Honolulu’s TheBus have been left in limbo, hoping for a resolution to the contract stand-off. Star-Advertiser.

Strike continues at Kapi‘olani Medical Center. Hundreds of union workers continued their strike Saturday in front of the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children, marking four weeks since walking off the job Oct. 17. Star-Advertiser.

This Hawaiian Fishpond Is Nearly Restored. All That’s Missing Is Fresh Water. The Heʻeia Fishpond relies on fresh water to create the right conditions to raise fish for the community, but the stream that feeds into it was diverted 85 years ago.  Civil Beat.

Housekeeper sues Hilton Hawaiian Village, alleges co-worker sexually assaulted her. A housekeeper at Hilton Hawaiian Village filed a lawsuit against the hotel, alleging a colleague sexually assaulted her, and arguing her employer should have done more to protect her. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Construction of Hilo roundabout to start in ’27. The intersection of Bayfront Highway, Kamehameha Avenue and Waianuenue Avenue in Hilo is set for a $22 million redesign that includes a roundabout, with construction expected to begin in 2027. Tribune-Herald.

Bill aims to give kupuna farmers property tax relief. Two Hawaii County Council members are proposing a measure that would give longtime kupuna farmers a break on property tax increases after they retire from agricultural work. Tribune-Herald.

Land use debate heats up over controversial ‘Burning Man-inspired’ festival in Pāpaʻikou. On a 15-acre portion of his land in Pāpaʻikou near Hilo, Pennsylvania native Andrew Tepper held a controversial festival in 2023 and 2024 called “Falls on Fire,” an event with a large wooden effigy inspired by the annual weeklong, large-scale Burning Man held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Big Island Now.

Ka‘u student group seeks to minimize waste through composting, recycling. A student-led zero-waste initiative in Ka‘u has kept more than 20,000 pounds of waste out of the West Hawaii landfill since the 2024 start of their grant-supported efforts in trash separation, recycling and composting. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Report projects post-shutdown OGG travel surge with TSA data. Kahului International Airport (OGG) is expected to see one of the nation’s steepest surges in passenger traffic this holiday season, according to a new analysis of Transportation Security Administration data by Luxury Link.  Maui Now.

Who uses the most water in Lahaina? A new report says non-owner-occupied homes. Single-family dwelling was the biggest category of water use in West Maui by meter type, at approximately 5.5 million gallons per day, with hotels coming in second at about 3.5 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Japan’s richest person loves Kapalua, but not its water crisis. The owner of the course, Japanese billionaire Tadashi Yanai, has been eagerly pursuing avenues to secure a new adequate supply of irrigation water. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. 

Nation’s first communal dialysis home in Hāna needs repairs to keep operating at full capacity. Maui County, which owns the home and leases it to the nonprofit Hui Laulima O Hāna led by Cosma, plans to provide funding to help with the repairs.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Kaua’i Council advances measure targeting disposable bodyboards. The Kaua‘i County Council is considering a proposal to ban disposable bodyboards in an effort to reduce plastic waste and protect the island’s beaches and marine life. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i County comes together to observe National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  Kaua‘i County Housing Agency on Nov. 10 joined community members and county officials during a special ceremony in the Mo‘ikeha Rotunda at Līhu‘e Civic Center to proclaim this week, Nov. 16-22, as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Kauai Now.

Russian spy ship spotted off Hawaii, Green names military land advisory panel, Mauna Kea Thirty Meter Telescope plan draws public opposition, Seaglider completes feasibility study, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Coast Guard monitors Russian spy ship off Hawaii’s coast. U.S. Coast Guard officials said they are monitoring a Russian naval intelligence ship that has been lingering just outside U.S. territorial waters close to the Hawaiian islands for at least two weeks and is currently about 15 miles off the coast of Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Governor Names Advisory Panel For Military Land Negotiations. Gov. Josh Green announced a 10-member advisory committee composed  mostly of Native Hawaiians to weigh in on land lease negotiations with the U.S. military Thursday, hours before Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees voted to take a more aggressive approach to inserting the organization into the process. Civil Beat. Big Island Now.  Kauai Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Lawmakers, advocates defend mail-in voting. State lawmakers and voting­-rights advocates gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday to oppose a recent recommendation from the Hawaii Elections Commission to eliminate universal mail-in voting and return to single-day, in-person elections. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. KHON2. 

