HECO bailout bill a top legislative priority, Green signs executive order to protect cannabis caregivers, all the top stories of 2024, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Plan To Bail Out HECO’s Credit Rating Would Cost Customers $48 A Year. A proposed wildfire settlement fund tops the utility’s legislative agenda for 2025. Hawaiian Electric Co. customers would have to pay $4 more per month under a proposal to create a settlement fund meant to bolster the power company’s battered credit rating in an era of catastrophic wildfires. Civil Beat.

Green Moves To Protect Medical Cannabis Caregivers from ‘Undue’ Enforcement. The governor’s executive order addresses a state law that is set to expire Wednesday. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green on Monday said caregivers should still be allowed to provide medical cannabis to qualified patients. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

The rise in mail voting comes with a price, as mismatched signatures lead to ballot rejections. As with many voters on Maui, Joshua Kamalo thought the race for president wasn’t the only big contest on the November ballot. He also was focused on a hotly contested seat for the local governing board. Associated Press.

Water commission leader supports higher code violation fines, quicker emergency response. First Deputy Ciara Kahahane, who Gov. Josh Green appointed to the commission in August, recently informed commissioners of potential measures she wants to include in the governor’s legislative package for the upcoming session. Hawaii Public Radio.

'I make nothing': Local fishers weigh leaving the industry as inflation drives up costs. There are some 140 Hawaiʻi-based longline fishing vessels that bring in more than 20 million pounds of tuna annually. Collectively, the state’s longline commercial fishing industry is one of the largest local food producers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Proposal to expand mine warfare training around Hawaii sparks concerns. The Navy wants to renew its operating permit for training at sea around Hawaii and California with more mine warfare training around the islands. Hawaii News Now.

Year in review: 2024 was a tumultuous one for Hawaii. 2024 will be remembered for the $1.9 billion merger of Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, announcement of a $4 billion settlement for victims of the Maui wildfires, the selection of Wendy Hensel to replace retiring University of Hawaii President David Lassner, and labor unrest that led to hospital nurses and hotel workers walking picket lines, as well as increased gun violence on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi’s Top Stories Of 2024: How Civil Beat Covered A Year Of Upheaval. Let’s take a month-by-month look at stories that made the year memorable. Civil Beat.

9 community stories we were excited to share with you in 2024. From Ice Cream Aunties to a student-led climate change lawsuit, here are nine news stories HPR was eager to share with you this past year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Eventful year includes many newsmakers: Here are the University of Hawai‘i News top people stories for 2024. The University of Hawaiʻi News posted nearly 1,500 stories throughout an eventful 2024. Many of them involved people with connections to the university system making headlines. Big Island Now.

Surfer, judge, Pearl Harbor survivors among notable deaths in 2024. Hawaii mourned the loss in 2024 of people who influenced island life in ways that changed the course of Hawaii history, shaped island culture and entertained through song, art and acting. They included a North Shore surfing legend and lifeguard who was killed by a shark, a federal judge who upheld Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy in preference of Native Hawaiians, the last known Pearl Harbor survivor still living in Hawaii and a former insurance commissioner who fought to protect residents from unfair insurance practices. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii residents donated over $10M on GoFundMe this year. Hawaii residents in 2024 gave more than $10 million to strangers, as well as friends and relatives in need, through the world’s leading online fundraising (and crowdfunding) platform. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Unauthorized message appears on Moanalua Freeway sign. An unauthorized message was made on a sign on Moanalua Freeway to say “Gay Furry Pride uwu” on Sunday evening. OT crews disabled the sign as quickly as possible and reset the board for safety measures. An investigation is underway to find out the origins of the message and how someone got access. KITV4.

Popular all-you-can-eat McCully restaurant to close after 25 years. McCully Buffet, which sits in Hana Market on McCully Street, announced on Monday, Dec. 30 that they will cease operations Sunday, Feb. 2. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Mayor Alameda Appoints Hawaiʻi County Corporation Counsel. Mayor Kimo Alameda has appointed Renee Schoen as Corporation Counsel and J Yoshimoto as Assistant Corporation Counsel. The selections complete Alameda’s cabinet for the start of his first term in office. Big Island Video News.

Aloha, 2024! A recap of the top 10 Big Island news stories of the year. Hospital expansion, homelessness, workforce housing and regulating short-term vacation rentals are top stories in 2024. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiian Knowledge And Western Science: A Recipe For Reef Recovery? Kahaluʻu Bay on the Big Island has become a focal point for blending science, tourist education and cultural know-how. So far, hopeful signs abound.  Civil Beat.

Chief: Fireworks crackdown could provide some relief. The Big Island’s police chief hopes that the seizure of at least 75 tons of fireworks in Honolulu by the Illegal Fireworks Task Force over the past year will make for a somewhat quieter New Year’s Eve. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Restrictions ease in Lahaina burn zone. Maui County is lifting access restrictions to much of a largely commercial area of Lahaina destroyed by wildfire more than a year ago. Star-Advertiser.

Schatz secured $6 billion for Hawaiʻi in 2024, including funds to support Maui’s recovery. In 2024, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) helped secure more than $6 billion in federal funding for Hawai‘i as he led efforts to deliver resources to support Maui’s recovery from last year’s fires and advance a range of other priorities for the state.  Maui Now.

A Model for Maui: Regenerative “Green Streets” blessed at Honoiki and Keoneʻōʻio. A blessing was held last week for the new “Green Streets” project in Mākena, a transformative milestone in sustainable, low-impact development on Maui, according to managers.  Maui Now.

Kauai

Wilcox nurses hold vote on strike. The 159-member nursing staff at Wilcox Medical Center on Kauai began voting Sunday, and has until 8 p.m. Wednesday to cast a vote that could lead to a strike. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.

Results are in for top 2024 story on Kaua‘i. With only days left until the start of 2025, Kaua‘i Now readers have determined the year’s top story, which is the latest in the decades-long soap opera surrounding the once-grand Coco Palms Resort. Kauai Now.

