Clare E. Connors Resigns as U.S. Attorney for Hawaiʻi

U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaiʻi Clare E. Connors on Monday submitted her resignation effective 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 19, the day before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Connors, a former Hawaiʻi attorney general, was nominated to her post by Biden in September 2021, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December of that year and sworn into office in January 2022.

Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Maui News.

Trump Tariffs, Immigration Crackdown Could Increase Hawaiʻi Inflation

Hawaiʻi’s economy seems poised to pick up in the year ahead, according to a top state economist. But there’s a bit of a wildcard: Donald Trump. It remains to be seen how many of his campaign promises will become reality, and how tariffs and deportation might impact inflation here.

Civil Beat.

Full-Time Criminal Investigative Unit Proposed to Tackle Illegal Fireworks

A task force that began its work long before the recent tragedy in Salt Lake also recommends a unified fireworks permitting system in Hawaiʻi and $2 million for a new firearms and explosives lab.

Civil Beat.

New Laws Kick off 2025: Some Aim to Attract More Nurses, Doctors to Hawaiʻi

A number of new laws took effect starting Jan. 1. At least four of those laws are related to medicine — with two intended to facilitate the licensing of physicians and nurses, which are in short supply in Hawaiʻi.

Tribune-Herald.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Firefighter Dies; 5 People Injured in McCully Building Fire

A 25-year-old Honolulu firefighter died and five people were seriously injured Monday night in a two-story building fire on Young Street that caused a partial roof collapse.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Honolulu Councilmembers Face Aging Facilities, Affordable Housing in New Term

The nine-member council held its first meeting following the November elections. The council is actually nearly identical to what it was before the elections, except for the presence of newly elected Councilmember Scott Nishimoto, who has replaced the now-retired Councilmember Calvin Say.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Oʻahu Housing Market Notches Price Gains in 2024, but Not Complete Rebound

The median price for single­-family houses sold in 2024 rose 4.8% to $1,100,000 from $1,050,000 in 2023, and came close to the peak reached in 2022 at $1,105,000.

Star-Advertiser. KITV4.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

New Mayor’s Support Reignites TMT Debate

The Thirty Meter Telescope is back as a hot topic, after Hawaiʻi County’s new mayor said he could now support the project if it’s done right. In videos posted to social media in recent days, Mayor Kimo Alameda expresses support for TMT, something that caught many on both sides of the issue by surprise as Alameda had previously opposed the project back when construction was set to begin in 2019.

KHON2.

Emergency Rules Continue for Waipio Valley Road, Three Years Since Their Introduction

The County of Hawaiʻi is continuing emergency rules for Waipio Valley Road, three years after the rules were first enacted in 2022. Mayor Kimo Alameda signed the 15th Waipio Valley Road Declaration of Emergency and related emergency rules due to ongoing safety concerns.

Big Island Now.

Vog Conditions Could Continue in East Hawaiʻi

Volcanic fumes might linger over East Hawaiʻi for the next few days, even as the latest eruption of Kīlauea has paused.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Maui Health Workers Avoid Strike, Approve New Contract With 21% Pay Raises and Safe Staffing Plans

Maui Health and union agree to new 4-year contract. The United Nurses and Health Care Employees of Hawaiʻi, which represents more than 900 workers at Maui Health, said Monday its members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the contract.

Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Do Maui Wildfire Lawyers Deserve $1 Billion in Fees?

The fate of a $4 billion settlement for Maui fire victims lies in the hands of attorneys who can’t agree on what they themselves should be paid. A small group of attorneys who’ve already filed lawsuits say they should be entitled to $1 billion or more in legal fees. Another group of lawyers who haven’t filed say more money should go toward the class action — not toward lawyers. The debate is coming to a head soon.

Civil Beat.

New Leadership Roles Announced by Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Including on Maui

Hawai‘i State Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi has appointed a new deputy superintendent for operations and a new assistant superintendent for information technology services, both of whom will step into their new roles this month.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Kauaʻi County Offering Grants to Combat Homelessness

The County of Kauaʻi’s Housing Agency is awarding grants up to $500,000 as a Homeless Program Grant to eligible non-profit agency initiatives, with applications for the grant closing Jan. 31.

KHON2.

Health Department Fines Waimea Asphalt Plant $33K, Following ‘Numerous Violations’

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health issued a Notice of Violation and Order to Maui Asphalt for numerous violations of improper disposal of pollutants reportedly at their asphalt batch plant located in Waimea.

Kauaʻi Now.

Santana Postpones Las Vegas Residency Shows After Falling at Home on Kaua‘i

According to a statement from Michael Vrionis, President of Universal Tone Management, said the musician was taking a walk at his home in Princeville when took a hard fall resulting in him breaking his little finger on his left hand.

Kauaʻi Now.