Crime & Courts
News
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
State AG to investigate alleged Sylvia Luke campaign finance violations
A complaint by the Campaign Spending Commission alleging 12 campaign finance violations has been referred to the state Attorney General for possible prosecution.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 09, 2026
David Lazar sworn in as new HPD chief
Lazar, former assistant chief for the San Francisco Police Department, is HPD's 13th chief, and the first to be hired from outside the department in 90 years.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 03, 2026
Supreme Court: 'I'm sorry' doesn't mean you're guilty
Honolulu man's reflexive apology to a police officer in 2019 shouldn't have been admissible in court, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court ruled.
Michael BrestovanskyJuly 02, 2026
Family, friends continue to seek justice for Amber Jackson 16 years after Kaua‘i murder
For 16 years, the murder of Amber Jackson on Kauaʻi has gone unsolved, but in December 2025, the Kaua‘i Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Gregory Glaser, wanted for second degree murder in connection with the case. ASD crime writer Christina O'Connor spoke with Amber Jackson's family and friends to learn about Jackson's life and their tireless pursuit of justice for her.
Christina O'ConnorJune 29, 2026
U.S. Supreme Court stakes Hawai‘i's 'vampire' gun law
A 2023 law prohibiting bringing concealed firearms onto private property without the owner's explicit consent has been deemed unconstitutional.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 26, 2026
DOJ awards $17 million to over 600 Red Hill plaintiffs
Military family members impacted by the Red Hill water contamination receive settlements, but the case continues as thousands more plaintiffs remain.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 25, 2026
Lawsuit calls for preliminary suspension of Act 11
A follow-up to the Grassroot Institute of Hawai‘i's lawsuit against the state over the new anti-corporate-spending bill urges the courts to prevent the enforcement of the law as the suit progresses.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 23, 2026
Two lawsuits against state retirement system go to Supreme Court
Two retirees have sued the state over disability benefits, in separate cases now going to the state's highest court.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 20, 2026
Why Hawaiʻi locks up the honey
The honey is locked up and cameras watch the lot. ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa on what Hawaiʻi bought when it stopped paying for justice.
Sterling HigaJune 20, 2026
UPDATED: Hawai‘i Supreme Court declines to rule on 2024 election question
A petition urged Supreme Court to require an investigation into the 2024 election before 2026 election is certified.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 17, 2026
Are elephants people? State Supreme Court to weigh in
Two Honolulu Zoo elephants, Mari and Vaigai, are at the center of a Supreme Court case about the rights of non-human animals.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 16, 2026
Montana man charged with sending death threats to Gov. Green
Eric Boltz allegedly threatened to kill Gov. Green and his family across nine voicemails last December.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 11, 2026
Gov. Green announces new DLNR leadership
Dawn Chang will retire as chairperson and director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources next month. Gov. Josh Green has announced her replacement.
Katie HellandJune 09, 2026
FEMA fraud co-conspirator sentenced to two years in prison
Daylyn Harris, who pled guilty for stealing disaster relief monies related to the Lahaina and Pacific Palisades wildfires, will face two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay back more than $60,000 to FEMA.
Kelsey Kukaua MedeirosJune 09, 2026
The sword that spares
ASD opinion columnist Sterling Higa shares gratitude for the police we send toward the danger the rest of us flee, especially in light of the manhunts for Jacob Baker and William “Billy” Sinclair.
Sterling HigaJune 09, 2026
Federal lawsuit targets state hemp regulations
An O‘ahu dispensary has claimed that Hawai‘i's laws regulating hemp are illegal.
Michael BrestovanskyJune 03, 2026
Former Hawai‘i County housing official sentenced for bribery scheme
Alan Scott Rudo was paid nearly $1.9 million for conspiring to fraudulently award housing development contracts to his associates.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 30, 2026
Octogenarian sues Honolulu over $600,000 fines
Sandra May was told she owed the city hundreds of thousands of dollars over an improper online rental listing.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 29, 2026
Lytvynchuk pleads 'not guilty' in monk seal case
Igor Lytvynchuk will be barred from O‘ahu beaches as his court case over an alleged attack on a Hawaiian monk seal continues.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 28, 2026
Lambert says no to deputy chief role for the time being
Mike Lambert, who will return to HPD later this year, won't be incoming Chief David Lazar's deputy for the foreseeable future, nor will he run again for the top spot, he said Friday.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 23, 2026
Dave Lazar named as next Honolulu Police Chief
Honolulu Police Commission names former San Francisco assistant chief to lead Honolulu Police Department. His start date is up in the air, pending a deeper background investigation and contract negotiations.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 21, 2026
Top cops: The last Mainland HPD chief?
