Hawaii
This Hawaii Flight Emergency Looks Different Over The Pacific
Many Hawaii-bound travelers now board with at least one power bank in their carry-on. We plug in our personal devices and then settle into a flight where the nearest runway may still be up to three hours away if something starts smoking in the cabin.
That risk is no longer theoretical. A passenger’s portable charger reportedly caught fire this week on a United flight between Zurich and Newark. The crew turned toward London, and the aircraft was on the ground at Heathrow about 35 minutes later. On a Hawaii flight, that clock runs very differently.
Hawaii flights are safe. The harder question is what happens when a cabin emergency involves the one item nearly everyone now brings onboard, and the nearest runway is hours away instead of minutes.
The flight diversion ended quickly.
According to The Aviation Herald, the aircraft was a United Boeing 767, and the passenger whose power back caught fire was seated in premium economy. Emergency vehicles at Heathrow met the aircraft after landing.
The aircraft was operating over Europe, surrounded by airports and densely packed airspace, with a runway available once the crew turned toward London. The Pacific almost uniquely changes that equation because even a safe, controlled diversion can still leave passengers and crew airborne for hours before reaching a runway.
Hawaii flights operate under a very different reality.
Hawaii routes operate under strict long-range overwater requirements, and airlines always remain within approved diversion ranges throughout flights. Pilots continuously monitor alternate airports, fuel burn, weather systems, and aircraft performance when crossing the Pacific to and from Hawaii, and modern aircraft are designed specifically around this type of flying.
A Hawaii flight halfway between California and Honolulu, or a redeye returning overnight to the mainland, can remain hours from landing after a diversion is called for. Anyone who flies to and from Hawaii likely has given this some thought.
After two hours in flight, we are already wondering whether we are closer to the mainland or to the islands. That is because when anything goes wrong, the airplane will be heading in one direction or the other.
By the third hour of an overnight to the mainland, most of the cabin is asleep, often with phones and tablets plugged into power banks around them. Bags are packed under seats. The map screen still shows water in every direction. That is the part of the flight where a smoke event becomes a multi-hour event, not a 35-minute one.
Why airlines worry so much about power banks now.
Lithium battery fires pose a different challenge from ordinary cabin fires because the battery itself can continue generating heat even after visible flames appear to be extinguished. This thermal runaway is a chain reaction inside the battery cell that can keep reigniting unless the device is cooled and isolated.
Hawaii routes have already seen their own reminders about just how this works. In 2024, Hawaiian Airlines Flight 26 between Honolulu and Portland experienced an onboard iPad fire, and the response in the air raised hard questions about how prepared crews actually are when a battery goes into thermal runaway in a packed cabin.
Flight attendants are trained not simply to put out the initial flare-up, but to continue monitoring and cooling the device for the remainder of the flight. Many airlines now carry thermal containment bags designed specifically for overheating electronics, and crews may spend significant time managing a single damaged battery after the initial emergency appears over.
The industry has also seen these incidents emerge through increasingly ordinary situations. That includes devices that slip into reclining seat mechanisms and become crushed during flight. Chargers overheat during continuous use. Damaged batteries continue being used after swelling or impact damage.
Airlines understand that the overwhelming majority of lithium batteries pose no problems. The concern is scale. Nearly every passenger now travels with multiple high-capacity batteries, and Hawaii flights combine long durations, overwater flying, overnight operations, and cabins filled with continuously charging electronics.
Three hours can feel very different than 35 minutes.
A smoke event onboard a European flight may mean the airplane is parked at the gate before passengers fully process what happened. On a Hawaii route, the same event can unfold under very different conditions, even when the crew responds perfectly, and the aircraft remains fully under control.
Picture a darkened overnight flight between Honolulu and the mainland, with the seatbelt sign illuminated above sleeping passengers. A faint smoke smell drifts into part of the cabin, nearby travelers begin looking around to understand where it is coming from, and flight attendants move quickly through the aisle carrying gloves, water bottles, and containment equipment.
Someone several rows away is told to unplug a device, while another passenger suddenly realizes the smell may be coming from a backpack pushed beneath a nearby seat. Outside the window, there are no visible city lights, highways, or coastline below, only darkness and open ocean stretching across the moving map screen.
Modern crews train extensively for exactly these situations, and commercial aviation remains remarkably safe. What changes is the sense of time, because passengers understand the airplane may still remain airborne for hours after the diversion decision happens.
The crew may be doing everything right and the battery may already be contained, yet the flight can still have hours left before anyone steps onto a runway.
