Hawaii County will join Maui and Kaua'i tomorrow in discouraging the use of plastic checkout bags.  In a year, you won't be able to even find plastic bags at checkouts on the Big Island...and in the meantime, it will cost you.  From Hawaii Island, HPR's Sherry Bracken tells us more.

It's been nearly two years since a massive earthquake and tsunami struck northern Japan.  Debris from that disaster is now slowly starting to wash up on Hawaii's shores.  Scientists are keeping a close eye on what happens next.  HPR's Sherry Bracken has more from Hawaii Island.

Hawaii Island's economy is gradually improving, but it still has a lot of catching up to do to match other parts of the state.  At the depth of the economic slump, unemployment rose above 10 percent and hotel occupancy slipped more than on other islands.  As the economy slowly picks up speed, one business organization is focused on pushing growth even faster.  From the Big I

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi is starting his second four year term.  Following a close election, his first order of business now is the county budget.  It's a project he talked about with HPR's Sherry Bracken.

The new Hawaii County Council is having its first meetings of the year today and tomorrow in Hilo.  The new chair and vice chair of the Council sat down with HPR's Sherry Bracken to talk about the year ahead.