Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
Wildfire survivors in Maui County can expect to receive settlement money for the first time this year. However, economists say the payments won't make most families whole…
The Windward Planning Commission approved a special use permit for property owner, Andrew Tepper, who has agreed to comply with conditions such as noise control, road management…
A 30-year-old Oklahoma man died May 13 after being pulled from the waters off Moloaʻa Beach, despite attempts to revive him.
Weather and water safety are front and center across the islands as a Flood Watch for Maui County and Kauaʻi coincides with brown water at Hanalei Bay and shark-related beach closures in Hilo. At the same time, policymakers are moving on issues with longer reach: Gov. Josh Green signed new limits on corporate political spending and other election- and safety-related bills, while a state-backed condo repair loan program is aimed at aging buildings and rising insurance pressure. Economically, the warning lights are flashing too, with UHERO’s oil-price forecast echoed on Kauaʻi, where officials are also urging caution about a medical-professional phone scam.
Maui is dealing with the practical fallout from the recent storms, with a May 22 deadline to request curbside pickup for storm debris and additional County parks and recreation impacts in Wailuku. The weather remains unsettled, and the Flood Watch for Maui County makes the cleanup timeline and outdoor plans more complicated. Beyond the weather, MauiNow.com also reports on new crisis intervention training for police and state action on corporate political spending.
On Hawaiʻi Island, immediate public-safety issues are driving the news, with Hilo beach parks closed after a shark sighting and Highway 11 in Kaʻu shut in both directions because of a vehicle blocking both lanes. Health and environmental concerns are also in focus, including high bacteria levels at a Kohala beach park and a missing Mountain View woman who may need medical help. Big Island readers are also seeing longer-term issues play out, from the UHERO warning on oil-driven cost pressures to the new condo repair loan program and the Pāpaʻikou festival decision with conditions.
Kauaʻi is under the same unsettled weather pattern affecting parts of the state, with a Flood Watch in effect and Hanalei Bay closed to swimming and ocean activity because of brown water. Public-health and consumer warnings are also part of the picture, including a phone scam targeting medical professionals and the statewide half-staff order for Peace Officers Memorial Day. On the longer-term side, Kauaʻi is also tied into the state’s new condo financing program and a new renewable energy project approved by the PUC, while the ocean rescue death at Moloaʻa Beach is a grim reminder of hazardous conditions in the water.
Deadline to request curbside pickup for storm debris is May 22
DPW work today, April 7, includes clearing debris along Pūlehu Road from last storm. PC: County of Maui Kona Low storms right-of-way debris removal service will conclude Friday…
Manager of Maui Nui Visitor Aloha Society to speak at Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset
Alexanda Witkin, PhD The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset welcomes Alexanda Witkin, PhD as its guest speaker on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 for a presentation entitled: “Aloha in Action:…
Beach parks in Hilo close following shark sighting
Carlsmith Beach Park and James Kealoha Beach Park in Hilo are closed for the remainder of the day on Friday, May 15, due to a shark sighting. The decision to close the beach parks…
MEO Teen Financial Literacy workshop set for June 1 and 3
Maui Economic Opportunity Business Development Center Specialists Lianne Peros-Busch (left) and Teon Simmons discuss savings with Lana`i High & Elementary School students in…
Traffic Alert: Highway 11 near 54 mile marker closed in both directions
Highway 11 in the Kaʻu District west of Pahala near the 54 mile marker is closed in both directions due to a vehicle blocking both lanes, Hawaiʻi Island police reported at about…
Surging oil prices bring dark cloud over Hawai‘i’s economy, according to UHERO report
The latest forecast shows Hawaiʻi’s economy is facing a new wave of uncertainty as the war involving Iran drives up global oil prices, increasing costs for consumers, raising…
21 graduate training with Maui Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team
The Maui Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team welcomed 21 new members to its list of trained personnel during a graduation ceremony on May 8, 2026. The class, consisting…
Controversial Falls on Fire festival permitted to continue in Pāpaʻikou, but with conditions
The Falls on Fire festival in 2024 is seen from a drone photo. (Courtesy of Jeramiah Morgan) A controversial Big Island festival, which was inspired by the annual countercultural…
Hawai’i’s economy darkens as surging oil prices increase consumer costs, UHERO report forecasts
The latest forecast shows Hawaiʻi’s economy is facing a new wave of uncertainty as the war involving Iran drives up global oil prices, increasing costs for consumers, raising…
Governor signs bill into law limiting corporate political spending in Hawaiʻi
