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Hawaii governor ignores President Trump in speech, but prepares for potential federal cuts

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Hawaii governor ignores President Trump in speech, but prepares for potential federal cuts


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green said he wanted to focus his third State of the State speech on the accomplishments of his administration and the Legislature over the last two years.

But he also admitted that he purposely left out one of the biggest challenges facing the state: potential budget cuts by the incoming Trump administration.

RELATED POST: Hawaii governor highlights ‘greatest hits’ in third State of the State address

After the speech, the governor told reporters the omission was intentional.

“I could chase the bombastic statements that come from the new president day in and day out,” he said. “I would rather chase housing, homeless solutions, and health care providers for our state.”

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Rep. Della Au Belatti, D-Makiki, Punchbowl, is a leader of the progressive Democrats in the state House and says she’s not sure leaders are prepared to respond for how quickly Trump will move the rest of his agenda.

“I am extremely, extremely concerned about the cuts, particularly the cuts that are going to hit the most vulnerable communities: Medicaid, education,” Belatti said. “Those are things that we will have to look at to fund with general funds if there are cuts, so I’m very concerned that we’re a bit quiet on that front.”

The governor’s proposed budget includes a large fund to join other state’s lawsuits challenging Trump policies in court, and was among the first to sue Monday over the president’s effort to end birthright citizenship.

RELATED POST: 22 states sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship

“I’m very appreciative that the governor has put in $10 million to join the efforts of other attorney generals,” Belatti said. “But the reality is that if the cuts come fast and furious, we need to be prepared in our budgeting.”

“We are prepared,” the governor responded.

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Green said that’s why the state has a billion-dollar surplus and why he is reducing contributions from hotel taxes and interest revenue to his proposed climate impact fund to about $200 million per year, in order to preserve money to cover cuts he expects to women’s reproductive health, homeless programs and up to $300 million in Medicaid funds.

“What is likely to happen at the federal level is significant and deep tax cuts for very wealthy people and then deep programmatic cuts for poor people (like) Medicaid,” he said.

House and Senate leaders agreed they are well prepared and promised tax cuts are not in jeopardy.

But Republicans say they are all over-reacting.

State Rep. Diamond Garcia, Minority Floor Leader, said, “What we’re doing is we’re shrinking the size of government waste, government spending, so the people of this country and Hawaii should be excited about these next four years.”

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“I think across the country and the media, there’s a lot of this fear mongering about what’s going to happen,” said Rep. Lauren Matsumoto, House Minority Leader. “Let’s just see what plays out.”



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Flood watch covers Oahu, Kauai and Niihau through late Monday | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Flood watch covers Oahu, Kauai and Niihau through late Monday | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Radar shows heavy rain over Oahu earlier today.

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UPDATE: 6:45 p.m.

The flood watch for Kauai, Oahu, and Niihau remains in effect until late Monday night, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

”A cold front stalling over the western Hawaiian islands through Monday will increase rainfall activity across the western half of the state,” the updated flood watch says. “These showers may become locally heavy at times with isolated thunderstorms.”

NWS forecasters said “flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff.”

Forecasters said that a front that has stalled out near Oahu “will hold its position through the afternoon before moving slowly back to the north and west tonight and Monday. This will bring continued chances for moderate to heavy rain to the western end of the state through tomorrow. “

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They said the chance of rain will decrease Monday night into Tuesday, but returns Tuesday night into Wednesday “as the remains of the current front fuse with a new one and they move back into the western part of the state.”

However, the weather service forecasters note, “Confidence in location is not as high with this next system, as guidance has trended away from bringing it as far east as Oahu.”

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Heavy rain across Oahu today causes localized flooding, including on Queen Street, which which was shut this afternoon between Ward Avenue and Kamakee Street.

3:42 p.m.

The flood advisory of Oahu will expire at 3:45 p.m. today.

Radar indicates that heavy rain has diminished for now, so the flood advisory has been canceled.

Meanwhile, a flood watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. Tuesday for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau.

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2:30 p.m.

A high surf warning has been issued for the west-facing shores of leeward Hawaii island, while a high surf advisory has been issued for the north- and west-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Molokai and Niihau, and the north-facing shores of Maui.

A large, medium period west-northwest swell between 290 and 300 degrees is building this afternoon along portions of the north- and west-facing shores. Surf is expected to peak late this evening then gradually lower Monday afternoon.

