“Controversial Falls on Fire Festival permitted to continue in Papa’ikou, but with conditions.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 16 May 2026, 0202 UTC.
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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).
NewsFlood watch issued for Hawaiʻi Island until Saturday morning
NewsTraffic Alert: Highway 11 near 54 mile marker closed in both directions
Controversial Falls on Fire festival permitted to continue in Pāpaʻikou, but with conditions
The Windward Planning Commission approved a special use permit for property owner, Andrew Tepper, who has agreed to comply with conditions such as noise control, road management, fire and food safety, and cultural consultation.May 15, 2026 · 10:51 AM HST
NewsHawai’i’s economy darkens as surging oil prices increase consumer costs…
NewsHigh bacteria levels detected in waters off beach park in Kohala
In Case You
Missed It:
Missed It:
State opens $20 Million loan program for Hawai‘i condominium repairs
Section of Highway 19 to shut down Friday for forensic crash investigation
Episode 47 of the Kīlauea eruption ended early Friday morning
Water service to be temporarily shut off for portions of Honoka‘a
Scholarships available for Hawai‘i County students pursuing health care careers
UPDATE: Authorities locate missing 13-year-old girl in good health
Kaua’i Mayor Derek Kawakami officially files for Lt. Governor race
Health officials warning about potent kratom-derived products called 7-OH in Hawaiʻi
Florida woman dies after snorkeling incident at Hōnaunau Bay
Business Monday: Meals in a HeartBeet opens storefront in Kona
Missing child reported endangered after disappearing in the Pāhoa area
Big Island boy fighting severe health conditions and insurance company
New affordable workforce rental housing community is dedicated in Waikōloa Village
Big Island mother navigates death of teen daughter by writing book about grief
Celebrate Mom: Things to do and places to eat for Mother’s Day on the Big Island
Police seek information about Big Island fisherman who went missing a year ago
School bus used for disabled students stolen from Ocean View
UPDATE: Hawai’i Island police locate missing Eden Roc woman in good health
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Big Island News
May 15, 2026 · 3:34 PM
Flood watch issued for Hawaiʻi Island until Saturday morning
Heavy rain and potential flooding threaten Big Island residents through Saturday morning as the National Weather Service issues a flood watch.
May 15, 2026 · 12:40 PM
Beach parks in Hilo close following shark sighting
The decision to close the beach parks was made in coordination with the Ocean Safety Division of the Hawai‘i Fire Department.
May 15, 2026 · 11:43 AM
Traffic Alert: Highway 11 near 54 mile marker closed in both directions
The road is closed due to a vehicle blocking both lanes.
May 15, 2026 · 10:51 AM
Controversial Falls on Fire festival permitted to continue in Pāpaʻikou, but with conditions
The Windward Planning Commission approved a special use permit for property owner, Andrew Tepper, who has agreed to comply with conditions such as noise control, road management, fire and food safety, and cultural consultation.
May 15, 2026 · 10:29 AM
Hawai’i’s economy darkens as surging oil prices increase consumer costs, UHERO report forecasts
These emerging challenges come as the state continues to recover from significant damage caused by the March Kona Low storms and from an ongoing sluggish labor market.
May 15, 2026 · 8:29 AM
High bacteria levels detected in waters off beach park in Kohala
According to the state department, levels of 238 per 100 mL were recorded.
May 15, 2026 · 8:07 AM
Flags in Hawai‘i ordered to half-staff in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
Flags shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Friday.
May 15, 2026 · 6:29 AM
69-year-old woman in Mountain View is missing and may need medial help
Darlene Mae Lewi, who is 5-foot-5 and 160 pounds with white hair and blue eyes, was last seen in Mountain View at 6 a.m. on May 14.
May 15, 2026 · 5:00 AM
2-year dispute ends with Hawaiian Paradise Park mailbox park to be built at new location
The original site of the mailbox park sparked anger by some people due to is proximity near a burial site with ancestral bones.
