Hawai‘i News
UPDATE: National Weather Service lifts flood watch early for Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau
Forecasters on Saturday (Feb. 21) extended the watch overnight, until 6 a.m. today (Feb. 23), because of persistent unstable weather that had already produced heavy rainfall resulting in flooding of Hanalei River and flash flooding causing rapid runoff and more around Kaua‘i.
State encourages parents, guardians to complete 2025-26 School Quality Survey
The feedback garnered from the survey is invaluable, plus it helps state education officials and school leadership assess as well as enhance the quality of education in Hawai‘i schools; all responses also are strictly confidential.
Insights: Is Hawaiʻi being left behind?
Data suggest it is, though not in the same way as traditional left-behind regions.
Measure aimed at hiking DUI penalties for highly intoxicated drivers advances
Hawai’i House Committee on Transportation moved House Bill 1708 ahead with 7 yes votes; the bill would make a second DUI offense with a blood-alcohol content more than 0.15% — and within 10 years of a driver’s first DUI conviction — a Class C felony.
Volcano Watch: A sight to see; maintaining Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s webcams during a historic eruption
Visual observations have been a backbone of volcano research more than 2,000 years and remain fundamental to understanding how volcanoes work; advancements in technology even allow eruptions to be viewed from anywhere around the world.
Social Security services in Hawaiʻi at risk with staffing down to 66 workers in field offices
Hawaiʻi now has a 1 to 4,772 ratio of Social Security Administration field office employees to beneficiaries, one of the most challenging workloads in the nation.
Students seeking degree in business, related fields can apply for 2026 Fukunaga Scholarship
Students who are selected each receive $20,000 throughout 4 years — or a pro-rated amount for fewer years — that can be applied to tuition, books, housing and other educational expenses; deadline to apply online is Feb. 23.
State seeks applicants for vacancy on Campaign Spending Commission
Those interested in serving in the vacant commission seat should submit an application along with a résumé and three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s character and integrity no later than March 13.
University of Hawaiʻi eclipse research finds turbulent times in sun’s corona
The study reveals the origin and evolution of turbulence in the corona, a process long linked to coronal heating and the acceleration of the solar wind.
Application period to fill two Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission seats extended
The new deadline is March 13. Applications were originally due Feb. 13 for the two seats, which each is for 4-year terms from July 1 through June 30, 2030.
Hawaiʻi’s new poet laureate uplifts the Pidgin language to inspire diverse, local voices
Lee Tonouchi, known as “Da Pidgin Guerrilla,” has advocated for Pidgin as a legitimate language for creative and academic expression through three decades as an educator, writer and speaker.
Loyola Marymount shines in windy finale at Kauaiʻs Ocean Course
Loyola Marymount University clinched both team and individual honors at the 49th John A. Burns Intercollegiate.
New study shows sea level rise worries most Hawai‘i residents
A new statewide survey released by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization reported the first representative study to measure public beliefs, risk perceptions and policy preferences related to sea level rise across all four counties.
UPDATE: Episode 42 of ongoing summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano on Big Island ends after nearly 10 hours
An estimated 15 million cubic yards of lava erupted and covered about 50% of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor.
Measure strengthening Hawaiʻi electric grid reliability, safety, affordability moves forward
Hawaiʻi Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs passes second reading of Senate Bill 3326, referring it to Senate Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration; would establish policy to restructure electric industry by separating generation from transmission and distribution.
Aloha United Way’s 211 Annual Report reveals rising housing, food needs throughout Hawaiʻi
The 2025 report draws on more than 51,000 calls, texts and chats to the statewide 211 helpline.
One of oldest Hawaiian honeycreepers discovered and then re-leased on Big Island
The ʻiʻiwi likely hatched in the winter/spring of 2015-16 and is a minimum of 10 years old, which is rather amazing considering the typical lifespan of ʻiʻiwi is, maybe, half of that at 3 to 5 years.
New factbook details military’s economic impact in Hawai‘i
The factbook is designed for residents, policymakers and business leaders; it includes easy-to-read charts and explanations covering personnel spending, contracting, federal assistance, community programs and the broader economic effects of defense activity throughout all islands.
Ongoing probe into possible public corruption addressed by Hawaiʻi attorney general
Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General conducted a press briefing Friday (Feb. 13) to address an ongoing investigation into possible public corruption.
Q&A with ‘Chief of War’ star, Waimea High School grad Kaina Makua
Advice for students from the man who plays King Kamehameha I in the Apple TV series: “You don’t need to go to college to be “somebody.” But how will you help your community? How do you contribute and bring value to the lives of others instead of just yourself? Don’t live for just yourself. You should be living for everybody. If everyone had that mindset, imagine the things we could do.”
