Sophia McCullough

New year, new legislative session. Lawmakers, lobbyists and engaged citizens gathered at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol in Honolulu this morning to kick off the 2025 session. Some of HPR's news team spent the day alongside attendees. Here's what they saw.

A 3-year-old boy has died from injuries received at the New Year's Eve fireworks explosion in Oʻahu's Salt Lake-Āliamanu neighborhood. He is the fourth fatality so far, according to local officials.

Six victims of the New Year’s fireworks explosion at a home in Āliamanu will be transported to the continental U.S. for further medical treatment. The Honolulu Department of the Medical Examiner has identified two women who were killed: Nelie Ibarra, 58, and Jennifer Van, 23.

Hawaiʻi Public Radio brought you hundreds of stories from across the islands in 2024. But the stories behind the stories are sometimes as interesting as the finished product! From Ice Cream Aunties to a student-led climate change lawsuit, here are nine news stories HPR was eager to share with you this past year.

Landon McNamara, a local surfer and musician, won the 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational at Waimea Bay on Sunday.

José A. Fajardo led the statewide public radio organization for eight years, working to ensure its financial future as a debt-free operation and expanding its programming over the airwaves and online.

If you've driven along the highway into Lahaina over the last year, you may have seen the row of white crosses erected in honor of the 102 fire victims. Soakai Taufa is one of the many community volunteers who helped create the memorial. This week, something new was added to the site.

To mark one year since the fires, Hawaiʻi Public Radio reporters reconnected with survivors we encountered in the days and weeks immediately after the fires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui. We also heard from several new faces as they entered year two of rebuilding.

Coast guard members recall rescue efforts in Lahaina one year ago; Community land trust officers work to keep Lahaina lands in Lahaina hands

Do you play pickleball? Chances are you've asked or been asked this question in the past couple of years. This week, The Conversation has been sharing stories about pickleball from around the islands — the good, the bad, and the noisy.