“Watch Live: NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission set to blast off at 1224 PM (HST).”
Note: “The New York Times” confirms successful liftoff of the Artemis II mission.
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.
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NewsSNAP replacement benefits deadline approaches for Big Island households impacted by…
CommunityKanu Hawai‘i issues call for volunteers to support organizations as funding cuts…
WATCH LIVE: NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission set to blast off for historic trip
Launch window opens at 12:24 p.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time — in less than T-minus 30 minutes now — for the first crewed flight in more than 50 years to blast off on a path toward the moon.April 1, 2026 · 12:20 PM HST
CommunityHawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission vice chairperson receives Visionary Legacy Award
East Hawai‘i NewsHawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces April flight operations
In Case You
Missed It:
Missed It:
Hawaiʻi Police Department rolling out 21 new marked patrol vehicles
2 trillion gallons of water inundate Hawaiʻi in March, trigger historic flooding
Schatz co-introduces legislation aimed at preventing youth suicide
Energy affordability signaled as state priority with Public Utilities Commission decision
Global recognition for University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: 14 programs shine in new rankings
Haleʻiwa moving forward after the storm
State Health Department continues response to impacts from kona lows
Expansion of Hilo Benioff Medical Center making progress; clinic building to open in June
Sanctuary Ocean Count, Great Whale Count conclude for 2026 koholā season
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
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Big Island News
April 1, 2026 · 12:11 PM
SNAP replacement benefits deadline approaches for Big Island households impacted by second Kona low storm
Replacement benefits are available to eligible households that lost food purchased with the SNAP benefits due to storm-related household misfortune, including power outages.
April 1, 2026 · 12:10 PM
WATCH LIVE: NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission set to blast off for historic trip
Launch window opens at 12:24 p.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time — in less than T-minus 30 minutes now — for the first crewed flight in more than 50 years to blast off on a path toward the moon.
April 1, 2026 · 11:23 AM
11 fugitives taken into custody on Big Island during joint police operation with state, federal agencies
Those arrested faced charges ranging from second-degree murder to drug possession to violating terms of supervised release.
April 1, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Kanu Hawai‘i issues call for volunteers to support organizations as funding cuts threaten
April is Volunteer Month throughout the nation; recent data show additional federal funding cutbacks are placing unprecedented strain on organizations that provide backbone of support for the state’s social, environmental and educational safety nets.
April 1, 2026 · 10:48 AM
Big Island customers could see rise in electric bills as Iran conflict pushes up oil prices
Hawaiian Electric is forecasting that typical residential bills may rise between 20% and 30% over the next several months.
April 1, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission vice chairperson receives Visionary Legacy Award
“Michael’s leadership is nothing short of visionary,” wrote Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Commission in a joint statement. “From shaping policy to building community, he has dedicated his life to ensuring that LGBTQ+ people in Hawaiʻi are not only protected but empowered to thrive.”
April 1, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces April flight operations
Management of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park requires the use of aircraft to maintain park facilities and other operations; dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
April 1, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Hawaiʻi Police Department rolling out 21 new marked patrol vehicles
Three full-sized 2024 pickup trucks will be assigned specifically to the Hāmākua, North Kohala and Kaʻū districts; remaining 18 2025 SUVs will be allocated to districts around the island.
April 1, 2026 · 3:00 AM
2 trillion gallons of water inundate Hawaiʻi in March, trigger historic flooding
Hawaiʻi Mesonet and Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal data show the accumulated rainfall throughout 14 days in March during back-to-back kona lows reached as high as 3,000% of normal historical levels for this time of year, culminating in a destructive “rain bomb” over Oʻahu.
April 1, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Hawai‘i high school graduation ceremonies announced statewide
Ceremonies on Hawai‘i Island will be held from May 21 to May 23.
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UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
TONIGHT · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Ukulele Lessons with Kris Fuchigami
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
Local Entertainment
April 1, 2026 · 12:10 PM
WATCH LIVE: NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission set to blast off for historic trip
Launch window opens at 12:24 p.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time — in less than T-minus 30 minutes now — for the first crewed flight in more than 50 years to blast off on a path toward the moon.
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.
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 April flight operations
April 1, 2026 · 7:00 AM HST
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
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
MEMA highlights Tsunami Awareness Month to encourage preparedness for year-round threat
The County’s Emergency Management Agency is reminding the community that April is Tsunami Awareness Month in Hawaiʻi, an opportunity for people to prepare, protect their property and safeguard loved ones by understanding tsunami risks and taking practical preparedness steps.
Hawaiian Electric: As Iran conflict pushes up oil prices, electric bills will be higher
Hawaiian Electric customers should prepare for potential increases in energy costs in the coming months, driven by rising global oil prices linked to escalating geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to a company press release.
Kanu Hawaiʻi issues urgent call for volunteers as funding cuts put strain on nonprofits
Kanu Hawaiʻi is urging businesses, community groups, and individuals statewide to take proactive steps now to prepare for Volunteer Month in April.
$1.5M now available for wildfire mitigation projects across Hawaiʻi
Grants of up to $300,000 are now available for high-impact, shovel-ready projects that reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildfire safety in areas where communities and natural landscapes meet. The Fiscal Year 2026–2027 grant round will provide $1.5 million in funding for wildfire mitigation projects statewide.
Class of 2026 high school graduation ceremonies scheduled
The Hawai‘i State Department of Education has announced graduation ceremony dates, times and locations for the Class of 2026. A list of statewide commencement celebrations is included below.
Kaua‘i Now
Lane closures scheduled for tree-trimming work in Po‘ipū
Work will be in the vicinity of Kaua‘i Christian Fellowship from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WATCH LIVE: Artemis II mission set to blast off for historic trip around the moon
Launch window opens at 12:24 p.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time — in less than T-minus 30 minutes now — for the first crewed flight in more than 50 years to blast off on a path toward the moon.
Community invited to workshop for Kaua‘i Comprehensive Safety Action Plan
The plan will guide future investments and actions to create safer streets for everyone who walks, drives, bikes or rides transit.
Application period open for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Native Hawaiian food entrepreneur development program
The program is tailored for established, early-stage business owners ready to take the next step in growing their food-related businesses; space is limited, so those interested are encouraged to apply early.
Hawaiʻi inundated in March by 2 trillion gallons of water, triggering historic flooding
Hawaiʻi Mesonet and Hawaiʻi Climate Data Portal data show the accumulated rainfall throughout 14 days in March during back-to-back kona lows reached as high as 3,000% of normal historical levels for this time of year, culminating in a destructive “rain bomb” over Oʻahu.
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