Hawai'i State News

Collaborative study about complex shapes of reefs helps guide cutting-edge restoration

Marine scientists are creating geometric reef modules that mimick the intricate designs coral and oyster reefs to maximize survival.

Bill to reduce taxes on groceries, nonprescription drugs in Hawaiʻi dies in committee

Hawaiʻi is one of only seven states that taxes groceries, the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice said in written testimony in support of the bill.

Kaua‘i to host hole new level of fun on mini golf stage; ready to tee up for the challenge?

United States ProMiniGolf Association for the first time is bringing its annual U.S. Open to Hawai‘i, with the 28th contest hitting the greens at Kaua‘i Mini Golf & Botanical Gardens in Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea; you can even be part of the historic fun by heading to the Garden Isle to participate in the U.S. Open of Mini Golf Pro/Am Tournament.

Insights: Is Hawaiʻi being left behind?

Data suggest it is, though not in the same way as traditional left-behind regions.

Volcano Watch: A sight to see; maintaining Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s webcams during a historic eruption

Visual observations have been a backbone of volcano research more than 2,000 years and remain fundamental to understanding how volcanoes work; advancements in technology even allow eruptions to be viewed from anywhere around the world.

Rising housing, food needs throughout Hawaiʻi revealed in annual 211 Report

The 2025 Aloha United Way report draws on more than 51,000 calls, texts and chats to the statewide 211 helpline.

Deadline approaches to apply for 2026 Fukunaga Scholarship

Students who are selected each receive $20,000 throughout 4 years — or a pro-rated amount for fewer years — that can be applied to tuition, books, housing and other educational expenses; deadline to apply online is Feb. 23.

Applicants sought to fill vacancy on state Campaign Spending Commission

Those interested in serving in the vacant commission seat should submit an application along with a résumé and three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s character and integrity no later than March 13.

Hawaiʻi House advances bill to increase DUI penalties for highly intoxicated drivers

The state bill that would make a second DUI offense with a blood-alcohol content more than 0.15% — and within 10 years of a driver’s first DUI conviction — a Class C felony.

Power remains on in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk

Hawaiian Electric says public safety power shutoffs remain possible, however, for North and South Kohala on Big Island and Upcountry, Central and West Maui with wind advisory still in effect through Thursday morning (Feb. 19).

Union: Hawaiʻi’s Social Security services at risk with field office staffing at only 66 workers

Hawaiʻi now has a 1 to 4,772 ratio of Social Security Administration field office employees to beneficiaries, one of the most challenging workloads in the nation.

UPDATE: Runaway teen found in Hilo

The teen was found in Hilo.

Turbulent times discovered in sun’s corona through University of Hawaiʻi eclipse research

The study reveals the origin and evolution of turbulence in the corona, a process long linked to coronal heating and the acceleration of the solar wind.

Deadline extended for applications to fill two Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission seats

The new deadline is March 13. Applications were originally due Feb. 13 for the two seats, which each is for 4-year terms from July 1 through June 30, 2030.

‘Da Pidgin Guerilla’ is Hawaiʻi’s new poet laureate

Lee Tonouchi hopes to inspire diverse, local voices and uplift Pidgin as a legitimate language for creative and academic expression as poet laureate for the next three years.

Hawaiʻi Senate committee advances bill to allow state to sue Big Oil for climate damage

The bill’s purpose is to attempt to stabilize Hawaiʻi’s volatile insurance market.

State staff discover one of oldest Hawaiian honeycreepers on Big Island

The ʻiʻiwi likely hatched in the winter/spring of 2015-16 and is a minimum of 10 years old, which is rather amazing considering the typical lifespan of ʻiʻiwi is, maybe, half of that at 3 to 5 years.

UPDATE: Lava fountains reach up to 1,300 feet tall before end of Episode 42 in ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ends

An estimated 15 million cubic yards of lava erupted and covered about 50% of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor.

Economic impact of U.S. military in Hawai‘i detailed in new factbook

The factbook is designed for residents, policymakers and business leaders; it includes easy-to-read charts and explanations covering personnel spending, contracting, federal assistance, community programs and the broader economic effects of defense activity throughout all islands.

Public safety power shutoff watch: Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions this week

Strong winds, low humidity forecast for West Maui and South Kohala on the Big Island.
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