Tropical Storm Warning issued for Hawaiʻi County as Nolo nears hurricane strength

A draft environmental assessment is open for public comment on a proposal to develop a new 262-acre agricultural park in Kula, separate from—but connected by infrastructure to—the existing Kula Agricultural Park.

A temporary Lahaina Public Library is moving closer to reality as a 20-by-20-foot FORTS self-contained unit was installed Tuesday at the Lahaina Civic Center’s upper parking lot next to the Lahaina District Court.

The County of Maui Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Maui Invasive Species Committee, is urging residents, agricultural producers, landscapers and green waste haulers to survey their properties and remain vigilant following the detection of two significant Little Fire Ant infestations in Haʻikū and Kapalua.

University of Hawai‘i Maui College Culinary Arts Program has announced details for their 2026 Noble Chef fundraising gala and introduction of an ongoing Noble Chef Dinner Series leading up to the Gala.

Three nēnē from the same family were killed this month, just one day apart, by drivers on Moloka‘i. As we approach Nēnē Awareness Day on Sept. 26, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife wants to remind Hawai‘i residents that incidents like these are preventable.

All state parks, camping, forest reserves, Nā Ala Hele hiking trails, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves, hunting and game management areas on the following islands will be closed due to the anticipated impacts of Tropical Storm Nolo: Hawai‘i Island starting Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026; and Maui and Molokaʻi starting Friday, Sept. 25, 2026.

(Update: 11 a.m., 9.24.26) A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Hawaiʻi County as Nolo nears hurricane strength. At 11 a.m., the center of Tropical Storm Nolo was located about 285 miles S of South Point on Hawaiʻi Island, and 455 miles SSE of Honolulu, near latitude 14.9 North, longitude 156.1 West. Nolo is moving toward the north at a very slow pace, near 2 mph. A faster motion to the north or north-northeast is expected later today through Friday, followed by a sharp westward turn on Saturday in the vicinity of the Big Island.

Current estimates and recovery commitments reported by state agencies total approximately $686 million from the March Kona Low storms, the May 22 magnitude 6.0 Hawaiʻi Island earthquake, Hurricane Lala and Hurricane Lowell. The state has also identified at least $319 million in proposed resilience and mitigation projects to strengthen critical infrastructure and prepare Hawaiʻi for future disasters.

Courts and Judiciary operations on Hawaiʻi Island (Third Circuit) will be closed Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25, due to anticipated severe weather from Tropical Storm Nolo, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane. Courts and Judiciary operations on Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi (Second Circuit) will be closed Friday, Sept. 25.

(Update: 11 p.m., Sept. 23, 2026) Damaging tropical storm force winds reaching the Big Island as early as Friday morning, and dangerous hurricane force winds possible by Friday night. Hurricane or tropical storm watches may be needed for other islands should Nolo move closer to the islands.

The University of Hawaiʻi will close UH Hilo, Hawaiʻi Community College and all other UH units on Hawaiʻi Island on Thursday and Friday, while UH Maui College and other UH units in Maui County will close Friday, as Tropical Storm Nolo approaches the state and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane. The closures include UH Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience extension offices on Hawaiʻi Island and in Maui County.

All Hawaiʻi State Department of Education public schools and offices on Hawaiʻi Island will be closed Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25, while HIDOE schools and offices in Maui County will be closed Friday, Sept. 25, due to anticipated severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Nolo.