Hawaii Supreme Court considering election challenges, Maui releases long-term recovery plan for Lahaina, Kilauea pauses after brief eruption, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

State Supreme Court considers two challenges to tight election races (video only) Hawaii News Now.

Native Hawaiian Contractor Chris Dawson Has Died While Under Investigation. Christopher Dawson, 62, a prominent Native Hawaiian defense contractor, was found dead Thursday on Oʻahu, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office.  Dawson’s death, which the medical examiner determined to be a suicide, comes as he was under federal investigation for alleged financial crimes, including wire fraud and money laundering.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

Another Honolulu Rail Contractor Demands More Money, Citing Years Of Delays. In a $324 million lawsuit, a key contractor alleges the city hasn’t resolved its claim because it wants to avoid further public criticism. Civil Beat.

Topa Financial Center property sale another sign of evolving downtown. Developer Christine Camp said her company’s acquisition Friday of Topa Financial Center is just a small part of a larger trend in reimagining “DOHO” — downtown Honolulu — with its many largely vacant office buildings. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

A new kauhale opens as the state tackles growing homelessness. The newest tiny-home village to reduce homelessness — with 43 units designed to house single adults, couples and their pets — was unveiled and blessed Monday in Iwilei. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Kīlauea pauses after a brief eruption . Kilauea puts on ‘outstanding’ show.  It’s a “Pele Kalikimaka” in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, according to Jessica Ferracane, the park’s spokeswoman, referring to the eruption that started early Monday morning within Kilauea volcano’s Halema‘uma‘u crater. Tribune-Herald. Associated Press.  Hawaii Punlic Radio.  Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Maui releases final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. Maui Country officials have released the county’s final Long-Term Recovery Plan for Lahaina. The release follows a monthlong community engagement series on the draft plan that included feedback from hundreds of residents and local stakeholders. The Long-Term Recovery Plan.  Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina immigrants who survived fire now wary of Trump’s deportation threats. Nearly one-third of Lahaina’s population before the August 2023 wildfire came from another country, and their recovery from the blaze has been hampered in some cases by language barriers, housing costs, the decline in work and the lack of access to services reserved for U.S. citizens. Maui Now.

Report emphasizes recovery access needs for Filipino survivors of Maui wildfires. A group focusing on Filipinos in Lahaina recently released a report on the community’s experiences and needs following the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

Iwi kupuna unearthed after surf slams Maui’s North Shore. The waves uncovered iwi kupuna – or ancestral remains – from Hawaiian burials. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Efforts underway for permanent Hanapēpē Massacre memorial on Kauaʻi 100 years later. The state is looking to build a permanent memorial to honor the 1924 Hanapēpē Massacre, a tragic turning point in Hawai‘i’s labor movement that led to the deaths of 16 Filipino strikers and four police officers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Contractors Association of Kauai wraps up 2024 with membership meeting. The Contractors Association of Kauai closed 2024 with its 67th Annual Meeting and Installation dinner on Dec. 5 at the Puakea Golf Course. Garden Island.

State seeks food security, Oahu landfill site selected near water supply, avian flu found in Hilo wastewater, Alaska Air stock takes off after Hawaiian purchase, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

How To Keep Hawaiʻi Better-Fed, According To Food-Security Advocates. Even in the best of times, Hawaiʻi isnʻt doing a good enough job of feeding itself, with 30% of households statewide experiencing food insecurity.  Addressing the underlying issues will require a lot of work, state food system planner Amanda Shaw told attendees at the Hawaiʻi Food Systems Summit on Tuesday during a three-day event at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu. Civil Beat.

UH study on quality of life cites housing, health care as stressors. A new dashboard launched by the University of Hawaii at Manoa offers data from a survey of more than 8,000 adult residents conducted earlier this year. It offers snapshots of how residents from a broad range of demographics felt about their neighborhood, workplace, housing, mental and physical health and other factors affecting quality of life. Star-Advertiser.

Alaska sees $1B jump in profit after Hawaiian Airlines merger. Alaska Air on Tuesday unveiled a plan to generate $1 billion in additional profits by 2027 by leveraging its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines and booming demand for premium travel, sparking a rally in its shares. Reuters.

Experiences in Hawaii may hold clues to suspected CEO killer’s anger. Luigi Mangione, who lived in Hawaii for about two years, is accused of shooting to death UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last Wednesday. Police say Mangione left three pages of notes, calling the company’s leaders “parasites.” Hawaii News Now.

A ‘Devil’ Seaweed Is Spreading Inside Hawaiʻi’s Most Protected Place. An invasive algae has wrecked huge sections of reef in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Scientists are racing to find out what it is, where it came from and whether anything can stop it.  Civil Beat.

Oahu

New Oʻahu Landfill Site Is Above Island’s Water Supply. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposes the decision, but the mayor and the director of the Department of Environmental Services think they can prevent leaks. After a yearslong search filled with pivots and delays, Honolulu city leaders announced on Tuesday plans to place Oʻahu’s new municipal landfill on land belonging to Dole Food Co. outside of Wahiawā. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Price increase expected for Oahu Transit Services. The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) is trying to generate more money to run Oahu Transit Services, TheBus and Skyline, by increasing costs in the next few years. KITV4.

Popping a wheelie on a public street may soon be illegal. The popularity of e-bikes continues to grow along with the number injuries relating to them. So lawmakers are pushing for stricter safety guidelines by banning wheelies on e-bikes and mopeds. KHON2.

Police subsidized vehicle reportedly involved in Aiea hit-and-run. Law enforcement sources say an HPD sergeant, who claimed to be a passenger in that police vehicle, told responding officers the man in the driver’s seat took off. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

State reports H5 avian flu detected in Hilo wastewater. The Hawaii Department of Health today said the H5 avian influenza virus has been detected in a wastewater sample collected from the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant on Hawaii Island. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Cell tower bills head to council. A duel between two proposed regulations on Big Island cell towers ended with both bills victorious, after the Windward Planning Commission punted them both to the County Council on Thursday. Tribune-Herald.