Gov. Josh Green hosts the Western Governors’ Association Policy Forum on disaster management and recovery. PC: WGA (4.20.26) Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 2471 SD2 HD2 CD2…
No swimming, ocean activities advised at Hanalei Bay due to brown water
Kauaʻi County Ocean Safety Bureau officials are advising no swimming or other ocean activities at Hanalei Bay on Friday, May 15, due to heavy rain runoff and brown water. Ocean…
Maui Building Source to host Maui Chamber of Commerce networking event, May 21
PC: Maui Building Source Maui Building Source will host the Maui Chamber of Commerce May Business After Hours networking event on Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at its…
High bacteria levels detected in waters off beach park in Kohala
Screen shot of Kēōkea Beach Park from Hawai‘i Department of Health website. The Hawai‘i State Department of Health is retesting Kēōkea Bay Beach Park after high levels of bacteria…
Flags in Hawai‘i ordered to half-staff in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag be flown at half-staff effective immediately, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial…
Flags in Hawai‘i ordered to half-staff in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag be flown at half-staff effective immediately, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial…
Waiehu Municipal Golf Course play delays scheduled; other County DPR Wailuku facility closures set
Waiehu Municipal Golf Course irrigation pond. PC: County of Maui The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation announced facility impacts and closures in the Wailuku area…
Governor signs bills into law, including laws aimed at license plate safety, regulation on corporate donations
Gov. Josh Green. PC: Wendy Osher (4.17.26) Governor Josh Green on Thursday signed several bills into law including legislation aimed at license plate safety and regulation of…
69-year-old woman in Mountain View is missing and may need medial help
Darlene Mae Lewi Hawai’i Island police seek the public’s help in the search for a 69-year-old female who was reported missing on Thursday, May 14, and is considered endangered…
Maui Weather Forecast for May 15, 2026
West Side Today: Mostly cloudy. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms in the morning, then scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Locally heavy…
2-year dispute ends with Hawaiian Paradise Park mailbox park to be built at new location
After two years of disputes between the Hawaiian Paradise Park Owners Association and residents over the construction of a mailbox park near a burial site with iwi kūpuna…
Flood Watch in effect through this afternoon due to unseasonably cold upper level low
Radar imagery of the Hawaiian Islands. PC: (5.15.26) NOAA/NWS The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu and Maui County through this…
Hawai‘i Hilo Women’s Volleyball senior to serve as student speaker in upcoming commencement
Graduating Hawai’i Hilo Women’s Volleyball senior Imani Lee will serve as the student speaker in this weekend’s University of Hawai’i at Hilo Spring Commencement. Lee is the…
Kaua’i medical professionals urged to beware of phone scam seeking personal information
State officials are warning Garden Island nurses and other licensed medical professionals about an ongoing phone scam in which callers falsely claim to represent government…
State opens $20 Million loan program for Hawai‘i condominium repairs
Hawai’i officials have launched a new state-backed loan program to help condominium associations pay for critical building repairs as rising insurance costs and aging…
Gov. Josh Green approves new financing program for aging condos in Hawaiʻi
Hawai’i officials have launched a new state-backed loan program to help condominium associations pay for critical building repairs as rising insurance costs and aging…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 15, 2026
Photo Credit: Pete Gontier West Kaua’i Rest Of Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows around 70 near the shore to around 60 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up to 10…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 15, 2026
Shores Tonight Friday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 6-8 5-7 5-7 4-6 West Facing 4-6 3-5 3-5 2-4 South Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 East Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 TONIGHT Weather…
Flood watch in affect for Kauaʻi until 6 p.m. Friday
Xiomara Yamileth/ Kaua’i Now Updated May 15 at 7:15 a.m.: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has cancelled a flood advisory for Kauaʻi, but the flood watch is still in…
Oklahoma visitor dies following ocean rescue at Moloa’a Beach
A 30-year-old visitor from Oklahoma died Wednesday after being rescued from waters off Moloa’a Beach, according to authorities. First responders were dispatched to the beach at…
New Kaua’i renewable energy project approved by Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission
The Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission has approved a power purchase agreement for a second new solar-plus-storage project on Kauaʻi with the energy company AES. If successfully…
