In Case You Missed It
Actresses rebuked for posting video of one of them touching sea turtle while in Hawai‘i
The Instagram post by actress China McClain was taken down by midday March 3 after garnering tens of thousands of reactions and more than 2,000 comments, many of which pleading for the video to be removed and an apology for potential cultural insensitivity.
State launches backyard bird flu survey for flock owners and bird rescuers
The survey, conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, will collect critical information about the understanding of bird flu as well as practices and needs of those who keep poultry or care for rescued birds.
Hawai‘i County officials to hold community meeting to discuss temporary morgue facility
The meeting is to address the overcrowded morgue facilities at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital.
Kahele returns to Washington advocating for Hawaiian people, discussing impacts of Trump policies, orders
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees chairperson, Big Island native and former U.S. congressman back in nation’s capital speaking with federal officials and members of Hawaiʻi’s congressional delegation; will also attend President Donald Trump’s address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.
Firewise program works toward united approach to wildfire readiness and resilience
The Firewise program empowers communities by giving homesteaders and its leaders, the support they need to mitigate wildfire risks in their own backyard.
‘Backbone of this project’: Hilo Bayfront Trails honors donors who helped develop trail network
“Our donors and volunteers are the backbone of this project. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to our vision of a well-planned, well-connected and safe trail system.” — Hilo Bayfront Trails President Andi Ellis
Significant sunset snarl happening atop Mauna Kea
There are probably two “zones” on the Big Island to get the best views of the setting sun, and perhaps the more coveted of the two because of its lack of light pollution and most often amazingly clear skies is above the clouds atop Mauna Kea. However, the mauna apparently has become even more of a popular place as of late to check out sunset, and it’s causing some traffic congestion issues.
UH Foundation helping students affected by Trump funding freezes, executive orders
Some graduate students at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo lost their research funding and educational stipends as a result of stop work orders and freezes on federal grant funds.
Man charged in alleged double murder will be returned to Ohio
32-year-old Andrew Griffin was arrested Feb. 18 at Home Depot in Hilo on an outstanding no bail warrant for two counts of aggravated murder in relation to the September 2021 deaths of Thomas Steed Strussion and Angela Jo Strussion.
State: Take precautionary measures against vog caused by Kīlauea eruption
People are urged to be aware of the conditions around them and how they could react to vog. They are also encouraged to access air quality data on the the state Health Department Clean Air Branch website and Hawai‘i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard for the most up-to-date information about vog.
Watch: U.S. Coast Guard medevacs man from cruise ship 300 miles offshore from Kailua-Kona
72-year-old passenger of Koningsdam had multiple strokes. He was transported by helicopter Thursday morning to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.
Man faces nearly 20 charges following incident involving sword in Hilo
22-year-old Seanson Marpel was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, second-degree theft, first-degree terroristic threatening and several more charges connected with Feb. 25 incident outside Wailoa Grill.
Hawaiian Electric to rebuild transmission line in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Six-month project begins March 3 to relocate and upgrade 56 utility poles and install new equipment along Highway 11, improving system reliability and resilience.
Volcano Watch: The nose knows — and so did HVO gas instrumentation … eventually
It was a dark and stormy night when the eruption near Nāpau Crater on Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone began Sept. 15, 2024. So much so that Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcams were no help in detecting if there was an eruption or not. But you know who could? Residents of Volcano, who could smell sulfurous and burning odors.
UH Economic Research Organization says Trump’s cuts, tariffs could hurt Hawaiʻi’s economy
While tax cuts may provide some stimulus this year, the new administration’s actions — including tariffs, mass deportations and spending cuts — will impose significant drag thereafter, UHERO states in its first quarter forecast for 2025.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 28-March 6: Art is on the menu — fine art, with plenty of live music opportunities and more
Even the most stalwart non-artsy type will have their interest piqued by the events on this week’s top 10 things to do around the island. Check them out right now!
18 motorists arrested for DUI during week of Feb. 17-23 on Big Island roads
There also have been 7 fatal crashes and 8 fatalities on Big Island roadways since the beginning of 2025, a 40% increase for fatal wrecks and 60% increase for traffic fatalities already in just less than 3 months.
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles: What do Yellowstone and Hawaiʻi have in common? More than you might think
Despite their outward differences, the fundamental engines that power volcanism in both regions are quite similar. There’s a lot of aloha in southern Idaho and northwestern Wyoming.
Temporary Welcome Center now open at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Located 1.25 miles past the park entrance at Kīlauea Military Camp, the center is a substitute for Kīlauea Visitor Center as it undergoes extensive renovations during the next couple of years.
Brief but mighty: Episode 11 of Kīlauea eruption ends after nearly 13 hours of intense activity
Lava fountains reached as high as 600 feet for part of the most recent eruptive activity of the ongoing summit eruption of the Big Island volcano, with lava covering between 75% and 80% of the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater floor.
