Hawaii

Hawaii snow warning cautions drivers that travel could be difficult

Published

1 year ago

October 28, 2024

Hawaii snow warning cautions drivers that travel could be difficult

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists at the Honolulu, Hawaii, office warned that snow on Big Island summits could make for difficult travel on Monday.

October is the start of Hawaii’s wet season, which runs through April. On Monday morning, meteorologists issued a winter weather advisory for the Big Island. According to the forecast, “deep moisture will continue to move over the area today, leading to periods of rain and snow on the high summits.”

It is not uncommon for snow to fall on Hawaii’s volcanic peaks given their altitude, and even blizzard warnings have been issued in Hawaii during the winter months. At times, advanced skiers travel to Hawaii to ski the volcanic slopes, although there are no ski resorts in the state.

A stock image of snow on Mauna Kea on Hawaii. A storm caused snow in high-elevation areas on Hawaii on Monday.

Sakkawokkie/Getty

On Monday, the storm was expected to produce mixed precipitation with periods of rain and snow.

“Additional snow accumulations up to 3 inches, mainly in the morning. Travel could be very difficult. Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility at times, with periods of zero visibility,” the advisory said. “A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.”

NWS meteorologist Liam Tsamous told Newsweek that it is unclear how much snow has already fallen on the high-elevation peaks, given that there are no observation stations there. Up to 4 inches of rain has fallen in low-elevation areas, he said.

At nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, the Mauna Kea volcano is the tallest peak in Hawaii. It is the world’s tallest mountain when measured base to peak, as its base extends nearly 20,000 feet below sea level.

The volcano is so high that it occasionally experiences snowfall during the summer months as well. Tsamous said it is not uncommon to see snow on the mountain’s peaks in October.

The storm was also bringing excessive rain to the rest of Hawaii, with most lower-elevation areas under a flood watch.

“An upper low in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands is producing unstable conditions within a very moist atmosphere,” the flood watch said. “This will result in periods of moderate to locally heavy showers. Rain that occurs over already saturated ground could quickly lead to runoff and flash-flooding issues.”

The flood watch remains in effect for all the main Hawaii islands through Monday afternoon, the advisory said.

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

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Hawaii

Hawaii, Cal players brawl as Rainbow Warriors pull off incredible comeback victory

Published

10 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Hawaii, Cal players brawl as Rainbow Warriors pull off incredible comeback victory

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The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors’ comeback win in the Hawaii Bowl over the California Golden Bears on Wednesday night was marred by a fight near the end of the game.

Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele tried to answer Hawaii’s go-ahead score with one second left in the game. He fired a pass to wide receiver Trond Grizzell, who tried to pitch the ball back to a teammate but lost the ball.

Cal’s Jacob De Jesus picked up the loose ball and tried to lateral the ball to another teammate, but Hawaii defender Virdel Edwards II recovered the bouncing ball to end the game.

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California Golden Bears and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors players brawl at the end of the Hawaii Bowl at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex Dec. 24, 2025 (Marco Garcia/Imagn Images)

A fight breaks out between California Golden Bears and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors players at the end of the Hawaii Bowl at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex Dec. 24, 2025. (Marco Garcia/Imagn Images)

Behind the recovery, California’s QuaRon Adams and Hawaii’s Brandon White began to mix it up. A fracas began as Hawaii players and coaches rushed onto the field to celebrate the win. It took a few minutes for the brouhaha to end.

Hawaii won the game, 35-31, coming back from a 21-point deficit.

Backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left to take the lead. He entered the game after Micah Alejado took a hard hit on the previous play.

GEORGIA COACH KIRBY SMART PUSHES BACK ON TRANSFER PORTAL HYPE, STRESSES PRACTICE OVER PUBLICITY

Alejado was 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Hawaii wide receiver Pofele Ashlock had 14 catches for 123 yards for two touchdowns. The Rainbow Warriors scored 22 points in the fourth quarter.

“These boys just keep continuing to fight through adversity and I love them for that. They learn the hard way, but they learn how to do it and that’s what’s important,” Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang said.

Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang in the first half during against Arizona on Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, file)

Cal’s Sagapolutele was 28-for-39 for 343 passing yards, a touchdown pass to De Jesus and a rushing touchdown. Kendrick Raphael and Anthony League each had rushing touchdowns.

