BigIslandNow.com

"Big Island needs to brace for another tropical storm."

Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 21 August 2026, 0146 UTC.

Content and Source:  "BigIslandNow.com."

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Please check URL or scroll down to read your selections.  You can find earlier posts in the "Archive" section of this blog.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsmonitor.blogspot.com).

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Big Island News 

August 20, 2026 · 3:00 PM

Outstanding employees of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services honored with awards

Jessie Inada Kahili from the East Hawaiʻi District Office was honored for her 40 years of service to the department; she was only 2 people to receive a Service Award for working 40 years with the state agency.

August 20, 2026 · 1:00 PM

More than 300 acres authorized by state Land Board be transferred to Hawaiian Home Lands

The eight parcels on the Big Island identified in the transfer consist of two commercial-zoned parcels appropriate for revenue-generating industrial/commercial development and six parcels in the Hilo town core suited to connected residential and agricultural homestead development.

August 20, 2026 · 11:50 AM

Big Island needs to brace for another tropical storm; heavy rainfall forecast to begin Saturday night

While it is too early to determine the track, intensity and magnitude of these tropical disturbances, the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency said residents should prepare again for bad weather.

August 20, 2026 · 10:24 AM

What you need to know about Hurricane Lala recovery: Want to donate? Check out how

Hawaiian Electric restored power to 2,600 Big Island customers but about 14,400 customers are still waiting; and medical doctors will be available Thursday at Nāʻālehu Elementary Schools.

August 20, 2026 · 10:00 AM

Water service installation to cause traffic delays on Highway 130 in Puna

Motorists on Keaʻau-Pāhoa Road (Highway 130) in Puna should brace for delays as the Hawaiʻi County Department of Water Supply undertakes vital water service installations.

August 20, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Hāmākua Energy to provide update on operations, 2026 energy plans

Hāmākua Energy will host a virtual community information meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, to provide an update about the company’s operations and energy plans. The company, which supplies about 20 percent of Hawai‘i Island’s electricity, continues to work with Hawaiian Electric to provide reliable, cost-effective power to the utility’s grid serving island residents and businesses, […]

August 20, 2026 · 5:43 AM

Lala Hurricane victims 93-year-old May Doi and retired physicist John Hylas found by neighbors in pastures

May Doi and John Hylas, who lost their lives in the storm over the weekend, were beloved members of the small, rural town of Nāʻālehu and will be greatly missed.

August 20, 2026 · 3:00 AM

Office of Hawaiian Affairs delivers supplies to isolated Kaʻū communities

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs ensured that 1,500 pounds of essential supplies was delivered to severely impacted Native Hawaiian communities underserved by existing relief efforts.

August 20, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 21-27: Plenty to do, but once again the weather could get in the way

It’s a smorgasbord of fun planned for everyone at events and activities around the island; unfortunately, another possible tropical cyclone could be headed our way, becoming the second most unwanted guest to the islands as early as this weekend.

August 19, 2026 · 6:54 PM

State alerts public about recall of Outshine Fruit Bars from Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

The recall was issued because of possible contamination with glass; recalled products were distributed nationally, including at Times/Don Quijote, KTA Super Stores, Walmart, Target and other retailers in Hawaiʻi.

Local Entertainment 

August 20, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 21-27: Plenty to do, but once again the weather could get in the way

It’s a smorgasbord of fun planned for everyone at events and activities around the island; unfortunately, another possible tropical cyclone could be headed our way, becoming the second most unwanted guest to the islands as early as this weekend.

August 13, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 14-20 — weather permitting

There once again is no lack of fun happening during events around the Big Island this weekend and beyond; however, it will be extremely prudent to call ahead before you go in case there are cancellations caused by the impending possible tropical cyclone in the forecast.

August 9, 2026 · 1:00 AM

Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site celebrating 54th anniversary with free Hawaiian Cultural Festival

Kamehameha the Great, the first person to unite the warring islands into the Kingdom of Hawai’i, had the major temple built by thousands and thousands of men from 1790 to 1791.

August 6, 2026 · 3:00 PM

2026 ‘Ohina Labs application deadline quickly approaching for filmmakers

There’s just 1 more week left to submit short screenplays and apply for a free annual workshop this fall, with a chance to win the ‘Ohina Greenlight Award — receiving support for their winning script to become a completed short film produced and filmed in Hawai‘i.

August 6, 2026 · 11:00 AM

Keiki invited to participate in second annual Youth Music Showcase

Participation is limited to the first 15 performances, with a maximum of three performances in each category each limited to 3 minutes; registration deadline is Aug. 22.

