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Big Island County, Hawaii

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About Big Island, HI

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Comprehensive local news coverage for the Big Island of Hawaii. Stay informed about government decisions, community events, business developments, and civic matters affecting residents of Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Pahoa, Waimea, and surrounding communities.

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Hilo baseball, softball surge as BIIF playoffs near on Big Island

Hilo baseball, softball surge as BIIF playoffs near on Big Island

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Run for Hops 5K and 10K finally hits Kona after storm delay

Run for Hops 5K and 10K finally hits Kona after storm delay

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UHERO: LNG would offer limited power savings for Hawaii ratepayers

UHERO: LNG would offer limited power savings for Hawaii ratepayers

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More Local News

Hamakua trail proposal could link Hilo to Waipio on foot
Government

Hamakua trail proposal could link Hilo to Waipio on foot

A June 3 committee meeting pushed a Hilo-to-Waipio trail idea into feasibility-study territory, where land access, funding and maintenance will decide its fate.

James Thompson3m read
Former Hilo man extradited, faces decades-old sexual assault charges
Community

Former Hilo man extradited, faces decades-old sexual assault charges

A former Hilo resident was flown back from Florida and now sits in HCC, with bail set at $400,000 on four felony sexual assault counts.

Sarah Chen2m read
Hawaii Community College chancellor Susan Kazama to retire after 40 years
Education

Hawaii Community College chancellor Susan Kazama to retire after 40 years

Susan Kazama will retire July 31, leaving Hawaii CC with enrollment gains, a seven-year accreditation win and big workforce programs to protect.

Marcus Williams2m read
Judge orders mental exam for Pahoa murder suspect in lower Puna killings
Government

Judge orders mental exam for Pahoa murder suspect in lower Puna killings

A Hilo judge ordered a mental exam for Jacob 'Jake' Daniel Baker, putting the lower Puna triple-killing case on a slower track. Families now wait for answers and a trial timeline.

Marcus Williams2m read
Kailua-Kona crash kills pedestrian, driver faces negligent homicide charge
Community

Kailua-Kona crash kills pedestrian, driver faces negligent homicide charge

A 59-year-old man died after a pickup veered off the old Kona Airport roadway, and police now say the Kailua-Kona driver faces second-degree negligent homicide.

Marcus Williams1m read
Hilo man charged after assault on pregnant woman and toddler
Community

Hilo man charged after assault on pregnant woman and toddler

A Hilo man faces felony abuse charges after police say he assaulted his pregnant girlfriend and hit a 2-year-old during a May 20 attack on Lehua Street.

Sarah Chen2m read
State keeps Hawaii Island helicopter on wildfire duty through November
Government

State keeps Hawaii Island helicopter on wildfire duty through November

A Black Hawk will stay staged in Hilo through Nov. 30, giving Hawaii Island a faster aerial response as Kona, Kohala and Puna head into the driest months.

Marcus Williams2m read
United Way grants support food and housing security on Hawaii Island
Community

United Way grants support food and housing security on Hawaii Island

Nine island nonprofits split $64,000 at The Food Basket’s Hilo campus site, but 28 groups asked for $622,000 as 43% of Hawaii Island faces food insecurity.

Sarah Chen2m read
Year of the Alawi campaign aims to protect Hawaii Island forests
Community

Year of the Alawi campaign aims to protect Hawaii Island forests

A Hawaii Island bird found only above 4,500 feet is driving a Hakalau Forest fundraiser as its endowment nears $3 million and native forests face disease and invasives.

Marcus Williams2m read
Ironman 70.3 Hawaii draws 2,000 athletes to Kohala Coast
Community

Ironman 70.3 Hawaii draws 2,000 athletes to Kohala Coast

Thomas Newsom and Victoria Feng won, but the bigger story was the Kohala Coast weekend surge that filled Fairmont Orchid roads, beaches and resort businesses.

Lisa Park2m read
Kailua-Kona pier attack leads to sexual assault, robbery charges
Community

Kailua-Kona pier attack leads to sexual assault, robbery charges

A sleeping couple at Kailua-Kona Pier says they were attacked, robbed and dragged into violence that ended in charges against a 23-year-old Kailua-Kona man and a juvenile.

Sarah Chen2m read
Honokaa man faces 10 charges after two high-speed police chases
Government

Honokaa man faces 10 charges after two high-speed police chases

A Honokaa driver allegedly hit 117 mph on Highway 190 and 114 mph on Highway 19, then had his bail raised to $200,000.

James Thompson2m read
HDOT declares Saddle Road traffic emergency zone after fatal crashes
Government

HDOT declares Saddle Road traffic emergency zone after fatal crashes

Five deaths on Saddle Road pushed HDOT to fast-track rumble strips, cameras and drainage work on the Hilo-Kona corridor.

