Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
Two men were aboard a single-engine plane that went down approximately two miles west of Kalaupapa Airport on Molokaʻi, Monday morning. Fire officials say the men were able to…
UH Hilo is one of 17 public universities around the country that was chosen for the inaugural Rural Student Success Network.
In April, 671,050 persons were employed and 16,850 were unemployed, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 687,900 statewide.
Across the islands, public-safety and infrastructure concerns are running alongside longer-term community and policy stories. Federal tsunami monitors said there is no threat to Hawaiʻi after the magnitude-6.8 quake off northern Chile, while state lawmakers are again pushing to crack down on illegal fireworks trafficking after years of enforcement concerns. On the ground, counties are still dealing with weather- and disaster-related recovery, from Maui’s South Kīhei Road sinkhole repair timeline to the Big Island’s Hilo Bay watershed cleanup planning. Higher education and research also stand out this cycle, with UH Hilo tapped for a rural higher-ed initiative and a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center scientist honored nationally.
Maui’s biggest immediate local issue is the South Kīhei Road sinkhole, where the repair schedule still depends on federal recovery funding and the complexity of the work. Public-safety coverage also includes a small plane crash off Kalaupapa on Molokaʻi that left two men hospitalized. Beyond that, MauiNow.com is tracking weather and surf conditions as well as community and cultural items, including Haʻikū’s upcoming public meeting and the Maui Matsuri festival.
The Big Island’s most consequential stories center on education, environmental management, and public safety. UH Hilo’s selection for a national rural higher-education initiative and statewide recognition for Maunakea Scholars students point to the island’s academic role, while a $2 million federal grant for the Hilo Bay watershed plan moves a long-running environmental issue forward. BigIslandNow.com also reports no tsunami threat after the Chile quake, along with a fire that damaged a Honokaʻa apartment unit and new abortion-pill access through Planned Parenthood.
Kauaʻi’s coverage is centered on the island’s labor picture, energy mix, and statewide policy issues. April unemployment on Kauaʻi stayed slightly below the state average, while KIUC’s 2025 renewable-energy performance shows the island remains near the top statewide for clean power generation. KauaiNowNews.com is also following new abortion-medication access through Planned Parenthood, the no-tsunami advisory after the Chile earthquake, and the push to curb illegal fireworks trafficking.
Timeline for repairs to sinkhole on South Kīhei Road rests on federal funding for Kona Low Storm recovery
Kona Storm repairs. PC: County of Maui The County Department of Public Works’ pursuit of emergency federal funding and the complexity of repairs are shaping the timeline for…
Two men hospitalized following small plane crash in waters off Kalaupapa, Molokaʻi
Two men were aboard a single-engine plane that went down approximately two miles west of Kalaupapa Airport on Molokaʻi, Monday morning. Fire officials say the men were able to…
Kaua‘i unemployment rates for April slightly below state average
The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April has increased slightly over the past month from 2.4% in March to now 2.5%. Kaua‘i County’s unemployment rate sits…
UH Hilo chosen for nationwide initiative to improve rural higher education
In 2026, nearly 200 graduates were first-generation college students, and the graduating class ranged in age from 19 to 79. (Photo Credit: UH Hilo) The University of Hawaiʻi at…
Hawaiʻi patients can now obtain ‘Just In Case Abortion Pills’ through Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood announced on May 21 that its expanding abortion access in several states, including Hawaiʻi, through a new program that allows patients 18 and older to obtain…
National foundation honors University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center scientist for life-saving research
Dr. Michele Carbone’s findings led to public health actions in both Turkey and the United States. (Photo Credit: University of Hawaiʻi) A researcher at the University of Hawaiʻi…
Maunakea Scholars honors students statewide for excellence in astronomy
Fifty students from five Hawai‘i high schools were recognized during annual awards ceremonies for the Maunakea Scholars program. After holding awards ceremonies at Waiākea High…
Planned Parenthood introduces advanced abortion medication access across Hawaiʻi
Planned Parenthood announced on May 21 that its expanding abortion access in several states, including Hawaiʻi, through a new program that allows patients 18 and older to obtain…
Maui Weather Forecast for May 26, 2026
Photo Credit: Travis Guthrie West Side Tonight: Partly cloudy. Windy. Isolated showers in the evening. Lows 64 to 75. Northeast winds 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 15 to 30 mph after…
Maui Surf Forecast for May 26, 2026
Shores Tonight Tuesday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 3-5 West Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 South Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 4-6 East Facing 6-8 6-8 5-7 5-7 TONIGHT Weather…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for May 26, 2026
