This Is Now (August 14, 2026)

Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us and let's go Bose. This podcast is sponsored by Long's Drugs. Download the CVS app today and make Longs a part of your day. First at noon, all eyes are on Tropical Storm Lala as moves closer to the islands expecting to strengthen into a hurricane by Saturday morning. Here's a live look at the satellite. Now for the latest on the track and the timeline for potential impacts, listen it over to Dan Cook with your first alert forecast, Dan. Ashley, thank you. The 11 o'clock update just a little while ago came from the National Hurricane Center, and it's putting it about 340 miles east, southeast of South Point, Hawaii here at the moment. Winds of 60 sustained, moving west-northwest at 14 miles an hour. I'm going to put it in motion 8 o'clock tonight. You can see strengthening, but still off to the southeast. 75 mile an hour makes it a hurricane at Saturday morning at 8 o'clock, and watch very closely. They have it crossing the eye crossing over the southern part of the Big Island. This could change, but right now it looks like the eye and the strongest winds of the storm are going to pass. So that means like Naalehu and Mili are going to get some really rough weather, maybe as far north as Captain Cook or Hon. Now on the west side, east side, up to volcano perhaps. But we're all going to see weather because you can see how big this storm has become with the main wind. wind, field, and rain field to the north. So a category one is it crosses the Big Island South Point, and then it will continue to weaken a bit as it moves south of the rest of us from Saturday, noontime, to Sunday morning. All of us are going to get some wind and rain. We'll try to talk about specific islands and forecasts when we get back in a few minutes, but right now let's send it back to Ashley. Thank you, Dan. And preparations are underway on Hawaii Island. Sandpiles are available at the Department of Public Works Hilo Baseyard. We want to go live now to Jonathan Masaki, who just literally touched down in Hilo for the latest on the conditions there. Hey Jonathan. At the Hilo International Airport, as far as we can tell right now, the operations are still very active here. About 20 minutes ago, we did see a Hawaiian airline flight leave. And about 10 minutes ago, a Southwest flight did depart from this area. And on arriving, we did see a FedEx plane just land. So for right now, the operations are very active at the Hilo International Airport. Now, we want to show you some video from inside the terminal. We went to look at the screens to see if there's going to be any mass cancellations posted. As of right now, we do not see that mass cancellation posted. within the terminal of the Hilo International Airport. Inside the terminal, though we did see preparations underway, there are sandbags that were laid out on the sidewalk there in anticipation of that flooding to come in to the terminal itself. Now, we also caught up with a couple of contractors who were working at UH Hilo. They were released early, so they came to the airport to try to get onto an earlier flight and tried to get home to Kauai before the storm hits. The news has been shown that there's a...

more of a threat increasing. So, I mean, we're just hoping we can get back to our families, you know, and not be stuck here. It would be ideal. Now, not being stuck here is the goal for tonight. Now, we're told from Hawaiian Airlines that several flights in the later part of the afternoon and the early evening have been canceled, you are advised to check in on the web or through Hawaiian Airlines customer service as to whether or not your flight is canceled. Now, we're told also from Southwest, they're not doing a mass cancellation type of thing, but they are issuing a flight advisory. So they're taking it flight by flight. Now, we're here at the commuter terminal right now, and we know specifically that Safari helicopters has informed. their customers, they will not be flying all weekend long. Mokulele as well as a blue Hawaiian helicopter counter is also closed. So for the most part, operations starting to wind down here at the Hilo International Airport. Reporting live from Hilo, I'm Jonathan Masaki. For how about your news now, Ashley, back to you. Thank you, Jonathan. State and county leaders are urging residents to get their families and properties prepared now ahead of the storm, which could bring torrential rain, strong winds, flooding, and high surf. We want to take you live now to a press conference with Mayor Blancheardi and other city officials. Let's listen in. So what we've seen in this... Unrelated to the storm right now, but we're seeing a south swell. We had a high surf advisory just recently. So the lifeguards on the south shores for the last few days have already been busy, making over 300 rescues and 7,000 preventative actions. So they're coming off a busy few days right into what we're expecting to be a busy weekend. While the south swell is going down, we are expecting an increase in surf. starting tomorrow as the storm comes south of us and then passes the island. The surf will come up very quickly. We're going to see ocean conditions and currents, waves change very quickly and unexpectedly. So our message today is just a word of caution. We want people to be prepared, be respectful, and just know that conditions can change at any time. With our preparations, ocean safety is being focused on all of our staffing around the island. We are staffing extra lifeguards in towers. We are staffing extra lifeguards on Jeskies. We are going to strategically locate extra Jeskies along the southern and eastern shores to respond to any emergencies that we see from the quickly rising surf, as well as potentially any flooding or other needs that the community sees. We're also securing all our equipment. Behind us, we have a lifeguard tower. We have 44 lifeguard towers around the island that's open seven days a week. Lifeguards are typically watching the water, making preventive actions and rescues. However, if the winds hit about 45 miles per hour sustained, for safety reasons, you might see the towers get shuttered or the flaps being closed. That does not mean that the lifeguards are off duty. It's an employee safety issue.

