Hawai‘i News
Haleiwa Joe’s chef reels in top honors at Sixth Annual Kauaʻi Poke Fest
Hawaii’s culinary scene was electrified as Chef Justin Firmignac of Oʻahu’s Haleʻiwa Joe’s claimed victory at the sixth annual Kauaʻi Poke Fest.
Proposed federal act could grant US military another shot at collaboratively renewing leased Hawai‘i lands
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supports the federal act that it says “reflects important progress toward a more collaborative and constructive path forward” and removes condemnation as an option.
University of Hawaiʻi researchers awarded $12M grant to advance AI, data science in medicine
The funding will be dedicated to accelerating biomedical discoveries through AI and data science to benefit people in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region, and worldwide.
Senate Bill 2239, establishing updated automatic voter registration in Hawaiʻi, signed into law
“It may seem like a small change, but [automatic voter registration] will help modernize our election system, reduce administrative costs, improve the accuracy of voter rolls and make it easier for residents to participate in the democratic process,” said Oʻahu state Sen. Stanley Chang.
Hawaiian Airlines hosts inaugural Aviation Day in Honolulu
About 500 students ages 13 to 18 years old attended the June 20 exploratory event aimed at fostering future generations of aviation professionals.
University of Hawaiʻi has nation’s clean seed lab for Okinawan sweet potatoes, important heritage ʻuala
The center combines advanced tissue culture and diagnostics with strong partnerships among farmers, researchers and cultural practitioners; together, they are laying the groundwork for a reliable, local system for ʻuala and Okinawan sweet potato health.
News in brief from Hawaiʻi for June 21: Monk seal pup relocated, 4th annual Hawaiʻi Made, mental health licensure
A quick look at news happening throughout the state.
Big Island state lawmaker subject of hateful, threatening message on social media
The message, posted the morning of June 16 on Facebook, was attached to an invite by Puna state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura to community members for them to join her for a party June 20 in Kea‘au.
US News and World Report ranks University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa among world’s top universities
Two subjects at the university’s flagship campus on O’ahu also placed in the world’s top 50. Another four were ranked in the world’s top 150.
$75K in scholarships awarded by Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association to 15 Hawaiʻi high school seniors
Kauaʻi High School grad David Braman and Waimea High School grad Brynn Lee Hirata were the 2026 Kaimana Scholars from Kauaʻi County.
June 20 news in brief: Celebrating chefs, cold brew and wine, ‘Hawaiian Soul’ and more
A quick look at news from throughout the state, region and beyond.
First-of-its-kind comprehensive children, youth fiscal map released by state
New resource provides detailed analysis of public investments supporting keiki from prenatal years through young adulthood.
Recent incidents show pattern of increased fuel thefts on Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi police report that recent crimes have involved suspects cutting gas tank lines or drilling holes in gas tanks.
Biweekly update reveals that public corruption case has become more complex
Attorney General Anne Lopez emphasizes the importance of a meticulous approach as public corruption case becomes more complex with more investigation.
Volcano Watch: What is the difference between an eruption and an episode?
Despite having breaks in activity during this ongoing eruption at the Kīlauea summit on the Big Island, monitoring data indicates activity is still elevated and the eruption is not finished, even if we don’t always see lava at the surface.
Antarctic expeditioner, Mānoa undergrad set to join University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green appointed Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee, who was born and raised in South Kohala on the Big Island and the only U.S. citizen selected to participate in a 2025 Antarctic expedition led by explorer Robert Swan, to the board, pending confirmation by Hawaiʻi Senate.
Department of Health reports travel-related dengue virus case involving Oʻahu visitor
Department of Health teams are conducting inspections and mosquito control in the affected area despite low risk for local transmission.
Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission honored in national report
The commission received national recognition in the 2026 LGBTQ+ State Business Climate Index, published this month by Out Leadership, which highlighted Hawaiʻi’s efforts to foster inclusion and support LGBTQ+ residents and families.
Native Hawaiian adults face mobility challenges earlier in life
Researchers at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Hā Kūpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders found that 28% of Native Hawaiian adults ages 55 and older reported mobility limitations compared with 17% to 19% of white, Filipino and Japanese adults.
High bacteria levels found at Waiʻoli Beach Park
The Department of Health is retesting a water sample from Waiʻoli Beach Park after finding unusually high bacterial levels.
