Hawaiʻi received a $188.9 million federal grant to improve rural healthcare, focusing on access, staffing, and digital infrastructure, as part of a five-year transformation plan.

The Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi's 15th annual Music and Book Sale in mid-January offers various items to benefit public libraries, with opportunities for volunteering.

State officials say they will revive the Beach and Water Safety Task Force after reporting flagged long-running gaps in signage and swim access. Lifeguards and health officials want more signs, swim lessons and modern alerts.

Hawaii's children are casting votes for the 2026 Nēnē Award to choose their favorite chapter book and graphic novel from 30 nominees. The winners will be announced in spring.

The Protect Kahoolawe 'Ohana marked 50 years of activism to stop military bombings on Kahoolawe, focusing on engaging the next generation in stewardship and cultural preservation.

Immersion classrooms have doubled in number while certified Kaiapuni teachers remain in short supply, prompting petitions, protests and a debate over how to train more kumu. Parents in Pearl City are among those pushing for local middle- and high-school options.

Dr. Trina Orimoto was selected for the APA's Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, recognizing her contributions to psychological leadership and gender equity.

The Women’s Community Correctional Center held a Christmas event for incarcerated women and their families, aiming to maintain familial connections and potentially reduce recidivism.

Honolulu's ENV introduced a new $11 million UV disinfection system at the Kailua Wastewater Plant, enhancing ocean water safety and reducing chemical use.

New legislative filings show hundreds of people leave Hawaii prisons and jails without the IDs they need to find housing or work. Officials blame timing rules, agency bottlenecks and missing equipment.

Hawaiʻi updates parentage laws for LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, effective Jan. 1, 2026, with Act 298 replacing gendered terms and simplifying parental recognition.

Due to limited firecracker supplies, Kaua'i Fire Department paused online permit issuance, affecting New Year celebrations. Despite inventory issues, safety and regulations remain a priority.

Homeowners in Hawaiian Paradise Park voted to halt a mailbox-park project after workers uncovered a lava tube and ancestral remains at the site. The move pauses one of four mailbox parks and sets up state review.