“WATCH: ‘Superkilonova’–a star so bright it explodes twice.”
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Hawai’i State NewsHirono, 24 other U.S. senators urge Trump to help taxpayers get their full refunds
CommunityApplications for 2026 grant-in-aid funding now being accepted by Hawaiʻi Legislature
WATCH: ‘Superkilonova’; a star so nice, it explodes twice
A team of astronomers using a variety of telescopes — including W. M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island — seem to have discovered a possible “Superkilonova,” or a kilonova spurred by a supernova that forms a pair of dense, dead stars called neutron stars than then smash together.December 28, 2025 · 5:00 AM HST
BusinessNew centralized Commerce and Consumer Affairs phone number will improve public access
CommunityState Department of Accounting and General Services now hiring in West Hawaiʻi
In Case You
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Learn why ‘Robert Rules!’ and how to have better board meetings during January…
Fireworks permits now available so you can light up your New Year’s Eve party
Community can learn Six Pillars of Brain Health during AARP Hawaiʻi webinar series
One lane closure scheduled on Big Island state roadways week of Dec. 27 through Jan. 2…
Volcano Watch: ‘It’s a twister! Or is it?’ Unraveling Kīlauea’s…
Recruitment for state conservation officers starts in January
Police investigating possible drowning of visiting Connecticut man in South Kona
Schatz co-authors bipartisan bill to expand VA services to vets in Freely Associated…
Governor announces appointments, reappointments to boards, commissions
Households reminded to use $250 in state food support benefits before they expire
State’s new ‘Green fee’ will be allowed to take effect as scheduled…
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Big Island News
December 28, 2025 · 11:00 AM
Hirono, 24 other U.S. senators urge Trump to help taxpayers get their full refunds
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawai‘i Democrat, is joined by 24 of her Senate colleagues in urging President Donald Trump’s Administration to restore staff and resources at Taxpayer Advocate Service, which assists taxpayers with resolving any issues within the Internal Revenue Service.
December 28, 2025 · 9:00 AM
Applications for 2026 grant-in-aid funding now being accepted by Hawaiʻi Legislature
The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23; final determinations about which nonprofit organizations will receive funding will be made as Council on Revenue forecasts in January and March are published.
December 28, 2025 · 7:00 AM
New centralized Commerce and Consumer Affairs phone number will improve public access
The new number brings multiple state divisions onto a unified call center platform, improving call routing, case tracking and consumer support.
December 28, 2025 · 5:00 AM
WATCH: ‘Superkilonova’; a star so nice, it explodes twice
A team of astronomers using a variety of telescopes — including W. M. Keck Observatory atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island — seem to have discovered a possible “Superkilonova,” or a kilonova spurred by a supernova that forms a pair of dense, dead stars called neutron stars than then smash together.
December 28, 2025 · 3:00 AM
Police arrest 16 motorists for driving under the influence during week of Dec. 15-21
There have been 883 DUI arrests so far in 2025, a 5.96% decrease compared with 939 during the same period last year.
December 28, 2025 · 1:00 AM
‘Analogue’ is 2025 Hawaiʻi Word of the Year
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of English’s choice is meant to highlight the enduring value of human-centered thinking, creativity and interpretation in an age of rapidly growing artificial intelligence.
December 27, 2025 · 3:00 PM
State Department of Accounting and General Services now hiring in West Hawaiʻi
Newly created office serves Hawaiʻi Island’s west and north coasts, and a wide range of jobs are available, such as office assistants and trade workers, with monthly salaries between about $3,500 to $6,700, plus state benefits.
December 27, 2025 · 1:00 PM
Learn why ‘Robert Rules!’ and how to have better board meetings during January talk
The session of Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center’s “Finding Solutions, Growing Peace” Brown Bag Lunch Series promises a lively and interactive discussion demonstrating how time-tested procedures foster structure, efficiency and dignity during meetings that matter.
December 27, 2025 · 11:00 AM
Fireworks permits now available so you can light up your New Year’s Eve party
Several vendors are located around the island to help you ring in 2026 with a bang; Hawai’i Fire Department offers tips to make sure your party doesn’t end in fire, injuries or worse.
December 27, 2025 · 9:00 AM
Community can learn Six Pillars of Brain Health during AARP Hawaiʻi webinar series
Maui wellness coach Carl Powell will discuss the Six Pillars of Brain Health. He will teach participants how to engage their brain and explain AARP’s Staying Sharp website during the January webinar.
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:
Every Monday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weekly Hula
Mon, Dec 29, 2025 · 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Rocky Mountain High Experience® John Denver Christmas
Mon, Dec 29, 2025 · 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
KTA PUAINAKO Fireworks Sale!
