“Hawai’i County may create tax tier for luxury second homes worth more than $4 million.”
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CommunityState seeks applicants for 2 impending vacancies on Hawaiʻi Ethics Commission
Hawai’i State NewsHazelnut and filbert allergen concern causes recall of Costco Mini Beignets
Hawai‘i County Council may create tax tier for luxury second homes worth more than $4 million
The proposed Tier 3 would impact about 842 parcels primarily in West Hawai‘i, with an estimated value of $5.3 billion, according to Hawaiʻi Countyʻs real property tax administrator.February 5, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
East Hawaii NewsHeavy rain and strong trade winds expected this weekend as more active weather develops
CommunityPerformance audit requested for housing, homelessness programs funded by Hawaiʻi…
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Goodwill Hawai‘i relocating Hilo store, donation center to new campus
Text scam targeting people statewide threatens drivers over nonexistent traffic fines
From campus to Capitol: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa shares research with state…
Student artists invited to enter 8th annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest
Island draft destination management action plans to be shared by Hawai‘i Tourism…
Hawai‘i’s medical cannabis program strong, well-utilized, independent report…
Office of Hawaiian Affairs seeks administrator for new Mālama Honua program
Mark your calendar now for Niu Festival: A Ho‘opono Event in Hilo
Hawaiʻi to launch statewide pre-eviction mediation program this week
Two victims of former Pueo Poi Factory structure fire identified
Hawaiʻi eyes 75 projects to address long list of environment-related needs with $130M in…
11 years ago this Big Island Seahawks fan vowed not to cut his hair until they won another…
Law enforcement seeks help finding runaway teen last seen in Puna
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Big Island News
February 5, 2026 · 1:00 PM
State seeks applicants for 2 impending vacancies on Hawaiʻi Ethics Commission
Commission members serve on a voluntary basis; terms will run 4 years from July 1 through June 30, 2030. Applications are due by Feb. 13.
February 5, 2026 · 12:45 PM
Hazelnut and filbert allergen concern causes recall of Costco Mini Beignets
Costco’s Mini Beignets Filled with Caramel are recalled in Hawaiʻi due to undeclared hazelnuts and filberts, posing a severe allergy risk.
February 5, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Heavy rain and strong trade winds expected this weekend as more active weather develops
Heavy rain is possible as early as Saturday, but most likely Sunday into Monday; flash flooding appears to be most likely for Maui County and the Big Island, particularly windward locations, and strong winds are most likely to impact Kaua‘i and Maui County.
February 5, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Performance audit requested for housing, homelessness programs funded by Hawaiʻi County
Due to concerns regarding the Housing and Homelessness Fund’s effectiveness, the Hawaiʻi County Council is seeking a detailed understanding before considering extending the program, which is set to end in 2027.
February 5, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 6-12: Show some HEART for Hilo youth theatre; plus, Super Bowl parties and more
We’re taking a different approach this week, highlighting what you might call a “featured item” or “must go”; Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre — or HEART — is hosting its 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert and Fundraiser at the beginning of next week, and now more than ever, the youth theatre program needs your help. Find this and more in this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island.
February 5, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Hawai‘i County Council may create tax tier for luxury second homes worth more than $4 million
The proposed Tier 3 would impact about 842 parcels primarily in West Hawai‘i, with an estimated value of $5.3 billion, according to Hawaiʻi Countyʻs real property tax administrator.
February 5, 2026 · 4:14 AM
UPDATE 2: High surf warning downgraded to advisory for West Hawaiʻi
The new advisory is in place through 6 p.m. today (Feb. 5); a high surf advisory previously in place for northern shores of the Big Island was also canceled and northwest swell is on the downward trend.
February 5, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Goodwill Hawai‘i relocating Hilo store, donation center to new campus
Grand opening set for Feb. 13 at new location on the Maka‘ala Street campus, with festivities including giveaways, refreshments and entertainment; current store location will remain open through Feb. 7.
February 5, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization and partners to host free wildfire webinar
The discussion will focus on the national wildfire insurance crisis, triggered by wildfires throughout the United States during the past 5 to 8 years.
