Following the president’s endorsement, some are already supporting Vice President Kamala Harris to be the party’s nominee.
Major leaders in the Democratic Party of Hawaii on Sunday hailed President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 election, and two members of the state’s congressional delegation are already throwing their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Working alongside the president, Vice President Harris has played a critical role in the progress we’ve made, and has shown herself ready to lead our party moving forward,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said in a press release, adding, “I’m proud to call Vice President Harris a friend and colleague, and I look forward to doing everything in my power to get her elected to the White House, so we can continue building on the progress of the last four years.”
Rep. Jill Tokuda has also voiced support for Harris, who Biden endorsed on Sunday. But Harris’ nomination is not a done deal, and the president’s announcement has thrown the nation into uncertain times that are evolving by the hour.
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Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Ed Case made no mention of the vice president in their public comments following Biden’s announcement.
Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday. (Wikipedia/White House/US Senate/2020)
“The path ahead is difficult and I will take some limited time to discuss with my constituents and colleagues the best way forward on a Democratic nominee,” said Case, who on Thursday became the first prominent Hawaii Democrat to call for Biden to step aside. “Today is about President Biden and his legacy of service to country first.”
While Sunday’s announcement was not a complete surprise, as recently as Friday it was reported that Gov. Josh Green would co-host a fundraiser for Biden led by TV personality David Letterman in Martha’s Vineyard.
“President Biden and his family have made this decision, which I said all along was his and theirs to make. I have no doubt that it was a difficult decision and in this, I thank him again for his selfless leadership,” Green said in a statement Sunday.
Green also thanked Biden for his aid following the deadly Maui wildfires last August.
The governor and Hawaii’s four congressional delegates are part of the local party’s nine superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention, along with 22 other delegates. It will be held in Chicago Aug. 19-22.
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All in for @KamalaHarris! She spoke at our @APIAVote Presidential Town Hall & she sounded exactly like that…a President! For our #AANHPI community, she is one of us & she will empower us! The time for unity is now & the threat of Trump & #Project2025 is real! https://t.co/7bmwvHHMNP
Biden leaving the race frees up the nearly 4,000 national delegates won by Biden during the primaries and caucuses to vote for a new candidate. How that will work is unclear. If a majority of the party does not rally behind Harris, there is the possibility of an open convention or even a mini-primary of sorts.
In addition to Harris, other possible nominees include Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
If Harris leads the ticket, those other officials as well as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly could also be selected as her running mate, according to news reports.
What Comes Next
A candidate needs 1,976 delegates to secure the nomination out of the 3,937 available pledged delegates. In addition to the governor and the congressional delegation, Hawaii’s superdelegates also include the chair and vice chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii and a national committeeman and committee woman.
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Locally, there were already doubts about Biden’s electoral viability. In March he won 66% of the votes in the Democratic Party of Hawaii’s party-run presidential primary, but 29% voted for “uncommitted.”
Bart Dame, the local party’s national committeeman and one of its nine superdelegates, said there are two likely scenarios for what comes next in terms of the nomination.
The first is what Dame calls “the orchestrated path,” the one preferred by power players in the party nationally. They want to go ahead with a virtual roll call that had already been planned to nominate Biden ahead of the convention but will now likely nominate Harris.
While a date has not yet been set, the virtual roll call has to be done before Aug. 7 to meet a deadline to qualify for the ballot in Ohio, a delegate-rich state that has lately voted with the GOP presidential nominees.
The roll call would preclude the possibility of an open convention or deliberative assembly where other candidates would be considered.
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“That would just be votes whipped over the telephone and by twisting arms and lined up without having people have much of a chance for discussion or deliberation,” Dame said.
The other path would be to hold a mini-primary that would allow Democrats, the public and the media to hear from the candidates and to ask them questions.
“And that would allow for there to be a fair, open, transparent and competitive primary race, but in short duration,” he explained. “It would include maybe televised town hall meetings with multiple candidates, responding to questions by journalists and allowing the public and delegates to take an interest in the different candidates and decide for themselves who they want to support.”
