Latest News
Grounded sailboat removed from Honolua Bay after two-month ordeal
By Big Island Times | Mar 15, 2025
The 65-foot catamaran Hula Girl, which had been stranded at Maui's Honolua-Mokulē‘ia Marine Life Conservation District for nearly two months, has been successfully removed.
Hirono announces opposition to House Republican continuing resolution
By Big Island Times | Mar 14, 2025
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono from Hawaii has announced her decision to vote against the House Republican continuing resolution (CR) and its related cloture vote.
Senate passes resolution honoring National Board Certified Teachers
By Big Island Times | Mar 14, 2025
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that a bipartisan resolution recognizing the contributions of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) has passed the Senate.
Federal judge blocks mass layoffs; orders reinstatement for probationary employees
By Big Island Times | Mar 14, 2025
Attorney General Anne Lopez announced that a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing 18 federal agencies from conducting mass layoffs of probationary employees.
Heʻeia State Park banquet hall reopens under new management
By Big Island Times | Mar 14, 2025
The Heʻeia State Park banquet hall has reopened after being closed for a month due to the cancellation of a lease with the nonprofit Kama‘aina Care, Inc. The facility, which has been managed by partners with the DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP)...
Hawai‘i reports steady unemployment rate at three percent for January
By Big Island Times | Mar 14, 2025
The Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) has reported that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January remained at 3.0 percent.
Hawai'i seeks engineers amid federal layoffs
By Big Island Times | Mar 13, 2025
The state of Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is actively seeking engineers and building construction inspectors across various experience levels.
Hawaii's crackdown on illegal fireworks leads to prosecution and charges
By Big Island Times | Mar 13, 2025
The Department of the Attorney General in Honolulu has concluded prosecutions against two men involved in the sale of illegal aerial fireworks.
Attorneys general sue Trump administration over plans to dismantle education department
By Big Island Times | Mar 13, 2025
Attorney General Anne Lopez, representing a coalition of 21 attorneys general, has initiated legal action against the Trump administration.
Lawmakers urge HHS Secretary Kennedy for immediate action on measles outbreak
By Big Island Times | Mar 13, 2025
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senator Ben Ray Lujan and 11 other colleagues, has urged Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to take immediate action against the spread of measles in the United States.
Senators press HUD for timely release of $3.6 billion in homelessness funding
By Big Island Times | Mar 13, 2025
U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, alongside Senators Adam Schiff, Tina Smith, and 12 other colleagues, has called on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to expedite the distribution of $3.6 billion in federal funds intended for...
Record-low stream flows prompt concerns over Hawaii's drought impact
By Big Island Times | Mar 13, 2025
Hawaii is facing severe drought conditions as streams in Maui and Kaua'i experience record-low flows, according to recent observations.
Hawai'i extends interisland bird transport pause amid avian flu concerns
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), alongside the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), has decided to extend a voluntary pause on the interisland transport of poultry and other bird species...
Former business manager pleads guilty for failing to file tax returns
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
On March 5, 2025, Frederick K. Kamaka, Jr., the former business manager of Kamaka Hawaiʻi, Inc., entered a guilty plea before Judge Erika Ireland.
DOH warns of possible listeria in MYY Trade Co. enoki mushrooms
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has issued a public alert concerning enoki mushrooms from the MYY Trade Co. brand due to potential contamination with listeria monocytogenes.
Hawai'i authorities charge business owner with tax violations
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
In Honolulu, Nenita Mauricio was arrested following investigations by the Hawaiʻi Department of Taxation (DOTAX) and the Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General.
Coalition urges Supreme Court to uphold Medicaid recipients' right to choose providers
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
Attorney General Anne Lopez, along with a coalition of 17 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a lower court's decision affirming Medicaid recipients' right to choose their healthcare providers,...
Hawaiʻi agency launches new app for child support case management
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
The Department of the Attorney General's Hawaiʻi Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) has introduced a new mobile app and updated its web portal to improve services for clients managing child support cases.
Hirono and Sullivan propose REP VA Act for rural state call centers
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono and Dan Sullivan have introduced the Representing VA with Accuracy (REP VA) Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at enhancing support for veterans in rural states such as Alaska and Hawaii.
Hirono criticizes Trump's decision affecting Department of Education staff
By Big Island Times | Mar 12, 2025
Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono criticized President Donald Trump's decision to terminate nearly 1,300 employees at the Department of Education (ED), effectively reducing its workforce by half.