HPR News Staff

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake has rocked the southern Philippines, killing at least 35 people. Most of the deaths occurred in Sarangani province due to a landslide. The quake struck Monday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering small tsunamis.

State Department of Human Services Director Ryan Yamane, a former state lawmaker, sent an email to staff Tuesday that he was retiring that day.

A Maui County pilot program on Moloka’i is offering homeowners up to $100,000 in exchange for deed restrictions on their property.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announced that she will take a leave of absence, without pay, indefinitely. Gov. Josh Green has named Keith Regan, the state comptroller, as acting lieutenant governor.

Luke ends her campaign a few months after she denied being the "influential lawmaker" who took $35,000 in a paper bag during a meeting cited in a federal bribery case.

The Trump administration has announced that federal disaster assistance is available to help with recovery efforts following two Kona low storm systems that hit last month.

The Lāhui foundation is going into impacted neighborhoods to reach families who might not have been able to communicate or drive to a donation hub.

Boulders crashed down on Kamehameha Highway near Waimea Bay on Oʻahu. Traffic is down to one lane while the Transportation Department works to stabilize the ground above the highway.

Concerns for most of the state remain largely because of ground saturation from the extent and intensity of recent storm activity.

A Maui anesthesiologist accused of trying to kill his wife during a cliffside hike near a popular scenic lookout on Oʻahu has been found guilty of attempted manslaughter. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 13.