Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today:
Your Weather Planner
Heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible today, as an upper-low moves across the state. Showers will mainly favor the interior sections of the island during the afternoon and evening and along the windward regions overnight. Trades will return to moderate tomorrow through Sunday and with lingering moisture, unsettled weather will persist for leeward areas this weekend. A new storm system will emerge early next week, bringing another round of potentially heavy rain and storms to the islands through Wednesday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect through 6 a.m. Saturday for Hawaii Island Summits for an additional snow accumulation of up to two inches.
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Today's Big Stories
1. Trump opens marine national monument to commercial fishing
President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on Thursday effectively opening the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument (formerly the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument) to commercial fishing.
In his proclamation, titled “Unleashing American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific,” Trump asserted that proper protections are already assured by existing law and that the proposed changes would support U.S. commercial fishing operations without negatively impacting resources within the monument.
In fact, it was U.S. Rep. Aumua Amata, R-American Samoa, who earlier this year lobbied Trump to open the monument to commercial fishing.
The order drew immediate response from U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, and local environmental groups.
“Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was unequivocal when he assured me during his confirmation hearing that consultation would take place prior to any actions on fisheries in the Pacific,” Schatz said. “No such consultation occurred in advance of today’s executive order. The public deserves answers, and I expect him to come before Congress to explain this misguided decision.”
“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,” said Maxx Phillips, Hawaii and Pacific Island director and staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Our Pacific Remote Islands are not just dots on a map; they are lifeboats of biodiversity and cultural heritage. This reckless decision trades ecological integrity for short-term industry gain and will have lasting impacts on marine life already pushed to the brink.”
Marine biologist Bob Richmond said opening the monument to fishing could ultimately hurt commercial fishermen.
“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,” he said. “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.”
2. Partnership improves medical access to Molokai, Lanai
Residents of Molokai and Lanai will now have access to essential medical services unavailable on their respective islands thanks to a Notice of Award for the Essential Rural Medical Air Transport Pilot Program issued by the Hawaii State Department of Health to Pulama Ka Heke, a Molokai-based nonprofit healthcare hui, and to a partnership between Pulama Ka Heke and Lanai Kinaole, a home healthcare agency on Lanai.
Referred to as the ERMAT Pilot Program, it does not include air ambulance assistance in which individuals receive medical care during transport.
Residents requiring essential healthcare services often experience delays, cancellations and groundings, according to DOH, that leave them stranded on other islands or missing critical medical appointments.
3. HA flight attendants ratify three-year extension
The Association of Flight Attendants-Communications Workers of America announced Thursday Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants voted to ratify a contract extension through February 2028.
An 88% vote ratified the extension, which includes a 12% raise spread over three years and other enhancements. Voting began on March 31 and ended on Thursday.
“This contract extension provides Hawaiian Flight Attendants with certainty and guaranteed economic and work rule improvements as we work towards our joint contract,” said Joni Kashiwai, negotiations chair for AFA-Hawaiian, which represents the carrier’s approximately 2,200 flight attendants.
The contract will stagger pay increases at 6% this year and 3% for each of the next two years, raising top-scale wages to as much as $82.78 per hour by 2027. The contract also calls for scheduling improvements and inclusion in the Alaska Air Group profit-sharing program.
4. Club cohesion carries Moanalua to inaugural OIA girls flag football championship
Lightning struck twice in the opening moments of the first Oahu Interscholastic Association flag football championship game.
With the Central Oahu skies lit up by the occasional distant bolt, Moanalua freshman Lofa Simanu flashed in for interceptions on Mililani’s first two passes of the game, including one for a pick-six, to supercharge Na Menehune to a 25-6 victory at John Kauinana Stadium to complete a dominant league season.
“I'm really happy that we started off like that. I feel like that was just the momentum to get us going and going,” Simanu told Spectrum News. “It was barbecue chicken from there.”
The 19-point margin of victory was still the closest any team had come to Moanalua (8-0), which was propelled by six experienced club players — a sharp edge in the statewide pilot season of the rapidly expanding 7-on-7 girls sport.
During the championship plaque presentation ceremony, Sugui yelled in a team huddle that the group was far from satisfied with the league title. The inaugural 16-team HHSAA tournament looms in two weeks.
5. Hawaii County seeks input on short-term rentals
Hawaii Island residents are asked to complete a five-minute online survey to help determine the impacts of short-term rentals.
The county’s Department of Research and Development is working on an economic impact study regarding short-term rentals as required by County Council Resolution 556-24. Hunden Partners has been hired to complete the study that requires resident input.
“Gathering input is essential as we look at the economic and community impacts of short-term rentals,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda in a release. “We encourage residents to take a few minutes to complete this survey so that we can make informed and balanced decisions.”
All responses to the online survey will be kept anonymous and contact information will not be used for any other purpose.
Your Notes for the Weekend
Saturday, April 19
- 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing
- Vice President Vance travels to Italy and India
- U.S. and Iran hold talks on Iran's nuclear program
- NASA astronauts and Roscosmos cosmonauts return to Earth from ISS
- Holy Saturday at the Vatican
- WrestleMania 41
Sunday, April 20
- Easter Sunday
- Pope expected to hold Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican
- Deadline for New York to end congestion pricing program
Monday, April 21
- White House Easter Egg Roll
- Boston Marathon
- U.S. Supreme Court hears ACA preventive care provision case
- Hearing in Google antitrust case after judge ruled internet company is a monopolist
- SpaceX Cargo Dragon launches to the ISS
In Case You Missed It
Next to the iconic banyan tree at International Market Place, the kiosk will help visitors with tour arrangements, ticket bookings, and up-to-date information for the Diamond Head State Monument and Pearl Harbor National Memorial. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Historic Parks)
Kiosk at International Market Place will help visitors plan trips to Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor
The nonprofit Pacific Historic Parks how has a kiosk with information and merchandise for two of Hawaii’s most well-known destinations, the Diamond Head State Monument and Pearl Harbor National Memorial, at the International Market Place.
The new kiosk, which opened Tuesday, will help visitors with tour arrangements, ticket bookings, and up-to-date information for both sites.
People can also browse and purchase merchandise for both sites at the kiosk.
Next to the iconic banyan tree at International Market Place, the kiosk will be staffed seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 2330 Kalākaua Avenue.
