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“Office of Hawaiian Affairs expands civic engagement efforts for 2026 elections.”

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In Case You
Missed It:

17-year-old driver killed in early June fatal crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway identified

Botanical World Adventures grows tour offerings with two new waterfall adventures

State seeks to fine 3 Big Island men for illegal take of 4,000 ‘opihi from marine…

Love Jr. honored as Officer of Quarter by Hawai‘i Island Safety and Security…

On Kauaʻi: William Sinclair charged with 28 offenses: murder, attempted murder…

Business Monday: New small business network offers support for aspiring entrepreneurs on…

Kīlauea episode 49 ends after nearly eight hours of lava fountaining; alert level lowered

Lowen earns national recognition for advancing electric vehicle policy

Celebrate Fourth of July in historic Kailua Village

Lawsuit trying to stop Kamehameha School’s Keauhou Bay plan to have hearing about…

High surf advisory issued for south-facing shores of Big Island; coast flooding is…

Big Island Press Club announces 2026 scholarship winners

Big Island chef shares secret ingredients to her victory in Bravo’s ‘Top…

Costal flooding possible during high tides through early next week

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Big Island News 

June 17, 2026 · 1:00 PM

Visionary leader sought to fuel Hawaiʻi’s workforce future

University of Hawaiʻi seeks person to fill newly created position of associate vice president for workforce development, serving as primary architect for cohesive workforce strategy throughout all 10 of its campuses.
June 17, 2026 · 10:00 AM

Observe ‘Year of Our Coastal Kuleana’ with online visits to remote seabird sanctuaries

360-degree videos and interviews allow exploration of inaccessible areas — right from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
June 17, 2026 · 9:36 AM

Two West Hawai‘i beach parks remain temporarily closed for debris removal following high surf

The closures for the two Kona beach parks will continue through the morning.
June 17, 2026 · 8:39 AM

Early-morning 4.5 magnitude quake rattles offshore of Hawai‘i Island

More than 169 “Felt Reports” were documented within the first hour of the tremor, which was felt widely across Hawai‘i Island.
June 17, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Ballot notifications keep Hawai‘i voters informed this election year

The state’s free ballot tracking service sends voters updates about the status of their mail ballot and provides deadline reminders throughout the year, plus more.
June 17, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Office of Hawaiian Affairs expands civic engagement efforts for 2026 elections

Office plans statewide congressional debate and trustee candidate forums.
June 17, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Winners of 8th annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest announced

This year’s contest theme was “Make Every Drop Count,” emphasizing the importance of conserving drinking water, which is connected to the county Department of Water Supply mission to provide customers with an adequate and continuous supply of safe drinking water in a financially responsible manner.
June 17, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Log on this week to discover, shop and savor a ‘Taste of Hawai‘i’ with first episode of new series

The series — an opportunity to discover, shop and savor the foods, makers and products highlighted — kicks off with Hawai‘i Island chocolate makers and cacao growers.
June 16, 2026 · 11:45 PM

UPDATE: Kahakai Boulevard in Pāhoa again OPEN to all traffic

Hawai‘i Police Department advised motorists shortly before 9:30 p.m. June 16 to avoid the roadway at the intersection of Niuhi Street.
June 16, 2026 · 5:59 PM

17-year-old driver killed in early June fatal crash on Daniel K. Inouye Highway identified

Mackenzie Valentin of Hilo was driving west in a 4-Runner multi-purpose vehicle when she lost control the morning of June 4, hydroplaned into the opposite lane and was broadsided by a Ford F-450 commercial truck.

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Local Entertainment 

June 16, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Botanical World Adventures grows tour offerings with two new waterfall adventures

“We have always believed that the best way to experience Hawaii is to truly get into it — its canyons, its waterfalls, its wild beauty. These two new tours let guests do exactly that, whether they’re seeking the ultimate adrenaline rush or a serene moment in the mist,” said Botanical World Adventures Managing Partner Mark Robinson.
June 14, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Celebrate Fourth of July in historic Kailua Village

Independence Day Parade and Fireworks Extravaganza light up the July 4th holiday in Kailua-Kona; everyone encouraged to join the festivities as entries are still being accepted for this year’s parade.
June 11, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 12-18: Zappa comes to Kawaihae, Angry Samoans, Keiki Quest, Obon season and more

