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HIDOE issues statewide permanent bans following assault of school administrator
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi issued a permanent trespass notice banning two individuals from all public school properties following the recent violent attack on Moanalua High School Assistant Athletic Director Natalie Iwamoto.
Maui senators weigh in on leadership roles for 2026 session
Maui County’s three-member delegation to the Hawaiʻi State Senate says its assigned leadership and committee roles position them to advocate effectively for wildfire recovery and resources during what is expected to be a financially difficult legislative session.
Kā‘anapali donates $10,000 to support UH men’s and women’s golf
Kā‘anapali Golf Courses has donated $10,000 to support the University of Hawaiʻi men’s and women’s golf programs, continuing its financial support of UH student-athletes for a third consecutive year.
Hawaiʻi, 34 states reach settlement with Hyundai and Kia over vehicle anti-theft technology
The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection, on behalf of the state of Hawaiʻi, along with 34 state attorneys general, reached a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia over their sales of millions of vehicles nationwide that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology.
Policy brief calls for expanded county role in addressing food security in Hawaiʻi
A new policy brief from the Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice urges leaders on the county level to address food insecurity as federal nutrition programs face significant funding cuts.
Flu on the rise in Hawaiʻi this month
With a surge in cases of influenza — otherwise known as the flu — across the state, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health urges residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from respiratory viruses during the winter season.
Schatz introduces legislation to expand Social Security benefits
US Sen. Brian Schatz has introduced legislation aimed at expanding Social Security benefits for seniors and families in Hawaiʻi and across the nation. The Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act, or SAFE Social Security Act, seeks to increase average monthly benefits by more than $150. The bill also proposes adjusting how cost-of-living adjustments […]
Maui Land & Pineapple fined $140K for streamflow violations, but can offset penalty with improvements
The state Commission on Water Resource Management gave the company a chance to offset the fine by making improvements to its water system in Honokōhau Valley.
Hawai‘i public schools get a special taste of local ‘uala on this month’s breakfast menu
This December, Hawaiʻi public school cafeterias statewide were offered the opportunity to serve local ʻuala (sweet potato) bread for breakfast using locally sourced Okinawan sweet potato. Nearly 1,700 pounds of Okinawan sweet potato were distributed to 127 participating schools.
Commercial real estate firm Alexander & Baldwin enters into $2.3B merger agreement
Alexander & Baldwin — owner, operator and developer of high-quality commercial real estate in Hawaiʻi, recently announced it entered into a definitive merger agreement. A&B’s Maui properties include: Nāpili Plaza, Maui Lani Industrial, Hoʻokele Shopping Center, Kahului Office Building, Harbor Industrial, Kahului Office Center, Kahului Shopping Center, Lono Center, P&L Warehouse, and the Puʻunēnē Shopping Center.
Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center launches ’12 Days of Giveaways’
Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center has announced “12 Days of Giveaways,” a holiday-inspired social media campaign giving shoppers the chance to win 12 prizes valued at $300 or more, provided by retailers and restaurants at the center.
DNC passes resolution condemning lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools
At its meeting in Los Angeles this month, the Democratic National Committee unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Students for Fair Admissions lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools and reaffirming the political status and inherent sovereignty of the Native Hawaiian people.
MC&A acquires Ulu Creative’s Maui and Oʻahu event assets
MC&A has announced the acquisition of the full Maui and O‘ahu event décor inventory of Ulu Creative, a Hawai‘i-based event production company known for its design-forward décor collection.
UH study: COVID-19 impact on life expectancy felt less in Hawaiʻi
While life expectancy across the United States declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study led by researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health found that Hawaiʻi experienced a smaller decline compared to national trends.
Hawaiʻi loses 10 senior wildlife scientists amid federal staffing cuts
Hawaiʻi has lost 10 senior-level scientists and managers at the US Fish and Wildlife Service as part of an 18% reduction in the agency’s nationwide staff under the administration of President Donald Trump.
Mayor appoints Batangan to fill Maui Council vacancy for Kahului residency
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced the appointment of Kauanoe Batangan to fill the Maui County Council Kahului residency seat left vacant by the passing of Council Member Tasha Kama in October. Batangan will officially assume office on Jan. 1, 2026, due to transitional time over the holidays.
FHB employees and retirees raise $886,449 for charity through Kōkua Mai campaign
First Hawaiian Bank today announced that employees and retirees have made a major impact this holiday season by contributing a donation of $886,449 to 36 charities in Hawai‘i, Guam, and Saipan as part of its annual Kōkua Mai employee giving campaign.
Maui senators secure leadership and committee assignments ahead of 33rd Legislature
Maui Sens. Lynn DeCoite, Troy Hashimoto and Angus McKelvey have secured various leadership positions.
Man critically injured after attempting to cross Honoapiʻilani Highway on a skateboard
A 52-year-old male pedestrian sustained life-threatening injuries when he was struck by a vehicle while trying to cross the Honoapiʻilani Highway on a skateboard in Lahaina on Monday night. The incident was reported at 9:15 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2025 on the highway, about .96 miles south of Kai Hele Kū Street. Police say a […]
Flags lowered in remembrance of Brown University and Bondi Beach tragedies
Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag be flown at half-staff at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, all state offices and agencies, and all Hawaiʻi National Guard facilities to honor the victims of the tragic shooting at Brown University and the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
