Kamehameha Schools Sued Over Race-Based Admissions

The nonprofit group that successfully challenged race-conscious college admissions in the U.S. Supreme Court has filed a new lawsuit — this time against Kamehameha Schools — seeking to overturn the private institution’s long-standing policy of giving preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

Associated Press. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.

Former Hawaiʻi Defense Contractor Gets Prison Time For Illegal Donations

A federal judge says Martin Kao’s prison sentence will be a deterrent for others.

Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi Tax Director Accused of Creating ‘Hostile’ Work Environment

Six state Tax Department employees — including the department’s human resources officer — allege that Tax Director Gary Suganuma has created an abusive and hostile work environment over issues that have nothing to do with assisting island taxpayers or ensuring that the state collects what it’s due.

Star-Advertiser.

Gov. Green Says Hawaiʻi Losing $120 Million a Week During Government Shutdown

We’re into day 20 of the federal government shutdown with wide-ranging impacts being felt in Hawaiʻi, including federal employees and the University of Hawaiʻi.

KHON2.

Free Expo to Help Homebuyers

The Priced Into Paradise Expo returns October 25, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center, with a powerful mission: to help local residents build a future and find a home right here in Hawai‘i. The one-day event aims to equip first-time homebuyers, homeowners, job seekers, and real estate investors with practical tools, expert insights, and community-driven resources.

Priced Into Paradise.

O‘ahu Headlines

Skyline Counts 61,968 Rides in First 4 Days After New Segment Opened

City officials counted 61,968 rides taken on Skyline rail trains in the first four days after opening a new 5.2-mile segment that takes passengers into four, critical new stations, including Daniel K. International Airport.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

‘Complete Failure’: Honolulu Permit Workers Say Tech Upgrade Is A Bust

The permitting director insists the new program is working and problems are being fixed, but some staff are begging for a return to the old system.

Civil Beat.

Land Dispute Causes Reef and Wave Project to Shift to Oʻahu’s South Shore

Instead of being placed in the water off Mōkapu near the marine base, it will end up off O’ahu’s south side.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Waterway Maintenance at Moanalua Valley Stream Begins

The city Department of Facility Maintenance says it began using heavy machinery on Friday ) at Manaiki Stream, located in a residential neighborhood within Moanalua Valley.

Star-Advertiser.

What Will New Business Improvement District Mean for Downtown Honolulu?

Downtown Honolulu has a new business improvement district. An effort to make the area safer and cleaner in the hopes it will attract more business, residents and visitors. With a signature Monday morning, Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi turned Act 51 into law.

KITV4.

New Bacteria Species Identified off Coast of Hawaiian Islands

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa believe this discovery will shed light on how unseen microbial life connects Hawaiʻi’s land and sea ecosystems.

Big Island Now.

100th Public Pre-K Classroom Opens in Hawaiʻi, Advancing Universal Access for Keiki

Hawaiʻi celebrated a milestone toward making preschool accessible to all keiki with the opening of the state’s 100th public pre-kindergarten classroom at Maunawili Elementary School in Kailua, Oʻahu.

Kauai Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Commission to Discuss Search for Next Hawaiʻi County Police Chief

The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Friday in the Council Chambers of the County Building in Hilo to finalize key parts of the hiring process, including written questions for qualified applicants. The application deadline is Oct. 31.

Tribune-Herald.

Pohoiki Dredging Project Fails To Open Boat Ramp

The Department of Land and Natural Resources acknowledged the community’s disappointment with the failure of the estimated $5.4-million project.

Big Island Video News.

Aerial Search Conducted in Kona for Invasive Beetles

No coconut rhinoceros beetles have been detected in East Hawaiʻi, but surveillance efforts are ramping up as the invasive pest remains active in West Hawaiʻi.

Tribune-Herald.

County Continues to Make Progress on Hilo Skatepark

Slowly but surely, the effort to construct a skatepark in Hilo is making progress as contracts are executed for the design and permitting of the structures that may one day stand across from the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Tribune-Herald.

Café in Hilo Shuts Down After State Inspection Reveals Roach Infestation, Food Safety Violations

A roach infestation and multiple food safety violations forced the immediate shutdown of White Guava Café in Hilo.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Maui Residents File Sunshine Law Complaint Against County Council Over Waiʻehu Housing Vote

Waiʻehu community members who oppose the 119-unit Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua affordable housing project have escalated their fight, filing a formal Sunshine Law complaint against the Maui County Council.

Maui Now.

Up to $100K Available for Nonprofits Supporting Maui Fire Survivors’ Mental Health

Organizations offering mental health services for Maui wildfire survivors could get a boost of funding. The Maui Recovery Funders Collaborative will be awarding grants to nonprofits that increase access to mental health resources.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Five Teen Girls Charged in Alleged Assault at Kalama School

Several teenage girls were charged with assault and kidnapping after allegedly holding a 13-year-old boy in a sound proof room at the Kalama Intermediate School campus in Makawao on Friday afternoon.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Amazon Plans to Build a 42,000-Square-Foot Warehouse On Kauaʻi

A real estate development firm has plans to buy 14.6 acres in Līhuʻe to develop the 42,000-square-foot metal warehouse and distribution facility that would operate around-the-clock in the up-and-coming Ahukini Business Park.

Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Bus Community Outreach Event Scheduled This Week

It will highlight the introduction of Kauaʻi Bus’ new battery electric buses and their connection to the Kauaʻi Bus Short Range Transit Plan and Kauaʻi Multimodal Land Transportation Plan.

Kauai Now.