Community
State Transportation Department director headlines March Waimea Town Meeting
Main focus of Waimea Community Association monthly meeting will be transportation issues affecting Waimea and South Kohala; Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works Deputy Director Neil Azevedo also will joint conversation.
Students reflect on changes through their art in the 38th annual Young at Art exhibition
Young at Art features artwork from Hawaiʻi Island students in kindergarten through 12th grade from all public, charter, private and home schools at the Wailoa Center in Hilo until March 26.
Kona community police to engage with kūpuna and keiki this week
Kona community police are holding a monthly Kupuna Watch meeting to build rapport with kupuna on Feb. 27, and then on Feb. 28, the Keiki Fun Run/Walk will encourage the community to stay active.
First disabled artist-in-residence at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park calls it ‘milestone of inclusion’
Tennessee resident Houston Vandergriff, who was born with Down syndrome, hopes his photographs and advocacy will inspire others to live life to the fullest and to live life with compassion.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo grad student bridges divide between ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and Japan
Recently released new mele Hawaiʻi featuring duet between award-winning Hawaiʻi musician and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Hawaiian language graduate student Nicholas Kealiʻi Lum and Japan-born musician and trained ʻōlapa hula Tom Noʻeau offers compelling example of how Hawaiian language is taking root far beyond the islands.
Hundreds honor life, legacy of beloved kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole
Esteemed kumu hula Nālani Kanakaʻole, whose life’s work transformed Native Hawaiian cultural traditions globally, was honored in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony, underscoring her far-reaching influence in hula and Hawaiian values.
Registration for Big Island’s summer meal program Kaukau 4 Keiki opens next week
Kaukau 4 Keiki is a six-week program, sponsored by the nonprofit Vibrant Hawai‘i, that begins the week of June 22 and ends the week of July 31, 2026.
Individuals facing barriers to medical access receive free eye care in Kona last month
Jenkins Eye Care and Project Vision Hawaiʻi is provided free eye exams to 20 unhoused individuals in Kona as part of ongoing outreach effort to provide urgent vision care to underserved communities.
Nā Hōkū Hoe: The Paddling Stars Talent Show
Big Island community invited and encouraged to attend a special one-of-a-kind evening showcasing incredible talents of ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima canoe club members and supporters to benefit the nonprofit that provides opportunities for people with special needs and the programs that uplift them.
ʻImiloa in Hilo celebrates 20 years of creating space for curiosity, learning, dialogue
A birthday bash from 2 to 6 p.m. today will feature hands-on activities, anniversary treats, giveaways and full access to exhibits and the planetarium all for free; the celebration also kicks off a year of monthly anniversary programming throughout 2026.
Kaua‘i to host hole new level of fun on mini golf stage; ready to tee up for the challenge?
United States ProMiniGolf Association for the first time is bringing its annual U.S. Open to Hawai‘i, with the 28th contest hitting the greens at Kaua‘i Mini Golf & Botanical Gardens in Anaina Hou Community Park in Kīlauea; you can even be part of the historic fun by heading to the Garden Isle to participate in the U.S. Open of Mini Golf Pro/Am Tournament.
Insights: Is Hawaiʻi being left behind?
Data suggest it is, though not in the same way as traditional left-behind regions.
Rising housing, food needs throughout Hawaiʻi revealed in annual 211 Report
The 2025 Aloha United Way report draws on more than 51,000 calls, texts and chats to the statewide 211 helpline.
Farm-to-Table Wok Cook-Off to promote agriculture as career path for Big Island youth
Mark your calendar now and don’t miss Kohala Intergenerational Center’s free community event March 14, celebrating 20 years as a hub for education and connection, that will also include a farmers market and agricultural service booths.
Register now for West Hawaiʻi Jr. NBA/WNBA Novice Boys, Open Co-Ed Basketball
Those interested in participating have until Feb. 25 to register.
Deadline approaches to apply for 2026 Fukunaga Scholarship
Students who are selected each receive $20,000 throughout 4 years — or a pro-rated amount for fewer years — that can be applied to tuition, books, housing and other educational expenses; deadline to apply online is Feb. 23.
Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Feb. 20-26: JuggleFest, ‘A Box of Chocolates,’ ‘Imiloa’s birthday, comedy and more
And that’s just a quick sample of the wide and, shall we say, unique variety of events and activities happening around the Big Island. Cure that ‘cabin fever’ and get out of the house to discover what we’re talking about.
County extends voluntary compliance order for movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials
Residents and business operators in the voluntary compliance area are asked not to transport coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials that include decomposing plant material, plant propagation material, other items comprised of decomposing organic plant material and several genera of live palm plants; order will remain in place through April 30.
Power remains on in communities with high exposure to wildfire risk
Hawaiian Electric says public safety power shutoffs remain possible, however, for North and South Kohala on Big Island and Upcountry, Central and West Maui with wind advisory still in effect through Thursday morning (Feb. 19).
