Hawai'i State News
New study finds downfall of rare North American bumblebee started well before human impacts
Co-authored by a University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa researcher, the new study suggests the bee’s long-term genetic vulnerability made it especially fragile and less able to cope with past and current environmental stresses.
Governor announces relief effort to protect families from federal gov’t shutdown impacts
The Green Administration is activating multiple avenues of support to thousands of households that might temporarily lose benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — commonly called food stamps — beginning Nov. 1; applications for the new Hawaiʻi Relief Program are being accepted now.
‘Bussin’ volcano bowls’ erupt with fresh, locally sourced food at Hawai‘i schools
95 school cafeterias throughout the islands served up more than 4,300 pounds of local ground beef, 6,300 pounds of local green lettuce and 4,400 pounds of local tomatoes making the playful take on a taco salad in celebration of National School Lunch Week and Farm to School Month.
State lawmakers to be briefed about work, certification requirements for SNAP
The briefing will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Oct. 29) in Conference Room 309 at the state Capitol in Honolulu and also livestreamed on the House YouTube channel for those who cannot make it in person.
Hawaiʻi joins lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for suspension of SNAP benefits
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez joins a lawsuit against the USDA for jeopardizing the food security for 40 million Americans.
Oklahoma man extradited to Hawai‘i on charges stemming from deadly 2024 crash
37-year-old Brandon Walser, from Oklahoma, has been extradited to Hawaiʻi Island to face multiple felony charges, including manslaughter and negligent homicide, following a tragic crash on February 26, 2024, that killed Marcella Tellez.
State Land Board advances plan to re-open Hawaiʻi waters to aquarium pet industry
The rulemaking decision — made last week during a regular board meeting — follows a prior board vote to ban reef fish collection along with intense public opposition to the capture and sale of native reef fish, many from West Hawaiʻi waters.
Kamehameha Schools prepares to defend admissions policy in legal battle
Kamehameha Schools remain confident in legal standing, emphasizing that the policy plays a crucial role in preserving the cultural and educational legacy initiated 132 years ago.
Next stop, Aotearoa: Hōkūleʻa, Hikianalia depart Rarotonga on open ocean crossing
The traditional double-hulled voyaging canoes departed the Cook Islands the afternoon of Oct. 21 on the next leg of their Moananuiākea Voyage; they will be on the water for the next 2 weeks before making landfall in New Zealand for just the third time in 40 years.
WATCH: First-of-its-kind Kaua‘i County law could be model for reducing wildfire risk throughout state
Bill 2961, signed into law by Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami in September, is the first in Hawai‘i that incorporates wildland urban interface safety standards into county zoning and permitting for cherished plantation-camp districts, which now face an ever growing risk of wildfire.
Hawaiian Electric proposes plan to equip residents, businesses in wildfire-prone areas with backup power
The Backup Power Rebate Program would provide eligible customers a rebate of up to $500 for the purchase of a portable generator and up to $1,000 for the purchase of a portable battery.
Hawaiʻi joins global initiative to preserve biological data of endangered species
Hawaiʻi is now at the center of a global “biobanking” network that will collect and store biological samples of endangered species for wildlife conservation purposes.
Are you ready for the 2025-26 game bird hunting season? It opens Nov. 1
Review the full announcement regarding each island’s specific rules and regulations for hunting units, hunting days, available game bird species and other special announcements.
University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center identifies treatable form of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer of the membranes that cover the lungs and abdomen. In Hawaiʻi, around 10 cases are reported each year.
WATCH: Schatz says there’s enough money for Argentina, White House ballroom, but not you
Hawai’i Democrat called on Republicans to work with Democrats to save millions of Americans from seeing higher health care costs if the government doesn’t reopen.
‘Digging Deeper’: Fruit growers, Food preservers to host back-to-back annual conferences in Hilo
Hawai‘i Master Food Preservers debuts its first conference Oct. 23, with the 35th Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers Conference to follow Oct. 24-26; both will be at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and are open to the public.
State issues preliminary cease and desist order against Teapresso Bar
The order alleges that between December 2016 and July 2021 Teapresso — a limited liability company whose sole managing member was Thanh “Steve” Nguyen — granted 26 Teapresso Bar franchises in Hawaiʻi in violation of state franchise laws.
Kaiser RNs, health care professionals end 5-day strike with new momentum
Thousands of frontline caregivers will return to the bargaining table Oct. 28-29 backed by community support and a national patient safety mandate.
Hawaiian, Alaska Airlines bring back seasonal flights to New Zealand
The three-times weekly service between Honolulu and Auckland returns on Nov. 16 and runs through the end of April 2026.
Endangered snails transferred to Bishop Museum’s Pūpū Ola: Kāhuli Captive Rearing Research Center
The public will be able to view these rare snails for the first time during Bishop Museum’s 4th Annual Kāhuli Festival on Oct. 25.
