“Proposed federal act could grant U.S. military another shot at collaboratively renewing leased Hawaiian lands.”
Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai new roundup are those of the reporters and correspondents.
Accessed on 20 June 2026, 0238 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).
CommunityFirst Stuff Da Bus school supply collection event planned in July
CommunityNext ‘Talk Story with the Chief’ session scheduled in Kea‘au
Proposed federal act could grant US military another shot at collaboratively renewing leased Hawai‘i lands
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supports the federal act that it says “reflects important progress toward a more collaborative and constructive path forward” and removes condemnation as an option.June 19, 2026 · 3:09 PM HST
BusinessPHOTO GALLERY: Kona Inn Restaurant ushers in new era of ownership with guests during…
East Hawai‘i NewsVolcano Watch: What is the difference between an eruption and an episode
In Case You
Missed It:
Missed It:
Hawaiʻi Energy launches appliance trade-up program in Hilo
Information meeting scheduled for Kona International Airport master plan update
Hawaiʻi County postpones vote on using eminent domain to widen rural road in Puna
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 19-25: Kaʻū Coffee Festival…
FEMA joins county, state emergency management teams to assess South Kona earthquake…
Visionary leader sought to fuel Hawaiʻi’s workforce future
Office of Hawaiian Affairs expands civic engagement efforts for 2026 elections
Winners of 8th annual Keiki Water Conservation Poster Contest announced
Log on this week to discover, shop and savor a ‘Taste of Hawai‘i’ with first…
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…
Big Island News
June 19, 2026 · 3:09 PM
Proposed federal act could grant US military another shot at collaboratively renewing leased Hawai‘i lands
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supports the federal act that it says “reflects important progress toward a more collaborative and constructive path forward” and removes condemnation as an option.
June 19, 2026 · 3:00 PM
First Stuff Da Bus school supply collection event planned in July
Hawaiʻi Police Department is hosting a school supply drop box at Hilo Police Station, located at 349 Kapiʻolani St., in Hilo as part of the effort. Community members are encouraged to donate new school supplies for East Hawaiʻi Keiki and can do so now.
June 19, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Next ‘Talk Story with the Chief’ session scheduled in Kea‘au
Meetings rotate around Hawaiʻi Island and provide residents an opportunity to meet directly with Big Island Police Chief Reed Mahuna and district commanders to share concerns, ask questions and discuss public safety issues in an open, conversational setting.
June 19, 2026 · 10:32 AM
PHOTO GALLERY: Kona Inn Restaurant ushers in new era of ownership with guests during grand reopening
The historic restaurant has had new life breathed into it with the help of the newly formed Island Restaurant Group and a reimagined menu.
June 19, 2026 · 10:00 AM
Study: Mobility challenges start earlier in life for Native Hawaiian adults
Researchers at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Hā Kūpuna National Resource Center for Native Hawaiian Elders found that 28% of Native Hawaiian adults ages 55 and older reported mobility limitations compared with 17% to 19% of white, Filipino and Japanese adults.
June 19, 2026 · 8:00 AM
Volcano Watch: What is the difference between an eruption and an episode?
Despite having breaks in activity during this ongoing eruption at the Kīlauea summit on the Big Island, monitoring data indicates activity is still elevated and the eruption is not finished, even if we don’t always see lava at the surface.
June 19, 2026 · 5:00 AM
Historic Kailua Village’s 55-year-old shopping center on track for first major renovation
The plans for the Kona Seaside Shops, which were built in the early 1970s, call for demolishing three of the five buildings and renovating the rest of the property to create an “inviting gateway” to the Aliʻi Drive retail corridor.
June 19, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Antarctic expeditioner, Mānoa undergrad from Big Island set to become University of Hawaiʻi regent
Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green appointed Eric Pōmaikaʻi Gee, the only U.S. citizen selected to participate in a 2025 Antarctic expedition led by explorer Robert Swan, to the board, pending confirmation by the Hawaiʻi Senate.
June 19, 2026 · 1:00 AM
Hawaiʻi Energy launches appliance trade-up program in Hilo
Applications open now for discounted ENERGY STAR refrigerators and freezers.
June 18, 2026 · 3:00 PM
Dengue virus case involving Oʻahu visitor detected, expected risk of transmission low
The Department of Health detected a travel-related case of dengue virus and is conducting inspections and mosquito control in the affected area.
UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:

