Hawaii
Hawaii considering anti-squatter law to protect homeowners, cut eviction times
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An Oahu landlord who won a court ruling in July to get his delinquent tenants evicted is still waiting for sheriffs to kick them out.
Will Choy says he’s out about $60,000 in lost rent and fees on the legal battle to get back his sister’s Hawaii Kai property from tenants Todd and Missy Brewer, who according to court records, have a history of not paying rent.
Choy’s ordeal is highlighting a problem with Hawaii’s laws to prevent squatting.
State laws govern landlord and tenant relationships, and district courts settle disputes, including removing squatters. Some believe the legal system doesn’t do enough to protect property owners.
“So we all understand hardships that people have and I think the courts and the legislature, for example, are sympathetic to them, and I think that’s right. But there’s other conditions where you can run into people who they they’re not gonna pay the rent, no matter what. And I think that the situation is one that our laws and our system does not address,” Choy said.
Attorneys say they’ve seen cases where tenants knowingly game the court system, forcing homeowners into a costly, lengthy process to take back their property.
“Landlord tenant code does offer protection to tenants that certain unscrupulous tenants can take advantage of that because once you get to court, the judge might require you to go to mediation,” said attorney Andrew Stewart, whose client sued the Brewers in 2023 for not paying rent and had them evicted.
Advocates for anti-squatter laws say that while waiting for an eviction order, problem tenants often trash the home or attract criminal activity to the neighborhood, creating a public safety issue and nuisance.
To speed up the eviction process, state lawmakers introduced a bill last session that would allow law enforcement officers to remove unlawful occupants and make property damages caused — a felony.
The Attorney General, Public Defender and Honolulu Police Department opposed the measure — noting it evades judicial review, doesn’t protect due process and further strains limited resources.
Sheriffs who are sometimes asked to serve eviction orders already have a verification process of their own — adding to a backlog of duties.
“We have to approach it, just really matter of factly, the courts have asked you to leave and you have to leave now,“ said Jared Redulla, deputy director of the Department of Law Enforcement.
“In the vast majority of cases, there’s no trouble. They’ll pick up their stuff and, although perhaps, with some disagreement, they’ll leave.”
But supporters say an anti-squatting law is about fairness. Other states have seen eviction times reduced from 8-12 months to two weeks, without changing tenant protections.
“So long as the law is very clear about what the criminality is and you know what the process is and you have protections in there about people who are legally supposed to be there and even remedies, in case someone is unfairly ousted in a trespass case,” said Malia Hill, policy director for the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, which supports an anti-squatting measure in Hawaii.
Advocates also believe stricter laws could help ease residential landlords’ fears and open up more rentals.
“It all kind of works together, to create an atmosphere that, you know, encourages landlords to rent that makes it easier for those of us who try to look for places, to find places to rent,” Hill added.
Lawmakers plan to take into account feedback from law enforcement and reintroduce another version of the anti-squatting bill next session.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Chinatown businesses are participating in the annual Shop Around event on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season.
The Shop Around features deals on locally-made products and Hawaii-themed merchandise.
Roberta Oaks owns a shop at the intersection of Nuuanu Avenue and North Pauahi Street called Roberta Oaks Hawaii.
It releases new items specifically for Black Friday each year.
“We always love to put out a couple of new things on Black Friday,” Oaks said. “Our bamboo and chartreuse shirt this year will be a great Christmas shirt coming up.”
Local partnerships support event
American Savings Bank sponsors the Shop Around event, which Oak says is helpful for business.
“They’ve sponsored us for a few years now,” Oaks said. “They totally help us get print materials figured out. We’re able to hire a local artist to do our graphics, and then they also sponsor all of the tote bags that we end up giving away to customers on Black Friday.”
Focus on Hawaii-made products
Oaks’ shop features textiles, including aloha shirts, kitchen linens, and pouches, with a gift-with-purchase pouch promotion planned for this year.
The store also carries products from local artists, including blankets, jewelry made in the islands, bags made in Kaimuki, and ceramics.
“I’m really big on supporting local artists and other handmade items,” Oaks said.
She emphasized the importance of supporting Hawaii-made products during the holiday shopping season.
“Made in Hawaii products, it’s so important to support the economy here in the islands,” Oaks said. “We are a very self-contained place. Supporting local made products, keeps jobs local. And shopping small, shopping local really does go a long way.”
The Chinatown Shop Around event runs Black Friday and Saturday, with participating businesses offering deals throughout the holiday season.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands died Saturday after attempting to rescue children from high surf at a Kauai beach, authorities said.
Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Diaz died after first responders pulled him from waters off the military installation along the Hawaiian island’s western shore, the Kauai Police Department said in a release Monday.
