West Hawaii News

Initial efforts will focus on areas where families could experience greater impacts from a disruption of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Vibrant Hawaiʻi purchasing locally sourced produce, proteins and shelf-stable food to serve about 1,800 residents during the first 3 weeks of November.

Organizers hope the role of local food producers is uplifted and a community sense of food security is strengthened, enhancing people’s ability to feed themselves and depend less on imports.

Young Brothers reports that power is fully restored and all email and phone lines are again online. The port will operate normal gate hours Oct. 27.

Areas including Waikiʻi, Kawaihae, Waikōloa, Puakō and South Kohala may experience power shut offs during high winds and dry conditions that cause risk of wildfire.

Several restrictions are in place for those areas under threat of wildfires igniting from critical fire weather conditions, which are expected again later Friday morning and afternoon and Saturday.

All of the fires were 10-foot-10 in size and seen in the area between the intersection of Hulikoa Drive and Hina Lani Street. A cause has not been determined.

Get expert advice from nursery folks hailing from around the island and shop all the beautiful flowers and plants that will be available for sale at the same time. You don’t want to miss this blooming good time!

It will be a spooktacular weekend before Halloween, with several events on the Big Island once again planned to celebrate the holiday — each one a scream in its own right; all offering tons of frightful family fun.

A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings.

Thousands of frontline caregivers will return to the bargaining table Oct. 28-29 backed by community support and a national patient safety mandate.

Community outreach officers and volunteers joined forces in Kailua-Kona to clean up Kalaepaʻakai Beach.

Hawaiʻi County’s $6.4 million Hale Hālāwai Force Main Replacement Project, which is expected to be complete in October 2026, involves the installation of a new 12-inch sewer force main, rehabilitation of manholes and vaults, installation of a new flow meter, pavement restoration and related improvements.

The quake struck 11 miles northwest of Kalaʻoa at a depth of 27 miles, offshore and near Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, and was felt as far away as Waimea, Kauaʻi.

Two collection events are scheduled for later this year; registration is open now, but the deadlines to sign up are drawing nearer.

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.

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation is reducing the speed to provide a manageable, safe and consistent speed limit for that portion of the highway, which contains community and keiki gathering places such as Harold H. Higashihara Park and Kamakana Playground, as well as a church and scenic point.

Checkout donations at visitor center stores hit a record high, showing strong visitor commitment to conservation and culture.

National Weather Service radar and automated rain gauges indicated at 5:05 p.m. that heavy rain was falling over the lower slopes of North Kona at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour.

39 participants from the West Hawai‘i Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America had the unique opportunity of experiencing the daily operations of Hawai‘i Police Department and meeting the officers who serve their communities.

A total of 708 DUI arrests have been made so far this year, a 7.69% decrease from the 767 made during the same period in 2024.