Community

A brief look at news and events happening throughout the state and around the Big Island.

A great variety of events, activities, festivals and more is once again available for people of all ages; check out this week’s top 10 to see what piques your interests!

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense received more than 200 damage reports as of Wednesday, with eight homes considered destroyed.

Kūpuna Watch is an outreach program where police discuss crime and traffic trends, the importance of reporting elder abuse, as well as ways to identify and prevent financial and internet crimes.

Free monthly events are aimed at strengthening communication and connection between police leadership and the community.

Tickets are limited, so don’t wait to get yours for this pop art-inspired fundraiser celebrating food, art, music and the creative community hosted by Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance in partnership with Ola Brew.

Sip, savor and enjoy the unique coffee and regional flavor of the Big Island’s most southern district during the 17th annual festival from June 14-20.

The program is designed to teach children essential swimming skills, promote water safety and build confidence; it will be offered in June and July at county pools around the island island.

Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources invites everyone in state to organize events on or about June 6 to mālama shorelines, waterways and community spaces that sustain life in Hawaiʻi.

Customers can still access many services during the holiday closure by visiting the USPS website or self-service kiosks available in many retail lobbies throughout the nation.

Troy Branco-Liu for most of his life never imagined leaving Lahaina. However, after the 2023 Maui wildfire upended his community, a University of Hawaiʻi scholarship opened a door the Lahainaluna High School graduate never expected, an opportunity to start over at Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo on the Big Island, which would ultimately change the course of his future.

“ARDA-Hawai‘i is honored to support the Kona Hospital Foundation as they elevate patient care and expand healthcare services in West Hawai‘i,” said Imanaka Asato LLLC Managing Principal and ARDA-Hawai‘i Chairman Mithcell Imanaka. “This donation reflects our dedication to supporting accessible, high-quality health care on Hawai‘i Island.”

“Mahalo to the faculty and staff recognized at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s 2026 End of the Year Awards Celebration for their excellence in teaching, service, innovation and care for our campus,” says a post on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Facebook page, adding it’s their work that makes a lasting impact every day.

Calvin Furtado was named January Officer of the Month, Josiah Loving and Victor McLellan were named February Officers of the Month and Jared-Taylor Makaweo-Quihano was honored as March Officer of the Month; all demonstrated distinguished police work, outstanding investigative work and decisive action.

Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services says its electronic benefit transfer, or EBT, vendor Fidelity Information Services sent some beneficiaries SUN Bucks card instead of regular Kōkua card.

A quick look at news happening throughout the state and beyond.

The utility firm, if necessary, could proactively shut off power within the next 24 hours in communities on both islands with high exposure to wildfire risk, including the Kawaihae and Waikōloa areas on Hawai‘i Island, as well as parts of Ōmaʻopio and Pulehu in Kahului in West Maui.

After decades of sharing them with students, friends and the community, Richard Stevens finally puts his stories of adventure, hardship, discovery, resilience and people and places that shaped his life into ‘Storyland,’ available now on Amazon.

This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer, with Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, and the Big Island, especially Puna, has plenty to do for revelers looking to celebrate during the long holiday break.

Punahou School student Safa Ahmed as the 2026 Hawaiʻi Youth Poet Laureate, which is a program to connect young voices and writers from across all islands.