Hawaiʻi Island

Crews are searching for coconut rhinoceros beetle breeding sites in the Kona area, where about two dozen of the invasive beetles have been found since first being discovered there in March.

A teacher on Hawaiʻi Island led her students on weekly field trips, rediscovered a native species, and was recently recognized by the state for her work on biodiversity awareness. But the program that made it possible may be going away.

Agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, have stepped up arrests of immigrant workers around the country in an effort to fulfill one of the president’s campaign promises.

The Mālama Da Farmer Grants represent the island’s first grant program, which was funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act to provide relief from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following an outcry from local farmers, Gov. Josh Green announced his intention to veto a labeling bill that would have affected māmaki sold in Hawaiʻi. As part of a broader, years-long trend to protect local farmers, consumers and the “Hawai'i-grown” label, state lawmakers introduced House Bill 496 and let it sail through this year’s legislative session.

A new lifeguard tower has been installed at Kohanaiki Beach Park thanks to community advocacy. Resident Rachel Able advocated for the tower after her daughter sustained injuries while surfing and died in November 2022.

State Sen. Tim Richards has an idea for a new hydropower project. He pitched it to the attendees at a Waimea community town hall meeting last week.

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers passed a $950 million budget for the county, but denied a last-minute amendment to spend $2 million on food security programs. The administration says no plan was attached to that funding, leading the council to vote against the amendment five to three.

The lava flows remained quiet at Kīlauea on Tuesday morning, but recent spectacular eruptions have highlighted a new challenge. As the summer visitor season gets into full swing, changes are on the way to solve traffic gridlock. HPR contributor Betsy Brown has more from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

The Thirty Meter Telescope planned for Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island has an uncertain future due to a decision to direct limited funds toward the development of a project in Chile.