Hawai'i State News

After an explosion caused by illegal fireworks killed 3 and injured dozens more in Aliamanu on Oʻahu, officials begin discussing ways to stop the systemic issue once and for all.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reported a 10% increase in traffic fatalities in 2024 with 51 from the City and County of Honolulu, 29 from Hawaiʻi Island, 14 from Maui County and 8 from Kauaʻi County.

There were 770,940 visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in November of this year, which is an increase of 5.3% compared to the same month in 2023.

Gov. Josh Green signed an executive order protecting primary caregivers cultivating cannabis for patients within the bounds of the law that exists as of Dec. 31, 2024.

The newsite posted nearly 1,500 stories this year, many of which involved people with connection to the university system making headlines, including Miss Aloha Hula winners, a Waiākea High Schoo grad, an auditioner on ‘The Voice’ and someone who once had a date with Marcia Brady.

Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency officials also noted in their announcement that a test of the live audio broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System will accompany the sounding test of the sirens at roughly the same time, in cooperation with the Hawai‘i broadcast industry.

39th president of the United States was the first president to reach the age of 100 years old, the longest-lived president in the nation’s history and actually the first president to be born in a hospital. He died Sunday peacefully at his home in Plains, Ga., surrounded by his family.

The 600-square-foot structure on Alapai Street appeared to be under construction but unfinished.

Polynesian Voyaging Society prepares to mark 5 decades of legendary iconic traditional double-hulled voyaging canoe reviving the Hawaiian culture, advocating for the environment and renewing a connection to the Earth and ocean.

The low level eruptive activity has gone on for more than a day, after the eruption resumed Thursday evening. Eruptions in the summit region typically last about a week to more than a year. This eruption began during the early morning of Dec. 23.

An estimated 47,000 people engaged in bird-related education events during 2024, proclaimed by Gov. Josh Green as “Makahiki o nā Manu Nahele: The Year of the Forest Birds,” all with the goal of raising awareness about Hawaiian forest birds and their plight.

Benefits of receiving a National Heritage Area designation include economic development opportunities, environmental restoration, quality of life improvement and more. The bicameral legislation passed the U.S. House on Dec. 4 and the U.S. Senate on Dec. 16 before being sent to the president’s desk.

Courts will also have more power to prevent abusers who use the system to continue to attack and abuse their victims and keiki who are 14 years old will be able to authorize their consent for health care and services surrounding pregnancy, family planning and sexually transmitted infections. These laws and more go into effect Jan. 1 as the Hawai‘i Legislature gears up for its 2025 session, which starts Jan. 15.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health at about 1 p.m. Wednesday requested assistance from U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders with a non-maritime emergency medical transport for a 44-year-old patient in Kona experiencing a severe abdominal condition.

The volunteer bird counters also helped set and replenish traps that help keep predators like rats, cats and mongoose away from the birds.

Despite steady local forecast path so far, Hawaiʻi’s economic outlook becomes unclear as federal policy changes loom with incoming Trump Administration introducing broad uncertainty.

The new interactive online resource is more than a collection of data about the quality of life and well-being of Hawaiʻi’s residents — a researcher and University of Hawaiʻi educator says it’s a call to action to tackle the state’s most pressing challenges.

The Hawai‘i Department of Taxation has updated its income tax withholding tables to reflect upcoming changes in a new state law.

A study commissioned by the Hawai’i Seaglider Initiative has found that 78% of Hawai’i residents support the introduction of an interisland sea glider service, according to an announcement.

The state divisions of Aquatic Resources and Boating and Ocean Recreation have been working together since 2021 through its Rapid Response Program to provide funding to nonprofits throughout Hawaiʻi to aid in marine debris cleanup efforts.