Big Island Now

Photos: Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient interned at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery Community and family members gathered at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday to celebrate Army Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Yano, who was killed in Vietnam in 1969.

Community and family members gathered at West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday to celebrate Army Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Yano, who was killed in Vietnam in 1969.

Mauna Kea observatory reveals closest-ever view of planet-forming disk around young star Using the W.M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, astronomers have taken the closest-ever look at dusty regions where planets form, offering new insight into the earliest stages of planetary birth.

Using the W.M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, astronomers have taken the closest-ever look at dusty regions where planets form, offering new insight into the earliest stages of planetary birth.

Strong winds, low humidity could lead to public safety power shutoffs Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions on Hawai‘i Island.

Hawaiian Electric monitoring wildfire risk conditions on Hawai‘i Island.

#BigIslandNow #BigIslandNews #HawaiianElectric #PublicSafetyPowerShutoffWatch #CloselyMonitoringWeather #IncreasedThreatofWildfireSparking

Change in leadership prompts state to seek applicants for the Public Utilities Commission The Public Utilities Commission regulates all chartered, franchised, certificated and registered public utility companies operating in the state.

The Public Utilities Commission regulates all chartered, franchised, certificated and registered public utility companies operating in the state.

Mana Road fire 65% contained; no residences or structures threatened As of this morning, firebreaks have been cut completely around the burn area.

As of this morning, firebreaks have been cut completely around the burn area.

Register keiki now for WNBA girls basketball season with Hawai‘i County Put on by Hawai‘i County's Parks and Recreation Department, practice for the North Hawai‘i Novice Girls Division Basketball season starts Jan. 5 with games slated for Feb. 3 to March 12.

Put on by Hawai‘i County's Parks and Recreation Department, practice for the North Hawai‘i Novice Girls Division Basketball season starts Jan. 5 with games slated for Feb. 3 to March 12.

Isaac Kepoʻokalani Hale Beach Park to reopen tomorrow County of Hawaiʻi is set to reopen the park on Wednesday, Nov. 12 following the closure for crane dredging at Pohoiki Boat Ramp.

County of Hawaiʻi is set to reopen the park on Wednesday, Nov. 12 following the closure for crane dredging at Pohoiki Boat Ramp.

Mom’s wish comes true: Her son killed in Vietnam will be buried on Big Island — on Veterans Day Retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Hussey said Army Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Yano will be the first Medal of Honor recipient to be interned at the West Hawai‘i Veterans Cemetery in Kona.

Retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Hussey and past commander of the Kona American Legion and past state commander, said Rodney Yano will be the first Medal of Honor recipient to be interned at the veterans cemetery in Kona.

Construction on the Keaʻau-Mountain View Public Library begins this week The new public library will meet the needs of the growing Puna population with accessible, standalone library services and innovative spaces for learning and community events.

The new public library will meet the needs of the growing Puna population with accessible, standalone library services and innovative spaces for learning and community events.

Five programs available to keiki during winter break this year Parents and guardians can begin registering keiki for Hawaiʻi County's 2025 Winter Fun Program on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Parents and guardians can begin registering keiki for Hawaiʻi County's 2025 Winter Fun Program on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Hitchhiking skunk captured at Hilo Harbor last Friday After evading capture for a day, a live skunk was apprehended by agriculture inspectors at Hilo Harbor and then for rabies last Friday.

After evading capture for a day, a live skunk was apprehended by agriculture inspectors at Hilo Harbor and then for rabies last Friday.

Hawai‘i Island police seek public help finding female suspect in Hilo business theft The incident occurred on the 00 block of East Puainako Street in Hilo on Oct. 3. Video surveillance images of the woman were captured at the business.

The incident occurred on the 00 block of East Puainako Street in Hilo on Oct. 3. Video surveillance images of the woman were captured at the business.

Batches of ByHeart Inc. infant formula recalled for potential, harmful contamination Batches of infant formula by ByHeart Inc., which is distributed nationwide, has been recalled due to potential Clostridium botulinum contamination, which could cause serious health risks for infants.

Batches of infant formula by ByHeart Inc., which is distributed nationwide, has been recalled due to potential Clostridium botulinum contamination, which could cause serious health risks for infants.

Surveillance footage at Hilo store captures images of theft suspects On Oct. 11, on the 300 block of Keawe Street, surveillance store footage captured images of two men inside the establishment before the theft.

On Oct. 11, on the 300 block of Keawe Street, surveillance store footage captured images of two men inside the establishment before the theft.

Police seek help in search of missing, endangered man Police search for Darius Kanekoa-Gentzler, 26, who was last seen in Volcano the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Police search for Darius Kanekoa-Gentzler, 26, who was last seen in Volcano the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Puna man charged with attempted sexual assault Adonis Higa was arrested and charged in relation to a sexual assault incident that occurred in Hawaiian Paradise Park last week.

Adonis Higa was arrested and charged in relation to a sexual assault incident that occurred in Hawaiian Paradise Park last week.

Brown water advisory for Hilo Bay, Hāmākua Avoid entering Hilo Bay and the Hāmākua coast due to potentially hazardous stormwater runoff containing pollution like sewage or pesticides.

