#Hawaii County
One week left to apply for federal aid following March Kona low flooding
Sunday, June 14, is the deadline to apply for both FEMA disaster assistance and US Small Business Administration low-interest physical damage disaster loans.
Investigation continues of 2 nēnē killed by a car in Waikōloa, but state says feral cat feeding is main issue
The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources said recent counts found about 70 of the Native Hawaiian goose eating cat food left on the lava rocks near busy Queens Marketplace.
County, state emergency management teams to conduct site visits to properties damaged in South Kona quake
This assessment will serve as the basis for requesting state and federal assistance.
Halemaʻumaʻu now has the most fountaining episodes ever recorded for an episodic fountaining eruption
Episode 48 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kīlauea ended abruptly at 1:37 p.m. HST on June 1, 2026, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining from the north vent. The eruption is currently paused.
UPDATE: Episode 46 lava fountaining ends at summit of Kīlauea, about 9 hours after it began
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that Episode 46 of the ongoing episodic summit eruption of Kīlauea volcano within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island ended shortly before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, after just more than 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining.
Justice Department, DEA ordered to reclassify state-licensed medical cannabis as less dangerous drug
Hawai‘i Rep. David Tarnas said he is hopeful after hearing about Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s order to the US Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration to reclassify medical-grade cannabis as a less dangerous drug.
Businessman, 2 attorneys sentenced in multimillion-dollar scheme to bribe Hawai‘i County public official
According to court documents, the defendants conspired to pay bribes and kickbacks to a county housing employee in exchange for his agreement to use his official position to ensure that the county approved three affordable housing agreements benefitting the defendants’ development companies.
University of Hawaiʻi discovery on Maunakea sheds light on brown dwarfs
The discovery offers new clues into how brown dwarfs grow and change over time.
Update: Kīlauea’s eruption paused; Episode 45 ends after 8.5 hours of lava fountaining
Episode 45 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption ended abruptly at 10:01 a.m. HST on April 23, 2026, after 8.5 hours of continuous lava fountaining. The eruption is currently paused.
Hawai‘i State Attorney General urges residents to verify charities when donating to Kona low disaster relief efforts
Hawai‘i residents are urged to verify where they are sending their money as charities and crowdfunding platforms solicit donations in the wake of the severe Kona low storms and floods.
Big Island nonprofit gifts two Big Dog Tanker Trucks to Maui Fire Department
These trucks join Maui’s fleet after the department lost four trucks in the Lahaina and Kula fires of August 2023.
Hawaiʻi County extends voluntary compliance order for movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials
Residents and business operators in the voluntary compliance area are asked not to transport coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials that include decomposing plant material, plant propagation material, other items comprised of decomposing organic plant material and several genera of live palm plants; order will remain in place through April 30.
Hawai‘i attorney general leads multistate effort to protect kids from online harm
In a letter signed by 40 attorneys general, it urges lawmakers to support legislation that preserves states’ authority to enforce and strengthen online protection for minors.
Deep snow forces summit road closure to Maunakea
According to the National Weather Service, wet and windy weather is expected to continue today while gradually improving by this afternoon into this evening.
Hawaiian Islands under brown water advisory following severe weekend weather
It’s recommended to stay out of the water for 48-72 hours after the rain has stopped and after the beach has received full sunshine.
New report confirms 2025 was Hawai‘i’s second driest, warmest year on record
Published by the University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant College Program, this first-of-its-kind report uses plain language, along with easy-to-interpret maps and figures, to summarize statewide rainfall, temperature, and drought conditions over the past year.
Public input sought on the stewardship of Maunakea
The Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, in partnership with Kua o Wākea, will hold a series of 10 community workshops across the Hawaiian Islands starting Jan. 15.
ACLU announces campaign for immigration justice ahead of Hawaiʻi legislative session
The nonprofit and its partners laid out a legislative campaign for immigrant justice to advance policies that protect the dignity, safety, and constitutional rights of all Hawaiʻi residents regardless of immigration status.
Nēnē that lost mate has found new partner and is once again nesting in Hilo park
Staff from the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation have posted signs marking the nesting area.
Hawaiʻi Senate moves bill to protect access to contraceptives
The bill secures that no law or state action can interfere with the ability to obtain birth control, including methods like IUDs and emergency contraceptives.