Commission wants more candidates to request public funds for their campaigns. Candidates running for office across Hawaiʻi are requesting less public funding for their campaigns, the state Campaign Spending Commission says. Hawaii Public Radio.

Environmental law firm says recent BLNR decisions may not be legally valid. An environmental law firm contends that recent decisions made by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources may not be legally valid for lack of a certain kind of member. Hawaii News Now.

New interisland transportation service is one step closer to coming to fruition. REGENT, the developer of electric Seaglider vessels, just completed a feasibility study to see how ready Hawaii’s infrastructure is for this type of transportation. Hawaii News Now.

Federal corruption inquiry still going following 3 convictions. The acting U.S. Attorney for Hawaii told the state House speaker that a public corruption probe that convicted two state legislators and a Maui County official for bribery remains “active” and that any parallel state probe could interfere — also clarifying that a bribery offense referred to in court documents did not involve an “influential state legislator” mentioned elsewhere in court filings. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Elderly Honolulu Architect Convicted For Attempted $20 Bribe. 92-year-old architect Kiyoshi Toi,  who tried to slip a Honolulu permit worker a $20 bill, has been convicted of bribery of a public servant and now faces potential prison time.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s Crackdown Traps Homeless In Loop Of Citations. Ticketing of Honolulu’s homeless population ballooned after the mayor pledged to get 1,000 people off the street in a year, but the effort tends to involve familiar faces. Civil Beat.

Honolulu’s speed enforcement cameras off to slow start with zero citations. Hawaii’s new speed enforcement camera system has issued zero speeding citations in its first 12 days of operation at 10 intersections, despite state officials issuing half a million warnings over the prior seven months. A computer programming glitch has prevented citations from being processed, according to state officials. Hawaii News Now.

Multinational exercise prepares soldiers for high-tech warfare. The 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks is in the closing stages of its annual Hawaii rotation of its Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center training as it puts one of the Army’s first “mobile brigades” to the test. Star-Advertiser.

UH wants $5M in taxpayer funds to recruit, retain college athletes. In a public meeting with state legislators on Wednesday, University of Hawaiʻi officials said the school will ask for $5 million from the state to pay potential students to play at the university.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Kailua roundabout project completed at last. It took three years and cost an estimated $11 million due to numerous hurdles and delays. Star-Advertiser.

Waipahu Intermediate to close Friday due to 8-inch water main break. The break was reported at around 6 p.m. Thursday on Waikele Road fronting Waipahu Intermediate School, and Board of Water Supply crews are working to repair it. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Green’s TMT letter draws strong opposition at Maunakea authority meeting. The Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority took no vote Thursday but heard hours of testimony sparked by Gov. Josh Green’s recent letter outlining a path for permitting the Thirty Meter Telescope on a previously developed site atop Maunakea. Tribune-Herald.

Saddle Road speed limit could be lowered to 55 mph. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who introduced a bill that in 2017 increased the speed limit on portions of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway from 55 mph to 60 mph, said she thinks it’s time to roll the speed limit back to 55. Tribune-Herald.

Scouting America could sell Camp Honokaia. The executive board of Scouting America’s Aloha Council recently authorized staff to explore a range of options for Camp Honokaia near Honokaa, including selling it, leasing it or partnering with a third party. Tribune-Herald.

White Guava Café passes DOH inspection. The state Department of Health’s Food Safety Branch authorized the reopening of White Guava Café and issued a green “pass” placard during a follow-up inspection Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

The Fight Over The Future Of East Maui Water Returns To The State Land Board. The battle over who controls one of the island’s major water sources — a foreign company or a county board — appears headed to a contested case hearing. Civil Beat.

