BigIslandNow.com

“Justice Department, DEA ordered to reclassify state-licensed marijuana as less dangerous drug.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Mau, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 25 April 2026, 2307 UTC.

Content and Source:  “BigIslandNow.com.”

URL–https://bigislandnow.com/

Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

In Case You
Missed It:

Businessman, 2 attorneys sentenced in multimillion-dollar scheme to bribe Hawai‘i County…

Volcano Watch: Shallow earthquakes, ground deformation at Kīlauea’s summit…

April 27 designated in Hawaiʻi annually as Brother Joseph Dutton Day

UPDATE: Police identify dirt bike driver killed following collision with car in Hilo

Gov. Green names Keith Regan acting lieutenant governor with Sylvia Luke taking leave of…

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 24-30: Beekeepers, Denim Day, growing…

V Foundation awards $1 million grant to University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center faculty

Kohanaiki golf course awarded Audubon International Gold Signature Sanctuary status

Hale ʻĀnuenue celebrates 30 years of rehab, long-term care for seniors in Hilo

Caregiver in Hilo charged with unauthorized use of 92-year-old’s credit card

Rare native species rediscovered on Lāna‘i reflect stewardship, conservation partners

Work to replace lava tube bridge to begin at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly

headlines delivered straight to your inbox.

Big Island News 

April 25, 2026 · 10:00 AM

Astronomers on Maunakea uncover distinct origins of two outermost rings of Uranus

Researchers with the help of a Mauna Kea observatory construct first complete spectrum of the two distinct rings orbiting around the seventh planet in the solar system, revealing composition and formation history.
April 25, 2026 · 8:00 AM

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa announces second finalist for chancellor

Amy Sueyoshi planned a visit to the campus on April 30 to May 1, following interim provost Vassilis L. Syrmos, after Dancing with the Stars.
April 25, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Justice Department, DEA ordered to reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana as less dangerous drug

With the federal change in drug policy, Hawai‘i Rep. David Tarnas hopes it will help lead to legalization of adult use of recreational cannabis.
April 25, 2026 · 3:00 AM

$21 million in funding released for construction of new Waikōloa library

The long-awaited Waikōloa Public Library will bring educational and community resources as the first permanent library for the long, underserved area.
April 25, 2026 · 1:00 AM

20 lane closures scheduled during week of April 25-May 1 on Big Island state roadways

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
April 24, 2026 · 7:46 PM

2 women captured in surveillance footage sought in connection with Waikōloa theft

Do you know the women reportedly involved in the March 12 incident at a West Hawai‘i clothing boutique? Big Island police are asking the public for help with finding them.
April 24, 2026 · 7:13 PM

Multi-agency search warrant leads to recovery of nearly 5 ounces cocaine, 1.1 ounce meth, loaded gun, more

45-year-old Luis Pagano Colon faces a dozen drug and firearm charges, including 3 counts of first-degree promoting a dangerous drug, 2 counts of possession of prohibited weapons, first-degree promoting a detrimental drug, among others.
April 24, 2026 · 6:28 PM

Man sought for alleged involvement in reported assault on bus bound for Ocean View

Authorities ask the public if they can help identify the suspect or might have additional information about the incident.
April 24, 2026 · 3:56 PM

Police search for three suspects involved in a Kona assault

Video surveillance captured three men involved in an assault that occurred in a retail and dining shopping area on Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona on March 14.
April 24, 2026 · 3:28 PM

Hawaiʻi police continue the search for wanted Ocean View woman

Antonya Mardonada, 32, is wanted for questioning in connection with a domestic violence incident that occurred on March 24 and was last seen leaving the area on a camouflage all-terrain vehicle.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Sat, Apr 25, 2026 · 7:30 am – 9:00 am

Race for the Reef 5k

Every Wednesday · 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Ukulele Lessons with Kris Fuchigami

Every Thursday · 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Queens’ Culinary Market

Local Entertainment 

April 23, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for April 24-30: Beekeepers, Denim Day, growing together, S. Tokunaga anniversary, native plants and more

This week’s top 10 has everything from an ongoing exhibit featuring the legacy of Hawaiʻi beekeepers to raising awareness about sexual assault and how to prevent it; check out this week’s listings right now!
April 21, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Work to replace lava tube bridge to begin at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Most of Nāhuku Lava Tube will remain open during construction; entrance and exit will move to the east end only until the project is completed by the end of June.
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.

