West Hawai‘i News

The festival announced the key updates as momentum builds for the 31st annual event slated for March 14 at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona; tickets go on sale Jan. 10.

3 Kona canoe clubs lead construction effort and launch GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the project.

“Storms like this are unpredictable and potentially dangerous, so we urge the public to be prepared,” said Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “The picture right now looks like the biggest risk is to Puna and Hilo communities, but that could shift to Ka‘ū or to Kona coast communities by later this weekend.”

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

Local sponsors step forward each year to create scholarships that reflect their own values, journeys and hopes for the next generation — and 2026 marks the program’s most generous year yet.

After years of improving relationships between police and the community as a whole, Lt. William Derr has been promoted to captain for the North Kohala District beginning today.

The most wonderful time of year has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around the island. There just isn’t as much hustle and bustle as there was in December; so take some time to relax and enjoy yourself instead of running around on all those busy sidewalks.

Vivianna Arsenault was reported as a runaway Tuesday, Dec. 30 and was last seen in Kailua-Kona around 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25 in a red jacket and black shorts.

The meeting is an opportunity for residents to provide input and learn about the federally funded study, which is intended to mitigate the risk of harm to people and property in fire-vulnerable Waikōloa Village area.

While the The Nature Conservancy helps coral reef growth with quick, short-term responses, ʻĀkoʻakoʻa Reef Restoration Program focuses on long-term reef health.

More than 1,000 toys were donated and subsequently distributed to The Salvation Army and Boys & Girls Club to help ensure 1,000 keiki throughout West Hawaiʻi received holiday gifts this Christmas season.

There have been 883 DUI arrests so far in 2025, a 5.96% decrease compared with 939 during the same period last year.

Newly created office serves Hawaiʻi Island’s west and north coasts, and a wide range of jobs are available, such as office assistants and trade workers, with monthly salaries between about $3,500 to $6,700, plus state benefits.

The man was positively identified as Bryan Coppola of Bethlehem, Conn., who reportedly became distressed while snorkeling with a family member the afternoon of Dec. 26 in waters at Ho‘okena Beach Park, a nearly 11-mile drive south of Captain Cook.

Hawaiʻi Police Department donated $8,200 and 2,300 pounds of food to the Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket after a successful Fill a Cruiser food drive this holiday season.

Now that the most wonderful day of the year and all the festivities that go with it are finally winding down, it’s time to change gears and look ahead at parties for New Year’s. Be sure to check out this week’s holiday happenings!

Holiday wishes were fulfilled for a total of 16,435 youth and seniors throughout The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division, but the need is growing and continues beyond the holidays; consider setting up your own Virtual Red Kettle campaign before the end of the year to help.

A severely burned body was discovered in a residence in the 92-9200 block of Reef Parkway; the victim’s identity and cause of the blaze also remain under investigation, with an autopsy ordered to determine the victim’s exact cause of death.

Tree-cycling offered starting Dec. 28 at several recycling and transfer stations around the island for Christmas and holiday trees as well as kadomatsu decorations.

Jordin Trevena-Garon is wanted in connection with three counts of second-degree assault, which took place in 2023.