Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green said the options for the damaged Upcountry hospital could include a mobile unit designed for disasters or a temporary modular clinic like the one Kaiser…
With the federal change in drug policy, Hawai‘i Rep. David Tarnas hopes it will help lead to legalization of adult use of recreational cannabis.
Stephanie Neher has been recognized as the Employee of the Month for April for her courageous off-duty response to a critical traffic collision that sustained a victim's life.
Weather and surf remain a practical focus across the islands, with Maui, the Big Island, and Kauaʻi all facing notable weekend ocean conditions alongside mostly fair-to-showery forecasts. On the science and education front, astronomers using Keck on Maunakea are adding to Hawaiʻi’s role in major space research, while the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa chancellor search is drawing statewide attention. Public investment and infrastructure also stand out, from new funding for Waikōloa Library to Kauaʻi roadwork and closures and Maui housing for Lahaina educators. Health and community responses are also in view, including Maui’s Kula Hospital decision and the Big Island’s fentanyl summit, while several islands continue to report routine closures and service updates.
Maui’s most consequential local thread is the future of damaged Kula Hospital, which remains unresolved as another long-term care facility nears capacity. The opening of 47-unit housing for Lahaina educators is a more immediate support measure for school staff rebuilding their lives after the fire. Community life is also slowly reappearing in West Maui, with Cinco de Mayo returning to Lahaina Cannery and county volunteer heroes being recognized.
The Big Island’s biggest themes are public investment, health, and roadwork. Gov. Josh Green released $21 million for the Waikōloa Public Library, while lane closures across state roadways will affect drivers during the week ahead. The island also remains part of Hawaiʻi’s broader science story through Keck Observatory’s Uranus ring study, and the upcoming fentanyl and addictions summit points to continued focus on substance-use response.
Kauaʻi’s main practical issues are weather, surf, and transportation disruption. Weekend surf is elevated on north and west shores, while the weather forecast calls for mostly sunny conditions with isolated showers. Drivers in Hanalei should plan around nighttime Kūhiō Highway paving closures, and the county is also temporarily shutting down housing offices in Līhuʻe for upgrades.
Maui Surf Forecast for April 26, 2026
Shores Tonight Sunday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 4-6 4-6 5-7 5-7 West Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 South Facing 1-3 1-3 2-4 2-4 East Facing 3-5 2-4 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for April 26, 2026
Photo Credit: James Grenz Hilo Rest Of Today: Partly sunny with scattered showers. Highs around 80 near the shore to 63 to 68 at 4000 feet. Northeast winds up to 15 mph. Chance of…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for April 26, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Sunday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 3-5 2-4 2-4 2-4 East Facing 3-5 2-4 2-4 2-4 South Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3…
Kauai Weather Forecast for April 26, 2026
Photo Credit: Pascal Debrunner West Kaua’i Rest Of Today: Sunny. Isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs 81 to 86 near the shore to around 72 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up…
Kauai Surf Forecast for April 26, 2026
Shores Tonight Sunday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 7-10 7-10 7-10 6-8 West Facing 5-7 5-7 5-7 4-6 South Facing 1-3 1-3 2-4 2-4 East Facing 3-5 2-4 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Distinct origins of two outermost rings of Uranus uncovered by new study
Astronomers using the W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawaiʻi Island are revealing new insight into the composition and origins of Uranus’s two outermost rings. Researchers…
Volcano Watch: Shallow earthquakes, ground deformation at Kīlauea’s summit highlight hazards near Halemaʻumaʻu
V3cam on the south rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, Kīlauea volcano. (Photo Credit: M. Patrick/US Geological Survey) The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected an increase in shallow…
HIDOE opens 47-unit housing project on Maui to support Lahaina educators
HIDOE opens 47-unit Ke ʻAla Punia workforce housing project on Maui to support Lahaina educators. PC: The Image Group The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education marked the opening…
Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau appoint leaders for regenerative tourism model
The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau appointed three new leaders to strengthen the organization as it evolves beyond the traditional destination marketing model. The Hawaiʻi…
Mark your calendar: Goodwill Industries reuse collection event scheduled for second Friday in May
Be sure to mark your calendars now for the next Goodwill Industries reuse collection event slated for the second Friday of May at Kaua‘i Resource Center in Līhu‘e. Goodwill…
