Hawaiʻi Road Deaths Hit 18-Year Peak Last Year. Most Other States Dropped
Hawaiʻi was one of just six U.S. states where the rate of road deaths in 2025 rose compared to 2024. The statewide 2025 traffic death toll climbed to 129 people last year, an increase of more than 20% over the year prior.
Hawaiʻi Lawmakers Threaten to Withdraw Funding for Invasive Species
Senators are troubled by what they see as slow progress from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, which is struggling to find staff to keep invasive species at bay. The agency has 116 vacancies as little fire ants, coqui frogs and coconut rhinoceros beetles wreak havoc. With low salaries and a skill shortage, can agriculture officials stop the spread?
How Hawaiʻi Might Spend Funds From New Climate Tax on Hotel Stays
What’s the most effective way to spend that money? That’s a question that faced the state’s Green Fee Advisory Council — a 10-member group making recommendations on where and how to spend this revenue.
Hawaiʻi AG Asks for $1M Litigation Budget to Prepare for Federal Actions
The state attorney general’s office is asking for $1 million to support its litigation budget — largely to prepare for increased federal legal actions. So far, the Hawaiʻi attorney general has been a party to 39 lawsuits — three of which the office took a lead on.
ACLU Announces Campaign for Immigration Justice Ahead of Hawai‘i Legislative Session
The American Civil Liberties Union in Hawai‘i announced its 2026 legislative priorities, which include criminal legal system reforms, increased protection for Hawai‘i’s immigrant communities, and stronger efforts to defend gender equity and LGBTQ+ rights.
By offering specialized riding programs for individuals with physical, developmental and learning challenges, Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii helps riders build strength, improve coordination and feel empowered.
Armed Officers to Provide Security at 3 Oʻahu Schools
Honolulu police and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education are rolling out a new pilot program to boost safety at select Oʻahu campuses. Dedicated school resource officers will be assigned to three high schools: Waiʻanae, Kapolei and Kaimukī high schools.
Council Member Proposes Task Force to Explore Landfill-Free Future on Oʻahu
Council member Andria Tupola filed Monday Resolution 26-7, proposing a task force that would review Oʻahu’s long-term solid waste management strategy and assess alternative waste reduction, recycling, diversion and conversion strategies.
City Reschedules Waimānalo Gulch Landfill Public Hearing
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s plan to expand the city’s Waimānalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in Kapolei and extend its useful life following stalled attempts to find a suitable location for a new dump will also involve community comment, city officials say.
Waialua Residents Challenge Kaukonahua Ranch Agribusiness at DPP Hearing
Dozens of North Shore residents traveled from Waialua to downtown Honolulu on Monday to testify at a Department of Planning and Permitting hearing over a controversial agribusiness project proposed for Kaukonahua Ranch — a project critics say is being improperly classified as “minor” despite what they describe as large-scale tourism impacts on agricultural land on Mount Kaʻala.
Lava Fountaining Draws Visitors From Across the Globe
Episode 40 of the ongoing summit eruption began at about 8:22 a.m. Monday, with lava fountains erupting from vents on the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. All eruptive activity remained confined within the crater and inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption ended abruptly at 6:04 p.m. after nearly 10 hours of continuous lava fountaining.
A Third of Hawaiʻi Could Get Criminal Records Cleared. Few Do
The Attorney General’s Office just expunged the records of more than 1,300 Big Island residents thanks to a pilot program affecting folks who had prior charges of possessing less than an ounce of marijuana or similarly classed drugs but were never convicted. An influential lawmaker wants to see this program become permanent across Hawaiʻi.
Hawaiʻi Island Program Hopes to Bridge Generations Through Food
The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi island is launching its 10-week “Food is Medicine” initiative. Kūpuna from the Keaʻau Community Center will take weekly cooking classes with recipes chosen by Keaʻau High School agriculture students.
Much of E. Hawaiʻi Had Less Than 50% of Average Rainfall in 2025
According to the National Weather Service, seven gauges in the Hāmakuā and Hilo districts recorded their driest calendar years on record — most notably the Hilo International Airport, which had its driest year since 1949 with 58.95 inches, or 49% of its yearly average of 120.39.
Canadian Tourists are Boycotting the U.S. Here’s What That Means for Hawai‘i
It’s not just the tariffs – the Trump administration’s annexation threats, insulting rhetoric and heightened border security are driving a widespread Canadian boycott on U.S. travel and goods. While some Canadians consider Hawai‘i a special case, others aren’t willing to make an exception.
Maui Planning Commission to Review Hoʻonani Village, Housing and Parking Bills
The Maui Planning Commission is scheduled today to review land use bills regarding the proposed Hoʻonani Village project near Kahului Airport, as well as legislation regarding accessory dwelling units, agricultural retail structures and electric vehicle charging stations.
FEMA Housing Assistance for Maui Wildfire Survivors Extended 18 Days While Yearlong Extension Under Review
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has extended its temporary housing and financial assistance to Maui wildfire survivors to Feb. 28, which is 18 more days than the previous deadline.
Five individuals are being considered to fill the judge vacancy for the 5th Circuit Court on Kaua‘i, following the retirement of Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe in August 2025. The nominees are Stephanie R.S. Char, Craig A. De Costa, Simeona L.L.A. Mariano, Michael D. Scarbo and Kimberly A. Torigoe Metcalfe.
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kh6jrm@gmail.com
I am the retired news director of Pacific Radio Group stations on the Island of Hawaii. I am a retired Lt. Col., USAF Reserve. I am a FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operator, holding the Amateur Extra Class License. I am a substitute teacher for the state of Hawaii Department of Education.
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