“Community pushing to stop 36 large trees from being cut down at Honoka’a County Park.”
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CommunityBig Island Now news briefs for April 28: Stronger Hawaiʻi, customer communication…
BusinessU.S. Department of Agriculture awards grant to Hawaiʻi for specialty crops
Community pushing to stop 36 large trees from being cut down at Honokaʻa County Park
Hawaiʻi County says the removal of the the mature Cuban mahogany trees is necessary due to damage they cause to the parking lots.April 28, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
ActivitiesAdaptive management authority rule change proposed for Hawaiʻi Island hunting
CommunitySeveral Hawaiian plant species newly discovered, rediscovered during Native Plant Month
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More than 40 top public high school seniors from throughout Hawai‘i named…
19 motorists arrested week of April 13-19 for driving under influence on Big Isle roadways
Big Island Now news briefs for April 27: Gas price limit, hazmat transport, ballot order…
Fraud losses in 2025 increased by 25% to $79.6 million compared with previous year
Hawai‘i bucks national increasing trend for gas prices with decrease at pump during past…
Hawaiʻi Police Department to test, evaluate new external ballistic vest uniform
Business Monday: New production company to host Koa Wāhine retreat in Hilo
Hirono, 8 Democratic colleagues urge funding for critical forest research program
Kobayashi honored as Hawai‘i County Intern of the Year
Mānoa campus of University of Hawaiʻi earns recognition nationally for beauty
‘Ho‘ā Wailoa: A Tribute to Pi‘opi‘o’ transforms Wailoa Art Center into…
Update about February cybersecurity incident at University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Salty Swim School teaches ocean skills to beginners, triathletes, children in Kona
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Big Island News
April 28, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Big Island Now news briefs for April 28: Stronger Hawaiʻi, customer communication, Agency of the Year, Jones Act
A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.
April 28, 2026 · 12:34 PM
Hilo Memorial Hospital renovations underway to turn building into resource hub
Phase one includes re-roofing the main structure, safe removal of hazardous materials, and selective removal of invasive trees to protect the building foundation.
April 28, 2026 · 11:00 AM
U.S. Department of Agriculture awards grant to Hawaiʻi for specialty crops
With applications opening from May 8 to June 8, these funds will support up to eight innovative projects that reinforce Hawaiʻi’s standing in the specialty crop market both nationally and internationally.
April 28, 2026 · 9:00 AM
Adaptive management authority rule change proposed for Hawaiʻi Island hunting
Update pertains to Big Island game bird and game mammal hunting.
April 28, 2026 · 7:00 AM
Several Hawaiian plant species newly discovered, rediscovered during Native Plant Month
Find of five new species and rediscovery of several species previously thought lost are detailed in the new “Rare Plant Program 2025 Island Highlights” report, giving Hawaiian plant enthusiasts a great deal to celebrate during Native Plant Month in April.
April 28, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Community pushing to stop 36 large trees from being cut down at Honokaʻa County Park
Hawaiʻi County says the removal of the the mature Cuban mahogany trees is necessary due to damage they cause to the parking lots.
April 28, 2026 · 3:00 AM
More than 40 top public high school seniors from throughout Hawai‘i named Citizen-Scholars
This year’s Hawai‘i County awardee is Marley McIntyre from Honoka’a High and Intermediate School; McIntyre plans to attend Harvard University.
April 28, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Historic Hōkūleʻa maiden deep-sea voyage launched 50 years ago May 1
It was the first time in about 600 years a voyaging canoe sailed the ancient sea road of Kealaikahiki and disproved theories of accidental drift.
April 27, 2026 · 8:10 PM
U.S. Navy aircraft joins search for missing crewman 1,200 miles off Big Island
With support from partner agencies, the U.S. Coast Guard is urgently searching for a 59-year-old crewman who fell overboard.
April 27, 2026 · 3:00 PM
19 motorists arrested week of April 13-19 for driving under influence on Big Isle roadways
Seven of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes; none were younger than 21 years old. There have been a total of 261 DUI arrests so far in 2026.
