News

O.K. Farm’s mission to enhance local food security is assured as more than 74 acres of the farm were established as the Pu‘u‘eo Mauka conservation easement, protecting the land to forever remain a productive agricultural land.

The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority was established by law in 2022 to develop a new mutual stewardship model for Hawaiʻi’s revered summit in which ecology, the environment, natural resources, cultural practices, education and science are in balance.

Work began on Aug. 8 and will continue through the week. As a result, officials with the power company state that there will be lane closures.

On Aug. 6, lava fountains reached up to 165 ft., and erupted lava covered 80% of the crater floor during Kīlaueaʻs episode 30 eruption.

Waves of 10 to 14 feet are forecast this morning, decreasing to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon and 7 to 10 feet Monday for those shorelines in Puna, Kaʻū, North and South Kona and North and South Kohala. Flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation also will be an issue with continued coastal flooding.

The ruling nullifies a National Marine Fisheries Service letter sent April 25 that gave commercial fishers a green light to fish in the national monument south and southwest of Hawai’i following an executive order by President Donald Trump.

Hawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s Ready Keiki Initiative has led to more funding to grow the number of public school prekindergarten classrooms from 54 to 88 statewide since 2022.

Program launching gives law enforcement throughout the state opportunity to earn bachelor of arts degree in administration of justice through the College of Arts and Sciences at the Hilo campus, entirely online, so officers can continue to serve their communities while advancing their education.

In observance of Statehood Day, Aug. 15, there will be no contraflow and lane closures unless otherwise permitted. Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded Saturday afternoon to a small wildfire near the 21-mile marker of Highway 19 near Pōhakupuka. Firefighters also battled 2 separate blazes about 15 to 20 miles north and west of there the prior 2 days that burned a total of less than about 330 acres.

New research using Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array observations together with data from NASA Infrared Telescope Facility atop Mauna Kea show water in Halley-type comet 12P/Pons-Brooks matches that in Earth’s oceans, strengthening theory that comets helped make our planet habitable.

A state Health Department inspector observed violations at Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina & Restaurante including dead and live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces and in ready-to-eat food, unclean facilities and utensils and possible cross-contamination of refrigerated foods.

The ceremony and accompanying event had more than 500 participants on shore and about 350 in the water — a powerful tribute to the lives lost 2 years ago and show of the shared strength of Maui’s residents.

Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda reports that less than 180 acres have burned between mile markers 36 and 39 of Highway 19 in Hāmākua; Hawai’i Fire Department personnel continue to respond to the blaze makai of the highway.

Project started Aug. 4 at Kapa‘au park and involves removing old, non-functioning lights and installing new lighting and electrical infrastructure. Work scheduled to take about 60 days.

Coalition of scientists, policymakers, conservation practitioners, educators, students and community members recently launched the survey, which will be a resource for the coalition’s leadership as it shapes recommendations for funding implementation.

Hilo Temple Corps officers, volunteers and community partners served breakfast to more than 400 people at the Waiākea High School shelter in Hilo, including Hawai‘i County employees and stranded cruise ship passengers and staff.

Analyzing death records from all of Hawai‘i’s counties from 2014 through 2023 and comparing death rates before, during and after the wildfire, researchers found that suicide and overdose death rates increased 46% statewide in August 2023 compared with previous months.

A team led by U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist and oceanographer Ashton Flinders with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory discovered the underwater landslide that spans more than 10 miles across and could have played a role in the 1957 tsunami that struck Hawaiʻi and elsewhere in the Pacific region.

Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are forecast by Aug. 8 along the southern shores of the island, with wave heights increasing to between at least 10 and 14 feet by Aug. 9.