News
Hawaiʻi Youth Poet Laureate program returns to the Hilo Palace Theater
Punahou School student Safa Ahmed as the 2026 Hawaiʻi Youth Poet Laureate, which is a program to connect young voices and writers from across all islands.
All Big Island districts under wind advisory beginning at 6 p.m. this evening
Sustained winds of at least 30 miles per hour and/or gusts of 50 miles per hour are predicted from 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday morning.
FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team official visiting Hilo this week
Former Honolulu emergency management director Hiro Toiya, now federal coordinating officer for the March 10-24 kona low flooding for Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be on the Big Island especially to encourage residents impacted by the storms to apply for federal assistance before approaching deadline.
Briefs for May 20: Food options expand for schools, state employee earns national award, advocates celebrate the Green Fee
Statewide partnerships will expand locally-source meals in schools, the state Director of Communications earned a national honor and advocates are energized by the effects of the green Fee.
UPDATE: Hawai‘i Island police identify man who barricaded himself in South Kona following domestic dispute
The 43-year-old was taken into custody on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and abuse of a family or household member.
UPDATE: 88-year-old Keauhou man has been found
88-year-old James Gramlich has been found in Kawaihae.
Mālama Honua Disaster Fund will support Native Hawaiian homeowners impacted by March kona low storms
Office of Hawaiian Affairs launches the fund Friday, May 22, providing limited number of $10,000 repair grants; informational Zoom webinar set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 20.
Pedestrian killed in Puna District hit-and-run identified
The victim was struck multiple times by unknown vehicles, with the vehicles fleeing the area in an unknown direction.
State to hold open house for Daniel K. Inouye Highway extension project in Waikōloa
The extension project that began in 1999 to add 10.5 miles to the well-traveled Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, had been shelved twice due to a lack of funding.
Public invited to Coffee With a Cop events in West Hawai‘i
There are four of the popular community events planned in May, beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, at Caffé Florian in Kealakekua.
Proposed bill that would have capped parking rates in Kailua Village dies in county council committee
Hawai‘i County Council Member Rebecca Villegas withdrew her bill over concerns about the legality of mandating pricing for owners of the private lots.
Hawaiʻi County mayors could give up some power to proposed county manager position
The Hawaiʻi County Council voted 5-4 on Tuesday to pass through committee a bill that would establish a more long-term county manager as the county’s chief executive officer.
Private land could be taken by eminent domain for widening of narrow road in Puna
With parties unable to reach an agreement, a resolution allows Hawaiʻi County to pursue the taking of private property to improve Government Beach Road.
Kicking, punching, biting: Hilo woman faces domestic charges against ex-boyfriend
She allegedly went to her ex-boyfriend’s residence and threatened him with a 45-pound weighted exercise plate, struck him with her fist, bit him on the upper back and damaged his van.
Hawai‘i County looking to governor for help improving traffic safety after deadly crashes
As of Tuesday, May 19, there have been 13 traffic fatalities in 2026 on Hawai‘i Island, including eight in the past two weeks.
Briefs for May 19: Submit input on future wildfire policy, state employees train in trauma-informed care, vaping and effects on mental health
Statewide news regarding future wildfire recovery policy, the first cohort of state employees certified in trauma-informed care and research on the effects of vaping on mental health.
2026 University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Coaches Hawaiian Islands Tour continues this week
This week’s remaining clinic schedule includes stops by the Vulcans coaches this week on Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi; clinics were hosted last week on the Big Island and Maui.
Hawaiʻi Island records 13th traffic fatality of the year after Keaʻau collision
A high-speed collision between a motorcycle and a Tesla SUV on May 18 resulted in the death of Max Mattos of Kurtistown.
Rental assistance available for those impacted by kona low flooding
Residents of Hawaiʻi County could be eligible for assistance if their home is unsafe to live in because of damage caused by the flooding; approved applicants receive an initial rental award of up to 2 months of rent.
Public hearings Tuesday for Hawaiʻi County’s proposed 2026-27 budget, tax rates
The Hawaiʻi County Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday, May 21, where it will decide whether to adopt the operating and capital improvement budgets and the real property tax rates.