Avoid entering Hilo Bay and the Hāmākua coast due to potentially hazardous stormwater runoff containing pollution like sewage or pesticides.

Big Island resort partnering with Food Basket to hold ‘Ohana Food Drop The food drop will offer fresh produce, pantry staples, and other essential food items to local families in need ahead of the holiday season.

The food drop will offer fresh produce, pantry staples, and other essential food items to local families in need ahead of the holiday season.

Four legendary ocean athletes inducted into Hawaiʻi Waterman Hall of Fame The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation honored surfing pioneers Rochelle Ballard and Patti Paniccia, and paddling champions Johnny "Johnny Mac" McCandless and Lauren Spalding.

The Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation honored surfing pioneers Rochelle Ballard and Patti Paniccia, and paddling champions Johnny "Johnny Mac" McCandless and Lauren Spalding.

#HawaiiWatermanHallofFame

Business Monday: Tiki Turtle Cafe thrives with enthusiastic employees, new menu Tiki Turtle Café in Hilo is more than just a good spot for lunch; it’s a vibrant training ground where young adults with disabilities are learning valuable work skills that empower them to reach new heights.

Tiki Turtle Café in Hilo is more than just a good spot for lunch; it’s a vibrant training ground where young adults with disabilities are learning valuable work skills that empower them to reach new heights.

Native Hawaiians impacted by federal shutdown can seek emergency aid with Hawaiian Council This $6.1 million in emergency funding is designed to reach Native Hawaiian households who are most at risk and may not qualify for other state or federal assistance.

There now is $6.1 million in emergency funding available for Native Hawaiian households that are most at risk and may not qualify for other state or federal assistance.

#OHA
#HawaiianCouncil

Hawaiʻi Community College’s auto body program drives workforce since 1966 The program has graduated nearly 1,000 technicians, with a notable rise in women’s enrollment.

Hawaiʻi Community College's Auto Body Repair and Painting Program, the only one in the University of Hawaiʻi community college system, carries on a legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and career readiness that began in 1966.

#HawaiiCommunityCollege
#HCC

Fire hydrant flow test is scheduled for South Hilo this week A fire hydrant flow test for E.B. deSilva Elementary School may affect customers along ʻĀinako Avenue, from Pōhaku to Kōula streets from 10 to 11 p.m. Wednesday.

A fire hydrant flow test for E.B. deSilva Elementary School may affect customers along ʻĀinako Avenue, from Pōhaku to Kōula streets from 10 to 11 p.m. Wednesday.

High surf advisory tonight through 6 a.m. Tuesday for north shores of Big Island A moderate to large north-northeast swell is expected to fill in late tonight through Monday increasing surf heights to 14 to 18 feet.

The National Weather Service is issuing a high surf advisory for north-facing shores of the Big Island, beginning Sunday at midnight and lasting until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

#BigIslandhighsurfadvisory

Trump administration demands states, including Hawaiʻi, ‘undo’ full SNAP benefits paid for November Hawaiʻi was one of several states to make the SNAP payments for November before the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily paused two rulings ordering emergency funds be used for the food program during the federal shutdown.

In the ongoing saga over food funds used by 42 million low-income Americans, President Donald Trump’s administration now is demanding states “undo” the full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits paid out Friday.

#SNAPbenefits
#SNAP

Brush fire off Mana Road 50% contained with 2,100 acres burned While the fire continues to burn, Mana Road remains closed, but Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) still is open.

A brush fire off of Mana Road that began Friday and has burned about 2,023 acres now is 25% contained, according to the Hawaiʻi Fire Department.

Kīlauea erupting again with lava fountains 500 feet high Episode 36 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption on Kīlauea began at 11:15 a.m on Nov. 9 and is currently fountaining from both the north and south vents.

Episode 36 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption on Kīlauea on the Big Island began at 11:15 a.m on Sunday and is currently fountaining from both the north and south vents.

#Kilaueaerupting

70-year-old arrested for murder after running over 64-year-old with his white van in Hilo The witnesses told police the driver of a white van arrived in a parking lot along on Kamehameha Avenue and approached the victim while holding a knife.

A 70-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of a 64-year-old man, who was run over by a white van earlier this month in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island police said.

Sen. Hirono co-introduces SAFE Act to block federal layoffs during government shutdowns The proposed Securing Assurance for Federal Employees Act would bar layoffs during a lapse in federal appropriations and reverse any such actions taken during the current government shutdown.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono from Hawaiʻi has co-introduced legislation called the SAFE Act that would prohibit the federal government from conducting layoffs during a government shutdown and reverse any such actions during the current shutdown.

#federalgovernmentshutdon
#MazieHirono

Waikōloa teenager joining Antarctica expedition with polar explorer Robert Swan College student Eric Pōmaika‘i Gee of Waikōloa leaves at the end of the month for Chile, the starting point for the the Ice Station Antarctica Expedition to Union Glacier, 600 miles from the South Pole.

in 20 days, 19-year-old Gee of Waikōloa will be joining legendary polar explorer Robert Swan on an expedition to Antarctica to show the world why it is a critical resource that needs to be protected.