Young Brothers Wins 25% Rate Hike but Faces Stricter Oversight

The increase is expected to generate an extra $26 million in revenue, which the interisland barge service says will still leave it operating at a loss next year. The cost of shipping food and other goods between the Hawaiian Islands is about to rocket up more than 25%, sparking dismay among some residents, farmers and business owners.

Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Kauaʻi Now.

DHHL Severs Ties to Company That It Says Abandoned Homesteaders.

Waimana Enterprises, founded by Al Hee, was hit with utility violations. The telecommunications company that provided broadband internet and telephone service to thousands of rural Hawaiian homesteaders across the state since the mid-1990s was stripped of its operating license Monday after years of service disruptions and other violations, including a federal fraud case that sent the company’s founder to prison.

Civil Beat.

2 Unions Fight to Represent Alaska-Hawaiian Aircraft Technicians

As Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines move closer to completing their $1.9 billion merger, a behind-the-scenes union battle could influence how aircraft maintenance is managed — and shape the future of local jobs and operational efficiency.

Star-Advertiser.

More Hawaiʻi Families Go Hungry

Hawaiʻi’s second annual survey of “food insecurity” showed that almost half of island families (or 48%) are either food insecure or on the brink of choosing between food, housing or healthcare — even among households that earn $90,000 or more.

Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

City Council Bill Aims to Proactively Identify Possible Lapsed Funding

The Honolulu City Council Budget Committee will consider a bill that aims to bring more transparency to the city’s budget on Tuesday. Requiring the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services to provide information on the amount of money the city could see lapse when it submits its budget request.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Honolulu Police Officers Accused of Dodging Court Service in DUI Lawsuit

Three HPD officers accused of wrongful DUI arrests are now facing allegations they deliberately avoided a process server in a class action lawsuit. Records show officers Ridge Newcom and Kelsey Messmer, along with recently retired officer Darren Cachola, have been evading service of legal papers.

Hawaii News Now.

Massive Convention Center Makeover to Reshape Events for Two Years Starting 2026

The Hawaiʻi Convention Center is moving forward with what will be its most complete renovation since it opened 26 years ago. At the heart of the construction are repairs on the long-troubled rooftop terrace deck, now priced at $110 million – significantly higher than the original $64 million projection.

KHON2.

Approval Process Underway for New High-Rise Project in Ala Moana

Another luxury, high-rise project is being planned in Ala Moana – right on the shopping center’s property. It’ll be a condo and a hotel. 1588 Ala Moana is the latest project from the Kobayashi Group.

KHON2.

USPS Removes Blue Collection Boxes Around Oʻahu

The U.S. Postal Service is removing blue collection boxes across Oʻahu, prompting concerns from residents who rely on them. Removal notices have appeared on boxes in Foster Village, Mapunapuna, and Kapahulu, requiring residents to travel miles to alternative locations.

Hawaii News Now.

Roberts Bus Packages Expected to Ease Traffic to Hanauma Bay

The  City & County of Honolulu is offering visitors a quicker, easier way to get to there through a contract with Roberts Hawaii that offers a package deal including transportation on an electric motorcoach.

Star-Advertiser.

Highway Inn Sues State Over Tax on Pandemic-Era Restaurant Revitalization Fund

HPR sat down with Monica Toguchi Ryan, the third-generation owner of the longtime family restaurant Highway Inn, which has locations in Kakaʻako and Waipahu, plus a cafe at Bishop Museum.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Salary Hikes for County Officials Questioned

At its meeting Monday in Hilo, the Hawai‘i County Salary Commission received some public pushback on a proposed 15.29% pay hike for the county’s top officials.

Tribune-Herald.

New Directors at Public Works, DEM

Daniel Girvan has been appointed director of the Department of Environmental Management, and Wesley Segawa, who served as DEM director since December 2024, has been appointed director of the Department of Public Works. Neil Azevedo, who has served as acting DPW Director since March 31, will continue with the department as deputy director.

Tribune-Herald.

Public Hearing Set for Puna Geothermal Power Increase, Dec. 8

The Noncovered Source Permit will grant conditional approval for PGV to increase from 41 megawatts (MW) to 46 MW.

Big Island Video News.

Coconut Island Footbridge in Hilo Collapses, Repairs Could Take Two Years

The pedestrian bridge leading to Mokuʻola, commonly known as Coconut Island, collapsed Friday morning as a county worker drove a mini-excavator across the structure, closing the popular Hilo park indefinitely.

Big Island Video News. Hawaii News Now.

DOT Plans Speed Reductions on Highway 19

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation announces the planned reduction of the speed limit in four different areas on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Highway 19), according to a press release.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. 

Maui Headlines

First Reading of Bill 9 Scheduled for Dec. 1

Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee announced on Monday there will be a special hearing next month for Bill 9, a proposal that would phase transient vacation rentals out of apartment districts on Maui.

Maui News. 

Temporary Potable Water Use for Maui Golf Course Contested

An environmental law firm is objecting to state condoned use of potable water for irrigating a Maui golf course that recently reopened after a two-month closure and loss of an economically valuable January PGA tournament.

Star-Advertiser.

Trace Levels of Selenium Detected in Lahaina’s Water System

Trace levels of selenium have been detected for the first time in water samples collected from the County of Maui Department of Water Supply’s Lahaina water system.

Hawaii News Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

New Kauaʻi Charter School Fills a Void for North Shore Community

For decades, Kauaʻi’s North Shore has been a learning desert. The Namahana School aims to change that.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Thanksgiving Turkeys Go Out

There were at least 500 turkeys being given to Kauaʻi families on Saturday during the big Hawaii Foodbank Kauaʻi drive-through food distribution at the Kauaʻi Community College.

Garden Isle.