Mauna Loa eruption continues, creating spectacle from afar
Mauna Loa’s first eruption in nearly 40 years marked its second day Tuesday with lava continuing to march across the mountain’s remote northeast rift zone toward Hawai‘i island’s saddle region. Star-Advertiser. Hawai‘i Public Radio. West Hawaii Today. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now. Maui Now. Associated Press. Kauai Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.
Mauna Loa eruption update webpage: USGS.

Resolving tourism marketing dispute will fall to incoming governor
Incoming Gov. Josh Green says he will broker a deal to end the dispute over how to market tourism to Hawai‘i. That’s despite the Ige administration’s last-ditch effort to have the contracts rebid. Hawaii News Now.

Japan tourism falling behind expectations
Visitors from Japan are only about 18% recovered from pre-­pandemic times, sparking concern that what was once the islands’ largest international market will drag down the state’s tourism economy into 2023. Star-Advertiser.

After-school programs have more funding but staffing, enrollment remain challenges
Beneficial after-school programs received millions in pandemic-relief funding, but more than 1,000 O‘ahu families are still waitlisted because of staffing shortages. Civil Beat.

State Board of Education framing early multiyear strategic plan
An early version of a new strategic plan to steer Hawai‘i’s public school system for the next five years or longer has been drafted and will be discussed Thursday at a special meeting of the state Board of Education. Star-Advertiser.

Climate change experts are taking lessons from Indigenous knowledge
A climate-related training for a United Nations delegation this week at Chaminade University will largely focus on such Indigenous-based approaches. Civil Beat.

Blangiardi vetoes Waikīkī noise amplification bill, saying it would be unenforceable
The ordinance would have restricted the use of speakers and other noise amplifiers to certain hours of the day, and require them to be farther than 30-feet from homes and hotels.  Hawai‘i Public Radio.

It is essential for Waikīkī and shoreline resort properties to prepare critical adaptation plans. As sea levels rise now and into the future, coastal natural hazard exposure is predicted to increase for properties close to the shoreline….. read more.

Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary receives prestigious award
The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries recently presented its annual Outstanding Sanctuary Award to Three Ring Ranch. Hawai‘i’s only accredited animal sanctuary was selected from more than 200 GFAS-certified sanctuaries worldwide for this honor. West Hawaii Today.

Hale Pono Youth Shelter is expected to open in spring
Renovations are underway for the two-story, 7,100-square-foot Hale Pono Youth Shelter, which will be open to youth of all genders ages 12 to 17 who are dealing with emotional or behavioral problems, truancy, domestic violence, trauma or other challenges. Maui News.

Lawsuit seeks to void race results, hold new election
A candidate and 30 voters have filed a complaint with the Hawai‘i Supreme Court asking that the results of the Maui County Council’s Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu residency seat race be voided and a new election be held over alleged violations of duties and state law by the county clerk, including improperly notifying those with deficient return envelopes. Maui News.