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Major crash numbers so far in 2026 have increased by 22.73% from the 44 within the first couple of weeks in 2025; Hawai'i Police Department Traffic Services Section discovered 54 major crashes reported already this year as of Jan. 18.
12 more motorists arrested for DUI from Jan. 12-18 on Big Island roads; total stands at 37 for year
Major crash numbers so far in 2026 have increased by 22.73% from the 44 within the first couple of weeks in 2025; Hawai'i Police Department Traffic Services Section discovered 54 major crashes reported already this year as of Jan. 18.
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Stewart Cink, 52, of Atlanta, Georgia, who took first at the tournament, shooting a 193, making this his fifth win on the PGA TOUR Champions.
Hula Halau Manaola closes Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai with hula auana
Colors of gold washed over the golf course Saturday as dancers from Hula Halau Manaola, under the direction of Kumu Hula Nani Lim Yap, took to the green for their closing performance at sunset.
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Several members of the Big Island House delegation were appointed to committee leadership posts, and Rep. Kristin Kahaloa (Hōnaunau, Nāpō‘opo‘o, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Hōlualoa, Kailua-Kona) is majority caucus leader.
Hawaiʻi House of Representatives announces leadership for 2026 state legislative session
Several members of the Big Island House delegation were appointed to committee leadership posts, and Rep. Kristin Kahaloa (Hōnaunau, Nāpō‘opo‘o, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Hōlualoa, Kailua-Kona) is majority caucus leader.
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:27 PM
"I wanted to come out here this year and start hot and not work my way into the season," said reigning Charles Schwab Cup winner, PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year and now 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai winner Stewart Cink.
Cink cards 23-under on final day to win 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai
"I wanted to come out here this year and start hot and not work my way into the season," said reigning Charles Schwab Cup winner, PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year and now 2026 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai winner Stewart Cink.
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Eva Napoleon was last seen about 5 p.m. Jan. 23 in the 2500 block of ʻĀinaola Drive in Hilo. Do you know where she is?
Endangered 13-year-old runaway sought by Big Island police
Eva Napoleon was last seen about 5 p.m. Jan. 23 in the 2500 block of ʻĀinaola Drive in Hilo. Do you know where she is?
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
18 lane closures scheduled during week of Jan. 25-30 on Big Island state roadways
Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Volcanic ash and tephra, including glass strands of Pele's hair, had fallen as far away as Hilo and at least Pāhala by early Saturday evening.
Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense advises precaution because of volcanic ashfall, tephra
Volcanic ash and tephra, including glass strands of Pele's hair, had fallen as far away as Hilo and at least Pāhala by early Saturday evening.
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Saturday's event kicked off the 2026 PGA Tour Champions season. Results from the tournament will be posted when they are available.
Photo gallery: Sights of 30th anniversary Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai
Saturday's event kicked off the 2026 PGA Tour Champions season. Results from the tournament will be posted when they are available.
bigislandnow.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:30 AM
The ashfall advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 25) for most eastern, southeastern, southern and interior portions of the island; as the plume gets higher in elevation, ashfall will likely drift toward the east.
Onset of Episode 41 lava fountaining of ongoing Kīlauea eruption heralds ashfall advisory
The ashfall advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 25) for most eastern, southeastern, southern and interior portions of the island; as the plume gets higher in elevation, ashfall will likely drift toward the east.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Funding will be used for construction of the new Hawaiʻi Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce facility, which will serve as a hub for cultural preservation, educational programming and community gatherings.
Governor releases $200K for Hawaiʻi Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center
Funding will be used for construction of the new Hawaiʻi Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce facility, which will serve as a hub for cultural preservation, educational programming and community gatherings.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:02 PM
The new advisory will be in effect from noon today (Jan. 24) through 6 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 25) as another short-wave trough passes over the island, bringing snow showers and freezing fog.
New winter weather advisory issued for Big Island summits atop Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa
The new advisory will be in effect from noon today (Jan. 24) through 6 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 25) as another short-wave trough passes over the island, bringing snow showers and freezing fog.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Heather Murata created a documentary series that spotlights the Amazon Rainforest's global impact through a Hawaiʻi-rooted perspective.

#Amazonrainforest
#Konacloudforest
#HeatherMurata
Big Island environmentalist explores Amazon rainforest’s vital connection to world in documentary series
Heather Murata FROM WHERE? created a documentary series that spotlights the Amazon Rainforest's global impact through a Hawaiʻi-rooted perspective.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts will be granting $25,000 to a qualifying organization for arts or culture related programs supporting Hawaiʻi veterans as part of the United States of America's bicentennial, America250.

