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Accessed on 04 January 2026, 1425 UTC.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
Sunday, January 4, 2026 69°Today’s Paper
Breaking News
Get the latest top stories and breaking news today from Hawaii, across the nation and around the world.
UC San Diego’s run turns game around in defeat of Rainbows
Alex Chaikin came off the bench to score 21 points and Bol Dengdit added 19 in UC San Diego’s 83-73 victory over Hawaii at LionTree Arena in La Jolla, Calif. Read more
North Korea fires ballistic missiles as South’s leader visits China
North Korea launched ballistic missiles on Sunday, the day the leader of rival South Korea starts a state visit to China, Pyongyang’s chief ally, and just hours after the U.S. attacked Venezuela. Read more
Woman, 43, seriously hurt in Sand Island moped crash
The woman was not wearing a helmet, according to EMS. Read more
Trump: U.S. oil producers will spend billions to revive Venezuelan industry
Venezuela accounts for less than 1% of global supplies even though it has the world’s largest reserves. Read more
Hawaii’s congressional delegation united against Venezuela raid
Hawaii’s four-member Democratic delegation to Washington was unanimous today in condemning the Trump administration’s dramatic military action to capture President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela. Read more
Firefighters rescue 3 pets from Kalihi apartment building fire
HFD said no one was inside the burning building when firefighters arrived, with one occupant evacuating on their own before firefighters arrived. Read more
Democratic lawmakers say they were misled on Venezuela, demand a plan
Sen. Chuck Schumer the Democrats’ leader in the Senate, said he had been told in three classified briefings that the administration was not pursuing regime change or planning to take military action in Venezuela. Read more
Scrutiny turns to safety set-up of Swiss bar after deadly blaze
Scrutiny is intensifying over the safety arrangements at a Swiss bar that burst into flames during a New Year’s Eve party, killing at least 40, as prosecutors said the blaze likely began when sparkling candles were held too close to a ceiling. Read more
Condemnation and praise in Latin America after U.S. captures Maduro
Many Latin American countries have experienced a shift in recent elections to more right-leaning governments. Read more
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Man arrested after reports of gunfire in Waianae home
Police arrested a 42-year-old man in Waianae after he allegedly discharged a firearm multiple times inside a residence following a family dispute. Read more
Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela after capturing Maduro
A U.S. occupation “won’t cost us a penny” because the United States would be reimbursed from the “money coming out of the ground,” Trump said, referring to Venezuela’s oil reserves. Read more
Hawaii men’s volleyball opens season with sweep of NJIT
The University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team scored the first five points and never looked back in its season-opening sweep of the New Jersey Institute of Technology tonight. Read more
City lifeguard rescues man from rip current off Waimanalo
The state Division of Aquatic Resources advises swimmers who get caught in a rip current to remain calm and to not try to swim against the current. Read more
JINYA Ramen at Ward Village to close, affecting 86 workers
Owner JINYA Hawaii Inc. has notified the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations of the impending closure. Read more
Maui County to roll out 4 new EV public transit buses
The new electric buses will initially be part of the Maui Bus Kahului Loop No. 5 and the Upcountry Islander NO. 40 routes, and will eventually expand to other routes. Read more
Dow closes higher on first day of trading in 2026
While chip stocks rallied, several market heavyweights such as Apple and Microsoft fell to keep gains in check on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Read more
With Obamacare’s higher premiums come difficult decisions
A record 24 million people enrolled in Obamacare for 2025, with a vast majority receiving some tax credits. Read more
Strong quake damages roads, hospitals in southern Mexico
Local media reported that a 67-year-old man died while going down the stairs in Mexico City as he tried to evacuate his apartment building. Read more
Hawaii’s weekend forecast includes flood watch, minor coastal flooding
NWS advises moving electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground and securing canoes and other watercraft stowed on beaches. Read more
A study is retracted, renewing concerns about weedkiller Roundup
The federal government faces a deadline in 2026 to reexamine glyphosate’s safety after legal action brought by environmental, food-safety and farmworker advocacy groups. Read more
Honolulu firefighters extinguish blaze at Nanakuli home
HFD officials remind the public that smoke alarms are essential in every building. Read more
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Trump says U.S. will run Venezuela after capturing Maduro
Hawaii’s congressional delegation united against Venezuela raid
North Korea fires ballistic missiles as South’s leader visits China
UC San Diego’s run turns game around in defeat of Rainbows
Firefighters rescue 3 pets from Kalihi apartment building fire
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