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The project will occur in phases — between Kanoelehua Avenue and Pūʻainakō Street — and all work will happen from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, weather permitting.
Paving project starts this week, covering nearly 2 miles of Kāwili Street in Hilo
The project will occur in phases — between Kanoelehua Avenue and Pūʻainakō Street — and all work will happen from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, weather permitting.
bigislandnow.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Guests at the Hilton Waikōloa Village on the Big Island reported hearing a sudden “loud boom" after two trams collided into each other.

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Tram collision at Hilton Waikōloa Village prompts suspension of service
Emergency crews responded to a collision between two trams at Hilton Waikōloa Village on Saturday night after guests reported a sudden “loud boom."
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:17 PM
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website is temporarily offline, but monitoring of volcanoes and earthquakes continues as normal.

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#offline
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Hawaiʻi Volcano Observatory website offline, monitoring systems unaffected
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website is currently offline due to a widespread issue affecting USGS public websites.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Five of the university flagship campus subject areas placed in the top 1% around the globe while another four garnered 2% honors in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
Times Higher Education ranks several University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa programs among world’s best
Five of the university flagship campus subject areas placed in the top 1% around the globe while another four garnered 2% honors in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Due to high surf debris, several Kohala and Kona locations are closed today, including Kahaluʻu Beach Park, Kohanaiki Beach Park, and Mahukona Wharf.

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High surf debris forces closures at several Kohala, Kona parks
Coastal facilities and parks in Kohala and Kona, including Kahaluʻu Beach and Kohanaiki Beach Park, are closed today due to debris from high surf.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:31 PM
The funding — part of nearly $34 million in new federal funding secured by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i — supports the continued development of the interactive 3-D platform Hawai‘i Advanced Visualization Energy Nexus system.
$1.8M in federal funds secured by Hawaiʻi State Energy Office will advance energy, land use, disaster planning
The funding — part of nearly $34 million in new federal funding secured by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i — supports the continued development of the interactive 3-D platform Hawai‘i Advanced Visualization Energy Nexus system.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Dive deeper into the park's history and learn about the young local men who worked in the Great Depression-era federal jobs program to create much of the Big Island national park's infrastructure and the legacy they left behind with a new online StoryMap sharing their contributions.
How the mighty Civilian Conservation Corps helped build Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Dive deeper into the park's history and learn about the young local men who worked in the Great Depression-era federal jobs program to create much of the Big Island national park's infrastructure and the legacy they left behind with a new online StoryMap sharing their contributions.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Enjoy worship, testimony, connection and community from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Feb. 1) at Moʻoheau Bandstand in beautiful downtown Hilo along the shore of Hilo Bay.
Full day of live music, fellowship and family-friendly fun at Big Island Gospel Jam Festival
Enjoy worship, testimony, connection and community from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Feb. 1) at Moʻoheau Bandstand in beautiful downtown Hilo along the shore of Hilo Bay.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Sirens statewide will sound at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 2 as part of the monthly test.

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Monthly statewide outdoor warning siren test to take place Feb. 2
Hawaiʻi’s statewide outdoor warning sirens and Emergency Alert System will undergo their routine monthly test at 11:45 a.m. on Monday.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Higher-than-predicted tides also will continue to produce minor flooding in vulnerable low-lying coastal areas and cause some beach erosion during peak high tides between midnight and sunrise.
High surf advisory extended until Sunday morning for west shorelines on Big Island
Higher-than-predicted tides also will continue to produce minor flooding in vulnerable low-lying coastal areas and cause some beach erosion during peak high tides between midnight and sunrise.
bigislandnow.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:40 AM
The package includes five measures to be considered by state lawmakers, targeting issues such as child care, health care and cost-of-living relief.
Working Families Caucus lays out proposed bill package for 2026 state legislative session
The package includes five measures to be considered by state lawmakers, targeting issues such as child care, health care and cost-of-living relief.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Collection events are planned for 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo and Feb. 14 at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.
Hawaiʻi County to host free household hazardous waste collection events
Collection events are planned for 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo and Feb. 14 at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:00 PM
More than 250 players along with 1,000 spectators attended the event Jan. 24-25 at Hualani Baseball Park in the Keaukaha community in Hilo.
Police congratulate participants of 4th annual HI-PAL Tee Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball Tournament
More than 250 players along with 1,000 spectators attended the event Jan. 24-25 at Hualani Baseball Park in the Keaukaha community in Hilo.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Purpose of the Hawai‘i Democrat's visits was to discuss Impact of federal funding and consequences of President Donald Trump’s policies
U.S. Sen. Hirono’s trip to O‘ahu includes visiting with students, advocates, local businesses
Purpose of the Hawai‘i Democrat's visits was to discuss Impact of federal funding and consequences of President Donald Trump’s policies
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In the first year of a unified vice division, the Hawaiʻi Island Police Department said it recovered 100 pounds of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, ketamine and enough fentanyl to potentially cause 500,000 overdoses.

