Hawaii

Maui officials highlight steps toward rebuilding as 1-year mark of deadly wildfire approaches

Maui officials are highlighting some steps toward rebuilding nearly a year after a deadly wildfire destroyed much of Lahaina.

The Lahaina fire worsened Maui’s housing shortage. Now officials eye limiting tourist Airbnb rentals

Hawaii wildfire death toll rises to 102 after woman determined to have died from fire injuries

Former pro surfer known for riding huge Pipeline waves dies in shark attack while surfing off Oahu

Hawaii settles lawsuit from youths over climate change. Here’s what to know about the historic deal

Maui officials, residents show progress in wildfire burn zone

Nearly a year after a deadly wildfire destroyed much of Lahaina, Maui officials led a media tour to show the progress that’s been made in clean-up and rebuilding. (AP Video: Mengshin Lin, Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)

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Don’t take all your cash with you to the beach and other tips to avoid theft during a Hawaii holiday

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Hawaii native Savannah Gankiewicz crowned Miss USA after the previous winner resigned

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EPA is investigating wastewater released into Puhi Bay from troubled Hilo sewage plant

Federal and state environmental officials are looking into what caused a large release of partially treated wastewater in Hilo last week and what can be done to prevent future incidents.

How did a bunch of grave markers from Punchbowl end up at a house in Palolo?

A Palolo resident found over a hundred grave markers at her house that seem to be from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as Punchbowl, but nobody seems to know how they got there.

Former pro surfer known for riding huge Pipeline waves dies in shark attack while surfing off Oahu

A well-known Hawaii lifeguard who was killed in a shark attack on Oahu’s North Shore was a former professional surfer with acting credits to his name.

Youth in Hawaii took on the state government over climate change. A historic settlement has emerged

Thirteen children and teens in Hawaii took the state government to court over the threat posed by climate change.

Hawaii residents fined $20K after Hawaiian monk seal pup mauled by unleashed dogs

U.S. officials are fining two Hawaii residents $20,000 for their part in the fatal mauling of a female Hawaiian monk seal pup by unleashed dogs.

Community foundation takes stock with millions in Maui Strong funds still to spend

Almost a year after the Maui wildfires, half of the money from Hawaii’s largest recovery fund has been spent, with the major portion going to interim housing projects.

More homeowners are needed to join the push to restore Honolulu’s urban watersheds

It’s been a year since eight conservation groups launched an unprecedented, large-scale restoration effort in the islands that tries to apply the Hawaiian concept of ahupuaa ridge-to-reef land management to one of Honolulu’s most heavily developed areas.

Staffing shortages persist as Hawaii’s effort to expand preschool moves forward

HONOLULU (AP) — When the new school year begins in August, more than 800 Hawaii children will gain access to free public preschool.

Don’t take all your cash with you to the beach and other tips to avoid theft during a Hawaii holiday

Honolulu police have recently received some attention on social media for recommending that beachgoers not leave their valuables unattended and instead put them in a waterproof bag when they get in the water.

Grace Kim shoots 66 to take 5-shot lead in Meijer LPGA Classic

Grace Kim broke away late Saturday afternoon at Blythefield Country Club, birdieing four of the final six holes to take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the Meijer LPGA Classic.

A few midwives seek to uphold Native Hawaiian birth traditions. Would a state law jeopardize them?

A group of midwives who focus on traditional Native Hawaiian birth practices are trying to block a Hawaii law that requires midwives to obtain licenses.

New coral disease forecast tool shows high risks of summer outbreaks in Hawaii

HONOLULU (AP) — Coral researchers in Hawaii recently developed a new early warning system that forecasts how likely it is for two common diseases to afflict those vital marine animals in the Pacific, and it already shows a strong chance of outbreaks across the Hawaiian archipelago this summer.

Woman seriously hurt in apparent shark attack in Hawaii

Officials in Hawaii say a woman has been seriously injured in an apparent shark attack in the waters off the island of Oahu.

