Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
The Maui County Council unanimously passed a $1.6 billion fiscal year 2027 budget on first reading Friday, approving a contested shoreline stabilization grant after a lengthy…
Big Island police seek drivers of the vehicles that fled the area where the pedestrian was killed later Friday night, May 15, in Keaʻau.
Moderate easterly trade winds will focus rainfall over windward areas of all islands Saturday, May 16, as chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms continues to diminish while…
Hawaiʻi’s public calendar is filling up with election deadlines, policy changes, and seasonal preparations. Both Big Island and Kauaʻi readers are being reminded that candidate filing closes June 2, while Gov. Josh Green’s new corporate political spending law is set to reshape campaign finance rules statewide. Weather remains a watch item after the state flood watch was canceled, but not before heavy rain hit parts of Kauaʻi and instability lingered over the Big Island. On the ground, transportation and access issues continue to matter, from Honoapiʻilani Highway guardrail work and Pāpalōa Road closures to trail and park restrictions on the Big Island.
Maui’s biggest threads today center on rebuilding, budgeting, and hurricane readiness. The county is changing factory-built housing procedures in the Lahaina burn zone, while Lahaina fire survivors are being urged to get applications in before an August deadline. Separately, the Maui Council advanced a $1.6 billion budget and the state is reminding residents to review insurance policies before hurricane season.
The Big Island is dealing with both public safety concerns and the usual mix of civic deadlines and island logistics. Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run near Highway 130 and Orchidland Drive and a second double-fatality crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway, while a previously missing 69-year-old woman in Hilo was located. Elsewhere, residents are watching lingering storm instability and a temporary Pololū Trail closure, even as election season and a new corporate spending law add to the statewide political picture.
Kauaʻi is still feeling the effects of a wet, unstable weather pattern, with nearly 6 inches of rain reported in part of the island even after the statewide flood watch was lifted. Access issues are also front and center, with a one-lane intermittent closure planned for Pāpalōa Road in Wailua and a portion of Ke Ala Hele Makālae closed in Kapaʻa until further notice. Beyond that, the island is tracking the June 2 candidate filing deadline, the new corporate political spending law, and a Volcano Watch update on predicting Kīlauea lava episodes.
The Westin Maui to mark nation’s 250th birthday with drone show, aerial orchid drop
The Westin Maui will celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with an aerial drone show and a helicopter orchid drop. PC: The Westin Maui The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali is…
Transforming everyday commutes: Skyline riders to support Hawaiʻi’s youth on Great Futures Day
A ride on Honolulu’s Skyline rail means more than just getting from Point A to Point B this month — it will help shape the future of Hawaiʻi’s youth. Every Skyline ride May 18…
June 2 is filing deadline for Hawaiʻi candidates running for public office in 2026
Candidates in Hawaiʻi who want to appear on the 2026 ballot for public office must file nomination papers by 4:30 p.m. on June 2. Prospective candidates are encouraged to review…
Hawai’i Announces Opportunity Zones 2.0 Market Activation Summit
The state of Hawai‘i, through the Office of the Governor, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in…
Filing deadline for Hawaiʻi candidates running for public office in 2026 is June 2
Candidates in Hawaiʻi who want to appear on the 2026 ballot for public office must file nomination papers by 4:30 p.m. on June 2. Prospective candidates are encouraged to review…
Gov. Josh Green signs new law limiting corporate political spending in Hawaiʻi
Gov. Josh Green hosts the Western Governors’ Association Policy Forum on disaster management and recovery. PC: WGA (4.20.26) Gov. Josh Green signed Act 011 that establishes new…
Wailea cocktail bar becomes first in Hawaiʻi to earn global Pinnacle Guide recognition
Pilina at Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea has received a Two Pin distinction from The Pinnacle Guide. PC: Fairmont Kea Lani Pilina at Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea has become the first…
UPDATE: Previously missing endangered 69-year-old woman located in Hilo
Darlene Mae Lewi This story was updated at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026: Hawai‘i Police Department reported late Saturday morning, May 16, that a 69-year-old woman previously…
Guardrail work to shift and close lanes on Honoapiʻilani Highway
Honoapiʻilani Highway sign. PC: Wendy Osher The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is notifying the public that a guardrail project on Honoapiʻilani Highway beginning on Monday…
Nearly 6 inches of rain falls on part of Kaua‘i as first very unstable air of season moves over state
