Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation is host the open ocean swimming race Aug. 30 at Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo. It begins at 9:30 a.m.

This 1-mile swim is designed for strong swimmers with strong swimming skills who can handle the sometimes rough course conditions, including currents and waves.

There are rocks and could be waves breaking over an outside the reef near the channel entrance. There also could be ocean swells with a strong current along the coastline.

Racers can swim with or without fins; any swimmer wanting to use a snorkel must also register in the “FINS” category. Those using fins or snorkels must indicate that on their entry form.

No flotation devices, wet suits or hand gloves/paddles are allowed.

Registration information

• Entry fee: $30 (includes entry, registration, timing service and swag for swimmers).
• Payment method: All payments must be paid in cash, money order or check ONLY (payable to Hawai‘i County Director of Finance).
• Mail entry forms and fee to: 2025 Roughwater Swim, 799 Pi‘ilani St., Hilo, HI 96720.
• Deadline: All registration forms and fees must be mailed in and postmarked no later than Aug. 13. Mail-in registration only. No registrations accepted day of the event.
• Towels: Participants will receive a race towel, while supplies last. (Towels are limited in quantity.)

Entry forms and event information are available on the Parks and Recreation website.

“FINLESS” age group categories

• 10 to 14 years old (Keiki).
• 15 to 19 years old.
• 20 to 34 years old.
• 35 to 49 years old.
• 50 to 64 years old (Masters).
• 65+ years old (Seniors).
• 80+ years old (Kūpuna).

Awards will be given for first place in the “FINLESS” categories only.

Email the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Section at aquatics@hawaiicounty.gov for additional information.

A horn officially signaled the start of the derby the morning of June 28 at Pua Ka ʻIlima Surf Park in Kawaihae. Participants then had 2 hours to fish for a prize-winning catch in their age group.

Officers weighed and recorded their fish at 11 a.m.

Hawai‘i Police Department Community Policing officers from North and South Kohala as well as Kona hosted the event, with support from Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Divison of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers.

Volunteers from People for Active Transportation Hawai‘i, or PATH; Eddie Caravalho; Friends of First Responders; Drug Abuse Resistance Education, or DARE, Hawai‘i; State of Hawai‘i Organization of Police Officers, or SHOPO; and Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney also helped make the day possible.

While the fish were weighed, participants and their families enjoyed a complimentary lunch of hot dogs, chili bowls, shaved ice and snacks.

New Hope Church Kawaihae and Waiākea Water provided a hydration station with cold water, fresh fruit and healthy snacks.

Fish of all sizes were caught, and keiki had the chance to make gyotaku fish prints at Caravalho’s booth. Smiles filled the park as lucky number prizes were handed out.

The day ended with a drawing for a 2-night stay at the Hilton Waikōloa Village, awarded to a keiki from North Kohala.

“We are incredibly grateful for everyone who participated, donated and supported this year’s derby,” said the event’s coordinator South Kohala Community Policing Section Officer Justin Cabanting in a release summing up the event’s success. “Each year, this event continues to grow and bring families together.”

HI-PAL is a Hawai‘i Police Department program that connects officers and youth through mentoring and recreational activities. It fosters teamwork, citizenship and personal responsibility.

Contact the Community Policing Section in your area for additional information about community activities and events.

The 27th annual ‘Ohana Shoreline Fishing Tournament is this August, inviting you to cast a few lines for a chance to win some great prizes and awards while enjoying your favorite pastime and family fun. 

Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announced that the 2025 fishing tournament is scheduled for Aug. 15-17. 

Registration packets — including tournament rules — are available to pick up now at the following location:

• A. Arakaki Store in Kohala.
• Hawaiian Island Creations in Waimea.
• J. Hara Store in Kurtistown.
• S. Tokunaga Store in Hilo.
• Any Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation facility islandwide.

Registration packets are also available at the Parks and Recreation Recreation Division website.

The tournament features six divisions:

• Men’s Division (18 to 54 years old).
• Women’s Division (18 to 54 years old).
• Teen Division (13 to 17 years old).
• Keiki Division (5 to 12 years old).
• Kūpuna (55-plus years old).
• ‘Ohana Division (family/team).

Participants can enter one individual division plus the ‘Ohana Division.

Entry fees are:

• Men’s and Women’s divisions: $35.
• Teen, Keiki and Kūpuna divisions: $30.
• ‘Ohana Division: $25 per team, which can consist of 1 adult and up to 3 keiki or teens.

There also is an Invasive Fish Division in which all entrants will be automatically entered, as well as an art contest.

One winning piece of artwork will be selected from each age division, with an overall winner to be chosen from all divisions.

That overall winner will be awarded a prize and their artwork will be used for the 2026 ‘Ohana Shoreline Fishing Tournament promotional flyer.

All artwork submissions should be submitted with tournament registration forms and payment.

Weigh-ins for this year’s fishing tournament will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Honoka‘a Sports Complex, located at 45-541 Lehua St., in Honoka’a.

Completed registration forms should be mailed — and postmarked — by Aug. 1 to the Recreation Division office at 799 Pi‘ilani St. in Hilo.

Late entries will not be accepted.

Make checks for registration payable to Hawai‘i County Director of Finance.

Valuable gift cards and other awards will be presented to the top 10 heaviest fish in the Men’s, Women’s, Teen, Keiki, and Kūpuna divisions. Top ‘Ohana Division teams will win a prize pack.

One participant who catches the most targeted invasive fish will be declared the winner of the invasive species category.

Call Shelton Kalilikane at 808-217-6074 for more information about the 27th annual ‘Ohana Shoreline Fishing Tournament. Contact Randell Kokubun at 808-961-8681 for questions or information about tournament registration.

You also can visit the Hawai’i County Parks and Recreation Recreation Division website for more information.

The Kaʻohe Game Management Area in Waimea will open to game mammal hunting with a muzzleloader or shotgun (with slug) on July 3.

The season will continue through Aug. 31, excluding Aug. 27-28, when the area will be closed for ungulate management operations by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife staff.

The daily bag limit will be four pigs of either sex per hunter, per day, according to the state department. There is no limit for sheep or goat harvest.

The state department requires all hunters and non-hunter assistants to wear an exterior garment (shirt, vest, jacket, or coat) made of commercially manufactured, solid blaze-orange material or solid blaze-orange mesh with a maximum mesh size of one-eighth inch.

Game law violations or any suspicious activity can be reported to the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Hilo office at 808-974-6208 during regular business hours. To report suspected violations on weekends, holidays, or after hours, call the DLNR enforcement hotline at 808-643-DLNR (3567).

The game management area may be closed to hunting and other public access at any time due to wildland fire or fire hazard.

For more information, contact DOFAW’s Hilo office at 808-974-4221.

During a special meeting on Monday, the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents unanimously approved the appointment of Matt Elliott as UH Mānoa’s next athletics director.

Elliott was selected by UH President Wendy Hensel following a national search that drew more than 110 applicants. His first day will be June 30.

“To the people of Hawaiʻi, to the community, to the coaches, the staff, the student athletes, I’m honored to be your next director of athletics,” Elliott said in a news release. “I’ve been a fan for many years and I’m so excited to now be part of the team.

“Together we will build a department that operates on integrity. We will create the best possible student-athlete experience, and we will set our teams up so that they are in a position to win.”

Elliott brings more than a decade of experience in Division I athletics administration, including 13 years at UCLA. There, he most recently served as chief strategy officer, leading the department’s transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten and developing a five-year strategic plan.

Prior to that, as senior associate athletics director, his overall scope of work included: sport oversight; legal affairs; Name, Image and Likeness policy; government relations; head coach searches; compliance and supervision of athletic performance and sports medicine.

He was also part of the team that negotiated a $280 million shoe and apparel deal, the largest in college athletics history.

“It is a great day for University of Hawaiʻi athletics,” Hensel said. “Matt simply stood out from the competition right from the beginning.”

Hensel said she spent an incredible amount of my time getting to know the candidates, understanding the challenges of the athletics department, and thinking about what was needed to support the student-athletes to be competitive and winners. She also said she wants the students to leave the university with “an excellent experience that they’re proud to claim and call home.”

“From beginning to end, Matt was the guy,” she said.

Elliott steps into the role of UH Mānoa athletics director at a pivotal time, with the university facing major financial and structural challenges. These include the absence of a permanent Division I stadium, the implications of the recently approved House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, which paves the way for direct student-athlete compensation, and growing disparities in Name, Image and Likeness resources that make it increasingly difficult to compete with larger, better-funded programs.

Since 2024, Elliott has worked as senior director of policy and public affairs at Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. He and his family moved back to Hawaiʻi in 2022. Elliott previously clerked in Hawaiʻi after law school and has long-standing personal ties to the islands.

The search committee, co-chaired by UH Board of Regent Chair Gabriel Lee and Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Chair Jack Tsui, prioritized Division I experience, fundraising ability and Hawaiʻi connections. The process included multiple rounds of interviews and input from student-athletes, coaches, faculty and community leaders.

“What impressed me about Matt is that when you look at the college experience, especially on the student-athlete side, he spent a lot of time in that position and then going from the internal position to the external position of chief strategy officer, I see the progression in his career,” Lee said. “We just look at how balanced a person is, what their potential is, and how they’re gonna be able to work with the rest of the staff, administration, coaches, as well as the president.”

Elliott will begin his appointment with a base salary of $425,004, plus performance-based incentives. He replaces Craig Angelos, who departed in December. Associate Athletics Director Lois Manin has been serving as acting athletics director during the transition.

Permit applications are now available for an upcoming feral sheep salvage project along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is organizing this effort to protect native ecosystems and reduce vehicle collision risks, improving safety for all highway users. The project will involve humane live-trapping and removal of feral sheep from the area.

Individuals interested in participating in the salvage of live-captured sheep must submit an application for a salvage permit. Applications are available online or in person at the DOFAW Hilo Office, 19 E. Kawili Street, Hilo.

