Community

Farmers are consistently exposed to invasive pests, volatile market prices and extreme weather such as the recent back-to-back kona lows that inundated the state; beyond the physical destruction of crops and infrastructure, the back-to-back kona lows also left a trail of mental and emotional exhaustion.

The festival, now scheduled for May 9 in Keauhou marks 25 years of honoring Kamehameha III, a visionary leader and his enduring influence on education and Hawaiʻi.

21st annual Fueling Dreams fundraising campaign hosted by marketer of Hele and 76 Hawai‘i runs through May 24 at 33 participating Hele stores throughout the islands.

Proof-of-concept launches statewide network to grow Hawai‘i’s healthcare workforce.

Next week is a big one for the Big Island. It’s Merrie Monarch time, celebrating all things Hawaiian. plus, it’s Easter Weekend. Check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!

Authorities are searching for 17-year-old Aaden Kuchmek, who was reported missing as a runaway from Kailua-Kona.

April is Volunteer Month throughout the nation; recent data show additional federal funding cutbacks are placing unprecedented strain on organizations that provide backbone of support for the state’s social, environmental and educational safety nets.

“Michael’s leadership is nothing short of visionary,” wrote Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Commission in a joint statement. “From shaping policy to building community, he has dedicated his life to ensuring that LGBTQ+ people in Hawaiʻi are not only protected but empowered to thrive.”

Paddle Against Cancer raises money to help Hawaiʻi Island residents travel to Oʻahu to receive cancer treatment.

The 5th Annual Autism Walk at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo this Saturday, April 4 aims to create a safer community for people with disabilities by promoting new communication methods and helpful resources.

There are two 2 open board seats available to commercial tenants and one available for a fee simple owner or lessee of land within the district; the new members will be elected in May during the Kailua Village Business Improvement District Annual Meeting.

The club is led by natural resources teacher Dean Snelling, a Kohala High alumnus, and the FFA club has 27 students and is one of the largest chapters in the state.

The Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre is calling all performers in Hawaiʻi, ages 8 to 80, to audition for “Frozen: The Musical” at the Hilo Palace Theatre.

The two people who survived the crash remain at Wilcox Medical Center in Līhue with undisclosed injuries.

‘Spin is a fossil record of how a planet formed,’ said study lead author and researcher at Northwestern University Dino Chih-Chun Hsu in an announcement about the discovery. ‘By measuring how quickly these worlds rotate, we can start to piece together the physical processes that shaped them tens to hundreds of millions of years ago.’

If you plan to be on Kaua‘i this May, sign up to walk with the affordable housing nonprofit in the 2026 Kaua‘i Charity Walk, or you can still help by donating if you live off-island; the more community members who participate will literally multiply PAL Hawai‘i’s impact.

Their artwork also was featured in the final exhibition for its exceptional craftsmanship, creativity and originality, and they now move on to the national level; 427 regional winners were chosen from 2,550 total submissions in this year’s art competition.

The Hawaiʻi Police Activities League to host another 3-on-3 basketball tournament for North Kohala youth in Kapaʻau at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

The free event — happening now until 3 p.m. — is open to the public and features a Maritime Career Expo and Waʻa Lauleʻa, a canoe festival or celebration; those who attend can explore waʻa and speak with crew members as well as connect with local organizations and community leaders.

Stormy weather isn’t on the guest list for any of this week’s events around the Big Island, so we enthusiastically encourage everyone to get out of the house to have some fun. Check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!