Welcome home, Barry-O, big waves coming for Christmas, residents leaving Hawaii, more state news

Images of Hawai'i's clear skies, blue waters and verdant cliffs were being beamed to a snow-bound Mainland audience even before President Obama touches down in his hometown today for an expected 10-day Christmas vacation.

Waves of 40 feet or higher are forecast for north shores on Christmas day.

Two more rounds of extra-big and giant-sized waves are expected to hit the north and west shores of Maui and Molokai this week, said Glenn James, senior weather analyst at the Pacific Disaster Center in Kihei.

More Hawaii residents moved to the U.S. mainland through the past year than vice versa, helping to keep the state's population growth rate relatively low, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Education officials remained tight-lipped on details of a tentative agreement with the state teachers union to reduce furlough days for public school teachers.

Battered by foreign competition and a sputtering economy, the last major pineapple producer in Hawaii completed its final harvest after 97 years in the agricultural business.

Those who imbibe their holiday spirits should be aware that police plan to step up drunken driving enforcement.

Hawaii County government, having batted 0 for 2 on two different approaches to providing affordable housing, remains mired in litigation, is contemplating a drastic revision of county code and is preparing to try yet a third approach.

The county Charter Review Commission voted unanimously to move forward with a ballot measure that would, if approved by voters next year, extend the term for Kaua‘i County Council members from two years to four.

Even for many U.S. cities and municipalities, the life-sustaining liquid delivered to consumers, even when safe, can taste like the shallow end of a swimming pool

No magic in Obama name for island, surf lures the best, Lingle talks special session, more news

Some parkgoers at Magic Island Beach Park last night gave a thumbs-down to a plan to rename the 30-acre Magic Island section of Ala Moana Beach Park after Honolulu-born President Obama.

A dwindling income has taken a toll on nonprofit groups in Hawai'i, forcing nearly six in 10 to lay off staff and more than a third to eliminate services to the needy, according to results of a November survey released yesterday.

Gov. Linda Lingle's administration is starting to sound out legislative leaders about a possible special session to raid much of the state's $60 million rainy day fund to wipe out some of the public school teachers' furlough days.

About a dozen to two dozen students at a time waved signs in front of the state Capitol yesterday afternoon, urging the Legislature to restore funds to the University of Hawaii.

Greg Long scored a perfect 100 in the final round to push him ahead of 2002 "Eddie" champ Kelly Slater, who led for almost the entire tournament. A perfect ride by the 25-year-old Californian helped him surge ahead to win big wave surfing's most esteemed title. This was only the second time that Long was invited to the Eddie Aikau tournament.

Thousands of people flocked to the North Shore today to watch the surfing competition.

Kaua‘i residents, some in favor of a makai alignment for the Wailua segment of the multi-use path and some strongly opposed, piled into the War Memorial Convention Hall Monday night to tell Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. their thoughts on his recent announcement to keep the boardwalk on the sand.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker and part-time Maui resident Clint Eastwood is going to let the Valley Isle make his day - three of them - when he films part of his newest movie here.

Having recently obtained County Council authority to sell 737 acres of the county's Hamakua lands, Mayor Billy Kenoi's administration is now delaying the liquidation effort until after the holidays.

A Kamehameha Schools lessee is proposing a gate across Keawaiki Road to cut off vehicle access to the Keawaiki Beach Lots, according to a draft environmental assessment filed with the state.

Monster surf continues, education official visits, Pearl Harbor attack remembered, more Hawaii news

More monster waves are forecast today for O'ahu's North Shore, where thousands fought traffic and battled for parking yesterday to catch the kick-off of a swell that brought surf of up to 40 feet.

Monster waves drove several people to Red Cross shelters and drew thousands of onlookers to Oahu's North Shore, creating bumper-to-bumper traffic between Haleiwa and Waimea Bay, where many hoped to see a premier surfing event.

Some of the biggest names in tow-in surfing are expected to return today to the legendary "Jaws" surf spot, where wave heights could top 50 feet.

The northern shores of all Hawaiian islands remain under a high surf warning that has been extended through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The Keawaula portion of Kaena Point State Park was closed Monday due to high surf conditions, according to officials at the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The decision was made upon the recommendation of Ocean Safety lifeguards.

Baldwin and Hookipa beach parks closed shortly after 8:30 a.m. Monday because dangerously high surf and shore breaks posed unsafe conditions for beachgoers, Maui County announced.

The public wants to hold elected leaders accountable for education in Hawaii, says Gov. Linda Lingle, renewing her push to change Hawaii's educational structure.

A top federal education official told parents yesterday to keep the pressure on for a solution to teacher furloughs, but also said the crisis could be used as an opportunity to improve quality at some of the state's poorly performing public schools.

Dozens of survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Monday solemnly remembered those who died in the aerial assault 68 years ago.

Headline from 1941 inflames conspiracy theory

Hawaii County solid waste officials have responded to complaints about shortened transfer station hours by revising the schedule so more people can dump their rubbish en route to work.

Winners of the 39th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival's coffee label, web site and recipe contests have been announced.