Advocacy Groups Seek to Change How Bills Move Through the House

The state House of Representatives has a new leadership team with Rep. Nadine Nakamura becoming the new speaker of the House. Because of the changes, advocacy groups are expanding efforts to change the rules in the House that they say will increase transparency.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi’s Child Welfare System Needs Major Reform, Report Says

A panel created to propose reforms to Hawaiʻi’s child welfare system has described an array of troubling defects in the system, and its draft report calls for a surge in government support for disadvantaged families so fewer children will be removed from their homes.

Civil Beat.

‘inmates Are Running the Facility’ Prison Sources Warn Public Safety Is At Risk

The climate inside Hawaiʻi’s correctional facilities is at a tipping point with inmates running the show and guards overworked and underpaid.

KHON2.

Top Booster Cuts University Funding Over Athletics Director Craig Angelos’ Ouster

Longtime UH supporter and businessman Mike Kawazoe founded the Rainbow Collective in April of last year as a way to raise funds for the department and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money for student-athletes.

Hawaii News Now.

New Feral Cat Colony Map Could Save Hawaii’s Native Birds — but It’s Secret

The crowd-sourced map, which hasn’t been made public yet, is bound to rankle many locals who regularly feed and care for free-roaming cats.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Mayor Appoints New Housing Director

Kevin Auger became the Honolulu Office of Housing’s executive director this week, stepping up from his prior role as deputy director to lead the city’s efforts to acquire, build and preserve more housing as many residents struggle with high prices.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiian Home Lands Pursues Royal Kunia Housing Plan

The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands wants to buy 211 acres approved for housing in Kunia for about $60 million from developer Haseko (Hawaii) Inc. with a preliminary development agreement to produce 1,200 residential lots for beneficiaries, including 500 lots in an initial increment where infrastructure already exists.

Star-Advertiser.

West Side Crackdown Is Reducing Crime

Crime is down on the West Side during the three months since a spate of deadly shootings prompted county, state and federal officials to inundate the Waianae coast with law enforcement.

Star-Advertiser.

911 Outage Caused by Hawaiian Telcom Equipment Issue

Hawaiian Telcom confirmed Wednesday that equipment failure caused Sunday’s 911 outage on Oʻahu. Most cell phones were blocked from reaching police dispatchers for about four hours.

Hawaii News Now.

City Plan to Remove Changing Areas in Waimanalo Beach Park Draws Criticism

At Waimanalo Beach Park, the city plans to demolish two rundown comfort stations as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation project and install new prefabricated structures with individual, unisex bathroom stalls. The change would eliminate separate changing areas for men and women.

Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

New Mayor, Council to Be Sworn-In on December 2

Mayor-elect Kimo Alameda, Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen, and the newly elected County Council will take part in the inauguration event.

Big Island Video News.

Thumbs Down for Kona Vistas

A 10-year extension for a controversial West Hawaiʻi housing development to complete construction has once again been rejected, this time by the Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday.

Tribune-Herald.

More Than $1.2M in PONC Funds Awarded to Nonprofits

The county’s Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission identifies lands around the county worthy of preservation and recommends grant funding to nonprofits to continue to steward those parcels.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Federal Officials Pressed on Maui Recovery Efforts

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz took part in the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on national disaster needs.

Big Island Video News.

Lawsuit Filed to Change Maui’s Street Lighting Citing Its Effect on Endangered Birds

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Honolulu against Maui County and Hawaiian Electric to change the kind of street lighting on the Valley Isle that allegedly impairs the navigation of three bird species.

Maui News. KITV4.

Maui Invitational Returns to Lahaina as Post-Fire Emotions Are Still Raw

Many residents are excited about the economic boost the tournament will bring. But concerns also are high that visitors might show disrespect.

Associated Press.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kapa‘a Swimming Pool to Be Temporarily Closed in December

The Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announced that Kapa‘a Swimming Pool will be shuttered from Dec. 1-16 so contractor Pacific Concrete, Cutting & Coring can repair the pool’s concrete deck.

Kauai Now.