Artificial intelligence being used as tool to protect Hawai‘i’s native birds. UH Hilo biology professor Patrick Hart’s research, funded by the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, uses artificial intelligence to monitor bird populations in remote forests on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Now.

Maui

Maui County files for dismissal of election suit. A motion filed by the Maui County Clerk seeks to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the results of the Nov. 5 general election, arguing that former Maui County Council member Kelly King, who lost to incumbent Tom Cook, failed to provide evidence of any errors or wrongdoing. Star-Advertiser.

Tobacco bill moves forward through Maui County Council. Multiple individuals testified Friday during a Maui County Council meeting in support of a bill that hopes to ban e-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products on the island some day.  Maui News.

Residents fear cutbacks in Akaku Maui Community Media budget. With a song and a Hawaiian chant, supporters of nonprofit Akaku Maui Community Media testified for more than four hours in favor of preserving the budget for its access channels and production. Maui News.

Maui police seek help contacting families of 11 unclaimed bodies. The Maui Police Department is seeking the public’s help in contacting the family members of 11 unclaimed bodies at its forensic facility. Star-Advertiser. Maui News. Maui Now.

November single-family home prices shy of all-time record, but not by much. The median price of a single-family home on Maui was $1.3 million in November, according to a monthly statistical report by the Realtors Association of Maui. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai Economic Opportunity to mark 60 years. Kauai’s Economic Opportunity Inc. will mark an impressive milestone in 2025, celebrating 60 years of helping Kauai residents resolve disputes through effective mediation. Garden Island.

Kahele takes over OHA board, state economy inching up, Honolulu police shooting ruled justified after attempted murder suspect shot 23 times, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

OHA Leadership Shakeup Puts Kai Kahele In Charge, With An Eye on Development. Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs elected former U.S. Congressman Kai Kahele as board chairman in a move aimed at putting the agency in a better position to win approval from the Legislature for a high-profile development in Honolulu. Big Island Now. Civil Beat.

State economy to inch up 1.6% with 2% growth forecast in 2025. Hawaii’s economy performed slightly better than expected in 2024 and — with a red hot construction industry, in particular — should show even more gains for 2% growth in 2025, according to the latest economic data from the state Department of Economic Business and Development. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Hawaii Farmers Face Risk of Crime Daily. Is A Murder Enough To Spur Reform? After years of inaction and neglect, a handful of lawmakers and state officials now say they want to address it this legislative session. Potential responses include an agriculture-specific stand-your-ground law, allowing ranchers and farmers to defend themselves with lethal force. Civil Beat.

Feds want more attention on Hawaii’s beetle battle. Federal officials want to expand the coconut rhinoceros beetle program in Hawaii — it is currently only active on Oahu. KHON2.

Hawaii Spends More On Takeout Than Any Other State. Hawaii residents spend just under 10% of their average income on takeout. Civil Beat.

Oahu

New potential landfill sites identified, require changes to state law. The city said it has identified six new landfill locations, but they are only feasible if the state Legislature makes changes to a current law restricting landfills. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu certifies election results. The final results of Honolulu’s Nov. 5 general election involving the passage of four city charter amendments have been officially certified. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police shooting ‘justified’, prosecutor Steve Alm says. An attempted murder suspect shot 23 times and killed by Honolulu police officers following a New Year’s Day-long pursuit and shootouts was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine and officers were justified to use deadly force, Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm announced Wednesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  KITV4.

Empty homes tax bill up for final reading Dec. 11. The Honolulu City Council is scheduled to hold its final reading Wednesday on a proposed empty-homes tax. Star-Advertiser.

Pearl Harbor ducks also tested positive for H5N1. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture today confirmed that another backyard flock of birds infected with avian influenza was discovered in the Pearl Harbor area. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaii Island

How to protect Kahalu‘u Bay? Public invited to provide feedback about ecosystem restoration study. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Kohala Center’s Kahalu‘u Bay Education Center, will hold a public meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12, to discuss an ongoing study that will investigate methods to restore the bay’s marine environment, which has become degraded due to human impact and changing weather patterns caused by climate change. Tribune-Herald.

New Island Naturals project ‘moving slowly’.  Grocery chain owner and former state Sen. Russell Ruderman announced plans in 2021 to build a new retail center at the intersection of Kekuanaoa and Mililani streets in Hilo that would house the franchise’s new flagship location. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

House Passes Rep. Tokuda’s Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act. Wednesday, he full House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act – introduced by US Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) – marking another significant step forward in her efforts to support the community in recognizing Lahaina’s historic and cultural importance.  Maui Now.

Hawaiian Crow That Went Extinct In The Wild Decades Ago Released On Maui. The birds, described as intelligent and charismatic, are the last survivor of all the Hawaiian crow species. Associated Press. Maui News. Maui Now.

New deadlines announced for Maui wildfire survivor housing assistance. Maui residents displaced by the August 2023 wildfires have until Dec. 15 to submit new applications for the Hawaiʻi Interim Housing Program. Households with existing applications have until Jan. 15 to complete them. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kawakami appoints Emily Ishida as new executive on aging for Kaua‘i County. Ishida has been a program specialist at the Agency on Elderly Affairs since 2017, overseeing its information and referral program and working with 6 team members and case management consumers. Kauai Now.

Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development awards 2024-25 Innovation Grants. Kaua‘i County’s Office of Economic Development for the fifth year is awarding funds to new programs and projects that identify and solve local problems with advanced innovation while supporting economic development of the island. Kauai Now.

