Hawai'i State News

Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi said the body realigned chairpersons and committee assignments for the upcoming 2026 session because of the retirement of O‘ahu Sen. Henry Aquino.

During the past year, the Democratic U.S. senator from Hawai‘i worked to protect federal funding for the islands amid national cuts, secured more than $1 billion to support Maui’s recovery, improve infrastructure, expand high-speed internet throughout the state.

More than 280,000 people in Hawai‘i, or more than 1 in 6 residents, rely on Social Security benefits; the SAFE Social Security Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, will increase benefits for seniors in Hawai‘i and throughout the United States.

Understanding SAR11 marine bacteria is vital because they are one of the main drivers of the global ocean’s life-support system; they move and recycle the carbon and nutrients that sustain all other marine life.

Union demands action by Hawai’i Department of Education after alleged assault on Moanalua High School Assistant Athletic Director Natalie Iwamoto following a preseason basketball game earlier this month at the Honolulu school.

‘Shop Local’ by Katelyn Chong was selected as the winning short film script during the first year the annual intensive workshop was paired with ‘Ohina’s inaugural Producers Lab.

Since Dec. 23, 2024, the north and south vents within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, inside Kaluapele, the summit caldera, have erupted in 39 lava fountaining episodes.

After the GOP spending bill slashed student loan limits for healthcare professionals, Hawai‘i U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda and colleagues introduced the legislation to level the playing field.

The commission said the approval is a major step toward improving public safety and resilience of Hawaiʻi’s electric grid; these actions together reflect the commission’s commitment to reduce wildfire risk while preparing for the possibility of future disasters.

Online resource platform aims to strengthen early childhood and family support throughout the islands.

State lawmakers engage with communities and assess priority projects during several site visits from Dec. 9-11 that provided a glimpse into Hawaiʻi Island’s priorities.

Cybercriminals are creating deceptive web addresses to trick users into providing sensitive personal information or login credentials.

The Waimea veterinarian, rancher and historian — who founded the Paniolo Preservation Society and authored the acclaimed ‘Loyal to the Land’ book series — joins the ranks of those who have enriched Hawai‘i’s cultural, artistic and humanitarian landscape.

Maui native, Grammy nominee and top 20 finalist on Season 25 of NBC’s “The Voice” features 13 Hawaiian mele on his new album, including original compositions and select favorites, honoring the people, places and moments that shaped him throughout his life and musical journey.

DLNR’s Deputy Director Ryan Kanaka‘ole will serve as acting chair and director of the state agency in the absence of Dawn Chang.

The meeting, which will take place on Jan. 12 at 10 a.m., will provide updates for the Munitions Response Site Project 18 at the Waimea-Kohala Airport.

Check out several business and industry stories from around the Big Island and Hawaiʻi.

Kauaʻi native Kaina Makua portrays Kamehameha I in the Apple TV+ series and is co-founder and executive director of West Kauaʻi nonprofit and social enterprise Kumano I Ke Ala, where he leads initiatives dedicated to restoring ancestral relationships to ʻāina through education, food systems revitalization and Hawaiian language immersion.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawai‘i Democrat, is joined by 24 of her Senate colleagues in urging President Donald Trump’s Administration to restore staff and resources at Taxpayer Advocate Service, which assists taxpayers with resolving any issues within the Internal Revenue Service.

The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23; final determinations about which nonprofit organizations will receive funding will be made as Council on Revenue forecasts in January and March are published.