Hawaii

A well-known natural sea arch along Hawaii’s coastline collapsed into the Pacific Ocean this week without warning, ending a roughly 550-year run as both a geological landmark and a tourist draw. The arch had been carved from volcanic rock by centuries of wave and salt weathering, and its loss has renewed discussion among researchers and the public about how fast coastal landforms evolve, whether sea-level rise is accelerating erosion, and how complete the human record of such long geological processes can ever be.

The Washington Post reported that Category 2 Hurricane Nolo was nearly stationary just south of Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday evening, generating tropical storm force winds, large swells and torrential rain. The National Weather Service warned that catastrophic flooding is possible and that flash flood warnings are in effect for multiple areas.

Hurricane Lowell has intensified to a Category 5 storm and is expected to approach the western Hawaiian islands early next week. The state has declared a state of emergency as residents rush to prepare.

Hawaii faces the threat of its first direct hurricane landfall in 34 years. Category 1 Hurricane Lala could dump up to 25 inches of rain on the Big Island as the state activates full emergency response.

Hawaii’s Democratic lieutenant governor has been federally indicted in a state corruption investigation, marking the highest-level official corruption case in the state in recent years.