Big Island

16 Stories

Missing Fisherman's Last Words: 'This Fish Is Huge'

Mark Knittle's friend says he hooked the fish, then went overboard

(Newser) - Rescuers searched for a third day Tuesday for a Hawaii fisherman who went overboard from a boat after hooking a tuna over the weekend, authorities said. Mark Knittle, 63, of Captain Cook, was fishing with a friend off Honaunau on the Big Island on Sunday around 5am when he hooked...

Woman Missing After Possible Shark Attack
In Hawaii, a 2nd
Shark Attack in 5 Days
UPDATED

In Hawaii, a 2nd Shark Attack in 5 Days

Man is recovering after bite to the rear; search has ended for other presumed victim

(Newser) - A man in Hawaii has reportedly survived a shark bite to the butt in what's believed to be the second attack in the state in a week. The 68-year-old from Waikoloa used a diving knife to fend off the 12-foot-long tiger shark as he swam in Anaehoomalu Bay, on...

A Sleeping Giant Awakes, With Plenty of Spectators

Lava is flowing from Hawaii's Mauna Loa volcano, now erupting after a 38-year sleep

(Newser) - The world's largest volcano oozed rivers of glowing lava Wednesday, drawing thousands of awestruck viewers who jammed a Hawaii highway that could soon be covered by the flow. Mauna Loa awoke from its 38-year slumber Sunday, causing volcanic ash and debris to drift down from the sky. A main...

Unwashed Produce May Have Led to Rat Lungworm Parasite

Hawaii has 5 cases so far this year

(Newser) - Rat lungworm disease has again reared its ugly head in Hawaii, specifically the Big Island, where five people have fallen ill this year. None are quite sure how they were infected with the parasitic worm, though one traveler recalls "eating many homemade salads" on a trip, while another had...

Soldier Climbs Over Railing, Falls Into Volcano

32-year-old survived, landing on narrow ledge in Kilauea caldera

(Newser) - The chief ranger of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is warning visitors to "never cross safety barriers, especially around dangerous and destabilized cliff edges," after a soldier did just that—and fell into the Kilauea volcano's caldera. The 32-year-old, reportedly on the Big Island for training exercises, had...

Hawaii Manhunt Underway After Cop Killed Near Lava Zone

Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa first officer to be fatally shot on Big Island

(Newser) - A suspect wanted in the killing of the first police officer to be fatally shot on Hawaii's Big Island likely remains hidden on the mostly rural eastern side of the vast island, authorities said Thursday. A manhunt has been underway since Justin Waiki allegedly shot and killed Officer Bronson...

Man Hit by Lava Bomb: 'It's Just Been Amazing'

Darryl Clinton was defending homes in the neighborhood at the time

(Newser) - Darryl Clinton seemed confident in his lava-dodging abilities Friday as he showed reporters how to avoid chunks of molten rock spewing from a fissure near homes in the Pahoa area of Hawaii's Big Island. Given the arcing trajectory of the rock, "it's almost like catching a football,...

Hawaii Declares Emergency as Massive Volcano Erupts

Big Island neighborhood evacuated

(Newser) - Hawaii's Kilauea volcano has erupted, prompting Gov. David Ige to declare a state of emergency and activate the National Guard. Soldiers have been called in to assist with the mandatory evacuation of the Leilani Estates neighborhood in the Puna district of Big Island, which is in danger of being...

Couple Swept Away in Hawaii River
Couple Swept Away
in Hawaii River

Couple Swept Away in Hawaii River

Gladys Novinger dead, husband still missing

(Newser) - Tragedy struck on a trip to Hawaii that was meant to be an early Christmas present from former US diplomat George Novinger to his wife, Gladys. The prominent San Diego couple were swept away Saturday as they tried to cross the Wailuku River above Rainbow Falls in a state park...

Hawaiians Block $1.4B Telescope Project on Sacred Land

At least temporarily; Board says it will break ground 'when issue is resolved'

(Newser) - Hundreds of protesters on a Hawaii mountain road erupted in cheers yesterday after construction crews turned around and retreated from the site for what would be one of the world's largest telescopes. The $1.4 billion project has drawn intense opposition from Native Hawaiians who say the 18-story observatory...

Family Builds New Home as Lava Consumes Old One

It took them 3 weeks to move their 80 rabbits, goats, chickens, cows, and sheep

(Newser) - The family that lost their rented house to the lava flow creeping its way across Hawaii's Big Island this week just so happens to be pouring the foundation for a new one at the same time. Margaret and John Byrd had lived on the large property with their family...

Hawaii Residents on Edge as Lava Creeps Closer

Threat level raised from 'watch' to 'warning' as flow comes within mile of houses

(Newser) - Residents in the Ka'ohe Homesteads section on the Big Island of Hawaii are warily watching a lava flow that is slowly sliding their way, with some saying the lava could reach the neighborhood within a week, reports ABC News . The threat level has been raised from "watch" to...

Dog Shrinks Grapple With Yappy Canines

Hawaiian anti-barking law has owners in hot water

(Newser) - Kala and Kamakani are not only on probation, they're in therapy. And they both happen to be Italian sheepdogs who got their owners in trouble because of tough new anti-barking laws in Hawaii, the Wall Street Journal reports. If a dog psychologist can't quiet them down—and he'...

5.0 Quake Rattles Hawaii
 5.0 Quake Rattles Hawaii 

5.0 Quake Rattles Hawaii

Big Island hit by aftershocks

(Newser) - A 5.0 earthquake and several aftershocks hit Hawaii late this afternoon, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or injury. The tremblor struck Kae'na Point in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Nearby resident Joe Lopez, 70, felt a "pretty good jolt,"...

Hawaiian Volcano Acting Feisty
 Hawaiian Volcano Acting Feisty 

Hawaiian Volcano Acting Feisty

Halemaumau's eruption mild for now, but officials well aware of dangers

(Newser) - Halemaumau Crater on Hawaii's Big Island is acting up—venting gas and the occasional gobbet of lava. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is classifying the activity as the crater's first eruption since 1982, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports; scientists are unsure whether the trickle could turn into a larger, more dangerous convulsion....

Flossie on Course for Hawaii
Flossie on Course for Hawaii

Flossie on Course for Hawaii

Plus, a 5.3 quake struck the Big Island last night

(Newser) - Hurricane Flossie is barreling towards Hawaii, expected to pass less than a hundred miles from the Big Island. The National Weather Service has declared a hurricane watch, and the governor has activated the National Guard. Schools have been shut down, and residents have been warned to stock up on food...

16 Stories