Good evening, Hawaii. Today’s news brings a blend of weather updates, significant political decisions, and local developments impacting our communities across the islands.
A Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect for Hawaii Island Summits, lasting until 6 a.m. Saturday.
Residents can expect additional snow accumulation of up to two inches as the effects of an upper-low moving across the state contribute to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Shower activity is anticipated to primarily affect the interior regions of the islands during the afternoon and evening hours, shifting to windward areas overnight.
Moderate trade winds are expected to make a return by tomorrow and persist through Sunday.
However, with lingering moisture, unsettled weather conditions are set to continue in leeward regions this weekend.
Looking ahead to early next week, a new storm system is predicted to arrive.
This could result in another series of heavy rains and thunderstorms lasting through Wednesday.
In addition to current weather updates, significant national and local stories are making headlines today.
One of the biggest stories comes from the political arena where President Donald Trump has made a controversial move involving the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument.
On Thursday, Trump issued a proclamation effectively opening the monument to commercial fishing, previously known as the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
Entitled “Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific,” the proclamation claims that existing protections are adequate and that the changes will bolster U.S. commercial fishing operations without harming the monument’s resources.
This decision comes after U.S. Rep. Aumua Amata from American Samoa actively lobbied Trump to make these changes this year.
In response, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz from Hawaii expressed strong concerns regarding the lack of consultation before this executive order was issued, citing commitments from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made during his confirmation hearing.
He publicly stated, “The public deserves answers, and I expect him to come before Congress to explain this misguided decision.”
Environmental advocates have also raised alarms over the implications of this proclamation.
Maxx Phillips, a staff attorney and Hawaii and Pacific Island director at the Center for Biological Diversity, condemned the move as a favor to industrial fishing fleets.
He remarked, “This is a gift to industrial fishing fleets and a slap in the face to science and the generations of Pacific Islanders who have long called for greater protection of these sacred waters.”
Marine biologist Bob Richmond cautioned that opening this marine monument to fishing could have damaging consequences for commercial fishermen in the long run.
Richmond explained, “Scientific studies have shown that protecting the resources within protected areas like the monument increases the amount of fish available to commercial fishers in waters outside the protected areas.
This is the wrong move at the wrong time.
By raiding what amounts to our children’s marine bank accounts, we are denying them a future of sustainable food from the ocean.”
Moving on to positive local developments, a new partnership aims to improve medical access for residents of Molokai and Lanai.
The Hawaii State Department of Health has awarded a grant for the Essential Rural Medical Air Transport Pilot Program to Pulama Ka Heke, a Molokai-based nonprofit healthcare hui, in partnership with Lanai Kinaole, a home healthcare agency on Lanai.
This program does not provide air ambulance services but focuses on ensuring individuals can access essential medical services that are currently unavailable on their islands.
Residents often face challenges such as delays, cancellations, and groundings which interfere with their ability to receive critical medical care and make it to appointments on time.
In another positive development, Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants have ratified a new contract extension.
The Association of Flight Attendants-Communications Workers of America announced Thursday that Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants voted overwhelmingly to extend their contract through February 2028.
With an 88% approval rate, the new extension includes a 12% wage increase spread over three years.
Joni Kashiwai, negotiations chair for AFA-Hawaiian, expressed, “This contract extension provides Hawaiian Flight Attendants with certainty and guaranteed economic and work rule improvements as we work towards our joint contract.”
The pay increases will occur in staggered increments of 6% this year and 3% in each of the following two years.
By the year 2027, top-scale wages could reach up to $82.78 per hour.
Moreover, the contract outlines improvements in scheduling practices and allows flight attendants to participate in the Alaska Air Group profit-sharing program.
In the world of high school sports, Moanalua High School’s girls flag football team made history by capturing the inaugural Oahu Interscholastic Association championship.
The championship match saw Moanalua thrive under pressure as freshman Lofa Simanu secured two interceptions during Mililani’s first two plays—one of which resulted in a pick-six, sparking Moanalua to a 25-6 victory at John Kauinana Stadium.
Simanu reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “I’m really happy that we started off like that.
I feel like that was just the momentum to get us going and going.
It was barbecue chicken from there.”
The narrow 19-point victory was the closest any team had come to Moanalua during their undefeated season.
The championship win enhances their momentum as they prepare for the upcoming 16-team HHSAA tournament.
Finally, a call to action for Hawaii Island residents regarding short-term rentals has been issued.
The county’s Department of Research and Development is conducting an economic impact study and is seeking feedback through a brief online survey to assess the effects of short-term rentals in the area.
Mayor Kimo Alameda emphasized the importance of gathering community input, stating, “Gathering input is essential as we look at the economic and community impacts of short-term rentals.
We encourage residents to take a few minutes to complete this survey so that we can make informed and balanced decisions.”
The survey responses will remain anonymous and the information collected will solely serve the purpose of this study.
As the weekend approaches, we also take note of significant upcoming national and local events worth keeping an eye on.
Saturday marks the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and sees Vice President Vance navigating diplomatic engagements in Italy and India.
The U.S. and Iran will hold discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program, while NASA astronauts and Roscosmos cosmonauts are set to conclude their mission on the International Space Station.
Sunday is Easter Sunday, during which the Pope will lead the traditional Easter Mass at the Vatican.
Additionally, a key deadline is approaching for New York to end its congestion pricing program.
On Monday, the White House will host the annual Easter Egg Roll, coinciding with the Boston Marathon and a U.S. Supreme Court hearing focused on preventive care provisions under the ACA.
This week will also see a hearing regarding Google within a pivotal antitrust case, along with SpaceX preparing for the launch of Cargo Dragon to the ISS.
In case you missed it, a new kiosk now exists at the International Market Place designed to assist visitors planning trips to the famed Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor.
Operated by the nonprofit Pacific Historic Parks, the kiosk commenced operations recently and offers visitors tour arrangements, ticket bookings, and important information about these historic sites.
Staffed daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. next to the iconic banyan tree at International Market Place, this addition aims to enhance the experience of visitors exploring two of Hawaii’s most prominent destinations.
image source from：https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/evening-briefing/2025/04/18/hawaii-evening-briefing–april-18–2025
