Kauai News
New president takes helm at Young Brothers
Steen Christensen was announced as president, effective Jan. 13, according to a news release from Young Brothers. He succeeds Frank Almaraz, who joined Young Brothers in July 2025 as Interim President during a leadership transition.
Lab confirms native duck on Kaua‘i found sick in November died from avian flu
The Koloa Maoli was found sick on Nov. 26 at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Hanalei Wildlife Refuge in Hanalei.
Financial literacy requirement for Hawai‘i public school students to begin next school year
To ensure Hawai‘i public school students are prepared for life after high school, the state will require students to complete a financial literacy educational opportunity beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Reminder: Water service shutdown scheduled in Līhu‘e for hydrant replacement
The Kaua‘i County Department of Water will turn off water from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow Cushnie Construction Company, Inc. to perform a hydrant and hydrant lateral replacement.
Kauaʻi Coffee Co. employees receive WARN notices with lease ending March 28
The land owners, Brue Baukol Capital Partners, said if there is a change in management, “it is our intention to retain all Kauaʻi Coffee employees who wish to continue working with us.”
Nominees announced for Kaua‘i Circuit Court judge
The position is open following the retirement of Judge Kathleen Watanabe in August 2025.
Kīlauea on Hawai‘i Island enters its 40th episodic eruptive event
Fountaining at Kīlauea began at 8:22 a.m.
UPDATE: High surf warning in place for portions of Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau
North facing shores are forecast to have surf heights of 18 to 24 feet, dropping to 12 to 16 feet on Wednesday.
Coast Guard rescues boater after vessel capsizes west of Guam
A 58-year-old boater was rescued in waters west of Guam after his vessel capsized amid rough seas.
Schatz Highlights Global Health, Indo-Pacific Funding in FY 2026 Aid Bill
Amid heightened global tensions, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz champions a landmark bipartisan fiscal 2026 appropriations bill that defies President Trump’s cuts.
Firefighters control blaze at Girardʻs Quality Cleaners in Hanapēpē
Firefighters extinguished a Saturday morning blaze at Girard’s Quality Cleaners in Hanapēpē, averting injuries despite significant damage estimated at over $4 million.
Kaua‘i woman sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for drug trafficking
46-year-old Trish Leila Henderson pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine; court records show she was part of a conspiracy acquiring controlled substances through the U.S. mail and engaged in the distribution of meth on the Garden Isle.
Water service shutdown, lane closure set for portions of Wailuā Homesteads on Jan. 15
The service shutdown is slated for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 15, while crews repair a section of the mainline, weather permitting.
Bishop Museum offers new Botany Checklist mapping history of Hawaiʻi’s flora
The free, downloadable resource from Bishop Museum contains updated information about species — alive and extinct — from each of the main Hawaiian Islands.
UPDATE: High surf advisory extended for north and west shorelines of Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau
The advisory is now in effect until 6 a.m. Monday (Jan. 12); however, another extra large northwest swell expected to swiftly build surf heights along the same shorelines above warning levels Monday.
New club leads revival of Anahola trails; organizes mountain bike race on Kauaʻi
The Anahola Epic 2026, the first mountain bike event held by MTB Kauaʻi, will be held Feb. 7 at Anahola Beach Park.
December was wetter, but 2025 was pretty dry overall for Garden Isle
National Weather Service monthly rainfall summary shows nearly all locations around the island reported near to above average rainfall for December, with only a handful ending the year with above annual average rainfall.
Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, earns 2025 Shore Battle Efficiency Award
The U.S. Navy installation on Kaua‘i earned the honor for excellence as the leading multi-domain integrated test and training range, providing vital support in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Governor proclaims 2026 as ‘Year of Our Coastal Kuleana’
Proclamation kicks off a year-long campaign filled with opportunities for education, responsible recreation and volunteerism with goal of encouraging people to celebrate rich diversity of life in coastal habitats.
Key to near-Earth object science now being created for for NASA telescope on Big Island
Spectre, an integral field spectrograph named as a nod to a connection with Olympic weightlifter and actor Harold Sakata of Kona, who played OddJob in the James Bond film ‘Goldfinger,’ after first light in 2028 will also deepen mankind’s understanding of explosive phenomena beyond our solar system.
