West Hawaii News

With lawmakers convening Jan. 15 for their 2025 session, Kona Community Hospital administration will speak with lawmakers about securing $13.2 million to ensure patients are seen more quickly.

Behind us are the holidays and ahead is a whole new year, full of exciting experiences and opportunities to reinvent ourselves. Let’s make a resolution to try something new during 2025.

Local and international musicians and artists will be in Pahala and Kailua-Kona to teach young artists and connect with the culture of Hawaiʻi beginning Saturday.

Two minutes after midnight, Hawaiʻi Island police responded to a vehicle collision in South Kona that killed a pedestrian, marking the first traffic fatality of 2025.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reported a 10% increase in traffic fatalities in 2024 with 51 from the City and County of Honolulu, 29 from Hawaiʻi Island, 14 from Maui County and 8 from Kauaʻi County.

There were 770,940 visitors to the Hawaiian Islands in November of this year, which is an increase of 5.3% compared to the same month in 2023.

Gov. Josh Green signed an executive order protecting primary caregivers cultivating cannabis for patients within the bounds of the law that exists as of Dec. 31, 2024.

Hawaiʻi County agency made the announcement after the last surf-related advisory for the Big Island’s western shores was canceled early Sunday morning.

As another year comes to a close, revelry and talk of auld lang syne will abound — reminiscing about times long past for old times’ sake. But no matter what you do to celebrate this New Year’s, be safe, be responsible and do it together.

Wally Lau, co-founder of the Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force, said of Hawai’i County Mayor Kimo Alameda: “No matter where he’s at, he is a motivator and a do-er who can excite people.”

Fireworks sales began Thursday and end at midnight New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.

The Hawai‘i Department of Health at about 1 p.m. Wednesday requested assistance from U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu watchstanders with a non-maritime emergency medical transport for a 44-year-old patient in Kona experiencing a severe abdominal condition.

Dannah Delos Santos was reported missing Dec. 17; however, she was last seen Dec. 12 at the Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal in downtown Hilo.

The kickoff dinner Dec. 29 will spotlight the theme “Rum & Hawai‘i Island Pork,” with a crafted 4-course dinner, each paired with signature Kuleana Rum Works cocktails.

Several libraries around the island also have adjusted hours today, Christmas Eve, and on New Year’s Eve.

Surf has finally dropped below advisory levels for the first time since early last week. Hawai‘i County Civil Defense said all county beach parks that were closed because of the high surf event are expected to open by noon today.

All County of Hawaiʻi solid waste facilities will be closed all day Wednesday, Dec. 25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Project Hawaiʻi needs urgent support to bring holiday magic to Big Island youth experiencing homelessness.

Enjoy the full slate of what our truly loved Big Island gave to us to do this year for the holidays. It is much better than a partridge in a pear tree or 4 calling birds. At least in our opinion.

Motorists should plan ahead as a Hawaiian Electric crew will replace a utility pole from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Māmalahoa Highway, north of the Hawai‘i Island Humane Society.