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
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
Waipahu man gets 30 years for child porn streams
Robert Silva, 52, tipped streamers in the Philippines to sexually abuse children on camera.
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 09, 2026
Supreme Court throws out Maui condo owner class-action suit
Condo owners found themselves owing thousands more in property taxes in 2021. Their case went to the Hawai‘i Supreme Court.
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 06, 2026
Four arrested statewide over fireworks incidents
Police departments report more than 700 calls for service regarding illegal fireworks over New Year's Eve.
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 03, 2026
Don't burn your Christmas trees at the beach, DLNR warns
DLNR patrols to prevent illicit Christmas tree bonfires at Kāne‘ohe Bay over the holiday
Michael BrestovanskyJanuary 01, 2026
Two Big Island men arrested over firework smuggling scheme
Darrel Goo and Cy Tamura face federal charges over nearly a decade of illegally transporting fireworks into the state.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 31, 2025
Hawai‘i gets $260,000 in Mercedes-Benz emissions fraud lawsuit
Automaker settles with 48 states for $150 million.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 30, 2025
Six court cases to watch in 2026
From student admissions policies to gun control laws, these are some of the biggest Hawai‘i court cases continuing into next year.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 27, 2025
Governor, Hilo community mourns death of emergency room doctor
Police have indicated that speed, alcohol and/or drugs, and reckless driving are believed to be contributing factors to the fatal crash on Saddle Road on Christmas Eve.
December 27, 2025
Suspect identified in 15-year-old Kaua‘i murder case
Gregory Glaser is wanted for the 2010 suspected murder of Amber Jackson in Kapa‘a
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 24, 2025
PayPal pays up
State lawsuit against PayPal over unfair and deceptive practices settled for $6 million.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 23, 2025
‘Aiea man gets 20 years for child sex assault
Mother and son Dorothy and Bryson Mahoe have both been sentenced for their roles in abusing four children over seven years.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 19, 2025
Lethal force justified in June Sand Island shooting
Christian Latimore, 37, was shot and killed after a standoff on his boat in Ke‘ehi Boat Harbor.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 18, 2025
Hyundai, Kia to offer theft reimbursements after settling class-action lawsuit
Class-action settlement means eligible drivers could receive up to $4,500 if their car was stolen this year.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 17, 2025
HART hits back in Skyline lawsuit
A contractor sued HART for millions last month over Skyline delays. HART filed a counterclaim Thursday accusing the contractor of filing a false claim.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 13, 2025
DOJ sues Hawai‘i over voter registration data
The U.S. Department of Justice requested voter registration data from 40 states, including Hawai‘i, earlier this year. Hawai‘i's Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago refused.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 13, 2025
Maui man gets 40-month sentence over homemade firework
Jess Lee used an explosive powder to build homemade fireworks in 2024, according to an FBI investigation.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 10, 2025
Man convicted of fatal Wahiawā stabbing to get retrial
Kai Dela Cruz was sentenced in 2024 to life imprisonment after a 2019 stabbing in Wahiawā. That conviction was vacated Monday.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 09, 2025
Waimānalo volleyball coach charged with producing child porn
Elias David charged in U.S. District Court for producing videos of him having sex with a 17-year-old student.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 06, 2025
Hawai‘i lawmakers demand investigation into Tripler OBGYN lawsuit
State congressional delegates publish letter calling for thorough investigation into how Maj. Blaine McGraw was allowed to allegedly harass and exploit patients for years.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 03, 2025
Hawai‘i County cleans wreckage after Thanksgiving weekend fires
A pair of fires in Hilo left two dead, dozens displaced and five buildings destroyed.
Michael BrestovanskyDecember 02, 2025
HPD apartment search lawsuit still alive
2020 police search of an apartment could go to trial.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 28, 2025
Hamada: Hard lessons about Iremamber Sycap
The City & County of Honolulu is poised to settle a lawsuit with Iremamber Sycap's family over his fatal shooting by Honolulu police in 2021. Are we doing everything we can to set young people on the right path before they get into trouble that could cost them their lives?
Rick HamadaNovember 25, 2025
Watch out for jury duty scams
Phone scams are becoming increasingly elaborate; here's how to watch out for one of the latest tricks.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 21, 2025
Man convicted of imprisoning woman wins a retrial
Deno Bell was convicted of unlawfully imprisoning a woman in her own apartment. He claimed it was to prevent her suicide.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 13, 2025
Explainer: What happens to unclaimed bodies at Hawai‘i's morgues
A brief look into what happens to unclaimed bodies in county morgues, stemming from Maui County's call for assistance in tracking down the families of 13 decedents in its care.
Michael BrestovanskyNovember 01, 2025
Maui convict brings decades-old rape conviction to Supreme Court
State Supreme Court to determine whether poor hair analysis should overturn Daniel Granillo's 40-year sentence for sexual assault.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 24, 2025
Kamehameha Schools promises to fight for admissions policy
Lawsuit filed Monday challenges KS's policy of preferential treatment toward Native Hawaiian applicants.
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 22, 2025
HPD to begin using AI
HPD to test using AI-assisted police reports for non-arrest cases
Michael BrestovanskyOctober 18, 2025