Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
Michael Vaituʻulala, 53, a lieutenant with the Maui Police Department, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud…
The unique variety of events happening during the next week around the Big Island features an array of culture, music, history, health, art and more.
The surfer was found unresponsive on Aug. 2 about 25 yards offshore of Hanamā‘ulu Beach Park.
Public safety and election-season coverage are driving much of the day’s attention across the islands. On Maui, federal authorities arrested a police lieutenant and prosecutors later outlined bribery allegations tied to chicken fighting and drug operations, while a Lahaina man was arrested in a Kahana killing. On the Big Island, a Puna shooting suspect was formally charged with attempted murder, and both Big Island and Kauaʻi are heading into crowded primary-election contests. Statewide, a new disaster philanthropy network and a Hawaiʻi safety survey point to broader efforts around resilience, safety and recovery. There is also steady community-facing coverage, from broadband expansion to educator grants and student scholarship announcements.
Maui’s biggest public-safety story is the arrest of a police lieutenant, with federal authorities detaining Lt. Michael Vaituʻulala and a later filing alleging bribes to shield chicken fighting and drug activity. Police also reported a second-degree murder arrest in Kahana, adding to a serious day in local crime coverage. Beyond that, MauiNow.com also reports grants for three Maui educators and new CRB detections prompting community action.
The Big Island is tracking a mix of public-safety, election and community items. A Mountain View man was formally charged with attempted murder, while District 3 voters are being asked to choose between an incumbent and challenger in the primary. BigIslandNow.com is also highlighting a statewide safety survey, youth music showcase sign-ups, and Puna youth career fair plans, alongside a broader news-briefs roundup.
Kauaʻi’s main focus is the run-up to the primary election, with 26 candidates competing for seven County Council seats and election broadcast coverage expanding with local media participation. The island also has a serious public-safety update after officials identified the surfer who died earlier this week. Beyond that, KauaʻiNowNews.com is carrying a statewide disaster philanthropy network launch, new life sciences scholarships, and a road-work extension on Halekō Road.
Keiki invited to participate in second annual Youth Music Showcase
Hawaiʻi Island keiki ages 5 to 18 years old are invited to showcase their musical talents during the 2nd annual Hawaiʻi Island Police Activities League Youth Music Showcase. The…
Maui police lieutenant charged with allegedly taking bribes to protect chicken fighting and drug operations
Michael Vaitu’ulala. PC: Maui Now file Michael Vaituʻulala, 53, a lieutenant with the Maui Police Department, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to…
Kaua‘i officials ID surfer who died earlier this week
Authorities have identified a surfer who died in waters off a Kaua‘i beach park earlier this week. Kaua‘i Fire Department responded to Hanamāʻulu Beach Park on Aug. 2 at…
Cammy Clark with Hawaiʻi Journalism Initiative, Pacific Media Group to join election broadcast
A live televised broadcast covering the 2026 Primary Elections on Aug. 8 at the Akakū studios in Kahului will feature host Rick Nava and Hawaiʻi Journalism Initiative and Pacific…
Maui police lieutenant charged with allegedly taking bribes to protect chicken fighting and drug operations
Michael Vaitu’ulala. PC: Maui Now file Michael Vaituʻulala, 53, a lieutenant with the Maui Police Department, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to…
Hawai‘i Education Association awards grants to three Maui educators
(L to R) Arica Lynn, Erin Rodrigues and Stephanie Keseday. PC: Hawaiʻi Education Association The Hawai‘i Education Association (HEA) recently awarded scholarships to three Maui…
News briefs for Aug. 6: Flight operations, fishing tournament, scholarships and more
File Photo Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces flight operations for August Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park reports several scheduled August flight plans: 6:30 a.m. to 1…
Bayer Hawaiʻi Life Sciences Scholarship 2026 recipients announced
Alan Takemoto from Bayer presents $1,000 checks to 2026 Bayer Hawaiʻi Life Sciences Scholarship recipients Lotus Yasuda, Sugar Condemilicor and Jaydace Acidera. (Courtesy Photo:…
Suspect formally charged with attempted murder following shooting in Puna
A man from Mountain View was officially charged with second-degree attempted murder after being taken into custody on Aug. 4 for reportedly shooting a 53-year-old man. Kawika Ah…
Hawaiʻi Safety Survey now underway statewide
Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women and partners Hawaiʻi State Judiciary and Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence announce the launch of a statewide…
Statewide disaster philanthropy network launched by Funder Hui
Funder Hui, Hawaiʻi’s regional philanthropy-serving organization, is expanding its disaster-response network statewide. Hawaiʻi Resilience & Recovery Funder Collaborative now…
First-of-a-kind hands-on training available to take your butchery skills to next level
Applications are now being accepted for first-of-its-kind butchery and meat preservation training at the Diamond Head campus of Culinary Institute of the Pacific on Oʻahu…
Maui Weather Forecast for August 06, 2026
Photo Credit: Jeni Ji Cousins West Side Today: Partly sunny in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Isolated showers. Highs 79 to 87. East winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20…
Hawaiʻi Longshore Division, ILWU endorses Mayor Richard Bissen for re-election
PC: Richard Bissen for Maui County Mayor / Bissen 2026 Friends of Richard Bissen announced the endorsement of the Hawaiʻi Longshore Division of the International Longshore and…
26 people running for Kauaʻi County Council in Aug. 8 primary. Who are they?
