Updated potential refuge area list released ahead of hurricane season

“This scholarship is one example of the new strategies we are testing to expand access, increase enrollment, strengthen educational attainment and help build the workforce our state needs. It is good for our students and good for Hawaiʻi,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel.

Community organizations petitioning to intervene in proposed housing development say the project threatens sensitive coastal habitat, imperiled native seabirds and Native Hawaiian cultural practices.

The visit also provided an opportunity for federal Education Department leadership to learn more about the University of Hawaiʻi’s research enterprise, student success initiatives, workforce development efforts and higher education programs.

The list is being released as a personal preparedness and planning tool to help residents and visitors identify potential refuge locations around the island ahead of the 2026 Central Pacific hurricane season, which begins t at the beginning of next week on June 1.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense as of Wednesday, May 27, had received more than 200 damage reports from the magnitude-6.0 earthquake that struck shortly before 10 p.m. Friday, May 22, on west side of Big Island; 85 of the reports were from properties with major damage and 8 homes are considered destroyed.

The events are aimed at providing Garden Isle veterans information about available services, get health screenings and vaccines, receive assistance with Veterans Affairs healthcare enrollment, renew or replace Veterans Affairs identification cards and more; organization executive leadership also will be available to provide updates about resources and engage directly with veterans.

“This scholarship is one example of the new strategies we are testing to expand access, increase enrollment, strengthen educational attainment and help build the workforce our state needs. It is good for our students and good for Hawaiʻi,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel.

The visit also provided an opportunity for federal Education Department leadership to learn more about the University of Hawaiʻi’s research enterprise, student success initiatives, workforce development efforts and higher education programs.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense as of Wednesday, May 27, had received more than 200 damage reports from the magnitude-6.0 earthquake that struck shortly before 10 p.m. Friday, May 22, on west side of Big Island; 85 of the reports were from properties with major damage and 8 homes are considered destroyed.

Two of the victims were identified by a friend as Bob Shine, 69, and Chitta Morse, 79, who lived within 500 yards or so of each other in Pāhoa.

Don Hyatt said his friends, Bob Shine, 69, and Chitta Morse, 79, were two of the victims. Suspect Jacob Baker remains on the lam.

Falaniko Solomona Penesa of Samoa claimed the top spot in the elite men’s division, outperforming Hikitahi Piokoe of Arue, Tahiti, who placed second, and Kenshi Jordan of Ishigaki, Japan, who finished third.