Hawaii (KATU) — A Portland woman drowned while on a snorkeling excursion on the Big Island of Hawaii on April 30 62-year-old Lori Trende-Landgraver was visiting the Kailua-Kona side of the island on Wednesday and was on a guided trip to snorkel with manta rays Authorities say Trende-Landgraver had just received the safety briefing and was only in the water for five minutes before she returned to the vessel and complained about feeling soreness in her arms Trende-Landgraver told the boat captain that she wasn’t feeling well and shortly thereafter became unresponsive Crew members tried to revive her with CPR as the boat returned to the harbor and met with awaiting paramedics She was rushed from the harbor to Kona Community Hospital Authorities have asked the coroner to investigate Trende-Landgraver’s exact cause of death READ ALSO: Vancouver apartment fire leaves one dead, displaces 20 residents Hawaii island An aerial view Thursday shows a portion of Alii Drive becoming a one-way street with free parking options The Big Island thoroughfare Alii Drive will become a one-way street in a 90-day trial period in hopes to provide more parking for residents and businesses there Locals and visitors stroll through vendors at Street Eats a Kailua Village Food Truck Festival on Alii Drive Hawaii County will add free parking on Alii Drive — the main road in Kailua-­Kona — on Thursday by turning a portion of the road into a one-way street Forty-six free stalls will overtake the northbound (mauka) lane of Alii Drive between Kailua Pier and Hualalai Road in an effort to improve parking access for the Kona Historic Business District The coastal road will remain a southbound-only one-way street for a 90-day trial period while the county assesses any changes in traffic congestion or the need to synchronize any of the stoplights “This pilot project grew out of community concerns over the lack of affordable parking in Kailua Village,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said “By providing free parking along Alii Drive we can create a more vibrant and accessible community for our residents and businesses.” executive director of the Kailua Village Business Improvement District said community members at the parking meetings he’s attended were “excited that Mayor Alameda and his administration are trying to find a solution to add more free parking” in the shopping area where privately owned lots charge $12 to $21 hourly for parking “There’s no easy solutions (because) there’s no county or state land around historic Kailua Village especially Deputy Managing Director Merrick Nishimoto and acting Public Works Director Neil Azevedo kudos for leading the effort,” Wilson said “I’m very happy with it.” Wilson said the change of making Alii Drive one-way will “take some getting used to for a lot of community members” and is likely to cause some traffic disruption He added that he’s eager to see how the 90-day trial period goes and remains confident that Alameda’s administration will develop a “Plan B that is workable for this historic village” if the road changes starting Thursday can’t be a permanent solution The addition of a mix of straight and angled parking stalls will be done through lines painted by the Department of Public Works The county requires that all 45-degree-angled stalls be reversed into to give the driver a better view of oncoming traffic when exiting Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox President Trump has said he wants to deport hardened criminals agents are snaring undocumented children and their adult relatives a Big Island first grader was taken into custody at his elementary school by a Hawaiʻi Police Department school resource officer and turned over to Child Welfare Services.  The agency then turned him over to federal immigration authorities who earlier that day had arrested his father federal immigration law enforcement agents descended on a small blue house in South Kona’s coffee belt region and interrogated a mother and her three children They returned the next day with warrants to apprehend all four who within a week were deported to Honduras federal agents took a 17-year-old South Kona high school student into custody The teenager is now reportedly being held in a youth detention center in Texas.  President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigrants is going well beyond the hardened criminals he rails against snaring undocumented immigrant children and the adults in their lives The strategy was outlined in an immigration enforcement playbook developed by the Immigration Customs and Enforcement agency or ICE,  days after the new administration took office.  with the state’s largest and fastest-growing Latino population Federal officials say the objective is to check on the welfare of Unaccompanied Alien Children a term used to describe youth apprehended crossing the U.S Those children were then placed by the government with sponsors in the country – guardians who are generally parents or relatives.  The goal outlined in official documents is to make sure the children are safe and not involved in criminal activity Advocates call it an excuse for going after highly vulnerable immigrants and using the knowledge of their whereabouts to entrap the adults charged with caring for them “My concern is that these ‘welfare checks’ are a Trojan horse,” said Becky Wolozin senior attorney at the National Center for Youth Law in Washington “The ICE directive suggests that ICE has discretion to use the information they collect during these visits to carry out arrests and detentions of unaccompanied children and the adults in their homes.” “is cruel and fundamentally at odds with a child’s wellbeing and it seems to have happened quickly in Hawaii.” The enforcement effort has hit the island’s coffee-growing west side with particular force a Honduran immigrant listed as the sponsor for his teenage niece seated outside a store along the Māmalahoa Highway overlooking coffee farms that slope to the ocean Juan returned from work to hear from his neighbors that ICE agents had come looking for him and his niece Now he and his family – his three U.S.-born children attend South Kona schools – leave the house at the crack of dawn and stay away until evening he watches for agents coming up the road to his home At work – he is employed by different coffee farmers and farms his own five leased acres of coffee trees – he scouts exit routes “I’m always worried about what can happen,” he said The Hawaiʻi Police Department had a bit part in each of those three Big Island apprehensions It has cooperation agreements with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations to work together investigating crimes such as human and drug trafficking and other serious felonies Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz has said that his department doesn’t want to enforce immigration laws and that the agreements do not authorize that activity But advocates for immigrants say the agreements put local police on a perilous path toward joining in Trump’s mass deportation campaign In the case of the 7-year-old boy whose father had been arrested Hawaiʻi “law enforcement took the child into protective custody since there was no guardian available,” said Assistant Hawaiʻi Police Chief Sherry Bird.  In the case of the mother and three children they were held in a room at the Kona police station to await transport to Oʻahu Moszkowicz previously said his police department supplied a conference room for the family so they didn’t have to sit in a van for hours he was held at the Kona Police station while Homeland Security Investigations agents processed him after detaining him in a last-ditch effort to win the teenager’s release teachers who knew him raced to the police department lobby on Hale Makai Place north of Kailua Kona carrying documents they believed would show his aunt had custody of him and that he should be released to her They recorded the interaction on their cellphones “There’s formal paperwork that establishes guardianship in emergency contact situations,” Justin Brown a Kealakehe High School teacher who helped gather the paperwork tells Homeland Security Investigations Supervisory Special Agent Isra Harahap on the recording and we’ll put it in the file,” Harahap responds Asked whether the group could continue to contact him at the department that night if they needed anything Harahap says of the police department: “They were just kind enough to give us a place to do the work That incident and others in which local police assisted immigration agents have borne out advocates’ fears that local police are getting wrapped up in immigration crackdowns, said Rose Bautista, a Big Island attorney who spoke against the cooperation agreements in hearings in March at the Hawaiʻi County Council Homeland Security Investigations has two desks in the department’s offices and can deputize officers for certain crime-fighting operations not related to immigration.   The impression the public takes away from the ways police action has overlapped with immigration enforcement said Hawaiʻi County Council member Rebecca Villegas highlights the problem with the agreements She was in the minority who voted against a resolution allowing the mayor to sign them in April And the public does not decipher the legal jurisdictions between different law enforcement agencies,” Villegas said my constituent was not protected by my local police department.” there was speculation that school officials cooperated with ICE According to state Department of Education spokesperson Nanea Ching “No ICE enforcement actions to remove students have occurred on (Hawaiʻi) public school campuses to date.” different reports swirled in the community about where he was picked up including that he was apprehended on the way home from school.  two more school-age children were detained farther east in the days since the 17-year-old was taken away While ICE has publicized some of its larger more dramatic enforcement operations elsewhere in the nation it has not talked about its activity in Hawaiʻi Honolulu-based Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Erin Musso said that data about how many unaccompanied children or adults have been detained on the Big Island since Trump took office in that moment it doesn’t matter,” said Graciela Del Rio a Big Island nonprofit that supports immigrants workplaces and community spaces are feeling it Attendance was down at a popular Easter egg hunt “The understanding among a lot of our students who feel really vulnerable is I’m not safe at school,’” said Brown “There’s just so much fear right now Ely Pacheco arrived in the United States in 2016 as an unaccompanied minor himself soon to be reunited with his father on the Big Island runs a landscaping company and is in the process of getting a green card When ICE started detaining Big Island immigrants his employees didn’t come to work for more than a week, Pacheco said ‘Immigration is all over.’ They’re like He worked for a decade in restaurants and then on coffee farms he is a good basketball player who used to play in a community park only the most critical trips to the grocery store he and his wife go to work and take the kids to school And dropping his children off at school and picking them up feels suddenly risky “We try to send them to school to get a better future,” he said we have hard time to do it because we are afraid to get caught.” A majority of coffee from Hawaiʻi is grown on the Big Island where the industry already has been under siege from Coffee Leaf Rust and labor shortages At least 4,000 acres of coffee trees are farmed in Kona by more than 600 farms according to the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association After hearing that ICE agents were roaming the area South Kona coffee farmer Armando Rodriguez took to locking his driveway gate for the first time ever Statements by immigration agents that advocates could be arrested if they interfere with enforcement operations are worrying too “We don’t feel safe and we never thought this was something that would happen in Hawaiʻii Rodriguez said the crackdown is deterring residents from California and Arizona who would typically fly into Hawaiʻi to work during the upcoming coffee harvest He said a fellow farmer who employs about 40 such migrant workers every year is bracing to lose nearly a third of his crop “They told us they’re not going to come this year,” Rodriguez said “I’m predicting we’re going to lose a lot of coffee because there’s a lot of coffee on the trees.” It’s not clear whether the high number of Latino immigrant workers in the coffee industry — many of them Mexican but in recent years increasingly from Honduras as well — is what has attracted ICE’s attention Sweeps of the Big Island happened during the first Trump administration as well The four-page ICE memo that immigration agents seem to be following now offers few clues. Titled Unaccompanied Alien Children Joint Initiative Field Implementation starting with prioritizing which immigrant youth to focus on — from those who didn’t show up at an immigration hearing to others the government has not been able to contact since they were placed with sponsors to youth “considered a threat to public safety,” to those with deportation orders Subsequent phases include “target packets” created by Homeland Security Investigations field offices which coordinate with ICE to detain and remove immigrants found in violation of immigration laws Since 2014, 170 unaccompanied immigrant children have been released to sponsors in the state of Hawaiʻi according to the Department of Health and Human Services co-coordinator of the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights said immigration enforcement officials have told her that they are working off a list of about 100 children The ICE memo describes the initiative as a way to make sure unaccompanied children are up to date with their immigration legalities and “conducting investigative activities to ensure (unaccompanied children) are not subjected to crimes of human trafficking or other exploitation.” With each immigrant apprehended, that rings more false to advocates – especially as the administration has taken steps, currently blocked by a court order to cut funding to programs that provide legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children I would call it a mass raid,” said Kara Teng managing attorney of the Honolulu-based Pacific Gateway Center’s Unaccompanied Children Program which offers legal services to young immigrants “Everyone is pretty much collateral damage when ICE conducts these wellness checks.” Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Step into these lesser-known towns today to discover the real Hawaii that most visitors miss out on Papaikou is a hidden gem on the Big Island with a surprising list of pleasures to offer travelers this town was once a plantation town like many others in Hawaii it is best known for its interesting attractions particularly the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens This 17-acre garden is incredibly beautiful with over 2,000 plant species from tropical and subtropical places around the world and a nature trail leading to breathtaking views of Onomea Bay Papaikou is also home to the Hamakua Chocolate Farm where visitors will learn how to make chocolates and also taste the products and Cacao fruits this is a great place to experience staying in a working chocolate farm as there are guest rooms onsite featuring ocean travelers are strongly recommended to visit the Ancient Leaf Tea to tour a tea farm and taste a variety of tea and the tours are inspiring and sure to leave everyone with more knowledge about sustainable farming A visit to the Baumkuchen Farm is also recommended as it offers an immersion into the world of traditional German baking and Hawaiian flavors Located at the foot of Hualalai and along Kailua Bay Kailua-Kona is a sleepy fishing town that promises pleasant experiences History and culture lovers will particularly love this town as it was once the residence of Hawaiian royalty the Hulihee Palace stands as a testament to the town’s cultural and royal heritage and is stocked with artifacts Kailua-Kona also has other interesting attractions like the Vanillerie which offers vanilla-making and tasting tours the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is in town and petroglyphs reflecting the resilience of Native Hawaiians and interesting wildlife like green sea turtles and native birds Kaunakakai is Molokai’s largest and most popular town yet it remains laid-back and retains its authentic Hawaiian vibe this town invites visitors to come swim or snorkel at Murphy’s Beach or enjoy a guided hike on the 4-mile out-and-back Moaula Trail to see a 250-foot waterfall Those who love art are welcome to check out artworks from local artists and crafters at the Molokai Art From the Heart a visit to the Kanemitsu Bakery is always a strong recommendation for travelers in Kaunakakai which is made with the finest local ingredients and zero preservatives This quirky town is home to several galleries including Hashi’s Fine Art Gallery and Island Art Gallery both featuring interesting Hawaiian artworks visitors should not miss Talk Story Bookstore the westernmost independent bookstore in the United States which carries a charming mix of new and used books Hanapepe also hosts the Banana Patch Studio where visitors can explore hand-painted ceramic tiles the nearby Salt Pond Beach Park is an excellent place to swim Makawao is one of the towns that make Hawaii such a unique place This town is where you can witness the peculiar Hawaiian cowboys known locally as Paniolo featuring Hawaiian rodeo competitions and parades This event is worth visiting Hawaii if you love rodeo plus there’s much more to enjoy in the town Makawao is home to Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center The Makai Glass Maui is also in town and is worth visiting to witness glass production and see or buy glass art the 6-mile loop Kahakapao trail offers an exciting hike through the Makawao Forest Reserve offering close-up views of Maui’s fauna and flora Paia is a charming town on the Hana Highway this lesser-known destination is a lush paradise for adventures and enriching cultural experiences featuring freshly prepared seafood with traditional Hawaiian sauces and a variety of desserts home to a wide variety of artworks made by local artists the town is near several beautiful beaches Hookipa Beach Park is nearby and considered the windsurfing capital of the world with its consistent waves and strong winds The beach park also has an overlook and picnic pavilions from where visitors can just relax and watch professionals battle the waves Honokaa is a gorgeous little town tucked away on the northern part of Hawaii’s Big Island with rich history and exciting natural attractions. Just a few minutes' drive from its downtown, dramatic scenery unveils itself at the Waipio Valley Lookout this valley was once home to Hawaiian royalty and is now an impressive sight characterized by stunning cliffs Honokaa invites visitors to the Kahi Ola Mau Farm which offers chocolate-making and tasting tours Those who prefer tea are welcome to Mauna Kea Tea to enjoy a relaxing farm tour and taste delicious tea the Kolopa State Recreation Area is nearby and has a short nature trail that winds through a lush native forest featuring unique plant species including old-growth koa and ohia lehua trees Koloa is significant for being the first place where a thriving sugarcane plantation was established in Hawaii in 1835 the town has come a long way from its role in kickstarting Hawaii’s commercial sugar production naturally endowed destination near some of Hawaii’s best beaches both offering opportunities for surfing and swimming the 4-mile out-and-back Mahaulepu Heritage Trail offers an exciting hike with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged coast Koloa is also home to McBryde Garden and Allerton Garden both located in the Lawai Valley and containing a wealth of Hawaiian plants while McBryde Garden has the world’s largest collection of native Hawaiian species outside the wild the famous Tree Tunnel can be found in Koloa This is a mile-long stretch through a canopy of Eucalyptus trees that feels like a natural path to Alice’s Wonderland the tunnel leads to the island’s mesmerizing south shore including some of the beaches mentioned earlier It is amazing how a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, 2,000 miles from the mainland United States Hawaii is a box full of surprises that’s best seen and tasted to be appreciated and understood Visit these quirky towns today to discover a great deal of what the Aloha State is all about you’ll be surprised by the list of things these towns have under their sleeves and don’t forget to spend some time learning how to pronounce Hawaiian place names and words photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Big Island Video News Hawaiʻi - An IRONMAN news release says "extensive community feedback shows unequivocally that women and men want to race" in Kona (BIVN) – The IRONMAN World Championship will return to a single day event in Kona in October 2026 with men and women racing together on the same day The announcement was made in a Wednesday morning news release which explained that the decision was made in collaboration with local and state officials in Hawaiʻi While the organizers of the famed triathlon say the race is returning to its roots in Kona the news release also touts a “reimagined event format” that will include “enhanced and equal broadcast coverage for women and men new start times that promote fair competition across both races and other advancements to elevate the race experience for all athletes.”  Extensive research and community feedback across all groups of athletes showed a resounding shared sentiment – The IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Kona Hawaiʻi holds a special place in the hearts of IRONMAN athletes and is the definitive location for both female and male athletes to come together with their family “We understand the importance of the IRONMAN World Championship both its history and legacy in the sport of triathlon as well as what it means for the future of our sport and to our community engaged thousands of athletes from around the world and learned a great deal about what our athletes aspire to and ultimately how we can evolve the IRONMAN World Championship to best serve our athletes and the future growth of the sport “When it comes to the most important race on the triathlon calendar we owe it to our community to listen to their feedback and to make principled decisions that serve the long-term interests of the sport While there is no shortage of ideas when it comes to the future of the IRONMAN World Championship one thing is clear: a significant majority of women and men want the same two things – to race together and do that at the beating heart of our sport in Kona IN THE DEEP BLUE SEA: Age-group athletes embark on the 2.4-mile (3.8km) ROKA swim course as the fish below get a front row seat (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN) “Kona has always been the heart and soul of the IRONMAN World Championship and we are excited to see this iconic event return to its roots in 2026,” said County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda “We want to thank IRONMAN for the diligence that went into making this decision which honors the wishes of the Kona community and athletes This championship is more than just a race; it’s a celebration of athletic excellence and unity and we look forward to continuing to strengthen the bond between Hawaiʻi Island and the global IRONMAN ʻohana.” the IRONMAN World Championship moved to split locations in 2023 for two reasons Significant numbers of deferrals from cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic required two days of racing and a 2-day single-location format was tried in 2022 and found to be unsustainable for the local community in Kona With a deep commitment to and care for the Kona community combined with the rich triathlon history and iconic sporting legacy of Nice the decision was made to hold the men and women’s races in different locations aligned with IRONMAN’s goal of growing the sport of triathlon it was expected that split locations for men and women’s racing would lead to greater exposure for all and more women participating in the sport of triathlon 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Podium Ceremony (Left to Right) Anne Haug (DEU) Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) Laura Philipp (DEU) (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images for IRONMAN) IRONMAN has meticulously monitored and tracked feedback and athlete behavior across a wide range of inputs and data on athletes taking qualifying slots and their behavior following participation in the IRONMAN World Championship races IRONMAN conducted a community wide survey and received feedback from over 10,000 individuals regarding the future of the IRONMAN World Championship Based on all the feedback and data collected want the same two things – to race together and to race at the beating heart of our sport in Kona When asked to rank potential World Championship formats scenarios that did not include Kona polled lowest including a “globally rotating two-day event.” Importantly or when considering a single or two-day format for locations other than Kona the two-day format did not lead to increased participation among women Splitting the IRONMAN World Championship race across two days has not inspired more women to enter the sport or increase the frequency of racing among women this format actually resulted in more athletes leaving the sport after completing the IRONMAN World Championship – which for many women and men is the pinnacle of their career in the sport of triathlon IRONMAN ʻOHANA: Representing a specially bonded extended family was encapsulated at the very end of the 2019 Vega IRONMAN World Championship IRONMAN as athletes spectators and staff joined hands for the traditional singing of “Hawaiʻi Aloha” with Aunty Mele Kekai on the iconic finish line floor on Ali`i Drive in Kailua-Kona In reimagining the future IRONMAN World Championship the focus is innovation and elevating the race experience while staying true to the spirit of the IRONMAN World Championship as a celebration of the most competitive and committed athletes in the world operational changes will enable nearly 3,000 athletes to challenge themselves on the biggest stage in triathlon which is a measured increase compared to prior single-day editions of the event in Kona New media platforms will enable increased coverage of the race including equal broadcast coverage for both professional men and women athletes as they showcase their talents and inspire future generations and competition rules will support competitive integrity and fairness among athletes innovations throughout the race experience will make for an even more competitive and aspirational IRONMAN World Championship that will be viewed by more than 140 million people in over 160 countries and create more than $100 million dollars of economic impact for Hawaiʻi “We have the utmost respect for our athletes and their dream to qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship and race in Kona The Kona mystique is not something you simply read about or see on a course map You feel the Kona mystique with every stroke and every magical moment in one of the most historic sporting destinations in the world to transitioning on the pier overlooking the open ocean to cycling through the incredible lava fields and then running down Aliʻi Drive and crossing the most iconic finish in the sport – it’s an experience that few will ever have in their lifetime,” continued DeRue “We appreciate the impact our decisions have on the lives of our athletes and the communities within which we have the privilege of operating but we will always be principled in our decisions Situated on the western coast of the Island of Hawaiʻi Kailua-Kona provides visitors a warm and sunny environment perfect for snorkeling Combined with world famous golf courses and resorts there are plenty of leisure and adventure activities within driving distance guests can travel through nearly all of the world’s different climate zones thanks to the unique geological features of the Island of Hawaiʻi visitors can experience the rich lava fields of Kona lush valleys of the Hilo and Hāmākua Coasts Kona and the Island of Hawaiʻi is an unrivaled expression of the power of nature As one of the most sought-after experiences in all of sport those who have made it to the IRONMAN World Championship continue to be among the world’s elite equating to approximately 0.0000035% of the world’s population IRONMAN is pleased to also extend its partnership for world championship events with the City of Nice France through 2028 as the host for the 2026 and 2028 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship as well as a mutual option to host the event in 2030 As the birthplace of long-distance triathlon in Europe Nice has continued to build an incredible legacy in the sport of triathlon and in IRONMAN history after hosting the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship and 2024 Women’s IRONMAN World Championship triathlons With over 20 years of partnership between IRONMAN and the city of Nice the triathlon community has enjoyed historic performances and one of the most iconic courses in the history of the sport making it an ideal destination for future IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship events Nice will have hosted a total of six IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship events the second most of all host cities behind only Kona A full list of qualifying events and slot allotment for the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship will be available in the coming weeks Filed Under: Kailua-Kona Tagged With: , Copyright © 2025 · Dynamik-Gen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in Privacy Policy | About Our Ads Date & Times Sun, May 11, 20254:00 pm - 5:30 pm Navigate CircleLocation Outrigger Keauhou, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 View Map Kona Choral Society & Orchestra under the direction of Artistic Director Susan McCreary Duprey Music from Jazz to Hawaiian will be performed to include a special performance by soprano Nadari Hockenhull and mezzo Wendy Buzby Kaleiopapa Convention Center at the Outrigger Keauhou Resort & Spa Kailua Kona.  Enjoy the 90-voice chorus and a 25-person orchestra.    