Airlines are tightening the rules.
Airlines are becoming more aggressive about portable charger policies, especially on longer and overwater routes. Southwest already requires power banks to remain visible while in use, with no charging inside bags or overhead bins, and other carriers are thought to be moving quickly in the same direction.
As we covered previously in New Inflight Portable Charger Ban Reaches Hawaii Route December 15, airlines increasingly view portable power banks as one of the highest-risk personal items regularly brought onboard. Long, overwater flying is where much of that enforcement is appearing first, and travelers should expect more restrictions ahead, not fewer.
What this means for the next time you fly to Hawaii.
For most Hawaii travelers, the practical takeaway is simple. Carry fewer spare batteries and keep portable power banks where you can see them, rather than buried inside luggage. Editor Jeff likes to keep his visible in his seat pocket.
Recently, more announcements include something to the effect that if a device becomes unusually hot, starts swelling, smells odd, or slips into a seat mechanism, to tell a flight attendant immediately rather than trying to handle it privately. Cabin crews would far rather respond early to a small problem than discover it later after smoke appears in the cabin.
The crew wants exactly what passengers want on a Hawaii flight: a long, uneventful crossing where nothing memorable happens. Portable chargers offer a new type of concern that is just now being addressed.
Have you ever known of issues with portable chargers on a flight?
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Hawaii is home to a wide range of towns that give older adults relaxing ways to enjoy their retirement years. Across the islands, retirees can find communities with easy access to healthcare and outdoor recreation. Coastal towns like Kailua-Kona and Līhuʻe offer ocean views and nearby medical care. Inland communities such as Waimea and Makawao provide cooler weather and an easier rhythm. Retirees may be drawn to smaller places with a strong community feel, while those wanting more services may prefer regional hubs like Hilo. Together, these Hawaiian towns offer a mix of natural beauty and everyday comforts.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona is a coastal town on the Big Island of Hawaii with fewer than 25,000 residents. It continues to attract retirees thanks to its warm weather and ocean access. Areas like Kealakehe and Holualoa are still growing, with new subdivisions adding more housing options for people who want to stay long-term.
Most medical care is provided by the nearby Kona Community Hospital, and clinics throughout the Kona district offer additional services. Some of the main landmarks are Kailua Pier, Huliheʻe Palace, Kamakahonu Beach, and Kona Commons Shopping Center. These spots help residents stay active year-round.
Hilo
Hilo is a well-known retirement-friendly community on Hawaii Island, known for being easy to walk around. With about 48,000 residents, according to recent Census data, Hilo is a regional center for healthcare, education, and government services, which helps create long-term stability for residents.
Hilo Benioff Medical Center is the main hospital for East Hawaii and provides most of the area’s healthcare. There are also outpatient and senior care services, such as the nearby Life Care Center of Hilo.
People in Hilo often spend time at places like Wailoa River State Recreation Area, Hilo Farmers Market, Liliʻuokalani Gardens, and Rainbow Falls. These spots are close to neighborhoods like Waiākea and Keaukaha.
Waimea
Waimea is a small inland town on Hawaii Island with fewer than 10,000 residents. Because it sits at a higher elevation, the weather is cooler, with daytime temperatures usually between 70 and 80°F and nights that feel much cooler.
Residents have access to healthcare through local clinics and services linked to Queen’s North Hawai’i Community Hospital in Waimea, which provides essential care for the area. The town has strong connections to Parker Ranch, one of the country’s largest ranches, as well as nearby ranchlands. Waimea attracts retirees who want a quieter inland setting, strong community organizations, and fewer people.
Līhuʻe
Līhuʻe serves as Kauai’s administrative and service center and has fewer than 10,000 residents. The town plays a central role in healthcare and government operations across the island. It is just 30 minutes from Hanapepe and offers retirees a small-town feel, with natural scenery all around.
Wilcox Medical Center is the largest hospital on the island and provides care for residents throughout Kauai. Notable landmarks include Kalapaki Beach, Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai Museum, and Kilohana Plantation. Together, these sites support recreation, tourism, and community events across the area.
Kapa’a
Kapaʻa sits on the east side of Kauai and has about 11,000 residents. It is easy to get around on foot, with everything you could need close by. The town serves as both a place to live and a hub for businesses in the area.
