North Hawaii News

Highway 19 has reopened between miles 35 and 37 as firefighters battled the blaze.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting. Will any of these planned closures impact your commute or fun? Take a look and plan ahead now.

This week’s got it all, Big Island — a radioactive reptile on the rampage brings his diverse character to the silverscreen in Hilo, an emotional evening event will fill waters in West Hawai’i with a soft glow to remember loved ones who passed and and an epic paniolo-style BBQ and music festival in Waimea will satisfy your taste-buds and pique your curiosity about a new cultural TV series. Check out our top 10 things to do on the island now!

Participation in this year’s statewide Hawaiʻi State Public Library System’s Summer Reading Challenge surged 44%.

The vote not only averts a possible 3-day strike that was set to begin today, Hawai‘i Nurses’ Association also says it gives the nurses improved nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and wages closer to their colleagues at Queen’s Health Systems’ two O‘ahu hospitals.

The university’s statewide system of 7 community colleges was recently ranked 11th in the nation in a 2025 Wallethub analysis, which evaluated 653 colleges nationwide on 18 metrics, including tuition, graduation and transfer rates and post-graduation earnings.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting. Will any of these planned closures impact your commute or fun? Take a look and plan ahead now.

There have been 14 fatal crashes on the Big Island so far this year, resulting in 15 fatalities, and alcohol or drug impairment was a factor in half of them.

Changes made as a result of Mayor Kimo Alameda’s permitting task force improved the permit review process; local contractors, business owners are noticing a difference.

Despite the heat, this time of year is great for getting out and going before everyone’s schedules overflow with work, school activities, sports and — yes, it’s only just a few months away now — the holiday season. So don’t miss the full slate of activities and events happening during the next several days around the island.

Local National Agricultural Statistics Service representatives will visit operations and properties on the Big Island this month and in September to determine if they meet eligibility criteria for the survey.

U.S. senator from Hawai’i speaks with several Hawai’i Island chambers of commerce; nearly 250 residents turn out for community meeting in Waimea

Waves of 10 to 14 feet are forecast this morning, decreasing to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon and 7 to 10 feet Monday for those shorelines in Puna, Kaʻū, North and South Kona and North and South Kohala. Flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation also will be an issue with continued coastal flooding.

In observance of Statehood Day, Aug. 15, there will be no contraflow and lane closures unless otherwise permitted. Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded Saturday afternoon to a small wildfire near the 21-mile marker of Highway 19 near Pōhakupuka. Firefighters also battled 2 separate blazes about 15 to 20 miles north and west of there the prior 2 days that burned a total of less than about 330 acres.

Project started Aug. 4 at Kapa‘au park and involves removing old, non-functioning lights and installing new lighting and electrical infrastructure. Work scheduled to take about 60 days.

The extension comes as National Weather Service forecasters also issued a high surf advisory for south-facing shores of the state that will be in effect from early Friday morning to early the morning of Aug. 11.

Hawai‘i Department of Health issued a high bacteria notification for the area after higher than normal bacteria level of 178 per 100 mL was found during recent routine monitoring. There is no known source of fecal contamination.

Only one well remains operational in the area and high water usage has caused customers to have no water or low water pressure.

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