Community

Any unused Hawaiʻi Emergency Food Assistance Program balance cannot be carried over or reissued in 2026 and will be expunged at the end of the year.

The fundraising campaign helps to sustain youth programs on Hawaiʻi Island heading into the new year.

Now that the most wonderful day of the year and all the festivities that go with it are finally winding down, it’s time to change gears and look ahead at parties for New Year’s. Be sure to check out this week’s holiday happenings!

Holiday wishes were fulfilled for a total of 16,435 youth and seniors throughout The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division, but the need is growing and continues beyond the holidays; consider setting up your own Virtual Red Kettle campaign before the end of the year to help.

Duo from Big Island shot a 6-under-par total score of 66 on Dec. 22 at Wailuā Golf Course in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, to top the field and clinch their return to the spring championship, which will be hosted in May 2026 at Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.; will be one of 128 teams competing in championship.

Tree-cycling offered starting Dec. 28 at several recycling and transfer stations around the island for Christmas and holiday trees as well as kadomatsu decorations.

The Hawaiʻi Fire Department and the Todd family invite the community to honor Fire Chief Kazuo S.K.L. Todd, who died unexpectedly on Dec. 14 at age 45.

Hawaiʻi Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke says the OK for Connect Kākou to receive Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program funding is an important step toward bringing better internet connectivity options to communities throughout the state.

The announcement was made via a message from Kamehameha Schools Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer Livingston Wong; the full cost of education for every student — including those on the Big Island — instead would be borne by the private school’s $15 billion endowment.

Affected communities include Āhualoa to Waiemi Subdivision, as well as Honokaia, Puʻukapu, Nīnauele, Waimea Town, Lālāmilo Farm Lots, portions of Māna Road, parts of Māmalahoa Highway, Anekona Estates, and Kānehoa Subdivision.

Ahead of the new flight schedule, Southwest will offer special service between Las Vegas and Hilo during the 2026 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival.

Conservational Council of Hawai‘i explained there are 4 different rule changes that the council says will significantly change the way species such as the Hawaiian monk seal, brown booby, hawksbill sea turtle and more are protected.

Weekly Monday night Village Street Eats returns, bringing local flavors to resort guests and the community.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park rangers want visitors to have a safe and memorable adventure this holiday season. Safety is their top priority, but it is your responsibility.

Better Buildings & Better Plants partners saved more than $24 billion in energy costs to date, and financial allies extended $41 billion for projects that improve energy performance.

Punihaole’s stewardship and education efforts at Kahalu‘u Bay preserved one of the Big Island’s most vibrant marine sanctuaries and inspired a community movement to protect it for future generations.

Those on strike include housekeepers, maintenance workers, bellmen, cooks, and more.

Hawaiʻi State Rep. Matthias Kusch has proposed purchasing the land on ʻĀkolea Road in the Kaūmana area of Hilo for a wilderness park after plans for a subdivision went nowhere.

Community observing program Shadow the Scientists took the public on a tour of the famous interstellar visitor — sporting a holiday hue — with live observations from the Gemini North telescope control room on the Big Island.

The fellowship program is aimed at young Native Hawaiian adults and based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, equipping them with mentorship, cultural grounding, professional development and opportunities to serve their community at the national level.