State reconvenes ocean safety task force, Hawaiian Electric settling wildfire claims, Oahu hospitals to join HMSA, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi To Step Up Anti-Drowning Efforts. After more than a decade of refusing to convene the task force charged with putting up warning signs at dangerous beaches, the state is now recommending the group meet again. About 800 people have drowned in the waters off Hawaiʻi’s roughly 1,000-mile coastline in the last decade, with an increasing number of people frequenting remote stretches of coastline with little to warn them of risks. Yet the state has not called for a single new warning sign to be put up on a beach in more than 13 years. Civil Beat.

HEI settling wildfire-related litigation with shareholders. The parent of Hawaiian Electric expects to use $100 million in insurance proceeds to settle eight lawsuits filed by shareholders who allege company leaders didn’t properly disclose wildfire risks before the 2023 Maui wildfire disaster. Plaintiffs in the case accused Hawaii’s biggest utility ‌operator of misleading them about its wildfire prevention and safety protocols before high winds toppled utility poles blamed for starting the blaze. Star-Advertiser.

‘We Really Are Hurting’: Hawaiʻi Deputy Pay Lags $20K Behind Cops. State law enforcement Director Mike Lambert asked lawmakers for help addressing staffing shortages. Civil Beat.

DOT seeks more Kauaʻi, Maui, Big Island drivers to be 'Eyes on the Road'. The state Department of Transportation is partnering with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Engineering to give out 1,300 free dashcams to drivers across the state. Hawaii Public Radio.

Petition calls for inquiry on unnamed lawmaker in paper-bag-of-cash corruption case. Former deputy Federal Public Defender Alexander Silvert asked state lawmakers Monday to convene a committee with subpoena and contempt powers to investigate an “unknown but influential legislator” who accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during an ongoing public corruption investigation. Star-Advertiser.

SNAP emergency funds expire for thousands in Hawaii. HEFAP recipients lose unused benefits after Dec. 31 deadline. Thousands of residents received funds through the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program (HEFAP) during the 2025 federal government shutdown. Hawaii News Now.

Perspectives on Hawaiʻi housing crisis examined in new survey. The state’s housing crisis continues to grab the attention of island residents who rate the need for affordable housing as their No. 1 concern elected leaders should focus on, according to a study commissioned by Pacific Resource Partnership. Maui Now.

Oahu

HMSA plans merger with Hawaii Pacific Health hospitals. HPH includes Pali Momi, Kapiolani, Straub, and Wilcox hospitals, as well as affiliated clinics and specialists. Ray Vara, CEO of Hawaii Pacific Health, said the company would create an entity similar to Kaiser, eliminating duplicate administrative costs and establishing a model of care so HPH doctors wouldn’t need to get preauthorization for care from HMSA. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu home sale price record notched in 2025 amid year of small market changes. Changes in Oahu’s housing market were pretty muted in 2025, but included a new annual median sale price peak for single-family houses at $1,139,000. Star-Advertiser.

Skyline numbers continue to rise; December grows by nearly 11K. December had a total of 281,281 riders throughout the month, which is 10,666 more riders than November’s 270,615 total riders. KHON2.

Rebuilt Mokapu Elementary campus opens on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Mokapu Elementary School marked a major milestone Tuesday with the grand opening of its newly rebuilt campus, completing the first phase of a full reconstruction of the decades-old school on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

177 Days: Bumpy City Parking Lot Still Waiting For Its Overdue Makeover. The asphalt surface of the parking lot at Kapālama Hale in Honolulu caps soil contaminated by decades of use as an automotive workshop. Civil Beat.

In long-running Oʻahu landfill saga, city considers expanding Waimanalo Gulch. The City and County of Honolulu says it’s out of options and is considering expanding the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill by 3.7 acres. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Island

New rules, fees for Hawaiʻi Island vacation rentals to take effect this year. Bill 47, now Ordinance 25-50, was extended to July 1, 2026, from Dec. 20, 2025. Council member Heather Kimball said this will give the county more time to get a registration management and enforcement system in place. The bill doesn’t change any zoning requirements or limit the number of rentals that can operate, instead, it sets up a new system of registration that for the first time includes hosted rentals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Downpours from kona low system should positively affect East Hawaii.  East Hawaii received the brunt of that rainfall, with Glenwood, in the midst of the upper Puna rainforest, receiving 14.21 inches between 8 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Tuesday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Proposal for new hotel zoning for vacation rentals deferred in Housing and Land Use Committee. The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee on Monday deferred action on the creation of new hotel zoning districts following an executive session that lasted over an hour. Maui Now.

Restoration now complete at Olowalu temporary wildfire debris storage site. The closure and restoration of the Temporary Debris Storage site in Olowalu was completed recently and honored with a pule ceremony on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. Maui Now.

Kauai

State starts work on Līhu‘e Airport parking improvements.  The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has started improvements to an employee parking lot at the Līhu‘e Airport meant to relieve some congestion in the airport’s public lot. Kauai Now.

Kelvin Moniz retires from Kauai Independent Food Bank. Moniz, born and raised on the Westside and a graduate of Waimea High School, joined the KIFB in 1998 following 22 years of honorable military service and retirement from the U.S. Army. Garden Island.

HDLE director calls for 5-year fireworks ban, petition seeks info on $35k given top lawmaker, Hawaii awarded $190M for rural health care, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Law Enforcement Leader Calls For 5-Year Ban On All Fireworks. Officials say this New Year’s Eve was quieter than last, but state Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert is calling for more drastic measures to cut off the state’s supply of illegal fireworks. Civil Beat.

Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care. Hawaii has been awarded nearly $190 million in federal funding to augment rural health care under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” through a plan co-written by Democratic Gov. Josh Green. He said it’s the result of working with fellow Pennsylvania native and physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Star-Advertiser.

PUC study supports creation of Hawaiʻi wildfire recovery fund. The Public Utilities Commission has concluded that a state recovery fund is likely warranted to compensate future victims of major wildfires. Hawaii Public Radio.

