#Big Island News
Put a little love in the mailbox this Valentine’s Day
While text messages disappear, a Valentine’s card endures; a handwritten message also carries thought — and heart — spanning miles.
Volcano Watch: New ‘Is Tephra Falling?’ citizen science tool launched in Hawaiʻi
Like the “Did You Feel It?” earthquake reporting tool helps make maps of areas affected by shaking, the new tool helps scientists map areas affected by tephra fallout; observations will be used to assess the character and size of the eruption plumes from Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island, along with the dispersal pattern of tephra fall.
New Alaska Airlines state-of-the-art global training center officially opens its doors
New $200 million, 660,000-square-foot facility brings training for multiple workgroups under one roof and strengthens the airline’s transformation into the country’s fourth global airline.
End of aquarium collecting does not lead to recovery of reef fish in Hawaiʻi waters, new analysis finds
“These findings are significant because aquarium collecting has repeatedly been justified by claims of sustainability and rapid reef fish recovery once harvesting stops,” said For the Fishes Executive Director Rene Umberger. “Those claims are not supported by what actually happened on Hawaiʻi reefs.”
Working Families Caucus introduces 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.
American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi supports ‘strike’ to stop US Immigration and Customs Enforcement violence
There are more than 300 registered actions and events set for today throughout the nation, calling on people, organizations and communities to “strike” and demand a stop to federal government-sponsored violence being inflicted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents against peaceful protestors in Minneapolis, Minn., and elsewhere.
Possible contamination causes Gerber Products Co. to recall keiki biscuits
The product was distributed nationwide, including by retailers such as Walmart, Target and Longs Drugs in Hawai‘i; recall was issued because the biscuits might have soft plastic and/or paper pieces inside that could cause injury or pose a choking hazard.
TSA ConfirmID coming to Hawai‘i airports; travelers without REAL ID can pay for verification
TSA ConfirmID enables travelers to verify their identity before arriving at the security checkpoint, for a $45 fee, with the process typically taking 10 to 15 minutes, though it could require 30 minutes or more in some cases.
Onset of huge Episode 41 lava fountains at Kīlauea summit heralds ashfall warning
The warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 25) for most eastern, southeastern, southern and interior portions of the island; Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reports portion of Highway 11 in Puna and Kaʻū as well as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are closed because of ashfall.
Scientists forecast next lava fountaining of Kīlauea could begin any day
Ongoing swarms of earthquakes and persistent volcanic tremors indicate active magmatic movement, fueling anticipation about Kīlauea’s next eruption.
University of Hawaiʻi President Hensel delivers inaugural systemwide address
Wendy Hensel, who began her tenure Jan. 1, 2025, as the university’s 16th president, framed the speech as an opportunity to reflect on progress while charting a clear path forward for the university.
New interactive Economic Justice Data Dashboard launched by Hawai‘i Appleseed
The powerful online tool is designed to empower policymakers, advocates and community members with accessible, localized data about critical well-being metrics throughout the islands.
772,288 reasons to celebrate: Visitors give back to Hawaiʻi, American Samoa national parks they love
Smaller counter donations programs in 2022 and 2023 became permanent at all Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association park store locations in March 2024; there were $100,000 in direct donations in just the last 3 months of 2025.
Bipartisan effort to tackle nation’s deteriorating federal finances led by Case
The 47-member US House Problem Solvers Caucus recently released its fiscal stability framework developed by the congressman who represents Hawai‘i’s House District 1 in Washington and US Rep. Chuck Edwards.
Volcano Watch: Looking back at the 1959 episodic eruption of Kīlauea Iki
While the mid-20th century episodic eruption and current ongoing eruption within the summit caldera of Kīlauea volcano on the Big Island share similarities, there also are several differences.
Astronomers reveal hidden lives of early universe’s ultra-massive galaxies
A new multi-wavelength study shows that some ultra-massive galaxies shut down star formation early, while others remain active but hidden by dust,
Oceanography, atmospheric science, tourism at UH Mānoa ranked among top 12 in US
The rankings were released by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy; the annual Global Ranking of Academic Subjects released by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy is considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.
House Committee members visit farm, reef restoration project and Huliheʻe Palace
State lawmakers engage with communities and assess priority projects during several recent site visits that provided a glimpse into Hawaiʻi Island’s priorities.
Proposed federal LEAP Act would raise loan cap for graduate students
After the GOP spending bill slashed student loan limits for healthcare professionals, US Rep. Jill Tokuda of Hawai‘i and colleagues introduced the legislation to level the playing field.
Hirono, 24 other US senators urge Trump to help taxpayers get their full refunds
US Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Hawai‘i Democrat, is joined by 24 of her Senate colleagues in urging President Donald Trump’s Administration to restore staff and resources at Taxpayer Advocate Service, which assists taxpayers with resolving any issues within the Internal Revenue Service.
