News

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the 2026 Hawaiʻi Candidate’s Manual.

Moderate easterly trade winds will focus rainfall over windward areas of all islands Saturday, May 16, as chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms continues to diminish while storm system drifts eastward and weakens.

The National Weather Service has issued a warning for Kauaʻi due to heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms forecast for Friday into Saturday.

A 30-year-old Oklahoma man died May 13 after being pulled from the waters off Moloaʻa Beach, despite attempts to revive him.

Kaua’i residents are being cautioned about the dangers of 7-hydroxymitragynine, a potent opioid-like substance marketed as “enhanced kratom,” which poses serious health risks.

Starting May 15, the Kauaʻi Humane Society will launch its “Sunset Adoption Hour,” extending adoption hours to 7 p.m. and lowering adoption fees.

Young athletes on Kauaʻi are invited to hone their golf skills this summer as registration for the county’s coveted youth golf program at Wailua Golf Course opens on June 8th.

The 2026 Grove Farm Scholars — David Braman, Samantha Tominaga and Skyler Tanicala — were selected from nine finalists nominated by counselors at Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi and Waimea high schools.

Due to dangerous runoff and brown-water conditions, Kauaʻi’s Ocean Safety Bureau strongly advises against swimming and other ocean activities at Hanalei Bay and along north-facing shores.

Observations suggest the comet’s chemistry changed as it passed near the sun, providing new clues to how materials in interstellar comets differ from those in comets formed in this part of the cosmic neighborhood.

Registration opens May 20; no-cost program is on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to 20 participants per class, per session.

Lava geysers from the north vent within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater of the Big Island volcano stopped shortly before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5; tephra fall was greatest within 3 miles from the two active vents.

Vladimir Devens was sworn in Tuesday morning, as the sixth Hawaiʻi Supreme Court chief justice during an informal ceremony.

“Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility, and it starts at home,” said Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson. “This program reflects a countywide commitment to providing our community with the knowledge and tools needed to better protect lives, homes and neighborhoods.”

Officials remind the public that maintaining a respectful distance is the most important thing they can do to protect the endangered monk seals and community.

Online registration is limited to 50 participants and begins at 8 a.m. Friday, May 8, at the Kauaʻi Parks and Recreation website.

“Laulau is more than a beloved island staple; it carries deep cultural and historical meaning,” said Oʻahu state Rep. Darius Kila. “Preserving and promoting traditional Hawaiian foods helps honor Native Hawaiian culture and ensures these practices continue to be understood and passed on.”

30-day review period now open for Papahana Kāʻeuʻeu: Hawaiʻi’s Plan for Living Heritage Stewardship, which will guide how state, county agencies, Native Hawaiian organizations and communities work together to identify, protect and steward Hawaiʻi’s historic and cultural resources from 2026 through 2034.

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa model predicts the development of a strong El Niño, more than 35.6 degrees warmer than normal over the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean, toward the end of this year.

The Kaua‘i distillery’s Chief Commercial Officer Robert Ramer succeeds Gunter as chief operating officer, overseeing day-to-day operations while continuing its growth and expansion into the next chapter.