Hawai'i State News

U.S. senator and Hawai’i Democrat answered questions about rising costs, federal funding, health care, education and more.

Updated data as of Dec. 11 show a sharp increase in flu test positivity and flu-related emergency room visits in Hawaiʻi, which is also experiencing its highest weekly respiratory-related 9-1-1 emergency medical services calls totals since July.

Three state agencies remain on alert after the sick wild endangered native duck was found Nov. 26 at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge; confirmation and subtype ID pending.

So far this year, the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center, a rescue with headquarters in Kapa‘au, has rescued 1,441 seabirds across the state.

Hawai‘i Democrat Sen. Brian Schatz calls on his fellow Senate colleagues to follow example of Australian lawmakers who recently implemented a social media ban for children.

Rich Stacey received the Laurie Loveland Award in honor of his exceptional leadership, collaboration and service in multi-state tobacco-related enforcement and policy work.

Inflation, while currently low, will rise next year as tariffs continue to pass through to consumer prices; construction remains the one consistently strong sector, supported by major new federal contracts and ongoing housing and infrastructure needs.

Post offices throughout the nation are prepared and gearing up to deliver millions of holiday greetings and gifts.

Six amendments the congressman, a Hawai‘i Democrat, and various other requests are included in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, such as $1 billion for military construction projects in Hawai‘i.

Special gift is airline’s way to celebrate Giving Tuesday, new loyalty program and mark its commitment to local nonprofits that rely on air travel to deliver essential services in Hawai‘i and beyond.

The program — that matches students with Hawaiʻi-based observatories — helps students build clear pathways into high-quality science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers through meaningful project work, one-on-one mentorship, communication skill-building and a final technical presentation.

The latest positive sample was collected Nov. 30 and follows an earlier detection of measles virus in Maui wastewater from samples collected Nov. 18 in Central and West Maui.

There were 669,850 people employed in September and 17,200 unemployed for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 687,000 statewide.

Free admission, in celebration of the National Guard’s birthday, is offered to active duty Guard members, retirees, their dependents and veterans.

The bipartisan Bring Our Heroes Home Act would eliminate obstacles preventing families and caseworkers from accessing records needed for recovery of America’s prisoners of war and missing in action.

“Understanding water quality is a fundamental challenge for everyone: it is key to assessing coral reef health and it is inseparable from human health,” said study co-author Nyssa Silbiger.

The Hawai‘i Crime Dashboard displays police-level crime statistics produced through the state’s participation in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, using data based on National Incident-Based Reporting System standards.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo commencement scheduled for Dec. 20; all 10 University of Hawaiʻi campuses throughout the state will host spring commencement services in May 2026.

New team option and an expanded online catalog for Santa’s Gift Shoppe make fulfilling kids’ and families’ holiday wishes through this annual U.S. Postal Service holiday program easier this year.

The project is aimed at protecting the people and ecosystems of the islands from threats such as wildfires, drought, flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis, water contamination and more.