Hawaii
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.
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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.”
Gov. Josh Green today issued a statement regarding a federal lawsuit challenging the eligibility requirements within the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
“The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act was established to address the historic dispossession of Native Hawaiians and reflects a longstanding commitment to them by both the federal government and the state of Hawaiʻi,” said Green.
“This lawsuit threatens that commitment. I have directed the Department of the Attorney General to vigorously defend the Hawaiian Homes program. We will fight this lawsuit with everything we have,” he said.
The lawsuit was filed by Eric Ryan, an Oʻahu resident who is not Native Hawaiian and tried to apply for a lease, but was denied due to the 50% Native Hawaiian blood quantum requirement, according to Hawaiʻi News Now and court documents published at Courthouse News Service.
The Class Action Complaint argues that the “explicitly ancestry-based requirement” establishes a “permanent government mandate for state officials to engage in outright racial discrimination, perpetuates stereotypes, and limits housing opportunities for most Hawai‘i residents. The blood-quantum requirement thus violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the complaint alleges.
Green said the administration “stands firmly with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the thousands of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who rely on this program and its promise for future generations.”
Attorney General Anne Lopez also issued a statement saying the state of Hawaiʻi has both a legal and moral obligation to uphold the commitments embodied in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
“This lawsuit seeks to dismantle a program that has provided opportunities, stability and hope to generations of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries,” said Lopez.
Solicitor General Kalikoʻonālani Fernandes, who has extensive experience handling complex constitutional litigation on behalf of the state, will lead the legal team in defending the state against the challenge.
“We are prepared to vigorously defend the Hawaiian Homes program and the promises it represents,” said Lopez.
Under the Green administration, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has accelerated the delivery of homestead opportunities and expanded pathways to homeownership for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
In 2025 alone, DHHL offered more than 2,500 lease awards and continues to advance major housing projects, including Hale Mōʻiliʻili on Oʻahu, which will provide 278 affordable rental units for beneficiaries.
“These efforts reflect the administration’s commitment to reducing wait times, strengthening Native Hawaiian communities and fulfilling the promise of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act,” according to the governor’s announcement.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Concrete fell from the exterior of an Ala Moana Center parking structure Monday afternoon near the Kapiolani Boulevard exit, damaging a vehicle.
No injuries were reported.
Security blocked an exit lane as debris scattered across the roadway. Ala Moana Center said they are grateful no one was hurt, and the lane will remain closed while structural engineers and construction professionals assess the damage and make repairs.
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