Hawaiʻi Island

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached a consent decree with Hawai’i County on its aging sewage system, including the Hilo treatment plant. We sat down with EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman to talk about the dismal state of the facility.

The Conversation talked to Finn McCall, an engineer with the Boating and Ocean Recreation Division, about the state of Big Island facilities.

The impact of Hawaiʻi Island's feral cat colonies on the endangered nēnē population has been a hot topic recently. The Conversation reached out to the Kona-based nonprofit Aloha Animal Oasis. Its goal is to humanely reduce the number of feral cats on the Big Island.

Big Island math teacher Rory Inouye won the Milken Educator Award this year for his work at Waiākea High School. Inouye, like all candidates, was unaware he was submitted for the award. The Conversation's Catherine Cruz spoke with some of Inouye's toughest reviewers — his students — about his passion for helping them succeed.

Today, The Conversation broadcasts live from Hilo with stories focusing on the Big Island community.

A new study by University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo researcher Maria Steadmon looks at bacteria levels at six of Hilo's popular swimming and surfing spots.

The exhibit “Whorl” captures the essence of humans and nature through book sculptures at East Hawai‘i Cultural Center in Hilo until May 31.

A recent report from the Hawaiʻi attorney general on firearm registrations in the state contained some puzzling numbers. The Conversation spoke with Hawaiʻi County Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz, who was also surprised by the report.

Kahaluʻu Beach Park on the west side of Hawaiʻi Island will temporarily close starting Thursday to allow for coral spawning. The public won’t be able to swim, snorkel or surf in the bay, which is home to a coral reef ecosystem.

Elected officials, health experts and others celebrated the groundbreaking of construction and renaming of the Straub Benioff Medical Center, following a $100 million donation from tech billionaire and philanthropist Marc Benioff.