News
School bus service changes to Hilo route raise student safety concerns
Concerned Hilo parents are voicing safety concerns as Ground Transport Inc. alters a longstanding school bus route, requiring children to walk miles uphill from Wainaku Gym instead of being dropped closer to their homes on Kaiwiki Road.
Pancho & Lefty’s authorized to reopen after passing follow-up inspection
The eatery in downtown Kailua-Kona was allowed to reopen Aug. 12 after successfully completing several mandatory corrective actions to take care of multiple food safety violations found last week during a routine food safety inspection, which included cockroaches seen on food-contact surfaces and in ready-to-eat food.
Kona man indicted on nearly 30 charges for ‘significant acts’ of sexual assault, domestic violence
28-year-old Weston Duarte faces a total of 26 offenses; he remains in custody at Hālawa Correctional Facility, a state prison, in Honolulu on the basis of a pending parole violation; a $350,000 bench warrant for his arrest also was issued upon his indictment.
Update: Fire break established around Mana Road fire on Mauna Kea
Hawai‘i Fire Chief Kazuo Todd said there were no lightning strikes in the area where the fire started, so the blaze is likely to be human-caused. Whether it was intentional or accidental is still under investigation at this point.
Puna, Waiākea communities invited to share ideas to improve conservation
The feedback from those who attend these working group meetings helps U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service guide conservation priorities in the local communities for the upcoming fiscal year.
Honoka‘a motorcyclist killed after being ejected from bike in Mountain View crash
The motorcyclist is identified as Hapaki Teixeira, who was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead Aug. 11 at 10:08 p.m.
Whooping cough continues to spread as cases are recorded in every county
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health reports a significant surge of 203 pertussis cases statewide.
Wildfires in Paʻauilo impact two farms run by kupunahine over the weekend
A GoFundMe has been created to help restore essential farm operations and protect local food production and reforestation efforts for two family-run farms.
Fitness initiative aims to improve health for residents across the county
With community support, enticing prizes, and a concluding health fair, this initiative encourages setting and achieving personal fitness goals while making Hawaiʻi a healthier place.
BISAC’s behavioral health services earn highest level of accreditation
The Big Island Substance Abuse Council solidified its reputation for delivering exceptional, culturally grounded behavioral health services in Hawaiʻi.
Update: Fire break established around Mana Road fire on Mauna Kea
The Hawai‘i Fire Department was dispatched on Monday at approximately 6:43 p.m. to the blaze named Mana Road fire.
Business Monday: Hilo farmland protected in perpetuity with help from nonprofits
O.K. Farm’s mission to enhance local food security is assured as more than 74 acres of the farm were established as the Pu‘u‘eo Mauka conservation easement, protecting the land to forever remain a productive agricultural land.
Community invited to share input at Mauna Kea stewardship Talk Story in Nāʻālehu
The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority was established by law in 2022 to develop a new mutual stewardship model for Hawaiʻi’s revered summit in which ecology, the environment, natural resources, cultural practices, education and science are in balance.
Lane closures scheduled in Kona as Hawaiian Electric replaces utility poles
Work began on Aug. 8 and will continue through the week. As a result, officials with the power company state that there will be lane closures.
Kīlauea Volcano Episode 30 remains at a pause, likely to continue next week
On Aug. 6, lava fountains reached up to 165 ft., and erupted lava covered 80% of the crater floor during Kīlaueaʻs episode 30 eruption.
High surf advisory remains in effect for south-facing shores
Waves of 10 to 14 feet are forecast this morning, decreasing to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon and 7 to 10 feet Monday for those shorelines in Puna, Kaʻū, North and South Kona and North and South Kohala. Flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation also will be an issue with continued coastal flooding.
Commercial fishing halted in Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument upon U.S. District Court ruling
The ruling nullifies a National Marine Fisheries Service letter sent April 25 that gave commercial fishers a green light to fish in the national monument south and southwest of Hawai’i following an executive order by President Donald Trump.
Early childhood education options continue to grow for all of Hawaiʻi’s families
Hawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s Ready Keiki Initiative has led to more funding to grow the number of public school prekindergarten classrooms from 54 to 88 statewide since 2022.
Hawai‘i Police Department, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo partner to support education of law enforcement statewide
Program launching gives law enforcement throughout the state opportunity to earn bachelor of arts degree in administration of justice through the College of Arts and Sciences at the Hilo campus, entirely online, so officers can continue to serve their communities while advancing their education.
Scheduled Hawai‘i Island lane closures on state roadways for Aug. 10-15
In observance of Statehood Day, Aug. 15, there will be no contraflow and lane closures unless otherwise permitted. Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