Biggest water users in West Maui before fire were non-owner-occupied homes, report finds. Nearly 100 applications for existing use water permits in West Maui show that single-family homes were the biggest users of water before the August 2023 wildfire, with some non-owner-occupied homes consuming even more water than ones lived in by owners, according to a report released Wednesday by state water commission staff.  Maui Now.

Maui Council gives final approval for Wailuku Executive Center purchase. The Maui County Council has given final approval to public acquisition of the four-story Wailuku Executive Center for $10 million to buy and renovate the property as the new headquarters for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. Maui Now.

Maui County Council backs Kamehameha Schools in lawsuit. The resolution comes as Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy favoring Native Hawaiians faces a new lawsuit from Students for Fair Admissions, a conservative group based in Arlington, Virginia, that successfully challenged affirmative action in college admissions in 2023. Maui News.

Kauai

Preparing to care for The Kauai Bus future. A new 35-foot electric bus was parked on the side of Hoolako Road on Thursday when the county, project partners and community members broke ground on the Kauai Bus Baseyard Expansion Project that is located across Hoolako Road from the Vidinha Stadium soccer fields. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

State notifies public about upcoming full closure of Wailuā River Bridge. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation notifies the public about the planned upcoming full closure of Wailuā River Bridge over Kūhiō Highway, also known as Highway 56, between Kuamoʻo Road and North Leho Drive. The bridge will be closed from 6 to 10 a.m. Nov. 16. Kauai Now.

Case, Tokuda vote no as federal shutdown ends, businesses hurt by Honolulu rail construction struggle for compensation, West Maui water study released, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s U.S. House members vote against reopening government, citing lack of health care assurances. Hawaii’s two House members voted against reopening the federal government, saying the legislation contained no guarantees to prevent insurance premiums from rising for island residents who purchase their health coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Green Fee Advisory Council to give update about project evaluation, recommendations. The Green Fee Advisory Council will host a webinar next week via Zoom to update the public about its ongoing evaluation criteria along with timelines and next steps in its recommendation process for possible Green Fee projects. Kauai Now.

Hawaiʻi DOE Spending More On Buses For Fewer Students. Schools have fewer bus drivers than before the Covid-19 pandemic, but statewide costs for student transportation have increased. Civil Beat.

AlohaCare expands access to medical equipment for Medicaid, Medicare patients. AlohaCare currently serves about 80,000 residents in Hawaiʻi who have Medicaid and Medicare coverage. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Honolulu Businesses Hurt By Rail Construction Find City Help Falls Short. It took years for the city to set up a program helping businesses that were negatively impacted by rail construction. Now, that program is underutilized and insufficient, business owners say. Civil Beat.

Bribery Case: Architect, 92, On Trial For Failed $20 Gift To City Worker. An elderly architect tried to slip an employee what he called a gratuity. County prosecutors say it was a bribe. A judge will decide. Civil Beat.

Honolulu urged to reduce water usage by 20% . Honolulu Board of Water Supply urged Oahu residents to cut their water usage by 10% when the Halawa Shaft was closed due to Red Hill contamination, and that request doubled in 2025. KHON2.

OHA receives $2M grant for environmental cleanup and redevelopment of Kaka‘ako Makai. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been awarded a federal Brownfields Assessment Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to begin critical environmental assessments and planning for the revitalization of 29 acres of Kaka‘ako.  Hawaii News Now.

Ex-informant allegedly killed trying to collect debt. Jonnaven Jo Monalim, 55, was not killed out of retribution for his work as a federal informant during the 2004 Pali Golf Course murder investigation, according to authorities.  Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Eligible Oʻahu veterans to get $20 vehicle registration fee exemption. Military veterans 65 and older on Oʻahu will be given a $20 exemption from their annual vehicle registrations. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi has signed a bill that makes the exemption a city law. It will go into effect next July. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chef Chai closed for operating without valid permit. Chef Chai was shut down Wednesday after health investigators said its new owner lacked a valid permit.The restaurant, located at 1009 Kapiolani Blvd., is now owned by Pomaikai Culinary Group, LLC. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser. 
 
