Hawaiʻi’s most immediate story is weather and recovery from a string of storm impacts. On the Big Island,
Hurricane Nolo updates say Hawaiʻi County is accepting damage reports and other unmet-needs requests as the system moves away, while a wind advisory and high surf advisory have been canceled. Related public-health and utility issues are still unfolding:
Lālāmilo water-use restrictions were lifted after power was restored, and
a brown water advisory remains in effect for Hilo Bay even as
an advisory was lifted at Puhi Bay after a wastewater discharge. Kauaʻi is also still in recovery mode:
county officials say the island is in Day 21 after Hurricane Lowell, with relief organizations being urged to help fill gaps in aid, while
rain bands from Hurricane Nolo are forecast to bring more rain to Kauaʻi and Niʻihau. Beach conditions are also a concern on both islands, with
brown water advisories on Kauaʻi and surf advisories tied to Nolo.
On Maui, the focus is split between recovery, infrastructure, and community life.
Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted for Olowalu Village after a brush fire was reported 95% contained, while
HECO began restoring power to West Maui customers and the PSPS watch ended. Transportation and access issues continue as
overnight paving on Honoapiʻilani Highway will close one lane in Olowalu and
Lahaina District Court was closed due to a power outage. At the same time, Maui is preparing for the
99th Maui County Fair and continuing to surface longer-term wildfire health concerns through a
UH study on toxic metals found in residents months after the 2023 fires.