A limited number of candidates would then be put on the ballot at the convention, including candidates for vice president. While superdelegates are normally not allowed to vote in the first round of voting, which is only for pledged delegates, Dame said his understanding of the DNC rules is that — now that Biden has withdrawn — they are no longer legally pledged to the president.
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That means all delegates, including super delegates, would be eligible to vote on the first ballot. Dame said he expected Hawaii delegates pledged to Biden would likely follow his direction and support Harris, but he cautioned that the process is complicated, politically charged and in flux.
An Emboldened Trump
Biden’s historic decision follows an unprecedented series of events over the past month that have already upended the 2024 race. Trump, the former Republican president, united his party at the Republican National Convention, which ended Thursday in Milwaukee. His running mate is Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio.
Just over a week ago, Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania that has only emboldened his core supporters. A judge in Florida tossed the classified documents case against him and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that presidents have broad immunity for official acts while in office, which served to strengthen his hand.
Biden’s out, Kamala is in. Don’t be fooled: policies won’t change. Just like Biden wasn’t the one calling the shots, Kamala Harris won’t be either. She is the new figurehead for the deep state and the maidservant of Hillary Clinton, queen of the cabal of warmongers. They will… pic.twitter.com/pdwLQwJzR8
Even though Trump, who is 78, is a twice-impeached president who lost to Biden in 2020 — and who is a convicted felon awaiting sentencing — he seems more popular and powerful than ever.
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Biden, by contrast, received mixed views in interviews and a press conference following the debate debacle and currently is at home in Delaware recovering from his second bout of Covid. Nationally, dozens of Democrats in Congress had already called for him to leave the race, fundraising plans were placed on hold and he continued to trail Trump in most polls.
For now, however, the focus is on praising Biden and his service.
“For over 50 years, Joe Biden has been a selfless patriot and dedicated public servant who’s given everything to the country he so dearly loves,” Schatz said in a press release. “As a senator, vice president and now president, he has spent most of his life working to make people’s lives better and the world safer. Today, yet again, he has put the country before himself, making the best choice for the American people in this uniquely consequential moment. For that, and for his lifetime of service, we should all be deeply grateful.”
This is a genuine act of patriotism. People almost never give up power voluntarily. This is historic, unusual, unselfish, and cements the President’s legacy as someone who loves this country more than he loves power.
The Hawaii Republican Party, not surprisingly, has a different view.
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“Under President Biden’s leadership, our nation has faced significant challenges and hardships, making it clear that a change in leadership is necessary for the betterment of all Americans,” the party said in a press release. “The Hawaii Republican Party believes that the country is in need of change, strength and a renewed sense of purpose. The Democratic Party has failed the people with their divisive tactics and ineffective policies, and it is time for a new direction for our nation.”
The statement added, “As we look toward the future, the Hawaii Republican Party stands united in its support for President Donald Trump to be reelected as our leader. We urge all voters to support Republican candidates down the ballot, as we believe they are the best choice to lead our state and our country to prosperity.”
The Democratic Party of Hawaii supports Biden’s endorsement of Harris as the next Democratic nominee, party chair Derek Turbin said in an emailed statement.
“President Biden’s decision to step down further displays his commitment and selflessness as a public servant to the country that he loves,” Turbin wrote. “We respect this decision and thank him for his decades of service to the people of America.”
Biden is expected to address the nation later this week.
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Tonight: Cloudy. Scattered showers in the evening, then isolated showers after midnight. Lows 59 to 66 near the shore to 48 to 54 at 4000 feet. Southeast winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Monday: Cloudy with isolated showers. Highs 75 to 80 near the shore to around 65 at 4000 feet. East winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Monday Night: Cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 59 to 65 near the shore to 48 to 54 at 4000 feet. East winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Kona
Tonight: Cloudy. Isolated showers in the evening. Lows around 69 near the shore to 45 to 52 near 5000 feet. Light winds. Chance of rain 20 percent.
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Monday: Cloudy. Highs 81 to 86 near the shore to around 67 near 5000 feet. Light winds becoming west up to 10 mph in the afternoon.
