Kona Low storms drive March visitor spending down 1.6%

The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. The siren test will be coordinated with a test of the Live Audio Broadcast segment of the Emergency Alert System.

Volcano Watch: While eruptions at the summit of Kīlauea most frequently occur within Halemaʻumaʻu, they can occur outside of the modern caldera as well.

Guests and residents alike are invited to gather in the Haleakalā Gardens for a multi-course Mother’s Day brunch buffet that will feature a chef-inspired menu of fresh favorites, with highlights including a raw seafood bar and carving station. End the day at Kilolani Spa, and indulge in the Mother’s Day Escape package, with 2.5 hours of treatments accompanied by a glass of champagne.

Hawai‘i State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson will be retiring from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism effective April 30, 2026, concluding 25 years of service managing the Hawai‘i Film Office and the state’s film program.

Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center invites artists to submit work for Impressions & Imprints, a juried exhibition bringing together artists working in printmaking, metalsmithing, and ceramics. Online registration will be open from May 12–19, 2026, with Artwork Receiving Day taking place on Tuesday, May 19, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. at Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center in Makawao.

Back-to-back Kona Low storms in March hobbled Hawaiʻi’s tourism economy, triggering an estimated $300 million in lost revenue as flooding, flight cancellations and attraction closures disrupted spring break travel across the islands.

Researchers from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa published a study showing that they can skillfully predict El Niño and La Niña 15 months ahead of time using only observations of the ocean surface temperature and height—no complex climate model needed.

Akakū Maui Community Media will host itʻs May Maui Business Tuesdays event with the theme “Maui Food Trucks.” The salon will be held Tuesday May 5, 2026 from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at Akakū Center in Suite 204 and hybrid via Zoom.

Each year on the second Saturday in May, letter carriers across the country collect non-perishable food donations from customers. These donations go directly to local food pantries to provide food to people who need our help.

US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, questioned US Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on the Department’s efforts to remove mentions of key aspects of US history, including slavery, in national parks across the country.

US Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) voted in his Appropriations Committee against his majority colleagues’ Fiscal Year 2027 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies funding measure.

The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee completed its review of Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget this week, unanimously adopting a revised spending plan of approximately $1.608 billion.