“Kanaka’ole, Zane transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 18 April 2026, 2359 UTC.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
Big Island Now news briefs for April 18: National Native Plant Month, Jams World 2026 Chat Collection, Grace to retire
A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.
BusinessDonʻt get hooked: University of Hawaiʻi Maui College presents real-life phishing…
BusinessHawaiʻi Coffee Association works on strategic plan, welcomes new executive director
Kanakaʻole, Zane ʻohana transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts
Bishop Museum on Oʻahu will feature the works of Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, whose creative practices are deeply rooted in hula ʻaihaʻa.April 18, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
CommunityExpress yourself via short letter, small card during National Card and Letter Writing…
CommunityDirect2UH gets $400K boost from national grant program aimed at simplifying path to…
In Case You
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22 lane closures scheduled during week of April 18-24 on Big Island state roadways
26-year-old scuba diver from Honolulu victim of possible drowning at Honokōhau Harbor
Switch to natural gas offers only modest gains, but big risks for Hawaiʻi energy costs
Zonta local, international STEM awards given to University of Hawai‘i student
Consumer Alert: Public warned about investment scams on Meta platforms
2026 Big Island Chocolate Festival debuts free Chocolate Farmers Market, promises sweet…
Volcano Watch: Fountains and festivities; Kīlauea erupts Episode 44 as Merrie Monarch…
Several grad programs at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa earn national recognition
Mango Medical hosts free Health Career Exploration Seminar 2026 in Waimea
Hawaiʻi prevails: Federal case seeking to block state’s fossil fuel claims…
Residents displaced by kona low storms can connect with housing, recovery support via…
This is what Hawaiʻi County public safety departments proposed for their new budgets
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Big Island News
April 18, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Donʻt get hooked: University of Hawaiʻi Maui College presents real-life phishing stories
“Phishing remains the most effective attack method in 2026 because it targets the one element that can’t be easily patched: people,” said University of Hawaiʻi Chief Information Officer Jodi Ito.
April 18, 2026 · 11:00 AM
Hawaiʻi Coffee Association works on strategic plan, welcomes new executive director
Abigail Munoz with Monarch Coffee was unanimously elected by the board, “and she was absolutely the right person for this role,” said Hawaiʻi Coffee Association President Ryson Nakamasu.
April 18, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Express yourself via short letter, small card during National Card and Letter Writing Month
U.S. Postal Service encourages customers to “mail a little more often,” and special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or other personally significant moments present an ideal opportunity to combine thoughtful expression with written communication.
April 18, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Temporary waiver allows SNAP users to purchase hot food for next four weeks
In response to the March 2026 Kona Low weather events, the USDA has approved a temporary waiver allowing Hawaiʻi’s SNAP users to purchase hot foods until May 16.
April 18, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Kanakaʻole, Zane ʻohana transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts
Bishop Museum on Oʻahu will feature the works of Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, whose creative practices are deeply rooted in hula ʻaihaʻa.
April 18, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Direct2UH gets $400K boost from national grant program aimed at simplifying path to college
Building on the success of Direct2UH — the direct admissions initiative launched in October 2025 that offers free entry to Hawaiʻi public high school seniors based on their grade-point average — the grant will fund a unified admissions system with enhanced outreach and guidance.
April 18, 2026 · 2:00 AM
22 lane closures scheduled during week of April 18-24 on Big Island state roadways
Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
April 18, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Big Island Now news briefs for April 18: National Native Plant Month, Jams World 2026 Chat Collection, Grace to retire
A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.
April 17, 2026 · 8:40 PM
26-year-old scuba diver from Honolulu victim of possible drowning at Honokōhau Harbor
Big Island police initiated a coroner’s inquest and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Charles Hutchinson’s death; no foul play is suspected at this time after the O‘ahu man became distressed when he encountered difficulty while diving April 15 in the Kona harbor.
April 17, 2026 · 3:31 PM
Hawai‘i County firefighters doing water drops on brush fire in Kona
As of 3:17 p.m., 20 to 25 firefighters were on scene, and chopper crews were still conducting water drops on the blaze that has burned approximately 4 to 5 acres.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Sat, Apr 18, 2026 · 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
KTA Puainako’s Customer Appreciation Day
Every Monday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Weekly Hula
Every Wednesday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Ukulele Lessons with Kris Fuchigami
Local Entertainment
April 17, 2026 · 5:00 AM
2026 Big Island Chocolate Festival debuts free Chocolate Farmers Market, promises sweet shindig
The new event showcases local cacao growers and chocolate makers; 3-day festival also includes educational activities, farm tour, college student chocolate competition, grand gala and much more.
April 16, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 17-23: Freaky Tiki, Uncle Charlie, Maisey Rika, HI-CAL DEAD, kickball, Earth Day cleanup and more
It’s another week with plenty to do around the Big Island, but if you’re a music enthusiast — or just like to listen to great tunes — several venues have events planned that are pitch perfect for you; check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
April 16, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Art exhibit explores Mauna Loa as more than a geological structure
“36 Views of Mauna Loa” uses a diverse range of art mediums to explore the volcano and will be on display at the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center until Friday, June 12.
April 15, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Polynesian Voyaging Society honors 50th anniversary of Hōkūleʻa’s maiden voyage
A series of storytelling, educational initiatives, musical performances and fundraising efforts throughout this year will reflect on the legacy of the voyage and its enduring impact.
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.
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: Fountains and festivities; Kīlauea erupts Episode 44 as Merrie Monarch begins
April 17, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST
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
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
Maui E-Bike Program Serves Fire Survivors, Highlights Ongoing Transportation Need
The Maui Bicycling League successfully hosted its 2026 E-Bike Giveaway Event for Maui Fire Survivors on April 11 at Maui Sunriders in Kapalua, bringing together community leaders, partners, and recipients in a meaningful step forward in Maui’s ongoing recovery.
UH Maui College hosts green building presentation for Earth Day
The University of Hawaʻi Maui College will host a free community presentation Leveraging Off-site Construction to Expand Sustainable Housing Opportunities on Wednesday, April 22, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Pilina Event Center on campus featuring B.PUBLIC Prefab, a women-owned public benefit corporation founded to increase accessibility to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable housing options.
Peak monk seal pupping season is underway; public reminded to give seals space
Hawaiian monk seal peak pupping season is underway across the islands, a critical time for one of the state’s most endangered species. Monk seals give birth year-round, but the months from March through August are the busiest for births.
Maui Weather Forecast for April 18, 2026
Moderate trades will persist through today, leading to some showers along windward and mauka areas. An upper-level trough just west of the state will move…
West Maui resort’s emergency erosion measures, blocked beach access stir public pushback
The Hyatt Regency Maui says it needs to shore up the beach after last month’s Kona storm swept away much of the sand, but community members say it will lead to more beach loss.
Kaua‘i Now
Growing food, securing water: Help Mālama Kaua‘i build the future at Olohena
The Kauaʻi nonprofit is fundraising to build a well for the agriculture park, an approximately $1 million investment that will provide long-term water self-reliance.
SNAP users allowed to purchase hot foods for the next four weeks
A waiver allows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) users to purchase hot foods using their benefits until May 16.
Bishop Museum features the works of Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane
The Zane ʻohana, continues to transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts, while celebrating their rich heritage and environmental stewardship.
15 lane closures scheduled during week of April 18-24 on Kaua‘i state roadways
Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice. All projects are weather permitting.
Federal court orders $1.4M-plus restitution, 14-month prison term for Kaua‘i man who stole COVID relief funds
52-year-old Ethan Page of Kekaha was sentenced April 15; court order also includes 3 years supervised release following his prison term. He previously pleaded guilty to lying to Small Business Administration officials about how he used more than $1.4 million of Restaurant Revitalization funds awarded in 2021 to his business Hanapēpē Design Studio.
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