“Hawai’i House advances bill to increase DUI penalties for highly intoxicated drivers.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Accessed on 20 February 2026, 0346 UTC.
Content and Source: “BigIslandNow.com.”
URL–https://bigislandnow.com/
Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections. Thanks for joining us today.
Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
CommunityRising housing, food needs throughout Hawaiʻi revealed in annual 211 Report
CommunityFarm-to-Table Wok Cook-Off to promote agriculture as career path for Big Island youth
Hawaiʻi House advances bill to increase DUI penalties for highly intoxicated drivers
The state bill that would make a second DUI offense with a blood alcohol content above .15% — and within 10 years of a driver’s first DUI conviction — a class C felony.February 19, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
NewsUpdate: High bacteria count at Spencer Beach Park canceled
ActivitiesRegister now for West Hawaiʻi Jr. NBA/WNBA Novice Boys, Open Co-Ed Basketball
In Case You
Missed It:
Missed It:
Deadline approaches to apply for 2026 Fukunaga Scholarship
Applicants sought to fill vacancy on state Campaign Spending Commission
Power remains on in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk
Proposed new Hawaiʻi County tax rate for luxury second homes passes first reading
UPDATE: Runaway teen found in Hilo
Turbulent times discovered in sun’s corona through University of Hawaiʻi eclipse…
Hawaiʻi Island police searching for 3 men who allegedly stole a Suzuki motorcycle in Kona
Deadline extended for applications to fill two Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission seats
REMINDER: Final two Mauna Kea community workshops slated this week
UPDATE: National Weather Service again extends high surf advisory for east-facing shores
Niu Festival: A ho‘opono event coming to downtown Hilo this weekend
Public invited to several Coffee With a Cop events in West Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Electric continues to monitor weather as high wind advisory remains
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Big Island News
February 19, 2026 · 3:00 PM
Rising housing, food needs throughout Hawaiʻi revealed in annual 211 Report
The 2025 Aloha United Way report draws on more than 51,000 calls, texts and chats to the statewide 211 helpline.
February 19, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Farm-to-Table Wok Cook-Off to promote agriculture as career path for Big Island youth
Mark your calendar now and don’t miss Kohala Intergenerational Center’s free community event March 14, celebrating 20 years as a hub for education and connection, that will also include a farmers market and agricultural service booths.
February 19, 2026 · 12:00 PM
Update: High bacteria count at Spencer Beach Park canceled
Water sample testing results show that the enterococci levels no longer exceed the threshold level.
February 19, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Register now for West Hawaiʻi Jr. NBA/WNBA Novice Boys, Open Co-Ed Basketball
Those interested in participating have until Feb. 25 to register.
February 19, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Deadline approaches to apply for 2026 Fukunaga Scholarship
Students who are selected each receive $20,000 throughout 4 years — or a pro-rated amount for fewer years — that can be applied to tuition, books, housing and other educational expenses; deadline to apply online is Feb. 23.
February 19, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Applicants sought to fill vacancy on state Campaign Spending Commission
Those interested in serving in the vacant commission seat should submit an application along with a résumé and three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s character and integrity no later than March 13.
February 19, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Hawaiʻi House advances bill to increase DUI penalties for highly intoxicated drivers
The state bill that would make a second DUI offense with a blood alcohol content above .15% — and within 10 years of a driver’s first DUI conviction — a class C felony.
February 19, 2026 · 4:28 AM
UPDATE: Blustery conditions decreasing; National Weather Service cancels wind advisory
Forecasters report, however, that winds will remain breezy today, largely expected to stay just below advisory levels, continuing to gradually decrease throughout the day.
February 19, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 20-26: JuggleFest, ‘A Box of Chocolates,’ ‘Imiloa’s birthday, comedy and more
And that’s just a quick sample of the wide and, shall we say, unique variety of events and activities happening around the Big Island. Cure that ‘cabin fever’ and get out of the house to discover what we’re talking about.
February 19, 2026 · 1:00 AM
County extends voluntary compliance order for movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials
Residents and business operators in the voluntary compliance area are asked not to transport coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials that include decomposing plant material, plant propagation material, other items comprised of decomposing organic plant material and several genera of live palm plants; order will remain in place through April 30.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
TODAY · 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Queens’ Culinary Market
Every 3rd Saturday of the Month · 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Kanikapila Monthly Concert Series
Every Monday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weekly Hula
Local Entertainment
February 19, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Register now for West Hawaiʻi Jr. NBA/WNBA Novice Boys, Open Co-Ed Basketball
Those interested in participating have until Feb. 25 to register.
