This story was evidently decided by those who choose our news, not to be worth reading.

"Early learning aid denied based on state's weak plan." 

And they did so well last year, winning it. What could have happened to have them fall so far?

From this:
"The visit to Honolulu focuses on Hawaii's progress in building strong state-wide capacity to implement, scale up, and sustain proposed plans as well as the state's efforts to turn around its lowest achieving schools."

to scoring 135 out a possible 300, and coming in last among the states.