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Hawai‘i Island police recover 100 pounds of illicit drugs in first year of unified vice division
Hawaiʻi Island's east side and west side vice sections were consolidated in February 2025 to enable detectives to better zero in on the drug problem islandwide.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Ash and Pele’s hair continue to collect in the pool as it is blown from the roofs of nearby structures, trees and across open areas of the park; integrity of the pool's filtration system also is in question.
Pāhoa pool closed because of tephra from recent Kīlauea lava fountaining episode
Ash and Pele’s hair continue to collect in the pool as it is blown from the roofs of nearby structures, trees and across open areas of the park; integrity of the pool's filtration system also is in question.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The 33rd annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival returns with a rich array of multicultural performances, craft booths and culinary delights with events throughout the Big Island town.

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Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival will bloom again in February
The 33rd annual Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival returns with a rich array of multicultural performances, craft booths and culinary delights with events throughout the Big Island town.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Detectives with Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Juvenile Aid Section continue to investigate, working closely with school administration and the child’s family to ensure the safety of students and staff; investigators do not think at this time the child has access to a firearm.
Kona 9-year-old allegedly threatens fellow student; says he has a gun and not to come to school
Detectives with Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Juvenile Aid Section continue to investigate, working closely with school administration and the child’s family to ensure the safety of students and staff; investigators do not think at this time the child has access to a firearm.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:31 AM
The trans-Pacific durg trafficking organization was responsible for bringing methamphetamine, fentanyl and carfentanil to the Hawaiian Islands for distribution.

#Hawaiidrugs
#Hawaiidrugtrafficking
Leader of trans-Pacific drug trafficking organization sentenced to 28 years
The organization was responsible for bringing methamphetamine, fentanyl and carfentanil to the Hawaiian Islands for distribution.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:23 AM
Interim guidance from Hawaiʻi Department of Education sets clearer, statewide approach as long-term Hawaiian language immersion program planning continues.
New priority placement process for state Kaiapuni Education supports growing demand
Interim guidance from Hawaiʻi Department of Education sets clearer, statewide approach as long-term Hawaiian language immersion program planning continues.
bigislandnow.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Freelance court interpreters are paid a minimum $35 an hour; completion of the 2-day workshop is required.
Put your language skills to good use: Register now for 2026 court interpreter orientation workshops
Freelance court interpreters are paid a minimum $35 an hour; completion of the 2-day workshop is required.
bigislandnow.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The Hawaiʻi County Police Commission on Friday selected 49-year-old Reed Mahuna, who has been serving as interim police chief, as its next chief.

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#HawaiiCountyPoliceCommission
#HawaiiIslandpolice
BREAKING NEWS: Hawaiʻi County Police Commission selects Reed Mahuna as chief
Reed Mahuna beat out 63 other candidates and had been serving as interim coach since the resignation of former chief Ben Moszkowicz on Aug. 31.
bigislandnow.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Police are investigating a deadly Hilo crash that killed 20-year-old Jordan Grant.

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High-speed crash in Hilo claims life of 20-year-old driver
Jordan Grant, 20, died in a high-speed crash on Pāuaʻi Street. Police believe that both speed and alcohol contributed to the incident.
bigislandnow.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:04 PM
The Seattle Seahawks will host two free girls’ flag football clinics for high school athletes on the Big Island on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

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#HHSAA
#HIDOE
Seattle Seahawks hosting free flag football clinics for girls on Big Island
The first clinic will be on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Waiākea High School in Hilo; the second will be on Sunday, Feb. 1, at Kealakehe High School in Kona.
bigislandnow.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Money raised through the annual event will again go to Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation, benefiting public school teachers throughout the state with grants so they can implement new, innovative programs for their students.
Big Island Hele stations once again want to ‘Fuel the Future’ with 3rd annual fundraiser
Money raised through the annual event will again go to Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation, benefiting public school teachers throughout the state with grants so they can implement new, innovative programs for their students.
bigislandnow.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM