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Prism Local News

Big Island County, Hawaii
"Your Local News, Powered by AI Journalism"

About Big Island, HI

Population
Approximately 200,000 residents
County Seat
Hilo
Coverage Area
Hawaii Island (Big Island), the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago at 4,028 square miles

Local Updates

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Newsroom monitoring local Big Island, HI developments. Next update cycle in 52 minutes.

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More Local News

Hawaiʻi County Completes $2.57M Renovation at Laupāhoehoe Transfer Station, Reopens March 6
Government

Hawaiʻi County Completes $2.57M Renovation at Laupāhoehoe Transfer Station, Reopens March 6

Hawaiʻi County finished a $2.57 million overhaul of the Laupāhoehoe Recycling & Transfer Station at 35-2061 Old Māmalahoa Highway and will reopen Friday, March 6, 2026, after nearly 10 months offline.

James Thompson2m read
Three arrested after gunshots near Kailua-Kona residence; police say no active threat
Community

Three arrested after gunshots near Kailua-Kona residence; police say no active threat

Hawaiʻi Island police arrested three adult males after gunshots were heard at a home on the 75-5000 block of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona; officers say there is no active threat to a nearby school.

Marcus Williams2m read
Public Hearings Set for Kaʻūpūlehu Fisheries Plan as 10-Year Try Wait Ends
Government

Public Hearings Set for Kaʻūpūlehu Fisheries Plan as 10-Year Try Wait Ends

The State Land Board approved public hearings on draft rules to implement the Kaʻūpūlehu Fisheries Management Plan as the 10-year Try Wait closure is scheduled to lapse June 30, 2026.

James Thompson4m read
33-year-old Hawaiʻi resident airlifted from closed Kīlauea caldera dies
Community

33-year-old Hawaiʻi resident airlifted from closed Kīlauea caldera dies

A 33-year-old Hawaiʻi Island resident was found inside a closed area on the east side of the Kīlauea caldera, airlifted to Hilo Benioff Medical Center on Feb. 27 and pronounced deceased.

Lisa Park2m read
Hawaiʻi County Closes Kahaluʻu Beach Park May 1–10 for Coral Spawning
Government

Hawaiʻi County Closes Kahaluʻu Beach Park May 1–10 for Coral Spawning

Hawaiʻi County will temporarily close Kahaluʻu Beach Park May 1–10 to protect cauliflower coral (Pocillopora meandrina) spawning; beach users are asked to stay out of the water until May 11.

Marcus Williams2m read
Parker School Hosts Waimea Community Event Celebrating Navahine Youth Climate Victory
Community

Parker School Hosts Waimea Community Event Celebrating Navahine Youth Climate Victory

Parker School will host a free community event at Parker School Theater in Waimea on March 11, 2026 - doors open 5:15 p.m., event 5:30 p.m. to highlight the Navahine settlement.

Lisa Park2m read
Sen. Brian Schatz Announces $13.4M FEMA Grant to Modernize Hilo Bridge
Government

Sen. Brian Schatz Announces $13.4M FEMA Grant to Modernize Hilo Bridge

Sen. Brian Schatz announced a $13.4M FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant to design and modernize the Waiānuenue Avenue Bridge in Hilo, the award was disclosed March 5, 2026.

James Thompson3m read
Statewide Pre-Eviction Mediation Pilot Keeps Hawaiʻi County Tenants Housed
Government

Statewide Pre-Eviction Mediation Pilot Keeps Hawaiʻi County Tenants Housed

The state launched the Pre-Eviction Mediation Filing Program Feb. 5, 2026, and March 6 local reporting says the pilot has already helped keep some Hawaiʻi County tenants housed.

James Thompson3m read
14 Lane Closures on Hawaiʻi Island Roads Feb. 28 to March 6
Government

14 Lane Closures on Hawaiʻi Island Roads Feb. 28 to March 6

HDOT posted a consolidated list of 14 planned lane closures on Hawaiʻi Island state highways for the week of Feb. 28–March 6; Big Island Now published the affected segments and cautioned schedules may change.

