Hawaii News

Hawaiʻi is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Lowell, with recovery efforts stretching across multiple islands. On Kauaʻi, county officials are urging visitors to reconsider travel while the island continues to recover, and the Red Cross is providing assistance and sheltering as cleanup and damage assessments continue. Maui Now also reports that the Hawaiʻi National Guard has been helping transport critical care patients and support response efforts on Maui and Kauaʻi, underscoring how the storm’s impacts have required a broader statewide response. Kauaʻi County has also announced that state offices, most public schools, Kauaʻi Community College and courts are set to reopen Monday, signaling a gradual return to normal operations even as recovery work continues.

State agencies are also in the news for personnel and public health actions. Maui Now reports that Marigold Zoll has been tapped to lead the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, a statewide appointment with environmental implications. Separately, the Hawaiʻi Department of Health is offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible women, a service highlighted by both Big Island Now and Kauaʻi Now.

On Hawaiʻi Island, the most immediate local development is the magnitude-4.0 earthquake south of Pāhala, which was felt widely enough to generate more than 56 U.S. Geological Survey felt reports within the first half-hour, according to Big Island Now. The island is also still working through recovery from Hurricane Lala: the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply says assessment and recovery efforts continue after catastrophic rainfall and flooding damaged water system infrastructure. Hawaiʻi County is also expanding community resource center services to help residents affected by the major May 22 earthquake near Pāhala.

Kauaʻi’s local recovery picture includes infrastructure and safety issues beyond the storm itself. Kūhiō Highway has a southbound lane closure for emergency water repairs, and county crews responded to a wastewater spill at Hanapēpē Fire Station, with the county later reporting quick equipment restoration and disinfection. The island is also seeing volunteer cleanup efforts on mountain biking trails, though organizers say household and community recovery comes first.