Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee said Wednesday evening that she will not seek re-election this year. Instead, the veteran council member is throwing her support behind Marvin…
Kathy Sprinkle will be doing a reading for her book at the Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library in Waimea on Saturday, May 9.
James Beard Award-winning Chef Sam Choy will host the event, two-time "Top Chef" finalist Chef Sheldon Simeon and acclaimed Las Vegas culinarian Chef Ronnie Rainwater also serving…
Weather and surf remain a daily factor across the islands, with Maui, the Big Island, and Kauaʻi all facing unsettled conditions and elevated surf on some shores. Public safety and accountability threads also stand out statewide: Maui police are asking for help in a snorkeling disappearance in Kāʻanapali, while Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a fatal two-car crash in Hilo and warning about scammers posing as water department employees. In the background, state government news centers on a new AI safety measure and state bond sales to support schools, transportation, and facilities. There is also continued attention to cultural and conservation issues, from monk seal protection after a Lahaina incident to a Native Hawaiian education funding update.
Maui’s most urgent item is the search for a visitor reported missing after snorkeling in Kāʻanapali, which remains a public-safety concern. Elsewhere, Schatz is pressing NOAA to improve monk seal education after a Lahaina incident, while lane closures on Puʻunēnē Avenue may affect drivers. Maui also has a lighter community note with AgFest returning and Case announcing winners of his congressional art competition.
The Big Island is dealing with a serious road-safety issue after police began investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash in Panaʻewa, and a related Route 11 closure in Hilo reopened after the crash. Residents are also being warned about scammers posing as county water employees. Beyond public safety, weather and surf remain active and the state’s new bond sale and AI safety legislation are part of the broader policy picture.
Kauaʻi’s main immediate concern is the weather and surf forecast, with north shores seeing the largest surf and showers still in the mix. County operations are also changing, as trailer rules at refuse transfer stations are being loosened to allow larger trailers. On the community and state-policy side, Kauaʻi readers also have coverage of the Kauaʻi Poke Fest with celebrity judges, plus the state bond sale and AI safety act moving through Honolulu.
Maui Surf Forecast for May 09, 2026
Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 6-8 5-7 4-6 3-5 West Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 East Facing 1-3 1-3 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Visitor reported missing after failing to return from snorkeling in Kāʻanapali
John Weems. PC: Maui Police Department The Maui Police Department requests the public’s assistance with any information on the whereabouts of John Weems, 75, of North Carolina…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for May 09, 2026
Photo Credit: James Grenz Hilo Rest Of Tonight: Mostly cloudy with numerous showers. Lows 64 to 71 near the shore to around 57 at 4000 feet. East winds up to 10 mph. Chance of…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for May 09, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 5-7 4-6 3-5 3-5 East Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 09, 2026
Photo Credit: Karsten Winegeart West Kaua’i Rest Of Tonight: Partly cloudy early in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers. Lows around 70 near the shore to…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 09, 2026
Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 6-8 5-7 4-6 4-6 West Facing 4-6 3-5 3-5 3-5 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 East Facing 1-3 1-3 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Attorney General provides regularly scheduled update on public corruption investigation
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez The Department of the Attorney General provided a regular biweekly update on Friday regarding the ongoing criminal investigation into the…
Schatz calls on NOAA to strengthen public education efforts to protect Hawaiian monk seals following Lahaina incident
Hawaiian Monk Seal. (Courtesy: MOCMI) Following a disturbing incident involving an alleged attack on a Hawaiian monk seal in Lahaina, US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of…
Trailer guidelines change at County Refuse Transfer Stations beginning Friday
The Solid Waste Division is lifting the size limitations for trailers at county refuse transfer stations, effective immediately. The five-foot by eight-foot by two-foot trailer…
Hawaiʻi police investigate two-car collision that resulted in third traffic fatality this week
Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision that occurred Friday, May 8, on the Panaʻewa stretch of Highway 11 near the intersection with Māmakī Street…