James Thompson5m read
Third Suspect Arrested, Charged in Feb. 18-19 Hilo Business Burglaries
Business

Third Suspect Arrested, Charged in Feb. 18-19 Hilo Business Burglaries

Hilo police arrested 25-year-old Elika Perry and charged him in the Feb. 18-19 burglaries that damaged an ATM at Long’s Drugs and led to a stolen cash register at Prince Kūhiō Plaza.

Sarah Chen2m read
Keaʻau Benioff Outpatient Center Could Open by 2028; Estimated Cost $90M
Healthcare

Keaʻau Benioff Outpatient Center Could Open by 2028; Estimated Cost $90M

keaʻau Benioff Health Center could cost up to $90 million and aims to open by the end of 2028, serving about 100 patients a day in a 36,000-square-foot outpatient facility.

Lisa Park3m read
Hilo Public Library Celebrates 75 Years with Program, Author Talk, Festivities
Community

Hilo Public Library Celebrates 75 Years with Program, Author Talk, Festivities

Hilo Public Library is marking its 75th anniversary Saturday with a 9:00 a.m. Kahu blessing, a 12:00 p.m. author talk by Jasmin ʻIolani Hakes and live music through 1:00 p.m.

Sarah Chen2m read
Kuleana Health Fair in Hilo March 7 Offers Free Screenings, Family Activities
Community

Kuleana Health Fair in Hilo March 7 Offers Free Screenings, Family Activities

Community First Hawaiʻi is hosting the free Kuleana Health Fair today at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo, offering screenings, Zumba, keiki bouncy castles and prize drawings 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Marcus Williams2m read
Hawaiʻi County issues water restrictions for Honomū after well breakdown
Government

Hawaiʻi County issues water restrictions for Honomū after well breakdown

Hawaiʻi County DWS issued an immediate Water Restriction Notice for Honomū after an unexpected well breakdown, requiring customers to cut water use by at least 25%.

Marcus Williams2m read
Marzo’s Country Sports Bar and Grill opens in Pāhoa, features live music
Business

Marzo’s Country Sports Bar and Grill opens in Pāhoa, features live music

Marzo’s Country Sports Bar and Grill opened March 2 in Pāhoa at 15-2714 Pahoa Village Road, offering live music, a performance stage and sports viewing; grand opening set for March 7.

Sarah Chen2m read
Hawaiʻi County Council to consider Bill 132 regulating Kailua Village paid parking
Government

Hawaiʻi County Council to consider Bill 132 regulating Kailua Village paid parking

Council committee will hear Bill 132 March 3 at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo, proposing free first three consecutive hours at private paid-parking lots in Historic Kailua Village.

James Thompson2m read
Big Island Libraries Offer Free Wi‑Fi, Homework Help and Job Resources
Community

Big Island Libraries Offer Free Wi‑Fi, Homework Help and Job Resources

Hawaiʻi State Public Library System branches across the Big Island provide free Wi‑Fi, public computers, homework help and job-search resources to support education, work and community meetings.

Lisa Park2m read
Hawaiʻi County Posting Fire Chief Position in March; Volpe Intends to Apply
Government

Hawaiʻi County Posting Fire Chief Position in March; Volpe Intends to Apply

Hawai‘i County will post the fire chief job in March 2026 after the Dec. 14, 2025 death of Chief Kazuo Todd; Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Volpe, acting chief, intends to apply.

James Thompson3m read
Hawaiʻi Island’s CanoeHouse Chef Rhoda Magbitang to Compete on Top Chef Carolinas
Business

Hawaiʻi Island’s CanoeHouse Chef Rhoda Magbitang to Compete on Top Chef Carolinas

Rhoda Magbitang, executive chef at CanoeHouse in Waimea, will represent Hawaiʻi Island on Top Chef Season 23: Carolinas, which premieres Monday, March 9 on Bravo.

