West Hawai‘i News

The university’s statewide system of 7 community colleges was recently ranked 11th in the nation in a 2025 Wallethub analysis, which evaluated 653 colleges nationwide on 18 metrics, including tuition, graduation and transfer rates and post-graduation earnings.

Nearly 300 kūpuna from Hawai‘i Island, Molokaʻi and Japan will perform during the event Sept. 10-11 at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa in Keauhou on the west side of the Big Island.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting. Will any of these planned closures impact your commute or fun? Take a look and plan ahead now.

There have been 14 fatal crashes on the Big Island so far this year, resulting in 15 fatalities, and alcohol or drug impairment was a factor in half of them.

Changes made as a result of Mayor Kimo Alameda’s permitting task force improved the permit review process; local contractors, business owners are noticing a difference.

Team Rubicon volunteers bring innovative strategies to ease risk of wildfire and increase resilience for both ecosystems and residents.

Despite the heat, this time of year is great for getting out and going before everyone’s schedules overflow with work, school activities, sports and — yes, it’s only just a few months away now — the holiday season. So don’t miss the full slate of activities and events happening during the next several days around the island.

The theme for the 2025 conference — slated for Sept. 12-13 in Kailua-Kona — focuses on practical tools and thoughtful reflections to support the kindergarten entry assessment domains.

Local National Agricultural Statistics Service representatives will visit operations and properties on the Big Island this month and in September to determine if they meet eligibility criteria for the survey.

The eatery in downtown Kailua-Kona was allowed to reopen Aug. 12 after successfully completing several mandatory corrective actions to take care of multiple food safety violations found last week during a routine food safety inspection, which included cockroaches seen on food-contact surfaces and in ready-to-eat food.

28-year-old Weston Duarte faces a total of 26 offenses; he remains in custody at Hālawa Correctional Facility, a state prison, in Honolulu on the basis of a pending parole violation; a $350,000 bench warrant for his arrest also was issued upon his indictment.

Waves of 10 to 14 feet are forecast this morning, decreasing to 8 to 12 feet this afternoon and 7 to 10 feet Monday for those shorelines in Puna, Kaʻū, North and South Kona and North and South Kohala. Flooding of beaches that are normally dry, minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation also will be an issue with continued coastal flooding.

In observance of Statehood Day, Aug. 15, there will be no contraflow and lane closures unless otherwise permitted. Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

A state Health Department inspector observed violations at Pancho & Lefty’s Cantina & Restaurante including dead and live cockroaches on food-contact surfaces and in ready-to-eat food, unclean facilities and utensils and possible cross-contamination of refrigerated foods.

Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are forecast by Aug. 8 along the southern shores of the island, with wave heights increasing to between at least 10 and 14 feet by Aug. 9.

The extension comes as National Weather Service forecasters also issued a high surf advisory for south-facing shores of the state that will be in effect from early Friday morning to early the morning of Aug. 11.

Essays or letters should be no more than 1,000 words and include a constructive proposal for how to maintain or improve their relationships with their parents. Submissions will be judged on bravery, reflection and their proposals.

The Climate Action Pathways first draft was developed based on community feedback gathered at more than 80 public events throughout Hawaiʻi.

This week’s top 10 is a celebration of diversity once again — for events and activities — with everything from observing the fifth annual SPAM Musubi Day to the Hana No‘eau Hawaiian Arts Festival and a tail-wagging good time for keiki and their furry best friends. Check out this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!

An inspector with the Hawai‘i Department of Health Food Safety Branch osbserved multiple criticial food safety violations July 30 at the Kailua-Kona restaurant, which was then immediately forced to close. It received its green “pass” placard Aug. 4.