Hawaii

Hawaii sounds alarm after python is discovered at Oahu home

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2024

Hawaii sounds alarm after python is discovered at Oahu home

A wellness check at a Honolulu home last Saturday turned up a deceased male and a live python that measured 3-1/2 feet.

Few details were released regarding the dead man. But the discovery of a pet python in a state where snakes are not allowed was alarming to state officials.

“We should all be very concerned that snakes are being transported and kept by residents which are a serious threat to Hawaii’s unique environment,” Sharon Hurd, chairwoman of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture, stated in a news release.

“Those who know anyone with snakes or other illegal animals in Hawaii should report it and those who possess them should turn them in under amnesty.”

Ball python. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Hawaii’s amnesty program is designed to deter people from releasing unwanted invasive reptiles into the wild, where they could establish populations and threaten native fauna.

(Possessing snakes and other illegal animals in Hawaii is a class C felony, punishable by fines of up to $200,000 and three years in prison. Under the amnesty program, citizens can turn in illegal animals, prior to the start of an investigation, without fear of prosecution.)

The snake found at the Honolulu-area home was a nonvenomous ball python, which was transported to the HDOA’s Plant Quarantine Branch.

Ball pythons are native to West and Central Africa and can measure up to six feet. They prey largely on birds and small mammals.

In January, a 20-inch gopher snake was discovered in a shipping container that was being unloaded at a Molokai hardware store. Police arrived and killed the snake with a pellet gun.

–Top image courtesy of Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Source link

Click to comment

Hawaii

Significant outages in West Maui; PSPS watch in other parts of Maui | Maui Now

Published

6 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Press Room

Significant outages in West Maui; PSPS watch in other parts of Maui | Maui Now

February 10, 2026, 5:27 AM HST

Approximately 10,000 customers in West Maui lost power Monday night. Due to current Public Safety Power Shutoff weather conditions, Hawaiian Electric advised customers to prepare for an extended outage overnight into Tuesday. Wildfire risk is also being monitored for other PSPS identified areas of Maui, including Upcountry Maui, as well as parts of Hawaiʻi Island.

An outage that began around 7 p.m. affected some parts of West Maui. Wind speeds increased to over 80 mph in parts of West Maui and humidity dropped rapidly so the determination was made to proactively turn off power to other remaining circuits in West Maui as part of the company’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program around 8:30 p.m. as a safety measure.

About 10,000 customers in West Maui lost power and will remained out due to extreme wind gusts and rapidly plummeting humidity levels. HECO advised that power would remain off until weather subsides and crews can inspect and make any needed repairs. Customers are being asked to prepare for extended outages as a PSPS outage can last up to hours or days.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Hawaiian Electric has also initiated a PSPS watch for the South Kohala portion of Hawaiʻi Island and other PSPS identified areas of Maui, including Upcountry. A PSPS watch means that if weather conditions intensify in the next 12 to 24 hours Hawaiian Electric may proactively shut off power in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk. During this watch period, customers in these areas are urged to initiate their own emergency plans and prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

The criteria for determining a shutoff include wind gusts 45 mph and higher, and relative humidity below 45%. The company analyzes data from weather stations and cameras near its infrastructure in high-risk areas with potential for fire spread. Wind gusts can be stronger in higher elevations than in residential areas.

For more information, call Hawaiian Electric’s PSPS hotline at 1-844-483-8666 toll-free or go to hawaiianelectric.com/PSPS. Follow Hawaiian Electric on social media or our mobile app.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

PSPS Process

Power will remain shut off so long as hazardous weather conditions persist.
When the weather improves, power lines must be inspected, and any damage must be repaired before service can be restored. This may involve ground crews and aerial inspections using helicopters and drones.
This process may result in extended outages lasting several hours, possibly even days depending on the location and extent of any damage.

Source link

Hawaii

Hawaii House Committee on Transportation to hold proposal hearing

Published

18 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii House Committee on Transportation to hold proposal hearing

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A hearing will be held for several measures of statewide significance Tuesday.

The House Committee on Transportation will hear proposals related to electric bicycle safety, transportation-related revenue, and incentives for cleaner vehicles.

The committee will hear HB2021, a technical cleanup bill addressing issues identified in last year’s electric bicycle legislation, which was vetoed. The measure clarifies definitions, safety standards, and enforcement language to ensure workable implementation.

The committee will also consider three additional measures:

HB2195 addresses assessment and funding mechanisms tied to port head fees to ensure lawful and sustainable revenue collection.

HB2586 will modify the taxation structure for rental car companies, with revenue directed to support the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

HB2023 will establish a rebate program to help Hawaii residents purchase used electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, expanding access to cleaner transportation options.

The hearings will take place at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 10 at the Hawaii State Capitol.

Viewers can watch via livestream here.

Source link

Hawaii

Hawaii Shuts Down Under Fierce Storm | Weather.com

Published

1 day ago

February 9, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii Shuts Down Under Fierce Storm | Weather.com

A fallen tree blocks part of Hāna Highway in Maui on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
(County of Maui)

Hawaii is essentially shut down today as heavy rain and brutal winds hit the islands, causing thousands to lose power and raising concerns about dangerous flash flooding.

Gov. Josh Green announced on Sunday that all public schools, state offices, courthouses and the state legislature would be closed Monday. All University of Hawaii campuses are also closed.

Weather.com meteorologist Jennifer Gray says Hawaii is getting hit with a little bit of everything right now.

She explains that the combination of a stalled front and an area of low pressure west of the island chain is providing the fuel for these conditions.

“Winds could gust as high as 60-70 mph through Monday, and we could see flooding as well. Snowfall is also expected across the higher elevations on the Big Island where 10-16 inches of snow is possible.” Gray said.

In a news conference, the governor said one of his main concerns is the danger of high winds on roads, adding that landslides are a major worry.

(MORE: Warmer Temps For Millions This Week)

“We had one of our staff see a tree fall right on a power line right in front of her this morning, we just want to make sure everybody is very safe,” Green said Sunday.

Early Monday, more than 4,000 customers were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.

A social media post from Hawaiian Electric showed crews working to repair downed power poles on Sunday.

Residents are being urged to stay off the roads today. Parks and camping areas have also been closed.

Flash flooding was already reported on Sunday.

“We’re looking at very intense rainfall rates, it’s not so much the amount of rain that comes down but how quickly it comes down as well,” said John Bravender with the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

(MORE: Police Save Three From Icy Waters)

Flash floods started swamping roads across Maui on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
(County of Maui)

The governor also issued an emergency proclamation that mobilizes state resources for response efforts, including Hawaii’s National Guard. That proclamation is in effect at least through Wednesday.

Gray said conditions should begin to improve on Tuesday, however unsettled weather should last through mid week.

Source link