We are pulling the lifeguards out of the towers, and that's where we will rely more on a mobile response to 911 calls and be patrolling the beaches in our trucks and via Jeskies. So if you see the towers close, the signs will say call 911, and that is the fastest way to get help to you. The biggest thing that we're focusing on today is prevention. I always say that ocean safety is in the business of prevention. We make preventative actions daily, and what that means is we're talking to someone, we're educating the public, whether you're a visitor or a resident, about the hazards that exist, whether that's the surf, a current, reef, sudden drop-offs, etc. We want to educate you and give you safer alternatives before the injury or incident ever occurs. With that being said, I mentioned earlier that we are expecting some high surf on the southern eastern shores. We do have areas that we're very concerned about, and we want you to be aware and stay aware of, stay well away from. Some of these areas are out in the portlock area, China walls, spinning caves, and then going around to Makapu. We have the Makapu-Tai pools. It is historically very dangerous, and we have lost lives over there from people going too close to the water, too close to the rock ledge, and then getting swept off by waves. That is the point of the island where we're going to see the biggest impacts from this storm surf-wise. So we just want everyone to exercise caution when you're in that area. Lastly, what I would like to say is if you are planning and coming to the beach. And you see lifeguards in the towers, please check with our lifeguards before you go into the water. They will have the most up-to-date information on the conditions that you're seeing. Oftentimes, as it does right this minute, it looks very calm. But then there will be periods of large surf that may come and catch you off guard. Talk to our lifeguards, find out what the latest conditions and what they've been seen for the last few hours. I also want to mention that we have been coordinating with the city departments and our other first responders with the department emergency management in the EOC, the fire police and emergency services department. We will have representatives in the EOC and our joint operations center. Ocean safety is prepared for this storm. Our lifeguards are prepared. We will be ready for whatever impacts come and I will be ready to answer any questions. I think at this time I'm going to invite up the Honorable Mayor Rick Plangeardi.

Thank you, Kurt. Good job. Well, let me just address the reason why we called this press conference first and foremost, and that is this was about LifeGuard Appreciation Week, of which I have an appreciation here. And we actually dean August 17th to the 23rd as a week in which we would express our appreciation for our incredible lifeguards. So I'm not going to read this proclamation. Kirk just gave you a good insight to think, but let me just say a couple of things about the men and women. who comprise ocean safety because I really have the utmost respect. You know, we have these beautiful beaches. It looks so serene. It's so inviting. You know, and as you travel around the island, you know, the beaches become even more exotic and more beautiful. As attractive as they are, as seductive as they are to go into, we all know full well. They can be extremely dangerous, especially for people who want to quit to deal with currents and the waves and everything else. And these men and women, day in and day out, around this island. The 227 miles of coastline are willing at any point in time, anywhere under any circumstance, to put their life on the line. To go into those waters and save somebody. And if you've ever been involved in a rescue, trying to save a drowning person is a really precarious event. Because people are desperate, they're scared, they're fighting for their lives. It's not easily done. And the elements, if you will, the quality and the fierce force of the waves and everything else that you deal with only makes it that much more difficult. And time again, without any acknowledgement, the men and women of our department do that. You know, they prevent people from going in bad waters on the beach, but oftentimes people do get out there, they get in trouble. So, you know, this proclamation doesn't say enough, say enough about their bravery and their courage. People who are willing to put their life on the line for absolute strangers in very challenging, difficult situations, believe me, that is really uncommon. That is extremely rare. Not many people would even think about doing that, much less do it. So I have nothing but the hot front respect for our ocean safety team. They are, not only in my opinion, renowned around the world, to be some of the best, if not the best water men and women in the planet. We're so grateful to have them here. So this proclamation is to acknowledge that. I'm very proud of him. Kurt Laga, we could not have an ask for a better chief than we have in him. So with that, Kurt, want you to come up with. Except this one, congratulations. Thank you. Appreciate it. Okay. All right. Do you want to say? Yeah, I mean, I'll echo what he said. I just want to thank all the lifeguards around Oahu and the state and the country. Lifeguard Appreciation Week. Our lifeguards train year round to be able to respond in every kind of ocean condition and manageable. They got to make... split-second critical decisions on life and death, and they put themselves in danger every day to protect everyone that visits our beaches. So just they are the department. They are what makes ocean safety, ocean safety. So just a huge mahalo to all our lifeguards. Thank you, Chris.