Reality TV reno stars build without Honolulu permits, $150M DHHL project goes to developer with ties to agency, Kauai councilwoman sworn in despite ongoing court challenge, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Has Tulsi Gabbard Bid Hawaii A Last Aloha? Tulsi Gabbard owes her political career to Hawaii, where she served in elective office at the county, state and federal level. But she appears to have largely left its shores behind as her national profile ascended. Civil Beat.

USDA calls for 2.3% hike in SNAP benefits to reflect food costs in islands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday proposed a 2.3% increase to benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often still referred to by many as food stamps, for Hawai‘i to ensure they accurately reflect the cost of food in the state.The proposal would result in an extra estimated $40 a month for a family of four receiving benefits in Hawai‘i. Big Island Now.

Changes in procedure, short staffing causing long lines at state benefits offices. The state Department of Human Services said calls to its offices jumped from 17,000 in September to more than 40,000 in November. In October, DHS said it’s processed 9,100 new applicants as well as 10,000 recertifications, so workers are now doing twice the amount of work as before.  KHON2.

NAVFAC Hawaiʻi awards $81M contract for waterfront projects. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaiʻi has awarded an $81 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification to Moffatt & Nichol – Burns & McDonnell Hawaiʻi in Honolulu. The contract will fund engineering services for various waterfront projects across Hawaiʻi and other South Pacific Islands. Maui Now.

Oahu

For ‘Renovation Aloha,’ Permit Violations Are The Cost Of Doing Business. Husband and wife home flippers Kamohai and Tristyn Kalama have a low tolerance for delays. Civil Beat.

Construction At Turtle Bay Development Stays On Hold For Now. The building of a big new high-end development at Turtle Bay on Oahu’s North Shore will remain on pause as the developers respond to comments on its plans made during a review by the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting. Utah-based developer Areté Collective first applied for the permits nearly two years ago.  Civil Beat.

Community demands training moratorium after elevated lead levels found. In February, the U.S. Marine Corps took two dozen soil samples across 3,000 feet of shoreline by the Puuloa Range Training Facility in Ewa Beach to test for toxic chemicals. Now in a draft report, the military tests found elevated levels of heavy metals. Hawaii News Now.

Local crime boss’s cause of death still a mystery. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii, announced Tuesday that no determination of foul play or suicide has been made in the death of Honolulu businessman and crime boss Michael J. Miske Jr. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

A Suicide At The Oahu Jail Prompts A Lawsuit By The Inmate’s Family. Two lawyers involved in the criminal case against Jimuel Gatioan say they warned the jail he was suicidal before he hanged himself. Civil Beat.

Oahu restaurant owner must pay workers $158K for wage violations. The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday announced the owner of Domo Cafe restaurants in Honolulu must pay more than $158,000 in back wages to 14 workers. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

DHHL project goes to developer with ties to the agency’s leader. The work, estimated to cost around $150 million, represents the first major project for the year-old company led by Patti Tancayo, who spent over two decades working with DHHL Director Kali Watson running a nonprofit affordable-housing development firm before Watson was appointed in early 2023 to head DHHL. Star-Advertiser.

New leadership and faces on Hawaiʻi County Council. The Hawaiʻi County Council has a new look as members were sworn into office this week — and decided on new leadership. Hawaii Public Radio.

New mayor suspends plan to charge admission at Hilo zoo. The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation announced Tuesday that it is suspending plans to introduce admission fees to the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo  pending further review. KHON2 . Tribune-Herald.

Harbor dredging project pau. Boaters are in deep water at last after a months-long dredging project at Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo wrapped up last week. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Maui

Project formerly known as Wailea 670 to consult with Maui County ʻŌiwi Resources Department. A contentious and complicated proposed luxury home development project in South Maui may need to meet with the Maui County Department of ʻŌiwi Resources before going any further.  Maui News.

Residents encouraged to attend Wednesday Disaster Recovery Community Meeting. Residents are encouraged to attend the County of Maui’s Disaster Recovery Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

State data shows more visitors are gradually coming to Maui after a hiatus due to the fires. The latest state data shows more than 180,000 visitors came to Maui in October, 34% higher than the same time last year and 24% lower than before the pandemic. KITV4.

Kauai

Holland is newest council member. Fern Anuenue Holland became the newest member of the Kauai County Council when the council was sworn in by Judge Randal Valenciano despite a challenge of the Kauai County Council race by Hawaii State Elections Commissioner Ralph Cushnie that is sitting at the Hawaii Supreme Court. Garden Island.

New hotel may be in the works on Kauai. A sale is pending on a 25-acre parcel of land in Poipu on the Garden Isle’s South Shore that is entitled for hotel or resort residential development. KHON2.

Community meeting scheduled for Lydgate Beach Park breakwater maintenance project. The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park and Oceanit Laboratories, with support from Kaua‘i County, will host the meeting from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Conservatory Room at Hilton Garden Inn Kaua‘i, located at 3-5920 Kūhiō Highway, in Kapa‘a, adjacent to Lydgate Beach Park. Kauai Now.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te wraps up Hawaii visit with call for peace, Honolulu crime boss Miske found dead in federal prison, Southwest Airlines seeks 30% cut in interisland flights, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Taiwan’s president visits East-West think tank as China criticizes his 2-day visit to Hawaii. Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te visited a U.S. State Department-funded think tank and educational institution Sunday on the second day of a two-day visit to Hawaii that’s part of a Pacific island tour that has already triggered criticism from Beijing.  Associated Press. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now.

Cannabis caregivers and large grow sites will soon be illegal in Hawaii, impacting thousands. Thousands of Hawaii medical cannabis patients depend on caregivers to grow and process marijuana for them as medicine. But those caregivers will be illegal in just a few weeks, along with the large community grow sites many of them depend on. Lawmakers say that was a mistake that they will try and fix as soon as possible, according to House Public Safety Chair Rep. Della Belatti. Hawaii News Now.

