Hawai‘i News
Hawai‘i-issued limited-purpose driver licenses recognized in Florida
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation worked with Florida officials to clear any misconceptions about Hawai‘i’s limited-purpose driver licenses
Hawaiʻi sees first school meal reimbursement rate increase in 40 years
Hawaiʻi’s reimbursement rate for school meals and other federal child nutrition programs has been increased to 30% above the continental U.S. rates, which is projected to bring an additional $8 million a year to Hawaiʻi to support healthy meals for children.
Mission on the high seas: Hawaiian Islands Cetacean and Ecosystem Assessment Survey
HICEAS is the only comprehensive study of its kind in the islands and takes place from July through December 2023. The survey covers approximately 1.8 million square nautical miles of waters around all Hawaiian Islands out to 200 nautical miles offshore including the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Queen Liliʻuokalani’s Royal Standard back at her Hawaiʻi home after illegally seized in 1893
The Royal Standard of Queen Lili’uokalani, Hawai‘i’s last reigning monarch, was returned to her Washington Place home in Honolulu on July 24, 2023 and placed on public view for the first time since it was illegally seized in 1893 during the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Update: Brown Water Advisory for Wailua Bay has been cancelled
Update: The Brown Water Advisory for Wailua Bay on Kaua’i has been cancelled.
Case: defense authorization bill passed by House fails on national issues but strengthens Hawai‘i’s role in Indo-Pacific
The bill authorizes over $1.5 billion in military construction projects in Hawai‘i. This includes $5.4 million to begin construction of a new air traffic control tower at Wheeler Army Airfield as the existing control tower no longer meets the current operational and safety requirements for airfield operations.
University of Hawai‘i sets new extramural funding record of $515.9M in fiscal year 2023
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the flagship campus of the University’s 10-campus system, led the extramural award amounts this year with $342.7 million.
Final approval given to settlement in class action lawsuit for delayed Native Hawaiian homestead awards
Payments from the $328 million settlement in the Kalima et al. v. State of Hawai‘i class action breach of trust lawsuit are expected to begin being distributed after Sept. 1.
Hawai‘i Pacific University appoints Fenster as first vice provost of student success
In his new role as vice provost of student success, Steven D. Fenster will collaborate with the University’s center for academic success, student life, library, and learning commons teams.
New campaign highlights herbivore fishes key to healthy coral reefs
When herbivores—our reef’s lawnmowers—such as uhu (parrotfishes), nenue (chubs), kala, kole, manini, other surgeonfishes and sea urchins are in low abundance, coral reefs are overgrown with seaweeds and begin to suffocate and die.
Schatz, congressional delegation went to Iceland to learn about its climate change progress
Hawaiʻi Sen. Brian Schatz led a senate delegation that went to Iceland to learn about the countryʻs work on climate change, to strengthen U.S.-Iceland ties and discuss the NATO Alliance.
USDA pilot program to help people in rural American Samoa repair homes damaged by future natural disasters
The homes must be located in eligible rural areas and presidentially declared disaster areas in states selected to participate in the pilot, which includes American Samoa.
As syphilis cases increase throughout Hawai‘i, state urges expanded screening, treatment
The Hawai‘i Department of Health is alerting health care providers throughout the state to be vigilant in screening for cases of syphilis in people who could become pregnant and during pregnancy, and is emphasizing recommendations for diagnosing and treating cases.
Judge rules in favor of state in $1M lawsuit about installation of fire alarm systems at 8 Hawaiʻi public schools
Judge Kevin T. Morikone on June 14 granted a summary judgment in favor of the state on several grounds in a lawsuit filed in 2022 by ʻOhana Control Systems Inc. that asserted 25 separate claims, including that the Education Department breached eight contracts to install fire alarm systems at schools on Oʻahu and Maui.
Big Island observatory aids in discovery of unusual two-faced white dwarf star
There’s a dead star out there in the universe that is double-dealing with its composition. Nothing nefarious, but it is a first for the cosmic family of stars to which it belongs.
Biden student loan forgiveness plan to eliminate more than $90M of student loan debt for Hawai‘i borrowers
The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that nearly 1,700 borrowers from throughout the state are eligible for automatic loan relief.
Big Island telescope plays role in discovery of rare ‘fossil star’ in outer Milky Way
In a groundbreaking study, a team of astronomers — with the help of the Subaru Telescope atop Maunakea on the Big Island — has discovered an ancient star bearing a unique chemical makeup unlike anything ever before observed in the Milky Way galaxy.
Blue Planet Foundation announces the 2023 Hawai‘i Commute Challenge: Go Multimodal
This statewide event, which will run throughout August, aims to encourage residents to experience the variety of sustainable transportation options that Hawai‘i has to offer.
Gov. Josh Green declares State of Emergency for housing crisis; 1 resident leaving Hawaiʻi every 36 minutes
Green’s emergency proclamation, signed on July 17, seeks to expedite the construction of new homes through a slew of measures including appointing a state Lead Housing Officer, creating a working group and streamlining established regulatory processes.
Update: Tropical Storm Calvin now 720 miles east Big Island, forecast to reach Hawaiʻi by Tuesday night
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Big Island, and a Flood Watch was issued for both Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island, from Tuesday night through Wednesday afternoon.
