The HART CEO’s pay climbed to roughly $349,440 after citywide raises took effect, putting the rail chief among Honolulu’s top‑paid officials. The increase follows a new contract that took effect earlier this year.

A Honolulu woman was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and ordered to repay more than $1.6M after admitting she helped file false tax returns and launder IRS refunds.

HPD asked residents to avoid Aʻama Street in Hawaiian Beaches Friday night; officers later cleared the scene and reopened the road.

Kaua'i celebrated its Water Conservationists of the Year, praising GoFarm Hawai'i and Iwikua for their sustainable water use practices in agriculture.

Registration for the 2026 Spring Basketball League opens December 29 and closes January 9; eligible are fifth to eighth graders, with games at Kalāheo Gym. Forms available online.

Honolulu lifeguards rescued a pregnant woman at China Walls after a 911 call; officials warn the rocky shoreline remains extremely dangerous.

David Hope was promoted from interim to president of Queen’s University Medical Group. He’ll oversee 700+ providers and help coordinate clinical care and medical training.

A UH Mānoa team won a top ASRU hackathon prize for Aurion, an AI co‑pilot that flags hidden distress in speech and trims CHW paperwork. The project hopes to free time for frontline care.

HART’s FY25 audit returned a clean opinion while city documents peg the Skyline rail at about $10.076 billion. Auditors found no material misstatements as downtown construction advances.

A new statewide training program will certify Hawai‘i contractors for heat pump installs and rebate‑funded home retrofits starting January 2026. The TREC initiative pairs hands‑on instruction with national credentials.

A Justice Department memo and Education Department review put University of Hawaiʻi Native Hawaiian programs and roughly $12.3M in federal grants at risk.

An overnight burglary at Kau’iokahaloa Nui faculty housing left residents shaken; UH and HPD are investigating. No arrests have been reported.

More than 150 Royal Kona Resort workers staged a one‑day strike Friday over pay, staffing and job‑security language after nearly a year without a contract.