Land Board set to rule Friday on aquarium fish harvesting, 6 in 10 lost power during Hurricane Lala, UH secures $647.3M for research, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Keep wild reef fish in their Hawaiʻi homes or return to removing hundreds of thousands of them? The Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources on Aug. 28 will make a critical choice about the future of the state’s reef fish: stand behind prohibiting commercial aquarium fish collection or assisting its future return. Kauai Now.

6 In 10 Lost Power During Lala. It May Take A State Inquiry To Learn Why. HECO has spent millions of dollars to strengthen its electric grid in recent years. Lala still wiped out power for most of the state. Civil Beat.

Green formally requests presidential emergency declaration following Lala. Gov. Josh Green has formally requested the White House for a presidential emergency declaration for Hawaii following Hurricane Lala. The request, which covers the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Honolulu, asks for immediate federal assistance to protect public health and safety, maintain essential services and support communities recovering from Lala as Tropical Storm Moke approaches, according to the governor’s office. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

Before aid arrives, Hawaii’s community networks step up. From the 2018 Kauai floods and Lower Puna eruption on Hawaii Island, to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 Maui wildfires and this year’s run of destructive storms, communities across the islands have repeatedly stepped up to identify needs, mobilize resources and care for vulnerable residents. Star-Advertiser.

Moke weakens to a depression, flood watch remains posted for Hawaii Island. Showers on the northern periphery of Moke will bring wet conditions and a risk of flash flooding on the Big Island, while less rainfall is expected to impact windward sections from Maui to Kauai over the next couple of days. Hawaii News Now.

El Nino-fueled hurricane season just getting started. Hurricane season is in full swing this summer with El Nino expected to be one of the strongest on record — and experts say Hawaii should be ready for up to 13 cyclones in the area through November. Star-Advertiser.

How Storms Can Be A Boon For Invasive Species In Hawaiʻi. Climate-fueled storms like Hurricane Lala may help spread invasive pests, plants and pathogens already on the islands and usher new ones into the state. Experts say Hawaiʻi needs more advance planning. Civil Beat.

UH secures $647.3 million in extramural funding. The University of Hawaii secured $647.3 million in extramural funding in fiscal year 2026, its second-highest total on record, even as changes to federal science funding have disrupted university research nationwide.UH officials say the results reflect the ability of researchers to adapt to shifting federal priorities while maintaining a focus on research with direct impacts on Hawaii communities. Star-Advertiser.

White Kids Sued Kamehameha. Native Hawaiians Can’t Get In Either. Gaining admission to the school — which can be a life-changing opportunity — is a competitive and challenging process for many Native Hawaiian families. Civil Beat.
 
Commentary: Uh-Oh, Dissing The US Supreme Court Did Not Go Unnoticed.  Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Todd Eddins generated national attention last month when he accused the U.S. Supreme Court of, among other things, racism and “white sight.” Civil Beat.

Oahu

Honolulu Liquor Commission picks former FBI agent to lead agency. The Honolulu Liquor Commission has voted to appoint Jason K. White, a veteran federal law enforcement executive with over 20 years of experience, as its next administrator. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Lala toppled hundreds of trees across the state. On Oahu alone, the City and County of Honolulu has since the previous weekend received close to 500 calls for tree debris removal around the island. In city parks, people reported more than 120 fallen trees and branches, including two legacy ironwoods near Kapi‘olani Regional Park that were considered exceptional. Star-Advertiser.

Aiea Loop Trail closed for work on Lala-damaged transmission structure. Keaiwa State Recreation Area and the Aiea Loop Trail will be closed until Fridayas Hawaiian Electric Co. crews work to replace a transmission structure damaged by Tropical Storm Lala. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane strike on Oahu would be catastrophic. A direct hit on Oahu by a tropical storm or hurricane would unleash destruction across Hawaii’s economic center unlike any other event documented in state history. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Is Activating A New Temporary Disaster Program. The county created a new program to respond to disasters and the mayor is now planning to hire a recovery officer to head it. Civil Beat.

Moke weakens to tropical depression but up to 6 more inches of rain forecast through Monday on Big Island. A flood watch remains in effect through Monday for Hawaiʻi Island because areas are still wet and saturated from Hurricane Lala. Big Island Now.

Storm-stricken Naalehu residents find comfort in community as they rebuild. The Kau district was hardest hit when Lala moved slowly past South Point on Aug. 15 as a Category 1 hurricane, dumping over 30 inches of rain in some areas before passing south of the other islands as a powerful tropical storm. Star-Advertiser.