February 4, 2026 · 3:00 PM
Text scam targeting people statewide threatens drivers over nonexistent traffic fines
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary reports people statewide are receiving alleged Department of Motor Vehicles text messages saying that unless payment is made for unpaid traffic citations, the recipient’s driving privileges and vehicle registration will be suspended, and they will be assessed an additional fee.
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Local Entertainment
February 5, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 6-12: Show some HEART for Hilo youth theatre; plus, Super Bowl parties and more
We’re taking a different approach this week, highlighting what you might call a “featured item” or “must go”; Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre — or HEART — is hosting its 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert and Fundraiser at the beginning of next week, and now more than ever, the youth theatre program needs your help. Find this and more in this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island.
February 4, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Mark your calendar now for Niu Festival: A Ho‘opono Event in Hilo
Free communitywide cultural and educational gathering planned for Feb. 22 in downtown Hilo.
February 1, 2026 · 5:00 AM
How the mighty Civilian Conservation Corps helped build Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Dive deeper into the park’s history and learn about the young local men who worked in the Great Depression-era federal jobs program to create much of the Big Island national park’s infrastructure and the legacy they left behind with a new online StoryMap sharing their contributions.
February 1, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Full day of live music, fellowship and family-friendly fun at Big Island Gospel Jam Festival
Enjoy worship, testimony, connection and community from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Feb. 1) at Moʻoheau Bandstand in beautiful downtown Hilo along the shore of Hilo Bay.
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.
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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
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces February flight operations
February 4, 2026 · 6:30 AM HST
How the mighty Civilian Conservation Corps helped build Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
February 1, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
Volcano Watch: When it rained rocks; tephra falls far and wide during Kīlauea Episode 41
January 30, 2026 · 3:00 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
25th Ehime Maru Memorial Service set for Feb. 9
The Ehime Maru Memorial Association will hold a memorial ceremony on Feb. 9, 2026 at the Ehime Maru Memorial at Kakaʻako Waterfront Park on Oʻahu from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of the Ehime Maru accident, which claimed the lives of nine Japanese crew members, teachers and high school students.
Maui leads state in whale sightings during January survey of koholā
Volunteers counted 694 humpback whales off the shores of Maui during the annual Great Whale Count, the highest number recorded among the islands during the first coordinated survey of the 2026 season. The Pacific Whale Foundation and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary coordinated the event, mobilizing 433 volunteers across 43 sites throughout […]
Maui police launch impaired driving enforcement campaign over ‘Big Game’ weekend
The Maui Police Department’s Traffic Division will conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols at various locations to address impaired driving over the ‘Big Game’ weekend. The enforcement effort begins Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 and continues throughout the weekend.
Leadership transition at RESCO Inc.
The parent company of real estate brokerage Locations, RESCO Inc., announced the appointment of Chad Takesue as interim chief executive officer Monday. The appointment took effect Feb. 2. Takesue succeeds Corbett Kalama, who is stepping down as chief executive officer following the conclusion of his contract. Kalama plans to focus on community-focused work for Native Hawaiian […]
Upcountry water service outage announced for emergency repairs
Emergency repairs have triggered a water service outage in Pukalani, the Maui County Department of Water Supply announced. Repairs began at 9:05 a.m. today and are expected to be ongoing for about six hours. Affected residents are in the area of Makani Road and Moku Place. This post will be updated when there’s new information.
Kaua‘i Now
First responders rescue Florida visitor from Kalalau Trail Wednesday
Personnel from Kauaʻi Fire Department rescue a 64-year old visitor from Kalalau Trail, marking the fifth hiking rescue in 2026.
AlohaCare Foundation now accepting applications for 2026-27 scholarships
AlohaCare members — or their family members — are eligible to apply; the application period is open through March 16.
Hirono, colleagues call for civil rights probe into death of Minneapolis resident Renee Good
Good was was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officer last month in Minneapolis, Minn.; letter emphasizes that the Justice Department’s decision not to investigate represents a broader trend.
Free wildfire webinar scheduled this week by Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization
The discussion will focus on the national wildfire insurance crisis, triggered by wildfires throughout the United States during the past 5 to 8 years.
Active weather, including heavy rain and strong trade winds, expected this weekend
Heavy rain is possible as early as Saturday, but most likely Sunday into Monday; flash flooding appears to be most likely for Maui County and the Big Island, particularly windward locations, and strong winds are most likely to impact Kaua‘i and Maui County.
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