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Hawaii lawyers launch deportation defense hotline amid stricter immigration enforcement

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Hawaii lawyers launch deportation defense hotline amid stricter immigration enforcement


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Increased immigration enforcement is prompting local attorneys to respond to a worsening backlog of detainees.

People arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are held at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, and a stay can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the case.

Immigration lawyers say there are reports of ICE raids in homes, workplaces and schools, and it’s not just undocumented immigrants, but also all non-US citizens, from COFA migrants to student visa holders to green card holders.

Attorney Amanda Chang said one green card holder was flagged due to an assault conviction 30 years ago.

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“He was picked up by ICE agent after his entry back to the U.S. after a trip so he was picked up,” Chang said. “The family was in crisis because he was a father of four daughters, U.S. citizens, and one grandchild.”

The detainee spent two months in detention. His case was resolved with the help of a private attorney.

“But there are some people who are not able to afford so we are providing the services to match up pro bono immigration attorneys for deportation defenses if they are put into deportation proceedings,” Chang said.

To help, the Hawaii American Immigration Lawyers Association created a Deportation Defense Response Team, and it starts with a phone call.

“If you have a family member, coworker, or a neighbor who is detained at the Federal Detention Center and subject to deportation, waiting for deportation, you don’t know what is going on, you can call the number and volunteering attorneys will visit those detainees every Friday starting from May, and then we will try to help out those detained people as well as the families who are calling us,” Chang said.

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The service aims to provide relief to families who’ve been separated due to stricter immigration enforcement and advocates trying to help people like Tian and her 9-year-old son, who escaped religious persecution in China.

“Their English is limited, and their knowledge of the U.S. is also limited. And so I definitely think it’s very, very important to have more of a legal help,” said Hong Jiang, a human rights advocate who has helped many Chinese immigrants seek asylum in the U.S.

“It’s just very hard and not only the wait is so long, usually within a month or two, you should get the first hearing, at least to know what’s going on with the next step. But it’s been now three months, no information. I also don’t know who to check through,” Jiang said.

The service comes as advocates brace for the worst.

“I’ve been doing immigration law for the last 25-plus years. The mood lately is a lot of people are very concerned about traveling abroad, like, you know, if I were to travel and I’m not a U.S. citizen, I’m a visa holder or green card holder, upon my entry, would I be able to return?” Chang said.

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To reach the immigration help hotline, call 808-204-5951.



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What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood

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What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.

Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.

”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“

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Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.

“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.

For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.

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Hawaii suffers first defeat of the season against Loyola Chicago | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii suffers first defeat of the season against Loyola Chicago | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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2026 Sony Open field is announced. See who’s playing in Hawaii

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2026 Sony Open field is announced. See who’s playing in Hawaii


The Sony Open in Hawaii has the honors of being the kickoff event to the 2026 PGA Tour season after the cancellation of The Sentry at Kapalua this season.

Instead of Maui, the Tour debuts in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Jan. 15-18, at the Seth Raynor-designed Waialae Country Club, where Nick Taylor prevailed in a playoff over Nico Echavarria last year.

Among the changes this season is the field size, which was reduced from 144 to 120, and, there is no longer is a Monday qualifier offering four spots. Will that help with pace of play? Stay tuned.

The field includes the following notables in addition to Taylor and Echavarria: Daniel Berger, Keegan Bradley, Michael Brennan, Corey Conners, Tony Finau, Chris Gotterup, Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Billy Horschel, Robert MacIntyre, Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Sahith Theegala, Gary Woodland and 62-year-old Vijay Singh.

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Here’s the full field for the Sony Open, which will be live on Golf Channel all four days as well as NBC with early-round coverage on Saturday and Sunday.

This year’s Sony purse is $9.1 million and the winner also will receive 500 FedEx Cup points. 



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