Completed hard-copy applications and permit forms must be submitted in person during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or postmarked no later than June 13.

A random lottery will be held at the DOFAW Hilo Office on June 20 to select 16 applicants for participation in four salvage events (dates to be determined). Each applicant or co-applicant may only appear on one application chosen.

Selected applicants will be notified of their position on the list within one week of the drawing. DOFAW will provide at least 14 days’ advance notice before the applicant’s assigned salvage date.

Selected participants must provide a fully enclosed livestock trailer that meets the following criteria:

• Minimum length of 14 feet
• Capacity to transport at least 20 sheep

Only one truck and trailer per applicant will be allowed entry into the salvage area unless authorized by DOFAW. Permits will be issued at the time of salvage and there is no fee for application or permit issuance.

All salvaged sheep must be transported to authorized locations. Releasing sheep on public lands or unauthorized private properties is strictly prohibited. Violations may compromise the future of this project.

For additional details about trapping procedures, salvage event schedules, permit requirements, and conditions, please contact DOFAW at 808-765-7540.

Vulcan coaches Kaniela Aiona and Steve Kinder will embark on a journey to six islands beginning this weekend to host free basketball clinics, teaching keiki fundamental skills of the game, running drills and offering words of wisdom.

Clinics are set to run May 17-22 in locations on the Big Island, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lānaʻi, O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.

“We are excited to touch down and connect with the youth basketball community across the state next week,” sixth-year Vulcans head coach Aiona said in an announcement about the upcoming free clinics. “Basketball has been a tool for positive living here in the islands for several generations and it is our turn to pay it forward and do what we can to help grow the game.”

He added the timing is right to help the kids kick off their summer break from school with words of encouragement and habits to incorporate in their daily lives.

Space is limited for each clinic. Here are the dates, times and contact person for each event:

SATURDAY, MAY 17

• When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Where: Kealakekua, Big Island
• Contact: Dawnyelle Awa; dawnyelle.awa@k12.hi.us

SUNDAY, MAY 18

• When: 1 to 3 p.m.
• Where: Kahului, Maui
• Contact: Maiki Tihada; hoopheads@hoopheadsacademy.org

MONDAY, MAY 19

• When: 4 to 6 p.m.
• Where: Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi
• Contact: Melveena Starkey; melveena.starkey@mauicounty.gov

TUESDAY, MAY 20

• When: 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Where: Lānaʻi City, Lānaʻi
• Contact: MaryLou Kaukeano; mkaukeano@pulamalanai.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21

• When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Honolulu
• Contact: Ryan Hogue; rhogue@sacredhearts.org
• ONLINE SIGN-UPS

THURSDAY, MAY 22

• When: 5 to 7 p.m.
• Where: Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi
• Contact: James Kealalio; jkealalio@kauai.gov

Additional information about the free clinics — as well as future events — also can be found at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Vulcans Athletics website.

Aiona was born and raised in Waimea on the Big Island. He just wrapped up his fifth season as Vulcans head coach, making a fourth-consecutive trip to the 6-team Pacific West Conference Championships postseason tournament.

The Honokaʻa High School graduate began coaching shortly after completing a 4-year playing career at Webster University in Missouri, where he was later inducted as part of its 2024 athletics hall of fame class.

Aiona has more than 20 years experience coaching at the college level and previously served from 2014-20 as head coach at Menlo College in California.

Kinder joined the Vulcans coaching staff in 2020 when Aiona returned to the Big Island.

The native of San Diego, Calif., spent nearly 30 years at Cal Poly Humboldt as a student-athlete, then assistant coach and eventually head coach.

Kinder led the Cal Poly Humboldt basketball team to three conference championships as head coach, and was inducted in 2020 into the Lumberjacks Athletics Hall of Fame.

COACH JIMMY YAGI VULCANS BASKETBALL CAMP

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is set and ready to also host another edition of the Coach Jimmy Yagi Vulcans Basketball Camp.

This year’s camp is slated for July 21-24 at the following locations:

• Panaʻewa Park Gymnasium, located at 100 ʻOhuʻohu St. in Panaʻewa.
• University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Vulcan Gymnasium, located at 200 W. Kāwili St., in Hilo.

The annual camp is open to keiki in grades 3-12, with a maximum registration of 220.

More information, including registration and waiver forms, is available at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Vulcans Athletics website.

Jamal Willis, a former running back for the San Francisco 49ers, is visiting Hawaiʻi Island to host his athletic skills clinic, Cutback Elite Skills, for boys and girls of all ages across various sports. The clinic is packed with drills to sharpen and improve skills in footwork, cutting, agility, speed, power, and multidirectional movement.

The camp is designed to help athletes refine the art of speed cuts, a technique used by athletes to change direction quickly while maintaining or accelerating their speed.

“This clinic works for all sports because it’s all about speed, agility, and multidirectional movement. It’s not specific to one sport or another,” Willis said. “We really focus on how to move quicker as an athlete, which is why we can open up for people of all ages.”

Willis has met several peers from Hawaiʻi, including strength trainer Whittney Soares, who is helping coordinate local coaches and trainers to join in teaching the clinic.

“I’m going to bring some trainers, but we’re also going to have local coaches and trainers come out to help as well. It’ll be a very community-based event,” Willis said. “This will be my first time on the Big Island, and I’m excited to work with the kids and really see Hawaiʻi as it is.”

The clinic will take place at the Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center field off Mākuʻu Drive in Keaʻau from Thursday, June 19, through Saturday, June 21. Athletes 13 years old and older will participate from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and athletes ages 5 to 12 will participate from 10 a.m. to noon.

The cost of the clinic depends on how many days the athlete decides to participate. The clinic costs $150 for one day, $175 for two days, and $250 for three days.

Those interested in registering can do so until the first week of June. To learn more about the clinic and to sign up, visit the Cutback Elite Skills website. To see some of the drills he facilitates with athletes, watch the videos on Willis’ Instagram page.

Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation invites the community to celebrate the reopening of the sports fields at Kāmakoa Nui Park in Waikōloa Village starting at 10 a.m. May 4 at the park.

The celebration will include a blessing, open flag football games, face painting, information booths, league softball games, giveaways, refreshments and other activities.

“We are excited to welcome the community back to Kāmakoa Nui Park’s revitalized sports fields,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda. “This reopening is the result of a partnership between the county and the private sector, and it reflects our commitment to provide quality recreational spaces that support the health and well-being of our residents.”

Kāmakoa Nui Park is located at 68-1839 Kāmakoa Drive, on the corner of Kāmakoa Drive and Paniolo Avenue in Waikōloa Village.

It includes a skate park, ballfield, comfort station and the multi-purpose sports fields.

The sports fields were closed for several years following the failure of the park’s irrigation system. That eventually led to the demise of its grassy areas, ultimately rendering the fields useless.

They would remain unusable until a local developer offered to bring them back to life.

Waikōloa Heights Land Investors, which is developing the Nānā Kai subdivision located directly across from the park, reached an agreement with the county in 2023 to rejuvenate the Kāmakoa Nui Park fields.

The firm invested about $1 million of private funding to significantly improve the fields, including restoring the defunct irrigation system and restoring their grass turf, making them once again playable.

Parks and Rec is now reopening reservations for the fields. Inquiries can be directed to the Waikōloa Recreation Office at 808-883-6100.

Hilo-native Reed Sunahara was named the Vulcans women’s volleyball program’s eighth head coach.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen made the announcement Monday. Sunahara returns to the Big Island and collegiate volleyball after serving nine seasons as head coach at Division-I West Virginia University (2015-2023), where he helped lead the Mountaineers to their first-ever NCAA postseason appearance in 2021. Before that, he was also head coach at the State University of New York at Buffalo (2014), University of Cincinnati (2000-2011) and University of Toledo (1995-1996).

“We are thrilled to welcome Reed Sunahara to our University ‘ohana,” Guillen said. “We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and pedigree as part of our team. The fact that he is a local boy from Hilo is just icing on the cake.”

During Sunahara’s time at Cincinnati, the Bearcats went 289-109 (.726) with eight NCAA postseason appearances and six conference championships (2000, 2001, 2003 Conference USA regular season; 2008, 2010 BIG EAST regular season; 2011 BIG EAST Tournament) while garnering conference Coach of the Year accolades in 2001, 2008 and 2010.

Overall, Sunahara has compiled 431 career wins, according to a press release from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

“First of all, I want to thank chancellor Bonnie Irwin, Melanie Brokaw, Kula Oda and Paul Regrutto for their time and getting me on board,” Sunahara said. “Hilo’s always been home to me, and it’s great to be back. I’m excited about this program and the future. I think we can do great things. It’s my hometown. I grew up here. I have a lot of family and friends that are here so I’m excited to start.”

A 1981 graduate of Hilo High School where he was a three-sport star in baseball, basketball and volleyball, Sunahara was heavily recruited by then-Vulcans Basketball coach Jimmy Yagi but ultimately chose to pursue volleyball at UCLA where he became a three-time NCAA Champion and two-time All-American — playing alongside Olympians Ricci Luyties, Doug Partie, Dave Saunders and AVP legend and current U.S. Olympic Team coach Karch Kiraly.

According to the university press release, Sunahara most recently served as an assistant coach with the Vegas Thrill during the Pro Volleyball Federation’s inaugural season in 2024. He’s also had coaching stints with USA Volleyball (2012) and the United States Women’s National Team (2013-2014) as an assistant.

Sunahara began his coaching career assisting the UCLA Men’s Volleyball program where they captured three more national titles in 1987, 1989 and 1993.

In 2018, he was inducted into the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.

“Coach Sunahara brings an exceptional level of coaching expertise and a proven track record of success,” Guillen continued. “His strong local, national and international ties positions him well to recruit at high levels.