OHA delegation concludes high-level Washington, D.C. engagement on military-leased lands
OHA delegation meets on Capitol Hill with Sen. Tammy Duckworth. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, led by Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele and Interim Administrator and CEO Summer Sylva, has…
Secure your spot now for 5th annual Fentanyl and Addictions Summit
The countdown begins. The 5th annual Fentanyl and Addictions Summit — hosted by Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force — is now about a week away. Come experience a powerful Native…
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa announces second candidate for chancellor
Three finalists have been selected for the position of chancellor at the flagship campus, including Amy Sueyoshi, the San Francisco State University provost and vice president of…
Kauaʻi County housing offices in Līhuʻe temporarily shutting down for upgrades
The Kauaʻi County Housing Agency offices at the Līhu’e Civic Center will temporarily close April 28 and 29 to allow for renovations, the county announced in a press release…
Cinco de Mayo returns to West Maui at Lahaina Cannery
Sergios Cantina at Lahaina Cannery. PC: courtesy For the first time since the Lahaina fires, Cinco de Mayo celebrations are returning to the Front Street area—bringing a sense of…
2026 County Volunteer Heroes recognized during National Volunteer Week
2026 County Volunteer Heroes recognized during National Volunteer Week. PC: County of Maui Twenty-three residents were honored today as 2026 Volunteer Heroes for their…
Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance new era defined by islandwide scope, local leadership
Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance is pivoting back to its roots in community-based development and islandwide data and strategy. The 24-year-old nonprofit — with appointment of…
Astronomers on Maunakea uncover distinct origins of two outermost rings of Uranus
Astronomers using the W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawaiʻi Island are revealing new insight into the composition and origins of Uranus’s two outermost rings. Researchers…
43 of Hawai‘i’s top public high school seniors honored as Citizen-Scholars
More than 40 of Hawai’i’s top public school seniors were recently honored as this year’s Citizen-Scholar Award winners. The 2026 Citizen-Scholar Awardees honored for excellence…
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa announces second finalist for chancellor
Three finalists have been selected for the position of chancellor at the flagship campus, including Amy Sueyoshi, the San Francisco State University provost and vice president of…
Maui High School students win 2026 Bridge Builder Competition
2026 Hawaiʻi Bridge Builder Competition champions from left, Ian Payba and Jeter Hondo of Maui High School. The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation congratulates the 2026 Hawai‘i…
Maui Weather Forecast for April 25, 2026
Photo Credit: Laila Reiss West Side Today: Sunny and breezy. Highs 75 to 82. Northeast winds 10 to 20 mph decreasing to up to 20 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Mostly clear…
As state, Maui Health decide future of damaged Kula Hospital, another long-term care facility nears capacity
Kula Hospital is seen on March 28, 2026, shortly after closing to the public due to water damage suffered in the first Kona low storm in mid-March. HJI / COLLEEN UECHI photo Since…
Justice Department, DEA ordered to reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana as less dangerous drug
Medical marijuana is undergoing the process to be reclassified as a less dangerous drug. For several years, Hawai‘i Rep. David Tarnas has presented legislation to legalize adult…
Kauaʻi Police Department honors off-duty dispatcher for life-saving CPR
Emergency Services Dispatcher Stephanie Neher was honored as the Employee of the Month for April in recognition of her extraordinary actions and selfless response during a…
$21 million in funding released for construction of new Waikōloa library
Gov. Josh Green has released $21 million in capital improvement project funding for the construction of the long-anticipated Waikōloa Public Library on the Big Island. A drawing…
Kūhiō Highway to see nighttime closures for paving work through mid-May
Single lane closure will be in effect next week as the Hawai’i Department of Transportation will implement nightly lane closures on Kūhiō Highway in Hanalei as paving work…
20 lane closures scheduled during week of April 25-May 1 on Big Island state roadways
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announces the following 20 scheduled lane closures and road work projects on Big Island state roadways on weekdays throughout the week of…
20 lane closures scheduled during week of April 25-May 1 on Kaua‘i state roadways
Hawai‘i Department of Transportation announces the following 20 scheduled lane closures and road work projects on Kaua‘i state roadways during the week of April 18-24. * * * * * *…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for April 25, 2026
Photo Credit: James Grenz Hilo Rest Of Tonight: Partly cloudy early in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers early in the evening, then numerous showers after…
