Community News

Feb. 27, 2026

A Step Toward Balance in Hawaii County’s Housing Landscape

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 non-owner-occupied properties …

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Posted in Community News
Feb. 19, 2026

A More Connected Future for Care in Hawaii

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 Hawai‘i Medical …

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Posted in Community News
Feb. 12, 2026

Kealakehe Elementary’s $16 Million Expansion Brings New Space for Growing Families

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 than 13 …

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Posted in Community News
Jan. 30, 2026

What Hawaii’s 2025 Visitor Numbers Say About the Bigger Picture

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 and still short …

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Posted in Community News
Jan. 9, 2026

Community Food Efforts Across Hawai?i Island: A Quiet but Important Movement

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 the scenes …

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Posted in Community News
Dec. 19, 2025

A Renewed Path for First-Time Buyers in Hawaii

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 …

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Posted in Community News
Dec. 10, 2025

How Community Investments Shape the Future of West Hawai?i

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 access to …

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Posted in Community News
Nov. 14, 2025

Building More Than a Library: A Quiet Look at Puna’s Next Community Space

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 done their …

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Posted in Community News
Nov. 7, 2025

Finding Strength in Community During Challenging Times

In Hawai‘i, community care has always been more than a value, it’s a way of life. With the ongoing federal government shutdown disrupting income for many local families, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is taking steps to provide some much-needed kōkua.

A $6.1 million emergency relief plan has …

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Posted in Community News
Nov. 3, 2025

Understanding Hawai?i’s Aquarium Pet Industry Discussions

As someone who lives and works here on Hawaiʻi Island, I’m always interested in how local policies and environmental topics shape life in our communities. Recently, the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to advance a proposal that could reopen certain state waters to the aquarium pet industry …

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Posted in Community News