Hawaii News

Across the islands, recovery and preparedness remain a major thread. Kauaʻi organizations are shifting from immediate aid to long-term rebuilding after Hurricane Lowell, with emergency assistance applications closing Oct. 24 and $364,000 in relief already distributed, while county crews continue wastewater manhole and sewer line inspections in Wailua and Ocean Safety has issued a no-swimming advisory at Hāʻena Beach Park after a shark sighting. On the Big Island, Hurricane Lala prompts Hawaiʻi County Council to explore ways to proactively manage vegetation as officials look at funding and priorities for reducing tree and power-line hazards during storms. FEMA has also launched a new online option to buy a National Flood Insurance Program policy, a tool that could matter statewide in flood-prone areas.

Education and campus operations are also in focus. Microsoft 365 access now free to students, faculty and staff at all 10 University of Hawaiʻi campuses is a notable statewide development affecting the entire UH system. On Maui, the county council committee backed a temporary sewer deal for the new Central Maui School, while Lahaina elementary students and staff continue using a temporary post-fire campus that is expected to last until at least 2029. On the Big Island, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Elementary in Papa‘ikou is reopening after an unexpected water outage forced a closure.

Transportation and access for people with disabilities is another shared theme. Hawaiian Airlines held a practice flight for more than 250 travelers with disabilities and their families, reported by Maui Now, Big Island Now and Kauaʻi Now, as a way to help them become more comfortable with air travel. Maui also has a separate report on a practice flight for people with disabilities, underscoring the same effort across islands.

Local community life continues alongside these larger issues. Maui is previewing a 120th anniversary celebration of Filipinos in Hawaiʻi and preparing for the Kā‘anapali Classic by OUTRIGGER, while also hosting an e-cycling event and Kahoʻolawe trolling dates for November. The Big Island is seeing progress on the Koaiʻe Self-Help Affordable Housing Project in Waimea, and Kauaʻi is relocating North Shore recycling drop-off bins to Kīlauea and planning fall events at The Shops at Kukui‘ula. Public safety and health items also remain active, including a Big Island rescue of a missing boogie-boarder offshore of Hapuna Beach and Kauaʻi’s CVS settlement involving invalid opioid prescriptions.