The Aug. 8 primary is fast approaching, with a crowded field of 26 candidates running for seven non-partisan seats on the Kauaʻi County Council. This election is especially wide…
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 7-13: Bake your own baumstriezel, 808 Day, Brain Health Scavenger Hunt, ‘Chegamos’ and more
The unique variety of events happening during the next week around the Big Island features an array of culture, music, history, health, art and more. Bake your own crispy, sweet…
Statewide disaster philanthropy network launched by Funder Hui
Funder Hui, Hawaiʻi’s regional philanthropy-serving organization, is expanding its disaster-response network statewide. Hawaiʻi Resilience & Recovery Funder Collaborative now…
District 3: Incumbent versus challenger, with primary winner capturing the Hawaiʻi County Council seat
In the Aug. 8 primary election, incumbent Dennis “Fresh” Onishi is facing a single challenger, Kelton Chang, for the District 3 seat of the Hawai‘i County Council. With only two…
Puna Rising invites youth, employers to first Puna Youth Career Fair
Puna Rising invites youth ages 14 to 19 years old, their parents and friends, as well as employers and businesses interested in hosting a table, to the first Puna Youth Career…
News in brief for Aug. 6: Broadband expansion, cooling days and more
Courtesy Photo: Hawaiian Telcom Hawaiʻi begins $150M broadband expansion for underserved communities Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green’s office and University of Hawaiʻi announce deployment…
Maui Surf Forecast for August 06, 2026
Shores Tonight Thursday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 West Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 South Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 East Facing 3-5 3-5 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Kauai Weather Forecast for August 06, 2026
Photo Credit: Karsten Winegeart West Kaua’i Rest Of Tonight: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows around 74 near the shore to around 64 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up to…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for August 06, 2026
Photo Credit: James Grenz Hilo Rest Of Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 67 to 75 near the shore to around 60 at 4000 feet. Northwest winds up to 10 mph. Chance…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for August 06, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Thursday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 East Facing 3-5 3-5 2-4 2-4 South Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4…
Kauai Surf Forecast for August 06, 2026
Shores Tonight Thursday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 West Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 South Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 East Facing 3-5 3-5 2-4 2-4 TONIGHT Weather…
Maui Police Department Lieutenant arrested by federal authorities
Michael Vaitu’ulala. PC: Maui Now file The Maui Police Department confirmed the arrest of Lt. Michael Vaituʻulala by federal authorities on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026. The United…
Lahaina man arrested on suspicion of second degree murder in Kahana
At approximately 5:31 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, police responded to the Sands of Kahana condo-resort located at 4299 Lower Honoapiʻilani Road in Lahaina regarding an…
Iconic Mexico Navy training ship returns to international waters with historic Honolulu visit
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi and its partner Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco are honored to announce the arrival of ARM Cuauhtémoc, Mexico’s internationally…
Additional Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) detections on Maui prompt community action alert
Adult coconut rhinoceros beetle. Photo: CRB Response Following two recent detections in Central Maui, the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) is urging the community to remain…
UPDATE: Lane shifts, possible lane closures for portion of Halekō Road extended for the third time
Update at 3 p.m. Aug. 5, 2026: Lane shifts and possible lane closures along Halekō Road in the vicinity of Pua Loke Street in Līhuʻe have been extended again due to inclement…
