West Hawai‘i News

Paul Tresnak, 69, was arrested and charged after allegedly driving toward a construction worker in Kailua-Kona last Wednesday.

Kazama’s chancellorship — including as interim — is marked by an era of growth, stability and renewed momentum for Hawaiʻi Community College.

Electronic Processing and Information Center — Hawai’i County’s online portal for permits, plan submissions, inspections, payments and public records — will be unavailable from 1 a.m. June 11 through 8 a.m. June 12.

The nonprofit, along with KTA Super Stores, on June 5, 2026, treated staff and employees of Hawai’i County, first responders, hospital staff and other public servants around the Big Island to deliveries of aloha in the form of hundreds of donuts, celebrating the people making a positive difference in their communities.

Each scholarship recipient and their parents will be honored July 20 during a special Lions Club of Kona Scholarship Awards Dinner at Teshima’s Restaurant in Kealakekua; the public is invited to attend.

Dr. Richard Stevens takes readers on a journey through his book, “Storyland,” which weaves personal stories and profound insights to inspire readers to reflect on their own paths.

The program makes nutritious meals available to keiki 18 years old and younger — at no charge — during the summer break between school years; meals will be provided Monday through Friday, June 8-July 17.

Hawai’i County prosecutor’s office reports 26-year-old Nicholas Andreoni was arrested following two traffic incidents during which he was clocked at driving more than 100 mph on a suspended license.

Charges against 23-year-old Kailua-Kona man Arley Alokoa and a juvenile male stem from an incident June 1 at Kailua-Kona Pier involving an alleged sexual assault, an affray during which another man was injured and a theft of a backpack that likely was the location of the knife used in the fight.

The talk story starts at 5 p.m. at Hawai‘i Keiki Museum in Waikōloa; everyone is encouraged to attend; admission is free and open to the public; features speaker from Big Island Invasive Species Committee.

It’s another week full of a unique variety of fun events, activities and more on the Big Island. Check out the top 10 things to do now!

Savage surf slams over seawall along Ali‘i Drive in downtown Kailua-Kona, drenching passers-by and vehicles; causes Pride of America cruise ship to skip its Kona stop, leading to cancellation of concert by Kona and Windward (O‘ahu) choral societies at Mokuʻaikaua Church; surf should begin to decline overnight, but ocean safety and emergency officials remain on high alert because of dangerous conditions.

Utility’s year-round resilience work reduces outages, supports faster restoration, but customers are encouraged to get ready before a tropical cyclone ever approaches the islands; Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green, state and county officials reiterate preparedness message.

The quake was initially reported as a magnitude-4.6 and then revised up to a magnitude-5.2 before again being changed back to a magnitude-4.6 with the latest update from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory; moderate shaking reported by community members.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reports Kahaluʻu Beach Park; Laʻaloa Beach Park, also known as Magic Sands; Old Kona Airport Beach Park; and Kohanaiki Beach Park are shuttered as the advisory for south-facing shores of the island remains in place until Thursday morning, June 4; surf of 8 to 12 feet forecast along advisory shorelines.

A quick look at news happening throughout the state and around the Big Island.

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

“This scholarship is one example of the new strategies we are testing to expand access, increase enrollment, strengthen educational attainment and help build the workforce our state needs. It is good for our students and good for Hawaiʻi,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel.

All three of the traditional triathlon stages are included — swimming, biking and running — and drivers should expect slowing down on a portion of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway that racers will take on their way toward Hāwī.

The base of Mauna Loa sitting on top of the old oceanic crust is only 6 miles below sea level, so the major magnitude-6.0 earthquake the night of Friday, May 22, happened deeper than the volcano — even deeper than the base of the ocean crust, which is bent downward by the weight of the Hawaiian Island chain.