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.