Sports

HPR's Ashley Mizuo speaks to Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation about the government shutdown; Jim McCoy with Pacific Historic Parks discusses how the shutdown is impacting federal parks and historical sites on Oʻahu

Lawyers for a Hawaiʻi real estate investor and broker have denied any improper use of Shohei Ohtani's likeness for a development project. They allege that Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, is trying to deflect blame for cost overruns at the player's home. The lawsuit, filed in Hawaiʻi Circuit Court, accuses Ohtani and Balelo of "abuse of power" affecting a $240 million luxury housing development.

The World Surf League recently completed its 2025 Women’s Championship Tour, and two Hawaiʻi women finished in the top five. HPR’s Russell Subiono introduces us to the 20-year-old Oʻahu native who finished fifth in the standings.

Hawaiʻi's inaugural state high school surfing championship is dropping in next year, making the state the first to recognize surfing as an official interscholastic state championship sport. The official surfing season is expected to start in February, with the championship scheduled for May 2026 on Maui.

The Conversation spoke with Travis Counsell, the head of the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League, on Friday. He's glad that road safety is getting more attention. Some 2,000 cyclists will take part in the organization's Honolulu Century Ride this Sunday. Watch out for traffic closures!

University of Hawaiʻi leadership is meeting with federal Department of Education officials to discuss funding cuts; More than 2,000 cyclists are expected to take part in the Honolulu Century Ride

Gov. Josh Green spoke to The Conversation's Catherine Cruz about the pullout of the Kapalua golf tournament on Maui due to the drought conditions.

The PGA Tour won't be starting the new year at Kapalua on Maui. The tour says the Plantation course is so baked and brown from a drought and a water dispute on the island of Maui that it can't be ready for The Sentry on Jan. 8-11.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent have moved to dismiss a lawsuit accusing them of causing a real estate investor and broker to be fired from a $240 million luxury housing development in Hawaiʻi. The lawsuit was filed in August by developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto.

Kapalua Golf Resort has been without irrigation water for seven days as it grows worried about keeping the Plantation course in shape for the PGA Tour season opener. Kapalua decided to shut down the golf course Tuesday to use what little water was available to the resort.