Hawai'i State News

Devens was sworn in Tuesday morning, as the sixth Hawaiʻi Supreme Court chief justice during an informal ceremony.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is supporting a measure approved by a state legislative conference committee that would release $55 million in Public Land Trust funds currently withheld under an annual payment cap.

Graduates from the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses will celebrate commencement from Saturday, May 9 to Saturday, May 16.

30-day review period now open for Papahana Kāʻeuʻeu: Hawaiʻi’s Plan for Living Heritage Stewardship, which will guide how state, county agencies, Native Hawaiian organizations and communities work together to identify, protect and steward Hawaiʻi’s historic and cultural resources from 2026 through 2034.

Hawai‘i public schools, beginning with the class of 2030, will require the completion of financial literacy education to graduate, with implementation starting in the 2026–27 academic year; Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i provides a ready-to-implement solution, with proven curriculum and volunteer support.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues to expand its East Coast presence with the opening of its newest location in Duluth, Georgia, offering a taste of Hawaiʻi’s iconic “plate lunch.”

A quick look at business news from around the Big Island, throughout the state and elsewhere.

The Kaua‘i distillery’s Chief Commercial Officer Robert Ramer succeeds Gunter as chief operating officer, overseeing day-to-day operations while continuing its growth and expansion into the next chapter.

Number of visitors statewide in March decreased 1.7% from the same month a year before, with Big Island visitor stats following same downward trend; visitor spending throughout islands falls 1.6% from March 2025.

A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa model predicts the development of a strong El Niño, more than 35.6 degrees warmer than normal over the equatorial eastern Pacific Ocean, toward the end of this year.

“Laulau is more than a beloved island staple; it carries deep cultural and historical meaning,” said Oʻahu state Rep. Darius Kila. “Preserving and promoting traditional Hawaiian foods helps honor Native Hawaiian culture and ensures these practices continue to be understood and passed on.”

Veterans reunite aboard their ship four decades later at Pearl Harbor to honor service, legacy and enduring spirit of the Mighty Mo.

A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.

Opportunity for loyalty program members to fly four one-way interisland flights and earn 1 one-way interisland flight brings more perks, more convenience, stronger interisland connections.

These past eruptions outside Halemaʻumaʻu are evidence that such eruptions could also occur in the future; and while there have been ongoing earthquakes beneath Kīlauea’s summit, they are not indicative of an imminent eruption along the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu.

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Botanical Garden with free tours and a unique chance to explore rare tropical plant collections this May.

The measure was finalized Thursday evening, April 30, in a joint conference committee; it now goes up for final reading in both chambers before heading to Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green’s desk for his signature.

Search efforts began after a report from Korea Mission Coordination Center at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 26, that a crewman aboard the Republic of a Korea-flagged fishing vessel was reported missing at 12:15 p.m. Sunday, about 1,200 miles southeast of the Big Island.

The study by University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa oceanographers provides new insight into how high levels of biodiversity are maintained in the open ocean.