Hawaii News
Kaua‘i streams flowing at record low levels
Less water means less availability for drinking water supplies, for traditional and customary practices and for agriculture. Recent rainfall helped the situation, but drought conditions are expected to persist.
Volcano Watch: All in a day’s work; determining magma storage depths at Kīlauea on the Big Island
By measuring the density of carbon dioxide trapped in bubbles formed in crystals as magma is under pressure underground, scientists can determine the depth at which the gas became trapped, and hence the depth of magma storage before eruption.
$21B biennium budget focused on core services, safety net approved by state House
After passing its third reading on the floor of the state House of Representatives on Wednesday, the state budget bill, House Bill 300, now goes to the state Senate for its consideration.
Voluntary pause on interisland transport of poultry, other bird species extended 90 days
State’s surveillance of avian influenza, or bird flu, continues, and while no other birds have become ill from the virus, it has been detected in waste water on the Big Island and Kauaʻi. So state officials, out of an abundance of caution, said extending the pause is prudent at this time.
UHERO report: Increase in construction lawsuits are factor in spike in housing costs
“Housing affordability in Hawaiʻi is already a serious challenge. As lawsuits become more frequent and larger in scale, they add financial uncertainty for developers, insurers and homebuyers alike.” — Trey Gordner, report lead author and a policy researcher at University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization.
Update: Episode 13 of ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ends as lava fountains stop abrubtly
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported geysers of molten rock ceased from north vent at 3:11 p.m. March 11 and then just 2 minutes later from south vent after just 12 hours and 37 minutes of eruptive activity in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
Maui Mayor Bissen pushes internal review of Police Chief Pelletier after allegations name him as an associate in a Diddy rape case
Maui Police Department Chief John Pelletier was named in a lawsuit alleging he posed as a sheriff to a woman who reported being raped by Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2018.
US Sen. Hirono leads colleagues in honoring reproductive care, abortion providers
US Sens. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), members of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, have introduced the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act to help family caregivers transition into the workforce or retirement after their caregiving responsibilities end.
Garden Isle sees little rain in the month of February
All of the gauges on Kauaʻi had near- to below-average rainfall totals for 2025 through the end of February.
Big Island teacher focusing on biodiversity leading voting in America’s Favorite Teacher competition
Kiane Prietto from Kanu o ka ʻĀina hopes to end Hawaiʻi’s tenure as the extinction capital of the world as she vies for the title of: “America’s Favorite Teacher.”
Protestors to fight discrimination, push for equity today at Hawaiʻi state Capitol
Pride at Work-Hawaiʻi protest in honor of International Women’s Day seeks future where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, is treated respectfully and equitably.
Volcano Watch: When have lava fountains formed on Kīlauea and what are their hazards?
Several past eruptions of the Big Island volcano were characterized by similar lava fountaining episodes, including at the start of the Puʻuʻōʻō eruption in 1983, the start of the Maunaulu eruption in 1969 and the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption.
Episode 12 of ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption a wrap on Big Island
Fountains once again reached heights of 600 feet in the volcano’s caldera, which were sustained until the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater quit erupting at 8:26 p.m. March 4. Sustained fountains from the south vent saw heights of 200 to 400 feet throughout the night before decreasing. Just like the best season finale, however, the exciting, roaring eruptive event ended all too soon at 10:37 a.m. March 5, just less than 22 hours after it started.
State senate moves bill to protect access to contraceptives
The bill secures that no law or state action can interfere with the ability to obtain birth control, including methods like IUDs and emergency contraceptives.
Hawaiʻi congressional delegation introduces legislation to protect native species
The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would fund conservation and recovery projects to address invasive species, habitat restoration and population recovery.
Registration now open for public pre-kindergarten program
Statewide program that gives 3- and 4-year-olds an early start to learning has 92 classrooms on 74 Hawai‘i Department of Education campuses throughout the islands and hopes to add 50 more during the next 2 years.
Episode 12 erupts with large lava geysers from vents as Kīlauea eruption continues
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported Tuesday afternoon that the most recent eruptive activity of the ongoing eruption in Kaluapele, the volcano’s summit caldera, started at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday with sporadic small lava flows alternating between the south and north vents in the southwest portion of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. A transition to fountaining began at 2 p.m.
Kahele back in nation’s capital advocating for Hawaiian people, discussing impact of Trump policies, orders
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees chairperson and former U.S. congressman returns to Washington for discussions with federal officials and lawmakers. He will also attend President Donald Trump’s address today to a joint session of Congress.
Kaua‘i Community College archivist to lead Hawai‘i association
Elected last month, Jason Ford will serve one year as president-elect before assuming presidency of Association of Hawaiʻi Archivists.
State launches backyard bird flu survey for flock owners, bird rescuers
The survey, conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, will collect critical information about the understanding of bird flu as well as practices and needs of those who keep poultry or care for rescued birds.