Hawai'i State News
UH study finds some parts of Hawaiʻi sinking faster than others
New University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa study discovery also highlights that as sea level rises, there is an even greater risk for flooding in low-lying areas sooner than scientists anticipated, putting infrastructure, businesses and communities in jeopardy.
Update: Investigation continues into how suspect in police shooting evaded capture
The suspect, who reportedly shot a police officer in Hilo, eluded capture till Sunday afternoon.
Pelletier: Accusations ‘baseless’ after being named in civil lawsuit against Diddy
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier strongly denies any involvement in case alleging rapper and others gang raped Ashley Parham in 2018 in Orinda, Calif.
Bridging the gap: Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience returns, connecting Hawaiʻi residents with Mauna Kea observatories
Tour participants learn about the scientific, cultural and environmental importance of the mauna and then actually visit the inside of one of the telescopes atop the summit.
State House passes $21B biennium budget focused on core services, safety net
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.
State voluntary pause extended 90 days for interisland transport of poultry, other bird species
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 officials, out of an abundance of caution, said extending the pause is prudent at this time.
Immigration enforcement hits Kona with parents and young children recently deported
Erin Musso, Public Affairs Liaison for Homeland Security Investigations in Honolulu, said these operations on the Big Island are part of the agency’s initiative to locate unaccompanied children here in the U.S. illegally.
UHERO report finds spike in construction lawsuits is factor in rising 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.
Hilo-based staffing is available to vendors traveling for Merrie Monarch next month
ALTRES provides top-tier staffing that work well with vendors traveling to the Big Island for Merrie Monarch and eliminate the stress of hiring, or flying employees for the week.
A lawsuit names Maui Police Chief Pelletier as an associate in a 2018 Diddy rape case, Mayor Bissen calls for leave and investigation
Mayor Richard Bissen urged the Police Commission to conduct its own independent review and not to wait for the federal case to be resolved to “demonstrate the County’s commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical governance.”
‘Call to action’: Pride at Work-Hawaiʻi hosts protest at state Capitol for equality, fairness
Event today in honor of International Women’s Day seeks future where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, is treated respectfully and equitably.
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.”
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.
Downtown Hilo post office could close or be sold by Trump Administration
The historic Federal Building that houses the office on Waiānuenue Avenue is among 440 federal properties deemed not core to federal government operations that are on the president’s and Elon Musk’s DOGE chopping block.
Actresses rebuked for posting video of one of them touching sea turtle while in Hawai‘i
The Instagram post by actress China McClain was taken down by midday March 3 after garnering tens of thousands of reactions and more than 2,000 comments, many of which pleading for the video to be removed and an apology for potential cultural insensitivity.
State launches backyard bird flu survey for flock owners and 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.
Kahele returns to Washington advocating for Hawaiian people, discussing impacts of Trump policies, orders
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees chairperson, Big Island native and former U.S. congressman back in nation’s capital speaking with federal officials and members of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation; will also attend President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.
Monthly outdoor siren test was March 3
All statewide outdoor warning sirens sounded a 1-minute steady tone at 11:45 a.m. The public should contact Hawai‘i County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031 to report any siren operation issues.
UH Foundation helping students affected by Trump funding freezes, executive orders
Some graduate students at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo lost their research funding and educational stipends as a result of stop work orders and freezes on federal grant funds.
