“Calling all Hawai’i high school seniors: Applications now open for travel industry scholarships.”
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Accessed on 17 January 2026, 1942 UTC.
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ActivitiesBig Island Swing Band partners with San Jose Taiko for immersive community musical next…
NewsDefending champ Ernie Els leads 42-player field at Mitsubishi Electric Championship at…
Calling all Hawai‘i high school seniors: Applications now open for travel industry scholarship
The scholarship will be awarded to five incoming University of Hawai‘i freshmen this year, majoring in travel industry management.January 17, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
CommunityUpdate: Health Department lifts water quality advisory for Kahaluu Beach Park
NewsUPDATE: High surf advisory canceled for west-facing shores of Big Island
In Case You
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Missed It:
American Medical Association grants University of Hawaiʻi medical school $1.1M
Scholarships available for Native Hawaiians to attend Kūlana ʻĀina Culinary program
Man dies following 2-car crash in Hilo
Hawaiʻi County to host reopening event for Arthur L. Greenwell Park playground
KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa returns to Downtown Hilo for 29th annual music festival
University of Hawaiʻi offers small business owners new series of free cybersecurity…
Military’s economic impact in Hawai‘i detailed by recently released state factbook
Governor releases $450K in grant funds for Boys & Girls Club youth center upgrades
University of Hawaiʻi President Hensel delivers inaugural systemwide address
Six opportunities this month to have Coffee With a Cop in West Hawai‘i
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 16-22: 29th KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a, Kenny…
Kaiser Permanente responds to proposed Hawai‘i Medical Service Association, Hawai‘i…
Third earthquake swarm rumbles beneath Halemaʻumaʻu Crater within Kīlauea caldera
WATCH: Hayashi talks uncertain fiscal landscape with state Board of Education
Interim Police Chief addresses arrests of two Hawaiʻi Island officers
Hawaiʻi Island Police confirm identity of man found deceased on Kaiwi Street
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Big Island News
January 17, 2026 · 8:33 AM
Free tribute concert for Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir set for Sunday at Rainbow Room in Hilo
The free show features the band PunaKat, which will be joined by Steve Fundy of Uncle Charlie, and there will be a special “Grateful Grill” menu.
January 17, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Calling all Hawai‘i high school seniors: Applications now open for travel industry scholarship
The scholarship will be awarded to five incoming University of Hawai‘i freshmen this year, majoring in travel industry management.
January 17, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Hawaiʻi House Majority outlines top priorities for 2026 state legislative session
“Amid ongoing federal uncertainty, our priorities include expanding affordable housing, supporting Native Hawaiian families, ensuring essential social services remain uninterrupted, addressing workforce shortages and responsibly strengthening the state’s revenue base,” said state House Majority Leader Oʻahu state Rep. Sean Quinlan.
January 17, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Big Island Swing Band partners with San Jose Taiko for immersive community musical next month
“Swingposium” is an immersive experience with taiko, jazz, and swing dance recounts the resilience of Japanese Americans in World War II internment camps.
January 16, 2026 · 6:04 PM
Defending champ Ernie Els leads 42-player field at Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai
Six golf Hall of Famers will play in the upcoming PGA Tour Champions season opener on the Big Island: Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Retief Goosen, David Love III and Vijay Singh.
January 16, 2026 · 4:53 PM
Update: Health Department lifts water quality advisory for Kahaluu Beach Park
Kahaluʻu Beach Park’s water safety has been officially restored after recent tests showed enterococci levels fall below the state’s threshold.
January 16, 2026 · 4:00 PM
New permit available on Hawai‘i County’s EPIC system
Applications, available through the county’s Electronic Processing and Information Center, allow applicants to perform a variety of work, including a new driveway approach, private waterline installation, sidewalk repair, etc.
January 16, 2026 · 3:53 PM
UPDATE: High surf advisory canceled for west-facing shores of Big Island
The National Weather Service said the surf on west-facing shores of Hawaiʻi now is below advisory levels.
January 16, 2026 · 3:00 PM
American Medical Association grants University of Hawaiʻi medical school $1.1M
The medical school was one of 11 teams selected to receive funding from the association’s Transforming Lifelong Learning Through Precision Education Grant Program.
January 16, 2026 · 12:37 PM
Hawai‘i Island police warn public about uptick in vehicle break-ins in Kona
During December 2025, police responded to 12 reports of vehicles being unlawfully entered at parks, business areas, public parking lots and commercial zones, compared with five reports the previous month.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Sat, Jan 17, 2026 · 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Free Sample Saturday at KTA Puainako
Sat, Jan 17, 2026 · 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Free Sample Saturday at KTA Downtown, Hilo
Every Monday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weekly Hula
Local Entertainment
January 17, 2026 · 8:33 AM
Free tribute concert for Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir set for Sunday at Rainbow Room in Hilo
The free show features the band PunaKat, which will be joined by Steve Fundy of Uncle Charlie, and there will be a special “Grateful Grill” menu.
