Green seeks delay in military land lease deal, Kohala resorts under water restrictions, HGEA endorses Bissen for Maui mayor, Kauai getting Starlink wi-fi, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Members of Gov. Green’s advisory group feel 'shut out' of military land negotiations. Members of an advisory group set up to guide ongoing land lease negotiations with the Army say they feel like they’ve been sidelined by Gov. Josh Green just weeks after he created the group. Green sent a letter to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Dec. 2 proposing to push back the deadline to negotiate military leases of state lands. The Army leases more than 29,000 acres in the Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu's Mākua Military Reservation, Kahuku Training Area and Kawailoa-Poamoho Training Area. Hawaii Public Radio.

When Disaster Strikes, Can Hawaiʻi Feed Itself? More Prep Is Needed. As Hawaiʻi reels under the weight of hunger and the withdrawal of federal support for food security programs, the state’s food advocates are underscoring the importance of preparing now for the next disaster. Civil Beat.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has open spots on its Youth Transportation Council. People ages 11 to 24 are encouraged to apply. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

He Spent Funds Meant For Native Hawaiians On Polo And Porsches. The Federal Government Failed To Stop Him. A small business program allowed Christopher Dawson to win big contracts if he promised to uplift Native Hawaiians. Instead, federal prosecutors allege, he used the money to line his own pockets.  Civil Beat.

City selects developer for Kapolei site. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration says its search has ended for the developer it hopes will turn a vacant city-owned parcel in West Oahu into a mixed-use, transit-­oriented development that will feature hundreds of affordable rentals. Star-Advertiser.

Planners to review operations at Kualoa Ranch. The planning commission’s review follows its December 2023 adoption of a state special-use permit toward Kualoa Ranch’s existing and proposed improvements at separate parcels within approximately 14 acres of the nearly 4,000-acre ranch in Kaaawa, along the 49-000 block of Kamehameha Highway. Star-Advertiser.

Two Honolulu hospitals earned spots on the 2026 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care list from U.S. News & World Report. Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center and The Queen’s Medical Center received a High Performing rating, the highest level for this category that looked at measures such as C section rates, newborn complication rates and breast feeding said the report. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Kawaihae, South Kohala Resorts Under Water Restriction. "Unexpected equipment malfunctions" have resulted in the need for a 25% percent reduction in water use for customers in the Kawaihae and Puakō areas are impacted as well as the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort; Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection; Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection and Kawaihae Harbor. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Commercial Waste Restriction Extended At East Hawaiʻi Sort Station. Existing restrictions on dumping commercially generated waste at the East Hawaiʻi Regional Sort Station have been extended through June 30, 2026. Big Island Video News.

Maui

Hawaiʻi’s Biggest Public Worker Union Makes Early Endorsement For Maui Mayor. The Hawaii Government Employees Association endorsed Maui Mayor Richard Bissen this week for a second four-year term. The announcement came well ahead of the candidate filing deadline in June and before anyone else has declared their intent to challenge him in the non-partisan election next fall. Civil Beat.

Texas attorney sentenced for illegally soliciting Hawaii wildfire victims. Houston attorney Eric Dick, who illegally solicited Maui wildfire victims through mass mailings was sentenced to pay court fees but avoided jail time and will not have a criminal conviction on his record. Hawaii News Now.

‘Long time coming’: High hopes ahead of Lahaina Harbor’s slow reopening.  Four commercial boating companies will be allowed to resume operations at Lahaina Harbor beginning Dec. 15. Hawaii News Now.

Maui home sales, prices fall in November. Single-family home sales were down 22.2% from November 2024, falling from 63 in November 2024 to 49 the same month this year. Condominium sales dropped 5.7% to 50. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kumulani Chapel and Maui Land & Pineapple finalize agreement for permanent Kapalua campus.  The church will purchase more than six acres to establish a permanent campus for the longstanding West Maui congregation of 42 years. Maui Now.

Kauai

County of Kauai, DCCAA launch Kauai Hi-Wifi Starlink Program. The County of Kauai, in collaboration with the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), announced Tuesday the launch of the Kauai Hi-Wifi Starlink Program, an initiative that will deliver satellite-based Internet to remote and underserved areas across the island.  Garden Island.

KIUC confirms 7 candidates for 2026 election. The candidates are Dan Giovanni, Greg Kamm, Janet Kass, Alicia Leong, Jim Mayfield, Bryson Ponce and Allan A. Smith. Garden Island.

Līhu‘e Baseball League main diamond construction project delayed. Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation had announced work on field improvements to the main diamond — including leveling out the playing surface and planting new grass — are planned for Dec. 9 through Feb. 1, 2026, weather permitting. Kauai Now.

Police to get hefty raises, bonuses, perks; Green and Driscoll ink preliminary military land agreement; Waikiki bank robbery injures 18, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Arbitrator awards police officers their largest pay raise in 17 years. Police officers in Hawaii secured the increase after an independent arbitrator issued a decision on a new four-year contract that was lauded by union leadership. Police officer pay will increase 40% between 2021 and 2028. The  total compensation package will provide most members an increase of more than 27.5%. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Green signs ‘statement of principles’ with Army on land negotiations. Governor Josh Green and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll have established a non-binding Statement of Principles as land lease talks continue.  Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Young Brothers warns interisland shipping is at risk. A state commission began a multiday hearing Monday to determine whether the distressed company transporting most goods between the main Hawaiian islands deserves a big rate hike plus automated inflationary annual increases. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KHON2.

The search is on for a new Hawaii Chief Justice. Longtime Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is retiring this week, and there aren’t yet enough qualified applicants interested in taking his place. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. 

Shutdown would add to Hawaii’s economic woes. Federal workers in Hawaii who are worried about a shutdown of the federal government that could begin at 6:01 p.m. today (12:01 a.m EDT Wednesday) are likely already cutting back on local spending, adding to Hawaii’s already sluggish economy, according to the head of the University of Hawaii’s Economic Research Organization. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Chemical dispersed during Waikiki bank robbery. Police search for suspect in Waikiki bank robbery; 18 patients treated at scene. Officers were called to the First Hawaiian Bank’s Waikiki branch on Kalakaua Avenue and Lewers Street just after 2 p.m. KHON2. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Skyline stations transform into community food hubs. Honolulu Skyline passengers may notice something different on their morning rail commute: more than half-a-dozen planter boxes full of growing tomatoes, eggplants, scallions and sweet potatoes, among other edible plants. Civil Beat. KHON2.

‘Lord Of The Flies’: How Hawaiʻi’s Model Foster Dad Preyed On Boys. John Teixeira answered a desperate need for the state: Where to put boys no one else would take. He’d eventually take in almost 60. But there would be a cost. Civil Beat.

Community vows to protect Oahu’s water amid Red Hill contamination concerns. Community leaders, advocates and students gathered at Honolulu Hale on Monday afternoon to launch the “Pledge to Our Wai, Pledge to Our Keiki,” a public commitment to protect Oahu’s aquifer from ongoing contamination tied to the U.S. Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.  Star-Advertiser.

Forum on political history of Native Hawaiians seeks to help navigate the future. In a nod to Hawaiian History Month, a forum sponsored by the Honolulu mayor's office and the city council is to take place on Tuesday to highlight the changing political climate and the concern that programs to help Native Hawaiians are being targeted. Hawaii Public Radio.

Blaisdell Center has completed new state-of-the-art parking system. While the upgrade work started on Sept. 22, additional operational adjustments are still being finalized, and the Department of Enterprise Services is asking commuters and visitors to be patient during this transition period. Hawaii News Now.

Ala Wai Golf Course gets major upgrades, including solar and LED lighting. These improvements align with the City's wider initiatives to decrease energy consumption, lower expenses, and advance the objectives of the City's Climate Action Plan. Concurrently, they aim to maintain and enhance the distinguished golf course, which accommodates over 12,000 rounds of golf annually. KITV4.

Hawaii Business Magazine's new editor-in-chief talks next generation, media landscape. Jennifer Ablan returned home from New York after three decades to take the job. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

Teen Arrested For Alleged Terroristic Threatening At Kona High School. A 14-year-old female from Ocean View was arrested after the Konawaena High School student allegedly threatened to shoot three fellow students on campus. Big Island Video News.

Construction of county’s Kukuiola project begins. The Kukuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center in Kailua-Kona will include 16 emergency shelter units for the homeless, a manager’s unit, a 2,000-square-foot assessment center, community restroom facilities with showers, a 1,400-square-foot community center and a shared kitchen. Tribune-Herald.

Next Lava Episode In Kilauea Eruption Is About To Begin. Precursory activity in Episode 34 of the Kīlauea eruption got underway overnight at the summit.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

The Sunshine Interview: Maui Mayor Richard Bissen And Recovery Chief John Smith. The county’s chief executive and head of the Maui Office of Recovery discuss federal funding for the rebuilding of Lahaina and Upcountry. Civil Beat.

Pāʻia Elementary School to remain closed through Friday; asynchronous distance learning to begin Wednesday.  While the campus did not sustain direct fire damage, soot continues to impact parts of the campus. Maui Now.

Maui County Fair returns this week. The Maui County Fair is returning to the War Memorial Special Complex this week, featuring dozens of food booths, rides, live entertainment, livestock and poultry exhibits, a petting zoo and much more. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Kauaʻi Water Utility Hawks $1.3B Plan To Overhaul Century-Old System. The repairs are needed to protect the island’s drinking water and ensure sufficient supply to face the growing wildfire risk, officials said. Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi-based conservationists sound alarm over mass killing of native birds. At Ninini Point near the Līhuʻe airport, Archipelago Research and Conservation recently discovered 125 dead birds. The group said all the birds had been killed by cats. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauaʻi County’s Housing Agency to open applications for community development block grants. Online applications will be available beginning Friday on the Housing Agency’s CDBG webpage. The deadline to submit applications is Nov. 13, by 4:30 p.m. Kauai Now.