Case announces winners of his 2026 Congressional Art Competition
Rep. Case with 1st Place winner Atona Chan and Bishop Museum President and CEO Kristofer Helgen. PC: Office of Congressman Ed Case. US Rep. Ed Case (Hawai‘i-First District) today…
State sells $1.94 billion of bonds for infrastructure investment
Bond sales totaling $1.94 billion will support critical infrastructure and capital improvement projects across the state. After the Hawaiʻi Department of Budget and Finance…
State sells bonds to support investments in schools, transportation systems, facilities
Bond sales totaling $1.94 billion will support critical infrastructure and capital improvement projects across the state. After the Hawaiʻi Department of Budget and Finance…
Police seek information about Big Island fisherman who went missing a year ago
Authorities are once again asking for the public’s help in locating Earl Kekuanaoa Hind. (Photo Courtesy: Hawai’i Police Department) Authorities are renewing their request for…
Flags order to half-staff in honor of late former Big Island senator
The United States and Hawaiʻi state flags will be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaiʻi National Guard, in honor of former State Sen…
Second annual Lōkahi Play Along celebrates student songwriters and music educators
Lōkahi Play Along. PC: courtesy Students from across Hawaiʻi showcased their musical talents at the Lōkahi Play Along on May 2 at McKinley High School Auditorium alongside artists…
Lane closures on and along Puʻunēnē Avenue for traffic signal work
Puʻunene Avenue. PC: Hawai’i Department of Transportation. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is notifying the public of single lane closures on and along Puʻunēnē Avenue…
Maui AgFest returns to celebrate all things agriculture
The Grown on Maui Farmers Market tents features value-added ag products from Haleakala Creamery and fresh flowers and lei by the Maui Growers & Floriculture Collective. The…
Fuzz Box presents: Game-On! Maui’s first islandwide E-Sports tournament
Hear the roar of the crowd, feel the rush of being on the main stage, and make new friends. The Gaming Super Bowl of Maui is coming to your hometown and anyone can compete and…
Hawai‘i Department of Health looking for teens to participate in upcoming survey
The Hawai‘i Department of Health will conduct the 2026 Hawai‘i Teen Health and Media Survey in an effort to develop and improve health programs and services for Hawaiʻi’s youth…
Hawai‘i Island police warns against scammers posing as county employees to collect pastdue water bills
The Hawai’i Police Department is warning the public of a scam involving individuals posing as Department of Water Supply employees going to residences and attempting to collect…
Schatz: Education Secretary agrees to avoid cuts to Native Hawaiian Education Program
US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke with US Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Thursday, reiterating…
Hawai‘i Department of Health recruits teens for survey participation
The Hawai‘i Department of Health will conduct the 2026 Hawai‘i Teen Health and Media Survey in an effort to develop and improve health programs and services for Hawaiʻi’s youth…
Artificial Intelligence safety act passed by Hawaiʻi State Legislature
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature on Wednesday passed the Artificial Intelligence Disclosure and Safety Act that establishes some of the nation’s first consumer protections and…
UPDATE: Portion of Route 11 in Hilo reopens following traffic crash
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 8:35 a.m. on May 8, 2026. A portion of Route 11 in Hilo has reopened after the southbound lane near Mamaki Street was closed due to a…
Chef Emeril Lagasse among celebrity judges at 2026 Kauaʻi Poke Fest
James Beard Award-winning Chef Sam Choy will host the Sixth Annual Kauaʻi Poke Fest on June 19 and 20, 2026. (Photo Courtesy) Kōloa Landing Resort at Poʻipū announced the full…
Hawaiʻi State Legislature passes Artificial Intelligence safety act
The Hawaiʻi State Legislature on Wednesday passed the Artificial Intelligence Disclosure and Safety Act that establishes some of the nation’s first consumer protections and…
Lōkahi Play Along celebrates student songwriters, music educators across Hawaiʻi
Lōkahi Play Along. PC: courtesy Students from across Hawaiʻi showcased their musical talents at the Lōkahi Play Along on May 2 at McKinley High School Auditorium alongside artists…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 08, 2026
Photo Credit: Pascal Debrunner West Kaua’i Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Isolated showers. Lows around 67 near the shore to around 58 above…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 08, 2026
Shores Tonight Friday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 8-12 7-10 7-10 6-8 West Facing 6-8 5-7 5-7 4-6 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 East Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 TONIGHT Weather…
