’Tis the season to be striking, evidently. First came word last week of mainland workers striking at several Amazon distribution facilities, followed by Starbucks workers in three major cities starting a five-day strike Friday. Read more
Massive tangles of debris — much of it rope and nets lost or discarded by fishing boats, contaminating the oceans with plastic particles and threatening sea life — have been washing onto Hawaii coasts at higher-than-usual rates. Read more
Big wave riders, meanwhile, are on stand-by for the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, which could be a “go” on Sunday as super-sized swells roll in. Read more
To be safe, avoid wild birds — and keep cats indoors, as they can be infected, too. Read more
More lenient emissions and fuel-economy rules for gas-powered cars are also expected. Read more
Hard to believe but next Wednesday is Christmas, as well as the start of Hanukkah — already. Read more
More than two years after city Department of Transportation Services and Department of Facilities Maintenance crews broke ground on upgrades to the Kalapawai roundabout in Kailua, the project has completed Phase 5 and is now moving into Phase 6. Read more
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Hawaii’s distance from cutting-edge cancer treatment and clinical trials means many patients, already enduring a difficult diagnosis, must seek treatment away from family in the islands. Read more
Families in need of emergency shelter and support have a dedicated facility to turn to in Moiliili: the Ohana Navigation Center, unveiled by the nonprofit Family Promise of Hawaii on Thursday. Read more
After decades of waiting, and promises, for the dilapidated Queen Theater in Kaimuki to get refurbished, time has run out for its property owner. Read more
Bill 46, which would create a new “residential E” tax category for residential properties left empty more than six months a year, is on ice for now. Read more
After more than a month of pleading for the public’s help to find her, the family of Hannah Kobayashi, 30, confirmed Wednesday that the missing Maui woman has been located and is safe. Read more
Some of the world’s biggest food conglomerates are being sued for allegedly designing “ultra-processed” foods, such as sugary soft drinks and packaged snacks, to be addictive to children. It’s a charge that overlaps with criticisms of the U.S. food chain raised by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., recently tapped to serve as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Read more
Take very seriously today’s “red flag” weather warning for the leeward areas of all Hawaiian isles, posted till at least 6 p.m. tonight. Read more
Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration has thrown cold water on a bill to ban single-use plastic bottles at city facilities starting Dec. 31, 2026, then a year later at city-connected concessions, events or programs. Read more
Mainland gasoline prices are falling below $3 per gallon for the first time in more than three years — lucky them. Hawaii’s unique situation, however, brings us the highest average price per gallon in the nation — topping $4.48 on Monday. Read more
Another reason to worry about the spread of H5N1, a “highly pathogenic avian influenza” that was first detected on Oahu last month, is H5N1’s threat to Hawaii’s endemic birds, particularly water birds, with already dwindling populations. Read more
There’s a lot of interest in “person of interest” Luigi Mangione, the one-time Honolulu resident arrested Monday in connection with the New York City killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. A Monday search for his Facebook profile was flagged as “popular now” on the social media platform, although it no longer turns up the profile itself. Read more
Mark your calendar and check it twice: “Fashion Santa,” aka internationally known model Paul Mason, is coming to Ala Moana Center. The visit by Mason, who cuts a dashing figure in a tailored red suit, comes as a “hunky” Kris Kringle in Target ads has sparked talks of a “Hot Santa” trend. Read more
