NTSB releases preliminary findings on Airborne Aviation helicopter crash that killed 3, seriously injured 2 on Kauai’s North Shore The preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board did not provide a cause of the crash, but said the pilot reported severe vibrations and loss of directional control while making a turn.

New details from federal investigators reveal a violent midair emergency before the Airborne Aviation Tours helicopter crashed off Kauaʻi, killing three.

#NTSB
#AirborneAviationTours
#HelicopterCrashupdate
#BigIslandNow

Waimea to host 3-day art fair featuring ‘Signs of Spring’ contest Discover the vibrant world of local art at the Big Island Art Fair in Waimea, taking place April 23 to 25 at Kahilu Town Hall.

Check out the "Signs of Spring" art contest and help choose this yearʻs winner at the Big Island Art Fair in Waimea.

#BigIslandArtFair
#SignsofSpring
#BigIslandNow

Hawaiʻi Coffee Association works on strategic plan, welcomes new executive director Abigail Munoz with Monarch Coffee was unanimously elected by the board, "and she was absolutely the right person for this role," said Hawaiʻi Coffee Association President Ryson Nakamasu.

Abigail Munoz with Monarch Coffee was unanimously elected by the board, "and she was absolutely the right person for this role," said Hawaiʻi Coffee Association President Ryson Nakamasu.

#HawaiiCoffeeAssociation #StrategicPlanning #NewExecutiveDirector #HelpDriveStrategicPlanningInitiativesForward

Temporary waiver allows SNAP users to purchase hot food for next four weeks In response to the March 2026 Kona Low weather events, the USDA has approved a temporary waiver allowing Hawaiʻi's SNAP users to purchase hot foods until May 16.

In response to the March 2026 Kona Low weather events, the USDA has approved a temporary waiver allowing Hawaiʻi's SNAP users to purchase hot foods until May 16.

Kanakaʻole, Zane ʻohana transform Hawaiian cultural practices into captivating visual arts Bishop Museum on Oʻahu will feature the works of Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, whose creative practices are deeply rooted in hula ʻaihaʻa.

Bishop Museum on Oʻahu will feature the works of Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, whose creative practices are deeply rooted in hula ʻaihaʻa.

22 lane closures scheduled during week of April 18-24 on Big Island state roadways Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

#HawaiiDepartmentofTransporation #LaneClosures #RoadWork #WeatherPermitting #BigIslandStateRoadways

Big Island Now news briefs for April 18: National Native Plant Month, Jams World 2026 Chat Collection, Grace to retire A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.

A quick look at news happening throughout the island, state and nation.

#NewsBriefs #NationalNativePlantMonth #USSenMazieHirono #JamsWorld #2026ChatCollection #HawaiianHumaneSociety #PolynesianCulturalCenter #GracetoRetire

Hawai‘i County firefighters doing water drops on brush fire in Kona As of 3:17 p.m., 20 to 25 firefighters were on scene, and chopper crews were still conducting water drops on the blaze that has burned approximately 4 to 5 acres.

As of 3:17 p.m., 20 to 25 firefighters were on scene and chopper crews were still conducting water drops on the blaze that has burned approximately 4 to 5 acres.

#brushfire
#hawaiifiredepartment

Visitor arrested, charged in relation to stabbing incident on a 3-hour snorkel tour Passengers onboard a vessel restrained Avery Nissen, 21, after he reportedly stabbed the captain of a boat while on a 3-hour snorkel tour.

Passengers onboard a vessel restrained Avery Nissen, 21, after he reportedly stabbed the captain of a boat while on a 3-hour snorkel tour.

Big Island Spring Classic happening this weekend at Waikōloa Beach and Golf Resort Keiki will be coming throughout the state to compete on Hawai‘i Island.

Keiki will be coming throughout the state to compete on Hawai‘i Island.

#hawaiicounty #sjga #statejuniorgolfassociation #waikoloabeachresortgolf

Relief available to Hawai‘i businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by Kona low storms These loans are in response to the Presidential disaster declaration issued on April 7, which covers Physical Damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster loans.

These loans are in response to the Presidential disaster declaration issued on April 7, which covers Physical Damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster loans.

#hawaiicounty
#sba
smallbusinessadministration
#konalow

Hawaiʻi County Department of Environmental Management outlines its budget for council The Hawaiʻi County Council reviewed the Department of Environmental Management's proposed $95.5 million budget amidst concerns over unfilled positions and funds not used from the previous year.

The Hawaiʻi County Council reviewed the Department of Environmental Management's proposed $95.5 million budget amidst concerns over unfilled positions and funds not used from the previous year.

#HawaiiCountyCouncilbudget
#BigIslandwastewater

Big Island man sentenced to 40 years after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting 2 teen girls The 45-year-old pleaded guilty in July 2025 to two counts of first-degree promotion of child abuse and four counts of first-degree sexual assault.

The 45-year-old pleaded guilty in July 2025 to two counts of first-degree promotion of child abuse and four counts of first-degree sexual assault.

#hawaiicounty
#josephtibbs
hawaiicountyprosecutingattorney

Hawai‘i State Attorney General urges residents to verify charities when donating to Kona low disaster efforts The Tax and Charities Division within the Department of the Attorney General is reminding the public to carefully research before donating to or creating fundraising events.

The Tax and Charities Division within the Department of the Attorney General is reminding the public to carefully research before donating to or creating fundraising events.

