Hawaii News
Working to make the promise of ‘justice for all’ reality
Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Recktenwald delivers final State of the Judiciary address, reporting he will pass a strong, resilient and thriving Judiciary to next generation of leaders.
‘Return-to-Home program’ proposed for homeless people to return to their home states
A bill introduced by 13 representatives in the state House calls for establishing a permanent “Return-to-Home program” with an as yet undetermined amount of funding to return homeless people in Hawaiʻi to their home states.
Not just surviving, thriving: Majority caucus at state House presents 2025 bill package
7-bill package championed by the caucus of 42 Democrats covers critical issues the state faces such as housing, homelessness, agriculture and biosecurity, economic development and public safety.
Vacant lot in Līhu‘e sells for $13.25 million; new owner plans to build U-Haul center
The 11-acre parcel of real estate fronts Kūhiō Highway between Wilcox Medical Center and Walmart.
Start time of Kaua‘i students’ free Kid Pan Alley concert rescheduled
The Jan. 31 concert will cap off the students’ participation in the Kid Pan Alley songwriting program.
Summer courses now more affordable at 7 University of Hawai‘i community colleges
Summer tuition will match fall and spring semester costs at just $131 per credit for Hawai‘i residents, which will allow students to save money, graduate faster and explore new interests while staying on track academically.
Transformative outcome: Community-built comfort station coming to Hā‘ena State Park
The unique project is the first of its kind, where a nonprofit community group led the design and planning process for improvements in a state park but is paying for the entire project with non-government funding.
Gov. Green delivers State of the State address, again prioritizing tax cuts, housing
As he enters his third year in office, Gov. Josh Green told a joint session of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature: “Today, I am proud to report to you that the state of Hawai‘i is strong.”
Illegal vapes, most widely used tobacco products among youth, sold in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi attorney general says the products, which are largely made and then illegally imported into the United States from China, also are packaged and distributed in myriad keiki-friendly flavors, playful shapes and bright colors. Some even include video games that encourage youth to earn vitural coins by vaping.
Hawai‘i state rep introduces congressional bill to end discriminatory shipping practices
Hawai‘i US Rep. Ed Case has reintroduced a bill in the US House to end what he called “the discriminatory and exclusionary shipping practices faced by residents and businesses in Hawai‘i, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and other US territories.”
University of Hawai‘i seeks additional funding to operate weather stations throughout state
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa is partnering with the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources to improve flood and wildfire early warning systems by installing 100 weather monitoring stations across the main Hawaiian Islands.
Additional inspection requirements aimed at preventing increasing spread of invasive species
U.S. Reps. Case and Tokuda reintroduce Hawai‘i Invasive Species Protection Act in effort to provide essential resources in battle against serious threats to state’s agriculture, environment and economy.
Big Island volcano takes another break
Lava within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater of Kīlauea continued to slowly move Saturday after the eruption paused for its fourth time. Crustal overturns were expected in the hours following the pause. Both vents also might continue to glow, and degassing remained at a high level.
Kaua‘i schoolchildren to collaborate with Grammy-nominated songwriting nonprofit
Kid Pan Alley, created by musician Paul Reisler of the American folk group Trapezoid, has written and performed 3,000 songs with 65,000 students across the United States.
Resolution celebrates those who provide inspiration for future generations
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawai‘i joins 21 other Senate Democrats, including fellow Hawai’i U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, introducing measure in honor of women who serve in combat roles.
Volcano Watch: Peering into a crystal ball — What tiny crystals can tell us about their trip through the magma chamber
When magma cools prior to eruption, crystals grow and develop chemical zones that record changes in the environment around them. Scientists study chemical differences in these zones, which can provide information about the magma, including its temperature, composition and more.
Wilcox Medical Center nurses, management to resume negotiations after 3-day strike
The two sides have been at odds since May 2024 over better staffing ratios of nurses to patients in the Wilcox medical-surgical unit.
Nurses strike continues at Wilcox Medical Center with staffing ratios as sticking point
The Hawai‘i Nurses’ Association and Wilcox Medical Center have been at loggerheads since May 2024.
Kaua‘i firefighters control brush fire at Salt Pond Beach Park
Crews were still on scene at 8:30 p.m. to extinguish remaining hot spots.
Lava fountains up to 200 feet again as Big Island’s Kīlauea awakens for fourth eruptive episode
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported the newest eruptive activity in the Big Island volcano’s summit caldera began at about 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, with a small lava flow exiting the north vent following low-level continuous lava spattering that started at about 5:40 a.m. from the same vent.