#Nicole Lowen

Community members turning out for the meeting in Building A at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kailua-Kona will hear directly from the legislators, plus the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and discuss key issues impacting the West Hawai‘i region.

Electric Vehicle Association names Big Island state Rep. Nicole Lowen as its 2026 Legislative Ambassador of the Year.

Hawaiʻi State Energy Office admitted to omitting the costs of importing liquefied natural gas fuel, turning purported savings for consumers into almost $1 billion in losses.

“Across the aisle, these shared values reflect our 51 members’ dedication to serving the public,” said House Speaker Nadine Nakamura of Kaua‘i, the first woman speaker of the House in Hawai‘i history and first Asian-American woman state speaker of the House in United States. “They remind us of the meaningful work happening here at the Legislature and our daily responsibility to do our best for the people of Hawaiʻi.”

Democrats won all the Senate and House races on the Big Island during the 2024 General Election.

In the House, residents will see a shakeup for Districts 1 and 2.

Twenty-seven countries are now in support of a moratorium or precautionary pause on seabed mining for metals used in electric vehicles.

Matsuyama Food and Fuel opened on Dec. 27. This new store, the family’s flagship location, will serve visitors coming and going from the Big Island and a stop for last-minute beach snacks and food.

On March 7, House Bill 2298 passed the House with amendments and was referred to the Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary Senate committees for a hearing.

This move comes in response to deceptive labeling concerns and a recent report from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, which offered clear economic justification for the Legislature to increase the minimum content required for a product to bear the Kona name on its packaging.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday at Kona Community Hospital for a $2.3 million project to expand its pharmacy space to include a clean room suite where they can prepare IV medications and store them for longer.

To combat climate change and work toward the state’s zero-emission goal of 100% clean energy by 2045, Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday signed seven bills into law.

Several bills and resolutions were approved or adopted by one or both chambers of the 32nd Hawaiʻi State Legislature and revolving around a wide range of issues, including: guns, coffee, kimichi, sex trafficking, grounded vessels, humpback whales and active shooting drills in schools.

The nearly 50-year-old Kona Community Hospital — built in 1974 — runs the risk of closure every day due to outdated utilities and is lobbying the State Legislature for funding to deal with the problems.

As 50 Kaiser Permanente clinicians who serve more than 260,000 patients throughout the islands continue an open-ended strike, 15 Hawai‘i state legislators on Tuesday signed a letter addressing the increasing challenges faced by health care providers specifically relating to mental health.

Come talk about Big Island issues with Kona’s state and county representatives.

Sustainable Energy Hawai‘i, formerly Big Island Community Coalition, is offering a free webinar about geothermal power options in Hawai’i.

A Hawai´i Senator has introduced two resolutions that would, in effect, create a vaccine passport program for incoming and interisland travelers.

Governor David Ige announced the funding Monday.

Capital Improvement Project funds have been released for Kealakehe High School’s track improvements.