News

A brush fire that ignited on Monday afternoon in the Kaʻū District of the Big Island scorched 42 acres, damaging a garage and possibly some vehicles. Fire crews are now doing mop up work to prevent flareups.

A coalition of native Hawaiian and marine wildlife advocates submitted complaints on Tuesday to two state agencies that urge the further investigation of “apparent violations of law” at the Kanaloa Octopus Farm in Kailua-Kona and the ending of its lease at a state-owned facility.

Requested items include backpacks, colored markers, colored pencils, composition notebooks, crayons and more.

Update: Kamaoa Road is now open. Hawaiʻi Fire Department remains at the scene to mop up a brush fire.

The weather got chilly during the 90-mile, 10-hour sail to Hydaburg, that included traveling alongside a pod of humpback whales.

Shanice Ogata-Staudinger was picking ʻopihi with a relative in the area of Kahakai Boulevard and Papio Street in Pāhoa, at a spot commonly known as “Hau Bush.”

We want to hear from our readers about what you think the State Department of Land and Natural Resources should do to handle commercial manta ray tours in the future.

The Alumni Makers’ Market is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 9 at The Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikīkī on Oʻahu, with with nearly twice the number of alumni-owned small businesses planning to participate compared to last year’s inaugural event.

Update: Sisters Raisha and Rashanti Mcnamara were found Monday in Keaʻau in good health, according to the Hawaiʻi Island police.

The Department of Health recently released an update of comprehensive K-12 school guidelines regarding COVID-19 protocols.

The 39th annual Cultural Festival at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on July 22 will feature a stellar lineup of local musicians, hula hālau, Hawaiian games and crafts, local exhibitors and vendors.

Pink Limo Kona began operations two years ago, after CEO and founder Julia Hutton spotted the limo on Memorial Day 2020 while shopping around for “unusual vehicles” in Hilo.

Update: Mamalahoa Highway in Naʻalehu has reopened after repairs to a downed utility pole.

The 30th Annual Christmas in July gift, jewelry, arts and crafts fair will start at 9 a.m. and last until 5 p.m. on Sat., July 15 at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

Upon resumption of water service, the waterlines will be flushed and cleaned during which time customers may notice turbid and/or discolored water.

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.