#Big Island Now
Puna couple charged with firearms, drug offenses after found sleeping in van with rifle
Justin Jay Flores and Theresa Pua Olena Borges, both 41, with were arrested and charged Wednesday afternoon with an array of firearms and drug offenses.
Hawai‘i Island lawmakers secure funding for Kona Community Hospital infrastructure upgrades
Within the state budget, $16.2 million will be used to improve the hospital’s HVAC system, central utility plant, site utilities, and other building infrastructure to mitigate the risk of the hospital’s closure. An additional $2.3 million will enable the hospital to maintain its accreditation and continue providing potentially life-saving medication for oncology patients.
Sen. Mazie Hirono attends White House State Dinner
Joe Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol shared a new agreement intended to inhibit North Korean aggression.
Hawaiian Telcom partners with Vanta and Hawai‘i Esports League
The partnership kicks off with Hawaiian Telcom serving as title sponsor of the statewide Hawai‘i Esports League Championship, a competition for middle and high school students from more than 50 public, private and charter schools.
Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, partners awarded $5 million to combat marine debris
The University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program and its partners have been awarded over $5 million to tackle the issue of marine debris, particularly derelict fishing gear that is abandoned, lost or discarded in the ocean.
Early learning bill expanding access to preschool passes final committee
The measure is a key component to the Ready Keiki initiative led by Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke to expand access to preschool for all Hawaiʻi three- and four-year-olds by 2032.
Husband and wife facing attempted murder charges plead not guilty in 3rd Circuit Court
Judge Wendy DeWeese maintained bail for both Dylan and Leilani Alcain.
Coast Guard suspends search for missing Australian cruise ship passenger off Hawai‘i
The cruise ship Quantum of the Seas reported a man overboard at 11:03 p.m. Tuesday evening.
West Hawai‘i Dance Theatre presenting ‘Rikki Tikki Tavi Ballet’
Displaying great courage and loyalty, little mongoose Rikki stands steadfast in the face of danger from two slithering cobras.
Have you seen this truck?
Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for information relative to a hit-and-run incident that occurred on the morning of March 25, in the 200-block of West Lanikaula Street in Hilo.
Knives, collapsible baton confiscated from Hilo-bound traveler at Honolulu airport
This was one of two incidents within the past two weeks at two of Hawai‘i’s airports where Transportation Security Administration officers discovered prohibited items concealed on the bodies of travelers during a routine screening at the security checkpoint.
Big Island’s vacation rental supply increased in March
The island of Hawai‘i vacation rental supply was 172,900 available unit nights, up 30.1% from last year.
Hawai‘i police reports 13 DUI arrests for week of April 17-23
Kona, Puna and South Hilo Districts each had four arrests. South Kohala had one.
Two quakes shake Big Island on Wednesday night
The Big Island was rattled by two additional earthquakes Wednesday night, April 26, following a magnitude-4.2 temblor earlier in the day. The second happened at about 7:30 p.m. north-northeast of Hōnaunau-Nāpōʻopoʻo and the third occurred just after 10 p.m. south of Fern Forest in Puna.
FAA’s air traffic controller program for 2023 accepting applications May 5-8
The Federal Aviation Administration is accepting applications for its 2023 air traffic controller program, from May 5 to 8.
Waikōloa Lei Day Festival on April 30 to celebrate art, culture, history
In honor of Lei Day, the second annual Waikōloa Lei Day Festival will be held on April 30 at several venues, with live music, lei making, craft fair, farmers market and keiki fun zone.
Hilton Lewis steps down as director of Keck Observatory on Maunakea
After a 37-year career, Hilton Lewis is stepping down from his position as the director of the W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea.
Magnitude 4.2 quake rumbles near Ka‘ū District of Hawai‘i Island
The tumbler struck at 4:31 p.m. and was 7.5 miles east-southeast of Pāhala at depth of 18.3 miles below sea level.
Coast Guard searching for missing Australian cruise ship passenger 500 miles from Hawaiʻi
U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching a location about 500-miles south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island for a cruise ship passenger from Australia who on Tuesday night went overboard in waters about 500 miles south of the Big Island in Hawaiʻi.
State funding application for preschool tuition extended to Friday
The Department of Human Services is extending its application deadline for families seeking funding to send keiki to preschool for the 2023-24 school year.
