From the Hawaii Tribune-Herald:

Hawaii Island and the rest of the state have been hit with heavy vog as a result of an unseasonable lack of trade winds.

John Bravender, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said Tuesday that a slowly dissipating low-pressure system has been creating light wind patterns around the Big Island. That means that the steady stream of sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases escaping into the air above Hawaii Island’s eruptions is lingering, rather than being whisked away by the trades.

“It’s really allowed the vog to build up near the island, and there’s even been a little bit of a background flow, carrying it in a southerly direction, helping to spread it to Hilo and other parts of East Hawaii, where it normally doesn’t go,” Bravender said.

The current conditions are more in keeping with weather patterns seen in January and February, he added. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Maui Council overrides veto of ‘circuit breaker’ tax bill

Woman survives 30-foot fall on Sleeping Giant

Hawaii County bill targets GMO crops

Scientists wrap up Garden Island coral study

Plan would increase fees at Hawaii County parks

Lottery for Maui Hawaiian immersion classes postponed

Man’s body retrieved from Kalapana lava field

Greenwood’s retirement shouldn’t affect Palamanui, pols say

Federal restrictions could slow Kealakehe park plans

Kona judiciary complex still on schedule

—Chad Blair