In Case You Missed It

In the Big Island Now’s most recent poll — which asked “What should be the priority of the new Illegal Fireworks Task Force?” — most votes (21%) thought the new statewide initiative isnʻt necessary, but the majority of people (62%) voted for some kind of tougher enforcement of Illegal fireworks.

Maunakea’s unique geography, geology and atmospheric conditions make the Big Island’s tallest volcanic mountain a premiere place in the world for astronomy research.

The Hawai‘i Police Department says 68-year-old Wayne Knapstad of Volcano was last seen at 2:30 p.m. July 3 in the Volcano area. Anyone who might know his whereabouts is asked to call the police.

Blaine Miyasato and James Kunane Tokioka will serve four-year terms, ending June 30, 2026, on the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Board of Directors. They succeed Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Board Chairman George Kam and member Keone Downing.

So far this year, there have been 499 DUI arrests on the Big Island compared with 526 during the same period last year, a decrease of 5.13 percent.

All the sweat equity has been worth it. Pauahi Kalai, 48, and her family are months away from moving into their new Habitat for Humanity home in Kawaihae on a lot provided by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

For more than a decade, the beloved North Kona hideaway was shuttered, the result of a March 2011 earthquake in Japan triggering a tsunami that steam-rolled Hawaiʻi and caused catastrophic damage to ocean-fronting bungalows.

Update: The Hawaiʻi Police Department says 19-year-old Dakota Hargraves of Pāhoa was found in good health in Kona on July 12.

Temporary road closures are scheduled in two areas next week in the Keaukaha area in Hilo because of paving work along Kalanianaʻole Street.

The measures Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green signed into law Friday are measures meant to strengthen protections for kūpuna and those living with disabilities, support caregivers and provide funding for state departments and agencies that offer services and educational programs for elderly and disabled residents.

The measures Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green sent back to state lawmakers included bills relating to issues such as the state water code, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, special purpose digital currency licensure, certification of documents and more.

The new cabinet-level office will lead the Hawai‘i County’s efforts to ensure the Big Island can withstand the effects of climate change.

The bills the governor signed Thursday included measures focused on a range of issues, including vehicle weight, Safe Routes to School, driver’s license renewal and others.

On July 6, shortly after 9:30 a.m., South Hilo patrol officers along with Hawai’i Fire Department personnel responded to a residence on Maunakai Street in Hilo, for a report of an unresponsive child found in a swimming pool.

A 20-year-old man from Kailua-Kona died from a head injury following a fireworks incident on the Fourth of July on Hawaiʻi Island.

The annual 4th of July Parade in Kona had residents and visitors flooding Ali’i Drive to celebrate.

The 46th annual Shakespeare in the Park Festival on the Big Island will feature performances of an adaptation of one of the Bard’s best comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing” and a Kids Shake performance based on the same play.

The shopping center in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the Big Island is helping students and educators get ready for the new school year in style while enjoying the last moments of summer.

It’s official: the Big Island festival dedicated to showcasing the personal, moral and environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle is back for its second year.

The announcement of the new Ka Lei Momi Redevelopment Project master developer follows Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green signings bills that offer relief to the housing shortage, support for people facing homelessness and a supportive housing pilot program.