This, along with his fundamentally sound teaching and skill development, will be the formula for building a volleyball program that our entire community will be proud of. He embodies the values we hold dear in our athletics program: excellence, integrity and a commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. We are confident coach Sunahara will lead our team to new heights and inspire our community with their passion and dedication.”

Sunahara has three children with his wife Laura. His oldest son Rex plays for the Cleveland Browns, and younger son RJ is a men’s basketball assistant coach at Nova Southeastern where he played and was named NABC Division II Player of the Year in 2022-23.

There is a concert in Hilo by a band that combines the arrangement and precision of rock legends Steely Dan with Grateful Dead’s improvisation and masterful song segues. You can play pickleball to support peace and conflict resolution programs in West Hawai‘i.

A pole dance, fitness and yoga studio in Kona invites everyone — whether you love love or are feeling a bit anit-love right now — to a show that embraces heartbreak and self-discovery with amazing tricks and acts that celebrate the complexity of the emotion.

How about an exhibit that unveils stories hidden in the shadows of time, shedding light on untold stories and overlooked moments that shaped Hilo? Or an all-you-can-eat ice cream jam session with school bands and music groups in Hilo?

Get some inspiration for home design during an expo in Keauhou featuring products and services for designing, building, remodeling and redecorating.

There’s even a JuggleFest — yes, a festival for juggling enthusiasts, no matter their skill level — in Kalapana Seaview Estates complete with workshops, games and performances, as well as a festval gala open to everyone.

Who ever said living on the Big Island was boring? Here are our top 10 things to do for Feb. 21-27.

No. 1 — Hawai‘i Island JuggleFest (Kalapana Seaview Estates, Feb. 21-23)

When: Begins 10 a.m. Friday and ends at 8 p.m. Sunday

Location: Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education, 12-253 W. Pōhakupele Loop

All ages and all skill levels are invited to join this exciting 3-day event for juggling enthusiasts filled with workshops, games and performances. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, young or older, this festival offers something for everyone.

Learn new tricks, improve your technique and expand your juggling repertoire with the help from experienced jugglers (bring your own juggling and flow props). Witness awe-inspiring performances by talented jugglers from around the world. Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow members of the vibrant juggling and circus community to exchange tips and tricks.

Come share your passion, make new friends, and experience the sense of community that makes juggling so special. Don’t miss the festival gala, which is open to the rest of the public too, Saturday night. Tickets start at $35 for a single day pass.

More info or to purchase tickets: Click here.

No. 2 — Steely Dead live (Hilo, Feb. 21)

When: 7 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open at 6 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Take a journey through rock and roll’s golden era during this unforgettable experience of the sonic fusion between music by the Grateful Dead and Steely Dan.

The bnad’s repetoire is a carefully crafted combination of the arrangement and precision studio recordings of rock legends Steely Dan cross-pollinated with Grateful Dead’s free-flowing, melodic improvisation and masterful song segues.

Seating is open and dancing is definitely welcome. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 on the day of the show.

More info or to purchase tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

No. 3 — 2025 Living & Design Home Expo (Feb. 22-23, Keauhou)

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday

Location: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa, Kaleiopapa Convention Center, 78-128 ‘Ehukai St., Keauhou

Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce invites the community to get inspired during the 18th annual installment of this expo packed with products and services to design, build, remodel and redecorate your home.

The event features 33 local exhibitors under one roof. Those who attend also will enjoy live radio spots with KAPA FM DJ Darde Gamayo from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, prize giveaways and a chance to win a free night’s stay at the OUTRIGGER.

Open to the public. Free admission and parking.

More info: Visit the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce website, call 808-329-1758 or email to info@kona-kohala.com.

No. 4 — Enigneering Bash (Waimea, Feb. 22)

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library, 67-1209 Māmalahoa Highway

Meet some of the Big Island’s most talented students, professional engineers and community experts while you discover the amazing world of engineering during this free science soiree in observance of National Engineers Week.

Enjoy mind-bending and inspiring indoor/outdoor activities, demonstrations and displays, including 3-D printing, circuits and electrical safety, fire engine operations and equipment, homopolar motors, magnets and magnetic fields, mini robot building, rockets, solar viewing, Touch-A-Truck and more. There will even be face painting and balloon sculptures.

More info: Call 808-887-6067.

No. 5 — Pickleball for Peace Tournament (Keauhou, Feb. 22)

When: 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Location: Holua Racquet & Paddle, 78-7190 Kaleiopapa St.

West Hawai‘i Mediation Center invites the community to join in its first Pickleball for Peace tourney, a fundraising event to help build a culture of peace. All proceeds will go directly to supporting the various conflict resolution programs offered by the mediation center.

All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to play in this round robin tournament with bracket seeding and single elimination. You can play as mixed or gendered doubles, and teams are encouraged to register together. Individual tickets are available, too, in case you can’t find a partner. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams in each division.

Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Cost is $55 per person, and there an option to purchase lunch is available.

More info or to purchase tickets: Visit the West Hawai‘i Mediation Center website.

No. 6 — Visual storytelling workshop with artist-in-residence Andrés Vera Martínez (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Feb. 22)

When: 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, Kahuku Unit, turn at 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Ka‘ū

Author, illustrator and educator Andrés Vera Martínez is February’s artist in residence, the first of 2025. He is currently illustrating a children’s book, “Hawaiian Myths and Gods,” written by University of Hawai‘i professor and Native Hawaiian Marie Alohalani Brown.

Martínez will guide aspiring artists in crafting visual narratives inspired by the written word. No reservations required.

More info: Call Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Interpretation and Education Program at 808-929-8075.

No. 7 — Sour Hearts Club show (Kailua-Kona, Feb 22)

When: 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Location: MyBar Kona, 74-5606 Luhia St.

Did Cupid miss his mark on Valentine’s Day? Does love have you feeling sour? If you answered yes to either of those questions, join The Pod Kona for at this event that embraces heartbreak and self-discovery by celebrating the raw, unfiltered emotions that come along with the joy, pain and complexities of love.

Whether you love love or are feeling a bit anti-love, this show has all the amazing tricks and acts for which The Pod Kona — a pole dance, fitness and yoga studio for like-minded people to build community around wellness and empowerment — is known. Don’t miss out on the fun.

Tickets are $25. You can also purchase a VIP table for 4 people for $150.

More info or to purchase tickets: Click here.

No. 8 — Ninth annual All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Jam (Hilo, Feb. 23)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, 323 Manono St.

Here’s the scoop. Come and enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream while you listen to some great music by Big Island student musicians and support their programs at the same time.

This year’s performers include Hilo High School Taiko, Hilo Intermediate School Band, Hilo High School ensemble, Waiākea Intermediiate School ‘Ukulele Band, Hilo High School Blue Band, Kea‘au High School Band and Hilo High School Gold Band.

Tickets are $8 presale or $10 at the door. Craft vendors, concessions and a lucky number drawing are also part of the festivities. All proceeds support music in local schools.

More info or to get tickets: Contact any of the schools with bands/groups performing. But advance tickets from band and ensemble members.

No. 9 — University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Celebrates Black History Month (Hilo, Feb. 26-27)

When: Various times

Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus, 200 W. Kāwili St.

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo continues its celebration of Black History Month, celebrating, honoring and highlighting the achievements, contributions and history of Black people and communities. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. There is no admission charge.

An African string figure workshop is planned for 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in W201 at the Student Services Center. A presentation of the film “BlackkKlansman,” based on the true story of an African American police officer who successfully infiltrated a branch of the Klu Klux Klan, is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. the same day in UCB Room 100.

A discussion about the book “Passing Across the Color Line” with Barbara Hilyer is also planned at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Campus Center Room 301.

More info: Visit the University of Hawai’i at Hilo website.

No. 10 — “Puāhilo: Unveiling Forgotten Memories of Hilo” (Hilo, through May 2)

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 28 reception

Location: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St.

Step into the heart of Hilo’s layered history with this immersive exhibit that is an act of remembrance and a celebration, honoring what was nearly lost while creating space for renewed connection and understanding.

Guest cultural curator Lokelani Brandt unveils some of the stories hidden in the shadows of time and takes you on a journey to discover the threads that continue to bind Hilo’s past and present. The exhibit sheds light on untold stories and overlooked moments that shaped Hilo through generations with a blend of archival materials, oral histories, photographs and cultural artifacts.

Attend the special reception Feb. 28 with Brandt and cultural advisor Halena Kapuni-Reynolds to be even more immersed in the forgotten memories of the East Hawai‘i community.

More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural website, call 808-961-5711, email to admin@ehcc.org or stop in at the center during regular business hours.

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Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/

Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation announces the results of the youth track and field meets Feb. 1 at Waiākea High School in Hilo and Kealakehe High School in Kona.

An estimated 650 youth ages 6 to 14 years old participated in the two events.

Visit the Hawai‘i County website to view results from the Feb. 1 events.

Parks and Recreation also hosts two more meets before the end of the month:

• Feb. 15: Kealakehe High School track, 74-5000 Puohulihuli St., Kealakehe.
• Feb. 22: Waiākea High School Ken Yamase Stadium, 155 W. Kāwili St., Hilo

Both meets start at 9 a.m., with a coaches meeting at 8:30 a.m.

Youth interested in participating in the next Hilo meet still have time to register. Deadline to enter is Feb. 14.

Click here for additional information about how to register.

For more information about the youth track and field events, contact Mark Osorio at 808-938-2012 or via email at Mark.Osorio@hawaiicounty.gov.

Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation is hosting its annual youth track and field meets, open to keiki ages 6 to 14 years old, in February.

The meets are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

West Hawai‘i Track and Field Meets
When: Feb. 1 and 15
Location: Kealakehe High School Track, 74-5000 Puohulihuli St., Kealakehe

East Hawai‘i Track and Field Meets
When: Feb. 1 and 22
Location: Waiākea High School Ken Yamase Stadium, 155 W Kāwili St., Hilo

Field events start at 9 a.m. Track events begin at about 10:30 a.m. Track and field events will run simultaneously.

