KAILUA-KONA — Before the official school day begins at Kahakai Elementary School, class is already in session for a small group of students.

KAILUA-KONA — Four local artists have been working diligently this week to replace an old mural in the center of Kailua-Kona and bring a new work of art to life.

KAILUA-KONA — When former Family Support Hawaii director JoAnn Freed addressed the organization’s supporters and founders at their anniversary party recently, she had one thing to declare repeatedly: “We persist.”

KAILUA-KONA — Recent changes to the county’s two-bin recycling program have left customers of private recycling companies confused over the disposal of their HI-5 glass, plastic and aluminum containers.

KAILUA-KONA — Some things are better together, like robotics and astronomy.

KAILUA-KONA — From diving with tiger sharks to masterminding a spooky haunted house, there’s not much in life that Timothy Ewing fears.

KAILUA-KONA — At West Hawaii Community Health Center, a dose of art is part of the prescription for patients and visitors.

KAILUA-KONA — Through 200 years and waves of drastic change to Kailua-Kona and the Hawaiian islands, Mokuaikaua Church has stood, steady and absolute in its faith.

KAILUA-KONA — In the mostly rural communities of the Big Island, it’s important for those with disabilities to make sure their voices are heard by the people in power.

KEALAKEKUA — Students of Kona Pacific Public Charter School left school Friday with the only change to the campus being the lineup of pumpkins they spent the morning carving.

KAILUA-KONA — In its 50 years as a restaurant staple along Alii Drive, Huggo’s has always been about one thing — taking chances.

KAILUA-KONA — With several West Hawaii Disability Legislative Forums already under her belt, Jeri Raymond has witnessed what public dialogue and community support can do for the problems facing those on the island with disabilities.

KAILUA-KONA — The science department at Hawaii Community College — Palamanui is about to take a giant leap forward with the creation of a physics lab on campus.

KAILUA-KONA — As the international market for recycling material takes a nosedive, the County of Hawaii is being forced to adapt and will downsize its recycling program.

KAILUA-KONA — As concerns rise about the safety of full-face snorkel masks, more and more Hawaii Island tour companies are following the example of their island neighbors by banning the use of the masks on their boats.

KAILUA-KONA — Businesses in Kailua-Kona will see a spike in visitors and maybe an increase in sales Sunday as Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, a ship with more than 4,000 passengers, will anchor in Kailua Bay.