Hawai'i State News
Civil rights probe into death of Minneapolis resident Renee Good urged by Hirono, colleagues
Good was was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer last month in Minneapolis, Minn.; letter emphasizes that the Justice Department’s decision not to investigate represents a broader trend.
State seeks applicants for 2 impending vacancies on Hawaiʻi Ethics Commission
Commission members serve on a voluntary basis; terms will run 4 years from July 1 through June 30, 2030. Applications are due by Feb. 13.
Hazelnut and filbert allergen concern causes recall of Costco Mini Beignets
Costco’s Mini Beignets Filled with Caramel are recalled in Hawaiʻi due to undeclared hazelnuts and filberts, posing a severe allergy risk.
Heavy rain and strong trade winds expected this weekend as more active weather develops
Heavy rain is possible as early as Saturday, but most likely Sunday into Monday; flash flooding appears to be most likely for Maui County and the Big Island, particularly windward locations, and strong winds are most likely to impact Kaua‘i and Maui County.
UPDATE 2: High surf warning downgraded to advisory for West Hawaiʻi
The new advisory is in place through 6 p.m. today (Feb. 5); a high surf advisory previously in place for northern shores of the Big Island was also canceled and northwest swell is on the downward trend.
Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization and partners to host free wildfire webinar
The discussion will focus on the national wildfire insurance crisis, triggered by wildfires throughout the United States during the past 5 to 8 years.
Text scam targeting people statewide threatens drivers over nonexistent traffic fines
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary reports people statewide are receiving alleged Department of Motor Vehicles text messages saying that unless payment is made for unpaid traffic citations, the recipient’s driving privileges and vehicle registration will be suspended, and they will be assessed an additional fee.
From campus to Capitol: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa shares research with state lawmakers
Fourth annual Research Day allowed about 100 undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, faculty and staff to share their work with state legislators through informational displays, demonstrations and interactive activities.
Island draft destination management action plans to be shared by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
The state agency hosted more than 30 in-person and online community listening sessions from September to December 2025 throughout the Hawaiian Islands, allowing residents to share ideas for tourism that preserve cultural, historic and environmental resources, while supporting community well-being, ensuring alignment with each island’s unique identity and values.
New report confirms 2025 was Hawai‘i’s second driest, warmest year on record
Published by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, this first-of-its-kind report uses plain language, along with easy-to-interpret maps and figures, to summarize statewide rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions over the past year.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs seeks administrator for new Mālama Honua program
Mālama Honua Home Improvement/Renovation Program is a pilot grant project for income-qualified Native Hawaiian homeowners ineligible for traditional loans because of income or credit limitations; the agency is seeking a nonprofit partner to administer the program.
Hawaiʻi to launch statewide pre-eviction mediation program this week
New 2-year pilot program requires mediation before non-payment of rent eviction filings.
Hawaiʻi eyes 75 projects to address long list of environment-related needs with $130M in ‘green fees’ expected
The advisory council reviewed over 600 projects worth $2 billion before selecting the final 75 for recommendation, including several measures to improve hazard prevention and awareness after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.
U.S. Senate approves bipartisan funding for Hawaiʻi initiatives
“The new funding will improve our roads and infrastructure, and provide people with health care, housing and other essential services,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said.
Hawaiʻi Attorney General urged to expedite probe of state legislator getting $35,000 in paper bag
Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passage of resolution follows notice that federal authorities will share evidence with state officials, allowing the state attorney general to move forward with a parallel review.
UHERO: Adjusted for local prices, Hawaiʻi’s economy among worst in nation
A new report shows Hawaiʻi’s wages and productivity have lagged the rest of the country for more than three decades, placing the state among the most economically distressed in the U.S.
New Alaska Airlines state-of-the-art global training center officially opens its doors
New $200 million, 660,000-square-foot facility brings training for multiple workgroups under one roof and strengthens the airline’s transformation into the country’s fourth global airline.
Hawaiʻi State Archives digitalizes 64 volumes of historical indexes
The newly digitized indexes span records from the early 1800s through the late 1990s and cover a wide range of topics, including genealogy, land ownership, court cases and burial records.
Peaceful Route 11 protest in Hilo calls for end to mass deportations; opposes ICE budget hike
More than 250 demonstrators were also gathering to honor the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were recently killed by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis.
Hawaiʻi Volcano Observatory website offline, monitoring systems unaffected
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website is currently offline due to a widespread issue affecting USGS public websites.
