Hawai'i State News
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.
Volcano Watch: When it rained rocks; tephra falls far and wide during Kīlauea Episode 41
Strong updrafts coupled with light winds blowing to the east and north sent lava fragments — called tephra — from those molten rock geysers over much of Puna, into Hilo and falling along the eastern edge of Kaʻū; learn more now!
Hawai‘i Island police welcome graduates of 103rd recruit class
The four new officers completed six months of academic instruction and four months of field training.
Coastal flood statement in effect through Monday for Big Island
The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood statement for the Big Island, warning of minor flooding and erosion along north- and west-facing shores through February 2.
Unemployment rate remains steady at 2.2% in December 2025 for Hawai‘i
The number of nonfarm jobs available throughout the state also increased by 7,400 from December 2024 to December 2025.
WATCH: ‘We will not tolerate tyranny’; Schatz condemns Minneapolis shooting
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i spoke out Wednesday (Jan. 28) on the Senate floor about the killing of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents during the past weekend.
Hawaiʻi Legislature Keiki Caucus focuses on 5 priorities in proposed 2026 bill package
Proposed measures address a range of critical issues, including expanding access to free school meals, strengthening responses to youth mental health challenges, prohibiting flavored nicotine products, establishing regulations for e-bikes and improving family court processes for youth involved in the child welfare system.
TSA ConfirmID coming to Hawai‘i airports; travelers without REAL ID can pay for identity verification
TSA ConfirmID enables travelers to verify their identity before arriving at the security checkpoint, for a $45 fee, with the process typically taking 10 to 15 minutes, though it could require 30 minutes or more in some cases.
Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus presents 2026 bill package in support of women, keiki, families
The proposed legislation supports abuse survivors, prevents exploitation and protects access to health care.
Major change takes off: Southwest rolls out assigned seating in Honolulu, more
Assigned seating went live Tuesday (Jan. 27) in Honolulu and throughout Southwest’s network, opening the book to the airline’s next chapter; the change followed the final Southwest open seating flight from Honolulu and a gate celebration the night before.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa online nursing program gets high national marks
The university’s flagship campus placed No. 62 out of the top 209 online master’s in nursing programs recognized in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings of the nation’s best online programs.
West Coast Health Alliance endorses American Academy of Pediatrics recommended keiki immunizations
The 2026 annual update to the immunization schedule was based on a thorough and deliberate review of medical evidence; these recommendations continue to thoughtfully consider specific disease risks and health care delivery in the United States.
WATCH: Aloha for Alex; day of remembrance, action hosted at state Capitol
The vigil, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi, Hawai‘i Coalition for Immigrant Rights and The Legal Clinic Hawai‘i, honored the life of 37-year-old Alex Pretti of Minneapolis, who was killed last week by federal agents, and spurred communitywide support for bills to protect due process and Hawaiʻi residents.
Hawai‘i students ‘taste the rainbow’ with special fresh, locally sourced salad
The hue-tiful menu item highlighted the continued farm-to-school efforts by Hawaiʻi Department of Education and its commitment to student wellness.
Big Island programs selected to receive funding through Kahu ʻĀina program
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority invests in locally driven initiatives that heal, restore and reconnect people with place in an effort to bridge culture and conservation throughout the islands.
Hawaiʻi Keiki Caucus 2026 legislative package to be presented this week to state lawmakers
Hawaiʻi Keiki Caucus — established in 1994 — is a bipartisan collaborative effort among state legislators, community leaders and youth-centered organizations dedicated to advancing policies that improve the lives of Hawaiʻi’s young people.
Mariners looking for emaciated humpback whale impacted by entanglement off Maui
NOAA is asking Maui’s boaters and water enthusiasts to be on the look out for a recently-entangled, 40-foot female humpback whale off the Lahaina shoreline of Maui.
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green shares successes, goals for 2026 during State of State address
With the State of Hawaiʻi having to try to make up for billions in federal cuts and actions to maintain services, Gov. Josh Green said he proposes no changes to tax cuts in 2026 but would ask to pause cuts for 2027-2029.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo welcomes inaugural online doctor of pharmacy cohort
Twelve aspiring pharmacists hailing from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi and Puerto Rico are enrolled in the online program’s first cohort.
2 proven gun safety proposals on legislative priorities list for Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties
The association included in its 2026 legislative priorities proposed measures to establish statewide gun buyback programs and raise public awareness efforts along with better implementation of the state’s gun violence protective order law.
