Community

It seems as the island is in a very festive mood already this holiday season — and we do mean very; from traditional things to do to several events that are new, there are myriad ways to get into the holiday spirit during the upcoming week. Check them out now!

More than 60 lighted entries — including many festively decked out trucks and other big rigs — are set to parade through Waimea, lighting up the historic community for a holiday show like none other on the island.

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.

While several supporters testified in favor of the bill, business owners, the Department of Environmental Management and Mayor Kimo Alameda expressed economic and waste management concerns.

Kunane Dreier is this year’s winner, tabbed and celebrated for his outstanding contributions to HIV services in Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i Island singing group will compete Dec. 14 for title of top act in the televised talent competition celebrating Hawai‘i’s next generation of artists, musicians, dancers and creators, plus a $10,000 grand prize.

It’s that time of year — an even more most wonderful time for everyone who enjoys hula and hālau that perform. Ticket request forms postmarked Dec. 1 or later are being accepted for the 2026 “Super Bowl of Hula.”

Veterans Affairs Pacific Islands Health Care System helped house 459 veterans locally during fiscal year 2025.

The 31st installment of the popular community event will once again feature an outstanding lineup of craft brews, culinary creations from local chefs, live entertainment and aloha, now under the leadership of Rotary Clubs of West Hawaiʻi.

Eligible applicants should show a dedication to volunteerism, experience in local or student government, workplace leadership (paid or unpaid), and meaningful volunteer leadership achievements.

Make a meaningful difference in a University of Hawaiʻi student’s life this Giving Tuesday; help them stay focused when unexpected challenges arise and know they are cared for, valued and able to thrive.

Volunteers from Ocean Defenders Alliance have collected thousands of feet of fishing lines and pounds of lead from Hawaiʻi’s coastlines, showcasing an ongoing effort to preserve marine environments.

U.S. Postal Service encourages members of the public to follow the agency’s online holiday hub for all of their holiday shipping information.

Free Zoom event Dec. 12 will feature several officials discussing how to improve the state’s resilience and self-sufficiency.

The funds will support Hawai‘i Island Adult Care’s Kūpuna in Need program, which helps subsidize services for community members who need extra assistance.

In response to the federal shutdown, Hawaiʻi Island communities united with aloha to support over 6,000 families through 14 grassroots distribution sites by giving out necessities to those in need.

This year’s sale offers a wide selection of Nordmann fir and Noble fir trees, ranging from 3 to 10 feet tall, along with fresh wreaths.

Tune in Nov. 30 and cheer the 8 finalists representing Moku o Keawe will lay it all on stage during the Big Island auditions episode of the statewide talent competition that showcases rising artists, musicians, dancers and creators from throughout the islands.

The event highlighted the HOPE Services Hawai‘i mission to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring on Hawai’i Island through a comprehensive, compassionate approach.

Sixth grade students organized a food distribution event from front to back in two weeks as a way to give back before Thanksgiving.