Hawaii News

Weather and surf remain the most immediate statewide concern, with advisories and unsettled conditions affecting multiple islands. Maui is under a high surf advisory for north-facing shores, while Kauaʻi is facing a high surf advisory for north and west facing shores and a flash flood warning tied to heavy rain. Big Island forecasts also point to showers and rising surf along windward and southeast shores. On Kauaʻi, officials are keeping a refuge area open in Hanalei because of flooding after the rain, underscoring that impacts are still being managed even after the heaviest weather has passed.

Several public-safety and infrastructure items are also moving. On the Big Island, a water boil notice is in effect for county water customers in Pāpaʻikou, with residents told to boil water for drinking and cooking until further testing confirms quality. Kauaʻi is set for single-lane closures on Kaumualiʻi Highway near the tree tunnel beginning Nov. 1 for paving work, while the Hanapēpē Baseyard renovation project is nearing completion. Kauaʻi also saw a small airplane crash in Waimea with five people rescued, and a stolen vehicle was recovered using newly initiated Automated License Plate Reader technology.

Maui’s coverage centers on a mix of community, development and election-related activity. Akakū Maui Community Media will air four hours of live coverage of the 2026 General Election on Nov. 3, including results, candidate interviews and an election-night watch party. In Lahaina, Binhi at Ani is preparing its annual Bayanihan Food Distribution for Nov. 14, continuing community support tied to the area. At the same time, Maui is seeing new development and tourism-related projects, including the planned Dec. 1 opening of Flight of Aloha at Whalers Village and construction underway on the U.S. Space Force’s Secure Integration Support Laboratory in Kīhei.

On Hawaiʻi Island, county and health-related updates include Kona Community Hospital earning accreditation from the country’s largest healthcare accreditor and the Water Board waiving service charges for customers impacted by Hurricane Lala. The University of Hawaiʻi is also part of broader statewide education and environment coverage, with a new Center for Ocean Policy launching at UH-Mānoa and a Sea Grant TV episode about Papahānaumokuākea winning a regional Emmy. Across the islands, the material points to a busy mix of weather response, local infrastructure work, and community events heading into the weekend.