Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today:
Your Weather Planner
Clouds and showers will be a factor in windward and mauka areas overnight, thanks to breezy trade winds, through the weekend. Shower chances across the entire state will continue through Thursday with moisture from a dissipating front. The typical trade wind pattern returns late week.
Watch the latest news from across the country.
Today's Big Stories
1. Alameda touts new administration's 'best start ever'
In his first state-of-the-county address, Hawaii Mayor Kimo Alameda shared an audacious boast, a lesson in credits and debits, an accounting of goals met and to be achieved, even a bit of Bob Marley.
“I have to tell you: We have had the best start ever,” said Alameda, who unseated incumbent Mitch Roth in the Primary Election last November. “There were naysayers who didn’t think we would be able to hit the ground running. Oh boy, let me tell you, we are not just running, we are flying. In the past four months, we’ve done more than some administrations have done in four years.”
Alameda counted among his administration’s early accomplishments “little things” like settling an Earthjustice lawsuit over the Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant, addressing hazard pay with local unions, and repairing and enhancing public park facilities around the island.
He also pointed to accomplishments in public safety, including a successful response to January’s severe winter storm, the acquisition of four new ambulances and the upcoming addition of an air ambulance courtesy of the Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation.
Alameda said the county’s $937 million budget will be derived from $660 million in taxes (about 80% from property taxes), $100 million from grants and the remainder from licensing and permit fees.
“As long as we’re not spending more than we’re receiving,” he said, “we should be good.”
Alameda's closing call for unity was punctuated with a nod to Hawaii Island’s characteristic take on a local tradition and a line from Marley’s “Three Little Birds” that called back to his remarks on the little things that signified the impact of his first days in office.
“One shaka is not enough, and that’s why we do the double shaka,” he said. “And no worry because every little thing is going to be alright.”
2. Maui County seeks input for 3 community parks
Maui’s Department of Parks and Recreation invites the community to provide feedback on proposed improvements for three parks — South Maui’s Hale Piilani Park, Upcountry’s Eddie Tam Memorial Center and Central Maui’s Kahului Park.
Hale Piilani Park is located at Kaihoi and Kaiolohia streets in Kihei; Eddie Tam Memorial Center is at 931 Makawao Avenue in Makawao; and Kahului Park is on Hina Avenue in Kahului.
Proposed improvements include a new playground structure with shade, walking paths, a water bottle filling station, and picnic tables and seating areas.
For more information, contact the DPR Department of Planning and Development Division at 808-270-7931.
3. Kailua Beach Boat Ramp work suspended again
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Design and Construction announced that geotechnical work at the Kailua Beach Boat Ramp has been, once again, temporarily suspended in anticipation of high winds and a large north swell over the next two weeks.
As a result, the boat ramp and adjacent parking lot will be open until work resumes.
DDC said the exact length of the delay is uncertain and estimated the suspension may last through the end of this week or into next week, depending on the weather.
Last month, the project was also suspended because of bad weather. DDC originally expected to complete work for the project by April 11.
According to DDC, there are no additional costs anticipated because of the delays.
Once weather improves, the DDC expects to implement temporary closures for the boat ramp and part of the parking lot to allow the contractor to complete the in-water work. This work is expected to take about a week.
4. Measles case confirmed in an unvaccinated child on Oahu
The Hawaii Department of Health confirmed Monday night that an unvaccinated child under 5 years old on Oahu has contracted measles.
DOH officials are conducting contact tracing efforts to identify individuals who may have been exposed and are working with them to prevent the spread of the disease.
According to DOH, the child had recently returned from international travel with their parents. Shortly after their return to Hawaii, the child began showing symptoms, including a fever, runny nose and cough. A rash later developed, prompting the parents to seek medical attention. The child is currently recovering at home. Medical professionals are investigating whether a household member with similar symptoms may also have measles.
The public is advised to check if they visited the following locations on the dates and times specified, as they may have been exposed to the virus:
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL): C gates, customs, and baggage claim area on March 30, between 10:50 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL): Terminal 2 departures, TSA checkpoints, and gate area for Delta flight 309 to Atlanta, Georgia, on April 4 between 1 and 7 p.m.
- Mānoa Valley District Park art class: April 1, between 9 to 10 a.m.
- Queen’s Island Urgent Care Kapahulu: April 4, between 8 a.m. to noon
The airlines and airports involved have been notified.
5. Wall Street surges to one of its best days since WWII after Trump pauses many of his tariffs
U.S. stocks soared to one of their best days in history on a euphoric Wall Street Wednesday after President Donald Trump said he would back off on most of his tariffs temporarily, as investors had so desperately hoped he would.
The S&P 500 surged 9.5%, an amount that would count as a good year for the market. It had been sinking earlier in the day on worries that Trump's trade war could drag the global economy into a recession. But then came the posting on social media that investors worldwide had been waiting and wishing for.
"I have authorized a 90-day PAUSE," Trump said, after recognizing the more than 75 countries that he said have been negotiating on trade and had not retaliated against his latest increases in tariffs.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later told reporters that Trump was pausing his so-called 'reciprocal' tariffs on most of the country's biggest trading partners, but maintaining his 10% tariff on nearly all global imports.
China was a huge exception, though, with Trump saying tariffs are going up to 125% against its products. That raises the possibility of more swings ahead that could stun financial markets. The trade war is not over, and an escalating battle between the world's two largest economies can create plenty of damage. U.S. stocks are also still below where they were just a week ago, when Trump announced worldwide tariffs in what he called "Liberation Day."
But on Wednesday, at least, the focus on Wall Street was on the positive. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot to a gain of 2,962 points, or 7.9%. The Nasdaq composite leaped 12.2%. The S&P 500 had its third-best day since World War II.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Thursday, April 10
- The Masters golf opening round at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Scottie Scheffler won last year's tournament for his second Masters and major
- Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report - Initial Claims.
- NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four begins; (1) Western Michigan vs. (3) Denver; (2) Boston University vs. (4) Penn State. Boston University reach their third consecutive Final Four after defeating Cornell in overtime. Denver defeated No. 1 overall seed Boston College to reach the Final Four in a rematch of last year's championship game. Semifinal winners contest the championship game Saturday
- AC/DC begin first North American tour in over nine years
In Case You Missed It
The annual Big Island Chocolate Festival celebrates the humble cacao
Celebrate homegrown chocolate over three days with activities, a farm tour, seminars and chocolate-inspired culinary chocolate creations at the 12th Big Island Chocolate Festival, April 10 to 12.
Complete information and tickets for all events are available on the Big Island Chocolate Festival website.
