Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today:
Your Weather Planner
It will remain breezy today, with showers favoring windward and Mauka locations. Tropical Storm Hone continues to track west toward the southern islands and looks to pass south near the Big Island late Saturday through early Sunday, bringing the potential for heavy rain, damaging winds and large surf.
The strong and gusty easterly winds will persist through Monday as Hone passes south of the smaller islands.
Trade winds will become moderate to breezy early next week as Hone tracks away from the state and Gilma approaches.
Watch the latest news from across the country.
Today's Big Stories
1. Tropical Storm Hone is strengthening; looks to pass close to the Big Island this weekend
Tropical Storm Hone formed on Thursday, Aug. 22, in the Central Pacific Ocean. Tropical Storm Hone formed in the Central Pacific Ocean on Thursday, Aug. 22. It has winds of 50 mph and is about 500 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The 50 mph winds extend 115 miles outward of the center.
It is tracking west at 16 mph and could pass just south of the Big Island over the weekend. Turn on notifications in the Spectrum News app to keep up with watches and warnings.
2. City demolishes two Makiki 'hoarder homes'
After years of neighborhood complaints, the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting moved ahead Thursday with the demolition of two condemned “hoarder homes” on Pensacola Street. The houses, situated on one lot at 1421 Pensacola St., were heavily damaged by a fire in 2020. The structures have become filled with discarded items and other junk. The lot itself is overrun with trash and debris.
3. Maui director placed on leave during conflict-of-interest investigation
Maui Office of Economic Development director Luana Mahi, whose ties to a pair of nonprofit organizations that won nearly $1.4 million in county grants that were deemed a conflict of interest by the Maui Board of Ethics last month, has been placed on leave with pay pending further investigation of her case.
4. HIDOE restores nine more suspended school bus routes
The Hawaii State Department of Transportation is reinstating another nine previously suspended school bus routes in East Hawaii Island and Upcountry Maui, effective Aug. 26.
The resumption will restore transportation service to nearly 200 student bus riders at nine schools.
Your Notes for the weekend
Saturday, Aug. 24
- NASA Administrator announces Boeing Starliner Spacecreaft return decision. This follows the conclusion of an internal Agency Test Flight Readiness Review.
- Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack campaigns on behalf of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in Wisconsin.
- 2024 Library of Congress National Book Festival celebrating the theme 'Books Build Us Up'. This year's author lineup includes Sandra Cisneros, James S.A. Corey, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Max Greenfield, Tamron Hall, Abby Jimenez, Casey McQuiston, James McBride, James Patterson, Lish Steiling and Rebecca Yarros.
- NCAA College Football Season technically begins (known as Week 0). Featured game is Florida State taking on GA Tech at 12p ET in Ireland.
Sunday, Aug. 26
- Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance attends campaign fundraising events in New York state, including afternoon event in Southampton and dinner event in East Hampton.
- Burning Man begins. The festival of art and self-expression that traditionally culminates with the burning of a large wooden effigy returns to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. It will run through Monday, 2 Sept.
- First leg of the Paralympic Torch Relay : the torch leaves Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of paralympic sport in the UK, and crosses the Channel Tunnel to reach Calais. The torches will arrive in Paris on 28 Aug.
In Case You Missed It
The Lahainaluna football team performed the school's alma mater after a game against Baldwin at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku on Sept. 30, 2023. It was the team's first game after wildfires destroyed much of Lahaina town. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Lahainaluna football featured in NFL's season-opening campaign ad 'This is Football Country'
The Lahainaluna football team continues to appear in the national spotlight more than a year since the wildfire disaster that destroyed much of its hometown and killed more than 100 people.
Lunas players were featured as part of an ad campaign by the NFL for the upcoming 2024 season, called “This is Football Country.”
The 60-second spot, which went up online last weekend, opens with Lunas players gathered together in their locker room singing the school alma mater. It then cuts to a view of the Lahaina hillside above the historic town.
