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“Maui lawyer created web series in Ilocano to help the Filipino language flourish.”

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Accessed on 02 January 2026, 2033 UTC.

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Big Island News 

January 2, 2026 · 9:43 AM

Hawai‘i Island police seek help finding missing, endangered Kona man

The 45-year-old was last seen on New Year’s Day.
January 2, 2026 · 9:00 AM

Registration opens for East Hawaiʻi Jr. NBA/WNBA youth basketball leagues

The season is scheduled to run from Feb. 23 through May 14 and includes divisions for players ages 8–10, 11–12 and 13–14.
January 2, 2026 · 7:00 AM

Proposed federal LEAP Act would raise loan cap for graduate 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.
January 2, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Maui lawyer creates web series in Ilocano to help the Filipino language flourish

“The more minority languages are able to be used as the medium of communication in popular mass audience media, the more likely a language will persevere and survive,” said Lance Collins, writer and producer of “All The Things I Leave You.”
January 2, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Hawaiʻi Permanente Medical Group celebrates 65 years of innovation, community care

Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group said moving forward it plans to expand access to primary and specialty care, strengthen telehealth services, and invest in programs that address social and cultural determinants of health.
January 2, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Emergency repairs to continue on Hawaiʻi Belt Road for multiple days of single lane closures

Emergency repair work on Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Route 19) will cause multiple single-lane closures beginning Jan. 5 through Jan. 27, weather permitting.
January 1, 2026 · 2:00 PM

Enter your little hooper in Cutest Pet baller contest for chance to win $3,000 grand prize

One nation. Infinite pets. Only one baller-in-chief. The Action Network and Better Collective USA invite everyone to enter; deadline is 5:59 p.m. Jan. 16.
January 1, 2026 · 11:00 AM

Public Utilities Commission approves Hawaiian Electric wildfire mitigation plan

The commission said the approval is a major step toward improving public safety and resilience of Hawaiʻi’s electric grid; these actions together reflect the commission’s commitment to reduce wildfire risk while preparing for the possibility of future disasters.
January 1, 2026 · 10:00 AM

Monk seal finds shady spot under beach chairs along Maui’s North Shore

On Monday, a monk seal was observed moving quickly up a crowded beach along Maui’s North Shore, where it settled about 20 feet from beachgoers.
January 1, 2026 · 9:00 AM

Hawaiʻi Police Department promotes 23-year veteran Lt. William Derr to rank of captain

After years of improving relationships between police and the community as a whole, Lt. William Derr has been promoted to captain for the North Kohala District beginning today.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
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

Every Monday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Weekly Hula

Local Entertainment 

January 1, 2026 · 2:00 PM

Enter your little hooper in Cutest Pet baller contest for chance to win $3,000 grand prize

One nation. Infinite pets. Only one baller-in-chief. The Action Network and Better Collective USA invite everyone to enter; deadline is 5:59 p.m. Jan. 16.
January 1, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 2-8: Live in the Lobby, envisioning 2026 possibilities, getting funky and more

The most wonderful time of year has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around the island. There just isn’t as much hustle and bustle as there was in December; so take some time to relax and enjoy yourself instead of running around on all those busy sidewalks.
December 31, 2025 · 3:00 AM

4-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Kawaʻa releases debut solo album ‘Mānaiakalani’

Maui native, Grammy nominee and top 20 finalist on Season 25 of NBC’s “The Voice” features 13 Hawaiian mele on his new album, including original compositions and select favorites, honoring the people, places and moments that shaped him throughout his life and musical journey.
December 29, 2025 · 1:00 AM

Toastmasters annual conference to feature Kauaʻi cultural practitioner, ‘Chief of War’ star

Kauaʻi native Kaina Makua 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.
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.

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Hawai‘i Business 

HPD updates email address to enhance security and identify official messages
Hawai‘i joins multistate settlement against luxury auto manufacturer
Business Roundup: Bank of Hawai‘i honored, new stores opening at Kings’ Shops, building industry awards
Business Monday: Ecovillage Tour showcases Big Island’s sustainable farms, communities

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
Livestream of Kīlauea eruption shows 2 men walking through volcano’s restricted area
December 25, 2025 · 5:23 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

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 

National Weather Service: Advisory for coastal flooding with high tides

National Weather Service forecasters issued a coastal flood statement Friday morning as peak monthly high tides and higher-than-predicted water levels threaten low-lying areas in the Hawaiian Islands. The forecasters’ advisory remains in effect through late Saturday night. According to the service, isolated minor coastal flooding is most likely to occur around the daily peak high […]

Gain STEM summer work experience through Akamai Internship Program

The program has placements for students from community colleges and four-year universities from a wide range of STEM majors. The application deadline is Jan. 23, 2026.

First babies of 2026 ring in the New Year

Baby Pākī Kalaninuiulumoku Kamuela Kā’eo became the island’s first baby of 2026 at Maui Memorial Medical Center, born at 9:17 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Baby Kā’eo weighs 11.2 pounds, and is 22 inches long.

Maui Rep. Mikyake selected for national lawmakers training program

State Rep. Tyson K. Miyake (D-10), who represents parts of Waiehu, Paukūkalo, Wailuku, Wailuku Heights, Waikapū and Hayashi Village, was recently selected to participate in the Western Legislative Academy, a competitive leadership program for early-career lawmakers.

Draft guidelines aim to streamline complex rebuilding in Lahaina’s business district

The draft guidelines are the latest effort by the county to move forward with rebuilding in the town’s business district, which overlaps a sensitive historic area that has seen little activity since the August 2023 wildfires.

Kaua‘i Now 

Maui-Based Attorney Turns to Film to Spotlight Ilocano Heritage and History

“The more minority languages are able to be used as the medium of communication in popular mass audience media, the more likely a language will persevere and survive,” said Lance Collins, writer and producer of “All The Things I Leave You.”

Hawaiʻi Permanente Medical Group celebrates 65 years of physician-led care

Hawai’i Permanente Medical Group said moving forward it plans to expand access to primary and specialty care, strengthen telehealth services, and invest in programs that address social and cultural determinants of health.

Central Pacific Bank lands on Newsweek list of best regional banks for 2026

The annual rankings, compiled by Newsweek in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, evaluated about 8,800 financial institutions nationwide.

Kauaʻi Department of Water announces expanded drop box hours

The Kauaʻi Department of Water has announced updated operating hours for its bill payment drop box in Līhuʻe.

Woman dies in early New Year’s Day crash on Kūhiō Highway

Talia Jimenez, 21, of Kōloa, was identified as the victim in the first traffic fatality of 2026, following a single-vehicle crash on Kūhiō Highway.

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kh6jrm@gmail.com

I am the retired news director of Pacific Radio Group stations on the Island of Hawaii. I am a retired Lt. Col., USAF Reserve. I am a FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operator, holding the Amateur Extra Class License. I am a substitute teacher for the state of Hawaii Department of Education.

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