West Hawai‘i News

44-year-old Matthew Larrua made his initial court appearance July 29 in Kona District Court; the charges stem from an incident the afternoon of July 28 at a business on Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona.

The congressional delegation has asked President Donald Trump to expedite Gov. Josh Green’s request for a presidential disaster declaration following a 6.0 earthquake on Hawaiʻi Island.

The infested area now includes the area between Henry Street, Palani Road and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona.

The Hawai‘i County Emergency Disaster Services team from the Honoka‘a Corps delivered the morning meal to about 60 firefighters working to bring the wildfire in South Kohala under control.

Closures are planned for weekdays, unless otherwise noted; All projects are weather permitting and lane closure schedules can change with little to no notice.

Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda reported in a late night July 25 video update on social media that more than 500 acres had burned south of Kawaihae Road and emergency personnel would continue fighting the blaze ‘probably all night.’

Hawai‘i County reports about 50 residences near the junction of Kawaihae Road and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway are covered by the evacuation order; the fire has burned about 500 acres as of about 9 p.m.

Forecaster confidence in Fausto’s track is increasing that strongest winds and heaviest rainfall will remain offshore to the north of the Hawaiian Islands; however, everyone still needs to continue watching the storm’s progress.

Customers can receive a variety of health screenings, connect with Walmart pharmacists and learn more about resources that support overall wellness; walk-ins are welcome and no registration is required for the July 25 event at Hilo and Kailua-Kona Walmart stores.

There’s a lot of experiences available for all ages to enjoy during the next week and beyond right here on the Big Island. Check out this week’s top 10 things to do now!

Hawaiian Electric crews will replace a utility pole the night of July 23-24, resulting in the closure of Māmalahoa Highway, just north of Kūāhewa Road.

Community members are invited to have conversations and build trust with South Kohala police officers at the Starbucks in Queen’s Marketplace.

Nine Brains, headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., acquired full fee-simple ownership of Pacific 19 Kona hotel — formerly Kona Seaside Hotel — 4 years after it purchased the ground lease for the property.

A group of 40-plus seniors participated in the inaugural event aimed at bridging gaps and building trust with Hawaiʻi Police Department.

County councili candidates for District 7 – Eddie Ombac, Manu Powers and Mark Henriques – will be answering questions from residents at a meet-and-greet on Sunday.

The 150 members of UNITE HERE Local 5 on the Big Island resort’s staff have worked without a contract since February 2025; they are asking their employer to negotiate with them on a contract that respects their work and wages while keeping up with the rising cost of living.

Those who attend will learn about ongoing planning efforts, connect with members of the working group and provide valuable feedback to inform future plans for one of West Hawaiʻi’s most treasured coastal resources.

Both festivals celebrate different cultures from the around the island, including Hawaiian, agricultural and Japanese; promise unique, family-friendly fun for the entire family.

Advance tickets are available through July 23 online at a reduced price for the event hosted at KBXtreme in Kailua-Kona and presented by lifestyle and apparel brand Hawai‘i’s Finest.

The annual JoAnn Williams event offers a diverse and impressive assortment of items by vendors and artisans from throughout the islands; scheduled July 18 at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona.