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“Two Big Island athletes win titles in Hawai’i’s first state high school surfing championship.”

Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 04 May 2026, 2249 UTC.

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In Case You
Missed It:

Longtime Kōloa Rum Co. president, chief executive officer Bob Gunter steps down

Severe weather washes away more than quarter of million dollars in state tourism revenue

News briefs for May 3: Poi, new board member, film tax credit, Rocket League champs

Simple ocean model predicts El Niño 15 months in advance

Public input sought for Kawaihae Harbor improvements project on Big Island

Hawaiʻi House of Representatives celebrates inaugural Laulau Day

New sites opening to help residents apply for federal disaster assistance

Police continue search for 41-year-old man considered armed and dangerous

USS Missouri marks 40 years since recommissioning with ceremony, exhibit

KōCreate: ʻOAKA now accepting applications

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail seeks community input for 95-acre Kona section

20 lane closures scheduled during week of May 2-8 on Big Island state roadways

News briefs for May 1: Appliance replacement, festival winners and more

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Volcano Watch: Kīlauea summit eruptions outside Halemaʻumaʻu Crater

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Big Island News 

May 4, 2026 · 10:00 AM

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue brings taste of Hawaiʻi to fast-growing Georgia community

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue continues to expand its East Coast presence with the opening of its newest location in Duluth, Georgia, offering a taste of Hawaiʻi’s iconic “plate lunch.”
May 4, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Business briefs for May 4: Hannemann retiring, elevated island dining, Rome flight and A Day at the Beach

A quick look at business news from around the Big Island, throughout the state and elsewhere.
May 4, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Two Big Island athletes win titles in Hawaiʻi’s first state high school surfing championship

Students Felix Barton (bodyboarding) and Alex Ranne (longboard) of the Hawaiʻi Academy of Arts and Science in Pāhoa each made history by winning individual titles at the first Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association surfing championship.
May 4, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Business Monday: Hale Kanikapila brings new energy to a familiar space in downtown Hilo

Hale Kanikapila breathes new life into downtown Hilo, transforming the former site of Hilo Town Tavern into a vibrant hub for music, food, and community gatherings
May 4, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Hawaiʻi Community College celebrates success of inaugural E ʻImi Pono fundraiser

The event, highlighting the institution’s role in preparing the Big Island’s workforce, drew more than 100 supporters on April 18 to the I Ola Nō Ke Kino Dining Room at the Manono campus in Hilo.
May 3, 2026 · 9:04 PM

South Kona man dies from apparent drowning while picking ‘opihi

The man was found underwater 30 feet from the rocky Kona shoreline where he was last seen.
May 3, 2026 · 3:00 PM

University of Hawai‘i leading state efforts to combat invasive species with grant-funded projects

The work targets some of the state’s most urgent challenges, including rapid ʻōhiʻa death, invasive mosquitoes that spread avian malaria, destructive food crop plant pests, invasive ants and beetles, and non-native plants and animals that damage forests and watersheds.
May 3, 2026 · 1:53 PM

Longtime Kōloa Rum Co. president, chief executive officer Bob Gunter steps down

The Kaua‘i distillery’s Chief Commercial Officer Robert Ramer succeeds Gunter as chief operating officer, overseeing day-to-day operations while continuing its growth and expansion into the next chapter.
May 3, 2026 · 1:00 PM

Severe weather washes away more than quarter of million dollars in state tourism revenue

Number of visitors statewide in March decreased 1.7% from the same month a year before, with Big Island visitor stats following same downward trend; visitor spending throughout islands falls 1.6% from March 2025.
May 3, 2026 · 10:00 AM

News briefs for May 3: Poi, new board member, film tax credit, Rocket League champs

A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.
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UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
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Weekly Hula

Every Thursday · 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Queens’ Culinary Market

Sat, May 16, 2026 · 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Customer Appreciation Day at KTA Keauhou 🎉

Local Entertainment 

May 4, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Hawaiʻi Community College celebrates success of inaugural E ʻImi Pono fundraiser

The event, highlighting the institution’s role in preparing the Big Island’s workforce, drew more than 100 supporters on April 18 to the I Ola Nō Ke Kino Dining Room at the Manono campus in Hilo.
May 3, 2026 · 1:00 PM

