News

Donations collected during the 27th annual drive come at a particularly important time following the two kona lows that slammed into the state during the past 2 weeks and will help support organizations on the front lines responding to increased needs.

Kaua‘i County Agency on Elderly Affairs healthy aging programs are designed to support kūpuna with staying active, connected and well; presentation attendees will learn about several evidence-based and community-centered programs.

The Guard continues working with each of the state’s counties and Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency for any future requests for assistance.

Visitors are advised, however, to continue checking official county and state resources while confirming ahead of time directly with activity providers; officials also offer several updates and resources to find additional information.

“The collaboration between the governor and all four county mayors allowed the state of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense to improve our ability to respond to this unprecedented kona low storm,” Hawaiʻi Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan on Saturday, March 21.

Flood insurance is separate from homeowners insurance and generally not required unless a property is in a designated high-risk flood zone; standard flood coverage normally helps cover physical damage caused by rising water, such as damage to a home’s structure and certain essential contents.

Kaua‘i County Department of Water crews are expected to install a pressure release valve beginning 9:30 a.m. March 24, weather permitting; a water buffalo providing drinking water will be available for affected customers.

The advisory was previously set to expire at 6 a.m. Sunday, March 22; however, surf along the northern shorelines of both islands has fallen below advisory thresholds and continues to decline.

The islands remain safe and welcoming, and weather conditions are expected to improve early next week after two kona lows in a week; Kauaʻi and Oʻahu already are seeing improving conditions.

NOTE: In observance of Prince Kuhio Day on March 26 there will be no contraflow or lane closures unless otherwise permitted; Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice.

Volunteers this month — testing waters after heavy rains — found 20 sites of the 27 total they tested with enterococcus levels exceeding the state recreational water quality standard of 35 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu reported Saturday afternoon, March 21, that flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat to Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

Residents, businesses, and other organizations can bring unwanted or unneeded items for reuse, including clothing, small furniture, kitchen items, children’s toys, books, and shoes.

Nonprofit’s emergency disaster services positioned to respond to evolving needs as storm moves through; donations requested to help fund statewide support for vital relief efforts and supplies.

Five people and the furry friend were extricated Friday morning from a rooftop in the Waialua area; the other two people — who wrote ‘SOS’ in the sand — were stranded near Yokohama Bay because the road washed out. Everyone and the dog were taken to safety at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, Oʻahu.

A 33-year-old woman from Kaua‘i also received serious injuries in the early Friday morning, March 20, crash on Maluhia Road; she was later transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu for further treatment.

About 70,000 gallons of wastewater continues to be intermittently discharged each day at Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant since the spill began the morning of March 17; there is no risk to public health.

Finance executive Eric Yeaman, who grew up in Hōnaunau on the west side of the Big Island, was selected by Hawaiʻi probate court to to fill the Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha Board of Trustees seat previously occupied by term-limited Robert Nobriga, whose second term ended June 30, 2025.

Living in such a dynamic place as Hawaiʻi Island, it’s important to try to be aware and prepared for natural events that affect us; nature will continue to reshape the land in Hawaiʻi, and the recent Episode 43 lava fountaining fallout and kona low are recent reminders about how impactful such natural events can be.

The road work will take place on Weke Road from ʻAnae Road to Mālolo Road from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday, March 23, to Tuesday, June 30.