BigIslandNow.com

“Magnitude-4.2 quake strikes southern portion of Big Island.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.

Accessed on 27 January 2026, 2343 UTC.

Content and Source:  “BigIslandNow.com.”

Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

In Case You
Missed It:

Hawai‘i Island police investigate theft along Ali‘i Drive in Kona

81 acres on Hilo-Hāmākua coast to be preserved in perpetuity

Police identify 37-year-old diver who likely drowned in Nāʻālehu

Business Monday: Shop local at new Farmstand on Saturdays in Waikōloa Village

New artificial intelligence degree debuts later this year at University of Hawaiʻi at…

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo welcomes inaugural online doctor of pharmacy cohort

Residents should remain vigilant, seek assistance if needed following fallout from Episode…

2 proven gun safety proposals on legislative priorities list for Hawaiʻi State…

Hawaiian Kingdom enters lawsuit against Kamehameha Schools

12 more motorists arrested for DUI from Jan. 12-18 on Big Island roads; total stands at 37…

Hula Halau Manaola closes Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai with hula auana

UPDATE No. 5: National Weather Service cancels ashfall advisory for Big Island

Cink cards 23-under on final day to win 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly

headlines delivered straight to your inbox.

Big Island News 

January 27, 2026 · 1:00 PM

Call for artists: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival seeks submissions for 2026 signature art

Celebrate the art of Kona coffee — let your creativity brew! Art piece selected will be featured on all official 2026 festival merchandise, marketing and promotional materials.
January 27, 2026 · 11:00 AM

Hawaiʻi Keiki Caucus 2026 legislative package to be presented this week to state lawmakers

Hawaiʻi Keiki Caucus — established in 1994 — is a bipartisan collaborative effort among state legislators, community leaders and youth-centered organizations dedicated to advancing policies that improve the lives of Hawaiʻi’s young people.
January 27, 2026 · 9:00 AM

Apply now: Project Hoʻomana cohort application deadline nears

The 3-month business development program from February through April designed to support Native Hawaiian micro and small business owners with tools, guidance and mentorship focused on branding, marketing and business growth.
January 27, 2026 · 7:00 AM

2026 Homeless Point in Time Count begins on Big Island

The goal of the federally mandated survey — which offers a snapshot of homelessness — is to identify and count individuals and families residing in places not meant for human habitation; more than 50 volunteers and staff are participating in this year’s initiative.
January 27, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Magnitude-4.2 quake strikes southern portion of Big Island

More than 320 “Felt Reports” were made within the first 45 minutes after the temblor, with it being felt widely around the Big Island; aftershocks are possible within the coming days to weeks.
January 27, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Hele-On will not offer transit services Feb. 1, urges passengers to plan ahead

All County of Hawai’i Mass Transit Agency employees and contractors will be participating in a training to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
January 27, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Mariners looking for emaciated humpback whale impacted by entanglement off Maui

NOAA is asking Maui’s boaters and water enthusiasts to be on the look out for a recently-entangled, 40-foot female humpback whale off the Lahaina shoreline of Maui.
January 26, 2026 · 2:30 PM

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green shares successes, goals for 2026 during State of State address

With the State of Hawaiʻi having to try to make up for billions in federal cuts and actions to maintain services, Gov. Josh Green said he proposes no changes to tax cuts in 2026 but would ask to pause cuts for 2027-2029.
January 26, 2026 · 1:43 PM

Hawai‘i Island police investigate theft along Ali‘i Drive in Kona

According to police, a male reported that he left his belongings, valued at $340, on the side of the road near the 78-6600 block of Aliʻi Drive to cross the street to help someone in need.
January 26, 2026 · 1:10 PM

81 acres on Hilo-Hāmākua coast to be preserved in perpetuity

Hawaiʻi County made the $6.2 million purchase of the property with funding from its Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission program.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
TODAY · 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Farmers Market

Wed, Jan 28, 2026 · 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

2026 Lunar New Year Celebration

Every Thursday · 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Queens’ Culinary Market

Local Entertainment 

January 27, 2026 · 1:00 PM

Call for artists: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival seeks submissions for 2026 signature art

Celebrate the art of Kona coffee — let your creativity brew! Art piece selected will be featured on all official 2026 festival merchandise, marketing and promotional materials.
January 25, 2026 · 6:23 AM

