Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi

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Statewide

Hawaiʻi is still dealing with the aftereffects of Hurricane Lala even as Tropical Storm Moke brings another round of wind and rain, with Big Island recovery efforts and a formal emergency declaration request moving ahead. On the Big Island, Moke is already producing heavy rainfall and gusty winds, while Maui and Kauaʻi are being told to expect less direct impact but stay alert as the system passes south of the islands through MauiNow.com and KauaʻiNowNews.com. The storm cycle is also exposing how fragile infrastructure and recovery systems remain, from the washed-out Nāhiku bridge on Maui to Pāhala neighbors helping each other after Lala. Beyond the weather, the day’s broader thread is resilience: emergency food support is starting in Kaʻū communities, reef damage has triggered Hawaiʻi’s first reef insurance payout, and public health and wildlife policy debates are still active in new immunization data and reef fish collection coverage.

Maui

Maui’s biggest immediate concern is weather and recovery, with Tropical Storm Moke expected to bring gusty winds and heavy rain and the Nāhiku bridge still out after Hurricane Lala. At the same time, the county is marking community milestones, including the Oskie Rice Memorial Rodeo’s 110-year celebration and Live Like Treʻ Foundation honors for three Maui fire cadets. There is also a practical support note for families in recovery, with weekly meal box distribution set to begin in Kaʻū communities.

Big Island

The Big Island is still in active storm response mode, with Moke bringing heavy rain and gusty winds even as officials push Lala recovery updates and a presidential emergency declaration request. Community response remains central in places like Pāhala, where residents are helping one another recover and brace for the next storm. Beyond the weather, the island is also seeing new command promotions in the Hawaiʻi Police Department, lower kindergarten immunization rates, and ongoing debate over commercial aquarium fish collection.

Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi is seeing less direct impact from Moke, with forecasters saying the storm should weaken and pass well south of the island and local weather expected to stay relatively calm. Even so, officials are still watching conditions closely, and firefighters responded to smoke and flames in Wainiha after possible brush-fire reignition was reported. Travelers should also note the separate airport advisory tied to Honolulu baggage screening outages affecting Līhuʻe passengers, while broader statewide fallout from Hurricane Lala and public health concerns over declining kindergarten immunization also remain on the radar.

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