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1 tourist dead, 2 hospitalized after being swept out to sea during high surf in Hawaii

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1 tourist dead, 2 hospitalized after being swept out to sea during high surf in Hawaii


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Powerful surf on Oahu’s North Shore swept three tourists off the beach and out to sea on Monday. The incident left two hospitalized and one dead at the scene, according to the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.

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Shortly after 8 a.m., Honolulu Ocean Safety, the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services responded to a 911 call regarding two women, ages 72 and 31, and one 63-year-old man who were pulled into the ocean at Keiki Beach, a popular beach with a strong shorebreak and no lifeguard tower, a spokesperson for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department told USA TODAY.

On Monday, the North Shore was experiencing a high surf advisory. The waves already had six- to eight- foot faces and the swell was rising, with waves possibly up to 18 feet. Signs stating there was strong current and dangerous shorebreak were posted around the beach. Oahu’s North Shore is famous for its huge and often unpredictable swells during the wintertime, drawing surfers and spectators alike from around the world.

A lifeguard who was posting no swimming signs “saw people in trouble in the ocean,” the spokesperson said. Lifeguards swam out to retrieve the tourists and successfully brought them back to shore on a rescue board.

Hawaii’s beaches are disappearing: The uncertain future of Oahu’s iconic Waikiki

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A woman and the man were unresponsive, prompting first responders to perform CPR and then advanced life support treatment. Both women were visiting from Oklahoma and taken to the hospital, with the unresponsive woman in critical condition and the other, who was awake, in serious condition.

The man, who traveled from California, was unable to be resuscitated and pronounced dead at the beach.

The closest lifeguard tower to Keiki Beach is half a mile away, but lifeguards commonly patrol the area.

Each year, an average of 40 people drown off of Oahu’s 227 miles of coastline, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. In 2022, Honolulu Ocean Safety recorded 15 drownings and 6,180 rescues across the island.

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.

Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.

Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.

She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.

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She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.



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Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii gets nearly 0 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaiian announces 0 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

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Hawaiian Airlines today announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft.

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Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ahead of today’s announcement at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that other improvements will include better apps, a better website that will make it easier for passengers to change flights, among other things that also include better integration with Alaska Airlines, which acquired Hawaiian in 2024, making it a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

“We have pushed a lot of change through the system for the last couple of months,” Rakow said. “We’re working on integrating our ticketing systems because right now we’re on two separate ticketing systems that don’t talk to each other.”

After late April, she said, booking on the shared Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air ticketing system “will be much more seamless.”

In announcing the renovations and changes, Hawaiian pledged “a significantly smoother guest experience … once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April.”

Right now, Rakow acknowledged, “unfortunately there is some friction.”

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“There’s been so many changes and all of that friction is really painful,” she said. “We are committed to making sure we are addressing the issues. … We are certainly not perfect, but we are committed to working together. … Really, after April, it is going to improve significantly.”

Each island airport also will see renovated lobbies and gates designed to increase comfort, provide better seating and amenities such as improved power charging.

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Daniel K. Inouye International also will get a new 10,600-square-foot lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.

And starting in 2028, Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330s will get new seats, carpets, lighting, business class suites, a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement ahead of today’s announcement that, “Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaiʻi needs. Modern, welcoming airports improve the experience for residents and visitors alike, strengthen our economy and keep Hawaiʻi competitive as a global destination. We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership in advancing workforce development, regenerative tourism, clean energy, and community programs that reflect the values of our islands.”

The New Year began with a .75% increase in Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax that will help the state fight climate change.

Rakow said that Hawaiian is working to better inform inbound passengers about how to respect Hawaii’s culture and environment.

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Hawaiian said it will continue to support “programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.”

The airline also said it will fund grants to nonprofit organizations “promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation, and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation.”




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