“Hawai’i Island police recover 100 pounds of illicit drugs in first year of unified vice division.”
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsdigest.com).
CommunityHawaiʻi County to host free household hazardous waste collection events
ActivitiesPolice congratulate participants of 4th annual HI-PAL Tee Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball…
Hawai‘i Island police recover 100 pounds of illicit drugs in first year of unified vice division
Hawaiʻi Island’s east side and west side vice sections were consolidated in February 2025 to enable detectives to better zero in on the drug problem islandwide.January 31, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
CommunityU.S. Sen. Hirono’s trip to O‘ahu includes visiting with students, advocates…
NewsKona 9-year-old allegedly threatens fellow student; says he has a gun and not to come…
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Big Island News
January 31, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Hawaiʻi County to host free household hazardous waste collection events
Collection events are planned for 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo and Feb. 14 at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.
January 31, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Police congratulate participants of 4th annual HI-PAL Tee Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball Tournament
More than 250 players along with 1,000 spectators attended the event Jan. 24-25 at Hualani Baseball Park in the Keaukaha community in Hilo.
January 31, 2026 · 7:00 AM
U.S. Sen. Hirono’s trip to O‘ahu includes visiting with students, advocates, local businesses
Purpose of the Hawai‘i Democrat’s visits was to discuss Impact of federal funding and consequences of President Donald Trump’s policies
January 31, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Hawai‘i Island police recover 100 pounds of illicit drugs in first year of unified vice division
Hawaiʻi Island’s east side and west side vice sections were consolidated in February 2025 to enable detectives to better zero in on the drug problem islandwide.
January 31, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Pāhoa pool closed because of tephra from recent Kīlauea lava fountaining episode
Ash and Pele’s hair continue to collect in the pool as it is blown from the roofs of nearby structures, trees and across open areas of the park; integrity of the pool’s filtration system also is in question.
January 31, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival will bloom again in February
The 33rd annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival returns with a rich array of multicultural performances, craft booths and culinary delights with events throughout the Big Island town.
January 30, 2026 · 7:30 PM
Kona 9-year-old allegedly threatens fellow student; says he has a gun and not to come to school
Detectives with Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Juvenile Aid Section continue to investigate, working closely with school administration and the child’s family to ensure the safety of students and staff; investigators do not think at this time the child has access to a firearm.
January 30, 2026 · 5:23 PM
Leader of trans-Pacific drug trafficking organization sentenced to 28 years
The organization was responsible for bringing methamphetamine, fentanyl and carfentanil to the Hawaiian Islands for distribution.
January 30, 2026 · 3:00 PM
New priority placement process for state Kaiapuni Education supports growing demand
Interim guidance from Hawaiʻi Department of Education sets clearer, statewide approach as long-term Hawaiian language immersion program planning continues.
January 30, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Put your language skills to good use: Register now for 2026 court interpreter orientation workshops
Freelance court interpreters are paid a minimum $35 an hour; completion of the 2-day workshop is required.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Sat, Jan 31, 2026 · 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Anheuser Busch Beer Tasting at KTA Puainako
Mon, Feb 2, 2026 · 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Anheuser Busch Beer Tasting at KTA Waimea
Every Tuesday · 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Farmers Market
Local Entertainment
January 31, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Police congratulate participants of 4th annual HI-PAL Tee Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball Tournament
More than 250 players along with 1,000 spectators attended the event Jan. 24-25 at Hualani Baseball Park in the Keaukaha community in Hilo.
January 29, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 30-Feb. 5: Ancient site restoration, multi-universe journey, regal tea party and more
Get ready for a week that invites you to events from helping restore an ancient Hawaiian village site in the Valley of the Kings to expressing your opinions during a town hall meeting hosted by U.S. Congresswoman Jill Tokuda.
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.
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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: When it rained rocks; tephra falls far and wide during Kīlauea Episode 41
January 30, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Jan. 30-Feb. 5: Ancient site restoration, multi-universe journey, regal tea party and more
January 29, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
Road reopens in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park following ashfall cleanup
January 26, 2026 · 9:08 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
Traffic signal work to close Puʻunēnē Avenue at night, Feb. 2-6
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is advising highway users that there will be an overnight closure of Puʻunēnē Avenue (Route 3500) next week, from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to install new traffic signals.
Maluhia Maui Rotary Club to host animal welfare advocates
The Maluhia Maui Rotary Club will feature leaders from the Aloha FurEver Pets Foundation as guest speakers at its upcoming meeting. The event takes place at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at South Maui Gardens in Kīhei.
Single lane closures on Kula Highway and Kekaulike Avenue next week
The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is notifying highway users of alternating single lane closures on Kula Highway and Kekaulike Avenue next week.
‘Amazing story:’ Maui’s Lyon Farrell to compete for New Zealand at Winter Olympics — in snowboarding
“It’s pretty wild. I always tell people I have a friend that’s a pro snowboarder who grew up in Maui,” said professional surfer Cody Young.
Maui Weather Forecast for January 31, 2026
The first in a series of three cold fronts moving into the Hawaiian Islands over the next seven days has dissipated into a trough near Maui and the Big Island…
Kaua‘i Now
Inaugural online doctor of pharmacy cohort begins classes through University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Twelve aspiring pharmacists hailing from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi and Puerto Rico are enrolled in the online program’s first cohort.
Kauai Weather Forecast for January 31, 2026
The first in a series of three cold fronts moving into the Hawaiian Islands over the next seven days has dissipated into a trough near Maui and the Big Island…
Kauai Weather Forecast for January 31, 2026
The first in a series of three cold fronts moving into the Hawaiian Islands over the next seven days has dissipated into a trough near Maui and the Big Island…
Kauai Surf Forecast for January 31, 2026
Large to extra-large surf will continue today along north and west facing shores, with another round of elevated surf due early next week. A complex storm…
Mariners seek emaciated humpback whale that was entangled in waters off Lahaina shore on Maui
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is asking boaters and water enthusiasts to be on the look out for the 40-foot female humpback.
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