KAILUA-KONA — When the U.S. Senate Youth Program’s Washington Week kicked off at the beginning of March, Kealakehe High School senior Maya Kiana Gee said one of the first things she noticed was the passion of her fellow delegates and the perspectives they all brought with them from their own states.

KAILUA-KONA — For nearly 40 years now, the Daughters of Hawaii have opened the grounds and doors of Hulihee Palace to the public around this time of year to welcome kamaaina and visitors alike for a day to celebrate Hawaiian history, culture, music, hula and crafts.

KAILUA-KONA — Three Hawaii Island schools — including two from West Hawaii — are putting their robotics know-how to the test this week as they vie for a chance at an upcoming world robotics championship.

KAILUA-KONA — The state commission for public charter schools has yet to make a decision on allegations that a Kona charter school violated its contract by failing to maintain accurate enrollment data, reportedly netting them more than $300,000 in overpaid funding.

KEALAKEKUA — As the principal of Konawaena Elementary School, Claire Yoshida knows the barriers South Kona’s communities face when it comes to health care.

KAILUA-KONA — In the wake of a shooting that killed 17 people at a Florida high school — and later threats to their own school — a handful of students at Konawaena High School looked to their own campus for an opportunity to ensure students feel safe in their classrooms.

KAILUA-KONA — For some residents in the communities of South Kona, access to quality health care providers and services can literally be out of reach.

KAILUA-KONA — Today is the last day to register for an upcoming luncheon aimed at connecting the business community with county officials.

KAILUA-KONA — When Faith Cosby was about 3 years old, right around the start of World War II, she got separated from her aunt, Mary Routery, and her mother in a crowd on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

KAILUA-KONA — A parking fee and entrance gate on South Point Road are on the table as part of the state’s efforts to better manage natural and cultural resources at Ka Lae, also known as South Point, where the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands says resources are in “critical condition.”

KAILUA-KONA — The Hawaii Island Humane Society’s Animal Community Center, which will bring increased capacity to hold stray animals and increase spay-and-neuter services, continues to move forward.

KAILUA-KONA — A bill that would require counties to get abandoned vehicles off public roads will be considered by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means this Wednesday before the proposal can go before the full state Senate for a vote.