#Kona Community Hospital

Homes were rattled off their foundations, cracks appeared in walls, windows were broken, giant boulders blocked residents in, stone walls collapsed, power went out and more following the magnitude-6.0 temblor just before 10 p.m. Friday, May 22.

Earl-Lewis Camacho had barricaded himself in a South Kona home with firearms, his 2-year-old son and his girlfriend whom he allegedly abused, according to police.

Authorities are investigating a tragic snorkeling incident at Hōnaunau Bay in South Kona that resulted in the death of Mindy Morris, 65, of Panama City, Florida.

Avery Nissen, a 21-year-old from Overland Park, Kansas, has been charged with attempted murder and felony assault following a catamaran incident in Kona.

Antonya Mardonada, 32, is wanted for questioning in connection with a domestic violence incident that occurred on March 24 and was last seen leaving the area on a camouflage all-terrain vehicle.

Hawai‘i County Ocean Safety personnel and bystanders brought the unresponsive man to shore, but after life-saving measures failed he was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital.

Big Island police initiated a coroner’s inquest and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Charles Hutchinson’s death; no foul play is suspected at this time after the O‘ahu man became distressed when he encountered difficulty while diving April 15 in the Kona harbor.

Passengers onboard a vessel restrained Avery Nissen, 21, after he reportedly stabbed the captain of a boat while on a 3-hour snorkel tour.

Police say a 19-year-old man was crouching on the shoulder of Māmalahoa Highway when he jumped into the path of oncoming traffic.

Early symptoms of whooping cough look like a cold with a mild fever, runny nose and slight cough.

The expanded center will double the hospital’s treatment capacity from 6 to 12 chairs and significantly enhance patient privacy, safety and comfort, with additional features such as privacy barriers, negative-pressure isolation room for higher‑risk patients, dedicated waiting area for families and more.

The man was positively identified as Bryan Coppola of Bethlehem, Conn., who reportedly became distressed while snorkeling with a family member the afternoon of Dec. 26 in waters at Ho‘okena Beach Park, a nearly 11-mile drive south of Captain Cook.

According to a press release from Hawai‘i Island police, authorities received a report just before 4:30 p.m. that a 24-year-old Hōlualoa man was bit by a blacktip reef shark in waters off Ka‘alu‘alu Beach.

The new outpatient medical facility in Kona is meant to be a companion to the planned $400 to $500 million hospital to be built by Queen’s Health Systems.

Kona Community Hospital saw about 155 stroke cases through its Emergency Department in the past year.

Dr. Carl R. Jenson, a board-certified radiation oncologist, has been permanently appointed to Kona Community Hospital’s Cancer Center.

“Half of our workforce has been with us for at least 5 years, which speaks volumes about the culture we’ve built,” said West Hawai‘i Region Chief Executive Officer Clayton McGhan. “This level of dedication ensures that our patients receive care from experienced, compassionate professionals who are deeply rooted in our community.”

A series of statewide events that aim to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and foster community support for Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

The project, part of critical infrastructure improvements for the Kona hospital funded by the state, will expand, resurface and pave the parking lot with the goal of improving parking access and safety.

28-year-old Weston Duarte was arrested the evening of July 10 after a car crash in Captain Cook following 9-1-1 text messages from his 35-year-old girlfriend to police saying he allegedly was armed, using methamphetamine, physically assaulted her and threatened to kill her.