Hawaii News

Record Wildfire Burns Amid Drought on Hawaii’s Big Island

HONOLULU (AP) — Firefighters gained more control over a wildfire in Hawaii that forced thousands of people to evacuate over the weekend and destroyed at least two homes on the Big Island, but officials warned that strong winds will return …

Hawaii to Launch Program to Buy 2018 Eruption-Damaged Homes

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — Property owners on the Big Island who were affected by the 2018 Kilauea volcanic eruption can apply to have Hawaii County buy back their land starting next week. Hawaii County said the first phase of its …

Town North of Honolulu Evacuated as Stream Floods

Hawaii Gov. David Ige declared an emergency in the U.S. state after heavy rains brought floods, landslides and fear of dam failures, and authorities ordered the evacuation of several thousand people from communities threatened by rising waters. The move came …

Evacuations Ordered After Heavy Rains Breach Dam on Maui

HONOLULU (AP) — Heavy rains caused a dam to overflow on the Hawaiian island of Maui, and and nearby residents in the community of Haiku are being evacuated, county officials said Monday. The National Weather Service reported 13.2 inches (33.5 …

Hawaii Beach Erosion Bills Would Regulate Property Defenses

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers are considering bills that could force oceanfront property owners to remove sandbags and heavy tarps that can significantly contribute to coastal erosion. Dozens of owners along Hawaii beaches have used loopholes in environmental laws to …

Mauna Kea Protests Police Presence Backed by Appeals Court

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — A Hawaii appellate court has ruled that Hawaii County’s police chief was within his authority when he requested help from police in other counties during the 2019 protests over the Thirty Meter Telescope. The state Intermediate …

Volcano Erupts on Hawaii’s Big Island, Produces Steam Cloud

HONOLULU, Hawaii — The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island erupted and shot a steam cloud into the atmosphere that lasted about an hour, an official with the National Weather Service said early Monday. The eruption began late Sunday within …

Texas, Hawaii Spared From Potential Widespread Hurricane Damage

Hurricane Hanna spared insurers potential massive losses by making a landfall Saturday on a rural area of the Texas coast, in a state where residential properties receive relatively little protection from modern building codes. Hurricane Douglas similarly averted disaster in …

Hurricane Douglas Nears Hawaii, Bringing High Winds and Rain

HONOLULU — Hawaii prepared for the onslaught of Hurricane Douglas on Sunday, with predictions of high winds, rain and storm surge. “It’s definitely going to be a triple threat,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Vanessa Almanza said. Rainfall from the …

Pacific Hurricane Forecast Complicated by Coronavirus

HONOLULU — The Central Pacific basin including Hawaii should expect to see between two and six tropical storms or hurricanes this year, federal forecasters said Wednesday. The annual National Weather Service prediction came as wary Hawaii residents begin to emerge …