Hawai'i State News
Big Island community members encouraged to ‘Stuff the Bus’ and help keiki start new school year strong
Salvation Army Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division will collect back-to-school supplies at Kona and Hilo Walmart stores; nonprofit also hosting Christmas in July campaign with iconic Red Kettles ringing out at the Kona store to collect donations for families in need.
Volcano Watch: Deep dive into Hawaiʻi’s deep earthquakes
Though most of state’s day-to-day seismic activity occurs within volcanic systems, these widely felt — often offshore — deep earthquakes are not at all directly related to magmatic processes; learn more in today’s “Volcano Watch.”
Maunakea access road to summit could become a toll road; state agencies discuss 2 proposals
While the Maunakea Stewardship and Oversight Authority will be taking over management of the summit area from the University of Hawaiʻi, the state Supreme Court determined the manager of the access road is the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
Free soil, plant testing for farmers impacted by kona low storms ends later this month
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience reminds agricultural producers the reopened Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center will accept samples until July 21.
Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority’s first executive director announces retirement
“Serving as MKSOA’s first Executive Director has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said John De Fries on Thursday.
News briefs for July 9: SPAM Musubi Day, business accelerator and more
A quick look at news from throughout the state and beyond.
The Department of Agriculture enacts proactive, protective measures against New World screwworm
Despite the low risk to Hawaiʻi, the Department of Agriculture is monitoring risk as New World screwworm cases rise on U.S. mainland.
Gov. Josh Green signs four bills into law, focusing on environmental conservation, housing affordability
Gov. Josh Green signs new legislation to strengthen housing and enhance environmental protections to improve community infrastructure.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs seeks nonprofit partners for Mālama Honua home improvement/renovation grants
Interested nonprofits can submit a letter of interest from July 15-29; selected nonprofit partners will administer homeowner applications during a later phase of the program.
Governor signs bills to regulate tobacco use, electronic smoking devices
Acts 189 and 190 demonstrate the state’s commitment to reducing harmful impacts of disposable electronic smoking devices and ensuring products sold in Hawaiʻi meet federal standards.
Red Cross volunteers stage in Hawai‘i on way to help following Super Typhoon Bavi
The massive storm passed over Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands fewer than 3 months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
Hawaiʻi’s Finest presents new artists, debut single ‘Hawaiʻi Nei’
Waimānalo, Oʻahu-based island reggae band Last Minute introduces a new chapter with a powerful song about home, identity and cost of staying rooted in Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi becomes first state in nation to fund savings accounts for eligible foster children
Private contributions from Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Ed Freedman’s Stable Road Foundation add to the “Fostering the Future” initiative, ensuring every eligible youth has funded savings account.
State reminds Hawaiʻi businesses that third quarter annual reports are due
Businesses registered in the third quarter — July through September — can now file their annual reports, which must be filed by midnight Sept. 30 to avoid a late filing penalty fee.
Exhibit of historic 1965 Selma civil rights march photos extended at state Capitol in Honolulu
The 28 photographs — half of which had never been seen before — offer a rare visual account of Hawaiʻi’s participation in the march in Alabama led by Martin Luther King Jr., honoring the role of the islands in the United States civil rights movement.
Statewide World Ocean Day event makes waves in effort to cleanup island coasts
Community engagement shines during statewide Coastal Kuleana Cleanup, a multi-island effort organized as part of the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana and focused on protecting shorelines, reefs and wetlands vital to Hawaiʻi’s identity and prosperity.
Big Island state lawmaker honored by Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi
Hilo state Sen. Lorraine Inouye received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award; Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda proclaims June 26, 2026, “Senator Lorraine Inouye Day”
Lost reef recreation because of climate change could cost Hawaiʻi up to $3 billion by beginning of next century
“This study puts numbers to what our communities have long understood — that losing our reefs means losing the recreational opportunities, cultural practices and quality of life that define what it means to live in Hawaiʻi,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Administrator Brian Neilson.
Banyan Drive revitalization could become a reality after a decade of effort
A collaboration between state, county, and community leaders brings new energy into the revitalization of the historic shoreline road.
