News from 2021


William Keaupuni o'olohuio o kalakaua Townsend

Mr. William Keaupuni o’olohuio okalakaua “Chuco” “Will” Townsend, age 39, of Hilo, Hawaii, died October 18, 2021 at the Hilo Medical Center.


Jeffrey Tetsuo Sumi

Jeffrey Tetsuo Sumi, 66, of Hilo, died October 18, 2021, at Hilo Medical Center.


Sheila Leimomi Libron

Sheila Leimomi Libron, 56, of Hilo, died on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at Hilo Medical Center.


Eva Misao "Champ" Rowe

Eva Misao “Champ” Rowe, 82, of Hilo died Oct. 17 at her residence.


Big Island events happening this weekend, Nov. 5 to 7

Friday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 6, is the 5th Annual 'Ohi'a Love Fest between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.


Hawaii governor sets zero-carbon goal: 'We are embracing big ambitions because we know they lead to big actions'

Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) is leading a group of legislators and staffers to the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) now underway in Glasgow, Scotland, pledging to reduce to zero-carbon emissions.


Hawaii County Human Services and Social Services Committee will meet Nov. 9

Hawaii County Human Services and Social Services Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Monday, Nov. 9.


Big Island: Project Hawai’i benefits from Ohana Fuels’ “Fuel up. Do good.” Program

Project Hawai’i, Inc. was the most recent beneficiary of Ohana Fuels' “Fuel up. Do Good” Community Giving Program. We are pleased to announce we received $6,271.63 from the portion of gasoline sales on Big Island. Ohana Fuels partners with nonprofit organizations serving the needs of our local communities every quarter.


Hawaii Wildlife Center aims to ‘reverse the extinction trend' by rescuing injured or sick native birds and bats

The Hawaii Wildlife Center aims to protect, conserve and aid in the recovery of the state’s native winged wildlife, hoping to reverse the trend of extinction prevalent on the islands.


Hawaii County COVID-19 cases averaged 25 per day over past week

New COVID-19 cases in Hawaii County were down 16% over the past two weeks, with the average number of daily cases over the past week reaching 25, according to data from the State of Hawaii Department of Health.


Going Home Hawaii seeks to ‘break the cycle of recidivism’ for those leaving the justice system and reentering society

With a belief that supportive services can decrease the risk of new crimes, a nonprofit organization, Going Home Hawaii, seeks to provide reentry and recovery programs to individuals coming out of the justice system.


Expediting Residential Building Permit Applications submitted before October 1, 2021

COUNTY ANNOUNCES NEW AGREEMENT TO HELP EXPEDITE PERMIT PROCESS Per a new agreement between Mayor Mitch Roth and the Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works (DPW), DPW will begin expediting the review of all Residential Building Permit Applications submitted before October 1, which contain the proper certification of a licensed Professional and for which construction will be performed by a licensed Contractor.


Project Hawaii’s cofounder and director: Helping homeless children and teens is 'my kuleana'

The cofounder and director of operations for the nonprofit Project Hawaii, Inc., has overseen the evolution of the organization, which started by helping homeless teens and progressed to aiding homeless children.


Hawaii County Council will meet Nov. 3

Hawaii County Council will meet at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 3.




Ka'u High and Pahala Elementary School teacher followed her calling: 'I was predetermined by God to be a teacher'

For Ka'u High & Pahala Elementary School (KHPES) teacher Pinky Grace Francisco, the call to a career in education was easy to answer.


University of Hawaii at Hilo men's golf concludes fall season with sixth-place finish at Dennis Rose Tournament

The University of Hawaii (UH) at Hilo finished in sixth place at the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate men's golf tournament at the Waikoloa Beach Course.


IATSE agreement prevents film industry strike: 'Unions are crucial in fighting for economic justice'

Hawaii’s film industry has dodged a bullet after the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) earlier this month struck a tentative contract agreement with Hollywood studios.


Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative aims to restore the Hawaiian dry forest, 'a critically endangered ecosystem'

The Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative (WDFI) is leading the charge to improve and restore a native Hawaiian dry forest that is threatened with endangerment.