Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today:
Your Weather Planner
The forecast stays mostly dry and stable throughout the weekend. Winds will be light from the east to southeast with limited shower coverage. Low shower chances favor windward areas at night, and interior and leeward areas during the afternoon when the sea breeze develops. Rain chances could increase next week, especially across the western end of the state.
Watch the latest news from across the country.
Today's Big Stories
1. AG coalition files motion to unfreeze FEMA funding
State attorney general Anne Lopez and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general filed a motion this week to compel the Trump administration to unfreeze Federal Emergency Management Agency funding necessary for the continued operation of a program that connects Maui wildfire survivors with disaster case managers.
The motion asserts that the funding disruption has negatively impacted the Hawaii Department of Human Services’ Disaster Case Management Program, which is funded by FEMA. According to the AG’s office, the program could be forced to discontinue service as early as April 4 if withheld funds are not released.
DCMP provides for wildfire survivors to receive assistance from specially trained disaster case managers to assess and address unmet disaster-related needs and create individualized disaster-recovery plans.
DCMP currently has 1,729 active cases, representing 4,431 individuals.
2. Hawaii DCCA urges 23AndMe customers to delete data following bankruptcy filing
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is urging 23andMe customers to take immediate action to protect their sensitive genetic information, following the company’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
Last weekend, the San Francisco-based genetic testing company announced it had filed for bankruptcy, citing debts exceeding $214.7 million as of the end of last year. 23andMe also announced plans to sell its assets, which could include customers' genetic data and other private information.
In response, the DCCA issued guidance for Hawaii consumers on how to delete or manage their genetic data stored with 23andMe to prevent potential misuse.
“Consumers can demand the removal and destruction of their genetic data from 23andMe,” stated OCP Executive Director Mana Moriarty in a statement. “The Office of Consumer Protection encourages all 23andMe customers to take action to safeguard their sensitive data against misuse or unauthorized exposure, which can lead to severe consequences such as identity theft and compromised privacy.”
3. Honolulu Civil Beat: Mufi Hannemann’s events spark inquiry into freebies from tourism agency
Concerns over possible inappropriate use of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority resources by two nonprofits led by HTA Chairman Mufi Hannemann have been turned over to the Attorney General’s Office and the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission for investigation.
HTA board members on Tuesday questioned Hannemann at length about the events hosted by HTA for Hannemann’s organizations.
The events are the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association’s public safety conference at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Dec. 6, 2023, and a meeting of the Pacific Century Fellows in HTA’s offices at the convention center on May 15.
HTA documents show HLTA and Pacific Century were supposed to pay for breakfasts served at those events that cost more than $14,000, Tokioka said in an interview.
“Mufi said he paid it, but there’s no record that he paid it,” Tokioka said.
Hannemann was Honolulu mayor from 2005 to 2010, and is now president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, which advocates for the hotel and tourism industries. He is also founder of the Pacific Century Fellows program, which bills itself as “Hawai‘i’s landmark leadership training program.”
Hannemann told board members Tuesday that HTA was a co-sponsor of the 2023 public safety conference, “and we paid. We paid for the food that was served to us there.”
4. Kauai's Tatiana Weston-Webb takes mental health break for rest of 2025 WSL season
The World Surf League announced Thursday that Kauai’s Tatiana Weston-Webb has withdrawn from the remainder of the 2025 Championship Tour schedule to focus on her mental health.
Weston-Webb, 28, represents Brazil in international competitions. She had competed in all three CT events so far this season with eight to go.
She registered a silver medal performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics surfing event at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, heading into this season. She was runner-up for the 2021 WSL world title, but had struggled to place high so far in 2025.
Weston-Webb said in a statement, “this has not been an easy time for me. I am incredibly grateful for everything I have achieved in surfing so far, and for the support I have always received from my sponsors, team, and fans … talking about mental health in sports is something I believe is important for all of us. I want to be honest with those who follow and support me by acknowledging that showing vulnerability does not make us weaker; on the contrary, it makes us more human and connected, and it also allows us to reach our full potential both in and out of competition."
5. Social Security Administration backtracks on some ID requirements after backlash
The Social Security Administration is partially backtracking on a plan that would require all new and existing beneficiaries to travel to a Social Security field office to verify their identity.
The Social Security Administration on Wednesday said that people applying for Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, or Supplemental Security Income who are not able to use agency's online portal, can complete their claim entirely over the phone instead of in person. Other SSA applicants will still be required to verify their identities at a field office.
The changes will apply to all beneficiaries beginning April 14th, instead of the previously announced date of March 31st.
"We have listened to our customers, Congress, advocates, and others, and we are updating our policy to provide better customer service to the country's most vulnerable populations," said Lee Dudek, SSA's acting commissioner of Social Security in a statement.
Dudek added that delaying the policy start date will help officials train employees on new procedures.
Your Notes for Tomorrow
Friday, March 28
- State Employment and Unemployment
- NCAA Men's Basketball Midwest Regional Sweet 16 round games
- NCAA Men's Basketball South Regional Sweet 16 round games
- International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ICCWS) games
In Case You Missed It
Lei draping on Friday honors King Kamehameha III
The Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts invites the community to take part in a lei draping ceremony to honor King Kamehameha III at his statue in Thomas Square at 9 a.m. on Friday.
The annual lei draping recognizes King Kamehameha III’s impact in the state, which includes the establishment of the Honolulu Fire Department — the oldest fire department west of the Mississippi River.
Kauikeaouli, King Kamehameha III, succeeded to the throne on June 16, 1825, at a young age and became the longest-reigning Hawaiian monarch. Another of his many contributions included establishing the public school system in 1840 that has played a key role in shaping the future of education throughout the state.
