HPR News Staff

The County of Hawaiʻi is working to address public safety concerns on Waipiʻo Valley’s notoriously steep road. The Conversation spoke with Mayor Mitch Roth about balancing the different community interests, as well as the county’s timeline for road repairs.

For the first time, the competition will take place over two days. Women and some of the men's age groups will compete on Thursday. The rest of the men will race on Saturday.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will receive up to $40 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for researchers to help local farmers, ranchers and foresters implement sustainable, climate-smart practices.

The Waipiʻo Valley lookout on Hawaiʻi Island has become a flashpoint in recent weeks in a community debate about public access and conservation. Two weeks ago, the county allowed some residents and county-sanctioned tours back into the valley after seven months of closures. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote has more.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded HPU $3.35 million for its Hoʻokō Project. It aims to provide qualified undergraduates with enhanced advising and tutoring — as well as free textbooks and summer tuition for their first two years.

The program seeks to encourage and inspire the next generation of local film critics, commentators and young entrepreneurs. Applications are due Wednesday, Oct. 5.

The increase is part of a series of hikes that will eventually raise Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage to $18 an hour in 2028.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz says the money will go exclusively to Title I schools where more than half the student populations are considered to be living in poverty.

Two University of Hawaiʻi projects will use federal funds to support underserved students and family engagement in education. HPR’s Casey Harlow has more.

U.S. arrivals continue to make up a majority of visitors coming to the islands. However, there is still no word on which agency will take charge of the lucrative domestic marketing contract.