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Big Island County, Hawaii

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About Big Island, HI

Local News
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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Big Island police warn drivers ahead of Fourth of July crackdown

Big Island police warn drivers ahead of Fourth of July crackdown

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Honokaa baseball leads Big Island honors after perfect state championship season

Honokaa baseball leads Big Island honors after perfect state championship season

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Richard Smart Fund grants $500,000 to 29 Waimea programs

Richard Smart Fund grants $500,000 to 29 Waimea programs

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Hilo Community Players seeks cast for bold new Spring Awakening

Hilo Community Players seeks cast for bold new Spring Awakening

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Vehicle collisions top causes of pueo deaths in statewide study

Vehicle collisions top causes of pueo deaths in statewide study

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Hawaii County officer honored at MADD Hawaii statewide ceremony

Hawaii County officer honored at MADD Hawaii statewide ceremony

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Hawaii State FCU grants $22,000 to help teachers buy supplies

Hawaii State FCU grants $22,000 to help teachers buy supplies

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Hawaii emergency sirens to sound for monthly test July 1

Hawaii emergency sirens to sound for monthly test July 1

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More Local News

Laupahoehoe boat ramp draws renewed attention as repairs stall
Community

Laupahoehoe boat ramp draws renewed attention as repairs stall

Laupahoehoe’s 1988 boat ramp is back under scrutiny as residents weigh stalled repairs against years of shifting county funding and new plans for the harbor.

Marcus Williams2m read
State repaves Saddle Road with safety upgrades after deadly crashes
Government

State repaves Saddle Road with safety upgrades after deadly crashes

State crews are repaving Saddle Road between mileposts 10 and 22.5 with traction-improving OGFC after five deaths, but drivers may still be waiting on bigger fixes.

James Thompson2m read
Kaiehitu Boys 14 crew caps undefeated season at Hilo Bay regatta
Community

Kaiehitu Boys 14 crew caps undefeated season at Hilo Bay regatta

Kaiehitu Canoe Club’s Boys 14 crew finished undefeated at Hilo Bay, putting a division title on the Big Island regatta season’s final day. Families and clubs packed the bay for a finale rooted in Hilo identity.

Marcus Williams2m read
Puna Kai developer files for bankruptcy, raising uncertainty in Pahoa
Business

Puna Kai developer files for bankruptcy, raising uncertainty in Pahoa

Bankruptcy by the developer behind Puna Kai has put Pahoa’s main shopping center, its tenants and future plans in limbo.

Sarah Chen2m read
Hawaii County auditor updates council on oversight progress and audit backlog
Government

Hawaii County auditor updates council on oversight progress and audit backlog

Hawaii County’s auditor briefed council on July 23 as audit backlog and oversight stayed in focus. Heather Kimball and Rebecca Villegas were in the committee setting.

Marcus Williams2m read
Multiple roadwork projects to slow Hawaii Island traffic this week
Government

Multiple roadwork projects to slow Hawaii Island traffic this week

Utility pole work in Keopu and Kona joined 18 lane closures on Hawaii Island, where October roadwork again threatened commutes on major state corridors.

James Thompson1m read
Eight new streetlights to be installed on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo
Government

Eight new streetlights to be installed on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo

Eight streetlights were set to line Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo, with crews working storefronts between Mamo and Haili streets for about two weeks.

Marcus Williams2m read
Big Island gun buyback in Hilo collects 149 firearms
Community

Big Island gun buyback in Hilo collects 149 firearms

Hilo’s latest gun buyback drew 149 firearms, including eight assault-style rifles and nine ghost guns. The haul pushed the statewide-county total to 2,150 guns collected since 2024.

Marcus Williams2m read
Two Kailua-Kona men charged with attempted murder in Holualoa stabbing
Community

Two Kailua-Kona men charged with attempted murder in Holualoa stabbing

Two Kailua-Kona brothers were charged with attempted second-degree murder after a Holualoa stabbing, jolting the tight-knit Kona coffee village.

Marcus Williams2m read
High surf advisory issued for Big Island south-facing shores
Community

High surf advisory issued for Big Island south-facing shores

South Kona, Kaū and Puna were under the highest surf risk as waves of 7 to 10 feet threatened Big Island south-facing shores. Swimming and shoreline work were hazardous until Tuesday evening.

Lisa Park1m read
Hele-On routes connect Hilo, Kona and Big Island communities
Government

Hele-On routes connect Hilo, Kona and Big Island communities

Hele-On’s Hilo-Kona spine is the Big Island’s public backbone, linking campuses, airports, harbors and outlying towns to the island’s two main hubs.

James Thompson4m read
Hilo police league motocross event gives keiki a summer ride
Community

Hilo police league motocross event gives keiki a summer ride

About 18 Hilo keiki, ages 7 to 17, rode in a HI-PAL motocross event, part of a police youth program on Hawaii Island since 1980.

Marcus Williams2m read
Kaloko-Honokōhau park shows how Native Hawaiians engineered fishponds
Community

Kaloko-Honokōhau park shows how Native Hawaiians engineered fishponds

Kaloko-Honokōhau’s fishponds reveal a Hawaiian shoreline engineered for food, habitat, and stewardship, with lessons Big Island residents can still see on site.

