In Case You Missed It

A bill introduced by 13 representatives in the state House calls for establishing a permanent “Return-to-Home program” with an as yet undetermined amount of funding to return homeless people in Hawaiʻi to their home states.

The Hawaiʻi County Council confirmed eight of new Mayor Kimo Alameda’s selections to lead departments, but the appointment for director of Environmental Management was held up over concerns involving potential conflicts of interest.

The Big Island is definitely not behind on delivering another packed schedule of events, festivals and activities. All the world’s a stage, so be sure to get out and be one of the actors.

After less than a day of eruptive activity, Episode V of the Big Island volcano’s ongoing summit eruption — the shortest so far — ended early Thursday morning. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists say a sixth episode coudl start sometime during the next few days if inflationary trends continue.

23 motorists were arrested for DUI throughout the week of Jan. 6-12, nearly twice as many than were arrested the first week of 2025. There had been a total of 35 DUI arrests made by Jan. 12 in 2025, a 20.7% increase from the 29 by the same date in 2024.

7-bill package championed by the caucus of 42 Democrats covers critical issues the state faces such as housing, homelessness, agriculture and biosecurity, economic development and public safety.

Ongoing episodic eruption within summit caldera of Big Island’s Kīlauea volcano that began Dec. 23, 2024, started its fifth eruptive event at about 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, after about 4 days on pause.

Hawai‘i Democrat U.S. Rep. Ed Case reintroduces House Resolution 380 to end what he calls “discriminatory and exclusionary” practices that drive up costs and make life harder for millions of Americans living in non-contiguous states and U.S. territories.

Summer tuition will match fall and spring semester costs at just $131 per credit for Hawai‘i residents, which will allow students to save money, graduate faster and explore new interests while staying on track academically.

As he enters his third year in office, Gov. Josh Green told a joint session of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature: “Today, I am proud to report to you that the state of Hawai‘i is strong.”

About 100 Kaiser Permanente physicians, providers, nurses, other clinical and administrative staff, and their family members volunteered at two Hawai‘i Island sites Monday as part of the 2025 Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i Annual Day of Service – Hosted by Hawai‘i Permanente Medical Group on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Kahalu‘u and Kohana‘iki Beach Parks remain closed for debris cleanup following high surf over the weekend.

DUI arrests increased nearly 1% overall throughout all of 2024 on the Big Island, with 964 compared with 955 from the year before. The number of drivers arrested for DUI involved in traffice crashes and those younger than 21 also increased.

Puna’s road to recovery doesn’t begin with just one road though. At the same time Hawaiʻi County announced restroration work was underway on Highway 137, officials also said a contract was awarded for the next road project in Lower Puna, which will be the reconstruction and realignment of 4.5 miles of Pohoiki Road also inundated by lava in 2018.

Chef de Cuisine Chris Damskey was brought on during the renovation of ‘ULU last year to elevate the dining experience and create Noio, a sushi bar led by Nuri Piccio.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that If that relatively high rate of inflation being recorded by instruments at the summit now continues and magma remains high in the vent — as indicated by peristent strong glow at night — there is a high probability a fifth fountaining episode could begin sometime between Jan. 21 and Jan. 24.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Monday, there will be no Highway 130 morning contraflow or lane closures unless otherwise permitted. Lane closures can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

On Jan. 24 and 25, longtime artist Ed Kayton will have his first solo exhibit in 25 years at Big Island Living, a teak, hardwood furniture and art gallery in Kona.

National Weather Service in Honolulu says surf heights have fallen below warning and advisory levels.

Lava within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater continues to slowly move. Crustal overturns are expected in the hours following the pause. Both vents might continue to glow, and degassing currently remains at a high level.