Tiare Room Service Massage
Mobile Massage Therapists Wanted – West Hawaii
Kohala · 11 hours ago

Looking for locally based talent?

Post a Job Listing

Hawai‘i Business 

60K new homes needed by 2050 to meet Hawaiʻi housing demand, finds AARP study
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority opens funding for cultural, community programs
New online events calendar helps travelers discover what’s happening throughout state
Free small business financing, support workshop scheduled in Kailua-Kona

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: Shallow earthquakes, ground deformation at Kīlauea’s summit highlight hazards near Halemaʻumaʻu
April 24, 2026 · 8:00 AM HST
Eruptive episode 45 at Kīlauea ends after nearly 9 hours
April 23, 2026 · 7:03 AM HST
Work to replace lava tube bridge to begin at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
April 21, 2026 · 5:00 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 

Cinco de Mayo returns to West Maui at Lahaina Cannery

For the first time since the Lahaina fires, Cinco de Mayo celebrations are returning to the Front Street area—bringing a sense of joy, culture and community back to West Maui. Lahaina Cannery is proud to partner with Sergio’s Cantina to host a vibrant, all-day Cinco de Mayo celebration on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

2026 County Volunteer Heroes recognized during National Volunteer Week

Twenty-three residents were honored today as 2026 Volunteer Heroes for their contributions to community nonprofit organizations, as Mayor Richard Bissen proclaimed Volunteer Week from April 19-25, 2026, in Maui County.

Maui High School students win 2026 Bridge Builder Competition

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation congratulates the 2026 Hawai‘i Bridge Builder Competition champions, Ian Payba and Jeter Hondo of Maui High School.

Maui Weather Forecast for April 25, 2026

Trades will continue through the next several days, gradually increasing in speed by mid-week next week, maintaining typical windward and mauka showers…

As state, Maui Health decide future of damaged Kula Hospital, another long-term care facility nears capacity

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green said the options for the damaged Upcountry hospital could include a mobile unit designed for disasters or a temporary modular clinic like the one Kaiser built in Lahaina after the 2023 wildfires.

Kaua‘i Now 

Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance new era defined by islandwide scope, local leadership

24-year-old nonprofit’s new president and chief executive officer Morgan Hannan invites community input on immediate priorities.

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa announces second candidate for chancellor

Amy Sueyoshi is the second finalist running for the chancellor position at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, with candidate profiles and forums available online.

43 of Hawai‘i’s top public high school seniors honored as Citizen-Scholars

This year’s Kaua‘i County awardee is Alena Abell from Kapa’a High School; Abell plans to attend Reed College in Portland, Ore.

Kauaʻi Police Department honors off-duty dispatcher for life-saving CPR

Stephanie Neher has been recognized as the Employee of the Month for April for her courageous off-duty response to a critical traffic collision that sustained a victim’s life.

Kūhiō Highway to see nighttime closures for paving work through mid-May

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation will implement nightly single-lane closures on Kūhiō Highway in Hanalei that will begin April 28 and run through mid-May.

Discover more from Hawaii News Journal

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Unknown's avatar

kh6jrm@gmail.com

I am the retired news director of Pacific Radio Group stations on the Island of Hawaii. I am a retired Lt. Col., USAF Reserve. I am a FCC-licensed Amateur Radio Operator, holding the Amateur Extra Class License. I am a substitute teacher for the state of Hawaii Department of Education.

Please leave a comment or opinion.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.