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Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows around 69 near the shore to 44 to 51 near 5000 feet. Northwest winds around 10 mph in the evening becoming light.
Waimea
Tonight: Cloudy and breezy. Isolated showers in the evening. Lows 59 to 68 near the shore to 53 to 59 near 3000 feet. East winds up to 10 mph increasing to up to 20 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Monday: Cloudy and breezy. Isolated showers in the morning. Highs 72 to 78 near the shore to 67 to 75 near 3000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Breezy. Isolated showers in the evening. Lows 59 to 67 near the shore to 52 to 58 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
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Kohala
Tonight: Cloudy and breezy. Isolated showers in the evening. Lows 59 to 68 near the shore to 53 to 59 near 3000 feet. East winds up to 10 mph increasing to up to 20 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent.
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Monday: Cloudy and breezy. Isolated showers in the morning. Highs 72 to 78 near the shore to 67 to 75 near 3000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Breezy. Isolated showers in the evening. Lows 59 to 67 near the shore to 52 to 58 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
South Big Island
Tonight: Cloudy. Isolated showers in the evening. Lows around 71 near the shore to around 51 near 5000 feet. Northeast winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Monday: Cloudy and breezy. Highs around 83 near the shore to around 64 near 5000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph.
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Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Breezy. Lows around 70 near the shore to around 50 near 5000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph.
Puna
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Tonight: Cloudy. Scattered showers in the evening, then isolated showers after midnight. Lows 59 to 66 near the shore to 48 to 54 at 4000 feet. Southeast winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Monday: Cloudy with isolated showers. Highs 75 to 80 near the shore to around 65 at 4000 feet. East winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Monday Night: Cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 59 to 65 near the shore to 48 to 54 at 4000 feet. East winds around 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Waikoloa
Tonight: Cloudy. Lows around 70 near the shore to 48 to 54 above 4000 feet. Light winds.
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Monday: Cloudy. Highs around 83 near the shore to 65 to 71 above 4000 feet. Light winds becoming northwest up to 15 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows around 70 near the shore to 47 to 54 above 4000 feet. North winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the east after midnight.
Synopsis
The cold front has dissipated into a trough and remains northwest of the Hawaiian Islands this evening. High pressure will build in from the north and allow the trade winds to strengthen from Monday through Wednesday. Brief passing showers will favor windward and mountain areas in the overnight to early morning hours through Wednesday and then over southeastern slopes and island interior sections from Thursday onward. Winds will weaken and veer slightly from a more east-southeast direction from Thursday on into the weekend. Shower activity will remain limited during this time period.
Short term update
The large band of high level cirrus clouds and mid level alto stratus clouds currently over the islands will continue to slowly diminish through Monday. The cold front approaching the islands has stalled and diminished into a trough just northwest of the island of Kauai. Trade winds blow into the region and strengthen into the moderate to locally breezy range from Monday through Wednesday. A slight decrease in wind speeds and a shift from a more east- southeast direction remains in the forecast from Thursday onward as another cold front approaches the islands from the northwest, weakening and lifting the ridge north of the state. Local scale sea breeze winds will develop along terrain sheltered slopes of each island as the large scale winds weaken. Limited shower activity will prevail into next weekend with only brief showers possible. The afternoon forecast looks good. No evening updates.
Previous discussion
Issued at 302 PM HST Sun Mar 1 2026. Expectations for this afternoon remain on track. The boundary upstream of Kauai has made little to no forward progress today, sea breezes have struggled to establish owing to abundant high clouds, and showers southwest of Kauai and Oahu have essentially remained in place while stratiform elements peel off to the northeast. In addition, regenerating showers over Windward Oahu have dissipated in response to backing low-level flow. All told, an uneventful, cloudy, and mostly dry day across the state. Going forward, building heights over the N Central Pacific will maintain strengthening, but progressive high pressure at the surface. This in turn ensures the return of trades tonight which then become breezy during mid-week. Winds diminish slightly by late week as trades veer to ESE in advance of another round of upstream height falls. Typical trade wind weather anticipated throughout this time with showers focused windward and mauka. High clouds gradually clear from west to east Monday into Tuesday before exiting the area altogether by Wednesday.
