Crime & Courts
News
Hawai‘i gets $76 million in Meta settlement
Multi-state lawsuit over Meta's policies toward underage users ends in agreement.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 27, 2026
Waters, Ozawa duel over definition of 'four-year term'
State Supreme Court hears arguments to determine Councilman Tommy Waters' eligibility for reelection
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 26, 2026
HPD investigating body found in Waikīkī dumpster
Jenny Lupton, 50, was found dead in Waikīkī last week.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 25, 2026
Couple pleads not guilty in child torture case
Jasmine Quiroz-Pele and James Heffernan were accused of physically abusing and imprisoning a 13-year-old boy for years.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 22, 2026
Environmental groups file lawsuit against Interior Secretary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Seven environmental groups filed a lawsuit against Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service alleging that the new Critical Habitat Exclusion Rule prioritizes economic development over environmental protections. The Interior Department wrote that they stand by the regulation.
Haley LehmanAugust 17, 2026
‘Ewa Beach family offering $5,000 reward for tips about burglar
A burglar made off with more than $135,000 in jewelry from a house last weekend. The owners are offering a reward for tips that lead to an arrest.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 14, 2026
Canada man pleads guilty to airline fraud
Dallas Pokornik posed as a pilot to receive "hundreds" of free flights for years.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 12, 2026
Maui, Kaua‘i counties sued over 2024 election data
Federal lawsuit latest in series of legal challenges surrounding the state's and counties' handling of 2024 election data.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 11, 2026
Maui police lieutenant charged with corruption
Michael Vaitu‘ulala, a 17-year veteran of the Maui Police Department, allegedly took thousands of dollars in bribes to protect illegal cockfights, drug deals, and more.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 07, 2026
Her daughter was murdered in 2014 — now she’s dedicated to helping other victims
Charli Scott was a Maui woman who was murdered in 2014 at age 27 when she was five months pregnant. In the 12 years since her daughter’s death, Kimberlyn Scott has dedicated herself to helping families of missing persons.
Christina O'ConnorAugust 05, 2026
Hawaiian Homes Commission lawsuit continues after evictions averted
Two Kaua‘i renters can stay in their apartments while their suit against the Hawaiian Homes Commission, which previously attempted to evict them, goes forward.
Michael BrestovanskyAugust 05, 2026
Waiʻanae man accused of illegally hunting on West Oʻahu ranch
The Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement arrested a Waiʻanae man on July 25 for allegedly illegally hunting on private land.
Haley LehmanAugust 04, 2026
Hawaiʻi officials accused of bribery plead not guilty
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, former Rep. Ryan Yamane, lobbyist Tobi Solidum, former chair of the state Public Utilities Commission Leodoloff Asuncion Jr., and Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Airports Administrator Ford Fuchigami pleaded not guilty to corruption charges Thursday morning.
Haley LehmanJuly 31, 2026
State airports administrator on paid leave following bribery indictment
Ford Fuchigami will appear in court Thursday along with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 29, 2026
Kaua‘i renters facing eviction sue Hawaiian Homes Commission
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands purchased a Kapa‘a apartment complex to help DHHL beneficiaries in 2024, but tenants who don't meet the department's blood quantum requirement have been served eviction notices, suit alleges.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 29, 2026
Tommy Waters ineligible for reelection, court rules
Honolulu Council Chair to appeal court ruling that he has already served for two full consecutive terms.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 28, 2026
Luke indicted for bribery
Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others have been charged in Attorney General corruption investigation
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 25, 2026
State Supreme Court overturns Maui SMA permit exemptions
A 2024 rule allowing certain projects within the Special Management Area to go forward without a use permit has been overturned.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 23, 2026
Octogenarian, city, seek settlement in suit over $600,000 fine
A federal lawsuit between Sandra May and the City and County of Honolulu over an improper rental listing is likely to end out of court.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 21, 2026
Lawsuit against Hawai‘i's chief election officer could go to U.S. Supreme Court
Virginia-based Public Interest Legal Foundation sued Chief Election Officer Scott Nago over access to state voter registration data in 2023.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 18, 2026
Hilo man gets 10 years for child porn
Kalana Limkin, 20, founded an online child exploitation ring and attempted to goad children into hurting or killing themselves.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 17, 2026
Waialua man pleads guilty to violating Iran sanctions
Arash Einolghozati sent thousands of dollars to people in Iran despite longstanding economic sanctions.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 16, 2026
Police shooting of man in 2025 Mākaha vehicular assault justified
Iosua Stevens was killed in June 2025 after ramming a police car with his truck.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 15, 2026
Hawaiʻi attacks on parents: What the Liliha, Hawaiʻi Kai and Waikīkī cases share
A blood-soaked man stood in the middle of a Liliha street and answered police with his father’s name. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on three attacks on parents in a single year — and the commandment written for ordinary homes.
Sterling HigaJuly 11, 2026