$35K Mystery Payment: Petition Calls For Hawaiʻi Legislature To Investigate. More than 900 Hawaiʻi residents are asking the Legislature to get to the bottom of a mysterious transaction in 2022 that involved a man handing $35,000 in a paper bag to someone federal investigators have described as an influential legislator. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Hawaiʻi ICE Arrests And Detentions In 2025 Spiked From Year Before. Updated tallies are not yet complete but already eclipse those in 2024. Data show immigration arrests are increasingly likely to take place at ICE offices and at the state’s civil court houses. Civil Beat.

Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades. Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KITV4.

Oahu

Crackdown nets 61 tons of illegal fireworks. Honolulu police and state law enforcement officials stepped up joint enforcement against illegal fireworks on New Year’s Eve, responding to a sharp increase in fireworks-related calls while reporting fewer serious injuries and fires than in previous years. Star-Advertiser.

ABC Stores CEO Lags On Fixing Up ‘Eyesore’ In Busy Waikīkī Corridor. Property owner says renovation plans are on hold due to high construction costs, but neighbors are frustrated by the lack of action. Civil Beat.

Off-leash dog park opens in Makiki. Honolulu’s dogs have more space to explore and exercise after city leaders officially opened an off-leash dog park in Punahou Square. Hawaii News Now.

Celebrate Year of the Horse with festival, parade in Chinatown. Get ready to celebrate the Year of the Horse! Chinatown 808 will host its 50th Chinatown Festival & Parade celebrating the Lunar New Year on Saturday, Feb. 14. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Nalani Kanaka‘ole-Zane, renowned kumu hula and Merrie Monarch judge, dies at 79. Nalani Kanaka‘ole-Zane, revered kumu hula of Halau o Kekuhi, cultural matriarch and veteran judge of Merrie Monarch Festival hula competitions, died Saturday in Hilo. She was 79. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KITV4. 

Maui

Batangan takes seat on Maui County Council. Kauanoe Batangan was sworn into office as a Maui County Council member Monday morning, saying he was honored to have been selected by his late predecessor, Tasha Kama, to serve out the remainder of her term. Maui News. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Maui To Settle Landfill Legal Battle After Scrapping Plan To Seize Property. The county won’t say how much it intends to pay the company in damages over the eminent domain case to acquire a dump site for Lahaina fire debris. Civil Beat.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative offers new rebates for medical device power backup. The Medical Device Power Backup Rebate Program provides eligible members with a rebate of up to $200 for the purchase of a qualifying backup power solution, such as a battery backup or portable generator, according to a news release from the power company. Kauai Now.

Legislature to focus on promised tax cuts, Oahu seeks volunteers to count homeless, snowfall atop Mauna Kea, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Taxes Will Drive Agenda Of Hawaiʻi Lawmakers In Coming Session. Federal actions cloud the revenue picture. Immigration, marijuana and energy issues also loom. When state lawmakers begin the 2026 legislative session Jan. 21, they will be forced to navigate some unusual and unwelcome political risks. That’s because Gov. Josh Green and the county mayors seem poised to press for action on touchy tax issues that could prove to be perilous in an election year. Civil Beat.

New $16 minimum hourly wage complicates a cost crunch for Hawaiʻi restaurants. With the new year comes a new minimum wage in Hawaiʻi. It’s now $16 an hour — and many local restaurant owners are concerned about what that means for their industry.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Climate security threats to Hawaii outlined in report. A climate report released by the Council on Strategic Risks outlined how climate change could threaten both Hawaii’s civilian and military communities, and how cuts to programs that monitor weather and other environmental threats could leave both more vulnerable. Security analysts have warned that droughts, sea level rise and other changes risk fueling displacement of communities and competition over resources, potentially destabilizing countries or entire regions. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi lawmakers propose climate literacy program in public schools. State lawmakers have revived a measure that would create a climate literacy program in public schools. House Bill 99 was first introduced last year by a cohort of state representatives who believe "that climate change education is necessary to ensure that the next generation are climate leaders," according to language in the bill. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiian Language Schools Grow As DOE Shrinks. There’s One Big Problem. The state doesn’t have enough teachers to keep up with demand for schools taught in Hawaiian. Upcoming retirements are expected to add to the challenge. Civil Beat.

For Cynthia Thielen, Decades Of Public Service Are 'Just The Right Thing To Do'. The former longtime legislator, attorney and community activist is still deeply involved in her community. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Volunteers needed for annual homeless count on Oahu. The annual Point in Time Count is set take place on Monday, Jan. 26.Organizers said they are looking for volunteers to help their partner agencies in the field for the one-day survey, or by helping pack incentive kits. Hawaii News Now.

UH earns top global rankings in oceanography, atmospheric science. The University of Hawaii at Manoa earned high marks across nearly 20 disciplines in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, with oceanography, atmospheric science and hospitality and tourism management emerging as its highest-ranked programs, according to a news release. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Now. 

Hawaii Island

Snow Covers Hawaiʻi Summits Overnight, High Wind Warning Issued. Observatory webcams using night vision captured a view of the snow after sundown, as the Maunakea Access Road was closed to the public due to the weather conditions.  Big Island Video News.

Big Island traffic fatalities down in 2025. The number of traffic fatalities rose sharply statewide in 2025 with 129 to 102 in 2024, a 26.5% increase and the highest total since 2007. Here in Hawaii County, however, the number of traffic deaths decreased last year from the previous year’s total of 28 to 21, a 25% reduction. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

50th anniversary of ‘Kahoolawe Nine’ begins year-long remembrance, lessons. Fifty years ago, as the U.S. Coast Guard turned away a flotilla of Native Hawaiians trying to make landfall on Kahoolawe, a lone Boston Whaler made its way through while carrying occupants who would become known as the Kahoolawe Nine. Maui Now. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

Kauai

Economic slowdown forecast for Kauaʻi in 2026. Steven Bond-Smith with the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization told the Kauaʻi County Council at a briefing in mid-December that factors like inflation and tariffs are dampening domestic consumers’ outlook, which may make them less likely to visit Kauaʻi on vacation. The tourism industry accounts for about a third of Kauaʻi’s economy, and up to 95% of Kauaʻi’s visitors come from the U.S. continent. Hawaii Public Radio.