May 15, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Hawai‘i Hilo Women’s Volleyball senior to serve as student speaker in upcoming commencement
The volleyball player is the second student-athlete to serve as commencement student speaker in the past two years, following former Men’s Soccer student-athlete David Mayser in spring 2024.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:
Sat, May 16, 2026 · 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Customer Appreciation Day at KTA Keauhou
Customer Appreciation Day at KTA Keauhou 
Sat, May 16, 2026 · 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Frozen Food Fest at KTA Puainako
Sat, May 16, 2026 · 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
14th Annual People’s Choice Hawaiian Honey Challenge
Local Entertainment
May 14, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for May 14-20: Honoka‘a Western Week, Kōkua Kailua Village Stroll, concerts and more
There are a variety of talented musicians who will be performing this upcoming week on the island, including Robert Cazimero and Kalani Pe‘a.
May 8, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Celebrate Mom: Things to do and places to eat for Mother’s Day on the Big Island
There are plenty of ways to celebrate moms on the Big Island this weekend, including surfing, lei-making, shopping and plenty of wining and dining. Check out our list.
May 7, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for May 8-14: Charity walk, chocolate fest, spring concert, classic piano and more
Treat the woman who gave birth to you with an event that has a more personal touch; when you saw it, Mom was the first person who came to mind. This week’s top 10 has some great ideas!
May 6, 2026 · 10:00 AM
Mauna Kea telescope helps researchers reveal changes in interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS
Observations suggest the comet’s chemistry changed as it passed near the sun, providing new clues to how materials in interstellar comets differ from those in comets formed in this part of the cosmic neighborhood.
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.
Tiare Room Service Massage
Mobile Massage Therapists Wanted – West Hawaii
Kohala · 3 weeks ago
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: Do you think Hawaiʻi has many volcanoes? Think again, El Salvador says
May 9, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST
2,000 acres in lower Puna transformed by 2018 lava flow now on a path to preservation
May 6, 2026 · 10:01 AM HST
Research from 2022 Mauna Loa eruption helps predict, understand future eruptions
May 6, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST
Ocean Blog
‘Big Mama’ back in Salish Sea after winter humpback whale migration in Hawaiʻi
May 7, 2026 · 1:43 PM HST
Hawaiian monk seal Kaʻiwi gives birth to 7th pup at Kaimana Beach on O‘ahu, prompting coordinated safety response
May 6, 2026 · 8:00 AM HST
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
Maui Now
HawaiiUSA and Southwest partner to help Maui students gain financial education experiences
HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and Southwest Airlines are continuing their partnership to help empower Maui students through financial education, leadership development, and access to new opportunities beyond the classroom.
Deadline to request curbside pickup for storm debris is May 22
Kona Low storms right-of-way debris removal service will conclude Friday, May 22, 2026, according to the County of Maui Office of Recovery.
Manager of Maui Nui Visitor Aloha Society to speak at Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset
The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset welcomes Alexanda Witkin, PhD as its guest speaker on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 for a presentation entitled: “Aloha in Action: Supporting Visitors and Preventing Crises in Maui Nui.”
MEO Teen Financial Literacy workshop set for June 1 and 3
Financial Literacy For Teens two-day summer workshop, put on by Maui Economic Opportunity, will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 3, at MEO’s Wailuku office.Financial Literacy For Teens two-day summer workshop, put on by Maui Economic Opportunity, will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 3, at MEO’s Wailuku office.
21 graduate training with Maui Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team
The Maui Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team welcomed 21 new members to its list of trained personnel during a graduation ceremony on May 8, 2026.
Kaua‘i Now
Surging oil prices bring dark cloud over Hawai‘i’s economy, according to UHERO report
These emerging challenges come as the state continues to recover from significant damage caused by the March Kona Low storms and from an ongoing sluggish labor market.
No swimming, ocean activities advised at Hanalei Bay due to brown water
Kauaʻi County ocean safety officials have posted warning signs and are monitoring the area.
Flags in Hawai‘i ordered to half-staff in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
Flags shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Friday.
Kaua’i medical professionals urged to beware of phone scam seeking personal information
State officials are alerting medical professionals across the Garden Island to a sophisticated phone scam where impostors claim to be state representatives investigating their licenses.
Gov. Josh Green approves new financing program for aging condos in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi officials have unveiled a groundbreaking, state-backed loan program to help condominium associations.
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