Hawaiʻi to Step Up Anti-drowning Efforts

For 12 years, the Hawaiʻi Task Force on Beach and Water Safety sat idle. Meanwhile, some 800 people died in Hawaiʻi’s waters. No new beach warning signs went up. And the burden of preventing these tragedies fell on counties and residents. But the state is now planning to revive the task force — “a huge win,” as one lifeguard said.

Civil Beat.

HEI Settling Wildfire-Related Litigation With Shareholders

The parent of Hawaiian Electric expects to use $100 million in insurance proceeds to settle eight lawsuits filed by shareholders who allege company leaders didn’t properly disclose wildfire risks before the 2023 Maui wildfire disaster. Plaintiffs in the case accused Hawaiʻi’s biggest utility ‌operator of misleading them about its wildfire prevention and safety protocols before high winds toppled utility poles blamed for starting the blaze.

Star-Advertiser.

‘We Really Are Hurting’: Hawaiʻi Deputy Pay Lags $20K Behind Cops

At a legislative hearing held Tuesday Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert asked lawmakers for help addressing staffing shortages. Additionally, the department wants to deploy listening technology to detect sounds such as gun shots and fireworks in three Oʻahu neighborhoods with higher gun violence rates — technology that’s proved controversial on the mainland.

Civil Beat.

DOT Seeks More Kauaʻi, Maui, Big Island Drivers to Be ‘Eyes on the Road’

The state Department of Transportation is partnering with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Engineering to give out 1,300 free dashcams to drivers across the state.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Petition Calls for Inquiry on Unnamed Lawmaker in Paper-Bag-Of-Cash Corruption Case

Former deputy Federal Public Defender Alexander Silvert asked state lawmakers Monday to convene a committee with subpoena and contempt powers to investigate an “unknown but influential legislator” who accepted $35,000 in a paper bag during an ongoing public corruption investigation.

Star-Advertiser.

O‘ahu Headlines

HMSA Plans Merger With Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Hospitals

HPH includes Pali Momi, Kapiolani, Straub, and Wilcox hospitals, as well as affiliated clinics and specialists. Ray Vara, CEO of Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, said the company would create an entity similar to Kaiser, eliminating duplicate administrative costs and establishing a model of care so HPH doctors wouldn’t need to get preauthorization for care from HMSA.

Hawaii News Now.

Oʻahu Home Sale Price Record Notched in 2025 Amid Year of Small Market Changes

Changes in Oʻahu’s housing market were pretty muted in 2025, but included a new annual median sale price peak for single-family houses at $1,139,000.

Star-Advertiser.

Skyline Numbers Continue to Rise; December Grows by Nearly 11K

December had a total of 281,281 riders throughout the month, which is 10,666 more riders than November’s 270,615 total riders.

KHON2.

Rebuilt Mokapu Elementary Campus Opens on Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Mokapu Elementary School marked a major milestone Tuesday with the grand opening of its newly rebuilt campus, completing the first phase of a full reconstruction of the decades-old school on Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Star-Advertiser.

177 Days: Bumpy City Parking Lot Still Waiting for Its Overdue Makeover

Ah, yes: The dreaded parking lot at the busy Kapālama Driver License Center. Civil Beat last wrote about the cratered lot atop contaminated soil in July, when the city told us repairs could happen by August. Months later, not much has changed.

Civil Beat.

In Long-Running Oʻahu Landfill Saga, City Considers Expanding Waimanalo Gulch

The City and County of Honolulu says it’s out of options and is considering expanding the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill by 3.7 acres.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Hawai‘i Island Headlines

New Rules, Fees for Hawaiʻi Island Vacation Rentals to Take Effect This Year

As Maui faces lawsuits over a new law intended to phase out thousands of vacation rentals, Hawaiʻi Island owners have been given more time before new registration requirements begin.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Downpours From Kona Low System Should Positively Affect East Hawaiʻi

East Hawaiʻi received the brunt of that rainfall, with Glenwood, in the midst of the upper Puna rainforest, receiving 14.21 inches between 8 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Tribune-Herald.

Maui Headlines

Proposal for New Hotel Zoning for Vacation Rentals Deferred in Housing and Land Use Committee

The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee on Monday deferred action on the creation of new hotel zoning districts following an executive session that lasted over an hour.

Maui Now.

Restoration Now Complete at Olowalu Temporary Wildfire Debris Storage Site

The closure and restoration of the Temporary Debris Storage site in Olowalu was completed recently and honored with a pule ceremony on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Maui Now.

Kaua‘i Headlines

State Starts Work On Līhu‘e Airport Parking Improvements

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has started improvements to an employee parking lot at the Līhu‘e Airport meant to relieve some congestion in the airport’s public lot.

Kauaʻi Now.

Kelvin Moniz Retires From Kauaʻi Independent Food Bank

Moniz, born and raised on the Westside and a graduate of Waimea High School, joined the KIFB in 1998 following 22 years of honorable military service and retirement from the U.S. Army.

Garden Island.