tickets online now at KonaChoralSociety.org    Ticket sales at venue at 3 p.m   Parking will be free with validation she was a homemaker and a member of the Mana Christian Ohana Church III of Kohala and Kekoa (Cyrena) Alip of Kailua-Kona; daughters Gaylyn (Wendell) Mattos of Kohala and Grace (Alika) Alapai of Kailua-Kona; sisters Katherine Oberg of Washington and Wendy Medeiros of Kailua-Kona; sisters-in-law Gloria Alip of Waianae and Garilyn Alip of Kapolei; brother-in-law Robert Smith of Ocean View; 26 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren Andres “Andy” Augustine Baclig Jr. of Hilo died April 10 at Life Care Center of Hilo he was a former member of the Hawaii County Band former news and sports editor of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald Billie Rose Marie Baclig of Hilo; daughter Andres “Andy Boy” (Debra Rorex) Baclig III of Canyon Lake and Grant (Cybil) Baclig of Kapu‘euhi; sister Archpriest Timothy Lionel Baclig of Woodland Hills Calif.; in-laws; Baby Jane Aganus of Waimea Annette Aiona and James (Carol) Aiona of Hilo Maui; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces of Kapaau died March 29 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center master service technician at Alert Alarm Hawaii and longtime Kohala High School wrestling coach Private services held at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Sherry Kana (Justin) Okuyama and Mai (Casey) Ogawa of Hilo Miho (Ryan) Sobredo of California; parents Zen and Iris Fujii of North Kohala; brothers and Vance (Grace) Fujii of Honokaa; a granddaughter; an aunt died April 2 at Hilo Benioff Medical Center Saturday (May 10) at Wailoa State Recreation Area Crystal Ogata of Hilo and Leann Ogata of Honolulu; sister Denise Leopoldo of Oahu; six grandchildren and four great-granddaughters; cousins Police have identified a pedestrian who died following a Hilo traffic collision on.. A view the pilot Aliʻi Drive traffic pattern and parking layout (1 of 3) via the County of Hawaiʻi Hawaiʻi - The pilot project will add 46 free parking stalls on Aliʻi Drive between Kailua Pier and Hualālai Road (BIVN) – A pilot project that will convert Aliʻi Drive into a one-way street in order to add more free parking for Kailua Village will begin on Thursday “This pilot project grew out of community concerns over the lack of affordable parking in Kailua Village,” said County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda in a Friday news release “By providing free parking along Aliʻi Drive we can create a more vibrant and accessible community for our residents and businesses we will be assessing the success of the new traffic pattern and we appreciate the community’s patience during this trial period.”  The 90-day trial will add 46 free parking stalls officials say they will seek approval from the Hawaiʻi County Council to make the new traffic pattern permanent A view the pilot Aliʻi Drive traffic pattern and parking layout (2 of 3) via the County of Hawaiʻi The Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works will be working to complete the striping of the road and will add new signs to advise drivers of the changes DPW will also be monitoring traffic in order to make any changes such as adjusting traffic light synchronization “Our road crews will be watching the lights so that we can make any necessary adjustments,” said Neil Azevedo our goal is to address any impacts to traffic on the side streets and roads.” A view the pilot Aliʻi Drive traffic pattern and parking layout (3 of 3) via the County of Hawaiʻi Traffic will move in a south-bound direction with a mix of angled and parallel parking stalls on the mauka side Motorists using an angled parking stall will need to reverse in a method intended to increase safety by providing drivers with a better view of traffic as they exit drivers should first use their turn signal to indicate their upcoming movement Filed Under: Kailua-Kona Tagged With: , Update on May 1 at 7:10 p.m.: Hawai‘i Island police report that the suspect sought in an assault investigation in Kailua-Kona was located on April 29 Original post: Hawai‘i Island police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in an assault at a shopping center in Kailua-Kona The incident occurred on April 15 on the 74-5400 block of Makala Boulevard where a man reported being shoved head-first into a urinal in a public restroom Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or email Officer Charles Caldwell-Kaai at Charles.Caldwell@hawaiicounty.gov Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Pablo Baquero an aviation maintenance technician assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei looks out the paratrooper door of a Barbers Point HC-130 offshore Hawaii April 29 Coast Guard and agency partners search for a 42-year-old man in the water after his kayak was found adrift 400-yards off Keauhou Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Robertson) Hawaiʻi - Jared Willeford was last seen launching a yellow kayak from the Keauhou boat ramp at 8:15 a.m Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing kayaker off the Kona coast Rescue teams were unable to locate 42-year-old Jared Willeford who was last seen launching a yellow kayak from the Keauhou boat ramp on Sunday morning and Hawaiʻi DLNR DOCARE searched 4,863 square miles for over 89 combined hours in an attempt to find Willeford Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry (WPC 1124) conducts search patterns in waters off the coast of Hawaii April 29 Coast Guard and agency partners responded to a report of a person in the water offshore Keauhou “The decision to suspend a search is one we approach with great care weighing every factor and aspect of the situation at hand,” said Lt “Our hearts are with everyone affected by this tragic event “Big Island residents have faced considerable heartbreak in recent weeks with consecutive cases of people missing at sea and we recognize the heavy toll these incidents have taken on the entire community,” Lt in reference to the suspended search for missing boater who launched his vessel from the South Point area on Monday were last seen offshore near the Miloliʻi area heading in a northerly direction on April 9th Filed Under: Kailua-Kona Tagged With: , , Jared Willeford survived a great white shark attack while surfing at Banyan’s Beach in Kailua-Kona in December 2021 Coast Guard this morning continued its search for Jared Willeford whose unmanned kayak was found drifting south of Keauhou on Hawaii island Willeford was last seen launching a yellow kayak from the Keauhou boat ramp at 8:15 a.m Security cameras at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa spotted the yellow kayak unmanned and drifting south at 9:04 a.m The USCG said that contrary to information released Monday Willeford is not wearing the orange bib pants The Coast Guard in Honolulu launched search efforts at about 10 a.m Sunday after receiving a report of the unmanned kayak Family confirmed that Willeford’s truck and trailer were still at the Keauhou boat ramp in Kailua-Kona Willeford is also the survivor of shark attack while surfing off Kailua-Kona in 2021 which left him with a punctured lower lip and several gashes on his left arm The USCG has launched an airplane and a helicopter crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry crew The Hawaii County Fire Department is also searching for Willeford Anyone with information that could be helpful should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600 Assault suspect (red shirt) seen in photos taken by a security camera allegedly shoved a man head-first into a urinal in a public restroom (BIVN) – Police are seeking a suspect in an assault that occurred two weeks ago (Tuesday April 15) at a Kailua-Kona retail shopping center The Hawaiʻi Police Department on Tuesday shared a news release in which they asked for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect The news release included photos of the suspect captured by a security camera Police responded to the 74-5400 block of Makala Boulevard at 6:00 p.m on April 15 after a man reported being shoved head-first into a urinal in a public restroom The suspect is described as possibly being Micronesian The suspect was observed wearing a black hat Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or email Officer Charles Caldwell-Kaai at Charles.Caldwell@hawaiicounty.gov Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential Filed Under: Kailua-Kona May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi — a celebration of the beautifully hand-sewn garlands of flowers feathers or even words that are an instantly recognizable symbol of Hawaiʻi and its sole purpose is to engage in random acts of kindness and sharing and to celebrate the aloha spirit — that intangible essence which is best exemplified by the hospitality and inclusiveness exhibited by the Native Hawaiians to all people of goodwill,” the late U.S the first Native Hawaiian serve in the chamber congratulations and for a multitude of other reasons In fact, Leiday.org says a child is called a lei because the child is the weaving together of the love of his or her parents and ancestors.” Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace at Waikōloa Beach Resort once again invite the Big Island to celebrate the Hawaiian holiday with them They are hosting the free daylong Waikōloa Lei Day Festival this Saturday featuring cultural performances and hands-on activities plus a marketplace with a variety of local artisans eateries and vendors — all in the spirit of aloha and the two shopping centers are combining efforts for their first Lei Day Scavengers Hunt “Join us at Waikōloa Beach Resort to honor the beauty history and artistry of Hawai‘i’s beloved Lei Day,” said the announcement for the festival expand your universe and explore the cosmos during AstroDay the free family-friendly science celebration hosted by Maunakea Observatories There will be a rocket load of science experiments giveaways and more out-of-this world fun during the day that you’re not going to want to miss Saturday night at the historic Palace Theater in downtown Hilo is all about cultivating community during a screening of Michael Sommer’s documentary “A Dream of the Earth.” The film follows members of the Rainbow Bridge community on the Hāmākua Coast who learn as they embraces the challenges of sustainable farming communal living and ecological stewardship that working the land is about more than just sustenance Rainbow Bridge community members will be in attendance for a panel discussion following the screening Live music and an ecstatic dance set will also be part of the after-movie festivities That’s just small sample of what’s happening around the island during the next week Just because the Merrie Monarch Festival is done doesn’t mean all the fun is Check out our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for May 2-8 now P.S.: We included an extra 11th thing to do this week for our sci-fi geeks and anyone who enjoys space stories from “a long time ago.” Check it out after the “official” top 10 Did you know free park rangers give guided programs nearly every day at the national park Experience “Life on the Edge” at Uēkahuna and other ranger-guided programs by checking the park calendar for dates times and descriptions or drop by the Welcome Center at Kīlauea Military Camp while Kīlauea Visitor Center undergoes renovations More info: Visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website or call 808-983-7300 This documentary by Michael Sommer follows the Rainbow Bridge community on Hawai‘i Island’s Hāmākua Coast as it embraces the challenges of sustainable farming communal living and ecological stewardship Members learn that working the land is about more than just sustenance — it’s about cultivating bonds teaching children valuable lessons and creating a sustainable future A panel discussion with Rainbow Bridge community members live music and an ecstatic dance set will follow the movie More info/get tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website Admission to the regular show and sale is $2 The first 300 attendees will get a free plant More info: Click here Don’t miss the last two days of this special event millions of years in the making You still have time to dive into the mysteries of Earth’s history exploring the Jurassic period — 201 to 145 million years ago Embark on a thrilling journey into Earth’s ancient past dinosaurs and dynamic ecosystems that shaped the planet More info/get tickets: Visit the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center website Parker Ranch Roundup Club invites the entire Big Island to this free community event that promises a day full of family fun From 5 thrilling horse events — bareback dollar lead time — to 6 exciting non-horse activities — stick horse barrels boot race and water balloon toss — there will be something for all ages to enjoy More info: Email to p.r.roundup@gmail.com stuck in your own small little world this weekend so get out of the house and blast off to expand your universe with this annual — and free — ʻohana-friendly science celebration hosted by Maunakea Observatories that features hands-on science experiments giveaways and more out-of-this-world activities and STEM-packed fun than you can fit in a space shuttle cargo bay That includes the Robot Rumble and announcement of this year’s Maunakea Coin Contest winners More info: Visit the Maunakea Observatories website Location: Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace family-friendly celebration of Hawai‘i’s rich lei-making traditions presented by Traditions Hawai’i features captivating cultural performances hands-on activities and a vibrant marketplace with a variety of local artisans The Lei Day Lei Contest will also be hosted at Kings’ Shops and there the shopping centers are hosting their first Lei Day Scavenger Hunt More info: Visit the Waikōloa Beach Resort website This Ocean View punk band is celebrating the release of its new album “Life Tips on Dumpster Diving” and is inviting the Big Island to the party The all-ages show has a stacked bill of bands including June Machine and STD playing Kona for the first time and Craiceáilte opening the festivities with some Celtic punk have a free slice of pizza and have a chance to win some K.O.A More info: Visit the K.O.A.’s ReverbNation page or email to koabandhawaii@gmail.com Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra brings this fun-loving show to close out its 2024-25 concert season featuring an eclectic mix from Broadway blockbusters to silverscreen favorites sure to set the Kahilu stage ablaze Enjoy the musical fireworks as some of Hawai‘i Island’s finest musical artists join the Philharmonic for a concert that will delight audiences of all ages More info/get tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website known for his witty humor and charming persona has a knack for turning everyday mishaps into hilarious tales He’s all for spilling the beans about one awkward time he mistook a mannequin for a real person So buckle up and get ready for an evening packed full of laughter during a comedic roller-coaster that might make you snort like your aunty during Thanksgiving More info/get tickets: Click here Hyperjump over to the historic Palace Theater for a speical May the 4th presentation of the final installment of the original “Star Wars” trilogy: “Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.” Tickets are just $10 and available now Don’t miss this space opera’s final epic battle on Endor as the Rebels make their last stand against the Empire Luke struggles to change his father back to Jedi Anakin Skywalker from Sith Darth Vader without being tempted himself by the evil Emperor Palpatine Pick your side in the fight for the galaxy and get your tickets now More info/get tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10 So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events festivals or workshops that pique your interest A landmark Kailua-Kona hotel property is undergoing a $30 million transformation and will reopen as the Hampton Inn Kailua-Kona Bay, under the Hampton by Hilton brand located in the heart of Kailua-Kona's eight-block oceanfront tourist district on the Big Island was acquired by 12th & A Hotel Partners The 123-room property will maintain its original 1960s architectural character while receiving comprehensive updates The four-story semi-circle structure's floor plan will remain intact Updates include a new second elevator and the replacement of the wooden boardwalk with composite materials The renovation will feature 340 LED tiki torches along the property walkways "We are honored to bring Hampton Inn Kailua-Kona Bay to Kailua-Kona a destination known for its rich culture and natural beauty," said Sandy Shapery of 12th & A Hotel Partners "The restoration of the property reflects our commitment to providing high-quality accommodations while honoring the traditions and spirit of the Hawaiian community It's important to me to keep as much of the original structure from a design standpoint." The property will include amenities such as a pool an outdoor common area with firepit and bar and a pavilion for entertainment and cultural activities The Island Bar and Grill by Trader Vic's will operate the food and beverage outlet PEG Hospitality Group will manage the property with EB-5 financing being arranged by Summit Capital A traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony was held on Dec Editor’s Note: This article was generated by AI based on a press release distributed by 12th & A Hotel Partners It has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor Copyright © 2025 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000 is involved today in a multi-agency search for a Hawaii island fisherman and his boat which failed to return as scheduled on Wednesday morning Coast Guard and local agencies are searching today for an overdue fishing boat with one man aboard offshore Hawaii island USCG officials reported that 42-year-old Earl Kekuanaoa Hind of Kailua-Kona is missing after he failed to return as scheduled from a fishing trip Wednesday morning Hind’s family members confirmed that his truck and trailer are still at the boat ramp USCG watchstanders in Honolulu received a report about the overdue boat at 2:17 p.m Thursday from the Hawaii County Fire Department Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak to aid in the search The county fire department and state Department of Land & Natural Resources are also involved in the search said they have open a missing persons investigation and are seeking the public’s help in finding Hind The overdue vessel is a 23-foot recreational fishing boat named Makalapua Onalani which has a white hull with blue trim and twin outboard engines The boat was last seen near South Point on Monday Hawaii police said Hind usually fishes around South Point and he and his boat were last seen around noon Wednesday offshore of Milolii and heading north Anyone with information helpful in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600 Police ask anyone with information about Hind’s whereabouts to contact the department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Det Donovan Kohara of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-960-3118 or at Donovan.Kohara@hawaiicounty.gov Be one of the first to try our new activity feed The two-day Ironman World Championship will end after this year “There are lots of opinions on what the Ironman World Championship can or should be,” Ironman CEO Scott DeRue tells Triathlete of the decision we’ve been committed to collecting feedback from our community and guided by that input.” to looking at the actual behavior of racing and qualifying slots,” DeRue says Ironman’s data collection uncovered two clear patterns: that athletes wished to race together in Kona and that the two-day format did not lead to increased participation among women who historically have had lower Ironman participation rates than men Ironman says it felt justified in eliminating the women’s-only race day and men’s-only race day format implemented in 2022 in favor of bringing back the one-day mixed-gender race Ironman’s decision to return to the one-day format was a pragmatic one Ironman surveyed a large amount of the triathlon community and used responses from 10,000 past which revealed a significant majority of women and men across all age groups and amateur/pro fields When asked to rank potential world championship formats including a “globally rotating two-day event.” Ironman looked at retention and recruitment data for its events “We’ve been taking a really close look at survey data objective data in terms of race behavior and qualifying in terms of who’s coming into the sport and who’s leaving the sport what are they doing while they’re in the sport “We have not seen an increase in women coming into the sport.” with decreasing numbers as distances increase Maintaining participation numbers has also been an ongoing problem for Ironman what we have seen is an acceleration of the off-ramp where it’s always been the case as far as we can tell from our data once they achieve the pinnacle of the sport and complete the Ironman World Championship will reduce their engagement in full-distance Ironman racing.” It was the only solution that would appease triathletes and Kona residents while also reducing the number of athletes taking the post-Kona off-ramp each year DeRue insists the decision is not a financial one is going to create more revenue because there’s more athletes,” he says “The piece that most people forget is that there’s costs associated with that as well It’s quite expensive to produce two events in two locations The economics actually – and I say this with all sincerity – never came up in this decision process we were not going to make this decision based on any form of economics we actually lose money on world championship events and we consider it an investment in our brand We consider an investment in the community The production value of world championship events exceeds any other triathlon event in the world and we are committed to continue to elevate that experience and that production value.” several women in the pro and age-group ranks joined forces to start the 50 Women to Kona movement which campaigned for pro women to have the same number of Kona slots as pro men the former had only 35 slots to the latter’s 50 Ironman’s response to this campaign at the time was that there was “no room on the pier” where the transition area was located and that the slot distribution was proportionate to the makeup of men and women in the sport; if pro women wanted more spots they needed to increase the number of women in the sport This led to the development of Women for Tri an Ironman-backed partnership intended to increase its female base As the “50 Women to Kona” movement grew, age-group women began speaking out as well, sharing their experiences of racing in Kona and experiencing interference from the men’s field. “Draft packs were common on the Queen K passing me by,” 10-time Kona finisher Lisbeth Kenyon told Triathlete in a 2021 interview so it was frustrating to witness women here and there tucked in the middle of large packs of mostly age-group men Even when they separated men and women into two swim waves “Having two days of racing for the future of the Ironman World Championships is going to be critical.” But the event’s host city didn’t love the two-day format so much. Kona residents complained about the strain of hosting a large multi-day event with a total of 5,000 athletes in a town with a total population of only 21,000 Kona officials rejected the possibility of hosting a two-day event in the future Ironman announced it would split its world championship race into two days and locations – one in Kona “We are reinforcing our commitment for a dedicated world championship race experience for women and men to each receive an exclusive spotlight on their race,” Messick said in 2022 but city officials were clear that a two-day event in Kona was not an option Ironman says its return to one-day racing in 2026 will welcome “nearly 3,000 of the most competitive and committed triathletes in the world.” Previously Ironman capped entries at 2,500 for a single-day event When asked how the logistics of this expanded field size would work DeRue emphasized the “nearly” in “nearly 3,000” and says Ironman hasn’t yet committed to a number Kona race director Diana Bertsch is leading efforts to redesign the layout of the transition area on the pier to accommodate more athletes DeRue says: “You don’t want to create too much density there but through some creative design of how we’re looking at the pier as well as the flow of athletes into transition and out of transition our team has figured out ways to expand the capacity of that pinch point or that bottleneck to allow us to go above that 2,500 that’s historically been the cap Though DeRue says “the details are still being worked out” on the pier layout he’s “sufficiently confident” Ironman can commit to a larger field size Pier size isn’t the only issue Ironman will need to address in the return to a one-day format Congestion and draft packs on the swim and bike have long been an issue during shared Kona races Prior to the implementation of two-day racing, a recurring complaint of the women’s pro field was that their race was not a clean one; even with a five-minute gap between start waves, slower pro men or faster age-group men often got into the mix. Even the pro men admitted this was an issue: at the 2022 Ironman World Championship press conference Lionel Sanders shared a story about how his slow swim in 2015 meant that his exit coincided with eventual winner Daniela Ryf’s fast swim and Ryf “aggressively” told him to get out of the way Ironman says it will implement “innovations in start times and competition rules will support competitive integrity and fairness among athletes” to minimize interference of pro men in the pro women’s race though DeRue admits this isn’t entirely avoidable the leaders are going to have an uninterrupted race If some of the men fall back because they’re not performing well that day they may interact with pro women as well as age groupers [will have] pro men interaction – which in a world championship is less than an average Ironman DeRue says Ironman has looked at data on such interactions between men and pro women during the world championship race and has found the majority of encounters are with age-groupers that start after the pro women we’ve already made some changes to the start times [at other Ironman events] to start the gaps between pro women and age-groupers […] based on our data we think that’s going to elevate the integrity of the pro women’s race but we’ll see how that plays out this year.” DeRue also believes changes to start time configurations will minimize density on the bike course even with the increased field size: “Without going into the details of what those exactly will be right now we’re confident that we can modify [start-time] configurations with some of those faster age-groupers not starting at the very back because that would create the congestion that you’re talking about but enough distance between the pro women and those age groupers that would normally catch up that we can create enough distance there with the right modifications to race start configurations.” DeRue says Ironman is “still working through the details of slot allocation,” but confirms Kona slots for pro men and women will remain the same at 50 each while age-group slots will be allocated to men and women in a “mostly proportionate” fashion “I say ‘mostly’ because consistent with history, we’ve always had, will continue to have, and are looking to grow our programs such as our Legacy program, our Women for Tri program “Details to be announced in the coming weeks and the slots will be allocated mostly proportionate to investments that we are making in these other avenues to support the growth of triathlon.” Ahead of the return to a shared race experience for men and women DeRue says Ironman is already working on ways to address ongoing criticisms of its race-day broadcast which historically has favored the men’s race “We have to understand that we’re trying to provide an exciting media and television product,” DeRue says “So if the men’s race is not that exciting at any particular moment in time and the women’s race is much more exciting So I don’t want to say it’s going to be perfectly equal in all races the directors and producers have to do their jobs to create a compelling viewing experience But our commitment is equal broadcast coverage between men and women.” DeRue says Ironman has been experimenting with technologies that will engender this goal such as split-screen technologies or dual channels each featuring the men’s or women’s race broadcast as a standalone event “I have lots of questions about whether or not that’s a good thing for the sport so we’re not committing to that at this time but we’re really open to exploring different ways to make sure that we continue to shine a light on the professional men and the professional women at the same level.” We take a quick flyby video tour of the 2024 Ironman World Championship Kona course Coast Guard said it suspended its search for missing kayaker The USCG said crews searched 4,863 square miles over 89 combined hours and we recognize the heavy toll these incidents have taken on the entire community.” Coast Guard this morning says it continued its search today for a missing kayaker off of Hawaii island The USCG and partners have been searching for 42-year-old Jared Willeford since Sunday He was last seen launching a yellow kayak from the Keauhou boat ramp at 8:15 a.m Security cameras at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa captured the unmanned kayak drifting south at 9:04 a.m USCG personnel from the Honolulu command center launched a search about an hour later the USCG said crews have searched for Willeford for more than 40 hours Willeford’s family found his truck and trailer at the Keauhou boat ramp Willeford is also the survivor of a shark attack while surfing at “Banyans” off Kailua-Kona in December 2021 along with the Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry are involved in the search along with the Hawaii County Fire Department Anyone with information that may assist in search efforts should contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 or call the Sector Honolulu command center at 808-842-2600 hotels are reimagining the culinary options for their guests—and properties throughout Hawaiʻi are keeping up with the trend hotel guests don’t need to leave their resort to find vibey cocktail lounges with clever drinks crafted with premium ingredients And it doesn’t end with beautiful beverages From innovative omakase to twists on traditional fare these lounges are creating unforgettable dining experiences Whether you’re a hotel guest or just in the area these bars and lounges in Kailua-Kona are worth visiting for enticing cocktails Sip on cocktails from the starboard of a restored schooner at Shipwreck Bar and Grill.Photo: Courtesy of Kona Village is reinventing the typical beach bar experience guests are invited to sip on cocktails from the starboard of a restored schooner while enjoying panoramic ocean views The playful bar menu features drinks like Mick It’s made with a blend of bitter Campari You can of course sip on the bar’s signature mai tai 72-300 Maheawalu Drive, Kailua-Kona, rosewoodhotels.com/en/kona-village/dining/shipwreck-bar the newest dining option at the Four Seasons Hualālai.Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons Hualālai Guests can embark on an exciting culinary journey at Noio the newest dining option at the Four Seasons Hualālai diners can enjoy unrivaled vistas of the Pacific But the lounge offers much more than beautiful views featuring a rotating selection of some of the freshest fish on the island diners can choose from a selection of carefully crafted sushi rolls and á la carte options And an equal level of attention goes into the beverages at the lounge You’ll find cocktails like the Noio Old Fashioned fig syrup and bitters as well as the Kahakai Sour featuring the resort’s exclusive Kuleana Nanea aged rum 72-100 Kaʻupulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, fourseasons.com/hualalai/dining Binchotan Bar and Grill at Fairmont Orchid Experience the Japanese tradition of robatayaki grilling at Binchotan Bar and Grill.Photo: Courtesy of Fairmont Orchid If you venture just a little north of Kailua-Kona you’ll find Fairmont Orchid in Waimea guests are invited to experience the Japanese tradition of robatayaki grilling at Binchotan Bar and Grill From seafood and wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables you can dine on the beautiful terrace or take a seat at the alluring bar 1 North Kaniku Drive, Waimea, fairmontorchid.com/dine/binchotan-bar-grill  The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Works is completing preparation work this week for future paving projects two portions of two roads in Kailua-Kona The preparation work will be taking place on Māmalahoa Highway between Palani Road and Kamalani Street as well as on Kalamauka Road from Māmalahoa Highway to Ha‘awina Street Motorists are advised to drive with caution in these areas Flaggers will be directing traffic for intermittent one lane closures to ensure safety Message boards have been installed on Palani Street Hualalai Street and Haʻawina Street near the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society to keep motorists informed during the project The preparation work will be complete on Friday The schedule for the paving project will be announced at a later date 12th & A Hotel Partners Acquires Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel to Recreate Sought-After Old Hawaiian Experience 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kailua-Kona tourist district will soon be home to the Hampton Inn Kailua-Kona Bay Rooted in a strong commitment to service and quality Hampton by Hilton is a global powerhouse brand known for innovation wanted to keep the iconic property authentic and affordable while also retaining the 1960s Hawai'i vibe which led him to partner with Hampton by Hilton to bring the vision to life and Trader Vic's to operate the bar/restaurant a destination known for its rich culture and natural beauty," said Shapery Although the floor plan remains the same for the four-story semi-circle structure The wooden boardwalk will be replaced with a simulated composite wood material to extend the life of the walkway while maintaining the original character and a second elevator will be constructed to comply with Hilton's standards 340 environmentally friendly tiki torches will span across the property walkways with the standard kerosene wicks replaced with LED flicker lights the property appeals to both business and leisure guests looking for warm surroundings thoughtfully designed accommodations and amenities Guests will enjoy additional amenities like a sparkling pool a large outdoor common area complete with a firepit and bar as well as a pavilion area with local entertainment and cultural activities The Island Bar and Grill by Trader Vic's - the creator of the Mai Tai back in 1944 - will serve local Island/Polynesian fare and of course "Through our longstanding relationships in hospitality development and structured finance we were able to bring together the key partnerships and funding solutions that made this unique Hampton Inn possible in downtown Kailua-Kona," said John Stueber of Summit Capital "Working alongside Sandy on this project since 2020 we've helped create something that both honors this historic location and elevates the guest experience We're grateful to Hilton and all of our stakeholders for their trust in bringing this vision to life." To honor the land and seek blessings for the property Shapery hosted a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony on Tuesday Kahu Danny and Anna Akaka led the construction workers in a sacred gathering that honors tradition in the spirit of aloha we are so blessed to have people who are friends of Hawaii like this," said Mayor Kimo Alameda who was just sworn into office the preceding week "The investment in the local community enhances the visitor experience by providing more accessible We are grateful to Sandy and his team for their dedication to preserving the essence of our community while fostering economic growth This sentiment was echoed by other community leaders who attended the ceremony and have been strong supporters of the project." Honolulu Builders serves as the General Contractor while Level 3 lends its expertise as the interior designer Architectural design is a joint effort between AM Turner Architects and Koa Design Group combining innovation and creativity to bring the vision to life Do not sell or share my personal information: TWO PEOPLE CITED AND ONE ARRESTED ON ‘OPIHI VIOLATIONS Hawai‘i Island – A DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) Marine Patrol Unit spotted several people who appeared to be picking ‘opihi along the Ali‘i Drive shoreline in Kailua-Kona on Saturday DOCARE Marine Patrol officers relayed their observations to officers on shore who were on patrol in the area Officers on land approached 54-year-old Theodore Benedicto and 47-year-old Tracy Benedicto and did a routine inspection of their catch The pair was found to be in possession of 144 undersized ‘opihi and were issued citations for violating Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) Section 13-92-1(a)(1) OPIHI They were summoned to appear in Kona District Court on May 15 All the undersized ‘opihi were alive and in good condition The suspects were directed to place them face down in a tide pool along the shoreline where they will have a higher chance of reattaching and surviving DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla pointed to this case as an important reason for marine patrol units “The perspective officers get from the ocean is entirely different than what land-based officers may be seeing,” Redulla said DOCARE officers then approached a separate subject picking ‘opihi along the Ali‘i Drive shoreline and inspected his catch 60-year-old James Kanuha of Kailua-Kona was cited after being observed in possession of 156 undersized ‘opihi His citation was for a violation of the administrative rule noted above and his court appearance in Kona District Court is May 8 Kanuha was also instructed to return the ‘opihi to a tide pool Officers used Hawai‘i’s eBench Warrant System and discovered Kanuha had a bench warrant for Contempt of Court for failing to appear on a previous ‘opihi-related case The warrant was related to a 2023 case in which Kanuha was cited by DOCARE officers for violating the same administrative rule pertaining to undersized ‘opihi and he was transported to the Kona Police Station where he was booked Photographs – Kailua Kona ‘opihi violations (March 29 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vkrlv3kxy7q1ia39p7x5d/ACOsG1Rw8Bxq9S_5KP-4I9I?rlkey=cf5fk6eyf4tdkfnvwlahygxtl&st=ca6cf0vx&dl=0 Email: Dlnr.comms@hawaii.gov March 11: Hawai‘i Island police report that 65-year-old Phyllis Santiago of Kailua-Kona who was previously reported as an endangered missing person because of a medical condition and her age was located the afternoon of March 11 in good health in Kailua-Kona March 11: A 65-year-old Kailua-Kona woman with a medical condition is missing and Big Island authorities are asking for the public’s urgent help with finding her Phyllis Santiago was last seen earlier today in the Kealakekua area Anyone who might have information about her whereabouts is asked to immediately call the Hawai’i Police Department Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-326-4646, extension 225, or email Officer Bradley Llanes at Brad.Llanes@hawaiicounty.gov 14: The Hawaiʻi Department of Health announced the wastewater discharge advisory for Kailua Pier in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the Big Island has been canceled All temporary warning signs have been removed 9: The Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch issued a wastewater discharge advisory late Sunday afternoon urging the public to stay out of waters near Kailua Pier in Kailua-Kona on the west side of the Big Island and a comfort station is closed with cleanup in progress by maintenance personnel The pubic is advised to remain out of the water until warning signs have been removed from the area For more details, click here Canadian triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders is overjoyed by the news that the IRONMAN World Championship will be returning to a one-day event at the sport’s spiritual home Kona from 2026 onward the pinnacle of the sport became a two-day event on the big island before IRONMAN elected to split the men’s and women’s World Championships However, that experiment has now concluded following research conducted by the event’s organisers They found the majority of professional and age group athletes prefer a single-day event in Hawaii Sanders, who enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 season by winning IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside before withdrawing from IRONMAN Texas last weekend following a bout of illness The 37-year-old expressed his desire to complete the Kona course on the same day as his mother “It’s always been a dream of my mom and I’s to compete in Kona on the same day,” he posted on his Instagram account “@ironmantri announced that world champs are headed home and back to one day of racing Looking forward to pursuing that dream with her again!” The post garnered a playful response from the IRONMAN admin who asked: “Will she beat you out of the water?” The charismatic Canadian has certainly had his ups and downs on the Big Island – Lionel crossed the finish line as runner-up in 2017 but has finished outside the top 30 on his last two visits to Hawaii all roads lead to Nice for the men’s iteration of the 2025 IRONMAN World Championships – perhaps the final time the event will be held outside of Kona Follow the madness of the 'Race that eats its young' on RUN247 The airline is increasing its options to Hawaii next winter. Katie Nadworny is an Istanbul-based writer who specializes in stories at the intersection of culture and politics in Turkey, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. She has lived in Turkey for nearly a decade and has traveled extensively around the region. HawaiiLearn about the film locations for the reality dating show 'Temptation Island' here Leah Jones•Mar 20 Season nine of Temptation Island was officially released on Mar. 12, bringing the hot and heavy series to Netflix The reality dating show originally started on Fox in 2001 and aired for three seasons before being cancelled It made its return after being picked up by USA Network in 2019 for five more seasons before ending in 2023 Temptation Island follows couples who are at a crossroads testing their relationships by living separately on a tropical island surrounded by attractive singles of the opposite sex they go on dates with the singles where they face the temptation of becoming romantically involved with someone else each couple must decide whether to leave together break up or start a new relationship with one of the singles the couples are also shown recorded moments of their original partner potentially giving into the temptation the show was filmed in Belize when it first began in 2001 Key Scenes: From the villas (excluding the women’s villa) to the restaurants and tourist attractions most of the scenes in Temptation Island occur in Kona Best Time to Visit: The best time overall to visit Kona for fewer crowds lower prices and weather that is still warm is during the shoulder seasons of either March-May or September-November Summer is still great for a vacation in Kona but it is during the peak tourist season with hot weather Winter can be a busier time to visit Kona as well with many people looking to escape the cold It also brings greater chances of storms and rougher conditions Transportation Options: The most convenient way to explore Kona and the Big Island is via a rental car They are available at Kona International Airport (KOA) as well as Hilo International Airport Taxis and rideshares are also available but can be expensive as they are limited This can be inconvenient for those that plan to do a lot of sightseeing The Hele-On Bus is the only public transit system It is good for budget travelers but not ideal for exploring remote areas It is Hawaii’s only salt farm and the only one in the world that produces salt made from deep ocean waters 2,200 feet below the surface.  This cute shop is perfect to stop by with Kona’s warm climate as seen on the show when some of the cast visited Where to Stay: Previous lodging for the filming of Temptation Island season five was at The Lodge at Kaloko in Kona The 5,000-square-foot property is located on three acres at the base of Mount Hualalai This mountainous elevation provides the estate with cooler temperatures to enjoy The Lodge at Kaloko can accommodate 15 guests with its five bedrooms and bathrooms Prices range from $2,000 – $3,000 a night The women of Temptation Island’s main cast live together in a villa along with single male contestants while their original male partners live in a separate villa along with single female contestants Temptation Island’s main male cast stayed at Hokukano Bayhouse near Keauhou Bay in North Kona This estate accommodates up to 14 guests on a 39,000-square foot lot It features amenities such as a 70ft long outdoor pool and hot tub as well as access to the ocean and water sport equipment a private boat and a private chef for additional fees The property is available for booking at $4,000 a night The Hawaii 4019 vacation home in Kona is featured near the end of season nine of Temptation Island when it is visited by one of the couples The property accommodates 10 with four bedrooms and bathrooms Other featured amenities include a swimming pool Prices are not available without getting a quote from The Coconut Traveler traveling agency a free daily newsletter that features the best of travel and guides to the cities you love from a new point of view — yours you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy Queen Elizabeth Once Stepped In To Prevent Snoop Dogg From Being Banned From The UK United Airlines Flight Attendant's Armrest Announcement Sparks Social Media Frenzy ‘Basketball Wives’ Star Mehgan James Speaks Out About Popular Bahamas Island With Flesh-Eating Bacteria After Friend Loses Leg Chaos Erupts After Ethiopian Airlines Passenger Forced To Give Up Seat For Minister Paramount+'s 'MobLand' has rapidly garnered a wide audience thanks to its fascinating characters and gorgeous scenic backdrops A 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan was rescued twice from Mount Fuji within days – the second time after reascending for his phone The Haifeng is Taiwan’s first luxury dessert-themed train It redefines the afternoon tea experience with some Michelin-starred desserts is taking a step towards opening its doors to international travelers discovering these dishes is recognizing that the rice you're eating in Louisiana has a cousin in Lagos The Kailua-Kona tourist district will soon be home to the Hampton Inn Kailua-Kona Bay Hampton Inn Kailua-Kona Bay is located at 75-5747 Ali'i Drive in Kona. To learn more about Shapery Enterprises visit www.shaperyenterprises.com; for Summit Capital visit www.summit-capital.net; and for PEG Companies visit https://peghospitalitygroup.com/ Hotel website Brand OwnerHilton Hawai’i Police DepartmentKona PatrolSergeant Aron TomotaPhone: (808) 326-4646 Ext Hawai’i Island police are investigating a theft that occurred on the 74-5500 block of Luhia Street in Kailua-Kona Hawaii and need assistance identifying the suspect It was reported that on 09-18-2024 at approximately 1006 am an unknown male removed a blue camouflaged and left with the items in hand without paying.  Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or email Officer Charles Caldwell-Ka’ai at Charles.Caldwell@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential. The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV. This site is only for accessing historical media releases prior to November 12 Visit our new site for up to date information A fix for the parking issue in the Aliʻi Drive area of Kailua-Kona could be at hand Big Island residents can learn about it this weekend from Hawaiʻi County’s top government official and provide their input Mayor Kimo Alameda will provide an update about a parking plan for Aliʻi Drive during the Mālama Kailua Village community event the afternoon of April 12 in Kailua-Kona Plans call for adding on-street parking by converting about 0.4 miles of Aliʻi Drive — between Kailua Pier and Hualālai Road — to a one-way street “The one-way conversion would act as a pilot program to address parking needs for downtown businesses,” Alameda said in an announcement we would seek approval from the [Hawaiʻi] County Council to adopt the new traffic pattern within 90 days.” Traffic would flow in a southbound direction Vehicles exiting the pier would have the option to turn either left or right “We encourage residents to join us this Saturday to provide their input on how we can improve parking and traffic flow in the business area,” Alameda said Parking has become a prime issue during the past few years for residents who frequent the tourist hot spot that is Kailua-Kona’s Aliʻi Drive especially the 0.7-mile stretch from Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel to Coconut Grove Marketplace Much of the patchwork of parking along and around the main roadway along the Kailua Bay coastline was previously offered for nothing or a nominal fee of only $3 an hour in some places you’re hard-pressed to find any free parking in the area — if at all Parking fees of between $9 and $15 an hour started to pop up in many Aliʻi Drive and adjacent lots more than a year ago The hit someone’s wallet takes to simply let their car sit while enjoying the shops beaches and other amenities of the bay area or even work their shift at a local business on Aliʻi Drive can cost as much as the same price as a couple of drinks an appetizer or even a small entrée — from $12 to $21 — every hour While some lots do provide limited amounts of free time or discounts many locals choose to no longer come downtown because of the skyrocketing price of parking Diamond Parking operates four lots in the downtown Kailua-Kona area Diamond’s city manager Jasmine Crusat told Big Island Now in November 2024 that the increase in parking rates is a direct result of the rising cost of doing business with more demand for parking now than available spots leading to people parking in lots and not patronizing their connected businesses Derek Proudian has invested since 2013 in a property originally occupied by Daylight Mind restaurant on Waterfront Row on Ali‘i Drive’s Waterfront Row The 66-year-old assumed the lease in October 2019 after the restaurant went bankrupt and rebranded it as Papa Kona Restaurant and Bar Proudian told Big Island Now in November 2024 that the transition to paid parking has made it a challenge for his employees to get to work Papa Kona employees are carpooling and parking at the old Safeway and walking about a mile down to the restaurant The business also relies on local residents for much of its business during shoulder seasons from the second half of April to the end of June and again in September until the first half of November His restaurant was down about 30% in revenue during the second shoulder season of 2024 “The boutique shops are being hurt the most,” Proudian said at the time “No one wants to do window shopping with the meter running.” He warned then that if a reasonable solution isn’t found “Kona town is going to turn into a ghost town.” News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story The Hawaiʻi County Council on Wednesday voted for a pilot program that would authorize special activity permits for commercial vendors on the ocean side of Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kailua-Kona Council Chair Holeka Inaba introduced the measure that changes the permitting to allow small mobile businesses to apply to operate within a 200-yard stretch between the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center and Allied Quarry Access Road Inaba said commercial activity already is occurring on the side of the highway and on several other roadways in Kailua-Kona He said they have no legal places along roads in the county for mobile vendors to do business “A lot of work has been spent working with the Hawaiʻi Police Department and the Department of Public Works to find a safe legal place for these businesses to operate,” Inaba said “Any folks who are set up along any road in the county are doing so illegally so having a dedicated area for this kind of activity will help police who are stretched thin.” Catie Anderson owns Sugars Hawaiʻi BBQ and Desserts food truck and also organizes Food Truck Friday in the Target parking lot each week This is the only time food trucks can operate for free and without a permit in Kailua-Kona “I know that some of the foods trucks were parking on the highway and other roads and would get in trouble because we arenʻt allowed to do that,” Anderson said “I think it would be helpful to some of us who are trying to open more but canʻt because there is no where to park we have hit the max amount of vendors we can fit in here.” Anderson said she could help the county get the word out since she organizes the Food Truck Fridays and can help ensure that everyone has a fair shot at operating from the new location This corridor of Ane Keohokālole Highway was partly selected because it has a large shoulder that makes it safer were the only testifiers to speak against the resolution due to concerns about public safety and its location in an established exercise corridor “The law that prevents vendors from setting up on the side of county or state highways is there to protect and save lives and this may put the community in danger,” Mallery-Sayre said “A major thoroughfare is not conducive to pulling off the side of the road.” She said if food trucks are needed for the Civic Center they should operate in the parking lot where it is less dangerous for the public Mallery-Sayre also spoke about the decades of time and effort community members put into establishing a trail for pedestrians and bikers that runs both mountain and ocean sides of Ane Keohokālole Highway Both Sayre and Mallery-Sayre worked with People for Active Transportation Hawaiʻi (PATH Hawaiʻi) to establish the “Queens’ Lei Trail Path,” which is now a 6.75-mile loop completed in 2016 “It was an honor to create the first exercise corridor for the community it was not meant to be a strip mall,” Mallery-Sayre said during her testimony “No one I have spoken to was consulted prior to the bill being introduced and our 40 years of effort will now have to deal with unheeded vending trucks.” While Inaba understood the Sayres’ concerns he made it clear that the Department of Public Works is committed to posting clear signage and ensuring that vendors are parked away from the highway and bike path He also said that if there are safety or environmental concerns the Department of Planning can revoke permits at any time Councilmembers Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder and James Hustace asked a few clarifying questions but ultimately agreed on the bill to see how the pilot program goes “This is a pilot program looking into economic development while also balancing safety for residents and visitors to these sites,” Inaba said He also said that the permits are for individual businesses; there will be daily hours that have not yet been set; and vendors will be responsible for cleaning their trash each day fellow west-side councilmember Rebecca Villegas was not in support of the bill reiterating her stance that public roadways did not need to be used because there are shopping centers and other areas to host mobile businesses Councilmember Jenn Kagiwada changed her original support of the measure after hearing from the Sayres and other community groups that had not been consulted “Since decades of work have been put into gearing space toward recreation and being a safe place for families to walk and exercise I would love to take more time and get more input from community members over here,” Kagiwada said Councilmembers Michelle Galimba and Heather Kimball were excused Inaba said he would reach out to the community for feedback before putting out the application for vendors the patchwork of parking lots along and around Kailua-Kona’s touristy Aliʻi Drive from King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort to Coconut Grove have drastically increased their parking rates with some previously free places to park transitioning to pay lots many locals no longer come into downtown Kona to eat and shop The prices also impact the lifestyle for those who run on Ali‘i Drive swim in Kailua Bay or play volleyball at Coconut Grove “If we don’t do something we’ll ruin the name of Kona and the community will abandon downtown,” said Kona resident Julie Ziemelis the founder of 365 Hawai‘i Island Community Fund parking companies and Hawai‘i County officials to a public meeting about the issue on Friday at 5 p.m Ziemelis said the goal is to outline how the paid parking started discuss what’s happening now and come up with economic solutions “We’re trying to save the lifestyle of this town,” Ziemelis said A little over a year ago parking lot fees ranged from $9 to $15 per hour Ziemelis said those prices now range from $12 to $21 an hour The paid parking lots are owned by private landowners who contract primarily with two parking companies Some of the paid parking lots provide free time or discounts offer the first 90 minutes free for kamaʻāina with a valid Hawaiʻi Driver’s License Emails and calls to Parklinq on Wednesday were unreturned which includes ticketing and towing vehicles Crusat said the increase in parking rates is due to the rising cost of doing business is there is more demand for parking than there are parking spots This has led to many people parking in lots and not patronizing the businesses connected to those lots Diamond has been working with landowners and wants to see the tenants thrive who added: “We’re not about scaring customers away.” She said the focus needs to shift to the public county lots which does not allow other customers to park for free and patronize the businesses The county has tried to mitigate the issue by establishing a park-and-ride by Target and offering a free trolley running from 7 a.m executive director for the Kailua Village Business Improvement District said he’s met with 30 downtown merchants to discuss their issues with paid parking and how it’s impacting their businesses He said the merchants need to talk to their landlords about the parking lots “I’m all for coming up with a solution to the problem,” said Wilson who looks forward to working with the incoming county administration under mayor-elect Kimo Alameda Wilson said he would love to see the county open the parking lot at Hale Halawai which is next to Waterfront Row when there are no events at the county park was making a portion of Ali’i Drive a one-way road from the pier to Hualālai Road allowing free parking on the mauka (mountain) side of the roadway A parking study was conducted in 1986 where it counted 1,116 parking stalls for Kailua Village Wilson said building a parking structure at the county lot off Kuakini Highway was discussed it would end up being paid parking to help pay for the infrastructure originally occupied by the restaurant Daylight Mind on Waterfront Row on Ali‘i Drive since 2013 Proudian assumed the lease in October 2019 and rebranded it as Papa Kona Restaurant and Bar Proudian said there was a lot of free parking in town and the parking lot that is occupied by the farmer’s market The underground parking for Waterfront Row was $3 per hour We didn’t have a lot of resistance from guests,” Proudian said With most of the free lots going to paid parking Proudian said it’s hard for his employees to get to work Proudian said the restaurant would be frequented by locals during the shoulder seasons which run from the second half of April to the end of June and then again in September until the first half of November Proudian said his restaurant is down about 30% in revenue during this shoulder season “The boutique shops are being hurt the most,” he said located above Walmart on Henry Street and walking down to the restaurant The business owner said the cost to park should be set at a reasonable rate or customers can pay an annual fee “I’m hoping people can come together and work out reasonable solutions,” Proudian said Kona town is going to turn into a ghost town.” Hawaiʻi Island residents can be part of a nationwide day of action and say “Hands Off Hawaiʻi,” to protest President Donald Trump’s second administration on Saturday The protests, which have been dubbed “Hands Off! National Day of Action,” are centered around taking a stand against Trump and Elon Musk’s recent policy actions such as firing federal workers and shuttering Social Security offices More than 1,000 protest events have been scheduled in al 50 states as grassroots organizations progressive groups and nonprofits fight to preserve schools Indivisible groups across Hawai‘i Island will participate in four different “Hands Off Hawaiʻi,” events to stop the federal government from touching social security peacefuldemonstration across the country to raise awareness of federal policies that threaten Hawai‘i’speople and resources “Hawai‘i is standing up to say enough is enough We are calling for the federal government tostop putting corporate profits and political gain over the well-being of our communities,” saidOlani Lilly organizer for the “Hands Off Hawaiʻi!” event in Hilo “These protests will show our unity and strength in the face of policies that strip away our rights “Hands Off Hawaiʻi!” will have also have events on Kauaʻi Maui and Oʻahu that will range from rallies and protests to empty chair town halls and digital campaigns underscoring the real-life consequences of Trump’s policies and show how communities are fighting back Organizers encourage participants to bring water, prepare for the weather, and help spreadawareness through their social media channels. They can bring handmade signs, or pre-made signs that can be downloaded here. “Our goal is to communicate that Hawai‘i will not be ignored or exploited We are standing insolidarity with communities across the country that are fighting for economic justice According to the Indivisible Hilo One group For the North Hawaiʻi Action Network in Waimea they have been committed to protecting human rights equality and the health of the planet since 2018 They often host sign-waving events and protests community meetings and meet with