Hawaii

No pay on the way: Hawaii scrambles to support federal workers

Published

6 months ago

October 10, 2025

No pay on the way: Hawaii scrambles to support federal workers

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Thousands of federal workers are bracing for the financial fallout of the government shutdown.

The first partial paychecks since the shutdown are expected to arrive tomorrow. But the next one, scheduled for two weeks from now, will have no pay at all.

Nine days in and patience – and paychecks are running thin.

For thousands of federal workers, tomorrow’s partial pay won’t go far and backpay is not guaranteed either.

At Hawaiian Community Assets, the inquiries for financial help has picked up.

“Definitely over the past few months, it’s been increasing, you know. And what we tell people is that the best thing to do is try to get ahead of every situation. And so if you’re worried that something could happen, now is the time to come in,” said Chelsie Evans Enos, Hawaiian Community Assets Executive Director. “Now’s the time to connect with someone. So we can definitely help you take a look at what worst case scenario could be like, and attempt to have that plan of what we can do along the way, or try to prevent some of those things from happening. But preparedness is is the best thing that people can do right now.”

Hawaiian Community Assets provides financial education and emergency planning, but they also have emergency funds through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. While much of that funding has been already been used, Evan Enos recommends people to contact them anyway because there may be additional funding coming from OHA.

Families who are tightening their budgets can find help, they just need to ask.

Hawaiian Electric announced it’s offering interest-free payment options to affected customers.

The Board of Water Supply says they can work with customers to provide an interest-free, no late fee payment plan.

And most local credit unions are offering short term loans and deferred payments.

“What I’m seeing from our variety of credit unions throughout the islands is that we are looking at being proactive by our members impacted by the by the federal government shutdown.. Some of the variety of programs being offered are loan deferment programs on existing loans at the credit union, loan deferrals, loan modifications, anything we can, we can do to make the situation a very uncertain situation more manageable,” said Tim Ashcraft, Hawaii Credit Union League President and CEO. “Another option that I’m seeing from some of our credit unions that they are offering short term loans where the payments are deferred for up to 90 days, with the hopes that the shutdown doesn’t last that long.”

There are 45 credit unions in the state of Hawaii.

“They’re all locally based, so you’ll get a decision much, much more timely, given that local ownership. And our credit unions are not for profit, financial cooperative zoned by its members. That’s what makes our structure so unique and so valuable to our communities in which we serve,” said Ashcraft. For those looking for financial help, Ashcraft recommends contacting your local credit union. “You may have a unique situation that even though credit unions may have a variety of options, contact them directly. They may have another option available that may meet the unique need.”

Hawaii congresswoman Jill Tokuda tells us she’s been appealing to local banks and agencies to help Hawaii families get through the coming weeks.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time just reaching out to those front liners talking about, where can we, you know, really, you know, get help for our federal workers during this really difficult time, knowing, at the same time, our job is to reopen government,” said Tokuda.

The Hawaii Foodbank is preparing for a higher demand. Aloha United Way’s 211 helpline is already fielding more calls. While we’ve weathered previous crises, this time, it’s different.

“It just feels a little bit more uncertain, and then in years past, and I think that’s creating the stress and the and the anxiety. I think you’re feeling that around town,” said Ashcraft.

The advice we’re hearing across the board – don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

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Hawaii

Hawaii Water Polo enters Big West Championship as number 1 seed

Published

2 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Hawaii Water Polo enters Big West Championship as number 1 seed

The Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Water Polo Team has secured the number 1 seed in the Big West Championship Tournament.

“I think everyone understands the importance of the tournament and, what we want to do,” said Hawaii Junior Daisy Logtens.

Hawaii enters the tournament 13-5 overall and 6-0 in conference play.

UH will open up the conference tournament against 8th seed UC Santa Barbara. UH recently defeated UCSB 18-4 on March 28th in Manoa.

The 1st match for UH is set for Friday at 7:00am HT in Long Beach, California.

The winner of (1) Hawaii vs (8) UCSB will take on the winner of (4) vs (5) UC San Diego.

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Hawaii

‘Surreal’: Flood victims near UH Manoa prepare for third storm

Published

1 day ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

‘Surreal’: Flood victims near UH Manoa prepare for third storm

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Anxiety ran high in Manoa ahead of Wednesday’s impending storm, which comes about two weeks after a second Kona low flooded 14 residential units along Koali Road.

It was not the first time the homes were swamped in recent months.

