Hawaiʻi's May-September 2026 dry season was the third wettest in 30 years, in line with NOAA's El Niño forecast. But forecasters expect the coming wet season to be drier than normal, raising drought and wildfire risk in many areas.
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The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation received $40.1 million from the federal Port Infrastructure Development Program for the $56.1 million Port of Kahului Cargo Yard Expansion. The state says the project will speed cargo handling to support Lahaina rebuilding and Maui's economy.
Civil Beat reports that invasive species experts are alarmed by a vague $1 million state contract, signed in June, with five-year-old engineering firm Shizen Consulting Management to assess which imports are most likely to carry new pests. Critics call it wasteful, redundant and say the contractors are unqualified, and some point to the firm's close ties with senior Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity staff.
A trough brought heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms to the islands Tuesday, with a flood watch for all main Hawaiian Islands through late Tuesday night. Forecasters said the greatest threat was over Oʻahu and Maui County, warning of overflowing streams, road closures and possible landslides.
Kupua, a play by UH Mānoa Hawaiian Theatre founder Tammy Hailiʻōpua Baker, returns to Kumu Kahua Theatre for its 25th anniversary, opening Oct. 29. The production, with UH students, alumni and faculty, weaves together two traditional moʻolelo from Kaʻū about supernatural shapeshifters whose appetites threaten the families around them.
