News
Free public pre-kindergarten program available for keiki on Big Island
Parents can now apply for the State of Hawaiʻi’s free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs that are available to all 3- and 4-year-old children on the Big Island.
Hawaiʻi County councilwoman calls for ‘drastic’ action at abandoned Uncle Billy’s hotel in Hilo
The former nearly 150-room Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel on the Big Island’s Waiakea Peninsula is now nothing more than a nuisance — for the Banyan Drive area and Hawai‘i County. It has long been condemned and is dilapidated to the point where most of the rooms are exposed to the elements and debris is strewn throughout the structure.
Update: Kino‘ole Street in Hilo has reopened
Update: Kino’ole Street in Hilo has reopened after repairs were made following a water main break.
WATCH: US Congressman Case of Hawai‘i honored for leadership in ocean policy
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation recently gave its prestigious 2023 Leadership Award to Case, who continues the fight for ocean-based climate solutions, sustainable climate ready fisheries management and international cooperation and coordination in saving the world’s oceans.
Konawaena High School class of 1973 celebrates 50th reunion
Konawaena High School’s Class of 1973 recently celebrated their 50th class reunion Sam Choy’s in Keauhou-Kona.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs awards $2 million to support housing, education
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees approved a $1.5 million grant to Hawaiian Community Assets to enhance the financial capacity of Native Hawaiians in accessing housing.
Big Island 4th of July events: from morning turtle release to night fireworks
There’s something for everybody during this year’s Fourth of July festivities on the Big Island, from a rodeo in Waimea to a rubber duckie derby in Waikōloa. And don’t forget about the fireworks shows!
Coral nursery under construction in Kona for program to save West Hawai‘i’s reefs
For 120 miles along the West Hawaiʻi coastline, from ‘Upolu Point to South Point, fragments of coral large and small are broken every day by big winter swells, rising ocean temperatures, illegal anchor drops, and legal and illegal moorings.
71-year-old Kona psychologist indicted for sexual assaulting minor under his care
A 71-year-old clinical psychologist of Kailua-Kona was indicted on Friday for sexually assaulting a minor he was treating between June and December in 2019.
Hawaiʻi Gov. Green signs $37.2 billion biennium operating budget; extends family tax credits
On Friday, Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green signed a $37.3 billion biennium state operating budget for fiscal years 24 and 25 and a bill that extends family tax credits for five years.
36-year-old woman seriously injured in hit-and-run by motorcycle in Pāhoa on Big Island
A 36-year-old woman from Pāhoa suffered serious injuries following a hit-and-run collision early Friday morning on Highway 130, near Malama Street in Pāhoa.
High bacteria levels detected at Spencer Beach Park
According to the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, 453 per 100 mL levels were detected during routine beach monitoring.
Volcano Watch: Replacing Mauna Loa’s carbon dioxide; replacing destroyed station
In the latest Volcano Watch, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists are looking for a new place to put a summit gas measuring station to replace the one destroyed by the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption.
Big Island native Wehilei to sing at Nā Hōkū Awards her nominated best single ‘Kohala, HI’
Big Island Native Wehilei will sing “Kohala, HI” at the 2023 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. She is up for Single of the Year and six other awards.
Prosecutors indict Captain Cook man in South Kona hit-and-run case
Alec Timpson of Captain Cook faces multiple charges for a hit-and-run incident near the Manago Hotel.
Teenaged girl airlifted to O’ahu hospital in critical condition after 2-vehicle crash in Hilo
A two-vehicle traffic crash that occurred on Wednesday night on Daniel K. Inouye Highway near the 9-mile marker in Hilo caused injuries to four people, including an 18-year-old female who was airlifted to an O’ahu hospital in critical condition.
University of Hawaiʻi president calls Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action ‘beyond disappointing’
University of Hawai’i President David Lassner called the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions “beyond disappointing.”
Pōhakuloa Training Area changes command; Lt. Col. Alvarado replaces Lt. Col. Cronin
Lt. Col. Timothy L. Alvarado will be the new U.S. Army Garrison Commander at Pōhakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.
Hawaiʻi astronomers on Maunakea discover death-defying planet
Astronomers from the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy have made the remarkable discovery of a planet’s survival after what should have been certain demise at the hands of its sun.
Jenny Decker begins epic solo sail around the world from Kona while battling rare disease
A flock of birds flew over Kona nurse Jenny Decker’s liveaboard sailboat as she pulled out of Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor Wednesday morning to begin her long-awaited journey to circumnavigate the globe.
