News from September 2023


Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development will meet Oct. 3

Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3


Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i to host community event: ‘Our goal is to try to make this information more accessible to members of the community’

The Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i will offer free legal information presentations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Kaʻū District Gym Multipurpose Room. Attorney Scott Shishido hopes this event will benefit the community by providing information that isn’t usually readily accessible.


Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet Oct. 3

Hawaii County Finance Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3


Hawaii County Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being will meet Oct. 3

Hawaii County Policy Committee on Health, Safety, and Well-being will meet at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3


Humanity Hale to host fundraiser festival with ‘100% of proceeds’ going to foster youth

Humanity Hale will host their Fall Fest Fundraiser on Oct. 21 at Bolton Farms in Holualoa. According to Charis Higginson, founder and executive director of Humanity Hale, this will benefit foster youth.


Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet Oct. 3

Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3


American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association and Sysco to host Christmas with the Chefs on Saturday December 2

The American Culinary Federation Kona Kohala Chefs Association and Sysco will be hosting Christmas with the Chefs at Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 pm. The event will include flavorful dishes and treats made by Chefs and local culinary students.


PVS CEO Nainoa Thompson: 'The level of hurt that's happening in our home is something I can't comprehend, all I know is that we have to come home because of it'

Polynesian Voyaging Society CEO Nainoa Thompson announced that the Hōkūleʻa crew will be returning to Hawai'i earlier than planned before continuing on their circumnavigation of the Pacific. The decision comes in response to the devastating wildfires that have been raging on Maui.


Senator Hirono: 'this much-needed funding will help update outdated systems'

Senator Mazie K. Hirono announced that the Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is granting more than $11 million to the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) to update the state's Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. This funding is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and aims to enhance the efficiency of processing unemployment insurance claims and prevent fraud.


OHA Chair Carmen Lindsey: 'While it is disheartening to note that more Hawaiians now reside outside of their pae ʻāina, the numbers of our people continue to grow and our demographic revival is stunning'

According to recent population data released by the U.S. Census, more Native Hawaiians now live on the continent than in Hawaii for the first time. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) expressed concern about this shift but highlighted the growth of the Native Hawaiian population, emphasizing unity among the Hawaiian people.


UH Hilo Chancellor: 'Ed Olson's confidence in Hawaiʻi’s next generation of agriculturists will have a direct impact on Hawaiʻi Island's sustainable future'

The University of Hawai'i at Hilo has received a generous donation from the Edmund C. Olson Trust 2 to support students pursuing careers in agriculture. The $200,000 gift will be used to benefit young people training for agricultural careers through the university's College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management.


Hilo man arrested and charged for vehicle-theft

Hawai'i Island Police have arrested and charged 26-year-old Tyron Keoki Willett of Hilo in connection with a vehicle theft incident that occurred in Pāhoa on September 23, 2023. Willett faces multiple charges including defacing serial numbers on motor vehicles, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle (auto theft), and theft.


Hāmākua district's third annual 'Back to School Keiki Fishing Derby' celebrates success and community connection

The Hawai'i Police Department's Hāmākua District Community Policing Officers have congratulated the participants and winners of the department's Third Annual Back to School Keiki Fishing Derby. The event took place on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park in Laupāhoehoe. Around 80 young fishing enthusiasts between the ages of 3 and 17 from across the Hāmākua district gathered at the tournament with the goal of catching the heaviest fish of the day. The top four winners from each age group received exciting prizes, and all registered participants were...


AI detects two more bird species at Palmyra Atoll

The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Hawai'i and Palmyra announced that artificial intelligence powered imagery analysis detected two more seabird species at Palmyra Atoll, both of which were thought to have disappeared for decades. This achievement underscores the effectiveness of seabird habitat restoration efforts.


Hawaii County Council will meet Sept. 20

Hawaii County Council will meet at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 20


Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet Sept. 19

Hawaii County Communications, Reports, and Council Oversight Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19


Hawaii County Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee will meet Sept. 19

Hawaii County Legislative Approvals and Acquisitions Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19


Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development will meet Sept. 19

Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use, and Development will meet at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19


New Kaloko-Honokōhau and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Parks Superintendent: 'I'm equally excited to meet, learn from and support the Native Hawaiian communities associated with the parks, so...

Paul Scolari has been appointed as the new superintendent of Kaloko-Honokōhau and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Parks on Hawai'i Island, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Scolari, who has 29 years of experience within the NPS, will begin his duties in late October. He has held various positions within the NPS, including a six-month assignment as the acting superintendent of War in the Pacific National Historical Park and American Memorial Park in Guam and Saipan, and his most recent role as the superintendent of Dinosaur National Monument spanning...


Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet Sept. 19

Hawaii County Governmental Operations and External Affairs Committee will meet at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19