“Unprecedented circumstances leave Big Island police and fire departments searching for new chiefs.”
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Accessed on 20 December 2025, 2057 UTC.
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AstronomyAstronomers sharpen universe’s expansion rate, deepening cosmic mystery
NewsAfter lava and tephra bury V3cam, new monitoring camera goes live at Kīlauea
Unprecedented circumstances leave Big Island police and fire departments searching for new chiefs
The Hawai’i County Police Commission has trimmed the pool of candidates for the chief vacancy to 11 and they will be asked to interview in person next month.December 20, 2025 · 8:51 AM HST
East Hawaii NewsUPDATE: ʻAʻama Street in Hawaiian Beaches again open following completion of police…
East Hawaii NewsState expedites emergency repairs on Hawaiʻi Belt Road between Wainaku, Hakalau
In Case You
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Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority honored as Financial Ally Goal Achiever
Man who died in Wild Ginger Inn fire in Hilo was a tenant, police say
‘Keeper of the Bay’: The Kohala Center, Kahilu Theatre partner for screening of film…
Balloon as big as football field flies over Antarctica, aimed at deciphering mystery of…
Greenish glow of interstellar visitor Comet 3I/ATLAS revealed in new Gemini North image
Volcano Watch: Highlighting the hazards after 1 year of Kīlauea’s episodic summit…
U.S. Senate passes fiscal year 2026 defense bill that includes key Hirono-led provisions
Flood advisory issued for leeward portion of Hawai‘i Island
Marijuana could be reclassified as a less dangerous drug
E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center awarded $210K grant to support fellowship program
Mauna Kea discoveries reveal hidden worlds around accelerating stars once too faint to see
Next gen scientists will get help tackling urgent issues, more with grant from Moore…
Get your telescopes ready: Rare interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS coming closest to Earth on…
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Big Island News
December 20, 2025 · 9:00 AM
Astronomers sharpen universe’s expansion rate, deepening cosmic mystery
New results — which were made using a variety of ground and space-based telescopes including W. M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea — strengthen the “Hubble tension,” a cosmic disagreement that could point to new physics governing the universe.
December 20, 2025 · 7:00 AM
Big Island organizations receive $500,000 in grants for long-term food security
Grants awarded to 29 community organizations for projects boosting local food storage and distribution capabilities, cementing sustainable food systems for the future.
December 20, 2025 · 6:39 AM
After lava and tephra bury V3cam, new monitoring camera goes live at Kīlauea
Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey, have installed a new livestream monitoring camera at Kīlauea on the Big Island.
December 20, 2025 · 5:00 AM
Unprecedented circumstances leave Big Island police and fire departments searching for new chiefs
The Hawai’i County Police Commission has trimmed the pool of candidates for the chief vacancy to 11 and they will be asked to interview in person next month.
December 20, 2025 · 3:00 AM
Kona airport named most expensive destination to rent a car this winter in U.S.
A survey by CheapCarRental.com compared average rental car rates at 100 U.S. airports from December to February and found Kona was by far the priciest at $127 per day.
December 20, 2025 · 1:00 AM
Organizations say new SNAP limits mean higher costs, fewer choices for Hawaiʻi families
With nearly 1 in 3 Hawai‘i families already not able to get enough food, local anti-hunger and public health organizations say the real barrier to healthy eating is affordability, not banning sugary products.
December 20, 2025 · 12:53 AM
UPDATE: ʻAʻama Street in Hawaiian Beaches again open following completion of police activity
Hawai’i Police Department thanks the public for its cooperation while the street was closed, which began at about 9 p.m. Friday.
December 19, 2025 · 4:15 PM
State expedites emergency repairs on Hawaiʻi Belt Road between Wainaku, Hakalau
Emergency repairs on Hawaiʻi Belt Road will begin Monday between Wainaku and Hakalau to address severe roadway distress and preserve access on this vital state highway
December 19, 2025 · 1:00 PM
Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority honored as Financial Ally Goal Achiever
Better Buildings & Better Plants partners saved more than $24 billion in energy costs to date, and financial allies extended $41 billion for projects that improve energy performance.
December 19, 2025 · 12:27 PM
Man who died in Wild Ginger Inn fire in Hilo was a tenant, police say
Gerald James O’Grady, 66, was identified as the victim of the Oct. 22 fire at a 114-year-old hotel on the Big Island.
Ironman
Get ready to roll: Aloha Skate Roller Draft Tournament to hit Big Island
November 6, 2025 · 1:00 AM HST
80-year-old grandmother becomes oldest woman to finish Ironman World Championship in Kona
October 19, 2025 · 5:00 AM HST
Big Island triathletes cross finish line at Ironman World Championship in Kona
October 11, 2025 · 10:11 PM HST
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
TONIGHT · 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Kanikapila Monthly Concert Series
Every Tuesday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Ukulele Lessons with Kris Fuchigami
Every Thursday · 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Queens’ Culinary Market
Local Entertainment
December 18, 2025 · 5:00 AM
Ernie Els leads field at PGA Tour Champions’ 30th anniversary tournament at Hualālai
Secure your tickets now and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at the renowned Hualālai Golf Course in 2026.
