News
Police search for 15-year old runaway in Hilo
Kaieaʻaukananiʻi Grabow left home on Nov. 15 and is believed to be in the Hilo area.
Hawaiian Electric gives its electric vehicle fast chargers new look with fresh face-lift
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids now account for 15% of new vehicle registrations; utility continues work to enhance charging equipment reliability.
Services return inside Kona’s historic Mokuaikaua Church after a 6-year restoration
There will be a three-day Ho‘olaule‘a starting Friday night, marking the completion of the sanctuary restoration, as well as marking the 205th anniversary of the congregation.
Limited backyard hens will be allowed in residential areas on Big Island — and their eggs can be sold
The bill that passed the Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday included amendments to address community concerns about the number of hens allowed, coop requirements and the prohibition of selling eggs or birds.
Volcano Watch: Remembering the destructive Kalapana earthquake 50 years ago
The largest Hawaiʻi earthquake of the 20th century and so far in the 21st century happened 50 years ago this month; shaking as well as ground subsidence and a local tsunami contributed to a catastrophic sequence of events Nov. 29, 1975.
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival to honor longtime volunteers Fred and Nancy Nonaka
The annual festival — now in its 33rd year — celebrates blossoming of the historic cherry trees planted in 1972 in Church Park Row, the festival’s headquarters. Fred Nonaka helped plant them and now at 89 years old, he’s still on pruning duty. Meanwhile, his wife Nancy Nonaka was the spark behind the many cultural demonstrations and hands-on activities offered each year at Kamuela Hongwanji Mission.
Kaiser Permanente supports nonprofits tackling food insecurity across the state
Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi has awarded $263,000 in grants to bolster food security and health equity in the islands, supporting programs such as the Food Basket’s DA BUX.
Hawaiʻi County expands its transit fleet with 9 additional paratransit vans, 4 all-electric buses
Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit now has 16 vehicles in its Hele-On Kakoʻo Paratransit Services fleet, helping increase on-time performance and reliability for users.
New $1M endowment at University of Hawai’i at Hilo helps students facing financial challenges
Rooted in compassion and opportunity, the Kruschel Endowment to Reduce Insecurity will provide direct assistance to University of Hawai’i at Hilo students facing financial hardship, focusing on such basic needs as housing, food, transportation, communication, technology and access to essential resources.
Red Cross urges safety during holiday cooking, decorating to prevent home fires
Organization responds to 20% more home fires during the holiday months, many of which are sparked by cooking accidents, unattended candles or unsafe decorations.
2 Big Island state parks to start charging parking fees for nonresidents
Wailuku River State Park (Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots) in Hilo and Kekaha Kai State Park in Kona will begin charging parking fees for nonresidents and commercial vehicles; Hawaiʻi residents, however, will continue to receive free parking.
Hawaiʻi residents encouraged to quit smoking, vaping during Great American Smokeout
Hawai‘i joins the nation this year in observing the annual Smokeout today (Nov. 20), and Hawaiʻi Department of Health encourages island residents to use this date to quit — even if it is for a day.
Wave of resilience: Keaukaha community, schools to conduct tsunami evacuation exercise
“Time is of the essence when a tsunami threatens Hawai‘i Island, so we encourage everyone living, working or learning in coastal areas to know and practice their escape routes,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Nov. 21-27: Events on the menu to celebrate Thanksgiving, plus more
The holidays are officially upon us as we head into Thanksgiving week, and the top 10 definitely reflects the most wonderful time of the year, with several events celebrating Turkey Day 2025 and another holiday market. Be sure to check them out now!
Hawaiʻi County Council passes first reading of bill to prohibit use of disposable plastic
Bill 53 aims to align Hawaiʻi County with goals set forth by the county’s Zero Waste Plan that was adopted in 2007.
Hawai‘i Giving Machines return in 2025, vending joy and igniting holiday cheer
There will be two Big Island locations community members can find the big red vending machines to donate to people in need; one will be at Prince Kūhiō Plaza in Hilo and the other at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa.
Institute for Astronomy debuts advanced robotic optics at UH 2.2-meter telescope on Mauna Kea
Robo-AO-2 is designed to correct the blur caused by Earth’s atmosphere, sharpening images of hundreds of objects each night with minimal human oversight.
Evaluation committee for Act 310 nonprofit grants to announce application decisions
Committee members reviewed applications from organizations and agencies throughout the state seeking a portion of the allocated $50 million in nonprofit grant funding, and they will announce their decisions Thursday (Nov. 20).
The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s food bank, awarded $25,000 from Nareit Hawai‘i
Funds are part of a total $120,000 the organization granted to several nonprofits throughout the islands; Food Basket to use award to help fulfill food security needs of Big Island residents coping with increasing prices.
Neighborhood Place of Puna launches new Mobile Family Resource Center
“By bringing the Family Resource Center directly into our communities, we’re able to meet families where they are, offer immediate assistance and build relationships that strengthen the well-being of our keiki and ʻohana.” — Neighborhood Place of Puna Executive Director Paul Normann
