Governor seeks federal disaster declaration; FEMA arrives on Maui; Honolulu traffic cams may ticket for lapsed registration, safety checks; lava zone insurance measure gutted, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Gov. Green requests federal disaster declaration for storm assistance. Gov. Josh Green has asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster to help Hawaii recover from the back-to-back Kona-low storm systems, with the hope that the federal government will provide up to 90% of funding for recovery efforts. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii Public Radio. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.  Maui Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4. 

Will the Feds Help Hawaiʻi After the Floods? It’s Up to Trump. The president has denied and delayed requests for disaster aid from Democratic-led states. Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green hopes that won’t be the case. Civil Beat.

The ferocity of the downpour that brought the latest Hawaii flooding surprised even meteorologists. Crews on Tuesday began evaluating damage from a surprise downpour that sent floodwaters raging through a neighborhood near downtown Honolulu — the latest bout in a series of storms and flooding that have pummeled the state over the past two weeks. Associated Press.

Hawaii farms report more than $15M in storm damage.  The Kona-low storms wreaked havoc on more than 1,000 acres of Hawaii farms statewide — from small farms growing fruits on Oahu’s North Shore to a longtime coffee farm on Hawaii island. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

Competing Energy Proposals Debate Which Will Limit Costs For Consumers. HECO says the cost to upgrade the old Waiau power plant exceeds what state utility regulators have allowed. Civil Beat.

Honolulu Traffic Cams May Soon Ticket For Registration, Safety Checks. One critic worries data from the cameras could be misused, but the state House gave preliminary approval to expanding the uses of the cameras. Civil Beat.

North Shore flood frustrations boil over as residents demand answers. Dozens packed the Waialua Elementary cafeteria Tuesday night, where a Neighborhood Board meeting quickly turned tense as frustrations over recent flooding boiled over. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

A plantation-era history of Wahiawā Dam as the state eyes acquisition. This week, the Hawaiʻi State Water Commission is taking up the issue of whether the state should acquire the Wahiawā Dam in Central Oʻahu. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oʻahu buses became evacuation vehicles for North Shore residents. When thousands of North Shore Oʻahu residents were told to evacuate Friday, some city bus drivers made the trip back toward the evacuation zones to help residents get to safety. Hawaii Public Radio.

SOS in sand saves couple stranded at Yokohama Bay for 24 hours. A stranded couple at Yokohama Bay was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after writing a large SOS in the sand during Kona low flooding on Oahu. Hawaii News Now.

Storm evacuees prioritized pets as floodwaters raged. Floodwaters from the second devastating storm that forced Oahu residents to flee early Friday morning revealed the frantic efforts of some evacuees to keep families safe, including their pets. Star-Advertiser.

Feds Trying To Bilk Miske Granddaughter Out Of Inheritance, Lawyer Says. Federal prosecutors say Miske killed himself in prison to prevent the government from seizing his $20 million estate. The trust’s lawyer is pushing back on that. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lava zones insurance measure is gutted by state Senate committee. The state Senate’s Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted unanimously Tuesday to heavily amend a bill originally meant to help pay for property insurance for Puna and Ka‘u residents living in high-risk lava zones. Tribune-Herald.

Four Mile Creek Bridge replacement project clears another hurdle. The long-awaited replacement of an old, well-traveled one-lane bridge that provides an access corridor between Highway 11 and Hilo’s southern outskirts is a step closer to reality. Tribune-Herald.

Kawamoto pool closed after lightning damages pump. Charles “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium in Hilo is closed until further notice after the pool pump was damaged Monday during a lightning storm. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now. 

A residential green waste removal effort is launching in the Kona Palisades area to reduce wildfire risk and limit the breeding habitat for the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Residents along Kaʻiminani Drive, from Māmalahoa Highway to Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, are invited to move green waste from their properties to the curb for collection. Big Island Now.

Maui

FEMA arrives on Maui as damage from storms climbs into hundreds of millions. Maui County officials are preparing for federal assistance as teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency arrive today to begin formal damage assessments following back-to-back Kona-low storms that battered the island chain. Star-Advertiser.

HIDOE schools reopening on Maui and Molokaʻi; closures continue on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island. The Hawaiʻi Department of Education reports that school will reopen on Wednesday on Maui and Molokaʻi.  Maui Now.

Impassable roads, flooded homes as Molokaʻi tackles post-storm recovery. Residents on Molokaʻi have been trying to salvage their belongings from flooded homes, and some of them had to evacuate. Hawaii Public Radio.

Mayor to hold community meetings in storm-impacted areas of Upcountry, ʻĪao Valley, South Maui, Lahaina and Molokaʻi. County staff from the departments of Public Works, Environmental Management, Water Supply, Emergency Management and ʻŌiwi Resources will attend to provide response updates and help with any questions. Maui Now.

Draft EIS published for Hoʻonani Village development in Puʻunēnē. The Maui Planning Commission called for an environmental impact review for the proposed 1,608-unit Hoʻonani Village development in Puʻunēnē, and developers have delivered a draft study with public comments due May 7. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kauaʻi Community College to host career fair for first time in 10 years. The career fair will be on campus from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 2. The event is designed to provide students, recent graduates, and alumni with a dedicated “safe space” to transition from the classroom to the professional world. Kauai Now.