Hawaii Island

Input sought on DOT plan to add bus stops, bike lanes, charging stations. Hawaii Island residents should see a significant boost in bike lanes, bus stop improvements, and electric vehicle infrastructure as the Hawaii Department of Transportation moves forward with its Priority Multimodal Network Plan. Tribune-Herald.

How Overhauling A Big Island Sewer Plant Is Energizing A Long-Stalled Park. A lawsuit over a controversial wastewater system in Kona may finally lead to development of a new regional park. Civil Beat.

What's causing Hāmākua's extraordinary fire season? Hāmākua on the northern coast of Hawaiʻi Island has had more than 90 fires so far this year — three times higher than average. Human activity is responsible for the majority of wildland fires. Hawaii Public Radio.

HECO works to restore South Kohala power after being shut off due to wildfire risk. Hawaiian Electric initiated a public safety power shutoff — proactively shutting off power — in South Kohala because of the threat of wildfires from high winds and dry conditions. Hawaii News Now.  Big Island Now.

Maui

West Maui water usage study to underpin better regulation ahead. The Commission on Water Resource Management published an analysis Wednesday on surface and groundwater consumption by West Maui property owners, which will be used to better regulate the public trust resource in an area plagued by severe drought and dominated by private water system operators. Star-Advertiser.

Disabled Maui residents still struggle 2 years after wildfires, report finds. More than two years after the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, disabled residents remain among the least recovered — still facing unstable housing, steep income losses and worsening health — according to a new report from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Play returns to the Plantation as owner donates $750K to Maui nonprofits. About four dozen golfers ages 10 to 17 teed off at the pro-level Kapalua Plantation Course on Sunday — just after watching three junior golf nonprofits receive one big check. Maui News.

Upcountry Maui water shortage downgraded to Stage 1. Following recent rainfall that improved surface water flows and replenished reservoirs, the County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) is suspending the Stage 2 Upcountry water shortage and downgrading it to a Stage 1. Maui Now.

Kauai

County Charter Review Commission invites public comment on proposed amendments. Kaua‘i County Charter Review Commission is considering several changes to the Kaua‘i County Charter that could appear on the 2026 General Election ballot. Kauai Now.

Public can give input on update of county Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan. Garden Isle community members are invited to help update the 5-year Kaua‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan — a key to strengthening community preparedness and reducing risks from natural disasters. Kauai Now.

State declined to investigate third bribery suspect in Legislature, federal shutdown cancels Veterans Day ceremonies at National Memorial Cemetery, questions surround PUC chairman's abrupt resignation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

State agencies declined to investigate third legislator in bribery case, internal letters show. Since May, two state representatives have tried unsuccessfully to get the attorney general and two commissions to take action in a public corruption probe. Hawaii News Now.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs says governor rushing deal over military training lands. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is demanding a seat at the table as Gov. Josh Green works to negotiate new military training land leases with the federal government. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi’s Top Utility Regulator Abruptly Steps Down. Outgoing PUC Chair Leo Asuncion gave no reason for leaving before his term is up. Hawaiʻi’s top utility regulator has announced his resignation amid a staff exodus and criticism for failing to implement programs designed to push the state toward its goal of generating all electricity with renewable resources by 2045. Civil Beat.

Community input sought for Statewide Historic Preservation Plan. DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division is beginning the process to update the Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, which will guide preservation priorities, partnerships and strategies across Hawaiʻi through 2034. Maui Now.

State encourages hemp product retailers to register with DOH. The Hawaii Department of Health has announced a new initiative aimed at encouraging hemp product retailers and distributors to comply with state regulations that are set to take effect in 2026. Tribune-Herald.

Above-average rainfall could help ease drought. Wetter-than-normal conditions are likely across Hawaii in the coming months as a weak La Nina pattern influences the Pacific, according to the National Weather Service. Maui News.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs committee and board meetings to be broadcast by ʻŌlelo. ʻŌlelo Community Media, more commonly referred to as ‘Ōlelo, announces a new 5-year partnership with Office of Hawaiian Affairs to broadcast and stream its committee and board meetings. Big Island Now.

