HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As 2025 comes to a close, HNN’s Daryl Huff and the Spotlight Now team took a look at some of the influential stories that defined the year in Hawaii.
Deadly New Year’s fireworks accident
The year began with a massive illegal fireworks explosion, killing six people and injuring at least 20 more at a home in Aliamanu. New laws are now in effect aimed at discouraging the public from possessing, distributing or setting off illegal fireworks.
Dozens arrested in ICE raids
Federal immigration agents arrested 44 people during early morning raids on Kauai, with detainees later transported to a federal detention center on Oahu. Authorities say six federal search warrants were executed at residences and one business on Kauai.
Federal health coverage concerns
Gov. Josh Green predicted that thousands of Hawaii residents may give up their health insurance after Congress did not extend subsidies for Affordable Care Act policies. Green pledged millions in local taxpayer funds to help Hawaii’s 24,000 Affordable Care Act customers maintain coverage.
Governor opposes vaccine policy changes
Gov. Josh Green joined a coalition of 14 other governors to launch the “Governor Public Health Alliance,” a nonpartisan hub for governors and health leaders designed to protect the health of Americans.
He also defended the state’s response to the COVID pandemic in a confrontational hearing at the U.S. Senate.
Governor’s ‘green fee’ tackles climate change
In May, Gov. Josh Green signed into law the country’s first-ever lodging tax to get tourists to pay their share of the impacts of climate change. The fee is expected to raise about $100 million a year for projects to make the state’s infrastructure more resilient to the climate crisis.
Former police chief sues over retaliation claims
In August, former Honolulu police chief Arthur “Joe” Logan sued the City and County of Honolulu and Mayor Rick Blangiardi over claims of whistleblower retaliation in which Logan alleges that the mayor pressured him to engage in illegal activities, including conducting more homeless sweeps.
A month later, a Circuit Court judge dropped Blangiardi from two of the three counts in the lawsuit.
Traffic-related deaths soar
There has been a significant increase in Hawaii traffic deaths since 2024…