Maui News
Kauaʻi community mourns loss of Hollywood icon and part-time resident Chuck Norris
Martial arts, TV and movie icon Chuck Norris’s sudden passing on Kauaʻi has left the close-knit North Shore community and fans around the world in mourning.
Evacuation advisory upgraded to Warning for Lahaina areas due to flood threat
Maui Emergency Management Agency at 11:16 a.m. today, March 21, 2026, UPGRADED advisories to evacuation WARNINGS for Wahikuli and Leialiʻi areas below Ka Laʻi Ola in Lahaina due to nearby retention basins nearing capacity. Other new zones in this area were placed under ADVISORY. Warnings and advisories are NOT mandatory evacuation orders.
UH study highlights critical role of fathers in pregnancy outcomes
New research from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa finds that a father’s health and upbringing significantly impact pregnancy success and child development, challenging the traditional focus on mothers.
HECO 9 a.m. update: power restoration continues amid second kona low
About 4,200 customers on the North Shore of Oʻahu have been without power since Friday morning after Hawaiian Electric de-energized circuits that cross through the flood zone. On Maui, crews continue to work to restore power to about 100 remaining customers impacted by last week’s kona low storm.
Several public libraries on Maui closed due to severe weather impacts
Due to the severe weather that continue to impact on Maui and Oʻahu, several public library locations are closed on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
MEO cancels all bus rides on Moloka’i due to hazardous conditions
Maui Economic Opportunity on Moloka’i has canceled all bus rides today due to hazardous conditions from the Kona storm. MEO will announce when service resumes and apologizes for any inconvenience.
Maui Flood Warning until 4 a.m.; Flood Watch until Sunday afternoon
A kona low developing west of the islands will draw abundant moisture northward as it strengthens and eventually departs to north early next week. Several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall are anticipated.
Coast Guard, partners rescue 7 people, 1 dog during flash floods on Oʻahu
Coast Guard and Navy aircrews rescued seven people and one dog during flash floods on Oʻahu Friday. A larger rescue effort by multiple agencies resulted in the rescue of at least 196 people, according to an earlier report from the governor.
Hawai‘i Community Foundation activates the Stronger Hawai‘i Fund to bolster statewide disaster preparedness and relief
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) is activating the Stronger Hawai‘i Fund, a dedicated fund designed to support statewide disaster and emergency related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience. As communities across Hawai’i continue to feel the impacts of severe weather, HCF is activating the fund immediately to deploy resources where the need is greatest across our state.
Maui Council confirms directors of Planning and Human Concerns departments
The Maui County Council voted 8-0 Friday to confirm Jacky Takakura as planning director and 6-2 to appoint Margaret Willis as director of the Department of Human Concerns.
HECO 8:30 p.m. update, March 20: Electric customers on Oʻahu’s North Shore to remain without power overnight
For the safety of customers and the public, Hawaiian Electric cannot re-energize electric circuits serving the North Shore of Oʻahu until after mandatory flood evacuation orders are lifted. This means about 4,200 customers in the area will remain without power at least overnight.
Gov. Green calls severe kona storm the largest flood that Hawaiʻi has seen in 20 years
Gov. Josh Green called the kona storm from last week and the additional kona storm this week, the largest flood that Hawaiʻi has seen in 20 years.
HECO 5 p.m. update March 20: Safety-driven power shutoff on O‘ahu after catastrophic flooding; 165 without power on Maui
Once mandatory flood evacuation orders are lifted on the North Shore of O‘ahu, Hawaiian Electric will inspect its infrastructure to determine when it will be safe to restore power to customers affected by a proactive power shutoff due to catastrophic flooding. However, if the evacuation notice is lifted after dark, crews must wait for daylight to begin inspections.
The Salvation Army ready to serve as second kona low storm brings impacts to Hawaiʻi
As heavy rains and flooding continue to impact Hawaiʻi—with a second kona low event rolling across the islands while communities are still reeling from the first—The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is positioned to respond to the evolving on-the-ground needs.
Aloha United Way distributes more than $760,000 to community organizations across Hawaiʻi
Aloha United Way has distributed more than $760,000 to 45 community-based organizations during the first two months of 2026, supporting programs that address food security, housing, housing stability, workforce development and other essential needs.
MEO Human Services operations limited to essential services; Paratransit to operate with Maui Bus schedule
Maui Economic Opportunity Human Services transportation will limit its operations to dialysis and essential medical appointments for Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Central, West, South, and Upcountry Maui beginning Saturday, March 21.
Consumer protection bills target fraud, predatory gambling, and online privacy
Strengthening protections against predatory gambling practices, deceptive mail solicitations, cryptocurrency-related transactions, and ensuring residents’ online privacy are among the measures passed this session by the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.
MEMA upgrades evacuation advisory to Warning for ʻĪao, Kīhei areas due to flood threat
Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at 3:30 p.m. today, March 20, 2026, UPGRADED advisories to evacuation WARNINGS for parts of ʻĪao Valley in Central Maui and parts of Kīhei in South Maui due to the potential flooding threat to life/or property amid kona storm 2. Warnings and advisories are NOT mandatory evacuation orders.
Shelters opening around Maui ahead of new kona storm impacts
Maui Emergency Management Agency, County of Maui Parks and Recreation and the American Red Cross will begin proactively opening shelters across Maui today, March 20, 2026, ahead of kona storm 2 impacts.
UHERO: Low pay, not just high prices, behind Hawaiʻi’s persistent population loss
An analysis of migration patterns across states and 384 US metro areas shows that higher prices tend to push residents out, while higher incomes attract them. In Hawaiʻi, both forces are working in the same direction, but while Hawaiʻi has always been expensive, the widening income gap with the rest of the nation is a growing and more troubling driver.