Local Entertainment
December 28, 2025 · 1:00 AM
‘Analogue’ is 2025 Hawaiʻi Word of the Year
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of English’s choice is meant to highlight the enduring value of human-centered thinking, creativity and interpretation in an age of rapidly growing artificial intelligence.
December 27, 2025 · 11:00 AM
Fireworks permits now available so you can light up your New Year’s Eve party
Several vendors are located around the island to help you ring in 2026 with a bang; Hawai’i Fire Department offers tips to make sure your party doesn’t end in fire, injuries or worse.
December 25, 2025 · 7:24 AM
15 holiday happenings for Dec. 25-Jan. 1, 2026: Holiday brunch and dinner, mochi pounding and jammin’ parties, plus more
Now that the most wonderful day of the year and all the festivities that go with it are finally winding down, it’s time to change gears and look ahead at parties for New Year’s. Be sure to check out this week’s holiday happenings!
December 21, 2025 · 3:00 AM
Hilton Waikōloa Village welcomes back popular weekly food truck gathering
Weekly Monday night Village Street Eats returns, bringing local flavors to resort guests and the community.
December 21, 2025 · 1:00 AM
Unwrap these tips before visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park for the holidays
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park rangers want visitors to have a safe and memorable adventure this holiday season. Safety is their top priority, but it is your responsibility.
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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: ‘It’s a twister! Or is it?’ Unraveling Kīlauea’s volcanic whirlwinds
December 27, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST
UPDATE: Lava geysers reach 1,400 feet before Episode 39 of ongoing Kīlauea eruption ends after about 6 hours
December 24, 2025 · 4:34 AM HST
Kīlauea volcano’s rare eruption at summit, with 38 episodes and counting, hits 1-year anniversary
December 23, 2025 · 6:03 AM HST
Ocean Blog
High bacteria count advisory issued at Kolekole Gulch in East Hawai‘i on Hāmākua Coast
December 24, 2025 · 6:21 PM HST
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
Maui Now
Hawaiian cultural practitioner set as keynote speaker for Toastmasters District 49 Annual Conference
Kaina Makua, a cultural practitioner, community leader and educator, from Waimea, Kauaʻi, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Toastmasters District 49 Annual Conference and International Speech Contest. The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village South Pacific Ballroom.
New Year’s Eve fireworks in Maui County, information and reminders
There will be two public aerial fireworks displays in Maui County this year — one from the Grand Wailea Resort in South Maui, and the other from the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi at Mānele Bay. Both shows begin at approximately 11:59 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2025.
Maui Weather Forecast for December 28, 2025
Mainly isolated to scattered showers will continue for the next several days over most islands. Leeward showers will form in areas sheltered from southeast…
The Story Behind the Story: Hawaiʻi Journalism Initiative seeks community support to sustain local news
As 2025 comes to a close, the nonprofit newsroom — Hawaiʻi Journalism Initiative — that provides this content to MauiNow.com is launching a critical fundraising campaign to sustain its operations into the new year.
Maui Surf Forecast for December 28, 2025
Small north-northeast and west-northwest swells will continue to gradually lower this weekend. Another west-northwest (330-340 degrees) swell will arrive on…
Kaua‘i Now
LEAP Act would ensure grad students get same borrowing capacity as ‘professional’ students
After the GOP spending bill slashed student loan limits for healthcare professionals, Hawai‘i U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda and colleagues introduced the legislation to level the playing field.
Schatz introduces legislation to protect, expand Social Security
More than 280,000 people in Hawai‘i, or more than 1 in 6 residents, rely on Social Security benefits; the SAFE Social Security Act will increase benefits for seniors in Hawai‘i and throughout the United States.
‘Chief of War’ star, respected Kauaʻi cultural practitioner Kaina Makua to give keynote at Toastmasters conference
The Kauaʻi native portrays Kamehameha I in the Apple TV+ series and is co-founder and executive director of West Kauaʻi nonprofit and social enterprise Kumano I Ke Ala, where he leads initiatives dedicated to restoring ancestral relationships to ʻāina through education, food systems revitalization and Hawaiian language immersion.
University of Hawaiʻi study reveals how ocean’s most abundant bacteria diversify
Understanding SAR11 marine bacteria is vital because they are one of the main drivers of the global ocean’s life-support system; they move and recycle the carbon and nutrients that sustain all other marine life.
Hawai‘i Government Employees Association: Public servants should not have to work in fear
Union demands action by Hawai’i Department of Education after alleged assault on Moanalua High School Assistant Athletic Director Natalie Iwamoto following a preseason basketball game earlier this month at the Honolulu school.
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