Here is a summary and humanized look at the recent news from across the islands, reflecting the diverse spirit and ongoing challenges facing our communities.
Nature enthusiasts and luxury travelers alike have a rare, fleeting opportunity to witness one of the planet’s most peculiar spectacles this weekend: the blooming of the corpse flower at Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort. Known for its imposing stature and, quite infamously, its pungent aroma, this endangered Amorphophallus titanum is rarely seen outside of specialized botanical circles. On loan from the Lānaʻi Nursery, the bloom serves as a fascinating intersection between nature conservation and the serene, wellness-focused landscape of the resort. Because the flower only graces the world with its presence for two or three days, this display offers a poignant reminder of the beauty found in nature’s most mysterious and short-lived phenomena.
In the realm of public accountability, the state has scored a significant victory for taxpayers. Attorney General Anne Lopez recently announced that Hawaiʻi has joined a nationwide settlement with CVS Pharmacy to resolve allegations regarding the improper dispensing of insulin pens between 2010 and 2020. This settlement, which totals $36.5 million, will see over $617,000 returned to the state’s coffers. By holding one of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains accountable for false claims submitted to Medicaid, this collaborative effort between state and federal agencies sends a clear message: that funds intended to protect and provide healthcare for the most vulnerable among us must be handled with integrity and strict adherence to the law.
Meanwhile, our islands are grappling with the harsh reality of “financial toxicity” regarding specialized healthcare. A sobering study from the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center revealed that local patients spent over $230 million between 2021 and 2023 on cancer treatments sourced outside of Hawaiʻi. This data highlights the immense burden placed on those who must travel across thousands of miles of ocean to access critical care—a challenge exacerbated by our geographic isolation. The study serves as a call to action for the medical community to strengthen local cancer care capacity, ensuring that in the future, patients can focus more on their recovery and less on the daunting logistics and costs of seeking life-saving treatment away from home.
Leadership and governance are also seeing a fresh wave of energy at the University of Hawaiʻi, which recently welcomed five new members to its Board of Regents. Following a special vote, Lauren Akitake, who represents Maui County, was elected to lead as chairperson for the 2026-27 academic year. Joining her in key leadership roles are Gabriel Lee and Keith Amemiya, forming a board that is now armed with a diverse spectrum of expertise in law, finance, and student advocacy. As these new regents take their seats, the focus remains on navigating the complex landscape of public higher education in Hawaiʻi and ensuring that the university remains a bedrock of opportunity for local students and a pillar of growth for our state’s economy.
The state’s education sector is finding creative solutions to staffing shortages, buoyed by the success of the J-1 Visa Teacher Program. This year, a record-breaking cohort of 365 international teachers will join schools across the islands, playing a vital role in keeping classrooms open and programs running in fields like science, technology, and mathematics. These instructors are not replacements for local faculty but are crucial partners in stabilizing staffing, particularly in rural schools that often struggle to recruit. With a 90% retention rate for those who commit to staying in the islands for three years, the program has proven to be a successful, bridge-building strategy that prioritizes the stability of our children’s education above all else.
Finally, the Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi is ushering in a new chapter of leadership with the appointment of Sarah Sheppard as the director of product and retail. Her extensive background—which spans everything from retail management at major corporations to special education and nonprofit advocacy—makes her uniquely qualified to oversee the organization’s famous entrepreneurship programs, including the iconic cookie sales. Beyond the business aspects, Sheppard’s commitment to community service, ranging from the Hawaiʻi Autism Foundation to the Special Olympics, aligns perfectly with the Girl Scouts’ mission of character building and service. Her leadership promises to continue the organization’s tradition of empowering young women to become the resourceful, compassionate leaders of tomorrow.