Dave Lazar, candidate for Honolulu's police chief, promises strong leadership, technological improvements and no deals with ICE.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 19, 2026
Top cops: HPD chief candidate Mike Lambert wants to improve officer morale
Department of Law Enforcement director Mike Lambert believes fixing officer retention is the key to improving Honolulu's police
Michael BrestovanskyMay 16, 2026
Man arrested for attack on monk seal
Igor Lytvynchuk, who reportedly said he is "rich enough to pay the fines" from allegedly attacking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, faces up to $70,000 in fines and potential prison time.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 14, 2026
Video of man throwing rock at monk seal under investigation
Man in social media video has been identified by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, but his identity has been withheld pending a review by a federal agency.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 07, 2026
Senate confirms Devens for chief justice
Vladimir Devens was confirmed Thursday to chief justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court, despite controversy.
Michael BrestovanskyMay 01, 2026
Hawai‘i Island firefighter dispute reaches state Supreme Court
A 2014 grievance between two firefighters and their chief is still alive and reached the state's highest court last week.
Michael BrestovanskyApril 29, 2026
Former Maui chief of staff sues county over alleged corruption
Leo Caires, Mayor Richard Bissen's former chief of staff, has accused the county of firing him unjustly after investigating multiple fraud cases within the county government.
Michael BrestovanskyApril 25, 2026
Supreme Court nominee questioned over Carpenters Union ties
A Senate confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee Vladimir Devens drilled into his previously undisclosed affiliation with a political action committee.
Michael BrestovanskyApril 23, 2026
Proposal to return Hawai‘i inmates to Hawai‘i prisons popular
House Bill 1769 would return 30% of Hawai‘i inmates sent to Mainland prisons by 2030.
Michael BrestovanskyApril 09, 2026
Former Tripler patients file complaint against Army over sexual abuse
Former patients of Maj. Blaine McGraw, accused by more than 100 plaintiffs of sexual misconduct, are seeking damages from the U.S. Army.
Michael BrestovanskyApril 08, 2026
Pipikaula Corner: Who says “Honolulu wants an anti-ICE police chief?”
Advocacy journalism from Civil Beat last week asserts that the whole city wants the next HPD chief of police to be a political warrior. Does it? Seems the next chief has their work cut out for them on improving the basics. Here's data on how HPD performs at clearing crimes.
A. Kam NapierMarch 30, 2026
Updated: Thursday stabbing attacks leave one dead, one injured
An unidentified man is in custody after a pair of stabbing incidents on Thursday in Kapolei and McCully. Story updated 3/9 with information on the alleged attacker.
Michael BrestovanskyMarch 07, 2026
Two military officers busted for child sex exploitation
A Navy petty officer and an Air Force lieutenant colonel have been respectively sentenced and convicted for sexually exploiting minors online.
Michael BrestovanskyMarch 05, 2026
Hamada: Hawai‘i needs to get serious about stopping sex-trafficking
The crime should be considered a capital offense, but Hawai‘i doesn't go that for in dealing with even the most heinous crimes, writes ASD columnist Rick Hamada.
Rick HamadaMarch 04, 2026
HPD justified in 2024 Waikīkī fatal shooting
Eric Walsh was shot 15 times in Waikīkī following a string of bank robberies.
Michael BrestovanskyFebruary 19, 2026
Honolulu man sentenced to 15 years for sexually extorting minors
Devan Caulk pled guilty last year to producing child pornography via Instagram.
Michael BrestovanskyFebruary 17, 2026
Pearl City woman gets supervised release following threats against the president
Rebecca Folley made hundreds of Facebook posts threatening to kill Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Michael BrestovanskyFebruary 13, 2026
Tenants facing eviction can seek mediation under new state program
The Pre-Eviction Mediation Filing Program requires landlords to offer mediation before evicting a tenant for not paying rent
Michael BrestovanskyFebruary 05, 2026
Community Voices: Tax versus Judiciary
There are two Hawaiʻi Supreme Court cases pending that involve fights over the extent to which courts can get involved with the Department of Taxation.
Tom YamachikaFebruary 03, 2026