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Hawaii finishes the season 9-4, and Cal dropped to 7-6.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

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Hawaii

Hawaii delivers last-second win over Cal in Hawaii Bowl | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published

22 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Hawaii delivers last-second win over Cal in Hawaii Bowl | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Jamm Aquino / jamm.aquino@staradvertiser.com

Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado (12) threw a pass against the Cal Golden Bears during the first half of Wednesday’s Hawaii Bowl at the Ching Complex.

Reserve quarterback Luke Weaver came off the sideline and threw a 22-yard scoring pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left to deliver the Hawaii football team a 35-31 victory over California in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday.

The Golden Bears took a 31-28 lead with 1:57 to play on Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele’s 1-yard sneak.

The Warriors drove to the 22 on quarterback Micah Alejado’s 13-yard pass to Cam Barfield. But Alejado was hurt on the play, and he hobbled to the UH sideline.

Weaver, who was activated for this game, then lofted the decisive scoring pass to Cenacle.

Weaver was limited to four regular-season games to preserve his redshirt season. But the redshirt limit does not apply to the postseason, clearing Weaver to be activated.

The Warriors scored 21 points in a row to tie it at 21 with 13:50 to play.

Down 21-13, Micah Alejado lofted a 3-yard pass to the threshold of the end zone. Pofele Ashlock made a leaping catch, then curled the ball around the right pylon for the touchdown.

On the 2-point play, Alejado under-handed a shuttle pass to Barfield, who found the end zone to tie it.

Led by Campbell High graduate Sagapolutele’s accurate passing — many on side-armed throws to the flats — the Golden Bears scored on their first three possessions for a 21-0 lead.

But the Warriors eventually got on the board in the second quarter. A play after Pofele Ashlock dropped a screen, he made a one-handed grab for a 30-yard gain. The Warriors drove to the 13, from where Alejado found Ashlock at the end of a corner route to cut the deficit to 21-7 with 3:57 left in the half.

On the Bears’ next possession, Matagi Thompson broke up Sagapolutele’s third-down pass. On fourth down, reserve defensive back Riis Weber blocked Michael Kern’s punt. That set up Kansei Matsuzawa’s 29-yard field goal.

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Hawaii

Federal judge upholds Hawaii’s new climate change tax on cruise passengers

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Federal judge upholds Hawaii’s new climate change tax on cruise passengers

A federal judge’s ruling allows Hawaii’s new tourist tax, which includes a levy on cruise ship passengers, to take effect in 2026

HONOLULU — A federal judge’s ruling clears the way for Hawaii to include cruise ship passengers in a new tourist tax to help cope with climate change, a levy set to go into effect at the start of 2026.

U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake on Tuesday denied a request seeking to stop officials from enforcing the new law on cruises.

In the nation’s first such levy to help cope with a warming planet, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed legislation in May that raises tax revenue to deal with eroding shorelines, wildfires and other climate problems. Officials estimate the tax will generate nearly $100 million annually.

The levy increases rates on hotel room and vacation rental stays but also imposes a new 11% tax on the gross fares paid by a cruise ship’s passengers, starting next year, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports.

Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, along with a Honolulu company that provides supplies and provisions to cruise ships and tour businesses out of Kauai and the Big Island that rely on cruise ship passengers. Among their arguments is that the new law violates the Constitution by taxing cruise ships for the privilege of entering Hawaii ports.

Plaintiff lawyers also argued that the tax would hurt tourism by making cruises more expensive. The lawsuit notes the law authorizes counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge, bringing the total to 14% of prorated fares.

“Cruise tourism generates nearly $1 billion in total economic impact for Hawai‘i and supports thousands of local jobs, and we remain focused on ensuring that success continues on a lawful, sustainable foundation,” association spokesperson Jim McCarthy said in a statement.

According to court records, plaintiffs will appeal.

Hawaii will continue to defend the law, which requires cruise operators to pay their share of transient accommodation tax to address climate change threats to the state, state Attorney General Anne Lopez said in a statement.

The U.S. government intervened in the case, calling the tax a “scheme to extort American citizens and businesses solely to benefit Hawaii” in conflict with federal law.

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