policymakers on specific issues that are often locally and nationally relevant More information on the six chapters of Indivisible Hawaiʻi on the Big Island can be found here. A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action, so in preparation for Saturday, Indivisible Hawaiʻi invites the public to attend a safety and de-escalation training at 2 p.m Hawaiʻi time tomorrow to ensure best practices in creating a safe and welcoming space volunteers will have a better understanding of how to recognize escalating behavior and diffuse potential conflicts—whether with opposition groups the Indivisible Project as a whole is urging everyone to contact their representatives and tell them to block H.R an bill that would require voters to show proof of citizenship documents that match their current legal name For more information about the “Hands off Hawaiʻi” email info@indivisiblehawaii.org the opening of Kona Inn along the coastline marked the beginning of commercial tourism for the once sleepy fishing village of Kailua-Kona In 1928, the Inter-Island Steamship Navigation Company built the inn for a wealthy leisured class who travelled to the Big Island by steamer The first guests to the establishment traveled from Hilo to Kona in a touring vehicle according to Kona Historical Society records A few years after the inn stopped hosting guests in 1976 the property was converted into the Kona Inn Shopping Village the property has remained a top tourist draw especially due to the Kona Inn’s original restaurant still serving up drinks and food with patrons able to see the same gorgeous view of Kailua Bay But the future of the aging property is murky Since 2021, the Kona Inn Shopping Village has been for sale. It is now listed on the JLL Brokerage website The property is described as an “extremely rare opportunity” to acquire approximately six acres of fee simple interest directly on Kailua Bay The shopping village fronts 750 feet of ocean and spans 88,780 square feet along Ali‘i Drive The brokerage has the property listed for sale at “best offer.” According to the County of Hawai‘i Real Property Tax Office the commercial property is assessed at $11.67 million The shopping village was built in 1949 and its age shows Walking through the open-air complex there is chipped concrete and toward the south end there is a weathered creaky boardwalk Several empty retail spaces have “for lease” signs a staple in the shopping village for at least two decades is closing for good with a bright red and yellow sign advertising everything is 70% off But despite the problems, the charm and beauty of the place, with the center piece the iconic Kona Inn Restaurant From the quaint dining and shopping to the access to Kailua Bay it is a place where there are colorful sunsets good food and a great place for buying jewelry The brokerage company stated purchasing the property is a “once in a generation opportunity to shape the identity and future of Kailua-Kona.” Several attempts were made to reach members of the family but no calls were returned a San Diego developer who now lives on the Big Island expressed interest in both properties at that time but ended up buying only the Kona Bay Hotel in 2022 for $21 million said he initially had both Kimi family-owned properties under contract with the plan to buy them at the same time there were title challenges with the Kona Inn from previous owners Shapery explained the seller keeps the land contract until the loan is paid off The Kona Bay Hotel is a replace and renovate project The cost of the renovation went from an estimated $25 million in 2022 to a current price tag of $30 million When Shapery was able to officially purchase Uncle Billy’s he got a real glimpse of the age of the 60-year-old structure as everything from plumbing to electric to drywall had to be replaced Shapery said the renovated Kona Bay Hotel should open in August “My goal is to make it a fun place to be in Kailua-Kona,” Shapery said “We’re trying to recapture historic Hawai‘i.” While Shapery said he does have a standing offer with the Kimi family for Kona Inn Shopping Village he said it doesn’t make economic sense for him to invest in it “When you look at the property knowing it’s a significant historic property you can’t really tear it down,” Shapery said “It should be remodeled and brought back to its original condition with some upgrades.” Shapery said each space in the shopping village would need a new foundation Material and labor costs would cost more to repair and renovate than it would to tear down and rebuild While the property is technically on the market tenants and prospective buyers like Shapery say the Kimi family doesn’t know what direction they plan to go in with regards to the Kona Shopping Village While there is uncertainty surrounding the historical site’s future those visiting or working in the space now struggle to visit or keep doors open The property and others began to charge as much as $15 an hour for parking which has resulted in less people coming to Ali‘i Drive “The landlords have shot themselves in the foot for charging high parking,” Shapery said the parking lot is empty and priced out the locals.” became a tenant in the shopping village in 2022 after eight years of operating her business from the parking lot at the Kamehameha Shopping Center She opened her doors right after the parking prices went up Richert’s space at the village used to be a closet But she fell in love with the arched window that brightens the space with natural light She also has struggled with damage to her store resulting in water falling on her glass counter display case and area where she creates her jewelry Despite the property’s flaws, 72-year-old Jerome Kanuha thinks whoever buys it should invest money into the property to keep its past alive He was raised in the heart of Kona across from Hulihe‘e Palace His dad worked as a bartender and security at the inn which sprawled from Hualalai Road to the south end of the palace “I used to come here every afternoon Kanuha said the whole property used to be hotel rooms But the owners before the Kimi family converted the hotel rooms sprawled along the boardwalk into commercial rental spaces The rest of the Kona Inn remained intact on the south end of the shopping center until it closed in 1976 Kanuha said the shopping village is part of Kona: “Hopefully the new owners or somebody will realize how important this place is agrees: “I would love to see Kona Inn restored to its former glory and transformed back to being one the iconic visual and social centerpieces of Historic Kailua Village.” Hawaiʻi Police DepartmentCriminal Investigations Section Area IIDetective Len HamakadoPhone: (808) 326-4646 Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a reported robbery at a financial institution in Kailua-Kona Kona patrol officers responded to a report of an active robbery at a bank on the 75-5600 block of Palani Road in Kailua-Kona Police determined that a male suspect had entered the bank produced a note demanding money and fled the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash to include witness interviews and a review of video surveillance police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Brandan Patrick Nicholson who was last seen heading North on Kuakini Highway was located nearby and was subsequently placed under arrest at 4:37 p.m. The Area II Criminal Investigation Section is continuing this investigation Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information relative to this investigation to call Detective Len Hamakado of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 326-4646, Ext. 224, or via email at len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov. Many of the events and activities around the Big Island during the next week will focus on tradition Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi High School in Keaʻau continues its annual Hōʻike tradition of sharing stories from Hawaiian history with two upcoming presentations of “ʻEMALANI: Scenes from the Life of Queen Emma.” The opera highlights many significant events in the life of Queen Emma Kahaka’ioikamālie Ravenscraft will tell tales of Umi-a-Liloa who was a ruling chief of Hawaiʻi Island in the 15th and 16th centuries during a special presentation this weekend in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Redeeming Māhū: Deconstructing and Reconstructing Māhū with Hawaiian Mindfulness brings together a panel this weekend at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea to discuss lāhui and māhū as well as their right to determine their identity and define and create their culture without colonial limitations Connections Public Charter School in Hilo is hosting a full day of creativity from 3-D printing and coding to art and sustainability during the Connections Maker Faire this weekend in celebration of the power of imagination and joy of making while sparking your imagination The Youth Art Series at East Hawai’i Cultural Center is also bringing together local organizations and others this weekend dedicated to providing arts opportunities for keiki and teens while honoring young artists from the Big Island community ⁣during the inaugural YAS Fest a vibrant celebration of Hawai’i Island youth arts Jazz In The Forest returns to Volcano Art Center this weekend taking a trip down memory lane with music from the great vocal lineage of Dinah Washington and other memorable chanteuses who brought many of the standards people hum and sing every day And don’t miss the 30th anniversary — and final — Kona Brewers Festival on the beach overlooking Kailua Bay at Ahu’ena Heiau in Kailua-Kona if you can — of the more than 18 craft brews from Hawai’i and beyond along with some tasty culinary creations from local chefs to try out live entertainment and the iconic Trash Fashion Show Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for March 7-13 1 — 17th annual Run for Hops 5K and 10K Family Fun Run/Walk (Kailua-Kona Location: Old Airport State Recreation Area Aunty and Uncle take a few laps around the brew tasting fiesta that is the 30th anniversary and final Kona Brewers Festival get a running start to the day during this fun run/walk for the whole family presented by People for Active Transportation Hawai’i accessible and active transportation in Big Island communities equitable transportation options promote healthy people The Run for Hops benefits nonprofits working on behalf of Hawai’i Island youth Entry fee is $40 and includes a commemorative T-shirt beer tasting and nibbles following the race Registration is limited to the first 600 participants No race day packet pick up or registration More info: Email to sharetheroad@pathhawaii.org or visit the Run for Hops web page. You can also register online Location: Connections Public Charter School Don’t miss an opportunity to explore amazing student projects get interactive with exhibits and meet the young makers shaping the future of Hawaiʻi during this family-friendly event that celebrates the power of imagination and joy of making while sparking your imagination More info: Call 808-961-3664 or visit the Connections Public Charter School website 3 — Umi-a-Liloa with Kahakaʻio Ravenscraft (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park located about an hour south of the main park entrance Umi-a-Liloa was a ruling chief of Hawaiʻi Island in the 15th and 16th centuries He left a mark through his adventures and accomplishments and in the legacy handed down from generation to generation Here the stories that have been handed down through the centuries during this special presentation Kahaka’ioikamālie Ravenscraft lives in the ahupuaʻa of Onouli in South Kona His family traces its roots to the area of Napoʻopoʻo He dedicates his work to perpetuating the traditions of his ancestors More info or to make reservation: Email to wendy_scott-vance@nps.gov ⁣This inaugural vibrant celebration of Hawai’i Island youth arts as part of the Youth Art Series at East Hawai’i Cultural Center brings together local organizations dedicated to providing arts opportunities for keiki and teens while honoring young artists from the Big Island community.⁣ merchandise and activity booths featuring a variety of vendors are participating plus there will also be the Youth Arts Series annual Youth Art Month community art installation featuring The FUZZ Hawai‘i a special art installation by the Hawai‘i Handweaversʻ Hui and the 37th annual Young At Art awards ceremony and satellite exhibit featuring the winning artwork family-friendly event also includes hands-on activities More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center website 5 — Mālama Hawai‘i Makers Market Waimea (Waimea Get ready for the debut of this unforgettable curated pop-up market showcasing the best of Hawaiʻi’s small businesses and artisans More than 40 talented makers from throughout the Aloha State ae participating giving you a chance to discover handcrafted treasures Those who attend also will enjoy live music by Big Island musicians Jacob Bernabe and G ono local food and beverages from the Mālama Hawai‘i Makers Market food truck and lots of fun for the whole ‘ohana More info: Visit the Mālama Hawai‘i Makers Market website or visit the market on Instagram 6 — Redeeming Māhū: Deconstructing and Reconstructing Māhū with Hawaiian Mindfulness (Waimea Hawaiian language instructor and Hana Keaka practitioner is part of Kahilu Theatreʻs Sharing Manaʻo Series and originally curated by Kanani Daley to enhance community awareness for Hawai’i’s pae māhū Daley says that duality and transformation are fundamental to evolution have the right to determine their identities themselves of belonging and can define and create their culture without colonial limitations More info: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website 7 — 30th Anniversary and Final Kona Brewers Festival (Kailua-Kona Courtyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort Don’t miss the this final unmatched food and beverage celebration of craft beer island cuisine and sustainable community in the heart of downtown Kailua-Kona that has become this special three-decade-old fundraiser for local nonprofits focused on Big Island ouths More than 18 craft brews from Hawai’i and beyond will be available be on the beach paired with culinary creations from local chefs to try out Those who participate also will enjoy live music Tickets are $100 and include 10 beer tasting tokets live music and entrance to the Trash Fashion Show More info or to purchase tickets: Visit the Kona Brewers Festival website 8 — Jazz In The Forest: Diva Jazz II (Volcano Location: Volcano Art Center Ni‘aulani Campus Enjoy the costumes and revival of America’s treasured jazz history with the return of this popular series at Volcano Art Center Take a trip down memory lane with music from the great vocal lineage of Dinah Washington and other memorable chanteuses who brought us so many standards people hum and sing every day The evening features vocalist and pianist Leslie Harlib accompanied by JP Thoma and the Jazztones Tickets are $25 for Volcano Art Center members or $30 for non-members wine and pupus will also be available for purchase More info or to purchase tickets: Call 808-967-8222 or visit the Volcano Art Center website Location: Gemini North Observatory base facility What’s better than watching a total lunar eclipse on your own The Gemini North Observatory invites the community to its base facility in Hilo to watch next week’s lunar event to get a fantastic view of moonrise and total eclipse from the grassy area near the building while enjoying telescope viewing You can even get a free tour of the