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Watch: Drone highlights Maui flooding after powerful storm rakes Hawaiian islands

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Watch: Drone highlights Maui flooding after powerful storm rakes Hawaiian islands


MAUI, Hawaii — A powerful storm in Hawaii this week that left flights grounded, trees felled and vacation beach plans ruined also left a trail of flooding in its wake.

Drone video from the county of Maui released Friday shows some of the flooding aftermath on the south part of the island after as much as 6-10 inches of rain fell Thursday.

HAWAII SLAMMED BY TRIPLE THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, BLISTERING WIND AND BLIZZARD-LIKE SNOW

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“South Kīhei Road’s history as a natural wetland once allowed it to receive rainwater and manage seasonal runoff from Haleakalā,” the county of Maui said. “Urban development, however, encroached into these wetlands, reducing the land’s natural flood control and making flooding experienced by development more common. Despite these changes, the area retains its natural flood-prone state during heavy rains.”

The island reported multiple water main breaks, affecting drinking supply in some neighborhoods. All Maui County pools, sports playing fields, tennis and basketball courts and stadiums, including the Waiehu Golf Course, remain closed due to storm-related impacts, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Aside from the heavy rains, powerful winds gusting over 60 mph in the lowlands left over 50,000 people without power and multiple trees down.

That included this unlucky driver in Honolulu who came to find a large tree had smashed into his rear windshield.

At least one rock slide was also reported on Maui, with a giant boulder blocking a travel lane of the Kahekili Highway.

Strong winds were seen partially blowing the shingles off a roof in Kaneohe, along the windward coast of Oahu.

Hawaii issued a ground stop for all interisland flights on Thursday for a few hours as the storms raged, with four flights being diverted to Lihue, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

Boaters fared no better as the National Weather Service in Honolulu issued multiple marine warnings throughout the storm advising of strong winds, lightning and even potential waterspouts.

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But even boats docked on shore were not immune from the storm impacts. The U.S. Coast Guard reports a 65-foot commercial catamaran broke free of its mooring on the north side of Honolua Bay in Maui early Friday morning and smashed into rocks, running around.

Maui firefighters were able to help safely get four crewmembers on board to shore. Another 38-foot boat ran aground onto a sand bottom near Maui’s Kihei.

The winds were even higher – reaching well beyond hurricane force – along the mountain peaks. A communications tower atop the summit of Maui’s Haleakala around 10,000 feet recorded a gust of 120 mph. 



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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.

Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.

Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.

She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.

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She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.



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Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii gets nearly 0 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaiian announces 0 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

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Hawaiian Airlines today announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft.

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Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ahead of today’s announcement at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that other improvements will include better apps, a better website that will make it easier for passengers to change flights, among other things that also include better integration with Alaska Airlines, which acquired Hawaiian in 2024, making it a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

“We have pushed a lot of change through the system for the last couple of months,” Rakow said. “We’re working on integrating our ticketing systems because right now we’re on two separate ticketing systems that don’t talk to each other.”

After late April, she said, booking on the shared Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air ticketing system “will be much more seamless.”

In announcing the renovations and changes, Hawaiian pledged “a significantly smoother guest experience … once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April.”

Right now, Rakow acknowledged, “unfortunately there is some friction.”

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“There’s been so many changes and all of that friction is really painful,” she said. “We are committed to making sure we are addressing the issues. … We are certainly not perfect, but we are committed to working together. … Really, after April, it is going to improve significantly.”

Each island airport also will see renovated lobbies and gates designed to increase comfort, provide better seating and amenities such as improved power charging.

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Daniel K. Inouye International also will get a new 10,600-square-foot lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.

And starting in 2028, Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330s will get new seats, carpets, lighting, business class suites, a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement ahead of today’s announcement that, “Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaiʻi needs. Modern, welcoming airports improve the experience for residents and visitors alike, strengthen our economy and keep Hawaiʻi competitive as a global destination. We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership in advancing workforce development, regenerative tourism, clean energy, and community programs that reflect the values of our islands.”

The New Year began with a .75% increase in Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax that will help the state fight climate change.

Rakow said that Hawaiian is working to better inform inbound passengers about how to respect Hawaii’s culture and environment.

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Hawaiian said it will continue to support “programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.”

The airline also said it will fund grants to nonprofit organizations “promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation, and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation.”




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