Marcus Williams2m read
Police renew search for missing Big Island teen Naiomi Michael
Community

Police renew search for missing Big Island teen Naiomi Michael

Police renewed their search for 16-year-old Naiomi Michael nearly nine months after she was first reported as a runaway, urging anyone with even old tips to come forward.

Lisa Park1m read
Big Island man extradited from Florida, faces child sexual assault charges
Government

Big Island man extradited from Florida, faces child sexual assault charges

A 51-year-old former Big Island resident was brought back from Miami Beach to face four child-sex-assault counts. A Hilo judge raised his bail to $400,000 after prosecutors said he fled Hawaii.

James Thompson2m read
Big Island County offers free summer meals for keiki at selected sites
Community

Big Island County offers free summer meals for keiki at selected sites

Free keiki meals begin Monday at 13 Big Island sites, but families must plan around 8 a.m. call-ahead orders, holiday closures and limited site coverage.

Marcus Williams2m read
2 nēnē killed in Waikōloa parking lot, state investigates
Community

2 nēnē killed in Waikōloa parking lot, state investigates

Two endangered nēnē were killed at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa, where state officials say about 70 birds have been drawn to cat food near the parking lot.

Sarah Chen2m read
Captain Cook post office mural honors Kua and Kealakekua heritage
Community

Captain Cook post office mural honors Kua and Kealakekua heritage

A new mural at the Captain Cook Post Office turned a federal building into a cultural landmark, centering Kua, Kealakekua and student voices.

Marcus Williams2m read
Police seek help finding endangered Honokaa woman, Sarah Andes
Community

Police seek help finding endangered Honokaa woman, Sarah Andes

Police are asking for help finding 63-year-old Sarah Andes, who was last seen in Honokaa at 6:30 a.m. on June 2 and is considered endangered.

Lisa Park1m read
Lead remediation begins on Hakalau Stream Bridge in Hilo
Government

Lead remediation begins on Hakalau Stream Bridge in Hilo

Lead cleanup is now underway beneath Hakalau Stream Bridge, putting weekday construction in Hilo from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

James Thompson2m read
High surf closes four West Hawaii beach parks, threatens Kona coast
Community

High surf closes four West Hawaii beach parks, threatens Kona coast

Ten- to 14-foot surf forced closures at four Kona beach parks, as wave wash and currents made shoreline access unsafe. Officials warned the swell could keep disrupting travel, tourism and weekend plans.

Lisa Park2m read
Kona quake damages catchment systems, hundreds face water emergency
Community

Kona quake damages catchment systems, hundreds face water emergency

A 6.0 quake cracked rain-catchment systems across South Kona, leaving some families hauling water and some farmers scrambling to save coffee trees. Up to 500 people could be affected.

Lisa Park2m read
HPD increases highway enforcement after deadly DKI crash
Government

HPD increases highway enforcement after deadly DKI crash

HPD is stepping up patrols on the DKI Highway after a Mile Marker 18 crash killed one person and shut the road for four hours. Speeding, impairment, distraction and seat belts are the focus.

James Thompson2m read
Hawaii County audit says affordable housing reforms largely complete
Government

Hawaii County audit says affordable housing reforms largely complete

Hawaii County says six affordable-housing audit fixes are done, but one Chapter 11 revision still hangs over a credit program once warped by a bribery scheme.

Marcus Williams2m read
Hawaii Island police seek public help finding runaway teen in Hilo
Community

Hawaii Island police seek public help finding runaway teen in Hilo

Police said 16-year-old Kelii Nobriga was last seen on the 1700 block of Kinoole Street in Hilo. He was wearing black and tan clothing, and tips may go directly to Acting Detective Corey Kaneko.

Marcus Williams1m read
Police seek man wanted on $50,000 probation warrant in Puna, Hāmākua
Government

Police seek man wanted on $50,000 probation warrant in Puna, Hāmākua

Police are looking for 43-year-old Junior Santiago, wanted on a $50,000 probation warrant, and say he may be in Puna or Hāmākua.

Marcus Williams2m read
Crash closes Daniel K. Inouye Highway near Hilo for three hours
Community

Crash closes Daniel K. Inouye Highway near Hilo for three hours

A crash shut Daniel K. Inouye Highway near Hilo for three hours, stranding traffic along one of the Big Island’s few fast east-west links.

Marcus Williams2m read
Health department retests Honokohau Harbor after elevated bacteria sample
Healthcare

Health department retests Honokohau Harbor after elevated bacteria sample

A state sample at Honokohau Harbor found 207 bacteria units, above Hawaii’s swim-water limit, and health officials retested the site June 2.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Motorcyclist dies in Pāhoa crash on Kahakai Boulevard, driver arrested
Government

Motorcyclist dies in Pāhoa crash on Kahakai Boulevard, driver arrested

Korey Palmerton died after a Kahakai Boulevard crash in Pāhoa, and police arrested the driver as residents again face questions about the road’s safety.

James Thompson2m read