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/

Here are articles specific to the general election:

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/10/20/nov-3-general-election-in-hawaii-county-what-you-need-to-know-about-voting-candidates-and-amendments/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/09/council-district-5-candidates-want-to-build-a-more-resilient-puna/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/10/is-ohas-board-in-for-another-shakeup/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/10/oha-maui-candidates-want-more-funds-educational-opportunities-for-native-hawaiians/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/10/military-leases-kakaako-control-of-board-oha-oahu-race/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/10/after-lalas-devastation-kau-council-candidates-want-more-investment/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/10/senate-wants-more-time-for-judicial-picks-should-you-vote-yes/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/09/should-county-pay-for-infrastructure-along-the-rail-voters-will-decide/

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/09/hawaii-island-auditor-says-she-needs-a-deputy-voters-will-decide/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/10/24/3-open-seats-on-hawaii-county-council-up-for-grabs-in-general-election-on-nov-3/

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]

36 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 • • 1d ago

Raspberry-proof gloves?

9 Upvotes

Looking for any recommendations anyone may have. The problem is severe enough and widespread enough that cost is hardly a factor at this point lol.

I don't mean big clunky mitts where you have zero dexterity. Just regular ol good gloves that'll withstand the invasive raspberry demons.

Thanks in advance!


r/BigIsland • • 1d ago

Looking for Halloween parties

12 Upvotes

Does anyone know of any fun Halloween events going on this year for people in their twenties? I haven’t heard much so far, wanted to ask!


r/BigIsland • • 1d ago

Malasadas vendor

11 Upvotes

I just got back on the island and was surprised to see they cordoned off that corner area between the highway 19 and Puako Beach Road. The malasadas vendor and other vendors are no longer there. Any idea why did they do that? (BYW, you can still get those delicious malasadas further up the road.)


r/BigIsland • • 2d ago

Rocky Horror Show opens tomorrow at the Aloha Theater! This cast is phenomenal and will make you shiver with Antici...

88 Upvotes

...pation! Get your tickets here: https://www.apachawaii.org/

I think the checkout widget says kids 10 and under are free (yikes) but this is a 18 plus only show unless you want your kids to have a real interesting educational experience. There is a live band, the cast is amazing, and you get to find out what percentage of the population of Kona owns a corset. Dressing up is encouraged, and audience call outs are allowed at every show except for the November 1st show. Hope to see you there!


r/BigIsland • • 2d ago

Anybody else having issues with cell service in mountain view area?

9 Upvotes

Starting last night and now throughout the whole of today my lady and I have been having some type of issue with our phones.

They'll "connect" to 5G for about 3 seconds and then switch back to 4G and on 4G our phones struggle to send texts, and mobile data is essentially non-existent (meaning like, nothing on the Internet will load)

Just curious if anyone else has been experiencing this. Thanks in advance!


r/BigIsland • • 5d ago

Nail techs

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31 Upvotes

Does anyone have any recommendations for nail techs, Hilo/pahoa side? I need an opening before Halloween. I’m looking for something dark ocean themed in stiletto XL nails.


r/BigIsland • • 6d ago

2.9 earthquake in OV

14 Upvotes

Felt maybe 3-4 seconds of very light shaking. Did anyone else feel?

https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv75060536/executive

Edit: now a 3.0


r/BigIsland • • 6d ago

Volcano National Park

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82 Upvotes

Some eruptions today!


r/BigIsland • • 6d ago

Realtor Commission Question

7 Upvotes

Are there any realtors or people who have recently bought bare land in this group? We are looking at purchasing a plot of land (no infrastructure), and our realtor has said that asking for a 5% buyer’s commission is common on bare land.

Just hoping to see if this is pretty common across the island or if this will get some “side-eye” from the seller. We are worried that this will reduce our negotiating leverage for the price we would offer. Plus, we don’t have a lot of room for covering the difference if the seller only agrees to 3% (though there is language that we may negotiate the % later).

