Keeping us all safe: Hundreds get COVID-19 vaccine, though demand for shot is waning
The Hawaii Department of Health held its second COVID-19 vaccine clinic Saturday at Kealakehe Intermediate School, with the majority of participants receiving their second dose.
HFD likely to finish out fiscal year slightly under budget
Hawaii Fire Department Chief Kazuo Todd said Wednesday the department will likely finish out the fiscal year slightly under budget.
Department of Liquor Control to lease office space in Kona
Just a decade after opening, the West Hawaii Civic Center has reached its brim and a Hawaii County department is again leasing office space in Kailua Village.
Holualoa fifth-graders create mural following unprecedented year
The newly promoted fifth-grade class at Holualoa Elementary School has left their impression at the 128-year-old school in an unprecedented year of changes.
Toward the future
More than 300 Kealakehe High School seniors graduated Friday at Waverider Stadium in Kailua-Kona.
Kona Community Hospital celebrates blessing of new chapel, rehab center
Kona Community Hospital celebrated the blessing of a new chapel and rehabilitation center last week.
A job well done: Kealakehe Elementary School principal retiring after 43-year teaching career
Kealakehe Elementary School principal Nancy Matsukawa is retiring after 43 years with the state Department of Education.
Hometown Heroes: Volunteers plant native trees at West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery
Editor’s note: Each Wednesday, West Hawaii Today is publishing a story about individuals, groups or organizations that have helped make life better for others in our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Voyaging canoes stop in Kona to receive master navigator’s ashes
Hokule‘a made a stop outside Keauhou Bay Sunday to receive the ashes of the late Chad Kalepa Baybayan to join the crew on its first major training voyage since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.
Makua Lani Christian Academy graduates seniors
By Laura Ruminski
Parker School’s Class of 2021 graduates
Parker School celebrated the graduation of 30 seniors during its 45th commencement ceremonies on Friday under a tent on Parker’s lower school campus.
Konawaena High School graduates Class of 2021
Konawaena High School graduated 186 seniors at Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Julian Yates Field. The class of 2021 had 15 valedictorians, the most of any class at the school.
West Hawaii Explorations Academy graduates 36
West Hawaii Explorations Academy graduated 36 students at Friday’s commencement ceremony. The school held graduation in two sessions in order to comply with COVID restrictions.
Mass vaccination clinics winding down
With dwindling demand, Kona Community Hospital held its final mass vaccination clinic Thursday at Kekuaokalani Gym.
Jury returns guilty verdict in fatal hit-and-run crash
A 46-year-old South Kona woman faces up to 15 years behind bars after a jury found her guilty Wednesday of negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident involving death in connection with a July 2018 hit-and-run crash in South Kona that killed a 61-year-old visitor.
Waimea man sentenced to 5 years for fatal crash
A 26-year-old Waimea man was sentenced Monday to serve a half-decade behind bars for a 2019 crash that claimed the life of a mother of four and injured three girls.
Honoka‘a man indicted for sex assault, abuse
A Big Island grand jury this week handed down a 27-count indictment charging a Honoka‘a man with a host of offenses —including sexual assault, kidnapping and felony abuse — committed against a single victim over a two-plus-month span.
HawCC — Palamanui, University Center, West Hawaii graduate dozens
Hawaii Community College — Palamanui graduated 139 students from the Kona campus this year with associate degrees and certificates. In addition, 56 students affiliated with the University Center, West Hawaii earned their degrees through distance learning from other University of Hawaii campuses.
‘It’s for the athletes’: West Hawaii police officer to carry torch to Special Olympics World Games
A West Hawaii police officer will be representing Hawaii in the 2022 Special Olympics World Games Torch Run in Russia, one of only 95 law enforcement officers around the world to be selected to carry the torch.
Spreading the word: Vaccination outreach effort hits Kona neighborhoods; clinic set for Saturday
A dedicated group of individuals led by the Department of Health has been spreading the word about an upcoming vaccination clinic in Kona by pounding the pavement and knocking on doors.
