Hawai'i State News
Hilo-based staffing is available to vendors traveling for Merrie Monarch next month
ALTRES provides top-tier staffing that work well with vendors traveling to the Big Island for Merrie Monarch and eliminate the stress of hiring, or flying employees for the week.
A lawsuit names Maui Police Chief Pelletier as an associate in a 2018 Diddy rape case, Mayor Bissen calls for leave and investigation
Mayor Richard Bissen urged the Police Commission to conduct its own independent review and not to wait for the federal case to be resolved to “demonstrate the County’s commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical governance.”
‘Call to action’: Pride at Work-Hawaiʻi hosts protest at state Capitol for equality, fairness
Event today in honor of International Women’s Day seeks future where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, is treated respectfully and equitably.
Big Island teacher focusing on biodiversity leading voting in America’s Favorite Teacher competition
Kiane Prietto from Kanu o ka ʻĀina hopes to end Hawaiʻi’s tenure as the extinction capital of the world as she vies for the title of: “America’s Favorite Teacher.”
State senate moves bill to protect access to contraceptives
The bill secures that no law or state action can interfere with the ability to obtain birth control, including methods like IUDs and emergency contraceptives.
Hawaiʻi congressional delegation introduces legislation to protect native species
The Hawai‘i Native Species Conservation and Recovery Act would fund conservation and recovery projects to address invasive species, habitat restoration and population recovery.
Downtown Hilo post office could close or be sold by Trump Administration
The historic Federal Building that houses the office on Waiānuenue Avenue is among 440 federal properties deemed not core to federal government operations that are on the president’s and Elon Musk’s DOGE chopping block.
Actresses rebuked for posting video of one of them touching sea turtle while in Hawai‘i
The Instagram post by actress China McClain was taken down by midday March 3 after garnering tens of thousands of reactions and more than 2,000 comments, many of which pleading for the video to be removed and an apology for potential cultural insensitivity.
State launches backyard bird flu survey for flock owners and bird rescuers
The survey, conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, will collect critical information about the understanding of bird flu as well as practices and needs of those who keep poultry or care for rescued birds.
Kahele returns to Washington advocating for Hawaiian people, discussing impacts of Trump policies, orders
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees chairperson, Big Island native and former U.S. congressman back in nation’s capital speaking with federal officials and members of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation; will also attend President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.
Monthly outdoor siren test was March 3
All statewide outdoor warning sirens sounded a 1-minute steady tone at 11:45 a.m. The public should contact Hawai‘i County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031 to report any siren operation issues.
UH Foundation helping students affected by Trump funding freezes, executive orders
Some graduate students at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo lost their research funding and educational stipends as a result of stop work orders and freezes on federal grant funds.
State: Take precautionary measures against vog caused by Kīlauea eruption
People are urged to be aware of the conditions around them and how they could react to vog. They are also encouraged to access air quality data on the the state Health Department Clean Air Branch website and Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard for the most up-to-date information about vog.
Watch: U.S. Coast Guard medevacs man from cruise ship 300 miles offshore from Kailua-Kona
72-year-old passenger of Koningsdam had multiple strokes. He was transported by helicopter Thursday morning to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles: What do Yellowstone and Hawaiʻi have in common? More than you might think
Despite their outward differences, the fundamental engines that power volcanism in both regions are quite similar. There’s a lot of aloha in southern Idaho and northwestern Wyoming.
Hawaiian Electric expands safety strategy actions to reduce potential for wildfires
The updated Wildfire Safety Strategy requires ongoing grid hardening, asset inspections and vegetation management, installing more weather stations, and continuing engagement with communities.
Hawai‘i’s US senators introduce resolution celebrating Hawaiian Language Month
“This February, we celebrate Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i and the people, schools and programs that work every day to preserve the Hawaiian language and culture. The resurgence of the Hawaiian language not only serves as a model for indigenous communities around the world, but also as an example of the strength and resilience of the Hawaiian community.” — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i
Major airlines partner with the state to pilot a program digitizing the agricultural declaration form
The digital form gives passengers a more efficient way to complete the form and modernizes Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity efforts.
Five staff members at Hakalau Forest Refuge on Big Island fired by Trump Administration
According to Friends of the Hakalau Forest, this large cut in staff will have immediate impacts on ongoing vital projects that help secure the future of endangered endemic birds and plants.
University of Hawaiʻi team discovers ancient Hawaiian calendar system at a Hawaiʻi Island heiau
An ancient calendar system found at the Hapaialiʻi heiau near Kahaluʻu Beach Park on Hawaiʻi Island dates back between 1411 and 1465.
