Hawaii News

Hawaiʻi is heading into Veterans Day with a mix of weather alerts, transportation disruptions, and community observances across the islands. On Kauaʻi, a high surf advisory is set for north and west shorelines of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, while separate surf forecasts for Kauaʻi and Maui point to building surf on exposed shores. The Big Island is also under a wind advisory for portions of the island, and both Big Island and Maui weather forecasts show unsettled conditions in places.

Transportation and access issues are also prominent. On the Big Island, police briefly closed a portion of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway before later reopening it, and the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply is urging residents to be drinking-water prepared amid a public safety power shutoff watch. In West Hawaiʻi, the state Department of Transportation is also planning an emergency response training exercise at Kona airport and Big Island Now separately reports the same airport exercise will keep flight operations normal. On Kauaʻi, the state is moving ahead with an online hearing on declaring a traffic emergency zone along Kūhiō Highway near Lumahaʻi.

Community and public-service items are also active. Maui Now reports a virtual open house on Maui’s Special Management Area boundary assessment, plus another for H.A. Baldwin Park improvements. Maui County also canceled a bill on outdoor lighting after it was posted in error on a council agenda. On Kauaʻi, residents are being asked for public comment on expansion of the Waiahi Surface Water Treatment Plant, while the county continues Hurricane Lowell recovery work and has awarded $450,000 to six agricultural projects.

Veterans Day observances and related gestures are spread across the state, including a military flyover over Punchbowl, free breakfast offers at McDonald’s locations, and a West Hawaiʻi tribute event. Separately, Maui Now reports the Hawaiʻi congressional delegation reacted to the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, and Kauaʻi Now says free disaster-related soil and water testing is again available for eligible Hawaiʻi farmers.