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Hawaii Expands Free School Meal Eligibility to Support More Families

Hawaii Expands Free School Meal Eligibility to Support More Families

Hawaii's Department of Education has expanded eligibility for free school meals, allowing an additional 12,000 students to receive free meals in the upcoming school year. This change, enacted through Act 139, raises the income threshold to 300% of the federal poverty level, enabling families of four earning up to $113,000 annually to qualify. Previously, the cap was just under $50,000. This expansion aims to support working families who struggle with living costs but previously fell outside the eligibility criteria for assistance.
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Hurricane Fausto Enters Central Pacific, Approaches Hawai‘i

Hurricane Fausto Enters Central Pacific, Approaches Hawai‘i

Hurricane Fausto, the first hurricane of the season, has entered the Central Pacific and is currently located approximately 1,950 miles east of Hilo, Hawai‘i. The storm is moving westward at a speed of 13 mph (20.9 km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (129 km/h). According to the National Weather Service and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, hurricane-force winds extend up to 45 miles (72 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 185 miles (298 km). Small fluctuations in intensity are expected today, with a gradual weakening trend forecast over the weekend. While it is too early to determine the potential impacts on Hawai‘i, updates will be provided as the storm progresses.
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Community Control Of Kauaʻi Fishery In Hawaii Is Showing ‘Remarkable’ Results

Community Control Of Kauaʻi Fishery In Hawaii Is Showing ‘Remarkable’ Results

Kanoe Alapa‘i-Hashimoto and his father practice traditional fishing in Hawaii that focuses on sustainability
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Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu Recognized as Best Resort in Hawaii

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu Recognized as Best Resort in Hawaii

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu Recognized as Best Resort in Hawaii
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Hurricane Fausto strengthens into Category 2 storm, expected to approach Hawaiian Islands next week

Hurricane Fausto strengthens into Category 2 storm, expected to approach Hawaiian Islands next week

Forecasters say Hurricane Fausto has strengthened into a Category 2 storm in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to approach the Hawaiian Islands next week
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Southwest Airlines Introduces 'Reverse Red-Eye' Flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu

Southwest Airlines Introduces 'Reverse Red-Eye' Flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu

Southwest Airlines Introduces 'Reverse Red-Eye' Flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu
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Colorado Law Change Leads to Closure of Pueblo Classical Academy

Colorado Law Change Leads to Closure of Pueblo Classical Academy

Pueblo Classical Academy, a public school in Colorado, has announced its permanent closure following a state law change aimed at limiting the authorizing power of cooperative educational services. The school, which enrolled 260 K-12 students, was authorized by the Education reEnvisioned Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ERBOCES). The law change was prompted by controversies surrounding ERBOCES and its authorization of publicly funded homeschool enrichment programs. The closure follows the earlier shutdown of Riverstone Academy, another school authorized by ERBOCES.
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Seattle City Council Reverses Decision, Plans to Fund Universal School Meals

Seattle City Council Reverses Decision, Plans to Fund Universal School Meals

The Seattle City Council has announced a plan to fund universal school meals for the 2026-2027 school year using the city's general fund. This decision comes after a contentious committee meeting where an amendment was passed to delay the implementation of free school meals, leading to public backlash. Originally, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson proposed using funds from the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise Levy to provide free meals, with the expectation that Washington State would eventually cover the costs through a millionaires tax. However, the council's amendment shifted focus to a means-tested food voucher program, which faced criticism for potentially excluding some students. In response to public outcry, Council President Joy Hollingsworth and Councilmembers Dionne Foster and Dan Strauss have now committed to amending the city's budget to support universal meals, despite concerns about the general fund's $175 million deficit.
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Philippine Coast Guard Showcases EOD Skills at RIMPAC 2026

Philippine Coast Guard Showcases EOD Skills at RIMPAC 2026

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) participated in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise in Hawaii, marking its first involvement in this multinational event. The PCG demonstrated its explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capabilities, participating in various activities alongside the US Coast Guard, Mexican Navy, and other international forces. These activities included interdiction exercises, coordinated boarding drills, and a subject matter expert exchange focused on maritime law enforcement and interoperability. The PCG also took part in a multinational rigging and ordnance extraction exercise at Pearl Harbor, collaborating with EOD specialists from several countries.
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Schools Address Parental Concerns Over Children's Screen Time Management

Schools Address Parental Concerns Over Children's Screen Time Management

Schools are increasingly being called upon to assist parents in managing their children's screen time, as concerns grow over the impact of excessive technology use on academic performance and social skills. Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, highlights the challenges parents face in navigating a digital world not designed for children. Schools are urged to support parents by teaching digital literacy and healthy tech habits, while also reevaluating their own tech policies. A Pew Research Center survey indicates that many parents struggle to balance screen time with other priorities, such as ensuring adequate sleep and exercise for their children. The survey also reveals that a significant number of parents have purchased smartphones for their children, citing ease of communication as a primary reason.
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Supreme Court's Second Amendment Rulings Reinforce Individual Gun Rights

Supreme Court's Second Amendment Rulings Reinforce Individual Gun Rights

The Supreme Court has reinforced the Second Amendment's protection of individual gun rights through recent rulings. In the cases of United States v. Hemani and Wolford v. Lopez, the court ruled against disarming individuals solely for marijuana use and struck down Hawaii's presumptive ban on carrying firearms in public establishments. These decisions build on the precedent set by District of Columbia v. Heller and New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n, Inc. v. Bruen, which established a two-step test for evaluating Second Amendment cases. The test requires that any law restricting gun rights must be justified by historical precedent. The court's recent decisions emphasize the importance of adhering to the original understanding of the Second Amendment and reject interest-balancing approaches that weigh modern policy goals against constitutional rights.