“Business Monday: Recovery Center to help small businesses affected by downtown fire.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 20 April 2026, 2326 UTC.
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BusinessNew online events calendar helps travelers discover what’s happening throughout…
BusinessFree small business financing, support workshop scheduled in Kailua-Kona
Business Monday: Recovery Center to help small businesses affected by downtown Hilo fire
The U.S. Small Business Administration is setting up a recovery center where representatives will help businesses that burned in the 2025 Hilo fire apply for low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans.April 20, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
BusinessNew Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurs launched by Bank of Hawaiʻi
CommunityFirearm permit applications in Hawaiʻi up last year, state report says
In Case You
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Missed It:
Hawaiʻi Gas accepting applications for temporary summer positions throughout islands
Sylvia Luke announces she will not seek re-election for lieutenant governor of Hawaiʻi
2026-27 Hawai‘i Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp Art Contest winners announced
Department of Education to open A+ after-school program registration
Hawai‘i Police Department officer among 253 grads from FBI National Academy
Hawai‘i County proposed budget bills move forward; first readings in May
University of Hawaiʻi to lead new Pacific reef research institute
New podcast spotlights Hawaiʻi Island ʻōpio choosing to build future at home
Donʻt get hooked: University of Hawaiʻi Maui College presents real-life phishing stories
Hawaiʻi Coffee Association works on strategic plan, welcomes new executive director
Express yourself via short letter, small card during National Card and Letter Writing…
Kanakaʻole, Zane ʻohana transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual…
Direct2UH gets $400K boost from national grant program aimed at simplifying path to…
22 lane closures scheduled during week of April 18-24 on Big Island state roadways
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Big Island News
April 20, 2026 · 1:00 PM
New online events calendar helps travelers discover what’s happening throughout state
Hawaii.com feature organizes events by island, helping visitors discover festivals, cultural experiences and local happenings and bringing real-time events and experiences directly into the trip-planning process.
April 20, 2026 · 10:00 AM
Peak pupping season underway for endangered Hawaiian Monk seals
The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources reminds beachgoers that Beachgoers are reminded it is illegal to harass, disturb or harm them under state and federal law.
April 20, 2026 · 10:00 AM
Free small business financing, support workshop scheduled in Kailua-Kona
It is a valuable opportunity to learn about funding pathways and connect directly with experts who can support the next steps of small businesses; only several spaces remain, so don’t wait, register today.
April 20, 2026 · 8:27 AM
Longest serving Hawai‘i governor passes away at 100
George R. Ariyoshi led the state from 1974 to 1986. Ariyoshi died peacefully Sunday night, April 19, surrounded by his family.
April 20, 2026 · 8:00 AM
New Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurs launched by Bank of Hawaiʻi
Center helps Hawaiʻi business owners plan for succession, unlock opportunity and navigate complexities of business, family and personal wealth.
April 20, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Business Monday: Recovery Center to help small businesses affected by downtown Hilo fire
The U.S. Small Business Administration is setting up a recovery center where representatives will help businesses that burned in the 2025 Hilo fire apply for low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
April 20, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Firearm permit applications in Hawaiʻi up last year, state report says
Hawaiʻi’s firearm registration report for 2025 reveals a notable 14.7% rise in permit applications alongside a slight decline in total firearm registrations, with a record percentage of imported firearms highlighting changing ownership trends.
April 20, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Hawaiʻi Gas accepting applications for temporary summer positions throughout islands
Positions are designed for recent high school grads and college students; the utility is recruiting for a range of posts at all locations statewide.
April 19, 2026 · 10:39 PM
UPDATE: No tsunami risk to Hawai’i after 7.4 earthquake east of Japan
No tsunami threat to the state after a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, late Sunday, sparking tsunami monitoring across the Pacific.
April 19, 2026 · 3:08 PM
Hawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke announces she will not seek re-election
With Sylvia Luke out of the race, it provides an easier path for Kauaʻi Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, who previously announced his candidacy for Hawaiʻi’s second highest position.
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Local Entertainment
April 20, 2026 · 1:00 PM
New online events calendar helps travelers discover what’s happening throughout state
Hawaii.com feature organizes events by island, helping visitors discover festivals, cultural experiences and local happenings and bringing real-time events and experiences directly into the trip-planning process.
April 19, 2026 · 1:00 AM
New podcast spotlights Hawaiʻi Island ʻōpio choosing to build future at home
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is introducing the podcast this year with renewed intention — to challenge the long-standing narrative that Hawaiʻi’s most promising ʻōpio must leave the island to succeed.
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.
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
University of Hawaiʻi to lead new Pacific reef research institute
April 19, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST
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
Maui Now
Hawaiʻi Gas hiring for temporary summer jobs throughout islands
Positions are designed for recent high school grads and college students; the utility is recruiting for a range of posts at all locations statewide.
FEMA aid now available for Maui, Big Island and Honolulu residents impacted by March storms
At the President’s direction, federal disaster assistance is now available to help individuals and households recover from the impacts of the Kona Low flooding that occurred March 10–24, 2026. The Major Disaster Declaration authorizes FEMA’s Individual Assistance program for the City and County of Honolulu, as well as Hawaiʻi and Maui counties.
May trolling announcement for Kahoʻolawe
The Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission has announced the following permitted trolling dates for May 9-10 and 30-31 (12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday).
UH: Honu emerge as reef defenders against invasive algae in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) have been documented for the first time actively grazing on Chondria tumulosa, an aggressive invasive red alga that has spread rapidly across reefs among three of the northernmost atolls in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM).
Public invited to submit remembrances for Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i, the annual Memorial Day ceremony that brings together communities from around the world in honor of fallen service members and loved ones, is accepting submissions for remembrances. Submissions received by April 30, 2026, will be hand-transcribed onto lanterns.
Kaua‘i Now
Kaua‘i Fire is seeking public input on how to improve emergency response
Residents and businesses are invited to participate in a two-minute Community Safety Survey to share their thoughts.
Former Hawai‘i governor passes away at 100
George R. Ariyoshi led the state from 1974 to 1986. Ariyoshi died peacefully Sunday night, April 19, surrounded by his family.
Winners of art contest for 2026-27 Hawai‘i conservation, game bird stamps announced
Conservation stamp highlights the wild pig, while game bird stamp features the California valley quail, which was originally brought to the islands in 1818 as a gift to King Kamehameha.
Kauaʻi’s all-women dispatch unit praised for lifesaving work with proclamation
In 2025, the 10-person dispatch team answered about 60,000 911 calls for service that required multi-tasking, quick action, and compassion.
Firearm applications increase while registrations dip slightly in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi’s firearm registration report for 2025 reveals a notable 14.7% rise in permit applications alongside a slight decline in total firearm registrations, with a record percentage of imported firearms highlighting changing ownership trends.
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