December 18, 2025 · 1:00 AM
25 holiday happenings on Big Island for Dec. 18-25: More holiday markets, sing-along, cookie and toy exchanges, Charlie Brown and much more
We’re heading into the homestretch, Big Island, with just a week before Christmas, and there is everything but silent nights — or days — as a flurry of holiday events is again scheduled from one end of the island to the other. Check them out now!
December 17, 2025 · 1:00 AM
Public invited to 2nd annual Hui Waiwai hosted by Hawaiʻi Community Lending
Hawai’i County Mayor Kimo Alameda will deliver the keynote address during the event set from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22, 2026, at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu; attending and supporting the event is one way community members can help the organization fulfill its mission.
December 14, 2025 · 9:00 AM
‘Hawai‘i to the World’ finale features top talent from throughout Hawai‘i
After 4 weeks of show-stopping performances, emotional stories and unforgettable moments from throughout the pae ʻāina, the stage is set for one of the five finalists — including Pohai from the Big Island — to walk away with a $10,000 grand prize.
December 12, 2025 · 5:00 AM
Volcano Watch: Lava fountains of knowledge; events for January Volcano Awareness Month
Join Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff and its partners Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense in January 2026 for a series of programs around the island that will discuss eruptions and earthquakes, how Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists monitor them and the hazards associated with them.
Island Fish and Chips
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Big Island Polls
Big Island Now poll results: County garage is answer to downtown Kona’s parking woes
June 1, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST
Big Island Now poll: What is solution to parking woes on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona?
May 18, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST
Reminder: Permanent restrictions remain on the transport of ʻŌhiʻa
April 19, 2025 · 1:55 AM HST
Hawai’i Volcano Blog
Volcano Watch: Highlighting the hazards after 1 year of Kīlauea’s episodic summit fountaining
December 19, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST
Volcano Watch: Lava fountains of knowledge; events for January Volcano Awareness Month
December 12, 2025 · 5:00 AM HST
Steady glow continued overnight following Kīlauea eruption
December 10, 2025 · 10:24 AM HST
Ocean Blog
2 men rescued from life raft near Molokaʻi after their vessel begins taking on water
December 17, 2025 · 9:10 PM HST
Links between land-sea nutrients, impacts found through new research involving UH
December 10, 2025 · 1:00 PM HST
UPDATE: Coastal flood statement to carry over another day, through Sunday morning
December 6, 2025 · 9:32 AM HST
Volunteers remove thousands of feet of fishing lines from west, north Hawaiʻi reefs
November 30, 2025 · 5:00 AM HST
Maui Now
UH: $2M Moore Foundation grant backs new postdoctoral science fellowship
Eleven emerging scientists will soon take on some of Hawaiʻi’s most urgent environmental and scientific challenges through a new University of Hawaiʻi systemwide postdoctoral fellowship program, funded by a $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Rep. Ed Case introduces bill to expand duty-free trade with Pacific Island nations
US Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) has introduced new legislation aimed at strengthening economic partnerships between the United States and Pacific Island countries.
Volcano Watch — One year of Kīlauea’s episodic summit fountaining: highlighting the hazards
On Dec, 23, 2024, a unique eruption began in Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu crater, with a style of activity not seen for nearly 40 years. The eruption, characterized by high lava-fountaining episodes, has continued for nearly a year. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park visitors see remarkable views, but the latest episode reminds us how quickly hazards associated with this dynamic activity can change.
Maui Weather Forecast for December 20, 2025
Lingering instability over the islands continues to produce showers and isolated thunderstorms over the smaller islands. Light southerly winds today will result…
Conservationists want to restore cloud bridge that once brought rain to leeward Haleakalā, Kaho‘olawe
To bring back the cloud bridge requires restoring the forests that disappeared due to wild animals, ranching and the U.S. military’s bombing of Kaho’olawe.
Kaua‘i Now
Football-field-sized balloon launched over Antarctica to solve mystery of dark matter
Unlocking the mystery of dark matter would help to get a grasp on what most of the universe is actually made of and potentially reveal fundamental new physics that could revolutionize the understanding of how everything works.
Anti-hunger, public health groups: New restrictions on SNAP translate to higher costs, fewer choices
With nearly 1 in 3 Hawai‘i families already not able to get enough food, the organizations say the real barrier to healthy eating is affordability, not banning sugary products.
Kauaʻi County and two districts honor 2025 Water Conservationists of the Year
This yearʻs winners were GoFarm Hawai’i for its hands-on training program for farmers and Iwikua for educating youth.
Registration for 2026 Spring Basketball League begins Dec. 29
The league is open to boys and girls in fifth through eighth grade; registration closes Jan. 9, 2026.
Kaua’i County offices to close Christmas, New Year’s holidays
Kauaʻi County offices, including neighborhood centers and recycling stations, will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
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