West Hawaii News

Motorists are reminded that schedules can change at any time, without notice. All projects also are weather permitting.

12 motorists were arrested the week of Jan. 27-Feb. 2 for driving under the influence of an intoxicant on Big Island roadways. A total of 88 DUI arrests had been made for the year by the end of last week.

The suspect in the Dec. 29, 2024, theft is a local/Hawaiian woman possibly in her early 20s, between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-5, weighing 130 to150 pounds.

Alerts through the Everbridge notification system are issued for natural disasters, road closures and other emergency-related public service announcements.

Variety of positions were available, including sales and marketing, housekeeping, guest services, maintenance, food and beverage and more. Walk-ins were welcome.

Love is in the air on the Big Island. Several of this week’s top 10 things to do already are Valentine’s Day-related, but we’re giving you a few early date ideas in case you want to plan ahead and make reservations to surprise your sweetie. Lovers of culture and history, conservation and the environment, community and music have plenty of options, too, this week.

This is your chance to provide feedback about how Hawai‘i Police Department is doing. You can take the survey until 4 p.m. Feb. 28.

No buses or paratransit services will run today because of Americans With Disabilities Act training for all Hawaiʻi County Mass Transit employees and contractors. Regular services will resume Monday.

The winter storm that blew through the state at the end of the week fortunately didn’t blow away or wash out any of the multitude of events happening around the island, some of which are going on right now!

Nine Hawaiʻi County nonprofits will receive $10.1 million for 15 projects using funding from Tier 2 residential property taxes.

Egg shortages and the fear of depopulation has local poultry farmers urging the State of Hawaiʻi to consult with them and develop an avian flu response plan as the virus spreads to chickens, cows and humans on the mainland.

“Crews are working hard to ensure roadways are clear and to restore power to traffic intersections,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “We ask residents to remain off roadways, if possible, as weather conditions worsen and to stay connected to our emergency notifications.”

Hawaiian Electric urges customers to be prepared for possibility of extended outages. Several Hawaiʻi County and state facilities and parks closed because of inclement weather.

Department of Water Supply says to prepare by setting aside drinking water ahead of time to meet essential needs during a prolonged power outage that disrupts water service and having alternate emergency sources of potable water.

Actions were taken by staff, personnel and crew at the facilities throughout the state to make sure they are ready for impacts. Airports will remain open unless there is damage to runway or terminal facilities.

Potted plants from five Big Island mom and pop nurseries from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area. 

Hawai‘i Police Department is closing the road in Hāmākua on the east side of the Big Island because of the flood watch that will be in effect for the island associated with the approaching major winter storm.

Unusually strong winter storm expected to pass just north of Kaua‘i, dragging cold front up through entire state, with tropical moisture and instability provided by strong southerly kona winds.

Hawai‘i Island kindergarteners through sixth graders to create art with the theme of, “Being Water Wise is…,” for a contest through the County Department of Water Supply.

Eight out of 45 Hawaiʻi VEX robotics teams have an opportunity to compete at the highest level in the world-class event after qualifying in regionals last weekend.