A special gathering to recognize Kauai’s Jewish community. A special gathering on Monday filled the rotunda of the Moikeha Building with song and merriment as Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami joined the Kauai Jewish Community, friends, and interfaith groups in recognizing Kauai’s Jewish community. Garden Island.

Green asks federal government to pick up 90% of $1B storm damage cost, only $500k emergency state relief available for farmers' $11M in damages, PUC approves Waiau power plant, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green seeks major federal aid as storm strikes again. The state is asking the federal government to assume 90% of the expected $1 billion-plus in Kona-low storm recovery costs, Gov. Josh Green said Monday after yet another punishing round of torrential rain overwhelmed communities. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now. 

Here’s what to know as the scope of damage from Hawaii’s floods becomes clearer. The worst flooding to hit Hawaii in two decades has swept homes off their foundations, floated cars out of driveways and left floors, walls and counters covered in thick, reddish volcanic mud.  Associated Press. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Should Oil And Gas Companies Pay To Clean Up Hawaiʻi’s Flood Damage? Disasters linked to climate change are hitting the islands more often, heating up debate over who’s responsible and should ultimately cover the costs. Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Farmers Confront $11M In Flood Damage Without A Safety Net. Crop insurance is hard to attain in Hawaiʻi, and federal programs are tailored to mainland agriculture. Civil Beat.

State launches emergency relief grants for farmers, ranchers impacted by Kona lows. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity said the Emergency Farmer Relief Program will provide one-time grants of $1,500 to eligible farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses impacted by Kona Low 1 and Kona Low 2. A total of $500,000 has been authorized for the program. Hawaii News Now.

Homeowners, renters face limited flood-insurance options. Homeowners and renters who did not purchase specific flood insurance before back-to-back Kona-low storms battered the islands likely will have to absorb any financial losses to their homes and property, according to the head of Hawaii’s insurance division. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii DOE updates school closure list, adding 2 on Oahu. The Hawaii Department of Education announced several new school closures due to the heavy rains that have pounded the state since last week. Several already-announced closures were also extended. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. 

Military officials, community members discuss the future as military land leases near expiration. The first Hawaiʻi-Military Lands Discussion brought together community advocates and activists, military officials and representatives, business leaders, and policymakers to share information and perspectives on military land use in Hawaiʻi. Big Island Now.

Farmers wrestle with proposed statewide rules on agricultural tourism. House Bill 2585 had proposed to create standardized rules for tourism-related activities on agricultural land, like farm tours. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Waiau power plant Biofuel project approved. The state Public Utilities Commission has snubbed a request by the state’s chief energy officer to defer a decision on a proposed biofuel power plant on Oahu, approving the project Monday. Star-Advertiser.

UHERO study: Building condo tower leads to hundreds of existing homes becoming available. A single new condominium tower in Honolulu may have opened up hundreds of additional housing opportunities across Oʻahu, according to new research from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization. Big Island Now.

Scope of damage from Kona storm flooding becomes clearer. Crews continued to assess the destruction Monday, but authorities said hundreds of homes had been damaged, along with some schools and a hospital. No deaths have been reported, but more than 230 people had to be rescued.  Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.  KHON2. 

Officials acknowledge mixed messages on Wahiawa Dam risk. Whether Wahiawa Dam was safe or about to fail was top of mind throughout these storms. It became a flashpoint for what officials now acknowledge were “mixed messages” about the risk. KHON2.

Wastewater spills triggered around Oahu, city says. Two Kona-low storms which brought heavy rains that flooded whole communities on Oahu over the past two weeks also triggered numerous wastewater spills across the island, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Stay out of ocean after storm, officials warn. From Waikiki to Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore, the storms have transformed near-shore ocean waters from turquoise blue to brown. The Hawaii Department of Health has a message for the public — when the water is brown, stay out. Star-Advertiser.

On Top Of Everything Else Facing Storm-Ravaged Oʻahu … Potholes. After two intense Kona lows, calls to a city hotline to report potholes tripled. As drivers dodge divots, the city is just beginning to assess the damage. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Lightning Grounds Kona Flights, Flood Watch Continues For Hawaiʻi Island. In a sign that the severe weather threat for Hawaiʻi island has not yet ended, the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) underwent a ground stop Monday morning due to lightning. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. 

Maui

Mayor to hold community meetings in storm-impacted areas of Upcountry, ʻĪao Valley and South Maui. Mayor Richard Bissen will hold community meetings for residents Upcountry, and in ʻĪao Valley and South Maui to discuss impacts of the recent kona storms in those areas. Maui Now.

Changes upslope could help curb South Maui’s mud flooding issue, experts say. Maui County Council Member Tom Cook, who holds the Kīhei residency seat, also believes the solution to Kīhei’s flooding and drainage issues has to take place higher up the mountain, or the same thing will keep happening every winter, pointing to the example of the Kūlanihāko‘i gulch that was cleared of thousands of cubic yards of sediment last spring only to be clogged once more after the most recent Kona low.  Maui Now.

Kauai

UPDATE: Wastewater spill at the Līhu‘e Wastewater Treatment Plant has ceased. Approximately 280,000 gallons were released during peak flows from 10 a.m. on March 17, 2026, through March 22. The discharge was contained within the facility and did not reach any public areas or state waters, and does not pose a risk to public health, according to the Wastewater Management Division. Kauai Now.