January 16, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Hawaiʻi County to host reopening event for Arthur L. Greenwell Park playground
The new playground features all new play equipment — including spinners, a large basket swing and various challenging climbing structures; a new synthetic turf safety surfacing system also was installed.
January 16, 2026 · 3:00 AM
KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa returns to Downtown Hilo for 29th annual music festival
The free, family-friendly festival Saturday night (Jan. 17) features four stages, more than 20 bands and more than 40 food and craft vendors; among highlights of this year will be the first KWXX Hoʻolauleʻa performance by High Watah and return of legendary duo Ho‘onu‘a.
January 15, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 16-22: 29th KWXX Ho‘olaule‘a, Kenny Tagavilla, Bob Weir tribute, ‘School of Rock the Musical’ and more
If you’re looking to be serenaded or just want to listen to some great live music, several Big Island venues — including all of Downtown Hilo for one night — have you covered during the upcoming week.
January 11, 2026 · 3:00 AM
21st Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day launches this month at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
The event returns to celebrate and honor Hawai‘i’s first astronaut, who died in January 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded, and give all ages the chance to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics during a fun day filled with science.
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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
Third earthquake swarm rumbles beneath Halemaʻumaʻu Crater within Kīlauea caldera
January 15, 2026 · 2:00 AM HST
UPDATE: Episode 40 ends after nearly 10 hours of lava fountaining
January 12, 2026 · 7:19 PM HST
Kīlauea revving up for Episode 40 as dome fountaining, lava spattering increase
January 10, 2026 · 11:09 AM HST
Ocean Blog
UPDATE: High bacteria count advisory canceled at Kolekole Gulch in East Hawai‘i
January 14, 2026 · 3:55 AM HST
Maximum penalties lobbied against fisherman seen illegally longline fishing in waters off Kona Coast
January 11, 2026 · 4:00 AM HST
2026 proclaimed ‘Year of Our Coastal Kuleana’
January 10, 2026 · 9:00 AM HST
University of Hawaiʻi study reveals critical new details about diversity of ocean’s most abundant bacteria
January 3, 2026 · 1:00 PM HST
Maui Now
Drain line replacement work to begin on Honoapiʻilani Highway
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is advising highway users that work will begin next week to replace a drain line underneath Honoapi‘ilani Highway (Route 30).
Kaiser Permanente touts ‘historic’ wage offer, responds to open-ended strike notice
Following a strike notice issued by the union representing health care professionals in Hawaiʻi and California, Kaiser Permanente management has released a statement outlining what it calls the “strongest compensation package” in its bargaining history.
One lane closed on Puʻunēnē Avenue for Hale Pilina affordable housing site work
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is notifying the public that one southbound lane on Puʻunēnē Avenue (Route 3500) across from McDonald’s will be closed next week for utility work, for the Hale Pilina affordable housing complex.
Talk Story at Maui’s Kapukaulua in celebration of World Environmental Education Day, Jan. 26
The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program and partners invite the community to a Talk Story event at Kapukaulua (Baldwin Beach) on Jan. 26, 2026, in celebration of World Environmental Education Day.
Maui Weather Forecast for January 17, 2026
High pressure far to our northwest will pass north of the islands today, turning our cool northerlies to dry trades. The high will move well northeast of…
Kaua‘i Now
Waipahu High students curate University of Hawaiʻi fashion exhibit for Muʻumuʻu Month
The pieces on display as part of current the Historic Fashion Collection exhibit were selected by nearly 30 students at the Oʻahu high school, who could be the future of Hawaiʻi’s fashion industry; curating the exhibit introduces the teens to possible career paths ranging from designing to entrepreneurship and retail buying to sustainable fashion.
New King Kaumualiʻi Elementary pre-K further strengthens Kauaʻi access to early learning
Five of the island’s nine public elementary schools now offer pre-kindergarten education opportunities; Hawai’i Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and Hawai’i Senate President Ronald Kouchi, who represents Kauaʻi and Niʻihau, paid a recent visit to the new King Kaumualiʻi Elementary classroom.
Kauai Weather Forecast for January 17, 2026
The dry and cool air most of us woke up to this morning will become “modified” (warmer and more moist) through the weekend as trade winds continue…
Kauai Weather Forecast for January 17, 2026
The dry and cool air most of us woke up to this morning will become “modified” (warmer and more moist) through the weekend as trade winds continue…
Kauai Surf Forecast for January 17, 2026
An extra large, medium to long period northwest (320-340 degrees) swell which peaked early this morning will gradually decline overnight, but is…
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