Good evening, Hawaii. Navy officials planned to discuss strategies to remove a P-8A plane that’s been in Kaneohe Bay since it overshot the runway at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Nov. 20; a new Honolulu ordinance set to take effect in 2025 will allow for paper bags, certain takeout containers, coffee pods and other manufactured compostable material to be added to the city’s curbside green waste collection bins; and President Joe Biden on Monday convened the first meeting of his new Supply Chain Resilience Council, which announced 30 actions to strengthen logistics across the country. Read about the important stories you need to know.

Your Weather Planner 

The forecast is turning unsettled this week. Wetter weather begins on Tuesday across the western islands, and across the entire state from Wednesday through Friday as a Kona low sits to the west of the islands. Heavy rain and storms are possible as early as Tuesday across Kauai and Oahu. Flood Watches are in effect for western islands beginning Tuesday morning through Thursday afternoon. Shower coverage will taper off as we head into the weekend.

Get your 7-day forecast

Introducing Spectrum News+
Watch the latest news from across the country.

Today's Big Stories

1. U.S. Navy removes 2,000 gallons of fuel from plane that went into Kaneohe Bay after it overshot the runway

U.S. Navy officials held a press conference Monday discussing how they plan to remove a plane from Kaneohe Bay after it overshot the runway last week. The first step in the process occurred Sunday, when Navy divers removed about 2,000 gallons of fuel from the P-8A aircraft.  

The Navy deployed a "containment boon" within 30 minutes after the P-8A aircraft enter Kaneohe Bay in order to contain any hazardous contaminants that leak from the plane. According to Read Admiral Kevin Lennox, no fuel has leaked out of the plane.

“The aircraft is in remarkably good condition and has full integrity,” said Lennox.

On Sunday, the Navy dive team removed fuel from the P-8A aircraft at Kaneohe Bay. Lennox said it was the first time that a P-8A was defueled under water. Before defueling began, Navy divers practiced at Pearl Harbor by disconnecting and connecting fuel lines on a P-8A aircraft. 

“We estimate that the aircraft had just over 2,000 gallons of fuel on board and the team extracted all the fuel that they could get out of those tanks,” said Lennox. “This process was completed successfully without any fuel being released into the bay.” 

Lennox said the Navy, in partnership with the Department of Defense and private industry experts, is now working to create a plan for the next stage of salvage. He said the Navy hopes to remove the plane without causing further damage to the environment, while preserving the capability of the aircraft. 

2. Manufactured compostables OK'd for green bins in '25

Starting in 2025, paper bags, certain takeout containers, coffee pods and other manufactured compostable material will be allowed will be able to be added to the city’s curbside green waste collection bins.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed Bill 47 last week, allowing for the change in an effort to reduce the amount of waste sent to Oahu landfill facilities each year.

The new act takes effect in April 2025 and will coincide with Ordinance 22-10, which allows for the collection of food waste in the green carts, along with yard waste and other green waste items. 

“We’re living in a time now where we have more and more material in the waste stream that we know we can recycle and turn into compost to ease the burden on our landfill,” Blangiardi said. “This is about smarter and better use of our waste materials that we can turn into a really productive resource for us.”

Manufactured compostable materials include items that are designed to break down in a compost system at the end of its useful life span. The City’s disposable food waste ordinance already requires the use of these products for food service purposes.

3. Attorney General reminds caution when donating to charities

State Attorney General Anne Lopez is once again cautioning residents to be careful when making a donation to one of the many fundraising efforts to help those impacted by the Maui wildfires. 

Monday is the first day of International Charity Fraud Awareness Week. The National Association of State Charities Officials, the Federal Trade Commission and state charities regulators nationwide use the awareness week as an opportunity to inform the public about how to avoid charity fraud. A news release from Hawaii’s AG emphasized concerns about fraud related to charities raising funds for the Maui wildfires. 

Lopez said her office has received reports and complaints of fundraisers soliciting donations for Maui fire victims. 

Lopez urges Hawaii residents to verify a charity is legitimate before donating by checking their status on the following websites: 

Hawaii Attorney General: charity.ehawaii.gov/charity/welcome

IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search: apps.irs.gov/app/eos/

Charity Navigator: charitynavigator.org/

DCCA Business Search: hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search

Questions or complaints about a suspicious charity or fundraiser can be directed to the Tax & Charities Division at 808-586-1480 or by sending an email to ATG.Charities@hawaii.gov.  

4. 'Magic, Wonder and Joy': First lady unveils 2023 White House holiday decor

Thanksgiving may have been just days ago, but the White House is ready for the winter holidays.

First lady Dr. Jill Biden unveiled the White House holiday decor theme of “Magic, Wonder and Joy” for the 2023 holiday season, with the goal of channeling our inner child this holiday season, opening visitors’ eyes to some of the magic the season brings.

