News

Major crash numbers so far in 2026 have increased by 22.73% from the 44 within the first couple of weeks in 2025; Hawai’i Police Department Traffic Services Section discovered 54 major crashes reported already this year as of Jan. 18.

Colors of gold washed over the golf course Saturday as dancers from Hula Halau Manaola, under the direction of Kumu Hula Nani Lim Yap, took to the green for their closing performance at sunset.

Satellite imagery and web cameras no longer show significant ash falling near Kīlauea volcano because of Episode 41 of lava fountaining in the ongoing episodic summit eruption; the episode lasted more than 8 hours before abruptly ending just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 24).

“I wanted to come out here this year and start hot and not work my way into the season,” said reigning Charles Schwab Cup winner, PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year and now 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai winner Stewart Cink.

Eva Napoleon was last seen about 5 p.m. Jan. 23 in the 2500 block of ʻĀinaola Drive in Hilo. Do you know where she is?

Several members of the Big Island House delegation were appointed to committee leadership posts, and Rep. Kristin Kahaloa (Hōnaunau, Nāpō‘opo‘o, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Hōlualoa, Kailua-Kona) is majority caucus leader.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu report there is no longer a threat of impactful winter weather atop Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Volcanic ash and tephra, including glass strands of Pele’s hair, had fallen as far away as Hilo and at least Pāhala by early Saturday evening.

Saturday’s event kicked off the 2026 PGA Tour Champions season. Results from the tournament will be posted when they are available.

Funding will be used for construction of the new Hawaiʻi Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce facility, which will serve as a hub for cultural preservation, educational programming and community gatherings.

Hawai‘i State Department of Health officials report that water retesting results showed enterococci levels no longer exceed the acceptable threshold; the advisory was originally issued Jan. 21.

Heather Murata created a documentary series that spotlights the Amazon Rain Forest’s global impact through a Hawaiʻi-rooted perspective.

Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi is launching “Girls in Policy,” a new, innovative program designed to strengthen girls’ civic engagement, leadership and advocacy skills during the 2026 Hawaiʻi Legislative Session.

The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts will select the grantee with the federal funding part of the America 250 celebration.

Hawaiʻi County VICE-East officers recovered a black Radical Arms model RF-15 multi caliber rifle with a black cylindrical silencer and other weapons from Jason Coxʻ residence.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Big Island summits through Saturday morning due to hazardous conditions, including snow, freezing fog, and icy roads.

Dispatchers received multiple calls reporting that about 50 juveniles and adults were fighting in the area of Pōpolo and Hema streets, with some participants reportedly armed with machetes.

Kanakaʻole passed away peacefully on Jan. 3 in Hilo at the age of 79.

The program encourages residents to comb through dresser drawers and closets and donate any unused eyewear and hearing aids, which will be sorted, cleaned and donated to people in need.