A flood watch previously in effect for the entire state was canceled shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, May 16, as widespread flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat to the…
Some instability lingers from passing storm, but only few heavy showers flared up so far on Big Island
A flood watch previously in effect for the entire state was canceled shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, May 16, as widespread flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat to the…
Hawaiʻi residents encouraged to review insurance policies in preparation for hurricane season
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division reminds consumers to evaluate their insurance policies before hurricane season, which begins June 1. Forecasters…
One man dead after struck by multiple vehicles near Highway 130, Orchidland Drive intersection
One man is dead following a hit-and-run incident later Friday night, May 15, in Keaʻau. Big Island police are searching for the drivers of multiple vehicles that fled the area…
Hirono memorializes fallen Maui Police Officer Suzanne O during committee meeting
During National Police Week, Hirono Memorializes Fallen Maui Police Officer Suzanne. PC: Office of US Sen. Mazie Hirono. US Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate…
US Postal Service urges customers to include fixing mailboxes during spring cleaning
Maui mailboxes. File photo by Wendy Osher. During Mailbox Improvement Week, which runs May 18 to 24, the United States Postal Service is reminding customers everywhere to inspect…
Capt. Edwin Buyten graduates from Northwestern’s police leadership program
Police Captain Edwin Buyten graduates from Northwestern University Center for Public Safety’s School of Police Staff and Command. (Photo Credit: Hawai’i Police Department)…
County DPW announces new procedures for factory-built housing in Lahaina Burn Zone
Lahaina housing rebuild. 4-15-2026 PC: Brian Perry To increase flexibility, the County of Maui Department of Public Works (DPW) Development Services Administration has implemented…
Maui Council advances $1.6 billion budget, splits 5-4 on mayoral spending limits
Maui County Council members gave first-reading approval to the fiscal 2027 budget, including a $2.5 million grant for shoreline stabilization work at the Pā‘ia Mantokuji Mission…
Maui Weather Forecast for May 16, 2026
Photo Credit: Jeni Ji Cousins West Side Today: Mostly sunny. Isolated showers in the morning, then scattered showers in the afternoon. Highs 79 to 84. South winds up to 15 mph…
Lahaina fire survivors urged to apply for housing rebuild programs as August deadline approaches
LAHAINA — Kekoa Mowat didn’t think he would qualify for a federally funded program to help rebuild the 3-bedroom home his family lost in the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire. But in…
Caturday at Scruffee’s: Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society hosts free adoption event in Hōlualoa today
Feline friends are waiting to be adopted for free Saturday, May 16, at Animal Community Center in Hōlualoa. Some of the cats who are up for adoption. (Courtesy of Hawaiʻi Island…
New law limiting corporate political spending in Hawaiʻi takes effect in July 2027
Gov. Josh Green hosts the Western Governors’ Association Policy Forum on disaster management and recovery. PC: WGA (4.20.26) Gov. Josh Green signed Act 011 that establishes new…
Maintenance work to temporarily close Pololū Trail and Lookout
A steward over Pololū Valley in North Kohala. (Courtesy of Kupu) Pololū Trail and the lands leading to the trail entrance will be closed to all public access on Sunday, May 17…
Volcano Watch: Scientists reveal how they are predicting lava episodes at Kīlauea
Editor’s Note: This Volcano Watch was written by research geophysicist Ingrid Johanson with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Over the past month, the frequency of fountaining events…
Police investigate second double fatality on Daniel K. Inouye Highway in 10 days
Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) that left two people dead on Friday, May 15. At 3:38 p.m., South…
Volcano Watch: How are scientists predicting ongoing lava episodes at Kīlauea’s summit?
Editor’s Note: This Volcano Watch was written by research geophysicist Ingrid Johanson with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Over the past month, the frequency of fountaining events…
One-lane, intermittent closure set Tuesday for Pāpalōa Road in Wailuā
One-lane, intermittent closure is scheduled for Pāpalōa Road. A one-lane intermittent closure of Pāpalōa Road in Wailua is scheduled for construction activities related to the…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 16, 2026
Photo Credit: Pascal Debrunner West Kaua’i Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Lows around 71 near…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 16, 2026
Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 5-7 4-6 3-5 3-5 West Facing 3-5 2-4 2-4 2-4 South Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 East Facing 3-5 3-5 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Debris closes portion of Ke Ala Hele Makālae in Kapa‘a
The Department of Parks and Recreation has closed a portion of Ke Ala Hele Makālae, from Keālia Beach to Palikū Beach in Kapaʻa, until further notice. The closure is necessary to…
