Community

‘Tis the week after Thanksgiving, when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but the arrival of Christmas and holiday events aplenty, from far and near.

“Understanding your rights before you buy can help prevent disputes and protect your wallet” during the busy holiday shopping season, said Hawaiʻi Office of Consumer Protection Executive Director Mana Moriarty.

Renowned Chef Sam Choy, in collaboration with Kona Walmart, will provide home-cooked Thanksgiving meals to two local fire stations as a heartfelt tribute to West Side firefighters this Thursday.

Kuʻikahi Mediation Center celebrates a record-breaking fundraiser, gathering nearly $60,000 to support their vital mediation services and peace-building efforts on Hawaiʻi Island

Community members in the Kona area can pick up Thanksgiving meals starting at 9:30 a.m., but come early because the food usually runs out in less than two hours.

Kealakehe has adanced to the next round of the International Public Policy Forum –a program that gives high school students the chance engage in written and oral debates on issues of global importance.

Gamelan of the Molten Blossom, East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center’s bronze gong orchestra, has returned from an enriching cultural immersion in Central Java, Indonesia, armed with new techniques and plenty of stories.

Pāhoa and Honokaʻa High and Intermediate Schools created the latest “Drive with Aloha” murals on the Big Island to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.

Ryan Carvahlo, 14, was last seen in Hilo on Sunday, Nov. 23 wearing a black shirt and beige shorts.

All County of Hawaiʻi offices will observe the Thanksgiving holiday and return to normal operations on Monday, Dec. 1.

Three new Ford F-450 brush trucks will bolster firefighting and speed up response times in more repost areas.

The Christmas Treasures Gift, Jewelry, Art and Crafts Fair will take place this week on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

Self-service options are available in many retail lobbies during post offi ce closures for holidays, including the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration, Nov. 27.

It’s the largest public pre-kindergarten expansion on Hawaiʻi Island’s eastside under Hawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke’s Ready Keiki initiative.

Individual and team registration options available from Nov. 24 through Dec. 22 for Elementary (grades 3-5) and Intermediate (grades 6-8) groups. Season runs Jan. 26 through March 11, 2026.

Studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments will be available for residents earning up to 50% of the area median income, with the first units anticipated to be ready in early 2026.

Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers named recipients of its annual appreciation awards during the recent 35th annual Hawai‘i International Tropical Fruit Conference at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

The Kona Open Space Network Conceptual Plan is a community-initiated goal of the Kona Community Development Plan to connect and preserve public open spaces by linking corridors such as trails, bike paths, shorelines, and roadways that support multimodal access.

Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids now account for 15% of new vehicle registrations; utility continues work to enhance charging equipment reliability.

There will be a three-day Ho‘olaule‘a starting Friday night, marking the completion of the sanctuary restoration, as well as marking the 205th anniversary of the congregation.