On 250th anniversary of United States, Native Hawaiians remember struggle to keep their own history alive
“It’s hard to celebrate a nation’s independence when they’re responsible for taking your country’s independence,” said Kau‘i Sai-Dudoit.

Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
“It’s hard to celebrate a nation’s independence when they’re responsible for taking your country’s independence,” said Kau‘i Sai-Dudoit.
The renovations will cause the Performing Arts Center to close from January 2027 to August 2027.
Rey's Auto Repair founder Rey Juan and his family created a welcoming place, where customers feel how much the family cares and values them, local businesses trust them to keep…
Holiday-weekend coverage across the islands is centered on Fourth of July logistics, weather, and local celebrations, with most forecasts pointing to relatively typical trade-wind conditions and only scattered showers. On the Big Island, officials are warning about temporary road closures for holiday events and reminding residents to take fire safety seriously as wildfire season continues, while Maui and Kauaʻi are also tracking the holiday with weather updates and community gatherings. The broader news picture also includes a few notable civic and cultural threads: Maui County’s Lauren Akitake has been elected chair of the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents, Hawaiʻi’s history and identity are in focus in MauiNow’s look at Native Hawaiians preserving their own story and Kauaʻi’s report on State Archives contributions to America250, and the PGA Tour’s move away from the season-opening Hawaiʻi event is a notable change for the state’s sports calendar. There is also ongoing local concern on Maui over a missing Kīpahulu man, alongside a few lighter features ranging from coral spawning to a rare corpse flower bloom.
Maui’s most urgent item is the search for missing Kīpahulu man Zakiah Lind, which has prompted police to ask the public for help. Elsewhere, Lauren Akitake’s election as UH Board of Regents chair gives Maui County a prominent voice in university leadership. The island is also seeing broader cultural and community coverage, including a reflection on Native Hawaiian history on the 250th anniversary of the United States, a look at Lahaina’s rebuilding nearly three years after the wildfires, and a pair of nature-focused pieces on coral spawning night and the corpse flower bloom on Lānaʻi.
The Big Island’s holiday focus is on getting people around safely and keeping the weekend calm: road closures in Hilo and Nāʻālehu will affect Fourth of July events, and state officials are again urging fire safety as wildfire season remains active. Forecasts suggest relatively quiet holiday weather and modest surf conditions, which should help with travel and celebrations. Beyond the holiday, Hilo is also getting a new postmaster, Safe Routes work near Waiākea schools is set to begin, and the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center is preparing for its first major renovation since opening.
Kauaʻi’s biggest holiday story is the island’s Fourth of July lineup, with Kauaʻi Hospice’s 33rd annual “Concert in the Sky” now serving as the main event after the military canceled its celebration. Residents are also being asked to help with post-holiday beach cleanups as the community looks to limit the mess left behind by weekend festivities. The island’s broader coverage includes the PGA Tour’s removal of the season-opening Hawaiʻi event, State Archives contributions tied to America250, and a special Girl Scouts membership offer for families statewide. Weather and surf forecasts point to a fairly typical holiday weekend, with decreasing humidity and steady trades and manageable ocean conditions.
Police seek help locating missing Kīpahulu man, last seen July 1, 2026
Zakiah Lind The Maui Police Department requests the public’s help with any information on the whereabouts of Zakiah Lind, 22, of Kīpahulu. Lind was reported missing by a concerned…
On 250th anniversary of United States, Native Hawaiians remember struggle to keep their own history alive
The State of Hawai’i and U.S. flags in front of the state building in Wailuku on June 30, 2026. HJI / COLLEEN UECHI photo Every year on Nov. 28, Kau‘i Sai-Dudoit pulled her kids…
Maui Weather Forecast for July 04, 2026
Photo Credit: Brittney Cruz West Side Today: Mostly sunny. Breezy. Highs 79 to 85. Northeast winds 10 to 25 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Breezy. Lows 69 to 77. Northeast winds 10…
Maui County’s Lauren Akitake elected UH Board of Regents chair
New University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents Chair Lauren Akitake (center) is accompanied by Second Vice Chair Keith Amemiya (left) and First Vice Chair Gabe Lee after they were…
Testament to hard work and what it can build: Family business grows at Hanamā‘ulu Shops
Seeing Rey and Daisy Juan’s joy is easy when they talk about Rey’s Auto Repair. It comes through how they talk about their customers, their family and the joint future toward…
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Performing Arts Center to close for first major renovation since opening
Since it opened in 1974, the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Performing Arts Center has hosted a wide variety of events, including musicals and plays led by student casts and…
U.S. Postal Service appoints postmaster for Hilo
Kai Kawelo will oversee daily retail and delivery operations as Hilo’s new postmaster for the U.S. Postal Service. Kawelo began his postal career in 2021 in Hilo as a mail…
Volunteers sought on Kauaʻi for two beach cleanups after Fourth of July festivities and other events
Volunteers across Kauaʻi can head to two beaches on Sunday as part of a nationwide effort to remove trash left behind from Independence Day celebrations. The Surfrider Foundation…