Cultural, forensic experts help in recovery of remains at Naalehu Cemetery. A Hawaii National Guard team working to document the displaced burials has identified 69 sets of human remains in the area. Star-Advertiser.

Peter Boy’s siblings due to receive $3.25M settlement. Chauntelle Acol had just turned 8 and was in the second grade in 1997 when her stepfather treated her and her older brother, Allan, to burritos and Sprite, sat them down on their back porch and told them that “Pepe was going to go live with family to learn Hawaiian stuff.” Star-Advertiser.

Maui

Hotel rezoning amendments would shrink housing inventory envisioned by vacation rental phase-out, critics say. Three amendments proposed by Maui County Council members would add 16 properties—some overlapping between proposals—to a list of apartment-zoned properties used as vacation rentals and slated for rezoning into newly created hotel-zoned districts. The move would further shrink the pool of units that the much-debated Bill 9 would convert to long-term housing, opponents of the resolutions argued. Maui Now.

FEMA to donate Kīlohana modular units to Maui County; plans call for permanent housing. Maui County will take ownership of the 167-unit Kīlohana modular housing project, now serving Lahaina wildfire survivors, in a move that could pave the way for the temporary homes to become permanent housing, County Council members learned Wednesday. Maui Now.

Public invited to help identify Maui conservation priorities. Maui farmers, ranchers, agricultural leaders, forest landowners and conservation organizations are invited to help identify local natural resource concerns and conservation priorities during a meeting Aug. 26 at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Maui News.

Hurricane Lala washed out Nāhiku bridge. Nobody seems to know who’s responsible for rebuilding the ‘lifeline’. After Hurricane Lala’s rains and floodwaters roared through East Maui, all that was left of the aging wooden bridge that served as the “lifeline” for Darrell Richard and five other residents in Lower Nāhiku were the metal guardrails. Maui Now.

Water conservation urged in West Kuiaha, Awalau. The Maui County Department of Water Supply is advising those in the West Kuiaha and Awalau areas to conserve water due to a well that is out of service. Maui News.

Kauai

Community organizations, local media to host Kaua‘i Mayoral Debate Aug. 27. Kaua‘i residents will have an opportunity to hear directly from mayoral candidates Mel Rapozo and Bernard Carvalho Jr. during the island’s first live Kaua‘i Mayoral Debate since the primaries on Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Garden Island.

Kauaʻi County takes step to harden homes against wildfires.  If adopted, the revised building codes would reduce the ways a fire can jump from fields to homes. Aloha State Daily.

Lawsuit filed in Napali coast ‘doors-off’ helicopter tour crash. The “doors-off” sightseeing helicopter tour that Patrick Haskell, 59, and Margaret Rimmler, 65, took March 26 along the picturesque Napali Coast on Kauai was supposed to be safe. When the Airborne Aviation helicopter they were flying in crashed into the ocean off Kalalau Beach, the Massachusetts married couple did not die from falling out of the aircraft or the initial impact. Instead, they drowned inside the helicopter because they were unable to escape, according to a lawsuit filed Aug. 5 in Kauai Circuit Court. Star-Advertiser.

Tropical depression expected to become Tropical Storm Moke later today south of the islands, nation's first coral reef insurance program pays for rehabilitation, another endangered monk seal dies off Oahu, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Governor Urges Vigilance Days After Lala. With two more storms developing, emergency workers are rushing to prepare. Hawaiʻi could be facing what Gov. Josh Green called a “trifecta” of storms in the days ahead as Tropical Depression Two-C and yet another less developed weather system approach the islands on the heels of Hurricane Lala. The governor urged residents on Thursday to restock supplies and prepare. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press.  Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. 

NOAA 5 a.m. update: At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC) Friday, Aug. 21, the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 146.0 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h). This general motion is expected to persist over the next several days, with the center of the system passing south of the Big Island of Hawaii this weekend, then the smaller main Hawaiian Islands by early next week. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast over the couple of days, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm later today. National Hurricane Center.

Lala Triggers Nation’s First Coral Insurance Payment. The unusual policy was created in 2022, and the wind speed brought by Hurricane Lala has triggered a $200,000 payment that will go toward assessing and repairing the reef. Civil Beat.
 
Hurricane Lala brought 1.3 trillion gallons of water to Hawaii. Hurricane Lala brought in 1.3 trillion gallons of water to the state, equivalent to almost two million Olympic-sized pools. Researchers from the University of Hawaii said that while Lala never made landfall, its close pass brought average statewide rainfall of 11.4 inches. KHON2.