Last November, a water main break overflowed the same ground-level units near UH Manoa, causing extensive damage.

Now, as tenants clean up and repair their homes after the latest storm, they are bracing for yet another storm expected to hit Wednesday.

“It sounds like a movie, it sounds a little surreal, a little not real,” Koali Road resident Carlos Jimenez said.

Jimenez, whose home was flooded both times, recalled the recent one, which covered his home in about two feet of water, describing the deluge as “a little bit above knee high.”

The damage to Jimenez’s unit went beyond the floor, too, because of the heavy rain.

“The ceiling got water-damaged. From what I saw, it was soaking water, sagging, and it was about to collapse,” Jimenez said.

Fortunately, crews repaired his roof days before the third storm could send another round of downpours.

Outside, both of Jimenez’s vehicles sat damaged and dead.

After all that he has seen at his Koali Road home, Jimenez said he would take the new storm seriously.

“Get ready, you know, with my mother. She lives with me. She’s 87,” Jimenez said.

After witnessing the devastation in the neighborhood, Jimenez’s neighbor, Dario Aricala, whose home was spared, is not taking it for granted during this week’s wet weather.

“The last storm, we almost got flooded. We are hoping for the best that this storm is not such bad,” Aricala said.

Click here to donate to Jimenez’s GoFundMe page.

In the meantime, other residents have been staying elsewhere during cleanup and repairs, and the property manager said he has been helping them.

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Hawaii

Flood Watch issued across Hawaii as kona low system brings risk of heavy rain and flood

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Flood Watch issued across Hawaii as kona low system brings risk of heavy rain and flood

A statewide Flood Watch is in effect across Hawaii from Wednesday morning, April 8, through Friday afternoon, April 10, as a developing low-pressure system northwest of the islands, described by the National Weather Service (NWS) public guidance as a kona low, is forecast to bring prolonged heavy rainfall and elevated flood risk.

The NWS office in Honolulu reports that the system will draw deep tropical moisture northward across the state, creating conditions favorable for widespread showers and thunderstorms. Excessive rainfall may lead to flash flooding in urban areas, low-lying locations, and regions with poor drainage, while steep terrain remains susceptible to landslides.

All major islands, including Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and the Big Island, are included in the Flood Watch. Forecasters note that antecedent wet conditions from recent rainfall events have left soils saturated, increasing runoff efficiency and the likelihood of rapid stream rises under heavier rainfall rates.

Satellite image acquired at 04:00 UTC on April 7, 2026. Credit: NOAA/GOES-West, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers

Multiple kona low systems affected the islands between March 10 and March 22, producing extreme rainfall totals, including more than 330 mm (13 inches) in about 12 hours on Oʻahu’s North Shore and multi-day accumulations reaching approximately 1 170 mm (46 inches) on Maui.

The events triggered widespread flooding, landslides, evacuations, and infrastructure stress, including emergency warnings tied to Wahiawā Dam and power outages affecting more than 130 000 customers statewide.

Despite several days of drier trade wind conditions, soil moisture remains elevated, allowing new rainfall to convert more efficiently into surface runoff, increasing the likelihood of rapid stream rises and flash flooding under the current forecast system.

The heaviest rainfall associated with the new system is forecast to develop during the midweek period, with conditions deteriorating from Wednesday into Thursday as the low-pressure system strengthens west of the state. Forecast guidance indicates that the western islands may experience the initial phase of heavier rainfall before activity gradually shifts eastward later in the event.

In addition to heavy rain, the system is expected to generate strong southerly winds, with gusts of 64–80 km/h (40–50 mph) possible across many areas and locally stronger gusts exceeding 93 km/h (58 mph) in exposed locations or near convective activity. A Wind Advisory may be issued as conditions develop.

Winter weather conditions are also possible at higher elevations on the Big Island, resulting in a Winter Storm Watch in effect for summits above 3 810 m (12 500 feet), where a combination of snow and freezing rain is forecast during the same period.

Heavy rainfall is likely to persist into Thursday and Friday, with the flash-flood threat remaining elevated into the weekend, but periods of heavy rain may continue beyond the initial peak as moisture remains in place around the system.

The setup reflects a kona low pattern, characterized by a low-pressure system northwest of the islands producing southerly flow and transporting deep tropical moisture into the region over multiple days.

References:

¹ Area Forecast Discussion for Hawaii – NWS Honolulu – April 7, 2026

² Flood Watch – NWS Honolulu – April 7, 2026

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