Big Island Now news briefs for April 29: Drinking Water Week, signwaving for safer roads, National Library Week and more

Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply celebrates Drinking Water Week

Public outreach events are planned in Hilo and Kona by Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply in a weeklong campaign to raise awareness about the importance of safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water.

The annual Drinking Water Week celebration from May 3-9.

Community members are invited to visit a display booth and to test their drinking water knowledge for the chance to win a prize at the following locations and times:

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, May 4: Hawai‘i Police Department, 349 Kapi‘olani St., Hilo.
• 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 6: Building C, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona.
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 8: Aupuni Center, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo.

“Clean drinking water is a lifeline that keeps our families healthy, supports our economy and sustains our community,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda in an announcement about the upcoming events, going on to thank the county’s Water Supply Department staff for “the essential work they do every single day.”

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Sign-waving event planned in support of safer Hawai’i roads

Community members will come together for a sign-waving activation from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 30, the final day of Alcohol Awareness Month, at the grassy area adjacent to the former Walgreens in Hilo.

It’s an effort by crash survivors, law enforcement and others to raise awareness for safer roads in Hawai‘i, promote safe graduation celebrations; and renew action to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers in the islands from 0.08 to 0.05.

Signwaving also comes on the heels of Hawai‘i state legislators again and for the sixth time in a row recently defeating a measure seeking to establish 0.05 as the legal blood alcohol concentration limit, despite growing evidence that impairment begins well before 0.08.

Every year the bill is blocked, Hawaiʻi experiences preventable traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities connected with impaired driving. The question remains: how many more lives will be impacted before action is taken?

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Hirono, Jayapal Introduce resolution supporting library workers, marking National Library Week

Democrats U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawai‘i and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington state introduced a resolution in celebration of National Library Week observed April 19-25 and honoring the more than 350,000 public servants working at an estimated 120,000 libraries throughout the nation the nation library workers.

The measure emphasizes the importance of libraries in communities and follows a federal judge’s ruling that President Donald Trump’s attacks on these critical facilities as unconstitutional.

“America’s libraries stand for everything the Trump regime is trying to dismantle — freedom of expression, unfettered access to information, celebration of identities and support for communities,” said Hirono in a release about the proposed resolution. “From access to books, to safe spaces for people to work, play and learn, libraries offer indispensable services and resources to our communities.”

This resolution specifically:

• Expresses support for staff of public, school, academic and special libraries in the United States and the services these libraries provide.
• Recognizes the need for funding to support community libraries.
• Preserves the right of all United States citizens to freely access information and resources in their communities.
• Supports a strong union voice for library workers.
• Defends the civil rights of library staff.

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Shoho tabbed as next Hawaiʻi Pacific University provost. senior vice president

Alan Shoho was named the next provost and senior vice president at Hawai‘i Pacific University, effective Friday, May 1.

Shoho brings more than 30 years of experience to the table he can put to use guiding the university’s academic vision and advancing its mission to serve its nearly 8,000 international students

“Alan’s experience, steady leadership and a genuine commitment to student success are perfect attributes for [Hawai‘i Pacific University],” said Hawai‘i Pacific University President John Gotanda in an announcement about Shoho’s selection. “His background as a provost, dean, faculty leader and scholar will be invaluable as we continue building momentum across our academic programs and serving our students with a world-class education.”

Shoho spent his earliest years on the Big Island, before his family moved to Southern California, returning each summer to spend time with family. He most recently served as provost and chief academic officer at New Mexico State University.

“I am honored to join Hawaiʻi Pacific University and to serve its students, faculty, staff and broader community,” said Shoho in the announcement, adding that coming home to Hawai‘i is deeply meaningful. “[Hawai‘i Pacific University] is a transformative institution that provides a student-centered, personalized and experiential education in a truly unique learning environment. … [Hawai‘i Pacific University] is moving in a strong direction, and I look forward to working together to ensure students are successful and that every member of this community feels valued.”

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State, Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi to host 2026 Hawaiʻi-Japan Sister Summit

The 2026 Hawaiʻi-Japan Sister Summit on May 20-21 in Honolulu will bring leaders from Hawaiʻi and Japan together for discussions to strengthen long-standing ties and advance new opportunities for collaboration.

A full day of summit sessions and the Sister Summit Marketplace are on the summit agenda, with a separate Hawaiʻi-Japan Economic Policy Forum at the East-West Center included by invitation only.

Hosted by Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Hawaiʻi, the summit theme is “Creating Our Future.” This year’s gathering also builds on the inaugural 2023 summit, with a focus on strengthening sister-state and sister-city relationships while creating space for new dialogue, partnerships and practical areas of collaboration.

Registration is $350 per attendee. Deadline to register is May 11. Visit the summit website to register and for more about the speakers and other events planned for the 2026 summit, plus more.