Community
Greenlight Award-winning script, filmmaker announced from ‘Ohina Labs 2025
‘Shop Local’ by Katelyn Chong was selected as the winning short film script during the first year the annual intensive workshop was paired with ‘Ohina’s inaugural Producers Lab.
10 lane closures scheduled during week of Jan. 3-9 on Kaua‘i state roadways
Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.
Hawaii’s first baby of 2026 born at Moanalua Medical Center
At 3:59 a.m. on New Year’s Day, Hawaii’s first baby of 2026 made his debut at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center.
Spotted: Monk seal finds shade under beach chairs on Maui’s North Shore
On Monday, a monk seal was observed moving quickly up a crowded beach along Maui’s North Shore, where it settled about 20 feet from beachgoers.
New statewide First 5 Hawaiʻi website launches eligibility screener for families
Online resource platform aims to strengthen early childhood and family support throughout the islands.
Nighttime work scheduled for Kūhiō Highway (Hardy-Oxford) Waterline Project
Work will take place in the center two lanes on Kuhio Highway between Oxford and Hardy streets — no left-hand turns will be allowed into side streets or businesses; one northbound lane and one southbound lane will remain open.
Kaua‘i Fire Department urges fire safety this New Year’s Eve
“We’re asking everyone to celebrate responsibly and keep safety front and center this New Year’s Eve,” said Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson. “Adults should closely supervise children, make sure everyone understands the risks and remember that fireworks should never be held or thrown.”
Maui native Kamalei Kawaʻa, a top 20 finalist on Season 25 of ‘The Voice,’ releases debut solo album
Four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner and Grammy nominee features 13 mele on his new album, including original compositions and select favorites, honoring the people, places and moments that shaped him throughout his life and musical journey.
Kauaʻi’s year of 2025 in pictures and stories
From fierce winter storms and technological breakthroughs to vibrant cultural festivities and interstellar discoveries, 2025 was a transformative year for Kauaʻi, embodying resilience and community spirit.
New Kaua’i bus routes to connect Anahola and Waimea beginning Jan. 5
The Kauaʻi Bus will launch its first electric buses along with two new routes, improving island-wide connectivity with routes that include Līhuʻe Airport.
Reuse collection event scheduled for next week
Residents and businesses can conveniently drop off unwanted items like clothing, toys, and books for reuse at the Kauaʻi Resource Center on Jan. 9.
Rubbish pickup delayed in Wailua Homesteads due to staffing shortages
Due to staffing shortages, residential trash collection in Wailua Homesteads will be delayed and can be postponed until tomorrow, Dec. 31.
Kauaʻi prepares for New Year’s Eve: Fireworks for sale, increased DUI enforcement
“Safety starts with each of us. Plan ahead, make responsible choices, and look out for one other to help keep Kaua‘i safe.” — Kauaʻi Fire Chief Kalani Ke
New deputy director for Kaua‘i Parks and Rec sworn in
Preston Chong has been with Kaua‘i County’s Department of Parks and Recreation since 2020, serving as the department’s fiscal officer.
Collaborative design meeting to engage public in shaping Haleko Road next month
Due to the challenging Halekō Road design, workshops aimed at fostering community input are set for Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Thursday, Jan. 15.
Is your pet a baller? Enter them in the Mini Hoopers cutest pet contest
One nation. Infinite pets. Only one baller-in-chief. Enter now for a chance to win the $3,000 grand prize and earn your furry family member the title of America’s Cutest Pet baller.
‘Chief of War’ star, respected Kauaʻi cultural practitioner Kaina Makua to give keynote at Toastmasters conference
The Kauaʻi native portrays Kamehameha I in the Apple TV+ series and is co-founder and executive director of West Kauaʻi nonprofit and social enterprise Kumano I Ke Ala, where he leads initiatives dedicated to restoring ancestral relationships to ʻāina through education, food systems revitalization and Hawaiian language immersion.
University of Hawaiʻi study reveals how ocean’s most abundant bacteria diversify
Understanding SAR11 marine bacteria is vital because they are one of the main drivers of the global ocean’s life-support system; they move and recycle the carbon and nutrients that sustain all other marine life.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa English Dept. chooses ‘analogue’ as 2025 Hawaiʻi Word of the Year
The choice is meant to highlight the enduring value of human-centered thinking, creativity and interpretation in an age of rapidly growing artificial intelligence.
Hawaiʻi Legislature accepting applications for 2026 grant-in-aid funds
The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23; final determinations about which nonprofit organizations will receive funding will be made as Council on Revenue forecasts in January and March are published.
