The 38th eruption since December 2024 occurred at Kilauea volcano on December 8, 2025, destroying a live camera used by volcanologists for monitoring.

The eruption featured high lava fountains reaching 1,000 feet into the air, with a rare triple fountain event. The eruption lasted over 12 hours and produced volcanic gas, Pele's hair, and various volcanic fragments.

The area around Kīlauea caldera has been closed since 2007 due to instability. A code orange, indicating a likely or ongoing eruption with minor ash, was still in place on Monday morning, with another eruption expected in the next few weeks according to the USGS.

Weather, Environment & Public Safety

• The Kīlauea volcano on Hawaii Island entered a new eruptive episode (Episode 38), sending lava fountains skyward and destroying a livestreaming camera in the crater.https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

• A “Coastal Flood Statement” remains in effect across the islands due to high tides — raising risk of beach flooding, minor erosion, and saltwater inundation.Big Island Now+1

• A recent Kunia Road head-on crash on Oʻahu killed a 37-year-old motorcyclist—marking the 77th traffic fatality on Oʻahu for 2025, compared with 47 at the same time last year.https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Policy, Laws & Government Moves

• The county government on Hawaiʻi Island advanced a bill banning most single-use plastic and polystyrene food containers, pushing toward a more sustainable future.https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

• Meanwhile, U.S. senators—including Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono—introduced legislation to expand federal funding access for Native Hawaiian arts and cultural organizations, aiming to modernize eligibility requirements.Maui Now

Legal & Social Justice Developments

• The Honolulu Police Department and city officials approved a $1 million settlement with the family of a 16-year-old Micronesian boy fatally shot by police in 2021—a controversial case that has drawn attention to policing practices and community bias in Hawaiʻi.AP News

Culture, Travel & Community Life

• There’s a growing sense of caution in the tourism/hospitality industry as signs point to a declining holiday-season rush—with hoteliers reporting unusual vacancies during what’s typically a peak period.allhawaiinews.com

• On a lighter note, the holiday season is bringing renewed community activity across the islands: multiple events, from parades to markets and seasonal celebrations, are scheduled on Hawaiʻi Island between December 4–11.Big Island Now+1

Volcano & Natural Events

Kīlauea’s 38th eruption destroys monitoring camera

• The volcano erupted again on Dec. 6 in what scientists have labeled “Episode 38,” producing lava fountains reportedly reaching 1,000 to 1,200 feet. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

• The eruption destroyed a remote live-streaming camera (the V3 camera) used to monitor the site—a dramatic sign of how intense the fountains were. ABC News

• Lava fountains reached nearly 1,200 feet, the episode lasted over 12 hours, and roughly 13 million cubic yards of lava were expelled over ~6 hours at one peak interval. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center: No tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi after 7.6 quake in Japan

• A magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck Hokkaido, Japan, early Dec. 8—but the Tsunami Warning Center confirmed Hawaiʻi is not threatened for now. Maui Now

Government & Public Affairs

Josh Green floats possible rollback of income-tax cuts to balance budget

• Hawaiʻi’s governor is already discussing scaling back recent state income tax reductions and drawing on reserves to help balance the state budget—underscoring fiscal pressures. KTVB

Historic Pearl Harbor National Memorial commemoration without survivors

• Sunday’s remembrance marked 84 years since the 1941 attack. With only 12 surviving veterans alive—all over 100 years old—this year’s ceremony likely marked the last with no living survivors present. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com+1

• The event reaffirmed the shift toward preserving history through archives, oral histories, and collective memory rather than firsthand testimony. Politico+1

Honolulu City Council approves $1 million settlement over 2021 police shooting

• The city agreed to a $1M settlement with the family of a 16-year-old Micronesian boy who was fatally shot by police in 2021—a controversial case that sparked criticism over excessive force and racial bias. AP News

Accidents & Public-Safety

Two unhelmeted teens seriously injured in e-bike crash on Oʻahu

• On Dec. 8, a 16-year-old boy and 17-year-old girl riding tandem collided with a car in Mililani. Both were not wearing helmets and were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Community & Culture

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl set for Christmas Eve—island football spotlight

• The bowl game will pit the home team from Hawaiʻi against the California Golden Bears, featuring a story of former teammates and high school stars returning home. Spectrum Local News+1

Hawaiian Holiday Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

A bright, flavorful dish that brings warm-weather vibes to the cooler months.

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 2 lbs chicken thighs, diced

• 1 fresh pineapple (use hollowed halves as serving bowls if you want extra fun)

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 cup snap peas

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 2 tbsp sesame oil

Teriyaki Sauce

• ½ cup soy sauce

• ¼ cup pineapple juice

• 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp grated ginger

• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk all teriyaki sauce ingredients except cornstarch slurry.

2. Heat sesame oil in a pan. Add chicken and cook until browned.

3. Add onions, peppers, and snap peas. Cook 3–4 minutes.

4. Pour in teriyaki sauce. Bring to a simmer.

5. Add cornstarch slurry to thicken.

6. Add pineapple chunks at the end to keep them juicy.

7. Serve over rice—bonus presentation if you plate it inside the hollowed pineapple halves.

Why it’s fun

🍍 You get a tropical aroma in your kitchen.
🍍 Pineapple bowls make it feel like a mini vacation.
🍍 Great for family night, potlucks, or filming a quick cooking video.