Federal Ruling Blocks Hawaiʻi’s Climate Change Tourist Tax on Cruise Ships

A federal appeals court ruling on New Year’s Eve blocked Hawaiʻi from enforcing a climate change tourist tax on cruise ships passengers, a levy that was set to go into effect at the start of 2026. Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, arguing that the new law violates the U.S. Constitution by taxing cruise ships for entering Hawaiʻi ports.

Associated Press.

Public Utilities Commission Approves Hawaiian Electric Wildfire Mitigation Plan

Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday (Dec. 31) approved Hawaiian Electric’s 2025-27 wildfire mitigation plan and completed a comprehensive study about whether to establish a wildfire recovery fund.

Big Island Now.

Counties Are on a Hiring Spree, but Recruitment Challenges Linger

Hawaiʻi’s government job sector is growing — and that’s in spite of all of the federal workforce cuts we saw this year. County workers are among the best paid in our state, and salaries tend to be even higher on neighbor islands. Still, vacancies and recruitment struggles persist.

Civil Beat.

UH Leader Pushes AI, Student Support Initiatives

When Wendy Hensel took the helm of the University of Hawaiʻi system on Jan. 1, 2025, any notion of a gradual “honeymoon phase” was quickly dashed by an accelerating series of national and local disruptions.

Star-Advertiser.

By Resisting Feds’ Demand for Personal SNAP Data, Hawaiʻi Could Face Cuts

Hawaiʻi might lose out on $33 million in federal funding for food benefits. That’s because the state balked at sharing data on food stamp recipients with the federal government. The feds say they wanted this information to root out fraud. But Hawaiʻi pushed back, saying it’s committed to protecting personal information of applicants and the 162,000 Hawaiʻi residents who rely on the program.

Civil Beat.

O‘ahu Headlines

City Aims to Expand Waimānalo Gulch Landfill

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration intends to pursue expansion of the city’s Waimānalo Gulch Landfill in Kapolei following stalled attempts to find a suitable location for a new dump. The city plans to petition for a special-use permit to expand the approximately 200-acre solid-waste landfill at 92-460 Farrington Highway by 92.5 acres, according to city documents.

Star-Advertiser.

Oʻahu Needs Sidewalks. Should the County Be Required to Build Them?

It’s been nearly 20 years since voters called on the city to become more pedestrian- and bike-friendly, yet little has changed. Now, there’s a once-in-a-decade push to place a question on the ballot that would invite voters to enshrine sidewalk construction as a city responsibility in Honolulu’s guiding document.

Civil Beat.

Oʻahu Sees Calmer New Year’s Celebration

Oʻahu rang in 2026 with significantly fewer fireworks-­related fires and “a below-­average night” for emergency medical crews in a marked shift from the chaos and death that marred the previous New Year’s Eve celebration, authorities reported Thursday.

Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Honolulu EMS Responds to Multiple Firework-Related Injuries on New Year’s Eve

At least seven people were hurt with suspected fireworks injuries in five separate incidents on Oʻahu this New Year’s Eve.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio. KITV4. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

Aloha, 2025: A Look Back at Some of the Top Hawaiʻi Island News Stories

The Tribune-Herald editorial staff revisits the year’s defining headlines, including the housing shortage, short-term vacation rentals, droughts and volcanic eruptions.

Tribune-Herald.

Emergency Repairs to Continue on Hawaiʻi Belt Road

Emergency repairs to continue on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 19) with single-lane closures over 24-hour periods. One lane will remain open throughout the closure with traffic alternated in the open lane. All work is weather permitting.

Big Island Now.

Maui Headlines

Maui Fire Department Tackles 22 Fires Over New Year’s Eve

From 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, Maui firefighters worked to put out brush fires, vehicle fires, small vegetation fires and more.

KHON2. KITV4.

Repair Work Starts on Section of Haʻikū Road

Starting today, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, a section of Haʻikū Road between Hamana Place and Līhau Place will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday while work is underway to repair the eroding slope embankment and replace damaged guardrails, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

Department of Water Announces New Access Hours for the Bill Payment Drop Box

The Kauaʻi Department of Water (DOW) has completed construction of its new, motorized entry gate to the main entrance of its administrative buildings parking lot. The bill payment drop box located in the DOW parking lot, at 4398 Pua Loke St., Līhuʻe, will be accessible from Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays.

Garden Island. Kauaʻi Now.