Here's some best practices to verify hurricane relief fundraisers. Hundreds of GoFundMe pages have been launched for Hawaiʻi families to help with hurricane relief, and officials are urging residents to double-check their donations are going to verified fundraisers. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates drop across the board. For measles, mumps, and rubella, Hawaii’s kindergarten vaccination rates fell from 90.1% in 2024-25 to 89.3% in 2025-26. For diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap), vaccination rates fell from 92.0% to 88.8%. The target rate for herd immunity is 95%. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

NOAA confirms death of another monk seal on Oahu. NOAA said his death marks the fourth Hawaiian monk seal death on Oahu this year. Earlier this month, a monk seal pup identified as RV36 was found dead, entangled  Opens in a new tabin an unattended fishing net near Mokuleia Beach Park. Two other seals, named ‘Umi‘umi and Ka‘ale, have died from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease. Star-Advertiser. KITV4. 

Joint hearing slated for 2 Honolulu City Council election challenges. The Hawaii Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Tuesday in two cases contesting recent Hawaii primary election results for a Honolulu City Council seat held by Tommy Waters. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens Of Hawaiʻi’s Mentally Ill Inmates To Move to Waiawa Prison. Experts say some inmates at Hālawa don’t need to be in the restrictive setting of a medium-security prison, and the setting at Waiawa will be more therapeutic. Civil Beat.

Historic Podmore building in Downtown Honolulu sold for $2.6M. International architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firm ESC Pacific acquired the property in a privately negotiated and off-market transaction.  Aloha State Daily.

Hawaii Island

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to close ahead of approaching new tropical cyclone. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including its Kahuku Unit in Kaʻū, will temporarily close by 5 p.m. today (Aug. 21) ahead of a new storm system that could again bring torrential rainfall and high winds to Hawaiʻi Island as early as Aug. 22. The park remains without power, internet or phone service. Big Island Now.

Recovery efforts continue at Ka‘u schools. The state Department of Education continues recovery and planning efforts for Na‘alehu Elementary School and Ka‘u High &Pahala Elementary School following “significant impacts” from Hurricane Lala. The schools remain temporarily closed to students and staff. Tribune-Herald.

Multi-agency effort underway to recover and protect burials displaced by Lala. Hawaii County officials on Thursday said they are coordinating with experts and cultural practitioners to ensure the proper recovery and protection of burials displaced by flooding from Hurricane Lala. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Emergency Wi-Fi available for Hana residents. Three local organizations have pooled their resources to set up a free Wi-Fi network to help East Maui residents maintain access to internet connectivity, communication and online resources following Tropical Storm Lala. Maui News.

Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed, Kīpahulu District reopens after Lala. The Summit District of Haleakalā National Park remains closed through the weekend for storm recovery, including road clearing and facility restoration. It will reopen once conditions are safe. Maui Now.

Kauai

Post-Lala recovery drives bring urgent call for blood, food donations on Kauaʻi. In the wake of Hurricane Lala, Kauaʻi residents are urged to bolster community resilience by donating blood and supporting the annual Food Drive Day.  Kauai Now.

Hurricane-weary state eyes another tropical storm, Honolulu ethics chief seeks to ban taxpayer-funded election mailers, Land Board rejects Maui water-license auction, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Another potential storm raises concerns about more flooding on Hawaii Island. Tropical cyclone likely to develop soon southeast of Hawaii. KHON2. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Tropical Storm Outlook: At 500 AM HST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located near latitude 11.9 North, longitude 143.1 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph, and this general motion is expected during the next few days.  On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to pass near or south of the Big Island of Hawaii this weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression could become a tropical storm later today. National Hurricane Center.
 
Hawaii receives $6M in federal funds for Hurricane Lala recovery. The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved an initial $6 million in emergency “quick release” funds to help Hawaii repair infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Lala. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii House panel considers more regulation of towing industry. The leaders of two House committees held a briefing at the state Capitol on Wednesday where they contemplated merits of having the state Public Utilities Commission regulate the local towing industry with enforcement authority that could include licensing and license-revocation power. Star-Advertiser.

Almost Half Of Hawaiʻi Schools Have Unreliable Fire Alarms. The education department has made significant progress with repairing school fire alarms in recent years, but aging systems and outdated parts remain a concern.  Civil Beat.

