Community

Hilo will be the epicenter of all things hula and Hawaiian as the annual Merrie Monarch Festival — the weeklong celebration of island culture — returns for its 62nd year.

Hawai‘i Fire Department’s two helicopters circled the entire island, spending four days in the air, covering 1,724 nautical miles in 19 hours.

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification course, which includes deep water training, will be held 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily from April 29 through May 2.

The male suspect reportedly assaulted an employee before fleeing the scene on a red bicycle traveling south on Pauahi Street.

On the second day of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, police communications officers were honored during the blessing of their new facility that will provide dispatchers with spacious work zones, top-of-the-line technology and other modern amenities.

Boarding students at Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy can now have dinner from nine Waimea restaurants while remaining on campus due to a business created by a fellow student.

The county and its community partners are hosting events in Hilo, Kea‘au and Pāhala, with the first one this Sunday, and invite the everyone to come have an egg-cellent time in celebration of the season.

From looking for a job in the health care sector to wanting to relax with some jazz and blues played by a Grammy Signature School band, and a ton of stuff in between, you shouldn’t have any problem finding something to keep you occupied — at least for an hour or 2 — during the next week.

Construction will address structural and safety concerns and while improving the user experience from April 21 to early 2026

For the past 30 years, the county and the District Health Office in Hilo have hosted a community event during National Public Health Week that focuses on promoting health and wellness.

Nonprofit based in Waimea on Big Island and dedicated to protecting Hawai‘i’s communities and natural resources from devastating effects of wildfires was one of just 5 organizations and individuals in the nation to be honored recently by National Association of State Foresters.

With help from the Oak Foundation Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Hope Services Hawai‘i secured Kani Le‘a apartment complex for $2.7 million.

There’s once again some great events and activities happening around the Big Island during the upcoming week — and even further out. Be sure to check all of them out now!

Supporting and providing early learning opportunities is more than just about offering fun for the kids. It’s about preparing keiki for success in school — and life — by introducing them to literacy and social skills.

Silent protests will be held in Kaʻū, Kona, Waimea, and Hilo as part of a coordinated, peaceful demonstration across the country to raise awareness of federal policies that threaten Hawai‘i’s people and resources.

The County of Hawai’i will be accepting public comment on a proposed amendment to fund the Waikōloa Village Wildfire Evacuation Traffic Study until April 30.

This is the first time a Hawaiʻi post office will be named after a Vietnam War soldier: 1st Lt. John Kuulei Kauhaihao of Hōnaunau.

A portion of Walua Road will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Since Maria Jose opened West Hawai‘i Animal Urgent Care in December 2024 she has seen several animals with a wide range of ailments. Aside from cats and dogs, Jose has treated chickens, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Two nonprofits have partnered for the past seven years to count whales during peak season, ensuring data is collected simultaneously.