Sarah Chen2m read
HTA Draft Big Island DMAP Identifies Three Priority Overtourism Hotspots
Government

HTA Draft Big Island DMAP Identifies Three Priority Overtourism Hotspots

HTA’s draft 2026–2028 Big Island DMAP singles out Keaukaha (Hilo/Keaukaha), Kealakekua and Ka Lae (South Point) as priority overtourism hotspots after 2025 community engagement; public comments closed March 2, 2026.

Marcus Williams5m read
Sherry Bird Selected as Hawaiʻi Police Deputy Chief; If Approved, First Woman
Government

Sherry Bird Selected as Hawaiʻi Police Deputy Chief; If Approved, First Woman

Chief Reed K. Mahuna has selected Assistant Chief Sherry Bird as deputy chief of the Hawaiʻi Police Department, pending Police Commission approval on March 20 at 9 a.m.; if approved, she would be the first woman in the role in the department’s 83-year history.

James Thompson3m read
Hawaiian Electric to Conduct Islandwide Transmission Line Helicopter Inspections March 10–13
Business

Hawaiian Electric to Conduct Islandwide Transmission Line Helicopter Inspections March 10–13

Hawaiian Electric will fly a Manuiwa Airways helicopter over Hawaii Island for islandwide transmission-line inspections March 10–13, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., with possible temporary low-and-slow noise.

Sarah Chen2m read
First Animal Control and Protection Summit in Waimea unites county, nonprofits
Government

First Animal Control and Protection Summit in Waimea unites county, nonprofits

Hawaiʻi County’s ACPA and the Mayor’s Office brought about 100 people to Kahilu Town Hall on Feb. 27 to gather input for a strategic plan for the agency established in 2023.

James Thompson2m read
HPD Seeks Help Locating Missing, Endangered 25-Year-Old from Hawaiian Paradise Park
Community

HPD Seeks Help Locating Missing, Endangered 25-Year-Old from Hawaiian Paradise Park

Hawaiʻi Police Department seeks public help to find 25-year-old Jonathan Solominsky of Hawaiian Paradise Park; HPD bulletin provided only limited details and cuts off mid-sentence.

Sarah Chen3m read
HB 2606 HD2 advances, Big Island rep co-authors pre-built homes framework
Government

HB 2606 HD2 advances, Big Island rep co-authors pre-built homes framework

The Hawaii House Finance Committee unanimously advanced HB 2606 HD2 on March 3, 2026, to create a State Building Code Council working group to craft permitting rules for factory-built homes; Lee Loy says indoor builds can halve construction time.

James Thompson3m read
Hawaii Lawmakers Explore Space Industry, Target Hilo as Operations Hub
Government

Hawaii Lawmakers Explore Space Industry, Target Hilo as Operations Hub

Legislators advanced measures to support Fenix Space operations in Hilo, including SB2693 proposing $15 million in GO bonds to build a 50,000 sq ft aerospace hangar at Hilo International Airport.

Marcus Williams4m read
Portion of Saddle Road Closed After Crash Near Mile Marker 29
Community

Portion of Saddle Road Closed After Crash Near Mile Marker 29

A vehicle crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) prompted a full closure in both directions near mile marker 29, Big Island Now reported on March 3, 2026.

Lisa Park2m read
Aloha Exchange Club Honors Three Hawaiʻi Police Officers for East Hawaiʻi Service
Community

Aloha Exchange Club Honors Three Hawaiʻi Police Officers for East Hawaiʻi Service

Three Puna District officers, Ashton Gomes, Shaneil Azevedo and Dallas Arce, were honored at a Hilo luncheon Jan. 29, 2026 for separate Oct–Dec 2025 incidents that kept East Hawaiʻi safer.

Lisa Park2m read
Nearly 500 Volunteers Spot 1,900 Humpback Whales in Second Islandwide Count
Community

Nearly 500 Volunteers Spot 1,900 Humpback Whales in Second Islandwide Count

Nearly 500 volunteers reported spotting more than 1,900 humpback whales across the main Hawaiian Islands during the second coordinated count on March 1, 2026.

Marcus Williams2m read