Hawaiʻi State Archives donates 2 significant collections to America250
Hawaiʻi State Archives, a division of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services, made two contributions to America250, this year’s nationwide initiative commemorating…
Safe Routes to Waiākea Schools improvements to start on Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo
Safe Routes to Waiākea Schools improvement project starts July 6, 2026, on Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo. (Courtesy Photo: Hawai‘i County) Temporary traffic changes are coming to Kīlauea…
‘GMA’ spotlights Hawaiʻi, looks at Lahaina’s rebuilding nearly three years after the Maui wildfires
ABC News correspondent Becky Worley speaks with Miss Aloha Hula 2026, Faith Kealohapauʻole Paredes of Maui. They are joined by members of Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi and…
Maui Surf Forecast for July 04, 2026
Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 West Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 South Facing 3-5 3-5 4-6 4-6 East Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 TONIGHT Weather…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for July 04, 2026
Hilo Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers in the evening, then numerous showers after midnight. Lows 65 to 72 near the shore to around 59 at 4000 feet. North winds up to 15…
Kauai Weather Forecast for July 04, 2026
Photo Credit: Sebastien Gabriel West Kaua’i Tonight: Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows around 72 near the shore to around 63 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up to 15 mph…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for July 04, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 East Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 South Facing 3-5 3-5 4-6 4-6…
Kauai Surf Forecast for July 04, 2026
Shores Tonight Saturday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 West Facing 1-3 1-3 2-4 2-4 South Facing 3-5 3-5 4-6 4-6 East Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 TONIGHT Weather…
Coral Spawning Night returns Wednesday, July 15
Explore the park after dark and experience the rare possibility of witnessing coral spawning and other fascinating nighttime animal behaviors at the Maui Ocean Center. The event…
PGA Tour eliminates season-opening Hawaiʻi event
While the PGA Tour is permanently eliminating the iconic season-opening Hawaiʻi swing next year, the Sony Open in Hawaiʻi will now be a stop on the PGA Tour Champions. This is the…
Parts of Hilo, Nāʻālehu highways to be closed July 4 to accommodate holiday celebrations
Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation announces parts of two Big Island highways will be temporarily closed this weekend for Fourth of July celebrations. Courtesy Images A portion…
Rare natural spectacle, Corpse Flower, in bloom on Lānaʻi this weekend
Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum). PC: courtesy Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort A rare natural spectacle is finally in bloom at Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort. For…
Residents reminded to practice fire safety this Fourth of July weekend
The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency is urging residents to practice fire safety during the Fourth of July holiday weekend as wildfire season enters full swing. Traditional…
Volcano Watch: Hawai‘i Five-O! Fifty fountaining episodes at Kīlauea summit
“Volcano Watch” is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Hawai‘i, the 50th state, reached…
State restricts movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials on Hawaiʻi Island
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. PC: Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity is reminding businesses, organizations and individuals…
Volcano Watch: Hawai‘i Five-O! Fifty fountaining episodes at Kīlauea summit
“Volcano Watch” is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Hawai‘i, the 50th state, reached…
US Coast Guard prepares for Typhoon Bavi, urges Marianas residents to act now
US Coast Guard crews in Guam prepare for Typhoon Bavi (09W) on July 2, 2026, now forecast to rapidly intensify as it tracks toward the Marianas. The team continues to secure the…
Decreasing humidity, typical summertime trades expected, keeping 4th of July weekend weather relatively quiet
It looks to be a relatively quiet holiday weekend for Hawai‘i weather, gradually becoming less soggy as humidity is expected to decrease, meaning there should be few impacts from…
4th of July weekend weather should be relatively quiet, with decreasing humidity, typical summertime trades
It looks to be a relatively quiet holiday weekend for Hawai‘i weather, gradually becoming less soggy as humidity is expected to decrease, meaning there should be few impacts from…
Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi offers special 15-month membership
Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi is giving families throughout the islands more value with a limited-time extended-year membership offer through Sept. 30 for girls interested in Scouting…
America 250 on Big Island: Fourth of July promises family fun festivities, fireworks and more
Fourth of July once again promises a day full of fun, family, festivities, fireworks and more around the Big Island. This year’s holiday celebrations have even more significance…
Fourth of July on Garden Isle: Kauaʻi Hospice hosting 33rd annual ‘Concert in the Sky’
For the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration, Kauaʻi Hospiceʻs 33rd annual “Concert in the Sky” will be the island’s only major Fourth of July event. In early June, the…