Tiny wasps could help save Hawai‘i’s coffee industry
With Hawai‘i coffee farms under attack by a wave of alien pest species, crop yields are off by as much as 50% this year. But farmers may soon be getting some help in the form of a tiny bio-control agent. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News.

Most Hawai‘i campaign spending violators never see jail time
Changes are coming for how those cases are handled going forward as a new law allows the commission to assess fines and refer a case to prosecutors concurrently. Civil Beat.

Ethics reform proposals up for debate in wake of high-profile bribery scandals
The state Ethics Commission wants more information than ever about who is pulling the strings of power and it passed a package of proposed bills and reforms Wednesday. Hawaii News Now.

Need for more police to wear body cams
Every police department in the state is using body-worn cameras, but there are questions as to why key police divisions don’t have them and concerns surrounding policy violations. KHON2.

Hawaiian homestead beneficiaries react to Ikaika Anderson nomination to lead DHHL
Waiohuli Hawaiian Homestead leader Kekoa Enomoto said Ikaika Anderson’s familiar face and reputable family name added a bit of credibility to his appointment as head of the department. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawai‘i inmate in Arizona is a step closer to facing the death penalty
A Hawai‘i prisoner who murdered another inmate while they were both serving their sentences in an Arizona prison is eligible for execution under Arizona law, according to a decision by a jury on Wednesday. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawai‘i hospitals still full ahead of the holidays
Given how full hospitals already are, officials are keeping a close eye on trends this winter and hoping there will be no surges resulting from RSV, flu or new Covid-19 variants in coming months. Star-Advertiser.

Prices in Honolulu saw small decline this season, but still remain high
Prices in the Honolulu area decreased by 0.6% over the past two months, but that’s still nearly 6% higher compared to last November. This is still lower than the national average — which increased 7.1%. Hawaii Public Radio.

Miske case: Trial for alleged leader of Hawai‘i crime syndicate set
Multiple people entered pleas of not guilty Wednesday for conspiring to run “Miske Enterprise” through racketeering activity including murder, kidnapping, arson and robbery. Star-Advertiser.

Haleiwa Burger Company sues beef firm for alleged use of trademark
The owners of Haleiwa’s oldest restaurant are suing a meat company owned by an Idaho billionaire in federal court for allegedly using their trademark to promote beef products in Hawai‘i. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Nominate a remarkable woman you know of for the 4th annual Woman of the Year Award. Now through December 17th, 2022, KHON2 is accepting nominations for the Remarkable Woman of the Year Award….. read more.

Over course of eruption, Mauna Loa lava traveled 16 miles and response cost $2M
Organizers estimate about 100,000 people used the viewing route over two weeks. Hawaii News Now.

HFD on target to meet budget
The Hawai‘i Fire Department remained on target to its annual budget as of November, just under halfway through the fiscal year.  West Hawaii Today.

‘Deep monitor well’ planned for Waimea
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will dig a nearly 2,000-foot well to monitor groundwater conditions in Waimea. Tribune-Herald.

Jury awards $75,000 to former county prosecutor
A federal jury last week awarded former Maui County Prosecutor Donald Guzman $75,000, far less than the approximately $600,000 he had asked for in a lawsuit filed against the county and others over his public termination back in 2020. Maui News.

Maui County’s first Climate Action Resiliency Plan now available for public comment
The County of Maui’s first Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) status report draft has been transmitted to the Maui County Council, Mayor Michael Victorino announced. Maui Now.

Kaua‘i sees mostly below average rainfall in November
Leeward sites were especially dry, with several low elevation gauges reporting totals of less than 10% of average. Kauai Now.