Hilo Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 62 to 69 near the shore to 50 to 55 at 4000 feet. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent. Tuesday: Partly…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for May 26, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Tuesday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 East Facing 6-8 6-8 5-7 5-7 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 4-6…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 26, 2026
Photo Credit: Sebastien Gabriel West Kaua’i Tonight: Partly cloudy. Breezy. Isolated showers after midnight. Lows around 70 near the shore to around 60 above 3000 feet. Northeast…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 26, 2026
Shores Tonight Tuesday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 2-4 5-7 West Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 3-5 South Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 4-6 East Facing 6-8 6-8 5-7 5-7 TONIGHT Weather…
Kapalua Golf and TY Management host Summer Family Fun Night, June 20
Kapalua Golf and TY Management host Summer Family Fun Night. PC: IG @golfatkapalua Kapalua Golf and TY Management are proud to once again come together for Summer Family Fun Night…
Case, Tokuda introduce measure to crack down on interstate trafficking of illegal fireworks
Fireworks confiscated during July 2024 enforcement effort. PC: Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement US Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi introduced proposed legislation to…
Haʻikū Community Association to host public community meeting on May 27, 2026
The Haʻikū Community Association invites the community to attend its upcoming public meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Haʻikū Community Center on Hāna…
No tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi after 6.8 earthquake strikes northern Chile
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said Monday that there is no tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi following a strong earthquake off the coast of northern Chile. The magnitude-6.8…
No tsunami threat to the state after 6.8 quake strikes northern Chile
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said Monday that there is no tsunami threat to Hawaiʻi following a strong earthquake off the coast of northern Chile. The magnitude-6.8…
Animal rescued after fire rips through Honokaʻa apartment unit Sunday night
A fire late Sunday night heavily damaged a unit at Hale Hauoli Apartments in Honokaʻa, according to the Hawaiʻi Fire Department. Crews and the chief battalion were dispatched to…
‘Flip Flop Shops’ opens at Whalers Village on Maui
Whalers Village. PC Credit: Whalers Village Whalers Village welcomed Flip Flop Shops to its oceanfront collection of retailers, with a grand opening celebration held Saturday…
Japanese Cultural Society of Maui Celebrates Successful 24th Annual Maui Matsuri Festival
24th Annual Maui Matsuri Japanese Festival. PC: (5.23.26) Japanese Cultural Society of Maui The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui successfully hosted the 24th Annual Maui Matsuri…
Statewide ‘Makahiki Kuleana Kahakai’ coastal restoration day, June 6
The Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Aquatic Resources invites people on all islands to join in the Makahiki Kuleana Kahakai on June 6, 2026. As part of the…
3 assistant professors on Big Island among University of Hawaiʻi faculty honored for excellence
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo assistant professors Kekoa Harman and Elisabeth “Lis” Gallant, and Hawaiʻi Community College assistant professor Pele Kaio are among the 25 members…
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative among the highest in state for renewable energy generation in 2025
Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative achieved a 52.8% Renewable Portfolio Standard for 2025, second highest in the state behind Hawai‘i Island. KIUC continues to be well ahead of the…
Management plan of polluted Hilo Bay watershed moving forward with $2 million federal grant
Clouds roll over the top of Mauna Kea with Moku Ola in view in Hilo Bay on Dec. 10, 2024. (Kelsey Walling/Big Island Now) Hilo Bay is the state’s largest watershed, covering about…
Filipino American veteran reflects on Gulf War, Hurricane Iniki service ahead of Memorial Day
Victa stands next to one of the many AH-1 Cobra helicopters he worked on as an avionics specialist. (Photo Credit: Glenn Victa) As Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific…
Business Monday: Maui artist opens Paint Aloha gallery in Waikōloa with classes for all ages
Maui artist Annabelle Ramil started searching for a new home for her art gallery in Kīhei last October after business dried up following the deadly Lahaina wildfires of 2023…
Case, Tokuda introduce measure to crack down on interstate trafficking of illegal fireworks
Fireworks confiscated during July 2024 enforcement effort. PC: Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement US Reps. Ed Case and Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi introduced proposed legislation to…
Big Island community shaken by magnitude of damage caused by major earthquake
The extent of mangled mess caused by a major magnitude-6.0 earthquake that struck the Big island on Friday evening became clearer Saturday morning, as daylight revealed a slew of…
