Community

Hawai‘i Police Department Detective Anson Caceres was named the Kona Crime Prevention Committee’s Officer of the Month for December.

The 42 men and women of recruit class 22-01 collected more than 80 new toys, books and games for the annual toy drive.

The second Waikōloa Holiday Food Drive resulted in the collection of enough food to fill Santa’s sleigh and $4,500 in additional monetary donations to support The Food Basket, Hawaiʻi Island’s Food Bank. 

The Kona and Puna Action Committees are responsible for implementing resident-driven solutions from the development plans that positively transform their communities in partnership with a network of businesses, non-profits and community leaders.

With just five bell-ringing days left before Christmas, donations in Hawaii are currently tracking at 67% of a $750,000 goal for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettles holiday campaign.

While several photos of storm damage are circulated on social media, photos of snow on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are also making an appearance.

During the workshop, the agency will gather public input for the state’s update to its Hazard Mitigation Plan that deals with flooding, hurricanes, wildfires and other hazards.

The Association of Hawaiians for Homestead Lands, a federal office of the U.S. Department of the Interior, is hosting a virtual national briefing about the beneficiary $600 million spending plan for Act 279 on Dec. 21.

The courses are through EA Ecoversity, which was founded in 2020 by Kū-A-Kanaka, a native Hawaiian social enterprise headquartered in Hilo.

The Hanukkah celebration, which the congregation has hosted for more than five years, is open to all faiths, all beliefs, all ages and all beings.

Enjoy traditional holiday songs, learn to dance the “Chanukah Hula” and much more during the free event.

The ever-popular event is an opportunity for community members to engage with their district police officers one-on-one.

The 8-foot tall menorah provided by Rabbi Rachel Short and the congregation of Ahava ‘Aina.

The Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge are $85,000 away from reaching their goal for the 2022 fall Endowment Campaign.

Preferred applicants will have enthusiasm, patience, the ability to plan, organize and conduct activities and a desire to help children grow and develop.

The event, co-sponsored by the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Hilo Community Policing Section and the Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation Department, included slides prepared by the Ka‘apuni ‘ohana, games and jumping castles.

Ahava ‘Aina is inviting everyone to participate in the lighting of the first candle of Hanukkah with Rabbi Rachel at the Grand Naniloa Resort, located at 93 Banyan Drive in Hilo, on Dec. 18 at 4 p.m.

Mr. and Mrs. Kringle will be making an appearance this weekend at Kona Commons.

The holiday tradition returns for its third year this weekend at the historic Palace Theater in Downtown Hilo.

The children and their families enjoyed arts and crafts stations, a photo booth and prize drawings. The day ended with a surprise visit from Santa Claus carrying a bag full of presents.