Community

Smaller counter donations programs in 2022 and 2023 became permanent at all Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association park store locations in March 2024; there were $100,000 in direct donations in just the last 3 months of 2025.

A total of 19 businesses and entrepreneurs from throughout the islands will be featured by Hawai’i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism during the event from today through Jan. 13 in San Diego, Calif.

The free, downloadable resource from Bishop Museum contains updated information about species — alive and extinct — from each of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Community leaders in Puna are promoting the safe use of wild pig meat in more cuisine as a way to solve issues posed by the invasive species and to enhance food security across the island.

The event returns to celebrate and honor Hawai‘i’s first astronaut, who died in January 1986 when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded, and give all ages the chance to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics during a fun day filled with science.

Hilo residents and those from surrounding areas are encouraged to make donating blood their 2026 New Year’s resolution and make a difference, especially now when the blood bank is in urgent need of O-negative blood.

Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green’s proclamation kicks off a year-long campaign filled with opportunities for education, responsible recreation and volunteerism with goal of encouraging people to celebrate rich diversity of life in coastal habitats.

Those who plan to enter a team into the T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League and potential coaches must attend the mandatory meeting at 5 p.m. Jan. 14.

Hawaiʻi Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program now shares monthly referrals with Women, Infants and Children via a new referral process to help identify families who might qualify but are not yet enrolled.

Applications are being accepted now from anyone interested in temporary positions during the 2026 Summer Fun Program, which provides healthy, safe and fun recreational activities for keiki.

The community is invited to attend the service on Jan. 11 in Hilo.

The Pāpaʻikou Recycling and Transfer Station will temporarily close to honor life of Fire Chief Kazuo Todd. to ensure public safety during essential tree trimming operations.

The restoration timeline for Isaac Kepo‘okalani Hale Beach Park in Puna has been postponed again to December 2028, more than a decade since the eruption, and spanning three mayoral administrations.

HFS has helped since 2012 relieve some of the financial stress that comes with pursuing a college degree by awarding more than 130 scholarships to student members, totaling more than $355,000.

About 60 volunteers took part in the cleanup along Keala O Keawe Road, collecting about 15 bags of trash that resulted in a noticeable improvement to the area.

Hawai‘i County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission is taking nominations from the public through the end of January.

The Hawaiʻi County Council honored Fire Chief Kazuo Todd with a resolution that expressed the council’s profound condolences and recognized his decades of dedicated service to the county and the state.

There is an eclectic emulsion of events coming next week around the Big Island, each promising an exciting escape from the everyday bustle. Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!

Dominic Yagong died Wednesday morning in Hilo while in comfort care at Hilo Benioff Medical Center after suffering a severe stroke in May.

With the rainfall over the weekend, customers are now asked to reduce water use by 10%, down from 25%.