Hawai'i State News
Island draft destination management action plans to be shared by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
The state agency hosted more than 30 in-person and online community listening sessions from September to December 2025 throughout the Hawaiian Islands, allowing residents to share ideas for tourism that preserve cultural, historic and environmental resources, while supporting community well-being, ensuring alignment with each island’s unique identity and values.
New report confirms 2025 was Hawai‘i’s second driest, warmest year on record
Published by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, this first-of-its-kind report uses plain language, along with easy-to-interpret maps and figures, to summarize statewide rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions over the past year.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs seeks administrator for new Mālama Honua program
Mālama Honua Home Improvement/Renovation Program is a pilot grant project for income-qualified Native Hawaiian homeowners ineligible for traditional loans because of income or credit limitations; the agency is seeking a nonprofit partner to administer the program.
Hawaiʻi to launch statewide pre-eviction mediation program this week
New 2-year pilot program requires mediation before non-payment of rent eviction filings.
Hawaiʻi eyes 75 projects to address long list of environment-related needs with $130M in ‘green fees’ expected
The advisory council reviewed over 600 projects worth $2 billion before selecting the final 75 for recommendation, including several measures to improve hazard prevention and awareness after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.
U.S. Senate approves bipartisan funding for Hawaiʻi initiatives
“The new funding will improve our roads and infrastructure, and provide people with health care, housing and other essential services,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said.
Hawaiʻi Attorney General urged to expedite probe of state legislator getting $35,000 in paper bag
Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passage of resolution follows notice that federal authorities will share evidence with state officials, allowing the state attorney general to move forward with a parallel review.
UHERO: Adjusted for local prices, Hawaiʻi’s economy among worst in nation
A new report shows Hawaiʻi’s wages and productivity have lagged the rest of the country for more than three decades, placing the state among the most economically distressed in the U.S.
New Alaska Airlines state-of-the-art global training center officially opens its doors
New $200 million, 660,000-square-foot facility brings training for multiple workgroups under one roof and strengthens the airline’s transformation into the country’s fourth global airline.
Hawaiʻi State Archives digitalizes 64 volumes of historical indexes
The newly digitized indexes span records from the early 1800s through the late 1990s and cover a wide range of topics, including genealogy, land ownership, court cases and burial records.
Peaceful Route 11 protest in Hilo calls for end to mass deportations; opposes ICE budget hike
More than 250 demonstrators were also gathering to honor the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were recently killed by federal law enforcement in Minneapolis.
Hawaiʻi Volcano Observatory website offline, monitoring systems unaffected
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website is currently offline due to a widespread issue affecting USGS public websites.
Times Higher Education ranks several University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa programs among world’s best
Five of the university flagship campus subject areas placed in the top 1% around the globe while another four garnered 2% honors in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
High surf debris forces closures at several Kohala, Kona parks
Coastal facilities and parks in Kohala and Kona, including Kahaluʻu Beach and Kohanaiki Beach Park, are closed today due to debris from high surf.
$1.8M in federal funds secured by Hawaiʻi State Energy Office will advance energy, land use, disaster planning
The funding — part of nearly $34 million in new federal funding secured by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i — supports the continued development of the interactive 3-D platform Hawai‘i Advanced Visualization Energy Nexus system.
Sponsors sought to provide nutritious meals for keiki during summer break from classes
Schools, public agencies, churches and private nonprofit organizations can apply to be U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program sponsors; participating organizations receive reimbursements for serving meals to children and teenagers 18 years old and younger at approved sites to children and teenagers.
Monthly statewide outdoor warning siren test to take place Feb. 2
Hawaiʻi’s statewide outdoor warning sirens and Emergency Alert System will undergo their routine monthly test at 11:45 a.m. on Monday.
University of Hawaiʻi researchers assist with effort to address outdated wastewater infrastructure
A 3-year $5 million grant from National Science Foundation will support the Honu Hub project — led by University of South Florida, with University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers taking charge of design and real-world pilot demonstration — which is developing a solar-powered, compact and certifiable alternative to cesspools that protects human health and the environment.
Working Families Caucus lays out proposed bill package for 2026 state legislative session
The package includes five measures to be considered by state lawmakers, targeting issues such as child care, health care and cost-of-living relief.
U.S. Sen. Hirono’s trip to O‘ahu includes visiting with students, advocates, local businesses
Purpose of the Hawai‘i Democrat’s visits was to discuss Impact of federal funding and consequences of President Donald Trump’s policies
