Tomorrow night begins the first night of competition for the week-long Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo.  From Hawaii Island, HPR's Sherry Bracken gives us an update on some of the festival's most challenging aspects.

Hawaii agriculture officials say that in the 1970’s, there were 120 milk operations around the state. Today, there are only two. And they’re both on the big island of Hawaii. HPR's Sherry Bracken has more.

According to a recent report by the state, the number of cattle raised in Hawaii decreased steadily for about thirty years, starting in 1970. There’s been a bit of an increase since about 2002, and today cattle are raised on each of the major islands. But on Hawaii Island, the industry is facing some challenges to its growth. HPR’s Sherry Bracken reports.

Hawaii Island will be getting more than $100 million dollars in airport upgrades.  That word came from a state official who says most of the work will be done in Kona.  HPR's Sherry Bracken has more on the story.

Two years ago Keauhou Bay was slammed by the tsunami.  Waves in the bay destroyed, among other things, three commercial properties at Keauhou Pier.  Now, only one of those businesses is back in operation.  HPR's Sherry Bracken talked to the commercial operators and to the property's owner, and has the story.