Lisa Park5m read
LPGA brings new Nanea Cup golf tournament to Big Island
Business

LPGA brings new Nanea Cup golf tournament to Big Island

Nanea Cup will bring 120 golfers and a $4 million purse to Kailua-Kona in March 2027, but the private-club setting raises familiar questions about who really benefits.

Sarah Chen2m read
Woman killed in head-on crash on Highway 11 near Volcano
Community

Woman killed in head-on crash on Highway 11 near Volcano

A woman died when her Honda CR-V crossed the center line on Highway 11 near Volcano and hit a Dodge Ram. Police are probing speed, alcohol and drugs in Hawaii Island's 19th fatal crash of 2026.

Lisa Park1m read
Kilauea summit tilt rises, periodic flames seen overnight at south vent
Community

Kilauea summit tilt rises, periodic flames seen overnight at south vent

Tilt climbed at Kilauea’s summit as overnight flames flickered from the south vent, with scientists watching for a possible fountain episode later this week.

Sarah Chen2m read
Former county public works employee sues Hawaii County for discrimination
Government

Former county public works employee sues Hawaii County for discrimination

Julann Sonomura is suing Hawaii County over gender discrimination and mistreatment, putting Public Works management and workplace culture back under scrutiny.

Marcus Williams2m read
County awards $9.7 million for 22 homelessness projects on Hawaii Island
Community

County awards $9.7 million for 22 homelessness projects on Hawaii Island

County of Hawaii picked 22 homelessness projects for more than $9.7 million, expanding a fund that first sent over $7.5 million to 13 nonprofits in 2023.

Marcus Williams2m read
Chief Mahuna to host public talk story in Kailua-Kona
Community

Chief Mahuna to host public talk story in Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona residents will get an hour with Chief Reed Mahuna at the West Hawaii Civic Center, where response times and traffic enforcement should be on the table.

Marcus Williams2m read
Highway 11 reopens near Puna after crash closes Volcano route
Government

Highway 11 reopens near Puna after crash closes Volcano route

Highway 11 near milepost 22 in Puna reopened at 6:15 p.m. Monday after a crash closed the Volcano route for several hours.

James Thompson1m read
Ahu‘ena Heiau in Kailua-Kona marks first capital of Hawaiian Kingdom
Community

Ahu‘ena Heiau in Kailua-Kona marks first capital of Hawaiian Kingdom

Ahu‘ena Heiau anchors Kamakahonu as both Kamehameha I’s royal center and a living landmark in Kailua-Kona’s busy visitor corridor.

Lisa Park4m read
Big Island salvage firm claims debt after Ala Wai minesweeper removal
Business

Big Island salvage firm claims debt after Ala Wai minesweeper removal

A Big Island salvage company says an Ala Wai boat-removal job turned into a former Navy minesweeper and left it owed hundreds of thousands. It says the bill could threaten its survival.

Sarah Chen2m read
Hearings set for men charged in Big Island attempted murder case
Government

Hearings set for men charged in Big Island attempted murder case

Hearings in the Big Island attempted murder case sent the matter back before a judge in mid-July, with pretrial decisions still to come.

James Thompson2m read
Ala Kahakai trail links Big Island history, culture and shoreline access
Community

Ala Kahakai trail links Big Island history, culture and shoreline access

Ala Kahakai is a 175-mile coastal network across more than 200 ahupuaa, and access rules on its segments shape how Big Island residents reach shoreline and heritage sites.

Marcus Williams5m read
Hawaii fast-tracks affordable rentals with new five-year housing pilot
Government

Hawaii fast-tracks affordable rentals with new five-year housing pilot

A five-year housing pilot could speed Kona and Hilo rentals by cutting review delays, with Honuaula and Kaloko Heights among the Big Island projects to watch.

Marcus Williams1m read
Puuhonua o Hōnaunau explains ancient Hawaii's refuge and power system
Community

Puuhonua o Hōnaunau explains ancient Hawaii's refuge and power system

Puuhonua o Hōnaunau turns ancient Hawaiian law into a visible shoreline landscape, where refuge, chiefly power, and sacred space still meet on the Kona coast.

Marcus Williams5m read
When will Kīlauea’s summit crater fill with lava again?
Community

When will Kīlauea’s summit crater fill with lava again?

Halemaumau is already changing fast again, but scientists can only give a window. USGS now puts Kīlauea’s next summit episode between July 24 and August 3.

Lisa Park3m read
Kona police host first Kupuna Day to connect with elders
Community

Kona police host first Kupuna Day to connect with elders

More than 40 kūpuna filled Kealakehe Police Station for Kona’s first Kupuna Day, while police pointed to monthly Kupuna Watch meetings as the next step.

Sarah Chen2m read
Waikoloa Village wildfire evacuation concerns spur county traffic study
Government

Waikoloa Village wildfire evacuation concerns spur county traffic study

A 200-acre fire at Waikoloa Village’s edge forced partial evacuations, then pushed county officials to defend a traffic study and a new escape route.

Marcus Williams1m read