Kauai News
High surf advisory issued as new northwest swell builds
Peak surf heights of 12 to 16 feet are forecast along north-facing shorelines, with west-facing shorelines expected to see surf of 8 to 12 feet throughout the advisory period of noon today through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Registration open for 2025 Mini Hoopster, Junior Hoopster basketball
The Mini Hoopster League is open to boys and girls in kindergarten and first grade, while the Junior Hoopster League is for boys and girls in second and third grade. There is no cost to participate.
Kaua‘i County Office of Economic Development awards 2024-25 Innovation Grants
6 proposals were awarded for the 2024-25 fiscal year. A total of 13 proposals were accepted in the areas of small business support, energy and sustainability, creative industries, agriculture, destination management, cultural opportunities and circular economy.
2.3% hike in SNAP benefits proposed by U.S. Ag Department to reflect Hawai‘i food costs
Increase would provide an extra $40 a month in benefits to a family of 4 in the islands getting help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often still referred to as food stamps.
Kaua‘i County inauguration swears in many familiar faces, and a newcomer to the council
Longtime Kaua‘i County councilmember Mel Rapozo was confirmed as chair, and KipuKai Kuali‘i was named as vice chair at the inauguration of the new council.
Kapaʻa wins state Division I football championship 10-7 in OT over Kanawaena
“I don’t even know what to say right now, except that these kids deserve it,” Kapa’a head coach Mike Tresler said.
Southwest Airlines to reduce Hawai‘i flights in 2025, shifting strategy
The airline that entered the interisland market in 2019 is reducing its flights between islands by as much as 30% beginning in April of next year and also reshaping it services between the mainland and Hawai‘i beginning in the summer.
Closures scheduled this week on several streets in Līhu‘e and Kekaha
Emergency sewer line repair in Līhu‘e and road resurfacing in Kekaha are causing the closures. Motorists should plan accordingly.
THE Big Island: Hawai‘i Island declared largest U.S. island territory by WorldAtlas, and it’s still growing
The Big Island is “such a dynamic environment that I think we take for granted because most places on Earth don’t have those dramatic changes,” said Steve Lundblad, geology professor at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.
Reminder: Recommended holiday shipping and mailing dates to and from Hawaiʻi
The Postal Service also urges customers to plan ahead and ship as early as possible during the holiday season.
Volcano Watch: What sounds the (automated) alarms at HVO?
While old-fashioned eyes and a notebook are used when field teams are near a volcano, modern volcano observatories also use rapidly collected data and computers to support monitoring. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory computers are ‘trained’ to look for activity and send alerts when a volcano is changing or becoming active.
Kauaʻi holiday events include parades, new festival in memory of West Side historian
Parades on the East and West sides of the Garden Isle will bookend the month full of festivities.
Update: Extra-large swell remains above warning levels, causing high surf warning to be extended for Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau
Warning for north and west shores of the two islands in effect until midnight tonight as surf of up to 25 feet along north-facing shorelines and 20 feet along west-facing coasts is still expected.
Kauaʻi weekly lane closures for Nov. 30-Dec. 6
The public is reminded that the schedule can change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.
Kauaʻi state legislators to host town hall meeting
State’s first woman Speaker of the House and Kauaʻi Rep. Nadine Nakamura, House Majority Floor Leader Rep. Dee Morikawa and Rep. Luke Evslin will provide a legislative update and provide a preview for the upcoming 2025 session of the Hawai‘i Legislature.
Shark sighted at Kekaha Beach; no swimming, other ocean activities advised
Warning signs were posted. Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau officials will continue to monitor the area, and lifeguards will reassess the situation Saturday afternoon.
Bird flu bad news for culturally important native species in Hawaiʻi
A bird sanctuary in Wahiawā on Oʻahu that held large numbers of waterfowl, mostly introduced species, has been identified as the epicenter of the outbreak.
8 years after first adventure beyond the reef, Moana and friends set sail for new voyage
‘Moana 2’ opened in movie theaters nationwide Wednesday and will hit the big screen on Kauaʻi in 2 weeks on Dec. 13 at the historic Waimea Theater.
Hawaiian monk seal pup welcomed with open arms at Big Island’s Honokōhau Harbor, but maybe too much?
State and The Marine Mammal Center partner for public outreach and education campaign for fishers and boaters at West Hawai’i harbor to remind them that some actions can make the endangered 5-month-old monk seal rely on people for food or get too close to fishing hooks, etc.
Kaua’i Police Department honors officers for excellence in service
Kauaʻi police officer Alexander Lacson was named the department’s 2024 Top Cop and three other officers were honored for their role in apprehending a dangerous fugitive.