What’s happening, Big Island? Looking for something fun to do? Boy, do we have some nifty events on the agenda this week that will get your toes tapping, bodies moving and spirits heightened.
June 4, 2026 · 3:00 PM

News briefs for June 4: L&L Texas, free Toyota, provisional licenses, bad cheese bread and food philanthropy

A quick look at news stories from throughout the state and beyond.
June 4, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 5-11: National Donut Day, Puna Taiko Summer Festival, ‘Songs of the Sea’ and more

It’s another week full of a unique variety of fun events, activities and more on the Big Island. Check out the top 10 things to do now!

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Hawai‘i Business 

Visionary leader sought to fuel Hawaiʻi’s workforce future
Business Monday: New small business network offers support for aspiring entrepreneurs on the Big Island
Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association to honor hospitality industry’s finest
Construction industry in Hawai‘i marks second-strongest first quarter in past decade

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 

Kīlauea episode 49 ends after nearly eight hours of lava fountaining; alert level lowered

June 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM HST

Volcano Watch: Remembering the 1926 Mauna Loa eruption a century later

June 12, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST

Volcano Watch: ‘Stick Season’ in Hawaiʻi? What happened to the leaves around summit of Kīlauea?

June 5, 2026 · 8:00 AM HST

Ocean Blog 

Voyaging, cultural leaders and others gather to strengthen ties, advance ocean protection efforts

May 31, 2026 · 10:00 AM HST

Everyone invited to participate in statewide ‘Makahiki Kuleana Kahakai’ coastal restoration day

May 24, 2026 · 1:00 PM HST

Public invited to help shape future of Hilo Bay

May 19, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST

Hōkūleʻa to make Japan stops in 2027 as part of Moananuiākea Voyage

May 18, 2026 · 10:00 AM HST

Maui Now 

2026 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade and Hōʻolauleʻa announces Grand Marshal and Court

Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade and Hōʻolauleʻa Committee announced Kaibigan Ng Lahaina as the Grand Parade Marshal for the 2026 Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade, taking place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, along Kaʻahumanu Avenue in Kahului. The parade will begin at 9:45 a.m.

Proposed Hoʻonani Village affordable housing project awaits council action

The Hoʻonani Village Mixed Use Development—one of the largest affordable-housing projects in Central Maui over the last 10 years—will be reviewed at Friday’s council meeting.

UH study: Native Hawaiian adults face mobility challenges earlier in life

Native Hawaiian adults experience mobility limitations––including challenges with agility, gait, balance and fall risk—at significantly higher rates and at younger ages than other major racial and ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi, according to new research.

Notice to Cease and Desist pursuit of TMT construction on Maunakea

A Notice to Cease and Desist in pursuing construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea was served to the TMT International Observatory LLC on Tuesday.

Maui Police Department announces promotion of 15 officers to the rank of Sergeant

The Maui Police Department is pleased to announce the recent promotions of 15 officers to the rank of Sergeant, effective May 16, 2026.

Kaua‘i Now 

More than $40K in damages reported following structure fire on Kaua‘i

Kaua‘i Firefighters were dispatched to the blaze on Aliomanu Road in Anahola shortly after 6:10 p.m.

Native Hawaiian civic engagement efforts to expand through Office of Hawaiian Affairs for 2026 elections

Office plans statewide congressional debate and trustee candidate forums.

Good Samaritans honored during Kauaʻi Fire Commission meeting

John Patt, Jim Leake, Victor Lawson and JC Crouch acted without hesitation to immediately perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts and use an automated external defibrillator to help Howard Yamaguchi after he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed last summer.

Kauaʻi teen with Down Syndrome turns beach sand messages into a heart-warming business

Katrina Louise Martinez and her daughter, Ella Joy Marinez, have turned a loving habit of crafting sand messages into a unique company, Sand Scribletz.

Discover, shop and savor from anywhere ‘Taste of Hawai‘i’ with first episode of new series this week

The series — an opportunity to discover, shop and savor the foods, makers and products highlighted — kicks off with Hawai‘i Island chocolate makers and cacao growers.

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