Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said that the high fountain phase of “episode 16” had begun as of 10:24 a.m., about 12 hours after the start of the eruption.

Fountaining from the south vent rapidly increased to over 200 feet high by 10:40 a.m., HVO said, and exceeded 700 feet by 10:50 a.m. HST. Low dome fountaining and overflows, meanwhile, continue from the north vent.

Hawaii County Civil Defense, meanwhile, is warning of tephra falling onto Highway 11, or Hawaii Belt Road, in the Kau District between mile markers 35 and 37.

“If you are in this area, please do not stop, do not get out of your vehicle, and keep your window fully rolled up,” said Civil Defense in an alert. “There are no road closures at this time. However, road closures could occur without notice.”

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said “episode 16” of the ongoing eruption began at 10:57 p.m. on Monday, with lava overflowing from the north vent.

Vog information is available at vog.ivhhn.org.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A California woman who died from injuries she suffered while hiking on Kauai last month has been identified.

According to the Kauai Fire Department, the woman was hiking Makaleha Falls Trail in Kapaa on Sunday, March 23, when she was hit on the head by a falling rock.

First responders said they found her unconscious at the base of the falls, with labored breathing and heavy bleeding from an apparent head wound.

She was airlifted to Wilcox Memorial Hospital and then to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

Loved ones identified her as Gianna Buzzetta, and said she died on March 24. The 26-year-old had worked as a pastry chef in Carlsbad.

According to her family, Buzzetta was hiking with her boyfriend, who ran to get help.

A fundraiser has been set up here to help with medical and funeral expenses.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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Divers off Makaha on Oahu were treated to an incredibly rare sight on March 28 when they saw a potential pygmy albino blackfish whale, known outside of Hawaii as either false killer whales or short-finned pilot whales.

“[The Blackfish is] one of four species that we call Blackfish because they’re all kind of black in color and hard to distinguish,” said Dr. Jessica Jacob, assistant professor at Hawaii Pacific University. “Based on the shape of the fin and the white lips, I would say it’s a pygmy killer whale.”

Although the false killer whales have skull shapes that closely resemble that of an orca, they aren’t closely related. Like orcas, though, they are a toothed species. They’re normally dark grey or black, which is why seeing a white one in a pod was so surprising.

“We noticed there was a white baby with them,” Travis Woo, a safety diver with Iruka Hawaii Dolphin Snorkeling Tours, told KHON2 News. “My initial reaction was euphoria.”

According to KHON2, an albino whale of any species has never been seen off Hawaii. It’s possible that this calf is leucistic, which is a genetic condition where some or all of the whale’s cells don’t produce melanin. It’s different than pure albinism, where there is a complete absence of melanin. Albino animals generally have white or pink eyes.

“It is potentially an albino individual, but there’s really only two ways to confirm that,” Pacific Whale Foundation Chief Scientist Jens Currie explained. “One is to do genetic sampling and look for that mutation that would cause a lack of pigmentation and lack of melanin production, which produces the color of individuals. Or, sometimes, you can examine the eyes of those individuals and the lack of color in their eyes makes them appear pink.”

According to The Cascadia Research Institute, white whale calves would have a hard time reaching adulthood. They said that this particular calf looks to have sunburns and blistering, and due to its coloring, they stand out to predators.

“Usually these dolphins, they go and hunt kind of far off shore and we don’t see them that often, but we’re seeing them hanging in closer to shore trying to guard this calf,” Woo said. “So, they’re sticking with it. We’re all rooting for it and hopefully it makes it. It’s unlikely, but it is possible.”