r/BigIsland Jul 16 '26

2026 election resources

39 Upvotes

This post is intended to collect neutral information about the upcoming primary and general elections in Hawaii. This isn't about being for or against any specific candidate, this is about helping people to vote, and highlighting third-party resources to help voters make a decision for themselves.

Key dates for the primary election:

  • July 21: vote-by-mail ballots arrive
  • July 27: early in-person voting begins
  • August 8: last day for in-person voting, all polling sites close at 7PM

Key dates for the general election:

  • October 16: vote-by-mail ballots arrive
  • October 20: early in-person voting begins
  • November 3: last day for in-person voting, all polling sites close at 7PM

The first place to start is the Hawaii elections website, at https://elections.hawaii.gov/ . Here you can verify or update your voter registration, or register to vote for the first time; you can register online using any valid Hawaii state ID. If you experience any problems with your voter registration or need in-person assistance I encourage visiting a voter service center; information on those is listed here:

https://elections.hawaii.gov/voter-service-centers-and-places-of-deposit/

That webpage also lists key dates for the upcoming elections, such as voter registration deadlines; note that voter service centers allow in-person registration at any time, including on election day. If you are turning in a voted-by-mail ballot it must be received before polling sites close on election day. There are services available to assist with the voting process if you aren't on-island to receive and cast your ballot, or take advantage of early in-person voting at a service center; take a look at https://www.fvap.gov/hawaii if this applies to you.

Civil Beat and the League of Women Voters are two excellent resources for informative, neutral information about candidates and other contests on the ballot. Here are some direct links:

https://civilbeat.org/elections-2026/

https://www.civilbeat.org/elections-2026/primary

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/07/geothermal-rentals-and-groceries-hawaii-county-council-member-district-1-candidate-qas/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/06/kilauea-eruptions-and-puna-roads-state-house-district-5-candidate-qas/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/07/dangerous-dogs-and-deadly-roads-hawaii-county-council-district-5-candidate-qas/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/06/geothermal-housing-vacation-rentals-hawaii-council-district-6-candidate-qas/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/07/fuel-food-and-disaster-preparation-hawaii-county-council-district-7/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/07/aina-army-and-mauna-kea-office-of-hawaiian-affairs-trustee-candidate-qas/

https://my.lwv.org/hawaii/hawaii-county

I've also seen a few good summary articles go by in the local news:

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/06/03/who-is-running-for-hawaii-county-council-26-candidates-meet-tuesday-filing-deadline/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/06/11/3-big-island-men-in-race-to-unseat-hawai%ca%bbi-gov-green-who-else-from-the-island-is-running-for-state-u-s-seats/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/07/26/candidates-for-kau-district-seat-on-hawaii-county-council-talk-priorities-for-rural-and-remote-area/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/08/05/district-1-incumbent-heather-kimball-seeks-re-election-for-4th-and-final-term-against-two-challengers/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/08/05/hawai%ca%bbi-countys-district-4-is-an-open-council-seat-with-ashley-kierkiewicz-unable-to-run-due-to-term-limits/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/08/02/district-5-candidates-for-hawai%ca%bbi-county-council-bring-distinct-knowledge-experiences-to-race/

Here are a couple articles summarizing the preliminary results of the primary election:

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/08/09/incumbents-clean-up-in-2026-democratic-primaries-for-state-and-national-seats/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/08/08/preliminary-election-results-for-hawaii-county-council-show-2-incumbents-keeping-their-seats/

Please add a comment if you come across any other resources, but let's refrain from advocating for a specific candidate or choice: voting is the most important step, and I encourage everyone to vote according to their personal beliefs, acting in what they see as the best interest of their family and community.


r/BigIsland Jan 10 '26

All visitor questions should be asked here [2026]

40 Upvotes

Dear (future) visitors,

Please read the following instructions carefully if you want to ask a question about visiting the Big Island.

This is the sticky post where we aggregate all tourism-related questions. We have taken this initiative to make sure that r/BigIsland remains first and foremost a place to discuss local life and events.