Students who want to participate should first check if their school offers a track and field program.

Schools, clubs or individuals interested in participating in any of the meets should contact Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Specialist Mark Osorio by calling 808-961-8735 or 808-938-2012.

He can also be reached via email at mark.osorio@hawaiicounty.gov.

Entry forms and additional information are available at the Parks and Recreation website.

Four new faces will hit the links at the 18-hole Hualālai Golf Course in beautiful Ka‘ūpūlehu, Kona, on the west side of the Big Island of Hawai‘i for the first time next week at the 2025 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai.

The Jan. 16-18 tournament — to be played for the 29th year in a row at the island’s first Jack Nicklaus-designed course — kicks off this year’s PGA TOUR Champions season.

Thomas Bjørn, Y.E. Yang, Tim O’Neal and Ricardo Gonzalez will be among the packed field of 42 illustrious players competing.

“We are thrilled to welcome Thomas, Y.E., Tim and Ricardo to Hualālai for the first time this year,” said tournament manager Kelly Fliear. “The tournament week experience is special for each of our players, but even more so for our first-timers.”

Bjørn, who made 20 starts last year on PGA TOUR Champions, finished 18th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

The 53-year-old from Denmark notched 8 top 10s, highlighted by back-to-back top three finishes to open his 2024 campaign. He was runner-up at the Trophy Hassan II before finishing tied for third at the Invited Celebrity Classic.

Yang finished No. 6 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, earning his first win on PGA TOUR Champions in September 2024 at the Stifel Charity Classic.

The Korean, who will celebrate his 53rd birthday Jan. 15, during Hualālai week, edged World Golf Hall of Fame member Bernhard Langer in a playoff to get his maiden Champions Tour win. Langer, a three-time Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai winner, is back to compete this year.

Yang earned two runner-up finishes and two third-place finishes last year in addition to that win.

O’Neal broke through for his first Champions Tour win in October last year at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, which served as the first leg of the 2024 Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs.

The 52-year-old finished 16th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings during his second year on PGA TOUR Champions.

Gonzalez found the winner’s circle for the first time in February 2024 during the Trophy Hassan II.

The 55-year-old from Argentina finished 10th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings after compiling six top 10 finishes in 25 starts. In addition to his win in Morocco, Gonzalez added runner-up finishes at The Galleri Classic at Dominion Energy Charity Classic.

Six players since 1997 have won the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai in their tournament debut:

• Darren Clarke (2021).
• Jerry Kelly (2018).
• Duffy Waldorf (2016).
• Miguel Ángel Jiménez (2015).
• Loren Roberts (2006).
• John Jacobs (1999).

All three rounds of the tournament will be televised live on GOLF Channel.

Fans who want to watch in person at Hualālai Golf Course are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance by visiting the tournament website.

This will be the 17th consecutive year Mitsubishi Electric has been the tournament’s title sponsor.

Follow the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Five members of the World Golf Hall of Fame are coming to Kona on the Big Island to join 37 other golfers to tee off the 2025 PGA TOUR Champions season.

The Mitsubishi Electric Championship hits the links at the 18-hole Hualālai Golf Course — the first Jack Nicklaus-designed course on the island — for the 29th year in a row Jan. 16-18.

“Every year the strength of our field at Hualālai is bolstered by World Golf Hall of Famers,” said tournament manager Kelly Fliear. “We are thrilled to welcome back these five legends for another wonderful week in Hawai’i.”

Three-time Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai winner (2009, 2014, 2017) Bernhard Langer will tee up for the 18th time at Hualālai Golf Course.

The 67-year-old rewrote the record books in November, earning his 47th win on PGA TOUR Champions in his last outing at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. He has at least one win in each of his 18 years on the Champions Tour, dating back to 2007.

Fred Couples is set to make his 15th appearance at Hualālai. The 65-year-old four-time runner-up at this event (2010, 2014, 2017, 2020) has 14 victories overall on the Champions Tour, dating back to 2010.

Fiji’s Vijay Singh will make his ninth appearance at Hualālai for the Mitsubishi Electric Championship. Singh, whose best result in the tournament was tied for third in 2022, has five wins on PGA TOUR Champions.

South Africans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen will make their sixth and fifth appearances, respectively.

Els won three times in 2024 on the PGA TOUR Champions, including a senior major (Kaulig Companies Championship), en route to finishing No. 2 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings. Goosen won the 2024 Galleri Classic for his third victory overall on PGA TOUR Champions.

A total of 27 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame have competed in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai since 1997.

Hale Irwin (1997, 2007), Larry Nelson (2001) and Tom Kite (2002) — in addition to Langer — are the other Hall of Famers who have won at Hualālai.

The 42-player field competing in this year’s tournament also includes recent Charles Schwab Cup winners Steven Alker (2022, 2024) and Steve Stricker (2023), the last two winners at Hualālai.

Other notables include major champions Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, David Duval, Darren Clarke, Mike Weir and three-time Mitsubishi Electric Championship winner Miguel Angel Jiménez (2015, 2020, 2022).

“We are excited to welcome PGA TOUR Champions golfers back to Hualālai for the 29th consecutive year,” said Fliear. “Fans who attend will have the chance to see icons of the sport, up close and in person, competing at this beautiful, one-of-a-kind venue.”

All three rounds of the championship will be televised live on GOLF Channel.

Fans who want to watch in person at Hualālai Golf Course, located at Four Seasons Resort Hualālai in Ka‘ūpūlehu, are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance by visiting the tournament website.

This will be the 17th consecutive year Mitsubishi Electric has been the tournament’s title sponsor.

Follow the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Let’s make a resolution to try something new during 2025.

Maybe it’s a movie from the 1980s everybody told us for years we needed to see, with heroes, giants, villains, wizards and true love — with a quirky humor to make it more fun — that will be showing at the Palace Theater to help kick off its centennial year.

It could be challenging ourselves to accomplish running or walking solo or as part of a team in an ultra 31-mile race from Hilo to Volcano that gains about 4,000 feet in elevation.

Getting healthier and improving our well-being is always a popular resolution for people around the globe each year, so we could attend an upcoming health fair that will feature businesses offering information, resources, health screenings and demonstrations to help us be better.

Then there’s not only seeing an eruption as its happening as lava fountains and flows continue in the summit caldera of Kilauea, but we can also learn more about the volcanoes we all live, work and play on, too, with this year’s Volcano Awareness Month events and activities.

We could also stand to better support Big Island keiki in rodeo sports by cheering them on while they showcase their skills — and help perpetuate the island’s rich paniolo culture at the same time — during rodeos throughout the year.

All of these are achievable resolutions just within the next couple of weeks, so don’t miss your chance.

Here is our top 10 things to on the Big Island for Jan. 2-8.

No. 1 — “The Princess Bride” (Hilo, Jan. 2)

When: 7 p.m.; doors, box office and concessions open at 6:30 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

The historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo kicked off its centennial year on Wednesday and one of the first shows you can catch to help the old dame celebrate in 2025 is a classic adventure that has everything. Heroes. Giants. Villains. Wizards. Even true love. But it’s not just your basic, average, everyday, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, ho-hum fairy tale.

Rob Reiner directs this 1987 comedy starring Robin Wright, Carey Elwes, Wallace Shawn, Mandy Patinkin and Andre the Giant in which a bedridden boy’s grandfather reads the story of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with the love of his life.

Rated PG. Tickets are $10 general admission or $9 for seniors, students and veterans. They can be purchased at the Palace Theater website or at the box office.

No. 2 — Live Jazz with Diesel & Company (Waimea, Jan. 2)

When: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Uila Records, 65-1227 Opelo Road

Enjoy an evening of jazz standards performed by this group featuring Michaeloha Elam on trumpet, Aaron Loeser on bass, Kamalu Harmon on keys and Diesel Tucker on drums.

Bring a friend, come early and sip on your choice of beer, wine and cocktails. It’s a fun night of good vibes and great music. Cover charge is just $10.

We’re excited to bring a cozy listening-room style music experience to Waimea every Wednesday night, plus live jazz performances every Thursday, live DJs each Friday and karaoke every Saturday. For more information, visit the Uila Records website.

No. 3 — Hilo to Volcano 50K Run/Walk/Relay (Hilo/Volcano, Jan. 4)

When: Solo runners start at 6 a.m.; relay teams start at 6:15 a.m.

Location: Start at underground parking lot, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Drive; end at Cooper Center, 19-4030 Wright Road

Join the Big Island Road Runners for this challenging ultra 31-mile race that gains about 4,000 feet in elevation, making it a true accomplishment. It doesn’t matter if you’re proving you can do it on your own or taking it on as part of a team, it’s an exciting event and tons of fun.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three female and male solo runners overall; top two female and male solo runners in each 10-year age group; top two female, male and mixed relay teams of three up to 40 years; top two female, male and mixed “Masters” relay teams of three older than 40 years; top two family relay teams; and top two student relay teams.

There are no aid stations along the course, so runners are encouraged to bring their own water and nourishment. A light lunch, snacks, drinks and medals will be given at the end of the race.

Packet pickup will be from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Hilo Hawaiian and 5:30 to 6 a.m. race day. Pre-registration is required. To register for for more information, including additional rules, visit the event website.

No. 5 — Waikōloa Village Health Fair (Waikōloa, Jan. 4)

When: 8 a.m. to noon

Location: Waikōloa Plaza, 68-1820 Waikōloa Road

This event showcases services that will contribute to the well-being of the Waikōloa community.

Health-related business and organizations will man booths offering resources, information and health screenings. There also will be engaging presentations from several of the participating vendors, including Hawai‘i Life Flight, Therapeutic Connection Physical Therapy and Wellness, Hawai‘i Special Olympics and Full Life Hawai‘i, Mauna Yoga and Maureen Garry Health, Nutrition and Personal Training as well as a Zumba demonstration.