February 19, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 20-26: JuggleFest, ‘A Box of Chocolates,’ ‘Imiloa’s birthday, comedy and more
And that’s just a quick sample of the wide and, shall we say, unique variety of events and activities happening around the Big Island. Cure that ‘cabin fever’ and get out of the house to discover what we’re talking about.
February 18, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Turbulent times discovered in sun’s corona through University of Hawaiʻi eclipse research
The study reveals the origin and evolution of turbulence in the corona, a process long linked to coronal heating and the acceleration of the solar wind.
February 18, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Niu Festival: A ho‘opono event coming to downtown Hilo this weekend
Free, full-day communitywide cultural and educational gathering centered on the coconut — often referred to as the ‘tree of life’ — slated for Sunday (Feb. 22) at Palace Theater
February 18, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Public invited to several Coffee With a Cop events in West Hawai‘i
These popular events are intentionally informal — with no agenda — and conversation topics can range from sharing personal stories to discussing neighborhood issues.
Hawaii Public Housing Authority
Housing Public Housing Supervisor V
Hilo · 3 weeks ago
Housing Public Housing Supervisor V
Hilo · 3 weeks ago
Kona UPS Center
Warehouse Worker – Package Handler
Kona · 1 month ago
Warehouse Worker – Package Handler
Kona · 1 month ago
DFI
Full-Time Residential Housekeeper
Kona · 6 days ago
Full-Time Residential Housekeeper
Kona · 6 days ago
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
UPDATE: Lava fountains reach up to 1,300 feet tall before end of Episode 42 in ongoing Kīlauea summit eruption ends
February 16, 2026 · 3:41 AM HST
Volcano Watch: Handling the pressure; what gases trapped inside crystals tell us
February 13, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST
Volcano Watch: New ‘Is Tephra Falling?’ citizen science tool launched in Hawaiʻi
February 6, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST
Ocean Blog
Snorkel Bob’s expands to Queens’ Marketplace in Waikōloa
February 16, 2026 · 7:00 AM HST
Harbor pilot slips, falls into rough waters in ‘scary situation’ as cruise ship preps to enter Kaua‘i harbor
February 12, 2026 · 11:00 AM HST
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
Maui Now
Maui United Way launches community survey to better support Maui Nui
Maui United Way invites community members across Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi to participate in a countywide Community Needs Survey to better understand how the organization can support our community now and in the future. The survey deadline is March 6, 2026.
Maui United Way names Jeeyun Lee as its new CEO
Maui United Way, a leading nonprofit serving Maui, Molokai and Lānaʻi, has appointed Jeeyun Lee as its new Chief Executive Officer. Lee most recently served as the organization’s Director of Community Impact and as Interim CEO since July 2025. She provides oversight of 60 programs and is responsible for a budget of more than $5 million.
Traffic advisory: Parts of Makawao Ave. to be closed on weekends until March 15, 2026
A County of Maui Department of Public Works reconstruction project will close both lanes on portions of Makawao Avenue during weekends, starting this Saturday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Maui Open Studios kicks off free, self-guided art experience
More than 75 artists across the island are opening their working studios during this event – from garages and lanais to tucked-away creative spaces – for this free, self-guided experience.
AARP Hawaiʻi appoints Grant Chun as its new volunteer state president
AARP Hawaiʻi welcomes Maui resident Grant Chun, a retired attorney and housing executive, as its new state president. The state president, a volunteer position, works closely with the state director, staff and volunteers to lead AARP’s work in Hawaiʻi.
Kaua‘i Now
Kauai Weather Forecast for February 19, 2026
Issued at 358 AM HST Thu Feb 19 2026Locally strong trades will gradually ease through the rest of the week. Moisture embedded in the trades will allow showers…
Kauai Surf Forecast for February 19, 2026
Surf will hold relatively steady along east facing shores through today before gradually decreasing tonight through the weekend as winds decrease. The High Surf…
Residential trash pickup delayed in portions of Kōloa and Po‘ipū
Trash pickup is delayed due to staff shortages, but is still expected today.
Two raised crosswalks are set to be installed on Rice Street on Monday night
Alternating traffic will be routed through the open lane from 8:30 p.m. Feb. 23 to 5 a.m. Feb. 24 for the crosswalk installation as part of the Rice Street Improvement project.
Send in the Dogs: How man’s best friend is helping save Kauaʻi’s coconut palms
Conservation Dogs of Hawaiʻi demonstrated how specially trained canines are becoming indispensable allies in the fight against the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle.
Discover more from Hawaii News Journal
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.