WE’RE HERE: HBO series featuring renowned drag queens comes to Kona
“WE’RE HERE,” the unscripted HBO series featuring renowned drag queens Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela, made a splash in Kona as they continued their journey spreading love and connection across small-town America, through the art of drag.
Waimea man pleads guilty in death of pedestrian
A Waimea man faces up to a year behind bars after meting a plea deal with prosecutors in connection with a New Year’s Day 2020 crash that killed a pedestrian in the North Hawaii town.
Veterans honored: Scores turn out for ceremony held at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, Americans around the country marked Veterans Day, including those attending a ceremony Thursday at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Kailua-Kona.
Keeping it clean: Volunteers remove trash along Kona highway, push for enforcement of litter laws
Over 30 volunteers spent Saturday morning cleaning up trash strewn along Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona.
Motion to recuse judge in sex assault case denied
A motion to recuse a judge in the trial for a 21-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting an elderly woman in 2019 at a Kawaihae campground was denied Wednesday maintaining a Nov. 30 trial date.
Paying tribute: Dozens turn out to honor Tom Morey, inventor of the Boogie Board
Dozens of Boogie Board enthusiasts gathered Saturday, International Bodyboarding Day, at Wai‘aha Bay, or Honl’s Beach to honor Tom Morey, creator of the modern-day bodyboar, or Boogie Board.
Crowned: Kyndra Nakamoto wins Miss Kona Coffee
Eight contestants vied for the title of Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Aloha Hawaii Friday at the annuial Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Competition at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
22nd annual Holualoa Coffee and Art Stroll attracts hundreds
Hundreds of people walked Mamalahoa Highway in the heart of Holualoa Saturday for the 22nd annual Holualoa Village Coffee and Art Stroll. Coffee farmers offered samples of award-winning coffee and artisans displayed their wares for visitors and locals alike. (Photos by Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)
‘The best rollercoaster ride ever’: 1988 Miss Kona Coffee reflects on journey to become Hawaii’s first winner of Miss America
On a dare, Carolyn Sapp entered the 1988 Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Competition, winning the title and embarking her on a path that would lead to the title of Miss America 1992.
Not guilty: Woman acquitted of all charges in 2017 death of toddler
A not guilty verdict was rendered Thursday in the trial of a 47-year-old Waimea woman charged with the 2017 murder of a Waimea toddler.
Filling a need: Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island offers free afterschool programs amid child care crisis
The Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island has added a new afterschool program in South Kona at the Kona Hongwanji Mission, increasing its reach to five sites in West Hawaii with plans for a sixth.
Woman found not guilty in death of child
A not guilty verdict was reached Thursday in the trial of a 47-year-old Waimea woman charged with the 2017 murder of a Waimea toddler.
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival celebrates 50 years: Virtual, in-person events start Thursday
Hawaii’s oldest food festival will be celebrating 50 years with both virtual and in-person events starting Thursday.
A philharmonic Halloween
Members of the Kamuela Philharmonic treated the Kona community to a free concert Friday at Kona Commons.
Wicked weekend: Host of Halloween events planned as pandemic drags on
Ghosts and goblins will be out this weekend searching for treats from the living. Here are some alternatives to going door-to-door in West Hawaii.
Minimum term set for driver in fatal crash
The Hawaii Paroling Authority has set a minimum term for a 26-year-old Waimea man who was sentenced to serve a half-decade behind bars for a 2019 crash that claimed the life of a mother of four and injured three girls.
Kona Woman gets 5 years in 2020 vehicle ramming case
A Kailua-Kona woman was sentenced last month to five years behind bars after meting a plea deal with prosecutors that dropped attempted murder charges stemming from a June 2020 traffic collision.
Effective today, swimming with dolphins in Hawaii is illegal
Swimming with Hawaiian spinner dolphins is now a thing of the past.
Volunteer firefighter hurt falling into underground hotspot comes home
Volunteer firefighter Lizzy Stabo returned to the Big Island Monday evening after spending nearly eight weeks in an Oahu burn unit following an accident suffered while fighting a long-burning underground fire in Ka‘u.
Connecting with the land: Students, volunteers plant 160 koa trees in Kaloko mauka
Honua‘ula Forest Reserve Makaula ‘O‘oma tract welcomed the addition of new koa trees Saturday as students and volunteers planted seedlings in the cloud forest located in Kaloko mauka.
