Prism Local News

Hawaiʻi County outlines parks access, safety and ADA guidance for visitors

The County of Hawaiʻi runs an islandwide parks network and urges residents to check online advisories and facility detai...

Lisa Park2m read

20-year-old Hilo driver dies after crash on Mahiai Street

A 20-year-old Hilo man died after his Jeep ran off Mahiai Street; police say speed, alcohol and drugs are not suspected....

Small rotating vortices filmed at Wailoa Boat Harbor puzzle boaters

Boaters filmed brief rotating vortices over Wailoa Boat Harbor waters; NWS attributes them to small convective micro upd...

State fines skipper for illegal longline off Kona coast

DLNR adopted penalties for illegal longline fishing off Kona, imposing fines and a one-year commercial license revocatio...

BJ Penn returns to court after missed mental exam

Former MMA fighter BJ Penn appeared in Hilo court after missing a court-ordered mental exam. His motions and the resched...

Education

Ellison Onizuka Science Day returns to UH Hilo to inspire keiki

The 21st Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day will be held at UH Hilo on Jan. 24, 2026, offering free, family-friendly ...

Puna Man Arrested in Keaʻau After Shotgun Discharge, Drug Evidence Seized

Francis Piloton Jr., 41, of Puna was arrested after an incident on Jan. 4 in front of a Keaʻau residence where prosecuto...

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read

Healthcare

Hilo blood drive begins today to refill island blood supply

The Blood Bank of Hawai‘i holds a three-day drive in Hilo to shore up post-holiday shortages; O-negative donors are urge...

Hawaiʻi lawmakers seek broader move-over protections for roadside stops

State lawmakers are advancing a bill to expand Hawaiʻi's move-over law to protect all stopped vehicles and people, aimin...

Kīlauea Overlook Parking Lot Closed to Protect Nesting Nēnē

On January 8, 2026, park officials closed the Kīlauea Overlook parking lot and nearby pit toilet to protect a nesting nē...

Ocean View Collision Leads to Armed Assault and Robbery

A traffic collision in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on Jan. 2 led to an alleged assault and robbery, leaving three people...

Pāhoa couple indicted on multiple child sexual assault charges

A Pāhoa couple was indicted on multiple sexual offenses tied to abuse of two children born in 2009. Residents should con...

County Orders 25 Percent Water Reduction for Upper Waiākea Uka

The Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply on January 8 issued a notice requiring customers in upper Waiākea Uka in H...

2026 Declared Year of Our Coastal Kuleana to Boost Stewardship

Governor Josh Green proclaimed 2026 the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana, launching a statewide campaign to mobilize resident...

January Aircraft Operations Announced for Volcanoes Park Invasive Control

On January 7 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park posted a schedule of aircraft operations planned for January to support inv...

Rainfall Eases Drought, Water Restrictions Lifted for South Kohala

Heavy rainfall over the Waikōloa reservoirs allowed the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply to ease previously imp...

Community Mourns Dominic Yagong, Voice of Honoka‘a Dragons, Former Council Chair

Dominic Yagong, the longtime public-address announcer known as the "Voice of the Honoka‘a Dragons" and a former Hawaiʻi ...

Mountain View Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Possession Charges

Vernon Santiago, 45, of Mountain View pleaded guilty Jan. 5-6, 2026 in U.S. District Court to unlawfully possessing fire...

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read

Healthcare

Hawai‘i Receives $188.9 Million to Transform Rural Health Care

The State of Hawai‘i has been awarded $188,892,440 through the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Rural H...

Kona Canoe Clubs Launch Fundraiser to Restore Kailua Regatta Course

Three Kona canoe clubs launched a GoFundMe campaign on Jan. 7 to raise about $85,000 to reconstruct the Kailua Bay Regat...

Queen Kaʻahumanu will become no passing zone near Waikoloa and Keāhole

The state will remove passing lanes on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway between Waikoloa Beach Drive and Keāhole Airport Road st...

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read

Federal $14M Award to Repair PTA Fire Station Benefits Community

Local residents will learn how a $14 million Department of Defense award will fund architectural and structural repairs ...

Marcus Williams4m read

Healthcare

New PharmD-XO Program Expands Pharmacy Training Access on Big Island

The Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at UH Hilo has launched PharmD-XO, an extended online Doctor of Pharmacy pathwa...

HDOT Launches Eyes on the Road Dash Cam Volunteer Program

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation launched the Eyes on the Road program on Jan. 6, 2026, offering free dashboard ...

Kīlauea Eruption Paused; New Fountaining Likely January 8-14

Kīlauea’s Halemaʻumaʻu eruption is paused but summit inflation and low-level tremor indicate another lava fountaining ep...

Temporary Water Shutoff Affects Kaiwiki Road Residents After Main Repair

Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply crews temporarily turned off water service along Kaiwiki Road in Hilo on Tuesd...

Big Island glass artist blends driftwood into stained glass

An Artist Spotlight on Jan. 7 highlighted Lindsay Dennis's island-inspired stained-glass and driftwood pieces, now sold ...

Kumu Hula Nālani Kanakaʻole Dies at 79; Hilo Mourns Cultural Loss

Nālani Kanakaʻole, a revered kumu hula who preserved and taught ancient Hawaiian chant and hula kahiko, died peacefully ...

Kawaihae Assault Reclassified as Homicide After Woman Dies

Hawai‘i Island police reclassified a Jan. 3 assault in Kawaihae as a homicide after 40-year-old Leah Bannister of Kurtis...