The first community health fair is co-hosted by Waikōloa Markets and Waikōloa Plaza. For more information, email to waikoloacm@gmail.com.

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Volcano Awareness Month spotlight

No. 6 — Kilauea eruption viewing (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, daily)

When: Anytime

Location: Best viewing locations are along Crater Rim Trail: Kīlauea Overlook, Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff), Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge), behind Volcano House and Keanakākoʻi

The summit caldera eruption of Kīlauea that started early Dec. 23 continues, with lava flows fanning out over and covering the caldera floor from sustained fountains from vents in the sountwest area of the caldera. Activity is confined to confined to Halemaʻumaʻu Crater and the downdropped block within the caldera inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Thousands of Big Island residents and visitors alike have been drawn to experience the eruption’s awe-inspiring power and mesmerizing images since its start and there’s no reason to wait if you’ve only watched the livestream or haven’t seen it at all.

The park will be busy, though, to rangers recently offered a few tips so you can plan ahead, including to expect delays and limited parking, especially from 4 to 8 p.m. The best time to come is after 9 p.m. and before 5 a.m. (the park is open 24 hours). Park visitors are also reminded to stay on trails, out of closed areas and away from cliff edges, keep keiki near them at all times and keep hydrated.

Look out for nēnē, rare Hawaiian geese, as they are often seen in parking lots and near roadways. Never feed the birds and keep a distance of at least foru car lengths away. Drive safely. Bring a rain jacket and dress warmly, and be sure to enjoy respectfully. Some of the best viewing is done quietly while listening to the lava roar.

For more visitor information, visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website.

No. 7 — Hike the Path of Mauna Loa Volcano’s 1868 Lava Flow (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Jan. 4)

When: 10 a.m. to about noon

Location: Meet at the Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Katie Mulliken leads this 2-mile guided hike along the Pu‘uolokuana Trail. Mulliken will tell the story of the destructive earthquakes in 1868, as well as the landslides, tsunami and Southwest Rift Zone eruption that occurred that year.

During the hike, you learn about the eruptive history, structure and current status of Mauna Loa, Earth’s largest active volcano. Mulliken will also share information about how Hawaiian Volcano Observatory monitors Mauna Loa, which has erupted 34 times since 1843, most recently in 2022.

This easy hike includes 100-foot elevation gain and crosses rough, uneven lava surfaces. Wear sturdy closed-toe walking shoes and bring protective gear for sun and rain, drinking water and a snack.

Kahuku Unit is about an hour from the main entrance of the park, near the 70.5-mile marker on Highway 11 in Kaʻū.

No. 7 — How are Volcanoes in Hawaiʻi Monitored? (Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Jan. 7)

When: 10 a.m. to noon

Location: Look for the table at the Uēkahuna parking lot

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory maintains a network of more than 200 devices around Hawaiʻi Island that track activity above and below the surface of its volcanoes. Two of the most important monitoring datasets that help researchers understand where magma is accumulating or moving are seismicity (earthquakes) and geodesy (ground deformation).

Come talk with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory seismic network manager Jefferson Chang and geodesy network manager Andi Ellis as they showcase examples of monitoring devices and datasets. 

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No. 8 — Weldon Kekauoha live at The View (Keauhou, Jan. 4)

When: 5:30 p.m.

Location: Kona Country Club, 78-7000 Ali‘i Drive

This renowned Hawaiian musician and owner at Ohelo Records and WAY House Entertainment invites everyone to enjoy The View, with the beautiful Pacific Ocean and a surreal Kona sunset in the background while he performs what has been called a “beautiful represenation of the unique cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi.”

Kekauoha, an award-winning musician, will be sharing lots of Hawaiian music during the evening.

Whether he’s belting out ballads or plucking riffs on his guitar, this songster puts a fresh spin on classic tunes and offers an original take on Hawaiian music with his own compositions. Don’t miss this chance to see a master at work in an amazing venue.

No. 9 — Weather Permitting live (Kawaihae, Jan. 5)

When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Blue Dragon Tavern, 61-3616 Kawaihae Road

This melodic family saga is united by blood ties and born from a shared passion for music. They’re not just a band. They’re a harmonious fusion bonded together by family and musical talent.

Young piano prodigy Mateo Belmarez serves as the heartbeat of the ensemble. Leading the rhythm section is his father and seasoned bass player Brad Belmarez alongside his brother and guitarist Brandon Belmarez. The band further includes father-son duo John Lundgren on saxophone and Russell Lundgren on drums, Bill Wingert on trombone as well as Sally Woodcock and Jamie Belmarez on vocals. Belmarez also plays flute.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door; children 12 and younger are free. You can purchase tickets at the Blue Dragon Tavern website.

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Coming Up

No. 10 — Hawaiʻi Keiki Rodeo (Hilo, Jan. 11-12)

When: 8 a.m.; gates open at 6 a.m.

Location: Alvin “Al” Cabral Arena, 800 Stainback Highway (Panaʻewa Equestrian Center)

It’s rodeo time again in Panaʻewa, and it’s keiki who will take center arena, roping and riding first in 2025 during the Hawaiʻi Keiki Rodeo Association’s fourth annual showcase of youth talent.

Events featured during the 2-day shindig will include barrels, pole bending, breakaway, goat tying, tie down roping, team roping and ribbon mugging for juniors and seniors, as well as barrels, pole bending, breakaway, dummy roping and goat undecorating for keiki. Rough stock events will include sheep riding and calf riding.

The nonprofit Hawaiʻi Keiki Rodeo Association was created to provide rodeo activities for youth 18 years old and younger of all skill levels on Hawai’i Island to enhance their knowledge and development, meet and engage with others of similar interests, build stronger connections to the island’s rich paniolo Heritage and perpetuate it all through the sport of rodeo.

For more information, visit the Hawaiʻi Keiki Rodeo Association website. You can also follow the association on Instagram.

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Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/

Some of the best high school basketball players from throughout the United States and Canada will hit the hardwood in Hilo this weekend.

The Grind Session, a winter circuit of elite high school basketball events featuring top boys and girls hoops prospects, is hosting a 2-day showcase Friday and Saturday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, located at 323 Manono St., in Hawaiʻi County’s Hoʻolulu Complex.

Five high school basketball programs from Hawaiʻi are competing in the showcase, including 2 from the Big Island:

• Hilo High School; Hilo.
• ʻIolani School; Honolulu.
• Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama High School; Honolulu.
• Kohala High School; Kapaʻau.
• Seabury Hall; Makawao, Maui.

Hilo High School and Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama tip off the event at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

“The Grind Session has taken high school basketball to new heights, becoming the home and proving ground for the nation’s best prospects and teams,” said The Grind Session co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Scott Waldrop. “It’s more than just great games. It’s an opportunity to prepare for the next chapter of your basketball career.”

AJ Dybantsa, the class of 2025 top-rated prospect and presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, headlines a field filled with future college and professional talent. The 6-foot-9 forward plays for Utah Prep, which is No. 13 in the ESPN High School Basketball Top 25.

Darryn Peterson, the country’s No. 3 senior, will also be featured during this weekend’s event. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is a recent University of Kansas commit plays for Prolific Prep in Napa, Calif., the nation’s No. 2 team in the ESPN poll.

The 2-day showcase opens Friday with 5 games and concludes Saturday with another 5 games.

To put into perspective how good The Grind Session is, the circuit has produced nearly 3,000 players who went on to play collegiate or professional basketball, including more than 20 first-round NBA draft picks.

That list includes two recent NBA champions: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.

“We’re excited about bringing the action to Hilo and look forward to an exciting weekend of elite prep basketball,” said Waldrop.

Admission is $15 per day. Children 6 years old and younger are free.

The games can also be viewed on the Bleacher Report app (available on Google Play and at the Apple Store) or at the House of Highlights YouTube channel and Tanager Sports.

The Hawai’i County Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting the meeting at 5 p.m. Dec. 10 in the conference room at the Recreation Division office, located at 799 Pi‘ilani St., in Hilo.

League play is anticipated to run from Jan. 21 through March 27, 2025.

Contact recreation directors at your local Parks and Recreation gymnasiums for information about how to register keiki for league participation.

For more information about the under 14 league or next week’s meting, coaches and team representatives can call 808-938-2012 or email to mark.osorio@hawaiicounty.gov.

Hunting is allowed on non-bird hunting days of Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays during the general game bird hunting season, which runs through Jan. 25, 2025, then every day after through Feb. 28, 2025, excluding state and federal holidays.

Two areas are open for hunting:

• Puʻu Mali Restoration Area portion of Unit A of the Mauna Kea Game Management Area and Forest Reserve, excluding the central safety zone.
• Kaʻohe Restoration Area of Unit G of the Kaʻohe Game Management Area and Restoration Area.

The use of dogs is permitted in both areas, as are rifles or knives. No shotguns are allowed during the special hunt.

There is no bag limit for pigs and no limit on hunter group size or number of dogs.

Each hunter must fill out a permit form at the Kilohana hunter check station if hunting in the Kaʻohe Restoration Area or at the posted mailbox near the front gate entrance to Puʻu Mali Restoration Area off Keanakolu/Mana Road if hunting Puʻu Mali.

Follow all instructions on the permit.

Hunters must use the designated check-in/check-out sheet specific for this special hunt at each respective check station (rather than digital check-in/ckeck-out via the Outerspatial mobile app).

Access to Puʻu Mali is only from Keanakolu/Mana Road for this special hunt.

Hunters can drive designated roads in both areas, but should be mindful of dry conditions and wildland fire risks. They also can drive through the Puʻu Mali safety zone following the route identified in the map at the check stations.

Entrance to the two front gates off Keanakolu/Mana Road into the Puʻu Mali Restoration Area requires a combination code that can be obtained by calling the Hilo office of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 808-974-4221.