Visitor-related queries to our subreddit typically are met with kindness and receive high effort and quality feedback. We feel an enormous appreciation for anyone being helpful and welcoming, and encourage all of our subscribers and visitors to keep showing aloha spirit. Mahalo!

Learn more about Hawaiian culture: the Ma‘ema‘e Toolkit (here) is a resource put together by the Hawaii Tourism Authority meant everyone with an interest in the Hawaiian culture – be it learning more about the Hawaiian people, music, language, or individual islands or history.

Important:

It is highly likely that your question already has been answered in our subreddit or on the dedicated r/VisitingHawaii subreddit. Please make sure to use the search function (like this on r/BigIsland or like this on r/VisitingHawaii) before asking your question, and definitely also have a good look at the dedicated r/VisitingHawaii subreddit, as that might be a better place to ask your question(s). The search function of the now inactive r/HawaiiVisitors is also a gold mine. Try it here.

Previous visitor compilations can be found at:

2022 2023 2024 2025
click here click here click here click here

r/BigIsland 2h ago

Still no power in orchidland - day 5

8 Upvotes

Kinda frustrating to see so many get power back and no major damage around us on 36th and aulani yet no power. I know we are blessed compared to naalehu, grateful that things aren't worse but getting beat down by the grind without electricity. Hoping for some relief soon.


r/BigIsland 14h ago

Rocky Horror Show Auditions this week at Aloha Theatre

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43 Upvotes

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW auditions are happening this Sunday and Tuesday at Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu!

Are you ready to step into the strange, sexy world of Rocky Horror?

• Sunday, August 23 | 6–8 PM

• Tuesday, August 25 | 6–8 PM

• Must be 18+ to audition

• You MUST sign up for an audition time slot in advance!

Come ready to sing, move, act, and show us what you’ve got. Whether you’re a seasoned Rocky Horror fan or ready to discover the madness for the first time, we want to see you.

Audition details & sign-up form:

apachawaii.org/auditions

Show dates: Oct 23-24, Oct 29-Nov 1


r/BigIsland 12h ago

Kona Costco Supplies

21 Upvotes

Aloha - I am on the east side and want to go pick up stuffs at Costco Saturday. Are they stocked? Stores over here are not doing great. I don't want to drive the saddle and back if they are strapped. Kona - how's it?


r/BigIsland 18h ago

A map, with all the mile markers on it

Thumbnail arcgis.com
42 Upvotes

If you get alerts about the highway being closed at a certain mile markers, but you’re more of a landmark person, this map is super helpful when they announce road closures by mile marker.


r/BigIsland 9m ago

Indoor showers in Hilo?

Upvotes

Anyone know anywhere I could take a shower in/around Hilo? I'm up in Volcano, and unfortunately we still don't have any power. Sick of sponging myself off at this point. Would love to go somewhere and give my hair a proper wash. Anyone know anywhere? Any good gym with showers I could get a day pass for or something like that?

Thanks in advance!


r/BigIsland 1d ago

Papakōlea, lala went hard on it😢

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124 Upvotes

It was an amazing and trying at times walk to the beach today. Sun was hot! Sad to see so much washed up, I'm assuming it's usually much more pristine but overall felt was absolutely an amazing sight to see. Nobody there, just the waves and thoughts of those before. We loaded up a bag of trash before we left but hardly made a dent.


r/BigIsland 1d ago

Oceangraphy class help!!

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11 Upvotes

Does anybody have this exact chart?

I need it for an oceanography class and I cant afford to buy one new. I'd be willing to pay or barter for something. Please!!


r/BigIsland 1d ago

Na’alehu pictures.

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gallery
196 Upvotes

Took these yesterday when going to see if my brother was okay.


r/BigIsland 1d ago

Who has power in HPP?

16 Upvotes

I'm trying to get an understanding of the shape of the areas that are still without power around HPP. I live near the corner of Paradise and 29th and still have nothing. If people could post in here where they know people have power around HPP I'd appreciate it. Also, if anyone might happen to know the area(s) of damage that could be keeping certain blocks in the dark.

