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Kady Pascual

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"You gotta get every moment!"}]

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Hezekiah Kapuaala

<title>Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Anything for the shot</title>

Today’s social media find comes from @Hezekiah_Kapuaala, who runs for the shot like he’s playing the game.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Anything for the shot

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Stephanie Salmons

Government & Politics

A third storm in nearly as many weeks is set to bring more wind and rain to the Islands and local leaders are preparing for impact.

"Low pressure west of the Islands will draw tropical moisture northward leading to periods of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and an increased flash flooding risk," the National Weather Service in Honolulu 

 Wednesday morning. "Strong and gusty south to southeasterly winds are also expected Thursday and Thursday night. Unsettled conditions linger into next week." 

Forecasters say the first wave of showers are expected to move into the area from the south during the mid- to late-afternoon, with the heaviest over Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, "where instability is maximized."

The southeast area of Hawai‘i Island saw several inches of rain last night, the forecast noted.

 is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands through Friday afternoon and a 

 is in effect for south-facing shores on all islands until 6 a.m. Thursday. A 

 is in effect for portions of Kaua‘i and O‘ahu Thursday morning through Thursday night. NWS says south winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.

The possibility of more rain and flooding comes just weeks after back-to-back Kona Low storm systems brought heavy rains to the Islands that triggered flooding and power outages, prompted evacuations and caused damage across the state.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The City and County of Honolulu "}]

Crews have been dispatched across O‘ahu to clear streams, canals and waterways ahead of the storm, "to ensure rainwater and runoff can flow as freely as possible," the city said in an announcement Tuesday. The Department of Parks and Recreation also delivered loads of sand to a lot in Waialua, so people could fill sandbags ahead of the storm.

The city is set to open four pet-friendly 

Additionally, the Department of Emergency Management's Emergency Operations Center was fully activated this morning.

According to the announcement, first responders and city crews also will be "pre-deployed to areas known to be vulnerable to flooding and storm impacts, allowing for quicker response if conditions worsen."

[{"type":"text","text":"All Neighborhood Board meetings through April 9 are canceled."}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Maui County"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Maui County leaders also are urging preparedness."}]

, the county noted that gauges at the Haleakalā summit, Pu‘u Kukui and Kula all topped 50 inches of rain between March 10 and 24, while flooding and wind "severely damaged" portions of Moloka‘i, South Maui, ‘Īao Valley, Upper Kula, East Maui and Lahaina during the first two Kona Low storms.

Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said in the announcement that visitors and residents should "stay informed, create an emergency plan, gather an emergency kit, secure property and look out for one another. Residents who live in low-lying or flood-prone areas need to prepare early."

Two Maui schools are closed today: Hāna High & Elementary in East Maui was closed due to heavy rains and flooding conditions affecting safe access to the campus, and Baldwin High School in Wailuku was closed due to a lack of running water caused by issues related to a nearby construction project, the state Department of Education said in an announcement Wednesday.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Hawai‘i County"}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Sentiments are the same in Hawai‘i County."}]

“We are again looking at the potential for flash flooding and thunderstorms with this weather system, including in areas that were previously hit the hardest,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said in an announcement Tuesday. “As we prepare for the possibility of more severe weather, we are regularly communicating with Merrie Monarch Festival and craft fair organizers as well as the visitor industry to ensure everyone stays safe, aware and connected.”

(ICYMI: Merrie Monarch, a weeklong festival and hula competition held annually in Hilo, is 

For those who need it, the county says sandbags can be requested by contacting the Department of Public Works at 

You can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Civil Defense alerts at 

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also continues to monitor Kīlauea volcano. In an 

, HVO says that lava fountaining episode 44 of the volcano's ongoing, episodic eruption is forecast to begin between now and April 15.

 it was gearing up for the next eruption and a possible shift in winds.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Kaua‘i County"}]

In an announcement Wednesday morning, Kaua‘i County said that no refuge areas were open and no road closure were reported at that time.

The HI5 Redemption center in Kōloa will be closed Thursday, April 9, but the announcement notes that county services and facilities may close with little to no notice, depending on the severity of the storm and its effects.

Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge may also be closed with little or no advance notice, particularly if a flash flood warning is issued, the county says.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Other preparations"}]

The Hawai‘i National Guard has about 200 soldiers and airmen activated on state active duty and is prepared to provide response efforts "similar to those provided for the previous Kona Low storms," the state Department of Defense says.

"The HING has High Water Vehicle Teams postured in all counties and personnel stationed in every county’s emergency operation center ready to assist," an 

 noted. "Additionally, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter is on standby for rescue operations on Hawaiʻi and a HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for MEDEVAC on Oʻahu, if the need arises."

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Earlier impacts"}]

 that the two storm systems in March, which brought 30 to 60 inches of rainfall to some areas and led to the worst flooding in Hawai‘i in more than two decades, caused around $2 billion in damages and economic loss. The preliminary estimate accounts for damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, as well as tourism losses, agricultural impacts, and emergency response and recovery operation costs across O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island, AccuWeather notes.

The March storms caused the indefinite closure of 

Last week, Gov. Josh Green and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency announced the launch of a statewide interim Disaster Case Management Program for residents affected by the Kona Low storms last month.