The high surf warning for leeward Hawaii island is in effect from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday. Expect dangerously large breaking waves of up to 12 feet. Surf will build late tonight and peak Monday afternoon.

“Stay away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Be prepared for road closures. Postpone entering or leaving channels affected by the high surf until the surf subsides,” forecasters report.

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EARLIER COVERAGE

Oahu is under a flood advisory until 3:45 p.m. today following flooding caused by excessive rainfall.

“Ponding of water in urban areas is likely. Minor flooding on roads, poor drainage areas, and in streams. Some low-water crossings may become impassable,” according to National Weather Service forecasters.

At 12:50 p.m. today, the radar indicated areas of heavy rain developing and traveling northeast of Oahu.

“While there may be a brief lull in rainfall, a larger batch of showers is moving up from the southwest and is expected to impact the island for the next few hours,” according to forecasters.

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Rain was falling at a rate 0.5 to 1.1 inches per hour with the possibility of 2 inches per hour. The entire island of Oahu is expected to experience flooding, according to NWS.

The advisory may be extended beyond 3:45 p.m. if flooding persists.




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Honolulu Marathon kicks off with a rainy start

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Honolulu Marathon kicks off with a rainy start


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The JAL Honolulu Marathon kicks off at Ala Moana Boulevard.

Hawaii News Now celebrates the 53nd anniversary of the Honolulu Marathon with a special edition of Sunrise.

We’ll be tracking runners throughout the entire course, sharing heartfelt stories from competitors, and going behind the scenes to spotlight dedicated volunteers — from malasada makers to medical crews — who help make this massive event possible.

Join us for live coverage throughout the 26.2-mile course on Sunday, Dec. 14, starting at 6 a.m. only on Hawaii News Now.

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Click here to track a runner.

Tsegay Weldibanos from Eritrea came in first place in the elite men’s division with a time of 2:13:41.

He beat out last year’s winner by less than a minute.

Tsegay Weldibanos from Eritrea came in first place in the elite men’s division with a time of 2:13:41.

And in the women’s elite division, Calli Hauger-Thackery, from Great Britain, came in first place with a time of 2:30:44.

She also beat out last year’s winner by a tight margin.

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Calli Hauger-Thackery, from Great Britain, came in first place in the elite women’s division with a time of 2:30:44.

For the second year in a row, Kota Hokinoue came in first place for the marathon’s men’s wheelchair division.

For the second year in a row, Kota Hokinoue came in first place for the marathon’s men’s wheelchair division.

The course goes through downtown Honolulu, past Iolani Palace and the Christmas lights, through Waikiki and climbs up and around Diamond Head, before heading out through Kahala and out to Hawaii Kai. Turning back after Hawaii Kai toward Kahala and Honolulu, the course passes Diamond Head again on the ocean side before finishing in Kapiolani Park.

We have live team coverage of the 2025 Honolulu Marathon with reporters throughout the course.



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Celebrations across Hawaii to take place in honor of Sakada Day

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Celebrations across Hawaii to take place in honor of Sakada Day


HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island will commemorate the arrival of the first 15 Filipinos to Hawaii back in 1906.

A free Sakada Day Celebration in Hilo will take place on Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to honor the contributions of the Filipino plantation workers who sparked a wave of migration.

“Filipinos are actually a large group here in Hawaii, lot of times things like this are actually tend to be a little neglected,” said Iris Viacrusis, co-chair of the Sakada Day Celebration.

This year’s event will feature a lei presentation at 9 a.m. at the statue at Keaau Community Center, followed by lunch, entertainment and a presentation to three descendants of sakadas: Sandra Claveria, Lorraine Rodero Inouye and Angel Pilago.

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Two exhibits will also be displayed for guests to learn more about the sakadas — one will feature stories of the sakadas’ legacy and the other will showcase cultural items and clothing from Viacrusis’ collection.

Dec. 20 was proclaimed Sakada Day under Gov. David Ige in 2015.

Event organizers are preparing for next year’s 120th anniversary of the sakadas in Hawaii.

Sakada Day Celebration(UH Hilo)

Meantime, on Oahu, a free Sakada Day Celebration is taking place today, Dec. 13, at Hawaii Plantation Village in Waipahu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center for Philippine Studies and Filipino Curriculum Project organize the annual gathering, which honors the resilience, contributions, and cultural legacy of sakadas, migrant plantation workers whose hard work, courage, and spirit continue to shape the Filipino American experience today.

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High school students will take part in stage performances, visual presentations, education booths and a fashion show.



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