New Hawaii legislators, leadership hold fate of legal recreational marijuana. State legislators expect to take another run at legalizing adult recreational marijuana use and impose new, unspecified fees on tourists — all while figuring out how to pay for historic tax cuts passed earlier this year. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii state House reorganizes with new faces, leadership.  The Democrat-dominated state House will see a mix of veteran and new committee chairs when the next legislative session begins in January, along with new House leadership. Star-Advertiser.

Close Hawaii House election goes to court after recount. The result of the contest has been appealed to the Hawaii Supreme Court by Corey Rosenlee, a James Campbell High School teacher and Democrat who lost by 11 votes to Republican incumbent Rep. Elijah Pierick to represent communities including Royal Kunia, Village Park, Ho‘opili, Honouliuli and part of Waipahu in House District 39. Star-Advertiser.

Jury Awards More Than $2 Million To Family Of Disabled Homeless Man Killed By Deputy. A jury awarded $2.27 million Friday to the family of a man killed outside the Capitol in 2019 by a deputy sheriff and found the state liable for failing to properly train and supervise the law enforcement officer.  Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Southwest Airlines shifting strategy, reducing Hawai‘i flights in 2025. Southwest Airlines plans some major changes to its Hawai‘i services starting next spring, shifting its strategy and reducing interisland flights by as much as 30%. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Hawaii crime boss Miske found dead at detention center. Honolulu businessman Michael J. Miske Jr., 50, was found dead Sunday at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, where he had been held since his arrest in 2020 and was awaiting sentencing in January. Miske, convicted of racketeering conspiracy, murder and 11 other felony charges, was scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 30, facing mandatory life sentences on two counts. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.  KITV4.

Expediting Japanese travel part of bigger push for visitors. Eligible visitors from Japan can now apply for expedited entry to fly into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program, which eliminates hours of standing in processing lines and provides faster, TSA pre-check screening, among other benefits designed to make it easier for foreign travel to American destinations that now include Honolulu. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Council wants study uniting paramedics with Fire Department. City Council member Val Okimoto  introduced Resolution 272, which asks the city administration to establish a task force to explore whether the paramedic program — now operating under the city Emergency Services Department — should be integrated into the Honolulu Fire Department. Star-Advertiser.

Should The Planned Ala Wai Canal Bridge Be A New City Icon? Hundreds of residents stopped by Ala Wai Elementary School last week to vote on design options for the estimated $63 million bridge. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Alameda announces additional appointments. Hawaii County Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, who will be sworn-in at noon Monday, announced Friday the selection of administrators to lead four additional departments and offices. Tribune-Herald.

Takeaway, not throwaway: Under pilot program, eateries would serve take-out meals in reusable containers. A pilot project that would develop a system for distributing and collecting reusable food containers at participating Hilo establishments is expected to launch by mid-2025 as Hawaii County looks for a distribution partner. Tribune-Herald.

Proposed zoo rules criticized. At an evening public meeting, about a dozen Big Island residents urged the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation to reconsider a plan to impose admission fees at the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, as well as hike stall deposit fees at the Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center. Tribune-Herald.

Travel Advisory Issued For Hilo International Airport due to reduced checkpoint capacity. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation on Sunday evening issued a rare travel advisory for travelers departing from Hilo International Airport for Monday, December 2nd. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Servco Pacific finalizes deal for 2 Big Island Toyota dealerships. Honolulu-based Servco Pacific Inc., one of the top 15 automotive dealer groups in the U.S., finalized a deal today to acquire Big Island Toyota’s Hilo and Kona locations. Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Lahaina merchants want to rebuild town as it was before fire. Kaleo Schneider, a Hawaiian whose buildings housed 15 seaside businesses, said she’s hopeful her family will be able to help to rebuild the waterfront town, which served as the first capital of Hawaiian royalty and as a leading visitor attraction that generated close to a billion dollars a year in revenue. Maui News.

Maui United Way allocated over $12.7M to individuals and organizations across Maui County as resilience and recovery continues. Maui United Way allocated over $12.7 million to individuals and organizations across Maui County. It also focused on long-term resilience, providing resources for mental health, education and recovery.  Maui Now.

Maui’s no-kill animal rescue organization to close at the end of the year. After 13 years, the Maui-based private, nonprofit Hawaiʻi Animal Rescue Foundation (HARF) will be closing its doors at the end of the year. Maui Now.

Kauai

Facebook founder’s $626,000 donation aids affordable housing on Kauai. A donation from Priscilla Chan and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will help make five homes on Kauai affordable to moderate- income households in perpetuity. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi holiday events include parades, new festival in memory of West Side historian. Parades on the East and West sides of the Garden Isle will bookend the month full of festivities, starting on Dec. 6 with the Lights on Rice, the annual Christmas parade in downtown Līhu‘e.  Kauai Now.

Board of Regents defends Hensel hire despite discrimination complaints, Maui Council candidate asks Supreme Court to void election, nursing home deficiencies among highest in the nation, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New UH President Was Accused Of Discrimination At Two Posts Before Hiring. At the time of the Gaza protests on New York City campuses earlier this year, the incoming president of the University of Hawaii was facing accusations of discrimination by a Jewish faculty member — concerns that followed similar allegations by a Black law professor in Georgia. The chair of the University of Hawaii's Board of Regents is staunchly defending the vetting of incoming president Wendy Hensel, saying it aligned with national best practices. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Nursing Home Deficiencies Among Highest In The Nation. The number of average deficiencies in Hawaii nursing homes almost doubled between 2015 and 2023.  Civil Beat.

Other than Hone and Gilma, 2024 hurricane season blows through with little more than stiff breeze. Hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 each year, featured just two tropical cyclones — Hurricanes Hone and Gilma. Big Island Now.