Severe weather washes away more than quarter of million dollars in state tourism revenue

Number of visitors statewide in March decreased 1.7% from the same month a year before, with Big Island visitor stats following same downward trend; visitor spending throughout islands falls 1.6% from March 2025.
May 3, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Hawaiʻi House of Representatives celebrates inaugural Laulau Day

“Laulau is more than a beloved island staple; it carries deep cultural and historical meaning,” said Oʻahu state Rep. Darius Kila. “Preserving and promoting traditional Hawaiian foods helps honor Native Hawaiian culture and ensures these practices continue to be understood and passed on.”
May 2, 2026 · 1:00 PM

ADVISORY: Increased pedestrian activity expected during BLOOM – EMPRESS 5K, Lei Day x BLOOM event

Increased foot traffic is expected from about 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in Kona in conjunction with the women-centered community fun run celebrating movement, culture, music and wāhine empowerment.
May 2, 2026 · 10:00 AM

USS Missouri marks 40 years since recommissioning with ceremony, exhibit

Veterans reunite aboard their ship four decades later at Pearl Harbor to honor service, legacy and enduring spirit of the Mighty Mo.

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Hawai‘i Business 

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue brings taste of Hawaiʻi to fast-growing Georgia community
Business briefs for May 4: Hannemann retiring, elevated island dining, Rome flight and A Day at the Beach
Business Monday: Hale Kanikapila brings new energy to a familiar space in downtown Hilo
Longtime Kōloa Rum Co. president, chief executive officer Bob Gunter steps down

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: Kīlauea summit eruptions outside Halemaʻumaʻu Crater

May 1, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
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

Ocean Blog 

Search suspended for fishing vessel crewman more than 1,200 miles offshore of Hawai‘i

April 30, 2026 · 6:51 PM HST
Study reveals robust seasonal cycles among vast diverse ocean microbial communities

April 30, 2026 · 8:00 AM HST
Delegates from Polynesian Voyaging Society, Kamehameha Schools conclude 10-day visit to Taiwan

April 29, 2026 · 9:00 AM HST
Historic Hōkūleʻa maiden deep-sea voyage launched 50 years ago May 1

April 28, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST

Maui Now 

Department of Health EMS Branch Named National EMS Agency of the Year

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health announced that its Emergency Medical Services Branch has been named the 2026 National State EMS Office / Agency of the Year by the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea announces 2026 START: A Student Artist Immersion

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has launched its fifth annual START student mentorship 2026 program and is now accepting submissions from aspiring young local artists.

Hawaiian Telcom sets goal to make Hawai‘i the first fully fiber‑enabled state by year end

Hawaiian Telcom announced that Maui is now fully fiber‑enabled, becoming the fourth island in Hawai‘i to reach this significant milestone as the company works toward making Hawai‘i the first fully fiber‑enabled state in the nation by the end of this year.

MEO still looking for 4 Human Services drivers

Maui Economic Opportunity continues to seek Human Services Passenger Assistance Technician bus drivers.

Residents encouraged to attend County’s Lahaina Community Meeting on Wednesday

Residents are encouraged to attend the monthly County of Maui Lahaina Community Meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria.

Kaua‘i Now 

Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi seeks volunteers to teach financial literacy

Volunteers delivered Personal Finance lessons to 25 boarding students at Lahainaluna High School in April as part of an ongoing effort to expand access to financial literacy education statewide.

Kauaʻi boys team finishes runner-up at Hawaiʻi’s first state high school surfing championship

Hayden Flores finished second in the boys shortboard to help Kapaʻa High School finish second for the team title at the state surfing championship.

University of Hawai‘i leads state’s fight to protect native species with nearly 100 grant-funded projects

The work targets some of the state’s most urgent challenges, including rapid ʻōhiʻa death, invasive mosquitoes that spread avian malaria, destructive food crop plant pests, invasive ants and beetles, and non-native plants and animals that damage forests and watersheds.

Donate food or give online during 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

As the nation’s largest one-day food drive, Stamp Out Hunger offers a simple way for Hawaiʻi residents to make a meaningful difference.

Kauai Weather Forecast for May 04, 2026

A broad high pressure ridge north of the islands will produce moderate trade winds through Monday. Wind speeds will weaken from Tuesday through Thursday as a…

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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.

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