A House committee advanced bills to centralize benefits, fund nonprofits and preserve Medicaid and SNAP eligibility as federal rules change.

A veteran Honolulu attorney faced the Disciplinary Board after accusations he lied while testifying in the Kealoha trial; the board will decide sanctions in the coming months.

An Oʻahu grand jury indicted four people this week in a theft-and-forgery ring that prosecutors say targeted three local businesses. The indictment led to an arrest and alleges more than $200,000 in losses.

A Maui snackmaker recalled a small batch of Tiki Bar pretzel candy after peanuts were omitted from the allergen statement; the FDA rated the recall Class II.

Rep. Jill Tokuda introduced the Tariff Free Farming Act to strip tariffs from seeds, fertilizer and other farm inputs after hearing from Hawaiʻi growers. The move is backed by farm groups and a multi‑state group of cosponsors.

Hawaiʻi DOH slapped a red placard on U‑Choice In at 801 Kaheka St. after a sewage backup; repairs and thorough sanitation are required before a Feb. 27 follow‑up.

A proposed Hawaii bill would treat private home listings as an unfair trade practice and expose agents to penalties. The move could reshape how many island homes are marketed.

Two men were hospitalized after separate morning stabbings near Honolulu City Hall; police detained a 30-year-old suspect after a brief foot chase through Kawaiahaʻo Cemetery.

Maui’s planning commissioners denied proposals to create H‑3 and H‑4 hotel districts that could have preserved thousands of vacation‑rental units, sending the matter to other island commissions and the County Council.

At an Ewa Beach town hall, lawmakers warned fentanyl deaths remain high despite a small dip and urged families to use naloxone and stay vigilant.

A brown water advisory is in effect for Maui's north shore from Waiheʻe to Hoʻokipa after recent storms. Officials warn to avoid brown or murky water and wait 48–72 hours.

DOH issued a Brown Water Advisory for Lahaina's shoreline from Baby Beach to Wahikuli after heavy rain. Beachgoers are urged to avoid murky water and nearby streams.

A Honolulu summit this week will link startups, allied partners and military sustainment officials to fast track dual use technologies for Indo Pacific resilience.