Oahu

UHERO offers ‘uncertainties’ over Council’s proposed empty-homes tax. An empty-homes tax meant to penalize real-­property owners who leave their Oahu residences vacant for extended periods of time continues to receive wider public scrutiny. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

The Unnamed Dead Of Honolulu May Be Revealed Through DNA Testing. DNA from five unidentified sets of juvenile remains have been sent for testing thanks to a $50,000 grant from a Texas-based lab. Civil Beat.

Dole’s Wahiawa Dam Is A Hazard. Now The State Is A Step Closer To Buying It. Upgrading aging infrastructure is key to agriculture's future in Hawaii, but there are also safety concerns. Civil Beat.

State confirms avian flu in wild duck on Oahu’s North Shore. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed Monday highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a wild duck on Oahu’s North  KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing project in Waimea gains support. A 43-lot affordable housing subdivision in Waimea got a thumbs-up from the Leeward Planning Commission last week. Tribune-Herald.

Visiting Hawaiian Monk Seal Prompts Warning To Kona Harbor Users. Boaters and fishermen are being asked to be careful not to hook the female seal, who likes to feed on the fish at Honokōhau Harbor. Big Island Video News. KHON2.

Maui

Maui Council Candidate Wants State Supreme Court To Void Election. Kelly King, who lost to Tom Cook by 97 votes, seeks a new election, arguing that not every vote was counted in the Nov. 5 contest. Civil Beat.

Community outraged over changes to long-awaited South Maui development. A long-planned housing project in South Maui is facing opposition from people who say the developer owes the community hundreds of affordable homes. Critics say the developer is breaking a promise and the council is rushing toward approval. Hawaii News Now.
 
First FEMA modular homes ready for Maui fire survivors. An initial increment of new rent-free temporary homes developed in Lahaina by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires has opened for use. Star-Advertiser.

Legislation to study designating Lahaina as National Heritage Area passes out of Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to advance the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act, legislation jointly introduced by US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and US Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI02).  Maui Now.

Kauai

Zuckerberg, Chan donate to affordable housing program. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have gifted Permanently Affordable Living Hawaii (PAL) $626,000 to support Kauhale O Kilauea’s project to further maintain affordable housing on Kauai. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Locals-only discounts coming to Hawaiian Airlines, state DOT seeks young people for climate board, Honolulu mulls plastic bottle ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiian Airlines to offer locals-only discounts. Starting next year, kamaaina can save money on neighbor island airfares through Huaka‘i by Hawaiian, a new permanent travel benefits program for locals launched following Hawaiian Airlines’ combination with Alaska Airlines.  Star-Advertiser.

Transportation Department seeking young people to serve on climate council. The creation of council is one of the terms that the state agreed to in a historic climate settlement this summer after a group of young plaintiffs sued the department to push for more climate action.  The youth council will advise the DOT as it works to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands Looks At New Lots To Reduce Waitlist. More than 200,000 acres on all the major islands have set aside for Indigenous use, but most of those lots can’t be developed because they’re too far from roads, sewers, electric lines and broadband or are impossible to traverse, such as cliffsides and other mountainous areas. Civil Beat.

Gov. Josh Green calls Kennedy’s choice as HHS leader ‘insane’.  Green — the only sitting governor who is also a medical doctor — described the decision as “gross malpractice” and warned that Kennedy’s appointment “will do incredible harm if he’s the director of Health and Human Services.” Star-Advertiser.

Gabbard’s sympathetic views toward Russia cause alarm as Trump’s pick to lead intelligence services. Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. intelligence services, in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s main justifications for invading Ukraine: the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. Associated Press.

Oahu

Honolulu lawmakers mull ban on sale of plastic bottles on city properties. Bill 59, as drafted, states no single-use plastic bottles one liter in size or less may be “purchased, sold, or offered for sale for use at any city facility, city-authorized concession, city-sponsored or city-permitted event, or city program.” Star-Advertiser.

Plans For Hawaii’s First Public Teacher Housing Complex Face Backlash. A first-of-its-kind project would create over 100 units of affordable housing on Mililani High School's campus, but some teachers and families say the planning process needs more community input. Civil Beat.

City hosts workshops over Ala Wai bridge. The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services will host two public workshop meetings this week regarding the planned design and construction of the $63.3 million Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge. Star-Advertiser.

DOH warns of possible avian flu exposure at Mililani Pet Fair. The Hawaii Department of Health issued a warning Sunday that members of the public who attended the Mililani Pet Fair held on Nov. 2 may have been exposed to H5N1 avian influenza, which recently was confirmed in a backyard flock of various birds in Central Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

HART wants 26% budget increase for fiscal year ’26. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's combined budgets, which total over $968.3 million and would take effect July 1, show marked increases to debt service on the project’s loans as well as increased labor costs for the nearly $10 billion Skyline construction. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu 911 system restored for mobile carriers. The system went down for some mobile carriers, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, and anyone needing emergency service would have to use a landline. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Overnight ambassadors help reduce Waikiki homelessness. The expanded beach closure hours augment Safe & Sound Waikiki, a crime reduction and human services program that began in September 2022, coinciding with the start of the Waikiki Business Improvement District’s overnight ambassador program that assigns two safety “ambassadors” and a human services outreach coordinator to an overnight patrol to uphold park rules, guiding individuals toward safer behaviors and resources. Star-Advertiser.

Historic Chinatown building is turned into affordable housing. The $30 million conversion of the historic Hocking Building on a corner of North King Street and Nuuanu Avenue includes 40 apartments with monthly rent as low as $731, meeting space for the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board and office space for the nonprofit Institute for Human Services. Star-Advertiser.

Kupuna at Kahala luxury retirement complex express grievances. About two-thirds of the community’s independent residents recently expressed alarm in a letter to the chief executive and board of the nonprofit that owns and operates Kahala Nui over how to pay for buying the land under the complex while also pursuing development of a second retirement complex. Star-Advertiser.

