Hawai'i State News

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.

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.

The Climate Action Pathways first draft was developed based on community feedback gathered at more than 80 public events throughout Hawaiʻi.

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.

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.

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.

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.

National Weather Service in Honolulu extends red flag warning for leeward and interior areas of Big Island through 6 p.m. Aug. 3.

Siren Towers will undergo testing on Friday as part of the monthly evaluation of the Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, which covers all hazards.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hawai‘i County officials ask residents, however, to exercise caution and stay out of the water, as coastal areas continue to be hazardous.

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.

One lucky winner will recieve a trip for 2 to the 15th anniversary festival on O’ahu at the end of October, including airfare for two on Hawaiian Airlines, a 4-night stay at OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Paradise Hotel, two priority access tickets to the Hawaiian Airlines Presents Decanted grand tasting and two tickets to Cirque Du Soleil ‘Auana at OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel, a prize package worth a total $5,700.

Annual 3-month Operation Nasse — conducted by United States, Australia, France and New Zealand, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu — aimed at safeguarding marine resources of Pacific Island nations.

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources says a contractor is scheduled to begin July 29 trimming and removing the massive tree that uprooted and toppled the afternoon of July 12, falling across Kilauea Avenue, a portion of nearby Calvary Chapel Hilo and — it was learned a week later — two women, apparently crushing them underneath. It’s been about 2 weeks since the tree collapsed and almost a week since the bodies of the two women were recovered from under its now tangled and mangled canopy.

The program — a joint effort between Hawai‘i and U.S. Department of Agriculture — is aimed at bridging a gap in nutrition many keiki throughout the islands experience during their summer break from school.

While the situation has improved statewide compared with before the 2024-25 school year, 4 of the 9 school bus routes throughout the state still suspended are on the Big Island. Fortunately, offiicials report new drivers are being trained.