Local search for Honolulu

36+ min ago (518+ words) HONOLULU " Former Tygarts Valley High School football standout Willie Walden has been selected to play in a semi-pro all-star game in Hawaii on Saturday. Walden, who graduated from TVHS in 2020, will suit up for the USA Football International All Stars in the fourth annual Hall of Fame International Hawaiian Bowl Saturday. Walden's team will compete against the MLFR National All Stars at Aloha Stadium. Walden was a four-year starter during his high school career with the Bulldogs, where he was a multi-time All-State and All-Conference selection. Since graduating high school, Walden has played semi-pro football and recently completed a season as a member of the Pittsburgh Outlaws, a pro developmental arena football team. After finishing his arena football season, Walden returned to the semi-pro football ranks and finished out the season with the Steel City Bobcats, another team based out…...

5+ hour, 9+ min ago (399+ words) A new report recommends housing stipends, better medical benefits and other efforts to help recruit and retain Honolulu Police Department officers and civilian employees. A city task force created by the Honolulu City Council published the report this week. The group includes leadership from the council, the mayor's office, and the State of Hawai'i Organization of Police Officers. Task force chair and Councilmember Andria Tupola said in a statement that the report "outlines a clear plan to increase and maintain HPD's workforce." The report details what's been known for years " that there are hundreds of vacancies at HPD. There are 450 officer vacancies, according to the report " a number that has steadily increased every year since 2021. About 850 uniformed staff left HPD between 2020 and 2024, and about 60% of them were voluntary. Of those 60%, nearly half were retirements " the most common reason. Over the…...

5+ hour, 29+ min ago (214+ words) A Honolulu exhibit is honoring the 50th anniversary of the legendary voyaging canoe H'k'le'a. "E Ola Mau H'k'le'a - Half a Century of Voyaging" celebrates the spirit of voyaging and traditional wayfinding. It will feature the work of a dozen Native Hawaiian and Hawai'i-based artists, including Solomon Enos and Herb Kawainui K'ne. Artist and community organizer Drew Kahu'ina Broderick curated the contemporary exhibit in collaboration with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. "Just over 50 years ago, my maternal grandmother, Emma Akana Aluli, organized an exhibition of contemporary Hawaiian art in support of the Polynesian Voyaging Society," Broderick said in a news release. "It is affirming to know that our collective work to uplift Hawai'i is nothing new, simply a continuation of efforts begun long ago by many. Much gratitude to all the participating artists for sharing your creative visions openly in community. May your…...

8+ hour, 37+ min ago (169+ words) The Hawaii State Ethics Commission confirmed that Sen. Brenton Awa violated state ethics law by using government resources for a campaign video. Officials upheld their original ruling and imposed a fine of nearly $1,000 following a public hearing last month. Coastal Flood Statement until SAT 8:00 AM HST The Hawaii State Ethics Commission confirmed that Sen. Brenton Awa violated state ethics law by using government resources for a campaign video. Officials upheld their original ruling and imposed a fine of nearly $1,000 following a public hearing last month. HONOLULU (Island News) -- The Hawaii State Ethics Commission confirmed that Sen. Brenton Awa violated state ethics law by using government resources for a campaign video. Officials said Sen. Awa did violate state ethics law by using government resources for a campaign video. After a public hearing last month, the ethics commission upheld its original ruling…...

10+ hour, 14+ min ago (778+ words) University of Hawai'i football fans received an early holiday surprise on Thursday morning with the announcement of this year's Hawai'i Bowl matchup. The Rainbow Warriors will face California on Christmas Eve, marking UH's first bowl appearance in the game since 2019. Hawai'i (84) enters the game with momentum following one of its strongest regular seasons in recent years. The bowl pairing also delivers several compelling storylines, highlighted by the Golden Bears' Hawai'i ties. Cal will be led by interim head coach Nick Rolovich, a former UH quarterback who later served as Rainbow Warriors head coach. The Bears' roster features four Hawai'i-born players, including 2024 Cover2 Mariota Award winner and Campbell graduate Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele at quarterback. The matchup marks the sixth all-time meeting between the programs. Cal holds a 32 advantage in the series, with the most recent contest coming in Rolovich's UH head-coaching debut in…...

10+ hour, 16+ min ago (222+ words) Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii opened Dec. 4 in St. Augustine, the chain's first location in Northeast Florida." The store is at 4085 Florida AIA, where it replaced Mangrove Surf Shop. A company social media post confirmed the opening and said the store will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Allen Stanczak is the franchisee, according to an Aug. 5 news release. Stanczak, a St. Augustine resident, has managed a portfolio of Bad Ass Coffee locations for more than a decade, according to the release. His franchise territory stretches from Jacksonville Beach to Crescent Beach with additional expansion plans in development. For the St. Augustine store, St. Johns County issued a build-out permit for the $350,000 project July 1. Chris Matras Enterprises of Bradenton was the contractor. Bad Ass Coffee was founded in 1989 in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. It serves Hawaiian coffee, signature lattes,…...

10+ hour, 52+ min ago (253+ words) HONOLULU (Island News) " The University of Hawaii and the University of California will face off in the 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on December 24 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. According to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the game will start at 8 p.m. ET (3 p.m. HST) and will be on ESPN and ESPN Radio. Tickets range from $30 to $75 and are available online and at the UH Ticket Office. The Rainbow Warriors, with an 8-4 record, will make their 11th appearance, while the Golden Bears, at 7-5, are making their debut in the bowl. "We are honored to welcome both of our 2025Sheraton Hawaii Bowl teams to Honolulu," said Daryl Garvin, Executive Director of the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. Hawaii, led by Timmy Chang, achieved its highest win total since 2019. Key players include Kansei Matsuzawa and Micah Alejado. "There's nothing more fitting than Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl," said Chang....

19+ hour, 43+ min ago (60+ words) The Honolulu City Council approved a $1 million settlement to the family of Iremamber Sykap. Despite a lot of criticism, councilmembers say approving the settlement is the best path forward. The Honolulu City Council approved a $1 million settlement to the family of Iremamber Sykap. Despite a lot of criticism, councilmembers say approving the settlement is the best path forward....

20+ hour, 31+ min ago (518+ words) Hawaii's postcard-perfect waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and volcanic valleys will soon come with an added cost for visitors. Beginning January 2026, the state will roll out a new entry and parking fee system across several of its most visited parks, aiming to protect delicate ecosystems and improve the visitor experience amid booming tourist numbers. Why Hawaii Is Introducing New Fees The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has confirmed that non-residents and commercial vehicles will be charged new fees as part of a broader move to enhance visitor facilities, improve traffic flow, and fund long-term conservation. With millions of tourists arriving each year, park authorities say the added revenue is essential to maintain infrastructure, safeguard fragile landscapes, and ensure that the islands' natural treasures don't suffer from overuse. Which Parks Will Start Charging Fees Four major state parks will implement…...

21+ hour, 51+ min ago (1244+ words) We're " of the way to our campaign goal of $300,000 by Dec.31! Mahalo in advance for your continued support. Thank you to the 545 donors, including 61 new donors, who've contributed to our campaign so far! The settlement gives the city the easements it needs to build through Kaka'ako, but HART does not yet have the money to construct that segment. The Honolulu rail authority has finally settled a condemnation lawsuit over land in the path of the future rail line through Kaka'ako, agreeing to pay $41 million for easements needed to extend the line to Ala Moana Center. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by the city and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation against Victoria Ward Ltd. in 2018 in an effort to win control of land needed for the extension. But much has changed since that lawsuit was filed. The Kaka'ako land…...