In last leg of his second term, Kauai mayor looks back at county’s successes. As he prepares for the final 11 months in office, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami reflected on the strides made while leading the county, and also talked about his final priorities in a one-on-one interview Friday. Hawaii News Now.

The Kauai Bus offers 100 no-cost Holomua Transit Cards. The Kauai Bus is announcing a special promotion offering 100 no-cost Holomua Transit Cards, each preloaded with $5, to the first 100 riders who show up to claim them. Garden Island.

Kawaihau Road utility work, lane closures extended through February. Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co., under contract with Kauaiʻi County Department of Water, extended the utility work and excavation along Kawaihau Road, from the intersection of Kaʻapuni Road to Kapahi Road, through Feb. 28 in Kapaʻa, weather permitting. Kauai Now.

Appeals court blocks Hawaii's cruise ship 'green fee' tax, PUC approves HECO wildfire mitigation plan, Honolulu to expand Waimanalo Gulch landfill, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Federal ruling blocks Hawaii’s climate change tourist tax on cruise ships. A federal appeals court ruling on New Year’s Eve blocked Hawaii from enforcing a climate change tourist tax on cruise ships passengers, a levy that was set to go into effect at the start of 2026.Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, arguing that the new law violates the U.S. Constitution by taxing cruise ships for entering Hawaii ports.  Associated Press.

Public Utilities Commission approves Hawaiian Electric wildfire mitigation plan. Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday (Dec. 31) approved Hawaiian Electric’s 2025-27 wildfire mitigation plan and completed a comprehensive study about whether to establish a wildfire recovery fund. Big Island Now.

Counties Are On A Hiring Spree, But Recruitment Challenges Linger. Some neighbor island jobs have the edge in salaries compared to their Oʻahu counterparts, adding to hiring difficulties.  Civil Beat.

University of Hawaii leader pushes AI, student support initiatives. When Wendy Hensel took the helm of the University of Hawaii system on Jan. 1, 2025, any notion of a gradual “honeymoon phase” was quickly dashed by an accelerating series of national and local disruptions. Star-Advertiser.

By Resisting Feds’ Demand For Personal SNAP Data, Hawaiʻi Could Face Cuts. Hawaiʻi is one of 22 states that have called the USDA’s demand for food stamp recipients’ information unprecedented and unlawful. Civil Beat.

Hawaii insurers paid $13.3 million for fireworks injuries in past year. State insurance commissioner says costs extend beyond insurance companies to employers and taxpayers. Hawaii’s health insurance companies paid out $13.3 million for 1,496 fireworks-related injury claims over the past year, according to new data released by state insurance commissioner Scott Saiki. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Is Still Releasing Inmates Without IDs Needed To Reenter Society. Lawmakers have made multiple efforts to improve the process of getting incarcerated people the identification they need to access basic services, but little has changed. Civil Beat.

2025 in memoriam: These Hawaiʻi figures contributed to the fabric of our islands. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. 

Oahu

City aims to expand Waimanalo Gulch landfill. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration intends to pursue expansion of the city’s Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei following stalled attempts to find a suitable location for a new dump. The city plans to petition for a special-use permit to expand the approximately 200-acre solid-waste landfill at 92-460 Farrington Highway by 92.5 acres, according to city documents.  Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu Needs Sidewalks. Should The County Be Required To Build Them? Two Honolulu charter amendment proposals this year aim to enshrine sidewalk construction as a core local government responsibility. Civil Beat.

Oahu sees calmer New Year’s celebration. Oahu rang in 2026 with significantly fewer fireworks-­related fires and “a below-­average night” for emergency medical crews in a marked shift from the chaos and death that marred the previous New Year’s Eve celebration, authorities reported Thursday. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

2 arrested as Honolulu police respond to nearly 600 fireworks violation calls. (video only). Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu EMS responds to multiple firework-related injuries on New Year's Eve. At least seven people were hurt with suspected fireworks injuries in five separate incidents on Oʻahu this New Year's Eve. Hawaii Public Radio. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Affordable housing, short-term vacation rentals, drought, volcanic eruptions, more: A look back at some of the top Hawaii Island news stories. Alook back at the Top 10 stories of the year, as selected by the editorial staff of the Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Fire Department tackles 22 fires over New Year’s Eve. From 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, Maui firefighters worked to put out brush fires, vehicle fires, small vegetation fires and more.  KHON2. KITV4. 

Repair work starts on section of Haʻikū Road. Starting today, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, a section of Haʻikū Road between Hamana Place and Līhau Place will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday while work is underway to repair the eroding slope embankment and replace damaged guardrails, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works. Maui Now.

DLNR patrols Kāne‘ohe Bay to deter illegal Christmas tree bonfires on New Year’s Day. Officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will again conduct patrols over the New Year’s holiday to enforce laws and protect the environment, including the sacred Ahu o Laka (Kāne‘ohe Bay sandbar).  Maui Now.

Kauai

Department of Water announces new access hours for the bill payment drop box. The Department of Water (DOW) has completed construction of its new, motorized entry gate to the main entrance of its administrative buildings parking lot. The bill payment drop box located in the DOW parking lot, at 4398 Pua Loke St., Lihue, will be accessible from Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Tourist tax, minimum wage hikes among 13 new state laws, Honolulu faces big sewer rate hikes, bomb threat emailed to Oahu synagogue, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

13 new Hawaii laws take effect Jan. 1, including tourist tax increase, minimum wage hike. Thirteen new Hawaii laws taking effect Jan. 1 will raise costs for tourists and uninsured drivers while expanding protections for families and consumers. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.  KHON2. 

Remembering Hawaiʻi’s Biggest Stories Of 2025. Economic worries, the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history and a chaotic tsunami evacuation kept residents on their toes in 2025. And those weren’t even the most important Hawaiʻi news stories of the year. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Hawaii News Now. 

Hawaiʻi Is Doing Worse At Protecting Children, Based On A Sampling Of Cases. A recent report shows that in the last two years the child welfare system’s performance has fallen in nearly every category. The state says the numbers don’t reflect the overall health of the system. Civil Beat.

DBEDT says fewer visitors, but more spending. Total spending by visitors in November 2025 amounted to $1.77 billion (measured in nominal dollars), which is an increase of 15.9 percent when compared to November 2024, reported the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). Garden Island.

Oahu

New laws for Honolulu include start of huge increase in sewer fees. Originally adopted in June 2025 as Bill 60, the law — now called Ordinance 27 — will start with a 6% rate hike, followed by annual increases of 7.5%, 8.5%, 9%, 9%, 9%, and 9% over about 6.5 years. Star-Advertiser.

City seals failed sewer line after spill into Nuuanu Stream. Nearly 238,000 gallons leaked from corroded pipe near Nimitz Highway. Hawaii News Now.

Bomb threat emailed to Oahu synagogue prompts increased security, closure. An emailed bomb threat to the chaplain of a Jewish synagogue at Pearl Harbor triggered beefed-up security and the closure of another place of worship.  Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Kona coast on Big Island becoming central spot for innovative coral reef restoration. Earlier this month, a team of scientific divers, snorkelers and boat crews carefully recovered and reattached 313 kūʻa (coral) colonies that had been broken or overturned in Kahuwai Bay in Kailua-Kona. Big Island Now.

East Hawaii men facing felony federal fireworks charges released on bond. The combined weight of the fireworks seized after authorities served search warrants on the residences of 52-year-old Darrel Goo of Keaau and 45-year Cy Tamura of Hilo in August was more than 37,000 pounds, according to the feds. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now. 

Homeless Hilo man accused of breaking windows of five downtown businesses. According to court documents filed by police, Wayland Kaili Leong Sr. told the arresting officer something to the effect of “yeah was me and I was having a bad day” when he was contacted near the Mooheau Bus Terminal. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui

Maui Council set for leadership reorganization on Jan. 5. Swearing-in ceremony for Kauanoe Batangan, special council meeting set for Monday. Kauanoe Batangan is expected to be sworn in on Maui County Council during a public ceremony at 8 a.m. Monday before a special council meeting at 9 a.m., according to Chair Alice L. Lee. Maui Now. Maui News.

Kaheawa Wind Farm seeks new lease amid concerns over endangered species. Kaheawa Wind Farm I near the mountain slopes of Maalaea is seeking a new lease to continue its operation on state land providing 30 megawatts of renewable energy for Maui.  Maui News.

Microtransit bus service proposed for some Maui routes. Maui County is considering replacing two of its fixed bus routes with on-demand, microtransit services. Both the Waiheʻe Villager Route 8 and the Kula Islander Route 39 have had low ridership in recent years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

New Kaua’i bus routes to connect Anahola and Waimea beginning Jan. 5. County officials said the new 900 and 950 routes will launch Monday, Jan. 5, running between Anahola and the Waimea Athletic Field. The routes will provide expanded access across Kauaʻi, with stops at Līhuʻe Airport in both directions. Kauai Now.

Kauaʻi prepares for New Year’s Eve: Fireworks for sale, increased DUI enforcement. As the Garden Isle prepares for New Year’s Eve, fireworks are on sale, but Kauaʻi first responders are ramping up enforcement of illegal fireworks, as well as driving under the influence. Kauai Now.

Kanaka'ole named interim DLNR chair, condo insurance rates drop dramatically, future unclear on Maui short-term vacation rental exemptions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Gov. Green appoints Ryan Kanaka‘ole interim chair of DLNR. Gov. Josh Green announced the appointment of Ryan Kanaka‘ole as acting chair and director of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, effective immediately, while Chair Dawn Chang is on medical leave.  Kanaka‘ole, who was deputy director of DLNR, most recently served as a deputy attorney general with the Department of the Attorney General, where he represented the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corp. and the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. He also served as deputy attorney general for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from 2017 to 2023. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. KHON2. 

Hawaiʻi Cracked Down On Pension Spiking. It’s Still Costing Taxpayers Millions. In 2012, lawmakers tried to get a handle on unexpectedly high pensions by billing state and county employers. In most cases, it’s only gotten worse. Pension spiking by public employees has cost Hawaiʻi taxpayers more than $434 million over the last seven years. Civil Beat.

State competition lowers condo insurance prices.  Hawaii condo owners are seeing dramatic reductions in insurance premiums as state-run insurance products create new competition in the market, forcing private companies to slash rates that had made some condos unaffordable. Insurance premiums have dropped 30% to 70%, depending on the coverage, according to Paul Eaton, a consultant for the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund. Hawaii News Now.

Can Kamehameha Fend Off Admissions Lawsuit With Free Tuition? The state probate court must first approve a plan to make the school tuition-free starting in the 2026 school year. Civil Beat.

Jackie Keefe announces run for Hawaiʻi State House, District 14 on Maui. Community advocate Jackie Keefe announced her candidacy for the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, District 14, which includes Kahakuloa, Waiheʻe, portions of Waiehu and Māʻalaea, Lahaina and Honokahua. Maui Now.

Oahu

First transitional housing project for Native Hawaiians is underway. Hale o Kumumamo, at 91-1078 Yorktown St. in Kalaeloa, converted formerly vacant military housing into 18 studio apartments — two of them specially equipped for those with disabilities — with a kitchenette and a community laundry room and office space. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KITV4. 

Oahu-based teams search for remains of missing troops from ‘Secret War’ in Laos. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency operates its forensics lab on Oahu and has historians combing through records and archives, as well as teams of service members and scientists traveling the globe to find and identify missing service members from America’s wars. Star-Advertiser.

Prosecutors: Victim families in Aliamanu explosion refuse to cooperate. As the first anniversary of the deadly New Year’s fireworks explosion approaches, not one suspect has been charged, and prosecutors say victims’ family members and friends are refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Blangiardi, police vow stricter fireworks enforcement over New Year’s. The Honolulu Police Department and the state Department of Law Enforcement say new laws enacted by the state Legislature earlier this year will be more effective at targeting those who possess, use, or traffic in contraband fireworks. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Hawaii Island

Hilo man charged with property damage related to shattered downtown windows. The charges arise from an incident reported at approximately 12:38 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28, when South Hilo patrol officers received multiple anonymous calls reporting a male throwing rocks at business windows in the areas of Pūnāhoa Street, Furneaux Lane, and Kamehameha Avenue. 45-year-old Wayland Leong Sr. was charged with five counts of criminal property damage, three in the second degree and two in the fourth degree. Big Island Now.

Maui

Future unclear on exempting many Maui short-term rentals from new law. A proposal to exempt 4,519 Maui short-term rentals from having to convert to long-term housing for Maui residents faces an uncertain future after it failed to generate the necessary six votes before the Maui County Council. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Preston Chong tabbed to be new deputy parks director. Chong was officially sworn in as the new deputy director of the County of Kauai Department of Parks and Recreation by Eddie Topenio before a small audience of Chong’s family and Parks staff, including Parks Director Patrick Porter. Garden Island. Kauai Now. 

Hawaii not prepared for aging population, state bans sale of fluorescent lightbulbs, fireworks abound as officials caution residents, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii lawmakers to confront housing affordability, tourism volatility in 2026. Pressures are mounting as the state faces a predicted mild recession next year, and as Hawaii lawmakers head into the 2026 legislative session to confront housing affordability, tourism volatility and shifting job markets. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s 2.5% jobless rate is second lowest in U.S. The state’s seasonally adjusted rate fell two-tenths of a point to 2.5% in September to tie Vermont for the second lowest in the country, according to recent data from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Only South Dakota was lower in September at 2.0%. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s traffic fatalities in 2025 skyrocket to 17-year high. As of Saturday, a total of 128 traffic deaths had been counted statewide, according to preliminary statistics from the Hawaii Department of Transportation, up from 97 at the same time last year. Star-Advertiser.

New Navy Report Gauges Training Disruption Of Hawaiʻi’s Marine Mammals. The report shows improvement related to deaths but continued hearing loss and other injuries from some exercises. Civil Beat.

No more fluorescent lightbulbs for Hawaiʻi in 2026. The ban on the sale of fluorescent lights goes into full effect on New Year’s Day, making Hawaiʻi one of 15 states to ban the bulbs. Hawaii Public Radio.

Union seeks raises for teachers not credited for out-of-state experience during salary repricing. The teachers union is fighting to get pay raises for thousands of public school educators. The Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) says they were denied the money because the Hawaii State Department of Education  said they didn’t have enough experience here in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

Demand for New Year’s staple ahi peaks in Hawaii. As Hawaii prepares to ring in the new year, demand for fresh ahi is surging across the islands, sending heavier volumes through the Honolulu Fish Auction, extending auction hours and intensifying competition among buyers seeking premium fish for holiday gatherings. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HPD increases fireworks, DUI enforcement ahead of New Year’s Eve.  With new laws enacted this year, the Honolulu Police Department has issued a warning to parents, property owners and others that it intends to crack down on illegal fireworks as New Year’s Eve approaches. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio.  KHON2. 

Kapi’olani hospital workers end 10-week strike with new contract. The 10-week hospital workers’ strike at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women &Children has ended, the two sides confirmed Saturday. The stalemate broke just after Christmas and two weeks after a federal mediator stepped in. Star-Advertiser.

Planned rail projects at HCC under negotiations. HART is negotiating with UH over the placement of future rail- related infrastructure and utilities on a portion of Honolulu Community College at 874 Dillingham Blvd. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

New Year’s Fireworks Permits Now Available in Hawaiʻi County. Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecracker, officials says. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits are not required for the purchase of novelties and paperless firecrackers. Big Island Video News.

Maui

New Year’s Eve fireworks in Maui County, information and reminders. There will be two public aerial fireworks displays in Maui County this year — one from the Grand Wailea Resort in South Maui, and the other from the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi at Mānele Bay. Both shows begin at approximately 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2025.  Maui Now.

Kauai

New Year’s fireworks, firecrackers go on sale. The TNT Fireworks tent opened for business on Saturday morning at the highway side of the Walmart parking lot. Garden Island.

Collaborative design meeting to engage public in shaping Haleko. A collaborative design meeting aims to engage the public and community stakeholders in shaping the future of Halekō Road between Nāwiliwili Road and Rice Street. Kauai Now.

Federal judge clears the way for new tourist tax on cruise ships, hotels; ER doctor killed in head-on Saddle Road crash; Kauai mayor signs climate change plan, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii’s climate change tax clears legal hurdle. Hawaii’s so-called "green fee" is set to take effect as scheduled Jan. 1 after a federal judge dismissed most of the cruise industry’s legal challenge to Act 96 and denied its request to block implementation. Beginning in 2026, Act 96 raises the transient accommodations tax, or TAT, on lodging for visitors to 11%, a 0.75 percentage point increase, and for the first time applies it to cruise ships docking in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii News Now. 

Germany seeks tighter alignment in the Pacific. This month Alexander Taylor-Fowles, a German diplomat working in his country’s embassy in D.C. as the first secretary of its Indo-Pacific Affairs Political Section, visited Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Charter Schools Need Facilities. Could The DOE Be A Solution? Charter schools are the only growing sector of Hawaiʻi education, but limited funding and campus space has prevented schools from expanding and meeting families’ demands. Civil Beat.

Bill seeks to reverse student loan changes. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawaii joined fellow Democrats Tim Kennedy of New York and Shomari Figures of Alabama this week in introducing legislation aimed at reversing steep federal student loan limits imposed on nurses, social workers and other health professionals under the Republican-led reconciliation bill, H.R. 1. Star-Advertiser.

Conservationists alarmed over proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act. Proposed changes by the Trump administration to the federal Endangered Species Act are raising alarm among conservationists working to save Hawaii’s plants and animals. Maxx Phillips, Hawaii director for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the islands would be drastically affected by the changes, as the 1973 Endangered Species Act has been instrumental to their survival, protection and recovery. Star-Advertiser.

