Community

Each of the 7 informal events with no agenda — hosted from Keauhou to Kapaʻau — is an opportunity for the public to get to know the police officers who protect and serve their communities.

Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation invites Big Island anglers to cast a few lines from Aug. 15-17 for a chance to win some great prizes and awards while enjoying their favorite pastime and family fun. 

Project Hawaiʻi is calling for urgent support as their summer camps and teen mentoring workshops offer crucial lifelines in the form of hot meals, mentorship, and enriching activities to homeless children across the island.

‘KōCreate: Designing Homegrown Futures’ will take island residents who particiapte on a 6-month journey, preparing them to lead change grounded in local strengths, lived experience and collective vision.

Waiākea High School’s Abigail Gomez and Lillian Tao won first place for their research and website they created on the Thalidomide tragedy that took place from the late 1950s to the early 1960s for the National History Day competition in Maryland.

Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi beginning in August will fund trained facilitators to lead troops in close geographic regions throughout the state, each serving about 10 troops and 150 girls. The approach expands on a successful model already in place at 25 Title I schools.

The Big Island has you covered in abundance when it comes to festivities in observance of the patriotic holiday, from annual rodeo and horse races in Waimea to the main events — ‘rocket’s red glare’ and ‘bombs bursting in air’ during professional fireworks shows over Hilo Bay and Kailua Bay. Check out this week’s top 10 for all the details.

Hot Rides Expo and Hilo Bay Blast once again offer full day of events, including live music, food trucks, keiki activities and vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles rolling into bayfront, plus a fantastic fireworks show accompanied by live music. Meanwhile, the annual Independence Day Parade and Independence Day Extravaganza fireworks exhibition return to downton Kailua-Kona for everyone’s 4th of July evening enjoyment.

The legacy of Hawaiian cowboys comes alive through exhilarating competitions and family-friendly festivities at the 61st Annual July 4 Rodeo and Horse Races at Parker Ranch this Friday.

Parker School rising senior Oscar Amos advanced through 10 rounds of the national Lincoln-Douglas debate competition earlier this month, placing among the top 33 debaters across the nation.

Hilo Patrol Officer Lawrence Kobayashi, South Kohala Patrol Officer Landon Takenishi and Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit Sgt. Thomas Koyanagi were honored for their efforts and dedication in the fight against impaired driving to reduce injuries and deaths on Big Island roadways.

While Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz has support from the chair of the Hawaiʻi Island Police Commission and others, the State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers said it thinks the chief is not loyal to the Big Island.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of Kona’s most beloved traditions and come together as a community to celebrate freedom, island style.

Partnership with Get Ready Hawai‘i strengthens support for West Hawai‘i keiki and ʻohana. Culminates on Aug. 2 with End-of-Summer Celebration in front of Regal Theater.

Kaia Fujinaka plans to major in kinesiology at California Polytechnic State University, where she will continue her research in biomechanics, motor control and rehabilitation science, seeking a future in occupational therapy.

Diversity and culture are on display in this week’s top 10 things to do on the Big Island, from the types of events and activities happening to the people and places they represent.

Kids ages 5 to 18 years old are eligible to show off their singing chops as part of a duet, group, band or individual during this free musical showcase and competition in collaboration with Grammy-nominated local musician LT Smooth, the Hearo Foundation and University of the Nations.

Native Hawaiian Kalani Quiocho, who was born and raised in Hilo on the Big Island, brings a wealth of management, leadership, partnership and cultural experience to hsi post with the organization.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, serving as Acting Governor, today signed into law Act 203 (House Bill 692), a major expansion of the state’s Preschool Open Doors tuition subsidy program.

The event is intentionally informal, with no agenda. Those who attend can talk about a wide range of topics, ranging from personal stories to discussing neighborhood issues.