Council adopts transparency bills on unspent funds
The Honolulu City Council has adopted legislation to hold Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration more accountable over the funding appropriations it provides for the city’s use each year. Read more
Politics
Get the latest news coverage of politics including Honolulu city and county government, Hawaii legislative issues, U.S. Congress and the White House.
Kennedy Center Honors fete performers, but Trump takes spotlight
This year’s Kennedy Center Honors, widely seen as the top U.S. recognition for lifetime achievement in the performing arts, feted actor Sylvester Stallone, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, country musician George Strait, “Phantom of the Opera” star Michael Crawford and rock band KISS. Read more
Lawmakers express concerns about World Cup visas, ban threats
Organizers need government assistance on issues ranging from visas to security while also dealing with ticket prices far beyond the means of the average fan. Read more
Council passes Honolulu Police Department media access bill
The City Council has pulled the trigger on a bill requiring the Honolulu Police Department to release timely and accurate information to selected news outlets during major public safety incidents. Read more
U.S. strategy document warns Europe faces ‘civilizational erasure’
The new National Security Strategy denounced the European Union as anti-democratic, and said the goal of the U.S. should be “to help Europe correct its current trajectory.” Read more
Trump approval dips as economic concerns grow
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has slipped in recent weeks as voters across party lines voice growing frustration with the economy, according to an analysis of national polling. Read more
Honolulu City Council OKs ‘constitutional rights’ measure
The Honolulu City Council is urging Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s administration to affirm the constitutional rights of all Oahu residents regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Read more
Trump proposes slashing fuel economy rules to boost gas vehicles
Trump’s action aims to undo one of Biden’s signature climate moves as he sought to incentivize more electric vehicle purchases. “People want the gasoline car,” Trump said. Read more
Democrats decry fatal boat strike; Admiral says no ‘kill them all’ order given
A senior U.S. lawmaker said a video shown to Congress of a September U.S. strike on a suspected drug vessel showed survivors in clear distress before they were killed in a follow-on attack. Read more
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Rep. Rachele Lamosao named to replace Sen. Henry Aquino
Lamosao will serve until the November 2026 general election cycle. Read more
HPD staffing task force recommends increased incentives
A Honolulu City Council task force empaneled to help the Honolulu Police Department recruit and retain officers is recommending housing stipends, retention bonuses and other incentives. Read more
Democrats release images of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island home
Taken together, they offer a glimpse at Epstein’s life on secluded islands that he used as a personal hideaway and where his accusers have said he brought girls as young as 11. Read more
Trump calls Somalis ‘garbage’ he doesn’t want in U.S.
Trump’s outburst comes as he started a new Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation targeting Somalis in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Read more
Trump pardons Democrat Rep. Cuellar and wife in bribery case
Last year, Cuellar and his wife were indicted for allegedly accepting close to $600,000 in bribes in two schemes meant to benefit an Azerbaijani state-owned energy company and an unnamed bank based in Mexico. Read more
DOJ weighs new Comey charges as key figure sues to block evidence
The material at issue in the lawsuit from Daniel Richman, a law professor and former attorney to Comey, would likely be central to any effort by prosecutors to revive the case against Comey. Read more
New Honolulu Liquor Commission administrator sought
Honolulu Liquor Commission Administrator Salvador Petilos was charged with leading reform efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the wake of lawsuits the agency was forced to settle alleging discrimination and misconduct by liquor investigators. Read more
DHS secretary Noem recommends travel ban in wake of shooting
Noem’s statement came amid a wider crackdown on legal pathways of immigration after the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., by a gunman identified by authorities as an Afghan national last week. Read more
Costco sues Trump administration for refund of tariffs
The complaint, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, argues that Trump misused a 1977 law in his move to implement tariffs on products from more than 100 countries. Read more
Trump to block some SNAP support to blue states in data dispute
Democratic state and federal officials have resisted an effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to collect data like immigration status and social security numbers of recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Read more
Lawmakers threaten to force vote on war powers if U.S. attacks Venezuela
U.S. troops have carried out at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since early September, killing at least 83 people. Read more
Hernandez freed after Trump pardon of ex-Honduras president
Hernandez was serving a 45-year sentence on drug trafficking and firearms charges. Read more
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