75% of middle-income households may or will leave Hawaiʻi, affordability survey finds. Holomua Collective, a nonprofit focused on affordability issues in Hawaiʻi, asked over 3,000 local workers about cost-of-living issues. Holomua Collective, a nonprofit focused on affordability issues in Hawaiʻi, asked over 3,000 local workers about cost-of-living issues. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

City investigating Nuuanu Stream sewage discharge. An unknown amount of wastewater spilled into Nuuanu Stream earlier this week after a 14-inch sewer line broke near Awa Street and the Nimitz Highway Bridge, according to city officials. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Farmers Are Fighting To Keep Their Soil From Flushing Out To Sea. From kalo to cacao, farmers are adapting to effects of a changing climate by fusing traditional Hawaiian practices with new, regenerative agricultural techniques to save soils, streams and reefs. Civil Beat.

Change comes to Aliamanu in aftermath of  fireworks blast. Nearly one year after a massive illegal fireworks explosion tore through a Salt Lake neighborhood, killing six people and injuring at least 20 others, the three-story home where the blast occurred is repaired and dressed for the holidays, with hanging lights lining the house and glowing Christmas inflatables — a Grinch and Santa Claus — perched on the second-floor porch.  Star-Advertiser.

State opens first transitional shelter for homeless Hawaiian Home Lands waitlisters. $6.4 million Kalaeloa facility to house 18 people with services aimed at eventual homeownership. Hawaii News Now.

Pair Of Faded Crosswalks Near Diamond Head Present A Pair Of Safety Hazards. Transportation Department says rains, water main work have delayed re-striping of the Honolulu crossings. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Funeral services set for Fire Chief Todd. Kazuo Todd died unexpectedly the morning of Dec. 14 after suffering an aneurysm. A funeral service and procession will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10 followed the next day by a public memorial service. Members of the public are encouraged to join the larger public memorial service on Sunday, Jan. 11. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Hawai‘i Island police roll out new heat monitors, K9 collars after death of Archer. While the Hawai’i State Office of the Attorney General decided not to file criminal charges following the death of a Hawai‘i Island police K9, the department has taken steps to ensure the tragedy never happens again. Big Island Now.

Residents across Big Island mourn the loss of beloved, dedicated emergency physician in head-on collision. Hilo Benioff Medical Center announced the passing of a beloved and longtime emergency department doctor, Dr. Judy Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald and the other driver, later identified as 34-year-old Caitlin Smith of Hilo, were transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where Fitzgerald was later pronounced dead. Smith was treated for minor injuries. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Hawaii’s Big Island bans feeding feral cats in an effort to help endangered native species. A Hawaii County law set to take effect at the start of the new year bans feeding feral animals on county property. It’s an effort to protect native species, such as an endangered goose called the nene, from a super predator introduced to the islands by Europeans in the 18th century. Associated Press.

Maui

Access to Lahaina Historic District adjusted as harbor operations resume. Following one week of operations at the State of Hawaiʻi’s Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, some adjustments are being made to the public access plan for the Lahaina Historic District. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauai County adopts climate change action plan. Kauai County mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami has signed the county’s first comprehensive plan focused on addressing climate change. The Kauai Climate Adaptation and Action plan was developed over the course of four years and was informed by both research and community feedback. Star-Advertiser.

Kauaʻi film commissioner finds success as productions continue to film on the island. Despite rising costs, union strikes, and increasing competition from overseas markets, Kauaʻi’s Film Commissioner Sandy Kaʻauwai has kept Kauaʻi on the industry’s radar. Kauai Now.

Delinquent state taxpayers owe millions, Kamehameha Schools to go tuition-free, Kilauea marks anniversary with new eruptive episode, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Who Are Hawaiʻi’s Biggest Tax Delinquents? Search Here. A government database tracks who owes what in state taxes. Spoiler alert: Some owe millions. The list includes state legislators, government contractors, businesses and individuals. Civil Beat.

Domestic Abuse Allegations Prompt Democrats To Scuttle Legislative Nominee. The party has pulled back its nomination of Inam Rahman of Waipahu as one of three choices to fill a legislative vacancy. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green announces appointments to boards and commissions. Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday announced several appointments and reappointments to state boards and commissions, bringing experience in water resource management, ethics, agriculture and community development to state service. Maui Now.

Kamehameha Schools will no longer require tuition for preschool through Grade 12. Starting with the 2026-27 school year, Kamehameha preschools and K–12 campuses will no longer require tuition. The announcement was made in a message from the Board of Trustees and CEO of Kamehameha Schools. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

Volunteers Oversee Hawaiʻi Charter Schools. The State Has Little Say Over Them. Volunteer boards oversee the academics and finances of Hawaiʻi charter schools. But the state has limited influence over who serves on those boards or how they hold schools accountable.  Civil Beat.

Baby boomers struggle with housing, food and health risks. Today’s Hawaii boomers — the youngest is 61 and the oldest 79 — primarily rely on fixed incomes such as Social Security. Star-Advertiser.

WWII Navy veteran Ira ‘Ike’ Schab, one of last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, dies at 105. World War II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab, one of the dwindling number of survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 105.  With his passing, there remain only about a dozen survivors of the surprise attack, which killed just over 2,400 troops and propelled the United States into the war.  Associated Press.

Proposed state budget reckons with lost federal funding. Gov. Josh Green's budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2026, focuses on investments in healthcare and social services. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

HART board revises closed-door meeting policy.  One member of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s board of directors has for years been disallowed from attending the rail agency’s most confidential, closed-door meetings. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

High Lava Fountains Mark Kīlauea Eruption Anniversary. Episode 39 fountaining began at about 8:10 pm HST on Tuesday evening, the anniversary of the current year-long summit eruption. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

South Kohala communities urged to reduce water use after months of dry conditions. According to Hawai‘i County’s Department of Water Supply, affected communities include Āhualoa to Waiemi Subdivision, as well as Honokaia, Puʻukapu, Nīnauele, Waimea Town, Lālāmilo Farm Lots, portions of Māna Road, parts of Māmalahoa Highway, Anekona Estates, and Kānehoa Subdivision. Affected customers are asked to reduce water use by at least 25%. Big Island Now.

Maui

Condo owners file lawsuit over Maui rentals law. Less than a week after its passage, a group of more than 40 Maui condo owners challenged the county’s new short-term rentals law, contending their property rights were violated with the requirement that they must convert their units into long-term housing. Star-Advertiser.

