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The array of young stars — all between 1 and 5 million years old — that is about 2,500 light-years, or 14.7 quadrillion miles, from Earth in the Milky Way. A composite image shows it in the shape of a tree with glowing steallar lights.

U.S. officials granted Claus and his team a special transit permit Monday. Don’t forget you can track the Big Man in Red’s every move, too, with NORAD’s official Santa Tracker or even on Google this year.

Fountaining of lava began to increase in vigor by about 11 a.m. today, signaling the onset of the second episode of the eruption, which started early Monday within and remains confined to the volcano’s summit caldera and downdropped block.

Kaua‘i County offices and services, as well as several other facilities, will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Regular business hours will resume the following day after each holiday.

The library in Kapa‘a also will have adjusted hours today, Christmas Eve, and on New Year’s Eve.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu sent out the message just before 3 a.m. today saying surf, for the first time since early last week, finally dropped below advisory levels.

Hoʻōla Nā Pua (New Life for Our Children), which has offices and provides services and programs on the Garden Isle, is committed to preventng sex trafficking throughout Hawaiʻi while providing care for girls who have been exploited.

Rubbish on the Garden Isle increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s an extra 60 tons per day during the holidays. Items such as boxes, wrapping paper, plastic bags, food packaging, live Christmas trees and decorations, plus more, definitely add up.

The member services and communications manager at Kauaʻi Island Utility Coopeative oversees internal and external communications and services to more than 33,000 residential and commercial members. Her position includes community engagement and service projects, grants and legislative priorities.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that at about 3 p.m. today, tilt at the summit stopped showing deflation and seismic tremor began decreasing. By 3:30 p.m., lava fountains were barely visible, and by 4 p.m. fountaining had stopped and seismic tremor was close to background levels. Visible volcanic gas emissions also decreased significantly.

A study commissioned by the Hawai’i Seaglider Initiative has found that 78% of Hawai’i residents support the introduction of an interisland sea glider service, according to an announcement.

The Hawai‘i Department of Taxation has updated its income tax withholding tables to reflect upcoming changes in a new state law.

Gov. Josh Green proclaimed 2024 “Makahiki o nā Manu Nahele: Year of the Forest Birds,” but it was complicated with troubling declines and new rays of hope.

The National Weather Service has extended the high surf warning for west- and north-facing shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau through 6 p.m. Monday.

Kaua‘i Fire Prevention Bureau inspectors estimate damage to the structure and its contents to be roughly $100,000. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

About 300 Kaua‘i teenagers, some of whom graduated high school during production, worked to create “Too Much Life.”

A holiday lane closure restriction runs from Dec. 23 through Jan. 5, 2025. Only closures with demonstrated need — or those necessary for safety or to avoid lengthy construction delays — were approved and are on this list.

After the review process, the information is ready to be shared and can support decision-making, raise community awareness and increase knowledge and understanding of our volcanic environment.

No injuries or damaged structures were reported and the cause of the fire was deemed accidental.

The National Wildlife Federation photo contest judged images from 3,200 photographers.