Students connect to heritage as Filipino studies begin. In spring 2025 the one-­semester course will be taught at McKinley High School, DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach and Maryknoll School. The fall 2025 semester will include Leilehua High and James Campbell High, according to the DOE. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New County Council Leadership Announced: Inaba As Chair, Onishi Vice Chair. The council leadership says it will prioritize a strong partnership with Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda and his administration. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

County provides update on Highway 137. At the first of a planned series of monthly community briefings about the ongoing project to reopen a 3.64-mile stretch of Highway 137 in lower Puna, Department of Public Works spokeswoman Sherise Kanae-Kane said the work is still on track to be completed by March 2026. Tribune-Herald.

The humpback whales are coming: Tour company spots one off Kona Coast. Hawaiian Adventures Kona on Saturday encountered their first humpback whale sighting of the season. Big Island Now.

Maui

State gets $10M grant to save West Maui reefs. A nearly $10 million federal grant to the state will restore habitat from “summit-to-sea,” with the goal of saving West Maui reefs. Star-Advertiser.

There's more FEMA housing for Lahaina fire survivors, but they'll have to pay rent soon. A Federal Emergency Management Agency modular home site in Lahaina called Kilohana will be ready to house residents Friday.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Why a $4 billion settlement of Maui fire claims is tangled up in court. Getting a deal done quickly meant adopting an unorthodox approach to the insurance industry’s role in the settlement — one that the industry is challenging. Now, hopes for a timely payout are at the mercy of the courts. New York Times.

Settlement negotiations underway in wrongful death lawsuit from 2023 police shooting. More than a year and a half after a Molokai man died in a police shooting on April 30, 2023, a civil lawsuit filed by his family might be headed for a settlement. Maui News.

Lahaina neighborhood watch, checkpoints prevent looting, disaster tourism. The program’s primary purpose is to prevent looting, mostly of building materials and tools left overnight. But it also has been to prevent a phenomenon known as disaster tourism, where visitors gawk and take pictures of destruction for social media. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami eyes state Capitol office after term ends. Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami seems to have his sights set on running for a position at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol after he terms out in 2026.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Meeting about Wailua Bay shoreline mitigation set for Thursday. For the past four months the Surfrider Foundation Kauaʻi Chapter has been opposing the implementation of “sand savers,” the last of three parts of the Kūhiō Highway Emergency Shoreline Mitigation Project for Wailua Bay. Kauai Now.

Concern for albatross as military proposes increased training on Kaʻula off Niʻihau. The Navy said it received some 1,800 pieces of testimony during the public comment period. It expects to finalize an environmental assessment early next year. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi gardens race to protect loulu palms from coconut rhinoceros beetles. The Kauaʻi-based National Tropical Botanical Garden's  prized loulu palms are being closely monitored as the beetles were discovered on Kauaʻi last year.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Report cites Navy mismanagement in Red Hill fuel leak, Mauna Kea fuel tanks to be replaced, Zuckerberg donates $1.5M to Kauai charter school, 17,000 Maui axis deer killed, overpopulation continues, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Report: Navy Mismanagement Led To Red Hill Water Contamination Disaster. A new military report released Thursday blames the fuel contamination of Pearl Harbor’s drinking water on Navy mismanagement at the Red Hill fuel depot and leaders’ failure to prepare for leaks. In a trio of reports, the Department of Defense inspector general outlined numerous shortcomings behind the 20,000-gallon fuel leak that sickened Pearl Harbor water users three years ago. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Associated Press. Hawaii News Now.

Notable items from the Pentagon investigations. Reports from the Pentagon’s Inspector General office on the Navy’s fuel and water systems on Oahu were released Thursday, with detailed timelines of the failures that led to spills from Red Hill. Here are some highlights from the reports: Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kamehameha Schools trustee process is upheld. Since 2016 a group of former Kamehameha Schools leaders and supporters has advocated for the change because they believe the current trustee selection process in place since 2000 lacks transparency and stakeholder management. Star-Advertiser.

Machetes Are Common Tools In Hawaii – Including For Crime. Knives and cutting instruments, like machetes, are used more often in violent crimes than firearms in Hawaii, statistics show. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Hawaii officials investigate bird flu wastewater source. The state Department of Health said Thursday the specimen was collected Nov. 7 and that it received the result Tuesday but is unable to determine whether it is the specific subtype H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2.

Here's why Republicans won big in West Oʻahu. The 2024 general election was seen as a big win for Republicans, not just nationally, but locally as well — particularly in West Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Underground fuel tanks at Halepohaku need to be replaced. The midlevel facility about 9,400 feet up Maunakea currently has three underground fuel storage tanks that together can hold up to 18,000 gallons of gasoline. Tribune-Herald.

Kawamoto pool closure drags on. The Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium closed on Oct. 14 for what was supposed to be scheduled maintenance to correct a persistently leaky pump. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

With ballots cured, Cook still leads by a narrow margin in Maui County Council race. The slim margin in the South Maui Council race narrowed from 117 votes after the third printout to 97 votes in the final summary report, with incumbent Tom Cook defeating Kelly Takaya King. Maui Now. Maui News.

Emails reveal Maui Police Department still holds portion of Lahaina fire victim’s remains. While the department is adamant victims “were treated with the utmost respect, dignity and professionalism,” we’ve obtained emails documenting an apparent mix-up. Hawaii News Now.

17,000 Axis Deer Were Killed On Maui This Year, But They Just Keep Coming. A herd recently threatened the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Hawaii is upping its effort to control the population. Civil Beat.

Draft environmental assessment details Waiʻale Road extension project. A draft environmental assessment has been completed for an 1.6-mile, southerly extension of Waiʻale Road that would, literally, pave the way for the Waikapū Country Town development. Maui Now.

Moloka‘i residents talk internet, broadband service. Earlier this year, Sandwich Isles Communications, the telecommunications company that provides telephone and broadband services to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, terminated its services, leaving many homesteaders on Moloka’i without internet access.  Maui News.

