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“First disabled artist-in-residence at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park calls it “milsetone of inclusion.”

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Accessed on 24 February 2026, 2326 UTC.

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13 motorists arrested for DUI week of Feb. 2-8 on Big Island roadways

Registration for Big Island’s summer meal program Kaukau 4 Keiki opens next week

UPDATE: High surf advisory canceled for Big Island east-facing shorelines

Bill to reduce taxes on groceries, nonprescription drugs in Hawaiʻi dies in committee

Trump tariffs struck down by US Supreme Court, ruling them as unconstitutional

FEMA approves $4M for permanent repairs to Pohoiki boat ramp, but more funding needed

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Big Island News 

February 24, 2026 · 12:00 PM

Puna Geothermal Venture holding public meeting on Tuesday

New information about the power companyʻs Repower Project, timelines and next milestones will be presented the public meeting at the Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility.
February 24, 2026 · 11:00 AM

UH Mānoa launched new microsites to increase accessibility for international student applicants

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is encouraging international student applicants with new microsites available in their language.
February 24, 2026 · 7:00 AM

Native Hawaiian organizations can learn best practices for procuring federal contracts this Friday

The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce is hosting a workshop to break down federal contracting processes for Native Hawaiian organizations this Friday.
February 24, 2026 · 5:00 AM

First disabled artist-in-residence at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park calls it ‘milestone of inclusion’

Tennessee resident Houston Vandergriff, who was born with Down syndrome, hopes his photographs and advocacy will inspire others to live life to the fullest and to live life with compassion.
February 24, 2026 · 3:00 AM

House bill would allow for up to 10-year extensions of Mauna Kea leases

The master lease of Mauna Kea lands is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2033.
February 24, 2026 · 1:00 AM

New $4.6 million collaborative project to restore coral reef in American Samoa

New project aims to revive the vital ecosystems of coral reefs amid rising marine heatwaves and invests in educating future natural resource managers.
February 24, 2026 · 12:00 AM

UPDATE: Several Hilo beaches close due to large waves, debris

High surf warning in effect for north and east-facing shores of Big Island through 6 p.m. Tuesday.
February 23, 2026 · 4:24 PM

Judge releases two men charged in relation to a series of burglaries at Hilo businesses

A preliminary hearing is set for Ha‘oli Kanawaliwali Santos and Hunta Santos, both of Hilo, who were arrested in relation to a series of burglaries last week and were released on supervised bail.
February 23, 2026 · 3:24 PM

Police still in search of armed, dangerous man and woman of Ocean View wanted for outstanding bench warrants

The Hawaiʻi Police Department is requesting the public’s help in finding Robert James Teinauri Carman and Kira Lazar, who both frequent the Kona and Ocean View areas.
February 23, 2026 · 1:30 PM

Former state public safety employee on Kaua‘i pleads guilty to embezzling government funds

The former employee worked as an account clerk for the sheriff’s division on Kaua‘i, where she manipulated computer records to receive more than $64,000 in unearned compensation.

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Ukulele Lessons with Kris Fuchigami

Sat, Feb 28, 2026 · 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Mountain Apple Brand Day at KTA Puainako

Thu, Mar 5, 2026 · 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Customer Appreciation Day at KTA Kailua-Kona 🎉

Local Entertainment 

February 23, 2026 · 1:00 AM

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo grad student bridges divide between ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and Japan

Recently released new mele Hawaiʻi featuring duet between award-winning Hawaiʻi musician and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Hawaiian language graduate student Nicholas Kealiʻi Lum and Japan-born musician and trained ʻōlapa hula Tom Noʻeau offers compelling example of how Hawaiian language is taking root far beyond the islands.
February 20, 2026 · 3:06 PM

Nā Hōkū Hoe: The Paddling Stars Talent Show

Big Island community invited and encouraged to attend a special one-of-a-kind evening showcasing incredible talents of ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima canoe club members and supporters to benefit the nonprofit that provides opportunities for people with special needs and the programs that uplift them.
February 20, 2026 · 9:00 AM

ʻImiloa in Hilo celebrates 20 years of creating space for curiosity, learning, dialogue

A birthday bash from 2 to 6 p.m. today will feature hands-on activities, anniversary treats, giveaways and full access to exhibits and the planetarium all for free; the celebration also kicks off a year of monthly anniversary programming throughout 2026.
February 20, 2026 · 7:00 AM

Kaua‘i to host hole new level of fun on mini golf stage; ready to tee up for the challenge?

United States ProMiniGolf Association for the first time is bringing its annual U.S. Open to Hawai‘i, with the 28th contest hitting the greens at Kaua‘i Mini Golf & Botanical Gardens in Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea; you can even be part of the historic fun by heading to the Garden Isle to participate in the U.S. Open of Mini Golf Pro/Am Tournament.
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.

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Hawai‘i Business 

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Big Island Polls 

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May 18, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST

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April 19, 2025 · 1:55 AM HST

Hawai’i Volcano Blog 

Team Rubicon helps homeowners clean hazardous debris from Kīlauea eruption

February 20, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST

Volcano Watch: A sight to see; maintaining Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s webcams during a historic eruption

February 20, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST

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

Ocean Blog 

Young Brothers adjusts sailing schedule as needed because of expected severe ocean conditions

February 22, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST

Nā Hōkū Hoe: The Paddling Stars Talent Show

February 20, 2026 · 3:06 PM HST

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

Maui Now 

Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice opens second location at Kukui Mall in Kīhei

Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice has officially opened its doors at 1819 South Kīhei Road in the Kukui Mall next to Starbucks, bringing fresh island flavors and laid-back energy to South Maui.

Locally made food and products on display at Food and Product Innovation Network Day

The Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance and the Food and Product Innovation Network are hosting the inaugural Food and Product Innovation Network Day at the Capitol, a convening of exhibitors, partners and stakeholders to highlight the collective impact of Hawai‘i’s food and product innovation ecosystem.

Hawaii Water Service launches feasibility study for new Kapalua Recycled Water Treatment Plant

Hawaii Water Service is moving forward with a feasibility study for a decentralized wastewater treatment plant in Kapalua that would produce recycled water and give the community a drought-resistant supply of irrigation water.

High Surf Warning for north and east facing shores through this afternoon

Along north facing shores, surf is peaking at 20 to 30 feet this morning before slowly declining late this afternoon. Along east facing shores, surf is peaking at 14 to 18 feet this morning before slowly declining late this afternoon.

Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi introduces zero-waste, resort filtered water bottling system

Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation by reducing single-use plastics throughout the Resort with a new on-site, closed-loop water bottling and filtration system.

Kaua‘i Now 

Coral heat tolerance studies inform new restoration project in American Samoa

A new $4.6 million coral reef restoration project leverages research into the environmental, genetic drivers of heat-tolerant corals.

Water shutdown scheduled Tuesday night for some areas in Kōloa

During the water service shutdown, Goodfellow Bros. will perform work on Kauaʻi County’s Poʻipū Road Safety and Mobility Project.

No swimming advised at Hanalei Bay due to high surf

A high surf warning is in effect through 6 p.m. today for north- and east-facing shores of Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau.

New canoe crop cultivation course grows opportunity across Hawai’iʻs food economy

The course combines hands-on experience and business insight, enhancing Native Hawaiian economic resilience and contributing to a sustainable food system.

‘Year of the Fire Horse’ ignites creative momentum at Common Ground in Kīlauea

On Friday, a vibrant Lunar New Year event at Common Ground celebrated the “Year of the Fire Horse” and united the North Shore community through creative art installations.

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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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