Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
In just six years, Maui County's budget has nearly doubled. Five new departments have been added, and the county absorbed the aftermath of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires — all while…
Faii Metawee and Caleb Houck have opened Blooms Café in Hilo, which has homemade foods and drinks that feature local flavors and seasonal specials, along with beautiful, unique…
An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death and any contributing factors.
Public safety and election preparation are the clearest statewide threads today, with the Office of Elections moving into the State Capitol ahead of Election Day and the monthly siren test scheduled across Hawaiʻi drawing attention to readiness. On the ground, island communities are also dealing with immediate local issues: a port closure at Kaunakakai after an underground fire, a surfer’s death at Hanamāʻulu Beach Park, and a body recovered from Kauaʻi waters with no evidence of foul play. At the same time, several stories point to longer-term community building and capacity: Maui County’s hiring system is straining under rapid growth, Hawaiʻi Island families are gaining a new Child & Family Service location, and Kauaʻi County is preparing an online live auction while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs launches its search for a new CEO.
Maui’s most urgent development is the closure of the Port of Kaunakakai on Molokaʻi after an underground fire at the pier, which could affect shipping until further notice. Elsewhere, the island’s coverage is split between community and civic life, from the Empower Her Expo celebrating women in wellness and the return of the Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival in Lahaina to concerns about Maui County’s hiring delays as the government grows.
The Big Island’s coverage centers on public services and community access, including the new permanent Child & Family Service facility in Hilo and the temporary closure of Laupāhoehoe Swimming Pool for electrical upgrades. There’s also a local-business note from a new Hilo café opening in a repurposed corner space, along with youth sports coverage from Puna’s free boxing program and “Battle in Puna” event.
Kauaʻi’s most serious story is the death of a surfer at Hanamāʻulu Beach Park, followed by the recovery of a woman’s body near Nīnini Point with no sign of foul play. Beyond those incidents, the island’s news leans toward government and community administration, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ search for a new CEO and Kauaʻi County’s online live auction set to begin Aug. 10.
Young Brothers: Underground fire forces closure of Port at Kaunakakai
The Port of Kaunakakai on Molokaʻi is closed until further notice due to an underground fire reported at the pier, according to an email update provided by the shipping company…
Surfer dies at Kaua‘i beach park over weekend
A surfer is dead after he was found unresponsive next to his board, approximately 25 yards offshore of Hanamāʻulu Beach Park. Kaua‘i Fire Department was dispatched to the beach on…
Maui Community comes together to celebrate women in wellness
PC: Romel Ancheta of With you and Company. An estimated 300 people came together to support 45 women-owned businesses at the annual Empower Her Expo on Sunday, hosted by Leslie…
Office of Hawaiian Affairs launches nationwide search for chief executive officer
Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees officially launched a nationwide search for the agency’s next administrator/chief executive officer, inviting accomplished leaders with a…
2026 Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival, Aug. 21–22, 2026 at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows
Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival. PC: courtesy The beloved Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival returns to Lahaina at the beautifully reimagined Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on…
Authorities find no evidence of foul play after body pulled from Kaua‘i waters
A woman was pulled from waters below the Nīnini Point Lighthouse, located north of Nāwiliwili Harbor, and was later pronounced dead. On Aug. 1, at approximately 3:30 p.m…
Office of Elections moves into state Capitol ahead of Election Day
The state Capitol in Honolulu is now a hive of activity to support the Aug. 8 state primary elections. Courtesy Photo: Hawai‘i Office of Elections Hawai‘i Office of Elections on…
Statewide Hawaiʻi Safety Survey underway
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…
Office of Elections moves into State Capitol ahead of Election Day
Office of Elections moves Into State Capitol ahead of Election Day. PC: courtesy State Department of Accounting and General Services The state capitol has become a hive of…
Tagging whales from the sky: Humpback whale research reaches new heights off Maui
“NOAA NMFS 27548” must appear Marine mammal research has attained new heights as scientists at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are deploying noninvasive suction-cup tags onto…
