Kaua‘i News
Volcano Watch: New ‘Is Tephra Falling?’ citizen science tool launched in Hawaiʻi
Like the “Did You Feel It?” earthquake reporting tool helps make maps of areas affected by shaking, the new tool helps scientists map areas affected by tephra fallout; observations will be used to assess the character and size of the eruption plumes from Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island, along with the dispersal pattern of tephra fall.
Alaska Flight 255 headed for Big Island turns around, heads back to Anchorage because of emergency
The plane left just before 3 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 5) from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was back in Alaska within just about 5.5 hours after pilots declared an emergency and decided to turn around because of a reported maintenance issue.
Chickenpox cases rise to 10 across 4 Kaua‘i schools; health officials urge getting vaccinated
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health reports a sharp increase in chickenpox cases on Kauaʻi, with infections doubling to 10 across four schools.
Jennie Chahanovich confirmed to serve partial term on Kauaʻi County Fire Commission
Mayor Derek Kawakami has nominated Jennie Lynne Chahanovich, the president and CEO of Wilcox Medical Center, to the county’s Fire Commission.
State: Beware of scam phone calls targeting medical professionals
Phone scammers impersonating state officials and government agencies make false threats of investigations in an attempt to obtain sensitive personal information.
UPDATE: State cancels high bacteria count notification for Poʻipū Beach Park pavilion area
The Department of Health has canceled the notification of high bacteria after retesting the waters.
Keiki voices ignite Hawaiian Language Month at University of Hawaiʻi
The annual Nā Leo Hiehie o ke Koʻolau, an annual hoʻokūkū ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, Hawaiian language speech competition, at Windward Community College on Oʻahu had 120 student participants from kindergarten through high school sharing memorized passages and original speeches delivered entirely in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi during the event at Hale ʻĀkoakoa (Campus Center), and hundreds of more are registered to participate in upcoming competitions on other islands, including Kauaʻi.
First responders rescue Florida visitor from Kalalau Trail Wednesday
Personnel from Kauaʻi Fire Department rescue a 64-year old visitor from Kalalau Trail, marking the fifth hiking rescue in 2026.
AlohaCare Foundation now accepting applications for 2026-27 scholarships
AlohaCare members — or their family members — are eligible to apply; the application period is open through March 16.
Hirono, colleagues call for civil rights probe into death of Minneapolis resident Renee Good
Good was was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer last month in Minneapolis, Minn.; letter emphasizes that the Justice Department’s decision not to investigate represents a broader trend.
Free wildfire webinar scheduled this week by Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization
The discussion will focus on the national wildfire insurance crisis, triggered by wildfires throughout the United States during the past 5 to 8 years.
Active weather, including heavy rain and strong trade winds, expected this weekend
Heavy rain is possible as early as Saturday, but most likely Sunday into Monday; flash flooding appears to be most likely for Maui County and the Big Island, particularly windward locations, and strong winds are most likely to impact Kaua‘i and Maui County.
UPDATE 2: High surf advisory now in effect through Thursday for north, west shorelines of Kauaʻi, Niʻihau
The northwest swell impacting the state is on the downward trend and will continue to slowly lower today. Surf has dropped below warning levels, triggering the earlier warning to be canceled and a downgraded advisory put in its place.
Become a Clone Ranger today: Feed the community by helping create food trees
Village Harvest doesn’t just glean, or gather, from trees — it makes them, and you can help with their creation, too; air layering events are happening islandwide.
Goodwill Industries of Hawai‘i to host February reuse collection event
Residents, businesses, and other organizations can bring unwanted or unneeded items for reuse — including clothing, small furniture, kitchen items, children’s toys, books, and shoes — to the event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 13 at Kaua‘i Resource Center, located at 3460 Ahukini Road, in Līhu‘e
Nonprofit administrator sought for new Office of Hawaiian Affairs 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.
Beware of text scam involving bogus unpaid traffic fines
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary reports people statewide are receiving alleged Department of Motor Vehicles text messages saying that unless payment is made for unpaid traffic citations, the recipient’s driving privileges and vehicle registration will be suspended, and they will be assessed an additional fee.
Applicants sought for 2 upcoming vacancies on Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission
Commission members serve on a voluntary basis; terms will run 4 years from July 1 through June 30, 2030. Applications are due by Feb. 13.
Coaches meeting scheduled for 2026 Mayor’s Youth Track Meet
All public, private and home-school kindergarten through fifth-grade coaches planning to enter athletes in this year’s track meet are invited to attend the meeting planned for 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at Līhu‘e Neighborhood Center.
Hawai‘i’s medical cannabis program strong, well-utilized, independent report indicates
The report, prepared by Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, shows that Hawaiʻi’s regulated medical cannabis system captures approximately 86% to 87% of all cannabis spending by registered patients and that monthly medical cannabis sales total about $5.3 million.
