“Expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center making progress–clinic building to open in June.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 30 March 2026, 0135 UTC.
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Hawai’i State NewsEnergy affordability signaled as state priority with Public Utilities Commission…
EducationGlobal recognition for University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: 14 programs shine in new…
Expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center making progress; clinic building to open in June
A new medical building in Hilo with 19 intensive care unit beds and 36 progressive care unit beds is slated for completion in early 2027.March 29, 2026 · 11:34 AM HST
Hawai’i State NewsHaleʻiwa moving forward after the storm
Hawai’i State NewsState Health Department continues response to impacts from kona lows
In Case You
Missed It:
Missed It:
WATCH: Disney’s reimagined ‘Moana’ sails exclusively into theaters this…
Kailua Village Business Improvement District seeks nominations for 3 new board members
16 lane closures scheduled during week of March 28-April 3 on Big Island state roadways
WATCH: Hirono on US Senate floor slams Trump’s attacks on national parks
Kohala High students shine on national, state level with Future Farmers of America
UPDATE: Helicopter crash on Kauaʻi kills 3 people, injures 2, police say
Volcano Watch: Taking Kīlauea’s temperature
Largest survey of exoplanets with Mauna Kea observatory confirms new spin on planet…
PAL Hawai‘i encourages community to step forward for affordable housing
13 Big Island students honored with Gold Keys at 2026 Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art…
Ten teams to compete in HI-PAL basketball tournament Saturday
Hilo man reportedly stole keys from postal worker who was delivering mail
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Big Island News
March 29, 2026 · 3:00 PM
Energy affordability signaled as state priority with Public Utilities Commission decision
Commission heeds calls for rate accountability in Hawaiian Electric’s 75-year-old Waiʻau power plant repowering; “We have a credible proposal on the table to make energy more affordable,” concluded Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green. “People want change — this administration will continue to deliver change that prioritizes the needs of the people of Hawaiʻi.”
March 29, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Global recognition for University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: 14 programs shine in new rankings
“These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos in a university release. “They showcase the university’s global standing and reinforce that [University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa] offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world.”
March 29, 2026 · 11:01 AM
Hop over to Kea‘au for a day filled with fun for the entire ‘ohana
Fourth annual Kea‘au Family Fun Day runs until 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, and includes the state’s largest Easter egg hunt, with more than 37,000 eggs for keiki — of all abilities — to find; even the adults get to have some egg-finding fun. Plus there’s a ton of other events and activities planned throughout the day.
March 29, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Haleʻiwa moving forward after the storm
Visitors are welcome back as shops and restaurants reopen and Oʻahu’s North Shore recovers.
March 29, 2026 · 7:00 AM
State Health Department continues response to impacts from kona lows
Department will conduct precautionary sampling and testing of nearshore waters — as well as flood-carried mud and sediment — to understand contaminant levels in the environment; personnel also actively monitoring mosquito populations and taking targeted action in impacted areas.
March 29, 2026 · 5:01 AM
Expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center making progress; clinic building to open in June
A new medical building in Hilo with 19 intensive care unit beds and 36 progressive care unit beds is slated for completion in early 2027.
March 29, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count conclude for 2026 koholā season
Citizen scientists on Hawai’i Island observed 37 humpback whales March 28; a total of 435 whales were observed from shorelines at 37 sites throughout the islands.
March 29, 2026 · 1:00 AM
WATCH: Disney’s reimagined ‘Moana’ sails exclusively into theaters this July
New trailer and poster for live-action version of beloved animated film, plus behind-the-scenes featurette highlighting film’s craftsmanship and look at making of ‘Moana,’ are available now.
March 28, 2026 · 7:12 PM
UPDATE: Police report Kaʻūmana Drive near 7-mile marker open to all traffic
That portion of the roadway in Hilo was previously closed earlier Saturday afternoon because of a traffic crash.
March 28, 2026 · 4:21 PM
Kailua Village Business Improvement District seeks nominations for 3 new board members
There are two 2 open board seats available to commercial tenants and one available for a fee simple owner or lessee of land within the district; the new members will be elected in May during the Kailua Village Business Improvement District Annual Meeting.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Fri, Apr 3, 2026 · 7:30 pm – 12:00 am
Project Hawai’i Benefit Concert
Sun, Apr 5, 2026 · 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Easter Egg Hunt at Lavaloha Chocolate Farm
Wed, Apr 8, 2026 · 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
KTA Puainako Craft Fair for Merrie Monarch
Local Entertainment
March 29, 2026 · 11:01 AM
Hop over to Kea‘au for a day filled with fun for the entire ‘ohana
Fourth annual Kea‘au Family Fun Day runs until 3 p.m. Sunday, March 29, and includes the state’s largest Easter egg hunt, with more than 37,000 eggs for keiki — of all abilities — to find; even the adults get to have some egg-finding fun. Plus there’s a ton of other events and activities planned throughout the day.
