Business

Hilo Pizza Company has become a small staple of the Puainako Center since 2023, offering Hilo residents a taste of thin-crust pizza with a menu that features dough made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients.

The restaurant owners say they are working closely with their cleaning and pest control companies to “ensure everything is fully remedied.”

Jodi Kitsell, co-owner and guide, is seeking a buyer committed to providing tours of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park while preserving the business’s educational mission.

Joseph Pfeifer will recount Hawai‘i’s support for 9/11 families nearly 25 years ago and share lessons in emergency response during the conference slated for Sept. 24-25 on O‘ahu.

The series of free events aims to increase awareness about and enhance Hawaiʻi’s skilled technology workforce and increasing demand for local jobs in the rapidly growing technology, artificial intelligence and cyber industries.

A quick look at stories happening around the Big Island and throughout the state, from Hawai‘i unemployment for July, upcoming free ‘Finding Solutions, Growing Peace’ talk in September, new jersey patches to debut on Rainbow Warriors football jerseys, new chefs at Hilton Waikōloa Village, Fill a Police Cruiser Kōkua Food Drives success and much more.

Punuluʻu Bake Shop general manager Zachary Kennedy said while it will take time to rebuild the badly damaged properties of the business, “we are 100% going to rebuild.”

For her third showing at the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival, Nikki Savella and her team at Cupcakes, BOOM! are on the brink of baking 12,000 handcrafted macarons for the event.

The shipping firm expects delays and disruption to its schedule, so accordingly, it further adjusted acceptance and availability; it also will continue working closely with U.S. Coast Guard to monitor the storm throughout the weekend.

“We want participants to move beyond posting just to post and leave with a clearer story, a stronger strategy and something they can put into action,” said Nā Leo TV President and Chief Executive Officer Ashley Kierkiewicz.

Join Hawaiʻi Commercial Kitchens from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 for a free workshop with guest speaker retired Hawaiʻi Department of Health inspector John Nakashima to walk you through what a strong plan actually requires; only 4 in-person spots remained available as of afternoon of Aug. 11, but Zoom participation is an option, so register today!

The Lions Gate turnkey sale offers established distribution across the mainland and internationally, along with name-brand recognition.

The free community event is aimed at giving Puna’s youth a path to stay, work and thrive at home; businesses and employers who want to host a table should register by Aug. 6.

Preliminary state statistics show total visitor spending in June was $1.98 billion, a 0.6% increase from June last year, with 858,577 total visitors last month, up 0.2% compared with 857,102 visitors in June 2025.

Mark your calendars now; tickets go on sale Aug. 1 for what is hyped as what is expected to be the Honolulu festival’s biggest and best year yet.

Faii Metawee and Caleb Houck have opened Blooms Café in Hilo, which has homemade foods and drinks that feature local flavors and seasonal specials, along with beautiful, unique orchids for sale.

On Saturday, Vital Boxing hosted the first annual “Battle in Puna,” giving young athletes from Big Island, Oʻahu and California a chance to showcase their skills in a USA Boxing Hawaiʻi event.

A quick look at news happening throughout the state.

Several Big Island organizations among 49 throughout the state selected to receive funding and present authentic experiences for the residents and visitors from July through December.

Producers and farmers from all four counties are encouraged to contact their local Farm Service Agency even if they previously received information about other recovery programs; deadline to apply is July 31.