Hawai'i State News

After Joe Logan unexpectedly announced his retirement earlier this month as chief of the Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi strongly recommended Ben Moszkowicz to be the interim chief.

“I think the biggest impact of this termination is the loss of professional development opportunities for women. STEM is hemorrhaging women.” — Barbara Bruno of the University of Hawaiʻi

The 9th annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill event in Washington, D.C., spotlighted over 90 Hawaiʻi businesses and nonprofits to congressional leaders and the D.C. community, while fostering discussions on policy support for Hawaiʻi’s unique business landscape.

The landmark legislation strengthens the state’s commitment to closing the digital divide and ensuring all Hawaiʻi residents have access to reliable internet and the digital skills needed to thrive.

The measure honors the enduring legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani and recognizes the many contributions of the Native Hawaiian community to Hawaiʻi’s past, present and future.

Green is not required to veto every bill indicated on the Intent-to-Veto list, but he cannot veto a bill that is not included and he has until July 9 to issue final vetoes.

The dangers of jumping into the water in the Spitting Caves and China Walls area on O’ahu also can apply to other similar areas around the Hawaiian islands.

Maia Kealoha of Kona is just getting started. She already filmed another movie, “The Wrecking Crew,” with stars Jason Mamoa and Morena Baccarin.

Funding cuts will jeopardize the research and tools that are essential for predicting sea-level rise and informing infrastructure plans, heightening the vulnerability of communities.

Snakes are illegal to import or possess in Hawaiʻi since they pose a serious threat to Hawaiʻi’s environment with no natural predators.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society announced that the Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia will now depart from Hilo on Tuesday morning after postponing the voyage due to weather conditions.

The chemical detected is 1-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzene (PCBTF) within the Volcano Catchment Chlorinator, which is owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior. PCBTF is an industrial solvent that is currently not regulated in drinking water, meaning there is no established federal or state maximum contaminant level or state environmental action level.

The challenges are many and the battle rages on against familiar foes such as little fire ants, coqui frogs, albizia trees and others, as well as new enemies including coconut rhinoceros beetles, but all hope is not lost. There are dedicated community members — including a Big Island teacher — on the front lines making great strides in the fight.

The new state funds complement a previous private donation of $25 million from Marc and Lynne Benioff, longtime champions of heath care and quality care for all who live on the Big Island. Construction of Keaʻau Benioff Medical Center is estimated to be completed in 2028.

May is recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month for the fourth year in a row for the contributions these communities have made to the U.S.

15th annual ‘Abstract Only’ art exhibit seeks entries from Hawai’i and Shanghai in first-of-its-kind cultural exchange: ‘Art knows no borders, and artistic wealth should belong to everyone,’ Shanghai Abstract Painting Society President Xu Demin said in the call for submissions.

Record-setting lava fountain and plume heights were reached during Episode 23 of the Kīlauea summit caldera eruption. Given increasing airborne hazards associated with each new eruptive episode, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is changing its episode notification types.

Kūkulu Kahua offers onetime support for emergency needs — such as rent, utilities and funeral expenses — paired with access to financial counseling and wraparound services designed to empower families on their journey toward economic resilience.

Puna state Sen. Joy San Buenaventura, chairwoman of the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, lauds passage of measures supporting some of state’s most at-risk keiki.

Sure, we get an extra day off each year on last Monday of May, but it’s important — necessary — to never forget who fought to give us right to have that extra time off and stop to reflect on how to carry their lives and legacies forward.