Top headlines from across Hawaiʻi
The two sides have reached a tentative agreement, but a price still needs to be negotiated and the council must approve it, with the chair saying it's "not a done deal."
As of Tuesday, May 19, there have been 13 traffic fatalities in 2026 on Hawai‘i Island, including eight in the past two weeks.
Starwood Capital Group was prohibited from development, ground-disturbing activity at the Makai Woods Golf Course after a court case cited anthrax-infected cattle buried beneath…
Public safety and infrastructure are the dominant threads across the islands, with traffic deaths on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island and road work or service disruptions on Kauaʻi drawing the most immediate attention. At the same time, several stories point to longer-term resilience efforts: Hawaiʻi is getting new federal money to help address PFAS contamination in drinking water, and Kauaʻi biosecurity projects are also getting a funding boost. Community planning remains active as well, from Hilo Bay resilience and Big Island budget hearings to Maui events tied to housing, agriculture, and cultural life. Across the state, the mix is practical and urgent: safety, basic services, environmental health, and the slow work of planning for what comes next.
Maui is dealing with another fatal crash case, as police say a Haʻikū woman has died from injuries sustained in the Honoapiʻilani Highway head-on collision. Health and environmental issues are also in view, with EPA funding for PFAS cleanup and a brown water advisory at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park both affecting residents and visitors. Beyond that, MauiNow.com is tracking community and economic activity, including a Hawaiʻi-Philippines business event, Mākena’s charity golf tournament, and Grand Taste at Maui AgFest.
Hawaiʻi Island’s most urgent story is traffic safety, with county officials seeking state help after a series of deadly crashes and police reporting the island’s 13th traffic fatality of the year in Keaʻau. County leaders are also moving into budget season, with public hearings on the proposed 2026-27 budget and tax rates set for Tuesday. Other local priorities include community input on the future of Hilo Bay and rental assistance for households hit by kona low flooding, while Big Island Now’s briefs also note wildfire-policy outreach and public-health training.
Kauaʻi’s immediate concerns are practical: trash pickup is delayed in parts of the island because of staffing shortages, and Olohena Road and Peʻe Road at Poʻipū Road are both facing closures tied to construction. There is also longer-term state and local work underway, including new biosecurity grant funding and recognition for two Kauaʻi Community College professors.
EPA announces $9.5 million for Hawaiʻi to address PFAS in drinking water
US Environmental Protection Agency has announced $9.457 million in new Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant funding to address PFAS and emerging…
Hawaiʻi-Philippines Business Tradeshow, Symposium and Reception to showcase expanding economic opportunities
James Kunane Tokioka The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, in partnership with the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i, the Philippine Consulate…
Hawai‘i County looking to governor for aid in improving traffic safety after series of deadly crashes
A series of fatal crashes on Big Island roadways has Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda seeking help from the state to improve traffic safety. As of Tuesday, May 19, there have…
Update: Haʻikū woman succumbs to injuries in head-on crash on Honoapiʻilani Hwy
Update: (Tuesday, May 19, 2026) A Haʻikū woman has succumbed to injuries sustained in a head-on crash reported on May 11, 2026. Maui Police have identified the woman as…
Hawaiʻi Alpha Delta Kappa, Gamma Chapter announces 2026 scholarship recipients
Left to right: Dominick Guiwa, Aaron Omuro, Kaylee Yagi, Kellee Yi, Aleizay Rose Angel,Kayla Wada, and Yesha Mae Calivo (Not included in this picture: Jasmyn Yun) The Hawaiʻi…
Briefs for May 19: State seeks input on future wildfire policy, state employee earns national honor, advocates energized by Green Fee
Two men speak with each other while they survey the damage Aug. 10, 2023, following deadly wildfires that destroyed historic Lahaina on Maui. (Photo File) Public Utilities…
Mākena Golf & Beach Club to host “I Mau Ke Aloha” Golf Tournament on Aug. 30
A charity event rooted in enduring love and well-being between ʻāina and kānaka. PC: Mākena Golf & Beach Club Mākena Golf & Beach Club will host a community golf tournament, “I…
Briefs for May 19: Submit input on future wildfire policy, state employees train in trauma-informed care, vaping and effects on mental health
Lahaina is seen after the wildfire in August 2023. Public Utilities Commission launch public engagement process regarding wildfire recovery policy The Hawai‘i Public Utilities…
Grand Taste to showcase a perfect pairing: Maui Chefs + Maui Agriculture
Tickets are on sale for Grand Taste at Maui AgFest. 12 tastes in four categories: ʻĀina, Kai, Vegetarian and Dessert. Maui chefs know the secret to any winning recipe: start by…
Brown Water Advisory has been issued at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park on Maui
Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park. Photo by Wendy Osher. A Brown Water Advisory has been issued at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park on Maui. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health advises beach users to stay…
Trash pickup delayed in parts of Kauaʻi due to staffing shortages
Residential trash pickup in parts of Kauaʻi will be delayed Tuesday due to staffing shortages, according to county officials. The delays will affect the Kalāheo, Līhuʻe, and…
Hawaiian Music Series continues with Jarret Roback & Wilson Kanakaʻole, May 28
The May 2026 edition of the Hawaiian Music Series features Wilson Kanaka’ole and Jarret Roback performing at Waiola Church in Lahaina. PC: Lahaina Restoration Foundation The…
2026 University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Coaches Hawaiian Islands Tour continues this week
The 2026 University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Coaches Hawaiian Islands Tour is underway, bringing free basketball clinics to six islands throughout the state — including stops made May…
More than $322K in federal grant funds secured by state, University of Hawaiʻi for plant pathogen, biosecurity projects
Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and University of Hawaiʻi secured more than $322,000 in federal grant funding that will be used to strengthen the state’s ability…
Affordable housing grants for Hawaiʻi nonprofits offered from the Nareit Foundation
Hawaiʻi nonprofits supporting families and residents in need of affordable housing are encouraged to submit applications for consideration of grants from the Nareit Foundation…
Hawaiʻi Island records 13th traffic fatality of the year after Keaʻau collision
Authorities are investigating a fatal traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a Tesla SUV that occurred on Monday afternoon in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision of…
Upcountry kicker Eli Kamakani Caires captures Field Goal Title at prestigious camp
Left Photo: Chris Sailer Coach Adam Stack Eli Caires and Camp staff. Right photo: Eli Caires attempts his 47 yard field Goal kick. PC: Courtesy photos Upcountry Maui’s rising…
Rental assistance available for those impacted by kona low flooding
Residents in the City and County of Honolulu, Maui County and Hawaiʻi County impacted by flooding caused by the back-to-back kona lows from March 10-24 could qualify for rental…
Return to Japan: Traditional voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa to make Japan stops in 2027
Hōkūleʻa, the Polynesian Voyaging Society traditional Hawaiian double-hulled voyaging canoe, and her sister canoe Hikianalia will return to Japan, weather permitting, tentatively…
Starwood Capital Group seek to resume maintenance work at Princeville golf course
Starwood Capital Group is in court seeking permission to resume maintenance work at Princeville’s Makai Woods Golf Course and implement a safety plan. In August 2025, Starwood…
Public hearings Tuesday for Hawaiʻi County’s proposed 2026-27 budget, tax rates
Hawaiʻi County Council during a finance committee meeting on Jan. 7, 2025. (Kelsey Walling/Big Island Now) The Hawai‘i County Council is holding special back-to-back public…
Public invited to help shape future of Hilo Bay
The public is invited to help shape the future of Hilo Bay by attending a community listening fair for the Hilo Bay Resilience and Watershed Management Plan. Hilo Bay. (File…
Two professors at Kauaʻi Community College honored for excellence
L-R: Mark Ombrello, assistant professor of history, and Brian Yamamoto, professor of natural sciences, from Kauaʻi Community College were among the 25 members of the University of…
Registration open for workshop: ‘Work Together Effectively As a Non-Profit Board’
Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center Executive Director Julie Mitchell. (Courtesy Photo: Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center) Julie Mitchell, executive director of Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, will give…
Traffic Alert: Portion of Olohena Road to be closed May 20 for retaining wall construction
Map: Kauaʻi County Department of Public Works A portion of Olohena Road in Kapaʻa will be closed on Wednesday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in order for crews to pour a…
Hawaii County Weather Forecast for May 19, 2026
Hilo Tonight: Mostly cloudy with numerous showers. Lows 64 to 71 near the shore to around 58 at 4000 feet. Northwest winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent. Tuesday: Mostly…
Hawaii County Surf Forecast for May 19, 2026
Forecast for Big Island Windward and Southeast Shores Tonight Tuesday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 East Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5…
Kauai Weather Forecast for May 19, 2026
Photo Credit: Pete Gontier West Kaua’i Tonight: Breezy. Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Lows around 71 near the shore to around 63 above 3000 feet. Northeast winds up to 20…
Kauai Surf Forecast for May 19, 2026
Shores Tonight Tuesday Surf Surf PM AM AM PM North Facing 1-3 2-4 2-4 2-4 West Facing 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 South Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 East Facing 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 TONIGHT Weather…
Peʻe Road at Poʻipu Road set to close for next 11 days
Construction of the center of the roundabout at the Poʻipū Road, Ala Kinoiki, and Peʻe Road intersection begins tomorrow (Tuesday, May 19). Detour signs for the Peʻe Road closure…
