Big Island Now

House advances state bill banning commercial aquarium fishing in Hawaiʻi County waters The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said there already are measures in place to limit the harvesting of aquatic fish following a 2017 Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruling.

Hawaiʻi's HB 2101, advancing to the Senate, seeks to ban the commercial harvesting of aquatic life for aquarium purposes due to cultural values and environmental concerns.

18 lane closures scheduled during week of March 14-20 on Big Island state roadways Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

#HawaiiDepartmentofTransporation #LaneClosures #RoadWork #WeatherPermitting #BigIslandStateRoadways

Proposed Hawai‘i County operating budget increases 1.4% to fund public safety priorities The County Council finalizes the budget and sets the tax rates in early May, with the new fiscal year starting July 1.

The 1.4% expenditure increase would bring the proposed 2026-27 fiscal year budget to $966,891,661.

#hawaiicounty #budget #cipbudget

New Hawaiʻi Island Kingʻs Trail helps hiker traverse 300 miles of coastal pathways Avid hiker Asa Aue became the first person to complete the 18 segments of the Hawaiʻi Island Kingʻs Trail consecutively.

The trail features the 175-mile Ala Kahakai National Historical Trail Corridor, which is a coastal network of ancient, historic and modern trails from Hawaiʻi Island’s north to the eastern boundary of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Come learn about the working master plan for Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport Come ask questions and learn about the proposed plan.

Come ask questions and learn about the proposed plan.

#hdot #konaairport

Hawai‘i Island police seek help finding man last seen on March 1 The 64-year-old was last seen in Pāhoa.

The 64-year-old was last seen in Pāhoa.

#missingman #hawaiiislandpolice

Hawai‘i Island police seek public help finding missing, endangered man The 31-year-old was last seen in Pāhoa.

The 31-year-old was last seen in Pāhoa.

#missingman #hawaiipolicedepartment

What you need to know about the Kona storm Friday on the Big Island All non-emergency services and operations for Hawai‘i County are closed today and Saturday.

All non-emergency services and operations for Hawai‘i County are closed today and Saturday.

#konastorm #civildefenseagency

How to creatively spotlight Hawaiʻi’s rarest birds? Put them on press-on nails In an unusual creative collaboration, Hawaiʻi small businesses ʻIwi Nails and Kahua ʻĀina have partnered with Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge to showcase and fund the conservation of the state's endangered birds.

In an unusual creative collaboration, ʻIwi Nails and Kahua ʻĀina have partnered with Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge to spotlight and fund the conservation of Hawaiʻi's endangered birds.

#Iwinails
#FriendsofHakalauForest
#HakalauForestnationalwildliferefuge
#Hakalauforest

Gov. Green urges Hawai’i to continue to prepare for severe weather, with the worst still ahead Rainfall totals could reach 15 inches or more, with winds reaching 40 miles her hour with gusts up to 60 miles per hour in some areas of the state, increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides and dangerous debris.

LIVE UPDATE: Hawai'i leaders are warning residents to prepare for more severe weather as the Kona storm brings heavy rain and strong winds statewide.

#konastorm
#emergencyproclamation
#bigislandnow

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park enact temporary safety closures While many areas are restricted, visitors can still enjoy Kīlauea summit areas, though caution is advised due to potential falling debris and poor visibility.

While many areas are restricted, visitors can still enjoy Kīlauea summit areas, though caution is advised due to potential falling debris and poor visibility.

Flood watch issued through Saturday, severe storms to occur in leeward waters this afternoon Hawaiʻi Island braces for heavy rain and potential flooding through Saturday, as the National Weather Service issues warnings for severe thunderstorms in leeward waters.

Hawaiʻi Island braces for heavy rain and potential flooding through Saturday, as the National Weather Service issues warnings for severe thunderstorms in leeward waters.

Hawaiian Airlines transitions to self-service bag tag stations Starting this month, self-service bag tag stations will help streamline the travel experience by cutting down lobby wait times and congestion.

Starting this month, self-service bag tag stations will help streamline the travel experience by cutting down lobby wait times and congestion.

Still time to register to attend free financial planning workshop in person or via Zoom The workshop is from 1 to 4 p.m. today (March 12) at Hilo Food Hub on Kalanianaʻole Street, with Brett Carey of We Make HI as featured presenter.

The workshop is from 1 to 4 p.m. today (March 12) at Hilo Food Hub on Kalanianaʻole Street, with Brett Carey of We Make HI as featured presenter.

#FreeWorkshop #FinancialPlanning #HawaiiCommercialKitchens #WeMakeHI #BrettCarey #StillTimetoRegister #AttendInPersonorViaZoom #HiloFoodHub

Hawai‘i state budget advances to House Floor for final vote after passing finance committee The $10 billion budget prioritizes investments that support local families, strengthen essential public services, and build long-term resilience for Hawaiʻi's communities.

