Hawaii News

Storm recovery and weather remain the dominant thread across the islands. On Kauaʻi, Kauaʻi County residents and visitors are being updated on Hurricane Lowell recovery, with cleanup, repairs and reconstruction continuing after Labor Day weekend damage. Flooding also forced Hanalei Elementary School to close and prompted a flood advisory and reopening of Hanalei Bridge, while ocean safety officials are warning against swimming because of multiple brown water advisories and a separate bacteria advisory at Wai‘ohai Beach. Kauaʻi is also tracking Tropical Storm Nolo, which is expected to bring periods of heavy rain through Thursday.

The same storm pattern is affecting the state’s visitor economy. Maui Now reports that August 2026 Hawaiʻi visitor spending and arrivals declined as a series of storms impacted the islands, with South Maui among the areas cited in the excerpt. That tourism slowdown sits alongside local recovery and preparedness efforts, including a request for proposals for a Special Medical Needs Power Supply Program and county planning meetings in Maui on assessment of the SMA boundary.

On Hawaiʻi Island, weather and water restrictions are also in focus. Big Island Now says Big Island residents need to know Wednesday about Hurricane Nolo, while the county Department of Water Supply has issued restrictions in Kalapana and several Kaʻū communities. Separately, solid waste facility closures were announced because of the Ironman World Championship, and the county also awarded $450,000 in Impact Grants to 23 projects.

Statewide, Gov. Josh Green’s appointments to the Land Use Commission and Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board drew attention, and the Department of Law Enforcement’s graduation of 18 deputy sheriffs is affecting multiple islands, including assignments on the Big Island and at Honolulu airport and state courthouses.