Maui-Lanai ferry runs aground near entrance to Maalaea Harbor

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 22, 2024

A 29-foot Coast Guard response boat from Station Maui was dispatched and confirmed that the vessel was aground with its anchor deployed but its hull still intact. Read more

Hawaii U.S. senators offer bill to aid evacuation route planning

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 18, 2024

With August’s wildfire disaster in Lahaina in mind, Hawaii’s U.S. senators joined a pair of Senate colleagues Wednesday to introduce legislation that seeks to develop transportation guidelines for state and local governments to improve emergency evacuations. Read more

600,000 tons of ash, debris to be hauled from Lahaina

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 17, 2024

The Lahaina wildfire debris removal project began Tuesday with preparation work in anticipation of hauling away an estimated 600,000 tons of ash and waste over the next year. Read more

Kona airport to reopen today after cracks fixed on runway

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 16, 2024

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is expected to reopen this morning at first light after it shut down Monday afternoon due to safety concerns linked to cracks found on the runway. Read more

Battle for Abigail Kawananakoa’s estate comes to an end

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 11, 2024

Kawananakoa’s spouse will get $40 million and her charity Native Hawaiians for Native Hawaiians will receive $100 million under the deal. Read more

Firm fighting climate lawsuit accused of aggressive tactics

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 11, 2024

Gov. Josh Green’s administration is requesting an additional $2.25 million to fight the climate lawsuit brought by 14 Hawaii youths claiming that the state Department of Transportation has violated their constitutional rights “to live healthful lives in Hawai‘i now and into the future.” Read more

Oahu hit with heavy rain and power outages

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 9, 2024

Heavy rain and gusty winds were expected to threaten Oahu for a second day this morning after storms and gusts driven by a passing cold front clobbered many areas of the island Monday. Read more

Maui trees are taller than estimated, study finds

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 8, 2024

Turns out the trees of Maui are taller than previously thought. Read more

Landfill site only temporary, Maui mayor says

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 5, 2024

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced Thursday that a former cinder quarry in Olowalu will not be considered as the final disposition site for the ash and debris being excavated from the disaster area in Lahaina. Read more

Sunset Beach homeowner fined for illegal beach reinforcement

• By Timothy Hurley
• Jan. 4, 2024

A Sunset Beach homeowner must pay $77,000 in fines after he was found responsible for pouring concrete on the beach to protect his oceanfront property. Read more

Hawaii minimum wage gets bumped to $14 per hour

• By Timothy Hurley
• Dec. 31, 2023

Hawaii’s lowest-paid workers will be ringing in the new year with a $2 hourly wage bump, the largest of 22 state minimum- wage increases taking effect across the U.S. on Monday. Read more

Reinstated water official Manuel leaving post

• By Timothy Hurley
• Dec. 27, 2023

The state water official who was reassigned in a controversial move following the Lahaina fire disaster and then reinstated two months later is apparently leaving his job. Read more

Maui looking at up to $100K for ohana unit construction

• By Timothy Hurley
• Dec. 11, 2023

Maui was experiencing a housing crisis even before thousands were left in dire need of shelter from the Aug. 8 wildfires. Read more

Study documents harm to coral reefs from overfishing

• By Timothy Hurley
• Dec. 8, 2023

Aquatic biologists have long known the importance of algae-eating fish to the overall health of coral reefs. But new research documents just how important species like surgeonfish and parrotfish are to Hawaii’s coral reefs. Read more

Maui mayor calls for ‘shared sacrifice’

• By Timothy Hurley
• Dec. 6, 2023

The Maui County Council on Tuesday approved Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to offer a substantial tax break to homeowners who convert their short-term rentals into long-term housing for those displaced by the Aug. 8 wildfires. Read more

Mechanical issues reportedly force emergency hard landing

• By Timothy Hurley
• Dec. 5, 2023

A 77-year-old man was taken in serious condition to a hospital Monday after the pilot of a small plane apparently performed an emergency landing at a construction site in Kapolei. Read more

Kona low threatens Lahaina nearshore waters

• By Timothy Hurley
• Dec. 1, 2023

This week’s Kona low storm was anticipated to be the first big rain in Lahaina since the wildfire that destroyed the heart of the historic town and left toxic ash and chemicals at risk of being washed into the ocean. Read more

Hurricane season was average but deadly

• By Timothy Hurley
• Nov. 29, 2023

The 2023 hurricane season officially draws to a close Thursday, extending to five years a run of average to below-average Central Pacific hurricane seasons. Read more

$8M demolition of decaying Uncle Billy’s hotel to start

• By Timothy Hurley
• Nov. 28, 2023

The $8 million demolition of the dilapidated former Uncle Billy’s hotel in Hilo is set to commence with asbestos abatement work starting next week. Read more

Latest plan for Ala Wai flood control reaches $1B

• By Timothy Hurley
• Nov. 26, 2023

The price tag, however, was placed at over $1 billion — triple the estimated cost of the project just five years ago. Read more

‘Bad actor’ nurseries targeted by officials over little fire ant infestations

• By Timothy Hurley
• Nov. 24, 2023

The state Department of Agriculture is moving to take legal action against a handful of “bad actors,” nurseries that are aware they have an infestation of little fire ants but are doing nothing about it. Read more