r/BigIsland Jul 16 '26

2026 election resources

37 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 9h ago

Rain, rain, rain from Lowell in Honokaa!

33 Upvotes

Its been raining non stop. They did not forecast this. I mean its flooding here in Honokaa. Anybody else? I have to drive to Hilo this morning so praying for clear weather down that side.


r/BigIsland 1d ago

Hawaiian Telcom service

10 Upvotes

I still have no service in Volcano. I don't have any other social media. I cannot interact with the daily post on Twitter. Can't see the comments or if there is any other info. Does anyone have any insight on service restoration in my area? Will I have to call them to get any information?


r/BigIsland 2d ago

What is being built near pine trees?

12 Upvotes

Anyone know ?


r/BigIsland 2d ago

East side shapers

8 Upvotes

Who is your favorite surfboard shaper Hilo side? Looking for a longboard but more of a hybrid than a classic log so doesn’t have to be strictly a longboard shaper, but not someone who just does shortboards.


r/BigIsland 3d ago

Anyone know Maurisio Gonzales?

7 Upvotes

Found his drivers license. Will email it to address on it unless someone notifies me/him today.


r/BigIsland 3d ago

Hiking conditions Pololū?

8 Upvotes

Been craving a hike and it's been a while but how is Pololū since the storms? Safe to hike?


r/BigIsland 4d ago

Safeway Gas

26 Upvotes

Why is Kona Safeway gas considerable cheaper than Hilo? Is it just competition with Costco?


r/BigIsland 4d ago

Mosquito bites

26 Upvotes

Anyone else noticed a different type of mosquito bite lately? Much sharper stinging feel that can't seem to be scratched to relief? Seems rather different then the regular bastards I deal with. Just curious.


r/BigIsland 5d ago

Partial lunar eclipse at moonrise (sunset) tonight. Need to be on the east side to see.

28 Upvotes

Tonight at moonrise we will be able to see a partial lunar eclipse as the moon rises over the ocean. This will be at 6:37 pm today (the 27th), and is more "fun to see" than "must see" as it is not a total lunar eclipse.

More details at https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/hilo?iso=20260828


r/BigIsland 6d ago

Hilo Walmart

16 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I wanted to ask if anyone here has experience with Hilo Walmart’s interview and hiring process. I’d really appreciate any insight into what to expect. Thank you! 😊


r/BigIsland 5d ago

Anyone know anything about RK Mechanical in Hilo?

7 Upvotes

Anyone know how good they are? They are the ones working on the power here at since Sunday Aug 16 at the Waiakea Villas were we been without power for 11 to 12 days and it will be much longer according to the AOAO and DayLum. They have no business profile, social media, website, etc. There business is located on Ainaola Dr. In Hilo, but nothing comes up on them.


r/BigIsland 6d ago

Driver's License Road Test Appointments

8 Upvotes

Anyone know if the Hilo road test appointment calendar is working? I've been checking periodically and there a zero timeslots available for September. No appointments available for Pahoa either. Tried calling but no one answers.


r/BigIsland 6d ago

Found GoPro12 at Kealakekua Bay

30 Upvotes

Did anyone lose a GoPro12 in the ocean at Manini Beach? Found in the ocean, checked the SD card and I think we have a picture of the owner. Not in the best shape but it turns on and has videos on it. We would love to get it back to its owner!


r/BigIsland 7d ago

Episode 54 looks like it will start soon!

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108 Upvotes

r/BigIsland 6d ago

Aloha Theater (south side)

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16 Upvotes

Come out and support our local Aloha Theater by watching The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time! Two weekends only Sept 4th-13th at Aloha Theater!


r/BigIsland 7d ago

Power by Friday for Leilani estates

15 Upvotes

Someone posted on nextdoor that they spoke with hellco and was told that by Friday power would be back on.

Hang in there folks.


r/BigIsland 7d ago

Surf & Saddle in Orchidland

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98 Upvotes

Went to the new place that opened in the old Blane’s Drive Inn in Orchidland - Surf & Saddle. What a great new place - great shrimp! I had the shrimp and steak - furikake was fantastic. wife had the Lilikoi shrimp. Live music almost every night - we went during the day so will head that way for some music with the neighbors soon.

Service was excellent - met the GM “auntie shrimp” who used to be the GM at the old shrimp shop in Hilo.

With Kaleo’s just down the road - and Lava Thai around the corner - we’re really lucky around this area!


r/BigIsland 8d ago

Techy Teen looking for places

22 Upvotes

Hi! I just moved from Colorado to the Big Island, I’m heavily into technology, cars, and general engineering. Are there any maker spaces, junkyards, or anything that I might be able to work on my projects at? Also looking for places to make friends since I am homeschooled. Thanks all!


r/BigIsland 8d ago

Anyone selling a generator?

15 Upvotes

Looking to buy and give to people in need. DM me please

I’m in Pahoa side


r/BigIsland 8d ago

Crazy winds in ocean view

11 Upvotes

Anyone know where this wind came from? Very strong and came out of nowhere.


r/BigIsland 8d ago

Mt. View Power update 8/23

21 Upvotes

Anyone off the highway past the post office have their situation improve today?


r/BigIsland 9d ago

Hawaii Telecom?

8 Upvotes

Been good for last three days, running it off my EcoStore. Just dropped abour 15 min ago and not coming back. I know we wont have power for days but at least I had connectivity... anyone else in mountain view lose Fibre?


r/BigIsland 9d ago

Is the next storm, Moke, hitting?

18 Upvotes

Forecasted heavy rains today but haven't seen anything 🤔