New electric buses set to roll out on Maui. (video only). Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Kaua‘i police make crack in homicide cold case of Amber Jackson. New developments in the 15-year-old murder cold case of Amber Jackson on Kaua‘i have led to the arrest warrant for a 57-year-old man who may now be on the Big Island. On Tuesday, the Kaua‘i Police Department issued a warrant for Gregory Glaser, who was initially identified as a person of interest in the death of Jackson, a resident of Kapa‘a. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. 

Governor's budget tries to plug federal gaps, doesn't address promised income tax cuts; first lawsuit filed against Maui vacation rental ban; pay hikes for Big Island officials, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Josh Green’s budget reflects federal culling. Gov. Josh Green has proposed a $20.4 billion supplemental budget that would help the state respond to on-going cuts in federal funding for Hawaii while continuing to focus on affordable housing, climate infrastructure, healthcare and education. The administration is also expected to implement the first year of what’s known as the green fee, a dedicated source of funding from hotel taxes to protect environmental resources and sustain the tourism industry. But the budget doesn’t address large tax cuts for Hawaiʻi residents passed by the Legislature in 2024 that the governor has already talked about scaling back. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. 

Budget in Brief (pdf). Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance.

Condominium insurance prices begin to stabilize. Condominium building insurance rates are beginning to stabilize. This comes five months after the state's Hurricane Relief Fund began issuing policies to buildings that couldn't secure coverage on the traditional market. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection announces $6M settlement with PayPal. The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection (OCP), on behalf of the state of Hawaii, announced on Monday a $6 Million settlement with PayPal, Inc. and PayPal Holdings, Inc.  The settlement resolves OCP’s lawsuit, filed in December 2022, alleging unfair and deceptive acts or practices through PayPal’s operation and Venmo e-payment platforms.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Hawaii groups blast SNAP’s restrictions on sugary products. Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Children’s Action Network say the rules will raise costs, reduce choices and create extra work for retailers and state administrators without improving health outcomes. Maui News.

State dark sky committee hopes to flip the switch on Hawaiʻi's light pollution. Pushing to regulate artificial light use is one suggestion in a new report from the state's Dark Night Skies Protection Advisory Committee. The report listed suggestions, including implementing warm-glow LED lights or shielded lights in spaces like parks, parking lots, and home fixtures, which is said to reduce sky-glow and energy use. Hawaii Public Radio.

Law enforcement warns of illegal fireworks vigilance ahead of New Year's Eve. Got illegal fireworks? Be warned, after last year’s tragic fireworks explosion in the Salt Lake-Āliamanu area that killed six, there are tougher laws and public safety is top of mind for state officials. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

HART pays $41.3M to settle lengthy Ward Village dispute. On Nov. 25, state Judge John M. Tonaki formally resolved the matter by allowing HART to pay more than $41.3 million to acquire easement access — specifically, for Skyline’s proposed Kakaako Station in the area of Ward Avenue and Queen Street — that could eventually allow the city’s rail project to travel eastward to Ala Moana Center and beyond. Star-Advertiser.

Is Senator’s Affordable Housing Plan Happening? Depends Who You Ask. State authority says market conditions and project requirements put Aloha Homes on the shelf. Sen. Stanley Chang says the Kakaʻako development remains underway. Civil Beat.

Downtown ‘Hell-Hole’ Building Founder Faces Eviction From His Luxury Condo. Honolulu developer Chad Waters’ landlord alleges he owes $5,000 in back rent. The founder of a squalid downtown office building converted into unlicensed apartments now faces his own eviction complaint for allegedly failing to pay rent on the luxury Kakaʻako condo where he lives. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Ocean Safety chief sworn in. Honolulu’s first-ever Ocean Safety Chief was sworn in at a special ceremony at Honolulu Hale Monday morning. Kurt Lager’s appointment to the position earned unanimous approval from the Ocean Safety commission. Hawaii News Now.

UH hotline answers the call to immigration detention in Honolulu. Once it became clear that the Trump administration was pursuing an aggressive immigration policy, the Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa set up a “Deportation Defense Hotline.” Hawaii Public Radio.

Mililani man first to be compensated under Hawaii’s wrongful conviction law. A man imprisoned for a crime he did not commit will become the first person in Hawaii to receive compensation under a 10-year-old law. Roynes Dural will receive $420,833 from the state for the eight years and five months he spent in prison following a wrongful conviction. Hawaii News Now.

Gen X is squeezed, caring for generations before and after. On weekends, Raphael Bacani, 51, packs silken tofu and brown‑sugar syrup into his car and heads to the Waipahu farmers market to sell taho, the Filipino street food that’s one of two side businesses he and his wife run to help cover the bills. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Pay hike for county managers. In its final meeting of the year Monday in Hilo, the Hawaii County Salary Commission approved a 15.29% pay raise for the county’s top officials. The raises, which follow negotiated pay increases for Hawaii Government Employee Association members, will take place in four increments — 3.5% on Jan. 1, 2026, 3.79% on July 1, 2026, and 4% on July 1, 2027, and July 1, 2028. Tribune-Herald.

As promised: Hawai‘i governor commits funding to new Big Island hospital in supplemental state budget. Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green submitted his Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 to the State Legislature Monday, which dedicates $50 million in General Obligation funds to the building of a new hospital on Hawai‘i Island. Big Island Now.

Large-Scale Marijuana Growing Operation Investigated In Ocean View.  During a search at a residence in the 92-8600 block of Jasmine Drive, officers recovered approximately 397 marijuana plants, 364 pounds of processed marijuana, 19,814 grams of marijuana concentrate, 1.2 grams of cocaine, and four firearms. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Thousands Of Maui Vacation Rentals In Limbo After Council Hits Gridlock. Kāʻanapali condo owners have filed the first lawsuit so far against the county over Bill 9. Civil Beat.

Volunteers replant Keawaiki Park at Lahaina Harbor with native plants. On Dec. 6, representatives from the three Lahaina Rotary Clubs, Treecovery and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation came together to replant Keawaiki Park with native Hawaiian trees, groundcover and vines. Maui News.