Cink cards 23-under on final day to win 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai

“I wanted to come out here this year and start hot and not work my way into the season,” said reigning Charles Schwab Cup winner, PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year and now 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai winner Stewart Cink.
January 22, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Are you single? Producers casting for reality dating show ‘No Lei No Love’ on Hawaiʻi Island

The show will be a local twist to the popular social dating format made famous by online series such as YouTube’s “Pop the Balloon.”
January 22, 2026 · 5:00 AM

30th Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai tees off Thursday to start PGA Tour’s seniors season

Defending champion Ernie Els and Charles Schwab Cup winners Stewart Cink and Steven Alkers are in the final threesome on Thursday, teeing off at 12:23 p.m.
January 22, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 23-29: ManaFest returns to Puna, learn about Kīlauea lava fountains, music events and more

From music events to learning about the eruptive episodes of Kīlauea, there is something entertaining for everyone.
Kona UPS Center
Warehouse Worker – Package Handler
Kona · 2 weeks ago

Looking for locally based talent?

Post a Job Listing

Hawai‘i Business 

Business Monday: Shop local at new Farmstand on Saturdays in Waikōloa Village
New artificial intelligence degree debuts later this year at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
University of Hawaiʻi’s School of Travel Industry Management celebrates 60th anniversary
Business Monday: The Booch Bar expands with new live music venue in downtown Hilo

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 

Road reopens in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park following ashfall cleanup
January 26, 2026 · 9:08 AM HST
Residents should remain vigilant, seek assistance if needed following fallout from Episode 41 of Kīlauea eruption
January 25, 2026 · 2:00 PM HST
UPDATE No. 5: National Weather Service cancels ashfall advisory for Big Island
January 25, 2026 · 7:53 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 

Rooftop solar tops 120,000 on Hawaiian Electric grids, including 19,000 on Maui

In Maui County, there are 19,068 PV systems, 94% of which are residential, and 8% are commercial or grid-scale. Maui has a 232 MW capacity, 47% of which is residential, and 53% is commercial or grid-scale.

Surfer John John Florence defers return to competition, takes year-long break

Three-time World Champion John John Florence has announced that he will defer his return to the World Surf League, Championship Tour for another year. Florence, who was awarded the WSL Season Wildcard, has decided to withdraw from the 2026 CT and extend his break from full-time competition to continue to focus on his family and travel.

Community input welcome on Māla Boat Ramp site improvements

The community is invited to a Feb. 4 meeting to provide input on a proposed improvement project for Māla Boat Ramp on Maui’s west side.

Mayor Bissen: Maui’s wildfire recovery shifts gears to housing delivery and infrastructure investment

Mayor Richard Bissen told state lawmakers Monday that his administration has shifted its focus from immediate wildfire recovery to housing delivery and large-scale infrastructure investments, forecasting the construction of approximately 3,000 affordable and workforce homes by 2030.

Local artist paints dream of for Lahaina

“My wish is to see Lahaina alive and thriving again, a painted dream I hope will come true,” said Ronald Macedo, an island artist who has lived and painted in Lahaina for the past 35 years.

Kaua‘i Now 

New state Kaiapuni Education priority placement process to support growing demand

Interim guidance from Hawaiʻi Department of Education sets clearer, statewide approach as long-term Hawaiian language immersion program planning continues.

National report ranks University of Hawaiʻi 2-year colleges among best for affordability

The university’s commitment to keeping education within reach is most evident at its community colleges, which received a “Leading” rating for affordability, with the index finding that the average 2-year student in Hawaiʻi needs to work only 9 hours per week to cover the net price of attendance, while low-income students require just 6 hours per week.

Parking lots at Hanalei Bay slated for temporary closure this week

From Jan. 29-30, the four lots will be closed from 5 to 11 a.m.

Kauai Weather Forecast for January 27, 2026

Ridging aloft will bring us a couple days of weak sea-breeze winds and limited showers. A weak front is forecast to slowly cross the state from Thursday night…

Kauai Weather Forecast for January 27, 2026

Ridging aloft will bring us a couple days of weak sea-breeze winds and limited showers. A weak front is forecast to slowly cross the state from Thursday night…

Discover more from Hawaii News Journal

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Unknown's avatar

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.

Please leave a comment or opinion.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.