Kauai

Kauai County says police chief is retiring without severance deal. Unlike the controversial settlement Chief Louis Kealoha reached with Honolulu’s commission, Kauai County says Raybuck’s retirement is not tied to any settlement or other agreement. Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Sheraton Kauai hotel workers ratify contract. Hotel workers at the Sheraton Kauai Resort represented by UNITE HERE Local 5 voted today by an overwhelming majority to ratify their new contract. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now.  KITV4.

Fledgling public charter school gets more than $1.5M boost from Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund. Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, through the Chan Zuckerberg Kauaʻi Community Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, made a cash gift of $750,000 to Namahana School alongside a set of state-of-the-art mobile facilities valued at $800,000. Kauai Now.

Webinar highlights rich archeological history of Kōloa on Kauaʻi. Kōloa, about 10 miles from Līhuʻe, was the site of the state’s first sugar mill and one of the early archeological surveys conducted in the islands.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Green projects billion dollar budget surplus plus tax cuts, Hawaii officials fear Trump presidency to bring economic hit, climate losses, Honolulu council mulls 124% sewer fee hike, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Projects Billion Dollar Budget Surpluses Despite Historic Tax Cut.  Despite the extraordinary cost of the Maui wildfire disaster last year and the impact of the largest tax cut in state history this year, Gov. Josh Green’s administration anticipates billion-dollar budget surpluses for at least the next four years. Civil Beat.

Trump’s Support In Hawaii Has Grown Since He First Appeared On Ballots In 2016. It’s the best showing by a Republican nominee in the Aloha State since George W. Bush in 2004. Civil Beat.

How will Trump’s economic policies impact Hawaii? An economist weighs in. Many people who voted for the former president say it was because their families were harmed by rising prices and high interest rates, but Professor Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, says the things Trump is promising will make both of those problems worse. Hawaii News Now.

GOP Lawmaker Was Well Behind Until In-Person Votes Pushed Him To Victory. Republican state Rep. Elijah Pierick’s reelection victory in House District 39 was powered by in-person voters, an automatic recount shows. Civil Beat.

State senator calls for Hawaiʻi to be a climate leader during second Trump term. Donald Trump's reelection puts the U.S.'s role in international climate action in question. A state senator says Hawaiʻi needs to step up as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Bill exempts veterans from vehicle fees. A bill to exempt annual motor vehicle registration fees for U.S. military veterans who are 65 years and older and reside within the City and County of Honolulu has been introduced. Star-Advertiser.

Council weighs in on city’s proposed sewer fee hike.  A city-initiated measure calling for a more than 124% increase to sewer fees for Oahu’s average single-family residential customer over a 10-year period was recently top of mind for the Honolulu City Council. Bill 60, if adopted by the Council, would see all of the city’s rate-paying customers, including commercial users, have a total fee hike of 115% over the decade-long time frame, according to the city. Star-Advertiser.

Commander urges former military to assist community. Dignitaries and community members gathered Monday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl to celebrate Veterans Day. Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Plaque near McKinley statue addresses misrepresentation. The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs unveiled a new plaque Monday at the President William McKinley High School campus. The plaque, placed near the statue of the school’s namesake, seeks to address Hawaii’s contested annexation history and the statue’s representation of it. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Hawaii Island

Cell tower bill showdown: Competing measures to be heard at Dec. 5 meeting. While both bills diverge significantly, they both ultimately would exempt telecommunications companies from needing permit approval by the county Planning Commissions. Tribune-Herald.

Mauna Loa Summit Webcams Brought Back Online. The Mauna Loa summit webcams have been down for several months due to wind damage at the radio telemetry site. Big Island Video News.

‘A day of reflection, gratitude and celebration’. Sunshine broke through a previously overcast Monday morning as the emcee of Hilo’s Veterans Day ceremony proclaimed it an “amazing, amazing Veterans Day.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui surfer determined to get back into water after shark bites off his leg. Kenji Nonaka, 61, is looking at life a little differently these days. Hawaii News Now.

First Lahaina residents expected to return home for Christmas. In six weeks, one Lahaina family said they’ll be ready to move back into their newly rebuilt home. They will be one of the first families moving back into the area, just in time for Christmas. KHON2.

Free presentation to cover wet season outlook, protecting Maui’s coral reefs. Residents of Maui looking to learn more about the wet season outlook can plug into an upcoming event with an expert from the National Weather Service.  Maui News. Maui Now.

Native Hawaiian scholarship event set for Dec. 10 at UH-Maui College. Students are invited to learn about Native Hawaiian support programs at UH-Hilo, UH Mānoa and UH Maui College. Maui Now.

Kauai

Officials tackle stubborn cesspool problem while trying to respect iwi. The discovery of iwi on Kauai’s North Shore during construction of a septic system is highlighting the stubborn problem of converting cesspools statewide. Lawmakers and government officials are trying to figure out how to balance mandatory conversions while protecting iwi kupuna (ancestral remains). Hawaii News Now.

A day of recognition for veterans. Under the leadership of the Waimea High School senior instructors, retired U.S. Army Colonel, Jerome Freeman and retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Keith Castaneda, the Waimea High School JROTC battalion joined several hundred guests and dignitaries to pay tribute to all veterans during the Kauai Veterans Council Veterans Day Observance at Kauai Veterans Cemetery on Monday. Garden Island.

Tackling hunger in Hanapepe. As part of a positive action campaign, the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai partnered with the Hawaii Army National Guard, and numerous military-connected groups, including the Waimea High School JROTC program, Team Rubicon and U.S. Navy at the Pacific Missile Range Facility to offer free food for up to 200 families at Hanapepe Armory on Saturday. Garden Island.

Blessing at Kaua‘i heiau begins Makahiki, season marking start of Hawaiian lunar year. The 4-month season of Makahiki is observed throughout the Hawaiian Islands and is dedicated to the god Lono. Kauai Now.