News

Samantha Oliveira Gasmen Goodman of Hilo is among the 22 dental or dental hygiene students to receive a scholarship this year from the Hawaʻi Dental Service Foundation.

During the first two weeks of 2026, Hawaiʻi Island police intensified their crackdown on impaired driving, arresting 25 drivers for DUI.

The free show features the band PunaKat, which will be joined by Steve Fundy of Uncle Charlie, and there will be a special “Grateful Grill” menu.

The scholarship will be awarded to five incoming University of Hawai‘i freshmen this year, majoring in travel industry management.

“Amid ongoing federal uncertainty, our priorities include expanding affordable housing, supporting Native Hawaiian families, ensuring essential social services remain uninterrupted, addressing workforce shortages and responsibly strengthening the state’s revenue base,” said state House Majority Leader Oʻahu state Rep. Sean Quinlan.

“Swingposium” is an immersive experience with taiko, jazz, and swing dance recounts the resilience of Japanese Americans in World War II internment camps.

Six golf Hall of Famers will play in the upcoming PGA Tour Champions season opener on the Big Island: Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Retief Goosen, David Love III and Vijay Singh.

Kahaluʻu Beach Park’s water safety has been officially restored after recent tests showed enterococci levels fall below the state’s threshold.

Applications, available through the county’s Electronic Processing and Information Center, allow applicants to perform a variety of work, including a new driveway approach, private waterline installation, sidewalk repair, etc.

The National Weather Service said the surf on west-facing shores of Hawaiʻi now is below advisory levels.

The medical school was one of 11 teams selected to receive funding from the association’s Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program.

During December 2025, police responded to 12 reports of vehicles being unlawfully entered at parks, business areas, public parking lots and commercial zones, compared with five reports the previous month.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs and its partners Culinary Institute of the Pacific and Culinary Institute of America are providing support by offering the 5-day intensive program at Kapiʻolani Community College in Honolulu and financial assistance.

According to police, investigators believe speed and alcohol are factors in the collision.

The new playground features all new play equipment — including spinners, a large basket swing and various challenging climbing structures; a new synthetic turf safety surfacing system also was installed.

The free, family-friendly festival Saturday night (Jan. 17) features four stages, more than 20 bands and more than 40 food and craft vendors; among highlights of this year will be the first KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa performance by High Watah and return of legendary duo Ho‘onu‘a.

The clinics are aimed at helping Hawaiʻi’s sole proprietors and small business owners fortify their operations against online threats; the inaugural clinic — focusing on ‘cyber hygiene’ — is Jan. 21 via Zoom.

Thousands of Kaiser Permanente nurses and healthcare professionals across Hawaiʻi have announced a potential strike starting Jan. 26, citing insufficient staffing and stalled contract negotiations.

Route 19 in South Hilo has reopened to traffic following a temporary closure, according to the Hawaiʻi Police Department.

The National Weather Service has extended the high surf advisory for the west-facing shores of the Big Island through Friday, Jan. 16.