Such programs connect survivors of disasters with "specially trained case managers to help assess and address their needs by developing a disaster recovery plan," an 

[{"type":"text","text":"Call 211 to begin the enrollment process."}]

With a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution of up to $100,000 from an anonymous donor secured by Aloha State Daily, as well as support from individual donors and partners, the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation (HFUF) has launched the 

 to help Hawai‘i’s farmers and rural communities recovering from severe flooding. Read more 

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Downtown honolulu 040826

<title>State readies for newest round of storms</title>

Here's what's being done ahead of a new storm system set to bring more rain and wind to the Islands this week.

State readies for newest round of storms

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Katie Helland

Arts & Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

The Merrie Monarch Festival returns for its 63rd annual event this year from Sunday, April 5, through Saturday, April 11. The invite-only hula competition takes place at the Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo.

Tickets to see the festival in person this year are sold out, but you can watch the live stream from Hawaiʻi News Now 

. It will be broadcasted in ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi and English. Check the Merrie Monarch website for the 

The Merrie Monarch Festival consists of three days of hula competitions: Miss Aloha Hula on Thursday, April 9; Group Hula Kahiko on Friday, April 10; and Group Hula ʻAuana on Saturday, April 11. There is also an invitational Hawaiian arts fair, along with hula shows and a grand parade. On the final day of competition, an overall winner is named. There are also winners for kāne overall, wahine overall, wahine kahiko, wahine ʻauana, kāne kahiko, kāne ʻauana and more.

 who passed away in January at age 79. She was youngest daughter of Edith Kanakaʻole, the founder of Hālau o Kekuhi and for whom the 

 in 1985 with her husband, Sig Zane. Their son, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, was recently named chief executive officer of the business.

In 2025, the overall winner was Hula Hālau ʻO Kamuela, led by Nā Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook & Kau‘ionālani Kamana‘o, which also took first place in wahine overall and wahine kahiko, as well as second place in wahine ʻauana.

Hālau Nā Kamalei O Līlīlehua, led by Kumu Robert Uluwehionāpuaikawēkiuokalani Cazimero took first place in kāne overall and kāne ʻauana, plus third place overall. Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao 

was named Miss Aloha Hula 2025. She represents

 Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala, led by 

Kumu Leināʻala Pavao Jardin, who died in October

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"This year, participating hālau include:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":" The Miss Aloha Hula participants are:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":" The judges are:"}]

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Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium

<title>How to watch Merrie Monarch</title>

The Merrie Monarch Festival returns this year with hula competitions from Thursday, April 9, through Saturday, April 11. Activities and events for the weeklong festival also include an invitational Hawaiian arts fair, along with hula shows and a grand parade.

How to watch Merrie Monarch

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

Hawai‘i residents between the ages of 18 and 21 should be allowed to own guns, argues a federal lawsuit.

In 2024, two Hawai‘i teenagers and two Hawai‘i gun stores sued the state Attorney General, Anne Lopez, in U.S. District Court, challenging a state law prohibiting the sale of guns to people ages 18 to 20.

The lawsuit names as plaintiffs The Second Amendment Foundation — a Washington-based organization that pursues lawsuits challenging gun restrictions nationwide — and four SAF members in Hawai‘i: 19-year old Elijah Pinales, 18-year-old Juda Roache, Honolulu gun store Danger Close Tactical and Lana‘i gun store JGB Arms.

On Wednesday, the plaintiffs filed in U.S. Circuit Court a 

 for summary judgment in the case, urging the court to find that Hawai‘i's age limit on gun ownership violates the Second Amendment.

The motion states that, under federal law, Pinales and Roache should be able to legally purchase and own firearms, and Danger Close Tactical and JGB Arms should be able to sell firearms to them, but 

Kevin O’Grady, attorney for the plaintiffs, told Aloha State Daily that similar age limits have been successfully challenged in other states, but added that Hawai‘i’s restrictions are more stringent.

“Hawai‘i is the only one to have a complete ban,” O’Grady said. For example, a law in Minnesota that was overturned in 2024 only banned people under the age of 21 from carrying handguns in public, while Hawai‘i's laws outright prohibit the issuing of firearm permits to anyone under the age of 21.

O’Grady said the ban was established in the 1990s, although a bill passed last year also banned the sale of ammunition to anyone under the age of 21.

With the filing of the motion, O’Grady said the state is now left to prove that the ban does not violate the Second Amendment by establishing that there were laws set in place at the time of the founding of the U.S. that functionally imposed the same ban.

While legal challenges against age restrictions have been successful in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas, O’Grady said courts in Virginia and Georgia have upheld age restrictions.

“They said that, at the time of the founding, that minors couldn’t [sign a] contract,” O’Grady said, adding that he believes the courts missed the context of the laws in the 1700s, which he said instead made contracts with minors voidable in order to protect them from entering into exploitative deals.

Even so, O’Grady said, laws in the 1700s still allowed minors to enter into contracts for necessities.

“If you’re a hunter who needed a gun to hunt, a gun was a necessity,” O’Grady said. “If you needed a gun for militia service, a gun was a necessity.”

Complicating matters further is the fact that, at the time of the founding, the age of majority was still 21, O’Grady said. With the age of minority lower now, he said, a centuries-old law intended to restrict the rights of minors doesn’t support prohibiting gun ownership by people 18 years or older today.

The motion sets a trial date in July 2026, although O’Grady said the court may rule on the matter beforehand.

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Anything for the shot

Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

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Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Anything for the shot

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Kady Pascual

Social Media Editor

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Neighborhood weather updates

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Island vibes

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