Young seabirds vulnerable with new moon. This month’s new moon coincides with the “seabird fallout” season when young ‘Ua‘u (Hawaiian petrels) and ‘Ua‘u kani (wedge-tailed shearwaters) leave their burrows for their first flights. The young seabirds trying to start their lives at sea can instead become disoriented by lights on land and fall to the ground, where they can be susceptible to predators and traffic. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Shutdown forces Oahu Veterans Day ceremony to move. Veterans gather at Foster Village, the USS Missouri, after traditional ceremonies canceled. The event was held in place of two ceremonies typically held on Oahu. Officials cancelled them after the federal government shutdown caused a lack of funding, staff, or resources. The cancellation meant no missing-man formation flying above the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, no 21-gun salutes, and no military bands. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Skyline daily riders skyrocket following Segment 2 opening. Skyline’s October ridership numbers have been released by the city, and the stats show that ridership has more than doubled, according to official Skyline documents. KHON2.

‘It’s a disaster’: High surf chips away at coastlines, worrying oceanfront residents. Hawaii currently prohibits homeowners from altering the shoreline in any way to protect their properties. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Fire Department Relied On Risky Tactic In Deadly Blaze. Firefighters have a mantra: Risk a lot to save a lot. But a newly uncovered federal investigation into a firefighter’s death cautions fire departments against risking everything when they don’t know whether there’s anyone to save. Civil Beat.

Former Tripler gynecologist sued for allegedly secretly videotaping patients. A U.S. Army gynecologist who used to work at Tripler Medical Center is being sued for allegedly taking secret videos of his patients. Dr. Blaine McGraw is accused of secretly videotaping patients during intimate examinations. Hawaii News Now.

Job fair seeks to expand state workforce amid federal turmoil. The state Department of Human Resources Development is hosting the recruitment event under the Operation Hire Hawai‘i initiative begun in February, largely aimed at filling vacant state positions with skilled federal workers being displaced by Trump administration efforts to slash the size of federal government. Friday’s job fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wahiawa Value-Added Product Development Center with 22 state agencies seeking to fill positions on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

City Council authorizes raises for HPD officers. Honolulu Police Department officers moved closer to banking their largest pay raise Opens in a new tab in 17 years after the City Council unanimously approved a new four-year collective bargaining agreement Nov. 4. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

‘Stand with pride’: Hawaii Island veterans honored for their service. While government workers and schoolchildren had a day off Tuesday, veterans and their families gathered to commemorate those who served the nation in uniform — both the living and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Tribune-Herald.

Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient interned at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery. Community and family members gathered at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday to honor veterans from Hawai‘i Island, including Army Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Yano, who was killed in Vietnam in 1969. Big Island Now.

High surf forces closure of Hawaii Island beach parks, highway. Dangerous high surf conditions forced two beach parks and a major highway on Hawaii Island to close Tuesday. Bayfront Highway in Hilo remains closed after the high waves spread debris across the road. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Staff say Maui Job Corps’ urgent enrollment goal is to keep program alive. Maui’s only free live-in career training program for young adults is asking the community to help spread the word: Maui Job Corps Center in Makawao is open, enrolling and needs new students to stay active. Maui Now.

Maui Church Makes Space Amid Pews To House Fire Recovery Volunteers. The cost of renting a place to stay has been prohibitively expensive for some who want to come help the island rebuild. Now, there’s a new option. Civil Beat.

Evictions on Maui rapidly rising after moratorium ends. There was an eviction moratorium on Maui after the 2023 fires to help residents who were displaced by the disaster. That was lifted in February. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Shutdown doesn’t stop gratitude. Despite the obstacles created by the government shutdown, the Kauai Veterans Council, under the leadership of retired USAF Gen. Mary Kay Hertog, slogged ahead with the Veterans Day service on Tuesday at the Kauai Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. Garden Island.

Another 8-foot shark spotted in waters off Kaua‘i North Shore beach. Kaua‘i County Ocean Safety Bureau officials were telling people to stay out of the water in another area of the Garden Isle on Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 11) just 2 hours after making their first announcement to do the same elsewhere. The reason: Shark sightings. Kauai Now.