Hawai'i State News

Salvation Army mobilizes emergency services in response to powerful kona low

Organization and its volunteers deliver more than 600 meals to impacted residents and first responders throughout the state.

Letter signed by Hirono, Schatz and 34 of their U.S. Senate colleagues demands immediate release of Title X funding

“Any gap in Title X funding could result in over 2 million patients losing access to contraception and preventative care, worsen maternal health outcomes and increase sexually transmitted infections,” says a letter signed by Hawai’i U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz, plus 34 of their Senate colleagues to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

House advances state bill banning commercial aquarium fishing in Hawaiʻi County waters

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said there already are measures in place to limit the harvesting of aquatic fish following a 2017 Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruling.

Big Island middle schools among those to create LEGO mosaics for newest Bishop Museum exhibit

‘Aloha Bricks ’26: Stories of Hawaiʻi’ exhibit also includes other LEGO-inspired creations that all will take over Castle Memorial Building beginning March 14.

WATCH: U.S. Defense secretary’s immaturity, incompetence called out by Schatz as lethal combo on battlefield

The U.S. senator and Hawai‘i Democrat said in Senate floor remarks that war is not something in which to revel; speaks to how Hegseth’s reckless and unlawful theory of action is costing the United States in conflict with Iran.

UPDATE: Flood watch extended for Big Island; special marine warning also issued for some island waters

Persistent bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms associated with a large powerful kona low drawing deep tropical moisture through the islands could produce intense rainfall rates, leading to rapid rises of stream waters and flooding of roads and low-lying areas.

Volcano Watch: Kīlauea Episode 43 reaches new lava fountain height record, causes tephra fallout on nearby communities

As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that could experience tephra fallout.

7 criminal justice reform bills pass Hawaiʻi House and move to Senate

Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen expressed disappointment over the passage of three of the House bills that he says “will only further diminish the public’s trust in the criminal justice system.”

Hawaiʻi County facilities to close Friday, Saturday as strong kona low arrives

Severe weather also results in shuttering of all state offices and services, schools including University of Hawaiʻi campuses and activities, Hawaiʻi Legislature, state parks, several areas within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and public libraries on the Big Island.

Gov. Green urges Hawai’i to continue to prepare for severe weather, with the worst still ahead

Rainfall totals could reach 15 inches or more, with winds reaching 40 miles her hour with gusts up to 60 miles per hour in some areas of the state, increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides and dangerous debris.

UPDATE: High wind, winter weather warning issued for Big Island summits

Travel to the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea should be postponed until high wind, winter weather subside by Sunday. Flood watch in effect for all of Hawaiʻi Island.

Scams regarding unpaid traffic violations making the rounds; don’t fall for them

Several scam text messages claim to be from a “Hawai‘i Department of Motor Vehicles”; state reminds public that there is no “Hawai‘i Department of Motor Vehicles” and there are no toll roads in the islands.

Hawaiian Airlines transitions to self-service bag tag stations

Starting this month, self-service bag tag stations will help streamline the travel experience by cutting down lobby wait times and congestion.

New online training for mandated reporters launched by Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services

Mandated reporters play a vital role in safeguarding children and at-risk people; the new online program is a comprehensive and accessible resource designed to ensure people required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect have the knowledge and tools necessary to carry out this critical responsibility.

2001 masterpiece ‘Crossroads’ by legendary Hawaiian supergroup Nā ‘Ōiwi to debut on all major music streaming platforms

Featuring the late Dennis Kamakahi, this intergenerational masterpiece finally arrives March 13 — for the first time since its original release — on all major digital platforms.

Beyond the burn zone: University of Hawaiʻi study finds mental health crisis after 2023 Maui wildfires not just among residents

“These findings show that the wildfire’s psychological toll is not confined to the areas that burned,” said the new study’s lead author and University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization professor Ruben Juarez in a release about the study’s findings. “The social and economic disruption — especially housing instability and income disruption — is driving much of the distress we see across the community.”

$10 billion Hawaiʻi state budget advances to House Floor for final vote

The $10 billion budget prioritizes investments that support local families, strengthen essential public services, and build long-term resilience for Hawaiʻi’s communities.

Multigenerational portrait painted of Pacific Islands Region volunteers in new Red Cross data

One Hawaiʻi family embodies the trend, showing how service shared across generations is shaping the future of Red Cross volunteerism; demographic estimates show people of all ages — from Gen Z to the Silent Generation — help make up the nearly 1,900 volunteers who support the American Red Cross in the Pacific Islands Region.

Third free cybersecurity clinic for small businesses offered by University of Hawaiʻi

‘Most small businesses don’t realize they’re a target until it’s too late,’ said University of Hawaiʻi Kapi‘olani Community College assistant professor of information technology and cybersecurity and session lead David Stevens in announcing the clinic. ‘You don’t need a big budget to protect yourself, but you do need to know where your risks are.’

Tax relief for state’s working families preserved in Hawaiʻi Senate measure

State lawmakers must look inward, however, and ensure the state is living within its means before asking taxpayers to do the same; So while taking this action, they acknowledge revenues are declining as state costs for many programs rise because of action by U.S. Congress.
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