Community

One Hawai‘i Police Department officer was among the 15 people to receive recognition for going above and beyond in the fight against impaired driving.

Waiākea Texaco in Hilo — led by Manager Lorraine “Nani” Nuesca — was the top fundraising station of the 30 throughout the state that participated, raising nearly $7,500 — the largest amount among participating stations.

The HIP Agriculture event June 27 in Kohala will feature researcher, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa tropical plant and soil sciences professor and University of Hawaiʻi Extension Specialist Ted Radovich.

Festivals and events celebrating culture and community highlight events happening this week around the Big Island. Check out the top 10 things to do now!

Hawaiian Eye Center offers safety tips to protect your eyes during U.S. celebration of its Independence Day.

Those households are now better prepared for ash and tephra fall from the ongoing Kīlauea episodic eruptive activity, protecting the water supplies on which many of them depend.

Project is aimed at reducing wildfire risk and limiting breeding habitat for invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle.

The luncheon also will feature a presentation by Special Agent Emily Moore of the FBI Honolulu Field Office’s Kona Resident Agency.

10 women were awarded by the club this year, including two Barbra An Pleadwell Scholarship recipients, five Women’s Nursing Degree Scholarship winners and three Young Woman in Leadership Award recipients.

Tournament scheduled June 27 at Kona Country Club; proceeds raised will assist the state’s only full-service maternity, newborn and pediatric specialty Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

The Kona Police Station, located at 74‑611 Hale Makai Place in Kailua‑Kona, is also accepting back‑to‑school supply donations prior to the event.

Hawaiʻi Police Department is hosting a school supply drop box at Hilo Police Station, located at 349 Kapiʻolani St., in Hilo as part of the effort. Community members are encouraged to donate new school supplies for East Hawaiʻi Keiki and can do so now.

Meetings rotate around Hawaiʻi Island and provide residents an opportunity to meet directly with Big Island Police Chief Reed Mahuna and district commanders to share concerns, ask questions and discuss public safety issues in an open, conversational setting.

This will be the third community meeting hosted by Hawai‘i Department of Transportation about the airport’s master plan update; it will include a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

June continues to offer a full slate of events, activities and festivals around the island.

This year’s contest theme was “Make Every Drop Count,” emphasizing the importance of conserving drinking water, which is connected to the county Department of Water Supply mission to provide customers with an adequate and continuous supply of safe drinking water in a financially responsible manner.

The honor was awarded to Love for his exemplary service in assisting a stranded motorist on a busy highway at the end of November 2025.

The cleanup initiative is a part of the HONOUR — Homeless Outreach Nurturing Our Community — project, which included about 20 unsheltered volunteers who assisted with cleaning up the popular playground; it brought officers and community members together with a shared goal of preserving and enhancing one of the Big Island’s valued public spaces.

Winners Rianne Angelique Kealohaokalani Kalama Empaynado and Mari Iwata were honored during the club’s Scholarship Dinner Reception, which also featured Hilo-born kānaka maoli surf journalist and communications and marketing professional Daniel Ikaika Ito as keynote speaker.

Hawaiʻi Island Chapter will host inaugural No Ka ʻOi Hospitality Awards on Monday, June 15, celebrating individuals whose dedication helps create memorable visitor experiences while strengthening one of the island’s most important economic drivers.