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“Hawai’i students ‘taste the rainbow’ with special fresh, locally sourced salad.”

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Accessed on 29 January 2026, 0049 UTC.

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Hawai‘i Island police renew request for help finding missing kupuna

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

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2026 Homeless Point in Time Count begins on Big Island

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

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Big Island News 

January 28, 2026 · 1:00 PM

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa online nursing program gets high national marks

The university’s flagship campus placed No. 62 out of the top 209 online master’s in nursing programs recognized in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings of the nation’s best online programs.
January 28, 2026 · 11:00 AM

West Coast Health Alliance endorses American Academy of Pediatrics recommended keiki immunizations

The 2026 annual update to the immunization schedule was based on a thorough and deliberate review of medical evidence; these recommendations continue to thoughtfully consider specific disease risks and health care delivery in the United States.
January 28, 2026 · 10:42 AM

Hawai‘i Island police officer recognized as Ka‘ū District Officer of the Year and Top Enforcer

A seven-year veteran of the department and a Kaʻū resident, the officer has served the Kaʻū community since 2021.
January 28, 2026 · 9:00 AM

Zonta Club of Hilo Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship applications now available

The scholarship is for female Hawai‘i Island or O‘ahu residents enrolled as full-time students at a college or university and high school seniors; preference for the two $2,500 scholarships is given to women’s studies and/or communications majors, who demonstrate financial need.
January 28, 2026 · 7:00 AM

WATCH: Aloha for Alex; day of remembrance, action hosted at state Capitol

The vigil, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi, Hawai‘i Coalition for Immigrant Rights and The Legal Clinic Hawai‘i, honored the life of 37-year-old Alex Pretti of Minneapolis, who was killed last week by federal agents, and spurred communitywide support for bills to protect due process and Hawaiʻi residents.
January 28, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Hawai‘i students ‘taste the rainbow’ with special fresh, locally sourced salad

The hue-tiful menu item highlighted the continued farm-to-school efforts by Hawaiʻi Department of Education and its commitment to student wellness.
January 28, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Rep. Tokuda to kick off series of statewide town hall meetings in Waimea

The lawmaker will discuss policies affecting Hawaiʻi, address concerns about the Trump administration and answer questions from community members.
January 28, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Grand opening of Zippy’s 4th Las Vegas branch showcases Hawaiian traditions, spirit

The grand opening in Las Vegas featured a traditional Hawaiian blessing and the ceremonial untying of a maile lei by Zippy’s Chief Executive Officer Jason Higa.
January 27, 2026 · 4:25 PM

Father of 3 young children and former Big Island chef dies in Bangor, Maine plane crash

Nick Mastrascusa was widely known as a parent, coach and friend, and is survived by his “dearest Natalia” and their three young children.
January 27, 2026 · 3:36 PM

Hawai‘i Island police renew request for help finding missing kupuna

The 82-year-old is considered endangered due to her age.
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Fri, Jan 30, 2026 · 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Anheuser Busch Beer Tasting at KTA Waikoloa Village

Local Entertainment 

January 28, 2026 · 7:00 AM

WATCH: Aloha for Alex; day of remembrance, action hosted at state Capitol

The vigil, organized by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi, Hawai‘i Coalition for Immigrant Rights and The Legal Clinic Hawai‘i, honored the life of 37-year-old Alex Pretti of Minneapolis, who was killed last week by federal agents, and spurred communitywide support for bills to protect due process and Hawaiʻi residents.
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.
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Hawai‘i Business 

Grand opening of Zippy’s 4th Las Vegas branch showcases Hawaiian traditions, spirit
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

Big Island Polls 

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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 

Free UH conference celebrates Indigenous artists, scholars

The ʻAhahui Noiʻi Noʻeau ʻŌiwi – Research Institute of Indigenous Performance (ANNO) will host its second biennial conference at Kennedy Theatre at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Feb. 5–6.

Registration opens for 2026 Court Interpreter Orientation Workshops

Depending on performance on written and oral exams, court interpreters are paid $35 to $100 per hour, with a two-hour minimum. A Maui workshop takes place on Feb. 25-26 at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.

Hawaiʻi’s farm-to-school program brings 5,000 pounds of locally sourced salad to students

Hawaiʻi public school cafeterias statewide offered students a fresh, locally grown rainbow salad with lunch this January, highlighting the Department’s continued commitment to farm-to-school efforts and student wellness. The colorful salad featured locally sourced lettuce, cucumbers, watercress and tomatoes, as available, along with carrots and purple cabbage.

Online master’s in nursing program at UH Mānoa earns high national marks

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene was recognized in the 2025 US News and World Report rankings of the nation’s best online programs, released on Jan. 27. UH Mānoa placed No. 62 out of the top 209 online master’s in nursing programs. UH Mānoa was the only nursing school in Hawaiʻi to be ranked for online education.

Hawaiʻi Keiki Caucus presents 2026 legislative package 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.

Kaua‘i Now 

2026 American Academy of Pediatrics keiki immunization schedule endorsed by West Coast Health Alliance

The 2026 annual update to the immunization schedule was based on a thorough and deliberate review of medical evidence; these recommendations continue to thoughtfully consider specific disease risks and health care delivery in the United States.

Southwest rolls out major changes in Honolulu, including assigned seating

Assigned seating went live Tuesday (Jan. 27) in Honolulu and throughout Southwest’s network, opening the book to the airline’s next chapter; the change followed the final Southwest open seating flight from Honolulu and a gate celebration the night before.

WATCH: Day of remembrance, action hosted at state Capitol, showing Aloha to Alex

The vigil, organized by American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi, Hawai‘i Coalition for Immigrant Rights and The Legal Clinic Hawai‘i, honored the life of 37-year-old Alex Pretti of Minneapolis, who was killed last week by federal agents, and spurred communitywide support for bills to protect due process and Hawaiʻi residents.

Agency on Elderly Affairs invites public to attend Better Choices, Better Health workshops

Better Choices, Better Health — developed by the Self-Management Resource Center — is designed to support kūpuna in building confidence and skills to manage chronic conditions while maintaining active, fulfilling lives.

County officials remind public about rules for curbside rubbish collection

Following the correct guidelines helps collection drivers pick up trash safely and efficiently, reduces service delays and supports a cleaner community islandwide.

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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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