“Photo galleries summarize a weekend of hula, mo’olelo and Hawaiian Culture.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 14 April 2026, 0050 UTC.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
Hawaiʻi Energy distributes 182 energy-efficient appliances to Big Island households
Three distribution events were recently conducted in Hilo, Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala.
CommunityFederal disaster proclamation unlocks mortgage relief for storm-impacted Hawaiʻi…
EducationGiving Day raises $1.3M for University of Hawaiʻi scholarships, flood relief, campus…
Photo galleries summarize a weekend of hula, moʻolelo and Hawaiian culture
Did you miss some of the Miss Aloha Hula or group performances over the weekend? Check out our photo galleries for a visual summary of the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival.April 13, 2026 · 12:43 PM HST
BusinessGoFarm Hawaiʻi webinar to focus on planning for the future, including farm succession…
BusinessHawaiʻi businesses reminded to file their second quarter annual business reports
In Case You
Missed It:
Missed It:
Hawaiʻi is new member of global effort to improve public health emergency response
26-year-old Big Island man dies in possible drowning at End of the World in West Hawai‘i
Magics Beach Grill authorized to reopen after correcting multiple critical violations
Partial monitoring network outage continues at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Don’t miss your chance to apply for Cohort 8 of Hawaiʻi Ag & Culinary Alliance…
Big Island state Rep. Jeanné Kapela co-hosts this year’s 17th annual Art at the…
Big Island Saturday severe weather updates: Flood watch remains in effect with renewed…
Kings’ Shops culinary event raises thousands for Waikōloa conservation initiative
State urges residents to remain vigilant as flood watch continues
Election notification cards should arrive soon in mailboxes of Big Island voters
From humble slices or cuts to global culinary sensation, don’t miss ‘The Story…
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority accepting proposals for events, festivals, experiences
Tree trimming, maintenance scheduled throughout Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo
‘It’s a revival’: Merrie Monarch group contest begins with beloved hula…
17 lane closures scheduled during week of April 11-17 on Big Island state roadways
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Big Island News
April 13, 2026 · 2:38 PM
Federal disaster proclamation unlocks mortgage relief for storm-impacted Hawaiʻi residents
With President Donald Trump’s recent approval of a major disaster declaration, critical mortgage relief measures have been activated for affected residents, and federal aid is now available.
April 13, 2026 · 2:00 PM
Giving Day raises $1.3M for University of Hawaiʻi scholarships, flood relief, campus needs
“Philanthropy plays a vital role in expanding opportunity and ensuring access to higher education across our state,” University President Wendy Hensel said.
April 13, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Photo galleries summarize a weekend of hula, moʻolelo and Hawaiian culture
Did you miss some of the Miss Aloha Hula or group performances over the weekend? Check out our photo galleries for a visual summary of the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival.
April 13, 2026 · 10:00 AM
GoFarm Hawaiʻi webinar to focus on planning for the future, including farm succession, land transition
Participants will be introduced to key concepts in farm succession planning, including family and non-family transition options, tools for transferring land and farm businesses as well as resources available to Hawaiʻi farmers and landowners.
April 13, 2026 · 8:00 AM
Hawaiʻi Energy distributes 182 energy-efficient appliances to Big Island households
Three distribution events were recently conducted in Hilo, Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala.
April 13, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Business Monday: Kona restaurants form group to provide jobs, help nonprofits, revive downtown
As a restaurant and hospitality group, the goal is to offer better quality jobs, give back to the community, and revive the downtown area of Kona-Kailua on Hawai‘i Island.
April 13, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Hawaiʻi businesses reminded to file their second quarter annual business reports
The annual report filing period is related to the business entity’s registration date and can be filed at any time during the quarter in which the filing is due; second quarter reports must be filed by midnight June 30.
April 13, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Hawaiʻi Island Fire Department seeks public input for new strategic plan
The Hawaiʻi Island Fire Department is inviting residents to help shape its future by completing an online survey and attending community meetings.
April 12, 2026 · 3:00 PM
Nominees sought for Hawai‘i Restaurant Association Hall of Fame, Restaurant Industry Awards
If you know someone who is cream of the crop and deserves 5-star recognition, now is your chance to nominate them for Hawai‘i Restaurant Association’s 2026 Hall of Fame and Restaurant Industry Awards.
April 12, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Hawaiʻi is new member of global effort to improve public health emergency response
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green said as a premier international travel destination, the Aloha State occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of Asia, the Pacific and continental United States, so “it is certainly in Hawaiʻi’s interest to help safeguard the health and well-being of our neighbors and frequent visitors to our islands.”
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
TONIGHT · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weekly Hula
Every Tuesday · 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Farmers Market
Every Wednesday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Ukulele Lessons with Kris Fuchigami
Local Entertainment
April 12, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Big Island’s Rhoda Magbitang tests her creativity on national TV’s ‘Top Chef’
The executive chef at the Mauna Lani resort’s CanoeHouse is taking on one of the biggest creative challenges of her career as she competes with other high-level chefs in Season 23 of the popular national television show.
