#Department of Parks and Recreation

Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation suspends plans to charge admission at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens in Hilo. Proposed changes to Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center also being put on hold for further review.

The new playground meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards and features new tactile and interactive elements, challenging climbing structures.

Alex Kuklenko claims 2024 Employee of the Year title, Lindsey Iyo named 2024 Manager of the Year and Craig Kawaguchi wins 2024 Supervisor of the Year award. They were among a total of 29 employees nominated for all three awards.

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification courses are open to participants who will be 15 years old on or before the final scheduled session of the lifeguarding course.

The event features 8 days of prestigious international outrigger canoe racing, spotlighting the best of the best 1,866 teams of men, women and youth from around the world in the sport. It’s also a display of culture from around the world that’s not to be missed.

The research is part of a larger project funded by the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center, which is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey, UH Mānoa and UH Hilo.

Separate divisions are offered for keiki 5 to 12 years old, teens, men, women, kūpuna at least 55 years old and ‘ohana. There also will be an art contest and invasive species division in which all entrants are automatically entered. This year’s tournament is Aug. 16-18.

At least 20 houseless individuals living near a canal in downtown Hilo are now taking shelter in temporary shade tents on a vacant gravel lot on the southeast side of Ponahawai Street.

On Wednesday, community leaders, students elected officials and local residents held a blessing for Waiakahi‘ula Beach Park, formerly known as Kahakai Park.

Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

The County of Hawai‘i Department of Parks and Recreation is partnering with Hawai‘i Futsal and the WeGo! Foundation for the event, which will take place Aug. 9-11 at the Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium, the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and Pana‘ewa Park.

Major improvements include construction of a new comfort station; a new pavilion; potable water infrastructure; fire protection water system; refurbished pavilions; and new walkways, ramps, picnic tables, lighted parking areas and landscaping.

The project’s primary goal was to enhance accessibility throughout the park to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. It is one of several projects around the Big Island to ensure county parks meet the act’s requirements and make them more accessible.

The festival offers free, multi-cultural performing arts and hands-on demonstrations, plus crafters and food booths, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Prospective bidders must file a notice of intent to bid on or before Nov. 27 to the Office of the Purchasing Division.

A pueo, named ‘Lilinoe’ by Zoo staff, was recently rescued under unfortunate circumstances. Due to the severity of her condition, she could not be returned to the wild. Fortunately, the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources entrusted the Panaʻewa Zoo with her care.

The Park has been the center of a number of safety complaints over the past month, with many beachgoers citing that they were harassed or attacked by illegal campers in the area. An increased police presence has been necessary as a result.

The Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens in Hilo is celebrating the 8th birthdays of Bengal tigers Tzatziki and Sriracha on July 22 during “Tiger Fun Day.”

Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation is reopening Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lū‘au Hale at the Ho‘olulu Complex in Hilo for private function reservations beginning on July 1, 2023. 

The fire occurred just months after a public-private partnership with the Kona community worked on painting and replacing the roofing of the bathrooms facility at Old Airport Beach Park.