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Aviation
A weakening stationary boundary will allow for abundant high clouds and relatively light land/sea breezes to prevail across most TAF sites. This front will also allow for disorganized showers across Kauai and Oahu tonight, however confidence was on the lower end based on weather model guidance, so made use of VCSH and PROB30 where rain chances were felt to be the highest. MVFR conditions may prevail under shower activity, otherwise VFR is expected across most sites for the period. AIRMET Tango remains in effect across the islands due to upper- level turbulence from FL200-400 due to this front, with conditions expected to improve into tomorrow as this system continues to weaken. Patchy mountain obscuration may occur due to the presence of this front, however observations and webcams suggest that the threat is not widespread enough to warrant an AIRMET at this time. Light icing is also possible in cloud layer 120-180.
Marine
Issued at 302 PM HST Sun Mar 1 2026. A dissipated front will linger into Monday just northwest of the area. Fresh to locally strong easterly trades will build in by Tuesday as surface ridge strengthens to the north. Winds will maintain strength but veer east southeast towards the end of the week as another system approaches from the west. Surf along north and west-facing shores will be above seasonal average as a northwest swell (310 degrees) is expected to impact through Monday. Surf should remain small though the week with a small northwest bump expected next weekend. Surf along exposed east-facing shores will be a bit elevated due to a short-to medium-period northeast (40 degrees) swell, then decline Tuesday. However, period and choppy conditions are expected to return by Tuesday as fresh trade winds redevelop and expand upstream of the state. Surf along south-facing shores will remain near the seasonal average into March.
HFO Watches/Warnings/Advisories
None.
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(BIVN) – YAS Fest, aka the Youth Art Series Festival, is returning to Kalākaua Park in Downtown Hilo.
The East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center is hosting the event on Saturday, March 14th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Keiki and their families will be treated to an exciting array of performances, craft and information booths, and art activities,” a press release promoted.
From event organizers:
YAS Fest brings together local organizations dedicated to providing arts opportunities to keiki and teens from around Hawaiʻi Island. By spotlighting their activities, YAS Fest celebrates the importance of arts education for everyone.
Booths include the Hilo High School Art Club, Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui, Friends of the Palace Theatre, and over a dozen more.
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Headlining the performers is HAAStile (a teen rock band from Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Sciences, directed by Trever Veilleux). Audiences will also enjoy performances by Big Wave Dance Academy, Aloha Teen Theatre, N2 Dance, Hawaii’s Volcano Circus, Prince Dance Institute, and Kona Dance and Performing Arts.
YAS Fest is made possible by support from County Council District 2 and Coldwell Banker Island Properties. EHCC also thanks KTA Super Stores, Kelsey Ito, and Lō‘ihi Studios for their contributions.
Says YAS Fest organizer Kellie Miyazu, who is EHCC’s Youth Education Director, “Last year we had around 300 visitors to the first YAS Fest. There was a lot of nice feedback from visitors, and also from the organizations who were able to network with each other and the community. We’re expecting an even more successful festival this year.”
Visitors are also encouraged to stop by the EHCC patio across the street to learn more about EHCC’s vision for the year and how community support helps keep EHCC’s unique gallery and keiki programs accessible to all.
For more information, visit EHCC online at ehcc.org, call 961-5711, or visit EHCC at 141 Kalakaua Street. Current gallery and office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday noon to 6 p.m.
A boy was killed after being struck by a vehicle today in Hawaii Kai, police said.
At about 11:02 a.m., a 37-year-old woman “was attempting to travel northbound” on Kukuau Place when the vehicle hit a boy who was in the road in front of the vehicle, according to a Honolulu Police Department’s Traffic Division news release. The child was taken to a hospital in critical conition where he was pronounced dead.
The driver remained at the scene and was uninjured, police said.
HPD did not release the boy’s age or say whether speed, drugs or alcohol were possible factors in the collision.
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This was Oahu’s ninth fatality in 2026, compared with 15 at the same time last year.