April 12, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Big Island state Rep. Jeanné Kapela co-hosts this year’s 17th annual Art at the Capitol
The free, family-friendly event is open to the public and celebrates local art, performances and culture; this year’s theme is “Urban Canvases; Culture in Motion.”
April 11, 2026 · 6:08 PM
PHOTO GALLERY: Sights and pageantry of 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Royal Parade
SunRa Adziyaomamawu, a senior at Connections Public Charter School in Hilo, photographs the sights and pageantry of the parade that marched through downtown Hilo on Saturday morning, April 11, 2026.
April 11, 2026 · 3:00 PM
Kings’ Shops culinary event raises thousands for Waikōloa conservation initiative
A culinary fundraiser on Hawaiʻi Island raised about $20,000 to benefit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.
April 11, 2026 · 12:00 PM
From humble slices or cuts to global culinary sensation, don’t miss ‘The Story of Poke’
No matter which way you make it — with Hawaiian salt, shoyu, mayonnaise or whatever, even if it’s not with tuna — the classic raw fish dish is spreading Hawaiian culture and aloha around the world; learn more in a 30-minute documentary debuting Sunday, April 12, on Spectrum OC16 Channel 16.
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
Partial monitoring network outage continues at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
April 12, 2026 · 9:12 AM HST
Volcano Watch: Caldera clues; tephra deposits from Kīlauea’s past
April 10, 2026 · 6:59 AM HST
UPDATE: Episode 44 of lava fountaining at Kīlauea ended Thursday night; Highway 11 reopens
April 9, 2026 · 8:03 PM HST
Ocean Blog
26-year-old Big Island man dies in possible drowning at End of the World in West Hawai‘i
April 12, 2026 · 11:44 AM HST
Soggy situation: 12 Big Island locations already recorded 2 or more inches of rain, including 2 with more than 11 inches
April 8, 2026 · 9:09 AM HST
Sound Bytes: Synchronous swimming (with robots); behind the Hawaiʻi Glider Challenge
April 6, 2026 · 3:00 PM HST
Upcoming Kiaʻi o ke Kai focus groups seek ocean users, stewards to participate, talk story
April 6, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST
Maui Now
Registration open for sixth year of Ahupua‘a Stewards Program on Maui
Hawai‘i Land Trust (HILT), Hawai‘i’s local statewide nonprofit land trust that protects, stewards, and cultivates reciprocal relationships between people and ʻāina that sustain Hawai‘i, is partnering with the University of Hawai‘i Maui College for the sixth year of the Ahupua‘a Stewards Leadership Program. The program is supported by Kamehameha Schools.
Four Seasons Resort Maui hosts Second Annual Earth Day Expo
The Earth Day Expo will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Four Seasons Resort Maui, and is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will enjoy educational booths, interactive activities, and short presentations from a dynamic lineup of community organizations working to protect Maui’s natural and cultural resources.
Maui’s critical role during WWII: Presentation at Kīhei-Wailea Rotary, April 15
Maui’s role during WWII was critical and evolving – from rest and relaxation, to training and planning. In this presentation at the Kīhei-Wailea Rotary Club, Dr. Scott Fisher will share the shifts as well as residents’ recollections of Maui following the Dec. 7, 1941, attack at Pearl Harbor. Attendees will learn the little-known role that Maui played […]
Gov. Green appoints Michael Ratcliffe to represent House District 28
Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointment of Michael Covenant “Cov” Ratcliffe to serve as the state Representative for House District 28, filling the vacancy created by the appointment of former Rep. Daniel Holt. House District 28 includes the communities of Sand Island, Iwilei and Chinatown.
Mayor Bissen to hold community meeting Sunday for storm-impacted residents on Molokaʻi
Mayor Richard Bissen will hold a community meeting at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai for Molokaʻi residents to discuss impacts of the recent kona storms and severe weather in their area.
Kaua‘i Now
Kauaʻi police in search of wanted Princeville man
The police ask for the public’s assistance in locating Richard Leibman, 48, who is known to frequent the Princeville, ʻAnini and Poʻipū areas.
Gov. Green appoints Michael Ratcliffe as House District 28 representative
Michael “Cov” Ratcliffe will be filling the vacancy created by the appointment of former Rep. Daniel Holt, beginning tomorrow to November 2026.
Residential trash pickup delayed in Kapa’a, Wailua Homesteads, and Kalāheo
Trash pickup service will be completed by tomorrow, April 14.
Kauai Weather Forecast for April 13, 2026
Light to moderate rain continues across the western portion of the state, as the rain band gradually meanders away from the islands. Light and variable…
Kauai Weather Forecast for April 13, 2026
Light to moderate rain continues across the western portion of the state, as the rain band gradually meanders away from the islands. Light and variable…
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