Good evening, Hawaii. Here are the main stories we've been following today: 

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Today's Big Stories

1. Schatz bill promotes AI for extreme weather forecasts

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, teamed with Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Montana, last week to introduce new legislation that would promote the use of artificial intelligence to better predict and respond to extreme weather and protect communities from worsening wildfires, hurricanes, floods and other disasters.

Under the so-called Transformational Artificial intelligence to Modernize the Economy (TAME) against Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would be directed to: 

• Develop a U.S. global weather dataset to train AI forecasting models;
• Partner with the private and academic sectors on AI weather and wildfire forecasting, and innovate new AI weather and wildfire products and applications; and
• Support the integration of AI weather models into public forecasts.

In 2023, the United States experienced a record 28 disasters that caused nearly 500 deaths and cost at least $1 billion in damages each. Currently, AI weather models are dependent on a dataset created and maintained by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The bill would require the development of a U.S. weather dataset.

A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Fla. 

2. Renewable energy project launches on Hawaii Island

Hawaii Island’s second solar plus battery storage project, Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc. Hale Kuawehi Solar and Battery Storage Project, started commercial operations on March 25 and is currently producing up to 30 megawatts of renewable energy for the island’s grid.

Located on a 300-acre parcel of land about a half-mile north of the Hawaii Belt Road and Old Saddle Road intersection in Waimea, the project’s 120 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system can produce enough energy to to power about 13,500 homes.

“This project has multiple benefits for our customers on Hawaii Island,” said Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric’s senior vice president, Planning & Technology, in a release. “It supplies clean, renewable energy, strengthens the grid, and stabilizes electricity costs. With battery storage and advanced controls, the project will improve the reliability of the system by providing energy when it is needed.”

3. Bill would amplify indigenous perspectives in U.S. foreign policy

A new measure introduced by U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, would help ensure that the goals and perspectives of the world’s 476 million indigenous peoples are properly understood, considered and integrated into U.S. foreign policy.

Case said the principles and provisions included in the Indigenous Diplomacy and Engagement Act were drawn in part from the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, which was held in Hawaii last summer. 

“The Pacific Festival was a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific and of mutual commitment across national boundaries to addressing the challenges of our times, and we should take those lessons in our own responses,” Case said.

The bill would establish an Office for Indigenous Affairs within the U.S. Department of State to coordinate diplomacy and engagements between the federal government and international indigenous peoples.

4. Full-scale rescue exercise on Tuesday at Lihue Airport

The Hawaii Department of Transportation informs the public and incoming/outgoing travelers of a large-scale emergency response exercise from 9 a.m. to noon at Lihue Airport on April 15.

The exercise will involve HDOT and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighters together with partners Kauai Fire Department, Kauai Police Department, American Medical Response and Wilcox Medical Center.

All flights will continue as normal, according to HDOT, and access to all public areas of the airport and Ahukini Road will remain open throughout the exercise. 

The public is asked to be aware of the ongoing exercise and to not interfere or assist in the training exercise.

Direct any questions to the HDOT Public Affairs Office at 808-587-2160.

Ahukini Road will remain open during the exercise and flights will continue as normal. (Google Street View)

5. El Salvador's Bukele, Trump officials refuse to bring back wrongly deported man despite Supreme Court ruling

The Trump administration made it unequivocally clear on Monday that it considers the return of a Maryland man deported to El Salvador out of its hands as President Donald Trump sat down on Monday with the leader of the country currently at the center of his immigration crackdown and the legal battle playing out over it.

Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele also said in the meeting he would not release the man back to the U.S.

The Supreme Court last week ruled that the U.S. is required to “facilitate” the return of Abrego Garcia, who the administration admitted in court filings was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March as part of its effort to send hundreds of migrants it says are affiliated with gangs to the country. The Trump administration says Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, something the man’s attorney’s have disputed.

Trump opened up the Oval Office sit-down praising his Salvadoran counterpart, repeatedly noting that he has known him since he was a “young man,” and expressing gratitude for “helping us out” in his deportation efforts. 

The president on Monday also said he has “no problem” with deporting Americans if they are what he called a “homegrown criminal.” 

“We're studying the laws right now, Pam [Bondi] is studying,” he said. “If we can do that, that’s good – and I'm talking about violent people.”

Your Notes for Tomorrow

Tuesday, April 15 

• European Commission countermeasures on U.S. imports into the EU come into effect
• Energy Information Administration Releases Annual Energy Outlook, providing long-term projections of U.S. energy production, consumption, and markets
• Federal Tax Day and IRS quarterly tax filing deadline day
• Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day
• Melinda French Gates publishes book about change
• Import and Export Price Indexes
• NBA Play-In Tournament begins
• Forbes European 30 Under 30 list launched