The holiday season is upon us. It is the time of year for family get-togethers, traditional meals, finding bargains for that special gift and, unfortunately, the opportunity to get scammed. How do you protect yourself? What are the warning signs to watch for?

Rat lungworm disease continues to be a hidden threat in Hawaiʻi. And that threat is growing. The disease is caused by a microscopic parasite with potentitally devastating consequences. New research finds that this parasite may be hiding in more than just your produce. Many in the medical community lack the information and experience to identify it and treat it. From diagnosis, to treatment, to prevention...hear what experts have to say. Plus, a survivor shares her experience and her ongoing recovery.

Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino faces a tough challenge in his bid for a second term from retired State Judge Richard Bissen. In the August primary election, Bissen got the most votes with Victorino coming in second in a field of eight candidates. Both candidates advanced to the November general election.

In November, voters across the state will elect someone new to represent Hawaiʻi’s second congressional district which includes rural Oʻahu (Waiʻanae Coast, North Shore, Windward side) and the Neighbor Islands. Incumbent Democrat Kai Kahele decided not to seek re-election and instead ran for governor but lost in the primary election. Voters have three choices. Democrat and former longtime state lawmaker Jill Tokuda faces veteran candidates in Republican Joe Akana and Libertarian Michelle Tippens.

Voters in a so-called canoe district encompassing Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and northeast Maui have three choices to fill an open seat in District 13 in the State House of Representatives. In the August primary election Democrat Mahina Poepoe beat two other candidates including Linda Haʻi Clark, who was appointed to replace Lynn DeCoite who moved to the state Senate. Republican Adam Clark ran unopposed in his primary as did Green Party candidate Nick Nikhilananda. On Oʻahu, State House District 36 is up for grabs with no incumbent. Republican Veamoniti Lautaha faces Democrat Rachele Fernandez Lamosao.

Legislative boundaries in Central Oʻahu have changed due to reapportionment. In the new District 38 which includes part of Mililani and Waipiʻo Acres, Republican incumbent Lauren Cheape Matsumoto faces a challenge from a former area lawmaker, Democrat Marilyn Lee. And on the Kona side of Hawaiʻi Island there is no incumbent for State House District 6 which includes Hōnaunau, Kealakekua, Hōlualoa and part of Kailua-Kona. Democrat Kirstin Kahaloa advanced to the general election after beating two opponents in the primary election. She faces Republican Jonathan Kennealy who ran unopposed in the primary.

In the realignment of State Legislative districts due to reapportionment, the new District 35 in the State House of Representatives is an open seat with no incumbent and includes parts of Waipahū and Pearl City. In the general election, Republican Josiah Araki, who was unopposed in the primary, faces Democrat Cory Chun who won a tight primary race. Meanwhile, in Hawaiʻi County, the two top vote getters for Council District 2 which includes Downtown Hilo and parts of Waiākea Uka and Kaūmana, were less than a percentage point apart in the primary while beating three other candidates. Jennifer Kagiwada and Matthias Kusch are in a runoff in November.

Two experienced politicians, former state and city lawmaker Ron Menor and current State House Minority leader Val Okimoto, are in a runoff for the open district eight seat on the Honolulu City Council which runs from Waimalu to Mililani. Meanwhile, Democrat Natalia Hussey-Burdick and Republican Kathy Thurston face off in the race for State House District 50 covering parts of Kāneʻohe and Kailua in Windward Oʻahu.

Two candidates running for office the first time were the top two vote-getters in the primary election out of a field of five for the Honolulu City Council seat representing District Two, which runs from Kahaluʻu on the Windward side of Oʻahu to Waikele in Central Oʻahu. Makuakai Rothman and Matt Weyer are now in a runoff in the November 8 General Election. And veteran Democratic lawmaker Gil Riviere faces Republican challenger Brenton Awa for Senate District 23 representing Windward Oʻahu, the North Shore and part of Central Oʻahu.

There were no incumbents in two of the seats up for election in the Maui County Council this election season and now both races are headed to a runoff in November. Nara Boone faces Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins for the seat representing Makawao, Haʻikū and Pāʻia while Tom Cook squares off against Robin Knox for the South Maui seat.