Hawai'i State News
About 800 households might have received wrong Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, card
Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services says its electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, vendor Fidelity Information Services sent some beneficiaries SUN Bucks card instead of regular Kōkua card.
Hawaiʻi Gov. Green appoints Big Island labor leader to UH Board of Regents
Gov. Josh Green also made several other appointments and interim appointments to state boards and commissions.
State briefs for May 22: Hawaiʻi Tourism leadership search, Zippy’s new locale, kona low recovery support
A quick look at news happening throughout the state and beyond.
Volcano Watch: Kīlauea all tied up at 47 episodes
Episode 47 of lava fountaining during the ongoing episodic summit eruption of the Big Island volcano tied the 1983-86 initial phase of the Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption on Kīlauea, which had a total of 47 events, for the most fountaining episodes ever recorded — so far — at the volcano; so how do these historic eruptions compare?
5 to 13 tropical cyclones predicted for potentially ‘very busy’ Central Pacific hurricane season
An average season for the region sees only 4 to 5 tropical cyclones — which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes, so officials urge everyone to be prepared.
US Census Bureau research finds statistics of unmarried women giving birth in 2023 varied by geography
U.S. Census Bureau also reports fewer women in the same category gave birth during the past decade.
Now on review: Public can access Draft Statewide Long-Range Land Transportation Plan online
Public comment sought on draft state plan and Hawaiʻi Island regional plan; plans provide comprehensive framework to guide transportation investment, policy and decision-making.
Blood test for highly aggressive form of breast cancer advanced by new research
A multi-university team — including University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center — developed a simpler way to find and track inflammatory breast cancer.
Hawaiʻi Youth Poet Laureate program returns to the Hilo Palace Theater
Punahou School student Safa Ahmed as the 2026 Hawaiʻi Youth Poet Laureate, which is a program to connect young voices and writers from across all islands.
Briefs for May 20: Food options expand for schools, state employee earns national award, advocates celebrate the Green Fee
Statewide partnerships will expand locally-source meals in schools, the state Director of Communications earned a national honor and advocates are energized by the effects of the green Fee.
Mālama Honua Disaster Fund will support Native Hawaiian homeowners impacted by March kona low storms
Office of Hawaiian Affairs launches the fund Friday, May 22, providing limited number of $10,000 repair grants; informational Zoom webinar set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 20.
Briefs for May 19: Submit input on future wildfire policy, state employees train in trauma-informed care, vaping and effects on mental health
Statewide news regarding future wildfire recovery policy, the first cohort of state employees certified in trauma-informed care and research on the effects of vaping on mental health.
Rental assistance available for those impacted by kona low flooding
Residents of Hawaiʻi County could be eligible for assistance if their home is unsafe to live in because of damage caused by the flooding; approved applicants receive an initial rental award of up to 2 months of rent.
State, University of Hawaiʻi secure more than $322K for plant pathogen detection, biosecurity innovation
Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity officials say the projects to be funded with the federal grant dollars are intended to help move Hawaiʻi toward a more proactive, technology-driven biosecurity framework capable of addressing increasingly complex global agricultural threats.
Hōkūleʻa to make Japan stops in 2027 as part of Moananuiākea Voyage
Polynesian Voyaging Society traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe will return to the island nation for the first time in 20 years; dates will tentatively be from April to September next year.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Market Activation Summit set to convene at beginning of June
Local leaders, developers, investors and community stakeholders are invited to attend the upcoming summit and can register now.
Business briefs for May 18: Medicaid fraud, new nonstop flight, company honored, ‘Fuel the Future,’ NIL bill nixed
A quick look at business-related news stories from throughout the state.
Hawai‘i high school students can apply now for summer culinary training cohort
Deadline to apply is May 29 for Cohort 22: Culinary Foundations through partnership between Culinary Institute of the Pacific and Culinary Institute of America; but don’t wait, seats are limited.
Hawaiʻi briefs for May 17: Spring commencement, funds released, locally-sourced foods, Stories from the Field
A brief look at several stories from throughout the state.
‘He Lei Hoʻokahi’ marks 100 years of summer sessions at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Special restaging of 2026 Merrie Monarch Festival Hōʻike performance also honors Kumu Hula Darrell Lupenui.
