Hawai'i State News
Public input sought for update to University of Hawaiʻi Mauna Kea master management plan
“We invite the community to take some time to review the proposed revisions, ask questions and share their manaʻo, their perspectives with us,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Center for Maunakea Stewardship Executive Director Greg Chun.
News briefs for Aug. 31: New law office, cutter comes home, mariners rescued and more
A quick look at news stories from throughout the state and Pacific region.
Polynesian Voyaging Society inducts 6 new Pwo navigators
Four Native Hawaiian women among the inductees, marking a historic new chapter in the legacy of Master Navigator Mau Piailug and future of leadership in Polynesian voyaging.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs delivers $1.5M-plus in assistance through kona low relief programs
The agency continues to deliver — nearly 6 months after severe kona lows in March caused flooding and damage in communities throughout Hawaiʻi — emergency and recovery assistance to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries through a coordinated group of relief programs.
Former New York City fire chief to keynote at 2026 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference
Joseph Pfeifer will recount Hawai‘i’s support for 9/11 families nearly 25 years ago and share lessons in emergency response during the conference slated for Sept. 24-25 on O‘ahu.
Tech Days of Fall 2026 series boosts information technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity career pathways
The series of free events aims to increase awareness about and enhance Hawaiʻi’s skilled technology workforce and increasing demand for local jobs in the rapidly growing technology, artificial intelligence and cyber industries.
Hawaiʻi’s emergency siren test scheduled for Sept. 1
The monthly outdoor warning siren test will occur at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Officials monitoring Tropical Storm Lowell
The tropical cyclone does not as of now present an immediate threat to the state; Hawai’i County Civil Defense encourages residents and businesses to review and develop preparedness plans, especially with an above-average hurricane season predicted.
News briefs for Aug. 28: July unemployment, ‘Choice for Peace,’ new chefs, Rainbow Warriors, Kanahele remembered, digital learning and much more
A quick look at stories happening around the Big Island and throughout the state, from Hawai‘i unemployment for July, upcoming free ‘Finding Solutions, Growing Peace’ talk in September, new jersey patches to debut on Rainbow Warriors football jerseys, new chefs at Hilton Waikōloa Village, Fill a Police Cruiser Kōkua Food Drives success and much more.
New study finds short, intense storms gain intensity throughout Hawaiʻi
Decades of hourly data from 117 rain gauges around Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island uncovered climate trends that traditional 24-hour daily averages often miss.
Hawai‘i to receive federal funding for grid resilience, hazard mitigation
The funding will support five projects on Maui, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu that are scheduled to be completed between 2027 and 2029.
Pakele — last known wild ‘akikiki, a native Hawaiian honeycreeper unique to Garden Isle — honored by Kaua‘i County Council
“Kaua‘i County Council proudly honors Pakele’s extraordinary life and enduring legacy as a symbol of hope and resilience for the ‘akikiki,” says a council Facebook post from Aug. 26. “May her story inspire continued efforts to protect Kaua‘i’s native forests and ensure that her species may one day thrive in the wild once again.”
Police arrest Ocean View man for custodial interference, drug offenses
Dean K. Padamida was arrested and charged following an investigation into an Oʻahu runaway believed to have been staying with Padamida.
Department of Health investigates potential locally-acquired case of cyclosporiasis
The sixth case involves an Oʻahu resident who reportedly became ill with cyclosporiasis at the end of July and did not travel outside Hawaiʻi during the period when they were likely exposed.
Student feedback ranks University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as one of the nation’s best colleges
The rankings are based on surveys of college students and feature the top 14% of approximately 2,800 four-year colleges in the U.S.
‘Stark reminder of the impact of global plastic pollution’: Tangled plastic, fishing gear found in pilot whales
A new study by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers found about 23% of stranded short-finned pilot whales throughout a 13-year period in the main Hawaiian Islands had large masses of the debris, essentially ocean trash, inside their stomachs.
Presidential emergency declaration, federal assistance approved following Lala
The state and FEMA will work with the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team to assist with recovering, identifying, documenting, and respectfully reinterring human remains displaced at Nāʻālehu Cemetery.
Flags in Hawaiʻi to fly at half-staff for a week in memory of Dolly Parton
Under the direction of the President of the United States, Gov. Josh Green ordered the flags across Hawaiʻi to fly at half-staff until Tuesday, Sept. 1 in honor of Dolly Parton and her connection to Hawaiʻi.
Made in Hawaiʻi presents $40K donation to Hawaiʻi Foodbank, The Food Basket following Hurricane Lala
Made in Hawaiʻi supports disaster recovery efforts with a $40,000 donation after showcasing 800 locally-owned businesses.
Statewide events aim to amplify suicide prevention, awareness next month
Events will be tackling the pressing issue of suicide, the 10th-leading cause of death in the state, and sharing resources available throughout the state.