On Saturday afternoon, emergency personnel were dispatched to Waiapua‘a Bay near Shenanigans, a restaurant located along the beach at PMRF, after reports of a swimmer in distress, according to the release.
Authorities said Diaz had entered the water to rescue two children who were “struggling in high surf.”
“While the children made it back to shore safely, he encountered trouble in the water,” the Kauai Police Department said.
Ocean Safety Bureau and Barking Sands Fire and Emergency Services Department personnel rescued the 47-year-old from the water and undertook lifesaving efforts, authorities said. He was transported to Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waimea, where he was later pronounced dead.
Diaz reported to PMRF in October, according to the Navy. He previously served on the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross and at Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, among other duty stations.
His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation and Kosovo Campaign Medal, among others.
Diaz enlisted in the Navy in 1997, according to service records. He promoted to master-at-arms 1st class in 2022.
Beth Sullivan is an editor for Military Times. Previously, she worked as a staff reporter for The Daily Memphian and as an assistant editor at The Austin Chronicle.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Not sure when the mall closest to you is open? This is your island-by-island mall guide to shopping during the holiday season of chaos and cheer!
Oʻahu
The busiest malls on Oʻahu include: Ala Moana Center, International Market Place, Kahala Mall, Ka Makana Aliʻi, Pearlridge Center, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikele Premium Outlets and Windward Mall.
Ala Moana
Normally open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the mall will extend their hours starting Dec. 5–although individual store and restaurant hours may be different.
The following hours are the holiday schedule:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 29 to Dec. 4 (Normal hours) – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 5 to 23 (Extended hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 26-30 (Extended Hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Jan. 1 (Fukubukuro) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
During their extended hours, the mall will close at 8 p.m. on Sundays.
International Market Place
The International Market Place’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.
Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.
Kahala Mall
Regular mall hours for Kahala are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The following hours are the holiday schedule:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 29 to Dec. 22 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 23 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 26 to 29 (Regular hours) – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 30 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Jan. 2, 2026, the regular mall hours will begin again for the new year.
Ka Makana Aliʻi
Ka Makana Aliʻi’s hours will not change for the holidays, according to their website.
Monday through Saturday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with varying hours for certain stores and restaurants.
Pearlridge Center
The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The following is their extended holiday hours:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 29 – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 (Regular hours):
- Mondays through Saturdays – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sundays – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 8 to Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 15 to Dec. 19 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Dec. 20 to Dec. 23 – 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Some stores and restaurants may operate with varying hours.
The mall will return to its regular hours starting Dec. 26.
Royal Hawaiian Center
According to their website, Royal Hawaiian Center’s hours will not change for the holidays.
Monday through Sunday the mall will remain open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with varying hours for certain restaurants.
Waikele Premium Outlets
Starting on Dec. 1, the following are the extended hours for the center:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day) – CLOSED
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Nov. 29 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Nov. 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 7 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 8 to Dec. 12 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 13 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 14 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 15 to Dec. 20 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 21 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 22 to 23 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
- Dec. 26 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 27 – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Dec. 28 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 29 to 30 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve) to Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Windward Mall
The mall’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Extended holiday hours are listed below:
- Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving) – Closed
- Nov. 28 (Black Friday) – 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) – Closed
Kauai
The busiest shopping areas on Kauai include: Kukui Grove Center, Poipu Shopping Village, Princeville Center and The Shops at Kukuiʻula.
Kukui Grove Center
The center’s regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.
Poipu Shopping Village
The village is open 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.
Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.
Princeville Center
The center’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.
The Shops at Kukuiʻula
Regular hours for the shops is 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store hours varying.
Shopping hours for Nov. 28 (Black Friday) are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Maui
The busiest places to shop on Maui include: Maui Mall Village, Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center, The Shops at Wailea and Whalers Village.
Maui Mall Village
From Nov. 17 to 23, the village hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours.
Queen Kaʻahaumanu Center
The center’s hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.
The Shops at Wailea
Regular hours at the shops are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display any extended holiday hours or closures.
Whalers Village
The village hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, with individual store and restaurant hours varying.
Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.
Hawaiʻi Island
The busiest shopping places on Hawaiʻi Island include: Prince Kuhio Plaza, Queens’ Marketplace, The Shops at Mauna Lani and Waimea Center.
Prince Kuhio Plaza
The plaza’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Extended holiday hours are not yet displayed on their website.
Queens’ Marketplace
The marketplace hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday to Sunday.
Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.
The Shops at Mauna Lani
The shops are open on Monday to Sunday with varying hours for each store.
Their website doesn’t display extended holiday hours.
Waimea Center
The Waimea Center hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
Hours vary for each store, but extended holiday hours are not displayed on their website.
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