Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fire

HONOLULU (AP) — As unpredictable wildfires roared across Maui last August, the head of the emergency management agency dragged his heels about returning to the island amid the unfolding crisis, while a broad communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without emergency...

Takeaways from this week's reports on the deadly 2023 Maui fire that destroyed Lahaina

HONOLULU (AP) — More than half a year after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century burned through a historic Maui town, officials are still trying to determine exactly what went wrong and how to prevent similar catastrophes in the future. But two reports released this week are filling...

Emergency chief decided to return to Maui only after deadly fire had burned for 5 hours, amid broader communication woes

No injuries when small plane lands in sprawling park in middle of Hawaii's Waikiki tourist mecca

HONOLULU (AP) — A small plane landed in a sprawling Honolulu park Tuesday and the two people on board were not injured, officials said. The plane “lost power and landed safely” in Kapiolani Park, in the heart of tourist-mecca Waikiki, said Scott Humber, a spokesperson for the...

Maui Fire Department report on deadly wildfire details need for more equipment and mutual aid plans

HONOLULU (AP) — When wildfires broke out across Maui last August, some firefighters carried victims piggyback over downed power lines to safety and sheltered survivors inside their engines. Another drove a moped into a burning neighborhood again and again, whisking people away from danger one at...

Maui's mayor prioritizes housing and vows to hire more firefighters after Lahaina wildfire

HONOLULU (AP) — Maui's mayor says he is prioritizing housing, evaluating evacuation routes and hiring more firefighters as his Hawaii community recovers from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. Mayor Richard Bissen outlined the steps in emotional remarks more than...

Heavy rain across Kauai prompts rescues from floodwater, but no immediate reports of injuries

HONOLULU (AP) — Several people on the Hawaiian island of Kauai needed to be rescued from floodwaters during heavy rain, authorities said Friday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries. Heavy rain beginning Thursday afternoon prompted the closure of public schools Friday...

Hawaii says it's safe to surf and swim in Lahaina's coastal waters after wildfire

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii authorities say coastal waters off the wildfire-stricken town of Lahaina pose no significant risk to human health and it's safe to surf and swim there. The state Department of Health announced the decision Thursday after reviewing water sampling test results...

Hawaii-born sumo champion Akebono Taro dies of heart failure at the age of 54 in Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Hawaii-born Akebono Taro, one of the greats of sumo wrestling and a former grand champion, has died. He was 54. He was the first foreign-born wrestler to reach the level of “yokozuna” — or grand champion — in Japan. “It is with sadness that we announce...

Jackpot claimed: What AP knows so far about the $1.3 billion Powerball win

Someone in Oregon has claimed the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot won last weekend, which is the eighth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. Should the winner of Sunday's drawing forgo the rarely claimed option of a payout over 30 years, the lump-sum before taxes would be $621...