Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Looks at New Lots to Reduce Waitlist

More than 200,000 acres on all the major islands have set aside for Indigenous use, but most of those lots can’t be developed because they’re too far from roads, sewers, electric lines and broadband or are impossible to traverse, such as cliffsides and other mountainous areas.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Airlines to Offer Locals-Only Discounts

Starting next year, kamaʻāina can save money on neighbor island airfares through Huakaʻi by Hawaiian, a new permanent travel benefits program for locals launched following Hawaiian Airlines’ combination with Alaska Airlines.

Star-Advertiser.

Transportation Department Seeking Young People to Serve on Climate Council

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

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Gov. Josh Green Calls Kennedy’s Choice as HHS Leader ‘Insane’

Green — the only sitting governor who is also a medical doctor — described the decision as “gross malpractice” and warned that Kennedy’s appointment “will do incredible harm if he’s the director of Health and Human Services.”

Star-Advertiser.

Gabbard’s Sympathetic Views Toward Russia Cause Alarm as Trump’s Pick to Lead Intelligence Services

Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. intelligence services, in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s main justifications for invading Ukraine: the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. In fact, the labs are public and part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons.

Associated Press.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Lawmakers Mull Ban on Sale of Plastic Bottles on City Properties

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

Star-Advertiser.

Hart Wants 26% Budget Increase for Fiscal Year ’26

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s combined budgets, which total over $968.3 million and would take effect July 1, show marked increases to debt service on the project’s loans as well as increased labor costs for the nearly $10 billion Skyline construction.

Star-Advertiser.

DOH Warns of Possible Avian Flu Exposure at Mililani Pet Fair

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued a warning Sunday that members of the public who attended the Mililani Pet Fair held on Nov. 2 may have been exposed to H5N1 avian influenza, which recently was confirmed in a backyard flock of various birds in Central Oʻahu.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Plans for Hawaiʻi’s First Public Teacher Housing Complex Face Backlash

A first-of-its-kind project would create over 100 units of affordable housing on Mililani High School’s campus, but some teachers and families say the planning process needs more community input.

Civil Beat.

City Hosts Workshops Over Ala Wai Bridge

The Honolulu Department of Transportation Services will host two public workshop meetings this week regarding the planned design and construction of the $63.3 million Ala Wai Pedestrian Bridge.

Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu 911 System Restored for Mobile Carriers

The system went down for some mobile carriers, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, and anyone needing emergency service would have to use a landline.

Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Historic Chinatown Building Is Turned into Affordable Housing

The $30 million conversion of the historic Hocking Building, on the corner of North King Street and Nuʻuanu Avenue, includes 40 apartments with monthly rent as low as $731, meeting space for the Downtown-Chinatown Neighborhood Board and office space for the nonprofit Institute for Human Services.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

New County Council Leadership for 2024-2026 term Announced: Inaba as Chair, Onishi Vice Chair

The council leadership says it will prioritize a strong partnership with Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda and his administration. The new leadership positions will take effect when the new council is sworn in sometime in December. Current Council Chair, Heather Kimball, will continue to serve on the council as the representative for District 1.

Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

County Provides Update on Highway 137

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

Tribune-Herald.

The Humpback Whales Are Coming: Tour Company Spots One off Kona Coast

Hawaiian Adventures Kona on Saturday encountered their first humpback whale sighting of the season. This encounter marks the beginning of an exciting winter whale watching season on the Big Island. The annual humpback migration brings thousands of humpback whales to Hawaiian waters for their breeding and birthing season. The best time to see humpback whales is mid-December through March.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

State Gets $10M Grant to Save West Maui Reefs

A nearly $10 million federal grant to the state will restore habitat from “summit-to-sea,” with the goal of saving West Maui reefs. Among them is Olawalu Reef on Maui’s southwestern shore, which is often referred to as the “mother reef.” The 1,000-acre coral reef is a designated Mission Blue Hope Spot, and home to a diverse array of unique coral species and the nation’s largest known population of manta rays. But the reef is in peril, according to conservationists, due to many threats such as rising sea temperatures, pollutants, wildfires and soil sediments carried to it from nearby streams.

Star-Advertiser.

There’s More FEMA Housing for Lahaina Fire Survivors, but They’ll Have to Pay Rent Soon

A Federal Emergency Management Agency modular home site in Lahaina called Kilohana will be ready to house residents Friday. FEMA Regional Administrator Bob Fenton said about 50 units are in place, and the project total of 167 units will be completed sometime in January. Priority at Kilohana will be given to displaced families still living in hotels.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Why a $4 Billion Settlement of Maui Fire Claims Is Tangled Up in Court

Getting a deal done quickly meant adopting an unorthodox approach to the insurance industry’s role in the settlement — one that the industry is challenging. Now, hopes for a timely payout are at the mercy of the courts.

New York Times.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami Eyes State Capitol Office After Term Ends

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami seems to have his sights set on running for a position at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol after he terms out in 2026. In September, Kauaʻi Now reported that the campaign office for Kawakami said he intends to run for Hawaiʻi Senate District 8 in 2026 — and has the support of the current seat holder, Senate President Ron Kouchi.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Meeting About Wailua Bay Shoreline Mitigation Set for Thursday

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

Kauaʻi Now.

Concern for Albatross as Military Proposes Increased Training on Kaʻula off Niʻihau

Kaʻula, an island 20 miles southwest of off Niʻihau, is about the size of Ala Moana Beach park and Magic Island combined. The Navy said it received some 1,800 pieces of testimony during the public comment period. It expects to finalize an environmental assessment early next year. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is on the record that the use of Ka’ula is incompatible with its resources and is advocating that the practice end, and that the island be designated a wildlife sanctuary or given refuge status.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.