Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the major stories shaping our state today.
**Weather Overview**
After a period of wet and unsettled weather, light southeast winds are anticipated to take hold through the latter half of the week. Residents can expect afternoon sea breezes coupled with overnight land breezes. While the weather stabilizes, afternoon pop-up showers and storms may still occur, potentially delivering heavy rainfall in certain localized areas. For those looking ahead, there are indications that moderate trade winds could resume early next week.
**Legislative Progress on Domestic Violence Bill**
In a significant development, the state legislature has successfully passed a bill aimed at reinforcing penalties against individuals who violate temporary restraining orders (TROs). The legislation, identified as Senate Bill 295, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1, was passed after the Senate conceded to amendments introduced by the House last week.
With the new law, fines and prison sentences for violators will see marked increases, particularly for repeat offenses. The bill mandates that courts consider defendants’ financial situations when determining fines, as highlighted by Sen. Joy San Buenaventura. She affirmed, *“This bill ensures that violations of protective orders are taken seriously and that survivors have stronger protections under the law.”*
Significantly, a first-time violation of a TRO will invoke a mandatory five-day jail sentence, an increase from the previous 48 hours, along with a minimum fine of $300, up from $150. Those with prior felony convictions—including severe offenses such as murder or sexual assault—will face even harsher penalties, including a mandatory 30-day imprisonment and a minimum fine of $350.
**Delayed Access Improvements for Waianae Coast**
In other news, the completion of vital improvements to Paakea Road, which serves as secondary access for the Waianae Coast, has been postponed. Originally expected to open in April, the enhancements are now set to conclude in the fall of 2025.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation cites land acquisition as the primary reason for the delay. This process involves securing private properties along Paakea Road and transferring control of city-owned road sections to the state.
Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen emphasizes the importance of creating reliable alternative routes for emergencies and everyday commutes. He noted, “Having a dependable, round-the-clock alternative to Farrington Highway is important for Waianae Coast residents.”
**Rising Dengue Fever Cases Prompt Health Advisory**
The Hawaii Department of Health is sounding the alarm over a significant spike in travel-related dengue fever cases. To address this issue, the DOH is updating its testing guidelines to improve the detection of potential local transmission.
A medical advisory was disseminated to healthcare providers urging them to consider dengue testing for any patient presenting with compatible symptoms, irrespective of their travel history. Immediate reporting of suspected dengue cases to the DOH is also being mandated. Conscious of the historical context, the department specifies that the rise in travel-related cases enhances the risk of local outbreaks.
In recent years, Hawaii has faced several dengue outbreaks, notably in 2001-2002, 2011, and the more severe outbreak between 2015 and 2016 on Hawaii Island, which resulted in 264 confirmed cases, the majority being Hawaii residents.
**Hawaii Men’s Volleyball Achievements**
The Hawaii men’s volleyball team is making headlines as three of its players have secured spots on the All-Big West first team. The selected athletes—setter Tread Rosenthal, opposite Kristian Titriyski, and hitter Adrien Roure—have showcased their skills throughout the season.
In addition to the first-team accolades, libero ‘Eleu Choy and middle Kurt Nusterer received honorable mentions, and Titriyski and Roure were recognized in the BWC All-Freshman team.
Rosenthal has proven himself by leading the Big West in assists per set at 10.69, earning him a spot on the All-BWC team for the second consecutive year. Titriyski, despite sitting out the final matches due to an ankle injury, led the team in various scoring metrics. Roure, demonstrating consistent performance, recorded an average of 3.10 kills per set.
The Big West championships commence Thursday at Stan Sheriff Center, featuring a lineup that includes a first-round match between UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara, followed by a clash between UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge. The second-seeded UH team is prepared to face the winner in the semifinal on Friday.
**Youth Homelessness in Hawaii**
In a troubling report, Honolulu Civil Beat uncovers a concerning issue involving homeless youth in Hawaii. Official counts suggest only a few homeless teens inhabit the streets, but advocates believe the real numbers are far greater, estimating around 150 young individuals exist largely out of sight.
These youth often find refuge in tents at beach parks, crash on couches, or hide in remote valleys. Their stories are varied; they may become homeless due to family chaos, parental loss of housing, or simply the need to evade a difficult living situation.
Programs like the Mobile Crisis Outreach van, which provides meals and basic supplies, aim to support these hidden youth. However, many of them face the added stigma of attending school in the same clothes repeatedly.
Even more concerning, numerous youths prefer avoiding the foster care system, fearing it may exacerbate their situations, and they try to remain invisible to prevent entanglement with the criminal justice system. Reports indicate that a substantial portion of juvenile arrests in Honolulu consists of individuals running away.
Organizations such as Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE) are striving to prevent youth homelessness and assist those already affected. However, restrictive regulations and a severe lack of shelters for minors create significant challenges.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were only nine emergency shelter beds available for minors across Hawaii last year. For a staggering number of under-24 individuals classified as homeless and unaccompanied, only 80 emergency beds were accessible—many quickly occupied by older youths who are not subject to the same restrictions.
As a result, many teenagers are left to navigate a precarious existence, often in risky environments.
For further insights into their stories, click on the link provided.
**Upcoming Events**
Looking ahead to tomorrow, April 23, key events include the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings, the commencement of the NFL Draft in Wisconsin, and the release of the Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report for initial claims.
Additionally, the U.S. is ending temporary legal status for over half a million migrants, a policy shift generating significant national conversations.
Stay tuned for further updates and developments in these and other stories affecting our island community.
image source from：https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/evening-briefing/2025/04/23/hawaii-evening-briefing–april-23–2025
