Crime & Courts
News
Keeno pleads 'not guilty' of Kailua shooting
The 24-year-old alleged murderer remains in custody without bail.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 09, 2026
National Chamber of Commerce sues Hawai‘i over corporate spending law
A second lawsuit challenging Act 11 has struck the state.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 06, 2026
Cornell fraternity rape lawsuit: What Greek life worships
A 20-year-old walks from a bar to a fraternity house at 11 p.m. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on why Greek life can’t be reformed and what the church owes the campus next door.
Sterling HigaOctober 06, 2026
State Supreme Court ends dispute over Maui fire settlement lawyer fees
Supreme Court upholds $222 million common benefit fund, despite arguments from attorneys that it was unauthorized.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 03, 2026
Woman charged in Kailua shooting turned in by father
Hilinakailimakualopali Keeno faces a $1 million bail for a second-degree murder charge.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 02, 2026
Travel restrictions eased for man accused of throwing rock at monk seal
Igor Lytvynchuk can travel throughout Washington state again, although is still barred from Hawai‘i save for court business.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 01, 2026
Moanalua won four state titles: Who paid?
In 2012, a parent accused a Roosevelt coach of kissing a 13-year-old wrestler. The next year, Moanalua hired him and he won four state titles. ASD columnist Sterling Higa on idolatry, mandated reporting, and the trophy case nobody wants to look inside.
Sterling HigaSeptember 30, 2026
UPDATED: Woman arrested for weekend Kailua shooting
On Sept. 28, HPD identified the alleged shooter from the Kailua Fall Festival this past weekend and also named the victim: Thomas Malone, 30, who had a decorated athletic career at Kaiser High School, where he played football, soccer and track and field. Friends and family of Malone gathered at the Kailua Target parking lot Tuesday to commemorate him with flowers, candles and memorabilia.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 29, 2026
Former wrestling coach arrested for child porn
Sean Sakaida, 44, was arrested Thursday for receiving and possessing explicit photos of one of his former wrestling students, after someone tipped off the FBI about a possible inappropriate relationship between an adult and a minor earlier this year. If convicted, Sakaida faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison, and a maximum of 20 years, along with possible fines of up to $250,000.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 29, 2026
$830,000 in debt forgiveness available for Hawai‘i residents after settlement
Multi-state settlement with Credit Acceptance Corp. offers Hawai‘i borrowers a piece of a $694 million pie
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 26, 2026
Community Voices: Getting into tax court
The moral of the story is this: if you have, or think you may have, a dispute with the Tax Department over taxes, get yourself a good tax practitioner who knows the rules and traps so you can skirt the edges and avoid falling into the pitfalls. And then, of course, lawmakers need to take a look at these rules and change them to get rid of the unfairness.
Tom YamachikaSeptember 25, 2026
Honolulu, state Land Use Commission, battle in Supreme Court
Decade-old attempt to change zoning leads to procedural debate.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 24, 2026
UH to pay $500,000 in settlement over mismanaged funds
Public officials embezzled federal grant money. UH could have stopped it, the DOJ alleges.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 22, 2026
Hawai‘i joins multi-state lawsuit against DHS over immigration
Immigration rule changes reduce availability of public benefits for immigrants.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 19, 2026
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court affirms decision to re-do House District 43 primary
Kanani Souza and Sheila Medeiros will remain on the general election ballot in November under a section labeled “Republican Party Voters Only” in House District 43, while the Senate District 20 tiebreaker result will remain in place.
Haley LehmanSeptember 18, 2026
Traffic fatalities down over the summer, HPD reports
"Safer Roads, Together" initiative sees traffic fatalities on O‘ahu cut by more than half compared to 2025.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 18, 2026
Maui fire settlement back in court over lawyers' fees
Attorneys challenge $4 billion settlement to victims of the 2023 wildfires
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 16, 2026
Hawai‘i sued over illegal immigrant tuition law
U.S. Department of Justice challenges state policy allowing illegal immigrants to be eligible for in-state tuition.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 11, 2026
Hawai‘i joins lawsuits over endangered species protections
Federal agencies rescissions of endangered species protections led 21 states to sue the federal government Wednesday.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 10, 2026
Maui man pleads guilty to 2025 bank robbery
Justin Nelson reportedly robbed a Kīhei bank for $4,885 last August.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 07, 2026
Luke corruption trial pushed to 2027
Trial of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and her alleged associates blows past previous September date.
Michael BrestovanskySeptember 07, 2026
Pamela Cisneros, Lindsay Clancy, and the voice that said ‘kill’
A woman pulled two kitchen knives from a shopping bag on Seventh Avenue and used them on two strangers. By nightfall everyone knew why, and no one argued. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on the explanation for mental illness that every culture but ours took for granted.
Sterling HigaSeptember 06, 2026
“The primary is not pau:” The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court orders new primary election in tied Makakilo race
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled Friday that the House District 43 primary race will go back to the voters in November.
Haley LehmanSeptember 05, 2026
Supreme Court to decide future of House District 43 primary
The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in the election contest of the Makakilo primary race that was settled by a tiebreaker in August.
Haley LehmanSeptember 03, 2026