Preserving Kohala: BLNR approves subgrant of funding for trust to purchase Mahukona acreage
Hundreds of acres in North Kohala, rich in cultural sites and once slated for development, have been approved for purchase to be preserved and protected.
‘I am tired of being chained’: Youth takes stand in trial of South Kona man
A 48-year-old South Kona man charged with first-degree unlawful imprisonment and persistent nonsupport in connection to allegations of keeping a minor under the age of 16 chained to a floor was in court this week for a bench trial.
Pumping iron: Special Olympics athletes compete in first powerlifting competition since start of pandemic
Five West Hawaii Special Olympics athletes competed Saturday at Imua Iron in the nonprofit’s first powerlifting competition since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.
Homelessness up on Hawaii Island; 1 in 3 unsheltered individuals considered ‘chronically homeless’
Approximately one in three homeless individuals on Hawaii Island is considered chronically homeless, according to details gleaned from this year’s Point-In-Time Count.
A century of wisdom: Holocaust survivor celebrates 100th birthday
A Kailua-Kona woman, who as a young Jew fled Nazi Germany, recounted her life on the occasion of her 100th birthday Saturday afternoon.
Parole granted for two Kona men
A Kona man sentenced to up to a half-decade behind bars for a 2019 shooting that injured one and triggered an 11-day manhunt was granted parole by the Hawaii Paroling Authority on Wednesday.
Fire snarls traffic
Traffic was slowed to a crawl Wednesday afternoon on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona after a brush fire broke out makai of the major thoroughfare near the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. The fire, reported about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, scorched about 5 acres before firefighters could get the blaze under control. County firefighters were assisted by volunteer firefighters and Chopper 2 in dousing the flames. No injuries were reported. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
Delay crops in case of man accused of sexual assault
A 21-year-old Kona man indicted in 2019 for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor on the grounds of a South Kona public school and subsequently indicted in connection with two later, unrelated sex assaults remains in custody at the Hawaii State Hospital awaiting another competency hearing.
New trial date set for ex-cop in missing drug evidence case
It will be another 19 months before a former Hawaii Police Department officer will stand trial on charges stemming from a May 2019 indictment for allegedly stealing cocaine in 2014 from a police evidence locker in Hilo.
Back in action: Avocado Festival returns to Kona
Big Island avocados were celebrated Saturday at the 15th annual Avocado Festival in Kailua-Kona.
Coffee labeling bill now calls for study, no change to law
A bill that would have set tighter limits on using Hawaii location names to sell coffee cleared now requests the state study the impacts of such a move.
Scrap metal heap ignites
Multiple Hawaii Fire Department comapnies responded to a fire Friday morning at Big Island Scrap Metal on Honokohau Street in Kailua-Kona.
Going back in time: Holualoa school to mark centennial with opening of time capsule
Students at Holualoa Elementary School will be able to take a trip back 25 years when they open a time capsule this spring.
Fit to proceed: Judge rules Kona man to stand trial for attempted murder
A Kona man facing attempted murder and other charges stemming from a December 2021 domestic violence incident was found mentally fit to stand trial Thursday after undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.
E komo mai: La‘i‘opua 2020 fetes Prince Kuhio Day with crafts, talk story
A day of Hawaiian crafts and talk story was open to residents and visitors as a celebration of Prince Kuhio Day Saturday at La‘i‘opua 2020.
Love 2 Fish Tournament nets $3,750 for Hospice of Kona
Nine qualifying fish were brought to the scale at Honokohau Harbor for the 16th annual Love 2 Fish Tournament benefiting Hospice of Kona March 19.
Trial delayed again: Ex-cop in missing drug case fires attorney as jury selection got underway
A former Hawaii Police Department officer slated to stand trial last week on charges stemming from a May 2019 indictment for allegedly stealing cocaine from a police evidence locker in Hilo back in May 2016 received a continuance after firing his court-appointed attorney.
Rainbow Run returns: Annual event at Kahakai Elementary School back after 2-year hiatus
Kahakai Elementary School students got splashed with bright colors while getting physically fit Wednesday at the school’s Rainbow Run.
Bill to select site for new Kona hospital awaits final committee hearing
A bill aimed at providing funding for site selection for a new hospital in Kona faces one more hurdle this legislation.
Senate committee advances distracted driving bill
A bill that would increase the fine for using a mobile device while driving cleared its first Senate committee Tuesday after crossing over from the House.