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The Queens’ Culinary Market
Fri, May 1, 2026 · 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Kubota Orange Days Sales Event in Kona
Fri, May 1, 2026 · 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Kubota Orange Days Sales Event in Hilo
Local Entertainment
April 26, 2026 · 3:00 PM
Mānoa campus of University of Hawaiʻi earns recognition nationally for beauty
“This recognition reflects what our students, faculty and community experience every day at [University of Hawaiʻi at] Mānoa: a campus where natural beauty, culture and academic excellence come together in a unique way,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos.
April 26, 2026 · 1:00 PM
‘Ho‘ā Wailoa: A Tribute to Pi‘opi‘o’ transforms Wailoa Art Center into living cultural space
Keiki, ‘ohana and the broader community are encouraged to listen deeply, create meaningfully and reflect collectively on their relationship to ʻāina through a series of intergenerational experiences at the Hilo art center.
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.
Tiare Room Service Massage
Mobile Massage Therapists Wanted – West Hawaii
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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
Historic Hōkūleʻa maiden deep-sea voyage launched 50 years ago May 1
April 28, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST
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
Maui Now
New University of Hawaiʻi office launched to boost research capacity
The University of Hawaiʻi has launched a new office that will serve as a central hub for grant support, research development and funding opportunities to help boost scientific discovery, increase research capacity and stimulate workforce development in the state.
PVS and Kamehameha Schools complete cultural exchange in Taiwan in preparation for 2027 Hōkūleʻa arrival
A delegation from the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Kamehameha Schools recently concluded a 10-day cA delegation from the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Kamehameha Schools recently concluded a 10-day cultural exchange and planning visit across Taiwan, advancing relationships, educational partnerships, and logistical preparations for the anticipated arrival of the voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia in spring 2027 as part of the Moananuiākea Voyage.ultural exchange and planning visit across Taiwan, advancing relationships, educational partnerships, and logistical preparations for the anticipated arrival of the voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia in spring 2027 as part of the Moananuiākea Voyage.
Traffic Advisory: Utility pole severed on Kaʻahumanu Ave. fronting Maui Mall
Maui police have closed Kaʻahumanu Avenue in both directions from Puʻunēnē to Hāna Highway due to a traffic accident. Bystanders sent Maui Now footage of a severed pole and damage traffic light at the intersection fronting the Maui Mall in Kahului at around 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Details surrounding the incident are forthcoming.
Grant funding available for eight projects to increase specialty crops in Hawaiʻi
Much of Hawai‘i’s diversified agriculture falls under this specialty crop designation. Eligible plants must be cultivated or managed and used by people for food, medicinal purposes, and/or aesthetic gratification to be considered specialty crops.
Mpox detected at wastewater sampling site on Oʻahu
The Hawai‘i Department of Health is reporting a wastewater sample from O‘ahu that has tested positive for clade I mpox. The sample was collected on April 13, 2026, from a wastewater treatment facility on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. This is the first time clade I mpox has been detected in wastewater in Hawaiʻi. To date, no clinical case of clade I mpox has been identified in Hawai‘i.
Kaua‘i Now
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa announces third finalist for chancellor
W. John Kao, president of National Tsing Hua University, is the third and final candidate for the chancellor position at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and will visit the campus next week.
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative returning money to members
“KIUC is in a strong position after more than two decades of responsible financial management,” said KIUC Board Chair Allan Smith.
Hawai‘i fraud losses increased 25% in 2025 to $79.6 million
Federal Bureau of Investigations and Federal Trade Commission fraud reports also reveal the state ranks fifth in the nation among per-capita losses.
Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture to choose eight projects for federal grant funding
Hawaiʻi’s specialty crop producers can apply for funding from a $618,260 USDA grant aimed at enhancing competitiveness and market opportunities for local fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and more.
Kauai Weather Forecast for April 28, 2026
Moderate easterly trade winds are expected to continue throughout the week. An upper level trough approaching the islands will deepen into an upper low near…
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