“Each room on display is designed to capture the pure, unfiltered delight and imagination of our childhoods, to see this time of year through the wondrous, sparkling eyes of children,” she said at the unveiling.

More than 300 volunteers from across the country ventured to the White House for a week to deck the halls of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and received praise from the first lady for their work Monday.

The White House expects around 100,000 visitors this holiday season to take in the twinkling lights and decor.

Candy floats overhead in the East Wing of the White House as part of the "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" holiday display. (Spectrum News/Cassie Semyon)
Candy floats overhead in the East Wing of the White House as part of the "Magic, Wonder, and Joy" holiday display. (Spectrum News/Cassie Semyon)

5. Biden announces 30 actions to strengthen domestic and international supply chains

President Joe Biden on Monday convened the first meeting of his new Supply Chain Resilience Council, which announced 30 actions to strengthen logistics across the country.

The action comes after supply chain snags fueled inflation in 2021 as the country was struggling to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Energy prices have fallen 4.5% in the last year, according to the Consumer Price Index, but still contribute to overall inflation, which could pose a political challenge for Biden heading into the 2024 presidential election.

Among the 30 actions to strengthen supply chains, at least 11 deal specifically with the domestic supply of renewable energy.

The federal government will improve its ability to monitor energy resources and share data across agencies.

The supply chain improvements announced by Biden also include addressing areas like freight logistics, the domestic food supply and access to critical medicines.

Your Notes for tomorrow

Tuesday, November 28

  • NATO foreign ministers meeting
  • Quarterly House Price Index, Q3 
  • Giving Tuesday — global day dedicated to giving something back, encouraging charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world to celebrate generosity and give
  • Forbes 30 Under 30 announced
  • U.S. Supreme Court hearings 
  • Earliest date for Congress to vote on expulsion of GOP Rep. George Santos

Here are events happening on the islands tomorrow:

Oahu

  • What: Celebrating Lā Kūʻokoʻa
  • Where: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum | 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu | 808-847-3511
  • Details: Gather at Bishop Museum to celebrate Lā Kūʻokoʻa, the Independence Day of the Hawaiian Kingdom, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 28. This year marks the 180th year of this event. Take part in activities, a walkthrough exhibition presented by Kanaeokana, presentations and more. Register.

Maui

  • What: Maui Street Market
  • Where: 150 Hana Hwy., Kahului
  • Details: Located next to the former 24-Hour Fitness, Maui’s “Food Truck Hub” is presented by the nonprofit Maui Food Technology Center dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs and revitalizing the community of Kahului. It’s open seven days a week with varied hours depending on individual food trucks. Dubbed “eat the street, Maui style,” the market features a gathering of food trucks offering lots of ono food and aloha in one place. Free parking available.

Hawaii Island

  • What: Taco Tuesdays Comedy
  • Where: Elk’s Lodge Niteclub | 75-170 Hualalai Road, Kailua-Kona
  • Details: Hawaii Top Comics presents a comedy show, which can be enjoyed with tacos. Open mic to follow. Free entry for all performers. $10 entry for all others. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime at 7 p.m..

Kauai

  • What: 27th Annual Festival of Lights
  • Where: Historic County Building | 4396 Rice St., Lihue
  • Details: A Kauai tradition, the Festival of Lights was inspired by local designer Elizabeth Freeman transforming recycled and reclaimed materials into Kauai-style holiday art with the help of local artisans. Bring the family to enjoy lights illuminating the park, snowfall and meteor light projections, a new 360-degree virtual tour of last yearʻs display and more, 6-11 p.m. Nov. 28-Jan. 1, 2024. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be onsite for pictures (using your personal phone/camera), 6-8 p.m. Fridays only, Dec. 1-22.

For more on these and other events, see this week's HI Out & About.

In Case You Missed It

This conceptual rendering of the Ala Wai Canal waterfront features a designed flood barrier with an elevated path. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
This conceptual rendering of the Ala Wai Canal waterfront features a designed flood barrier with an elevated path. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Feedback sought for Ala Wai Canal watershed flood mitigation plan

The city is asking for public feedback on the newly released draft Ala Wai Flood Risk Management General Reevaluation Report and Integrated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

The release of the draft on Friday started the 45-day public comment period, which ends Jan. 8, 2024.

Comments can also be submitted online at honolulu.gov/alawai/contact.html; via email at alawai@honolulu.gov; or through regular mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, 230 Otake St. (Attn: POH-PPC Ala Wai)/Fort Sharter, HI 96858-5440.

A printed copy of the General Reevaluation Report and Integrated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement can be viewed at the Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library during regular business hours. A digital copy can be viewed or downloaded here or at the study website at honolulu.gov/AlaWai.