Any questions can be directed to the Hilo office Division of Forestry and Wildlife in person at 19 E. Kāwili St. or by calling the above number.

Kapaʻa survived a defensive slugfest to beat Konawaena of the Big Island 10-7 in overtime to claim the Kauaʻi Interscholastic Federation’s first Division I football state crown.

In the semifinals eight days earlier, Kapa’a surrendered 485 yards in a 55-33 win over Damien.

“I don’t even know what to say right now, except that these kids deserve it,” Kapa’a head coach Mike Tresler said after winning the championship in a game that was scoreless through three quarters. “They worked their butts off, they worked hard, never complained, they put in the effort. My football family of coaches coached them up, so I give them all the credit.”

Kapa’a (9-2) gained just 132 yards on offense on 53 plays and had four turnovers, but the Warriors scored on a 50-yard punt return by Nash Burkart 19 seconds into the fourth quarter and then won the game on Micah Rapozo’s 33-yard field goal in overtime. A week earlier, the Warriors offense piled up 396 yards.

Nainoa Simmons led the Kapa’a offense with 22 carries for 66 yards rushing and Ryan Peters had 11 tackles to lead the defense.

The Wildcats (10-3) tied the championship game on Hercules Nahale’s 2-yard touchdown run with 4:09 to play in regulation and had 324 yards of offense on Saturday night, but committed three turnovers.

“Both defenses played great,” Konawaena coach Brad Uemoto said. “We couldn’t get nothing moving offensively. I mean, we had spurts and then we just couldn’t finish drives.”

Tresler was extra thankful for the win on Thanksgiving weekend.

“All I want to do is thank my family and my wife and the kids for the opportunity to spend time coaching these wonderful kids, all the support in the community,” he said. “These kids are amazing, absolutely amazing. What a defensive battle between two good offensive teams, man.”

Tresler was somewhat dumbfounded by the defensive battle that developed Saturday night. Konawaena had 469 yards of offense in its 45-20 win over Leilehua in the semifinals.

“Yeah, absolutely, two high-scoring offenses and who would have thought, right?” Tresler said. “Who would have thought it came down to us running our big package offenses and that’s my kind of game. I knew if we could kick them deep, keep them down from scoring, we would have a chance. We didn’t do that exactly, but I think we did enough.”

Tresler added: “Defense and special teams win championships and we proved it here tonight, for sure. … Love our defense. They played fabulous.”

The final night of the high school football season featured three of the four teams in the Division I and II state championship games coming from Neighbor Islands. Kamehameha Maui beat Kaiser 37-14 for the D-II state title before the Kapa’a-Konawaena clash.

Kapa’a won the state Division II title in 2021 and Waimea won the last two D-II state crowns. Konawaena won the 2022 D-I state crown.

“That speaks volumes,” Tresler said. “We don’t need to say any more. All the D-II championships on Kauai and now D-I. Kona, Maui, we can play a good brand of football and quality football.”

Uemoto said he was proud of his team in the end of the classic, back-and-forth defensive battle. Keenan Alani passed for 241 yards, but was intercepted twice for Konawaena. Elias Malapit had seven tackles to lead the Konawaena defense.

“Defensively, man, our defense played well all year,” Uemoto said. “Sometimes we’re noted as going to wind up for offense, but the underlying character to our team is our defense, and we showed it tonight.”

Uemoto agreed with Tresler that the Neighbor Islands are showing growing strength on the gridiron.

In the Open Division championship game Friday night in Manoa, Saint Louis beat Kahuku 17-10 for the title.

“I think Neighbor Island teams are definitely catching up with Oʻahu teams,” Uemoto said. “I think sometimes just venturing out in the preseason and starting to face different competition and knowing that we can play with Oʻahu schools, it’s just confidence. Outer Island teams have a different level of pride and playing for their community. And that’s something that we’ve seen in Kapaʻa coming into this game.

“We know they’re a prideful team just like us. They’re going to play tough for their community. And we knew that the emotions within the game was going to be tough. Anyway, that was displayed tonight with all three Neighbor Island teams.”

The organization had 6,000-plus participants in its surfing camps last year alone.

Yet, it doesn’t think in thousands.

“We think in ones because that’s where we can effect change,” says the Surfers Healing website. “One child. One family. One day at the beach.”

The 16th annual Surfers Healing Camp for Big Island keiki with autism and other disabilities and their ‘ohana is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo.

The camp provides children with the unique experience of surfing with professionals under supervised conditions.

Knowledgeable surfing instructors, surfboards and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests will be provided at no charge. Complementary drinks, snacks and lunches will also be offered to participating keiki and their family members.

Sharing surfing and enriching the lives of people who might otherwise not have the opportunity is the mission of Surfers Healing.

That mission is the result of just one child — Isaiah, son of the nonprofit’s founders former professional surfer Israel “Izzy” Paskowitz and his wife Danielle.

Isaiah has autism. Catching waves with his father were the best remedy to calm him down when his senses became overloaded or he had a meltdown.

“Not everyone has a championship surfer for a dad. Bummer,” the Surfers Healing website says. “So the Paskowitz family invited others to join them at the beach.”

Surfers Healing Hawai‘i, the Hawai‘i Island chapter of the nationwide nonprofit, is hosting and sponsoring Saturday’s camp.

Additional support is being provided through a partnership with Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation, The Eddie Aikau Foundation, Somers West, Bay View Banyan and Double Good.

An estimated 200 people, including about 60 keiki, are expected to participate in the Hilo camp. Surfers Healing camps are conducted around the world every year, giving children with autism and other disabilities a chance to ride the waves.

To register your child and learn more about the camp, visit the Surfers Healing website. Space is limited, so register today.

“Join us as we keep making a difference, one ride at a time,” the Surfers Healing website says.

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.

The Big Island is here to oblige.

There are still plenty of events left during this year’s 53rd annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, which runs through Sunday, including the ho‘olaule‘a and cultural activities at the Donkey Mill Art Center on Friday.

If you really want to take your mind off of current events, find your best druid robes, knight’s armor or everyday tunic and breeches to make the journey yonder to Honoka‘a Town and get transported to medieval times for the 3rd annual Renaissance Faire.

It’s that time of year, too, so put a little holiday spirit in your life by catching the 2nd annual Holiday Kickoff Extravaganza in Waimea. You can find gifts for loved ones — or pamper yourself — with a great lineup of vendors and have a ton of fun with the family playing games and getting the kids’ faces painted or henna for yourself.

Santa will be there, too!

The YWCA in Hilo is hosting a Fun Fair, the Kānaka Culinary Explosion is at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo, the Big Island Fruit Festival is in Kailua-Kona, skaters from around the world are coming for a tournament in Waimea and stand-up comedian, podcaster, former collegiate athlete and social media personality Tumua will be live at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.

That’s not even all the fun to be had.

So take a break and relax for a bit. You definitely deserve it.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 7-13.

No. 1 — 53rd annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (Various locations throughout Kona, through Nov. 10)

When: Various times

Location: Various locations

Big Island community members and visitors from around the world are once again coming together in Kona for Hawai‘i’s oldest food festival that preserves, perpetuates and promotes the region’s unique and rich nearly 200-year coffee heritage and celebrates its cultural significance.

The festival offers something for everyone, with this year’s installment promising to immerse those who attend in the sights, sounds and flavors of Kona’s legendary coffee legacy like never before while sharing aloha, connecting with local farmers and honoring the generations of families who cultivated the art of growing Kona coffee.

There’s still plenty of fun and coffee to be had, including tonight with the Kona’s Got Talent Showcase and Latte Art Throw Down; Friday with Kona Mountain Coffee’s 17th Anniversary Celebration, the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Ho’olaule’a and cultural activities at the Donkey Mill Art Center on Friday; and more this weekend.

For more information, event schedules and tickets, visit the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival website or follow the festival on social media @KonaCoffeeFest.

No. 2 — YWCA Fun Fair (Hilo, Nov. 9)

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: YWCA of Hawai‘i Island, 145 Ululani St.

Are you looking for some good old-fashioned fun? Just a chance to get out with the family, enjoy the day and see fellow community members, friends and maybe even extended family members? Then this event is exactly up your alley.

The family friendly downtown block party will have food, crafts, games, live entertainment, a carnival and more.

Several local vendors will be part of the fun, too, including Big Island Luffa, Simply Kahiki, My Little Store HI, JM Designs, Eli Matheu’s World, Pour Over the Rainbow, Job Challenge Academy, Kaizen&Co., DnDSweets & Things, Cookielicious, Mailie’s Munchies, Faithfull Finds, RDW Designs, Momi’s Confections, Crafts by Harmony, Bubi’s Toy Bin, Unfinished Project, Munch n’ Bites, Poke Market and Hawaiian Telcom.

Don’t miss out on all the fun. Parking will be available at the Hilo Elks Lodge and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

No. 3 — Kānaka Culinary Explosion (Hilo, Nov. 9)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Nani Mau Gardens, 421 Makalika St.

It’s a free celebration of Hawaiian food and cultural traditions that promises a lot of fun for the entire ʻohana.

Purchase amazing products made with aloha on Hawaiʻi Island from ʻAkaka Falls Farms, Hālau Hula Kauluola, Hawai’i ‘Ulu Cooperative, huiMAU hub, Kai(n), Kalo Kru x Ua Koko, Kanaeokana, Kū-A-Kanaka, Mahi‘ai Made, Mala Kaluulu, Mana Ceramics, Mau a mau, No ‘Ane‘i Kūlolo and Sweet Cane Cafe.

Enjoy cooking demonstrations, hands-on activities, a heat press, food sampling, La Ku’oko’a decorating and more while you learn to “Hawaiianize” your holiday cuisine. For more information, visit the Kū-A-Kanaka Facebook page.