#crowdfunding
#konalow
#hawaiicounty
#disasterfunding

Centralized paid parking system starting at Hilo courthouse Friday Parking at the Hilo courthouse will cost $1 per hour, with a minimum payment of $1.

Parking at the Hilo courthouse will cost $1 per hour, with a minimum payment of $1.

#hilocourthouse
#hawaiistatejudiciary
#hawaiicounty

Big Island’s top student readers test their memory, teamwork in annual Quiz Bowl "The Quiz Bowl was created for kids that have reading tattooed on their forehead," said David Giff, chair of the Heluhelu Quiz Bowl steering committee. "They are avid readers who happen to be quite competitive.

The Big Island's top student readers embark on a test of memory and teamwork as the fifth annual Heluhelu Quiz Bowl kicks off today at 9:30 a.m. in Waimea's Kahilu Town Hall.

This is what Hawaiʻi County public safety departments proposed for their new budgets Budget discussions before Hawai‘i County Council continue today with several departments outlining their priorities, including Parks and Recreation, Office of Aging and Environmental Management.

What are the Hawaiʻi County public safety departments requesting for their fiscal year 2026-27 budgets?

#HawaiiCountybudget
#HawaiiCounty
#BigIslandNow

#hawaiicounty
#hawaiicounycouncil
#budgetcycle

Federal aid unlocked for Hawaiʻi following severe Kona low storms As FEMA collaborates with state and county officials, residents are urged to apply for assistance by June 7 to gain access to essential support and resources.

As FEMA collaborates with state and county officials, residents are urged to apply for assistance by June 7 to gain access to essential support and resources.

Gov. Green appoints Michael Ratcliffe to fill House vacancy Michael "Cov" Ratcliffe is now serving as the state representative for House District 28, filling a vacancy left by former Rep. Daniel Holt.

Michael "Cov" Ratcliffe is now serving as the state representative for House District 28, filling a vacancy left by former Rep. Daniel Holt.

National Park Service seeks public input about property along historic trail in South Kona A long-term plan is being created for the 95-acre Kauleolī Unit of the Ala Kahaki National Historic Trail along the South Kona coast.

Community members are invited to weigh in on the future of Kauleolī, a 95-acre property that is part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.

#NPS
#BigIslandNow
#AlaKahakaiNationalHistoricTrail
#KauleoliUnit

Hawai‘i County Council begins budget discussions for upcoming fiscal year Hawaiʻi County budget discussions continue throughout the week before the County Council, with each department explaining their proposed funding needs.

Budget discussions continue throughout the week where Hawai‘i County Council will hear from department heads about their funding needs.

#hawaiicountycouncil
#countybudget
#hawaiicounty

Art exhibit explores Mauna Loa as more than a geological structure "36 Views of Mauna Loa” uses a diverse range of art mediums to explore the volcano and will be on display at the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center until Friday, June 12.

"36 Views of Mauna Loa” uses a diverse range of art mediums to explore the volcano and will be on display at the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center until Friday, June 12.

County of Hawaiʻi wellness event to celebrate public health, community volunteers A wellness celebration in Hilo will bring together National Public Health Week, National Volunteer Week, and the Mayor's Health Challenge Legacy on Friday, April 24.

A wellness celebration in Hilo will bring together National Public Health Week, National Volunteer Week, and the Mayor's Health Challenge Legacy on Friday, April 24.

What word did Kauaʻi student spell to be crowned Hawaiʻi spelling bee champion? The Hawaiʻi Technology Academy student earned a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.

Ethan Irimata, a student at Hawai‘i Technology Academy in Līhuʻe, won the 2026 Scripps Hawai‘i State Spelling Bee.

#ScrippsHawaiiStateSpellingBee
#SpellingBee
#BigIslandNow

2 new members appointed to University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents, pending Senate confirmation The Board of Regents is responsible for overseeing the 10-campus UH system, including policy direction, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning.

The Board of Regents is responsible for overseeing the 10-campus UH system, including policy direction, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning.

#universityofhawaii #boardofregents #senateconfirmation

Big Island man indicted on attempted murder charge pleads not guilty in Kona court, posts bail Charges stem from incidents that occurred in 2023 and 2024 when the suspect assaulted a former girlfriend, according to Hawai‘i Island police.

On Monday, the 66-year-old appeared for his arraignment in Kona's Third Circuit Court, where he entered a not guilty plea.

#attemptedmurder
#thirdcircuitcourt
#hawaiipolicedepartment

Big Island nonprofit gifts two Big Dog Tanker Trucks to Maui Fire Department These trucks join Maui's fleet after the department lost four trucks in the Lahaina and Kula fires of August 2023.

These trucks join Maui's fleet after the department lost four trucks in the Lahaina and Kula fires of August 2023.

#sayrefoundation
#wildlandtankertruck
#mauifiredepartment
#hawaiicounty

Coast Guard cutter restores tsunami warning system during Pacific Patrol The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry has returned to Guam after a 29-day mission in the western Pacific, enhancing tsunami warning capabilities and delivering essential humanitarian aid.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry has returned to Guam after a 29-day mission in the western Pacific, enhancing tsunami warning capabilities and delivering essential humanitarian aid.

#USGS
#BigIslandNow

Hawai‘i Community Foundation accepting applications for grants supporting Waimea community Eligible applicants are those based in Waimea.

The online application deadline is May 1 at 4 p.m.

#hawaiicommunityfoundation
#richardsmartfund
#grants

Tephra Information Center reopens in Volcano Tephra is volcanic debris caused by the eruption of Kīlauea.

The eruption of Kīlauea is currently paused.