“Business Monday: Renovation delays continue at former Uncle Billy’s hotel in Kailua-Kona.”
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Accessed on 05 January 2026, 2307 UTC.
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NewsSix World Golf Hall of Famers to return for Mitsubishi Electric Championship at…
East Hawaii NewsHydrant flow test scheduled for Maka‘ala Street in Hilo this week
Business Monday: Renovation delays continue at former Uncle Billy’s hotel in Kailua-Kona
Hotel owner Sandy Shapery said he hopes the $35 million renovation will be completed in time for the hotel to reopen in late spring.January 5, 2026 · 5:16 AM HST
Hawai’i State NewsNew Hawaiʻi law strengthens protections for LGBTQIA+ families, modernizes parentage…
Hawai’i State News50 years ago Kaho‘olawe Nine protest helped spark rebirth of sacred island
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Big Island News
January 5, 2026 · 11:10 AM
Brown water advisory issued for Hilo Bay
The recent heavy rain has resulted in stormwater runoff entering coastal waters, according to the State Department of Health Clean Water Branch.
January 5, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Six World Golf Hall of Famers to return for Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai
The 2026 event marks the 30th anniversary of it being held at Hualālai.
January 5, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Hydrant flow test scheduled for Maka‘ala Street in Hilo this week
Hilo residents near Makaʻala Street may have discoloration next week as a fire hydrant flow test by the Department of Water Supply occurs at Home Depot on Wednesday.
January 5, 2026 · 9:00 AM
New Hawaiʻi law strengthens protections for LGBTQIA+ families, modernizes parentage statutes
Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission Vice Chairman and Legislative Lead Michael Golojuch Jr. says the enactment of Act 298 as of Jan. 1 “brings Hawaiʻi’s parentage laws into the present and centers the best interests of the keiki, regardless of their parents’ gender, sexual orientation or marital status.”
January 5, 2026 · 8:18 AM
‘Heaviest rain is still likely yet to come’: Storm’s worst impacts expected to arrive today
Another round of moisture makes its way into the state and will likely persist tonight and linger through Tuesday, with Big Island and Kauaʻi having the greatest potential for excessive rain and flooding; winds also will pick up today at lower elevations on Big Island.
January 5, 2026 · 6:56 AM
50 years ago Kaho‘olawe Nine protest helped spark rebirth of sacred island
Two events were held Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary of a watershed moment that eventually led the U.S. military to stop bombing Kaho’olawe and put the island at the center of the Hawaiian rights movement.
January 5, 2026 · 6:24 AM
UPDATE: Flood advisory for portions of Big Island extended through the afternoon
The advisory is now in effect till 2 p.m.
January 5, 2026 · 5:30 AM
High surf advisory, flood advisory, coastal flood statement in effect for East Hawai’i
An easterly wind fetch generated by lowering pressures south and west of the islands will significantly increase easterly wind wave swell; surf of 10 to 12 feet is forecast, causing strong breaking waves and strong currents that will make swimming dangerous.
January 5, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Business Monday: Renovation delays continue at former Uncle Billy’s hotel in Kailua-Kona
Hotel owner Sandy Shapery said he hopes the $35 million renovation will be completed in time for the hotel to reopen in late spring.
January 5, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Kawaihae assault investigation reclassified as homicide following victim’s death
A reported altercation turned tragic after 40-year-old Leah Bannister succumbed to her injuries related to an assault in Kawaihae, which has since been reclassified as a homicide.
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Local Entertainment
January 4, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Kona Brewers Festival announces redesigned website, featured artist, expanded impact
The festival announced the key updates as momentum builds for the 31st annual event slated for March 14 at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona; tickets go on sale Jan. 10.
January 4, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Progress now underway for project to create new $85,000 Kailua Bay Regatta Course
3 Kona canoe clubs lead construction effort and launch GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.
January 4, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Registration open now for winter classes at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea
In addition to the regular slate of youth programs — such as Waimea Youth Chorus, Creative Drama, Center Stage and others — this winter’s offerings include classes designed especially for kūpuna and adults interested in creative expression, movement and community connection.
January 3, 2026 · 9:00 AM
‘Ohina Labs 2025 Greenlight Award winner announced
‘Shop Local’ by Katelyn Chong was selected as the winning short film script during the first year the annual intensive workshop was paired with ‘Ohina’s inaugural Producers Lab.
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.
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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: Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou; roundup of fireworks from Kīlauea’s fountains
January 3, 2026 · 7:00 AM HST
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
Ocean Blog
University of Hawaiʻi study reveals critical new details about diversity of ocean’s most abundant bacteria
January 3, 2026 · 1:00 PM HST
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
Maui Now
Hawaiian Airlines unveils 5-year, $600M investment plan including airport upgrades
Hawaiian Airlines, a part of Alaska Airlines, today unveiled a five-year, $600 million investment plan to comprehensively enhance the experience for guests traveling to, from and within the islands. This includes modernizing airport spaces, upgrading technology and retrofitting aircraft interiors, according to the announcement.
Kauanoe Batangan officially sworn in as Maui County Council member; Committee memberships assigned
Kauanoe Batangan began his term on the Maui County Council Monday morning, stepping into the Kahului residency seat held by the late Council Member Tasha Kama, a fulfillment of her final wish for him to succeed her.
Oceanography, atmospheric science, tourism at UH Mānoa ranked among top 12 in US
The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy; the annual Global Ranking of Academic Subjects released by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.
“Hawaiʻi Stays With You” campaign invites travelers to experience transformation beyond vacation
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority today unveiled “Hawaiʻi Stays With You,” a brand campaign that positions Hawaiʻi not simply as an aspirational destination, but as a way of life that can fundamentally change how travelers see and experience the world.
Kahului’s Beth Montalovo inducted into USTA Hawaiʻi Pacific Hall of Fame
The USTA Hawaiʻi Pacific Section has inducted Beth Montalvo (formerly Beth Arnoult) into its Hall of Fame, honoring her with the Outstanding Player Award for her achievements in wheelchair tennis with considerations of sportsmanship and character.
Kaua‘i Now
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative offers new rebates for medical device power backup
The Medical Device Power Backup Rebate Program provides eligible members with a rebate of up to $200 for the purchase of a qualifying backup power solution, such as a battery backup or portable generator.
Kauai Weather Forecast for January 05, 2026
A surface trough west of Kauai and its parent upper level low will sag southward today. This will continue the threat of flash flooding into Tuesday. Breezy…
Kauai Surf Forecast for January 05, 2026
An easterly wind fetch generated by lowering pressures south and west of the islands will significantly increase easterly wind wave swell through early…
Storm’s likely worst impacts set to arrive today, with more heavy rainfall, flooding
Another round of moisture makes its way into the state, and is expected to persist through tonight and linger through Tuesday, with Kauaʻi and Big Island having the greatest potential for excessive rain and flooding.
The Kaho’olawe Nine are celebrated 50 years after a defining moment in Hawaiian activism
Nine Native Hawaiian activists landed on Kahoʻolawe on Jan. 4, 1976, bringing attention to the Navy’s use of the island as a practice bombing range that had devastated the island and desecrated sacred lands.
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