Residents can access healthcare at local clinics such as The Clinic at Kapaa or at Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe. Some well-known spots in Kapaʻa are Kapaʻa Beach Park, the Sleeping Giant Trail, Coconut Marketplace, and Wailua River State Park. Coconut Marketplace has a Farmer’s Market twice a week, plus live local music. Hula classes and shows are also a local favorite offered at Coconut Marketplace.
Kailua
Kailua is a residential area on the windward side of Oahu with fewer than 50,000 residents. The town is known for its easy access to beaches and well-established neighborhoods such as Enchanted Lake and Coconut Grove.
Residents have access to healthcare through nearby hospitals in the Honolulu area. Adventist Health Castle, which is located in Kailua, is one of the main options. In addition, Kalapawai Market is a local favorite to grab coffee, ube scones, and other treats.
Kailua is home to many beaches for swimming and watersports, including Kailua Beach Park. Lanikai Beach is a public beach within a residential neighborhood, with no lifeguards, restrooms, or public parking lot. For walking and biking, Kawainui Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is a popular dog-friendly wildlife sanctuary with a scenic trail.
Haleʻiwa
Hale’iwa is known for its slower pace and strong connection to Oahu’s North Shore coastline. This historic North Shore town is said to be the quirkiest and has a population of under 5,000. It maintains a small commercial core while serving nearby rural communities.
Healthcare is available through clinics in Waialua and through The Queen’s Medical Center – Wahiawā in central Oahu.
Notable landmarks in Haleʻiwa include Haleʻiwa Beach Park, a popular spot for fishing and sunset views, and Waimea Bay, known for its large winter surf and summer swimming conditions. The nearby Banzai Pipeline draws surfers from around the world during big-wave season on Oahu’s North Shore. Residents also spend time at Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park, which has picnic areas and shoreline walking paths.
Wahiawa
Wahiawa is a central Oahu community with a population of roughly 17,000. It sits between the island’s north and south regions, and provides a quieter inland setting while still allowing access to both Oahu’s north and south coasts.
Healthcare in Wahiawa is available through in-town facilities, such as The Queen’s Medical Center – Wahiawā.
Local landmarks include Lake Wilson, where residents fish and kayak, and the Wahiawa Botanical Garden, known for its large tropical trees and walking paths. Nearby Schofield Barracks remains one of the largest military installations in Hawaii and shapes much of the area’s economy. Residents also rely on Whitmore Village for local businesses, neighborhood services, and access to agricultural areas outside town.
Makawao
Makawao is a small town in upcountry Maui with fewer than 10,000 residents. Its higher elevation gives the area cooler temperatures than much of coastal Maui, especially during the evenings.
Makawao maintains a rural atmosphere while still keeping residents close to shopping and healthcare in nearby Kahului and central Maui for routine and specialized care.
Residents enjoy art galleries, and nearby access routes to Haleakalā National Park, which draw both residents and visitors into Maui’s upland landscapes. The community also gathers around Oskie Rice Event Center, which hosts rodeos and local events throughout the year, while Pukalani Country Club provides golf and recreation with views of central Maui.
Pāhoa
Pāhoa is a small town on Hawaii Island with fewer than 1,000 residents. The community has a slower pace of life and a strong local character shaped by East Hawaii’s volcanic landscape. Residents access healthcare through clinics in nearby Hilo and facilities connected to Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation in East Hawaii.
Local landmarks include Lava Tree State Monument, where lava formations surround walking paths through tropical forest, and the historic downtown which still contains several older storefronts and small local businesses such as Tin Shack Bakery. Nearby Pohoiki Black Sand Beach has become a popular coastal gathering area following recent volcanic activity, while the former Ahalanui Park site (destroyed by the Kīlauea lava flow in 2018) remains an important part of the region’s history and shoreline identity.
Honoka’a
Honokaʻa is a small plantation-era town on the Big Island of Hawaii. With fewer than 3,000 residents, its historic main street reflects its sugar industry past with preserved storefronts and a compact town center that still serves the surrounding Hamakua Coast communities.
Residents access healthcare through Queen’s North Hawai’i Community Hospital in nearby Waimea, which provides essential services for the region.
Along the main corridor, residents frequent shops such as Tex Drive-In, known for its malasadas, and Cafe Il Mondo, a long-running local café. The nearby Kalōpā State Recreation Area offers forest trails and native vegetation, while the Hamakua Coast provides scenic coastal drives with waterfalls and ocean views. Routes toward Akaka Falls connect the town to one of the island’s most visited natural landmarks.
