Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
With Mauiʻi's Kim Ball leading a long effort to make surfing an official statewide high school sport — it was fitting that a sophomore from Maui won the first state high school…
The man was found underwater 30 feet from the rocky Kona shoreline where he was last seen.
This is Kaua‘i’s fourth traffic fatality of 2026.
Weather and surf remain a daily concern across the islands, with MauiNow.com’s forecast, BigIslandNow.com’s county outlook, and Kauaʻi’s weather report all pointing to breezy conditions and scattered showers, while surf updates on Maui, the Big Island, and Kauaʻi show elevated north and east shore surf in some spots. Public safety and resilience also stand out, from a fatal apparent drowning on the South Kona coast to a deadly weekend crash on Kauaʻi. Beyond the immediate hazards, state and local coverage points to longer-term concerns around tourism losses tied to March kona lows and new research on El Niño prediction, both of which speak to how weather continues to shape Hawaiʻi’s economy and planning. At the same time, there are signs of civic and community activity, including Maui County’s new Small Grants Program, public comment on Kawaihae Harbor improvements, and statewide preservation planning on Kauaʻi.
Maui’s immediate focus is on the local weather and surf outlook, with breezy conditions and scattered showers alongside another surf forecast that keeps conditions active on multiple shores. The county is also opening a new Small Grants Program and offering an information workshop for applicants, while MEO’s pre-employment services continue to target reentry support. Community and youth themes show up as well, from a local op-ed on supporting Maui’s youth to volunteers needed for Junior Achievement financial literacy classes.
The Big Island’s most immediate concerns are weather and surf, with a wet, unsettled outlook and higher east-side surf in the forecast. Public safety is also in view after a South Kona man died in an apparent drowning while picking ʻopihi. Beyond the day-to-day hazards, University of Hawaiʻi-led invasive species work and public input on Kawaihae Harbor improvements point to longer-term planning and environmental management. Statewide policy and economic coverage also reaches the island through tourism losses tied to March storms and a report that most criminal justice reform bills are not advancing this session.
Kauaʻi’s top local thread is the weather and surf outlook paired with a strong north shore surf forecast, which keeps conditions worth watching heading into the new week. Public safety is also front and center after a weekend crash in Līhuʻe left one person dead and another critically injured. Elsewhere, the draft statewide preservation plan and a public forum on civics at Kauaʻi Community College offer opportunities for community input and engagement. Statewide business and cultural coverage also touches the island through Bob Gunter’s departure from Kōloa Rum Co. and the 40th anniversary observance for the USS Missouri’s recommissioning.
Maui Surf Forecast for May 04, 2026
Shores Tonight Monday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 West Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 2-4 East Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for May 04, 2026
Hilo Tonight: Mostly cloudy with occasional showers. Lows 60 to 69 near the shore to 51 to 57 at 4000 feet. Northwest winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90 percent. Monday: Mostly…
South Kona man dies from apparent drowning while picking ‘opihi
Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a possible drowning of a man from Kealakekua who had reportedly been picking ʻopihi along the Kona Coast. At 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Kona…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for May 04, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Monday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 East Facing 4-6 4-6 4-6 3-5 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 2-4…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 04, 2026
Photo Credit: Pascal Debrunner West Kaua’i Tonight: Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows around 67 near the shore to around 58 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up to 15 mph…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 04, 2026
Shores Tonight Monday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 4-6 4-6 6-8 7-10 West Facing 2-4 2-4 4-6 5-7 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 2-4 East Facing 3-5 3-5 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
New County Small Grants Program opens for applications
An online information workshop will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026, for potential applicants for the County of Maui’s new Small Grants Program, which opened today, May 1, to offer…
Study reveals robust seasonal cycles among vast diverse ocean microbial communities
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa oceanographers discovered that microbial communities in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre — from the sunlit surface to extreme depths — exhibit…
Inaugural Laulau Day celebrated at Hawaiʻi House of Representatives
May Day wasn’t just Lei Day at the state Capitol in Honolulu. Hawaiʻi House of Representatives also celebrated Hawaiian food and culture Friday, May 1, by observing the inaugural…
