Crime & Courts
News
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
Reed Mahuna named police chief after nationwide search
Mahuna has been offered the position of Hawaiʻi County police chief following a nationwide search and strong public support, the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission announced Friday.
January 31, 2026
Green backs BAC reduction bills
Two state bills would lower the threshold for drunk driving from .08 to .05.
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 30, 2026
Vice division cracks down on drugs, guns
Hawai‘i Island police seize hundreds of pounds of narcotics, dozens of firearms and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in first year after units merged.
January 29, 2026
Green, legislators promise anti-ICE bills
Lawmakers promise legislative response to Minneapolis shootings
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 28, 2026
8 finalists to interview for Hawaiʻi Police Chief
The commission plans to make its decision once the selection process wraps up on Jan. 30. Any chosen candidate would receive a provisional appointment, pending the successful completion of required screening procedures such as a background check, psychological assessment and polygraph test.
January 27, 2026
Traffic, drug deaths rise in Honolulu
Methamphetamine remained the leading contributor. Fentanyl-related deaths rose sharply, increasing by nearly 60% over three years. Cocaine-related deaths also increased during that period.
January 24, 2026
U.S. Supreme Court hears "vampire rule" gun law arguments
Wolford v. Lopez challenges 2023 gun law prohibiting concealed firearms on private property.
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 21, 2026
CONGRESS WATCH: Supreme Court hears arguments in landmark trans athletics case
Hawai‘i Sen. Mazie Hirono was a lead signatory of a brief supporting trans athletes last year.
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 14, 2026