Hawai'i State News
Hawai’i State House Committee on Finance to hold first informational briefings this week
The Hawai’i State House Committee on Finance will hold its first informational briefings of 2023, during which various state department representatives will provide updates and requests on their budget proposals.
Which state has the worst roads in 2022?
ConsumerAffairs recently published an analysis of which states have 2022’s worst (and best) roads for travel, and found that the bumpiest and potentially most dangerous rides occur in Hawaiʻi.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs funds workshops about iwi kūpuna repatriation, reinterment
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Iwi Kūpuna Repatriation and Reinterment Program is providing $50,000 over two years to The Hawaiian Church of Hawaiʻi Nei for a series of workshops.
UPDATE: High surf advisory for Big Island canceled
Large breaking waves of 6 to 8 feet are forecast this afternoon. Wave heights are expected to increase to 7 to 10 feet tonight.
Applicants sought for 3rd Circuit Family, District Court per diem judges
Applicants must be residents of Hawai‘i and citizens of the United States and must have been licensed to practice law by the Hawai‘i Supreme Court for a period of no less than five years preceding nomination.
New Hawaiʻi law bans balloon releases to protect marine life
A new statewide law banning the intentional release of balloons in Hawaiʻi — and the strongest such measure in the country — went into effect Jan. 1, 2023.
Mauna Loa forests, natural area reserves dodged lava bullet
Years of restoration work and ungulate control efforts in the Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve could have been undone had lava flows gone a different direction.
What new Hawai’i laws are taking effect on New Year’s Day?
Several new State of Hawai’i laws are set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023 that relate to areas including tobacco taxes, catalytic converters, ethics training, fireworks, ranked-choice voting and even balloons.
High surf advisory for west-facing shores canceled
The National Weather Service in Honolulu reports that surf has fallen below advisory levels.
Big Island backyard fireworks are popular, but be safe while ringing in 2023
Fireworks are entertaining but they also can be dangerous. There are plenty of examples from the past few years throughout Hawaiʻi of mishaps and injuries. Stay safe by using common sense.
Big Island youth in foster care revel in Teen Day activities
More than 20 teenagers ranging from 12 to 17 years old had the chance last month to rub shoulders with judges, attorneys, social workers and others while learning about their rights and the services available to them.
Congressional spending bill has provisions to help Hawaiʻi small businesses, tourism
The recently passed $1.7 trillion Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill includes several initiatives to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s dominant tourism and small business economies and assist Hawai’i workers with their retirements.
$2.7 million in grants to help small-scale agriculture throughout Hawaiʻi
More than 130 of the grants awarded through the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s Micro-Grants for Food Security Program are coming to the Big Island.
Gov. Green appoints state’s first director of Wellness and Resilience, 6 others
Tia Roberts Hartsock was appointed by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green as the state’s first Director of the Office of Wellness and Resilience.
After four days, search ends for man who went missing while swimming in waters off a Kaua‘i beach
The search for 56-year-old Prakash Shroff was suspended Wednesday afternoon after a four-day effort by land, air and sea to find him.
Sen. Hirono pushed for legislation to help Native Hawaiian survivors of sexual violence
The legislation, led by Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaiʻi and signed by President Biden, provides funding to Native Hawaiian survivors of all types of sexual and gender-based violence.
State marks 125 years of cooperative efforts on forestry and agriculture
Although two separate state departments exist today, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture continue to maintain similar land stewardship principles that complement one another.
County prosecutor’s office seeks public input on legislative initiatives
Throughout the past year, the office has met with community groups, neighborhood watches, community stakeholders and Big Island residents about their concerns and interests. Now the office is inviting members of the public to take its 2023 legislative initiatives survey.
‘Shop With A Cop’ brings holiday joy to keiki in West Hawai‘i
Sixty-one children were selected for this year’s event at Target Kona.
National Adoption Day: All in the ‘ohana for these ‘Forever Families’
The Hilo Family Court hosted its fifth annual Adoption Day celebration earlier this month.