Samoan author accused of killing Samoan writer who was aunt of former US politician Tulsi Gabbard

A Samoan author is charged with killing another prominent Samoan writer and academic, who also was the aunt of former U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard.

In Hawaii, Maui council opposes US Space Force plan to build new telescopes on Haleakala volcano

Local officials on the Hawaiian island of Maui have voted to oppose a U.S. military proposal to build new telescopes on the summit of Haleakala volcano.

Fewer candidates filed for election in Hawaii this year than in the past 10 years

A few of the most competitive primary races in Hawaii can be found in the Legislature, but the 2024 primary is also distinguished by the fact that dozens of incumbents lawmakers have no challenger and will effectively advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

Cattle are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Hawaii seaweed could change that

Limu kohu is most traditionally destined for poke bowls, but the distinctive-tasting seaweed is now being fed to cattle in a trial to reduce the amount of methane they burp into the atmosphere.

Maui Council budgets $300,000 to study impacts of eliminating 7,000 vacation rentals

The Maui Council has approved spending $300,000 to study the economic impacts of a proposal by Mayor Richard Bissen to permanently eliminate 7,000 short-term rental units by Jan. 1, 2026, in an effort to create long-term housing.

HECO launches a power shutoff plan aimed at preventing another wildfire like Lahaina

More than 48,000 Hawaiian Electric Co. customers living in some of the state’s driest areas will soon face the prospect of advance power shutoffs in order to reduce the risk of sparking a wildfire when the weather turns especially windy.

Hawaii judge orders a new environmental review of a wave pool that foes say is a waste of water

A judge in Hawaii has halted plans for an artificial wave pool until developers can revise an environmental assessment to address concerns including impacts on water supply and anticipated growth of the area.

Hawaii governor signs housing legislation aimed at helping local residents stay in islands

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has signed legislation meant to jumpstart the construction of more dwellings to address an acute housing shortage that is pushing residents to move to states where the cost of living is less.

A working group that emerged from a tragedy sets out to reform child welfare services

A group formed to help reform Hawaii’s troubled child welfare system has drafted dozens of recommendations and will hold a series of meetings to solicit comments on those ideas.

After Lahaina, Hawaii fire crews take stock of their ability to communicate in a crisis

Fire departments across Hawaii are reevaluating their emergency communication capabilities after the Maui wildfires.

Native seeds could soon be fueling new growth on burned out acreage across Hawaii

The federal government is funneling millions of dollars to a University of Hawaii initiative aimed at increasing the number of seeds for hardy native and non-invasive plants that can compete against the dominant invasive grasses that fuel wildfires.

Hawaii court orders drug companies to pay $916 million in Plavix blood thinner lawsuit

Hawaii’s attorney general says a court has ordered the manufacturers and distributors of the blood thinner Plavix to pay the state a combined $916 million after finding the companies failed to disclose the efficacy and safety of the medication.

Hawaii officials stress preparedness despite below-normal central Pacific hurricane season outlook

Forecasters say this year’s hurricane season for waters around Hawaii will likely be “below normal” with one to four tropical cyclones across the central Pacific region.

Report says home affordability in Hawaii is ‘as bad as it’s ever been’

A grim housing report released by the University of Hawaii says only 1 in 5 households in the state can afford to buy a single-family home, a dramatic drop from just three years ago.

Hawaii study shows almost 75% of Maui wildfire survey participants have respiratory issues

A University of Hawaii study examining the health effects of last year’s deadly wildfires on Maui has found that up to 74% of participants may have difficulty breathing and otherwise have poor respiratory health.

Families suing over 2021 jet fuel leak into Navy drinking water in Hawaii seek $225K to $1.25M

A lawyer representing U.S. military families suing over a 2021 jet fuel leak into a Navy drinking water system in Hawaii is asking a judge to award plaintiffs a range of about $225,000 to about $1.25 million each in damages.

Honolulu agrees to 4-month window to grant or deny gun carrying licenses after lawsuit over delays

Honolulu has agreed to approve or deny applications to carry guns in public within four months of submission in response to a lawsuit by residents who complained of delays of up to a year.