Hawaii
Outgoing U.S. Army Pacific commander reflects on tour of duty: ‘I want to thank Hawaii’
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After serving more than three years as commander of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), Gen. Charles Flynn will step down Friday, Nov. 8.
He took command of the U.S. Army’s largest service component command in June 2021.
“One of the most challenging things about this command is the variations of the environment and conditions that exist across Asia,” Flynn said.
While the general is charming and engaging, he is also a battle-proven soldier, as indicated by the tabs on his chest, combat infantry, airborne, air assault, and pathfinder. Gen. Flynn is a mix of two worlds, military and diplomacy.
“There are a lot of tough decisions to be made in the coming years on a range of topics, but I think at the end of the day, that there is this trust and relationship and conversation and transparency and truth that comes from looking after one another, and caring for one another is really important,” he said.
Flynn has worked on building that trust on three fronts. First, he says, it comes to respecting the aina and the indigenous people of the islands.
“Being here and being respectful of what we are able to do, and being respectful of the people, the land, and the water, and all that goes with it is, again, that’s really an important part of actually being here,” he said.
Second, Flynn says, is building trust with other nations, like Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, and Australia, as seen at the recent Land Forces Pacific of LANPAC Symposium.
USARPAC‘s area of operations covers half the globe and consists of 36 nations and six of the world’s 10 largest armies.
“There is an automatic matching, if you will, of our ability to train here in Hawaii and then the ability to transfer that training, and advise, assist and enable the other armies in the region to improve. We are and remain the gold standard,” he said.
And third, the trust of the American people on ensuring U.S. Army soldiers are prepared for whatever missions they are called on to do.
“Our ability to train here and be able to train in the areas that we have access to here on Oahu and, of course, the Pohakuloa training area, what that really translates into is a degree of readiness that we can then bring into the region to do the things that we have to do with allies and partners in the region that are in those same environments,” he said.
As his time in command comes to an end, Gen. Flynn leaves with a grateful heart and will miss working with his soldiers in Hawaii.
At the same time, he will also miss the beauty of the islands and other aspects of life here.
“I am going to miss my relationships and friends. I’m also going to miss surfing, I do love surfing,” Gen. Flynn said.
“I want to thank Hawaii. I want to thank the people,” he said.
Flynn will relinquish his command to Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark Friday at a ceremony on Fort Shafter.
Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Various celebrations — beyond the usual fireworks and barbecues — marked the U.S.’s 250th anniversary on Independence Day.
From regatta to an annual Japanese tradition on Oʻahu, here’s four other events that took place on this July 4.
84th Regatta
To start off the morning, the 84th Walter J. Macfarlane Memorial Canoe Regatta was held at Waikiki Beach.
“Today there’s a swell. It’s not huge, but it’s not flat, so I mean it’s like a perfect requirement day, there’s excitement, there’s enough activity to keep it, first the variable, and keep everybody on their toes, and it makes for close races,” said Jim Foti with the Lanikai Canoe Club.
Canoe paddlers of all ages hit the water for a full day of racing.
“We have had some really fun races this morning,” said Siana Austin Hunt, president of the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association. “Our kids did really well. We also had some great finishes with a lot of crews finishing on the same wave.”
The regatta is a tradition that is recognized as the longest-running outrigger canoe races in the world.
America250
Kapiolani Park served as the backdrop for America’s once-in-a-lifetime celebration commemorating 250 years. The free event brought families together for food, music, performances and special recognition for our military and veterans.
“There’s a lot of people that’s been going around the different booths and the different venues and enjoying themselves, listening to the music every hour on the hour, and at the same time they’re looking at some of the auditory, tasting the various different types of food, and just enjoying yourself and relaxing,” said Lynn Mariano, commissioner of Hawaii America250 Commission.
La Hoʻihoʻi Ea
While many celebrated Independence Day, others gathered at Iolani Palace to reflect on a different perspective of Hawaiʻi’s history into statehood.
The event highlighted La Hoʻihoʻi Ea, or Sovereignty Restoration Day, which commemorates the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom and encouraged a discussion about Hawaiian sovereignty and self-determination.
“We’re here to reclaim our place to retell our stories and to resound the message of Hawaiian sovereignty restoration,” said Imai Winchester, lead organizer for La Hoʻihoʻi Ea.
The free event included cultural performances, music, educational exhibits, speakers and family activities. It was the first of a month-long series of events that will lead up to a celebration on July 26 at Thomas Square.
Organizers said it’s an opportunity to learn, reflect and celebrate Hawaiian identity.
Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest
An annual Japanese tradition fell on the 4th of July this year. The popular Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest drew in thousands to the Old Varsity Theater parking lot on University Avenue.
Now in its 13th year, the event prides itself on having one of Honolulu’s largest bon dances — and no obon festival is complete without taiko drums and andagi.
One of the booths was prepared to sell thousands of the deep-fried treat, with proceeds supporting Hawaii’s young athletes.
The festival is held every first Saturday of July.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Partly to Mostly Sunny skies with windward and mauka showers drifting leeward at times. Most of the rainfall will be light and in the overnight to early morning hours with an increasing trend on Tuesday and stronger trends on Thursday and Friday; which is good because we need to beneficial rainfall.
View the latest weather conditions here.
Trade winds will continue blowing from the east all week while a high-pressure system sits north of Hawaii, keeping conditions mostly stable. On Tuesday, a weak weather system moving in from the east will bring some extra showers across the islands, but nothing major. A more significant system arrives Thursday through Friday—it’s actually the leftover remains of a tropical cyclone—and will bring noticeably heavier rain, especially on the windward sides of the islands (the sides facing the trade winds) and on mountain slopes, with humidity increasing as well. The highest rainfall will happen Thursday through Friday, though overall rainfall amounts will stay limited due to large-scale stability in the atmosphere.
A Small Craft Advisory now in effect for all Hawaiian waters (a warning for smaller boats to be cautious). A new long-period swell from the south-southwest is already moving in and will boost south shore surf heights to near-High Surf Advisory levels through Monday before gradually fading. East-facing shores will remain rough and choppy throughout the week from the strong winds, while north-facing shores will stay relatively flat. These windy conditions and Small Craft Advisories will continue through the entire week.
Download the HNN Weather app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for the latest updates from your First Alert Weather Team: chief meteorologist Jennifer Robbins, meteorologist Drew Davis, and weather anchors Guy Hagi, Ben Gutierrez, and Billy V.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A woman has died after a crash that shut down the H-1 Freeway westbound in Honolulu Saturday.
According to the Honolulu Police Department, officers responded to a single-vehicle crash just before 6 p.m. near the Aala Street overpass.
Sources said a woman in her late 20s was pronounced dead at the scene.
First responders remain on scene, and the investigation is ongoing.
The city said via HNL Alert that all westbound lanes of the freeway near the Aala Street overpass are closed and access is restricted to emergency vehicles only.
Officials said those on the H-1 West are being diverted off the freeway at the North School Street cutoff.
Drivers are asked to avoid the area.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
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