Kepa Revelle-Aikala wins 24th Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest

Potential tropical development threatens to bring heavy rainfall to eastern portions of the state during the latter half of the week, according to the National Weather Service.

Hawaiʻi borrowers carry less student debt than those in nearly every other state, earning the state the nation’s second-lowest student debt ranking according to a September 2026 WalletHub report.

Maui residents turned in nearly 40 firearms and 58 illegal pounds of illegal fireworks during Saturday’s dual buyback event in Kahului.

Hale Makua Health Services, a nonprofit providing a variety of healthcare services on Maui, celebrated its 80th anniversary this past week. Born out of community compassion during World War II, Hale Makua was established on Sept. 20, 1946 after local volunteers and the Young Buddhist Association rallied to build a dedicated home for displaced kūpuna on Maui needing care.

The First Tee – Hawaiʻi is calling on parents, golfers, community members, and anyone passionate about supporting Hawaiʻi’s youth to step forward and become a First Tee coach.

Kepa Revelle-Aikala of Pukalani captured first place at the 24th Annual Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest, held Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua as part of the resort’s 34th Celebration of the Arts.Kepa Revelle-Aikala of Pukalani captured first place at the 24th Annual Richard Ho‘opi‘i Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Contest, held Saturday, Sept. 19, at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua as part of the resort’s 34th Celebration of the Arts.

Musician Anthony Pfluke will perform live at the 2nd Annual International Peace Day Peace Pole Livestream, taking place Monday, Sept. 21, from 12 to 3 p.m., the Teran James Young Foundation announced. Pfluke will play from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m., bringing live music to this community celebration of peace.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced that certain lands on Kaua‘i will reopen on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, at 6:30 a.m. Most DLNR lands remain closed due to widespread, unmitigated damage from Hurricane Lowell.

US Rep. Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02) earned an “A” grade and a score of 88.2 out of 100 from Bridge Grades for the 119th Congress, ranking her among the top-rated members of the US House of Representatives for bipartisan collaboration.

Recently, re-inflation of the summit became more unsteady during the ongoing episodic eruption of Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island; now, following the opening of new vents Sept. 14-16 in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, it appears the behavior of the volcano might have changed.

Mayor Richard Bissen signed Bill 98 into law yesterday, codifying the Maui County Food and Nutrition Security Plan and establishing a long-term framework to strengthen food security and Maui County’s local food system.

The County of Maui Department of Agriculture is launching the Fiscal Year 2027 Niu, Kalo and ‘Ulu Grant program to support Maui County farmers, agricultural producers and community organizations in cultivating and expanding production of traditional kūpuna crops.