Statewide survey on domestic violence reveals the limits of the legal protection. A  new survey is capturing how survivors of domestic violence feel about the laws in place to protect them, and whether there can be other avenues for help and healing. It’s the first statewide survey of its kind. Hawaiʻi County has a 17% prevalence, Maui County has 16%, and Kauaʻi has 15%, and finally Honolulu has 11% prevalence of domestic violence. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Ban Taxpayer-Funded Mailers During Elections, Ethics Chief Says. The Honolulu ethics director says elected officials should not send printed newsletters to constituents within 60 days of elections. Civil Beat.

Developers Want City’s OK To Build Big. Here’s How They Sweeten The Deal. When developers propose big new projects, Honolulu asks them for community benefits in return. Some residents think the city could ask for more. Civil Beat.

Supporters of Tommy Waters file complaint with Hawaii Supreme Court. More legal questions in the East Oahu City Council race, after supporters of Tommy Waters filed a complaint with the Hawaii Supreme Court. KHON2.

Kailua military officer sentenced to 20 years in prison for child sexual enticement. On Wednesday, Lt. Col. Ross Andre Brown, 44, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for two counts of attempted sexual enticement of a minor, two counts of attempted exploitation of a minor, and two counts of attempted receipt of child pornography. Hawaii News Now.

HPD shuts down illegal gambling operation in Kapolei. Honolulu police recovered 11 gaming machines and more than $9,000 in cash, which were submitted into evidence. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Former teacher, 93, among the deaths blamed on storm as Hawaii residents struggle to clean up. A beloved former kindergarten teacher who taught generations of residents in a small town on Hawaii’s Big Island was among the two deaths authorities blamed on a hurricane that lashed the state over the weekend with heavy rain and strong winds. May Doi, 93, was found dead Monday after she was reported missing, police said. Associated Press.

Man found dead in Ka‘u pasture could be second Lala victim. Police are investigating the death of a man in his 60s whose remains were located in a pasture off Highway 11 near the 63-mile marker in the Ka‘u district. Tribune-Herald.

Power still out for thousands of Hawaiʻi Island residents. Here's what some of them are doing. The lights are slowly coming back on around Hawaiʻi Island, but Hawaiian Electric says some pockets of customers could be without power for weeks. Hawaii Public Radio.

Generators expected to arrive in Hawai'i Island for first responders following Hurricane Lala. On Wednesday morning, Generators Hawaii Corporation is flying a total of six 33,000 watts generators loaded off on from one plane to another at the Pacific Air Cargo in Honolulu. KITV4.

Maui 

State land board rejects 30-year East Maui water-license auction, moves ahead with contested-case. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday unanimously rejected a proposal to put a 30-year East Maui commercial water license up for public auction, while separately voting to advance a court-ordered contested-case hearing over revocable permits held by Mahi Pono and East Maui Irrigation Co. Maui Now.

Meeting to address Haiku speed tables. Maui County will hold a community meeting on speed tables in Haiku from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Haiku Community Center, 137 Hana Highway. Maui News.

Pay for Starlink or ‘climb a hill’: How rural Maui endured Hurricane Lala without power, internet, cell service. For those living in rural areas, spotty service is a part of country life. But it’s also a reminder of the gaps on an isolated island three years after the deadly Lahaina wildfires cut off communications for both residents and first responders. Maui Now.

New ownership sparks change in focus at The Maui News. The Maui News was purchased by the Maui Nui Media and Creativity Collaborative, a locally owned nonprofit organization, on Aug. 1. Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi County moves to expand 15-mph school area speed limits around Kalaheo Elementary School. County officials have launched a plan to enforce a permanent 15 mph speed limit around Kalāheo Elementary School, aiming to ensure student safety by extending the limit beyond school hours.  Kauai Now.

Hawaii freshman failing, Lala unearths bodies from Ka'u cemetery, Maui immigrant pleads not guilty to illegal voting, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaiʻi Freshmen Failing: Ninth Grade Repeater Rate Among Nation’s Highest. Hawaiʻi has held back high school freshmen at a higher rate than nearly any other state. Civil Beat.

Lala spares Hawaii tourism major damage. Despite widespread disruptions, tourism officials said Hawaii’s visitor industry weathered the storm with limited damage to tourism infrastructure and fewer concerns about long-term visitor losses than during the Kona-low storms in the spring.  Star-Advertiser.

State announces SNAP replacement benefits for recipients affected by Lala. The state Department of Human Services has announced a plan for the replacement of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for current SNAP recipients who experienced food loss due to household misfortune, such as extended power outages (over four hours or longer) or flooding. Tribune-Herald. KITV4. 