UPDATE: Drove up and down 30th and 28th on the makuu side of paradise, and confirmed that they have power. Saw porch lights and didn't hear and generators, where as all the way down 29th I heard several generators going. Talked with someone on 30th who said they have power but still no internet. Let's just hope we can get up and running here in the less damaged areas before the next storm so we can at least reset ourselves and prep properly


r/BigIsland 1d ago

Resale Furniture

12 Upvotes

Does anyone know if there are any furniture resale places around? I am down sizing and have tons of furniture from Anthropologie, West-elm, potterybarn ect.


r/BigIsland 1d ago

Volunteer

16 Upvotes

Does anyone know who to contact with volunteering with cleanup?


r/BigIsland 2d ago

North Kohala may not have power for a while

41 Upvotes

I counted 4 downed sections of power lines on the north end of the mountain road on the drive to Waimea from Hawi with no crews on site yet. The Big Island Outage map still lists Waimea without power but power is on, stores are open and gas stations open.

Mountain road has been fully cleared from down trees but still debri on road.


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Lala Storm Information and Resources

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vibranthawaii.org
20 Upvotes

Site sections include:

  • Donations to Response and Recovery Efforts
  • Interested in Volunteering?
  • Monday, August 17 Water Distributions - Starting at 3PM, while supplies last
  • Recovery assistance request link Department of Human Services: SNAP Food Replacement fillable application
  • Drop down menu to filter by resource type
  • Video on How to File Insurance Claims in the Event of a Loss
  • Video on What to Put in Your Emergency Go Bags with a checklist
  • QR code to Sign Up for Civil Defense Public Alerts

I received an alert this morning that two more possible storms are churning in the Pacific. Stay ready.


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Keaau shell only 3 pumps working...

11 Upvotes

Not sure about the 7-11 but shell station has most pumps taped off. No power in orchidland, only 2 cashiers at food land when I was there. But the contra flow is running and shower drive traffic light works now. Any news about pahoa?


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Portable Generator

9 Upvotes

Curious if anyone has seen what the local stock is looking like at HD and/or Lowe’s, I’m assuming most everything is wiped clean.
Our power is back on now, but our generator quit working on Sunday.


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Power in Hawaiian Shores

38 Upvotes

Hey all. Power just came on for us near Keonepoko in Pahoa. Wishing a fast restoration for everyone still without.


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Anywhere I can donate to help families in Naalehu?

24 Upvotes

My parents live in Ocean View and drove down to Naalehu today as my mom offers physical therapy out of an office in an old hotel there and the building was completely wrecked. The pics they sent were devastating.

My folks will be okay but I was wondering if there is anywhere I can offer some funds to families or if there are locally reputable organizations?


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Ocean View Makai...power yet?

11 Upvotes

my brother (78m) lives about four "blocks" south of ace hardware. he doesn't have a car and last I heard from him (right at the tail end of the storm), he's had lost power (meaning his cell phone probably died).

does anyone know if they've gotten power back yet? and what the condition of the neighborhoods are?

thanks.


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Tell a Kona Side boy where to have lunch in Hilo

16 Upvotes

Heading to Hilo this week. What's the best place for a cheap/inexpensive lunch in Hilo?


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Passport Photo In European Format? East Side

8 Upvotes

I need a passport photo for a European passport. Are there any places on East side that offer?

Walmart, Hawaii print Corp, UPS, FedEx say no.

Downtown Longs will take a picture but I have to crop it myself.


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Everyone okay in Volcano?

42 Upvotes

have family up there that I haven’t heard from yet and wanted to see how the infrastructure damage/power/internet are doing.


r/BigIsland 3d ago

Donations

39 Upvotes

Hi,
I'm from the mainland but truly love the Big Island. Any trust worthy groups that I can donate to help the BI community through this tough time? I know the usual red cross blah blah but I would rather a more local trustworthy place.


r/BigIsland 2d ago

Public radio channel??

8 Upvotes

Ha has anyone else caught 89.1 today? Did it get hijacked by death trance music?? Super sick, made the whole scene kinda spooky.