University of Hawai‘i leading state efforts to combat invasive species with grant-funded projects
University of Hawai‘i researchers are currently leading 98 grant-funded projects totaling more than $33.5 million to combat invasive species. The work targets some of the state’s…
Weekend car crash leaves 1 dead, 1 in critical condition on Kaua‘i
A Kaua‘i resident is dead following a single-vehicle crash in Līhu‘e early Saturday morning. Kaua‘i Police Department responded to the crash at approximately 3:10 a.m. at the…
Op-Ed: A community approach to supporting Maui’s youth
A community approach to supporting Maui’s youthBy: Monica Marrow, Executive Director of What Makes You Feel Beautiful Monica Marrow is the Executive Director of What Makes You…
Longtime Kōloa Rum Co. president, chief executive officer Bob Gunter steps down
Leading Kōloa Rum Co. is one of the most meaningful chapters of Bob Gunter’s life. That chapter of Gunter’s life — and the Kaua‘i distillery’s history — ended Friday, May 1, as…
Public encouraged to read, comment on draft statewide preservation plan
A 30-day public review period is now underway for the draft statewide historic preservation plan Papahana Kāʻeuʻeu: Hawaiʻi’s Plan for Living Heritage Stewardship. Courtesy Photo:…
Severe weather washes away more than quarter of million dollars in state tourism revenue
Back-to-back kona low storms from March 10-24 dampened the state’s economy while they wreaked havoc on the islands themselves, washing away more than $300 million in tourism…
The Shops at Wailea celebrates Mother’s Day with dining specials, gifting
PC: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 2026 Brunch The Shops at Wailea invites the community to celebrate Mother’s Day with dining experiences, curated gifting and a social media giveaway…
Volunteers needed to teach Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi’s financial literacy curriculum
While Financial Literacy Month in Hawai‘i has come to an end in April, there are still opportunities this school year for volunteers to get involved and help teach Junior…
News briefs for May 3: Poi, new board member, film tax credit, Rocket League champs
Courtesy Photo: Hawai‘i Department of Education State public schools expand menu with Hawaiian staple food of poi Hawaiʻi Department of Education remains committed to…
University of Hawai‘i research predicts El Niño 15 months in advance using ocean model
Scientists for decades worked to improve predictions of El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, a climate powerhouse that can cause droughts, flooding, marine heatwaves and more…
Simple ocean model predicts El Niño 15 months in advance
Scientists for decades worked to improve predictions of El Niño-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO, a climate powerhouse that can cause droughts, flooding, marine heatwaves and more…
Hirono, Meng introduce resolution recognizing May as AANHPI Heritage Month
File PC: Sen. Hirono. YouTube US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led their colleagues in…
End of an era at Kōloa Rum Co. as longtime president, chief executive officer Bob Gunter steps down
Leading Kōloa Rum Co. is one of the most meaningful chapters of Bob Gunter’s life. That chapter of Gunter’s life — and the Kaua‘i distillery’s history — ended Friday, May 1, as…
Maui Weather Forecast for May 03, 2026
Photo Credit: Jeni Ji Cousins West Side Today: Breezy. Mostly sunny with isolated showers. Highs 73 to 85. Northeast winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. Tonight: Partly…
Surf was up at Hoʻokipa Beach for Hawaiʻi’s first state high school surfing championship
Kahlil Pineres-Schooley of Seabury Hall is carried in celebration after winning the boys shortboard competition on May 2, 2026, at Ho’okipa to become the first state high school…
MEO offers pre-employment services for recently released inmates
Maui Economic Opportunity’s Being Empowered and Strong Together offers a pre-employment training program for recently incarcerated individuals that includes financial support for…
Public input sought for Kawaihae Harbor improvements project on Big Island
Kawaihae Harbor. (Photo courtesy: Hawai‘i Department of Transportation) Kawaihae Harbor on the northwest coast of the Big Island is currently experiencing significant roadway…
More than $300 million of state’s tourism revenue washed away by kona lows in March
Back-to-back kona low storms from March 10-24 dampened the state’s economy while they wreaked havoc on the islands themselves, washing away more than $300 million in tourism…
Most criminal justice reform bills in Hawai‘i not moving forward this legislative session
Most of the criminal justice bills presented during this legislative session have died, including ones that would make it easier for officers to issues citations in lieu of…
Public forum to discuss civics with panelists at Kauaʻi Community College
A forum on civic engagement will be held at the Kauaʻi Community College Library on Tuesday. The Hawaiʻi Commission to Promote and Advance Civic Education and the Hawaiʻi Library…
Special ceremony, exhibit mark 40th anniversary since USS Missouri recommissioning
The Battleship Missouri Memorial this month will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the USS Missouri’s recommissioning with a special ceremony and exhibit opening. Courtesy…