TODAY · 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Mākeke Fridays at Queens’ Marketplace

Sat, Jun 20, 2026 · 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Summer Solstice Festival

Sat, Jun 27, 2026 · 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
KEIKI DAY at KTA Puainako! 
Local Entertainment
June 18, 2026 · 3:00 AM
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for June 19-25: Kaʻū Coffee Festival, ‘Frozen,’ celebrating the solstice and more
June continues to offer a full slate of events, activities and festivals around the island.
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.

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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: What is the difference between an eruption and an episode?
June 19, 2026 · 8:00 AM HST
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
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
Maui’s Robert Loree wins Boys golf 13-14 division of 2026 King Auto Group State Championship
The Hawaiʻi State Junior Golf Association | First Tee Hawaiʻi (HSJGA|FTH) conducted the 2026 King Auto Group 13-18 State Championship at The Village Course at Waikoloa on June 17-18.
HTDC awards Innovation Grants to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s manufacturing and tech sectors
These awards leveraged more than $10 million in qualified manufacturing investments statewide, underscoring the importance of continued Manufacturing Assistance Program funding to sustain growth, modernize production capabilities and strengthen Hawaiʻi’s manufacturing competitiveness.
Maui Huliau Foundation offers free summer professional learning opportunities for Maui teachers
Maui Huliau Foundation is offering a series of free professional learning opportunities this summer designed to deepen climate literacy, strengthen place-based teaching, and connect educators with the community partners leading environmental and cultural stewardship across Maui. Educators are encouraged to RSVP by June 24.
Maui GREAT Committee to discuss litigation updates; fraud risk and Board of Ethics proposals to follow
The Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will meet Monday at 9 a.m. to receive comments from the county’s special counsel on the status of the wrongful-termination lawsuit filed this spring by former county official Leo Caires, Committee Chair Kauanoe Batangan announced today.
2026 ‘Ulu Ho‘olaule‘a & Global Breadfruit Summit to spotlight indigenous knowledge, food sovereignty
For Maui, ‘ulu is especially notable to those in Lahaina, which was traditionally known as Ka Malu ʻUlu O Lele or “The shaded breadfruit grove of Lele” for its ancient breadfruit groves. Since the 2023 wildfire, efforts are underway to revive the native agricultural food system.
Kaua‘i Now
Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges awards $31,250 in scholarships, supports 17 emerging conservationists
These students are pursuing degrees within a wide array of wildlife conservation-based careers such as botany, earth systems science, environmental science, environmental studies, marine biology, marine science, natural resources and environmental management, global environmental science, sustainability education and sustainable fishing.
Volcano Watch: What is the difference between an eruption and an episode?
Despite having breaks in activity during this ongoing eruption at the Kīlauea summit on the Big Island, monitoring data indicates activity is still elevated and the eruption is not finished, even if we don’t always see lava at the surface.
Community members invited to meeting about Morgan’s Ponds Breakwater Maintenance Project
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update and discuss the proposed plan to repair the Morgan’s Ponds breakwater wall at Lydgate park; RSVP by July 17.
Emergency mass notification service test rescheduled
The test originally slated for the middle of this month will now take place next week, at 5:30 p.m. June 23.
Celebrity chefs and local talent to take center stage at the sixth annual Kauaʻi Poke Fest
Chef Sam Choy, known as the “Godfather of Poke,” will be joined at the festival by celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse, Sheldon Simeon and Ronnie Rainwater, as well as reigning Poke Fest champion Mark Oyama.
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