Luke roasts Hawai‘i politicians, herself, on first day on the job
Hawai‘i’s new Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke mapped out a serious plan to help Hawai‘i’s youngest get an early education and to bring high-speed internet to remote communities across the state — but first, minutes into her first day on the job Monday, she poked some fun. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi State Senate finalizes leadership and committee assignments
The Hawaiʻi State Senate finalized leadership and committee assignments ahead of the 32nd Legislature that opens on Jan. 18, 2023. Maui Now.

Hawai‘i government workers might be able to drop Kaiser health insurance
The state agency that provides health insurance benefits to government workers in Hawai‘i is considering offering employees a special open enrollment period to allow them to switch their health coverage from Kaiser Permanente to the Hawaii Medical Service Association due to the protracted strike by Kaiser’s mental health clinicians. Star-Advertiser.

Amid ongoing shortage of health care workers, Hawai‘i hospitals see ‘unprecedented’ demand
Health care officials say the capacity issues are being driven by a number of issues, such as delayed repercussions from the pandemic where people put care on hold. Hawai‘i is also seeing a rise in flu, RSV and Covid cases. Hawaii News Now.

Over $300M refunded to Hawaiʻi taxpayers
Gov. David Ige announced 606,674 refunds have been issued to Hawaiʻi taxpayers, totaling $307.9 million. Hawaii Public Radio.

Navy refuses to publicly release video of latest Red Hill spill
The Navy said it would release video footage of last week’s spill of toxic fire suppressant chemicals at Red Hill to federal and state environmental regulators, but not to the public because it could impede its investigation into the latest accident at its massive underground fuel facility. Star-Advertiser. KHON2.

Robots are scrubbing floors at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu
The two cleaners, along with staff training, cost $157,000, and are part of efforts to modernize the Honolulu airport. Big Island Now. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu man arrested for allegedly forging federal judge’s signature to steal from elderly woman
The suspect allegedly convinced the woman that he had saved her Ewa Beach home from foreclosure and demanded cash payments from her. Civil Beat.

On O‘ahu’s west side, worsening homeless problem draws calls for greater outreach
At a recent Wai‘anae Neighborhood Board Meeting, police said they simply “don’t have the equipment or manpower to actually remove” all the homeless people camped at the beach. Hawaii News Now.

Invasive grasses have spread across a quarter of Hawai‘i’s land, and they’re fueling an alarming rise in wildfires. Coalitions are fighting back with new urgency and old tools…. read more.

Mauna Loa eruption day 8: Creeping lava unlikely to cross Saddle Road for a week plus, if ever
The front of Mauna Loa’s lava flow continues to inch closer to Daniel K. Inouye Highway. As of noon, the flow front was 2.15 miles from the thoroughfare. Big Island Now.

Hawai‘i geologists skeptical about claim eruption was forecasted
Hawai‘i volcanologists have raised eyebrows at University of Miami researchers who claim to have predicted the current Mauna Loa eruption. Tribune-Herald.

Key ag research facility to get face-lift
Before he left office, Gov. David Ige released $6.9 million in capital improvement funds for the Waiakea Research Station on Stainback Highway, on the southern outskirts of Hilo. Tribune-Herald.

County announces shift In Kalanianaʻole traffic direction
DPW and Nan, Inc on Thursday will be closing the mauka-bound lane and opening the makai-bound lane into Hilo town from Keaukaha on Thursday, December 8, at 7:00 am for striping of the roadway and shoulder maintenance.  Big Island Video News.

Airport gets bulk of Kaua‘i’s capital improvement projects funding
More than $124.6 million in state funding is headed to Kaua‘i, for projects ranging from the relocation of a Līhuʻe Airport runway to the construction of a new gymnasium at Waimea High School. Kauai Now.