Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
Some, like the sinkhole on South Kīhei Road, are expected to take several months to fix, while others may not be completed until next year as the county seeks emergency federal…
The suspect, 36-year-old Jake Baker, was captured on Red Road in Kaimu near Kalapana, according to a resident who took video of the arrest.
The suspect, 36-year-old Jake Baker, was captured on Red Road in Kaimu near Kalapana, according to a resident who took video of the arrest.
Public safety and emergency readiness are prominent across the islands, with the Big Island still focused on the Puna triple-homicide investigation and arrest while police also probe a separate Hilo murder, and Kauaʻi releasing an updated list of potential hurricane refuge areas as the season nears. Recovery and resilience also remain active themes on Maui, where FEMA and SBA are adding in-person support dates for survivors of the Kona Low flooding, and PacWhale is preparing to return to Lahaina Harbor in June. Education and research are another shared thread, with University of Hawaiʻi leaders meeting federal education officials in both Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi coverage, while Kauaʻi also highlights a new scholarship path for community college students.
Maui’s biggest throughline is recovery and community rebuilding, from the new FEMA and SBA support dates for Kona Low survivors to PacWhale Eco-Adventures’ planned return to Lahaina Harbor. The island is also seeing recognition of local leadership and culture, including Maui Matsuri’s business award honorees and Duke’s Maui honoring Theo Morrison with the Koho Pono award.
The Big Island’s most urgent story remains the Puna triple-homicide investigation, alongside a separate Hilo murder case that police say is unrelated. Beyond the crime coverage, residents are also watching weather and surf forecasts as well as a Volcano Watch explanation of the May 22 shake-up. There is also quieter community news, including DUI enforcement results and the reopening of the Kaloko-Honokōhau petroglyph boardwalk.
Kauaʻi’s main public-facing concerns are seasonal and practical, with the island’s weather and surf forecasts pointing to typical late-May conditions and emergency managers updating potential refuge areas ahead of hurricane season. The island also has a land-use issue drawing attention, after community groups won intervention in the Hanalei Bay luxury development review. Elsewhere, Kauaʻi readers are also seeing statewide education and agriculture threads, including the University of Hawaiʻi scholarship program and the push to confront invasive fruit flies.
Volcano Watch: What caused the major shake-up May 22 on the Big Island?
“Volcano Watch” is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. More than 7,000 people from…
Hawaiʻi Funding Project: Making visible resource flow into Hawaiʻi
A new resource was recently launched by Hawai‘i Data Collaborative to offer a consolidated view of how resources flow into Hawai‘i. Courtesy Image: Hawaiʻi Data Collaborative…
The $300M threat: University of Hawaiʻi seeks community input to stop invasive fruit flies
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience encourages community members and agriculture growers statewide to push back against invasive…
University of Hawaiʻi leadership, federal education officials meet, tour research facilities
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent on Wednesday, May 27, visited University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to meet with university leadership and tour two of its…
Maui Surf Forecast for May 29, 2026
Shores Tonight Friday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 4-6 4-6 3-5 3-5 West Facing 1-3 1-3 2-4 3-5 South Facing 3-5 3-5 4-6 6-8 East Facing 4-6 4-6 3-5 3-5 TONIGHT Weather…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for May 29, 2026
Hilo Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers in the evening, then numerous showers after midnight. Lows 60 to 69 near the shore to around 52 at 4000 feet. North winds up to 15…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for May 29, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Friday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 East Facing 5-7 5-7 4-6 4-6 South Facing 3-5 3-5 4-6 6-8…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 29, 2026
Photo Credit: Karsten Winegeart West Kaua’i Tonight: Partly cloudy. Isolated showers after midnight. Lows around 69 near the shore to around 60 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 29, 2026
Shores Tonight Friday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 4-6 4-6 3-5 3-5 West Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 4-6 South Facing 3-5 3-5 4-6 6-8 East Facing 4-6 4-6 3-5 3-5 TONIGHT Weather…
UPDATE: Suspect in Puna triple homicide on Big Island found hiding in cave, arrested without incident
Deborah Davis was driving to her home in Lower Puna on Thursday when she spotted a man who looked like the triple murder suspect Jake Baker running across Red Road being chased by…
Maui Matsuri recognizes NAPA – United Auto Parts and Restaurant Matsu with 2026 Business Award
