2,000-plus expected to gather for 2026 Native Hawaiian Convention on Oʻahu

The 150 members of UNITE HERE Local 5 on the Big Island resort's staff have worked without a contract since February 2025; they are asking their employer to negotiate with them on a contract that respects their work and wages while keeping up with the rising cost of living.

Those who attend will learn about ongoing planning efforts, connect with members of the working group and provide valuable feedback to inform future plans for one of West Hawaiʻi's most treasured coastal resources.

The result is a peaceful, joyful demonstration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today (July 18) on Kamehameha Avenue along Hilo Bayfront, across the road from the soccer fields; also honors life and legacy of civil rights activist and lawmaker John Lewis.

Both festivals celebrate different cultures from the around the island, including Hawaiian, agricultural and Japanese; promise unique, family-friendly fun for the entire family.

Following legislation and efforts led by Hawai‘i US Brian Schatz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the US Department of Health and Human Services announced that it will begin the process to increase the amount that hospitals in Hawai‘i can be reimbursed by Medicare for outpatient care.

The easiest answer to the question of whether lava will flow out of the caldera is — it depends!

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is downlisting the aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The aeʻo was originally listed as endangered in 1970 due to destruction and alteration of habitat, hunting, introduced predatory animals and nonnative birds, and diseases.   

Married Maui boat captains Chrissy Lovitt and Emma Nelson, who used their vessel to pull fire survivors from the water during the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire, are being featured as contestants on NBC's game show "The Wall," where they will share their story with a national audience while competing for a cash prize of up to $12 million.