No. 4 — 3rd annual Honoka‘a Renaissance Faire (Honoka‘a, Nov. 9)

When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Honoka‘a Sports Complex, 45-541 ʻĀkia St., as well as throughout town

Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it be known throughout the land, by all lords and ladies, ’tis time again to prepare thyselves for merriment, magic and more in Honoka‘a Town.

Behold, as the Honoka‘a Business Association presents this extraordinary event that once again has activities for all ages free to attend. There will be food, drink, music, magic, art, crafts, fun and games — a party fit for everyone from jesters to kings. Be sure to bring some cash though, just in case vendors need to go a little medieval for payments.

Renaissance and fantasy garb also is encouraged — the more creative and colorful your costume, the better. Don’t miss the online silent auction that starts at 11 a.m. Nov. 9, which helps raise funds to support the event’s future. Text “Honokaa” to 56651 or click here to register.

Maps and schedules to plan your day around events will be available by scanning QR code flyers around town. Questions can be emailed to honokaarenfaire@gmail.com.

No. 5 — 2nd annual Holiday Kickoff Extravaganza (Waimea, Nov. 9)

When: 1 to 7 p.m.

Location: Hawaiian Homes Hall, 67-756 Māmalahoa Highway

It’s that time of the year! The holidays are here, so why not get into the mood?

Bring the entire family to shop, play children’s games, paint the kiddos’ faces or get a henna yourself. Check out the crafters and peruse the lineup of vendors like you’ve never seen before to get gifts for those hard-to-buy-for loved ones out of the way early.

When you get hungry, head to the food trucks and food vendors in the parking lot, where you’ll find seasonal favorites and more. You might even find a pumpkin spice churro or two. There also will be a seafood boil in the kitchen.

Oh! Santa will be here, too. So come have a great time and share the aloha.

No. 6 — ‘Ohana Movie Night: “Despicable Me 4” (Waikōloa, Nov. 9)

When: 6 p.m.

Location: Queens’ Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Get the family out of the house and enjoy a fall evening out with a movie in the Coronation Pavilion.

This Saturday, come watch the story of supervillain Gru, a man who delights in all things wicked, as he hatches a plan to steal the moon. With his army of Minions and arsenal of weapons and war machines, Gru prepares to vanquish all in his way — except three orphan girls who adopt him as their dad.

Don’t forget to bring a comfy blanket or beach chair and your favorite movie snacks.

No. 7 — TUMUA: The Warrior Tour (Waimea, Nov. 9)

When: 6 and 9 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Don’t miss your chance to see stand-up comedian, podcaster, former collegiate athlete and social media personality Tumua live on the Big Island.

Reaching 600,000-plus combined followers on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, his social media sketches and stand-up bits are well-known in the Polynesian community around the world. Born and raised on O‘ahu, Tumua has sold out clubs, theaters and even arenas throughout the nation, including the Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu three times.

Tickets start at $51. Click here for additional information or to purchase your tickets.

No. 8 — Big Island Fruit Festival (Kailua-Kona, Nov. 10)

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Hale Hālāwai Park, 75-5760 Ali‘i Drive

Celebrate the fruity flavors of Hawai‘i during this family friendly, zero-waste event that will feature local food vendors, fresh fruit tastings, local arts and crafts, live food demonstrations, live music provided by local musicians, food demonstrations, fruit propagation presentations, speakers discussing the advantages of eating raw and more.

Keynote speakers will be Ken Love, executive director of Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to tropical fruit research, education, marketing and promotion in Hawai‘i, and John Pierre, founder of nonprofit Living With Harmony + Planet-Based Life.

Come be a part of the “fruit-ure.”

No. 9 — Aloha Skate Roller Derby Draft Tournament (Waimea, Nov. 10-11)

When: 11 a.m. Nov. 10, doors open at 10:30 a.m.; 10 a.m. Nov. 11, doors open at 9:30 a.m.

Location: Spencer Kalani Schutte District Park, 67-1315 Ala ‘Ōhi‘a Road

This is a mash-up tournament will feature some of the top roller derby players from around the world. More than 75 skaters from Hawai’i, the U.S. mainland, Canada and Germany will play some fast, hard-hitting roller derby and face off in a 6-team round-robin.

Approximately 100 skaters They’ll be put into a draft pool and team captains will select their players via a Hawai’i-themed draft like you’ve never seen before in this all-genders inclusive tournament. It’s guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind experience, complete with waterfalls and sunsets.

Admission is free. Food concessions and vendors also will be available.

No. 10 — “Mana Wahine” (Waimea, Nov. 13)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Watch Okareka Dance illustrate a tapestry of dance, theatre and film.

Ancient Māori practices are weaved into this performance, binding culture with dance and creating a collage of powerful imagery that transcends space and time. It’s a true celebration of the essence of life and death, portraying a vision of strength and empowering women around the world.

Tickets start at $24. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

* * * * * * * * * *

Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/

The men’s and women’s soccer teams of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo each nabbed a big win Saturday afternoon. Both teams shut out their respective opponents from Fresno Pacific University.

The men’s soccer team claimed victory over Fresno Pacific, 3-0, in Pacific West Conference play on Nov. 2 at Vulcan Soccer Field.

Mirai Sato put through the first (42′) and last (67′) scores. Sato made long-range connections with Aidan Santos and Felix Drizinsky, according to a Volcans press release, for assists on each respective goal.

Gen Takahashi put through the middle score after drawing a foul inside the penalty area. Takahashi’s penalty-kick attempt was saved by the Fresno Pacific University keeper but the junior, making his fourth start of the season, cleaned up on the deflection for the 54th-minute goal.

Paul Waschkau made his seventh start in goal but was subbed out in the first half and did not return to the match. Waschkau and Christian Souza combined for five saves to post the Vulcans’ fifth shutout of the season (first combined).

The Hawai’i Hilo men’s soccer team moved to 5-4-1 in the Pacific West Conference (10-5-1 overall) as Fresno Pacific moved to a 5-4-0 conference record (6-5-5 overall).

The No. 21 Hawai’i Hilo women’s soccer team clinched a spot in the inaugural Pacific West Conference Championships when it also defeated Fresno Pacific, 3-0, Saturday at the Vulcan Soccer Field.

Teani Arakawa (8′), Jazlynn Ellis (59′) and Shea Christiansen (63′) did the scoring for the Vulcans in the victory to join Point Loma Nazarene University in occupying two of the four qualifying spots for the conference postseason tournament.

Savina Zamborini, Arakawa and Alyssa Padron were all credited with assists on Hawai’i Hilo’s scores, according to a press release.

“We’ve been putting in the work to put ourselves in the position we want to be to battle for another championship,” ninth-year head coach Gene Okamura said.

The Hawai’i Hilo women’s team moved to a 8-1-1 record in the Pacific West Conference (11-1-3 overall) as Fresno Pacific moved to a 3-5-1 conference record (4-7-3 overall).

Currently, the lady Vulcans hold the top position in the standings with 25 points and just one match to go, but Point Loma Nazarene University (8-1-0) creeps behind with 24 points and still two more contests to be played.

The headwear has provided fun with his friends and is an homage to his University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes. But von Berg added with a smile: “They’re the only animal that heads into the storm when the storm is coming.”

On Saturday in Kona, whoever crosses the finish line on Ali’i Drive first will have conquered the grueling course’s heat, humidity, hills and crosswinds ‑— and weathered one of the strongest men’s fields in the history of the championship, which began in 1978.

Leading the field of 56 pro athletes is defending champion Sam Laidlow of France. But the chasing pack includes the two strong Norwegians Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden, who each have won in Kona, two-time World Champion Patrick Lange of Germany, up-and-coming Americans Matt Marquardt and Trevor Foley, Denmark’s hungry-for-a-Kona victory Magnus Ditlev, strong cyclist Robert Kallin of Sweden, and Von Berg, who ended 2023 with a record crushing 7:34:41 in the Florida Ironman.

Saturday marks the return to Kona for the men’s championship race, which last year was held in Nice, France. In 2023, the men and women began alternating their championship sites because the duo event was outgrowing the capacity of the small community of Kona.

The women competed in Kona last year, with super swimmer Lucy Charles-Barclay leading almost the minute she entered Kailua Bay enroute to her first World Championship victory after finishing second four times.

Lange, who won in Kona in 2017 and 2018, said he is happy to be back on the Big Island, despite “missing the women big time.”

“The beauty of the race is still there,” he said. “It’s still the greatest race of them all. It’s still the magic and the love for the island.”

In addition to the pros, about 2,400 amateur male athletes ranging in age from 20 to 84 also will be competing on the 140.6-mile grueling course that begins with a 2.4-mile swim in Kailua Bay. Next is a 112-mile bike on the route renowned for its historic long sustained climbs, strong crosswinds and exposed terrain beauty with lava fields on one side and the ocean coastline on the other.

The final leg is a 26.2-mile run, the length of a marathon, on a route that takes athletes past the spirited crowds on Aliʻi Drive, up Palani Road to the Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway that leads them to the long-awaited HOST Park at the National Energy Laboratory Hawaiʻi Authority. There they turn around and head back to town, where roaring crowds greet them.

And for the first time this year, there is a race within the race, with many of the men’s elite athletes also competing in Ironman’s inaugural Pro Series, which features a $375,000 professional prize purse. The winner takes home $125,000.

American Matt Hanson leads the Pro Series standings due to his fast, consistent racing this season despite having to balance training with his new fatherhood duties to a now 7-month girl, Olivia. But Hanson is not among the favorites to win the World Championship, with his best finish in six races just 13^th (in 2022).

“None of the guys behind me are going to just kind of give up and say: ‘It’s all yours.’” Hanson said. “So I’ve got to do my job this weekend to have a chance to stay near the points lead.”

Laidlow, 25, will wear the No. 1 bib due to his impressive World Championship victory in his home country of France in a time of 8 hours, 6 minutes and 22 seconds. This victory was despite having battled COVID 2 ½ weeks earlier.