facility to learn more about the observatory’s nightly operations Those who attend are asked to bring their own chairs and snacks Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi High School continues its special tradition of sharing stories from Hawaiian history in dynamic and entertaining ways during its annual Hōʻike with two presentations of the opera “ʻEMALANI: Scenes from the Life of Queen Emma,” written by kumu Herb Mahelona and originally performed in 2014 by Hawaiʻi Youth Opera Chorus The opera spans the entire life of Queen Emma and highlights many significant events in her life and in the history of Hawaiʻi It is presented in Hawaiian language and English It is the school’s sixth original Hawaiian opera performance More info and to purchase tickets: Visit the Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i website revelry and talk of auld lang syne will abound — reminiscing about times long past for old times’ sake It could be while coming together with family community members and others to pound mochi today at Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo for good luck and prosperity in the new year You could be partying — bidding 2024 farewell and saying hello to 2025 with a glass of bubbly surrounded by friends and other revelers — during one of several New Year’s Eve bashes around the island at various venues There’s even a special New Year’s Day Blessing Service at Daifukuji Soto Zen Buddhist Temple in Honalo to welcome the new year as a community beginning 2025 with blessings for everyone’s health and safety No matter what you do to celebrate this New Year’s be safe and be responsible — and do it together the familiar Japanese rice cake or confection made from steamed glutinous rice is an important traditional event in preparation for the New Year building community and reinforcing cultural ties Pounding the rice is also believed to transfer the positive energy and spirit of rice into the mochi so eating it symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the coming year All are invited to experience the tradition and even try making mochi themselves Last year’s event was a great success community members and guests from abroad attending and participating 2 — Exploring the Universe with the Gemini North Telescope (Zoom Have you ever looked up at the starry night sky and wanted to peer deeper You want to know more about what’s out there and now there’s a way you can use some of the most sophisticated equipment on the planet to do it Shadow the Scientists connects learners with researchers engaging in authentic experiments and scientific explorations including astronomical observations on world-class telescopes such as a session this weekend with Gemini North atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island As opposed to “classical” observing nights Gemini Observatory uses queue observing mode in which staff take observations on behalf of science teams from around the world Gemini staff determine the conditions on the ground and in the sky and the scientific priorities then choose from a pool of scientific programs to observe So come along for this cosmic adventure to explore the universe and share its wonders. Click here to register or for more information 3 — New Year’s Eve Lūʻau Under the Stars & Fireworks (Waikōloa Enjoy one last majestic Waikōloa sunset as 2024 comes to a close before ringing in 2025 with a special New Year’s Eve edition lūʻau with live entertainment at the Kona Tap Room until midnight and a spectacular — and more intimate and premium — fireworks show under the stars your mouth will water over a delectable New Year’s Eve menu featuring a Double R Ranch porterhouse with barolo wine sauce and a three-course prix-fixe champagne dinner by Kamuela Provision Co It will be a night to remember. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Hilton Waikoloa Village website 4 — New Year’s Eve Dance + Pool Party (Pāhoa Location: Hawaiian Sanctuary Come say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025 poolside and dancing all night in the heart of Puna This special dance party will feature DJs Hundo P mixing beats so you and your friends can ring in the new year busting all your best moves Pre-sale tickets are just $15 and are available now online Overnight car/tent camping at the sanctuary is also available for an additional cost 5 — 2025 New Year Chill Bash (Kīlauea Military Camp 99-252 Crater Rim Drive (inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park) Bring in the new year with your friends at Kīlauea Miliary Camp and the Lava Lounge Bar and Grill while you enjoy music plus food and drink specials amid the beauty of the national park DJ Klassik will be spinning music from 8 p.m and Lava Bites will be available from 4 to 8 p.m Spend just $10 for the Bash Pass and get great specials on food Designated drivers also get 50% off mocktails and free soft drinks 6 — A Night to Remember at Kona Pub Brewery (Kailua-Kona Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with live Hawaiian music from Mana Grace high-energy dance beats by DJ Hybrid Vigor plus a delicious dinner buffet full of local flavors This incredible celebration to ring in the new year also comes with festive vibes and tons of joy You’ll even get two free drinks to start the night and a midnight bubbly to welcome 2025 is crafted by chefs Aaron Paio and David Youngblood Seats are limited, so reserve your ticket today for $110 and come celebrate New Year’s Eve in style 7 — New Year’s Eve with HAPPINESS Kona gather your friends for an extraordinary celebration and be one of the first to experience the grand opening of Kona’s newest dining and entertainment sensation food and festivities will be filled with live performances and Lucky Tongue; a grand buffet to start the evening and an unlimited “Pancake Party” with 20 toppings and French coffee at 12:15 a.m.; Hawai‘i’s most spectacular special effects; and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight with an epic confetti light show as the clock strikes midnight Don’t miss this exclusive celebration of joy, music and connection. Limited tickets are available. Call 808-796-8458 for information. Tickets start at $98; click here to purchase yours today 8 — Blue Dragon Tavern Bubbles & Bling New Year’s Eve Party (Kawaihae Psychedelic rock band Uncle Charlie is known for mind-bending improvisational jams and every show promises to be a unique experience BASS BIAS seamlessly blends the sounds of an upright bass and electric bass to create a sound all their own with rock folk and country styles for covers of a variety of artists from Bob Marley to the White Stripes and original songs with BASS BIAS playing the first set followed by Uncle Charlie they will unite for an all-out jam to take everyone there for the party to the Big Countdown to midnight and ring in the New Year Tickets are $35 in advance and can be purchased at the Blue Dragon Tavern website Ring in the New Year at downtown Hilo’s hottest spot for an unforgettable night of dancing and good vibes counting down to 2025 Celebrate in style and party it up with jams mixed by DJs C-Roy and D-Cypher while the clock ticks down to midnight There’s just a $10 cover all night to be part of the fun and a midnight champagne toast is included Don’t miss this spectacular New Year’s Eve blowout 10 — New Year’s Day Blessing Service (Honalo Location: Daifukuji Soto Zen Buddhist Temple All are invited to welcome the new year together Individual blessings will be given by the Rev Attendees can ring the temple bell and enjoy hot noodles and sangha fellowship in the social hall following the service Buddhist charms carried in your purse or vehicle The white Hawai‘i Kannon omamori are $6 each and wallet omamori are $2 each Omamori for dogs and cats will also be available for $5 Omamori and ofuda can also be purchased after the blessing service or by stopping at the temple at a later time check or credit/debit card will be accepted By Dan Nakaso BusinessEditors' PicksHawaii island RENDERING COURTESY THE QUEEN’S HEALTH SYSTEMS An artist’s rendering shows The Queen’s Health Systems plans to build an 80-bed hospital and medical office building in Kailua-­Kona The plan also includes 150 condos and apartments for health care and other hospital staff at below-­market rates Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading The Queen’s Health Systems plans to build an 80-bed hospital next to the Kailua-Kona Costco on Hawaii island that would include a helipad to cut travel time to its trauma center on Oahu and below-market-­rate housing to recruit and retain some of the estimated 300 hospital staff would start to go up in two to three years on 30 acres of land Queen’s owns with it opening perhaps five years from now according to Queen’s President and CEO Jason Chang The project would cost $400 million to $500 million with possible funding from private investments and philanthropic contributions “What we’re trying to do is create a regional health system for the Big Island so this is in partnership with our existing hospital Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital,” Chang said “We’ll be bringing more access better care and more specialists to the north and west sides of the island.” Queen’s plans surprised officials at the 94-bed Kona Community Hospital located south of the Queen’s site closer to Captain Cook which operates the Kona Community and Kohala hospitals had been looking to build another hospital closer to the main population center in Kailua-­Kona including potentially on the land where Queen’s plans to build its still-­unnamed hospital Because of the health care needs of the west side of the Big Island McGhan said he supports Queen’s plans especially its goal of building workforce housing for hospital staff While some refer to the neighbor islands as providing “rural health care,” McGhan said that in Kona “I actually think we’re remote or frontier health care.” Based on a needs assessment funded by the state Legislature West Hawaii’s population is expected to grow 11% over the next decade 22,000 patients were treated in the Kona Community Hospital’s emergency room and the number is on track to jump to 24,000 this year McGhan said It has its own helipad and flies about 6,000 patients each month to Queen’s trauma center on Oahu via Hawaii Life Flight medical transport crews Most are neurological or stroke patients and “traumatic cases,” McGhan said But the 50-year-old Kona Community lacks the volume of specialized cases to justify full-time specialists So it relies on specialists at Queen’s to consult via telemedicine technology on stroke and neurological cases along with helping with a new electronic medical records system A new Queen’s hospital in Kailua-Kona would be welcomed “We don’t look at it as competition,” McGhan said We have to celebrate that because it’s going to meet the community’s demands The main thing is we’re supportive of any additional resources that would come here.” Kona community Hospital needs 25 more doctors trained in psychiatric care adult primary care and pediatric specialties who applauded Queen’s plan to build 150 condo and apartment units that would be rented to hospital staff at below-market rates with the option to also buy at below-­market prices owners would have to sell to another hospital employee at similar rates McGhan called the concept “fantastic So we’re going to be supportive of any new workforce housing.” Josh Green started his Hawaii medical career at a rural hospital in Kau on the southern end of Hawaii island he worked weekend ER shifts at Kona Community while running for governor “It’s very exciting to see health care weigh in on the need for affordable housing I’ve always said that housing is health care,” Green said Chang hopes to finish building the housing before the hospital itself opens to ensure it has long-term staffing “We believe housing’s such a huge need and you can’t recruit nurses social workers if you don’t,” Chang said Because of the difficulty recruiting health care workers — let alone specialists — to the neighbor islands Queen’s 35-bed North Hawaii Community Hospital relies on traveling nurses and doctors It’s hired four full-time oncologists over the last 10 years who all left after a couple of years “It takes a year to bring someone new in,” he said “Traveling physicians don’t plan to stay It’s a real challenge in rural communities We can’t hire permanent people because they can’t find housing — affordable or just inventory If we don’t address housing ourselves we’re going to have the same problem.” By providing below-market-rate condos and apartments Chang hopes to retain some traveling health care workers for the new hospital Queen’s physicians also work closely with medical students at the University of Hawaii’s John A including students who already work with patients at Queen’s They also could rotate through the new hospital along with one or two post-­graduate medical residents every couple of years “I just need one or two to stay every few years That would be fantastic and it makes them appreciate the need for rural health care.” Many details of the new hospital campus still need to be worked out such as how many stories the facility would have But the hospital probably will be around 250,000 square feet in size The community wants a trauma center and specialists to treat heart attacks and strokes but West Hawaii doesn’t have the volume of cases to attract or retain “a top-notch cardiologist,” Chang said “Just treating 30 heart attacks a year the hospital will focus on “diagnostic cardiology diagnostic neurology — state-of-the-art diagnostics — and general surgery,” he said There also will be an emergency room “to stabilize you and fly you to Queen’s.” For some neighbor-island patients flying to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu on an airplane it can sometimes take three to four hours between when they call 911 get taken by ambulance to their local hospital Inouye International Airport and then taken by ambulance to the hospital “You end up with a massive amount of transfer time,” he said a twin-engine H145 helicopter is scheduled to be delivered to Queen’s in 2026 It’s being paid for by philanthropists Lynne and Marc Benioff chairman and CEO of Salesforce and owns Time magazine The couple already have donated $5 million dedicated solely to Hawaii island health care workers to augment $30 million in state funds to pay off student loans to keep health care workers from leaving Hawaii Once the helicopter goes into use at the new hospital Chang said Hawaii County crews will staff it to fly patients to Queen’s trauma center “How do you get somebody to the trauma center which is Queen’s Medical Center Punchbowl you cut out all that ambulance time.” “recognizes that air transport is a real issue.” Queen’s plans help address the growing need for health care in the area Green said: “The West Hawaii community truly needs a new hospital as Kona Hospital has aged and is now further away from the region’s population center It’s exciting to see Queen’s begin the process of raising capital and building relationships to launch this new facility There is certainly a pathway for the state to either support or even partner with Queen’s on this project once all of the stakeholders have come to a consensus on how to move forward.” >> 150 units of below-market rate condos and apartments to retain health care workers The Queen’s Health Systems plans to build an 80-bed hospital in Kailua-­Kona part of a 30-acre campus that would include a medical office building and helipad Pictured above are artist’s renderings of the estimated $400 million to $500 million project