HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – FIRST ALERT WEATHER: Dangerous & life-threatening surf exists on the North and West shores of islands from Niʻihau to Molokaʻi, North shore of Maui and West side of Hawaii island. Check with lifeguards before entering the water or better yet watch from high up on the dry sand.

A weak cold front over Maui County brought clouds and showers last night as it pulls away from the islands. A cooler and strongly stable airmass is building into the forecast area in its wake. That means great weather statewide today thru Tuesday. Lots of sunshine, very little rainfall the next 48 hours. The weather will be stable thru Monday evening.

We loose the trade winds in anticipation of another cold front that will approach the Hawaiian Islands mid to late next week. However, models are struggling greatly to agree. Thursday onward represents a period of interest going forward.

A great tool to have is our First Alert Weather App and interactive radar.

Surf Heights: North shore 22-26 feet; west side is 15-20; town spots are 3-5 thru today and east side 2-4.

Next 7 days: Saturday thru Monday, moderate trade winds and great conditions. Winds light Tuesday in anticipation of another cold front Wednesday into Thursday with some moisture continuing Friday.

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Friday was a unifying day of remembrance, tradition, and reflection for the Native Hawaiian community.

The annual Onipa’a march commemorated 132 years since Queen Liliuokalani was ousted from the throne of the Hawaiian kingdom in an illegal overthrow.

“I think that this is a very important time for us to remember what happened in 1893 with the overthrow. She was so gracious to forgive — but we don’t forget. Mai poina ole,” Kumu Hula and cultural practitioner Vicky Holt Takamine said.

Thousands came together from the Native Hawaiian community, school groups, and other organizations to take part in the march that began at Mauna’ala, the royal mausoleum in Nu’uanu.

The masses weaved through the streets of Honolulu and concluded with a gathering at ‘Iolani palace.

“It’s beautiful to me. It’s heartwarming in showing our people are here. Our voices are being heard, cause I can hear them all the way in the back — and it’s just wonderful,” Waianae resident and Queen’s Court Attendant Kealaula Kapololu said.

This year’s march blended a sense of Hawaiian pride while also renewing the call for indigenous rights. Many acknowledge the progress made, but say there is still much needs to be done.

“The wrongs have not been righted. We are still at the highest level of health issues. We have the most people that are homeless. We have the most people that… don’t have enough food to eat — and keiki, and education… So we’re at the bottom of that totem pole, and I was like, we have to fix this,” Kumu Vicky said.

The day also highlighted issue like land rights, occupation, and clean water access. Ernie Lau of the board of water supply was among the speakers.

Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett was at the first Onipa’a march 32 years ago, and remembered speaking after respected Hawaiian scholar, the late Haunani-Kay Trask.

“From 1993 till now, of course it has grown, but it has to grow more. And more people should be become involved to do the right thing. You cannot live in Hawaii and not perpetuate what is right and what should be done,” he said.

From keiki to kupuna, the day was chance for the lahui to come together and show that Hawaiian culture is alive and well.

“Until the last kanaka maoli takes the last breath, we will fight, we will fight, and we will continue to fight for pono. For justice of our land and our people,” Kumu Kawaikapuokalani added.

Participants encouraged more people to attend next year. The march always happens on Jan. 17, the date of the overthrow

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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.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.