Each year, Hawaiʻi’s legislative session brings new conversations about how to support local families and strengthen island communities. The 2026 session, which runs through May 8, has once again placed a spotlight on topics many residents talk about often, the cost of living, housing, and how government policies …

Water has always played a quiet but important role in how communities grow in West Hawaiʻi. In North Kona, much of that water comes from the Keauhou aquifer, a natural underground source that supports homes, schools, farms, and local businesses across the region.

On average, about 14 million …

A new proposal from the Hawaiʻi County Council is taking an important first step toward reshaping how high-value second homes are taxed across the island.

Under the measure, often referred to as Bill 128, the county is considering the creation of a Tier 3 residential tax category for …

Across the islands, many families share the same concern: finding care that is both accessible and affordable without having to navigate a complicated system. With rising costs and limited provider availability, even routine care can sometimes feel out of reach.

A new collaboration between Hawai‘i Pacific Health and …

There’s something meaningful about seeing new classrooms rise in a neighborhood. It’s a sign that families are here, that the community is growing, and that there’s long-term investment in the next generation.

Kealakehe Elementary has officially broken ground on a $16 million classroom building that will add more …

Tourism has always been part of Hawaiʻi’s everyday rhythm, and the 2025 visitor numbers offer a useful snapshot of where things stand now, less as a headline, and more as context.

By the end of the year, Hawaiʻi welcomed about 9.64 million visitors, slightly below 2024 …

Community Food Efforts Across Hawaiʻi Island: A Quiet but Important Movement

One thing that often gets overlooked when talking about life on Hawaiʻi Island is how deeply connected communities are when it comes to supporting one another. Across the island, many local organizations are quietly working behind …

One of the biggest challenges I hear about from buyers today is how interest rates have changed the math of homeownership. Even for people with steady jobs and savings, higher rates can make monthly payments feel just out of reach. That’s why it’s worth paying attention when new tools are …

Every now and then, I come across a project that feels like it could make a lasting difference for the West Hawaiʻi community. One example is the ongoing plan for a modern outpatient health center in Kailua-Kona, an initiative built through a public-private partnership focused on strengthening local …

Every so often, a project comes along that reminds me how quickly our communities on the Big Island are growing and changing. The start of construction on the new Keaʻau–Mountain View Public Library is one of those moments.

For years, the libraries in Keaʻau and Mountain View have …