Maui Weather Forecast for August 03, 2026
Photo Credit: Jeni Ji Cousins West Side Today: Mostly sunny with isolated showers. Highs 78 to 86. Northeast winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent. Tonight: Partly cloudy…
Maui County’s rapid growth strains its human resources system, slowing hiring, Council committee told
Kalana O Maui county building, the flagship of Maui County government in Wailuku. PC: County of Maui In just six years, Maui County’s budget has nearly doubled. Five new…
Tagging whales from the sky: New methods revolutionize research
Marine mammal research attained new heights as University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa scientists deployed noninvasive suction-cup tags onto humpback whales using drones. Marine Mammal…
Business Monday: Colorful orchids breathe a fresh energy to a new Hilo cafe
On the corner of Hualālai and Kino‘ole streets, a new café has opened in Hilo, transforming a space that housed a skateboard shop ramp for the past 10 years into a chic…
Hawai‘i’s monthly test of its emergency warning system scheduled
The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Aug. 3 at 11:45 a.m. The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio…
National progressive group Our Revolution endorses Jarrett Keohokalole for Congress
Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole. PC: Hawai’i Senate Democrats / Facebook Our Revolution, a national progressive grassroots political organization originating from Sen. Bernie Sanders’…
Hawaiʻi governor announces several appointments to state commissions
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green recently announced appointments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, the Campaign Spending Commission and the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission “Each of these…
Permanent Child & Family Service facility to expand essential support and resources for Hawaiʻi Island
Child & Family Service has moved into a new permanent Hilo location that will enable expanded access to critical services for Hawaiʻi Island families and continue to provide…
Vital Boxing empowers Puna youth with free training, competitive events
Pāhoa was buzzing with excitement and adrenaline as young athletes competed Saturday in an afternoon of action-packed bouts in the first annual “Battle in Puna,” a fully…
Kaua’i County online live auction scheduled to begin Aug. 10
Kaua‘i County’s online live auction for vehicles, equipment and more.kicks off Aug. 10. The first items will be posted that day with more to be added as they become available. The…
Maui Surf Forecast for August 03, 2026
Shores Tonight Monday 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 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 East Facing 5-7 4-6 4-6 4-6 TONIGHT Weather…
Kauai Weather Forecast for August 03, 2026
Photo Credit: Sebastien Gabriel West Kaua’i Rest Of Tonight: Mostly clear. Isolated showers after midnight. Lows around 73 near the shore to around 63 above 3000 feet. Northeast…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for August 03, 2026
Photo Credit: James Grenz Hilo Rest Of Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 66 to 73 near the shore to around 59 at 4000 feet. North winds up to 15 mph. Chance of…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for August 03, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Monday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 East Facing 5-7 4-6 4-6 4-6 South Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for August 03, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Monday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2 East Facing 5-7 4-6 4-6 4-6 South Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3…
Kauai Surf Forecast for August 03, 2026
Shores Tonight Monday 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 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 East Facing 5-7 4-6 4-6 4-6 TONIGHT Weather…
Hawai‘i’s monthly test of its emergency warning system scheduled
The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Aug. 3 at 11:45 a.m. The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio…
News in brief for Aug. 2: Disaster case referrals, paid leave, academic honors, Feehan tribute and more
File Image Vibrant Hawaiʻi receives nearly 900 disaster case management referrals from March kona low storms Nonprofit Vibrant Hawaiʻi on July 27 received nearly 900 disaster case…
Laupāhoehoe Swimming Pool to close Aug. 3 for electrical upgrades
Laupāhoehoe Swimming Pool Laupāhoehoe Swimming Pool will temporarily close beginning Monday, Aug. 3, as crews complete electrical system improvements. The Hawaiʻi County…
Police offer back-to-school traffic safety tips
Increased traffic around schools during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal is expected as a new school year begins this week, and everyone is encouraged to slow down, stay…