We're going to have much more on this story coming up on later editions of Hawaii News now. Look at your screen here. Here on Oahu, the city plans to open eight hurricane refuge areas tomorrow starting at 8 a.m. They are Todd Blanche Pope Elementary School, Castle High School, Cahuku Elementary, Millilani High School, Mwanalua High School, Nanakuli Elementary, and Roosevelt High School. If you plan to head to any of these refuge areas, please make sure you bring your own food. water, medications, and other essential items you may need. All locations are pet-friendly. And as the state prepares for the incoming system, first responders are also getting ready for whatever it could bring. That means preparing for much more than just heavy rain. Casey Lund is in Kapole with the Honolulu Fire Department and has a look at the preparations already underway. Aloha from Station 40 in Coppolae and HFD is with us talking a little bit about some of those wrists and I want to get right to Captain Jacob Pekello with us from HFD. We are already seeing the wind pick up today. What kind of concerns does that bring especially out here on the west side where again we have vegetation because we've had kind of a wet spring, but now it's kind of dry. And we get some things to worry about, yeah? Yeah, for sure. We definitely have an increased chance of wildfires, increased wind, a lot of vegetation, as you mentioned, makes it more likely that a fire can start and will spread quickly, especially in storm conditions. With the wind coming, it could pose some risks. And then when we talk a little bit about... when we see these different storms or systems come in, you're still dealing with your normal calls, right? So how do you guys kind of handle all that when you then you might be responding to something storm related while you're also dealing with other calls for service? Right, so it's interesting you say that in a storm situation, our mission doesn't change. We're always going to go to calls, you know, we're going to go to emergencies, protect the general public. The focus becomes being sure that we have enough staffing, enough equipment, and logistics are in place so that we can maintain that. That's more of an administrative role. Our personnel, they're just, like this station is fairly busy. They're ready to go all the time. They have all the equipment that they need on their trucks. They can... jump from one alarm to another. We've already seen them head out this morning and ready to go. So we appreciate it. We want to mahalo all of our first responders. And Captain Piccolo, thank you for being with us. And a reminder, you can find this online. This has got a lot of resources. It is at Hawaii wildfire.org. Some really good information. And you can get the whole family involved in thinking about defensible space, making sure you have those go kits ready to go and making sure that you and your family are prepared ahead of any income. coming impacts from a tropical storm. We'll send things back in the studio for now. Thank you, Case. And you can keep up to date on the forecast 24-7 by downloading our free Hawaii News Now Weather app. Just scan the code you see right here and get it on your phone or search for H&N weather in the app store.

Well, head on. This is now how Tropical Storm Lala is impacting the upcoming UH women's soccer game. Santa Pilatin has the details in two minutes. Aloha Warrior fans. The news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us, and let's go Bose. A judge has denied Gerhard Koenig's request for a new trial, at least for now. The Maui doctor was convicted of attempted manslaughter for attacking his wife during a hike on Oahu where prosecutors said he tried to push her off a cliff. He was acquitted of the most serious attempted murder charge, but his attorneys say post-verdict interviews suggest some jurors did not believe Koenig intended to kill his wife. They also raised concerns that a juror may have communicated with someone outside the jury during. during deliberations. Today, the judge said the court will call back jurors and investigate further before making a decision. Luigi Mangione entered a guilty plea in federal court in Manhattan today, detailing how he carried out the 2024 fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Bradley Blackburn is in New York with more on today's developments. Lawyers for Luigi Mangione left the federal courthouse in Manhattan Friday after their client's surprise guilty plea to stalking charges. With today's guilty plea, Mr. Mangione has accepted full responsibility for the death of Brian Thompson. Inside the courtroom, the 28-year-old who says he endured years of severe pain from a broken back, described how he planned the deadly shooting of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. Mangione said he posed as an investor in the company and used a 3D printer to make parts of the gun. Federal prosecutors noted that because there is no plea deal, they can and will pursue. a sentence of life imprisonment. This was not a spontaneous act of violence. It was deliberate, calculated, and premeditated. Mangiote is still facing state murder charges, but his defense team said it filed a motion for dismissal under New York's double jeopardy law. New York law does not permit a person to be prosecuted and punished twice for the exact same crime. In a statement, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said in part, we are prepared to litigate the defense motions. The Manhattan DA's office remains committed to seeking justice for Mr. Thompson and his family. I think the prosecution has a good argument to be made that these are substantially different crimes, federal stalking versus a state murder charge. Thompson's family also released a statement calling the guilty plea an important step toward justice. Bradley Blackburn, CBS News.

