Community
Hawai‘i Island winners celebrated during 33rd annual Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards
The Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association awards honor excellence across a wide range of roles — from housekeeping and engineering to food and beverage, front office, security and management.
Mountain View Public & School Library library assistant honored with Excellence in Service Award
Ambronette ‘Amber’ Rivera received the award earlier this month from Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi during its annual Membership Meeting; congratulated by Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green and first lady Jaime Kanani Green and honored by state legislators and others.
‘Help Kick Child Abuse Out of Hawai‘i’ by joining fun at PARENTS Inc. annual Kickball Tournament
The family-friendly fundraiser April 18 at Walter Victor Baseball Complex in Hilo is dedicated to strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect in Hawai‘i.
Bank of Hawai‘i transforms KTA Pū‘āinakō location into its third Branch of Tomorrow
The newly reopened branch in Hilo — which has been inside the KTA Super Stores location at Pū‘āinakō for 30 years — demonstrates the bank’s continued commitment to Hawai‘i Island.
19 motorists arrested for DUI week of Feb. 9-15 on Big Island roadways
Police have made 95 DUI arrests so far this year, a decrease of 22.76c5 from the 123 DUI arrests made by the same time last year.
Mark your calendar now: Hawaiʻi County to host 2 free household hazardous waste collection events
The collection events March 7 in Waimea and March 8 in Pāhoa will allow households a chance to conveniently dispose of acceptable hazardous waste in a manner that protects public health and the environment.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 27-March 5: International Night, Black Uhuru, Andy Bumatai and Augie T and more
This weekend is so packed with events and activities — all on Friday and Saturday — there wasn’t room in the top 10 for anything else! Check them out now; we’re sure you’ll have a great time at whichever events and activities you attend.
New mulch loading fees announced for commercial customers of Kealakehe, East Hawaiʻi facilities
Fee at Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station will be $5 per cubic yard; fee at East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility will be $20 per cubic yard as of March 1.
State Transportation Department director headlines March Waimea Town Meeting
Main focus of Waimea Community Association monthly meeting will be transportation issues affecting Waimea and South Kohala; Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works Deputy Director Neil Azevedo also will joint conversation.
Students reflect on changes through their art in the 38th annual Young at Art exhibition
Young at Art features artwork from Hawaiʻi Island students in kindergarten through 12th grade from all public, charter, private and home schools at the Wailoa Center in Hilo until March 26.
Kona community police to engage with kūpuna and keiki this week
Kona community police are holding a monthly Kupuna Watch meeting to build rapport with kupuna on Feb. 27, and then on Feb. 28, the Keiki Fun Run/Walk will encourage the community to stay active.
First disabled artist-in-residence at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park calls it ‘milestone of inclusion’
Tennessee resident Houston Vandergriff, who was born with Down syndrome, hopes his photographs and advocacy will inspire others to live life to the fullest and to live life with compassion.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo grad student bridges divide between ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and Japan
Recently released new mele Hawaiʻi featuring duet between award-winning Hawaiʻi musician and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Hawaiian language graduate student Nicholas Kealiʻi Lum and Japan-born musician and trained ʻōlapa hula Tom Noʻeau offers compelling example of how Hawaiian language is taking root far beyond the islands.
Hundreds honor life, legacy of beloved kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole
Esteemed kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole, whose life’s work transformed Native Hawaiian cultural traditions globally, was honored in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony, underscoring her far-reaching influence in hula and Hawaiian values.
Registration for Big Island’s summer meal program Kaukau 4 Keiki opens next week
Kaukau 4 Keiki is a six-week program, sponsored by the nonprofit Vibrant Hawai‘i, that begins the week of June 22 and ends the week of July 31, 2026.
Individuals facing barriers to medical access receive free eye care in Kona last month
Jenkins Eye Care and Project Vision Hawaiʻi is provided free eye exams to 20 unhoused individuals in Kona as part of ongoing outreach effort to provide urgent vision care to underserved communities.
Nā Hōkū Hoe: The Paddling Stars Talent Show
Big Island community invited and encouraged to attend a special one-of-a-kind evening showcasing incredible talents of ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima canoe club members and supporters to benefit the nonprofit that provides opportunities for people with special needs and the programs that uplift them.
ʻImiloa in Hilo celebrates 20 years of creating space for curiosity, learning, dialogue
A birthday bash from 2 to 6 p.m. today will feature hands-on activities, anniversary treats, giveaways and full access to exhibits and the planetarium all for free; the celebration also kicks off a year of monthly anniversary programming throughout 2026.
Kaua‘i to host hole new level of fun on mini golf stage; ready to tee up for the challenge?
United States ProMiniGolf Association for the first time is bringing its annual U.S. Open to Hawai‘i, with the 28th contest hitting the greens at Kaua‘i Mini Golf & Botanical Gardens in Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea; you can even be part of the historic fun by heading to the Garden Isle to participate in the U.S. Open of Mini Golf Pro/Am Tournament.
Insights: Is Hawaiʻi being left behind?
Data suggest it is, though not in the same way as traditional left-behind regions.
