Good evening, Hawaii. We bring you the latest developments and important news stories affecting our islands today.
In weather news, Hawaii is experiencing stable and breezy trades that have continued from the weekend into the week ahead. However, these trade winds are expected to decrease and weaken starting Tuesday and persisting through the end of the week. Showers are anticipated to mainly affect windward and mountain areas. Forecasters predict that trade winds will strengthen again as we move into the weekend.
In an important update from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Matt Elliott has been confirmed as the new athletic director. This decision came during a meeting of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, where the regents voted unanimously in favor of Elliott’s appointment.
Elliott, a former UCLA athletics administrator, will officially take over the position on June 30. He expressed his enthusiasm for the role shortly after the vote, stating, “Good morning, aloha everyone. Thank you so much for being here. I really look forward to getting to know you and working together.” Elliott succeeds Craig Angelos, who was dismissed in late November by the then-UH President David Lassner due to performance issues. In the interim, Associate AD Lois Manin had been serving as the acting athletic director.
In Maui, the Kahikinui brush fire remains a pressing concern. As of Monday afternoon, firefighters have achieved approximately 85% containment of the fire, which is estimated to have burned around 330 acres.
The fire began on Sunday morning near Piilani Highway, specifically in challenging terrain mauka of the highway. Firefighters continue their efforts to extinguish active flames and address hotspots. Drones were utilized overnight by the Maui Police Department to monitor the situation, and thankfully, no injuries or structural damages have been reported.
Despite the ongoing firefighting operations, road closures on Piilani Highway from mile marker 20 to 41 remain in effect. Maui County has encouraged residents to sign up for alerts regarding the fire through the Genasys Project and MEMA Alerts available on the MEMA website, along with updates shared via social media platforms.
In airport news, the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport has made significant upgrades to improve the travel experience for passengers. Terminal 1, formerly known as the Interisland Terminal, now features electronic displays that provide real-time information on the status of security checkpoints and estimated wait times.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation announced that these displays will soon be implemented in Terminal 2, formerly referred to as the Overseas Terminal. This is part of an ongoing improvement process that includes renovations at Checkpoint 3 which are scheduled to be completed by late 2025. The implementation of this technology, which was made possible by an investment of $6 million, aims to enhance efficiency and service at the airport.
Another significant topic discussed today is the ongoing concern regarding school overcrowding in the ʻEwa area. More than a decade ago, the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) noted the need for an increase in the number of schools in the rapidly growing ʻEwa and Kapolei regions. According to the city’s 2013 ʻEwa development plan, it was projected that at least a dozen new schools would be required by 2030.
However, despite dedicating land for 11 potential schools, the DOE has only managed to construct two new campuses since 2015. As a result, the state’s education infrastructure has not kept pace with housing growth in the area. While the recent openings of two new schools—Honouliuli Middle School and Ho’okele Elementary—have helped alleviate some of the immediate pressure, there remains a significant gap between needs and actual development.
To address this issue, the DOE is currently engaged in designing an East Kapolei elementary and high school. They plan to submit construction permits for the elementary school this summer and are seeking construction funds to begin in 2027.
Additionally, in light of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI Honolulu division has issued a warning about the growing threats of financial scams targeting the elderly. Statistics reveal a sobering rise in losses and complaints regarding elder fraud.
In 2024 alone, victims reported losses totaling $4.885 billion across more than 14,000 complaints nationwide. Notably, Hawaii has faced its share of this issue, with over $18 million lost due to various scams, particularly investment schemes, which accounted for a substantial amount of the losses.
Seniors often find themselves the target of these schemes because scammers believe they may be more trusting and less likely to report fraud. The FBI has urged seniors and their families to remain vigilant regarding potential scams and to report any suspected fraudulent activities immediately. They may contact their local FBI field office or use the FBI Electronic Tip Form online for reporting.
As we move forward into the week, be mindful of these urgent issues affecting our communities. Stay safe and informed, and continue to support one another during these challenging times.
image source from：https://spectrumlocalnews.com/hi/hawaii/evening-briefing/2025/06/16/hawaii-evening-briefing–june-16–2025