NAPA – United Auto Parts (Fujinaka Family) The 24th annual Maui Matsuri named NAPA – United Auto Parts and Restaurant Matsu as this year’s Business Award recipients for their…
OHA Board decides against pursuing purchase of local television station
OHA Board of Trustees Meeting (5.28.26). Screengrab / YouTube The Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs today voted against a proposal to fund due diligence…
New dates and locations added for FEMA and SBA in-person support for recovery from Kona Low storms
Kona low impacts. PC: Maui United Way Survivors of the March 10–24, 2026 Kona Low flooding in the City and County of Honolulu, as well as Hawaiʻi and Maui counties can receive…
Mana Mentors Lahaina Youth Surf Team earns top finishes, inspires community through resilience
Mana Mentors Lahaina Youth Surf Team. PC: Saray Sharvit Photography West Maui nonprofit Mana Mentors is celebrating a standout first season for its Lahaina Youth Surf Team, with…
Hawaiian Airlines elevates onboard food service
Hawaiian Airlines is redefining island-inspired dining in the main cabin, continuing to evolve its signature onboard hospitality with a new onboard service program that delivers…
Six motorists arrested for DUI on Big Island roadways during week of May 11-17
The least amount of DUI arrests for May, so far, occurred during the week of May 11 through May 17, where six motorists were taken into custody on Big Island roads. Three of the…
Hawai‘i Island police investigate murder in Hilo; unrelated to triple homicides in Puna, officials say
As a manhunt is underway for a man wanted in connection with three murders in Puna, Hawai‘i Island police are also now investigating a separate murder after finding an…
Maui Land & Pineapple Co. names Oralani Koa as Director of Cultural & Community Engagement
Maui Land & Pineapple Co. announced appointment of Oralani Koa as Director of Cultural and Community Engagement. PC: courtesy of Maui Land & Pineapple Maui Land & Pineapple…
BREAKING UPDATE: Triple murder suspect found hiding in cave in Puna; taken into custody without incident
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:17 p.m. on May 28, 2026. Deborah Davis was driving to her home in Lower Puna on Thursday when she spotted a man who looked like the…
News briefs for May 28: Cultural festival, food and wine fest, marketing workshop, scholarship winners
Courtesy Image Compilation: Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival Ninth annual Hawai’i Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival coming in early June Hawai‘i Kuauli, or…
Duke’s Maui honors Theo Morrison with 2026 Koho Pono award
West Maui community leader Theo Morrison received the 2026 Koho Pono award earlier this month at Duke’s Maui for her work to preserve the cultural and natural resources of Maui…
New University of Hawaiʻi scholarship helps community college students continue to 4-year campuses
University of Hawaiʻi launched a new scholarship program that encourages community college students in the university system to take the next step to continuing their education…
Minit Stop to add ‘Chicky Tendies’ to its menu June 1
Minit Stop will add Chicky Tendies to its menu beginning June 1. Courtesy image Minit Stop will launch Chicky Tendies on June 1 — a hand-battered tender version of its longtime…
PacWhale Eco-Adventures announces return to Lahaina Harbor in June 2026
PC: PacWhale Eco-Adventures. PacWhale Eco-Adventures, the social enterprise of Pacific Whale Foundation, will resume ocean operations from Lahaina Harbor beginning June 1, 2026…
Penesa of Samoa blazes to victory, claims 2026 World Fireknife Championship crown
Falaniko Solomona Penesa of Samoa recently claimed the title of 2026 World Fireknife Champion during the World Fireknife Championships at Polynesian Cultural Center in Lāʻie…
County of Maui honors Outstanding Older American Male and Female of 2026
Outstanding Older American finalists 2026. PC: County of Maui The County of Maui Department of Human Concerns Office on Aging announced that Joseph Pontanilla and Roselani Enomoto…
Intervention granted in review of luxury development at Hanalei Bay
A group of community organizations successfully petitioned the Kauaʻi Planning Commission to grant a petition they sought to intervene in a proposed luxury coastal housing…
Petroglyph boardwalk reopens at national historical park in North Kona
New boardwalk at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. The petroglyph boardwalk at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park is now open. The boardwalk was closed for several…
US Department of Education leader visits University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research facilities
U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent on Wednesday, May 27, visited University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to meet with university leadership and tour two of its…
Updated potential refuge area list released ahead of hurricane season
Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency released an updated list of potential refuge areas for Kauaʻi that is available online as of Thursday, May 28. The list is being released as a…