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Hawai‘i Business 

Business Monday: Hilo baker nears goal of making 12,000 macarons for Made in Hawaiʻi Festival

Young Brothers makes additional changes to shipping, cargo acceptance because of Tropical Storm Lala

Nā Leo TV launches free social media marketing cohorts for small businesses, nonprofits

Don’t miss opportunity to learn how your food business can avoid common mistakes made during inspections

View This Week's Specials

Big Island Polls 

Big Island Now poll results: County garage is answer to downtown Kona’s parking woes

June 1, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST

Big Island Now poll: What is solution to parking woes on Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona?

May 18, 2025 · 3:00 AM HST

Reminder: Permanent restrictions remain on the transport of ʻŌhiʻa

April 19, 2025 · 1:55 AM HST

Hawai'i Volcano Blog 

Volcano Watch: Using ocean noise to monitor for volcanic eruptions

August 14, 2026 · 1:00 PM HST

Tropical Storm Lala just 200 miles from South Point; forecast to bring hurricane conditions to Big Island

August 14, 2026 · 2:06 AM HST

Episode 53 lava fountaining at Kīlauea summit ends after nearly 10 hours

August 13, 2026 · 4:00 AM HST

Ocean Blog 

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa oceanographers find Hawaiian corals can possibly adapt to future heat stress

August 4, 2026 · 3:00 AM HST

VIDEO: Blacktip shark nursery discovered in Hilo Bay

July 29, 2026 · 1:40 PM HST

Statewide World Ocean Day event makes waves in effort to cleanup island coasts

July 6, 2026 · 1:00 AM HST

Lost reef recreation because of climate change could cost Hawaiʻi up to $3 billion by beginning of next century

July 5, 2026 · 8:00 AM HST

Maui Now 

Hawaiʻi State Federal FCU activates emergency relief program for members impacted by Hurricane Lala

Hawaii State Federal Credit Union (Hawaii State FCU) has activated its Emergency Member Relief Program to provide immediate financial support to members impacted by Hurricane Lala.\

Council Vice-Chair Sugimura urges President Trump to sign tax relief bill for Maui wildfire survivors

Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei K. Sugimura today thanked Hawaii’s congressional delegation for its efforts to secure federal tax relief for qualified disaster survivors, such as those impacted by the August 2023 wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry Maui, and is urging President Donald Trump to sign the legislation into law.

HECO urges to prepare for another potential storm; 13,000 without power on Hawaiʻi Island following Lala

Hawaiian Electric reports it has essentially restored power to all customers impacted by Hurricane Lala on O‘ahu and Maui, two days earlier than its Friday target of restoring 95% of impacted customers. Crews continue to work on small pocket outages and individual service lines on these islands.

Maui United Way’s 2026-27 Kahua Grants Cohort welcomes applicants

Maui United Way is accepting applications for its 2026-27 Kahua Grants Cohort, a nonprofit capacity-building program designed to help small and mid-size organizations strengthen fundraising, operations and long-term impact. Applications opened today through Sept. 4 with cohort selections announced on Sept. 14.

Ken Sorenson takes oath of office following senate confirmation as US Attorney for the District of Hawaiʻi

Ken Sorenson took the oath of office as the United States Attorney for the District of Hawaiʻi on Aug. 18, 2026, following his confirmation by the US Senate and the signing of his commission by the President.

Kaua‘i Now 

Tropical depression headed toward Big Island; Kauaʻi could get impacts starting Sunday

While it is too early to determine the track, intensity and magnitude of these tropical disturbances, residents should prepare again for bad weather.

Post-Lala recovery drives bring urgent call for blood, food donations on Kauaʻi

In the wake of Hurricane Lala, Kauaʻi residents are urged to bolster community resilience by donating blood and supporting the annual Food Drive Day.

More than 800 vendor booths expected to be featured at 32nd annual Made in Hawaiʻi Festival

Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism again is the official government sponsor for the business festival from Aug. 20-23 at Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu, which will also feature 28 local businesses participating at the Made in Hawaiʻi Pavilion.

Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services honors exceptional employees

Department awards annual incentive and service awards; Eric Agena, engineering program manager at the Kauaʻi District Office, was named Manager of the Year.

State Land Board authorizes transfer of 300+ acres to Hawaiian Home Lands

The eight parcels on the Big Island identified in the transfer consist of two commercial-zoned parcels appropriate for revenue-generating industrial/commercial development and six parcels in the Hilo town core suited to connected residential and agricultural homestead development.