As the weekend rolls in, Spectrum News Hawaii presents a roundup of the week’s most notable stories. From volcanic activity to sporting news, here’s what you might have missed.
This week, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported the latest developments regarding the Kilauea volcano.
On Wednesday at 10:01 p.m., Kilauea began its 18th episode of eruption but paused later that night.
The episode made a brief return on Sunday, showcasing lava flows before pausing again.
On Tuesday morning, however, the episode intensified, with spectacular lava fountains soaring over 650 feet high.
This intense activity lasted about 10 hours before abruptly stopping, with both the north and south vents ceasing eruption.
The current eruption began on December 23, 2024, and has already shown a remarkable pattern of 17 previous episodes, each marked by brief pauses.
The lava fountaining primarily occurs from two vents in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
The Observatory has raised concerns regarding elevated emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which have reached alarming levels of 20,000 to 50,000 tonnes per day in recent episodes, with similar figures expected during high-fountaining events.
In local sports news, a claim made by Honolulu’s Mayor Rick Blangiardi has ignited a debate about the historic designation of a local baseball field.
During an event held last Thursday, the Mayor proclaimed that Cartwright Neighborhood Park in Makiki is officially the oldest continuously used baseball field in America.
In his address, he cited evidence from old family letters and documents indicating Alexander Joy Cartwright Jr. marked off the baseball diamond in 1852, which predates the widely recognized Fuller Field in Clinton, Massachusetts, by 26 years.
To mark the occasion, a large sign declaring “Historic Cartwright Field, Est. 1852, The Oldest Active Baseball Field in America” was unveiled at the park.
However, this claim has met with skepticism.
Matt Kobus, a member of the Fuller Field Commission, stated that until the Guinness World Records acknowledges Cartwright Park’s status, Fuller Field, which was established in 1878, will maintain its title.
Furthermore, the community’s sense of urgency surrounding transportation infrastructure was highlighted this week with news of a significant delay in the secondary access project for the Waianae Coast.
Originally set for completion in April, improvements to Paakea Road—aimed at providing necessary access between Nanakuli and Mailiili Beach—have now been postponed until the fall of 2025.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation attributed the delay to land acquisition issues, which are crucial for progressing with the project.
Delays include obtaining private properties, transferring city-owned land, and securing an easement on Lualualei Naval Road.
Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen emphasized the importance of having a reliable alternative to Farrington Highway, particularly for emergencies and daily commutes, making the completion of Paakea Road improvements critical for the community.
In sports highlights this week, Waimanalo native Tetairoa McMillan made headlines after being selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers during the NFL Draft, which took place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Following a successful tenure at Servite High School in California and three years at Arizona, McMillan has emerged as a top wide receiver prospect.
The moment he was chosen was marked by an emotional stage entrance at Lambeau Field, where he celebrated by placing a lei on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Additionally, Hawaii faced challenges on the athletic front as the men’s volleyball team concluded its regular season with a sweep by No. 18 UC Santa Barbara.
The team suffered from injuries, missing key pin hitters, and was unable to replicate their previous victory over UCSB, resulting in a defeat with set scores of 25-22, 25-22, and 27-25.
Despite this setback, Hawaii (24-5) secured a No. 2 seed heading into the Big West tournament.
They will be looking towards the semifinals at the Stan Sheriff Center, awaiting their next opponent after a first-round match between UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge.
The volleyball program’s recent performance contrasted sharply with the announcement of budget cuts affecting community projects across Hawaii.
Seven federally funded initiatives, including a crucial $4.8 million project aimed at enhancing public transportation in and out of Waianae, have fallen victim to ongoing federal budget constraints.
According to a memo from Honolulu managing director Mike Formby, affected funding includes four Congressional Directed Spending programs worth over $8.7 million, alongside three federally grant-funded programs totaling $1.7 million.
State representative Darius Kila expressed disappointment at the termination of these projects, particularly the Waianae Coast Bus Rapid Transit initiative, which he termed “devastating” for the local community.
Formby’s memo indicated the city plans to resubmit these earmarks in the Fiscal Year 2026 cycle, but the impact of the cuts is already being felt across various initiatives.
Other affected earmarks included improvements for special needs housing, green stormwater infrastructure studies, and programs supporting small businesses.
As Hawaii looks forward to a new week, residents can stay informed and engaged with these vital stories that shape their community.
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