Oahu

Voters claim disenfranchisement in Honolulu City Council election. Forty Oahu voters in a district served by Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters are challenging the validity of results in Hawaii’s Aug. 8 primary election for the seat held by Waters. The voters filed the challenge with the Hawaii Supreme Court on Friday. Star-Advertiser.

Kidney Nonprofit’s Taxpayer-Funded Bus Is Collecting Dust. The Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi’s mobile care clinic was never put into service for kidney patients, according to the nonprofit’s CEO. Civil Beat.

Lala triggers 4 sewage spills; power outage stalls safety tests. At least four sewage spills occurred on Oahu during the storm, with two at the Ala Moana Wastewater Pump Station being attributed to backup power failure caused by a power outage in the area. Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant also spilled sewage into state waters. That spill began around 8:20 a.m. Sunday and was not contained until the evening, according to City and County of Honolulu Department of Environmental Services spokesperson Jenn Boneza. Star-Advertiser.

Wahiawa Dam levels dropping after Hurricane Lala; state continues discharging water. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the lake on Oahu, also known as the Wahiawa Reservoir, peaked at 79.87 feet on Tuesday morning, Aug. 18, following Hurricane Lala. To put that into context, the lake has a 93-foot capacity and the dam spillway threshold is marked at 80 feet. KITV4.

Kalihi, Kalihi Valley residents say they've been without power for days. Some residents in the Kalihi Valley area have been without power for days, which they say could come at a significant cost. Hawaii Public Radio.

Happy Days, Kaimuki building ceiling collapse injures 4: EMS. Four women in their 80’s were treated by Honolulu Emergency Medical Services following a partial ceiling collapse in Kaimuki, at Happy Days Chinese Seafood Restaurant on Tuesday, Aug. 18. KHON2.

Kalihi family in shock after home’s roof blows off with mother inside. Alice Ome’s voice was calm as she called her daughter to let her know the roof of her home had blown off. Star-Advertiser. KHON2. 

Hawaii Island

Lala unearths graves and caskets at Big Island cemetery. Hurricane Lala tore the dead from the earth on the Big Island. On Monday, a body stripped of clothes lay crushed beneath a boulder. About a half dozen caskets were visible, most empty and torn apart. The smell of the unearthed dead suffused parts of the debris field. New York Times. Hawaii News Now.

No power for “at least” two weeks in pockets of Hawaii Island. Hawaii Island residents reeling from Hurricane Lala could be without power for at least two weeks while Hawaiian Electric Co. pledged to have 95% of its customers back online by Friday. Star-Advertiser. Big Island Video News. 

 Lala Recovery Begins: Ka‘ū Residents Rally To Share Food, Fuel, Hope. A second body was discovered Tuesday. Local businesses remain battered and shuttered as people from around the Big Island step up to help. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser.  Big Island Video News. 

Beloved Hawaiʻi Island bakery left devastated by Hurricane Lala. In Nāʻālehu on Hawaiʻi Island sits Punaluʻu Bake Shop, a sweetbread bakery that sells thousands of its famous malasadas every day and attracts nearly half a million visitors each year. Hawaii Public Radio. Tribune-Herald. 

A look at 72 hours of rain from Lala. Hilo International Airport received a record 6.82 inches on Saturday. Despite Saturday’s record rainfall, there are numerous Hawaii Island locations that received significantly more rain than the 14.38 inches the Hilo airport saw during the 72-hour period between 8 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Monday. Tribune-Herald.

Charter school secures permanent Kona roots with purchase of West Hawai‘i Today building. Hawaiʻi Technology Academy solidifies its presence in the Kona community with the $7.4 million purchase of the West Hawaiʻi Today building, promising to expand its innovative educational programs by 2028. Big Island Now.

Maui

Second Maui Immigrant Pleads Not Guilty To Illegal Voting. Just two people have been charged with voting as noncitizens in Hawaiʻi in at least the last 40 years. Civil Beat.

UH Maui College secures $660,000 in federal grants to launch AI-integrated cybersecurity programs. To tackle a critical nationwide shortage of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence professionals, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College has secured a three-year, $441,645 National Science Foundation award to launch a groundbreaking project: “CyberAI Innovation: AI-Enhanced Cyber Data Analytics Education.”  Maui Now.

Some East Maui residents are trapped after Lala washes away bridge. Nahiku residents are desperate for help as flooding cuts off access to food, water and supplies. Hawaii News Now.

