Hawai'i State News

Best case scenario: Coral will be impacted by projected unprecedented acidification of waters around main Hawaiian islands

New study from researchers at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology also provides hope that that impact could be manageable; meanwhile, five Indo-Pacific coral species received critical habitat protections this week, potentially preventing their mass extinction.

8 new adult corrections officers graduate, now working at Big Island facilities

7 of the new officers assigned to Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center, 1 to Kulani Correctional Facility, both in East Hawai’i, following 8 weeks of vigorous classroom instruction, physical training and field training.

Bill co-introduced by Hirono would require immigration officers to be more VISIBLE

Aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency and accountability of immigration enforcement,the Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement, or VISIBLE, Act of 2025 would require immigration enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public enforcement actions.

State reaffirms commitment to future without traffic fatalities, serious injuries,

Can you Vision Zero? Hawaiʻi Department of Health initiative developed in response to devastating impacts of tragic traffic deaths and raise awareness about how residents with shared vision to stop them can help.

Green’s signature makes state fire marshal post official, solidifies Maui wildfire settlement funds

“Today, we are re-envisioning the path forward in the roadmap of wildfire prevention and recovery,” the governor said. “We are taking action from both ends of the wildfire spectrum — building a more robust fire prevention framework within the state and enacting historic legislation that will aid in timely access to compensation following disaster.”

Popular Ritz cracker snacks recalled from Hawai‘i grocery store shelves

The state is inspecting local stores to ensure that the recalled products are no longer available for sale.

Power outages possible as Hawaiian Electric watches weather on Big Island, Maui

Residents are urged to stay informed through Hawaiian Electric’s website, social media, or mobile app, as extended outages may occur if conditions worsen.

Gov. Green signs two bills to help with housing

Gov. Josh Green has signed two bills related to Hawaiʻi’s housing issues — a property insurance bill to stabilize prices and coverage, and a bill that establishes more resources for houseless youth.

Sparking prevention: Officials urge caution with wildfire risk heightened in Big Island areas under wind advisory

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense asks public in those locations to be careful with use of open flames, fire and hotwork activity as well as avoid parking vehicles on dry grass after travel.

UH telescope detects solar system’s third known interstellar visitor

The newly identified object, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, is suspected to be a comet and should show increasing activity as it gets closer to the sun, but it will never get warm enough to be seen by the naked eye. And it poses no risk of hitting Earth.

ACLU of Hawai‘i wants to know what agreements county police departments have with feds for immigration enforcement

“At a time when immigration arrests are spiking in Hawaiʻi, we’re demanding clarity on whether our police departments are helping carry out raids that instill fear in immigrant communities and whether they are doing so in ways that flout legal safeguards,” ACLU of Hawai‘i Legal Director Wookie Kim said, adding it is the duty of local governments to protect their residents, not act as an arm of federal immigration enforcement.

State’s first Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan is roadmap to reduce emissions, expand transportation options

“This plan is the catalyst for creating a future that all people can thrive in,” said Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council Member Kawika Pegram. “Through this plan, we can harness the power of local industry, create meaningful jobs and invest in public infrastructure like never before.”

Safety alert: Hawaiian Electric readies Public Safety Power Shutoff Program as wildfire risk looms

As a last line of defense, Hawaiian Electric could implement a public safety power shutoff, proactively disconnecting power in high-risk areas to reduce the chance for igniting wildfires. the electric utility urges its customers to review emergency plans and take steps to protect their homes and businesses.

Green finalizes veto decisions; strikes down 8 measures, signs 12 remaining on intent-to-veto list

The governor vetoed bills relating to tax credits, transportation, the state’s Major Disaster Fund, property, stadium facility and convention center naming rights and others. Leadership of the Hawai‘i Legislature said a special legislative session to attempt their override is not necessary.

Four agricultural officers coming to Big Island this month for pilot program under new state law

The purpose is to combat agricultural crimes such as theft, trespassing and illegal hunting, and to enhance protection and security for local farmers and ranchers.

Volcano Watch: So what on Earth (or at least on Kīlauea) is a ‘gas piston’?

Essentially, gas pistoning is a shallow, degassing-driven rise and fall of a lava surface. Pistons often occur in narrow conduits, although they can happen in larger lava lakes and even in lava channels — and in bunches, as part of a series.

Gov. Green, Hawaiʻi Congressional delegation vow swift action to protect residents, mitigate impact of Republican tax bill

Hawaiʻi’s leadership is mobilizing to mitigate the effects of a newly passed Republican tax bill that will strip health care and food assistance from thousands of vulnerable residents.

Girl Scouts of Hawai‘i launches statewide drive to reach every public elementary school

Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi beginning in August will fund trained facilitators to lead troops in close geographic regions throughout the state, each serving about 10 troops and 150 girls. The approach expands on a successful model already in place at 25 Title I schools.

State road usage charge now in effect for light-duty passenger electric vehicles

As more Hawaiʻi drivers choose more fuel-efficient hybrid or all-electric vehicles, revenues from motor fuel taxes and other vehicle registration fees have declined, resulting in less funding to maintain the state’s roads, bridges and infrastructure. The road usage charge is a step to ensure long-term, sustainable funding for transportation.

U.S. Coast Guard: Fewest recreational boating fatalities reported in more than 50 years

The 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics Report revealed a nationwide fatality rate of 4.8 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels, a 2% decrease from 2023. There were just 11 incidents total in Hawai‘i waters last year, with only 1 fatality.
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