Hawaii News

Heavy rain and flooding remain the most immediate public-safety issue across the islands in the supplied reports. On Maui, Maui Now reported that a Flash Flood Warning for East Maui and a Flood Watch for Maui County expired Thursday evening after periods of heavy rain, rockfalls and road closures, while a separate update said the warning had been extended earlier in the day near Hāmoa and Hāna. Maui Now also reported road closures tied to flooding and severe weather impacts, including a partial closure on Maui Veterans Highway weather permitting, and an evacuation warning for the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. On the Big Island, Big Island Now reported that a flash flood warning for parts of windward Hawaiʻi Island was later canceled, but flood advisories remained in effect in other windward areas earlier in the day, alongside a strong thunderstorm moving over portions of Kaʻū and Puna. The weather coverage suggests a fast-changing system affecting multiple islands, with alerts, advisories and cancellations shifting through the day.

Beyond the weather, the death of former University of Hawaiʻi football coach June Jones is drawing statewide attention. Maui Now, Big Island Now and Kauaʻi Now each carried reports on Jones’s death, underscoring his broad impact across the state’s sports community. The reports identify him as the winningest head football coach in University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa history, and the reaction spans multiple islands.

Health and preparedness items are also active. Kauaʻi Now reported that H5N1 avian flu was detected in a Kauaʻi County wastewater sample, described as the first detection of the virus associated with this year’s seasonal bird migration and the first detection of the D1.1 genotype in Hawaiʻi. Kauaʻi Now also noted that the state’s monthly siren and emergency alert system test is set for Monday, and that recovery work continues nearly two months after Hurricane Lowell. On Maui, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s compost reimbursement program opened for fiscal year 2027, and the Department of Education’s farm-to-school program is adding local ʻulu and kalo dishes as it reaches 66,000 students.