News briefs for May 30: Town hall, water polo, Pacific Music Institute, grazing land, Hilo Brewfest, Kona Tax Office and more

Hilo-Puna state Rep. Chris Todd to host town hall

East Hawaiʻi community members are invited to join Hilo-Puna state Rep. Chris Todd for a town hall meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31, in the cafeteria at Keaukaha Elementary School, located at 240 Desha Ave., in the Keaukaha community of Hilo.

Todd, who is chairperson of the House Committee on Finance, will provide a recap of the 2026 Hawai‘i State Legislative Session along with important updates impacting Hawaiʻi Island residents.

Community members will have an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and engage in discussions about legislative priorities and local issues.

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Registration deadline nears for Pacific Music Institute 2026

Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony invites students throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond to register for its celebrated summer intensive Pacific Music Institute. The 2026 event is scheduled for July 3-12 at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and ʻIolani School campuses on Oʻahu.

Students in grades 6 to 12 who participate will receive high-level instruction from top faculty in strings; winds, brass and percussion; jazz; ʻukulele; and Middle School All-State Band. They also will meet a kaleidoscope of people from different places and backgrounds with the common thread of a love for music and drive for excellence.

Participants and other like-minded musicians will build their skills through a series of workshops, rehearsals and performances, concluding with community concerts by students as well as performances by faculty members. Register now online; the deadline is Sunday, May 31.

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Bidding closes June 1 for grazing land at Pōhakuloa

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District invites anyone interested to bid on a lease for about 770 acres of grazing land at Pōhakuloa Training Area in the saddle region between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island.

Leasing the land for livestock/agricultural grazing is aimed at reducing vegetation and other materials that can be fuel for wildfires as well as minimizing impacts to U.S. Army training and stewardship goals. A notice of invitation for the leasing program can be found online and searching for “CEPOH-RE.”

Deadlines to submit bids is 2 p.m. Monday, June 1, with bids opened at 3 p.m. the same day. Contact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District Real Estate Office at 808-835-4022 or via email to Cherich.F.Johnson@usace.army.mil for additional details and with any questions.

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Tickets still available for Hilo Brewfest 2026

Join Rotary Club of Hilo Foundation and get your drink on from 1 to 5:15 p.m. for VIP guests and 2 to 5:15 p.m. for general admission July 11 at Hilo Yacht Club, located at 77 Lae Hala St., during the 13th annual Hilo Brewfest.

There are still tickets available for the 2026 installment of this popular summertime event, but don’t wait too long — they will sell out. The unforgettable event gets bigger every year. Why wouldn’t it? You get an entire afternoon of great beer, live music, delicious food and community, all set along the beautiful Hilo coastline.

There’s also a value-added bonus since every ticket purchased helps supports Hilo-area nonprofits, so your good time gives back to a great cause. Grab your tickets now at the Hilo Brewfest website.

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Goodyear-Kaʻōpua tabbed to lead university Native Hawaiian initiatives

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel recommended internationally recognized scholar and 2022 Native Hawaiian Education Association Educator of the Year Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua as interim director of Hawai‘i Papa O Ke Ao Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office for the university’s 10-campus system and flagship Mānoa campus.

The university’s Board of Regents will take up Hensel’s recommendation during its next meeting Thursday, June 4. If approved, The Kamehameha Schools graduate — who now serves as one of the school’s trustees, earned her bachelor’s degree at the Mānoa campus, has a PhD from University of California, Santa Cruz, and co-founded Hālau Kū Māna Public Charter School in Honolulu — would succeed Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe, who accepted the poʻo kula position at KamehamehaSchools Kapālama.

Goodyear-Kaʻōpua has more than 20 years of academic, governance and community-based education experience and is also a published author. In her new position, she would help guide University of Hawaiʻi efforts to advance as a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning and champion principles of aloha and caring for people and place while integrating Hawaiian language, culture, history and values throughout the 10-campus system.

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Nominations open for Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award

First Peoples Fund recognizes Native art is about much more than simply creating. There is a spirit in what is created, often infused with ancestral knowledge, culture and tradition.

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Jennifer Easton Community Spirit Award. The annual award honors Native artists who selflessly share their culutural knowledge and ancestral gifts with their communities and includes a prize of up to $50,000 so they can carry forward their wisdom to help their Native communities heal and thrive.

The award is named after First Peoples Fund founder Jennifer Easton and designed to support essential bearers of cultural practice in Native communities. Deadline is 5:59 p.m. June 17 to submit a nomination for someone you think deserves to be honored. Email to fox@firstpeoplesfund.org for additional information or with any questions.

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Help Hilo Hammahz with accommodations at Junior Olympics

Hilo Hammahz Water Polo Club was able to take a group of young female athletes to their first Junior Olympics last year because of the generosity of the club’s supporters. That experience opened doors, created memories and helped the athletes see what is possible when hard work is matched with community support.

The club has since experienced tremendous growth, and it is now registered to take two teams to the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics this year in Orange County, Calif. They need some assistance to get there, so while they know times are tough, they’re asking the community to continue its support and donate to a GoFundMe campaign raising funds to pay for accommodations of athletes and coaches during their trip to the Junior Olympics.

Their goal $10,000. As of about noon Friday, May 29, the club had raised $450 from three donors. Every donation helps. Visit the GoFundMe campaign to learn more and lend your support today.

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Hawaiʻi Department of Taxation announces Kona office changes

Hawai‘i Department of Taxation notifies the public that because of staff limitations and to ensure timely processing of documents and payments, walk-in service hours at the Kona Tax Office — located in the State Office Building at 82-6130 Māmalahoa Highway, Room 8, in Captain Cook — will change as of Monday, June 1.

New walk-in hours are 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Phone calls will continue to be answered from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Taxpayers also could experience longer wait times or last-minute closures because of the staffing situation. Officials recommend taxpayers call the office at 808-323-4597 prior to visiting. The drop box will remain available for use.

The Hilo Tax Office continues normal operations. Services also are available at the Hawai‘i Department of Taxation website. The state is working diligently to address the staffing situation in Kona. Visit the state Taxation Department website for additional information.