At least 74 damage reports filed on Maui after Lala. Lala produced hurricane-force wind gusts of 85 mph in Olowalu and 82 mph in Ukumehame, along with heavy rain and flooding. The storm left many roads blocked in the Olinda, Makawao, Piiholo and Wailuanui areas. Maui News. Maui Now. 

Kauai

Wildlife officials warn of injured, grounded birds after Tropical Storm Lala. As Kauaʻi embarks on recovery efforts after Tropical Storm Lala, officials urge residents to exercise caution when encountering displaced native birds. Kauai Now.
 

One dead after Hurricane Lala flooding, thousands remain without power, government offices, public schools reopen on all but Hawaii Island, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

 

Thousands still without power as crews work around the clock. Hawaiian Electric Co. said Monday that “crews are gaining ground” restoring power after Hurricane Lala sideswiped Hawaii, leaving about 88,670 customers without electricity as of 6 p.m. Monday. Star-Advertiser. Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. KHON2.

HECO to receive help from mainland workers to restore power after Lala. Hawaiian Electric announced that it would be receiving reinforcements from utility companies on the continent — something that has never been done before, according to HECO spokesperson Darren Pai. Hawaii Public Radio.

Full list: Most public schools, except on Hawaii Island, to reopen Tuesday. All public schools on Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Lanai will reopen to students and staff on Tuesday. All state and complex area offices will also reopen on Tuesday. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Ice shortage at stores across Oahu after widespread power outage. Hawaiian ice was flying off shelves after Hurricane Lala wiped out power for thousands of households -- many for more than 24 hours. KITV4.

Food insecurity impacts the West Side. Tropical Storm Lala not only wreaked havoc on the Leeward Coast but exposed the compounding impacts that prolonged power outages can have on the vulnerable — access to safe food. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Considers Fining, Jailing Homeless Over Shopping Carts. Violators could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to a month if found with shopping carts under this proposal. Civil Beat.

FBI Records Raise New Questions About Murder-For-Hire Plot. Search warrant affidavits, confidential until now, reveal new details about the investigation into a plot to assassinate a federal judge and prosecutor. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

One dead after Hurricane Lala flooding as Hawaii Island begins long recovery. Floodwaters that swept through the Kau community of Naalehu killed a 90-year-old woman — a discovery made Monday as officials began confronting the scale of damage left by Lala, which strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane before wreaking havoc on Hawaii Island over the weekend. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Tribune-Herald. 

Hawaii Island schools, government offices to remain closed Tuesday as other counties reopen. All state and county offices, public schools, and court facilities on Hawaiʻi Island will remain closed on Tuesday as cleanup and recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Lala. Hawaii News Now.

Lala Recovery: 6 bridges not destroyed as feared, but plenty of damage to repair, debris to cleanup. After work crews cleared more mud, boulders and other debris from roads in the hard hit Kaʻū District of the Big Island, the six bridges that appeared to be destroyed Sunday by Hurricane Lala are not as badly damaged as originally thought, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda said Monday. Big Island Now.

Hawaiʻi Island's water system strained by Hurricane Lala. The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply relies on electricity to pump water up from underground aquifers into its tanks and through its system. Right now, the department is using backup power to maintain water access to large communities and key facilities, like hospitals. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaii County 911 service restored after island-wide outage. Hawaii County said in a 12:23 p.m. update Monday that its 911 emergency service number is now operational, but that carriers have experienced periodic disruptions. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Power Restoration, Water Service Update at 10 p.m. on August 17. Hawaiian Electric provided another power restoration update on Monday evening, saying that – as of 7 p.m. – approximately 38,250 customers are without power on Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Video News.

‘The aftermath of it all shocked me’: Big Isle residents assess damage, prep for a long recovery after Lala. With thousands of homes and businesses still without power, officials warn it could be weeks until it is restored in some of the hardest hit rural areas, leaving many without ways to store or cook food. Tribune-Herald.

OHA Board Approves First Round Of Emergency Funding For Kaʻū . Native Hawaiians in hardest-hit areas of Big Island eligible for $184,000 in relief funds after Hurricane Lala passes by South Point. Civil Beat. Big Island Video News.

Maui

County of Maui offices to resume normal operations on Aug. 18; Eddie Tam to transition to charging station. The County charging station and American Red Cross shelter at Eddie Tam in Makawao will close at 8 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17. It will reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. solely as a charging station, or temporary service site, for powering devices and connecting to WiFi via Starlink. Maui Now.

