BigIslandNow.com

"Update:  Previously closed portion of Hamakua roadway reopens to traffic."

Views expressed in this Hawaii Island, Maui, and Kauai news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 09 August 2026, 1600 HST (10 August 2026, 0200 UTC).

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

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Big Island News 

August 9, 2026 · 10:07 AM

UPDATE: Previously closed portion of Hāmākua roadway reopen to traffic

Big Island police updated the public earlier the morning of Aug. 9 after part of Kapuna Road was closed to traffic the evening of Aug. 8 after utility lines fell across the roadway.

August 9, 2026 · 10:00 AM

News briefs for Aug. 9: Honolulu police drones, commemorative ribbon, Little League winners and more

A quick look at news happening throughout the state and beyond.

August 9, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Hawai‘i Education Association awards scholarships to 2 Hawai‘i Island educators

Third-grade teacher Joy Paul at Hōlualoa Elementary School and veteran educator Nolan Yamaki at Ernest Bowen deSilva Elementary School in Hilo each received $1,000 Hawai‘i Education Association Ronald K. Toma Scholarships for Professional Learning.

August 9, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Trouble brewing: Two tropical waves in Central and East Pacific have good chance of tropical cyclone formation within next week

The results are in and it again seems time to prepare to batten down the hatches and get storm ready as something wicked this way could be coming.

August 9, 2026 · 4:07 AM

Minor coastal flooding possible through midweek during high tide

A coastal flooding statement will be in effect from noon Aug. 9 through the afternoon of Aug. 11 for southern, southeastern, eastern and northern Big Island shorelines.

August 9, 2026 · 12:10 AM

Incumbents clean up in 2026 Democratic primaries for state and national seats

Outgoing Kaua’i Mayor Derek Kawakami also wins Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, moving on to the Nov. 3 general election in which he will face off against Republican primary winner Daniel Anthony and likely one nonpartisan candidate.

August 8, 2026 · 8:52 PM

Preliminary election results for Hawai‘i County Council show 2 incumbents keeping their seats

The preliminary results also show that four of the nine County Council seats are headed for runoffs in the Nov. 3 general election.

August 8, 2026 · 7:00 PM

Hawai‘i Primary Election Results 2026: Latest Hawai‘i County Vote Totals

BigIslandNow.com provides the latest 2026 Hawai‘i primary election results for Hawai‘i County, including updated vote totals, candidate standings and key race results across Hawai‘i Island.

August 8, 2026 · 3:00 PM

Kaʻū officer honored after apprehending wanted man following foot pursuit

Officer Joshua Flores of Hawaiʻi County has been celebrated for his decisive actions leading to the arrest of a wanted fugitive.

August 8, 2026 · 1:00 PM

Volcano Watch: New research offers clues to Kīlaueaʻs changing lava fountaining heights

Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are tracking changes in Kīlauea’s magma chemistry, which could provide insights into the varying heights of lava fountains and indicate a new period of taller fountains.

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UPCOMING FEATURED EVENTS:

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Mākeke Fridays at Queens' Marketplace

Every Monday · 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

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Farmers Market

Local Entertainment 

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.

August 6, 2026 · 5:00 AM

Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Aug. 7-13: Bake your own baumstriezel, 808 Day, Brain Health Scavenger Hunt, ‘Chegamos’ and more

The unique variety of events happening during the next week around the Big Island features an array of culture, music, history, health, art and more.

August 4, 2026 · 8:00 AM

Made in Hawaiʻi Festival returns in August for 32nd year

Mark your calendars now; tickets go on sale Aug. 1 for what is hyped as what is expected to be the Honolulu festival’s biggest and best year yet.

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Hawai‘i Business 

Puna Rising invites youth, employers to first Puna Youth Career Fair

June 2026 visitor spending, arrivals slightly increase

Made in Hawaiʻi Festival returns in August for 32nd year

Business Monday: Colorful orchids breathe a fresh energy to a new Hilo cafe

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: New research offers clues to Kīlaueaʻs changing lava fountaining heights

August 8, 2026 · 1:00 PM HST

Volcano Watch: A decade of disaster response; mahalo to Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno

July 31, 2026 · 5:00 AM HST

Episode 52 of lava fountaining in ongoing episodic Kīlauea summit eruption ends

July 29, 2026 · 4:15 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 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui Back-to-School Health Fair draws more than 450 families

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui connected more than 450 families with health and wellness resources during its annual Back-to-School Health Fair on July 24 at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului.

South Kīhei Road near Kamaʻole II Beach Park to reopen ahead of schedule on Aug. 11, 2026

After complex repairs from storm damage, South Kīhei Road near Kamaʻole II Beach Park will reopen to traffic on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, according to the County of Maui Department of Public Works. The reopening is ahead of the original completion estimate of this fall.

Gov. Green appoints Danielle Bass to represent Senate District 18

Gov. Josh Green today announced the appointment of Danielle Bass to represent Senate District 18, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of State Sen. Michelle Kidani.

Maui Weather Forecast for August 09, 2026

Light and breezy trades with light showers primarily occurring along windward exposures and higher terrain. A plume of moisture moving south of the islands will...

New DMAPs for Big Island, Kaua‘i, Maui County and O‘ahu focus on hotspots under strain

Maui’s plan prioritized a coordinated approach to the Hāna Highway in East Maui, including community-led stewardship at Keʻanae Peninsula shaped by local and generational knowledge.

Kaua‘i Now 

Bishop Museum to celebrate 50 years of Aloha ʻĀina with Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana

Museum plans series of presentations in honor of the group's half-century and a recommitment to Aloha ʻĀina movement.

Chance of tropical cyclone formation within next week looks good for two tropical waves in Central and East Pacific

The results are in and it's again time to prepare to batten down the hatches and get storm ready as the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center -- along with citizen forecaster and administrator of the Big Island's Puna Weather public Facebook group Harry Durgin -- concur that something wicked this way could be coming.

Coastal flooding statement to be in effect through afternoon of Aug. 11 for parts of Kaua‘i County

Minor coastal flooding is possible for Ni‘ihau and southwestern Kaua‘i shorelines, affecting vulnerable low-lying coastal roadways, docks, boat ramps and other coastal infrastructure.

Kawakami wins 2026 Democratic primary for Hawai‘i lieutenant governor

Otherwise, it was a night during which incumbents cleaned up in other state and federal Democratic primaries.

Rapozo and Carvalho likely to advance to the general election in the race to replace Kawakami as mayor

Current County Council chair Mel Rapozo was the top vote getter in the six candidate field for mayor, garnering 1,441 more votes than second place finisher Bernard Carvalho Jr.