Good evening, Hawaii. Happy Prince Kuhio Day! Here are the main stories we've been following today:
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Today's Big Stories
1. Low levels of 'forever chemicals' detected in water supply serving Ewa Beach to Makaha
Recent testing has revealed the presence of “forever chemicals” in the Hoaeae Wells Granular Activated Carbon Treatment System, which supplies water to communities across West Oahu, from Ewa Beach to Makaha. The Board of Water Supply reported Tuesday that low levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) were found at the Waipahu water system located on Hoaeae Street, between Honowai and Hiwahiwa Streets.
According to the state Department of Health, the levels of Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) detected are below the current Environmental Action Limit, indicating that they do not pose a health concern at this time. However, residents may still be concerned about the long-term impacts of these chemicals on their health, and some residents may choose to install in-home filtration systems.
The BWS detected these chemicals as part of its ongoing PFAS testing program. Improvements in testing methods and technology allowed for the detection of even trace amounts of these substances in water samples.
2. Schatz bill would boost U.S. cultural exports
New legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., would expand the reach of U.S. creative industries — including Native Hawaiian-owned businesses — to check China’s growing advantage in cultural exports.
“America’s creative industries are a powerful force, driving jobs at home and shaping perceptions of our country abroad,” said Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “Recently, China has doubled down on promoting its cultural exports, and we’ve been falling behind. This bipartisan bill will help us level the playing field by expanding export opportunities for American businesses everywhere from Maui to Memphis so that our creative economy remains the global leader.”
The measure would further provide for the specific promotion of products from Native Hawaiian, American Indian and Alaska Native-owned businesses.
The bill would cause the Department of Commerce to add a representative from the creative industries to its Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
3. Dredging begins Monday at Mala Boat Ramp
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation has contracted American Marine Corporation to begin dredging work at Mala Boat Ramp.
Work begins Monday, March 31 to remove accumulated sediment at the ramp and entrance to the channel that will include temporary stockpiling and upland disposal/reuse of dredged material. The estimated completion date is late September 2025, at a cost of $1,061,000.
“We recognize the importance Mala Ramp has to West Maui users, especially with Lahaina Harbor closed for rebuilding, and we want to thank the users for their patience while DOBOR worked on funding and regulatory approvals to get this project started,” said DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts in a release.
4. Kilauea's 15th episode continues with some lava fountains reaching 700 feet high
Kilauea is erupting again. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported the volcano began its 15th episode on Tuesday at 12:04 p.m., continuing the ongoing eruption. By Wednesday, lava fountains reached heights of 600 feet and higher.
The current eruption, which began on Dec. 23, 2024, has already produced 14 episodes of lava fountaining, each separated by brief pauses in activity. These spectacular bursts of lava originate from two vents within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater: the north vent and the south vent. The public can view the USGS webcams of Kilauea's Halema‘uma‘u crater here and here.
Episode 15 began at 12:04 p.m. on Tuesday with vigorous overflows from the north vent.
On Wednesday at 10 a.m., the vents started to fountain. By 10:45 a.m., the tallest fountains from the south vent was 700 feet high with north vent fountains generally less than half as high.
5. The Atlantic releases entire Signal chat showing Hegseth's detailed attack plans against Houthis
The Atlantic on Wednesday released the entire Signal chat among senior national security officials, showing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided the exact timings of warplane launches and when bombs would drop — before the men and women flying those attacks against Yemen's Houthis this month on behalf of the United States were airborne.
The disclosure follows two intense days during which leaders of President Donald Trump's intelligence and defense agencies have struggled to explain how details that current and former U.S. officials have said would have been classified wound up on an unclassified Signal chat that included Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said no classified information was posted to the Signal chat, a stance she reiterated at Wednesday’s press briefing. Leavitt told reporters that the president has seen the full messages shared in the Signal chat and stressed that he “continues to have confidence in his national security team.”
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he and Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the committee's top Democrat, plan to send a letter to the Trump administration requesting an inspector general investigation into the use of Signal. They also want a classified briefing with a top administration official "who can speak to the facts" of the episode.
Related: Gabbard calls Signal chats a 'mistake' as Trump officials face grilling over leaked military plan
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Wednesday, March 26
- Court hearing in AP suit filed against White House officials after agency was banned from press event
- Q4 2024 final growth figures published
- Major League Baseball season begins
- 36th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, celebrating fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives in the media.
- Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report - Initial Claims
- NCAA Men's Basketball West Regional Sweet 16 round games
- NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional Sweet 16 round games
In Case You Missed It
The entrance to Hawaiian Earth Recycling on Wilikina Drive headed northbound is marked by a small white sign with blue company logo and a red arrow. (Google Street View)
Green waste drop-off hours changing at Kawailoa Transfer Station
The city’s Department of Environmental Services announced green waste drop-off hours at Kawailoa Transfer Station in Haleiwa will change beginning April 6.
Until April 6, Kawailoa Transfer Station will continue to accept green waste from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, but starting April 6, drop-off hours will change to 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.
Green waste is not accepted Monday through Saturday.
Visit the ENV website for more information and alternative disposal locations.