6,000 remain without power on Maui in Lala’s wake. As Hawaiian Electric completes ongoing damage inspections, significant damage is being found, particularly in remote areas. Maui Now.

DWS advising water conservation in West Maui following Tropical Storm Lala. The County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) is advising residents and visitors in West Maui to conserve water until power is fully restored following Tropical Storm Lala. Maui Now.

‘One big community’: Kauai, Maui mayors tour Makawao sites destroyed by Lala. Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami joined Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen on Monday to tour areas of Maui hit hardest by Hurricane Lala. The two spent the day visiting damaged sites, including Maui Veterans Cemetery, local businesses and a church in Makawao. Hawaii News Now.

Kauai

Update: 301 customers of Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative still without power due to Tropical Storm Lala. Most of the customers without power are on the South side of Kaua'i, the closest to Tropical Storm Lala's high winds. Kauai Now. Garden Island. 

Massive destruction as Tropical Storm Lala blows through Hawaii; some may be without power for months; bridges out, neighborhoods isolated;120 flights canceled; government offices, universities, schools closed today, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lala’s Wrath: Homes Swept Away, Some Power Outages May Last Months. Widespread damage followed the tropical storm, including power outages, road closures and flash floods. Homes were damaged, and trees fell on cars and people. Civil Beat. Associated Press. 

Hawaii public schools, universities, most state and county offices to be closed Monday. Gov. Josh Green’s office announced that state employees affected by the office closures should not report to work and will be granted administrative leave. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now.

Power out for 178k HECO customers; company says ‘prepare for extended outages’. About 178,400 Hawaiian Electric customers remained in the dark Sunday night and the company said “all customers without power should prepare for extended outages.” The mass outages, caused by the high winds and heavy rain of Hurricane Lala, stretched from Hawaii island to Oahu. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4. 

Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines cancel 120 flights due to Lala . Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines have canceled dozens of flights as the storm’s remnants move across the islands, with more changes possible as crews assess conditions. KHON2. KITV4. 

PAC Spending In Primary Shows That Money Talks. An analysis of primary election results shows that most of the candidates supported by political action committees won their races outright or will move on to the November general election. Civil Beat.

Nearly 3,500 rooftop solar systems installed during first half of 2026, Hawaiian Electric said. The company called this a “solid pace” for the first half of the year despite the Jan. 1 loss of the federal clean energy tax credit for residents. Star-Advertiser.

DLNR’s proposed rules stir debate over cat management. To feed or not feed the cats. That has been the perpetual debate between conservationists who say feeding feral cats, considered an invasive predator of native birds in Hawaii, is a problem, while animal advocates say it is not, and is in fact a management strategy for cat colonies. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Oahu

Two incumbent lawmakers lose to challengers in primary tie-breaker drawing. Sen. Kurt Fevella (R, Ewa Beach-Ocean Pointe-Iroquois Point) and Rep. Kanani Souza (R, Kapolei-Makakilo) were defeated by Bob McDermott and Sheila Medeiros, respectively, after their Republican challengers had their names pulled out of a lauhala box by the state’s chief elections officer to break the pair of unusual ties in Hawaii’s Aug. 8 primary election. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Downed trees, flooding cause multiple road closures on Oahu. Honolulu police reported multiple road closures on Oahu due to high winds, rain and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Lala. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 


Hawaii Island

‘All of this devastation’: Lala causes damage and disruption across the island — but especially in Ka‘u. Hurricane Lala skirted narrowly south of Hawaii Island this weekend as a Category 1 storm packing 80 mph winds before moving westward, south of the island chain. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

County of Maui TS Lala update as of 7 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2026. As Tropical Storm Lala continues moving west of the main Hawaiian Islands, National Weather Service canceled the Tropical Storm Warning for Maui County and O’ahu. Maui Now.

As Federal Government Stirs Illegal Voting Fears, Two Cases Arise In Hawaiʻi. Two noncitizens told the Maui County Clerk that they had voted in 2022 and 2024. She relayed that information to the FBI. Civil Beat.

Maui wildfire settlement payments delayed again. Yet another dispute delaying initial payments to thousands of Maui wildfire victims from a $4 billion litigation settlement is headed to the Hawaii Supreme Court. Star-Advertiser.

Kauai

Tropical Storm Lala is 170 miles past Līhuʻe, but outer bands still bringing rain, gusty winds. Tropical storm conditions, especially in gusts, are ongoing across portions of Kauai County, with the strongest winds occurring in areas of higher terrain.  Kauai Now.

