HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Plans for a memorial commemorating the 1924 Battle of Hanapepe, which was instrumental in shaping Hawaii’s labor rights, are moving forward on Kauai.

The state Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) has chosen Hanapepe Filipino Cemetery as the memorial site.

Just over a century ago, Filipino workers across the territory’s sugar plantations went on strike.

Workers had demands for higher pay, from one dollar to two dollars, and fewer working hours from 10 hours a day to eight hours.

On Sept. 8, 1924, a Visayan strike camp kidnapped two Ilocano strike breakers trying to cross the picket line.

Sheriffs and police tried to free the captured men the following day. However a deadly confrontation broke out, resulting in deaths of 16 Filipino strikers and four police officers, and over 100 arrests.

The strikers that were killed are buried in a mass grave at the Hanapepe Filipino Cemetery.

“Because of these plantation workers’ sacrifices, powerful unions exist today to advocate for worker’s rights,” said Gov. Josh Green.

The state says a memorial will be built at the front of the Hanapepe Filipino Cemetery, and will have two concrete columns with a gap in between symbolizing two sides of the conflict.

“The way they’re oriented is that no matter the time of day, there’s always a shadow cast,” said DAGS Kauai District Office program manager Eric Agena. “The shadow represents that dark chapter of labor history.”

The memorial is expected to be installed late next year.

“This is very important for us because it is going to allow us to honor those who lost their lives in this battle that was really about changing the future of labor in the state of Hawaii,” said DAGS director Keith Regan.

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National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are warning that dangerous surf along Hawaii’s north- and west-facing shores will be strong enough to potentially cause road closures near the affected shores.

Why It Matters

Hawaii is a popular destination, and the NWS Honolulu office is warning tourists and residents alike to stay away from the shoreline along the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and the north-facing shores of Maui. Surf as high as 35 feet is likely to surge and sweep across beaches, coastal benches and lava flows, impacting coastal properties and even infrastructure and roadways.

What To Know

A high surf warning was issued early Friday morning and will remain in place until Saturday morning.

The strong waves are caused by a large northwest swell that is expected to peak Friday afternoon and evening. In addition to the high surf, the swell will cause “powerful longshore and rip currents” at most beaches.

Harbor entrances could be impacted by large breaking waves and strong currents, the high-surf warning said, and channels also could be impacted, leading to challenging boat handling.

Surf will be highest for north-facing shores at 25 to 25 feet. West-facing shores are expecting surf of 18 to 22 feet.

The swell is originating from the northwest Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Japan. Swells are normal for the Aloha State this time of year, but the typical surf size is 18 feet, making the ongoing surf higher than normal.

A small craft advisory is also in place, warning boaters that sea conditions could be hazardous to small craft.

What People Are Saying

NWS meteorologist Derek Wroe told Newsweek: “There are some areas that are more vulnerable than others. Certain areas that the beach is a bit lower. If there’s a road that’s close to it, sometimes waves will surge, run up the beach and push onto the road. It’s not very unusual for us to get surf of this size in January.”

NWS Honolulu, in a high-surf warning: “Stay away from the shoreline along the affected coasts. Be prepared for road closures. Postpone entering or leaving channels affected by the high surf until the surf subsides.”

What Happens Next

The high-surf warning is expected to expire by 6 a.m. local time Saturday morning.

In addition to the high surf, rain showers are expected on Friday as a cold front pushes down the island chain, according to the NWS Honolulu forecast. Another cold front is expected by the middle of next week, increasing the chance of rain and thunderstorms.

Wroe said there are no significant swells on the horizon that could prompt a high surf warning in the coming week.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After being found with 71 fentanyl pills in Hilo, Cody Araw is now sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Officers arrested the 32-year-old from Pepeekeo outside the Suisan Warehouse in April 2024.

Araw later pled guilty to possession of fentanyl and heroin.

71 fentanyl pills is equivalent to about 4,000 lethal doses.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.