West Hawai‘i News

Readers in grades kindergarten through 12 participating in the winter reading challenge that runs through Feb. 22 can win prizes from U.S. Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi.

Everyone is urged to celebrate Super Bowl LX safely by making a plan before festivities begin. The most important step is having a sober ride in advance, whether that means designating a sober driver, using a taxi service or calling for a rideshare.

There have been 64 DUI arrests made so far this year, an almost 19% decrease from the 79 from the same period in 2025; DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

Residents and visitors alike should be storm ready before the arrival of the expected wicked weather this weekend and into early next week that could bring heavy rainfall, flooding and strong, gusty winds to parts of the Big Island and elsewhere throughout the islands.

Alaska Flight 255 left at just before 3 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 5) from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was back in Alaska within just about 5.5 hours after pilots declared emergency and decided to turn around because of a reported maintenance issue.

The expanded center will double the hospital’s treatment capacity from 6 to 12 chairs and significantly enhance patient privacy, safety and comfort, with additional features such as privacy barriers, negative-pressure isolation room for higher‑risk patients, dedicated waiting area for families and more.

Heavy rain is possible as early as Saturday, but most likely Sunday into Monday; flash flooding appears to be most likely for Maui County and the Big Island, particularly windward locations, and strong winds are most likely to impact Kaua‘i and Maui County.

We’re taking a different approach this week, highlighting what you might call a “featured item” or “must go”; Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre — or HEART — is hosting its 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert and Fundraiser at the beginning of next week, and now more than ever, the youth theatre program needs your help. Find this and more in this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island.

Hawai‘i Island keiki in kindergarten through sixth grade can submit original artwork depicting this year’s theme “Make Every Drop Count.”

The high surf advisory for the Big Island has been canceled.

Schools, public agencies, churches and private nonprofit organizations can apply to be U.S. Department of Agriculture Summer Food Service Program sponsors; participating organizations receive reimbursements for serving meals to children and teenagers 18 years old and younger at approved sites to children and teenagers.

Collection events are planned for 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo and Feb. 14 at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.

Detectives with Hawai‘i Police Department Area II Juvenile Aid Section continue to investigate, working closely with school administration and the child’s family to ensure the safety of students and staff; investigators do not think at this time the child has access to a firearm.

“These findings are significant because aquarium collecting has repeatedly been justified by claims of sustainability and rapid reef fish recovery once harvesting stops,” said For the Fishes Executive Director Rene Umberger. “Those claims are not supported by what actually happened on Hawaiʻi reefs.”

Money raised through the annual event will again go to Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation, benefiting public school teachers throughout the state with grants so they can implement new, innovative programs for their students.

The first moderate to large, long-period northwest swell will peak overnight tonight into early morning Friday, followed by a second overlapping, larger, long-period northwest swell building in Friday and peaking late Friday into Saturday before subsiding through the rest of the weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood statement for the Big Island, warning of minor flooding and erosion along north- and west-facing shores through February 2.

Customers in the affected area can now resume normal water use.

Get ready for a week that invites you to events from helping restore an ancient Hawaiian village site in the Valley of the Kings to expressing your opinions during a town hall meeting hosted by U.S. Congresswoman Jill Tokuda.

The goal of the federally mandated survey — which offers a snapshot of homelessness — is to identify and count individuals and families residing in places not meant for human habitation; more than 50 volunteers and staff are participating in this year’s initiative.