Legislature heads into conference committees, Devens narrowly cleared by Senate panel as chief justice, Honolulu mulls new jail, Sulla sentenced to 60 months for role in housing credit scam, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii Legislature enters final stretch as key bills hang in the balance. With the 2026 legislative session nearing its end, lawmakers at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol are racing to reach agreements on dozens of major bills now in conference committee. KHON2.

Legislature considers bills to address home insurance issues following disasters. United Policy Holders is a nonprofit that educates consumers on insurance policies. Their equal justice fellow, Sherry Peterson, is advocating for a measure that would have required insurers to annually give homeowners a replacement cost estimate and clearly state if the current policy is adequate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Bill proposes stricter requirements for companies collecting donations for charities. To ensure transparency, House Bill 1810 would require solicitors who collect donations for charities to display prominant signage explaining that the donations will be resold in for-profit stores. The measure also calls for more robust financial reporting to the public. Hawaii News Now.

Senate Panel Narrowly Approves Chief Justice Nominee. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 3-2 Friday to confirm the nomination of Associate Justice Vladimir Devens as Hawaii’s next chief justice, sending its recommendation to the full Senate after hearings that weighed his legal experience and labor background over disclosure and past political activity. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

This Rich Hawaiʻi Super PAC Is Already Shaping A Key Statewide Election. Pacific Resource Partnership has become a major player in the state’s most important political races. A political action committee backed by Pacific Resource Partnership is again stepping up with loads of cash at a pivotal moment in Hawaiʻi politics. This time the independent expenditure committee — more commonly known as a super PAC — is called For A Better Tomorrow. Civil Beat.

Luke Fallout Continues With Third Target In Bribery Investigation. Former Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission Chair Leo Asuncion Jr. is another target of the state investigation into possible bribery and campaign finance violations. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green addresses questions about Luke’s future. Sylvia Luke was so affected emotionally and physically over a state Attorney General’s investigation, Gov. Josh Green said, he worried about her health and intentionally left her out of important meetings, such as the state’s responses to the back-to- back-to-back storms that began in March. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii leaders push Pentagon for bigger role in military land leases. Office of Hawaiian Affairs leaders spent three days in Washington, D.C., last week, holding talks with congressional lawmakers and Pentagon officials on the future of military-leased lands in Hawaii.  Star-Advertiser.

State unemployment rate rises but still lowest in the country. Hawaii’s unemployment rate inched up by one-tenth of a point in February to 2.3%, but remained tied with South Dakota for the fourth straight month as the lowest in the country. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Oahu

New design urged for replacing Oahu jail. A state plan to replace Oahu’s dilapidated jail may be diverted by a legislative initiative to make the long-envisioned new facility more of a restorative place. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation  has received about $55 million mainly from the Legislature over the last decade to advance the OCCC replacement project. Star-Advertiser.

HTA targets North Shore gridlock in updated management plans. With Oahu’s North Shore unusually quiet after recent flooding drove visitors away, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is moving toward approval of a new round of destination management plans aimed at mitigating long-standing problems with traffic gridlock, dangerous roadside parking and overcrowded trails. Star-Advertiser.

‘Degassing’ of Red Hill tanks nearing completion, Navy says. Decommissioning the Red Hill Bulk Storage Facility will continue next week, with the Navy announcing Friday that it will be “degassing” Tank 11, which it called “another significant milestone.” Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu's new flood maps could cost you. In a little more than a month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s updated Oʻahu flood maps go into effect. And thousands of properties are being added to the flood zone. Hawaii Public Radio.

Sea-level rise might increase tainted water. Waikīkī is at risk of sewage-contaminated flooding as sea levels continue to rise, according to a new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Hawaii Island

Sulla sentenced for role in Hawaii County housing credits scam. A third Hawaii Island man has been sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to pay bribes to a Hawaii County official in connection with affordable housing development agreements worth more than $11 million. Former Big Island attorney Paul Joseph Sulla, 79, of Hilo was sentenced Thursday to 60 months in prison. Tribune-Herald.

Kawaihae Harbor Improvements Detailed In Draft Environmental Assessment. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is planning to widen Kawaihae Road and improve the cargo yard. Big Island Video News.

County launches coastal management education tool. In addition to providing an overview of different coastal ecosystems in the county, the site allows users to search an address and select various filters to view potential coastal hazards and regulations specific to that site, among other features. Tribune-Herald.

Victoria Hanes takes reins as new CEO of HICHC. Hanes will succeed current CEO Richard Taaffe, who has held the position since 2005 when he started at West Hawaii Community Health Center, which merged with Bay Clinic in 2022 to form HICHC. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Lawsuit: Maui Mayor’s Former Chief Of Staff Claims Whistleblower Retaliation. Leo Caires, who served as Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s chief of staff from January 2023 to October 2024, was met with hostility, demoted and ultimately fired after he uncovered and reported financial misconduct being carried out by other county employees, according to a lawsuit filed in circuit court. Civil Beat.

HIDOE opens 47-unit housing project on Maui to support Lahaina educators. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education marked the opening of its Lahaina educator workforce housing development, a $20 million project designed to support teacher retention and strengthen public education on Maui. Maui Now.

Loss of land in storm complicates recovery for ‘Īao Valley residents. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said the county was looking at bringing soil runoff back to restore people’s properties. Maui Now.

Kauai

West Kaua‘i Residents Want This Remote Beach Park Reopened. The remote Polihale State Park is a popular West Kaua‘i beach for locals to swim, camp, fish and surf, but the park’s access gate has been closed for six weeks with boulders blocking the road.  Civil Beat.

‘Shared vision’: Blessing ceremony hosted for new Lima Ola Community Garden in ‘Ele‘ele. A shared vision of partners Kaua‘i County and Leadership Kaua‘i is now reality in ‘Ele‘ele with a new space that will bring community members together for food, connection and stewardship. 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.