Kauai

Building a Future at Lima Ola: KHDC marks first phase success. Kauai Housing Development Corporation (KHDC) announced that 23 of the first 24 three-bedroom, two-bath homes in the Lima Ola Workforce Housing Development have been sold to Kauai families, turning the dream of homeownership into reality for local workers who want to stay on island, according to a press release. Garden Island.

US traveler vetting plan threatens Hawaii tourism, Hawaii police chief finalists narrowed to 11, Kauai voters could decide on gated community ban, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. vetting proposal threatens Hawaii economy. Hawaii tourism officials are raising alarms that a new federal proposal requiring millions of foreign visitors to disclose their social media handles could further depress international arrivals — and potentially undermine the benefits of a major national marketing reboot aimed at restoring global travel to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a notice Dec. 10 proposing new vetting rules for travelers from 42 visa waiver countries, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and most of Europe. If it moves forward as proposed, applicants for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) starting on Feb. 8 would have to list all social media accounts used in the past five years. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii senator condemns U.S. travel ban that includes Tonga. State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-Kailua) last week condemned a newly announced expansion of federal travel bans that will add 20 countries — including Tonga — to a list of nations facing new U.S. restrictions on travel and immigration. Star-Advertiser.

Trump Administration Threatens Native Hawaiian Higher Ed Programs. Education Secretary Linda McMahon wants to halt “race-based conditions when allocating taxpayer funding.” The U.S. Department of Education said that federally funded programs based on race, including those that serve Native Hawaiians and Alaskan Natives, are unconstitutional, according to an opinion by department lawyers. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Charter Schools Promised A New Model. Did They Succeed? Hawaiʻi’s charter schools pledged to improve public education through more innovation and family engagement. Three decades later, they’ve gained momentum but still lag in some traditional measures of success.  Civil Beat.

Kamehameha Schools Trustee Finalists Are Walking Into A Challenging Future. The three finalists vying for the vacant seat are startup entrepreneur Olin Lagon, hotelier Keith Vieira and finance executive Eric Yeaman. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi religious institutions make up nearly $200M in real estate deals this year. Religious institutions in Hawaiʻi have collectively made nearly $200 million in just four real estate deals so far this year. That's expanded a wide footprint of church-owned real estate throughout the islands. Hawaii Public Radio.

Battling A Voracious Beetle In The Invasive Species Capital Of The World. Tactics vary by island in the ongoing fight to save Hawaiʻi’s iconic palms from coconut rhinoceros beetles. Civil Beat.

2026 budget informational briefing schedule set by state Senate Ways and Means panel. Hawai’i Senate Committee on Ways and Means last week released its schedule for budget informational briefings during the upcoming 2026 legislative session. Big Island Now.

Oahu

Hawai‘i Convention Center repair climbs to $87M — a 70% surge. A major leak crisis at the Hawai‘i Convention Center — with five meeting rooms affected during a major event this week — is underscoring the urgency of a long delayed rooftop repair project that has now swelled to $87 million and forced the center to reshuffle capital improvement funds to keep construction on track. Star-Advertiser.

HART audit concludes results are positive, rail agency says. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation announced Friday that a recently completed annual audit of its financial statements proved “positive” for the agency tasked with constructing the more than $10 billion Skyline project. Star-Advertiser.

HART CEO gets $350K following citywide pay raises. The board of directors for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation has approved a new 4% pay raise for Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina to continue to oversee completion of the more than $10 billion Skyline project. Star-Advertiser.

Redeveloping obsolete homes at Kuhio Park Terrace underway. Work is underway to revitalize and expand the state’s largest public housing complex where demolition has begun on part of the Kuhio Park Terrace community in Kalihi to make way for a greater number of low-income rental apartments. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii’s Millennials juggle unaffordable housing, child care. Corey Strickland spends his days shuttling passengers, spinning music sets and working a third job on Oahu to keep up with Hawaii’s high cost of living. The top financial pressures that financial literacy and wealth management firms say are facing Millennials — housing costs, student debt, consumer debt, and a lack of retirement savings — are even more pronounced in Hawaii, where each strain is magnified by the state’s extreme cost of living. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

HPD chief applicants narrowed down to 11. Eleven candidates for the Hawaii Police Department’s vacant chief position will receive invitations to be interviewed next month by the Hawaii County Police Commission. Tribune-Herald.

HPD officer whose police dog died in overheated car won’t be prosecuted. There will be no criminal animal cruelty charges filed against Hawaii Police Department Officer Sidra Brown, the handler of K-9 Archer, the narcotics detection dog that died Sept. 4 after being left unattended in a police vehicle in Kona. Tribune-Herald.

Emergency repairs on Route 19 to begin Monday. Motorists on Hawaii Belt Road (Route 19) this week between Wainaku and Hakalau could experience traffic delays starting Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Southwest Airlines launches nonstop Hilo-to-Vegas route.  The new nonstop route starts Aug. 6, 2026, and will initially operate Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, according to a Southwest news release. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

In a year of federal cuts and fading fire recovery funds, Maui nonprofits hold fast. The roller coaster of a year was reflective of what many Maui organizations have experienced during massive federal funding slashes and rapidly changing policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.  Maui Now.

Christmas magic in the pedals: This Maui bike shop gifts hundreds of bicycles to local keiki. Maui bike shop Krank Cycles has assembled and distributed about 500 bikes this year. They're purchased and donated by Jim Falk, president of car dealership Jim Falk Motors of Maui. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Kaua‘i Voters Could Decide Whether Gated Communities Should Be Banned. That’s one of several proposals the Charter Review Commission may put on the ballot next fall, along with increasing oversight of the County Council’s budget. Civil Beat.

Kauai coffee farm landowner considering takeover. Denver-based Brue Baukol Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm that bought the land under the farm three years ago, said it is committed to keeping Kauai Coffee open and is actively exploring ways to preserve, improve, or potentially manage the business itself. Star-Advertiser.

'Beyond me': 6th-generation wahine Kauaʻi kalo farmer continues family legacy. Nestled in the valleys of Hanalei and Lumahaʻi on Kauaʻi sits a loʻi kalo that’s been cultivating on the island's north shore for six generations. Hawaii Public Radio.