Local news
Hilo
Hawaii County, Hawaii
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Suspect charged in Hawaii Island infant death case
Hawai‘i Island police charged 20-year-old Joshua Paiva with manslaughter in the death of his three-month-old son, John-Charles Saiki-Paiva. Preliminary autopsy results indicated the infant died from head injuries, and…
Hilo man thanks medical staff a year after heart transplant
Alan Tamashiro returned to Hilo Benioff Medical Center on Tuesday to thank the staff who helped him receive a life-saving heart transplant more than a year ago. The 67-year-old Hilo resident had suffered worsening heart…
Daniel Volpe confirmed as new Hawaii County fire chief
The Hawaii County Fire Commission unanimously approved Daniel Volpe as the county’s new fire chief on Thursday. Volpe will begin the job next Tuesday. He was one of six finalists and was selected in a 5-1 vote in…
Native Hawaiians ‘Take The Torch’ Of Big Island Council Majority
Native Hawaiians will hold six of the nine Hawaiʻi County Council seats when newly elected members take office in December, marking the first majority in at least three decades. Four incoming members—Manu Powers, Ikaika…
‘We are a breed apart’: Veterans Day commemorated in moving Hilo ceremony
Veterans and their families gathered Wednesday at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 1 in Hilo to commemorate Veterans Day and honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Speakers included retired Army officers and…
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From heartbreak to hope: Hilo man shares grattitude after rare transplant
Hilo resident Alan Tamashiro, 67, returned to Hilo Benioff Medical Center on Tuesday to thank the doctors and staff who helped him receive a rare, life-saving heart transplant just over a year ago. A heart pump…
Puna pastor thanks medical team a year after life-saving heart transplant
Puna pastor Alan Tamashiro reunited Tuesday at Hilo Benioff Medical Center with members of the medical team who helped save his life, one year after his heart transplant. The 67-year-old developed congestive heart…
Hawaiʻi National Guard concludes Lala response; 623,600 pounds of debris removed
The Hawaiʻi National Guard has ended its state active-duty response to Tropical Cyclone Lala after more than two months of recovery work. The operation removed 623,600 pounds of debris and supported communities affected…
We Train Hawaiʻi’s Future Workforce. Can They Afford to Stay?
Harvey Stone of the Kohala Coast Community Fund argues that Hawaiʻi Island’s workforce training and education efforts will fall short unless workers can afford to live there. He cites September 2026 home prices ranging…
Trial set in Hilo attorney’s malicious prosecution lawsuit
A federal jury trial is scheduled to begin April 19 in Hilo attorney Kai McGuire’s lawsuit against Hawaii County, which accuses officials of malicious prosecution and related misconduct. U.S. District Judge Jill Otake…
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Hilo program offers reusable takeout containers
Hawaii County and its partners launched the Hoʻi Returnable Dish Program in Hilo on Monday, offering reusable stainless-steel takeout containers at participating restaurants. Customers can use the containers for free…
Flags wave along Hilo Bayfront as Veterans Day parade honors those who served
Veterans, military groups and residents gathered Saturday along Hilo Bayfront for the annual Veterans Day Parade, Hawaii News Now reported. The procession included VFW Post 3875, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 6…
Endangered Hawaiian bird uses beak, body to dig out its dinner
New research offers a detailed look at the unique anatomy of the endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, the ‘akiapola‘au. Scientists discovered that the bird uses a specialized technique involving its beak and legs to…
Regents support amendments to UH’s Maunakea management plan
A University of Hawaii Board of Regents committee has voted to support amendments to the Maunakea management plan. These changes would permit the reuse of decommissioned observatory sites for future astronomical…
Hawaii Island police search for missing Hilo woman considered endangered
Hawaii Island police are seeking the public's assistance in locating 32-year-old Marissa Todd, who was reported missing in Hilo. Todd is considered endangered as she may require medical assistance and medication. She…
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Boil water notice issued as DWS investigates water discoloration in Kaieie
The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply has issued a boil water notice for residents in the Kaieie and Papaikou areas due to reports of water discoloration. Officials advise boiling tap water for at least one…
Students gather to explore Hawaii's glorious night sky
More than 1,400 students on the Big Island of Hawaii participated in the 23rd annual Journey Through the Universe program from October 19 to October 22. Organized by the Gemini Observatory and local educational…
Big Island Election Results: 3 New Council Members Win Open Seats
Hawaiʻi island voters have elected three new members to the nine-member County Council, with Eileen O’Hara, Ikaika Rodenhurst, and Zed Kaʻapana Aki leading their respective races. The election results also saw the…
Fracas at UH-Hilo conference for high schoolers prompts changes
University of Hawaii at Hilo and the state Department of Education are implementing changes following a violent incident at the Pacific Youth Empowerment for Success conference on October 17. A 17-year-old was arrested…
Hawaii County hires recovery officer to help with disaster response
Hawaii County has hired Kanani Aton as a permanent recovery officer within the mayor's office to coordinate disaster response and community engagement. Aton, a Hilo resident with previous experience in the Hawaii County…
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'The Biggest Change Happens Locally': Last-Minute Voters Cast Ballots
Voters in Hawaiʻi flocked to in-person service centers on Tuesday to cast their ballots for the general election. Despite the availability of mail-in voting, many residents chose to participate in person to engage with…
New Hawaii island program promotes reusable food containers
Hilo has launched a first-of-its-kind program called Ho‘i, which introduces reusable stainless steel takeout containers to local businesses. Customers can track the containers via QR codes and return them to designated…
Hilo parade to honor military heroes ahead of Veterans Day
The annual Veterans Day parade in Hilo is scheduled to take place this Saturday, honoring military service members and veterans. Organized by a committee of local veterans, the event has grown significantly over the…
Vibrant Hawaiʻi seeking Green Fee funding to expand resilience hubs on the islands
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is seeking Green Fee funding to expand its network of resilience hubs across the islands. These hubs played a critical role during the response to Hurricane Lala in August, assisting thousands of…
Council bills would spotlight Hawaii island history, culture
The Hawaii County Council is advancing two bills aimed at preserving and highlighting local history and culture. Bills 199 and 200 propose the creation of a historic place-marker program and a mo‘olelo interpretation…
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A 6-Month Vacation? Hawaiʻi Council Deadlocked On Rental Bill
The Hawaiʻi County Council remains deadlocked over Bill 147, which aims to clarify vacation rental laws and redefine short-term rentals as stays under 180 days. While proponents argue the measure is necessary for…
Hilo tsunami museum is ‘back full-time’ after financial woes
The Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo has fully reopened to the public seven days a week following a period of severe financial instability. The museum, which previously laid off staff, secured a $200,000 grant from the…
DWS looking into reports of water discoloration in Kaieie
The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is investigating reports of water discoloration in the Kaieie and Papa’ikou areas. Officials state there is no evidence of contamination and advise residents to flush their…
First responders honored at free ‘Heroween’ concert
The Hilo community is hosting a free 'Heroween' concert at the Grand Naniloa Driving Range to honor local first responders following recent severe weather events. Headlined by Eli Mac, the event aims to raise funds for…