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The Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Starry Nigh Cinema that was scheduled for tonight, Friday, March 13, has been postponed due to the kona storm impact the islands.

Customers across Oʻahu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi Island are asked to continue to plan for possible extended outages, potentially overnight, as the powerful storm system is expected to make its way across the island chain throughout the weekend.

The County of Kauaʻi has received reports of price gouging as the island continues to deal with ongoing impacts of the prolonged kona storm.

Council Member Tom Cook’s Open House at the South Maui Residency Area Office scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026 has been canceled due to the approaching kona storm.

As future eruptive episodes approach, monitor the weather forecast and follow guidance from Hawai‘i County Civil Defense so you can prepare for these events if you live in an area that could experience tephra fallout.

Crews have begun stabilization work on the historic Baldwin Home gutted in the Lahaina wildfire in August 2023. The work marks the first major physical step toward rebuilding the landmark since the disaster, the Lahaina Restoration Foundation announced this week.

A plan to use $130 million from the state’s first climate impact tax got the full backing of lawmakers on the critical House Finance Committee. Now it heads to the Senate.

Hawai‘i residents can expect a steady but slower economic climb this year as high construction demand and robust visitor spending help shield the islands from broader global headwinds.

A powerful kona storm is producing periods of hazardous weather impacts across the Hawaiian Islands through the weekend. Threats range from significant flash flooding, damaging winds, strong to severe thunderstorms, and snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits. Maui is under a High Wind Warning through Sunday morning and a Flood Watch through Saturday afternoon.

Due to continuing severe weather, all DLNR Division of State Parks properties on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island are closed until further notice. This includes ʻIolani Palace, the Queen Emma Summer Palace and Mauna ‘Ala (the Royal Mausoleum) on O‘ahu. Closures will remain in effect until state and county emergency management agencies have determined it is safe to resume normal operations. 

Visitor Tyler Gentry captured this picturesque time lapse video of West Maui while vacationing on Maui from Arizona. The imagery comes as Maui braces for severe weather impacts from a kona storm.

There is no tsunami expected after a 4.2 earthquake reported at 5:16 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, located off the Kaʻū Coast of Hawaiʻi Island.

Hawaiian Electric is urging customers to prepare for extended power outages as a powerful kona storm system makes its way across the islands. While the company is monitoring conditions and preparing for storm-related outages, it does not anticipate implementing its Public Safety Power Shutoff Program despite false claims online.  

In coordination with the Maui Emergency Management Agency and County of Maui Department of Human Concerns, the American Red Cross opened shelters at Maui County Kaunakakai Gym on Molokaʻi, Lahaina Civic Center in West Maui, the South Maui Community Park gym and the Maui High School gym in Kahului.

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is reminding people not to click on links in unsolicited text messages. Several scam text messages have been making the rounds claiming to be from a “Hawaiʻi Department of Motor Vehicles” regarding unpaid traffic violations or tolls.

Due to severe weather, the 106th Annual Kamehameha Song Contest has been postponed to Friday, May 1, 2026, when our students will take the stage to share this year’s mele honoring Ke Aliʻi Pauahi.

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature will be closed on Friday, March 13, following Gov. Josh Green’s announcement regarding the closure of state offices due to potentially severe weather conditions.

Maui Economic Opportunity will be closing its Wailuku, Hāna, Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi City offices and Head Start preschools Friday, March 13, due to the fierce wind and rain forecast from the powerful kona storm.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services announced the launch of a new Mandated Reporter Online Training Program, a comprehensive and accessible resource designed to ensure that individuals required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect, have the knowledge and tools necessary to carry out this critical responsibility.

Gov. Josh Green announced that all public and charter schools and state offices on Oʻahu, Kaua‘i and in Maui County will be closed on Friday, March 13, due to severe weather expected to impact the islands.