Laidlow entered the second transition with a six-minute lead, and this time, unlike in Kona, he was able to hold on during the run to beat Lange by nearly four minutes. Ditlev took third.

In 2022, Laidlow was leading the championship in Kona late into the race, but with about 4 miles to go, Iden caught Laidlow. The two Kona rookies, drenched in sweat on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, shook hands briefly while still in stride — and then Iden was gone.

Iden smashed three-time Ironman champion Jan Frodeno’s course record by nearly 11 minutes, finishing in 7 hours, 40 minutes and 24 seconds. Iden also broke Lange’s Kona running course record.

But Iden had a difficult 2023 that included poor performances, the passing of his mother from cancer, and a painful Achilles injury. And this year, he said he has not put in the type of training required to win the World Championship.

“If I won this year, it would just mean that I’m a talent,” he said, smiling.

But his fellow Norwegian, 30-year-old Blummenfelt, could very well find himself on the top rung of the podium again after winning his first Ironman World Championship in 2021. Blummenfelt had been concentrating on short-course triathlons last year and part of this year, but he won the Ironman Frankfurt just two weeks after competing in the Olympics. And this victory is despite having problems with his nutrition that led to a mid-race bathroom break and tossing his cookies during the run.

Blummenfelt said he thinks all triathletes “want to win this race. It’s where the sport was born.”

And maybe this year his secret weapon is his bushy beard: “It’s good for the humidity,” he said. “It’s keeping a little bit of moisture to your skin.”

Ditlev also is among the favorites. He finished third at the World Championship last year in Nice, and he wants to make up for his 2022 race in Kona, in which a drafting penalty led to a disappointing 8^th place finish.

“I’ve been having nightmares about that race,” Ditlev said. But, he also said he was not happy about Nice, “when Sam completely smoked everyone. I think that hurt even more. … I was just not good enough to fight for the win.”

Marquardt likely will be one of the first out of the water. The 26-year-old who is juggling training with medical school led the swim in Nice last year. He also can hold his own on the bike. But his best marathon time during a triathlon is only 2:43, which needs to be better for him to finish at the top in Kona.

Some racers think that Kallin might go for the Kona bike course record, which could lead to some of the pros going a little faster than they like on the bike and take away some energy for the run.

But everyone seemed to agree the race would be fast.

“Everyone is improving a lot,” Iden said. “… It’s not so long ago where 8 hours on the island was something insane. But now, it’s basically a top 10 performance.

“I think there will be some groundbreaking performances this year, although it will depend on conditions, of course.”

Race conditions in Kona can be brutal, with a high of 86 degrees expected on Saturday with a 24% of raindrops. The bike and run often are affected by strong crosswinds.

Iden said this past week the wind was so strong near Hawi, the bike turnaround point, that he was “scared.”

When the athletes were asked how many pros they though would finish under 8 hours this year, Hanson replied: “Fifteen.”

When asked if he was confident about that number, Hanson elaborated that the 15^th finisher gets the last paycheck, “So 15.”

To watch the press conference, click here.

For all you need to know about the race, click here.

Live race day coverage will be broadcast for free across multiple platforms for global viewers including proseries.ironman.com, DAZN and YouTube, as well as Outside TV in the United States and Canada, L’Équipe in France and ZDF in Germany. 

Are you ready for the VinFast Ironman World Championship on Oct. 26? Here’s everything you need to know about race week and race day.

This year it’s all about the men. Beginning last year, the field has been divided by gender due to the growing number of competitors. Defending Ironman World Champion Sam Laidlow of France leads an elite men’s field of 56 triathletes, including three other winners of the championship. (The women, who competed in the Kona championship last year, were in Nice, France, this year in the alternating course format).

But before race day, there are three community events.

• On Tuesday, it’s the Ironkids Keiki Dip-n-Dash at 4 p.m. at Ka’ahumanu Place. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the canoe landing at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort. The Dip-n-Dash is for kids ages 6 to 14 who have a USA Triathlon membership, and the event costs $15. Just the Dash event is for kids ages 2 to 14, with courses of 0.25 miles and 0.9 miles. USAT membership also is required, and the this event also costs $15.

• On Tuesday, it’s also the Parade of Nations, which starts at 5 p.m. The parade runs along Aliʻi Drive between the Kona Beach Resort and Hale Hālāwai.

• On Thursday, the Ironman Foundation hosts the UnderPants Run in the back parking lot of the Kona Beach Resort at 7:30 a.m. It is open to everyone, but registration is required. This event began in 1998 as a protest against wearing Speedos in inappropriate places, like stores and restaurant, but has morphed into a pre-race icebreaker and local fundraiser. Over the years, more than $360,000 has been raised for “community giveback.”

On race day, the triathlon starts at 6:25 a.m. HST, when athletes kick off the grueling 140.6-mile race in the crystal clear waters of Kailua Bay for a 2.4-mile out-and-back swim as the sun rises over Hualālai in the background.

The 112-mile bike course starts at Kailua Pier and takes athletes onto Ka‘ahumanu Highway, facing a challenging evelvation gain — of up to 5,814 feet — and potentially strong crosswinds on their climb to Hawī, but soothed by breathtaking scenes of lava fields and ocean coastlines.

At Hawī, they turn around and head back to Kona.

The triathlon culminates with a 26.2-mile run through Kona, up Palani Road and onto Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, where competitors will run through HOST Park at the National Energy Laboratory Hawaiʻi Authority, navigating intermittent steep spots before making their triumphant return along the highway.

Athletes will then take their victory lap down Ali‘i Drive to cross the finish line, where they started at Kailua Pier.

The seawall is the perfect spot to watch the triathletes enter the water to start the race in Kailua Bay.

Spectators then often move to line the run and bike courses on Ali‘i Drive, Palani Road and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway.

If you can’t make it out to watch the race in person, keep up with the athletes live on Ironman’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

To note:

• Ka‘ahumanu Place and Kailua Pier will be closed starting at 6 a.m. midnight Oct. 24 till 3 p.m. Oct. 27.
• Ali‘i Drive from Ka‘ahumanu Place to Likana Lane will be closed starting at midnight Oct. 24 till 3 p.m. Oct. 27.

Find more race day road closures below.

For all VinFast Ironman World Championship information, news and updates, keep your eyes right here on Big Island Now throughout the week and on race day.

You can also visit the official Ironman website for more about this year’s race and other Ironman events.

Race day road closures

• Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway between Palani Road and Kaiminani Drive
  6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Southbound lanes closed; northbound lanes open
• Makala Boulevard between Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway and Kuakini Highway
  6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Limited lanes open; no access to Kuakini Highway
• Kuakini Highway between Makala Boulevard and Palani Road
  6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Closed
• Palani Road between Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway and Kuakini Highway
  6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Westbound lane closed
  6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Eastbound lane closed
• Palani Road between Kuakini Highway and Aliʻi Drive
  6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Closed
• Kaʻahumanu Place and Kailua Pier
  Midnight Oct. 24 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27: Closed
• Aliʻi Drive from Kaʻahumanu Place to Likana Lane
  Midnight Oct. 24 to 3 p.m. Oct. 27: Closed
• Aliʻi Drive between Likana Lane and Hualālai Road
  6 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Closed
• Hualālai Road between Aliʻi Drive and Kuakini Highway
  6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Closed
• Aliʻi Drive between Hualālai Road and Laʻaloa Avenue
  9 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Hualālai Road to Walua Road closed
  9 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Walua Road to Laʻaloa Avenue closed
• Kuakini Highway between Hualālai Road and Kahakai Estates
  6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Closed, with limited access
• Kuakini Highway between Palani Road and Hualālai Road
  6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.: Southbound lane closed
  6:30 a.m. to noon: Northbound lane closed from Hualālai Road to Henry Street
  No access to Palani Road: All traffic routed up Ololi Road
• Loloku Street between Luhia Street and Kuakini Highway
  6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.: No through access to Kuakini Highway

For more information or questions, call the Road Closure Hotline through Oct. 28 at 808-334-3400.

Race day solid waste facility closures

Hawai‘i County announces the following solid waste facilities and services will be closed Oct. 26 because of the above road closures for the Ironman World Championship:

• Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station, Reuse Center and HI-5 Redemption.
• West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill (Pu‘uanahulu).

The closure at the Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station will affect all services, including residential trash disposal, HI-5 redemption, 2-bin recycling, green waste recycling, the Reuse Center and mulch pick up.

Regular operations and services at the two facilities will resume as follows:

• Kealakehe Recycling and Transfer Station will resume regular daily operations Oct. 27.
• West Hawai‘i Sanitary Landfill will resume its regular schedule and reopen Oct. 28.

All other solid waste facilities will operate on their regular schedules on race day.

Call the Hawai‘i County Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division Office at 808-961-8270 with any questions.

Click here for more information and updates.

Get the Ironman VIP spectator experience

Don’t want to brave the crowds? Want some Ironman swag? Looking for better race day viewing spots? Then why not support your Ironman athlete while Ironman supports you?

Enjoy the convenience, hospitality and dedicated viewing areas throughout race day and experience the action as a VIP during the 2024 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona.

There are several levels of VIP to choose from, with several perks ranging from a commemorative gift bag, VIP seating for the VIP and their athlete at the E Komo Mai Banquet, an invitation to the pro press conference, up to 6 nights at Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, pier access for swim viewing, access to the VIP viewing platform and more.

To become a VIP today or for more information, click here. For questions, email to worldchampionshipvip@ironman.com.

Track Ironman athletes live

So you saw them swim out and watched them bike out of town, but now what? Follow the Ironman triathletes live by downloading the Ironman Tracker mobile app and selecting the 2024 Ironman World Championship event.

Participants, family and friends can all use the Live Results feature to share in the excitement. On race day, spectators can get the status of participants in real time using the Live Tracker and Leaderboard functions.

The app is available at the Apple Store and Google Play. Download it today.