Hawaii News
Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan provides new roadmap to counter state’s drowning crisis
Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition called on water safety stakeholders throughout the islands to identify the state’s most urgent drowning prevention recommendations.
Volcano Watch: Assembly of volcano scientists to gather in Hilo
Volcano scientists from around the world will gather from Feb. 9-14 in Hilo for the American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference on Caldera-forming Eruptions at Basaltic Volcanoes: Insights and Puzzles from Kīlauea 2018 and Beyond.
Hawai‘i Pacific Health offers summer internship opportunities for Kaua‘i students
Applications are due by 3 p.m. Feb. 21. The program runs from June 16 to July 24.
Kapa‘a Satellite DMV brings services to island’s largest residential area
The new site is the latest change made to the Division of Motor Vehicles under Mayor Derek Kawakami’s administration.
U.S. Senate commerce committee advances bill to keep illegal ahi off people’s plates
The lllegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act would support Hawaiʻi fisherman and expose anyone trying to pass off cheap tuna for high-quality Hawaiʻi ahi.
Hawaiʻi residents advised to review insurance policies, consider flood coverage
“With the recent local forecasts including possible flooding and strong winds, we are reminded that natural disasters can be unpredictable, and flooding can happen anytime and anywhere,” said acting state Insurance Commissioner Jerry Bump.
Officer-involved shooting in central Maui results in death of 20-year-old woman
Maui police said during a press conference Tuesday that had the woman survived the Feb. 1 Pukalani incident, she would have been charged with first-degree attempted murder for threatening officers with a knife.
Sponsors sought throughout state to help feed low-income keiki during summer break
Nutritious meals help children learn, play and grow during the summer when schools are not in session. Sponsors served free summer meals at 120 locations throughout the state last year, with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education serving free meals at 73 schools and alternative learning programs.
‘Teamwork kind of thing’: Helicopters provide critical support for Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project during field season
These ‘birds’ were blessed during event that kicks off annual field season, when conservationists head into the Garden Isle’s mountainous terrain for fieldwork aimed at protecting threatened and endangered Hawaiian forest birds.
Lava again flowing — and fountaining — at Kīlauea summit after 6-day pause in activity
Big Island volcano roars back into action with lava fountains reaching more than 250 feet at times after newest eruptive activity began just before 10 p.m. the night of Feb. 3. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to closely monitor Kīlauea.
UHERO highlights struggles of small business in new report
The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization has released the comprehensive report “Investigating and Tackling Barriers and Needs for Small Business Success in Honolulu” on Feb. 3. The report offers critical insights into the challenges faced by small business owners and opportunities for targeted support.
Hawai‘i Department of Health launches website to track opioid settlement funds
The State of Hawaiʻi settled most of its legal claims against these companies and is expected to receive approximately a total of $150 million, by annual payments, through the year 2038.
Kauaʻi middle school counselor named 2025 Hawai‘i School Counselor of the Year
Noelani Butcher of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Līhuʻe was named the 2025 Hawai‘i School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association.
University of Hawai‘i working to convert agricultural waste of tropical crops into biofuel, bioenergy
UH-Hilo has partnered with the National Corn to Ethanol Center and the nonprofit BioMADE to create a local fermentation program and sustainability center on the Big Island that is environmentally and economically beneficial for local communities.
Hawaiʻi Constitution amendment proposed as protest of unlimited campaign spending
A proposed Hawaiʻi Constitution amendment that would be at odds with the controversial 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision that took the brakes off campaign spending limits has passed unanimously out of the Hawaiʻi Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
House Health Committee votes to ban sales of flavored nicotine products
The House Committee on Health unanimously passed House Bill 756 on Friday to prohibit the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as being “nicotine free.”
House bill advances to speed up historic preservation reviews of development projects
By a 5-2 vote, the House Committee on Housing passed a bill Friday aimed at removing lengthy historic property reviews from delaying housing developments.
Hawaiʻi again ranks in top 10 of nation’s healthiest states
However, the America’s Health Rankings 2024 Annual Report also found deficiencies, especially when it comes to severe housing problems and insufficient sleep, ranking 50th in both categories.
Wilcox nurses rally behind new state report about need for, benefits of safe staffing
“We have shared the research that lower ratios literally save lives. Hawai‘i Pacific Health has lower nurse-to-patient ratios in all their O‘ahu hospitals,” said Amy Steward, a Wilcox nurse for more than 17 years and member of the Hawai‘i Nurses Association Wilcox bargaining team. “It’s baffling why they won’t agree to well-researched health policy.”
State crews manage numerous boat groundings following storm
In light of the groundings, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Administrator Meghan Statts reiterated that boat owners and operators should pay attention to weather forecasts, avoid going out in advance of storms and check that their lines are secure in harbors or while tied to moorings.