Hawaii Retirement Across the Islands
Retirement spots in Hawaii are found across the islands, each with its own pace of life. Towns like Kailua-Kona and Līhuʻe keep residents close to healthcare, services, and coastal scenery, while places such as Waimea, Makawao, and Honokaʻa offer quieter inland settings with strong local character. Others, including Hilo, Kapaʻa, and Haleʻiwa, balance everyday conveniences with beaches, parks, markets, and community gathering places. As people in Hawaii look for more space, fewer crowds, and reliable access to care, these towns show how varied retirement living can be across the state.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A new optical illusion is taking shape in Kalihi.
Commissioned by Kamehameha Schools, the mural will feature plants and trees native to the area. The artwork aims to highlight how forestry can exist within urban areas.
Coincidentally, the new artwork sits adjacent to one of Kalihi’s most famous murals: Wave 01/101.
The artist Kai’ili Kaulukukui plays with depth and shadow, creating an optical illusion on the flat face of a building.
“The painting style is called ” trompe-l’œil”, it means ‘trick the eye’,” says Kaulukukui. “It’s been around for 2000 years. They have images of trompe-l’œil style murals at Pompeii, so it’s a very old style.”
Kaulukukui said he’s always been intrigued by the art style, though this is his first time painting it.
“They’re both kind of environmental themed murals,” he said. “This is bringing an image of what a forest could look like in the city. That is like an homage to Pipeline and our beautiful waves that we have here.”
The 55-foot-tall mural is expected to be completed by Sunday, May 31.
After this project, Kaulukukui will start an ocean-themed mural just one street over, bringing a bit more nature into urban Honolulu.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
A former Hawaii County housing development specialist was sentenced Thursday in federal court to 46 months in prison for taking bribes to facilitate a multimillion-dollar affordable housing credits scam.
Alan Scott Rudo, 59, who now lives in Cathedral City, Calif., was given until July 9 to surrender to the federal Bureau of Prisons when he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jill Otake in Honolulu.
Otake also ordered Rudo to pay $483,265 in a forfeiture judgment.
In a deal with prosecutors, Rudo pleaded guilty in August 2022 to conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and admitted to accepting about $1.9 million in bribes from Hilo attorneys Paul Sulla Jr. and Gary Zamber and former Big Island businessman Rajesh Budhabhatti, who now lives in Morrow Bay, Calif.
In return, Rudo agreed to use his official position in the Office of Housing and Community Development to ensure the county approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs) benefiting the defendants’ development companies, Luna Loa Developments LLC, West View Developments LLC and Plumeria at Waikoloa LLC.
Through those AHAs, the development companies fraudulently raked in more than $11 million worth of land and excess affordable housing credits (AHCs).
Sulla, 79, Zamber, 56, and Budhabhatti, 65, were charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and nine counts of honest services wire fraud. Sulla was also charged with money laundering.
Rudo was the prosecution’s star witness at their trial, and on June 4, 2025, a federal jury in Honolulu convicted all three on all charges.
Zamber was sentenced on Jan. 30 to 70 months in prison. Budhabhatti was sentenced on Feb. 6 to 90 months in prison. And Sulla was sentenced on April 23 to 60 months in prison.
Zamber’s and Sulla’s law licenses also have been suspended, prohibiting them from practicing law in Hawaii.
“This sentencing marks the closing of an unfortunate chapter and underscores the importance of strong internal controls, clear segregation of duties, and effective program oversight,” said county Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa in a statement. “The Office of Housing and Community Development remains committed to strengthening accountability and program integrity through enhanced compliance monitoring, improved documentation practices, and continued staff professional development.
“We are proud of the work undertaken to implement stronger safeguards, increase transparency, and reinforce public trust in the delivery of affordable housing programs serving Hawaii Island communities.”
A series of articles by Hilo resident Pat Tummons in her Environment Hawaii newsletter exposed questionable dealings in OHCD that ultimately led to an FBI investigation that resulted in these convictions.
When announcing charges in July 2022, then-U.S. Attorney Clare Connors praised the reporting by Environment Hawaii that first raised red flags about Rudo’s and his co-defendants’ schemes and, she said, led a county employee to alert the FBI.
The resultant public flap caused the County Council to order an internal audit, which in 2013 found OHCD had “inadequate internal controls” over its affordable housing credits program.
Costa said OHCD has since “strengthened internal controls, enhanced oversight and compliance monitoring, improved documentation and review procedures, expanded staff training, and implemented additional safeguards to support greater accountability, transparency, and long-term program integrity.”
Email John Burnett at john.burnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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