Hawaiʻi Island

Competition kicked off Thursday night at the 2025 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo with the soloist competition. Thirteen contestants competed for the title of Miss Aloha Hula, including Jaedyn Pavao, who represented Kauaʻi's only hālau in this year's festival. HPR contributor Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has more.

John Letoto, the founder of Kalo & Cream, spoke with HPR's Maddie Bender about how his small business has been preparing for the Merrie Monarch Hawaiian Arts and Crafts Fair.

The 62nd annual Merrie Monarch hula competition has kicked off, and it's been celebrating traditional hula and Hawaiian culture for decades. Many hālau emphasize upholding that tradition. But a growing number of hālau are mixing a bit of modern touches into their performances.

Maunakea has been federally recognized as a traditional cultural property. Since being put on the National Register of Historic Places, federal agencies and private entities seeking funding or permits must now address the potential impacts of their proposals on the mountain.

As Hilo prepares for the Merrie Monarch Festival to reconvene on April 20, here's what to expect during the week-long festivities. HPR's Hannah Kaʻiulani Coburn has more.

If you've flown in and out of the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport recently, you may have seen the beginning of what’s to be a very large stained glass mural. HPR was invited into the studio of mosaic artist Calley O’Neill on a recent trip to Waimea.

Hawaiʻi County council members are questioning whether big investments in mass transit make sense on the state's largest island. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports.

The Big Island takes in roughly $937 million in revenue, the majority of which comes from property taxes. On top of routine expenses, the county is facing significant costs for repairs to its aging wastewater infrastructure.

Hawaiʻi County wants to move around some federal funds in order to pay for a Waikoloa evacuation study. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote has more.

Hū Honua and Hawaiian Electric headed back to federal court Monday. Hū Honua first filed its lawsuit against HECO almost a decade ago, alleging antitrust actions and a breach of contract.