West Hawai‘i News

National Weather Service issued a flood watch in effect through Saturday afternoon (March 14) for Hawaiʻi Island as conditions are expected to become favorable; the storm could even produce brief and weak tornadoes in addition to isolated severe thunderstorms.

Outdoor recreation — including camping, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, etc. — and boating or other water activities during inclement weather put not only yourself but first responders at greater risk in an emergency.

There have been 135 DUI arrests so far this year, a 19.16% decrease from the 167 DUI arrests by the same time last year.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

The roadway was previously closed between Aloha Kona Drive and Kuakini Highway because of a traffic crash.

The Kohala Centerʻs ReefTeach program and Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources ask and urge the public to refrain from swimming, snorkeling and surfing in Kahaluʻu Bay during the closure to support the successful reproduction, settlement and recruitment of new cauliflower coral, as well as give Kahaluʻu this brief — yet essential — time for rejuvenation.

The 21st annual Home Expo Hawaiʻi is at the Kaleiopapa Convention Center on March 14 and 15, and the 2nd annual Healthcare Career Expo is at Kealakehe High School on March 25.

Music is in the air this week as several venues around the island are hosting concerts, live bands and even dance shows featuring a variety of tunes in several different styles; but that’s not all — check out this week’s top 10 now!

Kona Crime Prevention Committee honored Officers Charles Caldwell-Kaʻai, Tyler Meno, Jason Cunefare, and Lawrence Matsumoto for exemplary work in 2025.

The islandwide inspections will be conducted from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 10-13 in a Manuiwa Airways helicopter.

The residence where the gunshots were coming from is located in close proximity to a school and numerous homes in a nearby subdivision.

Employees at Luana Hospitality Group restaurants – Huggo’s, On the Rocks, Kai Eats + Drinks and Lava Lava Beach Club – now have a stake in the company’s future success.

Hawaiʻi Police Department officers Jason Cunefare and Lawrence Matsumoto will be honored for their exemplary service.

Those who attend will learn about Kahaluʻu as ʻāina lei aliʻi, the lands that adorn the chiefs, and what made Kahaluʻu so special for generations; participants also will engage in kilo, or intentional observation along the shoreline or in the water and moʻolelo, or oral history, of Kahalu‘u will be shared and a mo’olelo of the day will be collectively created.

Lane closure schedules can change at any time without notice. All projects are weather permitting.

Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources and its partners began monitoring the sperm whale carcass Feb. 6; waters from Makalawena to Honokōhau are of particular concern during the next few weeks.

Jade Palace 2 in Kailua-Kona can reopen after receiving a red placard from the Department of Health earlier this month.

Police have made 95 DUI arrests so far this year, a decrease of 22.76c5 from the 123 DUI arrests made by the same time last year.

This weekend is so packed with events and activities — all on Friday and Saturday — there wasn’t room in the top 10 for anything else! Check them out now; we’re sure you’ll have a great time at whichever events and activities you attend.

Fee at Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station will be $5 per cubic yard; fee at East Hawaiʻi Organics Facility will be $20 per cubic yard as of March 1.