News
First coconut rhinoceros beetles found outside Waikōloa area on Big Island
A live adult invasive scarab was found March 3 at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport and another disovered March 4 at Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority, both of which are situated along the West Hawai‘i coastline. Brings the total number of adult coconut rhinoceros beetles found on the island to 7 since October 2023.
Police launch arson probe after several suspicious brush fires in Ocean View
Hawai‘i Fire Department fire crews responded to reports of brush fires at 1:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, with three smaller fires already extinguished before they arrived to the scene of the earlier report, for a total of 4 blazes in the general area between Lūʻau Drive and Coral Parkway along King Kamehameha Boulevard.
Temporary morgue in Hilo set to alleviate over capacity in hospitals by this spring
A temporary morgue will be in use by the end of April at 540 Kupuna Place in Hilo, according to the Department of Public Works.
Enormous lava geysers once again erupt from Kīlauea summit as Episode 12 begins
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports the most recent eruptive activity of the ongoing eruption in Kaluapele, the volcano’s summit caldera, started at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday with sporadic small lava flows alternating between the south and north vents in the southwest portion of Halema‘uma‘u Crater. A transition to fountaining began at 2 p.m.
Police investigating murder in Puna; search ongoing for armed and dangerous suspect
25-year-old Latisha Soares was allegedly shot and killed by her sister’s ex-boyfriend 28-year-old Isaiah Kaleo Jiaan Fourshey of Mountain View early Tuesday morning after an earlier alleged shooting involving him at her parents home.
Downtown Hilo post office could close or be sold by Trump Administration
The historic Federal Building that houses the office on Waiānuenue Avenue is among 440 federal properties deemed not core to federal government operations that are on the president’s and Elon Musk’s DOGE chopping block.
Road closure scheduled in Kona for utility pole work
Work will take place on Ahikawa Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to the power company, the work will require a full road closure near the intersection of Kauhale Street.
Applications now being accepted for public pre-kindergarten program
The program currently operates 92 classrooms on 74 Hawai‘i Department of Education campuses statewide.
Hilo native named head coach for Vulcans women’s volleyball
Reed Sunahara comes to UH-Hilo after serving nine seasons as head coach at Division I West Virginia University.
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.
USPS gives tips on how to avoid being scammed
Postal inspectors are reminding consumers to be alert for imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week – March 2-8.
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.
Monthly outdoor siren test was March 3
All statewide outdoor warning sirens sounded a 1-minute steady tone at 11:45 a.m. The public should contact Hawai‘i County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031 to report any siren operation issues.
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
Business Monday: Sale price drops 50% for 2 Kona restaurants along Aliʻi Drive
The leases and contents of the iconic Kona Inn Restaurant and the Kona Canoe Club, once owned by LA Dodger great Don Drysdale, are for sale for a combined $1.5 million.
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.
