Hawai‘i News
Hula kāne celebrates 50 years on esteemed Merrie Monarch stage
The 63rd annual Merrie Monarch will highlight the evolving yet deep-rooted traditions of hula kāne, showcasing its enduring cultural significance in Hawaiʻi.
Native Hawaiian nonprofit secures grant to develop Hawaiian language program
EA Ecoveristy is creating a Hawaiian language program to help modern learners reconnect with ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi through interactive, accessible learning tools.
Sound Bytes: Synchronous swimming (with robots); behind the Hawaiʻi Glider Challenge
The exciting work of flying robots underwater takes science, teamwork and flexibility.
Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund on agenda for informational briefing to state lawmakers
The briefing scheduled for Monday afternoon, April 6, comes at a critical time as Hawaiʻi continues to respond to impacts from recent back-to-back kona lows that slammed into the state in March.
Another round of heavy rain, flooding, thunderstorms brewing this week for Hawai‘i
National Weather Service says confidence is increasing that unsettled weather — possibly even a fifth kona low since the beginning of the year — will impact the state from midweek and possibly into this weekend even as some places continue to recover from back-to-back kona lows in March and majority of Merrie Monarch Festival activities kick off Wednesday, April 8, in Hilo.
Big Island rattled by magnitude-3.9 quake
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that the temblor struck about 2 miles east-northeast of Pāhala in Kaʻū on the south-southeast side of the island at a depth of just 2 miles; it had no apparent impact on either Mauna Loa or Kīlauea volcanoes.
Ocean users, stewards invited to participate in upcoming Kiaʻi o ke Kai focus groups
ʻĀina Momona hopes to gather perspectives from those who work in, care for and steward ocean spaces to help guide how future ocean projects engage with Hawaiʻi’s communities, especially as climate change continues to affect coastal and island communities.
Schedule and Miss Aloha Hula contestants, participating hālau hula for 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival
Annual Hoʻolauleʻa on Sunday, April 5, kicks off the weeklong celebration of everything Hawaiian on the Big Island in Hilo, with competition in the ‘Super Bowl of hula’ beginning Thursday, April 9, with Miss Aloha Hula contest.
Visitor arrivals, spending increased in February compared to the same time last year
In February 2026, visitors spent over $1 billion, which is an increase of 10.3% while total visitor numbers only increased by 3%.
State of Hawai‘i launches Kona low interim disaster case management program
The state of Hawaiʻi has launched an interim Disaster Case Management Program, connecting victims of the recent Kona Low storms with 40 trained case managers to aid in assessing needs and developing recovery plans
Community event at Kukui Grove Shopping Center to spotlight the ‘Alea ‘Ula
Join the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture and partners at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center on April 4 for a free community event celebrating conservation efforts for the endangered ʻalae ʻula.
Volcano Watch: Adapting to an evolving eruption; revising Kīlauea’s alert level, aviation color code notifications
After Episode 44 ends, assuming activity is similar to the first 43 episodes, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will lower alert level and aviation color code for Kīlauea one level lower than the current norm, to Advisory and Yellow, respectively.
County of Kauaʻi promotes public awareness, preparedness for Tsunami Awareness Month
Kauaʻi County urging residents to familiarize themselves with evacuation zones and routes to improve preparedness in the event of a sudden tsunami for Tsunami Awareness Month.
Immediate financial support available for Hawaiʻi State Federal Credit Union members
An emergency relief program offers loans and payment deferrals to aid members grappling with the recent Kona Low storm floods and ongoing financial challenges.
Hawai‘i residents encouraged to screen against colon cancer in new health campaign
According to the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center’s Hawaiʻi Tumor Registry, approximately 700 men and women are diagnosed with the disease, and 225 people die from it each year.
Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese recalled for potential E. coli contamination
Specialty stores in Hawaiʻi – Down to Earth stores and Hanalei Market– sold the shredded and block forms of Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese, which was recalled for potential E. coli O157:H7 contamination.
35-year-old Native Hawaiian health scholarship stands tall in face of challenge
Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program successfully recruits and nurtures professionals-in-training for the state’s most needed primary and mental health care disciplines; they are prepared to deliver quality, culturally informed health services.
State’s first high school health learning lab at Wai‘anae High on O‘ahu welcomes governor for tour
Proof-of-concept launches statewide network to grow Hawai‘i’s healthcare workforce.
Associate Justice Vladimir Devens nominated as Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court
Gov. Josh Green announced the nomination of Vladimir Devens to serve as Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. Devens, who has served as an associate justice since 2024, brings more than three decades of legal experience to the role, including extensive work in civil litigation and public service.
Study of Hawaiʻi suicide rates by occupation calls for attention to support farmers
Farmers are consistently exposed to invasive pests, volatile market prices and extreme weather such as the recent back-to-back kona lows that inundated the state; beyond the physical destruction of crops and infrastructure, the back-to-back kona lows also left a trail of mental and emotional exhaustion.
