“Top stories and breaking news from Hawaii, across the state, and around the world.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii and U.S. news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Accessed on 26 December 2025, 1516 UTC.
Content and Source: “Honolulu Star-Advertiser.”
URL–https://www.staradvertiser.com/category/breaking-news/
Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections. Thanks for joining us today.
Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
Friday, December 26, 2025 71°Today’s Paper
Breaking News
Get the latest top stories and breaking news today from Hawaii, across the nation and around the world.
HFD makes Christmas rescue on Koko Head
This morning the Honolulu Fire Department rescued an injured hiker on Koko Head. Read more
Shark advisory issued at Makaha surf break
A shark advisory has been issued off of a Makaha surf break after a sighting near a reef this morning, according to Ocean Safety officials. Read more
Police investigating fatal traffic collision in Hilo
Police are investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred on Christmas Eve in Hilo. Read more
Arkansas ticket scoops $1.8 billion in Christmas Powerball jackpot
A ticket sold in Arkansas scored a $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot after Wednesday night’s draw — one of the richest lottery prizes in U.S. history, landing just in time for Christmas. Read more
California storm floods roadways and knocks out power on Christmas Day
A record-setting holiday rainstorm disrupted much of California on Christmas morning, shutting down highways, major interchanges and airport runways as officials warned that driving to holiday celebrations on slick, muddy roads could be deadly. Read more
Arrest warrant issued in Kauai cold case
Kauai authorities have issues a bench warrant for the suspect in the 2010 beating death of Kauai resident Amber Jackson, whose body was found in a remote forested area on the east side of the island. Read more
Hawaii delivers last-second win over Cal in Hawaii Bowl
Reserve quarterback Luke Weaver came off the sideline and threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left to deliver the Hawaii football team a 35-31 victory over California in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday. Read more
Police investigating Ocean View fire that resulted in 1 fatality
Hawaii island police are investigating after a body was found inside a home that burned down in Ocean View early this morning. Read more
Man, 53, dies after being found unresponsive at Turtle Bay
EMS took over with advanced life support, and rushed the man in critical condition to the hospital where he later died. Read more
Don’t miss out on what’s happening!
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It’s FREE!
GAME DAY BLOG: Hawaii stuns Cal in the final seconds
Former University of Hawaii teammates Nick Rolovich and Timmy Chang square off as head coaches in today’s Sheraton Hawaii Bowl as the Rainbow Warriors host the Golden Bears at Ching Complex. Read more
White House orders military to focus on ‘quarantine’ of Venezuela oil
“While military options still exist, the focus is to first use economic pressure by enforcing sanctions to reach the outcome the White House is looking (for),” the official said today, speaking on condition of anonymity. Read more
Intense California storm swamps roads and forces evacuations
The storm, part of a weather system that could bring record rainfall over the holidays, has raised concern among officials about mudslides and even worse flooding, particularly in places where the ground is still scarred from wildfires in January. Read more
Visa, Mastercard report 4% growth in U.S. holiday retail sales
Shoppers were more deliberate with their purchases, often using artificial intelligence tools to discover and compare prices so that they could stretch discretionary budgets, Visa’s chief economist, Wayne Best, said in a statement. Read more
U.S. holds call with Palau on transfer of third-country nationals
President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, including his administration’s deportation drive, have been broadly condemned by human rights advocates on concerns about due process. Read more
Kauai child hospitalized after solo crash on Kuhio Highway
Police said at about 5 p.m., a 2025 Toyota SUV heading northbound on the highway near Wailua Golf Course sideswiped a guardrail, struck a utility pole and then went into a spin. Read more
Discovery of 1 million potential new Epstein files delays release
President Donald Trump’s administration began releasing files related to criminal investigations of Epstein, the late American financier who was friends with Trump in the 1990s, to comply with a law passed by Congress last month. Read more
Dow, S&P 500 close at record highs as Santa rally starts
Trading volumes were thin. The U.S. markets will remain shut on Thursday for Christmas. Read more
EU, France, Germany slam U.S. visa bans as ‘censorship’ dispute deepens
President Donald Trump’s administration imposed visa bans on Tuesday on five European citizens, including French former EU commissioner Thierry Breton. Read more
Robert Nakamura, ‘godfather’ of Asian American film, dies at 88
He was a founder of Visual Communications, the oldest community-based organization of Asian American and Pacific Islander filmmakers and media artists in the United States. Read more
Kilauea Episode 39 ends after lava fountains reach up to 1,400 feet
HVO said Episode 39 of the ongoing summit eruption ended abruptly at 2:13 a.m. — three minutes after the north vent — after beginning at about 8:20 p.m. Tuesday. Read more
Russell Brand charged with new counts of rape, sexual assault
The charges stem from an investigation into allegations raised by two additional women, police said. A representative for Brand did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment on Tuesday. Read more
Subscriber Favorites
Discover more from Hawaii News Journal
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