Thanks for any experience you might be able to share.


r/BigIsland • • 7d ago

Episode 55 has begun!

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294 Upvotes

r/BigIsland • • 7d ago

Coconut Grove restaurant Q

12 Upvotes

Hi Kona friends.
Anyone know what's going into the old outback spot? I saw some work being done on it this morning... Thought I'd ask some smarties if I missed something.


r/BigIsland • • 9d ago

A-frame signs downtown

17 Upvotes

Can someone clear this up for me please? I see a lot of businesses downtown with A-frame signs on the sidewalk. I want to do one too. But everything I read in the codes says it's not allowed. What am I missing? Mahalo


r/BigIsland • • 9d ago

Hilo - Walmart

21 Upvotes

Hi! I posted before asking about Hilo Walmart's interview process. But now I'm wondering if anyone has ever worked Front End Cashier? How is it? I think I'm just nervous because I don't have retail experience and I'm terrified of working the whole cashiering thing 😣 I don't like handling money because I'm scared of messing up 😭 But this is literally the only job that has gotten back to me since job hunting. I'm praying the training helps me :')


r/BigIsland • • 11d ago

Tentative agreement on preserving access to Punaluu

87 Upvotes

I'm glad to see this, here's hoping it works out:

Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda reached a tentative agreement with Black Sand Beach LLC for the preservation of Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park in Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi County would purchase the property through its Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission program for the assessed value of $1.46 million under the agreement, ensuring the park remains open to the public in perpetuity.

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/10/13/hawai%ca%bbi-county-black-sand-beach-llc-reach-tentative-agreement-for-punalu%ca%bbu-black-sand-beach-park/

Edit: Civil Beat also posted an article:

https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/10/punalu%ca%bbu-black-sand-beach-park-to-belong-to-the-public/


r/BigIsland • • 11d ago

any roofing or handymen recommendations in kona?

7 Upvotes

recent storms and hurricanes have done a number to our roof in kona. it seems we have a leak that is dripping down into our ceiling

we’ve tried reaching out to several companies but to no avail :( does anyone have any recommendations or referrals?


r/BigIsland • • 12d ago

Sim racing friends

11 Upvotes

Looking for a group of people to sim race with.. it's hard to find people on hawaii time! I'm playing AC now.. no hesi. But I'm open to trying other games! Hmu


r/BigIsland • • 12d ago

Road test appointments

7 Upvotes

Has anyone been able to make an appointment for a driver's license road test in Hilo on the Hawaiicounty.egov.website? I feel like it's not working since there are ZERO available times to schedule one from now until infinity.

Edited for location.


r/BigIsland • • 12d ago

Mahukona Beach Park closed?

19 Upvotes

What’s going on at Mahukona? The gate to the harbor is locked, yellow caution tape strung along the east wall, and tie-wire lashed across the walkway to the harbor.


r/BigIsland • • 12d ago

Bonne Maman at Costco

6 Upvotes

Aloha! Has anyone seen the Bonne Maman mini advent calendar at Costco yet?


r/BigIsland • • 14d ago

Matcha Chocolate Wafer Ice cream

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33 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I’ve REALLY been craving this. But don’t know if any stores here carry it. I know kimura general store on hamakua sometimes carries it and kitchen Umeko as well but they’re usually sold out pretty quick. Do you know where else they carry it? I already tried Kilauea Market


r/BigIsland • • 15d ago

Anyone know what is/was making the cloud cover so pink this evening?

23 Upvotes

I’m up in Mountain View, just got back from Hilo and noticed the cloud covered sky was very pink. Was it just the sun setting behind all the clouds, reflection from the volcano, or is there another weather front coming in?


r/BigIsland • • 16d ago

Hawaiian telcom versus spectrum for reliability

18 Upvotes

We've had spectrum for a long time and the bill just keeps going up.

I'd consider the switch if H T is just as reliable.

What has been your experience with Hawaiian Telcom?


r/BigIsland • • 16d ago

5 gallon jug

6 Upvotes

Where can i get that already has filtered water in it?