News from May 2021


Ironman 70.3 Hawaii 'offers competitors a beautiful venue' on Saturday, June 5

Mark the date: Saturday, June 5, is this year's Ironman 70.3 Hawaii.


Kilauea volcano is no longer erupting and alert level is lowered from 'watch' to 'advisory'

The recently released geological status of the Kilauea volcano confirmed that it is no longer erupting.


Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist on May 23 earthquake: 'Aftershocks are possible and could be felt'

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake located under Kilauea Volcano's south flank was recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO); it happened May 23 at 11:41 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time.


Hawaii allows ocean sports to resume in June: 'They are a part of our culture and a way of life'

Gov. David Ige has announced that surfing tournaments and other ocean sports competitions will finally be allowed to resume beginning in June; ocean sports had been suspended as a precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Ige: Lifting Hawaii's outdoor mask mandate is the 'right next step' as vaccinations continue

Gov. David Ige has taken a leap towards a more normal pre-pandemic way of life by lifting mask requirements outdoors, allowing ocean sports and announcing that several counties in Hawaii are on track to have fewer pandemic restrictions for businesses and social gatherings.


Thomas "Pake" Sadao Oishi

Thomas “Pake” Sadao Oishi, 78, of Hilo, died May 21, 2021, at Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Care Center.


Milton "Pettoe" Hoalulu Kala'i

Milton “Pettoe” Hoalulu Kala’i, 70, of Hilo, died on Sunday, May 16, 2021 in Waimanalo, Hawaii.


Stephen Worth Wolfgang

Stephen Worth Wolfgang, 89, of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, died May 16, 2021, surrounded by his family at the Kona Community Hospital.


Bryan Takeo Asato

Mr. Bryan Takeo Asato, age 44, of Hilo, Hawaii, died May 14, 2021 in the Hawaii Care Choices Pohai Malama Facility in Hilo.


Janet Sachiko Mukai

Mrs. Janet Sachiko Mukai, age 89, of Hilo, Hawaii, died April 27, 2021 in the Life Care Center of Hilo.



Big Island Times area weekly mass times

The following parishes in the Big Island Times coverage area hold weekly mass at these designated times.


Hawaii tourism and government officials concerned legislation will give state 'highest lodging taxes in the nation'

Hawaii's hotel tax could increase by nearly 30% if House Bill 862 (HB 862) is passed, allowing the state's four counties to increase fees and possibly weaken the state's hotel industry.



VA Pacific Islands HCS facility in Hilo scheduled 1,992 medical appointments in October 2020

The VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, subsidiary 459GB in Hilo, Hawaii, scheduled 1,992 pending appointments during the period ending November 1, according to data collected from the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.



Startup Symbrosia applies seaweed solution to tackle methane climate challenge

Kailua-Kona startup company Symbrosia says the use of seaweed can reduce livestock methane.


Inventories in communication equipment industry fall 0.4 percent in February

Inventories for businesses in the communication equipment industry decrease by 22 million, or 0.4 percent, to 5.2 billion in February, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.



Inventories in durable goods excluding defense industry climb 0.7 percent in February

Inventories for businesses in the durable goods excluding defense industry increase by 2.6 billion, or 0.7 percent, to 401.7 billion in February, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.