March 29, 2026 · 1:00 AM
WATCH: Disney’s reimagined ‘Moana’ sails exclusively into theaters this July
New trailer and poster for live-action version of beloved animated film, plus behind-the-scenes featurette highlighting film’s craftsmanship and look at making of ‘Moana,’ are available now.
March 28, 2026 · 3:01 AM
Hilo theater seeks local talent for production of ‘Frozen: The Musical’
The Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre is calling all performers in Hawaiʻi, ages 8 to 80, to audition for “Frozen: The Musical” at the Hilo Palace Theatre.
March 26, 2026 · 12:37 PM
Spend part of your holiday at Grand Naniloa for 2026 Hoʻākea Hilo Lā ʻOhana Day
The free event — happening now until 3 p.m. — is open to the public and features a Maritime Career Expo and Waʻa Lauleʻa, a canoe festival or celebration; those who attend can explore waʻa and speak with crew members as well as connect with local organizations and community leaders.
March 26, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for March 27-April 2: Open-air tastings, Flow Fest 2026, journey to Far East
Stormy weather isn’t on the guest list for any of this week’s events around the Big Island, so we enthusiastically encourage everyone to get out of the house to have some fun. Check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
DFI
Full-Time Residential Housekeeper
Kona · 1 month ago
Full-Time Residential Housekeeper
Kona · 1 month 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
Volcano Watch: Taking Kīlauea’s temperature
March 27, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory data outage impairs eruption forecasting
March 24, 2026 · 4:31 PM HST
Volcano Watch: Pele, Lono and Hiʻiaka remind us of nature’s power
March 20, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
Ocean Blog
Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count conclude for 2026 koholā season
March 29, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST
18-year-old Big Island sailor makes waves in high-level, competitive sailing
March 7, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
Kahaluʻu Beach Park in Kailua-Kona to be closed several days at beginning of May
March 6, 2026 · 1:00 PM HST
Sign up today for The Kohala Center’s next stewardship experience at Kahalu‘u Bay and Beach Park
March 1, 2026 · 3:00 PM HST
Maui Now
Lahaina Community Meeting to cover plans for a new Lahaina community center, Hoʻokumu Hou updates, kona storm impacts
Residents are encouraged to attend the monthly County of Maui Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria.
Hawaiʻi State Judiciary warns public about traffic citation text scam
The Hawaiʻi State Judiciary is warning the public about a new wave of scam text messages falsely claiming to come from the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary and alleging that recipients have unpaid traffic fines.
Recovering Green Sea Turtles prompt new dialogue on culture and sustainability
Now, as green sea turtle populations recover, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council is advancing a conversation that many island leaders say is long overdue: what recovery could mean not only for conservation, but also for the possible return of cultural stewardship and sustainable use in the Western Pacific.
AARP report: Economic value of family caregiving in Hawaiʻi reaches $4.9B annually
Hawai‘i’s family caregivers now provide $4.9 billion worth of labor each year, according to a new AARP report. Most of this work is unpaid, yet it forms the backbone of the nation’s long-term care system that is essential to helping millions of older adults live independently at home.
Displaced by storm damage, over 100 Kula Hospital patients cope with separation between Maui, O‘ahu facilities
Eight of the nine residents at Kula Hospital’s Hale Makamae, a facility for developmentally disabled individuals, had to be moved off island.
Kaua‘i Now
New legislation aimed at preventing youth suicide co-introduced by Schatz
Bill funds initiatives to support suicide prevention, train medical professionals In suicide prevention and lethal means safety.
‘North Shore is a resilient community’: Haleʻiwa moves forward after the flood
Visitors are welcome back as shops and restaurants reopen and Oʻahu’s North Shore recovers.
Response to impacts from kona lows continues by Hawai‘i Department of Health
Department will conduct precautionary sampling and testing of nearshore waters — as well as flood-carried mud and sediment — to understand contaminant levels in the environment; personnel also actively monitoring mosquito populations and taking targeted action in impacted areas.
Final event of Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count of 2026 koholā season in books
Citizen scientists on Kaua‘i observed 169 humpback whales March 28; a total of 435 whales were observed from shorelines at 37 sites throughout the islands.
Learn how to help endangered waterbirds at family-friendly event celebrating ʻalae ʻula
Only 700 of the Hawaiian common gallinules are left in the world, most on Kaua’i; Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture and other sponsors of the upcoming event will share local art, moʻolelo and fun facts about the ʻalae ʻula and how people can help protect it.
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