Green signs emergency proclamation, Jim Cantore in Hilo as Tropical Storm Lala expected to become hurricane before reaching Hawaii; state Supreme Court expedites Waters' election appeal; military may turn Oahu and Molokai land over to state, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green signs emergency proclamation ahead of Tropical Storm Lala. The proclamation activates the Major Disaster Fund, and authorizes the activation of the Hawaii National Guard if needed. Star-Advertiser. Kauai Now. 

Hawaii Island under hurricane warning, Oahu under tropical storm watch as Lala nears. Tropical Storm Lala is holding steady in intensity but is forecast to strengthen as it nears the islands. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. 

====================================

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Hawaii County
 A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and
Kahoolawe
 A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Oahu
* Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau. National Hurricane Center.

====================================

Tropical Storm Lala prompts interisland flight changes. As Tropical Storm Lala approaches the Hawaiian Islands, airlines are making some changes to interisland schedules while urging passengers to closely monitor their flights and remain flexible. KITV4.

Navy and Marine Corps may turn over land to state. Two parcels are intended for transfer. One is a 32-acre site at the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station in Kalaeloa that includes warehouses currently used by the state to accommodate film and TV productions. The other parcel is a 12-acre Marine Corps training area next to the Molokai airport.  Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.  KHON2. 

Some Hawaiʻi Youth Love To Vape. Will New Limits Make Them Quit? Hawaiʻi lawmakers approved some of the country’s most restrictive vaping regulations. Some doubt it will prompt youth to kick the habit. Starting Jan. 1, the sale of disposable vapes, the kind often favored by young people, will be banned in the islands. Civil Beat.

Oahu

State Supreme Court to expedite Waters’ appeal. The Hawaii Supreme Court has agreed to take up and expedite Hono­-lulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters’ appeal of a ruling that found him ineligible to seek a third consecutive term, as six state judges and two justices — including newly ­installed Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Vladimir Devens — recused themselves. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. 

‘Does He Ever Sleep?’: New Honolulu Police Chief Hits The Ground Running. Honolulu police Chief David Lazar has promised to be transparent and accessible. So far, observers say he’s living up to his word.  Civil Beat.

Here’s how Honolulu is spending its climate funds. Honolulu has set aside $9 million to expand community gardening, convert cesspools, and complete other climate projects this fiscal year. In its first year, the climate fund supported a loan program for cesspool conversions and an initiative to help residents retrofit their homes to lower electricity bills. Hawaii Public Radio.

In A Hidden Hawaiʻi Gulch, A Wartime Secret Opens To The Public. Last month, the National Park Service started guided tours to Honouliuli, a former World War II internment camp.  Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore is in Hilo; a sure sign to take Tropical Storm Lala seriously. Meteorologists and county officials are putting Lala on par with storms like Tropical Storm Iselle that knocked out power, uprooted massive albizia trees and flooded areas of the Puna District in 2014. Big Island Now.

Civil Defense seeks a new administrator amidst storm. With Tropical Storm Lala bearing down on the Big Island, Hawaii County is accepting applications for a new Civil Defense administrator to succeed Talmadge Magno, who retired Aug. 1. County Managing Director Bill Brilhante — the second-in-command in Mayor Kimo Alameda’s administration — has assumed the role of acting Civil Defense administrator. Tribune-Herald.

List of Cancellations, Shelters as Hawaiʻi County Prepares For Hurricane. The County will be opening shelters as of 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 at the locations below. Bring your own food, water, and any necessary medicine. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Live Opossum Captured Near Hilo Harbor. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity announced the small mammal was captured on Wednesday by workers at a freight transporting warehouse.  Big Island Video News.

Maui

Tropical Storm Lala could bring heavy rain, flooding to Maui County. Don’t wait to prepare, county officials say. Maui News.

Mahi Pono has water license hearing Friday. The meeting of the Board of Land and Natural Resources will start at 9 a.m. Friday in Honolulu. The public can watch the hearing through a live stream at the J. Walter Cameron Center in Wailuku or via YouTube at youtube.com/live/F6yXsclyd9M. Maui News.

Kauai

Tenant applications now being accepted for Uahi Ridge Phase I. The Housing Agency announces that tenant applications are now being accepted by Mark Development Inc. for Uahi Ridge Phase I, a new affordable rental housing community in Lihu‘e developed in partnership by the Housing Agency and Mark Development Inc.  Garden Island.