#America250
#hawaiiveterans
Applications open for $25,000 grant to art, culture programs supporting Hawaiʻi veterans
The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts will select the grantee with the federal funding part of the America 250 celebration.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Thousands of Kaiser nurses and health care workers plan to begin a strike Monday across Hawai'i.

#OnStrike
#BigIslandNow
Kaiser Permanente workers launch open-ended strike Monday in Hawaiʻi, California
The strike is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. Monday at the Moanalua Medical Center in Honolulu and will continue until a labor agreement is reached, according to the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:19 AM
Hawaiʻi County VICE-East officers recovered a black Radical Arms model RF-15 multi caliber rifle with a black cylindrical silencer and other weapons from Jason Coxʻ residence.

#BigIslandCrime
#HawaiiCountydrugcrimes
Puna man charged with attempted distribution of 10 pounds of meth, firearms offenses 
Hawaiʻi County VICE-East officers recovered a black Radical Arms model RF-15 multi caliber rifle with a black cylindrical silencer and other weapons from Jason Coxʻ residence.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Big Island summits are under a winter weather advisory—expect snow, ice, and low visibility.

#winteradvisory
#bigislandnow
Winter weather advisory issued for Big Island summits
A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Big Island summits through Saturday morning due to hazardous conditions, including snow, freezing fog, and icy roads.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Hawaiʻi Island police dispatchers received multiple calls reporting that about 50 juveniles and adults were fighting in the area of Pōpolo and Hema streets of Hilo, with some participants reportedly armed with machetes.

#HPD
#BigIslandNow
#HawaiiIslandpolice
#BigIslandcrime
Police investigating large Hilo brawl of teenagers, adults after reports of weapons, injuries
Dispatchers received multiple calls reporting that about 50 juveniles and adults were fighting in the area of Pōpolo and Hema streets, with some participants reportedly armed with machetes.
bigislandnow.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Services will be held in the place that bears her late mother’s name, Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium in Hilo.
Services set to honor life, legacy of Hawai‘i Island’s Nālani Kanakaʻole
Kanakaʻole passed away peacefully on Jan. 3 in Hilo at the age of 79.
bigislandnow.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Spring cleaning with a purpose! Donate your old glasses, hearing aids, and nonperishable food this Saturday and help local & global communities in need.

#HawaiiLions
#BigIslandNow
Hawaiʻi Lions holding 17th annual eyeglasses, hearing aids and new food drive
The program encourages residents to comb through dresser drawers and closets and donate any unused eyewear and hearing aids, which will be sorted, cleaned and donated to people in need.
bigislandnow.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Since the current eruption began on the night of Dec. 23, 2024, the Kīlauea summit region has been remarkably quiet from an earthquake standpoint. But that is changing.

#VolcanoWatch
#Kilaueaeruption
#Bigislandearthquakes
Volcano Watch: What do small earthquakes beneath Kīlauea summit mean for the ongoing eruption?
Since the ongoing eruption began a year ago, the Kīlauea summit region has been remarkably quiet from an earthquake standpoint, but that is changing.
bigislandnow.com
January 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Hawaiʻi County Police Commission Chair Greg Yamada said there is a good cross-section of candidates: "I saw a couple who seemed pretty impressive on paper as far as where they would like to take the department and future goals."

#HawaiiCountypolicechief
#HawaiiCountyPoliceDepartment
What are the backgrounds of the 8 finalists for Hawai‘i County police chief?
Hawaiʻi County Police Commission Chair Greg Yamada said there is a good cross-section of candidates: "I saw a couple who seemed pretty impressive on paper as far as where they would like to take the department and future goals."
bigislandnow.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The Maui temple will be built in Kahului next to an existing meetinghouse at 1300 Mauna Lani Parkway.
Renovations to Kona Hawai‘i Temple still ongoing amid announcement of new temple location on Maui
The Kona Hawai‘i Temple has been undergoing renovations since 2024.
bigislandnow.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The study uses Hawai‘i-specific data to provide science-based information that allows residents and visitors to make informed decisions about ocean use during this time of year, supporting awareness and coexistence without sensationalism.
UH scientists investigate Sharktober, confirm spike in tiger shark bites in October
New University of Hawaiʻi research confirms that “Sharktober” is real, revealing a statistically significant spike in shark bite incidents in Hawaiian waters every October.
bigislandnow.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM
A worldwide Microsoft outage is impacting communications at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature today.

#outage
#bigislandnow
Microsoft outage disrupts email and notifications at Hawai’i State Senate
On Tuesday, a Microsoft Exchange outage disrupted the Hawaiʻi State Senate’s email and digital services, leading to communication delays and impacting the distribution of legislative hearing notices.
bigislandnow.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:41 AM