News
Six World Golf Hall of Famers to return for Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai
The 2026 event marks the 30th anniversary of it being held at Hualālai.
Hydrant flow test scheduled for Maka‘ala Street in Hilo this week
Hilo residents near Makaʻala Street may have discoloration next week as a fire hydrant flow test by the Department of Water Supply occurs at Home Depot on Wednesday.
New Hawaiʻi law strengthens protections for LGBTQIA+ families, modernizes parentage statutes
Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission Vice Chairman and Legislative Lead Michael Golojuch Jr. says the enactment of Act 298 as of Jan. 1 “brings Hawaiʻi’s parentage laws into the present and centers the best interests of the keiki, regardless of their parents’ gender, sexual orientation or marital status.”
‘Heaviest rain is still likely yet to come’: Storm’s worst impacts expected to arrive today
Another round of moisture makes its way into the state and will likely persist tonight and linger through Tuesday, with Big Island and Kauaʻi having the greatest potential for excessive rain and flooding; winds also will pick up today at lower elevations on Big Island.
50 years ago Kaho‘olawe Nine protest helped spark rebirth of sacred island
Two events were held Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary of a watershed moment that eventually led the U.S. military to stop bombing Kaho’olawe and put the island at the center of the Hawaiian rights movement.
High surf advisory, flood advisory, coastal flood statement in effect for East Hawai’i
An easterly wind fetch generated by lowering pressures south and west of the islands will significantly increase easterly wind wave swell; surf of 10 to 12 feet is forecast, causing strong breaking waves and strong currents that will make swimming dangerous.
Business Monday: Renovation delays continue at former Uncle Billy’s hotel in Kailua-Kona
Hotel owner Sandy Shapery said he hopes the $35 million renovation will be completed in time for the hotel to reopen in late spring.
Kawaihae assault investigation reclassified as homicide following victim’s death
A reported altercation turned tragic after 40-year-old Leah Bannister succumbed to her injuries related to an assault in Kawaihae, which has since been reclassified as a homicide.
Oceanography, atmospheric science, tourism at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ranked among top 12 in U.S.
The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy; the annual Global Ranking of Academic Subjects released by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.
UPDATE: Coastal flood statement extended again, now in effect through early Tuesday
Peak monthly high tides combined with higher-than-predicted water levels will continue to lead to minor flooding along shorelines and in low-lying coastal areas, with flooding still most likely near the daily peak high tides early in the morning.
Measure to reunite, protect immigrant families co-introduced in U.S. Senate by Hawaiʻi’s Hirono
The Reuniting Families Act would reduce visa backlogs, boost efficiency throughout the immigration process and ensure a fairer, more humane process for immigrant families.
UPDATE: Winter storm, high wind watches upgraded to warnings for Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa summits
Deep moisture being drawn up from the south ahead of a developing cold-core kona low is expected to produce periods of heavy snow of up to 5 to 10 inches and possible rime ice accumulation atop the Big Island volcanoes above 11,000 feet in elevation; a high wind warning for the summits also goes into effect from 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.
UPDATE: Flood advisory extended through late this afternoon for southeast Big Island
Radar indicated at 1:26 p.m. that heavy rain — still generally falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, with the heaviest rates between Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Pāhoa, including portions of Pāhoa-Kalapana Road and Highway 11.
Big Island state senators among leadership, committee chairpersons for upcoming legislative session
Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi said the body realigned chairpersons and committee assignments for the upcoming 2026 session because of the retirement of O‘ahu Sen. Henry Aquino.
Key legislation, Hawai‘i priorities advanced in U.S. Senate by Schatz throughout 2025
During the past year, the Democratic U.S. senator from Hawai‘i worked to protect federal funding for the islands amid national cuts, secured more than $1 billion to support Maui’s recovery, improve infrastructure, expand high-speed internet throughout the state.
Kona Brewers Festival announces redesigned website, featured artist, expanded impact
The festival announced the key updates as momentum builds for the 31st annual event slated for March 14 at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona; tickets go on sale Jan. 10.
Progress now underway for project to create new $85,000 Kailua Bay Regatta Course
3 Kona canoe clubs lead construction effort and launch GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.
Registration open now for winter classes at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea
In addition to the regular slate of youth programs — such as Waimea Youth Chorus, Creative Drama, Center Stage and others — this winter’s offerings include classes designed especially for kūpuna and adults interested in creative expression, movement and community connection.
Legislation introduced by Hawai‘i U.S. senator would protect, expand Social Security
More than 280,000 people in Hawai‘i, or more than 1 in 6 residents, rely on Social Security benefits; the SAFE Social Security Act, introduced by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, will increase benefits for seniors in Hawai‘i and throughout the United States.
University of Hawaiʻi study reveals critical new details about diversity of ocean’s most abundant bacteria
Understanding SAR11 marine bacteria is vital because they are one of the main drivers of the global ocean’s life-support system; they move and recycle the carbon and nutrients that sustain all other marine life.
