Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi

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AI-generated from recent headlines

Statewide

Hawaiʻi is still in the middle of storm recovery after Lala, with closures, utility repairs and cleanup updates stretching across the islands. On the Big Island, schools in Kaʻū remain closed while state road crews say no Hawaiʻi Island communities remain isolated, and residents are being urged to move quickly on insurance claims as claim assistance opens in Kailua-Kona. Maui is also dealing with the aftereffects, including power outages and transmission repairs, Haleakalā National Park closures, and hundreds of school work orders tied to storm damage. Kauaʻi is focusing on recovery too, with SNAP replacement benefits available for food loss, tree-trimming delays on Māluhia Road, and wildlife officials warning about grounded birds as cleanup continues. Across the state, the pattern is the same: restoration work is moving forward, but the impacts are still being felt in schools, roads, parks, and homes.

Maui

Maui is still working through the storm’s aftermath, with about 1,700 customers without power even as Hawaiian Electric reports progress on repairs. Haleakalā National Park remains closed while damage assessments continue, and public school work orders are piling up after the storm. On the recovery and rebuilding side, MEO is reopening offices and UH Maui College has secured federal funding for new AI-integrated cybersecurity programs.

Big Island

The Big Island’s recovery is centered on Kaʻū, where Nāʻālehu Elementary, Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary will stay closed through Thursday after Lala’s damage. Transportation crews say no communities remain isolated, but road and utility repairs are still ongoing, and residents are being pushed to act quickly on insurance claims and claim assistance in Kailua-Kona. One local account from Nāʻālehu captures how hard the storm hit on the ground, even as volunteer and utility recovery work continues.

Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi is in cleanup mode after Lala, with SNAP recipients able to replace lost benefits if food was lost in the storm or outages. County crews are also dealing with emergency tree trimming on Māluhia Road, which is expected to slow traffic, while wildlife officials warn of injured or grounded birds as residents return to normal routines. For a broader countywide rundown, Kauaʻi County’s recovery update remains the main reference point.

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