“Hawai’i County Council honors legacy of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with passing of two fire safety bills.”
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
CommunityNominate Big Island lands now to be considered for preservation
BusinessAlaska Airlines announces largest fleet order in airline’s history
Hawaiʻi County Council honors legacy of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with passing of two fire safety bills
The Hawaiʻi County Council honored Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with a resolution that expressed the council’s profound condolences and recognized his decades of dedicated service to the county and the state.January 8, 2026 · 12:19 PM HST
Hawai’i State NewsBipartisan effort to tackle nation’s deteriorating federal finances led by U.S…
East Hawaii NewsCrews will temporarily turn off water Tuesday to repair a water main in Hilo
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Big Island News
January 8, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Nominate Big Island lands now to be considered for preservation
Hawai‘i County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission is taking nominations from the public through the end of January.
January 8, 2026 · 12:19 PM
Hawaiʻi County Council honors legacy of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with passing of two fire safety bills
The Hawaiʻi County Council honored Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with a resolution that expressed the council’s profound condolences and recognized his decades of dedicated service to the county and the state.
January 8, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Alaska Airlines announces largest fleet order in airline’s history
The airline — parent company of Hawaiian Airlines — ordered 105 new 737-10 aircraft and five new 787 widebody aircraft, with an option for an additional 35 new 737-10 aircraft, extending the delivery stream through 2035.
January 8, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Bipartisan effort to tackle nation’s deteriorating federal finances led by U.S. Rep. Case
The 47-member U.S. House Problem Solvers Caucus recently released its fiscal stability framework developed by the congressman who represents Hawai‘i’s House District 1 in Washington and U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards.
January 8, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Crews will temporarily turn off water Tuesday to repair a water main in Hilo
Crews will shut off water for customers along Kaiwiki Road from Kōpaʻa Road to the mauka end from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
January 8, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 9-15: Science comedy, speakeasy dinner show, art stroll, ‘Wiliwili LOVE’ and more
There is an eclectic emulsion of events coming next week around the Big Island, each promising an exciting escape from the everyday bustle. Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
January 8, 2026 · 3:00 AM
‘Forever chemicals’ could increase liver disease risk in adolescents
New study co-led by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Southern California Superfund Research and Training Program for PFAS Assessment, Remediation and Prevention Center show synthetic compounds PFAS have potential to hike risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease by 3 times.
January 7, 2026 · 5:03 PM
Traffic collision results in assault and robbery in Ocean View
Police are investigating an incident involving a 47-year old woman who was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint following a traffic collision in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates last Friday.
January 7, 2026 · 5:03 PM
‘Voice of Honoka‘a Dragons’ Dominic Yagong dies at age 66
Dominic Yagong died Wednesday morning in Hilo while in comfort care at Hilo Benioff Medical Center after suffering a severe stroke in May.
January 7, 2026 · 12:18 PM
$14 million in federal funding awarded to repair fire station at Pōhakuloa Training Area
The funding will be used to make repairs to architectural and structural elements at PTA Fire Station Building 390, restoring the fire station to full operational capacity.
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Local Entertainment
January 8, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 9-15: Science comedy, speakeasy dinner show, art stroll, ‘Wiliwili LOVE’ and more
There is an eclectic emulsion of events coming next week around the Big Island, each promising an exciting escape from the everyday bustle. Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
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.
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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
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park announces January flight operations
January 7, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST
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
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
Rental assistance may be available to wildfire survivors
Maui Economic Opportunity would like 2023 wildfire survivors to be aware that short- and long-term rental assistance for up to four months may be available through the Maui Relief TANF Program/Maui Relief Program for Wildfire Disaster Survivors.
Maui police seek public help in locating missing 12-year-old Wailuku girl
The Maui Police Department requests the public’s assistance with any information on the whereabouts of Journey Barcai, 12, of Wailuku.
Flags lowered to honor the life and service of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd
Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag be flown at half-staff at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, all state offices and agencies, and all Hawaiʻi National Guard facilities in honor of Hawaiʻi County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd, who died unexpectedly on Dec. 14, 2025.
Rotary Club of Maui earns Adopt-A-Highway award for public service
The Rotary Club of Maui has received the Adopt-A-Highway Nō Ka ʻOi Highway Hui Award from the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Highways Maui District, in recognition of the club’s “small but mighty” volunteer impact.
Portion of Kahana Makai Road in West Maui closed until around 2:30 p.m., Jan. 8
Kahana Makai Road, between Kahana Ridge Drive and Tulip Place, will be closed to traffic in both directions from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today, Jan. 8, 2026 for maintenance repairs.
Kaua‘i Now
Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health move to transform Hawaiʻi health care
Landmark proposal aims to strengthen care statewide and deliver long-term benefits for Hawaiʻi families by expanding access and improving affordability.
Alexander & Baldwin brings holiday cheer to Kaua‘i communities
Company and community contributions made throughout the 2025 holiday season totaled $16,000, which will be used to support local families and nonprofits.
First Tee — Hawai‘i opens registration for first keiki programs of 2026 on Kaua‘i
Participants — through the game of golf as the platform — learn critical life skills to grow socially, emotionally and academically.
Kauaʻi Coffee Co. warns of 141 job losses with land lease set to end in March
Kauaʻi Coffee Co., one of the island’s largest agricultural employers, faces an uncertain future with a renewal appearing unlikely with the property’s owners, a Colorado-based investment firm.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s raises more than $1M in 2025
The funds raised by local Alzheimer’s Association – Hawai‘i chapters benefit local families and fuel the fight to end the disease.
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