The budget bills will proceed to the House floor for third reading and are expected to cross over to the Senate on March 18.

#statebudget #housefinancecommittee #hawaiistatelegislature #hileg

Hawai‘i Island police looking into phone issues at its Kona police station In the meantime, individuals needing to contact personnel at the Kealakehe Police Station are asked to call the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.

In the meantime, individuals needing to contact personnel at the Kealakehe Police Station are asked to call the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.

#hawaiipolicedepartment #kealakehepolicestation #phonelines

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park advises visitors of potential measles exposure on March 3 The Hawai‘i Department of Health confirmed a visitor who went to the park had the measles.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health confirmed a visitor who went to the park had the measles.

#measles #doh #hawaiivolcanoesnationalpark

Travelers in Hawai‘i advised to arrive at the airport early due to severe weather According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, a powerful, yet slow-moving kona low storm has arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, with rain arriving on Kaua‘i on Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, a powerful, yet slow-moving kona low storm has arrived in the Hawaiian Islands, with rain arriving on Kaua‘i on Tuesday.

#travelers #hiwx #hdot #severeweather

Entrance at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Highway 11 reopens; tephra cleanup ongoing Highway 11 has also reopened.

Highway 11 has also reopened.

#eruption #kilauea

Former Kohala Coast estate of the late Lisa Marie Presley on the market for $17.5M Known as Hale Ohi‘a, the 6-bedroom, 8,178-square-foot home was built with more than 250 native ohi‘a logs, and comes with access to the exclusive Mauna Lani Beach Club.

You can buy the former Big Island estate of the late Lisa Marie Pressley for $17.5 million.

#BigIslandrealestate
#LisaMariePressley
#DeepBlueHI

Hilo transforms into New York City with the production of ‘In the Heights’ The romantic musical directed by Jennie Kaneshiro blends universal themes of love, culture and aspirations that resonate with the local communities in Hawaiʻi.

The musical "In the Heights" was created by Lin-Manuel Miranda in 1999 and now is directed for a local production in Hilo by Jennie Kaneshiro.

The show blends universal themes of love, culture and aspirations that resonate with the local communities in Hawaiʻi.

#PalaceTheater
#IntheHeights

Gallery: Motorists must turn around on Highway 11 with only the large volcanic plume in view A gallery includes images from Highway 11 between Mountain View and Volcano with a view of the volcanic plume.

A gallery includes images from Highway 11 between Mountain View and Volcano with a view of the volcanic plume.

Volcanic hazards temporarily close Kīlauea Summit within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Overnight guests of Kīlauea Military Camp and Volcano House with reservations and identification will be allowed to enter the park, but must shelter in place.

Overnight guests of Kīlauea Military Camp and Volcano House with reservations and identification will be allowed to enter the park, but must shelter in place.

High wind watch expected for Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa later this week According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, southwest winds of 45 to 65 mph are expected with gusts up to 85 mph possible.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, southwest winds of 45 to 65 mph are expected with gusts up to 85 mph possible.

Ashfall advisory in effect around Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park due to eruption The advisory is in place until 5 p.m.

The advisory is in place until 5 p.m.

Episode 43 of Kīlauea eruption began this morning within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park More information about this eruption will be provided as it becomes available.

Check out a livestream of the eruption on YouTube. #kilauea #episode43

Applications open for environmental, cultural stewards across Hawaiʻi Kupu's steward program is seeking applicants interested in educating visitors and protecting natural and cultural sites with positions available across the state.

Kupu's steward program is seeking applicants interested in educating visitors and protecting natural and cultural sites with positions available across the state.

Traffic fatalities down by half in Hawai‘i for 2026 compared to last year This decline comes after the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation launched its statewide 2026 Safe Roads Challenge in January, which turns traffic safety into a game with a free safe driving app.

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is also supporting several traffic safety bills that are currently moving through the Hawai‘i State Legislature.

#trafficsafety #hdot #hawaiidepartmentoftransportation #housebills

Flash flooding from kona storm may impact Big Island beginning Wednesday The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the Big Island from Wednesday evening to Saturday afternoon as a storm moves from the northwest.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the Big Island from Wednesday evening to Saturday afternoon as a storm moves from the northwest.

Two first responders awarded for dedication to public safety, outstanding leadership Officer Dallas Arce and Battalion Chief Kaʻāina Keawe were celebrated as the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi's Officer and Firefighter of the Year for 2025.

Officer Dallas Arce and Battalion Chief Kaʻāina Keawe were celebrated as the Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawaiʻi's Officer and Firefighter of the Year for 2025.