Hawai'i State News
Kīlauea Volcano Episode 30 remains at a pause, likely to continue next week
On Aug. 6, lava fountains reached up to 165 ft., and erupted lava covered 80% of the crater floor during Kīlaueaʻs episode 30 eruption.
Commercial fishing halted in Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument upon U.S. District Court ruling
The ruling nullifies a National Marine Fisheries Service letter sent April 25 that gave commercial fishers a green light to fish in the national monument south and southwest of Hawai’i following an executive order by President Donald Trump.
Hawai‘i Police Department, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo partner to support education of law enforcement statewide
Program launching gives law enforcement throughout the state opportunity to earn bachelor of arts degree in administration of justice through the College of Arts and Sciences at the Hilo campus, entirely online, so officers can continue to serve their communities while advancing their education.
Many signs of hope: 2nd anniversary of Maui wildfires marked with unifying paddle-out
The ceremony and accompanying event had more than 500 participants on shore and about 350 in the water — a powerful tribute to the lives lost 2 years ago and show of the shared strength of Maui’s residents.
Public input sought on new statewide ‘Green Fee’; Care for ʻĀina Now encourages survey participation
Coalition of scientists, policymakers, conservation practitioners, educators, students and community members recently launched the survey, which will be a resource for the coalition’s leadership as it shapes recommendations for funding implementation.
‘Unique and troubling’: New UH-led study links 2023 Lahaina wildfire to spike in suicides, overdose deaths
Analyzing death records from all of Hawai‘i’s counties from 2014 through 2023 and comparing death rates before, during and after the wildfire, researchers found that suicide and overdose death rates increased 46% statewide in August 2023 compared with previous months.
High school, college students ages 14 to 22 invited to enter 2025 Letter to My Parents contest
Essays or letters should be no more than 1,000 words and include a constructive proposal for how to maintain or improve their relationships with their parents. Submissions will be judged on bravery, reflection and their proposals.
Public comment sought about how to improve draft of Hawaiʻi’s climate action plan
The Climate Action Pathways first draft was developed based on community feedback gathered at more than 80 public events throughout Hawaiʻi.
New report on Maui fires recovery reveals mixed progress for survivors two years after tragedy
A report by the University of Hawai’i Economic Research Organization revealed that more Maui fire survivors are transitioning into stable housing and have greater economic stability, but many others are still rent burdened and struggling with long-term income loss.
Lava fountaining remains likely as precursory activity for latest eruptive episode at Kīlauea continues
A strong glow and rare spattering were visible in the north vent overnight, but there have been no additional vent overflows, according to a daily update from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Precursory eruptive activity begins for Episode 30 of Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at Kīlauea
HVO scientists say it is unclear exactly when sustained eruptive activity may start, however, high lava fountaining is likely to begin today or tomorrow if summit inflation resumes.
‘It’s everyone’s kuleana’: State urges public to remain vigilant as dangerous wildfire weather continues
Red flag warnings are a call to action, said Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Administrator James Barros, and the state has seen how just a single spark can have devastating — and deadly — consequences.
UPDATE: Dry, windy conditions to persist, keeping danger of wildfires in the forecast
National Weather Service in Honolulu extends red flag warning for leeward and interior areas of Big Island through 6 p.m. Aug. 3.
Statewide siren drill held following recent warning
Siren Towers will undergo testing on Friday as part of the monthly evaluation of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, which covers all hazards.
Volcano Watch: Distant vs. local earthquakes and tsunami response times in Hawai‘i
Tsunami waves generated by distant earthquakes take hours to reach the Hawaiian Islands, giving people time to evacuate vulnerable areas. Local tsunami, however, do not need to travel far to reach our shores, leaving a much shorter time to respond.
New online resource for Hawai‘i residents impacted by One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Hawai‘i U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz launches guide to learn more about how major changes to health care, food assistance and other services, as well as education and taxes, will affect thousands of island residents because of the new fedeal tax law.
Young Brothers provides update for port location gate hours and sailing schedules
Shipping company’s operations at ports in Hilo, Kawaihae on Big Island and Nāwiliwili on Kaua‘i are open again; barges from Honolulu arrived at Kawaihae and Nāwiliwili on July 29, but not all cargo was discharged and none was loaded back from either port.
Bipartisan disaster recovery reform measure advanced in Washington same day Hawai‘i braced for tsunami
Aimed at helping communities recover from major disasters more quickly, the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act was introduced and written by Hawai‘i Democrat U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and Maine Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.
UPDATE: Tsunami advisory is canceled, County of Hawaiʻi to open beach parks, all roads
Hawai‘i County officials ask residents, however, to exercise caution and stay out of the water, as coastal areas continue to be hazardous.
ʻEkupuʻu again soar through skies above fields of Kuaihelani after 80 years
100 Laysan finches, a native Hawaiian bird that once thrived at Midway Atoll on the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago, now a part of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, were released on Eastern Island last week as part of continuing efforts to re-establish and expand native bird populations to the national monument in preparation for potential catastrophic events.