Here at home, the well... Yeah, Ash, the Rainbow Wahine will play tomorrow at 1230 instead of Sunday afternoon, what was originally scheduled. And Hawaii News now will be televising that match on K5. Now, a lot went into this decision, including conversations between UH officials, the visiting schools, and HNN. Safety was top of mind for all parties involved, especially the student athletes. The weather forecast showed Saturday was a safer day to play the match instead of Sunday, which is why UH will face Kansas State tomorrow. Join us starting at noon with our pregame show on K5, then kickoff is set for 1230. And we'll have much more updates in our later newscast for now, Santa Pilatin, Hawaii News Now. Dan, what's the latest? Well, it is getting closer. This is, of course, we're talking about hurricanes. will be Hurricane Lala. There's a bunch of warnings and advisories and watches, in effect. We'll run through them when we get back. Aloha Warrior fans. The news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, U.H shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us and let's go Bose. Now, first alert weather. Well, Lala is strengthening and getting closer to the islands. There are a number of watches and warnings and advisories. In effect, let's take a look. Flood watch. All islands are under a flood watch over the next few days we are expecting. rainfall in amounts that could be up to 25 inches in some spots. But all of us are going to get wet and there could be some flooding, so be prepared for that. Then there's the tropical storm watch and warning. It's a watch for Oahu and Kauaii, and then for Maui County, it is a warning. Now that means that tropical storm conditions are likely within the next 24 hours. Then for, I guess I buried the lead here, hurricane warning in effect, for Hawaii Island and its surrounding waters. Hurricane force winds are expected to be on that island within the next 24 hours. and it's going to be very wet. And then I should mention waves. Eastside is under a high surf warning for Maui and the Big Island right now, but then all of us are going to see some big surf on the east side, as you heard the chief talking about just a few minutes ago. I want to talk about rainfall and timing. So starting as early as this evening at seven, heavy showers coming down on the windward side of the Big Island, and this is Saturday morning. The accumulation at that point already at the 6 to 8 inches, then you're getting into foot of rain by Saturday. at 3 p.m., Sunday at 9 a.m., 20 inches in some spots, 25 inches or beyond in some areas, in the higher elevations in particular. This is where the storm is going over the island. The eye will cross here on the southern part, and the heavy showers are going to make for some big accumulations for the big island. Also, some good-sized numbers for Maui County. This is Saturday early morning. Saturday afternoon, the heavier stuff, you're already at six inches in some spots, and then it gets up to 14 inches. by Monday and Tuesday. So, yes, all of us are going to get some big numbers. Here's Oahu real quick. Saturday is when it starts for us anyway, and then the rain will come down pretty hard through the weekend into Monday, and we're going to see some big numbers there. I've got to get to Kauai real quick here, show you what that's going on there. But the Kauai numbers will come Sunday afternoon to Monday, and could be as much as half a foot of rain in those islands. Let's send it over to Ashley.

Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us, and let's go Bose. show with some good news now. A great grandmother in California took a great leap to celebrate a major milestone. Ruby McNally marked her 100th birthday jumping from a good working airplane. It's a daredevil tradition. There she goes for her. She also went skydiving to celebrate her 80th and 90th birthdays and the thrill seeker says she has no plans to slow down. That is amazing. If you slow down, life is over. So you just keep on keeping on and enjoying life. The kids can't keep up with me. They joke, they joke about them. That's what keeps you going on and on. On and on. That's awesome. McNally says she hopes to keep jumping for as long as she can. Her adventurous spirit also inspired some of her relatives and friends to skydive. So cute. But not these anchors here. No, we're not going on. Well, thanks for watching. This is now. Stay with us for more coverage of Lala. This podcast is sponsored by Long's Drugs. Download the CVS app today and make Longs a part of your day. Aloha Warrior fans, the news is out. UH games are coming home to K5. All the games, UH shows, athlete profiles, and throwbacks to your favorites are all in one place. Hawaii News Now. Celebrate the home team with us and let's go Bose.