‘The Mental Health and Well-Being of Our Keiki Must Come First’: State Announces TikTok Lawsuit

The state of Hawaiʻi is suing the parent company of TikTok, Bytedance Inc., for the alleged addictive platform design that causes harm to its users, especially children, whom they have exploited for economic gain.

KHON2. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Rep. Lamosao Named to Replace Sen. Aquino

State Rep. Rachele Lamosao (D-Waipahu) has been selected by Gov. Josh Green to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Sen. Henry Aquino (D, Pearl City- Waipahu-West Loch).

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

Honolulu Rail Pays $41 Million in Dispute Over Ala Moana Extension

The settlement gives the city the easements it needs to build through Kakaʻako, but HART does not yet have the money to construct that segment.

Civil Beat.

City Council Passes Bill to Allow Media Police Scanner Access

The Honolulu City Council passed Bill 46 Wednesday, which would require the Honolulu Police Department to release certain public information to the public and the media. The measure was introduced by council chair Tommy Waters and council member Augie Tulba in an effort to force the department to allow news organizations to access police scanner communication.

Hawaii News Now.

HPD Says Fraud Losses Total $7 Million in 2025

Law enforcement officials, Kupuna advocates and state lawmakers urged caution and vigilance Wednesday after Honolulu police reported Oahu residents lost more than $7 million in 222 fraud cases this year.

Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Police Shooting: Teen’s Family to Get $1 Million Despite Pushback

Honolulu City Council members approved the settlement to protect the officers involved in the 2021 fatal shooting of Iremamber Sykap from future liability.

Civil Beat. Associated Press. Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Oʻahu Officials Reconsider Controversial North Shore Gondola Proposal

A controversial gondola project on Oʻahu could be halted as it is at risk of losing its conditional use permit.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

HPD Staffing Task Force Recommends Increased Incentives

A Honolulu City Council task force empaneled to help the Honolulu Police Department recruit and retain officers is recommending housing stipends, retention bonuses and other incentives.

Star-Advertiser.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Council Passes Plastic Foodware Bill Despite Mayor’s Concerns

Mayor Kimo Alameda issued a forceful plea Wednesday urging the Hawai‘i County Council to reject Bill 83, warning that new restrictions on disposable plastic and polystyrene foodware would drive up costs for families and strain county resources.

Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp., Queen’s Partnership to Expand Care in Kona

Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday announced plans by a new public-­private partnership to build a new outpatient medical facility, with $50 million in state bonds, next door to the new hospital planned by Queen’s in Kailua-Kona.

Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.

Prosecutors Seek to Detain Sulla, Allege Wrongdoing on Release

Federal prosecutors have filed a motion to revoke bond for a Hilo attorney convicted in U.S. District Court and awaiting sentencing for an affordable housing credits scam.The motion filed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Margaret Nammar seeks to detain Paul J. Sulla Jr. pending sentencing.

Tribune-Herald.

Hawaiʻi Island Residents Can Keep Riding Hele-on Buses for Free

Hawaiʻi County’s Hele-On bus system will stay free for another three years. Officials voted to extend the late pandemic era program that was set to expire this month.

Hawai‘i Public Radio.

Maui Headlines

Maui Visitor Spending Increases in October Despite Fewer Visitors

Ten months into 2025, Maui is still outpacing last year’s visitor totals — even though October delivered the island’s first year-over-year dip since midsummer.

Maui Now.

Measles Virus Detected in Maui County’s Wastewater Surveillance

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health is monitoring the first-ever detection of the measles virus in Maui County’s wastewater.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

A Month After Kauaʻi I.C.E. Raid, Questions Linger

None of the 44 workers detained that day ended up seeking asylum. Their employer, a local janitorial contractor, has faced federal scrutiny before.

Civil Beat.

Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency Seeks Public Input on Disaster Mitigation Plan

The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency is inviting residents to help update the county’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan, a five-year strategy aimed at reducing risks from natural disasters and strengthening community preparedness.

Kauai Now.