Hawai'i State News
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.
Times Higher Education ranks several University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa programs among world’s best
Five of the university flagship campus subject areas placed in the top 1% around the globe while another four garnered 2% honors in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
High surf debris forces closures at several Kohala, Kona parks
Coastal facilities and parks in Kohala and Kona, including Kahaluʻu Beach and Kohanaiki Beach Park, are closed today due to debris from high surf.
$1.8M in federal funds secured by Hawaiʻi State Energy Office will advance energy, land use, disaster planning
The funding — part of nearly $34 million in new federal funding secured by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i — supports the continued development of the interactive 3-D platform Hawai‘i Advanced Visualization Energy Nexus system.
Sponsors sought to provide nutritious meals for keiki during summer break from classes
Schools, public agencies, churches and private nonprofit organizations can apply to be U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program sponsors; participating organizations receive reimbursements for serving meals to children and teenagers 18 years old and younger at approved sites to children and teenagers.
Monthly statewide outdoor warning siren test to take place Feb. 2
Hawaiʻi’s statewide outdoor warning sirens and Emergency Alert System will undergo their routine monthly test at 11:45 a.m. on Monday.
University of Hawaiʻi researchers assist with effort to address outdated wastewater infrastructure
A 3-year $5 million grant from National Science Foundation will support the Honu Hub project — led by University of South Florida, with University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers taking charge of design and real-world pilot demonstration — which is developing a solar-powered, compact and certifiable alternative to cesspools that protects human health and the environment.
Working Families Caucus lays out proposed bill package for 2026 state legislative session
The package includes five measures to be considered by state lawmakers, targeting issues such as child care, health care and cost-of-living relief.
U.S. Sen. Hirono’s trip to O‘ahu includes visiting with students, advocates, local businesses
Purpose of the Hawai‘i Democrat’s visits was to discuss Impact of federal funding and consequences of President Donald Trump’s policies
New priority placement process for state Kaiapuni Education supports growing demand
Interim guidance from Hawaiʻi Department of Education sets clearer, statewide approach as long-term Hawaiian language immersion program planning continues.
Put your language skills to good use: Register now for 2026 court interpreter orientation workshops
Freelance court interpreters are paid a minimum $35 an hour; completion of the 2-day workshop is required.
New analysis finds Hawaiʻi reef fish did not recover after aquarium collecting ended
“These findings are significant because aquarium collecting has repeatedly been justified by claims of sustainability and rapid reef fish recovery once harvesting stops,” said For the Fishes Executive Director Rene Umberger. “Those claims are not supported by what actually happened on Hawaiʻi reefs.”
High-speed crash in Hilo claims life of 20-year-old driver
Jordan Grant, 20, died in a high-speed crash on Pāuaʻi Street. Police believe that both speed and alcohol contributed to the incident.
Thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers continue to strike
According to union officials, thousands of healthcare workers are participating in a nationwide strike at Kaiser Permanente, now in its fifth day, to protest unsafe staffing levels and heavy workloads.
Possible contamination causes Gerber Products Co. to recall keiki biscuits
The product was distributed nationwide, including by retailers such as Walmart, Target and Longs Drugs in Hawai‘i; recall was issued because the biscuits might have soft plastic and/or paper pieces inside that could cause injury or pose a choking hazard.
American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi supports ‘strike’ to stop U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement violence
There are more than 300 registered actions and events set for today throughout the nation, calling on people, organizations and communities to “strike” and demand a stop to federal government-sponsored violence being inflicted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents against peaceful protestors in Minneapolis, Minn., and elsewhere.
