Education officials yesterday defended their decision to close public schools across five islands, saying it was made in consultation with the National Weather Service, state Civil Defense and other state …

Though the cold front that blew over O’ahu yesterday didn’t pack the 60 mph gusts forecasters had feared, it did bring some blustery conditions, a few heavy showers and a big warning from emergency responders: …

Four shelters set up to protect the homeless and others from high winds and waves closed down yesterday after helping more than 100 people, the Red Cross said.

The potentially life-threatening gusts predicted for much of Hawaii end up moving out of harm’s way, as Mother Nature decides to spare the islands a severe blow.

The state of Hawaii lost about $8 million by shutting down “non-essential” departments Friday, in anticipation of 60- to 65-mile-an-hour winds reaching our shores.

It looks like the worst of the storm has passed Oahu. Luckily it wasn’t as bad as forecasters had predicted.

State and county governments prepared for the worst as the weather service warned of an approaching storm packing high wind and heavy rain.

Although skies were sunny and wind gusts hit only 50 mph yesterday, officials shuttered most schools and government offices from Kauai to Maui today.

Most state employees on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai are being allowed to stay home, while Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann granted administrative leave to most city workers.

Although skies were sunny and wind gusts hit only 50 mph yesterday, officials shuttered most schools and government offices from Kauai to Maui today.